"Can't get the right answer? 7 days of PAP will solve it"

Y/N's P.O.V.

"We were in space." Yusuke says, leaning against the wall to pick up his cup. He's gone through two cups already and I'm still on my first, so I guess today in the Palace must've been exhausting. 

"We were in space already, that's where the whole thing is."

"No, Y/N," he looks over toward the window and takes another drink. "The last of those puzzles was calculating how to cross the void, from pod to pod."

I cough and take a drink. "Are you serious? Did you see anything? What does space feel like?"

"I'm very serious. No, we couldn't see anything. As you see on television, you can't view space while in it directly. There's nothing out there. It's a freezing, desolate place. When we transferred, everyone closed their eyes and mouths; there's nothing to breathe."

"I figured that much, I guess I wondered if the Metaverse magic would work out there or not." I reach for my nightstand and pick up the bottle of painkillers I was prescribed yesterday. "What'd the Treasure end up being?" The bottle rattles as a couple pills land in my palm, a stale white color with a number written in small print.

"We're still unsure, it's one of those gray circles from Palaces prior."

I raise my eyebrow and swallow the pills, gulping a little too loudly for my own enjoyment. "What are you talking about?"

Yusuke puts his cup back on the desk and crosses his arms. "My mistake, you joined us in Futaba's Palace and she herself was the Treasure. From my understanding, before the Treasure materializes, it's a gray orb that floats, generally on a pedestal. When we send out the calling card and take Okumura's heart, it'll become the actual thing."

"Just a gray blurb? It's not anything past that?"

"It shimmers some. Rather bland from an artistic standpoint, but with the right amount of creativity, you can make it beautiful."

I hum at him and take one last drink, the paper cup emptying. "Most likely. I'd like to see it for myself, I'm just a bit out of touch." I slide the cup and bottle back in their respective places. "Where was it? Not in the middle of that space puzzle?"

He scoffs. "No, fortunately. Okumura has a weapons arsenal. There was an elevator ride down after the space stupidity and a stroll on some poorly done carpet." Yusuke looks at me, nose wrinkling with complete disgust. "The colors didn't clash well at all. I don't understand why you would put orange, cyan and a lime green on cheap carpet? It's very unattractive."

"Did it at least turn into tile of some kind? That should've been better."

"It did, thank God," he waves his hand dismissively then turns toward me and crosses his legs. "Past the ugly carpet and switch to tile was a launchpad that took up roughly thirty meters of ground, maybe a floor below us. The room was bright and off to the right was a set of stairs that'll most likely throw us for a loop when we get to the calling card. But, as I said, the grayed Treasure was in the middle of the launchpad, floating slowly."

"Sounds complicated."

"Not exactly, darling," He stands up and grabs his cup. "Would you like some more water?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks." I stand as well, just making my way to my desk and moving art supplies. The light goes on in my bathroom and the faucet runs, leaving me to screw with the lamp in front of me. There was something I wrote down to ask Yusuke about, but I can't find or remember it. It's somewhere in this pile of papers, I just can't find it.

"What'd you do today, Y/N?" He calls from the bathroom.

"Not much," I reply, trying my hardest to shuffle papers quietly. I asked him something last night, what was it? "I laid around, mostly."

"Mostly," he chuckles. "Do you go on an untamed adventure?"

"Oh, you know. I tried my hardest to paint, but I can't stare at anything too long. I also don't want to sleep all day, for obvious reasons."

I  want to tell him about Akechi, but I don't think that's the right thing to do.

"Understandable." The tap goes off and feet shuffle back onto the floor of the bedroom part of my dorm. "Did anyone stop by? The girl from the plane to Hawaii asked about you."

"Did she?" That was nice, that someone wanted to come see you. "No, she didn't come by. I think someone knocked on my door at one, but I didn't answer."

"Perhaps it was a joke." He sits back down, glancing at what I'm doing. "What are you searching for?"

"I had something I wanted to ask you. I don't remember much with this concussion, but I had a thought long enough to write it down."

"It'll come to you in time. Soon enough, you'll be well enough you won't even recall how you feel currently."

"I hope so," I mutter, moving one last paper. Lo and behold, there are words I scribbled down earlier before making my snap decision to see Akechi. "Here it is! Yusuke, two questions."

