Chapter 1 changelog:

29/3/2020: Changed a bit in the Author's Note which caused a bit of confusion.

Saturday, April 9th, 20XX

The bell rang, signaling the end of another day at Shujin Academy.

Frankly, there were so many of those types of days that Saya Anakazen was starting to hope for something to happen.

"Yo! Saya!" came the voice of Saya's classmate Ryuji Sakamoto, a dyed-blond, hot-headed boy whom she'd met and befriended a few weeks ago. "You free today? I was thinkin' I'd hop by your shrine."

Saya shrugged. "Sure. What for?"

"Well, I just wanted to…vent, I guess."

Saya never thought ofRyuji as a religious person(and he wasn't), but he did seem to find comfort whenever he was at the Anakuzen Shrine. Sometimes he prayed, even, usually for his mother. The boy was pretty nice once you got to know him.

Her calm personality and kindness also seemed to be the perfect outlet for Ryuji's frustrations, as he seemed to need someone who could understand and sympathize with him.

"Alright, then. I'll wait for you at the entrance, unless you've got nothing else you need to do…"

"Hey, did you hear the rumors?" Ryuji said on their way to Saya's shrine. "Apparently, there's going to be a transfer student in Ann's class."

"Uh-huh."

"The other students say he has a criminal record, though. Assault or something like that. A few say it's something worse, although if you ask me, if you're 16 years old and you killed someone you'd be in prison, not school."

A transfer student with a criminal record? "That's…interesting. In Ann's class, you say? That's Ms. Kawakami's class, right?"

"Yeah."

"I just hope the rumors aren't true. The others love exaggerating, after all."

It wasn't long before they reached the Anakuzen Shrine, located near Yongen-Jaya, a train ride away from their school. Saya would often stay for a while at the shrine before going home. "Wait here, Ryuji – I need to go home and change, my apartment's just a short walk away."

"Sure thing."

The Anakuzen Shrine was rather small. And apparently lesser-known, too – in fact, when Ryuji arrived, there was no one around. The shrine had only one (full-time) miko to maintain it: Saya.

However, this place of religion had been around for more than a decade – it had been maintained in the past by Saya's mother, Eri, and during her time the shrine was more popular. Now, falling into disrepair with little money to fix it, the place was a shadow of its former self.

Saya wished she could do something about it. God, she really wished she did. But she herself was a bigger priority.

"This place is crumbling, man." Ryuji pointed out. "Can't you fix it up or something? No offense, but you won't get visitors like this."

"I don't have the money." Saya replied, as she always did when a question of similar vein was asked. "Most I can do is keep the grounds clean. Things that are falling apart, like the torii gate? It costs a lot to fix it, and I don't have a lot."

"Nothing you can do about it, huh? That's sad."

The shrine maiden shrugged. "That's life. Anyway, what was it that you were angry about?"

It didn't take long for her to realize the topic was once again their PE teacher, Suguru Kamoshida. Apparently, he was an Olympic volleyball gold medalist, and the school was proud of it. Ryuji, however, only saw this as fuel for his hatred towards the man.

She was starting to get bored. If this was going to be Saya's life, maintaining a run-down shrine and listening to friends vent their frustrations, she wanted something to change. Bad.

And there was still something stirring inside her, something that would inevitably affect Saya in ways she could never have seen.

Monday, April 11th, 20XX

It all began one morning, when she was walking to school on a rainy day (God bless umbrellas) – and saw Ryuji talking to a frizzy-haired boy wearing glasses.

"I've never seen that boy before." Saya thought. "Is he…the transfer student?"

But she thought little of it, and kept going.

Saya, however, didn't expect Ryuji to be half a day late that day. Half. A. Day.

She was worried. The shrine maiden had silently prayed for his safety as classes kept going without him.

Then she was pissed that Ryuji had made her worry. So when she confronted him after school, one could feel the murderous aura emanating from around her.

Silent, calculated fury was stronger than unchained anger, it seemed. Scarier, too. In fact, few things could really scare Ryuji, but one of them was the sight of the familiar long wave of black hair walking towards him with killing intent.

"Uh…Saya, look! I'll explain! OK?"

"It had better be good, or you'll be the whole day late tomorrow."

If you knew Saya, those words were enough to make even a 'delinquent' like Ryuji gulp. Hell hath no fury like a miko scorned. She even mentioned his broken leg, which would have angered him if it was someone else.

It didn't exactly help Ryuji's situation that his story wasn't exactly the most believable. It was all he had though.

When Ryuji finished, Saya seemed stunned. So much, in fact, that Ryuji had to snap her out of it. "Hey, Saya! Are you even listenin'?"

"O-oh! Right." She cleared her throat. "Okay, so…let me get this straight. You…got stuck in a castle ruled by some 'king' version of Kamoshida, the gym teacher, and the boy you were traveling with turned into some sort of superpowered phantom thief with…what was it, a Persona? And you met a talking cat who also has that power?"

"I'm telling you, it's all true!" Ryuji seemed to be genuine though, even if what he said was too crazy to be true.

