Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Persona: Wings of Liberation
Chapter 10
Preparations Part 2
4/17
Early Morning
Kazuya woke up in the tower yet again, standing upright. Philemon was standing before him. Kazuya wondered just why Philemon brought him here. He approached Philemon before two other people materialized into the tower. The first was Shiho and the second was Sophia.
"Huh?" Shiho muttered as she looked around, "This place…"
"How did I get here?" Sophia asked.
"Shiho? Sophia? What are you two doing here?" Kazuya asked.
"I summoned them here so that we could have a sort of meeting." Philemon said, "First thing's first, I would like to congratulate you on obtaining another ally who will follow you on your journey through this conflicted world."
Journey… that word became the most forefront thought in his mind. He could not help but wonder what Philemon meant when he said journey. But perhaps maybe now he could find out what Philemon meant by his "journey".
"My journey through a conflicted world?" Kazuya asked.
"That is correct." Philemon said, "As you have no doubt seen it already, the world is conflicted and so are the people living in it. The world is affected by distortions within the cognitive world. The people affected by these distortions have become mangled human beings who have lost themselves to their desires that have become distorted. They instigate conflict with other human beings and make others suffer to fuel their desires."
"I get what you mean." Kazuya said, "Kamoshida is already a prime example of what a Palace can turn someone into."
"That castle… if that castle didn't exist, Kamoshida wouldn't have been abusing the students at our school." Shiho said.
"If only there was a way to prevent someone from manifesting a Palace…" Sophia said.
"That however, is not the only issue at hand." Philemon said, "An old enemy of mine has returned."
Kazuya looked curious.
"An old enemy?" Kazuya asked, "Who is it?"
"His name is Nyarlathotep." Philemon said.
"What?" Shiho asked.
"The Crawling Chaos in Lovecraftian lore." Sophia said, "Is that what you are referring to?"
"He is more than that." Philemon said, "He is humanity's destructive nature incarnate."
"What do you mean by that?" Shiho asked.
"Think about it." Kazuya said, "Every sin, every atrocity committed by mankind, every terrible thing mankind did, this Nyarlathotep must be a manifestation of all of that."
"In Japanese?" Shiho asked.
"He is basically all of mankind's evil stuffed into a blender and mixed together to create what I could only imagine is the most evil being in existence." Kazuya said.
"Exactly." Philemon said, "And your brother has become his agent of destruction."
Kazuya and Shiho gasped.
"Naoya?" Kazuya asked.
"The next time we meet in the Metaverse will be as enemies."
'So that's what he meant… we were enemies from day one…' Kazuya thought, "And just what does my brother intend to do?"
Philemon sighed.
"That I do not know." Philemon said, "But I'm afraid that at your level of strength and that you have yet to properly access the power of the Wild Card, engaging in a confrontation with him is most unwise."
"Wild Card?" Shiho and Sophia asked.
"It is a power that Ren Amamiya has." Philemon said, "The Wild Card essentially allows one to form a contract to summon and access multiple Personas while turning bonds into strength."
"Multiple Personas…" Shiho said, "Wait, Amamiya-kun has it too?!"
"Yes, in fact, he has gained a Persona just before you three entered the castle." Philemon said, "He convinced a Shadow to become another mask for him to wear."
"Wow…" Shiho said, "That is very handy! If Amamiya-kun had like a dozen, he'd be able to do just about anything!"
"So if Kazuya has it, why hasn't he gained any new Personas?" Sophia asked, "Plus, I don't see how him having friends is going to give him power."
"First of all, gaining a new Persona isn't that simple for a Wild Card." Philemon said, "Secondly, through your bonds with him and the strengthening of those bonds, he can obtain new abilities."
Philemon rubbed his chin.
"But it would seem that we hit a snag." Philemon said, "The power itself hasn't fully awakened yet."
"So… nothing special at the moment?" Kazuya asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." Philemon said, "But I wish to bestow a power upon you to help you in your journey."
He puts a hand on Kazuya's head. Suddenly, Kazuya felt a jolt moving through his body, almost like electricity moving through a wire. He felt a power coursing through him.
"What just happened?" Kazuya asked.
"I give you the power of Liberation."
"Liberation?"
