Foreword

Welcome to the episode 7 of [Persona Beats!], dear readers. This chapter will provide a great twist, along with surprises in the end. But be warned: its 41 pages long, including the bonus material. I still unable to shorten it, I'm so very sorry! But read through the end and you won't be disappointed, I promise!

P.S. This marks the very first 7th chapter of all my stories. Yippe! Thanks to you guys, I made it this far... Thank you!

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.

/


...

"Another Archangel was called Michael."

~A Tough Chef Everyday Life~

*Early Morning*

/JUSCO – Food Court Entrance

The day begun with a bright, warm sunshine enveloping the entire school. The empty food court shows no signs of life, until a certain person wearing a beanie set his foot there.

"What am I doing, enjoy cooking in a world like this?" Shinjiro sighs, but smiling gently, "This is because of you…"

Ignoring his duty for a moment, Shinjiro is doing a recollection of his near past- when he was still alive, surrounded by his friends. …Well, that's not quite right since the only special person he held so close is that leader girl-

"…Huh? I'm pretty sure that there was a blue-haired boy too… Wait a minute, wasn't he the leader? Then that girl… Damn, what's wrong my head?"

When Shinjiro is thinking deeply of the contradictions of his past memories, suddenly a paper boy bumps on him and drop stacks of newspaper.

"My-My apologies, senpai! I was in a hurry…"

"That's fine; let me help you with those."

As gentle as a man can be, Shinjiro help to collect the scattered papers. Barely a minute has passed, and he fold a big bundle of them when he saw the front page-

"WHAT THE-!?" Shinjiro felt his eyes are about to fly out like wild birds, "She- How- What-"

Somewhere else, at the same time.

A brunette girl with average height and well-toned skin, wearing pink uniform and black skirt, is peeking around the school's archery range nervously.

"Hey, who are you and what are you doing!?" a male member of the archery who is on practice come out and yelled at her.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" the brunette girl apologized politely, "I'm new here, and I was wondering when I could join the archery club…"

"Wait… Are you the transfer student?" the archery member changed his attitude, "I heard you are good in archery. We'll definitely welcome you here!"

The archery member offers a handshake, and the brunette girl accepts it.

"My name is Yukari Takeba. I hope we get along!"

/

superecho presents

Cross-over story of "Angel Beats!" and "Persona" series

/

Persona Beats!

© 2012 superecho

/

~Memories of Cherry Blossom~

*Morning*

/School Building – Anti-Tenshi Operation HQ

Yet again, Yuri has gathered the Combat Division members for a meeting- Wait, apparently someone has gone missing… But the numbers are even, so it might be just Yuri's imagination.

"Everyone, hereby I proudly declare: our rescue mission was a huge success!"

The HQ is buzzing with clapping, 'Whee', 'Oh yeah', 'We rock', and bursts of party crackers. Yup, party crackers you use at birthday parties.

"…So," Otonashi give Yuri a grieving glare, "The purchase you ordered me before was just for this?"

"What, Otonashi-kun? Are you unhappy of being the errand boy?" Yuri smirks at him.

"Yurippe always prepare in advance," Matsushita Fifth seemed happy.

"Even for trivial things," Takamatsu added, "Oh, Yurippe-san. Here is the key card from before."

# Obtained IT Key Card.

Stuffing the key card into her pocket, Yuri is continuing her speech:

"The Guild members have been rescued; we smashed up GOATS' facility, and brought down one of their generals. In addition, we gained more Persona-users and some juicy info. I call that a win," Yuri smiles widely, overjoyed of the taste of victory.

True, now the number of Persona-users in SSS jumped to five. They are Yuri, Iwasawa, Shiina, Hinata, and just recently, Yusa. …Wait.

"Yusa, you're here?" Fujimaki's mouth explodes in shock.

"Does it matter?" she plainly asked.

"It does! I almost never see you in the HQ!"

"Now, you did."

Hinata steps in, "Come on, just let it slide. We're celebrating our victory, so it's only natural to do something special."

Fujimaki frowns unhappily, "You lucky bastard, Hinata! It must be nice, to be surrounded by pretty girls while summoning your Persona."

"What are you-"

Hinata stopped mid-sentence in realization: out of the 5 Persona-users in SSS, he's the only male out of 4 other females.

"My, I never noticed until now," Hinata blushes slightly, scratching his head.

"Hinata-san, you like a protagonist in a harem love simulation game!" Ooyama pointed out.

"Nice one, Ooyama!" Hinata seemed very happy, "I call this title: Doki-doki Memorial: Afterlife Season! [1]"

/

Episode.07: BUTTERFLY

/

"So, so!" Ooyama is getting excited like a child, "What are the heroines like?"

Hinata pointed at Yuri, "There is Heroine No.1: Yurippe! She's the true heroine whom needs very specific conditions to get! You better maxes out all your parameters for a faint hope to be with her!"

Yuri sighs deeply, but feels too lazy to leave her seat and slap him. Next, Hinata pointed at Iwasawa.

"Heroine no. 2: Iwasawa! She's the music nut who require high amount of almost all things, especially Art! She's slightly easier than Yurippe, but a great challenge regardless!"

Iwasawa is spectacularly uninterested, "What are you talking about?"

"Is herbal tea okay with you?" Yamaoka asked.

"Yes, thank you."

Yamaoka poured herbal tea emanating fresh scent of nature to a cup, and give it to Iwasawa elegantly. She drinks it slowly, like a fine lady.

"That looks good," Ooyama looked at Iwasawa in awe, "Yamaoka-san, please pour me some too!"

"You're here, Yamaoka-san? Why didn't you pour me first? I'm your master!" Yuri snapped.

"My apologies, milady," Yamaoka poured Ooyama a cup of tea, "I'll be at your side shortly."

"Wait! I'm closer, so pour me first!" Matsushita requested boldly.

"Very well, sir."

As Yamaoka poured some tea for Matsushita Fifth, Takamatsu raised a question.

"Yurippe, what is Yamaoka-san doing here?"

"Starting today, Yamaoka-san will join the SSS as part of the Guild. His duty will be to serve in the HQ during the day, and serve the Guild members during the night."

"But… How could this man enter this world?" Takamatsu tilts his glasses, "I thought only teenagers' souls could go to the afterlife?"

"That's how it normally be, Takamatsu-kun," Yuri answers, "But here he is, fully aware that he's dead and not being any younger than he was when living."

Yamaoka finally arrived at Yuri's desk, pouring her a cup of tea.

"I might be old, but I still remember it very clearly. When following my master to a hospital, strange things begin to occur… And I draw my last breath after rescuing a nurse and tell the young master… to be the number one man in Japan."

Yamaoka seemed sad for a moment, before regaining his usual gentlemanly manners.

"Well," Yuri grabbed her tea cup, "Your previous master is going to have it rough."

Fujimaki laughs, "Perhaps he had to face a madman bent on world domination!"

After some thinking Hinata goes on, this time pointing at a dark corner.

"Heroine no. 3! Shiina! She's the scary type who you should watch your choices during dates or she'll assassinate you! High amount of Fitness is necessary if you want to survive and win her heart!"

"How shallow-minded."

"Ahh, this tea is brewed perfectly… Splendid, Yamaoka-san!" Yuri praised him after sipping a half of the heavenly herbal tea.

"You're too kind, milady."

"So, Yurippe-san… About Yamaoka-san's arrival in afterlife…," Takamatsu asked further.

"There might be more rules to this world than the ones we already know," Yuri sips her tea in relaxation, "It's not something urgent though, so we can look to it later."

For some reason nobody stop Hinata from keep talking, so he goes on.

"The 4th heroine… Dun-dun-dun. Yusa!" Hinata remarked chirpily, "She's-"

"The mysterious girl who will torture the protagonist no matter what choice he made or what statistics he raised. For centuries, no player has lived to see an ending with her."

…That was Yusa, doing a self-introduction in the 'game' and shut Hinata's mouth for good. It wasn't in the wordings themselves, but rather Yusa's cold, monotonous voice which freezes Hinata on track.

"Hinata-san, when this game will be released? And, why there are only 4 heroines?" Ooyama asked innocently.

Hinata didn't answer, he seemingly become a zombie.

"I suggest you wait for the next update," Otonashi fill in for his best pal, when-

"Otonashi… you wanted to be the main character, eh?" Hinata pouts, "No, it's me!"

*BANG* "Gwogh," Hinata fell to the ground, as he has been shot on the shoulder by the running-out-of-patience Yuri.

"Calmed down, Hinata-kun? If there is a protagonist here, it would be me, the leader."

So, Hinata quietly retreat to the edge of the room and heal himself with his Persona. The atmosphere turns heavy and awkward, until Otonashi decided to break it.

