Author's Note: This chapter focuses on two POV's the JOKER curse and Ulala during Maya's point of view and during Runa's point of view the chapter focuses on her attempts to be involved with solving mysteries that are going on in Sumaru City.
Also I changed the Runa's last POV part as it didn't feel right. In addition I saw someone comment that Yukino wouldn't remember the other side, and they said it was a plot hole. That is only partially true, but even in the game itself characters other than Lisa, Eikichi, Tatsuya, Maya and Jun mention weird dreams and feelings about things that happened on the other side. For example; at one point, Baofu mentioned that Katsuya told him he had a dream that the police station blew up. Thus Yukino and other characters finding Runa familiar would not be out of place, but it could be easily explained away by said characters with other reasons why someone they never met is so familiar to them. The only difference between Maya's deja vu and other EP world characters is that it's significantly stronger, possibly due to the Spear of Longinus and that she is repeating some of the same things she did in the IS world.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights go to their respective owners.
Persona 2 EP - Chapter 5 - JOKER Curse
Runa sat on the bathroom floor annoyed. The whole not letting anyone stop not letting anything stop me thing… hasn't worked out at all. When I had told myself that; I hadn't considered how difficult handcuffs are to get out of. It's harder than what they make it out to be on TV.
Runa tugged at her the handcuff around her wrist with little success. She was handcuffed to the towel rail in bathroom, the door was open so she could see the blank TV screen in the nearby living room, but after at least an hour she hasn't been able to break out of the handcuff. Runa's father and Katsuya had made sure she won't get involved after catching her trying to climb out her window this morning.
I consider myself an excellent climber I don't see the issue. Also our apartment was only on the third floor of the apartment block, and it wasn't like I was going fall. Not that my brother, nor my father agreed, Runa recalled.
Since neither Katsuya or their father could watch her, they devised an alternative. Thus they handcuffed Runa's wrist to a rail, in order to keep Runa from inferring with police investigations.
Surprisingly their plan is working out rather well for them, Runa commented silently as she stopped struggling her a moment.
Her father had a forced early retired from the police force so he worked for a security firm, but his wage wage wasn't enough to pay the bills alone so Katsuya's wage ended up just covering it most months. Their father mostly worked nights, but he often got called to work outside of town. He left this morning after he got a phone call about security issues at some warehouses near Sumaru city. It's more than likely he won't be back until next week, at the least.
Hopefully, it doesn't take too long to sort. I hardly ever see him anymore… No wonder Tatsuya's off who-knows-what, and Katsuya's… Well he's probably just busy trying not to get fired, especially after what happened last night, Runa reflected before her mind turned back, to what happened last night after they had finished with the blimp scenario.
In the Konan Police Department, Runa sat on a bench in the hallway. Last night, she and Katsuya came the the police department after having a shower and getting a dry change of clothes at home. Since her father wasn't home yet, Katsuya was forced to bring her with him because trusting her to stay at home while not being supervised was a ludicrous idea.
He seems to have the notion that I would run off if not under constant surveillance, Runa complained silently as she crossed her arms with a pout.
"Runa, stay here. I need to go check up on the progress of my report, chances are I'll be called into the chief's office. I need you not wander off," Katsuya instructed her.
"Yeah, fine," Runa grumbled.
Katsuya shook his head, and reminded her. "I've told the guys at the front desk to keep eye out for you. So don't think you are running off."
Katsuya turned and walked away down the hallway at brisk pace.
Who cares what he thinks, I'm getting involved whether he likes it or not, she determined silently immediately after Katsuya went around a corner. She lightly jumped to her feet, and she glanced around. No one was in the hallway.
She slowly snuck into the female bathroom next door to the chief's office. Not many people knew about this, but there was hole in the wall behind a full length mirror. She learnt of it's existence when she was little, and when her dad had still worked for the police.
Honestly, she was glad it was still there and for the fact the government hated to spend money on fixing public buildings when it could be covered up for much less money. Runa removed the mirror and placed it to the side. Then she removed the loose board, she placed the board inside the gap between the bathroom's wall and the chief's office wall. She climbed through the hole and tugged on the back of mirror until it was roughly back in place.
It was a little harder to slip though than she remembered, but she wasn't overly tall so that worked in her favour. She sidestepped along a few steps, and tried not breath in the dust. She slowly pressed her ear to the wall of the chief's office and listened. She could hear Captain Shimazu's nasal voice speaking to someone. "I understand. Then I shall proceed according to plan."
He must of been talking on the phone because she heard a beep and the sound of phone being placed on the desk. Runa puzzled over the man's words. Plan…? What is he up to?
Runa crouched down and she peered through one of the cracks in the wall, the cabinets mostly blocked it, but for Runa's purposes, it was perfect for seeing the area near the office's desk. Runa sneezed as her movement unsettled the dust. She covered her nose to mask the sound and was certain it wasn't a good sign. She froze when Chief Togashi's gaze drifted from the window and glance toward the crack in the wall. He glanced away immediately as when Captain Shimazu demanded. "What was that?"
"Must be the mice, they tend to get into the gaps between the walls. I'll get someone to put some traps there later," Chief Togashi answered.
"Heh, they better get sorted out, it's rather annoying," Captain Shimazu sneered.
"…" Chief Togashi returned his eyes to the window.
Chief Togashi, he was the head of the special investigations in the Konan Police Department and he It's chief. He was once close friends with Runa's father. Though after her father's forced retirement, Chief Togashi and her father had a falling out.
Yet, he still covered for me…? Runa realised with a mixture and confusion.
The office's door creaked and soon Katsuya was standing in front of the desk. He glared over towards a far off corner of the room. She couldn't see what he looking at, but whatever it was, it wasn't usually there. Captain strolled over to Katsuya and he straightened his glasses. "I've read your report, Suou. I suggest you check-in to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation…"
Dammit, Katsuya…! Again with the blind honesty! Why!? Runa cringed.
"Sir! Then, what about that blimp!? Something wasn't supposed to fly WAS flying!?" Katsuya pointed out to his superior.
"The matter is under review. The sanitarium fire was a gas explosion… No survivors, and there was nothing left of the corpses," Captain Shimazu informed Katsuya.
That's a lie… I was there. No survivors, ha! Just goes to show that you aren't taking the time to check the dental records, stupid! I know that nurse got out alive… Hmm… Why do I have the feeling that it's a good thing that the authorities don't know she got out alive? Runa bit her lip as a knot formed in her stomach.
Thankfully the mention of a fire at the sanatarium caught Katsuya attention more than Captain Shimazu's lack of properly identifying bodies. Katsuya questioned Captain Shimazu. "What fire…!? What are you talking about? I was just there!"
"I'm not in charge of this matter. I don't have time to listen to your babbling. I have more important matters, like the Joker case," Captain Shimazu dismissed him.
"It's a waste of time to keep investigating Joker, he's dead! We should be tracking down Tatsuzou! That's the real threat at this moment!" Katsuya argued.
"Sergeant Suou… You are hereby relieved of active duty. Keep interfering and I'll have your badge!" Chief Togashi looked back over his shoulder briefly and warned.
Katsuya relented reluctantly and turned away from the desk. Runa hastily, yet quietly rose to her feet and sidestepped back to the hole in the wall. She elbowed the mirrored, and it was about to crash to the ground when two hands caught it.
Runa stared at the owner of the hands and gasped. "Shiori-san!"
The woman stood Shiori Miyashiro the elder sister of Takuya. Shiori's hair was long and purple matching her eyes. She had a white blouse under black suit jacket and matching black office skirt.
"Runa-chan…?" She whispered before she moved the mirror away from the hole.
"Thank you…." Runa stepped out of the hole sheepishly, and she tired to think of a good excuse to be wandering around between walls. "Um… Well, this is…"
She bolted out the door and down the hallway. She came to a sudden halt however when she bumped into someone. And of course with her luck, it was Katsuya.
