Chapter Text
April 17th - Iwatodai Dormitory
Morning
Social Stats:
Charm: 1(+7)
Courage: 1(+3)
Academics: 1(+6)
I had been spending my last few days setting up a sort of routine. If I was gonna do anything in this world, then I needed to be ready. So... I generally spent my days hanging out with Moriyama, and then I hung out with Takeba at the dorm if I wasn't doing anything else.
Unfortunately, the ever so elusive Mitsuru Kirijo was exactly that...
It wasn't a bad routine though, it allowed me to enjoy my day and get decent gains from it... Honestly though I wasn't sure if the Social Stats would be worth it or not. If they were for the Social Links... then how so?
If I did have to be a genius or something just to talk to Kirijo then I was gonna be so mad!
"Yamagishi!" I heard behind me- I turned and I could see Moriyama waving. "Wait up... you're always so quick to get in! I swear it's like you're trying to hide from me!" She laughed, though there was definitely some level of insecurity there.
I didn't point it out, I wasn't going to be a jerk.
"You're just slow!" I shot back, though I did slow my pace down so she could catch up. Despite there being some awkwardness... It was nice having her as a friend, at the end of the day. Sure she was a bully, but she was at the very least willing to change.
And she did feel guilty, so there was that.
I didn't care what she did in the past, I wasn't around for that ultimately. So... as long as I could trust her moving forward, then things would be alright. At least, that was how I was looking at it as... I was trying!
"Jerk... What happened to you Yamagishi? You used to be so sweet and nice!" Moriyama shook her head, her expressions souring for a moment. "Guess that's my fault."
But god I hated moments like these... Because what could I even say! But... I had to say something, I guess. It was my responsibility as her friend to do so. Besides, it's probably what the real Fuuka would do, right?
From everything I knew... the old Fuuka Yamagishi was great, far better than I could ever hope to be.
Nonetheless, I had to try. I had to do my own thing... because this was my story now! And that meant being my own person, even if I could never hope to match up to Yamagishi... But I was a Wild Card now, whatever that meant.
"Well, people change, it happens... maybe you were a part of it, or maybe not," I nodded my head, trying to sound smart. "We're all trying our best, and that's all that matters right?" As long as we were, then everything may not be alright... but there would always be hope of things being better.
At the very least, that's what I've heard.
'Lot of good that did me before...'
"I know what I said earlier... but you are still plenty nice," Moriyama smiled at me before suddenly running past. "Now how about you catch up slow poke!" She laughed... and I began sprinting after her! I couldn't let her get ahead.
'What would Fuuka think of this?'
Would she be happy? Would she want to be friends with Moriyama herself? I wondered... A part of me was definitely feeling less than great about it, about this... because taking Fuuka's life wasn't what she deserved.
But... I didn't want this either.
At the very least, I hoped she was doing alright, wherever she was... She deserved better than whatever happened to her, that's for sure.
'Whatever happens, I'll do my best... for you, Fuuka.'
After School
I didn't end up walking out with Moriyama. Despite our friendship, she did have other friends still... So, I was walking out on my own! I really only had two friends here, and Takeba was probably gonna head over to the hospital to keep an eye on Yuki.
He still hadn't woken up yet. It had been a week! And we still didn't have word on the other member of SEES that was supposed to join us... And I still haven't met that Sanada guy! There was a lot I needed to do still.
On my agenda was probably to study more? Or maybe-
I heard footsteps behind me, and I turned. And I saw a rather tall boy, another student walking toward me with the body language of someone who had yet to succeed in actually getting a date. Been there, buddy. Also he had a baseball cap, that probably didn't help.
"Hey baby-"
Yeah no, not dealing with this. Been there, done that, I knew what type of person this was immediately. Weird pervert character or the weird pervert sidekick. He looked less generic than everyone else.
"I like girls, not boys, please stop," I said straight up, deadpanning as the person immediately paused. "Just letting you know that now before you say something weird. I know how these things end usually and I'd rather say it now and get grief for that than you trying to flirt with me "
...
