This story is a work of fiction.

Any relation to persons, living or dead, as well as events, are purely coincidental.

The author owns none of the characters, or events, that take place here.

The world is not as it should be.

It's filled with distortion, and "ruin" will soon descend.

However...there are those who would challenge fate, in desire for change.

Since time immemorial...they were known as,

"Tricksters."

Persona 5: Hoshi to Bokura to

Third Heist: Shujin Academy

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"Welcome home, Sis."

Makoto greeted them at the door shortly after they arrived. Akira had closed the door behind him before he took notice of her. Now that she was in full view, he could tell that she at least a year or so older than him. Her brown hair was in a bob cut with blunt bangs and a braided headband, and her eyes were the same mauve red color as Sae's. She wore a simple black turtleneck over a blue jacket, complete with black leggings and brown boots. She smiled at Sae, who returned the gesture as she greeted Makoto back, hanging her purse before she walked past her, moving towards the kitchen. Given the trouble she had to endure just listening to the principal, she could use a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, Akira and Makoto stared back at one another, red eyes staring back at dark gray ones.

"...nice to meet you," Akira greeted, bowing his head. Since he was going to be living here, he wanted to be as respectful towards Makoto as possible, especially since they would be seeing more of each other. "I'm Akira Kurusu."

Makoto bowed back. "And I'm Makoto, Sae's younger sister," she introduced herself. "And the student council president at Shujin." She paused afterwards, dipping her head, wondering what she should say next. She didn't want to make a bad first impression on him, nor did she want to outright ask him if he was a criminal by choice. "So...um, did you enjoy Shujin? I mean, it's a large school and all, and I'm sure you'll get lost easily as well, but..."

"I didn't get to see much of it," he responded. "We just went in to talk to the Principal, then leave."

"O-oh..."

Well, crap. Scrap that idea. She hoped she could break the ice about speaking about school, though it failed. She bit her lip, trying to think of something else, though Sae returned to the entrance in mild annoyance. "Sorry, Makoto," she apologized to the girl. "Looks like I won't be staying tonight. I just got a call from the Director."

"O-oh, okay," Makoto nodded. She was sad that Sae was leaving, but understood that her job was important. "Will you be home tomorrow?"

"Hopefully," she answered. "Be sure to lock up when you head to bed, okay?" Makoto nodded, and with that, Sae turned, taking her bag and reaching for the door. She stopped, and looked over her shoulder, giving Akira a warning glare. "I doubt I have to remind you what happens if anything even remotely suspicious happens in the house, right?" she asked. He gave a simple nod. Sae hardly looked convinced by the half-hearted answer, but accepted it nonetheless, and left.

Makoto frowned somewhat in concern. Even if Akira had a bad situation...Sae's words seemed particularly aggrevating. Something about the call she received must have put her in a bad mood or something. "Sorry about that," she told him. "Sis, she...she can get really stressed out about her job. She's been looking after me by herself while juggling with dealing with life as a prosecutor for a long time, so...please don't hold it against her." Akira shook his head. Honestly, he expected as much, given that she obviously took her job seriously enough to be run ragged by it. Plus, it wasn't anything new. Makoto seemed to be relieved by his answer, and smiled somewhat. "You know...sis told me a bit about you. You're on probation because you got involved in a physical altercation with some man, right?" There was a noticable, pregnant pause, as she seemed to ponder her words carefully. "If it's okay with you...how did you-?"

She didn't get far, unfortunately, as a loud ringing emanated from her pocket, no doubt her cell phone.

"Who's calling me?" she wondered before she dug into her pocket, pulling out her cell phone and putting it to her ear. "Hello, Niijima speaking...oh, Tatsuki-kun. Yes, the paperwork has been filled out, don't worry. I know, I know, sorry, but those papers have to be filled out by tomorrow. Yes, I'm aware. Alright." The call then ended there, and she slipped her phone back into her pocket and looked back at the frizzy-haired teen she would be living with. "Sorry, that was a member of the student council. Your sudden transfer caused a bit of problems for us, and now the principal's swamped us with work."

Akira sighed, scratching the back of his head. While at first it seemed like Makoto stated something the people in his life so far would say...there was innocence in those words. She didn't know the double meaning behind them, and thus didn't actually mean it. Of course, even if she didn't, the phrasing certainly left little to his already pessimistic and troubled mind. "It's fine," he told her. "So...what did you want to ask?"