"Go ahead." He takes a sip from his new cup of water and peeks at me from behind the rim. It's kind of cute; I didn't realize paper cups hid entire faces. 

"Earlier this month, when we went to Hawaii. We sat on a bench by the beach and one of us, I don't remember who, brought up the Reaper. What was your... daydream?"

"Pardon, but shouldn't we wait until you have your memories fully returned?" He almost spits his drink on my comforter. It'd match the drool stains, just on the wrong spot of the bed.

"It could, but I'd like to know." I hesitate, picking up whatever pen is nearest to me so I can play with it. "I remember some of what I fell into, so this isn't a one sided question. It was pulling at me the other night, pre concussion."

Yusuke's face drops. Eyebrows scrunched, nose wrinkled, full nine yards. He's about to shut me down, but I hand him a piece of paper. "I know you don't want to tell me, but if you'll write it down or something... I can't do anything at all right now. Since I'm confined to this room, all I have time to do anymore is think. I remember some things, other things have been forgotten. Even then, I can't think too much at all. It hurts, and maybe if I read something, something so brilliantly written, maybe it'll clear my head."

"Y/N-"

"Yusuke, please. You're off doing work I should be a part of, work we should be doing together, and we're not because something knocked me off my feet. It's unfair if I make you stay here with me, I know that. I just- I'm looking for something," I don't realize how desperate I sound. "I want to do more than sleep and think for more than five minutes at a time."

"I'll paint it for you. You can observe paintings, right?" He stops me, probably for the best. My voice is on the verge of cracking and crying is exhausting.

"I guess."

"That settles it. I'm going to go begin working on the most..." he stands up and sighs to himself. "Pernicious moment of heart break that the Reaper sent me spiraling into. I'll work on it this evening and have something for you when you wake tomorrow morning. My only request is you try your hardest to sleep now."

"I just took the medicine, so I should fall asleep soon."

Yusuke makes an 'Ah' noise and moves to the door, then spins around to face me again. I push the desk chair, stand and take a few steps toward him. He looks like he wants to ask me something, so I'll find out what it is. 

"Have you taken the right amount of medication today? Not an absurd amount?"

"No," I shake my head. "I'm only supposed to take it twice a day and I've taken it both times."

"Then, I'm going to leave you to it. I'll begin painting and you can work toward falling asleep, yes?" He extends his hand and turns the doorknob. I tug at his sleeve; we're in winter uniforms now, so his sleeve is white and the cloth is freshly washed. The pin on his heart has been cleaned recently, so it shine against the overhead light.

I don't want you to go yet. "Can you stay longer?"

"Would you like me to stay a few more moments?" He half means the question. He's antsy, so I guess he'd really like to get working. I frown internally and sigh.

"No, no. Go ahead." I release his sleeve and drop my hand back to my side. "Thanks for telling me about the Palace."

Yusuke takes my hand, raises it toward his face and kisses it lightly, those icy eyes of his meeting my own. "Darling, I owe you for your push in inspiration. I love the fact all you have to do is mention something from mere weeks ago and you set my every creative nerve on fire. My love for that, my love for you will be shown in every painting I have."

I laugh lightly. "Your proof among paintings?"

"Precisely that. Proof among paintings."

...

The next morning, a knock on the door scares me from my sleep. I jolt upright and place my hand on my throbbing head, just in case I hit it. "Yeah?"

"It's Yusuke. Are you presentable?"

"Depends, what counts?"

"If I open this door, do you have a shirt on?"

I look down to be sure, but I already have a feeling I do. My shoulders are covered, so that works for me. "I do, what's wrong?"

"Y/N, your door is locked. I can't get..." the knob twists once, twice, then another time. 

"Hold on, hold on." I push the covers off and stumble toward the door. I'm half awake and, when we don't sleep in the same bed, I like to be more than a quarter awake when he sees me in the morning. "I'm not ready for you yet."

"I've seen you drool in your sleep, darling. You're beautiful when you do it, but you can answer the door in your pajamas."

"Give me thirty seconds, let me (comb/brush) my hair, then I'll answer the... hey." The door opens and reveals Yusuke in the same outfit from roughly eight hours ago. "Where'd you get my spare key?"

"You gave it to me a month ago. Figured this was more than an adequate reason to do it." He pauses, slides the key back in his pocket and check his phone. "This afternoon, after school, we're sending the calling card."

