I OWN NOTHING

Once again, more times in which our main character will hang out with others to strengthen their bonds and powers. Perhaps the one thing I look forward to most in Persona games.

XXXXXX

It wasn't easy for Joe to keep his cool and not do anything after he and his allies got new weapons, but with how little he knew of The Nightmare, he needed to prepare himself.

"Oi, are we finally going to kick some ass?"

Thus, he approached Katsuki after classes in a corner near the stairs where the teen was sneering at everyone around him. Considering how bad they started and the blond boy's aggression, he needed to change a couple things. Mostly their relationship and the boy's attitude, but small steps were needed. Walking to him felt easier than walking to Eijirou and the promises of pain that came with training.

"What're you plotting?" Katsuki asked bored. "We gave you enough time already to check what you wanted with that pint-sized bitch and you still told us to wait even before that."

Joe simply invited him to hang out.

The blond growled, "Are you kidding me? I got a fucking grenade launcher, you can't expect me not to use it."

Choosing his words carefully, Joe replied swiftly, "It could help our Personas grow stronger."

Katsuki eyed him but conceded, "Fine, let's see what you got."

The two went outside the school, unclear on what to do or where to go. Things were already starting to get tense until Joe heard a male voice.

"Ah, if it ain't our boy Bakugo!" the spiky haired and spectacled teens turned to two familiar boys.

"It's you two." Katsuki scratched his head, "What're you even doing here?"

"We heard you made it to UA and got into a fight with Deku." The other teen said, and Joe immediately recognized them as the bullies that hung around Katsuki.

"Things got shitty and I couldn't finish the fight." The blond growled.

The first bully grinned, "Come on, Bakugo! Are you sure you're the same we met before!? If it takes you so long to beat up Deku, maybe you're rusty!"

"Like Hell I am!" the blond snapped.

The other bully snickered, "How about you show us that you ain't getting sloppy? Sure, you got into UA, but I've heard there's this strong guy that is most likely stronger than you."

"That scarred prick?" Katsuki asked, growling, "Heh, he's just a pretty boy trying too hard to be the stoic type. But…" he groaned, "Yeah, he is stronger than me, which is why I need to step up."

The two bullies seemed confused, but once again returned to their previous topic, "Why don't you come and practice with us? We found a good target."

The other agreed, "Yeah, guy's tough. You should teach him a lesson or two. He goes around like he owns the place. When we told him that you could beat him, he laughed it off."

"The Hell does he think he is!?" Katsuki roared.

Joe saw the plan from a mile away, "They're baiting you."

"Huh?" Katsuki turned to him, baffled, "What're you talking about!?"

The first bully grunted, "Y-Yeah, baiting our friend!? And what about you!? You're the punk that threw that ball of paper on him but was lucky to have that villain save your ass from Katsuki's anger!"

The second nodded, "Yeah! Bakugo should've moped the floor with you! I don't know why you're being so chummy with him after mocking him like that!"

Joe adjusted his shades and asked, "Why should he fight for you, then?" he turned to Katsuki, who felt calmer and crossed his arms to think things through.

"He's got a point. Dammit, the more I think about it now, the more it's obvious you two still cling to me." he growled, "If that punk really wants a fight with me, tell him to come get me. Now get lost."

"B-But-" they tried to argue, but…

"Get lost!" Katsuki's yell made them run off, "Ugh… pansies. Always riding my coattails… I guess I should've known they were tricking me."

Joe smiled at him, a hand keeping his shades in place, "At least you realized it."

Katsuki grinned, "Yeah, guess I can use my head for something. I can't let Deku get all the smarts…" he snickered before turning to Joe, "Guess I owe you again. Tch… What a pain you are."

Joe chuckled a bit, "What about lunch?" though he also wanted to ask, "How about we grab a bite?"

Katsuki smirked, "Fine by me. I know a decent enough restaurant with great noodles and everything you can put on them. Just don't expect me to treat you?"

Joe felt sweat rolling on the back of his head, but nodded, 'I can feel Katsuki's attempt to improve…'

RANK UP!

Chariot: Bakugo Katsuki

Rank 2 – Baton Pass – allows you to change turns mid-battle.

Delinquent talk – Can step in if Shadow negotiations go south.

After that, Joe and Katsuki ate at a nice noodle restaurant, enjoying the traditional and new flavors Japan could get.

