April 15th, 20XX

Friday morning, Ren decided to do some people watching on the way to school.

Weird salaryman on the subways. Sun.

Lady with too much make-up. Magician.

Leering guy in a suit. Hunger.

Huh. Wonder what those words mean.

"Ren, you forgot to put yarn in your bag! These books don't make good bedding!"

And he forgot to leave his talking cat at home.

"Ren-senpai!" Ren tripped over his own feet.

He turned around to see Kasumi running up to him. But like, in the girly way, with the arms out and stuff. Her ponytail was bouncing in the way ponytails often do. Cute. Ren is similar to other boys in the way that pretty girls make it very hard to think.

And you know what else gets har- Shut up, me, he thought to himself.

"Mrrow!" Morgana was startled by the sudden change. He didn't think anyone heard it, thankfully.

"Good morning, Kasumi-chan." Faith. Ren uprighted himself and waited for the girl to catch up. The girl's smile brightened.

They walked the rest of the way side by side. He felt the other students bore holes into his skull with their vision.

Why should I care what they think?

He didn't really feel all that close to Kasumi anyway, it's not like they were dating. Well, he and Ann weren't dating, but he had one of those confidant things for her.

Then again, he barely knew Yusuke, but he got one of those for him too.

Why not? Magic words that get him to make friends, sure, those too. Demons, Personas, whatever. I… probably should have asked Minatos to elaborate.

"What a womanizer…" Said a girl further away, walking in a clique. You're kidding, right?

"Seriously, is the model not enough for him?" A boy complained to his friends ahead of him. These people are idiots!

"That blonde is such a slut." Ren's wandering gaze intensified. There was a small group of boys near the vending machines.

"Excuse me, Kasumi. I'm suddenly feeling a bit thirsty." Ren said politely, albeit forced, and started walking over to one of the machines. Wait, could Ren do this? What about the probation? Kasumi remained where she was standing. She looked like she was about to reach out for him to stop, but refrained.

"Gentlemen." Ren fished some change out of his pockets, calmly inserting them into the machine. He selected a TaP soda can, not intending on listening to the common tip about the drink. He shook the can in his hand and leaned back against the vending machine. 'Wait, no! Where am I getting the confidence for this?' Thought a suppressed part of Ren. "So, you fellas want to clue me in to your conversation?" He pretended to examine the can, subtly shaking it even more in his grasp. Magician, Hanged Man, Lovers...

"Tch. We don't gotta explain shit to you." The boy in front, the blandest looking one, sneered. Sneers aren't very effective for people that you couldn't pick out of a crowd of five.

"Oh, you're absolutely right, but y'know, it's very strange." Ren kept a bored look on his face, pushing up his fake glasses and pretending to think.

"What the hell are you talking about?" The other boy attempted a threatening stance, like a delinquent, but without the effect.

"Well, I just thought that Shujin was a much cleaner school than this." The other boys looked confused. Ren sighed. "Tell me, where do you get off talking about women like that?"

"What the… Oh, that's hilarious! You think that Gaijin bitch deserves respect? Get a clue, dude, she was sleeping with Kamoshida for months! Takamaki's a whore, and everybody knows it!"

"See that's what I was talking about." Ren tossed the can up and down in his hands. "The students here have no clue about keeping the shit from coming out of their mouths." He walked out of the alcove.

"What the-"

"Classes start in maybe, eh, ten minutes. If you really haul ass, you can probably get back here in time." Ren threw the can high in the air behind him, and it glittered in the sunlight. He gestured for Kasumi to get away from the opening.

A massive spray of fizz exploded out of the alcove, covering the street. The spray extended stories into the air. The cries of schoolboys echoed inside the alcove.

They came out seconds later, their uniforms stained and fizzing all over.

They call it TaP for a reason. If it was explosive before you shook it up…

"You son of a bitch!" Ren shook his head and tapped his wrist.

"I hope you have a spare uniform. Explaining why you look like that to the teachers, and then the student council? I wouldn't recommend that." Ren pulled out a coin.

"...!"

"You know, I'm still feeling kind of thirsty." He approached the boys. They sputtered, then turned and ran off. Ren called after them.

"And I better not hear that kind of talk again, you got that?" A crowd of gossiping girls ran past. Their footsteps called him back to reality.

Ren zoned back in. He stared at the coin in his hands. ...How… The hell? Did I manage that?

"..." Kasumi was looking at him with a weird look.

"..." Ren rubbed his neck.

"Wow." The younger girl was shocked.

"It's nothing-"

"That was so cool!" Kasumi looked star-struck. Back to overly-caffeinated, huh?

