Chapter Text
Most people would have the Sunday of their first school week free. Not Kasumi - she had a lot to do.
Kasumi had planned to enter Kamoshida’s Palace that afternoon to “de-rust”, check on her Personas, and get back in the swing of things. That, however, required her to stock up on gear and medicine from Iwai and Takemi respectively. She was fortunately spared from practice that week due to Hiraguchi deciding to allow the sisters time to settle into the school year, but that was just the calm before the storm.
Having to actually train for gymnastics competitions now after a whole year of not doing so felt almost alien to her. At least her skills hadn’t deteriorated thanks to her fighting in the Metaverse.
The other pressing issue was her budget. Kasumi had only brought with her a small part of the fortune she’d made from her Metaverse trips in her old timeline, and while that was plenty to fund her thievery for at least the first few months or so she’d definitely need to spend some time on part-time jobs or in Mementos. Barring that, hopefully she’d get back her money once she re-established contact with the Velvet Room.
Kasumi dipped into the familiar alley in Shibuya and stepped through the door to Untouchable, finding comfort in how familiar the green hue of the shop was, and the burly man sitting at the counter, reading a magazine before he looked up to see her. “Ah. Not often we get customers like you.”
Kasumi tilted her head. “What, a girl’s not allowed to have hobbies?”
Iwai snorted. She had a feeling he would. “Not saying she isn’t. Go on then, don’t let an old man stop you.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” Kasumi laughed, glancing around. “You wouldn’t happen to have one of those Winchester lever-action rifles, would you?”
“Lever-action, huh?” Iwai put down his magazine and got up from his chair. “We don’t display those out here, but if you’re really interested I can get some from the back. Why lever-action though? You got a hankering for the classics?”
“You could say that…” Kasumi chuckled awkwardly. She really could just use a normal pistol, but it was the flair that counts. Ryuji had gotten that old lever-action model for her so long ago as a mistake, but the antique firearm grew on her.
Iwai was the easy part. All she had to do was act like she knew her stuff and be braver than her peers would be. Both were easy, with how much time she’d already spent around the man.
The hard part was convincing Takemi to sell her that medicine. She could just ask to be her guinea pig again…but she knew Takemi was smart. Besides, she knew Ren would need that medicine too, so she didn’t want to get in his way if he tried the same strategy that she did.
Basically: don’t try the same tactic twice.
“My body feels lethargic…”
Takemi looked up at Kasumi as she described her “condition”, unaware that she was, in fact, trying the same tactic twice. Kasumi did manage to get into the exam room, so now she just had to convince Takemi. “Elaborate,” the doctor asked. “Aren’t you…?”
“I’m an athlete, technically,” Kasumi said. “And, no, I’m not doping or anything. It’s just that lately I’ve been getting aches whenever I practice, but I can’t really go get it checked out. I’m not moving like I usually do as well. Maybe it’s temporary, but…”
“Aches, huh…” Takemi leaned back in her chair. “Well, I’m going to prescribe you some painkillers for now, but don’t overuse them too much…”
“Thank you, but…” The gymnast frowned. “”There’s some other stuff I’m doing that I might need something stronger for…”
Takemi narrowed her eyes at her. Kasumi realized how suspicious she was sounding. “I-I’m NOT using them for my gymnastic performance! I promise! I’d never be able to look my sister in the eye if she knew I was getting an unfair advantage that way!”
Takemi still didn’t seem convinced. “Well…on one condition.” She stood up. “There are some…drugs that I need some testing on. You seem to be quite fit, so perhaps I can get some useful data that way.”
“Y-you might do better testing them on more normal people, but…” Kasumi laughed nervously. “I’m fine with that…”
Huh, maybe it’s my past experience with Doctor Takemi speaking. That was easier than I thought.
…I’m not gonna get knocked out by those drugs again, right?
Kasumi and Sumire got to school early the next day. Sumire went to class first, but Kasumi had other plans.
Student council room…here we are. Kasumi knocked on the door, and heard someone call out, “Come in!”
Kasumi opened the door and tried not to jump at the sight of her beloved senpai sitting alone in the student council room. “Hello, I’m here about those openings in the student council…”
Makoto looked up at her and breathed a sigh of relief. “Great, I was a little afraid we wouldn’t get anyone. Can I get your name and class, please? Any positions you’re interested in?”
