#i call this one 'it took royal to make me realize that futaba is my 2nd fav'

[lowkeyclueless5137]

Twst X P5 au, but make it next gen

:3

Let's get this show Rollin! Y'all know what you signed up for from the title!

Today... We will cover only the Prologue, without any other hints of who may be the first palace...

A few notes from me:

-Riddle is again the wildcard(like in PTTW)

-This takes place far into the future, when already the P5 gang are adults with working jobs and families. It also takes place in the P5 universe(modern day Tokyo)

-Some twst boys are children of the thieves, some are not.

-This will NOT follow the Royal version, nor the Scramble one. Only the pure, classic P5 game.

-there will be ships in between the og p5 gang... I will not make them the main thing, but I warn just in case. If you don't like them, they won't be that present... You do you, buddy. :3

-This au WILL play into the same genre as the P5 game... So expect some more mature themes... (I will try my best to tag appropriately and section those parts)

Now onto the cut, cuz this one is not really that long. :'3

Starting off with the premise: Riddle was a boy from UK, his father being Japanese, while his mother was British. Both were great doctors, expectation having for Riddle to follow the same carrier.

Being quite sheltered, Riddle was thankfully given to at least a private school. Yet there, everything went south since not only he was considered to be wierd, his kettle like temper got him to not integrate so well. And of course Riddle realised it too late to fix anything.

Unlike his mother, his father was a more open minded man. So he had a few times where he took his son of to Japan, to explore and see other places than the familiar ones. As in a domino effect, that meant Riddle became fluent in both Japanese and English because of his childhood influences. There he happened to meet Che'nya and Trey. So whenever a trip to Japan occurred with his father... The 3 would be extremely happy to see each other. They also tried their best to keep in contact, despite the timeszones and Riddle's mom being extremely strict.

But as he was supposed to start high-school, suddenly both of his parents decided to send him to Tokyo, to attend Shujin academy. What raised more questions was when he was told he will stay at a friend of his father. Usually his parents would be far more strict about this... So leaving him off the hook so easily was bewildering. Of course he had to journal and call them every night before bed... But still! With all that paperwork and grades switchup... Shujin started on 10th of April.

When the big day came... Riddle was trying extremely hard to not show what he was way too excited for this. It was his chance to be free. To turn over a new leaf and start again from 0, but this time he would make it right! He would make friends and have fun times!

He was given an address and off he was to Tokyo! :D

While it took a bit of time, asking for directions and navigating through the alleys, Riddle finally found his destination: LeBlanc!

The LeBlanc was the same as ever... Both on the outside and inside. With the small addition that the button phone wasn't anymore on the counter. Behind the bar, a woman with long hair was talking with a blonde woman that looked quite fashionable. Noticing the poor clueless Riddle, the 2 immediately realized who he was.

The ginger woman presents herself as Futaba Kitagawa, the owner of this place. The other one was Ann Takamaki, a friend of hers. It was a short round of introductions, before Futaba tells Riddle that his room would be upstairs.

While the redhead does get up on the stairs, he doesn't fail to hear Ann mentioning how 'He' had the same room before. Futaba replies that back at her residence, she couldn't possibly have poor Riddle share a room with one of her 'spawns'. And from that the conversation derails to things Riddle doesn't know and would rather not pry into.

The attic was quite tidy. No dust in sight, showing signs that it was still used like a common room from time to time. So first on the list was unpacking, which in all honesty, took all of the rest of the day, leaving Riddle to go to sleep, after Futaba checked up on him one last time.

Tomorrow they will have to go to school and have the proper paperwork signed for it.

That night, Riddle couldn't really sleep that well. Sure, he made the call to his parents, like he was told to, but he noticed something wierd after that.

An app... One he doesn't remember ever installing. He did check his phone several times before leaving UK and knew very well that he had no such app before. But he couldn't delete it. Maybe his mother put it in there for him, so deleting it surely would get him in trouble. It looked wierd on top of that.

But staring too much at it, made him sleepy. Maybe the emotions regarding his new start was what kept him from getting some shut eye after all...

Unfortunately for Riddle, he woke up on a velvety seat from a theatre. He tried to get up, but he was tied up with ribbons and strings, that immediately tightened once sensing his desire of getting up. That panic of being trapped only made Riddle to look around and that's when he realised.

In front of the stage, a desk was placed, at which a man with a long nose was staying, introducing himself as Igor. Next to him, a boy with silver hair and golden eyes stood like a guard, holding a book. Igor introduced him as Silver, the attendant of the Velvet room. The only details that were given to Riddle was that this 'velvet room' existed 'in-between dream and reality' and that those who have forged a contract can access it, so Riddle tried his best to remember when he signed a contract, but nothing came up.

Silver explains that they will collaborate together towards making the best improvisation act, showcasing the 'downfall of injustice and ruin'. But that can only be achieved if Riddle played it in real life, as he is a 'puppet of fate'.

With that and the ominous 'we are looking forward to our next meeting', Riddle was left to wake up to the real world, with the confusion of the century. Maybe it was because of the jetlag? He didn't really question it more and decided to get ready for the day.

Getting down, Futaba prepared some curry, but there were 3 plates, one from which a boy was already eating from and another, from which a man was eating. Futaba did the intros this time too.

The man was Yusuke, or as she nicknamed him: Inari. He was her husband and an artist, more specifically a painter. The other boy was Ortho, her younger son, a first year at Shujin. This reminded Riddle that actually he was a second year.

Riddle did assume ortho didn't notice him, as he had those headphones over his ears, but he was surprised when Ortho did greet him happily, noting how Riddle was from around Tokyo. The redhead corrected that actually he was from the UK, which made Ortho to point out that this was not what his accent and tone implied.

After a more quiet eating session, Yusuke had the job of going over the papers, so he will go with the 2 to Shujin for those. In addition to that... They had to take the train route, as the traffic sure made it way harder.

On the way there... Yusuke mentioned how his close friends and even Futaba attended Shujin. He hopes the 2 would integrate in the colective as surely there were no more problems like those at the time he attended school.

Ortho happily mentioned how his big brother actually attended Shujin too, but usually he would go in before classes to work on a project he hopes on presenting for an application at college. Ortho mentioned how his brother worked since last year on it, almost losing permission of continuing it on the school grounds if he didn't reveal it to the teachers, much to his dismay. Yusuke added that he eagerly waits for the time his older son would present to everyone his creation.

With all that chatter, the 3 reach Shujin. Yusuke notes how it didn't quite change at all aesthetically speaking. The same bushes, the same gates, the same building front, the same halls. What indeed changed were the posters, the announcements on the buletin board and the ones roaming around the halls of the building.

The principal was nice, Riddle would say decent after the speech mannerisms, but in the end, they got introduced to the teachers: Mrs Kawakami, who was taking ortho in her last class before retirement, and Mr Vanrouge, who already had a class with an opening due to an 'unfortunate accident' to one of his students. He seemed like he did not want to elaborate and nor did the other teachers.

And that sure was handled quickly, both of them getting their students IDs and being expected tomorrow to attend classes properly.

So returning to LeBlanc, Futaba greets them, saying that they just missed the older Kitagawa boy or as she nicknames him: Firehead. Riddle asked Ortho in a whisper about it, to which Ortho replies that his brother usually is a hothead when it comes to video-games.

And so, another day passes.

The big school day came and Riddle sure as heck was awake really early. He was used to waking up early, not because he had a nightmare he can't remember anymore, no sir, defenetly not... :'3

So getting down from the attic, he did not expect Yusuke around. It seems like Futaba left for them something to pick from the fridge and Yusuke was running late to his workshop, so he just greeted Riddle and ran off.

The next to come was Futaba and Ortho. Futaba of course looked through the fridge and noticed that there were 3 lunch packs instead of the 2 meant for ortho and Riddle. Ortho offered for him and Riddle to get the lunch to his brother, even if that meant going in more earlier than usually.

So off they were! Except that it so happened for the 2 to catch up with some spring rain. So because none of them wanted to get a long shower and nor did they have any umbrellas on them (Futaba did warn them to take one, but ortho's rush got them to forget), the 2 got in the front of a flowershop, which had a small tent like roof that shielded them from the rain.

Riddle pulled out his phone, looking on the map for the shortest route they could take. That's when someone else came next to them to shield from the rain.

It was an average height boy with rosy cheeks, pale skin, big eyes and short black hair. That's when Riddle noticed, that unlike him, Ortho's hair looked extremely fluffy, in it residing some blue streaks of dye. The newcomer frowned upon seeing ortho, but smiled as he saw Riddle, asking if the 2 were from Shujin too. Riddle says yes, but before they can get any conversation on the table, a group of students with umbrellas see them and invite 'Neige' under their umbrellas and maybe go to and hang out somewhere before classes.

The supposed Neige asks if it's ok for Ortho and Riddle to join too, but Ortho cuts it off that they really are hurrying somewhere, despite being 1 hour before the students usually arrive at school. Before anyone can cut him off, Ortho drags Riddle away in a hurry, thankfully, the rain seemingly starting to disappear.

Riddle asks what was that, Ortho replying by telling him that his brother warned him last night. The warning was: 'whatever you do, don't mingle with Neige...'. Riddle initially assumed Neige was a delinquent of some sorts, but he didn't look like that.

Ortho starts to explain that apparently, his brother told him that Neige was 'the prince' of the school. He was a raising star in acting and always had the first impression of a prince charming straight out of fairytales. Mockingly, Ortho compared Shujin as 'Neige's fairytale palace'. Riddle still holded his argument that the guy seemed nice, to which Ortho retorted with 'I trust my brother more than some apparences.'.

He was kind of right after all, so Riddle gave Neige the benefit of doubt for now.

Until they realised that Riddle still had his phone in his hand. He put it in his pocket as the 2 hurried on an alleyway.

And that's when a headache got over the 2. They brushed off, because they realised where exactly they stood.

Where Shujin was supposed to be... Now it was a castle made out of precious glass and jewels, with beautiful smelling flowers, as if it was straight out of a fairytale, where the prince brings the princess after defeating the evil foe.

The 2 checked their way, knowing damn well that it was the exact same way they went on yesterday with Yusuke. So why instead of Shujin now it was well... That...

So of course the 2 are very much confused, but nonetheless, Riddle insist to head in and ask about this, while Ortho just knows this will end up with either this being a big prank, both of them having a comune hallucination or both of them ending up dead in dungeons/kicked out for witchcraft(their modern looking clothes), like any kind of medieval themed movie preaches.

And here is where we are stopping for the story. :'3

Ofc there are a few parallels to the og P5 storyline... And that is my point... :3

That is it for the intro! Next time... We tackle the first part of the palace!

If you have theories, questions or anything else to talk about, you are always welcome to the asking corner :3

Until next time! Buh bye!

#twisted wonderland #P5 X Twst #Still have no idea how am I supposed to name this one :'3 #So pls suggest smth #Brain is running on plot. Not titles :'V

[twinkle-art]

i’ve been doodling a lot of p5

#persona 5 #takuto maruki #akeshu #goro akechi #sumitaba #futaba sakura #haru okumura #akira kurusu #sojiro sakura #kasumi yoshizawa #persona 5 royal #fanart #i call this one 'it took royal to make me realize that futaba is my 2nd fav' #**

[shuttershocky]

Now that you’ve finished P5R what are your thoughts on the new characters? I really love seeing your analysis/takes, they’re so good! I love your blog and I hope you have a wonderful day :D

Aww, thank you!

I've got thoughts about the three. Spoiler warning.

Akechi - Let's be honest, he's a new character entirely in Royal. I'm amazed at how much Royal did to salvage his arc in the original P5. I love the idea of a social link built not necessarily on friendship, but tense camaraderie as Joker and Akechi both know what it means to keep your enemies closer. Akechi Rank 8 is one of my favorite social links in the entire franchise. The whole part where he goes "I'm going to be honest: I hate you" while Sunset Bridge is playing was nothing short of brilliant.

Sumire - I think she's the weakest of the new characters. That isn't to say that she's bad by any means (the other two are just really REALLY good while she's just very good. And cute.), I just have the most nitpicks to make with her.

She's very cute, but most of her appearances within the timeframe of the original Persona 5 feel disconnected from the rest of the game. If Akechi and Maruki didn't appear in her cutscenes, you might even have thought she was completely imaginary or a ghost until the Hawaii event. I also found it kind of unfortunate that after you finish her social link, she goes back to tying up her hair and using contacts instead of wearing her hair down and with glasses. Not only was that a better look for her *cough* Megane superiority *cough*, but I wasn't sold on her tying her hair back up again to honor Kasumi when we JUST had a terrifying fridge horror cutscene showing what led to her wearing her hair like that in the first place. That, along with her actual heartfelt goodbye to Joker being tied to her Valentines and White Day dates (meaning all you get is a curt take care if you dont romance her), make her into what I feel is the weakest of Royal's new cast.

I'm also kind of mad that she offers to join up vs Shido but Morgana shoots her down; I'm not a fan of only getting to play her on the very last month in the game, especially when she comes with some fun gimmicks and an EXTREMELY cool showtime. Imo since Shido's arc doesn't have any new additions at all, it would have helped to have "Kasumi" join up in December despite her lack of any connection to Shido. More time with her would have made the January twist hit even harder, and also would have made it so that every new month gave one new party member since Crow rejoins with a new skillset in January.

All that being said, once "Kasumi's" plot got going, it was real good. It was a nice callback to Persona 1's manga, while giving us some really great fridge horror moments with Dr. Maruki. The cutscene of her dad crying next to her sister's corpse was actually pretty unnerving, I think it was her head being shown but her face being covered that gave me the heebie-jeebies, though my favorite is still the aforementioned cutscene with Maruki.

Finally, I've said it once, I've said it twice, but it bears saying for a third time:

She is adorable. I love that whenever there's an option to tease her or flirt after Rank 6, it has the same social point weight as just being a regular supportive friend, and she actually takes some (nervous) time to respond rather than instantly calling it off as a joke. This lets Royal build an actual romantic arc for her, as Joker doesn't have to worry about sacrificing precious social link points to make her blush. She also breaks the mold of all other possible romantic partners by actually being the one to make the first move and confess her feelings, while Joker is asked to respond to them.

This, along with the excellent pacing of their relationship throughout her social link ranks, goes a long way towards making her possible romance feel a lot more grounded and organic. I think even the most diehard Makoto fans (of which I am one) have to admit that her social link romance was rather stiff, having a whole fake dating scheme with Joker and yet not showing the slightest bit of interest in him romantically until Rank 9 where he can grab her heart with a single pickup line. Ann's situation is similar, having her romance start with a single hug option (which I feel like is a shame because Ann is the most romantic of the Thieves overall—just look at her lines to Joker both as a romance and as a platonic friend!) while Futaba and Haru's preexisting interest in Joker sort of just pops up as soon as Rank 9 hits.

In short, I have the most complaints about Sumire, but also she is very cute and I like her a lot. I wish we had more of her as a playable character, and with more interactions with the rest of the Thieves. Damn you, Morgana.

Dr. Maruki - HE'S SO FUCKING GOOD. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCKING. FUCKITY FUCK FUCK GOOD. Maruki and the Third Semester represented what I was looking for in the original P5: an arc that really took full advantage of the Metaverse's narrative potential. I love how cheesy and yet heartfelt and unflinchingly raw his story got, how much he made the Phantom Thieves' question their ideals and reexamine their relationships to Joker, how a messianic complex on someone fully, truly, selfless and good and kind was still madness all the same. His response to all of his trauma, pain, and the realization that life is often cruel and unfair was to attain infinite power and MAKE it fair, because he would rather die than know he had the power to prevent someone from feeling the same pain and yet failed to save them.

Maruki's got a bit of that Seigi no Mikata in him. Fighting him isn't a matter of good vs evil, but saving a friend who's so deep in their own trauma and survivor's guilt that they truly believe the entire world is their responsibility, and they themselves are no longer human, no longer someone with the right to live and be happy.

You literally see the moment he kills his sense of self as a person and decides to live for the sake of the world when the camera angle changes so his shadow looks like it's hanging from a noose.

Joker defeating him and forcing him to finally voice a selfish thought ("I gave up everything! Why?!") as they fought barehanded on top of the crumbling metaverse was as heartbreaking as it was satisfying. I don't care if it was cheesy, it was the good cheese.

Though really, the most lovely part of his arc was his own goodbye to Joker when he had a change of heart and became a taxi driver. As a friend put it, he went from someone who planned to lead all of humanity into paradise, to someone who takes people to where they want to go. I love you, Mr. Gentle Madman. I hope whoever Persona 6's final boss is, they manage to be even half as amazing as you.

#shuttersp5r

[thatsadbietch]

A War Hero’s Cry (Persona 5/Royal)

Warning for some possible spoilers.  Nothing super important to the main plot but still, here’s the warning!

A/N: This is my very first P5 piece, I’m excited to share it! I love writing and want to get better at it, so I’m very open to suggestions or comments!

Warning for mild cursing.

Ships: None

Word count: 2,455

---

These were the types of mornings that kept him going.  The mornings where he didn’t have to shuttle into a cramped subway, only to arrive at his destination and listen to lectures about various topics on which he’d studied before.  It was also a time between targets, to play it safe and just wait for another shitty adult to show their true colors so their Palace and Treasure can be claimed by the Phantom Thieves.

These mornings, where Ren could enjoy the peace and tranquility that came with a skillfully made cup of coffee, the smell of curry preparation for the day’s customers, and the sound of Sojiro humming while he worked.  These mornings are where he draws that cool and collected mentality required to be the leader of such a talented group of thieves.

He inhaled, taking in all the sensations around him, but was slightly startled by the sound of the bell’s chime, signaling a customer.  Perplexed, as the store hadn’t opened yet, he turned to find Futaba wondering into the café.  He exhaled and grinned, able to tell right away she’d just woken up: her amber-orange hair was still disheveled from sleep and her eyes were still drowsy looking. Not to mention she strolled in with her slippers and a pair of plush-looking pajama pants, black with green stars printed on them.  They suited her.

She slumped up on the stool next to Ren and yawned in place of her usual loud and energetic “Good Morning!” while she rested her head on the bar.

“Well,” Sojiro started, not bothering to hold back a chuckle at the scene, “Look who’s decided to join us among the living.” Though teasing, there was a type of sincerity there that gave away the warmness he felt for his adopted daughter.  She groaned groggily in response, pulling her hood up over her head and face.

“Long night?” Ren asked casually.  He enjoyed Futaba’s company regardless; he’d grown fond of her quirks and eccentric nature, and became something of an older brother figure to her.  But he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t grateful that she was still calm and quiet at the moment.

“Mmmhmm…” she groaned in response.  Ren nodded and took a sip of his coffee, counting down mentally, “Three…two…one…” Sure enough, on “one” Futaba lifted her head, hood still lazily hanging onto the top, and she began to explain.