"Haha… it's whatever… come on, I don't want to be late; Y'know, like those guys will."

Shiho came during lunch to grab Ann for a minute. He waved them off and realized the soda-yen was what he was going to use for lunch.

Thou shalt have our blessing when creating Personae of the Lovers Arcana.

Huh. Guess rumors do move pretty fast around here. Mishima must be doing his job. Especially if everyone thought he was in the right.

His homeroom teacher, the tired-looking Kawakami walked up to him. She crossed her arms.

"The student council president would like to talk to you." The woman said sharply. "...why do I have to run errands…" She muttered to herself.

"Yes, sensei, of course." He stood up, cordially bowing, and walked out the door. Many thoughts rang in his ears, but one took priority.

I am totally Fucked!

Ren carefully slid open the student council room door and stepped inside. Kasumi was looking rather nervous, sitting in one of the chairs.

Ryuji sat against a back corner. Is… Is he seriously eating popcorn? It is lunch period, but…

"Ah, Amamiya-san. I have heard some most interesting information from many other students." The girl- No, she was too intimidating in that moment to simply be a girl- The President stared him down, the corner of her mouth twitching. "Would you like to explain yourself?" The choice Ren had to make was whether or not to cower or to-

NO!

There was no choice.

Arsene had made that clear.

"I expected this school to be a lot cleaner, I must say." Oh, the president's eye was twitching now.

"Care to elaborate?"

"I was walking to school, right, and I was feeling a bit thirsty, you see, so I went to a vending machine, and grabbed a soda. I accidentally dropped it as I was leaving, and you know how TaP cans are-" Ryuji leaned forward and whispered something to the president. She nodded. "-and it exploded on a couple other students. I, of course, recommended they change their uniforms before classes."

"You-" The president almost snarled, before calm overtook her face. "I have heard a slightly different version of that story, Amamiya-san."

"Care to elaborate?" Ren asked the president. Kasumi seemed to shrink in her seat.

"The students in question claim they were talking when you came up and threatened them, and then threw the can at them. I also notice that you have arrived on time, with a clean uniform, no less. You say you dropped the can, accidentally?"

"They tell you what they were talking about?" The president blinked.

"Well, no, I didn't pry-"

"Unfortunately, for students of such a prestigious school, they didn't seem to have the cleanest mouths. Would you like to hear what they were saying about our female students?" The president blushed.

"That's unnecessary-"

"Slut. Gaijin Bitch. Whore." Ren leaned forward. "Would you like to hear more about what they said about Takamaki-san?" Ryuji's face went stoic, and he turned away.

"The fact remains, you assaulted-"

"Assaulted? Assaulted? Are you on something? I dropped a fucking soda can because they couldn't keep their mouths shut, and you think that's Assault?-" Ren stopped for a breath. "...I apologize for raising my voice. They haven't suffered any injuries excluding their pride. However, I understand this may have violated school rules, and am willing to withstand punishment." Ren bowed.

"Excuse me, Niijima-senpai!" Kasumi looked panicked.

"Yes, Yoshizawa-san?"

"Ren is a good person, I don't think you need to be so severe-

"You have developed a friendship with him, your input can not-"

"I think she's right, uh, Makoto-senpai." The president turned to her attendant. He pulled himself into- Huh, I didn't think he'd be into Death Note. The blond, in his new thinking pose, continued.

"...I got beat pretty bad the other day, and this guy dragged me through the underground to a doctor. From that, it's pretty clear what kind of guy he is."

"Really, Ryuji-kun? Is that why you were absent for the last two days? How interesting."

"Yeah…" Ryuji looked really anxious as he realized what he'd admitted to. "Well, actually, um, what-" The boy withered under the brunette's gaze.

"We'll talk about this later, Ryuji-kun." The president turned back to Ren. "In the face of this new information, I will be letting you off with a warning. Do not make this mistake again, Amamiya-san."

"Thank you, Niijima-san." Ren stepped out of the room, and leaned against the wall. Kasumi came out a few seconds later.

"That was… scary."

"You didn't have to defend me, you know."

'Well, I thought it was the right thing to do… It was pretty cool what you did this morning… Even if it wasn't for me…"

I am thou

Yeah, this one makes sense.

Thou art I

I am pretty badass, after all.

Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breakth thy chains of mortality.

Wonder where I got the confidence for it, though, Ren thought to himself.

With the bond of the Faith Arcana, Thou will obtain the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.

The younger girl blushed. Ren, of course, being an idiot, didn't notice, and waved it off. "It's nothing, really. Well, I'm heading to classes. Later, Kasumi."