A normal person would have dismissed it immediately. Saya, however, was a Shinto shrine maiden, so she had more tolerance for this sort of supernatural fantasy. And…there's was just something about his story…

That said…

"Uh…huh. I'm gonna need to see proof."

Ryuji wasn't sure how he'd prove the existence of the Metaverse – until he remembered his phone. "Oh, right! There's something on my phone, I need you to see it!"

"What? Pictures?"

"No, it's an app…Look! See this eye?"

Saya looked at where Ryuji was pointing on his phone and saw an icon of a black and white eye against a red background. The name below it said 'Metaverse Navigator'.

"OK, OK, fine. Let's say I believe you for now. Are you absolutely sure that…king was Kamoshida, though?"

"Yes! I mean…not really. I mean…I dunno, honestly. You know what, just…" In his frustration to try and prove himself right to her, Ryuji said something that would inadvertently change Saya's life forever. "Just meet me and Akira after school tomorrow and I'll show you what I mean…if I can get back there."

"Hmph. Fine."

Saya tried to act like she was skeptical, perhaps indifferent. At first she really was. But after she parted ways with Ryuji, the shrine maiden could not stop thinking about his story.

She didn't think that this "cognitive world" existed, but a part of her hoped that it did.

You see, Saya is…a fairly restless person. Although seemingly content with being a high-school miko, she'd always wanted something new in her life. Something exciting.

Something about being a phantom thief with superpowers fighting evil in an alternate world appealed to the thrill-seeker within her. The "phantom thief" part, for one. Saya was, ironically, a girl who both desired and shied away from the limelight, someone who wanted to be known widely, but not personally known widely. Being a phantom thief was the perfect chance to accomplish this, as it allowed her to perform feats while concealing her identity.

She was also a kind person, as one would expect from phantom thieves, vigilantes who do what they do because they are fed up with the injustices dished out by corrupt figures of authority. She wanted the Anakuzen Shrine to be a haven for those suffering in life, those who needed comfort and support during their times of need. One shrine maiden probably would not be enough, but she could at least try.

Likely it was also because, as Ryuji put it, Saya "doesn't give a damn", as in doing things without thinking twice. She was rather impulsive sometimes.

But most importantly, somehow, what Ryuji told her wasn't as strange as it was supposed to be. Somehow, Saya felt she'd heard something like that before.

However, she needed confirmation. Something more than a tardiness excuse from who was considered a delinquent.

Throughout the afternoon, Saya learned more about the transfer student.

His name was Akira Kurusu, he was in Ann's class, and he did, apparently, have a criminal record. He'd already achieved quite a bit of infamy on his first day – not surprising, considering he was half the day late.

Crammed into a tightly-jammed train in the Shibuya subway, Saya begin to wonder what he was really like, if Ryuji's stories were true.

...Did I mention Saya was also a coffee drinker? No? Because she is. There wasn't really a better way to wind down after shrine work, and for some unknown reason the caffeine very rarely affected her sleep, even if she drank it in the evening(and she often did).

Oh, and her favorite place to hang out aside from her shrine was a little place called Café Leblanc. Yep, the stars are aligning.

The jingle of a bell signaled to Sojiro Sakura that another person had entered his shop. It was a regular: Saya Anakuzen, a 2nd year student at Shujin Academy – coincidentally the same school his new ward was going to.

"Hello, Sakura-san." Saya greeted.

"Ah, Saya." Sojiro replied, rather gruffly this time. "What will it be today?"

Saya took her seat at the counter, as she always did. "Mmm…the usual, please."

"So a frappe, then. Coming right up."

As Saya waited for her drink, she noticed that Sojiro seemed a bit agitated. Naturally curious, she wondered why.

Just then, in walked a boy with black, frizzy hair, glasses, and the Shujin uniform.

When Sojiro saw him, he sighed. "Hey, Akira. I got an interesting call from your school today."

Saya seemed to recognize him from somewhere. "He matches the description of the person Ryuji said he was with…"

Meanwhile, an exasperated Sojiro asked the boy, "It's only your first day and you're already showing up hours late?"

"…Yep, that's him." The barista's words confirmed his identity to Saya.

"Well…" Akira scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that."

Sojiro just shook his head. "And here I thought you got up and left on time this morning." He sighed again. "Look, just behave yourself. Your life's forfeit if anything happens. You understand the meaning of probation, right?"

"And he does have a criminal record…but for what, though?" Saya mused.

Akira simply replied, "I do."

"OK, then." At that point he'd finished Saya's drink, and delivered the cold treat to his waiting customer. "Here, Saya."

"Thanks." The miko smiled. She then turned to Akira. "Hey, are you Akira Kurusu, by any chance?"

It was only then that Akira noticed Saya sitting there. "Oh. Yes, that's…me. Why do you ask?" For some reason, he had a bad feeling about this. Maybe it was because all the rumors about him he'd heard while at school.

"Do you know Ryuji Sakamoto, by any chance?"

Was that the boy who went with him into the castle that morning? "I think so. Blonde hair, a bit vulgar?"

"Yep." Saya sipped from her drink before continuing. "He's actually a pretty nice guy once you get to know him. He's just…bitter, I guess. Especially about Suguru Kamoshida, the gym teacher. Ryuji hates him with a passion."

