Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Persona 5: New Testament

Chapter 11

Sunday, April 17

Kosei High

Morning

Akio Takohano was strolling through the halls of Kosei High. He was the captain of the school's boxing club. He had red highlights at the end of his short and fuzzy hair. The silver haired kid was one hell of a boxer in Kosei. His everyday life could be summed up in three words. Training, action movies, and protein. He likes to watch boxing or kung-fu related action flicks. He likes to train a lot. He likes to eat lots of meat and he likes to drink protein shakes. He is rather good with talking to girls, but with girls like Hifumi Togo, his charm fails to do him any good. Despite his physique, it was like the chicks were never into him. He often acts sweet just to hide the fact that he's a macho man. He would always train ridiculously hard to a fault. He would train as much as he wants, even if he suffers an injury. He is incredibly hot-blooded despite being a gentlemen at best.

The student walking with him was Kojiro Hagiwara. He would always wear a beanie on his head. Beneath it was a black fuzz with blue highlights. He couldn't go out without it. Even if it were summer, he would never abandon his prized beanie. He always saw himself as a tough guy. Despite him looking like a bad boy, most girls flock over to him instead of Akio, he isn't even aware that he had a female fanbase to begin with. He tends to avoid talking to girls because deep down inside, he couldn't talk to a girl at all. Aside from some girls that he is rather familiar with, he can't talk to any other girl at all. He doesn't exactly like cute things in front of others. He never trusted Akio in the kitchen primarily for one or two reasons. Akio, if left alone to make spicy food, will make it so spicy that anyone who would think about eating it (unless their tastebuds worked differently) would keel over and beg for water if there wasn't any nearby water. Another reason is that Akio would just dump protein powder over everything. Deep down, Kojiro knew that he was a bit of a softie. For that reason, he hides that soft side of his by acting tough.

He and Akio knew each other well. Of course, they were friends with this one student in Kosei High.

His name was Yusuke Kitagawa.

He was an honor student in Kosei's Fine Arts Division. He was a pupil of the famed artist Ichiryusai Madarame. Yusuke was… an oddball to say the least. His life has been focused on art. All because of some painting called "Sayuri", a painting about a woman with an expression that is a complete and total mystery. He will look for the aesthetic in his surroundings, be it a place or a person. He sees everything as a challenge and a chance for him to broaden his horizons to further enhance his artistic talent. His passion for art makes him look rather strange to any ordinary person. Though, at least Yusuke is aware of his eccentricities.

But even then, he tends to buy things that get his attention without any level of foresight whatsoever. Every time that happens, it was either Akio or Kojiro who was going to have to lend Yusuke money for the train ride.

"Hey, Koji, I was hoping you, me, and Yusuke could go to that one restaurant I had my eye on in Ogikubo." Akio said.

"Akio, the last time you dragged me and Yusuke into a restaurant, you ordered one of those mega beef bowls." Kojiro said, "I am not falling for that again."

"Koji, meat is important in a man's diet." Akio said, "I mean, you and Yusuke need to eat some more protein once in a while."

"And what the hell is protein gonna do for me?" Kojiro asked, "I don't see the benefits of eating a crap ton of meat and drinking a bunch of protein filled shakes."

"Well, I grew up big and strong because I train a lot and consume lots of protein." Akio said, "You're taller than the rest of us, and yet, you look slim."

"Look man, all I'm saying is that I don't think a macho-gorilla body is something I want to be chasing for." Kojiro said, "That and I feel like I'm the only normal person here."

"..."

"Oh… yeah…" Kojiro said, "I forgot that we have those things that we had as kids growing up in that orphanage in Ayanagi. It's a good thing our caretaker can't see them, or he'd lose his shit."

"Let's just hope Yusuke doesn't find out about them." Akio said, "I really don't want to know how he would react upon seeing them for the first time."

"If we know Yusuke, he'll just make a sketch of them and make a painting based off that sketch." Kojiro said, "I mean, any normal person would just freak the hell out."

"Yeah, in the meantime, let's not mention them around Yusuke." Akio said, "I don't want him to think we're crazy or anything."

"Here, here." Kojiro said, "Say, what about Emiho Kazehaya?"

"Wait, you mean that girl from our childhood?" Akio asked, "What's our emotionless girl been up to lately?"

"Well, I heard she transferred here along with a girl who's from America." Kojiro said, "I'm sure you know the one."

"Wait, you mean Lina Estrada?" Akio asked, "Emiho and Estrada share a class together?"

"Yup, and Yusuke's been asking her to be his model." Kojiro said.

"Let me guess, he wants her to model for that painting." Akio said.

"Yup. He asked her to do the nude." Kojiro said, "Can't you give him some advice so he doesn't look like a pervert?"

