Persona BLEACHED 3: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Soul Carnival
August 18, 2029
Early night at the Academy. The track field was now covered by a large assortment of festival booths. Accompanying the booths was a sea of families all about the place. 
"Not even a lick of booze...guess I shouldn't be surprised." Kabu sighed.
"You really think putting beer near a bunch of teenagers on a Saturday night is a good idea?" Kibō asked.
"Hence why I said 'I shouldn't be surprised'. Would've been nice to take the edge off, at least."
Barbara walked over to Kibō. "Howdy, big guy~. Did Ms. Kyoko make the trip?"
"Oh, did she ever." Kabu answered.
"She feeling alright? I know it's been a rough few weeks."
"You can ask her yourself." Kibō motioned over to where his mother was, busy chatting with some of the other students' mothers.
"I'm starting to think they're already building alliances." Kabu mused.
"...so then Bautista just stands there and says, 'you won't be able to deal with me since I'm so incredibly still, I'm actually invisible.' So I pick him right up..." Kyoko explained.
"You picked that guy up?" Annette asked.
"Sweets, you see this? This is alllll muscle. Tossing around peeps bigger than me was my specialty."
"And they were never upset by that?" Joon questioned.
"These boys get their asses kicked for a living. Most of them just laughed it off. It was all part of the fun. Only thing is, you hoist up as many beefy guys as I have and you start getting a few crinks and cramps around here..." Kyoko rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yeah, that's no place to mess with, Kyoko. Nothing worse than a pain in the neck." Annette said.
"Honeeeeeey!" Wei called out.
Joon lightly shook her head. "Annette, dear, I think you might be psychic. *sigh* What is it, Wei?"
"Hiiiiii." Wei waved and cheekily walked away.
Joon, clearly annoyed, adjusted her glasses. "Insufferable. Absolutely insufferable."
"Hon, I'll tell you from experience, I'll take an annoying goof over a beer-chugging brute." Annette said. "Oh, no offense, Lily."
"None taken." Lily muttered.
"Hey, it talks!" Kyoko exclaimed.
Elsewhere, the class' booth was being manned by Max and Natalia. "Sheesh, guess people around here really have sweet tooths. We might run out of cakes at this rate." Max said. "You hanging in there, Nat?"
"Oh, yeah. Totally fine. Just have a ton of people eating my sweets and probably judging me for it." Natalia replied.
"You're doing great, sweetie." Sophia assured from beside the booth.
"Keep taking deep breaths. Try imagining everyone in their underwear!" Yannick added.
"Ew! Have you seen some of the people taking cake, Papa?! Are you trying to give me nightmares?!" Natalia griped.
"Your little friend is an anxious sort, isn't she?" Melinda asked.
"Her confidence is still a work in progress, Auntie. She's doing wonderful." Carrie replied.
"Least we've hit a bit of a lull. We can catch our breaths for a sec--" Max commented.
"Yo yo yo." Nabil suddenly appeared.
"--ond. What's up, man? Come back for seconds already?"
"Maxie, I'm gonna be straight with you. Gotta let you in on a little secret."
"Kay, this is really unwarranted, and I'm a little uncomfortable, but what's up?"
"Well, you're my bro's roomie, so you're basically family at this point, so I'm gonna level with you...I can't eat this cake."
"Why not?"
"I...gotta have my topping on it."
"Your topping?"
"You mean like sugar or syrup or...?" Natalia questioned.
"Nah, none of that." Nabil denied.
"Well what do you want?" Max asked, growing annoyed.
Clea and Crea rose up from behind Nabil. "Maxie, you've gotta give him his stuff." they chimed.
"Well what the hell is his stuff?"
Nabil then held up his phone, on which there was a single image: a bottle of hot sauce.
"...no." uttered a stunned Max. "No way."
"Listen, man, ever since I was a kid, I have this thing where I've gotta put hot sauce on everything I eat."
"There's no way...what do you mean everything?"
"On my fruits, my vegetables, my meat, my drinks..."
