Thank you for 60 follows and 47 favorites!
-5/5, THURSDAY, EVENING, YONGENJAYA STREETS.
"Well," Morgana began as they walked out of Yongenjaya station and into the cool dark streets of their neighborhood. "We spent all our money on the buffet, but...We officially established the Phantom Thieves, so it was totally worth it."
Airi smiled. "Yeah, it was." A teasing smirk grew on her lips. "We didn't throw up ¥7,000 though."
Morgana pouted, ears flat against its scalp. Akira smiled, reaching over his shoulder to give the cat some scritches. Their phones rang out, the loud noise a contrast to the quiet streets.
R: The Phantom Thieves, huh...I'm liking the sound of that!
An:I hope we can really help people.
An: I'm curious about that phantom aficionado website too.
An:I wonder who made it…
R: No clue.
Ai: I have a feeling I know who, but I'll ask for sure tomorrow at school.
R: Wait, they're at our school?
R: More importantly, you see the survey on there?
R: I dunno how I feel about it.
An: Yeah, there was this approval rating thing, but it was only at like six percent…
Ak: That's better than I expected.
An: I guess when you put it that way…
Ai: Well, we were treated like a prank, right?
R: But don't you just wanna get it higher than that?
R: I bet it'll go up tons if we keep taking down big targets.
R: It's pretty damn exciting if you try and think about it like that.
An:You know, you're actually right.
Ai: One thing at a time, guys.
Ai: You have to keep up your grades too.
R: Yes, mom...
An: Well then, let's keep working hard from this point on!
"Why do they keep calling me "mom"?" Airi sweatdropped, staring at her phone weirdly.
Akira huffed in amusement, putting his back in his pocket. "Because you keep telling them to study hard, sleep early, eat their vegetables..."
She pushed him lightly. "I do not! I just want you guys to be healthy and do well in school like…" She trailed off. "...A mom, OK."
He chuckled, covering his mouth. "Yes, mom." He joked.
She cringed. "Please don't call me that, it's weird coming from you…" She pouted. "Only the kids can call me mom."
Morgana jumped out of the bag and onto Airi's shoulder. "I could definitely see Lady Airi as a good mother!"
Laughing, she encircled her hands around the cat, lifting it up and putting it in her arms, idly petting its head. "Maybe..." She answered quietly. She had never thought about having her own children. She never had time or the freedom to.
It purred, turning into jelly. Akira smiled slightly at the sight.
"Speaking of being a mom," Airi began. "Akira, did you do your homework?"
He froze. "What…?"
She gave him a confused look. "The homework we were assigned three days ago…?" She asked slowly. "It's due tomorrow."
Rubbing his head sheepishly, he let out a curse.
Sighing exasperatedly, she gently stroked the cat's spine. "OK, why don't you grab your books and come downstairs? I'll help you out." She offered, giving him a pitying smile.
Giving her a grateful smile, they entered Cafe Leblanc where Sojiro was cleaning up. Giving them a passing greeting, the older man left the cafe to them, going home for the night.
Akira went up to his room and grabbed his schoolbag from the counter. Coming back downstairs, he quickly made some tea for them and they sat at a booth, taking their jackets off. Though the cafe was empty except for them, the lingering scent of coffee and curry as well as the warm lighting from the multicolored glass chandeliers kept up the homely atmosphere
"All right, let's begin." Airi instructed, taking her books out as well.
Akira nodded, turning his book to the correct page. Morgana laid down on one of the bar stools, taking a nap.
They spent a quiet evening together, Airi correcting some of his answers and helping him remember his facts better.
Closing his books, he rested his forehead against the table and sighed in relief.
Airi took a sip from her now cold tea. "I corrected a lot less this time. You're improving!" She smiled encouragingly.
Lifting his head, he smiled tiredly at her. "It's all thanks to your tutelage." He complimented quietly.
She blushed slightly. "No, you're very smart, Akira." She corrected. "You're just putting more effort now..." Checking the time on her phone, she stood up, putting on her trench coat. "I should get home, it's getting late." She stated softly, heading toward the door.
Akira quickly stood up. "Wait!" He called out, putting on his jacket.
She turned around and looked at him questioningly.
"I'll walk you home." He offered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
She blinked in surprise. "You don't have to..."
He shook his head, resting his hands in his pockets. "I want to." He corrected, smiling lightly. He turned to the napping feline. "Morgana, watch the cafe!" He called out, startling the cat from its slumber. "O-Ok…" It yawned, curling its tongue.
The two walked out the door and into the cool late evening. It was already May, but it was still cold enough that they'd need a jacket. Walking down the empty streets of Yongenjaya, they passed a rowdy bar filled with drunk adults, most likely a after work party from a small company nearby. A man in a salary suit walked unsteadily on his feet, bumping into Airi with his shoulder as he ambled out of the izakaya.
"Ah!" She yelped, stumbling back.
Akira reached out and held her shoulders, steadying her.
The man lifted his head to look at her, his inebriated eyes staring blurrily. "What a cute girl…" He burped, swaying in place.
She wrinkled her nose at the alcohol stench wafting in her face.
He reached with a hand out to grab her, and her eyes widened, bracing herself. Suddenly, the man was pushed away and he fell on the floor in a heap, snoring away.
