Ren: Hello everyone! Ren here and it's time for another chapter!
Shiho: We are officially Phantom Thieves.
Ryuji: And the feeling is niiiiice.
Morgana: Funky Ryuji…
Ann: Let's start the show!
Haru: Enjoy!
Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Twenty–Eight
[Opening Scene: Flashback - Yacht (Evening)
Theme of the Troubled: Seven Sisters High School from P2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver.)]
"It doesn't have to be," Hifumi whispered. "It doesn't. We can find this feeling together. We can still be friends. You don't have to leave it at this. Please?"
Hifumi and Haru stood there as the sounds of waves and seagulls flowed around them, the glow of the setting sun softening Haru's face.
Hifumi felt Haru's hand touch her face softly, Haru's brown eyes shimmering before Haru leaned close and pressed a gentle kiss to Hifumi's lips, which caused Hifumi's eyes to widen in surprise.
Before Hifumi could do anything more, Haru took a step back and whispered, "I'm sorry," before she turned away and ran as fast as she could.
"W-Wait! Haru!" Hifumi shouted after her as she lifted her hand.
[Scene Change: Present Time Shibuya - Railway (Morning)
Theme of the Troubled: Seven Sisters High School from P2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver.)]
Hifumi opened her eyes and let out a soft sigh.
Ever since that night, that memory continued to haunt her.
Why didn't she do something more or chase after Haru?
She was the Undefeated Shogi Queen, and yet she lost to the beautiful Okumura Haru.
Hifumi touched her lips, which still tingled from the gentle kiss of the young socialite, and sighed.
Why did she let Haru escape?
Over the hustle and bustle of the train car she was in, she heard a voice say, "Ann-chan, I'm worried about Ren and Haru."
'Haru?' Hifumi thought.
"I am too, Shiho," Another voice said. "Haru's been off ever since she came back from wherever she was, and Ren practically enraged all night."
Hifumi stood up from the coveted seat and began to move in the voices' direction, ignoring the hushed whispers about her in the process until she found herself near the owners of the voices.
Thanks to Haru talking about them, their uniforms, and the news report showing images of them, it was easy to realize who these two girls were.
These two were Suzui Shiho and Takamaki Ann, the prime targets of Kamoshida and, most importantly, Haru's friends.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Shiho questioned as she looked to Ann with concern.
"Haru and Ren are tough. They will be okay," Ann responded. "But we should keep an eye on them both. I'll take Ren; you take Haru?"
"That would be wise," Shiho said. "As much as I would love to watch Ren, I don't want to tempt myself with k-kissing him again."
Ann giggled and said, "I still can't believe you kissed him. You are far braver than I ever could be, Shiho-chan. Oh! Our stop is coming up!"
Hifumi felt the train stop and heard the doors open. She watched as Shiho and Ann stepped off, and without hesitation, she followed them off the train.
She knew first hand that her mother would come down on her like Zeus when he sees a cute woman, but she needed to do this.
She had warned Haru that she would do all that she could to win, and now it was time to prove it.
'I won't give up our friendship without a fight, Okumura Haru!'
[Scene Change: Shibuya - Shujin Academy (Outside - Morning)
Theme of Shujin Academy: Want to be Close from Persona 3]
Ren was in a foul mood.
After seeing and hearing the man who ruined his life, Ren could not stop the scream-filled rant from echoing in the hall. It took everyone to calm him down, but he was still as pissed as he was yesterday despite this.
But as he arrived at school with Morgana in his bag, he saw an excited-looking Mishima running to him. "A-Amamiya-kun! You've f-finally arrived!" Mishima said with a bashful smile.
Despite his bad mood, Ren grinned at the bright smile on the shorter teen's face. "Hey, Mishima-san," Ren said. "How long did you wait for me?"
"It wasn't too long! J-Just about t-twenty minutes," The teen said happily. "I-I wanted to show this…" Mishima dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone, which had The Phantom Aficionado Website pulled up. "D-Did I do good?" Mishima hopefully asked.
"Yeah, Ryuji showed me the other day. Let me guess; you made it?" Ren asked.
Mishima blushed and nodded. "You guys are t-truly a-amazing, and I w-wanted to spread the word. So many people s-seem to agree too. I-I hope you like it," Mishima shyly mumbled.