"Do you put hot sauce in your milk, bro?!" Max exclaimed, flabbergasted. "Are you putting hot sauce in your fruit cocktails, boy?"
"...so you got any on you?"
"Bro. We're handing out desserts. No, we don't have hot sauce."
"Hey guys, what's happening?" Sahir arrived.
"Nabil needs his stuff and Maxie doesn't have any." the girls replied.
"Seriously? You didn't bring your bottle with you?"
"I left it in the hotel room." Nabil replied.
"Oh, Maxie, you gotta find him his stuff."
"We don't have his stuff! We're handing out cake, not tacos!" Max griped.
"Missed opportunity, I think." Kat said as she walked past.
"I'll, um...I'll go find him some hot sauce..." Natalia muttered.
"No no no, this is my cross to bare, I'll go find it. Can you hold the fort while I'm gone?" Max asked.
"Nope...but I have to anyway."
Max rubbed his head, exasperated.
"Kind of a pickle poor Sparky's gotten himself into, huh, Care Bear? And...more mature but blue Care Bear." Kat said.
"Turquoise, to be accurate." Melinda corrected.
"Auntie Melinda, this is my friend Kat. Or Kitten, as I affectionately call her." Carrie said.
"Ah, the sarcastic one with a fascination for monkeys and obscure humor. Charmed." Melinda replied.
"Ditto. But, the former kinda took a hit after last week..." Kat readjusted her glasses.
Observing, Natalia puffed her cheeks. "Danish, are you doing OK?" Sophia asked her.
"Yeah, Mama, I'm fine...too much hot sauce talk." Natalia responded.
"Sorry to cut introductions short, but I need to give your uncle a call..." Melinda said. She began looking through her purse. "...oh. Oh, no."
"What's the matter?" Carrie asked.
"My...wallet is missing. I know I had it when I came here. And I keep it so secure...where could it have gone? Oh, no..."
"I'm guessing that's one heck of a bank account someone just got access to. You sure you haven't taken it out?" Kat asked.
"I've had no need to...how could someone take it without me noticing? Oh, what am I to do..."
Kat had a realization. "...I might know one way. Wait here." She turned to walk away.
"Kitten, you don't think...?" Carrie asked.
"I hope that I'm wrong. But if I'm not wrong, someone's about to get an earful."
Kat walked through the crowds, and came across a familiar sight.
"Mamaaa...too loud...too many people..." Shizuka griped, while clutching tightly onto Rin's leg.
"Sorry, lovebug, but I can't turn the volume up any more without hurting your ears. You'll need to turn it off for a little while." Rin replied.
"I'll go look for some food. Maybe that can soothe her." Rose suggested.
"Ooh, bribing her with food. Expert technique from our resident power couple." Kat walked over. On sight, Shizuka ran over and clutched onto her leg. "Oof, and there's my favorite little person in the world. What's the matter? Too many people around?"
"We had to give her headphones a break. Poor thing started playing around with the volume." Rose replied.
"D'aww, poor little princess. Really don't like crowds, do you? I know people are scary, but what are you gonna do if you get big and famous one day? Can't be scared forever, can ya?"
Shizuka didn't respond, only clutched Kat tighter. 
"You'll get there eventually, princess. Hey, have either of you seen...any snakes around here?" Kat asked.
"Snakes?" Rin questioned.
"Not that I've noticed." Rose added.
"Maybe I should be more specific. Any green-and-black snakes walking around on two legs?"
"Snake with legs...oh! Oh. I think I have seen a snake like that. Down that way talking with Tsutsugo." Rin replied.
"Birds of a feather. Thanks, Prof."
"What did she do this time?" Rose asked.
"Hopefully nothing. But if it's something, I'm taking care of it myself." Kat started to walk away, yet Shizuka refused to release her grip. "Yeesh, she's like a koala. Normally I wouldn't mind a hug, but Kitty Kat's got business to take care of. Prof, could you give me a hand here?"