"H-Hey… Brother…. How's it…"
"You…" Katsuya took in her dust and cobweb covered appearance, and he came to a accurate conclusion. "Get. In. The. Car. NOW."
Runa shrunk and hastily obeyed the command. Runa climbed into the car, and she waited for Katsuya. Katsuya placed a briefcase in the trunk, and slammed the trunk closed.
He stepped into the driver's seat of the car and started it. The drive home was deathly silent. When Runa entered the apartment, she asked, to break the silence. "Are we going to have dinner, Katsuya. Because you know I'm starving and… Oh, never mind…"
The look Katsuya gave her was enough to freeze the river Phlegethon over. She hurried to her bedroom and she heard Katsuya clanging around in the kitchen. He still was very unhappy from the sound of it. Runa brought her palm to her head and cursed her her own stupidity. If I hadn't bolted everything would of been fine.
Early next morning, Runa's auburn hair was up and her reddish tinged brown eyes bright. She was dressed in a pink backless shirt with pink strings over a blue and white striped tank top, blue shirt with black bike short underneath. On her feet she wore black thigh high socks with black ankle length flat boots. She thought to herself after she had finished getting dressed. Maybe it I talk with Katsuya about…
She was about to open her bedroom door slightly and… Then she heard keys jangling in the apartment and the door open. She heard her father's voice muttered. "I'm home. Anyone here?"
"I'm here. We need to talk," Katsuya's voice replied.
"Tatsuya's still not back, is he?" Her father assumed.
"He's not, but… For now we need to talk about Runa," Katsuya answered.
"Runa? That's unexpected… Why?" Father puzzled.
"She has been interfering with dangerous police investigations. Despite my attempts to prevent her from doing so, she wants to continue getting herself almost killed. I need you to make sure she doesn't get in anymore trouble than she already has."
"I was just dropping in to leave a note… I was meant to go check out some security issues at some warehouses outside of Sumaru, but where is she now?"
"She's sleeping in her room, I've locked her in there so don't worry."
"Right… You need to tell me what's been going on?" Father inquired.
He locked me in! Runa thought and she immediately tried opening the door. It's not working!
She turned away from the door as her brother attempts to explain the situation to their father, although he was leaving out some of the less believable parts. Meanwhile Runa opened her windows, she kicked off the fly screen after a few attempts, and she stepped on the window ledge. Runa stepped over to another window ledge and she was about to step onto the next one, when…
The bedroom door suddenly bursted open. Her father and Katsuya stood at her door. Runa paled and swore. She wobbled uncertainly and tried to hastily shuffled along the side of the building.
"Runa Yuzu Suou. Get back in here, now!" Her father shouted as he poked his head outside the window. The vein in his forehead was throbbing, a clear sign.
"Aww… Why can't this be easier!?" Runa complained as she carefully climbed back into her room.
"I don't think me watching her is going to do anything… Since both of us clearly can't keep her out of trouble by watching her, and we both have places we need to be…" Her father sighed. "I'm sorry, Runa, but you can't keep doing things like this."
"But dad…!"
"No, you clearly have no common sense! Your brother and I don't want you to get hurt, but you can't seem to understand that! So I'm afraid I'm going to have to make sure you cannot leave this apartment until one of us comes home. Understood?" Father cut her off.
"How are you going… Ah, I see… That's a little extreme, but I think it's necessary with way she keeps acting… I think it might be the only way that'll work," Katsuya determined.
"Eh…? What are you two talking about?" Runa cocked her head to one side in confusion.
Runa sighed as now she knew what they were talking about. She pulled at handcuff that Katsuya placed around her wrist and connected to the metal rail. Other than hurting her wrist, it did absolutely nothing to help her current situation. She cried out in frustration. "Ar-ugh!"
She stopped, remembering how Tatsuya opened the blimp's hanger doors. She partially summoned her Persona and called all her strength. A storm of sparkling spirit butterflies exploded in the living room and a remote went flying toward her head. "Ow…"
She glanced at her wrist as the remote landed on the ground in front of her and the magical butterflies disappeared. Runa pouted and glared at the handcuffs. "I need to work on my aim…"
She stretched out her foot and knocked the remote. The TV screen flashed on, and on the screen Wang Long Chizuru was yabbering on about fortune telling. The TV Announcer sitting next to Chizuru on the TV said. "I see. Wang Long fortune telling sure is amazing."
Runa groaned, and leant back trying to ignore the TV. She glanced over at the plate of food Katsuya left her. It was cold, but she was starving.
Especially starving after healing so many dislocated wrists earlier this morning… Healing for some reason seemed to make me incredibly hungry. I normally had a big appetite, but even I'm started to feel get a little worried after last night, Runa grimaced.
When Katsuya went to sleep last night, she had intended to sneak out, but her stomach wouldn't stop growling. She ended up nearly clearing out the entire kitchen. Runa could guess that Katsuya barely had enough food to make her this plate of food.
Despite not wanting to on principle, Runa grabbed the cool food and began wolfing it down. Once she had finished her stomach was still growling. Runa pressed her head to the tiled bathroom wall and questioned. "How exactly am I still hungry?"
"… So then… Who exactly is the Joker?" the TV announcer and the screen asked Wang Long Chizuru.
"Joker… What does she know about Sudou? Oh, I know what she'll say… he's a murder. Wow, congrats on that Chizuru!" Runa said to the TV in a bored tone.
"In Wang Long, the Joker is 'Joka,' which denotes a human possessed by Kegare, a negative energy such as sin or jealously," Chizuru explained on the TV.
"That's not even remotely related…" Runa reflected prior to her shouting at the TV's image of Chizuru. "News flash, the Joker's Tatsuya Suodu!"
"Joka is a dragon, filled with Kegare. The Guardian Dragons will absorb bad luck during this cycle… It is much more powerful negative trend than that of 'Tenchusatsu,' or Ankensatsu.' Kegare calls forth more Kegare, causing Joka to perpetuate crime… As people commit crime, the Kegare escalates. Cause and effect…. Do not be overpowered by jealousy and hatred, and do not do the Joker Curse!" Chizuru proclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah…. That's obvious, and besides even if they did do it, nothing will happen. He's dead, he can't kill anyone," Runa yawned.
"If you do the Joker Curse, you will be possessed by Joka, and thus become a Joker yourself…" Chizuru announced via the TV.
"You have to be kidding me…" Runa attention snapped back to the TV.
"Wow…! So then, the Joker isn't just one particular person…!?" TV Announcer exclaimed equally shocked.
"Oh hell…. Oh hell! I need to get out of here!" Runa repeated and struggled with immense haste to escape the handcuff trapping her in the apartment.
POV Change
Maya's point of view
Maya arrived at the reception area of Kismet Publishing the day after the fire at the Sky Museum, she rubbed her eyes as recalled the strange dream she had last night. She couldn't remember it clearly the parts she recall left her with sense that what happened yesterday happened before. She tried going to the shrine to clear her head, but it had the opposite effect. She shook her head and lowered her hand. Deja vu, strikes again… None of this makes any sense. It's impossible. But still I can't shake this feeling that I might not like what I find.
"Ah, Maya!" The receptionist in her Fuchsia suit called out to her.
"Oh, good morning, Hayata-san!" Maya smiled and greeted her.
"Good morning, Amano-san… I'm afraid the chief was looking for you…She looked plenty mad, too!" Hayata the receptionist informed her before adding as an afterthought. "Then again, she's always like that…"
"Thanks for the warning… I don't know how I'm going to explain anything that happened yesterday to her," Maya replied before heading to the elevator.
When she reached the outside of the Chief Editor Mizuno's office Maya could hear her boss thanking someone for meeting with her. Maya opened the door and entered the room eager to see the mystery person her boss was talking to. It was a woman in a black suit with sleek dark hair and metallic necklace with interesting design.
