DISTURBING CONTENT WARNING AHEAD! AND MAJOR SWEARING AHEAD!
For your information, Shiho's full name is "Shiho Takamaki-Sakamoto", and she is the daughter of Ann Takamaki and Ryuji Sakamoto, following the same name format as Kunikazu Okumura-Amamiya.
Also spoilers as to a certain figure from the endgame of Persona 5...
April 11, 2034 - After School
???
The headache lasted for who knows how long, until the pain stopped. When Kunikazu and Shiho opened their eyes, they are shocked to see that the bright views of Harajuku are replaced with the distorted version of Harajuku. There were questionable buildings and other structures in this realm. If anyone's curious on this place, it gives off a red-light district vibe to anyone as there are adult industry buildings here in the distorted version of Harajuku.
"What the fuck is this place?!" Kunikazu asked as he looked everywhere as he tried to rationalized what he is seeing.
"What's going on?" Shiho asked as she clung onto Kunikazu's arm.
"I have no idea! What is even happening here? We were just in Harajuku a minute ago... now we're in this disturbing place that I have no idea of!" Kunikazu exclaimed in surprised.
"I don't like the feeling of this..." Shiho whimpered.
"I guess we'll have to find a way out. Let me check my phone... what the hell?!" Kunikazu shouted as he checked his phone as his screen was showing static. "My phone isn't working... how the hell isn't it working? At a time like this?"
"We can't call for help now?" Shiho asked in horror.
"See if your phone is working," Kunikazu suggested.
Like he would have thought, Shiho's phone isn't working as well. The screen went to static as it showed that it wasn't working now. It was working fine a while ago, but this is just paranoia and nightmare fuel on so many levels.
"My phone isn't working as well... what's going on here?!" Shiho asked as she inspected her phone.
"That's what I wanted to know!" Kunikazu exclaimed as he tried to process the situation. He thought long and hard enough, but there are no ways to get out of this situation. He thought about looking around the place and tried to find some answers. "I guess the only thing that we can do is look around and find a way out..."
"I guess that would be the only thing to do... please stay close to me..." Shiho whispered to Kunikazu nervously.
"I know... let's be cautious around here..." Kunikazu said as they decided to explore around the distorted streets of Harajuku.
Kunikazu and Shiho walked around closely to each other as they explored around the distortion of Harajuku until they stumbled upon a huge hotel which looked like the Imperial Palace building but with a vibrant sign that reads "Inoue's Love Hotel". This couldn't spell trouble upon first glance.
"What the fuck is a 'love hotel'?" Kunikazu asked as he looked at the sign and then the door entrance. He is just as confused as what this place is supposed to be.
"I don't know! I am having a bad feeling about this..." Shiho said as she gripped on Kunikazu's arm tightly.
"Hey! That hurts! But you're right. This place is giving me a bad feeling..." Kunikazu replied.
Then, a few abnormal and nightmarish dark figures emerged from the entrance. These are the shadow guards, but the duo don't know who they are because they are freaked out by their forms.
"What the hell is happening...? Is this for real?" Kunikazu asked as the shadow guards stepped closer to them.
"Get back!" Shiho said, but the shadow guards surrounded them.
Without any time to react, the shadow guards knocked out Kunikazu and Shiho unconscious. They fell to the ground in pain as their vision blurred as they were blacked out. Then the shadow guards ordered them to take them away.
"Take them away, to the jail cells!" One of them ordered.
Jail Room?
Kunikazu groaned as he opened his eyes, his head pounding. He found himself in a dark and oppressive jail cell, the bars glowing faintly with an ominous red light. Shiho was beside him, stirring awake. The last thing they remembered was that they were knocked out unconscious by the monstrous shadow guards when they emerged from the hotel entrance. This felt like a nightmare so real that this would make anyone insane.
"W-where are we?" Shiho asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know," Kunikazu replied, his voice low. He tried pulling at the bars, but they didn't budge. "This is fucking insane."
Kunikazu looked for other ways to exited out of the jail cell, but there is no way out of here. He searched everywhere to find a way out, but to no avail.
