Thank you to jadasimone16, fatty635, MathAtMidnight, and guest1995 for reviewing!

MathAtMidnight: This fic was written almost over a year ago when I was just starting out, and isn't meant to be taken seriously. It's more of a side project to see what I could do with P4, considering I had just finished the game. It certainly is obligatory to explain what the characters are doing now since I've extended the time span from the canon 5 years to 10 years.


Sliding the front door open, they were greeted with polished wooden floors and thin shoji doors, the inn giving off even more of a traditional feeling inside. There were a couple of bamboo plants to their left of the entrance, and to their right was a vending machine for drinks, a straw waste basket next to it. The walls were covered in a light yellow and dark gold leaf wallpaper, giving off a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

There was only one person working at the desk this late in the evening, and they stopped, staring in surprise.

It was a beautiful young woman in her twenties, her straight black hair shining that healthy glow all women aim to achieve. Her skin was as soft as moon light, and her dark red kimono complimented her slim figure gracefully. Dark eyes surrounded by thick lashes looked up from the computer and she perked up, her small red lips spreading into a smile. "Welcome to The Amagi Inn. My name is Yukiko." She bowed. "Do you have a reservation?"

Ryuji let out a low whistle, looking up and down at their host. "Daaamn...I didn't know country girls were so pretty."

Rolling her eyes, Ann smacked the back of his head. "Keep your eyes to yourself! We're only here for a night, remember?" She gave the older woman an apologetic smile. "Sorry for him, he doesn't know how to control his mouth sometimes."

Yukiko chuckled quietly, covering her mouth daintily with a sleeve. "Don't worry, I'm rather used to that. Now then, do you have a reservation?"

Airi nodded, walking up to the counter. "Yes, we reserved a room a couple minutes ago online."

She nodded, looking back down at her computer. "Name, please?"

Blinking, she looked at Futaba. "Who's name did you use anyway?"

The hacker gave her a innocent grin, clasping her hands behind her. "Yours. I was gonna put it under Haru but her account's monitored..."

Airi sighed, turning back to the host. "Kimisawa Airi. We reserved for nine persons."

Yukiko nodded. "One moment, please..." She checked the inn's database, seeing the new reservation made ten minutes ago, just as she was told. "I see it. One large suite. You're paying by card?"

"Uh, if it's not too much trouble..." Airi smiled apologetically, taking out the thin piece of plastic from her wallet. "I know the countryside doesn't really use cards."

The inn hostess smiled, accepting the card. "It's no problem. We pride ourselves on accommodating our guests as much as we can. It will take me a couple of minutes though, we don't use the credit machine often." She gestured to the right where a sitting area was situated, empty of any guests or employees. "You're welcome to take a seat while I process this. I'll let you know once I've finished." She bowed before moving to the side where a bulky verification machine was.

The group of teenagers moved to the large sitting room, taking a seat on the yellow couches. It seemed this part of the inn didn't require them to remove their shoes yet, so they were able to relax in their own clothes. Yusuke immediately moved to the large window, observing the moon shining brightly in the night sky. He took out his sketchbook and began drawing, absorbed in the image.

Taking a seat, Akira subtly unzipped his bag, letting Morgana see a bit of the outside.

"Hey, be careful." Futaba warned as she booted up her laptop. "This inn didn't say they have a pet policy, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Akechi rolled his eyes, crossing his legs. "Imagine us getting kicked out of the only place we could stop for the night over something like this." He took out his phone, idly browsing his emails.

"Well, so sorry for not turning human!" Morgana grumbled quietly, hunching forward in his bag. "I'll have to talk with my master about this..."

Haru perked up as she sat with her hands on her lap. "Oh, you mean the large nosed man we met inside that Velvet Room? He was certainly intimidating."

Akira snorted. "Not as intimidating as Yaldabaoth's version of him. Imagine waking up to that but his voice had two tones, and all he did was laugh evilly at you."

Ann shushed them, holding a finger in front of her lips. "Guys, quiet!" They glanced over at the inn host who was still absorbed in her attempt to work the machine. She turned back, making sure to keep her voice at a low volume. "It might be all over now, but we don't need people saying 'oh, you're the Phantom Thieves!'"

