Hey everyone! Back here with another chapter. If you didn't know what that rubbery thing with white stuff was in chapter 6 that Tyr mentioned, it was a used condom. In chapter 8, I will interview Johei, so if you have any questions about him, post them in the reviews. I'm actually being serious with the HOTD fanfiction that I'm making. It will feature the viewpoints of every character for each chapter, and there will be 20 characters in all. I'll need some help coming up with names for them, but I have the majority of the list figured out. If any of them sound like good names, I'll put it in the story, also with their background information and characteristics.

CHAPTER 7

How I met my Persona

b, #c, d, b, #c, d, b, #c, d, b, #c, d, f…

Kazuhiko instantly recognized the tune of the velvet room before he opened his eyes. Igor sat in his usual seat with Alexandria next to him.

"Welcome, back. It seems that you have awoken your Persona." Igor said.

Kazuhiko remembered summoning Tyr in the Mirror Dimension. It was as amazing as it had been terrifying. He was pretty sure he had wet himself a little. Very heroic indeed.

"I'm sure you know what we were telling you what a Persona is now, correct?"

He nodded. Igor smiled.

"Very well, then. What if I told you that the Persona itself can be strengthened through the simplest of ways?"

Kazuhiko wondered what Igor was talking about.

Strengthening my Persona? Simplest of ways? What, do I like, need to take it to the gym or something? Damnit. Shut up, me! Now's not the time for my lame-ass jokes.

Igor calmly waited until Kazuhiko had finished fighting with himself mentally.

"You see, Personas are the strength of ones heart. They are of many classes. Your Persona, Tyr, is of the fool arcana."

So, are you insulting me or something? Kazuhiko thought. Igor continued.

"Interacting with people of other arcanas will strengthen your bonds with them, and will make the Personas that you own of that arcana stronger."

Kazuhiko listened intently, but caught onto something.

"Wait, Personas that I own? You mean I can have multiple?"

Alexandria nodded.

"Being of the fool arcana, you have the power to wield multiple Personas."

Igor continued for her.

"You see, your power is like the number zero."

Kazuhiko mentally felt a punch to the face. Did he just call me a zero? Sure, I just got this power, but I can still kick ass! Give me a bigger number!

Igor smiled, amused by Kazuhiko's thoughts.

"It is nothing, but at the same time, holds limitless power."

Kazuhiko suddenly felt dumber. Oh… that's what you meant.

"The power of the wild card was usually handed out freely to all Persona users by this room's previous master, Philemon, but now, only a select few have this gift."

Alexandria spoke up.

"Our services shall be available to you the next time we meet. Until then."

Kazuhiko slowly fell asleep and materialized out of the Velvet room. Alexandria turned to Igor.

"Master, regarding the power of the wild card..."

Igor answered her immediately.

"No, Alexandria. Jaldabaoth was the only other being that could give the power of the wild card to humans. He has now lost that power ever since he defeated him. Master Philemon now entitles only myself to that power."

Alexandria nodded.

"Understood, Master."

(August 10, 2021)

11:47 PM

Johei's Apartment

Johei tossed and turned. Wherever he tried to lay down on, he always felt uncomfortable on his mattress. He decided to face reality and got up to get some pillows.

"Christ… I'll probably look wasted tomorrow at school..." Johei grumbled, half asleep.

He looked in the cabinet and felt around for the extra pillow he had, but couldn't find it. He silently cursed and felt around for the light switch. He finally found it and braced himself for the bright light.

"Sonuva bitch… alright, where's that pillow?"

Johei went back to the cabinet and searched around for the pillow. He accidentally knocked something on the shelf above and he felt a picture frame land on his head.

*bonk*

"Ah! Shit!"

Johei rubbed his head and bent down to pick up the picture frame. He looked at it and saw the picture of Kazhiko and himself smiling. It was the picture they took on his last day in Nuzoko before he left for Inaba. He smiled as he remembered the old times the two had. Johei had been a well known prankster among the students and Kazuhiko as the devil child. They both had everything taken away from them, yet they seemed to be the happiest kids in the district. It was as if it was just the two of them against the world.

Flashback

(May 20, 2011)

Nuzoko Elementary School, 1st grade section

"Alright, Kaz. You ready?"

"Ready when you are!"

Kazuhiko and Johei were standing by the hose connection laughing to each other. Yoshimitsu and his gang were chasing them around the playground trying to catch them, but to no avail. The managed to trap the two friends in a corner, with no escape or defense; or so they had thought.

"There's no way you're gonna get out of here now, devil!"

