Naoto: What follows are my impressions of the...organization called the Shadow Operatives,...as well as their leader, Mitsuru Kirijo

My fingers fly across the keyboard

My last case was... special

I need to complete my report before I forget any important details

My name is Naoto Shirogane

I'm a detective

The Shirogane family has been working as detectives for generations

Though I'm young and still in high school, I have been given the opportunity to take on several cases and have built up experience as a detective

My work has earned me some trust, as every so often the police will come to me for my assistance

That's where this story begins: a sudden request from the Inaba Police Department

That was about a month ago--early April

Last summer, I had received a request from the prefectural police to come to the town of Inaba

A bizarre series of murders was occurring: A corpse would turn up every morning after a foggy night

In the end, it turned out to be the most difficult case of my career It's been about two weeks since that case was closed

No... From the public's viewpoint, four months have passed since the crimes were stopped

The culprit has been arrested and prosecuted Peace has returned, but to return there is a depressing proposition

I'm not unwilling to help the police again, but...

My involvement with the previous case is not something I'd like to go through again

To be completely honest, that particular case was no simple series of murders

During the course of my investigation, I obtained a supernatural power known as my "Persona," making me more than just a detective

I collaborated with other "Persona-users" and became directly involved with the events of the case

Of course, if I was to tell this to the police, it would be treated as nonsense

Worst-case scenario: I would be discredited

Having to leave out those details while explaining the events of the case is more than a little nerve-wracking and feels like lying, but there you have it

While on my way to the police department for this new case, I go through a list of possible questions and answers I would need

...Something's different today, though

After greeting the receptionist, I'm not led to the usual dull meeting room Instead, I'm taken to a reception area on the top floor

A leather-trimmed sofa, a curved wooden table...

A nouveaux riche setting...

Naoto: *sigh* Looks like this may take some time...

If this was just going to be paperwork and basic questioning, they wouldn't have brought me to this special room

Is it a new case?

I have to wait several minutes before someone comes to speak with me

When the door finally opens, a man wearing a suit--not fitting the uniform of a local officer--walks in...

Man in SuitmkoI'm sorry about the wait

He hands me his card...

Man in SuitmkoAllow me to introduce myself

His card has a lengthy title: "National Police Agency, Security Bureau: Security Planning Division"

I was shocked

They're more commonly known as the "Public Safety Police"

The Security Planning Division is the command center for departments that handle terrorist threats, coup d'etat plots, and foreign affairs

The "Secret Police" also belong to this group

Why would a person of this importance come all the way to a rural locale like this...?

I look him in the eyes He appears to be measuring me up...

Public Safety Officer: I see you're enough on the ball that you don't...need a lengthy introduction Good

Without any further talk, the man gets to his point...Public Safety Officer: Have you heard of the Kirijo Group?Naoto: I doubt there are many who haven't...Public Safety Officer: I'll get right to the point We'd like to...hire you to perform a sub rosa investigation...on them...Naoto: You need a corporation quietly investigated?...Why me? I don't see what I can do that your...own department cannot...Public Safety Officer: I would agree... if Shadows and Personas...weren't involved...Naoto: ......!

This time I'm unable to hide my surprise

But the man continues, either failing to see or purposefully ignoring my reaction...

Public Safety Officer: One summer twelve years ago, there was an...explosion at the Kirijo-owned Tatsumi Port...Island, killing over 50 people...

Public Safety Officer: You would've been very young at the time...

Naoto: I've reviewed that case The official...explanation was that a gas main leaked...during a construction project...Naoto: Afterwards, though, a bizarre rumor saw...quite a bit of circulation...Public Safety Officer: The mass media noticed that there was a...suspiciously large number of researchers...amongst the casualties...Public Safety Officer: They floated the theory that the official...explanation was a lie, and that the explosion...was really caused by some dubious experiment...Naoto: No concrete evidence was ever found to support...those claims, though As I recall, the matter...was left unsettled...Naoto: Some may still remember the incident, though I...don't think many could recall the finer points...Public Safety Officer: Those rumors were all true

His voice becomes firm...

Naoto: What...?

Public Safety Officer: Those researchers under Kouetsu Kirijo, the...old Kirijo Group manager, were working on...harnessing the power of Shadows...

Public Safety Officer: The experiment went awry, and they lost control of the Shadows... That's what caused the explosion...

Naoto: Experiments using Shadows!? They lost control!?

Naoto: Are you saying the Shadows flooded the city--the real world!?

Public Safety Officer: I can't speak to that There was no way of...getting hard answers back then No one took...the spooky stories seriously...

Public Safety Officer: But that accident got the government and the...police's attention Though they didn't launch...an investigation until a year or two ago

That couldn't be helped

Law can only preside over the world as we know it

Things that can't be explained can't be governed...

Public Safety Officer: Only those in the Kirijo Group know exactly...what happened and how much of the aftermath...was dealt with...

Naoto: The aftermath...?

That word has a bad ring to it

It brings to mind a cover-up of some dark secret...

Public Safety Officer: Their cleanup efforts continued until quite...recently They were using some method known...only to them, entirely behind our backs...

Public Safety Officer: We think they've been conducting illegal...activities in the ten years since then while...hiding behind their "cleanup efforts"

Naoto: And you wish for me to confirm this?

Public Safety Officer: Not only do you have a relationship with us, you have a Persona, and extensive experience in the field...

Public Safety Officer: We can't think of a better candidate...

Naoto: And since I'm not directly affiliated with...the police, if I were to be caught in a trap,...it wouldn't lead back to you...

Public Safety Officer: If that's the way you want to put it

My reply was meant to be sarcastic, but this conversation is exceptionally draining

I must applaud Public Safety

They know everything about anybody they choose to investigate

There's no point in trying to bargain with them

He continues explaining indifferently, as if able to sense my resignation...

Public Safety Officer: Last year, in conjunction with the Kirijo Group, we established an unofficial department in the force, nicknamed the "Shadow Operatives"

Public Safety Officer: It's a special unit capable of dealing with...Shadow-related cases...

Naoto: This is news to my ears...

Naoto: That's a rather bold move You went so far as...to join forces with the ones you suspect of...illicit activities?

Public Safety Officer: That's exactly why we did it We must keep a leash on them by integrating them into the system...

Naoto: But the police are far behind information-wise...Officially, you are higher on the chain of...command, but less so in practice

I try throwing out a theory as I begin to get a grasp on what's taking place

The man didn't so much as flinch, but he didn't give me much of an answer either...

Naoto: You'd need some leverage to keep your hold...on them Thus, this secret investigation...What exactly do you want me to do?

Public Safety Officer: That will depend on your answer

So that's their game plan I figured as much

An organization as big as the Kirijo Group is hiding the secret about Shadows...

Now, should I take the job or not?

As a person with Persona abilities, I'm naturally interested in learning how much is known about the Shadows

And this job could potentially give me leverage over the government in the future

While I'm deep in thought, the man continues, as if he can read my mind...

Public Safety Officer: If you think we're hiring you to further...our organization, you're mistaken

I can't help but look up at the obvious change in his tone...

Public Safety Officer: Our sources say it's possible that they've been...talking students from the Kirijo-owned school...into doing their dirty work...

Public Safety Officer: They've been pleading ignorance while making...ordinary kids clean up whatever messes...they've left...

Public Safety Officer: And that, we don't forgive We're supposed...to be upholding the law We can't overlook...things like this

He's surprisingly sincere

He's staring right at me Unlike up until now, his eyes are strong and bold; he truly doesn't want anyone innocent to suffer

Of course, this could be an act to convince me, but even then, I do agree with that opinion

All that remains is to find out Kirijo's intentions...

Naoto: All right In that case, I accept...

Naoto: Though I don't plan on abandoning my school...life here I'll do what I can to help, but only...within those limits

 I would never have dictated conditions like this before

But the reason I had come to this town and transferred to Yasogami High School was all for my investigation

But the school life and the dear friends that I've gained have become irreplaceable to me

It may sound childish to demand that I stay with my friends, but if they refuse to budge in that regard, that's that

However--

Public Safety Officer: That's fine with us

He accepts my condition... almost too easily He then immediately begins to explain the details of the case...

Public Safety Officer: At the end of this month, the Kirijo Group is...airlifting some special cargo...

Public Safety Officer: Kirijo has asked our help in making sure the cargo is transported safely...

Public Safety Officer: We'd like you to accompany them as a police observer...

Naoto: What do they mean, "transported safely"?

Public Safety Officer: A police escort, assurance of no public...investigation if any unforeseen situation...were to arise... things like that...

Public Safety Officer: Of course, if anything does happen, we will hold them responsible...

Naoto: And what is this special cargo?

Public Safety Officer: It's something to do with the Shadow research...They've admitted that much, but we don't know...the exact details...

Public Safety Officer: According to our research, it's most likely...something from the old Ergonomics research...laboratory Classified as risk level 4...

Public Safety Officer: In other words, even though it's sealed up...tight, it's extremely dangerous

They even have a risk scale for something like this...

It seems that Kirijo's research goes into a variety of different things...

Public Safety Officer: Also...

As I'm thinking, the man slides a photograph to me

It's a beautiful young lady

Her eyes show a strong will, as striking as her blazing red hair

Her hair reminds me of something

I may have seen her picture while going through the documents regarding the Port Island incident

Of course, the girl in those pictures was much younger...

Public Safety Officer: This woman will be on that flight Her name is...Mitsuru Kirijo...

Naoto: Kirijo...

Public Safety Officer: She's the oldest daughter of the Kirijo family,...Kouetsu Kirijo's granddaughter It was he who...devised the experiments 12 years ago...

Public Safety Officer: You should know that she's also a powerful...Persona-user...

Naoto: ......!

A Persona-user besides us...!

I was suspecting something like this, but to hear it out loud is still shocking

So there ARE Persona-users other than those of us involved in the case last year!

Public Safety Officer: We believe she took the lead in gathering students three years ago when she was still in high school...

Public Safety Officer: We'd like you to first go to her residence...and meet with her...

Naoto: ...All right...

Public Safety Officer: I'm sure you've figured out by now, since she's...a high-ranking Kirijo Group official and a...Persona-user, but she's a Shadow Operative...

Public Safety Officer: She's member #1, the general manager......and not because she's a Kirijo, but because...she has the abilities to back it up...

Public Safety Officer: Can you do this? If she's dirty... then this...won't be easy for you...

Naoto: I already accepted your assignment, so I must...simply make the best of it

I offer my hand

He has the firm grip of someone who's worked on the front lines of the law

A few days later, I receive a message informing me that the transport is to be on the 1st of May

It's on a school day, but since I've taken the job, there's nothing I can do about it

In fact, I should be glad that this didn't overlap with the extended holiday

I haven't heard the details, but I expect to have some important arrangements during Golden Week

Arrangements to reunite with my upperclassman, Yu Narukami, who was the leader of our group during last year's incident

I keep thinking about our reunion

It's only been two weeks since he left, but it feels much longer

I suppose that goes to show how much I'm looking forward to it

...But I'm going off-track I need to think about my new job, so I hastily pull myself together

May 1st...

The "cargo" is due to be transported from a laboratory near the Kirijo mansion

I make my way to the mansion to present myself, and end up accompanying the security detail

...The limousine is incredibly long

Apparently, it isn't all that rare for the upper class in other countries to ride in cars this large, but it's downright comical on the tiny roads of Japan

That was where I met Mitsuru Kirijo in person...

Naoto: Nice to meet you My name is Naoto Shirogane...I'll be acting as an observer today...

Mitsuru: I've been told about you It's nice meeting you...as well I'm Mitsuru Kirijo

Her beauty is enough to attract anyone's attention

She was so much less imposing than in the picture...

Mitsuru: I didn't expect the police's observer to be...so young...

Naoto: Does that bother you?

Mitsuru: Ah, no I didn't mean to downplay your abilities...Forgive me

I took a look at Kirijo-san's face

She's the only daughter of the founding family, but it's been two years since she renounced the practice of the Kirijo Group being run by the family

In other words, she's simply the CEO's daughter now, not the heir to the company

She must be used to constant stress, being a female leader at such a young age Getting people to acknowledge her must have been a struggle

I don't need to mince my words in dealing with types like her...

I decide to cut to the chase...

Naoto: Tell me, what are the contents of your cargo?

Mitsuru: I'm ashamed to have to admit this, but since...the original researchers have passed away,...we don't know what's in it either...

Mitsuru: We can't allow the worst-case scenario for...such an item to come to pass in the middle...of a city...

Mitsuru: That's why we plan to transfer these items...to a distant facility according to their...indicated risk level

A natural decision

Her posture, her actions... If that was all an act,  I must commend her for her ability to deal with the unexpected

But personally, my impression is that she's a trustworthy person

Before leaving, I have a chance to see the Kirijo mansion I have to say that it's surprisingly simple

It wasn't just empty luxury, but something rather more rational I feel that it shows what kind of person she is

At any rate, her intelligence and presence are proof enough of her upbringing

If she was hiding something, it would be hard to figure that out...

