Chapter 34

Reminisce; The Great Panty Thief (yes, you heard me correctly)

(Afternoon)

June 2, 2021; Saturday

Nuzoko Elementary Ruins

"Wha… what happened?", Kazuhiko said, dumbfounded.

The school before him was nothing but broken down buildings and dust. Johei stepped forward held his head in his hands.

"I… I never remembered something like this happening... "

He tried to move closer but was stopped by a wire fence. There was a sign on the enclosure that read "As of May 30, 2011, Nuzoko Elementary is officially closed"

"Closed? That long ago? I would have remembered that", Johei said.

Kazuhiko looked around, then turned to Tyr.

"Do you see anyone around here?"

Tyr shook his head.

"There shouldn't be anyone around here. I believe it is safe."

Kazuhiko nodded and started to climb the fence. Mikan looked shocked and tried to get him down.

"What are you doing? You'll get caught!"

She was about to continue until Skadi rested her hand on her shoulder.

"There is nobody around to catch him. Besides, there could be some clue in the school."

Mikan looked skeptical, but stopped. Johei sighed and started to climb as well.

"Come on, guys. We could us the extra hand."

Everyone nodded and started to climb as well. They searched the school house and the grounds for a several minutes but came up with nothing. Afterwards, they met in a classroom.

"Are you sure there's a clue around here?", Iselin asked.

"Maybe Mijuku just wanted us to see what happened here?"

"I don't think that's likely, Hildr", Daichi said.

He was sitting on one of the desks with Hugin and Munin perched outside.

"Kazuhiko, can I see the photo?"

Kazuhiko passed the photo to Daichi who lamented over it and showed the image to everyone.

"Look at the angle of the photo. It shows the entire school yard, yet it shows part of the building."

He traced his finger over to the building where a part of the wall was visible.

"The photo wasn't about the building, rather, the focus was the school yard itself."

"So you're saying", Iselin started,

"That there was something to pay attention to in the yard?"

Daichi nodded.

"I sent Hugin and Munin to search around the yard for anything suspicious"

As soon as he said that, Hugin and Munin phased through the wall and landed on a desk.

"We found a few points of interest", Hugin said.

"Mostly that cave. Terribly dark."

"I was thinking the same thing", Daichi said.

The group walked outside and stopped at the opening of the cave. Kazuhiko shuddered as wind blew into the cavern, emitting an ominous sound.

"So, should we go in?", Johei asked.

"Actually, I think this is something Kazuhiko should do", Daichi said.

Johei raised an eyebrow

"Why? If this is some kinda clue, then we all have the right to s-"

"I know, I know", Daichi said

"But I get the feeling that this is something that might hit home."

Daichi looked at Kazuhiko and beckoned towards the cave entrance. Mikan then interjected.

"Wait, shouldn't we leave the decision up to him? I mean, if this is personal, he should have a say in whether he wants to share or not."

"It's fine, Mika-senpai. I'll tell you guys when I come back."

Nodding to Tyr, Kazuhiko walked inside.

Nuzoko Elementary, Cave

He had been walking for a little while until he reached the end wall.

"Well, this is it. See anything?"

Tyr looked around.

"Nothing of any significance… Wait, what about that?"

Kazuhiko turned to the wall and noticed there was some writing on it. He took out his phone and flashed the light on it.

"Kazuhiko Sukima, Johei Shiroka, and Yoshimitsu Nakagawa; Lords of all of Japan. Looks pretty old."

He took a picture of the faded message in the wall and walked back.

Later...

"You guys make anything about this?"

Kazuhiko showed everyone the photo, but only received a few shaking heads.

"Well, it looks like we've reached a dead end, for now", Daichi said with a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Everybody started to walk back to the city with a heavy feeling in their hearts.

"I guess we'll have to wait for more clues. Until then, what do we do?", Johei asked.

"Well, we could always do some more training in Niflheim", Yoichi offered.

Kazuhiko checked his phone and shook his head.

"We don't have anyone in trouble as of late. It would just be pointless to go in there."

Yoichi looked downcast at the refusal, but recovered and kept walking.

"Well, I for once want to enjoy my day off! Just hang with a couple of people", Iselin said.

"You could hang with me", Johei started.

Iselin shot him a look that wrote pure murder which made Johei recoil.

"Or maybe not."

Meanwhile, the Persona were behind the group having their own conversation.

"..."

"So, anything happen lately?"

"That is none of your concern."

"I think you are already aware of such happenings."

Loki sighed as Skadi and Hildr gave him the cold shoulder. He floated towards Tyr and started to talk.

"So, what's going on with Kaz?"

Tyr shrugged.

