Memory 4: Budding Partnership

Velvet Room

Despite only clearing out some of the Shadows that reside inside of his heart, Connor felt as though some of his real memories were beginning to come back to him. The real ones were slowly overwriting and removing the fake ones with ease. And his mind was slowly starting to become whole once again. Though something continued to play in his mind. Two of the Twelve Shadows both said the very same thing to him prior. Saying that he killed his mother. But...He couldn't have. Not when he had an abusive father to deal with and when it was an accident. He had to keep going. He just had to.

After he had dealt with the last Shadow, the light that once surrounded him then faded away, with his eyes then opening up to see where he was. He was now back in the Velvet Room once again with Iris by his side, seeing both Igor and Anastasia by the desk the long-nosed man stayed in. A part of him wondered why he was brought here instead of the next place where more of his memory resides, but...another side of him was glad to have a moment to rest. At least for now. Perhaps that was why.

"Welcome back, my dear guest. It has been quite a while." The master of the room spoke, his smile still in the state it was in...Almost as if it were to remain that way forever. "Your journey seems to be going at a steady pace. Soon, you'll finally recover the memories that you've been searching for. As well as gain the power to move past it." While he spoke, all the young man did was just stand there and listen to what he had to say. "I sense the growth of great power within you. How have you adjusted to the power of Persona?"

"I-It's still a bit...Strange to use, but...I think I'm getting a grasp of it.." He responds as he begins crossing his arms and looking down. "...But...It's strange...Even though I'm making progress in getting to where I need to go, and I know what I'm seeing are my REAL memories...They almost don't feel...Real. I-It's like what I'm seeing is someone else's life...It's...Almost hard to believe that they're mine sometimes..."

"I'm sure it must be rather strange to you." The attendant spoke, with his eyes looking over to her as she made her way over to their guest. "For almost a full year, you've lived a life where your memories were never your own. Living a fabricated life. You've lived in that way for such a long time, it's only natural to think that."

"I suppose...But, it's still so hard to believe everything I'm seeing sometimes...Even now while I'm fighting in my mind..." He shakes his head a bit, his mind still lost in all he remembered so far. "My mind was so scattered...Memories that were so inconsistent with one another. One day, I'd think my parents were gone for a month...The next second, I'd tell myself they were both dead...Then in another, I'd tell Haru my Mom was alive. When...All of that was brought up to me that day, I thought I was actually crazy..." Then, a little laugh left him. "Maybe...Maybe I still am in some form...Especially when, even now, I still have no idea which memories are right or which are wrong..."

"And...What do you think now? Are you satisfied with all of what you're learning so far?" She then tilts her head a bit, her face full of concern. "Are the things you're learning...Hurting you too much?"

"...No. My memories of my Mom...They're something I want to hold onto forever. But...My father..." He grips his hands tightly into fists, his face slowly forming an angry expression. And one that took the Rainbow-haired girl by surprise. As well as filling her with concern. For once, maybe she shouldn't say anything. "...I know my Mom loved him, or at least...What he used to be. But...He hurt her. He hurt her for so many years...Verbally abusing her, becoming violent with her...And with how he treated her like that..." His scowl only intensified little by little. "...Treating the both of us like that, drunk or not. Or even hurting or not. It just makes me...Angry at him. No. Maybe that's not the right word..." He then looks over to the attendant, the emotions that were on his face disappearing. "...It makes me...Hate him. I feel...More angry than happy, if that makes sense..."

"I...I believe it does. I think it's perfectly justified to feel the way that you do." She slowly moves toward him to grasp his gloved hand despite the rips, making his eyes stare at her Golden ones. "I've...Been watching your journey so far, and what you've learned. Saw what you've seen with my own eyes through Iris' eyes..." From that, it caught the said girl's attention and had confusion fill her brain. And in doing so, made her hair and eyes Yellow. "...Your mother was someone who you loved unconditionally. Thinking this way very much shows how much you loved her. By no means does it make you a bad man for feeling this way." A smile soon crept up on her face. "I believe it made you realize what's good and bad in your world. To become the good person you wish to be. At least, that's what I believe."

Hearing Anastasia's words did sink into him, with his eyes lingering on the lone desk that was once his. Just then, memories began to flow through his mind as he smiled. A good ton of them just rushed in all at once. "Yeah...I think so...Being who I am brought her...To me. To...Help me find meaning in my life. Help me find my calling..."

