Disclaimer: I don't Persona 5!

Warning: There's coarse language involved, courtesy of Yusuke Kitagawa in this AU.

For those who are wondering why there are still only 4 chapters in this update, it's because I have combined chapter 1 and 2 together!

With that, enjoy the story!

"Jumped out of the window and ran… pfft!" Makoto sniggered as Yusuke entered the studios.

He sent a glare towards. "What the hell are you doing here, Niijima? You aren't supposed to be here. Your scenes are next week!"

Yusuke had entered the studios as he and some of the other actors were going to film a couple of scenes with Madarame before he had to leave for the Teacher's Course in about a week. However, he was still feeling a little peeved. Why did Madarame have to take up that course?! Now they had to rush through things, and he didn't have time to rest after training from his own club activity in the school!

Makoto stood up from her seat and waggled a finger at him. "Don't talk like that to your Senpai, Yusuke! Plus, I'm just here to check how things are going on here."

Yusuke rolled his eyes as he bit into a honey biscuit stick. "Whoa, whoa. Busybody. Why am I not surprised?"

"Aw, come on, Yusuke! Eating so much sweet foods again? You're either going to have tooth decay or diabetes at this rate."

"Aw, shut up, Makoto-Senpai."

The red-eyed girl pouted. "Come on! You don't have to be so cold, do ya?!"

Suddenly, Kawakami came stomping towards him in frustration. "Hey, Kitagawa! Can you go and get changed instead of hitting on Niijima?! We are already behind schedule!"

Yusuke dashed towards the last changing room cubical, but not before turning to Makoto and making a retching sound.

"… Are you fucking kidding me."

Akira was chuckling madly along with the others as Yusuke stared at his new appearance in horror. Yusuke ran his fingers down his slicked hair with a look of disbelief on his face as he shook his head in denial.

"Wh… what kind of fucking… what kind of appearance is this?! I look like a fuckboy!"

"Well, I guess you do look pretty sleek and smart…" Ryuji remarked before he ended up bursting out laughing.

Yusuke groaned in exasperation as he flopped over his chair. "Ugh! Life sucks, fuck a duck! I look like I'm going for some ballroom function or something…"

"Oi! No bestiality!"

Ann giggled as she looked at his neat uniform. "Come on, Yusuke! You do look pretty good, you know! I never knew you were such a pretty boy!"

"Usually, I'd love to hear praises. But today, I don't even know anymore, man…"

Akira tossed a can of soda to him. "Come on, have some soda! Don't bottle it all inside and let it bubble!"

Yusuke sighed as he caught the soda and opened the can. "Geez, what a motivator… but thanks for the soda. How did you know that I like the cherry and cream flavour, though?"

He shrugged back with a smile. "I just took the sweetest one inside the vending machine since we all know that you have a sweet tooth."

Makoto had a small frown of disapproval on her face. "Come on, Akira, don't encourage him to continue with that diet of his..."

The blue-haired boy chuckled back. "Yeah, yeah. For someone who loves food too, you're one to talk."

"Hey! At least it's meat and not sweets!"

"Guys! We're about to start filming!" Ms Kawakami yelled as she entered the area outside the changing rooms. "Have you remembered your lines for that scene?"

The group nodded. Yusuke gulped down the entire can before crushing the metal container and tossing it into the trash can. "Well, let's get this shit started."

However, as they walked towards the set, Makoto was staring at him in shock. "Oh... Oh my god. Yusuke, when did you have such good posture?!"

He looked back at her in confusion. "Hah? Whaddya mean? I can't possibly walk like some delinquent in this, can I?"

"No! As in... your posture and the way you stand is even better than Ann's! It's as if you were some sort of choirboy or dancer or something!"

Yusuke had a weirded-out look on his face. "Um... are you trying to compliment me, or are you shitting on me?"

"No, I'm not being sarcastic! I'm serious!"

"Are you guys ready? We need to finish filming these scenes in three hours, so minimise no-good shots! You get it?"

The group nodded as they quickly scooted over to their places.

"... I never knew you were such a Mama's boy, though... pfft!"

Annoyed, Ryuji let out a whiny, "What is it?!"

Yusuke sniggered as he imitated him, "'What the eff, man!' Pfft! So you can swear every single other vulgar word on the script but not 'fuck'?"

He screamed back at him in a comical way, "NO! I'm not going to say that word, ever! My mum will kill me if she finds out!"

"Come on, Yusuke," Ann chipped in with a small giggle, "Ryuji's just trying to be well-mannered..."

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "His role is that of a Vulgar Boy, Ann..."

"Well, I guess you can say he's not really on the roll yet!"

"... Kurusu?"

"Yes?"

"Get out."