Yawning, Ryuji slouched in his seat next to her. "C'mon, let us enjoy the fame for a bit! We deserve it, right? I doubt these guys out in the country would know about us anyway."

Airi rolled her eyes, sending an email from her phone to her credit card company about using it out of Tokyo. "People still don't know that we're the thieves though, and didn't people in Hawaii know about us? Right, Makoto?" She turned to the former council president, but she didn't respond, her eyes focused in the direction of their host. "Makoto?"

The group turned to watch her, getting worried as she had yet to speak or even blink. Scooting closer, Futaba poked her in her side. "Mako?"

Jumping at the unexpected touch, Makoto gasped, tearing her eyes away and focusing on her friends. "Huh?! What?"

Ann furrowed her brow. "Are you OK, Makoto? You were staring at Yukiko-san pretty intensely..."

She blinked, and blinked again. "I was? Oh..." She glanced back at the woman. "There's just...something familiar about her. I don't know what it is, but I feel like I know her somehow."

Akechi raised a brow. "You've never been out of Tokyo, though. It would be impossible for you to have met her before...Though I suppose you might've seen her on the news once."

Pausing from his sketch, Yusuke turned to him, pencil in hand. "The news? Had something happened here?"

The detective nodded. "There was a murder at this inn several years ago, about ten if I am correct. The victim disappeared here and wound up dead a day later, hung up on another rooftop's antenna."

Ann cringed. "Yikes. That sounds...horrible." She shifted in her seat, feeling uncomfortable at being in a place where a murder had taken place. "Did they ever catch the killer?"

A dry smile grew on his face. "As a matter of fact, they did a few months later. It was a junior detective by the name of Adachi Tohru."

Akira frowned, resting his elbows on his thighs. "Did you know him?"

Akechi rolled his eyes. "Did you think I knew a detective who was incarcerated ten years ago? No. But his story was interesting to read out." His dark eyes idly roamed the lobby. "It would certainly benefit me to hear the story from the locals."

Morgana stood up at attention. "Makoto, is it something inside you telling you that? Not your head?"

Makoto nodded hesitantly. "H-How did you know?"

"Pardon the interruption, but the machine is finished!"

The group looked up to see Yukiko waving them over. Getting up from her seat, Airi walked over to the counter. "I've charged you for one night and I've also allocated you to our largest guest suite with its own dining room and separate bedrooms. Check-out is at 3PM tomorrow." The host handed over the credit card as well as their receipt. Taking it, Airi pocketed it back in her wallet. "I'll show you to your rooms. Follow me." She bowed, before leading them to the stairs.

Airi gestured to her friends, and the group followed the host up to the third floor where she knelt in front of a door, slid it open, and gestured them inside.

"I hope you'll enjoy your stay here." Yukiko bowed, forehead touching the floor. "The hot springs are open now if you'd like to take a soak. We also offer a laundry service in the locker rooms."

Airi bowed back, though without getting on her knees. "Thank you very much, Yukiko-san. I think we'll do that in a few minutes."

Smiling, the inn hostess stood up and stilled, her dark eyes meeting red ones. Something in her chest moved, a sensation that she hadn't felt in years.

Makoto stared back, not saying a word.

"I..." Yukiko blinked, furrowing her brow. It was as if... "Please excuse me. Dinner will be sent up soon."

Turning away from the group, she hurriedly walked back down to the lobby, her heart thundering in her rib cage. What was that? It was if she had her Persona again. But that was impossible, wasn't it? Mariko had closed the portal years ago. Yu had told them that he had access to their Personas due to a otherworldly man named Igor, but he completed a contract with him and he disappeared. They didn't have Personas anymore. So why did she feel that familiar warmth of Sumeo-Okami?

"Yukikoooo~!"

She looked up, seeing Chie skip up to her still in her police uniform. "Hey, we were thinking of getting the group together tonight!" She grinned energetically, adjusting her police cap. "Rise and Naoto are back in town for a couple of days. Are you free?"

Yukiko slowly shook her head. "No. There were some last minute guests who just checked in. They..." She paused, looking down at her tabi covered feet. "...They were strange."

