First Meeting

{Well here we are! For you newcomers; thank you for viewing this story and if you're one of the readers who looks at reviews before reading. You're probably going to be confused but the whole reason for it was that it was collection of one-shots at first but became a full-blown story which I'm happy it had become. Now for my old readers; I'm sorry again for taking this long but I didn't realize how much I actually wrote so yeah and for those of you that said that I didn't need to do the rearrange; I'm glad to hear that but I think I needed to do it so things don't get confusing. So onward with the story!]

Akira walks out of Ginza Line and looks at his phone to see which way he should take to the school but he notices that the mysterious app came back, "Really? How many times do I have to erase you before you get the hint?" But a rain drop suddenly lands on his phone making him look up and notices that the clouds had gotten darker making him, "Oh great...I knew I should've brought my umbrella." And as soon as he says that; the rain starts to pour down making him run under a store's awning so he can wait for the rain to let up. But soon, a girl with a baseball jacket and red pants walks up beside him. She then takes off her hood and he can see that she had dirty blonde hair done up into twintails making him stare at her in admiration, "Whoa...she's really beautiful...!"

The girl starts wiping the wetness off her jacket, "Of course it had to rain…" She then looks over to her right feeling someone staring at her and sees Akira doing just that, "Um, hello?"

Akira shakes his head realizing that he was staring, "Oh, my apologies. My name's Akira Kurusu and I'm a transfer student starting today; as a second year."

"Oh, he's a transfer student, no wonder why I didn't recognize him" The girl then turns fully towards him when he reveals that he was a new student, "I'm Ann Takamaki, I'm a second year as well."

Akira holds out a hand, "Nice to meet you, Takamaki-san"

Ann smiles shaking his hand hearing his politeness, "It's nice to meet you too, Kurusu-kun"

That's when a fancy white car pulls up by them and the driver rolls down the window. A man with an athletic-build and black mop hair appears who had a scowl for a spilt-second, which Akira saw, before putting on a fake smile, "Hey, do you need a ride to school?" He says to the girl. But Akira hears her sigh quietly and with fake happiness accepts the offer. Then the man looks at Akira, "Do you want one too?"

He was confused about what was going on but thought it was best not to go accept the offer, "Thank you for the offer but I will have to decline." He sees Ann's eyes lose their hopefulness after he says that. The man nods then they drive off making Akira even more confused; "I wonder what that was about. She looks like she didn't want to be in there. So why didn't she refuse and who was the man? Her boyfriend?"

In the car; the man smirks; "You should stay away from that kid. He's on probation for assault on a woman and probably other crimes. That's why he transferrs here. He'll probably attack you at a moment's notice, sweetheart" He said smugly.

Ann scoffs, "You're one to talk and don't call me sweetheart. Besides, he didn't seem like a bad person and if he did assault a woman, wouldn't he have gone after me? After he told me his name, he looks so alone like I would reject his kindness but he became hopeful when I told him mine. No, I'm not going to judge him until I know the truth from him or I'll be like everyone else, a labeler…"

Later

Outside the Faculty Office

"Crap, now I'm going to be kicked out of the café; not only that I had to see that bastard in his underwear..."

"Do you mean Mr. Pink Undies?"

Akira looks around in surprise when he hears the voice, "Who said that?"

"You already forgot who I am? It is I, Arsene."

His eyes go wide when he hears that it was his persona and that it could talk in the real world; "You can talk outside the other-world!?"

"Why are you surprised? I am your rebellious spirit. In other words, your other-self; I did speak to you about our pact, correct? "

He nods starting to get the picture; "Yeah, that is true."

"So, I'm always going to be with you. I hope that isn't a bother."

"Alright and of course; it's no bother. But one question; can anyone hear you? Also, why are you talking normal? Didn't you give me a huge speech when I released you? Which to be honest was pretty cool."

"Well to your first question; only other persona-users can hear me in your world and to your second and third question, that was just an act and I wants to sound cool besides it took me years to make a speech like that."

"Well I'm glad to have you as a partner, Arsene."

"So am I; Akira."

Akira then sees Ms. Kawakami exit the room, "Well time to go meet our class" "Indeed."

Classroom 2-D

The classroom door opens and Ms. Kawakami appears with Akira. Making everyone look at it including Ann and her eyes went wide seeing him, "No way, he's in this class!?"

