4/11 – Monday
Akira and Ryuji walked their way to Shujin Academy, with one leading and the other following suit. But they were unaware that the app on Akira's cellphone was still active as the world changed suddenly around them, twisting and warping with red and black ripples.
The two didn't know it, but it was due to the app picking up Ryuji and Akira's conversation a while earlier.
As they continued toward the alleyway, Akira suddenly felt a weird air once he stepped on a puddle. The splash from it began to slow down, just like when Shibuya somehow froze in time on his first day.
Akira looked back the other way but didn't notice something different.
Weird… What's this feeling I'm having? Akira thought, scratching his head. It's almost as though…
But Akira just shook his head, thinking he had gone nuts. One thing's for sure, and he surely did not want anything unexpected on his first day of school. Still, he can tell that something entirely unexpected was happening, and things will go south for him.
"Wha-?" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Ryuji?" Akira spoke up in surprise, realizing that he lost track of him, and followed his new friend to catch up with him.
But once Akira and Ryuji were outside the alleyway exit, the two looked on ahead. They were in shock at what they'd found that caused Ryuji to be alarmed.
Instead of Shujin Academy, there was now a large, grand-looking yet unimaginable ornate castle of sorts with a wooden drawbridge, brick walls, and everything – like something out of a fairy tale, but not.
"Ummm… This is Shujin Academy, right?" Akira asked, confused.
"Uh… The building didn't always look like this, did it?" Ryuji blinked.
"It was pretty different from what I saw yesterday."
"We didn't… come the wrong way though…," Ryuji muttered, looking back at the alleyway, then at the castle. "Yeah, this should be right…"
"Is our school into roleplaying all of a sudden?" Akira blinked as well.
"What's goin' on here? I guess we'll just have to go and ask."
Ryuji and Akira went on ahead toward the school-turned castle. Once inside, however, they find themselves in a large room with chandeliers, a stairway, pillars, and even a large painted portrait of someone they might recognize hanging on the wall.
"Th-That's weird… Where's the school?" Ryuji asked, confused.
"Is this really our school?" Akira asked. "Though I can say I've never seen it like this before."
"It should be…," Ryuji shrugged. "I mean, It said 'Shujin' on the gate, so this SHOULD be the school… I think."
Ryuji then checked his phone, only to see that there's no wi-fi. "Out of service? Where'd we end up? The sign was for the school, right?"
"Maybe I wasn't paying attention…," Akira said. He then looked around as he thought, But there's something off about the air in here. It feels either oddly weird…or even gross.
Suddenly, Akira and Ryuji heard metallic footsteps, and before they know it, they turned to see a knight with a sword and shield in each hand.
"Geez, you freaked me out," Ryuji sighed as he looked at the knight. "Who are you? You a student?"
But the knight didn't answer.
"Man, your costume's impressive… Is that armor real?" Ryuji asked the knight as he walked towards it. However, he then became quite irritated when the knight still didn't answer. "C'mon, don't just stand there. Say somethin'."
Suddenly, noticing a dark red aura around the knight, Akira spoke up. "Hey, Ryuji…I don't think it's a good idea. Besides, we don't know if this knight is even a—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Akira froze as he sees another knight approaching him and Ryuji menacingly.
"…H-Hey, what's going on?" Ryuji asked.
"This must be a prank," Akira replied. "What is this? Is it the school staff? I mean, what kind of roleplay is this!?"
"Dude, I don't know! …This shit's real," Ryuji yelled when the first knight approached him. "C-Calm down! Time out, man!" He turned to Akira. "We gotta run!"
Akira nodded. "O-Okay, the show's over! We're rollin' out!"
"Yeah, we better not mess with them! Go!"
Akira and Ryuji were about to head for the exit when more knights appeared, surrounding them.
"Ugh, what's with these guys!?" Ryuji growled in anger when he got bashed to the ground by the knight's shield. "Gah!"
"Ryuji!" Akira cried as he was about to aid him but got knocked out as well. Stars circled around Akira's head as he then collapsed.
"Oww… Y-You're going to break my bones, dammit!" Ryuji yelled angrily at the knight. "The hell you think you're – Aagh!"
Everything faded to black as the two heard the guard's voice, "Take them away!"
