Somehow, classes just seemed to be even more boring than usual it was probably the adrenaline still coursing through his body from yesterday. He did kill it in baseball today even going so far as to knock the ball out of the schoolyard with a grand slam, maybe he should take Ann and Ryuji's advice and join a sports club or something.

But scoring points wasn't as appealing as leading a silent rebellion against those with corrupt hearts. And fighting shadows, showing off, and being free to be who he wanted to be. At this point, Akira was starting to feel like just another Persona. There was a rush about being Joker that just wasn't there in his day to day life.

It was why his father and stepmom had allowed him to move back here to finish his third year of school. He just didn't look happy in his little home town that could barely be called sleepy, more like dead. Apparently, his biological mother traveled for a similar reason. Maybe if after high school he could take a year off and travel with her.

Or he could stay and pressure Futaba into ripping over the metaverse so he could -

Danger.

He leaned to the side dodging a piece of chalk and looking right at the social studies teacher that a habit of throwing and raised an eyebrow. He wasn't really paying attention, Mr. Ushimaru didn't need to know that.

"Mr. Kurusu, if you are paying attention, then you should be able to answer a question." The teacher glared at him, this was a weekly dance that did where he'd get in trouble for not wanting to be in class and the teacher would ask him some random question. "What is the passing on of history by word of mouth called?"

Really? That was the question? That was like a third-grade question. "Oral History."

And queue the long-winded explanation about how different cultures used it and how it developed, on the plus side he was now free to go back to daydreaming.

"Psst," Morgana mewed from his desk, pushing his phone into view. "Makoto texted you, it could be important if she's messaging you during class."

There had been multiple searches for the ghost cat of Shu'jin academy, the janitors even went under the floorboards to try and locate it, needless to say, multiple students knew that it was his cat, but they just enjoyed spreading rumors that the school was haunted.

He tapped on his phone and swiped on Makoto's Image.

"Don't read this in class." to late! "I'm going to be in class late today, and Sae's case will probably be going late as well, after school could you please go check on Lucina? I think she stayed up all night playing that video game she's in."

Was that a form of masturbation?

Asking her that would probably get him punched. With a few well-placed taps he sent his reply. "Can't Haru do it?"

"She doesn't have a key to my apartment, besides she's still on the plane." She responded minutes later. "And pay attention in class!"

Ever the mother hen.

"I don't have a key either."

"No, but you do know how to pick a lock."

"Just so we're clear, you're giving me permission to break into your apartment?" He smiled, tapping in the follow-up. "I'm asking so that when I get arrested for breaking in that I have evidence."

He could all but hear her groan from across the city. "Yes, you have my permission to break into my apartment TODAY. But knock first."

Neat. He got to break into an apartment. Even if it did mean dealing with his very angry warrior princess. Still, dealing with her should be fine, he'd just have to make sure her sharp pointy thing stayed in its sheath. Actually should probably make sure she didn't take it. As to how she didn't get arrested when Makoto took her last night was probably due to Makoto.

And here he thought the only interesting thing he was going to do today was watch Ann's photo shoot. Purely for emotional friend support and not because of any of the cute girls. That and either Futaba was still working at whatever project she was obsessed with or she was catatonic so his schedule was packed with an abundance of free time.

Now he got to break into Makoto's home and deal with the stabby princess.

Class was over before he knew it and he was on his way.

Makoto's home was easy to remember, namely because he spent over an hour in her closet when Sae came home early. She panicked, they weren't even dating. Thankfully Sae never actually found out about that… he hoped, the whole truth drug thing was still really fuzzy and was probably why he was so messed up actually.

Wait no, he was like that before.

After a train ride and doing a fantastic job of acting like he belonged he stood in front of Makoto's door and knocked. Once. lightly. He technically knocked. And there was no response. No one was looking, no one was answering the door; time to break in.

Maybe he should consider becoming an actual full-time thief, or rather a phantom thief, akin to Lupin the third. But then he'd get arrested again in no time. And jail was not fun. Besides, no doubt everybody would be disappointed in him including him. There were so many choices with what to do with his life, and all of them sounded terrible.

Maybe he really did peak in high school. Well, last year anyway.

The door clicked open with a jiggle and he strode into Makoto's apartment. It was exactly as stiff as he remembered it being, with two piles of papers on the dinner table being the only thing that could be considered dirty. Aside from his thoughts, but those were always wholesome.

Aside from the clicking of a clock, there was light music playing and a soft snoring sound.

"Wow, she's passed out." Morgana hopped out of his beg and stretched along the couch before preening. "I guess video game addiction is universal."

Sure enough, laying on the couch in a pose that he had seen Futaba in many times was Lucina. The Pajamas she was wearing were bundled up, exposing her slender stomach that had just enough definition to make half the models and worked with jealous. The blanket was half on one of her legs while she drolled into a pillow, one hand was clutching a Gameboy that was plugged in and still on.

