On the Possibility of Raiding the Phantom Thieves’ Leader 15

Chapter 15

Yu and Ren discreetly moved behind a larger billboard, the space a bit tight for two people. Fortunately, Sumire’s attention was entirely focused on the stage, oblivious to their presence.

This was Ren’s first time seeing what Yu called a Shadow. The more he observed, the more it resembled the cognitions in Tokyo.

Perhaps Yu was right. The essence of the other world was the same, only the manifestation differed.

“Sumire, what are you saying?” Sumire tried to climb onto the stage, but her legs froze as if she had lost all strength.

“…Suddenly, I’m so tired.”

Ren frowned, glancing at Yu, who was intently watching the scene unfold, unfazed by Sumire’s sudden weakness. It seemed this was normal, so Ren relaxed, continuing to observe from behind the billboard with Yu.

Sumire tried again to reach the stage, but after taking a step, she stumbled, her forehead beaded with sweat, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

The ‘Sumire’ on stage, her golden eyes glowing faintly, smiled.

“I want to be my sister,” she suddenly said.

Sumire looked up, her gaze fixed on the ‘Sumire’ on stage, a look of confusion in her eyes.

You want to be me?

“You don’t want to be me,” Sumire didn’t voice the thought, but the figure on stage seemed to know, retorting,

“I want to be my sister. I want to be Kasumi Yoshizawa!” She twirled the ribbon joyfully. “My sister was so amazing. Her grades, her personality… everyone loved her. Everyone adored her. Unlike me, forever in her shadow.”

“I don’t want to be in her shadow anymore. I don’t want to always be behind her. I want to be number one! The only one in everyone’s eyes!”

“I want to be Kasumi Yoshizawa!”

Sumire stared at the figure on stage, frowning. A strange urge welled up within her, a desperate need to silence the figure, to stop her words, the pain in her chest becoming unbearable.

But why? She was Kasumi. Why did she feel so guilty?

To mask her sudden guilt, Sumire quickly said, “Sumire, I’ll protect you. You don’t have to…”

“Yes, my sister will protect me,” the ‘Sumire’ interrupted, cutting her off.

She stared coldly at Sumire. “My sister protected me. She kept her promise. She really did protect me.”

“So she died. She died in front of me.”

Sumire froze, her fingers trembling.

What was she saying? Who died? Kasumi died? But if Kasumi died, then who was standing here? Wasn’t she Kasumi?!

Wasn’t it her sister, Sumire, who had died?!

“Do you still think you’re Kasumi Yoshizawa?” the ‘Sumire’ asked, a look of amusement in her eyes. “Well, well, I’ll be a good person for once and show you who you really are!”

Countless mirrors suddenly appeared, floating and revolving around Sumire.

Maruki’s treatment had utilized the power of the Metaverse to thoroughly hypnotize Sumire. Even when looking in a mirror, she saw Kasumi’s reflection.

But now, in this different other world, Maruki’s power was suppressed. Even though Sumire still believed she was Kasumi, the mirrors no longer deceived her.

In the revolving mirrors, Sumire saw her own reflection.

Long, flowing red hair, a left eye without a tear mole.

It was… Sumire Yoshizawa.

“No, no,” Sumire stumbled backward, collapsing to the ground, her legs weak. “I’m not… I’m not Sumire Yoshizawa!”

“Who are you?!”

“Me?” the ‘Sumire’ pointed at herself. “I’m you. The real you, deep down inside. So everything I said is true!”

The ‘Sumire’ in the leotard gracefully stepped off the stage, her demeanor proud and haughty, like a swan, a stark contrast to the real Sumire’s usual timid nature.

The mirrors around Sumire reflected new images, not reflections this time, but a scene from the past.

Her academically gifted sister winning the gymnastics championship, while Sumire’s performance was less impressive. Everyone praised Kasumi, whispering about how Sumire wasn’t as good as her sister. After practice, the sisters argued, and Sumire, in a fit of anger, stormed off, failing to notice the red light.

Kasumi pushed Sumire out of the way, taking the impact of the oncoming car.

“My sister died. I killed her,” the ‘Sumire’ lamented. “My sister, even in her final moments, kept her promise to protect her younger sister, just like the person she was.”

“My perfect, amazing sister. How I longed to be her.”

“Shut up!” Sumire covered her ears. “Stop talking!”

But how could she silence the voice within her? It was her own voice, the darkest part of her heart.