A few minutes later, Akira was lost in darkness as a thought came to his head, Owww…! Wha-what just happened? Why's this happening?
"…Hey. Hey! Wake up!" A familiar voice woke up Akira.
Akira opened his eyes as he sat up, rubbing his head. Then, he turned to see Ryuji standing right beside him.
"You all right?" Ryuji asked.
"Yup, I'm fine," Akira nodded. "You?"
"Yeah, more or less."
Akira and Ryuji looked around, seeing that they are inside a prison cell.
"Looks like this ain't no dream…," Ryuji muttered. "Ugh, what's going on!?" He then rushed to the cell door and started pounding on it as he called out for someone, "Hey, let us out of here! I know there's someone out there!"
"This is not our day," Akira said quietly as he sighed.
Akira looked around the area as he thought, Another prison cell, huh? This doesn't look like the one in the Velvet Room dream I had last night.
"Dammit, where are we? Is this some kind of TV or movie set?" Ryuji asked angrily.
"Ryuji, this is way too real to be a TV or movie set," Akira said. "I don't see any cameras or a snack table. No one's done any filming here."
Just then, as Ryuji and Akira pondered about their odd surroundings, the two were startled by the sound of a loud horrific scream echoing through the halls.
"Th-The hell was that just now?" Ryuji asked as he and Akira quickly ran to the cell door, only to hear more pain-filling screaming – almost as if someone is being tortured elsewhere.
"Whoa… Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa…," Ryuji exclaimed, stepping away in panic. "You're shittin' me, right? This is real bad…!"
"We have to get out of here," Akira said as he and Ryuji looked around for a way out of their confined imprisonment when they spotted some barrels. "Should we hide in there and trick them?"
"It probably wouldn't work like in the movies, though…," Ryuji replied.
"Well, you're the one thinking this is some movie set."
Suddenly, Akira and Ryuji heard heavy footsteps again, realizing that it was coming from a couple of knights from before.
"Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon," One leading knight said. "Your charge is 'unlawful entry.' Thus, you'll be sentenced to death."
"Say what!?" Ryuji exclaimed in shock.
"No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle," A familiar yet distorted voice appeared, prompting Akira and Ryuji to see that it was…
"Huh? Wait… Is that you, Kamoshida?" Ryuji asked, confused.
"Kamoshida?" Akira repeated, looking back at the gym teacher who drove the young girl to school, as he gets a better look at the mentioned person.
So, this was Kamoshida. Or at least, it looked like Kamoshida. Instead of wearing his blue sports jacket, he was wearing a red cape filled with hearts all over his torso, pink briefs, and a crown. And what's more, he had weird, golden eyes.
The golden eyes reminded Akira of Caroline and Justine of the Velvet Room. Still, their eyes were never menacing or even sinister at all.
"I thought it was just some petty thief, but to think it'd only be you, Sakamoto...," The golden-eyed Kamoshida said to Ryuji. "Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh?" He then turned to Akira with a smirk on his face. "And you brought a friend this time... because you can't do anything for yourself."
"This ain't funny, you asshole!" Ryuji snapped at the golden-eyed Kamoshida.
"Wait, Ryuji! That's not really—" Akira tried to warn Ryuji but was utterly silenced.
"Enough!" The fake Kamoshida said in an angry tone. "Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all. You not only break-in, but you dare insult MY castle? Don't think you're getting out of here alive!"
King? Castle? We're not at Shujin anymore, are we!? Akira thought for a second or two, and then it suddenly hit him. Wait, did that app overheard Ryuji and me and activated it on its own!? What's going on here?
"The penalty for that is death," The golden-eyed, fake Kamoshida said as he then ordered his knights. "It's time for execution! Take him out!"
"Ohhh, no… This ain't good," Akira said as he then turned to a pale Ryuji. "Ryuji!"
"S-Stop it!" Ryuji's voice was engulfed in fear, moving backward when the cell door opened as the knights moved in. "...Goddammit!"
Feeling threatened, Ryuji charged at a guard in front of him and glared at the fake Kamoshida, who entered the cell as well.
"I ain't down for this shit!" Ryuji said as he turned to Akira. "C'mon, we're outta here!"
"Right!" Akira nodded.
