[The castle]

In the large looking room of Kamoshida's castle, Akira was standing in one end of the room, holding his scythe and pointed at the guards. Moriarty was still hovering behind him.

"I'm not going to run away, Kamoshida," Akira said, his tone filled with newfound strength. "I'm going to stay, and I'm going to fight!"

Shirking in fear, Kamoshida took a step back while the guards rush on in and faced the new Persona user. The guards quickly impaled their swords to themselves, revealing two Jack-o'-Lantern and three Agathion.

Tightening his grip on the scythe, Akira recalled Moriarty as his mask and leaped into the air. Using the gravity to build up momentum, he slashed a Jack-o'-Lantern in half, and it dissolved into nothing.

"Persona!" Taking this as his opportunity, the black-masked thief touched his mask and summoned Moriarty. Snapping its finger, the Persona sent out a ball of curse energy, burning another Agathion to nothingness.

Noting that a Jack-o'-Lantern firing a fireball at him, Akira quickly turned around and did an upward slash. The fireball was slashed in half, avoiding him and landed on the wall behind him, setting them on fire.

"Time to finish this," Murmuring to himself, Akira summoned Moriarty again. Then, he summoned a revolver in thin air, and the two pointed their guns at the shadows.

Without any hesitation, the two pulled the trigger and knocked the remaining shadow to the ground. Leaping into the air again, Akira used the wall as his support and bounced toward the shadows, slashing them with incredible speed.

Landing with a smooth crouch, Akira stood up and spun his scythe for a few seconds before planting it to the ground. He then pinned the tip of his hat with a smirk as the shadows burst with dark oozes.

"NO MORE PROBLEMS, FAREWELL."

Once the battle ended, Akira turned around and found that Kamoshida had already ran off and hidden away from him. "...Coward," Furrowing his brow, he took a few steps toward the door before collapsing in exhaustion, only using his scythe to support himself.

"D-dammit..." Murmuring to himself, he tightened his grip on his scythe as he continued his walk to the door. "I feel like the most exhausted I've ever been..."

Opening the door, Akira was greeted by an equally luxurious-looking hallway. and a lone guard was patrolling. Grabbing his revolver from the hoster, he was about to pull the trigger when he noticed that it's not a revolver in his hand.

Noting that the guard was about to turn around, the lone thief quickly hid behind a conveniently placed couch. "OK... what is this?" Examining the gun-shaped object in his hand, it took him not too long to realize that it's a grappling gun.

"Well, that's convenient," Shrugging, Akira pointed it to a ledge nearby, firing it and pulled himself to the ledge. Dashing as fast as possible, he was fortunate enough to reach the main hall without letting any guard spotting him.

However, once he reached the main door and readied to escape, multiple guards suddenly appeared from the ground and surrounded him. "No escape!" The guards exclaimed, slashing themselves and revealing a huge group of shadows.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me..." Giving out a deep sigh, Akita took a deep breath before touching his mask. "Moriarty! Eiha!"

Sending a burst of curse energy, a few shadows were heavily weakened but not one was defeated. Grunting in annoyance, Akira forced himself to jump and slashed them, dodging the attacks as much as possible.

However, with the exhausted state he's in, it was only a problem of 'when' for the shadows to overwhelm him. As a lone fireball hit his back while he was unexpected, the other shadows took this as their opening, striking Akira without letting him had any chance of fighting back.

Knocked back by a cleave, the Persona user rolled away from them before stopping. Struggling to get up, Akira used his scythe to keep himself from falling, looking at the group of shadow in front of him.

"H-how can I get out from this..." He breathed, touching his mask and summoned Moriarty. "Moriarty! Eiha-"

Suddenly, pain exploded in his head again. Dropping onto the ground, Akira clutched his head while twitching uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Moriarty was also mimicking his action, snow noises covering its body.

"AHHH-AHHH!"

However, as Akira continuing twitching in pain, memories and images flashed in his head.

"N-NO! PLEASE STOP! DAD! DAD! ..EI!"

"Damn Apathy Syndrome, why did you have to take them from me!" Akira could only watch the woman wept uncontrollably, he couldn't do anything.

Suddenly, screamings filled the void and he didn't know who's scream it was. It felt like... a group of people was screaming in agony. Words and images flashed even faster than before.

'Death'

A silhouette of a woman hanging from the ceiling flashed in his mind, red lights flashed around her, acting like a spotlight. However, her face was distorted so much that he couldn't recognize who she was.