“Kasumi Yoshizawa, class 1-B, and…I’m willing to perform in any position, but since I’m looking to get experience for now…maybe general affairs?”
“General Affairs, got it.” Makoto diligently noted the gymnast’s preferences on a notepad. “You’re a first-year, right? Kasumi Yoshizawa…oh, you’re one of the honor students.”
Kasumi nodded. “I figured I’d live up to my position. Besides, I think the experience would help.” And I really just wanna spend more time with you, Senpai…
“I appreciate it, but aren’t you busy with your sports…?” Makoto asked. “I wouldn’t want you to fall behind due to having to juggle student council work as well…”
“It’s fine, Senpai,” Kasumi smiled. Heck, the schedule she had during her own Journey was far more hectic.
“Well, if you’re sure…” Makoto looked down at her notes and nodded. “Thank you, Yoshizawa-kun. You should get to your classes now.”
Kasumi bowed and left, and she was smiling to herself all the way up to her classroom, which Sumire seemed to notice. “Um, Sis? You look happier than usual?”
“Mm? Do I…?”
“Hey, did you hear about that transfer student?” “Apparently he hasn’t arrived at school yet, and it’s lunchtime…” “Hey, he’s got a criminal record, right? No wonder…”
Kasumi had dipped down to the second floor for a bit of eavesdropping, and what she heard confirmed her suspicions: Ren and Ryuji had gotten “lost” on their way to school. A part of her wanted to check in on the Palace right there and then, but she had to keep up her appearance as an honor student.
She’d just have to count on Morgana keeping them safe…
“Here,” Kasumi handed a water bottle over to Sumire. “I’ll be a bit busy this afternoon, don’t wait for me.”
Sumire blinked at her sister. Kasumi had been busier than usual these days, but she didn’t ask. It wasn’t her business after all. “Right, um…good luck, Sis.”
Kasumi smiled. “Thanks, Sumi.” She turned back to the vending machine to grab a second bottle of water, before heading downstairs herself…only to find Sumire stopping just around the corner, peering down at something on the second floor. “Sis? What-”
“You told me to stay away from Mr. Kamoshida…” Sumire said, gesturing downstairs.
There was the man himself, conversing with Kobayakawa. Kamoshida was complaining about Amamiya being allowed into the school, and Kobayakawa was trying to butter him up.
Kasumi remembered the conversation going somewhat differently when it was her they were talking about. There was more talk of Kamoshida “redeeming” Kasumi, “helping” her overcome her record. She wasn’t sure which was worse.
“He…kind of does sound like a creep…” Sumire whispered to Kasumi. “Is that why you had a bad feeling about him?”
“Yeah…” Creep doesn’t even begin to describe him.
Mercifully, the two men split up soon after, and the siblings headed downstairs to find Ren standing a short distance away, no doubt having finished eavesdropping. Kasumi decided to casually walk over to him and hold out her water bottle. “Here, Amamiya-senpai.”
Ren looked at her in surprise. “Are you…giving that to me?”
“It’s not poisoned or anything, don’t you worry,” Kasumi smirked. “Just take it.”
Ren reluctantly accepted Kasumi’s water, not entirely sure what to do with it. “We…met at Cafe Leblanc, right? What was that for? You’ve heard about my criminal record already…”
“Yeah, I know.” Kasumi folded her arms. “Buuuuut, I don’t think a person’s past defines them, and I make it a point not to believe everything I hear. Besides, I’ve got a good eye for people. Don’t let it get you down, OK? I’m sure you’ll find people who’ll look past the surface.”
Ren blinked. “T-thanks…”
Around them, people were already talking. “Hey, isn’t that the first-year honor student?” “Yoshizawa? Why’s she talking with the criminal?” “Shit, you think he’s got blackmail on her or something?” “Maybe she’s just being nice…”
Oh my goddddd, please shut up the lot of you.
“Have a good day, Amamiya-senpai,” Kasumi waved as she walked away. “Just wanted you to know not everyone’s gonna look at you like a criminal. I thought that might brighten up your day.”
Ren watched as she left. She was right - it did make him dread the coming year just a bit less.