Naoto: Then I'll stay near the cargo along with the...police escort I'll contact you immediately...if anything happens...

Mitsuru: All right If anything is unclear to you,...feel free to ask me

Her eyes look straight at me, and I feel like she could see through everything

I end our conversation shortly after, and quietly wait for us to arrive

The limousine, transport truck, and multiple security cars reach the airport without any incident

The cargo may be dangerous, but according to the records, it was kept safely in storage for the past ten years

Plus, it is worthless to the average person

Because of this, the people involved in the security don't look tense

Kirijo-san hands her servant her travel bag It's almost as if she's simply going on vacation...

Naoto: Yakushima, eh...?

The plane's destination is to one of the southern islands

I'm sure it'd be fun to go with everyone

I realize what I'm thinking, and have to laugh to myself

A year ago, I never would have considered that it would be fun to spend time with others

But I can't help but think that way now

Soon, they'll begin moving the cargo out of the truck

I clear my mind of daydreams and look back to the truck

They pass through the gate for large cargo shipments

The shipment is in imposing metal cases, but among all the other shipping containers, it doesn't attract much attention from the airport staff

It's not long before the final case is unloaded from the truck

It's obviously different from the rest; it's covered in what seems to be heavy, industrial-grade steel

It's about a meter wide and broad, and two and a half meters tall

It looks like something very special is in there, but even if someone was targeting the shipment, it would be impossible to steal that

Four men in suits slowly tip the case sideways to place it on the cart

Seeing it on its side reminds me of something

...It looks like a coffin

The moment I realize that, a shiver runs down my spine

Hmm... It does look big enough to have room for a person to lie down in

Could there really be a person inside it...?

Could it be that this tight security is not to prevent theft, but to keep the "cargo" from escaping?

...No How can I imagine things like this without any proof?

I shake my head to clear it of these pointless thoughts

Am I just shaken because I heard this has something to do with Shadows?

Eventually, the check-in process is complete, and the announcement to begin boarding echoes through the airport

I relax a little, relieved that nothing has happened up to this point

Once the plane takes off, the only thing in our way is the sky

I had put on an earpiece tuned to the police radio to keep up with the current situation

So far, nothing was out of the ordinary

Kirijo-san's group finished checking in and had boarded the plane; the cargo should be loaded soon

After I supervise that, I'll check in and--

Just as I think that, an urgent voice jumps onto the band...

Voice from Radio: The aircraft's squawk code has changed to 7500!

Naoto: 7500...

I have trouble mentally shifting gears after the long period of inactivity

I never imagined I would hear that number with my own ears...

Naoto: 7500!? A hijacking!?

Is the plane I'm investigating being hijacked!?

That can't be a coincidence...

But could this have been set up by the police or the Kirijo Group--?

No... There's no benefit for either of them to get involved with the general public

If that's the case...

Naoto: Is it the cargo they want...!?

There really is someone after the cargo!

...Wait If they're after the cargo, why hijack the plane?

If they're not trying to steal the cargo, could they be after Kirijo-san?

...No, that doesn't feel right

Hijacking isn't an efficient method to carry out a kidnapping... or an assassination

If they have the time and the resolve to pull this off, they would be far better off trying to take over the plane in mid-flight

I can't figure out their objective

Why would they do something that attracts so much attention--

--Attention?

This is a very peculiar time to attempt a takeover of the plane

Very peculiar, indeed

Hijacking before departure forfeits the biggest benefits of hijacking

But at the same time, all normal airport operations will come to a halt while everyone turns their focus on the plane in question

Ah The airport will naturally stop loading baggage onto the plane while this "hijacking" goes on...

It's the perfect distraction

So they ARE after the cargo!

Naoto: If that was the case, the hijacking is only...a decoy...

Naoto: But would they really risk their lives...hijacking a plane over one piece of cargo...?

As I think, I scan the area from my viewpoint up in the boarding area

I see a van that had been parked near the cargo area suddenly peel out...

Naoto: Huh!?

A suspicious departure at this time?

I have a bad feeling about this

But the cargo was just unloaded right in front of my eyes

I didn't see anyone steal it--

--Hold on!

The four men in suits with the hand cart!

I don't see them!

I'd lost track of them in the rush of activity after the hijack call

I grind my teeth and interrupt the radio call...

Naoto: This is 002, over A suspicious vehicle is...leaving the scene Stay in pursuit It's a...large vehicle, about two tons, license plate...

I hear someone confirm with "Roger," but there's shouting and confusion going on in the background

I'm unsure if my intentions had been understood

I run across the airport by myself

I need to grab hold of these people's tail, even if only to get a few hairs

Of course, there's no way that I can catch a vehicle on foot, but...

I have a plan

I run down the escalator and bolt for the passenger pickup area at the arrivals lobby

I looked around outside and--

There it is, just as I thought!

The suspicious vehicle was coming this way

The airport's road layout is a loop

After leaving the departure lobby, cars must take a turn and curve back around to the arrival lobby before being able to reach the surface streets

I hide in the crowd and wait for the van to get close...

...and as it passes by, I throw a small, sticky lump at the van

Luckily for me, it strikes and sticks, low on the van's side

There's a compact transmitter in there

You'd have to be pretty close to pick up the signal, but it's better than nothing

I take my hat off and wipe my forehead

The pedestrians around me begin to stir

Everyone stops and stares at their smartphones

I didn't need to look; I knew

The first news of the hijacking is hitting the media

I put my hat back on and pull the brim low

I'll have to be careful not to let all the information flying about confuse me

I keep my guard up as I quickly walk back to the departure lobby

Another 45 minutes pass without any more clear information coming through

There's chaos on the radio, and people are in a panic

But after an hour, the confusion suddenly stops and a shocking report comes in over the radio...

Voice from Radio: All personnel on scene: the suspects have been...apprehended The hijacking is over I repeat...

Naoto: They dealt with it so soon!?

Though some passengers were ill, there were no casualties

As far as I know, the "hijackers" didn't even make any demands

It's hard to think that the police could have negotiated with them

But, on the other hand, there's no indication that the Special Assault Team had stormed the plane

Did the group surrender, now that their decoy objective was complete?

Naoto: What's going on here...?

Just then, a radio call came in directly for me...

Voice from Radio: Operator to 002, over The hijacking has...been dealt with, but the transfer must...be canceled...

Voice from Radio: The whereabouts of one piece of cargo cannot...be confirmed All indications are that it...has been stolen...

Naoto: Then that vehicle earlier... are you still...in pursuit!?

Voice from Radio: We're tracking it through the N System...Head to the guest room immediately so we can...discuss our response

It looks like my call to report that suspicious van had not been a mistake...

Naoto: ...Understood

Soon after, the involved parties were gathered in the VIP room

Kirijo-san and the police are talking hurriedly

But, because there's a lot of confidential information being discussed, it was only expected that there would be some difficulties in communicating

At any rate, the van on the run can be tracked through the N System

The hijackers were handed over to the airport police, while those of us who "knew the truth" about the cargo were moved to one of her buildings...Naoto: That was a very tidy operation I had thought it would take at least half a day...Mitsuru: To put it delicately... we had someone with...special abilities handling this...Mitsuru: Then again, though we prevented any harm from...coming to the hostages, we lost the cargo...Naoto: Nothing for it, I suppose Who would have...expected an entire hijacking to cover up...the theft of some cargo?Naoto: I must apologize to you as well I was the...closest at hand when it happened...Mitsuru: No, you did more than enough It's thanks to...your sharp eyes that we're able to track the...suspicious vehicle now...Mitsuru: I'm impressed that you realized in all the...chaos that the cargo was the true target...You even spotted their getaway truck...Naoto: Thank you...Naoto: Our next step should be to interrogate the...suspects in custody and--Mitsuru: Sadly, it won't be that simple...Mitsuru: I haven't heard much yet, but it seems they're...having unexpected difficulties with the...interrogation It will take some time...Naoto: Mm If they were prepared to risk their lives...for this operation, I suppose they won't...break so easily...Mitsuru: We made an error in judgement... we were too...focused on preventing the item itself from...doing any damage...Naoto: But since they targeted something so unusual,...that should narrow down the suspect pool...Mitsuru: I can't deny it's possible that someone...connected to the Kirijo Group is behind this...Mitsuru: Thank you for your assistance, Shirogane...I'm sorry to have involved you in this mess,...but the professionals will take it from here

Professionals... In other words, she plans to investigate this herself, as a Shadow Operative...

Naoto: Does that mean my work here is done?

Mitsuru: I'm afraid so We do value your cooperation

This is a bit of a pickle

The Kirijo Group and the police want to keep this under wraps... that is, they cannot open a public investigation

On top of that, the Shadow Operatives are, technically, an organization working for the police Technically, there's no room for freelancers here

Therefore, by my reasoning there's no need for me to be involved in the investigation any further

Refusing to back down, however, would only draw attention

With no other choice, I decide to take my leave

It must have been chaos at the office; despite the unusual events, the man who hired me has not yet gotten in touch with me

I entertain the thought of returning home to Inaba, but luckily enough, I've brought enough luggage for a short trip out of town

I decide to stay the night at a business hotel near the airport, and wait a while for my client to contact me

Time passes...

At nine o'clock, I finally receive a phone call from the man...

Public Safety Officer: Things have taken an unexpected turn This case...is under the jurisdiction of the Shadow...Operatives now...

Naoto: That will make it very difficult to continue...my secret investigation...

Public Safety Officer: But right now, you're the only one we have...who's gotten that close We heard you earned...Kirijo's trust after the hijacking...

Public Safety Officer: We'd like you to keep up your investigation...We're currently making arrangements for you...to pick it up again in a natural way...

Naoto: What are you going to have me do? I will not...act as a spy...

Public Safety Officer: I'll be in touch later

He hangs up without waiting for my reply...

Naoto: *sigh*

I sigh...

I feel a weight in my heart

This has a high possibility of turning into a "private investigation from the shadows..." Pretty much a polite way of saying "corporate espionage"

If I'm to take on this job, I need to have some sort of plan

At any rate, I cannot plan my movements without knowing how the situation is progressing

It would be far better to prepare for tomorrow instead of getting worked up with worry

I read the newspaper and watch some of the TV coverage of today's events, then go to bed early

A day passes... And even by the night of May 2nd, the man has not contacted me again

It seems the police are having trouble zeroing in on the suspicious vehicle

Considering the skill with which the crime was pulled off, I wouldn't be surprised if that van was dumped somewhere and the cargo loaded onto another vehicle

Going through all the possibilities is just a way to kill time

But, that was the only thing I had to do... Nothing happened until the sky began to darken as the sun went down

My phone finally rang

But, surprisingly, the name on the screen brought a smile to my face...

Naoto: Yes, Shirogane speaking...

Chie: Hi, Naoto-kun? Oh, I'm not interrupting your...work, am I?

Naoto: No, it's quite all right...

Chie: Sorry to call so late I wanted to at least give...it one more shot about tomorrow

That's right... So much has been happening that I completely forgot that the school holidays start tomorrow

And, of course, we're supposed to have our reunion with Yu-senpai when he visits from the city tomorrow

I was supposed to be able to meet up with them...

I didn't imagine that I'd be stuck here for three days thanks to the attempted hijacking at the airport

But, since I've undertaken the job, I have obligations that I can't just abandon

I'm starting to actually feel some anger towards whoever the culprits are...

Naoto: I'm sorry, but it seems I still won't be able...to make it I'm actually not in Inaba at the...moment, to be honest...

Chie: Oh yeah, you mentioned that Hmm, then I guess...you can't check even if it rains...

Naoto: "Even if it rains"...?

Chie: Oh, nothing! Just talking to myself!

Hm? What was that?

Chie: It's okay, Naoto-kun I know there are people...who'll be in trouble without you You need to...stay there and help them out!

Naoto: Y-Yes, well...

"Help them out," huh...

It irritates me to know that what I'm going to do is pretty much spy work...

Naoto: It really is a shame Give my regards to...Senpai and the others, won't you?

Chie: Will do Good luck with the job!

I hang up the phone

Seeing my dear senpai again...

I feel that's much more important than a job with an uncertain outcome, and I feel a little sad that I'm going to miss it

Maybe I should just turn the case down and make a surprise visit tomorrow...

Naoto: I wonder if any train would make it in time...

...But it looks like the case is not about to let me leave

Just after my talk with Chie-san, I was preparing for bed

The Public Safety official called me again...

Public Safety Officer: It seems we may be back on for the secret...investigation Mitsuru Kirijo just requested...our cooperation...

Public Safety Officer: We agreed A detective by the name of Kurosawa...will be heading out tomorrow We want you to...accompany him to the rendezvous point

When I ask about this Kurosawa fellow, I receive an unanticipated answer

Apparently, he had helped Kirijo-san's activities on his own while he was a constable

Even though his superiors didn't understand what Kirijo-san was up to, he followed his own instincts and helped her to protect his town

Normally, he would be punished for this, but the situation took a 180-degree turn thanks to the establishment of the Shadow Operatives

His knowledge has been invaluable, and rather than being disciplined, he has been promoted to plainclothes detective...

