The Sayuri.

(A lot of surprises are coming this June, so if you enjoy my writing, look forward to it! Also, rather than the Madarame arc, we should call this the Yusuke emotional damage arc, lol.)

— — —

"This is the seed of Madarame's corruption," Yusuke murmured, stepping forward with a mix of curiosity and reverence. "Once I touch it, I will be able to see his past, right?"

Makoto nodded, giving Yusuke the space to be the one to activate the will seed. 

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Yusuke reached out and touched the seed. Instantly, the world around them shimmered and transformed into a surreal, moving painting, revealing a scene of a young Madarame at a museum alongside an older man.

"Sensei… when will you pick one of my paintings to be showcased in your museum?" the younger Madarame asked, his voice tinged with longing and hope.

The older man chuckled softly, his hand resting patronizingly on Madarame's shoulder. 

"I'm sorry, kid. But what do you see when you look at this painting?" he asked, pointing at a vibrant canvas on display.

"It's a beautiful blend of colors and emotions, perfectly capturing the essence of its subject. The brushwork is meticulous, each stroke deliberate yet fluid, creating a mesmerizing depth," Madarame described earnestly.

"Yes, do you see now? This is what true talent looks like. I've tried so hard to mold you into a worthy pupil, but your talent simply isn't up to par with your peers. If you want my honest recommendation, you should abandon art. It's not for you; you simply aren't talented enough. This student has studied with me for half the time, yet he has accomplished twice as much," the mentor spoke with a dismissive finality.

As he spoke, the painted world faded, transitioning into a clear, albeit color-drained memory.

"What?" the memory echoed, shifting suddenly to an older Madarame, tirelessly working in a room that Yusuke recognized as his current studio.

The group watched as the once patronizing teacher entered, his eyes now full of pity. 

"Madarame… Is this really where you live? The house is falling apart. What happened to the advice I gave you? I set you up with a job at a big company, but I heard you turned it down. Now, you're living here?"

Madarame didn't look up from his canvas, his focus unbroken. 

"I do not care. This place is cheap, and as long as I have rice and water, I can continue painting."

The teacher's expression turned to one of disappointment. 

"Madarame, you are being unreasonable. This place lacks even basic amenities. How will you manage in the winter without insulation? Just give up on this fantasy."

Madrame's grip tightened around his brush, his resolve hardening as he stood. 

"Art is my life. If I am not an artist, then I might as well be dead."

Overhearing this, the teacher approached the painting Madarame was working on, his tone growing stern. 

"Stop being foolish, Madarame. This obsession could kill you. Give it up. If you insist on staying in the arts, I can arrange a position for you in art restoration. You excel at replicating others' work; that's where your true talent lies. You'll never be an artist of your own."

At this provocation, Madarame snapped, his voice fierce and desperate. 

"Leave now, or I'll call the police. I will become a recognized artist, regardless of your opinions. All I need is a bit more inspiration."

The memory dissolved into the ether, leaving Yusuke gripping the will seed, a tangible weight of sadness in his hands. 

"Sensei…" he whispered, the word laden with a mix of reverence and sorrow. After a pause, he turned to the group, his expression composed yet tinged with melancholy. "We can continue now."

His voice, though soft, carried the resolve of someone who had just come to terms with a painful truth. Yusuke placed the seed securely within his pocket, signaling his readiness to move forward.

As the Thieves navigated away from the area of the will seed, the optical illusion hallway that had previously confounded them now seemed trivial. 

With Futaba's guidance echoing in their ears, Yusuke's demeanor subtly shifted. His gaze sharpened, and his movements became fluid and precise, reminiscent of a practiced ninja, his mask emitting a faint, otherworldly glow.

The rest of the group noticed the change in Yusuke but chose to respect his focus, maintaining a respectful silence as they proceeded. They soon passed a gigantic golden vase. Thanks to Futaba's timely warning, they narrowly avoided a cleverly hidden trap.

Mona's eyes briefly sparkled with greed at the sight of the vase, but with a determined shake of his head, he dismissed the distraction and moved on.

Their journey led them to a grand door, imposing and beautifully crafted, adorned with a spectacular peacock painting. Surrounding the door were countless lasers and other security measures. 

Yusuke stared at the familiar door, knowing all too well what lay beyond it in the real world: copies of the Sayuri.

With the security in front of them, Mona tried to disable it with the tools Ren had created, but none of them worked.

"These defenses are too strong. Madarame must really believe this place to be impenetrable." he muttered, frustration lining his voice.

[This door can only be unlocked from the inside.] Futaba informed them. But a moment later, her tone changed as she let out a mischievous giggle. [Speak of the devil…]

— — —

Falling through a painting, Ren's group crashed onto the museum's floor amidst a gallery of countless artworks. They picked themselves up, soaked and disoriented.

Their outfits dripped with water, but Ryuji's frustration quickly took center stage. 

"Someone explain to me why in the effin' hell that whale was also a shadow," he grumbled, shaking off the water in his clothes.