"That is correct." Philemon said, "It allows you to temporarily 'liberate' your Persona from its chains so you can access its true power."
"That sounds incredible…" Shiho said.
"But what about the downsides?" Kazuya asked.
"The downsides are that liberating your Persona puts a toll on your psyche. For that reason, I advise you avoid being reckless with it." Philemon said, "Overusing it could put a hefty strain on your psyche. If possible, just use it as a last resort for when you get cornered."
"Sure…" Kazuya said.
Kazuya felt his bond with Philemon getting stronger.
RANK UP!
AEON RANK 2
"Now then, off to the real world with all of you. You have much to do." Philemon said.
He sent them all back to the real world.
Yongen-Jaya
Morning
Kazuya and Ren were standing outside of the clinic in Yongen. It had an atmosphere that most certainly felt like they were walking to their own deaths. They both swallowed a lump in their throats. They were both in their casual clothes. Ren was wearing an unbuttoned black blazer over a black-trimmed cream sweater, blue jeans and brown shoes.
"Well… this is it." Ren said, "We just got to go in there, get some supplies, and then get out."
"Y-Yeah…" Kazuya said.
The boys were sweating. They knew that they were walking towards death's doorstep. But it was either they did this or they got expelled. They had no other option but to do this.
"You two are so melodramatic." Morgana said.
"Yeah, lighten up you two." Sophia said.
"Thats easy for you two to say…" Ren said.
"Here we go…" Kazuya said.
The two stepped inside the clinic. They were in the lounging area. It wasn't big or anything. It was just a small lounge.
They looked over at the counter. They saw a woman with dark blue hair in a messy bob-cut with blunt bangs and brown eyes. She was wearing a white lab-coat that was worn over a short dark green dress. She looked at the two young men.
"So, what can I help you two boys?" The woman asked.
"You're Tae Takemi, correct?" Kazuya asked.
"Yeah, that's me." The woman said, "Why do you ask?"
"Well… me and my friend here would like some painkillers." Kazuya said.
"Painkillers? What for?" The woman asked.
Kazuya looked to Ren. He stepped forward.
"Well… he and I have been getting headaches and would like some painkillers for those." Ren said.
He placed a head on his hand on his head, pretending to have a headache. The woman was scowling and that got Kazuya feeling worried.
"Alright, I'll see what I can set you up with." The woman said, "Just head into the examination room."
Kazuya and Ren went into the examination room. There, they saw the woman in her entirety. She had a red grommet belt, a black studded necklace choker which connects to multiple necklaces, and strappy black platform high heels to go along with her outfit. She was holding a hard board clipboard. Ren puts his bag down as Kazuya put his phone away. Kazuya took a seat while Ren sat on the bed. The woman got in a rolling chair.
"So, when did these headaches begin?" The woman asked.
"They began just a week ago, before school." Ren said.
"Alright…" The woman said, writing on her clipboard, "And these headaches… do they occur often?"
"Lately, they've been sporadic." Ren said, "We tried to sleep them off… but…"
"I see…" The woman said, "Anything else?"
"No." Ren said.
The woman glanced at Kazuya. She turned and faced Kazuya with a glare of suspicion.
"You know, you've been quiet for some time." The woman said, "Got anything to add?"
"Oh, Uh... no." Kazuya said.
"Hm…"
The woman sighed.
"I'll go and get a list of the medication, you can choose the quantity. Just remember to pay up." The woman said.
She got up and left the room for a minute. She came back and handed them the clipboard. The list of items were as follows:
Recov-R: 50mg Price: 800 yen
Recov-R: 100mg Price: 1600 yen
Nohar-M Price: 500 yen
Relax Gel Price: 900 yen
Alert Capsule Price: 800 yen
Revivadrin Price: 1800 yen
Healing IV Price: 1800 yen
Ren and Kazuya looked at each other. They began to whisper to one another. After they finished whispering to each other, one of them took the pen that was on the clipboard and started writing. The clipboard was handed back to the woman.
"Huh… well that's going to cost you some—"
"I'll pay for it." Kazuya said.
The boys left the room feeling triumphant. They got the medical supplies they were going to need for when they infiltrate the Palace tomorrow.