"Uhh, Yuri… I understand now about Yamaoka-san joining the Guild, but… Juicy info?"

Yuri smirks, while Otonashi gulped.

"The GOATS- at least those three, are humans just like us. Unlike us, the 'regular souls', they've been chosen by God as special humans to carry out His orders along with Tenshi."

The cover team is surprised by this piece of information. On contrast though, Otonashi seemed rather calm about it.

"So, Yuri… They are like messengers? Humans chosen by God to deliver His will?" Otonashi asked again.

"If you put it that way, yes. I think she mentioned something like that, too. Why?" Yuri asked him back.

"It just… When I saw him before and sometime after that, he never bothered to inspect us or the others. He really looked like a nice guy…"

"Hmm," Yuri is thinking deeply, "Either he's just being lazy on his work, or he chooses to side with us."

"We need to look into this further," Matsushita Fifth suggested seriously.

"True," Yuri agreed, "Otonashi-kun, be sure to keep an eye on this Akinari guy."

Otonashi gulps for such an important task, but nodding his head firmly regardless.

"Yes. I'll do what I can!"

Yuri closes her eyes, smiling, "Good. Now…"

The air felt heavy as everyone is waiting for Yuri's command-

"LET'S DO THE VICTORY FANFARE!" Yuri shouted so loudly.

"…Eh?" Otonashi doesn't understand-

"T.K., hit it!" Yuri ordered by lifting her right hand.

"Bon appétit!" T.K. taps a button on a radio tape and-

BGM: Final Fantasy VI Victory Fanfare [2]

As the strange 8-bit music filled with feelings of triumph is played, all SSS member is doing a victory pose: lifting their arms multiple times in the air, like a group of children who have been invited to a theme park. Everyone is doing it, even Shiina and Iwasawa! …Otonashi can't help but to join in, despite not knowing anything.


# The SSS members are enjoying their victory in high spirits, more united than before. You can feel the team has made a big step forward…

*KACHING!* Rank up! The SSS Social Link has reached level 3! Your power to create Personas of the Fool Arcana has grown!


~Reunion, Sunshine Eggs~

/School Building – Infirmary

After completing his main task, Shinjiro executed the order on paper: cook 3 egg porridges for the three bedridden students. Yup, in the middle of his work today, the principal came and give him that order in a paper. As absurd as it was, the principal stated clearly in that paper that he believe Shinjiro's awesome cooking skills will wake those three females from a coma. …No, Shinjiro wasn't flattered by that. …Just a little.

"Here I am," Shinjiro carefully opened the infirmary door with one hand while his other hand carrying the food tray.

Indeed, Shinjiro saw three bedridden students, all female and junior. Looking at their still figures lay in a seemingly eternal slumber; he couldn't help but to recall a similar situation.

"They haven't waked up for days… Kinda like the Apathy Syndrome…"

As per instructed, Shinjiro puts the food tray on a small chair in the middle of the room, so the delicious aroma will awake them. They're just three bowls of simple egg porridges, with good chicken eggs and a bit of sake for heating the body, plus couple of vitamins and minor greeneries. The result…

"…Yeah, right," Shinjiro said sarcastically as no single movement was made by any of the three females.

In all actuality, Shinjiro had no time for this. He needs to check out the second year classrooms and confirm that girl is really her. Shinjiro sighs and pouts, for what on earth she is doing in this strange place for the dead. Well, with his shift in the afternoon from evening, apparently he has to give up for today. But…

"If they're not waking up, these porridges will be wasted…"

It's not in Shinjiro's policy to throw away food; his poor childhood times have proven that. No, Shinjiro had little interest in eating the food he cooked for someone else. At this rate, he need to find three people who-

"Uggnnn," the brown-haired girl on the leftmost bed wakes up and scrubs her eyes, "I smell eggs… Mommy's egg cooking… Murble, murble."

…Shinjiro was so shocked- that the principal was right. In any case, only one girl has woken up and she's in no focus to stand up, so Shinjiro take another chair and one of the bowls, to sit right beside her and feed her.

"You finally woke up," Shinjiro said, while stirring the porridge with a spoon, "You need to eat up or you'll faint again."

"What? Who? G-G-Ghost?" the brunette is gazing around aimlessly in anxiety, narrowing her eyes. She can't see clearly, it seemed.

"Look, explanation comes later once you're healthy enough to tell that someone is right beside you," Shinjiro took a spoonful worth of egg-rice-hot delicacy after blowing it, "Now open wide and eat."

The brunette girl finally gazes at Shinjiro's direction, finally noticing him and say:

"Shin-chan?"

"…!?" Shinjiro was so shocked that-

"Ouch! Hot! Hot!"

-He spilled the porridge on the spoon on this girl's blanket.

"H-Hold on, I'll clean it!" Shinjiro quickly regain his composure and took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wipe the mess.

…A little while later, Shinjiro has calmed down and seated down beside her again.

"S-Sorry about that, I was just… You know," Shinjiro is panicking, "I thought you were someone I know…"

"N-No… I never met you before, Mr. Ghost!" the brunette is frightened so innocently.

Shinjiro raised his eyebrow, "…I'm not a ghost. Can't you see that?"

"No," she answered bluntly, "My glasses are missing."

Shinjiro took the orange glasses on top of the cabinet right beside the bed and give it to her.

"Thank you, senpai!" the girl bowed in respect, after seeing Shinjiro, "Y-You know, my eyesight is really bad, so… I-I'm really sorry."

This girl is a shy one.

"…I don't mind. Now, eat up."

"S-Senpai… It's embarrassing to be feed… I-I can eat by myself just fine now…"

And then, Shinjiro let this girl to eat by herself. Well, she seemed healthy enough to do that, so no worries. But-

"If I may ask… What's your name?" Shinjiro asked.

"Huh? M-Mirei. Mirei Satou. Why, senpai?"

"…Nothing, just curious. My name is Shinjiro Aragaki."

"Aragaki-senpai…? Thank you; I'll remember your name."

Shinjiro's heart is in storm. This girl is definitely not her, but why… Why and how on earth she called him by that nickname? On all lifetime on his memories when he was still alive, only one person ever and always called him that…

"Why did you call me that?" Shinjiro asked again.

"Y-You see senpai… Whenever I'm not having my glasses on, my vision blurs and I'm afraid the ghosts I saw in the movies will-"

"Not the 'Mr. Ghost'. The previous one."

"Previous one…? I think I only called you 'Mr. Ghost'… A-Ah, sorry! I did it again…"

…Shinjiro is really at a loss here.

~Pink, Cupid, Arrows~

/School Building – Anti-Tenshi Operation HQ

"Ahh, that felt good!" Yuri smiles widely after doing victory fanfare for a while now with her crew, "Now the celebration's over, we have a serious issue at hand."

Yuri throws a newspaper at the table and everyone get a closer look. There was posted a big picture that took almost the whole front page: a female student in pink uniform with short brunette hair. The headline reads:


GUY KILLER TRANSFER STUDENT: CUPID'S ARROW TO YOUR HEARTS!

Today, the second year students were getting a new hot, sexy, and cutie pie of a friend: Ms. Yukari Takeba! The suddenly transferred damsel-not-in-distress has completely fulfilled the expectations of all male crowds, including teachers. (You didn't hear that from me!) For she has excellent grades, good looks, cute personality, and over the top archery skills! She'll definitely carry our school's name for the national archery competition! …Aw come on, you didn't wait in line to buy this issue for that! You boys want to score this chick don't you, don't you? I would love to give you her pictures and tips to get close to her… In the next issue! Keep that love meter full, guys!

~Your Awesome School Journalist~


"…'Guy Killer Transfer Student'?" Hinata want to laugh.

"What ridiculous nickname was that?" Fujimaki is annoyed.

"How shallow-minded."

Matsushita is glancing at Yuri, "Yurippe, could she be…"

"No doubt about it," Yuri nods in agreement, "She's the one who saved Tenshi and that manager before."

"But she sides with the enemy…," Hinata said it in a cool pose, but no one cares.

"Moonlight Serenade," that was T.K.

"Anyway- Wait," Yuri cut her own sentence, "Where are Yui and Noda? I haven't heard them saying anything. With the numbers even, I didn't notice."

"…You just noticed?" Otonashi blurted out.

Yuri glares at him and he shuts his mouth.

"Yui was being scolded by Hisako-san since the morning in their practice spot," Takamatsu informed, "As for Noda-san, I don't know."

"Come to think of it… I didn't see him during my breakfast at the cafeteria," Ooyama pointed out.

"I ate at JUSCO's food court this morning and I didn't see him anywhere, either," Matsushita added further.

