A/N: Welcome to the Prelude for P4 Arena! I will NOT be covering it however, as mentioned last time. It's too much going on that is always different depending on who is the character you're playing as. I took some core consistencies like Rise being kidnapped, the hostage crisis in that airplane, etc. But anything that will matter that happens in the Arena story will be covered via flashbacks as they become necessary. I hope you all are okay with this.

Chapter 4

04/29

There was a brighter atmosphere at the Dojima residence. The lone daughter of the household, Nanako had her favorite Big Sister over as she had news to share with her. Her father was still at work, however. Nanako did not mind; as she asked for Yukiko to come over today so she can share what she learned from her Big Bro recently.

She had pushed for Yukiko to sit down, the energy emanating from her was infectious!

"Sit! Sit!" The girl had been bouncing up and down, her hair moving alongside her as it was starting to grow in length.

"Okay, okay!" Yukiko couldn't help but giggle as she sat down, the hyper child hurrying over to sit down as well. "So what has made you so excited, Nanako-chan?"

"Ooh, um…" she was gathering the words in her mind, but they were scrambling around from the good news. "Big bro called and told me he's coming on May 2nd!"

"Oh! That's good to hear." Indeed it was, but he told her too. But she won't take Nanako's surprise away from her. "He must trust you a lot to tell you first."

"Big Bro says I'm his favorite! And that it's a secret to everyone!"

"Ooh, then I'll make sure not to tell the others."

"Yeah! He wants to surprise them! But… Can you come see him when he arrives?"

Oh, Nanako doesn't know how badly Yukiko would do that. To be the first to meet him and hug him right away. But alas, those were mere fantasies. She still had commitments to do.

"I'm sorry, Nanako-chan. I want to go, but I have to work that day after school…" She didn't like having to explain that again. Souji already knew and was fine with it. But to tell Nanako. She could tell she wanted her to go along with her.

"It's okay! We can always play together the next day, yeah?"

"Of course, Nanako-chan." The day looked promising! As they had much to ponder together, Nanako played with Yukiko all day until she passed out on the couch. As she was fast asleep, Dojima would arrive just as the sun would set, having a good feeling about who was visiting when he checked an extra set of shoes.

"Welcome back, Dojima-san." It was Yukiko who greeted the Detective back.

"I had a feeling you'd be here. Nanako really wanted to tell you about Souji's visit."

"He told me as well. But I couldn't tell Nanako-chan that."

"Heh, she's so excited about it. It's all she's talked about since yesterday." She's become more of a handful lately. Not that he's complaining. "You need a ride back home? I don't mind taking you."

"Thank you, but I'll be fine this time."

"Well, suit yourself." Yukiko would start to prepare to leave now that Nanako's father had returned.

"Hey, before you go… has Souji talked about his parents to you?"

"Hm, no; I asked him before and he did not share too much. His father in particular he doesn't seem to get along with."

"I see… What about my sister? His mother?"

"Mm… not as much. He doesn't dislike her, but I didn't sense anything positive either."

"I see… Alright, well I appreciate your honesty."

"Are you upset with him about this?"

"No. I'm not gonna scold him or anything, don't worry." She had a small hint of skepticism, as her body leaned slightly before shaking it off.

"Very well. I'll be off; take care, Dojima-san."

"You too, Yukiko-san. Call if you need anything."

She would then take her leave, still uncertain on if he will not scold Souji or not. Hopefully things will go over with his parents someday.

05/01

It won't. Not anytime soon.

What started as a normal day, finishing his last day of training before he would head home and finish packing for his short trip ended with a surprise.

When he arrived and declared his return home, a stern voice was the first to greet him.

"Welcome back, son. It's been a while." The cross armed man who matched his height was the first to step out from the door leading to the kitchen.

"...Father. Indeed it has."

"I see the uniforms have changed. They're too colorful."

"I see you missed me too."

"And you have grown more of a spine. I'm impressed. But you know better, I hope. Come, let's discuss matters that your mother told me just now."

