Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 5!
My performances in real life are coming up, so I may not have a lot of time to touch on this story for a while. Let's just pray it doesn't happen!
I must admit, this chapter is really serious and certain conflicts are starting to turn up... I have to warn you that there's a high chance that this chapter is going to be a huge downer.
With that, enjoy the story!
"Damn it, none of our plans worked at all!"
Makoto huffed in irritation as she gulped down her can of isotonic drink before slam-dunking it into the trash bin nearby. The group was hanging out at the canteen as usual as they reported their results on their plans which they had tried to pull off the previous day. Unsurprisingly, none of their ideas worked.
Akira sighed as he turned to his friend. "Goro, you're the last man standing. You haven't done anything yet, right?"
Goro nodded. "Yes. However, for my plan to work, we'll have to wait for quite a while. You guys should try to come up with something first, because what I'd do is probably our last resort. I cannot tell you whether it can really work or not."
Ann sighed as she remarked sarcastically, "Yeah… about that."
"Well, Yusuke is indeed far more stubborn than we realised," Ryuji nodded. "That means we'll have to revise our plans."
Futaba bit her lip worriedly. "How will we be able to let Yusuke-Senpai know that he should just be himself...?"
"There's no knowing what he's truly thinking," Haru added. "Plus, we still don't know what happened to him which would cause him to have such a mindset."
"By the way," Ryuji suddenly lifted his head up from his laptop and told them, "I've checked on Hideki Yamamoto, and it seems like we've found our target."
Ann gawked. "What? How did you do that?"
"Well, I bugged his phone and broke through the firewall of his phone. There's a video of Yusuke's practice performance in there, along with recent call logs showing that he had been calling Yusuke," the blond boy told them as he turned his laptop around and showed them what seemed to be the contents of the perpetrator's phone. "I'm pretty sure this is enough proof."
"Whoa... you're like a real-life Oracle from Persona 5, Ryuji!" Makoto grinned before she burst into a fit of giggles.
"That moment when someone fits the role better than you do..." Futaba sighed and shook her head.
"Come on, Futaba. You do a really great job acting as Oracle yourself," Ann smiled back.
"Alright," Ryuji said as he quickly plugged everything into his thumb drive, "So what's the plan now, Akira-san?"
Akira deadpanned, "There's no plan. Have you not realised that everything had been thrown right out of the window?"
Haru giggled. "Right. Wasn't the plan earlier simply to keep an eye on Yusuke before we do anything else?"
Makoto groaned and crashed onto the bench. "... Well, we messed up, big time. Now what?"
Akira shrugged. "The only thing we can do right now is to wait for classes after this break to end and head to the set for filming afterwards."
Yusuke sighed as he gelled his hair down for the role. Still looking like a eccentric fuckboy, as always... Sometimes, he did wish that the company would give him the role of Skull instead.
Now that he thought about it, why did the company give him the role of Fox, anyways? What has the personality of Fox got to do with him?
"Yusuke, you done in there?!"
He groaned in exasperation when he heard Akira yelling for him outside. "Yeah, yeah, I'm almost done!"
As he finished dressing up for the shooting, Yusuke threw open the door to the dressing room and finally stepped out into the set. Akira was already there, sitting on one of the chairs the crew had offered for the actors and actresses. The rest of them were just sitting at the other benches, away from them to prevent disturbance.
"Took you long enough," Akira grinned mischievously.
Yusuke shrugged. "So? What about it? Let's get this shit started. Emperor Confidant Rank 4, right?"
The Director nodded. "Yep! If you're ready, go on and take your places!"
He looked at the setting, and realised that the background crew had really done a great job with setting up the place such that it did make them look like they were in a park. Even the wooden boats were being held up by real water pools.
"Alright, let's do this... AAH! WHAT THE HECK?!" Akira grinned as he stepped into the boat, only to screech when it started bobbing around. Yusuke face palmed, while the rest of the cast began laughing at the joker's shenanigans.
Yusuke breathed in harshly, before he asked, "You sure you're okay?"