Spending time with Katsuki and learning how to cool him down also seemed to increase Joe's kindness.

XXXXXX

That evening, Joe was trying to get back to the dorms while sightseeing around Tokyo. Shibuya was truly a busy district and even the Japanese born there could get lost in it without paying attention.

Still, there were tons of things to do, if a cheerful voice said anything, "All right, it's finally here!"

He turned to see one of his classmates, easily identifiable by her pink skin and hair, yellow horns, and three well-placed sizes. Mina Ashido looked as fresh as a lettuce despite the dark sky, and was beaming at an arcade of all places. Joe – despite how sexist it sounded – picked her as a girly type, not a gamer. However, he could see why she was so overjoyed when she stepped into a dance machine.

Approaching her, he wasn't sure what to say, but she caught sight of him, "Huh, aren't you in my class?" she rubbed the back of her head, "Sorry, I don't really recall your name, but I do have a favor to ask you." She turned to the machine, "See this thing? Well, a friend of mine was supposed to be here and help me beat its two-player mode, but she's busy with her family. So, could you give me a hand?"

Joe pondered on it, 'Aizawa's classes have helped me improve my proficiency, maybe I can do the same here.'

Seeing him nod brought a large smile to the alien-like girl's face, "I won't let you beat me, though! Let's dance the night away!"

To show off her skills, she kicked her leg up, shook it, and twirled in place before striking an odd pose with an arm to the side, a hand on her forehead, and a dashing smile. Joe felt sweat build up at the back of his head. Not that it mattered since he gave her his word. Music was nice, he thought as he stepped on panels to the rhythm of a song called Reach Out to the Truth.

However, the more they danced, the more Joe realized that Mina was on another dimension with her skills and stamina. When they finished, the poor girl giggled sheepishly at the boy bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath and avoid pouring his lunch all over the new dance machine. She looked as fresh as a lettuce, and it was obvious she could still keep going, but he was a mess.

"Sorry, I got so excited that I pushed you too far." She started, "On the bright side, you seemed to have fun back there. Your reaction time's really good to keep up with me that long." She hummed, "In fact, you're the first guy to stand at my side so long."

He stared at her quizzically.

"Hmm… say, would you like to train with me?" she winked, "I'll treat you nicely, I promise! I could really use a partner for these games and to practice some other dances. You may be a rookie, yes, but you have a bit of talent! Or perhaps it's your sheer willpower, who knows!? What I know is that you'd help me greatly! Please!?"

She made a cute, puppy-eyed face no man could refuse, so he sucked in some air and chose his options carefully:

-"Of course."

-"Alright."

-"Sure!"

"Thanks a bunch!" she pumped her fists, smiling wider, "From now on, this Mina Ashido will teach you a thing or two about style!"

He smiled, 'I can feel her passion for doing what she loves…'

And someone agreed with him.

I am thou, thou art I… A bond between those who seek greatness in facing their fears has been forged

With the birth of the Sun Arcana, you have acquired a new weapon to destroy the fear plaguing this world

RANK UP!

Sun: Ashido Mina.

Rank 1: Stylish Trickster – adds Flare to your physical attacks to increase damage on the enemies.

FLARE:

-Heroes need to be stylish to get a name for themselves defeating odds stylishly. Using Flare in your moves increases damage done to enemies. Finishing Shadows with it adds a bigger reward.

Joe smiled at Mina weakly, and felt that not only his proficiency but also his charm had increased.

XXXXXX

After that and a trip home, he slept well for another day of classes.

Their English teacher Present Mic was having a hoot, "As you may know, boys and girls, English can be very petty when it comes to genders. However, let's say you're in a foreign country. You guys must rely on the most used of languages to identify threats and hope someone knows it. It's especially handy at international rescue missions. Speaking of which, Tsuyu-chan! Care to tell me about the neuter personal pronoun?"

A girl with long black hair done in a fancy knot at her lower back, a hunched stance, and a very bizarre but cute appearance spoke, "That would be the pronoun it, right?"

The teacher clapped, "Indeed, but only when used on animals which gender is unknown. Whether it's male or female, you can use it on animals. But in rescue missions, we heroes mostly deal with people. What happens when you don't know a person's gender and have to refer to them in that language? Does anyone know?"

