Monika and Erika

Going back in time to a few hours before the envoy to Buvaria returned, Monika scowled as she sipped her boba and tapped her fingers on the table as she watched a video on her phone at an outdoor cafe in town. On screen, Machiko was shaking hands with Ikebukuro while Bisento and Yamane both stood off to the side. 

"Well you're really trying to confuse me now, Fuukuro family. First you show me a headline saying Yamane was attacked, but alive and well, then you guide me to tent and claim she was horrifically injured and pronounce her "dead", now she appears alive and well, building off the first story. What is your goal?" Monika thought. 

The sound of heels clacking against the concrete caused Monika to turn to look behind her. Approaching her with a neutral look on her face was none other than Erika Eiko. 

"Oh, how'd repeating the propaganda go?" Monika smiled. 

"Hmm, how to phrase it in a way you'd understand. I have a job, happiness, and hair," Erika huffed as she sat down across from Monika. 

"How about a microchip in your brain?" 

"No, but clearly you have something wrong in that bald head of yours." 

Erika and Monika were old friends that went as far back as high school where they were both members of the journalism club. The two couldn't be further from each other in personality with Monika being more outlandish while Erika was prim and proper. Both did share an enthusiasm for reporting though. 

"I heard you got fired again. What was it this time?" Erika asked as she ordered a drink. 

Monika smirked and leaned back, slamming her feet down on the table. "These sweet sneakers. Boss was pissed I showed up to work in em, yet how many guys can get away with the suit n' sneakers look? Pure fucking discrimination." 

"If you were coupling it with your rude attitude, I can see why someone would get upset. No could you please take your feet off the table?" Erika scowled as she got up and sat down at an adjacent table. 

"That much of a clean freak? The streets we walk are some of the cleanest in the world, and the soles of these sneakers are still pearly white. Your boba would be fine if it was placed on the table." 

"Putting your feet on the table is just plain rude, no debate needed. But if you were yelled at simply for your choice in apparel, then as a fellow woman, I'd stand by you. I'll admit that seeing some of my male colleagues get away with more casual dress does annoy me. I'm sure Mayor Fuukuro would find sympathy in a plight like that, even if you're the one bringing it to the public eye. I mean, they called her the "punk politician" because she's always rocking sneakers with her suit and spiking up her hair. She's such a breath of fresh air compared to all those other stuck-up politicos." 

"And there it is, the worshiping." 

"Was Mayor Fuukuro truly that horrible of an employer to you? I thought it was her daughter you'd bemoan about for days on end." 

"Guilt by proxy. She got mad at me for Muki losing an eye when the bitch had it coming." 

"There you go again. This is why people hate you, Monika." 

"Sorry, don't follow." 

Erika let out a frustrated sigh and decided to just end things there as her drink arrived. 

"Oh, before you storm off, tell me if you've got any solid information on Yamane's status," Monika glared. 

"Can't you ask her yourself? She's the one Fuukuro you still consider a friend." 

"Tried, but the line's dead. Could just be her phone was destroyed in that alleged goblin attack, or maybe she really is dead like Muki claimed. 

In an instant, Erika was back at Monika's table, a serious look in her eye as she stared directly at Monika. 

"Didn't hear that bit, huh? Well turns out Muki had her goon lead me to a "medical tent" in a hidden corner of town, and inside, Yamane was seemingly dying." 

"Tell me more." 

"You sure? You're the type that always follows orders. Digging too deep into this could cost you your job." 

Erika smirked as she set her purse down and pulled out a pair of white sneakers, changing into them before slamming her feet down on the table. "When it comes to cover-ups, nothing gives me more fulfillment than bringing them to light. That's what a reporter's duty should be."

"Making my heart beat, girlfriend. So let me tell you what I saw..." 

...

Erika frowned as Monika finished telling her story. "That seems quite suspicious. Muki is known for doing outlandish things, but this certainly takes the cake." 

"Yeah. Pisses me off it got me so worked up I fainted from shock. Oh, any incisions on my head? They might've chipped me while I was out."

"No, your head looks smooth save for some razor bumps. And no, none are in the area you claim microchips can be inserted. Now back to the main discussion. I haven't heard much aside from what's already been publicized. Mayor Fuukuro is the sole source of the information, but now that Yamane's making public appearances again, maybe there's a chance we can try and book an interview. Though it still doesn't make sense WHY Muki would have pulled that stunt. Does she want you to start spreading that Yamane is seemingly dead, or is there deeper meaning behind it?"

"You want to ask my intuition, I say that bandaged hunk I saw was just some theater prop. When I began shoving by to see "Yamane", neither Muki nor the staff put up any resistance. They wanted me to see that fake corpse.  Sadly I'm clueless too as to what Muki's got planned. The only thing I can think of doing to try and get to bottom of this is meet with Yamane herself." 

"And, hypothetically, what if that really was Yamane that you saw?" 

"I know her well enough to know if someone's impersonating her. She's dubbed the "Mythical Mary Sue" for a reason, and that's because she can do things normal people just can't. Exposing a body double would be child's play." 

"Then let's try and track her down," Erika smiled as she began to head off." 

"You wanna partner up with me?"

"No, but I'm saying that there's nothing to stop you from stalking me as I, a seasoned and respected reporter, attempt to have an audience with one Yamane Fuukuro." 

"Light n' dark. We really do mesh we really do mesh well." 

"That reminds me, how do you feel about the state of this world?"

Monika let out a laugh. "Same as it's always been! Just look around you. We went to work, got boba, everything's the same. I don't buy that otherworld shit for a second." 

Erika frowned in silence.

"Oi, don't tell me you actually fell for it. It's obviously fake."

"And where is that coming from? I've seen the pictures."

"Pictures or the real deal? The former can be created on a computer." 

Erika begrudgingly bit her lip, admitting it was the former. 

"See what I mean? Worst case scenario, we've all been knocked out and stuffed in VR pods. That's the only other angle this could take. Now let's focus on Yamane. That's the mystery of the day, not some isekai photoshop prank."