KS: I really should get to updating my stories more. I can let loose whatever justification I might have, but the fact remains that I've neglected my work. That will change today, rest assured. I can't make any promises on frequent updates, but I will make an effort to give you fine people what you deserve. Anyway, that's enough from me. Enjoy.
Kirimaru University – Room 129
May 1 – 12:10 PM
Kai sat at his desk, looking at the window while the teacher droned on about some subject he didn't care about. He was focused on more pressing matters, like the fact that the university was now under surveillance by Oracle. Many people like him, students and teachers alike, did not take kindly to this unexpected turn of events, but they either keep it to themselves or ensure they are off campus before letting their grievances be known.
But there was another nagging issue that rested in the back of his mind. Namely, the man he encountered at the buffet. He found out about what they did in the Mirror World, and now they're being threatened into doing his bidding or they'll face dire consequences down the road. If he was being honest, it both terrified and frustrated him to no end.
"Kai," Shai said in his mind. "I understand your anxiety wholeheartedly, but worrying over your current circumstances will do you no good."
"I'm doing a lot more than worrying," Kai muttered under his breath. "I'm thinking of how we're going to get out of this hole we're in. That Hiroto has got us all by our throats and will not hesitate to unleash hell should we defy him."
"My words remain the same," Shai replied. "Fretting over what's happened is pointless. All we can do now is move forward from this point onward."
Kai leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily. "I can take a hint, man. No need to be a broken record."
Shai let out a chuckle. "Good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor."
"As if a near-death experience will make me lose that," Kai replied.
The loud crack of a ruler smacking down on his desk caused Kai to yelp and fall out of his chair. Groaning in pain, he looked up at the one responsible, who was none other than Fujimiya, glaring at him with the intensity of a thousand suns.
"Kyozo," she spat at him. "Is my lesson so dull that you felt the need to talk to yourself?"
Kai glanced at her, then at the rest of the class, who were staring right at him.
"Is there an answer that won't get me in trouble?" he asked sheepishly.
Kirimaru University – Faculty Room
1:21 PM
Kai sat in front of Fujimiya, a look of frustration strewn across her features as he glared at the young man. Both of them were alone in the faculty room, and it was deathly silent. Neither person uttered a single word for the past half hour. Eventually, one of them could not take it any longer and decided to speak.
"So… we gonna talk or let this staring contest drag on a bit longer?" Kai asked.
Fujimiya sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I'll be blunt with you, Kyozo. I don't like you, and I know for damn sure you like me even less."
Kai narrowed his eyes at her. "Kinda expected, considering you badmouthed Ishimoto-san a while back."
"I've known the man my whole life," Fujimiya shot back. "Irresponsible and moronic are words that are far too kind to describe a man like him."
"Well, if you knew him as long as I have, you would be singing a whole different tune," Kai responded. "Also, as I mentioned earlier, he helped out after that flood hit our neighborhood long ago."
Fujimiya scoffed and took off her glasses. "Allow me to enlighten you on this valued friend of yours. For as long as I knew the wretch, he was nothing more than a sniveling crook, conning and deceiving people into what he wants. He also took up gambling at a young age and is somehow good at it, which also attributed to his bad attitude. Even worse is that he toyed with girl's hearts like it was nothing. I was one of the few who fell for him, but found out he was just stringing me along. I was a fool back then." She leaned back and crossed her legs. "Feel proud about Ishimoto now, boy?"
Kai blinked in surprised. He truly had no idea the long time friend of his family had such a past. Though in all fairness, he didn't like prying into his personal affairs. Still, he was both amazed and shocked at what he had learned. Regardless, it didn't change his mind on the man.
"I can tell that you're not lying, Fujimiya," he said. "But know that what you told me today won't change my perspective on Ishimoto-san."
"I didn't think it would be easy," Fujimiya admitted with a smile. "No matter. I can make time to enlighten you on how much of a piece of shit he was. You can bet on it."
It felt strange, but Kai felt her somewhat misguided determination.
I am thou… Thou art I…
Thou hast established a new bond…
Thine fate shall be woven from this bond…
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Tower Arcana…
Kai has established the Irate Professor Social Link of the Tower Arcana.
"Anyway, I've wasted enough of our time here," Fujimiya said. "Kindly get your ass out of here so that I can develop your next assignment."
Kai stood up. "No need to tell me twice. I'm out of here."
He walked out of the faculty office, leaving Fujimiya alone.
"That boy has no idea what he's in for," she said, putting on her glasses.
Kirimaru University – Courtyard
1:39 PM
Kai sat on a bench and scrolled though his phone for the latest news. Almost every blog or website he came across just kept going on about last month's incident involving the Trigger, as well as Oracle putting security measures in Kirimaru. It became quite difficult to find anything that was unrelated to either of those events.
"Man, all the news stations are spewing out this crap," he sighed. "Why can't they tell us something nobody knows about, like a breakthrough in medicine or the discovery of a long lost treasure? People are not gonna want to hear stuff they've heard a billion times over."
"Perhaps this is how those in power control the masses," Shai said. "They repeatedly show information that the public is already aware of in an attempt to engrave into their collective unconscious so that it will be all they will talk about."
Kai scratched his head in deep thought. "Collective unconscious, huh? Sounds a lot like textbook brainwashing in my opinion."
