In this story, I made Akira have the death theme (like Minato) alongside the rebellion theme. Why? Because I like depressing themes.

I actually had this idea of Akira having a death theme ever since the idea of him being part of the Shadow Operatives popped up in my mind. I figured it would fit him since, of course, the S.O.'s (or SEES) main theme is death.


Ann Takamaki and Shiho Suzui are sitting on a bench in the schoolyard near the vending machines. Shiho looked even more downtrodden than usual, and Ann could not help but get worried sick for her best ans only friend.

It all started when she joined the volleyball team...

"C'mon, Shiho, tell me. Is there something wrong?" Ann asked Shiho, she had been continuously asking her the same question for the past five minutes.

"...I-I haven't been sleeping well lately..." The frail girl admitted, looking even more downcast than she was just now, "Whenever I close my eyes, I keep thinking about too many things..."

"Shiho..." Ann gently stroke her friend's back in attempt for comfort, "What are you thinking about?"

It did little to change Shiho's demeanor, "Nationals are coming up soon, so I keep thinking... Should someone like me really be on the starting lineup...?"

"Don't worry. Just be confident in yourself!" Ann enthusiastically told her friend in an attempt to at least cheer her up, "Your skills have been recognized! It's all because you work harder than anyone else!"

Shiho didn't say anything for a bit, she didn't seem to be convinced by her encouragement, "Yes... Volleyball's all I have, after all..."

"More importantly, was that injury OK? It looked really swollen." Ann pointed out, referring to the injury located around her elbows that is covered by black bandages of some sort.

The downtrodden girl shook her head, "No, it's nothing. It's normal... Especially since a meet's coming up..."

Ann looked as if she didn't believe her.

All of the sudden, the injured blue-haired boy from Ann's class approached them, his expression the same as Shiho's.

"Sorry to interrupt, Suzui." The quiet boy bit his lip but managed to say the words he is about to say, "Um... Mr. Kamoshida told me to get you."

"Huh?" Shiho looked horrified, "What does he want...?"

The boy looked away, looking guilty, "He didn't say..."

Shiho lowered her head, looking even worse for wear, "Ann, I..."

Ann became saddened as well before her expression was replaced with a look of encouragement, "It'll be fine! I bet it's a meeting about the starting lineup or something."

Shiho stayed silent at first but her mouth curled up into a hopeful smile, "...Yeah." She then stood up, although Ann didn't see it, her expression became pained once more, "Well, I better go..."

"Yup. Good luck!"

Shiho nodded and walked away alongside the injured boy.

"Hang in there, Shiho...!"


Once Akira got home, Sojiro gave him another warning before closing up the cafe. However, he did looked worried when he saw how exhausted Akira is and the latter didn't even bother to give an excuse. Now, the frizzy-haired boy is sure that the old man is a softie at heart.

He was so exhausted that he was about to fall asleep in his uniform if Arsene hadn't remind him to take a shower and change and give his report to Mitsuru. He also got a couple of messages from Ryuji. Turns out, the navigator appeared on his phone too. He then remembered Igor's words.

"Should there be others who would prove beneficial to you, I will grant it to them as well. This is all for you to grow as a most excellent thief."

"Is this what he meant by that?"

After taking a shower, he brought out the laptop Mitsuru-san gave him as a gift and plugged his earphones in. He was thinking of buying a new pair of headphones with a higher volume than his earphones if it meant it'll be able to block the loud whispers of rumors from his ears.

After a few seconds of ringing, Mitsuru finally picked up.

"Yes, Akira-kun?" Suddenly, her eyes widened upon seeing the boy's face.

Artemicia got into screen view and voiced the words Mitsuru wanted to say, "What happened? You look terrible."

"Long story..."

He then told everything that happened today to the Kirijo head, about the navigator, the nature of the Palace, cognitive beings, the possibility that Morgana might be similar to Teddie and lastly, the awakening of a new Persona-user.

"So his awakening is similar to yours?" Mitsuru asks. She then remembered that the Investigation Team and Aigis were the only ones who witnessed Akira's awakening, she should probably ask them about it later.

"Morgana said that it has something to do with a strong will of rebellion." Akira added, "So it isn't just simply accepting one's true self, but I think it's like giving into the temptation of power that our Shadow selves give us."

"Are you not aware of this already?" Artemicia asks.

