(The Next Day, After School, Shujin Academy)
"Oh", Ryuji said causing everyone to stop looking through the books and towards Ryuji, "man, this girls hot, awww but she's younger than me",
"Ryuji", Ann shouted as everyone continued looking through the pictures, "No way, she's the same age as me, she looks like my dad's friend",
"Get back to work", Ryuji shouted
"Why don't we take a break, it's no surprise our concentration is waning", Makoto suggested as almost everyone stopped to take a break, "Even if it's only the female students, there are easily hundreds of them",
"They're all starting to look the same to me", Ann mumbled
"Think we can really find her", Ryuji asked
"I'm sure", Akira said as then everyone noticed Luna was still looking
"Hey, Luna, we're supposed to be taking a break", Ryuji stated, but she didn't respond
"Good luck with that Ryuji, she's like Futaba with hacking", Akira explained, "once she's onto something, it's hard to get her out of it",
"FOUND HER", Luna shouted as she pointed at picture and everyone gathered around; the picture was of a third-year student with short, fluffy hair.
"Haru Okumura... Okumura", Makoto said with both curiosity and shock
"Wasn't the Beauty Thief like this too, especially the fluffy hair", Ann asked
"That's gotta be her", Ryuji said
"It would also explain how she got past the door's biometric reader" Makoto mumbled, "this may be worth looking into",
"But why was she at the palace", Ann asked
"We could just make her spill the beans herself", Ryuji suggested
"She may have already gone home for the day, so let's try tomorrow, I'm gonna lock up for now, see you tomorrow", Makoto said as everyone left the student council room
(Meanwhile, Yongen Jaya)
"I think I found something, Inari", Futaba stated as Yusuke walked over to her and observed what she found on her computer
"Almost everything here does point to him, but it also points to someone else", Futaba explained
"So, if we change his heart, he might say who's the true culprit behind the Mental Shutdowns", Yusuke asked
"Yup, we've done all we can over here", Futaba said with a smile
"Let's just hope the others have found out who the Beauty Thief is", Yusuke said as Futaba nodded her head
(Back at Shujin)
Akira and Luna were walking out of Shujin, Ann and Ryuji had already left for the day, Makoto was locking up the student council room for the day as well; as they walked out of the school building, they noticed a girl struggling to push a cart full of plant fertilizer, and that girl... was Haru Okumura
"Come... on... move...", Haru muttered as she tried to push the cart but it wouldn't budge
"Are you ok", Akira asked as Haru turned around looking at the two
"Um... would you two happen to be interested in gardening", Haru asked
"Yeah, do you need some help", Luna asked
"Really, in that case, if you could help me unload this", Haru asked as the two came over helping Haru push the cart and unloading the plant fertilizer
"Thank you, you guys are second year's right, that just makes me a tad older... have we met somewhere before... oh, I haven't introduced myself... I'm..., Haru said but was interrupted by Makoto who walked up to the three
"Haru Okumura, correct, the only daughter of Kunikazu Okumura, CEO of Okumura Foods", Makoto stated, "care to explain why you were in your father's Palace",
"Ahh... so that's where we met, wow, you figured it out just in a day", Haru said, "you looked really good in that biker gang outfit",
"Let's... not talk about that... so why did you become a Phantom Thief", Makoto asked
"My fathers highly regarded as a manager, but I had various... doubts about him; things have grown quite serious lately... that's why I want to make amends", Haru explained, "even though it may only be for my own satisfaction, but I wonder if this is just running from the problem",
"Where did you meet Morgana", Makoto asked
"It was pure coincidence, I found a lonely-looking cat in front of our office building", Haru explained
"And that was Morgana", Makoto asked
"And when I followed him, I ended up in the Metaverse, there's no way for me to change my father's company", Haru stated, "but if I became a Phantom Thief, I thought I'd as least be able to change him...",
"Isn't there any way we can work together", Makoto asked
"I can't cooperate with people who don't know what they want to do, what you're doing is unnecessarily causing a stir among the public", Haru explained, "besides, the Phantom Thieves, who should be helping the weak, are not helping their own teammate; I just want my father to atone for his crimes, and help Mona-chan, who gave me a chance to do just that",
"But aren't our objectives the same, it'd be better if we work...", Makoto began
"No thank you, I will do this with Mona-chan, and him alone", Haru said as she began gardening and the three walked away
"She hit quite a sore spot... we don't know what we want to do, huh, getting her cooperation wont be possible, let's consult with the others on our next move", Makoto stated as the two nodded
(Evening, Okumura Residence)
"I'm home, father", Haru said but Mr. Okumura was busy with his phone call
"Drive them away... thats right, make it a priority", Mr. Okumura said as he then hung up, "I finally get a foothold into politics and this happens... Phantom Thieves, hmph... did the media ask you anything",
"No, not at all, um, what's this about Phantom Thieves", Haru asked
"It seems I've ranked first on the forum of these so-called Phantom Thieves," Mr. Okumura explained in a bored tone
"Is it because of the news coverage", Haru asked
"It's jealousy of the successful, nothing but the barks of the masses who lack the resolve to sacrifice what's needed for their well-being", Mr. Okumura stated, "both the young and the old are overjoyed with some foolish idols, this country has no future,"
"What if they do exist, what if these Phantom Thieves really can steal hearts", Haru asked with confidence
"Are you still having doubts about me", Mr. Okumura asked with light anger in his voice
"No", Haru said
"More importantly, I hope things are going well with that young man", Mr. Okumura asked, calmly
"...Yes, Father", Haru said with a sad tone
"Very well then, he may not seem like it, but he's still the son of an influential politician, be cordial with him", Mr. Okumura asked, "He'll eventually become a necessary connection for this company--or rather, for me",
"I understand, I will do the best I can", Haru reassured with a sad tone
"Good, that's how a daughter of Okumura should be", Mr. Okumura said as he then pulled out his phone and turned away from Haru as Haru walked out of the room.
YOU ARE READING
The Rebel Persona
AksiAfter her parents are killed in a car crash, Luna is sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle, away from her friend and the boy she likes, then a week later the her childhood best friend/crush comes into town. an Akira Kurusu love story Story cover by D...
