Hey guys. So this is my first fanfic for Persona 5. I'd like to say sorry in advance because first, I'm not good with words so you may find this story boring (I'm doing my best though!) and also, you will encounter MANY grammatical errors so yeah... but I'll do my best to write this story! Any kind of feedback will be appreciated (except for hostile ones, please) Thank you and happy reading!

_

April 9 20XX

Akira sighed as he looked around him, thinking that maybe he could ask someone for directions. His navigation app is not working and he thinks he's lost.

Normally, he'd spend his break by waking up early in order to help with chores, go to his part time job, go home, do some school stuff (even though it's break) then help out with chores again, then sleep.

Not today though, no.

Instead of doing the things that he has done in every single day of his break, he found himself in the middle of Tokyo, the city where he never step foot on, looking for a coffee shop.

He spot a police officer in front of an old cinema. He approached the officer then tapped his shoulder "Excuse me" He said quietly, his voice barely louder than a whisper

"Yes?" The police officer scowled as he faced Akira

How friendly, he thought

"Do you know where Leblanc is?"

"Hm? Leblanc? The coffee shop?" Akira nodded. The officer pointed at Akira's left "It's close. Turn left on the first corner." he simply said before going back to his duties, paying him no mind anymore.

He mumbled a thank you before going away. Following the officer's instruction, he found himself in front of the said coffee shop.

It looks old but definitely homey. Not wasting any more time, he entered Leblanc and there he finds a couple enjoying their coffee and a man, who seems to be a staff since he's wearing an apron, reading a newspaper.

Although the bell on the door chimed as he entered, it seems that the couple were too engrossed with watching the television on the corner of the shop and the man was busy concentrating on the newspaper that neither people knew that another person entered the shop.

He didn't bother announcing his presence and instead took a seat by the counter, turning his attention towards the TV.

'A public transit bus was driven down an opposing lane with its customers still in it! The citizens can't live in peace if this keeps up.'

"Oh, how frightening" the elderly man said to his wife.

"What could be going on?" she replied, "Didn't something similar happen just the other day?"

Contrast to the lively couple, the staff seems to be keen on the newspaper "Vertical is... the name of a shellfish used for farming pearls..." He heard the man mumble to himself

Figures, Akira thought. Apparently, the man's doing a crossword puzzle

It was then that the man noticed Akira sitting on the counter, a few chairs between them.

"Hm? Oh, Welcome to Leblanc" he said as he set down his newspaper

Just then, the couple stood up, "We'll be leaving now. The payment's on the table. We'll see you then."

"Thanks for coming" The man said as he watched the couple leave.

The man scratched the back of his head, "Four hours for just a single cup of joe" the man sighed and faced Akira, "Sorry 'bout that. Your order?"

"Anything's fine" He answered and paid his attention back to the TV screen. He got to their meeting place early so might as well wait for her while drinking coffee.

The man nodded and went to the counter to do his work, not minding Akira anymore.

Akira fished for his phone from his pocket to check the time.

Looks like I'll be waiting for 17 more minutes, he thought as he put it back in his pocket.

He turned his attention back to the TV but he can't seem to concentrate on what the reporter is saying.

Now that he finally got to find the meeting place and getting to finally rest, his mind drifted on the events that transpired last week.

_

'I hereby decree the defendant, guilty'

Akira sighed for the nth time. Today's the last day he'll be spending his day here, on his house, more specifically, his room. Tonight, he'll be sent to juvie.

'It's for the better' he told himself. Staying here won't do him good, anyway. Everybody's treating him as a nuisance, a criminal.

Is it a crime to help someone in need?

If he... If he only minded his own business, none of this would happen, wouldn't it?

'But... I can't just turn a blind eye to that' he thought as he layed by his side

He closed his eyes. Nothing he can do about it now. What's done is done. His life is now ruined.

He heard a knock on the door, making his eyes fly open. Before he could even respond, the door opened revealing a lady wearing a business suit.

"Hey. How are you holding up?"

He layed his head back to his pillow.

Akira have always called her 'The lady in the public prosecutor's office' until he recently learned her name, Sae Niijima, from his parents.

They've never met before, hell he doesn't even knew her name yet she constantly visits him although she only talks to his parents, not him.

The only thing that he knew about her was that she's a public prosecutor, that's all.

And apparently, this is the first time they've talked to each other.

Sae leaned by the door, "I'm Sae Niijima. I apologize for the late introduction."

Akira didn't respond although Sae knew that he's listening to her.

"I have news for you"

'Oh really?' he replied in his head

"You're not going to Juvie tonight."

What?" Akira replied, surprise evident in his face. He sat up on his bed, turning his whole attention to Sae.