But while Ryuji was distracted, another knight came from behind and struck him down with a quick kick, making him slowly fell to his knees. "Nnngh...! Oww..."
Akira tried to make a valiant effort to stop the knights, but it was of no use.
"Just go! Get out of here! These guys are serious!" Ryuji cried out to Akira.
"Oh, running away, are we? What a heartless friend you are," The fake Kamoshida taunted Akira with a sneering look on his face.
"He ain't a friend...," Ryuji struggled as he looked at the fake Kamoshida. Then, he turned to Akira. "C'mon! Hurry up and go!"
"I can't just leave you here!" Akira protested.
"What's the matter? Too scared to run away?" The fake Kamoshida taunted Akira. Then he scoffed as he gazed back at Ryuji with a grin. "Hmph, pathetic scum isn't worth my time. I'll focus on this one's execution..."
The fake Kamoshida picked up Ryuji by his black blazer and gave him a punch to the face.
"Take this!" The fake Kamoshida exclaimed as he continuously gave Ryuji a couple of hard punches and jabs one after another. "Lowly scum! Useless pest!" Then, followed by an uppercut and a hard blow down the back of Ryuji's head.
Another adult who thinks he's above everyone else..., Akira thought as his jaws dropped while he watched at how this fake Kamoshida mercilessly beat up Ryuji like trash. What the hell is going on? What am I going to do? What can I even do in the first place? I can't just sit here. I gotta do something.
This is not like Kamoshida at all! Whatever this strange being might be, it must be taking Kamoshida's form to make it look like he's in charge of this school-turned-castle.
When Ryuji fell to the ground with a grunt of pain, the fake Kamoshida mockingly taunted, "Hmph... Where'd your energy from earlier go?"
A guard picked up Ryuji and threw him to the side like a rag doll as Shadow Kamoshida continued taunting. "A peasant like you isn't worth beating. I'll have you killed right now."
"Are you out of your mind!?" Akira spouted out, catching the fake Kamoshida's attention. "Hard to believe that a gym teacher like you would say things like that. Not to mention punching a normal student like Ryuji!"
The fake Kamoshida scoffed. "What's so normal about a shameless track traitor like him!?"
"Traitor? Do you know anything about him?"
The way the fake Kamoshida said makes it sound as if there's some history between them. But he doesn't bother to give any details in his answer.
"What? Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am." The fake Kamoshida walked towards the glaring Akira with a grin. "That look in your eyes irritates me!"
The fake Kamoshida kicked Akira back to the wall and then ordered the guards while looking at Ryuji. "Hold him there… After the peasant, it's his turn to die."
As ordered, the two knights pinned Akira against the wall as he watched Ryuji in peril. At the same time, the fake, golden-eyed Kamoshida laughed.
Akira looked on in shock, feeling helpless as he closed his eyes.
This is truly an unjust game… Your chances of winning are almost none.
Akira's eyes opened as he heard a familiar voice. He saw a very lone butterfly fluttering past by him with a hint of blue – the same color as the Velvet Room in his dream.
But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you…
Just then, the butterfly disappeared as a bright light shined up again. Relieved by its familiar flutter, Akira was still uncertain as his mind got clearer when time flowed back to normal.
Suddenly, he heard an entirely unfamiliar one.
What the matter? Are you simply going to watch?
"Who's there?" Akira looked around as he couldn't even find the source of that voice. It sounded like it was coming from his head – or rather, it was coming from inside his mind.
Are you forsaking him to save yourself?
Death awaits him if you do nothing.
Was your previous decision a mistake then?
"No…," Akira said as flashbacks of the night of his arrest flowed in him. "It wasn't!"
Very well… I have heeded your resolve.
Suddenly, Akira started writhing in pain as a burning sensation formed while subconsciously hearing the voice within.
Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I...
Thou who would accept blasphemy for the sake of thine own justice!
Call upon my name and release thy righteous rage!
Reveal the strength of thy will to seek the truth on thine own, though thou'll be chained down by Hell itself!
The pain and screaming stopped as Akira quietly muttered while looking up slowly with a look of determination. "I hear you…"
The fake Kamoshida gave the order to the guard holding Ryuji. "Execute him!"
"Back off!" Akira exclaimed as everything went silent, catching the fake's attention.
