Foreword
Sorry for the lag guys. The midterms last April completely render me paralyzed… Sorry. This chapter doesn't exist in the series, but instead occur between the last and the next episode.
Please enjoy the story.
/
Disclaimer: Angel Beats!, Persona series, and respective characters belong to Jun Maeda-Key-Na-Ga-ASCII Media Works and Atlus. I own the story idea and original stuff I add on my own.
/
...
"One Archangel was called Gabriel."
...
*Afternoon*
/School Building – Rooftop
"No one's here."
Yuri sighs happily and quickly walks around to find a good spot. When she thought its coast clear, a sudden trouble arises.
"They are…?" Yuri gaped at the two beaten-up bodies of GOATS soldiers.
The two GOATS are male and carry weapons, but Yuri didn't find any signs of struggle as their hands are clean. The next evidences that caught her eyes are… two Persona cards. Yuri immediately confiscated them and by the next second, she mercilessly kicked the two bodies behind a cooling generator. Right on, she walk away from the 'crime scene' and took out her Persona cards.
"Let's see… Including my first one and the new two, now I have… 8 Personas."
Yuri shuffled through Urduja, Pixie, Slime, and the other five she recently obtained, but haven't tried out yet. Yuri picks one of the five new cards at random and begins her training.
…
/School Building – 2F Hallway
Tenshi is walking around while taking glances on every corner of the corridor. She seems to be looking for someone. Soon her yellow eyes are locked into a particular boy with hat- who, at the moment, is breathing heavily.
"Naoi-kun, I've been looking for you," Tenshi approached him, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Student Council President," he manages his breathing.
"You were absent from the meeting."
"My apologies, I had something urgent to take care of."
"Such as?" Tenshi move closer to Naoi, "You sweat a lot."
"I was scolding the lunch lady for the new mabo tofu menu. I can't allow for food poisoning to happen in this school, especially for you, Student Council President. So, I voluntarily test them all."
Tenshi immediately back away and nods, "Thank you for your hard work. Now, let us go to the Campus Grounds."
"Why- Ah, it has been finished?"
Tenshi nods.
…
/School Building – Rooftop
"Urgh! The other Personas are so lame!" Yuri splatter her Persona cards down, dissatisfied.
*BUZZ* "Yurippe-san, if you lie down like that perverts will get turned on."
Yuri ignored the advice and keeps lying down while answering her radio.
"And what if a creep sneaks up on you now, Yusa-san?"
"..."
"You just look behind, right?"
"I didn't."
"So, any news?"
"It has been completed."
/
superecho presents
Cross-over story of "Angel Beats!" and "Persona" series
/
Persona Beats!
© 2012 superecho
/
Episode.03: JUSCO
/
/School Building – Rooftop
Yuri observed something through her binoculars. Satisfied, she lies down on the floor again. As she looked upward, she saw someone hanging upside down.
"Y-Yurippe!" Hinata blushes as she saw Yuri lie down in a rather 'provoking' sleep-posture, but he quickly stare at the door to hide it.
"Nice timing! Tell everyone to gather at the HQ after school," Yuri ordered, still lying down.
"S-Sure! So, you were training?" Hinata picked the Persona cards.
"Yes. My new Personas were lame, though."
"When I can use one?" Hinata handed Yuri the cards.
"Who knows? I'm still thinking for a way so everyone can use it."
As the cards vanish into Yuri's mind, Hinata went silent.
"Yurippe, will I able to use a Persona? I mean… even Iwasawa-san can summon one."
"Like I said, who knows? What's with the sudden question?"
"Well Yurippe… We have been fighting together ever since the very beginning. But now we need Persona power, I…"
"…What, you feel that you won't able to fight alongside me anymore?"
Hinata looked depressed… *SLAP*
"Ouch!" Hinata rub his cheek, "What's that for?"
"That's for thinking you can slack off and leave everything to Personas!" Yuri scolded.
"No, I mean… Without firearms, there's not much I-"
"You can become decoy or something."
"What? Yurippe, that's-"
"I need you," Yuri look straight into Hinata's eyes.
"…Yurippe…," Hinata was dazed.
Soon, Yuri offers her hand and Hinata gently shook it. They raise their hands together, as firm partners and smiled.
# You can feel Hinata's concern as your first partner…
*THUMP-THUMP* the world around Yuri is frozen in time as a Persona card shows its back to her. It turns around, revealing a picture of pairs of eyes, hands, and a magic circle, with roman number 'I' under it. Then Yuri hears a voice in her head...
