I do not own Persona
It's owned by Atlus
I just own my My OC, Yasuhiro Nakamura and other OC's who may appear
Enjoy!
Persona 5: A Wolf's Strength Pt.1
Day: Unknown - Date: Unknown - Time of Day: Unknown - Weather: Unknown - Location: Unknown
A helicopter zoomed over the water as it flew over the ocean as it made its way over to the large city of Tokyo, Japan. A bright colorful light shined somewhere beyond the large city. That colorful light came from a casino that was right in the middle of the city, an alarm blared loudly, alerting all the patrons within. Everyone seemed scared as they wondered what was happening. Some people were scared as they were running away from whatever was inside the casino with them.
A black-clad figure dove through the air. The figure was completely unseen by the patrons within the casino. Three men in black suits casually walked into the casino taking in the scenery and looking for this suspicious figure that landed on top of a chandelier. His long black trench coat flowed as he stood up. Under his arm was a silver briefcase, he had black curly hair and wore a white and black mask that perfectly framed his face along with him having a confident smirk on his face.
"Hey, up there!" A patron shouted pointing at the figure getting everyone to look where the figure was.
"He's here." said one of the men in black suits as he spoke through a radio. "Move in immediately." He and the two others in similar suits pushed through the crowd to get to the black-clad figure. The figure still having his confident smile on his face decided to take his leave and jumped off the chandelier.
-O-
He landed on a lower chandelier as his radio turned on.
"Good," Mona ordered. "Now, get running!"
"This is our only chance!" Crow noted.
"I got this, you guys!" Joker said. "Stay safe!"
"Better hurry on up outta there, Joker!" Skull voiced.
"I'm on it, Skull," Joker answered.
"Joker, we'll retrieve the briefcase on our end," Queen affirmed.
"So that means you better hightail it out of there, Joker," Wolf warned.
"Please, Wolf..." Joker said calmly. "I'm a professional."
"That's not a yes?" Wolf deadpanned.
"It's not a no." Joker joked. Everyone on the radio heard a transmission that's wasn't being picked up all too well. It was garbled so the voice was very distorted with static.
"Hmm...?" Oracle hummed. "What was that?"
"Don't worry about us," Mona said. "Just concentrate on getting away."
"Ready, set, go!" Joker said as started running away.
"But I have to say, showing yourself above that crowd earlier was an excellent move." Mona complimented. "Nice work as always, Joker."
"I bet Skull wouldn't pull it off that smoothly." Panther remarked.
"I must agree there," Wolf said.
"This happens because you have no sense for aesthetics," Fox commented.
"Nobody asked you, Inari!" Skull retorted. Joker smirked at his team's 'banter' as he continued his job as the decoy. He continued his distracting as he was spotted by more men in suits.
"There he is!"
"Just run! Get out of there!" Oracle ordered.
"On it!" Joker answered as he jumped his way to a balcony.
"Ok, the enemies focus in on him," Mona said. "Looks like the rest of us can slip away."
"Everyone remember where we're meeting up?" asked Noir.
"No worries, I can guide you all," Oracle said. Joker jumped on top of the balcony. His escape was stopped short as two men suited men blocked his escape.
"Stop right there!" One of the suits who ran in front of him shouted.
"You won't get away!" shouted the other. Both shaped into the form of shadows. A third shadow landed right behind Joker. The masked young man turned slowly to the shadow behind him.
"Take 'em down, Joker!" cheered Panther. Joker smirked and jumped straight into the air with a flip. He landed on the shadow and grabbed it's mask and ripped right it off its face as it transmogrified before the leader's eyes into a Sacrificial Pyrekeeper. Joker stood ready with his dagger as he got ready to fight.
"Comparing power levels..." Oracle examined. "No threat. Get 'em, Joker!"
Joker only cockily smirked at the shadow as he ripped off his mask. "Persona!"
-O-
The group of teens wearing different outfits and mask ran down a long hallway.
"Is there a door or somethin' down here?" Skull wondered.
"There is," Oracle ordered. "Just keep going." Everyone kept their sprint down the hallway and made it to a dead end with only two ways to go. Left or Right. Everyone was turning either way thinking which way to head down.
"Which way?" inquired Fox.
"Oracle?" Queen asked. "Where's that door you were talking about?"
"Let me see..." Oracle eyed the screens in front of her. "It's..." Oracle began to say until...
"Hold it right there, thieves!" called a shadow down the hall followed by a second shadow.
"Damn," cursed Wolf. "Looks like we're gonna have to pick our exit then!"
"Which way's it, Oracle?" Skull asked.
"Right!" Oracle nodded. "We go right!"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Wolf stated. "Let's go then." The group started running with both shadows on their tail.
"How's Joker?" Panther asked.
"Oh..." Oracle said, eyeing her screens while running as she smiled. "He's doing just fine."
-O-
Joker easily defeated the Sacrificial Pyrekeeper with a final attack. The shadow dissipating into a black substance.
"Okay, pull out before their back up gets here," Oracle said. "Joker has emerged victorious."
"Good, Joker," Mona said. "You defeated them with ease."
"More of them!?" Oracle announced. "Be careful!"
Three more shadows appeared in front of Joker. One tried to attack him but her only back-flipped to avoid it. Joker to avoid the rest of the enemies hopped up to an upper level so they couldn't reach him.
"Joker, behind you! Go through that door!" Joker did as the hacker said and dashed through the door.
You should be able to get out that way! Hurry!"
"Dude, can he even hear us!?"
"Don't worry, I'm picking up everyone's voices. Just go, Joker!"
"I'm on it!" Joker answered. He started running through the darkened halls.
-O-
The others managed to escape the two shadows chasing them. Everywhere they went were men in black searching for them. The best course of action was to hide and stick to the shadows.
"Tch! We got away from a bunch of those guys in black," Skull grunted. "But there're still loads more of 'em."