Kazuhiko felt slightly hurt at the remark, but kept smiling at Yoshimitsu. Yoshimitsu took notice of this.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Yoshimitsu asked.

Johei and Kazuhiko couldn't help themselves and burst out laughing with each other. Yoshimitsu and his gang stood there confused.

"Are we gonna get them this time or what?" One of the goons asked.

"Shut up!"

Once Kazuhiko and Johei finished laughing, they addressed Yoshimitsu. Kazuhiko spoke to them.

"Boy, you guys chased us the entire time didn't you? I bet you're real tired and thirsty."

Yoshimitsu frowned. It set him off about how the two appeared so calm about being cornered.

"How about a drink, guys?"

At that moment, Johei turned the valve open all the way. Yoshimitsu looked at the hose and found it unraveled and set into the ground. He realized a moment too late about where he and his gang were standing.

Water gushed out of the ground and sprayed him all over until he ran off, his friends right behind them. Only Johei and Kazuhiko were still there, laughing again.

"Oh boy, that was hilarious!"

"He should have seen it coming!"

Later, the two boys were told on and both faced the wall on a time-out, but they regretted nothing.

"Hey, Kaz."

Johei whispered to Kazuhiko, and he scooted closer.

"Now that those guys will leave you alone, let's not prank them anymore."

Kazuhiko was slightly confused. Johei, being the class clown, always made pranks for people, but only those who deserved punishment. Yoshimitsu terrorized more people than just Kazuhiko, so there was no reason why they should stop.

"How come?"

Johei looked down and answered with a sad voice.

"Well… he's a lot like us..."

This was the first time Kazuhiko saw Johei be nice to Yoshimitsu, let alone anyone be nice to him.

"He lost his mom when he was born..."

"He did? Then why's he so mean?"

Johei looked up with a serious tone.

"His dad hits him. He doesn't like anyone because of his dad."

Kazuhiko never heard this about Yoshimitsu. The thought of Yoshimitsu being nice felt strange to think about. Nonetheless, Yoshimitsu was still a bully.

"What'll we do? He's still going to hurt people."

Johei took a deep breath.

"Promise you're not gonna freak out, okay?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Okay, here goes… I think we should try to be friends with him."

Kazuhiko couldn't keep his promise.

"WHATTHEHECKAREYOUCRAZYORSOMETHINGDIDHEHITYOUINTHEHEADHARDORSOMETHINGYOUSHOULDGOSEETHENURSEI'LLTAKEYOUTHERETEACHERJOHEINEEDSTO-"

Kazuhiko felt a small piece of chalk hit his head at lightning speed. He held his head and felt a bruise welling up.

"Kazuhiko! Be silent! You still are in time-out!" The teacher yelled at him.

Rubbing the spot where he got hit, Kazuhiko mustered a "yes sir" and turned back to Johei, who looked slightly amused.

"Well, I think he broke his record. He threw that thing to you faster than he did to me last week."

Kazuhiko made a somewhat smile and grew serious again.

"Are you kidding though? About Yoshi-"

Johei cut him off.

"Yes. I'm serious. Let's talk to him tomorrow. His dad'll be made when he sees his wet clothes, so he'll sad tomorrow."

The two agreed with each other and was noticed by the teacher again. Both of them received another piece of chalk.

"owww. He really should consider joining a baseball team."

Flashback End

Johei smiled, remembering the awesome prank they played. He could even feel the bruise spot that he got after all these years, or maybe it was just the spot that the picture frame hit him. Nevertheless, Johei put the frame back and located the spare pillow. He closed the cabinet and walked back to the light switch.

Hey, turn off the light! I can't sleep.

"Alright! Alright hold u-"

Johei paused for a moment and turned back to his bed to see a large figure on his bed tossing and turning to find a good spot.

Oh, hey! A pillow! That'll make things easier to sleep!

Johei fell forward and lost consciousness.

(August 11, 2021)

6:45 AM

Kyuto High School, Front gate

Kazuhiko walked up to the gates followed by Tyr.

"So, Kazuhiko, this is where all the young minds of the world are tortured by perilous figures of authority?"

"Tyr, for the last time, those guys were just kidding. Although, I will agree with them on some parts, Mr. Abarai does kind of abuse his power as a teacher."

"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Tyr's head perked up.

"Kazuhiko, do you… hear something?"

"Tyr, for the last time it's not a battle cry! I told you that was just a couple having sex in the other room!"

"Yes, I know, but this sounds different."

"Tyr, I know there are a lot of sounds you aren't accustomed to yet, but… wait, I think I hear it too…"

"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Kazuhiko turned around to see Johei running towards him.

