Click Here for Update 22
: All we’re really doing today is sending the calling card. : I actually found a table of how many points you need to reach each breakpoint for the social stats - as it turns out, proficiency is by far the easiest to max. Knowledge is the hardest, requiring a total of 192 points to max out.
: “First, I have an announcement about an upcoming school event.”
: “As part of a city beautification project, the entire school will be participating in a public clean-up campaign.”
: “…That means we’re going to Inokashira Park to pick up trash.”
: “Settle down. The cleanup will take place next week, on the 30th. All students are required to wear their gym uniforms during the event, so don’t forget to dress the part.”
: “Sakamoto-kun! Here for a counseling session?”
: “Well.. it’s not like I wanted to or nuthin’.”
: “Ahaha, sorry you were forced into this. But anyway - come in, come in!”
: “Oh? Why’s that?”
: “I mean, I don’t really go see teachers unless they wanna chew me out for doin’ somethin’ wrong.”
: “Oh, I’m not a teacher here. If anything, well.. I’m here to be on the students’ side.”
: “Oh, yeah..? So.. am I supposed to tell ya about Kamoshida now?”
: “Oh, no, no - this isn’t some kind of interrogation. You’re free to just kick back and talk about whatever you want.”
: “Liiike.. what?”
: “Hmm, how about.. is there anyone in your class that you like?”
: “That’s not exactly easy to talk about either - and it’s not like there IS anybody..”
: “Uh- Oh, sorry! I just meant, you’re in the middle of your teenage years and all, right? High-schoolers are just discovering romance and all, so…”
: " 'Zat how it went for you?"
: “I’m sorry, I’m supposed to be hearing you out, but instead I’m just bringing down the room.”
: “Oh, how about this instead - what do you do in your free time, Sakamoto-kun? On the weekend, after school…”
: “Uhhh, hang out with my buds, mostly - though I just started doin’ that recently. Before that, I was just pissed all the time, and even before that… I was only all about the track team.”
: “Ah… So.. is your leg better now?”
: “..Oh, so you know about that, too. Well, yeah, pretty much - so long as I don’t strain it or nothin’.”
: “I see.. You really do enjoy running, don’t you?”
: “Guess so.. I mean, after all that trainin’ I did, it makes sense I’d like it.. I’d be training constantly, getting sweet times at meets along with everyone else…”
: “Eventually, I was gonna get my hands on some running scholarships to make it easier on my mom.. but alla that’s in the past now. It’s cool, though. I got way more important shit to do now.”
: “More important, huh? Well, no matter what path you might have to take to get there.. I hope your track dreams will still do you some good in the end.”
: “Heh.. thanks.”
: “Huh? You tryin’ to sell me some kinda line now?”
: “Oh no, this is actually a genuine phenomenon, with a lot of research going into it even now.”
: “Look at it this way, Sakamoto-kun - what do you want most out of life, right now?”
: “Uhhh.. I want somethin’ to drink, I guess.”
: “And now, I’d like for you to have it.”
: “…Thanks?”
: “See? Your wish came true!”
: “Yeaaah… Hey, Dr. Maru- ah, I mean Doc. Anyone ever tell you you’re kinda.. not normal?”
: “You think so? …Ooh, could that be a compliment, coming from you?”
: “Madarame’s going to be a changed man. There won’t be any way to revert it though. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
: “I have thought it over carefully, and I cannot think of a future in which he does not pay his dues. He has preyed not only on the art world, but on countless talents.. so, I humbly request your help.”
: “I apologize for making you do this..”
: “Not at all. We just didn’t want to impose if you weren’t feeling up to it, Yusuke. But if you’re already determined to do it, then there’s nothing more for us to say.”
: “If I recall, our next step is sending a ‘calling card,’ correct? What a suave maneuver.”
: “It’s not about acting cool. The calling card is a way to trigger a change in his cognition.”
: “A change in cognition.. that reminds me, you went through some trouble regarding that before..”
: “Ah, you must be talking about when we forced open that security gate in the courtyard.”
: “The Palace is a cognitive world, so changing its ruler’s cognition changes the topography! …I think!”
: “Very nicely put, Lady Ann! You’re absolutely correct. This will be a vital tactic from here forward.”