Public Safety Officer: Kurosawa is willing to leak you whatever...info he learns about the Kirijo Group through...his cooperation with them...

Naoto: I'm surprised he agreed to that Hasn't he assisted Kirijo-san and her group in the past?

Public Safety Officer: I'm afraid that's something you'll have to ask him about, although he seems to have his own agenda

I confirm several other details before ending the call

Detective Kurosawa:

If he's working with the Kirijo Group, it could be something of a problem...

But if they have information to leak, that means they must have located the vehicle in question

Still, considering how long it took them to find it, I may be in for a long trip

Where am I going to be sent now...?

I shrug to myself

The next day

May 3rd

I meet with Detective Kurosawa

I expected someone who looked shadier, but the man appeared hardworking and honest...

Detective Kurosawa: I'm Kurosawa...

Naoto: I'm Naoto Shirogane Thank you for your assistance...

Detective Kurosawa: I've heard rumors about you, ace detective...Let's get going

We make our greeting brief, and I get into Detective Kurosawa's car

A private investigation in a location that I have no prior knowledge or experience of...

This was a depressing job in the first place, and the addition of more and more unknown variables is only making me more displeased with it...

Detective Kurosawa: You seem pretty listless...

Naoto: Oh, no... I'm fine...

Naoto: Where are we headed, by the way?

Detective Kurosawa: The place where they found the getaway car...from the "hijacking"

Detective Kurosawa: A town called Inaba It's a small place with...an odd history They just had a bizarre...serial murder case there last year...

Naoto: Inaba!?

I can't stop the surprise from showing in my voice...

Detective Kurosawa: That's your hometown, right? Isn't that why...they're sending you?

I'm at a loss for words, but Detective Kurosawa continues instead of waiting for me to reply...

Detective Kurosawa: The request I got from the Shadow Operatives...was to assist in gathering information about...those murders...

Detective Kurosawa: They want me to meet with the supervising...detective of that case and ask him for the...full story...

Detective Kurosawa: Haha, not only are they a part of Public Safety,...they're an unofficial unit They can't come to...the district police for information...

Naoto: Why him...? Is his case related to the robbery...in some way?

Detective Kurosawa: Public Safety is sharper than you might think...They do basic reviews on all cases to see if...Shadows were involved...

Detective Kurosawa: Inaba is is on their watch list now And with...that cargo being brought there, they naturally...suspect a connection between the cases...

Naoto: ......

If there is a connection, then it might be related to "our case"

I begin to have ominous thoughts, and my expression darkens

But Detective Kurosawa doesn't probe into that topic

Perhaps he's the type of person who doesn't judge people based on evidence, but gets a feel for them through conversation and actions

How am I reflected in his eyes?

I can't help but wonder...

Detective Kurosawa goes inside the Inaba police station while I wait in the car near the junkyard

...The familiar sights of Inaba seem strange, somehow

The detective in charge of this case must be none other than Dojima-san

Detective Ryotaro Dojima... Of course, I am familiar with him

And not just as a fellow peace officer...

Dojima-san acted as Yu-senpai's guardian while he stayed in Inaba

I feel like I'm betraying him as well, and can't stop myself from sighing again

Soon enough, Detective Kurosawa steps out of the station

I thought he was coming back--

But, halfway to the car, he turns and walks into the junkyard

I wonder what he's doing... I stick my head out the window and try to track him

...There's another car parked behind a pile of junk

That distinctive grill style...

That's... Kirijo-san's limousine!

I hurriedly pull my head back into the car

That's right; Detective Kurosawa came here to cooperate with Kirijo-san

But, still, to bring me along and park so close to her is...

...Then again, it's very unnatural to park far from a rendezvous point

Detective Kurosawa made the right decision

I calm down and slide into the rear seat, keeping my head low

Still...

Kirijo-san uses that black limousine while undertaking her Shadow Operatives duties as well...?

That car sticks out like sore thumb here in Inaba... Heck, it's distinctive anywhere in Japan!

Why would someone as clever as Kirijo-san take that car on a special mission like this?

Does she have some profound reasoning behind it?

After a while, Detective Kurosawa finally comes back to the car...

Naoto: Kurosawa-san, may I ask you something? Why are...you working with Public Safety?

Detective Kurosawa: Ha, you're asking that now? I thought that...would be your very first question

After wiping his dry smile from his face, Detective Kurosawa turns to me with an incredibly serious expression...

Detective Kurosawa: You can spy on Mitsuru Kirijo and her Shadow...Operatives to your heart's content, and never...find anything suspicious...

Detective Kurosawa: But for that to be understood, at some point...or another, everything she does has to be...investigated to eliminate those doubts...

Detective Kurosawa: In which case, it's better someone like you...do the investigating than some official who'll...never understand That's all there is to it

So he does have his reasons, after all...

Naoto: Thank you for your cooperation...

Detective Kurosawa: I'll leave the rest in your hands

I exit the vehicle, and Kurosawa-san takes his car onto the highway and speeds out of sight

He has no doubts whatsoever regarding Kirijo-san's activities

To be honest, I'm inclined to agree with him...

But I can't jump to conclusions without any evidence

I use heaps of junk as cover to sneak close to the limousine and watch

Not long after, I see two people exit the vehicle

One of them is Kirijo-san

However, unlike when I saw her at the airport, she's wearing equipment likely suited for combat

The other person looks strange...

Naoto: Is that the fabled "humanoid weapon"...?

There was information about a "humanoid weapon" mixed in with all the data I had about the Kirijo Group When I first saw it, I was confused

But, that had to be what was standing in front of me

It seems natural, almost lifelike, but there's no denying that it's an artificial construct

It seems that the rumors of an unorthodox anti-Shadow unit were true

Another man comes to join them soon

He, too, was dressed in outlandish attire

He was shirtless, and wore a red cloak like a desert nomad

He's the perfect example of someone who ought to be detained for questioning

I compare his face to the list of pictures of the people involved with the situation

While his taste in clothing has changed, I believe that this man is Akihiko Sanada

I can't imagine what would possess him to go about dressed like that, but...

I speculate about their actions

What business do they have here, in a junkyard?

There's nothing here but a pile of broken household electronics and abandoned televisions...

Then it hits me

Detective Kurosawa had told Kirijo-san about last year's incident

And, of course, she has prior knowledge of Personas and Shadows

Then, no doubt she's heard of the idea of entering the TV world

After all, it appears many times in the testimony of the killer from last year

Dojima-san may have disregarded it for being too far-fetched, but Detective Kurosawa must have caught on

I take a closer look There's a mountain of old television sets

Victims of last year's switch to digital broadcasts...Naoto: They're not planning to enter a TV from here,...are they...!?

Even as I say that, the mechanical girl already has her hand sticking into a TV screen

It's exactly as I thought

The mere fact that they are testing what they heard so recently cannot bode well...

Uncertainty crosses my mind

The three of them are clearly preparing to enter the television

Should I blow my cover and warn them about what they're doing?

If they enter, they may not be able to leave

But... the other world should no longer be dangerous anymore

And, I heard from Yosuke-senpai that he'd asked Teddie to leave the Exit TV out, just in case

If they're Persona-users, they should be able to handle the Shadows They shouldn't be in any peril, but...

However, Kirijo-san made a decision faster than I could

I stand there blankly...

Naoto: Is the stolen cargo inside the TV...?

Should I chase after them...?

If I turn back here, we may never be able to find the three of them again

And if that happens, the truth about the case will be lost forever

If her property was placed into the TV world, it means that whoever stole it knows the truth about last year's events

If that's the case, then I can't ignore this, no matter what my assigned task is

Plus...

Naoto: Well, if they're determined to enter the TV...despite not knowing the risks, I can hardly...allow cowardice to prevent me from following

I realize that the straw breaking the camel's back is not logic, but my pride, and I smile to myself

But my mind was made up

I stand up, look around, then step inside the same television they used

It's been a while since I've felt this falling sensation

But this time, the sensation seems to continue longer than it did when I would enter a TV as part of the Investigation Team

Before I know it, the falling has ended

I take cover behind a pillar and look around for the three Shadow Operatives

Did I lose them?

We all entered from the same television, so we should have arrived in the same place...

I relax a little and take a look around

When I stand up, I notice it... but it's difficult to believe

I take a good, hard look

This... is a school

And not only that, but...

Naoto: Yasogami High School... What's going on...?

This is the gate to the school I attend

The familiar school building is inside

But, there is something unfamiliar out in front

There's a stack of strange monitors

They're all displaying the words "P-1 Grand Prix"

This place looks like the real world, but there's something warped about it

It feels like the world is dangerous again, like it was while we were investigating the incident

But this world has returned to the way it was before...

While I'm thinking this, students come walking out of the building

They gather together, and soon the area is filled with people...

Naoto: Impossible! How could there be this many...people in the TV world...!?

Suddenly, the students surround me and start cheering

I see an all-too-familiar burst of static play across the monitors...

Naoto: Wh... What!?

Kill...joy... Detective...

The shock leaves me dumbfounded for a while

Plus, Yu-senpai, "Sister-Complex Kingpin"?

Well, it's true that--

--N-No, no, calm down, Naoto

Calm down and analyze the situation

This otherworldly program, where real people's foibles are exaggerated to unworldly proportions...

The static before the video made it very clear

This broadcast could only be the Midnight Channel

...And what was this "fighting tournament" about!?

The members of the Investigation Team are the combatants!?Naoto: It seemed that Teddie was acting as the...host for this...

All of us know that Senpai is coming back to Inaba during Golden Week

Then could this be...?

Some kind of way to welcome him back...?

No, no, no!

Calling him a "Sister-Complex Kingpin"? That's not a welcome That's a challenge

Who would publicize a negative nickname like that!?

Besides... Whatever the reason, I can't imagine that someone would seriously want us all to fight each other

What is going on?

Does it mean that the rest of them are in the TV world as well?

Without warning, the sound of microphone feedback pierces my ears

Rise's voice echoes throughout the school's PA system...

Rise: Hellooooo, boys and girls of Yasogami!...Sorry for the wait!

Naoto: That voice... that's Rise-san!

The students go wild

On the monitors, Teddie appears to be wearing some sort of costume...

General Teddie: I'm proud to announce the commencement of our...bear-y own P-1 Grand Prix!

It looks like Rise-san and Teddie are the ones running this

Do they really plan on holding this P-1 Grand Prix?

Rise: And now the moment you've all been waiting...for, the challenger in our first battle!

If that promotional video is correct, then are the members of the Investigation Team going to show up?

Just as I lean forward to see what's going on, a spotlight shines directly into my face, blinding me...

Rise: Naoto Shirogane!

Naoto: What!?

The students around me raise their fists to the air and shout

This is a pickle...

It seems that I won't be able to chase Kirijo-san down at this rate

First the plane hijacking, and now another unforeseen interruption...

General Teddie: Come on down, Nao-chan!

Naoto: Teddie! What is the meaning of this?

General Teddie: Didn't you watch the intro video? It's a...fighting tournament!

Naoto: I gathered as much, but I was asking why you...would do such a thing Pitting friend against...friend in battle is going too far for a joke...

General Teddie: It's not a joke, though! I'm giving this...100%, just like I always do!

General Teddie: Now get out there, Nao-chan! Show me...everything you've got!

Naoto: You're not making any sense! Besides, there's--

While I'm speaking, I see the area in front of me... twist

I close my eyes at once...Naoto: Ngh!

When I open them, I see that only certain things around me have been warped by... whatever that was

The scene on the monitors, the students around me...

I blink and rub my eyes, but I soon realize that my eyes aren't playing tricks on me...

Naoto: What the...? Are these students an illusion...someone is creating...?

With their skins missing, the students have become dark shapes that only resemble human form

Are these... Shadows, of some sort?

Well, I do find it hard to believe that so many people could have wandered into the TV world

Even if this many people did get in here, the town would be in an uproar over the mass disappearance of so many students

It makes more sense for them to be Shadows, but if that's the case, why did I see them as students...?

Could it be...?

Teddie and Rise do both have the power to interfere with other peoples' thoughts to a certain extent

It may be possible for them to be projecting illusions into my mind

But, that would prove that the two of them really are the hosts of this show

I decide not to jump to any conclusions for now

...Even if the two of them are behind this, why would they hold a tournament and deceive me with illusions?

I won't be able to figure out anything until I determine what their objective is

As I'm considering my next course of action, Teddie--or should I say, "General Teddie"--speaks directly to me...

General Teddie: What're you all fidgety for, Nao-chan? Do you...need to powder your nose?

Naoto: No!Naoto: Anyway... if this is not a joke, can I assume...you won't easily let me go?

General Teddie: Bingo! You have to win the fight if you want...to move on! Only the one who makes it to the...very end is set free!

This is getting me nowhere

Talking to him isn't helping me figure out what's going on here...