Connor's Apartment/Early Morning
June 4th, 20XX

It had been some time since Connor started college, and became a bit more acquainted with Haru...Despite what people may or may not think given her family's reputation. Or even those who did grow past that and grew jealous of his inclusion. Although it did get a bit distracting at times, he did try to focus on his work as much as he could. Especially when studying and doing the midterms had recently arrived and left within that period of time. Though, thanks to the testing and schoolwork beforehand, he didn't have much time to really be around her. But hopefully, the time to would come soon.

In the meantime, morning had finally come and he would slowly leave his room with a somewhat tired look, wearing a pair of Blue shorts with a Black shirt. But was also barefoot on the wooden flooring. To his left upon leaving his bedroom would be a door that led to the bathroom. Another door on the right was a separate bedroom. His "family's" bedroom. It was hardly used, but it was used to help keep Alena's facade. And beyond that was the small kitchen on the right side of the room while the living room was on the left side. The kitchen itself had all of the appliances it needed from the stove, coffee maker, and pantry, to the table. And the living room had a couch, a coffee table, and a TV attached to the wall from where the couch was facing. And beyond that was the door to leave. The walls themselves were Cream colored all around the apartment.

Seeing the apartment before him, he let out a little sigh. "It sure does get lonely here...I hope Mom and Dad are okay overseas..." Little would he know how truly false that was given his memories. But he didn't know. Slowly, he started opening up the cabinets first, seeing the old sets of tableware in some of them, then the lack of food in the fridge. It appears that he was going out today to not only get new things for the apartment, but also to get food. "I...Suppose I could use today to do some shopping...Besides...It would be better than just staying here alone..." His eyes then wandered to the windows just near the living room area once he closed the doors, seeing it was raining out. He DID recall that the forecast for today was that it was going to rain all day. "...That...And I do enjoy walking in the rain..."

And with that, he slowly makes his way back to his room to get dressed.

Today was going to be a shopping day for him.

Tableware Shop/Morning

And so, after some time had passed from him both getting dressed and taking the train to his desired destination, he finally made it to the closest tableware shop that was the closest to him, looking around it while now wearing a Black oversized t-shirt with Brown shorts, and his normal Dark shoes. And with a Blue umbrella in hand. The nicest part of this shop was, like the University he was attending, it was close to the apartment he was living in at this very moment. Like most things he needed. Although he was always alone, he did live in a convenient place. And it was nice being here for him. Especially with the sound of rain pouring in the background. It was peaceful, even.

Now in the shop, he starts looking around for anything that would catch his attention. "Hm...If I'm going to buy something here, I'd at least want it to match what my place sort of looks like...But...What...?" He wondered to himself, but that concentration was then cut by the sound of someone struggling. Struggling to reach something, from what it sounds like. He looked over to see who was struggling close by, seeing someone trying to reach and grab what appeared to be a plate, just like he thought. Even being on their toes to try and get it. To his surprise, it was Haru of all people. "O-Okumura...? What is she doing here in a place like this...?"

"I can't...Reach...!" She spoke to herself, trying as hard as she could to reach for it despite her height of 5'2. It seemed like there was a certain plate she was trying to grasp. And one that had a Black cat in the middle of it. She wasn't able to get it thanks to her height, but he could with his of 5'8. And so, he slowly made his way over to her side and grabbed it for her, taking her by surprise. "Oh, Connor-Kun! You're here too?" She gives him a warm smile once he turns around to look at her, happy to see him again. "It's so nice to see you again."

"Y-Yeah...You too, I, um..." He lowered his arm to then hand it to her, with his Blue eyes staring at hers. "...I...Saw you struggling...So I had to help..."

"...I-I'm surprised to see you in a place like that..." He spoke as he began to leave the shop, opening the door for Haru so she can leave as well with a bag in hand. A bag filled with dishware and cups that had caught her interest. With them out, they were hit with not just the sight of rain still pouring, but with some of the droplets hitting them. With them outside, the young man quickly takes out his umbrella and puts it over his head. He looks over to see if she needs one, but she takes her own out. And one that was Pink. "Were you running out of tableware like I was, or...?"

