Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 13

Chapter 13: The Girl in the Wasp's Nest
November 11, 2028
"Thanks for letting me tag along today. I really didn't feel like being cooped up in the house." Rin said. She and Rose were walking through the market district.
"Well, I'm not going to bar you from being in your mother's store. Having something beautiful to look at should only improve your work output." Rose replied.
"Hmhmmm. Are you speaking about the flowers in the shop...or the flower selling them?"
"Stop it. Have you always been this unrepentant of a flirt, and I just never noticed?"
As the pair approached the flower shop, Rose caught sight of something unusual. "Hey...is there something by the door?"
Something was lying next to the door to the shop, covered by a blanket. The two women turned to each other. "What is that...? Is it some kind of animal?" Rose asked.
"Well...only one way to know for sure." Rin answered. She bent over, and slowly pulled back the blanket. What was underneath it was no animal. It was, in fact...
"A girl...?" Rose uttered. Underneath the blanket was a small, dark brown-haired girl, sleeping. She slowly opened her eyes. Rin locked eyes with her.
"What in the world...?" Rin questioned. "Let's get her inside. She must've been sleeping out here all night. Can you stand up? Oh, what am I saying..." Rin picked the girl up, and brought her inside.
The girl was sat down on the counter. She looked exhausted, and as if she had not bathed in days. She wore a simple, somewhat dirty shirt, with a picture of a bee. 
"She looks like she's been out for a while...poor thing must be starving." Rose said.
"You hungry, sweetie? I can go grab you something." Rin asked the girl. The girl nodded.
Rose looked outside. "Oh, fortuitous timing. Here comes Tan." She ran out to catch him. 
"G'morning, Rosie. Need something?" he asked.
"Tan, could you do me a huge favor? We have a...situation on our hands."
"Ask away. What's the crisis of the week now?"
Rose pointed to the girl. "We found her sleeping in front of the door. She looks malnourished and clearly she's been outside for a while. Could you bring her something from next door?"
"Aw shoot, she looks like hell. Alright, leave it to Big Bro Tan." He bolted inside the produce shop.
"We're getting you something to eat, alright, sweetie? Can you tell me your name?" Rin asked. The girl didn't respond. "My name's Rin. And my friend here is Rose. You have to have a name, right?"
"Shi...Shizuka..." the girl finally uttered.
"That's a lovely name. And how old are you, Shizuka?"
Shizuka held up four fingers.
"Four years old! You're a little too young to be wandering around by yourself. Why were you sleeping out there?"
Shizuka looked down, saying nothing.
Tan ran in. "Never fear, the DJ is here!" 
Shizuka became spooked. "Hey hey hey, it's okay. He looks scary, but he's really a complete doofus. Don't mind him." Rin assured her.
"You left out 'prodigious musician', Sis." Tan replied.
"If that's what you want to call it." Rose said under her breath.
"Alright, kiddo, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I even cut them up, like a good doofus."
"Those better not have come from your 'special stock', Mr. DJ." Rose said.
"Aw, c'mon. You know I only save that stuff for when Higashikata comes around. I wouldn't give a kid that stuff, I have morals!" 
"Enough. Here you go, Shizuka. You must be starving." Rin said. Shizuka began scarfing down the fruit. "Wow. When was the last time you ate?"
"Hm? Hey, Sis. What's that in her pocket?" Tan asked.
Something was jutting out of Shizuka's pocket. Rin took it out. "It's a picture...of the flower shop." She turned the picture around, and saw a message written in red ink. "Hold on...If you're ever feeling down, and need someone to talk to, come by this shop in Naruki. The door's always open...signed by...me."
"By you? Have you met her before, Rin?" Rose asked.
"I've never seen her before today. But this photo...I gave this photo to Miko after all the trouble with Tohru. Where did you find this, Shizuka?"
Shizuka didn't respond.
"The only way you could've gotten this picture is...hold on. Now that I've gotten a good look at you...and that bee on your shirt. Shizuka...your last name wouldn't happen to be Sakaki, would it?"
Shizuka nodded.
"Unbelievable...she's related to Miko somehow? We know she can't be her child, so that leaves..." Rose pondered.
"Huh? But Miko-chan was the same age as you two. This girl's almost twenty years younger than her!" Tan exclaimed.
"That's true, but I remember Miko mentioning that her parents had her when they were still teenagers. Considering how they treated her, however, why they would have another child is beyond me." Rin said.
"Maybe they changed their outlook." Rose replied.
"They never checked in on her while she was sick, Rose. And look at the state Shizuka's in. Forgive me if I'm skeptical."
"Well, why don't we ask them ourselves? Call them up and tell them we found--" Tan began.
"No. I'm not wasting any breath on those people. Parents that couldn't spare a word for their dying daughter and let another one wander off on her own aren't worth it. Do you want us to take you home, Shizuka?" Rin asked.
Shizuka continued looking down. She shook her head.
"That tells me everything I need to know. I'm taking her home to get her cleaned up. After that, I'm calling Jugo. See what should be done. Do you like cats, Shizuka?"
Shizuka nodded.
"Good. I have one. Her name is Momo. I'll tell her to be nice to you." Rin picked her up. "I'll fill you guys in later."
"Shouldn't she see a doctor?" Tan asked.
"The biggest hospital around is in Karakura. And you know who runs it. Any doctor around here would recognize her name immediately. I can't risk them taking her back. Rose?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Oh, right. The secret spooky stuff. Guess that's my cue to head on out. Keep me posted, alright?"
Tan left. "Now hold still, Shizuka. This will help you feel better, okay?" Rose said. Her hands began radiating with blue energy. Shizuka flinched away. 
"It's okay. She's not gonna hurt you." Rin assured.
Rose put her hands over Shizuka. Tiny scrapes and cuts around the girl's body vanished. While doing this, Rose locked eyes with her. "You have the same emerald eyes as your sister. Did you know you had a sister? She was our friend." Rose asked. "....." "This will heal any inner afflictions she may have. She is rather underweight for her age, however. To think that doctors would allow their child to get to this point. Incomprehensible. There. All finished."
