[As someone who loved stories of gentlemen detectives, the mysticism of 'Phantom Thieves' has always captivated Naoto. Of course, such things only existed in fiction (and when her butler decided to play a prank).]
[Only now there were actual Phantom Thieves, and instead of famous treasures, they were stealing people's 'hearts.' The 'victims' of the Phantom Thieves experienced a change of personality, repenting for past deeds. Their latest victim, Kunikaze Okumura, was found dead after the attempt on his 'heart,' in contrast to the previous targets.]
[That's what the papers in front of her say, anyway. Naoto's gathered what information she can, opting to do some work in a cafe off of a secluded Tokyo sidestreet. The shop was recommended to her by the lead prosecutor on the case, and is perfect for her needs. Her papers on the case extremely visible, she calls over to the boy working behind the counter.]
Excuse me.
Edited 2020-07-10 00:30 (UTC)
Sorry for the delay, garbo body has been the worst
[What had happened with Okumura was...not at all what they'd expected to happen. Until now, everything had gone fairly smoothly, and followed the same pattern. Steal treasure, change heart, criminal confesses, everything goes well. Their target flat out biting the dust was never part of the plan.
They're still trying to get their bearings and give Haru time to grieve while they figure out where to go from here, with everything falling to pieces around them. Ren's been doing his best to hold everyone together, and to hold it together himself, though even he can't 100% hide the exhaustion on his face. Even if putting on a mask is one of his talents in more than one way.
His mind is a little more distracted than usual, so he's momentarily startled when he gets called to, but mentally slaps himself awake and walks over.]
How can I help you?
[Though his attention is on the teen in front of him, one that he vaguely feels he might have seen somewhere (TV?), he can't help but notice the papers sitting in front of her.
...Well, that's lovely.]
it's okay! i'm sorry for the delay on my end, too.
[Does Naoto see that Ren is distracted? Unlikely, as she's so absorbed into her research. Until now, she'd been operating on the assumption that the Phantom Thief cases and Mental Shutdown cases were unrelated, but the most recent case broke the pattern. A copycat, perhaps?]
Yes, I'd like a small coffee.
[And then Ren's uniform catches her attention. The apron covers most of it, but she can just barely make out the school crest.]
You wouldn't happen to be a student at Shujin, would you?
Is there a particular kind you'd like? We have a pretty big variety.
[And he gives a little gesture to the menu. If not, he'll just pick out one for...him? Her? The person seems rather androgynous.
That question, though... Ugh. He knew he should have changed before tossing on the apron. With everything that'd been going on since the Kamoshida incident, sometimes being a Shujin student came with extra unwanted attention.]
I’ll take whatever you recommend. I’m sure that you have a better understanding of the brews here than I do.
[Naoto chuckles in response. As someone who once attended a higher profile school, even if she transferred after the murders occurred, she knows how much unwanted attention it brings.]
[Not that she plans on letting up, of course.]
You could call it detective’s intuition. I wager you know what I’m going to ask you about next?
[Naoto nods at the coffee suggestion before continuing, eyeing Ren suspiciously. No matter what he says, he's likely to be more help than the police. Additionally, as a student of the school, he's more likely to be forthcoming with information than the administration.]
Then I'll get straight to the point. What can you tell me about Suguru Kamoshida's change of heart? Many people believe he was the Phantom Thieves' first victim.
[Ren gives a wry smile. They're certainly...forthcoming.]
I mean, I'll give you my opinion if you want, but I can't possibly understand what you'd want to know this stuff for. You don't seem like you're from the press.
['Forthcoming' is one way to put it. Naoto isn't in this to make a good impression, nor is she in this for the press. She's in this to do her job, and do it well.]
[She shakes her head, her expression remaining neutral.]
There's no need to worry, this is not an interrogation. I'm a detective and, simply put, I'm seeking the truth. Often, there are many key witnesses the police don't think to question; usually these witnesses are students and young people, such as yourself.
[...Oh. Oh. So that's where he's seen her before. In a good smattering of Akechi's interviews, there was often mention and pictures of his Detective Prince predecessor.