Too late to dodge now…

The two collided with each other and fell to the ground. Kazuhiko lay still, wincing in pain about his ribs, while Johei got up and ran inside the building.

"Just… two days… two days until… my ribs heal… why can't it wait… for two days?"

Kazuhiko got up and dusted himself off. His ribs still hurt, but it would eventually go down. Tyr tried to get his attention.

"Um, Kazuhiko"

"Tyr, not now. I'll tell you what it is later."

"Kazuhiko."

"Hold on."

"Kazuhiko!"

"What?!"

Kazuhiko looked up at Tyr and noticed another spectral being that was floating right next to him. It had black and red armor with blades running parallel to his limbs that looked pretty light. The face was covered by a computer monitor that showed facial expressions of random celebrities and the occasional emoji. On the back were robotic wings that didn't seem to work, but somehow, the being was floating. One thing was for certain: this was what Johei was running from.

"Who are you?"

The being paused for a moment, as if to let Kazuhiko think for a little more, then it spoke.

"Oh come on! You don't know who I am? Alright then, how about a hint. I'm in a Marvel movie and I didn't star as a 'low-key' character."

Tyr hid his face in his palm.

"Of all the gods that he could have gotten..."

"Well, he was a prankster..."

The being rejoiced after being recognized.

"Yes! It is I, the Norse God of trickery! Played by the extremely accurate looking actor, Tom Hiddleston! Master of puns!"

"Wait, is he really?"

"Just ignore him."

Loki stopped his ranting after giving himself 20 more titles only to find that he wasn't talking to anybody.

"Geez! Can't I find some respect around here?"

12:00 PM

Lunchtime

Rooftop

Kazuhiko and Johei were sitting on the benches next to their Personas. Kazuhiko felt calm, as if he were used to 10 foot tall beings that nobody but himself could see were a part normal life, whereas Johei acted like the normal human being and experimented forms of exorcism.

"Leave us in peace spawn of Satan!"

Johei held up a cross in one hand and clutched a bible to his chest with the other.

"I'm still here."

"This realm does not welcome you!"

"Dude, I'm a Norse God. Christianity doesn't have shit on me."

"My lord forbids your stay!"

"Then again, I did run into Satan a couple times. He was fun to play pranks on."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

"Well, I did play both roles, husband and wife. It was kinda crazy giving birth to a horse."

"My home is protected by- Yeah, this isn't working"

Johei went back to his phone to search up more rituals while Kazuhiko started up a friendly conversation.

"So, you guys are Norse Gods?"

Tyr answered him.

"We are just beings based off of them. We share the same name and titles, but we are not completely them. We are also a part of you."

Kazuhiko took a look back at Johei trying to ward off Loki with salt, Loki being completely calm.

"Yeah, I don't see a lot in common with those two."

Johei fell back, tired from all the attempts he made and giving up.

"Well, I tried everything, but nothing worked. We might as well get used to each other."

Loki finally looked interested and greeted him.

"Alright! My name's Loki! I'd shake your hand but I wouldn't want to literally scar my partner for life."

Johei nodded and then turned to Kazuhiko.

"So, what was this about Personas again? They're a part of you?"

Kazuhiko recalled Igor's words and repeated them as best as he could. Johei nodded understandably.

"Wait, so we got these guys by breaking chains of despair? The hell's that?"

"You had some chains on you that pulled you down. You broke them. I guess that's how we summoned them. I'm not really sure what this is either."

Johei recalled moments when people were asking about his sanity when he yelled at Loki.

"Nobody but us can see these things, right?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah. Only people with Personas can see them. So, how'd it go with the psychologist?"

Mr. Ozuma heard about Johei's ramblings and decided to let him off the hook for the first period.

"Okay, I guess. She said I had trouble discerning fiction from nonfiction and told me to stop staying up late reading books."

"So, are you still discovering the fact how your love life is purely fictional?" Loki said.

"Goddamnit shut up!"

The door to the roof opened and Mikan walked out to the two boys and Personas.

"Johei, I heard you got sent to the psychologist. Are you feeling okay after Suzuki?"

Kazuhiko tried to give her an indication that mentioning Suzuki was probably a bad idea, but Johei answered her before he could speak.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'll be fine!"

Mikan smiled and then walked back down the stairs. Kazuhiko noticed Johei planning something.

"Okay, I'll ask. What are you thinking of doing?" Kazuhiko asked.

"I thought you'd never asked, my friend!" Johei replied.

