April 16th

"It may be crowded but it looks like you may still grab a seat if you're lucky." said Morgana.

I got on the seat.

"While we're riding the train, we've got some downtime," said Morgana. "I wonder if we could put it to good use."

I arrived at the school.

"What's wrong? You don't look so good."

"I haven't been feeling well lately. My head's all foggy and I have no energy. I've tried every **** at the pharmacy but nothing works. Do I have some new virus? Is this the onset of a psychotic breakdown? What should I do? Am I going to die!?"

"Calm down, calm down! Let's go to the clinic. Come on. I'm sure the doctor can prescribe something that'll fix you right up!"

"Doctors have the best medicine, huh?" said Morgana. "Hey, wasn't that one customer back at Leblanc a doctor?"

"She was wearing punk clothes." I said.

"That's not what's important here! Though she did have an interesting fashion sense. It might be nice to have some strong medicine to use in the Palace."

"Yo, morning, John," said Ryuji. "What're you doing here? Let's head to school together. I mean it's right there but whatever."

I went to class. Oddly enough, no one seemed to notice I had a cat under my desk. We were only a few minutes into the lecture when Ryuji texted us.

[Ryuji: Hey, we're meeting up at the hideout after school, right?]

[Ann: Don't text now. We're in class.]

[Ryuji: Whoa! you mean you're actually listening to all this crap?]

I stifled a sigh.

[Ann: Yeah but none of it is really sticking today.]

[Ryuji: I know, right?]

[Ryuji: Anyways, hideout after school?]

[Ann: Where exactly is this hideout?]

[Ryuji: The school roof.]

[Ann: Wait, we can still go up there?]

[Ryuji: Yeah, I'll let you in.]

[Ryuji: Welp, I'll be waiting. Just come on up once school's over.]

[John: Gotcha.]

[Ryuji: I'm gonna fine you if you're late!]

"Hey, Doe!"

I jumped in my seat. Mr. Ushimaru was looking at my direction, sternly.

"You! Pay attention! Is that how you listen when someone's talking to you!?"

I felt a murderous intent.

"Sorry, sir! Just got a bit distracted! It won't happen aga-Ow!"

A piece of chalk flew straight at onto my forehead.

"Ooh, that looked like it hurt."

"He hit him right in the forehead." another student snickered.

"That's what you get for daydreaming!" said Mr. Ushimaru. "You people have no respect for your elders."

"Good grief," said Morgana. "Looks like you need more proficiently to completely dodge that."

The day continued to drag itself along. After school, we met on the rooftop.

"Looks like we're all here," said Ryuji. "Mkay, let's get going!"

"Hold on, it's still too early for us to head to the Palace," Morgana spoke up, getting everyone's attention.

"But why? Don't we just gotta steal that Treasure thing?" Ryuji questioned as he and the rest of us surrounding the cat to listen to what he had to say.

"Don't underestimate the dangers of that place. We need to prepare," Morgana warned, causing Ryuji and Ann to look at him oddly while I nodded in agreement.

"Ain't that Persona shit we got enough to deal with it?" Ryuji questioned, getting an annoyed look from Morgana in response.

"That's exactly what I mean by don't underestimate it. You'll die if you mess up in there," Morgana stated seriously, causing both Ryuji and Ann to flinch at the statement. "So again, we need to prepare before you head in."

"He's right, Ryuji. If we're gonna steal Kamoshida's treasure, we have to make sure we're absolutely ready to do so," I explained while pushing up my glasses.

"But exactly are we supposed to do that?" Ann questioned.

"I'm glad you asked, Lady Ann." Morgana chirped towards the natural blonde before turning back to the others. "First, we'll need to get better equipment for all of you."

"You talking about weapons? Oh, I know a kick ass place!" Ryuji exclaimed happily.

"Is that the place where you got the model gun you gave me a while back?" I asked.

"Yup, and it's awesome! I'll show it to you when we have the chance!" Ryuji grinned.

The whole toy guns work like real guns in the Metaverse might open the way for the possibilities.

What was to stop us from bringing a big black ball, sticking a fake 'fuse' on the end of it, writing 'BOMB' in big letters on the side and throwing it at a Shadow?

Would the Shadow expect it to explode? Why sneak through the castle when we could just napalm out way through?

"In that case, you can handle that side of things," Morgana spoke up, happy with the idea before adopting a serious look. "The only thing would be stocking up on medicine. Fatigue is unavoidable in a Palace."

"And where can be get medicine?" Ann questioned.

"Don't worry, I know just the place. I hope you look forward to it, Lady Ann!" Morgana assured confidently. "Now then, John and I have some business in Yongen, so let's head off for today!"

"Uh, what business?" I asked, surprised by the statement.

"Just come with me! I won't be able to get close enough by myself!" Morgana ordered before jumping into my bag, causing me to sigh in exasperation.

"Being ordered around by a talking fur ball. What the hell has my life become?" I grumbled as I grabbed my bag. "Well, unless there's anything else we need to address, I guess that's that for the meeting."

I ended up in Yongen.