Then, Sojiro's phone rang. "Hey, what's up?...Yeah, I just closed up shop. I'll be there in half an hour."

"Wh-what?" Those words took Saya aback. "You're…closing already?"

The barista covered his phone and turned to her. "Officially, yes, but since you're a regular I could let you stay a bit longer. Akira, make sure she leaves at nine, and don't forget to lock the door and turn all the lights off before you go to bed, OK?"

Akira nodded again. Sojiro went back to his call. "…No, I just hired a part-timer. Yup, I'm leaving now."

Once Sojiro left, Saya turned around to face Akira, who had just returned from upstairs. "Perfect. I need to talk to you. Preferably in private."

"Wait, wait, who are you?" The boy seemed surprised.

"Oh right, I haven't introduced myself." She stood up, and offered her hand to shake. "I'm Saya Anakuzen, 2nd-year student at Shujin Academy. Nice to meet you."

After a bit of reluctance, Akira shook her hand. "Akira Kurusu. Also a 2nd-year student at Shujin Academy, albeit a newly transferred one. It's a pleasure."

"Alright! Well, now that's out of the way, Akira, we're going to have a long talk."

"…Does this have something to do with me running late today?" He batted an eye.

"A lot. Sit down."

Akira tried to hide his growing discomfort as he sat down on the seat beside her.

"So." Saya began. "When I asked Ryuji why he'd ran late, he told me a very interesting story."

"Shoot, he spilled about the castle?!" Akira thought, frowning.

"First of all. Are you going to back him? He did name you as the guy who went with him, after all."

"…Do I hide this from her? Or…" "Yeah."

"Huh. Interesting." Saya sipped from her cold drink again. "Well, you see, I'm quite the skeptic. I'm also curious. Do you plan on going back to this…castle, if it exists?"

He didn't like where this was going. "…Probably. I want to know more about it, and I think Ryuji does, too."

"Then take me with you."

"…What?" Of all the things Saya could have said, nothing could have surprised him more. Immediately, his instinct was to tell her to back out. "Saya, we're not even sure if that place exists, and even if it did, it's dangerous. Ryuji and I would have died if I hadn't gotten my…Persona or whatever."

"I. Don't. Care." The shrine maiden now seemed to have some unbreakable resolve. "Listen, I want in on this, and you're going to let me in, whether you like it or not. If you don't let me, I'll tail you. If this 'castle' truly doesn't exist, then I'll act like nothing happened. But, Akira, I swear to God, I will find out what's going on."

Akira realized he had no choice. Ryuji was hellbent on finding the castle again, and this Saya girl was just as hellbent on following them into said castle. If it existed. He didn't know what was going on anymore.

"…Fine." He sighed, then pointed to Saya's almost-empty cup of coffee. "Are you gonna finish that? It's getting late, and I need to close up shop now."

"Oh, right. Yes, I will finish that, just one minute."

Once she stepped out of Café Leblanc, Saya paused for a while. It seemed she was lost in thought.

A lightbulb flashed within her. "I know now. I know where I might have heard something like that before. I know why this sounded so familiar."

She ran home. She ran home as fast as her legs could carry her.

When she arrived at her apartment, she barely slowed down. Saya threw down her bag on the sofa, raced into her bedroom, and opened up her closet.

Hidden in a corner inside was a set of small notebooks with numbers stuck on them. She took out a random book – "5", the last one – and started flipping the pages.

She recognized some of the words in the book.

Persona. Shadows. Palace.

This meant something. Saya knew that she was nearing the answer to this one mystery that had tormented her in the past 2 years.

"Akira Kurusu, Ryuji Sakamoto, please, let your story be true. It has to be." She prayed under her breath.

I'm going to start out by saying this:

I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.

This story was written more on a whim than absolutely anything else, and by the time I'd finished this very first chapter, there were still a lot of important questions about Saya I didn't answer.

Here's what I DID have an answer to as of now: Her motives, her codename, how there's going to be a Palace revolving around her, her relationships with the Phantom Thieves, when she's going to join them, stuff like that.

Now, there's a big problem here. Namely…WHAT THE HELL IS HER PERSONA GOING TO BE?!

At the very least, I did give myself quite some time to decide. Man, finding Personas is the hardest part of creating an OC.

Which reminds me, there's another really important thing I need to establish:

Saya will not awaken to her Persona until between Madarame and Kaneshiro's Palaces.

Now, don't take this the wrong way – she actually "joins" the Phantom Thieves during Kamoshida's Palace, before Ann. However, Saya is more of the team's tactician/sideline support/whatever, as she doesn't become a proper Phantom Thief then. Think of her as a Persona 5 version of…Ashley from Resident Evil 4, except she's helpful, can actually fight later on, and way, way less annoying.

One more thing: I'm a person who tends to have second thoughts. And third. And fourth. So I'm going to keep a changelog for each individual chapter at the top, in case I want to go back and change something.

I think that's all I need to say for now. What do you guys think? Will this be a Persona 5 OC fic to match the likes of The World Is Ours? Or will it be an absolute flaming trainwreck that should never have been? Well, there's only one way to find out.

Stay tuned!