Chie furrowed her brow in confusion. "Strange? Were they delinquents or something? 'Cause if so, just say the word and I'll kick them out for you!" She pumped a fist, getting into a martial arts stance.

Yukiko laughed fondly at her usual antics. Even after ten years, they were still the best of friends. "No, nothing like that. They were pretty calm for teenagers. One of them even acted as chaperone." The smile fell from her face. "But I felt...something."

"Teenagers, huh?" Chie grinned. "I remember when we were teenagers, kicking butt in the TV. But what did you feel?"

"Exactly what you just said." Yukiko replied quietly. "I felt that feeling like when we were inside the TV world. I felt her again...Sumeo-Okami."

Hazel eyes widened. "Wh-What?! No way!" Chie uttered, taking a step back in shock. "But Yu told us we're done with that stuff!"

Yukiko nodded solemnly. "I know, but I know what I felt. There was one girl, a brunette with red eyes, that really struck me as familiar for some reason, but I know I've never met her." Her lips straightened. "Once our eyes met, I could feel my Persona again for a split second..."

Chie frowned, crossing her arms. "You think they're here to cause trouble? If you could feel that power again, it could be because they might be enemies..." She glanced at the stairs that led to the guest rooms. "Maybe I should see for myself. You think I can right now?"

The inn hostess pursed her lips, taking a cloth out to clean the counter. "The chaperone, Kimisawa-san, said they'll be using the hot springs in a bit. You should be able to see them when they're heading there."

Chie nodded. "Gotcha. In the meantime, why don't you call Yu to let him know about this? He's still our leader, y'know. He'd bring Mari-chan too, and she can definitely confirm for us."

Yukiko nodded, taking out her phone. "Right, I'll do that now. Why don't we have dinner here then?"

The police officer grinned and rubbed her hands together. "Guess it'll be...a steak out."

Choking, Yukiko covered her mouth as she laughed hysterically at the terrible joke.


Taking off their shoes at the entrance, the thieves walked into the suite, looking around curiously. It was a traditional tatami room, a large low dining table situated in the middle with several low chairs surrounding it. There were a few alcoves with decorative swords and plates, and to the sides were other shoji doors, open to show large rooms with futons already prepared.

"This is really nice!" Ann marveled, clapping her hands together. "I'm so glad we drove this way!"

Running into one of the bedrooms, Futaba launched herself at the futon that was farthest away. "Dibs on this one!" She yelled, bundling herself in the thick blanket.

Yusuke furrowed his brow at her actions. "Should you not wash up before doing that? We were in the van for hours."

She stuck her tongue out, but bowed to his logic, getting up from the floor. "Stupid Inari, I'll do what I want!" Going up to her bag, she took her laptop out, placing it on the dining table. Her face fell at the few bars in the corner of the screen. "Wow, the wifi here sucks..."

Ryuji snorted, taking a seat next to her. "I'm surprised there is wifi here...But hey," He looked around awkwardly. "You think they might kick us out if they find out Morgana's here?"

Said feline bristled, jumping out of the bag. "They're more likely to kick you out than me. I'm sure before the night's over, you'd cause a scene." He slowly groomed himself, licking a paw. "I'm not the delinquent, after all."

Haru stretched her arms in the air, sighing contently. "It's been a long time since we've gone to a hot springs. I remember the last time I was here, there weren't any gender divisions, so men and women would have to soak at different times..."

The room was filled with chatter as the group of thieves settled into their room for the night, tired from their hours long drive. Glancing at the still quiet upperclassman, Airi guided her to the other bedroom, sliding the door closed behind them. "What's wrong, Makoto? Is it that feeling again?"

Makoto nodded quietly, eyes staring ahead. "I felt Anat reacting to her presence. As if...As if she was a Persona user."

Her eyebrows raised at the claim. That wasn't what she expected to hear today. "...Are you sure?" Airi pressed. "Do you think she might've been another pawn of Yaldabaoth's?"

Makoto shook her head, her brown hair framing her cheeks. "No, nothing like that. More like..." She struggled to find the words, biting her lip. "It was like seeing myself in a way. I got the same feeling from her like when I would charge up a spell." Sighing, she sat down on the tatami mat, tucking her legs beneath her. "It doesn't make sense..."