'Losing'

The face of that woman was closer now, but her feature was still distorted to a point it's more blank than anything else.

'Agony'

'Pain'

'The pain won't stop'

'It won't stop'

'It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop It won't stop'

In the snow noise covering Moriarty's body, it's changed. The silhouette of Moriarty was changed into a humanoid beast with two giant wings, a slim horn sticking up on its head. The place where it's mouth should be divided into four pieces and opened, revealing a row of human-like teeth.

And it roared, a distorted, sinister, but oddly human-like roar.

It sounded like... someone's in pain.

A ball of energy with red and black built up in the mouth before bursting into a ray, slashing through the whole hall, leaving a trail.

Then the trail exploded, killing every shadow in an instant.

Just like that, the beast returned to Moriarty and faded, and the pain in Akira's head faded as well. Totally exhausted, Akira could only notice a blue butterfly flying over before darkness took over.

When Akira woke up, he found himself in the Velvet room again. Blinking and looking around, he found Elizabeth was sitting across him, a look of concern was clearly visible.

"...I didn't expect your awakening would be like this..." She murmured.

"E...Elizabeth? Is that right?" He questioned, standing up from the chair. "What the hell just happened?"

"You awaken your Persona, the rebel soul reside in the depth of your heart," The girl in blue answered, opening her book and Moriarty appeared.

"Moriarty..."

"Indeed, resides in the Death Arcana, the mastermind and the sinner..." Trailing off, Elizabeth sighed and closed the book. "However, I didn't expect...it would be awakened as well."

"You know what is that?"

"No, I don't," She shook head in refusal, holding the book on her chest as she closed her eyes, sinking into deep thought. "But... You're too much like him..."

Shaking her head again to clear her mind, the girl in blue looked at Akira directly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Anyway, now you're Persona has been awakened, I hope you can the infinite potential in you... please, don't overlook what you really can do."

"What can I do?"

"Using this strength... for others."

With that said, a white light suddenly surrounded him again, and the voice of someone slowly faded in.

"Doctor, is he's gonna be alright?"

"Yes, it's mostly exhaustion."

"...Thank god..."

Waking up again, Akira found himself to lay on a bed, an unfamiliar ceiling staring back at him. "Where am I?" He asked, barely louder than a whisper.

"Ichijo! You're alright!"

Before he could realize, someone suddenly exclaimed in relief, taking him by surprise. Looking to his side, his eyes widened at the someone.

It was Shiho.

"S-Suzui?" Akira asked, blinking for a moment before looking around. "H-how did I get here?"

"I was leaving late from the practice and found you lying unconsciously by the school gate." The volleyball player answered, leaning back into the chair. "I got worried and took you here."

Sitting up on the bed, Akira noticed that he's still wearing his Shujin uniform, and he's not in a hospital. "Suzui, where are we?"

"It's my clinic."

Startled with another voice, Akira looked over to the door and found a woman standing by the door, holding a pen and writing board.

The woman was in her late twenties, she had dark blue hair in a bob-cut, a typical white lab-coat that is worn over a short black dress. Also, he could spot a red belt on her wrist, as well as a black necklace choker with multiple necklaces.

"I am Takemi Tae, and she suddenly went into my clinic while carrying you on her back," The woman commented, using her board to cover her giggle. "This girl had to carry you from Aoyama-Itchome to here, can you believe this?"

"Takemi Tae?" Raising an eye in confusion, it took Akira a moment before realizing where exactly was here. "Oh, I'm back in Jongen-Jaya..."

"Wait a sec," Widening his eyes in realization again, looking at Shiho with a shocked face. "Suzui, why didn't you just call the ambulance? It must be hard for you to carry me from school to here..."

"I... It's just in the heat of the moment," Shiho hastily replied, brushing her hair to hide the blushes on her face. "My mom mentioned Takemi-San's clinic, so I just got you here."

"That's very 'convincing'," Akira deadpanned, but as he noted the bruises covering her hand and the exposed legs, he took a deep breath before looking into her eyes. "Suzui, you don't need to stay here."

"But... You're not alright-"

"It's just exhaustion," He interrupted her, glancing at Tae behind her. "Dr. Takemi, is it right?"

"You're right," Tae nodded, lowering her board.

"You heard that, Suzui? I'm just exhausted," Akira sighed. "Just go home and have your rest. We're just frien- ...we're just schoolmates, and I'm not worthy for you to care about me."