Ren's bad mood evaporated at the hopeful expression on his friend's face. "I do. You did good work, Mishima-san," Ren told him with a smile. "This will be useful for the Phantom Thieves to use."
"R-Really?" Mishima asked.
Ren nodded.
"That's great. I-I was worried, you know?" Mishima admitted with downcasted eyes. "W-When you realized that I leaked your record. I-I thought you'd be angry at me, but instead, you stood up for me against Kamoshida and e-even stopped his reign of terror…I want to be able to help you and the others….And I figured making the Phan-site would help…."
Ren frowned.
Was Mishima that worried about his reaction?
"Didn't I already tell you that I would never hold that against you?" Ren questioned with a slight smile. "Besides, you know who we are, and seeing as you're helping us and not ratting on us, that shows me where your loyalties lie now."
Ren placed his hand on Mishima's head, causing the teen's blush to deepen. "I consider you an honorary Phantom Thief. Don't let us down…"
"I won't let you down! I promise Amamiya-kun," Mishima said with shining eyes.
It was then Ren heard that familiar voice in his head.
"I am thou, thou art I…
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Moon Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power…"
Ren motioned for Mishima to follow him as he said, "Since you are the creator of the Phan-site, I have a mission for you. I was hoping you could look out for anyone that needs our help. Nothing like "This guy gave me bad grades" but more akin to "This guy is bullying/threatening/etc." alright?"
Ren then paused and said, "And full names. Find anyone that gives a full name."
"I won't let you d-down," Mishima said before he took out his phone. "Can I have your number and Chat ID so I can let you know if that happens?"
Ren nodded and relayed his number to Mishima as Ann and Shiho walked up behind them.
"Hey Mishima-san, hey Ren-kun," Shiho said with a smile as Ann slung an arm around Ren with a grin.
"What's shakin', bacon?" Ann asked.
"Just giving our honorary member my number," Ren said with a smile to the girls.
"Honorary Member?" Ann murmured before she gasped out, "Are you sure?"
"I trust him. Plus, I think he'll prove himself as one of our key allies," Ren said to Mishima, who flushed. "Call it a gut feeling."
"Well, we have your back," Shiho said before she looked to Mishima and said, "Yours too, Mishima-san."
Mishima smiled with reddened cheeks. "I-I will not let you all down," he stammered with a slight bow and ran off into the school.
"So Mishima knows about us?" Shiho asked.
"Seems obvious since he practically bowed to us when Kamoshida went down," Ann said.
"Yeah. Besides, it would do no good to try to fake him out, especially with the site. He will help us greatly," Ren said as he dug his hands into his pockets.
"Where is Okumura Haru?"A voice cried out from behind them.
The trio turned around to see an unfamiliar girl with piercing green eyes that almost glowed in determination.
[Theme of Questioning: Suspicion from Persona 5]
The trio was stunned at this girl's sudden appearance, but Ren felt a weird pressure in his stomach.
He had seen her before.
But where?
"Where is Okumura Haru," The girl repeated with her eyes narrowing.
"Um, who are you?" Ann questioned with narrowed eyes of her own.
"I am Togo Hifumi," The girl, Hifumi, answered as she crossed her arms. "Takamaki Ann, Suzui Shiho," she then looked at Ren and said, "And you must be Amamiya Ren."
She hummed and said, "All that is missing is Sakamoto Ryuji, and her group of friends are all here."
"How do you know who we are?" Ren questioned.
"Haru told me all about you guys," Hifumi replied. "Not to mention, the news has been replaying Kamoshida's confession on repeat. That's how I know."
The group frowned at this.
"Haru told us briefly about you, too," Shiho said. "What did you do to her?"
"I did nothing to her," Hifumi said. "I need to talk to her. She owes me an explanation."
Ren narrowed his eyes at her thoughtfully and asked, "An explanation about what?"
Hifumi shifted and said, "That our affair, not yours. I need to talk to her."
"Why can't you just call her?" Ann asked.
"I would have if I could have," Hifumi said. "But I can't. This is the best way I can get her to see me."
"Do you know why she's been so down?" Shiho asked.
[Theme of Understanding: Confession, Secret (Piano Ver) from Persona 5]
"If it's the same reason I have been down, then yes," Hifumi answered. "Listen, that night, she did something to me that I can't get out of my head. I keep replaying it over and over again, wishing the outcome could be different. But no matter how many angles I try to attack it from, I can never win. I can't win until I figure out why."