"Feel better, Shizuka?" Rin asked. 
"...mmhmm." the girl uttered.
"I'm happy to hear that. Now let's get you cleaned up." Rin said.
Rin began walking home, still holding onto Shizuka. "I wonder...if this is the first time anyone's treated you well..."
A couple of hours later, Jugo arrived at the house. "Unreal. She came all the way from Karakura to here by herself?" he asked.
"Sure looks like it. With nothing but a blanket and a picture I gave her sister. Seeing her lying there on the cold ground...ugh, it was heartbreaking. But, I got her fed, Rose healed her, cleaned her up, gave her some of my old clothes. She's asleep now. Anything on your end?" Rin asked.
"Welp, I reached out to Karakura PD. No one's filed a missing person's report. One of 'em was even at the hospital lookin' into a suspect. Saw the head doctor herself. Smile on her face, nuthin' unusual."
"Oh, how shocking. Wouldn't surprise me if she let Shizuka walk out the door herself. Incredible. Absolutely incredible."
"I can relay everything to my bosses. They can send it over to Karakura. Lord knows it ain't the first time they've gotten complaints lobbed at Satoru and Hachime Sakaki. Allegations of mismanaging, employees being overworked, patients feeling sicker when they leave...oh, and here's the kicker. Satoru Sakaki turned up dead last year. Officially listed as 'cause unknown'. Make of that what you will."
"How is this woman even allowed to run a hospital?"
"Problem is they haven't gotten that smoking gun on her. And a lot of it could just be disgruntled former employees."
"Jugo, please. This girl was filthy and sleeping on the ground. She was starving, she's skinnier than a girl her age should be. She barely speaks, she's constantly looking down, and she flinches away from people. Every one of those things is a red flag for abuse. I can't send her back there, Jugo."
"I feel for that girl, I really do. I can hold off for a while. But sooner or later, I'm gonna have to tell the Chief. If they look into it, and don't find enough cause to arrest Hachime...you won't have much choice but to hand her over. I'm sorry, Boss. But my hands are tied. Now if, say, the head doctor were to suddenly grow a conscience and confess to any and all wrongdoing..."
"Jugo...are you suggesting I send my class after her?"
"I get that it's a pretty big leap from 'old parlor creep' to 'head of one of the region's biggest hospitals' for your band of runts, but this is a serious situation. The doctor could be reorganizing her house as we speak, clearing out any evidence of abuse. Your only options at that point would be handing the girl over...or getting charged with kidnapping. You trained your runts to do the work no one else could. What better way to prove they're serious?"
"You're right. I'll give them a call right now. I won't let what happened to Miko happen to Shizuka. This should've been done a long time ago..." 
"And if I might speak for a second as your ol' pal Jugo instead of Officer Oda...far as I could tell, outside of Hachime, the girl's got no other relatives. You force her mom to confess and she gets sent to prison, that girl's gonna be in limbo. I think you and Rosie need to have a chat about what the best thing for her would be in that case. I know that's not a small decision to make. Life-changing, in fact. That's why y'all need to talk about it. 'Course, that all depends on whether your troopers can get the job done."
"...the best thing for her..."
"You'll come up with the best answer. Y'always do. And if your pipsqueeks could get through to that thick-headed JoJo, I think they've got a real shot. I hope it works out. For everyone involved." 
Jugo departed. Rin walked over to her room, where Shizuka was asleep. She stood over the girl, who stirred awake. "Sorry to wake you up. Bed comfy?"
The girl nodded.
Rin sat next to her. "Saw that shirt you were wearing with the bee on it. You like bugs?" She nodded again. "I figured. Your sister loved bugs. She kept a giant hornet as a pet. Did you know you had a sister?" Again, she nodded. "I'm glad. That picture you have was the first thing I gave her. Do you want to see a picture of her?" She nodded. Rin went and grabbed the picture of Miko and her wearing the Kamen Rider suit. "That's Miko. And that's me in the costume. She made it herself. She was one of the coolest people I've ever met. And I miss her a lot."
Rin's eyes began to water. Shizuka grabbed her hand. Rin locked eyes with her again, and smiled. "Your eyes really are just like hers. Thanks, Shizuka."
"Am I gonna have to go back home...?" Shizuka uttered.
"Sweetheart...I promise you, I'll do everything to make sure you never have to go somewhere like that ever again." Rin asserted, holding the girl's hand.
"Okay..." Shizuka weakly said.
"I'll let you get some more sleep, okay? I have to make a phone call." Shizuka nodded, and Rin left the room.
She looked at the picture of herself and Miko as she dialed her phone. "Hey, Barbara, good morning. I know it's a bit sudden, but could you and the rest of the class come over to my house? It's urgent. Yeah. I've got a mission for you all. A very, very important one."
---
"Honor. Integrity. The Karakura General way. Here at Karakura, we cater our environment to each individual patient's needs. With our staff of dedicated professionals, we make your care our utmost priority. I am Dr. Hachime Sakaki. And at Karakura, we are stronger together. In the words of my late husband, Dr. Satoru Sakaki, we are more than just a hospital. We're a family."
Rin paused the commercial, leaving the image of the doctor, a middle-aged woman wearing expensive-looking gold earrings, and long, well-kept brown hair. "This is your next target. Dr. Hachime Sakaki, director of Karakura General Hospital."
"A hospital director? Are you sure?" Kibō asked. "That commercial seemed sincere enough."
"To someone untrained in detecting BS, maybe. I can see the fakeness oozing off this lady." Kitty retorted.
