jessealvarez360: Nah, it's not the first one.
InsaneMakaioshin: That was a typo in the recap. Lust was five, I thought Lovers was at the same level.
Lumias: Mix of typos and forgetting how it is spelt because we are idiots sometimes.
Lightsbane1905: Scaroused is a good thing to feel.
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
Edrick Twilight Legend: chuckle Yeah, Ren's gonna get some 'ara, ara' action soon. And yeah, things are gonna get heated.
Hotshot6: Yeah, it's been a bit weird for FanFiction.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Trust me, SSD. It's gonna get good.
Xerzo LotCN: Thanks for the praise, it really means a lot. And yeah, things are going to be hard for Makoto for a while. As for Ren's money situation? He's got about 500 Million. Give or take a few thousand yen. They had a lot of luck with some of the Shadows.
To everyone about Niijima/Niishima: It's a mistake, we're sorry. We've been busy with life and can't remember all the names properly.
nsilver: Thanks very much for your kind words.
Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.
Co-written by GhostKaiser23
AUTHOR'S NOTE
And here is the newest chapter!
Here we go!
Wahoo!
And it is time... FOR THE HAREM ROUTE TO START!
Haha!
Prepare for the chaos!
Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 13: Deeper Into The Chaos Of The Heart
The group where together, in Madarame's palace
"I can't believe we're back in." Dove commented.
"I know, the sight of it still repulses me." Fox answered, covering his mouth.
"We can do this." Mona reassured them. "We've always been a step ahead."
"Yeah. Let's go, Leader." Panther grinned as she turned around, her whip around her neck and set between her breasts. She was smiling at her boyfriend charmingly, her hips cocked to the side in her tight red latex suit
"Right." Joker nodded, a little flustered as he saw her like that.
'Hmm.' Dove pouted a little as she saw the two...it had been a while since she and Ren had gotten close.
The group exited the safe room and looked around. No Shadows yet, but it didn't mean it was clear. Joker and Panther where moving side by side, awfully close as the group rushed from dark corner to dark corner.
"Jeez, I thought the arts and crafts class was bad, this is just tacky." Skull commented.
"Hey, that's rude." Dove frowned.
"I mean, the pictures are plastered everywhere, no rhyme or reason. This looks like a crappy clip-art website." Skull explained.
"Shh." Joker hushed them and saw a Shadow...before he leapt into action. "Show me your true self!"
RRRRRRIP!
Joker landed, gun and knife in hand
Emerging from the Shadow's guard self, was a Frankenstein like Shadow with a blacksmith's apron and tools with a copper mask on his face.
"What is this thing?!" Skull flinched
"It's a Shadow." Mona answered. "Joker, the plan?"
"Fox, Dove, Skull, let's go!" Joker called out
"Understood!" Fox responded
"What about me, Joker?" Panther asked
"We've got it. Make sure we don't get snuck up on." he grinned
"Okay." She nodded
"Fox, Ice shot now!" Joker called out
"Goemon, go! Bufu!" Fox proclaimed as he summoned his Persona, shooting a bolt of ice at it.
The sudden chill caught the Shadow off guard and fell to the floor. It was down for the count!
"All Out!" Joker called out as the group rushed forwards
The Shadow was beaten up with intense speed and precision it was almost considered 'beautiful' or 'artistic'. Yusuke landed first and gave a graceful pose which caused the Shadow to explode and the words 'It was fun while it lasted, goodbye.' appeared behind him.
"The finale." He spoke confidently.
SPLURT!
They all landed, the battle over
"Wow! Way to go!" Panther cheered
"What... What was that?" Fox gasped, realising the power that just happened.
"An All Out Attack. Second time you've done it, nice." Skull nodded
"Right. Goodness. I can't believe that this is our power." Yusuke commented.
"Keep your head in the game. We've got a long way to go." Mona answered
"Hey, another safe room!" Dove noticed
"Thank goodness." Panther commented, otherwise we might have to go all the way back." Fox responded
"Yeah, not going to happen." Joker answered
"Mrww?" Mona stopped as he felt something... something attracting him like cat-nip.
"Mona?" Dove asked
"Ah-ha-ha-ha... Treasure..." Mona almost drooled as his eyes sparkled and almost floated to a large beautiful made art-piece in the middle of the room on a pedestal.