"Come on, lovebug..." Rin managed to pry away a resistant Shizuka.
"If I haven't been dragged away, I'll try to come around again. Then you can meet my parents. Be a good girl til then." Kat went on her way.
In another area of the festival, true to what Rin suggested, Lin was speaking with Ryōma. "Heck of a little slice of life you've gotten for yourself, Tsugi. Prime job and a little family. How do you do it?" she asked.
"Breathing and moving." Ryōma deadpanned.
"Hey, don't take the snark from me. You know what I mean. What we've seen, what we can do. We just got done rubbing shoulders with robo-demigods. Dude, we just got back from the moon. The moon! Right there, up in the sky, that thing right there. It's insane! How can you just pretend that everything's normal after all of that?"
"Already told ya. Breathing and moving. Not thinking about it. Easier said than done for you, I'd bet. What with the scales and everything."
"You wound me, Tsugi. But I just can't get past it like you can. I went to the moon and got stabbed through the heart. How am I supposed to get over that? And I can't shake this feeling that...we got off too easy. You and me, and Meemster and the magnolia girl. All the awful crap we pulled, and we just get to walk away, like nothing? I know the redhead has a bleeding heart, but is it really okay to just be hanging around like the last year didn't happen?"
"You really gonna complain? Or would you rather be swimming around with Kirby-chan in the river of muck? It's over, it's done. Not gonna sit around dwelling on it."
"But that's my thing, Tsugi. What if it isn't done? Like, I know Pitty and his peeps are gone. But it can't just be the four of us, right? He'd always boast about how we numbered in the thousands. There just have to be more. And I guarantee they aren't so sweet on the apple lady. Or our happy lot pretending that everything's fine."
"Well my response to that is, if Pittacus and the others couldn't beat them, whatever grunts are still lurking out there have no shot. It ain't worth wracking my brain over."
"Easy as that, huh? Cool as a cucumber as always, 'Creon'. Guess that's easy when you're dressed like one."
"Cute, from someone with wasabi in their hair." 
"Ryo!" A brown-haired woman in a purple blouse arrived, holding a small boy. "Little man found the carnival games. He wants to see his daddy throw at the bottles."
"Ohhh, he does, does he? Can't say no to a challenge." Ryōma replied.
"Cute kid, Tsugi." Lin commented.
"Oh, hello. I'm Junko. Are you a friend of Ryo's?" the woman asked.
"I'm Lin. Yeah, I'm a...friend from work." Lin patted Ryōma on the shoulder. "Good catching up, Tsugi. Catch you on the flip side." She walked away.
"Is it just me, or were her eyes..." Junko pondered.
"Lady was like a lizard!" the boy exclaimed.
"Hey, pipe down. She's got a...condition." Ryōma replied. "Alright, point me to the bottle booth."
As Lin walked away, someone called for her. "Lin."
"Oh, hey kitten. What's the 411?"
Kat put her hand out. "Hand it over."
"Uhhh, hand what over? My heart? Cuz you've already got that."
"Don't try buttering me up. You know what."
"No, I...really don't."
"My friend's aunt can't find her wallet. She hadn't taken it out since getting here. See, when my friend's wealthy aunt can't find her credit cards, that tells me someone swiped it."
"Well it wasn't me."
"Lin. Come on."
"So. It wasn't me. Just because something pops up missing when I'm around doesn't mean I took it."
"Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it does."
"Well this is the one. Look." Lin showed the pockets in her pants and jacket. "Nothing, see? Just my phone. I know your mates think I'm still a piece of garbage, but I haven't taken anything. I might be a good tree to bark up, but I'm not the one you're looking for."
Kat sighed. "I want to believe you. I'm choosing to believe you. Now I've actually gotta pin down who did take it. But Lin...I'm really tight with this girl. If I find out you did have something to do with it...if you stole from the only family she has left...after drilling into me that you're done stealing things..."
