Disclaimer: Persona 5 Characters except Fujin Katsuo belongs to Atlus, this fanfic has no commercial purpose.


It was another day in the lovely hellhole known as Tokyo. My body wouldn't stop feel the ache after my little tour in Mementos days ago. I tried to act normal during work, but there were times I had to make a stop and let my muscles relax. So out of shape, that wasn't funny.

There were times I wondered if I should go to the gym. So far, Sakamoto suggested to me one in Shibuya in a small alleyway known as Protein Lovers. It wasn't too hard to find it since I already saw it a couple of times but never bothered to go there.

After I asked about the inscriptions, much to my surprise, there were none but a 2000 yen fee per visit. What a rip! It would be a lot cheaper to do it at home. Too bad that my apartment was small.

The deadline was approaching very soon, but I couldn't know what else to do or how to feel. Anxious? Desperate? Angry? What were the odds of failing? Should I skip town? Not knowing anything at all put me on edge all the time.

Even if Kaneshiro texted the group that he already deleted the photos, I kept looking over my shoulder every step I did for most days. One shouldn't trust those groups, even if one thought was safe. They were like chickens: Keeping running despite not having a head anymore. That's probably the fear people always forget.

Anyway, I was already exhausted from the long day. I was in Shibuya, leaving my workplace after I gave the list of deliveries I completed. I could feel my limbs detach as if I was a mannequin. All I wanted was to catch my breathe and eat before heading to Shinjuku.

Where to eat? I was worried that I didn't have enough money for something that wasn't Big Bang Burger. When I checked my wallet, which contained only 300 yen, it was nothing short of a disappointment. When did I spend the rest of my money? I was trying to recall what was the last thing I bought in the week. I paid for the rent, the phone services, bills, and probably already paid the rental movies' late fee. What else was missing?

I looked inside my wallet if I didn't have any hidden 1,000 yen bill for coincidence. There wasn't much luck except a lottery ticket. Completely forgot that I bought that when I tried to spy the Phantom Thieves last month. What were the odds of winning money? Slim.

I had nothing else to lose by that point. I decided to check if I won any prizes. I walked toward the lottery booth and presented my ticket. I only waited a couple of seconds until the person checked my money.

"Congratulations! You won 3,000 yen!"

"You have to be kidding me..." I groaned as the person slipped three bills of 1000 yen under the glass. I remained quiet while shaking my head and sighing. More disappointment because I won a refund.

Could my day get any worse? Spoiler alert: It did.

At the very at least, I got enough money for a decent meal at the diner. That was the only bright side, but my only hope was to get that cheap. The soup for that day was nothing but veggie soup. Not enough variety except you could get bread included.

I guess that was it or nothing until later. I couldn't wait any longer, so I entered the diner and ordered the soup right away. While waiting for my order, I thought it was the best moment to pulled my notebook and write about my current budget as I have been running low on money lately. While my routine didn't change much, I wondered if I made any unnecessary payments. So far, nothing different, but I knew that I would have to stop eating outside and just conforming myself with whatever I could afford in the convenience store.

"Here's the soup, enjoy it!" The waitress said after she left my order on the table, alongside the plate of bread. That looked good, but I had to wait for it to cool it off before I start eating it. I didn't want to burn my tongue and ruin my day that quickly. Of course, it was about to get demolished regardless.

Just when I tried to enjoy my meal, I felt a chill down my spine. It was hard to tell why, but one could call it a hunch or sixth sense because I felt an ominous presence nearby.

"Hey, Fujin-sensei!" I heard a cheery voice. "Nice to see you here!"

Oh no...

"Hey, Yoshizawa..." I wished I could just turn my head and cover my face, but that was too late for that. "What are you doing here?"

"I was done with a meeting and wanted to eat something before doing my training," she said with a formal yet energetic tone. Odd...

"Training? Are you still in rhythmic gymnastics?"

"Yeah, it's still tough, but I'm doing great!"

"Are you serious?"

"Why you sound so surprised?"

"Am I?" the conversation went nowhere as I kept doing questions. I was in a difficult position since I didn't want to cause a ruckus in public. "I thought you would take a break from gymnastics to focus only on your studies in the meantime."

"Why would I do that? Are you still worried about my grades? Don't worry, I'm doing good in high school as well." Yoshizawa's responses were on point. The way she talked never was too low in volume or faltered. I could almost have a headache by merely hearing her. "May I sit here? It's been so long since we talked."

"I'm not sure... It won't take me too much for me to finish my soup and head to work," I said, trying to act upstanding.