Thou art I... And I am thou... Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Magician Arcana...
The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.
# You has established the Hideki Hinata Social Link of the Magician Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Magician Arcana!
Hinata's determination in battle has been enhanced… He may now take a mortal blow for you in battle!
/[NOTICE] In battle, an attack that will knock you out will be taken by your ally instead./
"(…He has always been my meat shield from the beginning; how will that change now?)" Yuri thought.
"…What is it, Yurippe? You look like you were planning something for me…," Hinata gulped.
"Oh, nothing at all!" Yuri put a fake smile.
As Hinata go to tell the others, a strange blue door appears near the railing.
"Hinata, wait!" Hinata stopped as Yuri calls him over, "Can you stand over there?"
Hinata stood facing the blue door, seemingly didn't notice it.
"Yurippe, what do you-"
*KICK* Yuri kicked Hinata hard on his butt and he roll away, phasing through the blue door and bump into the railing, nearly falling in the process.
"Gah! Yurippe, what was my fault?"
"Hmm, so he can't see nor touch the door…"
"What are you mumbling about? I nearly fell and died!"
Ignoring Hinata, Yuri noticed the Velvet Key in her pocket is shining. She came upon quick realization to unlock the mysterious door with it.
…
/Velvet Room
"Welcome to the Velvet Room," Igor greeted Yuri.
"As I expected… Hmm?" Yuri's eyes locked into someone sitting beside Igor.
"That is weird…," a white-haired man in fine blue suit scans Yuri's body build thoroughly, "I believe I'm supposed to receive a new experience…"
Yuri glares at the young man- is he some kind of pervert?
"Ah, my apologies. My name is Theodore, an assistant to my master, who will help you in your journey."
"Indeed. Now as I promised, I' shall explain my true role in assisting you: management of Personas."
All of Yuri's Persona cards suddenly materialize in the air.
"As you may already aware, you have the 'potentials'. One of it is to summon multiple Personas, in form of cards. However, the cards you obtained throughout your fierce battles won't be enough. In order to gain access to even more powerful Personas, you need my assistance; which is, Persona Fusion."
"Fusion? As in, fuse together?"
"Correct. My job is to fuse two or more Personas you have collected into a new one. But please be careful of these three rules: One, the Personas used in the fusion will be lost. Two, depending on the some circumstances, an accident may occur and the result will differ than expected. Three, you cannot fuse your initial Persona- as it's your main one. We hope you understand."
"I'm fine with Urduja. Well, can I start now?"
Yuri went over some combination and fuses two cards- which result in a red horse creature who can stand like a human.
"I am Orobas! I shall show you your future!" the horse hissed as blue aura wraps him with power.
"The Social Links you have forged before will give strength to the Personas you will fuse now and in the future. The stronger your bonds to those close to you, the more power you will gain for your Personas."
Yuri is thinking deeply, "(So, to improve my Personas I need to… be nice to Hinata and the others? …Urgh, troublesome.)"
"All Personas you have acquired so far will be registered in the Persona Compendium," Theodore shows a thick book, "If you need to call them back, feel free to ask."
"I see. Thank you."
…
/School Building – Rooftop
"-ppe. Yurippe, are you listening?"
Yuri turned around and sees a bruised Hinata stand before her.
"You are still here, Hinata-kun? Were you waiting for me?"
"Waiting? It's only been a few seconds."
"(So, in Velvet Room time almost didn't pass at all…)"
"Yurippe, hello?"
"I need to go somewhere. Bye, Hinata-kun!"
Yuri hurried to the stairs-
*BUZZ* "You have seduced Hinata-san into your slave."
"…You're still here?" Yuri turned off her radio.
/
/School Building – Infirmary
"Uhhh…," Iwasawa grunted as her eyes open.
"Iwasawa! You're finally awake!" Hisako immediately hug Iwasawa on the bed.
Iwasawa observed the room. Sekine and Irie are sleeping together in the corner with emergency blanket. Foul smell of body odor fills the air- it seems these three have been watching over her the entire time.
"What about your wounds, Hisako? And, how long I've been sleeping?"
"I'm fine, I just recovered this morning. You've been asleep for just one day."
"I see… That's a relief. How about the concert? It has become a mess…"
Hisako's face goes pale. Before she says anything, a teacher entered the infirmary.
"You are finally, awake, Iwasawa."
Iwasawa and Hisako glares fiercely at the teacher.