Hifumi took a sharp breath and yelled, "But I can't do that without her!"
Ren saw Shiho's eyes softened from the yell.
"So please, I need to see her…I need her help to figure this out. To figure why she did what she did so I can formulate my plan of attack and get her to be with me," Hifumi said. "Please?"
Ren watched as Shiho walked up to Hifumi and saw them exchange a few words in a whisper. After a moment, Shiho nodded and shouted, "Ann-chan! I need your help!"
Ren and Ann exchanged a look before Ann ran over to Shiho. He watched them converse before Ann ran back to Ren and said, "We'll take over from here. Can we borrow your jacket? "
"W-Why?" Ren asked.
Ann glowered in response.
Remembering how terrifying Ann was when pissed, Ren immediately removed his jacket and handed it to her. "Thank you," Ann said with a smile. "Now, why don't you head into school, and we'll see you in there. Okay?"
"O-Okay?" Ren stammered.
"Go on! Shoo!" Ann said.
Ren nodded and walked through the gates.
[Scene Change: Shibuya - Shujin Academy (Student Council Room - Morning)
Theme of Shujin Academy: Want to be Close from Persona 3]
"So you're Yoshizawa Kasumi. First-year From Gorin Academy. Honor student, skilled gymnast, second Head of the Gorin Academy Student Council, and excellent cook…You seem to have it all. Why come here?" Makoto asked her with a curious expression.
Kasumi smiled and Makoto and said, "With the death of my sister and issues regarding my boy…ex-boyfriend, my family decided to move to Shibuya so he could be closer to his job. His name is Yoshizawa Shinichi. Host of Good Morning Japan."
"Ah, my sister as an acquaintance that is often on that show," Makoto said. "Gorin Academy…Ah, you must know Amamiya Ren then. He just transferred from Gorin after some unsavory incident."
Kasumi froze as the image of his hurt expression appeared in her head.
"H-How do you know Ren?" Kasumi asked.
The student council president said, "He's also on the student council."
Kasumi winced.
Of course, he would. Ren was the head of the council at Gorin. It would make sense for him to become the student council at this school as well.
"Y-You….trai….Bu…tru…" A static-like voice whispered in her head.
What was that?
"But we can discuss that later. For now, we need to give you a tour of the school. Normally, another one of my student council members would do it, but with two of my other members being indisposed and Ren being in class, I will have someone show you around while I look over your records, understand?" Makoto asked her.
Kasumi nodded.
"Good, sit tight. I will be back," Makoto said as she stood up from her chair and headed towards the door.
All Kasumi could do is pray that she didn't have to see Ren's heartbroken expression again.
[Scene Change: Shibuya - Shujin Academy (Hallway - Morning)
Theme of Shujin Academy: Want to be Close from Persona 3]
"I cannot believe this worked," Hifumi muttered in disbelief as she walked in between Ann and Shiho. Gone was her Kosei uniform. Thanks to Shiho's Shujin skirt and Ren's jacket, a pair of color contacts that Ann had in her purse, and the removal of her lucky charm, Hifumi looked exactly like an ordinary Shujin student.
"Shut up, or you'll blow it," Ann whispered as the trio walked past the student council room as the door began to open.
The plan was simple. Find the classroom Haru was in and push the disguised Hifumi inside.
It was foolproof!
"Sorry," Hifumi said.
"Suzui-san, Takamaki-san," A voice shouted from behind them.
Well, the plan was foolproof up to this point.
"Shit," Ann growled out angrily, which caused both Hifumi and Shiho to jump in alarm. The trio turned around to see a red-eyed, brown-haired student walking up behind him.
"Hello, Niijima-san," Ann heatedly greeted.
"Takamaki," Niijima responded, her tone also cold.
"Hello Niijima-sempai," Shiho diplomatically said.
Niijima then looked to Hifumi. Hifumi had a look of total peace on her face as she greeted her fellow third year with an, "Hello Niijima-san."
"You look familiar," Niijima muttered as she stared down Hifumi. "We don't share classes, but I know I've seen you before…"
Hifumi watched as a twinkle appeared in Niijima's red eyes and a hint of a smirk on her face.
"Oh, Niijima-sempai, how is student council?" Shiho suddenly asked.
