Persona X TWEWY X Kingdom Hearts
Summary: Trapped in an unfair game? Fighting against society? Changing the hearts of evil adults? Save the world? Discovering oneself? Nothing out of the ordinary for these teenagers.
Chapter Twenty-Six:
Strengthen our Bonds.
*Friday: Evening. 13/5*
*Eri's Studio*
"This…is…the…worst…" Kairi thinks to herself as she forces herself to stay still and let Eri experiment with her hair and not bite at Shiki's fingers whenever they were in range of her mouth. Settled on a stool in Eri's bathroom with the fashion-experts at her back and front, Eri on the rim of the bathtub and Shiki before her, Kairi had to endure what felt like hours of staying still and not move a muscle on her face just so her fashionable friends to finish of their prep-work for tomorrow.
Granted this make-up Shiki was applying was easy to wash off and was more akin to light face painting and even with Eri playing with her hair she wasn't doing anything that required her to use equipment and to make it stay up. But the fact she had to stay so still was mind boggling to her and testing her patience. All she could to keep herself from moving or twitching was eagerly look forward to the date tomorrow night.
The date she had been dreaming of for a number of years now, ever since she was at that stage in life where want for romance surged within her. And after everything that happened to them, she couldn't imagine anyone else she'd go on a date with other than Sora. She just wished her first date didn't require such levels of preparation to make an amazing night into a memory she'll look back on in the future. And desperately wished her friends weren't so eager and excited to turn her into their doll.
"Sheesh, you've got such lovely hair but its too short to make it anything, but a bob or pixie cut…" Eri says as she untangled the notes and lets the auburn locks fall. Kairi rolls her eyes, remembering the reason she did cut her hair back in the forest was because of the fear that someone may grab it in battle. And partially because she wanted to know what Sora thought of her with pixie haircut. "Well if it isn't broken, don't fix it, right?" Shiki defends, "I mean you look good with the pixie look".
"Least somebody appreciates it…" Kairi sighed as she held back a flinch from contorting on her face from a slightly rough tug on the hair, "Besides when I cut it, I was thinking more about battle, you know?".
"I get it but now that we don't gotta worry about Beta-Nort or whatever ya called him, can't you let it grow out again?" Eri asked as she removed the pins in Kairi's hair. The princess of heart hummed thoughtfully at the question, thinking now that she and the others were all together and fighting lesser enemies these days, maybe letting her hair grow back to shoulder length wouldn't be so bad. Sure it would mean she'd have it tied up whenever they go into the Metaverse but maybe her Phantom Thief outfit would help.
"If anyone needs a haircut soon it's Riku," Shiki teases, "I think half his face is nearly hidden because of the fringe".
"Good luck getting near him with a pair of scissors," Kairi warns, "Riku really doesn't like people cutting his hair".
Eri coyly accepted her none-spoken challenge as Shiki finished her work on Kairi's face and showed her a mirror of herself. Approval shined in Kairi as she sees the masterwork of her friend's design, not too much to make her look trashy and she actually would admit she never looked better without makeup. Again this was a test run and just cheap imitations of the real deal so this could be washed off with ease.
Once she gave them her approval, she was finally allowed off the stool to clean herself up while Eri heads out and gets her clothes for the night ready. During her wash, the two girls made light chit-chat about the date. "So finally getting that date with Sora. How far on cloud nine are you?" she asks with a little smirk on her lips. Kairi giggles and compares it to having her heart being warmed by the sun, she was THAT excited for tomorrow. "After everything we've been through, it'd be nice to do something that's at least normal, you know?" she asked.
"Can't say I do," Shiki says, "You guys lived a really extraordinary life before coming to Shibuya, remember?".
Kairi sheepishly contested her point. As she settles against the tub, Shiki plants Mr Mew on her lap and asked: "So…I've umm, been wondering, but when you guys saw Sora, or really you, you hugged him as if you hadn't seen him in years. Why?". Kairi stops cleaning herself and stills, looking down at the sink with the dirty water mixing into a whirlpool. Her eyes darken with bad memories for a moment before she clears her throat and rubbed her neck. A horrible shiver runs down her spine and she feels a terrible ache on her back.
"Hey, you girls nearly done?" asked Ann, peeking her head in. She paused when the two were silent and notes Kairi's sudden tensed form. The mixed ethnicity girl enters the bathroom and closes the door behind her, asking if everything was ok. "…Sora disappeared after we stopped Xehanort…and we spent a whole year looking for him," Kairi answers softly, deciding to keep the other parts away from the fellow thieves for now. She turned to them and explained that she believed her memories must have had a clue for them to go by to find Sora, but all it did was take Riku here.
"Your memoires? Uh…how does that work?" Ann asked, "Like did Naminé have a part in it?".