"Amano! Where have you been all this time!? It's been a day!" Mizuno shouted.
"Well, the situation at Seven Sisters High got…" Maya began.
Mizuno immediately snapped before May could finish. "Don't make excuses! Because it took you so long to check in, I had to ask Chizuru…"
"Well, it's no trouble at all…" The woman with dark hair reassured Mizuno with a gentle look.
"Then you are Chizuru Ishigami, the well-known Wang Long fortune teller…" Maya realised the identity of the woman with the sleek dark hair.
"That I am," Wang Long Chizuru nodded as she wandered closer to Maya. She stared at Maya for a moment before placing one of her hands on her hip.
"…" Maya watched Chizuru and wondered what could of caught the fortune teller's eye. Do I still have sand in hair? I thought I had washed it all out…
"You my dear, have a peculiar aura about you."
"I do?" Maya blinked surprised.
"Yes, it's intriguing to say the least. You must let me read your fortune…" Wang Long Chizuru smiled slightly and answered her.
"Ok, I can't see harm," Maya felt her shoulder muscles relax as she agreed.
"You… You are feeling that you are not yourself?" Chizuru said after a moment. Maya's eyes widen and Chizuru continued. "You are worrying about a younger man…"
Maya felt her shoulders tense again. Ulala has always been interested in fortune telling, but I'm surprised at how accurate Chizuru Ishigami is… It's almost unnerving.
"Tell me, do you enjoy life? Are you glad you came into this world?" Wang Lon Chizuru asked her.
"Of course I am," Maya nodded.
"This world is made to punish humans for their sinful pasts. They are put through an endless cycle of reincarnation. Where were you before… in your past life? Another country? Or maybe… another world… Humans are connected. Not only to the past, but to themselves in another world… You will change… Along with this world…" Wang Long Chizuru ominously told her.
Will the change in the world be good or bad? For some reason I feel unsure as to which Ishigami-san is referring to, Maya thought speechlessly.
"Hey Amano, it's not everyday someone gets a fortune read by the great Chizuru…" Mizuno announced bringing Maya out of her thoughts.
"You're right, I'm quite lucky. Thank you Ishigami-san for the reading," Maya managed to say despite the intense sense of foreboding the fortune had given her.
"It was my pleasure, but please excuse me. I must be going," Wang Long Chizuru responded before she went to the door and left.
Maya watched as the door closed until she suddenly spun around at the sound of her boss's voice shouting at her, once again. "You better have something good to report, Amano! I didn't send you out on a field trip!"
"I realised that Mizuno-san, there were several incidents including the trouble at the sky muse…"
"I don't care about the MUSES they're all people in this office have been talking about lately, but frankly it has nothing to do with your situation, Amano. Where is that report!? Get to work you slacker! I don't want to hear a word from you until I get that report!" Mizuno ordered, loudly.
"That's not… Actually, yes madam, I'll get that report to you as soon as I can," Maya replied as she has given up on the idea of explaining what had occurred yesterday.
Maya stepped outside of her boss's office and was met by many stares from her co-workers. Yukki voiced her curiosity aloud. "Maya-chan… What were talking about with Wang Long Chizuru?"
"I didn't speak to her for very long, she gave me a fortune, though," Maya told her friend.
"It is quite the coincidence. I was just watching a repeat of TV show she was on last night. She said she will reveal who the Joker is…" Fujii reflected.
"Huh? Really! But he's…" Maya said before the TV announcer's voice cutter her off. As she watched the TV she began to understand the entire mess with the Joker had just gotten more complicated. My boss isn't getting report anytime soon, is she? I just hope I don't get fired… Well until I can catch up with Baofu… I should at least attempt to start my report.
Not even halfway through writing her report Maya noticed her co-workers gathering around the TV as the news broadcasted during their coffee break. Maya looked up from her desk and watched the news unfold on the TV. Maya frowned at the injustice of the inaccuracy of the news report, but before she could voice her thoughts a phone ranged. She picked the phone off the desk and answered it. "Hello? It's Maya Amano speaking."
"Ah, just the person I was looking for. It's Hayata from Reception, someone has just arrived for you in the lobby and is looking for you. He said to tell you that it's Baofu. Does that ring a bell?" Hayata the receptionist inquired.
"it does, tell him that I'll be right down. Thank you, Hayata-san." She ended the call after hearing Hayata reply and Maya quickly packed up her things.
"Oh, Maya… Are you leaving already?" Yukki questioned with startled look.
"Yes, I have some leads on story that I'm working on that I need to follow up on," Maya nodded as she slung her bag on her shoulder.
"Hmm… Good luck, stay out of trouble, okay," Yukki slowly smiled.
"Me, in trouble? Yukki-chan, you worry too much," Maya smirked faintly and shook her head.
"Ha, no I don't," Yukki disagreed as she went back to fiddling with her camera.
Maya turned away and went towards the elevator doors. When the elevator doors closed, Maya left out a deep sigh and closed eyes. She opened them a second later and saw her pale reflection.
Oh… No wonder Yukki-chan was worried, she realised. Maya arrived at reception a few moments later and found Baofu waiting for her. Baofu immediately frowned upon seeing her. "What's wrong with you? You look pale…"
Maya explained to him that, "the news just released a false report on what happened at sanitarium they blamed it on a gas explosion. Also Wang Lang Chizuru a fortune teller mentioned the Joker curse on TV and she had different interpretation of it's source… Basically according to her interpretation anyone who made the Joker curse could turn into a Joker."
"Dammit… he's already done it… The media is full of $#!^! It's Tatsuzou… That bastard torched the sanitarium to destroy the evidence," Baofu cursed.
"I thought it suspicious. I just hope that nurse managed to get away," Maya commented.
"I'm not sure about that," Baofu swallowed.
"…" Maya casted her eyes down briefly in disbelief.
"Even on the blimp, Tatsuzou must have had someone watching over his son… That bastard has got his hands everywhere. The nurse's chances are slim, at best," Baofu told her.
"How do you know this?" Maya inquired.
"I tapped his home telephone, and they were about plans to finish someone off. I couldn't tell who the 'mark,' was though," Baofu answered before asking. "So what do we do now?"
"Let's met up with Katsuya, he should be able to help us shed some light," Maya determined.
"I'm not too hip about it, but there seems to be no other way… He's the only way we can get information from the cops. If that woman's fortune telling turns into a rumour and spreads, the whole city could be in danger. Damn… What a pain we have to deal with him as well…" Baofu admitted after a few seconds.
"Why must you always start things with Suou-kun?" Maya crossed her arms and gave him a look.
"Why…? I'm starting anything. It's just that I get irritated when I see that wussie… That's all…"
"And how is that helping your case?" Maya questioned.
"Ugh, let's just go talk to him and get it over with," Baofu turned and walked too the revolving glass doors that lead outside. Maya uncrossed her arms and followed him.
At the Konan Police station, Maya and Baofu saw Katsuya enter the lobby with frown and a ceased brow. Katsuya glanced up and he soon notices them. His brow was no longer ceased, alas the concern on his face remains the same as he approaches them. "Hey… Something really bad has happened!"
"What exactly happened?" Maya asked.
"There have been reports of further deaths are eerily similar to the Jokers' but it should be impossible since culprit behind the previous killings is dead," Katsuya elaborated.
"I figured… The fortune telling went on TV and became rumour, causing everyone who used the curse to become a Joker…" Baofu commented.
Katsuya sighed and informed them. "It pains me to say this, but we can't rely on my colleagues. They're only making things worse…"
"Heh-heh… A little bitter, aren't we…? Just leave this to us," Baofu smirked.
Katsuya disagreed. "I can't do that… I would rather turn in my badge than just turn my head. I'm going with you."
"Do whatever you want," Baofu muttered with a shrug.
"Well, I should call Ulala to see what she…" Maya started.