"Where has that moron gone off to…?" Yuri is mildly annoyed by this.

"So, what is our next course of action?" Takeyama spoke out.

Yuri is thinking for a little while, before speaking:

"For the next few days, no big operation will be executed. Everyone shall gather information on GOATS personnel and the transfer student. Do a stakeout or just use another source, but don't make a scene. Oh, also search for other Persona-users."

Hinata feel confused, "Other Persona-users?"

"Weren't you listening to that Konishi yesterday? She said something about recruiting other Persona-users," Yuri reminded him.

"You don't mean…," Otonashi stood up with a serious expression, "There are other souls who have arrived in the afterlife recently and have Personas?!"

"You caught on quick, Otonashi-kun," Yuri looked a little pleased, "Search for anyone who is standing out among NPCs, for they are high-likely other Persona-users that Konishi mentioned. If we could get them on our side, it will be a great contribution."

"…Yuri," Iwasawa spoke up, "Do we need other Persona-users? Wouldn't our weaponry will be enough with the Guild members secured?"

"Unfortunately, the Guild members were still exhausted from the capture. Plus, the Old Guild won't produce as effieciently as our new one. On the other hand, GOATS have Persona-users and combat suits with them, so we need Personas as well to even the odds."

"…I understand," Iwasawa seemed down.

"That is all. Dismissed!"

*Lunchtime*

/School Building – 4F Hallway

After Yuri closed the door to the HQ, she's walking down the hallway and saw…

"Hey Yuri," Hisako greeted, "Say, can we hang out later today? I know we never really do that, but… I'll treat you, so please consider it."


# Maybe you should hang out with Hisako after school…


After Hisako left, Yuri saw…

"…Oh, Yuri," Iwasawa greeted gloomily, "Um, do you have time? I want to talk about something. Well, it's not really important… Later."


# Maybe you should hang out with Iwasawa after school…


Yuri considers which choice would be more interesting.

~Reunion, Group of Three~

*Afternoon*

/School Building – Infirmary

"Senpai, this porridge is so delicious!" the bubbly-voiced girl said loudly.

"Thanks," Shinjiro replied plainly.

"I'm so glad you're awake too, Akiza…," Mirei's eyes are teary, fogging up her glasses.

"Don't sweat it! Of course I would wake up for something so delicious!" said Akiza, the girl with long dark blue hair.

"But Takako hasn't woken up…," Mirei is worried.

True, Takako, the other brunette identified by violet hairpins on her hair, is still sleeping tight on the rightmost bed to the right of Akiza's.

"She'll be fine. She'll wake up soon," Akiza said so optimistically.

"…How do you know that?" Shinjiro can't help but ask.

"Look closely at Takako's mouth… See? She's drooling because she smells the delicious scent! She's probably dreaming about eating ten bowls of porridges now."

Shinjiro's eyes widen a little, "…Ten bowls?"

"Takako is a big eater," Akiza said while keep eating her porridge, "Before long, she will yearn for the real thing and wake up!"

Shinjiro laughs; the other two can't help but to join in the laughter. Even they just known each other for such a short time, they feel inseparable already.

"When the three of you have fully recovered, I'll fix you up something real good," Shinjiro said with a slight smile.

"R-Really?" Mirei looked anxious, but smiling, "W-Would it be alright, senpai?"

"I don't have shifts during the exam period next week. We can meet up and have a lunch together," Shinjiro replied.

"Oh, we don't have shifts too. Right, Mirei?" Akiza chirped happily.

"Indeed!" Mirei is smiling wide now.

"Good to hear," Shinjiro rubs his chin, "Now, what menu should we-"

"Deep-fired eel… Caesar salad… Scrambled eggs… *mumble, mumble*," Takako muttered in her sleep.

Soon, Shinjiro's company is laughing again. It's strange for him to take the initiative of making friends, but he's too happy right now to care about that. Then suddenly-

"Here we are, Tatsu-senpai!" Yui entered the room loudly, "Maybe my friends will wake up if you-"

Yui and Tatsuya who just entered the infirmary stood still at the sight before them. Someone they don't know was feeding the three (two) friends of Yui. …Silence. …Still silence. And then-

"Tatsu-senpai! Kick this pedophile's ass!" Yui screamed, pointing at Shinjiro.

"What?" Tatsuya is confused.

"Pedophile?" Shinjiro feel offended.

"Use my guitar, Tatsu-senpai!" Yui took out her red guitar out of thin air, "Smash his head for me!"

"Yui, listen. He-"

"Then I have no choice! Feel the wrath of my almighty guitar, you evil villain!" Yui roared and jumped-

*CHOMP* Tatsuya feed Yui a spoon of the still new and untouched porridge bowl.

"Mmm, so good!" Yui instantly calmed down, "Who made this?"

"…Me," Shinjiro answered, "But that last bowl was for-"

"That bowl's mine, Yuinyansan!" Takako suddenly wake up.

"Taka-chan, you're awake! …Ah, Mi-chan and Aki-chan are awake, too!"

Shinjiro is still surprised by the turn of events, but he couldn't say anything.

"Now Yui, share this bowl with her okay?" Tatsuya hand the bowl to her.

"Alright, Tatsu-senpai!" Yui dashed happily towards her friends.

And so, the four girls rejoiced happily. While they are chatting joyfully, the two guys are left alone to stare at each other.

"Your sister?" "Your sisters?"

"No, we just met." "No, we're just acquaintances."

"…" "…"

Awkwardness sits between the two guys.

*After School*

/Velvet Room

Before Yuri decided to do anything at all, she has a request to complete.

"Here," Yuri handed Theo the Frozen Arm.

"Thank you very much," Theo is inspecting the item, "Ah, wonderful. This arm used to be humanly, yet it is not so anymore. The blood on its veins could no longer run from the cold wrapping it, yet it has scent of life because the cold itself also prevent rotting… Such a strange piece of existence, which had its time stopped for eternity…"

Yuri is feeling bored, "That was a deep analysis and all, but… Could I have my reward now?"

"Ah, my apologies," Theo quickly put the item on the back and return, "I thank you for giving me such an interesting object; I'll definitely take my time in studying it. Now, please take this as a token of my appreciation."

# Obtained Bloody Scissors.

"What piece of junk are you giving me?!" Yuri isn't happy to hold such a grotesque thing in her hands.

"Those scissors are a material item in order to summon a new Persona. With that in your possession, you'll be able to fuse Kuchisake-onna."

"Kuchisake-onna? I think I've heard that name before…"

"It is a dreadful ghost with terrible appearance and foul tale, but she has quite a remarkable ability to hunt down her prey. As I said before; ugliness can be strength sometimes, I believe her powers will be of some assistance to you."

"…*sigh* Alright, thanks."

Losing the mood to do some Persona fusions, Yuri left the Velvet Room early and decided to do some Social Link to erase the yucky images she just had.

~Curbing Chinese~

/School Building – 3F Hallway

Yuri came here to find Hisako, who is currently standing near an empty classroom doing nothing.

"You came, Yuri. Do you want to hang out?"


[Hang out with Hisako.]

[Check Social Link rank.]

[Decline.]


# Hisako Social Link, Rank 1. The Arcana is Temperance, well-balanced Personas. You can see the power of balance, associated with the Temperance Arcana…

\Notice/ Sylph Lv. 11, Nigi Mitama Lv. 18, Xiezhai Lv. 24, Mithra Lv. 32

# It seems further power lies hidden…


[Hang out with Hisako.]

[Check Social Link rank.]

[Decline.]


"Cool. Let's go," Hisako seemed happy =D

/JUSCO – Food Court E

Yuri is not craving for any food in particular, so she let Hisako do the order. What she brought back with her are green tea, steamed meat dumplings, ebi chili, and lots of gyozas.

"Why Chinese cuisine?" Yuri asked.

"Actually, I love Chinese food. But the cafeteria lacks them, and I hardly stumble upon any of Chinese food coupons," Hisako splits her chopsticks, "Maybe it's actually a good thing that those GOATS build JUSCO."


[But it's enemy's facility…]

[We'll reap what we can get!]


"You said it, Yuri!" Hisako laughed, "It's their property for now, but we can shape it however we want once we won this battle and own it."

# Hisako is laughing joyfully =D

Soon, Yuri and Hisako start to dig in. These Chinese meals are actually pretty good, perhaps more than the cafeteria's menus. It'll be a tough competition for sure. Those gyozas were really good too, but Yuri seemingly sees no end to it.

"Hisako, how many gyoza plates did you buy?" Yuri asked.

"Five… I just ordered the sixth a little while ago," Hisako keep eating casually.

"You like gyozas?"