"The awakening is the same, you know the rebellion and all that but..." He seemed to hesitate, his eyes darting a bit, unsure if he should tell her because it will only make her worry, "...There's another meaning behind mine." He looked at Mitsuru directly, "It's very close to your case."

Mitsuru adopted an expression with a mix of seriousness and worry behind it, "You mean..."

"Yes. But it's strange..." Akira suddenly trailed off, his eyes look as if they're looking at a distance.

"How so?" Mitsuru asks.

Akira shook his head, "No, it's nothing."

"Still, to think that school is allowing this kind of thing to happen." Mitsuru thumbed her chin worriedly.

"It's because that bastard is upholding the reputation of the volleyball team, which is considered to be the pride of Shujin. That's why Principal Blob is letting him do as he pleases so that the reputation wouldn't change."

"Is no one speaking up about this? Even outside of the volleyball team?" Mitsuru asks, ignoring Akira's nickname for the principal.

Akira reluctantly shook his head, "For all I know, the players are too afraid to speak up. I'm not sure about the others, though. But there have been rumors about it. I don't know why no one's at least investigating it. That's why we're going to find out tomorrow."

They then dropped the subject and Akira was about to conclude his report until Mitsuru asked something again.

"Although, was the trip to the Palace really that tiring for you to be in this state?"

Akira flinched when he noticed the seriousness in that question and gulped nervously. Oh yeah, he cut the real reason of his exhaustion. He realized that the Kirijo had narrowed her eyes, an indication that he needed to give a proper explanation.

Arsene decided to do the honors, "He got impaled in the abdomen and shoulder and I was strangled and nearly got suffocated." He explained flatly, "We both could have surely died if Ryuji hadn't awakened Captain Kidd and Morgana-san and Zorro-san healed us."

"WHAT!?" Mitsuru jumped up from her seat and slammed her hands on the table.

"Is that true!?" Artemicia asks in worry.

"Arsene!" Akira yelled.

"What?" Arsene shrugged, "Mitsuru-san wanted a proper explanation so I just told her what happened."

"Why did you not tell me this!?" Mitsuru shouted.

"Anyway~, it'sgettinglatesoseeyoutomorrowbye!" Akira immediately closed the laptop before Mitsuru could bombard him with tons of questions.

"Are you sure you should've done that?" Arsene asks worriedly, looking a bit afraid since of course, it's Mitsuru.

Akira shrugged and he put back his laptop inside his drawer, "Don't worry, she'll cool off by tomorrow... probably."

"Good grief, you sound like Morgana-san."

Akira then laid down and pulled up his blanket. Arsene was hovering above him, the two of them stared at each other since the thief knew that his user has something on his mind.

The boy thought about his discussion with Mitsuru regarding the mask-ripping awakenings.

Akira's eyes started to flutter shut.

Arsene then faded back into his mind and Akira then fell into a dark slumber.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a camera of microscopic size hidden beneath the wooden walls near the desk, listening to Akira's every word.


Once again, Akira and Arsene found themselves back into the Velvet Room. Igor spoke to them with his usual greeting.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room. I thought about resuming our previous conversation tonight. That is why I have summoned you." Igor said, looking at him directly with his bloodshot eyes, "What are your thoughts? Are you becoming accustomed to this place?"

"Yeah." Akira answered, "You did say this place reflects the state of my heart, right?"

The mysterious man let out a delighted chuckle, "Ah, indeed, glad to hear it. It seems you have nerves of steel."

"..."

"Your rehabilitation determines if ruin can be stopped. Yet, such a feat cannot be done by you alone." Igor told him, "But today, you entered a partnership with someone who awoke to the same power, haven't you?"

"You mean Ryuji?"

"Involving yourself with others is an important foundation for your recovery. You've done well."

"...He sounds like a parent trying to tell their child to make friends..." Arsene commented.

"No kidding..." Akira agreed.

"That said, I am not advising the formation of superficial relationships. It must not be of frivolity, but a ring of those who would, by morals or faith, lend you their strength. In other words, they are bonds with those who have been robbed of their places to belong. The expansion of said ring will, in return, help you mature as well."

Justine then spoke up, "Personas are the strength of heart..."

"The stronger the bonds that surround you, the more power your Personas will gain..." Parvati explained.

"There are countless people in the city who have talents that a weakling like you doesn't." Shiva said.

"You better rack that noggin of yours and get them on your side. We'll change that into power." Caroline said.