Surprised both Sae and Makoto let her get away with staying up all night to do that. Let alone sleep until after three. Weren't they the ones that had it together?

"So, how do you wanna wake her up?" Morgana purred, licking his paw, tail flicking back and forth.

If it wasn't for the sword that was resting dangerously close to her other hand he'd probably try to be an asshole and wake her up with a bang. But he'd seen what she could do with her sword, and unlike him, she was probably still really good at using it when not in the metaverse. Best to do things gently.

"Princess." He clapped his hands lightly.

She snorted turning to bury her face into the pillow, followed by a small groan. "Five more minutes Fredrick."

He blinked looking at her for a few moments, his brain currently taking in the sight of her new position that confirmed what he had thought early. She really did have a nice figure, especially her butt. "Does Fredrick normally let you sleep until three in that afternoon?"

"Mmm-hmm," She moaned into the pillow. Then she opened up her blue eye and looked right at him, that weird symbol he saw in it was more prominent now. It was kind of like a cool contact. "Did you say it's three?"

Well, she was wide awake now. He nodded pushing up his glasses. Still, he'd probably sleep until three if he didn't have anything to do.

"Oh gods, I haven't done that since I was on watch duty." She groaned, sitting up while rubbing her eyes. A short yawn followed by a stretch and he had to admit that she was adorable when she was waking up. "Why are you here? Where's Makoto?"

"I broke in, to watch you sleep." He leaned onto the couch, putting on his best smile that didn't fade even when her pillow slammed into his face.

Her face was red, likely from a mixture of fury and embarrassment. There was something so pleasant about teasing her. It was food for his soul. She made noises, her tiredness was all but gone as she tried desperately to speak. "I. That. Er. Why are you like this?"

He shrugged, "Because you make it so easy. Makoto and Sae are going to be late tonight, so I'm on princess babysitting duty."

She glared at him, tinges of red still lined her cheeks, arms crossed over her chest. "I assure you I'm fully capable of-"

"Where's the nearest place to get food?"

No answer.

"Do you have any money?"

No answer.

"What apartment are you in?"

No answer.

"What-"

"Okay fine!" She shouted, both arms going to her sides. "I could use a guide in this city, but I refuse to acknowledge you as my babysitter." She let out a breath and pushed some of her long blue hair behind her head. "Just give me a moment to get dressed."

He nodded, readjusting his glasses. "We're going to meet up with Ann for her photoshoot, then probably get something to eat."

She paused on her way to Makoto's room, her face scrunched up with a single eyebrow raised. "Photoshoot?"

"Its where pretty girls get their photos taken," Morgana mewed, stretching on top of the couch. "And Lady Ann is a model."

"I see," She didn't sound like she saw. Not by a long shot. "Very well, give me a moment."

Unlike Makoto, Ann, or Haru, Lucina was actually quick at getting dress, only beat by Futaba who would shrug and throw on the first thing she grabbed. After a minute she emerged wearing -

"Are you really going to wear that?" Morgana asked, his tail flicking in annoyance.

It wasn't that Lucina's clothing was bad, it was just that, it was odd. And the only reason it wasn't bad was that her natural beauty made it so that no matter what she wore she'd look decent in. Like Ann, she could look attractive wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

"What? What's wrong with it?" Lucina spun, causing the plad Shujin academy skirt that Makoto used to wear to rise up a bit. It was held up by a set of suspenders that went on top of a white crop top with a bunny on it. Her hair was forced back by her crown thing. The whole outfit left her mid-drift exposed. Again, she didn't look bad, just odd.

"Don't be so picky," he petted Morgana's head down. "He's just picky, you look cute."

Her eyes went wide, and that faint tinge of pink returned. "Oh, well, thank you. Though, as nice as the clothes Makoto lent me are, I'd still prefer to have my own, is there a way for me to earn money so I can go shopping?"

"I can help you find a job," He shrugged, "But you might be back home before you even get paid." He turned towards the door, "Now come on Ann's waiting."

XXXX

"Yes! Fabulous darling fab-u-lous!"

"Just like that, give us a little more oomph!"

"Yes yes!"

It was official, she had no idea what was going on. There was a lot of flashing and every time Ann seemed to move the slightest bit as she posed on top of a bike, or around it. It was in short a strange ritual. And a rather boring one, she'd rather be back at Makoto's home playing that game.

It was so strange, it was an accurate retelling of the wars her father fought and even her own arrival, but there were some inconsistencies, such as her mother being able to be a male, but that didn't matter once she made her mother look just right - that was something that took well over an hour - but the game was enjoyable.

Even if she had to restart some levels every so often when somebody died. Her mother made certain that none of the shepherds died with her tactics, she would do the same!