Makoto opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped, thinking for a moment, and shaking her head. Now was probably not the right time to ask. She was thinking a bit too hastily. She would ask him about his circumstances, but for now, she would simply try and get a better feel about him. So far, he was as quiet as he looked. Still, there was a lot more to ask about. "Nothing," she told him. "Out of curiosity, though...do you have any experience cooking? If so, what's your preference?"

TakeYourTime

Kawakami was absolutely ragged. It wasn't surprising for some, really, since even on the first day she began teaching here at Shujin, she looked so tired she could fall asleep any second. Her night-job activities were the primary reason behind it, but another factor was that her students, at least the majority a major handful at times. And now, much to her dismay, the principal had dumped a new student in her class - a delinquent of all things! "Why did he have to be in my class?" she solemnly complained to herself. It was rather rude to think of him that way, especially since she knew nothing about this boy other than that he attacked a man without reason. One might blame it on her fatigue, but the fact remained that Akira Kurusu, in the meantime, was being an inconvenience to her. "A male teacher would have been more suited to this..."

"You alright there, Kawakami-sensei?" The woman looked up, and immediately felt disgust, making sure it didn't show on her face. It was a man, easily taller than herself at least by a head, with a strong body, broad with muscle, wearing baggy blue sweats and a gym shirt, a whistle hanging around his neck. Facewise, he looked slightly handsome, his chin wide, and his hair a curly mess. It was Suguru Kamoshida, the PE teacher. "You seem ready to fall asleep any second."

"It's nothing," she answered him. Truth be told, however, she wanted nothing to do with the man. And for good reason. "Just having to deal with a troublesome situation."

"You mean about that transfer student?" he asked, folding his arms. A look of disapproval formed across his face as he shook his head. "Why in the world was someone like that admitted here? Kobayakawa-san wants Shujin Academy to be successful, right? So why take in a kid who has a criminal record?"He gave a sigh as his arms return to his sides. "I thought my volleyball team contributed well enough."

Kawakami wanted to tell him off, but kept her mouth shut. Instead, she swallowed her poison, and replied in her same tired tone, "That's certainly true." There was a bitter aftertaste in her mouth after having said that. She did not enjoy being around Kamoshida for any reason, especially since, in spite of the attitude he was showing her right now, he was anything but the teacher others imagined. If she were to make a comparison...

Akira Kurusu, a teen with a criminal record, was a saint compared to a man like Suguru Kamoshida.

TakeYourTime

The news was buzzing with activity. It was already evening, yet the chaotic life of Tokyo was showing itself as the news reported a subway train accident. According to the official reports, the driver had suffered some sort of psychotic breakdown, completely unresponsive when passengers told him to slow down as the train was gaining too much speed. In Sae's perspective, it was only reinforcing her belief that these seemingly random incidents were anything but. From the reports of her own private investigation, unknown to anyone including her boss, these mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns began over two years ago. While she was still digging into it, she was making theories as she went. Of course, there was no definitive proof if they were connected, it was simply what her instincts were telling her. And she listened to them. After all, in this world, you had to use every resource and every ability available to you to get ahead. There was absolutely no room for error here.

"It's less of an operating accident," the Director of the SIU remarked with slight distaste. He was an elderly man, already balding with what little grays he had swept behind the ear, and dressed in a fine blue suit with rectangular glasses sitting atop the bridge of his nose. "And more of a crime by the company and the government. Sight inspectors apparently reported all of this six months ago. The deterioration of the tracks and the ATC. Seems a railway company and the minister of transport both turned a blind eye to the truth. There's no way they can hide...this will go all the way to the top."

As the news continued to report about the incident, even remarking about the various other reports, Sae felt there was something more. Something that she was missing. There was no way this was just a mistake or a cover up. After all...so many changes in people's behavior is irregular.

"Everything's linked," the SIU Director said, earning her attention and reading her thoughts. "That's what you're thinking, correct?" She didn't answer, simply looking at the screen. He gave a sheepish smile, and chuckled. "Oh well," he then looked up at her, lowering his arms. "Are you free? You and I haven't gone out for a drink in a while."

Sae turned to her boss, offering a smile. While some days he could be quite harsh and unforgiving, it was expected of a man of his position. A position he earned through blood, sweat and tears, and through the same means she did to this point - going in without hesitation, using every resource available, and never faltering for even a second. "Thank you, sir," she said gratefully. "But I have another meeting to attend."

"Understandable," he said, nodding. "Oh, by the way...how is that boy you're looking after? What was his name again? Kurusu, Akira?"