"So, I promise you I'm off that wagon. Swear on the dagger. Our dagger. Look at my eyes and my teeth. I'm one awful hit from turning into a monster. I'm not risking that on some extra cash. I don't blame you for thinking of me first. Can't say I haven't earned it."
"Okay, then. I'm gonna keep looking around. Don't give me a reason to come hunting you down again." Kat walked away.
"I'm gonna try my damndest, kitten. Turning into a snake would be the least of my problems."
Kat continued walking. "(Said I was gonna keep looking, but I don't even know where to start. Could just be some rando. Could've walked away already. But I can't go back with nothing after being so sure it was Lin...ugh, this sucks!)" she thought.
"Kat-san, there you are." Sakuya called out.
"Oh, hey Maggie. Your mom not with you?" Kat asked.
"Your mother and some of the other mothers have her occupied at the moment. I'm surprised to find you alone. I would've assumed you'd be around everyone else."
"Well, I would. But I'm dealing with a crisis. Care Bear's auntie lost her wallet, and I'm trying to find something close to a lead. No dice so far."
"Oh, dear, that's awful. Have you considered..."
"I already asked Lin. Unless she's stuffed it somewhere unmentionable, it's not her."
"Can you really be certain? Sorry if this sounds presumptuous, but you aren't the most impartial party when it comes to her."
"Mags, I've got so little tolerance for my sister's bullshit these days that I could get a rash just from thinking about it. If it is her that took it, I'll kick her ass myself. It'd be long overdue. But I don't think it's her, and I'm all out of ideas."
"Hmm...this is just throwing an idea out there, but I'd be looking at the sushi booth."
"The sushi booth? The one Captain Majima and his merry band are running?"
"Captain...Majima?"
"Eyepatch man. It's a 'Yakuza' char--ugh, forget it! I guess I can see that. If it's not a thief, you've gotta look at the former gangsters."
"Precisely. Higashikata-sama wouldn't do it himself, given his own wealth, but I'd start looking at his employees. Kenneth-san and his family were over there when I came by, maybe they saw something that I didn't."
"Good an idea as any. Let's hope your intuition's better than mine. See ya, Mags."
Kat made her way to the sushi booth, and was met with a confounding sight. "What the..."
"Theeere once was a ship, that put to sea, and the name of the ship, was the Billy-O'Tea, the winds blew up, her bow dipped down, blow me Billy boys blow~!" 
Catherine was directing a group of eight suited men wearing aprons, Kaido included. Kenneth, Suzie next to him, rubbed his head. Shūjo, with Hiyoko next to him holding Aura, stood mouth agape.
"Soon may the wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum, one day when the tonguin is done, we'll take our leave and go~!" the men sang back.
Kat snuck next to Kenneth. "So...she knows sea shanties." she uttered.
"Indeed, she does. Can you understand why I compare you with her so often?" he replied.
"The pieces are starting to fit together. Hey, you haven't seen anyone with a fancy wallet running around, have you?"
"Not recently, no. Any particular reason, or is this part of some bizarre punchline?"
"I'm afraid it's no joke, Kenny. Care's auntie lost her wallet, and I'd like to make sure it doesn't stay lost."
"That is rather problematic. You're thinking any of these 'reformed' gangsters might be the culprit?"
"It's what I'm here to find out. Gotta ask the bossman if I can chat with his boys."
Kat walked over to the ex-kingpin. "Bossman. I've got a proposition for ya." she said with a faux-New York accent.
"Alright, but you're gonna have to cut that voice. For real." Shūjo replied.
"Okay, fine. Killjoy. Hey, is that a Hoodsie original the little lady has on?"
"Yes, indeed. She had the brilliant idea to make it look like a snowy owl. Even then, it took a while to get the design just right, didn't it?" Hiyoko asked.
"I look just like Hoots." Aura replied, referring to her ever-present owl plush.
"Hoodsie doesn't do bad work. But before I get too distracted, I do have some serious business to talk about. The aunt of one of my friends had her wallet swiped. There's some serious coin in jeopardy here, and I'd like to get a hold of it sooner than later." Kat explained.