"Right?" Wolf agreed while running his fingers through his silvery-white hair. "No matter where we go, they're on us."
"Oracle?" Noir said getting the young girl's attention. "Are we almost out of here?"
"Yep!" Oracle nodded. "There should be a window up ahead where we can escape out of!"
"Excellent!" Crow commented. "Let us be on our way!" The group outfitted teens sneaked past the rest of the suits trying to find them. The group made it to the window Oracle explained to them about but it was guarded by a shadow.
"Great," Skull groaned. "A shadow is standing right where we need to go."
"We should dispatch it and quickly," Crow suggested. "So we can make our way out."
"Who's gonna be the one to take off its mask?" Fox asked.
"I can do it," Wolf spoke up with a nod.
"Are you sure?" Queen asked. "Well, if anything, make it quick, Wolf. Once you do we'll provide you with covering fire."
"Roger," Wolf nodded. "I'll give the signal when it's time." He got into position to get ready to take on the shadow. He sneaked his way toward it and jumped on it and reached for its mask.
"Let's see who you are!" Wolf ripped off the mask and it transformed into a giant blue elephant standing on its hind legs wearing a gold helmet carrying a sword. A being called a Ganesha.
"This'll be easy!" Oracle claimed. "Let's end this quickly!"
The rest of the team joined Wolf in fighting the Ganesha. The Ganesha swung it's sword horizontally toward the team but everyone jumped backward to avoid it. Wolf unsheathed his long sword.
"Physical attacks have no effect on this one!" Oracle noted. Wolf nodded his head and pulled out his AS50 Sniper Rifle and aimed.
"Gunfire should do the trick!" revealed Oracle. The team pulled out their guns and began firing on the Ganesha. The shadow became enraged at all the gunfire and attacked. It ran at Wolf and slashed at him but he jumped back and avoided the sword slash which he blocked with his own. The Ganesha shoved him back and swung it's arm and knocked Wolf back.
"Gah!" Wolf yelled as he was knocked back onto the ground. "Okay, guys, I think now's the time to step in! Like now!"
"Unload on 'em!" Skull announced to everyone as they aimed.
The Ganesha's attention was on Wolf as it stomped over toward him to finish him. The rest of the group pulled out their guns and fired on the shadow. Round after round until it finally fell to the ground. Wolf was about to get up until Crow walked up with a hand extended.
"Here..." Crow said. "Would you like a hand up?"
"Yeah, thanks, Crow," Wolf said accepting Crow's gesture and stood himself up. Queen made her way toward them, her arms folded over her chest.
"You alright?" she asked Wolf. "It seemed like it was agitated and put all of its attention on you. It didn't hurt you at all, did it?"
"I'm fine," Wolf affirmed her. "Got a little dicey toward the end there." Wolf rubbed the back of his head but smiled. "But it all worked out."
"You guys, we gotta go," conveyed Mona. "The gunfire must've been heard."
"Agreed," Crow said. "Enemies must be swarming in on our current position."
"Yes," Fox nodded. "Let us be on our way."
"We gotta go out the window," Oracle said. "Through there we can get out of the palace." All of them made it through the window and into an alleyway showing that they made it out of the casino.
"Everyone okay?" Mona asked everyone. Everyone glanced at one another and nodded, each of them breathing.
"Alright," said Oracle as she pulled up her screens again. "Let's see how Joker is doing?"
-O-
Joker pushed his way through a door. As he was rushing out, he caught himself on the railing, placing his hands on it. From below, there were still patrons inside the casino still talking to each other and not even noticing Joker from above.
"Something wrong?" Oracle asked. "The exit should be just up ahead."
Joker brought his head up and saw a large window with bright, rainbow colors. "Through there?" he wondered as he waited for Oracle to confirm if that was his only exit.
"That's just how it is," Oracle explained. "After that commotion, the battle floor is..."
"Completely closed off," Queen finished.
"Hey, can you make it?" Panther wondered.
Joker only smirked confidently. "Don't sell me short all at once. Of course, I can."
"Over there!" one of the men in suits that were chasing Joker announced. He and the other two accompanying him were holding out pistols at Joker. "There's nowhere to run!"
Joker smiled and then hopped over the reeling which surprised the trio of men. Joker was running across the railing, he then jumped toward the other rail and made to the front of the window. Two of the other men suits went to corner him while one of them just kept his gun trained on Joker.
"See ya," Joker bid farewell to the suited men and then jumped right through the window. Screams can be heard from inside as Joker flipped elegantly through the air, the moonlight shining brightly behind him.
"What a showoff," Oracle remarked.
"You're so reckless, you know that?" Panther added. Joker managed to skillfully land onto his feet, rolling on his back and into a crouching position.
"I think you mean precise," Joker quipped as some glass shards fell around him. He stood up as a single bright light shone itself at him and several shined straight at Joker. There weren't just lights but also he was looking at a whole army of police.
"Enemies here!?" Oracle screamed.
"What's wrong?" Crow asked sounding concerned.
"These readings! It can't be!?" Oracle said.
"What happened!?" Skull exclaimed.
"An ambush!?" Panther gasped.
"Joker, can you handle this!?" Mona asked.
"Joker!" yelled Wolf.
"Joker!" repeated Fox.
"Oh no!" Noir screamed.
"Capture him!" shouted a police officer. The police began chasing after the leader. Joker leaped to a ladder and grabbed hold of it. He smirked as he climbed up on it. He assumed that he was actually on his way to escaping. Until making it to the top he saw there were more police waiting for him.
Joker gasped in shock as one of the police took the butt of his gun and rammed the butt of the gun right into Joker's face. Joker yelled in shock and fell right into the crowd of police.
"Suspect secure!" announced one of the police. A detective made his way through the crowd. He stopped right next to Joker who was held down by police.
"Didn't expect to find some kid," said the detective. "You have your teammate to thank for this." He knelt down to grasp Joker's head. "You were sold out."
