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Flashing lights, crowds, and slot machines galore made up just some of the scenery within Sae Niijima’s Palace, as the place was just as complicated as Japan's real-world courts, and just like those courts, the games were rigged in favor of the house. It was not a place intended for players to succeed in their venture, especially when it came to the Phantom Thieves.
Thanks to Akechi’s quick planning, however, the team made it to the treasure room. Now, it was a question of sending the calling card and defeating Sae’s shadow.
Yet through the entire journey through the Palace, something wasn't sitting right with you. Maybe it was because the team was still reeling from the blame of Okumura’s death, or the threat of police barging down the doors and arresting everyone at any given moment, but it was tense. You, however, saw something strange beneath everything.
Akechi. He never answered your questions directly when it came to such things as what happened when he awakened to his persona and how he got so proficient with it in such a short amount of time. The others seemed to accept his nonspecific answers, but you didn't.
He knew something that he wasn't letting on, and no matter what, you were going to find out what that was. Even if you had to traverse Sae’s Palace all on your own, you would find out what was going on.
You weren't about to let Sae suffer the same fate as Okumura.
So as the others carried out their plan to deliver Sae’s calling card in the real world, you entered the Metaverse at the courthouse, sneaking through the labyrinth of back rooms and to the elevator. Anyone sneaking into the Palace would need to use the elevator, so the large room was an ideal place to stake out any potential trouble. Hidden in the vents, you pulled out a book purchased from a shop in Shibuya and made yourself comfortable, keeping a sharp ear out for trouble.
…
“Hmm?”
The sound that escaped your lips was involuntary as you were pulled from your accidental slumber. Two sets of hands pulled you from your hiding place. Your book clattered to the ground. Damn it, how could you be foolish enough to fall asleep?
You looked up, expecting to see the Black Mask, or maybe the other Phantom Thieves. It wouldn't surprise you if Ren caught on to what you were up to.
Instead, you found yourself face to face with Sae Niijima’s Shadow, her golden eyes burning through you as she shifted, putting a hand on her hip nonchalantly as her shadows held you captive.
“What a brave and foolish soul you are,” She mused, reaching out for you. With your body restrained, you had no choice but to allow her to put her fingers to your chin, tilting your head to meet her gaze. “Seems one of the competitors has chosen to cheat the system,” She chuckled darkly, her distorted voice crackling, “Oh, you should see the look on your face right now. You're the picture of helplessness. Your strength is nothing,” She dragged her finger down your neck, placing the sharpened nail over your pulse. One small move and she could rip your throat open and leave you to bleed. The images of that assaulted your mind but you bit your cheek, trying to stay still.
You stared at her, burning with rage and defiance. You didn't dare say anything, both out of fear of retaliation and to not give her the satisfaction of hearing the fear in your voice.
You should have never entered this place alone.
“Aww, what a pathetic sight.” She dared trace her nail lower, to the hem of your uniform, her nail pulling at the edge, situated just above your breasts, “You know, I don't take kindly to pests crawling around in my vents. They should be squashed like the pathetic rats they are. If it were any other situation, I would let my guards dispatch you.”
The muscular shadows around you bristled. You knew they were more than capable of dealing with you in such a state.
“So, what do you plan to do with me?” You asked, your voice hoarse from your recent sleep.
She laughed mockingly. “You? Dear,” She suddenly traced her finger back up to your chin, over your cheek, and to your mask, pulling it up. Her smile widened as you cowered, your mask falling from your face uselessly. She dropped it onto the ground with little care. “Just as I suspected… you're quite a looker beneath the mask. I'm going to give you a punishment befitting a sneaky, conniving thief such as yourself.”
You closed your eyes. Even if you fought with all your strength, you wouldn't be able to summon your persona before being struck down. You looked at Sae’s shadow with your unmasked face, trying desperately to maintain an even tone of voice.
“I can take anything you throw at me.”
…
It didn't surprise you that Sae’s shadow had a luxury suite. You hadn't been conscious, as the shadows knocked you out sometime during the journey, but when you awoke, you were being carried into a large, luxurious suite with a king-sized bed, a table with a fruit bowl overflowing with fruit, and a door open to a bathroom with a large spa bath.
You expected to be tied up, maybe carried through a secret door to another room. Instead, you were taken to the bathroom. Sae trailed closely behind the shadows.
“Strip her.” She commanded. Your eyes went wide.
“Hold on a second!” You struggled against the shadows as they carelessly tore through your Metaverse attire, reducing it to shreds at your feet. Sae’s face lit up at seeing your naked body.