She shakes her head as she starts walking, with him now doing the same. And in his other hand, he held a bag of his own set of tableware. "Well, not exactly. Although I know I could order online or have someone buy it for me, I rather just go shopping on my own. It's much more fun to spend my time shopping in person, especially when I don't have much time from studying. It's...A luxury in itself." Then, she looks away a bit. "...That and I...Don't really quite know how computers work too well..."

"A...Luxury, huh...?" From that, it began to make him start thinking, his eyes looking down. Luxury...Deep down inside and past those false memories, he remembered what it was like to hardly have much time. Especially when his father had a controlling grip on him. Both he and his mother both. Any time they did something to get out of the house, they were always met with his drunken rage. But, not like he could remember any of that. "...S-Say, um...Okumura-"

"Please, just call me Haru." She looks over to him, once again giving him a gentle smirk. "There's no need for formalities. We're friends, aren't we?"

"O-Oh...R-Right...Okay, Haru, I do have a question...And, I apologize if I'm overstepping my boundaries. And...Please stop me if I'm making you uncomfortable..." He starts, catching her attention. "...You, have such a large name attached to you...You could simply take over what your father...Well, had already. You didn't have to go to university, let alone go out to do things on your own...But, you are...Why?" From that question, her head lowered a bit. Although, unknown to him, it was in thought on how to answer. But to him, he felt as if he made her sad. "O-Oh no...I'm sorry...I overstepped, didn't I...? I-I'm-"

"...Well, that's not entirely true..." She starts, making him stop interrupting. "...I am continuing where my father left for me, but...In my own way. My grandfather once started a cafe that would eventually become Okumura Foods. He made that cafe to make people happy, but...As you know, my father did things that were...Unbecoming of what he stood for." However, he listened to her as they walked. "...But that's why I work as hard as I am. And to do my very best. To help restore what my father had done alongside management...And to make a cafe chain to be just like Grandfathers. As well as open my own private cafe." She looked up to him now, smiling. "...That's...What I dream to do."

"Your...Grandfather...Making...People happy..." Connor slowly spoke out, with his eyes now looking up at the dark sky. Doing what she does to keep their legacies strong. To keep their memory going...It got him to think. "I think...It's beautiful, Haru...To have someone like your grandfather and his legacy mean something, even when they're gone...Their lives..." That statement made her tilt her head a bit. "I-I...Know what it's like...Losing family...Both of my parents are gone..." Even if it was for just a moment, his real memories surfaced. Surfaced for just a little bit so he could tell the truth. "...They're both gone now. And to be honest...I'm not really sure what to do with myself, or what to be once I'm finished with University...Or what the best way to have their lives mean something would be..." He shakes his head a bit. "...I never thought about it until now."

"I think...It would just be by living, Connor-Kun. Making people happy in the only way you know." Haru then spoke, making him look over once more. "Although, I know nothing of what your family was like, I think...Just living after giving you your life would be more than enough. I think...They would like that. After all, they were kind, weren't they?"

"...They both were." He then began to think, wondering what he could do. And just then, his real memories were dug up with his fake ones. "...A-Actually, um...If you're going to be making a private cafe, then...M-Maybe I could help, somehow?" He now starts rubbing the back of his fluffy Blue and Black hair. "My...Family was really good at cooking stuff. They did that for a living. S-So...Perhaps I can give ideas? I know how to prepare stuff."

With that, a smile formed. "That would be...Delightful! Maybe together, we could help each other! Help you find meaning and to know how to memorialize your family, and help me in learning and giving me ideas for my cafe! There are only so many things I can learn from classes."

From the idea alone, a big smile was on his face. Excitement filled his sweet eyes. "T-That sounds great! The moment we have time outside of classes, let's do that!" And just then, he began to think. "...A-Actually...Since we're out and I already planned to buy food...I should figure out what I should buy to practice with! S-So...What kind of stuff are you thinking of making...?" He asked while the two walked, both discussing what they could do together.

And for the first time, it felt as if some form of joy had been brought into his life.

Supermarket/Afternoon

"...S-So...The vegetables...They're homegrown...?" Connor then asked as both he and Haru walked together through the currently busy supermarket. It was most likely this busy given how it was both rainy and was a Sunday today. Though, the crowds didn't prove to be difficult for either of them, as they still had a cart filled with stuff. Be it food for him to eat or the vegetables he planned to prepare for whatever dishes he wanted to try and make with them.