"Already?" I drop whatever I had in my hand. "But, you just...."

"We had the discussion yesterday and Akira just recently sent the message. I'll stop by roughly around 4:35 and then I'll... hold a moment." His phone lights up and he clicks on the screen. I've probably received the same message, but I turned my phone off when I got home from Takemi's. The blue light and the blue light filter hurt my eyes. 

"Would you like to come with me when we have the final deliberation? Akira just texted and asked if you'd be up for it." Yusuke types something then looks up at me. "Would you be ready to do it? I'm aware of your boredom, which is understandable."

I push air through my teeth as his question settles. Last time I left, I almost threw up on concrete stairs. But I'm getting on the train, so worse comes to worst, I throw up due to motion sickness. I'd really like to go, but I think... "Let's see how I feel when you come see me this afternoon. I don't want to make the wrong decision."

A smile erupts beneath the dark hair of his. "Let's do that then. I'll see you in a while." A soft kiss is placed on my lips before he turns to leave. "I love you, Y/N. Recover for me."

"I-I will..! I'll see you in awhile!" I'm all flustered over something that's happened multiple times, but I guess that means it never gets old; the spontaneity of quick kisses. "I love you too!"

"As you should," Yusuke says, closing the door behind him. 

...

"Y/N!" Ann gasps. Yusuke and I ran into her and Ryuji at the Shibuya into Yongen-Jaya line transfer. "You're out and about! How are you feeling?"

"Concussed, but I'm not as out of it as I was on Monday."

"But it's Wednesday," Ryuji mutters. I assume he's looking at his phone calendar, but I could very well be wrong. 

"It is Wednesday. I don't do very well sitting around and doing nothing."

"Oh, I'm sure you did something neat," Ann links my arm in hers. "What'd you do yesterday? I wanna hear all about it!"

"Not a whole lot. Sleeping in five minute intervals and thinking in five minute intervals isn't as fun as it sounds. I can't really do anything; I'm not allowed to look at my phone or read or break down and do homework."

"That sucks. I couldn't do shit when I hurt my knee. I mean, I could look at my phone, but I wanted to go running and play sports and do things like that, just can't with a frickin' bum knee." Ryuji offers, looking over at Yusuke. "Hey, you wanna do what they're doin'?"

Yusuke glances quickly at Ann and me, then shakes his head. "I'm not sure my dignity can take that much of a hit at the moment, but, what the hell. Go for it." He lifts his arm and Ryuji locks his elbow with Yusuke's and laughs. 

"This is the gayest shit I'd ever engage in, and it's the funnest thing I've done all day. Thanks, man."

"No problem, now." Yusuke looks back at Ann and me. "Lead the way, ladies. I believe the roads of Yongen-Jaya await us."

"Right!" Ann cheers and leads up the stairs on the Yongen platform. There's an escalator that's jam packed and concrete stairs as our options, and Ann is picking the one that'll be a problem if there are more than fifteen. Otherwise, the station is dark enough I won't have a splitting headache in twenty minutes. Even the advertisements are dull in color, as they advertise the batting cages and bath house, then off to the side is one for the thrift store a block away from the laundromat.

"Ann, you might end up dragging me in a minute," I warn her, knowing we've taken ten steps without incident. 

"Oh? That's funny, Y/N. You've got walking upstairs down pat, I'm not worr-oh, hey!" My arm slips from hers as I hold onto the banister. The nausea's kicked up again and I'm going to have to stop in a minute or I'll make a fool of myself again. This time, if anyone asks, I'm not going to tell them I'm pregnant, because that's wrong and I'm retarded. 

Yusuke drops Ryuji's arm and steps up the few stairs between us. "I'm sorry," he apologizes. It upsets me greatly how defeated he sounds. "I should've let you sleep instead of waing you this morning, then we wouldn't be in this situation. I can take you home, it'll be...."

"Hey, Yusuke. I dropped something on the stairs a minute ago, can you help me look?"

"In a moment, Ryuji. I need to-"

"It was train card. I don't have the money if I lose it, please, man."

Yusuke and Ann share a look, then she smiles. "Go for it, Yusuke. I'll help Y/N and we'll wait upstairs for you guys to find it. Come on, Y/N," she reaches for my hand and slides my arm above her neck. "There aren't too many left, it's just intimidating."