"Wha-Mona! Stop!" Joker yelled but it was on deaf-ears, Mona's instinctual attraction to human desires was too great for him and he leapt at the art-piece. And as he did so, a laser-grid came on and separated the group. "Gah!"
"Move!" Joker called out, dodging out of the way. As each of the thieves were separated, they were caught between glass panels. Rats in cages. Well. Save for one who saw a way out.
"The hell, Mona?" Skull called out
"I-I'm sorry. It's just. Desires; y'know?" He apologised
"Just great." Ren muttered
"Joker, what do we do?" Fox asked
"Hmm. I've got an idea. It'll take a few minutes though. Don't touch the lasers." Joker answered.
"Not going to, dude." Skull responded.
Joker nodded, jumping upwards
"I guess this means we're going to have to look out for big shiny things; right?" Dove teased jokingly.
"P-please don't remind, me." Mona mumbled as he felt ashamed.
"It's fine, Mona. I'm sure these things happen." Panther responded
CLATTER!
"Looks like he's found a way around." Fox commented
Bwoom...
One set of lasers came down.
"Alright, way to go!" Skull cheered.
"Don't get too comfy. We've still got these ones here." Panther pointed.
"Well, yeah. But it's a start." He answered.
"Mona, I have to ask. Why did you immediately go towards that vase?" Fox asked. "What drew you to it?"
Mona sighed heavily. "This vase has a huge amount of human desire within it. Not as much as a Treasure, but something just a precious... Something large enough to get my instincts taking control."
Bwoom...
"Interesting." Fox muttered to himself. 'Perhaps I can make use of this in my next portrait.'
"Panther, can I ask you something?" Dove asked.
"Sure, Dove. What is it?" She responded.
"H-How close have you and Joker been getting?" She inquired
...
"Oh, right! I forgot to tell you!" Panther gasped
"Hey, should me and Fox be hearing this? It's kinda intrusive." Skull commented.
"Dove, we'll talk later." Panther apologised as she stood by as Joker completed the last trick and got rid of the lasers.
"Finally." Mona smiled as he saw the lasers go away.
"Yeah."
Bwoom...
"Finally, the lasers are off." Fox commented
"Sorry for the wait. Mona, seriously?" Joker asked
"Sorry, but there's something inside-" Mona began to explain before a large diamond-cut gem erupted from the vase and began to run off.
"Get back here!" Joker's eyes widened and chased after it.
"Joker, the hell!?" Skull called out before their leader struck it.
SHINK!
"Ow! Damn it! The hell was that for?" The Shadow hissed as it emerged. It looked like a blue ghost with yellow eyes coming from inside the gem.
"I-Is that Shadow speaking?" Fox gasped
"A talking Gem Shadow?" Shiho responded as they got into position.
"Not escaping this time." Joker whispered, realising what it was, and pointed his gun at the Shadow's face.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
"Ah! O-Okay. Okay. W-What do you want?" The Shadow begged, terrified of what just happened in the last few seconds.
"Join our team." Joker answered
"J-Join? Join you... I-I remember. I am a Shadow. My name is 'Regent'." It answered. "I'll help you." And disappeared into Joker's mask, logging him into his Persona Book.
"Hehe." Joker smirked
"Err. Dude. I've got to ask; the 'eff?!" Skull snapped as he saw the maniacal smile on his friend's face. Everyone blinked and took a small step back, feeling at some level creeped out
"What?" Joker asked calmly as he span his gun, heading towards the safe room
"We-we better go." Mona commented as they followed Joker.
"Have you seen Joker go like that before?" Fox asked
"No, that's a first for us." Panther responded
"Joker, what was that back there?" Mona asked
"Basically? I never got the Treasure Demons last time." Joker explained simply in a whisper "I'm really proud of myself."
"... They are fast, I'll give you that one." Mona sighed.
CREAK
"Here guys." Joker called out calmly as he turned to his friends as the others hurried inside
"Phew! That was close." Fox sighed in relief. "So... we are closer to the goal?" He asked
"Yeah, we're almost there. I can feel it." Mona answered "But we've still got a way to go."
"So, let's relax." Panther urged
"Urgh. I'm all for that. Joker... I repeat. What the hell was that back there?" Skull asked
"Sorry, I ran a little rampant. Just seeing that Shadow... Persona, got me riled. Y'know?" Joker responded. He rubbed his neck, smiling calmly and charmingly
Skull rubbed his head and agreed. "Alright... just give us a warning if another one of those Gem-Sonas appear."