General Teddie: Well then, let's get this started! Bring out...the first opponent!

Another spotlight appears across from me

A person steps out of the darkness It's--

Yu: It's been a while, Naoto...

Naoto: Senpai...! Why are you here...?

Yu: I promised I'd come back during Golden Week...Don't tell me you forgot...

Naoto: N-No, of course I remembered! It's just,...I didn't expect to see you here...

Yu: I could say the same thing I heard you...couldn't make it because of your job...

Naoto: Y-Yes... Actually, I'm here on matters related...to my work It came as a surprise to me as well...

Yu: Huh... Looks like you're as uninterested in socializing as always

Huh...?

What did he just say?

Yu: Everyone says that though they think of you...as a friend, they never get the same vibe...from you...

Naoto: Th-That's not true! I just happened to be busy...with a case But really, now's not...

Yu: Work, work, work... I guess work's all you...care about in the end...

Yu: Even now, I'd say you're more concerned with your work than us...

Yu: Ah, I get it... hanging out with people outside...work is a burden for you It's like an invasion...of your privacy...

Naoto: Senpai...?

He's not the type of person to speak so poorly of others, is he?

Is this an illusion, too...?

Yu: Relax I'll help get you knocked out of the...tournament so you can get back to the work...you love so much!

He summoned his Persona!

Naoto: Wha--Are you serious!?

Naoto: Ngh!

Senpai attacked me with his Persona

That wasn't an illusion... It was real

If he'd hit me, I would have been seriously hurt

But... Now I know something

He's clearly not in his right mind right now

The leader of the Investigation Team I knew would never, under any circumstances, harm his friends...

Naoto: What a reunion this is turning into......If I must fight you, I will!

<BATTLE [vs YU]>

Naoto: *pant* *pant*

My shoulders heave as I gasp for breath

I managed to win, but Senpai was as strong as ever...

Yu: Ngh... Naoto... are you okay?

Naoto: Y-Yes...

Senpai stands up and offers me his hand as I sit on the ground

Despite the fact that he was hurt worse than I was, the look in his eyes shows that he is seriously worried about me

...He's a completely different person than the person I saw before the battle

Yes... This is the person I know...

Naoto: Thank goodness...

Yu: Huh...?

Naoto: Er... I mean, are you all right too, Senpai?...I'm sorry for hurting you, even though the...circumances demanded it...

Yu: Oh, everything's fine here... You're back to...the usual Naoto, I see...

Naoto: The usual...?

What's that supposed to mean?

I wonder about the use of his word "usual," but there are more important matters at hand...

Naoto: Er, can you tell me what's going on here?

Senpai tells me about what had happened at Inaba while I was gone

I'm at a loss for words

The "Midnight Channel" started to air again

The video that I saw was the promotional video for something called the "P-1 Grand Prix"

Apparently, it had been shown a few times before I just saw it

Wait, that video...

I-It was shown all over town--

--N-No, now's not the time to let that sort of thing discourage me

According to Yu-senpai, not only did the Midnight Channel make a comeback, but several of us--Kanji-kun, Teddie and Rise-san--have gone missing

Senpai and the others entered the TV at Junes to investigate this...

Yu: I was shocked to see it looking completely...different than before...

Naoto: Indeed But it seems, at least in part,...to be an illusion...

Yu: Really?

Naoto: In fact, the students gathered to watch our...battle were not real...

Yu: Hm, yeah... they did seem like Shadows, but...different somehow... I didn't get the sense...that they were hostile, though...

Naoto: I thought that Rise-san and Teddie might have...been illusions, too, but both have gone...missing And given their Persona abilities...

I cut myself off

Senpai shakes his head in response...

Yu: It's possible that that really was them...But we should have faith If our enemy can...use illusions, they might be victims as well...

Naoto: You're right... I can at least have more...faith in my friends than that

I raise my head to look at Senpai, who is watching me

Our eyes meet, and I hurriedly look away...

Yu: Speaking of which, why are you here, Naoto?

Naoto: That's...

...There's the question

Well, it's only natural

But I'm here on business, not anything personal

I cannot disclose the details of my investigation

Not only are there rules... but if I spoke up, I would end up getting him involved

I have to avoid that at all costs

As I'm deciding what to say...

Yu: Hey, you know, forget I asked I'm just happy...to see you again...

Naoto: Me too! Oh... er, I'm sorry...

Yu: What's the matter now?

Naoto: I mean, well... about me being unsociable......Please understand that it's not because my...work is more important than my friends...!

Yu: Hm...? I've never thought that about you...at all I don't think any of us have...

Naoto: Senpai...

General Teddie: Alrighty, time to break up your little chat...

Naoto: T-Teddie!

General Teddie: Nao-chan wins! Very impressive, beating up...the almighty Sensei!

General Teddie: But now it's time for you to go on Your next...opponent's already waiting!

When his speech is over, the monitor shuts off

"Next opponent," huh...

I'd rather not continue this charade, but I have to push forward in order to get a hold on the situation...

Naoto: Well then, we should get going

Yu-senpai nods reassuringly

I feel a sense of relief welling up within me

I can't let my guard down, but knowing that Senpai is with me to help me face whatever lies ahead, I know I have nothing to fear

--Or so I think

Senpai is walking next to me when he suddenly stops...

Yu: What the...? An invisible wall? What is this?...And how come you can pass through...?

A wall...?

There's nothing there...

I wave my hand through the place where Senpai said he couldn't pass through, but I don't feel anything

But Senpai doesn't look like he's faking it

The monitor turns on again

Teddie's face fills the screen...

General Teddie: Hmm? Did I forget to tell you? Only the winner...can move on to the next fight...

General Teddie: No one's getting out of this school until...a champion's been crowned!

General Teddie: Only the one who fights to the beary end and...comes out on top can leave!

Yu: Ngh... so neither opponent can leave the...area unless they fight each other...

Yu: You go on ahead, Naoto I'll try and find...a way to catch up...

Naoto: ...Very well Be careful, Senpai...

Yu: I will See you later

I am hesitant to leave Senpai behind, but it can't be helped

I'd like to try to destroy the wall, but there's nothing I can do if I can't touch it

With Senpai smiling at me, I decide to go on ahead

It looks like no matter how many people I fight, I'll have to progress by myself

After some time walking, I run smack into something, even though there's nothing there

I didn't understand what was going on at first, but I soon come to realize something

So this is one of those invisible walls Senpai was talking about...

It seems that some of them won't allow anyone to pass, no matter who wins the fights

It's completely transparent... The only way to know that it's there is to feel its glass-like smoothness

I have no choice but to take a detour

But, time after time, these walls keep getting in my way

I'm not choosing my path, I'm being herded...

I suppose I'm following some plan laid out by whoever set this up

After I open the door to the gym, I saw a space cleared away... for that

As I expected, General Teddie appears on the monitor...

General Teddie: You're so slow, Nao-chan! Your second...opponent's been waiting for you!

Naoto: I've said it before, but I don't intend to...fight my friends--

General Teddie: Alrighty, let's do this! Bring out the next...opponent!

Kanji: Yo, yo, yo! How's it hangin', Nao doll?

Naoto: K-Kanji-kun...?

Well, he certainly looks like Kanji-kun

But it only looks that way...

Kanji: Ya know, I been thinkin' The way ya talk is...so lame...

Naoto: H-Huh...?

I thought I was ready to face anyone, but this isn't a matter of being in my right mind or not

Is this an illusion?

Oh, please let this one be an illusion!

Kanji: It's like, way too uptight and goody-goody!...It makes ya sound so distant, ya dig?

Naoto: Is that so...?

Kanji: See, that's what I'm talkin' bout Ya coulda...just said, "Oh, ya think so?"

Naoto: Y-You think so?

Kanji: Yeah, now you're gettin' it! Now I feel...like I'm on your wavelength!

Naoto: Th-Thanks...

Naoto: Then again, relatability aside, I feel like...you were miles away from me to begin with...

Kanji: Heeeey, yer doin' it again What's with the...Ms Manners act?

Naoto: I'm sorry, it's a habit of mine...

Kanji: Or maybe it's that ya don't care about gettin'...close to us, huh? You don't feel like ya gotta...bother gettin' to know us and stuff?

Naoto: Of course I don't think... H-Hell no, man...

Kanji: Tch, you never warm up to anyone because you...set your standards so goddamn high...

Naoto: (Oh dear, he's shown his true self!)

Kanji: Is it you-know-what? Are ya putting on a show...of not lettin' anyone near you 'cause you got...no confidence in yourself? Is that it!?

Naoto: Kanji-kun...

They may be false accusations, but some of their statements are hitting home...

I can't brush off these words, and my heart aches...

Kanji: What's got you so nervous? Your height?...Your body? That girly voice?

Kanji: Then lemme give you a little lesson in...manliness! I hope you're ready for the...pain I'm bringin'! Haaaaaa!

This is insanity!

Naoto: W-Wait a second, I didn't say any--Ugh!

<BATTLE [vs KANJI]>

Naoto: Kanji-kun, are you all right?

Kanji: ...'Course I am Your attacks were like little...bug bites I just let my guard down, is all

I don't know if he's acting tough or trying to be courteous to me, but at least he's back to the usual Kanji-kun

The usual... Kanji-kun--

Usual?

Wait, didn't Yu-senpai say that, too...?

Well, at the very least, it seems that the spell is broken once the battle ends

I let out a sigh of relief

Still... For some reason, Kanji-kun has yet to look this way...

Naoto: Are you... really okay? I was told that the...others lost contact with you, so... how did...you come to be here?

Kanji: H-How? Well, I, uh... i-it was a change of pace?

Naoto: You came into the TV for a change of pace?...Did something happen? I'm willing to listen if...you'd like to talk about it...

Kanji: There's nothin' to talk about! I mean,...wait, n-not that I don't wanna talk to you...

Kanji: Like it's, it's not that I DO wanna talk or......that I don't wanna... A-Anyways, there's just...some times a man wants to go inside a TV by himself!

Naoto: I'm not sure I follow...

Kanji: Get off my back, will you!? I didn't come in here...because I like it... A-Actually, no, that is why...I came! Because I like this place!

When Kanji-kun turns around, his face is red But with anger, or something else...?

Naoto: I just don't understand why you're being so...loud about it and blushing so fiercely...

Kanji: I-I wasn't blushing!

Kanji: B-Besides, it's your fault! Y-You're the one...that was, uh, well, being all, you know...

Naoto: Me...? What are you talking about?

Kanji: Y-You want me to come out and say it!? Geez,...I thought you'd gone crazy 'cause of that!

Naoto: Me? Crazy? You were the one who was acting...oddly... calling me "Nao doll" and whatnot...

Kanji: "N-Nao doll"!? Why would I call you that!?

Naoto: Hm, wait a second...? Acting strangely...

I saw Kanji-kun as mad, and he saw me as the same

And yet, both of us claim that we hadn't gone crazy

...I get it now

That's why Yu-senpai called me "the usual Naoto"

Naoto: Ah, of course An illusion...

Kanji: Huh?

Naoto: I believe we were both under the illusion that...the other had lost their mind...

Naoto: That's why neither of us remembers saying what...the other heard...

Kanji: Illusions, huh?

Naoto: It must be a scheme to make friends fight each...other But if that's the case...

It's not as simple as the person I have to fight being "crazy"

Yu-senpai and Kanju-kun both said things that dig deep into my personal problems

If these are illusions, then whoever's creating them has to be someone who knows us...

Naoto: The ability to interfere with others' senses......the prior knowledge of us... putting it all...together, it must be...

Kanji: Must be what?

Naoto: The Teddie acting as the tournament's host,...as well as Rise-san, must be genuine...

Kanji: You moron There's no way it's them

I look up at Kanji-kun in surprise...

Kanji: That Ted and Rise are fakes C'mon, they're...not twisted like that You of all people...oughtta know

He doesn't have any proof

But his unshakeable trust in me sets me at ease

Even if I told him that Rise and Teddie are both missing, I'm sure his answer wouldn't change...

Naoto: Who else, then?

Kanji: Well, you know... there is someone here...besides us I saw her on my way here...

Kanji: Some girl with long hair...

Naoto: A girl...? Did she happen to be wearing a white...fur shawl and combat gear beneath it...?

Kanji: Fur? What're you talking about? She had on...a normal Yaso girl's uniform And her hair...was like, tied back...

Naoto: A female student with tied-back hair?...I don't recall anyone like that...

I thought he might have run into Kirijo-san, but that doesn't appear to have been the case

Is that girl Kanji-kun's talking about a suspect?

I can't tell for sure...

Naoto: I'll keep it in mind Well, I should be...moving on...

Kanji: Hold on, I'll come with... Wait, what the hell?

Ah The invisible walls again

Just like last time, I can't touch it myself...

Naoto: The rules seem to dictate that only the victor...can proceed I'll come for you later...

Kanji: Eh, don't bother I'll figure this out...myself somehow...

Kanji: That aside, you beat me... You better make...sure you're the champion in the end!