"Make no mistake. Dr. Sakaki is hardly what you would call a caregiver. Rumors have followed her and her husband Satoru for years. Employees feeling overworked, being fired without cause, hospital funds being mismanaged. Some patients have claimed feeling even sicker upon leaving after upsetting the 'good' doctors. In addition to those claims, there's the matter of Satoru. Last year, he was found dead in his office. Police couldn't find a cause. Me, I see someone surrounded by toxic chemicals who runs the hospital where the autopsy was performed."
"Not to cast doubt on what you're saying, Professor..." Kenji interrupted. "A lot of this, while concerning, could just be the claims of bitter former employees. And the husband's death could have easily been accidental or even natural causes. Are rumors really enough to go on?"
"I have a lot more than just rumors. The one crime I haven't mentioned yet. Both Dr. Sakakis have engaged in the winning art of child neglect." Rin took a moment to gather her thoughts. "I'd be lying if I didn't say I have a personal stake in this case. I believe I've told you all about my friend Miko?"
"Oh, right. The bug fanatic. The one who...who passed away." Carrie said.
"Yes. She died four years ago. She was the eldest daughter of the Sakakis. When I first met her about nine years ago, she had failed in an attempt to take her own life. She had suffered a great deal of abuse and neglect at the hands of the doctors. A pair who neither desired children, nor should have been able to have them. Not long after that, she came to our doorstep. Her parents never came looking for her. Never even reached out when she became sick. They were nowhere to be found at her funeral."
"So imagine my surprise when I find out that around the time their eldest was suffering and dying, they had managed to have another child. And this morning, I found that child at the doorstep of my family's business. Cold, underweight, covered in dirt and scratches. Could barely even speak to me, or look me in the eye." 
The group heard a noise. Peering around the corner was Shizuka. "Oh, you're awake. You don't have to be afraid..." Rin picked her up. "These are my students. They're going to help me help you. Everyone, this is Shizuka. She's, well...she's why this mission is so important." Some of the students waved to Shizuka, but she turned away in fear. "These are the effects of living with Hachime Sakaki, I'm afraid."
"I can relate to the fear look. Is the doctor gonna come looking for her?" Max asked.
"Knowing the doctor, she probably isn't too concerned about Shizuka's whereabouts. The issue is that one of my colleagues is going to report the abuse allegations in a few days time. That's enough time for Hachime to hide any evidence that can be used against her. If nothing comes of it, I'll be left with an awful choice. Either hand Shizuka back to an abuser...or do something drastic, be indicted for kidnapping, and Shizuka is taken back anyway. That's why I need your help. I want you to change the doctor's heart. Force her to admit to her misdeeds. Just look at this image. Expensive earrings, done-up hair and makeup. She has enough money for herself, but none to spend on clean clothes for her own daughter. I can't let this go on." 
"I know how different this is from what you've dealt with so far. This isn't a low-key parlor owner. This is a highly public figure. But if nothing is done, then there are just going to be more victims. And I won't be able to guarantee this little girl's safety. The cycle has to stop. For this girl that can't defend herself. And for my friend that can't speak for herself anymore." Rin dictated.
The students sat in silence. "I think..." Barbara spoke up. "I think this is something we can't ignore. There's just too much at stake here. This is exactly why we formed this team. To defend those who can't defend themselves, from people who think they're above judgement. This is someone that's been abusing the most vulnerable in society for far too long. We're not going to let it stand. Professor, you have my word. We'll put a stop to this." The others nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, everyone. I'm eternally grateful and proud to call you my students. I would love nothing more than to see you wipe that fake smile off that vile woman's face, but I need to be here for Shizuka. Officer Oda gave me a three day deadline to get this taken care of. The quicker, the better." Rin said, tears in her eyes.
"We can start working on sending out the warning message. Something big enough that the good doctor won't be able to ignore it--and where as many people as possible can see it. And we've spent the last couple of weeks fine-tuning how to get the message out. We can get it out as soon as the afternoon." Kibō said.
The door opened, and Rose stepped in. "Oh, excuse me. I've stopped by for lunch. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"No no, you're okay, Ms. Rose. We were just wrapping up our meeting. If you'll excuse us, Professor. We'll get to work on our...project. Good to say hello to you, Shizuka-chan. Hopefully...not for the last time. Let's go, everyone." Kibō said, and the students departed.
"So. You were meeting with them. For a 'project'." Rose said.
Rin put Shizuka down. "Yeah. I asked them to--"
"I already know. You didn't get a good response from Shijūgo. And so now you have no choice but to send your students after the doctor. Am I correct?"
Rin nodded. "He's going to take it to his bosses. If they can't find evidence of abuse, they'll take Shizuka back. And if I resist, I'll be arrested for kidnapping. So...worst-case scenario time."
"Oh, dear. Well, credit him for honoring his station. Even if it might not work out for us. Oh, I can't stand the idea of this not ending well. Let's change the subject. I see Shizuka is doing better."
"She is. I got her cleaned up, she's gotten plenty of sleep, and she's even talking a bit more. I think that was the first warm bath she's taken in a long time."
"Well, look at you. You've taken to the mothering role rather quickly."
"Mother...Rose. I need to talk to you about something. About what happens to Shizuka if and when the students change Hachime's heart. At the very least, she'll lose all parental rights. At most, she'll be imprisoned. When that happens, Shizuka won't have anyone there to raise her. She'd be put at the mercy of the adoption system, and who knows where she'd end up. So, I...I got to thinking, and...what if she didn't have to go anywhere? What if she could stay here, with us?"
"With...Rin. Are you suggesting that you and I...that we adopt Shizuka as our own child?"
"You must think I'm insane."
"No. Not at all. To take on someone else's child is very noble and commendable. But, Rin...it's an enormous responsibility. There are so many factors involved, so many things we'd have to change..."
"I know that. But we both have stable income, we have plenty of room for her here, if we're both busy we can have Mom or someone else looking after her. We can make it work."
"We could, yes. But you know what kind of world we live in. There are still people seeking to hurt you, and the people closest to you. Do you really want to bring a small child into that sort of environment?"
