Persona 5: Wilted Rose (Joker X Ann Takamaki. Hanahaki Disease)

Chapter 27: A Killer's Motive

The phantom thieves make their way through another palace. Shadows are on guard but Akira can use Satanael and Ishtar to kill them all. Everyone now had their second-tier personas so getting through this mess was much quicker.

Sophia: So we have to take the Treasure once we send a calling card for this to work?

Akira: Yeah that's the plan.

Morgana: This is the first time Sophie has been in a Palace.

Haru: Jails don't exist anymore cause of EMMA gone.

Ryuji: Well Jails and Palaces are still pretty similar.

Akechi: Enough talk. We have the path to the Treasure secure.

Akira: Then let's head back to recharge our energy for tomorrow.

They head back.

Sophia: You are right. Palaces and Jails are similar. It felt as if we were in a Jail. But smaller.

Akira: Palaces are usually bigger, but they're smaller now for some reason.

Sumire: I think the biggest for the latest ones was the principal at Shujin.

Akira: The one doesn't seem to be related to the current cases, it was probably just a coincidence.

Futaba: That makes sense. Shujin is not a good school and almost always has problems happening. Kamoshida. The old principal. Alice. The former new principal.

Akira: I don't even know why Sojiro thought it was a good idea to take you there for your final year.

Futaba: Neither do I. And it's mostly boring.

Akira: Agreed.

Akechi: Just focus on sending the calling card and securing the Treasure.

Akira: We will.

Ryuji: So are we going to-

Akira: We dropped that conversation a long time ago.

Ryuji: I didn't even finish my sentence...

Ann: Let's just move on now...

Futaba: Now that I look at it more. It looks really good.

Makoto: It actually does.

Yusuke: Really good choice you made Ann.

Ann: Can we drop this, please!?

Akira: *chuckles*

Everyone goes home. At Ann's house. Ann went to shower as Akira and Sophia are in the living room.

Sophia: So does the tattoo represent her love for you?

Akira: I guess so, they're permanent unless you decide to remove them and I heard it hurts, so usually people get it for symbolism. Still can't believe she had it all this time... Akechi will never let me live this down...

Sophia: You are rivals with him, yes?

Akira: Yeah.

Sophia: So you have a special bond with him. Unique to you two alone.

Akira: Yep. I mean he tried to kill me one time but eh, didn't mind it that much since he failed.

Sophia: I feel like nowadays he doesn't want to see you dead.

Akira: Because he wants to do it himself.

Sophia: Or he cares enough about you that he wants you to live.