"I need to inform you regarding our decision for the concert incident two days ago. First, we teachers apologize for our teachers who have committed act of violence towards your band. Second, we teachers have re-think our policies about band performances. And the results are…"
The teacher points at Iwasawa.
"You're not allowed to perform until further notice."
Both of them, especially Iwasawa, were shocked.
"Ones who committed violence in the incident shall be punished; that's including the two teachers and you, Iwasawa."
Iwasawa steps down her bed in anger, "You can't do that!"
"Relax. We only punish you, not your entire band."
Hisako grab Iwasawa's wrist before asks the teacher, "So, what will happen to the others?"
"As our apology, we will let Girls Dead Monster band to perform freely within the school."
"Are you pulling my leg?" Hisako gritted.
"No, it's a part of the school's new program: Students' Arts of Music. It's to enlist bands formed by students as the school's official clubs. Of course, this is still in the process of gaining approval."
Iwasawa's mind suddenly flew back to what that female teacher said.
"It's not like we approve you girls to rock out or anything; it's merely our apology for the time being. As for the program, thank Mrs. Dojima for that."
"(That teacher's name was… Mrs. Dojima…)" Iwasawa thought.
"Remember, should we see you perform anywhere in the school, the rest of your band members will receive the same punishment- Got it? Excuse me," the teacher left.
The infirmary goes dead silent. Hisako couldn't find the right words for Iwasawa now. To Iwasawa, being able to sing and play music is everything. Now the right has been taken from her-
"Am I interrupting something?" Yuri appears out of blue at the door.
"Yuri…," Iwasawa's voice sounds desperate.
"Unfortunately, hurting NPC's in public can't be tolerated by the school. Hence, that's why we've been avoiding NPC's involvement in our operations up until now."
"But we've been performing guerilla concerts up till now! It won't be a problem if they didn't catch us as usual!" Yui shouted.
"When did you get here?" Hisako sweat-dropped.
"No. Right now, the school has GOATS. Giving them a reason to destroy us is suicide."
Hisako marches towards Yuri and grab her collar.
"So you're saying we should bow to them? To Iwasawa- no, to us- music is everything!"
Yuri put a blank expression, "But the rest of you still can perform, right? I don't see a problem."
Hisako wrists Yuri's collar tighter, "That's not the point! To leave Iwasawa… To leave her unable to play music anymore like this… That's killing her! Aren't you our leader, Yuri? Can't you do something?"
Suddenly, someone pull Hisako away from Yuri- Sekine.
"Hisako-senpai, please calm down…"
Behind her, Irie is twiddling her thumbs, "We are sad too, but we can't fight like this."
Hisako sighs deeply, depressed. Iwasawa don't know what to say to this. Before long, Yuri sighs.
"That's why you girls are morons."
"What!" Yui I agitated, "How dare you! You say that Iwasawa-senpai is stupid?"
"She also means you," Sekine informed.
"I only said that we should follow their rules… for now."
All eyes turned at Yuri with strange ray of hope.
"And I never said that Iwasawa-san should stop playing music. She will keep performing- only on a different stage."
Iwasawa move closer to Yuri, "A different stage…?"
Yuri is smiling, "Sing and chant tune of death for our enemies on this bloody stage… with your new partner, Meret!"
Things clicked on everyone's head.
"Y-Yuri, you didn't mean…!" Hisako was overwhelmed.
Yuri held out her right hand at Iwasawa.
"Iwasawa-san, from this day forth, I welcome you to the Combat Division!"
…
*After School*
/School Building – Anti-Tenshi Operation HQ
As usual, it's a mission briefing led by Yuri. However, it seems to be more special than usual since everyone in the Combat and Diversion Division has gathered… minus Iwasawa and Yui.
"I'll go straight to the point. Iwasawa-san will no longer be the leader of GDM thanks to the school's punishment; hence, she will no longer sing at any GDM's concert."
The room is buzzing with complaints.
"I know that you guys will plea to ignore the school, but doing so will give GOATS a reason to destroy us."
Fujimaki growls, "That doesn't make sense."
"It is, actually," Takamatsu cut, "Right now we are barely armed, but they didn't come to attack us."
"Now you mention it, that is weird," Ooyama think.
"That's because they are bound by school rules," Yuri continues, "If we break a major rule openly just like that, the school will give them the permission to use force in order to 'discipline' us."
"That means, we should lie low until we find an opening," Matsushita finished.