"He's just been studying with some friends; Nothing much."

"Oh come on! Nothing happened? Tell me!"

Tyr sighed and shook his head.

"I told you, nothing of any significance has happened."

Loki projected a GIF of "Bruh" before continuing.

"I need some drama in my life! At least tell me what Daichi thinks of lava girl over there!"

"Who?"

"Iselin. Who else here uses fire skills?"

Hildr suddenly slowed down and floated next to them.

"Wait, Daichi-kun was talking about Iselin-san? What did he say?"

Tyr tried to explain until the crows flew close in.

"Master Daichi spoke of Iselin-chan?", Munin cawed.

"Why were we not informed of this?", Hugin said angrily.

"For obvious reasons."

"Hold on, what's going on? Did Daichi say he liked Iselin?", Skadi said.

"Tell me! I must gain knowledge of this!", Mimir said as he zoomed by overhead.

Ty tried to push them all away, although he failed to do so.

"Daichi didn't say anything about liking Iselin!"

"What?"

Iselin turned towards Daichi with a look of sadness in her eyes.

"Is it because you already like someone else?"

"What? No! I-"

"Hold on, Daichi doesn't like Iselin? Does that mean that it's finally Shiroka time?!"

*POW*

"AGH! Dammit you amazon!"

*POW*

"There will never be a Shiroka time ever again!", Mikan said as she rubbed her knuckles.

Kazuhiko looked curious.

"Wait, what's Shiroka time?"

Mikan sent a death glare at Kazuhiko, who decided it best not to speak for fear of utter destruction.

June 3, 2021; Sunday

Kazuhiko's Room

(Morning)

"*sigh*, what to do today", Kazuhiko wondered.

Everybody seemed to be occupied for the day and Kazuhiko didn't really feel like studying. He was checking his phone for text messages when Tyr interrupted him.

"Kazuhiko, can you please do something about Clotho? She's being somewhat of a hindrance."

Kazuhiko raised an eyebrow.

"How? What is she doing?"

"Well... "

Inside Kazuhiko's Persona section of his mind…

"Let go of me!"

"But Masamune! Your time has come!"

"Let go of my life strings!"

Back in reality...

"Alright, at least I'll get some exercise."

Kazuhiko got up and unlocked his door.

Velvet Room

(Mid-day)

"Well then, now that the registration has been done, is there anything else that you wish to do?", Alexandria asked.

Kazuhiko scratched his chin upon remembering something.

"Actually, yes. I believe you said something about requests when we last spoke."

Alexandria nodded.

"Indeed I have. If you wish, I have a list of places that I wish to see."

Kazuhiko scanned the list with an inquisitive look.

"A burger joint? A water fountain? Are you sure this is something you want to see?"

Alexandria nodded once again.

"Yes. As under my master's rules, I cannot step foot out of this room without a guide."

"Most correct. I believe that you are the most reliable to escort my assistant outside", Igor said.

"Well, how about it?", Alexandria asked.

Kazuhiko shrugged.

"Might as well. I don't have anything else going on today."

"Very well then. I bid you both adieu."

Nuzoko Shopping Center; Cafe

Alexandria sipped a cup of tea, relishing the flavor.

"A most peculiar taste. Bitter but soothing. As if something had bit my tongue in exchange for a peace of mind."

Kazuhiko blurred out for several moments.

"Not… exactly what I would call it, but it makes sense."

Kazuhiko set his cup of coffee down and coughed for her attention.

"So, how's the outside world for you?"

Alexandria pondered on the subject for a little while before answering.

"It is a nice change of scenery from time to time, but overall, it's not exactly like what my sister told me about it."

Kazuhiko raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

"You have a sister?"

"Yes. She is one of my many siblings before I. I have three older siblings and one younger sibling. However, many of them have left the Velvet Room."

She sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"My master says that a time may come when I would wish to leave the Velvet Room, but I cannot see any reason why. I have sworn myself to his servitude and I cannot back out. Sometimes, I wonder why my siblings themselves have left."

Tyr mused over this before answering.

"Perhaps they were drawn towards the wonders of the outside world?"

Alexandria chuckled.

"Elizabeth seemed to be the most likely, but I cannot fathom why Margaret and Theodore left. Less even for Lavenza."

She sighed and looked around the mall.

"This place is rather fascinating, but I don't feel as if it is something that would motivate me to leave. Nonetheless, it seems that our time is finished."

Kazuhiko checked his watch and nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. Well let's get you back."

The two walked towards the Velvet Room door. Kazuhiko opened it for her as she stepped back into the Courtroom.

"Thank you, Kazuhiko. I hope I wasn't a burden to you today."