"You know...I did think about that. About how long I've thought that everyone's pain is my fault. That everyone coming close to me is in danger for doing so. I'm tired of feeling that way. I don't want that to hamper my life anymore. I don't want it to hamper us. We deserve happiness, and some vague kind of normalcy. When I was holding Shizuka, and she put her hands in mine...I don't know, it just...everything made sense. Like this is how it should be. I just looked her in the eyes, and I knew that I wanted to keep her safe. We owe it to Miko, and Shizuka, to give her a good, normal life. You looked in her eyes too, Rose. Did you feel the same thing?"
The tears that had been forming in Rin's eyes were now beginning to form in Rose's. She slowly began to nod. "I did. You really are serious about this."
"I know how crazy of a thing this is to decide. But...it just feels right." She turned to where Shizuka was peeking. "Hey, Shizuka. Come over here." She put Shizuka on her lap. "Do you like our house?"
"Mmhmm."
"Yeah? What if, say, you didn't have to leave? Would you like that?" 
The girl nodded.
"Well, I'd like that too. And how about you, Rose? Would you like having Shizuka here?"
Rose thought about it. "Why did I have to fall for a noble soul?" She took a deep breath. Then, she nodded. "If you're insane for suggesting this, then I'm insane for going along with it. Very well. I have no objections."
Rin was ecstatic. She gave Rose a kiss. "Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. I love you. This is perfect. You hear that, Shizuka? You don't have to leave!"
"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, my love. Remember that all of this hinges on whether your charges can successfully take down Dr. Hachime's Palace. Should they fail, this happy dream will quickly crumble into a nightmare."
"They'll pull through. I have faith. For now, let's have lunch. All we can do now is wait. Come on, Shizuka."
Rose sighed. "This is most assuredly not how I envisioned this day going."
---
"The IV shipment should be arriving soon. We're still waiting on the status of the chloroform order. Oh, and Dr. Ishida wanted to know--um, Dr. Sakaki?" dictated a male doctor.
"Hm? Oh, yes, the chloroform. I'd forgotten we'd even ordered it, it's been so long." Hachime replied, while readjusting herself in front of a mirror in her office.
"Dr. Sakaki, are you certain you should be working right now? Your daughter is still missing, after all."
"Your concern is appreciated, but I've found that working helps to keep my mind occupied and away from grim thoughts. Sadly, I have become rather good at this. I pray that dear Shizuka does not meet the fate of her father and sister. That is, unfortunately, out of my hands. Oh, why did I leave the door open?"
"Do not blame yourself. Children are prone to wander. You must believe that she will be found safe and sound."
"Yes, you are right. If you'll excuse me, I wish be alone for now. Thank you."
"Of course. Take your time." The male doctor left the room, meeting with another male doctor. 
"Is she alright?"
"As much as you could be in this situation. How much tragedy can one person fare with?"
Hachime continued looking in the mirror, admiring her earrings, her look of sadness having quickly evaporated. "My dear family buys me such lovely gifts~." She sat down at her desk, and began humming to herself. 
Her computer suddenly began to fizzle out, and the screen was replaced with an image of a pink, stylized letter 'A', against a black background. A distorted voice came out of it. "Attention. Dr. Hachime Sakaki."
The image began appearing on every computer and TV screen in the hospital. "What in the world...?" Hachime pondered.
"We have become aware of your sordid behavior. How you abuse your position, harming and stealing from those who you took an oath to heal and protect. Including your own children. For you to garb yourself in expensive wares as your own children suffer in squalor is irredeemable. For your unmatchable greed, we will be taking your heart. You will confess your sins with your own mouth, and answer for your years of wrongdoing. No one is beyond the hand of justice. We are the Ashen Artisans. See you soon."
The image vanished. The staff and others within the building began to talk.
"Wh...what was that about?"
"They're coming after Dr. Sakaki? So then...are those rumors true?"
"Who are these 'Ashen Artisan' people? Why are they targeting a hospital?"
A nurse came into Hachime's office. "Dr. Sakaki, are you alright? That message, they said--"
Hachime bore a tense expression, and was chewing on her own hair. "That little bitch...what did she do...?!" she growled.
"Dr. Sakaki?"
She released her hair, and regained her composure. "It's nothing. Someone with nothing better to do than take meaningless chatter as gospel. Regardless, tell the security team to be on their guard. I won't let our patients be put at risk. Go on!" 
"Yes, ma'am!" The nurse ran off.
Hachime looked in the mirror. Eyes colored yellow reflected in it, and a distorted voice spoke. "Wicked little girl. I won't have my honey cut off by you, or anyone else. Take it from me, if you can..."
As chatter continued in the main lobby, Natalia walked out of the entrance. She met up with the others near the train station. "How did it go?" Kibō asked.
"Whole place is buzzing. There's no way she didn't get the message. Certainly sounded spooky enough, Maxie." Natalia said.
"I try." Max responded.
"Getting through their encryption was easier than you'd think. Guess the good doctor really needed her nails done that day." Kitty said.
"Did you get the map, Nats?" Barbara asked.
"Yep. Everyone was so focused on the message that no one noticed me taking the picture. Her office is on the seventh floor." Natalia answered.
"This should make infiltration go much smoother. You all did exceptionally well, everyone." Kibō said.
"Hey, Kenny. Something on your mind?" Sahir asked.
"Hm? No, it's nothing. Just amazes me how someone could be so disdainful towards their own children. Some people should never be allowed to be parents." Kenji replied.
"Agreed. The more I looked into this doctor, the less I liked. That's why we can't let her get that little girl back. Especially if she puts two-and-two together and thinks her daughter ratted her out. We'll meet back here first thing tomorrow morning. After that, the mission's a go." Barbara proclaimed.
"The world's going to know who the Ashen Artisans are after this. And people like Dr. Sakaki will know to be afraid. There's a lot at stake here. We've got no choice but to win." Kibō added.