"What...?" Was all Joker said?
"Suspect confirmed!" An officer called. "Cuff him!" Handcuffs were placed on Joker's wrist.
-O-
The group of teens watched as their leader was hand-cuffed and taken away to one of the squad cars. They're seeing the scene from afar as one of the cops shoved him into the back seat.
"Damn," Ryuji grunted through grit teeth.
"Yes," Yusuke nodded stepping up next to Ryuji. "It's quite a disheartening sight to watch as our leader is taken like this. Well, not just our leader but our friend as well."
"We... should go home," Makoto suggested. "They'll be looking for us."
"All we can do is put our heads, huh?" Ann said slowly.
"Right," Morgana nodded. "Now, all we gotta do is wait to put our plan into action."
"I'm sure you guys noticed already..." Hiro brought everyone's attention to him. "Akechi's gone."
"He disappeared a few moments ago," Futaba explained. "We should go."
"Don't look so sad, everyone," Morgana said. "Listen, Akechi had no idea that we pretty much tricked him when he thinks he duped us. Let's get out of here."
"Yes, that would be for the best," Haru stated.
The teens still in their outfits all started walking away. Hiro turned around as all the police began to disperse. Hiro started to think back all the way in April, it was that month when he met his leader and friend.
The day he met... Ren Amamiya
-O-
A young woman, in her Mid-20s was walking down a dark corridor. She wore a dark business suit, she had long grey hair, asymmetrically parted to the side. She had a black purse around her shoulder as she stepped down with a serious stride.
"Excuse me, but this area's off-" said a Police Detective that tried to stop the woman.
"I'm Niijima from the Public Prosecutor's Office," Niijima said seriously.
"The Prosecutor's Office?" inquired the Detective. "What business do you have here?"
"Just let me through; it's urgent," Niijima argued. "There's something I need to confirm with the suspect."
"Niijima-san," sighed the Detective. "I believe this case is no longer in your jurisdiction. Besides..."
"Just let her on through," said a serious male voice. It was a man that looked to be in his late 40's with short black hair, he had a bit of stubble on his face, light skin and dark brown eyes. He wore a grey suit with a black tie, a white dress shirt underneath, black slacks and black dress shoes. Over his grey suit he wore a dark brown trench coat. Akitoshi Nakamura was this man's name.
"Nakamura-san?" The Detective said. "Why did you return?"
"I just came to give Niijima the news that she has clearance to meet with the suspect," said Akitoshi. "But first..."
"You prosecutor Sae Niijima?" said an older Detective walking up. "There's a call from your director."
"Yeah, that," Akitoshi said folding his arms.
"Hurry and get it over with," The older Detective said sternly. "To be frank, your being an inconvenience." A vibrate was as Niijima pulled out her phone and answered the call bringing it to her ear.
"*sigh* I thought I ordered you to stand by," The SIU Director said over the phone in frustration.
"I'm responsible for this case, yet I'm not even allowed in interrogation!?" Niijima argued.
"I'm calling because I knew you'd bring it up," He answered.
"I will not be convinced unless I confirm it for myself," Niijima stated. "This is MY case."
"*sigh* Good luck to you then," said the SIU Director. "I won't be expecting much though." With that, Niijima hung up her phone placing back in her pocket.
"Prosecutor," The older Detective said. "I forgot to mention something important. Your time will be cut short. We can't permit you to talk to him for long." Niijima sighed quietly as she turned her head. "It's for your own sake. His method's are unknown. After all, we don't even know if it's even safe to even meet and speak with him."
"I understand," Niijima said calmly and started to walk off.
"Sae, hold on?" Akitoshi said gently grabbing Sae's shoulder. "When you get in there, it's not gonna be a pretty sight. I was in there earlier. I tried to get the other guys to not be so hard on him but of course, they wouldn't listen. So, I left. It was hard to watch them beat up a kid that looks no older than my own son. Or hell, no older than Makoto. Try to understand that, alright"
"I know, Aki..." Sae said sigh. "Thank you." She gave him a small smile and started walking off.
"By the way...?" Akitoshi said.
"Hmm?" Sae hummed in question.
"You're starting to act just like your father," Akitoshi smiled. "I can see him in you. You have the same conviction as he did." With that, Akitoshi walked off as Sae watched him a for a bit until she walked her way into the room to meet with the suspect.
-O-
Sae sat down in front of 'suspect'. The suspect being Ren Amamiya. He had black curly hair, light skin, dark silver eyes. He was wearing a school uniform. He had bruises on his face from the beating he took from the other detectives. He was sitting in the chair in front of a long, white table. He brought his eyes up at Sae as she took a seat in front of him from across the table.
"I didn't expect it'd be you," Sae said.
"You sound like you're almost in disbelief, Niijima-san?" Ren spoke.
"I'll admit, I am," Sae said. "Amamiya-kun, you'll be answering my questions this time."
"20 questions, huh?" Ren gave a weak smirk. "Sounds fun. It'd beat being manhandled by those jerks from earlier."
"It's a miracle you can still joke even with everything that's happened to you," Sae said as she brought over to a syringe on the ground a few feet away. "Those bastards." She was absolutely disgusted that they would do this to someone so young. "Amamiya-kun? Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Ren nodded slowly.
"Almost anything can happen here..." Sae said. "And I can't stop them. That's why I need you to answer me honestly. I don't have much time either. What was your objective? Why did you cause such a major incident? I didn't think it was a prank from the get-go, but I couldn't assemble a case for prosecution. It's because I couldn't figure out the method behind it."
"Of course you couldn't..." Ren said. "Besides, even if I told you everything, you wouldn't believe me."
"True," Sae said simply. "There's no way I could be convinced of such a... 'world' just by reading the reports. You look coherent enough. When and where did you find out about that world? How is it even possible to steal another's heart? Now, tell me your account of everything. Start from the very beginning."