"What was that…?" The fake Kamoshida turned to Akira and glared at him with a menacing scowl while the knight holding Ryuji dropped him. "You desire to be killed that much? Fine!"
The fake Kamoshida gave out a quick signal, and a knight nearby quickly strike the side of Akira's head while his glasses were off. Two more knights surrounded Akira with their spears crossed to form a barrier around Akira's neck and chin to ensure there's no escape.
Ryuji tried to get up, but his knees felt numb to move when he fell back down to the floor. He watched in fear as the knight raised his sword above Akira's head when the fake Kamoshida gives out the signal.
Without warning, it was at that moment in time that an epic, intense pulse of power burst through Akira, knocking the knights off balance by a force wave. At the same time, his eyes grew wide open as if something appeared on his face.
And there it was – on Akira's face was a white mask with black markings around the eye holes.
Akira struggled to get the mask off of him, even though he could feel a part of his skin starting to bleed as it slowly started to peel off. He screamed in pain before finally taking the mask off him, letting the blood freely fall from his face. But as he lifted his head with gleaming yellow eyes and a grin, the blood on Akira's face became a vast, epic onslaught of blue, azure flames that burst out from within him. The wounds healed as the fire consumed Akira, almost becoming the stuff of nightmares.
The flames rose from Akira, turning into a figure that stood before him with a red half jacket, a top hat, a black face with crimson markings, a pair of horns, and enormous black wings. Akira's school uniform was replaced with a black trench coat, black trousers, and red gloves.
With a wave of his hand, a grinning Akira sends the guards flying, courtesy of the figure's wings fluttering from behind, as the fake Kamoshida scrambled away.
Ryuji watched in shock, but at the same time amazed, as he couldn't help seeing how cool Akira looked while blue flames and chains flowed within him. "Wha…What the…?"
"I am the pillager of twilight - Arsène!" The powerful being behind Akira spoke as it flutters its vast, black wings, imposing himself.
"What the...?" Ryuji blinked, finding this scene both fantastic and frightening.
"I am the rebel's soul that resides within you," Arsène said to Akira. "If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."
"All right, lend me your power," Akira responded confidently.
"Hmph, very well…," Arsène nodded with satisfaction. "This power of mine is yours! Kill them however you want. Run wild to your heart's content!"
Gifted a small combat knife in his grasp, Akira managed to fight the transformed knights, dodging their attacks, and delivered a finishing blow in one swoop. With the enemies dealt with, he felt a surge of power from within him as he heard Arsène's laughter once more before the being behind him vanished back into a mask on Akira's face.
Akira has faced his other self; the façade used to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Arsène.
After that quick battle, Akira examined his new look while Ryuji looked on in complete and utter shock. "What was that just now?"
But before Akira could answer, the fake Kamoshida approached him. "You little…"
Just then, Ryuji quickly ran up and charged at the fake Kamoshida, bowling him down to the ground while the keys to the cell came down. "You like that, you son of a bitch!?"
"Ryuji, quick! The keys!" Akira ordered as he grabbed the keys and tossed them to Ryuji.
"Y-You mean with this?" Ryuji muttered, then he and Akira quickly made it out of the cell before immediately locking the iron door shut.
"OK, it's locked," Ryuji said, then he turned to Akira in awe. "Hey! What was that just now!? And…your clothes…"
But before Akira could answer, a burst of light changed his new clothes back to his school uniform.
"Whoa, it went back to normal!?" Ryuji said in surprise.
"We'll talk later! We need to scram!" Akira said as he and Ryuji ran ahead.
Simultaneously, the fake Kamoshida slowly regained consciousness and made a mad dash toward the iron bars, gripping them. "Y-You bastards! You think you can get away with doing this to me!?"
Akira and Ryuji managed to follow a straight path through the dungeon. But once they climbed the staircase and almost reached a dead end.
"Dammit!" Ryuji muttered to himself. "How the hell are we supposed to get out of here!?"
Just then, an unknown voice appeared. "…Hey, you there! Blondie! Frizzy Hair! Look over here!"
Akira and Ryuji looked at another cell, and to their surprise, they can see a strange creature, almost looking like a cat, already confined in here.
"What the hell is this thing!?" Ryuji exclaimed as the cat-like creature was waving at them with its paws to get their attention.
