Disclaimer:

I do not own the story and the concepts represented in the fiction written. This fiction and all Persona-related fictions belong to Atlus, the wonderful company that created the games.

Author's Note:

As a few of you guys mentioned in your reviews (Handsomistic1), a big inspiration for this fiction was the fact the Haru was introduced so late in the game, making it difficult to see her as an established character. Also, (prince of underbrush) I feel that she and the protagonist are considered disposable to a degree regarding character development and the expression of themselves. While this story will feature adult themes and snippets from the game, the primary focus is the interactions between these two characters and how their interactions change the flow of the story. Lastly, it's a tragedy for a reason. Without giving too much away, you'll read a lot about the stress and trauma they undergo, and their less than helpful coping methods. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and liked my story. Special thanks to reviewers:

rebfan90, prince of underbrush, StudentoftheBible, Handsomistic1

Before

4/11

Kurusu didn't show up. No, perhaps it was better to say that he was late. Very, very late. He was so late Ms. Kawakami could not keep Haru in the facility office without her second-period teacher threatening Haru with a zero for a pop quiz. It would be easy since Haru had been tutored extensively throughout her summer break for the extra work advanced classes included. The subject matter was Advanced Biology.

Kurusu must be brave or much more of a troublemaker than she had initially assumed. Still, she didn't want to anger her teachers on the first day. Haru entered her second-period classroom mid-class, and her teacher, a frog-like woman, glared at her with squinty eyes but said nothing more but to take her seat. To Haru's surprise, she sat next to Makoto Niijima, the prestigious student body president. Not to Haru's surprise, the pop quiz was elementary, and she assumed by the smile on Niijima's face that she thought so too.

The second period flew by with what felt like a blink of her eyes. The third period, Advanced Probability and Statistics, was the same. The fourth period, Physical Education, was a much-needed break from the classroom setting. Even though she was not physically inclined, Haru enjoyed the self-paced exercises. Like the many other students, using P.E as a break from the dry lectures, Haru jogged on the track field. Unlike the many other students, Haru trotted by herself. It wasn't something she minded too much as she'd been used to it since her first year at Shujin when rumors came about that her family was wealthy. In fact, she had grown accustomed to her own company. Things were just so much more straightforward without involving others in the black box that was her life.

Today though, Haru was incredibly thankful to be alone. She needed time to think, to mentally rehearse the ongoing conversation in her head with Kurusu. As his assigned mentor, it was up to her to steer him in the right direction. Yes, it was her responsibility. Not because the school had attached it to her or because her father had forced it on her – he forgot most things she did – but because she was his senpai and, more importantly, his mentor.

By the end of the fourth period, Haru was confident of what she would say to Kurusu. She felt prepared, having rehearsed the conversation multiple times in her head. When she entered the school, intent on showering and changing in the locker room, her confidence vanished into thin air. Akira Kurusu was standing alongside Ms. Kawakami right in front of her.

"Ah, Okumura, perfect timing. Guess who just decided to stroll in with a terrible excuse."

"Ah. Hello, Kurusu."

Ms. Kawakami chuckled behind the papers in her hands. "Okumura, what class do you have next?"

"Oh, um, fifth period."

"Well, yeah, so does everyone else. I mean, who's your teacher, and what subject?"

"Oh!" Haru felt like kicking herself. "I have Advanced World History with Mr. Akiyama."

Ms. Kawakami whistled lowly. "Advanced World History, huh? Well, you live up to your name. Anyways, you said Mr. Akiyama, right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Hey, no, ma'am. Sheesh. I'm too young for that. In fact, these young, good looks will get you the time you need to discuss your mentorship with Mr. Late here. Head to the facility office. I'll meet you there in a bit." She glanced at Kurusu and sighed. "Now, please don't cause any more trouble. Just follow her and listen. Too many stunts like this and no mentorship or good behavior will save you from juvenile hall. Got that?"

Kurusu nodded.

"Good. Good luck, Okumura."

