Disclaimer: Persona 5 Characters except Ryuunosuke Katsuo belongs to Atlus, this fanfic has no commercial purpose.


"Well, guess how much I won in the lottery?" I talked to Sakamoto as we were walking at Shibuya to do some training at Protein Lovers. Akira asked me to help the other members in case he got busy with something else.

"What you won?" Sakamoto asked me with curiosity.

"I got a refund. Why I'm not surprised?" My usual tone showed how unlucky I was.

"I guess it is better than losing, I never won anything with those things."

"I don't know why I do even bother with those things. Working with you guys should be better for me than gambling."

"Uhhh, I don't think that's how it works."

"What?"

"You see, the money we got in that world is usually for team expenses like armor, weapon, medicines, and the usual stuff."

"What about our expenses?"

"Let's say we are not good to administrate our own money. I mean, it's still a lot bigger than our allowances."

"Mhhh, oh well…." I couldn't believe that we don't get that much. What kind of phantom thieves are we anyway?

We kept walking towards the gym to start training. From what Akira told me, he and this punk were doing some running after school. Sakamoto was the track-team star before everything went downhill for him with Kamoshida at school. That big-chin asshat coach broke his leg, and Sakamoto became incapable at long-distances. Since there is no team, it was Akira's job to help him to make him in good shape. Well, not that day though, Akira got important business, and I promised him to help those kids whatever it was necessary.

"Did you bring protein? It's important to be on top form." I asked him once we were already ready to start the training session.

"Shit, I forgot it at home."

"*sigh* I will give you some of mine, but better bring yours next time." I took out two protein bottles and drank them to get some boost out of this routine.

"Alright then, what are you going to do? I will start with the running machine before lifting weights." That blond guy sure sounded excited like a little kid.

"I will start with the machines as well, and then maybe start hitting the sandbag."

"So you practice some sort of martial art like Makoto?" He looked surprised.

"Kick-boxing but not by much, I used for a short time before I got caught up with a lot of work." It made me think about the wasted time I could use to train before.

"But it doesn't look like you have issues when we fight Shadows."

"I don't think using a chain with a hook attached to it should be part of kick-boxing. The same thing I could say about you using blunt objects for a runner."

"Whatever is good for someone I guess? I mean, Ann used whips, and she never used one before. Yusuke uses katanas for an artist. I don't know how Akira learned to do all those knife tricks, and we don't need to talk about Makoto as we already know the rest." That last thing made him shivers for some reason, so I did too.

"I couldn't say much about Ann and Akira, but for Yusuke makes sense using katanas. It requires being calm and precise. We, on the other hand, we are not that kind of people."

"I guess you are right, enough talkin' because we should start already." As soon as he called, we started with our respective routines.

I used the machine around 20 minutes of jogging and running, which kind of left me out of breathing. What was I thinking about doing that without warming up? That was a mistake. I moved to the sandbag to practice my fighting style. From punches and kicks, I felt wasn't strong enough to be good against anyone, or even Shadows. I've been using the chain and hook-like fool despite always starting with superman punches before using the weapon. I had to improve my fighting style if things started to pack heat. Strength was never important for me when I got into fights during childhood, just analyze the opponent patterns and counter-attack. Too bad I was getting rusty if it wasn't for awakening Hannibal that helped me to survive long enough.

"10…11…12…13…" I heard Sakamoto struggling with the weights, I chose to stop with my routine and see if he needed some help.

"Need a hand?" I told him while he was busy.

"No… I'm… fine… right… now…" He couldn't speak clearly as he was trying to take small breaths.

"Nononono, I think you don't need to put too much weight on those." I grabbed those weights and put them back. "That was too much for you, why though?"

"Sorry I kinda got carried away. You didn't look struggling with those."

"Nah, that is too much even for me. If you do that you will feel pretty bad in the morning. I thought you already knew your routine."

"I usually do, but for some reason, I remembered something awful." He looked upset for some reason.

"What is it?" I was puzzled.

"It's just that bastard Kamoshida, when we trained and the shit I got from him."

"You know, you never told how you dealt with him."

"I will tell you everything after we are done with training." After that, we continued with our regular exercises until we were done and tired. That was kind of painful though. After changing our clothes and leave the gym, we got hungry. "Yo, can we get some beef bowls?"

