Chapter Text
6/30/2016, Late Evening
It’s been too long a day, Morgana thinks. First class, then stealing Kaneshiro’s heart, and then dinner and discussing the team’s next move…After all that, Morgana was glad to see everyone heading out somewhat early to get home in time to sleep. Or at least, that’s what they should have been doing. Instead, the late-night goodbye to Leblanc is being drawn out as the Phantom Thieves drag their feet.
“Go home and get some rest, all of you!” Morgana calls out from where he’s curled up on a bar chair. “You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow otherwise.”
Ann, Makoto and Yusuke all answer back affirmatively, but Ryuji shouts, “Yeah, yeah,” before letting the door close behind him.
The cafe falls silent, save for the sound of Akira washing the remaining dishes. It’d be soothing, if not for the fact it’s yet another thing to do before finally going to sleep. After the day they’ve had, it’s as much about Morgana’s own creeping exhaustion as Akira’s sleep schedule.
Morgana lets out a huff.
“That numbskull is just going to go home and play video games all night.”
“You mean like a normal teenager?” Akira responds, shutting the water. He grabs a rag and dries his hands, adding, “Some students even stay up until midnight, I hear.”
“As if any of you are normal,” Morgana scoffs. Rolling his neck, he hops onto the floor and walks toward the stairs. “And like I told the others, you’ll be exhausted tomorrow if you don’t go to bed early. The last thing you need is to pass out in class, with your position at school.”
“I’m pretty sure half the staff still believes I’m one second away from snapping and pulling a knife on a student. And that’s with my perfect attendance and grades.” Akira shakes his head, following him up to the attic.
“Then just imagine how bad it would be if you did!”
Akira doesn’t respond. Morgana quietly sighs, tail swishing back and forth as he steps across the floor. He’s sure Akira has imagined how badly everything could go very often - both as the leader of the Phantom Thieves, and as just a teenager on probation with juvenile hall hovering over his head. It’s not right, that he has to deal with all this.
If only he was human. Then he could try and make some of them see reason. Or at least take some of this work off of Akira.
A buzzing noise drags him out of his thoughts. Morgana looks up to see the teenager turn that ancient television on, the news blathering on about the latest fad. “Do you think you’d be able to pull off perfect attendance and high grades, Morgana? Even with all this going on?” Akira asks absently, as he stares at the flickering screen.
“Of course!” Morgana says, raising his head proudly. “I was definitely a well-rounded human being. Brave, charming, intelligent, handsome… I’m sure of it!”
Akira doesn’t say anything for a moment, only shutting the television in response.
“Well, if you say it, it must be true,” He finally says, tugging off his school shirt. He lets out a satisfied sigh, throwing it into his laundry pile.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Morgana asks, narrowing his eyes as Akira walks over and plucks a nightshirt out from under his bed.
“Nobody is perfect, Morgana,” The teenager shrugs, slipping on the shirt. Running a hand through his hair, he smiles down at Morgana. “That’s just a fact of life. We all just try to be the best we can.”
He rolls his eyes at him, stepping around the bed. “Obviously. But I have to be like that!” Under his breath he mutters, “I have to…”
“Why?”
“Because if I’m not, there’s no way she’d ever-” He cuts himself off.
If Akira notices his near slip-up, he doesn’t mention it. Letting out a sigh, the Morgana falls onto his stomach, curling up at the foot of the bed. Every day, he gets to see Lady Ann, but he can never do anything about it. She’d probably just… Laugh him away, the way he is right now. Or worse. No, he he needs to become human. Then he can really woo Lady Ann. Actually, that begs the question...
“Hey…” Morgana says, as Akira sits down next to him. “Is there anyone you’re interested in?”
Akira flashes a grin. “You’re with me all the time. Wouldn’t you know?”
“Well yes… Yes I would! And you clearly have shown no interest in anyone.” He pauses, and scrunches up his nose. “Except that one time you teased Kawakami.”
“Nothing wrong with a little joking with a partner in crime,” Akira says, placing his glasses aside.
Morgana raises an eyebrow in a decisively non-catlike way. “It is more than a little weird to call your homeroom teacher at her maid job.”