Before Kazuhiko could realize it, Johei already dragged him into his plan.

"So here's the deal. You saved me from killing Suzuki's parents by beating me up and talking me out of it right? What if we talk Suzuki's parents into confessing what they did?" Johei proposed.

Kazuhiko sat where he was for a moment, thinking about Johei's plan.

True it could work... Kazuhiko thought.

But it could get risky, I barely survived trying to save Johei. Who knows how hard it'll be to fight both of her parents. Besides, Johei's kind of a lightweight.

"Kazuhiko, I think we should try it."

Wait, what?

"Kazuhiko, you're speaking out loud."

Kazuhiko glanced at Johei and Loki to notice that they were staring at him.

"What do you mean 'I'm kind of a lightweight'?"

"Nothing, but that place's dangerous. We don't have anything but these guys to protect us and I'm new to all of this."

Johei held up his hand to stop Kazuhiko from talking.

"Don't worry, I know a place where we can get some stuff. I'll meet you after school at the mall"

Johei walked to the staircase and went back to the classroom leaving Tyr and Kazuhiko on the roof. Tyr looked at Kazuhiko questionably.

"What does he have planned?"

Kazuhiko shook his head.

"Whatever it is, it's probably gonna end up bad for me."

(After School)

4:32 PM

Nuzoko Mall District

"So this is the place?"

Kazuhiko, Johei, Tyr and Loki stood/floated in front of a window displaying an array of weapons. The sign outside said Kinpachi Smithing. Tyr looked at the weapons amazed.

"Amazing! Mortals nowadays still practice in the smithing of weapons! Although these weapons seem quite strange. They don't look as nearly as strong as the average battle ax."

Johei continued talking to Kazuhiko.

"They smith all kinds of weapons for you, but their pride is with Feudal Japanese weaponry."

Kazuhiko looked at the price tag.

"And they're pretty cheap too. How are they supposed to make a profit by selling swords at ¥4000?"

Johei walked in and decided to look at the inventory. He seemed rather drawn to the yaris: long polearms with a blade protruding from the pole and crossed perpendicularly by two more blades on either side.

"Not bad. This looks good for combat. How are you going to carry it around?"

Johei paused, having not planned as far as he should have. Any police officer who saw a couple of teens with sharp weapons probably would look suspicious.

"I… uh..."

Kazuhiko payed no mind to Johei and Loki while he looked into the swords on the shelf. Tyr was looking rather intently at the double-edged swords.

"Kazuhiko, I believe this would suit your needs. It has a good price and looks durable enough."

Kazuhiko walked over to where Tyr was and spotted the sword he was talking about.

"Yeah, but I'll need to test it out first."

Kazuhiko beckoned the store keeper to open the display case so he could hold it. It felt light in his hands, but had a good enough weight to it that he could cause some damage. He checked the price tag.

"Only ¥2000? Good deal, so I guess I'll buy it."

Kazuhiko handed shop owner the money and put it into a sword case that he received. He glanced over to Johei who also received a case for his yari. Loki casually leaned on one of the display cases.

"You guys all set?"

Both boys nodded.

"Yeah, but how are we gonna carry this around without looking suspicious?"

Kazuhiko thought back.

Didn't Hanamura-san and Narukami-san get in trouble for something like this?… Nah.

"There is no need to be worried about the law enforcement! Seeing you in full battle armor is a sure sign that you are on an important mission! You should even show off your skills! They shall gladly shower you with respect!" Tyr told them.

"Or restraining orders" Johei mumbled.

Kazuhiko thought and looked around. He spied a bunch of teenagers with baseball bags with bat handles protruding from the side.

"How about getting those bags? We can just tell them we're going to the batting cages." Kazuhiko suggested.

Johei's face lit up.

"Yeah! Good idea! Let's go get some bags too. Come on, Loki… Loki?"

Loki was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly a shrill scream came from the other side of the shelf.

"Let's go!"

Johei ran to the side ready for anything to find Loki behind a woman with his hands close to her rear.

"Loki? What the heck are-"

"Oh, so you're the one who touched my ass, right?" The girl yelled at Johei, not noticing Loki.

Johei realized the situation he was in.

"What?! Oh no, I didn't do anythi-"

*buzz*

*ZAP*

"OWWWWWWWWWWW!"

Kazuhiko walked around the corner to see Johei on the ground and the woman he was talking to. She had a taser in her hand and a murderous look on her face. She looked up at Kazuhiko and he quickly withdrew.

"Are you his friend?"

