#//So glad I didn't try to rush through this. Would've burnt myself out.

[doctor-yamagishi]

Concern or Consideration Part 9: Networking

Part 9 of Plotline developed with @tacitusauxilium

Several days would pass without incident before Fuuka would contact Ren, Ann, and Ryuji, along with Yusuke who had joined the ranks of the Phantom Thieves

"I got a respone from MItsuru-senpai. She said that she is willing to meet with you all. She is busy so it won't be face-to-face, but virtual." Fuuka would state hoping that they had enough to mentally prepare for the occurrence since it was already under discussion.

"Has this been going on for a while?" Yusuke inquires, unsure why something with such an impact on their times had been recently brought to his attention. He needed all the time that he could to get back into a comfortable flow regarding his art.

"Sorry Yusuke, everything occurred so fast once you joined that our bigger focus was on Madarame than on the future." Ann admits through her text.

"Honestly, I'm kinda nervous about what it will be like to meet someone who has a lot of experience using a Persona." Ryuji comments honestly, though it wasn't going to make the meeting any less tense for the Phantom Thieves.

"Knowing Ryuji, he'll just make a bigger fool out of himself than normal." Morgana states to Ren, though it wasn't put in the chat. Ryuji would sneeze from where he was. He couldn't tell who was talking about him, but he doubted it was anything good. Outside of Morgana, for the most part he didn't mind at the time.

"Given that they could've kept us from progressing with our heists and with Fuuka's assistance in Madarame's palace, I doubt there is too much to worry about." Yusuke calmly reaffirmed.

"Yusuke's right. As far as we are aware, Fuuka could've told them about the metaverse app and they could've taken care of us with little problems if they wanted to." Ann agreed.

"Anyways, where did you want to meet up for the meeting Fuuka?" Ren inquired, though all eyes were watching the chat more than ever while Fuuka made her response.

"The room I am staying at is good for the meeting as everything is already set up there. Don't worry, Mitsuru-senpai's really nice." Fuuka responded before typing out the address.

"I will let the receptionist know that I am expecting all five of you for supplemental lessons and to direct you to my room." Fuuka states.

"Five of us?" Yusuke inquired trying to keep account of all who was being invited.

"It's the four of us and Morgana, dude. Though he's a cat, he's still a member of the Phantom Thieves." Ryuji commented as he was doing his best to make a mental note of the location.

"Why did he single me out? I am a human too.....I think." Morgana responded, his tone shifted from upset to dejected at the possibility that he wasn't human, though he wasn't going to readily accept that fact.

"Anyways, see you guys over there. Depending on how this goes, we might get additional support when dealing with the palaces." Ann remarks before the line of text ends.

Roughly one hour later, all of the Phantom Thieves had gathered in Fuuka's room, which had a computer hooked up to a projector. The projector was aimed at a blank wall of the room.

"Even with the lack of furnishings, this room is not devoid of artistic appreciation." Yusuke commented, appreciated the subtle nuances of interior decorations that lingered in the room.

"We're here to meet with Mitsuru who sent Fuuka over, not to ingrain her room for a painting." Ryuji commented exasperated at how Yusuke can get so worked up on anything aesthetic.

"Focus Yusuke, it's the least you can do after I had to buy your round trip tickets for the train to get here." Ann added on, midlly annoyed at Yusuke's narrow-vision at times.

"Wait, why did you have to buy his ticket Takamaki?" Ryuji inquired looking over at Ann.

"I had spent all of the money I had on hand for supplies. Did not even have that much for a meal, but as long as I have what I need for my paintings, I will be fine." Yusuke remarks calmly yet proudly of his decisions before turning his attention to Ann.

"Still I must thank you for your generosity Ann. Just let me know when you would like to model for a painting and I will make sure it is able to repay you back considerably." Yusuke would later add on.

"For the last time, I don't want to be in your painting." Ann was going to restrain herself mostly for Fuuka's sake so not to cause her trouble being up in her hotel room. Otherwise, she would have stomped on the floor a couple of times.

"Mitsuru-senapi, are you there? I have all the Phantom Thieves here for the introductions." Fuuka spoke up softly into the microphone of her computer while waiting for an image from Mitsuru's camera to be shot out on the projector.

"My apologies Yamagishi, some business matters took longer than anticipated." Mitsuru remarks from the computer's speakers before an image of Mitsuru appears. She was sitting in her chair inside the Shadow Operative's headquarters.

"My apologies about the delay everyone and I apologize for you all having to take the time out of your day for this introduction, but I hope you will get enough value out of this opportunity to compensate for it." Mitsuru states calmly, resting her head softly on her right hand.