With that question, she nods. "Yes! Although it's just a hobby, I plan to garden and grow vegetables to use as dishes! Although...The ones I grew don't taste the best, I do plan to improve them to where they're much better!" Slowly, their eyes move over to the vegetables he did grab. "Also, don't worry about how much it may cost, Connor-Kun. I can pay for everything for you!"

That alone made him look over with surprise on his face. While he was grateful for the sentiment and the thought, a part of him felt guilty to have her do this for him. Especially when she was a friend. "Y-You don't have to do that...I have the money to-"

"No, it's fine! Besides...Consider this my thank you for being willing to help!" Then, something clicked with her, and she quickly looked back at him. "O-Oh! I just forgot something! I'll be right back!"

She then quickly ran off to grab whatever it was that she forgot. And so, the young man waited near the cart, looking around to just people watch for the time being. During this time, he was thinking about the kinds of things she wanted to make with these vegetables. Or rather, these particular root vegetables that she chose. He never made purely vegetable-based dishes before. Or at least, he thought so given his memories. But as he waited, that feeling of being watched...It came back once again, making him look around now. Though, given how many people there were, it very well could have been his imagination again. But...It did make his head start hurting a bit.

However, in the distance, Alena stood there once more. And stood there, staring at him...As if still observing him. Observing him to see how he was doing. However, she couldn't stay too long as he was still looking around. On top of the nurse seeing Okumura returning back to him. "Seems he's doing well for himself...Better than before, actually. Though...Things could be improved slightly..." Her Green eyes slowly began to darken. "Soon enough, Connor...Soon..." And so, she began to walk away to leave the store.

"...I found what I needed!" Haru then spoke out as she approached him, with him now looking back while holding his head. That alone made her a bit concerned. "Are...You okay?"

"...Y-Yeah...I'm okay...Just...Something with my head. I-It's going away now..." He then shakes his head, feeling the pain now fading away instantly. "A-Anyway...Do we have everything we need...?"

"Mhm! Well, shall we?"

And with that, the two begin to move and make their way to checkout. And did this while she had a smile on her face. That, in turn, was something he noticed as well. To see her as happy as she was, especially when she would be receiving help with ideas, made him happy.

Happy to see her happy.

Present Day
Velvet Room

A hand slowly moved around the top of the desk, revealing to be Connors while his smile still remained. "...I only knew her for a tiny bit at that moment, but I could easily see the bad that happened to her...The pain of...Being locked up like she was. Controlled, like her...Losing someone, like her. We really were alike, in a way..." He slowly moved the small seat to then sit on it, his soft eyes still staring at the desk. "...Deep down...I was alone, and my life was controlled...No, not just mine...My mother and I were. Even if it was for a shorter time than her, I didn't...Want Haru to feel like she was alone, even if she did have friends of her own. To...Try and achieve her dream..." All Anastasia could do was just stand there and watched him, a soft leer on her face. "...We're still trying to make that a reality, but...Seeing her with her head held high...It was still remarkable. Even with all that happened, she still stood on her own two feet...I could never do that...Not without her..."

"I've...Heard of those types of places. Places where many people come around to eat and bond with one another...To make memories. Happy memories." The attendant starts as she soon joins him by sitting on the desk, listening to him as he spoke. She hoped that by discussing it, he could remember more of his past life. Remember his real self. "She truly does have much weight on her shoulders, doesn't she? To pick up where her family had left off, as well as her...Academics, I believe was the word?"

"...Y-Yeah...She does...But, I'm just happy to be by her side now. To...Have someone at least alleviate that weight for her." He lets out a small laugh as he looks up, his mind wandering to the thought of her. And how much he was ready to return to the real world. Well, to get out of this limbo within his mind. Just then, his smile disappeared. "...Though, I feel bad to have this be an extra thing to worry about on top of everything...Things weren't like that, but nowadays...?

"...Did remembering the old you ever affect anything between the two of you? Changed anything?"

He then looked down to see her eyes once more. "...W-Well...When I remembered everything, I became such a mess. The guilt of everything...It destroyed me. I couldn't...Even get out of bed because the truth hit me so hard...To remember the abuse and how much my mom suffered...But she understood well. She...Supported me. As if...She dealt with someone like that before. Someone that was living and remembering differently, I mean..." Slowly, he closed his eyes as his head lowered even more. "She...Truly is something else..."