: “Actually, may I ask a truly basic question? You continue to mention cognition quite readily.. but why does this world formed from materialized cognitions even exist to begin with?”
: “Don’t tell me.. has it always existed, while we go about our daily lives completely oblivious?”
: “Honestly, I’m not sure. At the very least, I know it existed before the Kamoshida incident.. but that’s all.”
: “I see…”
: “Crap, he totally caught me off-guard with that.. it’s kinda weird thinkin’ there might be whole worlds we just don’t know a damn thing about.. did the thought ever cross your mind, Akira?”
: “Don’t be so anxious. You don’t even know everything about the city you live in, after all.”
: “All that’s important is that we know how to make use of that world and how to traverse it.”
: “A calling card, hm? Will he take it seriously? He is famous, after all… he has often received slanderous letters till now, as well.”
: “He’ll know best whether the crime written on it is for real or not.”
: “Wait. Are you going to write it again, Ryuji? That last one was questionable at best.”
: “You should do it then, Yusuke! Oh! Make it really artistic and stuff!”
: “No. It’ll end with him figuring it out. He knows my drawing and writing styles all too well.”
: “Oh, then I’ll think it up, and you make it cooler!”
: “Designing a calling card, hm… interesting. It shall become proof that the Phantom Thieves do exist.”
: “It’s decided, then!”
: “Great! All that’s left is to make the Treasure ours! You guys better come fully prepared!”
: “It appears you’re lying low lately. What’s with the change?”
: “Really… is it just my imagination then? Anyhow.. I wish the culprit would come forward soon..”
: “It’s absurd to pretend I can do the police’s job. I wish he considered my feelings before asking me this.”
: “Please excuse me for a second.”
: “A letter?”
: “Whose doing is this!?”
: “What about the security cameras!?”
: “Remove these at once!”
: “Yup! It was perfect! The composition was way cooler too!”
: “The Treasure should appear right about now.”
: “You better enjoy the air of freedom while you still can, old man. Anyways, d’you guys check online? People are already talkin’ about that callin’ card.”
: “I’m sure you know, but we only get one shot to pull this off!”
: “It’ll be fine. We managed last time too.”
: “You have no reservations about this either, right, Yusuke?”
: “Of course not. ..We’ll do this.”
: “I mean, we did basically declare war on him by sendin’ that card.”
: “But there’s nothing to fear. We’ve secured a route, and we’re ready to go. We’ll take the Treasure in style!”
: “There will be no turning back once we begin the operation.”
: “And if worst comes to worst, we might have to fight..”
: “That’s right. Are you ready, Joker?”
: “Okay! Everyone to your positions!”
: “I mean, we’ve done a ton in here. It ain’t surprisin’. Anyway, I’m gonna try and draw it out, so I’ll leave the switch to you guys.”
: “Will you be okay? What if it catches up to you?”
: “Heh, don’t underestimate an ex-runner. I’m definitely gonna shake it off!”
: “Yeah, it’s perfect!”
: “You seem to be enjoying this.”
: “Only the best can appreciate these critical moments. Plus, this feels like we’re really phantom thieves!”
: “We’ll be counting on you, Mona. And Panther as well!”
: “Good luck, everyone! Let’s do this!”
: “My bad! It took me ages to get that guy off my tail!”
: “Wait, where’s Mona?”
: “That was amazin’, Mona!”
: “Ngh.. how dare those vermin.. but now we’ll corner them like the rats they are! Lock all the doors at once! They have nowhere to run!”
: “We can look into that later. For now, we must escape.”
: “Yeah, it’s time to go!”
: “Wh-wh-what do we do!?”
: “You don’t got a plan about how to get outta here!? What kinda master thief are you!?”
: “In any case, let us search for another way out. We must escape!”
: “Oh, a window! But where’s it go?”
: “Now is no time to be lost in thought. We must go!”
: “Whoa, this shit’s real high up..”
: “But at least we’re outside! Is there a way down out here!?”
: “We don’t have time to lose. Just go through it! Now’s our chance!”
: “For real!? But.. I guess there’s no other way!”
: “It seems we managed to escape their siege.”
: “Mrrr… meoww…”
: “Dude… why’s Mona gettin’ excited now of all times..?”