"We will look for another vocalist later," Yuri moves on, "But now, let me introduce a new member to the Combat Division. Come in!"
From behind the door, a certain redhead everyone knows entered the room, carrying a guitar on her back.
"I, Masami Iwasawa, now will participate in the Combat Division's battles."
"WHAT?" was everyone's reaction, excluding the GDM band members.
"Oi, Yurippe! I admit the chick's got a voice, but a muscle?" Noda protested, "She'll just be in the way!"
Yuri grins at Iwasawa's direction. Iwasawa quickly concentrate and-
"Persona!"
As Iwasawa strums the card to her guitar, Meret, her Persona, appears above her.
"She will be a great addition to our combat forces with her Persona. All she need is to gain some real-hand combat experience," Yuri smiled.
Out of everyone, Otonashi is the most concerned, "Iwasawa, are you alright with this?"
Iwasawa's soft crimson eyes are stoic, calm.
"Yes, it's my own decision. As long GOATS not defeated, our group will always be in constant danger. And if it's to reclaim my right to sing, I will do it."
"But Persona drains mental energy, right? You won't last long without an actual weapon," Hinata point out, "Are you fighting with your guitar?"
Iwasawa strikes her coolest pose with her guitar.
"Yes. On stage or battlefield, he'll always be my comrade in arms."
Her pose is cool, but her words are dumb. Hisako face-palmed, Sekine and Irie hold laughter, the others goes silent.
"That was a joke…," Hinata face-palmed.
"Her guitar was a he?" Fujimaki wonder.
"It's shocking," Takamatsu tilt his glasses.
"All this time I thought it was a female!" Ooyama feel awkward.
"Iwasawa-senpai is the coolest!" Yui snaps some shots like mad.
"When did you get here again?" Otonashi sweat-dropped.
Yuri slams her desk to break the chaos, "So, no more objections?"
"Having another girl in Combat Division is nice!" Hinata grimaced.
"As long she's not being a burden," Noda spit.
"We'll take good care of her," Matsushita smiled.
"My wife standing at the front door," T.K. dual-point at Iwasawa.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Well then, let's move on. Otonashi-kun, close the curtain."
The Briefing Manager software loads on the wide screen.
"Remember the facility the school and GOATS are building? It has been completed."
Yuri press a button and 3D map of School Grounds is displayed. A large building with big question mark is highlighted.
"Our next operation is to investigate this facility: Operation Sigma Fortress. We'll use the opening ceremony as an opening; spread up among other students and investigate. Don't pack any weapon- it'll make us suspicious. It's due tomorrow, so prepare well tonight."
Otonashi's imagination kicks in: a military facility covered in dark clouds, with armed soldiers and gun turrets allocated in each corner. He twitched in fear.
"So, we will gather clues about God in there?" Iwasawa asked, now she's the part of the Combat Division.
"Oh, Hisako-san hasn't told you?" Yuri asked.
"Oh, my bad," Hisako step up, "From the previous operation, they have found a chat log between Tenshi and God."
Voluntarily, Takeyama shows Iwasawa his laptop, which is displaying a copy of the record.
"Is this true, Takeyama? So…"
"It's Christ."
"God does exist. We only need to defeat GOATS to force Him out," Yuri smiled.
"Undeniable," Shiina said from a dark corner.
"Everyone! Let's do this!" Yuri held her fist high.
"YEAAHHHH!" everyone followed.
# You can feel that SSS' union has intensified with Iwasawa's valuable battle asset and God's existence added in…
*KACHING!* Rank up! The SSS Social Link has reached level 2! Your power to create Personas of the Fool Arcana has grown!
…
Everyone has left, but Iwasawa stayed.
"Yuri… I wanted to thank you for the previous operation. If you hadn't support me… if you hadn't come in the end… I might've been…"
"…Obliterated?" Yuri smirks, "That's not going to happen."
"It's just not from the GOATS' ambush," Iwasawa shook her head, "Back on the stage; I was so depressed that I feel it'll be better if I just disappear…"
Iwasawa look at the sunset outside the window with sadness plastered on her face.
"But then I remember about when you praised my song," Iwasawa now smiles, "It truly gives me the strength to keep fighting."
"…Did I really do that much?" Yuri shifted her gaze, "It's not like there's anyone before who did disappear for such thing."
"Indeed. But I might've been the first if it wasn't for you," Iwasawa held Yuri's hands tight, "Thank you."