"Yes. Iwasawa dislikes them because it made her breath smells, but I'm fine with it since I don't sing."

Speaking of singing… Hisako suddenly put her chopsticks down and stop eating.

"Yuri, that's what I wanted to talk about… It's about Yui's singing," Hisako revealed her real intentions.

Yuri sips the last of her green tea and listens, "What about her singing?"

"Her singing was so good that it enchanted me…"

Hisako's tone was so humble and her expression softens dramatically, as if she was being blessed by God- Wait, Yuri is not in good terms with Him, so… As if she was being blessed by a snow fairy.

"BUT," Hisako's tone reverses in a blink of eye, "Her guitar play was AWFUL!"

"Huh? I thought you were cool with her being the rhythm guitarist?"

"I didn't notice until after we perform… That from the second song and on, Yui is keep making mistakes in her guitar phrase. It went off the chart many times, that even Sekine and Irie also made mistakes. And…"


# Hisako drones on and on about Yui's mistakes…

["What about the first song?"]

["Thanks for the treat. Bye."]

[Sneak out while she's not looking.]


As it pains Yuri to not choose the second or the third option, she had to be nice. It pisses her off to be some kind of private consultant for her members, but… that's what being a leader all for, right?

"About the first song… It was perfect. Her voice, her guitar, my guitar, Sekine's bass, Irie's drums, and the audience… Everything breathed as one, it was so wonderful. The last time I felt that way was… when I held my first concert with Iwasawa."

"In short, she's a moron whose talents need to be bloomed, right?" Yuri snickered.

"Haha, I suppose so. She aced the first song, but screwed up the rest… I don't know whether I should be happy or angry."

"Just do both, one at a time," Yuri teased.

"Perhaps. Hahaha! …Man, what did I get so pissed for?" Hisako seemed relieved =D

After calming down, Hisako eat the remaining food- yes, she finished the gyozas all by herself.

"I missed Iwasawa already…," Hisako is staring to the distance.

Yuri is grinning-

"-To PERFORM on stage, okay? Don't get funny ideas!" Hisako defended herself, "But I guess I'll stick with the ditz for now. Thanks for listening, Yuri."


# Hisako shares a slice of her personal troubles to you. You feel that now you understand her slightly better…

*KACHING!* Rank up! Hisako Social Link has reached level 2! Your power to create Personas of the Temperance Arcana has grown!


"You're veeery welcomed!" Yuri is overjoyed for the rank up.

"…Don't smile like that. It's creepy," Hisako is sweating, "Were you planning something?"

"No, not at all!"

Meanwhile.

~Next Plan~

/Student Council Room – Back Chamber

Inside this cramped space, there are 3 students: Yasuo, Akinari, and Saki. The latest bows her head; both in shame and annoyance.

"Let me repeat this," Yasuo spoke in annoyance, "Not only you didn't call us for backup, but you also let those SSS beat the crap out of you and dugl some info from you!?"

"…That's what I said," Saki sighs gloomily.

"My, you're unbelievably stupid. Thanks to that stupidity of yours, their weapon makers were set free and one of our facilities got destroyed. You are a really, really stupid girl."

Saki twitches in anger, "I dare you to say that again!"

"No problem," Yasuo is tries to mask his anger with a stoic smile, "How many times do you want me to? Ten times? One hundred times?"

Saki and Yasuo are holding a death glare competition between themselves now. Akinari could clearly see the rampaging flame surrounding them…

"Now, now, Yasuo-kun. They managed to break in was not Konishi-san's fault. Since we lack soldiers, there are not enough troops to guard the JUSCO after we cover the concert's security. One huge hypermarket was too much for her to handle alone, right?" Akinari explained objectively.

Yasuo loosen up his previous tension, "…Well, you got a point there. We don't have enough soldiers…"

"See? It wasn't my fault!" Saki used this opportunity to strike back-

"Wait, Konishi-san. You're at fault too, you know," Akinari is hardening his voice tone a bit, "Wasn't it clear during GOATS was founded, that we shall cover for each other's back? Fighting many enemies all alone for whatever reason is not the way of doing so, as we're not super-powered like Tenshi-san does."

Saki calmed down, slightly shocked at how Akinari 'scolded' both her and Yasuo. While they are standing silently in contemplation, Akinari brewed them some tea.

"Here you go guys. It's instant, though."

Both Saki and Yasuo took their respective cup, and drink them in peaceful silence. This straight kind of guy, Akinari Kamiki, did his role as a neutral mediator perfectly.

"So, Inoe-kun…," Saki asked calmly, "What is our next course of action?"

"For now…," Yasuo drink his tea slowly, "We shall concentrate on increasing our numbers."

"And how do we do that?" Saki asked Akinari for a refill, "Forcing those NPCs to join us?"

"No, of course not. We already have a gathering project to increase the number of our Persona-users," Yasuo put his cup, and Akinari refills it.

"Project… Ah, that Takeba girl?" Saki realized.

"Yes, she's one of them. Another one should be ready by tomorrow, but… The rest would take time," Yasuo sighed, "That's why we can't wait. We have to find other Persona-users and make them join our side."

"Is that so… But how? We promise them a position or something?"

"Could be… I better ask Him first," Yasuo left.

Akinari clean up while Saki prepare herself for another work shift, when-

"Kamiki-san, we are chosen by God right?"

"Of course, Konishi-san. Why do you ask?"

"It just… Oh, never mind."

"Well, Yasuo-kun doesn't seem to be concerned with Tenshi's well-being…"

"Ah! Now you mention it… But, we're supposed to help her right? Why-"

"Alright, I'm done cleaning. I'll go back to my patrol duty, bye."

Akinari left Saki with an unanswered question.

~Underground Family~

*Evening*

/Basement – Old Guild

Yuri ventured the entire school building, but no signs of Noda. So Yuri thought 'screw that idiot' for now and pay the Guild members a visit. At the previously empty and deserted place filled only by dirt and Chaa alone, now so many people are tinkering with various pieces of machinery.

"I need a bigger screw."

"How's this one?"

"Perfect. Ah, can you insert those gears inside?"

"Okay… This, and this…Oh, it got stuck! Chaa-san, help!"

The leader of the Guild, Chaa, leaves his work temporarily and tinker with this guy's job a bit.

"This should be… There. You should've been more careful next time."

"Thank you, Chaa-san! I'll do better!"

Right before returning to his work, Chaa notices Yuri.

"Oh, Yuri. Nice timing," Chaa put down his wrench and approach her.

"Ah, Yurippe?"

"It's Yurippe!"

Everyone soon follows Chaa and greet Yuri.

"It seems you guys are doing well," Yuri commented.

"We sure are. It'll need about a week to operate again, but there's nothing to worry about," Chaa informed.

""So, what brings you here Yurippe?" a Guild member asked.

"Nothing much. I just want to see how you guys are doing."

Everyone goes silent and the Guild members are staring at Chaa. He sighs and eventually spoke:

"Yuri, I know it's kind of late but… I want to say thank you for rescuing my fellow craftsmen," Chaa bows his head, "Thank you, Yuri."

Yuri blushes a bit for this, but-

"Chaa-san! Was that all!? So lame!"

"You should've said it better! Where's the flashy words and cool expressions!?" Saito, appearing out nowhere, shouted loudly.

"A bit- no, a lot of flattery is fine! Be a man and do it!"

Chaa covers his ears, "You guys are so nosy… Why didn't YOU do it?"

"But she's your 'wife', right?"

Yuri shakes her head in disappointment, "I see you guys haven't changed at all. I wonder if I should've executed the rescue operation next month instead…"

The Guild members are letting out small tears, "That's so mean, Yurippe!"

"Oh? I thought you were enjoying your stay there?"

"W-We're not! We just tried to greet you with happy faces when you arrived-"

"-And none of you did that," Yuri glares at them.

"We're very sorry about that…"

An uncomforting wind blew in from the surface, turning the underground chilly. When the mood has become as cold as ice-

"Everyone, its dinnertime."

-Yamaoka the old butler melts it instantly with his warm words. Everyone soon abandon their work and rushes to the underground large dinner table made of wood. On it there are plenty of Italian food such as spaghetti, risottos, Panini breads and the like.

"…How did you fix all these foods, Yamaoka-san?" Yuri asked with her eyebrow raised in surprise.

Donning his usual gentle smile, Yamaoka answers, "What would it become if a butler of SSS couldn't do something like this?" [3]

Yuri was impressed at that remark. …Wait, where she has heard that sentence before? Without Yuri noticing, Yamaoka winks one eye through her thin glasses to the Guild members and they put the thumbs up- Wait.

"Yamaoka-san, you wear glasses?" Yuri asked.