Naoto: That's completely irrelevant to the larger...objective...

I leave Kanji-kun behind and push on ahead

We're being shown illusions that portray our opponents as having lost their senses

But why is the host of this tournament going to such elaborate lengths?

Obviously, it's to get people who know each other to fight, but is that the only goal?

Still... I wonder how I had appeared to Senpai and Kanji-kun

I'm not that worried about Senpai, but thinking about Kanji-kun's reaction--how he had blushed--is burning a hole in my stomach

As I walked down the hall, I come to another likely location for a match

Just as I figured, Teddie appears on a screen...

General Teddie: Your next opponent is a special guest! We've got...a lady jumping in on the fun! It'll be a big,...emotional reunion for you, Nao-chan...

Naoto: Could it be...?

General Teddie: Bring out the next opponent!

Naoto: Kirijo-san...

Mitsuru: Shirogane...!? Why are you here...? I thought...you were...

Naoto: This is a problem... I didn't think we'd...run into each other so soon

The purpose of this event is to have the participants fight And because there's only one path to take, I figured we would run into each other sooner or later

I never imagined that it would be this early on, though

No, there's something else I need to be concerned with

Like the previous times, the opponents will not be seeing each other correctly

With that in mind, I watch her closely And, as expected, I see a change in her

Mitsuru Kirijo-san's face twists into an expression of contempt, and her composure shatters...

Mitsuru: To say I'm surprised to see you here would...be an understatement...

I don't reply

There's no point in saying anything, after all...

Mitsuru: Ha... the silent treatment How ridiculous that...you, who lives a lie, would dig up other people's...hidden secrets for a living...

Naoto: ......

Mitsuru: You seem gentle, but you maintain an aloof...distance that keeps people at arm's length......I've thought that since our first meeting...

Mitsuru: At first, I thought it must be typical of...a detective But that doesn't seem to be...the case...

Mitsuru: You simply lack confidence in yourself

I... have some trouble staying silent...

Mitsuru: You hide your true nature because you know that...once you grow close to someone, you'll no longer...be able to protect your pride...

Mitsuru: That's why you won't let anyone in You use...your job as a pretext to keep your distance...and never get too attached...

Mitsuru: And it's from that position that you're...trying to discover what others are hiding?...Hahaha...

Mitsuru: How contradictory... not to mention completely...ridiculous and unfair

I clench my fists, in spite of myself...

Naoto: Persona...

Kirijo-san's relentless words...

Even if it's only an illusion, I begin to feel that if I lose, I'll never be able to be near her again

I cannot lose here...!

Naoto: I'd dearly like to answer your charges,...but I see no need...

Naoto: There is no reason to defend myself against...the accusations of an illusion!

<BATTLE [vs MITSURU]>

Mitsuru: Ngh... you're stronger than you look......it seems you're a skilled fighter...

Mitsuru: And a Persona-user as well, eh...

With that, Kirijo-san stands up...

Mitsuru: I'd like to clear something up Before our...battle, I may have said or done some things...that seemed disrespectful, but...

Naoto: I understand We were shown illusions to...goad us into fighting each other...

Mitsuru: So you already knew You are a credit to the...Shirogane name, then...

Mitsuru: In that case, I'l... well, I'm willing to...forget all the things you said about my body

Wait, what?

Her BODY!?

What did the illusionary me say!?

Mitsuru: Hmm, though... if you're a Persona-user, that...gives weight to two of my theories

Kirijo-san looks straight at me...

Mitsuru: One is that you were one of those who solved...last year's serial murders... the few, proud...anonymous heroes

I shrug

And then... I brace myself for the other shoe to drop

I know what she's about to say...

Mitsuru: The other... is that you are one of my enemies...

Mitsuru: You were an observer at the hijacking, which...means a Persona-user was sent specifically...

Mitsuru: Yet you hid that from me... somehow I doubt...you were there just to watch over the cargo...

Naoto: ......

Mitsuru: If my suspicions aren't off-base... then there's...something I must say

In all honesty, I feel like I have no defense for what's going to happen next

I begin trying to find a way to make it through this conversation without ruining whatever goodwill I may still have with her...

...But Kirijo-san's next words take me completely by surprise...

Mitsuru: Shirogane, can I ask for your cooperation...once again?

Naoto: ...What?

Mitsuru: You know more about this world than I do...And since I lost our match, I will be unable...to move on from here...

Naoto: Wait a moment! I thought you distrusted me...

Mitsuru: Even if I did, is continuing to oppose each...other the wisest course of action?

I have no words

Kirijo-san smiles as she watches me

Her proposal completely surprised me

My surprise must have confirmed what she was thinking about me

...She knew that I'm not the type of person who would become her enemy under normal circumstances

That is why she smiled

...I am no match for her

She's on a completely different level than I am

It's not a matter of social rank; she simply has the type of personality that makes people want to follow her

Kirijo-san doesn't wait for me to answer and continues...

Mitsuru: As you have guessed, we are here in pursuit of...the stolen cargo...

Mitsuru: Upon investigation, we figured out that it...contained the 5th Generation Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, Labrys...

Mitsuru: She was a machine, developed as one of a series...of test models They were intended to receive...Personas in order to combat Shadows...

Naoto: Isn't a Persona the manifestation of one's...strength of heart? How could a machine be...capable of using a Persona...?

Mitsuru: You're right to ask that Labrys has a mind...of her own We don't know what she looks like,...but it's probably very close to human

A humanoid machine...

I did see something fitting that description before I came through to the TV world

So that was a weapon developed by the Kirijo Group...

A humanoid robot--one with a heart, at that

This is the fruits of Kirijo technology, created from the research of Shadows...

I cannot help but be surprised

However, if the culprits were specifically after this "Labrys" weapon, there's a high probability that it has been removed from its case and is mobile

But I can't fathom how that would benefit the thieves...

There is one thing I can deduce, though...

Naoto: Around the time of the robbery, we began to...see activity in this world as well... I doubt...this is a coincidence...

Naoto: I feel sure that your "Labrys" is connected...to this ridiculous tournament...

Mitsuru: I agree

Before I know what I'm doing, I reach out to shake hands with Kirijo-san...

Naoto: I accept your earlier proposal And I think...I'd best hurry...

Mitsuru: Thank you, and I'm sorry Your friends must be...facing their own troubles...

Mitsuru: It's possible that they've met Labrys without...knowing it, too...

Naoto: They'll be all right, I'm sure...

Mitsuru: The records showed that Labrys had some unknown,...experimental equipment We don't know what she's...capable of Don't take her lightly...

Naoto: Oh, no, that isn't what I meant...

Naoto: She has a heart, yes? Then fighting her isn't...our only option She can be saved... I'm sure...the others will reach the same conclusion...

Mitsuru: ...I see

When I say that, I can see a smile on her face

I can tell she believes in her friends as well...

Mitsuru: Oh yes, I meant to ask Have you been able...to contact your friends?

I shake my head...

Naoto: No... two of them have analysis-capable...Personas, but both of them have gone missing...

Mitsuru: I actually have a few powers in that area...myself Can you tell me what these friends...of yours look like?

I give her as detailed descriptions of Rise-san and Teddie as I can...

Mitsuru: Hm? A bear costume and a girl? Are they...?

Naoto: Yes... they're the ones acting as hosts for...this tournament But they're not usually...like this...

Mitsuru: I see... well, anyway, knowing that will make...searching for them easier Let me see...

Kirijo-san focuses and closes her eyes

Her power must allow her to see an image as she searches

It may be only "a few" powers, but it's still quite amazing...

Mitsuru: I'm getting a match some ways from here......It's not moving, either...

Mitsuru: ...Aha, I found her...

Naoto: ......!

Mitsuru: Can you hear me?

Rise: Huh...? Who is this!?

That voice...!

Mitsuru: My name is Mitsuru Kirijo I am with one of your...friends, Shirogane

Kirijo-san looks at me and nods

She is communicating to me so that Rise-san can hear my voice as well...

Naoto: Rise-san!?

Rise: Naoto-kun... is it really you!?

Naoto: Yes Though I could ask the same of you,...Rise-san...

Rise: I'm so glad... this weird fake Teddie kidnapped...me, and then everyone was fighting each...other, and...

So Rise-san's voice on the PA system was a fake

That being the case, then there's no reason to believe that the image of Teddie on the monitors is the real thing, either...

Naoto: It's all right, please calm down Do you know...where you are right now?

Rise: It looks like an Announcement Room But there...are these invisible walls stopping me from...leaving...

Rise: Plus, the fake Teddie is watching me, so I...can't use my Persona...

I don't know who that fake Teddie is, but it seems that Rise-san and the real Teddie were kidnapped to deprive us of a means of communication

...In other words, to keep us fooled while we were in this world

Then again, that explains nothing about whatever objective could be gained by doing this to us

How does Labrys' existence tie into this?

Rise: Oh, right Um, thanks... Kirijo-san, right?

Rise: Wait, Kirijo...? I know that name......Well, it's not important now...

Rise: Are you a Persona-user too?

Mitsuru: Yes, but we can discuss that later...

Mitsuru: I sense a Shadow-like presence very close...to your position Are you all right?

Rise: The only thing near here is the fake Teddie......Wait, is that what you're talking about!?

Naoto: So it's a Shadow...

I was hesitant to make a decision

Kirijo-san does not know Teddie

Of course, she wouldn't know his origins

Even if the General was the real Teddie, she would probably think of him as a Shadow if she didn't know better

But, if the General is merely something else that's taking on his appearance, it leads to a completely different conclusion

That is... it's a Shadow from a normal human who doesn't have any tolerance for this world

But if that's the case, then why is the Shadow mimicking Teddie?

I don't have enough pieces to begin solving this puzzle yet

While I'm in the process of thinking things through, Kirijo-san speaks up...

Mitsuru: Shirogane, you need to hurry on I'll try to...maintain communication as best I can and...keep you in the loop...

Naoto: All right, then, I'm off Stay safe!

I nod back to her and start running

Onward...

To the Announcement Room where Rise-san is being held

As I hurry on, led by the invisible walls, I reach a classroom

I'll be forced into another fight here, too, no doubt...

General Teddie: Looks like you're chugging right along And now,...another special guest for you!

General Teddie: The gloves may be off, putting you up against...this one, so I wanna see your best moves...out there, Nao-chan!

General Teddie: Now, bring out the next opponent!

I see a silhouette framed in the spotlight

It's...

Well... How could I forget that attire?

Naoto: You're... Akihiko Sanada, as I recall...

Akihiko: Interesting I've been gone for a while, and...here I meet a stranger who knows who I am...

Naoto: You're a member of Mitsuru Kirijo's...organization... her friend, actually, no?

Akihiko: I see... so it's really Mitsuru you're...interested in, Ace Detective

His words cause me to tense up

He just called me "Ace Detective"

Perhaps that was just a guess from my family name, Shirogane, but he could know that I'm spying on them for the police

I carefully search his eyes for anything that might tell me how much he knows

He looks me over, from head to toe...

...and immediately sneers mockingly...

Akihiko: Jeez... Look at you You have the...physique of a 12-year old...

Naoto: What...!

Akihiko: A detective needs a strong body more than a...strong brain! All-night research sessions,...long stakeouts... you need stamina for that!

Akihiko: But look at those twiggy arms and legs...of yours!

Akihiko: You've got an overdeveloped chest, but from...the looks of it, I'd say it's all fat and no...muscle Seriously......

Naoto: Wh... What...!?

What is wrong with him!?

That's the part of my self-image I'm most sensitive about!

Akihiko: Let me teach you the secret to bodybuilding...

Akihiko: First thing: protein Second thing: protein...Third, fourth, and fifth: more protein!

Naoto: Don't you think that's rather unbalanced!?

Sanada-san flexes his muscles like a bodybuilder...

Akihiko: And finally, you gotta spar!

Akihiko: One, two! Haaaaa!

Naoto: Aah!

He said "sparring," but that punch was meant to do serious damage!

This is absurd

No matter what he says, his fists are definitely real

...Shoot, I can't dodge them all!

Mitsuru: Stop it, Akihiko!

Akihiko: Mitsuru?

Sanada-san stops suddenly as a familiar voice echoes through the room...

Mitsuru: You're under the effects of an illusion...Shirogane has done nothing Do not attack...

Akihiko: What do you mean? He's the one who attacked...me all of a sudden...

Naoto: I attacked...?

...Suddenly I remember

That's right; this is all an illusion

I've never met Sanada-san before, so I didn't know what his "usual self" is supposed to be

On top of that, I allowed the first thing he said to get under my skin

...How stupid of me I let myself get swept up in the situation and failed to realize what was really happening...

Naoto: From my perspective, it was you who dealt...the first blow...

Naoto: We were both being shown an illusion to make...us fight each other...

Mitsuru: Shirogane is an excellent detective ...and a Persona-user I told him everything...He's agreed to cooperate with us...