"Wait…It talked," Akira gasped. "I think it's alive."
"You're not soldiers of this castle, right!? Get me out of here!" The strange cat-like creature said as he pointed at the far end of the wall, revealing a key. "Look, the key's right there!"
"We're trying to get the hell outta here!" Ryuji said to the cat-like creature. "I mean, you obviously look like an enemy too!"
"I'm locked up here, so how can I be your enemy!? Help me out!"
"Ryuji, this…cat is obviously telling the truth," Akira told Ryuji.
"I am NOT a cat!" The cat-like creature angrily protested. "Say that again, and I'll make you regret it!"
"Hey, what's your problem?" Ryuji asked the cat-like creature angrily. "What gives YOU the right to yell at us like that!? What ARE you!? Where are we!? What the heck's going on here!?"
Suddenly, Akira and Ryuji looked back as they heard the guards' footsteps in the distance.
"They're catching up already!" Ryuji muttered as he then took out his phone. "Shit. There's still no service. Ain't there any way to contact someone outside!? How the hell do we get out!?"
"Hey, you two!" The strange creature called out to the two boys. "You wanna know where the exit is? Let me out, and I'll take you there. You don't want to get caught and executed, right?"
"Can you really help us?" Akira asked with pleaded concern.
"I never go back on my word!" The creature nodded.
"This thing sounds like it's all talk...," Ryuji muttered to Akira as he looked back at the cat-like being. "What it comes down to is, you want to escape, right? Well, so do we! We just don't know how, dammit!"
"That's why I said I'd help you out!" The cat-like creature said. "If you guys think you can get out on your own, then be my guest!"
"Like I keep saying, we don't know where the frickin' exit is!"
Ryuji turned to Akira. "What do we do?"
"We should let him help us," Akira answered, gesturing to the cat-like creature.
Hearing footsteps coming even more closer, Ryuji turned to the strange creature. "Are you seriously not messin' with us!?"
"If you don't hurry, they'll catch you," The cat-like creature replied.
"F-Fine...," Ryuji sighed.
And with that, Akira opened the cell himself with the key.
The strange creature happily skipped out of his prison and let out a stretch. "Ahhhh... Freedom tastes so great..."
Ryuji became impatient. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, now where's the exit, you monster cat!?"
The strange cat-like being looked up at Ryuji, scolding him. "Don't call me a cat! I am Morgana!"
"Shuddup and hurry it up! You wanna be locked up again!?"
"A-All right, sheesh!" Morgana said. "Follow me, and stay quiet!"
Lowering the bridge by pulling the statue's mouth like a lever, Akira, Ryuji, and Morgana crossed it and continued forward when they encountered yet another knight.
"A-Aah! Shit... Oh shit, it's them!" Ryuji screamed as he fell back in panic while Akira's wardrobe's change happened again after the bright blue flashed him.
Morgana quickly jumped protectively after Ryuji.
"You amateur!" Morgana said before standing up and ordered Ryuji, "Stay still!" He then looked back up to Akira. "Hey, you! You can fight, right?"
"Sure thing!" Akira nodded.
"Well, then. Let's go!" Morgana grinned as he called out his power. "Come… Zorro!"
By Morgana's words, a blue light erupted from him. It came out another influential figure, just like Arsène – a prominent, muscled figure with a pointy mustache stood proudly behind Morgana, the Persona Zorro.
"Y-You got one of those things too!?" Ryuji exclaimed in shock and saw the knights quickly transformed into more enemies.
"Morgana, I hope you're ready," Akira said to Morgana before calling out his Persona.
"Hmph, we will promptly shut them up!" Morgana said as he held his blade. "These Shadows have taken up intercept positions! It looks like it's not about capturing us anymore… They're holding nothing back and are serious about killing us like they're out for blood!" He then looked up at Akira and added, "I'll back you up, so fight like your life depends on it! Let's go!"
Once the two disintegrated the enemies, Morgana looked up at Akira. "Oh, Not bad. Your Persona's pretty powerful."
"Same goes for yours," Akira replied.
Ryuji went up to them, confused. "Persona? You mean that thing that comes out of you guys all dramatic-like?"
"Yes," Morgana answered. "You saw how Frizzy Hair here ripped off his mask when he summoned it, right? Well, everybody wears a mask deep within their heart. It happens by removing that mask."