As predicted, poor Ann ends up dragging me up the last dozen steps and helps me sink against the wall outside the station. She ruffles around in her bag as I take a breath and try my hardest to quell the uprising of water I've drank today. "Keep doing that for me, I think I have something in here." Ann lets out a frustrated gasp and pulls a handful of chapsticks from her purse. "Stupid Yusuke, leaving his... I mean! Have you eaten anything?"

I shake my head and laugh weakly. "No. I'm not hungry enough to want to."

"Y/N, you have to eat something. I should have crackers or something in here that isn't.... Did you find your train card?" Ann's head is buried in her purse while mine snaps up and finds the guys squinting against the sunlight. 

"Yeah, we found it. Slid out of my pocket, but ya know. Typical clumsiness." Ryuji answers. "What're you lookin' for?"

"Did you take the crackers from my purse?"

"The saltines? From last week?"

"Oh my God, Ryuji! Those were back ups!"

"We ate 'em together! On the train to school last Friday!" Ryuji tries to defend himself, but there's no stopping the wrath of Ann. 

"You're supposed to stop me when I want to eat them! Not join me!"

"Look, I was just lettin' you eat! I wasn't tryna do the wrong thing!"

Ann harrumphs at him and extends her hand to me. "I'm gonna take Y/N and go get something light to eat at that convenience store just up the road from Leblanc."

"What about Leblanc?" Makoto climbs the final step and into the sunlight. "Oh, Y/N! How are you?" She bends slightly and smiles. 

"Did I hear something about Y/N?" It seems Haru was behind Makoto and she's just as thrilled to see me. "Oh! Here she is! How are you feeling?"

I force a smile and look up at them. "As great as I can be!" 

"Need a hand?" Makoto holds her hand out and I take it, putting more effort in getting up than relying on her. She takes half of a step back, but that's the only action she takes. "You seem to be recovering well. Is that why you're joining us today?"

"That's exactly why. I'm not as sensitive as I was Monday or yesterday, but I'm not ready for big kid things yet."

"Like the Palace, correct?" Haru chimes in, a nervous smile on her face.

"Exactly," I click my tongue and nod. "I'm very sensitive to... pretty much everything, but I have enough energy to focus and I felt the need to be apart of the meeting before the calling card."

"Admirable," Makoto says, dipping into her head to think. "Otherwise, we should get going. I don't want to keep Akira waiting and we can catch Ann and Y/N up when they return."

"Sounds great! Do you guys want anything?" 

Haru and Makoto say no, but Ryuji asks for a drink. Yusuke says nothing, so I'll end up sharing whatever I get with him. I don't mind it, that's not the problem. I just hope Ann knows what he likes because I can't remember what he enjoys at the moment. The guilt hits me like a truck and I have no control over my emotions right now, so it'll end with me biting my lip. I might go pee in Leblanc so I can cry it out quickly, but I have enough faith in myself that if I don't make it, Ann'll try her hardest to understand.

"See you guys! Good to go?" Ann turns to me and gives me a half smile. She's concerned, but she doesn't want it to cover anything else she feels. As Makoto said earlier, admirable.

Third Person

"Good afternoon, everyone," Akira looks up from his homework stack and finds the majority of his team coming up the stairs. Sojiro's annoyance is loud enough that it can be heard at the edge of Akira's room, but he doesn't care enough to feel upset at his caused inconvenience. However, Morgana minds greatly; he prances up to Haru and stretches his back out, yawning up a storm.

"I'll just get it out of the way, where are Lady Ann and Y/N?" The cat asks, then yowls in surprise as the caramel haired girl picks him up and carries him to the couch on the left side of Akira's room. "What are you doing with me?"

"Enjoying my time with you, of course. I only get to see you whenever we have meetings and I'd like you to sit by me."

"No way!" Futaba hops up the last step and rushes in. "The kitty's being fickle again!"

"H-Huh?" Morgana stammers, completely freaked out by the sudden amount of attention he's getting. "I was just going to pace around the table, maybe scuff Akira's homework up."

"Jesus, Morgana." Akira mutters, sliding his homework in his folder. "Anyway, we never got an answer. Where are Ann and Y/N?"