But it came at the cost of Kazuya's wallet.
"Well Ren, guess you owe me money now." Kazuya said.
"Hey, I spent my money getting us some weapons." Ren said.
"Well get yourself a job then." Kazuya said.
"Don't you have a job?" Ren asked.
A man came in and the boys immediately moved out of the way. He went straight into the exam room and closed the door.
"Now what's his problem?" Ren asked.
"Ugh… this again?"
"Listen here, Takemi, we heard rumors of you making a "very special medicine" that can give unlimited power."
"That rumor again? I told you, I'm not some mad scientist."
"You know that we have a process when it comes to making new drugs."
"I can assure you, I'm not doing that sort of thing here."
"Huh… special medicine, Huh?" Morgana asked.
"You know… Misaki did say something about taking clinical trials in this clinic." Sophia said, "Maybe that's what it is."
"Is that so?" Ren asked, "Morgana, remind me to pay our doctor a visit when we can."
"I'll keep that in mind." Morgana said.
"Come on, let's go." Kazuya said.
The boys left the clinic.
"Sophia, let's get a text conversation going." Kazuya said.
"Yes, Kazu-chan." Sophia said.
The text messaging app opened.
Sophia: We got the medical supplies.
Ryuji: Right on!
Ann: So… are we set?
Ren: We should be.
Shiho: Then… we should have everything we need for this.
Kazuya: Exactly. Now we just have to mentally prepare for this.
Ryuji: You say that like we're all gonna die if we do this.
Ren: You know, if it wasn't for me, you'd be dead right now.
Ryuji: Yeah but now we all have Personas!
Kazuya: That still doesn't mean we can't let our guard down.
Sophia: What Kazuya said.
Ryuji: You guys are killjoys…
Kazuya: In the meantime, we could just do whatever we want to do until Monday comes.
Ann: I guess you're right…
"So, what are you doing?" Ren asked.
"Going to work." Kazuya said, "I need money after all."
"Alright, see you later." Ren said.
Kazuya walked off towards the direction of the station. Ren pondered about what to do now.
Shibuya
Diner
Daytime
Shiho and Ann were eating lunch together at a diner. Ann was stuffing her face in deserts while Shiho was just eating some steak.
"Mmm! This cake is so delicious!" Ann said, shivering from the sweetness of a cake she was eating.
"You need to go easy on the sweets, Ann." Shiho said, "Or at this rate, your slim figure might not be so slim anymore."
"Your concern is noted, but I think we both know I can never simply go easy on the sweets." Ann said.
Shiho sighed.
"Of course…" Shiho said, "Say… Ann, what do you think about Amamiya-kun?"
"Huh? Ren?" Ann asked, "Well… he's a pretty sweet guy and all. I got to admit though, it's rather amazing how he just stands up for others and is willing to help people no matter what happens to him."
"Yeah… he does seem like that kind of person." Shiho said, "Though he's not exactly like Kazzy-kun."
"Kazuya?" Ann asked.
"He kinda has this detective feeling around him." Shiho said, "Like he's really good when it comes to making deductions and has an exceptional eye for detail."
"You make it sound like he's Sherlock Holmes." Ann said.
"That's probably because of his Persona." Shiho said, "Other than that, he is really smart. Even Ryuji asked him for help during a lecture with Ms Kawakami."
Ann didn't believe it for a second.
"Did he seriously—"
"I was there, I would know." Shiho said.
"Ok, you got me." Ann said, "So, what were you and Kazuya talking about at school… you know… before…"
"Oh, something about… cognition? I… think he was referring to Palaces and stuff." Shiho said, "He said his father was conducting research on the Metaverse."
"Really?" Ann asked.
"Yeah, he said that his father concluded that his research into Palaces would have helped a lot of people." Shiho said, "I mean… we've already seen what that castle has done already…"
"Yeah… Kamoshida's Palace…" Ann said, "He is so going to pay for what he did to you when we change his heart."
"Yeah…" Shiho said, "But I don't think Palaces are excluded to people who happen to be evil."
"Huh?"
Ann looked confused. Shiho couldn't blame Ann for it. Ann wasn't exactly smart. The only subject Ann was good at was English, a subject that she has aced in both grade school and junior high school due to being bilingual. She was poor when it came to any other subject besides English. Shiho could still remember when Ann made a painting when they met.