"Not exactly. See our…umm associates, had a machine that looked into my memories from start to finish, but I was asleep for the year during the search," she explains, "So I think about six months ago I work up, and well…that's when I went back to my master for training."
"Hold on, a whole year Sora was gone?" Ann asked, "Where the heck did he go?".
Kairi frowns and confessed he hadn't told her everything and whenever she broached the subject with him, he would deflect and change the subject quickly. All she understood was he was there for possibly longer than any of them understand, she even added he could have been there for years for all they know. She plays with a stray of her hair, saying: "So yeah…after seeing him there finally, not an hallucination or me going crazy…it was like, a miracle, you know?".
"Jeez…poor Sora…" Ann says crossing her arms, "All alone for that long? Somebody who can befriend anyone doesn't deserve that". "But… how did he disappear? I thought you of all people would keep a close eye on him!" Shiki asked.
"Especially with that fine ass of his, your eyes must have been at least on that!" Ann says with a flirty smirk on her lips. Kairi blushed darkly and hugs herself with a nervous smile with a bit of sweat running down the side of her forehead. She squeaks behind closed lips and this little reaction gets the other two girls to smirk and suddenly they were on each of her side, pressing their shoulders against hers and eyeing her for more details, eyes alit with mirth and girlish curiosity.
With stammers as her main language currently, she replied: "I-I-I-I uh…maybe took my eyes off him for a second…both his face and butt…and then…poof".
"Pfft," Ann says, patting her back, "Well we'll just have to find alternative means to keep him in check, right?".
"Yeah! In fact!" Shiki says, grinning, "Tomorrow night, we're going to make you look so irresistible Sora won't even THINK of so much as stepping a foot away from you!". Kairi laughed at her friends eagerness to keep her closest friend as close to her as possible, and even if she thought they were being as over the top as inhumanly possible, she couldn't deny that warm feeling in her heart that grew with their words. She laughed along with Ann and Shiki, suggesting she get a tracker on his phone as a precaution.
"Hey! Get our fair maiden in here! Clothes are ready to be tried on!" Eri shouts from the other side of the bathroom door. Ann smirks as Shiki heads out with Kairi behind them. She couldn't wait for tomorrow night.
*Saturday: Afternoon. 14/5*
* Bunkamura*
Just when she thought adapting to the school life was tricky and even dealing with those moments where she felt out of place and in a whole new alien world, Naminé felt even more out of place in the gallery.
The moment she arrived after her piece had been safely delivered, she was ushered into her spot where, as she feared, she would be in between two other artists that clearly had more experience than she had. And worst of all she was sure she was the only teenager who won that contest, because everywhere she looks all she could see were either adults or old folks who would barely glance at her or even acknowledge she existed. The viewers who came and went were at least, for roughly the most part, nice to her.
Some complimented her work and asked about it while many others often, if not ninety-nine percent of them, had question who the real painter was and even "played" along with her being the original creator. Had she not learned how to deal with jerks from Lea and Riku, she probably would shrink and cried at the constant doubts thrown into her face. The more of those jerks she got, the more she wished she never won the contest and just remained as an anonymous artist who created for the sake of creativity and joy.
She wrings her hands just as the latest "supporter" stalked off, upset Naminé refused to tell her who the real artist was. Maybe her attire didn't inspire confidence or credibility, but she liked that this was her artist look. A beautiful dark blue t-shirt hidden in a white and silver jacket with a long pair of jeans with comfortable sneakers, her hair tied into a ponytail with her fringe parted to the left. Maybe it was that look that is partially to blame for that look, but again it was her look.
Naminé glanced at her piece with what should be a smile, instead is a frown. She loved her piece and the amount of work put into it should show in her eyes, yet all credit is being directed to someone who doesn't exist instead of her. Turning her slowly watering eyes to the ground, she just prayed that this stupid thing would just end so she could go home and never do this again…
"The dark greys compliment the awe of the structure, and behind the bleakness of the unknown, the wonder and curiosity speaks of imagination,".
Naminé looked up and sees, to her utter delight, another teen or student really, standing before her piece with a contemplative but clearly awe-struck look in his eyes. He has dark blue hair with parted bangs slightly covering his left eye and grey eyes. Naminé also noted he was much skinner and taller than most students she's met, probably Riku's height but definitely thinner than anyone else she knows. His clothing consists of a white gakuran-style shirt embroidered with a fleur-de-lis, fitted black pants and black loafers. A silver ring that holds multiple keys is attached to his belt loop.
Just from his appearance alone she was given the impression he must be some higher born teenager, yet his speech and accent strongly told her otherwise. He turned to Naminé, who quickly stopped her staring and see's the grey eyes were glowing with creation and imagination. "Are you Naminé Fuyuka?" he asked, very politely yet his excitement was endearing. Naminé clears her throat and nodded shyly.