The situation was dire. Any answer he could give to the woman would have an effect. Either he could come clean and tell her that he was and risk getting tased by her, or betray Johei and tell her he didn't know him. Unfortunately, Johei was still conscious.

"Kaz? That you man? Dude, my balls are giving me hell right now. Owww."

The woman walked slowly to Kazuhiko, taser acting up. Kazuhiko walked backwards and bumped into a wall. No escape.

"And you were in on this too, weren't you? You'll pay for that, you pervert!"

Kazuhiko looked at Tyr for help, but found him chanting.

"We have gathered here today to mourn for the death of two young boys. They met their end when they faced the most horrible of all beasts: The wrath of women."

5:10 PM

Matsuhito Hotel

Johei and Kazuhiko sat on the chairs in Kazuhiko's room in the hotel.

"Dude, I have a feeling that life's gonna get tougher from here on out."

Kazuhiko nodded. They managed to get to the hotel thanks to Mikan. She was walking around when she noticed Kazuhiko getting tased and Johei on the ground unconscious. Out of the goodness of her heart, the two were carried into the hotel, with the help of the store owner, to rest and recall their scenario. Tyr and Loki just followed along, not seeming to be affected by their partners' pain.

Kazuhiko thought for a moment.

Wait, Personas are basically a part of us right? Figments of our hidden selves. Loki was the one who touched that lady's junk, so in extension…

"Hey, Johei."

"Hm? What's u-"

*BAM*

"OW! What the hell was that for?!"

"That was for being a pervert on the inside. Loki's a pervert because of you."

The Personas were nearby and heard the comment.

"Excuse me, but did you just call me a pervert? I'll have you know that I am perfectly capable of keeping my own desires in check."

"So you didn't sexually harass that woman?" Tyr asked.

"No, I did do that. I regret nothing."

Kazuhiko sighed at his luck. Thankfully, Tyr was sophisticated enough to not try anything. Johei, on the other hand, was basically handed a death sentence.

"Loki, you gotta stop doing that. What happens if I die? Wouldn't you get affected?"

Loki thought for a moment, then replied.

"You know what? I think I did feel some of your pain, but it was a bit nulled. Probably a good idea not to do that again."

Johei, satisfied with Loki's answer, got up.

"Well, I'm outta here. I'll see you tomorrow, Kaz."

Johei walked out the door and bumped into Mikan.

"Oh, hey Mika-senpai. I need to go for now so-"

Mikan grabbed Johei's shoulder and dragged him back into the room. She looked furious at the two boys.

"Alright, you two are going to tell me what you've been up to!"

Kazuhiko and Johei exchanged looks and Johei casually replied.

"What do you mean Mika-senpai? We were just ha-"

Mikan threw Johei into the chair and blocked the exit.

"Don't give me that! Yesterday, you came back to your apartment beaten up! This morning, you were mumbling to people who didn't exist! Earlier, you two were in a weapons shop and a crazy women tased you both in the balls! Now I ask again; WHAT! ARE! YOU! UP TO?!"

The two shrank into their seats, hesitant to answer. Kazuhiko spoke up.

"Well, Mika-senpai… We're not sure if you would believe us… if we told you."

Mikan stared at them for what seemed like hours until she finally spoke.

"After… School… Mall… You show me what you've been doing… Got it?"

The two quickly nodded. With that, Mikan walked out leaving Kazuhiko and Johei alone with their Personas.

"Kazuhiko… you should mind what you say around her..."

Loki rolled his eyes.

"No shit, Sherlock. Then again, I do like women the same way Johei likes food: Hot with a little kick to them."

"Please don't do anything to her… I don't think my future children can take anymore beatings..."

So, this was just a comedy chapter. Next chapter will have Mikan in the Mirror Dimension! Still working on what her Persona should look like so hang in there. I'm also coming up with the "Teddie" of this fic, so please suggest anything if you think it's worthwhile.

A day in the life of Johei

Morning

"*yawn*, alright, time to get up! Wait, why is my stuff on the ceiling? Why are my sheets nailed to the floor? AHHH!"

*crash*

"LOKI!"

During a test

"What is the square root of-"

"THE STORY OF MY LIFE! I TAKE HER HOME!"

"Johei! Is that your phone?!"

"What! That's not my ringtone!"

"CHALK FURY ATTACK!"

*TONK*

At the mall

"Hm, maybe I should try this place out for lu-"

"AAAAAHHHH! You again! Didn't learn your lesson last time, did you?!"

"Wait! That wasn't me! I swear!"

*ZAP*

Elsewhere…

Tyr: "You have no shame whatsoever, do you?"

Loki: "I regret nothing!"