Ms. Kawakami introduces Akira to the class and asks him to say something. Once she does; he bows; "Hello everyone, My name is Akira Kurusu; nice to meet you all."

The class starts murmuring to themselves about how he looks normal and sounds nice but that was all an act because he'll attack them if he doesn't like you or that he's a smoker and carries around a knife.

Akira quietly sighs with sadness in his eyes, "How did they find out about my criminal record...? It's just going to be like in my hometown all over again…" "Don't mind them Akira, they don't know the real you, you can't let them get to you."

Ann looks at him in sympathy, "There's that look again…no criminal would be sad about the hate he receives. Maybe he just needs a friend…" While she was thinking this. Ms. Kawakami points at a seat behind her and Akira starts walking towards the seat.

He smiles at her when he passes by her, "Hello Takamaki-san, it's nice to see you again."

She smiles back at him; "You don't have to be formal, just Takamaki is fine. But, nice to see you again too."

He then sits at his desk and brought out all his supplies. While he was doing this, he starts to hear the other classmates murmur.

"Did you see that? Does the transfer student and Takamaki have a thing going on? That was fast!" One female student said.

"That can't be! Isn't she Kamoshida's girl? If it's true though, maybe she's easy!" A male student said.

"You shouldn't go after her, he might kill you. I'm surprised that he hasn't attack Takamaki yet…" Another male student said.

Akira sighs, "Here we go; but now I brought her into this…" "These teenagers have no respect at all…"

April 13

Volleyball Meet

Today was the monthly volleyball meet featuring teachers vs. students.

Akira and Ryuji were sitting by themselves with Ryuji glaring at the girls who were cheering for Kamoshida; "I can't believe these girls are cheering for this asshole…" "I can nah wait fer 'im t' walk the plank 'n then we pilfer these wenches from 'im!" "Dude...calm down with the 'wenches' talk. They're still high-school girls..."

"I have to agree with Kidd on this one, well not the 'wenches' part; but I can't wait to take down Mr. Pink Undies." "Shouldn't you call him, Kamoshida?" "No, I like Mr. Pink Undies better; he doesn't deserve me calling him by his real name." "You sound pretty angry, Arsene." "I don't have respect for people who use their status for evil and selfish things like him especially after seeing what he thinks of your friend." "Do you mean Takamaki?" "Yes, you should never treat girls as objects." Hearing him talk about Ann makes him look over at her who was looking uninterested in what was going on but she then looks over to where Akira was sitting and saw him looking at hers making her smile at him and waves which made him wave did back.

Ryuji notices it and smirks; "So when did you guys become friends?"

"Well I wouldn't say friends...more like acquaintances."

Ryuji looks back at her, "Well; I've known Takamaki since middle-school cause we went to the same school. She's still the same as ever but the only time I see her smile is with her friend Suzui."

Akira thought about that for a moment, "She only smiles when she's around her friend? I guess I wouldn't doubt that…I've heard the things people say about her…"

But the girls starts cheering louder when they notice that the ball was going towards Kamoshida and when it does, he runs up to the net and slams the ball hard with his open palm. The ball spikes right towards Mishima's face and it hits him hard thus knocking him out. Kamoshida quietly huffs and turns into his fake caring persona then runs to Mishima seeing and asking if someone can get a doctor.

"That bastard!" "No kidding..." Akira wasn't surprised that he would do something like that considering what he had saw. "Akira! You need to teach him a lesson by taking him down a peg or two!"

"Hold on! That would be awesome but should we start shit with him? I thought we're being secret and stuff?" "I actually agree wit' Ryuji on this one! No needs t' be startin' problems!"

"He's a rebel right? This is the perfect time to show it." "But I've never plays volleyball before..." "Don't worry I've been watching how these humans play, all you go to do is hit the ball over the net and block that bastards spike. Also I give you some of my powers so you'll be faster." "You can do that outside the Metaverse?" "Yeah; but only a little bit, enough for you to be faster." "Alright, I'll do it." Akira gets up and walks up to the student's field. "I'm giving you some of my power now." Everyone except Ryuji didn't see the small blue light around him and he gives Kamoshida his Joker smirk; "I'd like to play, if you don't mind of course?" He bows.

Ann looks at Akira with shock, "Is he going up against Kamoshida!? But, that smirk, its kinda hot…"

Kamoshida smils, "Oh so the transfer student wants to play. You haven't seen my spike, have you?"

