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
15th Heist: Decision
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Makoto did not believe what Akira had told her. Something was wrong. His silence after school had left her unnerved. The thoughts had plagued her mind ever since she returned home. Sae was nowhere to be found, so she assumed that she would be late coming home to work. She tried to occupy her thoughts by studying, but no matter how hard she did so, her mind kept racing back to Akira. His unusual silence during their conversation of what to do with Kamoshida (not that it wasn't unusual for him. As Makoto quickly learned, he was rather quiet and soft-spoken), and that expression on his face when theyvleft...something about it didn't sit right with her.
Try as hard as she might, the Student Council President was unable to shake this unsettling feeling.
She glanced at the cat-themed clock sitting at her desk, her brow furrowing further. "It's late." she remarked quietly as she set her pencil down. "He should be home by now." Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose, standing up. She needed to cool off her head. She pushed her chair back into her desk and opened the door, shutting it behind her. Just as she was about to move from her spot, however, she found a startling sight.
Akira, panting and groaning, leaning against the wall for support with labored breathing.
"Akira-kun!" Makoto cried as she rushed to his side. His legs wobbled and threatened to give out. She reached him just as they did, wrapping her arms around his waist. He gave a low cry, feeling an immense soreness in his side as the girl helped him stand up straight. Seeing his look of pain had only made her fear increase. "A-are you okay?! What happened?!"
He didn't answer. He didn't need to. The dots began to connect in her head. She had seen him like this before - after they returned from their second visit in the Metaverse. There was no injuries from what she found, yet the way he cringed and groaned from the touch was a sure sign he had taken a heavy beating. His silence from before. His awkward answer to her before she left. Their conversation with Morgana in the Metaverse when she and Ryuji awoke to their Personas.
The answer became clear, and her eyes widened. "Y-you didn't...!" she whispered, horrified. Akira gave her a sheepish, apologetic look as he tried to pry her arms away, as if trying to state that he was fine. However, she refused to relinquish her hold when she saw his body shake. "Akira-kun, please don't tell me you...!"
Akira still had yet to answer. Instead, a familiar voice spoke up. "As much as I would like to see two young lovers bicker, can't you get him to his room already?" Makoto looked down at his bag, which shook as a feline creature emerged from the opening. It was the size of the average house cat, bearing midnight black fur with a yellow collar and white paws, along with strikingly familiar bright blue eyes. "He's taken quite a heavy beating."
Makoto gawked. A-a talking cat?! That-that didn't even make sense! How was a cat-
...wait. It couldn't be!
"M-Morgana?!"
The cat quirked one of the brows, giving her a look of disbelief. "Who else?" it asked, it's cocky and condescending tone perfectly matching that of the cat-like creature from Kamoshida's Palace. "Now, can you get him to his room or what? I wasn't kidding about the beating."
She had several questions floating around in her mind, but Akira's grunts of pain had reminded her of his condition. She helped steady him as they made their way to his door. Morgana ducked his head into the bag, squirming around before he popped out with a key in his mouth. Makoto took it and inserted it in the keyhole, unlocking it and swinging it open. She then set Akira down on his bed, which he reclined in gratefully as she fell on his back, wincing and coughing as he rubbed his sides. Morgana then leaped out of his bag, taking a seat on the nearby desk, taking the moment to look around.
"Hm, not a bad place." he said with approval. "I like it."
Makoto's fiery glare shut him up instantly. "Explain." she growled, tone hot. "Now."
"What's there to say?" Akira groaned out as he undid his tie. It felt like it was strangling him. His jacket felt uncomfortable so he took it off, throwing it to the edge of the bed. "I went into the Metaverse...and I got my ass handed to me."
"I can see that!" she shouted. "I want to know why!" She bit her lip in frustration. She was trying to calm herself as was Johanna, who sent out soothing waves, but even they could barely keep her temper under control. "Morgana told us what might happen if we try and take his Treasure! So why did you...?!" Akira looked away, something that only made her more angry. She stomped her foot on the ground. "Look me in the eye, Akira-kun!"
Morgana frowned, sitting down with his tail curling around his hind legs. "From what I heard, you've tried to expose Kamoshida by talking with the students at Shujin, right?" Makoto whipped her head, red eyes narrowing as she gave a nod. At this, the feline shook his head. "You do realize how pointless that is, right?"