It took a solid minute for Junpei to process what I said.
"Damn... welp," The boy sighed, looking dejected for a moment. "Sorry for bothering ya then I guess. Never seen a girl on the same team as me 'till now..." He shook his head, moving on from that pretty much immediately. "So! I heard your one of those people part of Sanada-senpai's club. Figured I'd ask more about that since I've been thinking about it-"
"I'm not part of Boxing Club?" I cut him off, raising an eyebrow- unless he meant SEES. But...
So, I could see why Takeba wasn't happy now. Though, if this was Junpei Iori, well... I've seen worse. He was just a horny teenager to me at the moment though. Which, definitely could spiral into a bad thing so... yeah. But we did need all the people we could get.
Plus, I did see far worse.
"Nah, I mean the other club. The one with you, Yuka-tan, and... Mitsuru-senpai..." There was a very much perverted look on his face for a moment before shaking his head. "Sanada-senpai found me last week when the world went all dark... and since then he's been telling me all about it."
...
"That means you must be Junpei Iori," I pointed out, to which he nodded, shooting finger guns at me.
"And you're Fuuka Yamagishi! Did Sanada-senpai tell you about me?" He asked, puffing his chest out slightly.
"Not at all. We heard about you through Kirijo... then Takeba was not happy about you potentially joining SEES," I looked back- I wasn't sure where Takeba was... "If you do join, we should have one more. Makoto Yuki."
"Oh the Transfer Guy... heard he's been in the hospital. What gives there?" Iori asked, stepping ahead and turning to look at me as he walked backwards. Like an idiot.
"A week ago he... activated his ability, his Persona for the first time and there were complications... I'm not sure what, but it was brutal," I closed my eyes and like a flash, I could see Death appear... "We don't know when he'll be up, but he should be up sometime soon. Takeba's gonna go visit him today."
Junpei's eyes lit up at that particular bit.
"So... tell me, have you heard of certain rumors? I'm not saying they're true... but they're prime teasing material," Iori paused, forcing me to stop as well.
"No..? I haven't been paying very much attention to be honest..." I looked around, but slowly a grin began forming on my face... I had an idea of what it could be. After all, what could it be other than a rumor about the two of them? "If you want to tease her then I don't really have any extra ammo... I only really knew Yuki for an hour."
"Damn... what a shame," Iori resumed his walking, but this time he settled more into pace with me. "Well... this will definitely help my choice... the whole thing sounds cool. Saving the world, fighting monsters? In a dorm with a bunch of girls..."
"Kirijo likes smart people supposedly and I'm pretty sure Takeba hates you," I deadpanned, to which Iori groaned. "Acting like this won't get you a girlfriend."
He ignored that second bit, seemingly.
"Well... there's still the other cool stuff," He popped right back up in an instant. " But still... need just a bit more time to get ready. It was nice talking to ya, Yamagishi! See ya!"
With that he was off.
'Didn't get a social link for that, even though I got one with Takeba... Strange...' I shook my head and glanced up. I didn't have much to do at the moment, so it'd probably be a good idea to go home.
There was so much to do... but I could allow myself some time to rest, right?
Iwatodai Dormitory
Evening
When I heard the door open, I took a glance. And then I saw them. Yuki and Takeba. They entered the dorm together and Yuki still looked a bit tired, but he was awake, clearly. And he didn't look injured.
"We're back," Takeba said, though I was the only one in the room currently. The Chairman and Kirijo were upstairs... though, I imagine they'd be making their way down here now. After all, there was a lot to yap about.
"Safe trip home, I hope?" I asked, sitting up. I was previously reading something(Manga, I was NOT studying today) but I placed it down in favor of them. Honestly, I was too nice sometimes... truly, not lazy at all!
"Yep," Yuki nodded before taking a deep breath and looking around the place. "I've been told that there's gonna be a meeting upstairs soon... now that I know about well..." He looked around, as if trying to find a Shadow. "Yeah."