And here we have Osamu Seta, the Father of Souji, and the last of the Seta family. Where as Homare comes across as distant, Osamu is not. He is the one who gets into the nitty gritty, getting his hands dirty in the mud to procure results. He does not speak with passion, but with facts, research, and authority. Authority is a great single word to describe him. After closing out a major deal with Korea and then another with a tech company in the USA, He was promoted to the board. Sure he had some support from others, but he was the one poured in days of work to get those deals done. His words exude power. As if confidence comes naturally to him. His hair was already graying out, likely from the stress, and his eyes were black as coal. He wore black glasses at all times and formal attire was the standard for him. The very place they are standing in right now is all thanks to him. And Souji knows that.

As they were seated, Homare was already sitting at the dinner table with coffee in hand.

"Ah, son. Welcome back. We were just-"

"Not now, Homare. There is something I must ask him." He would gesture for his son to sit, like some cop preparing to interrogate a criminal. Once he sat down after him, he would waste no time. "Son, I hear you plan to leave soon. Can you tell me where?" He clearly knew the answer to that already.

"Inaba, father. I wish to see my friends and family again."

"Inaba? You really want to go back there? That small hole in the wall? Your time is better spent here studying and preparing for your future."

"That 'Hole' is where your wife is from, Father." Pure disdain seethed from his lips.

"You know I met Homare at the University of Tokyo, son." He corrected him as he felt fit his narrative. "You usually were more compliant. What, did Ryotaro tell you to get some more courage to face me?"

"No. But I did see far worse things in my time there."

"I see. And your grades? Are they respectable at least?"

"How does best in the class for midterms sound?" Read'em and weep. Souji played his hand.

"That a fact? Well, I'm impressed. You finally have reached your potential. And all it took was to overcome some rabble. You'll be in my ranks soon, son."

"And if that's not my goal?"

"Sure, if you wish to work for another respectable company besides the Kirijo group, that's fine. I can understand that."

He didn't get it at all. But he wanted to be done with this.

"...Very well. I'll allow it since it's a few days. And your grades show you are ahead of the curve." He would nod. "Then prepare and enjoy your fleeting moment with your friends. Because when you return, it is back to achieving your potential. I know you are capable, son. You could even join me on the board one day."

"Osamu."

"Yes, Homare?"

"You know we have a guest coming tomorrow, yes?" Likely a higher up that will arrive long after Souji has departed to Inaba.

"Ah, yes. I do need to call him to make sure our plans are in order." He would turn his head to face his son. "You are dismissed, son."

Keeping that stone cold gaze, Souji would decide to step back down to the ground floor and eat out, just any excuse to be outside his apartment for now. His father's return dampened his mood. Why now? Why must his mood be ruined by such a controlling man? He was reminded of why he was the way he acted back then… his mother's apathy and his father's controlling nature.

Why can't things be like they used to? What changed?

?/?

The scarlet haired boy named Sho, the one who looked pained before, now was laughing up a storm. He hadn't had so much fun in a long time! And he got to live his way! This new power he was granted was the real deal! He was able to capture the target from the plane and escape before those KG lackeys as he called them ever knew what hit them!

"Hah! Like taking candy from a baby! Hey 'Partner', you got your toy. Now what will you do?"

"...I am enlightening her to the truth she desires. Once she believes it, she will help reignite the midnight channel and get the attention of all who would oppose you together, and we can set them up to fall, piece by piece. They shall be the architects of their own destruction through our plan."

"Heh, you're some sick bastard, eh Kagutsuchi?"

"This is nothing. This will make our plans to free all of Japan much easier."

"Hehehe! Then I can give Kirijo and co. the ol' slice and dice!"

"Soon the pieces will gather on our board."

"And then our little game will begin!" The red maned boy, with his face scarred, would laugh; he was utterly excited for his plan to kick into gear! He had one more target to capture, just to make sure everyone turns on each other with no chance of it being ruined. And this one will be even easier to manipulate and capture!

05/02

Souji was on board the train after hurrying out of school, arriving to get changed into something more appropriate, and take his bag with all the clothes he'll need. It was a long trip. He didn't even have time to bring things from Tokyo to his friends! But this came at a good time, as he could finally escape his father. This wasn't a permanent solution, but he felt that he deserved this time away from him as even a day of putting up with his act was pushing for a vacation to undo that stress he causes.