The class went silent.

"Hmm, well, this is a tough one even for those who speak English if they don't pay attention, right Brown-kun?" said boy snapped back to reality, "Tell me, what's the neuter personal pronoun used with people?"

Joe swallowed but had an inkling on what the teacher was talking about, "They…"

Present Mic clapped again, "Exactly! I guess it had to be easy for you seeing where you come from, but there are many English children who go on a limb and choose an unknown figure's gender at random. They is perfectly neutral to talk about a single person if you don't know if they're male or female… See what I did there?"

The class cheered a bit for him, and Joe felt at ease as if his knowledge had gone up a bit. Dare he say it, it felt like it had gone up a rank. So, maybe, with that little knowledge he could do something.

He went to class B, ignoring some of the stares from confused students, and approached Itsuka.

The ponytailed girl looked up at him in surprise, "Joe-kun, what're you doing here? Do you need help with your studies?"

With his current level of knowledge, he felt confident in hanging out with her.

She smiled and took him to the library, "This should provide some peace and quiet. So, what did you have trouble with?"

"Oh, what's this?" the two turned to a blond boy with a smug grin on his face.

"Monoma…" Itsuka stared warily.

"Helping a poor class A student, aren't you, Kendo-san?" the boy now known as Monoma started, "Sorry, but I can't help but worry. You are quite a cute girl, so to see a boy from another class come to get your help could start some rumors. I hope you're not going to be troublesome towards her, my friend."

That smug smile remained in place, so Joe sat straight and gave his answer calmly, "We're busy."

The way he said that so casually threw Monoma off for a bit, and Itsuka picked up the pace, "Yes, Monoma, please be mindful of others. We're at a library."

The blond coughed into his fist and tried to keep his cool, "I can understand. However, can you blame me? Our classes are bound to have a rivalry sooner than later. After all, I've heard how your little friend has got a bit of a reputation by getting into dark places to help his classmates."

Itsuka nodded, "As any hero should. Listen, whatever happens or happened between our classes doesn't matter. He wanted help, and I could use some with my notes. We're helping each other."

Monoma didn't quit, "Then let me point out you didn't deny what I said of you being quite the catch. Letting this boy around you could start some drama between our classes."

Itsuka stood up, "We're studying buddies, that's all."

Monoma grinned more, "If you get that fired up, then perhaps he has caught you. Please, do be careful. I just worry about you like a fellow classmate."

Joe chose his next words perfectly, "You're blocking the light." He said as he took out his notebook.

Monoma gasped in shock, "H-How can you take this so casually!?"

Itsuka giggled, "I think I'll be fine, as you can see he's just worried about studying, which you should be doing. Our teacher's comments today hint to a pop quiz in our future."

"Ugh… Kendo-san, you truly should choose better company." He sighed but left.

Itsuka turned to Joe with a large smile, "Thanks for being patient. That was Monoma Neito. He's not bad, but he has to work with that rival complex."

He smiled back, "Shall we begin?"

She giggled again, "Right to business, aren't you?" she gave a tired sigh, "I could use more of that, actually. Lately, he's been riling other students from my class to start this rivalry. It got tiresome the first time, but now it's getting silly." Then she smiled again, "You know, seeing you I can tell that you class A students are better than I thought, and I mean that in a very good way."

That brought a warm grin to his face as the two spent the afternoon exchanging notes, 'I can feel Itsuka's kindness resonating with me…'

Someone was happy that he felt it.

I am thou, thou art I… A bond between those who seek greatness in facing their fears has been forged

With the birth of the Temperance Arcana, you have acquired a new weapon to destroy the fear plaguing this world

RANK UP!

Temperance: Kendo Itsuka.

Rank 1: Fast Learner – You can read and do work at classes faster, giving you more free time.

As they studied, some people watched him do his best while Itsuka also took tips from his notes, making him feel more charming.

Perhaps charming enough to do something.

XXXXXX

It was after classes that he tried to see what Ochako would do on a normal day. She would stop at rather small shops in some back-alleys or small districts. They were the typical businesses that had only one floor and weren't as varied or well-managed as a conglomerate 24/7 store, but they had cheaper items. Those were the stores where owners would talk with their costumers for a cheerful conversation.

