Author's Note:

I feel I owe a few apologies here.

First, I was struggling to write which delayed this chapter more than it should have been.

Also, this chapter is a little...

Finally, I have a half-backed theory at the end that I also feel when I replay the beginning of P5.

Hopefully the chapter is not too late.

Chapter 34: To Kyoto

Thursday, August 4th, 20XX Morning

"T-This is a lot of people…" Futaba gasped as she looked around the crowded beach.

Ren was proud of how much progress the girl had made this past week. She would never be 'social', but the girl could now go through a conversation with another human being without embarrassing either herself or them. That was something Ren had failed to do on a couple of occasions.

While Futaba had initially been extremely conscious of her white two-piece tankini swimsuit, she had forgotten upon seeing the people, her crossed arms lowering.

"Are you alright?" Ren whispered, leaning in close to the girl.

"A-Alright? This is easy! Definitely an achievable object." Futaba stuttered. Brave words from a girl that was shuddering like a leaf with her shoulders hunched in so far they were almost touching.

Ren wanted to place a comforting hand on her shoulder but thought better of it. He felt protective of the girl but did not want to overextend his position. It was a hard balance to maintain sometimes. Still, it was wrong to treat everyone the way he treated Sumire…

Ren had the inkling that he was missing something at this point. A small nagging in the back of his mind that he should know something. There was something there, Ren was sure of it. What about Sumire was—

"Seeenpai!" Sumire said loudly.

All thoughts fled Ren's mind. It was pure luck that his jaw did not drop making him look like an utter fool. She was wearing a red bikini the colour of her eyes showing off every sculpted curve of her body. Even at her young age, her stomach was beginning to show the distinctive curves of a six-pack. Without the skirt that she usually wore, Ren could also appreciate how thick her powerful thighs were. They were like bundles of pure muscle which stood out in contrast as distinct groups.

Sumire, of course, caught his not very subtle examination of her body and immediately blushed. "D-Do I look weird? I don't remember the last time I went swimming… I had to buy a new swimsuit because I didn't have one that fit me."

"It looks good. Did Kasumi help you pick it out?" Ren asked, trying to move on past the awkwardness.

"N-No, she had 'more important' things to do."

"Is that right…" Ren frowned. "I was really hoping she would come today. Kasumi needs a break from all the training that she is doing."

Sumire winced like Ren had slapped her. Raising an eyebrow, Ren waited silently as Sumire shifted uncomfortably. She grew increasingly more uncomfortable as long seconds of silence ticked past.

Just as Ren thought that Sumire was going to say something, Ren felt someone grabbing onto his arm. Looking down, Ren saw Futaba pressing more of her skin than was appropriate against him as she smirked at Sumire. "You know, for two people not dating you sure do emanate strong vibes of needing to get a room. Big normie stuff if you ask me."

"Normie… stuff?" Sumire repeated the words, making them sound like foreign objects in a language she did not know. Then, she remembered the first part that Futaba said and went bright red. "W-What are you talking about!? I-I do not look at Senpai in that way. I most certainly was not examining his body, fit from hard days in the metaverse and exercise!"

"Oh, really?" Futaba's smirk grew more pronounced. Her teasing in these scenarios sometimes reminded Ren of Kasumi. The two would have gotten along well. Those thoughts were driven out as Futaba ran a finger down Ren's stomach. "So, you don't want to do this?"

"F-Futaba!" Sumire's voice was strangled, her face now matching her hair colour. "T-That's your Senpai, stop touching him so inappropriately!"

"Just admit you want to touch him too!" Futaba laughed, walking around Ren. She never took her hands off him as she moved though. Sumire darted forward, trying to remove Futaba from Ren.

Closing his eyes, Ren kept his chin up as the two girls circled around him. There was no way he could ever prove it, but Ren would have sworn that Sumire touched him a lot more during this task than was strictly necessary, especially his stomach.

"What is happening here?" Ann asked with an amused tone, approaching the three of them.

Ren opened his eyes and took her in. She was a model for a reason. Wearing a swimsuit, she had a near ethereal beauty like that of a painting or a sculpture. That may have been the reason that while Ren appreciated the sight of her, he did not have the same visceral reaction as he had upon observing Sumire.

"I am honestly just as confused," Ren replied. At the same time, Sumire finally captured Futaba, hauling the scrawny girl away by flinging her over the shoulder. The sight had a cartoonish air to it and Ren could help but laugh.

Ann let out a similar twinkling laugh. "This was a good idea. She is already having a good time."

Ren opened his mouth to agree, but was interrupted by Ryuji jumping over, his mouth agape as he leaned heavily on Ren. "Bro! Did you see them!? What was that? And Sumire? Girl is Thi…" Ryuji cut off with a squeak as he caught sight of Ann, his jaw-dropping.

"You could try a compliment," Ren advised his stricken friend.

"It's okay," Ann smiled. "I don't expect such manners from Ryuji."

"HUH!?" W-Well I mean… DAAAAMN!"

Ren rolled his eyes at the limited vocabulary, but Ann actually blushed, averting her eyes and twirling one of her ponytails with an idle finger.