"Do I have to?" Akio asked.

"Look, I don't want him to look like some creep, alright?" Kojiro asked, "Just do it when we find him.

"Fine." Akio said.

The two kept moving on.

Inokashira Park

Daytime

"Ok, so I was thinking… your code name should be… Sister!" Ann said.

"Sister? I… I don't know about that one." Shiho said, "Maybe… uh… how about Saint?"

"Hm… let me see what the guys think." Ann said.

She pulled out her phone and started texting Ryuji and Ren.

Ann: Ok, so Shiho thinks her code name should be Saint.

Ann: What do you think?

Ryuji: Sounds cool!

Ren: And it fits with Shiho's Persona and Metaverse outfit.

Ann: So, Saint it is!

"Whew. At least now we got that out of the way." Ann said, "So… now onto the matter of changing Kamoshida's heart."

Yes. The elephant in the room. The change of heart that Morgana had come up with. The one Shin had concerns about. Shiho looked worried herself.

"Yes…" Shiho said, "We know it's the only option available to us. We know that if we change his heart, he'll confess to all of his crimes, but Shin is concerned by what the amount of guilt will do to Kamoshida."

"You mean… Kamoshida could get Apathy Syndrome? He'll turn into an apathetic cripple?" Ann asked, "He might even… want to commit suicide to make up for all the things he did?"

"Yes…" Shiho said, "The amount of guilt will make him want to kill himself. The guilt will make him think that he deserves to die as punishment for his sins…"

Yes… there was the possibility he could very well commit suicide to atone for his sins should he have a change of heart. The level of guilt had to be tremendous. If those distorted desires are removed from Kamoshida's cognition, the guilt that had been amassed beneath those desires will erupt and the burden will cause him to deteriorate emotionally and psychologically. Kamoshida would never be the same again.

"I'm sure we'll know what to do if he starts acting suicidal." Ann said, "We'll convince him to atone for his crimes in prison and be punished under the law."

"But… with that level of guilt, wouldn't it be like hell for him?" Shiho asked.

"There are fates worse than death Shiho." Ann said, "I'd rather make him suffer for what he did."

"Ann…" Shiho said, "You're still angry at him…"

"Of course, I'm still angry at him!" Ann said, "He almost raped you and he made you try to kill yourself!"

"No." Shiho said, "It wasn't him that made me want to commit suicide."

Ann looked confused.

"It wasn't?" Ann asked.

"Yes… it was my Shadow."

Ann looked shocked.

"Your… Shadow made you commit suicide?" Ann asked, "But… she's…"

"That's right." Shiho said, "She's me and I'm her. She knew how I truly felt, and I couldn't deny it. But when Shin saved me, she was confused. She didn't understand why I… I was so hesitant at first and how I became even more hesitant to die when Shin saved me."

Ann was trying to take it all in. A Shadow caused her to do that. Her inner self did all of that. It made her wonder what else her Shadow wanted her to do.

"She… she thought that I… that I was no different from Kamoshida." Shiho said, "She thought that I would… she thought I would rape Shin, just to make him feel the same way as I was about to feel when Kamoshida almost raped me… to feel… utterly helpless…"

"Shiho…" Ann said, "Dear god…"

Shiho began to sob. Ann began to comfort Shiho.

"I… I didn't want to rape Shin, Ann…" Shiho said, "She wanted me to do it so bad that I… I… I felt so disgusted with myself that I… I…"

"Shiho…" Ann said, "Oh, Shiho… I'm so sorry you had to go feel that way."

"I… I didn't know what to do…" Shiho said, "I didn't want to do that to Shin… I… I didn't…"

"It's alright Shiho… it's alright…" Ann said, "You faced yourself and you have a Persona now. You tamed your Shadow. You got a hold of your desires now."

"Ann…" Shiho said.

"I understand how you feel…" Ann said.

"Well… to be fair, when I was your Shadow, I had the same sort of idea, just a little… more extreme."

'Shut up Carmen, I'm having a moment here.' Ann thought.

"I was just saying…"

"T-Thank you, Ann…" Shiho said, "I'm glad you understand."

Ann felt her friendship with Shiho getting stronger.

Yongen-Jaya

Bathhouse

Daytime

Shin, Jun and Takuro were in the bathhouse. They were sitting in a hot bath. Shin had a lot to think about. Girls, high school, Personas, the Metaverse, that other Persona user that tried to kill him, taking down a perverted gym teacher and a greedy principal, and the strange visions and headaches. There were a lot of things and he had been trying to focus on one of those things all day.

"Hey man, what are you thinking about?" Takuro asked.