"What?!"
"Think about it." Morgana said firmly. "The Principal of your school wants to keep him around. The teachers and students already know about the abuse, but are too afraid to say anything. Let's say you manage to expose him. Find evidence. The best that would happen is the Principal would force him to go on leave for a while." Blue eyes closed, shaking his head sadly. "Moreover, I wouldn't be surprised if the Principal and the faculty found a way to try and cover up a possible scandal."
Makoto winced. Morgana had brought up good points. However, she still looked unconvinced by this decision. "But...you said so yourself! If we take his Treasure, Kamoshida might-!"
"Might." Morgana cut her off mid-sentence. "I said, might. There's no real guarantee he might actually suffer a mental shutdown." He gave another sigh before his tone turned grave. "Besides, at this point...I think this might be your only option."
An unsettling shiver ran down Makoto's spine. Something about Morgana's words had left her unnerved. His tone also suggested something else. "What...do you mean?"
"...in the Palace, I saw Kamoshida's Shadow." Akira told her, bringing her gaze to him. His tired eyes were hidden somewhat by his bangs, giving him a tired and worn-out appearance. Beneath his dark locks of hair, she saw that his eyes were empty, yet smoldering with something fiery. "He was...with a cognition of Suzui-san."
Her heart sank.
"...what did he do?" she asked quietly. The boy did not answer. "Akira-kun." she pressed, her voice so low it may as well have been a whisper. "What did...he do?"
His hands curled into tight fists, shaking. His nails dug into his palms, threatening to draw blood. Though his face was one of utter calm, his shoulders were trembling. Within, he felt a pulse of outrage from both Arsene and Orpheus - the latter of which could not deny its own wrath. The normally calm and soothing source that kept Arsene's more violent outbursts in check was now enraged and horrified by what Akira had witnessed.
Slowly, he answered her.
"She...wasn't wearing anything. There were cuts. Burns. Bruises all over...strapped to a wall."
All color from Makoto's face drained. A hand covered her mouth. Horror was written across her body, her mind already imagining what Akira could have seen. Her heart ached, unable to bear the sorrow. Tears were beginning to prick her face. Morgana closed his eyes, lowering his head. "What happens in the Palace usually reflects its owner's thoughts." he said somberly. "From what Akira has told me, whenever he's in a really foul mood, the abuse on his students is worse, right? If he did that to this Suzui girl..."
It was better left unsaid, for the knowledge of what may come to pass was already engraved into her mind.
For once, Makoto could not bring herself to sleep, for each time she came to close her eyes, she imagined the pain and horror that Shiho Suzui felt.
TakeYourTime
In the morning, just before class was to begin, Makoto and Akira had found Ryuji waiting for them at the front gates. An impressive sight, given that it was Ushimaru at the gates today, barking at anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in his ire. Unlike before, they met at the school rooftop. Normally, it was meant to be locked, but as Akira learned, a student often came up here to tend the plants. Scattered about the place were pots filled with greenery. It was very quiet and peaceful, leaving him to make a mental note to come up here for peace and quiet when the teachers weren't hounding around.
"What?!" After telling Ryuji of his exploits, Ryuji looked more than a little shocked or pissed. "Were you out of your mind or something, Akira?! Kamoshida dying aside, you saw how dangerous those Shadow things are!"
The throbbing pain in his arm was a reminder of how right the blonde delinquent was. However, that did nothing to lessen the steel resolve in his eyes. "I know...but what choice do we have?" he asked, stunning him into silence. "Kobayakawa knows Kamoshida is rotten and molesting his students, but he keeps him around to bolster Shujin's reputation. Even if we have evidence, what would he do?"
"H-he...!" Struggling, Ryuji scowled, kicking the ground. "...he'd just sweep it all under the rug."
Makoto bit her lip, rubbing her arm. "Is...stealing his Treasure our only option?"
"At this point, I'd say so." Morgana nodded, sitting atop a desk. He was still a bit grouchy at Ryuji since it took him so long to figure out it was actually him. Honestly, how slow was his brain? Moreover, why was he insisting on calling him a cat? "Unless you have a better idea."