Kazuhiko shook his head.

"No worries. Also, I'd like to thank you as well."

Alexandria looked puzzled.

"Thank me? For what exactly?"

"For opening up to me. I never knew what was troubling you so much, but now I understand you a little more."

Alexandria stood silent for a few moments before replying.

"Understanding me… as if I was your friend?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"I see. Perhaps this was what Master Igor said about my eventual leave of the Velvet Room. Very well then."

Alexandria looked calm, but didn't move for many seconds.

"Um, Alexandria? Are you alri-"

*SHOOM*

Suddenly, she aimed the Persona Compendium at Kazuhiko's face, who recoiled quickly. Tyr, who wasn't directly involved, drew his head back as well.

"If you are to be the reason that I leave my home, then come at me with all of your might! I shall prove my master wrong and fulfill my duty as his assistant!"

Kazuhiko stared at her before nodding.

"Okay… I got it… you can put the book down now."

Alexandria put down the compendium before smiling.

"Until we meet again, my challenger."

Kazuhiko gave her a sideways smile before hearing a crack. A voice rang into his head as he saw a tarot card materialize before him.

I art thou, thou art I

Thou hast established a bond

It shall be the power of good fortune against the despair

I present to thee, the Fortune Arcana

A tarot card materialized in front of his eyes before disappearing.

"Hm, it appears the fates have agreed upon our match."

Kazuhiko blinked before realizing something.

"Wait, you can see this?", he asked.

Alexandria nodded. Kazuhiko scratched his head again before deciding to leave.

"Farewell my opponent. May we meet on the battlefield in the future."

June 4, 2021; Monday

Kyuto High; Physical Education Yard

(Morning)

"*yawn* remind me why we're out here in the morning?", Johei sleepily asked Kazuhiko.

Kazuhiko looked at the adrenaline filled P.E. teacher and shrugged.

"If I had to guess, I'd think someone forgot Tsuma-sensei only drinks decaf."

"You must run as if your legs are on fire!"

Johei cringed as he lectured the students in the front rows and continued talking to Kazuhiko.

"I didn't think that would make such a big difference. Honestly, he looks like he could go at Mach 20!"

"Thusly, my bright pupils!"

Mr. Tsuma started at the bottom of the stairs in a stretching position. Then, in less than a second, he was at the top of five flights of stairs.

"And my point is made. Seriously, what was in that coffee?"

"Well, let's just say that energy drinks do wonders", Loki said.

Tyr raised an eyebrow.

"That was all because of a sugary drink?"

Loki nodded.

"Yup, two whole drops."

"I can't believe this."

The entire class kept watching Mr. Tsuma go up and down the stairs, waiting for the effects of a measly dash of Monster to wear off.

"Psst! Hey, Johei! ¥1000 says he won't make it past 20 rounds!", Iselin said.

Johei smiled.

"You're on! He'll make it to 100 easy."

Iselin grinned slyly and took a few marbles out of her pocket. She rolled them to the bottom of the staircase before Mr. Tsuma came back down.

"And a few more should- AH!"

The teacher slipped on the marbles and fell on the ground. Johei unhappily forked over a few bills.

"Ow! I'm alright! Although I should take a quick rest for now. Anyways, name a muscle that I just used in this exercise. Kazuhiko?"

"The Gluteus Maximus."

You gave the answer you thought was correct…

"What? Did you say something?"

Tyr shook his head.

"Correct as always!"

Your knowledge has increased to scholarly!

Kazuhiko cast a glance around him again before shaking his head.

"I need to get this checked out."

Ah, well then, since I did all that work, I guess you all should do it for the remainder of this class."

Girls' Locker Room

"Jeez, of course Johei had to ruin it all!", Mikan said as she took off her P.E. jacket.

The girls were all sweaty from their run during class and were changing out of their clothes.

"And this early too! I don't believe a single word he said; Monster cannot do that much to a person!"

Nanako looked skeptical on that matter.

"I don't know about energy drinks, but I can tell that given the atmosphere, soda can make someone feel drunk."

The girls looked at Nanako with a questioned look. Nanako just shrugged.

"My big bro's friends are kinda strange."

"Wait, you have a big brother? I've never heard that", Iselin said.

Nanako chuckled.

"He's not actually my brother, more of my cousin. But he was a big brother figure to me when I was younger."

"He's overseas right now doing some work, but I get a call from him every now and then."

Mikan, who still had questions, moved closer to Nanako's locker.

"Well, what does he look like?"

Nanako pulled her phone from her pocket and swiped around.

"Hm, it's somewhere around here… ah, here it is!"