"... Boo." Dove playfully remarked at the nickname Skull just mentioned.
Panther smiled, pulling her mask up to her forehead "What're we going to do after this palace?"
"Hmm. Good point." Skull admitted
"You mean we will continue this?" Fox asked, pulling his own mask up his head.
"Of course." Joker answered "But for now, everyone take a break." And from that, the group relaxed. Minding their time as they collected their thoughts and planned ahead.
Shiho grabbed Ann's arm softly, leading her to the back corner "Ann, how close did you get with Ren?" She asked timidly and softly.
"We're dating." she smiled softly
Shiho's jaw dropped as she heard that, she thought they would share Ren... but if Ann's dating him, would that mean their deal was off? "I... I... Oh."
"What?" Ann blinked before she gasped "Wait! No! The deal isn't off!"
"It isn't?" Shiho asked, looking a little more elated.
"Of course it isn't. Did I make the first move? Yes, I did. But I never intended to cut you out of it." Ann explained "It was just... The moment. How could I not when it was right there? But I never 'took him' for myself. You're too important to me to betray like that."
Shiho sniffed gently and hugged her best friend. "You jerk." She smiled and joked.
'You lucky bastard, Ren.' Ryuji thought as he looked at his friend and rested his leg. Not that he knew the two were talking about. But it was obvious even to him that Joker and Ann where together
"Mona... How many Shadows or Personas are there?" Yusuke asked.
"Kind of a weird question. But it's like asking how many gods, monsters and fictional beings there are in human history." Mona explained.
"What do you mean?" Yusuke asked
"Your Persona is 'Goemon' right? I've got 'Mercurius', Skull has 'Captain Kidd', Joker has 'Arsene'. They're all people and fictional beings who existed." Mona explained.
"Yeah, like you didn't see it before, but there was a frigging Nue that this guy completely busted." Skull pointed to Joker.
"Are you serious? But that's a mythical creature." Yusuke responded
"Exactly, Shadows are things that humans give shape to." Mona nodded "Human religion. Human stories and fantasies. The Metaverse is the world of peoples minds, their imaginations."
"Fascinating." Yusuke whispered and began to admire all of this.
"Yeah." Joker chuckled as he explored the Safe Room 'Nothing big in here. No vases containing items. Guess that shouldn't be surprising.' He thought 'I guess part of me always thought that these places where bigger.'
"Hey, guys. Is everyone ready?" Shiho asked the group, after coming to an understanding with Ann as Ann smirked at Joker, winking
"Um, yeah. We good?" Skull asked
"I'm fine to keep going." Yusuke answered, pulling his mask down.
"Then let's go." Mona added, while Joker gulped a little as he saw the wink.
*time skip*
"What is all this?" Fox asked as they soon arrived at a control room, after spending time leaping, sneaking and fighting Shadows, they had arrived to a room where Madarame was keeping the heart of his treasure locked up. The floating ball of his desires was there, in the middle of a pedestal.
"There's the treasure. But it's too heavily guarded." Dove commented
"Yeah... Any idea what these buttons do?" Skull asked.
"We'll have to try them. Keep an eye on the door and make sure we're not seen." Joker asked as he tried to remember. 'Damn it, which button was it?' He looked around in concern... And hit a button at random
Nothing seemed to happen in the room, except that a curtain fell down in front of the treasure.
'Okay, not that one.' He thought. 'This one?'
BWooom...
"What the? What happened to the lights?" A Shadow Guard called out, before a back-up generator came on.
"Something must be wrong with the power supply. I'll go check it out." Another answered
'Crap.'
"Was that the right button?" Fox asked
"Incoming!" Skull called out as a Shadow appeared before them.
Joker flinched, caught by surprise and slashed by the shadow "Oof!" Joker was knocked down as a group of four Shadows, all corpse-bird Shadows and a zombie blacksmith stood there. 'Damn it!' The Phantom Thieves had to be on the defensive, they had to dodge as best they could!
"What? This is the first time we've been ambushed." Mona blinked
"Joker, you okay?" Panther asked in worry
"Yeah. I'm fine. Argh. Mona, Fox. Shoot the birds. The blacksmith's mine." Joker responded, getting back to his feet. "Panther, back me up!"
"You got it!" Panther responded.