Ren placed a hand on his head, shutting his eyes as he tried to remember. That moment, everything went dark and a blue butterfly flying right in front of his face. It left little glitters as it flew around him.
"You are held captive," said a female voice. "A prisoner of fate to a future that has been sealed in advance. This is truly an unjust game... your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may be a possibility open to you. I beg you. Please overcome this game... and save the world... the key to victory lies within the memories of your bonds-the truth that you are and your friends grasped. It all began that day... when the game was started half a year ago... For the sake of your world's future... as well as your own... you must remember..."
-O-
Day: Saturday - Date: 4/9/20XX - Time of Day: Early Morning - Weather: Cloudy - Location: Nakamura Residence
A teenage boy by the age of 17-years old just finished his shower. He was shirtless and barefoot and was now wearing a pair of black shorts. He was drying off his hair with a towel. He finished drying off his hair taking the towel off his head revealing his silvery-white hair that was straight and slightly spiky. He looked in the bathroom mirror to get a good look at himself. Light-skinned with brown colored eyes.
This young man's name is Yasuhiro Nakamura. Though, he prefers to be called 'Hiro' as he found being called 'Yasuhiro' was a bit of a mouthful. Next, he began to brush his teeth and the gurgle loudly and then finally spit in the sink. He turned the water on to clean the sink then turning it off afterward.
"Okay..." Hiro said. "Time to go get dressed and make breakfast before Dad and Hamuko wake up."
School started a few days ago for the first term at Shujin Academy. Hiro began putting on his uniform. It was modified to his own taste. He wore the standard black blazer unbuttoned and underneath it, he wore a white dress shirt both buttoned just enough to reveal a light grey v-neck t-shirt, the standard Shujin red, and black plaid pants and wore a pair of black converse sneakers. The finishing touch that he never goes without is his light-grey bandana scarf that's tied around his neck. He grabbed his school bag and packed in supplies and books as well as his binder and his instant camera and made his way downstairs. Hiro is a photographer. Though he has some pretty great photo's, he considers himself an amateur. That was just the first step to him becoming a professional photographer. He always loved taking pictures, even as a child. His Mother got him into taking pictures and gifted him the camera when he was younger. The bandana scarf Hiro wore was once his Mother's so he wears it to honor her memory.
He stepped down the stairs, placing his school bag next to the kitchen table. Hiro put on a dark blue apron, tying it on from behind his back. It's surprising that Hiro knew how to cook. Now, granted, he was not a master chef. He can only whip up certain things. Though, his favorite food to prepare is pancakes as well as eat them too. So his decision was he was going to make pancakes for breakfast.
He started to prepare the batter by adding flour, two eggs, and then lastly adding milk. He stirred the ingredients until started the thicken up into a batter. He turned on the stove, placing the pan over the flame and added a bit of oil to it. After a little bit of heating up, he added the batter and started preparing the pancakes.
While preparing, down the stairs came his Hiro's 9-year old sister, Hamuko. She had black hair much like their father that was done in a high ponytail and light skin. Her eyes were brown and she was wearing a purple hoodie with long sleeves, a blue skirt and wore white tights under the skirt. She currently had her Buchimaru-kun backpack in her hand as she let out a quiet yawn.
"Morning, Big brother," Hamuko said tiredly but with a smile.
"Hey, good morning, kiddo," Hiro said as he left the pancakes alone for a second to give his kid sister a good morning hug. She sat down at the kitchen table.
"So, what's for breakfast?" Hamuko asked.
"Pancakes," Hiro smiled.
"Ooh~!" Hamuko cheered. "I love pancakes! Especially yours, bro!"
"Well, I'm no 5-star chef but I'm not that bad of a cook," Hiro shrugged. "So, how many pancakes do you want, Hamuko?"
"Mmm..." The 9-year old girl thought for a bit. "Two."
"Oh, no you don't," Hiro said shaking his head. "Come on, be honest. How many?"
"Okay, fine, three!" She answered quickly. "I want three!"
"Coming right up," Hiro smirked as he went back to cooking. It was at this time Hiro and Hamuko's father, Akitoshi Nakamura came into the kitchen. He let out a yawn in his hand.
"Hey, good morning, Dad," Hiro smiled.
"Morning, Daddy," Hamuko greeted with a smile.
"Morning, Hiro," Akitoshi said. "Morning, sweetheart." He gave Hamuko a quick kiss on the forehead and sat down in the chair at the kitchen table. "Hiro? A cup of coffee, please?"
"Sure thing," Hiro said. He grabbed a mug and got liquid from the coffee machine. He kept it black and added two sugars. Just the way his Dad likes it. "Here you go, Dad." He handed his father the cup.
"Thank you, son," Akitoshi smiled and took the cup. "So, I haven't asked...?"
"Asked what?" Hiro wondered as he finished the pancakes and brought the three pancakes that Hamuko asked for and put them on her plate. He put the last two on his own plate.
"So, I take it you are not going to be doing Volleyball again this year because of what happened between you and Mr. Kamoshida?" Akitoshi inquired to ask.
"Hmm?" Hiro hummed as he sat down. "Well, no. Of course, I can't. Not after quitting the team." Hiro quietly said with a sigh.
"I'm still not sure why you quit so suddenly," Akitoshi said. "You joined the volleyball team during your First and Second-year's at Shujin. To me, it seems a little abrupt as to why you would just quit."
"I... know," Hiro said slowly, head down.
"I also couldn't help but notice you coming home with a bruise or two..." Akitoshi continued. Hiro only kept his head down, his hair shading his eyes. "So, is there any particular reason why you would quit unless it had anything to with Mr. Kamoshida."
"There was no reason..." Hiro shook his head. "I'm being honest, really."
"Doesn't sound like it to me!" Akitoshi suddenly raised his voice.
