During the summer when I returned home, I convinced my parents that I wanted to finish my last year of high school at Shujin. It was easier than expected too. I told them I made friends, got a few jobs, and the change of scenery somewhat transformed me. Sojiro was ok with the idea, and my friends were relieved to hear the news. I was grateful too because honestly, I had nothing back home. The person I was now would be unrecognizable there.

That was proven during the summer. It was only three days after I left LeBlanc for good, when my friends dropped me off. I was walking down the streets near my parents' house when I heard a voice call out to me. "Yo, Kurusu! Is that you?"

The voice was not familiar. I looked over and a group of two boys and one girl approached me. The boy who appeared to call me started talking. He smiled and gave off a friendly spirit. "Hey… it's been forever. I don't know if you remember me, but we were in the same class first year."

I had to think for a moment but eventually I remembered him. "Yeah… you sat three seats in front of me, correct?"

He nodded, "I can't believe you're back. We heard all that stuff about you."

I expected the topic to come up when I returned home. Still, it made me a tad uncomfortable. Before I could think much of the comment however, the girl of the group started talking. "You were like a legend. Everyone was talking about you at school, saying you beat up some adult."

The boy from my class then said, "Everyone was spreading rumors about you. When I heard them, I was like nah. The guy I knew only kept to himself, said you seemed too shy to have guts like that."

I laughed at his joke, trying to be polite. I told him, "Well… some of it was true, but I expect some details might've gotten exaggerated." I remembered hearing so many rumors at Shujin about me. Some were so extreme that I was honestly impressed at the imagination of the students.

"Yeah, but you're back now!" He spoke. "Are you coming back to school here?"

"Uh… no." I said honestly. "I'm going to try and finish third year at Shujin."

The second guy finally spoke up, after being quiet for most of the conversation. "Shujin? Isn't that place like full of controversy."

"Ooooooooh yeah…" I said, drawing it out. "But I guess it's perfect for me. Even though I've been cleared of all those rumors." I told him, trying to hint my feelings toward the conversation.

When I told him about being cleared, he seemed to take the hint. Now looking a bit more guilty. "Oh… sorry. I guess you don't want someone talking about all that stuff."

"It's fine." I told him. "I also have friends back a Shujin, along with some gigs."

The girl nods, "Oh, that's great! Shujin's also been super popular this year."

"For all the wrong reasons." I added.

"Well yeah, the principle died and all that stuff with Kamoshida was gross to read about. What a scumbag…" She said disgusted.

"You seem to know a lot about Shujin." I asked crossing my arms.

My old then classmate suddenly lights up. "Well yeah! Everyone's interested because that was first place the Phantom Thieves made themselves known."

Despite the topic, a smirk appeared on me. I asked them, "You all fans of the Phantom Thieves?"

"Oh yeah!" He said back. "Check out my case." He pulled out his phone to reveal a Thieves' logo on the back.

He then handed it to me. "Wow, this is… actually pretty cool." I said, being familiar with merch of our group. Hell, I even bought some myself. I understand it might seem egotistical, but can you blame me? If you saved the world, you damn sure would buy your own action figure.

The boy looked proud and took the case back. "Yeah dude! Just showing my support."

"I… don't think this supports them financially." I told him.

"Why you say that?"

"I ugh… just have a feeling. I figured it would be hard to profit off merch if you're a vigilante group." I said, knowing well I do not make a penny off these knockoffs. Yes, I know I bought some but still. Screw you whoever is profiting off those.

"Well, I can always support by spirit."

"There you go!" I answered back more enthusiastically.

The girl then approaches me. A bit too close for my comfort, she then asked boldly, "Say, we're all going to get something to eat. Wanna join us?"

"I can't…" I blurted. Frantically, I tried to think of an excuse. Back at Shujin I would have probably said yes. It may have had something to do with being back home, but suddenly old bad habits started reviving. "I have to take my cat to the vet."

"You have a cat?" The boy asked.

I reached around my back and pulled Morgana out. I showed him off as he turned his head towards me, giving me a sinister look. "Are you really using me as a get out of jail free card?"

"Didn't I break you out of an actual jail when we first met?" I whispered to him, hoping the others did not see.

When I looked back, they seemed fixated on Morgana and appeared not to notice. The girl then asked me, "Can I pet her?"

"Her?!" Morgana said angrily. He looked over to me again, now seeing that I was pleading with my eyes. "Grrr-Fine!" He said angrily. I nod my head and she started to pet under Mona's ear. Despite seeming angry a moment ago, Morgana had suddenly started to purr.