“No underwear?”
You were stunned into silence. Sae’s eyes ran up and down your body hungrily as you trembled in the shadow's grasp, unable to cover yourself with your arms restrained.
Sae huffed, beckoning a couple more shadows to her with her finger. With slow, almost sensual movements, they began undressing her, one unfastening the spiked collar on her neck while the other slid down her stockings. You stared at her, watching with fascination and uncertainty as she was undressed.
Sae had caught your eye before, but her shadow was a far different matter. Yet… you couldn't help but wonder if her body was just as voluptuous in the real world. As she turned, you noticed a tattoo covering a large portion of her back, which was of a guard dog from the palace surrounded by yellow roses. She turned again, smiling upon startling you from your ponderings.
“Do you like what you see, Phantom Thief?” She did a flourish, turning her naked body in a 360 and flipping her hair over her shoulder.
You replied, “I doubt you're a woman who can be won over by mere compliments.” It wasn't just a harsh rebuttal; it was a reminder that you were a captive, and she had full control. The shadows still held you firmly in place.
“You are a clever thief,” She replied, “It is true, I don't seek compliments from you,” She took a step closer, then another, until she towered over you, “You and your Thieves played many games throughout my establishment… What say we play a few more?”
“What sort of games?” You asked, swallowing hard. It was difficult not to be forced to look down at her bare breasts at the angle you were being held.
“Please me,” She uttered, her voice hardly above a whisper, “Succeed at that, and you may just earn your freedom.”
Your face reddened. It wasn’t lost on you what she meant, and while on any other day, you would be thrilled to have Sae Niijima throwing herself at you, this was her shadow, and you were a captive. This was a gamble with your life, and if you lost, you might be dead in this Palace where no one would ever find your body.
“I’ll do it.”
She stepped into the bath, sinking slowly into the water until her breasts were just barely submerged beneath the water. She beckoned you forth with her finger, and the shadows released you at the same time. As you stepped forward, you called out mentally to your persona but got no response.
Why am I not surprised… of course, she would have something to block out my powers. It appeared you would have to play along until you saw an opportunity to escape. Not only that but fooling around with someone as beautiful as Sae didn’t seem like such a bad option.
You approached the bath, dipping one foot in the water and finding it comfortably warm. You sank in, relaxing your muscles as you leaned in with Sae, whose makeup was somehow impossibly untouched by the water and damp air. Ah, the boons of the Metaverse…
“Come here, darling,” She called to you, offering her arm. You slid up next to her, relaxing onto her shoulder as her arm wrapped around your waist. Her nails, like claws, tapped gently and harmlessly on your stomach.
While this situation wasn’t ideal, it did give you an opportunity to, perhaps, learn more about shadows. What happened outside of your encounters with shadow rulers in this world was mostly a mystery, after all, but this was an entire world, even if that world was dependent on what lurked inside a person’s mind.
Well, at least, if your friends ever found out about this little ‘encounter’, you could say it was for research.
What was she thinking, in that moment, as she held you on her arm with all the tenderness of a lover? More importantly, what was the real Sae Niijima thinking? Did seeing you in the Metaverse make her real self think of you, even if for a brief moment, seemingly out of the blue? Morgana did say before that there was a reason the team used codenames and masks.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind,” She said out of the blue, “At least, that’s why I assume you’re so quiet.”
“Well… not exactly. I suppose I’m a bit on edge, considering the situation. And confused…”
“Oh,” Her features lit up in a wide, cat-like smile, as conniving as it was alluring. “Fair enough. Let me ask you a question… Do you find me attractive?”
“That’s… an odd question. I thought it was obvious enough since I didn’t blatantly refuse any of this.”
“You accepted under threat of death.” The nail on her middle finger pressed harder onto your stomach, not enough to draw blood but enough to draw out some pain and remind you of your place.
“But I didn’t protest in the slightest.”
She laughed mirthfully. “You’re playing such a dangerous game, yet you reply so casually. I’m going to have a lot of fun with you.”
The claw on your stomach slowly drew a line up your torso, stopping between your breasts. She splayed her hand on one breast and drew her face in close to yours, her yellow eyes suddenly glowing as her lips brushed against yours.
“Do you feel it? This thrill? It’s not unlike a battle, is it? And I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of fights, little thief.”
“I’ve seen enough, and yes, it is like a battle. Perhaps a little less clothed than most battles,” You chuckled, “But it’s a battle I intend to win.”
Her hand slid up to cup your face. “We’ll see.”