He would arrive as the sun was starting to set, his Uncle and his daughter were already here to greet. The little girl charged him as hard as when he left Inaba.

"Big bro! Welcome back!"

"Good to have you home, Souji." Both the Dojimas were more welcoming than his own parents ever will be.

"It's good to be back."

Nanako didn't let go for another minute. No one could make her let go this time!

"Let's go, Big Bro. We need to get dinner ready." She sounded a bit more responsible this time around.

"Right, right." There's no place like home.

Meanwhile in the hill overlooking town, Masato Yoshida, the cook who arrived almost exactly one year ago from today, has been recalled to this location by someone named Kurosawa. Masato was dressed in a black jacket, the interior purple, while he wore brown reading glasses which still didn't conceal his green eyes, a standout feature otherwise being passed off as pure Japanese with his hair that was as jet black as the woman he worked under at the Inn. It seems the papers he passed onto this agent had finally been reviewed.

"So, our suspicions were true." He would mutter to himself.

"Sir, I confirmed this with absolute certainty in September. And I've kept tabs ever since."

"And did they ever suspect you?"

"No, sir. To them, I'm merely an aspiring chef that works at one of their friends' Inn."

"Very good, Agent Yoshida. The Amagi Inn, yes?" To which the cook nodded for his reply. "Alright. Now I have one more request for you."

"What do you need, sir?"

"I need you to arrange a portfolio. And be ready tomorrow at any time. There's an incident that is about to unfold."

"Is this going to be the same as last time?"

"I am not sure. Mitsuru Kirijo herself will be here alongside Agents Aigis, Akihiko Sanada, and Fuuka Yamagishi."

"This must be that dangerous if they're all here." Masato pondered what this might be about.

"Something vital has been stolen. I don't know if you heard about the hijacked plane, but it seems that was a distraction while the culprit took something that might be able to harm humanity. It's similar to Aigis, but I am not too clear on that assessment."

"...I see. Kurosawa, sir, is there anything else you need me to do?"

"Just be ready by tomorrow. I will call for you when they arrive and tell you where you need to be."

"Yes, sir! Then by your leave." Masato would leave the papers he had over to Kurosawa and head back down. His whole reason for being here was not what he initially stated. He had been here for the Kirijo Group to monitor the incident they tracked and eventually, the team of Persona users who took it upon themselves to put an end to the Shadow activity.

But there's no way they could suspect him now, or even prove something was amiss. The cook, if he can still be called that, had returned home; frantically pulling out all the stops to create elabate paragraphs on every member of the team, as well as having the necesssary photographs ready. There was much work to do. A battle was surely brewing, and it was imperative to make sure the correct parties were identified. They were kind to him after all; he had to make sure they weren't seen as a threat!

05/03

Just when Masato thought he was done at midnight, the Midnight Channel returned on his TV screen just as he finished the last bio on his list of the Investigation team. It had displayed every single person he believed to be involved in the murder. But, would they fight each other? Something felt off about all this…

Regardless, in the afternoon he received the call, to meet Kurosawa and the Boss herself. He was to meet them at the Junkyard of TVs on the outskirts of town. When he arrived, there was a large limousine out here, a gem standing atop a messy pile. It was so out of place, Masato believed this might be a prank. But no, Kurosawa confirmed as such.

The door to the back of the limousine was now ajar. The first person to step out was a blonde with blue eyes, a true standout in not just Inaba, but most of Japan. And after her… was the Big Boss herself. Mitsuru Kirijo. The head of not just the Shadow Operatives, but all of the empire that is the Kirijo group. This group started in electronics, but it quickly flourished and expanded its reach beyond simple technology. Medicine, science, education, and even the Military if you count this Shadow organization. Her beautiful red hair and strong figure were easy standouts upon a single first glimpse. She was beauty incarnate, but also the strongest woman Masato has ever met.

Kurosawa makes a remark, to which Mitsuru would raise her hand to stop Aigis from making a remark of her own.

Aigis was the blonde, but that wasn't her standout feature. The truth is she is a machine built to destroy Shadows and any who use them for the harm of innocents. The Anti-Shadow Suppression Unit.