# You can feel Iwasawa's gratitude…
*THUMP-THUMP* the world around Yuri is frozen in time as a Persona card shows its back to her. It turns around, revealing a picture a man hanging upside down, with roman number 'XII' under it. Then Yuri hears a voice in her head...
Thou art I... And I am thou... Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Hanged Man Arcana...
The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.
# You has established the Masami Iwasawa Social Link of the Hanged Man Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Hanged Man Arcana!
Iwasawa's determination in battle has been enhanced… She may now take a mortal blow for you in battle!
"(Usually my meat shields were guys, so this is a rarity)" Yuri thought.
Outside, Otonashi and Hinata were spy- overhearing.
"She really swings that way…," Otonashi's face goes pale.
"Even she is, Iwasawa-senpai is still amazing!" Yui exaggerated.
"…You again?"
However, Hinata only stares into the distance.
…
*Early Morning*
/School Grounds – New Facility
Everyone like normal students, teachers, GOATS, and SSS members has gathered in front of the new facility. The atmosphere is tense as all eyes are locked at the mysterious building covered in giant rug sheet, so Otonashi can't help but to feel nervous.
"Feeling anxious, Otonashi-kun?"
Yuri who has lined up in front of him asked without looking behind.
"I do," Otonashi whispers, "First because this is an official event that must be enrolled by each student, it make us stand out."
True to Otonashi's worry, from an overhead view of the student's lineup, the SSS members stick out with their white-blue uniforms among the cream-brown uniforms of NPC students.
"Second… Because we stick out, I'm afraid this operation won't go smoothly."
Yuri chuckles softly and turned her head to whisper at Otonashi's ear.
"I thought you already trusted me as a leader?"
Otonashi blushes; from Yuri's good-smelling breath and her teasing face.
"Look around you," Yuri urged him to look at all the… calmly excited SSS members, "Do they look so nervous because they didn't trust me?"
"(Now that I look over their happy expressions… My worries seem to be for naught.)" Otonashi thought.
Yuri smiles at Otonashi, "I'll make this operation a success. That's why I, the leader, am here."
Otonashi zoned out for a moment and smiles back, "…I'm counting on you, leader."
# Otonashi seems to put his trust in you…
*THUMP-THUMP* the world around Yuri is frozen in time as a Persona card shows its back to her. It turns around, revealing a picture of blazing sun, with roman number 'XIX' under it. Then Yuri hears a voice in her head...
Thou art I... And I am thou... Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Sun Arcana...
The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.
# You has established the Otonashi Social Link of the Sun Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Sun Arcana!
Otonashi's determination in battle has been enhanced… He may now take a mortal blow for you in battle!
"(Got me another one!)" Yuri grins evilly in her heart.
Meanwhile the teacher open the ceremony with stoic speech of how the're thankful to God Observation Army Tuners- GOATS and such. And the awaited moment is here: Tenshi bring forward a shining scissors, to… the female leader of GOATS- Saki Konishi. She took it and cut the ribbon line at the facility entrance. Exactly as the ribbon has been cut, the wrapping rug of the building fell down, revealing-
"H-H-Hypermarket?" Otonashi squealed.
Indeed, it is an enormous hypermarket with tall elevation, luxurious structure, and pollution-free garden surrounding it. Near the top, a large name plating lights up in crimson color: JUSCO. Holding a mike given by one of the teachers, Saki steps ahead the students' crowd with wide smile.
"Today, the multi-purpose hypermarket of the school has been officially opened: JUSCO! I, Saki Konishi, will act as the manager to suit up every need of school residents with our products. Come to see for yourselves on this grand opening day, where one basket of purchase will be free for all night!"
All of the students roar their joyful excitement, including the SSS members.
"…Is… Is this why everyone was so excited…?"
Otonashi look at Yuri, who is humming Key songs happily while looking at a shopping list. Otonashi look around: Hinata, Fujimaki, Noda, and Ooyama talk about video games, Matsushita want a canned beef, GDM girls and T.K. like to check out a new album, and so on… Otonashi feel tricked.
"JUSCO is open now! First come, first served!" Saki closed her statement as the gate is opened.
All hell breaks loose. In a flash, the students bombard inside the hypermarket like moths to flame. In a few seconds, it's only Otonashi left on the school grounds; his body is full of shoeprints.
…
*Morning*
/JUSCO – 1F, Woman's Wear Department
"Iwasawa-senpai, aren't we supposed to check out the music section first?" Irie asked.
"Sorry, but I and Hisako need to get something first. We'll go straight there afterwards," Iwasawa feel a little apologetic.