"Okay, I'm fine now!" Akira snapped his fingers and winked at him before stretching a hand out and smiled, "Would you like me to help you across, Your Majesty?"
He deadpanned as he crossed over and stepped into the boat, "Yeah, and let the both of us fall into the fucking cold water while you're at it. No thanks."
Akira gave the blue-haired boy a huge pout. "Aw, come on, Yusuke! That was mean!"
"It's just an exaggeration, Kurusu," Yusuke groaned as he rolled his eyes before he looked back at a mock-sobbing Akira and sighed, "Fine, I'm sorry about that."
The two of them took their seats in the boat, alongside another wooden boat in which a background actor and actress were sitting in as characters to enhance the plot.
The Director slapped his clapperboard together as the lights came on to brighten up the set. "Alright! Three, two, one, action!"
Taking on his role, Yusuke looked up at Akira with a sketchbook in his hands. Akira's hands were on the oars of the boat as he slowly swished the two of them over to the right spot. Smiling serenely, he said, "Thank you for your assistance today. After all, it would be impossible to sketch while rowing."
On cue, Akira, as the silent protagonist, did a small hand gesture.
Yusuke, aware of what choice the player was supposed to choose for his next few lines, stared in Akira with a look of surprise. "Girl…? Does this mean you have a girlfriend…?! You should have mentioned sooner! I have missed the opportunity for a truly wonderful subject…"
He then looked back up at his friend and gave a nod. "That aside, I must thank you for your help today. This is my ideal location for my next motive."
"Look at all the ducks! They're sooo cute!"
Turning their heads towards the female in the other boat, Yusuke and Akira waited for their turn as the man continued, "Hahaha, don't get so excited. You'll fall off, you know."
Yusuke nodded in approval. "Hm… Perfect. This is it."
Akira looked back at him with such an exaggerated confused look on his face, Yusuke had to force himself to keep his laughter down. It was a good thing that Akira's back was facing the camera…
Looking back at the bespectacled boy, he continued before he started to chuckle, "My previous painting captured only one aspect of the heart: desire. As such, I was unable to arrive at a truly authentic representation… That is why we have come today. I shall paint a second aspect… the burning passion between man and woman! Fittingly, our theme today will be… the wonders of love!"
He couldn't help it—he wanted to laugh so damn hard! But he mustn't! "Alright, calm down, Yusuke… You can't laugh right now…! This three-minute scene is supposed to be a full one-shot take!"
Yusuke quickly glanced down at his sketchbook to hide his smile as Akira faked out an exasperated expression. "You will have an important role to play here today as well. While I draw, ensure the boat remains as steady as possible amid these devilish ripples."
As he sketched, he could tell that Akira was giving him 'triggered' look just so that he would burst out laughing. No - he had to resist the temptation of looking at Akira's stupid expressions on his face or he'll burst out laughing!
"Ah… this angle… Incredible! He he he he he…"
Yusuke started to laugh again… God damn it, why did it have to be so stressful? He just couldn't help himself! But it seemed like the Director didn't mind, because he didn't hear anything from him.
The scene continued, in which it was revealed that actually, the two of them were siblings, and that Fox had misunderstood it as a romantic type of love. Yusuke internally sighed in relief, knowing that the scene was going to be over soon and that they could take a break.
Smiling back at Akira, he said in a slightly more cheerful tone, "I feel as though I've learned something new today!"
Akira nodded back, and that was it - not many lines after this!
It was then when the girl turned towards them on cue and gasped, "Wait… so only couples ride these things, right? That means those two…"
He knew that she was supposed to say that line, and proceeded to react…
"'Fess up! You're just freakin' gay!"
Yusuke felt his motions slow as his eyes widened in horror. Those words…!
"Instead of taking over our family business, you plan on pursuing ballet, of all things? I'm disappointed in you, Yusuke."
"Hahaha! Look at that sissy dancing in there! Is he being serious?!"
The 'brother' turned towards the girl and shushed her quickly. "Shh! There are people from all walks of life here in the city."