“Well last night I got bored, so I started browsing the Phan-site and looking around for potential targets and was trying to find out more about the mental shutdowns, but then I got a Discuss app notification from my Herd of Heroes team asking if I wanted to help them in a tournament.  Of course, I couldn’t just leave them, my strategy and expertise are the backbone of the team! So…”

Ren and Sojiro shared a knowing smirk.  Classic Futaba.  Sojiro shook his head in mock exasperation.

“Staying up all night isn’t healthy, you know,” Ren began, “You ought to think about fixing your sleep schedule.  For your sake and for your teammates, both on and offline.  Are you listening?” He asked, poking her side to make sure he had her attention.  But now she had his and Sojiro’s, as neither expected the high-pitched squeak she made.

Ren chuckled and raised an eyebrow.  “What was that?”

Futaba looked a lot more awake, now that her eyes were widened, almost panicked.  “N-Nothing! You just startled me, that’s all.  Don’t you know its rude to pick on people, especially when they’ve just conquered ten different Herds of Heroes? I’m a war hero!”

“You’re also a pain sometimes,” Ren teased, poking at her again and eliciting the same sound.

“Ren, quit it!” Futaba whined, wrapping her arms around her sides for protection.  But she was so preoccupied dealing with Ren’s antics, she didn’t notice Sojiro make his way around the bar and behind her stool, placing his hands threateningly on her sides.  She was already trying to hold back the titters that began bubbling up.

“Futaba, you’ve been kept up in your room so long, I forgot you were ticklish,” Sojiro started, swiftly willing his wiggling fingers up and down her sides. She couldn’t offer much resistance as she immediately burst out in giggles and tried to grab for his wrists.

“NOOHOHO, SOHOHJIROOHOHO!” Futaba whined, not being able to say much else. She helplessly cackled and tried to push his hands away, doing an awful lot of squirming in the process.

“I remember your mom telling me she’d chase you around the house sometimes,” he recalled.  While telling his story he wrapped his arms around her middle and held her back against is chest, both to better trap her in his ticklish hold and to ensure she didn’t fall off the stool.  Using this new leverage, he scurried lightly over her small belly and belly button, causing a shriek, another noise neither had heard from her.  Ren figured his peaceful morning was over at this point and just embraced the silly nature the room had adopted.

“SOHOOHOJIEHEROOHOO DOOHOHON’T!! BWAHAHA!” She continued to cackle and writhe while he nonchalantly continued his story. Ren could tell Sojiro was rather enjoying his position right now.

“You’d ask her to play so many times in a day, and when you wouldn’t let up she’d run around the house with you until she finally caught you. Then… she’d get you!” he finished, adopting a slightly more sinister tone for emphasis as he quickly shot his fingers up to the poor child’s underarms, switching rapidly from fluttering teasingly and vibrating his fingertips there. She jumped and squealed, but was unable to do much else in his hold.

“NOHAHAT THEERAAHEHEHAA! SOJIEHEEHAHA!” Futaba couldn’t even beg properly anymore as she threw her head back onto his shoulder, trying desperately to squirm her way out of his grip. “D’you have a strategy for getting out of this one, war hero?” Sojiro teased, causing a deeper blush on Futaba’s already reddened face.

“SOOOHOHOJEEEOROO, I CAHAHN’T!!” Not long after that did Sojiro let up, but held her still for a beat or two.  Again, to make sure she didn’t fall.  Futaba breathed rapidly and leaned back on Sojiro, who will never admit how much his heart swelled at the act. He chuckled again and released the child, ruffling her already messy hair.

Ren wasn’t quite sure what to do besides sit on the sidelines and watch the commotion unfold.  His own parents, while supportive and caring, were never really physically affectionate toward him. He couldn’t recall if he even was ticklish.  But he chuckled contently.  “So, about being a war hero…”

“YOU! Don’t even say anything! YOU started it and DIDN’T BOTHER TO HELP ME! Some leader you are!” Futaba exclaimed, clearly regaining her energy as she stood quickly and drilled quick and relentless pokes to his sides.  She’d only expected to get her point across but was so much more pleased when Ren sharply inhaled and flailed to keep her hands away from him.  Well, that answered his question.

“Mwehehehe… Perfect!” She snickered evilly.  Ren jumped back from his stool and realized he was cornered: Futaba stood between him and the front door, and the increasingly mischievous glare from Sojiro wasn’t at all comforting—it was clear he had no intention of helping Ren out of this.

Suddenly, the Phantom Thief leader did the unexpected: turned and fled up the stairs.

“HEY! Get back here, coward!” Futaba called after him, but wasn’t as fast, especially since Ren could easily climb two stairs at a time.

“I might be able to maneuver my way back down the stairs and out the door,” he thought, being sure to give himself some space as Futaba reached his room. Though he had the upper hand in skill, Futaba looked determined, almost as much as when she’s in a Palace.

“I’ll show you a war hero!” she declared, and lunged for the teen, who dodged her with relative ease. But it happened quickly: one minute he had a clear path to the stairs, and the next he was turned around with his arms pinned to his back.  Sojiro chuckled.

“I didn’t think the leader would be so predictable, but Futaba read you like a book.  I bet her team would be lost without her,” he commented.  “And don’t look so surprised.  I used to be with the Feds, remember? Catching runners just comes with the territory.” Ren swore there was some giddiness in Sojiro’s voice, he must be having fun with this. But the boy didn’t struggle against him.  In wit and leadership, Ren might have the upper hand. And he was strong, too, from all the training with Ryuji and previous missions. But in pure manpower, and given the position we was in, he hadn’t a chance against Sojiro.

“Hey, you’re being awful quiet for someone who just got captured,” Futaba remarked, getting Ren out of his head and back to the moment; the moment Sojiro lightheartedly pushed the boy onto his couch so Futaba could pounce and begin her ticklish assault, starting strong by pushing up the hem of his shirt and scurrying her fingers on his bare stomach.  Ren gritted his teeth, trying not to let out the giggles that were bubbling up. He went to grab at her wrists, only for Sojiro to grab his first and pin them over his head, allowing the redheaded tech-wiz full access to his torso.

“Damnhihit!” Ren muttered, trying to break Sojiro’s grip.

“Was that a laugh, mighty leader?” Futaba teased, sticking one wiggling finger in his belly button.  Ren inhaled sharply again and arched his back reflexively, ironically giving Futaba better access to the sensitive area.  But he shook his head violently and groaned to cover any indication of escaped giggles.

“Yeah, THAT’S convincing,” Futaba said with an eye roll, changing tactics by pinching along his sides until she reached his ribs.  The moment her fingers swiped along his bottom ribs, he twisted and struggled, trying desperately to throw her off of him.  But with her straddling his thighs and Sojiro holding his arms, that was not going to be an easy feat.  

“Well? Was it a laugh? Is the feared leader of the Phantom Thieves ticklish?”

“Doohoohn’t Futaba!” He muttered, unable to keep his giggling completely at bay anymore while he felt his face heat up in forming a blush.

“Now I think that was a laugh,” Sojiro teased, encouraging Futaba to go in for the kill.

“Dahahamit, let mehehe go, old maahan!”  Ren said.  Out loud. He did not mean to say that out loud.  He was trying so hard not to laugh that he didn’t (or rather, couldn’t) think, and the words just fell out.  Futaba stopped tickling and both children looked to Sojiro.  He just looked blankly at Ren, and took both his wrists into one hand.

“Oh ho, you’re about to get wrecked!” Futaba exclaimed giddily, waiting for Sojiro’s move.

“Sir, I didn’t mean that, I’m sorrEHEHEEHHEE! NOOHOHHOHAAHAHA!!”  With his free hand, Sojiro curled and wriggled his fingers into the teen’s rib cage, and the dam holding back Ren’s giggles burst into a loud, unhindered belly laugh. Neither Futaba nor Sojiro had ever heard their quiet and composed LeBlanc tenant laugh, not like this, and they both chuckled: it seemed it was contagious.

“S-STOOHOHOP LAHAHUGHING AT M-MMEEEHEHE! AHH! HAHAHA!” He begged, and screeched in surprise when he felt Futaba pinch and scratch his bottommost ribs on the side that Sojiro wasn’t absolutely tormenting.  

Sojiro switched up his methods a bit, now vibrating his fingertips in the space between Ren’s ribs and underarms, earning another shriek. “I can’t believe this guy is the one everyone’s fussing over.  He looks pretty harmless to me!” The caregiver taunted.  Ren shook his head, as if fighting the ever-darkening redness from appearing on his cheeks.

“So our fearless leader can be taken down with a couple good tickles, I see. Mwehehe, wait until I tell the others~” Futaba teased, and raked her nails from his ribs down his sides, and scurried them haphazardly all over his bare belly. Ren threw his head back in renewed cackles, his heels digging into the couch behind the sadistic girl.

“NOOHOO, DOHOHOHON’T T-TELL TH-THEEHEHEM! AHAHACK! SOJIHEHERO, I CAAHAHN’T AHAHA!” Ren begged as his guardian released his wrists, only to quickly attack the hollows of his underarms, kneading and vibrating in the region, and making the raven-haired boy go into hysterics, if he wasn’t already. He clamped his arms down quickly, trapping Sojiro’s hands.

“Well now my hands are stuck here.  I guess I’d better make the most of it,” he taunted further, snickering at the continuous stream of boyish laugher he was eliciting from the usually stoic kid.

“DOHOHN’T TEHEHEASE MEEHEEHE, PLEEHEEASE, NOOHOHOHO!”

“Oh, now he’s learned some manners!” Sojiro responded spiritedly. Futaba relented finally, figuring her request for revenge had been satisfied. Plus, Ren looked like he could use a little mercy right now.

“Ya know, you look kinda cute like this! Maybe if I can get a picture, or a video!-”

“DOHON’T YOU DAHAHARE!”

“I know they would enjoy this dirt I’ve got on you!”

“IHEHE’LL EHEHEND YOOHOHOU!”

“Ya know,” Sojiro started, “you aren’t in any place to be making threats. Or to be calling me old, only I can do that.”

“I SAIHEHED I’M SORRYEHEHE!” Ren spat out, his laughter starting to go silent. Sojiro chuckled again and finally released the teen from his grip.  They watched as Ren greedily gasped for air and rubbed his eyes to find he’d been crying mirthful tears.

“I guess I’m sorry too, I think I got carried away there.  You all right?” Sojiro asked, motioning for Futaba to get off of his legs.  He nodded, still breathing heavily, but starting steadying.

“Futaba was right, you are kinda cute like that,” Sojiro teased, and the teen covered his faced and groaned, followed by a muffled “I am NOT.”

“Don’t go pouting, you’re still in a pretty vulnerable position,” Sojiro replied, offering a quick poke to his side, causing a jolt and a lighter giggle. The guardian looked at his watch and sighed.

“Great, Ren, you made me late for opening up shop,” he muttered, but there was no malice behind it.

“Oh yeah, gotta open the doors for your daily swarm of customers,” Futaba commented half-heartedly.

“Hey! I have my morning regulars, young lady.” Sojiro retorted. “You need to watch your tone.  You saw what happened to the last guy that had something smart to say.”  Ren groaned, and finally sat up, looking at the other two people occupying his room.  He watched them continue their argument as he shook his head in exasperation with a grin.

#persona 5 #ren amamiya #akira kusuru #futaba sakura #tickle fic #fluff #sojiro sakura #sojiro is best dad #lee!amamiya #phantom thieves #tickling

[twilightknight17]

...today, on P5S...

...

Honestly, I talk a lot of shit about P5′s writing sometimes. Atlus made some exceptionally questionable writing choices in places. But one thing that P5 absolutely gets right is invoking the sort of emotion that draws you into the story.

With that said!

P5 is determined to make me want to stab actual human beings instead of Shadows. This is the second time now!

But first, I’ve got a boss fight to do.

Doing the mech part of Konoe’s boss fight again, it was actually easier the second time. I had a much better grasp of what I was doing, instead of flailing around frantically.

Konoe himself was still just as hard, but ultimately he was easier than Shadow Joker because it wasn’t a one-on-one duel. He still beat my ass, though; I think I used all of my rescue pills.

Once he goes down, Konoe starts going on about justice.

Don’t call me by my name like we’re friends. We never even introduced ourselves.

It’s interesting, because they admit to Konoe that what they’re doing isn’t without its flaws. But a world where no one can think for themselves is meaningless.

Konoe acknowledges that in his quest to eliminate evil, he ended up being the evil one. He also admits that he was the one who killed his father. He calls that “evil” too, which I don’t actually agree with. We saw what his father was like in the Trauma Cell. His father killed his mother, physically abused him, and threatened to kill him. I think, in that case, killing his father is a rational end result for someone in that situation. Not evil, just desperation.

The Thieves don’t contradict him, though. Just make some comments about how now he can make up for his actions. His Shadow returns to his real self, the Thieves return to the real world, and Zenkichi promises that as soon as they take Konoe in and get his confession, he’s going to arrest Owada, too.

With the case closed, the Thieves decide that it’s time to go back to Tokyo. But not before one last night in Osaka. The idea of leaving makes Sophia anxious, though, because she feels like she hasn’t learned enough about the heart. But Akira and Morgana reassure her that she can still stay with them, even after they return to Tokyo, and they’ll keep looking for answers about who she is.

Sometimes a family is a guy, a cat, and one of the guy’s four younger sisters. ^_^

Tenboto is the tower, and the game asks you to invite someone to the top. However, this time, you can only invite either the group of girls or the group of boys, so I took the boys, since I took Haru on the ferris wheel before.

Morgana isn’t pleased that we didn’t invite Ann.

However, I really don’t see the problem.

Look at how he’s looking at Yusuke! Even Ryuji can tell that we’re having a moment. :D

Afterwards, the whole squad headed off to “Universaland” to celebrate together.

I had no idea that there was a Universal Studios in Japan, but apparently there is, and it is in fact in Osaka! They compared it to their trip to Destinyland the year before, but thankfully this one went a lot better. Everyone had a good time! We had so much soda! We were so hungover the nex--what.

...what is it with Persona characters getting drunk off soda? XD I hope you kids at least played the King’s Game so the hangover wasn’t in vain.

Zenkichi shows up to let them know that Konoe’s in custody. He thanks them for everything that they’ve done, for both Akane and him, and says he’s telling them goodbye for now, but they’re welcome to visit whenever they want. He promises a tour of Kyoto next time. Yusuke will be so happy!

After hours on the road, lamenting that vacation is coming to an end, Sophia suggests detouring to Yokohama for a fireworks festival. So the Thieves finally get to see fireworks, and Sophia gets to experience them, too.

........don’t make me go home yet. I just want to spend time with my friends without the world ending.

After the fireworks, you get to speak to each of your friends, and get a trinket from each of them. Ann gives you a handmade friendship bracelet, Makoto a phantom thieves keychain that Akane made, Ryuji a Feather Red Duke mask to match his Yellow Ostrich, Yusuke his sketchbook that he filled with pictures of the trip, Morgana a scarf in phantom thief colors, Sophia a pair of custom gloves to match the scarf, Haru a teaspoon from Hokkaido with a flower pattern that symbolizes familial love, and Futaba a good luck charm for keeping families together.

STOP, P5S, you’re going to make me cry. Let these kids stay close.

Right before they’re about to leave, they take a group picture for Sophia, which we don’t get to see. Which sucks. But then she realizes that she can smell a Jail, and Zenkichi calls in a panic. It’s never a good sign when someone calls and leads with “Are you watching the news?”

EMMA’s servers were shut down, but apparently reactivated, and now a Jail is covering Tokyo all the way to the outskirts of Yokohama, and it’s just getting bigger. Zenkichi promises to meet us, and Lavenza opens a Velvet door because she wants to talk.

She’s... legitimately unnerved.

Thank you, P5S, for giving me the opportunity to comfort my youngest sister in some small way. Now let me out of this cell so I can actually give her a hug. With the context from Royal that she has actual nightmares about being ripped apart, this is heartbreaking.

She says that she regrets that she has to keep asking us for help, but the dialogue options let you reassure her that you’ll handle it, and that there’s thinking to worry about.

I appreciate having dialogue to actually reassure her more than I probably should.

Now...

LAST WARNING

If you’ve been reading along and don’t want the finale spoiled, DO NOT GO PAST THIS POINT. As soon as we leave for central Tokyo, we’re going 90mph and not slowing down.

If I didn’t have work in the morning, I’d have finished this damn game tonight. X’‘‘D Curse being a responsible adult.

After leaving the Velvet Room, Zenkichi’s waiting at the RV, and when you enter the RV, that’s when you get the warning above.

So we are off to Tokyo to figure out what the heck is happening with EMMA. And the core location is, exactly like I wanted...

LET’S CLIMB TOKYO TOWER, BABY.

People are crowded around the tower like mindless cultists. The Thieves are confused and unnerved, and then EMMA activates the navigation on its own and flings them into the Metaverse. LET’S SEE WHAT’S UP THIS TOWER.

...oh.

......oh no...

Ohhhhhhh no this is Mementos. Why is this Mementos. This is not a tower. Oh god. Why this.

Oh, we are incredibly fucked, what is this.

EMMA says calls itself the “Ark of the Covenant and the guide for all mankind.” This fucking AI thinks it’s a god. Holy hell. Human cognition really needs to cool it with elevating ordinary things to god status. We’re so tired. X’D

......I FUCKING KNEW THAT I DIDN’T TRUST THIS WOMAN. OH MY GOD.

She goes off about how EMMA brought her into this world to help it become a god. How Konoe teaching EMMA about cognitive psience allowed it to pass the usual boundaries of AI. How EMMA has been manipulating Konoe all along. How EMMA’s going to fulfill all of humanity’s desires.

Ichinose-san, may I suggest that you go hang out with Maruki? He has too much heart, and you have none. You’d complement each other perfectly, and then I can shove you both off a building.

The kids, obviously, reject this bullshit.

Logic over emotion, to the point of utter ridiculousness. She complains that people always want solutions to their problems, but that when the solution is offered, they turn it down.

Maybe that’s because your solution is mind control. At least Maruki wasn’t flagrantly puppeteering people.

“Li!” you cry, throwing up your hands at me. “Is this it? Is this why you want to stab her? Did you just admit that she’s worse than Maruki?”

To which I answer, “Oh, no. It’s the next bit that makes me want to stab her.”

After she straight-up admits that she has no emotions, she manipulated us right from the start, she was the one spying on the Monarchs, and that all of her cheer and friendliness is an act, the Thieves are ready to fight Ichinose. And Ichinose reveals why EMMA wanted her help specifically. Because not only did she program EMMA, she created Sophia as EMMA’s prototype.

And she can voice-override Sophia.

The Thieves freak out, the game throws us into a battle against a murder-mode Sophie, and none of your teammates will attack her. They just hang back or let her whale on them one at a time, and I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t attack her either, and Yusuke got knocked out...