"But-"

"You heard the rumors, right? I sexually assaulted Kimiko and she killed herself!" He suddenly exclaimed, much to Shiho's surprise. "If I'm not the cousin of Kirijo Mitsuru, I was already expelled from Shujin-"

"No, it wasn't you," Shiho retorted, shaking her head as she tried to hold the tears from leaking. "I knew what happened, it was someone else who did it. P-please, don't think this low to yourself-"

"I'm not thinking about myself," Akira interrupted her in mid-sentence, avoiding her gaze as he stared to the wall in front of him. "I don't want the rumors to reach you... just leave me alone..."

Shiho didn't answer him, just taking a deep breath before standing up and grabbed her shoulder bag. "If you say so..." She muttered under her breath, leaving the clinic without any word said.

Once Shiho left the clinic, Tae couldn't help herself but gave out a sigh. "You cared about her, right?"

Akira only looked down for a moment before avoiding the question in all together. "...I should be able to leave, right?"

Knowing that she won't get anything worthy from Akira, Tae sighed and gestured to the door beside her. "Of course, you're just exhausted."

Nodding and looked down in deep thought for a second, Akira hastily muttered a 'thank you' before grabbing his school bag, leaving the clinic. Once the door was closed, Tae couldn't help herself but give out a deep sigh.

"...How did those councilors able to make them open up?"

[13th April]

Even though Akira expected some rumors about him and Shiho would spread around the whole school, but for some reason... It didn't.

"Well, today is the volleyball rally..." Muttering to himself, Akira quickly walked back to his seat in the classroom, continuing to ignore the whispers around him.

After all, he needed to find a way to get through the whole volleyball rally, especially when everyone was all over Kamoshida. All over that bastard.

"It's gonna be a long day..." Trailing off, Akira's train of thought was interrupted as Kawakami suddenly announced to the whole class.

"OK, listen up everyone," The homeroom teacher said, grabbing everyone's attention. "As you all know, today is the volleyball rally. Head to the gymnasium once you've changed. got it?"

Sighing, Akira followed everyone else to the changing room.

[Afternoon, the gymnasium]

Yep, just as he expected, the volleyball rally was incredibly boring for everyone else who wasn't into Kamoshida. Looking around, Akira decided to walk over to a corner, right next to Ren and Ryuji.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked.

"Of course not," Ren nodded, gesturing to the empty space next to him. "It's empty anyway."

Giving him a faint smile in return, Akira sat down and looked into the volleyball game in a boring look. However, just as he glanced at the two, he only noticed that Ryuji was constantly staring at Ann on the other end.

"Still sticks out..." He muttered to himself, just loud enough for Ren to hear him. "Hasn't changed a bit."

"Well, it's hard to ignore that shade of blonde," Ren commented, shrugging as he noticed Akira had been staring at them for a little while now. "What's so funny, Ichijo?"

Quickly hiding his grin, Akira shook his head in response. "It's nothing... Just... it's kinda ironic that Sakamoto would say something like this when he dyed his hair to blonde for ages."

"Considering that you dyed your hair for Takamaki."

"Wha-" Widening his eyes in surprise, Ryuji hastily leaned over Ren and gave Akira a death glare. "Where did you heard that from?"

"Well, back when we all first came to Shujin, you've been gathering attention from everyone," Akira explained, pointing at his hair to signify what exactly was gathering attention. "Then someone who used to be in the same middle school as you told us the whole story."

"Back when Takamaki first transferred to your school, she was outcasted because of her natural blonde. Then in order to divert the attention away from her, you decided to dye your hair blonde."

Ren was surprised to hear the story about Ryuji, giving him a knowing look. "No wonder..."

"Sha-shaddup..." Ryuji muttered, avoiding their glances as a hint of a blush crept onto his face.

Patting his shoulder as an encouragement, Ren smiled as he returned his gaze to the match happening before him.

However, just as the girls started chanting, Akira blinked for a few times before looking up, narrowing his gaze at Kamoshida.

Just as Kamoshida gave another hard spike toward the student team, sending it straight to Mishima's face. Someone suddenly pushed him away from the ball and taking the ball for himself, blood splatting onto his uniform and knocked him down.

For a moment, there are only the echos of the ball bouncing on the ground in the whole gymnasium.

And once everyone had come back from their shocking state, they realized who took the hit for Mishima.

"I-Ichijo?!" Widening his eyes at Akira, Mishima quickly rushed and helped Akira to sit up. "W-what's wrong with you? Why would you do that?"

"Instinct... I guess," Wiping the dripping blood on his face, Akira still forced a faint smile onto his face. "Damn... that was something else..."