Morgana chose that moment to arrive from where he had been napping at their chosen place on the beach. "Lady Ann, is this oaf bothering you with his obscene words again? How tragic, for his coarse mannerisms mar your beauty, like how pollution hides the radiant sun!"

"Uhh… What?"

"Oi! I just know that you're insulting me!" Ryuji growled at the cat. "Go take a nap or something."

"Guys," Ann sighed. "We are at the beach, cool it and let's just have fun."

Incredibly grateful for the level-headed proclamation, Ren followed along having no need to intervene. With Ann dragging Ryuji by the arm and Morgana stalking after them, Ren had the distinct impression that they looked like a couple and their pet.

Stifling the laugh, Ren did not notice someone approaching until he was tapped on the shoulder. Jumping in surprise, Ren twisted around, his right hand searching for his knife while his left went to his hostler. Neither of which existed in this world.

Haru was standing there and shot him a knowing wink. Makoto stood behind Haru's shoulder wearing a disgruntled expression, her arms hugging her stomach. Despite usually being so confident, she looked nervous, likely about exposing so much skin.

"Are you doing alright?" Ren asked Makoto, looking past Haru and her wide-brimmed straw hat. From the corner of his eye, Ren saw the girl pout, but he continued to ignore her. She deserved it for sneaking up on him.

"Ah, of course, I am!" Makoto responded, her voice clipped from the speed she spoke with.

"Mako-chan is a bad liar," Haru whispered loudly in a conspiratorial tone to Ren.

"Haru!" She protested. "It's just I have not done something like this since…"

"Since?" Ren asked. He clamped his mouth shut a moment too late as he figured it out.

"Since my father died…" Makoto finished gazing out at the sea with a distant expression. "Not the ocean obviously, he was always so busy but a few times… every now and then…"

Ren did not press for more. Haru, however, tilted her head and turned to Makoto with a quizzical expression. "Do you… resent him for not spending more time with you?"

Ren shot a sharp glance to Haru, but Makoto was still just staring into the distance. Her arms were still hugging her body, but it no longer seemed an embarrassed gesture, they had just been left there and forgotten about.

"Do I… That is a bit of an odd question at this time." Makoto laughed. "We are supposed to be celebrating, having a bit of a break…"

"Mako-chan…" Haru pressed.

Ren suddenly felt like an intruder into this conversation despite having been included initially. Either way, neither of them asked him to leave or acknowledged his presence so Ren stayed.

"No. I do not resent him; I only miss him. You ask because of your own father, don't you?"

Haru nodded having the question reversed upon her. Despite the sunny, warm day, it seemed shadowed. The air not as warm, the sun not as bright.

"He may be acknowledging me finally…" Haru muttered, the conversation completely out of place. "But what if I am merely another tool to him? One that has more functions than he originally thought?"

"You are not a tool." Makoto growled suddenly, as if the words were a personal insult.

"Hey." Gathering his courage, Ren spoke up and walked between the girls. Then, risking his life he threw his arms around their shoulders. His left around Haru, his right around Makoto. "Today, we are at the beach to have fun. Save the future for tomorrow, alright? Plus, we have each other now."

Ren thought for sure he had overstepped when both of them turned to look at him, their faces barely a handsbreadth away. Then, both girls looked at each other laughed, and threw their arms around his waist so that they could grab at each other. Now locked in the middle of a three-person convoy, Ren was guided to their stuff and the people there.

Somehow, it seemed like Ryuji and Morgana were no longer arguing while Ann used a mirror to touch up her facial sunscreen. It was one of those expensive ones that had dermatological properties as to not clog pores or have any other side effects. Likewise, Sumire was helping Futaba out with sunscreen while the two talked about school and its merits and shortcomings. Yusuke meanwhile was… Nowhere to be found? That was never a good sign.

"Oh, Senpai! You're…" Sumire's voice cut of in an unnatural way as she looked up at Ren.

Ren got the distinct impression that he should have broken away from the girls before this. Now though, they clamped on with playful smiles. Ren's arms floated on their shoulders as he stood there uncomfortably as everyone turned to stare at them.

"Whoa…" Ryuji murmured his eyes going wide. "You are not wheeling that hard… right?"

"Of course not!" Sumire snapped. "Although, I am curious as to what is going on, Senpai. Very curious."

Never before had a thirty-degree day felt colder. Even the two arms around his waist felt more like the prison bars from the velvet room than warm appendages.

"Oh, don't be so cold, Sumi." Haru laughed. Taking off her hat with her right hand, she tightened her grip on Ren and rested her head against his shoulder. "Our cute junior Ren here was just trying to cheer up a couple of older ladies. Nothing sinister has happened…"

Yet. Ren shivered at the implied word.

"Haru…" Makoto whined. Ren could feel her wiggling against him, clearly uncomfortable. About what in particular, Ren did not know. He did notice that she was not pulling away. Her arm locked him in as surely as Haru's did.

"Hehehe," Futaba cackled. It was the ugly noise one would expect of a villain. "Now that is what I call some mad protagonist power. Better watch out Sumi or you'll find yourself as a late addition in a harem anime!"