"I do, milady. But when I arrived in this afterlife, somehow I didn't have my glasses with me… I could see just fine before since my condition has gone better in this world, but still…," he explained.

"True, everyone arrived here would be freed of any disease or injury that they have during their lifetime," Chaa said, "But the geezer feel kind of uncomfortable without one, so we made him a pair last night."

"You're one to talk, Chaa…," Yuri grinned at Chaa's nearly as old old face.

"Yuri, come and join us!" Saito requested from the dinner table.

"But I already have dinner…"

"Aww, I caught tons of fishes already! And those shrimps too…"

Yuri sighs and smiles, "Well, maybe I'll try a bit of that fish spaghetti."

Chaa smiles as well, "Here, the seat beside me is empty."


# You can feel the Guild members' honest gratitude to 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 a strange door engraved with a tree and surrounded by people and keys, with roman number 'V' 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 Hierophant Arcana...

The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.

# You has established the Guild Social Link of the Hierophant Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Hierophant Arcana!


Yuri smiles wider and enjoys her Italian cuisine.

*Late Night*

/Girls' Dormitory – Yuri's Room

"Today was fun!" Yuri giggled.

Well, all she did today was goofing around with her friends and eat a lot. But that's good once in a while. She didn't find Noda, but that idiot will be fine by himself. Now it's time to-

*BUZZ, BUZZ* Yuri's red wireless radio is buzzing, so she clicked it on.

"Yusa? What's u-"

"Cheeeeaater." *CLICK*

…Maybe Yusa was mad that she didn't get invited to the dinner at Guild. What's up with that girl and food, anyway? …In any case, it's time for Yuri to go to bed.

*Early Morning*

/?

In a dark room, noises of people talking and machine roaring can be heard.

"Data Sample 00 has escaped!"

"What!? How is that possible?"

"I don't know… All of sudden, it formed by itself!"

"Find it! Now!"

~ABC Puzzle~

*Morning*

/School Building – Anti-Tenshi Operation HQ

There is no meeting today, so nobody roams here except for Yuri. She decided to read some files on the main SSS server with her laptop, since being alone is the best condition to study. Yuri decided to play around later in the afternoon, and concentrate on reading information first.

"Mirei Satou, Akiza Funabi, Takako Hitoda," Yuri recites those names as if they're incantations, "The three of them are in three different classes, yet they always hang out together… Mostly to watch Yui's street performance or discuss about it, according to this information Takeyama-kun uploaded."

Yuri read the files of these three girls, and found literally zero clues to connect them to the fire incident. Even their fake background lives as students yield nothing in common with anything, either to God, Tenshi, or Personas. Was the incident yesterday just a big coincidence?

"Huh? Wait…"

Yuri clicked a few windows and… There's a strange issue.


Mirei Satou. Class 1-1, Student Number 1.

Akiza Funabi. Class 1-2, Student Number 2.

Takako Hitoda. Class 1-3, Student Number 3.


Weird indeed, for this trio's class and student number to be lined up in ABC fashion. Well, the only normal thing is that they're juniors, so of course they'll be in 1st grade. Hence, the Class 1-x format. Yuri ponders at this.

"Hmm… For some reason, this feels like a puzzle," Yuri thought deeply.

A few minutes of stare at the laptop screen, someone else entered the room (after Yuri disables the mallet trap of course).

"Takeyama-kun?" Yuri calls out to the glasses nerd near the door.

"Am I intruding?" he asked boldly.

"Not really. Just come in," Yuri cues him to go near her, "Takeyama-kun, what do you think of this?"

Takeyama inspected the information carefully, but somehow Yuri feel that he is not really into this.

"I think there's some sort of pattern…Then again, maybe not. I couldn't make anything more out of this, sorry," he apologizes.

"That's fine; it might be just my imagination."

Yuri stares at the laptop screen some more, while Takeyama is staring at Yuri's face.

Yuri noticed right away and asks, "What? Do you want to say something?"

"In fact, I do," Takeyama nods lightly, "I want to apologize for my mistake during the previous operation."

Yuri is confused, "Mistake? What mistake, Takeyama-kun?"

"I couldn't hack into the security system… If Yusa-san hadn't waked up her Persona, then…"

Takeyama's face is seriously bitter and regretful.

"I… I will do my hacker work better from now on. I promise!" Takeyama stated with determined eyes.

Yuri didn't really consider that as a mistake, but… Seeing he said that without even requesting to call him 'Christ' even once, Yuri can't help but to accept his promise.

"I'm expecting a good result then," Yuri smiles at him.


# You can feel Takeyama's determination…

*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 lantern and a big eye underneath, with roman number 'IX' 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 Hermit Arcana...

The card shatters into buds of energy which wraps Yuri's body as a warm, blue aura.

# You has established the Hacker Social Link of the Hermit Arcana! You may earn EXP bonus when fusing Persona of the Hermit Arcana!


"(…Wow, that was mature of him)" Yuri thought.

"Starting today, I, Christ the prodigy hacker will delve into the system depths!" Takeyama proudly self-announced.

"(…I take that back)" Yuri ignored him like usual.

~Whispers from Above~

*After School*

/School Building – Rooftop

Yui and her groupie friends are having lunch at the back side of the rooftop, sitting in a circular formation. No Shinjiro and Tatsuya though; they're busy with their own stuff. But the girls' lunch made by Shinjiro would suffice.

"Wow… This milk tea is really good!" Yui sip her cup happily.

"Right? Aragaki-senpai is a really good cook!" even the shy Mirei is happy.

"Yeah, I'm sorry for mistaking him before…," Yui took another sip of her milk tea, "But, but! I think Tatsu-senpai is much, much cooler!"

"Oh, Suou-senpai wasn't it?" Akiza tags along the conversation, "Yeah, he's handsome and has a deep voice!"

"See, see?" Yui is excited.

"About face… I think Aragaki-senpai is handsome too…," Mirei defended him.

"Nooo! Tatsu-senpai is more handsome!" Yui insisted.

"But… If Aragaki-senpai removes his beanie, I think…"

"Nooo! Tatsu-senpai is more handsome! Much cooler!" Yui insists, "He was so cool when he swings his bat at the baseball game!"

Suddenly, Yui took out a golf club out of nowhere and swings it a few times.

"Like this, and like this!" Yui mimicked Tatsuya's moves using the golf club, "He swings it just a like a swordsman!"

"Yunyansan? Isn't that the principal's golf club?" Akiza asked nervously.

"Huh? Yeah, I just stole- borrowed it for a bit," Yui said innocently, "Actually I wanted to borrow a bat, but the baseball's team was using them all. Then, I saw the principal about to play golf and I took one club from him!"

"…So that's why the principal looked so gloomy this afternoon," Akiza sweat-dropped.

"B-But still!" Mirei speaks again, "I think Aragaki-senpai will be just as cool wielding a frying pan!"

"Nooo!" Yui swings the golf club again, "Tatsu-senpai is much cooler!"

Mirei and Yui are goes on bantering about their senpais; while Takako is quietly biting sandwiches without saying anything.

"Yuinyansan," Akiza called out, "Let's ask Taka-chan's opinion on this!"

Takako is taken aback by the sudden request.

"A-Aragaki-senpai… is great, right?" Mirei shyly asked.

"No, Tatsu-senpai is the more handsome of the two! Right?" Yui doesn't want to lose.

Takako is silent, until, "Yuinyansan… is it okay… for me to spend time with you?"

"Huh? What are you saying, Taka-chan?"

"But back then… I almost hurt you…"

Yui look over to Mirei and Akiza, exchanging looks at each other and sighs.

"Taka-chan, you weren't yourself that time. Just forget about it," Yui comforted her.

"But… It's true that I was jealous of Suou-senpai to be in your team…," Takako looked very apologetic.

"Taka-chan…," Yui's eyes are teary, "Then, you just have to apologize to Tatsu-senpai later on! You can start now by choosing Tatsu-senpai as the coolest!"

"…Huh?" Takako's jaw drops open.

"T-That's not fair, Yuinyansan…," Mirei objected.

"All's fair in love and war!" Yui repelled.

"Yuinyansan, do you even know what that sentence meant?" Akiza sweat-dropped.

And the sour atmosphere vanishes like a passing wind. Takako is very relieved that Yui has forgiven her, albeit in an odd way. Then-

"…! Yuinyansan, aren't those the Student Council President and…"

Yui immediately take a peek, with the three girls following her. In frontal part of the rooftop, Tenshi, Yasuo, and Akinari are walking to the fences. Then, Yasuo took some kind of wireless microphone from his pocket and starts to speak.

*BUZZ* "Good afternoon, students and teachers alike."