Shaking his head, Mishima turned to Kamoshida. "Mr. Kamoshida, can I take him to the nurse's office?"

Kamoshida, who was still in shock at everything escalated, hastily nodded with a fake smile. "O-of course, get him to the nurse's office, quick!"

Nodding, Mishima quickly gave him a pack of tissues to handle the bleeding while taking him to the nurse's office. However, he could still overhear some chatters around him.

"What the hell is wrong with him?"

"Who cares? He deserves it anyway."

"Yeah, after what happened to Akashi-chan... I couldn't help but hope for anything to happen on him..."

"Now you've reminded me... Akashi... I wish she is still alive, so she could see what is happening to him."

'Rumors never change, right?' Akira thought bitterly, shaking his head to block out those chatters.

Even though it took a long while, but Akira's nose-bleed was dealt with. Pinching his nosebridge to keep the bandages from falling down, Akira quickly changed from his blood-stained sports uniform to his normal one.

Walking down the hallway and ignoring the chatters around him, Akira noticed Ryuji running toward the courtyard. Raising an eye in curiosity, Akira decided to follow him.

Once they're in the courtyard, Akira noticed that Ann and Ren were having a conversation of their own. "Anyway, what's with you? Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all." Ann said, raising an eye at Ren.

"It's something out of my control..." Ren trailed off, twisting a strand of his hair. "But-"

Before Ren could finish her answer, Ryuji walked in with an irritated look, staring at the blonde. "Whaddya want with him?"

Shifting her glance from Ren to him, Ann only stared at him with an unimpressed look. "Right back at you. You're not even in our class."

Widening his eyes for a split second, the ex-runner darted between her and Ren for a while, trying to come up with a response. "...We just happened to get to know each other."

Changing her unimpressed look to a suspicious one, Ann took a step further toward Ryuji. "What're you planning on doing to Mr. Kamoshida?"

"Huh?!" Widening his eyes for a split second again, Ryuji nodded to himself before glaring at her. "I see, I getcha. You're all buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all."

Even though it's not visible to Ann and Ren, but Akira could feel a hint of... envy.

Knowing that their argument would only escalate further than he hopes, Akira quickly cleared his throat and grabbed everyone's attention. "For the love of God, just stop it."

"Ichijo?!" The three all exclaimed in unison, surprised at his appearance. "W-Ain't you-"

"I just got out of the nurse's office and found you arguing with each other," Sighing, Akira leaned back to the fences behind him. "Sakamoto, when did you sure that Takamaki's all 'buddy-buddy with Kamoshida'?" He asked, quoting the 'buddy-buddy with Kamoshida' part with his finger.

"From the rumors-" Ryuji interrupted himself in mid-sentence, widening his eyes at Ann. "Oh."

"And Takamaki, I don't know what exactly happened between you and Kamoshida," Akira continued, closing his eyes for a second. "But I guess everyone here wants Kamoshida out of this school."

"Right..." Ann trailed off, looked distant as she remembered what happened. "Sakamoto got his leg broken from Kamoshida, and you..."

"I know, Kimiko."

Ryuji widened his eyes from realization while Ren was confused. Who was the 'Kimiko' Akira was talking about? And why her name was a... taboo to talk about?

"I could never forget 'bout her..." Ryuji murmured, closing his eyes for a second and turned to Ren. "Oh right, you don't know about Akashi."

However, Akira interrupted Ryuji from explaining, decided to tell the story on his own. "I'll explain it to him." He said, resting his hands to his pockets. "Kimiko... or Akashi Kimiko was a close friend of mine, and the leader of the volleyball team."

"A member of the volleyball team..." Murmuring to himself, Ren nodded in realization. "That means she was a victim of Kamoshida as well?"

"She's the main target... because she always decided to sacrifice herself for the other member," Akira continued, taking a deep breath to stop the memories to overwhelm him. "But then... the day before the national... she hanged herself."

Widening his eyes in shock, Ren opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"I know what you're going to say to me, it's been a few months anyway," Akira murmured, intentionally chocked and a few strands of tears dripped along his cheeks. "The funny thing is... after I confronted Kamoshida for Kimiko, he started rumors that I sexually assaulted... no, raped Kimiko and was the reason she killed herself."

"Kamoshida..." Ren murmured, clutching his hand into a tight fist.

"I was able to stay because he couldn't find any concrete evidence against me," Wiping his tears with his hand, he took a few deep breaths to stop the tears. "Naoko and Shinji left the school after this, and that fucker as a principal covered the whole thing for 'school reputation'."