The crowd starts booing Akira while shouting out to teach that criminal a lesson among other things. Even the students on their playing field steps away from him.

Ryuji slamms his fist at his thigh, "These assholes hate him for no reason! Just cause of that bastard; Kamoshida!." "No one disrespects me cap'n! These scallywags will pay!"

Ann became angry as well, "They don't care about him at all! I wish I can help him but Kamoshida would take Shiho off the team if I rebel against him…"

He bows; "I had a feeling that you didn't use all your power when you purposely aimed at the student..." He stands straight; "So where's this National winning spike I've heard so much about? I'm waiting….and I hope you don't disappoint me and you fans..."

He starts growling; "You're asking for it kid! No one tries to takes me off my throne!" "Fine! Let's start the match then! Here...I'll let you go first." Kamoshida throws the ball at him.

Akira catches and looks at it; "What do I do?" "You're supposs to serve it by hitting under the ball with your fist." He nods and lets go of the ball then hits it with his fist under it. The ball flies towards one of the other teachers who hits it towards Kamoshida. Kamoshida then jumps up and readies his arm. "Now run up to the net and block his spike!" Akira then runs up to the net quickly and jumps as high as Kamoshida did. And just as Kamoshida hit the ball, Akira brings his hand forward and knocks the spike away into the teacher's playing field.

Everyone had a look of shock on their faces while Kamoshida had a look of pure contained rage.

Ryuji jumps out of his sitting position and yells, "Hell yeah!" While Ann tries her hardest to not stand and cheer.

"Is that all you got Kamoshida? If it is, I'm done here…" Akira walks over to Ryuji and whispers, "You ready to talk to those victims?"

Ryuji nods, "Yeah, let's do this! That was awesome by the way!" "That shall teach that land-lover t' be a scallywag!"

Courtyard

Akira was waiting for Ryuji to finish learning about the volleyball team abuse. "I hope he was able to find some information." "Didn't we get that info about that kid who was hit by Mr. Pink Undies?" "Oh yeah...but we aren't certain if he will really talk to us. Let's just wait for Ryuji."

That's when he hears someone walk up to him and he looks towards seeing Ann, "Hey Kurusu-kun...can I talk to you for a second?"

Akira smiles seeing her, "Oh, hello Takamaki, of course."

She looks away for a bit not knowing how to bring what she was going to ask up without offending him; "Well…I wants to talk to you about those rumors..."

Akira sighs assuming that she was believing them, "I was falsely accused and ended up here...that's all you need to know." "No need to be rude, Akira." "I know, it's just a sore subject right now."

Ann glares at him because of his attitude but sighs understanding why he would act like that, "You don't have to be rude to me. I just wanted know the truth. I know what it's like to be labeled as well...So I wanted to hear your side of the story."

Akira looks at her surprised but then smiles, "Oh. Well thank you for that." He then thinks of something that he can ask her and maybe he can get her to on their side; "But, can I ask you something?" She nods; "Why do people keep thinking that you and Kamoshida are together? I had seen how much you hate being around him when he picked you up when we first met."

Ann looks at him surprised that he noticed that but looks down, "I'm sorry but I can't talk about that…but there's something I want to tell you." She looks back at him with pleading eyes; "You should give up going after Kamoshida...He goes after your weakness and no one will help you cause of it."

He nods but he didn't see why she couldn't help him; "Wait; can't you help me? Or do you have a weakness that he knows of?"

Ann shakes her head, "I'm sorry but I can't...I'll see you later..." She then walks away; "I can't ruin Shiho's dream…even if I have to give myself up…to him."

April 14

Classroom Building 2F

"That's got to be Suzui; she looks like she got the worst of it…Her eyes look empty..." He nods; "I don't feel right talking about Kamoshida she looks like she's dead to the world…" "I know but we have to." Akira walks over to her, "Hello; are you Suzui?"

She looks over at him, "Oh, what is it? Am I in your way, I'm sorry…"

"She really does sound like she's given up…" "Are you hurt?"

Shiho looks confused, "Huh? Yeah, a little bit…I haven't seen you before. Are you the new transfer student in Class 2D?" Akira nods making her sigh,; "About the rumors about you, don't listen to them. My best friend is going through the samething cause of her looks."

"She must mean Takamaki." "Thank you but can you tell me how you got those injuries?"