"...So then, what did you guys do after that? After you guys went to do this..."shopping"?" The voice of Iris spoke, making them look over to see the Rainbow-haired girl walking toward them. It seemed that from the past places they had been to before, her interest in the real world had been piqued. Questions upon questions now filled her mind. "Did you guys even make stuff to help with that..."Cafe" thing, or whatever the hell it is?"

"...W-What, with cooking?" Once more, a little laugh left him. "...Yeah. Yeah, we did. I-It turned out I didn't know how to cook after all back then...A-Although I did get better with time and practice...B-But, yes. Yes...W-We did. We did that together once our exams were done, and when the first semester ended..." His smile returned. "...Though, we had to make do with the time we had before she had to leave..."

Connor's Apartment/After Classes
July 23rd, 20XX

Time had passed since both he and Haru had made plans to try and bounce food ideas off of one another for her private cafe. Particularly ones with the root vegetables that she had thoughts on. But, of course, they had both classes and final exams to worry about at the time. And that was on top of the cooking practice he was doing by himself to make sure whatever dishes they did come up with. So there was hardly any time to do much of what they had planned together. But once they finally had time, they agreed to meet in his apartment to start doing what they planned. Little would he know on how little time they would have from today onward.

Within his kitchen, he was now wearing a White shirt with Black shorts and wearing socks rather than barefoot this time. But on top of it, he was wearing a hairnet to hold back his rather fluffy hair and only chose this attire given the heat of the cooking. Though, at least one could finally see the Silver ear cuff on his left ear. But despite it and the heat, on top of keeping his eyes on the time, he was very focused on the task at hand...Especially when there were a ton of vegetables on the pan he was using. It consisted primarily of carrots, turnips, potatoes, and onions to give it an extra kick to it.

"...Okay...I've at least timed this perfectly for when she comes in...I think..." He thought to himself as he continued to cook and keep an eye on what he was cooking. Connor truly wanted to make sure that what he was cooking ended up perfect. Despite the bad dishes he did make before today. But then, he heard the door being knocked on. "B-Be right there!" He yelled out until he began making his way to the door, but...Without turning down the heat.

Eventually, he opened the door to see Haru there. But now she was wearing a Pink dress with a White belt around her waist. A White jacket and sandals that were of the same color, and in one hand was a Snow White sunhat with a matching ribbon around the hatband, and the other was a bag of coffee grounds. The different attire certainly took him by surprise, but he welcomed it...Although it made him wish he looked better than what he was wearing right now. But she smiled and bowed a bit. "Good afternoon, Connor-Kun. How are you today?"

"U-Um...Hey, Haru! I-I'm doing fine! You're just in time! The food is just about done, I-I think..." Slowly, he moved back a bit so he could let her in, seeing the apartment before her. It had this certain warmth inside, excluding the heat of what he was making. It was covered with rather warm lights to help accompany the wood flooring and the cream-colored walls. It truly did feel like a second home of sorts. Especially when the first thing she walked into was not only the kitchen, but her nose met the smells of the food he was making. "Y-You, um...Look great today..." He spoke, rubbing his head now. Something about her outfit just looked...Wonderful. She truly did look good.

With that, a giggle formed from her. "Thank you. And you look..." But, she couldn't contain her giggling and kept laughing. Something about the sight of him with the hairnet...Seemed funny.

But, that left him confused and tilted his head slightly. "U-Um...Is something wrong...?"

"I-I'm sorry...You just...Look funny with a hairnet." And soon, that giggling would turn to slight laughter.

From that alone, his eyes widened, and he immediately took the very thing keeping his hair like it was right off to let his fluffy Black and Blue hair loose. "I-I just didn't want hair in it, that's all..." He spoke, but she continued to laugh a bit to herself. But...It did make him feel happy to see her smiling and laughing. Made his heart explode, even. Even if he was the one being sort of laughed at. But, he decided to move on from the topic and quickly moved over to the table to move a chair for her to sit in. "A-Anyway...The food is almost done, I think...So, you can take a seat if you'd like. Make yourself at home..." It seemed he was getting slightly better at speaking confidently.

With that, she gives him a slight nod. "Thank you...That's very nice of you." And with that, she makes her way over and sits down while putting her hat and the bag to the side. But, she continued to look around while Connor then started making his way back to where he was cooking once she got situated. "Your home looks very nice, Connor-Kun...It's surprising that you live in such a nice place alone. Especially when it's so close."