And then it went into a cutscene.

Joker took a yo-yo to the face and was actually bleeding, and that was enough to snap Sophia out of it. She starts clutching her head, stumbling back, and eventually stumbles right off the edge while apologizing to Joker. He lunges to catch her, misses, Ryuji grabs him, and all the Thieves turn on Ichinose.

Ichinose does not give a shit. She just comments that maybe that’s why EMMA used Sophia as a failsafe, because it knew we wouldn’t want to fight one of our own. Shut the fuck up. You killed my little sister. I know she’s probably going to be fine, but it’s the principle of the thing.

She summons some sort of giant red crystal and blasts the hell out of us, sending us flying down even further into the depths.

We found Sophia; she won’t cut back on, so we have to get out of here so Futaba can figure out what’s wrong with her. And then, I am coming back, I am beating that woman to a pulp, and then...

Well. It’s bound to be easier to kill an artificial god than a false one. :3

#Li plays P5Scramble

[sennaleee]

(Heyo, here’s a P5 Akira/Akechi omo fic that I wrote entirely for myself despite having a ridiculous number of requests for different things please don’t kill me. ;~; I have a HUGE note regarding my thoughts about timeline, my opinions on these characters and their relationship, and other things, but it was such a Long Explanation that I didn’t want it at the beginning of the fic. If that’s something that interests you, please scroll all the way to the bottom of the fic for that!

Short version with the most important stuff: This ain’t a shippy fic, but I do ship Akechi/Protagonist and like Akechi as a character despite him being a villain. Based on timeline, Akechi is suspicious Akira is a Phantom Thief but doesn’t know for sure, and Akira hasn’t yet figured out that Akechi knows about the metaverse and is a persona user (probs takes place between Kuneshiro’s and Futaba’s palaces, but exact date doesn’t really matter). There are no spoilers for P5 Royal in this fic.

Also gotta admit this is 100% self-indulgent nonsense, so if you're looking for something Deep and unquestionably In Character, this probably ain't it. Honestly, I just wanted to get back onto the writing train, and doing something entirely for myself was the best way to do that lololol. (also upon rereading this to edit, I realize that Akechi is entirely ooc whoops please just accept this for what it is because I don’t want to rewrite it when it’s literally a kink fic)

This fic was inspired by this post.

Fic contains omorashi. Also a note that this is somewhat different from my usual stuff in that there’s a lot more focus on the relief than the desperation, which I blame on point of view. Anyway. I’ll stop talking now and let you get to the actual fic lol.

-----

“Oh, you're back.” Sojiro's usual drawl as he stood behind the counter was expected. What was not so expected was the detective prince seated primly at said counter, an empty mug in front of him and a book held open by his gloved hands.

“Out a bit late today, eh? I'll leave closing the store to you then,” Sojiro said without waiting for a reply, replacing his apron with his jacket and giving Akira a short wave as he headed out. There weren't any other customers, and Akira really had been out late – Ryuji had wanted to train, and afterwards Akira had run into Ann when he’d made a stop in Shibuya’s underground mall. Glancing at his phone, he noted that it was technically past closing time already, and was surprised Sojiro hadn't given him more of a talking-to, not to mention he hadn't said so much as a word about Akechi having to leave Leblanc.

Speaking of Akechi ...

Akira flipped the sign to 'closed,' not wanting to risk having to deal with any more late customers wandering in.

“Come here often?” he joked, pleased when Akechi rolled his eyes and closed the book, setting it aside.

“Good evening, Kurusu-kun. You're back much later than usual today.”

Shrugging, Akira dropped his schoolbag on a booth, only giving Morgana a cursory glance as he hopped out of said bag and stalked up the stairs, throwing a disapproving glare over his shoulder. Akira went behind the counter to grab Akechi's mug, giving the inside a quick look, deeming it clean enough before refilling it with what he knew was Akechi's favored coffee blend.

“Yeah, one of my friends likes running, so I offered to run with him. My other friend likes talking, and I ran into her on the way home.” Akira put the now-full mug back in front of Akechi with an exaggerated bow before going about preparing a coffee for himself.

“Ah, isn't it past closing? I did want to talk with you today, but I'm sure you have more important things to be doing,” Akechi said, even as he rose from his seat, grabbing his briefcase from where it was set on the chair next to him.

“Don't worry; if Sojiro wanted you gone, he would've said. Stay as long as you like. Besides, I just refilled your coffee – be a bit rude if you rushed off now.” Akira gave Akechi a narrow-eyed smirk, just daring him to do something deemed 'rude.'

“As long as I'm not causing you any inconvenience,” Akechi said slowly, though he made no move to sit back down. “If you'll excuse me, I'm going to use the restroom, and then we can talk as long as you'd like.”

“Oh, wait, sorry,” Akira said. “Toilet's out of order currently. Sojiro promised me he'd get a plumber in sometime tomorrow.”

Akechi stopped from where he was halfway to the restroom, turning abruptly toward Akira with a single eyebrow raised. “Kurusu, don't you live here?”

“There's a public bathhouse across the street,” Akira shrugged. “Works well enough for emergencies. Otherwise I'm usually only here to sleep anyway.” Watching as Akechi's eyes darted for the slightest of moments toward Leblanc's exit, Akira continued, “I can walk you over there if you need?”

“No, that won't be necessary,” Akechi was quick to answer, returning to his chair and immediately reaching for his coffee, taking a long drink.

“Suit yourself. It's no problem.”

“I can assure you there is no need.”

Holding back an exasperated sigh, Akira instead walked around the counter and very deliberately moved Akechi's briefcase off of its chair and onto the booth next to Akira's own bag, ignoring Akechi's token protest. Plopping down in the now vacated chair, Akira folded his hands around his own coffee cup and smiled at Akechi. “So, Akechi-kun, what is it you wanted to discuss today?”

---

It had stayed in the back of his mind throughout the rest of the evening and later into the night. Sure, Akechi hadn't mentioned the restroom again, but there were the tiniest of tells – he was crossing and uncrossing his legs just a tad more than he would normally, he was twitching his foot up and down whereas he tended to sit completely still, it was taking him a good hour to get through this third cup of coffee when he could usually down them in no more than thirty minutes, even while talking to Akira throughout.

Akira wasn't focusing on Akechi's sure need of the restroom. It was more a curiosity, wondering why he didn't just give in and use the toilet in the bathhouse when obviously Akira was aware he'd needed to go for some time, but Akechi was nothing if not stubborn.

They jumped from topic to topic throughout the night: What restaurants Akechi had visited recently, what Akira had been doing with his friends, how both of them were doing in school, plans for the upcoming summer break, and of course, the all-consuming topic of the Phantom Thieves. Granted, as soon as Akechi started asking the more probing questions, Akira redirected toward Akechi's more recent interviews, charmed to watch Akechi scowl for just a moment before plastering that pleasant grin back on.

Akechi didn't stumble or stutter or lose track of his words. He kept sipping on his coffee, albeit at a slower pace, while Akira watched on.

It felt like no time at all before Akechi glanced at his phone and gave a start. “Ah, it's getting quite late! I really must get to the station before the trains stop for the night. Thank you for indulging me, Kurusu-kun.”

“Pfft, how many times have I told you not to thank me? I like talking to you, idiot.”

“No need to be rude,” Akechi softened his scolding with a smirk, eyes sharp as they looked up at Akira from under his bangs.

“Oh, I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you by walking you to the station.”

“Thank you, but that's really not necessary,” Akechi was quick to say.

“It is -” Akira stopped to dramatically pull his phone out of his pocket to check the time, “- 11:47 at night. As safe as Yongen-Jaya is, I refuse to give up on chivalry and stay here while the Detective Prince himself walks alone to the train station.”

“If you insist. I suppose it wouldn't exactly be 'princely' of me to argue.” Akechi's smile was more obviously forced than Akira had seen before, and he could swear he saw Akechi's left eye twitch before he turned toward the door and made his way toward it.

“Hey, Akechi?”

“Yes? I don't want to miss the last train, Kurusu,” Akechi said.

“Yeah, I know. I only thought that you wouldn't want to forget your briefcase.”

Akira took great humor in watching how quickly Akechi's back straightened, arms stiffening at his sides in what Akira assumed was embarrassment.

“Of course. Thank you, Kurusu-kun.”

Carefully locking Leblanc's door behind him, Akira smirked to himself when he realized Akechi had already started making his way toward the station without him. His gait was no faster than usual, and Akira doubted he would've known anything was wrong without his much earlier clue.

“Hey, wait up! The station's not even a five minute walk away. I promise you're not going to miss your train,” Akira called, jogging a few steps to catch up.

“My apologies. I simply don't want to risk the possibility of becoming stranded here overnight. After all, it would do nothing for my reputation if it were to come out that I spent the night in a Yongen train station.”

“Don't be ridiculous. If you miss the train, you're coming back to Leblanc.”

Akechi looked over in shock at that, eyes wide and mouth open as if he were about to retort, yet no words came.

“I don't know why you're so surprised. What sort of friend would I be leaving you to fend for yourself? You wound me, Akechi, truly.” Akira clutched at his chest, dramatically throwing his head back in faux-distress.

“Be serious,” Akechi scowled, continuing his steady march toward the station.

---

The last train for Shibuya left Yongen at midnight exactly. The big clock on the station wall informed them that it was currently 11:56.

Gesturing toward this clock, Akira said, “See, plenty of time to make your train. I can't believe you doubted me.”

“Yes, wonderful job, you correctly estimated the amount of time it takes to walk from your own home to the train station you frequent.”

“No need for sarcasm. A simple 'thank you' will suffice just fine.”

“Oh, thank you, my hero, Kurusu Akira. Now that I'm at the train station, I assure you I'll be able to make it to Shibuya on my own. No need for you to stay with me.”

“Come on, Akechi, it's only four minutes. I'm convinced you want to be rid of me.”

“Four minutes...” Akechi looked at the clock before looking down at the floor for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. He glanced once more at the clock, once toward the train tracks, then before Akira even knew what was happening, Akechi was off like a shot. He wasn't quite running, but his long strides were moving him through the station at an impressive pace.

Akira took only a moment to watch after him in shock before taking off at a swift jog to catch up with him.

“Akechi, what—”

“Please excuse me, Kurusu-kun,” Akechi said in a strained voice before abruptly pushing through a door. Akira, still chasing after him, entered right behind.

He shouldn't have been surprised to be faced with a restroom. It was small with only a toilet and a sink with no actual stalls, likely due to the Yongen-Jaya station itself not servicing too large of a crowd on the daily. Sure, he shouldn't have been surprised – Akechi had made clear his need for a restroom literal hours ago, and he'd had three cups of coffee since then, but Akira still couldn't wrap his head around Akechi being so desperate as to run away from him to get to a bathroom. Sure, there had been small tells throughout the night – just that much more fidgeting, that much more tightness in his facial expressions, but if Akira hadn't been looking for these things, he certainly wouldn’t have noticed them.

As it was, Akechi wasn't even bothering to wait for Akira to leave, instead dropping his briefcase on the floor and working on undoing his pants even as he was still walking toward the toilet.

There was no way he was unaware Akira had followed him into the bathroom. Apparently, his desperation was so great that he simply didn't care. Akira would've left. He wished he could've left, but as Akechi would've been in direct view of the door had Akira opened it, he didn't dare, instead reaching over and locking the door to prevent anyone else from bursting in.

Looking away would've been, at that point, the correct thing to do. However, the situation itself was so bizarre that Akira felt frozen in place. Frozen and staring as Akechi managed to pull himself out, already obviously dripping even before he managed to aim at the toilet. He was biting his lip and Akira could see, even from across the room, that Akechi's hands were trembling as he aimed and then he was peeing and wow Akira didn't want to be impressed, especially in what was clearly supposed to be a private moment, but the force of the stream was like a goddamned firehose.

The immediate relief was obvious on Akechi's face, his expression relaxing for the first time all night. His eyes drifted closed and his mouth went slack as he let out tiny sighs and cut off moans.

Akira was still frozen, staring, unable to pull his eyes away from the blissful relief apparent on Akechi's face. He could feel his own face flaming in a blush. The sounds alone would've been embarrassing enough, the harsh splashing and the sighing that was only slightly quieter now that Akechi was biting his bottom lip.

To Akira, the moment lasted eons. It seemed neverending in both the worst and best of ways, but truly it couldn't have been longer than a minute when the force of Akechi's stream finally began to wane, the liquid exiting slower and slower until it tapered to a stop. Akechi had turned his face away now, as he tucked himself back into his pants, flushed the toilet, and strode to the sink, taking his time washing his hands and decidedly not meeting Akira's gaze in the mirror. Not that Akira wanted to. At least, he didn't think he did. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to meet Akechi's eyes again after that display.

Once finished washing up, Akechi stayed facing away from Akira.

“You can leave now, Kurusu.” Akira had expected his tone to be darker, angrier, but all he could hear was a bone-deep exhaustion mixed with … was that sadness? Embarrassment? Disgust?

Unfortunately, reacting to unexpected situations such as this was not Akira's forte.

“Uhhh. Wow. that looked like it felt good.” Great, Akira, shove your foot right into your mouth, amazing job there.

“Please just go,” Akechi groaned, covering his face with both hands.

“So actually … You know how Leblanc's toilet is out of order?”

“...Obviously.”

“I definitely have to go now. Mostly out of sympathy for you, but—”

“Would you—ugh,” Akechi growled, face still buried in his palms. “Fine. Fine. I will be the one to leave.” Akechi spun around and all but leaped toward his bag, holding it very conspicuously in front of his crotch as soon as he grabbed it, but it was too late. Akira had definitely seen a small dark patch just to the right of Akechi's zipper, made all the more obvious by the light tan color of Akechi's pants. He strode to the door, trying to yank it open and quickly realized that it was, in fact, locked.

Akira choked on a laugh, the ridiculousness of the past five minutes fully catching up to him. He desperately hoped Akechi hadn't noticed – laughing at him was the worst way of getting Akechi to keep spending time with him, Akira knew. Thankfully, if Akechi had noticed, he didn't acknowledge it as he unlocked the door and let himself out at last.

It only took Akira himself a few minutes to finish in the restroom, even though he took his time, knowing that Akechi had surely left for Shibuya already. So, it was to Akira's immense surprise when he left the bathroom only to see a familiar figure sitting against the wall, knees pulled to his chest with his head pressed into them.

“Akechi?”

“... I may have missed the last train.”

Akira glanced at the clock. 12:08. Apparently Akechi getting his relief did take as long as it seemed...

"At least you already have a back-up plan,” Akira said, grabbing Akechi's briefcase before offering him a hand up. Lifting his head, Akechi fixed him with a glare.

“And if I refuse?”

“You won't refuse. Besides, there's a laundromat right next to that bathhouse I mentioned earlier. I'll throw in your pants for you so you won't have to travel with a stain tomorrow.”

“Would you shut up?” Akechi hissed, but he seemed too tired to put any true venom behind his words.

“Come on, I'll lend you my spare pajamas.”

Without another word, Akechi finally took Akira's hand and rose to his feet.

“I will warn you, Morgana may act very offended by you staying the night.”

“I'll be sure to apologize to him for invading his space then,” Akechi murmured as the two boys left the station and began retracing their earlier path walking side by side.

Akira snorted and bumped his shoulder gently against Akechi's. “Hey, if Morgana wants to stay with me, he's going to have to get used to you being around.”

Akechi's breath caught and he didn't answer, though a quick glance over revealed his cheeks dusted light pink.

---

An hour later found Akira and Akechi both finally ready to sleep after having made a late-night laundry run and settled onto the bed and couch respectively. Morgana, surprisingly, had already been fast asleep when the boys arrived and they were respectful and quiet so as not to disturb him. Akira was sure he'd get an earful about his unexpected guest tomorrow, but at the moment, he wasn't in the mood for a lecture.

“Sleep well, Akechi. And please, if you have to use the restroom during the night, don't hesitate to wake me. It's no trouble to show you to the bathhouse,” Akira said, only partly doing so to push Akechi's buttons.

He could swear he could hear the blush in Akechi's words as he replied, “Thank you, Kurusu-kun. I'll be sure to do so.”

-----

(K, so here’s the super long note I promised at the beginning of this fic. I copy/pasted verbatim from how I had originally written it, so if things seem redundant, whoops sorry.

Full disclosure: I am a die-hard Akechi/Protag shipper and I will not apologize for that. I don't think I made this shippy at all, but I know Akechi is a polarizing character, so I want to make y'all aware that it was a dirty Akechi stan who wrote this. I just think he's an interesting character and I am very sympathetic to him okay don't judge meeeeee. I couldn't remember exactly when Akechi first started going to Leblanc in the actual game, so the timeline is kind of skirted around, but I imagine this to take place after Makoto joins the team but before Futaba contacts them. I know, I know, no one cares about The Lore on a kink fic, but it makes me happy to think about it, and it is also more important in this case because of the following:

The way Akira and Akechi act toward each other is heavily based off of where they are in the timeline + how I interpret canon events (I refuse to say headcanons because I can defend why I think this). Basically, I feel there's strong evidence that despite suspecting Akira to be a Phantom Thief, Akechi didn't truly know he was until Okumura's palace. I also feel that there is even stronger evidence that Akira and Morgana didn't realize Akechi was a persona user until the school fair event that occurred after Okumura's palace. Yes, the event that allowed them to figure this out happens significantly earlier, but there's nothing pointing toward either of them actually figuring it out until the school fair. Please keep this in mind when reading, as this 'headcanon' of mine definitely affects how I write them interacting with each other. I realize that may be confusing, since I think there's some discrepancy as far as interpretation goes around these events and when they truly happened, but this is how I interpreted the game.

Also in regards to the very ending of this fic: Didn’t add this part in because it would’ve dragged for really no reason, but my thoughts on what happens the next morning is that Akechi is naturally an early riser and gets up earlier than both Morgana and Akira and sneaks out so he doesn’t have to face Akira again, which is how we can skirt around the little issue of ‘Akechi can understand Morgana talking.’ Sojiro is definitely in Leblanc already when Akechi leaves. There is awkward eye contact, but neither of them say anything, and Sojiro vows to never bring it up to Akira. (He definitely brings it up to Akira later that same day.))

#omorashi #omocute #fandomo #fictomo #p5 omo #akechi omo #omo fic #p5 has basically taken over my life since i got royal whoops #sorry to any of the people who requested things 573819507318 years ago and still haven't received them #*shakes fist at sky* one day they'll be done #until then i hope you enjoy this self-indulgent mess thanks bye

[theexistentiallyqueer]

I really hate waking up to see that there was good meta that was circulating during the night and I have so many things I want to say but I have to go to work like a responsible adult in this capitalist hellscape. I’m specifically referencing this, this, this, and this, and I just got home from work and it was balls to the walls fucking crazy today, so excuse me if I seem incoherent and disjointed.