"Dove, Skull; protect Fox and Mona!" Joker called out
"Already on it!" He answered.
Joker threw his hand forwards, gripping his gun and rapidly pulling the trigger
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The Shadows were all peppered by their 'make-believe' bullets as the birds were taken down and they could all focus on the blacksmith Shadow.
Panther rushed forwards, slashing her whip around her targets neck. She jumped into the air and flipped, twisting. She used her momentum and her whips grip to throw him to the floor
"It's over." Joker called out, summoning a Persona to obliterate the Shadows.
With a simple blast the beast was knocked over. And so Ren and Ann rushed forwards. A streak of red and black rushing at their foe as they performed a Twin All Out Attack
The two leapt out and struck out the Shadows, Panther leaping off Joker's shoulders as Joker shot out bullets at the Shadow while Panther used her whip to pin the Shadow in place.
The two landed as the Shadow froze. The two stood up, Joker wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her against his chest. Joker was grinning while Ann poked out her tongue, doing a V sign
SPLUT!
"... Damn." Skull blinked in shock at the two as the others finished off the other Shadow
"Alright! We did it!" Panther grinned and hugged Joker around the neck, hugging him tighter. Joker just chuckled gently and nodded, hugging her back. He even picked her up and span her around, grinning
Dove pouted gently, true they were still close... but she wanted to be spun around like that. She was just... A bit shy about asking Ren out
Skull rubbed his face, before looking down the hall. "Um, guys. We gotta book it!"
"Right!" Ren nodded as he snapped from his slightly romantic tension
*time skip*
"I thought we would never lose them." Fox commented.
"We did though. And we're at the top over the Treasure." Mona agreed, seeing where they were.
"This Palace seems so much larger and tougher then Kamoshida's." Dove commented
"The deeper the distortion and sin, the more warped the palace." Mona explained "The longer they have had their Palace, the more power they REALLY see themselves as having, the larger and stronger the Palace."
"And Madarame has been doing this... for a very long time." Fox nodded and understood. And unknown to the group aside from Mona, Joker knew ALL too well whose Palace was the largest and the strongest. But this was new information, even to him... At least he thinks so, he didn't remember this sort of conversation before
Oh well, it was cool to learn more stuff.
"So... What now?" Skull asked
"I think we have to head back." Joker muttered and saw the open window to the plans over the Treasure. "We have our means to get the Treasure. We have to supply and then steal it."
"You sure?" Panther asked
"I don't know what else we can do. All of this is pretty laid out." Joker admitted "Unless you want to do some training. But I think Momentos would be better to do that than here."
"Mementos?" Fox asked
"We'll show you when we get there; okay?" Skull responded as the group prepared to head out of the Palace
"Alright. I understand." Fox nodded. "But how do we deliver the message?"
"We've got our means." Joker answered. "And your expertise will be needed." As the group left the Palace they saw they were back outside and in the train station.
"Damn." Ann whispered as they returned, feeling her red latex suit fade back into her normal clothe. And in doing so she felt some of her confidence retract
"What is it?" Shiho asked. "What's wrong?"
"... Don't you feel more confident in your thief outfit?" Ann whispered shyly to Shiho
"Yes... I guess. It feels like the 'real me'; in a way." She admitted as she understood Ann now "Even if I think the outfit is a bit... revealing."
"Wow, I'm exhausted." Ryuji sighed
"We did go through a lot this time." Ren agreed, feeling his muscles throb in exhaustion.
"What now?" Yusuke asked gently
"We head home. But Yusuke, I've got an important job for you." Ren asked, and showed a copy of the original Phantom Thief calling card. "Think you can update this a little?"
*Time Skip*
Ren was back home, rolling his shoulders after purchasing some vital spare pieces from the local second-hand shop. He was going to make as much as he could in order for this mission to be a success. That ambush really shook him up.
...
He must resist making more lockpicks
"Ren..." Mona spoke up, glaring at him.
"I-I'm fine. I'm not going to-" Ren's hand shook gently as he was itching to make the needed tools.
"You seriously have a problem." the cat deadpanned
"I can quit whenever I want." Ren frowned, which Morgana lifted his eyebrows at him. "... Fine. Smoke bombs and this Treasure Map will help then."
"Good boy." Morgana nodded, patting Ren's head with his paw
"I'm trying to remember... weren't there other items I could make?" Ren asked, trying to recall memories.