Shai chuckled. "It would appear so. But it's obvious that Oracle is using this tactic to make the people believe they are on their side, and I am absolutely certain that the Wireless Puppets will do the same."
"That much we agree on," Kai said. "Though in the case of the Puppets, I doubt they can simply advertise themselves without being tracked and busted. They must have a more hidden way of putting themselves on the map."
"Indeed," Shai replied. "This will only make them more dangerous, so we need to be on our guard."
Kai nodded. "True that."
He stood up and pocketed his phone, preparing to walk elsewhere. Before he could, he saw a student running past him at breakneck speed.
"What the- hey!" he shouted, causing the student to stop and turn around while jogging in place.
"I can't talk, dude!" he shouted back. "Some big shot from Oracle is about to make an announcement!"
Kai widened his eyes. "What? Where did you hear that?"
"Some guys at the library talked about it!" the student replied. "They're showing it at the cafeteria right now!" He ran off, leaving Kai bewildered.
"A big shot from Oracle? I've got a bad feeling about this."
"As do I, partner," Shai said. "We need to reach the cafeteria immediately."
"Took the words right out of my mouth," Kai replied, breaking into a fast run of his own.
Kirimaru University – Cafeteria
1:52 PM
By the time Kai had reached the cafeteria, it was crowded with people, students and teachers alike as they watched the announcement about to commence on the multiple television screens bolted to the pillars. The room was filled with so much chatter, it would be impossible to hear oneself think.
"Hey," he said to a random student. "Did I miss anything?"
"No, you're just in time," the student replied. "Though to be honest, I don't know why the hell I'm here. Oracle always had a habit of cutting off what little freedom we have an making a goddamn announcement for it. Why is this different?"
Kai shrugged. "I guess we'll find out."
After a few seconds have passed, a woman with a serious expression stepped up to the podium. She had pale skin, short black hair and blue eyes. She had a slender frame, wearing a black suit and tie.
"Good afternoon, citizens of Naniwa," the woman said in a militaristic tone. "My name is Kana Nakano, the Chief Technical Officer of Oracle Solutions. Many of you are currently wondering what this announcement is about. I have been given the privilege of enlightening you."
There was silence after that. Everyone in the cafeteria held their breath, not making a sound. The tension was beyond palpable. Everyone's mind was fluttered with worry.
"Silence… this is not a good sign," Shai said.
Kai could only nod in response.
Eventually, the CTO spoke once more.
"We are going to upgrade and rework our security system. The implementation of additional cameras, updated passes and more armed guards at check points. In addition, we will be now using drones to better monitor the city and immediately catch acts of wrongdoing before they start. These changes will occur near the end of this month. Further details will be disclosed at a later date. From everyone at Oracle, we humbly thank you for your continued support."
She bowed deeply, and the screen changed to a picture of Oracle's logo: a pair of hands lifting a globe into the air. Once the announcement was finished, the whole cafeteria went into uproar, utterly enraged by what they heard.
"Where the hell do they get off with this crap?! Are they trying to make us feel more uncomfortable than before?!"
"Continued support, my ass! Those assholes are just dishing out more excuses to keep us trapped like animals!"
"Why don't they all just get shot?! The Puppets should knock them down a peg or two!"
The roaring became too much for Kai as he moved his way through the angry crowed and exited the cafeteria, letting out a sigh of frustration.
"I knew it be bad, but this is nuts," he said. "They're acting like animals out there."
"I know," Shai agreed. "And you can bet this will embolden Oracle in this new plan they have announced. I can imagine the whole city will be in a complete uproar over this."
"On top of that, support for the Puppets is sure to get more support this way," Kai added. "At least it can't get any worse."
No sooner did Kai say that, his phone began to buzz. He took it out, and saw he had received a text message from an anonymous source.
"Who the hell did this come from?"
Kai opened up the next message, and immediately paled at what was typed.
Nakano is your next target. Take her down or face serious repurcusions.
Best regards, Hiroto Saburo
Kai released another sigh, hitting his face with the palm of his hand.
"This is what I get for opening my damn mouth."
KS: Kai has unlocked another Social Link, but even more trouble has occured now that Oracle's CTO has announced an increase in their security measures. What's worse is that Hiroto has given the proverbal kill order for Kai and company to follow. How will they go about this new development?
Also, while I have you guys here, I'd like to talk you about where this story is headed. As you already know, Persona Imagining Project differs from most Persona fics and possibly the main game series because it will focus on two antagonistic factions: the Wireless Puppets, a radical group looking to free the people by extreme measures, and Oracle Solutions, a multibillion conglomerate with a focus on surveillance and security. I've already introduced the first boss from the Puppets' side, but now I'd like to talk about Oracle's bosses. You may remember in Persona 5 that the main bosses represent the Seven Deadly Sins. Well, Oracle is going to represent the Seven Heavenly Virtues. Now I know most of you are wondering aloud: "KnightSpark, how can a boss be a representive of one of humanity's positive traits?" That answer is simple. I want to create a situation where a person's positive trait becomes the reason for their antagonist nature. After all, the brighter the light, the bigger the shadow, no pun intended. I have an idea for what Nakano's virtue will be, but I'm just gonna leave you all guessing on what it is. Anyway, that's all from me. I hope all of you enjoy this chapter and am looking forwards for more. Peace out.
