Phantom Thieves of Hope - A Danganronpa X Persona 5 Story.

Chapter 118: Beginning of the End

Wicked Plan - Persona 5

"Wow...You really DO have a studio down here?" Hajime's jaw dropped as he saw the room. "I thought you were talking about some kinda makeshift setup, but this is really legit!"

The photo studio in Kaede's basement was actually really impressive. Kyoko had seen it before, but none of the others had, even in all the times they'd been to Kaede's house. In addition to all the equipment and lights needed to make the place a viable production studio, the walls were also decorated with photos, presumably of her work, and a few posters.

"I didn't have a lot of time to prepare," Kaede chuckled awkwardly. "But I've had this room set up since the start of the school year. Kyoko knows this, but this was another part of my mother's grand master plan to increase my revenue...Still, I didn't think it would come in handy like this."

"Well, we're definitely gonna use it as intended if that's the case," Toko remarked.

"Still, I know I've been here before, but I can't help thinking about it..." Hajime winced. "Both you and Chiaki have such nice homes, it makes me feel poor just standing in them."

"RIGHT!?" Komaru exclaimed.

"Come on, you guys," Kaede groaned. "Don't give me that. I don't want to be divided from the rest of you. Just remember that a lot of this stuff was built on dirty money, and I might not even be able to live here after the school year ends. Kaori and I are already trying to make plans on how to get around that, but for now, we've both got more urgent things to worry about."

"Oh? Are you trying to say that Kaori's moved back in?" Toko asked.

"Well, she left because of Mom. Mom's not here anymore, so she had no reason to stay away. Besides, unlike me, she would much rather live in a nice big house like this than room with her friends in her gang," Kaede shrugged. "Still, the chances of actually running into her are slim. She never really spends any time in the house and is always out and about somewhere, whether she's at her part-time job or going around causing a nuisance in the neighborhood. I think she might be on a date today though. She was dressed quite girly when she left the house, which is about as rare as it gets for her."

"Kaori? On a date?" Makoto looked like he was struggling to picture this. "I didn't know she had a boyfriend."

"Girlfriend, actually," Kaede winked. "I was quite surprised when she told me."

"Have you met her girlfriend? Is she hot?" Komaru's head jolted up, an excited grin plastered on her face.

"Of course that would catch your interest, you useless lesbian," Toko rolled her eyes. Komaru shot her a look of contempt.

"Toko, you are literally MY GIRLFRIEND! I know you're not talking!" she snarled.

"I know. Doesn't mean I can't take the piss out of you for being gay and stupid," Toko snickered. "Oh, but speaking of Akamatsu's and their love lives...A certain someone's suddenly become the talk of the town at school lately, haven't they?"

Toko gave Kaede an ear-to-ear smirk. The pianist's expression didn't change at all, but there was a slight hint of redness on her face.

"Ooo, yes, this is an interesting turn of events!" Komaru joined in, also grinning. "Makoto, tell me everything!"

"Why me? I don't even know, dude," Makoto asked. "Just ask Kaede herself. Or Toko, because she's clearly not gonna be able to resist the urge to spill the tea."

"Spill the tea?" Komaru frowned. "What's that mean? Why would there be any tea spilled?"

"Yeah, what happened?" Hajime asked, noticing that Shuichi was also hiding his eyes and his blush.