Sumire had watched the exchange happen from the stairs. If Kasumi trusted Ren, then maybe…
Back to the castle again…
The bad news was that Kasumi didn’t sense her other Personas within her, only Anastasia, which did limit her options somewhat. The good news was that Anastasia was incredibly powerful, having remained in the same state that she did at the tail end of Maruki’s Palace, which meant Kasumi could probably brute-force her way through Kamoshida’s guards with just Anastasia.
She’d prefer to avoid conflict if possible, though.
Kasumi dug through her memories for her first trip into the Palace with Ryuji. Right, so we got captured…I awakened, and we found Morgana, and we escaped through…that ventilation shaft there, on the side.
She could just bust through the front door. That’d send a message. But it wasn’t really one she wanted to send yet.
Kasumi immediately ducked into cover behind the door once she got through, hearing footsteps on the other side. “Damn them!” One of the Shadow guards cursed loudly. “Where could they have gone?”
“Search this room!” Ordered another. “I’ll check down the hallway!”
This room?
Kasumi repositioned just in time to get out of the way of the door opening at the Shadow knight burst in, looking around. The darkness concealed her well, but she knew there was only one way out.
Time to see if she still had it.
Kasumi emerged from behind the closing door and leapt onto the Shadow, her practiced fingers already finding the guard’s mask. “Wha-!?”
“Let’s dance!”
The mask tore off cleanly, and Kasumi leapt off as the Shadow transformed into two stunned Bicorns. “Let’s end this in one strike! Anastasia, Maeigaon!”
The princess-like Persona hovering above Kasumi swept her arms and conjured a wave of Curse energy towards the Shadows, and one of them looked up. “D-dark magic! Ha! You can’t-” But he was interrupted as the Maeigaon consumed them both, eroding them and leaving naught behind but black smoke.
…Wait, weren’t Bicorns resistant to Curse? Kasumi frowned to herself. And I still killed them in one hit?
“I do believe it is quite indicative of the power gap between us and the vile king’s troops. Still, it would be wise to conserve our strength and avoid unnecessary conflict.”
That’s the plan, yeah.
Kasumi peeked out from the room and glanced around. To her left - clear. To her left…the other Shadow from before was, rather inconveniently, turning around just in time to see her peek out. “Who are-!?”
Oh, I see how it is!
Before the Shadow could react, Kasumi rushed forward and tackled it with surprising strength, knocking it through the door and onto the ground as she ripped off its mask in one swift motion and thrust her rapier into its now exposed face. The Shadow twitched and dissipated on the spot, and Kasumi leapt back…only to find herself facing five Shadows, including a golden-armored one, gathered in the foyer.
“Intruder!” “Who is she? She is not one of those insects-” “It matters not! Bring her to King Kamoshida!”
Kasumi groaned as all of the Shadows turned into a rather large, eclectic group of Bicorns, Incubi and Succubi, led by an Archangel. “You know, you don’t need more than two to tango…” Still, it was a perfect opportunity to see whether or not Anastasia was capable of bulldozing through the Palace, and her escape route was still clear.
“Maeigaon!”
The mass of Shadows that had been charging towards her were too slow to get out of the way of the Maeigaon, and the Dark wave swept away everything in front of Kasumi, including the Archangel, leaving behind only the two Succubi that were, rather inconveniently, immune to Curse damage. That didn’t stop those two from being absolutely terrified that this single intruder had swept away a whole squad’s worth of troops without breaking a sweat. “W-w-what do you think you’re doing, intruder!?” screeched one of the surviving Shadows, finding a tiny bit of confidence in her ability to withstand the Maeigaon. “You come in here, thrashing King Kamoshida’s castle, thinking you can dethrone him-”
The Succubus was interrupted courtesy of a bullet to her head, with Kasumi having leveled her pistol at her. The other Shadow flinched and fell to the ground, holding her arms up in surrender. “M-mercy! No way I go out like this, right? That’d be lame, right!?”
“It would be…” Kasumi said, shrugging. “But now you see who’s got the real power around here. Why not come fight for me?” She held out a hand towards the Succubus.
“What are you talking-” The Shadow blinked, then, as if remembering something, got back up and shook her head. “I remember now, just from talking to you somehow…I am Succubus. I belong not to this place, but to the Sea of Souls. If you want to be with me that much, then I suppose I shall become your mask…”
Good to see I’ve still got negotiation down pat, Kasumi smiled to herself as she absorbed Succubus into her mask, sensing Anastasia laughing in recognition in her head. …Then again, maybe it’s because I still have some familiarity with Succubus in my soul.