She could still remember saying that it sucked.
Nostalgia aside, she remembered what Kazuya said about the nature of Palaces.
"Depending on what the negative thoughts are and what the person desires, some people will develop suicidal thoughts and behaviors or just unhealthy obsessions."
"Kazuya told me that depending on what a person's distorted desires and negative thoughts are, some people might feel… suicidal or become obsessed over the things they desire." Shiho said, "I think it's safe to say that a Palace could form within someone who might be feeling suicidal, vengeful, wronged, or just depressed…"
"Oh…" Ann said, her expression changing to one of shock.
"I just wanted to let you know what I think about Palaces." Shiho said, "Still… I guess Kazuya would have liked seeing his father's research being used to help people a lot. Curing people of their depressions, bringing reform, stuff like that."
"Huh…" Ann said, nodding in agreement, "Wait, what about Kazuya's older brother?"
Shiho looked at Ann with inquiry.
"What about Naoya?"
"Well, you said Kazuya's father was studying the Metaverse… sort of…" Ann said, "How did Kazuya even know about it?"
"That?" Shiho asked.
She thought about it. She closed her eyes and tried to think about how Kazuya knew about his father's research.
She opened her eyes.
"I guess he must have stumbled onto it or something." Shiho said, "Why are you asking?"
Ann rubbed her chin.
"If that is the case, then wouldn't Naoya also know about his father's research as well?" Ann asked.
Shiho took a moment to let the thought sink in.
"Yeah… you're right. Naoya would also know about that stuff." Shiho said, "And… And…"
"... your brother has become his agent of destruction."
"That's… right…"
"Uh… Shiho? You're spacing out." Ann said.
"Huh?"
She snapped out of her trance.
"You were about to say something." Ann said.
"Oh… it's uh… nothing." Shiho said.
She just remembered that Naoya was their enemy now. She also realized that Naoya may also know about the Metaverse and how it works as well. But last but not least, the two brothers would have to fight each other.
And maybe even kill one another.
It made her shudder in horror at the thought. Seeing two brothers coming at each other's throats simply because they were enemies to each other by the whims of fate…
Kazuya… dying at the hands of his older brother. Kazuya… killing his older brother…
Yes, Naoya was probably a horrible person for abandoning Kazuya and engraved more pain into his already broken heart, but Kazuya wouldn't actually jump at the chance at killing his older brother, would he? Would he kill his brother out of hatred? Does he hate Naoya for all the things he did? Does at least hold some brotherly love for Naoya?
Perhaps time would tell her the answer.
"You know, sometimes, I wonder if it was fate…" Shiho said.
"Huh?" Ann asked.
"You know… Amamiya-kun and Kazzy-kun coming to Shujin…" Shiho said, "It was like fate brought them to Shujin Academy for a reason, even though it may seem like a total coincidence…"
Ann began to ponder about that thought.
"You know when you put it like that, maybe those two were fated to come to Shujin." Ann said, "That or it's your imagination again."
"No! I'm serious!" Shiho said. "If it weren't for those two, you and I… we'd just be…"
"Oh yeah…" Ann said, "I guess that does make sense."
Ann looked at Shiho with a smile.
"We wouldn't have also discovered our Personas either." Ann said, "I guess we owe it to them for it all."
"Yeah…" Shiho said, "I'm going to hang out with Kazzy-kun!"
"H-Huh?!" Ann said.
Shibuya
Central Street
Afternoon
Kazuya was just in front of the convenience store 777. He saw Shiho coming out of the diner. She was wearing white jacket with black lines going down the arms, a red shirt that had LEVEL-UP written on it in yellow and black, black hotpants shorts, her running shoes and her white ankle socks. She spotted Kazuya and ran over to him.
"Shiho." Kazuya said.
He couldn't help but look at her legs. She had really nice legs. She wasn't wearing her knee brace this time. Not only that, her knee was looking better. Those legs of hers had really nice curves. It was like he was looking at a princess. His heart was getting all fuzzy.
"Looking at a lady's legs, are we?"
He blushed as soon as he heard Sherlock's voice.