“It’s only weird if people find out,” Akira says with that too-smooth smirk of his. Leaning against the wall, he shrugs. “Besides, I’m sure there are more than enough other rumors going around about me. Like, I’m a witch, and you’re my cat familiar that I talk to.”
“That’s stupid. How can you even say that with a straight face?”
“Easily. After all, it’s basically true.”
“Shut up! Go to sleep, you, you tired teenager!”
Akira lets out a laugh, falling against his pillow. Whatever teasing left in him seems to fade as the exhaustion of the day finally catches up. Within moments, Morgana can hear his breathing slow down.
The cat frowns to himself, shifting in the sheets. Why did he have to turn into a cat? He can’t speak with anyone except the team, and even then they don’t always take him seriously. It would all be easier if he was human, he just knows it.
“One day, I’ll turn back. He murmurs to himself. “I know it.”
Shutting his eyes, he lets out a deep breath and waits to drift off into sleep.
7/1/2016, Friday Morning
It’s too hot.
Groaning, Akira lays on his side, refusing to open his eyes. The sound of birds chirping remind him it’s time to get up. It’s a school day, but damn if the palace hadn’t left him exhausted yesterday. Still, the heavy scent of coffee filling the air means Sojiro is already here.
Suddenly the bed beneath him shifts. Letting out a yelp, Akira barely catches himself on all fours before he hits the floor. Wide awake, he moves to stand up. Immediately, his balance gives out, and he falls forward. He opens his eyes with a shake.
He isn’t looking at human hands. Instead, little white paws greet him, leading to black furred legs. He looks up slowly, and the room looms over him. Akira’s eyes widen.
“What the hell?” He mutters, making a face at his voice. He sounds like a kid!
“W-what? Hands?” He hears a voice say. It takes a moment to register that it’s his voice, like that hanging moment of confusion when he hears a recording of himself. In the time that takes to process, he’s noticed his body sitting up in bed staring at itself.
“I-I’m human? I’m human!” Oh no. If he’s in a cat’s body, then… “Akira! You have to see this!”
“I can,” Akira answers as Morgana looks around the room, an ecstatic smile on his face. Akira’s face.
“Huh? That sounds like...” Brows furrowed, he looks down and his eyes widen. “Wait. Akira?”
“Yeah. It’s me, Morgana.” He says. He can feel his tail moving behind him and he quickly sits down. “Somehow.”
The feeling of unease only grows as Akira watches his body loom over him and, with a bit of stumble, kneel down. “Wow. I never realized just how small I really looked as a cat.”
“Do you have any idea what could have caused this?” Akira asks.
With a small frown, Morgana shakes his head. “This… Shouldn’t be possible. It’s clearly due to the Metaverse in some way, but I have no idea how any change there would carry over here.”
Akira frowns. “What do you mean?”
Leaning back Morgana hums thoughtfully. “There’s certainly a chance that, in some Palace, we could switch bodies due to the ruler’s perceptions. In that case, any of us could have switched,” Morgana explains as he pokes his arms curiously. “However, such a change would revert upon return to the real world… Probably.”
“I’m not hearing a ‘definitely,” Akira mutters. He schools a quick urge to flick his tail back and forth. With a sigh, he gets up and glares forward before taking a step. He can feel Morgana watching him as he tries to walk. “Even so, we just finished Kaneshiro off. Nothing in his Palace had to do with body swaps.”
He manages four steps before stumbling onto his stomach. Looking back at Morgana, his friend helplessly shrugs.
“I don’t know. The only other thought would be people using our names interchangeably. That could have all sorts of effects, depending on what people were thinking about.”
Great. No clues, no ideas, nothing. Akira sighs, slumping forward.
“So we’re stuck like this until we solve it?”
“Don’t worry! In the Metaverse, you should still look like normal… I think.” Morgana says, sitting back against the bed. “Though at the moment we can only go to Mementos to test things and… Wait.” He blinks, looking around.
“What’s wrong?” Akira asks, glancing about as well.
“Do you even need those glasses you wear?!” Morgana shouts, glaring down at him. He’s clearly unaccustomed to human vocal chords; Akira flinches back at the volume.
“Quiet down!” He hisses, clutching the sides of his head. This nearly causes another tumble. “Sojiro will hear you.”
“Right, sorry…” Morgana winces. “Wait, Sojiro is here already?”