"Given the appeal of the room, I can say that will be the case." Yusuke responds before anyone can make a more substantive answer.

"Don't mind him. Anyways, why don't introduce ourselves? Since you arranged this meeting in more ways than one, we can start." Ren responds with a light flourish of his right hand.

"That would be appreciated and I will make sure to introduce myself in kind afterwards." Mitsuru answers gratefully with a subtle nod of her head.

"Guess I'll start then. The name's Ryuji Sakamoto, nice to meet you." Ryuji remarks, not sure how to really act given the Phantom Thieve's member's social identities along with the contradiction between Mitsuru's position and her apparent age.

"I'm Ann Takamaki. Hope we get along." Ann contributes before turning her attention to Yusuke, who had his focus on the details of the room for recollection later. "Yusuke." She would call out to snap him out of his focus.

"I am Yusuke Kitagawa and I hope that our collaboration can make wonderous works of art." Yusuke remarked before promptly returning his attention back to the room.

"My name's Morgana and no, I am not a cat." Morgana manages to squeak in, though Mitsuru wasn't surprised by Morgana's ability to speak and would turn her gaze toward Ren who was the last member of the Phantom Thieves to introduce himself.

"Ren Amamiya." Ren introduces himself.

"Ren's our leader." Ann adds on, earning a quiet nod from Mitsuru who has manages to make at least one implied fact by the statement brought to her attention.

"Since Amamiya is your leader, Yamagishi will give you my number should anything come up that you feel requires my attention." Mitsuru claims, nodding over to Fuuka who nods her head in return.

"Thank you for introducing yourselves. My name is Mitsuru Kirijo." Mitsuru introduces herself, though she would be slightly off-guard by the reaction it would obtain.

"Wait, you're Mitsuru Kirijo, as in the head of the Kirijo Group, MItsuru Kirijo?" Ryuji manages to speak up through his astonishment. It was strange to hear that someone in such a high position would have a persona.

"Yes, that is me. Do not worry though, I am not addressing you as the head of the Kirijo Group, but as the leader of the Shadow Operatives." Mitsuru does her best to assauge any anxiety that has manifested with her identity disclosed.

"Fuuka did say that the Shadow Operatives have members with a lot of experience with Personas, so I guess that you'll be helping us with our jobs as the Phantom Thieves?" Ryuji inquires, but Mitsuru would shake her head.

"No, the Shadow Operatives for the most part will be avoiding altering the operations of the Phantom Thieves." Mitsuru states calmly yet bluntly.

"What the eff is your problem?! You get us here for a meeting, but don't want to help us resolve the area's problems!" Ryuji shouts in an outburst, though Mitsuru simply lets Ryuji blow off the steam.

"Please understand Ryuji-kun, Mitsuru-senpai must have a good reason." Fuuka pleads toward Ryuji.

Between his indignation at Mitsuru's response and Fuuka's pleas, Ryuji feels conflicted, but calms down enough to avoid shouting, but has a mixture of anger and disappointment on his face as he quiets down.

"Through our experience with the first branches, it is best for each branch to mostly get experience with their personas with as little interference from the other branches. All of the Shadow Operatives have lives outside of this specialty and they may not be available to assist. It is better for everyone if the Phantom Thieves get experience now so they are prepared in the future should the other members be unavailable to assist." Mitsuru does her best for an explanation.

"That makes sense, but it still sucks." Ryuji remarks, all his prior anger and disappointment turning to grief.

"I understand Sakamoto. We can still provide support while allowing you all to gain experience." Mitsuru responds before turning to look in Fuuka's direction. "Yamagishi can offer support during your endeavors. She trusts you all and I have full faith in her opinion. Yamagishi, can you continue operating with the Phantom Thieves for the time being?"

"Yes, Mitsuru-senpai." Fuuka responds gently yet firmly.

"Thank you Yamagishi. The Shadow Operatives will directly intervene should there be a situation that we feel wouldn't have arised without our interference in the first place." Mitsuru states calmly, glad to have resolve the initial hostility associated with her outright refusal of more direct assistance for the Phantom Thieves. Or at least the portion that she could resolve.

"With that, there is nothing else for us to discuss at the moment, unless any of you have something for me." Mitsuru states, wanting to make sure to tie up all available loose ends before ending the meeting.

"Ummmm, Mitsuru-senpai...." Fuuka quietly states, unsure about whether or not she should bring up the person that has her father's eyes. If it was in Tatsumi Port Island, she would be a lot more confident in Mitsuru's ability to find information about the person, but this wasn't Tatsumi Port Island.