She remembered the trouble Succubus had caused for her whenever she let her take the reins in the real world. Why would you make me flirt with Iwai-san!? That was just mortifying! Although Makoto seemed to appreciate it later down the line…
And just like that, the foyer was quiet. Kasumi sheathed her rapier and sighed. Well, the power difference was clear, but to have caused that much noise…
“Psst! Ponytail! Over here!”
Kasumi looked to her left and saw a familiar, round feline creature poking his head out of the door that she’d just kicked a Shadow through earlier, gesturing for her to follow him. “Hey, I won’t lie and say that what you did wasn’t impressive, but I don’t want to wait around for reinforcements!”
Kasumi laughed. “Alright, alright, I’m coming!” She followed Morgana down the hallway and straight into a nearby Safe Room, feeling the room distort around her into a storage room from the real-world Shujin.
Morgana panted as he leapt on the table. “OK, OK, first off…who are you? You definitely don’t seem like a friend of Kamoshida’s, but you’ve got a way different aura than those two amateurs who wandered in here earlier…you cleaned up that big mob of Shadows like it was nothing, and my power readings from you are off the charts.”
“Enough with the flattery…” Kasumi said. “You can call me Rose. I’m here because I do NOT like Kamoshida and I want his heart changed. Don’t worry, I’m a good person. I think.”
“You think!?” Morgana gaped. “Well…fine, I’ll take your word for it. Judging from the way you were fighting, you’re definitely a step above Frizzy Hair and that numbskull. Heh, I think you might even be a professional in the making.” It grinned. “You do know how everything works, right?”
“Personas, Shadows, the Metaverse? Yep, I have experience.”
“Mrowr, it’s like the universe sent you down like a guardian angel to help me!” Morgana purred in delight. “My name is Morgana. Like you, I want Kamoshida taken down for my own reasons…but, more importantly, I’m looking for my own memories here. Since you’ve proven yourself more than capable of carrying your weight, what say we team up for the time being? Maybe then I won’t have to carry those two idiots through this castle if they do decide to come back…”
Oh, they will. “Um, before we get to that…” Kasumi folded her arms. “Can you tell me about those two that were in here earlier? Did they have Personas, too?”
“Well, one of them did,” Morgana replied. “He didn’t seem to have full control of it either, but it’s better than nothing. You, on the other hand, could probably run through this whole place by yourself if you really wanted to!”
“I’d rather not take that risk alone…” Kasumi chuckled awkwardly. Something crossed her mind. When Ryuji and I came in here, we saw the state of the male prisoners…but I’m still not entirely sure where all the girls are. “But, if we’re here, there’s something I’d like to ask you for help real quick. Do you know where all the, um, girls are kept here? The cognitions of the school’s real-life female students.”
“The girls?” Morgana tilted his round head. “Hmm…I think I know where they are, but why would you want to find them?”
“To confirm a theory of mine,” she replied. On how much of a creep Kamoshida really is. “Think you can do that, Mona-sorry, Morgana?”
The feline puffed out his chest. “Hmph, who do you think you’re talking to? I’m the best guide you could ever ask for through the Metaverse.”
Kasumi grinned. “Counting on you, then.”
The duo made their way past the armory, and down to where Kasumi recalled was where Ann awakened. Kasumi ambushed and made short work of another patrol on the way, this time relying solely on her rapier and gun.
“You’re incredible, Rose!” Morgana was gushing again. “You didn’t even have to bring out your Persona!”
“Using Anastasia does tax me a bit, so I try not to whenever I can help it.” Kasumi folded her arms. “Besides, I can easily kill 2 or 3 Shadows anyway by myself.”
“I do wonder where you learned all those techniques…” Morgana put a paw to his chin in thought. “All those acrobatics - those Shadows couldn’t touch you. I’ve been wondering, though - why do you hate Kamoshida?”
Kasumi shrugged. “Let’s just say that, once upon a time, Kamoshida made three very big mistakes. One was ruining my chance at a normal school life. Two: being responsible for the near-death of a friend, a kind girl who didn’t deserve what he did to her. And three: threatening my sister. Nobody threatens Sumire and gets to live.”
“Créature répugnante. He would have ruined our sister as he did Dame Suzui. I weep not for him.”