---
"You can sleep here. This was Miko's room while she lived with us. If you couldn't tell from the vast assortment of bugs." Rose said. Shizuka walked over to the desk, and began looking through Miko's drawings.
"She was always busy learning about some new bug, always doodling them and collecting facts. Oh, dear. Here's Ditko-san the Tarantula. The last one of her 'pets' we let her take out of its cage. Couldn't forget this one. Momo certainly hasn't. Oh, and this is Suzi the Giant Hornet. Her last and her favorite. Oh, she was such a source of comfort for Miko when it got really bad. She promised there wouldn't be any stinging, and there wasn't. Your sister knew exactly how to treat them. I don't recall one ever biting or stinging her. Do you have a favorite, Shizuka?"
The girl pointed to a picture of a butterfly. "Haha, I'm rather fond of them myself. Your sister liked the dangerous ones. Makes it more astounding that she was never bitten." Rose shook her head. "Ah, my apologies. I forget that I'm speaking to a young child. My friends always tell me I'm too formal. Some even said they thought I was a robot when they first met me. I really must learn how to talk to a child..."
"Okay, let's get you tucked in. You've had quite a long day." Rose picked Shizuka and put her to bed. "Is it to your liki--um, is it comfy?" Shizuka nodded. "I see...good." Rose put her hand through Shizuka's hair. "How could someone be so cruel to something so precious? I've made it my life's purpose to be of use to others. If the universe allows it, I'll make sure you never have to suffer such horror ever again. Um, that is...I'll make sure your life is a happy one. I promise."
"Can I have a hug...?" Shizuka uttered.
"Of course you can." Rose gave her a hug. "Good night, my dear." She shut off the lights, and closed the door behind her.
Rose walked to the living room, where Rin was watching the TV. "I'm going to say one thing. Your students better succeed. Because they will have to pry that girl from my cold, inanimate hands." Rose asserted.
"Funny you should mention that. Have a look."
On the TV was a news broadcast from Karakura General Hospital. "Our breaking news for tonight, mysterious threats have been made towards the lead doctor of Karakura General Hospital. Earlier today, a group calling themselves the Ashen Artisans hacked into the hospital's broadcast systems and directed a message to hospital director Dr. Hachime Sakaki. The group laid out numerous allegations of misconduct towards the doctor, including child abuse, and promised that she would confess her crimes herself. A short while ago, Dr. Sakaki spoke with reporters about the allegations."
"It's ludicrous. Some poor, lost souls who think making threats around our most vulnerable is acceptable. I have never harmed my patients, and certainly not my own children. I lost my eldest to cancer. I would never dare cause someone intentional distress."
"You lying WHORE! You goddamn KNEW!" Rin yelled at the screen.
"Rin, please, control yourself." Rose said.
"Using Miko for sympathy when she was never even there...I watched her die, you lying bitch..."
"I'd remind you that you're an educator...but given the circumstances I'll allow it."
"Do you have anything more to say about these allegations?" one reporter asked.
"No further questions." Hachime walked away, and the screen cut back to the newscasters.
"Now some people are claiming that the people behind these threats may be responsible for the surprising confession of pachinko parlor owner Dai Son last month--"
Rin hit the mute button. "I'm sorry about that. I don't hate many people. But that woman..."
"I understand your frustration. But it'll be over soon. You saw her face. She's a cornered animal. It's probably the first time in a long while that she's felt that her misdeeds were in danger of being exposed. The rest of it is in your class' hands."
"You're right. Nothing left but to wait. I have faith, but...you know how they say animals are at their most dangerous when they're cornered. I hope they can handle it. For their sake, and Shizuka's."
---
November 12, 2028
"Hmph. A few extra guards, but not much else. Does she really believe after yesterday that we'll just come strutting in through the front door?" Kenji asked. The students were gathered close to the hospital, hidden from view.
"You'd think with that spooked look on her face during that press conference she'd be a little more careful. She had the look of the herd's slowest zebra once it's caught sight of a lioness. Just resigned to being dinner." Sahir said.
"That was...rather poetic of you, Sahir." Carrie responded.
"Hey, I'm not full of hot air, my friends. It's my passion that's burning, hehe." Sahir joked.
Kitty feigned throwing up.
"Focus, people. Remember what we're here to do. We fail, there's a little girl that's going to pay for it. Not to mention Professor Kubo." Barbara asserted.
"I know, I know. Just trying to break the tension a bit." Sahir replied.
"Let's not waste anymore time. Don't want to keep the good doctor waiting." Kibō brought up the Metaverse app. With a press, the group were transported.
The hospital building took on the appearance of a giant beehive. The sign in front read "Karakura General Hospital: More Effort, More Honey. One Hive, One Queen."
"A giant beehive. Knowing what we do about her daughter, the fact that her Palace has a bug motif is both unsurprising...and sickening. Like some kind of mockery." Kenji mused.
"The main entrance will probably be heavily guarded. There's an emergency entrance to the side. If the layout's the same as the map I got, there should be an elevator not too far from there." Natalia said.
"If the elevator isn't to your liking, we could always take the stairs. Although, some among us might not be fond of that idea..." Carrie added. Kenji groaned.
"Side entrance, then. Let's move." Kibō said.
The group entered the emergency entrance. The inside matched the beehive appearance of the outside, with signs directing people to different sections instead reading "Honey Production". At the reception desk was a single receptionist, strapped to a chair with a glazed look on her face. IV tubes were strapped to her arms, removing a golden liquid from her body. "More for the Queen...more for the Hive..." she repeated.
Barbara moved towards her, only for Max to pull her back. "She's not real, sis. She's a product of the doctor's mind."
"I know that, but still..."
"It's tough to watch, yeah. This must be how she sees her employees."
"Obedient drones whose only purpose is to supply her with more 'honey'." Kibō surmised.
"Given what we know, I'm guessing that's supposed to be something that conveniently rhymes with honey." Kitty added.
