Getting off the train, they walked Airi to her job before strolling around the mall. Ann perused the stores while Akira followed after her patiently. There didn't seem to be any indication of a stalker nearby, but he might as well hang with her anyway. She was his teammate and friend too. Out of the whole group, he knew her the least.

Deciding not buying anything, they headed to the diner for food. Grabbing the nearest table, they ordered some coffee. They sat in silence with their steaming cups, not sure what to talk about. "Hey, um…" Ann began. "There's something I want to talk to you about, Akira." She took a deep breath. "...It's Shiho."

Blinking, he looked at her questioningly. "Is she OK?" He asked quietly. He only knew she had woken up, and that Ann had continued visiting her.

She nodded, idly twirling a ponytail. "Well…You know that Airi and I have been visiting her in the hospital. She hasn't come with me recently because she's been so busy. Shiho...She said she was sorry." She looked down sullenly. "Sorry for not telling me about Kamoshida...about all the things he was doing to her…"

She clenched her hands. "But it was my fault too. I didn't realize how much trouble she was in...I wasn't there for her...I didn't even know how bad it was until Airi told me that I realized what was happening." She stated grimly. "So, I apologized as well."

Akira looked at her sympathetically. "She's so strong." He smiled slightly. Was it something about Tokyo that all the girls he knew had wills of steel?

Ann perked up. "Isn't she?" She giggled. "Shiho really is a great girl. I'm glad I finally got to tell her everything I couldn't bring myself to say before. And, um…" She uncrossed her legs. "Remember how Kamoshida threatened to take Shiho off the team if I didn't sleep with him?" She bit her lip, baby blue eyes darkening at the memory. "I had only agreed to it so that I wouldn't ruin Shiho's dreams...But now that I think about it, he never would have put her on the bench and cost his team games…"

She sneered. "I seriously should have dared him to try and take her starting spot." She slumped. "...But in the end, maybe I just didn't believe in her ability."

He pursed his lips. "You can't blame yourself. This is all still Kamoshida's fault."

She looked up at him. "You think so…?" She murmured. "But...it all happened because I was weak. That's why I believed Kamoshida's authority outweighed Shiho's own ability to earn her starting spot."

She rubbed her head. "Akira, do you remember the last time I talked to you like this? When I got that phone call from Kamoshida...and cried." She mentioned reluctantly, closing her eyes. "I felt so alone...scared, even…But because you and Airi were there for me, I decided not to go. I was a little surprised at how pushy you two were about it...but I see now you just wanted to help..." She grinned. "Thanks."

He gave her an encouraging smile. "It was no big deal. We couldn't just ignore you." He replied modestly.

She rested her chin against her palm. "You're so kind, Akira. Back then," Her eyes darkened. "People used to call me all sorts of names…"Prissy bitch," "Kamoshida's girl"...I got tired of it pretty quickly. I know I could have gone to Airi about it, but then I'd be dragging her into that mess..." She pursed her lips. "But to tell you the truth, someday I want to be able to take labels like that in stride."

She gazed at him determinedly. "Hey, um...Personas are the power of the heart, right? That means if my heart gets stronger, my Persona will too."

Listening intently, Akira nodded, taking a sip from his coffee.

"So…" Ann took a deep breath. "I want to strengthen my heart. And I want to use that strength to help the people around me. I hope we can save people from trouble, just like we did when we changed Kamoshida's heart." She leaned back in her seat. "Though honestly...I don't even know what "strong" is."

She sighed. "Sometimes, when I think "strong," I think of Airi, and when she tried to save Shiho that time...I want to find the courage to act like that. I'm going to find my own answer, I promise."

Akira smiled at her determination. "Let's find it together. You, me, Airi, Ryuji, and Morgana." He declared. "We're a team, remember?"

She looked at him in surprise. "Huh? Really?!" A grin grew on her lips. "Thanks! I feel like I'm a little stronger already!" She giggled. "I guess that doesn't really count though, huh?" She smirked. "Well...I'll be relying on you. Let's train together and make our hearts super strong!" She pumped her fist.

He nodded in agreement. 'I sense a heightened motivation from Ann…' He noted, finishing off his coffee in one go.

"A strong heart, hmm…" She hummed thoughtfully before perking up. "How about this: I won't get any refills on fountain drinks! I mean, they're free, so not getting any would mean you have a strong heart!"

Akira sweatdropped. "Err, I don't think that's…"

Ann blinked. "...Is that not right? Well, whatever." She shrugged, finishing her coffee. "I think I'm going to head home now. Thanks so much for coming out with me to hear my troubles." She gave him a grateful smile.

