Longest chapter yet... Wow, I'm impressed! 8D

But, each one's much shorter than her encounter with Yosuke owe Not sure if it's because these 3 are my least favorite characters or—

Wait, that might be it actually *shot*


Scene 4: Music Room

There was no in the room yet, so I had a chance to catch my breath. But I did notice there were these silhouttes of students behind me... Shadows, maybe? They didn't seem hostile, so I didn't bother them... Were they there when I was fighting Yosuke-kun too? I probably wouldn't have noticed.

▶ "Taking a breather?"

General Teddie appeared onscreen again, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. I was confused, exhausted, and wasn't sure if I could keep going, but...

▶ "Just bring me my next opponent!"

Just want to go home...

▶ "Being a little impatient aren't we? Fiiiine, if you insist~"

The TV turns off. Thick smoke pours in like it did the first time... But unlike before, I was able to make out some features against it...

Boy, clearly... He was wearing our uniform, and... Was he carrying a folding chair?

The smoke's cleared in a matter of seconds, and I came face to face with the last person I wanted to see.

▶ "Yo!"

That voice... Was that...

I sighed.

Oh great, Kanji-kun was here too.

Me and him didn't exactly... Get along, or at all, actually. It didn't help that he was pratically snarling at me.

Things had always been a little rocky between us, for some reason. Even a year ago, when we were side-by-side, solving the case together with the rest of the team. There were times when we'd get into a heated arguement—over trivial things too, like my eating habits, or the way he dressed—and someone would have to break us up.

Hate at first sight I guess...

I mentally shrugged. This wouldn't be as hard as fighting Yosuke-kun... In fact, I was feeling myself get... Excited?

I realized we had spent minutes just looking at each other; neither of us had said anything since coming into the room. I suddenly felt insecure under his intensive gaze, and despite myself, I began to blush.

Dammit, Erin, pull yourself together!

He cracks his knuckles, and I watch as an almost sinister grin spreads on his face.

▶ "Heh, I was hoping it'd be you, Senpai."

He felt different somehow... Just like Yosuke-kun had... But I brushed it off as my nerves getting the best of me.

▶ "Hoping...? You can't hate me that much, can you...?"

I try to laugh, try to smile as I say it, but I can't... My voice trails off into silence. He seems displeased with my response, and 'tch'ed.

▶ "No, that ain't it..."

Just like that he had changed gears... I didn't understand any of it... He sighed at how dazed I was.

▶ "Yanno, you really piss me off. Always lyin' to yourself, and shit."

I narrowed my eyes. I lie to myself? Who does he think he is? I-I mean, he barely even knows me!

▶ "Wh-What are you even talking about?"

▶ "There it is again! You got somethin' to say, just say it!"

Kanji-kun wasn't making any sense... In fact, h-he was starting to sound like my Shadow had...!

I tense up at the memory. No, he couldn't be... No matter what angle I looked at him, it was Kanji-kun, but...

Gah! Nothing was making sense! So why...?

But for some reason, when I try saying that, no words come out. Just a pathetic little gasp that even I can't recognize. He continues.

▶ "You're pathetic! You smile, and giggle like everything's fine, but it ain't! Yer just a scared lil' kid!"

▶ "N-No... I'm..."

My heart starts to ache, and my hands are trembling at my sides. This isn't Kanji-kun... I kept telling myself that over, and over, but I couldn't shake the feeling.

▶ "So, what...? Am I wrong?"

I don't reply, and he seems to smirk in triumph.

▶ "Tch, typical. You mad that you're weaker than me? Never gonna measure up?"

▶ "That's...!"

His words... They were starting to get to me, but...

I wipe furiously at my eyes.

No, it's not real! I refuse to go down like this!

▶"S-Shut up! You don't know anything! ...Come, Freya!"

My card glows a faint blue, and with a twirl, I crush it with my knives. My Persona floats down in front of me, her long, dark hair and skirt are flowing behind her. There's a wry smile on her tanned face.

▶ "Alright! Now we're talkin'!"

As he says that, his own Persona stands beside him. He towers over my own, over him, and I brace myself for battle.


Scene 5

I-I actually won! If I wasn't so tired, I would've laughed. Kanji-kun was a little ways away from me; his hands were on his knees, and his shoulders were heaving as he was trying to catch his breath.

