Chapter 25

A Date to Remember

May 4, 2021; Tuesday

(Morning)

8:22 AM

Wilton Hotel; Boys Room

"Ah, vacation's almost over." Johei groaned as he packed his clothes into his suitcase.

Today was to be the last day they could stay in the hotel so all the students were expected to pack up early and be ready to leave the next morning. Kazuhiko was setting an alarm when Johei started to mope.

"It's no use being sad about it, Johei. That's not gonna change anything."

Johei hid his face into a pillow.

"Yeah, but I can't help but think about it. It just makes me sad that way."

Daichi marched up and snatched the pillow off of Johei's face and smacked it onto his stomach.

"Oof!"

"Then do something while we still have time. Besides, girls don't find that very attractive."

Loki popped out of the wall and nodded.

"And believe me, you need all the luck you can get right now."

Johei sighed and sat up.

"Alright, alright. But what should we do today? I mean, we've been pretty good at planning things that we've already done everything on our list. We're done packing for tomorrow, so what else can we do?"

Just when Johei said that, Kazuhiko's phone rang.

"Hold that thought. Hello?"

"Hey, you got a minute?" A voice said on the other side.

Kazuhiko raised his eyebrow.

"Um, yeah, I do. Anything you need, Kurusu-san?"

He heard chuckling on the other side.

"You don't have to call me that, you know? Look, just meet me at Leblanc later today. I've got something that should help you out. Plus, this is something to keep between us wildcards, so just you, alright?"

After hanging up, Kazuhiko faced everyone else.

"Well, I need to go somewhere right now so you guys talk with the girls and figure out something."

The other boys nodded and went their separate ways.

Leblanc Café

12:30 PM

Kazuhiko waited on a bar chair for Akira to show up. He was sipping a cup of coffee and chatting with Sojiro, who happened to be the only one there at the time.

"After all these years, I still can't understand what that cat is saying." Sojiro told him.

"Just makes me suspicious whenever he's meowing at me in the room."

He heard the door open and turned to see Akira with a bag over his shoulder.

"Ah, you're back. Well, Golden week's almost over so you should pack up whenever you've got time."

Akira nodded.

"Don't worry, Boss. I'll do that when I come back. First things first, though. I need a quick chat with our new wild card."

Kazuhiko payed Sojiro for the coffee and got off his stool. Akira tilted his head towards the door and walked out.

"So, I assume you know what the Velvet room is." He said to Kazuhiko.

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah, I can buy and fuse Personas there. What about it?"

Akira walked into an alleyway and checked behind him.

"Well, the Velvet Room changes for each guest. Today, we're going into my version."

He stopped and opened a cage door, motioning Kazuhiko to walk through.

"Well, you'll see what mine is in a second."

After some slight hesitation, Kazuhiko walked through the cell door. What he saw was an inmate's cell with the door opened.

"Whoa, so your version is a prison?"

Akira chuckled.

"Yeah. Kinda suiting for the leader of the Phantom Thieves. I was told that I was a 'prisoner of Fate'."

In the middle of the room was a desk and an old man with a long nose.

"Ah, welcome back Master Kurusu, Master Sukima." Igor said with his pleasant voice.

Kazuhiko did a quick search around the prison and looked at Igor.

"Say, where's Alexandria?"

Igor chuckled.

"Don't worry. I left her back at your Velvet Room. This place only is Lavenza's territory, so I cannot allow her here."

Akira stepped forward.

"We're here for that traditional thing."

Igor chuckled once more and nodded.

"Ah, indeed you are. Very well then, if I may have both of your hands please."

The two Wildcards stuck out their hands to Igor and felt a slight tingling sensation. A tarot card sprouted from Akira's hand and landed into Kazuhiko's. After a few seconds, it flashed and disappeared. Dumbfounded, Kazuhiko looked at his palm.

"What… was that?"

Akira rubbed his wrist.

"Just handing off the burden. You see, we Wildcards can fuse a number of Personas, but there is always one Persona that triumphs over all others."

Igor nodded.

"The World Arcana. The greatest feat that a Persona User can accomplish."

Akira looked at Igor quizzically.

"What do you mean? The Universe is the greate-"

Igor quickly cut him off.

"I do not wish to grant anyone that power anymore. True, the Universe arcana is the most powerful, but it comes with a great price."

Akira closed his mouth.

"I will tell young Master Kazuhiko here in all due time. Now, however, it would be best if he didn't know of it at all."