Just then, a burst of light flowed through Akira, and his new attire changed back to his school uniform.
"Huh? He turned back to normal...," Ryuji said in surprise.
"Hm, it looks like you don't have full control over your power yet," Morgana reassured Akira. "The transformation shouldn't normally dissolve like that. After all, it's your will of rebellion."
"My will of rebellion?" Akira repeated in surprise.
"Rrgh, that's enough!" Ryuji let out a frustrated groan. "This crap doesn't make any sense!"
"Can't you just please stop interrupting and listen for once, Blondie!?" Morgana scolded.
"Don't call me Blondie! My name is Ryuji!"
"And I'm Akira, so should we keep going?" Akira replied.
"Right, there's no time for me to lecture you!" Morgana nodded. "You wanna escape this place in one piece, right? Then let's go!"
As they walked further, Ryuji noticed that there were some slaves in their cells to his left. "Hold on a sec! I feel like I've seen what this dude's wearin' before…" But then he shook his head. "Dammit! I'm too flustered! I can't remember anything right now!"
"What are you doing standing around!?" Morgana scolded. "We need to go fast!"
"But…who are these guys?"
"Do you think you have time to worry about other people right now!? Besides, they're not—"
"There!" A voice rang out as one knight came marching to their location.
Morgana sighed dejectedly. "You should've just listened to me...!"
"They just don't quit," Akira said as his school uniform changed back to his new wardrobe. "Don't worry about that, Morgana. Let's fight!"
"I'm glad you stick to your guns," Morgana agreed as the two quickly took care of the enemy in one stroke. "All right, let's get away before more show up!"
"Hold on," Ryuji halted them. "We can't just leave these guys here!"
"You really don't get it, do you?" Morgana scolded once more. "There's no time to explain. Look, I'm going. If you don't want to follow, be my guest!"
"Uh, Ryuji, I know you're concerned about them," Akira reassured Ryuji. "but we're going to get caught if we stand around like this. We'll come back for them another time."
"Dammit… Fine, I'm coming!" Ryuji sighed.
"The entrance hall is right above here!" Morgana said as the two followed him once more. "The exit's close… Keep it up!"
A few more steps later, the three now find themselves in the far end of the hallway.
"We're here!" Morgana said as he looked up to the two.
"Finally! We're saved!" Ryuji said. Then, he tried to open the door as he caught his breath, but it was already locked. "... It's not opening! Did you trick us, you jerk!?"
"Don't jump to conclusions! Over here!" Morgana led them to another room with shelves filled with books, while some are on the ground.
"Where are we supposed to get out from here!?" Ryuji asked Morgana, irritated. "There aren't even any windows!"
Morgana sighed. "Ugh, amateur… This is the most basic of basics."
"Are we going to die here?"
Morgana sighed in dismay, looking at Ryuji. "That's right. Everything's hopeless and black like my fur – Now why would I die here with you two!?"
Akira looked around the room, pondering, and then he pointed at a shaft. "Is that...a ventilation shaft?"
Morgana looked up at Akira with glee. "That's right! As I thought, you're a natural at this. It leads all the way outside. You guys should be able to squeeze through it one at a time."
"Seriously, we're finally getting out of here!" Ryuji exclaimed with relief.
"You should be waiting on celebrating until you actually get out. Now, get going."
Ryuji turned to Morgana. "But...what about you?"
"There's something that I still have to do," Morgana said. "We're going our separate ways."
"Thanks, Morgana," Akira nodded. "Just don't get caught again."
"Heh, at least you got manners," Morgana replied. "You better be careful on your way, too. See 'ya."
Akira and Ryuji climbed up the shelves, making their way inside the ventilation shaft to get out of the castle at ease.
Once the two were gone, Morgana crossed his arms. "Those two seem useful… Especially the frizzy-haired one, if my judgment's right..."
Akira and Ryuji find themselves thrown out from nowhere and landed at the alleyway exit from before with athumpthat almost shook the entire earth. When the two opened their eyes, they stared back at the school building to see that it looked completely normal.
"Did we make it?" Ryuji asked, catching his breath.
"Looks like it," Akira replied, then he checked out his phone to check the time.
