Working With Phantoms

Intersection Station

September 3rd

Madran made her way back to lunch to find her arriving at the same time as the rest of her friends. 

"Hey, guys, what's up?"

"Not much. Hey, Akira, how's the cat?"

"Doing good."

"Nice."

Morgana then rose up from Akira's bag much like an unhappy ant leaving its burrow.

"Yes, I know, Morgana, you're still denying it."

Morgana didn't say anything and instead glared at Madran as everyone else got comfortable at the table, with Sheila then speaking up.

"So, I chatted with Ann and Shiho for a bit, and a welcome back party actually works."

"Ooh, that's fun. Hey, how's Ann been?"

"Oh, really busy. She's been all over, from the Metaverse to checking up on Shiho, even to taking on a few more photoshoots. Apparently, a few models have been missing the date, so she's been called more."

"Well, that might help boost her more."

"I hope so. However, I suspect something a little bit more. Miyabi-sama heard about this other model, uh, Mika, I believe. Miyabi-sama believes that Mika has something to do with the lateness of other models."

"Hmm, sounds spicy. Have there been any other developments, or is that all you know?"

"Well, Ann really suspects her as well, going so far as to tell me that she's sure that Mika's behind all of it. Like, dead-ass sure to the point where she even told me that she might consider going after her in Mementos."

"Wow. I mean, If Ann's anything, she's determined. We're almost done with the palace, so, after that, we should start to look into this new development."

"Yeah, sounds cool."

"Wait, we're almost done?"

Madran looked over to Haru to see her looking rather hopeful.

"You bet, Haru. From what I can tell, there's one last major section that my team has to do before we get to the treasure. What about you guys?"

"Well, Futaba says that all we have to do is make it through this mess of air ducts and we'll be there."

"That's cool. Also, how has this new way to spend your afternoon been for you, Haru?"

"Oh, it's been amazing. It's so freeing to finally be around people who don't try and suck up to me or act all posh and perfect. It's also awfully satisfying to be able to let out some bottled up frustration out on shadows."

"Yeah, I agree."

"Hey, Madran, how long have you and your friends been doing this stuff?"

"Well, since mid-January, I believe."

"Really? That's a long time."

"Yep. It's been interesting, all these almost eight months, being able to get such an insight into the human psyche."

"Yep. It's been one hell of a journey, hasn't it, Sheila?"

"Uh huh. Yep."

"...I don't think she's paying attention."

Madran looked to see Sheila looking at her phone.

"Pay it no mind. She must be busy."

Madran then changed her attention back to Haru and Akira as the lunch break went on and eventually ended, with everyone going back to their classes and finishing up school for that day. Then, once Madran arrived back at her home and did her usual routine of completing schoolwork, she went to find Elia, with her working away at her computer, which confused Madran.