The two students were left unable to find an appropriate answer. Their only solution was a possibility of Kamoshida dead. Yes, he was scum, but he didn't deserve to die because of it. Akira, however, had long made his decision. After seeing what his Shadow self did to the cognition of Suzui, he was more than tempted to rush in and cut him down right there. Though it wasn't the real Shiho Suzui, it still made his blood boil. Even now, he felt his personas cry out in rage.
Soon, they would be able to let loose their frustrations. As would he.
"...whether or not you guys are up for it is up to you." he said to them, pushing up his glasses. "As for me, I've made my decision."
Ryuji frowned. "And what if Kamoshida kicks the bucket?"
"Then I take responsibility for it." came the simple and swift answer. "After all, don't we have to take responsibility for our actions?" His words left them quiet. Morgana, for his part, looked impressed by his resolve. If Kamoshida was to die, then he would take the fall. If he were honest, he would prefer it if they didn't get involved. He took out his phone, quickly checking the time. "Class is going to start soon. We should get going."
The blonde gave him a look. "How in the hell can you worry about class...?" he muttered in confusion before scratching the back of his head. "Mnrgh...fine. Let's go."
Begrudgingly leaving the topic alone, the three left the rooftop.
TakeYourTime
It was well in the afternoon, and Makoto still couldn't wrap her head around the craziness that had been her week. It had first begun with a world made of desires and Kamoshida's true self being unveiled, and then Personas and then Kamoshida's actions coming to light.
In her view, the whole situation was horrible. She took her studies seriously. She wished to get into a good college and lessen her sister's burden. She wanted to become a police officer like her father. As of lately, she also wanted to help Akira. The boy had gone through so much - having his future more or less taken from him and all. Now, though...she found herself questioning her own usefulness.
Kamoshida couldn't be touched. They couldn't gather evidence and report him. The police wouldn't believe a bunch of children. Kobayakawa would cover up a scandal that could hurt Shujin's reputation. The only way to bring an end to this whole thing was a solution that may or may not end in the death of her own instructor.
Why am I even thinking about this? she thought, biting her lip as he grasp over the document Hiruta-sensei asked her to deliver. If we just use our heads, maybe we could...oh, what am I doing? I don't even know what to do anymore. She sighed softly. The soothing pleasant wave Johanna pulsed through her did little to ease her worries. Even if Akira-kun and Morgana are right...
"N-Niijima-kaichou?"
Makoto removed herself from her worries, turning to find Suzui just close to the stairwell leading up to the third floor. "Suzui-chan?" she asked. Her mind raced back to what Akira told her in Kamoshida's Palace and squashed down the horrible feeling she felt. "What are you doing up here? Shouldn't you be in class?"
"I'm...not feeling well." And she didn't. Her face was pale, the rings under her eyes looked even worse than before, and her whole body looked like it was shuddering. At this moment before her, she looked so frail and helpless. "I-I asked my teacher for some fresh air."
Makoto's eyes softened. "I see..."
"Are...you okay, Niijima-kaichou?"
"Eh?"
"You looked like you were deep in thought about something." Suzui told her, tilting her head. "Is everything okay...?"
No, it isn't. she wanted to say so badly. She wanted to so badly apologize to her about everything. About not noticing the abuse sooner. Kamoshida, no matter what we do, will walk scotch free of any punishment. The best we can do is just give him a slap on the wrist.
But she couldn't say any of that. All she could do was put on a fake smile and shake her head. "It isn't anything to worry about." she told her, waving a hand. "I suppose I'm just...dueling any unpleasant thoughts. What about you? Will you be okay?"
For a moment, Suzui's face faltered. It looked ready to crumble any moment now. It vanished quickly. "...I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
"Are you sure?" Makoto pressed. The mental image crafted last night echoed vividly in her mind. "Listen...if you have any problems, or if...you need anyone to talk to...the Student Council's doors are open."
She could faintly see Suzui's lips trembling. Her hands were shaking madly at her side. Her eyes were so painful. Within, she saw a girl begging for help. However, her words betrayed her true self. "...thank you, senpai." With that, she vanished up the stairs.
Makoto, however, could not shake this feeling of trepidation that beat in her chest. Something was going to happen. Something horrible. Part of her wanted to race up the stairs and catch her. Why would Suzui go to the third floor for a breath of fresh air? That didn't seem right. In the end, Makoto sighed, bowing her head and trudging forward.