"Oh, are you still working as a tutor?"

"No, no, I'm not anymore." I felt a cold sweat on the back of my neck. "I'm working somewhere else."

"Where?" Yoshizawa asked with curious eyes.

"Different works... Sorry, but I can't tell you what."

"Oh, really...?" She seemed disappointed. "And how's college? Is it hard?"

"I'm not studying at the moment."

"Why not? I thought you would be already studying as I still remember that you were really good at school." Yoshizawa's eyes got wide after learning that little fact.

"Or maybe you don't remember it quite right," I sighed. "Look, I have my reasons that maybe you shouldn't ask."

"Yeah, sorry..." She said.

I pulled my phone to see the hour and the report on trains. I noticed that Shinjuku's line would be closed for maintenance and only got 30 minutes for my next ride before that. That was probably my perfect excuse to leave once.

"I have to go. I don't want to be late."

"Alright, good luck!" She said as she began looking at the menu. I decided to pay the bill at the cashier since didn't want to wait. There was no mistake that I rushed through the train station if I wanted to get in time.

I was more motivated because I didn't want anyone to see me next to Yoshizawa. That would be a real disaster if that happened.


I arrived at Crossroads in time. I already started washing the dishes and organizing the cleaned glasses. There weren't any customers, and how odd not even Ohya-san there either. Quite a relaxing night, but I had the feeling that I forgot something. It couldn't be the 15th yet.

"Why the long face, my dear boy?" Lala-chan asked me about my quiet mood.

"What? Oh, it is nothing, just stumbled into someone didn't want to see today."

"Who?"

"Someone I haven't see quite some time." I shook my head, trying to lift my head and giving a reassuring expression to Lala-chan. "It's nothing to worry about. I swear."

"Remember, you can tell me anything if you are having trouble."

"I always keep that in mind," I said as I continued with my work. I hoped for another regular night but knowing my luck, that's too much to ask. We heard someone entering the bar, but wasn't a customer or Ohya-san.

"Welcome!" Lala-chan greeted to the person at the door. "Ah, Akira-chan, glad you came!"

"What the hell? Kurusu?" I couldn't believe that guy with glasses came back to that bar.

"Hey, Katsuo," he waved his hand.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Do you remember the new part-timer I hired last week?" Lala-chan interjected, and things couldn't get weirder as the realization hit me after my eyes focused on Kurusu.

"Seriously? You!?"

"Do you already know each other?" Lala-chan asked.

"We did days ago," the guy with glasses replied.

"Yeah, not in the best circumstances, though," I shrugged.

"What happened?"

"That's complicated to explain, Lala-chan," I said before taking the broom and start sweeping the floor. "Anyway, if he is a new part-timer, why is he here? Today is not his shift."

"We have a special occasion," Lala-chan said with excitement.

"Special occasion? Tell me it is not Karaoke Night again. Remember the last time when you tried here?"

"I know Ichiko-chan shouldn't start singing after finishing two bottles for herself, but that's not why we are celebrating today."

"Then what is it?" After I was done making my questions, Ohya-san came to the bar while carrying a cake, albeit a cheap one, with both hands.

"Sorry for being late. There was an asshole blocking me on my way." Ohya-san looked desperate for a moment, but she smiled as soon she left the cake on the table.

"Mind if I ask but who's the birthday boy or girl?" I was confused about not knowing they prepared a celebration for someone here.

"Katsuo, do you know what day is today?" Lala-chan asked me with serious eyes.

"July 7th. Why you ask me that?"

"Oh, honey, don't tell me you forgot about your birthday."

"My… huh?" I was shocked.

"Happy Birthday, Katsuo." Kurusu congratulated me.

"How do you know it is my birthday?"

"I told him since he now works here, and Ohya-san volunteered herself to buy the cake."

"A birthday means we need drinks to toast this special occasion. This round is on me!" Ohya-san shouted excitedly.

"You already know that we are still underage for drinking, right?"

"Well… that means more booze for me! Cheers!" She raised her glass as high as possible while putting a grin from ear to ear.

"Still, how do you forget is your birthday?" Kurusu asked with a curious tone.

"To be honest, I don't feel today is that important. For me, it is just another day."

"Don't be ridiculous, my dear. Today is a special day, which means I will read this," Lala-chan took out a paper from one of her sleeves.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," I said with a more sarcastic tone.

"What is that?" Kurusu asked.

"Seriously, don't do that. It's embarrassing," I lowered my head while covering myself with my apron.

"This? It's a poem from Katsuo's mother. She always read that every year to him."

