Disclaimer: Persona Series is owned by Atlus games and Honkai Impact 3rd by miHoYo

It is currently 7:45 pm in India as I stood up after completing my 3 hours study session and decided to upload this, my pre board are near wish me luck guysss.

To:Beligor

Thank and no I am currently just sticking to Fanfiction

To:Guest

Thank you for your encouragement

To:Guest

Ofcourse I am a good chef

After being shoved into this world, I figured I should try to make the best of it. Or at least do something productive. And by "productive," I mean wandering aimlessly around the city, pretending I had a plan.

Nagazora. A name I'd never heard before, a place that didn't exist back in my world. A city both familiar and alien, where the streets hummed with life, yet none of it felt like mine. The people here moved with purpose, their chatter blending into the hum of cars. It was all too... polished. Too new.

I shoved the last bite of my cheeseburger into my mouth as I stood from the cafe stool, crumpling the wrapper into my pocket. The burger wasn't bad, though it didn't quite stack up to the ramen shop back in Iwatodai. Not that it mattered; food was food.

The cafe itself was bustling, filled with people in suits, school uniforms, and everything in between. Conversations buzzed around me—someone ranting about a missed business deal, another gushing over the latest tech release from ME Corp. That name popped up a lot here. ME Corporation. It didn't take a genius to figure out its influence stretched into every corner of Nagazora.

And then there was Raiden Mei.

I'd pieced it together by now—why everyone seemed to treat her like she walked on air, why her name carried weight even when she wasn't around. She was the daughter of the ME Corporation head, practically royalty in this city. A part of me wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part... well, it couldn't help but draw comparisons.

Mitsuru Kirijo.

The parallel was too obvious to ignore.

Mitsuru Kirijo, heiress to the Kirijo Group, was the kind of person who could command a room with nothing but her presence. Elegant, poised, and sharp in every sense of the word—her words, her intelligence, her swordplay. She wasn't just someone who led; she embodied leadership. And yet, beneath that frosty exterior was someone deeply compassionate, someone who bore the weight of her family's sins and never faltered, even when it hurt.

And then there was Raiden Mei. The so-called "Princess" of ME Corporation. Like Mitsuru, she carried an air of refinement, a quiet strength that made people gravitate toward her. But there was something softer about Mei—less guarded, more... approachable.

But maybe that was why Mei bothered me.

Because when I looked at her, I couldn't help but see a version of Mitsuru—one who hadn't yet learned how to steel herself against the world. And I knew firsthand how merciless the world could be.

The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.

--

The thought followed me as I stepped out of the cafe and into the streets, the city sprawling out before me. Skyscrapers reflected the sun's dying light, their surfaces glowing like molten gold. The sidewalks were alive with energy, people rushing past, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of holo-screens and neon signs.

This place didn't have the same weight as Iwatodai, the same history. There were no scars here, no reminders of battles fought and sacrifices made. It was clean, polished, and perfect—everything I wasn't.

As I passed by a massive holo-display advertising the latest ME Corp device, I couldn't help but wonder: What am I even doing here?

I shook the thought away. This wasn't the time to get lost in existential questions. I'd been given a second chance, a new world to exist in. The least I could do was explore it.

So, I walked. Through the streets, past the glowing towers, into the heart of a city that didn't know me, and one I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

The sun hung stubbornly in the sky, refusing to dip into the horizon. Evening was creeping in, slow and deliberate, like the day itself didn't want to end. With no grand plans for the night and my feet aching from wandering the city, I decided it was time to head back to the apartment.

When I reached the entrance, I found Hana-san, my landlord, standing there. She was a short, elderly woman with a kind face, though right now her features were scrunched with effort as she juggled an assortment of bags that looked far too heavy for her frame.

"Need a hand?" I asked, stepping closer.

She looked up, squinting for a moment before breaking into a warm smile. "Oh, aren't you the new tenant? Minato-kun, wasn't it?"

I nodded and reached for some of the bags without waiting for her to offer.

"Such a helpful boy," she said, her tone filled with genuine appreciation. "These old bones aren't what they used to be. I try to stock up on groceries all at once these days—it saves me the trouble of too many trips."