He'll have to be careful. From her reputation, she's not one to take lightly.]
Well, alright then, but I don't think I'll have any new information for you. Looking back at how things went down, I can see why people might be making that connection. It was pretty sudden, after all. But you also need to take into account that a girl tried to kill herself because of him. Even if he was a monster, which he definitely was, something as extreme as that could've been enough of a trigger for him to realize that his crimes weren't just fun and games. He nearly had a death on his hands. Were the Phantom Thieves involved? I mean, they could've been, but I think it was more likely that suicide attempt that triggered the change of heart.
[Naoto catches the flash of recognition in his eyes, and nods.]
Naoto Shirogane. A pleasure to meet you.
[She listens quietly, nodding along. The suicide attempt had been listed in the case report, albeit briefly. But to have something like that trigger a change of heart...it's not out of the question, but Naoto has her doubts.]
I see. As I understand, the school tried to cover up Kamoshida's behavior before things escalated, is this correct?
[Well, giving her his name can't exactly hurt. If she wanted to find it out, he's sure she'd be able to like it was child's play.]
That's right. You might want to go to someone else for better details about that, though... I'm actually just a transfer student. I just started at Shujin this year, so I'm not sure of all the details of what'd gone on before then.
[Considering that the school had given her access to student records for the investigation, she would easily be able to find his name if she tried.]
Intriguing. If it was something that a transfer student noticed, I would say that Kamoshida's behavior was quite severe.
[Ren Amamiya? Had she read that name somewhere?]
I was also lead to believe that Kamoshida had planned on recommending several students be expelled, prior to his change of heart. I believe your name was mentioned there, too.
Ah...right. I was new, but I somehow managed to get on his bad side pretty quickly. Never fully understood why, but I guess it had to do with that the first two friends I'd made there were victims of him in one way or another. Long story short, he didn't take too kindly to anyone who dared to try standing up to him.
[She picks up her pen and writes something down, before continuing. The longer she spends here, the happier she is she stopped for coffee.]
Truth be told, there are those among the police who think the Phantom Thieves are the instigators of the Mental Shutdowns, as well as the change of hearts.
[She shakes her head.]
But if Kamoshida was truly their first victim, that doesn’t make sense. He didn’t bring the media attention that Ichiryusai Madarame or Junya Kaneshiro did, and by all accounts was never held responsible for his behavior. Why would a group of people who worked for the benefit of others cause such wanton destruction?
Right, I've heard about that viewpoint as well. To be honest, it just sounds to me like they're trying to link two mysterious events together without any proof just to make their job easier. Two birds, one stone without checking to see if one of them is even a bird.
[Ren's definitely...not exactly a fan of the police or the justice system, really.]
I'm no Phantom Thieves fanboy, and you probably have more information on them than I do since you're a detective and all, but I really doubt they're behind the shutdowns. Maybe it's a bit of naive hope saying this, but I really don't think a group like them, trying to help others, would go about hurting people.
[Naoto nods in agreement. For a detective, she certainly has feelings about the police and the justice system. Very, very strong feelings.]
Yes. I was once on a case where they ignored obvious evidence that the culprit was still at large, just so they could arrest a suspect. I don't doubt that something similar could be happening here--if the true culprit is difficult to catch, they very well might arrest an innocent man for publicity.
[She would like to say that such things wouldn't happen--but she's been in this field for far too long to have such delusions.]
That's the assumption I've been running under, as well. Legality of their actions aside, what do they gain from all of this? What's their motive?
[Well, at the least, she seems to be aware of that habit of the police. Find the easiest way to "fix" something, sweep it all under the rug as efficiently as possible without actually solving the problem.]
Maybe it's idealistic of me to say so, but honestly, I don't think there's anything that complicated behind it. I think they just want to help people. Save them from being victimized by corrupt individuals who the police and other authorities won't touch. Sure, it's a touch of vigilantism, but when we live in a world where the powerful get away with crimes, and innocent people keep getting more and more hurt and oppressed... We live in kind of a rotten society, you know? And I think they want to fix that.
A rotten society? I would like to say that's hyperbole, but there is some truth to it.
