89 In case someone thought I forgot dear Makoto
"God! That detective from yesterday still pisses me off!" said Ryuji, slamming his hand on one of the vending machines in the courtyard.
"And what good will hitting a vending machine do? You're just being too loud." commented Shin.
"I know, but still! Aren't you even a little annoyed by him?" asked Ryuji.
"He's not even going full force against us. The police has higher targets than us for now. There's no point in getting pissed off now."
"Huh?"
"So far we've taken down people that the police could say were innocuous. But if we were to go against someone who's evaded the police's efforts for a long time, like a crime lord of some sort, then they'd get frustrated that the public is congratulating us while they're disliked."
"That's right." said Morgana, peeking out his head from Shin's bag. "The only thing you need to focus right now is acting like an ordinary student."
"So you think we'll be okay if we keep doing this, right?" asked Ann, unsure of herself.
Shiho could see Ryuji was about to comment on that, so she said.
"It's not just the police. There's a lot of stuff we don't know, like that guy from Madarame's Palace."
Shin shrugged.
"So far it hasn't been a concern, but I can't say the same for the next palace. Whoever has the ability to access Palaces like us has been busy for the past few months. I haven't seen any mental breakdown on the news since the one with the subway in April."
"You think that our mysterious person is behind those?" asked Morgana.
Shin nodded. "For all we know, there might be a Persona who has the power to turn people like that."
"That guy's also a Persona-user?! Oh man!" exclaimed Ryuji.
"That's worrying..." muttered Shiho.
"Then we need to start training seriously." said Shin. "And that includes you too, Morgana."
"What?!"
"I'll make you run on a hamster wheel for cats if I have to."
"Guh..."
The black-haired boy sat down on the bench and put his bag next to him.
"We can figure out the finer details later, but for now I think we have a more pressing matter. Isn't that right, Makoto?"
The rest of the thieves turned around, shocked, only to see aforementioned girl step out from around the corner.
"The hell?"
"Confessing that you're the Phantom Thieves, just like that. I must say you've made my job a lot easier." she said confidently.
"What are you talking about, Niijima?" spat out Ann, acidly.
"This." she said, waving her phone in front of their eyes, before pocketing it. "Considering your histories with Kamoshida, and the fact that you've recently introduced an ex-student of Madarame in your group, it makes sense that you're the ones behind their changes of heart. I'd like to have a talk with you."
"I see." said Shin, sitting up. "Do go on."
"I require your help. There's a criminal who has to be brought to justice and I need your help in doing so." she said.
"Why should we help you?!" Ryuji shouted.
"And why do you care now?" asked Ann.
Makoto shook her head and raised her phone again.
"Unless you take down the guy behind the extortions of our students before my deadline, I'll send this video to the police."
"..."
"You're blackmailing us?! You bitch!" Ryuji snapped.
"You're free to call me whatever you want. But I am doing this for the sake of the others." she said.
"So do you have a name or anything?" asked Shin.
"No. But I guess you of all people would be able to get that information."
"I see." said Shin, as he leaned on the table.
Makoto was looking at the other thieves' faces. Ann and Shiho looked rightfully angry, while Ryuji seemed ready to cuss up a storm.
Had she been paying attention to Shin she would've noticed when he moved his finger downwards for no reason, apparently.
Not even a second later, Morgana leaped from where he was standing behind her and grabbed her phone with his mouth. Makoto didn't even have the time to say anything, before Shin had her phone in his hands.
"...And deleted." he said, merrily.
The teen went and gave Makoto her phone back.
"Don't worry. We'll still look into this guy. Because we like helping other people."
He patted her on her shoulder.
"Don't try this again on me, Makoto. I'd hate to have to hurt such a smart girl." he whispered.
And with that, he and the other thieves left.
'Ah... I forgot to ask him if he stole my heart.'
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This chapter's additional info is on... the Justice Arcana!
Portrayed as a woman holding a sword and balance, the Justice Arcana symbolizes a strict allegory of justice, objectivity, rationality and analysis. In tarot readings, it means that one will have to face a trial of their justice.
Gameplay-wise, the Personas of the Justice Arcana are commonly Personas excelling in Light-based affinities. Justice Personas are usually various orders of angels, and are otherwise deities of justice, order or vengeance. As of Persona 3, every Persona of the Justice Arcana in the hands of the protagonist is an angel.
Commonly, characters of the Justice Arcana are concerned with matters of fairness, and otherwise are very stoic individuals.
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Confidants:
0. Igor (The Fool) - Rank 2
I. Morgana (The Magician) - Rank 3
1. Takuto Maruki (The Councillor) - Rank 1
II. Makoto Niijima (The Priestess) - Rank 2
IV. Yusuke Kitagawa (The Emperor) - Rank 3
Odd man - Rank 1
V. Sojiro Sakura (The Hierophant) - Rank 3
VI. Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 7
VII. Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 7
VIII. Goro Akechi (The Justice) - Rank 1
IX. Futaba Sakura (The Hermit) - Rank 3
XIII. Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 5
XIV. Sadayo Kawakami (The Temperance) - Rank 3
XVIII. Saki Yoshiko (The Moon) - Rank 2
XIX. Sho Minazuki (The Sun) - Rank 2
Toranosuke Yoshida - Rank 1
XX. Sae Niijima (The Judgement) - Rank 1
Shiho Suzui (The Hope) - Rank 8