Niijima gave her a subtle nod, then looked to Shiho and said, "Thank you for reminding me. I wanted to know if one of you can show our new student around. Her name is Yoshizawa Sumire. She is a first-year student."
Hifumi and Ann watched as Shiho paled before her gaze became cold. "Sumire? Are you sure that's her name?"
"I'm positive," Makoto answered. "You know her?"
"I know of her," Shiho whispered."But why ask us?"
"All of my fellow student council members are…Striking right now due to my decisions regarding a new council member. You should know him. He is your leader, after all," Niijima said to both Shiho and Ann with a subtle smirk.
"I see," Ann said.
"So, I'm short-handed, and since I am familiar with you two, I figured I would ask," Niijima finished.
"I think I'll show her around," Shiho said. "Ann-chan, why don't you keep our friend company before her classes up here start?"
Ann nodded before she motioned for Hifumi to follow her.
Hifumi nodded and quickly followed Ann, leaving Shiho and Niijima.
[Theme of Questioning: Suspicion from Persona 5]
"You two are skilled liars," Makoto told Suzui with an easy-going expression. "You must need to be the Phantom Thieves."
"I'm doing you a favor," Suzui icily responded. "Do not make me regret it."
Makoto chuckled and motioned for Suzui to follow her, and as they walked, Makoto said, "I don't see why you're so hostile to me. Amamiya-san is my friend as well. We should be getting along and not fighting."
"You two are friends?" Suzui questioned with surprise.
"He…" Makoto's tone softened. "Helped me the other day, and I helped him in return. Friends."
Suzui frowned at this and said, "You can be friends with whoever you want. It doesn't make us friends or acquaintances."
"Very well," Makoto said with a subtle sigh. "Maybe I can ask Ren why you have the Togo Hifumi, a well-known Shogi player and Kosei student, being snuck into our school."
She smirked when she saw Suzui stiffen.
It's the little things in life, she figured.
"This is why you're all alone…" the familiar voice whispered in her head, but Makoto forcefully ignored it.
"How did you know?" Suzui whispered.
"I tend to enjoy strategy and often watch her matches. There was no way you two could have hidden her beauty behind fake contacts," Makoto answered.
"And you still let her go?" Suzui asked with confusion.
"You can deny it, but you and your friends helped bring down Kamoshida. This school and her students owe you all a debt," Makoto told her with a hushed tone. "Myself more than anyone."
"What do you mean?" Suzui asked.
"Come on, Suzui," Makoto whispered. "I'm the student council president and the principal's right hand…I should have been able to protect everyone from Kamoshida, but I didn't because I was kept unaware…I owe you all a big debt. It's why I didn't stop Ren when he outright told me he was going to stop Kamoshida."
"Niijima," Suzui whispered.
Makoto looked at Suzui and said, "Before the calling card, Ren asked me, "Will you stand by and allow Kamoshida to continue to wreak havoc on the schoolmates we are here to protect, or will you stand up and stop him with me?" And I will admit that I was unsure because I was supposed to stop things like this as the Principal's right hand. But In my heart, I wanted you all to succeed where I had failed. It angers me that I was blind to it all…It makes me feel…."
"Useless…." The voice whispered.
"Useless," Suzui murmured, unknowingly echoing the voice in her head. "Niijima-sempai, I-"
"You don't have to say anything," Makoto said. "It was a job well done. He was stopped in the end, and that is what I am grateful about."
Suzui nodded.
The two entered the room, and Makoto noticed the icy expression on Suzui return at the sight of Sumire. "Yoshizawa-san. Thank you for waiting," Makoto said.
Sumire gave a bright smile and said, "It's no problem at all, Niijima-Sempai."
"This is Suzui Shiho. She will be the one to show you around Shujin," Makoto said, introducing Suzui to Sumire.
"It is nice to meet you, Suzui-sempai," Sumire said with a bow.
"Quite," Suzui responded.
"When you're finished, please bring her back to the student council room. I'll be in there," Makoto told Suzui, who nodded. "And again, thank you."
Suzui nodded, but Makoto could see a brief smile on her face before it finished when she glanced at Sumire.
[Theme of Shujin Academy: Want to be Close from Persona 3]
"There she is. She's in the classroom," Ann said to Hifumi with a sly grin on her face. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Hifumi said. "Looks like the class hasn't started yet. All I have to do is go in and talk to her."