"Y/N's comin'? Why didn't you tell me?!" The orange haired girl plops down on the bench next to Yusuke and makes a face at him. He chuckles at her and responds to her question. "She and Ann are picking up something to eat. With her concussion, she doesn't want to do much of anything."

"Bummer. So, we can't be too mean to her?"

"Afraid not. Regardless, what's on the agenda for today?"

"Glad you ask. Now that I know who all is coming, we can go ahead and move forward. I'm thinking of sending the calling card today so we can finish early and continue before our exams. At least, Shujin has them coming in October and it's late September. I can't speak for Kosei."

"Y/N and I will have them the second week of October. I believe they're midterms."

"Right. We have until the eleventh, but as I'm sure you all are, the stir-craziness is building little by little. Does anyone have anything... significant tomorrow? A test or something of that nature?" Akira already knows the answer will be a no from Ryuji and Ann by default, but it's worth asking after the third years and Yusuke. 

"No," Makoto says, looking for her calendar to confirm her statement. Haru shakes her head and smiles as Morgana climbs on the table. "Haru and I are fine. What about you, Yusuke?"

"The only demanding thing I have tomorrow is checking on Y/N. Aside from that, I shouldn't have much else to worry over."

"What about Y/N?" A platinum haired and (hair color) haired girl step up the last few stairs, the former has a giant smile on her face. Y/N's the one that asked, her eyebrow raised in case something interesting has been said.

"We were deliberating the right time to send the calling card. I informed our group the only 'strenuous' part of my day would be checking in on you."

Y/N huffs playfully and sits on Akira's bed to make a remark in return. "That's definitely an arduous task to complete."

"Emotionally."

"Right, right. Thursday the twenty-fourth of September works for everyone here?"

There are multiple yeses, which confirms the plan itself. Akira looks toward Morgana, who nods in encouragement. "Y/N."

"Akira," Y/N pauses for Akira's words.

"Are you aware you will most likely not be joining us on this mission?"

Y/N knew it was coming, but it pierced her heart anyway. With her sensitivity to most everything and an attention span of no longer than five minutes, she figured she wasn't going to follow them in, but she had hoped she'd get a chance at discussion instead of being shut down immediately. 

"I am, yes."

"Do you understand why you're not going to be in attendance?"

"I do."

"Do you have anything you'd like to say? Not meant harshly, of course, but if you feel better then you should let me know now."

She lets out a breathy laugh. "To be honest with you, I almost threw up on the stairs in the station on the platform. I'm not excited I won't be coming, but I'm in agreement I shouldn't come with you all."

That was the hardest part of leading the Phantom Thieves. A member of your team is injured, you're on the planning process and said member can't come to the final battle. They're mature enough to understand why they can't join, but it's hurtful in the emotional department. Akira's aware of this; he knows it wounds Y/N deep down. She's very good at what she does, both in the gun and magic department. He and Morgana had talked about it before the meeting and the latter admitted he felt the same; they were down one of their best members.

"Alright. All that leaves is how we're getting the calling card to Okumura. It's written, courtesy of Ryuji and Makoto, illustration done by Yusuke."

"I'll take it to my father. I'll place it on his desk and if I'm asked, I can tell him it came in the mail." Haru's face hardens and the room turns to a different intensity. 

"Are you sure you're comfortable with that?"

"Akira, I appreciate your concern, but it's not what I'm comfortable with. It's the delivery of the announcement. Unless you are aware of a better way to do it, I have no problem playing stupid and saying it came with the mail."

"That's not what Akira was trying to-" Makoto interjects, but she receives a small smile.

"I'm aware, but you should also know I'm used to acting as mentioned. Trust me. You'll have a reaction by morning at the latest."

The red index card is slid across the table and rests in front of Haru's perfectly manicured hands. Her index finger presses on one of the black stripes and she slides it toward the edge. The little symbol of the group shines as the girl in the pink sweater flips it around and reads aloud from the kanji on the back.

Sir Kunikazu Okumura, the great profiteering sinner of greed. Your success and global fame exists due to the tyranny you rain over your employees. Thus, we have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth. 

From, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts

You spent time together as a couple! Yay! Now I'm going to start on 44. I know there was a whole scene, but I don't have the attention span currently to watch ten seconds, type it out and then go back and repeat. Take care!