The First Groundswell

     Exclusive Report

     A real look into the rumored          Phantom Thieves!!!

“I’m cheering for them! How could I not when they’re going around punishing corrupt adults?!” Male student from Shujin Academy said when he in interview.

“It’s scary to think that there are Phantom Thieves who can steal hearts. The rumors say they only target bad guys, but doesn’t everyone have different standards in what’s good and what’s evil?” Said female student.

      There is a mysterious group in this city that takes the hearts if wrong person. The name is , the band of Phantom Thieves, 'The Phantom'.

“I heard it’s thanks to the Phantom Thieves that our volleyball club advisor confess to abusing students.” Former student from volleyball said.

       The targeted villains somehow have there hearts changed, and they confess to there crimes of their own free will.

“It’s so crazy that they, like, admit it themselves!“

“Changings heats is so wild.“  Two female student said to each other.

“Hey! Don’t film our students!“  Kawakami yelled to the cameraman. “What do you mean, 'The Phantom Thieves have ties to this school?‘ That’s a baseless rumor.“

        Their modus operandi is unknown … their true identity is unknown…and that’s fine.

“That’s vigilantism,when Japan is supposed to be a constitution al state …I cannot allow them to forcibly twist people’s hearts before their actions have been judged.The Phantom Thieves…What is their ultimate goal?“Akechi said from one of his interview.

Ren just stood nearby watching the news from large tv in Shibuya before he smirked to himself. ”Isn’t it obvious? World reformation.“

Xxx

Inside the studio, two beautiful girls posing while the cameraman takes a pictures of those two.

“Last one! Big smiles!" Cameraman said as he look the two girls and they do a paint with smile in their face.

While Ann smiles,she noticed two familiar figure wearing Shujin Uniform,one holding the mirror while the other one holding a stand lamp.

“Good work today, Ann-chan, Mika-chan!You can take a break until the final group shot.“ They both nod as Ann walked away.

“Ren,Rin-chan!What are you two doing here?Didn’t I tell you I have work today?“ Ann said while her finger playing on her hair.

Ren take out something from his bag and give the wallet to Ann. “You forgot your wallet.“Ren said as Rin just smile.

Ann gasp “Did I leave it in the classroom?!That could’ve been bad! Anyway thanks!“ Ann exclaimed.

“What are you shooting today Ann? Looks pretty fancy.“ Rin ask still looking many models around.

“It’s special feature on this year’s sexiest new models. I was selected to be in it.“ Ann answer before she continue. “More importantly why you two working for them?“

“They said they were short staff.“ Ren and Rin told about what happen earlier.

“It’s not big a deal, besides I enjoy watching you doing a photoshoot earlier Ann.“ Rin said.

“You’re with your boyfriend? How enviable!“ A voice said making Ann turned.

“How many times do I have to tell you?! Ren is just a friend-“But stopped when she saw Mika eyes. “What happened to your eyes?! Those dark circles!!!“

“Quiet down will you? Your seemed pressure will make the concealer fall off.“ Mika said to Ann.

“How her eyes seemed okay when photoshoot earlier?” Ren whisper to Rin .

“She was using sheer willpower to direct blood flow to her eyes, alleviating the dark circles…what a dedicated professional…“  Rin answer in whisper.

“MEEOOWW!”

“Huh?A kitty cat?! Where?" Mika trying to find that voice.

“N-No that was Ren.“ Ann quickly answer.

“Good work today… meow…“ Ren do cat voice as he hold his bag closely to him.

“I’m feeling tired for some reason.“ Mika said.

“Same,let’s go over there!“ Ann said.

Morgana head pop out from Ren’s school bag. “I can’t stand her! She pretends to be a good girl, but she messed Lady Ann behind the scenes!!“ Morgana growled.

“That’s because she considers herself a true professional. She doesn’t mean any harm.“ Ren answer to make Morgana calm down.

“She does.” Morgana replied back.

“She does not.” Ren said back as Rin told her brother to join with Ann and Mika.

“Hey Mika, what’s wrong? Didn’t get enough sleep?“ Ann ask worriedly.

“Yeah.I’m being harrased.“ Mika answer as three Phantom Thieves members surprised hearing her answer.

