Persona 5: Daywatch

by Ganheim

Akira is banished to Tokyo by his own father. What begins as a near-suicidal quest for vengeance becomes a desperate attempt to turn the pieces of his life into an honest whole. Aided by clever strategists and opposed by supernatural puppeteers, one lost boy's quest for something greater clashes those who would think themselves gods over men, and demons within. AU elements.

33. May 22nd, Go Match

Persona 5: Daywatch

Sunday, 22 May 2016
Morning
Kanda Catholic Church

Akira tugged a handkerchief out of a pocket and sneezed into it.

"God bless you, my son," Father Sugiyama said from the other side of the confessional booth, holding in the chuckle for a beat. "Have you considered seeking consultation by a professional?

Akira sat back until his head thumped against the back of the booth. "Geez, not you too, Father. He's just a new school shrink."

Father Sugiyama straightened on his seat. "I was referring to allergies. Have you not availed yourself of your school's counselor? I am here to offer guidance however I can, but I can only be certain to be available on Sundays. I would hope a school counselor would be available many days of the week. You carry a heavy burden, I think it would do nothing but help you to seek the words of a counselor elsewhere. It can only ease your soul."

"All due respect, Father, but I think I know better than to trust a shrink."

Father Sugiyama let out a breath as if he wanted to say otherwise, but had to accede for the moment. He gave a final prayer, couple of Bible verses to read, and sent the transfer student on his way.

Stepping out of the confessional, Akira let out a long breath. A few scattered elderly snoozed, but the pews looked almost empty. Except one girl in a sleeveless blue dress and red omamori knot in her hair, waiting two pews back. After thanking Father Sugiyama, Akira paced down the aisle to her. He gave a shallow bow at the waist. "Ready for another match, Queen Togo?"

She giggled and scooted back. "The rangers of Lothlorien are ready to strike at any time." She reached back for her box of shogi tiles.

Akira sat down and set his Go box between them. "Actually, I thought we might try something different today." He scratched behind his ear. "I kind of need a change of pace."

Hifumi set her box back behind her, then studied his face for a moment. "I know what you mean. I could probably handle cram school fine if it wasn't for the relentless schedule I have to keep."

He set a small plastic tray with stones next to the board. "It's a little easier when you at least know the deadlines. You can always make a workback schedule and keep up. But sometimes you just know there's something… out there and you've got no idea what to do or how long you've got to do it." He slid back against the pew. "And sometimes that feels like my whole life."

"I… think I understand," she said, before gesturing him to the tray of stones. "I won the last game, so you can take the first move here."

Taking a small black piece, Akira paused to look at the grid of small indentations on his board. The choice of where to go and how was up to him. By game terminology, any liberty he desired was his. Almost the exact opposite of his life. He set his black stone near the corner. "Do you ever feel like your hands are full trying to take care of responsibilities from people outside your family?"

A quick breath passed through her nose and her mouth quirked, but Hifumi settled into a laser-focused expression and they settled into a quick pace of laying down stones. "I don't think I've ever had a particularly eventful social circle."

Something about the melancholy in her tone made Akira's insides squirm and his mind spin. How could somebody smarter, nicer, better looking, from a better town and family not have it all better? Father Sugiyama praised her integrity above his own! How could people who actually deserved to have a better life still be imprisoned by theirs?

Hifumi paused and looked up at him, hand halfway to set down another stone. Something about her gaze felt penetrating, like his irreverent, jocular front was stripped away. "Do you feel like your friends are stopping you from living your life?"

Letting out a rush of air, Akira sat back and straightened his glasses. He thought back to his short-lived attempt to join the basketball club at Inuri. Then his idiotic attempt to charge down Kamoshida on the day Shiho jumped. Ryuji and Yuuki were opposite ends of the emotion spectrum, but neither lost their heads like him. "The opposite, really. It's more like no matter where I go or what I do, somebody there is better than me. Like I'm the one who's holding back everyone else."

Hifumi set down a white stone, then looked him in the eye, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Is that why you insisted on Go today?"

"What?" he squawked, bumping against the pew back. Akira rubbed his neck. "No. I mean, sure, you've won every shogi game so far, but at least you're honest about playing at full strength. It's not like the patronizing bull…crap I put up with from Sakura-san or Kawakami-sensei." He set down a black stone. "Ryuji's faster than I am, Ann's more savvy than I am. Hell, I don't even know if I have better grades then them."

"I think from our games, that stems from a problem with outlook," she said, setting another stone down. "Remember that first session, when I talked about what conceding meant?"

He stared down at the board. "You think I should back out of those problems?"

Hifumi set down another stone. "I don't know enough about you or those problems to say. I mean more about the nature of defeat. When teaching me shogi, my father was careful to teach me not only how to play the game, but how to analyze the game so you could improve from one to the next. And how not to resent a temporary outcome. In a game lost you can still learn a great deal about your own strategy. Perhaps these people are not obstacles stopping you from finding your own greatness, but opportunities to look at yourself and what you can improve." Soft piano music floated out and she drew her phone, then gave a frustrated sigh and stood. "My apologies, Akira-san. Duty calls."