"Wonderful! I haven't seen anything like this before, and I've been coming here for a few years now," he says with warmth, cupping his chin, "The colours empower a strange sense of bleakness, yet the main structure of the castle looks so chaotic and elegant at once, where in the world does this stem from?".
"Oh," Naminé says, "Well I've had that castle in my dreams a few times in the past and…well, I guess you could say I'm very grey mood kind, so I just went with my heart and…here we are".
"Amazing," he praised, "Certainly more unique and beautiful compared to everything else here,". They looked to see a few viewers stare at them, but quickly averted their eyes when the boy's eyes stared them down and forced them to scatter away like mice. "I see you've been under their baneful glares and scorns for some time," he notes.
"Sadly, I was naïve in thinking it'd be a more pleasant experience," sighed Naminé, hugging herself, "But you've made it worth it. So thank you for your kind words…err…".
"My sincerest apologies, Naminé. I am Yusuke Kitagawa," he introduces, "A student of Kosei High". The name sparked familiarity in Naminé's memory, although it was very limited. The school was certainly more difficult to get into than Shujin and its founding dates back all the way to nineteen-sixteen, over a hundred years. If she was right it is more of an artists form of school, poetry being one of the more common subjects studied and pursued course there.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Yusuke," she says with a smile. The blue haired teenager stays with her and they engaged in idle chatter, going on about each other's works and even Yusuke, although reluctantly, showed some of his works on his phone. Even with the compression of the screen and its lightening, Naminé would be an idiot if she didn't acknowledge the amount of work and skill put into the pieces showed, some worthy of being hanged in the gallery for years to come. "These are amazing Yusuke! How could you down-play the amount of skill in these pieces?" she asked.
"Truthfully, I've been suffering from artist's block. My muses have all but failed me entirely with naught but scrapes of imagination and creation, some even insult my brushes just by wasting the paint upon them," Yusuke laments, "I have strived to find something to reawaken the artist within my soul, yet it slumbers still with each failed attempt to awaken it".
"Oh dear…I see your point…" Naminé hummed, but then Yusuke's eyes lit up and turning to Naminé he asked her: "Naminé! Would you like to collab with me?".
He offers to work on a piece together, seeing as Naminé's work has stirred the creativity he had lacked for some time after so long of idle boredom. Yusuke lamented he couldn't pay her like he should, despite the girl rejecting the offer of monetary gaining, but then as he struggled to conjure up a proper method of compensation for her aid.
"Yusuke, there you are".
Behind Yusuke, closing in slowly on him, is an old man. He is an elderly man with long grey hair tied in a ponytail and he has short facial hair. He wears traditional Japanese clothes, strange to see in this day in age to Naminé. But oddly the moment he showed up, Yusuke suddenly straightens up and formally bows to the man, his excited looks gone and composure and respect taken over his face. The old man looked at the image and then to Naminé.
"Ah, I see you've already struck up a conversation with Ms Fuyuka-San," he says respectfully and even bows to her, "It is a pleasure to meet you". Naminé quickly bowed in response, stuttering a greetings and a thank you in one breath. The old man laughed good naturedly, amused by her sudden panic. "Goodness, there is no need to panic my dear," he assures, "I'm just impressed that the gallery finally swallowed their pride and let a lesser known artist finally bask in the fruits of her efforts".
"Allowed? Wait, am I the only teenager who got her piece showcased?" Naminé asked, standing up right. The elderly man sighed with remorse, explaining that the views of the managers and owners of the museum were very narrow minded and carried a slight prejudice towards the youth of the art world, lamenting that he and his student have seen far too many wonderful pieces be overshadowed by people who value old-school art and have even less respect to a piece based on age.
"But I'm hoping with your piece, surely people will see the benefits of allowing our future artists display their work," he says with hope in his voice.
"That's a very positive outlook, and I'm sure many others would be thankful to hear it from you," Naminé compliments, "But I'm terribly sorry if I come across as rude, but I'm not too familiar with the artists here".
"Oh no my dear, I understand. My art is more old fashioned than most," he replied with mirth, "My name is Ichiryusai Madarame".
"Madarame? Wait…" Naminé thinks, before remembering that man from Mementos and it takes all her skill to hold back the shock in her eyes. Madarame went on to explain he is Yusuke's mentor, and his work mostly consists of the old Japanese ink work, listing one Naminé had seen earlier on her way to her piece. Yet as he went on and on about himself and praising hers, Naminé's nerves were on full alert. Nakanohara already popped into her mind and his demands for "justice" against Madarame rang out in her head, yet she couldn't placate where that hate stemmed from.