Millions and millions of men, as well as a non-negligible amount of women, everywhere, felt the sudden urge to face-palm.

Ren collared Mishima on his way out of classes. Despite having played volleyball, the smaller boy really didn't weigh all that much. They headed to the rooftop. Ren sat in a chair next to a desk. Looked vaguely like an interrogation set-up.

"Thanks for running interference on the rumors."

"You mean the ones about this morning? No problem. I got a few yen out of it." Mishima shook his head.

"How'd you manage to make everyone think I was the good guy?"

"Ah, well you see… That's not the first time those guys have mouthed off like that. Girls sure can hold grudges."

"Ah, so you don't know either."

"Hey!"

"We both know damn well that you know nothing about women."

"Ehhhh, yeah, I can't deny that one."

The other boy leaned back and sighed, before his eyes opened brightly. He turned to the door, and looked over his shoulder at Ren.

"Oh, almost forgot- the rumor-mill says that you went to a noodle shop in Shibuya with a rather pretty boy yesterday."

"...Goddamn it." Ren lulled his head back. The information broker chuckled.

"Hey, just keep at it. The more guys you give hope, the more money I make."

Ren slammed his forehead into the desk.

Thou shalt have our blessing when creating Personae of the Moon Arcana.

April 16th, 20XX

"Heyyyy, Senpai…" Ren paused as he was walking to school on Saturday. A nice-looking girl walked up behind him, just ahead of a clique.

"Um, hello?" Ren felt awkward. It was something about the girl's mannerisms, or the way the girls further back were whispering.

"That's so funny! "Hello!" You're sooooooo cool, Senpai."

"Uh, thanks. You too?"

"Aw, that's so cute. Thank you, Senpai."

"Hey, wait, aren't you a second-year? Why are you calling me Senpai?"

"Oh, you know me! Well, since you're suuuuch a nice guy, I thought you deserve to be my Senpai."

"I… really don't."

It looked like something snapped in the girl.

"What do I have to do? Dye my hair some bright color? What do those girls have that I don't?" Ren felt incredibly awkward, standing there, listening to the girl's beginning rant.

"Uh, well- Oh, hey, Mishima-kun!" Ren spotted the blue-haired boy walking past, who was keeping an eye on the situation.

"Good morning, Amamiya-kun, are you in need of information-" Ren held up a finger and started hurriedly whispering.

"Dude, get me out of this situation! Quick!"

"…"

"…"

"Why yes, Amamiya-kun," Mishima suddenly announced, making sure to be heard, "I DO have the notes from last class, please, allow me to escort you to the school so you may receive them in a timely manner."

They quickly walked into the school.

"...So are you going to explain what the deal with that was?"

"I'll be honest, I don't have much of an idea either." Ren shivered.

Neither of them had noticed the girl's incredibly dark expression as they left.

"YO!" Ren looked up from his phone after school. Ryuji had slammed the door open.

"Yo?" He blinked. Ryuji turned to him.

"Just who I was looking for. Amamiya, we're gonna have a chat."

Ren sighed and got out of his seat. He already talked to the president yesterday. He followed Ryuji to the rooftop. Thank Mishima that there weren't any rumors about how often he went there with boys.

Ugh, now I sound like a real puff. Not that there'd be anything wrong with-

"'Sup dude!" Said Ryuji, on the roof.

"Personal space."

The other guy blinked from a few yards away.

"...Sorry, habit."

"Whatever man. You wanna get some ramen tomorrow?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I owe you, man!" Ryuji laughed. "For the doctor. Seriously, thanks."

"Ah, no problem, it's-" Ryuji interrupted him.

"Why do you always act humble when people are trying to thank you?" Ren looked at the other boy, surprised.

"I don't, I'm just not anyone special-"

"Man, get yourself some confidence! That's it, I'm taking you airsoft shooting."

"...Airsoft?"

"Yeah, dude! I know a great shop in Shibuya, and there's a field in Akihabara we can go to." Ren sighed.

"Sure, why not. I'll be there. What's your chat i.d?"

Ren headed back home to Leblanc early. He decided changing before heading out would be a good plan. He wanted to check out the Mementos thing Morgana kept talking about.

"Hey, kid." An older feminine voice called out to him as he was about to enter the cafe. He froze, and turned to the punk doctor. She was wearing her doctor clothes, but damn, that's a- 'Jesus christ, shut! Up! ME!' thought Ren.

"Hello, Takemi-san."

"Does your friend intend on paying his medical bills?" Ren froze as the older woman stared him down.

"I… don't suppose you have any dishes I can wash?"