It came as no surprise that she had a paper list in her hand and was eyeing the prices, "Hmm…" she hummed before noticing Joe, "Oh, Shades-kun, sorry for spacing out, but I'm a bit busy."

Joe stood firmly beside her, 'I may be able to use my charm to get Ochako's attention in order to know her better.'

He decided to help her out, "Is something the matter, young lady?" the owner, a middle-aged woman in an apron with arms resembling anacondas and a chubby, peach-like form asked.

Ochako put on a serious face, "Your prices are too high for these leeks." She held one, twirling it, "I know my farming well enough to say that your prices are ridiculous."

The lady crossed her arms, putting on a serious face too, "Oh, is that so? Care to get your eyes checked out, sweetie? That leek's fresh as a lettuce. Heck, I always use the food that's about to go out for dinner. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that it's good stuff."

Ochako put her hands on her hips, "Then you know nothing of farming! Can't you smell it?" she lifted the leek, making Joe sweat uncomfortably at how serious she was getting, "That faint chemical smell isn't from your store's cleaning products. You should know better than to trust big companies when it comes to the freshness of their produce. These vegetables are covered in chemicals."

The lady frowned and stepped closer, "Well, care to tell me what big farm nowadays doesn't use that stuff? Besides, it's still good. If you just want a lower price, you should grow them yourself. Now scram, you're just being a pest trying to haggle, aren't you? Or did your parents not teach you manners?"

Seeing Ochako's frown, Joe stepped in and chose his next words carefully, "How much do you know about farming, Ochako?"

The girl brightened up in pride, "My Papa and Mama didn't raise no fool when it comes to knowing what to buy!"

He sweated slightly at her optimism, but the store owner frowned, "You sure like to talk big for such a little thing. Now go, I don't need a loudmouth scaring off my costumers."

The brunette didn't falter, "I'm telling you that these vegetables are too pricey despite your statement of them being fresh! You even admitted that chemicals were used!"

The store owner grinned widely, "And I'm still strong as an ox from eating them. So, what're you trying to say, girly?"

Her following cackle made the small brunette mad, so Joe chose his next words even more carefully, "That you're lying."

"Huh!?" the store owner exclaimed, mad, "I've had it with one of you, but two's pushing it, boy!"

"He's right." Ochako said determined to beat the woman, "Your story's got a hole. Didn't you say you had leeks as fresh as lettuces?"

"Y-Yeah, they're still freshly picked from the field!" the woman argued.

"And that's the hole!" Ochako argued, "I bet even Shades-kun knows it."

Joe smiled and adjusted his glasses as he answered, "It's a long trip to the nearest field."

Ochako beamed, "And with Tokyo's traffic, the way it can change at a moment's notice with villains fighting heroes, and this store's location, you can't have the freshest of vegetables. In fact, you admitting that the use of chemicals was true means that these vegetables are a fraud. To sell them this cheap, whatever you're using must be as cheap. I wonder what you're really doing to keep them this fresh."

The store owner started to sweat, "I… Uh…"

Joe stood forward, "You're not fooling her."

Ochako smiled, "What he said! So, what'll it be?"

The store owner sighed in defeat, "F-Fine… Just keep quiet, you two." She whispered to the two of them, "I got a garden in my own house. I grow all these vegetables there, but to keep them from rotting here I use a couple chemicals, that's all."

Ochako put her hands on her hips, "Don't. I knew the brand smelled cheap. That can harm the fruit and make it last less. If you want to be honest, sell your stuff fresh."

Hanging her head in defeat, the woman groaned, "Alright, alright, just don't tell anyone of this and I'll do so."

Moments later, the two were walking with Ochako carrying two large plastic bags filled with fresh all-natural vegetables and a skip on her step.

"Thanks a lot, Shades-kun." She smiled sheepishly, "To be honest, if you hadn't stepped in when you did, I would've said something I may have regretted." She frowned again, "The way she mentioned my parents back there… Who did she think she was, saying my Papa and Mama didn't do their best to raise me?"

She actually growled, surprising him.

"I…" she took a deep breath and shook her head, "I don't know what I'm doing at times. You… You do know I want to be a hero, right?"

He nodded at her.

"I want to earn money to help my Papa and Mama." She admitted, and it clicked for him, "At the Fortress, you heard it from that mutt. Truth is, my Papa and Mama did their best to raise me, so I want to do my best to see them happy. It's why I want to be a hero, to make them live a comfortable life… And yet, here I am."