"Take this as a bit of personal advice," Finally recomposed himself, Akira gave the three a serious gaze. "Most teachers didn't know the other side of Kamoshida, the principal knows... And the parents know too. They're just covering for each other."

"You can't just get him out of this school by conventional means."

With that said, Akira got off from the fences and started to walk away, not before stopping in mid-track and turned around, glancing at Ann specifically. "Takamaki, when you meet Suzui, can you tell her that I'm sorry for what I said?"

Before she could answer him, Akira continued his walk to the hallway. Leaving the three with conflicted mood.

After a long while of silence, Ryuji turned to Ann with an apologetic look. "Well... uh... I'm sorry, Takamaki."

"Me too..." Ann returned with a faint nod, pondering about what Akira just said. "...I'm going to check on Shiho, just be careful."

With that said, Ann hastily walked away from the courtyard.

[14th April]

After the entire incident with Akira and Ann in the courtyard, Ren had been searching about Kimiko's suicide online. Apparently, there were only a few news which talked about it.

Giving out a heavy sigh to this thought, Ren was about to drift into the abyss when his phone buzzed. Taking it out, it was Ryuji who texted him.

Ryuji: So about witness...

Ryuji: I was wondering if we could hear something outta Takamaki.

Ren: Why didn't you asked her yesterday then?

Ryuji: I just forgot 'bout it, OK?

Ren: If you say so...

Ryuji: Anyway, I figured it'd be a good idea to talk to someone who knows them.

Ryuji: And Takamaki's BFFs with a starter, a girl named Suzui.

Ryuji: I tried to talk to that girl during break, but I got nothing.

Ren: So we ask Takamaki to talk to her.

Ryuji: You're right! That's the plan!

Ryuji: Then again, I guess it'll be hard getting her to help us.Ryuji: Sorry, Lemme see what else I can come up with.

Sighing as he put the phone back into his pocket, Ren glanced behind him for a moment, noting that Akira was staring at the window. "Kamoshida needs to be put down, fast..." He heard him muttering to himself.

And Ren wholeheartedly agreed with him.

[Afterschool]

Once the bell rang, signaling the end of school, Ren decided to find Shiho and have a talk with her. Luckily, she wasn't that hard to find. Noticing her staring at her phone with a downcasted look, Ren walked up to her.

"...What?" She asked, pocketing her phone. "Oh... I'm in the way, aren't I? Sorry..."

"No, you're not in the way," Ren quickly reassured her, putting on a soft smile. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."

"Huh?" Fidgeting slightly, Shiho looked down at her feet to avoid his gaze. "Um, well..."

However, she noted who she was talking too, and her gaze shifted back to him. "Hm, you don't look familiar. Could you be that transfer from Class D?"

"Yes, it's me." Ren nodded, pushing his glasses.

"Um, this might not be any of my business, but don't let don't let the rumors get to you, OK...?"

Raising an eye in curiosity, the fuzzy-haired boy decided to ask, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, I've helped with some similar situations before..." She trailed off, looking distant as she remembered Ann's situation. "...My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks..."

'Poor girl...' He thought, biting his lips to stop himself from doing anything stupid. She was too good for this school, too good.

"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to drag on like that," Shiho said apologetically. "Anyway, I have to go to practice... I'll see you around."

With that said, Shiho quickly walked away with a downcasted look. However, she stopped for a second and stared at someone behind him, but quickly ignored him and walked away.

Turning around, Ren found that Akira was standing behind him, staring at Shiho's back with a somber face.

"Ichijo? Why are you here?"

Slightly surprised, Akira hastily recomposed himself. "I wanted to give her an apology... But it seems like she really took my word at face value."

"An apology... Did something happened between you two?"

"It's a personal matter," He quickly rejected, shaking his head. "But... if I guess, Sakamoto should be waiting for you-"

Suddenly, Akira stopped himself and blinked, widening his eyes in horror. "Shit, this is fucking bad."

Without another word, Akira rushed off to the stairs at incredible speed, leaving Ren standing at where he was, completely confused.

After a long while of waiting and preparing, Akira was waiting on a corner in the hallway. The volleyball team's practice had ended a few minutes ago, and Shiho would be called in just fifteen minutes.

"Please be working..." He murmured to himself, his thought returned to what he had done a few moments prior. "Stuffing the lock with paper... Is that the best you can think of?"

However, before he could have any time to regret or even hesitate, the voice of Mishima startled him.