The sound of her phone attracted Maya's attention so she fished it out, the caller id said it was Ulala. Maya answered it. "Ulala, good timing, I was just thinking of…"
"Ma-ya… hurry.. run!" Ulala's panicked raspy voice cutter her off.
Maya paused puzzled. "Ulala…? Run, I don't…"
"You need to… Before… I change…! Hur… rry…" Ulala continued and the phone call ended.
"Ulala… You're in trouble, aren't you?" Maya whispered before she slowly placed her phone away.
Katsuya and Baofu gazed at Maya with questioning looks and Maya relayed to them what Ulala had told her. The pair of them were both caught of guard. Baofu exclaimed. "What…? Don't tell me… she was using the Joker curse as well!?"
"If that's true, Serizawa-chan is going to become a murderer…" Katsuya determines before questioning. "Who would she curse!?"
Maya reflected. "I'm not sure who… I don't believe she would hate someone enough to want them murdered."
"Amano-chan, you must know someone who Serizawa-chan did get along with…" Katusya insisted.
"I don't know of anyone," Maya shook her head.
"Anything is helpful, try to remember…" Baofu encouraged.
"I'll try, but… Ah!" Maya winced a sharp pain goes through her head. Her hand reaches to touch her temple as memories she never experienced before began flood in her mind…. A scene played out in her mind, it took place inside a gym. On the floor the words Fitness Club Gold were painted upon the wooden floorboards. There was gym equipment and there were people inside the room. Amongst the people were was her friend & co-worker Yukino and so was the Deja Vu boy, Tatsuya Suou and his little sister Runa. An unfamiliar man was in the centre of the room with his fist raised up high and a circle of light surrounding him. He seemed he might be a Persona-user and was about to summon a Persona when suddenly the sound of door opening stopped him still. Maya and the others with her turned to face the door and there stood Ulala at the doorway.
"Ulala! You're still here!?" Maya heard herself exclaim when she saw her friend.
Ulala rushed up to the man with a furious expression. The man stammered. "
Ulala didn't answer Maya and instead rushed up to the man, her fists clench and ready to throw a punch at any moment. Makimura paled and stammered. "H… Honey!? I-I'm so glad to see you again! Not a day went by that I didn't think of you!"
Ulala's Persona resonance echoed in the room, Maya stepped back as a gasp escaped her lips. Maya could hear Runa express her own surprise. "Whoa! I didn't expect that kind of power…"
It's strange the way Runa is reacting… The strength of Ulala's Persona is what concerns her rather than the fact Ulala even has a Persona… Or maybe I'm overthinking this, the Maya in memory thought to herself and she shook the notion from her head.
"Can it, creep. Now that I found you, you're a dead man… This is for all the wedding funds you stole!" Ulala growled at the man as she began to summon her Persona. The man fled out the door with Ulala in quick pursuit of him.
"Well, he's going to be dead," Tatsuya noted in matter of fact tone.
"I had no idea Ulala was a Persona-user…!" The Maya of memory muttered bewildered.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… Who knows what girls a beautiful man like me has wrought tears from…?" A somewhat familiar blue-haired boy in a light blue uniform announced bemused before he turned to Tatsuya. "We should both be careful, Tatsuya."
"…" Tatsuya rolled his eyes while the everyone else, including Maya, herself laughed.
Well almost everyone Maya noticed afterwards that Runa had distant look on her face. A half-smile flickered briefly on the young girl's face as she tried to laugh. The half-smile vanished as the attempt failed. Maya's eyes rested on girl confused, what is going on in Runa-chan's head? The memory faded as suddenly as it came about.
Maya awareness of her present surroundings returned, she could see the reception area of the police station, also she could see Baofu's and Katsuya's eyes focused were on her. Baofu narrowed his gaze and questioned her. "Hey… What's wrong?
"I saw… Actually it doesn't matter, what matters is that I know what the man who Ulala would of wanted to curse. I think he's name was Youichi Makimura… He conned Ulala out of a lot of money by pretending he wanted to marry her. I know what he looks like, I've never met him before, but if I see him… I'll just know," Maya answered and tried to explain.
"Huh…? Are you saying you've never met this guy, but you'll recognise his face?" Katsuya questioned her.
"Yes," Maya nodded.
"What do you mean?" Baofu added.
"It's related to my recent feelings of 'deja vu'… I just had a memory of something that never happened before," Maya elaborated.
"That 'deja vu,' stuff again… Anyway, let's apprehend that con-artist. We can't let Serizawa-chan commit a crime," Katsuya decided.
"I don't understand, but you can tell by looking at his face, right? What do you wanna do, just look around?" Baofu wondered before he paused and said. "Wait… Let's drop by Hirasaka first. Rumour says the head of an Izakaya bar has services for locating people… There may be clues."
"Perhaps… Still, other people are going to in danger as well at this rate. There are going to be more Jokers… And we could barely even handle one…" Katsuya lamented.
"No use worrying about that for now. Let's go to Hirasaka first. We gotta find that man-searcher, in order to get anywhere," Baofu insisted.
"We should hurry, I don't like the idea of Ulala turning into a Joker…" Maya agreed as she and the others headed toward the exit.
At Izakaya Shiraishi, the owner told them that there was a bar in Aoba called Parabellum that a con-artist might frequent in order to find girls to swindle out of their money. Katsuya, Baofu and Maya soon travelled to Parabellum to see if they could find the con-artist, Youichi Makimura. Not long rafter they had arrived, a man with a familiar face wandered in and sat next to a woman at the bar. The two greeted each other and chatted for awhile. None of it was very suspicious until the man asked the woman. "About the thing I asked you for earlier… Were you able to collect enough?"
"Yes… I was able to manage 3 million.. I can believe in you, right…?" The unknown young woman answered glancing at the man beside her.
"Of course… If I can keep my research going. Then I'll be vice-president of the academy. And you'll be the wife of the vice-president. I love you…" The man assured the woman as he placed one of his hands upon one of her hands.
Baofu shook his head dismissively at what he had overheard. "Vice-president my ass… Who would believe that crock of $#!^? Stupid girl…"
"He's definitely the guy we're looking for," Maya informed them.
Baofu and Katsuya nodded and the trio left their table. The three of them approached the man, who must of been Youichi Makimura.
Katsuya held up his badge and announced. "Youichi Makimura? You know Ulala Serizawa, right? We're asking you to come with us under the suspicion of fraud…"
Makimura leaped out his seat in a panic. "Wh… What are you talking about…? I don't know any, 'Ulala.' You got the wrong guy."
"That would be a lie. I'm certain of that. You're the con-artist who swindled Ulala, although she knew you as Makimura. Are you still going by that name by any chance?" Maya inquired crossing her arms. The young woman at the bar blinked rapidly and stood up from her seat. Her eyes darted from Makimura to Maya and the others.
"W-What? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not…" Makimura argued.
Katsuya nodded and said before Makimura could finish. "I see… Sorry for the mixed up. We had been trying to track down Makimura for a time, because we have reason to believe, a woman who was swindled used the Joker curse for revenge. We were sent to protect him… But… If you're not the man we are looking for…"
As Katsuya turned his back, Makimura muttered. "Huh?"
Katsuya turned towards Baofu, then he said. "It's pity we couldn't find him."
"That's all we need is another dead body… Poor bastard… It's probably too late." Baofu said joining in on act.
"True," Maya and Katsuya nodded.
"Hey! What do you mean by 'fraud…!?' Who is this 'Ulala!?'" The young woman demanded.
"Eh.. Er, well…" Makimura searched his mind for an excuse and gulped.
Katsuya and Baofu then began to walk away. As Maya turned to follow, Makimura called out desperately. "Wait, please…! Is that Joker curse thing true…!? H-Help me! I don't wanna die!"
Katsuya turned around, while Baofu silently laughed at this before he replaced his grin with a serious face and turned to Makimura. "Gotcha.."