But then again Kamoshida managed to hide his true self from almost everyone else, this could be the same case with Madarame.
"Am I correct when I say I heard Yusuke requesting you two work on a piece together?" he asked. Naminé pushes her concerns into the back of her mind and nodded, which made the elder man smile. "I can assure you, Fuyuka-San, you won't regret working with my pupil. He has potential held back all because of this persistent artist's block, but I'm certain working with another up coming artist will help him".
"If Yusuke wants to, I'd be more than happy to work with him," offers Naminé, "If he's willing to bear with me. I've…never worked with another artist before…".
"Certainly…" Yusuke says, quietly and closed off.
"Well that settles it, we best get going," Madarame says, "I'm afraid we've a lecture to attend to. I hope to see your work in more galleries, Fuyuka-San". They exchange one more bow before both artists leave, but Naminé watches them leave with worry in her eyes. "If that's the Madarame that stalker was talking about…could he be just like Kamoshida and have a Palace of his own?" she thinks to herself, "But what if I'm wrong and he's just a genuine artist?". She folds her arms and ponders, trying to gauge this.
Whatever it is, she had a feeling she and Yusuke would see each other again and art wasn't going to the reason why…
*Evening: Saturday. 14/5*
* Hakushu Teppanyaki*
Taking another deep breath to calm himself and steady his breathing, the boy who once opened the door to all worlds held back the urge to pace in place and wring his hands. Sora relaxed as best as he could, noticing a few passing people would look at him weirdly or judgingly and opted to try and look as normal as he could. Who knew a world was so strict on fitting into society standards?
"Maybe I'm too early…" he thinks to himself, checking his phone and spotting he was still at least ten minutes early. Sora frowns with a grimace, realizing he was being overly nervous and severely overthinking the whole thing. Here he is, about to go on his first date with the one person who he'd move the stars for and was even taking her to a fancy restaurant, yet he was acting as if he was about to go into battle unprepared. But even with all the assurances he had from his friends and "advice" he got, he just couldn't help himself.
He even had to go all out for his clothes tonight, for the first time in years actually look for something appropriate for events like these. And Sora had thanked every single star in the world that Riku was his best friend with a wonderful fashion sense.
Dressed in probably the most posh and fancy he's even been, Sora had donned a dark red shirt with a navy jacket with a violet motif of some bird on his back, long navy slacks with a belt and fancy buckle and black shoes. Nobody even bothered to do anything with his hair, namely because that was one of his charms and Kairi would love her boy still retaining his goofy looks. Also because from experience, none of the guardians had a chance of taming it.
Not too fancy but perfectly balancing both style and comfort.
The sound of footsteps tickle his ears and when he hears a shy but gentle call of his name, Sora spins around to greet whoever it was, and suddenly his breath disappeared.
Standing before him was beauty in the form of a mortal, dressed in a beautiful dark red dress that reached beneath her knees, showing off her toned yet elegant legs with a pair of white dress shoes with rose motifs drawn on the body. The dress exposed her back and had straps, sleeveless with her bracelets and a single ring on her finger. Her hair was done up to look more elegant and stylish, yet it was simple and cute. The makeup made her seemingly inhumanly beautiful, yet her eyes were so bright and excited that they outshined the whole thing.
Kairi's cheeks were lightly red, and her smile was soft yet nervous. Her hands behind her back as she looked away, ducking her head and a giggle of her nerves flutter out. "Hi…" she says with a giggle. Sora blinked and hummed a greeting, rubbing his neck and flashing her a toothy smile, replying with a: "Hey".
"U-Umm…navy looks good on you…" she compliments, facing him. That was a downright lie in her mind, he looked amazing in anything. Seeing him in such a "adult" and fancy attire made her best friend seemingly even more attractive. If it wasn't for the fact she was going to enjoy some tasty food with him and they were surrounded by the public eye, she'd probably pounce him and never let go. But that can all come later, she just wanted to have a date with the boy first and foremost. Sora clears his throat and gestures the restaurant, offering his arm to her.
Graciously she takes his offered arm and clings to him, resisting the desire to rest her head on his shoulder. That would have been too intimate at the moment…for now…
They enter the restaurant, got themselves seated and peered over the menu. Luckily despite the words being in an entirely different language, the time spent here has helped them understand and even adapt to the language here. Kairi explained that the keyblade's magic might have helped them and giggled that maybe it was just magic. Sora teases that that was an overused excuse that nobody seemed to have an issue using over and over again.
The restaurant is surprisingly homey compared to the one Ann mentioned, that it was a much higher class realm compared to their normal food outings. Here though it felt more cosy and comforting to be dining, even with the occasional snobs here and there. During the menu reading, Kairi lightly remarks that the food is gonna have a hard time meeting her palate, which prompted the boy to ask her what she meant. "I had amazing food during the forming of our "superhero squad", so my expectations are quite high for this place," she explains.