The twin wardens explained that the bonds they're talking about are are called Confidants. Akira remembered that Yu called them Social Links, did Igor changed the term?

"Indeed. You should be prepared to use even myself, or your ambitions will not come to fruition." Igor chuckled, "We have a deal then..."

"If feels like Igor has high expectations of me..."

The same voice from before echoed in his mind.

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Fool Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

"The Fool...?"

It seems like his case will be a little different from Yu's, because in the latter's case, the Fool was represented by the Investigation Team themselves and he never mentioned having a link with Igor.

Akira was wondering if the Velvet Room residents could hear the voice but Igor spoke up first.

"Well, you will understand it all in due time... Continue devoting yourself to your rehabilitation."

"Now, this conversation's over! Get lost, Inmate!"

Caroline's yell were the last words they heard before darkness blackened their visions.


Akira snapped his eyes open and checked the time on his phone.

It's early morning.

"...Hey, Arsene."

"Yes?"

"Did we even sleep?"

"I'm not sure. How do you feel?"

Akira sat up and stretched before a loud yawn escaped from his lips.

"Physically refreshed but mentally tired..."

"I guess we should request Igor to stop interrupting us in our sleep the next time we go there..." Arsene suggested.


"Hm?"

Arsene approached the wall bear the desk. He leaned his head closer and peeked at the small open gap.

Akira, who is drying his hair after taking a shower, noticed his Persona's sudden behavior.

"What's wrong?"

"Akira... You need to see this."

Confused, the frizzy-haired boy stood up and took a peek of where Arsene is looking at. He raised an eyebrow when he found a microscopic camera.

"..."

Akira took a few steps to his bed to pick up his school coat and went back to where the camera is, smirking smugly as he put on his coat and stared at the camera.

"Whoever you are... You're a freaking pervert for watching everything I do 24/7."

Arsene chuckled.


From a house just a few blocks away, a young girl is staring at the screen, listening to the audio that was recorded just now.

"Whoever you are... You're a freaking pervert for watching everything I do 24/7."

"Who the hell are you calling a pervert!?" The girl screamed.


While walking to school alongside some passing students, Akira overheard a few of them talking about the volleyball rally.

Akira pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in irritation, "I am so looking forward to it..."

"Well, I'm looking forward to ripping that bastard to shreds." Arsene scoffed.


"God, this is so effin' boring..."

Ryuji groaned as he lowered his head.

"No kidding." Akira agreed while cleaning the fog on his fake glasses.

This round, it was a Teachers vs Students match. Of course, the frail volleyball players could barely block the strikes from the teachers, more specifically, Kamoshida. One of the players, Yuuki Mishima, fell backwards from a spike delivered by that perverted bastard.

Akira looked around the gym, most of the guys were bored as hell like them while the girls on the chairs were acting like some sort of cheer leading squad. His gaze trail lastly to the girl from his class. He vaguely remembered her name was Ann Takamaki, who has blonde hair and blue eyes because of her American lineage. He felt almost sorry for her due to the fact that both of them have some similarities, not good ones. Aside from his criminal record, one of the most popular rumors is that she's a slut, and people treat her like an outcast simply because her looks are different from most.

"Still sticks out... She hasn't changed a bit." Akira heard Ryuji muttered and saw that the latter is also looking at Takamaki.

"You two know each other?" Akira asks in curiosity.

"Aye, what a lass!" Kidd commented.

"Oh, we just went to the same middle school. We kinda y'know... drifted apart once we got in high school." Ryuji explained as he yawned in boredom.

"Oh, okay." Akira said as he focused back to the match.

Only to see Mishima get spiked in the face by Kamoshida.

"Why that fucking...!" Arsene cursed, which wasn't surprising considering a teacher just injured a frail student, even more so without remorse.

"Sorry! Are you all right?" Kamoshida adopted a worried expression as he made his way to Mishima.

"Fuck outta here..." Akira inwardly groaned in disgust.

"Someone! Take him to the nurse's office!" Kamoshida exclaimed.

"Akira... This is our chance." Arsene whispered.

Akira nodded in agreement as he stood up, raising his hand, "I'll do it."

Most of the gym went silent (causing Akira to sweatdrop) then turned to a quiet concert of whispers.

"Dude, what're you doing?" Ryuji whispered.

"This is our chance to get some info." Arsene instead replied to him because Akira couldn't, well, not in front of Kamoshida.