“Yeah, can’t you smell the coffee brewing?”
Morgana blinks in confusion before his eyes widen and he lets out a laugh. “Oh, that’s just how this place smells normally.”
“What?” Akira sniffs at the air again, practically tasting the scent of Blue Mountain. “But it’s so strong!”
“You’re in the body of a cat, your senses are much better,” Morgana explains, stretching out. “Or maybe your sense of smell is just really bad normally. Your body usually radiates the scent of coffee beans to me, and right now I can’t smell it at all.”
Before Akira can respond, the sound of the doorbell ringing downstair echoes.
“Sounds like Boss is here.” Morgana says, standing up. “Is he early? What time is it?”
“I don’t think he is. We just woke up early…” Akira says, and then his eyes widen. “It’s Friday! I still need to go to school!” He cries out.
“That’s fine! I can go for you. Everyone will think it’s you anyway.” Morgana smiles down at him. There’s something off about seeing such an openly impish expression on his own face.
Morgana walking around school. It should be fine, right? He already knows what everyone says, and he’s basically been attending Akira came here. Nothing to worry about...
“We will definitely find some way to get you your body back… And preferably put me into a human one instead of that cat again.” Morgana says with a dreamy smile. “But for now, think of it this way. You’re getting the full cat-burglar experience!”
“I don’t remember signing up for that.” Akira mutters before looking up at his friend. “But I trust you.”
“Great! I won’t let you down!” He says. Stepping around Akira, Morgana makes his way to the cardboard box of clothes stashed away and begins reaching into it.
“I never realized how much humans could feel with their hands,” Morgana muses, ruffling through Akira’s clothes. He pulls out the Shujin uniform and runs his fingers over the shirt. “It feels so much different with fingers.”
“Morgana, we do have to make the train.” As much as he’d like to let his friend enjoy exploring his (newfound? borrowed?) humanity, this really isn’t the time.
“Alright, alright.” As his friend gets changed, Akira looks up at the table where his bag rests… Taking a clumsy leap and landing on the table, he settles into his schoolbag and sighs. He already feels cramped, and he isn’t even being carried yet. Good thing he doesn’t pack many books, otherwise this body would never fit. Though, he supposes Morgana puts up with this every day.
“Hey, you up, kid? Or have you decided to start skipping?” Sojiro calls from downstairs.
“Coming, Boss!” Morgana calls out, grabbing Akira’s bag. Whispering, he says, “Akira, it’ll be fine! No one will suspect a thing with my expert skills.”
“I’m sure that - Slow down!” Akira tightly grips the opening of the bag, eyes wide as Morgana practically leaps down the stairs. All hopeful thoughts of hiding things fly out the window. There’s no way people aren’t going to notice.
Coming to a stop at the bar, Morgana takes a seat in front of the already placed curry and coffee, putting the bag onto the seat next to him.
“Ah, there you are.” Sojiro turns around from eyeing the beans, a hint of a smile on his face. “Was worried the food was going to get cold waiting for you.”
“Sorry for worrying you, Boss!”
Akira watches as Morgana takes his first bite of curry, only to let out a groan as his friend freezes in place, eyes widening. Yep. Sojiro is going to think he’s gone crazy.
“Everything alright there?” Looking up, his caretaker raises an eyebrow.
“Yes. This is incredible, Boss!” Morgana cheerfully replies, quickly diving into it once more.
Akira sinks deeper into the bag as Sojiro stares for a moment before chuckling.
“Honestly, you eat that stuff every day, but watching you right now, I’d guess you’d never eaten in your life.”
“Well, then today you outdid yourself.” Morgana shoots back. Finishing his meal, he takes one last sip of coffee before standing up and grabbing the schoolbag. “Thank you again. Bye Boss!”
With that, Morgana runs out the door, leaving Sojiro chuckling to himself. “Teenagers…”
Ryuji: Ugh, do we have ta go to school today? Yesterday wore me out.
Ann: Same here. That stupid piggy-bot was such a pain.
Makoto: I agree, but we do. We got it done in time, and now he’s going to reveal everything, correct?
Makoto: Therefore, we continue to act like normal teenagers and not draw attention to ourselves. And normal teenagers do not skip classes.