"Wait, there's a meeting?" I blinked, my neck practically snapping as I turned to look at Takeba.
"Uh... sorry- I was supposed to tell you at school. But I forgot since I was in a rush to get on the train," She said, semi-nervously. "I'm sorry! But we aren't late or anything so it'll be fine!"
"Hopefully..." I was up in a second, looking around frantically. I couldn't be late! I didn't wanna be late... I mean, I was supposed to know already. I should've been early! Hell, I should've asked Kirijo-senpai...
Or that Akihiko guy if I could find him!
"No need to be so frantic," Yuki walked past us, heading toward the steps. I began running after him, and Takeba followed, exasperated sounding as she sighed.
"Wait up!"
We were at the fourth floor soon enough. And when we opened the doors... 'Ah, that's who that Sanada guy is.' Honestly, I could see why Moriyama found him hot. But my initial impression of him was still... eh.
I wasn't sure.
"You three sure cut it close," Kirijo said, almost jovially... though I couldn't tell if it was actually a joke or not.
"Sorry!" I bowed immediately, all before swiftly finding my seat right next to Kirijo. Fuck you, Takeba. She was forced to sit next to me instead whilst Yuki took one of the other seats on Sanada's side.
"It's fine, you're on time," Sanada said, grinning. "Though you sure were quick to get to your seat..."
"To be fair, she was worried over being late," Yuki said, like the angel he was coming in clutch. I really didn't have a response for what Sanada said after all!
"And there is no need... as he said, you three are on time," The Chairman said, smiling... "Now, I'm sure you got the basics from Takeba. And I know what Yamagishi told you on that night... but this is for the both of you, since Yamagishi didn't get a proper introduction and you deserve to know more."
"Thank you. Takeba explained a lot already though Ikutsuki-san," Yuki said, glancing at Takeba- and oh was that a blush I saw? Hmm... I'd point it out later, not my place at the moment.
"Good. This saves us some time then," Sanada crossed his arms.
"Indeed it does," Ikutsuki nodded before taking a deep breath. "So, as you know, we are S.E.E.S. Or the Specialised Extracurricular Execution Squad. Our job is to eliminate shadows and to find a way to eliminate the Dark Hour."
"And that is?" Yuki asked. His tone didn't indicate anything, he was... a wall, almost.
"The Dark Hour... think of it as a hidden hour in the day. When the clock strikes midnight, that's when Shadows can come out. Humans get Transmogrified, which is why they are in those coffins," The Chairman began, and though he was smiling... he definitely didn't sound happy.
"You saw it when you first got here, didn't you?" Kirijo asked, leaning forward. "The puddles of blood, the coffins... even the air itself. Technology doesn't work normally in the dark hour as well, which you also may have noticed."
"I have," Yuki nodded, looking down at his... was that a music player? "It was weird, but I thought it was just a power outage at first... Though everything else definitely made it seem like something supernatural."
"I myself noticed it around ten days ago now... Shadows attacked me when I was wandering out through the city at night," It felt a bit dumb, but oh well. I wasn't gonna complain now though! I had a lot to look forward to.
Purpose, glorious sweet purpose!
"And that is a rare occurrence," The Chairman took the opportunity to continue. "The Shadows are all normally gathered in one place... Tartarus. It only appears during the Dark Hour. And it is a place we don't know much about unfortunately."
"We've had... a bit of a manpower shortage," Sanada glanced away, looking off for a moment before shaking his head. "For a while, it's just been me and Mitsuru. Even though we're both pretty strong, we're still only two people. And that's nowhere near enough for a proper team."
"And we haven't had enough... until now," Kirijo looked around. Me. Takeba. Yuki. "At minimum, we'd need three people and a Navigator. That's a role Yamagishi can fill. Me and Takeba can be combatants. But... since Akihiko is injured, he can't go with us until he's fully healed."
The aforementioned high schooler groaned.
"I'll be fine... it was only some broken ribs."