[There are aspects of society she would rather remain unaware of, but as a detective, she has little choice. She's worked with the police more than long enough to know how they operate.]
Perhaps it would be better for me not to say this, but I am not wholly convinced the Phantom Thieves are doing anything illegal. If it's true the murders aren't their doing, the only thing they would be responsible for is the change of hearts. If they had some way to enter a victim's psyche, it's possible they could do so without violence.
[Well, without violence to the actual person, at least. As for all the shadows in the Metaverse... Hoo boy, is Ren accustomed to battle now.]
That definitely makes sense. And...hey. If you don't mind me asking, do you have any deeper theories when it comes to these guys? I've had to hear so much about them thanks to the Kamoshida mess, I can't help be extremely curious about them. You seem to be have a great intuition, I mean, they call you the Detective Prince for a reason. Of course, if it's information you don't want to share with a random student, I definitely understand.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
For Ren!
[Only now there were actual Phantom Thieves, and instead of famous treasures, they were stealing people's 'hearts.' The 'victims' of the Phantom Thieves experienced a change of personality, repenting for past deeds. Their latest victim, Kunikaze Okumura, was found dead after the attempt on his 'heart,' in contrast to the previous targets.]
[That's what the papers in front of her say, anyway. Naoto's gathered what information she can, opting to do some work in a cafe off of a secluded Tokyo sidestreet. The shop was recommended to her by the lead prosecutor on the case, and is perfect for her needs.
Her papers on the case extremely visible, she calls over to the boy working behind the counter.]
Excuse me.
Sorry for the delay, garbo body has been the worst
They're still trying to get their bearings and give Haru time to grieve while they figure out where to go from here, with everything falling to pieces around them. Ren's been doing his best to hold everyone together, and to hold it together himself, though even he can't 100% hide the exhaustion on his face. Even if putting on a mask is one of his talents in more than one way.
His mind is a little more distracted than usual, so he's momentarily startled when he gets called to, but mentally slaps himself awake and walks over.]
How can I help you?
[Though his attention is on the teen in front of him, one that he vaguely feels he might have seen somewhere (TV?), he can't help but notice the papers sitting in front of her.
...Well, that's lovely.]
it's okay! i'm sorry for the delay on my end, too.
Yes, I'd like a small coffee.
[And then Ren's uniform catches her attention. The apron covers most of it, but she can just barely make out the school crest.]
You wouldn't happen to be a student at Shujin, would you?
no subject
[And he gives a little gesture to the menu. If not, he'll just pick out one for...him? Her? The person seems rather androgynous.
That question, though... Ugh. He knew he should have changed before tossing on the apron. With everything that'd been going on since the Kamoshida incident, sometimes being a Shujin student came with extra unwanted attention.]
I am, actually. Did something give it away?
[He goes for a lighter, teasing sort of tone.]
no subject
[Naoto chuckles in response. As someone who once attended a higher profile school, even if she transferred after the murders occurred, she knows how much unwanted attention it brings.]
[Not that she plans on letting up, of course.]
You could call it detective’s intuition. I wager you know what I’m going to ask you about next?
no subject
[He goes to fetch the beans and grind them up, humming a little as they continue to talk. Seriously, did he see them on TV before or something?]
Think I do, but I don't know how much help I'll be.
no subject
Then I'll get straight to the point. What can you tell me about Suguru Kamoshida's change of heart? Many people believe he was the Phantom Thieves' first victim.
no subject
[Ren gives a wry smile. They're certainly...forthcoming.]
I mean, I'll give you my opinion if you want, but I can't possibly understand what you'd want to know this stuff for. You don't seem like you're from the press.
no subject
[She shakes her head, her expression remaining neutral.]
There's no need to worry, this is not an interrogation. I'm a detective and, simply put, I'm seeking the truth. Often, there are many key witnesses the police don't think to question; usually these witnesses are students and young people, such as yourself.
no subject
[...Oh. Oh. So that's where he's seen her before. In a good smattering of Akechi's interviews, there was often mention and pictures of his Detective Prince predecessor.