'Y-You—! You jerk! I wasn't staring at her legs!' Kazuya thought.
"Sir, you were most certainly looking at her legs." Sherlock said, "I am your other self after all. I know what you're thinking and it is both very distracting and very concerning."
'L-Look! Hormones exist! I can't help it! Plus, it's not my fault girls my age could be both physically and sexually attractive!' Shin thought.
"And you're sure that Chouno is even more physically and sexually attractive as well?"
'WHAT?!'
"I know what you were thinking when you look at her!" Sherlock said, "You are a naughty little boy acting all innocent!"
'Hey! It's not my fault!'
"Kazuya? Why are you blushing?"
"YOU HAVE NICE LEGS!" Kazuya blurted out without thinking.
Little did he know, Shiho was standing in front of him. Now she had a flushed look on her face. Her cheeks were redder than a tomato.
"H-HUH?!" Shiho exclaimed, "I-I have nice legs?!"
Kazuya's brain scrambled to pull itself together.
"Y-Y-Yeah!" Kazuya said.
He looked embarrassed and so too did Shiho.
"W-Wanna hang out?" Shiho asked.
"Y-Yeah…" Kazuya said. "Where too?"
Ren followed Kazuya to Shibuya's central street and found Ann standing outside the diner, looking at Kazuya and Shiho. She was wearing a lavender blue button-up shirt under a red and white jersey jacket with an S symbol near the front bottom on one side with a white skirt. She wore black leggings and red Converse shoes.
Ren walked over to Ann.
"Hey, Ann."
Ann turned to Ren, surprised by him coming here.
"R-Ren? What are you—?"
"I had nothing else to do since we got the medical supplies." Ren said, "What are you looking at?"
"Oh… just a couple of love birds…" Ann said.
Ren looked at Shiho and Kazuya. Ren couldn't ignore Shiho's legs though. She didn't even have her knee brace on.
"Uh… why is she not wearing her knee brace?" Ren asked.
"Oh, that? Well… she technically doesn't need it outside of school. She keeps it around only when we go to school since she's on the volleyball team." Ann said, "Why are you—REN!"
"Huh?" Ren snapped out of his trance.
He looked to Ann with confusion over her scowling.
"Uh… your friend has some… very nice legs…" Ren said.
"Yeah. She does." Ann said.
The two watched as Kazuya and Shiho were walking down the street.
"Huh, where do you think those two are going?" Ren asked.
"Well… we could follow them and find out." Ann said.
Ren scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah… let's do that." Ren said.
The two watched the pair go down the street and into the station square. They passed a man who had a green sash that said: "friendly society, bright future". The man was giving speeches over by the station. Ren and Ann went into the station and followed them into the station. They got within eavesdropping distance as Kazuya and Shiho stopped.
"Wait here," Ren said.
"What for?" Ann asked.
"Just listen."
"Inokashira Park?" Kazuya asked.
"Yeah, we can go there to hang out." Shiho said, "Besides, I'm sure some peace and tranquillity never hurt anyone."
"Inokashira Park…" Ann said, "Sounds like a nice place to go to."
"It must sound nice." Ren said.
"That's because it is a nice place." Ann said, "Come on, let's go."
"Wait, seriously?" Ren asked.
Inokashira Park
Daytime
Shiho and Kazuya were staring out into the lake. Everything felt serene and calm. Kazuya looked to Shiho who looked at him.
"You know… it just feels good to breathe some fresh air…" Shiho said, "Right, Kazzy-kun?"
"Y-Yeah…" Kazuya said.
As he looked at the lake with Shiho, he could remember coming here with his mother and father once. An image of his fifteen year old self sitting with his mother and father, looking out into the lake.
"See that lake son? The cognitive world used to be just like the lake. Calm, serene, and not a single distortion in sight."
"Really dad?"
"Yup. This is what I hope to bring with cognitive psience. A world that is as peaceful as this lake."
"And that can be done by changing people's hearts?"
"Uh… sure, if that's what you would call it."
'That's right…' Kazuya thought.
He felt rising pain in his chest. The feeling of sadness began to swell inside him. He clutched his chest as he sobbed. He shed tears onto his jeans. The nostalgia was coming down. His lament was becoming visible. Shiho could see the lament in him.