I peeked into one of the bags as I lifted it. Vegetables, rice, a few bottles of soy sauce—pretty standard stuff. Another bag was stuffed with instant miso packets and snacks. "Looks like you're ready to weather a storm," I said.

Hana-san chuckled, the sound light and comforting. "Ha, at my age, every day feels like weathering a storm."

I didn't say anything more, just carried the bags up to her apartment. The space was small but cozy, the kind of place that smelled faintly of old wood and green tea, radiating warmth in a way that made you feel at home, even if it wasn't yours.

As I set the bags down on her dining table, she let out a sigh of relief. "Bless you, Minato-kun. It's hard to find good souls these days. Most people your age would have just walked on by."

I shrugged, unsure how to respond. "It's nothing."

She smiled knowingly, as if she saw through my aloofness. "Tell me, how did your first day at school go?"

I leaned against the wall, folding my arms. "It was fine. Just introductions and classes. Nothing special."

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, come now. You're holding something back. Don't be shy—spill the details."

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to humor her. "Well, I did end up sitting behind Raiden Mei."

Hana-san's eyebrows shot up, her expression somewhere between surprise and delight. "Raiden Mei? The Princess of ME? My, my, you're starting your school life with some excitement already."

"Not really," I said, shaking my head. "She's... polite. Friendly, even. But it's clear people treat her differently."

Hana-san chuckled, shaking her head. "Ah, poor girl. People treat her like a princess, but not because they see her as a person. They just want to stay on her father's good side. You'd be wise to remember that, Minato-kun."

I nodded slowly. She wasn't wrong. There was a weight behind Mei's composed demeanor, something that didn't feel entirely natural.

As Hana-san began putting away her groceries, she turned to me with a thoughtful look. "Thank you again for your help. It's rare to find someone who does things without expecting anything in return these days."

"It's really not a big deal," I said, brushing it off.

"Ha, modest too," she said, rummaging through one of the bags. "Here. Take these."

She handed me a few cups of instant noodles, her hands slightly trembling with the effort.

I blinked at the gesture. "I can't take these."

"Nonsense," she said firmly. "You carried everything up for me. Let me repay the favor, even just a little."

I wanted to argue, but the tired look in her eyes stopped me. Instead, I took the noodles and gave a small bow. "Thanks."

She smiled, her face lighting up with a warmth that made me feel... lighter, somehow. "You're welcome, Minato-kun. And remember, if you ever need anything, just knock. Us lonely souls have to look out for each other."

As I left her apartment and climbed the stairs to my own, I thought about her words. Lonely souls, huh? Maybe she saw something in me that I didn't even realize was there.

Back in my room, I placed the noodles on the counter, their bright packaging almost too cheerful for the quiet, dim space. For a moment, I stood there, staring at them.

Then I shook my head, pulled out one of the noodles, and set the water to boil.

--

I woke up in the Velvet Room again. If there's one thing I hate more than waking up in a strange place, it's waking up in this strange place.

The blue-hued atmosphere greeted me like an old, irritating acquaintance. The air was thick with a sense of inevitability, a feeling that whatever happened next would leave me with more questions than answers.

And, of course, Igor was waiting for me, hands steepled and face twisted into that unsettling grin of his. It was the kind of expression that said, I know something you don't, and I'm not even sorry about it.

"Welcome back, dear guest," Igor began, his voice smooth and measured, like he was narrating the prelude to some grand opera. "How was your first day in this new world?"

I didn't answer. Not because I was trying to be rude or mysterious, but because... well, it was Igor. The man—or whatever he was—didn't need me to answer. He already knew. He always knew.

Still, there was something I needed to ask, something clawing at the edges of my mind ever since I arrived in this strange reality.

"Can you tell me about Honkai?" I finally said, cutting through the silence. "If I'm going to fight it, I need to know what I'm up against."

Igor's smile widened, which was impressive considering it already stretched to unsettling proportions. "Ah, ever the inquisitive one, dear guest. It is wise to understand one's opponent, though I must warn you—the Honkai is not a foe easily summarized."

"Try me," I said.

He chuckled, a low, resonant sound that somehow made the room feel even more otherworldly. "Very well. The Honkai is both a force of destruction and a test of humanity. It manifests in many ways—disasters, monsters, even individuals who succumb to its influence. It seeks to purge the weak, to challenge the strong, and to reshape the world in its image. Yet, despite its destructive nature, it also serves as a catalyst for growth, for evolution. It is a paradox, much like yourself."