"You think it could've been one of my guys?" Shūjo asked.
"I don't mean to offend if it's what you're thinking, but I'm low on solid leads. If you could help me out for a sec, I'll be on my way. I just want to help my friend out."
"Hey, I get it. Just let me get these dimwits in order. Oy, break it up! Singing practice is done!"
"Hey, what's the big idea, Boss? We were just getting into rhythm!" Kaido griped.
"Pal, ain't nothing about you screams 'rhythm'. Now listen up. Someone in this shindig has a case of the sticky fingers, and I'm gonna make sure it's none of you lot. All of y'all, empty your pockets. And if any of you embarrass me here today, so help me..."
The workers all glanced around. "You heard your boss, boys. Empty 'em out. If you've got nothing to hide, then there's no problem, right?" Kat asked.
Wordlessly, the men began emptying their pockets. Shūjo took one look at what Kaido took out, and shook his head. "'Animal Crossing', dude? Seriously?" Kaido had a keychain shaped like one of the animals from the laid-back game series.
"Hey, don't judge the man for having taste." Kat retorted.
"This is bullshit, man." one bald worker griped.
"Hey, zip your yap. I don't see you moving your hands any." Shūjo chastised.
Kat got right up in the man's face. "What's the matter? It's nothing embarrassing, is it? I mean, our resident golfing expert took his Isabelle out without a thought. Can't be that bad, can it?"
"Boss, why are you going along with this chick?" the man griped.
"Not gonna do it yourself? Fine." With one swift movement, Kat darted her hand through the man's pocket. "Well, well, well."
"Son of a bitch." Shūjo uttered.
Kat held up an expensive-looking, blue-colored wallet. "Dunno why you wouldn't want to show this off, man. Pretty fancy. Gucci. Pretty color, too. Is this turquoise? You've got great taste." She looked through the wallet. "Nothing missing, is there?"
The man stayed silent.
Kat rolled her eyes, and darted through his other pocket. She took out one credit card. "Oh, and such a pretty name you have. 'Melinda Giraud'. Your parents sure must've had a lot to drink that day." She put away the card. "Here's some advice from an ex-thief. Never try to bullshit a bullshit artist."
Any response the man could've made was quickly snuffed out by a searing pain in his lower extremities. Kat had grabbed onto a very sensitive area of his body, and was squeezing it. After about ten seconds, she let go, and he collapsed onto the ground in pain.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Higashikata. I'll let you clean this up. Laters." Kat walked away.
"...that mate of yours is a scary sort, ain't she?" Catherine asked Kenneth.
"Immensely. And when it's not directed at me, it's a sight to behold." he replied.
Kat returned to the class booth. "Madame. I believe I may have something of yours."
"Oh, good girl, you found it! Thank you so much." Melinda exclaimed.
"Eh, it was no biggie. Had to squeeze the info out of a guy, but it all worked out. Everything still in there?"
"Let me see...no, everything looks to be in here. That's a huge relief."
"Kitten..." Carrie embraced Kat. "Thank you so very much. This could've been disastrous. How can I ever repay you?"
"Please don't, Care. I've lost track of where we're at on the repayment front. This is me protecting my pack. You don't gotta do anything." Kat replied.
"Well, I'll probably come up with something anyway."
"Yeah, I figured. That's just how you are."
"That will be going double for me, dearest. I will be repaying this in full. For now, I'll have to work on securing my valuables." Melinda added.
"Oh, man. Heeeeelp." Kat muttered.
Over in another section, Max was looking exasperated. "Seriously? How hard is it to find one bottle of hot sauce in this joint?" He groaned. "The longer I'm scrambling around, the longer Nat's at the booth by herself. I couldn't forgive myself if she had a panic attack or something. And am I really doing this? Hunting down hot sauce to put on a cake? This goes against every cooking sensibility I have..."
"Yoohoo, Maxie!" Barbara called out. She walked over, Annette with her.
"Hey, Barb. Hey, Ma."