Just as they had reached their destination within the painting, the whale, an enormous shadow, had surged from beneath the waves, striking their boat. Its massive, shadowy form had shattered their ship, making all of them jump through the painting as the boat collapsed underneath them.

[Ren! Perfect timing. How did it go in the painting?] Futaba's voice crackled through their communicators as she assessed the group's disheveled appearance.

"Could have gone better… where are the rest?" Ren replied as his eys scanned the area for any guards or traps.

[The others are blocked by a security system and a door. The only way to do this is by disabling security from the inside. But, lucky for us, taking the inside of the painting put you exactly where you need to be to handle it.]

"Show us the way, Oracle." Ren asked.

While Futaba worked her magic from afar, Ren summoned Scathach, who, with graceful yet potent movements, began to cast a combination of fire and wind spells. The area around them warmed, steam rising from their drenched clothing as the chill of the shadow whale's attack dissipated. The group sighed collectively, the comforting warmth chasing away the lingering cold.

"Thanks." Shiho expressed gratefully, her voice echoing the group's relief as they prepared to move forward.

After drying their clothes, the group continued to the security room, which contained a large amount of buttons and controls. Ren and Shiho approached the panel, with Takemi and Ryuji watching their backs in case any enemy approached.

With Futaba's guidance, the two of them were able to cut the wires they needed to overcome the security protocol and then gain full access to the security panel even without the right password.

After a few tense minutes, they had successfully dismantled the security measure guarding the 'impenetrable' door. Letting out a sigh of relief as they watched the door open from the security screen.

[Alright, the next painting you need to enter should be better. It should lead you directly to the outskirts of where Madarame's treasure is located. After this, you will have to wait for Makoto's team to open the path for you, which should lead you directly to the treasure room. You should be able to let the rest of the Thieves in there with you after that.]

Nodding their heads with determination, the group made their way to the next painting. A busy Greek market filled with countless people shopping, with a large Greek temple in the middle, surrounded by countless statues of the gods.

— — —

The security system before them buzzed and clicked off, its intricate network of lasers and sensors shutting down. 

With Futaba's expert guidance, the Thieves cautiously moved forward, relying on her skill "Communication Jamming" to silently dispatch any unavoidable shadows.

It was an experiential ability that drained a lot of Futaba's energy. However, it created a small area in which, no matter how much noise they created, it wouldn't draw the attention of other shadows. However, due to how much it cost Futaba, they could only use it in emergencies.

Eventually, the Thieves discovered the chamber housing the next will seed. 

[The seed should be right beyond that door. However, I will lose communication with you after you enter, so be prepared for anything.] Futaba warned them.

After a brief nod amongst themselves, they stepped through the door into a breathtaking and perplexing sight: a Maze of Mirrors. 

The labyrinth stretched endlessly, its reflective surfaces shimmering under the dim, moody lighting of Madarame's Palace. The Thieves' figures were immediately multiplied, creating a disorienting kaleidoscope of images.

"This was an art project by one of my fellow pupils," Yusuke began, his voice tinged with a mix of admiration and regret. "Madarame originally rejected the idea because of the cost, but it seems he couldn't let go of it completely. Yukino named this piece 'The Mirror to the Soul.'"

As they delved deeper into the maze, the mirrors began to play psychological tricks on them, reflecting not only their present forms but also haunting, distorted images from their pasts.

Yusuke halted in front of a mirror, captivated by the reflection of his younger self, full of doubt and uncertainty. With a determined sigh, he shook off the image, pushing forward through the maze.

Ann caught her reflection, a version of herself looking uncertain and vulnerable with Kamoshida's shadow in the background. She paused, her heart tightening at the memory, then quickly moved on, motivated by the strength she had since found.

Mona, observing the reflections, spoke to the group.

"This place... it's designed to make us question our path, isn't it?" His tone was curious yet careful.

Makoto nodded, ignoring the countless images being reflected while keeping their goal in mind.

"Let's keep moving," she stated firmly. "Whatever Madarame intended with this maze, we can't let it hold us back. We need to reach the will seed and regroup."

As they continued deeper into the labyrinth, they stumbled upon a gigantic mirror adorned with intricate patterns. At its base, a cryptic riddle caught their attention.

"Look beyond the surface where lies a scene captured by Monet's serene greens." Ann read aloud, her voice tinged with confusion.

Makoto furrowed her brows, her mind racing through her art class lessons, trying to decipher the clue. Before she could piece it together, Yusuke stepped forward, his gaze drawn deep into the reflection that showed him as a child.

"Water lilies," Yusuke murmured softly. His fingers traced the subtle design of a lily pad etched into the mirror's elaborate frame. With a click, the mechanism unlocked, and the mirror swung open to reveal the next section of the maze.

As they stepped through, the group found themselves separated, each facing a singular mirror that reflected scenes deeply personal.

Ann saw herself laughing alongside Ren and Shiho, a moment of pure joy. The scene shifted to her with the Thieves, a group that had embraced her wholeheartedly. Then, the mirror morphed once more to show her on a movie screen, basking in the glow of international fame.