His time with Itsuka taught him the last step to be more charming, so he used that knowledge, "And you've been helping me."

She opened her eyes wide in realization, before a smile appeared on her face, "Yeah… You're right. I did help you at the Fortress, even if I was dead weight at the start…" she went silent for a bit, looking thoughtful, "I want to do more of that, actually. You helped me a lot, Shades-kun. If I had listened to that Shadow, I wouldn't have a chance to help my Papa and Mama."

He smiled at her and made a small question, "What'll you do now, then?"

She smiled back, "I'll do my best to stop those monsters from harming not only my Papa and Mama, but also you." She beamed, "And I can teach you how to get good stuff from grumpy people."

A chuckle escaped him at her optimism returning, 'I can sense Ochako's love for those close to her…'

Someone was happy that he did.

I am thou, thou art I… A bond between those who seek greatness in facing their fears has been forged

With the birth of the Empress Arcana, you have acquired a new weapon to destroy the fear plaguing this world

RANK UP!

Empress: Uraraka Ochako.

Rank 1: Haggling – You can convince Shadows to give you more money or better items easier during negotiations.

He walked with Ochako to the train station, looking forward to seeing her keep her word, as well as trying to figure what to do that evening.

XXXXXX

'I made a mistake…' our protagonist thought.

Joe had hopped off at the wrong station, an easy mistake to make for not paying attention. However, the place he got out of had a familiar face staring blankly at some signs.

And she had some company, "Come on, baby, why do you want to go home?" a man in a flashy suit asked.

"Please, I just want directions to get home." Momo said, clutching her school suitcase close while maintaining her blank expression with great effort.

The man grinned widely, "I can take you there. After all, I've got a brand-new car, and it'd be a ride fit for a princess like you."

She stood her ground, "I'll be fine. I don't want to be an inconvenience either way."

The man put on a hurt face, "Oh, I see, then you're obviously scared of me looking bad for taking a little girl. Well, you're right." he scratched the back of his head, "Honestly, what was I thinking? Oof, I'd get in a lot of trouble. But I guess trying to help a lone girl's really nothing but trouble if people get the wrong idea."

Momo looked distraught, "N-No, I didn't mean it like that!" then she bit her tongue when the man turned around.

The guy had perked up, "So, would you come with me?" Joe could see the guy's act from the start, and approached him, "Huh, what're you doing here, kid? Can't you see she needs to get home?"

Joe could either go with, "She's with me." Or be smarter and say, "Yo, Momo, did I keep you waiting?"

Whatever answer would work, "O-Oh, Brown-san! Sorry for making you wait!" she immediately latched on to his arm, and the spectacled boy fought back the urge to cheer.

"Ah, I-I see…" the man choked out from shock, "Uh… Damn, you're a lucky bastard, kid." The man left, mumbling to himself.

Momo sighed in relief, "Thank you, Brown-san, that was too close for comfort." She stepped away from him, wincing as she thought back on the situation, "I can't believe I almost fell for that trick. It was so obvious. Granted, I would have told him no firmer, but you saved me that melodrama."

He remained silent, but gave her some space.

"You really aren't much of a talker, but I guess you're more of an action man." She turned to her side, "Would you happen to know the best route to Shibuya?"

He nodded, "Same route I'm taking."

She was surprised, "Oh, wonderful. Then I could really use your help. I was busy with some research for a favor. I tried to look for a store that had what I was looking for. As soon as I was done, I mistook a station for another, and you can guess how the rest of the story goes on my way back."

He had been at Tokyo for some time, so he had a good guess. Still, he had to ask something, "What favor was that?"

She sighed, "It was something foolish, but I couldn't say no…" Momo gave him a small smile, "It's moments like those that make me wish I was stronger as a person."

Giving the ponytailed role model student time to herself could be the best thing he could do.

"Sorry…" she said after a pause, "I'm just showering you with my complaining, yet you listen so intently. Thank you, and again, sorry for being so talkative." Momo then examined him analytically, "It's odd, you're such a good listener, like you're actually trying to get to know others. You truly are a very odd one."

Sweat built at the back of his head in embarrassment, though a smile spread on her face.