"Oh, you know, a lot of things." Shin said, "Girls, high school, Personas, the Metaverse, that one Persona user that tried to kill me, exposing a pervert and a fat lazy man, all the visions and whatnot."

"Oh, really?" Takuro asked, "Yeah, I've been thinking about our high school life and our… uh… other life as uh… actually I'm not sure what we're calling it."

"Me neither." Shin said.

"So… Shiho's staying with you until she's completely fine and dandy, right?" Takuro asked, "So… did you do it yet?"

"Do what?" Shin asked.

"Oh, you know what I mean." Takuro said.

"Dude! No! We didn't do that if that's what you meant!" Shin said.

"Well did you see her naked?" Takuro asked, "Was she stacked?"

"S-So what if I did?!" Shin asked, "I mean, she and Ann have the same breast size!"

"They're the same size as Ann's?!" Takuro exclaimed.

"Gah! I mean they have the same measurements!"

"Except one of them has a tamer personality while the other's a dominatrix." Takuro said, "You know, you should probably date Ann."

"Hell no! I can't date Shiho's best friend! That would be nuts!"

"It's because she's a dominatrix, isn't it?" Takuro asked.

"THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT!" Shin exclaimed, "Jun, help me out!"

"Actually, Takuro's right, you're afraid Ann will do some BDSM stuff on you if you date her." Jun said.

"CALLED IT!"

"Why would you betray me Jun?!" Shin asked.

"Because I wanted ice cream." Jun said.

"Don't worry man, you got the best ladies' man from Ayanagi backing you up." Takuro said.

"Huh… yeah…" Shin said, "Would have totally helped in mending a broken friendship."

"Dude, you should have known she was thinking about you for ten years." Takuro said.

"Yeah, I guess you're right…" Shin said.

The boys decided they stayed long enough and left the bathhouse, drying off and getting dressed.

"You know Shin, I'm glad we could hang out." Takuro said.

"Yeah, me too, Tak." Shin said.

"I'll call you whenever I want to hang out with you, ok?" Takuro asked.

"Yeah, sure." Shin said.

"Bye!" Jun said.

Shin felt his bond with Takuro getting stronger. He looked to his brother.

"Let's go get ice cream." Shin said.

"Ok!" Jun said.

Shibuya

Afternoon

Shin and Jun got themselves some ice cream. They saw a man in Station Square making a speech. There was a little gathering where the man was. It was just right outside the terminal.

"You know Jun, this place is almost like Ayanagi." Shin said, "I always loved it when the city lights were on at night and we would look at those lights from the house we used to live in."

"Yeah…" Jun said, "Those were the good days, weren't they?"

"Yeah, next thing you know, we're thrown into all of this." Shin said, "So much for an ordinary life, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah…"

Shin thought about Makoto as he ate his ice cream. How was he ever going to mend his relationship with her? Was there nothing he could do to fix it? He had to think of something to fix it.

"You know Shin, you could be honest with her." Jun said.

"I'm not sure she'll listen to me." Shin said.

"You just have to try." Jun said, "It's what Yuki thinks."

"Yuki…" Shin said, "You know… I miss her a lot. Is she still talking to you?"

"Yeah, she thinks you and Suzui-chan are in love." Jun said.

"H-Hey!" Shin exclaimed.

"You don't have to deny it." Jun said, "Just go on a real date with her."

"I'd crack from the pressure!" Shin said.

"And you could crack a joke if you wanted to." Jun said.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The two laughed. Shin felt his bond with Jun getting stronger.

"Yeah, I guess I could crack a joke." Shin said, "I'm going to find Kanaru, she said she would be in Shibuya with tickets to a movie at the theater."

"You do that, I'll just head home and study." Jun said.

The two brothers went their separate ways.

Shibuya Central Street

Afternoon

Shin was looking for Kanaru in central street. He heard a moan coming from an alley. He went into the alley and found what appeared to be…

Kanaru.

And she was taking money from a guy.

'No… Kanaru… you're not secretly…'

Wait… no… no! Why the hell did he think that just now?! He never asked if Kanaru has a boyfriend or not and he certainly knows that Kanaru is not that kind of girl!

The only explanation here was that she is doing Kagenuki for money!

…

…

…

Yes. That must be it. It was Kagenuki.

Totally. Not. That.

The guy walked off. Shin began to stealthy approach Kanaru to not scare her off. He heard Kanaru's footsteps. He waited patiently for her to pass him without her noticing. She passed him by, and he got up.

"Kanaru, were you doing Kagenuki just now?" Shin asked.

Kanaru gasped.

"S-Shin!" Kanaru said, "It's… it's not what it—!"

He grabbed her hand.

"Tell me the truth." Shin said.

"Shin, you don't—!"