"Let's not dilly-dally around here. Only a matter of time before we grab the doctor's attention." Kenji said.
The group proceeded towards the elevators. Before reaching them, a burst of shadow energy appeared in front of them. What appeared were a pair of human-sized, bee-like creatures wearing doctors' scrubs, floating in midair.
"Intruderz! An enemy zwarm haz come to dizrupt the Hive!"
"Honey production muzt not be ztopped! All muzt be prezerved for Queen Zakaki!"
"EW! What are those things?!" Natalia panicked.
"More mindless worker bees, it would seem. Suppose we get to play the role of exterminator today." Kenji replied.
"Every RPG I've ever played, bugs don't much like fire. Kicks, wanna do the honors?" Kitty asked.
"Way ahead of you. Blast 'em away, Amadioha!" Sahir brought forth his Persona, which promptly ignited the giant bugs. "Yuck. I heard Japan had a problem with oversized bugs, but I didn't think it was this bad."
"More will surely follow. A place this big must be infested with them. Let's get to that elevator." Kibō ordered.
They reached the elevator, and pressed the button. The screen for the floors listed it as coming from the 10th floor. It slowly came down. "The Ashen Artisans. Champions of Rebellion, challenging the social order. Waiting patiently for an elevator." Kenji joked.
"You really want to take the stairs, don't you?" Barbara asked.
"I never want to see another set of stairs in my life."
"Then quit moaning and wait like a good boy."
The screen had reached floor 8. "There's nobody here except us. What could possibly be taking so long?" Carrie asked.
"Nonsense. Bloody nonsense." Kenji complained.
Floor 7.
Suddenly, more shadows manifested behind the group.
"No dizrupting the hive! Kill the intruderz!"
"Ztrap them to the bedz! Their honey belongz to Queen Zakaki!"
Kibō sighed. "We can kill time, at least. Natalia, keep an eye on this damnable elevator."
"O-okay." she replied.
The rest of the group brought out their Personas, and began fighting off the giant bugs. Natalia, meanwhile, stayed in place, not taking her eyes off the screen. Floor 6. Floor 5. Slowly, it descended. More bugs came. Natalia stood still, but was noticeably trembling. She never turned her head, only listening to the sounds of blades and energy blasts eviscerating exoskeletons. Floor 3. Floor 2.
"You know, maybe the stairs would have been a better option." Kenji said.
"OH MY GOD, KENNY, WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT THE STAIRS." Kitty yelled.
Floor 1. Ding. The door opened.
"It's here! Everyone get in!" Natalia yelled. The group quickly ran inside, Sahir using his flames to keep the bugs at bay. The door closed, and Sahir ceased his attack. 
The elevator slowly rose. The group stood around in awkward silence. "Okay, I usually like the quiet, but this is a bit unsettling, so...can someone please say something?" Kitty asked. "Barbie, you've looked really peeved since we walked in here. What's going on in that pretty little noggin?"
"I just...I don't get this at all. Sure, people have been awful to their kids since forever. I mean, look at my own dad. But this lady didn't even care that her daughter was dying. Then she goes on TV and uses it for sympathy. Professor Kubo said that little girl was so insanely filthy, yet there's her mom on TV, all prim and pretty and wearing jewelry she probably bought with hospital money. If you can't even trust the people you're relying on to make you feel better, who can you?" Barbara pondered.
"It's not a pleasant thought. Maybe this is what Higashikata-san meant when he said we didn't understand the world. For such a prominent public figure to be hiding such ugly secrets makes you question how much evil really lies in plain sight." Kibō added. "It's just like my brother said. 'The adults in power in this world have failed in their task of guiding the rest of humanity. To be a powerful adult is to be self-serving, greedy, and disdainful towards those with more years remaining in their bodies.' Kyohei was wrong about a lot of things. But the more we look into this darkness...the more I'm starting to see his point. And that terrifies me."
"Keeb..."
Ding. Floor 7. The door opened.
The sight before them was more akin to a royal palace than a hospital ward. Two more giant drones appeared in the hall, which was decorated with portraits of Hachime, along with a red-and-gold carpet.
And baring down the group, standing in-between the drones, was Hachime herself. She was garbed in an ornate, black-and-yellow dress befitting of a monarch, with a red emblem on her chest resembling the markings of a black widow spider. She possessed bee-like wings, black heeled shoes and leggings patterned after spider webs, and a pair of antennae jutting from her head. As with all Shadows, her eyes were yellow, and her voice was distorted.
"So, these must be the ingrates responsible for disturbing the Hive. Punishment for intruding upon my domain without paying proper tribute shall be swift and merciless." she dictated.
"Well if it isn't Queen Bee herself. I assume you aren't going to surrender quietly?" Kibō asked.
"'Tribute'? 'Domain'? This isn't your own private money factory. Aren't you supposed to be a doctor?" Barbara spoke up.
"You speak as if I'm not providing a public service. I heal the sick. Is it so wrong to expect tribute in return? I assume even larval creatures like yourselves have heard of supply-and-demand, yes?" the Shadow asked.
"Lady, you're not selling wares at the local corner store, you're curing the sick and injured! Judging by what we've seen, you're not even doing that much!" Sahir retorted.
"All you care about is filling up your own pockets. If there was ever a prime example of getting into a business for the wrong reasons, this would be it. People are just money banks to you, aren't they? Even your own family." Max added.
"Oh, be silent, will you? I'll not be lectured in my own Hive by a bunch of worms seeking to infest it. Gut them!" the Shadow ordered.
"Yez, Your Majezty!" Hachime fled down the hallway as more giant drones appeared.
"That's right, run, you coward! We're not worms here to infect your hive. We're the bear come to destroy it completely! Send as many of your servants as you want, it won't save you from your fate of being squashed!" Barbara yelled.