I frowned. "A paradox?"

Igor gestured vaguely with one hand, as if waving off the need for clarification. "Indeed. But I suspect you will come to understand what I mean in due time. The Honkai is not merely an enemy—it is a mirror, reflecting both the best and worst aspects of those who face it. To overcome it, you must first understand yourself."

Cryptic as always. Classic Igor.

I leaned back in my seat, letting his words sink in. The Honkai wasn't just some faceless enemy—it was something more. Something deeper.

"That still doesn't explain why you sent me to school," I said, crossing my arms. "If this is about fighting the Honkai, what's the point of making me sit through classes? Why not just drop me in the middle of the battlefield?"

Igor's grin grew impossibly wider, his golden eyes gleaming with something akin to amusement. "Ah, an excellent question. But you already know the answer, dear guest. After all, was not Gekkoukan High the place where your journey truly began? The foundation upon which your bonds, your strength, and your resolve were built?"

I narrowed my eyes. "That's different. Gekkoukan was... special."

"Indeed," Igor said, nodding slightly. "And so is this place. Nagazora, much like Gekkoukan, is a nexus—a starting point for those who will play a crucial role in the fate of this world. It is here, in the quiet moments of everyday life, that the seeds of destiny are sown. Just as you once forged bonds that shaped your journey, so too must you now navigate the intricate web of connections in this new reality."

"Connections," I echoed, the word tasting bitter in my mouth.

Igor inclined his head. "Yes. For it is through these connections that true power is realized. You understand this better than most, dear guest. It is the bonds you form, the trust you build, and the resolve you share that will determine the outcome of the battle against the Honkai. And perhaps... it will also help you find what you seek."

I blinked. "What I seek?"

But Igor didn't answer. He simply leaned back, his grin never faltering. "You'll discover it in time. For now, focus on your role in this unfolding story. And remember, dear guest—this is not merely a fight for survival. It is a journey, one that begins with understanding, grows through connection, and culminates in purpose."

Before I could respond, the familiar sensation of being pulled away took hold. The Velvet Room faded, its blue hues dissolving into the dark recesses of my mind.

I woke up in my bed, staring at the ceiling, Igor's words still echoing in my head.

Nagazora, huh? A place of beginnings. A nexus of destiny.

I sighed, rolling onto my side.

"Sure doesn't feel like it."

The next morning, as I walked toward school, I spotted Mei. She stood by the curb, her school bag in hand, smiling brightly as she waved at me. The only difference? She was stepping into a limousine—sleek, black, and undoubtedly expensive, the kind of car you'd only see in movies or parked outside a five-star hotel.

As I passed by, the tinted window rolled down smoothly, revealing Mei's face framed by the luxurious interior. "Hey, Minato! Do you want a ride?"

I froze for a moment. I wanted to say yes. Who wouldn't? I mean, how often does someone like me get the chance to ride in a limo? Junpei would lose his mind if he knew I passed up such an opportunity.

But then I caught the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror. Cold, sharp, and silently warning me to reconsider. It was the kind of glare that said, Don't you dare .

I scratched the back of my head, giving a polite smile. "Sorry, but school isn't far from here. I'll walk."

"Come on, Minato," Mei insisted, her voice carrying that playful persistence I'd come to expect. "Don't be stubborn."

I sighed. She wasn't going to let this go, was she? "Fine."

Ignoring the driver's murderous glare—seriously, was this guy a bodyguard or something?—I climbed into the backseat.

The interior was incredible. Plush leather seats that practically swallowed you in comfort, soft lighting that gave the space a warm glow, and a mini-bar that I absolutely wasn't going to touch but couldn't help noticing. Everything about it screamed luxury, like stepping into another world entirely.

But as I marveled at my surroundings, my thoughts kept circling back to the driver's hostility. Why did he hate me so much? Did he think I was some freeloader trying to get close to Mei for her wealth? The idea almost made me laugh—if only he knew how far from the truth that was.

Mei broke my train of thought. "So, where are you from, Minato?"

That question caught me off guard. It was a simple one, but for me, it wasn't easy to answer. I hesitated for a moment before settling on the truth—or at least part of it.

