Hello and welcome to the first fanfiction I've written in over a year!
My writing ability (what little I had) has withered away over these last few months and I really want to try using it again.
I recently beat Persona 5 and OH BOY was it amazing! I've beaten Persona 1, Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment, 3, P3P (Female Protag), 4, Golden, and PQ and I'm 100% ok with saying it's the best Persona (maybe best JRPG).
Anyways, on to the main course. This story will start a little ways into the Kaneshiro arc, before they identify the target, but after Makoto blackmails the Phantom Thieves into taking down the "Mafia Boss."
*Spoiler Warning below*
You know how each boss has a character directly involved with thier back story? For example: Ann to Kamoshida, Yusuke to Madarame, or Haru to her Father? Why doesn't Kaneshiro have a character like that, so that got me thinking. I've really wanted to do an OC for the Persona Series for quite some time now and I was like, why not now?! Lo and behold, this story. Of course, I'm going to mix up the events a little for fun.
Another thing, this story won't necessarily be revolving around my OC. What I mean by that you ask? Well, Akira Kurusu is still the Main character of Persona 5 and I intend to keep it that way. OC guy will still have his show stealing moments (like the rest of the cast do), but he'll rely on Akira as much as the others do. Also, shipping... Akira x Makoto all the way, so expect that, but I also plan on shipping my character with someone too.
Sorry for the long intro :)
I hope you enjoy!
***4/21/2017 UPDATE I edited the Chapter based on Feedback from reviewers***
"Urgh... I'm so mad! I mean, how did we let this happen?" Ann asked, clearly angry at Ryuji's big mouth, but mostly angry with herself knowing that she was in the Student Council President's recorded evidence.
"The mafia? hm..." Yusuke remarked with inquisitive expression on his face. He was more interested in pondering the circumstance than playing the blame game. "We're in whole new league, aren't we...?"
Ann looked down. "Can we even do this...? I mean, we're just high-school kids, how can anyone expect us to go up against a crime boss?!"
"..." Ryuji, the usual optimist was slumped over.
"It looks bad now, but we always pull through." Akira chimed in. His head shot up with a realization. "This might actually be a blessing believe it or not!"
"How?! We're in huge trouble!" Ann questioned.
"Think, Madarame and Kamoshida were different, but...?" Their leader rubbed his chin.
Ryuji growled, "They were both asshole adults?"
"Yes... I mean no!." Akira replied. "They're both awful people, but well respected, or use to be before we knocked them down a peg."
Yusuke nodded, realizing the opportunity they've been given. "Both Kamoshida and Madarame were terrible people that were respected greatly among their peers, so making them confess was more of a shock to the public. What if we made a known criminal, who the police don't have answers for, confess their crimes? This is a prime opportunity for the Phantom Thieves to gain the public's support!"
"Oooh, I like it! There's no doubt that the public would find us on the side of JUSTICE!" Morgana added.
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Ryuji's optimism quickly returned. "That'll prove to that jerk detective that we're the good guys! Nice thinkin' Leader!"
"Still, we need to be careful from here on. We don't even know the name of the mafia boss." Morgana wanted to avoid another incident with their identities.
"Our time limit is two weeks, correct? We can't afford to waist too much time on the matter." Yusuke rubbed his chin, "Hm... I'll ask around Kosei and see if there are any victims."
"I know some girls who go to Shibuya pretty often. I'll check with them about it." Ann said, wanting to do her part.
"Alright, I'll check out the net n' see if I can find anythin'." said Ryuji, leaving the last job to Akira. "That leaves Shujin up to you and Morgana. I mean, you were really reliable when it came to findin' info on that bastard Kamoshida, this'll be a breeze."
"Don't worry Akira, I'll be there to back you up." Morgana added.
Akira nodded, "I thinks it's about time we show the public that we're on the side of Justice!"
The Phantom thieves members nodded in agreement and went their separate ways except for Yusuke and Akira who headed for Leblanc to discuss things.
