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


Ryuji: The deadline's tomorrow… We gonna be OK?
Yusuke: The pictures are gone. He has no avenue to threaten us anymore.
Yusuke: That is if we're able to trust what Kaneshiro said.
Ann: Don't say such scary stuff.
Katsuo: We did everything we could, isn't that enough?
Makoto: We can't relax just yet.
Makoto: He may still end up released from police custody…
Katsuo: Of course... I won't be surprised if that's the case.
Ryuji: For real!?
Makoto: That is unless they have decisive evidence like a confession.
Akira: It'll be fine.
Katsuo: Confident, are you?
Makoto: True, there does seem to be some movement.
Makoto: Sis actually sent me a message saying she won't be home tonight.
Makoto: There's a chance that the police have found their breakthrough.
Ryuji: Oooh, does that mean it happened!?
Katsuo: We don't know anything for sure yet until tomorrow.
Ann: The timing is perfect. I guess let's just hope for the best?
Ryuji: I'm gonna stay up all night watching the news to find out!

I didn't want to sound like a mood-killer, but it was essential to be more realists to our situation. We would be boned if that fatass didn't deliver his side of the bargain. Our efforts were naught in the worst-case scenario.

I continued doing my job as usual while hoping for things to turn in our favor. Little I knew the following morning, though.

It was July 9th; Shibuya caught the heat because of the Kaneshiro's arrest. He confessed, despite my doubts. I was reading the news while taking a break from my delivery job. The results were the same, just like the two previous targets. It was already after school hours, so I went to see the others and talk about the recent advances from this case. I knew it was good news after hearing the following.

"Hell yeah! Kaneshiro finally confessed!" Sakamoto said louder than ever after I walked next to him. Obnoxiously loud, for sure.

"Don't yell in my ear, you punk!" I berated him while covering my right ear.

"Sorry, but people've been makin' a huge deal of it since the police announcement!"

"It's difficult to accept that the authorities are taking all of the credit for his arrest," Kitagawa didn't look satisfied, however.

"There's nothing that we can do about it," I commented, nothing but the harsh reality.

"People are going nuts about the Phantom Thieves online, though. Look!" Takamaki showed us her phone with the Phan-site positive comments about us.

"It's all comin' together for us!" That punk couldn't stop smiling.

"This is quite the turnaround. All of a sudden, people are expressing their long-standing beliefs in us," Kitagawa added.

"So, this is why Makoto told us to post the calling card anywhere that might stand out," The blond girl complimented.

"Pretty smart move on her part. Oh… where is our amazing Miss President?" Sakamoto just noticed that.

"Probably busy or something, who knows?" I commented as soon as Kurusu's phone started to ring.

"Hello? It's Makoto. My apologies, but I won't be able to join you today. I've been called into meeting with the principal." Ann and I were able to hear her talking through our leader's phone.

"Well, there's no need to worry though. More importantly, there is a special on TV about the Phantom Thieves!"

"Huh? What did it say!?" Ann was surprised about what Makoto said.

"They were talking all about our calling cards."

"For real!?" Takamaki looked so happy.

"Anyway, my apologies about today. I'll have to see you all another time." Makoto hung up.

"Who was that?" The artist asked Kurusu.

"It was Makoto; she said we are now on a special for TV because of our calling cards," the leader explained about the conversation.

"Really!? That's freakin' crazy!" Sakamoto was excited about it.

"I hope all this excitement doesn't place us on the police's radar." Kitagawa's response was reasonable enough. He wasn't wrong taking account as far as things were going through.

"Better be it, I got enough stuff in my life right now..." I sighed.

"It'll be fine! No way they'd find out about that weird other world!" The punk seemed confident.

"True, but… Do you remember what the fake Kaneshiro said towards the end?" Kitagawa seemed concerned, a sentiment that I could share too.

"Another Metaverse user..." Kurusu muttered.

"Yeah, he said we're not the only ones who are doing it…" Takamaki frowned.

"If it's the case, that sounds like a bad omen for us," I couldn't stop thinking there was that possibility. Sakamoto still acted more cheerful despite it.

"Eh, not gonna let it bother me. Far as we know, he was just pullin' that shit out of his ass."