Soon they got enough of the cat and we started to say our goodbyes. Just before I left however, he brought up one more thing. "Those people at Shujin treating you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah. It was hard at first, but I met some good people." I responded.

He nodded. "That's good… before you left, I knew a few guys who wanted to talk to you."

"Oh?" I asked curiously. "What about?"

"Nothing particular. Probably just wanted to hang out but didn't know how to ask you."

"Really?" I asked astonished. Now that I thought about it, I never paid attention to the people around my school. Not as much as I did in Shujin.

"I think they were worried you were a loner, but I guess you were actually just doing your own thing. Hell, this is probably the most I talked to you ever. Never realized you already had friends and things to do."

"I didn't-." I accidently blurted out. Without warning, his comments had bothered me greatly. Causing my mind to wander and say that abruptly.

Suddenly he looked at me concerned. "You didn't? Oh… well, I guess you changed."

I became more awkward after that. "Yeah… I-I did. Lots of things happened after the whole delinquent thing."
"Really? Like what?" He asked.

"I-."

Shujin's bell started ringing, and I came out of my daydream. Now back inside my class, I squeezed the bridge of my nose trying to focus back on reality.

The bell signaled that it was time for lunch break. The class started to pack up, including myself. As I was packing, I looked over to see Ryuji making his way towards me. We ended up in the same homeroom for third year, Ann sadly was assigned a different class. I always thought it was a shame we never shared a homeroom together.

Ryuji then came up to me, looking bummed too. "Hey, I accidently left my lunch at home. So, I'm gonna head downstairs and grab something before heading to the roof."

We had gotten the roof back after Makoto and Haru left for college. The garden was never the same after Haru left but still had a few plants that Ann volunteered to watch over. Makoto also gave us a spare key for access. Dating a former Class President does have its benefits.

After Ryuji spoke of his dilemma, a faint snicker was heard coming from back bag. He looked down at the bag angrily and said, "I don't want to hear it, Mona! You ain't gotta worry about bringing food, you little leach."

I put my hand up, "Anyway! You want me to spot you some cash?" I asked him.

"Nah." He quickly said. He then pulled out a bit of cash and gave me a smirk. "Mr. Iwai is treating today." Ryuji started working at the Untouchable Airsoft a month ago. Getting the job turned out easy, he only needed one good reference. We joke around a bit before I exit the room heading upstairs, Ryuji goes the opposite way.

I entered the roof and saw Ann, sitting and looking down at her phone. When the door shut behind me, she looked up. Smiling, she gave me a polite wave and went back to her phone. Curious at what she was looking at, me and Morgana sat next to her.

Extending her hand to show us both after we sat down. She said, "Check it out. I asked Yusuke for a commission." Looking down, I see a painted canvas in what I recognized as Yusuke's personal art room. On the canvas was a beautiful illustration of Carmen, Ann's old Persona. It had been a long time since I saw it, causing a sense of nostalgia to hit me.

"Wow…" I told her.

Morgana nodded, "That was nice of Yusuke. Is it a gift?"

Ann shook her head. "I made sure to pay him for it. I hate to act like his mother, but that guy better start eating better. Anyway, I was surprised how quickly he made it."

"How long did it take him?" I asked.

"Just a couple days. But I think he is working on something bigger." Ann stated, suddenly taking my interest with her comment. She continued, "Yusuke is a sucker for details. So that's why I find it suspicious he painted so quickly. It's almost as if-."

"He's tracing over something he already made?" I finished. Ann nodded and I thought about Yusuke's potential piece. Possibly a painting of all our Personas. I added, "Maybe he's making the group a present. That would be nice to have."

Ann shows me her phone again. "It would be a wonderful gift."

I admired the picture a little longer, enjoying the details of Yusuke's work. "I should help him find a job like Ryuji. Then he could buy all the food and supplies he needs."

"By the way, where is Ryuji?" Ann asked.

"He left his food at home. What a scatterbrain, am I right?" Morgana taunted.

"Oh…really?" Ann said worried. "If he wanted, I could have shared my food with him."

"I- well that's so kind of you Lady Ann, but not needed. B-But if you still want to be generous, I could share some of your food!"

"I mean, if you're hungry I guess I could-." Ann began to say before I interrupted her.

"He's got his own food." I told her now passing Morgana his snack. The cat gave me an angry look, but I continued. "You don't have to worry about Ryuji either. He's downstairs, flaunting his cash."

That made her perk up. "He's rich now, is that it?"

"Airsoft store is treating him well." I confirmed.