"Dad!" Hamuko shouted abruptly. Both Hiro and his Father stared at Hamuko. A stern expression on the young girl's face that had bits of pancake on it.
"Yes, Hamuko?" Akitoshi said as he looked at his daughter.
"There will be no interrogating in our house!" Hamuko stated firmly. "This isn't the police station." Akitoshi seemed taken aback by his daughter's words.
"You're right," He nodded. "Sorry."
"Hmm!" Hamuko nodded proudly.
"Try not to be so messy when you eat," Hiro said to his little sister, cleaning her face with a napkin. "This year, Dad will be different. I promise you. I'm gonna study hard and pass my Third-year."
"Well... okay then," Akitoshi said. "Studying is important for students."
"Studying is boring," Hamuko chimed, still eating her pancakes.
"Hamuko..." Akitoshi sighed.
"Studying is important, kiddo..." Hiro said repeating his Dad's words. "You'll understand once you reach middle school and high school." His stuck a tongue out at him. Hiro smiled and ruffled her hair lightly. He finished off his pancakes and got up from his chair. "I better get going, I need to catch the train."
"The train?" Akitoshi said. "I could drop you off on my way down to the police station. I'm gonna drive your sister down to school too."
"It's fine, Dad," Hiro said. "Don't worry about it. You both have a good day."
"Alright, son," Akitoshi smiled. "Have a good day."
"Thanks," Hiro said. "See ya."
"Bye, bro!" Hamuko called. "Thanks for the pancakes!"
"Yeah, anytime, kiddo," Hiro said ruffling his sister's hair again. "Bye now." He started walking to the door.
"Hold on, Hiro..." Akitoshi said.
"Yeah?" Hiro answered turning around while hanging his school bag over his shoulder.
"Have spoken to Makoto lately?"
"No," Hiro said with a shake of his head. "Not recently. Why?"
"Well, it's just..." Akitoshi scratched his chin. "I remember the two of you were pretty much inseparable when you were kids. Her Father and I went to the Police Academy together. He was a good man..." Akitoshi said with a quiet sigh. "And a good friend. I'm only asking since I've been working with Sae on a case."
"Sae-san, huh?" Hiro said. "That's interesting. I'll see if I can get a chance to speak to Makoto while I'm at school today. Though, she seems really busy since becoming Student Council President."
"Tell her I said hello~!" Hamuko expressed happily. "I haven't seen her in a while."
"If I get the chance, kid, I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from you," Hiro smirked knowingly. "Okay, I'm off. Bye." Hiro gave one last wave and walked to his house door and closed it behind him.
"Hm?" Akitoshi murmured. "He acts so much like his Mother." Hamuko just finished her food and stared at her father and tilted her head.
"Um, Daddy?" Hamuko spoke.
"Nothing, sweetie," Akitoshi said. "Get your bag. I'm gonna drive you to school now."
"Okay," Hamuko nodded getting up to grab her backpack. As Akitoshi himself got out of his chair his cell phone vibrated. He took his phone out of his pocket and noticed the message he had received. He opened it up seeing who it was from.
[SN: I need your opinion on something.]
[SN: Meet me at the Prosecutors Office tomorrow night.]
Akitoshi read the message and typed out his reply.
[AN: I'll be there. See ya then.]
-O-
Ren Amamiya. 16 years old. Pale-colored skin, he had a mess of black curls on his head which was his hair, he wore a pair of wide glasses over his onyx doe-eyes. He was wearing the school uniform of the school he was going to attending for his time here in Tokyo, Japan. Ren woke up from his nap as he was riding on the train.
"Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for riding with us today. We will be arriving in Shibuya shortly."
Ren put his head down, a scowl adorning his face as he thought about the terrible situation that brought him to Tokyo.
[Flashback]
"Please! Help!" A young woman pleaded for Ren to help her from a man who was grabbing her. How could he not? He figured he had to do something. He made his way up to the man and gently touched his shoulder.
The man who was in a drunken stupor seemed to try to push Ren's hand off him with a hard turn of his body. From that movement, he started to tumble to the hard ground and fell on his face. The young woman gasped cupping her mouth. Ren stared at his hands in confusion. The man started to get up, holding his face as blood fell from his forehead.
"Damn brat!" The man said angrily. "I'll sue!"
And just like that, Ren was taken away by two police officers. A look of shock on his expression.
[Flashback End]
Ren put down his head in a scowl. His eyes downcast as he thought about that night.
"What was I supposed to do?" Ren thought. "Do nothing?"
"What? Are you for real?" said a girl's voice. Ren turned his gaze to a female student chatting with her friend. "A Mental Shutdown?"
"It's the truth," The other female student said.
"To a person though?" said the other girl. "That's gotta be a joke. You really love all that occult stuff, don't you?" The girls shared a giggle to themselves as Ren watched them.
"Why would having a Mental Shutdown be funny?" Ren thought with a shake of his head. "Maybe because it's funny as long as it's not happening to them."
-O-
Ren was finally walking down the street of Tokyo following google maps. He looked up from his phone and saw the ever busy street in Tokyo with a lot of different people walking along the streets. His phone made a beeping sound bringing his attention back to it. As he stared at it he saw a weird-looking icon of some kind. It was a black and red-colored app and the design was an eyeball.
"What in the world is this?" Ren thought in confusion.
The icon got bigger looking like it was going to activate. Ren started to push on the icon to see if he can delete it. But, it was then that everything began to freeze around him. All the people who were walking around him began to freeze as well. It was like time stopped for everyone else but Ren.
"Huh?" Ren gasped. "What's going on?" He wondered looking around with his eyes until they stopped on a pillar of blue fire. "What is that?" He breathed out.
The fire seemed to get a face similar to what you see on Halloween pumpkins The face dissipated as Ren saw his own face staring back at him as it had yellow eyes and an evil smile.
