April 6th, 2009
Iwatodai.
It's a borough in the Tokyo Metropolitan area which overlooks the bay, and subsequently, the Pacific Ocean. It's well-known for the old seaport, which was then mostly moved to a man-made island across the bay. Quick info: I was named after the borough's old name, which had since changed. My full name roughly translates to "a village by the harbor".
I never thought I'd be coming back here. I had nothing left that could connect me to this place. And yet, I couldn't help but wonder what it's come to. It's been a long time…
When I arrived at the designated dormitory, I didn't think much about the boy that just appeared on the reception desk out of nowhere, nor his ability to teleport, nor the paperwork encased in a leather book cover.
"I choose this fate of mine own free will."
Such was the last line of the document thrust into me. It'd be nice to know what I'm getting myself into, but the boy didn't seem to want to humor me, so I put my name on without thinking much of it. I just thought everything would figure itself out, somehow.
I thought much about what came after. The boy took the document and engulfed himself in darkness before completely disappearing. He was probably avoiding confrontation with a girl who thought I must've been a home invader. Or worse, a Shadow. Thankfully, someone stopped her from doing anything, then the lights went back on.
It's been like that for as long as I remember. Since then, it's been like this. I've moved from place to place and the same shit's occurred. But, that night was the first time I met people who've gone through the same thing, and still are to this day.
Apparently, the other girl's been expecting me. She just didn't think I'd arrive so late. Mitsuru Kirijo, that's her name. The girl wearing a pink cardigan, however, hadn't. She's Yukari Takeba, a fellow 11th grader at the high school I'll be attending.
I glanced at the guns strapped to their holsters, but didn't think much of it. Nor did I pay much attention to the red armbands. I just wanted to go to sleep. Takeba-san thought I was messing with her when I asked about the kid just now. And to my knowledge, nothing strange happened on my way to the dorm.
Nobody else could see him, then. I just hoped he wouldn't get in my way. I don't care what people think if they catch me talking to myself, but I'd rather not draw attention if I could help it.
April 7th, 2009
Takeba-san offered to go to the school together, which I accepted in stride. We took the monorail across the bay to get to where I'll be studying for the next two years, Gekkoukan High School.
Before taking off to do her own thing, Takeba-san reminded me to never mention anything about last night. Could've phrased it a little better, but I understood where she's coming from.
After all, I've learned the hard way to never mention that to anyone.
I've been assigned to Classroom 2-F, Toriumi-sensei's homeroom. Not that I care whether or not she's read my files, but I reciprocated when she gave me a warm welcome. It's a stark contrast from the previous school, which I'd rather not talk about as I go along with writing these entries.
I overheard many conversations along the way to morning assembly, whether it's between would-be and would-not-be classmates, faculty members, a teacher and an international exchange student, as well as a teacher and the store vendor. There's also this one distressed student who somehow stumbled upon the library before finding her own classroom.
And no, I didn't know Takeba-san that well. It's my first day here. Not that I cared at the time, anyway. I'd rather respect Toriumi-sensei by turning my back on that guy.
Shortly after class, I gained a new acquaintance. Junpei Iori. A friendly, if rather invasive person. Although, the interaction was strangely…not unwelcome. I've been to places where my reputation precedes me, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
Takeba-san is also in this classroom. She and Junpei must've gone way back, considering how comfortable they are at taking jabs at each other. Although it seemed like Junpei always takes the L in the end.
Again, Takeba-san, it could've been worded a little better.
Speaking of which, she's apparently quite popular 'round here. Therefore, she's the subject of admiration, and the rumors that come with it.
Seriously, I planned to avoid any unwanted attention, and it already went out the window mere hours in. But all in all, it wasn't so bad. Junpei showed me the ropes around this massive facility before we parted ways.
I was still tired, so I decided to take it easy and turn in early for the night.
Seriously, who's that boy and what did I sign?
April 8th, 2009
I've never taken a course in composition before, so I didn't know what to expect when Toriumi-sensei came in. I had to say, it's quite interesting. The syllabus required us to read various forms of literature which would then be discussed in class. I had to save Junpei from having to buy her an expensive apology cake because he was caught not paying attention (I still have to save his ass from time to time, but I'll allow it since it apparently comes with its own benefits).