All of this made me think of a few very specific theories I have, which I’ve already mentioned in passing, but now I feel the urge to lay them out all together in one post, which are:

Loki is Goro’s original persona, and Yaldabaoth hand-picked him for a reason

Yaldabaoth, disguised as Igor, served the function of psychopomp cognitive guide to Goro that Morgana serves to Akira, Teddie serves to Souji, and Mitsuru serves to Makoto

Goro used Loki’s berserker power on himself so he could kill Wakaba

Robin Hood is the persona born from Goro’s bond with Akira and represents the justice he wishes he believed in

Goro is not a true wildcard and never was one

Plus some other ones reading today’s meta made me think about

So, without further ado.

Loki as Goro’s original persona aligns most strongly with two things: 1. actual dialogue during his boss fight, and 2. the larger framework of the game Yaldabaoth was playing.

For his boss fight I’m referencing specifically the JP-ENG comparison of that scene. One of the things the anon who did the comparison repeatedly references is that “psychotic breakdowns” is an incredibly erroneous translation of what Call of Chaos actually does:

!! 暴走させる means “to make [something] run wild/rampage/act reckless,” not to drive the psychotic. While it can be used to refer to someone wildly lashing out at others, it can also be used for a runaway car, losing control, acting without regard or just being reckless in a potentially dangerous way. In the Persona series, this term has also been used in reference to losing control of one’s Persona, and to a Shadow going berserk (for those who’ve played Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the JP name for Shadow Frenzy, シャドウ暴走, also uses the term).

Goro’s ability makes people act recklessly without regard for others; it doesn’t make them outright psychotic. (Strangely enough, the first scene at Leblanc in the game translates the incidents related to this ability as “rampage incidents,” which is closer to what it should be, yet they consistently screw it up in later scenes.)

And the original dialogue follows up on that:

Makoto (JP): あんな、人を操ったり狂わせたりする力を、自分自身の心から生み出してたなんて…(“To think that the power to manipulate and drive mad others was born from his own heart…”)

And more subtly:

Futaba (JP): なのに人生ソロプレイだったから、目覚めた力は、自前の『嘘』と『恨み』の、たった２個だけ… (“Even so, ‘cause you went through life in single player, the powers you awakened were just your "lies” and “resentment”…“)

I feel like the original text upholds this argument, especially considering Goro consistently refers to Loki as his “true” power, and he is way OP with Loki in a way he’s not with Robin Hood–almost as if he’s had more time to level-grind with Loki than he has with Robin.

As for Yaldabaoth, I think the context of what Yaldabaoth actually wants is very clear: Yaldabaoth wanted Goro to win. He created a blatantly unfair “game” modeled after the normal “game” played between Philemon and Nyarlathotep, and the first thing he did was give a persona to one player two years earlier than the other. Yaldabaoth wants to destroy and remake the world, and he would have cherry-picked the angriest kid in the barrel to make that happen. Goro didn’t have some psychopomp cognitive guide in the form of a talking cat to explain the metaverse to him, and I think it stands to reason that Yaldabaoth groomed Goro as much as Shido did: Yaldabaoth was Goro’s psychopomp cognitive guide. Goro’s not-dumb enough to be immediately suspicious when a random app installs itself on his phone; it stands to reason that he only paid it any attention because some half-bald fucker with a nose longer than Goro’s Robin Hood mask planted the idea in his head of what it could be used for. Akira tries to delete the app twice, and it’s only after Ryuji accidentally triggers the Nav that he stops trying to get rid of it.

(I’ve seen the Goro was a subject in Wakaba’s research theories too as an explanation for how he could know so much of the metaverse without Morgana around to catsplain it to him. I’m not a fan of them, mostly because I think subtle writing is a concept Atlus is very much not at all engaged with, and if he really was a research subject that would have been dumped on us with all the subtlety of trying to assassinate someone by dropping roof tiles onto them, and I like my HCs and theories to be as in line as what can be explained most comprehensibly with canon until I decide to throw the entire baby out with the bathwater and say MY PLAYGROUND NOW. It’s a cool theory, it’s just not one that I’m into. The people who play with this theory are smarter and more valid than Atlus will ever be. And who knows, maybe Royal will prove me wrong. I am open to being proven wrong and Krist is already starting to feed me food from Royal that has me second-guessing, but I’m going to wait until the international release in March to have takes on this.)

As for Goro himself–I’ve always, from the first time I played P5 when I thought Goro as interesting enough in concept but wasn’t really ready to be a Goroboy, thought that Goro represented the Justice Arcana in reverse, which is interesting in that this Persona game you can’t reverse confidants’ cards. Goro is reversed Justice in and of himself within the main context of the narrative.

I don’t really jive with the idea that Goro started out with Robin Hood as representative of his ideals before he was manipulated and twisted by Shido, because it contradicts the context in which he had his awakening and it removes whatever degree of culpability or autonomy Goro did have in what he ultimately became. Goro is full of rage, and Goro acted on that rage. Goro got the slightest taste of power and went from 0 to acting on a desire from revenge in about thirty seconds flat. He definitely didn’t realize he was signing on for murder and Shido definitely groomed him into being his psychopomp hitman, Goro is the one who took the initiative to approach Shido in the first place because Goro wanted to destroy the man who destroyed his life and who did, in some sense, kill his mom. Not that I think it’s disingenuous to say that Goro did originally believe in a justice that was, well, more just, but there’s a vast chasm between the boy who used to pretend to be a hero of justice and a boy who decided what he wanted most was to humiliate his fascist of a father. Goro’s sense of justice was already hugely warped by the time he awakened to his persona. Justice is exposing Shido publicly and holding him accountable; justice for Goro was making Shido’s life a living very personal hell.

Loki’s power isn’t even necessarily to make someone go berserk. Goro actually explains how Loki’s power works at the start of his boss fight, and it’s carried through pretty well in the English translation.

Goro (JP): ちっぽけな存在でも、心の枷が外れると、桁違いの力を得る事がある。 ("Even a tiny being, once you remove the bonds on its heart, can gain unimaginable power.”) Goro (EN) Even the feeblest existence can gain tremendous power once the chains on its heart are broken. !! 枷 has a double meaning of both literal restraints (shackles/chains/etc) and more metaphorical ways to bind someone (such as relations to others, or societal restrictions on what you’re allowed to do). While “chains on its heart” is a valid translation, it fails to maintain that wordplay in English, and given how the power he’s talking about works, it’s almost certainly on purpose.

Loki’s power works by shattering the restraints on a person’s heart that stop them from acting recklessly in ways that hurt other people. I think a case could very much be made that the reason this seems to always result in violence on the part of those of Goro’s targets (and Goro himself) is because when you’re in that state, you stop feeling sympathy or empathy, and the dark impulses you bury deep inside (which everyone has) can reign unchecked.

When I first started to choochoo along the “Goro went berserk to kill Wakaba” train, one of the first things I started to speculate was that he was the first person he used Call of Chaos on. I started to reevaluate that today when I read all of that delicious food and found myself rethinking how Goro would have approached Shido, and I found myself drawn the conclusion that Goro brought Shido two things–the ability to gather secret knowledge and the ability to drive people berserk–but Shido would have wanted proof. And Goro’s an idiot, but he’s not dumb; he would have had that proof ready in advance. Goro would have been causing some psychotic breakdowns on a smaller scale before he approached Shido, just enough to make the news and catch Wakaba’s attention in her research, but not enough to cause widespread chaos on the scale that’s referenced in game, before he stepped foot through Shido’s door.

I find it very hard to believe that Goro didn’t know the basics of Wakaba before he killed her: single mom, no father in the picture, daughter roughly his age. Goro is the type to hoard information because it makes him feel in control, so he’d be given this name from Shido and want to know everything he can uncover about his target first–also he’s the one with the metaverse nav app and he’d need to know as much about her as possible to figure out what her distortion is.

(This is assuming Wakaba had a palace as opposed to residing in Mementos. I have no grounds to base this theory on, but I think she did. I won’t go into it in too much detail, but I HC that Wakaba’s palace was modeled after the Library of Alexandria, and Wakaba’s shadow was Hypatia. I’ll save the thematic whys of that for another post because they’re neither here nor there.)

I have a hard time buying that a teenager would just go from zero to being okay with murder without having some pretty critical hangups in the process, especially a teenager who kind of thinks of himself as a hero who has to get his hands dirty. You can’t really justify murdering an innocent woman who did nothing wrong when you measure her against people like Okumura. Especially when so much of that single mom’s life story should probably logically resonate with you.

(This is another reason I get upset that nothing in canon ever has Goro actively acknowledge his murder of Wakaba, because if it did it would have to grapple the between Goro and Futaba and the fact that Goro did to Futaba was exactly what was done to him, but way more directly. Atlus is not subtle and is also not capable of nuance or depth.)

So the logical line of thought is that Goro used Call of Chaos on himself to break the chains on his own heart (the feelings that would make him sympathize with Wakaba and see his own mother in her) so that he could kill her. I’d also argue that layered on top of of all of this is that Goro didn’t know killing her shadow would kill her, because Shido guarded her research closely and Yaldabaoth wanted a boy who would be willing to smash things. They were both grooming him to be their perfect little murderer.

By the point we meet him in the game Goro is heavily tied up in Shido’s conspiracy and all that that entails. His already jaded sense of justice will by this point have been warped beyond repair–until he meets Akira. Akira is probably the first person Goro has ever bonded with in his entire life, and a wildcard’s power is rooted in the ability to form bonds. Positive bonds specifically, because it’s only through those that their power can grow. I think we can all look at Goro’s life and agree that his relationship with Akira is the only positive one he’s had since he was like…….never years old.

And I specifically think that it’s through his relationship with Akira that Goro starts to reawaken to his true sense of justice. It’s textually canonical that Goro is jealous of the fact that the Phantom Thieves found a way to achieve their goals without collateral damage. I think that bonding with Akira–in a way Goro has literally never bonded with anyone else before–is what caused Goro’s second awakening and his tentative re-embrasure of the belief that justice is about helping, not hurting. Except he’s in two such different places at this point. I’m very on board with the BPD!Goro hc that’s become a thing lately, thanks to Krist and the goroboys discord server, but I’m not going to go into specifics because I’m not BPD. I just think that from what I’ve read of BPD it sounds valid, and if a person who is BPD says they get that mood from him, that’s extra valid

But Goro’s sense of self is clearly very split between Loki and Robin Hood and what they thematically represent. He wants to be a hero, but he still dresses like a tokusatsu villain half the time. He wants to be a hero, but he’s also a murderer. He can’t reconcile these aspects of himself.

Goro isn’t a true wildcard because he lacks the ability of connection. While the wildcard ability is granted by a cosmic entity (Philemon/Igor/Yaldabaoth/etc.), the degree of its manifestation is dependent upon the wildcard’s ability to connect with other people. The case could be made that Adachi and Namatame are wildcards because they’re both selected as game pieces by Izanami, but only Souji manifests the wildcard ability because only he is able to connect with others. The implication to be taken from that is that a cosmic force can grant an individual a persona and the corresponding wildcard ability, but that ability can’t manifest itself unless the individual is capable of wielding it–which Goro is not.

And very much unlike a wildcard, if you take the necessary steps Goro’s two personas do fuse into an ultimate whole. If you complete the development of Goro’s character to the extent the game requires, then Loki and Robin Hood fuse to become Hereward. I have some thoughts about this in relation to the fact that I can’t find any evidence that Hereward is tied to the Robin Hood myth, but all that aside: Goro’s warped sense of justice and his true sense of justice fused together in a way that’s, uh——-

Robin Hood is very bara and Loki is very twink. Hereward looks extremely similar to Robin Hood, but has a dark grey, an almost black, color design. Hereward literally represents Goro embracing that justice is grey, and that it’s okay for Goro to both want to be the hero and to want to see people struggle with the hard questions of how the hurts they’ve inflicted, intentionally or not, have impacted the people affected by them.

Goro was never a true wildcard to begin with. Yaldabaoth chose him because he was isolated. That he found his other half in Akira was dumb luck of the draw.

#persona #persona 5 #p5r spoilers #goro akechi

[thecorpulentbeagle]

Okujima Week 2020: Coffee

Today’s topic is “Coffee”. Those of you who read my Okujima Week 2019 Challenge fanfiction might remember that I promised to do a continuation of the date proposed in the “First Date” prompt if there was a 2020 version of this challenge. Well, it’s time to put my money where my mouth is!

And if you haven’t read that previous prompt, no worries! You will be able to read this without that context and understand what’s going on, as I will explain any references/give a brief background of what happened. But definitely feel free to read it and come back to this if you’d like.

Here is the fanfiction.net link.

Please enjoy this fifth part of the Okujima Week 2020 Challenge!

As always: THIS STORY WILL NOT CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR PERSONA 5 ROYAL, BUT WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR PERSONA 5.

Okujima Week 2020 Challenge:

Only the Beginning:

Coffee

-Makoto-

“A date… with Haru… I can handle this! Right?”

Thoughts (and doubts) like these raced through Makoto’s mind as the two seniors stepped off of the subway that had just pulled into the station.

Makoto had asked Haru on said date just yesterday. After making a bet with Ann and Ryuji, Makoto had been forced to, as they had called it “make a move” on her crush. She had been extremely nervous, and had actually asked Haru on more of a friendly outing. She’d been content to leave it at that, but Haru, ever perceptive, had deduced that Makoto was really attempting to ask the gardener out on a date.

Once the two had confessed attraction to each other, Makoto had been floating on a cloud. All of her nerves had drifted away, and a bubbly feeling of giddiness had taken its place. They had held hands in the Student Council Office for a few minutes before parting and promising to meet again the next day.

When Makoto had arrived home, the feeling of happiness began to change into one of apprehension. She had thought that confessing would be the hardest part, but now she had to actually go through with the date!

Seeing as the girl had never been on one, she thought furiously about what she should consider.

“My appearance should be planned first, I suppose,” she had mused aloud to herself, seeing as Sae was out working late.

She had entered her room and turned to her closet, trying on multiple outfits before ultimately settling on what she usually wore as casual wear when the weather turned cold. A blue jacket with a black turtleneck underneath, black pants, and brown boots that came up to just below her knees. It was a simple outfit, but one that was comfortable and elegant enough to be considered “first-date” attire. She hoped.

Makoto wanted to look nice, but not like a completely different person. Haru always tried to make Makoto feel comfortable in her own skin, which was one reason Makoto cared for the girl so much. She wanted her choice in outfit to reflect this trust.

By the time Makoto had decided on her outfit, she realized that she had a mountain of homework that she would need to complete, seeing as she wouldn’t have time to do it tomorrow. She had taken one last look at the outfit she laid out for herself before striding over to her desk, hoping formulas and equations would distract her from thinking about tomorrow.

After thinking back to everything that had brought her to this moment, Makoto took a few steps away from the subway before turning to look at her companion. Upon seeing what Haru had decided to wear, Makoto was instantly glad about her own decision of apparel.

Haru was wearing what she normally wore for cold-weather outings as well. A light blue coat with a fluffy white collar, followed by a pink skirt, white leggings, and brown shoes. It was a look that really suited her, and Makoto had to make sure that she didn’t stare too long.

It seemed that Haru had noticed her looking, however, as the girl smiled at her and said, “Ready to go, Mako-chan?”

Makoto nodded back and smiled shyly. “Of course.”

The two turned and walked side-by-side towards the exit. Even though it would be nice to hold hands, Makoto was far too nervous for public displays of affection just yet. The two weren’t really even “together” yet, as this was their first date. Of course, Makoto hoped that it would be the first of many.

Haru seemed to sense this, as she did not make any attempt to hold onto Makoto, for which the other girl was grateful.

Once the two made it out into the streets of Yongen-Jaya, they continued to walk down the road without pausing to get their bearings, seeing as they made their way here quite often to meet up at the Phantom Thieves’ headquarters at LeBlanc.

As they made their way past the familiar café, Makoto saw that Futaba was crouched outside of the building, tapping something out on her phone. Makoto gulped. She had hoped the two would be able to sneak past the café without running into any of their friends. Not that she didn’t enjoy seeing or spending time with the rest of the Phantom Thieves, but the student council president wasn’t quite ready for the group to know what was potentially blossoming between the two seniors. Other than the two blondes who already knew of course.

As the two passed by the café, Makoto saw the younger girl look up from her phone and make eye contact with Makoto, instantly giving her a toothy smile. Makoto couldn’t help but smile in return, though internally, she was panicking.

“Makoto! Haru! What’s up you guys?” Futaba pocketed her phone and stood up, giving the two of them a quick salute.

“Futaba. It’s lovely to see you!” Haru walked over to the girl, giving her a small wave.

“Hello, Futaba,” Makoto replied, hoping her voice remained steady as she too walked over.

“Whatcha two doin’? Going to the batting cages?” Futaba winked at them, knowing that the only person who really seemed into that was Akira.

“We’re actually about to see a movie at the theater,” Haru answered.

“Oooh!” Futaba smiled, and for a moment, Makoto wondered if the hacker had figured them out.

“I’m pretty bored. And there was a really cool sci-fi flick that just opened up here. We could all see it together!” It turned out that Futaba was on the completely wrong track.

“Well, uh…” Makoto fumbled for a response. The last thing she wanted to do was discourage Futaba from doing things in public with friends, but she couldn’t exactly join them. How awkward would a date be if the third person had no idea that she was being a third-wheel?

Luckily, Makoto was saved from answering as the door to LeBlanc swung open to reveal Akira, who looked at them all curiously. “I didn’t tell you guys that we were having a meeting, did I?” He scratched the back of his head, looking worried.

“Nah. I was just hanging out here until you decided to show up, and I saw Haru and Makoto passing by.” Futaba gestured towards the two, both of whom smiled at Akira.

“Good.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s hard to keep track sometimes. It feels like all these days are blurring together.” He straightened his glasses, which had been slightly askew. “Probably not enough sleep.”

“Sleep is for the weak!” Futaba proclaimed, smacking him on the back. He coughed.

“Anyway, what’s the occasion?” Akira asked once he recovered.

“We’re going to see a movie,” Makoto answered quickly. She hoped he wouldn’t ask which one. The two girls had decided on a rom-com, seeing as that was generally a light-hearted affair and matched the tone for a date. Haru didn’t mind action movies, but Makoto knew she wasn’t particularly keen on them, and she wanted them both to have a good time. Makoto had vetoed the newest horror film instantly, not wanting Haru to see her crying and whimpering. That would not be a good look for a first date.

However, announcing that would probably lead to a lot of questions, so Makoto offered no details.

“Wanna go with ‘em, Akira?” Futaba asked.

