A/N: For this chapter alone, there will be lots of time skips. These are denoted by line breaks!

The contract has been forged.

Let us begin.

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona, or anything related to it. 'Cept the games. And they're awesome.

Chapter 1: Beneath the Mask

One Year Earlier

"Maaaaaan, I knew you were a country boy, but damn!" Ryuji looked out the window as they entered Akira's hometown, causing the raven haired Trickster to give a small chuckle himself.

"Yeah, it's certainly not Shibuya, but it has it's charm." Akira replied, looking at the familiar sights. He missed home, of course, but after everything that happened a nagging feeling let him feel truly happy. Did he belong here, now? "Left up here."

Makoto nodded and followed his directions before, finally, Akira told them this was the place. The van came rolling to a stop, the sliding door riding open before Ryuji hopped out. "This is the place? Really? Well, gotta be better than an attic, am I right?"

"You're being rude, Ryuji. But, indeed, this place has a quaint charm to it," Yusuke followed up, framing the household in his hands. It was a modest place, nothing special about it at all—it looked completely normal.

"Still, it's funny to think our leader came from such a humble place," Haru said, giggling slightly at the end.

Akira rubbed the back of his neck. He knew his mother wasn't back from her trip yet, but his father was. And if he heard the commotion-"Oi, there's my boy!"

Suddenly Akira found himself wishing he was fighting back at the top of Memontos again. Certainly preferable. It wasn't that Akira didn't get along with his father, quite the opposite. He was a stark contrast to Sojiro's 'tough love' though.

The source of the voice was revealed as a window on the upper floor opened revealing the face of an older man. He certainly couldn't deny Akira was his son, as the duo shared many features, though his hair was cut shorter and styled. The sides of his black hair were salted with strands of gray, giving him a refined look that only enhanced the 'good looks' he would say he gave his son. His mouth widened into a grin that made the others return it, minus Akira, who tucked his chin. Here they go….

"I'll be right down to let you all in! Can't believe my boy is back!" He disappeared from the window and everyone cast a glance to Akira.

"That's Akira's dad? He's so…." Haru's voice trailed off.

"Eccentric," Yusuke finished before Futaba raised a finger, looking to Makoto.

"But handsome. That means there's a seventy five percent probability Akira will be when he grows up too!"

"When I grow up?!" Akira blasted, looking to Futaba causing the group to let out a chuckle just before the door slid open. Akira's father, now revealed to be a large man over six feet, broad shoulders and thick arms. He quickly grabbed his son by the shoulders, looking him over with a wide, broad grin.

"Look at you! A whole year! Is that...stubble!?"

"Duuuude, his dad is jacked," Ryuji said, wide eyed to Ann. "Do ya….think the gene skipped a generation? That's how that works right?"

"I'm surprised you know anything about that," Morgana purred before the large man seemed to notice him.

"Is that a cat?! You got a pet too?!" He fell to his knees, sobbing and hugging his son dramatically. "YOU'VE GROWN SO MUCH!"

Akira found himself in a bear hug, arms at his side as the large man sobbed 'uncontrollably', causing the group to exchange glances. It was short lived as the man stood as if nothing happened. "Ah, my manners are poor, sorry. I'm Kurusu Akihiko, Akira's father. You must be the friends he mentioned."

Makoto took charge, stepping forward. "We are. Your son has been a good friend to us, and while the circumstances for meeting him weren't ideal, I think I speak for everyone when I say we're grateful for it nonetheless."

"Hell yeah, your son's a total bro!" Ryuju confirmed with a grin.

"Indeed, in not so uncouth words, your son is indeed a good friend," Yusuke confirmed.

"You could say he changed our lives." Ann nodded.

"Made us better people!" Futaba cheered.

"We owe him a lot, and by extension you. Thank you." Haru bowed.

The large man surveyed them as Akira did the same, a small smile on his face before his father draped a large arm over his lithe frame. "You're giving me too much credit. He may look like me, but this boy is all his mother's doing."

"Oh? Then we'd very much like to meet her too." Makoto gave a side glance to Akira, and the Trickster swore he seen a twinkle of...mischief?

"She's not here at the moment. She won't be back until tomorrow—we've gotta pick her up at the airport. But, I'll pass along that he seemed to be in very good hands this past year. Now" Akihiko leaned close to Akira, covering his mouth as if whispering, but he did in fact not whisper. "Which one's your girlfriend?"

Akira felt the back of his neck redden and his father was suddenly elbowing him in the ribs. "Eh? I knew it~!"

"Duuuude. His dad's a total goofball, the hell!?" Ryuji laughed.