"I hope that's the case…" Kitagawa and I still got our doubts. Even if Kaneshiro would just spill nonsense, I couldn't deny that detail, even if it shouldn't be my problem anyway.

"Anyways, in your face, Akechi!" Of course, Sakamoto just took the opportunity to be less of a humble winner towards the famous detective. "Now whaddya wanna do about our next target!?

"Hold your horses! It's too soon to talk about it!" I had to cut that out. We just escaped from a dangerous situation, and yet he acted as if it was a game.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Still, people might expect a lot from our next move, considering how they're getting," the blond girl said. She seemed pleased despite objecting moments ago.

"We can't just pick any old schmo now," Sakamoto added.

"There is no need to hurry, though. Counting Kamoshida, we've claimed three consecutive victories, right? We should just lay low and wait for all his excitement to blow over," the artist's suggestion was sound. We need to keep things subtle.

"In that case, how about we have another celebration?" And subtly was gone, thanks to Takamaki.

"Oh yeah! We talked about making a welcomin' party for Miss President and Katsuo too! By the way, that briefcase? It's pretty damn expensive! Let's sell it and drop the cash on a party for them!" Sakamoto knew how to get on my nerves.

"Wow… Seems like the lay low and wait idea has gone completely out the window," Morgana didn't entirely agree with that idea of a party, either. Actually, with all that ruckus, I forgot he was there, too.

"Why I'm not surprised?" I shook my head.

"So we can count you out then, Morgana?" Takamaki said while putting a smile, almost teasing.

"Uh… what are you talking about? I was just saying we should try and keep our party on the down-low," the cat fell for that easy trick as his attitude shited instantly.

"Hahaha, that's the spirit. Well, I'm gonna let Makoto know!" without hesitation, the blond girl pulled her phone out and started calling Makoto about the party. "…Hi, Makoto? There's something we forgot to tell you! So… Oh," After a couple of seconds, she interrupted herself as Takamaki's expression shifted from that smile to a more serious one.

"What's wrong?" Kitagawa asked her.

"Hello? I hope you remember we have finals next week. Yusuke, Katsuo, and Morgana excluded, of course," no one seemed happy about what she said. "If you wish not to stand out, you had best not get bad grades, OK? That is something I simply would not be able to overlook as student council president! For now, behave and concentrate on your studies. We can have fun once the finals are over… Understood?" Everyone nodded while I scoffed.

"Urrrgh…" Sakamoto wasn't too thrilled about it.

"Good thing I'm not a student anymore. Sucks to be you guys," I said before Kurusu dismissed that day's meeting. Everyone went to their separate ways, which I headed straight to work after that.


I didn't want to miss any news, so I looked through any networks on my phone regarding Kaneshiro's arrest. And alas, I saw him everywhere to the point that couldn't contain myself from laughing at his pathetic face.

Makoto: This reaction is incredible. I'm honestly shocked to see it.
Yusuke: It is only natural people are surprised. Even the police were struggling to catch him.
Katsuo: I don't know you, but I can't stop laughing about it.
Ann: Yeah. By the way, you said you were called in by the principal?
Ann: Did something happened?
Makoto: It was regarding my investigations of the incident with Mr. Kamoshida.
Katsuo: Still on that after months?
Akira: It's everything alright, then?
Makoto: Don't worry. I didn't mention a word about any of you.
Makoto: I essentially told him I was unable to find any information.
Akira: Are you going to be OK?
Makoto: I will.
Makoto: I've graduated from my role as an exemplary honor student.
Makoto: From now on, I'm going to be more honest with myself.
Makoto: It's quite a refreshing feeling.
Ryuji: What're you gonna do now? Wanna stay with the Phantom Thieves?
Makoto: That's my intention, assuming it wouldn't be any trouble.
Ryuji: What about you, Katsuo?
Katsuo: Do I have a choice?
Katsuo: I will only stick around until I can repay Kurusu.
Akira: Welcome aboard.
Ryuji: It'd actually be a big problem if you two didn't stick with us.
Yusuke: We should allow them to join us. It would be greatly convenient.
Makoto: I hope I can continue getting along with all of you.
Katsuo: Just don't ask too much from me, or I will start regretting it.

"Have you heard it, Katsuo, dear?" Lala-chan asked me after I was done typing. "They arrested that yakuza that was terrorizing in Shibuya."