: “I just can’t take it any more! Let’s take a look at this Treasure!”
: “How dare you try to trap me like some kind of mouse!”
: “So you had a fake prepped, huh?”
: “Counterfeits are accepted in the world of Japanese art.”
: “What made you change like this!? Is it because you became famous!? Can’t you understand how much it pains me to inquire about the crimes of my foster father!?”
: “…Now that I think back, the only reason why I took you in was due to my ties with your mother. That woman never lost her passion for painting even after her husband died.”
: “Her skills and talents were quite astonishing… that’s why I decided to look after her.”
: “How low can you sink?”
: “I suppose I can grant you a gift before you die - a glimpse of the genuine ‘Sayuri’!”
: “Genuine..?”
: “This can’t be! Mom…”
: “Huh!?”
: “Indeed it is. This was painted by your mother. It’s a portrait of herself. A woman who knew her death was coming painted her last wishes, for the son she would leave behind.”
: “That is the truth behind the mystery of Sayuri’s expression!”
: “You stole something THAT personal!?”
: “I knew at first glance. I knew it’d be a huge success if I added a touch to the painting and announced it under my name!”
: “But the baby in the picture.. why did you paint over it?”
: “…It was all to stage it. If the babe is erased, the reason for the woman’s expression will become a mystery!”
: “If you really treasured that painting, you wouldn’t even think about replicating it for profit! You don’t love art at all!”
: “Though you have a real Treasure, your true skills are nothing more than those scribbles on that fake!”
: “It makes me laugh, asshole!”
: “So you’ll defy me no matter what.. well then, since you’re my work of art, Yusuke, I’m going to reap you for the sake of my future.”
: “…Along with those insolent friends of yours.”
: “I can’t believe you’re treating both mother and son like they’re objects.. you’re inhuman!”
: “Fox?”
: “I’ve heard that you destroy your ‘art’ once they outlive their usefulness… did that include my mother as well?”
: “Above all, Yusuke, didn’t you think it was odd that I discovered your talent when you were only three?”
: “The reason I kept you around was to keep you from discovering the truth behind Sayuri.”
: “The artistic talents you inherited from your mother were a delightful miscalculation though. If I’m to steal ideas, it’s much easier robbing the future of brats who won’t talk back than adults.”
: “It’s thanks to you that I came up with the idea. You have my gratitude.”
: * chuckle *
: “Yusuke?”
: “You aren’t some rotten artist.. you’re a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!”
: “All you good-for-nothings..! Barging into my museum and doing whatever the hell you want..”
: “Not to mention, the value of art is all subjective! I make the rules in the art scene! I am the supreme being! I am the god of the art world!”
: “The Madarame who gathers a full crowd every time he opens an exhibit! I’m not someone that worthless brats like you are allowed to defy!”
: “You’re STILL saying that? There’s no need to hold back then! Let’s get hm, Joker!”
: “Wha-!? He made copies of himself!? …Ha, I see. Creating duplicates IS his specialty!”
: “No one cares for true art.. all they want are easily recognizable brands! I’m a victim in this too! Wouldn’t you agree!?”
: “Excuses now?”
: “The art world revolves around money after all.. you can’t rise up without any money. Yusuke, you understand, don’t you!? Being a poor artist is truly miserable!”
: “You’re done for - along with this whole wretched world!”
: “No, please! Just.. don’t kill me!”
: “Return to yourself in reality and confess your crimes - all of them!”
: “Y-You’re not going to kill me?”
: “Swear it!”
: “Hm?”
: “A black mask? Wait, who’s he talking about?”
: “It can’t be.. there was another intruder besides us within this Palace!?”
: “…Put an end to all this and use your own artwork for once.”
: “Yusuke!”
: “It would be bad if people started getting suspicious of us. We should leave at once.”
: “Yusuke, c’mon.”
: “Right.. goodbye, Sensei.”
: “Ugh, so bitter.. why’d you get it black?”
: “The Sayuri…”
: “You’re not gonna get all teary-eyed and say stuff like “Mom…!” are you?”
: “To think that this painting was the source of Madarame’s distorted desires. The only saving grace is that my mother won’t know of what transpired…”
: “The genuine painting at his atelier has been altered, after all.. ironic as it may be, this one here is her true self-portrait now.”