"Perhaps tomorrow I should vote for you?" he stared at her, "Have you decided who to vote for class representative? I hope you have a good candidate in mind, for tomorrow is the day."

He could tease her, joke around, or try to be serious:

- "I'd vote for you, my queen."

She'd giggle, "Is that supposed to be a joke? Well, you have my thanks for your high expectations."

- "Vote for me to be king."

She'd smile softly, "I guess you really are one of a kind."

- "I've given it enough thought."

"It does sound like you made up your mind. Good, I should've expected no less."

Then, the sound of people rushing in alerted the two of a train arriving.

Momo snapped back to reality, "Oh right, we should get going soon before it gets too late."

They boarded quickly and got home safely, but something felt odd for Joe, like another reason to look forward to tomorrow.

That next day, Joe found Momo again, with a rather fancy bike. He was surprised at the model, which he knew wasn't cheap.

However, things became weird when a boy with a black mop of hair from their class appeared before her with a grin, "Yo, Yaoyorozu!" he cheered, and held the bike's handle, "Man, you really outdid yourself!"

Momo sighed tiredly, "It's no big deal. I'm glad I could help you."

He heard Mina around, talking to someone else, "Poor girl, she's the kind that'd end up with an abusive husband…"

And then it clicked for Joe, 'So the favor Momo was carrying out was to make a bike for him using her Quirk.'

A blond flashy boy stood beside the silent foreign boy, "As Mina-chan said, poor thing indeed. Then again, she's too much of a sweetheart. Guess that backbone and attitude can only go so far."

Joe turned to him, thinking he had talked to him, "What do you mean?" was his first question, but he settled with, "Can you explain?"

"Certainly." The boy gave him a grin with sparkling white teeth, "Yaoyorozu-san is an exemplary student, but when it comes to her heart… Oh dear, poor her. Such a meek girl despite her courage. She is a lioness, but when someone applies the puppy eyes, she's tame as a kitten."

Joe started to feel sorry for Momo and thought of approaching her, but Aizawa was there to grab his shoulder, "Back to classes, today's a big day for you."

Resigning himself to his fate lest he suffer the man's anger in their training sessions, Joe walked to the classroom. Momo was back to her steel-willed personality, but soon the votes came. Joe had his choices and made them. Sadly, no matter who he voted for, the results would be the same. Seeing Izuku meekly try to stand tall as the new class representative after Tenya did his best to convince everyone of him being a good choice was kind of hilarious. Momo as the vice-representative did worry him, for she looked perfectly fine and as strong as ever, but after what happened he wondered if it was a façade of sorts.

In any case, he sat back with the usual crew of Izuku, Ochako, Tenya, and now with an added Katsuki at the cafeteria.

The blond grumbled, propping his head on the table, "Why'd you have to vote the most nervous wreck of a student as our class representative?"

He was glaring at Tenya, while Joe decided to wisely ignore the conversation, "As much as it hurts my pride, I can't overlook his capabilities as a good leader and strategist. His ability to see things and little details hidden beyond words is astounding."

Izuku chuckled nervously, "C-Come on, it's not that big of a deal. Besides, this is too much responsibility for me. Am I really the right guy for the job?"

Ochako giggled nervously, "Well, someone had to vote for you, so someone must think so."

Joe easily deduced that she had voted for the meek boy.

"Who in the right mind would vote for him aside from elite-bot over here?" Katsuki asked, hooking a thumb towards Tenya.

"Someone who doesn't have an ego." Tenya shot back.

Joe started to sweat along Izuku and Ochako, 'I can feel the heat from their glares clashing.'

And then, everything went crazy, "A-A villain's in the school!" someone started panicking, and before they knew it, everyone was shoving everyone to get to the exit.

Joe was getting crushed between bodies of many scared students, and found company with Momo once again, "Ah, Brown-san!" she blushed, for her breasts were smothering his chest.

Sweat started to cover his face as he tried not to focus on that, though he had to mentally remark that she was far more developed than Japanese girls had the right to be.

However, in the middle of it all, he got a message from Izuku and the others:

Midoriya – Guys, do you think this could be The Nightmare?

Bakugo – Are you serious!? I'm getting crushed between two oversized assholes and got someone's shoe on my face.

Uraraka – Wait a bit, Iida has a plan to stop this.

Midoriya – Wait!

Uraraka – Why?