"What's going to happen to us?" Shiho asked with nervousness.
Moments later, a group of shadow guards approached, their grotesque forms looming over the cell. Behind them stood a shadowy figure—a woman whose features were an exaggerated and menacing version of a real person. She wore a sinister smile as she gazed down at them. To Kunikazu, this woman is... there are only two words to describe this woman... very busty...
This woman was wearing some revealing clothes which almost revealed too much skin. It made Kunikazu question what the hell he is seeing. And that buxom size... how is her buxom that huge?!
"Well, well," the shadow woman purred. "What do we have here? Two insignificant pests daring to tread into my domain."
Kunikazu glared at her. "Who are you?"
The woman smirked. "I am Emi Inoue, and welcome to my love hotel! I see that you two decided to enter my domain like a couple of mischievous thieves. And would have thought it was two young rats that would be entering my hotel."
"Who are you calling a rat?!" Shiho shouted at this shadowy version of Inoue.
"Judging by your personality and your looks, you look like you're going to usurp me in beauty. You are a threat to me, and I can't stand seeing a girl like you being that pretty. I would think that disposing of you would be a better option." Inoue said to Shiho.
"WHAT?!" Shiho shouted in fear.
"Now you on the other hand..." Inoue said as she is looking directly at Kunikazu. "I swear that I might have seen you before... might you be the son of that couple they call 'Okumura' and Amamiya'?"
"Are... Are you talking about my parents...?" Kunikazu said in horror.
"Oh yeah... I think I might know who you might be... the son of Haru and Ren, Kunikazu Okumura-Amamiya. What are the chances of you stumbling here in this hotel of mine?" Inoue exclaim in excitement that almost felt unbearable.
"You seriously don't think... about targeting me because of my parents... are you?" Kunikazu muttered to Inoue.
"Oh but I have. This makes you the exception, as you shall be my new plaything in this hotel of mine, all for you to embrace to those who have dared to cross my path. And after I deal with the both of you here, I might have to go after this boy's parents. They are considered to be the power couple of the century and I can only image what I would do their public image."
"You are despicable. You are not who I think you are," Shiho mumbled to Shadow Inoue.
"So what's it going to be? Are you willing to be my plaything for me? I wouldn't suggest that you reject my offer to you..." Shadow Inoue said to Kunikazu.
"No. I will not be your fucking slave to you to manipulate. I am not some toy you play with..." Kunikazu angrily said.
"Then I guess I will have to force you to do so the hard way," the shadow version of Inoue said as she signaled the shadow guards towards them. "Just start with that bratty slut, then spare the boy so he'll have to embrace this."
"I am not letting you!" Kunikazu said as he stood in front to try to block the shadow guards from advancing.
She motioned to the shadow guards. "Teach them a lesson."
The guards entered the cell and began to mercilessly beat Kunikazu. He shielded Shiho as best as he could, but he felt helpless against the onslaught.
"Stop it!" Shiho cried, tears streaming down her face. "Leave him alone!"
Then the shadow guards grabbed Shiho by her arm as she tried to resist as much as she could. "Let me go!" she shouted.
Kunikazu could feel a rage boiling inside him, stronger than anything he had ever felt before. His vision blurred, and a deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind.
"Do you desire power, young Trickster? Are you going to resign everything and do what you have been told? Are you simply going to give up?"
A huge headache pierced in his head. No words could describe how painful the headache he is feeling as he clutched his head and wail in agony. Kunikazu gritted his teeth and shouted, "I am not! Anything to protect her!"
"Very well... And are you simply going to let someone threaten your loved ones with such a repulsive act?" the voice intoned.
"I AM NOT! I WILL PUNISH THEM!" Kunikazu shouted.
"I have heeded your vow. Now it's time for us to form a contract. I am thou, thou art I... We will punish those who dare to threaten us with the power of your rage to shape your resolve and justice. Call my name, show your strength... unleash that power that will break the chains chained down from the depths of Hell itself!"