The students routed the oncoming swarm of Shadows, largely through the continued use of the flames made by Sahir and Kitty. "Aw, jeez." Kitty groaned, seeing that she had run out of MP for Fire spells. "Sorry you've gotta pick up my slack, Kicks."
"Don't worry about it. Just promise me you'll let me take you to dinner later." Sahir replied.
"Dude. Really?" Max said, annoyed.
With the bugs destroyed, the students pursued the fleeing Hachime down the hall. They ran past several treatment rooms, with patients strapped to beds, having golden liquid drained from them via IV bags. "Disgusting." Kibō growled.
The group barged through the door to the main office, labeled as the "Throne Room". Inside was a large, golden space, with numerous tubes funneling golden liquid into a giant, golden throne. Shadow Hachime sat upon it.
"How dare you enter my throne room, you cancerous worms?! Such disgraceful actions will be met with your annihilation!" the Shadow yelled.
"It's over, Queen Bee. This is where your greedy reign ends." Kibō declared.
"We saw what you were doing to those patients. Them, your staff, it doesn't matter who. People are just profit machines to you, aren't they? Tell us...does that also include your daughters?" Barbara demanded.
"Ahahahahaha...my children. Dear Miko was naught but an unwanted hindrance, thrust upon me like a parasite sapping away my resources. Only when nature called her away did she finally prove useful. 'Oh, you poor woman. Losing a child in such a horrific manner must be sooooo heartbreaking.' People were so ready to give me their sympathy. So when Shizuka came along, people believed that the universe was giving me a second chance. An amendment to her sister's cruel demise."
"How...how can you talk about your own children that way?!" Natalia questioned.
"And how did your husband react to all this? Was he your partner in gluttony?" Kibō asked.
"Satoru was a loyal servant of many years. Until he made the error of growing a conscience. 'Stop with your spending, people will become suspicious', he'd whine. He'd become a liability, and knew far too much, so he needed to be disposed of. As it were, a bottle of odorless toxins just happened to vanish from our supply, and some just happened to find its way into his tea, and when he was done croaking, no onr suspected a thing, since the autopsy just happened to be performed in this very building..."
"Hmph. It's said that female bugs killing their mates once they're done with them is rather common. So this is your game. Exploiting personal tragedies for your own benefit, playing the part of the nurturing caregiver, when in reality, you're just a bloodsucking parasite. Using and abusing everyone misfortunate enough to step into this building. A thief, an abuser, and to top it off, a murderer. You're one of the most disgusting creatures I've ever encountered." Kenji dictated.
"Was Shizuka-chan next on your list? Did you hope she would turn up dead in an alley somewhere, leading to even more sympathy for the grieving mother?" Barbara asked.
"My, you're quite perceptive for a gang of larvae. I just happened to leave the door unlocked. I was already getting pity for losing another child. Whether she turned up alive or dead made no difference. I was free from any and all familial responsibilities. All of the honey I've harvested would never have to be used on anyone else. All of these beautiful gains are mine, and mine alone!" the Shadow boasted.
Barbara clenched her fist. "You made one big mistake. Shizuka-chan did turn up alive. And she found people who had the power to stop you once and for all. No more theft. No more abuse. This is the final curtain call on your reign of terror."
The Shadow grew irritated. "Just more bugs to squash. I've built this Hive up for far too long to let a bunch of brats take it away! Now do as every other threat to my beautiful reign has done...and disappear!
She snapped her fingers, and the tubes supplying gold liquid to the chair detached from it, before promptly jamming themselves into her back. "This...is all mine. Mine, mine, MINE! For the crime of disrupting the Hive, I will feast on your bones!" Shadow energy gathered around her, until her form completely changed. She transformed into a giant, black spider, with a giant set of four wings, and glowing red eyes.
"Well then. At least the outside is as hideous as the inside now." Kenji said.
"Nothing even resembling a human. This is what a lifetime of greed has led to. No need to waste words on you. Time for your extermination!" Barbara declared.
"Looks like Her Grossness needs a little fire in her life!" Sahir kicked a ball of flame at the Shadow. It struck her dead center, yet the spider barely flinched. She stared him down. "Ummm...hey, Your Majesty. That's a mighty fine thorax you have." She bashed him away with one of her front legs.
Kibō attempted striking her on the side, but the blade bounced right off the spider's armored hide. "Not even a dent...?!" She moved to the side, swatting him away.
"Nothing's working...we need to think...where's her power coming from?" Barbara wondered. She took notice of the large tube feeding golden liquid into the Shadow's body. "Of course. No money-grubber can live without a constant flow of cash coming in. We have to get that tube off of her. But no one could reach her except..."
She turned to Natalia. "Oh, no. No no no no no no."
"Nats..."
"Nope nope nope nope nope SO much nope."
"I need you to be brave..."
"Nope nope NOPE. I'm sorry, but giant spiders are where I'm drawing the line. You all are just trying to get me killed!"
"Please, Nats. If there was another way, I'd take it. I'll even distract her for you. And, if this fails, I'll leave myself at your parents' mercy. You have my word."
"T-that doesn't make me feel better!" Natalia's legs were shaking. "Why...why does it always have to be me?"
"You can do something none of us can. If we keep lunging at her, it'll just lead to easy deaths. You can get past her in a way we can't. We need you to be brave. So does the Professor. So does a four-year old girl. Please, Nats."
Natalia went silent. "...if I die...whatever's left of me...promise you'll get it to my parents." 
Barbara walked up to the Shadow. "Hey, you oversized tarantula! Is this your way of not spending money on cheek implants? I mean, your rear end's bigger, but was it worth all that extra hair?" The spider stared her down.
"WHAT WAS THAT...?!"
"Couldn't help noticing your hands. Please tell me you didn't pay for that. I've seen better nail work from my cousin. She's a dog groomer."
"SILENCE, WORM...!"
"Those earrings of yours, oh boy. What are your thoughts, Care?"
"Positively revolting. I would not be caught dead with such gaudy things." Carrie answered.