"There are. But you're too tired to learn anything new. It'll be alright, Ren." Morgana responded.
"Yeah." Ren sighed
"You better get to work." Morgana added, leaping up to the desk's spare spot.
"Yeah." Ren nodded
This was going to be a long night
*time skip*
The group were all back at school, Ren buying a couple of cans of soda for their trip into Mementos "So..." Ann said, eyes locked with Shiho as if urging her
Shiho gulped and slowly nodded, wanting to talk to Ren "I guess." she mumbled
"Sorry guys, can't go to Momentos with you today." Ryuji said calmly, leaning against the wall "Got to spend time with my mother."
"Hey, that's no problem, Ryuji." Ren answered. "I get it."
"Oh and... Thanks for the money, Ren." Ryuji added, leaving the group while checking his phone "Huh. Yusuke can't make it today, either. Best not to head out without the full group."
"Meaning it's us two, Mona and you." Shiho responded.
"Meaning we can relax today." Mona answered. "Granted we're getting close to the dead-line."
"Trust me, we have plenty of time." Ren assured
"I hope so." Shiho whispered to herself. "Um, Ren. Can I talk to you?"
"Yeah, sure." he nodded
Shiho turned to Ann one last time, before Ann gave her a thumbs up "You go girl." she mouthed to him softly
Shiho nodded and left with Ren, going to a different place.
He nodded. "Ann, can you take Morgana?"
"Sure, no problem." Ann answered, taking his bag "By the way, I approve."
...
"What?" Ren blinked as Ann walked off, turning to Shiho a moment after "What did she mean?"
"I'll explain later." Shiho answered, walking with Ren as she hurried them towards somewhere private
"Whoa, easy." Ren commented, being pulled away.
"Sorry." She apologised as they arrived at the empty gym "I just... Needed to speak to you. It's important."
"Oh, okay. Whatever you need." Ren responded
"... your glasses?" she asked with a smile, holding her hand out
"Oh, right." Ren removed his glasses and passed them to her. "Here."
Shiho nodded and put them on carefully, smiling as she felt the comfort and confidence the glasses gave her fill her heart. Her body language changed almost instantly. Not dramatically... but noticeably.
"Looking good." He smiled, giving her a wink.
Shiho just giggled gently at the remark, but still felt confident.
...
Before she then threw a volleyball at the leader
"Gah!" Ren gasped and reacted as fast as he could, catching the volleyball the sporty girl threw at him
"Come on Ren, let's have a small game." she urged
"Okay. But I haven't got the eyes for it." He joked.
"We both know these are for decoration." she responded back, poking her tongue out at him
"Right, can't fool you." Ren chuckled as he readied the ball and slapped it down to her which she countered easily
SLAP!
"We haven't really had time for ourselves. Have we?" She asked
SLAP!
"What do you mean?" Ren asked, admittedly not that good at this game. It was only his keen eye and phantom thief training that was letting him keep up with Shiho, and she was clearly not taking it seriously
"I mean." Shiho began only to slap the ball back to Ren. "We haven't talked or been together for a while."
"I guess" Ren nodded "Sorry."
SLAP!
"I get it. Our lives are all getting crazy now." Shiho answered. "But... I would've liked to have a day with you."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
SLAP!
"It feels like we don't have enough time together." She explained
SLAM!
"GAH!" Ren yelled as he missed the ball, landing on the ground
"Sorry!" She flinched as she put more power into that hit than she intended, but let her feelings go through it. She hurried over, arriving at Ren's side "Are you okay?"
"It's alright. I'm just rusty." Ren reassured her as she helped him up. "I... Honestly don't deserve you."
"H-Huh?" she gasped with a blush
"You're. Just too good a person. Athletic and driven. You're getting stronger in your own right." Ren answered only to shut up as she suddenly kissed him. His eyes blinked as he double-took from this sudden thing. But honestly... Yeah, he was freaking out a little, but also happy.
"I approve."
Ann's words echoed in his mind
'Oh my god...that's what she meant.' He thought, before he cupped Shiho's cheeks gently. He was shocked Ann felt that way, he was trying to think of a way to explain Lavenza as well as his feelings for Tae, but he just... Didn't know how. Alongside his recent realisation about he found Makoto attractive, he hadn't thought about that much recently. So he was not expecting this realisation. Was this a change in the timeline? Was this because of Shiho's Arcana?