She showed everyone a picture of Yu with his friends and herself.

"Um, he looks kinda scary... ", Iselin said as she backed away.

"What? Oh, it's the other silver haired guy."

Mikan looked at the man in the picture and gawked.

"Wow… I don't mean to embarrass you or anything… but he's really hot."

Nanako blushed a little and put her phone away.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself sempai. He's 26 and already has a girlfriend."

Mikan looked a bit disappointed, but recovered quickly.

"Well, I'm gonna go take a shower. I don't want to smell like crap when I go back to homeroom. Anyone wanna come with?"

Iselin and Nanako both nodded and they all went to the shower rooms together.

They all were in their separate shower stalls

While I was slowly walking towards them with a camera…

*SLAP*

never mind

Until…

"Fuhuhuhu… ripe for the taking... "

A few minutes later…

"Jesus, what's taking those girls so long?", Johei asked Kazuhiko.

Daichi crossed his arms.

"For all I know, they could be powdering their noses."

"Are you sure you told them we would meet up here?", Yoichi asked.

"I can guarantee that information, Yoichi-san. Would you like to hear my pre-recorded evidence?"

"You can do that?"

"Dude, the guy can see your dreams when you don't even know what it is. You're surprised about this?", Loki asked.

"I am quite worried about them now. Maybe something happened?"

"I should go check. Excuse me- GACK!"

"You're not going anywhere, Johei. Hm?"

Kazuhiko saw a pink-haired girl walk out of the locker rooms. He waved to her to talk.

"Excuse me, did you happen to see Mika-senpai, Iselin-san or Nanako-chan inside there?"

The girls raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't think so, but I did hear someone in the shower stalls."

Johei's eyes sprang from his head.

"Did you just say… the shower stalls?"

"I'm on it! -GACK!"

"Like user, like Persona", Tyr said with a sigh.

"I'll keep Johei and Loki here. Mimir, you go take a look inside."

"Yes, Kazuhiko-senpai."

Mimir faded into the wall while Loki protested.

"What?! You let him in but not me?!"

Kazuhiko pinched the bridge of his nose as he gathered his thoughts.

"Give me one good reason why I should let you in there."

"I can fend off attackers unlike the limbless wonder over there."

"... Good point, but I'm still not letting you in."

The pink-haired girl looked at them with a strange look.

"Are you guys okay?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah, don't worry, we're fine. Sorry for bothering you."

Meanwhile…

"That's strange. I swore I could have left them here."

"What's up, Mika-senpai?"

"I can't find them anywhere."

"Find what?"

"Hey! Mine are gone too!"

"Seriously?"

"Skadi", Mikan whispered.

"Did you see anything?"

Skadi shook her head.

"I'm afraid not. What's missing?"

"Honestly, what kind of person would take our pa-", Mikan started.

She paused for a moment before the information sank in.

"Thank goodness I've got extras. Anyways, what were you saying?", Iselin said.

"I'm gonna murder him."

Nanako backed away as Mikan seemed to give off an ice cold aura.

"Senpai, calm down. Who are you talking about anyways?"

"The only egg-headed pervert in this school that knows us personally."

Outside...

"Okay, if they were taking a shower, I would have understood if the showed up five minutes late. Now, it's just weird. Where's Mimir anyways?"

"*mumble* *grumble* lucky bastard", Loki said under his breath.

"I bet he's taking in the view right about now."

Yoichi scowled at Loki.

"Hey, I'm not perverted like you are."

"Yeah, but what about Mika-senpai? I bet you've been waiting for a moment like this."

Yoichi shook his head but said nothing.

"Alright, I've had enough. I don't care if I'm killed in the process, but I want to know what's taking them so long."

Johei walked towards the doors before seeing them open up.

"Oh, here they are. What took you so lo-"

*POW*

"OW! JESUS WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!"

*BIFF*

*BAM*

*PAH*

The boys looked at each other, considering their next choices.

"Should we help him out?", Yoichi said.

"Probably, but I don't want to get into that mess. Mimir, what are the odds of Johei getting out alive?"

"Well, considering the girls thought he stole their… briefs… let's say it's very low."

Daichi sighed and walked over to the girls.

"Hey, come on. What did he do this time?"

Mikan looked up with a face that made even Daichi want to back away.

"Whatever we do to him, he deserves it."

Nanako followed the girls behind and sighed.

"They think he stole their panties."

Kazuhiko raised an eyebrow.

"That can't be right; He was here with us the whole time."

Now Mikan and Iselin stopped beating up Johei.

"Wait, what?"

Kazuhiko explained the situation to the girls and they eventually calmed down.