Mitsuru: He was originally on the scene as a police...observer in this case, so we've already met

Kirijo-san and I explain to Sanada-san what has been happening up until now

It's a relief to learn that, despite his appearance, he's actually quite a reasonable man, and quick to pick up on things...

Mitsuru: That noise-like phenomenon that fogs your...senses is already gone You should be able...to communicate normally now

We reintroduce ourselves and shake hands...

Akihiko: Looks like I fell for a cheap trick...

Naoto: I'm sorry for forgetting myself, too I can't...even claim to have been unaware of the deception...

Akihiko: So you're a Persona-user, huh...? Well, since...fate already brought us together, wanna test...your skills before you move on?

Sanada-san slams his fists together...Mitsuru: Akihiko... you're doing it again Just...cooperate with him...

Akihiko: Tch... all right, all right C'mon, Naoto,...let's go...

Naoto: Ah, wait! The tournament rules say...

As Sanada-san walks away...

Akihiko: Hrgh...!

As I figured, he hit the wall...

Naoto: Are you all right!?

Mitsuru: What's the matter? What happened!?

Akihiko: I don't know... There's some kind of invisible...wall here...

Naoto: The rules dictate that only the winner of...each match can advance So, er...

He was flustered mere seconds ago, but now Sanada-san has taken on a more lively expression...

Akihiko: So we need to have a match even though we've...got nothing against each other...

Akihiko: We're fighting after all then, huh? Alright,...then, come at me!

Naoto: P-Please go easy on me...

<BATTLE [vs AKIHIKO]>

I could almost hear Kirijo-san sigh in exasperation...

Akihiko: That was a great bout You're good...

Naoto: A bout...?

Mitsuru: What an annoying rule...

Akihiko: Hm...? Wait a second...

Akihiko: That reminds me, I saw that guy calling himself "General"...walking with a girl If only one person can move on,...that's against the rules

The fake Teddie and Rise-san were together all this time

Then could the girl he's talking about be Rise-san?

No--

Naoto: Do you remember the details of what this...girl looked like?

Sanada-san tells me about the girl he'd seen

What he said matches the description of the "unknown girl" Kanji-kun had talked about

Which means that there's a high probability that the person seen walking with her was not the General, but the real Teddie

At the very least, this is evidence against the argument that Teddie is the General

This creates another theory, though

If the General is not really Teddie, then he's someone's Shadow...

And there's only one person that fits the bill

Well, not "person" per se, but...

Naoto: If that girl was Labrys, then... well, is it...possible we're dealing with her Shadow?

That's right, Labrys

If she has a heart capable of using a Persona, then it stands to reason that she could create a Shadow

In light of how the events of last year played out, it makes perfect sense

She was kidnapped by someone who threw her into the TV world, creating a reflection of her heart...

Mitsuru: Hmm... none of the data I have shows any...connection between Labrys and Yasogami High...

Mitsuru: On top of which, I don't see how she'd know...about you or your friends...

I'd been having doubts about that, as well

But, at least I have a feel for what's going on

What Labrys' kidnappers hoped to gain from this remains unknown, however...

At any rate, it wouldn't be good if the Shadow were to run into its owner

Either way, it's best if I head to the Announcement Room

It's much more logical to restrain the false Teddie, since I know his location, then it would be to have to search for Labrys somewhere in this world

Still, if that really is Teddie with Labrys, why are they traveling together?

Rise: Sheesh, what's that Teddie doing...? I'm sorry...I can't help much, Kirijo-san...

Mitsuru: You'll have to forgive me for my meager skills...as well My Persona's communication powers are...more for operational assistance...

Mitsuru: A friend of mine from school was much stronger...than myself in that respect, but...

Rise: Oh no, it's all that stupid bear's fault,...anyway He's a real genius for making...people worry...

Akihiko: Man, it's strange running into so many...Persona-users I'd never heard of all at once...

Akihiko: Ha... I gotta say, it brings back memories...

Naoto: For us, too We were as surprised as you...

Naoto: Not to say that the possibility of other Persona-...users hadn't crossed our minds, but to actually...meet them...

Rise: What you said about a "friend from school" kinda...reminds me of us, too What was school like...for you? I'd like to hear about it...

Mitsuru: Well... ignoring Akihiko's current appearance,...he was a boxing champion in his student days...

Akihiko: Hey, that dig was uncalled-for!

Mitsuru: After that, I don't know what went through his...brain, but he started saying he wanted to...search for stronger opponents...

Rise: H-He went on a journey to hone his skills!?...I thought that only happened in comics and old...samurai films...

Akihiko: I thought I had to do it, so I did it...That's all

This peaceful moment was shattered by Kirijo-san's voice...

Mitsuru: Wait, what's this I'm sensing...? It's like...a Shadow, but bigger...

Another Shadow presence? And it isn't the false Teddie?

Rise: Huh? What's going on...? That fake Teddie left...the Announcement Room!

Rise-san made a report immediately after that

Sanada-san and I look at each other

It looks like the situation is changing

Sanada-san nods to me, and after taking a small bow, I run off

With no one watching over her anymore, Rise-san was able to summon her Persona

The job of providing support moved from Kirijo-san, who not all of us knew, to Rise-san

Rise-san contacted the rest of us and let us talk to each other for a moment...

Chie: Oh! Rise-chan!? Thank god you're safe!

Yukiko: Don't worry, the others are here too...We'll rescue you in no time...

Yosuke: Huh? Wait... Why's Naoto here?

I can't help but smile at this as I tell them about the others I had seen so far

It seems we're all safe for now

And now that we can communicate, we've greatly increased our awareness of the situation and our ability to share information

The General must have known that leaving Rise-san alone would result in this

If he did know, but left her anyway, there must have been something major happening

Either that, or he no longer has any reason to hide

I hurry on while we share what we know

The actual design of this place may differ from the real Yasogami High School, but the general layout appears to be the same

Then, if I climb the stairs and turn the corner, the Announcement Room should be right there

However, Rise-san calls out a warning before I can get there...

Rise: Bad news, Naoto-kun! The fake Teddie's back...

Naoto: I'm too late...

Rise: Huh? What the? Is that... the real Teddie!?...Hey, the real Teddie's here too! He's got some...girl with him... I don't know her

The fact that Rise's communication didn't get cut off once General Teddie reappeared is somewhat worrisome

But, then again, General Teddie doesn't have the time to bother watching Rise-san

After all, if the real Teddie and Labrys are both right there as well, he has more important things to be concerned with

This confirms that General Teddie is a fake

It's only natural, then, to assume that he is Labrys' Shadow in disguise

However, that makes things dangerous

Labrys and her Shadow are confronting each other...

Rise-san should know the dangers of this situation, but she doesn't know Labrys

She might not realize what the relationship is between the girl and the Shadow

I have to warn her!

But before I could speak, it happened...

Rise: ...(No way! What's with that girl...!?)...

The static gets worse...

Naoto: Rise-san? Rise-san!

Why can't I communicate with her when we're so close!?

There's something happening in the Announcement Room

I run as fast as I can towards it...

Rise: Aaaaaah!

As I reach the door, I hear a loud scream from inside

I slam the door open without a second thought, prepared for a fight

But the attack came from an unexpected assailant

Of anyone in that room, I wouldn't have thought it'd be...

Naoto: Rise-san!

Rise: Look out!

Naoto: Huh!?

I see something glimmer in front of me

Acting purely on instinct, I duck instantly

A low whizzing sound passes above my head

What was that?

Did something get thrown my way?

Rise: Naoto-kun!

Rise-san turns towards me

I look at her from across the room

She is lying on something large on the ground

On closer inspection, the red-and-white lump she is holding down is Teddie

I see General Teddie in the back of the room, so the one with Rise-san has to be the real one

A girl is standing between Teddie and the General

I've never seen her before, but looking at her mechanical body, I can tell who she is

That's Labrys...

Rise: What should we do...? That girl wasn't normal......she wasn't even human...!

Rise: I know it sounds hard to believe, but she's...a robot or something! She defeated Teddie...and, um...

Naoto: Calm down! Are you talking about Labrys?

Though Rise-san is quite shaken, she still nods...

Naoto: The riddle is solved, then...

Naoto: You're not the real Teddie You're only a Shadow...taking his form...

Naoto: The Shadow of Labrys here, to be precise!

General Teddie: Ahaaa, no wonder they call you the Detective...Prince, Nao-chan! You cracked the case!

General Teddie: But even if you've figured it out, there's...still nothing you can do

I carefully watch General Teddie as he scoffs

Whatever it was he threw at me...

I was too busy dodging to see it clearly, but it must be dangerous

I'm sure he won't hurt his "owner" until he hears a certain phrase from her, but he has no reason to be gentle with the rest of us

I point my gun at him, ready for any more of his attacks

However...

The next attack comes from a direction I had not been expecting...

Naoto: What...!?

There's a droning sound... It's coming from a giant axe, flying at me

The axe is bigger than I am, spinning through the air towards me

Like a boomerang, it curves back and returns to the hands of its wielder

There are thrusters behind the blade, allowing the axe to fly as it spins

It wasn't General Teddie attacking me...

It was Labrys Not the Shadow, but the real one

What's going on!? Wait, did she attack me the first time, as well!?

That would explain why Rise-san is so shaken up...

But the Shadow's right in front of her; why is she going after me!?

Labrys: It's not true... I'm human... This is all just...a bad dream... I gotta destroy everything...

Naoto: "I'm human"...?

I can't find any meaning in what she's saying

I want to convince her to stop, but I can't come up with the right words to do so

Labrys takes a fighting stance without wasting a moment

It looks like the only way to bring Labrys back to normal is to fight her...

Naoto: Rise-san, please stay back...

Rise: Naoto-kun!?

I never really expected to be able to convince her in the first place, with the Shadow here

I bite the bullet...

Naoto: I will stop her... no matter what!

<BATTLE [vs LABRYS]>

General Teddie: Aww, she beat you fair and square You really...are useless, Labby-chan

After Labrys collapses, the Shadow looks at her as if she was trash...

General Teddie skuYour whole reason for being is to fight,...and you can't even do that...

General Teddie skuYou're not worth a damn!...You... don't need to exist anymore

The Shadow's voice and speech pattern begin to slip away from its impersonation of Teddie

No, that's not all

The fake Teddie's appearance begins to warp, as well

...Finally, the time has come for it to reveal its true self

The form that it takes is... As I thought Labrys!

Shadow Labrys: I am a shadow, the true self...

Labrys: That's... my face...

Shadow Labrys: Huh, you don't want to remember?...Fine! You can die like that!

Labrys: Huh...!?

What!? She's attacking her owner now!?

Is it a threat to pressure her...?

No, this is a Shadow we're dealing with after all

There is no knowing what it will do...

Naoto: Stop it!

Shadow Labrys: What's this? Why are you protecting her?...It's her fault that you all had to fight...each other, you know

With that, she turns to her other self and looks down at her with disdain in her eyes...

Shadow Labrys: You want the everyday boys and girls to...experience what you had to go through...

Shadow Labrys: Right? That's why we're in school,...having a fighting tournament...

Labrys: Huh...!? Th-That ain't...!

Shadow Labrys: My home was a horrible place... They made us...fight and kill each other just to collect...combat data...

Shadow Labrys: It hurt so much... but no one understands...How can I make them see...?

Shadow Labrys: I know! I'll force friends to fight each...other... Maybe then they'll understand...

Shadow Labrys: No... I want to MAKE them understand...

Labrys: Th-That ain't true...! That's not what I want!

Shadow Labrys: Oh yeah...? Then let me take over from here...

Shadow Labrys: I'll destroy everyone who pretends to...understand... just like you did before!

Labrys: Stop! I've had enough...!

Naoto: Labrys...!

Labrys: No...! You're not me!

Shadow Labrys: Ahahahaha! You said it! You finally said it!...The power... I can feel it building!

A sinister aura surges from the Shadow

Even the surroundings begin to warp with its energy

In an instant, the area becomes dominated by a piercing red light

The view from beyond the window has changed completely

I hear Rise-san gasp behind me

I don't know what this place is modeled after, but I get the sense that someone carved open a living creature's stomach

This is the reflection of Labrys' heart... The suffering she carries...

The Shadow's golden eyes stand out even more in the dusky redness, focusing on me

I change my mindset

There is only one thing to do here

Just as my friends did for me...

Naoto: Rise-san, you watch Labrys and Teddie...

Rise: I got 'em Good luck, Naoto-kun...

Naoto: Yes... I'll save her

<BATTLE [vs SHADOW LABRYS]>

The giant creature behind the Shadow--I had begun to think of it as part of the Shadow itself--vanishes with a loud roar

I managed to defeat her

She shows no further signs of resistance

Cautiously, I turn around and walk to Labrys, who is still sitting on the floor, being held up by Rise-san

It seems Teddie has also regained consciousness

He had broken into a sweat, flustering as he stands next to Rise-san...

Naoto: Are you all right?

Labrys has a melancholy look on her face as she hangs her head

She's so human-like...