When I returned, the school's chairman, Shuji Ikutsuki, was waiting for me in the lounge. It felt weird to be personally greeted by an important figure. As far as I was concerned at the time, I was just an ordinary transfer student. It was probably due to my full-ride scholarship that I was given special attention.
He also didn't know of a little boy living in the dorm (Takeba-san really wanted me to stop talking about that). Although, he did say another upperclassman lives here: Akihiko Sanada.
Also, thanks for the pun. I don't appreciate it.
In the middle of the night, I woke up in a giant elevator. Everything's blue, sans the old man's suit (the name is Igor). He introduced himself as a resident of the elevator, called the Velvet Room. Flanked by Elizabeth, his assistant, he explained that it existed between dream and reality, mind and matter.
I rolled with it despite not knowing what he meant whatsoever, until he pulled out the document I signed when I arrived at the dorm.
Now I really want to know what I've gotten myself into.
It must be important, since it earned me a distinction as a guest who possesses a unique ability (one that I've been getting better at comprehending). As I re-read the contract, he iterated that I must abide by it. There were no terms required in the contract, only that I was responsible for everything I do.
It sounded like a difficult proposition at the time, but I remembered that's just a fact of life. I reap what I sow, was what the contract basically said.
Before I was transported back into reality, he gave me a key, which signified my status as a guest (then I learned nobody else could enter that place, more on that in a later entry).
April 9th, 2009
No, Junpei, we sit in the second row from the front. Sleeping during class would take us to the faculty office. And I'd rather not blow my stipend on an expensive cake for Toriumi-sensei, no offense (I might just get her some as a gift anyway). Although, it was difficult to stay awake for Ekoda-sensei's class. The man seemed a rather resentful individual.
What's even the difference between his course and Toriumi-sensei's anyway? Oh, right, composition teaches technical writing. Classic literature is, well, classic literature. These two courses will cross paths a lot, according to Toriumi-sensei.
Junpei, the crane game is rigged, you know. You're better off going to Akihabara to get that thing.
As I laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling, and the key, I wondered about what's in store with that old man. Before I knew it, drowsiness got the better of me.
Until I was woken up during that time by violent shaking and Takeba-san banging at my door.
She said we need to get to somewhere safe, and handed me a pocket knife more suited for hunting than everyday carry. We should've escaped from the back door, but her firm grasp of my hand took us to the rooftop.
For the first time since I started experiencing all this, I could feel something was onto us.
That something climbed up and set its sights on us. She grabbed the pistol strapped to her leg, and…pointed it at herself? I now know why, but it was a jarring sight at the time. Moreso since she held it like having a lingering feeling that it might not work.
The Shadow pounced on her hesitation and left me alone. I thought about using the knife, but instead I reached down to grab the pistol at my feet, encouraged to do so by a familiar figure.
It was the boy. He'd been in my subconscious since then.
I had to protect Takeba-san, so I followed without hesitation. I said the magic word before pulling the trigger:
"Persona."
I looked up to a floating mechanical puppet that appeared afterwards as we seemed to be on the same wavelength. I pointed at the Shadow, a burst of fire turning its attention away from Takeba-san and onto me.
It felt liberating, like acting on a pent-up frustration I didn't know I had. It didn't cross my mind that I'd all but scorched the rooftop in an attempt to knock the Shadow into the road below.
It was also exhausting, but I wasn't gonna stop until one of us yielded. And then, the boy acted up, taking over my consciousness. I screamed bloody murder as I felt like I was being ripped to shreds from within (apparently, that's exactly what had happened).
When I managed to get a hold of myself, the Shadow was no more. Takeba-san was a mix of astounded and mortified, but otherwise awake.
Then more Shadows came. A couple of small fries, compared to what I just faced. Orpheus, the mechanical puppet that answered my command, was at the forefront of my mind. I threw the knife straight at one of the Shadows, while Orpheus punched a hole through the other one.
Afterwards, I sensed no more danger. We're safe. And then everything went black as I hit the floor hard.