Yasuo's voice echoes through the speakers placed all over the school.

"I am Yasuo, the Chief of GOATS, protectors of school."

It seems the microphone he holds was connected to the school's PA system.

"As you all know, there are strange incidents the past few days involving strange creatures. These strange creatures summoned by a person are called a 'Persona'."

Yui and co. is intently watching this speech in secret.

"Persona is actually a divine power granted by God, and has to be used for good deeds. But there are those who use Personas for their own selfish deeds, causing calamities and suffering. If that wasn't enough, they also fires illegal weapons indiscriminately!"

For some reason, Takako is shaking.

"That's why GOATS will capture anyone who misuses this power! If you want to repent and use it for good, join us GOATS, the ones chosen by the Great Will himself to legally use them! Normal students can help too, by telling us whoever falls into the criteria! For those who will keep disobeying, we won't show any mercy! Surrender while you still can!"

Meanwhile in a hallway, Yuri is doing a face palm on this silly announcement in front of Iwasawa.

"…Yuri," Iwasawa is looked unimpressed after hearing it.

"That's obviously a big tale of lies!" Yuri is angry.

"As I thought," Iwasawa nods calmly, "But the NPCs will believe it, right?"

"Indeed," Yuri sighs, "Now the whole school will hunt us if we show our Personas."

"We have to warn the others," Iwasawa is ready to depart.

"I'll call Yusa to do it," Yuri pulls out her wireless, "Man, this has to happen while I was about to increase a Social Link…"

Iwasawa put a mixed expression, "Social Link?"

"Never mind that! Go and help any of our members in trouble using your Personas when necessary!"

Back Yui's company…

"Y-Yuinyansan, I… Do I have to…?" Takako is freaking out.

"Of course not! That freak was lying in and out!" Yui points the golf club in anger.

"But still, he has an authority…," Akiza is being reasonable, "What if he found us and-"

"Now, what do we have here?"

"EEEEP!"

Yasuo, Tenshi, and Akinari are standing in front of Yui's company. Instinctively, Yui throws the golf club far away behind her- who knows what'll happen if she's spotted by this guy when holding a weapon of any sort.

"Why, aren't you the student who burned up the sports field?" Yasuo let out an evil smile, "Kamiki-san, we can start by arresting her."

Takako instinctively steps back, with her friends blocking the way to her. But Tneshi suddenly blocks Yasuo's path.

"Inoe-kun, is this the best way?" Tenshi asked, emotionless as always.

"Of course, Prez. If we capture every rebels in their act, the school will become peaceful again," Yasuo smooth-talked.

"But it would cause fear not only to the rebels, but the regular students as well."

"This is a direct order from Him! Do you dare to oppose it?"

"…," Tenshi tilts her head down slightly, "…No."

"Good," Yasuo feel triumphant, "Now, help Kamiki-san arrest the girl."

"Yasuo-kun, it's enough with me alone. Tenshi-san, shouldn't you be in the Student Council meeting soon?" Akinari smiled while saying all that.

"Well, I guess you will suffice. Tenshi-san, you may go," Yasuo accepted.

Tenshi walk away to the door, slightly looking at Yui's company, before disappearing to the stairs.

"Yuinyansan… What should we do?" Mirei is afraid.

~Defender of Justice! …Not~

/School Building – 3F Hallway

Yuri is busy talking to Yusa, while ordering her to view everyone's condition using her Persona.

"Yurippe-san, Hinata-san and Otonashi-san were got caught while practicing guns. They are busy fighting the GOATS members now, along with everyone else in different locations of the school."

"Relay this message to them: fight only when necessary and escape to safety as soon as possible! We can't allow them to reduce our number like this!"

"Understood. Oh, I've located Noda-san location."

"Really? Where?"

/School Building – Rooftop

Yasuo only watches in amusement while Akinari is slowly approaching the girls.

"Now, you should give up and no one will get hurt," Akinari kindly offered.

"No way! We don't trust you frauds and we will bring you down!" Yui splat it back to him.

Akinari sighs, as Yui was clearly barking without a fang.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"

From atop the stairs' lodge, a young man with a halberd on his hand is standing proudly.

"…W-We're saved?" Akiza's eyes are twinkling-

"…No, that dumbass can't save us," Yui sighed.

The halberd-wielding figure jumped down and points his weapon's tip at Yasuo.

"I, Noda the hero, shall avenge you wretched villains!" Noda said with great self-confidence.

Mirei ponders, "Shouldn't he say, 'bring vengeance upon'?"

Yui tilts her head, "See? He's a dumbass."

Akiza and Takako nods in agreement.

Meanwhile, Yuri bit her lip in anger and frustration.

"C-C-Coming straight to the enemy's commander…? THAT MORON!"

"You should hurry, Yurippe-san."

"I KNOW!"

Back to the rooftop, nobody was impressed by Noda's heroic entrance.

"Pfftt… Hahahaha!" Yasuo laughs, "I… I never see anyone this stupid other than Sugimoto! Hahahaha!"

"Yasuo-kun, that's not very nice. He did his best," Akinari sympathizes with Noda.

Noda is beefing red in the face for this embarrassment: pitied by the enemies.

"S-S-Shut up!" Noda can't hide his shame, "I-I already trained hard, you know! I could summon a Persona now!"

Everyone goes silent, even Yasuo is dead serious now.

"Oh? Then I should take you on seriously," Yasuo adjusted his glasses, while Akinari step back.

Noda's face is fearless, "Heh! Take this!"

Noda charges full head at Yasuo, raising his halberd high up in the air, before screaming:

"PEEERRSSOOONAAAAAA!"

*WHAM, CRASH!* Yasuo dodged, and Noda's halberd crushes the rooftop's floor.

…However, no Persona comes out of Noda's body.

"…What? Damn, I failed again!" Noda ranted.

"What the… You said you can summon it!" Yui protested.

"I thought I could summon a Persona now!"

"You're a dumbass!"

Yasuo sighs, but this time his face looked annoyed. Akinari took a further step back.

*SRING!* Persona's aura emanates from Yasuo's body.

"You're really a waste of my time… Fine, I shall arrest you for the charge of assaulting a school's authority!"

BGM: Boss Battle (Persona 2 Innocent Sin OST)

"I shall beat you real good using my Persona as thanks for entertaining me with your foolishness," Yasuo cockily stated.

"Oh yeah? Bring it on!" Noda accepted the challenge without thinking.

"Come forth, Shax!" Yasuo summons his bird-like figure above him, "Bufula!"

Medium-sized ice clusters are breathed out from Shax's beak to Noda. Instead of dodging, Noda tried to destroy them with his halberd.

"Heaaaahhhh!" Noda's great physical strength enables him to smashes the ice easily… half of them, while the rest scrapes his body, "Gwogh!"

Ignoring the pain, Noda charges once again at Yasuo. The latter is unshaken and steps aside, evading the halberd's smash quite easily.

"You're strong, but brainless," Yasuo insulted.

"Don't mock me!" Noda instantly charges again.

Unfortunately for him, Yasuo already summoned his Persona again, who resisted Noda's attack with minimal damage taken.

"Torrent Shot!" Yasuo ordered his Persona.

From Shax's beak, hundreds of energy arrows are shot towards Noda. Noda tries to defend using his halberd, but he suffers some damage regardless. Unknowingly, Yasuo already moved behind Noda and-

"Kill Rush!"

*DOKA, DOKA, DOKA* Yasuo's Persona mercilessly strike's Noda's defenseless spot, dealing him some major wounds. Noda can only slump to the ground in shame, having his raw power easily overpowered by a Persona's skills and techniques.

"Why! Why I don't have a Persona!" Noda pouted in his powerlessness.

Yasuo already lost interest and ordered Akinari to arrest him.

"Now, now. Don't move," Akinari thoroughly inspected Noda's body for safety, including his pockets.

"Go away!" Noda shoves Akinari off after a little while and stands up, "I… I can still fight!"

It is clear that one more attack will finish him off, but Noda is persistent. Yui's group is very anxious now.

"Yuinyansan… What should we do? What should we do?" Akiza whimpered while shaking Yui's neck.

"I… don't… know…!" Yui muttered in-between the shaking.

"It's fine, Kamiki-san. He wanted me to finish him off, and I shall do just that," Yasuo said, cuing Akinari to step away further.

"Heheh…," Noda grins, "I'll just wake up from the dead and kill you then!"

Yasuo looked at Noda with pity, "Hmph, you don't know a thing do you?"

BGM: off

Meanwhile, Yuri is still running her legs out, hoping to resuce Noda on time. That's when she crosses path with Tenshi- who is seemingly looked sad.