"You can do it," Ann encouraged.
Hifumi nodded and walked into the classroom.
Haru was sitting in her seat, looking out of the window. Thanks to the reflection, Haru had a sad expression on her face, and Hifumi felt a pang of sadness hit her chest.
'Head in the game,' Hifumi thought as she walked to the empty seat behind Haru, sat down in it, and tapped her shoulder.
She saw Haru blink in the reflection before she turned around, only for Hifumi to grin. "So…Mind if we have a chat, Haru-chan?"
Haru was stunned at her presence.
"H-Hifumi-chan…W-What in the world?" Haru breathed out. "H-How?"
"I had help," Hifumi said as she motioned to the door. Haru looked and saw Ann wave at her through the door before she gave a thumbs-up and ran off.
"Wow…" Haru breathed out.
"I told you, Haru-chan. There's no force alive that can stop me from getting what I desire," Hifumi said. "Is there a place we can talk?"
Haru narrowed her eyes and said, "We can't talk here at school. We need to go somewhere else."
"Where?" Hifumi said.
"Somewhere not here," Haru said as she stood up, took Hifumi's, and said, "Come on."
Hifumi could see Haru's cheeks reddening and smiled before she stood up and followed her out of the classroom.
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Shujin Rooftop (Afternoon)
Theme of Hanging Out: Afternoon Break from Persona 3]
"Are you fucking serious?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"I missed all of that?" Ren asked.
"This is pure Phantom Thief stuff, and we missed it," Morgana whined.
"I just hope Haru won't be mad at us for interfering in her affairs," Ann said with a sigh.
"I miss one train, and we have an impromptu mission, this tanks," Ryuji grumbled. "But despite that, Ren-Ren, how are you feeling?"
"I'm not as pissed as I was about that guy," Ren admitted with a frown. "I'm sorry I delayed your date again."
"Date? You had a date Ryuji?" Morgana asked.
Ren watched as Ann blushed and tried to keep herself hidden from Morgana as Ryuji said, "Yeah, but after Ren's break yesterday, we had to postpone it," Ryuji then looked around and asked, "Where is Shiho?"
"Yeah, where is Shiho, Lady Ann?" Morgana asked.
"Niijima and her went off to give a tour to this Sumire girl," Ann answered, which caused Ren to stiffen, which Ann noticed curiously.
"Hopefully, it's going well then," Ryuji said.
Ren opened his mouth to talk when he heard his phone went off.
(I tried hard, but where did we go wrong?
I hope we could... but I won't start all over again)
Ren quickly answered his phone with, "Amamiya Pizza, Ren speaking."
"Cute," Makoto's voice said, "Can you come down to the Student Council room?" Makoto's voice asked.
"Sure I can Makoto-san. What's going on?" Ren replied, ignoring the curious expressions on his friends' faces.
"We have a new Student Council hopeful that wishes to join, and with my other two Student Council members…absent, there must be two of us at least to interview any new member," Makoto explained.
"Alright. I'll be right down," Ren said.
"Thank you," Makoto said before she hung up.
"You have Nijiima's number? When did that happen?" Ryuji asked with surprise.
"Recently. We have a bit of understanding with one another," Ren replied.
Ann scowled and muttered, "God, she makes me sick with her "Holier than thou" attitude."
"Amp down," Ryuji said to Ann as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Ann scowled but remained silent.
"Can she be trusted?" Morgana asked Ren.
"Yeah, she didn't take my first notebook to the authorities when she got a hold of it. I trust her," Ren replied. "Besides, I have an inkling about her."
"An Inkling?" Morgana asked.
"Yes…I don't know why but I feel that I can trust her. Call it a gut feeling," Ren answered with a smile.
"We defer to your judgment," Morgana said, but Ann's frown remained.
"I'm heading down. You coming with Morgana?" Ren asked.
"Nah, I wanna stretch my legs a bit. Let's all meet up in the alleyway that used to be Kamoshida's entrance. I'll show you guys Shibuya's dirty little secret," Morgana said with a wink before he leaped off of the roof.
"We'll meet after school then. Meeting adjourned," Ren said with a smile.
[Scene Change: Shibuya - Shujin Academy (Student Council Room - Afternoon)
Theme of Shujin Academy: Want to be Close from Persona 3]
"Thank you for showing me around, Suzui-sempai," Kasumi said with a respectful tone as she sat back down in the student council room.
