OKAY SO I KNOW I JUST POSTED THE FIRST CHAPTER OF LARCENY BUT WHILE I WAS WORKING ON CHAPTER 2, THIS IDEA POPPED INTO MY MIND AND BEFORE I KNEW IT I HAD A CHAPTER FOR THIS TOO!
SOMEBODY HELP!!! LOL .
SO YEAH, I'LL BE WORKING ON BOTH STORIES.
REMEMBER THIS IS A PERONA 5 ROYAL AU.
PLEASE DONT BE AFRAID TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
Irked.
That was the word that Akira was looking for.
He wasn't pissed at the current situation but he certainly wasn't just a little miffed either.
His mood was stuck in that sour middle point between the two ends of the spectrum of displeasure.
He was hoping to rectify that as he climbed the stairs to Shujin Academy's roof.
His cellphone vibrated inside his pocket and the black haired high-schooler didn't need to look at the Caller ID to know who it was that was calling, there was only one person he could think of that could still call him even if it was on Airplane mode.
"Hey."
A soft feminine voice emanated from the phone's speaker.
"Hey it's me...are you sure about this?"
Akira took a moment to study his environs. There was no one else on the staircase. He still spoke in a hushed tone to be safe.
"No. But to be honest we don't have many other viable options right now."
"I get that but..."
Ren didn't allow her to finish.
"We need them. As I explained you to last night. All parties are set to benefit from this. They may not know it yet but they need my help just as much."
The female on the line seemed worried.
"I know...I just don't want anyone to get hurt, especially you. I can't lose anyone else."
Akira bit his lip.
He didn't want that either but at times this trash heap of a world only seemed to specialise in hurting people. This wasn't the time or place for an answer like that though.
"You're not gonna lose me. That's the main reason why I'm doing this. With a strong enough group I'm sure we can get this done with minimal damage."
"Minimal damage is still damage."
"Nothing a Diarama or some medicine won't fix."
There was a perverted chuckle on the line.
"You just wanna go back to that hot back-alley doctor so she can molest you again."
Akira groaned.
"For the last time she doesn't molest me-..."
A stray thought crossed Akira's mind and his mouth was traitorous enough to verbally express the idea.
"...well at least not while I'm conscious."
Another chuckle.
"Oooh kinky."
Akira shook his head. He was going to dismiss the conversation before it got any weirder.
"We'll talk later. I wanna get this done before class resumes."
"...Ok. Make sure you text me!"
"As soon as I get back to LeBlanc. Later."
"Buh-bye!"
Akira smiled as he disconnected the call. She always did find a way to lift his spirits.
She was one of the few precious people he had left.
Even more reason to get this over with.
The young man took a deep breath to settle himself before heading up the final set of stairs that would ultimately lead to the roof's entrance.
The moment Akira stepped out on to the roof he saw them. The school's most infamous blond duo.
Ryuji Sakomoto and Ann Takamaki.
They had noticed him too.
Whatever conversation they were having had come to an abrupt stop the moment they had been made aware of his presence. Out of the corner of Akira's eyes he noticed movement in what he assumed was Takamaki's school bag.
"Must be the cat that's always under her desk."
Akira greeted them as he drew closer.
"Hey."
Ann seemed a bit confused.
"Uh...Hi."
Ryuji reclined on his chair.
"Yo. Did ya want something transfer student ? We were kind of in the middle of something private."
Akira took a seat.
"Just wanted a few minutes of your time. I'm sure you'll want to hear this, your little cat friend in the bag is invited too."
Ann frowned as Morgana poked out his head. The blonde beauty went on the defensive.
"Is that what this is about? I didn't know a delinquent like you cared about school rules. I can explain. H-h-h-he's um..."
Ryuji tried to help.
"He's her cousin's pet cat! Yeah! She's just watching him for today! No big deal!"
Ann smiled nervously.
"Yeah, that's right. Not that we have to explain ourselves to you."
The cat did the feline equivalent of a groan.
"I don't think that's why he's here, you guys. Be careful. He may be up to something."
Akira sighed.
"I'm not here to discuss your adherence or lack thereof to the school regulations. I was hoping to make you an offer."
Ryuji grunted.
"We're not interested. So could you please leave?"
Ann seemed conflicted.
"Well shouldn't we at least hear him out?"
Morgana spoke again.