Akira stayed silent for a few seconds then nodded.

"Alright. Well, that's all there is to it. Let's go."

Kazuhiko, who had been confused the entire time, simply nodded and followed Akira to the exit.

What does he mean by the Universe arcana?

Kazuhiko shook off the questions he had in his head and walked through the frame of the exit.

(Afternoon)

4: 31 PM

Wilton Hotel; Boys Room

"Hey, maybe we could ask the girls out on a date for dinner!" Johei suddenly said.

Daichi looked up from his phone.

"You do realize that we have a restaurant that serves free food for us at meals, right?"

Johei shook his head.

"No, I mean like at a different restaurant! We could ask them out and we'd go at different times! We could even go take the skyline before the date!"

Daichi looked back at his phone.

"Forget it, Johei, we've still got a curfew. And on top of that, do you really think any of them would go out with us?"

Hugin and Munin flew in through the window.

"Master Daichi, if my brother and myself may say so boldly"

"We think that the girls would be willing to go with you!"

Daichi sighed and sat up.

"That, and I'm not really in the mood for a date. Besides, you have the problem of any of the girls going with you."

Johei immediately looked crushed.

"Oh… yeah… right…"

Loki popped his head through the window.

"Man, was that an awesome prank spree we went on today, boys!"

Johei stared at Loki with a confused look.

"Um, what have you been doing all day?"

Flashback

"Alright, goodbye Honey!"

"Have a good day at work!"

"… Hey, why'd this just lock?"

Somewhere else

"Oh, hey! A yen bill!"

(grabs for the bill but is suddenly pulled away)

"Wh-Hey! Get back here!"

Somewhere else

"Alright! Nice job! Very funny! Where's the camera?"

Flashback End

"Nnnnnnnnnnothingggggggg" Loki said while avoiding eye contact.

Johei sighed.

"Well, I really don't care anyways. It doesn't help my problem in the least."

Loki floated next to Johei with a curious face.

"Ooh, is there something wrong? What happened?"

Daichi didn't look up from his phone.

"He wanted to ask the girls out on a date. He can't, though, because of tose pictures he took at the beach."

Loki scratched his (chin?) and showed a picture of Sherlock Holmes smoking a pipe.

"Aha! Round of applause please, 'cause I've got an idea!" Loki suddenly said.

Johei rolled his eyes.

"Please, spare us the torture."

Loki tisked Johei and sat next to him.

"Don't worry, it's absolutely fool-proof! About those pictures, I actually still have a picture of Mikan with some of her swimsuit off!"

Johei quickly put a chair behind the door.

"Shh! Shut up! Do you want us to get killed?!"

Loki ignored him and continued.

"In addition to my abilities of processing images, I can also post this. I'll only delete it if some demands are made."

Johei's gears began grinding, until finally, he got the point.

"Loki… you're an absolute genius!"

Loki shook his head pompously.

"No, there really is no need to thank me."

Daichi sighed and got up.

"Well, good luck with that, then. But there's no way you're getting me in on this."

He was about to open the door when he was suddenly blocked by Johei.

"Oho no! There is no way you're walking out on me like this, dude!"

Daichi rolled his eyes and tried to get past Johei.

"Just hold on! How about a bet? If you get a kiss from your date, you'll get something nice!"

Daichi successfully wrestled Johei out of the way and opened the door.

"Are you serious right now? There's no way I would do something like that. Besides, blackmailing Mika-senpai into going into a date? Is chivalry dead to you?"

As Daichi walked out, he was blocked off by Loki.

"Okay my fine feathered friend. If you're going to be all chivalrous, what say to this?"

"Why are you still calling me tha…"

On Loki's monitor screen was a picture of Iselin in the women's changing room… needless to say, without the top of her bikini.

"Oh, I wonder what would happen if this was posted on social media under an obvious account name, say, Daichi Amasawa."

Daichi hung his head.

"I really hate you guys…"

The door opened and Kazuhiko walked in.

"Hey guys. What's up?"

Johei quickly pounced on Kazuhiko holding him in a choke hold.

"Hey, old buddy, old pal! What say to you for a date with Nanako?"

Kazuhiko was on the ground trying to break out of the hold.

"Ack! Alright! I give! Uncle!"

Later…

"So, we're all on a bet?" Kazuhiko asked.

Johei nodded.

"Yup! First to get their first kiss from the girl will come up with a penalty for the rest to do."

Kazuhiko scratched his chin.

"Ah, then in that case, I've already won."

Johei gawked at him.