"Father…" Kazuya sobbed, "I…"
"Kazzy…" Shiho said.
"Kazu-chan…" Sophia said, "Why are you crying?"
He didn't answer. Shiho sighed to Sophia's cluelessness.
"It's his nostalgia…" Shiho said, "I guess being here must have triggered some of his past memories…"
She goes to comfort Kazuya, holding him in an embrace.
'Kazuya…' Shiho thought, 'If only there was some way for me to help free you from the pain in your heart…'
Ren could only look on as Ann was sobbing. Morgana was next to Ann, rubbing head against her leg to comfort her. The trio was watching Kazuya and Shiho from a good distance, just behind some trees. He had never witnessed someone suffer from psychogenic pain before. To think that Kazuya had to live with this pain for over two years seemed tragic. Ren knew his parents had to abandon him. There was no choice in the matter. Had he not been abandoned, the shame would hurt his own family. His family had no choice. They knew nothing could be done for Ren.
But Kazuya? No. It was different. His own brother abandoned Kazuya and he still didn't know why it had to happen. His brother just called Kazuya useless and abandoned him just like that. He didn't even explain to Kazuya why he did it. And Kazuya, having lost his parents, was already emotionally hurt. What his brother did became too much for Kazuya and it… it must have made him break down at some point.
"What are you guys doing here?"
They all turned to see Ryuji coming in with his purple hoodie with red lining and the number '777' on the back, his black shirt with a yellow frowning face, dark pants and yellow sneakers. Ann looked visibly upset while Morgana just looked disappointed in Ryuji. Ren was completely indifferent.
Ryuji was confused by their reaction.
"Is there something on my—"
"Shut up, you dick!" Ann exclaimed.
"H-HUH?!"
"Way to kill the mood, monkey boy." Morgana said.
Ryuji glared at Morgana.
"What was that, brat cat?!"
"Now let's not be so loud."
They all saw a man with shoulder length grey hair and blood red eyes. He wore a blue shirt under a black haori coat with wooden traditional geta sandals.
"And just who the fuck are you?" Ryuji asked, becoming defensive.
The man chuckled.
"Lower your voice, you wouldn't want to alert my brother to your presence." The man said.
"Your… brother?" Ryuji asked.
Ryuji looked around. He didn't see anyone. The only people here were Ryuji himself, Ann, Ren, Morgana (if he was willing to consider a cat that talks as a person), Shiho, Kazuya, and—
Ryuji looked at the man, this time, his brows furrowed and his face filled with anger.
"Wait a minute. You're Kazzy's older brother, Naoya, right?"
Ann, Ren, and Morgana gasped. The man chuckled.
"And if I was?"
Ryuji slowly raised his right fist before he swung a hook at the man, slamming his fist right into the man's jaw.
"Ryuji!" Ann said.
"That's for how much of an asshole you were to your little brother." Ryuji said, "He went through a lot of shit when you abandoned him and you're gonna answer for it."
Ryuji began to crack his knuckles. The man spat out some blood and a tooth. He wiped his mouth off with his hand.
"So… do you feel any better now?" The man asked.
He looked to Ryuji with a sinister smirk.
"Because I certainly do." The man said.
The group had chills running down their spines.
"He wasn't even fazed…" Ryuji said.
"Just… what is that aura?" Ann asked.
Ren was silent.
"This guy… he's not messing around…" Morgana said.
"Indeed I am not, kitty cat." The man said, looking at Morgana.
"The eff?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Keep quiet." The man said, "You wouldn't want to scare them, now would you?"
"He… heard Morgana's voice…" Ann said before a shocking realization made her gasp, "But that would mean he's…"
"You went into the Metaverse." Morgana said.
"That is correct." The man said, "That also means that I possess the same power all of you have. The power of Persona."
"You're a Persona user?" Ryuji asked, "But… you… that's…"
"What? Because I'm an adult, I can't have a Persona? Such childish nonsense." The man said, "I am Kazuya's older brother, if you guessed it already."
"So you really are Naoya." Ann said, "So you're an adult with a Persona… never thought I'd find one to be honest."