"I'm from an orphanage," I said, offering a small smile. "My parents died in a car accident when I was young."

And just like that, the mood shifted. The brightness in Mei's expression dimmed, and the air between us felt heavy.

I leaned back in the seat, glancing out the window. Typical. I had a knack for making things awkward without even trying. It wasn't like I said much, but sometimes even silence carried too much weight.

Mei fidgeted beside me, her fingers brushing the hem of her skirt. She looked like she wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn't come. I considered staying quiet, letting the moment pass. It wasn't like I was great at fixing this sort of thing.

Instead, I sighed and muttered, "Don't worry about it."

She looked up, startled. "Huh?"

"It's fine," I said simply. "I didn't mean to ruin the mood."

"You didn't," she replied quickly, her voice soft but firm. "I just... I didn't know."

I gave a small shrug, glancing her way but saying nothing more. What was there to say? It was my life—nothing new, nothing dramatic, just... what it was.

The silence that followed wasn't as heavy this time. Mei seemed to relax, her shoulders easing, and the faintest hint of a smile returned to her lips. I let my gaze wander back to the window, content to let the moment settle on its own.

Maybe accepting this ride wasn't the worst thing.

Ok who was I kidding, accepting this ride was the worst thing.Why? Because--

When we reached the school and stepped out of the limousine, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The whispers started first, soft murmurs spreading like wildfire through the growing crowd of students. Then came the stares—sharp, curious, and some outright accusatory.

That's when I realized exactly who I'd been riding with. Raiden Mei. Heiress to the ME Corporation. The queen of this school, if the reverence in their eyes was anything to go by.

I sighed, adjusting my bag as I felt their gazes burning into my back. My sweet, quiet days of solitude? Over. Completely and irrevocably.

By the time the lunch bell rang, I'd either be labeled a criminal, a gold-digger, or the luckiest guy alive. And if they didn't declare me guilty of some crime against common sense by evening, well... I'd seriously consider changing my name.

With that thought in mind, I followed Mei toward the school building, ignoring the weight of their stares. I didn't have the energy to deal with this. Not now, not ever. But somehow, I already knew Mei wouldn't make this any easier for me.

The moment I stepped into the classroom alongside Mei, the atmosphere shifted like someone had flipped a switch. It wasn't something you could see, but you could feel it—a ripple of attention spreading through the room.

Mei walked ahead, composed and radiant, the kind of presence that demanded notice without asking for it. She was untouchable, a queen entering her court. I, on the other hand, trailed behind her, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. It didn't work.

The whispers started almost immediately.

"Isn't that the new guy?"

"He came in with Raiden-san. Raiden Mei."

"Why is she with him?"

"What's their deal?"

I could feel the eyes on me, dozens of them, trying to dissect my very existence. I ignored them and headed straight for my seat in the back. Mei, unbothered as always, glided to her usual spot by the window.

The moment she sat down, they swarmed.

"Mei, good morning!"

"Did you finish the notes from yesterday? Can I borrow them?"

"Did you hear about the festival next month? You'll be part of it, right?"

"Oh, you looked so great in the student council pictures last year!"

It was like watching bees around a flower. Mei smiled politely, answering questions with practiced ease, her voice warm but distant. She handled them the way an empress might handle her subjects—gracious, kind, yet always maintaining a barrier.

I slid into my chair, dropped my bag to the floor, and pulled out my MP3 player. The headphones went on, and with a click, music filled my ears. The low hum of conversation around me faded as I let the first track wash over me.

Nobody swarmed me.

Nobody even bothered to glance in my direction after that initial wave of curiosity.

I leaned back in my seat, letting my gaze flicker toward Mei. She sat surrounded by classmates, her every movement observed, her every word met with eager smiles and nods. Yet, for all the attention, she didn't seem overwhelmed or annoyed. She wore her role like a perfectly tailored suit.

Meanwhile, I sat alone, invisible in the shadow of her spotlight.

And honestly? I preferred it that way.

"Hey, new guy," came a voice, muffled through the music.

I ignored it.

"Yo, transfer student," the voice tried again, louder this time.

With an irritated sigh, I pulled one earphone down and turned toward the source. It was some guy standing by my desk—a broad-shouldered, cheerful-looking type

"You're the guy who came in with Raiden-san, right?" he asked, leaning casually against my desk.