"Oh…w-well…" Sora says with nerves, making Kairi giggle and assured him that she was just trying to make conversion and even tease a little just for him to relax. "I'm sure it'll be delicious, even if you're not cooking,".
"…I can make you desert when we're finished…" Sora offered, shyly looking at his menu.
"Oh? Such as?" she asks.
"Strawberry cheesecake?" he offered.
Kairi looked at him, then back at the menu with a horrible case of conflict in her heart. Strawberry cheesecake made by Sora for her sounded too good to pass up and had she not been so excited to have this moment between them she'd grab him and show him how she appreciated the consideration of her favourite desert. "Desert later…Sora and date comes first!" she thinks to herself. Soon the waiter comes back, and once orders are placed, they engaged in small talk excluding their adventures, opting to engage in normality for a while.
"So how are you finding this?" Kairi asked, sipping her water.
"Nervously," laughed Sora.
With a giggle and a blush, Kairi reiterates her question. "I mean with all this? School, jobs, and you know? Things most people do nowadays? Instead of, you know, being a hero?".
"Its weird, gonna be honest," Sora answers, "I mean…can you imagine it?". He looks at his glass with a contemplative look, asking her if she could imagine their lives had taken a much different route. This made the girl pause and ponder on his words, looking at the table and suddenly feeling that sensation of wonder and even heartache. A normal life for them and Riku, where they would have been like everyone else in their worlds. Not guardians of light, not seeing things beyond their wildest imagination and of course putting their lives on the line.
"Sometimes…" she answers honestly, "I mean I can't say much since, you know,".
"I guess but you had your share of adventures, right?" Sora defends, "Like how you jumped into a dark corridor to escape from Lea".
"Only to be captured like what, an hour later?" Kairi asked with a smirk. Sora laughed softly and argued if she had a keyblade back then she could have pummelled him. She rolls her eyes, saying he was just trying to make her feel better for getting kidnapped, again. "I dunno. I remember you had a really mean right hook!" he teases, which made Kairi gasp and grin. "Oh no you don't! That was an accident!" she argued, "If someone didn't daydream, he would have seen it coming!".
"Still didn't mean you were a wimp! I mean I thought my jaw broke or something!" laughs Sora.
"Oh shut up, you're just exaggerating…or maybe you were a wimp~" she teases.
"I was six!" argued back Sora.
"Excuses~".
"…least I didn't get stuck in the tree," reminds Sora, "Or get attacked by seagulls".
"…seagulls are scary," Kairi weakly argued.
More of their childhood adventures came flourishing out of their memories, laughs were had and smiles growing wider and more joyous as they exchanged their memories, even until their food arrived. During the meal they would converse more and more about their past, ignoring their duties and making delightful chats. A night of normality and peace, their jobs as heroes pushed aside to bring them into a night of serenity and ease before they plunged themselves into a bizarre world and uphold their duties as heroes.
The food was served, and more talk was made between them, Kairi complimenting the food but firmly stating Sora, who was making soft critique of his own culinary skills, was the better chef evidently based on how pleasant the meal was but lacked the creativity his own dishes had. Their conversations jumped to how things have been since they adapted to this world, going into a more normal and safer environment and even a normal schedule compared to last year. Kairi remarked her job at Eri's workplace was more tricky than she'd expected, confessing there some vain women and most entitled idiots she had ever seen.
"Mr H is so laid back at Wildkat…you could juggle the chairs on the counter, and he'd probably cheer you on," Sora says after swallowing his food, "And the amount of coffee we can consume is crazy".
"Ugh, just as well Xion isn't allowed any…" Kairi sighed, "I swear I thought her high on sugar was bad but caffeine high Xion? There aren't enough of us to cope with her".
She places her dirty utensils on her clear plate, commenting about the music here was too fancy for her liken. In the background are orchestral music playing overhead, but it was mostly the stereo type kind, where it just sounds epic and grand but meaningless and superficial, unlike the ones she's been listening to for the past few days. Sora agreed that it lacked "oomph" and didn't make him wanna jump and dance, which got Kairi to raise a brow at the mention. Boastfully Sora explains he's learned to dance in a few worlds, and if given the chance he could charm the entire floor with his footwork.
Kairi leaned on her hand with her elbow resting on the table, giving him an analysing look and teased: "You can cook, dance and you're cute, ticking all my checkmarks, Sora~". Sora's boastful smile vanishes, and his cheeks once more take on a dark hue, making him scratch his cheek before shyly chuckling and stammering another subject, while Kairi's teasing looks shifted away and in its stead was warmth and…something else.