Everything went back to normal. People started walking again. Ren stared at all of them. They all act as if nothing is happening at all. Ren finally puts the red and black colored app to the recycle bin on his phone, getting rid of it.
-O-
Day: Saturday - 4/9/20XX - Time of Day: Afternoon - Weather: Cloudly - Location: Subway station
Later, Ren got off another train and got on the escalator and started making his over to the backstreets of Japan. Yongen-Jaya. Ren was eyeing his phone using it to guide his path through what seemed like the boonies of Tokyo.
"Okay..." Ren thought. "As of today, someone called Sojiro Sakura will be taking care of me. His house should be in the backstreets in the residential area. Time to go on a scavenger hunt."
Ren started looking around Yongen for the home of his guardian's until he finally spotted the Sakura residence nameplate. Ren rang the doorbell a few times but there was no answer.
"Looks like no one's home..." said a voice a few feet away from Ren. It was a Delivery man.
"Would you know where I can Sakura-san at this time?" Ren asked him.
"Sakura-san's usually at his Cafe around this time," said the Deliveryman. "It's called 'Leblanc'. It's in the back alley."
"Thank you so much," Ren said with a polite bow. Ren began to make his way through the Backstreets. Looking around he finally saw a place with a sign on top that said 'Leblanc' 'Coffee&Curry'.
"Never thought coffee and curry would be a good combination together?" Ren thought as he walked into the small cafe. Inside the cafe, the television was on talking about an accident that happened recently, an elderly couple was watching the news while enjoying some coffee, and a man sitting on a stool.
The man was a middle-aged man. He has slicked-back dark hair with a receding hairline, grey eyes, a chinstrap beard with a goatee that flares out and wears glasses. His outfit was a pale pink dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up and pale khakis with a white leather belt and white loafers. He was wearing a black pinstripe apron. He was working on a crossword puzzle and not even paying attention to the news. He gave Ren the feeling like he was the owner of the cafe. This was the guy he was looking for.
"Vertical is... the name of a shellfish used for farming pearls..." said the owner
"Ah, that would be an Oyster," Ren said.
"Oh, thanks," The owner said. "Hmm?" The owner hummed as he actually stared up from his puzzle to look at Ren. "Oh, right." The man realized why Ren was here. "They did say that was today."
"We'll be going now," said the elderly man. "The payment's on the table."
"Thanks for coming," The owner said.
"This place is in the back alley, so there's no worries of a car crashing in here." said the elderly man.
"A what now?" The shopkeeper rose an eyebrow.
"There's been a string of those rampage accidents, you know." The elderly man informed. "I just hope that none happen around here."
"It's none of my concern," said the owner.
"Haha, we'll see you next time," the elderly man said as he and his wife took their leave and left the shop.
The owner sighed loudly. "Four hours for just a single cup of joe." He looked directly at Ren. "So, you're Ren?"
"Yes," Ren nodded. "Ren Amamiya. Please take care of me."
"Uh-huh," The owner said with his eyes widened in surprise. "I'm Sojiro Sakura. You'll be in my custody over the next year. I was wondering what kind of unruly kid would show up, but you're the one, huh?"
"Seems so," Ren answered, hands in his pockets.
"Have you been told?" Sojiro said. "A customer of mine and your parents know each other and-" he paused. "Not that that matters. Follow me." Sojiro led Ren to the upstairs of the Cafe. The upper was an attic that had an assortment of items stored up there. "This is your room. I'll at least give you sheets for your bed." He stared at Ren as the youth eyes wandered about the room. "You look like you wanna say something."
"It's big," Ren answered. "But it also looks pretty cluttered though."
"It's on you to clean up the rest," Sojiro told him. "I'll be leaving after I lock up each day. You'll be alone at night, but don't do anything stupid. I'll throw you out if you cause any trouble."
"Understood," Ren nodded his head.
"Now then..." the older man continued. "I got the gist of your situation. You protected some woman from a man forcing himself on her, he got injured, then sued you. Right?"
Ren let out a short sigh. "Yes."
"That's what you get for sticking your nose in a matter between two adults," said Sojiro. "You did injure him, yeah? And now that you got a criminal record, you were expelled from your high school. The courts ordered you to transfer and move out here, which your parents also approved." Sojiro gave a smirk. "In other words, they got rid of you for being a pain in the ass."
Ren didn't answer Sojiro and only looked at the ground. "Laying it on a little thick there, huh?"
"It's best you not talk about anything unnecessary," Sojiro said. "I am in the restaurant business, you know. Behave yourself for the year. If nothing happens, your probation will be lifted."
"Probation?" Ren repeated.
"Really now?" Sojiro said in exasperation. "It's the word that applies to you. Your sentence lasts until next spring, right? That's why you're gonna be here the coming year. Cause any problems and you'll be sent straight to juvie. We'll be going to Shujin tomorrow."
"Shujin?" Ren repeated once more in confusion.
"Shujin Academy-the school you'll be attending," Sojiro informed once again with an irritated look. He swore Ren was doing this just to piss him off. "We'll introduce ourselves properly to the staff there. There's rarely a place that'll accept someone like you, you know. What a waste of my Sunday..."
Ren wondered if he should say sorry to the man. He was risking a lot letting him stay in own shop. But instead, he decided to just keep quiet.
"Your 'luggage' arrived earlier; I left them over there," Sojiro said gesturing over to a big box on the floor. With that, Sojiro decided to head back downstairs to tend to his coffee shop.
The first thing Ren decided to do was to change into some casual clothes. It consisted of a black jacket, a white t-shirt with a black collar, a pair of blue jeans and some brown shoes.
"The place looks pretty messy; so I guess I'll start cleaning it since I'll be staying here for the time being," Ren said to himself and then began to clean up the attic.
-O-
Day: Saturday - Date: 4/9/20XX - Time of Day: After School - Weather Cloudy - Location: Shujin Academy
All classes have now ended for the day at Shujin Academy. Hiro stepped out of his classroom, class 3-C, as other students exited out of it. Hiro stretched his arms over his head and also craned his neck.