"Tell. Me. The truth." Shin said, "Now. I want to help you, but I can't help you if I don't know what's going on."

Kanaru looked away from him.

"I… I… It's an addiction…"

"An addiction?" Shin asked, "Why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you tell Megumi?!"

"I… I didn't want any of you to get the wrong idea!" Kanaru said, "That's why I didn't tell anyone!"

"Is that really it?!" Shin said, "Is it?!"

"Yes…" Kanaru said.

"..."

Shin released her.

"Kanaru… I'm worried about you. You should just talk with Megumi." Shin said, "Promise me you won't do this again."

"I… I promise…"

"Good." Shin said, "Now I believe you have tickets to a movie."

"T-The movie?! Oh, you mean they are showing?!" Kanaru said, "It's about this knight and—"

"Let's go watch it." Shin said.

"H-Huh?! But it's—!"

"Come on!" Shin said.

The two went into the movie theater.

Police Department

Afternoon

"So, let me get this straight, these reverse cases are being caused by a group of people with supernatural abilities, correct?" The SIU Director asked, "And you just so happen to have the same abilities they have, only this group is using them for their own purposes."

"Exactly." Ryo said, "They intend to spread fear and chaos by causing these murders."

"And that you are suggesting we fight fire with fire, as in get a group of these individuals together to combat this supposed group of terrorists using these abilities to sow chaos." The SIU Director said, "It sounds pretty far-fetched… but it does coincide with the fact that the victims are literally turned inside out."

"A colleague of mine with said powers will be here on Monday." Ryo said, "He and I will gather the necessary personnel for this task force. All I need sir, is a blank check."

The SIU Director sighed.

"And about Kobayakawa, shall I deal with him?" Ryo asked.

"Yes, let me just make an arrest warrant for him." The SIU Director said, "You just convince the teachers and students to reveal everything they know about him."

"And our deal?"

"Oh yes, I haven't forgotten about the deal you made to me." The SIU Director said, "Just remember your end of the bargain."

"I will sir, you have my word." Ryo said.

Ryo left the office. The SIU Director dialed up a number. He held up his phone to his ear.

"Sir, I think it was a mistake to trust that principal." The SIU Director said, "One of my subordinates just found out he's connected to me and that there's been an incident at that school of his, something about a PE teacher almost raping a girl who then tried to commit suicide. Clearly, he has no control over the situation."

"..."

"Yes, he's incompetent. He has no control over the situation going on in that school. He needs to be eliminated before Ryo Kanzato finds out about everything." The SIU Director said, "No, we need Ryo alive. He's no use to us dead if he doesn't take care of these reverse cases. He also happens to have that power that he has and that a group of these people are using it in reality to cause these reverse cases."

"..."

"He's suggesting that we make a group of people with these same abilities to combat this group. It's the only option he's offering after all." The SIU Director said, "Yes sir, as long as he doesn't run into him, we'll be fine. Thank you, sir."

He hung up.

"That principal… he's so incompetent that it hurts to even consider him useful to us." The SIU Director said, "As long as we tie up that loose end, Ryo won't even know what's going on."

Kanzato Household

Evening

'Tomorrow's the day…' Shin and Shiho thought.

Yes. Tomorrow was going to be an important day. It was the day where they go out and make a change. A change to this school. They are going to make sure that Kamoshida and the Principal pay for what they have done.

"You know Shin, ever since my parents found out about my attempted suicide and that time you saved me from Kamoshida when he tried to rape me, they thought I should transfer schools." Shiho said.

"Huh?"

"At first, I wanted to transfer, but… being with you, finding my purpose, I don't want to transfer." Shiho said, "I already spoke with my parents, but they're still concerned about me. So, I told them I couldn't because then I wouldn't be with you."

"Huh?!" Shin said, "H-Hold on for a minute! We can't just have a relationship after we met just a literal week ago!"

"I know," Shiho said, "I told them that you saved me once and that you saved me again and I wouldn't live with myself if I couldn't be with you."

"Right…" Shin said, "It must have taken them a lot of convincing to do."

"Oh, it did, trust me." Shiho said, "Just… don't mention the whole… bathroom thing."

"I won't." Shin said, "So… are you ready?"

"For what comes next? Yeah." Shiho said, "I'm ready to take on Kamoshida head-on, this time, with Ann, Ryuji, Mona, and Amamiya-kun."

"Good." Shin said, "Because this will be a two-pronged battle between us and two corrupt men. I hope you can handle being without me."

Shiho giggled.

"Oh, trust me, I can handle myself now." Shiho said, "You just make sure you make it through this alive."

"Why of course, Sister." Shin said.

Shiho giggled. The two went to sleep.