The Hacker.

(This is the chap for today. I am posting earlier than usual since I got it done. I would usually do extra chaps during the weekend, but I am going to start trying to stockpile since I am having a two-week vacation soon and won't be able to write with my pc during it. I'll update ya'll when I'm about to head out with the upload schedule, depending on how many chaps I get done.)

— — —

With the last will seed in their possession, the Phantom Thieves regrouped at Leblanc, their minds set on the next phase of their plan under the cover of night. The café, with its warm ambiance, served as the perfect backdrop for their strategy session.

Mona, perched confidently on the edge of the table, initiated the conversation. 

"The easiest way would be to deliver a calling card would be a simple letter that tells the person, 'Hey, we are going to steal your heart.'" he suggested, tail swaying gently.

Makoto, weighing in with caution, responded.

"In theory, Ren could deliver the letter, but if the police get involved, he would be a prime suspect. I'm against Ren being the one to deliver the letter. It's too risky and suspicious."

"How about Mona? Couldn't he deliver the letter? I mean, who's going to suspect a cat?" Ryuji, looking for alternatives, pointed out.

Mona, correcting Ryuji with a touch of pride, replied.

"Not a cat, but yes, you're right. I could probably drop a few letters around the hideout. That should be enough to get at least one to Kaneshiro."

As they deliberated, Ren, deep in thought, saw an opportunity for a more impactful approach. Raising his hand to catch their attention, he proposed.

"That's a little simple, isn't it? We know Mementos is all about public cognition, so why not use this chance to sway it? If we deliver the letters subtly, there's a chance the police will hide the evidence or downplay it. But if we make a public statement about Kaneshiro and then his 'empire' crumbles, it will cement the Phantom Thieves in public cognition."

Makoto, considering the implications, was the first to voice her concerns. 

"That has some risks. It's a good idea, but making it more public increases our chances of getting caught. Plus, we'd be tipping off the people behind the mental shutdowns."

Ren nodded, acknowledging the validity of her points, when Shiho chimed in.

"They don't necessarily know it was us who caused Kamoshida to change. We didn't leave a calling card then. They might just think the 'Phantom Thieves' are just seeking attention with this calling card and ignore it. I mean, even if they take the calling card seriously, I'm sure we can time it in a way that Kaneshiro has already admitted to everything, so by then, it will be too late to do anything. "

The group, absorbing Shiho's input, faced another hurdle as Ryuji added.

"Yeah… but that still doesn't solve how we make a scene without getting caught. It's not like we can hack the billboards in Tokyo or something…"

Amid their brainstorming, the unexpected sound of Ren's phone buzzing cut through the silence. As he checked the message, his sudden laughter filled the room, shifting the atmosphere.

Caught off guard by his reaction, the group couldn't help but smile, curiosity piqued.

"What happened?" they asked with some curiosity.

[Futaba] I could hack the billboards…

[Futaba] I used to be Medjed, and I never got caught

[Futaba] … 

Ren, after re-reading the messages on his phone, finally shared with the group.

"I have a solution to the billboard problem… But my solution has some explaining to do." His eyes briefly flicked down to his phone again, where a private conversation unfolded between him and Futaba.

[Futaba] ….

[Futaba] Well… 

[Futaba] Sorry…

[Futaba] After starting to read the book, I got curious

[Ren] How long have you been listening?

[Futaba] Ever since you last came to my house… 

[Futaba] …

[Ren] We can talk about it later.

[Futaba] ….

[Futaba] Are you mad?

[Ren] D:<

Turning back to the eagerly waiting group, Ren managed a chuckle despite the complexity of the situation. 

"Let's call it a day for now. It's getting late, I'll fill you guys in about what's going on tomorrow, but I might have a way for us to deliver the calling card without leaving too much of a trace. For now, we can all try to think of ideas for what to put in the calling card."

"Is it something bad?" Ann asked with some curiosity, earning another chuckle from Ren.

"Not quite. I need to figure out some stuff first, so let's meet up here tomorrow." Ren said, calming the group's nervousness before they left for the day.

— — —

In the quiet aftermath of the group's departure, Ren turned his attention to his phone, initiating a private conversation with Futaba.