A short while later, Ryuji sent a message to the Phantom Thieves chat room. He discussed his findings from the internet, which would help in the following day's investigation.
For Akira, the school day went by quickly due to his anxious mind thinking of the possible target and what the Phantom Thieves would be up against.
The school bell rang issuing in the end of classes for the day. Ryuji's message from the previous night said there was a guy in Ann and Akira's class named Iida who's been spending copious amounts of money recently, which he links to his supposed "Easy paying part-time job." Both Ann and Akira approached Iida and questioned him to no avail. The only thing they could manage was a name of a friend... Nishiyama. Akira left Ann talking with the suspect while he and Morgana went on a wild goose chase. They finally managed to find out where he was, thanks to the Newspaper Club girl roaming the second floor halls.
Aside from asking where the suspects friend was, Akira also asked if there was any info on the mafia.
"Well, it's a topic most won't go into detail on out of fear, but there's a mafia boss using blackmail to get rich off of high schoolers, which I'm sure you know since the rumor leaked."
"Yeah, It's a bad situation to be in." Akira sighed. "Is there anything else that might help? My friend is in trouble and I really want to help them out."
The girl sighed as well. "You didn't get this from me, but there's a rumor about a third year who's apart of the thugs that put your friend in that mess. I have no idea who they are though..."
Akira pushed his glasses up, "Well, I need to get going, thanks for the great info." He left the girl, heading upstairs for the library. As he walked in, he noticed a boy his age by himself, so he approached.
"You Nishiyama?" Akira asked bluntly.
The boy looked up from the book he was checking out, "That's me. Say, you're that transfer student, right? You need something?"
"Hey, I'm just going to put this out bluntly, I need some easy cashmoneyz to buy some sumthin' sumthin', you get what I'm sayin' dawg?" Akira was trying his best to sound gangsta, even going as far as making hand gestures, but just ended up looking like a dork. He quickly realized it when Nishiyama head tilted in confusion. "Look, I heard you had an easy paying part-time job and I wan't to know how to you got in." He said defeatedly.
Nishiyama's face tensed up knowing he might be in trouble. "You mean that job from that one time? I..I already said no... I didn't want to do it... That's something Iida - Wait... Are you doing something to him?! He's been acting weird lately..."
"Sounds like he could use some help, I could take the job off of his hands hehehe..."
The boy looked down. "I knew he was in over his head, I just knew it! He's wrapped up in something shady, isn't he?"
"More the reason to let me take the job!"
He continued, foregoing eye contact. "It all started one day while we were in Shibuya, some guy approached us near Central Street. He asked if we were interested in an easy part-time job. I said no on the spot; My mom always said to be wary of things that are too good to be true, but Iida was all over it. He was asking all sorts of questions..."
"What kind of job did they have for him?" Akira asked.
"I left by the time he accepted, but I did get that they wanted people who 'Didn't stand out' and that it would 'Only take ten minutes."
Akira rubbed his chin. "Hmm... Anything else?"
"After that, he's been spending money, lots of it. That's as much as I know, that's enough, right?" Nishiyama asked, the anxiety showing on his face.
"We cool my main man! thanks for helpin' a bro out!" Akira walked away giving a over the shoulder wave while mentally face-palming. He could hear the laughter inside his bag.
"You know, Lady Ann's acting might look decent compared to what I just saw!" Morgana said between each set of laughs.
Akira sighed... "Remind me to kill myself later..."
His phone beeped moments later showing Yusuke had sent him an update from his search at Kosei High. He found that the job was delivering a small envelope to wherever they ask, and the job is always in broad daylight.
"Broad daylight, Central Street, and delivery of small envelopes. Say, any idea as to what's in the envelope they deliver?" Morgana whispered.
"I'm thinking drugs." Akira whispered back.
"That does match, doesn't it... We need to go see Iida and confront him about this."
Akira nodded and walked out of the library and headed for the stairs. A messaged popped up from Mishima when all of the sudden
*Thud* he absentmindedly walked into another student. He looked up and saw a boy around his age, though easily half 25cm taller than himself. He was wearing a beaning over his strangley puffy light brown hair that went down to his shoulders. Other than that, he wore a pink and white V- neck shirt and the typical Shujin uniform pants.