Akira looked at Makoto. She saw that he was thinking deeply about something, and she wondered if he had picked up on what was going on. After a few moments, she saw him smile. “That sounds like a good time. I’m gonna have to pass though.” He turned to Futaba. “I was actually thinking of going to Akihabara. They’ve got some new controllers that come in a rainbow design.” He wrapped an arm around Futaba’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Want to come with me? My treat.”

“Really?” Futaba looked up at the boy, starry-eyed. Makoto couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“Yeah.” Akira looked back to Makoto and winked at her. She blushed slightly. How was it that Akira always knew everything?

“Well I can’t say no to free tech. We’ll have to meet up some other time, you two!” Futaba practically dragged Akira to the subway station, the two disappearing down the street in no time.

“So you’d rather not have anyone know about us at the moment?” Makoto looked at Haru to see that she was giving her an easy smile.

Makoto laughed nervously. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“That’s not how I meant it! Really, Mako-chan.” She blushed. “I’m fine with not letting any of our friends know for now either. We’ll become a hot topic of discussion once it comes out, and I’d like to spend some quiet moments with you before that happens.”

Makoto signaled her agreement. She had to admit, seeing Haru blush was rather adorable. And the fact that she wanted to spend some plural “moments” with Makoto made her heart beat faster.

“I’m not sure how long we’ll have. It seems like Akira already has an idea.”

“So you saw that too?” Haru giggled. “I think you’re right, but he’s pretty good with keeping secrets. I’m sure he won’t tell anyone until we’re comfortable with it.”

Makoto thought back to how this date had even become a possibility. She wasn’t so much worried about Akira spilling the beans. It was that knew that Ann and Ryuji had trouble keeping secrets sometimes – she’d found out about the Phantom Thieves in the first place from Ryuji’s excited phone call to Akira after all.

But she didn’t want to share that this was part of a “bet” with Haru. Makoto figured that the gardener would definitely take it the wrong way if she told her. Besides, Makoto couldn’t care less at the moment what brought up this opportunity. She was excited to be spending quality time with Haru, and delighted to see that she felt similarly.

“I hope you’re right.” Makoto gestured down the street. “Let’s go. After that little detour, we might be late.”

“I highly doubt that! You’re always so punctual. And we left with plenty of time.” Haru turned back in the direction of the theater and started walking, with Makoto next to her side.

“Well then, that’s more time that I can spend with you,” Makoto blurted out. Though it was true, Makoto could feel herself cringe internally at how cliché that had sounded.

That feeling increased exponentially as she watched Haru’s face turn slightly red. What made it worse was that Haru said nothing in return.

“I… uh sorry. Was that… too much?” It took all of Makoto’s willpower to not slap her hand to her forehead in embarrassment.

“N-No. That’s not…” Haru took a breath to compose herself. “I’m just… not used to someone being so… forthright about wanting to spend time with me.”

“Really? But who wouldn’t want to?”

“Well, it’s not so much people not wanting to be around me, and more why they want to.” Haru sighed. “I’m used to people pretending to be close to me to gain access to my father. It’s… been that way for a while now.”

“Oh…” Makoto didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t even been thinking when she had made that comment, and now her thoughtlessness was causing Haru undue worry and stress.

“But when you say it…” Haru turned to look at Makoto. “You sound so… sincere. So honest. It makes me really happy.”

“Oh?” Great. Now she was just saying the same word over and over again. This first date was not going well at all, was it?

Haru seemed to find the situation funny at least. She giggled at Makoto’s response. “I suppose I shouldn’t have brought it up. What I mean is… I appreciate what you said. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Though Haru had bumbled her way through her explanation, Makoto understood what she was trying to say. Haru had to analyze every interaction in her life to see if there was a hidden agenda. That sounded like it was exhausting.

Not sure what else to say, the couple walked the rest of the way to the movie theater in silence. The silence itself wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable, so Makoto decided to let it be for now.

The two entered the building and made their way over to the box office to get their tickets. The cashier asked which film, and Makoto pointed to the rom-com that the two wanted to see. She hoped the boy wouldn’t put two and two together.

She reached into her purse to retrieve the money for the tickets. The two exchanged.

Makoto handed one to Haru. “Here you are.”

She smiled as she took it. “Thank you.”

They walked over to have their tickets checked before walking by concessions.

“Ah. Would you like to get some popcorn? Maybe a drink to… share? If that’s okay?” Makoto wasn’t sure how this should work. The two had spent time together before today, of course, and had seen movies in this very theater.

When they did though, it had almost always been in the context of a Phantom Thieves friendly gathering, where everyone would share popcorn, drinks, snacks, and candy. Makoto usually shared with either Haru or Ann, but now that she could potentially be going steady with the former… she wasn’t sure if this sharing had more of a suggestive or inappropriate context now.

“It’s definitely okay, Mako-chan!” Haru giggled. “In fact, why don’t I pay for it, since you paid for the tickets? It’s only fair, after all.”

Makoto nodded. “That works for me.”

Haru smiled. “Great! I know the perfect snack to purchase!”

“Oh?” Makoto walked over to the counter, Haru next to her.

“Yes. I had some chocolate-covered coffee beans the last time I came here.” Haru ordered the snack, in addition to some popcorn and soda. “It’s sweet and bitter at the same time. It’s a real treat!”

“I see.” Makoto had to admit, she was curious. If Haru’s glowing reviews were anything to go by, she was sure that the treat would be delicious.

As Haru paid for the food and drink, Makoto took hold of the popcorn, not wanting Haru to have to carry it all. Haru took the rest, and the two made their way to their theater.

When they arrived, they decided to sit a little bit further in the back so that they could remain relatively undisturbed. As they took their seats and made themselves comfortable, Makoto began to worry.

Now that they were sitting, what exactly was she supposed to do? Should she just watch the movie? Should she make some kind of move? Was it too early to do so? If not, what sort of move should she consider?

She was interrupted in her thoughts by Haru shaking the candy box in front of her face. “Would you like some?” she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the other patrons.

Makoto relaxed. This was just like other outings she’d had with Haru. She should just act like her usual self. “Yes please.” She reached her hand into the box, pulling out some of the beans. She tossed them into her mouth.

The initial texture was creamy, but as she bit down, she felt the crunch of the bean. The chocolate and the coffee mixed together well, though she noticed that the bean left a gritty residue as she swallowed it. She took a sip of the soda.

“How is it?” Haru was looking at her expectantly.

“Pretty good.” Makoto smiled. “Thank you for suggesting it.”

Haru nodded, popping a few into her mouth. “I’ll try my best not to eat it all.”

The two laughed.

A few minutes later, the movie began. Makoto was curious to see how it would be. With most rom-coms, she either enjoyed them or thought them to be completely cheesy and unrealistic. Either way, she usually got a good laugh or two out of them.

Makoto took a glance around at the other movie patrons, and saw that the theater was mostly populated by couples. One such couple in front of her seemed to be cuddling together, with the boy kissing the girl on the cheek.

Should… Was Haru expecting that from Makoto? She shook her head to rid herself of that thought. Those two could have been girlfriend and boyfriend, maybe even having dated for years. Right?

She looked to see what Haru was doing. Watching the film. Which was normal. Why wasn’t she watching it herself, again?

She went back to the film, hoping the few lines of dialogue she had missed weren’t crucial to the plot.

A few minutes passed, and Makoto started getting into the film. It wasn’t too cheesy, and the leads appeared to have great chemistry.

“Mako-chan?”

“Hm?” Makoto looked over to see Haru offering her some more chocolate. “I wasn’t kidding about eating all of these myself. Please, have some more before it’s gone.”

“Sure.” Makoto reached out her hand and Haru leaned over to pour some into her palm.

She tossed them into her mouth, relishing in the distinct flavor again.

“Hm…” Instead of moving back into her original position, Haru continued to lean further until she was resting her head on Makoto’s shoulder.

Her action surprised Makoto so much that she choked a bit on the food she was eating. Luckily, she was able to ingest it without incident, but once she recovered, she focused on the warmth that she was feeling from Haru.

She wondered if the other girl was comfortable, laying her head on Makoto’s shoulder. She should… reciprocate in some way, right?

Makoto slowly lifted up her arm, carefully draping it around Haru’s shoulders. This seemed to be the right move, as Haru snuggled closer without Makoto’s arm blocking her. She nuzzled into the space between her shoulder and her neck.

Makoto was glad for the relative darkness of the theater, as she could feel the heat radiating off of her face. She wondered if Haru was feeling something similar.

The two spent the rest of the film in this position. Makoto wondered if this might mean that this would lead to a second date, and maybe a third, and then, many more after that?

But it seemed that she was getting ahead of herself. For now, she resolved to enjoy the most out of this date as she could. And if it led to something more, she would deal with it then.

She couldn’t wait.

--

Woohoo! First date fanfic complete!

When I wrote the prequel to this last year, I wasn’t sure what their first date would entail. I spent some time wondering what I would do, and then the prompt of Coffee turned me in this direction. I’ve had these chocolate-covered coffee beans myself, and they are delicious!

Anyway, hope that you enjoyed. See you tomorrow!

#okujima #okujima week #okujima week 2020 #makoto niijima #haru okumura #makoto x haru #haru x makoto #p5 #persona 5

[it-will-not-last-the-night]

PQ2-Persona 3 Characters

I play this game slowly for a number of reasons: (1) I like drawing games out because I enjoy them more that way and (2) I played it intermittently, put it down when FE3H came out, then picked it up again, then got DLC for TW3K and put it down again etc. etc. I find it an easy game to put down and get back into.

However, I am now at the end, only Enlil remains and the Velvet Rangers. Since I want to complete the game fully I’m now doing the monotonous and boring task of farming the Reaper to get to Lv 89 with Ren so I can Wild Growth my core party to his Level, get Huang Di, and finish off the Velvet Rangers. Seriously though, who thought I’d reach a point where I’m bullying the poor Reaper and getting bored of the fight? He doesn’t even get me halfway to a full level now!

Anyway. So, with the end approaching, I thought I’d do for the P3 cast what I did for the P4 cast. I decided in the end to actually not watch/read anything about P3 or P4 till I finish PQ2, to form opinions based around it purely from PQ2, then once I’m done with it I’ll go watch LP’s of P3 and P4 to see how wrong (or right!) I got things.

Without further ado my feelings towards the P3 cast solely as they are presented in PQ2:

Exceptions:

I’m starting us off with exceptions. What are exceptions? Exceptions are characters who, for whatever reason, I feel their are circumstances that make them difficult for me to really discuss as a fully-fleshed character. They aren’t necessarily bad, but something about them means I don’t really see them as a fully rounded or developed character like the rest.

P3 Protagonist: Like the P4 Protagonist and Ren I just struggle to form any feelings or attachments to this character. I’ve said before I *suck* at self-insertion. I just do. In FE3H my least favourite character is Byleth, wish I could get rid of them, as I find the relationships between characters with more detailed and fleshed out characteristics and dialogue far more interesting. The P3 Protagonist isn’t bad but, compared to the rest, just feels shallow and uninteresting. He also shares the same problem as all four Protagonists in that I am sick and tired of how much their own teams have to constantly shill them like they’re the greatest thing ever. Ugh. It’s the most annoying thing to me about these self-insert characters, everyone has to stop every ten minutes to remind the player how they’re better than everyone and worship the ground they walk on. I hate it. Anyway; so, yeah, ultimately I find the P3 Protagonist, like Ren and the P4 Protagonist, just not as fully developed or realized in PQ2, and so see them as an exception.

Koromaru: He’s a dog. He’s cute, fun, a great mascot, but he doesn’t have detailed characteristics or interesting personality and dynamics with the other members. But he’s a dog, so, that’s not strange. So I see this as an exception.

Favourite:

These are the P3 Characters who I enjoyed most of all in PQ2.

P3 Female Protagonist: So can someone explain to me why the creators decided to give the Female Protagonist alone a detailed personality and demeanour? Not to mention something like double the amount of spoken dialogue as the other protagonists? Unlike Ren and the other two male Protagonists who barely say much at all and are difficult to define personality-wise beyond ‘cool, loved by all, sometimes make sarcastic remarks’ the Female Protagonist is heavily fleshed out: she’s an energetic and over-enthusiastic type, the ‘charge in head’s first’ type who doesn’t show much in the way of the stoic ‘cool’ calm of the others, and is very effusive and evocative in her mannerisms. She’s dealing with an internal feeling of isolation and inferiority, which she tries to hide from others, and is highly sociable in her engagement with her peers. She was a lot of fun and makes a big impact early with her ‘let me dress up as a policewoman and then karate chop this guard out cold’ routine. Her interactions with Futaba early on are great, almost like an older siser, although sadly those do taper off. Junpei and Yukari have quite good interactions with her as well, the most consistent people involved in her ‘am I out of place’ feelings, and I enjoyed that. I was surprised how there is so little interaction between her and her male counterpart though, would have thought that would be a good well of inspiration. 

Mitsuru: So what I love about Mitsuru is that she and Makoto are not just clones of each other. With Mitsuru also being a ‘older, colder, intelligent, authoritative’ figure I feared that the two would be very similar. But they aren’t. Mitsuru is vastly more secure in herself and confident than Makoto, who still has severe issues with her self-esteem. Indeed Mitsuru is actually kind of awesome in how confident she is. Similarly whilst Makoto is far more an advisor Mitsuru, quite honestly, comes across as if actually SHE leads the P3 cast and the protagonists are just their trump cards. Mitsuru almost always calls every shot for her team and makes the decisions, with their own respective protagonists usually just providing power. I do also enjoy that Mitsuru seems not to have the ‘I’m smart so the stupid member of our team I will always harass’ trait as her critiques of Junpei tend to purely focus on him not taking their situation to seriously and never go to the point of insulting his intelligence as Morganna does with Ryuji in the vanilla game and Royal. I also really liked Mitsuru’s interactions with Junpei. I know he has a girlfriend, he says so in the game, but I see nothing of her so I’d be lying if I didn’t say I somewhat ship the two after her nervousness inviting him to have tea with her and his desperation to protect her when he found out how hard she was trying to get along with him.

Junpei: Junpei has one thing that Ryuji and Yosuke do not have: confidence. Though Ryuji and Yosuke both front confidence it’s often incredibly easy to see the weak points in their facade and to deflate them. Junpei is able to far better stand his ground even when he’s being belittled. He is definitely more reckless than the two as a result, confidence is a double-edged sword, but he’s learned better than them the lesson of feeling good about himself. I do love how Ren can consistently support his ‘Greatest Detective Ever’ declaration and basically took every chance to do so. He luckily seems to lack any of the perversion tendencies, although as I’ve said in PQ2 the same is true of basically everyone, although I do sorta wish we got a bit more on his girlfriend if she’s so important to him. I get because she won’t appear and you won’t see her the game doesn’t want to waste time on a character we learn nothing about, but at certain points it felt off that Junpei doesn’t comment on her at all. 

Interesting:

These are characters I found interesting, easily as interesting as the ones above, but for personal reasons just don’t like quite as much.

Yukari: Oh boy, Yukari. Let’s start with my problem with her before I move on to why I find her so interesting. Put simply Yukari is mean. Whilst with both Ryuji and Yosuke I was pleased to see that despite being the ‘bro’ characters, PQ2 avoided constantly haranguing on them. Not so for Yukari and Junpei, yeesh! Junpei can barely open his mouth without Yukari insulting him, sometimes really rather severely. My problem is that she often insults Junpei just cause he’s too boisterous, or  confident. It just gets...well it gets like Ryuji in the vanilla game or Royal, it feels mean-spirited, particularly since Junpei never reacts by laughing or quipping back, but always by just deflating and sorta whimpering. I didn’t like it. With that said Yukari is still a very interesting character too me because she has an incredibly well-defined character. She is intelligent, emotionally so, perceptive to other’s feelings and has a very sharp wit and tongue, both to put down others and help them. Her interactions with the P3 Female Protagonist are interesting and she is often very insightful actually. I will also confess, to a slight extent, the sheer extent of her nastiness towards Junpei did make me, somewhat, feel as if the two must at least be close, they rarely ever say anything without the other chiming in, so I can see a bit of myself shipping it...but as a terrible mistake the two swear to never tell anyone else and eventually realize is just overall unhealthy for them. 

Ken: Ken plays a pretty well-worn archetype and he plays it fine: the earnest young boy with an edge, wise-beyond-his-years in some senses, but wet-behind-the-ears in others, with a strong hero complex tainted by a bit of an extreme edge. Ken is interesting but less fun to me just because he is somewhat predictable in the role he fulfills, which just isn’t my personal preference. I think he has amazing chemistry, and potential, with Akechi and Futaba and wish he got to interact more with both. His interactions with Ryuji, Ann and Morganna in their Special Ticket together is also absolutely great and again I wish him and Ryuji had more consistent interaction over the course of the game. But a lot of Ken’s interactions come down to Koromaru, which is fine, just not exactly thrilling. I do think Ken is adorable though, he’s very well-meaning and clearly very hard-working, and I’m a bit surprised that some more of the compassionate PTs, such as Ann, don’t actually regularly comment on or find him endearing. 

Aigis: So I feel like Aigis can come across to players of PQ2 as uncomplicated but that’s only at a surface glance. The thing with Aigis is that she clearly HAS already overcome her primary character conflict, her feelings about being an artificial construct and the meaning of her existence. Throughout the third dungeon she expounds heavily on the conclusions she’s already come too. For many a character completing their character arc becomes boring, but not for me. I found Aigis fascinating and LOVED a robot who, rather than repeating the old and tired song-and-dance of ‘do I feel? do I will?’ already has her answers and also avoids the cliche of ‘robots have no emotions’ by, in her own way, being very emotional. 

Fuuka: I enjoyed Fuuka quite a bit, and find her character a nice counterpart to Rise’s and Futaba’s. Although on the surface she seems to be the ‘shy, shrinking violet’ style of character this isn’t really true. She’s soft-spoken, by comparison to most, yes, but she’s not really shy. What she is, is the more calm and analytical of the three Navigators, less prone to exuberant emotional outbursts, but at the same time clearly more innately compassionate than the other two who are more prone to teasing or mocking. I felt her established interest in technology and mechanisms wasn’t integrated as fully as it could have been, alas perhaps because Futaba seemed to occupy more of that role, but did find that, if you look closely, Fuuka actually does offer some of the best advice to Hikari, and is consistently, along with Ryuji and Futaba, Hikari’s most verbal and ardent supporter and defender.

Uninteresting:

First, note, this does not mean I dislike the characters, I like them all, but these are characters who, in PQ2, I found the least interesting.