"I run a clinic."

"…"

Ren felt like he was walking into the lion's den as he followed the doctor to the clinic. Or the cougar's den, if I was into that.

Which, like any other teenage boy-

"I'll get straight to the point."

Thank god.

"I need a young boy, about your age to help me with the clinic."

Oh god.

"However… There are some people that I would rather not hear about it."

Oh GOD!

"I need someone to test medicines."

OH THANK GOD!

"Performance enhancers, and such."

NOOOOOOOOO-

"Why do you look so tense?"

I'm too young to die!

"Might have been something I ate. Performance enhancers, you say?"

"Yes, for physical therapy patients."

OH THANK GOD!

"...I am a legal doctor. What were you thinking?"

"I just need to test medicines? And that'll deal with my friend's medical bill?"

"Yes. Now that I think about it, that does seem suspicious for me to ask…"

"No, it's fine. As long as it's legal, right?"

"Borderline. I trust you'll keep our activities under wraps?"

She must be messing with me, there's no way a doctor is this dense!

"Sure. When do I start." Ren fought to keep all emotion off his face, not just his embarrassment.

"Drink this." The doctor handed him a little cup with foul-smelling liquid in it. Ren took it and stared at it in his hands.

"...If you're not up for it-" Was the last thing Ren heard as he downed the liquid.

"Hello, Igor. Did you call me here?" Ren faded into the Velvet Room, where, as was probably usual, Lavenza was throwing bottles at Minatos.

"It appears you have come here of your own will."

"Greetings, trickster. Can I get you something to drink?" She hid the bottle she was about to throw behind her back. Ren sighed and shook his head.

"I'm actually at the doctor's right now, it'd be strange for me to wake up drunk."

"That's too bad, your last visit was entertaining…"

"Anyway, any particular reason you're here kid?" Ren turned to Minatos.

"Maybe I just really wanted to be out of that situation…" Ren thought back to the clinic.

"..."

"..."

Minatos burst out laughing.

"You really thought she would do that! That's hilarious!"

"Whatever. I have some questions for you."

"Heh, ask away."

"You said demons are real, right?"

"Yes, they are."

"...Could you elaborate on that?"

"Ugh, fine. I know He wasn't this dense." Minatos sighed. He took a deep drink from his seemingly endless wine glass. "Demons live on a different plane than you do, called the Warp. They form from the belief power of humans. That's why so many demons look like folk creatures or legends and myths. Some Personae possess small amounts of spiral power- I mean, life energy, from actual demons, and the user can channel that energy as a Persona."

"Y'know what, I might be better off learning this as I go along."

"Lame. Come back after you get lost in all the crazy bullshit."

Ren woke up with his head on a soft pillow. Nausea kept him from opening his eyes. His throat burned with an acidic twinge. He tried to sit up, but his stomach cramped, and he had to lay still.

"...Wha…" He nearly threw up trying to speak.

"Are you some kind of idiot? I didn't even explain what the medicine did."

"Maybe…" Ren pulled an arm up and rested it on his forehead. The doctor sighed.

"Your reaction was because of the smell. I didn't expect it to be that strong." A hand ghosted across Ren's face. Now that I think about it, this pillow is shaped rather strangely…

"Sorry, I guess," said Ren. It's pretty warm…

"Just come by again later. I'll call when there's new medicine for you to test." Her voice seems really close too...

"Yes ma'am." The woman chuckled.

I am thou

Thou art I

Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breakth thy chains of mortality.

With the bond of the Death Arcana, Thou will obtain the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.

"Good. Now get some rest, and let the medicine settle." She pressed a wet rag on his forehead. He nodded weakly, and fell back to sleep.

AN:

Very fun. Arsene gave Ren a lot of confidence. Not as much as Minato, because then he'd be in Juvie quickly for harassment, but still a decent amount. He's about the same as Ryuji, but with a higher IQ. But I still like Ryuji, all my homies love Ryuji.

Yeah, I'm starting Faith early, what about it? Five ranks during the normal game is lameeee.

Sorry for getting heavy last week, I'm just some schmuck on the internet, no reason for me to dump that on y'all.

I'm sorry the writing quality has been so shit, I'm getting into the groove, now, with the writing. Apparently, I should actually edit my work. Who knew?

Just kidding, I just haven't had the time before.

Thanks for reading, reviews would be nice, but do whatever you want.

I really want to write a story in the FESiverse in the same vain as Minato's Long Date by tunaro, but that would spoil literally half the damn story, so I can't yet. Lame.

I think the bit with Takemi is the funniest thing I've written so far.

Later.