She called over the waitress for the check, and after paying their bill, they left the diner. He walked her to the station just in case, though she didn't say she felt like there was anyone watching them.

Checking his phone, he realized it had only been an hour. 'I could hang out with Ryuji…' He pondered, before nodding. It was good to bond with his new friends. Texting the punk, he took the train back to the school.

Sitting on the train, Morgana popped its head out. "Are you going to hang out with Ryuji now?"

He nodded. "I have the time." He replied quietly.

It sighed. "More sitting around in the locker room, huh…"

Akira winced. He hadn't considered how the feline was basically forced to wait for him. "Sorry." He whispered.

Shaking its head, it yawned, showing its tiny pink tongue. "Don't worry, it's actually pretty tiring listening in on your lessons and conversations." It remarked, going back inside the bag.


Getting back to the school, he walked over to the boy's locker room to change into the gym uniform. Leaving the jacket unzipped like always, he exited out into the courtyard where Ryuji was doing a couple of stretches, putting his weight on one leg and straightening out the other.

He looked up at him with a grin. "Yo, Let's go!" Jumping up, he sprinted away, starting his laps.

Exhaling softly, Akira went after him at a slower pace. They ran a couple of laps around the school with Ryuji sprinting as fast as he could.

It was about an hour later that they began slowing down, the punk in front of him starting to stumble. They made it back to the courtyard where they started and Ryuji almost collapsed on the spot, holding himself up by his knees. "Ugh, dammit!" He cursed, panting. "I wanna move better, but I just can't...I was trainin' for nationals back in the day..." He gritted. "But now I totally suck balls."

Stopping behind him, Akira looked sympathetically. Screw Kamoshida for ruining so many people's dreams.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

They looked over at who spoke. The school should've been empty by this hour. Three male students walked up to them, also wearing the Shujin Academy gym uniform. They weren't anyone Akira knew.

Straightening up, Ryuji's eyes widened in surprise. "Nakaoka...Takeishi…" He breathed.

Akira looked back and forth between them, noting the tension. 'I guess they know each other.'

The tanned one, Nakaoka, sneered. "...Running, huh? I saw you from the window."

Takeishi scoffed, adjusting his blue sports band. "What, you gonna try to come crawling back to the track team?"

Taken aback, Ryuji tightened his lips. "Huh? H-Hell no…" He replied weakly.

Nakaoka frowned. "Sure...Speaking of which, this was your secret training spot, wasn't it?" He looked around at the courtyard space. "Well, it's our spot now." He declared. "You know, us. The former track team."

Takeishi nodded. "We don't even have a locker room anymore, thanks to someone I know." He glared directly at his ex-trackmate.

Pursing his lips, Ryuji looked down guiltily, not saying anything.

Akira looked at him worriedly and decided to step in. "Let's not fight." He mediated, walking in between his friend and his former team.

He looked up at him. "We ain't fightin'..." He muttered.

Nakaoka turned to the bespectacled teen. "Yeah, this isn't anything like a fight. Not even close." He remarked, before squinting at him. "Hold on, aren't you that transfer student? You're really gonna hang around with this loser?"

Akira narrowed his eyes at the insult to his friend, resting his hands in his pockets to hide his clenched fists. He could hang out with whoever he wanted, thanks. It's not like people were lining up to be his friend.

The third ex-track team member piped up. "You better watch out. He'll hit you the second he gets pissed off." He warned mockingly. "I heard his dad was the same way. Like father like son, right? Now that's some scary shit."

Affronted, Ryuji stomped his foot in front of him. "That don't got anything to do with this…" He growled, glaring darkly at his former teammates.

Akira glanced at him, frowning softly. He shouldn't lose his cool. "Calm down, Ryuji."

Dark eyes slid to him, and Ryuji straightened up. "...You're right." He exhaled.

Nakaoka stared at them in surprise.

Resting his thumbs in his pockets, Ryuji looked at them apologetically. "Look, back then, I…" "I don't need to hear your excuses." Nakaoka interrupted, frowning deeply.

"Everyone was going through the same bullshit with Kamoshida. The beatings, the impossible exercises...but we put up with all of it for the track team." Clenching his fists, the tanned athlete walked up to Ryuji, glaring straight at his face. "But no. You had to go and fuck all of that up!" He shook his head angrily. "Man, I was stupid for ever thinking you were my teammate."

He turned around, Ryuji facing his back. "...That's all I have to say to you. I'm outta here." He walked away, the two ex-track team members following.

Akira exhaled, glad that the confrontation was over.

Ryuji groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "...I nearly smacked him when he was talkin' about my dad...I haven't changed at all..." He whispered bitterly.

"You're trying." He assured, shifting in place.