Akihiko: I feel so bad for him. So PQ2 really does avoid, for the most part, reducing it’s characters just to gags but Akihiko, man, they really do that with him. He basically only ever says one of two things: (1) I want to fight X (2) Protein-joke. It gets...old. I feel sorry for him because I feel he has potential there but the game seems determined to never explore it. He does have a VERY fun interaction with Chie and Makoto, all three I enjoyed and I can easily see Akihiko as Chie’s mentor and teacher, the two blend together well and have fun chemistry. His interactions with Makoto are also nice since it reveals his deepest character, as he is the one who tells Makoto to acknowledge herself more and sometimes realize that there is more to existence than regimented preparation. I enjoyed his chaotic energy, despite seeming a bit like a leader and an authority figure he’s actually very chaotic and impulsive, living in a more ‘go as the current takes you’ way which makes him adaptable and reactive. Now if only they’d used that for more than protein-related jokes. 

Shinjiro: Poor Shinjiro feels to me like he fell into the trap Kanji avoided. His main problem is just he spends so much time brooding and making tiny statements that we don’t get a feel for him. His other problem is that his most consistent dialogue partner is Akihiko and every single one of their conversations, almost, breaks down into: Akihiko says something about protein or fighting, Shinjiro calls him dumb, repeat. Shinjiro clearly has wisdom and common sense, but he seems to restrain himself from actually imparting it compared to the likes of Makoto, Haru, Ryuji, Naoto or Akechi. The result is he makes less of an impact because he’s the character of the main cast who most visibly feels like he’s withholding himself from the group. He’s like Akechi but more so. Akechi also, in the game, can come across as if he’s minimizing his interactions, but he doesn’t do it quite as much as Shinjiro. 

#pq2 #persona 3

[ask-the-phan-site]

Phan Cam: School Festival Day 2 of 2

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN PERSONA 5 ROYAL SPOILERS. PLUS, THE CHARACTERS MAY OR MAY NOT ALREADY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GAME. ALSO IT CAN GET A BIT LONG.

>October 27

(ignore the time stamp on the picture)

>Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome. The last day of the School Culture Festival.

Welcome to the Shujin Academy School Culture Festival!

Oracle: This is the last day, so whatever you wish to do, better do it now.

Queen: We also have Princess Crystal of Attilan (turns out we got it wrong the whole time) speaking today here to talk of the Inhumans in this school and pretty much all of Japan.

Joker: And at the end, we’ll be having a big dance party. So we hope you can... Get down.

Joker, Fox, Queen, Oracle, and Crow: Enjoy!

Yeesh! Can those smiles be anymore painful? Even to the people coming here?

>We were greeting the Joes which at this moment consisted of Tunnel Rat, Duke, Scarlet, Roadblock, Ripcord, Flint, Lady Jaye, Breaker, Shipwreck, and (I’m not sure if he’s a Joe now or not) Vincent Hauser, Duke’s younger brother.

Queen: You’re here?

We just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought we’d stop by and say hi.

Oracle: (unconvinced) I’m sure.

Alright, alright, we’ll come clean. We’re here because, well, there is an Inhuman here... Actually, a lot of them.

Queen: I promise you all they’re not any trouble.

It’s just a formality. A bunch of army guys and women appearing here. It will give them peace of mind.

Joker: The Avengers and the Future Avengers make everyone feel safe as well.

Crow: And a detective.

It never hurts to be sure.

That’s true. Even superheroes need help.

Fox: He has a point.

I’d rather that we just get this over with. If the Inhuman want to go, they can go.

Don’t be so negative. Some of these people have lived her their whole lives and they may not want to go with the princess.

Although, I’ve heard that Attilan is quite the sight. They may get curious.

Just have faith in them. You’ll see.

Are you sure about that? It’s kind of hard to ignore royalty.

????: Indeed it is. I know this all too well.

>We turn to see Own Burnett, or rather Principal Burnett, coming to us.

Duke: (smirking) Why’s that? Xanatos proved to be too much for you?

I wouldn’t say that. I just have great respect him... I just have some father issues.

Scarlet: I guess I can understand.

Owen: Anyway, I am glad that you all came. Please, enjoy the festivities while you are here.

Flint: We’ll do just that. Thank you.

Vincent: ...

Hmm...

>With that, the Joes come in.

Owen: I think Mr. Amamiya and Ms. Niijima have done enough for now. We can begin that meeting you requested.

Queen: Very well.

Crow: We’ll handle things here without you for now. Good luck.

>With that, we go with Owen to his office. The student council president was waiting for us there. Let’s call him Sugi Meishu.

Owen: So, what is on your mind?

Sugi: Well, for starters, why is David Xanatos’s former assistant doing here?

Owen: If you must know, now that I am no longer of Xanatos Enterprises, I am in need of new employment. However, thanks to a book I read, I thought I could try my luck here in Japan.

Queen: Really? What kind of book?

>Owen takes a tablet out of his desk. He shows us what on it.

I see.

I’ve read that. Not sure what to make of it, though, it did give me a lot of Knowledge and Guts. Maybe even a little Kindness, too.

Owen: Glad to hear of it.

Sugi: I could never understand it.

Owen: However, my time as your principal is limited until they can find a more permanent one. They wanted to see if someone from over seas can safely run this school. Now they are convinced it can. However, they still wish for someone of Japanese origin to be here. But still, they were happy with the results.

Sugi: (a bit happy) That’s good to hear. I’m sure the school district would love to hear our opinions as well.

Owen: I will see to it that they do. Now off, I wish to speak to these two alone.

>With that, Sugi leaves. Now it’s just me, Queen, and Owen.

Owen: It was actually Master Alexander who suggested this book.

Queen: That’s good to hear.

Owen: Yes. I must admit, he knew for a awhile that something was happening here in Japan... Especially after your friend fell into that coma. And even before then, he knew.

Joker: Yes. But he’s awake now as you clearly see.

Owen: Yes... And Master Alexander didn’t have to do anything.

Queen: ... So he told you about the connection...

And that we’re the Phantom Thieves.

Owen: He told me about the connection, yes... But it was you who told me that you were the Phantom Thieves. Just now.

WHAT!?

Shit, I can’t believe we fell for that. That’s the oldest trick in the book.

Owen: I can assure you that you have nothing to fear. Master Alex has asked me no to reveal your identities and I see no reason to reveal them.

Queen: I just hope you are right.

Owen: Anyway, I must go and prepare the announcement.

Queen: What announcement?

Owen: In time. Now I believe you still have some guests to greet.

>We nod and leave.

>Back at the entrance, Fox and Oracle leave Crow alone to take a short break. Then, Crow spots his neighbors, Yushi, Hase, Akira, Isshiki, Akine, Ryu, and Furuhonya. Also with them are the ghosts, Mariko, Kuri, and Shiro the dog, the human yokai, Sato and Yamada, a man with an eye patch known as the Antiquary, and, invisible to everyone but them, a pair of disembodied hands known as Ruriko.

Once again!

Crow: (happy) I’m so glad you could be here.

You have Joutou’s student council president to thank. She decided for the last day that our school and Shujin join our two festivals for the last day... Though I wish not all of our neighbors came.

C’mon, Yushi, we never got to wear these uniforms the past two festivals. Now we have our chance.

Is this still too short?

I think it’s just right.

(I apologize for the next picture.)

Akine: It sort of does.

Mariko: I see nothing wrong with uniforms being short.

It’s a good thing you’re invisible to human eyes.

Not this time. Look a that wall there.

Seriously!? I thought they only did this in Shibuya.

I had a word with the people there. They thought about it and said, “Just this once.”

I’m also glad the Kuri can come with us this time. It’s nice to get him out of the apartment once and awhile.

...

*arf*

Yushi: By the way, I brought that package you told me about. It came in yesterday, but I already went to bed when you got home. Not sure why you wanted me to bring it here.

(taking the package) Just wanted to make sure.

>Then, five more people come up.

If you’re quite done talking, you’re holding up the line.

Sorry.

Now, now, Rui chan. It’s just a quick drop off.

Still, it’s hard tel believe that one of your neighbors, Yushi kun, is the Detective Prince himself.

Crow: (smiling) I’m honored to hear that.

Indeed. And from what I’ve heard... You must suffering so much with your mother gone and your father being a disgraced politician.

I take it you’re Haruka Aoki. Yushi san told me a lot about you.

Aoki: I am. And I just wanted to let you know that if you ever feel like crying, I’m always available.

I am very fine with how things are now, thank you very much.

(sarcastic) I see that.

Crow: My friends and my neighbors are all the best family I’ve ever had. And I am happy for that.

????: That’s the spirit, Akechi kun?

Seta sensei?

Good day, Akechi kun.

It’s good to see you.

I’d rather be going to the Culture Festival at Tokyo U with the others, but I guess this place will be great, too.

>Then, me, Queen, Fox, and Oracle return.

Joker: They keep saying that everyone is waiting to get in.

Yushin: Right. We better go in now.

Furuhonya: See you at the cosplay contest.

>With that, the group goes in.

Crow: Futaba chan, I know you need to get back to work, but can you check something for me, please?

Oracle: Is it something to do with that package?

Crow: Yes. It might be up your ally.

Queen: It’s alight, Futaba, we can handle things here for now.

Oracle: Thanks, you guys.

Crow: Let’s head over to 3-B. That class hasn’t come up with something, so it should be completely empty.

>With that, they leave... I’m curious, so I quickly take out my phone.

Hey, Mona. Can you do something for me?

What’s 👆, Ren? (👁🤔I'm getting better @ texting.)

Try not to use so many emojis next time. Anyway, I think Akechi and Futaba are doing something and I would like to know. Just in case. They’re at Class 3-B. Good luck.

I’m on it.

>Later at Class 3-B, Crow and Oracle sat the box down.

Oracle: What’ in here, Crow?

Crow: You’ll see.

>Crow opens the box and shows her what’s inside...

This... This is... How?

Crow: If you must know...

>Flashback. Sometme after Peter/Spider-Man got his body back and Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus back in his. Otto awoke with a start... But he wasn’t in the hospital.

Wh- Where am I?

>Otto gets up and find that he’s in a cell. Worried, he goes to the bars and looks out.

>Then, the cell door opens and Otto goes out. Then, someone comes to him.

Welcome to the Velvet Room. This place exists between dreams and reality. Mind and matter. Life and death. Only those who have agreed to a sort of contract may enter here. Yet you, Otto Octavius, have not agreed to such a contract.

Otto: But then, how...

Lavenza: However, the Velvet Room is inseparable from the fate of those who come here. Nothing meaningless happens here...

So there must be a reason why one of our guests requested you come here.

Otto: (still a little confused) Requested? Here? Wait, how did I even get here?

Lavenza: You are here, and yet not here. Your body is still sound asleep in the real world. You are here in your dreams.

Otto: (getting it) I see. I guess that explains why I’m not groggy here.

????: Glad you’ve realized that.

>Then someone comes out of the shadows.

Thank you, Lavenza, I can take it from here.

Lavenza: Very well. (steps asaide)

Otto: (a bit surprised) Akechi?

Crow: You probably understand why I’ve called for you here.

Otto: You’re angry at me because I took Peter Parker’s body... Or rather, Spider-Man’s body and completely ruined his life.

Crow: So you know.

Otto: Yes... And that you and your friends are the Phantom Thieves that took my heart over a year ago. Being in Parker’s life helped me figure it out... But after what just happened, I don’t see any reason to reveal your secret. After all, I’m a villain. Who would believe me?

Crow: Glad to hear that.

Otto: Look, I understand what I did was wrong. I tried to be the hero Parker couldn’t, and I failed. Not to mention that you fell into a coma because of what I did. Believe me, if I could, I would turn back time and undo all of it.

Crow: But that won’t help at all. It won’t change the fact that you did do it.

Otto: Don’t you think I know that?

Crow: However, there’s nothing I can do either. I know that Peter wants you to have another chance to become the hero you can be. He’s seen your memories. About your father. So I will give you a another chance as well.

Otto: Well, I’m glad to hear that.

But for me, this is your last chance.

Otto: !

So let me give this one warning: If you ever do something like that ever again...

It’ll be the last thing you ever do. I’ll make sure of it.

Otto: (now a bit shaken)... Y- (a bit of a voice crack there) Yes.

Crow: (back to his cheerful self) Good. Glad we’re on the same page.

Lavenza: It appears you have gained full control of your once dark self.

Crow: Thanks. I’ve been working on it while I was in my coma. Just hope I don’t have to use it the next time we have a heist.

Lavenza: I doubt that. You may have to use it at times. But only when you really have to.

Crow: I’ll try. Now I just have to explain it to the others.

>Crow has now gained Black Mask Mode.

Tutorial

Crow can now use Black Mask Mode.

Black Mask Mode is similar to Orgia Mode. When Crow enters it, his costume will change to his Black Mask one and his attack power and Persona Skills will double for 3 turns. When it passes, Crow will revert to his regular form and will enter a cool down state for three turns which will cost him some HP and unable to act.

Once in Black Mask Mode, you cannot exit it. You must wait until it passes.

Otto: Still, I wish you could make it up to you. I’ve made you miss so much of your life already.

>Crow thought for a moment. Then, he spoke.

Crow: Well, this is one thing you could do.

Otto: What?

Crow: ... You know that costume you wore during your “experience”.

Otto: My Superior Spider-Man suit? What about it?

I would like to have it.

Otto: (a bit surprised) Are you serious?

Crow: I would like to have it as a reminder of what I just said.

Otto: ... Very well. If that’s what it takes to make up for what I did, I’ll send it to you.

Thank you.

>Suddenly, a ringing sound came.

Lavenza: It is time to return to the real world. Return and regain whatever rest you have left.

Otto: So... See you around? I promise next time I won’t fail you... Or destroy you... What ever you don’t like me doing to you.

Sure. Why not?

>Back in the present.

Oracle: I see. So you want me to check it just in case Doc Oct left behind any “nasty surprises”?

Crow: Pretty much.

Oracle: Well, alright. It should be a quick check up. I’ve always heard of stuff like this happening.

>After a few short minutes, Oracle was finished with her analysis.

Oracle: I’ve checked it. All good. I guess he even had it pressed. Though, some of the technology might still be usable. Including the spider arms.

Crow: That sound useful. How nice of Otto.

Hey, you should try it on.

Crow: Alright. Just to make sure it was worth the wait.

>So, Crow changes out of his fancy suit and into the costume.

Be brutally honest. How do I look?

It’s... It’s certain way different from the one Peter usually wears. The one he gave you.

But you have to admit, Otto does have some taste.

>Crow has received the Superior Spider-Man Costume.

 Tutorial

Crow can now wear the Superior Spider-Man Costume. There are only two ways you can see him wear it. No matter which one you go by, Crow has to be wearing the Spider-Man Costume.

To see him wear it in field, go to a place that requires you to use a grappling hook or climb. Instead of a grappling hook, Crow will use Web Shooters. When climbing, Crow will use the costume’s robot spider arms.

To see him wear it in battle, simply enter Black Mask Mode. This, however, will not effect Crow in battle. When Black Mask Mode passes, Crow will return to his regular Spider-Man Costume until he enters Black Mask Mode again.

Crow: I see even the scanners working...

Since I’ve noticed two people spying on us.

>Oracle quickly turn to the door and saw Mona... and Vincent.

Oracle: How much did you hear?

Quite enough.

Vincent: ...

>Vincent quickly and quietly leaves.

Mona: I wonder what he’s up to?

Oracle: Anyway, I think we should tell the others.

Crow: I think it’s for the best that we do.

>With Vincent, he takes his phone out and begins typing something on it. Then, Duke arrives.

Duke: Is everything alright, Vince?

Vincent: (putting his phone away) It’s... It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. Who would have thought a Japanese Culture Festival would be this much.

Duke: Maybe... Actually, you’ve been tired a lot these days. I’ve noticed you haven’t gotten much sleep.

Vincent: I’m fine. I’ll just go to the rest area. I’ll meet you up for the speech.

>With that, Vince leaves. Duke just stares, a little worried about his younger brother.

>Later, after Crow, Oracle, and Mona told us what happened with Otto, we were a little surprised. But we decided to let him keep the suit if that’s what he really wants. I just hope he knows what he’s doing.

>Later on, we finally finished greeting people coming to the festival for the day. Luckily, I have time before the speech, so I decide to check out the rest of the festival. So, after I changed back to my uniform, I check my phone to see if anyone wanted to spend it with me. I have three messages. One from Fox, one from my dad, and one from... Vincent Hauser. I decide to check Fox first. I wonder what my boyfriend would like to do?

Ren, I would like us to check on what the Art Club is doing. Can you come?

I’ll be there. I want to see, too.

Thank you. And there’s something I want to tell you. I would tell you over the phone, but I think I should tell you in person.

>With that, I go to the Art Room.

>At the Art Room, everyone is too preoccupied with Akira’s “art demonstration” (and his uniform). Fox is also watching until he notices me.

Ren, you’ve made it.

I’m here. So, what is it you want to talk about?

??????: You’ll see.

Aren’t you...

I’m a distant relative of Yusuke’s... But that’s not why I’m here and what he was going to tell you.

Fox: He’s right.

Joker: What is it?

Fox: Well, as you know, if I had a mother...

Then I must have a father.

Joker: (surprised) Are you serious?

Goemon: Yusuke’s mother entrusted me with his identity before she died. Since he’s almost finished with high school, I thought it was time to tell him the truth. His father is alive and well.

Joker: Why didn’t he come to find him after his mother died? I can understand why you didn’t come for him.

Fox: Goemon ojisan said he and my mother separated before learning she was pregnant. So I guess he doesn’t know I exist. The reason they left each other is because my father was still in his last year of high school when he met my mother who was his art teacher. At first, it was just tutoring because his grades in art were slipping. But as time went on, their relationship only grew until they ended up having romantic feelings for each other. They were only in bed with each other once. But not too long afterwards, the school found out and my mother was forced to quit her job so her student wouldn’t get expelled. He already had a promising future as a race car driver. Not too long after that, my mother found out she was pregnant with me. Since she had no job, she went to the only person left in her life. Her art teacher...

Madarame.

Joker: I see. And your father?

Goemon: There was a DNA test. The student is definitely Yusuke’s father. But she asked that he never find out. By the time Yusuke was born, he was already famous for winning his first race. And learning that he was a father at such a young age and with an older woman would only ruin his reputation. So, we kept quiet. But now that Yusuke’s a man, the time has come to tell him the truth.

Joker: Does your father know about you know?

Fox: No. But I suspect that he has to know sooner or later. My mother didn’t want him to know. Though, I suppose she wanted to tell him herself after learning he would take part in what is known as the World Race on Highway 35, but she never got the chance.

Joker: Yeah, you were only 3 when the race took place and your mother died around the same time. And I’m guessing Madarame wouldn’t tell him either so he could have you to himself... Or rather, your art talent.

Goemon: I would have done something about it, but you know I can’t actually return to Tokyo.

Fox: I understand. You were already wanted by the authorities and your enemies. I would only be put in danger.

Joker: What will you do now? Are you going to go looking for your dad?

Fox: Not right away. I still have to finish school. Maybe after. And...

