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Persona 4 Rewrite and Reinterpretation
-Finding My True Self-
Chapter 1: The new Life
By wrathie
Note: All characters are property of Atlus and it's corresponding parties…
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… ….
The long journey to the home you will be staying in has begun… Sitting by yourself in the train, you watched the scenery go by. The bustling city, filled with buildings and flash signs soon sped out of sight and you were greeted with next to nothing, there was nothing but nature out there and you sighed a little, comfortable with the sight and feeling a little nostalgic to say the least, it will be your first time in a quiet little town…
Inaba…
The name made you feel a little confused and amused at the same time, it resembled that of a small furry mammal pet but you suppressed that thought and instead focused on who you are meeting, your uncle Dojima Ryotaro…
You had not seen your uncle for quite some time and were a little apprehensive in how he will greet you, after all he is a detective and a very experienced one at that. Being posted at Inaba was perhaps not a wise choice for him as he was an old hand at his work…
[…]
After a few hours of staring at nothing, you thought went back to the dream you had the night before you got on the train… it had to be a dream… as it was too incredible to be real…
In the dream, you dreamt that you were sitting in a dark blue limousine with two people you have never met before…
One, an old hunched back man with a very long nose smiled and introduced himself while you fidgeted in your seat.
[This is the Velvet Room… I have called you here to speak to you… do not be afraid, we do not mean you harm… you are… merely… having a dream… eheh…]
He giggled and that made you feel a little more uncomfortable… looking out the window, you saw that the limousine was driving in a thick fog that made it impossible for you to know where you were.
[It would be pointless for you to leave this limousine… after all, this place, is created from the imagery of your own mind… you, are the creator of this place as much as I am…]
Igor smiled again before taking two cards and placing it in a small table in front of you.
[My name is Igor…]
[This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... It is a room that only those who are bound by a "contract" may enter... It may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future. Now then... why don't you introduce yourself...?]
[… my name… is Seta Souji…]
[Hm... I see. Now, let's take a look into your future, shall we?
Do you believe in fortune telling? Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different.]
The old man cackled once before he turned to his cards again.
[Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it? Hm... The Tower in the upright position represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is imminent. The card indicating the future beyond that is... The Moon, in the upright position. This card represents "hesitation" and "mystery" ... Very interesting indeed. It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you. ]
For a brief moment, he sighed before looking straight at you, his beady eyes studying you.
[In the coming days, you will enter into a contract of some sort, after which you will return here. The coming year is a turning point in your destiny... If the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost. My duty is to provide assistance to our guests to ensure that does not happen. ]
[Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistant to you. This is Margaret. She is a resident of this place, like myself.]
The funny man cackled as he gestured to the other one, a beautiful women who only silently bowed to you.
After a moment of hesitation she spoke softly to you and surprisingly you were able to hear her clearly despite her small voice.
[My name is Margaret. I am here to accompany you through your journey…]
[we shall attend to details another time, but for now… let us say farewell…]
--
You woke up after that and naturally you felt that was a dream… yet, a nagging feeling told you that it was not a dream… it did happen and that you did meet a person called Igor and Margaret… but who would believe you even if you say so?
--
Somehow, you were able to endure the long journey and you tapped your foot in annoyance at how slow it was for the doors of the train to open. Your legs were numb from all the sitting and you were truly wanted to get off as soon as possible. Reaching for your cell, you re-read the message that your uncle had sent you.
[Meet us outside at 4pm]
The time now was 3.00… perhaps they were early?
Grabbing your bag, you took to the platform and looked around to find no one….
Yasoinaba… a quiet town that has nothing much in it… yet you felt at home here, more relaxed than you would be in the big city you left. You would be here for a whole year till next spring… how would you fare here you wonder…
Walking towards an empty seat at the station, you stretched yourself and looked around for something to catch your attention and to kill time. Your eyes met a solitary television perched on top of a shelf blasting the news.
It was the daily news for Inaba and you found yourself transfixed on the news for the first time…
[Details about the scandal…]
It was about a scandal, something big in this little town and you turned away, disinterested in the content…
You had heard and seen many scandals in the city that you were sick of it… Instead, you turned your thoughts to the station itself, no one beside you had gotten off, a reminder of how tiny this town was.
[…?]
Taking a small nap, you started when your cell started vibrating, signaling that it was 4pm and you wearily got up, heading outside.
Promptly, a car drove straight up to you and the two passengers got out and greeted you.
[Hey… you're Seta, Seta Souji, right? Welcome to inaba… you sure look different in the photo…you sure have grown, haven't you?]
The medium built man with an unshaved beard smiled warmly as he patted your shoulders in a friendly manner, this must be your uncle, Dojima-san…
[It has been a long time, uncle…]
[Call me Dojima, it'll be too formal for you to call me uncle, a man should refer to one another by their names, Souji and you're right. It has been a long time. The last time I saw you was when you were a kid.]
He nodded to himself as he introduced the little girl that was clinging to him.
[This is Nanako and Nanako, this is Souji. He'll be staying with us for a year.]
[… hi…]
The girl, Nanako hid behind Dojima-san while he just remarked how shy Nanako was. The little girl, who you know refer to as Nanako blushed again when you squatted down and told her your name.
[It's Souji… you can call me Souji…]
[I-I know… I'm Nanako… I… well…]
[I'll be in your care then…]
You smiled warmly to the two of them before bowing, causing Dojima-san to chuckle and pet your shoulder.
[You got manners boy, I've thought you were a city brat or punk… well, if you step out of line I'll throw you in… got that?]
There was seriousness in that voice and you swallowed nervously, it would be best not to go out of line with a detective in the house…
[…]
Nanako-chan was still hiding behind Dojima-san and out of the blue he remarked that Nanako was being tremendously shy for some reason.