The young woman bursted into tears and began sobbing at Makimura's betrayal. Baofu glanced at the woman. "Hey sister, next time learn to be a better judge of character…"
The woman nodded after she swallowed and lowered her hands from her eyes. Makimura looked around anxiously while Katsuya asked. "Amano-chan, where would Serizawa-chan be?"
"I remembering seeing a gym that was in GOLD. I know Ulala has a membership at there, so I think it would be a good place to start," Maya replied.
"'GOLD…?' The fitness club?" Katsuya assumed. Maya nodded confirming his reasoning and thus Katsuya added. "Let's hurry!"
Katsuya, Baofu and Maya moved towards the door. Baofu looked over his shoulder at Makimura and asked. "You are coming, aren't you?"
"Ah… I, yes, I guess s…" Makimura started before he was drenched by a glass of water. "Huh!?"
The young woman roughly slammed the glass onto the counter, Maya was surprise the glass hadn't shattered with the amount of force it was slammed down.
The young woman raised her hand and backhanded Makimura across the face. "I can't believe I ever trusted you! You.. You gold-digging bastard!"
Makimura winced as the woman spun on her heels and stormed out. Maya, Katsuya and Baofu hastily stepped out of the woman's way as Parabellum's door slammed shut.
"That was… No, actually, I had worst," Makimura muttered as he dried his face with a napkin.
"Better hope she doesn't know where you live," Maya commented.
Makimura gulped and paled. "Wh-Why did you need to mention that?"
Maya smiled and gesturing for him to follow her and the others. The trio left with Makimura reluctantly following behind them as they headed to GOLD.
POV Change
Runa's point of view
Runa tugged at the handcuff around her wrist again with little success, and she slumped to the ground. She has been at this for quite awhile and yet… "Am I the world's worst escape artist? I swear if this was Pathfinder I would of rolled a natural 1 every single time I've tried. Ugh…"
She glanced up at the bathroom towel rail to which one of her handcuffs were attached and sighed. She stiffen and then leaped to her feet as thought entered her mind. "That's…!"
She immediately was jerked back by her handcuffs and her fell back. Her head collided with the rail on her way back down to the tiled floor. Before she could say 'ow,' the railing fell on her head. She winced in pain and complained. "That was not the way I had intended to get the rail off the wall."
She held the back of her head for a moment or two before sliding her handcuff off the rail. "Right then… I'm free… A bit anticlimactic but, at least I can leave the apartment… "
Runa rubbed the back of her head as she grabbed a bag and her naginata in it's case from her bedroom floor. She wandered into the main living room and began searching the apartment for the key to handcuffs.
As much as I love the escaped criminal look, I prefer to go without it, Runa reflected when she finally found the keys and unlocked the handcuffs properly. She threw the keys and handcuffs into the side pocket of her bag and threw the strap over her shoulder. She placed her naginata case's strap on her other shoulder and headed out.
The first place Runa went to was Araya Shrine, she hadn't intended on going there, but had somehow she simply ended up there. The place called to her for some reason, not that she could discern why. Runa stared at the shrine until an old woman approached her. "Hello."
"Oh, h-hello… Sorry, a-am I in your way?" Runa inquired.
"No dear, of course not. I just wanted to ask you a question," the old woman assured her.
"Ok, feel free. I can't see the harm," Runa encouraged.
"Do you know that person? He just wandered here and has been like that ever since," the old woman asked gesturing to a teenaged boy wearing a Kasugayama High uniform.
"N… Wait, I do know him… That's Jun Kurosu… Please excuse me, I have to go talk to him," Runa realised. She bowed her head slightly at the elderly woman and rushed off towards the boy. "Good morning, Jun-kun. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Runa-chan…? Why are you here?" Jun tore his eyes away from the shrine to face her.
"I… I don't really know why I'm here… I just wandered over here, I was trying to look for some clues as to where to go next, but… I couldn't resist going here," Runa admitted.
"Well, it looks like Maya-san and I are not the only ones, after all," Jun commented.
"Huh? Maya-san was here?" Her eyes widen at his words.
"Yes, she came by on her way to work earlier this morning, she said she felt this place was important somehow," Jun reflected with a nod.
"Huh… So then if that's her reason… What's your reason for coming here?" Runa wondered.
"… Eh? …I… I don't know why I've come here, either… But like Maya-san, I feel I know this place… Something here… Something important… I can't seem to remember, though."
"Remember… Remember what exactly?"
"What happened here!? I can't grasp the memory, it slips away every time. Part of me is saying nothing happened here, but why would I feel so much sorrow if nothing had happened!?" Jun snapped before he caught himself. He sat down on the steps of shrine and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just…"
"Can't help getting annoyed with memories that make no sense in reality? Heh, welcome to my world… I nearly feel like that," Runa said as she took a step next to him.
"Yes, it's not exactly pleasant, is it? …Hey, did you manage to find your brother, yet?" Jun asked glancing down at the watch on his wrist.
"No, I doubt I would be able to find him unless he wanted to be found at this point," Runa shook her head.
"Yet, you're still looking, aren't you?" Jun guessed with slight grin.
"He's my brother, so yeah I'm keeping an eye out," Runa shrugged.
"Good luck, I get the feeling he's in a lot of trouble… He might not want you to get involved," Jun cautioned her.
"I know… I-I better get going. I need find out what's going whether I'm invited or not," Runa decided as stood up.
"You're as reckless as always… Where to?" Jun inquired.
Runa replied. "I'm not that reckless, Jun-kun. I'm going to track down Maya-san. I remember Baofu saying he'll meet her at Kismet, so I'll go there. It's my best bet to finding out what is going on in this town. Bye, Jun-kun, I hope you'll find out what happened here."
"I hope you find Tatsuya. Be careful, Runa-chan…" Jun waved as she left the shrine.
He says that like I'm never careful… Odd, I feel like I known him for longer than actually do, and I don't know why. Hmm, another thing to add the list, I suppose, Runa complained silently as she strolled away from Araya Shrine and towards Aoba.
She arrived at Kismet Publishing's reception where she walked to the reception desk and greeted the receptionist. "Hello, I'm Runa Suou. I was wondering what floor Coolest Magazine is on. Can you help me at all?"
"Yes, but it depends on why you are asking," the receptionist replied looking up from her desk.
Oh… Um… I… Hadn't planned for this… Runa silently panicked while she plastered a smile on her face and said. "I'm about to start an internship there, and I'm worried that I got the wrong floor."
"Aren't you a little young?" The receptionist gave her a dubious look.
"Not really, I'm in high school. I go Seven Sisters High," Runa argued.
"Uh-huh, we already had a girl from Sevens come for her internship," the receptionist replied without enthusiasm.
"Really…? Huh…? Who?" Runa questioned.
"Miyabi Hanakouji, which means you are clearly not her nor are you with her," the receptionist pointed out.
"Why is she here? No one on the school newspaper told me about this," Runa muttered half to herself and blinked in confusion.
"Which clearly means you don't need to go there. Please leave before I get security. The last thing we need at the moment is a middle school girl causing trouble," the receptionist requested.
"I'm not a-a…" Runa started.
"Leave premises at once please, I'm asking nicely," the receptionist interrupted. Runa let out a sigh and turned towards the door.
Well… That didn't work… Now what? I could…? Break in… Maybe they have another entrance or… Runa grimaced as she took a few steps outside.
"Runa-chan! Is that you!?" A familiar voice called out from her left.
"Huh?" Runa turned around to see a blonde haired and blue eyed girl standing before her. "Lisa-senpai! What are… you doing here…?"
The girl was none other than Lisa Silverman, she had a phone in her hands that she had been about to use. Lisa placed her phone away and said. "I was just about to call you… Sasaki-san, our producer wants us to do a photo shot with Coolest Magazine! Isn't cool!? We'll be on front cover!"