Smiling, Akira stood with and gave her a nod. "Let it get the answering machine once in a while."

Her lips curled up, but a tension remained around her eyes. Hifumi collected her shogi board, but paused, then looked him in the eye. "I quite enjoy our matches together, and it was lovely to have a change in routine like this." She held the board close. "I'm afraid that mother keeps my schedule rather full throughout the week, but if you're interested in a practice match during the week—"

"Absolutely," he blurted, bringing up his phone to exchange text messenger.

Sunday, 22 May 2016
Early Afternoon
Shibuya, Underground Mall

Finishing the online shogi game he began on the train, Akira raised his attention to the mall between station square and his next train connection. It took him a little further out of the way than staying in the underground walkway, but more of the pedestrians walked with a sense of purpose and stuck to one side of the hall than the chaotic maelstrom churning every which way in the walkway.

A familiar head passed by in the browsing people meandering through the albums on display, his eyes scanning a printed page warning customers that Risette's album Sapphire was out of stock.

Somebody slipped past, hand sliding into the brown-haired kid's pocket and bumping into Akira in his twisting to get back out with a wallet without alerting the mark.

Akira caught the eye contact of a compatriot and shot in-between, intercepting the pass-off. With his lengthened step and already brusque stride, the pair of pick-pockets chose to fade into the crowd rather than cause a scene. Akira continued on to tap the victim on the shoulder with his bulging wallet. "Hey, Kaoru-kun."

The son of the surplus shop's owner froze and turned with a startle. "Huh?"

Akira held out the wallet. "You might want to be a little more careful if you're going to be browsing in a busy place like this. Where are you heading?"

Shame tinged his cheeks red and he checked his pockets before snatching his wallet. "Dad always told me to be careful when I was out. I just wanted to look at some music." He tugged at his white shirt. Paired with the black slacks he looked like most people in their Sunday casual. He glanced up and down at Akira, as if seeking a diversion from his glum state. "You work at some kind of high-end office?"

Akira glanced down at his Sunday dress. It was his best formal clothing. "Nah, just coming back from Mass. Change into street clothes, do my grocery shopping and cook lunch for the week." He spread his hands. "It's a pattern that works. You know any good grocers' in the area?"

Kaoru shot him a raised-eyebrow look that if it had been on a blond-haired friend would have been accompanied by a dubious 'For real?' He slipped his wallet in his pocket, hand still holding on to it. "Well, I usually shop at the Y's Mart in Akihabara, but that's because it's close to where the guys hang out after school." He pulled out his phone. "Right! This place is closer…"

Sunday, 22 May 2016
Afternoon
Minato-ku, OK Mart

Akira sat down in the diminutive eating area of the food mart. He set the other Garden Sushi box down in front of the surplus store owner's kid, his cotton tote bag against the wrought-iron chair, then straightened his summer street jacket and bowed his head for a brief before-meal prayer.

Kaoru popped open his box. "You didn't have to get me anything, Kurusu-san."

"Akira," he said, keeping most of the terseness out of his tone. He feigned a casual expression. "You can relax around me, Kaoru-kun. You did wait for me to get changed back at Yongen. There's enough people serious and formal all the time." He paused to gauge the reaction. "Too soon?"

He swallowed and broke apart the cheapo chopsticks. "It's okay, A-Akira-senpai." He took one bite, but stopped and looked up at the cooking video on Akira's phone. "I'm kind of surprised to see another guy who does most of his own cooking." He tapped at a stack of carrot slices. "A couple of the guys at primary school used to make fun of me for shopping and cooking." He let out a breath and relaxed back against the wrought iron chair back. "It's just one of the few things I can do to help Dad out." He poked at the vegetables for a moment before taking a slice and eating it. "Mom died in a car accident, so it's been just me an' Dad since."

Akira popped open his store-box lunch. "My parents are separated, so I know what it's like not to have both of 'em around to rely on."

Kaoru nodded. "Oda-kun was like that. He was a junior at my primary school. We used to mostly talk about video games before I graduated to middle school."

Something about the similar family tribulations broke the tension holding around the middle schooler, and they chatted about middle school before finishing the boxed lunches and going their own ways home.

Sunday, 22 May 2016
Early Evening
Yongen, Leblanc Loft

Crimson light seeped through the paper-covered window slides. Grunting, Akira pulled himself up to the rafter, then brought himself down.

Breathe in, pull up. Breathe out, extend down.

The energetic violins and bass of Stargate's theme sang out of his phone and Akira dropped to the floor, stumbled, then pushed a report on The Sea of Withered Trees out of the way to retrieve his phone.

Morgana leaped up to the windowsill. "Who is it?"

"That journalist Akechi mentioned," Akira opened the email reply and read. "She wants to meet at the Crossroads Bar in Shinjuku as soon as she gets back in Tokyo on Monday. Nineteen-hundred. Looked like it's in the Red-Light District."