A sinister smile suddenly appeared on her face. She thought to herself for a moment then said, "Maybe I oughta ask him to treat me sometime." I gave her sideways glance but before I could say anything, she waves it off. "I'm just kidding. As if."

Ann then went back to her own food. With her comment, I suddenly had an urge to be a trickster. I chuckled and said, "Just kidding?... Aw man, what a shame." That got her attention. Her mouth still filled with food looked over to me. I continued, "After what he told me I… oh never mind." I then went back to my own food, waiting for her to take the bait.

I could hear her frantically swallowing her food. When she catches her breathe, she asked, "Hold up, what did he say?"

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." I lied. "His secrets are safe with me. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway, you were just joking."

"If he said something about me, you better tell me now!" She demanded.

"Ask him yourself… maybe during a date- OW!" I was interrupted by Ann playfully hitting me on the arm.

She looked annoyed and a little red. After assaulting me, she said, "Don't mess with me like that… I don't feel that way about him."

"Thank God…" I faintly heard Morgana whisper.

I put down my food and apologetically smiled at her. "Sorry, I'm just in a playful mood today… Y'know Futaba cooked us breakfast today."

"Oh really, how that go?" She asked gladly changing the subject.

"She-."

"Wait!" Ann interrupted. "Where is Futaba anyway? It doesn't usually take her this long."

The smile left my face, realizing Ann was right. I knew she had her lunch, unlike Ryuji. Usually, she would head straight up. I picked up my phone and decided to call her. No response, I send out a text message but did not get an immediate answer. So, I decide to text Ryuji as well.

I asked: "Have you seen Futaba down there?"

Ryuji responded fast: "Nah I haven't seen her. Something up?"

I texted back: "She's not here yet. I'm going look for her."

I put my phone up and told Ann my plan. Now getting up from my seat.

"I'll come with." She said, standing too.

"No, it's ok." I told her putting my hand up. Looking at both, I said, "Stay here incase she comes up, I'm gonna go look around her class."

Ann reluctantly nodded and sat back down. I then took my leave and headed downstairs, not stopping until I reached the first floor. I walked until I reached her classroom. Peering inside, I scanned the room only to not find Futaba there. Only a few students I did not recognize. I checked my phone again, still no response. I started to become nervous, worrying if she had got too nervous and ran off to hide.

I looked around the hallway for a bit, then I spotted Mishima. Minding his own business, I grabbed his arm gently to get his attention. "Hey, you seen Futaba?" I asked him.

He stopped and thought for a moment. "Yeah, I did actually. She went towards the courtyard." I looked at him curiously and he explained, "They have these new vending machines near the gym. Maybe she wanted something from there?"

I thanked him and headed toward the courtyard. Outside, I scanned around for her bright orange hair. Looking around the groups of students talking only to find her in none of them, which did not surprise me. I knew Futaba wanted to make new friends herself but still struggled. She was still very reliant on us and I worried what she would do when we graduated. Nevertheless, I still looked around while walking closer to the gym.

Eventually I do spot a glimpse of orange. I focused to see her sitting down on a bench, not alone. Standing around her were three male students. The one in the middle is much taller than the rest. I did not recognize the three and started to approach. As I was walking toward them, I saw the taller one had some orange drink in his hand. Raising it up to show everyone.

I walked until I was a few feet behind him, now able to hear what they were saying. "It's the same color as her hair." The middle one proclaimed, referring to the drink. "You think people will fall for that shy girl crap? Anyone with hair like yours is obviously looking for attention."

I stopped just a few feet away from them. Now understanding what was going on, I looked to Futaba. Still sitting down, her eyes are glued to the ground. Trying to avoid the bully's gaze. I could barely hear her whisper. "C-Can I please-."

"What? Speak up, Sakura!" The tall student said harshly.

Futaba began rubbing her hands nervously. She spoke faintly louder, "Can I please have my drink back? I want to meet up with my friends?"

"You have friends?" One of the other boys asked. Snickers erupted among the three as Futaba kept her head down.

An eruption of anger started pouring inside me at that moment. I could feel my teeth grinding at their comments about Futaba. Before I could approach, the middle one spoke up again. "Anyone ever tell you it's rude not to look someone in the eyes? You scared or something? Just ask me politely."

Futaba reluctantly looked up. She looked at the bully then quickly realized I was standing behind him. Her eyes widened in shock, causing the group to notice. They turn around to see me. At first, they looked worried but then became more relaxed, probably relieved I was not a teacher.

The tall one looked unimpressed. "Oh… it's you." He spoke. It appeared he knew who I was, but I was not familiar with him.