“Yeesh…” Morgana winced, almost scared, as he led the gymnast deeper into the castle. “Anyways, I recall seeing some of the feminine cognitions in here…wait, I hear something. Hide.”
Kasumi and Morgana peered around the corner into the chamber where Kamoshida, in his ridiculous cape-and-speedo getup, was pacing the room restlessly. She also saw, out of the corner of her eye, the bikini-clad false Ann.
“Those damn rabble…” She heard Kamoshida mutter her breath. “They come into MY castle and lock me inside my own cells? I’ll have their heads for this…but first, I need to unwind!”
“Awww, that’s the spirit, my lord!” The cognitive Ann purred, gesturing towards the X-cross. “I’m all yours~Unless you want to use one of the other girls…?”
Kasumi saw them - the writhing, teasing figures of the other volleyball team girls on the floor, with faces she could now make out. It disgusted her. “...I’ve seen enough. Morgana, we’re leaving.”
“So that’s what he thinks of those girls…?” Morgana said, frowning, though his gaze lingered on the cognitive Ann for a little longer than he would have dared to admit.
They hid behind a chair just as a Shadow ran by, presumably to report something to Kamoshida. “Y-your Majesty, our patrol in the foyer just went completely silent!”
“What!?”
Yeah, that would be me, jackass.
“Leaving so soon?” Morgana asked once he and Kasumi were outside the castle. “To be honest, I could have used your help with more…then again, I am a bit tired after having to get those two boys out.”
“I didn’t have a lot planned on this trip, either,” Kasumi said. “That said, though, I’ve got two favors to ask of you. One is…if those two boys ever come back, and they WILL come back, don’t mention my presence to them, alright? I’ve got my own agenda for now and I’d rather not reveal my hand early.”
Morgana frowned, but he didn’t seem to disagree. “You got it. Not that I’d want to mess with you anyway. And…?”
“Second is…” Kasumi sighed. “I’m hoping she doesn’t just waltz in here, but if she does…if you meet a girl named Sumire in the Metaverse - red hair, glasses - please do everything in your power to protect her. She’s…she’s my sister.”
Morgana’s eyes widened a bit. “Well…let’s hope she doesn’t just wander in here, yeah?”
“Let’s hope so.” I feel like I’m tempting fate. Kasumi reached out a hand to pet Morgana on his head. “Thanks, Morgana. You’ve been a great help.”
“Meow…hey, wait!” Morgana jumped mid-purr. “Don’t get any funny ideas! I’m NOT a cat!”
…How do I tell him?
“Hey, look, isn’t that the Yoshizawa sisters?” “You mean those two girls? I guess so…” “They’re so thin…it’s not fair, I have my hair in a ponytail too…”
I have no idea how that’s related to being thin…
Kasumi sighed to herself as the train entered the station. She tried to remember what was going on - yesterday was her (and thus, Ren’s) first trip into the Metaverse, meaning he and Ryuji should be going into the castle again after school today. Now that she had a good idea of her capabilities, she thought it might be a good idea to follow them.
A part of her wanted to offer her help right away, but…
“Patience, Dame. The Phantom Thieves must grow by their own merit. Your interference could hinder their development.”
Yeah, that’s true…they might start relying on me if they knew how strong I was. I can’t have that.
It felt strange, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves in one timeline and now being effectively an outsider to them. Truth be told, she wasn’t entirely sure how to handle this either, but for the time being, passive observation and letting things happen seemed to be the right idea.
“Psst, empty seat…” Kasumi nudged Sumire as she watched a businessman get up off one of the train seats, leaving it open. The two sisters locked eyes with each other, both thinking the same thing-
“JAN~KEN~HOI!”
…
“Every time!” Sumire cried out in despair as Kasumi sank into the seat with a triumphant grin. “How do you beat me at rock-paper-scissors every time!?”
“Maybe try not picking paper for once!” Kasumi stuck her tongue out at her.
Sumire pouted as Kasumi reclined in her seat, listening to the people around them chatting about current events. There was that incident about the train ramming into a station because its conductor had a psychotic breakdown, which Kasumi recognized as a deliberate attempt to get the Minister of Transportation and his subordinates - who were anti-Shido - to resign in disgrace.
She glanced up at the train board. Oh, we’re almost there…There was an elderly woman standing in front of her, in the middle of the crowded train.