“What did they do to you Mika-san?“  Rin ask her.

“They leaves dangerous things like nails and knifes outside my front door. Sometimes they knock,too. It must be a stalker! I can’t get enough sleep because of them!“ Mika shows the pictures to them.

“Did you talk to police?“

“Yeah,but they said they’d have to wait and see.“ Mika said as she eat a strawberry.

“Then what about Phantom Thieves?“  Rin questions to her.

“Huh? What?”

“The Phantom Thieves!“ Ren said with smirk on his face.

“Haha!You guys believe in that urban legend?“ Mika laughed. “The Phantom are those guys, right? They exterminate criminals that the cops won’t may a hand on?“

“It’s a change of heart, not an exterminations.“ Ann correct her.

“Yeah,that. They steal eveil hearts and reform them! It’s like exorcising evil spirits that are haunting people, right?“

“It’s not exorcisms, it’s change of heart.“ Ann repeat again.

“People are fussing about them on TV and the internet every day, but I won’t be fooled! It’s all a marketing scheme set up by the media! Once everyone’s into it, they’ll announce the movie! And I’ll definitely be the star!“ Mika said with style.

“What an imagination.“ Rin mutter.

“Actually while we’re at it, they should get that high school detective, Akechi-kun. He's cute and smart, he even solved police cases.“ Mika said when she turned to Rin. “Now I remember,you that girl in the picture with Akechi-kun! I saw couple months ago on Akechi-kun fan site. You his girlfriend?!“ Mika point to Rin.

“WHAT?! N-No,w-we just-“  Rin waved her hand as Ann interrupt the conversation to save Rin.

“Mika if you think it’s fake. Why don’t you try posting your problem here?“ Ann show her phone.

“Phantom Aficionado Website?“

“Phan- site,for short.“ Ren said but Mika not listening.

“You can request a change of heart from Phantom Thieves. I’m sure they’ll do something about your stalker.“ Ann said.

“Phan-Site for short.” Ren repeat again.

“I see.“ Mika just nod.

“Hey!” All of them turn and saw a tall man walking towards them.

“It’s our manager!“ Ann exclaimed. “Kenji Tokito.”

“Sorry for being late! There’s someone I want to introduce you to.“ Kenji bring someone in. “These are our young models, Asakura-san.“

All the teenagers stand up give a bow.

“Ah,they all look great.“ A guy name Asakura said before his finger pointing to Ren. “Espicially you.”

All the girls stare at Ren with jaw drop.

Asakura pat Ren’s shoulder and smile. “You’re pretty handsome!  Wanna work for me as model?“

“Wait.I’m just a friend.I don’t work here!“ Ren quickly answer before he clear his throat. “Umm… I’m not really comfortable with that...“ Ren slightly push down his glasses.

“Wow, you’re like a different person without the glasses.“ Kenji admiring Ren’s beautiful eyes.

“Scouting required the ability to see into ones, true nature, Tokito-kun.“  Asakura nod.

“I think you’re bothering him, so let’s end this conversation. Okay Mister?“  Ann said as Mika immediately pull her and told her something.

Asakura then noticed another girl beside Ren. “And who is this?"

“She ’s my twin sister.“ Ren answer as Rin just bow.

"She’s pretty cute.How about you become a model?“ Asakura ask again.

“What? I’m not-“

“Then how about become an Idol? “

Rin eyes turn into sparkling one. “Idol?I would love too-“

Ren covered Rin mouth to speaking. ”I’m sorry Asakura-san, but she’ll busy this year with school stuff.“

“Asakura-san.” Mika and Ann came back. “My name is Mika. It’s a pleasure to meet you.“ She bring a bottle on her hand. “Won’t you sit here and chat? We have drinks too.“

“Sure.” Asakura replied as he sit down on couch with Mika on left and Ann on right.

   A tea party in between photoshoot.Back then,no one would’ve expected…that this would mark the start of major incident that we’d get caught up in.

All of sudden, a cup from Asakura hold drop from him and he fainted with his mouth open. All if them having shocked on their face. Later the ambulance came and take Asakura to hospital.

