Akira was chatting with Minato about the latter's circumstances leading to his attending Gekkoukan when a blackout occurred. The Thief initially dismissed as system malfunction until he saw multiple coffins and blood on the streets, which were not good signs. Noticing a strange green light above, Akira looked up to see a creepy greenish moon.

"What the hell?"

Akira turned to Minato, who was as dumbfounded as he was but not showing anything other than slight surprised before continuing his way.

'It feels like I can summon Persona but this sensation… This is not Metaverse…' Akira raced his mind to think of a logical hypothesis for this but none came up. 'Tch, no more time to waste. I still need to get to this Iwatodai Dorm.'

And with that, Akira promptly followed Minato. Unknown to him, there was a shadowy figure on the tall building nearby observing him from the beginning, his/her appearance looking very familiar to Akira.

The duo saw a building with lights still functioning inside. Akira and Minato traded suspicious look before shrugging and heading to it anyway. The former grabbed his pistol from the bag just in case.

"…"

Akira gulped nervously as he reached the doorknob. Turning to Minato, who nodded nonchalantly, he pulled.

Akira let out a low whistle. The furniture looked neat with an old model TV and sofa. On his left was a counter and at the corner ahead was a bar of sort. He sighed in relief as he put the Tyrant Pistol back to his bag and turned to Minato, who was standing motionlessly.

"Minato?" Akira shook Minato's shoulders and received no response. "Earth to Minato Arisato! Hello!" He shook again and Minato snapped out of whatever kept him occupied.

"What?"

"Man, you were standing there like a statue and – huh?"

Akira was interrupted by the sudden blackout in the lounge. Looked like someone switched them off.

"!"

There was a low yelp as a feminine figure emerged from the shadow ahead. The girl was panting as she reached an object on her waist; a gun of sort. Akira acted first by drawing his pistol and aiming at her.

"Eh?" Minato muttered at Akira. The Joker's eyes still fixed at the girl without blinking. His finger stayed put on the trigger as his composure sent a message 'Do it and you die first'. When tension seemed to reach the breaking point…

"Takeba, wait!"

The three people in the lounge turned to the source of that voice. Almost instantly, the lights were on and the song in Minato's MP3 played again. The atmosphere was a lot lighter at the moment.

"… I think you should lower your gun. Let's just be civil." Minato tapped Akira lightly and whispered. The teen locked his eyes at the girl one last time before lowering his gun and sighing.

"Sorry for scaring you. Just being cautious and all." Akira bowed at the girl while apologizing. She quickly dismissed it and said that it was her fault for starting it first.


After the introductions, Mitsuru went to the main business.

"At first, the transfer student was only Arisato. I only knew about you at the last minutes so please forgive me for that, Kurusu-kun."

"Ah it's nothing wrong, Senpai. People tend to forget about unimportant things." Akira rubbed his neck and replied. The Kirijo heiress nodded solemnly before noticing his Tyrant Pistol.

"Takeba and I only carry guns for self-defending. But why are you also having one too, Kurusu?"

This took Akira off guard. He had not thought of a reason for his bringing a dagger and a gun. Oh yeah, why did he not remember that sooner!

"W-Well, mine is a real deal but it has no bullets. See for yourself." Akira unloaded the magazine and gave Mitsuru. True to his words, it was empty. She promptly handed it back to Akira.

"Very well. Takeba, take Arisato to his assigned room. Kurusu, you will stay here. I have some questions for you."

Akira's eyes slightly widened; it must be about his gun! He eyed Minato and sent a silent message 'I will be alright. You should rest' which the blue haired nodded and followed Yukari. Mitsuru gestured him to sit down.

"And now, Kurusu, we need to confirm few things." Her expression hardened. "… Are you a Persona user?"

Akira stiffened.

"I place many cameras outside the dormitory. You and Arisato were walking during the Dark Hour without troubles. Tell me, who exactly areyou?"

Akira's mind raced; he could not afford to lie further. She knew of Persona users and earlier, he did sense an aura matching with that of a Persona. Was she a member of this 'SEES' group Igor had informed him about? He had to confirm further.

"What if I am? And this Dark Hour you are speaking of, is it relating with green sky, coffins and pools of blood outside?"

"…So you did notice. Very well, there is no point hiding it any further."

Mitsuru explained the Dark Hour's nature and the definition of 'Persona user' to Akira. It would seem that people who did not transfigure into coffins had the 'Potentials'. If guided properly, they could awaken their Personas and fight against the Shadows. She even told him of her Shadow fighting club, or SEES as she put it.

'Hmm, interesting.'

"Long story short, you want me to join SEES, correct? Well, my answer is No."

Mitsuru was taken apart by this. Before she could retort, Akira raised a hand to stop her.

"Your invitation is tempting I must say. Unfortunately, I am the type that prefers working alone." Not exactly a lie, since he had a close bond with The Phantom Thieves of Heart, he could not abandon them to join another group. Loyalty is not something you can throw away that easily.

"You may count me as a 'backup' of sort but I don't like working with others, sorry for that."

"… I need more time to think. Until then, you can stay here. And please, do not tell this to anyone other than the people living in this dorm. Normal people should not be informed of this threat."

"That I can promise. Unless you have further questions for me, I will head to my room. Have a good night, Senpai."

And with that, Akira went to the 2nd Floor with his luggage, leaving a deep in thought Mitsuru.


"Oh, Takeba-san –"

"Yukari is fine, Akira-kun. Your room is at the end of the hall… What? You live in the same room with Minato-kun?"

"Uh really?"

Akira stared at her confusedly as the girl went downstairs to check again before coming up.

"That explained the 2-storey bed there. Well, like Senpai said, your arrival was not expected so we could not prepare another room for you so you have to stay with Minato-kun temporarily." Yukari said while sighing. "Hey, on your way to here, have you seen anything out of ordinary?"

"You mean green sky, coffins everywhere and blood on the streets? Pretty much." Akira answered nonchalantly. This earned him a long stare from Yukari as if he had grown two heads. "What? Mitsuru-senpai explained to me about it and this 'Dark Hour' earlier."

"Oh. Then have you decided about it? You know, SEES stuff?"

"Nah, I am the 'lone wolf' type of guy so SEES is out of question for me." Seeing Yukari's crestfallen face, he patted her head lightly, a habit he had picked up back in Tokyo when a girl he was close to felt sad, especially Futaba. She blushed heavily. "But I can still join some skirmishes with you guys though. Well, I'm really tired now so, excuse me. Good night, Yukari-san."

Akira waved at Yukari with a smile before entering his and Minato's room. The girl waved back timidly, mumbling something before going upstairs.

Akira closed the door and took a good look at his new room. Minato was fast to sleep, and he didn't even bother to change his clothes. Not like Akira cared though, he was too tired as well. Carefully putting his bag on the table, he went to the sink to wash his face before going to sleep. When he looked at his reflections, he saw Satanael, well, a much smaller version of Satanael behind him.

I'm surprised that you didn't summon me earlier, Trickster.

"I can't just change to Joker and make awesome pose without you right, Satanael?" Akira replied while grinning. His Ultimate Persona laughed curtly in return.

True, true. But what will do you from now, Trickster? Our presences in this timeline already caused a butterfly effect. We cannot risk inferring further.

"Now you mention it." Akira rubbed the bridge of his nose and thought. "I guess I will keep a low profile from now. Damn…"

If you have any troubles, I and the rest of your Sea of Souls will gladly help you, Trickster.

"Thanks a lot, Satanael."