Shiho looks at him surprised but then looks down in sadness, "I'm sorry but I can't say anything…." She whispers, "I have to be strong for Ann…"

Akira hears that and thinks; "Remember, when Ann told us the Kamoshida goes after people's weaknesses? I think Shiho is her weakness and vice-versa." "This girl is taking the beatings cause she wants to be strong for Takamaki and continue being in the starting line-up but Takamaki has to pretend to be Kamoshida's girlfriend to have her stay in the starting position. He's playing both of them since they both won't let the other know what they're sacrificing for each other...They're both strong when it comes to their friendship." "I'm going to bring down that fucking bastard!" "Yes, I'm starting to hate him more and more." "Thank you for not believing the rumors, I hope your injuries heal fast."

Shiho smiles, "You're welcome, and thank you. You're not a bad person at all."

Akira smiles back, "I appreciate that. Goodbye, Suzui-san"

Underground Walkway

Akira overhears Ann talking to Kamoshida about trying to get her to do something that she didn't want to do and using Shiho as a threat. But after revealing himself and telling her, she runs away crying but Akira just stands there. "What are you doing!? Follow her!" "Right, I won't let her face her problems alone anymore!" Akira runs after her till she stops and breaks down against a pillar.

She looks at him in confusion after she calms down, "Why!? Why won't you leave me alone…"

Akira put a hand on her shoulder, "Because I know what it's like to be alone; with everybody ignoring you… and I want to help you through it."

Ann looks at him surprised but then with hope, "D-do you really want to help me…?"

"Of course, I can't stand to see someone in emotional pain."

Ann got up and wipes her eyes, "Thank you Akira-kun." She looks around and sees people staring at them; "Um...can we talk at the diner then?" Akira nods and he follows after her

Diner

Ann was swirling her finger in her water because throughout their walk here, they didn't say a word. But that's when Ann finally talks; "You hear those rumors about me and Kamoshida right? That I'm sleeping with him…" Ann shivers in disgust at those words.

"I knew those weren't true. Just by the way you get angry and annoyed by hearing his name."

Ann nods but starts to cry softly, "He wants me to go to his house after school today…I'm sure you know what that means…" Akira just nods and grips his pants in contained anger; "But, if I decline, he'll take Shiho off the starting lineup…I can't do that to her…not after working so hard to help her..." She starts to cry harder and looks at him with pleading eyes, "Please, help me! Tell me, what am I suppose to do!"

"She's depending on you now, are you going to refuse?" "Of course not, I already made up my mind when we talked to Shiho." "Don't give in to him, we'll find a way, together."

Ann wipes her tears away and smile, "Together huh? I like the sound of that and thank you Akira-kun." She looks at him with happiness in her eyes, "You're not a bad person at all…I knew those rumors weren't true, that's why I wants to know that truth from you instead of judging you."

He smiles; "Thank you for that Takamaki-san."

Ann giggles, "You can call me Ann, since we're friends now."

"Okay, Ann. It's funny though; some of the rumors I hear say that I carry a knife but I can't find the damn thing anywhere though."

"He has a nice laugh and a cute smile" She laughs; "Maybe it's where you keep your cigarettes."

"She has a beautiful laugh and her smile is heavenly." "Well looks like someone is already having feelings for her." "What? We just became friends." "Just because you just became friends; doesn't mean you can't fall for them right away. Look at her, she's showing you her true face." "I think your right…but...I fell in love once...I can't again..." "You can't let the past haunt you...You have to try and find a new future instead."

Ann takes a sip from her glass, "You know, when I first met you, you looks so alone then."

Akira nods, "I was...Once I got a false criminal record. No one wanted to have anything to do with me. So I lost everything and I didn't have many friends but they stops contacting me."

Ann put her hand on his, "I'm so sorry Akira-kun…"

Akira smiles, "It's okay, I have new friends now.

Ann was about to respond but her phone goes off. She looks at it in worriment but when she sees who it i, she smiles; "It's Shiho, sorry I have to go." She thinks for a moment and then smiles at him, "Hey...do you want to exchange phone numbers and chat id? We do need to contact each other if we want to come up with a plan, right?"

Akira nods, "Of course."

They both exchange contract information; "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Akira-kun." Ann walks to the door and turns around with a smile towards him; "Thank you Akira...you saved me from making a terrible mistake and ruining my life."