This in turn made the boy bravely face her as his own eyes shimmered with something else dancing in the endless blue. Their little moment was interrupted by a waiter coming to check on them, breaking their little bubble and with a high voice of surprise, Sora asks for the check.
After that, the two guardians took a stroll through the city, never having any chances to do so at night, and walked all around to see whatever this world has for them to explore. Side by side, Kairi quietly shivered and forced herself to withhold any attempts to rub her arms, not wanting to worry her date. During her walk, she lightly jumped when she feels something draped around her shoulders and a sudden warmth seeps into her form. She glances up to see Sora scratching his cheek, jacketless. "You were cold…" he mutters softly.
Kairi smiles at him and holds his jacket tightly against her, sniffing his cologne. Their walk eventually leads them to a bridge overlooking a small water channel and deciding to take the chance for some alone time, they both leaned on the bridge railing and watch the stars twinkle in the river. Shoulders brushing against each other, hands ever so close, just begging to have one of them overlap the other. Looking at the water, both of them were silently enjoying each other's presence yet their minds were trying to wrap around what exactly did this date mean.
"…this was fun," Kairi says, "I mean, its different than how we normally hang out together, but you know, it's a nice change".
"Y-Yeah! I mean, we could, like, make it a thing", Sora answered, "Like every Friday or something, we just do something together. Just the two of us".
Kairi smiled for a moment before she looked back to the waters and her smile shifted into one of thought. "So…what does this mean for us?" she asks. Sora folds his arms and ponders those words, unable to flat out answer. "What do you mean?" he asked. Kairi rolls her eyes and faces him with a smirk. "Despite popular belief, you're not dense Sora," she chastised lightly, "You know what I'm asking".
Sora, instead of smiling stupidly or grinning sheepishly, turns to her with a pretty serious look in his eyes, but there's no steel or toughness. His eyes spoke for his heart, and she could see he has been thinking about this for a while. "…and what if…I said I…wanted more than to be just your best friend?" he asks, softly and hesitantly. Kairi's smirk leaves her lips as she stands before him, letting down her walls and exposing her innocent eyes to him. "As in?" she encouraged. Sora rubbed his neck, and with a sigh, he confessed that this date changed how he looked at her now. And for a while, he can't help but think being just her friend wasn't enough for him.
"So much has happened to us, and every time when I think we're finally out of the worst of it, suddenly something comes up and we end up separated…but now that we're here, together in a place where we're with friends…maybe, now's the time?" he explains, "And well…" He stopped and for a second, she saw those dark eyes darken, just like when he confessed his fears of all this being a temporary reprieve from his isolation. Kairi rubbed her arm, quietly mulling over his fears and even her own.
"…do you wanna know something? Its really selfish of me and all honestly, greedy…but…" she starts and takes a breath, "When I hugged you, after we escaped the Metaverse for the first time…I swore that no matter what happens I wasn't going to let you go. If you let me hold you, I was never ever going to let you go".
She looked at him and said: "I know its selfish of me, but I don't care. Even if all we ever become is just closest friends, I wouldn't let you go…".
Sora stared at her, and with a small chuckle, he confessed: "Too be honest…I'm just as selfish". She smiled at him as her hands found themselves in his bigger and stronger hands, then slowly their bodies were pressed together and eyes meeting. "I don't want to let you go, I don't want to lose you to anything or anyone…and if this is me being selfish…then that's fine," he explains. Kairi slowly raised her hand to his cheek as he brushed a stray hair from her eyes, slowly they leaned in and as their lips touch, their eyes close softly.
*Early Morning: Sunday. 15/5*
*Subway*
Rubbing the back of his neck with a small yawn, Ren rolls his shoulders while listening to Ryuji and Xion talking about something regarding their results in the exams. Their raven haired leader somewhat switched off during Ryuji's third (or fifth) groan about how he didn't have the energy to study and wasted time playing video games, while Xion whined that the exams were too long and time consuming for her.
"Nearly missed the new episode too!" Xion pouts, "Stupid maths…".
"Did you at least read one page of the information you studied this month?" Ren asked, curious as they waited for the subway train to arrive. Xion nodded and even did a few algebra and equations to satisfy Ren's curiosity. The fact she even knew how to answer an algebra question was enough for him. Ryuji admitted he tried to pull an all night study before the final exam, but in the end he gave up and just played video games until morning. "And you wonder why you can't pass…" Ren chuckled. Ryuji shrugged his worries, rebuking that nothing will change no matter how many times he fails.
"Defeated," Xion chirped.
"Hey! Ain't a defeat! I just…don't worry 'bout it!" argued the blonde.
"Defeat" she repeats.
