April 17 (Saturday); 14 Days Until Expulsion
Chapter 62: Morning
Nanako approaches Sano to ask about another custom project, promising to pay him this time. They exchange contact information and she agrees to come by his shop the next day, alluding clumsily to the project being something specialized that she'd rather not mention in public.
Chapter 63: After School
The group discusses their plan in the courtyard, Nanako reasoning that the more they use their route, the securer it will be, while Morgana expresses concern about their control of their Personas. Ann confronts them and demands to join their plan in bringing down Kamoshida, and Ryuji furiously refuses, not wanting to endanger her life, chasing her away. The group gathers at the alleyway outside the school and Morgana affirms that they'll need to act like phantom thieves as they enter the Metaverse.
Chapter 64: Palace of Lust
Ann was drawn in with them, and Skull and Joker carry her out, promising to explain later. Angel changes clothes into the only alternate outfit she has: her Yasogami High uniform, giving Joker mixed feelings. As they go through the castle, Angel realizes that every time gets easier with recognizing the Shadows' patterns, and that she loves the thrill of the adventure. Joker struggles to pick the lock on a heavy door, and Mona reasons that a Shadow must be holding the key for it. On their way, they find a safe room with a much brighter atmosphere than the rest of the castle, but after continuing halfway up a staircase, they hear Ann yelling from another room.
Chapter 65: Palace of Lust
Entering the formerly locked door, the group is disgusted by Kamoshida's cognitions of the girls on the volleyball team. Knights guard Ann, bound to an X-shaped rack, and the boys stare as the skimpily dressed cognitive Ann comes in and scorns the real one. Kamoshida grouses having to deal with insurrection, preferring to enjoy the fruits of his labors, prompting a cognitive Shiho to come in. The Thieves point their guns at Kamoshida, who dismisses them as he casually threatens to have Ann killed. Joker, acknowledging the point, urges Ann to avenge Shiho herself. Ann grows livid, and the knights' swords and her bonds melt away as she Awakens her Persona, Carmen.
Shadow Kamoshida hides behind a gold-clad knight as the cognitive volleyball team girls attack the Thieves, who strike back until they start running. Ann kills the cognitive her and Shiho as Kamoshida escapes and the golden knight turns into Belphegor. Carmen lets loose an almighty burst of fire that destroys the demon and sets the room ablaze. Carmen fades back into the mask, and Joker catches Ann as she falls. With Ann exhausted and more Shadows heading towards their position, the group returns to reality.
Chapter 66: After School
At the Aoyama-Itchome platform, the group regroups with drinks, Ann more exhausted than Ryuji had been but adamant about joining the mission to make Kamoshida confess his crimes. The group exchanges contact information and, with Ann saying she lives in Shibuya, she and Nanako walk home together. Ann asks about her Yasogami uniform, then asks if she and Ren are dating, teasing her at her blush. She says they're from the same hometown and promises to tell the full story someday.
Chapter 67: Evening
Yu went grocery shopping with the list they made, and Nanako cooks ramen for dinner. As the group texts, Ann reveals she lives in the same apartment complex as Nanako and gives consent for everyone to call her by her first name. They banter about Ann's codename before Nanako puts away her phone for dinner, and Yu is happy to see she's made friends. He then apologizes for yelling at her the other day, saying he doesn't know what's right but it was very scary and it may be better that she doesn't know. Nanako mentions her dreams, saying it's probably better if she does know, but she's too tired to talk about it right then and there. Yu makes her a promise to tell her soon.
SOCIAL LINK STATUS
- V–The Hierophant: Yu Narukami
Level 2
Chapter 68: Night
Nanako is nearly asleep when Ren texts her, reminding her they were meant to hang out that day. With Ann being exhausted and Morgana's training ground being dangerous, he says they need a day off and offers to hang out the following day. Wrestling with her crush the whole time, Nanako agrees, knowing that it'll take her a while to fall asleep now.