"W-What are you saying!?" Sumire squeaked, sounding genuinely confused but also understanding that Futaba's words had not been consolatory.

"But then again… doesn't the red-head usually win?"

Ren had only the vaguest idea of what Futaba meant. He had watched some anime growing up, but not a ton. None since getting arrested and being forced to move.

Ryuji however, seemed to know exactly what Futaba meant as he tried to hold in his laughter with a fist in his mouth. Ann as well was clearly biting her lip to restrain her own laughter.

"Ha…Remu?" Haru spoke the word slowly. "What is that?"

"What Ren over there is building," Futaba cackled again, clearly enjoying herself.

Makoto having had enough finally pulled herself away and knelt over by her bag. "W-Well enough of this! Everyone, make sure that you have sunscreen on, sun burn is no joke. Also, I made sure to bring a variety of snacks so there should be something that you enjoy. I don't have a cooler to bring cold drinks, but there is change in the bag and vending machines where you can purchase what you want… Now, where is Yusuke, did anyone see where he ran off to? He should have told someone before wandering off…"

It was a prodigious speech given at least one and a half times faster than Makoto usually talked. Ren could only watch faintly bemused, his left arm still not all the way back down to his side.

"Oh dear," Haru sighed. "It looks like Futaba's comment about this Haremu thing has broken Mako-chan."

Makoto's shoulders shivered again. "D-Do not say that! I have never even had a boyfriend; I am not suddenly a part of some weird polyamorous relationship!"

"Polyamrous…?" Haru considered the word. After a moment her eyes brightened, and she stuck up a finger. "Oh, is that what a harem is? Like a man dating a bunch of women? Aren't there like… a couple religions that do that?"

"There are." Futaba confirmed chortling. "More importantly… What the hell is Inari carrying!?"

Futaba's voice transformed into such a display of shock, that no one even considered it was a bait. Whirling himself, Ren craned his head to peer over Haru's head in the direction that Futaba was gaping.

And there he was. Yusuke wore a goofy smile, his hair awry. His white shirt was half covered with sand. For some reason, he carried a lobster in one hand and a kid's shovel in the other.

Ren groaned and closed his eyes. Whatever had happened he did not want to deal with it. Why was he stealing sandcastle building equipment? And how the hell did the boy find a lobster!?

"What is…" Makoto stood up with a heavy sigh, full mom mode activated. "Sometimes I don't know what is wrong with that boy." With a shake of her head, she marched off to meet Yusuke.

Chortling about "silly Inari," Futaba ran off as well.

Ren took a step to follow but stopped when he felt a soft touch against his arm and back. Ann's whispered filled his ear.

"Now would be a great time to help Sums with her sunscreen."

Ren jumped but Ann walked past him like nothing had even happened. If Ren did not know better, he would have said it never even happened as no one even batted an eye, completely absorbed by Yusuke's arrival.

Inching away from Haru, Ren made his way over to Sumire who had only half risen, her face still conflicted. "Hey."

"Eep!" Jumping, she turned to face him with large, startled eyes half hidden behind those glasses, her hair falling loosely around her.

Beautiful…

Struggling to contain his emotions, Ren had no idea what he was supposed to say. What was it Ann had said again…? "I can put sunscreen on you."

"You… Umm, EEP!"

Sumire had frozen, her eyes flicking between Ren's face and the bottle of sunscreen in her hands. Then, as she slowly thawed, she glanced over to the side where only a handful of meters away the rest of the group stood.

As if through some inertia, Sumire nodded and stuck the bottle towards Ren. "T-Thank you for taking care of me… Senpai."

It was not until the bottle was in his hands and Sumire was lying down, collecting her hair as she did so, that Ren comprehended what he was doing. That courage and daring that led him to throwing his arms around Makoto and Haru had fled.

Left an empty husk, Ren stared stupidly at the pristine white skin. Flawless… Swallowing, Ren began. Turning the bottle around, Ren squirted the white liquid unto her back.

"Eep!"

"S-Sorry!" Ren stammered uncertainly.

"Umm, why are you apologizing, Senpai?"

"Errr… I am going to continue." Ren said instead. Not wanting to delay any further, Ren pressed his hands down upon her. Ren's head was so stunned by what is happening that he could not even feel Sumire's body as he spread the sunscreen on it. He quickly hit a problem however once he finished the middle of her back. "Umm…"

"W-What is it?" Sumire replied, her voice sounding on the edge of hysteria.

"I think I am done…"

"D-Done!? You haven't done my upper or lower back."

Maybe it was because of his odd statement, but Sumire sounded more composed now.

"But…"

Sumire overrode his complaints. "You're the one that offered in the first place, Senpai!"

Feeling like a fool, Ren cursed Ann as well as himself in equal measures at he targeted the safer of the two areas, Sumire's upper back. Placing a hand on her neck, Ren rubbed in parts of the lotion and moved down and over to her shoulders.

All too quickly however those areas were done and Ren was confronted with the problem that had made him stop in the first place.

"What?" Sumire asked again.

"Strap…"

"Huh? I didn't—"

"Strap." Ren repeated in a louder voice. Based on the way Sumire froze, he knew that she had forgotten about it as well.