Ryuji: You sure? I thought I saw a couple of seniors skippin’ last Thursday.
Yusuke: At Kohei, some art students will often leave for lunch and never return.
Yusuke: I often find myself simply working through lunch. How can I waste time eating when I’m in the middle of a new inspiration?
Ann: Well… Good on you for being committed, Yusuke! But please eat. Seriously.
Ann: And speaking of commitment, hey, Akira! What was the reading about for Kawakami today?
Makoto: Ann!
Ann: What? I planned to wake up early and do it, but exhaaaaauuuuustion
Ann: And… We were cutting it a little closer this time, guys. I was worried...
Ann: Anyway, Akira, save me!
It’s a whirlwind of messages that come in just as fast as before. Morgana has seen them, from his resting place on Akira’s shoulder but now, actually holding a phone in his hands, Morgana can’t help but feel giddy. This is what he’s been missing.
“What are they talking about?” Akira mutters from inside the bag. Seated on the subway - Akira had mentioned getting lucky - Morgana looks down at his lap, seeing blue eyes peeking out from the bag there.
“Makoto’s scolding the others for wanting to skip.” Morgana says with a shrug. “Bet they didn’t go straight to bed like we did. Honestly…” Glancing back at the messages, he adds, “Oh, yeah. What was the reading? Lady Ann forgot.”
“I think it was…” The sound of muttering trails off, only for Akira to pop his head out of the bag to glare at him. “Don’t you dare call her that in my body.”
Morgana blinks.
“But Lady-”
“Morgana. You are in my body. It is going to sound like me saying it. And it’s going to be uncomfortable for everyone.” Akira lets out a sigh, dropping his head onto the bag. “Tell the group that something has come up, and to have Makoto get us into the student council room alone so we can talk about it at lunch.” Akira narrows his piercing eyes up at him. “And don’t call her ‘Lady Ann’! Please?’”
“Fine!” Fumbling for a moment, Morgana looks back to the phone. “I remembered the reading anyway.” He grumbles.
Ann: Akiraaaaaaaa
Ryuji: Just desserts for you, Panther
Ryuji: No Joker to save you now
Akira: Shut it, Skull. I’m always here for my friends.
Akira: It was chapter seven, Ann.
Ryuji: Hey, what the hell dude!
Ann: Oh thank god that’s a short one
Ann: You’re a lifesaver Akira
Akira: Of course I am!
Ryuji: Geez, you’re talkative today
Ryuji: Usually we gotta drag every word outta ya
Ryuji: Too much coffee or somethin’?
Akira: Please, don’t be ridiculous.
Akira: There is something we’ll need to discuss, though.
Akira: Makoto, can you secure the student council room for us all to talk?
Akira: We can meet back at the hideout to discuss things with Yusuke later as well.
Makoto:... Students might still wish to come in and talk about the gang threats. But I’ll try.
Makoto: What is the matter though? Does this have to do with Kaneshiro? He still hasn’t contacted me...
Akira: We’ll tell you all at lunch.
In all the time Ann has known Akira (an admittedly short span, now that she thinks about it), she’s picked up on some of his habits. He’ll play with a stray curl in his hair when he’s feeling sassy, fix his glasses when he’s focused… Cross his arms and legs and look all smug as he wins a ridiculous game of Mario Party that he definitely cheated at .
But never, in all her days, would Ann say she’s seen her friend walk confidently outside of the Metaverse. It’s not even Jokeresque - he’s got a skip to his step, of all things, striding in an open gait that draws a sharp contrast to his usual calculated slouch and mild walk.
She arches an eyebrow as he approaches.
“Hey there, stranger. You’re looking happy.”
“I’m just feeling great about today.” Akira blushes.
Ann thinks she hears Morgana let out a groan from his bag, but can’t quite catch what he mutters afterwards. Whatever it is, Akira lets out a sigh and takes his seat. “Anyway, did you finish the reading in time?” He asks as he unpacks, letting Morgana sneak into his desk as usual. The cat seems to be struggling a little today, Ann notices.
“Of course!” Ann says with a laugh. After a moment, she rolls her eyes. “Okay, well, I skimmed it, and then checked online for the main points. But I’m still prepared, thanks to you!”
“A-anytime.” He says.