"What? We didn't need to get a specific thing, right?" Hisako is at a loss.
"More importantly, senpai!" Yui points at someone, "What is he doing here?"
T.K. is flipping and dancing behind the GDM girls, following suit.
"I could ask you the same…," Hisako sighs, "To Matsushita 5th-dan, food is top priority, so none of the boys want to check out the music section with him."
Yui nods in understanding and try to mimic T.K.'s dance. Meanwhile, the group has arrived in-
"…Iwasawa-senpai, do you need new… Um, bras?"
"Me and Hisako. Back then Hisako's bra could no longer fit her breasts, so I lend her mine. But since mine was too small for her, it breaks."
The girls' jaws drop.
"We should get the B and F cup ones."
Embarrassment flushes in Hisako's face.
"You-! Why you have to go and say all that to them?"
"It's not like it's anything private…," Iwasawa said innocently.
"Women's bra size IS private!" Hisako roared.
"Hisako-senpai's is F size…? I thought it was just D…," Sekine goes slumped; "We're totally outmatched!"
"I already knew from the beginning that Hisako-senpai's breasts are the largest!" Yui proudly announced.
"What? How…?" Irie asked curiously.
"The last day, when Hisako-senpai were bathing, she-"
"STOP IT YOU STALKER!" Hisako jumps at Yui and beat her up. Sekine and Irie tried to stop it, while Iwasawa is selecting the bras.
"The wild women at the back door," T.K. spins around, jazz-style.
/JUSCO – 1F, Video Department
Hinata and Ooyama are browsing through the video games rack happily, when Yuri approached them.
"Why aren't you in the porn magazine section?"
"That's harsh, Yurippe! All guys love games too, not only porn!" Hinata grunted.
"That's right! This is our prime time of youth!" Ooyama backed him up.
Yuri fearlessly snatches the video games they're currently holding.
"Then, why are all of these titles…," Yuri shift through the DVD boxes, "…Are eroge games? The obviously hentai ones without a strong story, too."
Hinata and Ooyama gulped.
"That's… We were trying to find [Air], [Clannad], and [Little Busters!], but they're all sold out!" Ooyama reasoned.
"Right, as expected of Jun Maeda's visual novels!" Hinata goes along the flow, "We were just compensating for those heartful stories with these low-grade games!"
Yuri smiles, but this time an evil aura wraps it, "But you don't need seventeen, right? Plus, all of them aren't Key games! It seems you two need a punishment…"
"No! I'm too young to die!" Ooyama shivers.
"B-But you said you need me, Yurippe!" Hinata begged.
"I need you, but I don't have to spoil you."
"Evil witch," Yusa whispered from afar.
"I heard that!"
When Yuri returns her attention to Hinata and Ooyama, they're already fled, leaving the games.
"What fools…," Yuri snickered, "Now, I believe I saw that game with a naked boy-"
"Perverted witch."
/JUSCO – 2F, Supplement Department
"I thought we're tagging along Hinata to buy some games," Fujimaki grunted.
"Heh. Games are for weaklings. A true man needs vitamin D to build their muscles!" Noda exclaimed loudly.
"Vitamin D is for bone and teeth," Tenshi corrected, "For muscles, you need iron and protein."
Tenshi walk away as the other students laugh at Noda. Fujimaki pretend he didn't recognize him.
/JUSCO – 3F, Electronic Department
Takeyama and Yusa (after escaping from Yuri) are here. Takeyama is browsing the laptops, while Yusa browsing some headphones. Around them, a short, funny panda mascot is humming the store's tune:
"Every time's good at your Jusco!"
A young man in red jumpsuit approaches the mascot.
"Excuse me, where can I find a lighter?"
"Lighter section is on the 4th floor, but it's only for teachers and staffs!"
"I'm not using it for smoking."
"No, you might be a senior, but you're still a minor! Come on; hum the Jusco's tune with me! Every time's good at your Jusco!"
"…Every time's good at your Jusco."
"Noooo, happier and louder! Repeat after me!" the mascot's voice turned… bubbly.
It's obvious that the mascot was donned by a girl… Takeyama and Yusa immediately put this on their surveillance report.
*Afternoon*
/JUSCO – 2F, Food Department
After finishing most of her shopping list, Yuri seams around looking for food when she spots Matsushita 5th-dan. He carries a shopping bag full of meat and vegetables.
"Yurippe, can you cook?"
Yuri gulps, "O-Of course I can. Why?"