Akihiko leaned down and scooped up Morgana, causing the cat to let out a small yelp, though is was silence as the man's large paw of a hand rested on the cat and began scratching.

"Maybe, but he's not so bad," Morgana purred and Akihiko laughed.

"Guess it likes being pet! Come on in, please! At least have tea, and tell me about the last year!" Akihiko ushered the group inside.

Makoto: We made it home in one piece.

Akira: Glad to hear. I...miss you already, you know.

Makoto: Me too….

Akira: Guess I'm just going to have to get a part-time job and save up so I can visit.

Makoto: I...would like that. I'll do the same.

Akira: A Queen needs her Joker after all.

Makoto: I think you mean Jester….

Akira: ...let me have this one.

Makoto: Very well….you're right, either way.

Akira lay back on his bed and grinned sloppily at the phone before a knock resounded on his door. Lowering his phone he watched his father pop his head in. "Still up?"

"Yeah. Need something?"

"Not at all." Akihiko stepped into the room before looking over his son in silence. A small, earnest smile spread to his lips. "You made some good friends, I almost feel bad having you come back home."

"They're good people," Akira confirmed.

"Still. They really cared about you, it showed. And….well, I missed you. I know sending you away wasn't ideal, but-"

Akira sat up. "It's fine, dad. I understand why." Akihiko nodded sternly, but Akira saw the sadness in his eyes. "What is it?"

"...sometimes I just wonder if it was the best decision to. Missed a whole year of your life...you came back with a pet, and a girlfriend and...well, maybe it's just father's intuition but you seem different. Grown. Mature."

"Father's intuition?" Akira asked deadpan. "Is that even a thing?"

"Is now!" Akihiko said loudly before laughing. "Get your jacket—we're going out to eat, just us guys. You can tell me all about Makoto-chan."

"How did you…?"

"Father's intuition!"

Makoto: Mid-Terms are coming up. Have you all been studying?

Yusuke: Indeed. I have made sure to set the appropriate time aside for both my studies and my art work.

Haru: I had to hire a private tutor, but, yes, I have been!

Ann: There's still some things I could brush up on. How about we all meet at LeBlanc?

Futaba: I'll talk to Sojiro! I'm sure he would like to see everyone again!

Makoto: Ryuji has been suspiciously quiet.

Ryuji: I'm here!

Makoto: Your studies?

Ryuji: Er...yeah! I've been studying.

Akira: That's a first.

Ryuji: Not you too man! I thought we were bros!

Yusuke: Brotherhood will not save you from failing.

Ryuji: But I have been studying! Why doesn't anyone believe me!?

Futaba: Because we're not stupid?

Haru: I believe you Ryuji! I saw you and Ann the other day studying at the diner in Shibuya?

Yusuke: …..what?

Futaba: It was a hologram!

Ann: He really studied. Well, more like I helped him, but he DID put in effort.

Ryuji: SEE!? I TOLD YOU!

Morgana looked from the chat to Akira. "If Ryuji is planning anything with Lady Ann…!" Another chat message popped up, though this was not from the group chat.

Makoto: I wish you could come.

Akira: Me too.

Makoto: To think Ryuji would actually study though…

Akira: Maybe his heart changed?

Makoto couldn't fight the snerk that escaped her lips at the message.

Makoto: That has to be it.

Akira: Who would have thought our last job was actually getting Ryuji good grades?

Makoto: An admirable goal.

Akira: How's home? Sae-san alright?

Makoto: She is. Just stressed from work. Apparently a new lawyer transferred from America in a joint program. He is...unique.

Akira: Unique how? Like my dad?

Makoto smiled warmly at the message, her mind wandering.

"Thank you for the tea." Makoto bowed as the crew loaded back into the van, having offered their thanks.

"It's no trouble, Makoto-chan. Thank you for taking good care of my son in my stead." Akihiko rubbed the side of his head. "He can be handful. Shoulda seen him as a kid."

"I would very much like to hear those stories some time." Makoto admitted with a small giggle and Akihiko grinned at her.

"Sure.

Telling my son's girlfriend embarrassing stories is part of the job description for being a father, after all."

Makoto found her face growing hot. They had specifically avoided the question earlier..."I-I w-we're not…!"

Akihiko's grin became a full beaming smile. She didn't have to say anything, her reaction was all the answer he needed. He knew his son, after all. "It's fine, Makoto-chan, there's no need to. Just, a tip: he likes long hair."

The crimson eyed honor student found herself idly twirling a strand of her, now, longer hair before she replied.

Makoto: How is he, by the way? I thought he was very nice.

Akira: He's fine, still the usual.

Makoto: I never asked, but...are you close to him?