Kasumi stood up. “Oh, please, take my seat. My station’s coming up.”
“Are you sure?” The old woman looked surprised, though grateful. “Then…”
But, almost the moment Kasumi left the seat, another man in a suit sat right down, stealing it from the elderly woman. “O-oh wow, what speed!” Sumire exclaimed.
…Wait, I’ve seen this before.
No sooner had Kasumi thought that than had she noticed a familiar frizzy-haired boy stepping in. “Excuse me, that seat was for her…”
But the man had already nodded off. Kasumi, Sumire and Ren exchanged glances, then Kasumi bowed apologetically to the old woman. “I can understand his position as well, but…sorry I couldn’t help.”
“It’s all right, dearie,” The old lady smiled. “Don’t you worry.”
“History has a tendency to rhyme, does it not, Dame?”
“Please allow us to carry your luggage, then!” Sumire chimed in. “It’s the least we can do!”
“Amamiya-senpai, wait up!”
Kasumi called out as she and Sumire ran towards Ren, catching up to him as he left the station. “Thank you for sticking up for us earlier there, Amamiya-senpai.”
“I didn’t do much in the end…” Ren said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
“It’s the thought that counts!” Sumire exclaimed. “We keep running into each other, huh? First at the cafe, then at school…”
“Sakura-san says you two drop by often…” Ren said, an idea popping into his head. “Would that be…because you girls wanted to see me?”
Kasumi’s reaction was to burst out laughing. Excellent! He inherited my sense of humor! Sumire, on the other hand, turned red as a tomato. “W-wha-!? I…”
“I’m joking, I’m joking,” Ren backtracked quickly. “Sorry, we should get to school.”
He gave a wave as he walked ahead of the sisters, and Kasumi waved back…only to narrow her eyes at her sister. “...Sumireeeee, your face is red.”
“I-it is!?” The younger sibling gasped. “U–um, it’s nothing! He’s just…nicer than I expected, is all!”
“Sureeeee.” Kasumi wasn’t sure whether to smirk or facepalm.
“I’m gonna drop by the student council room,” Kasumi said, as the sisters were leaving school for the day. “Don’t wait for me.”
“Oh, sure…”
Sumire frowned to herself. Kasumi was spending a lot more time away from her these days. She seemed busy…but with what? A part of her wanted to follow Kasumi to try to find out, but she didn’t want to infringe on her sister’s privacy like that…and besides, she seemed to be doing well.
There was also something else she was thinking about: Ren. There were all those rumors about him and his criminal record, which painted a negative picture of him, but they were just that. Rumors. What she trusted more was her personal experience with him, and from what she saw, Ren was just a nice guy with unfortunate circumstances. Kasumi seemed to trust him, too. She wondered why.
Oh, speaking of…
Sumire saw Ren hanging out at the school gate, alongside a blonde-haired boy. She recalled he was a known delinquent. Ryuji Sakamoto, I think his name was? What are they doing, anyway?
A part of her did want to talk to Ren more, see what kind of person he was. She began walking towards him. “Um, senpai…?”
“Suguru Kamoshida, Shujin Academy, Castle. Beginning navigation.”
Ryuji was cheering at something as Sumire approached. “There we go! Then we went in a certain direction and-” He looked up, and saw Sumire approaching. “Hey, wait-”
M-my head! What’s going-
“I’m on the student council now, hehehehe…” Kasumi was squeeing internally as she left the school, having dropped by to confirm her position with Makoto again. General Affairs - fortunately, the other positions were filled. “A-anyways! If I’m correct, right now they should be…”
There was no one at the gate, meaning Ren and Ryuji must have left for the Metaverse again. She thought it might be wise to shadow them, but she’d need to call Sumire first and tell her she was going to be a bit late.
…
Sumire didn’t answer.
Kasumi frowned. Sumire’s phone was perfectly fine this time around. She stared at the phone as it continued to dial tone on Sumire’s number, sending her to voicemail. Twice.
That’s weird. Where could Sis have gone? Kasumi closed her eyes in thought. Amamiya and Ryuji should be in the castle by now…if I recall correctly, he just activated my phone out here, right in front of the school…
…Don’t tell me!
Kasumi’s eyes widened in panic as she sprinted into the alley to enter the Metaverse herself.