Matsushita smiles, "I'm tired of eating cafeteria's menus, so I'd like to eat home-made dish. But since I can't cook, I need help. I didn't know any cooking expert among us, so…"
"You want me to cook for everyone using those ingredients?"
"…Actually these were just for me, but that's fine."
Yuri face-palmed; she knew Matsushita was a hungry beast, but not gluttonous. Regardless when she was alive, she helped her mother cook many times, but she never does so directly. Should she refuse however, she might lose a chance to forge another Social Link.
"…Just store them in our private fridge in the home economics room. I'll cook some for you when I have time."
"Thank you, Yurippe. I'm looking forward to it."
Matsushita marches away happily. … … … No new Social Link? It seems Yuri need to cook something first to gain a new bond with him…
"Rrgh, how troublesome. I think I need a cookbook…," Yuri sighed.
/JUSCO – 4F, Adults Department
Yui has escaped Hisako's wrath… barely. Her crippled face and crying expression has turned her into something pitiful that everyone else step out from. But someone approaches her- the manager- Saki Konishi.
"I'm sorry, but this floor is restricted to normal students. …What happened to your face?"
"My swenpai waz syo crwuel…," Yui murmured in pain.
"Don't talk anymore," Saki calls a GOATS member to bring her some first aid kit, "Now, don't move."
In a few minutes, Saki effortlessly treated Yui's wounds to the point she can talk normally again.
"Wow! Thank you, Ms. Jusco manager!" Yui bows.
"D-Don't call me that," Saki looked uncomfortable, "It's embarrassing."
"Then, I call you Saki-senpai!"
Saki froze in place; she seems to be lost in memory…
"Senpai? Do I need to call you something else?"
"N-No… That's fine. He- All of my underclassmen calls me that."
*After School*
/JUSCO – 1F, Books Department
Yuri is looking for a good cook book… for beginners, of course. But she is hitting a dead end as most cook books she found are for experts. Maybe she need to-
"Here," a rough-faced male student wearing a beanie hand Yuri a cook book.
The title is… [Cooking for Dummies]. Yuri glares at him.
"Don't be fooled by the title. It's a really good step-by-step learning method for cooking."
"Oh? How can you be so sure?"
"…I'm working as a chef at the food court of this place," the male student covers his eyes with his beanie cap, "It hasn't been opened yet, but drop by when it is."
With that, the male student leaves.
"A chef? Scary-looking boy like him? Well, can't judge a book by its cover."
Suddenly, loud noises are coming from the other side. Yuri can't help but to investigate since a certain ninja is jumping around…
/JUSCO – 1F, Sewing Department
"Shiina-san! What are you doing?"
Indeed, it is Shiina, she seems to be arguing with the clerk of that department…
"Like we said countless times, we can't afford to sell it to you!" the clerk is desperate.
Shiina is protectively holding a… sewing set in her arms. That sewing set seems to come from that empty display case over there… Two notices of 'for display only' and 'no stock at the moment' are plastered under it.
Yuri looked angry, "…Shiina-san, don't tell me you want that sewing kit."
Shiina cogitates, "I can't make this imported sewing set on my own!"
"But we haven't got the stock yet, so you have to wait until the next week-"
"This is matter of life and death!" Shiina shouted, "My Kuro-chan has to be fixed right away! And it's only possible with this import sewing set!"
Wind blows. Wind, not air conditioner.
"Shiina-san," Yuri tags her shoulder, "I will definitely get that for you by tomorrow, so please… Stop shaming yourself and me."
Soon, Shiina quietly return the display-only sewing set and apologize to the clerk.
"Forgive me, Yuri. I have disappointed you twice," Shiina bows to her, "And I thank you for helping my Kuro-chan."
Yuri struggles to hold her anger, "…No problem. I'm your leader, after all."
"For the next operation… I will not disappoint," Shiina held out her hand and Yuri shook it, "That's my promise as your kunoichi."
# Shiina respected you as her master…
*THUMP-THUMP* the world around Yuri is frozen in time as a Persona card shows its back to her. It turns around, revealing a picture of a tower hit by a lightning bolt, with roman number 'XVI' under it. Then Yuri hears a voice in her head...
Thou art I... And I am thou... Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Tower Arcana...
The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.
# You has established the Shiina Social Link of the Tower Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Tower Arcana!
Shiina's determination in battle has been enhanced… She may now take a mortal blow for you in battle!
"(…Wasn't expecting that. Oh, well.)" Yuri sighed in relief.