Soon, it was a clash of your lips against hers, and tongues in mouths, fighting for the dominance each of you craved. Yet you found yourself on the losing side, her tongue jamming down your throat while her hands buried themselves in your hair, the ends of her pointed nails tapping your scalp like a threat.
When you came apart, you were certain her seemingly impervious lipstick would be a little smudged, but it was as though it had never touched your lips, remarkably untainted. You wondered if, in this world, it was simply a part of her body, her lips pigmented that way, but you didn’t dwell on the mechanics of this ever-changing and predictable cognitive world, or the function of the cognitive being before you as she pulled your hand up to those beautiful lips and kissed the backs of your knuckles, an oddly tender gesture after what she had just done.
The bathwater was growing cold, and yet your body was heating up.
With a wave of her hand, the nameless shadows reappeared, coming into the room and helping each of you towel off and dress only in undergarments. Once again, you faced the odd embarrassment of these creatures’ hands on you, though much easier since it was just underwear. As they dissipated at Sae’s silent command, she turned her back to you again, her hips swaying as she made her way into the adjoined bedroom, her movements like hypnosis infecting your brain.
You wondered briefly if it was an effect like brainwashing from the shadows, but you shook that thought from your head. You were fully in control. If you had the means to escape, you would, but clearly, you had to engage in more than just playful banter and some kissing to get the job done.
Please me. Succeed at that, and you may just earn your freedom.
Her words were a haunting echo in your head. You were a willing lamb following her to slaughter as you pursued her into the bedroom, where she already lay sprawled on the bed, her wet hair clinging to her collarbone and dripping onto her voluptuous chest. She looked upon you like a cat with its prey, and crooked one finger in a come hither gesture.
“Come and play, you curious little kitten.”
The plush bedding rippled under your hands as you crawled onto the bed and settled next to her. She reached for you, her sharpened nails brushing harmlessly up your collarbone and then resting beneath your neck, the points digging into your skin. Her yellow eyes flashed with wicked intent, and a rush of adrenaline flooded you as you were reminded briefly that this woman’s shadow could very well kill you if she desired it.
She laughed and drew her hand away. “How can you look so scared and turned on at the same time? Are you, perhaps, a bit of a masochist?”
“Yes.” There was no use lying to her.
That got a laugh out of her. “Oh, dear,” She purred and drew you in close, with her lips hovering above yours, “I’m going to wreck you tonight.”
She pulled back and braced her hand on your hip, turning your body forcefully until you were on your back. She made herself comfortable sitting on your middle, straddling you with her toned legs, her hair hanging around your face as she leaned in and kissed you. Her tongue invaded your mouth and you could taste something odd, but you ignored it. It wasn’t unpleasant, just unusual. You weren’t exactly sure what it was.
Her clawed fingers wrapped around your panties, and before you knew what was happening, she tore through your panties and discarded the ruined fabric. Then she pushed the lips of your labia open and licked her lips at the sight.
“Soaking wet for me? Such a naughty girl you are.” She dipped her head down, and her breaths made your pussy twitch. “I need a taste.”
Your back arched as her tongue began snaking its way into your folds. Her lips enclosed your entrance, providing a satisfying suction while her tongue worked its magic in you. Before you could get much out of it, though, she stopped, her lips releasing you with a loud pop.
“Oh, did you think you were getting off so easily?” She laughed mockingly, those long, clawed fingers tracing your thighs, “Think again. You’re going to have to put a little more work into it if you want to get off, pet.”
Without giving you a chance to protest, she climbed over top of you and turned around, her panties already gone sometime while you were busy enjoying her tongue. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she wanted you to do, so when she pressed her soaking cunt over your mouth, you began using your tongue much in the same way she had. While her pussy enveloped your face, she resumed her motions down south, her tongue snaking its way around your lips and labia before delving back in.
“Mmph, you’re soaking,” You muttered against her pussy, “You’re not as unaffected as you act.”
She slurped at you, drawing a moan from your lips, and she chuckled, “You’re one to talk. You were practically undressing me with your eyes every time you saw me when you were with your little group of thief friends.”
“Yeah. So what? They were probably doing the same.”
“Maybe so. But you were the only one who’s attention I appreciated.”
Before you had a chance to retort, she pressed her pussy harder onto your face and rutted her hips onto you, riding your tongue. You stuck it out and allowed her to seek out her pleasure on you even as she pulled her face away from your pussy.