I stared at him, my face blank.

"Man, tough crowd," he said, laughing awkwardly. "Anyway, I'm Takeshi. Just thought I'd say hi. If you need help around here, let me know."

"Noted," I muttered, pulling my headphones back into place.

He chuckled again, though it sounded more strained this time, before walking away. I didn't bother watching him go.

The second track on my playlist started—a slower, instrumental piece that matched the heavy atmosphere in the room. I glanced toward Mei again. She still hadn't looked my way, too busy navigating her hive of admirers with that serene smile of hers.

The contrast was almost laughable.

To these people, I wasn't just a transfer student anymore. I was "the guy who walked in with Raiden Mei." A connection they'd fabricate stories around, no matter how little there actually was to say.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling.

Great. Just great.

It wasn't even second period yet, and my plan to stay unnoticed was already in shambles.

The bell rang, signaling the end of one class and the dreaded start of another. Just when I thought I'd managed to coast through the day without any more hurdles, the universe decided to remind me of its twisted sense of humor.

Physical Education.

I changed into the school's standard-issue PT clothes in the locker room—a plain white shirt and navy-blue shorts that did little to inspire school spirit—and made my way to the grounds.

Our PE teacher, Satoshi-san, was already waiting for us. He was a mountain of a man, muscles rippling under his tracksuit like he moonlighted as a bodybuilder. He had the kind of presence that demanded attention, barking orders as if we were new recruits in some military camp.

"Line up! I want to see straight rows!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the field.

I sighed, slouching a bit as I took my place in line. The man was intense, but I figured if I just kept my head down and blended in, I could make it through this without any issues.

"Hey, Minato!"

Or not.

I turned my head to see Takeshi jogging toward me, a grin plastered across his face. He was the kind of guy who probably woke up every morning with sunshine beaming directly into his soul—a stark contrast to the overcast clouds that seemed to follow me everywhere.

"Day treating you alright?" he asked, slapping a hand on my shoulder like we'd been friends for years.

"I don't even know you," I replied flatly, stepping aside to dislodge his hand.

Takeshi laughed, completely unbothered by my lack of enthusiasm. "Yeah, yeah, but isn't that how friendships start? Total strangers and all that?"

"Sure," I muttered, staring ahead as Satoshi-san began his lecture about teamwork and discipline.

Takeshi wasn't deterred. "Come on, man. I saw you sitting with Raiden-san at lunch. That's not exactly low-key. People are talking, you know?"

"Let them talk," I said, folding my arms.

"Ah, so you are the quiet, brooding type," Takeshi said with mock seriousness, stroking his chin like he'd just cracked some profound mystery. "You're like the protagonist of one of those shounen manga. The lone wolf who keeps everyone at arm's length but secretly has a heart of gold."

I gave him a side-eye. "You've read too many comics."

"And you haven't read enough!" he shot back, his grin widening. "Seriously, though, don't let them get to you. People here love their gossip, but it's all harmless. You just gotta roll with it."

Before I could respond—or tell him to leave me alone—Satoshi-san barked, "Enough chit-chat back there! Takeshi, Arisato, you're partners for today's drills!"

I groaned inwardly. Of course.

"Partners, huh? Guess we're stuck together now," Takeshi said, clapping his hands together. "This is gonna be fun!"

"Define 'fun,'" I muttered.

"Aw, come on, don't be like that!" Takeshi said as we moved to our designated spot on the field. "I'll take it easy on you, promise. Unless you want to make it a competition? I'm game if you are."

I shook my head, already dreading the next hour. Takeshi might have been easygoing and cheerful, but something told me he wasn't the type to let up once he set his sights on someone.

"Let's just get this over with," I said, picking up the ball for the first drill.

Takeshi grinned. "That's the spirit! Who knows, Minato? By the end of this, you might even start liking me."

Hello! Reader, another chapter published as I said before I want to focus more on Minato life in Nagazora before jumping into action and here was it. Here I gave an insight of Minato perspective, how he thinks of Mei and most importantly his talk with Igor. Can you guess what is it that Minato seek? I don't know what they call it in Japan but in India it is called Physical Education

Please leave your reviews in comments.