Ryuji turned to him, a smile growing on his lips. "Y'know...you actually helped me calm down a little. I'm glad you were here with me." He grinned. "Thanks, man!" He held up his hand.

Smirking, He lifted his hand up as well, and they high fived. 'I feel like my bond with Ryuji is growing deeper…' He reflected silently.

He rolled his shoulder, groaning. "...Let's call it a day. We still got school tomorrow." Akira nodded, about to head back inside to change into some more comfortable clothes.

"Hey, Nakaoka! Why didn't you kick his ass?!"

The two looked off into the distance, seeing Takeishi yelling at Nakaoka. "What?" Nakaoka sputtered.

"The hell's your problem?!" Takeishi shouted.

Raising an eyebrow, Ryuji crossed his arms. "Now they're just arguing with each other...I should stay out of it." He sighed, turning back around. "Anyways, nice trainin' with you." He grinned at Akira, who nodded.

They went back to the locker room to change, before parting ways.


Akira sighed, now in his usual black sports jacket and blue jeans. It had been a long day. Sitting on a bench at a nearby park, he let Morgana out of his bag. "I'm gonna sit here for a bit. Why don't you stretch your legs?"

Stretching out its body, it yawned. "Yeah, I need the exercise." It agreed. "I'm gonna get lazy being in your bag." It jumped down, sniffing at plants curiously and running around.

Akira watched with a small smile, taking his phone out of his pocket. Scrolling through the news, he decided to check out the Phan-site. Dragging his thumb up, he went through countless posts of "I want my boyfriend to apologize to me" and "My friend didn't give me back something" before giving up.

Sighing, he checked the time. 'Airi's getting off soon. I could meet up with her and go home together.' He blushed slightly at the thought. It wasn't like they lived together, but at this point, her house and even Cafe Leblanc felt more like home than his house back in Mishima. Smiling fondly, he thought back to the times they studied together, just the two of them.

He could admit to himself that he was definitely hogging her from the others, but it wasn't as if it she didn't reciprocate. As a class president, she spent a lot of time with him instead of worrying about how their their class would take it. Was it really OK for someone like her to be with him?

"What are you smiling about?"

Startled, he quickly turned. Morgana stared up at him curiously, lazily waving its tail back and forth.

"Ah, nothing." He replied evasively.

It narrowed its blue eyes. "Must be nice to be so close to Lady Airi, huh." It remarked, giving him a knowing look.

Blushing at the accusation, he looked away. "I guess…" He answered vaguely.

Morgana brushed its whiskers. "Well, it's not any of my business. But if you hurt her…" It trailed off, glaring at him.

Akira smirked lightly. "She'll be happy to know you're so protective of her." He gave the feline a couple of scritches.

It involuntarily purred before shaking him off and jumping into his bag.

Shouldering it, he went to the station and took a train to Shibuya.


It was evening now, and the streets were brightly lit with all the TV screens and lights of Shibuya. He was always surprised to see so many people walking around even after the sun had set. Every store in his hometown closed before 7PM, and to see places that were open for 24HRs was mind boggling. The city was infinitely more convenient than the countryside.

Walking out of the station, he headed down to Central Street to grab a dinner before picking Airi up from work. He was pretty hungry and she wouldn't be off for a while anyway.

"...There have been far too many incidents recently to ignore! Can anyone deny this?"

Ears perking up, Akira turned. It was the same politician who spoke out against the mental shutdowns and adults taking advantage of the younger generation.

He hummed thoughtfully, stopping in front of the man to listen to his speech. Morgana snuck out of his bag, leaning on his shoulder.

"The runaway-train incident, mysterious psychotic breakdowns, a school with corrupt teachers…" The politician continued, gesturing out to his minuscule audience. Only a few people had stopped to listen, the vast majority ignoring him. "We have yet to discover the truth of it all! The apathy that permeates society is a direct result of negligence by our government and the media."

The man gazed at the people, stopping at Akira. "...You're listening quite attentively." He remarked. "Are you interested in politics?"

Blinking, Akira nodded. "I am interested." He replied politely.

The man looked at him thoughtfully. "Are you a student? I'm delighted to captivate the interest of someone your age." He expressed, giving him a small smile. "..Hmmm, I could use the help of a young person, but I can't hire someone without any experience. I'm sorry about that. However, I'd be happy if you stopped by to hear one of my speeches again." He inclined his head. "...Well then, that's all for today. I'm heading to the gyudon shop…"

Akira nodded. "I'll be sure to do that." He promised, giving a small bow before walking away. He saw out of the corner of his eye that the politician took his little step board and walked toward Central Street.

