Hello! I know it's kinda a bit late starting a fanfic on this game, considering the fact that it's already a few months old, but I really love the characters and the idea of this game.
I don't really know whether this story will be wtah you're searching for, but i can at least tell you this story will be more of a character-focused story instead of action and the plot will mostly be centered on Character interactions and relationships more than anything else, so be warned haha
In any case, I hope ypu guys will give this story a chance. Many of the characters will be out of character- though I will try to keep their special eccentrics and unique traits there. Please review and give advice whenever you feel something is wrong, missing or can be done better.
Enjoy!
Pitter patter pitter patter
Outside the antique door of the cafe, the rain fell heavily, droplets so large that every single one that hit the ground could be heard from inside.
A lone man stood behind the counter, arms deftly moving as the dark and smooth coffee beans seemed to dance in the air.
Messy black hair, lean and tall frame, plain round glasses and a faint yellow apron over his plain shirt and pants, said man quietly handled the process of making coffee with practiced ease.
"... with the sudden reveal of the cognitive world, along with the secret behind how the now-deposed prime minister- Masayoshi Shido- disposed of all his competitors, scientists and researches are desperately searching for ways to attain the 'power' that Goro Akechi, who had defected from Masayoshi Shido's side, mentioned."
The man seemed to perk up as the newscaster's voice rebounded off the wooden furniture and walls of the small cafe shop.
"Due to the partial merging of the cognitive world with reality, 'shadows'- monsters with power greater than anything we have ever seen- are starting to appear. At the current moment, it is still possible to keep it under control due to the small number, but studies are showing a rapid rise in said number."
"It is fortunate that Yongen-jaya seems to be safe- at least for the current moment. Could it be that this old town is one of those so-called 'safe areas'? "
An old man- a regular for many years- sighed and said in a depressed yet slightly relieved tone.
"Goro Akechi has stated that the monsters appearing now are the weaker ones, and that monsters of greater calibre will appear with higher frequency as time passes, and has emphasized on the importance on everyone succeeding in releasing the 'inner power' in everyone- what he named as a 'persona', which has the same power as said shadows."
A soft snort- one so very soft that even the old man only three meters away from the counter couldn't hear- escaped from the man's mouth.
"Apparently, the 'key' to releasing this power is for the person to 'tear of the mask, the facade they hide under, and face their inner demons and stand above them' - words stated by Goro Akechi himself. We implore that anyone who unlocks this 'persona' to immediately contact the police force. The World is facing a crisis like never before, and we need your power to fight against it. Thank you."
As the transition music started to play from the television, the man poured the last drop of coffee into a pristine-looking porcelain cup before serving it to the old man on a porcelain plate.
"Excelsia, just as you like it," A calm, soothing voice left the young man's mouth as he smiled kindly at the old man.
"Ah, thank you. The stress of all these huge revelations has been taking a toll on my mind. This old and frail body can't handle so much," The old man thanked him, appreciation lacing his voice as he carefully picked up the cup and took a whiff of the pleasant aroma the coffee emitted before taking a small sip.
"Just how I like it. Thank you, Akira," The old man thanked him again. He simply nodded and acknowledged with a small, polite grin.
"Glad you liked it." Silence filled the small cafe once again, safe for the buzzing background noise of the television and the occasional sharp sounds of glass hitting glass as Akira did the dishes.
It was already quite late into the evening, hence the only people left in the cafe were the old man and him.
"Say, how are you holding up with all these new things happening?" The old man's slightly hoarse but curious voice floated through the air.
"I'm fine. Yongen-Jaya is a 'safe house', after all. There isn't much to be worried about."
"These 'safe houses' would eventually disappear as the...distortion increases, if I heard correctly," A slight frown appeared on the Old man's wrinkled forehead. Akira merely shrugged.
"I'll worry about it when the time comes," His voice completely devoid of worry or concern.
"Sometimes, I wonder where your confidence comes from," The old man shook his head.
"You're right though. There is no point worrying now. After all, only by becoming a persona-user can we actually do anything, and everyone knows its not that easy."
The old man sighed and Akira stayed silent. There was nothing to say.
"Oh my, it is late. I better get going. Sorry for making you sit through an old man's rambling," The old man chuckled lightly as he looked at the time shown on an antique wooden clock on one of the shelves that lined the back of the counter.
"Have a safe trip back," Akira bade goodbye. The old man nodded, thanking him for the third time before leaving through the door, the sound of bells clinking together echoing throughout the cafe.
Akira gently picked up the porcelain cup and plate left on the table. He frowned slightly when he realised half a cup of coffee was still there.
"Seems like he was more troubled than he lead on," Akira whispered to himself. A twinge of worry sprung up in his heart, but he quickly quashed it like an ant and shook his head.
It wasn't his problem.
"You know sneaking up on me doesnt work." His voice calm, but the soothing effect it had when he talked to the old man was long gone, replaced by a warmer tone.
"I wasn't sneaking." A childish, boyish voice rebutted from below him. He looked down and stared at the black-furred cat.
"You already know my answer, Morgana." His tone turned colder. The cat stilled, and then hissed, its black fur seemingly spiking up in response to its annoyance.
"...That sounded very much like a cat," A small, teasing grin was directed towards the cat.