Before Ryuji could start an argument with the girl, Morgana meows a greeting to Ann, walking up to the others. Her yawn alerts them to her presence and morning greetings were delivered to her, which she waved to them in response. "I'm guessing you fared no better than Ryuji for the last exam?" Ren asked. As he expected, Ann at least tried to make a dash for the finish line of the final exam, but chances were given her track record of late night cram sessions, she was gonna fail this one too. Yet Morgana stilled praised her and took a shot at Ryuji, which caused the blonde to antagonize the furball.
Xion glares at Morgana with a pout, but then glanced at Ann, now looking over her shoulder with worry in her eyes. "What's wrong? *Gasp* Is there a crepe stall nearby?" asked the excited raven with a toothy grin. Ann shook her head and turns to her friend. "No, but…nah, its nothing," she replied with a shake of her head. Morgana glanced at Ren and Ryuji, the latter looking more confused than anything else. Xion on the other hand looked where Ann's eyes were and her own narrows, her senses kicking up a storm.
Even after getting on their ride and then getting off, the younger raven couldn't help but stick close to Ann while keeping her eyes open for this discomfort. Riding the escalator upward to the surface, Ann glanced back over Xion's head and gasped, prompting Ren and Morgana to look at her. "That guy got off with us!" she whisper yelled, and all she got from Ryuji was a yawn and stretch. She pouted at him while Ren looks to Xion. "There's someone following Ann, and he's been doing it since we met up with her," she explained.
Ryuji looks at the girl, then with a groan tells the others to follow him as he walks up to the surface. Surprised by this, the three following him without question. Once they were outside, Ann stood by a street pole while the three separate. Near the subway entrance, Xion's ears picked up on the quicker pace of this weirdo racing up the stairs but then stopped, then slows when likely they saw Ann on her own just waiting.
He approaches Ann and raises a hand to likely grab her. Only for Xion to suddenly appear in front of him like she teleported from nowhere and grabbed his wrist and for arm. Then with a yell version of "NO TOUCHY" she throws him over her shoulder and slammed him onto the ground with what Riku taught her was "restraint". The stranger is on his back with his arm in the iron death grip that was Xion's grip, thankfully with no broken bones or leaving a mark in the ground.
"Holy shit Xion!" Ryuji yells as he and Ren jogged back to the girls with a wide eyed Ann staring at the scene before her. "I SAID GRAB HIM! NOT BREAK HIS…EVERYTHING!".
Ren rubbed his face with a groan, praying that this person was just a horrible groper and Xion actually stopped a criminal and not harmed an innocent person who might just be trying to help Ann. Xion turned to the others with confusion, blinking. "Umm…is there something wrong?" asked the stranger. Xion looks back to him and sees he looked just as confused, albeit a little startled, as she does. Even with him being thrown onto the ground by a girl who was smaller in height and probably muscle, he seemed inhumanly composed and clamed.
Ann however shock herself from her stupor and marched around Xion and pointed to the student, saying: "That's my line! You've been stalking me! Ever since the train!".
Once again the boy just stared at her, confused, and even scoffed at the notion of him stalking her, her claims preposterous. Ren walks around Xion and stands beside Ann, turning to the raven. "Let him up, I think there's been a misunderstanding," he orders. Xion looks at him and after seeing "Joker's eyes" she shrugged and releases her grip on the student. With a grateful thank you, the boy got up and dusts himself, turning to Xion.
His eyes widen and he looked surprised. "Naminé? Goodness, I didn't recognize you! My apologizes" he says, bowing to her. Blinking, Xion looked behind her and around, before she points to herself with a confused brow raised. "Y-Yes you…umm, we met at the art gallery yesterday, remember? Yusuke Kitagawa?" he explained, looking even more confused. Xion tilts her head lost while Ryuji eyes him suspiciously. Ren holds back a massive groan, wondering who was more ignorant before he clears his throat.
"Sorry, but you're talking to her twin sister, Xion," Ren explains, "She's a bit of a scatter brain than her sister". Yusuke turned to the fellow teen with a look, before he hummed and concluded that based on his interaction with her, she merely shared similar looks to his fellow artist. "Ya know for a guy who just got slammed to the ground like a criminal, he's taking all of this pretty well," Morgana whispers behind Ren, "Watch yourself".
Ren adjusts his bag as a signal to the cat, then turned to Yusuke. "Why were you following Ann?" he asked. Yusuke clears his throat and explains that he saw her from the car and, for a lack of a better word, was captivated by her so much he chased her. So much so he didn't even hear nor notice his sensei calling him, grateful he managed to catch up to her in time before she was lost in the sea of people.
"And by caught up with, I think he means Xion caught him…" Morgana sighed.
"Please, you're the woman I have been searching for all this time! Will you-
"W-Wait a second!" Ann squeaks.
"-Be the model for my next art piece!?".