...
No. It was him. He'd grown close to her. He became her support, like Sojiro said he would. He let her grow attached personally... And he was happy to accept responsibility for that
"Ah~." Shiho slowly pulled back as she was now flustered by his gesture after she kissed him.
"Hehe." Ren smiled "That was nice. '
"It. It was." She nodded and agreed "I like you Ren."
Ren was silent. He didn't just want to immediately respond, he wanted these emotions to sink in. He wanted it to be genuine "Shiho. I like you too." He responded after a few seconds, getting back to his feet and looked tenderly into her eyes.
"Really?" she blinked softly
"Yes, truthfully." He nodded and hugged her making her squeak "Is this too much?" He joked lightly, while rubbing her back "Because I am happy to be with you. If Ann is happy to do this after all. This is... yeah."
"No. No, this is enough." She smiled hugging her, now boyfriend, close in her arms "Ann and I... We are best friends. We share... Basically everything, honestly. We love each other. Not romantically... Although I think, I mean I admit I've questioned myself a bit with her. But it's Ann, she can make any straight girl question herself."
"Yeah, I can tell." Ren laughed softly before he calmed down "... I guess that is part of how Kamoshida 'got you' both how he did."
"Yeah." she nodded "He used how much we care for each other against ourselves." she shook her head lightly, sighing "Anyway. Ann and I... We both kinda... Well... Fell for you at around the same time. And we had a small fight."
"... I never noticed that." Ren whispered, thinking about it. "But you two made up; right?"
"Yeah, quickly. Because we realised how stupid we were fighting over a boy." she nodded
"Yeah, that makes sense." Ren answered, before kissing her on the cheek.
"So... We decided to share you." she added
"'Share me'. Okay. Well, this is going better than most people who have more than one girlfriend." He commented
"You read too much manga." She booped his nose playfully. "I mean it's not like you're going to be getting a harem, mister. Two girlfriends should be more than enough."
'Not intentionally.' He thought. "Definitely." He responded making Shiho smile
"Good." she smiled, comfortable atop him
"... Comfy?" He asked, as she rested on him.
"A bit." she smiled
"Hey, you guys done?" Ann asked as she walked into the gym
"Yeah, we're done." Shiho nodded as she let go of Ren and gave her best friend a reassured nod.
"Oh, oh, don't get up on my account." Ann giggled as she walked forwards "I take it all went well?" she asked Shiho softly
"Uh-huh." She answered as she got up from the floor and brushed herself off.
Ann grinned, pulling her best friend into a hug with a happy squeal
Ren got to a vertical sitting position before he saw Morgana sniffle sadly as the cat rushed into the gym and jumped into Ren's lap "Hey buddy, what's wrong?"
"You really are a Phantom Thief. You stole their hearts." Morgana sniffled.
"... Er..." Ren blinked
"I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!" Morgana cried
...
"Morgana." Ren smiled
"I'm glad you're in the relationship." Ann commented "... And this is so weird to say."
"I agree." Shiho nodded and smiled "But I am sure we will all do our best to make it work.
Lust: Rank 5
*time skip*
"This... Is Momentos?" Fox blinked, standing in the entryway of the seeming endless dungeon
"Yep. And all the craziness that ensues." Skull nodded
"Don't bother writing any maps cause this place changes every day." Panther added
"A continually changing and shifting location. Such is the force of desire. I understand." Fox responded, getting some artistic inspiration from it.
"Mona, if you please?" Dove asked
"Of course. Morgana~! HENSHIN!" Mona responded, giving a famous pose and transformed into a bus.
"You guys ready?" Joker grinned as he got into the drivers seat
Panther and Dove shared a look, preforming rock/paper/scissors quickly "One, two, three. Shoot." Panther and Dove muttered as Dove had won that round.
"Okay, you're in the front." Panther sighed.
Dove grinned and hugged her, before getting into the Shotgun seat
"What was that?" Skull blinked as Panther got into the seat behind Joker
"Just a little fun between friends." Panther answered
"Everyone in? Hang on!" Mona called out
VRRM!
"GAAAAAHHHH!" the group yelled as Joker took off driving
"Joker! Is this normal?" Fox asked
"Yeah! He's-!" Skull answered before Mona rammed into a door. "A little excitable."
"Ahhh!" Dove squeaked and hugged her new boyfriends arm
"Don't worry, we've got this!" Joker reassured her and the group.
