Persona Zero: The First Journey

Chapter 8: A Slimy Situation

Fuyuki: Oh, finally! An update! Woohoo!

Souji: You seem really excited. Anything special about this chapter?

Fuyuki: Heheheh, you'll see! Why don't you handle the disclaimers, Souji?

Souji: …Alright then. Persona and all of its relevant characters belong to Atlus. BlueDestiny only owns this fanfic and its OCs. Now let's-

Fuyuki: Get into the chapter! Yeeeeah!

Souji: …Sometimes, I wonder about my life choices.

Class 2-A. Reisen High School, Iwatodai City, April 24th 1990

The bell rang as the final class of the day came to its end. "Well, that'll be all for today," the physics teacher said to the class. "Make sure to review Chapter 3, cause that'll be on your midterms." "Rise!" the class rep commanded, "Bow!" "Thank you very much, Sensei!" As the teacher left the class, Souji sighed as he took his seat. He was glad classes today was over, for the workload was steadily increasing as the midterm exams was nearing. But that was the least of his concerns for now, as he glanced to his right, Fuyuki was giving him a look of a grader schooler who had been promised candy for being good all day. He was smiling widely at Souji, much to his mild annoyance…and creepiness. Well, Souji assured himself, it's what he deserved anyways. Before he could utter a single word out, Fuyuki already spoken. "We're going to the strip mall." "T-The what?" Souji asked, making sure he heard that right. "Dude, the new strip mall near Naganaki!" Fuyuki repeated loudly. "Everyone's talking about the place. Seriously dude, you need to be more alert." Now that he mentioned it, Souji did recalled hearing about it earlier this morning. "But, didn't you say you wanted to go to the arcades?" he asked him again. "Yeah, I wanted to," Fuyuki replied, "but I also wanted to bring my best bro out for a well deserved meal for always hanging out with me!" Souji did a double take on that last one. Somehow, Souji thought, Fuyuki isn't that all bad after all. "Aaaaand," he added, "I hear the new restaurant there has some really pretty ladies working there!" He then stood up from his seat excitedly, "This is a perfect opportunity for me to score some good ones!"

…Too soon, Souji thought to himself, too soon. Then he felt that something was off about the whole scene. Oh, right, he remembered. "Hey, Fubuki," Souji asked. "Where's Hoshino?" She was apparently absent today, which is odd, since he assumed she was the type to suddenly miss classes. "Oh," Fuyuki replied in a bored tone. "Probably has to follow her dad around somewhere. Daughter of a big shot businessman, remember?" "Yeah, I remember," Souji said. "But you sure she isn't sick or anything?" "Sick? Her?" Fuyuki said incredulously. "Dude, she'll drag herself to school even if she had her legs cut off! Seriously, the only time she doesn't do that is if her dad has some important business to attend. Besides," he smirked a bit. "…She's a bit of a daddy's girl."

*THWACK!*

"Oww!" Fuyuki cried out after Souji threw his pencil case to his head. "What'cha do that for?!" "Sorry," Souji shrugged and smiled weakly. "Seems odd without that happening." Fuyuki looked at him as though he was a lunatic, then quickly calmed down. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I thought there was something missing today."

…Now it's Souji's turn to look incredulously at him. "Well, never mind that!" Fuyuki said back in his cheery tone. "The ladies await, Souji! Let's go!" he said while dragging Souji by the arm out of the class. As the rest of the students looked at the whole scene in confusion, Souji has already assumed that whatever's going to happen later, he would probably going to regret it later.

Bike Racks, Reisen High School

The bike racks at the rear area of the school has not been as filled with students as much as the school's courtyard. This is because not many students has bike privileges, so usually, it was usually occupied by seniors and those who were able to afford one through part-time jobs. Today, however, there was a peculiar sight at the usually quiet part of the school grounds. Bike owners were puzzled as there is suddenly a crowd of students who were just standing there, seemingly waiting for something, or someone to appear. It doesn't seem to be that strange save for one thing.

All of the students were girls.

And the object of their anticipation is currently concealing himself in a corner, looking annoyed of the current situation. All that Shinnosuke Yuki could do his sigh quietly at his apparent misfortune. Someone must have tipped them off about when exactly he would appear at the racks to leave for home. Probably some poor classmate of his that they cornered somewhere when he wasn't around. Not that he's to blame, he thought to himself. The girls set up a perimeter around his RG500. No doubt they wanted to ask for a ride, he assumed. He had no time to grant such self-fulfilling requests, though. He had a few errands he needed to run in the city, and this commotion is not helping at all. He was thinking about ditching his bike for today and go on home on foot, when he saw the security guard walking towards the bike racks. As he was walking, he spotted Yuki hiding at the corner of the school building. He was about to say hello before Yuki puts a finger on his lips and pointed to the bike racks. The guard was puzzled at Yuki's sudden behavior before glancing over at the racks. His face brightened up in understanding before shaking his head in amusement. He then winks an eye at Yuki, before heading over to the girls. Yuki, confused, then peeked back to the racks, holding his breath and awaiting what happens next.