"We appreciate your cooperation, Agent Kurosawa. And you as well, Agent Yoshida." She spoke with such a formal, respectful tone. No one was beneath her. She viewed everyone as individuals who mattered.

"Long time no see, Miss. And… Aigis, it's been too long." He would tilt his head to the robotic girl.

"Indeed. It has been a while." Aigis wasn't wearing her normal clothes, likely being prepared for battle since that was likely given the severity of the incident. "And you are Agent H-A0905, full name-"

"I am Masato Yoshida for this mission, yes. My profession, espionage and intelligence gathering." He cut her off, his tone as respectful as he can be.

"Ah, yes; you still remain on assignment. It is good to see you again, Yoshida-san."

"Thank you. It is good to see you both again." Masato would bow deep for both of the women before him.

"It has been, Agent Yoshida. But let us speak in the car for our own discretion. Please, get in." All four would enter the vehicle for their privacy and sharing of such crucial information.

Kurosawa would not waste time getting to his explanation of his research.

"I learned quite a lot about the case you asked me to look into. First, I reviewed the report of the incidents from last year. One of the suspects mentioned the word, 'Persona'."

"So what went on here last year…" Mitsuru trailed, her eyes recalling her own incident she lived through years back.

"It's probably related. But I wasn't done there. Parts of this guy's testimony were even more outlandish. If you can take what's on record at face value… It seems Persona-users can enter TVs within the Inaba region."

Aigis was the more clearly confused one, but Mitsuru also held some reservations herself.

"Enter… TVs? What does that mean?"

"Just what it sounds like. You physically stick your body into the screen and go inside. He claimed there was another world in the TV, and dropping people inside it was the method behind last year's murders."

"This all sounds rather absurd… Honestly, I'm surprised it was included in the police report." Mitsuru's eyes looked skeptical, her tone sounding like she was reluctantly accepting this.

"I got in touch with the Detective in charge at the time and he said the same thing. He kept it in because of another Detective's insistence."

"He sounds like quite the oddball."

"It's true. I can verify it myself." Masato would cut in, pulling out a photograph and passing it onto the women. "This is the one picture I took of some of those who were secretly involved during the incident; entering the TV World at the Junes store's Electronics section here in Inaba." It showed what looked like Souji sticking part of his body inside, with Yosuke, Yukiko, Kanji, and Chie behind him.

"Hm, this is not edited. The probability is low to none."

"In the report, it's stated that Detective Dojima is the one who caught the culprit. Being able to get through the supernatural hocus-pocus is impressive, but despite how Shrewd Dojima is, he could not catch them alone."

"Someone else aided him?" Aigis pondered.

"I'm afraid that is for Agent Yoshida to elaborate on. I must be going. I doubt we have time to reminisce. I thought you would all be done fighting, yet you never cease to surprise me." He gave a whimsical smile, eyes closed. Mitsuru asked if they can see him off, but his joke about not wanting to be caught dead riding a limo made everyone crack a smile, much to Mitsuru's chagrin.

"Agent Yoshida, the rest of the report is up to you." Kurosawa noted as he departed the van.

Such a stern looking man, yet he held such a soft spot for this group. He was one cool cop.

"Agent H-A-0905. Can you elaborate on this?" Aigis spoke in her robotic dialect.

"Yes. Here I have a portfolio assembled for your reading. I will hand you each photo of every known person I believe to have also taken part in the murder incidents." He cleared his throat.

"Very well. Please tell us what you have learned, Agent Yoshida. Any information you have is vital." He would hand them the first photo, and every other one as he mentioned their names down the line.

"Thank you, Mitsuru-san. First is Souji Seta. He was a transfer student that arrived in Inaba last year. And has been involved from day one. Every other person I will list mentions him as their Leader. He left in April, but I have learned he is here now for the Golden Week holidays. And it might be safe to assume he is aware of something going wrong here. The Midnight Channel, the key to finding the Killer's next target, has returned. I confirmed this myself last night. He is the most mysterious person amongst this group, but I do know he is the nephew of the Detective who identified the killer. Anyway, the next person is Yosuke Hanamura, son of the General Manager of the local Junes department store. Now a third year at Yasogami high. One of the victims was a close friend, so he was involved to find the one who killed her. Chie Satonaka is the third member and a fellow third year, and she was involved once the third person went missing was confirmed to be a friend she knew. These three are the core members as they had to stop every subsequent person who was thrown inside. At least, from what I can infer."