"Yeah, I heard some of it, an absolute shock, I must say."

"Can't believe how the world is going ever since April... where did I put the matches?" My boss looked between the counter and the back room as she was hoping the lite her cigarette. Seeing her scouting on every corner of that old bar was bothersome. I pulled my own lighter from my pocket, offering fire to her. "Ah, that's sweet of you. Thank you, honey."

"No problem," I said as she started to smoke. The place was empty, and how things were going, Ohya-san didn't come to drink that evening as she wanted to cover the story before anyone else. The downside of her having too much work meant that she would start drinking all the reserve supplies we had in the backroom on the next day.

"So, what you think about all this?" Lala-chan asked.

"About what exactly?"

"If I remember, don't you have a second job in Shibuya? I was worried that you have some trouble there."

"Trouble? I don't think so since I'm all over the city all day."

"I'm merely saying that you are not having issues due to how dangerous Tokyo has been lately," my boss was sharp, well, somewhat. How the last couple of days, I dealt with scumbags that no sane person should experience. The Metaverse was something else, for sure.

Well, it's been so long since I got into too many fights anyway.

"I know," I replied, "and I couldn't be more grateful that you are looking after me. Even if it isn't necessary."

"Not necessary? You shouldn't see yourself like that, honey," Lala-chan humphed. "Alright, how about you take a break and get some fresh air?"

"Are you sure? I still can help you out."

"Do you see any other person here?" She asked me with a clear tone as she pointed me out the empty tables and stools. I didn't say a thing. "Exactly."

"I guess I can't win an argument with you," I sighed.

"Just don't get lost out there while I handle things here."

I took off the apron and headed out of the bar. Lala-chan was right. I probably needed some fresh air because of all that commotion from that day gave me too much to think that was possible at the end.

That whole Phantom Thief business was a lot more than I could expect, and I was still on the fence. Right then, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. What a dumbass I was because I got a little itch due to start feeling bored with not fighting Shadows. My deal with Kurusu should've been something a professional would behave, but that wasn't enough.

When I decided to walk around Shinjuku for a stroll, all the neon lights and noise made me want to hide like a rat. I saw all those people laughing, yelling like madmen, and getting drunk off. It was for the best to just lean against a wall from a nearby alleyway and sort out my thoughts.

Too bad I never got a single peaceful moment in goddamn Tokyo.

"Please, I have to go..." I heard a female voice in that same alleyway I stopped. I just turned around and saw a Shujin student alongside three more guys surrounding her. Why the hell she was doing in that place at that hour? That was no place for a high schooler.

"C'mon, babe, we could go to a karaoke and talk."

"Yeah! We are inviting you, don't turn down on us!"

"We have all night, y' know?"

Those guys gave me a migraine by hearing their voices. I couldn't help myself but look at them from a small distance. Didn't say a word or else but didn't took too long until the girl became aware of my presence. Her eyes gave me that desperate look, and she wouldn't stop staring at me. That was when those guys took notice of me.

"What are you looking at!?" One of them yelled.

"Nothing," I replied.

"I suggest you turn around and mind your fucking business!"

"Or want us to give you a good shave?" the third guy said as he pulled a switchblade from his pocket. Of course, they weren't wrong; that was none of my business anyway.

I turned around and left them be. Before I could leave the alleyway, I examined my surroundings if there were any people everywhere, but it was barren. How shocking. From all times, not a soul near my location. Calling the police would take thirty minutes for any of them to arrive.

Screw it...

I grabbed a garbage lid that could get at hand and returned to the alleyway. Couldn't tell what was going through my thick skull, but in my veins, there was a sudden rush that heated me up. I took a few steps until I could see those assholes again, and they had that high school girl without enough room to breathe. Their minds were so into the moment that they couldn't hear my footsteps. That didn't take too long until one of them finally noticed my presence.

"What the fuck!?" That was the last thing he said before I began breaking his teeth with the sides of the lid. I caught them with the pants down, not literal thankfully, as they looked at me with both horror and anger.

The switchblade person was the first to act as he pulled his weapon out of his pocket to stab me. I blocked it with ease by using the garbage lid with my left hand while retaliating with a right hook. That didn't take me more than one punch to break that guy's nose. The third guy's legs began to shake. When I stepped towards him, he backed it off to the point of almost tripping himself.