"H-how?!"

Kazuhiko waved his hand.

"Gotcha!"

Johei sighed.

"Dude, don't scare me like that. Anyways, let's all come up with some penalties."

After a few minutes, the boys came together to discuss their ideas of punishments.

"So I was thinking that the losers have to run through the halls with nothing but their boxers on!" Johei said.

Daichi shook his head.

"Are you kidding me? What are you, four? You had to have come up with something other than that."

Johei put the paper into the cup and shuffled them all around.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Besides, if I lose, I don't have to do something so serious. What did you guys put in their anyways?"

The other two were reluctant to say.

"Well, you'll see if it gets picked." Daichi said.

Kazuhiko nodded in silence.

Johei picked out a folded slip of paper and put it on the table.

"Alright, so this will be it. I have no idea what it is, so it isn't biased. Now, let's all swear that if we lose, we will all do this no matter what."

Daichi and Kazuhiko both said their oaths as well as Johei. When they were done, Johei grabbed for the paper.

"So, here it is. The moment of truth. What punishment will it be this time?"

"Hold on." Daichi said.

Johei looked towards him.

"What if nobody is able to do it?"

Johei scratched his chin and shrugged.

"Well then, we'll all have to do it. We didn't complete the challenge so it's just right that we all have to do it."

Johei opened it and read it while Kazuhiko thought to himself.

Well, it's not like mine was going to be picked anyways. Either way, those two will probably be suffering from their own punishments.

Johei read the paper and gawked.

"D-Daichi! Why would you make us do something so horrendous?!"

Daichi laughed.

"Well, this is my revenge for you blackmailing me into doing this. It's only fair."

Daichi took the paper from Johei and his eyes grew as wide as dinner plates.

"W-w-what?!"

Now, Kazuhiko became worried.

"What is it?"

Daichi handed the piece of paper to Kazuhiko.

"T-this is… ten times worse than mine!"

Kazuhiko read the paper and gasped.

On the paper read: The losers will have to walk into the girls hot spring area while Mikan, Iselin, and Nanako are in it… or die trying

Tyr snuck a peek at the paper and seemed equally surprised.

"K-Kazuhiko… I hope you have a plan to get the job done…"

Loki was too busy laughing his head off.

"Oh… oh my god! That is hilarious! Don't worry. I'm here to make sure you guys don't back out!"

Johei turned to Loki with an angry face.

"Loki! You traitor!"

Daichi started to walk out of the room.

"Well, what are we waiting for? We made an oath. Now let's fulfill it before there's no more time left!"

In the lobby…

6:43 PM

Kazuhiko's POV

"So, what's with this so suddenly?" Nanako asked.

Kazuhiko began to sweat uncontrollably.

"Um, it's nothing! Really! Just figured that this is our last day here, we could have some time together?"

Nanako narrowed her eyes.

Kazuhiko thought in his mind, Crap, she's not buying it.

"Okay."

Kazuhiko opened his eyes. Nanako was smiling widely.

"Well, let's get going! No time to wait bestie!"

Daichi's POV

"Oh, really? I was just planning on going there!" Iselin said.

Daichi wiped the sweat off his brow.

Great He thought At least I'll be fine.

"I was actually thinking of making a painting there, maybe get some inspiration!"

Johei's POV

"Hey Mika-senpai!"

Skadi was already on full alert and prepared for defense mode.

"Halt, Intruder! State your business!"

Johei raised his hands in alarm.

"I-I was just wondering if you wanted to go somewhere on our last day?"

Mikan sighed and rolled her eyes.

"After you and Loki were acting like complete perverts? I'd rather not."

Then, Loki stepped in.

"So, you see here? I have some fine pictures of you. I'll only delete them if you go on a date with Johei here."

Skadi drew her bow while Loki quickly recovered.

"A-and if you hurt me at all, I'll post it all over Tokyo!"

Daichi's POV

The two of them were at the park near the lake. Iselin's eyes were already sparkling.

"Wow! No wonder Yusuke-senpai recommended this place!"

Daichi smiled to himself.

Perfect! This really sets the romantic mood. Now, to set the stage…

"Yes… I finally have my idea… Daichi, get in the boat!"

"D-huh?"

Iselin pointed towards a nearby rowboat at the dock.

"I just came up with a brilliant idea! Row the boat so you're in the middle of the lake and reach towards the sky with one arm! What a masterpiece, I shall call it: 'Eternal Isolation'!"

Daichi sweat-dropped.