"Eating at the gyudon shop, huh? Pretty humble preferences for a politician." Morgana commented, waving it's tail in the cool evening air. "That guy seemed to want some help...He isn't very popular, but his speech-giving skills might be helpful in the Metaverse."

Akira hummed thoughtfully. It would certainly be interesting learning from a real politician. He nodded.

"Hey," Morgana perked up. "You should work part-time at the beef bowl shop. If he sees you working hard, maybe he'll let you help him."

Akira looked at it questioningly. "Now?" He asked, raising a brow.

It nodded. "Why not, we have time right now."

Pursing his lips, he exhaled, heading down into the underground walkway. Walking up to the job advertisement stands, he grabbed the one for the exact gyudon shop on Central Street and dialed the number. "Hello, my name is Kurusu Akira. I'm calling about the job offer at Ore no Beko." He answered politely.

"Oh yes, if you can make it tonight, you're hired. We need all the help. You're a high school student, I'm guessing? I'll let you move around your schedule." The man on the phone offered.

That was fast. "All right, I'll come in right now."

"Great. Just come right in and knock on the employees only door." They hung up.

Exhaling, he walked back above ground, making his way to the restaurant. Walking through the automatic sliding doors, he maneuvered around the full restaurant, hugging his bag to himself. Making it to the employees only door, he knocked twice.

The door opened, showing a man in a suit. "Oh, you're the new part-timer right? I've been expecting you. Here." He shoved a plastic wrapped bundle in his arms. "This will be your uniform. Please change into it in the bathroom and come back."

Bowing, Akira did what he was instructed, changing into the blue polo shirt with an orange cross, a blue apron, black slacks, and a blue cap. Walking back to the employees room, he knocked twice and walked in, standing at attention with his hands clasped in front of him.

The manager got up from his desk. "Good, the uniform fits. No need to introduce yourself. I actually need you to start working right away. Do you have any questions about the job?"

Akira blinked hesitantly. What? He didn't have to sign anything, or show ID? "...What does the work entail?" He asked tentatively.

"Take customers' orders, prep them, serve them, ring them up, and then clean the store." The manager answered immediately. "The meals are all ready-made, so it should be simple. Just make sure you're nice to the customers, OK?" He urged nonchalantly.

Taken aback by the mass of responsibilities, Akira stared with slightly wide eyes. "Are there any other employees?"

The manager sighed. "Not quite. Our budget's been cut despite being short-staffed...so you'll have to do everything alone. You're a spry young dude, right? You'll be fine. I'll pay you more to make up for the extra work!" He incentivized, looking at the youth optimistically. "OK, I need to head out for a bit! Keep an eye on the shop until I get back." He appointed, leaving the office.

Akira sweatdropped. 'Just me then…' He thought bleakly. His first job in a restaurant and he was all alone without any other experienced workers to watch him.

Leaving his bag on a nearby chair, Morgana popped out, giving him an incredulous look. "This job is ludicrous. You have to do everything all by yourself from the very beginning?" It shook its head. "Oh well. Just give it your best shot, I guess. I'll be cheering you on."

Taking a deep breath, Akira left the room and immediately went behind the counters. First he served some of the bowls to the customers, then took the dirty dishes to wash, then wiped the counters. Over and over again.

Washing the dishes, he was internally panicking. 'This job is so stressful…!' He yelled in his mind. "Hey, the meat's done. You'll burn it if you let it cook any longer." Morgana whispered frantically, sitting in the bag in the back counter.

He rushed to the back, taking the beef off the grill and dividing them between the bowls.

"That customer there wants to order takeout. Who has time to prepare that..?" Morgana gawked, gesturing over to the corner.

Hurriedly running back to the front, he took the takeout order as politely as he could before sprinting back to the stoves, throwing the pre-prepared meal on the grill. He panted quietly, sweat pouring down his forehead from the intense workout. He took a cold beef bowl that someone mistakenly ordered and quickly shoveled it in his mouth, starving after not eating for so long. Airi's lunch wasn't enough.

Running back to the front, he washed the dishes deliriously. Scrubbing a stubborn stain, he noticed that the politician from before was watching him work. Biting his lip, he threw the now clean bowls into the dryer, before rushing to box the takeout order.


"Thank you, please come again." He stated, bowing quickly to the departing customer.

He sighed. His shift was almost done, and the shop only had a few customers left, all of them with a meal in front of them. He let his shoulders slump, exhausted from how intense the job was. 'Why did I do this again…? Oh right, gotta learn for the team.' He reminded himself weakly.

He heard the doors slide open, and he turned to greet the customer. "Welcome to Ore no Beko!" He bowed quickly.

"...A-Akira?"