…
/JUSCO – Entrance
By the time I came to, it's already this late. Maybe everyone had finished their shopping… *sigh* some 'fortress infiltration' this is.
"Aren't you going to shop? The store is opened 24 hours, but students aren't allowed to enter at night, except for emergency."
I didn't realize that a guy was directly at my back. It's him, one of the students who lead GOATS, the kind-looking one.
"Ah, my name is Akinari Kamiki. I'm in charge of GOATS too, but just treat me like other students," he politely greeted, "And you are?"
"I… I'm Otonashi. Nice to meet you," I answered casually.
This Akinari look at my eyes. His expression is serious.
"Oh. It seems you are the same as me," he commented.
"The same? What do you mean?"
Akinari smiles and tug my shoulder.
"You should check the books department. I wrote for one book there, you know," he changes the subject before entering the Jusco, leaving me behind. Who is he, actually?
/JUSCO – 1F, Cashiers Line
Yuri has finished her shopping at least, and tries to get in the line. Every cashier line she saw was packed, so she decided to wait it out with a pale-looking Hinata. As Yuri teases Hinata to no end, Saki walks by them.
"Well, well. If it isn't the store manager," Yuri provoked.
Saki's face seems furious, but she says nothing.
"Yuri, don't be like that!" Hinata steps up to Saki, "Forgive my friend here, she is a bit rough. You know, it's really wonderful for someone our age to manage a store. My name is Hinata; if something's bothering you, you can always talk to me- OWW!"
Yuri has stepped on Hinata's foot, "Why are you flirting with her?"
"That was my strategy to get information!" Hinata whispered in pain.
As Yuri and Hinata argue, Saki is staring at them intently. She seems to remember something as she saw Yuri and Hinata 'having fun', just like she used to with-
"Huh? I feel something!" Yuri looked around to see-
A red aura is wrapping Saki- A Persona? Aiming her unknown rage at Yuri and Hinata, she shouts:
"I HATE YOU TWO!"
Before Yuri and Hinata can react, someone grabs Saki's shoulder from behind. The red aura disappears before it could form anything.
"Saki-san, please calm down. We're not allowed to put personal vendettas," Akinari calmed her down.
Saki soon leaves the scene along with him. The other students gossips loudly on how Yuri and Hinata are delinquents and such.
"Aww, now we're the bad guys."
"So what? Fighting God is never a good cause," Yuri brushed it off, "More importantly, that was definitely a Persona."
"So she and maybe others in GOATS also have Personas…," Hinata is sweating.
"Interesting… They can bring it on," Yuri smiles, full of confidence.
…
"Bonds of people is true power."
/
To Be Continued
/
Author's Note
Thank you for reading this chapter till the end! Jusco is based on Junes of Persona 4 and a real Japanese megastore with the same name. I got this idea when matching a video on Youtube: MAD Persona 4 - Just a Jusco. It's hilarious to the point I'd put it in this story, try to watch it! No new data in this chapter, but the next one will be a blast!
That is all. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review! Any critics and suggestions are welcome.
/
Social Links
0. Fool – SSS
Rank 2: God's existence has been confirmed.
/
I. Magician – Hideki Hinata
Rank 1: Hinata is worried because he doesn't have a Persona.
- Hideki Hinata
Co-founder of SSS. Happy-go-lucky guy who's skilled at baseball.
/
XII. Hanged Man – Masami Iwasawa
Rank 1: Iwasawa has joined the frontline.
- Masami Iwasawa
Ex-leader and founder of GDM. Loves music deeply.
/
XVI. Tower – Shiina
Rank 1: Shiina promised to redeem her failure in the previous operation.
- Shiina
Founding member. Female ninja who loves cute stuff.
/
XIX. Sun – Otonashi
Rank 1: Otonashi start to trust you as a leader.
- Otonashi
The new guy. He has amnesia.
/
[Persona Beats!] Next episode preview
"She'll be filling in for me."
"I'm Yui-nyan! And your name, senpai?"
"But Takamatsu's better than him."
"My current concentration will allow me to call a Persona."
"The desert of dreams will be set ablaze…"
"Let me introduce this cool senpai for our team!"
"We're Yuinyansan's devoted fans! Then why…"
"Is that feeling… worth it?"
"This… rubbing pain in my heart…!"
"-and the promised sky shall be red once again."
"DIE IN MY BURNING FLAMEEEEE!"
[Persona Beats!]
Episode.04 Burner Game