TakeYourTime
Ushimaru's lecture on social studies was as disinteresting and bland as usual. Thankfully, his attention was turned directly to the board so he didn't catch Akira looking out the window, hand on his chin. Of course, the real kicker was inside the desk. Had a student noticed it, they would have found a black ball of fur hiding out inside, tail hanging out with a snout poking its head to peek about the classroom.
"Good god, what kind of place is Shujin?" Morgana questioned in utter disbelief. "Stuck in a room for nearly an hour, listening to someone ramble while writing down what he says...this sounds more like prison than an academy!"
Akira had to repress a snort, glad to see that the two agreed on what Shujin really felt like.
"Anyway...our infiltration last time proceeded quite smoothly." the cat-like being said, keeping his voice hushed. They were not sure if normal people could understand him, given his strange nature, but regardless of whether or not they could hear him, Akira needed him to keep quiet. Last thing he needed was Ushimaru digging into him. And, of course, Morgana being thrown to the shelter. "I think I have a pretty good idea where we can find the Treasure. Our problem right now is, of course, the lack of manpower. Your powers to control more than one Persona is impressive, rookie, but the two of us alone can't break through tight security. I think you know that, too."
Of course he did. The two of them alone wouldn't be able to make it to the Treasure. The pain from yesterday was proof of that. Arsene's control over that dark energy - Eiha - was quite impressive, as was Orpheus' ability to throw fireballs - Agi - left and right while offering up a soothing wave of healing, but even with Morgana's own Persona controlling winds - Garu - like they were nothing and also healing them whenever things got rough, it was still hard to handle so many powerful opponents. Not only that, but the guards protecting the Treasure would naturally be far more powerful than normal.
"I know." Akira whispered back. "But I don't like the idea of Ryuji or Makoto risking their lives."
"Maybe." Morgana shrugged. "But they have Personas, just like you do. Their assistance would be invaluable." His ears curved, shaking his head with a disappointed sigh. "But I guess it's to be expected. They still can't bring themselves to try and think positive. Are all people like this?"
"Of course they are." he retorted with a frown. The clouds were dark and gray, looking ready to pour rain any second. "A lot of people would rather watch something happen and not do anything to resolve it, help bring an end to it or make things worse. In the first case, its usually because of morals, personal experience or lack of courage."
Ryuji, in spite of the torture and ridicule Kamoshida caused him, only wanted to get back at him to the point where the man himself would lose all face. Death was a step too far. Makoto was driven by a strong sense of justice. She didn't want to kill someone - she wanted someone to take responsibility for what they've done.
As for him...Kamoshida just reminded him of that bald asshole who got him into probation in the first place.
"Fucking brat...I'll sue you for this!"
Arsene released a pulse, coupled with a sickening laugh as the image of that man thrown to the floor, head plastered against the ground with him at his feet came to mind. His hands shook, fingers curling while repressing any sense of satisfaction he would feel in that moment should it ever come to pass. His memory of the man's face was still blurry - he couldn't remember him all that well. At best, he remembered the man's orange sunglasses and how he reeked of alcohol.
He shook his head, black locks swaying comically. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about petty grudges. "Can we reach the Treasure today, do you think?"
"That all depends." Morgana eyed his form, as if able to see past the flesh and bone and find bruises. "Is your body ready for another beatdown?" He gave a wry look, an eyebrow higher than his longest whisker. "Just so you know, my arm is still sore after Zorro had his cut off."
Akira smiled wryly.
We have to reach Kamoshida's treasure. What happened in the Palace yesterday still has me on edge. I hope Suzui-san is okay...
"Why isn't Shiho answering any of my texts?" Perking up his ears, Akira turned his head to see Ann's reflect in the window. Her face was troubled, staring at her phone. "I know we're in the middle of class, but..."
Suddenly, a student shot out of their seat. In response to the quick action, their chair clattered to the floor. Both the scraping of it being pushed back so suddenly it clattering to the floor had caused Ushimaru's chalk to break slightly. A small chunk broke off, hitting the floor. Scowling, the stern instructor turned to find the source. "Mishima! Back in your seat!"
Mishima's face was one of utter terror as he looked out the window. His bruised face was devoid of any color. His body was shaking like a leaf. "Oh no..."