Morgana gave a nod. "So a journey through the night life neighborhood filled with temptations." He sat, tail curling around his feet, and looked the transfer student in the eye. "It's also bound to have lots of people. You already have trouble with Shibuya."

Akira gave a cheeky grin. "Why, will you be my escort?"

Ears drooping, Morgana sighed. "Where do you learn these things? I'd expect that kind of talk from Reaper."

Akira pointed a finger at the guide and picked up his phone. "Speaking of, I might want one of the others there. I'm getting used to the train system, but Tokyo's still kind of screwy." Eyes down to the phone, he shot off an invite to the Phantom Thief chat room explaining the situation.

Less than five minutes later, Ryuji responded. [A trip into the Red-Light District? Sweet night!]

Akira sighed and leaned down to brace his chin in his left hand. [This isn't a prank trip, Ryuji. It's to get information from that reporter because we can't find the full name for the don in Shibuya.]

Ann logged in and three dots danced at the bottom of the chat window for a few moments. [Are you going to be okay going up there? The night life is pretty happening.]

Nodding, Akira sent back, [You guys mind coming too?]

Mishima sent, [Sorry guys. I'm filling in for Ishikawa at Setagaya on Monday.]

[I am so there!] Ryuji responded.

Akira pursed his lips, considering how much Ryuji stood out around Shujin. [If we get into a crowd either of us have problems with, I won't be able to help you out of trouble. You up for going out Monday, Ann?]

[You and me can do it alone,] Ryuji shot back. [I've been to Shinjuku so I know the trains we'll need, and I haven't seen the red lights yet!]

A moment passed before Ann sent, [I'd be up for it. Where should we meet?]

Akira glanced at Morgana. "You coming to keep eyes on the situation?"

"Of course."

"I should get a satchel for casual travel so I'm not always hauling the school bag around," Akira said. He refocused on the group chat. [Make sure to dress so we can get around Shinjuku without being recognized. Looks like we have to go through the JL anyway, but could we find somewhere with a little less crowd problem than Station Square itself?]

Ryuji's ID blinked, and three dots pulsed for several seconds. [There's a walkway from the Teikyu Building. Lot of people, but nobody who wants to see anyone else. Kind of the same thing as being invisible.]

Morgana looked up from the screen with a smirk. "On the bright side, if Reaper comes along, nobody will notice you two don't belong right in those dangerous alleys."

Snorting a laugh, Akira relayed the Metaverse guide's message.

[Shut up, man!] Ryuji shot back. [You don't have to repeat every stupid thing he says!]

[See you then,] Ann sent.

The others left the group chat, and Akira closed the chat room, but lingered for a few moments. Since he already had his phone out, he sent a text to Hifumi. [This is Akira. Just wanted to make sure I've got your right info and wish you a good week.] He was halfway through changing when his phone buzzed.

[Thanks, and you too,] she replied.

Monday, 23 May 2016
Lunchtime
Shujin, Rooftop

Akira pulled another shrimp from the cold, red soup left over from the previous day. He jostled the chopsticks to knock the small drop forming back into the bowl, then stuffed it in his mouth. Before he could scrounge another, Alliance Force Assemble sang out of his pocket. Knowing Ryuji and Ann could both join him on the roof, and none of his once friends from Inuri stayed in contact, he drew it and opened the blinking text chat.

Hifumi's ID appeared, three dots blinking for only a moment. [Good news, Akira-kun! Cram school is only going to 17:00 today. Would you like to meet for a game?]

His acceptance finished and thumb hovered over the send button when Akira remembered the reporter's text last evening. Cringing, he instead sent, [I am so sorry. I already have an appointment I can't afford to miss this evening.]

Long seconds passed before Hifumi sent, [I understand. I apologize for the interruption.]

[There's nothing to be sorry for. Any other day I would be there, but I'm trying to help a friend. I already said I'd be there.]

A few more seconds passed before she replied, [I think I will have time on Thursday.]

[I'll look forward to it. Prepare for the unstoppable advance of my robot army.]

Hifumi sent a smiley face sticking out its tongue. [Steel cannot conquer will!]

Before she had the chance to go, Akira added, [Hey, thanks for calling. Texting. Whatever. Thanks for remembering me.] The instant after he hit send, he realized how pathetic that looked.

[How could I forget you? Your confidence and passion are infectious.] A beat passed before she added, [See you later.] Hifumi left the chat moments later and Akira let out a heavy sigh at the opportunity he had to deny, but it wouldn't be right to foist this all on the other Phantom Thieves. He made his promise and had to carry his own weight.

AN: Akira's conflict in Daywatch is the same as a lot of my writing, built on the idiom "The more you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, the more it will think itself foolish." Society does a lot to hamper itself by pigeon-holing people without ever giving people a chance to even test their own potential. Adding a small connection between Kaoru and Shinya is also an opportunity to explore more of both characters even if there's no canonical link. Tell me what you think!