"What's with the tired look, Starbolt? Weren't you supposed to be at the booth?" Annette asked.
"I was. But something came up, and, oh this is gonna sound stupid...neither of y'all would know where I could get some hot sauce, would you?"
"Umm, no. I thought the booth was serving cake?" Barbara asked.
"Yeah. Yeah. It's a long, painful story. And despite what I was thinking, apparently hot sauce is a rare commodity around here."
"Have you tried the sushi booth? That'd be my best bet."
"I just came from there. Looked like there was some craziness going on. Some guy was lying on the ground and eyepatch man was yelling at him...I dunno. Guess I've gotta keep looking..."
"You're actually in luck, Mr. O'Donnell." Joon appeared suddenly. "I actually happen to have a couple of packs on me. Leftover from my husband's...voracious feasting, earlier."
"Oh man, you're a lifesaver, Mrs. K, thanks a--"
"I just have one condition."
"Umm...sure."
"I'd like to hear you formally apologize to my daughter for breaking her heart."
The statement caught Max by surprise. "...I...er...I already have, though. More than once."
"Then there's no issue in doing it again. Just for a mother's peace of mind. Is there an issue, Annette?"
"Ma, you gotta believe me, I've said it already--"
"The lady wants to hear it for herself, you gotta man up and say it. Or does every O'Donnell boy hate saying sorry?" Annette replied.
"OOF. That's cold, Ma...fine. If it'll put the issue to bed..."
Everyone headed back to the class booth. "MAX! What took you so long?!" Natalia griped.
"Sorry, sorry...apparently hot sauce is a rare drop." Max replied.
"Hey, a reference I can get behind. You're learning, Sparky." Kat commented.
"I had to talk to people while you were gone! Do you know how stressful that is?! I thought I was gonna faint!" Natalia chastised.
"Buuuuut you didn't, sweetie. You got through it alright, with no loss of life to speak of. I'd call that a win!" Sophia appeared behind her daughter, massaging her shoulders.
"Oy, Maxie, you got my stuff or what?" Nabil asked.
"Yeah, see, before that...there's something I've gotta do. Kat?"
"What up?" Kat asked.
"Listen, I know that I've said it before, but...I'm really sorry about how it went. Between you and me."
"What, you're still hung up on that? Dude, I got over that months ago."
"Well, it still wasn't cool of me, leading you along like that. You're seriously one of the coolest people I know. It still bugs me that I treated you the way that I did. So...sorry. Again."
"Sparky...don't beat yourself up over little old me. I promise you that I don't hold any grudges. C'mon, it's a party. Don't gotta be so glum."
"Sorry. Just needed to get that off of my chest."
Joon took the sauce packets out of her purse. "Your condiments."
"Oh, bless your heart, teacher lady!" Nabil gleefully took them.
"Hold up..." Kat began. "Mama...did you make Sparky apologize just so he could have his sauce?"
"Only thinking of you, kitten." Joon replied.
"Oh my GOD! That is super not cool! I'm a big girl, I can resolve things on my own!" Kat shook her head. "Gah, whatever...what are you up to, Barbie? You look like you've got something on your mind."
"Oh, right. The whole reason I came over here. So...I just found where they're having karaoke. And I was thinking..." Barbara began.
"Barbie...you know that I can't."
"Come on, it'll be fun! We haven't gotten to do anything where it's just us two. Everyone already knows you can sing. Pretty please?"
"You know I love every chance getting to sing with you, but in front of a bunch of people?"
"Oh, about that...it's actually a singing contest. So it'd be more of a competitive thing."
"Meaning I'd be...singing against you."
"Now this I've gotta see." Sahir commented.
"I think it's a lovely idea." Carrie added.
"I really don't know...you think I should do this, Mama?" Kat asked.
"Not like it's a serious competition. If it's just you girls having fun, I don't see the harm in it." Joon replied.
"Ugh. This is such peer pressure. Alright, Barbie. Guess I'm game."
