The Phantom Strangers

So-Called Justice (June 6th - June 13th)

Friday, June 10th 2016.

The Day They Visit the TV Station

Lights.

Cameras.

And now, Action.

Kotone generally considered herself someone with a good flair for presentation. I mean, she was no Yusuke of course, but she liked being at the very least what people seemed to call 'extra'. The first time she used her Persona, the ambush she and Aigis laid against Madarame's Shadow, even just the way she carried herself in combat. All of it needed just a little... flair. It made life exciting, after all.

And yet, there was always a risk there. Too much anticipation, too much energy, if you can't stick the landing, it all comes to be for naught. Kotone didn't miss often, but when she did... ouch. It felt like slamming facefirst into a brick wall.

Sometimes there just wasn't space to make it work.

"Mr. Akechi's coming on!"

In a moment, it was as if the crowd Kotone and the rest of the Shujin-based Phantom Thieves found themselves in on their second day at the TV studio had burst, the other students clapping and cheering as the shaggy-haired young men stepped up on stage with a sheepish smile. That alone was enough to add another layer of frenzy to the crowd, hoots and hollers filling the air as the boy took a seat next to the presenters.

But for the girl with the red eyes, it might as well have been just another missed landing.

"Uh..." Kotone blinked. "Who's that?"

"Hold on, ain't that the guy from yesterday?" Ryuji blinked, leaning forward. "What's he doing here?"

"He mentioned he was filming a show, remember?" Ann sighed. "Seriously Ryuji, it was yesterday."

"Honestly, I wasn't really paying attention." Ryuji sighed. "I was just thinking about the rollercoasters."

"Rollercoasters?" Kotone glanced between Ann and Ryuji. "Wait, is that where you guys disappeared off to after the studio tour?"

"...um."

"You went without us? Rude!" Kotone gasped, crossing her arms dramatically. She had a smile on her face regardless. "But... seriously, who is that guy?"

"Goro Akechi." Aigis tilted her head, a look of concentration on her face as she stared at the young superstar. "Commonly considered the second-coming of the Detective Prince."

"The Detective Prince?" Ryuji scratched his head. "The hell's that mean?"

"The Detective Prince was a prominent investigator from a few years back. They were a prodigy in the field, enough so that they were considered a key contributor in several high-profile cases, and are credited at least partially with solving half a dozen significant murders. All while actively enrolled in their high school education." Aigis frowned. "And now, Goro Akechi has taken up the same mantle."

"Whoah. That's pretty impressive." Ann nodded. "What happened to the first Detective Prince?"

"I am unsure." Aigis smiled sheepishly. "The magazine I just cited did not mention that particular information."

"...you read magazines?" Ryuji gawked.

"Yes. I find them to be an effective way to obtain valuable information about the world." Aigis tilted her head. "Why, is that surprising?"

"I just assumed you spent all your time reading the dictionary or something."

"Hey guys, shhh." Kotone glanced at the others, shaking her head. "I can't hear what they're saying."