Anna Yoshizaka (Lady Scorpio) (P2) 21/11

At the end of the world, there is a reunion for Persona users taking place at Peace Diner before they face off against the Last Battalion. Anna knows none of these people, beyond Yukino.

Not like she's a stranger to that. She didn't know most of the people in the Masked Circle, and frankly, she didn't want to. She kind of just watches, like a snapshot into other people's unexpected lives.

"Yuka! You drove here with your baby?" Someone she has been told is called Maho demands.

"What was I supposed to do, leave my kid behind? No way! I drove like hell to get here on time"

"She's not kidding about that. She's a menace behind the wheel."

"Yosuke! Chisato!" Maki declares, before going over and hugging them. "How did you all get here so fast!"

"I told you, we let Yuka drive. We also brought Devil Boy, and Mariko." Chisato, (probably, it's not like anyone has introduced her to Anna), informs her.

"Don't call him that!" Eriko insists. "His name is-"

"It's fine Elly. I've embraced the name!" Devil Boy insists.

Anna feels so out of place at this reunion.

"Do you know a place where I can get film? I heard you are a photographer now? Congratulations by the way! I'm so Lucky to be seeing this! I can't believe you guys didn't call me sooner, you have been holding out on me!"

It's said to Yukino.

"This is Mariko Yabe." Yukino introduces, at last. "She is interested in-"

"Paranormal investigation!" Mariko finishes, enthusiastically shaking Anna's hand.

"This town is a treasure trove for awesome paranormal events! Demons are invading, rumors change reality, Nazis are invading from Antarctica! I wouldn't be surprised if it's Aliens behind this! I bet I could publish a book with all the material I can get here."

Mariko then proceeds to walk out into the streets, presumably to go buy film.

Anna looks to Yukino, who shrugs at her.

"She was fine wandering around our frozen demon infested school with only her camera. I'm sure she will be fine, somehow. She always is."

Eriko looks over, worried.

"Maybe, but shouldn't one of us go with her, to be sure."

"Do you want to go?" Maki asks. "I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."

"I want to talk to you guys too."

"We will talk after. Promise."

"Do you want to go with them?" Maki asks Devil Boy.

"We can have a club event later. Right now I need to investigate. "

"Hmm, take Reiji, and Toro with you. They have connections and Persona's."

"I almost forgot that Toro can use Persona's."

"Hey!"

Three more people leave the diner, as Ms Saeko walks in.

Yukino walks over and hugs her.

She smiles sadly. "You all have grown so much. I wish you hadn't needed to."

She reaches an arm out to bring Anna into her hug.

"You have been strong."

Anna relaxes in her hug, and closes her eyes. It's nice to be hugged, after everything that has gone down.

Across the room, two men are frowning at the phone. One of them has a very familiar voice.

"I wish they would call."

"Nanjo, they are in America. By the time they get here, all they will have to do is listen to us talk about our awesome adventures!"

That seems to make Nanjo's voice take on a wry tone.

"We just have to make sure the city is still standing so the plane can land, then?"

"We just need to be Heroes, and beat back the Nazi's. And trust me, we are good at heroics."

The door opens yet again, and seven people walk in.

"Ok, everyone, My partner here has filled me in. I am Rei Reiho, and with me are Devil summoners, here to help. And also Tadashi. If we are going to organize an effective resistance against the Last Battalion, we need more than just fighters. We need to recruit the civilians, and keep the city going. After all, we are humans, and the enemy is not. Now what parts of the city are most important to evacuate, and what parts do you think we can defend?"

While the others go over the details, Anna turns to Yukino.

"This is insane."

"Maybe. Is there somewhere else you would rather be?"

Anna considers that. It's been crazy, and the rest of the world might end today, which is crazier still. But oddly enough, no. There's nowhere else she would want to be.

It's the sort of event which builds lifelong bonds, and honestly, she wants in.

Maybe one day in the future, she can meet up with them at a Peace Diner and talk about this day.

It's a thought that gives her hope for the future.

She kind of stopped thinking about her future ever since she got hit by that car. It's not like it mattered. As far as she was concerned, any future where she couldn't fulfill her dream wasn't one she wanted to be a part of.

But now, she can see a new future. A weirder one then she envisioned, with monsters, and fighting, and rumors. But it's hopeful. She had almost forgotten what hope felt like.

"I can't run away from this." She tells Yukino, feeling both darkly punny about it, and dead serious. "But I can fight alongside you against it."

Carefully, and keeping in mind that Yukino has recently lost her crush, she kisses her cheek.

Yukino smiles.

"I like you. But I'm not going to officially confess now." Anna tells her. "I know you miss him. And anyways, we have asskicking to get on with."

"Thank you." Yukino smiles at her. "And your right, we do have asskicking to get on with. Let's go see if they have a strategy yet."

She holds out her hand, and Anna accepts. Together, they make their way over to the group of people arguing over maps.