: “…It’s a wonderful painting. And.. although it took some time, it’s in your hands now, Yusuke.”
: “…I’m thankful for it. However, it’s impossible for this painting to be acknowledged by society anymore…”
: “No. I doubt it’s the name of any woman in particular. I bet it was to make it more mysterious - just a part of Madarame’s foolish staging.”
: “Well, it would’ve been obvious that he plagiarized it if he had used the real name.”
: “So this is my mother.. there’s no way that I would remember her face clearly… but I was right about the rush of emotion I felt when I saw this painting.”
: “Stop that!”
: “You’re so vulgar, Ryuji.”
: “It’s to get back at scumbags and like.. society in general? We also wanna give courage to the people that’re sufferin’ because of selfish adults.”
: “Courage, hm… what good does that do? You mean the courage to stand up for themselves, correct? Will acquiring that make them happy?”
: “…Yeah. There’s no knowin’ whether it’ll turn out good for everyone or not. Still, we won’t know unless we give it a try.”
: “..In other words, it all depends on the person, hm? Then the same can be said about myself right now. I also suffered because of an adult’s selfish act.”
: “Moreover, if we investigate these Palaces, it may expand my artistic repertoire.”
: “You really only think about art, huh? You’re impressive.”
: “Well I won’t take part in any inelegant plans, all right?”
: “No worries! I’ve got us covered! Plus, we have a rule that says we always have to decide on a target unanimously.”
: “How about it, Joker? We can give our calling cards a lot more “oomph” if we have Yusuke on our team.”
: “I will try and live up to these expectations.”
: “At any rate, I’m curious… another intruder besides us, huh?”
: “Our only clue’s a black mask, so that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s just one person, right?”
: “But there’s no way to check anymore. The Palace is gone.”
: “I’ll try probing Madarame. I maybe able to learn something from this.”
: “Are you sure? I mean-”
: “I’ll contact you all if anything comes up.”
: “We should probably exchange our contact info with you then.”
: “An artist and a phantom thief.. it seems I’ll be engaging in two trades from here on… very well. You only live once, after all.”
: “Still, the incident about this other intruder does concern me a little.”
: “Goodness, things are going so well!”
: “Hehe.. could the day our name becomes common knowledge be nigh?”
: “But I have to say, you sure are something special. This is our fifth Persona-user. It’ll help broaden our battle strategies as well.”
: “Besides, having an eye for beauty is a must for phantom thieves. We’re lucky to have Yusuke. An artist is a talent you rarely come across. I mean, he IS a bit strange, but still…”
: “An artist, huh.. what kind of person do you think I was? There’s no way I’d turn out to be some bad guy in the end, right? I get so engrossed with the embodiment of human desires…”
: “And that’s not all. When it comes to the Metaverse, I’m the only one who can transform into a car…”
: “I’m special… but it’s still odd. Who could I actually be?”
: “Will you give it a rest!? That’s definitely not the case! sigh What a half-assed answer.”
: “Well, there’s no way a dashing, honorable rogue like me could be evil. A man who saves those in trouble in the west, while punishing evildoers who may lurk in the east! A man who chastises people that smoke inside in the south, while saving bullied cats in the north.”
: “A man who has a sturdy body and vows to always do one good deed a day, be it rain or shine. I’m that kind of ideal person.. or so I hope.”
: “So if I turn back to being human… surely she’ll take notice of me, won’t she?”
: “What do you think?”
: “You are now one step closer to your rehabilitation. It’s a delightful thing indeed.”
: “Our master is pleased. You should be honored, inmate.”
: “I’d love to help you though… how shall I teach you? …It’s time for my speech. Let’s talk about this later.”
: “…Get in on this?”
: “If you’re feeling okay, you can go home now.”
: “This is our first meeting. Yes, the first time ever, Master. <3”
: “No! We’re not finished talking yet!”
: “Thank you for your concern. However, I really am in a hurry, so if you’d excuse me..”
: “I can’t go sea fishing because I get seasick easily. So much for my dream of being a sailor. Oh right. When people think of sailing the high seas, they tend to think of pirates.”
: “That one closed-up door’s finally opened. Are you the one who did that?”