"…Focus, Yuri! Dealing with her has to wait!" Yuri did a monologue.

~Data and Soul~

/School Building – Rooftop

As Noda is confused, Yasuo is talking.

"Let me give you a tip for your persistence… Sure, in this afterlife world, anyone who is injured or dies of any cause will be healed or revived to full health some time afterwards. But! How is that possible? How does this 'auto-heal/revive' thing works?"

Noda spits, "How should I know?"

"It's because of the core of that person. If it's real people, it is the soul. If it's NPCs, it is the data. See, for example…"

Yasuo looked over to Mirei, Akiza, and Takako.

"If those girls get injured, they will recover like a normal person. But if they, say, die, they might bleed or whatever- but then they just crumbles, 'POOF!' into some nonsense digital numbers and disappear. Sometime later, their 'death' data is reconstructed by the world's system, into NPCs again. They might be still the same people they were before, if they are lucky. If not, they're just turned into other kind of NPCs- they might have different hair, face, or even: not girls anymore! The system just randomizes their recovery, as they're just not-so-important NPCs."

Noda doesn't know what to make of that. Mirei and Akiza looked extremely confused, while Takako looked shaken.

"Yuinyansan, what is he talking about? Us? NPCs… data…?" Mirei asked nervously.

"Don't listen to him!" Yui tried to diminish the info.

"But for us, real humans… we use our soul to regenerate. When we get injured or die in this world, our soul uses some of its essence to heal or replenish any injured or broken body parts. Even it's some chopped arm or leg; our soul will call the essence back to return to our body. Now, if the soul uses its energy like that, won't it exhaust and run out? No, as during and after recovery, our soul will automatically absorb the celestial life force provided by this world to refresh up. Ah, you better thank the God Himself for that."

Noda can't grasp this somewhat bizarre yet plausible afterlife soul concept fully, but he knows what to say:

"Screw the God! We shall have our revenge against Him!"

Yasuo laughs, "As expected of you SSS scum, hahaha! But let me get on to this critical part: the speed of the recovery depends on that person's soul quality. Whether it is a pure or wicked soul, their performance in regenerating will differ. But, what if the soul is damaged enough and it couldn't absorb the celestial energy any longer?"

Noda doesn't understand what that meant. But even without putting the facts together in his head, his body is shaking. Shaking? Yes, Noda is experiencing fear.

"The answer: that person won't be able to regenerate, and dies. This time, a permanent death."

Now Noda knows what this fear is: death.

"To damage the soul, you need some strong force formed by soul also. Yes, the strength of heart and soul… Persona," Yasuo snickered, "Anyone hurt by Persona's power will have his/her soul weaken a bit, hindering their regeneration."

Yui recall that strange event: how Iwasawa's leg hasn't healed fully after a night's sleep, "…Ah!"

"Finally an expression of understanding," Yasuo smiles then turns to Noda, "Now, I've hurt you enough using my Persona. Your soul should be weakened quite much, and you might become hard to recover or die permanently should I kill you now using my Persona."

"Yasuo-kun… Is it alright to tell them that?" Akinari asked.

"It's not about our secret plan, so no worries. This info will give us more advantage if spread out," Yasuo answered lightly.

Noda's legs are shaking in fear; he tries to stay strong and endure the terrifying knowledge, but his body wouldn't cooperate.

"(Damn… After all I did to show my worth to Yurippe… That I'm still useful to her even without a Persona… And now I'm shaking in fear! Damnit, I'm pathetic!)"

Yasuo readies to summon his Persona, "Anything you wanted to say? This might be your last, you know."

Noda smiled bitterly and speak towards the girls, "Tell Yurippe… I'm sorry."

*SWOOSH!* Yasuo's Persona, Shax, has appeared with bigger power than before. It unleashes a giant hurricane at Noda…!

*SLAM!* But the rooftop door opens.

"-Haaa!"…and a certain purple-haired girl jumps in the way between Noda and Yasuo.

~The One Guide~

/Velvet Room

"…Huh?"

Yuri found herself inside of the velvet-colored train he's already familiar to by now.

"…Oh, yeah. I jumped in front of Noda and get hit by that attack…," Yuri recalled.

This means, Yuri was knocked unconscious… Or worse, die. Yuri grits her teeth for acting so stupid, receiving an attack head on without even changing Personas.

"Maybe I was getting paranoid after hearing that news…"

Yuri has listened to the entire conversation between Noda and Yasuo, for Yusa relayed every word of it using her Persona while Yuri was dashing away. It was a shock, and seemingly true, considering the major wound issue Iwasawa got from Persona's attack back then. But, wait…

"I don't really care should that moron Noda died for real! …Well, I do, but I'm the leader! I can't just die… Ugh, I better stop thinking senselessly about this."

That's when Yuri covers her mouth, for certainly Igor and Theodore would laugh for hearing her banter. …But no, the Velvet Room is empty! No signs of Igor and Theodore anywhere, not in the couch or nearby.

"They're not here…? How? Then why I was summoned here?"

As Yuri is looking around, Yuri noticed something behind Igor's chair: a door. With nowhere else to search, Yuri make her way to the door and opens it.

"This is…"

As expected of a train, Yuri has just entered a velvet-colored room filled by machineries. Machines like control wheel, brakes, and the like to drive a train. It's the conductor's room- where someone drives a train to its destination. And of course…

"You are…?" Yuri called out.

In front of Yuri is a person. A person taller than her; who is slightly taller than Otonashi or Hinata. He- Yuri is uncertain whether this person is a man or woman, so she decided to use 'he'- is wearing a black leather suit. One black suit, top to bottom, without any kind of accessories attached.

"…," the person turned around without saying anything.

He is weird. Yuri doesn't know what's about him that feels weird. Perhaps his ambiguous build: this person has a muscle pattern of a man, yet his arms and waist are slender and curved beautifully of that a woman. Perhaps it was the most obvious thing: that mask he's wearing. No, it's not a mask. It's a big, round bike helmet carved with a butterfly motif. A giant butterfly, painted gracefully into the helmet with colors of gold and blue. The shape that makes the butterfly can be seen, from one side, as a big mask. That butterfly helmet is so thick and using a dark visor, so Yuri couldn't see any of his facial features. Not his eyes, nose, lips, chin, or even a strand of hair. Yuri feels so odd staring at him like this, as if-

"I am the conductor of this train, my name is Philemon."

That figure finally spoke the obvious thing: he is the conductor. His voice… is that of neither man nor woman. His voice is flat, barely has any tone to it, and sounds mechanical. Not even his voice could be a clue of solving the identity of one behind that helmet.

"Phi… lemon?" Yuri asked nervously.

"That is one of many names what I am called," Philemon spoke so gentle, yet so motherly, "I shall be your guide in your journey, together with them."

"You mean… Igor and Theodore?"

"Half correct, but you're not wrong," an ambiguous answer from Philemon, "In any case, I summoned you here to tell you something important."

Yuri steps closer a bit, "About how I'm dead now?"

Philemon smiles, "You were already dead were you not? Yet one's journey doesn't always end once they die. It might be actually a start to the real journey, in which you do now. But fear not, your existence in the afterlife is still intact."

Yuri is relieved to hear that, and Philemon continues to talk.

"As mentioned in your contract, you shall accept full responsibility for your actions. This is not limited to your actions towards your friends, but also to your enemies and other people."

Other people…? Did he mean… NPCs?

"Humanity is weak as an individual, yet once brought together by the power of bonds, they have the means to achieve a miracle that's should've been impossible even by the immortals. That's why, for centuries gods and demons reside in human hearts, in hope of guiding them into making that miracle come true or destroy it. Wavered by doubts and fears caused by them, humans delve into the darkness in search of the answer."

Darkness? Is it about 'the great darkness' Igor once mentioned?

"But even in the darkness, light of hope lurks. Don't lose yourself; see which the darkness is, and which the light is, for they are different, yet one and the same. Understand this, for you will be the one to find the truth…"

~I Am Your Friend~

/School Building – Rooftop

"…What?" Yuri slowly opens her eyes.

Yuri faintly recalled her meeting with Philemon: about recognizing the darkness and light… Wait just a minute here!

"What happened!?" Yuri yelled, finally opening her eyes wide and scans her surroundings.

Behind her, Noda is still limping and wounded. Yuri examines her own body, but she's not wounded in any spot. Then, Yuri looked into her front-

"*cough*," –to find that Takako is standing there, bleeding from her mouth.

Yuri don't know when, but she knows what happened: after Yuri jumped in front of Noda, this girl jumped in front of her right on.

"TAKA-CHAN!" Yui, Mirei, and Akiza screamed in horror.

"Tch, stupid NPC…," Yasuo grunted.

