Chapter 0
Takeshi Akiyama had been a misfit for as long as he could remember. But now, he was about to become an even bigger one. He would soon arrive in Yokohama, a new city, and attend Yudaina Academy, a new school and he, was going to be the new kid.
Something about Takeshi's looks always made him an outcast, the young man reminded one of a rogue of some sort, a thug to many. He hovered above his peers because he was six-foot tall, his hair was constantly somewhat disheveled and his broad shoulders made him look threatening. People had labelled him so frequently since he was young, that he slowly embraced the concept.
His classmates avoided him out of fear, his teachers assumed he was cheating every time he got good grades and the few friends he managed to make, where pariahs such as himself.
He sometimes felt he had been forced into the role, not only did he look thuggish, even his name meant "violent warrior" by some definitions. Bullies and punks wanted to see how tough he really was, so after a few months of getting his face smashed weekly, he learned how to defend himself. Though it had it's undeniable advantages, the thought of pissing him off eluded the minds of all but the most courageous, who would never repeat their antics after he gave them a quick lesson.
His childhood was far different to most people's, he had never met his parents, his father died in a traffic accident when his mother was pregnant, who saw it as an ill omen, wanted nothing to do with him and disappeared from his life after giving birth. He was raised by his uncle, the now rich CEO of Akiyama Motors, Hideo Akiyama, a true Japanese master of engineering. His life was privileged in the economical sense and he and his uncle Hideo had a close bond. Though he excelled at sports do to his strength (despite being somewhat skinny) and intelligence, he was kept out of most teams do to his aggressive personality, which naturally led him to committing numerous fouls while playing.
His school in Tokyo closed after becoming involved in a corruption scandal and claims of money laundering. Apparently the principal had close ties to a local Yakuza family. The only other school that accepted him and his long history of fighting and misbehaviour was in Yokohama and because the family company had a branch in the city it was decided he would be sent there.
As the train approached the station, Takeshi's phone buzzed and he remembered that he was supposed to be contacted by an employee of his uncle to give him directions. He unlocked the phone and read the message:
-"Akiyama-kun, attached to this there is a map file showing you were to go, please don't get lost"
He despised the false kindness of employees trying to use him to get on his uncle's good graces.
To a small town kid, moving around a city like this would take some getting used to, but for him, a Tokyo native, it would prove to be no challenge at all, the cities were right next to each other anyway. He got off the train in Yokohama Station, rode the subway to Minami, then started walking quickly in the way the map indicated and found himself outside an apartment building in no time. He sent a message to the employee asking for instructions:
-"I've arrived, what should I do?"
As he waited for a response Takeshi wondered, why in the world was he going to an apartment building? Had he gotten an apartment all for himself? His uncle was as cryptic as they come, so there was no way of knowing. The gate buzzed and his phone followed suit shortly after, the message read: "Come in and take the elevator to the 7th floor". He walked in and found an empty white room with a door that presumably led to the stairs, and the elevator. He pressed the button and the door of the machine opened immediately. As he passed through it he felt an odd sensation and heard a voice, though it's message was indiscernible and the tone warped, suddenly he was overcome with rage for a few instants as he clutched his head. After it faded, he asked himself what had happened, but brushed it off as a headache caused by his tiring journey.
Once on the 7th floor he received another text:
-"Come to apartment 702"
He quickly made his way to the door marked 702 and knocked it twice. It was soon opened by a woman in her mid twenties with curly black hair.
-"Good afternoon, you must be Takeshi-kun, I'm Yoshiko Tsukuda. Come in I'll explain you the arrangements your uncle has made for your stay".
The apartment was large and spacious, so he assumed she had an oddly good position in the company for someone so young. The decorations were all vivid and brightly coloured, giving the place a girly feel.
-"For the remainder of your high school years you'll be staying with me in here, I hope it is to your liking, I know it's not what you're used to, also don't think you're burdening me in any way, I'm being compensated handsomely for this"
Takeshi directed himself to Yoshiko:
-"You don't have to be so formal, you know"
-"Was I trying to hard, Takeshi-kun?" She responded with a smile.
-"You can also drop the honorifics, cause I ain't gonna use them either"
-"Fine, let me show you your room then"
After he was shown his new home by Yoshiko, he dropped his baggage and analysed the place, he was given a futon, a desk with a chair, a short sofa and a small TV. It sufficed him, Takeshi was never one to fret over stuff like luxury. After he had made himself comfortable he began unpacking, once he had finished he started up the tv and lay on the sofa. Yoshiko knocked on the door and came in
-"I forgot to tell you, tomorrow is Sunday so we will go to introduce you to your new school"
She left as soon as she appeared and Takeshi's attention was diverted to his buzzing cellphone, it was his uncle:
-"Did you arrive, how's everything?"
-"Yeah, everything's fine"
-"Don't go causing trouble for Tsukuda-San"
-"I won't, stop worrying"
-"I wouldn't be a good uncle if I didn't worry"
-"Anyways, good night man, sleep well"
-"You too, :)"
His uncle and his childish texting annoyed him, but it's good to have someone who cares about you. Takeshi fell asleep shortly afterwards. He awoke to the sensation of movement. Takeshi found himself in a dark blue room that was shaking like a ship in a storm, or more likely, he was inside a ship in a storm. In front of him were an old man with an inhumanly long nose and bloodshot eyes wearing a suit behind a table, and a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair braided into a ponytail that fell from the side of her head into her right shoulder, wearing a blue dress with bright yellow buttons, sitting on top of it. The old man spoke:
-"I am Igor, master of the Velvet Room, a place between dream and reality, mind and matter, I am sure you have many questions for me, but now is the time of listening-"
-"I'm not gonna listen to any of your shit, until you tell me how the hell I got here!" Takeshi interrupts Igor.
