75 Enter Ms. Moe Maid
Morgana entered into LeBlanc's attic through the open window. He was holding a pink pamphlet in his mouth which made Shin almost jump off the home gym.
"Finally!" he exclaimed.
"I still don't understand why did you task me with following Kawakami, but here's something that fell out of her bag while she was going home." said the cat, pointing with his paw at the pink piece of paper.
The black-haired boy immediately picked it up and looked over it.
'Victoria's Housekeeping... maids... Ah! There's the number!'
Shin rushed downstairs with the cat in tow. He went straight to the yellow phone on the counter. Thankfully, there LeBlanc had closed for the day, and Sojiro went home already, so Shin was free to do as he pleased.
The teen quickly dialed the number written on the pamphlet, and after a few moments of waiting, someone picked up the call.
"Thank you for calling! This is Victoria's Housekeeping!" said the unnaturally cheerful female voice on the other end.
It was painfully obvious to anyone who wasn't horny that whoever was one the other side of the phone call wasn't actually that happy that someone called, and Shin could even feel a hint of disgust.
"I take it you're interested in our services, then?"
"Yes, I'd like to call a maid." replied Shin.
"Understood. Do you have anyone in particular that you'd like to request?"
"Hm. Could you list what maids do you have available at the moment?" asked the teen.
"Certainly. We have Penny, who is a very experienced masseuse. Jessie just returned from a job, so she might be a bit tired, but she'd be happy to serve regardless. She specializes in cooking..."
The woman on the other end mentioned a few more maids before finally getting to Shin's real target.
"...And there's Becky. She doesn't get requested that often, because she's rather old for this line of work."
"I see. Then, I'd like to request Becky." he said.
"...Very well. May I ask for your address?"
After ending the call, Shin went to the bathroom to style his hair differently. He intended to see if he could trick even someone like Kawakami, who saw him on a daily basis.
It wasn't anything too complex. He simply combed his hair backwards. He also took off his glasses, as they weren't needed.
A few minutes later, Shin heard someone knock on the door of LeBlanc.
"Good evening." said a voice that Shin was familiar with. "I'm from the housekeeping service."
The teen went ahead and opened the door, and was immediately greeted with the sight of his homeroom teacher dressed as a maid.
"Hello! My name is Becky. I'll have the pleasure of serving you today."
"And what services are you providing?" asked Shin after taking a step back to let the maid enter the cafe.
"Weeell, the basics include cooking, cleaning, laundry... But there are other "services" if so you desire."
"Becky" moved a little closer to Shin and scrutinized his face carefully.
"You look so young, master... Are you perhaps... In high school?" she asked, full of suspicion.
"No. I already have gotten divorced. It's a pity my wife left me, but it's for the best for both of us, I suppose." said Shin with fake sadness.
"Oh, uh. Then I shall fill your tired heart with lovely energy. Meow!"
Morgana gave a grunt of annoyance, almost as if he disagreed with how Kawakami meowed.
"But you look familiar, master..."
At that, the woman actually put her hands on Shin's face. She was touching him to make sure he really looked as he did, before she widened her eyes, as she seemed to realize who he was.
She took a step back and pulled her hands away, which made Shin smile.
"How are you doing, Ms. Kawakami?"
"...I can't believe it. Caught by one of my own students... I knew I should've gotten a job outside the city. Then again, I needed it to be close to school so I could get there in time..." murmured Kawakami, who was still somewhat in shock.
She shook her head and looked back at Shin.
"Who told you about this? It was Ms. Chouno, wasn't it? That harpy...!" said Kawakami, clenching her fists.
"No one told me about this. I found a pamphlet and thought I'd try it out." said the teen, shrugging.
"But-"
"And I just so happened to be interested in the 'unpopular' maid Becky."
"Huh. Anyways, you can't tell anyone about this, okay? I'd get in big trouble."
"Hm, what to do..." said Shin, looking thoughtful.
"It won't be any better for you if people found out you called a maid service, you know."
"Hah! Are you actually using my reputation as something to threaten me with? My reputation is already shit. What more damage would this do? In this situation, it's more about what you can give me." said Shin with a chuckle.
"I could give you more free time in class." said Kawakami, after a moment of pondering.
"I suppose that'll do, for now."
"What do you mean, 'for now'?" asked Kawakami, annoyed.
"It means, I'll keep on requesting you in the future. I assume you need money for something, which is why you undertook this... job. If I request you more, that makes us both happy."
Kawakami grumbled but she didn't say anything.
"Fine. Just... act like nothing happened."
Shin nodded.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This chapter's additional info is on... the Temperance Arcana!
Portrayed as a woman with angel wings mixing up the water of two cups, one blue, the other red, the Temperance Arcana is a symbol of synthesis, prudence, harmony, and the merging of opposites.
Gameplay-wise, the Personas of the Temperance Arcana are often well-rounded Personas. Personas of the Temperance Arcana are mythological figures associated with balance and moderation. The Temperance Arcana is primarily home to mythological beasts rather than human figures.
Characters of the Temperance Arcana are often struggling to find a balance in their lives and in their hobbies.
So far, Temperance is the only Arcana that is not associated with any Persona user, probably since there are only 3 characters that are associated with this Arcana.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
V. Sojiro Sakura (The Hierophant) - Rank 3
VI. Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 7
VII. Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 6
IX. Futaba Sakura (The Hermit) - Rank 3
XIII. Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 4
XIV. Sadayo Kawakami (The Temperance) - Rank 1
XVIII. Saki Yoshiko (The Moon) - Rank 2
XIX. Sho Minazuki (The Sun) - Rank 2
XX. Sae Niijima (The Judgement) - Rank 1
Shiho Suzui (The Hope) - Rank 8
