And now, back to some more Persona! Please review, I really want to make this a better fan fiction so add some more suggestions.
CHAPTER 4
Kyuto High; The Suicide
August 8, 2021
Nuzoko Hospital, Patient Room
9:47 PM
"Good news Mr. Sukima! You'll be able to go to school tomorrow. You won't join any sports or extracurricular activities because your ribs are still mending, so keep that in mind."
The nurse in the room smiled at Kazuhiko and left him alone to sleep.
"First day in and I've already cause some trouble, huh?" Kazuhiko thought.
He laid back on the hospital bed. His step-parents called earlier to make sure that he was okay and thankfully weren't angry. He was thankful that insurance would pay for his injuries and that he could go to school tomorrow, but that card thing had been bothering him.
"Empress arcana… What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
He shook his head. When he came into the hospital, the doctor took all his belongings in his pockets and stored them for safe keeping, so now he couldn't look it up. Just thinking about that experience happening to him again was enough to give him a headache. He soon decided that trying to figure out what happened would just egg at him all night and decided to go to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Velvet Room…
"Strange how he has acquired those bonds so quickly"
Igor was staring upon the scene that had happened recently: Kazuhiko had formed a bond with Mikan Echihiro.
"Master, if I may be allowed to ask" Alexandria started.
"Yes, go on" Igor answered.
"The previous guests of the velvet room only formed bonds prior the events of awakening their own persona."
Igor turned to his assistant, noticing that she had become more perceptive.
"But, for some reason, the current guest has no possession of a Persona yet he has formed a bond"
Igor chuckled to himself. Alexandria's awareness had become sharper, but she still had much to learn.
"You are correct on one of those statements." Igor told her.
Alexandria looked confused, but then her eyes dawned to the realization.
"Master Igor… you couldn't possibly mean-"
"You start to see now, do you not? He already has a Persona."
Igor now turned his gaze back to the present time. Kazuhiko was fast asleep in the hospital bed while the nurses were rushing outside in the hallways.
"Never have I seen a guest with such power and potential. Of course, his Persona is weak right now, but he hasn't utilized it yet. The time will come when he must break the chains that imprison him. For now, we shall watch."
Alexandria wore a mask of impatience, but stood by her master's side.
"Understood, Master. It's just that I figured after all my training, I would be rewarded with a powerful guest that would surpass all the previous guests."
Igor smiled lightly.
"Do not worry. I did say he was powerful. Perhaps, he might be even more powerful than we could possibly imagine"
August 9, 2021
Kyuto High, Main Building
7:13 AM
Mikan Echihiro's Point of View
"So, the administration office is at the end of the hall over there. You'll be assigned a room and be welcomed to your classmates. You think you can handle that?"
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Mika-senpai."
Mikan nodded to Kazuhiko and walked to the stairs until she reached the third floor.
"Morning, Mika-chan!"
"Looking good as always, Mikan!"
"Get lost, dude! I was going to talk to her!"
Mikan waved and smiled to her fellow classmates as she walked down to classroom C-3, Mrs. Yuko's classroom.
"Ah! Good morning, Mika-chan! How was your break?" Mrs. Yuko asked.
"It was great, thanks! I was just leading a new student to the administration office."
Mrs. Yuko smiled. Last year, Mikan had been an honor student in her classroom. Mrs. Yuko, being her teacher, was noticed for her efforts and was praised with a teacher of the year award as well as a well needed raise.
"It's good to see you being so helpful! Who's the new student?"
"Oh, he's an underclassman. Apparently, he transferred from Inaba and arrived at the hotel yesterday."
Mikan then recalled the events last night and some of the cheerfulness died in her eyes. Mrs. Yuko took note of this and decided to press her.
"Did something happen yesterday? I'm open if you need to talk about it."
Mikan considered the decision. True, her talking about her problems would help, but that would drag some unwanted attention to Kazuhiko-san. She already had a bunch of third-years that had a crush on her, but when news spread that Kazuhiko had protected her, his upperclassmen might not make his experience easy for him.
In the end, Mikan faked a smile and politely declined.
"Well, alright. If you change your mind, I'll be available in the teacher's lounge."
Kazuhiko Sukima's Point of View
Kyuto High, Classroom B-2
7:32 AM
"Class, I'd like you all to welcome a new transfer student. Go ahead, son. Tell them something about yourself."