"Model?" Xion asked, "OOOOOH like a sculpture?".
"Not entirely no…you see all I've drawn till now has been lacking, but you and Naminé, there is a passion from you both I haven't felt from anyone else!" Yusuke explained. His eccentric nature was immediately grounds for suspicion for the party, recalling such theatrics from their previous target and for Xion far too many former co-workers, yet they couldn't find any malicious intentions within his heart. Ryuji however acted on impulse in an instant, stepping before the guy and demanding he explain himself before Ann signs up for anything shady.
"Yusuke?".
The gang turned to see Naminé and the majority of the girls excluding Kairi approaching them. "And the others," Eri remarks, "What's up?". Yusuke bowed to his fellow artist and introduced himself to the others while rubbing his neck. "Your sister is quite protective of her friends, I wasn't aware you even had a sister, let alone someone who knows martial arts," he says with a sigh. Naminé's eyes widen with horror, and she immediately turned to her "sister", demanding to know what he meant and if her fear is confirmed, how many bones did she break or worse.
"I held back, promise!" Xion says.
"Naminé, I've asked your friend if she would be willing to model for me, but have you given our collaboration more thought?" Yusuke asked. Naminé folds her arms, and then says: "I…have, actually. But would Madarame mind if we borrowed you for it?". Ann's eyes widen with recognition at the name, but so did the Phantom Thieves. Yusuke explained that he would need to run it by his sensei, but his sensei's exhibition was happening at the department store near the train station tomorrow. He was going to be helping with the opening, which Naminé asked if they could purchase some tickets and come see for themselves.
"I believe if Ann saw what sort of works your sensei does, then she'd be happy to model for us knowing you were taught by him. I'll even try to sway her objections before then," offered Naminé. Yusuke agreed and handed her five tickets, lamenting he was only allowed to grant a few before the opening. Though he had little belief everyone bar the two had any love for art. He bows to her and wishes a good day before walking off, lamenting his master maybe worried for his sudden rush to catch Ann.
Once he was out of sight, Ryuji commented that he was easy to read, like an open book. "So that's Yusuke…and you're sure he's not from another world like you guys?" Eri asked.
"Positive…eccentric he is, most artists are…" Naminé explained, "But his sensei, is Ichiryusai Madarame".
"…who?" Ryuji asked.
"He's a world famous Japanese-style artist, apparently well revered as an older generation artist," Rhyme explains before frowning, "But if this is the same Madarame that Nakanohara mentioned in Mementos…".
"Wait, you think that guy's like our next Kamoshida or somethin'?" Eri asks. Naminé nodded hesitantly, claiming she just heard the name and thought it might be the same person the shadow was mentioning. "Problem is, or really this could be paranoia, I didn't get much of a vibe from him unlike our former coach," she says, "For all I know that Nakanohara could just be passing the blame of his mistakes onto him".
Morgana pops his head out of the bag and assured Naminé that if Nakanohara said all that before his heart changed then she'd be right to doubt him. But all of that came out after, so she might be on to something. "But the fact he's going after Lady Ann is definitely worrying!".
"OR maybe he's genuine in wanting her as a model?" Shiki offers, "I mean he didn't seem like a bad guy".
"The dude didn't so much as shout when Xion attacked him! NOBODY is that chill!" Ryuji argued, "Something's definitely up with that guy!".
"Well, the exhibit is tomorrow, so if you really feel like its worth going…" Ren says, turning to Naminé and Ann, the former nodding firmly while Ann reluctantly decides to go, "Just be on guard. And maybe bring Sora or the other guardians…preferably not Xion…". Xion pouts at him and crosses her arms, puffing her cheeks. "Yeah, yeah! We'll deal with that tomorrow! Kairi's waiting for us at the café remember?" Eri says impatiently.
"OH RIGHT! Sorry guys, gotta go!" Ann says before she and the other girls scramble off. Leaving the boys behind.
"…sooo…you think Kairi and Sora did-
"I'm going now," Ren grumbles, not waiting for a response nor would he put his ears through Ryuji's lewd imagination. Followed by the blonde frantically, Ren heads into the city.
The Phantom Thieves' next target about to unveil himself…
A/N:
2022! And my first chapter for the year!
So if anyone wants to know what's up with the changes to the story or whatever was up with me, please go to:
Persona X TWEWY X Kingdom Hearts: Notes and details
For more info.
So I'll be uploading chapters on Wednesday for the next three or so weeks, due my work schedule so look forward to that.
QUESTIONS:
Q1: Thoughts on this chapter?
Q2: Yusuke's debut?
Q3: Naminé taken most of the stage?
Q4: The date?
Q5: Girls' demanding info on said date?
Q6: Excited for the next stuff?
As always everyone, thanks for reading! Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!