"It's a secret between us. Only we understand what it means to be chosen."
The last bell of school has rung, everyone is rushing to go home. Akira is idly packing his stuff into his bag, carefully not to hit Morgana inside. Then, he is shocked by Ann's slam on his desk. He jumped a bit on his seat before asking her what was wrong.
"It's summer! Let's go to the festival together!" She said ecstatically.
"It's a good moment of relaxation after our fight. I'll be able to experience a festival myself," Yusuke exclaimed as he approached them.
Ryuji joined the conversation, "It's nice to let off once in a while. Let's go together, all of us!"
Akira smiles at the thought of having everyone hanging out together during the festival, it will be merriful. This can help him tighten his bond with his friends. He nods in agreement to their invitation and the sound of excitement can be heard clearly across the classroom. Even Morgana who is poking his head out of the bag in curiosity, cheers along not knowing why. They get up and leave the school in a group. As they walk, Akira sees Yu who is walking with a familiar figure. It is Yuuki Mishima he is talking to, a classmate of his. They seem to be having a pleasant talk among themselves. He can see that they are laughing too. This grows an uneasy feeling, more like a fire started to lit up slowly inside his heart. Is he angry because that guy tries to steal his friend? Or is it because he will not lay off from getting everyone involve? Since he knows little of him, he cannot intervene. Akira decides to let that feeling slide off as he walks home to Le Blanc.
"Huh? Information about Yu Narukami?" Makoto inquired in a confusing tone.
The curly haired boy has requested her on digging information about this guy the next day. He knows how influential the student council is, and he is glad that he befriends the president. He insists on her to tell him anything regarding the mentioned name. Makoto crosses her arm, thinking on the right decision. The boy reminds her that she is a phantom thief and she has used her power to help in their mission before, it will not be much difference this time. The girl contemplates for a while before giving him an answer.
"Fine. But if you get in trouble, I won't be responsible for it. You shouldn't get innocent people involve." She said, going through a file on a shelf there.
It seems the file keeps the record of students in the school. Akira can see how thick it is. He wonders on how Makoto able to hold it in one arm, her strength is remarkable. Not only does she has physical strength, she is mentally strong too. After a few seconds of silence, she turns to him and hands out the file. The boy takes it. He looks at the paper filled with Yu's personal information. It surprises the boy called Joker that Yu is taller than him. He never notices the height difference since he is busy avoiding gaze from him. He grieves by himself for a while until Makoto admonishes him.
"Why do you want to know about him that badly? Do you have something with him?" She questioned in worry.
Akira is reluctant to tell the truth, but somehow it slips through his mouth. He ends up telling her everything. He does not know what it means but having this thing off his chest, confiding to someone makes his spirit elevated. In return, he receives quite a reaction from her. She covers her mouth in shock of the information she just retrieved.
"So, the one we saw in the Mementos was him? He can wield Persona? But still, why did he threaten you?" Makoto exclaimed her thoughts, crossing her arms again to think.
Akira lifts both his shoulders, indicating that he does not have a clue either. He informs her not to worry from here on, this is all on him. The boy also tells her to keep it a secret from everyone, it will be troublesome if they all know. He already has plan on what he needs to do. He will make that guy shuts his mouth once and for all. He excuses himself and leave the room, hiding a smirk from being seen by the president of the student council.
Weeks passed since that day, the summer festival is here. The group seems to enjoy themselves a lot. Akira is happy to see them having fun. While they are walking along the street, seeing how Ann and Ryuji have their usual quarrel, something caught the boy's eyes. He sees the grey haired person among the busy crowd. That guy does not seem to be alone, this pique his interest. He excuses himself from his group of mischief to investigate further. He follows him in an appropriate distance not to show himself. Someone is beside him but, she is wearing a very flashy colour of clothes. The pink dress aligned with her blonde hair, which obviously a wig, hiding under the yellow straw hat shows that it is a girl. Having such combination, she is sure to attract attention he thought. He starts to question her get up. If she is really on a date, would girls really wear something like that? Perhaps she is just a friend, his mind thought.
Akira follows their step carefully, he does not want to be seen by him. Getting threaten again by his glare is the last thing he wants to happen today. He can tell that they are having a joyful conversation, he can see the girl laughs and smiles under his care. Why cannot he be treated that way, he contemplates. Why do he act so different all the time? The phantom thief decides to show himself out of the blue. He is mad, he is furious. He feels unfair by this situation. Yu and the girl turn to him when Akira admonishes them from behind. Even though he puts on a steady, poker face, the curly haired boy can tell he is shocked. Without knowing what happened between them, the girl is excited to see him. She must have thought he is Yu's friend, the boy wondered.
"Senpai! Is this your friend? He looks so beautiful! I guess Yosuke has lost his spot beside you, huh?" Rise exclaimed.
It is a bit disappointing that he is labeled as beautiful. He is dashing at best. He can see the grey haired boy trying to hide his laughter, this makes his raging fire going mad. Rise continues her talk despite not introducing themselves to one another.