Haru bowed, then turned to the raven-haired youth. Was it her imagination, or did he seem skittish? His handsome features made it difficult for Haru to speak without stuttering. "O-ok, follow me."

The walk to the facility office was unpleasant. All around them, students were murmuring, keeping their distance, and smiling cryptically. Haru rubbed her arm, thinking it had something to do with her. On closer inspection, she realized that everyone was staring at her silent companion. Their faceless smiles sent chills down her spine, and she could only imagine how Kurusu felt under their collective gazes. Was it because he was late on his first day or something worse?

Haru didn't know, but she was overjoyed to enter the empty facility office. She led the silent youth to a few chairs across from Ms. Kawakami's desk and sat down. Kurusu did the same a few moments later. Now, along with the boy so suddenly shoved into her arms – metaphorically – Haru realized how ill-prepared she was. The speech she had rephrased for all of the fourth period was a page with missing words, illegible. She felt sick suddenly under Kurusu's stare and the pressure of it all.

W-what can I do? What can I say?

In her distress, she imagined all of the more qualified people than her. For some reason, Niijima's smiling face surfaced to mind, and Haru clenched her fist, wishing that she could be more like the student body president.

"Okumura-senpai," said Kurusu, snapping Haru out of her pessimistic thoughts.

"Call me Haru," she said instinctually.

Kurusu nodded, pulling on the collar of his white turtleneck. It was hard to tell, but he looked nervous, scared even. "I'm…sorry for being so late. Ms. Kawakami told me how you almost got in trouble waiting for me. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble."

Haru blinked. "No, you didn't cause me trouble…Thank you for the apology, but why were you late?"

She saw his adam's apple rise and fall; the sunlight from the window created a layer of light over his glasses, shielding his eyes. "I…got lost taking the train…It was my first time."

"Ah, I see," said Haru. It made sense if she remembered her first time navigating the trains. As she had no friends, she never told anyone that Haru had spent half a day on and off the train because she kept getting lost on her journey to buy gardening tools. Ultimately, she reached her destination only to learn that the small shop wasn't open on the weekends. She relayed this story to Kurusu, hoping to receive a laugh or smile.

But that didn't happen. No, Kurusu stared at her aghast, his glasses slowly sliding off his face. He probably thinks I'm stupid, Haru thought. A short, restrained set of chuckles quickly dispelled her concerns. Kurusu's chuckling was light, then escalated into a carefree laugh. It was such a beautiful sound to bear witness. His laughter eventually subsided, but the movement that had accompanied it tipped his glasses so low from his face that Haru could see the face beneath the mask.

His face seemed more angular than before, and his eyes, those dark round eyes, were so much more defined and intense, cutting the distance between them like a sharpened knife. Haru's breath hitched; she was immobilized by the strength of his gaze. Too soon, the spell was broken as Kurusu slipped his glasses back over his eyes.

The door to the facility office opened, and Ms. Kawakami stepped forward, appearing pleased herself.

"So, how's the planning? Do you need more time because I can work my magic a little bit more?"

Haru stood, feeling a strange calmness replace the tightness she had previously felt in her chest. "I think we have a good foundation established, Ms. Kawakami." She turned to Kurusu. "Would twice a week after school be alright with you for this mentorship?"

She could see the gears turning in his head. After a few moments, he nodded and smiled, though it was strained compared to the one from before. "Twice a week sounds great."

"Good," Ms. Kawakami said. "Okumura, you're still in your P.E. clothes, so go shower, change, then head to class. If Mr. Akiyama gives you any problem, just drop my name."

Haru nodded, exited the facility office, and closed the door behind her. The hallway was quiet with classes going on, the only sounds being her footsteps and the slowly fading voices from the facility office. Almost in a daze, Haru entered the female locker room and stripped out of her clothing. The hot water that flowed down her body was a welcome relief to the soreness in her legs from P.E.

"Akira Kurusu," she said. "Akira Kurusu…"

Haru smiled. What a peculiar name, she thought. Her mind flashed back to his intense gaze; she felt a warmth spread throughout her stomach.