Makoto viewed a tender scene with her father and sister, a rare moment of family bliss in which her sister appeared relaxed and unburdened by her usual stresses. As the scenes progressed, she saw herself wearing a police uniform and climbing the ranks to become a detective. As she looked at her growing, she could hear countless whispers speaking to her in Ren's voice, reminding her of the talk they had on the school rooftop not so long ago.

Mona, in his reflection, saw himself transformed into a human. He saw as the rest of the Thieves praised him for helping out so much, calling him their most important member. He then saw a strange, blue room with its long-nosed resident calling him his greatest creation. Lastly, it showed him an image of himself in the middle of a heist, with a large smile on his face as he desperately escaped from those chasing him.

Yusuke's mirror showcased his life with Madarame. The old and kind man helped him learn art and showed him everything he knew. He saw himself showing Madarame his painting, 'Humanity,' and getting nothing but praise. He then saw his art inspiring countless other artists just as the Sayuri had inspired him. Finally, he saw himself as an older man, teaching countless students of his own.

As they stared at the repeating images, the first people to act were Yusuke and Makoto. Both act almost simultaneously, with Makoto punching the mirror and Yusuke drawing his sword and striking it, revealing the room with the blue will seed.

Minutes later, Ann broke through the mirror with a kick, followed shortly by Mona, who used his slingshot to shoot at the glass.

"What I saw… it was nice… but…" Morgana began, his voice full of disappointment.

"But it wasn't real." Yusuke finished the cat's words. His eyes were lost in thought as he approached the second will seed.

"Sensei… Please, show me that this isn't you. Show me your true self." Yusuke hoped out loud before his fingers softly touched the seed.

The world around them twisted once again, the colors turning into a dull blue as the scene began to play for them.

They saw an older Madarame, one who had abandoned his dreams of recognition in the art world to embrace teaching. His demeanor was gentle and nurturing as he responded to a student's eager call.

"Sensei! Come here. I want to show you my painting!"

With a warm smile, Madarame followed the student through the building. She was a dedicated artist who, despite her frail health and responsibilities as a mother, devoted every spare moment to her craft.

Standing before her work, she held her head, drawing in deep breaths to steady herself before unveiling her creation. With a gentle flourish, she removed the blanket covering her canvas, revealing a perfect rendition of the Sayuri.

Madarame's eyes widened in astonishment as he admired the painting, his voice laden with genuine admiration. 

"This... this is truly a masterpiece," he marveled, his tone conveying a hint of envy. "In all my years, I've never seen anything quite like this."

After a few moments, joy radiated from the woman's face. 

"Really? You really mean it? You've always criticized my work, but this is the first time you've had nothing but praise," she said, her voice a mixture of disbelief and happiness.

Madarame offered a sorrowful smile and nodded. 

"Yes, it is flawless. You've achieved more in a few short years than I have in my entire career. Your talent is undeniable."

Her face lit up even brighter at his words, and she began to jump with excitement. However, her joy was short-lived as a sharp pain gripped her head, causing her to collapse in agony.

"Sayuri!" Madarame exclaimed, rushing to her side with concern.

"The... medicine... it's in my bag..." Sayuri gasped, struggling against the pain that was intensifying, her breathing becoming labored.

Madarame nodded quickly and stood up, but hesitated for a moment, a chill running up his spine as he turned back to the painting. It was a perfect creation, something he had always dreamed of himself. As he looked back at his pupil, he felt momentarily paralyzed by a conflicting torrent of emotions.

"Mada... rame..." Sayuri pleaded, her voice strained as she attempted to overcome the overwhelming pain. Spurred by her words, he hurried to where her bag lay, retrieving the needed medicine. Yet, as he approached the door to return to her, he halted, frozen in place.

The admonishing words of his own teacher echoed in his mind, stirring a dark thought.

'What if... I took it?'

This thought resonated through the room, drawing disapproving frowns from the thieves observing quietly as Madarame slowly re-entered.

Clutching the medicine behind his back, he spoke with a hint of disbelief in his own voice. 

"I... couldn't find it."

Sayuri's expression contorted with a mix of pain and desperation. Using her remaining strength, she whispered her final plea.

"Mada-rame... please... if anything happens to me... take care of my son... my boy..."

Moments passed, and though she lay motionless, life still clung to her. All he needed to do was give her the medicine, but...

"Sayuri... I promise to look after Yusuke... but your painting... I'll need to take your painting in return... okay?" His voice was barely audible as he let the medicine bottle slip from his hand to the floor.

Leaving the room, Madarame found himself collapsing to the floor and staring blankly at the wall, lost in thought for what seemed like hours, before he finally mustered the presence of mind to call for an ambulance. But by that point, it was too late.

~A/N~

(Wow, what a bummer, but hey, Persona's are the strength of one's heart... so maybe lobster boy will be getting a treat.

We really need some fluff after finishing this arc, eh? Bring the vibe back up. Wonder what Shiho and Ann are up to?

As always, feedback is always welcome.)