"What seems to be the problem, ladies?" he said cheerfully as he approached them. "Oh, good evening," said the girl in front. Although the way she spoke was polite, Yuki knew it wasn't the case since the others behind her does not seem pleased when he arrived. "We're waiting for a friend of ours. We were planning on going to the mall downtown together," she said. "By friend, do you mean Yuki-kun?" the guard asked, still in that cheerful tone. Some of the girls clammed up by the guard's unexpected knowledge of their painfully obvious plan, thought Yuki. There wouldn't be any reason why they would hang around his RG500 if it was not the case. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Yuki-kun is busy helping out the teachers in the faculty room," the guard said. "It'll probably take a while, so why don't you just go among yourselves for today?" "Ehh?!" the girls said in unison, looking disappointed. A little too disappointed, Yuki thought, as he felt his eye twitch by just looking at the scene. Apparently the guard shared his thoughts, as he said, "Well, if you really want him to go with you, why don't you just go and help him out? I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

That did the trick alright, Yuki thought as the girls were talking and nodding at each other in agreement and excitement. "Thank you, sir," the first girl said, "We'll do just that," and ran off, with the other girls following suit. The guard waited for them to disappear from sight before beckoning Yuki to come over, signalling the coast is clear. "You know," Yuki said as he came over hurriedly to open the padlocks securing his motorcycle. "You didn't have to lie just to make them go away." The guard chuckled before replying, "I know, but it worked, didn't it?" Yuki sighed, as he finished unlocking his bike's reins and took it out of the bike rack. "I guess I owe you another one, sir." "Ah, don't worry," he said cheerfully. "This one's on me, kid. Although…" he paused for a bit before continuing, "Wouldn't it be easier if you just get yourself a girlfriend?" Yuki kept silent, putting on his helmet and mounting the RG500 before finally answering. "If they know who I truly am, then I don't think anyone would want me as a boyfriend." He then revved his machine to life before speeding away as fast as he could from the school grounds before the girls could realize what was going on. The guard just stood there amidst the blowing exhaust fumes, smiling sadly at the speeding bike. "You know, maybe they'll be someone who'd still want you no matter who you are, Yuki-kun," he said to himself before walking away.

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Iwatodai City

"Well, here we are!" Fuyuki proudly announced when they arrived at their destination. "Iwatodai's one and only strip mall!" Souji had to admit, although the place isn't as big as the malls in the downtown area, it was still pretty impressive. It had a variety of shops and eateries, it wouldn't look out of place if it's in the city. Souji had barely enough time to evaluate the whole place when Fuyuki grabbed him and placed his arm around his shoulders. "Come on, Souji!" he said, "the mall awaits!" Souji could merely smile and nod slightly in response. This is going to be a really tiring day…

As they headed over to the mall, a girl with a hat covering her long silver hair walked out of the nearby train station that the two had passed while pulling a luggage bag. She looked around the place, apparently trying to take in the view new to her. "So…" she said softly to herself, "This is Iwatodai." She then smiled. "This is where he lives…" she continued before quietly giggling. "We'll surely meet again."

"Whoo~!" Fuyuki said as he munched on his burger, "Now I don't have to go downtown to have a Wild Duck!" Souji merely watched him munching down on it as he silently ate his fries. "Are they really that good?" he asked. "Duude!" Fuyuki said as though he had said something very offensive, at least to him. "Never in anywhere else in Japan that you could get such deliciousness!" he proudly said. "Wild Duck Burger is an Iwatodai pride, you know?" "Wouldn't know," Souji merely deadpanned. "Not from here, remember?" "Oh, right," Fuyuki said, realizing his mistake. "Go on, eat yours, Souji," he then said. "Then you'll see what I'm talking about." Souji, hesitantly, unwrapped his Wild Duck and prepped for a bite. Honestly, he thought, as he munched on it, what makes it better than a-

….

….

"….Fuyuki?"

"Yeah, Souji?"

"I want more."

Fuyuki simply smiled. "Told ya."

It was already sunset, the sky had turned a brilliant orange and the birds are already heading home to turn in for night. Souji and Fuyuki walked out of the strip mall, ready to head home. "Maaan, I think I went over the budget today," Fuyuki moaned. "It's probably because you bought all that second hand manga at the bookstore," Souji said to him. "But it was half the price you'd usually get from the stores downtown! Half!" "You probably shouldn't bought all those Duck Burgers then," Souji answered him. "HEY!" Fuyuki shouted at him. "That's only because you wanted more!" Souji sighed at that. "Sure, but you didn't have to buy more for me. I could just use my own money." Fuyuki blinked at him for a few moments, before hitting his forehead with his palm. "I am such a moron." Souji laughed a bit before saying, "Yeah, you are, but thanks, anyway." Hearing that, Fuyuki managed a grin. "Heh, you're lucky you're my bro, Souji. But you'll have to treat me next time!" "Heheh. Sure." Souji replied cheerfully. No sooner he said that, Souji spotted a takoyaki stand not far from where they're standing. "Hey, how about I treat you right now? Takoyaki sound good?" Fuyuki's face brightened up more than it already was, "Sure, I should probably bring some for my sis, too!"