I can feel the strain in my throat, wanting to unleash on them but then I noticed Futaba. Her concerned look soon replaced my feelings of anger with worry. I took a deep breath through my nose, then approached. Walking past the middle one, to Futaba. "Excuse me." I said ignoring his gaze. I put my hand on her shoulder, guiding her up from the bench. "Come on, lets go meet the others."

Futaba's worried look becomes a guilty expression. She whispered to me in a sad tone, "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. You didn't do anything wrong." I reassured her. I turn around to lead her away, only for my path blocked by the three students. Two were at our sides and the tall one in the middle blocked the straight path. I could feel Futaba's hand holding my sleeve, hiding behind me.

The middle one crossed his arms and spoke. "I've been wanting to talk to you, Kurusu."

"Get out of my way." I spatted back.

He leaned down to where we were the same height. With a smug expression, he told said, "Make me."

"Seriously man? We didn't do anything to you, just back off."

That did not appear to faze him. He responded, "I've been trying to ask your sis here for weeks where you hide during break. She can't answer worth a shit though."

"You… what?" I practically growled those words out. Had this man picked on Futaba for weeks and I did not know? I could feel my fist clenching at my side, eyes now focused closely on the student's face.

"Everyone sees you two enter school together. Whenever I ask about her family, she gets all quiet though. I mean, even more than she already does. So, I asked around and all I wanted to know is what's it like to not have a real family-."

"You God damn coward!" I said loudly. Other groups nearby soon took notice, whispering about what was going on.

Small chuckles come from the other two students as the tall one suddenly looked pissed, "You calling me a coward?"

"Three guys picking on one first year. There's nothing brave about that."

He chuckled at that comment. "Smart ass huh?" He looked at my face. "Hey… those are some nice glasses." He starts to extend his hands towards my face.

I quickly swipe his hand away, hard. This made his friends give off a mocking gasp. He looked at his hand that I swiped, then back to me. Now looking annoyed. Not caring about his look, I responded, "If you had any balls, you would have come to me first."

The other groups began to whisper louder, suddenly we were in the middle of a scene. The student started to clench his hand. Now looking at me with bad intentions. He said loudly, "I'm here now! Why don't you do something about it?!"

I surge of adrenaline inside myself was begging for action. I stared dead into the student's eyes, never wavering and imagining many ways to hurt him. As he stared back, I subconsciously see the dark figure from my dreams. That mocking feeling it gave off when I was asleep, gloating how I could not do anything to stop it. Suddenly, so much pent-up anger was about to be unleashed. My mind went narrow for a moment, focusing only on this student. Eagerly wanting to hurt him and show myself, show that damn monster I was not coward. Then, Futaba pulled my sleeve harder.

"Don't…" She whispered. Snaping me back to reality. I looked away from the bully to her, seeing she was begging me not to do it.

I closed my eyes for a moment and swallowed my pride. Realizing now that fighting would do no favors for my future, and Futaba would not want me to get in trouble. I look back to the bully. Begrudgingly, I said. "Look… what do you want? You want money? You want to tell everyone you punked me, then go ahead. I don't care."

His pissed expression calms a bit at that comment, now looking disappointed. "Seriously? You're the guy everyone was talking about last year? The bad delinquent we should all avoid?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but you shouldn't listen to rumors." I responded.

He gave a big huff and said, "Whatever man." He then moved aside, allowing us to leave.

We started to walk away, Futaba still holding my sleeve. Not feeling satisfied with the outcome, I decided to ask her, "This went on for weeks and you didn't tell me?"

From behind I heard, "Yo, Kurusu. Hold up!"

We just kept walking away, ignoring him. Futaba whispered. "I didn't want you to worry."

We could hear the guy behind us again. "Can't you hear me?" He spoke.

Still ignoring him, I said. "Worry?! You should have told me. Don't worry, we're going to do something about that basta-."

"HEY! I think the bitch forgot her drink!" We heard the student scream loudly. Before I could turn around, I heard Futaba gasp behind me.

"Ugh!" She cried. Looking at her now, orange juice had completely drenched the back of her white shirt. I could see the bottle that the man was holding earlier, roll across the floor. Now empty. Futaba took most of the blow, saving my own clothes.

The other groups watching suddenly grew silent but soon returned to whispering. Now a few laughs could be heard from them. Including from the three students. I look at Futaba, her eyes quickly becoming red. She looks at me for a moment, then tears start to run down her face.