"O-Oh, yeah...?" He asked before looking over, stopping what he was doing. "W-Well, I'm just glad to be able to live here in a place like this thanks to...Thanks...To..." Slowly, he began to trail off, now starting to be deep in thought. "...Thanks to...My parents...? N-No...They're gone...It's thanks to...Who...Got me this place...?" He spoke this out loud, now confused...His real memories were starting to resurface once more. "...Is...This where I've always lived after I graduated...?" Now he was really thinking...Something within his memories wasn't adding up.

Hearing him trail off, it caught her attention...And had concern on her face. "Connor-Kun...?" But, he said nothing...His eyes were wide with wonder and thought. Little would he know that, somehow, Black smoke began to form from the food he was cooking slowly being burnt. And that ended up catching her attention way more. "C-Connor-Kun! The food!"

"H-Huh?" He then looked over to notice, his eyes still wide, but for different reasons. "O-Oh no...No, no, no! I just looked away for a moment! H-How did that happen!?" And with that, he began to freak out and turn it off, trying to fix what he could of the now burning dish. "Maybe...I can salvage this...?"

"...I wasn't able to salvage it after all..." Connor thought to himself as he was now sitting down with Haru on the opposite end of the table, looking down at the plate of food...Somehow, purely Black from being burned. It frustrated him as well as felt disheartening, especially when he poured a ton of time into trying to cook the vegetables perfectly. It was without a shadow of a doubt something that hit him rather hard. A sigh left him while he looked up at her sadly. "I-I'm sorry, Haru...I guess...I'm much rustier than I thought..."

However, she shook her head with a smile. Even with the dish he tried to prepare to get ideas for the cafe being ruined, she was far from mad. Understanding, even. "It's okay, Connor-Kun! Mistakes happen all the time."

"S-Still...I feel bad...Especially when you came all the way here..." He looked down before he began to sip on the mug of coffee in his possession now. Coffee made from the grounds that she brought in earlier. "...But, the coffee is good...Really good..."

"Oh, you like it? I learned everything to do with coffee from a...Friend of mine." She spoke with her leer still attached. "I've been growing some coffee beans of my own within my dorm room to have a small supply. But just a small plant. They...Don't allow bigger ones in the dorms..." She did sound a bit disappointed by that fact, but she shrugged. "However, I'm glad you're enjoying the coffee!"

"It...Does taste good..."He put in yet another sip, with him now thinking. "...A-Actually, this would taste good with the vegetables. B-But...It feels as if...I want something more with it..." That made Haru intrigued, yet curious. "I...Almost want to have something...Sweet to go with it. N-Not just like cakes sort of sweets, but...Fruits...Real fruits..." But, that did give him an idea. Somewhere in those false memories, it clicked with him immediately. "Y-Yeah...Yeah! I should try that next!" There was excitement in his eyes now. It seems he just had an idea. "W-We should try out fruits next! How about we try to do that tomorrow?" But, upon bringing that up, she began to look...Sad. And that took him by surprise. "U-Um...D-Did I say something wrong...?"

But then her eyes widened, and she shook her head. "N-No, of course not! But...Well, you see..." His head tilted a bit, wondering what it was. And soon, his answer would be given to him. "...I'll be going away for a month to be with some of my friends for the summer. Which means...You won't be seeing me for a little while." It was then that Connor's eyes widened. This was certainly a surprise to him. And so, she nods her head to him apologetically. "I-I'm sorry! I meant to tell you this earlier, but...With all of the work I received from both college and helping with Okumura Foods every now and then, I...Forgot..."

Deep down, a part of him was...Sad. They just had time together, and now he wouldn't be seeing her again for a while again. The worst part about it was that this was the last thing they would do before she leaves for her trip. And it ended in disaster. He wanted to have her stay, especially when he messed up as much as he did, but...It'd be selfish of him to keep her here. So, he nodded while giving her a small smile. A fake one, but a comforting one. "N-No, it's fine...You were busy, so...It makes sense." He spoke finally, trying to comfort her. "T-Then...We can continue making up ideas when you return!"

With that, she smiled and closed her eyes to then nod. "Yes, of course! We can continue until then!" She was happy to know he was taking it rather well. But, the idea of having her away again...It made him sad, deep down inside. "...But, we can still talk until I have to leave! I'll need to leave in an hour from now, though we still have time!"