Takako fell to the floor, twitching in pain and bleeding badly from her mouth and stomach. Yui's company immediately surrounds her.

"Taka-chan! No!" Mirei screamed.

"Taka-chan, don't die!" Akiza sobs.

"Stupid! Stupid Taka-chan! Why did you do that!?" Yu sobs the hardest of all.

Takako tires hard to speak, "Because… *cough* if I didn't jump in… Yuinyansan would, right?"

Yui is shocked, "N-No, I wouldn't! I-I would be standing still, peeing my skirts!"

"Yuinyansan isn't like that… *cough, cough*," Takako looked over to Yuri, "Although this senpai scolds you from time to time, you still respected her right?"

Yuri looked over to Yui, who is averting her gaze.

"Plus… *cough* you just had your debut… *cough* if you die just like that… *cough*" Takako looked over to Yui again, "Wouldn't it'd be too painful for you… Yuinyansan?"

Takako's cough goes harder and harder, she spills so much blood on the floor. Then, it happened.

"Kyaaa!" Mirei screamed at the sight.

From Takako's wound, random digital numbers are flowing out like life essence fading away! Yuri can't stand it anymore and stands up.

"Urduja!" Yuri summoned her Persona, "Dia!"

Healing light wraps Takako, and soon after the amount of numbers coming out from her body lessened. As Yuri casts Dia more and more, the numbers eventually stopped flowing out and Takako's wounds closed.

"T-Thank you, Yurippe-senpai…!" Yui sobs happily.

"Don't be happy just yet, this is just an emergency measure! We still need to get her to a proper treatment-"

Yasuo claps his hands, interrupting the event.

"Quite a dramatic show… A cheap opera one, that is."

"YOU!" Yui want to leap at Yasuo in anger, but Yuri pulled her uniform to prevent it.

"I was delighted, but I won't let you guys walk away free. Heh, after all you can't bring them all with you by yourself," Yasuo mocked Yuri.

It's true, with Noda and Takako heavily wounded, there's no way Yuri alone could hold off both Yasuo and Akinari. Even she become bait, there's no way the others would make it out by dragging two injured people.

"Ggghhh," Yuri is thinking hard, but she found no way out!

"That's right! You're all alone, SSS leader! With useless companion like that idiot over there, it's the same as doing all the work yourself!"

"…," Noda didn't say a word, nor move. Did he faint or just ignoring things?

"Just give it up! You're all alone to fight here, why resisting any longer?" Yasuo taunted-

"You're wrong."

…!?

"W-What? Who said that!?" Yasuo yelled to the air.

"Nobody… is truly alone."

…!

Akinari pointed to the back of rooftop's door, "Yasuo-kun… Over there!"

A young man about 16-17 of age is standing firmly, holding a golf club in his left hand. His short hair is that of a bowl shape, colored in light gray. The school uniform he wears is a black unbuttoned jacket with 'Y' and 'II' insignias on the collar and black long pants.

"Who are you!?" Yasuo asked with rage.

This young man ignores Yasuo and instead looks at Yuri's company while speaking this sentence with a hint of kindness in his pale gray eyes:

"I am your friend."

BGM: Reach Out to the Truth

-The second he said that, he charges at Yasuo, but blocked by Akinari. Using the golf stick as a two-handed sword, the guy slashes and dices at Akinari, instantly decapitating him before he could even draw his weapon.

"Y-You're useless!" Yasuo panicked and summons his Persona, "Shax!"

Seeing the bird-like creature, this guys smiles instead of freaking out. Without fear, he dives at Yasuo and thrust him in the chest before he could even command his Persona.

"G-Gaahh!" Yasuo took this fast attack hard, his chest hurts so much that Shax dematerializes.

"W-Who is he…?" Yuri knows this guy is on her side, but she can't help but to feel surprised.

Yasuo slowly get back up and ready to summon his Persona again, "Perso…!"

Wasting no time, the guy lifts his right hand as a blue tarot card of 'The Fool' comes down onto it.

Yasuo immediately recognize it, "W-What!? That-"

The guy crushes the card and shouts:

"IZANAGI!"

A Japanese warrior figure wearing banchou-like outfit and wielding a traditional spear comes out of him, and zaps Yasuo with a lightning bolt chanted by its left hand.

"AGGGHH!" Yasuo withers in pain.

The gray-haired guy steps back to Yuri's company, "Now!"

-In that instant, Noda pulls out a strange ball which for unknown reason is in his pocket. Noda throws it at Yasuo with all his might, and it explodes into a fog of smoke.

"Ugh… A Smoke Ball…? *cough, cough* Where are you!?* Yasuo tries to see through the smoke, but to no avail.

…A little later, the smoke clears up and Yuri's company is nowhere in sight- not even the mysterious young man is present.

"GODDAMN IT ALL!" Yasuo swears.

Akinari slowly getting up, "You shouldn't use that word for swearing…"

"Why are you sounds so happy!?" Yasuo kicked Akinari on his butt, "It's as if you're the reason they could escape!"

"Now, now. I wouldn't do that, would I? Considers we're just unlucky," Akinari smiled with no worries on his face.

"ARRRGHH!" Yasuo grunted in this failure.

/

To Be Continued

/


Author's Note

Episode 7 complete. …I had to say: this episode is pretty damn long. I included some references to anime/manga/games as side jokes, hope you like them. As for the main story, this episode covers a lot of thing: Shinjiro, Yui's groupies, Yamaoka, a little Yukari, some Akinari, Noda's stupidity, Philemon, NPCs, and Persona's real influence in the afterlife. Yup, logically permanent death in the afterlife is possible by beating people over and over using Personas. NPCs nature has been revealed some, too! Pretty shocking, weren't they? Bet you didn't see that coming :3

(Oh, if you looked carefully you can see in this episode the Angel Beats' crew were just goofing around and screwing up, while the Persona's cast do all the work…) The mystery guy who summoned Izanagi? That's way too obvious, so I don't have to tell you. But please fill in the poll regarding him later! It's available for voting now in my profile page!

As for Philemon, he appears more ambiguous here, with a butterfly-themed bike helmet. Strange? But it's an important plot key, hehehe. About Yui's gropies: Mirei, Akiza, and Takako. I might make them like my own OCs, but they're not. They're genuine characters from 'Angel Beats!', and pieced together, have significance to Persona series. If you were able to solve that 'ABC Puzzle', you should know their real identity. Who can solve the puzzle? I'll give you cookies if you can! XD

Thank you very much for reading this to the end! I hope my writing quality satisfy your standards for a good read. There are tons of extra materials below, so please read them too- you won't be disappointed! :D

That is all! Thank you very much, and stay tuned! XD

/

Trivia

[1] It is a reference to Tokimeki Memorial series, a popular dating sim game in Japan. The 'Art' and 'Fitness' Hinata mentioned was the character's status you need to raise in order to impress the love interests.

[2] Every Final Fantasy has their own version of Victory Fanfare, but I chose the VI simply because it's the first Final Fantasy ever to have a female character as the protagonist.

[3] It is a famous quote used by Sebastian Michaelis in the anime/manga Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji), which he said each time after doing a humanly impossible job in no time flat.

/

Social Links

0. Fool - SSS

Rank 3: SSS just celebrated their first big win in a while.

/

V. Hierophant – Guild

Rank 1: The Guild members thanked you for rescuing them.

- Chaa

Founding member. Skilled craftsman who creates fine weapons.

- Saito

A member of the Guild. An expert fisherman who's also skilled in guns.

- Yamaoka

Recently joined the Guild. An old, but a reliable butler.

/

IX. Hermit – Hacker

Rank 1: Takeyama promised to be a better hacker.

- Takeyama

A prodigy hacker. Insisted to be called 'Christ'.

/

XIV. Temperance – Hisako

Rank 2: Hisako is troubled by Yui's poor guitar skills.

- Hisako

Co-founder and lead guitarist of GDM. She likes mahjong.

/

Key Items

- IT Key Card

A key card to open the hidden chamber in Ice Tunnel.

- Frozen Arm

A frozen arm of a GOATS soldier. It has no blood, but…

Persona Material

- Bloody Scissors

A pair of outdated, rusty scissors soaked in rotting blood. Enables fusion of Kuchisake-onna (Fool).

/


[Persona Beats!] Next episode preview

"You don't need a Persona, Noda-kun."

"Banchou of Steel has a nice ring to it."

"No, we're not peeping toms!"

"Go. Make me proud."

"It's the Teddy Bear that I will always treasure."

"Keep them safe, for they are your friends."

"I never wanted anything like this."

"This is your favorite flavor, isn't it?"

[Persona Beats!]

Episode.08 Friendship Food