Just then, the app chimed in on Akira's phone. "You have returned to the real world. Welcome back."
"Huh? Returned?" Ryuji repeated. "Does that mean we got away?"
"Yeah, probably," Akira nodded as he and Ryuji hurried inside Shujin.
Once inside the school, however, Akira and Ryuji can see that it is no longer a castle filled with knights. It's filled with students and teachers roaming the school halls, going to their classes, and talking to each other.
"I dunno what to think anymore," Ryuji said as he scratched his head. "What was all that, anyways? That castle, and Kamoshida, and that weird cat! The hell's going on!?"
"That's what I want to know," Akira answered as he looked at the red app, knowing it causes the two to be late at school. Then he looked at the time on his phone and gasped, "We've been gone for around two hours!? I thought it was only for a few minutes, but it's already that late!?"
"How should I know!?" Ryuji complained. "Like I'm tryin' to say… I don't know what's goin' on either!"
"Looks like we were in that castle for quite a while...," Akira pondered.
"Is this for real…?" Ryuji blinked in surprise as he and Akira looked back to see the outside of the school – this time, there was no drawbridge from the castle or its entrance. There were only a few stairs and the school gate. "I'm sure we came the same way… What's goin' on here…?"
"I don't know," Akira said, shaking his head as he went back inside. "But I think I'm going to wipe what happened today in my brain. But to think my own heart couldn't even take it." He then sighed in dismay. "I can't believe I'm late on my first day, like some bad anime cliché."
Ryuji caught up to Akira. "Dude, we just saw Kamoshida in panties at a castle and almost died! Why are you so calm!?"
Just then, a familiar voice appeared. "What's this about a 'castle'?"
Akira and Ryuji turned around to see someone they saw not too long ago.
"Kamoshida!?" Ryuji exclaimed in surprise as he and Akira can see that the gym teacher was just in his white shirt and black pants instead of his robe and crown. And he had normal eyes now instead of the evil, golden eyes of his fake doppelgänger.
"You seem so carefree, Sakamoto," Kamoshida said to Ryuji. "Quite a difference from when you did morning practice for the track team."
"Shuddup! It's your fault that—" Ryuji pointed at Kamoshida accusingly.
"Ryuji!" Akira warned Ryuji, trying to calm him down. "Now's not the time for bickering."
"But he's the one who provoked me!" Ryuji protested.
"Sheesh…," Kamoshida said in dismay. "I have no idea what you're on, Sakamoto, but I'll let you off for today. But the next time you get up to any trouble, it will be the last. Got it?"
"Fine…" Ryuji muttered as he sighed.
Kamoshida turned to Akira. "By the way…You're that new transfer student, correct? Akira Kurusu…"
Akira nodded. "Yep."
"Wait… Have we met somewhere? I know you're new, but I swear I've seen you before."
"I saw you giving that cute girl a ride in your car," Akira answered.
"That's right… I remember now," Kamoshida said, scratching his head. "…Well, I'll overlook this just for today. Although, if you'd just let me give you a ride this morning, you wouldn't have been this late," Then, he finally remembered. "Oh, yeah. You were at the station this morning…with Takamaki. Better straighten up if you want to be off probation. You can't afford to screw this up."
"Uh…sure," Akira nodded.
"Welcome to Shujin Academy, kid," Kamoshida continued. "Hope it ain't hard to settle in. High school is the best time of your life, right? Good luck trying to enjoy your new school life. At any rate, hurry up and go to the faculty office. I'm sure Ms. Kawakami's tired of waiting."
"OK, then…," Akira said. "Thanks for the help. I can take it from here."
As he whirled around and went the other way to the faculty office, Akira noticed Ryuji shooting glares at Kamoshida before going to his class in the opposite direction.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Akira muttered to himself, remembering his arrest, the Velvet Room, Igor, the twin wardens, the castle, and his Persona Arsène. "Why does this always happen to me…?"
And that's the story of how Akira got his very own Persona. He didn't know it yet, but his life at his new school had already begun. And the surprises are set to keep on coming.
But what strange and mysterious adventures lie in wait for him? Will he be able to fit in after all? And what kind of student life awaits him?
"It turns out that was just the beginning of it all, and things were about to get a whole lot more complicated..."