▶ *pant* *pant* "S-Shit... You ain't half bad, Senpai!"

I walked... more like limped over to him, and slapped him across the face. No real reason, I just wanted to do that for awhile now. Kanji-kun instinctively growls at me.

▶ "Oww! What'd ya do that for?"

He rubs his cheek angrily, but his face softens when he sees me crying. And not just a light tear up either... I was bawling, and sniffling all over myself. Geez, what a mess... I can't believe he got me so riled up.

▶ "H-Hey what's wrong? Shit, did I do that...?"

▶ "Y-Yes! Urgh, you're sucha idiot!"

Without thinking, I threw my arms over him. He stumbles a little.

▶ "W-Whoa! Umm... There, there?"

He blushes, and awkwardly pats me on the head. Realizing what I had done, I quickly pulled away, and cleared my throat.

▶ "S-Sorry!"

▶ "'S no problem... It's-uh, good to see you're acting normal again."

Normal? Again? From my point of view, he was the one acting weird! I was about to ask him when General Teddie cut in.

▶ "Man, you're on fire, Rin-chan~! ...Well, what are you waiting for? Get going already!"

The monitor turns off, Kanji-kun is throwing me a confused, wide-eyed look.

▶ "Was that... Teddie?"

▶ "Yeah... Some outfit, huh?"

We're both walking towards the entrance when Kanji-kun suddenly stops, and holds his nose in pain...

▶ "Ngh, dammit! Some kinda wall here, or somethin'."

I swipe my hand through the doorframe, and don't feel anything... Maybe he's just an idiot...

Then I remember my first match...

That's right... Ted-kun said only the winner could move on. I had completely forgot. I told him that, and he snorts.

▶ "Well, thanks for tellin' me that!"

▶ "I'm sorry! I guess it slipped my mind... Uh, you wait here!"

I make my way out again, and I here him call out behind me:

▶ "Like I was goin' anywhere...!"

I can't help, but smile as I run down the hallway.


I ran into more walls on the way, and was forced to change directions every few minutes. I felt like cattle being herded into a pin. Where was I even going...? Finally, I had made it to what looked like a regular classroom, and leaned against the doorframe to calm my breathing.

The TV monitor suspended from the ceiling flickered to life, and General Teddie's face came on screen. He seemed agitated.

▶ "Well, it's about time you showed up, Rin-chan! Your opponent's been waiting for you!"

And, much to my surprise, the General himself waddled over towards me.

▶ "Oh! Heya, Rin-chan~!"

Ted-kun...? W-What the hell? When did he have time to change clothes...? I wasn't sure what to say to him... Until I remembered the earlier matches—the pain, the tears, the overall frustation—and it became a little easier. A sudden wave of anger washed over me.

▶ "A-Ah... I should strangle you right now! ... Why did you do all this!?"

I noticed a girl I didn't recognize beside him. Her hair was a peculiar shade of light blue, and she was wearing the girl's Yasogami High Summer uniform... Did that mean she went to our school? But what was she doing in the TV...?

The girl spoke, and her words were coated with a thick accent. It was kinda cute actually. Definitely surprising...

▶ "What's she talkin' about?"

Ted-kun shrugged, and looked sincerely confused. That made two of us.

▶ "I dunno either~! Did Yosuke do something to you?"

Why was he bringing him into this...!? Gah! My blush was back... Stupid bear.

▶ "D-Don't change the subject! You're hosting this whole thing, aren't you?"

▶ "Hosting... But I've been over here ever since I got here!"

▶ "You got it all wrong! This here ain't the General... He's the real thing! I thought the same thing you did, but he convinced me otherwise."

Wait. So... There was someone else running around in a bear suit? Like his evil twin, or something...? As soon as I thought it, I dismissed the idea. I think he would've mentioned if he had one, but then, who else could this General be?

▶ "Besides, I'm much cuter than that imposter!"

Cuter? They looked exactly... No, Erin, just ignore him like you always do. As if on cue, the other Teddie appeared on a monitor suspended from the ceiling. He looked like he was seething, growling, and twitching at the the three of us.