Akira glared darkly at the drunk, his arm still outstretched. He turned to the class president who had her hands in front of her. "Are you all right?" He asked concernedly.
Airi nodded slowly, still staring at the unconscious man with wide eyes. That was close.
Grabbing her hand, he gently led her away and down the street, heading toward her house.
Stopping in front of her door, he turned back to look at her. "It's a good thing I was with you tonight." He remarked, smiling slightly. "I wouldn't have forgiven myself if you were touched by that drunkard..." He muttered darkly.
Airi smiled back, blushing a bit. "Yeah...Thank you, my knight in black leather." She winked.
He huffed in amusement. "I'm not Joker right now." He idly tweaked a strand of hair.
"You say that, but you are. Akira is Joker. Joker is Akira. Always our dependable leader...who keeps sweeping his hair like a nerd." She teased.
He smirked, doing the action that she described. "And you're our Elegant, our noble lady who can't stop worrying over her teammates as if they were her children." He teased back.
She blushed furiously and looked away. "Nooo…" She shook her head. "Anyway, it's late and we have school tomorrow."
He nodded. "Right. Have a good night, Airi." He stated, smiling softly down at her.
They stood there for a moment, not moving. He looked at her curiously.
"U-Um…" She stammered, still blushing. "You can let go of my hand now…"
Blinking, he looked down at their still connected hands. Quickly letting go, he put his hands in his pockets, looking away, his cheeks heating up. "Sorry…" He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"It's all right…" Airi whispered shyly, opening her front door. "Good night, Akira." She smiled gently, closing the door behind her.
Exhaling, he smiled fondly before turning and heading back to the cafe.
Water dripped nearby, and he snapped his eyes open. He was back in the cell again.
Dragging his body off the slab of wood, he slowly walked up to the bars, his chains clinking together. Grabbing the rusty bars, he looked apprehensively at the inhuman man sitting at the well lit desk.
Grinning widely as usual, Igor greeted him. "First off...I'd like to begin by congratulating you. To think you would find The Aeon...It is a cause for celebration." He announced, his dual toned vocals echoing through the room. "I had not even expected her to reach you."
Akira furrowed his brow.""Aeon"? What are you talking about?"
The inhuman Jailer chuckled ominously. "You may have acquired her, but don't think her real power will come into fruition so easily...However, just having her with you turns the odds in your favor." Igor proclaimed vaguely. "How interesting..."
"To think our master would give words of praise…" Justine commented quietly, brushing her silver braid.
Caroline struck the cell bars with her baton, glaring at him with a molten gaze. "You better treasure this moment, Inmate!"
"You have encountered allies who share your aesthetics, and you have found your place in reality." Igor continued. "The time has come...Your rehabilitation will soon begin."
Akira narrowed his eyes. "What rehabilitation? I don't understand." He exclaimed in frustration. Why was it always him? Why couldn't they just leave him alone. He didn't ask to be dragged into this. The only thing he wanted was to be able to live peacefully with his friends.
Chuckling, the beaked man gazed at him with pinprick sized pupils. "I shall explain it to you now…" He uncrossed his legs. "You have a special potential. However, that must be refined into a useful power. It is weak now, but refining it shall grant you the strength to stand against the coming ruin...That is the rehabilitation cast upon you."
"Coming ruin..?" Akira questioned hesitantly, looking at the nonhuman with uneasiness. Was something bad going to happen?
Ignoring the teen, Igor continued his explanation. "There are various means by which you may gain the power to resist the ruin. Fighting Shadows and gaining experience is one way." He tapped his heel against the velvet blue carpet. "The fusion process I taught you prior is another."
Caroline turned back to the prisoner. "This is all possible because of our master's guidance, Inmate!" She yelled.
Justine stepped forward. "Though it may be presumptuous of us, we have words of wisdom as well."
Caroline continued after her twin. "When you're out in reality, you better hone your relationships with those you have contracts with!"
Justine cut in. "Spending time with those people...will lead to the cultivation of your relationships with them."
Caroline continued. "If you've got time to waste, you'd better visit your contractors, Inmate!"
Justine nodded. "That is another source of power to evade the ruin that our master has mentioned."
Exhaling through his nostrils, Akira nodded reluctantly. He didn't have a choice. If he was going to be put through this, might as well put his all into it.
Igor tapped his foot. "Thanks to the contracts you've formed, your heart is steadily gaining the power of opposition. It seems the rehabilitation is going well. This is a truly joyous occasion...I shall grant you an ability befitting of your newfound growth. Consider it a gift." He chuckled darkly. "May the devotion to your rehabilitation grow even deeper…I have high hopes of you."
Akira nodded decisively. 'I feel like my bond with Igor is growing deeper...Weird. I guess I can hold more Personas now.'
A shrill noise rang out in the room, piercing his eardrums. "...The time has come. Return to your brief moments of rest." Justine commanded quietly.
"And don't forget to go talk to your contractors, Inmate!" Caroline reminded, smacking the bars with her baton.
His surroundings slowly darkened before fading away, leaving him in oblivion.
With a gasp, he opened his eyes. He stared blankly ahead before registering the dark wooden beams that was his ceiling, pale sunlight streaming in through the windows to his right.
Sitting up, he sighed. 'I hate that place…'