Midoriya – Help him, but come with us outside as fast as you can. We need to look this up.

Bakugo – Does it mean we can finally beat up some Shadows!? Count me the fuck in!

Brown – See you there./Be careful.

Bakugo, Midoriya & Uraraka – Got it!

Joe pocketed his fun and after Iida did his impersonation of the stickman drawn on an emergency exit sign, the four Persona users were at the back of the cafeteria, catching their breath.

"Dammit!" Katsuki growled as he tried to rub the dirt mark on his face, "This better wash off quickly."

"That's the least of our worries." Izuku groaned while holding his knees, "If there's anything certain, it's that The Nightmare must be coming after either us or some students. This can't just be a simple villain."

"But you heard Iida-san, it wasn't such a thing." Ochako chided in.

"I'll inform All Might about this soon, but let's rechap." Izuku shook his head, "Don't you think it's a little weird that this happened after we fought The Nightmare less than a week ago? It's too much of a coincidence. Even if it's some paparazzi breaking in, we should get a look to be on the safe side. After all, that place can appear anywhere at anytime."

"Well, I can't argue with that…" Ochako admitted.

Katsuki grinned, "Alright, let's check that place and get our gear quickly."

"But that's locked up." Ochako observed.

"I meant the guns." He corrected himself, sighing, "Anyway, they said it was around here, so let's go get them and come back like we got to shit real bad."

"Got… it… and you could've phrased that better." Ochako told him, slightly disgusted by the mental image.

As they ran off to get ready, a certain girl happened to have seen and overhead everything, "The Nightmare?" Momo asked, "Are they talking about some hideout or club? I should get a teacher."

With her mind made up, she turned to leave, only to overhear something else, "I'm telling you, those class A students ran around here." Monoma Neito told Present Mic.

The teacher hummed, since Momo was behind a tree, hidden from view, "I see no one, so unless you have anything else to say, you should return to classes."

The blond boy sighed, "Teacher, you should know better than let them run around. I've seen their representative and vice-representative. The first ran off when everyone panicked, and the second is not much of the girl she pretends to be. Honestly, one always looks like he's about to cry, and the other can get walked over easily. I'll let you decide which is which."

The teacher snapped, "Monoma-kun, I expected better from you! Talking like that about your fellow students is like insulting heroes!"

"Even so." Monoma shrugged, "Can you blame me? I worry for my academy, which is why I had to report this behavior. Not to mention, two troublesome students were here too. Bakugo Katsuki and Brown Joe. Maybe representative is a synonym for doormat to those two delinquents."

"That is enough." Aizawa said seriously, appearing behind them, "Those are my students you're talking about, and while they're a pain, they at least don't waste time. Now get going."

Shrugging again, Monoma conceded.

Momo was left behind, clutching a tree branch tightly in her hand, "I'm not a doormat…" she looked down, growling, "I'm not." She said firmly before walking forward.

XXXXXX

And that's my rap!

You can guess what'll happen next chapter, but I'll try my best to make it work. Now, the visit to The Nightmare that Izuku had planned would've happened after this incident regardless of what Joe said, like how events in the Persona games tend to be timed and written.

Also, yes, I'll show Joe's relationships with the girls as an off-side, non-canon thing to this story. He will end up with Marianne, but for those of you who'd like to see him with the other girls I'll show the possible scenarios. I hope you liked the interactions. And please, no "Swagsona" or "swag" related jokes, those are way too old.

By the way, for those of you who think that Sero was a bit of an ass to Momo, that small bit happened in one of the mangas. It was a set of small side-stories in which Momo was shown to be as Mina described her here, in the author's own words. So you can see what made me click and write that part here.

Last but not least, sorry if I'm angering any Monoma fans out there. He's just the perfect foil I needed for this kind of actions and reactions, and let's be fair, he's the kind of guy who doesn't change his mind easily.

BIOS:

Ashido Mina

Arcana: The Sun – A symbol of vitality, freedom, joy, and self-expression.

Description: a peppy student as UA who embodies the flashy heroes the media loves, she's a natural as a dancer and idol.

Kendo Itsuka

Arcana: Temperance – Balance; to try several approaches to things before you find what is truly right.

Description: class B's big sister figure, she's a strong-willed girl who has no ill will yet will stand tall against any odd.

Swordslinger out!