Hello hello!! This here's mah first shot atta KanjixRise fanfic (dun ask me why I talk like that righ now.) XD Damn, it's too early for me to be writing. . On to more important business!! This story will have three chapters, no more, no less. I'm intent on making it that long. =) Anywho, this will also probably be my last *whole* fanfic for awhile (at least for the Persona series that is, except I might do a NaotoxRise fanfic... Or maybe KanjixNaoto? Hmm...) since I've already written like 7 others... I figure I might need a break, as well as all of you who have been reading my works. XD Lastly, I know that Kanji never outright stated in the game that he loved penguins, so I'm just assuming that he did. That's all. =)
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 4, or Rise's adorable little costume! Sqweee!
Chapter 1: Penguin Costume
January 14, 2012
"Party weekend has finally arrived for the young students of Yasogami High! Every student is invited, and no student should have anything more important to do than attend my, Ai Ebihara's, revolutionary costume party! So, be there, or be a loser," the invitation read. The girl with hair like autumn leaves stared at the card in her hand. Even though it was white, the invitation was ornately decorated, designs flowered across the sides; it even had the scent of strawberries on it. Every student was stoked about the party, and as far as she knew, no one had declined the invitation.
But, behind the scent of strawberries, she smelled another faint, yet familiar aroma. The smell was husky . . . even manly. Senpai's cologne, she thought. He must have helped with the cards . . . She sighed at the thought of him with another woman, even if it was only to help with the invitations.
The bell rang loudly, dismissing the class from the lecture that had cast a sleeping spell on them. Rise stood up slowly, still pondering over Souji's helping Ai out. I wonder if they were alone together . . . Her thoughts took hold of her and kept her standing next to her desk. Her daydreams of the two of them were interrupted by a group of snickering boys near the door.
She glanced over at them, surprised to see them scanning her. Up and down, up and down – their eyes went. The space between her and them grew awkward, so she attempted to break it by shifting her eyesight to the window. However, she could still manage to hear their conversation. Their words were vulgar, and she flinched when they mentioned her with such perversion in their voices. The three male teenagers talked about what they wanted Rise to wear to the costume party. A bikini, a nurse outfit, even a maid costume was mentioned. Normally, topics like that would roll off her shoulders, but not this one. She would never wear something like that around Senpai. What would he think of me if I did that?, she questioned.
Her fingers ran through her hair like open fields, as she strolled slowly toward the hormonal young men. "Don't worry, boys," she said with a wink added in like an extra fee. "I'll be wearing something super cute for the party! Hopefully the curiosity won't kill you by then!" She noted the slight twitching of the boys; they were struggling to keep their "excited" spasms to themselves. Smiling while she walked past them, her taunts jabbed the teenagers as her hips swayed back and forth, a pendulum of allurement. Oh yeah, I'll definitely be wearing something cute! Something they won't be expecting!
Junes
After school, the eight teenagers were gathered around their usual table at Junes. Yosuke and Chie had left the group momentarily to get refreshments for everyone. Their loud bickering could be heard by everyone in the mall, possibly everyone in town as well. As the two approached the others, their arguing became even more heated, resembling an old married couple. After the drinks were passed out and the two had cooled down, the topic of the party came up.
It was quickly established that Chie, Yosuke, and Teddie, who didn't even go to their school, were planning on attending the party. Senpai will probably go because he's such good friends with Ebihara-senpai, Rise thought. Why don't I double-check though . . ."So, Senpai," she asked casually, "are you going to the party?" Souji looked up from the attention-grasping drink he was holding.
"Well, probably. Ai asked me to, so I figure I will," he said nonchalantly. Rise smiled and nodded, curiosity – a bullet shooting through her head. She turned her attention to the others, who had resumed their heated debate. Yukiko, Naoto, and Kanji mounted a defense against the three partygoers' pleading. Yukiko said she just didn't want to go to the party, Naoto said there was no point, and Kanji said it would be boring.
A nudge pressed against Rise's right ribs. She looked over to see Chie's smiling face. "What about you, Rise? Are you gonna go?" she asked. Rise glanced at Souji, twirling his straw in his drink. She couldn't stand the thought of him dancing with another girl. But, what if he dances with me?! She couldn't believe that she didn't think of it sooner. An eager "yes" popped out of her mouth before she could think. "Hah-haaah!!" Chie laughed, sounding as though she was proud of Rise's answer. "It's four against three now, so surrender and go to the party with us!!"
After a half-hour of debate, the resistors finally gave in, and it was decided that they would go as a group. Questions flew around about who was going to wear what. Though, it wasn't unexpected when each gave his answer. No one stepped out of his comfort zone, no one dared to be different, no dared to go beyond what people were expecting . . . except Rise.