She nodded. "He's behaving himself for the time being," she answered. "And he starts attending Shujin Academy tomorrow."

"Shujin, eh?" the Director chuckled. "If I recall, your younger sister goes there as well, doesn't she? Heh, sounds like he'll be under watch from both a prosecutor and a student council president. Then again, I suppose that's what happens to youngsters these days who waste away their youth."

Sae didn't wish to respond to that one, and instead bowed her head before she took her leave. She exited the office, and began making her way to the entrance. As she did, she thought back to Akira's circumstances. 'He's a criminal who wasted away his youth, there's no doubting that,' she thought with slight apprehension. 'But that was only because he meddled in affairs he wasn't supposed to. Still, though...the fact that the man was familiar with the police enough that he asked them to not reveal his name in the papers...' She didn't want to dig too deep into it, but something about that fact didn't sit right with her. Just who did Akira injure that he could have that sort of influence? Oh well...not like it mattered. Besides, it was hardly any of her business. She had two jobs right now - making sure he didn't do anything stupid, and finding out the truth behind her current case. She reached the staircase leading down the entrance, and to her slight dismay, she found a familiar sight waiting for her at the foot of the staircase.

It was a young man, probably at the age of 17, shaggy chin-length brown hair with bangs and reddish-brown eyes. He wore a beige, striped black and white tie, black buttons, black trousers, and black gloves. In one hand was a familiar steel case with an A mark, followed by a dot, and in the other hand, a cell phone. It was Goro Akechi, the famed "Charismatic Detective." While she didn't want to, she had little choice in the matter but to ask for his help, especially since the Director had already made the arrangement. While she didn't like him in some ways, she did find his deductions and theories to be rather interesting, as they provided a look into things one would normally not consider.

Once she reached the second flight, he noticed her and smiled, slipping his phone into his pants pocket. "Did you request for me?" he asked, though the smile practically told her he was going to enjoy this. She would have rolled her eyes, but didn't want to give the brat the satisfaction of annoying her. Then again, she could also see his slowly building interest in what he was about to investigate. "Is it a case?"

"Not quite," she responded, walking past him briskly. "I wanted your opinion on something."

Akechi gave a shrug, turning to follow her. "Sure," he accepted. "Though often, you're judgement is correct, though." There was a certain eagerness in his voice, getting a bit too close to her. "Can we discuss this over sushi, perhaps? You are making a student work late, after all~"

'For a detective,' she released a sigh in her mind. 'You are questionable...'

"Conveyor belt only," Sae told him without even looking. She gave a small smirk, however, when he whined in disappointment, but otherwise followed her out the building. While sushi certainly sounded lovely, it was a bit unethical to be having dinner with a minor, detective or no. Plus, she wasn't quite into younger men. Also...she found it to be slightly amusing to dash Akechi's hopes, though she still felt slightly uneasy. Just what was making her so cautious around him? He wasn't a danger to anyone; hell, if anything, he was like a saint. Solving crimes, a media sensation...he was hardly as stuck-up as the rest of the men in her life...the ones at the office, to be exact.

Well, she could put that aside for now. After all, there was a case to be solved.

TakeYourTime

The morning had arrived fairly quickly. However, Monday mornings were the bane of Akira's existence, as he was quite sluggish on the first day of the school week. Makoto had knocked on the door to inform him that breakfast was ready, which also served to be his wakeup call, much to his chagrin. Regardless, he changed into his school uniform. He had to admit, the attire was, in his opinion, somewhat reminiscent to what he'd imagine prison clothes to look like. He wore the uniform in the expected manner, albeit modified to his own tastes. Rather than a turtleneck sweater that was provided as an alternative, he wore a dress shirt with a black and red striped tie hanging loosely around his neck, and the black blazer left open. The Shujin Academy crest was branded on the breast pocket on the left side, and his school bag hanging above his shoulder, packed with everything he needed for the day.

After eating a rather somewhat tense and silent breakfast with Makoto, who had stolen a few glances at him every now and then, she escorted him to the train station leading to Aoyama-Itchome, where Shujin Academy was located. The ride was equally as silent and tense, though the chatter in the train car had provided some entertainment. Akira enjoyed the idle chatter of the people around him, as it reminded him of the chatter he heard everyday back home. Not only that, but idle chatter tended to provide some interesting information, like the occurrences around town and such. Here in the packed train, he overheard store discounts, men complaining about their jobs, women sharing gossip, and so on.