At least there was that, and so he nods to her. Only an hour. It's all he had. "R-Right...Of course..." Even if he wasn't showing, he truly didn't want her to go. Especially with how much he messed up this afternoon.

He was truly beating himself up.

Evening

Time had passed since that rather...Disappointing lunch together. So, they spent all of the time they could together before she had to leave, talking until she had to go. By the time Haru had finally left, Connor was now alone in his apartment, scraping off any remains of the burned food into the trash bin just nearby. And a sad sigh escaped him. All of that food he made and prepared...Wasted. By the time all of it was gone, he put the dishes up onto the sink and immediately sat right on the seat he was on once more. Today was what he felt was a complete disaster.

"...I blew it...I messed up super hard..." He thought to himself, clearly beating himself up super hard over it. He slowly laid his head right down, forehead first before letting out a groan. A groan of defeat. First, he messed up his dish...And now he had to wait until she returned. And it was the very last time they'd see each other for a while too. What a terrible first impression that he had to sit on for a while.

Slowly, his head turns to look at his fridge to the side, thinking about what he should try to make next. It was fruit. That was it, but...What kind of fruits could he use? And what could he make with said fruits? This time, it had to be something that wowed her...So he couldn't afford to have it be like the vegetable dish again. He couldn't disappoint her for a second time. But...What if he wasn't good enough, somehow? Even with all the practice he did? What if he wasn't as good as he truly thought he was? What if he screwed it up again next time? He couldn't bear to think of it.

But, another sigh left him, and he slowly started getting up. "...I'm just...Going to try and not think about it for now..." He was practically working all day to even make the dish, even if it ended in disaster. A shower was what he needed at this very moment. To refresh both his body and mind. To at least try and get his mind off of things. And so, he gets up from the chair to make his way to the bathroom, which is just near the door that leads to his room, and then turns on the lights. It was a small bathroom with White walls and only had the counter, toilet, and shower close together. All with the wood flooring still.

By the time he walks in, he strips himself of his clothes and slowly walks into the shower to start it up He was soon met with the hot water pouring down onto him. And so, he begins to clean himself, although a bit slowly. His hair was now completely wet and was fully covering his eyes. However, despite being in the hot water and now having the chance to fully relax and refresh his mind, he was still thinking about earlier. And could only stand there with his hand on the wall, thinking about his failure. Now...That process of putting himself down now turned into anxiety. The anxiety of failing her again. It was all that filled his mind...Until a memory kicked in.

"...But that's why I work as hard as I am. And to do my very best. To help restore what my father had done alongside management...And to make a cafe chain to be just like Grandfathers. As well as open my own private cafe."
"...That's...What I dream to do."

And just like that, it clicked in him. He couldn't doubt himself...Not when she had a future in line for herself. A memory to keep alive, just like he wanted to in his own way. He couldn't let her down. And so, he stops the shower to cover himself in a towel to then rushes into his room. Wasting no time in getting dressed and leaving, now wearing his oversized Black shirt and Brown shorts once again. And once dressed, he then moves to grab a hold of his wallet and keys on the coffee table in the living room close by before walking through and locking the door. A sense of commitment and determination on his face. And in his eyes.

"...It's time...To try and make that dream of yours a reality, Haru..." He thought to himself, with his eyes completely forward. He was ready to make up for his blunder today. And did so with confidence. Confidence that he never once had in himself before. "...Let's see...I'll need those root vegetables, and then fruits...She left her coffee grounds with me. So...It's time to experiment..." And so, he would walk down the halls so he could return to the closest supermarket that was still open.

He was ready to try again.

Present Day
Velvet Room

"...I couldn't salvage it. But..." Connor said as he continued to sit there, talking to Anastasia and Iris as they both stayed near the desk in the Velvet Blue classroom. All the while, he had a smile on his face from the memory. "...I couldn't let her down...So, I got back to practicing again. So many times I somehow messed up, but...I knew I had to get it right, no matter how many times. I couldn't let her down." He glances over to the attendant now, who listened to every word with a warm smile. "Not when...She has I dream I want to be a part of..."