"You do not have to thank me for that," Shiho replied before she looked to Makoto and said, "Tour complete, Niijima-sempai."
"Thank you so much, Suzui-san," Makoto said with a grateful tone.
Shiho stared at Makoto for a moment before she leaned down and whispered something into Makoto's ear, but Kasumi couldn't make it out. Kasumi watched as Makoto tilted her head then looked to Shiho curiously before she nodded.
"Thank you," Shiho said before she walked out, not sparing Kasumi another look, which made her frown.
"So Kasumi-san, how was the tour?" Makoto asked.
Kasumi sat for a moment.
The tour had been fine, but Shiho had been cold and short with her, and she didn't know why.
But whatever she had done, she felt as if she deserved it.
"It went okay. Suzui-sempai seemed tense," Kasumi answered truthfully.
"Good," Makoto said. "I know things seem tense around here, but a lot has happened here at our school, specifically to her and her group of friends. She's usually very polite and nice. I wouldn't hold it against her."
A few minutes later, the door opened up to reveal Ren, who paused dead in his tracks, the smile sliding away from his face. "Ah! Amamiya-san. Thank you for joining me," Makoto said with a faint smile.
Kasumi took a shuddered breath as Ren slowly looked at Makoto and asked, "Is she the new Student Council hopeful?"
"Yes, she is," Makoto replied, but Kasumi could see the confusion on her face.
"I see…" Ren took a deep breath and said, "Well then, as Former Student Council president of Gorin, I accept her request. She's an outstanding council member. She never let me down…"
"Well, that was quick," Makoto said before she turned to Kasumi and said, "Well then, welcome to Shujin Academy's Student Council."
"T-Thank you," Kasumi whispered as she bowed her head. "Can I be excused?"
"Sure. We aren't doing a student council meeting now," Makoto said with a smile before the intercom chimed.
"Nijiima Makoto, please report to the Principal's office, please? Niijima Makoto, please report to the Principal's office!"
"I guess both of us will be heading out then," Makoto said with a rather pleasant smile, but Kasumi could offer only a weak one before she got up and practically ran out of the office. The hall was still crowded with various people.
"Darn it…" Kasumi mumbled as she ran down the hall and began to ask the various students about Ren's whereabouts. She was met with primarily rude responses or fearful ones regarding him until she finally met a blond-haired punkish-looking guy leaning against the wall looking thoughtful.
"Please…my name is Yoshizawa Kasumi. Can you tell me where Amamiya Ren is?" Kasumi asked.
"Hm? Ren? What do you want with him?" The blond guy asked, which caused Kasumi to frown.
"I knew him in Gorin…I wish to speak to him about what happened," Kasumi said.
She watched as his eyes lit up in delight and said, "Oh shit, I can't believe you knew RenRen back then. I gotta hear some of his embarrassing stories. Names Sakamoto Ryuji and I'm his best bro."
Kasumi let out a small laugh.
Finally, there was some progress.
"That's wonderful. I thought everyone at this school hated Ren…" Kasumi said with a relieved smile.
"Well, thanks to some shithead, they do, but Ren has some true through and through companions," Ryuji replied with a smile. "But you won't find Ren here. He left school in a rush for some reason. My friend Ann followed him, though, so he wouldn't get into trouble, so no worries about that."
"Oh…" Kasumi whispered sadly.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Ryuji asked.
"I…I was hoping to talk to him…Look, My name is Yoshizawa Kasumi. I'm his…was his girlfriend," Kasumi said.
"Wow, a little cutie like you? Go, Ren," Ryuji said with a slight grin before he turned serious. "But you said "was," so I think things didn't turn out right, yeah?"
Kasumi lowered her sadly.
Ryuji pulled out his phone and began to text on it before he looked at her and said, "Let's go to the roof so we can talk."
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Shujin Rooftop (Afternoon)
Theme of Hanging Out: Afternoon Break from Persona 3]
Kasumi let Ryuji lead her to the roof, and once they got there, he said, "I'm waiting for two other friends of Ren-Ren to show up. Once they do, we can talk, alright?"
"Why?" Kasumi asked.
"We know about Ren's past, but you're the only person that knew him during that. I guess I'm curious to see a firsthand account of what went down," Ryuji replied. "Plus, you seemed panicked about finding Ren, and judging that Ren booked it, it leads me to assume he left because he saw you."