Was that the sound of shattering when Yusuke said that? Both Ann and Ryuji could have sworn that there was the sound of breaking porcelain. However, they started laughing when Akira gave Yusuke teary puppy-dog eyes, causing him to flinch.

"You... you want me to leave, Yusuke-kun...?"

"Uh... Oh god, please stop that. That's freaking disgusting."

Sniffling, he asked, "I thought you were my good friend, Yusuke-kun! How can you be so mean to me...?"

"UM." The blue-haired boy was at a loss for words for a moment before he brought a hand to his face. "Why are you like a second Theatre Hero..."

"Well, Akechi-kun and I did act together in a play back when we were kids!" Akira laughed. "He was so serious back then, while I was always acting all dramatic and comedic whenever I talked to him just to get on his nerves! Who would've thought he would grow up to be even more dramatic than me..."

"Akechi-san being serious...?" Ann parroted before she giggled madly.

Meanwhile, Ryuji stared at the plush toy in his hand and sighed. "I still can't believe that we're going to use this plush toy as Morgana, though..."

"Well... It's not like we can get a real-life one in this world."

At this moment, Ms Kawakami stepped out. "Hey, guys! Before you all leave, we need to check and see if the Palace costumes fit you! So can you stay back for a moment?"

Surprised, the group headed back to the set, where they saw all of their costumes hanging on the clothes hangers, causing them to gasp in surprise. Makoto was the first to react as she picked up her ninja-like outfit that came with a metal mask and a pair of fake tekko which she had to use as weapons when filming. "Wh-whoa, this looks really detailed! That's awesome!"

"Not bad, not bad at all," Akira smirked as he peered at his own sleek and classy outfit which had a mask and a faux knife.

Meanwhile, Yusuke lifted up his outfit which came with a Kitsune mask and a katana as he grimaced, "... The hell is this?"

"Um... am I supposed to be bludgeoning shadows to death with this...?" Ryuji asked awkwardly as he picked up the bludgeon from his outfit which also had a mask that looked like a human's skull. "Ugh... my personality barely even fits this outfit..."

"Like we do?! Just look at mine!" Yusuke yelled back as he showed the blond-haired boy his outfit which had a high collar that looked like an aristocrat's.

Suddenly, a girl with a feathered hat and black mask stepped out of the changing room. "Actually, appearance-wise, it really suits all of you."

"Oh, Haru! You look great!" Ann grinned when she saw what Haru was wearing. "I love that hat!"

She smiled back. "Thanks! I thought that Noir should have a design like this, based on the storyline! Hey, go get changed! Maybe we can take a group shot after this?"

Akira frowned a little. "Aw... but Oracle and Crow aren't here..."

"Oh, right... then just change and see if the clothing fits, okay?"

Ann stared at herself in the mirror, decked out in her skimpy, skin-tight, red spandex suit which had a cat tail attached to it. On her face was the Panther's mask and she held the whip in her hand. She knew that anyone would say she looked really good in it, but Ann wasn't happy about it.

Ann knew that Haru's original design for her was one with a reddish-black spandex suit that covered everything on her and a dark red cape to match. Plus, the weapons were supposed to be crossbows, not whips. It suited Panther's story pretty well, so why did the company have to make such a huge irony about her outfit?

Naturally, as a student studying modelling, Ann didn't mind wearing revealing clothing. But this time, it really bothered her.

Could it be that the links to that incident were too much for her to take?

Ann groaned in despair, shook her head and pulled her entire outfit off her body before storming out of the changing room.

"Huh? Did the suit not fit, Ann-chan?"

Suddenly, Ann had to pause. Haru had a slightly saddened look on her face, as if she was disappointed that she didn't wear it out. Ann gulped, unsure of what to say.

Yusuke, who had somehow pulled off the posh look with his outfit, asked with a grin, "Too revealing for ya?"

Ryuji turned to his friend with a pout. "Come on, Yusuke! Don't be rude!" Surprisingly, he was able to look like a real bad boy with that leather jacket and skull mask of his.

Makoto looked upset. "Aw! I wanted to see Ann in that red suit!"

However, Akira was staring right at her with a knowing look, as if he was able to read her mind. Somehow, Ann did not like it one bit.

Stuttering, Ann laughed it off. "Oh, no! It fits really well! It's just that I feel kind of shy wearing it now so... yeah. Hehe!"

Haru nodded a little. "I... I see..."

"Um, okay! So I guess I'd better go now! I made plans with my family to go dine out today, so I have to leave first! See you!"

Ann quickly sped out of the room, leaving the rest to stare at her from behind.

Haru sighed softly as she clutched her head. "Something's up with Ann, and I think I know why..."

Walking down the empty hallway, Ann sighed in frustration. She didn't know what happened to her. There was a strange feeling of rage inside of her that she could not explain, and it would have bubbled up and exploded if she had continued to stay there any longer.