With that, the morning bell rings and they fall into their usual routine.
If not for the occasional sound of a pencil jotting something down, Ann would barely be able to tell Akira was behind her. At least, that’s how he normally is. But today, there’s a constant tapping of a pencil on the desk, or if not that, the sound of a heel constantly tapping the floor. At one point, as Mr. Inui is writing terminology on the board, Ann risks a quick glance to see Akira sketching… Something in the margins of his notebook. It looks like schematics for something , but she can’t make out the words next to them, they’re such a mess.
Quickly turning around, Ann bites her lip. What could possibly cause their normally stoic leader to act like this? Had he found a date or something? Ann frowns to herself. That could be it. If Akira had, she’s not sure anyone would never find out unless he let them. Rolling her eyes, she pushes aside thoughts of Akira and tries to focus on what Mr. Inui is discussing.
“... And that is why such sacrifices were made. Now then, Kurusu-kun.” The voice of their teacher calls out.
Ann turns her head slightly, taking another peek at her friend. He casually leans back, settling comfortably into the chair - or as comfortably as anyone can in these chairs, she supposes. If Mr. Inui notices the change in posture, he doesn’t comment on it.
“In the book, Zhuge Liang of Shu is famous for his exploits during the Battle of Red Cliffs. But do you know what Chinese dish Zhuge Liang is credited for inventing?”
"Baozi," Akira answers, with a smirk.
"That's right." Mr. Inui responds, giving a short clap. As he proceeds to explain the probably important history of just why the answer was ‘baozi,’ Ann can already hear the other students whispering amongst themselves.
"Damn,” Someone mutters, “He didn't even hesitate."
"Bet he just snuck into the teacher's lounge and got a look at the answers." Another whispers back, snickering.
"Or maybe some people bothered to do the reading," Ann hears Akira say under his breath.
“Ssh!” Morgana hisses.
Ann frowns to herself, but a loud cough from Mr. Inui grabs the class’s attention. Honestly, it’s been months now. Can’t they give it a rest already? Still, maybe it’s finally getting to Akira.
The second the bell rings, Ann turns around.
“Hey, are you okay?” She asks. “You’ve been acting weird all morning.”
Akira quickly averts his eyes.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.” He says. Again with the blushing, Ann notices. Maybe he’s coming down with something? She glances around, but thankfully the usual nosy students ditched for the cafeteria immediately.
“Really? ... Then why the super secret meeting, hmm?” She says.
He rubs the back of his head and sighs. “Well, this morning-”
“We can talk about it in the room,” Morgana interrupts, poking his head out of Akira’s desk.
“Careful, you can’t just peek your head out,” Akira hisses, snatching him up and dropping him into his bag in a flash and strangled half-yowl. “You definitely know better than that.”
Morgana sighs, but sinks quietly into the bag. Standing up, Akira flashes Ann a grin and offers his arm. “Well, shall we?”
“You’re such a dork,” She snorts, slapping his arm away. “Come on, you’re keeping everyone else waiting.”
“So are you!” He laughs as they leave the room.
Ryuji catches them by the stairs, and even though Akira smiles, Ann notices his shoulders tense up when the blonde boy throws an arm around them. Even his responses, while all smiles, seem short.
Walking into the student council room, they see Makoto already seated, notebook laid out on the desk.
“Shut the door, please.” She says, and everyone gathers around.
“Alright. What’s wrong, Akira?” Makoto asks. “Did something happen last night?”
Akira quietly walks forward to the table, placing his bag down to let Morgana out, and turns to face everyone. Crossing his arms, he says, “Yes.”
“Can you just tell them?” Morgana huffs at Akira, facing Makoto. “You’ve been speaking with Morgana this entire time, Makoto. I’m Akira.”
Ann blinks.
“Yeah right,” Ryuji scoffs. “You get enough sleep last night, Mona?”
“I’m serious.” Morgana fixes his eyes on him. “Just like you were when you said you’d stick by my side after we dealt with the track team.”
Ryuji’s jaw drops, and he whirls on Akira.
“Dude, you told the cat?!”
“Please, like I’d care enough to ask what the two of you were talking about that day.” The teen snorts. Hearing that tone come out of Akira’s mouth is disconcerting.