[Ren] So, how much do you know?

[Futaba] I know about Kaneshiro and heard about what was going on with the Metaverse and Palaces. It doesn't really make too much sense, but I'm slowly figuring it out with context clues and some of what was written in my mom's journal.

[Ren] How were you listening?

[Futaba] I hacked into your phone… and the rest of everyone's phones. They have microphones and cameras, so I was able to listen to and see most of the discussions. But all traces disappear whenever you use that strange eye app.

Ren's reaction was a mix of concern and resignation as he digested Futaba's admission.

[Ren] Stop doing that from now on. If you had any questions you could have asked me directly.

[Futaba] I know… I'm sorry…

Then, a more vulnerable side of Futaba emerged.

[Futaba] I know it's stupid to ask but…

[Futaba] Do I… have a Palace too?

The question caught Ren off guard, prompting a moment of careful thought before he responded.

[Ren] Yes.

[Ren] I wanted to help you fix the distortion without having to enter your Palace, so that's why I didn't bring it up with the group.

Futaba didn't reply for a few minutes, until finally Ren's phone buzzed.

[Futaba] Could you explain everything to me?

After a brief hesitation, Ren made his decision.

[Ren] I'll head over. 

[Ren] Is Sojiro there?

[Futaba] No, he's out running some errands. He said he should be back in about two hours.

Putting his phone away, he walked over to Sojiro's house. Futaba had unlocked the door for him, and when he arrived at her room, he could see that the door was wide open. To Ren's surprise, when he looked at Futaba with his third eye, he could tell that the mask on her face had a few cracks in it already.

The cracks stood out from the rest of the haggard-looking mask since a few chunks of the mask had fallen off from them. Revealing more of Futaba's face beneath the Pharaoh's mask.

As Ren looked around the room, he saw the black journal open wide on her desk, covered with sticky notes. Showcasing just how much effort she had put into researching the vague notes. In his hand, Ren lifted the book Makoto had given him about Maruki's lecture. He had been using the same notebook to write down notes and theories about the Metaverse.

"Well… Let's begin." Ren said as he looked at Futaba.

Ren took his place in a quiet corner of the room, embarking on the delicate task of unraveling the mysteries of the Metaverse and the dark undercurrents that had influenced both their lives. It wasn't complete information, but it was enough pieces for the puzzle in Futaba's mind to click together.

"So… my mom… the mental shutdown… Her death… It wasn't me? It wasn't because she was sick of raising me?" Futaba's voice, laced with years of guilt and confusion, broke the silence that followed Ren's explanation. The tears that welled in her eyes were a testament to the weight of the misconceptions she had carried.

Ren could see the mask on her face begin to glow slightly as more and more chunks began to fall off. Until the once heavy Pharaoh's mask became a fraction of its size, leaving only a quarter of her face covered.

"No. If I am being honest, I think your mom was researching the Metaverse. And whoever is behind the mental shutdowns targeted her. Maybe she knew too much, or maybe she saw where things were headed. But whoever did it wanted her gone." Ren gently clarified.

Futaba, now grappling with a new understanding of her mother's fate, sought refuge in solitude, curling into herself as she processed the magnitude of Ren's revelations. Though the majority of her mask, representing her distortion, had crumbled away, there was still a stubborn fragment engrained on her face.

Futaba's expression became lost in thought as she hid her face between her knees. The last fragment of her distortion was glowing brightly, with some cracks forming in it, but nevertheless, the final piece didn't fall off.

"I get it now…" Her words were barely audible, a murmur of realization. After a moment, she lifted her gaze to Ren, her request spoken with a newfound clarity. "I want some time by myself…" 

Respecting her need for privacy, Ren nodded, quietly placing his journal on her table. Without another word, he exited the room, leaving Futaba to navigate the new information.

"Ren… Thank you. Give me a few days, and I'll have all of the billboards at your disposal," Futaba's voice, soft yet determined, halted his departure. A promise to help in the way she knew best.

"Take your time," Ren responded, his voice gentle. "I'm sure it will take us some days to prepare the calling card. We aren't in a rush either, and I'm sure the group will need a few days of rest after today before returning."