Could have named it something better…

Johei's POV

The two of them were on the skyline, overlooking the city below them. Johei took in the view.

"Wow, it really is a great view down there, isn't it?"

Mikan grumbled.

Now, the only thing that would make this romantic was if I didn't blackmail her, Johei thought to himself

"So… read any good books lately?" Loki said as he jumped to the window.

"I swear if you are doing this so-called 'hitting on' to me, I will break every bone in your body." Skadi said.

And if you two weren't here!

Mikan shook her head.

"So, how much longer for this date?"

Not seeing any other choice, Johei scooted closer to her.

"Well…"

"Aha! I see what you're doing there!" Skadi yelled and drew her bow.

Johei jumped back.

"W-what?"

"I should have established some ground rules on this date. Anything beyond the first base is prohibited!"

Johei sweat-dropped.

I'm dead…

Kazuhiko's POV

Kazuhiko ordered 2 cups of coffee from the café. Sojiro chuckled.

"And you came back with a girl, huh? Well then, I'll let you have the place to yourself."

Akira walked out with Morgana and flashed him a smile. Soon, an awkward silence filled the air.

"S-so! This is a pretty nice place, huh?" Nanako said.

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah, I actually found it out earlier this week. The owner and I know each other well enough that he treats me like his son."

Nanako smiled.

"Well, he seems pretty nice… leaving for us to be alone and all…"

The silence returned and Kazuhiko decided that he had to make his move.

"So, Nanako… how much longer until you'll be able to go to school in Nuzoko?"

Nanako thought for a moment.

"Um, maybe a week after break's over. Don't worry, I'll definitely catch up with you in academics!"

Kazuhiko smiled.

"Oh really? But what about last years finals?"

Nanako blushed furiously.

"Don't you dare say anything about that!"

Nanako quickly trapped Kazuhiko in his both and pinched his cheeks.

"Ow! Okay, I'll stop teasing you!"

Nanako, who was now satisfied, let go of his cheeks and smiled triumphantly. Then, they realized how close they were…

"U… um…" Nanako said as she looked down at the table while blushing.

Now's my chance! Kazuhiko thought.

He looked into Nanako's eyes.

She looked into his.

Their faces came closer until…

Nanako quickly pulled away.

"S-sorry. It's just… I made a promise to you that I would give you a year to figure out who you would be with."

Kazuhiko's reality cracked and broke.

"So, let's stay friends until then, okay bestie?"

9:32 PM

(Evening)

Wilton Hotel;Boys Room

The three boys stayed silent for a very long time until Johei spoke.

"So, anything?"

Everyone else shook their heads.

"How come?"

"Friend-zoned." Kazuhiko said.

"She wanted to paint me for her art." Daichi said.

"Skadi."

Everyone heaved out a heavy sigh. Johei stood up.

"The girls and their Personas are out in the hot-springs right now, even Skadi. We can get in and get out quickly. Hopefully, they won't hurt us too bad."

The boys looked at one another and braced themselves. They went over to the hot-springs and stood right in front of the door to the girls division in their towels. Johei had his hand on the door and looked back at the other two.

"Ready?"

Kazuhiko and Daichi nodded.

Johei reluctantly slid the door open and ran in.

"What?!"

"Hey! Get out!"

"Aah!"

"You assholes!"

The boys quickly jumped into the water and made their way to the door on the opposite side.

"Alright, once we're there, we're safe!" Johei said to them.

They swam as fast as they could and reached for the door until they were stopped by a large figure.

"I have been waiting a long time for this, Johei." Skadi said as she drew her bow.

All three boys gulped.

"Mika-senpai, now!" Iselin yelled.

"Execute them!" Nanako exclaimed.

Mikan looked as if she was on the warpath and something formed on her wirsts.

"Mabufula!"

So, hey guys! How are you all doing? Sorry for the late post, I need to study for midterms right now, so I won't post until winter break comes here. Anyways, I'd like to introduce some new followers to this story: ShiranaiAtsune and Komaeda Yuujin! You guys are the best! Thank you so much! Be sure to review if you can. Now, I made this for fun because I'm still planning on the layout of this story. I have a basic idea of the end, but I want to tie all the characters around this and how they all end the true boss. I won't put any spoilers in here, rest assured. As for Mikan being able to use Skadi in the real world, do't ask. If you're so puzzled, wonder how Mitsuru was able o "execute" you in Persona 3 if you were caught. Anyways, I will see you all in a few! Bye!