"Starting on Saturday, you'll be officially on probation." Sae said seriously "You're going to live in Tokyo for a year with me as your guardian. Depending on your performance, either you'll come back here after a year or you'll be spending your life in juvie."

_

A coffee mug was put in front of him, it's scent wafting through the air causing Akira to snap out of his thoughts.

"Your first time here?" Akira nodded as he took a sip from the coffee

It's actually pretty good, Akira thought, surprised.

"Knew it. Never seen you 'round these parts before" The man said as he sat down where he was sitting before then going back to his crossword puzzle.

Akira turned his attention to his cup of coffee while waiting for his new guardian.

After a few minutes, the man angrily shouted to himself, "What the? 'If you kill it, it'll live longer', what kind of sick bastard did this puzzle?"

Akira payed him no mind and patiently waited for Sae.

After a few more minutes however, Akira sighed as he glanced at the frustrated man, the newspaper almost crushed in his hands. He's been constantly throwing profanities every now and then because of the same question and it's kinda getting irritating for Akira.

"Dammit, what is this thing?" the man cursed under his breath

Akira sighed before mumbling "Candle"

The man looked at him quizzically "Huh? You saying something?"

"Candle" Akira repeated after sipping from his mug

"Candle?" Akira nodded

It took a moment before the man understood what he meant, he immediately checked the newspaper and wrote candle using his pencil.

"What do you know?" He said chuckling, amused, "It fits. Good going."

He set the newspaper on the counter then turned his attention to Akira.

"The name's Sojiro Sakura. It's rare to see a fellow like you who have something inside their head. What's your name?"

Akira hesitated before answering "Akira Kurusu" not even meeting Sojiro's eye.

"Well, Akira Kurusu," he said, crossing his arms, "That coffee you drank? It's on the house"

"But just this once," he immediately followed up, "Consider it as a welcome gift."

He's about to decline but Sojiro has this look on his face that he's not gonna take no for an answer. So he just sighed and reluctantly said thank you, despite not liking owing anybody favors.

'Well I did solve a question for him so this one doesn't count... I guess.'

"Aren't you a quiet one?" Sojiro remarked, "Well, whatever. Enjoy your stay here." He mentally thanked Sojiro for dropping the conversation and going back to his newspaper. He's not really in the mood to chat, in all honestly.

Just then, the bell chimed and Sae Niijima entered.

"Kurusu? Akira Kurusu? Are you here?"

Akira stood from his seat, catching Sae's attention "Come on, let's go. The cab's waiting" she said before exiting the shop.

Akira faced Sojiro then bowed, earning himself another smile from Sojiro, "Come back soon if you're in a mood for coffee" Akira offered him a small smile before following Sae and getting on a cab.

"What an interesting fellow" Sojiro said as he turned his attention back to the crossword puzzle.

"God damn. What is wrong with this puzzle?" He muttered as he read the next question.

_

He leaned his head by the window and stared at the scenery as they passed. He enjoyed the silence so he's thankful that Sae didn't start a conversation the whole ride.

"Kurusu-kun" Or so he thought

He didn't move but he did turn his eyes towards Sae in the shotgun seat.

"Have you eaten yet?"He shook his head. Except for the coffee and sandwich he ate in the station, he hasn't eaten anything for the day.

"Don't worry, the house is not far from here. I figured that you'll leave your home with an empty stomach so I told Makoto to cook something for an early dinner." She remarked as she checked her watch.

5:14pm

Akira unconciously raised his brow upon hearing a foreign name

'Makoto?'

Sae picked up on the confusion on his face "Oh, have I not told you that I have a sister?"Akira shooked his head in response

"Makoto Niijima. She's a year your senior" She paused "She's also the student council president at the school you'll be attending, Shujin Academy. If you have any problems with school, you can rely on her."

Akira nodded

"... You did hear what I just said?" He nodded in response again

Sae stayed silent, staring at Akira who's looking at the window

Akira sighed heavily before meeting Sae's eyes. "Yes, I understand. I'll make sure to not cause too much trouble for your sister." he finally replied quietly, sensing that Sae thought that he's not listening.

Sae sighed before sitting properly, "It would help if you talk a bit more... And maybe a bit louder next time."

Akira turned his attention back to the window.

"Anyway, do you have any questions?" Sae said, turning her head towards Akira

In response, he shook his head.

"None? Are you sure?"

'Well there is one' Akira thought.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked, wanting to know the answer

They haven't met before, she's not even the one that's handling his case. Their only interaction was when him and his lawyer passed by her, working on her laptop.

The only reason he remembered her was because his lawyer and she exchanged a small conversation before leaving the building.

So why? Why did she went out of her way to make sure that he'll not be sent to juvie?

Sae leaned on the back of her chair and stared by the window "It's a long story" she said "I'll tell you next time" she told him as she glanced at him one last time.