“The hell?” Ryuji says, flinching back. Akira just crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow in response. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hey,” Ann says, placing a hand on the blonde’s shoulder. She frowns at Akira and Morgana. “Guys, come on, you’re not pulling some sort of prank, are you?”
“No, he’s telling the truth.” Akira says. He looks down at Morgana. “If we go into Mementos, we can prove it. I think.”
“I can also just keep repeating things you’ve told me alone.” The cat adds. “In private, of course.”
After a moment, Makoto rubs her forehead slowly and lets out a sigh. “If what you’re saying is true, how could this even have occurred?”
“We don’t know why.” Akira- err, Morgana explains, looking down at the cat calmly sitting on the table. Now that Ann knows it’s Akira, she can see the slight changes in the feline’s posture. He’s somehow become more catlike than Morgana usually is. He’s gracefully relaxed, and his eyes subtly but keenly observe the room’s occupants. “It clearly happened because of some event in the Metaverse, but as to why… I don’t know. But while we’re there, we could try fixing it.”
“Well, good thing we finished Kaneshiro off before this happened.” Ann says, letting out a sigh. “If we had to balance a Palace and this at the same time…”
“Wait, is it ‘cause of that bastard’s Palace?” Ryuji shouts.
“Keep it down!” Morgana hisses.
“How can I keep it down when my best friend is an effin’ cat, and the talking cat is in his body?!”
“I am not a cat!”
“Clearly!”
“Guys!” Ann interrupts, standing between them both. “Not the time. Like, it never is, but especially right now.”
She glances over to Makoto and Akira, who both look exhausted.
“I honestly don’t know where to look for an answer…” Morgana admits, shifting his weight from leg to leg.
“Well, there’s no rush, right?” At Akira’s frown, she quickly adds, “I mean, we need to lay low after this anyway, so we can spend our free time looking into this.” Ann says, taking a seat next to Akira. Reaching out, she gives his back a pat. He looks torn between satisfaction and mortification at that, so she quickly stops. “You’ll be back before you know it.”
“There’s just one problem with that.” Everyone turns to stare at Makoto and she lets out a sigh. “We have tests in just over a week. Remember?”
“Ah, shit. She’s right.” Ryuji groans, falling back into his own chair with a thud. “Man, why we gotta take tests? We just dealt with Kaneshiro. The school should be thanking us with perfect scores!”
“I’m certain the only ‘gift’ we’d receive as Phantom Thieves would be a pair of handcuffs each.” Makoto replies. “And they’re only tests. As long as you’ve been paying attention, you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ryuji grunts, looking over at where Akira is standing on the table. Ann’s fairly certain he’s paid as much attention in class as she has… Shit, they’re both screwed. “Well, at least you don’t have to take them, dude.”
He shakes his head with a sigh. “I’d take tests over being a cat anyday, Ryuji.”
“About that,” Makoto looks to where Morgana is standing. “Morgana, do you… Actually know what is on the tests?”
There’s something ridiculous about watching him puff out his chest, Ann thinks. Perhaps because Akira would only do it out of complete irony, where Morgana is almost certainly sincere. “Of course I do! I’m sitting in his desk all day after all... Or, well, was.”
“Though it sounds like you’re snoring most of the time,” Akira scrunches up his little cat nose in an adorable fashion. “I don’t know how you can, it’s so cramped in there.”
“Hey, it was comfortable to me! And I still paid attention.”
Ann nods her head. “It’s true. Whenever Akira got picked on ‘randomly,’ I could hear Mona helping him out.”
“See! Lady Ann trusts me.” Morgana says, flashing her a smile of gratitude.
Before Ann can even frown at the title of ‘Lady’ coming in her friend’s voice like that, Akira speaks up from the table.
“Morgana.”
He winces, but quickly recovers.
“Anyway, it’s not like I won’t study too.”
“...Alright, well, I’m glad to know Akira’s grades won’t suffer for this. The plan is to go into Mementos after school, to test Morgana’s theory?” Makoto asks. At everyone’s nods, she types something into her phone and stands up. “I’ll let Yusuke know. Now, we need to leave. Lunch is almost over.”
Following Morgana back to class, Ann sighs. Why are their lives so messed up? There’s no way this’ll be as easy as they hope.