"There you have it, Your Majesty. Straight from the mouth of the expert. I think the biggest tragedy about this whole thing is that you've spent all that money you've been hoarding on ugly crud. Don't even get me started on your hair. I've seen better extensions at the Family Dollar by my house."
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU LITTLE SLUT! NOBODY DARES SAY SUCH THINGS TO THE QUEEN!"
"I don't see why not."
A surge of energy erupted from the Shadow. It raised one of its legs, preparing to strike Barbara. "DIEEEEEE!"
A sound. *click*
Natalia was on the spider's back, having just removed the tube, leaving the golden liquid to pour out onto the floor. 
"WHAT?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! MY PRECIOUS HONEY! HOW DARE YOU?!" The Shadow rapidly turned to the growing pool of honey, sending Natalia flying off her back. Max grabbed her.
"NO! NONONONONONONO..." The spider tried desperately to lap up the honey, but it rapidly lost its strength, and began shrinking. Soon enough, she transformed back into her original form, still trying to save the honey. "No no no...not my honey...I can't let anyone take it...it's mine..."
"Barb. You do the honors." Kibō said.
Barbara began approaching the Shadow. "Please...don't take my honey...I've had it for so long...I'll do anything..."
"Oh, you will. You're going to publically admit to every disgusting thing you've ever done. To your patients, to your own family...all of it. As soon as I'm done giving you what you deserve. In place of the Professor, I'm now going to hand down your punishment."
"P-punishment? But, I...I'm going to apologize...won't you let me off the hook...?"
"Yeah, okay. You really think I'm going to just leave it at that, and show you mercy? A miserable piece of garbage like you?"
"W-w-wait, I'm sure we can make a deal, just let me--"
Barbara brought out Nimue. "Sorry, everyone. I'm about to lose my composure."
The Persona began rapidly bombarding Hachime with punches.
"USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS!" 
With one last, hard punch, she sent Hachime flying into the wall, creating a hole in it. 
Barbara took a deep breath, and readjusted her hair and glasses. "Sorry you all had to see that."
Kibō had blood coming from his nose. He quickly wiped it off.
"Y'know, it was almost perfect. You forgot the 'WRYYYYYYYY!' at the end, though." Kitty said.
"I just had all that pent-up inside me...everything I hate in the world was staring right at me. I just wish the Professor could've seen it..."
"She'll get to see the best part. The moment the doctor's Tower of Gold comes crashing to the Earth." Kibō said.
The Palace began to shake. "Okay, let's get the hell out of here. I think everyone's gonna need a shower after this." Kitty said.
"Right. Let's get it done quick. Don't want to miss the news tonight. Pretty sure there's going to be a bombshell..." Barbara added. With a push of a button, the team departed.
---
November 13, 2028
"Breaking news for tonight out of Karakura. A shocking development regarding the warning message sent to Karakura General Hospital director, Dr. Hachime Sakaki. At a surprise press conference today, Dr. Sakaki admitted to every allegation present in the message, sent out early on Saturday. Here is an exerpt."
A recording of the previous night's news was playing in the classroom. Appearing on-screen was Hachime. She had on no jewelry, no makeup, her hair was unkempt, and she bore an expression of shame. She stood at a podium.
"As many of you are aware, I received a message yesterday that alleged years of misconduct at my hands. I denied those allegations at the time. However...I cannot deny them any longer. The mismanagement, the misuse of funds, the abuse...all of it is true. I have spent the better part of two decades abusing the trust of those around me, exploiting the suffering of others to satiate my greed and need for attention. Worst of all, I allowed my own children to wallow in squalor while indulging in my own selfish desires. I have gone against every oath I've taken as a doctor. I am an irredeemable disgrace! Please, I beg of you...forgive me!"
"Not long after, Dr. Sakaki stepped down from her post and turned herself in to police. She has confessed to crimes including theft, mismanagement of public funds, child abuse, reckless endangerment, and most severe of all, the unsolved death of her husband, Dr. Satoru Sakaki, as well as to covering up the deed after the fact. An investigation is ongoing, to determine the full extent of her crimes..."
Rin hit pause. "That face. That look of absolute defeat. I'll be treasuring this footage for a very long time. I never thought I'd see this day come. You all have my bottomless gratitude. Maybe now, my friend can finally rest in peace."
"It was our pleasure, Professor. There was a lot in there that'll stick with me for a while. But in the end, we did a good thing." Barbara replied.
"That you did. And I think this one would agree..." Rin went to pick up Shizuka, who was sitting at her desk, and playing with the Applin plush perched on it. "You're safe now, sweetie. And it's thanks to my students. What do you want to say to them?"
"Thank you..." she piped up.
"Oh God, my heart..." Kitty quipped.
"What's gonna happen to her now, Teach?" Sahir asked.
"About that...Rose and I talked it over, extensively. There are still a few legal matters to attend to. But they're a matter of when, not if. Once we get the go-ahead...we're going to begin the process of adopting Shizuka." Rin answered.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Carrie exclaimed.
"Good lord. A professor, a writer, a Persona user, and now you're adding 'mom' to all that? That's probably the heftiest one of 'em all." Max added.
"I'm fully aware. You should have seen my mother's face when I told her she was going to be a granny. She warmed to the idea rather quickly, though. Honestly, I know how massive of a responsibility this is. It's a gigantic, life-changing decision. But I'm confident we can make it work. Sometimes you just have to look in someone's eyes to know they belong in your life. Just...one of those inexplicable things." Rin said.
"One other thing before starting today's lesson. You all have probably noticed that your victory has drawn attention to the Ashen Artisans. Public discussions, dedicated forums have begun to show up, even requests for potential targets. This might be me stating the obvious, but things are going to get more hectic for you all from here on out. If you ever feel the need to talk, remember, me and Rose are here for guidance. Our door is always open for you all. Even with our new addition."
"So, let's get started. Let's see how I teach with a toddler on my lap..."