Working With Phantoms

An Adult's Business

April 17th

It was after school, and Madran was on the train. Sheila had left to hang out with her other friends, and Suga's stop had already arrived, so she looked around for anyone else, and much to her surprise, she found Akira. This got her to sit next to him.

"Hi, Akira!"

"Oh, hello, Madran."

Akira looked up from a book he was reading and smiled.

"So, how are ya?"

"Could be better. You?"

"Oh, I'm feeling great. I bet you know why."

"Is it the fact that you aced the test, or your extracurricular activities?"

"The latter. Do you still wanna do that thing where you guys go separate from us?"

"So far, it's doing fine, so I'll do that."

"Ok. Also, where are Ann and Ryuji?"

"Eh, we're still looking for a proper hideout, so we're all just entering at different times."

"Gotcha. Well, my stop's soon, so see ya soon!"

"Have fun, Madran."

Akira waved to her as she went off to the doors. Once she got there, she saw a very familiar face.

"Oh, hi, Ulala!"

"Madran? Oh, hi, how are ya?"

"Good."

"Hey, Madran, we both have the same stop, so when we get off, can I pull ya aside and tell you something? It has to do with Mitsuru."

Madran's interest was instantly piqued and nodded.

"Sure, I can do that."

"Ok."

Madran's stop arrived, and the pair went off to sit at a lonely bench.

"So, what's the stuff?"

"Um, Mitsuru's been acting... weird. Like, everyone aside from me, Baofu, and Aigis are still on her boat, but she's been getting more obsessed with the Metaverse. Um, Aigis is that cool headphone chick, yeah?"

"I think I know her."

"Ah, I thought I heard my name."

The familiar lady with short blonde hair and the odd headphones walked up to them. She was wearing a snappy business suit and was smiling slightly.

"O-Oh, hi, Aigis."

"Hello again, Ulala, and hello, Madran."

"Uh, hi, Aigis?"

"It's eye-gis, not ay-gis, Ulala, and I would very much dislike it if you would spread that mispronunciation to others. I also heard you mention Mitsuru-san, yes?"

"Uh, yeah, I was just concerned for Madran over here."

Aigis sat down next to Madran, putting her between Ulala and her.

"I am sure that you are tired of this random person who appears interested in your efforts, Madran."

"Uh, yeah, quite so."

"Hmm. Listen, and listen well. You have the power to change people, and while you may not be able to use your methods on her, you can certainly try others."

"Uh huh, and what do you mean?"

"Exactly what I say. Mitsuru hasn't seen someone so purely determined, so completely involved in their path, that she has strayed from her own. Mitsuru is not the grabby, stalking menace that you see her as. I remember her as someone just like you, well, minus the wild profanity."