"I hope so!" Skull responded.
THUD!
They crashed into a large bulbous Shadow which began to transform before them.
"What now?" Fox asked
"We fight!" Joker leapt out of the car, with the others following and readied themselves to fight against these Shadows that had materialised. Which all of them had turned into Slimes.
"These things are always gross." Skull commented, standing beside Joker
"Tell me something I don't know." He followed up "Ready, guys?" with the others nodding in agreement
"How do we take these out?" Fox asked
"Fire and Wind. That's how. Mona, Panther. Let's go!" Joker answered, remembering the weaknesses of these Shadows.
"I'm first!" Mona called as he ripped his mask off "Mercurius! Magarula!" And pointed at the Slimes, causing winds to whip around them "Panther, Baton Pass!" he called, jumping up
"Right!" Panther nodded, giving him a high five as she sashayed forwards "Let's go, Carmen!" Panther called out, ripping off her mask, summoning her Persona behind her "MARAGI!" And she summoned fire against all the downed enemies.
BOOM!
The slimes where on the floor, the fire having also combined with the kicked up winds to increase their power
"They're done." She smiled as they walked off, having won the fight. She and Dove wrapped their arms around Joker's arms, one each, as they walked away
"... Are they-?" Fox asked in confusion.
"Damn!" Skull gasped in shock.
*time skip*
"Ren, thank you for today." Yusuke bowed respectfully. "Today has been inspirational."
"Hey, no problem." Ren responded
"What're we going to do with all this 'treasure'?" Ryuji asked
"Sell it. But not today, it's too late." He answered. "Same as always."
"Yeah." the guys nodded
Ren nodded, before he noticed the slight limp/stiffness everyone had "Actually." Ren said tomorrow, now on his phone and texting everyone "I want everyone to meet up here tomorrow before lunch. Have a light breakfast." he instructed
"Um. Okay." Shiho asked
"Why?" Ann asked as they looked at the text.
"I'll tell you tomorrow." he commented with a gentle smile
"You're acting a bit weird dude but hey, you haven't driven us astray yet. So see you tomorrow, Leader." Ryuji shrugged
"Later." Each of them waved, saying goodbye to the other.
Ren nodded, adjusting his bag... And then felt two sets of lips pressing against his cheeks "Oh." He blinked as he saw both Ann and Shiho kissing him.
"You're not getting away from us that easily." Ann smirked.
"R-Right Ren, you have two girlfriends to look after." Shiho nodded nervously
"Then I'll do my best to treat you broth right." Ren responded as he looped his arms around theirs "How about the cafe? A little study date."
"The cafe? Sure." Ann questioned and nodded
"Yeah, I could go for some 'study coffee'." Shiho agreed as the group left together
"Is your guardian going to be making us the coffee?" Ann asked
"I can put the kettle on." He smiled "Would you like some curry to?" he teased as they got on the train
"Curry? You cook?" Shiho asked
"Of course. I learned from Sojiro." He answered. "I'm getting better with it." He smiled at them both as they rode the train "The curry I gave you when you both first came to my place after... If happened? I made that."
"Wow." Ann blinked
Shiho went silent, however. She pushed closer to Ren, her eyes flicking around the packed train car
"... Want to sit on my lap, either of you?" Ren asked
"Pervert." Ann teased
"Don't forget that I'm here." Morgana mewed from inside his bag.
"Sorry, Morgana." He apologise as he scratched behind his buddies ear. The little cat purred gently as he felt this reassuring gesture, knowing he would probably get some nice fatty tuna when they get in.
Shiho just murmured softly, hugging Ren's arm tighter
"Um. Shiho... Losing my circulation a little." Ren muttered
"Sorry. Just... So many people." Shiho muttered in shame "All so close."
"It's alright." Ren responded. "I get it. Though it's not long."
Bing, bong. Yongen-Jaya, next stop. Next stop, Yongen-Jaya.
"This is us." Ren spoke as they didn't have to wait too long.
CONFIDANT RECAP:
Fool: Rank 10
Magician: Rank 10
Lovers: Rank 5
Lust: Rank 5
World: Rank 4
Death: Rank 4
Strength: Rank 3
Chariot: Rank 3
Hierophant: Rank 3
Temperance: Rank 2
Sun: Rank 2
Moon: Rank 1
Hanged-Man: Rank 1