He was about to start on his way back home until he caught sight of a familiar face. It was a girl that was his age. She had brown hair that was in a bob style with blunt bangs, a french-braid styled headband that matches her hair color and reddish-brown eyes. Her school uniform was altered. Instead of a blazer, she wears a black halter vest over a long sleeve white shirt with a turtleneck, she even wears the standard plaid skirt, black pantyhose, and black ankle boots.
Hiro immediately recognized this person. It was Makoto Niijima, Hiro's old childhood friend that he hasn't spoken to in a while. He wondered now would be the time to change that since they haven't spent time together since they were younger.
First, he made eye contact with her. She had her school bag around her shoulder as she walked up to him as she stopped in front of him.
"Hey, Makoto," Hiro said.
"Hello, Hiro," Makoto responded.
"So... it's been a while, hasn't it?" Hiro asked a bit awkwardly.
"Yes, it has," Makoto nodded. "Well, see you around." Makoto walked past him and started walking away.
"Hey, wait, hold on..." Hiro said stopping her in her tracks. "That's it? I know we haven't spoken in a bit but talk about the cold shoulder." Makoto turned around. Her face with a look of surprise until it finally turned into a small smile.
"Right," she sighed still keeping her smile. "Sorry. I'm a bit in a hurry. I have to go to the Student Council room. We're going to hold a meeting right now."
"Mind if I walk with you on the way there?" Hiro asked. "I don't have to be home yet, though, I do have to go pick up Hamuko from school."
"Oh?" Makoto mouthed. "How is Hamuko? It's been a while since I've seen her."
"Yeah," Hiro smiled. "She just turned nine. Which puts her in the 3rd Grade now."
"That's great," Makoto smiled. "Too bad I can't come with you when you go pick her up from her school." Hiro and Makoto started walking up the stairs to the student council room.
"Since my Dad's at work all the time, I have to look after her ever since my Mom past," Hiro said downcasting his eyes frowning. Makoto hummed quietly as she gave Hiro a sad look. "But it's not all that bad." Hiro's frown turned back into a smile. "I'm just glad I can be there for my kid sister."
Makoto smiled once more until she remembered. "That reminds me, I haven't talked to Aki-san in a while. How's your Father?"
"Dad's good," Hiro told her. "He's still working with the Tokyo Police. As a Detective. It's a good job for him. He's got quite the sharp eye. But he's doing his best to take care of me and Hamuko."
"I'm glad to hear he's doing well," Makoto said. "He was like an uncle to me and Sis since he and my Dad were close friends."
"Ah, your Dad was a good man," Hiro said. "I... I'm sure you miss him still."
"Yeah..." It was now Makoto's turn to be quiet. Hiro started to wonder if he made the wrong move to talk about Makoto's Dad and went to change the subject.
"So, did you know?" asked Hiro. "My Dad tells me he's working with your Sister on a case right now."
"I didn't know that," Makoto answered. "Sis doesn't want me getting involved with her work and believes I should devote my time to my studies."
"That so?" Hiro said. "Gee, Sae, is that all she is to you?" Hiro muttered under his breath.
"Huh?" Makoto said staring at Hiro. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," Hiro said waving his hand. They arrived at the Student Council, stopping in front of the room. "And here we are. Been a while since we just talked like this, hasn't it?"
"It really has," Makoto smiled. "We should talk again assuming neither of us is busy."
"Yeah, even though I'm not doing volleyball anymore I'm still going to get busy since I'm also focusing on studying for college entrance exams," Hiro said.
"So it is true," Makoto figured. "About you quitting volleyball..."
"Yep, it's true," Hiro stated. "I have absolutely nothing to hide."
"I wasn't judging you..." Makoto said. "I heard that Mr. Kamoshida is very disappointed about you quitting the team almost everybody at Shujin is talking about it."
"Well, they can say whatever they want," Hiro expressed. "I'm not gonna deny that I quit." Hiro pulled out his phone to check the time. "Ah, I have to go get Hamuko from her school. I'll see to you later, yeah?"
"By the way, you busy tomorrow?" Makoto asked.
"Not really," Hiro said. "Tomorrow's Sunday but why do you ask?"
"I was only asking since I was wondering if you could stop by with Hamuko for a bit since it has been a while," Makoto suggested. "I'll be here tomorrow doing some Student Council work."
"I don't mind, sure," Hiro said. "I'll let you know when we get here tomorrow." Hiro then realized. "Oh, wait a second. We don't have each other's info anymore, do we?"
"Oh, I didn't comprehend that," Makoto said wide-eyed. "Let's exchange info then." She pulled her out her phone. Hiro pulled out his own smartphone that had a black and white checkered design. Their phone's made a small 'ping' sound notifying them about their sent info.
"Nice," Hiro nodded with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Of course," Makoto said with a matching smile. Hiro waved bye to Makoto and started making his way down the stairs. As he was walking he heard a couple of students talking to each other.
"Hey, was Nakamura-senpai just talking to the class prez?" the first one mentioned.
"Didn't you know?" his friend answered. "I heard from someone that they used to be friends when they were kids but that ain't anything to talk about. The real news is that Nakamura-senpai quit the volleyball team."
"Seriously...?" the other one said.
"Yep," nodded the student. "Rumor has it he and Kamoshida got into arguments all the time during volleyball practice. I heard the last one got so heated they were almost close to fighting."
"Really? So what you're saying is that Nakamura was close to 'pulling a Sakamoto'?"
"Pretty much and most of the volleyball team are avoiding him and treating him like he's the plague." As Hiro was walking he couldn't help but roll his eyes at how wrong they were about the whole thing.
'Good grief,' Hiro thought. 'Doesn't anybody have anything better to do but spread rumors? 'Welcome to Shujin Academy: where rumors are the most important thing. We don't care as long as their not about us.' he thought irritably as he gathered his shoes from his shoe locker and left the school.