"Maybe but not right now... we still need to discuss our strategy for Kamoshida's palace. We've not been making much head way."
Akira smirked.
"The cat makes a good point. You're never going to steal Kamoshida's Treasure at the rate you're going."
A beat.
The trio of Morgana, Ryuji and Ann all shouted at the same time.
"You can understand him/me?"
Akira rolled his eyes.
"Could you guys shout a little louder ? I don't think the other side of Tokyo heard you."
Both humans recoiled from Akira's comment. Blushes evident on their cheeks as the cat hopped on to a nearby table.
"You've been to the Metaverse ? To Kamoshida's Palace?"
"Yup."
"How?"
"I don't wish to go into full details but I suppose it's the same app that you guys use. The MetaNav."
Ann spoke next.
"Do you have a Persona ?"
Akira nodded.
"Yes I do."
Ryuji narrowed his eyes.
"You claim you've been to Kamoshida's Palace but we've never seen you."
"Because I did not wish to be seen."
"Bullshit!"
"Two days ago you guys got ambushed by a group of Silkys and Bicorns. Their Bufu spells overwhelmed Ann and your group had to retreat after the both of you sustained damage protecting her from the Bicorn's Lunges."
Ryuji sat back in surprise as Ann looked down in embarassment.
"No way...how did you?"
"I was there. I happened to come across your battle on my way out."
The former track-star frowned.
"You could have lent us a hand, you jerk! We could have died in there."
"Who do you think threw the smoke bomb that allowed your escape?"
Both Morgana and Ryuji shared a look. They had both been grateful yet confused by the smoke bomb that had given them the chance to escape the battle a few days ago.
Akira's claims were beginning to answer a few questions at least.
Ann spoke up.
"You said earlier that we're nowhere close to the Treasure. How do you know ?"
Akira shrugged.
"Because I've been much further in than you guys and I still haven't seen it yet. I was just taking a look around though."
Another wave of surprise washed over the group. The cat once again took over the questioning.
"How did you get past the rest of the Shadows? They could have only gotten stronger the further you went in. Is there some kind of secret path?"
Akira scratched his chin as if he was trying to recall something.
"There are a few secret paths here and there but those Shadows aren't a match for me. I can handle them."
Ryuji sneered.
"So you're saying you're stronger than us?"
"Not to be rude but yes. Much stronger."
Ryuji folded his arms in annoyance but said nothing more.
Ann continued.
"You said you had an offer for us?"
"Yes. I wish to join your group on a temporary basis. I'll help you get stronger as you get to Kamoshida's Treasure-"
Ryuji interrupted.
"And what would you want in return ?"
Akira paused, almost as if he was weighing his words.
"For starters, sixty percent of all the money we find inside the Palace. Recovery items and equipment can be shared by the group but anything rare or to my liking stays with me."
The group remained silent. Those terms did feel rather steep.
"I'd also be charging an additional fifty thousand yen. Twenty-five now and twenty-five after we're done. This is to cover the cost of the all trouble you've put me through."
Ryuji exploded.
"Fifty Thousand Yen?! Where are we supposed to even get that type of money?"
"Calm down. I did say I would only take half now. I'm sure we can work out a payment plan if it comes down to it. I'm not that unreasonable."
The cat had his own objections.
"If the trouble we've caused you is related to that smoke bomb you had to use. I would have to agree that fifty thousand yen is a bit much."
Akira raised two fingers.
"Number one. I saved your lives. Number two. I'm also talking about the losses that I have to bear for the next few days."
Ann spoke next.
"The next few days?"
"Your failed infiltration attempt raised the security level so high that even I'm locked out. That's days of waiting without an income."
The cat tilted his head.
"I see. That's why you're hanging around Kamoshida's palace. You're milking it for the resources."
"Of course. Palaces are goldmines, you'd be surprised at how much you can make with some concentrated effort.
Ann thought of another question.
"Is that all that matters to you? Money?"
"No. But as far as I've seen you've got a far better chance in this rotten world with money than without it."
Ann retorted.
"But you must have seen it! The volleyball torture chambers in the dungeon! Don't you care about what he's doing?"
Akira nodded.
"I never said Kamoshida was innocent, the sad truth is that even with all he's done this school is full of assholes that cover for him. I suspect some of the parents are the same. If you want to blame anyone for Kamoshida's continued tyranny, it's them."
Ryuji jumped in.