"Thanks, Kurusu." Kamoshida handed Mishima to Akira, who hoisted the player onto his shoulder, with Kamoshida and some of the students (even Ryuji) widening their eyes at the amount of muscle strength he has. Mishima may not be heavy but he isn't light either and an average teenager can't just simply pick someone up with one hand.

Kamoshida smirked smugly, "You seem to be well exercised. Care for a short round once you come back?"

Akira politely shook his head and smiled apologetically, "Thank you for the offer, Kamoshida-sensei. But I don't play volleyball."


Akira took Mishima to the nurse's office and the latter was provided with an ice pack to ease the pain of his bruise.

"Um, thanks for helping me, Kurusu-kun." Mishima slightly bowed in appreciation, still holding his ice pack to his cheek.

Akira brushed it off with a wave, "Don't mention it. Although, I am worried about your injuries, not just your bruise right now. Are you sure you should be playing in the first place?"

He noticed that Mishima's face paled.

"Jackpot." Arsene said.

"O-Oh, this? T-They're just from p-practice..." Mishima stuttered, trying to cover his bandaged wounds.

Akira sighed, of course he had expected that kind of answer, "Of course they're from practice, especially since Kamoshida is your coach." Mishima flinched at his statement and looked at Akira a bit warily when he took a sit to the bed next to him, "Mishima, just tell me. Why isn't anyone speaking up to this?" His expression grew more serious, showing a deep frown on his face, "Don't even think about avoiding my question or give me any half-assed answers."

The frail boy's eyes widened in shock before giving in as he lowered his head, his expression completely filled with hopelessness and guilt, "...It's because..."


The volleyball player raised an eyebrow and took a step back when he noticed the troublemaker Ryuji Sakamoto approached him, "W-What do you want?"

The fake blonde tried to make himself less intimidating by softening his expression to genuine worriness, "Look, I'm just askin'. How'd you get injured like that?"

"It's from practice." He answered immediately, "Sakamoto, I've heard you've been snooping around Kamoshida-sensei. It won't do you any good."

"But, I—"

However, Ryuji was cut off with a sigh, "You, of all people, should know that I'm telling the truth here. It's no use. Even if you expose a dirty secret about Kamoshida, everyone already knows."

Ryuji's eyes widened in shock, "What...?"

"Well, I'll be damned..." Kidd commented.


Akira was now in a terrible mood due to what Mishima told him. The information was needed but extremely unpleasant. He is very skilled in hiding his own emotions in order to look like a polite and harmless teenager when needed but right now, he let a slight scowl form on his face because on the inside, his anger is pretty much comparable to a storm. He nearly slammed the door of the nurse's office when he got out. He didn't even bother asking the other volleyball players since Mishima already told him everything.

Because of all these thoughts swirling around in his head, he didn't notice the person walking towards him and ended up bumping into them.

"Oh, sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." The raven immediately apologized while slightly bowing before he could even look at them.

The person turned out to be a girl and she had bowed as well, "Ah, it's all right. I'm sorry as well."

Once Akira had ascended his head, he took a moment to fully examine the girl. She had short brown hair and red eyes. Her uniform is quite different from the regular ones, instead, she wears a black halter vest over a long sleeve white shirt with a turtleneck (which is different from normal turtlenecks for female students). But as for the rest, it's the same as the other students.

The girl also looked at him the same way and raised an eyebrow, "Say, aren't you the transfer student from the second-year?"

Akira politely nodded, "I am, my name is Akira Kurusu. Again, I'm sorry."

"Please, stop. I wasn't looking either." The dignified-looking girl said, "My name is Makoto Nijima, the student council president."

She finally met the infamous transfer student. She must say, he didn't look anything like what the rumors says at all. In fact, at first glance, he seemed harmless and polite. But what if it was just an act? She had also heard that he's been hanging out with Ryuji Sakamoto, "How are you faring during your first few days?"

"Undesirable." Akira deadpanned, his dry tone surprising Nijima, "Everyone found out about my record before I even got to school and had to listen to annoying rumors that are even more ridiculous than seeing a king wearing nothing but a speedo and a royal coat for 8 hours a day."

"You're really tired, aren't you?" Arsene asked, amused by his deadpanned response.

"Yep."

Nijima was dumbfounded on the last part. She had expected this kind of answer but not how it was worded, "Er, I'm sorry I didn't catch the last part. A king wearing a... speedo?"

