Marionette(My Strings Are Titanium, You Cannot Cut Them)

Goro supposed it only made sense for people to be apprehensive around him. He was becoming a celebrity of sorts, after all. Well, he should just be thankful they didn't like him too much. The interaction only served to remind him why he didn't generally seek out companionship. It was awkward. He stumbled from the beginning. Talking to peers was a skill that continued to elude him, wasn't it?

Hm, it was strange, he could've sworn he'd heard four voices from that group, but only three people were there. Well, one of them could've been on the phone, he supposed.

His focus now was making it through the interview. By the sound of it, he'd be asked about the supposed Phantom Thieves changing hearts in Tokyo. He'd laugh, it sounded far too good to be true. Stealing someone's distorted desires? It was idiotic. However, who's to say it wasn't possible? If he could drive someone to madness utilizing the metaverse, surely it wasn't impossible that there were methods to affect people in other ways. 

The original plan had been to brief on the interview today and film tomorrow, but it had been altered last minute. He knew Shido was involved with that somehow, having been messaged about a meeting tomorrow morning, and it was concerning, to say the least. He'd have to perform well today. He couldn't risk putting the man in a sour mood by saying something out of line. Not as though he was ever in a good mood.

Goro took a few deep breaths before walking into the recording studio, plastering his fake smile on and clearing his mind of everything but his detective prince persona.

"Seven...six...five..." He sat, noticing the people he'd seen just a bit earlier in the crowd but not paying much mind. 

"Four...three..." This would be over soon. He didn't have anything else pressing today. Maybe he could go bouldering after all.

He listened to the announcer introducing the show and him, smiling sweetly at the camera. He greeted the audience politely before answering questions almost robotically. He was frankly shocked that people did not point out how mechanical he was. He always noticed when he caught glimpses of the film. He kept it light and vague while still acting professional. The interview was going well.

While condemning the Phantom Thieves of Heart, Goro felt hypocritical. Truthfully, though there was merit to what he said, he didn't really believe them to be evil. Not yet, at the very least. He knew firsthand what metaverse powers could do. If their intentions were really evil, it would be obvious. He wasn't lying, saying that he hoped they were real. Wouldn't it be nice to change Shido's heart? Maybe he'd finally be free...

Shido was too paranoid. Even if that reality did come to pass, Goro would be screwed too.

Students were asked for their opinions. 30% was certainly higher than the average across the country, but it wasn't so shocking coming from students. He suggested asking the students, which in reality he'd been told to do before the interview. It wasn't ideal, really, but he could adapt. It was one of the students he'd seen before the interview.

"They're justice itself." The boy's answer was a bit shocking, but he didn't allow it to phase him.

"You say that with such firmness." Goro replied. He asked the rehearsed question of how he'd feel if someone he knew had a change of heart. With the end of the discussion, the lady returned to the stage, and he continued talking. He revealed that he was investigating the Phantom Thieves, and the interview ended soon after.

As everyone began leaving, he couldn't stop thinking about the boy he'd spoken to. There was nothing particularly special about it, the student was rather unremarkable. Still, he was so firm in his beliefs. Seeing him hanging back, Goro took the chance to approach him.