"Oh, I get it…" Kasumi said.
After a few minutes, a familiar face of Suzui Shiho appeared on the roof, which caused Kasumi to frown. "Shiho, thanks for meeting up here. I promise you it's for a good reason."
"No problem Ryuji-nii," the brown-haired girl said before she looked at Kasumi and said, "Oh, you're here."
"H-Hello again, Suzui-sempai," Kasumi murmured.
"You know her?" Ryuji asked.
"Yes, I showed her around earlier this morning," Shiho answered. "What's going on with her?"
"Well, she wants to talk to Ren-Ren. Get this, she went to his school and was his girlfriend. Crazy, right?" Ryuji excitedly asked.
Kasumi watched as Shiho's expression became colder as she said, "Ren told me about her." Shiho then turned to her and bluntly said, "To think, you're the one that hurt him so bad."
[Theme of Interrogation: Talk from Persona 5]
Kasumi flinched at this.
"Hm, I know you were chilly with me during the tour. It seems Ren is why," Kasumi murmured. "It's nothing I don't deserve."
Kasumi looked down at the ground and said, "I'm the one that hurt him. I deserve all of this and more…"
"How did it happen?" Shiho asked her. "Explain. Now."
"Whoa, amp down Shiho," Ryuji said.
"Explain," Shiho repeated.
Kasumi flinched and looked away from Shiho with a guilty frown on her face.
"I don't even know where to start," Kasumi admitted.
"The beginning would be nice," Shiho told her.
"Okay, okay…" Kasumi said. "It all started around the time my sister Sumire was killed…She died in a car accident…"
[Scene Change: Shujin Academy (Student Council Room - Afternoon)
Theme of the Troubled: Seven Sisters High School from P2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver.)]
Makoto walked out of the Principal's office with a firm look on her face. She was just asked to figure out who the Phantom Thieves were.
And while she already knew who they were, she felt at odds with herself. If she had told Kobayakawa the truth, this investigation would quickly end, and she would get his recommendation for any college she wanted.
And while he said this was about wanting to wade through the press regarding the school, Makoto had a deep suspicion that he was more concerned about Kamoshida's change and how it reflected the school more than the students and their well-being.
And for him to mention and then threaten her achievements while tossing in her sisters' thoughts if something were to happen to her academic achievements was something sinister.
And the sad part was that he was right.
Sae has made it clear time and again that Makoto's academic achievements reflected on her as her caretaker. If she screwed up, then her sister would be to blame, which could ruin everything she worked hard to accomplish.
Makoto walked away from the principal's office and walked to the student council room, where she knew no one would be around. Once she got inside, she shut the door and shut off the lights.
She had to figure out something.
She had to…
And yet…
An image of Ren kissing her on the cheek appeared in her head, which made her stomach flutter.
Makoto had never had a friend before. This outsider was the first one that showed interest in her, and she was looking forward to their friendship, but this request by Kobayakawa is actively putting that at risk.
'I know that doing this would ruin this new friendship I have with Ren and hurt them as a group, and yet…They stopped Kamoshida from continuing his misdeeds…But I have to for my family's future…Damn it! What do I do?' Makoto thought.
It was then she felt the room darken further until she was in a dark void, with only her standing in it.
[Theme of Thy True Self: Bomb Shelter from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver)]
"Oh, dear Mako-chan…" A familiar voice said with a taunting tone, which caused Makoto's eyes to widen as she felt someone behind her. "Once again being the Principal's pet…How fortunate he chose someone so willing to bend for others to do his dirty work…"
Not here, not now.
'Get out of my head…' Makoto growled out. 'I have too much on my mind to allow this madness to continue.'
"We both know that I cannot do that…" The voice said softly. "Not when there is so much turmoil raging in your heart…"
'Shut up!' Makoto thought angrily.
"Oh, Mako-chan….My poor, sweet, pet…" The voice purred out, and despite being at school, Makoto could feel a pair of hands gingerly stroking the sides of her face from behind, slowly moving back to her neck.