Something in me snapped right there. Any logical reasoning suddenly got thrown out of my mind. I quickly turned around and made my way towards them. Walking fast, they soon noticed I was coming. The tall one put his hands up, ready for me. Before I could get ten feet to him however, someone grabbed me from the side.

I look over ready to attack but stopped myself. Ryuji had grabbed me in a bear hug and swung me away from their direction. He soon let go, putting his hand instead on my collar bone. Holding me back and looking at me sternly.

For a moment we just stare at each other. Angrily at first, I wanted to tell him off for stopping me, but then I realized that he was not trying to stop me. He was trying to save me. Through my heavy breathing and his glare, we soon come to an understanding. His eyes become more worried when I catch my breath. I knew what he wanted to say. "Thank you…" I told him.

I may have been cleared of my charges, but that did not mean I was not being watched. If I had gotten in this fight, I possibly could have been kicked out of Shujin. All the hard work I put into getting my life together almost took a serious dent. Rumors do not just disappear.

We then heard more laughter coming from the group behind him. I look over angrily and Ryuji soon looked equally as angry. He then whispered to me, "Don't worry. They ain't getting away with this shit." He then lets me go and turns around. Walking toward the bullies.

The tall student just jeers at him approaching, "Back off, Sakamoto." Ryuji continues until he is in front of him.

"You think you're tough Masuda? Throwing stuff at her, knowing she can't fight back?!" Ryuji asked. The tall student apparently being called Masuda. "You just crossed the line, asshole!"

Masuda just snickers at him. He then gives Ryuji a small push, which appears to make him more frustrated. "You think you scare me? You ain't scaring anyone with that weak SHI-."

The bully is soon interrupted from Ryuji, pushing both his arms into Masuda's shoulders. Almost lifting him up, but then pushing him down until he is on his back. Ryuji soon standing over him, stared daggers at him. Masuda's two friends back off for a moment and everyone around watches. There is a long silence as the student looks up at Ryuji, both scared and furious.

Ryuji then breaks the silence. Looking at him on the ground and saying with irritation, "I'll kick your ass in front of everyone! I'll let the whole school know how tough you really are."

He looked up at Ryuji for a moment, then around at the other students. Everyone in the courtyard is watching now. He realized there that he needed to do something, or he would look weak. He then returned his glare to Ryuji but pauses.

He does not get up, there is a tense moment before someone yells at them, "Break it up! NOW!" Everyone turns to see Ms. Kawakami walking from the school building towards them. Ryuji quickly got away from the downed Masuda.

She walks over and scans the scene. She looks at Ryuji and the others, then she looks over to me. Lastly, she sees Futaba, noticing her expression and soaked shirt. She looks down to see the bottle he threw at her. Her angry expression became replaced with an apologetic look to Futaba, now understanding what happened. With that, she turned her attention to the group, "Masuda, I want you to head straight to my class. I'll deal with you later."

Masuda started to get up. "But I didn't-." He began to complain.

"NOW!" Kawakami said more harshly.

Masuda does not argue but his face showed he was not happy. He reluctantly started to walk away from everyone. He went past Ryuji, and past Kawakami until he was next to me. Before walking away, he whispered, "You're lucky they were here."

As he walked away, Kawakami went over to Futaba to check on her. I stood there for a moment contemplating what he said to me.

Ryuji then walked back to us, looking at Kawakami. "That a student of yours?" He asked her.

"Unfortunately." She confirmed. Not taking her eyes off Futaba, who was whipping her face. Trying to keep it together. Shen then asked her, "Are you ok, dear?"

Futaba gives a small sniff, looking at her but not responding. Still soaked with orange juice, the sight breaks my heart.

Kawakami turns to me. "I hope I don't have to remind you that even if you-."

"He didn't start it." Futaba interrupted. Voice shaky but still understandable.

Kawakami looks over to her. She studies her expression for a moment then takes a deep breath. "He never does…" She whispered, then turned back to me. "I'll make sure no one else sees her but I'm taking her to my office. She'll be ok with me, I promise."

"Thank you…" I told her. A part of me wanted to tell her more gratefully but something was bothering me. So, I only whispered the appreciation.

She nods then puts her hand on Futaba. Giving a kind voice, she said, "Come on, lets get you cleaned up."

I watched them walk away, a guilty sensation suddenly clogging my throat. I wondered as they left if the bottle was intended for me, but Futaba took it instead. I also thought that maybe Masuda threw it at her purposefully, knowing I could not do anything.

Before I could think any further, Ryuji put his hand on my shoulder. He looked worried. "Come on man, there's nothing we can do now."

I continue to watch them walk away. Looking at my failure, I said, "I didn't do anything though…"