The class followed his gaze. In seconds, many had rushed up to the windows. From the surrounding classrooms, many had also forgone the lecture and rushed to the nearest window. Akira and Ann looked on in horror.
Standing outside the fence on the rooftop was a girl with a brace around her knee and her black hair tied back into a ponytail.
Shiho Suzui.
"Shiho!" Ann cried, throwing a window open and sticking her head out. Her voice was roaring out in haste, rising several octaves. "What are you doing?! Get down from there!"
From below, Suzui looked down. A sad smile formed across her face. Her heart was hurting. Her body shook against the cold breeze. She faintly felt a droplet of water fall atop her nose. "Ann-chan..." she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek, dripping off her chin and falling to the ground below. "I'm sorry."
It was so faint that she could barely hear her own words. With a trembling lip and a rapidly beating heart, she took a step forward...
"SHIHO! ! !"
...and fell.
TakeYourTime
Only seconds after her body hit the ground did Akira's brain reboot. When it did, he shoved his classmates out of the way. His feet were pounding against the floor, tearing the door open and charging his way through the halls. His heart was ramming against his chest. The soothing pulses of Orpheus did nothing.
"Akira!" As he skidded around a corner, he found Ryuji over by the stairwell, waving a hand with an expression similar to his own. "Over here!" The two were already rushing down the staircase by the time Akira reached his friend. Ryuji's eyes were narrowed, his teeth bared and clenched tightly, hands balled into fists. "Dammit all! What the actual fuck man?!" he cursed. They reached the first floor and rounded towards the courtyard. "Why would Suzui-san jump?!"
He knew the answer. He should have known. The Palace had practically foretold her fate. The cognition of Suzui chained to a wall. Kamoshida in front of her - pink speedo at his ankles and cape gone. The girl whimpering and crying with her skirt and panties on the floor.
I should have known this would happen! Akira shut his eyes as he ran, guilt burning in his heart. I should have seen this coming! God dammit!
By the time he opened them again, they were already in the courtyard. A mass of students were gathered around. A teacher was trying to fruitlessly get them to head back to class, but they didn't listen. Like bystanders watching a car wreck. Some had their founds out, but none had them at their ears. Instead, they were aimed at the sight of Suzui's unmoving body. The mere sight brought forth rage to Akira. Their faces overlapped with that of a woman - standing by as police officers grabbed him by the arms and pulling him away, face turned away.
All these idiots...!
"Shiho!" Ann's cries caused the crowd to part like the seas as she barreled her way through, sliding to her dearest friend's side. "Shiho!"
Weakly, Suzui turned her head. There was barely any life in those pale dark eyes of hers. "A...nn...chan..."
Tears openly fell from the blonde girl's face, clasping one of Suzui's hands in her own. "W-why?!" she croaked, barely able to believe that it was her friend who took the plunge. Her heart was shaking, just a hair away from breaking. "Why did you...?"
"I...m...sorry..." Suzui coughed. Her chest felt so heavy. She felt something crawling the back of her mind, beckoning her to a sweet, cold embrace. "I...couldn't take it...anymore..."
"S-Shiho..."
Ryuji's shoulders were shaking. "T-that sick son of a bitch!" he snarled, eyes burning red as he rounded on his feet. "He is not getting away with this!"
"Ryuji!" Akira shouted as he chased after him. "Where are you going?!"
The crowd continued to watch, both in confusion and in sorrow. Makoto's body shook uncontrollably, no matter how tightly she squeezed her arms. Her legs threatened to give out beneath her as she laid against the wall, biting her lip. "T-this is..." she whimpered. She should have seen the signs. She noticed them, but all she did was give out meaningless words. She should have followed her heart. Instead, all she did was let that girl go up to the rooftop. "This is...all my fault..."
Mishima was not as strong as the Student Council President was. His legs gave way underneath him and he fell to the ground, cradling his head as his tears flooded down his face. Cold, harsh whispers echoed in his ears.
"Your fault." Shiho Suzui told him with her dead eyes. "All your fault."
TakeYourTime
"Ryuji, stop-!"
The blonde delinquent didn't listen. He practically ripped off the hinges to the PE Consultation room as he threw the door open. Inside was Kamoshida at his desk, pencil in hand. "Sakamoto?" the man furrowed his brow, standing from his seat. "What do you want?"