"...And now, here you are...Walking side by side with her." She slowly rose from the top of the desk, facing him. "You acknowledged her strength and used it to craft your own...To better yourself. She was your only real friend to you, after all. Well...Maybe more than just a friend. A business partner...Or, better yet-"

He then had to quiet her by him now standing up and looking over at her with a slight blush on his face. "...A-Alright, maybe we should stop with that...I-I should really get going...I need to leave here and return to her as quickly as I can." Soon, the blush disappeared on his face as he began to stretch each of his limbs. "A-Although...A part of me is scared to see what I might cross paths with next...Or WHERE I'll be..." But then, a thought crosses his mind as he looks over at her now. "A-Actually...I do have a question...How...Do you know about cafes anyway...? Aren't you bound to this..."Velvet Room"...?"

From that question, it caught Iris' attention as well. And that made her look over while her hair turned Yellow in question. "...Yeah, what gives Annie? How the hell do you know about that? Aren't you guys supposed to be stuck here or something?"

Answering their question, she shakes her head. "Well, no. Not at all. Sometimes, we request our guests to show us the world outside of the Velvet Room. To see what their world is like. I will say, though...It is a rather concerning place you reside in. From the amount of violence that resides within that realm to the amount of pain that's inflicted on others. Pain that leads to sadness, and...Well...I'm sure you understand." He stood there, listening to her talk. "In fact...One of my sisters left this very place seven years ago to...Try to save one of our past guests from a fate worse than death. To relieve them of their duty to protect humanity. They...Were a Persona User as well." That alone caught his attention. "...Oh, didn't you know that there were not only Persona Users from a long time ago, but multiple ways for people to summon their Personas? That way you do so is very similar to-"

He knew exactly what she was going to say with wide eyes. His hand moved to his mask. "...To the Phantom Thieves...Like Haru..."

"Right. Although, from what I heard with my youngest sister, I heard they also added in codenames just for their work so they could hide their identities." She then stares at him while holding onto his hand to comfort him. "In a way, you're on a mission just like they were. Stealing back parts of your heart...Your memories. To reclaim what's truly yours." Hearing those made him look down in thought, thinking about how she was right about the similarities. But unlike them, where they fought to stop corruption, he was fighting for his own reasons. To fully restore his true self. To "steal" back his heart. "I think...It would be fitting if you had one yourself. After all, in the real world, you're confronting someone who has corrupted your mind. Someone that plans to steal away your freedom."

He had thought about it more, remembering in the real world that he was confronting Alena...With Haru by his side. Deep down, although he had a growing hatred for his father at this very moment, he had also developed one for the nurse. She was what made him like this. Like this against his will. To try and control his life...Control who he was as a person. WHO he was. Almost like the victims of each of the people who had their hearts "changed" years ago. People like Suguru Kamoshida or Masayoshi Shido. He had to fight...To continue fighting just to return and face the battle ahead. And in full.

While he thought, the small woman then looked over to Connor. "...Uh, Glasses? Hello? You in there?"

"...Knight." He spoke out, leaving the smaller one confused. He then took out the book he had obtained prior. The very same one that was read to him as a child. "...My Mom at one point...Wanted me to be like a knight. Someone to protect the people I love. The people who can't defend themselves. She taught me that thanks to this book. I can only imagine what she could do to people like Haru now...No. Not just that...People like me...What if, things don't go well for me and what she's doing doesn't work...? Then, she could just move on to the next person...I-I can't...Let her keep going like this."

All Anastasia could do was stand there and smile before slowly backing up and letting go of him, all while Iris was in awe for a moment...But then she herself began to smile, with her hair now turning Blue. "...Well, now I REALLY wanna see what these "cafes" look like. Well, that and I know you can't do anything without me...Alright. I'm still in. But I blame you for keeping me interested." And with that, she turns into her bird form to perch on his shoulder, making him look. "...How about we go, Glasses?" He then nods in response.

"Then...Don't let me keep the two of you. You have a world to return to, Connor-No...Knight." The attendant then spoke. With that name, he slowly looks over at her and to his companion on his shoulder before nodding to her now.

Once all of this was finished, all that could be heard were small chuckles from Igor, making him look over to the master. "You really are a VERY intriguing guest. I look forward to seeing how all of this will develop. You're well on your way to fully restoring your true self. Now...Go." And with that, the door that leads to the exit of the room opened for the young man, making him look at it for just a few seconds before walking towards and through it to continue. But not as just Connor Mercer.

But now, as Knight.