"Yes, it is rather surprising, isn't it, Carmen?" Naoya asked.
"H-Huh?" Ann asked, "What are you—?"
He was immediately right in front of her. He held her chin with a finger.
"Such beautiful eyes… such a seductive voice… you are quite the specimen." Naoya said, "Kind, compassionate, and yet so domineering and sadistic at the same time. Just like Carmen."
He looked to Morgana.
"You are a strange creature." Naoya said, "A product of cognition perhaps? Or maybe your intelligence is like that of humans."
"That's because I am human." Morgana said, "And I'm not some product of cognition either!"
"And yet, you retain the form of a feline." Naoya said.
He caught a hand coming from Ann, much to her shock.
"My reflexes are not to be trifled with." Naoya said.
He releases her hand and backs away from Ann.
"H-How… did you—?"
"Don't dwell on it." Naoya said. "Stress is the enemy of beauty after all."
Ren couldn't believe how fast this guy was. Not only that, he has some superb deductive reasoning. Not only that, it was probably just like Kazuya's level of deductive reasoning. Naoya looked at Ren.
"And you are a very interesting person yourself." Naoya said, "Hm… yes… you are very interesting."
"Just what the hell do you want, asshat?" Ryuji asked insultingly.
Naoya looked at Ryuji with disapproval.
"I'll leave that to your vulgar interpretation." Naoya said, "In the meantime, I have a few calls to make."
He turned and walked away.
"That guy is a total asshole." Ryuji said, "Seriously, how in the hell could Kazuya be related to such an asshole? I hope he has a Palace so we can change his heart next."
"Actually, you can forget about that idea." Morgana said, "If he's a Persona user, then he has a clear grasp over his desires, having trained and tamed his Shadow."
"WHAT?!" Ryuji exclaimed, "Alright, in that case, let's just beat him up the second we even see him in the Metaverse!"
"We don't know how strong he is." Morgana said, "Besides, we have Kamoshida to deal with."
"Besides, if Naoya gets in our way, then we'll just have to fight him." Ren said, "He shouldn't be our main concern."
"But—!"
"He's right Ryuji. We have to focus on Kamoshida right now." Ann said.
Ryuji groaned in discontent.
Aoyama-Itchome
Suzui Residence
Evening
Shiho got home to her parent's apartment and went to her room, lying on top of her bed without her jacket on, wearing only her shirt and shorts. She couldn't stop thinking about him for a while since her suicide attempt. Kazuya knew the risks of trying to save her life and he was willing to pay that price as long as she didn't die. Not only that, he got her to realize her true feelings and managed to help her overcome her desperation through the awakening of Boudica. He gave her the courage to stand up for herself, for her friend Ann, and for every last one of her teammates on the volleyball team. She realized how desperate she was and accepted it, then turned it into the strength she needed to fight back against Kamoshida.
Then she saw just how tragic his life was.
A boy burdened by the emotional pain that came with the death of his parents and his brother's abandonment of him. A boy who had hardened himself and pushed people away from him out of the fear of experiencing that pain. A boy whose heart was broken to the point where conventional means of piecing it back together were a lost cause. A boy who had no one he could trust, let alone himself.
She began to cry silently as she thought about him.
She had a happy childhood for the most part. She had a friend in Ann. She had her parents. She had her skills in volleyball. Kamoshida merely tried to ruin her life with his advances and abuses. In the end, Kazuya saved her from that man's clutches and from the terrible decision she had made out of desperation.
But Kazuya? He had gone through hell itself. He watched his own parents die and his own brother discarded him like trash. She could only imagine what Kazuya thought at that moment. Did his brother hate him? Did his brother, out of anger, lashed out at him? Was it resentment? Was it anger? Was it because he saw his brother as a burden? Was it jealousy? What made Naoya want to throw Kazuya away? What could have influenced Naoya to treat his brother after their parents died? There was also the unbearable pain in his heart. She could only imagine how terrible the pain in his heart was. Did he ever cry himself to sleep from just how big the pain was? He wanted the pain to end, but it just wouldn't let up. He tried to end the pain himself, but he couldn't do it. He couldn't take his own life.
She gave him a second chance when no one else could. She gave him the hope that none would give. She gave him something to believe in when no one did. She put together what was left of his broken heart when no one could.