▶ "Reowwww~! What are you waiting for!? Rip each other apart already! You all have to suffer..."

His round eyes suddenly flashed a golden yellow... Was this... A Shadow?

▶ "Just like I did!"

▶ "Who are you!? I-I'm not fighting until I get answers!"

▶ *laughs* "You'll have to find me first~"

The screen shuts off, and the room was void of sound once again. This was bad... A Shadow was running amuk, disguised as Ted-kun? On top of that, there was a strange girl inside the TV world... Was she another victim, just like last year? If that was the case...

The girl frowns deeply, and looks us both over.

▶ "... Don't you two gotta fight now...?"

That's right, I had completely forgot. I guess I could get my answers later. I got into my usual pose, and slip my knives over my knuckles.

▶ "Looks like it... Are you ready?"

▶ "Here goes everythiiiiiing!"

He charges towards me, claws unsheathed, and I brace myself.


Scene 6

It wasn't much of a match... I won after a couple minutes of brawling. Ted-kun was panting, but beaming up at me in the same time.

▶ "You're beary good, Rin-chan! I had no idea~!"

Oh, a bear pun... Lovely.

▶ "Ermmm... Thanks..."

I looked at the girl, realizing I hadn't introduced myself to her yet. I smiled politely at her, and extended my hand to shake.

▶ "Oh! I'm sorry! We never introduced ourselves... My name's Erin Suzuki, what's yours?"

▶ "My name...? I-I..."

She bit her lip, and looked away from me. Did she forget her name...? I mean, I guess it could happen. Non Persona-users thrown in here usually can't remember much before being thrown in... But forgetting a name... Was it possible? Ted-kun cuts her off before she can say anything else.

▶ "She's Miss President~!"

▶ "Miss President..."

Our President? Wow, I guess I hadn't paid much attention to the election... I didn't know any of the candidates, so I didn't vote. Pretty sure me and Yosuke-kun slept through it, actually...

▶ "So, now you gotta protect Miss President for me~!"

▶ "M-Me!? But I..."

▶ "She doesn't have a Persona! This world's too dangerous without one!"

He crinkles his nose in disdain, like had took a whiff of something foul.

▶ "She doesn't...?"

Then she had to of been thrown in here...

He was looking up at me with hopeful eyes... I guess I had to... Now that he had lost. Apparently, they had been together this entire time.

For some reason, I wanted to keep this girl I had never met, safe. I guess I felt like I could understand her; I still get nightmares from the time I was thrown in here, in a strange world filled with sinister creatures...

She must've been so scared, and confused... If she was, though, she didn't show it. We exchanged brief glances, and I could see the fire behind her crimson eyes. With a nod, I promised Ted-kun I'd protect her.

▶ "I-I'll do my best!"

Miss President tugs on my hand, and starts pulling me out the door.

▶ "C'mon! Time's a wastin'!"

▶ "I'm coming too!"

He started charging after us, but it was too late to warn him.

▶ "Ted, wait!"

I flinched when I saw him run straight into the invisible wall. Geez, that must have hurt... He fell back, and rolled and flailed his arms. He looked kinda like a turtle~

▶ "Owww! That wasn't beary nice!"

▶ "Only the winner can move on, but... I'll come back for you later, okay?"

I probably wouldn't.

▶ "Alright, Rin-chan! Hurry~!"


Miss President, and I walked in silence for awhile. You could pratically feel the tension in the air. There was a lot I wanted to ask her, but I wasn't sure just how to go by it. I started by asking her if she knew where she was.

▶ "Ain't this the highschool...?"

I shook my head.

▶ "That's just it, it isn't! You're inside the TV!"

I watched her face twist into confusion. She arched a visible eyebrow.

▶ "Inside... The TV? I don't get it."

Did she have no memory at all? She couldn't really believe that this was the school... Could she?

A sudden scream shook me out of my thoughts once again, and Miss President had took off running before I could even blink.

▶ "Didja hear that? I think it came from the Announcement Room!"

▶ "Miss President, wait...!"

She was a lot... Faster than she looked. At first we were at the same pace, but all of a sudden, she got a burst of energy out of nowhere, and just became a blur. I had to slow down to a complete stop. All the matches had started to take a toll on me, and I leaned against a nearby locker for support.