"Beef bowls? After doing exercise for an hour?...Heh, sure." Despite his idea, I didn't disagree about eating that because it was right around the corner. We just walked inside the restaurant and order some big bowls for both of us. Not a big fan but anything is fine. "Now, I would like to hear your story about 'that' place and Kamoshida."

"Sure, I don't think is that would be long…" He started to tell a not-so-well narrated story of Kamoshida and his 'fungeon' castle. He acted as a king, the male students as slaves, and female students as princess or maidens. Ann didn't like seeing her own cognitive version in a bikini and cat ears from that sick guy. His treasure was a huge crown, which in reality was his golden Olympic medal, talking about not letting the past die. Kamoshida cried and begged to be executed, too much in my opinion.

"Hahahaha! Really? I wished to see his reaction of crying like a bitch he was." Not going to lie, it sounded funny.

"I'm sure someone recorded and is at the internet."

"I should check it later. Back to the topic, it is pretty messed up a person like him having so much power in a school. Humpty-dumpty knew about that, and he tried to hide it. No wonder why I hated that hellhole. I shouldn't hold my self of using my family power to punish those guys when I had the chance."

"It doesn't matter now; I only wished to have the same kind of self-control like you and Akira when I punched that bastard during my first year…"

"Hold on a sec...It was you the student who punched Kamoshida last year?"

"Yes, why?" He looked curious because of my reaction.

"I want to apologize of not doing anything to help you at that time. Dammit, I should feel bad about it." I felt ashamed of myself.

"No worry, past is in the past y' know? No need to keep thinking about thing already happened."

"I know it is just I can't believe that I didn't stop all those problems if I had the balls to intervene at that time."

"You don't need to be so tough on yourself, I completely understand it because it is not easy to have the courage and stand for yourself." His tone became livelier despite being moody. "If it weren't for our leader that helped to understand that and awakening my Persona, I wouldn't know what my life could be right now." He was grateful for Akira.

"Yeah, I can see that." I couldn't stop thinking of how easy it was for him about forgetting everything that happened to him. "Still, I don't know a way to apologize with you, maybe give you useful pieces of advice or else, I don't know…."

"Don't sweat it; I'm sure you can do a lot for me and the others."

"I suppose, but thanks for not minding that."

"Sure no problem 'Big Bro'" Sakamoto smirked.

"Don't ever call me 'Big Bro'! I dare you if you call me like that ever again." The only thing I didn't want to be called as put on my nerves.

"Hehehe, alright then I won't say that again. Now…why they took so long to get our orders?" We were sitting for a while still waiting for our beef bowls. I just noticed that there weren't any people working in that place. How is it possible to run a restaurant with not enough people working?

After finally eating and leaving, we went to our separate ways. I rode my bike while heading at Shinjuku for work.


I was at Crossroads washing the dishes, there weren't any customers, and how odd not even Ohya-san there either. Quite a relaxing night, but I had the feeling that I forgot something important. Did I forget to buy the monthly Ultra-Jump? It can't be because it is not 15th yet. Whatever it is, I'm sure is not that important.

"Why the long face, my dear boy?" Lala-chan asked me about my quiet mood.

"What? Oh, it is nothing is just I went to the gym earlier today. Maybe just tired, that's all."

"If you say so, boys at your age worry too much about looking strong when they are not happy of how they are or feel. Usually, they tend to overcompensate. Don't strain yourself please."

"Don't worry I won't." After listening to one of her life lessons, I heard someone coming through the door, and it was Akira. He was coming lately to talk with Ohya-san, giving good publicity about us. I stopped pretending I didn't know him as for how often he came to this bar. "Hey Akira, are you looking for Ohya-san? She is not here today though."

"I came here for something else."

"What? If it is about working here, you should talk to Lala-chan in case she needs someone else."

"I will think about it, but is not I'm here for."

"Uh? If is neither of those, then what is it?" As soon I asked Akira for a reason to coming here, Ohya-san came with a cake on her hands. Are they waiting for someone's birthday?

"Sorry for being late, there was an asshole blocking me on my way." Ohya-san looked desperate for a moment, but she smiled as soon she left the cake on the table.