"Yes Yamagishi?" Mitsuru inquires, curious about what Fuuka might have to bring up.

"I-It's nothing. Sorry for holding you up." Fuuka states, deciding that it would be better to get more information about the person before mentioning it to Mitsuru.

"I do have a question. What would you have done if Fuuka determined that we are a threat?" Ryuji inquires, though he was conflicted about whether or not he wants to know the answer.

"If Yamagishi has determined that the Phantom Thieves are selfishly using their Personas, then should we determine how you are accomplishing your acts, we would swiftly and securely ensure that your abilties do not progress any further than they already have." Mitsuru states calmly, but that only added to how unnerving her statement is.

After having some time to recover from the bombshell dropped on them through that answer, Ann would speak next. "With all of the money that you have, why does Fuuka have such a standard room here?"

"The lodging was a strategical maneuver. At the time, we didn't know the capacity of the Phantom Thieves. Her accommodations are to dissuade investigation into why she arrived. If she was living far beyond the capacity of a teacher, then it might have prompted you to look into her and discover her association with the Kirijo Group." Mitsuru states calmly. While the Shadow Operatives largely operate outside of the jurisdiction of the Kirijo Group, their information is contained in the Kirijo Group database.

"Are there any other questions?" Mitsuru inquires looking around, taking note that there wasn't anything equivalent of an emerging question.

"It was nice meeting you all. Once the situation guiding the Phantom Thieves' operations has been resolved, then I hope that you will give consideration to joining the Shadow Operatives." Mitsuru states before signing off.

"Is something the matter Fuuka?" Ann inquires, taking notice of Fuuka on the edge of bringing something up to Mitsuru.

"It's nothing Ann-chan, at least not at the moment." Fuuka responds, though not entirely sure if it was nothing or not. Ann wasn't going to push the subject, seeing how Fuuka was and would change the subject.

"The only pressing matter is figuring out what to do about 'him'." Ann states sternly, earning a nod from the Phantom Thieves.

"We don't have enough information to work off of for now. We'll just need to wait for him to let his guard down. For now, let's just rest on the concept and go about the rest of our day like we normally do." Morgana states, resting his paws on Ren's right shoulder.

The Phantom Thieves would depart Fuuka's room and go their separate ways. "Let's go see Nobu again. Tae doesn't get much support from the hospital, so I am curious about why he delivers her supplies." Morgana states over to Ren who nods his head and makes his way to Tae's clinic as it is the first place and currently only place that he can think of seeing Nobu.

Standing right next to the clinic was Nobu, who was running through all of the receipts of all of the compounds that Tae had requested and was delivered, checking to make sure that they are all signed and double checking to see if there was any receipts that he might have left with Tae.

Nobu would close his eyes and mentally play back all of the compounds that were delivered and compairing them with all of the receipts, though his train of thought was driven off the tracks as he opens his eyes to look around, feeling that he was being watched.

"Oh, Ren, it's been a while. Were you here to see me or are you passing through to talk with Takemi?" Nobu inquires, making sure that he wasn't significantly blocking the way if it was the latter.

"I'm here to see you. Was curious about why you deliver supplies to Takemi's clinic?" Ren would respond while Morgana would peek out of Ren's bag and be a spectator to the conversation.

"All medical buildings are required to have what they need to operate. No supplier is willing to directly provide her given the nickname she has, but she did work for the hospital before moving to her clinic and the supplies were done in place of money for the severance packing." Nobu states, though he cannot fathom why Takemi would move from the hospital to such a small clinic where she can help more people in the hospital.

"The nickname also keeps a lot of people from wanting to deliver to her, afraid of being the test subject for her experiments. Her reputation holds more weight with me than her nickname, and she isn't willing to take such a risk knowing that not many other people would take my place if her concoctions reacted poorly on me." Nobu adds on, hoping that Takemi's ill-suited moniker can eventually be cleared.

"Is it just me, or does it feel like someone is watching us?" Morgana inquires over to Ren, who would nod his head and do his best to look around for the eavesdropper while not trying to let it on to Nobu, though Nobu is feeling unsettled, affected by someone's gaze or glare fixated mostly on him.

"I don't want to cut this conversation short, but I feel that I need to get back to work. Takemi may be rather strange in her approach, but if you see her, I can assure you that you are in good hands." Nobu states taking several steps away from the clinic before turning to face Ren. "It means a lot that you are willing to see me with all of the other things that you can be doing instead."

Charity Social Link-Lvl 3: No bonus granted.