Working With Phantoms

A Bold Entrance

May 15th

It was now Sunday, and Madran hadn't planned anything for it. However, Ann planned for them to get into the exhibition for Madarame's art, which meant that Madran was going there. Due to this, she had abandoned the idea of sitting around at home in her pajamas until it was time for any Metaverse business and dressed into her usual street clothes.

"Hey, Madran, don't forget to take pictures."

"Yep! Hey, are ya sure that you have to go to court today?"

"Yeah, they're really bad at scheduling."

Elia, meanwhile, had dressed in a very snappy suit and dress, due to her required appearance in court to represent her client. Madran found it almost funny how their two outfits contrasted, but still, Elia dressed like that every weekday.

"Too bad I can't bring Chic."

Madran gave Chicory a few ear scratches, with it quickly turning into belly rubs.

"Well, it is really expensive art, and dogs... are curious."

Madran chuckled.

"Some more so than others..."

Madran checked the time and saw that it was almost 12, which was the time when she would have to meet up with everyone.

"Well, it's almost time for me to go."

"I'll walk you there."

"Gotcha."

Madran said goodbye to Chicory and walked to the train station with Elia. Once there, she saw that Suga, Sheila, Ann and Akira were already there, with her bidding a farewell to her mom and a salutation to her friends.

"Hey, guys, what's up?"

Suga sighed.

"Well, one of the ferns that I've had for awhile are dying, and dad's been really grumpy."

"Isn't he that really big dude?"

"Yeah. Like, I dunno what mom or I said, but something's up."

Sheila nodded.

"Hey, did you talk to Rosana the other day? She appeared to be hiding behind what looked like her mom while she talked to some mean-looking men."

"Maybe, she's socially awkward?"

"No, the dudes looked like they were from the same place as she was. But, um, after a bit, they just raised their voices and walked off. I didn't really know what they were saying, either."

Ann nodded and fiddled with her hair.

"Hey, maybe they were some old friends-"

"No, no, it wasn't a friendly argument, Rosana's mom was, like, doing that stuff."

Sheila waved her hands around like how Artemis did when she was summoning a painful amount of ice to drop on a foe.

"Um, ok. Sheila, please, if you get involved with more... bad stuff, I might just lock you in your house."

Suga chuckled, but Sheila gave her a blank stare. Then, Akira tapped his wrist.

"Hey, girls, we don't have all day for gossip."

"I know, I know. Hey, where's Ryuji?"

The group looked around confusedly until Sheila spotted someone.

"Hey, Ryuji, we're over here!"

Madran looked over and saw Ryuji limp-running up to them. Once he got there and caught his breath, he began talking.