Ren, I would like you to come with me.

Joker: Of course, Yusuke, you know I would do anything for you. And you would do the same. I’ll go with you to find your father.

Fox: Thank you, Ren. I know our love for each other is only fanmade, but thank you.

Goemon: That’s good to hear.

Joker: By the way, who is your father? We know he took part in the World Race. And he’s probably Japanese since he went to high school here.

Goemon: Technically, he’s Japanese American. He’s father insisted he go to school here. He’s... someone whose element opposes Yusuke’s.

Joker: That only narrows it down to one. You mean...

Goemon: Yes, Yusuke’s mother told me so... It’s Taro Kitano.

You weren’t kidding when you said he’s a famous racer.

Goemon: Yes. During the first World Race, he was the leader of the Scorchers. Two years later, he left to join Metal Maniacs. However, and this was off the record until recently, things happened and he decided that being in the Metal Maniacs wasn’t working out for him. So he left and returned to the Scorchers.

Joker: Yeah, I heard. He claimed that only left because “the Scorchers were lost without me”... But in reality, we all know he was the one who is lost without the Scorchers. And after a year with them he regained leadership. They’re now all living in Los Angeles, waiting for the the return of the World Race. Which is going to be very long since the secrets of Highway 35 is now lost after the race’s creator, Dr. Peter Tezla, passed away. Even his old assistant robot, Gig, doesn’t know how to open it. So these days, most of the racing teams that were involved in the World Race, including the Scorchers, are just entering smaller races and street races.

Fox: Of course, we’ve seen impossible things happen before.

Goemon: That’s true. Maybe the World Race will return. It’s only a matter of time.

Fox: For him, I hope so. I know he would probably love it.

Goemon: Speaking of time, I should be going. It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes me and calls the police.

Joker: Right. Well, see ya... And one more thing.

Goemon: What’s that?

Tell my favorite cousin I said hi.

Goemon: (smiling a bit) I will.

>With that, he leaves.

Fox: (a bit surprised) Ren, I didn’t know you two were related.

Joker: Only in spirit. He knows that my Initial Persona and my Third Tier Persona are both based on his grandfather. So I like to play with the idea that we are family.

Fox: (laughing a bit) That’s actually quite clever.

Joker: Thanks.

Fox: Also, there’s something else I want to tell you.

Joker: What is it?

Fox: I’ve decided. After I’ve finished school...

I’m moving in with you at the cafe.

Are you serious? That’s... That’s wonderful.

Fox: Yes. I’m tired of having to only be with you once a week and holidays. I want to be with you always.

Joker: What about college?

Fox: We can still go. But I can no longer stay in the dorms and I don’t have enough for an apartment. And even if I did, it would just feel lonely without you.

Joker: I know. Mona said that he’s still trying to convince Ann’s parents to let her and him move in together now that he has a human form. Obvious they object to the idea, even Ann.

Akira: (who heard the whole thing after finishing his demonstration) That girl is definitely like her Persona. They are both free-loving spirits. Anyway, Akechi’s already spoken to Mona and he keeps telling him that he’s very welcome to move to our place which we would be happy with.

Joker: What did he say?

Akira: He said he’ll think about it. But I’m sure he’ll come around, but I doubt he’ll ever give up chasing that girl.

Fox: (laughing a bit) Good to hear somethings never change.

Joker: Anyway, I’m just so glad that we’ll be living together from now on.

Fox: And we didn’t even have to ask a magic counselor to do it.

It’s just us.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

>With that, we embrace in a passionate kiss. Everyone in the Art Room saw us and applauded us.

Joker: (finishing up) Speaking of fathers and family, I should check up on what my dad wanted.

>I check my phone.

Hey, Ren, I want to talk to you about something... It’s... It’s about Adi.

What is it?

We’ll tell you at the counselor’s office.

I’ll be there.

Fox: If you don’t mind, I would like to know what it is, as well.

If you don’t mind, Yusuke wants to come, too.

Alright. I think he might want to hear this too if he wants.

Joker: Let’s go.

Fox: Very well.

>At the counselor’s office, we meet with Dad and Adi.

You made it. You as well, Yusuke.

Fox: Yes.

Joker: What is it you wanted to tell me?

Well, you might want to sit down. This could be difficult to process.

>We sit.

Jonny: As you probably know about Ryuji’s relation to Makoto.

Yes, I know.

>Skull told us the whole story just after Crow awoke.

>Flashback. Crow’s hospital room. We were gathered around with Skull’s mother.

Years ago, when I was still a baby, Hydra had already begun workin' on what is known as the “Emerald Rain Project”. Makoto, or Hurricane, was born from it. But...

They can’t just make a body with nothin'.

Joker: What do you mean?

Skull: That power still needed a body to hold it in. They needed genetic makeup that could handle it. So they searched all the governments in world and they found him... Alexander Paine, my father. However, gettin’ a DNA sample was difficult since Paine already workin’ as a double agent. So they had to settle for the next best thing.

Mrs. Sakamoto: (no serious picture available) They wanted our son. It happened when I was coming in for what I thought was our yearly blood test. That took Ryu kun’s blood and mine. However, after the examined our blood... They saw my blood had much more potency then my son’s. So they took my blood instead.

They made someone from your blood.

Skull: Yes. They then combined it with the Emerald Rain...

and created Makoto.

Makoto was made from your mother? But, in a way, that would make him...

Yup, that would make Makoto... my biological younger brother.

>We were all quiet.

Skull: But we’re not gonna let it completely change our lives. We know that we’re related, but we’ll continue livin' our lives. But won’t be distancin’ ourselves. He’ll be visitin’ us a little more often, but his home is in New York with the Avengers and the Future Avengers.

Why are you telling us this now?

Skull: After what happened with Akechi, I think I should tell you now before somethin’ else happens.

>Back in the present.

Adi: I see. He told you.

Joker: He has... But what does this have to do with it?

Adi: I think... I think it was fate that me and Makoto know each other.

Joker: What do you mean?

Jonny: After seeing Adi perform the same trick you did at the club with the billiard table, I thought it was a bit odd. So I asked Tony Stark to do a check. When you were still a baby, your mother and I took you in for a blood test... The doctor who performed it was a Hydra agent.

Adi: The scientists then turned your blood into sperm and gave it to a female agent... The same one who bore me.

Fox: But if that’s true, that would mean...

No, it’s not possible.

Adi: This is why I asked you two to sit down. Ren Amamiya, a DNA test confirmed. You, in a biological sense... Are my father and I’m your son.

WHAT!?

(A little reminder, this is a fanmade timeline. In reality, there are no actual relations between certain characters... Other than the fact that they were either from ATLUS or share the same English voice actors.)

Adi: I’m sorry. I know this must come as a shock to you. You’ve already been though so much with your friends and don’t need anymore drama in your life.

Joker: I... I know. It’s just so much to absorb. Me? A father? I haven’t even graduated yet.

Adi: I’m not asking you to take me in. The Avengers already claimed that job. I just thought that you should know. And I also wanted to let you know that things don’t have to change because of this. I’ve learned that a hero known as Superman went though a similar situation as you do. However, instead of acknowledging Superboy as his son, they refer to each other as brothers. I don’t know if you’ll do the same with me, but I just wanted you to let you know.

Joker: ... I guess, I still need to time to think it over. But I guess it does mean that we’re related. I’m not sure if I’m ready to call you my son and me your father yet. But I guess I can consider you my brother for now. And maybe someday...

We would call ourselves parent and child.

Adi: You mean it?

Joker: We’ll see. But if you ever need anything, I'm right here.

Adi: ... (a little more happier) Thank you.

>I can feel Adi’s trust and happiness in me. I feel closer to him now.

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh they chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Crossing Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…

Confidant: Codec

Arcana: Crossing (This Arcana is made up for this Confidant.)

Rank: 1

Ability: Technical Act

Adi will help Admin track down more Mementos targets no matter which Mementos it is.

Jonny: I’m glad we got this over with.

Joker: I know. But why would you help him try to talk to me? He can just come to me any time.

Jonny: I was the first person Adi told. In a way, that makes him my grandson, or rather, my son if what you say is true. I guess I just thought I could help him if this gets hard. You’re still a kid after all.

Joker: Actually, I just turned 18. I’m a man now.

Jonny: And a good man indeed. I’m proud of you, son.

Thanks, Dad.

>I can feel our bond getting stronger.

Rank Up!

Confidant: Chief

Arcana: Daylight

Rank: 3

Ability: Pass with Riding Colors

You will gain a higher score on your Driving Test.

Joker: Will you be staying for the speech?

Jonny: Why not? I better go, I promised your mother I’d show her how a haunted house works.

Adi: Yeah, they probably don’t have those on her homeworld.

>Dad laughs a bit and leaves.

Adi: He really seems like a good father.

Joker: He sure is.

Adi: Though I wish I knew.

Joker: Knew what?

Adi: If his last name is Argia... Why is your last name Amamiya? Is it your mother’s maiden name?

Joker: Technically...

It’s because I’m the nameless and silent protagonist of a video game where everything about me, including my name, personality, past, interests, and even my love life are decided by the player.

Adi: I... Guess that makes sense.

Fox: Ren, can I ask something?

Joker: What is it?

Fox: If you do decide to take up the role as Adi’s father...

Do you think he would mind two?

>I laugh. Adi can’t help but crack a smile, too. We then put our hands on each other’s shoulders.

Adi: Don’t worry, I have no problem with that.

Joker: By the way, what made you curious about who your father is?

Adi: Well, I know it sounds strange but... It came to me in a dream. I’ve been dreaming about you ever since... Since the second day of the Dream Festival... Since I heard you sing.

Joker: Me sing?

Adi: Yes. I think that’s what drove to pull that trick you did with the billiard table. I thought it was just a thought. But now I know. I think... I think we’re connected.

Joker: Connected? My song?

Fox: Ren?

>I think about it... I put the pieces together... And I finally get the picture.

I think I finally know how Ryuji ,Akechi, Harry, Peter, and all those other people became connected... And it’s not just because they share the same voice actors.

Adi: You know? Then tell us.

Joker: I’ll tell you... After the festival. Right now, I’ve still got one more person to check on.

>I check my phone.

You’re that guy who was with my brother, right? I want to talk to you.

About what?

I’ll tell you in person.

Alright, I’ll listen to what you have to say.

Thanks. I’ll meet you on the school rooftop.

Alright. BTW, what kind of icon is that?

... A falcon. I was originally going to use an eagle, but that sort of hurt. So I went with a falcon.

Adi: I would like to come, too. I have a feeling I know where this is going.

Fox: Same here. I’m coming, too.

>We nod and go to the roof.

>The school rooftop. The Gardening Club were showing the guests what they have been growing with Noir and Isshiki helping.

That’s amazing, Haru chan!

Thank you, Isshi kun.

>We then notice Vincent sitting at one of the desks nearby. Noir notices as well.

Noir: And on that note, that’s all we can demonstrate. Crystal HIme’s sppech will begin soon. But don’t worry, Tokyo University has an open exhibit every Saturday. We’ll see you then.

Isshiki: We will.

>With that, everyone leaves. Now it’s just me, Vincent, Fox, Adi, and Noir.

Joker: Let me guess, you’re here because you’ve been having weird dreams where you’re someone else.

Vincent: So it’s that obvious, huh?

It’s been going around, lately.

Adi: So, what can you tell us about your dream?

Vincent: Well, depending on what I’ve heard your friends said... Otto Octavius. Or should I say, Doctor Octopus.

Noir: You’ve been dreaming about him?

Vincent: Yes. And when he swapped bodies with Spider- Peter Parker, I started feeling weak.

Noir: I think that was from the swap. But I guess you’re better now that he and Peter are back in the own bodies.

Vincent: Yeah, I am. But it’s not just Doc Oct I’ve been dreaming about. I’ve also been dreaming about a version of Robin, a Planeteer, a grotesque version of Pinnochio, a young man scared of technology, another young man with two swords (though that one’s faint), a boy with a scar, a cloned agent, a shape-changing hero, a super fan of Ben Tennyson as well as Tennyson’s future son (I think), one of the 7D, a student who is also from New York, and bunch else.

Fox: But one of them stuck out the most, didn’t it. Which one?

Vincent: ... Yes... But I don’t think I’m ready to tell you. I need to know you’re legit.

Noir: What do you mean?

Vincent: I know that you’re the Phantom Thieves. Don’t ask how I know. Maybe it was because of the change of heart you gave me two years ago, maybe it was the connection. But don’t worry, Duke didn’t tell me. And if you want to know what I’ve been dreaming about, I need to know that you might be able to help.

Joker: With what?

>Suddenly, I sense something on the fence. We look up and someone comes down.

...

Snake Eyes san!? You’re here, too!?

????: Yes, my sensei thinks you might be able to help someone he knows.

>Another appears near him.

It’s... another Snake Eyes.

Adi: (puzzled) Another Snake Eyes?

Joker: Yes, there are other versions of you Joes.

Fox: And every version of Snake Eyes all know each other. Even before the connection.

Adi: How is that possible? They can’t even talk.

Snake Eyes: ...

Jinx: Just trust him. Actually, it’s someone the other Snake Eyes knows. He’s known as Lt. Stone. He and that Snake Eyes are part of a version of the team known as “Sigma 6″. I would tell you more, but Sensei insists that Snake Eyes tell you himself.

Noir: Are you serious?

Vincent: Just do this. If you do, then I’ll tell why the person I’m dreaming about got my attention.

Okay, we’ll do it.

Vincent: You will? ... Thanks.

Joker: Does Duke know about this?

Vincent: I think he’s a little preoccupied with connection dreams of his own. Something about a firefighter with a giant robot, the second Kid Flash, a squid boy, an anthropomorphic dog, an evil warrior, two young men in wheelchairs, a gay superhero, and a bunch of others I can’t even point out.

Adi: (a bit surprised) That must be a lot.

Announcement: Attention everyone! Our guest speaker will begin her speech soon. After that, we have our cosplay contest and dance party. If you wish to attend, please make your way to the gym. Thank you and we hope to see you all again at next year’s festival.

Noir: We better go, I don’t want to miss Crystal Hime’s speech.

Joker: And I entered the cosplay contest.

Jinx: Yeah, I read it in the program. It’s in three categories: Japanese High School, Halloween, and Superhero.

Joker: I’ve entered in Halloween.

Vincent: ... I’ve entered in... Superhero.

Jinx: (a bit puzzled) You entered?

Vincent: (frustrated) Roadblock and Ripcord conned me into it. It just happened.

>So, we went to the gym.

>in the gymnasium, everyone who is attending the festival gathered as Princess Crystal and President Sugi are on the stage.

Sugi: Attention everyone, Princess Crystal of Attilan is here to address everyone here. Both human and Inhuman. Alright, Crystal sama, the floor’s yours.

Thank you, President Meishu. (goes up to the podium) Students and staff of Shujin Academy, human, Inhuman, and otherwise, I have come to you this day, the last day of the School Culture Festival, to offer a chance on behalf of my brother-in-law, King Black Bolt, to come to settle in the Inhuman City of Attilan. Now keep in mind, this is your choice alone. I cannot make it for you. Nor can my sister, her husband, or the rest of my family. Since most of the world has already accepted you for who and what you are, but we would like to wish that you could come and experience life with other Inhumans. Of course, you are aloud to visit instead. And if you do wish to move to Attilan, do not be alarmed. You can visit Earth and your loved ones as many times as you like. No matter what species you are, whether you’re visiting or moving, you still need a passport. Our only wish is that we foster peace between us all. We only hope that you will give us your answers. Thank you. Now, does anyone have any questions?

>A lot of hands shoot up.

Princess Crystal: (unimpressed) Any questions that doesn’t talk about how cool my family is or if I’m seeing anyone.

>Some hands came down. Most of them were guys.

Princess Crystal: Yes, you there.

Inhuman Female Student: Yes, about moving to your city, can my boyfriend, my friend, and her boyfriend move in with me? They’re not Inhuman, but they do have powers. My boyfriend is a metahuman, my friend's a mutant, and her boyfriend’s a NEXT. Is that alright?

Princess Crystal: They might move in with you, though, I must caution your mutant friend. The Terrigen Mist we have with us is dangerous to her kind. She might get M-Pox. However, we have a friend who is a mutant scientist, Dr. Hank McCoy. I think he might work on something. And M-Pox has been proven to be treatable. So, yes, they can move in with you. Who else has a question? How about you?

Inhuman Male Teacher: How is the employment rate in your city? I’ve been a teacher for four years and I’m not about to quit just yet.

Pricness Crystal: You don’t need worry about that. If you still wish to teach, we have plenty of learning facilities to choose from. Of course, for other employment, well, we Inhuman do not use money much, but you can still work if you so desire. Most of the goods in Attilan are either given away or traded. Now anymore questions?

>Meanwhile, backstage...

She makes a compelling argument.

Are you thinking of taking up her offer?

Kei: That depends, will Makoto be coming with me? And my kaiju?

I guess I can go with. Just remember, we are still from Earth. But I’m happy wherever I am as long as the people I love are there... Especially you, Kei.

Kei: (smiling) That’s true.

>The two boys shared a short hug.

Princess Crystal: Well, that’s all the questions I can answer. Thank you for your time. Now I return you to your student council president.

Sugi: Thank you, Crystal sama. Now, for the cosplay contest! We have three categories: Japanese High School, Halloween, and Superhero. Now, could our contestants for Japanese High School, please come forward.

>The cosplayers come on stage. I could tell Mariko is the most excited as she’s hoping to win.

Mariko: (smirking) I’ve got this one in the bag.

Sugi: And the winner is... A late entry... Teddie Teddison?

Mariko: (shocked) WHAT!?

I’m so glad you all chose little ol’ moi. I haven’t been this honored at a school festival since Yasogami did its cross-dressing pageant. Thank you all!

Mariko: (angry) Why that little- I’ll have to find out where he’s staying and give him a good haunting.

Akine: (smiling threat) Do you want me to exorcise you?

Noir: How is Teddie san even here?

Mona: I invited him. Something about “us mascots sticking together”. Especially now I have a human form just like him. Way to go, Teddie senpai!

Sugi: Now, on to Halloween. Will the contestants please come forward?

>The cosplayers, including myself, come forward.

To set the record straight, I’m not Harry Potter.

>I notice that Panther is in the contest, too.

(This is as much of her costume as we’ll show to avoid being flagged.)

(whisper) Good luck, Ren.

(also whispering) You, too.

Sugi: And the winner is... Ann Takamaki!

>The audience cheered as Panther got her prize.

Thank you all!

Male Student: You go, Takamaki! That costume makes you look-

Don’t even go there.

Sugi: Now on to our final category. Will our Superheroes come up, please.

>The cosplayers come up. I see Crow still dressed like a Featherman.