Taking a seat next to her, Airi softly bumped shoulders with her. "Hey, we're here with you, right? The whole team is here. Whatever happens, we'll always have each other's backs." She smiled gently. "We'll figure this out."

Staring at her for a moment, a small smile grew on her lips. "You're right. Thanks, Airi." She stretched her arms in the air and cracked her knuckles, relieving the ache of grabbing the steering wheel for hours. "It might've been a fluke, but we should test this to confirm our theory."

The door slid open, showing Akira smiling amusedly down at them. "Which means we're staying for more than one night?"

Airi blinked at his appearance. "You were listening in?"

Grinning at her, he rubbed the back of his neck. "These doors aren't soundproof. Anyway, if I'm getting what you're saying, Makoto, it would mean she's a Persona user." His eyes sharpened, glancing at the entrance. "And when there's one Persona user..."

"There's usually more." Akechi finished, crossing his arms.

"Case in point: You." Ryuji snorted, getting up from the floor. "So, we've got another Persona user in the house, huh? That Yukiko lady?"

Airi furrowed her brow. It didn't make sense for there to be more Persona users since Yaldabaoth was dealt with. "Futaba, can you search her up?"

"Already on it..." Futaba grinned, fingers flying all over her keyboard. "Like I said before, The Amagi Inn is famous around these parts. It's known as "The Jewel of Inaba," and it's been passed down through the generations. Yukiko is the latest, taking over about two years ago."

Haru raised her brows. "Wow, I'm impressed. Taking over a family business is hard work." She glanced toward the door. "Maybe I can ask for some advice..."

"She went to Yasogami High School which is in the area, and..." Futaba stopped, staring at the screen. "She was kidnapped for a week?"

The group looked at her in surprise. "What does that mean?" Akira asked, leaning against the door frame.

"It means exactly that. She went missing for a week, then reappeared." Futaba scrunched up her face. "...And get this, she wasn't the only one kidnapped. A Tatsumi Kanji, Kujikawa Rise, and Shirogane Naoto also went missing in this town before reappearing as if nothing happened."

Ann perked up. "Oh, Risette is from this town?!" She clasped her hands excitedly. "I've always looked up to her! I almost met her once for a shoot, but she got called away for a much bigger production..." She pouted. "But I have all her CDs! Hey, you think she's here?!"

Akechi grimaced. "Focus, Takamaki. Didn't you hear she was also kidnapped?" He grasped his chin speculatively. "Shirogane Naoto...Four high school students were kidnapped, then reappeared as if nothing happened. Is there anything else?"

"Uhh..." Futaba switched from the police database to the local school's filing system, quickly scrolling through the information. "They were all classmates, and were seen hanging out frequently. Other people of interest are a Satonaka Chie, Hanamura Yosuke, and a Narukami Yu. This Yu guy's cousin was kidnapped too, but they caught the perp."

Airi raised her brows. "Teenagers catching a criminal, now why does that sound familiar..." She sighed, rolling her neck tiredly. "Guess Makoto's theory is becoming more and more likely. You think this whole group was their own Phantom Thieves group?"

"Unlikely."

They turned to Morgana who was sitting on the windowsill, looking up at the moon. "How so?" Akira furrowed his brow, crossing his arms.

"We are the only Phantom Thieves to exist in this day and age. There are no others in our line of work." The feline answered, turning to look at the teenagers, his leader specifically. "But that doesn't mean we're the only Persona Users. My master has existed for sometime now, and you're not the first person he's made a contract with."


-Shoji doors are sliding doors. They can be paper, plastic, foam, etc. Washi is when it's rice paper.
-Tatami are traditional straw mats.
-Low chairs are basically cushions with back support.
-tabi are white colored socks that separate the big toe from the other toes.
-credit/debit cards are not widely used in Japan, even in the cities. Cash is the way to go, though most hotels and inns will take card.
-I'm going by the assumption that once you finish your contract with Igor, your effect on Personas disappear. As in, you can't fuse/add skills/ etc. You can't summon a Persona outside of the Metaverse without deity powers becoming involved. I'll explain this further in future chapters.