[Ow!!]
Nanako simply kicked his dad in the legs before she ran over to you and held out a hand.
[Here, you must be hungry…]
Passing you a sandwich, Nanako-chan dragged you to the family car and pushed you into it as Dojima-san called out.
[Hey! That was my sandwich!!!]
[Dad will not get any dinner tonight!!]
[What?!]
It promises to be an entertaining first night over for you as the two of them bickered and laughed on their way back. Along the way, you took in the sight of the street and found yourself sighing at the houses, which seemed to have came from a different generation altogether… Living in a home like this would be different from what you were used to at home.
[Inaba is a small and quiet town, so if you're looking for excitement you came to the wrong place, Souji.]
Dojima remarked from the car as Nanako-chan shouted out.
[Every day is great at your Junes~~]
It would seem that Nanako had learnt this from somewhere as she sung it happily, Dojima-san was not that thrilled however.
[Nanako!! I was talking with Souji!]
[No it's okay… I don't mind…]
You defended Nanako and it was Dojima-san's turn to turn his attack to you.
[Well you cheeky brat, seems like you two are ganging up on the old man here eh?]
But still, you could feel the warmth coming from the two of them, they truly was happy that you were staying over, something you were glad to know.
--
[Oh.. we gonna make a stop.]
Dojima-san stopped the car at gas-station and Nanako immediately jumped out of it.
[You okay by yourself, Nanako?]
Dojima-san asked worriedly as Nanako nodded her head and headed off.
[Hi, welcome to Noel!]
A attendant appeared from nowhere and started wiping the windshield of the car while Dojima turned to you.
[This is near the Central shopping street, look over there. It's a good place, but lots of shops are closing down…]
He pointed to a row of shophouses before grinning and pointing at another large building at the distance.
[Now, that street might not interest you but Junes sure will. Nanako will tell you about it later… ahaha]
He chuckled again as he instructed the attendant to fill up the car.
[Regular's fine…]
Walking to the gas station to pay, the attendant studied you for a moment before breaking into conversation.
[You seem new here.]
[…]
For some reason you felt that this person was a person you should not trust but nonetheless you took the hand that was offered to you.
[!!]
The moment you grasped his hand you felt like something had bit you and you felt your vision shake for a moment.
[Woah! You okay? You're not getting sick are you?]
the attendant looked at you in worry as you shook your head to signal that you were fine. What was that? That intense feeling that made your chest tighten with worry and in pain…
Were you feeling the aftereffects of the long trip?
The attendant, oblivious to your thoughts continued speaking as the meter continued to rise.
[Yessir, this is a small town, must be a shock to you isn't it? You don't look like one who lived in a small town like this. Came from the city?]
[Yea…]
Just then, Nanako came running up and the moment she looked at you, Nanako asked worriedly, even touching your hand.
[Are you okay? You look ill…]
You sensed her worry and you told her that you were fine.
[I might be tired…]
Popping back into the car, you laid on the back while Nanako fanned you with a paper fan that she had dug out somehow.
[Must be the weather…]
You remarked to the both of them as Dojima-san came back, carrying a bag full of food with him.
[you should take a nap when we reach home…]
--
By the time you reached the Dojima residence, you had felt better and happily took in the sight of the house that you will be staying in for a year.
A year, it seems so long but you knew it will go by in a breeze… who you will meet here, you wonder…
--
At the gas station, the same attendant grinned to himself before muttering..
[So, he has came… the one who will draw the others to him…]
[Interesting…]
--
[Let's have a toast!!]
Dojima-san enthusiastically called out as he brought out a solitary can of beer, you and Nanako only got fruit juice, which made you a little disappointed.
[No drinking till you're above 18 Souji, if I catch you… I'll grill you good.]
Dojima-san chuckled as you raised your glass to the occasion.
[Your mum and dad is working overseas eh? Must be tough on you. Just relax and treat this as your home. Heck, you can stay here for more than a year if you want to.]
You felt that Dojima-san meant his words and you nodded your head.
[Yes, thank you very much…]
[You learnt your manners well boy, Nanako, you should learn from Souji, he'll grow up to be a good man.]
[What is a good man?]
[…]
For a moment, Dojima-san paused but he effortlessly changed the subject, or so he thought.
[You'll know when you grow up Nanako.]
[Not fair dad! You told me that when I asked why I can't go over to Nao-kun's to play!]
[No means no!! that kid will only be a delinquent!!]
It promises to be an entertaining home for the next year, you decided as the two of them started arguing and laughing together again.
However…
[Ah… Yes…]
In the middle of dinner, Dojima-san took off after getting a call.
[Work, sorry Nanako, Souji.]
He took off like the wind, leaving the both of you in the room eating dinner alone.
Without Dojima-san, Nanako seemed nervous but she broke the ice herself by turning the TV on…
--
[It must be tough…]
In the middle of the TV program, you told Nanako that but she shook her head and replied. She must be mature for her age as she knew immediately what you were referring to, you felt that Nanako is a very strong willed girl.
[No, I'm used to it…]
She sighed to herself but almost immediately perked up when the TV started broadcasting a weird but catchy song.
[Everyday is great at your junes~~]
You hear Nanako hum that song and you smiled, Nanako, despite her mature and strong personality was a child at heart after all…
You spent a while with Nanako before she took the dishes to be washed, telling you that your room is the one at the second floor.
[You don't look well… you should rest…]
Nodding, you decided to do just that and you head up…
You life in Inaba has just started… what awaits you here?
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Author's Note:
hi, i'm stilling getting used to 's very bad editing format... oh well...
Hope you enjoyed it...