"Why you have it?"

"You are making too many questions, don't you, Kurusu...?" I looked down, unsure if to tell until I remembered he said to me about being more open to him. It was just him. It shouldn't be too much. "My mother used to work here back when my family lived in hiding."

"How long was it?"

"Five, or maybe four years ago," Lala-chan interjected. "Reiko-chan is a sweet woman. She was very popular with the customers."

"I remember when I came here the first time," Ohya-san said. "Too many men in the counter, which we began running low in booze."

"However, she always talks a lot about her son being a lovely soul every time we had a conversation."

"Lala-chan, please," I muttered.

"When she stopped working here, she gave me this poem that she wrote for her son. I never knew why, but probably like something to remind us of the time she spent here."

"I think it is adorable."

"It is not." I scoffed. "I hope that would be the last thing to…" I got interrupted when my phone got messages. I was hoping is not what I think it was.

Ryuji: Yo, Katsuo! Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday?

"I hate you, Kurusu..." I glared at the guy with glasses. He did a smug before drinking his glass of water.

Katsuo: Because it's not that important, can we move along and forget about this?
Yusuke: Nonsense! A birthday is a special occasion, no need to feel embarrassed about that.
Katsuo: Seriously, guys, you don't need to know about this. It's just a typical day like any other.
Ann: You shouldn't think anything like that. We need to celebrate this.
Katsuo: Look, that's not necessary.
Makoto: We insist.
Katsuo: If you want to, fine, but I ain't paying for a party.
Ryuji: I gotta go, my mom needs me to buy ingredients for dinner.
Ryuji: Happy Birthday, dude!
Ann: Me too, my show is almost starting.
Ann: H.B!
Yusuke: I give you nothing but my best regards for the time being.
Makoto: Happy Birthday, Katsuo.

"Why you did that?"

"You really want to know?" Kurusu asked me.

"Yes."

"Because you are our friend, there's no need to be on your own. Why so upset?"

"Well, maybe because you are wasting your time on me. I preferred not to bother others for such trivial stuff."

"No more then, you are important for us now. Don't forget that you can always trust us, no matter what it is," Kurusu put his hand on my left shoulder with a reassuring smile.

"I don't know..." I looked at my empty glass, wondering if that was a good idea. "The deadline is in two days right?"

"Yes, it is closer. The only thing we can do is waiting for the news." The ambient took a more upbeat sentiment as soon Lala-chan began singing at the karaoke machine. Kurusu slipped an envelope under his arm towards me. Neither my boss nor Ohya-san noticed what I saw.

"What's this?" I whispered.

"It is yours," Kurusu replied. I took the envelope and peeked into the interior. I almost jumped from my seat after seeing the content.

There were more than 20,000 yen inside. That was probably more than two weeks of work from both of my jobs. Where did he get that money?

"How?" I asked.

"That's your cut," Kurusu said.

"Cut? From where?"

"Mementos. We collected rare metals during the exploration."

"But were those real?"

"For the most part. But not by much." Kurusu shrugged. "Already give everyone their cut as well."

"Does Morgana even need one?"

"Yeah, I just buy him whatever he asks."

"I suppose that's one way," I closed the envelope and pushed it back to the leader. "I can't accept it."

"Why not?" Kurusu asked with confused eyes.

"I owe you a lot, can't ask you for more help."

"But you worked for it. There's nothing wrong with that."

"That means that repaying you will take me a lot more time than necessary," I took a sip from my glass. More thoughts kept pilling inside my head, and couldn't stop frowning. "You know, if by chance we get square, do you think I would be allowed to leave the group?"

"Do you want to already quit?" Kurusu said as he sounded somewhat glum by my question.

"I only said if. Doubt it that I could get off that easily." I chuckled but couldn't uphold a smile.

"I will think about, but for now, you get the same as everyone," the leader passed me back the envelope with money.

"Thanks, I guess," I begrudgingly took it and saved it in my left pocket.

"Hey! How old are you again? I think I forgot to bring more candles." Ohya asked me while she and Lala-chan accommodated everything on the counter.

"19, one more year, and maybe I will share a glass with you, maybe" I cracked a smile.

"That is a promise!" Ohya-san was too cheerful than usual. Was she already drunk?

"Happy Birthday, my boy Katsuo, now for this poem…." Lala-chan started to recite that stupid poem; I didn't pay attention, but at that point didn't mind as the most I could do was to live the moment. Didn't want to be a party pooper after all the troubles they went to organize the night.

When the deadline arrived, that's when I knew there was no turning back for me.