"There were more victims?" Mitsuru would question, wondering why that wasn't in the police report.

"Yes, because these three and the ones that joined after would save them." He would nod, handing over the photo of the first one. The bright red in the photograph was an easy tell for who it was. "This… is Yukiko Amagi, the daughter of the Inn you helped me blend into, Mitsuru-san. She was the next person thrown in. And she was one of my ways of finding out all the members of the group and their identities. She does not know who I truly am, however. The next person is Kanji Tatsumi, a second year who is likely their muscle. He is the inheritor of a local textile shop. …This next person is Rise Kujikawa, also known as Risette. She is the idol that took over Japan and suddenly left as fast as she had risen. She is how I realized the pattern; when I dug into the reports that she was found at the Rooftop of Junes, I was able to put together everything in regards to the method. Next is an anomaly. He refers to himself as Teddie. Inside the suit he is a short, Caucasian looking male, with eyes and hair that are similar to Aigis, but… I don't know when or how he arrived. But he always enters the TV with the suit on.

And finally, we have Naoto Shirogane. The next in line of the legacy of Detectives. She is the one who also got credit for the arrest of the criminal behind the incidents while Dojima took credit for identifying him. She was identified initially as a He to the public, but now she goes by these pronouns instead. She is already an established member of the police force at her young age."

"All facial features are now scanned and registered. Are they hostile?"

"No, not at all. I firmly believe they are the ones who actually figured out the true killer, as well as apprehending the fake copycat killer. If you run into them, please do not attack them. They are just like us, in a sense. All striving for similar goals."

"...You seem to have an attachment to them. Are you sure that is wise?" Mitsuru spoke with a tone that put Masato on edge for some reason. It was cautious, but to him it felt worse.

"Well, they have been kind to me so far. And I believe they are good people. I don't think they are involved in this incident by choice."

"Very well. I will take your word for it. You have done a great service for us… Yoshida."

"Thank you, ma'am. I am glad to be of service towards our goals."

"I will inform Akihiko of your aid. He will be arriving soon. Do you wish to see him before you go?"

"...No. I'll see him after you all succeed."

"Hmhm… very well."

"What of Fuuka-san? I was told she would be here too."

"She is coming separately like Akihiko, but Yamagishi will likely be supporting us from the outside."

"I understand. Well, I shall see you all later. Good luck on the mission."

"And you as well. Once this is over… we may have new orders for you."

"Will I… be able to contribute more?" His tone sounded a touch shaky.

"If you can show good progress, then yes."

"...Alright then. By your leave, Mitsuru-san, Aigis." His tone sounded uncertain; doubt clouded his mind. This line of work… it was eating away at him. How would this change him, however? Only time will tell the truth of that situation.

A/C: Everything is set up! Again, we will be cutting the main event, but some of those character arcs are going to be repurposed into this story for later chapters, with some changes of course. I hope Masato is interesting you all! Making OCs for these stories is tough if they're not written and deployed properly, after all!

Today's musical reference is "Come out & Play" AKA Keep'em Seperated by The Offspring, a classic song I enjoy! This fits both Nanako's want for Souji to come back home to play with her, and our debut of Osamu Seta to come out and play in this story! He's the opposite of Homare, as he is very controlling, which is ironic when you consider how Yukiko felt in the main events of P4. No wonder Souji felt for her a lot, but he never told her. Why? Because his dad is such a bitter part of his life. He'll be appearing now and again, but he will have his day, trust me. He doesn't seem to like Inaba, however. Wonder why? He must prefer the city way more!

Next time, we plow through Golden Week's remaining time since, well, Ultimax isn't happening here, it's a good time to unwind yes? But then... what happens to everyone's character growth that happens within that timeframe? Only one way to find out! Take care until next time!