Eventually, they reached their stop. Makoto and he had a bit of trouble when they exited the train, due to the packed nature of the crowd pouring out. "E-excuse me, sorry!" she apologized as they made their way to the exit. "Pardon us!" They managed to break free from the crowd, and reached the staircase leading up. Once they left the subway, Makoto let out a sigh, dusting herself off. "Good grief...I suppose Monday mornings are rather hectic," she remarked before she looked at Akira. "Well then...today is your first day at Shujin Academy. I suppose the teachers have already told you this, but causing trouble is a surefire way to get you kicked out fast, so be on your best behavior." Akira gave a nod, already familiar with this new routine of his. He was a bit happy, though, as Makoto wasn't talking to him like he was a problem, but rather out of actual concern. Perhaps she simply thought of him as another student she needed to look after, what with being the student council president and all. "Alright. Let's get going." She gave a small grin. "I should be able to give you a proper tour before school starts, too."

Afterwards, she led him into the busy streets of Aoyama, and eventually came into the narrow path leading to Shujin. A steady flow of students was seen entering the school, all dressed in uniform. Many were also wearing the turtlenecks that Akira had forgone in exchange for his dress shirt. "Alright, alright, get to your class!" a teacher at the front gate barked. He was rather portly, but remained more in shape unlike the Principal. He had a serious and stern expression, aged with wrinkles and large glasses, his black hair styled professionally and mixed with gray, and dressed like a stereotypical hardcore instructor he had seen in movies. A white shirt, red tie, suspenders, dark trousers, that sort of look. "No dilly-dallying!" The man's eyes was glaring at each student like a hawk, arms folded and looking for any sort of problem before he found Akira and Makoto, who reached the gate. His gaze softened a bit, but remained stone-faced. "Ah, Niijima. Good to see you."

"You as well, Ushimaru-sensei," she greeted respectfully with a bow before she turned to Akira. "This is Ushimaru, our social studies teacher."

The man gave a grunt, studying Akira intensely before speaking in a gruff manner, "You the transfer student?" Akira nodded, trying to be as respectful as possible. He noticed a few people staring at him as they passed the three, speaking in hushed whispers. Great...the rumors were already starting to spread. Already in trouble with the teachers, he assumed. Regardless, he focused his attention on Ushimaru, lest he suffer the consequences. "I don't know what sort of place you come from, but here at Shujin, we expect only the best behavior from you. You screw up, and you're out of here. Understand that?"

"...yes, sir."

"Good," he nodded in approval. "Now, hurry up and get to class." Makoto and Akira gave another bow, and turned to enter the school. As they did, they heard Ushimaru yell. "Sakamoto! How many times have I told you?! Get rid of that dye!"

"Yeah yeah, whatever!" a vulgar shout came in response. "I'll get to it when I get to it!"

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"...that was when everything first started for me," Akira said, opening his eyes and looking at Sae straight in the eye. "When I first met Ryuji and Ann...and Kamoshida. That was the day when everything started."

Sae nodded, leaning back a bit. "I suppose it was," she agreed. "Especially considering who Kamoshida was." She paused for a moment, then bit her lip, as if struggling to ask him something that seemed out of the ordinary. Akira wondered what was on her mind, but knew what. Her mind was just a whirlwind of thoughts just from being in this room with him, the boy she was supposed to look after, but ended up caring for. Eventually, she spoke up again. "There was a terrible subway accident that day as well...do you remember?" Her tone had shifted. She was struggling with her emotions, so she fell back to her only resort - the facet of a stone-faced prosecutor. "It was the uproar that the public had called the Psychotic Breakdown Incidents."

"I knew a little about it," he answered. "People would either fall unconscious, or go nuts without reason. The engineer of a train suddenly blacked out, and the train gained speed, eventually crashing. No one died...but a lot of people were hurt as a result."

Sae nodded. "That's correct. It would be hard not to know about it, since it was all over your school. In fact..." She paused again, this time struggling with her emotions. She shook her head, and pushed her folder in front of him, twisting it around and opening it up, revealing a report with a photograph attached - a man with a slightly attractive face, curly hair, and a broad chin with wide muscles. "One of the victims was your teacher...the first target of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts."

Akira looked at the picture, and thought back to the events. Now that he thought about it...him going to Shujin wasn't how it all started for him, was it? No...it had to be then. That moment, when he...

"Akira-kun," Sae spoke up, staring at him with intensity. "Back then...were you still just an "ordinary" student?"

TO BE CONTINUED