-"Hahahaha, a feisty guest indeed. Worry not, in words that you could understand you are dreaming. But the events that occur here will manifest in the real world. You are lost and wandering in the Sea of the Soul, the shape this room has taken demonstrates this, if you do not manage to find your way, catastrophe will strike and its consequences will resonate beyond your own fate. There is hope, this you must not forget. We will guide you in your journey towards salvation. But to achieve your objective you must form bonds with others entangled to similar fates as yours."
The woman in blue spoke immediately after:
-"I am Genevieve, resident of the Velvet Room, I will aid you in the arduous ordeal that sits before you, though you have yet to learn how, I'm sure you will be thankful of my services"
A voice called to Takeshi in his head:
-"You have formed a bond that will accompany you in the dangerous road that lies ahead. Harness the union of souls to achieve victory. Through the path of the Priestess Arcana you shall gain new resolve."
-"Now you must return to your world" Announced Igor.
The Velvet Room slowly vanished and all that was left was darkness.
-"Wake up sleepyhead! It's time to go check out your new school" Yoshiko's voice cut through his sleep like a knife, awakening him instantly.
-"...Five more...minutes..." Was all that Takeshi could mutter.
-"We'll be late if you don't hurry"
-"Ugh...fine"
Takeshi quickly got up from bed and Yoshiko left him alone so that he could get dressed. Once he was ready, they ate breakfast and wondered if he had misjudged Yoshiko, she had been awfully nice to him, it didn't even seem like an act. Maybe she was a naturally caring and nice person, or maybe that handsome compensation was more handsome than he had thought. He felt bad anyway, perhaps he could reduce his "I'm an intolerable ass to everyone because they are intolerable asses to me" attitude a bit with her. He was going to spend two years with her though, so they might as well get along. Once they had finished, he thanked her for breakfast. They went down to the basement and promptly got on her car. He now realised she definitely had a suspiciously high position in Akiyama Motors, or Hideo had given her the initial payment already. Yoshiko broke the silence:
-"So...I'm going to drive you there today but after that you're going to have to take the subway"
Takeshi nodded. After dealing with some traffic, they arrived to Yudaina Academy, located in Hodogaya, it reeked of private school, it was a modern concrete building with glass panes everywhere and it was unreasonably large for its type of institution. After taking the stairs to the fourth floor they entered the room marked "Principal's Office". It was a bit dark and luxurious, it had a crimson carpet and black wooden furniture with golden metal details on it. A short and moderately overweight grey haired middle-aged man with a moustache and glasses spoke:
-"Hello Akiyama-kun, I am principal Isakashima, the head of this school"
Takeshi gave him an uninterested look. Principal Isakashima directed his attention to Yoshiko:
-"You must be Tsukuba-San, his current guardian, correct?"
-"That's right" responded Yoshiko.
-"Well...now that we're done with introductions, let's talk about our new student here. Akiyama-kun, has markedly above average grades which are important in this educational institution but I think we should address the elephant in the room"
Yoshiko looked puzzled. Isakashima continued:
"One of our biggest concerns was Akiyama-kun's behavioural history, he seems to have gotten involved in several incidents with aggressive and rebellious connotations"
Yoshiko's eyes widened. That's why, Takeshi thought. They had seemingly "forgot" to tell her that he was the prototypical problem student.
-"We hope these issues don't follow him here" Said Isakashima.
After hearing the principal's rambling for around half an hour, he understood that he was supposed to go to the faculty office tomorrow and ignored the rest. Once they were alone again Takeshi spoke to his guardian:
-"I take it that you hadn't been informed about my less than exemplary conduct"
-"Clearly not, but I was naive to think they would send you here to go to school without a good reason. I'm in no position to back out anyway, though"
-"If it's worth anything, I'll try not to cause you trouble"
-"Well that's certainly reassuring" Said the woman sarcastically. "But you don't seem like such a bad guy as that principal would have me thinking, just be mindful that I'm responsible for you"
A voice called to Takeshi in his head:
-"You have formed a bond that will accompany you in the dangerous road that lies ahead. Harness the union of souls to achieve victory. Through the path of the Strength Arcana you shall gain new resolve."
Once home Takeshi went to his room and minded his business. He watched some TV, but soon became drowsy and went to bed. He awoke in the Velvet Room and wondered if this was going to keep repeating itself every night.
-"Welcome to the Velvet Room, we have been waiting for you. It seems you have formed a bond with another soul in reality, find others and reveal their secrets to help them find their way in the Sea of the Soul, this in turn will help you find yours"
-"I don't understand any of this, why do I keep having this dream" Yelled a disconcerted Takeshi.
-"It will unravel to you in due time, keep in mind that even if you are dreaming, this is no dream."
-"Now, listen to the master's words of advice" Said Genevieve in a dignified voice.
-"Mark my words and embrace their meaning, the time will come when you must take a decision, sometimes the right choice is the wrong one, only by staying in tune with the melody of your soul will you be able to find your way"
Takeshi was absolutely confused by Igor's cryptic message, but then he remembered that his uncle had the same way of thinking and that some things are meant to be understood later.
-The next time you come to this Room, it will be of your own volition, now farewell, for you must return to your world"
End of Chapter 0
Dear reader, I'd like to thank you for using your time to read this chapter, I hope it was to your liking, if it wasn't, I appreciate any comment, advice or criticism you are willing to communicate to me. This is the first time I've attempted writing fanfiction, though it isn't my first written work. As for the motivation that drove me to put together this story, during my second playthrough of Persona 5, I thought about the inimaginably long wait for the next numbered title, so I thought I might write a story to keep my mind off it, even if it was only for myself. As I completed a few chapters, I decided I liked what I was making and chose to share it.