"Huh…!? S-Since when!? And why didn't you tell me that earlier!?" Runa exclaimed her voice going up an octave. You could have told me that before I made myself look like an idiot, Senpai!
"I couldn't. Only found out about it this morning, and I couldn't reach you before I left home so I decided to try again once I got here." Lisa explained before asking. "Why didn't you pick up?"
"Oh… Well… I was…" Runa paused, trying think about what to say very carefully. "Senpai, I was han… Actually, not saying that… I was just really busy and etc, etc."
"That's a horrible excuse, worst one ever in fact, " Lisa narrowed her eyes at Runa.
"A lot of stuff happened yesterday and can we not talk about it, please," Runa begged.
"Fine… Come on, we're probably already running late," Lisa told her and turned to the door.
"Sorry, Lisa-senpai," Runa apologised and added. "Oh, and Senpai, you might need to help smooth things out with the receptionist for me."
Lisa stopped and spun around sharply. "What did you do?"
"Ah-aha… I might of tried to lie my way up to Coolest Magazine and failed, slightly," Runa admitted under Lisa's intense stare that strangely intensified rather than weakened.
Lisa and Runa waited for the elevator to arrive at it's destination and the doors to open. Lisa sighed and glanced over at Runa. "Why were you trying to get to Coolest Magazine's floor?"
"It's complicated," Runa frowned.
"That's not a proper answer," Lisa pointed out.
"I'm following a lead," Runa explained.
"A lead…? Oh, Tatsuya-kun…" Lisa realised after a second. "Have you heard from him lately, or?"
"I saw him yesterday, but I lost him after the blimp crashed into the ocean," Runa answered.
"Blimp? Ocean…? Why does that sound familiar…?," Lisa blinked before she shook her head and exclaimed. "What exactly happened yesterday, Runa-chan!?"
"As I've said a lot… Tatsuya was trying to hunt down the one behind the recent murders, I've found out it was the same person who killed Takuya, but… Things got a little… er… I guess crazy along the way," Runa explained trying to avoid mentioning Personas, demons and the fact that rumours are coming true.
"I can tell you are holding back, but it's okay. Tell me when you figure things out, you know you can always count on me," Lisa reassured Runa.
"I'm sorry, I'm not explaining it very well," Runa muttered in return as the elevator doors opened.
"Just relax and have fun, this photo shot will take our minds off the issue," Lisa told her.
"Eh… About that, Lisa-senpai, I don't really have the time to…" Runa started to protest until her Senpai's glare caused her to change her mind. "I have a little… I m-mean more than plenty of time to spare for this endeavour."
"Better," Lisa brighten as Mami and Miho approached them.
"That was quick," Miho commented.
"Yeah, you just stepped out to call and wait for her," Mami agreed.
"Actually, I bumped into her just outside the building when she was walking," Lisa explained.
"Huh, what a coincidence," Mami commented before turning to Runa. "Great to see you."
"Same here," Runa nodded.
"Girls, enough chatting, you four have work to do," Ginji Sasaki scolded them. He passed his gaze over Runa and said. "You need to change quickly. That outfit will not match with the image we are trying to create for this shot."
"It won't? I honestly don't see what's wrong," Runa questioned looking down at herself.
"That's why you are lucky you have me to manage you," Ginji Sasaki crossed his arms and sighed. Sasaki gestured to a man with dark hair and with some stubble. He wore a green shirt under a sandy coloured vest. "This is your main photographer, Shunsuke Fujii please follow his directions. We want this to run smoothly. Making your debut was only the free step, to make it in this business you need to work around the clock for it."
"Next to meet you girls, this is my apprentice Yukino Mayuzumi," Shunsuke Fuiji smiled warmly at them prior to introducing them to the young woman to his left.
"Hi, I'll also be assisting during the shot if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask," Yukino assured the four girls. The members of the idol group MUSES nodded in reply.
Runa founded herself staring at the woman, Yukino Mayuzumi. She had dark curly hair, bright orange-yellow pants, and she wore a black shirt under a grey jacket that had armour-like details to it. She also had a grey beret with the label Ostrich. Runa cocked her head to one side and thought to herself. She seems familiar… Have I met her before? Wait… This feeling… This resonance… she's a Persona-user as well!
"We'll start with the individual photos first and move on the group ones… Yukino-chan, help these three get set up for their photos," Shunsuke Fuiji directed her prior to directing his attention towards Runa. "And hmm.. Runa Suou, is it?"
"Yes," Runa responded tearing her gaze away from Yukino.
"You'll be last so you have time to change, don't worry it's nothing too fancy. If I can see your nervous, the camera will, too. So relax. You'll be fine, I've been looking forward to working with you, I hear you have an excellent voice. Have a little more confidence in yourself," Fuiiji told her.
"Thank you, sir," Runa smiled.
"Now go get changed follow Genji-san and she'll lead you to where you can get changed. Yukino-chan will explain what you need do from there," Fuiji informed her before going to help Yukino.
Runa followed the woman Fuiji called Genji and tried to mentally prepare herself for something long and arduous. Given my past experience. When Mami and Miho said that photo shots would be fun, they were clearly mistaken no matter their opinion on the matter… They are not fun… I should be looking of Maya not being forced to go to a photo shot…
POV Change
Maya's point of view
After Katsuya had finished 'punishing,' the panty stealing pervert in woman's locker room, they obtained the key to the gym Ulala was in. Makimura was being pushed into the room by Baofu as the group entered the gym. Katsuya called out to Ulala. "Serizawa-chan, are you alright!?"
Ulala had her back turned to them and was kneeling on the floor. She clutched her head and answered. "Gu… Don't… come… near me…"
Maya, Makimura, Katsuya and Baofu walked closer regardless and Katsuya assured Ulala. "We've arrested Youichi Makimura. The law will punish him. There's no reason to throw your life away for this low-life…"
"…That's not…" Ulala shook her head and her deathly pale hands clutched her head tighter.
"Listen to Suou… Makimura will get what's coming to him. So…" Baofu added.
"Is… Ma.. ya… there…?" Ulala asked her voice shaking.
"I'm right here, Ulala!" Maya announced stepping closer to Ulala, she was about to put a hand on her friend's shoulder when Ulala scrambled to her feet and moved away her body trembling.
"U-Ulala…? It's…" Maya started when Ulala suddenly turned and punched her. Maya stumbled back and fell to the ground.
Makimura dropped to the ground and started scrambling backwards. Katsuya and Baofu drew their weapons. Maya pulled herself into a kneeling position and glanced up at Ulala. Her face was as white a porcelain and her eyes where non-existent, replaced by more white. Her mouth was contorted into a slasher-like grin.
This must be what happens when people become infected by the Joker curse, but that doesn't explain why she would hit me though… Maybe I was just in her way. Maya thought as she stared uncomprehendingly at her roommate. "I'm trying to help you… I know feel a lot of angry towards Makimura but killing him won't…!"
"You idiot… You still don't get it?" The Joker infected Ulala interrupted.
"Huh? Get what?" Maya questioned.
"YOU'RE the one I want to kill, Ma-ya!" Joker Ulala exclaimed and laughed at Maya's resulting confusion. "Aha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
A circular pillar of light surrounded Joker Ulala as she summoned a Persona. It was unlike Ulala's Callisto or any of the Persona's from the Velvet Room. This Persona's resonance was sickening, it was just like Sudou's Persona had felt but stronger. The Persona had an appearance that was bug like. It also resembled Sudou's Persona except it was noticeably bigger than last time.
Katsuya also recognised the Persona. "Joker!? It's… growing…!?"
"'Women are demons,' huh…?" Baofu commented.
"Not sure that's helping, Baofu. Ulala, calm down, listen t…" Maya tried to reason but was silenced by an attack from Joker Ulala's Persona.