"So those students we spoke to were right! They really are covering for that asshat?! How is that fair to the students that he's abusing?"
Akira's expression hardened.
"Take my advice Sakomoto. In this world there is no fairness or true justice. If you want something you have to steal, earn or fight for it."
Ann responded to Akira's claim.
"I guess the only way we can stop him then is to steal his treasure."
Akira adjusted his glasses.
"You were having doubts?"
Ryuji answered.
"Aren't we risking him having one of those mental shutdown things ?"
Akira shook his head.
"As long as Kamoshida's Shadow is not killed he won't have a shutdown. Stealing the treasure will basically force him to have a change of personality and confess."
The cat jumped in excitement.
"As I thought! You have done this before!"
Akira deflected.
"I'm more surprised that you didn't know about that, cat. During your forays into the Palace you seemed to be the expert."
"I-i-i-i just didn't remember! And don't call me cat! My name is Morgana and I'm a human."
Akira blinked a few times. Ryuji nodded.
"Yea we find it a bit hard to believe too."
Morgana snarled.
"Shut up Ryuji."
Ann brought up another question.
"You said that the money thing was just 'for starters', what else would you want from us ?"
"That's on a conditional basis. If you prove strong enough, there's an operation I could use your help with. Maybe a few other small favours here and there."
Ann frowned.
"So you're just using us to achieve your own selfish goals?"
Akira opened his mouth to respond but Ann cut him off.
"I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less from a criminal."
Akira narrowed his eyes.
Ryuji, Morgana and Ann saw a flash of blue around the bespectacled teenager's frame as a pulse of power rippled through them.
Akira took a deep breath to steady his nerves before standing up.
"This is why I'll never understand you people."
The group remained quiet, still a bit shocked by the power they felt.
"Almost everyone in this school is convinced that Takamaki just can't get enough of Kamoshida's dick while Sakomoto is nothing but a violent delinquent that picks fights unprovoked..."
No one could find the strength to respond.
"Rumours that I'm sure you both detest...yet you've already drawn your conclusions on me based on the very same sources ? Sad."
Akira slowly walked away.
"You guys have a few days to think my offer over. I'll need an answer soon."
Now he was pissed.
It wasn't like him to get angry like that but it was the way Takamaki looked at him, the way she said the word 'criminal'.
It reminded him of the people back home.
His classmates.
His so called friends.
The woman he saved from that bald bastard.
They were all the same.
All hypocrites.
All sheep without a mind of their own.
Unbeknownst to Akira his sour mood literally radiated off his entire being. The students and even some of the teachers were giving him a wide berth as he made his way through the school.
No one was sure as to what had made the "psycho transfer student" angry but they were not going to feel his wrath.
Akira came to a stop in front of the doors that led to the school's outdoor walkway. A girl was blocking the entrance seemingly distracted by her phone.
Akira took another deep breath to clear his mid before audibly clearing his throat.
The girl looked up and squeaked.
"Oh, I'm in the way aren't I ? Sorry."
The girl's apology seemed genuine so Akira saw no reason to prolong the issue.
But as she stepped away from the door, he did notice how gingerly she moved.
There were several defined bruises on her face and arms as well.
"No worries...Are you on the volleyball team?"
"...yeah...huh. You don't look familiar. Are you that transfer student from Class D?"
Akira mentally groaned.
"I hope she doesn't run off screaming. Someone's gonna say that I'm the one who gave her all those bruises."
"Yeah. That's me."
To Akira's surprise the girl offered him a small smile.
"It may not be any of my business but don't let the rumours get to you okay?"
Akira was a little lost for words.
"I...uh...I'm not...they don't bother me all that much."
"I'm glad to hear that...my best friend is also misunderstood a lot too, all because of her looks."
"She must mean Takamaki. I see them around the school all the time."
The girl continued.
"Sorry...I didn't mean to drag on like that. Anyways I'll see you around."
The young girl began to walk away but something inside Akira literally screamed for him to stop her.
He hesitated.
Why should he ?
He was in this whole mess to begin with because he stuck his nose into other people's business.
He had no reason to...
A voice he ad not heard for years but had never forgotten pierced through the darkness of his mind.
"That is how heroes soar, Akira-kun. They rise by lifting others."
"Wait!"
The outburst surprised the girl and a few others walking nearby. Most people quickly walked away when they realised who had shouted, a few others watched from a distance and hoped for the girl's safety.