"J-Just lift it!"

Just lift it.

Never before had Ren encountered such a physically simple command and found it to be so difficult to manage. Pulling on the strip of red fabric with his left hand, it came away from her body with the easy pull of an elastic. Like all materials that posses a measurable spring constant, it pulled back on its points of contact folding the fabric tighter against her body on the sides.

"Uhh, Senpai?"

Shaking his head, Ren snapped himself out of his reverie. He had been just sitting there with the strap in hand staring at her back. It was no different now with the strap lifted, but at the same time, it was very different. There was something innately alluring about a woman's bare back and the promise of what would be there on the other side.

What is wrong with me right now!?

Mentally, Ren buried inside himself and found the personas that he carried within. In some ways, he had all of them at all times. Able to change between an infinite number of masks to fit in wherever he went. There were limits however to what he could truly hold. Ren had learned this from Igor and was working expand this capacity. Currently, he brought the persona Zouchouten of the strength arcana to the front of his mind. If there was ever a battle he needed to get through, it was this.

Using his persona's own industrious mind, Ren attacked the task of applying sunscreen as a monk may approach polishing a dojo's floor. Optimizing the path and amount used, Ren did a thorough, but efficient job of the task.

What was I so worried about?

Ren smiled from a job well done and continued down Sumire's body. Finishing with her lower back, Ren made sure to apply a small bit in a line under her bottoms. He didn't want them to slip somewhat and for her to end up with a burn mark. Of course, he only lifted the fabric enough to fit his finger under and did not look. That would not be proper for a soldier.

"Gugh!?"

Ren was unsure what the sound meant. Noticing that Sumire's legs were not done yet, Ren moved onto them. After all, she was lying down already, and he had the bottle. It was simple efficiency.

Starting with her upper thighs, Ren repeated the process that he had done for her back, running a small bit of lotion along the leg holes of her bottoms as well. His finger pressing against her soft buttocks, not that Ren noticed.

"AHH!"

Ren was left sitting there with no further target for his ministrations as Sumire scrambled away from him. Frowning, Ren turned to look at the girl who now sat with her knees to her chest, one hand on her behind and the other hand hiding her face.

"Was there a problem with my application of the lotion?" Ren asked still frowning. "It hasn't dried yet and you're sitting on some of the lotion, so that area should be reapplied."

"…Senpai…"

"Err, yes?"

"Do you think the other girls will kill you if I tell them about this?"

Ren considered. "That seems highly unlikely for multiple reasons. First, I am friends with them. Second, that would be a serious crime and none of them are criminals. Thirdly, I have committed no wrong that requires such judgement to be meted out upon me."

Ren was quite pleased with the litany. He thought it was a solid, comprehensive analysis of the hypothetical situation that Sumire had suggested. The girl, however, looked incredibly unimpressed.

From behind the glasses and between her fingers, her eyes shone from the shadows like twin red lasers. A heat buried at their core that was about to be unleashed upon Ren.

Beholding the far superior force of the enemy, the soldier persona that Ren had embraced shivered and receded somewhat. In that moment Ren's true mind was able to emerge and remember what it was that he had done. Face going pale, he felt like his heart had stopped in his chest.

Unable to bear the gaze any longer, Ren threw his forehead to the ground before her. "You have my most sincere apologies. I lost my senses and acted without thinking."

"Grr…" Sumire growled. And then, so quiet she continued, such that Ren was not sure if they were true or a trick or the wind, floating in from other beachgoers. "Refuses to ask me out on a date but cops a feel at the first opportunity? I'm not just an object to him, am I?"

Ren did not rise as he had not received permission to do so. With head down though, he could still sense Sumire's movements as she rose to her feet. "S-So?"

"I am still considering whether I should accept."

Then, she walked away.

"S-Sumire?" Ren called after her.

"Just stay there until I get back!"

Left with no other choice, Ren stayed in his bowed position with no chance at being able to rise in the near future as her footsteps grew ever distant. With nothing to look at, Ren could only marvel in the last five minutes and all the wonders and horrors that it had included.

Thursday, August 4th, 20XX Noon

Kasumi barely remembered being in a bad mood. There was something that happened in the morning with Sumire leaving to go to the beach, but it was inconsequential. Kasumi had done a long morning workout and had a far better time doing so than visiting the beach would have been.

What was even at a beach anyway? Heat and sand that got in your clothes. No, a nice workout was the far better choice.

Completely at peace with no negative feelings remaining, Kasumi sat at the now familiar café opposite Akechi Goro yet again. They had been meeting up more regularly, although each meeting was short. This was the first time that Kasumi was likely to be the one to end the meeting. A new movie had released, and Minami wanted to go see it.

This would be the third time that Kasumi had hung out with their group. It definitely had a different feel to it than Sumire and Ren's friends had. With Minami, it felt more like picking things to do where they could observe Yuuki and Yoshito awkwardly flirt with each other. Kasumi was not sure either of them noticed what they were doing but Minami and Ryou certainly did.