“Oh, darling, you’re good with that tongue,” She groaned, “That’s it, keep it just like that. Let me come on that pretty face.” She released a shuddering breath. Her toes curled, and her chest rose and fell rapidly, until a soft moan escaped her lips and she was gushing onto your face while jolting her hips weakly, moaning your name. You didn’t remember telling her your name but you didn’t think much about that as you swallowed her cum.
Though you were still aroused, dripping, and lost in a haze of lust, a tiny rational part of your brain wondered if she was done with you now that she had come. She lifted her hips off your face and rolled onto the bed, by your side, catching her breath.
“You really know what you’re doing,” She panted, “You’ve… caught me by surprise. I can’t say I’ve been with a lover like you,” She sat upright, her breasts moving with her rapid breaths.
You simply lay there watching her, your cunt twitching with desperate arousal, though you were too afraid to ask for her to reciprocate.
She flipped her hair out of her face and crawled over you. Her plump, painted lips curled upward in a smile. “Spread your legs. I’m not done with you.”
You obeyed eagerly. Her legs slotted between yours, her sopping cunt suddenly pressing against yours, twitching. “Fuck me, Sae,” You breathed, laying your head back.
One thrust, then two, and then she built up a steady rhythm of rutting herself against you. Arousal built in your gut like a roller coaster building up to its highest peak. Your legs shook as she pressed her body onto yours, her ample breasts squishing against your chest and her lips on your collarbone, sucking a hickey onto your skin.
“Sae…”
You were dangerously close to coming against her and she knew it. You could feel her smirk against your skin.
“That’s it. Come, little pet. Take pleasure in me,” Her voice was weaking, her thrusts becoming sloppy. Was she close, too, “Come with me, come on me, be a good girl,” She cooed, “Going to… come .”
You couldn’t hold back anymore. Your lower body clenched along with the feeling of wetness gushing out of you as you came against her, and in turn, she pressed her body onto yours, her breasts nearly suffocating you as she came on you, her whole body trembling. Her face was drawn in an expression of bliss, eyes rolled back and mouth hanging wide open.
When it was over, she rolled off of you, allowing you to catch your breath. Your hands were shaking as you tried to sit upright, but you gave up and let yourself lay limp on the bed.
“Is it… over?” You whispered, finally working up the courage to ask that burning question.
“No. Not yet,” She breathed, “I need more of you.”
…
It had to have been all night—you had no way of telling time to confirm, but the exhaustion pulling at your eyelids told you the truth. She took charge, again and again, rutting against you, scissoring you, shoving your face between her legs; doing anything to get pleasure from you, and you were more than eager to comply. By the end of the night, you were soaked in her arousal and your body was heavy from exhaustion. Spending so much time in the Metaverse was probably taking its toll on you, as well.
“I should leave,” You said, out of breath when she finally allowed you to be done. She was laying next to you, her once-perfect hair a mess. Her makeup was still impeccable.
“Do you have to?” She asked, sounding disappointed.
“We’re enemies. No matter what way you look at it, I’ve gotta go.”
She smiled with a knowing glint in her eye. “Then go. My shadows will not bother you on the way out. But the next time we meet, we shall be enemies again.”
…
Days later, you were going about your student life as usual. Ren was waiting until the last second to send the calling card, and you were left in stomach-twisting anticipation. You had yet to see Sae, the real Sae, anywhere. She was busy.
Maybe it was wrong that a part of you wanted her to know you had sex with her shadow. It was also wrong that you had done it to begin with, even if you tried to lie to yourself and say it was solely for survival and nothing else.
You came across Sae and Akechi in the train station. Sae was in the middle of a heated phone call, and Akechi was smiling, putting on his usual act. You could see the pain in his eyes as he did a few signatures for some fangirls who approached him.
Sae hung up the phone with the click of a button and she shoved her cell into her pocket, rolling her eyes. “I’ve had about enough of him.” She sighed.
“Oh, Y/N?” Akechi spotted you first, giving you no choice but to come over to them. Your train wouldn’t be there for a few minutes, anyway.
“Nice to see you again,” You lied. Your suspicions of him were flaring back to life. You were on full alert.
When Sae spotted you, her eyes went wide. Was that a little blush on her cheeks, too?
“I’ve seen you before. You’re a friend of Makoto’s aren’t you?”
“Y-yes ma’am.”
Just like in the palace, her looks and voice commanded authority. You obeyed eagerly.
“It’s good to see her with friends by her side. I appreciate you.”
She averted her gaze, pulling out her phone to busy herself. A crack was showing in her unshakable facade.
She knows.