He turned around and faced Akira, giving an irritated look. "Come on, I already told you that I'm not... Oh, uhhh." His voice was on the deep side. His eyes wandered Akira, mostly his clothes. "Lame... look where you're going next time." He was oddly intimidating It didn't help the fact that his posture and looks made him look like someone should shout "Stranger Danger!"
Akira staggered back "R-right, I'll be on my way then." He was met with "Jeez..." which he could hear while on his way down stairs.
He confronted Iida over the previous friends words and got a conformation that there are, in fact, people roaming Central Street looking for vulnerable teens who want a quick and easy paycheck. With the info they so desperately needed, the group left the subject for their meeting the next day. They decided that Akira and Morgana would be the bait in drawing out some scammers.
School ended for the day and the Phantom Thieves met at their usual hideout. After a small discussion, they split up for their search on Central Street.
After a while, the search lead Akira to a homeless man near the local subway station. The man recommended just walking around a certain part of Central Street near the arcade where the back alley is. He did just that.
As Akira walked down the back alley, "Hello." a feminine voice called out to him. It was Makoto, the student council president who was currently blackmailing the group into their current situation. "How goes the investigation? Have you made any progress pertaining the identity of the Mafia Boss?"
"Shibuya's a pretty big place so finding anything has been a tough."
"You're not wrong there I guess..." Makoto sighed.
Out of nowhere, a guy steps out of the alley. "You guys got some time? I have a great job for you!" the thugs says with a smirk. "It's just a simple delivery. Easy job, easy money! You interested?"
Makoto lets out a suppressed laugh, "That didn't take long at all."
Akira looked over to Makoto. "You might be a good luck charm actually."
"You're both high school kids, right? Aren't you tired of just having allowances to spend?"
"Hm... by delivery, do you mean that of illegal substances?" Makoto asked not knowing what she might get herself into.
"You joking?!" The thug tried to maintain the upperhand.
"You just unknowingly answered my question. I was right wasn't I?" Makoto looked confidently.
The thug walked up to her "I think you're asking too many questions." He grinned wickedly and snaps his fingers, which signal two other goons to step out.
"You think you scare me?" Makoto says before noticing the two goons a bit too late.
The two thugs restrain Akira and Makoto. They try to fight them off, but they've got hold and don't plan on letting go.
"Let us go! You're not going to get away with this!" Makoto shouts slightly less confident than before.
"Let her go! Your business is with me, not her!" Akira shouts at the thugs.
Makoto's face lowers, "... Akira?"
"Look..." Akira's look intensified. "I'm looking for the most hardcore drugs you're selling! I'm super addicted ya'know!"
Makoto sighed. The thug obviously calling the shots just shoots Akira an amused glare. "Name one drug then."
Akira went from a look of fake confidence to terror. He's a dork and considers himself one too, so the subject of drugs was not his forte. "Ughh, you know... You know, a little pick-me-up, some dipsy doodle?..."
"God, I'm gonna feel bad about beatin' the shit out of you, your the biggest loser I've ever met!" The thug punches Akira in the gut, leaving him with his wind knocked out. He looks over to Makoto, "You see, when you mess with us, you're friends get hurt."
"STOP IT!" Makoto shouted in desperation.
He goes for a punch to the face when someone grabs his arm and pulls him off balance, knocking the thug to the ground. The thug who was beating on Akira, now on the ground, looks up, "You want some too you dipshit?!"
Akira looked over to see a familiar face from earlier that day. That 3rd year he ran into... why was he in the back alley too?
"I'm pretty sure I've seen you two before!" The new arrival said, turning his attention to Akira and Makoto. "As apposed to this guy, who won't see the outside of a hospital room for the next 2 weeks.