"You FUCKER!" He rushed at the PE teacher, only for Akira to wrap his arms around his waist, pulling him back. "Lemme go, Akira! I'm gonna bash in his face!"
"Calm down, dammit!" Akira snarled, pulling his friend away with all of his might. He knew that all it would take is one punch, and Kamoshida would be wearing a smug grin on his face. After six seconds of struggling, he managed to pull Ryuji away. His left side burned in pain, still reeling from the Palace misadventure from yesterday. He then leveled a glare at Kamoshida, who looked rather confused by the commotion. "Kamoshida...we know what you did."
An eyebrow joined his hairline, folding his arms. "And what does that mean, Kurusu-kun?" Kamoshida huffed. "Enlighten me."
"Don't joke around with us, you son of a bitch!" Ryuji shouted at the top of his lungs. "You raped that poor girl!"
"That's a rather serious accusation, don't you think?" Kamoshida asked, putting a hand at his hip. "And where exactly is your proof?" The blonde didn't answer. Only a look of righteous fury was clear on his face was the only response. Seeing this, the man laughed. "As I thought. Honestly, Sakamoto-kun...you really need to learn how to control that temper of yours."
"You think this is funny?! A girl just jumped off the roof!"
The corrupt teacher scoffed. "Yes, I'm fully aware. I was with the students watching it happen. A shame, too. Then again, what do you expect from a girl like her?" He gave a small sigh of sadness - a blatantly fake one at that - as he palmed his temples. "Suzui had a starter position for the nationals, and yet she goes and does this."
Akira's nails dug into his skin. Blood began to drip from his knuckles. "...you really don't care if a student dies, do you?" he whispered, bangs hiding his rage-filled eyes. "You abuse your students, molest any girl you want to force yourself upon...and all you care about is yourself." Slowly, he lifted his head, revealing his eyes which burned with rage. "You...really are the worst of the worst, Kamoshida...!"
"Please." the man rolled his eyes. "As if I need some criminal ridiculing me. Besides, what can you do? Let's say I did do what you said. I did molest my female students and abuse the rest of the student body. I did rape Shiho Suzui...what would you do?"
Ryuji was taken aback. "W-what?!"
"I'm saying, what would you do?" Kamoshida repeated. "There's no one who would believe you. You're the kid who brutally beat a man without provocation, and Sakamoto-kun here attacked me. Who's going to take your side? Niijima?" He reared his head back, laughing. "That girl is useless. Yes, she's the Student Council President, but what real power does she have? The worst she could do is run behind her sister begging for help. And even she can't do anything."
He leaned forward. For a moment, his image synced together with his own Shadow self - dark brown eyes consumed by golden pools of malice.
"Don't you understand yet, you defiant piece of garbage? I own this school. Not Kobayakawa...me. So go ahead, do what you want. It won't matter in the least. After all..." A cold smirk formed across his face, tapping his forehead. "You're powerless."
Ryuji's face turned scarlet. His fists shook. He took a step forward, intending on giving the bastard in front of him a good beat down. "Y-you motherf-!"
A hand pushed against his chest. Stunned, he looked at Akira, who lost the rage that danced rampantly in his eyes. Instead, a newfound calm wrapped around his heart. A pulse echoed through his being - stronger than anything he's ever felt. Within his subconscious, a boisterous, booming laugh echoed within.
The laugh of his other self.
Arsene.
"...understood then, Kamoshida-sensei." he said, much to Ryuji's shock. He adjusted the glasses on his face. The delinquent could have sworn - no. He knew for a fact that a smirk had just formed on Akira's face, but disappeared no sooner than it had appeared. "We'll be leaving. Sorry for the commotion." With a bow of his head, he turned on his heel. He paused in mid-step, however, before he craned his head.
This time, he couldn't hold it back. He enjoyed the startled look on Kamoshida's face when he saw the smirk in full splendor - unbound and unleashed.
"Also...thank you for your permission, Your Majesty."
Akira then walked away, a stupefied Ryuji following after him. Kamoshida watched him leave, stunned by his declaration. In his heart, uncertainty and fear began to take root. A scowl formed on his face, shaking his head. No matter however hard he tried, though, the feeling of terror that began to grab hold wouldn't stop.
In that one instant, Akira Kurusu terrified him.
"...that little fucking brat!"