I saw it in the eyes. Definitely not so brave now that the last guy's buddies were already on the ground. Oops, my mistake, one of his buddies, the person with the switchblade and broken nose, tried to ambush me by stabbing me in the back.

Good grief... someone was persistent.

I dodged while positioning myself behind him. I didn't want to waste more time during my break, so I ended up using the garbage lid to hit his back until I bent it in half. I should guess that none of them could ever stand a chance. Shadows were squishier, but those didn't go down that fast without using some magic. Probably my standards were way too high by that point. The unharmed guy dragged his friends out of the alleyway by running off from that scene.

"Th-Thank you...! I..."

"You shouldn't be here. You must leave now," I interrupted the girl before she was thanking me. But didn't move as she kept staring at me astonishingly. "Are you deaf!? Don't make me say it twice! Go!" I yelled at her, prompting the student to run as well.

What bugged me the most was that my right knuckle got all bruised up after a single strike. That shouldn't happen any other day. Not even in the Metaverse after punching Shadows, or maybe I wouldn't take notice underneath my gloves. Regardless, that made me clear that I was rough on the edges.

"Impressive, truly impressive..." I heard someone saying that while doing slow claps. That person approached me with a smile. "Glad that you haven't lost some of that badassery."

"Who the hell are you? Are you a friend of one of those guys?" I asked while not lowering my guard.

"What? Friend of those losers? Nah... my good friend knows how to whoop someone's ass and take hits like a champ!" The strange guy began praising for no reason. "In fact, he is right here."

"Is that so? Then I ain't afraid whoever shows up."

"Glad to hear that because it's been so long since I saw him. Don't you agree, Katsuo?" The stranger speaking my name caught me by surprise, which lowered my guard.

"How do you know my name?"

"Did you already forgot about me?" He sounded distraught. "Come on, is that how you say that me after five years, old pal?"

Old pal...? Oh!

"Souta?"

"The only one," he said with another smile. I was speechless for a few seconds before I could react appropriately with both excitement and shock. With honesty, I wouldn't remember his face after that much time. And yet, he recognized me despite no longer looking the same as back then.

My day was getting somewhat better at each minute.

"I can't believe... when did you return to Tokyo?"

"Two weeks ago. I had an excellent feeling when about coming back."

"So, you finally become a musician?"

"Sorry, pal, but I gave up that dream a long time ago," Souta said with a gloomy tone. "But no biggie, I still hoping to get famous in the big city, even if it is a slow process."

"Well, I wish you luck in whatever you are planning to do," I said.

"What about you? How things been for you for all these years?" His question was challenging as there was so much to tell and so much to conceal. I had to be careful of what to share.

"Well, just been working a lot after high school. Nothing impressive."

"Work, you say? How's college?"

"That, uh, you see, I'm not attending at the moment," I said with embarrassment as my eyes shifted to the ground, but Souta didn't seem to mind it.

"I get you. I'm not studying either."

"So, why exactly came to Tokyo if you are not studying?"

"That's what I'm figuring it out for the moment. But hey! Everything is going alright. Don't sweat it for me," Souta acted carefree as ever. There was no mistake that was him for sure.

I looked at my phone to see the time. It was already too much since my break time was over. "Shit...! I have to back to work!"

"Really? What a shame. I was hoping to talk a little bit more. What's your gig?"

"I work in a bar nearby."

"Cool. I imagine you get all the drinks available whenever you feel like," Souta chuckled.

"Actually, I don't..."

"Huh? Why? Oh, that's right! I forgot you are a year younger than me."

"Want to come? I won't serve you, but I can invite you to something at the very at least," despite my offer, Souta politely rejected with a hand gesture.

"That would be great, but I have some important matters as well. Maybe another time."

"Alright, see you."

We left the alleyway before going in opposite directions. I still had a hard time grasping the fact that I met an old friend after years. It was good to know he was doing well despite how much we dealt in the past. Well, so far, I assumed it because I forgot to ask about how his mother was doing. The last time I could recall, Souta and his mother moved out somewhere in the south four years ago. Maybe next time I see him because I forgot to exchange IDs with my phone.

Kind of wish the good things in life could last that long.