"It's just a reference. Sorry you had to hear me complaining, Nijima-senpai."

"Oh, it's fine." Nijima took a closer look at his expression. She noticed that he's not looking at her but seemed to be staring at something, "Is something the matter, Kurusu-kun?"

"That's a member of the volleyball team, right?" She turned around to look at the person he was staring at.

It's one of the second-years.

"Yes, he is." Nijima confirmed. As the student council president, she reviewed the list of groups from different clubs and sports team.

"Is his injury okay?"

Nijima once again raised an eyebrow. Why does he care about that?

"Yes. However, Kamoshida-sensei is pretty strict when it comes to practice." She responded the best words she could describe about it.

"Practice is so severe to the point where he had bandages all over his arms, huh?" This statement was quietly muttered but still loud enough to reach Nijima's ears. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He looked at his phone and checked the time, "Looks like I have to get going. I guess I'll see you around, Nijima-senpai."

Nijima nodded, "See you later, then."

She watched him walk away and looked at the injured volleyball player one last time before the latter packed up and left.

She couldn't help but grimace when she saw the boy's bandaged arms again.

Are the rumors true?


Akira then heard his phone ring and checked it.

Ryuji: Hey, man. How'd it go?

Akira: Everyone knows.

Ryuji: Damn it!

Akira: Chill.

"It's pretty ironic for you to say that." Arsene told him, looking at the phone through Akira's eyes.

"Yeah, but it won't do us any good."

Ryuji: Mkay, let's regroup for now. See you in the courtyard?

Akira: Sure.


At the courtyard, the raven bought a soda from the vending machine there and sat on the bench, waiting for Ryuji to come. It still irks him to think that no one is at least speaking up about the abuse. Since their injuries are from "practice", the abuse is probably in plain sight. He didn't even know why that abuse is even considered a rumor.

"This. Sucks." He took a sip of his soda.

Arsene sighed exasperatedly.

A few minutes passed by and Akira finished his drink, he stood up and threw the can of soda in the trash until he noticed the beautiful blonde girl from his class.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Takamaki asked.

Akira tilted his head, wondering what could she want from him, "What is it?"

"It'll be quick." She then crossed her arms and looked at him suspiciously, "Anyway, what's with you? Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all... There's that weird rumor about you too."

Akira was about to make an excuse until they were interrupted by Ryuji.

"Whaddya want with him?" He asks as he approached them.

Ann frowned, "Right back at you. You're not even in our class."

"...We just happened to get to know each other." The fake blond replied.

"What're you planning on doing to Mr. Kamoshida?" She asks suspiciously.

"Huh?" Ryuji then frowned, "...I see. I getcha. You're all buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all."

Takamaki then became somewhat agitated, "This has nothing to do with you, Sakamoto!"

"Actually, he does." Akira mentally remarked.

"If you found out what he's been doin' behind your back, you'd dump him right away." Ryuji argued back.

She raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Behind my back...? What's that supposed to mean...?"

Akira and Ryuji glanced at each other for a moment before the latter sighed, "You wouldn't get it."

"Anyway, people are already talking about you two. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's gonna help you." She looked at them worriedly, "I'm warning you, just in case, that's all." She then left.

Ryuji kicked the ground, "Why's she gotta be so aggressive all the time...?"

"I think she was just worried, lad." Kidd remarked as he appeared beside him, as well as Arsene.

"Hey, Ryuji. What did you mean about her being buddy-buddy with Kamoshida?" The raven asks curiously.

"Haven't you heard? Lately, she's been hanging out with Kamoshida like he's his girl." Ryuji told him.

Akira thumbed his chin and thought about it. He remembered her expression when she got into that perverted bastard's car at the start of his first day. Maybe she was being forced?

"Anyways, that's not what we're here to talk about." Ryuji then slumped down, "Everyone knows, huh?"

Akira nodded grimly.

"Dammit!" Ryuji yelled, "Why isn't anyone speaking up about this!?"

"They're probably afraid of Kamoshida." The raven said.

"What do we do now?" Arsene wondered, "I doubt we're able to expose him like this."

"...I'll try one more time to persuade the other guys. That's... all I can do." Ryuji told him.

"*sigh*"

Today was not a good day.

Akira walked to the station with a saddened look on his face. Thinking about how those abused students are getting beaten-up for no reason and them not speaking up out of fear by that bastard is enough for Akira for wanting to beat the crap out of that asshole.