As such, Kasumi herself was kind of like a fifth wheel in the group. Alternatively, she was filling in the gap of Minami's friend as Yuuki transitioned into becoming Yoshito's girlfriend. It did not offend Kasumi. It was simply relaxing to be able to hang out with people that were starting to treat her as an actual person and wanting her around.

Kasumi was starting to wonder if she was spending too much time just… chilling. But at the same time, she was unsure how much harder she could push her body. She stretched and practiced every single day. Yet there were still always hours she could find to meet people.

"Distracted by something?" Akechi wondered idly.

"Not really," Kasuni shrugged. "Just thinking about life."

"Ah, how envious I am of your lackadaisical time usage. Frolicking around without a care whereas I barely have time to grab a coffee before needing to return to work."

Kasumi frowned at that. "Surely you are jesting. School is done for the semester. This should be your easiest time."

Akechi shook his head piteously. "I am being sent away starting tomorrow for awhile. As such I need to finish up everything here before I leave."

Tomorrow… That was the same day that Sumire was leaving for Kyoto. Akechi knew that but there was no way they were connected… was there?

It seemed like Akechi read her mind. Chuckling, he shook his head slightly. "No, I am not planning a secret meet-up with your sister or Ren."

"You can if you want." Kasumi shrugged nonplussed. "I mean that is entirely your decision. Does seem odd to spend 3 hours and 15 thousand yen just to talk to people that live in Tokyo in a different city."

Akechi finally smiled at that, some of his exhaustion fading. "Yes, a good joke indeed that would be…"

"So, where are you going?" Kasumi pressed. "You must get some free time to explore, yes?"

Akechi shook his head sourly. "I'll be in meetings the whole time with a variety of detectives and policy makers. People are worried about the phantom thieves and the mental breakdowns. The public have not fully grasped the potential implications at this point."

Kasumi grunted affirmatively. "I should read more about the implications myself. Has a vigilante group ever actually helped?"

"Help who? Is the question you will first need to answer before you can began digging into the one you asked. But in general, absolute power, no matter the original intention, once wielded, is never relinquished peacefully."

Kasumi mused on Akechi's words. Unfortunately, these things were more akin to stories from anime or movies than anything the world has confronted before. The technology involved was as baffling as it was terrifying. The human race had possessed the power to kill millions with ease for almost eighty years at this point, however, no mater what they had done, you could die as yourself. The mental shutdowns and changes of heart changed that.

It was at that moment that her group wandered past. They had been curious about Akechi so Kasumi told them to meet her here.

"This is them?" Akechi muttered as Kasumi waved.

"Obviously."

Akechi shot her an exasperated look before standing, correcting his shirt. Even in the heat, he still wore black pants and dress shoes. He had at least ditched the jacket and vest. Even if the tie made him look like a dad of forty.

He sauntered over to Kasumi's new friends and greeted them confidently. As she had expected, Ryou was all over him while Yoshito gave him an apprehensive look. Those two were like oil and water yet had an odd chemistry.

Kasumi stepped up to Akechi's side in time to hear his words. "Thank you for keeping her company. She gets lonely if no one strokes her ego a certain amount each day."

"Well, I have no problem supplying her daily dose of strokes!" Minami laughed, stepping up to Kasumi's side and placing a familiar hand on her shoulder.

Kasumi glanced up at the taller girl, repressing a frown. It was quite the familiar gesture… Not that Kasumi was one who could really complain. She often poked and invaded personal spaces.

Minami was not exactly pretty. She had that distinctive Japanese face and would have blended well into a crowd if it was not for her height, on par with most adult men already. Combined with her volleyball training, the girl drew second and third glances when she walked past people. Yuuki's assets on the other hand were more frontloaded.

Akechi, yet again, stood amidst two attractive women and simply showed his public smile. Those closed eyes and goofy grin. It made people underestimate and sympathize with him.

"Yes, I do believe that you will do nicely. Goodbye!" With only those few words, he was off with a wave.

"I still can't believe that you took down the principal with him…" Minami whispered awed. "You're a hero, I still forget that."

Kasumi shrugged awkwardly. "I am still just a girl."

"Oh, yes I am quite aware."

"Uhh, alright? We should get moving, yes?"

"You bet!" Ryou said, taking the lead.

Kasumi would not describe him precisely as the leader of the group, but he was the one that initiated a lot of the activities and getting things done. He proposed ideas and got them to work. He was the engine of this social construct that Kasumi found herself a part of.

When did I start analyzing relationships like this? Kasumi cursed Akechi again in her head. He seemed like a good source for her anger regardless of whether it was actually his fault.

In a few more moments, their group was moving. As usual, the happy-go-lucky Ryou was leading the way, short hair spiked up. Behind him were the budding lovebirds of Yoshito and Yuuki. Regardless of what happened, they seemed to aggregate to each other. It was both cute and annoying. Plus, neither of them were aware enough of what they were doing to make teasing them fun.

That left Minami walking next to Kasumi at the back of the group. In this block formation, they made their way over to the movie theater through the decently crowded city. As always, Tokyo in early August was not a distinctly pleasant experience. Still, it was only a short trip outside and they would be in an air conditioned theater for most of the day.