"Tsk... Yeah right, I can take you!" The thug scoffed. He got up and lunged for the boy with his fist, attempting to punch his face. The punch landed in the boys right hand, which he pulled forward into a headbutt, knocking the thug to the ground once more. Blood ran down his head. "You son of a bitch! I'll get you for this, my boss'll..."
His shout was cut short when the thug restraining Makoto let her go. "Yo man... It's him!" The other thug let go of Akira and proceed to make his way out of the alley with the other.
"Wait... oh god, you're... please don't tell the boss! I didn't know, I swear!" The thug plead with blood running down his face.
The boy sighed, "...just go already, you're boring me anyways."
The thug ran off. Akira and Makoto caught their breaths.
The boy walked up to Makoto, "I knew I recognized you two! Well well well, if it isn't Ms. Student Council President and Mr. Glasses from earlier."
"You're uniform... Are you a Shujin student?" Makoto tried to keep her footing due to dizziness, but ended up loosing her footing. Luckily, Akira caught her and held her up with his right arm.
Akira looked at Makoto, "You ok? That was pretty stressful wasn't it?"
"Maybe I really am useless..." Makoto looked down and said to herself. She pulled herself up. "What's your name? I don't recognize you?"
The boy looked away, "You serious?! On top of the rumors about me going around school, I sit behind you in class! I guess that explains why you're always top of the class, you're too busy to notice the guy behind you..." He looked back. "Glad you two are ok though. I'm assuming you're looking into what those lame ass thugs were doing?"
Akira nodded "Something like that, why?"
"Stop where you are and leave it be. You're in over your heads!"
"Well, in any case, I'm grateful that you saved us." Akira gave his gratitude. "Might I ask you something?"
Takuya sighed. "Does it have to do with why they said don't tell the boss?."
"Yeah, wouldn't that mean that..." Akira pushed his question, but was stopped.
"Don't you get it?!... get lost before you ruin your lives. I'm leaving..." He walked off out of the alley way into the happy hour crowd congesting Central Street.
"Hey... Akira..." Makoto asks for his attention.
"Yeah?"
"What you said back there.." She looked down. "Thanks, no one has ever stuck up for me that way."
Akira smiled and rubbed the back of his head, happy that she didn't mention the terrible acting. "Don't mention it."
"I'm going to go now." She said, exhausted. She walked off into the crowd as well.
Morgana popped up. "Are you ok?! I though about jumping in there and teaching those jerks whose boss, but that one guys beat me to the chase!"
"He said his name was Takuya. It also seems like he's got a connection to the mafia boss we're after."
"Then today wen't perfectly! Relay to the others that we have a lead!" Morgana perked up knowing that their mission was a success.
Akira let the others know about the Takuya guy. They would have to delay meeting up till the next day due to wanting to remain incognito to the situation.
Right as he walked into Leblanc, Akira's phone rang. Someone was calling, and that someone was Makoto.
"Akira...? Is that you?"
"Yeah, what do you need? Also, how'd you get my number?"
"I dug it up... I also called to say thanks for earlier. I'm sorry I got you into that mess in the first place. Well, that's all, bye." She abruptly ended the call.
Sojiro chimed in, hearing the voice on the other end. "That a lady I hear? I heard her voice. Speaking of which, some girl came by looking for you around noon. She said she's your class president. She said she's got something that belongs to you so I gave her your number."
"That Makoto Nijima sure is thorough... Then again, she did call to apologize so it's not all bad. Listen, tomorrow's goal is to find that Takuya guy and find out what and who he knows.
His phone started ringing again. It was Makoto again.
"Yes?" Akira answered
"I forgot to mention, you really need to work on your acting skills!"
"Dang it! I though you might have missed that part.." The phone call ended.
Morgana added "speaking of thorough..."
"I give up... I'm going to bed..."
Whelp, First chapter done!
I hope there weren't too many grammar issues.
There's a quick intro to my OC Takuya, though barely anything was revealed. I imagined that the Voice Actor behind him would be Josh Keaton (Spectacular Spider-Man). I hope you like my portrayal of Akira as well.
I hope you decide to review so I can improve.
Thanks again for reading!