She paused and stared at the crimson red mask in her hands. Panther: the girl who rebelled against her teacher who was sexually harassing her and stole his twisted desires along with her friends to make him confess. Though the sexual harassment part wasn't a part of Ann herself, but one of the reasons why Panther was ostracised by everyone else was because of her looks.

And who's to say that Ann wasn't like that either?

"Hm? Oh, hello, Ann! Never noticed it, but your twin-tails look great on you!"

Startled to hear someone call her, Ann looked up to see Goro in front of her. "Oh, um, hey Akechi-san. Thanks for the compliment! By the way... what's with that staff?"

Goro looked at the golden staff in his hand before he looked back at her. "It's a prop for a play that our Drama Club is going to act out, of course! What else did you think it was going to be? And please, just call me Goro. I'm okay with the first-name basis."

"Well, considering that there are a couple of performances going around recently, it could have been for something else..." she chuckled, "But I guess it would be most logical for the Drama Club to use that. What play are you guys doing?"

"Alice in Wonderland!" Goro announced cheerfully before he whispered mysteriously as he placed a finger to his lips. "... With a little twist."

"Oh? And what may that be?"

He snapped his fingers at her and winked. "That is for me to know, and for you to find out, sweetheart."

Ann could feel her cheeks heat up when he called her by that name. "O-Oh, okay then."

"But still, I'm curious. Why are you walking home, alone?"

Her breath hitched before she bowed her head down and continued, "Well... I didn't really feel comfortable with wearing that type of costume..."

"Hm? ... Ah, I see what you mean. Why don't you just ask Haru, or even the Director for permission to change your costume?"

"Haru doesn't have the power to change what I have to wear. It's the company."

Goro frowned for a moment. "Hm... That's troublesome. It wouldn't do good for both parties if you aren't going to like the outfit. Let me guess, it's too revealing for you?"

Ann nodded hesitantly.

"I can see why. You are pretty conservative most of the time, after all."

She paused for a moment before she asked, "Hey, um, Goro?"

He looked at her before he chuckled lightly. "It's nice to finally hear you call my name. What is it, Ann?"

"Am I in the wrong place?"

His big brown eyes widened in curiosity and shock. "In the wrong place?"

"As in..." she bit her lip. Why was she suddenly confiding in him? "Do I really belong in a place like this, where everyone hates me for who I am? All those stereotypes... all those insults they hurl at me... is that a sign that I should leave?"

Suddenly, she saw his tensed up position relax. "You didn't want to wear that outfit because you said that it was too revealing. In actual fact, it's actually because you find Panther's role and personality too similar to you because of what happened to you, am I correct? Because of that, you think that it will strengthen the impression that those students have of you being a 'slut', don't you?"

Ann gasped in shock. How did he-?!

Goro sighed before looking right at her. "Listen up, darling. There is no place where no one belongs, because there is no one out there who is able to please everyone else around him."

She stared at him with shocked blue eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it: I may be one of the popular guys in school, but am I loved by every single student in the school?" He then snorted, "I'm far from that. I get hate mail from quite a couple of students every day. In fact, it's why some people call me the 'Drama Queen' and not the 'Theatre Hero' like everyone else does, you know."

"But then-"

He interrupted her, bringing a finger up to her lip. "If you think that you have to change yourself just to please the others, you're just being manipulated by them up to they please. That isn't how the world works, Ms Ann Takamaki. So just be yourself. Do what you wish. Just don't commit some crazy crimes out there, and you'll be good to go!"

For some reason, Ann could feel the world around her vanishing. All that was in her sight was the dramatic man in front of her who had such a confident, charming smirk on his face. A feeling of happiness and confidence swelled in her heart. Was this the feeling that people felt when they finally see a glimpse of hope?

"... Thank you, Goro."

He chuckled back as he stood back up. "Don't mention it, darling. You were the one who accepted my opinion. If you didn't do anything, I wouldn't have been able to help you either. Anyways, I have to go. I need to help put these props back. See you tomorrow in class!"

As he walked away, Ann could still feel the smile on her face. That man definitely had a strange charm that made everyone attracted to him, but what he had said earlier on made sense too. Darn it, why did he have to have that charm with everyone?

Maybe that was what made her want to be his friend too. Someone whom he can depend on if he needed help.

Yet as Ann continued her way back home, she didn't know that her past would come back to conceal that beam of light that she had seen and torment her once again.

EXTRAS: Bloopers

Starting from this chapter onwards, there will be extras after certain chapters: Bloopers from acting that do not have a significant part in the plot line. These scenes are those which have already been acted out by the time in which the updated chapters takes place, so you may consider them as checkpoints as to how much the characters have acted out in the Persona 5 game. With that, here's the first bloopers list. Enjoy!