Kazuhiko faced the rest of the class. He estimated about 25 students all-in-all but only recognized Johei among them. His name was written on the chalkboard behind him and his teacher, Mr. Ozuma, stood next to him. He was a rather plump man with a few strands of hair on his head. But what he lacked in appearance, he made up with his strict outlook on teaching.
"Hello, my name is Kazuhiko Sukima. I hope I can fit along well with everyone here."
A couple students began to mutter amongst themselves.
"Is it true that he came her with Mikan-senpai?"
"Already scored with her? Damn, he's lucky."
"A transfer student and he's not available? Today rally isn't my day."
Mr. Ozuma let them talk for a little while longer until he start to hit his book on the table to get their attention.
"Alright! That's enough chatter. Sit over there. You won't be easily distracted there, but prove me wrong and I'll make you sit right in front of my desk."
Kazuhiko sighed as he walked down the row to his new seat. It had a window view, but he wasn't close enough to talk to Johei. The students near him either gave him an angry glare or payed him no mind.
"I'd like everyone to open their notebooks and write down their schedule. This small piece of paper is the only one you'll get, so if you lose it you'll have to guess which classes you have next."
Everyone in the class opened up their notebooks and wrote down their schedules as if they were used to the instruction. Then they continued on with the lecture until class ended.
"Will all teachers report to the Teachers Lounge. This meeting is mandatory. All students wait until you are dismissed by your teachers upon their return"
The loudspeaker sounded right after the final bell had rang, causing a bunch of students to groan.
"Alright, you heard the PA. No one leaves until I come back. You leave, and there will be hell for you when you come back tomorrow! I'll try to come back as soon as I can."
With that being said, Mr. Ozuma walked out of the classroom. A bunch of students, deciding that there wasn't anything better to do, got out of their seats and talked with one another. One of those students was Johei.
"So, rumors are going around that you walked up to school with Mika-senpai."
Kazuhiko sighed. It had been the seventh time that someone had told him that. He was getting tired of answering questions.
"No, we're not dating."
Johei smiled lightly and pulled up a chair to sit next to Kazuhiko.
"Hey, I was just kidding. Although, now that you mention it, she is kind of nice. I usually never see her other than a big sister. As for my taste in women..."
Johei bravely walked up to a female classmate and tried to start a conversation.
"So, class representative this year, huh Noriko-chan?" Johei asked
The girl smiled.
"Yeah! I must admit, it surprised me too."
Johei continued with his mission of striking gold. There was no turning back now!
"Really? Well, they must have chosen the most gorgeous girl in class to be class representative. You are the face of the female half of Kyuto's second years."
The girl, Noriko, quickly looked annoyed and countered to his comment.
"Well thank God you aren't the male representative. People would think that Kyuto's Male half is full of perverts like you."
Johei flinched as a bunch of male students nearby whispered amongst themselves.
"Damn, he got burned pretty good."
"The Female class representative did that? What a roast master"
"Talk about a Femme-Fatal"
Johei walked back to Kazuhiko's desk with a look of defeat. He slumped into the seat looking to his former friend for any words of consolation.
He just got rejected so his emotions must be pretty touchy right now. Kazuhiko thought
I should judge my word carefully as to not shoot him down. What to say? What to say?
"How many times has that happened? 9, 10 times?"
Johei flinched again at Kazuhi.
"Dude, how is that helpful?"
Oh crap! I didn't mean to say that! How about this?
"Maybe you should aim for girls at your level"
"That's even worse the the last comment!"
Many attempts later…
"Maybe you shouldn't give me any words of consolation. I feel like killing myself right now"
And this is the result of my shitty understanding. Good to know. Kazuhiko thought.
Right at that moment, Mr. Ozuma walked into the classroom.
"Alright, everyone. You're free to go. Make sure not to take detours home; I'm sure your parents are want you back after this long."
Johei stood up and picked up his bag.
"Come on. Let's go meet up with Mika-senpai and walk home together. The place I live at dooesn't care as long as I get back by curfew so we can hang out a little before it gets dark."
Kazuhiko nodded and followed Johei out the door and to the front gates of the school until they met up with Mikan.
"We're all set! So, should we go to Shigure's? I'm in the mood for some of their fried rice!" Johei stated.
This remark was enough to make everyone else feel hungry. Mikan spoke up
"I have enough time to make a stop there. It's on the way home for me. Besides, I can pay for myself."
At the mention of money, Kazuhiko cursed. He came to Nuzoko without any money for himself to spend on.
"Sorry guys, but I don't have any yen. I'll just walk home. Have a good time you two."