▶ "Dammit, I think I lost her."

Then I heard slow, heavy footsteps approaching me. I cringed, and slowly turned around. I met their gaze: Green jacket, brown eyes, bowl-cut hair...

▶ "Ooh look! Food!"

▶ "W-what? ... Oh, it's only you, Chie-chan! It's nice to see a friendly face around here."

For once, I was relieved to see her. Chie-chan and I didn't speak much outside meetings, even though we're in the same class. Honestly, we didn't have much in common, between her Kung-fu and my acting... What was left?

And then I noticed how she was looking at me, and my insides just... Froze. She was licking her lips, and staring at me like a predator would it's prey. She steps closer, and I step back.

▶ "So, how will I eat you~?"

E-Eat me...? Did I hear that right?

▶ "I'm sorry what? I, uh, don't know what to say...?"

I really didn't. I couldn't tell if she was just joking, or seriously wanted to chow down on me... Either way, that sounds really... er, gross. Chie-chan was giving me a weird look too, like I was the crazy one here. Please, I bet she kept a fork on her, and a bottle of... Ahhhhh, this is too awkward! I need to stop thinking!

I hear Rise-chan's voice over the loudspeakers, announcing that Round 4's starting. Chie-chan gets into a fighting pose.

▶ "Here we go! I'mma have to make sure you'll be tasty~ Persona!"

▶ "U-Uh... I-I don't think I want to fight this one..."

Reluctantly, I summoned my Persona as well, and the fight began...

Chie-chan ran towards me with lightning speed, and kicked the air where I was standing. I managed to dodge the kick, but only barely. Like previous matches, I was still hesitant to fight, but still punched her, or at least tried to. Chie-chan would either quickly dodge or prepare her own counter-attack to my punches with her kicks.

Few attacks actually managed to hit, but each blow was still painful to the both of us. There was some instances where Chie-chan would jump and bring her leg down, but I managed to block it by crossing my arms as a shield. The result was painful, and my arms felt a slight buzz before going back to normal after I shook them.

Eventually, we were both panting for breath. Dodging was tiring, but so far it was the best thing I could do, because Chie-chan's kicks were quite strong, and my knives were sharp, the spotlight flashing off them distracting her.

Chie-chan did another high kick, but this time I was ready. I dodged and jabbed my elbow into her back. I could hear Chie-chan's gasp as she collapsed. She struggled to get up, but it was obvious that she couldn't do so.


After the match is over, she's on the ground groaning. Very slowly I approach her, in case she hadn't returned to her old self... N-Not that I had my doubts, but I wasn't too keen on the idea of having one my friends eat me!

...Actually, um... Ignore that last part.

▶ "Ugh... Wh-What happened?

▶ "You mean you don't remember? You kept saying you wanted to... Eat me..."

I surpress a shiver. Chie-chan's blinking at me in confusion, even as I try to further explain in what way.

▶ "That sounds... Awkward."

▶ "Did I... Say anything weird to you?"

▶ "Let's see..."

She looks thoughtful for a minute, and I swear I see a light blush paint her cheeks as she recalls the conversation.

▶ "I think it was something about how Yosuke was all yours and yours alone~"

▶ "Huh!? S-Seriously...?"

God, did everyone know I had the hots for him? Sheesh! I thought we hid it well...

But it did confirm my suspicions.

It was just like before... It was like we were having two completely different conversations...

What's going on? Could this be one of the General's powers? I mean, he had to of had a Persona if he threw Miss President in here, right?

Speaking of her...

▶ "One more thing, did you see a girl pass by here? She had a ponytail, and was wearing our uniform."

▶ "Hmmm? I think she wennnnnnnt... That way!"

She didn't sound to sure of herself as she pointed upstairs, but I would take it. With a nod, and a quick thank you, I ran into that direction.


Fight scene written by Tashaj4de~ Thank you, hun!

I'm uh... Not entirely sure why I had Erin fight Chie, seeing as how they're not close at all xD I dunno, when I played Yosuke's story, I just laughed out loud when Chie was saying the same thing, so I guess I wanted to do that to...?

I actually don't like that part too much, and it didn't really progress things xD I might just have her fight someone else.