"So, what is this movie about?" Kasumi idly asked Minami, more for something to say than actual curiosity. In typical Kasumi fashion, her eyes were constantly flitting to the people out and about, analyzing them, assessing them. Kasumi's eyes hung on to a couple of men that lounged around outside a gym. College-aged athletes… track-and-field maybe? Sprinters?

Kasumi appreciated the sight. There was something appealing to a well-built man. The raw power that could be contained in one that Kasumi could only wonder at. She had no desire to be one nor envy toward men, but it did make her appreciate rhythmic gymnastics more. When she won Olympic gold she would be the best person in the world at it, not just the best woman.

"Oh, it is a great movie," Minami gushed. "It is about the power of friendship. This group drives space cars really well and uses the power of friendship to overcome their hardships."

Kasumi was incredibly confused for a moment until her mind snapped back to remember that she had asked a question of her tall friend. "Friendships, hardships, and spaceships. Any other ships I should know about?"

"Actually…" Minami leaned in, her dark eyes sparkling excitedly, "the main characters are super cute together. They were like rivals, but had to become best friends through a shared goal and their respect for each others skills.

"Some people don't think they will get together because they are both girls, but I know they will. It is going to happen in this movie. It is going to be sooo romantic."

"I-Is that right… Umm, how is that a ship?" Kasumi replied. She had never gotten obsessed with a series or fictional world before. Kasumi's mind was always solidly planted in reality and achievable goals and objectives. Sumire had taken her cues from Kasumi and her parents only had a passing interest in entertainment.

As such, Kasumi had never known someone who gushed so openly about something that she was clearly deeply passionate about. Gushing about people that did not exist but acting like they were.

Minami sighed with disappointment. "Like, I ship them. Their relationship will set sail and last forever."

"Uh huh… and umm, are you not worried that one of them could die or something though? You haven't even seen the movie…"

It was clearly an amateur thing to say as Minami's disappointment gave way to shock. "You have no idea about Furious Space, do you?"

"…No."

"Their core of friendship is unbreakable. There is nothing in the universe that can kill one of them while their hearts remain joined as one." Minami declared passionately.

Kasumi stayed silent, withering a little. This was hard. Small talk and accepting praise was easy. Dealing with people that wanted something was easy. Here, however, Kasumi had no idea what to talk about or why things happened. It did not seem right to tease Minami about it either…

"You don't believe me," she grumped. "You think that their bond can be broken!"

"Huh?" Kasumi blinked. "I-Isn't that completely up to the director and writer of the show?"

That, apparently, was completely the wrong thing to say. Minami recoiled as if punched. "It is canon. They would not dare break canon!"

"Umm, what?" Kasumi was growing desperate. This conversation was impossible to follow. "Their power of friendship is a cannon? Do you mean that their spaceship has a lot of cannons on it?"

Minami actually stopped walking. Kasumi was forced to stop a few steps ahead and look back at her. The other three were too distracted to notice.

"You are… being serious?"

"Pretty rare for me, hey?" Kasumi smiled. "Don't get to used to it."

"Oh, Kas," Minami sighed.

There was something in the way that she said her shortened nickname that Kasumi was not fond of. Almost as if she was stroking it tenderly. The very personal form of address seemed different the way that Minami used it compared to Sumire.

Before Kasumi could formulate a reply, Minami resumed strolling, taking Kasumi's arm in hers as she passed. Now locked together, Minami made a daunting proposal. "I will get you completely up to date before we get there."

"Uhh, thanks?" Enduring the lecture, Kasumi tried to find some interest in the topic. That was her duty as a friend… right?

Just as the barrage of information was beginning, Ryou whirled around, pointing a finger at Kasumi. "Yo, you know that transfer student right? I mean, he was in the top ten of his year. So, what's like, the deal with him?"

"Huh?" Kasumi replied dumbly. "His… deal?"

"Yeah, like… is he actually a bad person? I mean, he hasn't done anything since coming to our school. What is up with that?"

Kasumi stifled a laugh. It seemed like Makoto and her work was either paying off or was unnecessary. "What do you think?"

"Well," Ryou frowned. "I don't know, that's why I am asking you."

Think for yourself! Kasumi raged internally, but just sighed. "Why don't you ask him when the next semester starts? Oh, better yet, I can give you his phone number and you call him."

"W-Well there is no need for you to—"

"To what? Tell you to stop gossiping about people? Or maybe to judge them based on their actions and not rumours?"

"I get it, I get it," Ryou grumped, turning back around his shoulders slumping. "There is a point to reference letters though and you would suck at writing them."

Kasumi did not reply. She noticed Minami's face pointed toward her from her peripheries. "Uhh, what is it?"

Minami turned away. It looked like one of Sumire's blushes.

"Hello?"

"N-Nothing! That was just umm, n-never mind. Let me give you the background that you need!"

"…okay." Kasumi did not really understand what had happened. Anyway, she should apologize to Ryou. The boy had asked an earnest question. She should not have snapped at him. Attempting to focus on Minami, Kasumi forced the other issues from her mind.