Kazuhiko started to walk to the subway but Johei grabbed the back of his uniform.
"Hold on, man! I'll pay for you. I've got enough money on me to feed a family of four."
The three walked down to Shigure's and ordered for the special rice platter while they waited outside. A waiter came by with a pitcher of iced water and three glasses.
"A toast to Kazuhiko! My old friend has finally returned!"
Kazuhiko looked over to Mikan who smiled back as she raised her glass.
"Cheers! To a new school year and friend!"
Their rice platters had arrived and everyone quickly tried to finish them.
The mixture of rice, vegetables and meat is enough to make even the world hunger epidemic full. I'd have better luck with the beef bowl special back in Inaba… Maybe Nanako could finish this…
In the end, everyone couldn't finish and had to get takeout boxes.
"Boy am I stuffed! I think I might have made some progress."
Mikan, despite her eating speed, was the one who made the most difference in her rice platter.
"So close, but we still have to pay full price? I probably shouldn't try this any time soon."
The three walked out and decided to take the shortcut through the city streets to get to the subway.
"So, what do you think the teachers were having a meeting for? They never have mandatory meetings at the beginning of the school year."
That was true. Even in Inaba, there were rarely any meetings between teachers, although Kazuhiko prayed for one everyday ever since he was assigned to Ms. Kashiwagi's class. He had heard of her lewd portrayals during class sessions. This was probably why he tried to keep below the radar academically but a reasonable level as to not stay after school for her "tutoring" sessions. Kazuhiko spoke up.
"Whatever it is, it sounded important. I doubt that it's just about teaching curriculums."
This time, Mikan joined the conversation.
"I'm not sure if this is accurate, but one of the second-year students didn't show up to class today. The teachers called her parents, but they don't know where she went. She didn't seem like the type to skip class."
Johei, suddenly interested in the conversation, turned to Mikan and pressed her for more information.
"A fellow second year? Who was she?"
"I never knew her personally, but her name was Suzuki Miura."
Kazuhiko never heard of the name before so he didn't think any more of it.
"She'll probably turn up eventually. If she's not a bad stu-"
"Wait, Miura-chan didn't show up?" Johei quickly interrupted.
"Johei, you know her?"
Johei now look really worried.
"Yeah. I wanted to ask her out but never grew the balls to do so. Apparently, she and her parents aren't on good terms."
Kazuhiko's eyes started to point to the ground.
"Her parents, huh?"
Johei stopped and looked at Kazuhiko.
"At least she has her parents..."
"Oh, sorry man. Let's talk about something else. Hey, what's that up there?"
Some people were screaming and looking up at the top of a building. Some people even took out their phones to make a video of what was happening.
"Th-that's!"
On top of the building, there was a young girl with a rope tied around her neck. The other end was tied to the railing near the edge of the building. Everyone beside them was talking to each other.
"Holy crap! She's going to jump!"
"This is insane!"
"Someone, call the police!"
Johei and Mikan were frantically trying to get to the building with Kazuhiko right behind them.
"Come on! If we take the elevator, we might make it before she jumps."
The party of high schoolers ran up the steps and finally got onto the roof. The girl was luckily still there but was dangerously close to falling.
"Stop! Don't jump!"
The girl turned around to show her face. It normally would have been beautiful if there weren't any cuts and bruises. Johei stopped in his tracks with shock as he recognized the girl.
"M-Miura-chan?"
The girl sadly nodded. Her face wasn't the only thing that looked mistreated: Her hair looked as if it was torn out, her arms were bleeding as if someone slit them with a knife, and her school uniform was torn. Strangely, the most noticeable feature were the glowing chains that seemed to hang from her wrists and ankles.
"I decided..."
And with that, she fell off the roof.
Johei, Mikan and Kazuhiko rushed to the side but couldn't grab hold of her. They watched as she fell only to have her neck broken by the rope. Mikan backed away from the railing with a look of pure terror in her eyes. Johei had begun to grip the railing tightly with his fists as tears started to run down his face.
"Miura… she… she jumped..."
"Damnit! She could have talked to me!"
Kazuhiko stood there dumbfounded. He looked at the lifeless body of Suzuki Miura as it hung from the rope. Then, he saw the strangest thing; even more strange than the card stuff he had seen last night: The chains were disappearing.
So, I finally finished this chapter. How'd it go? I think I'll skip the interview for this chapter. After what the characters just seen, it's probably best to leave them alone for now. We'll cut to the chase and awaken Kazuhiko's Persona in either chapter 5 or 6.