"Hey, remember that customer you met at Leblanc yesterday?" asked Morgana. "The doctor who prescribes medication after a quick examination? She was sitting at the booth."

"Yeah, I remember." I said.

"I just realised something. If she's the kind of doctor who gets sketchy rumours like that, maybe she'll help us out."

"What am I supposed to do? Just ask her to see us medicine for use in a cognitive castle?"

"Just make something up," Morgana said.

"Just make something up? What am I supposed to say?"

"She's somewhere in the neighbourhood, right? Take me to her."

The clinic was a short walk from the Leblanc.

"This is the clinic that the chief mentioned," said Morgana. "Now, how can we get them to give us some medicine?"

"We'll make something up." I said.

"Well, I guess that's the only we have. We'll just have to go for it. Alright, let's step inside."

I stepped inside. To my left was a large service window where the doctor was sat, wearing a white coat over the clothes I saw her wearing before.

"Is this your first visit?" asked the doctor. "Hm? I feel like I've met you somewhere before."

"At Leblanc." I said.

"Hmmm... Well, whatever. So, what are you here for today?"

"I've been having nightmares."

"Fine. Please head to the exam room."

We went into the exam room.

"In a case like yours, it's usually just due to stress," said the doctor. "I'm going to prescribe you some pain relievers, okay? Actually, I still need to restock those. So let's go with sleeping pills instead. Sleep is the best medicine anyway."

I sat in silence. The full weight of what I was attempting to do, crashed down upon me. I was trying to illegally obtain medicine. Holy shit, I was trying to ILLEGALLY. OBTAIN. MEDICINE. Why hadn't I thought this through? If she reports me, I'm finished. I'll get kicked out of school. I'll have violated by probation. I'll have to do back to juvenile and then to jail.

"Which type of pill do you want, a sweet-tasting one or a bitter one?"

"I want painkillers." I said.

"Is that right? And I bet you think you should have a year-long supply of them too. You're not sick at all, are you? I'm not as dumb as I look, you know. I'm guessing, you're here because you heard the rumours about me, huh?"

"I really am sick."

"Right, right, that's what they all say. Then the ulterior motives comes out. I guess high school students have it tough nowadays too, huh? Well, fine. I'll prescribe you some medication but only medication that will help you recover your health. I guess it's fine. You seem pretty earnest and you don't look like you'll be any trouble. This is my private practice. All medicine I dispense is original. I have a licence to make my own formulas. You've likely seen them being sold at various hospitals. It's your responsibility to take care of yourself. So if that's okay with you, stop by anytime."

"That'll really help."

"Great, it's nice that you're so quick on the uptake. Saves me the hassle. You're a pretty weird kid, you know. I wonder what you're going to use the medicine for. Well, as long as you don't cause me any trouble, it's not my problem. This is all I've got right now."

I brought some medicine from her.

"Then good luck with that." she said.

After I stepped out another man walked in.

"What's the reason for your visit?" I heard the doctor say. "Do you have a cold? Stomachache? Athlete's foot? Whatever it ism, you'll need to take a number."

"Enough of this!" said the man's voice. "You're the only one who could have developed that type of medicine."

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. Don't play dumb with me. Rumour has it, it's a **** so potent it can give a person unlimited power."

"Really? That's news to me."

"Developing experimental ****, medicine and herbal remedies violates all health regulations. Are you attempting to create a super-stimulant? A **** like that would only become a social issue."

"You're really persistent, you know that? I'm just a quack."

"The police may not be taking action but I imagine the media will soon pick up on it. You intend to ruin my reputation again, huh? You're a disgrace to the medical community."

"Tsk!"

"What's with the look? That was your mistake, was it not? I won't be responsible for your criminal actions. Dispose of that medicine immediately and resign. The name Tae Takemi will never... Hey, is someone there!?"

I left.

"Geez, they almost caught us," said Morgana. "Sounded like they were talking about something dangerous. Could that woman be hiding some extra strong medicine?"

"We should use that." I said.

"I agree. If it's that strong, it might come in handy at the Palace. Alright, let's come back when that man isn't here. We shouldn't involved people who have nothing to do with this. Keep the Phantom Thieves a secret, okay? Anyway, great work! That went really well!"

[Ryuji: Do you know that store I mentioned with the model gun?]

[Ryuji: It's in Shibuya. I can go with you if you want.]

{John: Can't you go it alone?]

[Ryuji: Oh right, you just transferred here, huh?]

[Ryuji: Let's go altogether, dude. I'll show you around.]

[Ryuji: You at least know Shibuya Station, yeah?]

[Ann: Hey, I can't make it. Can I trust you guys to check the place out for me?]

[Ryuji: You can't come?]

[Ann: Not tomorrow.]

[Ryuji: Ah, gotcha.]

[Ryuji: Don't worry, we got this.]

[Ryuji: Well, see in Shibuya, John! I'll be in front of the station!]

"We might be able to get out hands on some decent stuff if this store really has model guns." said Morgana.

I went home.

"Everything's going smoothly so far," said Morgana. "Once we're prepared, let's take on the Palace. That's where the real fun starts, got it? You're meeting up with Ryuji tomorrow, so don't oversleep!"