-O-
Ren stood in the middle of the attic and admired his handy work in finishing the cleaning of his new "room". He's been cleaning for a while and he wanted to make sure it was spotless. He mopped the floor, he dusted the window sill, put his sheets on the bed and lastly placed his box of belongings on one of the lower parts of the shelf.
"Okay, all done," Ren thought proudly. "I think I did pretty good if I do say so myself." Sojiro finally went upstairs to see what Ren was up to.
"What the heck? I heard you making all sorts of noise up here but I didn't think you were cleaning." Sojiro said as he looked around, checking out how nice a job Ren did. "Actually, the place doesn't look too bad." He smirked as Ren couldn't help but feel a bit prideful. "Though it's only natural you want to keep your room tidy. Why don't you go to bed for tonight? You don't have anything better to be doing, right?"
"Not particularly, no," Ren said shaking his head.
"I'm going to close up shop and get out of her myself," Sojiro stated. "I won't be the one looking after you if you get sick from staying up too late, you got that?"
"Of course," Ren replied with a nod showing he understood. "Night."
"Hmm," was Sojiro's only response as he turned around and went downstairs and left the cafe. Ren decided to change into his sleepwear and head to bed. Ren laid down on the single bed, his hands resting behind his head. As he was only staring up at the ceiling, he was quickly brought back to that night he was arrested.
"Still, I couldn't let that go..." Ren expressed in his thoughts. As he was brought back to thinking about that night.
[Flashback]
"I had to go home early..."
Ren was walking in the street at night in his hometown neighborhood. As he was moving along, he then heard what he assumed was people arguing.
"Just get in the car!"
"Stop it!"
Ren turned around a corner and heard the voices more clearly. He quickly realized it was a man and woman arguing in the distance. They were just up ahead of him. Ren picked up the pace and started to run toward the commotion.
"How dare you cross me!"
"Stop it! Let me go!"
Sure enough, Ren saw the woman struggling in a bald man's grasp. The man sounded like he were drunk and was slurring his words.
"No...!" the woman said trying to fight back.
"Don't give me that shit..." the man uttered.
"Ow!" the woman winced in pain from how hard the man was holding her. "P-Please, stop...!"
Ren realized the woman was in absolute despair and decided that he had to help her. What kind of person would he be if he were to just walk away from this?
"I can't ignore this..." Ren thought with conviction. "I have to save her."
Tch... what a waste of time," the man grunted. "You think you're worth causing me trouble? Huh?"
"I'll call the police!" the woman quickly said as she continued trying to get away.
"Heh, call them if you want!" the drunk man spat. "The police are my bitches. They're not gonna take you seriously."
"No... Stop...!" she yelled. A few blocks from their location, police sirens were heard.
"Someone called the cops, huh?" the man assumed. "Get in the car! Incompetent fools like you just need to shut your mouths and follow where I steer this country!" The man and the woman noticed standing not too far away from them. "What are you looking at? Get outta my face!"
"What are you trying to do her?" Ren spoke. "Leave her alone!"
"This ain't a show," the man spoke back. "Get lost, kid." The man turned to face Ren, staring at him through his orange-tinted glasses. "See? This is all because you're so damn slow!" he yelled back at the woman. "Get in the car!"
[End Flashback]
Ren couldn't help but feel angry remembering that night. He closed his eyes exhaling out of his nose to try to calm himself. His phone alert went off in his pocket. He pulled it out to check if he got a message. But instead, it was that same app with eyeball icon that appeared on his phone suddenly.
"What the heck...?" thought Ren with confusion. "I thought I deleted it..." Ren once again dragged the strange icon to recycle believing he finally got rid of it. Ren felt his eyelids start to get heavy and started to nod off to sleep.
What was strange was that as soon as he fell asleep he woke up. Oddly enough, he wasn't in Leblanc's attic anymore. He heard a pair of chains swinging and occasionally clanging against each other, he heard the sound of dripping water, he sat from where he was lying down and noticed his outfit. He was wearing a prison outfit and had handcuffs placed on his wrist. He placed his feet on the floor and put a hand on his head.
"Where am I...?" Ren thought. "Am I dreaming?"
"Hahahaha..." He heard laughter from outside the room he was in which was a jail cell. He turned his head over to where he heard the laughter. He saw two young girls make their appearance known to him. Ren stood up and faced toward them and noticed something different about them.
They looked the same in the face, Twin's he put together. They wore matching blue outfits, platinum-colored hair, they wore similar eyepatches. The one on the left had her patch on her left eye, and the other one on the right had her patch on her right eye. Ren tried to walk up to them but something almost stops him from moving. He had a ball and chain to his left leg. Ren managed to step to the bars of the jail cell.
He grabbed hold of the bars as the girls' turned around and showing there was someone else behind them. Ren's eyes widened seeing that person was a man with a large smile, wide bloodshot eyes, and an impossibly long nose. He brought up his head to make eye contact with Ren and held out his hand.
"Trickster... Welcome to my Velvet Room."
I'm back! Did you miss me? No? Okay, that's fine.
Anyway, I hope everyone liked it enough even though this is only chapter one. A new thing I'm going to try with this is also showing Ren's side of things. That way I'm not just solely focusing on Hiro. I already know, we all played Persona 5 so obviously, we know how what the Ren is already doing but I also did it to also remind people what story you're reading.
And I've already written like 6 chapters just so I can know what direction I want to take with it. Took a lot of work but I got figured out. I was going to make 10 chapters but I decided to post it and get over with.
Please Follow/Favorite or review if you want. Or not, the choice is yours. I'd love to hear what you all think about the direction I'm taking with this. I'm gonna be uploading on Saturday's and maybe another day, depends how I'm feeling.
That's all for now.
I'll see you guys next time.
Later!