Working With Phantoms

Cameras and Keys

June 23rd

Madran arrived back in the Velvet Room on the hot, June day to find that everyone except for Suga and Wysteria, had arrived.

"Hey, everyone, what's up?"

"Sheila."

Philemon looked to Sheila, who was whispering with Rosana on two rather inconspicuous seats. Madran then sat down next to her.

"...like, what should I say to him? Does it look like I'm good at this?"

"You're asking a Peruvian girl who knows barely any Japanese and no relationship experience aside from parents and a pet. No sé qué tus problemas."

"Huh?"

"I don't know what's Japanese for that, so I have to say it in my native language. If you're going to ask for relationship advice, go and ask Madran, who's been so intently listening."

"H-Huh? No, I'm just-"

"Madran, yo veo tú. Let's see, leaning forwards while affixing the talkers with an intense stare is pretty telling of you eavesdropping."

"Ok, fine, sorry. What's been going on?"

"Well, Sheila told me about this one guy that she apparently thinks she has a crush on. However, she didn't give a name at all-"

"W-Well, if I did give you a name, then it would become very awkward very fast!"

Maya looked at them from across the room and smirked.

"Ooh, Sheila's in love?"

"No, it's not like that!"

"Sheila, I've lived much longer than you, and I know when girls your age have a crush."

Just then, Suga and Wysteria made their entrance, which disrupted the conversation. Madran saw that Wysteria looked rather frazzled, and Suga looked incredibly stressed. The two then sat down without saying anything. Then, after the intense awkward feeling of the silence settled, Madran spoke up.

"Well, since we're all here, should we get going?"

The group then got up and left the Velvet Room and entered the palace once more.

"Ok, so, who wants to be on either team this time?"

Wysteria and Suga then walked over to Philemon.

"Um... ok, that was quick! Good luck, you guys."

Philemon nodded.

"Yes. Hopefully, we can actually make some progress today."

"Yep! Let's go."

Philemon then transported everyone into the latest Safe Room, with the two groups splitting once they left it. Madran then led her group back to the burnt room and down a different corridor, which landed them in a large hallway with a massive line of ATM people stretched back to the door.

"Um... how are we getting through this without getting noticed?"

"Good question, Beauty."

Madran then looked around until she heard a few very tell-tale motorcycle noises and saw Makoto bursting through a door. All of the cognitions then suddenly dispersed as Madran ran out to meet Makoto.

"Uh, hey there!"

"Hi, Fwoosh. What happened to the rest of your group?"

"Oh, we're doing a thing where we have a main group and a sub group. Currently, the sub group just goes around and finds what they can, while the main group just... does whatever I tell them."