"Mr. Kamoshida's asking for you... He's in the PE faculty office."

Knowing that there's no second chance, Akira took the second stairs and reached the PE faculty office without her noticing. Once she entered the office, Kamoshida closed the door with a 'click', locking the room.

However, he could notice the slight difference between how it should sound and what it actually sounded. 'Yes! I did it!' Cheering in his mind, he quickly took out his phone and started to record for a video, stuffing it to his jacket's front pocket with only it's camera exposed.

Taking a deep breath, Akira grabbed the handle of the door and opened it. Even though he expected it, but seeing this with his own eye... it fueled him with rage.

Kamoshida was pinning Shiho to the table with his hands with a wicked grin, but the sudden appearance of blinding light stopped him. Looking behind, he saw Akira standing in the doorway, his hands clutched into a pair of tight fists.

"Ichijo..." The PE teacher was staring at him with a rage-filled gaze. "You were always a pain in my ass."

"As much as I hate to say it, I am thinking the exact same thing," Akira said, taking a step into the office. "Trying to rape a student..."

"And the worst thing is, this is not the first time you did it..."

Irritated, Kamoshida released his grip on Shiho and turned around. "You mean Akashi?" He raised an eye, a disgusting grin crept onto his face. "Right, that stupidly brave girl... You won't believe how good she made me felt..."

Hearing how Kamoshida described... no, humiliated Kimiko, filled Akira with more rage... and hatred.

"Right, you have all the reason in the world... He's the one who raped Kimiko!"

Without another word, Akira dashed toward him and struck Kamoshida's torso. However, the PE teacher only grabbed his fist in ease grinned. "When did you thought that you're going to beat me in a fistfight?"

"Never," Akira said, his tone was chillingly calm, as if he already made up his mind. "But if I'd to die trying, so be it."

Catching his other fist, Kamoshida's grin widened and twisted Akira's arm, causing him to cry in pain. "You know, I can totally call it a 'self-defense', and no one will believe you."

"I know, you thought the whole school as your fucking castle..." Akira muttered through the pain, staring at Shiho behind him.

She was devastated, crawling further into the corner while weeping, fear and concern were clearly visible on her face. Closing his eyes to calm himself, Akira smirked and looked back at Kamoshida.

"I take that back," He said. "Do you ever think I'll risk Shiho in a fistfight with you?"

Sensing the grip on his fists softened for a split second, Akira shifted his gaze at Shiho. "Suzui! Just get the fuck outta here!"

Even though still shocked, Shiho hesitantly nodded before leaving the office. Once she was gone, Akira quickly released himself from Kamoshida's grip and exited the room, closing the door and rushed to Shiho.

Grabbing her hand, Akira led her to somewhere far from the office. "You're alright?" He asked, ignoring the pain lingering in his arms.

Shiho only stared at his arms, red mark covering his wrist. "...Why? Why did you do that?"

"Now Ann's the one who'll..." She trailed off, clutching her head as her eyes widened in fear. "No... no no no no no..."

"Suzui, Takamaki's going to fine!" Without thinking twice, Akira grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look at him. "Just look at me, you two are going to be fine, I promise."

"You promise?" Even though her feature softened for a bit, but Akira could still feel the fear lingering. "But..."

"Yes, I promise," He said with a determined look, tightening his drip. "No one's going to get-"

However, before Akira could finish, Shiho suddenly pushed him away with a blank look. "You're just lying... Just stop lying..." She muttered, turning around and ran away.

He could just stand and watched her ran away, too shocked to do anything. 'N-no way...'

However, he wasn't shocked at her sudden change in behavior, but in her eyes.

For a split second, her eyes changed from the usual brown to bright gold. Just like how Kamoshida was inside the castle.

(To be continued)

Preview:

After the turn of events, Suzui Shiho was able to avoid the same fate as Akashi Kimiko.

However, her heart could not handle the pain she caused.

A mysterious voice encourages her to settle it all, to end it all.

But as a hand catches hers, a small hope lighted up like an ember.

As she tore away her mask.

Next Chapter:

"The Swan Maiden"

Stay Tuned!

Well, this chapter is going to end on another cliffhanger... Even though we all know what's gonna happen, right?

This aside, we got a tease on 'it' during Akira's first trip to the Metaverse! You heard me, a 'tease'. For those who read the old version, you would know what's wrong with him that made the Shadow Operative did anything they could to distance him from Persona and more. Well, we got a bit of tease here!

In all and all, I hope y'all like the fic so far!

Reviews are welcome!