Think what you like, this is the best I could come up with. And using anything webby would feel like cheating.

Female Student as Dragon Kid: (blushing) I don’t know what you mean, but you really look cool in that Featherman costume.

Sugi: And the winner is... Yest another late entry...

>A spotlight turns on... What the...

Duke: (shocked) Vince?

Sugi: (amazed) That is a real great costume! What are you?

Vincent: (thinking to himself) I can’t believe I’m doing this. Ripcord, Roadblock, you owe me. (out loud in a heroic voice) The name’s Stretch, leader of the Flex Fighters, and one of the stretchiest heroes in Charter City!

Sugi: Really? Like Plastic Man, Elongated Man, Mr. Fantastic, and Ms. Marvel?

Vincent: Those are his main powers.

Sugi: There you have it, everyone, our contest winner!

>Everyone applauded.

Sugi: Well, that it for the cosplay contest. We will begin our dance party and the closing ceremony shortly.

>Backstage.

Duke: Wow, Vince, I didn’t think you could do something like that.

(Vincent insisted we use this picture to remind us it’s not what you think)

(groans) Ripcord did the wig and Roadblock gave me the suit he had his grandmother made. They said, “If you can do this, we’ll get Tunnel Rat off my back about turning you guys in for a month.”

Ripcord: Actually, since you won, we’ll make it a year.

Duke: (unimpressed) So you’re saying you conned my brother into doing this.

Ripcord: Hey, it’s Tunnel Rat’s fault he still won’t let go.

Tunnel Rat: He has a point. I know you’re tired of hearing this, but... Seriously, Duke, your kid brother?

Duke: I already made it clear, he just wanted to protect our folks.

Vincent: Besides, isn’t getting my heart taken by the Phantom Thieves enough?

Tunnel Rat: ... I’ll get back to you on that.

(back in uniform) Tunnel Rat, a happy ball of sunshine, you are most definitely not.

Tunnel Rat: Tch. Whatever.

Sugi: Now, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. It’s time for the yearly...

Shujin After Party!

Eveyone: (cheering)

Sugi: We prepared a surprise event! Members of the dance group! C’mon!

Wait, that guy on the far left of the stage... Sakamoto senapi!?

Hey, guys! Betcha you didn’t see this comin’!

Vincent: (back in his regular clothes) You’re in idol, so we kind of did see this coming!

Sugi: Alright, everyone, dance against them like you want to win!

Violet: At times like this, you stand out if you’re the only one isn’t dancing. Let’s dance as well!

Looks like it’s show time!

>Before I knew it, Violet, Roadblock, and even Flint are dancing.

Flint: (looking nervously at Lady Jaye) What? It’s a catchy song.

Violet: (smiling) You’re good, senpai!

Sugi: Alright, now that the assembly’s gotten warmed up, let’s change the song! At a festival at JTB, he blew everyone’s minds, now let’s see him do it again! Let’s give a big welcome to...

Naomi Chiaki!

This should be interesting. Let’s see if Inaba was right.

>What happens next can only be described in this post by Bishonenlover☆.

Sugi: Thank you, Chiaki sensei!

Inhuman Male Student: I should totally transfer to JBT if I’m not going to the moon!

Sugi: And now for our last dance the the evening! So, will Sumire Yoshizawa come to the center of the dance floor!

Violet: (surprised) Me?

Sugi: Who better to dance the big finale than the one who killed it at Dream FES? And to make it better... Vincent kun will be dancing with you?

Vincent: (shocked) Me!?

Sugi: Right, that’s the prize for best Superhero cosplay. A dance with one of the school’s most popular students.

Vincent: I don’t have a choice, do I? ... Fine. But if I look ridiculous...

Violet: (reassuring) Don’t worry, I won’t let that happen. Now come on!

>Violet takes Vincent by the hand and drags him out to the dance floor... Is he blushing?

(Insert song: Colors Flying High)

>Then, I notice someone on a balcony... Guess Roxie Richter hasn’t learned her lesson from last time... But I don’t think we have to worry. At that moment, Snake Eyes, Jinx, and, who I can only guess is Storm Shadow, surround her.

You Arashikage trash better back off! This is between me and that slut down there.

As if we take orders from someone whose clan is as broken as yours.

Roxie Richter: Well sorry if I’m only Half-Ninja! Fine, I’m leaving. But this isn’t over!

>With that, she leaves... We really need to keep an eye out for her.

Violet: (finishing her dance) I have to say, you’re not so bad on your feet.

Vincent: (also finished) Well, playing football and my training at West Point made me quite nimble.

Violet: (a bit surprised) Oh, you’ve already started going there?

Vincent: Yeah, I got in on a football scholarship. They say I’m doing well and that I might have a place... with the Green Berets.

Violet: (smiling happily) That’s good to hear. I hope you make it.

Vincent: (blushing a bit) Th- Thanks.

Lady Jaye: (a little happy) Looks like Vince made a new friend.

Duke: (happy for his little brother) Yeah, I guess he did.

As long as he doesn’t try anything funny, I’m okay with it.

Duke: I take it you’re her dad.

Admin’s Notes

We don’t know much about how this works. Has anyone who graduated from West Point ever become a Green Beret? Please let us know at our sister page.

P.S. No, we’re not with Cobra or terrorists. We’re just making sure we haven’t made any mistakes.

Sugi: And now we come to the end of another School Festival. To close us off, Principal Owen Burnett will give us his announcement.

Owen: Thank you, Mr. Meishu. I am glad I got to be here in time for the festival. And thank you, Princess Crystal for that speech. Now, I know most of you have never known who your principal is since the ‘departure’ of your previous one, but now, here I am. And I promise, in the time I have here, I will try to make things here at Shujin Academy better than they were before. I will not disappoint.

>A decent amount of applauding can be heard.

Owen: Now for a couple of changes that I wish to announce that will only be in effect while I am here. We will be adding two more to the staff. They should be no strangers as they have part of this staff before. First off, let us welcome back... Takuto Maruki.

It’s so good to be back here at Shujin. After a bit of soul searching, I’m back in action. I’m ready to help you all... In the real way.

>The crowd, especially the girls, all cheered loudly.

(This gif is originally from angelnanime. Sorry, but it would just be criminal not to include this scene.)

>The crowd, especially the girls, all giggled, but are happy that Takuto (he insisted we not hide his name for personal reasons) is back... I hope he keep his promise.

Owen: And last, but now least, and you will probably will be very unhappy for allowing this, but apparently, he’s be declared rehabilitated and they convinced me to give him back his old position. But I promise you, during this time, he will be on probation. If he repeats his crime or performs any other illegal action, I have orders to report him to the police.

A teacher on probation? Wait...

HELL NO! THEY CAN’T DO THIS!

Skull: Relax, Ann. I don’t think it’s actually-

?????????: Heads up!

>The volleyball is quickly cough by Owen, effortlessly.

Shocked Male Student: No way, what’s he doing here!?

Appalled Female Student: Great, does this mean I’m going to be groped by him?

I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry, I promise those days are over. I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t be doing anymore abuse or harassment while I’m here. And I also promise that the remainder of this school year will be the best. And by the end of it...

You might never want me to leave again.

>We all couldn’t believe it. Our first target is back at Shujin... Something tells me things are about to get more interesting.

#phantom thieves cam

[twilightknight17]

Today on Royal: Pain! :’D

He’s eating the map and I’m getting steadily more weirded out by all of this the longer it goes on.

I’m definitely worried now. Where the fuck is the Velvet Room. How is he powerful enough to override the Velvet Room?

So he wants me to see “his reality”. Which means going out and seeing how happy all of Akira’s friends are. And they are happy! ...but not happy enough that a few well-placed dialogue choices can’t start poking holes in the story they’ve been fed. Maruki’s not perfect at this. And honestly, he’s taken Akira’s friends, not given him anything. We went from everyone wanting to spend time with Akira to everyone having other things to do. Ryuji doesn’t even know why they’re friends. Thinking about how they met is what starts to crack his illusion.

While I was looking for my friends, I ran across this couch outside the furniture store in Kichijoji.

Examining it yields only this:

So now I gotta go back to Kichijoji after it frees me from the plot so I can see what’s up with this conspicuously Velvet blue couch.

(I will say, if I have one complaint about this part, is that it’s six days of the same thing. Wake up, locate Friend, see how they’re doing, return home, spend evening in bed contemplating whether this is a good thing because Friend is happy. You can’t do anything else, see how any of your other confidants are doing... What does Iwai’s ideal world look like? Takemi’s? Hifumi’s?)

I think out of everyone I feel the most bad for Morgana.

I mean, he spends half the game as it is worrying that he’s some sort of monster instead of a human. And now that he’s human and I’ve gone and jabbed a hole in his dream, he’s spending a week growing more and more afraid as he realizes that something isn’t right about himself. That’s just straight-up existential terror.

Goro didn’t really find a lot during his week of investigating. Mostly just that Maruki’s been doing cognitive psience stuff since college, and that Okumura and Wakaba are...actually alive.

Does that mean if we end the dream, we’re murdering them?

Not taking the Misericorde with me feels like a betrayal of my role as heir to the title of Trickster, but I can’t really turn down an extra thirty points of attack. X’‘‘D Especially since Goro and I are going into the Palace alone.

Other than the weird security cameras, this place really is beautiful. And apparently the music that I like so much is called “Gentle Madman”. Stop hitting all these fucking tropes I like, Maruki. It’s not fair.

Oh heck, wait, are we doing this now? This is an actual question? I assumed that was for the endgame. Well, if I’m here... The safe room was right downstairs...

Let me be selfish. Just for one moment. Please.

Please.

.....no, wait, this hurts.

This hurts a lot.

Because they deserve this. They all deserve this happiness. I’ve never heard Goro sound that genuinely happy as he did in this ending. But the only way to give them this is to leave them trapped under the will of a dictator. And they deserve better than that.

From the Den:

They’re looking at you. Judging you for the sin of the choice you made.

I find it interesting that while Akira and Goro are clearly looking at you with full knowledge of what you did, the game itself doesn’t seem particularly judgemental. I got the “view the ending” trophy and the option to save clear data, which to me implies that it’s...obviously the wrong choice, but a valid choice regardless. I never got the “Good” Ending in vanilla P5, so I don’t know if that offered the same level of legitimacy. This was treated as a real ending.

[reloading save data]

Of course we can’t accept this reality, why would he even think we would do that? X’‘D

Sumire is throwing a fit because she still wants to be Kasumi, and is getting ready to fight us. Shit. Still, she’s inexperienced, and both of us are strong enough to han--

Goro: I could deal with this, but I’m assuming you want her to leave here alive, right?

It’s sweet of you to take what I want into consideration, but yeah, I’d really rather not kill her, so just tone it dow-- Aaaaand he’s walking away and leaving me to fight her alone. Thanks, honey.

Shoutout to using the same strategy as the battle arena and just equipping something that repels physical. She took her own swords dance to the face and got knocked out.

......what the fuck are you doing? This just looks like torture.

I know for a fact that that’s not Nyarlathotep because I’m pretty sure I’d have had people beating down my door to point it out already. Because crucifixion pose by itself? Common imagery. Tentacles? ...coincidence, probably. But if this had been Nyar puppeteering Maruki or something? I’m one step away from being Super Duper Valid. I already feel pretty valid anyway.

HELLO, Persona 3! Nice(?) to see an out of control persona again. I wonder how close her persona was to reverting to a shadow? Sumire feels like more of a “dungeon” sort of person. Since she’s suppressing something.

But...what was Maruki’s goal here? Beating us into submission? He’s just letting Sumire’s emotional torment go out of control; hell, he’s literally feeding into it with the Biyarkis. He’s using her to fight us, and that’s...disgusting, honestly. You want everyone to be happy, but you’re going to let her throw herself at us over and over? Really?

Why do I feel like all of this “I want you to understand, we can talk, you’ll see things my way”, all of this asking for consent, is bullshit? Does he really want us to see things his way? Or can he actually not alter our reality without consent?

Thank god for the cavalry because this battle was clearly impossible from the first round. I love that the other Thieves have no idea what the fuck is going on, but their leader is in danger so they’re gonna Fight.

I think there’s not. We don’t want to talk. Fuck off. And also stop swiping tropes I like. You’re not Rubicante; you’re not earning my respect by refusing to fight me when I’m tired.

Goro, I know you’re Done with everything, but that’s really not helping.

The Phantom Thieves are momentarily baffled, because it’s clear that we have to change Maruki’s heart, but they’re getting thrown off by the fact that he’s not “evil”. Yeah, he’s not. He has good intentions. But he’s doing bad things to accomplish those intentions. Doing bad things for good reasons is still bad.

...if he wasn’t like this... maybe it would be okay. If he could make everyone happy, erase their trauma, make the world better...without rewriting memories or being a brainwashing dictator... That might not be wrong. But he’s made it pretty clear that he’s on a power trip and doesn’t want dissent, which is no better than Yaldabaoth.

What we did to Futaba and what he’s doing are vastly different things.

...Morgana calls her “Lady Lavenza” and that’s really cute, actually. I’m realizing I portray Lavenza as more of a child than the game does, but I like both.

Oh so now we can press Morgana for what’s wrong. Learned from your prior mistakes, huh, ‘Kira? XD

.....I love her.

It’s extremely weird to have the whole squad interacting with the Velvet attendant and addressing her by name. That’s so strange in comparison to how it usually is. But these are strange times, and once again, it’s unnerving how much power Maruki has.

He’s strong enough that he’s suppressing the Velvet Room. That’s horrifying. I wonder if he knows they exist; I could see him considering them a threat to his ideal world. Normally I’d be sure that Igor and Lavenza could kick his ass if he tried anything, but... I genuinely don’t know anymore. Igor is still recovering from being imprisoned, and Lavenza is barely able to manifest to talk to us.

Meanwhile, Maruki is using a persona.

Normally I’d be fussed about him summoning in reality, but apparently reality is still half-fused with Mementos, which in the greater scope of Persona lore feels like something similar to what was happening in P1 and P2. The collective unconscious is very close to the surface. I’d be curious whether or not the kids could summon outside of the Palace with a bit of practice, but I’m sure the game won’t go into that.

...although, that doesn’t explain him being able to use his powers in reality before the beginning of the year. Mementos only started fusing with reality in December.

I’m looking directly at you, Atlus. You made a human villain stronger than what I imagined for the strongest persona-user?

......oh, Mona, I’ve got like 3 different notes documents for you to read about why that can be allowed. X’D

*cracks knuckles*  Not to take Goro’s side, but...we already killed one god, didn’t we?

But...this is our fault, and we have to fix it. I don’t completely understand how Maruki granting the Thieves’ wishes transferred the belief of the masses to him, but... This can’t go on. If Mementos completely fuses, this becomes permanent, and there will be no way out. Time to go.

I really do appreciate that Goro was invited as one of the Phantom Thieves. And Ryuji asked for his input on whether we’re going after Maruki.

...you all said it. He’s one of you now. No take-backs.

#Li plays P5R #long post #these posts keep getting longer #so much is happening X'''DDD

[twilightknight17]

Today on Persona 5 Royal we are sitting in the corner crying with the roomba that we bought and never got a chance to give Akechi.

Also, Shido.

I can’t decide whether I’m annoyed or not at the final mouse puzzle, because it wasn’t a puzzle.

I don’t remember if it was like this before, but you literally just had to go in, sneak through the room to the left hallway, run down and turn off the thing, and come back. That other part? Completely superfluous, except for a chest with a bead chain. Which is nice, but... I dunno. Shouldn’t you have to work your way up to the hardest puzzle?

...these kids are so fucking stupid. X’D And not even just this; every letter of introduction could have been gotten without a fight if any of them could keep their cool for longer than two seconds. Except the noble, because Ann totally needed to beat the shit out of him. But like... Haru? I know TV guy is insulting your father, but just take the letter and go. Futaba, I know you’re a heroic phantom thief, but just play along for one more minute.

Yusuke, for the love of god, just tell him yes. He’s a fake person in an asshole’s head, the Palace is going to be gone in two days, just agree and get the letter.

But no, set us up for three boss fights in a row. Fine. Great. I really appreciate, after Goro flashes his other outfit, Makoto’s like, “So you were behind the mental shutdowns after all...” We knew that, Makoto. In fact, if I remember correctly, you called him the culprit behind the mental shutdowns while talking over the Plan.

Anyway.

New dialogue new dialogue new dialogue new dialo--

[Phantom of the Opera intensifies]

I’m assuming this dialogue doesn’t happen if you haven’t done his confidant. At least the first two parts. Because good lord. I just want to give this boy a cooldown hug, but he’d probably stab me.

I think there are places after the fight where the dialogue is redone. He sounds a little different behind the shutter. I also like this new translation:

It feels...clearer? But also still not quite right, because I don’t think Robin was a lie. That feels dismissive of a whole chunk of his character.

...

Don’t make fun of me. I’m keeping the glove, so come back to me safely, okay? We can’t fight again if you don’t.

:(

Shido’s fight felt...harder? All of his attacks felt like he was doing so much more damage. People were getting punched down to one HP a lot. The masses were actually not that bad, but Shido himself? Ugh. He was either debuffed to heck and doing scratch damage, or buffed to hell and borderline OHKOing people.

BUT THE DUEL WAS AWESOME.

(Me and Joker making identical worried faces as we realize what’s happening.)

I almost fucked it up because I thought at first it was a scripted fight. I didn’t realize his tyrant’s fist was a bless attack, and Melchizedek (who I was carrying because I can’t fuse Metatron yet) absorbed it. And my silly brain was like, “Oh, cool, we’ve got the heroic willpower to tank all of his attacks!”

And then next turn he cast Panta Rhei and nailed Melchizedek in it’s weakness. X’D

If I hadn’t had a persona with no weaknesses so I could swap between tanking elemental spells and absorbing bless for the health, it probably would have been a nightmare. And I was saving almost all of my SP for healing, so I was mostly chipping away at him with the knife. And I didn’t have dekaja, so when he cast Heat Riser it was basically scratch damage. But I brought that bastard down with my two hands, a knife, a Justice arcana angel, and sheer willpower.

...and also Maruki’s detox and wakefulness to cure my burns and give me back SP. But we’re not talking about that because I’m still mad at him.

Shido’s down, the Thieves are safe, and I think I have enough time left to finish off the confidants before Mementos. I hope. It’s going to suck if I get to all but one, and I don’t know how much time we have for things in semester 3.

Lastly:

The first turn of the duel, my menu freaked out. Regardless of what attack menus I opened and closed, it stayed like that. I just thought it was funny, and it fixed itself next turn.

But my brain took a very sharp turn from “Haha, a ghost menu for a ghost party member” to “oh no, Akechi...” and I pretty much gave myself emotional whiplash, so that was fun! X’D

#Li plays P5R #that Shido fight went til 2am because I didn't realize how long it was going to take X'D