"Oooh, tell me more."
"Maybe he is actually a girl?"
"Such a disgrace to the family..."
Yusuke's entire body froze, and felt as if ice was coursing through his veins. Cold sweat slowly began to form and drip from his forehead. He felt ill. What was this…?! He couldn't react at all…!
Those harsh words continued to echo loudly in his head, like a giant bell ringing so loud that it hurt his ears and his brain. Yet for some reason, he couldn't move. He was petrified, as if he had literally turned into stone.
Everything around him faded to black. Even the sounds around him seemed to have vanished into thin air. The only thing he could hear to tell that he was still alive was his own heartbeat, which was thumping wildly in his chest like a bongo drum. However, even that didn't snap him out of his horrific trance. That's right… he was a huge disgrace to everyone else, that's why he had to hide the fact that he danced! He had disappointed his father, worried his mother, and become the giant laughingstock of his elementary school!
He was a huge failure… He was a huge, useless, fu-
"Yusuke, YUSUKE! Wake up!"
Yusuke gasped as looked back up at a panicking Akira Kurusu, who had his hands on his shoulders. Staring into his eyes, Yusuke soon realised something.
Was this the first time he had seen Akira look so afraid?
"Are you okay, Yusuke?! You looked like a goldfish with those eyes!"
Still panting, Yusuke quickly nodded. "Y-Yeah, I guess I'm fine. Sorry, I fucked everything up again, didn't I?"
Akira groaned. "Don't worry about that for now! You looked like you were about to pass out and fall right smack into the water! Have you really not realised that we had pulled you out of the boat?!"
"Huh?!" Yusuke quickly swept his gaze around only to realise that the rest of the case were surrounding him, with worried looks on their faces. Looking down, he soon saw that he was sitting on one of those chairs for the actors and actresses. "O-Oh, I didn't notice…"
Suddenly, the Director stepped over. "Kitagawa, this isn't going to work well. If you're seriously ill, you should get some rest. Suddenly breaking out into a cold sweat isn't very normal, you know."
Yusuke gasped before he shook his head. "I'm fine, Director! I can continue. I can redo the scene if you want me to!"
However, the Director shook his head. "But I don't want you to, Kitagawa. The health and condition of the actors and actresses are much more important than the progress of the scenes we have filmed in the game. I need you to rest and calm yourself down, because I don't know what triggered that panic attack of yours."
His breath hitched. Did the Director just said that he had suffered from a panic attack…?
Ann stepped forward. "Yusuke, did something happen recently?"
Yusuke shook his head. "Not like I can remember anything at all… How long have I been in a daze?"
Makoto sighed and tapped the side of her head. "You've been in that weird trance for at least ten minutes…"
"T-Ten minutes?!"
Yusuke could barely believe what that girl had just said. How the hell did time pass so fast? Ten minutes… just what the hell is wrong with him?
No… He knew. Those words that were hurled at him in the past still haunted him like a plague. It didn't matter what he did - there was no way he could ever forget them. It may sound cliché, but those words had hurt him like a knife to the heart. No one seemed to have noticed, though.
"Kitagawa, I'd advise you to go home and take a short break. We can always redo this scene in the next few days whenever you are free."
"B-But I'm not free on any days except for today!"
The Director looked on curiously. "Why is that?"
"Because-" Yusuke's mouth snapped shut. No, he couldn't announce that he was taking part in the Ballet Competition, could he? That would just wash all of his efforts down the drain, and that would be the end of him!
"Oh!" Ryuji suddenly quipped in. "I forgot! Our common tests are coming up pretty soon, and Yusuke has some remedial with the teachers too!"
Makoto groaned. "Oh my god, Ryuji! Did you have to remind us?!"
"B-But it's true!"
Yusuke stared at Ryuji in surprise and horror. Would the Director accept an excuse like that?! But somehow, the Director seemed to take that as an excuse as he gave a nod.
"I see. Don't worry, Kitagawa. We'll do our best to adjust the schedules, then. It shouldn't be a problem if we can finish a few more of the other confidant scenes with the other characters of the game whose actors and actresses are here with us now. Go on, have a break."