"Mind if I ask but who's the birthday boy or girl?" I was confused about not knowing they prepared a celebration for someone here.

"Katsuo, do you know what day is today?" Lala-chan asked me with a serious expression.

"It's July 7th, why you ask me that."

"Oh silly boy, don't tell me you forgot about your birthday."

"My…wait what?" I was shocked.

"Happy Birthday, Katsuo." Akira congratulated me.

"How do you know is my birthday?"

"I told him and Ohya about this important day, they didn't mind to help me."

"A birthday means we need drinks to toast this special occasion. This round is on me!" Ohya-san was excited about it.

"You already know that we are still underage for drinking right?"

"Well…that means more booze for me. Cheers!" She raised her glass as high as possible while putting a big grind.

"Still, how do you forget is your birthday?" Akira asked with a curious tone.

"To be honest, I don't feel today is that important. For me is just another day."

"Don't be ridiculous, my dear. Today is a special day, which means I will read this." Lala-chan took out a paper from one of her sleeves.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." I said it with a more sarcastic tone.

"What is that?" Akira asked.

"Seriously, don't do that. It's embarrassing." I lowered my head while covering myself with my apron.

"This? It's a poem from Katsuo's mother. She always read that every year to him."

"Why you have it?"

"You are making too many questions, don't you Kurusu? My mother is really good friends with Lala-chan, but I didn't expect she would give the poem to her and read it."

"I think it is really sweet."

"Yeah, I don't. Anyways, I hope that would be the last thing to…" I got interrupted when my phone got messages. I was hoping is not what I think it was.

Ryuji: Yo! Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday?

"I hate you, Kurusu" I was looking at Akira with a really angry expression. He just smirked at me while drinking his glass of water.

Katsuo: Because it's not that important, can we move along and forget about this?

Yusuke: Nonsense! A birthday is a special occasion, no need to feel embarrassed about that.

Katsuo: Seriously guys, you don't need to know about this. It's just normal day like any other.

Ann: You shouldn't think anything like that. We need to celebrate this.

Katsuo: If you want to, fine but not now. I will be busy this week.

Makoto: I was thinking, we could use the money from the Treasure to celebrate our victory and use your birthday as an excuse.

Ann: Great idea Makoto! But we need to wait for Kaneshiro's confession before selling the briefcase.

Ryuji: Totally agree with Miss Prez!

Yusuke: Me too as well, I should start looking for excellent restaurants.

Katsuo: I hate you guys.

Ann: And we love you too, Katsuo.

Ryuji: Same, Big Bro!

Yusuke: Big Bro?

Katsuo: Oh Shut Up! You don't need to know that.

Makoto: Why is Ryuji calling you Big Bro?

Katsuo: None of your business.

Ryuji: I gotta go, my mom needs me to buy ingredients for dinner.

Ann: Me too, my show is almost starting.

Yusuke: I will talk to you later.

Makoto: Happy Birthday Katsuo.

"Why you did that?"

"You really want to know?" Akira asked me.

"Yes."

"Because you are our friend, there's no need to be on your own. Why so upset?"

"Well, maybe because I never felt that important for other people. I preferred not to bother others for such trivial stuff."

"No more then, you are important for us now. Don't forget that you can always trust us, no matter what is." Akira put his hand on my left shoulder with a reassuring smile.

"I guess you are right." I kept forgetting that I was no longer alone. The same could say about Goro. "The deadline is in two days right?"

"Yes, is closer. The only thing we can do is waiting for the news."

"I don't know what I think about, but I should feel relieved for now."

"We did a great job, together. Don't forget that."

"Sure thing. Thanks, Akira." I felt pretty good, with friends like those I should no longer be a downer.

"Hey! How old are you again? I think I forgot to bring more candles." Ohya asked me while she and Lala-chan accommodated everything on the table.

"19, one more year and maybe I will share a glass with you." I made a small smile.

"That is a promise!" Ohya-san was extremely cheerful than usual, is she already drunk?

"Happy Birthday my boy Katsuo, now for this poem…." Lala-chan started to recite that stupid poem; I didn't care at the end.

The only thing left to worry about is the deadline, but I was sure we did an A+ job. I guess life is good sometimes.


Katsuo Rank 2

Skill-Baton Pass