Xxx

“I can’t believe it turned into a medical emergency.”Morgana exclaimed as his head finally out from Ren’s bag. “Huh? Where’s Mika?“

“She was pretty distraught. Tokito-san is sending her home in a taxi.“ Ann answer.

Rin hold Ann shoulder. “Are you okay, Ann?“

“Yeah.” Ann answer returned warm smile.

“At least the photo shoot went well. I’ll buy the magazine when it comes out.“ Morgana told.

“What?! No, I will be the first one buy that magazine.“ Rin told back.

Ann giggle seeing those two. “Thank you, you two.“

“Is Asakura-san going to be okay? He wasn’t breathing, and his face was definitely pale.“ Ann sigh in worried.

“Maybe he has medical condition. I hope he’s all right.“ Ren say.

“Well thanks for walking me to the station. Good luck with that job and see ya Rin-chan.” Ann waved her hand and went home.

Ren and Rin returned bye to her before Morgana spoke up.

“By the way, have you two noticed?”

“You mean the models earlier when Asakura-san inside ambulance?“  Rin ask as she remembers those models gossip about Asakura.

“Doesn’t seem like that Asakura guy was well-liked.“ Morgana scoff.

“They might just hate him because he deals insensati-“ Before Ren finish his sentence, a guy bump into Ren and Rin making Rin fall down on side.

“Ow…“ Rin rubbed her arm.

“Rin,are you okay?“ Rin kneel beside her checking up his sister.

Rin nod. “Im fine.“ She noticed something on the ground and pick the round thing. “Dog food?“ She gave to her brother.

“Maybe he drop this?” Ren pull his sister up and noticed a dog statue that in Shibuya. ”No way…”

Xxx

Ren hold the gun up, glared at mannequin in front of him and he aim for that thing.

“Hey.” Ren snapped to reality as he turned seeing Iwai whose on the phone and staring at Ren.

Ren out the gun away.  'My body moved in reflex.‘  Ren thought probably because of his habits.

“Ah, sorry. I was talking to the part timer. Yeah, I’m going as fast as I can.” Iwai answer.

'Who has Iwai-san been talking to on the phone lately? If always sounds dangerous, so his personal life is a mystery to me.‘ Ren thought glance at Iwai.

“I couldn’t get all of the material. Oh but then there’s the issue of traffic.“ Iwai still taking on the phone.

A door of shop being open and someone came in.

“Welcome.” Ren greet the boy.

“Ah, I’m here for my dad.“ That boy told Ren.

'Dad?! He’s married?!‘ Ren thought with shocked.

“Go home.” Iwai said. “Kaoru.Didn’t I say not to come here?“

“But-“

“Go home.“ Iwai said as his son just went home.

A few second of silence before Ren spoke up.

“Iwai-san.”

“Stop.It’s none of your business.“ Iwai cut him off as he turned his back.

‘I only got this job because I promise to help Iwai-san with his 'work'. I don’t want to pry info his family situation, but why was he so cold to him?’ Ren thought with worried about Iwai.

Xxx

After Ren done his part time job, he went to the bath house.

'I'm beat…'He thought leaning on the bathtub. ‘What a busy day. Me and Rin helped with the photoshoot, encountered a medical emergency, got hit by falling dog food… and.‘ He remember someone suspicious man want to buy a knife when he work earlier. ‘That man… I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere… ' Ren stand up but his mind still thinking about Iwai background. ‘I should warn everyone to be careful.‘

Xxx

*Ring Ring*

“Ren-nii!”

“Huh?” Ren woke up from nap and realised he at home.

“Ren-nii,your phone…“ Rin said still doing her homework at the desk.

Ren grab his phone, he saw it was Ohya . They two seem exchange info about case earlier when Rin and Morgana also heard the phone conversation.

“Well,looks like Asakura wasn’t exactly a gentleman.“ Morgana said.

Rin done her homework and sit beside her brother . “I’m worried about Ann and Mika-san. I hope they don’t get caught up in something bad.“  All of sudden this time Rin phone ringing she saw it was Ann calling her.

“Hello?Ann? What happened?Calm down. Huh? Mika-san was taken in by the police?!“

Xxx

The first chapter :) hope you guys like it.

Vote & comments

Based on Mementos Mission manga by Rokuro Saito and Atlus.

Published: 18 May 2020