"Yay~! This is gonna be great! This way, everybody~!" Barbara hummed, and grabbed Kat by the hand.
"(Oh, please don't make me regret this.)" Kat thought.
As the group approached the karaoke stage, an unpleasant sound echoed out. "Holy--what's this screeching noise?!" Sahir questioned.
"Glasses gang, if you have any spares handy, be prepared. I can feel a crack coming along." Max said.
"I'm gonna be hearing this in my nightmares...why isn't this bothering you?!" Natalia asked Kat.
"Because we've heard it before, Ms. Van Damme. Many, many, many times." Joon replied.
The scene was one of extreme irritation. Mainly from the crowd. The man on stage, on the other hand, looked as though he was receiving raucous applause. "Thank you, thank you, I love my beautiful people!" Wei exclaimed.
"You suck!" one student in the crowd yelled.
"Thanks, I know!" Wei trotted off the stage to a smattering of boos.
"Sis...was it bad?" Kat asked a clearly annoyed Lin.
"WHAT?" Lin exclaimed. "SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH MY EARS! IT'S RINGING REALLY BAD!" 
"Oh, God."
"Well. That was horrifying." Kibō appeared.
"For a minute I considered taking Shizuka's headphones. But that would be cruel and unusual punishment." Rin held a clearly distressed Shizuka.
"I think I aged several years from that performance." Rose muttered.
"Any skeletons popping out of the ground? Cuz that was a dead-raising sound if there ever was one." Ryōma griped.
"H-hold on. Everyone's here...?" Kat nervously asked.
"Yep. I asked everyone to come on over for our concert. But given the last performance, maybe I was a little too hasty..." Barbara replied.
"Everyone. Everyone and their families and my parents--Barbie. Are you trying to kill me?"
"Heya, kitten! A little birdie told me you were gonna be singing a little tune." Wei chimed. "Hope you don't mind me warming the crowd up for you. I always wanted to be your opening act!"
"Pops...you're not helping." Kat muttered, the shadows under her fear-filled eyes growing with every word.
"Alright, think that's my cue. This crowd could use some lightening up." Barbara said.
"Break a leg, Moonbeam." Annette said.
"Not literally." Max added.
"I know my stage lingo, Maxie. Kinda my thing." Barbara replied.
Barbara took the stage. "Hiya, everyone. Y'all still need a minute for the ringing to stop?"
"WHAT?" Lin exclaimed.
"Soooo, what to sing for y'all...I could go with a classic from my favorite movie, maybe? I'm feeling a little whimsical tonight, so how about I tell y'all about a tale as old as time?"
And so it was that Barbara began to play out the title song from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The crowd, once in a state of heightened annoyance, was completely entranced. The young starlet had hummed and sang this particular song many times before, and it showed. For one her friends referred to as a real-life Disney princess, it was as natural as breathing.
Once her performance concluded, the crowd gave a resounding ovation. Barbara took a bow. "Teehee, thanks everyone~. You keep this up for my friend coming up, okay~?"
"I'm screwed." Kat uttered.
"Have some belief, Kitten. Barbara is a professional, but we've heard you before. Just play from your heart, and you'll be fine." Carrie assured.
"You make it sound so easy, but she's an impossible act to follow up. I don't even know what to sing..."
"Go with the first thing that comes to mind. Something that speaks to you as a person." Sakuya suggested.
"Something that..." Kat thought for a moment. As she glanced at Sakuya, she briefly envisioned her friend's Persona appearing behind her. Then, a moment of inspiration. "Hold up...there's one thing..."
"You're up, kitty kat." Barbara approached.
Kat groaned. "Welp. Time for a game of public scrutiny. Promise me you'll sing at my funeral."
"You'll do great. Deep breaths."
"Knock 'em dead, kitten!" Wei exclaimed.
"Just one word of advice, So-yin. Whatever your father did up there? Do the opposite. You'll be fine." Joon added.
"I'm so done for." Kat sighed, and made her way onto the stage.