Seeing that he had no choice, Yusuke sighed and picked up his bag. "Yes, Director."
As Yusuke left, however, the rest of the cast gave each other concerned glances, knowing that something wasn't right.
"This is bad, isn't it?" Haru sighed. "This is turning out even worse than I had thought."
The cast had finished filming all of the Chariot Confidant scenes and a few of the Lovers Confidant scenes, so the Director was able to find time to squeeze time into the after-exam period for Yusuke to film the Emperor Confidant scenes. Thankfully and fortunately, Ryuji and Ann were capable of memorising their lines so quickly.
Futaba nodded sadly. "We don't even knew what was the cause of Yusuke-Senpai believing that the social stigma includes everyone around him. And it isn't true - we all don't mind the fact that he actually does what he loves. In fact, we love him as a friend for that, don't we?"
"Yeah, but I doubt he would be the kind to even listen to us!" Makoto huffed as a frown creased on her face. "Should we even really be doing this?! It's his own choice, after all! If we make one wrong move, that's it!"
Goro nodded. "Yes, it is his own choice, but we should at least try to give Yusuke-chan a little push such that he can decide if he is comfortable with showing who he really is inside."
Makoto shook her head. "Alright. I want to help my friend too, and I don't wanna give up on him, but this is getting a little too far. Let's see, alright: We know who Yusuke's blackmailer is. We know that Yusuke's having trouble with accepting what he likes. If the second one is harder to deal with, shouldn't we be dealing with Hideki Yamamoto first?!"
"First of," Ryuji began. "How are you going to deal with Hideki Yamamoto? Sure, we could turn in the evidence to the teachers, but that's going to get more than a few of us in trouble - bugging someone's phone is an offence!"
Ann whirled around to stare in horror. "You bugged Hideki Yamamoto's phone, knowing that you may get in trouble if you were found out?!"
"That's because I wasn't expecting to turn these information in! If no one knows about this other than us, there's no way the bug would be found out!"
Akira pinched his nose bridge before placing his glasses back on. "Alright, guys. Calm down! This isn't getting us anywhere at all! If you guys continue to argue, there's no way we would be able to even help him!"
Suddenly, Makoto stood up and screamed, "Yeah, but even when we're calm, we weren't able to come up with a plan to help him to face the fact that he needs to stand his God damn ground, Akira! Does it look like we don't want to help him?!"
"Makoto, and everyone else, stop it! Akira isn't at fault here, is he?! We all want to help Yusuke! So why are you screaming at him?"
Hearing Goro use the loud, fierce voice he only used in acts for his Drama Club, a hush fell upon the group as they all looked at each other. That's right. They all wanted to help, but this case is so greyed out, no one really knew what to do. There was no black-and-white in this. It was like an equation too complex to solve, with Yusuke's unknown feelings and expectations tossed into it.
And they didn't know what to do.
Yet in the midst of the silence, no one heard the sound of footsteps slowly walking away.
It has been a few days, and Ohya was getting really concerned. Staring at her messages, she continued to spam one of her slightly more problematic students.
"Yusuke… Why haven't you been turning up for practice…? Wasn't this competition so important to you?"
She placed her phone down and sighed as she pushed up her tinted glasses. He hadn't replied for a few days then. There were only four days before the competition. If he didn't practice, all of his efforts to win the competition would have been in vain!
What really happened to him?
Sipping on the cherry cream soda, Ohya continued to mark the Language homework papers in front of her. After all, she wasn't just a Ballet instructor for the school. She still taught other subjects, contrary to what other students knew.
As she continued to streak the papers with red ink, Ohya jolted when she heard a beep coming from her phone. Quickly picking up the phone, her eyes scrolled through the one and only reply she had received from her student. Her eyes widened in horror as her phone fell onto the table.
"Wh-What…?! But why…?!"
Written on the reply speech bubble from Yusuke was,
"I'm sorry, Ohya-Sensei. I'm quitting Ballet."