And yet, she found him clutching his chest in pain. Much of his heart was still broken. There were so many other pieces that she hasn't put together yet.
It made her feel frustrated. It made her feel angry. Angry towards Naoya, who abandoned Kazuya and treated him like trash. Angry towards Kamoshida for trying to ruin his life and now hoping to expel him so he could stay unchallenged.
But it made her feel angry towards herself.
She did everything she could, but it just wasn't enough. She wanted to help him heal. She wanted to save him from the pain that kept tormenting him just like he had saved her. But it just wasn't enough. She was willing to risk her own life for her own future and for others, Kazuya included. She was willing to go down into hell for his sake.
And yet she felt like it wasn't working.
She turned herself over on the bed and saw Boudica looking at her from across the room.
"Boudica…"
"You feel as though you are doing an inadequate job of healing that boy's broken heart." Boudica said, "To that, I say that you aren't trying hard enough. That there is something that holds you back still, even as you have freed yourself from the bondage that man placed upon you."
"Maybe that is the problem…" Shiho said, "Maybe I'm not trying hard enough… maybe I'm missing something…"
"I didn't say you were missing something. I said you're holding something back." Boudica corrected Shiho.
"Holding back?" Shiho asked. "What could I be holding back?"
"Try your own feelings." Boudica said, "I am the other you that you have awakened to, remember? I am your reflection and always shall be with you."
"My feelings…" Shiho said.
She heard the door open and saw her mother coming in, looking worried. She had long black hair and brown eyes.
"Shiho?" Her mother asked.
"Mom…" Shiho said.
"Is everything ok?" Her mother asked, "I heard you crying and…"
"I…" Shiho said, "I'm sorry, it's just…"
"Go on. Tell her." Boudica said, "She must know what ails you."
"It's about that boy. You know… the transfer student in my class." Shiho said, "The one who…"
Her mother looked downtrodden.
"Who saved you?" Her mother asked, "What about him?"
"Well… I… I can't stop thinking about him…" Shiho said, "Ever since that day where he almost died, I…"
"Oh… oh sweetie…" Her mother said, "Y-You said it yourself… you were… you weren't yourself that day and…"
"I know." Shiho said, "But it's not about that."
"Then, what is it?" Her mother asked.
Shiho was silent. Boudica was gone. Shiho began to feel wary.
"Go on. Tell her about that boy's past and how you feel about him."
'But… would she even understand?'
"Of course she will. She is your mother and she always listens."
'Alright…' Shiho thought, "Well…"
She began to explain in detail about Kazuya. The day they met, the day he told her about her past, and what happened after the suicide attempt happened. Her mother couldn't believe what she was hearing. The boy who saved her from Kamoshida and the suicide attempt had it worse than Shiho. His own parents were killed in one of those incidents and his brother threw him away in what sounded like a fit of hatred and anger. The boy was left emotionally scarred to the point of near-insanity and that at some point, he even tried to kill himself. He had no friends and his isolation only deepened the pain in his heart. Now he was going to get expelled and there was nothing that could be done about it. Shiho's mother sat next to Shiho.
"I see… so in the end, you became his friend and he even risked his life saving you." Shiho's mother said, "And now he's going to get expelled because he did the right thing…"
"Yeah…" Shiho said, "And now… I can't stop thinking about him."
"You can't stop thinking about him?" Shiho's mother asked.
"Yes…" Shiho said.
She began to shed tears.
"I… I want to help him heal from all the pain in his heart, and yet…"
She sobbed, her tears fell to her knees. Her mother held her.
"And yet… I… I just… I…" Shiho sobbed, "I feel like I—!"
"It's ok…" Shiho's mother said, comforting Shiho. "I'm sure you'll find some way to help him heal… I know it."
"But I—!"
"Sssh." Her mother said, "Don't be like that. I'm sure you'll find a way."
"Mom…"
Her mother broke the embrace and got up.
"Just get some sleep, alright?" Her mother asked.
"Y-Yeah." Shiho said, wiping her tears and calming herself down.
Her mother left the room and Shiho got under the covers. A single tear rolled down her eye.
'Kazzy-kun…' Shiho thought.