He'll have to be careful. From her reputation, she's not one to take lightly.]
Well, alright then, but I don't think I'll have any new information for you. Looking back at how things went down, I can see why people might be making that connection. It was pretty sudden, after all. But you also need to take into account that a girl tried to kill herself because of him. Even if he was a monster, which he definitely was, something as extreme as that could've been enough of a trigger for him to realize that his crimes weren't just fun and games. He nearly had a death on his hands. Were the Phantom Thieves involved? I mean, they could've been, but I think it was more likely that suicide attempt that triggered the change of heart.
no subject
Naoto Shirogane. A pleasure to meet you.
[She listens quietly, nodding along. The suicide attempt had been listed in the case report, albeit briefly. But to have something like that trigger a change of heart...it's not out of the question, but Naoto has her doubts.]
I see. As I understand, the school tried to cover up Kamoshida's behavior before things escalated, is this correct?
no subject
[Well, giving her his name can't exactly hurt. If she wanted to find it out, he's sure she'd be able to like it was child's play.]
That's right. You might want to go to someone else for better details about that, though... I'm actually just a transfer student. I just started at Shujin this year, so I'm not sure of all the details of what'd gone on before then.
[Though he'd certainly learned plenty enough.]
no subject
Intriguing. If it was something that a transfer student noticed, I would say that Kamoshida's behavior was quite severe.
[Ren Amamiya? Had she read that name somewhere?]
I was also lead to believe that Kamoshida had planned on recommending several students be expelled, prior to his change of heart. I believe your name was mentioned there, too.
no subject
no subject
[She picks up her pen and writes something down, before continuing. The longer she spends here, the happier she is she stopped for coffee.]
Truth be told, there are those among the police who think the Phantom Thieves are the instigators of the Mental Shutdowns, as well as the change of hearts.
[She shakes her head.]
But if Kamoshida was truly their first victim, that doesn’t make sense. He didn’t bring the media attention that Ichiryusai Madarame or Junya Kaneshiro did, and by all accounts was never held responsible for his behavior. Why would a group of people who worked for the benefit of others cause such wanton destruction?
no subject
[Ren's definitely...not exactly a fan of the police or the justice system, really.]
I'm no Phantom Thieves fanboy, and you probably have more information on them than I do since you're a detective and all, but I really doubt they're behind the shutdowns. Maybe it's a bit of naive hope saying this, but I really don't think a group like them, trying to help others, would go about hurting people.
no subject
Yes. I was once on a case where they ignored obvious evidence that the culprit was still at large, just so they could arrest a suspect. I don't doubt that something similar could be happening here--if the true culprit is difficult to catch, they very well might arrest an innocent man for publicity.
[She would like to say that such things wouldn't happen--but she's been in this field for far too long to have such delusions.]
That's the assumption I've been running under, as well. Legality of their actions aside, what do they gain from all of this? What's their motive?
no subject
Maybe it's idealistic of me to say so, but honestly, I don't think there's anything that complicated behind it. I think they just want to help people. Save them from being victimized by corrupt individuals who the police and other authorities won't touch. Sure, it's a touch of vigilantism, but when we live in a world where the powerful get away with crimes, and innocent people keep getting more and more hurt and oppressed... We live in kind of a rotten society, you know? And I think they want to fix that.
no subject
[There are aspects of society she would rather remain unaware of, but as a detective, she has little choice. She's worked with the police more than long enough to know how they operate.]
Perhaps it would be better for me not to say this, but I am not wholly convinced the Phantom Thieves are doing anything illegal. If it's true the murders aren't their doing, the only thing they would be responsible for is the change of hearts. If they had some way to enter a victim's psyche, it's possible they could do so without violence.
no subject
That definitely makes sense. And...hey. If you don't mind me asking, do you have any deeper theories when it comes to these guys? I've had to hear so much about them thanks to the Kamoshida mess, I can't help be extremely curious about them. You seem to be have a great intuition, I mean, they call you the Detective Prince for a reason. Of course, if it's information you don't want to share with a random student, I definitely understand.
[Yeah, he wants to just...feel this out more.]