TakeYourTime
Because of Shiho Suzui's suicide attempt, school had come to an end prematurely. The students were ordered to leave for home immediately. Paramedics arrived minutes after Suzui jumped. The two had seen her being carried away on a stretcher, hoisted into the ambulance before it drove off, siren wailing.
"You okay, Makoto?" Morgana asked in concern. The boys saw how shaken up she was. She was trembling slightly, and her eyes were puffy. "You...don't look too good."
"I-I..." she struggled to wave off their concerns. She wanted to tell them she was fine..but Johanna wanted her to be honest. And she was. She felt herself breaking apart. "A few minutes before she jumped, I...I met her in the hallway." Akira and Ryuji's eyes widened, now understanding why Makoto looked so horrible. "She...she looked so dead to the world. She told me she wasn't feeling too good." She looked up at the two, tears already on the verge of falling from her face. "I watched her head to the third floor...I could have stopped her, Akira-kun. I-I could have...I could have...!"
Just as she was about to break down pathetically before them, two hands gently touched her shoulders. A jolt ran through her body, looking up to find them next to her. "We're not blaming you, Prez." Ryuji told her. He wanted to just crack a joke. Ease the atmosphere...but Makoto looked ready to fall apart any second now. "I don't think anyone could have stopped her." He gritted his teeth. Just remembering what Akira told him and hearing Kamoshida just wave it off as if it was hardly of any concern to him merely brought forth outrage. Outrage bolstered by his own Persona. It knew what had to be done.
And he was finally ready to take the leap.
"...and Kamoshida's gonna pay for what he's done." Makoto rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears that had yet to fall to see him looking at Akira, who already understood what he wished. "I'm coming with you." He bared his fangs, banging a fist against the brick wall behind him. "After what that asshole did...I don't care what happens to him at this point. He is going to. Fucking. Pay."
"...I'm coming, too."
Akira turned. To his surprise, Makoto's eyes turned steely. "When I got my Persona, it told me to never lose sight of my own justice. I was so helpless, watching you and Morgana fight. I felt...useless. Even now, I still feel that way." The hand at her chest coiled tightly as her red eyes burned. "But now...I don't want to be. I want Kamoshida to pay for what he's done."
"Are you sure?" Akira asked, narrowing his eyes. "We know the risks. We might kill him, you know." The determination in Makoto's eyes never faded. Seeing this only made Arsene all the more amused. Akira chuckled as he adjusted his glasses again. How odd they seemed to slip off during tense moments. "Alright then."
It was official now. The three of them were going to take their first steps into hell for what they were about to do. Even if it meant taking the life of a teacher...they were going to make him repent for his sins.
"...are you guys talking about Kamoshida?"
Blinking, the three turned to find Ann standing outside the entrance to the alleyway. Her face was pale. Her eyes were puffy from bawling. Her bangs were hiding her eyes. Beneath them, however...
...was a smoldering fury.
"I want in."
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: ...normally, I'd offer an excuse, but I'll just say it now. This chapter is late because I was procrastinating, I was playing video games, and working on other stories while making new ones. So sue me for my creative juices. Oh, and watching anime. That too.
At any rate, my friends, we are now approaching the endgame of the Kamoshida Arc! Shocking, right? I said was aiming for a canon divergence, so naturally heists might be shorter. In the game, Kamoshida was to expel Ryuji and hero-kun at the next faculty meeting - which coincided with Kobayakwa's assembly meeting. Here, the expulsion is going to happen a bit earlier than expected. This is necessary for what I have planned, actually.
Also...I lied. I do have a reason for this chapter being so late. Its Shiho Suzui. One of the saddest characters in the whole fucking game. Let me tell you, writing the emotional feel of what is, by far, the most emotional and feels-hitting moment of this game is a BITCH to get through without tearing up. The only reason I was able to get through it was because of Black Fuego wrapping up the Kamoshida Palace earlier today in Trials of the Trickster, chocolate milk, and RWBY.
Speaking of which, just watched the first episode of Volume 5. Highlight of that episode was Qrow getting drunk, hands down.
Well, to wrap up this note, the next chapter will feature Ann Takamaki's awakening and the unofficial formation of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts! Be prepared, my fellow thieves, for the greatest thieves known to gaming history are on the horizon!
With that in mind, I shall see you next heist! Peace out!