Friday, August 5th, 20XX Early Morning

"Ahhh…" Sumire struggled to contain her yawn as she entered Shinagawa station. They had tickets on the 7:28 AM bullet train. That would be fine, but the station took forever for Sumire to reach. She had to wonder which of them had made the mistake of booking such an early time. They were on vacation and Sumire did not even get up this early to go to school. It was cruel torture.

There were of course other reasons that Sumire was so tired. She had been awake half of the night laying in bed replaying the day at the beach in her mind. Senpai's touch, his look. Currently though, she was far too tired to continue thinking on those things. After that dramatic beginning, the rest had been tame in comparison while still being fun.

Walking on autopilot without any mental capacity, Sumire blearily searched for the correct platform above the heads of the small moving crowds. This early, even the diligent office workers had not crowded the popular station.

"Platform… Where is my platform…" Hefting her duffel bag, Sumire went on tip toes, searching for the magical number that would tell her where to go. She should still have ten minutes or so, so she was not exactly in danger of missing the train… yet.

With it not being this one, Sumir moved onto the next. Yawning yet again, she let her eyes close as she walked forward a little more. "Oof!"

Bumping into something, Sumire stumbled to a stop. Her training allowing her to keep her feet. "Oh, sorry." Bowing slightly, Sumire moved around the figure and kept walking.

"Uhh, Sumire? You alright girl?"

Halting at the familiar voice, Sumire rubbed her eyes and forced herself to focus on the girl who had greeted her. Ann was wearing loose fitting travelling clothes with a large, stuffed backpack with her things for the week.

"Oh, Ann! Sorry, did I walk into you?"

"No…"

Sumire followed Ann's eyes and looked in the direction of the person she had hit. Standing there was an advertisement display for some new device. "Oh, well I hope they didn't get injured falling into that."

"Sumire…"

"Yes?"

"There was no person."

Containing another yawn, Sumire processed that. "Oh, that's good. Do you know where our platform is?"

"Yes. Come on, stick close and don't fall asleep."

"Aye aye…" Sumire agreed drowsily. Allowing Ann to pull her by the hand, Sumire's remaining mental functions were beginning to fade. Having found a member of her group, she no longer needed to worry about getting lost or missing her train.

"I said no falling asleep," Ann whined.

Sumire barely heard the words. She was practically sleep walking at this point. Getting up incredibly early was part and parcel for an athlete, but she had done nothing today to stay awake. No stretching, no nervousness around the competition or moving to the stadium. Instead, it was sleep inducing train rides in the early morning heat and the lull of other yawning people.

"Come on, one two, one two!" Ann insisted tugging her hand in a pattern.

The chipperness of Ann's voice was annoying. "Why are you so happy?"

"Me? I am already two cups of coffee in. My make-up doesn't apply itself you know. People call me a natural beauty, but I do put in effort to maintain my looks."

"Uh huh…" Sumire grunted. She had put on some lotion but did not usually apply a lot outside of her routine. Maybe Senpai likes make-up… These sorts of half formed thoughts congealed momentarily, and then slid away.

Ann sighed heavily. "You aren't going to remember a single thing I am saying, are you?"

"I'll do my best."

"That doesn't even… Ugh." Ann tried to not get frustrated with the girl and treat it as a good joke instead. "So, you and Ren get frisky on the beach yesterday?"

"Yeah," Sumire nodded. "He tried to steal my bottoms."

"He what?" Ann stumbled.

"That's right," Sumire yawned, barely a thought in her head besides resting her head and sleeping as she talked. "Grabbed my bum, bold as can be. Took awhile for him to apologize."

"HUH!? N-No way… So, the two of you…? But I didn't think…"

"Are you alright?" Sumire wondered, really hoping the answer was yes. If it was no she would have to actually use her brain.

"Of course not! How could I be alright when—Oh, R-Ren, hello there!"

"Senpai?" Sumire forced her eyes open. She had been blindly following where Ann pulled her. Indeed, there he stood; his own bag of things slung over his shoulder. He was also standing right outside of a train.

"Ann, Sumire." He greeted them. "Everyone else is inside."

Allowing herself to get led again, Sumire almost woke up. She definitely considered it. Ultimately, it was too much effort and she sauntered into the train after her friends.

"Is she… okay?" Ren asked.

"Just tired," Ann assured him.

"Tired?" Ren replied dubiously. "If I was walking with her like you are, people would think I had drugged her and was kidnapping her!"

"Maybe you should work on not looking like a felon then," Ann sniffed.

"But I am a felon."

The words were light-hearted, but Ann still winced and apologized. Sumire thought the exchange sounded somewhat important. It really was late enough in the day to start waking up… and then she sat down.

"Got another sleepy-head, don't we?" Another familiar voice said. Makoto, Sumire thought.

"And Ryuji is asleep already," Ann sighed heavily. "How completely expected."

"I don't think he will be the only person asleep for this entire ride…" Senpai's words were like a mist in Sumire's mind.

She felt her bag was taken from her. That was good. It was heavy and awkward on her shoulder. Free from burdens and sitting down, her mind started slipping from her. She was on the right train; she was with her friends.

Success.

Her head hit a shoulder and she was gone.