"Don't change the subject, Akira." Said man's face darkened considerably, the grin slowly sliding off his face. He turned his head away from the cat, refocusing back to what he was doing without responding.
Uncomfortable silence ensued, with Akira robotoically soaking the porcelain tableware while the cat-Morgana- stared at Akira.
A few more seconds, and a sigh of defeat resounded throughout the place.
"We could really use your help."
No response.
"Please," The cat suddenly begged, desperation obvious in its voice.
No reponse.
"We are barely holding on, and the shadows are growing stronger and more numerable. It's getting harder to keep the people safe."
Akira's shoulders stiffened- so minor was the movement it was almost imperceptible, but Morgana's sharp cat-eyes spotted it.
"It," Akira started to say, his voice emotionless and cold, face as unreadable as a stone. "Is none of my business."
Morgana visibly deflated and shook his head sadly.
"...I'm sorry for asking this much of you. It's hard, Akira. I am your friend, but I also am the embiodment of the hope of mankind. It is my responsibility. Please at least consider it," Morgana implored sadly.
Akira stayed silent for a moment, his hand stilling, before walking to the fridge and taking out bowl of fresh milk and placing it in fromt of Morgana, whom had by this time climbed onto the counter.
"...I understand. I hope you understand too, why I am so adamant about it...I'm sorry," Akira said, his voice noticeably warmer now compared to before. He lightly patted Morgana's head and gave him a genuine smile before entering the kitchen.
Morgana stayed silent, staring at Akira's back as he trudged into the kitchen, and a breath of sympathy escaped him.
"If only..." He muttered under his breath before staring at the bowl of milk, thoughts and regrets racing through his mind like lightning.
Eventually, he sighed again before starting to drink the milk. A small smile formed on his face as he drank. Delicious as always- Akira knew exactly how he liked his milk.
"If you can extend this kindness to me, can't you extend it to mankind as well? After all, I am, in a certain perspective, a representative of mankind..." Morgana whispered wistfully, before shaking his head to clear his wishful thinking.
"How is Futaba? The girl hasn't visited today," Akira's voice suddenly travelled from the kitchen, breaking his train of depressing thoughts.
It was as though their heated conversation merely moments ago didn't happen. Morgana sighed, and reluctantly played along, knowing the day's chance to convince him was over.
Another rejection, but he wouldn't be giving up anytime soon.
"She's doing okay. She just visited yesterday, Akira. Do you miss her rants that much?" Morgana jested, trying and succeeding slightly in putting the conversation behind him. He then smiled when he thought of Futaba and Akira.
Futaba often confided in Akira- he was the one that Sojiro had entrusted her to, and had been the one to nurse her mental health .
They were like siblings, Akira the strong, kind elder brother and Futaba, the insecure, dependent younger sister.
Not to mention that he was the one that had saved her from herself. Of course, she didn't know that particular fact, nor did she need to.
Akira may seem like he no longer cared about mankind, but the fact that he cared for Futaba showed that somewhere, hidden deep within, he still felt something.
That alone was enough to convince Morgana to keep on trying. He's have to try at a later time, however. He doubted he would make any progress if he continued.
"She still doesn't know it was you, the Joker, who saved her." Morgana stated with a deadpanned face.
"That's not what I was asking." Akira scowled at him, receiving a teasing smile in return.
"She's eating and drinking fine today. She even managed to make a new friend today. High school is doing some amazing wonders, though I suspect the root cause was you."
"Good." Morgana could 'hear' a smile from Akira's voice, which caused him to have one of his own.
"I'll tell her to visit again soon, once she's free from her computer."
"A new program?"
"You know her."
Akira's soft laugh- which would usually be inaudible- resounded in the air. Morgana's ears perked up at the sound- it was a luxury to hear him laugh, given how little he does so.
"Thanks for taking care of her for me."
"My pleasure."
A moment of silence- one much more comfortable than before- pervaded the cafe.
"I better get going, then." Morgana announced his departure, leaping off from the table and landing gracefully-perks of being a cat.
"Morgana," Akira called, his head sticking out of the kitchen. Morgana tilted his head, a questioning look arising on his face.
Akira's face was still as unreadable as ever, but Morgana was able to tell how he felt- his eyes were the window to his feelings.
Of course, only Morgana would be able to do that, considering that the person who knew Akira the most in the entire world was him.
When his thoughts reached there, sadness crept into his heart. It deepened further when he saw the turmoiling feelings underneath those steel cold brown eyes.
"Stay safe," Akira said, his voice sincere.
"Hmph. Since when have I not been?" Morgana replied cockily, eliciting another rare genuine smile from Akira.
"Don't get me started," Akira rebutted. Morgana snorted and proceeded to head out. Right at the windowsill, he hesitated and looked back, staring at Akira's back.
It looked lonely. It always had.
Guilt crashed into him, and he almost cried out to say he was staying the night, but nothing came out.
He couldn't. His duties didn't allow him to
Even if it meant leaving Akira alone.
Closing his eyes and gritting his cat-teeth, Morgana forced himself to turn and leapt out of the window into the gloomy dark of the night, leaving a lone man in an empty cafe, hidden away from the desperate sights of man and the greedy vision of the shadows.