"Soooo...how about my roommate, huh?" she addressed the crowd. "If I had even 1/10 of her talent or charisma I wouldn't be shaking in my boots like I am now. Or legs as fire."
"Love youuuu~." Barbara chimed.
Kat took a deep breath. "I hope you all like Disney soundtracks, cuz you're getting a double dose. Here's something from my heart."
Much like her roommate before her, Kat began to perform a song from a Disney classic. In contrast to the love-defined lyrics of the previous number, however, she began playing out the more restrained, introspective lyrics of 'Reflection', from Mulan. As her friends had suggested, she sang from the heart. The confusion and sadness she sang with felt genuine.
For a brief moment in time, to her friends it felt as though they were seeing the real Kat.
The song came to a close. Quickly snapping back to her usual self, Kat was left flustered by the sudden deluge of applause. "I-I don't know what's wrong with y'all, but, thanks, I guess..." She blushed, took a bow, and walked off.
The group quickly swarmed her. "Hey, c'mon, don't look at me like that...was I even that good? I blacked out for the last few minutes..."
"Gurl, 'was I that good'?! That ain't even up for debate!" Sahir exclaimed.
"You had half the crowd in tears. Something that wouldn't be happening if they weren't entranced." Kenneth added.
Barbara tightly hugged Kat. "You were incredible! I'm seriously tearing up right now. And you said you were too scared to do it!"
"Well, I did say I blacked out the last five minutes, so..." Kat replied.
"Absolutely fantastic, kitten." Joon stated. "I don't know how you lucked out and didn't inherit your father's entertainment value, but somehow you did."
"Hey, it's still a bloodline thing! Just skipped a generation, is all." Wei responded.
"I'm sure you were outrageous, So, but I've been clearing the ringing out of my ears, so, yeah." Lin added, her finger in one ear.
The crowd began chanting. "You hear that? I think they want an encore." Kibō said.
"For Barbie, clearly." Kat denied.
"That ain't her name they're chanting." Natalia retorted.
"Nuh-uh, nope, not happening."
"I think the crowd favorite's pretty obvious. I know when I've been beat." Barbara said.
"What the hell, you people are insane. Insane! Why would they want me up there over you?"
"You sang from your heart, Kitten. Everyone could feel it. I've said it before that you have a beautiful spirit. That's why they want you back up there." Carrie replied.
"If it sweetens the pot any, your number one fan wants an encore, too." Rin approached.
"Aw, come on, princess, not you too." Kat grumbled.
"Kitty Kat sings like a birdie! I wanna hear it again!" Shizuka exclaimed.
Kat rapidly scratched her head. "Peer pressure central, that's what this is! Fine, one more go around. On one condition!" She grabbed Barbara's hand. "Duet or bust! No arguments!"
"You're not getting any. I've wanted this for-e-ver~." Barbara agreed, and Kat pulled her back to the stage.
"Alright, nerds, you want an encore? You're gonna have to take a duet! Consider yourselves spoiled!" Kat stated to the crowd. 
"You have a knack for breaking people from their shells, Caroline." Kenneth pulled Carrie aside.
"Oh no, this was Barbara's idea. All I offered was some friendly advice. The only thing that matters is that she's all the better for it." Carrie replied.
"Hm. Still, there really was a genuine feeling to her song. I've long sensed confusion and sadness beneath that steel curtain of easiness. And sure enough, there it was for all to see. So much uncertainty and hesitation for one with such a sharp tongue."
"My, such an observant sort, aren't you, Kenneth? But you're right. There is much about Kitten that she keeps to herself, and much, I feel, even she isn't aware of. So I've made it my goal for this year. I'm going to help her in every way I can."
"(This drive...could it be...?)" Kenneth thought. "Fascinating."
"Did you say something, Kenneth?"
"Not at all. Just taking in the performance."
And so the duet came to a close, and the festival continued on for a while after. Even as it winded down, the feeling remained in the crisp late summer air that it may have been the beginning of something beautiful.