Makoto felt herself bristle at the touch as the arms slide down to her hips and wrapped around her. She could feel the presence now pressing against her and felt the presence's chin press against her shoulder. "It must be hard to have to choose between your heart and your mind…Especially since deep down, you know that Kamoshida had to be stopped for his crimes…Ren and his friends did the right thing…And yet all the Principal can see is someone that made his school look bad…"
She turned her head to see herself, her glowing yellow eyes showing mirth within them. "You know that this whole situation is wrong, and yet you still debate with yourself. So tell me, my pet, what are you willing to do? Sacrifice your feelings for high marks or risk it all for what you feel is just? Will it be your mind that wins or your heart?"
At Makoto's silence, the shadow chuckled and whispered, "I look forward to finding out…"
The lights flickered back on, and Makoto found herself alone again. She fell to her knees on the ground before she hit the back of her head against the door.
What will she do?
[Scene Change: Shibuya Train Station (Afternoon)
Theme of Shibuya: Tokyo Daylight from Persona 5)]
'Of all the places, she was there….' Ren thought to himself with bile rising in his throat as he leaned against the wall in front of the train station that would lead him to Central Square.
He had to get away.
He couldn't look at her again.
"Ren!" Ann's voice shouted out.
Ren turned around to see Ann running up behind him.
Damn it! How did she find him here?
"Ren, are you okay?" Ann asked as she placed a hand on his back.
"Ann…What are you doing here?" Ren asked weakly.
"I saw your ass booking it out the school and followed you. Why are you at the train station?" Ann asked with a frown on her face.
"I'm heading home. I-I can't be there right now," Ren explained before he cringed at how weak he sounded.
"But why? What happened?" Ann asked him softly as she placed a hand on his back.
"I-I sa-" Ren began but was interrupted by a boisterous voice.
"I have found my inspiration!"
The two turned around to see a tall, thin teenage boy with dark blue hair with parted bangs slightly covering his left eye and gray eyes. He wore a white gakuran-style shirt embroidered with a fleur-de-lis, fitted black pants, black loafers, and a silver ring with multiple keys attached to his belt loop.
While this spooked ann, the boy's voice filtered in his mind with a shout of "Goemon!"
"I-Inspiration?" Ann asked.
"Yes! The contrast between black and blonde, short and tall, grey and blue. Two wonderful subjects that are dying to be painted by a skilled artist," the teen said with gravitas as his right hand touched his chest. "And I am that artist. Will you two please consider letting me paint you both?"
"C-Can we get a name first?" Ren stammered out in confusion.
"Ah yes. My apology. My name is Kitagawa Yusuke. I am the pupil of the famed artist, Madarame," Yusuke said.
"I've heard of that name," Ann said as she looked to Ren. "He's making huge waves in the art scene. My family owns a few paintings by him. I had no idea that he had a pupil."
"Yes, I've been a pupil of his since I was a child. I was actually on my way home," Yusuke began. "I felt quite frustrated and exhausted regarding the piece I was working on when I happened to pot the two of you. We artists get a certain feeling when he finds inspiration, and you two have reawakened my own. I would love it if you two posed for me. Do not fret if you cannot make a decision now…"
Yusuke pulled out two cards from his pocket and handed one to both of them, and said, "If you both decide to do it, reach me at this number or text me. I am fine with either, but I sure do hope you two regarding my request favorably."
"Thank you?" Ann asked.
"I am off. I hope I hear from you both soon," Yusuke said as he turned around and walked off.
"Such a weird guy…" Ann said as the pair watched him leave.
"Hmm…" Ren replied.
Something about him seemed familiar….Not to mention the voice in his head. It was the same thing he heard when he first met Makoto…
Interesting.
"Don't throw away that card…We may need it eventually," Ren told her.
"Why?" Ann asked.
"Gut feeling…" Ren replied.
"You have a lot of those…" Ann dryly said before she looked to him in concern. "Kitagawa may have interrupted, but I haven't forgotten why we're out here. What's going on, Ren?"
He had hoped she forgot in the mass chaos that is Kitagawa Yusuke.
"There is someone there from my past…" Ren said softly. "Someone that hurt me bad…They go to that school now, and I'm…not ready…"
Ann's eyes softened at this and took his hand. "Let's go to my place so we can talk."
Rain: So some shit is going down. Kasumi has made another appearance, Yusuke has finally made his appearance, a new Social Link with Mishima has begun, Makoto's inner war begins. The next chapter will involve Ren and Kasumi's relationship breakdown and reveal how badly Ren.