It was difficult for anyone to reconcile with their true self, to confront the voice within.

Yes, in this moment, Sumire realized: it was indeed her inner self.

But she couldn’t accept it. She refused to.

“Let me be my sister!” the ‘Sumire’ cried out. “That’s all I ever wanted.”

“And then, one day, the therapist my parents found understood my desire. He was so amazing! He saw through my wish, my deepest desire!”

“So he granted my wish. He made me ‘Kasumi Yoshizawa’!”

“I hate ‘Sumire Yoshizawa’! I want to be ‘Kasumi Yoshizawa’!”

“My sister is who I want to be!”

“I’m finally content now!”

The ‘Sumire’ cried out in ecstasy, like a dreamer who had achieved their ambition.

But her joy quickly turned to bitterness, her smile fading, replaced by sharp hatred in her golden eyes.

“But… I’m still not my sister. I’m still just Sumire. I can’t reach her level, achieve her scores. I keep failing, losing competition after competition. No matter how hard I practice, it’s the same, and the whispers have started again.”

“They say I’m not as good as my sister, that it’s my fault she died. I’m not reconciled to this.”

“I can’t become the real Kasumi Yoshizawa. You can’t become the real Kasumi Yoshizawa…”

“How can I truly replace her?”

The ‘Sumire’ spoke with venomous hatred.

“I will completely replace Kasumi Yoshizawa!”

Hearing these words, Sumire froze, staring at the ‘Sumire’ before her in shock.

She shook her head.

“How can you say that?! That’s terrible! She’s my sister! How can you replace her?!”

“You’re not me! You’re definitely not me!!”

The moment she uttered those words, Yu, observing from nearby, grabbed Ren’s wrist.

Ren looked at Yu, surprised, but Yu’s attention was fixed on Sumire and her Shadow.

“Here it comes,” Yu said.

Here it comes? What was coming?

Before Ren could ask, something changed. He didn’t need to ask, as the ‘Sumire’ before them burst into laughter.

“Yes, that’s right! From now on, I am not you!”

“The power is surging!”

Teddie and Mona, who had been fighting, finally noticed the commotion and rushed over, bumping into Ren’s side. Ren stumbled, almost falling, but Yu caught him, pulling him into a protective embrace.

But…

Ren blinked, his chin resting on Yu’s shoulder. Although Yu was tall, they were both crouching, so Ren was practically in Yu’s arms, the warmth and a fresh scent filling his senses.

It was the pleasant smell of laundry detergent, mixed with the scent of sunshine, just like Yu himself, outwardly flamboyant yet incredibly gentle.

“Whoa!” Teddie, oblivious to his accidental mischief, clung to the billboard, staring at Sumire. “Here it comes!”

Ren pulled away from Yu, who smiled at him as their eyes met.

This man had no concept of personal space!

“Oh my god! Ren!” Mona exclaimed, looking at the unfolding events in horror.

Ren quickly composed himself, focusing his attention on Sumire.

The laughing ‘Sumire’ transformed into a large, blue Shadow with white wings, its fragmented glass-like body sprouting sharp shards, ribbons swirling around it like a signature.

He heard the Shadow’s declaration after its transformation.

“I am a Shadow. The true self.”

Ren could sense the Shadow’s immense power, far exceeding his expectations.

He turned to Yu. “Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Huh? Much?” Yu looked back with a puzzled and innocent expression. “Isn’t this standard procedure?”

Ren: …

Teddie nodded in agreement. “It’s standard procedure, kuma.”

Mona: …

Although Yu had mentioned that awakening a Persona in his world required acknowledging one’s inner self, and denying it would turn the Shadow into a monster, he had assumed the “monster” would be an ordinary Shadow, similar to the ones they defeated in Mementos. And that accepting it would transform it into a Persona.

But what was this? Sumire’s Shadow was stronger than a Palace ruler!

Ren pushed his glasses up, asking hopefully, “If Sumire accepts herself now, the Shadow will turn into her Persona, right?”

“Of course not,” Yu replied, puzzled again. “We have to beat it back to its original form.”

So the awakening process in Yu’s world was: enter the other world, encounter your inner Shadow, deny your true self, turning the Shadow into a monster, then beat the monster until it reverts to its original form, and finally accept the Shadow as yourself, transforming it into a Persona.

“That’s right,” Teddie nodded again. “That’s standard procedure, kuma.”

Ren/Mona: …

So Yu had the nerve to call them violent? Weren’t they just as violent?!