Friday, August 5th, 20XX Morning

The interior of the Shinkansen was, unfortunately, exceptionally ordinary. It had no distinct features at all to mention. Sitting on a bench, Ren had absolutely nothing to look at except the sky through the far window. If he looked any lower he saw the smirking faces of his compatriots. Makoto and Haru had spent the first hour of the journey whispering to each and smirking. Ann joined in of course, as did Futaba when she was not arguing with Yusuke.

The reason, of course, was Ren's numb right arm. It was somewhat awkward to be next to Sumire right now after his actions at the beach and the unresolved tension between them. He had been hoping they could resolve that today… any chance of that had gone out the window when she passed out on his shoulder before the train even left. Nearly halfway to Kyoto now and she had not stirred from her position.

While the little snores were adorable, media representations had not prepared him for exactly how uncomfortable this was. Shoulders were not designed to be good pillows. So, for over an hour he had sat with one arm steadily dying, supporting someone that Ren was pretty sure wanted to slap him when in a more conscious state.

In some ways, Ren was trapped between heaven and hell. His limbs being stretched between the two extremes to the breaking point. But there was nothing to look at. Absolutely nothing. A boring roof, a boring floor, a boring sky. Even the sky threatened to bring his eyes down to the smirking demons, ready to pounce on him.

A dead arm.

Nowhere to look.

That was hell.

And yet, like the very light of salvation enabling Ren to cling unto to sanity were those little utterances that Sumire made when she slept. It was in Futaba's laughter and Yusuke's offended comments. Yes, it was even present in the gossiping girls that Ren would trust with his life.

"I… will not break." Whispering to himself, Ren closed his eyes and tried to hang on.

Friday, August 5th, 20XX Morning

"Ha… Ha…" Panting, Kasumi worked the bag with a fury.

Left, left, right. Quick series of jabs, and then back again. She was in the third minute of this set with no break. Her arms were mush, but Kasumi feft no desire to stop. Something burned within her.

A distinct passion that she did not understand. It reminded Kasumi of the stories she had heard about puberty. Except puberty was not an issue for her. Growing suddenly had thrown off her coordination, and suddenly bleeding had been odd, but Kasumi had already been deep down the path of becoming a professional gymnast at that point.

Kasumi remembered the conversation her mother had had with her. Or had tried to have, was a more apt description. It lasted less than five minutes and had ended with the woman throwing her hands up in exasperation and stalking away while muttering that she hoped at least Sumire would give her children at some point.

Kasumi was not sure if that was completely fair. It was not that she was against dating or love, she was against wasting her time. To Kasumi, wasting time was anything that detracted from her mastery of gymnastics. In that past, Kasumi had broken that philosophy for only one reason, to help Sumire.

Now… She did not know.

There was a feeling of discontent inside of her that continued to build. Disappointment, anger, betrayal, failure. Kasumi took every single one of those emotions out on the bag in front of her.

Faster, stronger. More accurate, more graceful.

Graceful. Kasumi's fist slid off the bag as she stumbled. Completely exhausted she slumped to the ground. Stars spun in front of her eyes. She was dehydrated, Kasumi deduced. What had happened?

"Miss?" An unknown voice asked. "Are you alright? You've been here for hours…"

"Hours?" Kasumi's voice was a hoarse croak. Wincing from the pain, she placed a trembling hand against her throat. "What… What time is it?"

"Nearly 1 pm ma'am…"

Kasumi blinked. "1? But…" She could not believe that so much time had passed. She had been out the door for a run just after Sumire left at six in the morning. After the run and stretching she had still been unsatisfied, so kasumi had hit up the gym. That was around nine in the morning.

Three hours.

She had been losing herself in doing exercises for three hours… "Oops."

Kasumi tried to haul herself to her feet. Her head spun again, and Kasumi stumbled, leaning against the bag.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Kasumi croaked. Blinking away the dizziness, Kasumi straightened through sheer will. Now that she was expecting it, the state of her body attacked her like a hammer. She was barely functioning. She had gone so far past the point of a good workout into the realm of injury.

It was more than pain that tried to bring tears to her eyes. The potential of weeks if not months lost to potential injury. The season was just starting… If Kasumi missed it her career would struggle to recover.

"M-Miss?"

Kasumi shouldered past the man without even seeing him. Her legs wobbled; her arms were butter. The rest of the day would be spent recovering. Icing her joints, massaging her muscles. She was young and fit; Kasumi would survive this and continue to improve.

She would get stronger.

She would get faster.

But you can't get more graceful… can you?

A flash of red hair in her mind. The workout had not just failed her, it had betrayed her. Chuckling bitterly to herself, Kasumi limped out of the gym to face the consequences of her actions.

Random theory:

I haven't seen this posted anywhere before, but does it seem to anyone else that they initially tried to design the palaces of persona 5 without fast travel? Kamoshida's palace is so interconnected as well as Kaneshiro's bank, Futaba's tomb, and even Shido's boat that I can't help but feel like safe rooms were not a thing originally.

Probably completely out to lunch, but I felt like mentioning it. Anyway, may post some of my more controversial opinions in later chapters (not that anyone cares or wants to hear them...).