A/N: Alright, here's the first chapter of Ken's link! I think it's gonna be fun to write about him, as I really didn't sense a very strong connection between him and the male MC in Fes.

As usual, hope you enjoy!

JUSTICE: RANK I

"Hey, Koromaru, wait up!"

Junpei runs ahead of your group after the Shiba Inu, who is barking happily. Mitsuru smiles a little and says, "Koromaru always seems to have so much energy. I envy that."

Walking next to you, Ken adds in, "It is hard to get him to go to sleep, though! He even tires me out."

It's now the middle of August. Koromaru, man's best friend that he is, joined the team earlier in the week. Everyone was shocked when they found out a dog could summon a Persona, with the exception of Aigis- who can, apparently, communicate with dogs. You just took it all in with a grain of salt and welcomed the eager Shiba Inu to the team.

Ikutsuki is also letting Ken stay at the dorm. He's currently in elementary school, but Ikutsuki went ahead and approved his stay. It's only temporary, and, as you found out, Ken has no family to stay with. You deeply empathized with that. Still, you can't shake the feeling there's another reason for Ken's sudden living arrangements.

At any rate, you, Aigis, Ken, Junpei, Mitsuru, and Koromaru are heading to the summer festival being held at Naganaki Shrine. Yukari wasn't feeling well, so Fuuka volunteered to stay behind to help her. Akihiko stepped out and didn't return before you left. You remember him saying he was going to meet a friend.

The just-right night temperature helps your group along to the shrine. As you near the festival, the sounds of laughter and chatter grows louder. Junpei is standing at the entrance with a tail-wagging Koromaru. "Hey, guys, let's go!"

"Calm down, Iori," Mitsuru laughs softly. "Don't worry, we have all night."

The festival is buzzing with activity. Families are walking around, children are playing on the playground, their faces covered by traditional masks, and couples are holding hands, giggling as they try out the various booths. It smells incredible as well and the food must be great, judging by the lengthy lines at the food stalls.

"We should pray first," Mitsuru says. It's really more of a command than a suggestion, so your group makes their way to the shrine's altar. Even Koromaru seems to be in a state of peace. Perhaps he's thinking of his old owner.

You clasp your hands together, wondering what to wish for. You think of your friends. Maybe you should wish to get closer to one of them…?

After choosing someone as the focus of your wish, you end the prayer.

Junpei's already over at one of the food stands, digging out some money. "Hey, does anyone want anything? My treat!"

Ken shakes his head, but Mitsuru says, "I would. What do you recommend, Iori?"

"Oh, Mitsuru-senpai?" Junpei seems surprised. Then, he hesitantly grins and says, "Well, uh, I like this one, it's…" Mitsuru walks over, looking at whatever Junpei is describing.

Aigis says, "I, too, would like to examine the typical festival food items." She joins the two, and you soon hear a comfortable conversation from the three of them.

"I'm not really hungry," Ken says as he pets Koromaru. The small, brown-haired boy seems a little nervous for some reason.

Hoping to put him at ease, you ask Ken if he wants to walk around with you.

Ken's eyes light up a bit as he nods. Then, something pounds in your chest. There it is again. You can feel your new power beginning to form.

As you stop by the various booths with Ken and Koromaru, Ken seems hesitant to participate in the games. At the goldfish booth, you almost immediately stoop down and take a net. When you look behind you, Ken is rubbing his arm. "That's a little childish, don't you think, Arisato-san?"

You shake your head. "No, it's fun. Come on." You gesture for him to join you.

"Well, okay..." Ken joins you and grabs a net. In one minute, you've managed to catch five goldfish. "Wow, you're really good!" Ken exclaims. He looks from the fish flopping around in your net to his his empty one. "I haven't even caught one…" He seems a little frustrated.

Carefully slipping the goldfish back in water, you explain to Ken the best you can on how to snag a fish. Ken struggles for a bit, but with some patience, eventually lands a fish.

"I did it!" Ken seems excited. Then, most likely aware of your gaze on him, he clears his throat and says more placidly, "Thank you. You're a good teacher."

You shrug and reply that he's a fast learner.

Ken accepts the compliment with an embarrassed smile. "Well, where should we head next?" he asks, standing up. Koromaru nudges Ken's leg, whimpering. "What is it, boy?"

Koromaru barks, making his way toward the playground.

"The playground?" If Ken was unwilling to try the booth games, he's even more so adamant about avoiding the playground.

Before he can voice any more concerns, you say, "Let's go, Koromaru." The Shiba Inu barks excitedly and follows you to the play area. A couple of seconds later, Ken joins you, looking indifferent. Koromaru wanders off, sniffing and clawing at the ground. He seems to be on the hunt for something.

As you continue looking around, your eyes fall upon the jungle gym. Ken notices your fixed gaze and starts to protest. You, however, calmly walk over and begin to lithely climb up the playscape attraction. Your hands grip bar after bar as you say, "Ken, come on."

Ken gives you a defeated sigh and answers, "Okay." Despite his lethargic reply, he quickly follows you up, almost beating you to the top.

At the top, Ken sits next to you. You tell him that he's pretty fast.

"Thank you." He swings out his legs, looking happier. "It's pretty nice up here."

As the conversation dies down, the wind picks up and sends a pleasant chill down your back, and the two of you survey the festival. Koromaru seems to have found what he was looking for. In his mouth, you can barely make out something red. You'll have to check what it is later.

"Arisato-san, thank you." Ken suddenly breaks the silence, giving you a hesitant smile. "I haven't been to a summer festival in a long time or… or had this much fun." You think it might have to do with his mother's passing and feel a little bad for the kid. After a second, he adds, "To be honest, I thought you'd be bored hanging out with me."

You return the smile, telling him you don't mind.

"Really?" Ken thinks for a second. "Well, okay. Also, I... I look forward to staying at the dorm with you and everyone else." He bows his head. Were you ever this polite? You try to remember something, anything when you were Ken's age, but your memories refuse to surface.

Still, you can clearly sense Ken's gratitude and his want to appear more mature. He hasn't exactly had the easiest life, but you hope that his time at the dorm allows him to experience the things a regular kid should, something you never really got to do.

With that thought, the power that had been building earlier warms your body, evolving into a new social link. The familiar, soothing voice gently whispers,

Thou art I… and I am thou…

Thou hast established a new bond…

Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Justice Arcana…

As usual, the blast of power leaves you breathless and dizzy, though you've had more control as of late.

You teeter back and forth unsteadily, and Ken alarmingly pulls your arm. "Arisato-san, are you okay?! You look like you're about to fall over!" There's genuine worry in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm alright… thanks." You reassure him with a smile, and Ken withdraws his hands.

"Okay. But I think we should get down now." After making sure you're well enough to climb down yourself, Ken gets halfway down the jungle gym before jumping off and landing pretty cleanly. You follow suit, choosing to leap off when you're closer to the ground.

Junpei, Aigis, and Mitsuru walk up to you and Ken. They're all holding festival sweets and look like they're having fun. The rest of the night is peaceful and serves as yet another important memory of your friends.