Akira: Unfortunately.

Makoto: He didn't seem that bad.

Akira: He's never serious….drives my mom up the wall.

Makoto: Well, you can be quite 'dorky' yourself, sir. Speaking of your mom, I'm sad I didn't get to meet her. What's she like?

Akira looked at the phone in thought. How to describe his mother? He had been sent away because his record would reflect negatively on her business. While they weren't rich or particularly well off, his mother did hold a high ranking job that relied on her reputation. She wasn't mean, by any stretch, but she could be stern—honestly he had felt terrible that his actions had put her work at risk. Even though he was falsely accused. But, he supposed….

Akira: I think you'd like her. You have a lot in common.

Makoto: Oh?

Akira: Not...in a creepy way. Just, she's always reminding me to study. She wants me to succeed and do well, but she can be scary. Like you.

Makoto: I am NOT scary!

Akira: ….you have threatened to hit me no less than 86 times.

Makoto: I have not!

A pause.

Makoto: ….were you counting?

Akira: No.

Makoto sighed and shook her head, a smile forming. He was always teasing her.

Akira stood in front of his test scores, angling the phone to catch his name at the top of the list. Morgana peeked out his bag. "Ready," Akira asked.

"Yeah!"

They took the picture and Akira showed it to Morgana. "What's with that smile. It's like Pops is rubbing off on you!" Pops, the nickname that Morgana had given his father. While Sojiro was 'boss' or 'chief', he had affectionately taken to calling his father, pops. Akira knew the two were quite fond of one another. His dad often brought Morgana suishi, and that did wonders for the Metaverse being to grow on him.

"Should I send it?"

Morgana nodded. "I think she'll like it!"

Makoto raised a brow at her phone as it dinged. A new text from Akira? Immediately she opened it and her face spread into an unknowing smile. He did look a lot like his father with that smile, and he had did as he promised: top of his class.

Makoto: I am proud of you.

Akira: I got to get into your college, right? I'm going to do everything I can to make this work.

Akira: I have….bad news.

Makoto felt her stomach drop at the text.

Akira: I won't be able to make it for Valentine's Day. Work needs me that day…

Makoto: I understand…

Akira: I'm still going to send a present though, so be sure to check the mail daily!

Makoto: Of course. I'm going to send you something as well.

Akira: Sorry...we weren't able to meet for Christmas either.

Makoto: Your family wanted to spend time with you, it's fine.

Akira sighed, looking at the phone as his brows knit. He really wanted to see her...not just a picture. She had been growing her hair, and he wasn't sure why...but he liked it. He rotated his phone up, still laying on his bed and snapped a picture before sending it to her.

Akira: Since I can't see you.

There was silence for a bit before his phone beeped with a reply message. It too, was a picture. Makoto was also in bed, though she was clad in a familiar shirt. He had 'let' her have one when she stayed the evening at LeBlanc almost a year ago. Well, she had taken it really. It was a simple button up white shirt, though the buttons were un-done just enough to see the top of her cleavage. Akira sat up immediately, sending a glance to Morgana who was, thankfully, asleep on his desk chair.

Akira: Wow.

Makoto bit her lip before replying.

Makoto: Too much?

Akira: No: perfect.

Makoto felt her cheeks redden. She had spent her entire life trying to be perfect, and she had hated it. But being called perfect by the man she loved? She found she didn't mind it at all. She found, she actually liked it.

Makoto: Sweet talker.

Akira rounded the corner from his work, Morgana's head sticking out his bag as they walked.

"Time flies when you work hard!" Morgana cheered this before looking up at Akira, who's brows were furrowed. It was Valentines Day. Morgana wasn't stupid by any means. "Did you send the gift?"

Akira nodded. "Of course. I just hope she got it in time."

Morgana looked forward, opening his mouth to speak but stopped. Was that…? He climbed out of the bag and leaped down, racing off.

"Morgana?" Akira called after him, though the cat didn't stop—it sprinted off and Akira found himself following.

After several turns of only catching the creature's tail, he rounded one and nearly stepped on him. "Morgana, what-" He stopped.

Before him stood a young woman, clad in a blue velvet gown, hair a fair blonde and eyes a piercing gold. Beside her, was a door that the Trickster knew all too well.

"Hello, Joker and Morgana. It does my heart good to see you both well. Now, if you'd be so kind?" She gestured to the blue door that slowly creaked open. "Our mutual acquaintance would like a word."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the read! Thank you so much for the follows I have received just from the Prologue alone. I was very apprehensive of posting it due to it's nature—set forward in time a bit from where I wanted to start the story. So seeing those really gives me hope!