"You have a sister?!" was the words Souji was about to say when suddenly he felt a stinging headache, which sent him on his knees. "S-Souji?!" Fuyuki said in a worried tone. Souji didn't respond, as the pain suddenly grew, and he was beginning to sweat profusely. As he clutched his forehead in agony, a voice suddenly rang in his head.

"Your next trial awaits. How will you overcome this, I wonder?"

That sounded like… Souji barely had time to ponder over it when suddenly, the pain subsides. "Yo, bro?" Fuyuki said, as he keeled, "You alright?" "Y-Yeah," Souji manage to gasp, as he slowly got back on his feet. "Probably that hit I got from the head from practice." "Geez, Souji," Fuyuki groaned. "I did tell you're nuts for joining the team. Did that stuck-up chick magnet grind you too hard?" "Naah," Souji shook his head, "And Yuki-senpai ain't that bad." Then a thought came to his mind. "Scary, though." "Yeah, you don't have to tell me that!" Fuyuki agreed to that. "Did you know? This one time back at-

Fuyuki's words were interrupted as a loud crashing noise erupted in front of them. "Whoa!" Fuyuki shouted as rubble from the road began to rain down from the sudden crash. As the smoke cleared a bit so Souji could see better, he saw that a large hole was made on the pave way. "W-What the heck happened?" Fuyuki stammered as he stared at the newly formed cavity on the ground. People around them were also wondering the same thing. "Did the ground just collapsed like that?" said a man. "M-Maybe it was an explosion?" said another. "T-Then…it was a bomb?!" yelled a woman. As Souji was also pondering about the cause of it, his head suddenly began to ache again. He winced silently, so he didn't attract Fuyuki's attention. Just what is causing my head to hurt like this?

"Everyone stay calm, and don't move!" yelled a police officer, who apparently just arrived. "You two," he called out to the two boys, "get back from there!" "A-Ah, y-yes sir!" Fuyuki yelped in surprise. "Come on, Souji," as he grabbed his friend's shoulder, "Let's get outta here." Souji reluctantly backed away, as the officer began walking slowly towards the hole. As he neared the hole, he turned on his flashlight and aimed it inside. After a few moments, he sighed. "Nothing in here." Seeing that there's no threat, he turned off his flashlight and faced the crowd. "Alright, folks, nothing to worry about. Probably just a-

He was just about to finish as suddenly as his upper body suddenly disintegrated in a mess of blood and flesh. Panic immediately followed as the crowd around the boys screamed and ran away as fast as they could from the spot. "W-What…the hell?" Fuyuki managed to blurt out, as he looked down and saw his shirt was smeared with sprayed blood. Souji was paralyzed with shock and fear as he witnessed the scene unfolding in front of him, and his headache became increasingly worse. Then yet another voice rang in his head.

"OPEN YOUR EYES."

Souji's vision then became distorted, as he saw flashes of red wildly came and went in his view. "T-This…" Souji stuttered. Wasn't this seem familiar? Then he remembered. The cause of the sensation was...

Souji then focused more on the spot in front of him, as the officer's lower half was then lifted up to the air and dangled upside down, then suddenly, a red aura suddenly engulfed the area, blinding Souji for a moment. "Aaaargh!" he heard Fuyuki yell loudly beside him, and when he opened his eyes, he saw exactly why.

A large creature was at where there was supposed to be empty space. It's body is nothing more of a blob of oozing, foul-smelling liquid, with limbs whatsoever. Its face the ugliest Souji had ever seen, with red eyes and huge mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth, which is currently munching down whatever that's left of the policeman. "A-A demon…" Souji mumbled.

The demon seemed to have heard him, as its eyes darted to where the two were the standing and quickly gulped down its food. "YOU SEE ME?" it asked with deep, grumbling voice. Oh crap. Besides him, Fuyuki was shivering furiously with fright. Wait a minute, Souji suddenly realized, why is he still moving? He looked around, and sure enough, he had created a Void, as Yuki had called it, although he didn't sure how he did it. The surrounding area was enveloped with a reddish aura, and everything was frozen in place, just like the last time he saw it in action. So why was Fuyuki unaffected? He didn't have time to ponder further, as the demon turned its entire body to their direction. "HEY!" the demon roared at them. "DO YOU SEE ME?!" "Y-Y-Y-Yes!" Fuyuki blurted out loudly, having finally found his voice. "Fuyuki, what are you doing?" Souji shot quietly at him. But the demon made a evil chuckle which brought his attention back to the towering creature. "OH? SO YOU SEE ME? GOOD." Then it turned to a menacing snarl.

"ME SLIME. I GOING TO EAT YOU GOOD."

And so I finally got this chapter done. Sorry about the long wait, folks. It's a good thing I have a few days of break before my finals, so I could get to writing more. Hopefully, I don't take any longer than this for my next updates, heheh.

Next chapter's gonna be a major one, so stay tuned, and seeya on the next chapter!