Akira walked over to the dark haired girl so he could speak softly.
"I...uh...never got your name."
"Shiho Suzui."
"I'm Akira Kurusu."
"It was nice meeting you Kurusu-kun."
She was going to step away again but Akira spoke again.
"Suzui-san. You should get those injuries looked at."
Shiho rubbed one of her shoulders as she spoke. Akira suspected that it was the site of one her more painful injuries.
"Uh...the school nurse isn't in today. I'm sure I'll be fine until she gets back in..."
Akira was about to recommend that she went to the hospital but then it him.
Kamoshida had probably ordered them to only go to the school nurse for medical help. Another doctor or hospital would certainly question the origin of the bruises and injuries.
"...One second..."
Akira pulled out a small slip of paper and a pen out of his pocket, after a few seconds of frantic scribbling, he handed it to Shiho.
The dark haired girl read the first few words on the paper out loud.
"The...Takemi clinic...
of Internal Medicine?"
"She's one of the best in the country."
Shiho shook her head.
"I appreciate this but I can't go. Kamoshida-sensei said that the school won't cover the cost of..."
"She's a friend. Once you use my name it'll be free...and...she won't ask any questions."
Shiho looked up in surprise but decided against saying anything, she folded the paper and nodded.
"Ok...I'll go today...after practice."
Akira let out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding in.
"Good."
Shiho offered one last smile as they parted ways.
"Thank you...Kurusu-kun."
Akira had locked up LeBlanc a few minutes ago. Sojiro had decided to call it early saying something about having a date.
"Yea right. Probably went somewhere he can smoke in peace."
He was now seated at one of the empty booths enjoying a plate of the Boss' famous curry.
In the centre of the table propped up on one of the napkin holders was his phone.
An orange haired girl was on his screen, stuck in a frantic rant about one of her favourite shows.
Akira normally paid full attention to her but he would have to admit that the events of the day had him a tiny bit distracted.
"Are you even listening to me Akira?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Stop lying!"
"You were just talking about how they've drawn out the love triangle between Phoenix- man, Samurai Princess and their childhood friend Kimiko."
"...you're some kind of ninja aren't you?"
Akira snorted before responded.
"Sorry, I will admit that I've got some stuff on my mind. The day's been a long one.
The orange haired girl sighed.
"I get ya...Hey! Want me to plant a virus on that blonde girl's phone?"
"No thanks. I thought your days of cyber terrorism were behind you?"
"I'm willing to make an exception for a friend."
Akira smiled.
"I appreciate it. How's that file on Kamoshida coming along?"
"Almost done. You should have it by tomorrow."
"Thanks. Even if they don't accept my offer, I'll need to deal with that bastard sooner than later."
"That's surprisingly quick. You normally take your time with the Palaces. What's the rush?"
Images flashed in Akira's mind.
The bruised face of a kind girl that smiled at him.
"He's dangerous."
"... I'll have it ready by tonight."
Before anything else could be said a small chime started to ring on Akira's phone.
"I'll have to call you back. I'm getting a call from Tae-san."
The orange hair girl grinned.
"Oh so it's 'Tae-san' and not Dr.Takemi ? Interesting. Perhaps she's calling you for a late evening rendezvous. Maybe she wants to...'examine' you."
Akira shook his head humorously.
"Goodbye Futaba."
Akira promptly answered the call as Futaba disconnected.
"Hey Doc. Did you get my text about a friend dropping by?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm calling. She just left a few minutes ago."
"Oh?"
"Yea...there's something you should know about that girl, Guinea pig..."
Akira flew out of LeBlanc's door as if the demons of hell were on his heels. His only moment of pause was to lock the door behind him.
His jacket flapped in the evening breeze he raced down the backstreets of Yongen-Jaya skillfully dodging people, trash-cans and a few stray cats.
He was on a beeline course for Shujin Academy.
He only hoped he could make it in time.
THERE YOU GO. THAT WAS CHAPTER ONE OF POCKET CHANGE.
I KNOW I USED AKIRA AS PROTAG'S NAME HERE AND REN IN MY OTHER STORY. JUST TRYING EACH OUT AS THESE ARE MY FIRST PERSONA FAN FICS.
PLEASE REVIEW/COMMENT TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT.
MY STORIES ARE BOTH ON FFNET AND AO3.
PEACE OUT
KINGNIKEN