"Oh my… We got no choice, Rabbit… We're gonna haft beat some sense into her," Baofu determined and he drew the group in the room into a battle realm, leaving Makimura behind. The battle realm's floor was the same as the room they left behind, but the surrounding walls and roof ebbed with energy that was not found in normal reality.
"I'm sorry, but this is for your own good, Ulala!" Maya announced as she whipped out her pistols and rose to her feet.
"You piss me off!" Joker Ulala retorted. "Gigantic Fist!"
Joker Ulala's Persona raced forward and slammed itself into Maya. Maya staggered back before regaining her footing before casting a healing spell. "Maia, Media!"
Baofu and Katsuya then moved forward. Their current Persona appeared above them as they exclaimed. "Ryouhi Tenshou!"
Bolts of lightning rose from beneath Joker Ulala's feet and swarmed her while spinning in a dizzying array. However Joker Ulala reacted too quickly and leaped into air. Then she dispersed their Fusion Spell with a wind spell. "Maha Garu!"
"I don't think wind attacks are going to be very effective," Baofu commented before switching his Persona from Odysseus to Matsuo-sama. "Hey, Amano, give me a hand! Maha Aqua!"
"Right!" Maya nodded and called forth her Persona. "Maia, Aqua!"
Their attacks fused together created the Fusion Spell, Ominous Waterfall. A cloud materialised above Joker Ulala and a downpour of rain fell upon her. Joker Ulala's wicked grin stayed eerily unchanged as she staggered slightly before counterattacking. "Maha Garula!"
The spell hit Katsuya hard and he winced as the blades of green winds slashed at him. Katsuya summoned his Persona, Fearal and told the others. "Cover me! Maha Garu."
"Maha Aqua!" "Aqua!" The others called out, the trio's spells fusing to make a Shikku Suisouha Fusion Spell. The wind spell carried the water spells in a manner akin to vortex around Joker Ulala restricting her movement.
Afterwards Joker Ulala cried out. "JOKER! Old Maid!"
A ring a of purple cards surrounded the Persona-users before purple rings crashed into them. Katsuya winced as he was left weak by Joker Ulala's previous wind attack. The cards disappeared as Katsuya got out a medicine from the inside pocket of his jacket. He drank it while Baofu and Maya got into defensive positions.
"Die!" Joker Ulala ran at Maya swinging her fists, Maya attempted to block as best as she could, but Ulala still managed to get a few good hits in.
Katsuya call out his Persona. "Fearal, tackle her!"
This threw Joker Ulala off balance and changed her attention to Katsuya. Joker Ulala began throwing her punches at Katsuya. "Ha-aha! Get out of my way!"
Maya turned and shouted to Baofu. "He gave us opening, let's fuse a spell!"
"Uh-uh," Baofu grunted in agreement. They summoned their Personas and unleashed a Fusion Spell upon Joker Ulala who was still distracted by Katsuya's last attack. "Ominous Waterfall."
Joker Ulala fell to her knees as the downpour forced her down. Katsuya took the chance to cast the move. "Wall of Air!"
Joker Ulala jumped up and attempted a wind spell. "Maha Garula!"
The green blades of air were blocked by a flash of green light from Katsuya's spell. "I'm counting on you, Amano-chan."
"Persona! Knock some sense into her!" Maya casted an Aqua spell on her infuriated Joker infected friend, Ulala. Joker Ulala cried out as she fell back and disappeared from sight before she had the just chance to hit ground.
Back in Club GOLD's gym, outside of the place Runa called a Battle realm, they could see Ulala collapsed on the ground. Makimura was slightly dazed, but got to his feet. "Is… Is it over, now?"
Maya ignored him as she dashed over to Ulala and placed her friend's head on her lap. Katsuya knelt down beside them as they waited for Ulala to regain consciousness.
After a minute, Ulala's eyes flickered open. "Uh…"
"Welcome back," Maya smiled down at her.
"I, I'm sorry… Maya… I didn't… think it… was true… I cursed you… when I was drunk… Whatever… I do… I usually fail… I've taken extracurricular lessons, obtained licenses… But never found a future in them. It seems… that Ma-ya had everything…" Ulala told her, her eyes not meeting Maya's until she said. "Sorry… I'm… such a fool…"
"Ulala… I… I didn't know," Maya whispered as ran her hand over Ulala's hair.
"S-She's the evil one! You guys better finish her off before she hurts someone!" Makimura demanded pointing at Ulala.
Maya jerked her head up with shock. How can you say that!?
Katsuya stood and held Makimura by his collar with a his fist ready to punch him. "…"
"Hey! I'm not the one who tried to kill her best friend! She's the one with problems! So officer, do your job and put her away…" Makimura yelled, but seeing Katsuya's expression was unchanged he turned to Maya. "Don't you think she's a cruel person!?"
"Shut up! You're wrong about her!" Maya snapped at him.
Katsuya let go of Makimura and turned towards Maya while Ulala sobbed. "Ma-ya…"
"Nice try, Makimura… We all know what you want to happen… If Serizawa dies, the evidence to put you away goes with her… Do you think we're that stupid…?" Baofu glanced over at Makimura and questioned him.
Makimura paled and Katsuya turned to the con-artist with a grim expression. "You, son of a…!"
Makimura backed away slowly from Katsuya as Baofu walked over and said. "Hold it, Suou… Let me handle this… I wouldn't want you to get in trouble."
Baofu promptly punched Makimura sending him spiralling to the floor. Makimura held a hand to his face whimpering. "Oh… My, my face…!?"
Katsuya lowered his hands in surprise, but quickly recovered and said nothing. Makimura scrambled to his feet and looked to Katsuya. "Y-You're just gonna look the other way? Y-You're a police officer, right!? Do your job!"
"…" Katsuya grabbed Makimura by the collar again.
"W-Wait.. He's right…" Ulala called out.
Katsuya sighed and let Makimura go. He adjusted his sunglass and pointed at Makimura. "Thank Serizawa-chan for that one… If I ever see your face again… I'll personally hunt you down!"
"O-OKAY, I'll return the money! I won't con anyone! I promise!" Makimura nodded furiously before bolting out the door.
Katsuya returned his attention toward Ulala who had fell into unconsciousness, and he knelt down then advised. "Amano-chan… We should get her to a hospital."
"I agree, but I'm not certain the hospital will even be able to help her?" Maya replied.
"Hmm… So that's it… A Joker is same as a Persona. You're right in thinking no doctor can help her… If you want to yank that demon out of her, I know a place," Baofu informed them.
"You're talking about the Velvet Room, right? I guess we've got no choice… Let's hurry," Katsuya concluded as he went to help Maya carry Ulala.
"I'll get the door," Baofu decided as the other two lifted the now unconscious Ulala from the ground.
POV Change
Runa's point of view
After a few hours the photo shot ended, Runa changed back into her own clothes. The other MUSES said they were going out to celebrate with some karaoke. Runa told them that she would have to opt out of this time and that she would catch up with them later because she had some things she needed to do. They didn't pry, but told her to call them if she got into any trouble.
It's like the entire world expects me to leap into a shark tank today, Runa reflected until she was brought out of her thoughts by the door creaking open.
"You're in luck, she's still here…" Yukino said to someone before she turned to Runa. "Suou-chan, sorry to disturb you, but do you by any chance know anyone by the name Anna Yoshizaka?"
"I do, she's my upperclassman at school. We were on track team together until recently," Runa nodded hesitantly as she felt the question came out of nowhere.
"I see. Want me to tell reception to let her up here, then?" Yukino wondered.
"O-Of course!" Runa nodded. Yukino nodded in reply before she left the room. Runa felt a knot form in her stomach. Why is Anna-senpai here of all places? How did she know I was here? I didn't even know I was going to be until a few hours ago... This isn't going to be fun is it?