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his face as a mask materialized.
"Get! The! Fuck! AWAY FROM MY SHIHO!!" Kunikazu shouted as a blast of force pushed the shadows away from him and Shiho.
Without hesitation, Kunikazu grabbed his mask, attempting to pull it off with so much force that a whole wave of blood splattered everywhere, covering his face, as his Persona materialized and towered above him.
In a brilliant flash of light, a tall, regal figure appeared behind Kunikazu. This Persona, its appearance is the fused combination of the same appearances and traits of Ren's Satanael and Haru's Astarte, with the wings revealing itself. With the fusion of Satanael and Astarte, this Persona appeared as a gigantic figure, the same one from yesterday that Kunikazu saw before. Kunikazu is now adorned with a black and grey prince outfit, with hints of white. His prince outfit represents his rebellious spirit.
"I am Gadreel," the Persona announced. "The one who shall vanquish your foes!"
The shadow guards stumbled back, but Kunikazu wasted no time. "Alright Gadreel, take them out!"
The shadow guards transformed into shadows, Principality and Yaksini. Then Kunikazu cast Maeigaon, on Principality and Yaksini, dealing heavy Curse damage, annihilating them completely. He had one-shot the shadows and he turned to look at the shadow of Inoue, as she stumbled backwards.
"WHAT?! How did you... grrr... this isn't over! Just so you wait, you little brats!" Shadow Inoue said as she retreated and disappeared.
Kunikazu turned to Shiho, who was staring at him in shock. "C'mon, we need to get the fuck out of here."
He then bridal-style picked her up and carried her through the twisting halls of the palace, following his instincts until they reached the distorted version of Harajuku's entrance. There, he desperately fiddled with his phone, managing to deactivate the Metaverse Navigator.
The world around them shifted back to normal, and they found themselves in the real Harajuku, the streets bustling as if nothing had happened.
A little while later...
Shiho leaned against a wall, catching her breath. "Kuni… what the hell was that?"
Kunikazu shook his head, his hands trembling, he felt drained of energy. "I don't know. But… I think that made me felt relieved to take out all of my rage."
Shiho stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever it was, you saved me. Thank you."
He blushed slightly, looking away. "It's nothing. I just… couldn't let them hurt you, you know..."
She smiled warmly. "Still, it means a lot."
Kunikazu scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Let's just… get you home. I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"Alright thank you so much, Kuni-kun" Shiho said warmly as she walked with Kunikazu.
"Please don't say it in that tone, it's making me feel a little uncomfortable..." Kunikazu mumbled to Shiho.
That made Shiho lean forward closer to him. "I know you like it when I say it in that tone..." she whispered.
Kunikazu blushed even brighter. "No I don't!" he said.
Then they boarded the train, traveling from the Harajuku Station back to Shibuya Station, then finally back at the residence area of Shibuya, Kunikazu and Shiho parted ways as they got to the familiar backstreets.
Shibuya Residence - Evening
When Kunikazu finally got home, Haru and Ren were waiting for him in the living room.
"There you are!" Haru exclaimed, rushing over to give an embracing hug to Kunikazu. "You were out so late. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Kunikazu replied, forcing a smile. "I was just hanging out with Shiho. Lost track of time."
"Are you sure?" Haru asked with worry but with relief.
"I am, really. I didn't mean to make you worry. I just got so busy that I haven't noticed that it was late." Kunikazu said as he lied to his parents.
Ren crossed his arms but smiled knowingly. "Alright. But don't make it a habit to stay out too late."
"I won't," Kunikazu said before heading upstairs.
As he lay in bed that night, his mind raced with thoughts of the day's events. The Velvet Room, Gadreel, the distorted version of Harajuku… none of it made sense, but he knew one thing for sure:
His life was no longer normal.
"I guess that... this is my new life now... where I have completely lost my mind..." Kunikazu muttered to himself.
This is just the beginning of the story, where Kunikazu has awakened to his Persona, he is beginning to start his new double life as the next generation of a Persona user. The story will continue...