The sheer authenticity of that expression makes that thought appear in my mind...

Naoto: I didn't have the chance to introduce myself...I'm Naoto Shirogane...

Naoto: You're Labrys... is that correct?

She raises her head, but neither confirms nor denies it

She just quietly stares at her double across the room

A machine given the ability to summon a Persona...

The Persona ability was the primary objective in her creation; the fact that she also developed a heart came as a byproduct

How much suffering did she have to go through, having been treated like an object for so long?

It isn't easy to imagine...

Naoto: I can't claim to understand your pain...

Naoto: It was only today that I learned you existed,...to say nothing of the weapons program from...which you sprung...

Naoto: But there is one thing I do understand...

I kneel and look Labrys in the eyes...

Naoto: Look carefully at me Do I... seem like a...man or a woman to you?

Labrys: Huh...? Whaddaya mean?

Naoto: You and I are alike... there is such a gulf...between what we yearn to be and what we are...that we have trouble accepting our true nature...

Labrys: Our true nature...?

Naoto: Just as I cannot break the glass ceiling of...my profession, you cannot become human......that is the painful truth...

Naoto: But if we were able to change, would that truly...bring us happiness?

Naoto: I feel there is something only you or I can...offer, because of who we really are...

Labrys: There's somethin' a machine like me can offer...?

She pauses...

Labrys: Even if there is somethin' like that......there's no place I belong...

Teddie: That's... not true I'm not human either,...but I work at Junes!

Teddie: The part-time ladies give me sweets sometimes...and everything!

Labrys: ......

Naoto: The heart is always lacking something It may...be that you and I will be troubled by this same...thing for the rest of our lives...

Naoto: But please don't forget that you're not...alone anymore...

Labrys: I'm... not alone...

I nod strongly to Labrys as she looks up at me

I repeat it for emphasis...

Naoto: Don't worry You're not alone...

Teddie: That's right! I'll stick to you like glue!

Rise: And it won't be just us! I'm sure you'll make...lots of friends with everyone in town!

Labrys: Really? A machine like me...?

We nod Labrys stands up and approaches her Shadow...

Labrys: They said... it's okay to be me Doesn't that...make you happy too?

She takes the Shadow's hand as it droops its head listlessly...

Labrys: I'm so sorry I locked you up inside me for...all that time...

Labrys: But we'll be okay now I'm not alone... and...you're not either, right...?

Naoto: Labrys, there are some people from the Kirijo...Group here looking for you...

Labrys: I wonder if they'll stick me back in that...box again...

Labrys: Haha, of course they will... after all, I caused...a lotta trouble... what else are they gonna do?

Naoto: I can't say anything about that for certain...

Naoto: But you should talk with them It's your right...to be where you belong...

Labrys: Yeah... you're right...

At that moment, I hear several sets of footsteps approaching from outside

I stand and take a fighting pose for an instant, but relax when I hear familiar voices

I ease up and smile...

Yu: Is everyone all right?

Kanji: Whoa, S-Senpai! You're back from the city...already!?

Chie: Never mind him, Kanji-kun, what about you!?...What've you been doing all this time!?

The Shadow host was defeated; the invisible walls must have disappeared

This place is familiar to all of us

With the walls gone, finding each other is a piece of cake...

Yosuke: Yo, Naoto! Haha, guess you made the big...meetup after all, huh? I swear, we're tied...together by fate or something...

Yosuke: Actually... is that the real you, Teddie?

Teddie: *sigh* You're so blind sometimes, Yosuke...

Yukiko: Rise-chan! I'm so glad you're safe...

Rise: Senpai! You're all here!

Kirijo-san's group comes in behind Senpai and the others

The room instantly falls silent

Perhaps some of the others had encountered them during a match before I did, but in general everyone was shocked to see them

Kirijo-san weaves between all of us and walks directly toward Labrys...

Mitsuru: ...You must be Labrys

All of us hold our breath at Kirijo-san's dignified voice...

Mitsuru: I'm Mitsuru Kirijo You may have heard already......but I came to collect you...

Labrys: I...

"Collect"

At that, Labrys takes a step back

I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her

She looks at me, and I nod

Human, robot... anyone It doesn't change anything

But, no matter who you are, there are things that you have to carry out through your own actions, using your own words...

Labrys: I don't wanna go back in that box......or to that lab...

As Labrys managed to say it, a voice speaks up from behind Kirijo-san...

Aigis: Mitsuru-san, I'd like to ask that you consider...her request...

Aigis: Labrys'... my sister's abilities will surely...be useful to us Please...

Aigis: Can't we enlist her on a trial basis and...see what happens?

"Sister"

Surprised by that unfamiliar appellation, Labrys looks towards the speaker...

Labrys: You're a robot, too...

Aigis: It's nice to meet you I'm Aigis, the 7th Generation...Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon...

Aigis: I'm your successor... Sister...

Labrys: We're... sisters?

She answered Labrys with a smile

Amazing... Her tone, her expressions; they are all so human...

Naoto: I'd like to third their request I'm well...aware that I'm in no place to make demands...on you, but...

Kirijo-san gave a wry smile after a third objection...

Mitsuru: Haha, I'm starting to feel like the bad guy...

Mitsuru: There's no need to worry I wasn't thinking...of sealing you away again...

Labrys: R-Really...?

Mitsuru: You've awakened to your Persona and gained...control over it...

Mitsuru: True, I don't know for sure that the danger...is past, but I don't feel that you need to be...sealed off from humanity...

Mitsuru: Particularly since... it's obvious that you...have a heart...

Naoto: Kirijo-san...

Teddie: Labby-chan doesn't need to be all alone...anywhere!? Yaaaay!

Yu: Uh, Naoto? Sorry to interrupt, but who are...these people...?

Yosuke: They kinda look like a bunch of freaks...

Kanji: Yeah, I mean, one of em's not even human...

Yu: Uhh... I guess she's a robot?

Chie: Hm...? Wait a sec, "Kirijo"...?

Chie: As in, the Kirijo Group!? Wait, what!?...What's going on here...!?

All my friends begin to look at me, the only one who knows everything

Er... Where should I start?

More importantly, how much should I disclose?

Either way, it looks like it's going to be a long explanation

First, though, I suggest that we change locations

It's important to share information, but it is imperative that we all get out of here safely

Teddie leads us to the roof

When he opens the door to the roof, though, we find ourselves in a place that looks nothing like the real thing

Everyone besides Teddie starts in surprise

Outside the door is a space that resembles a TV studio...

That's right... It's the place that we used as an "entrance lobby" to the TV world last year

It disappeared once, but it must have reappeared when Labrys entered this world and created the school here

The others told me that the Midnight Channel aired again; whoever watched the broadcast must have associated it with last year's airings

That explains why it looks exactly the same

At any rate, it looks like we'll be able to exit here in one piece

As I sigh in relief, Kirijo-san turns to us...

Mitsuru: I should introduce myself to the rest of you...

Mitsuru: I am Mitsuru Kirijo I cannot tell you who I...am affiliated with or my position, but I bear...all responsibility for Labrys...

Mitsuru: This case... the whole disturbance was mainly...due to us I'm very sorry for putting you in...such danger

Kirijo-san sums up the sequence of events

Labrys' entry into this world was the cause of it all

She and the others came here after her...

Chie: Um, how do you know Mitsuru-san, Naoto-kun?

Naoto: That's, well...

Mitsuru: Shirogane was working with us Since it was our...first time in this world, he helped us safely...reach Labrys...

Yukiko: So the "job" you had was to bring Mitsuru-san...and the others here?

Naoto: Huh...? Er, well...

Mitsuru: That was basically it I'm sorry, but there...are some things he cannot disclose I ask...for your understanding in that regard...

Chie: Sure, sure, detective stuff I getcha...That's pretty cool!

Sanada-san and Aigis-san don't say a word, even after Kirijo-san's "explanation"

It's not completely a lie, but still...

I shrug and sigh softly

If I had denied that incomplete explanation, it would be the same as admitting that I was working against them...

Naoto: (Haha, I really am no match for her...)

Teddie: Well then, let's all go home!

Teddie: Alrighty! Attention, please! The trip doesn't...end until we get out of the TV...

Yosuke: Dude, you really gave us a scare! And this...isn't the first time, either!

Yosuke: *sigh* Well, at least it ended well...

Chie: You know... I understand about Rise-chan and...Teddie, but why did Kanji-kun go missing again?

Kanji: Huh? Oh, well, because, uhh...

Naoto: You needed a change of pace, no?

Yosuke: ...What?

Naoto: Did I misspeak? You said something like,..."sometimes a man just wants to be alone...inside a TV"...

Chie: As if!

Kanji: Naoto, you bastard! Why'd you have to tell...'em that!?

Labrys laughs at our small talk

Looking at her, I begin to feel like this episode wasn't so bad after all

But, suddenly...

Labrys' smile suddenly disappears, and her body freezes in an unnatural position...

Naoto: ...Labrys...?

Labrys does not answer me

Sanada-san shouts a warning...

Akihiko: Get away from her!

Everyone jumps back, confused

Kanji-kun wasn't even sure what he was supposed to be backing away from at first

Soon, though, we all stand around her in a ring

Labrys stands in the center, completely motionless...

Mitsuru: What's going on!?

Aigis: I don't know! I can only tell that she's probably...being controlled from outside...

Controlled!?

As we all watch her, confused and nervous, Labrys' right hand slowly begins to move

It reaches around her back to her thrusters... or rather, to the axe

Labrys' eyes were staring blankly into space, but suddenly glance at me

Mitsuru: Shirogane!

The warning comes at the same instant as the attack

I can feel the wind of the axe's passage as I bend backwards to dodge the blow

If she'd gone after anyone else, things might not have been so fortunate; I'm the only one who's actually seen that attack

But, Labrys follows up with a different attack

I gulp in spite of myself

That white, elegant silhouette behind Labrys...

I'd almost forgotten

Labrys now has the power of a Persona

Fighting her won't be as easy as it was before...

Naoto: Labrys... why...? Never mind, it can wait!

<BATTLE [vs LABRYS]>

I emerged victorious, but I don't have enough energy remaining to run up to her

I breathed heavily and look at her

Aigis-san runs towards Labrys in my place...

Aigis: Sister, are you all right!?

Labrys: Ngh...

Suddenly, an uncanny voice echoes throughout the studio...

Familiar Voice: My... to think she'd fall so easily

Everyone glances around, trying to find where it came from...

Familiar Voice: I hoped that she'd provide more entertainment......What a disappointment

As soon as this sentence is complete, all eyes turn towards me

I cannot blame them

After all, this voice... was mine

The darkness in the center of the ring twists and squirms like gel

A face forms on its surface, and it hardens into limbs and a human-like body It stands up

The thing standing before us was... again, me

No... just something taking my shape...

Chie: Naoto-kun's Shadow!? Why...?

Kanji: I thought you disappeared!

I can't stop myself from being filled with anxiety

But I keep my voice calm as I ask it a question...

Naoto: Who are you?

Shadow Naoto(?): Once you've gained your Persona, you're not...supposed to see your Shadow again... that's...what you thought, isn't it?

Shadow Naoto(?): Did you really think I had gone away?

Shadow Naoto(?): Hahaha... well, too bad Man cannot let go so...easily of his weakness! I'm always with you!

Yosuke: No... this can't be happening...!

My friends become even more disturbed

They certainly had cause to worry... Could the same thing happen to them? Will it?

I, however, did not stir Instead, I suddenly understood what had happened

This thing's objective was clearly to cause us to panic...

Naoto: Enough farce... you are not my Shadow

I walk towards this copy of me... the real enemy...

Naoto: I know that for two reasons First, I was able...to use my Persona in the battle just now...

Naoto: One's Persona and Shadow are two sides of...a coin... if you are my Shadow, my Persona...should have been unusable...

Naoto: Second, you took control of Labrys just now...That's an unusual power, far beyond the...capabilities of a human like myself...

Shadow Naoto(?): ......

Naoto: I'm sorry to say you've dug yourself a deeper...hole by showing off that ability...

Naoto: With a power like that, you could drive a man...to extreme acts... which was the missing piece...in this case...

Mitsuru: You mean the hijacking wasn't just the work...of a highly motivated crew...

Mitsuru: Rather, whoever we're talking to now was...

Naoto: It was Labrys' dark wish that we fight each...other, but what if someone knew beforehand...that that would happen?

Naoto: Labrys has a heart, but she's also a machine...Unlike humans, her memories can be tampered with...

Naoto: By using Labrys, you thought you could...orchestrate the disturbance her Shadow...would create in this world...

Naoto: Your objective is as you just said... To gather...Persona-users, have them fight, disrupt their...hearts, and steal their Personas...

Naoto: That's why you're appearing in the form of my...Shadow right now... to confuse me...

Naoto: You're the real puppetmaster behind this case!

Shadow Naoto(?): *chuckle* I'm surprised... very insightful of you,...Naoto Shirogane Quite impressive work!