When Anna had arrived she thanked Yukino before the apprentice photographer went back to her usual work duties. Then Anna closed the door behind her. Runa frowned. "You don't need to close the door, I was just about to go outside this room. I think I have used it more than long enough. Besides…"
Anna was unusually still and her back was facing Runa. Runa walked closer and asked. "Senpai, is everything, okay?"
"No, it's not okay!" Anna snapped.
"…" Runa stood awkwardly and took a step back.
"It's… I need your help… Something terrible has just happened to Noriko-chan," Anna Yoshizaka's voice was steady, but it sounded artificial and forced.
The colour drained from Runa cheeks. "Wh-What happened…? Is she okay?"
"No, she's not… She… She turned into a Joker, and then someone kidnapped her…" Anna shook her head curtly.
"…" Runa had a sharp intake of breath. S-She was k-kidnappped… By who? And why would they…? And… "Wait, did you just say Noriko-chan turned into a JOKER?"
Anna nodded and she turned around, before she explained what had happened when Noriko turned into a JOKER. Then Runa asked for Anna to describe the symptoms which she did to the best of her ability, but Anna did point out she was only with Noriko for a short time after she had turned. Runa absorbed information and reluctantly accepted the fact Noriko had wanted someone dead.
And maybe if my intuition's right I might know who that person was… No… I don't want to know that… This can't be real… Can it? Runa grimaced trying to shake from her mind; the idea her friend could hate someone so much to want them dead.
"I know what you're thinking, Runa-chan. Yes, Noriko-chan… She, she must have used the Joker curse on someone… I don't know who… I'm sorry to put you this position, to ask for your help like this. I came here looking for that reporter, but when I hear the MUSES were just here, and that you were still here… I had ask. You were able to fight those things yesterday, and I can't… I don't know who else I can turn to," Anna admitted.
"I… I… A-Anna-senpai, do you have any idea where they might of taken her?" Runa attempted to swallow her nerves and asked.
"I've tracked down where they have taken her… Other people in the city have been getting kidnapped as well. The place they are being held is at a club called Zodiac. The same one your brother and I used to hang out at."
"Thank you, I'll go there right now… Anna-senpai, it's too dangerous for you to go with those monsters about. So you can stay here, and I'll go save Noriko-chan," Runa decided.
"Thank you, Runa-chan…" Anna started to say before she jerked her head up. "Wait… You said, 'I'… You aren't planning on going alone, are you?"
"I can fight demons, and rescue Noriko-chan. No problem. I promise you that I will save her," Runa assured Anna.
Anna had a frown on face as she gave Runa a long look. "…"
"I'll be fine on own, I would go find others to help me, but we don't have time for that. Noriko-chan is in danger, and the longer she's a Joker the worst it'll be for her…" Runa paused and reflected silently. At least that how it is in games when someone gets possessed by an evil spirit, pretty sure a JOKER would count. Especially with the way Wang Long Chizuru explained her theory.
Upon Runa Seeing Anna was open her mouth to Runa told her upperclassman. "And no you can't come with me, Anna-senpai. You don't have a Persona, and I can't protect you and myself from the demons at the same time. I might have magical powers, but I only just got them. I don't know if I could protect you, if you were to come with me…"
"I… I don't feel comfort with this, AT ALL! I thought your brother, and that reporter would be coming with you when I asked for your help," Anna argued.
"…You did?" "Yes…" "Ah, I see."
"…"
"Well, they have other things to do," Runa lied after what seemed like forever.
"You got told to stay at home, didn't you?" Anna saw straight through her flimsy excuse.
"No comment," Runa muttered which caused Anna to shake her head at her. Runa took a deep breathe and told Anna. "Look just stay here. Don't worry, I'll be back in no time."
"Tch. How can I not worry? What are you going to do? Fight demons all by yourself!" Anna protested
"Of course not, I don't think I'm really a combat character. I'll cast shield spells and try to be diplomatic with them," Runa countered.
"…" Anna glared at her. "Suou… Was that necessary?"
"Kinda..." Runa shrugged and open the door. "I'll go get Noriko-chan, back soon! I'll need your help when I get back to try and find a way to cure her of the JOKER curse."
"Do you even know what it does?" Anna questioned.
"Well from what you told me, the victim of curse displayed the following symptoms; their aggression is heighten, they became increasingly violent, their skin goes deathly pale, their eyes and face becomes mask-like with a big creepy grin. Did I miss anything?" Runa countered.
"No, but I was only with Noriko-chan for a short time after she started turning... There could be other symptoms," Anna pointed out.
"And we'll deal with it later, stop trying to stop me. I can do this," Runa requested with her hand on her heart for emphasis. Please have some faith in me.
"NO. Runa-chan, I can't allow you do this. You'll get yourself killed," Anna shook her head as she placed a hand on her Kohai's shoulder.
She... I can't let her come with me… How am I going to stop her, though? Hm... Oh, that could work. But she won't be happy about it later… Runa decided with a gulp before she smiled and said. "I'm really sorry about this. Don't hate me."
"Hate you, why would… Oh… I…" Anna started before Runa casted Sleeping Spell on her. Anna then realised what was going on and she looked daggers at Runa. "YOU…! Uh… Wh...?"
Anna stood for a few moments before her began to fall back. Runa caught her and manoeuvred Anna's steadily growing weaker form to a couch.
"You'll wake up pretty soon, a little under an hour, I guess. I only partially summon by Persona so the spell's full effect seems slower than usual, but since you have no ability to resist it, you might take longer than hour to wake naturally. Either way, I'll be back soon," Runa told her as she picked up her bags and moved towards the door.
"Do… not… g…" Anna ordered with a weak voice.
"I'll make it up to you!" Runa opened the door and slipped out the door before closing it behind herself. Yukino was giving Runa a weird look as she briskly walked through the office and toward the elevator. She turned to the apprentice photographer. "My friend was feeling a bit tired, so I let her fall asleep on the couch in there. Do you think the boss will mind?"
"She might… Unless you promise to arrange an interview with you and your fellow members of the MUSES," Yukino replied after she shook her head clear of what had been on her mind.
I really hope she didn't notice my spell… I don't feel like explaining the situation, it'll take too long, Runa thought as she nodded and said. "Deal."
"Well, Mizuno will be happy, she was pestering me about it all morning and I technically work for Fuiji-san not her…." Yukino reflected before she paused and asked. "Hey, Runa Suou… I'm not sure how to ask you this, but have we met before?"
"Um… I'm not sure, maybe. Though I'm not sure where," Runa shrugged.
"Hm, maybe Fuiji-san and I took photos for MUSES before. Fuiji-san seemed to find you quite familiar as well," Yukino reflected.
"He did seem familiar," Runa admitted.
"So… I had also noticed you're Persona-user," Yukino observed.
Runa hesitated, but nodded. "…I am… Only quite recently. You're one, as well, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am, it's still not everyday I met a new Persona-user. How long have been a Persona-user?"
"A day and bit," Runa told Yukino.
"My guess was off, I would of said at least week. Maybe I'm getting rusty," the apprentice photographer frowned.
Runa threw an anxious gaze toward the elevator before she waved goodbye and bolted for the elevator. "Yukino-san, I would love to chat more with you about this… but I gotta run!"
"…" Yukino stared at her blankly as the elevators slowly shut. Runa leant against the elevator and prayed that Anna would understand when she woke up.
Thanks for reading this chapter, it's been awhile... I got caught up with university work and I know have friends. It's been such a long time since I had them, it's good to walk around the university and see some friendly faces. So yes... I have neglected to update in so long because of that, but I intend to update more often.
Now in regards to the story... Runa's presence in story is changing a few things, more so than in the last fanfic because in the last fanfic for most of the story she wasn't trying to drastically change the story, but in this one... She's wandering around causing ripples in the storyline. In the next chapter Runa will venture into Club Zodiac in order to rescue her classmate Noriko from her captors.