"If this doesn't work, we'll have to find an alternative." Arsene said.

"Yeah, but how?"

"Hey, watch it!" Akira heard a familiar voice.

"Huh?"

The raven looked around him, trying to find the source of that voice. However, he couldn't due to the massive amount of people in the station.

"Ah! My tail!" The boyish voice was very close.

"Tail?"

That voice sounded very familiar.

After a few seconds, he took a walk around the station. He was near the ticket area but still couldn't find it.

"Akira! Over there!" Arsene suddenly appeared above him, pointing at the platform that was near the rails. Many people are waiting for the upcoming train.

"Where?" Akira asks, trying to look at where Arsene is specifically pointing but to no avail.

Arsene then cleared his throat and put hand near his mouth and shouted, "Zorro-san! We're over here!"

Out of nowhere, the same bulky Persona that Akira was used to seeing in the Palace manifested above the crowd of people.

"Zorro!?"

"Señor Arsene! Señor Akira!" Zorro waved his hand.

"What!? They're here!?"

Okay, now he knows who it is.

Akira immediately ran and slipped past the crowd to the spot where Zorro is standing. Once he reached him, he saw that the swordsman was hovering above a small animal.

A black cat with a yellow scarf.

"Akira!" The black cat immediately ran up to him, looking absolutely relieved to have finally found him.

At this point, he was just surprised that the so-called "not-cat" hadn't been stepped on.

"Morgana?" He knelt down.

"That's right!"

"What're you doing here?" Akira asks.

"I decided to come to the real world and follow you guys but..." Morgana trailed off and suddenly looked a bit embarrassed.

"I get the picture." The raven told him, "So what are you going to do now?"

"Well, I can't contact you from inside a Palace, so I'll stay in this world." The feline replied.

"Where?" Arsene asked.

Silence.

"You'll need someone to take care of you, right?"

"Yes..." Morgana sighs.

Without saying a word, Akira suddenly picked Morgana up, surprising the feline, the former looked directly to the latter's eyes.

"How about my place?"

"Really?"

"Sure. Although, I can't say you'll be comfortable there."

"I'm all for it! Anywhere is a lot more comfortable than the cell." Morgana said, "Also, remember when I said that I have some questions for you? It's your turn to answer that."

Akira smiled softly at him, "Okay, then."

"But, Akira." Arsene spoke up, "Would Sakura-san allow this?"

Akira shrugged, "Meh, I'll just hide him."

His Persona chuckled before turning to Zorro.

"Looks like we'll be roommates from now on, Zorro-san."

Zorro nodded, "Indeed."

"Do you mind if you stay in the bag for now?" The raven asks.

"I don't mind, as long as you keep a hole open so I can breathe."

Akira snorted and gently placed Morgana in the bag, it's a good thing he didn't brought the textbooks of the afternoon classes.

"I ain't paying the pet fare." Akira thought amusingly.

"You do know that the pet fare is like pocket change for you, right?" Arsene noted with a chuckle, "Considering how much money you earned from working under Mitsuru-san for the past 4 years. Office workers would have been jealous of you."

"Well, you do remember that we've been fighting Shadows that drop money for the past 4 years?"

"Touché."


I made Morgana meet Akira in the real world much earlier while he got lost and I know I made Morgana a little out of character here. In this story, Morgana isn't that condescending to Akira because he highly respects the latter because he's more experienced in battling Shadows and has been a Persona-user for much longer than Morgana.

Here's Akira's personality.

• Akira's Personality:

In this story, Akira is quiet, calm and collected like in the game. He makes snarky and funny comments and can be slightly sadistic when it comes to finishing off Shadows. But he's also a softie and loves animals, which is why he has taken a liking to Morgana. He has a rebellious will like in the game. Despite being carefree and humorous, he has a darker side of himself which he keeps hidden that not even most of the Shadow Operatives and Investigation Team know of.

Like all the Persona-users (the SEES members) of the Shadow Operatives, Akira has accepted death, however, it has reached to the point of apathy. Like Minato Arisato once was, Akira has an extremely neutral viewpoints on life and death and holds very little to no value of his own life. However, this view only applies to himself. Unlike himself, he holds great value to his friends' lives (Even Akechi), somewhat because the thought of them dying reminds him of his parents, this stems from the way his biological parents and his adoptive mother died and he blames himself for their deaths. His apathy towards his own life is the reason why he is able to use the Evoker so easily.