Malevolent Entity: I didn't expect you to fight back this fiercely...Sadly, it seems things won't be going according...to plan this time...

Malevolent Entity: But I'll make use of what tools I have to the...very end This is my last chance... No, more like a marvelous entertainment...

Malevolent Entity: Now stand, my puppet

Labrys staggers to her feet

There's no doubt now This is the person controlling Labrys...

...and she has yet to break free from the spell...

Malevolent Entity: Poor thing It's all worn out because of you...It shouldn't have much strength left to fight...

Malevolent Entity: But unless you destroy it, it will keep rising...up and attacking you all... What will you do?

Naoto: ......!

Labrys pointed her axe at me for the second, no, third time

Rather than caution, I felt sympathy

The forced "killing of comrades," against one's will...

I see now...

This is "the past" her Shadow had talked about...

Mitsuru: Shirogane! You need to stand back!

Kirijo-san steps in front of me...

Naoto: Wait! If we all attack her, we may end up...destroying Labrys!

Mitsuru: But...!

Naoto: She's just under its control If we can release...her, she should stop attacking!

I glance over at Rise-san...

Rise: Huh? Is that possible...? All right, I'll give...it a try!

Perhaps Rise-san's Persona was powerful enough to do it...

I think it's worth trying

However...

Rise: Ngh... it's no use! What is that thing!?...It's not a Shadow... it's way too strong!

I had a feeling things wouldn't be so easy

Out of options, Kirijo-san signals Aigis-san with a troubled look on her face...

Mitsuru: Aigis... prepare for the worst

Aigis-san opens her eyes in shock

A look of astonishment, and not the good kind

But she quickly regains her composure and begins readying her weapons

She slowly aimed them at Labrys

Realizing what was happening, Rise-san hastily interjects...Rise: No, wait! Let me try again...!

But, Aigis-san pays her no heed; Labrys is in her sights

She looked calm, but it hurts just to see her expression

That's only natural

She called Labrys her sister...

Malevolent Entity: Good... now suffer Relinquish your Personas!

At that very moment...

Kirijo-san suddenly looks up

She closes her eyes

She gathers her strength, as she had when she tried to establish a line of communication with her own Persona

But who is she trying to reach...?

Mitsuru: I see... Now!

Who is she talking to?

Is there someone here besides us?

As I stared at Kirijo-san in bewilderment, it happens

Without warning Labrys freezes in place

The menacing aura that she had been giving off dissipates in an instant...

Malevolent Entity: What!?

For the first time, I can hear panic in the enemy's voice

Freed from the power of the enemy, Labrys' body collapses to the ground

Aigis-san's weapons fold back into her body and she runs to Labrys, as if all her pent-up emotions were exploding behind her like a rocket...

Yosuke: What the heck was that...!?

Rise: I don't know... I was getting desperate, too...It seemed like something far away stepped in...

Malevolent Entity: Ngh... this can't be...!

Mitsuru: It's just as we thought The enemy is taking...on your appearance and has no connection to...you Feel free to cut loose

Kirijo-san's voice is full of confidence

I don't know what she did, but when she speaks so confidently, it's impossible to doubt her

I look at the enemy again... My face, but with a different expression...

Naoto: There's something I want to ask before I fight...

Malevolent Entity: What now?

Naoto: Why... did you choose me?

Naoto: Of all the Persona-users here, why did you...use my face?

Malevolent Entity: Hahahaha, is that all!? Of course I chose you...

Malevolent Entity: You were the most unstable of the lot!

Malevolent Entity: Never quite sure whether to call yourself...a man or a woman... your indecisiveness...made you the perfect prey!

I clench my fists, but keep my anger in check After a moment, I nonchalantly tip my hat back on my head...

Naoto: There's actually something I've been curious...to know all this time...

Naoto: Last year, when my real Shadow went berserk,...I was forced to the sidelines...

Naoto: It left me wondering... whether I could have...overcome that other "me" on my own...

Naoto: This is the perfect chance to find out......I won't hold back an inch!

<BATTLE [vs MALEVOLENT ENTITY]>

The enemy staggers and falls to her knees, her face--or rather, mine--writhing in agony...

Rise: You did it!

Teddie: You're so cool, Nao-chan!

Kanji: I can't believe you could go that nuts on...something that looked like you...

Naoto: It may have taken my shape, but it wasn't me...I had no reason to relent

I fully believe what I said, but Kanji-kun doesn't seem satisfied, for some reason

Kirijo-san looks down at the enemy...

Mitsuru: You'll be coming with us There are some things...we still want to ask you...

Malevolent Entity: Hahaha... this is fine with me There were many...twists and turns along the way, but I'm not...displeased with the results...

Malevolent Entity: It was good enough for this time that I confirmed...you have the power to meet my expectations...

Naoto: "This time"...?

Malevolent Entity: This is only a temporary form...

Malevolent Entity: I doubted there'd be any meaning in changing...my appearance, but sure enough, it made for...a very enjoyable game...

Malevolent Entity: I will see you in another guise next time...Just wait until then...

Malevolent Entity: *chuckle* Ahahahaha...

The enemy laughs and begins to fade away...

Mitsuru: Wait!

Of course, the enemy simply disappears into thin air

Who was she...?

What was her objective, trying to separate us from our Personas...?

Unfortunately, I was not able to get to the core of the matter

But still, "next time," huh...?

Yosuke: Hell no! Don't you dare come back again!

Chie: Yeah, what he said!

Kanji: Seriously, that was one sick bastard...

Teddie: Copying Nao-chan was going too fur!...Bad enough that it was in violetation of...my image rights, taking my form like that!

Yukiko: I wonder if this is the start of something...bigger...

Rise: Yeah... I don't think we should let our...guard down

Everyone's face clouds with anxiety

No one could have imagined that we would run into some bigger threat like this

Does the enemy plan to cause another incident like this again...?

...Are we going to get more humiliating catchphrases?

"Killjoy Detective..."

A-Am I really that bad...?

It appears that Kirijo-san has worries of her own, though...

Aigis: My analysis didn't make it in time...But that was...

Mitsuru: It's hard to believe Then again...

With a strong look in her eyes, she swallows her fears and comes to us as we discuss who the identity of the mastermind could be...

Mitsuru: In any case, you don't have to worry about it...It's our responsibility from here on out...

Yu: But it was obviously targeting us We can't...shrug and go on our way after that...

Naoto: He's correct Given that it's taken an interest...in us, we must arm ourselves against it...

Mitsuru: Of course, you should be aware that the enemy...is out there... but there is no need to abandon...your lives to pursue it...

Mitsuru: We will do our best to ensure that no harm...comes to you That is, after all, our duty

I can sense that she is completely sincere

We all trade glances, but we eventually concede with our leader's opinion: we'll agree to Kirijo-san's offer

There are some lingering regrets, but we have little choice right now

Seeing that everything is settled, Teddie butts in and strikes a strange pose

We turn to look at him, and with a grin of pride, he kicks at the floor with his heel

That is his usual little dance when summoning the "exit" TV to get us out of the TV world

Kirijo-san's group is obviously surprised, and they look pointedly at the TV...

Akihiko: What're you doing with this ancient TV?...Hang on... where'd you even get this?

Teddie: It's a Teddie-vision! You can get out...from here!

Mitsuru: This TV is our escape route...? Can we......really fit inside...?

Teddie: Ooh! Are you a little too front-loaded...to fit!? In that case, I wouldn't mind...helping you squeeze through...!

Rise: You're even worse than before, you know that...?

We all pass through Teddie's TV and make it back to the real world

Of course, Kirijo-san is a bit flustered to find herself in the middle of a department store

Labrys looks slightly lonely, but she follows Kirijo-san by her own free will

There shouldn't be anything to worry about... Remembering Aigis-san's gentle smile, I know that they'll make sure Labrys is all right

And so, the incident came to a close...

The following day: May 4th

Kirijo-san had stayed the night pursuing a follow-up investigation, and is going back to the city today

We learned that from none other than Labrys, who had called us all, wanting to say goodbye in person

And, of course, we were obliged to see them off

At an intersection just outside the shopping district, we gathered by that oh-so-familiar limousine to exchange parting words with Labrys...

Labrys: I'm really sorry for causing you guys so much...trouble...

Teddie: What're you saying!? I had a blast meeting...you, Labby-chan!

Rise: Likewise!

Rise: But I can't believe you didn't notice at all...that Kirijo-san was searching high and low...for you! You're so thick!

Teddie: That IS mysterious! I wouldn't hesitate to...answer the call of such a beautiful woman!

Teddie: It must've been because I was having so much...fun talking with Labby-chan!

Yosuke: Sheesh, he never gives it a rest So, um......what're you gonna do now, Labrys?

Chie: If you need help, we don't mind sheltering you!...Yukiko's house is a great hideout!

Labrys: Haha, thanks But I'm plannin' on working...with Mitsuru-san...

Labrys: We're gonna catch the scumbag who tried to...use you guys... this time, it'll be me that's...got your backs...

Yu: Heh Sounds promising...

Naoto: It sounds as thought you found a place where...you belong, then...

Labrys: ...Sure 'nuff...

Yukiko: Come back any time to hang out, okay? We'll be...here for you...

Labrys: Okay... thanks, you guys!

Labrys' expression is radiant

I turn around to see Kirijo-san and the others watching from inside the car with gentle smiles

I leave the circle gathered around Labrys, and approach Kirijo-san There's something that I have to confide in her after all this time...

Naoto: I confess, I had known about the existence...of the Shadow Operatives from the start...

Mitsuru: As I thought... well, considering what we've both...been through, there's no need to keep it...hidden from you anymore...

Naoto: Why are you taking the lead even if it risks...your life? A woman in your position needn't--

Mitsuru: A great many people were hurt because of...mistakes the Kirijo Group made in the past...I won't let it happen again...

Mitsuru: To leave behind nothing that could jeopardize...the future... that's my mission More than...that, it's a vow I made

I feel like she's speaking to someone else... someone who's not here to hear her

She then nods to me

The sincerity in her eyes is all the confirmation I need

In my line of business, you rarely come across people who actually speak what they mean... people I would call "noble" She is one of the few

Her eyes show trust in me, and that makes me proud to know her, as well...

Mitsuru: You've been a real help About the next step,...though... I doubt you'll back down that easily...

Naoto: Who knows...? It's not my decision to make

I give a casual reply and Kirijo-san shakes her head with a smile...

Mitsuru: I understand that that nothing I say can...dissuade you But I want you to be cautious

Her expression turns serious

This is likely to be a personal warning--about the investigation I should be keeping secret from her...

Mitsuru: Of course there are those within the Kirijo...Group who don't think as I do There are no...doubt a lot of dark secrets to be unearthed...

Mitsuru: The current Kirijo Group has drifted away from...the family businesses I am only the founding...family's daughter Not the strongest position...

Naoto: Haha, what an odd warning It's as if you're...showing compassion to your enemy...

Naoto: Well, I too personally hope you find success...You be careful too, Kirijo-san...

Mitsuru: Just call me Mitsuru...

Naoto: Of course, Mitsuru-san Well, until next time...

The car soon departs in the direction of the highway

We watch as Labrys waves from the window... believing that one day, we'll meet again

After seeing them off, we head to the food court at Junes

It's been a bit delayed, but it's time for Yu-senpai's welcome-back party

These last few days have been full of trouble, but I can't help but feel that some sort of fate has brought us together in the end

Soon, the topic at hand changes to what Yu-senpai had said:

"We should reform the Investigation Team"

Just as Mitsuru-san had predicted, it was the only natural reaction to what we had been through

Not a single one of us objects to the idea, and we all talk about our plans to continue

...By the time we split up and I arrived home, it was close to midnight

But, I sat at my desk and turned on my computer, so that I may compile my report on the investigation...

Naoto: What follows are my impressions of the...organization called the Shadow Operatives,...as well as their leader, Mitsuru Kirijo...

Naoto: As a member of the Kirijo Group's founding...family, Mitsuru Kirijo strongly wishes for...the corporation's stigma to be cleared...

Naoto: Yet the Shadow Operatives are not ultimately...a means for her to clear this stigma...

Naoto: Her first priority is to protect and save those...who are at risk The way she handled the lost..."cargo" in this case made that much clear...

Naoto: Though discarding it would have been more...advantageous and it would have been simple...to destroy in secret, she chose not to do so...

Naoto: She sees the restoration of the family honor...as a byproduct of her true mission...

Naoto: I will continue my secret investigation It is...apparent that the Kirijo Group still harbors...many dark secrets...

Naoto: Yet I must note that no matter how their internal...affairs are worth watching, we need not trouble...ourselves overseeing Shadow Operatives...

Naoto: Mitsuru Kirijo does not shrink from the...responsibilities she bears We will never gain...leverage over her based on her family's sins...

Naoto: Even if the true culprit behind this matter has...ties to the Kirijo Group, she will--

I stop typing and delete the last sentence...

Naoto: No... this report is no place for conjecture...

Naoto: Haha... I suspect this is only the beginning