SCENE: Talk with Kawakami/Joker meets Skull on the roof

Blooper 1

Kawakami: Oh, and about Sakamoto-kun. Don't get involved-

(CRASH!)

Both Kawakami and Akira turn towards the staircase.

Director: Cut! Sakamoto, are you okay?!

Ryuji: (crumpled at the bottom of the stairs) Ow… Don't worry, (raises a thumb) I'm good!

Kawakami: (face-palm) Can you not walk without your glasses?!

Akira: (brings a hand to his face and starts giggling madly, his face beginning to turn to the colour of a tomato)

Kawakami: (walks down the stairs and puts up three fingers in front of Ryuji) Sakamoto, how many fingers do you see?!

Ryuji: ... Um, Ms Kawakami, since when did you have six fingers...?

Kawakami: ... Please let him rest for a moment...

Blooper 2

Ryuji walks into the scene.

Kawakami: Speak of the devil… What do you want? I heard the police caught you cutting classes today.

Ryuji: (in a husky voice) Ugh… it was nothin'.

Akira tries hard to hold his laughter. However, his eyes lock with Ryuji's and both of them completely lose it and roll on the floor laughing.

Director: CUT! You two, stop laughing! We need to finish this as soon as possible!

Akira: "Ugh… it was nothin'"! HAHAHAHAHA!

Ryuji: (still giggling) I'm sorry…!

Blooper 3

Akira walks into the scene, where Ryuji is sitting on a chair and rocking on its hind legs. Akira gulps a little, feeling a little uneasy about this.

Ryuji: There you are. Sorry for callin' you up here like this- (tips his chair far too back and the chair slides off the floor) WHOA!

Akira freaks out and screeches, but Ryuji manages to grab onto the railing for support just in time before he falls and hits his head.

Director: Cut! Are you okay, Sakamoto? This is your second accident!

Ryuji: I'm good! (whiny voice) Fudge-crap-sicles! Why do I have to be Skull?!

Akira: At least you didn't bash your skull, if you know what I mean.

Ryuji: …

Crickets chirp, and two crows fly past.

Blooper 4 (Technically not a blooper, but still…)

Ryuji: I bet Kawakami already told you stuff like "don't get involved with him," huh?

Akira: (does a gesture)

Ryuji: … (trying to contain his laughter) Heh, we're pretty much in the same boat. I heard you got a criminal record. Everyone's talkin' about it. No wonder you're so gutsy.

Akira sits down on the table, and Ryuji is finally able to put his legs off the table and rest the entire chair on the floor. He leans forward.

Ryuji: What was all that that happened? You know, how we almost got killed at a castle… It wasn't a dream… right? You remember it too, yeah?

Akira: (nods)

Ryuji: Well, just 'cause we both remember it doesn't mean much though… (sits back) I mean, even if it was a dream, you saved me from Kamoshida. So yeah… Thanks.

Akira: (does a gesture)

Ryuji: (forcing down his laughter) But man, that Kamoshida we saw there… (changes position) You prolly don't know about it, but there are some rumours about him.

Akira: (stands up)

Ryuji: Yeah. The ripped mophead. That asshole who was all full of himself at the castle. No one says anything against him 'cause he's some medalist who took the volleyball team to nationals. The way Kamoshida was king of that castle felt crazy real 'cause of that… I wonder if we can go back to that castle again…

Akira: (stares)

Ryuji: (stands up) Ugh, forget it! Must've all been a dream. It has to be! (Looks at Akira) Sorry to drag you out here like this. That's all I have to say. (Smiles widely) I feel like we're gonna get along just fine as 'troublemakers'. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto. I'll come talk if I see you around. Don't ignore me, alright?

Akira: (nods)

Ryuji: See ya. (Walks off set)

Director: Cut! Good take!

After he walks off the scene, both him and Akira burst out laughing at how Akira was just doing gestures the entire scene through.

Ryuji: (still laughing) Was I talking to myself?!

Author's note: Hello guys! So before we end this chapter, I'll like to clarify a few things before you guys start raging at me HAHA.

1) Goro isn't purposely a flirt. Rather, he just says what's on his mind in what he considers to be the best way possible. Unfortunately, the way he phrases certain things makes it look like he's interested in whoever he talks to in that way. No one in the story except for Goro himself knows about this, though, and even Goro is oblivious to the effects he has on people.

2) Ann sees Goro as a friend, even though she does feel slightly awkward when around him. (It's going to be a running gag in the story, so please do pardon it!)

And that's mostly about it! Do drop me a review or PM me if you would like to clarify certain things about the story.

Thank you for reading and supporting my fan fiction, and I'll see you again in the next chapter!

This is A1t0aria, signing out!