January 15, 2011
Saturday had finally arrived for the eager students. The group met up at Junes, before leaving for Ai's house. However, Rise didn't show up. They waited a few minutes until they got a text from Rise, telling them that she'd meet up with them at the party.
The seven-some arrived at the party, each of them decked out in his costume. Chie had on a kung-fu outfit, while Yukiko wore her kimono, a testimony that she truly didn't want to be there. Yosuke, dressed up as James Bond, had convinced Teddie to wear a bear costume as a joke. Naoto and Kanji came as themselves, Naoto – a detective, and Kanji – a punk. A phone buzzed for a few seconds before stopping, so they all simultaneously pulled out their phones. Each person sounded off when it wasn't him. Six pairs of eyes turned toward Souji in his high school uniform. His phone was in his hand, his eyes scanning the text. "I'll b there soon. Costume's hard to move in. C u in a bit! Luv, Rise," it read. Yosuke and Kanji snapped around, hiding their faces from the others. Thoughts of Rise in a tight outfit forced blood from their noses. Chie's left eye twitched, as she smacked the two hard on the head.
A few minutes passed, and a familiar "Heeey!!" was shouted from the darkness. Thrown off from the noise, they all focused their attention toward the strangely shaped object coming toward them. As it approached, Yukiko was the first to realize who it was. "Rise-chan? Is that you?" she asked, baffled by the odd outline of the costume.
Stepping into the glow of a nearby streetlight, her costume was seen by all. It covered her completely, hiding her curves, her legs, even some of her pigtailed hair. "So, what do you think? Pretty sweet, huh?" she inquired, openly admiring her costume. Jaws were hanging wide enough for a swarm of flies to swoop in.
A snicker came from behind Yosuke's hand. The laughter spread like a wildfire in a dry forest. Everyone was laughing heartily, even Naoto. Rise, foreseeing this reaction, turned around. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Kanji wasn't laughing. Six of the eight teenagers stepped out of the cold night air and into Ai's house. With a light blush on his face, Kanji stood behind Rise.
"Well, uhh, if it's any consolation, I, uhh, think your costume's," he said pausing before the last word, "cute." Her head shot around like an owl. His eyes flickered from her to the ground and back to her. Under her gaze, a sheepish smile spread across his face, embarrassed at the words that came out of his mouth.
"Aww, Kanji, that was so sweet of you!!" she giggled as she spoke. "I'm so glad at least one other person likes it!" She tugged at the puffy penguin suit that enveloped her. "Although, it is hard to move around in."
His right hand moved to the base of his neck, a habit of his when he was feeling bashful. "So, I know 's not any-uh my business, but why'd you wear something like that?" he asked. Dashed dreams filled the night air, as a group of teenage boys bolted out of the house. Their heads bobbled back and forth, searching for the cause of their oncoming depression. Heads froze, they stared at Rise. I know it's dark, but am I seeing tears in their eyes?! Wailing, they ran back into the house, Ai pointing them to the nearest bathroom.
"That's why," Rise said, smiling triumphantly. Her smile faded at what she saw. Ai's arms were draped around Souji's neck, his hands slowly entwining around her waist. She looked down, hoping that Kanji had missed the sudden change in her expression. She was wrong, however, but he dismissed it, knowing that she wouldn't talk about it, especially to him of all people. So it is true about them two dating . . . Dammit, looks like we weren't meant to be, Senpai . . . Maybe I can find someone who's just as kind as Senpai, she thought, trying to reassure herself.
"You know, it's no good if you got all dressed up for nothin'. Might as well go have some fun, right?" Kanji asked, trying to cheer her up. The smile returned to Rise's face as she looked up at the tall young man. Their eyes locked for a moment, and for a split second, she could have sworn her heart skipped a beat. Must have been my imagination, she brushed the thought aside. But little did she know that Kanji's heart had skipped as well . . .
Well that was fun stuff, eh? By the way, the penguin costume was sorta based on Chiyo-chan's outfit from Azumanga Daioh (I adore that show!! Go. Go watch. Right now. But first. Review. Right now. M'kay?). Also, I know it's kinda weird how Rise could smell Souji's cologne, but I figured she had a heightened sense of smell when it came to Souji.
Chapter 2 might or might not be up soon. It should be though... . A quick warning though, there probably will be some fluff ahead in the next chapters, so beware in case you don't like super cuteness! And I'm not just talking about me! ;) .... Lame joke. I know. Don't blame me though. Blame the fact that it's frickin' 3 a.m. Off to get some snooze.