"Lady Ann sure is wonderful isn't she?" The talking cat said from Joker's shoulder. Was it weird that a cat was infatuated with a human and lusted after her? Yes. Yes. it was.

Joker, said little, and just kept his eyes locked forward with one hand in his pocket. He really was rather quiet when he had his mask off. Almost like he was a different person, save for spark in his eyes.

"Antonio," Ann whined, falling onto the handlebars and pushing her hair back. "How much longer? My friends have been waiting for half an hour?"

The small, balding man that wore it like a badge of honor simply waved it off, holding up his camera for another shot. "Nonsense dear, your friends should be happy to see you work!" He turned to them smiling. "Isn't that right dea-"

He stopped eyes wide before he skipped over to them. "Oh, my dear! Ann! You didn't tell me you had such marvelous friends!" The strange looking man grabbed her by the hand. "You there! How would you like to be my model for today? I can pay you in cash today!"

"All I have to do is stand still while you take photos?" Money meant she could go shopping. Which meant she could get a bunny hat! Or any of the other countless other neat garments she had seen on the way here. Truly when it came to shopping this world was in a league of its own.

"And strike a few poses while looking absolutely radiant!" Antonio gave an exaggerated blink while rolling his head. It was then that he laid eyes onto her sword. Oh my goodness, and you have your own prop! Simply amazing."

"Alright, I accept."

"I knew you would, now then, we need something to match your beauty." It was at that point that the strange man laid eyes on Joker and she could all but see those frightening fireworks going off in his mind. "You there! Boy, come here, I will use you as a prop as well."

Joker nodded and before they knew it they were ambushed by a woman that pulled at their hair and clothes, adjusting it in a dozen of ways. Ann and Morgana laughing all the while.

When her senses returned she found herself looking at Joker. His glasses were gone and she could see that raging fire that was buried in his eyes, his messy black hair was now to his advantage falling just over his eyes to dull just enough of the edge he carried. How could such a simple change, change so much?

He smirked and she could feel her knees shake.

"Yes! That's it!" Antonio's voice dragged her away from him for half a second. "Oh, you're so into each other I love it! Now! You girl, take your sword and put it to his neck, I want to feel the tension of this. Think star crossed lovers, no! Worse! Channel your inner Tsundere, you are an assassin! He is your target, but you cannot kill him!"

She really had no problem drawing her sword and pointing it towards Joker's neck.

"You're not going to slip are you?" He asked somehow still very much smirking at her despite Falchion being less than an inch from slicing his neck.

"Don't tempt me." She growled.

"Yes! I can feel the energy! Oh, you're so beautiful I could kiss you both!" Antonio waved his hands taking multiple photos from different angles. "Now take a step closer, keep the sword pointed at him, but lesser, like you're being overtaken by your feelings. "

Joker took that single step forward, forcing her to draw Falchion down and away from his throat unless she were to stab him. He was an ally, and she did not harm her allies. Even if he was an insufferable show-off buffoon of a man that had really handsome features and oh gods what was she thinkings?

Maybe Aunt Lissa was right and she did have terrible taste in men. Not that Joker was to her taste. He was the exact opposite. He had maybe one, or two redeeming qualities and the rest was pure and utter trash!

"Yes! Now! Boy! Push her hand out of the way by the wrist, and get even closer."

"Wha-" what? What what what? Closer? How much closer could he -

Joker took that step forward, pushing her arm to the side so that Falchion was pointed down and away from them. Flashes went off at the edge of her vision and she could no longer feel her legs. He was looking right at her what was she supposed to do?

Her cheeks felt hot, red hot, as though the fire in his eyes were burning her alive. Was this really the same person she had been dealing with this whole time? She tried to look away.

"Yes! More!"

"Bear with it," Joker whispered sending a shiver down her spine that was colder than even the coldest mountain trail. Finger found its way under her chin and pulled her head upwards so that she was forced to look him in the eyes. Oh no, oh gods no!

"Now!" She heard from her surroundings. "Go in for the kill! Kiss her!"

Kiss?

Joker stepped away from her, and she felt nothing but relief wash over her. "No, I think that's far enough."

Antonio jumped up between them. "Ahh, but you're right of course, the intent is more important than the action. And I could feel the intent between you! Ack such Natural chemistry. Have our dear Ann give you my number I'd be willing to shoot you two any time."

"So we're done?" Joker asked placing on his glasses, hands back in his pocket and that aura that he had moments ago was gone again. Makoto was right about those things.

"For today I suppose, I know just the company that will want some of these shots, ahh but what am I saying, your pay, I'll give you some today and if any of these get used I'll see about getting you a commission!"

Her heart was still pounding in her chest. That was more intense than any battle. Far far far more intense with just that slightest touch. But the most frightening part about all of that was that she enjoyed it.

And that maybe she was a little bit disappointed that it stopped where it did.

AN: Oh no. Lucy's in love!