"How is senpai doing at school? He must be quite popular, right? I'm so jealous that I can't see him everyday!" She said happily.
Yu interrupted, "I'm not that known in the new school, there's even a junior who doesn't know me."
Akira can sense the sarcasm in his tone when he is being mentioned indirectly. He is enraged when seeing Yu smiles to him as always, acting like he is innocent. He decides to ruin his date as payback for what he have done. Before he can say anything in return, Rise cut him off.
"Oh, I know! Let's get to know each other! I want to hear what Yu has done at his new school! I want to make sure he isn't cheating on me!" Rise said excitedly.
Akira is surprised to hear that coming from her. He inquires if he would disturb their date, a cover up to his real intention. Rise is embarassed by his question, she tries to avoid answering it as she covers her red face. He can hear the stuttering in her voice. The boy predicts that she must have liked this person, but what is there to like other than his face? Yu calms her down. He turns to Akira and invites him as well. It is as if reality has crumbled down to pieces, is this guy for real? The boy dubbed Joker cannot believe his ear that this guy would invite him on his date. Does he look desperate for a friend? Does he do this to mess him up even more? Even so, this gives an opportunity for him to learn more about the real Yu Narukami that he never see. He accepts their invitation as smiles carved on his face. After Rise's cheer of excitement, they go off to a more suitable place for a hangout. After a distance of endless walk, they finally settle down at a ramen shop in an alleyway. They place their order before engaging into another talk.
"So, let's start with our name! I'm Rise Kujikawa. I'm Yu's friend," she said, finally calming down. "What year are you?"
Akira plays his part by introducing himself to the girl. He teased Rise again about her being his girlfriend. As expected, she acts shy about it and brushes it off. Even so, Yu acts calm about it. His emotion is hard to read since he always put on the fake smile that the phantom thief has seen often. He does not utter a single word regarding it either. Does he not hate being labelled? Does he not feel the slightest embarrassment from that statement? Akira is annoyed by his calm nature that he vows to bring chaos to it. He elongated the jeers, hoping that the grey haired boy will eventual break down. Unfortunately, it affected Rise most. Joker's goal has failed to be fulfilled. However, she states something that is illogical to the third wheel of the two.
"We're just hanging out right now. I am reminiscing our fight together. I'll act lovey dovey with him some other times. He's always here to visit, right?" Rise let out a smile, "Right now, I'm filled with nostalgia!" She sighed, seemingly happy.
She even remarks herself as fighting comrades in the past with him. This pique the curly haired boy's interest, they must have fought shadows just like them. After a few more talks and chit-chats, Rise's phone rings. She looks nervous and rushing in Akira's eyes, he decides to keep silent to observe her on what she is. The girl kisses Yu on the cheek after giving apologies and excuses. This gives goosebumps to the boy dubbed Joker, he feels irritated seeing him being loved somehow. Rise goes out of the restaurant and disappears from sight. Things have calmed down a bit, until the black haired boy decide to break the silent.
"She's cute. Lucky you," he remarked.
"She is, but I don't think I deserve her. She's too cute," Yu replied.
Even though he said it looking in Rise's direction, Akira does not seem to feel like he is mentioning her. It feels as if he is talking about someone else but he cannot put it into words who it was. He shrugs it off when Yu starts to eat the fries they have ordered hurriedly. This makes the black haired boy strange of his behaviour, so he admonishes him.
"What's the matter? We got all time today, why's the hurry?" Akira exclaimed.
"I have an important appointment later, see you," Yu uttered as he finished the fries and left.
Akira is left dumbfounded alone, though he is smiling by himself. He catches the image of Yu eating horribly, the ugly face he puts make the boy laugh like a maniac. He exhales a bunch of air before laying back his head, looking at the ceiling as he contemplates on his meeting with Yu. Morgana who has been silence ever since, coming out of the bag, talking to Akira.
"He's a strange guy, but I'm sure he's a nice person. He seems to care a lot about her," Morgana said.
"Yeah, he was." Akira sounded somewhat depressed upon hearing this.
None of them utter anything after that. They leave the restaurant briefly after Yu's departure. As the boy walks down the alley to his home, having the pouring rain wets his umbrella, he receives a text message from a number he never thought would show up, Yu's number. He has taken a step ahead on saving it, thanks to the student council for providing such convenient information. He smirks as he reads the content of the message.
"You have my number, don't you? Thanks to Makoto, we're even. Btw, hope you return safely." The message read.
Akira fondles with his phone at his mouth as he stares into the night sky. He feels satisfied receiving a small text of worry from him, he feels happy he wants to know about him. He does not know what it means, but it is fine because they are 'special' friend. Little by little, their bond will close up.
"Just you wait, Narukami. I'll steal your heart."
Author's note: I don't think I portrayed Rise that well. Anyway, I'm back~