"Huh, so it wasn't Johei or Loki at that matter", Mikan said.

"Finally! She understands!", Johei said after catching his breath.

"Seriously, I'm gonna have to find a way to get you two to repay me somehow."

"I can repay you with my fist in your face."

"That's just cold. Am I right Loki?", Johei said.

"Loki? Loki? Where are you dude?"

Elsewhere…

"AH! Goddamnit stop! It wasn't me! IT WASN'T ME!"

Back at the locker rooms…

"You know what, I think he'll be fine."

"But if it wasn't you, then who was it?", Iselin asked.

"You didn't see any other guy come by here, did you?", Nanako questioned.

Kazuhiko shook his head.

"You girls took a long time in there. I don't think anybody would have stayed here that long except for us."

"What about that pink-haired girl?", Hugin crowed.

"What's your reasoning behind that?", Daichi asked.

"It's always the last person you suspect", Munin cawed.

Daichi face-palmed himself.

"You can't just base that reasoning on something like this! Besides, if you really think it's the last person we suspect, don't you think some guy writing fanfiction on the other side of the world is the last person we suspect?"

Somewhere in the U.S. …

"Achoo!"

"Hey, are you alright, man?"

"Yeah, I think someone's talking about me."

"You actually believe that crap?"

"Hey, you never know."

Back in Japan...

"Seriously, I can't believe you guys are this stupid."

"Hm… maybe... ", Kazuhiko said as he scratched his chin.

Daichi looked at Kazuhiko with a look of disbelief.

"Senpai, please don't tell me you're serious."

"Well, they might be right", Tyr said.

"After all, she was the last one we saw that came out of the locker room... "

"Hey guys, come on! We're gonna be late to class!", Yoichi said as he dashed to the school building.

Everybody agreed and made a mad dash for their classes.

Elsewhere… again…

"Mwehehe. That was too easy!", someone said as they hid behind the building.

The person opened their duffel bag to show two pairs of unmentionables.

"Although that last guy was kind of onto me… gotta be more careful in the future."

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Eek!"

The persona turned around to see Mr. Tsuma pointing at them.

"Shouldn't you be heading to class?"

The person bowed.

"I'm sorry sir! It's just that I had to carry a lot of stuff with me!"

Mr. Tsuma sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"Well, just get to class on time, Ikebukoro-san!"

"Yes sir!"

The person ran towards the school building as fast as they could. Mr. Tsuma sighed once again as he walked back to his office.

"Darn pinkettes."

Aaaaaaaaand we are back! In all honesty, I didn't think I would upload on time again. See, I just got outta school and into summer break, and I was thinking of unwinding a little before getting back on this. Anyways, we have some new members here! And this time, we've got a crap ton of them! We've got Galileo Figaro, BladeofDreams, maxfz19, Ford1114, shadowmwape, and Hatsune 01. If I missed you, please let me know; I don't want to leave you out. Anyways, we finally have someone that's more perverted than Johei! And it's a girl! Oh, I have so waited for this chapter to come out for a long time. Also, thanks to RosyMiranto and Adtauthor, I now have a TVTropes page! Please, check that out when you have the time. This was all their work, and none of mine. Give all of these people a big round of applause. Anyways, here's a little treat for all of you good boys and girls.

(cue Avengers theme)

There was an idea…

(Flash to Kazuhiko and Tyr looking at the sunset)

To bring an extraordinary group of people together...

(Johei grabbing to Suzuki when she fell, then Suzuki giving him a smile)

Johei: There were people I couldn't save that day… They still haunt me…

(Mikan holding the dead body of her brother, crying)

Mikan: Others sacrificed themselves for me… And I couldn't do anything...

(Iselin and Rika smiling at each other, then the scene changed to a picture of Rika smiling on her grave)

Iselin: I don't want people to suffer like she did… not again…

(Intense close-up of Yoichi doing push-ups)

Yoichi: I want to get stronger… I have to get stronger!

(Daichi writhing in pain, then seeing the vision of him and his mother)

Daichi: He's coming...

(Scene changes to Shiroe and the Harbingers)

Shiroe: I never felt the need to smile… but this… this makes me feel happy…

(Scene shifts to the safe room with Daichi walking around the table)

Daichi: I want you all to keep these places defended… And get this man a sword!

(Scene changes to Kazuhiko and Shiroe in a blade lock)

Shiroe: Everything you care for… All shall turn to dust

Kazuhiko: Noooo!

(Changes to a badass title screen)

PERSONA: ONE LAST PROMISE

Back in reality…

"Hagh!"

"Kazuhiko? Is something wrong?"

"Yeah… I just had the strangest dream... "