"You sound ridiculous... but that's why we'd need you, Yuki... Persona users are rare. We need as many of them as we can," Kirijo explained, her gaze steeling as she stared at the Protagonist... He stared back, impassively.
"You don't have to join! This is... this is a big thing. So as much as we'd like you too, you don't have too," Takeba jumped in, prompting Yuki to look at her. And his own expression softened for a moment.
"I'll join," He looked back at Kirijo, the Chairmen, and Sanada.
"I am thou... thou art I...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt have our blessings when thou chooseth
To create a Persona of the Fool Arcana.."
[Fool] S.E.E.S.: 1/10
You know, that wouldn't have been odd... If Yuki wasn't looking directly at the words in front of me... and I wasn't looking at the words directly in front of him. Because of course, he was the Protagonist!
But whatever role I had, he could see the bullshit too.
...
Was this even a part of the game, because I strongly doubted it was. Though, I wasn't sure if there was more than one Wild Card normally! And even then, I feel like not every wildcard would have Social Links pop up like this!
Did this make me a Main Character?
"We're happy to have you on the team, Yuki-kun," Takeba was the first to respond, smiling at the newest member of SEES.
"Very much so," Ikutsuki reached for the side, grabbing a suitcase much like the one I had been given. And with much the same equipment. "I'm happy to officially welcome you to S.E.E.S. Yuki-kun."
"Thank you both," Yuki nodded as the Suitcase was popped open, revealing gear for him... and his very own Evoker, of course.
"We'll be a whole lot stronger now with you on our side... five Persona users, that makes us," Sanada grinned, cracking his knuckles. Though a glare from Kirijo stopped him from doing much else.
"That means we have enough people now," Kirijo said, and a tiny smile tugged on her lips. "I suppose this is as good of a night as any... we'll be heading to Tartarus tonight, if everyone's ready. Akihiko, you can't go inside but you can come with us."
"Okay so I feel like this is moving a bit quickly-"
Tartarus
The Dark Hour
"We're at our school..?" Takeba asked, looking around for something out of the normal.
With us was our ragtag group. The Chairman had stayed behind, so that left us with the aforementioned Yukari Takeba...
"That is correct. Get your phones out and wait for the time," Our defacto leader said, bringing out her own phone and holding it out. It showed the time as 11:58 PM.
Obviously, Mitsuru Kirijo.
"It's pretty exciting... We've only really adventured around it. And we've even been inside a few times... but we've never made it far," The injured one pulled out his own phone. Though there was dissapointment flickering across his face.
Akihiko Sanada. Duh.
Makoto Yuki didn't speak, instead grabbing his phone and checking the time. 11:59 PM now.
I had my phone out by now as well, and there was just the widest smile across my face... because this was going to be something special, I could tell! We were in for one hell of a night, one great time... and I was gonna be the one leading the way! Metaphorically, so to speak.
"It's time..."
Saving the worst for last, it was me! Fuuka Yamagishi.
The clocks struck twelve. And suddenly, the school began shifting. Parts began moving, rising from it! The sky turned green, green practically radiated off the towers... off of Tartarus. Everyone was in awe, at least... me, Yuki, and Takeba.
When it stopped, there was almost no end to the tower... Looking up all the way did nothing, as it stretched into the clouds themselves.
"THAT'S SO COOL!" I cheered, jumping up! I couldn't help it! This was it, an actual RPG dungeon! And... well, I wouldn't be able to go deep inside of it, or fight most likely. But I still got to go inside of it!
"I... I don't even know what to say," As Kirijo moved past the gate, opening it... we all began following, except for Sanada. He'd have to go home, but us..? Well, this something exciting!
"Me either," Yuki kept in pace with Takeba and he nodded at her, trying to be reassuring I imagine. Whatever he was doing, I didn't care much for it as I ran up past him and made sure I was walking with Kirijo.
"So! So! What can I expect?" I practically was bouncing in place as we readied ourselves to walk in... I couldn't help it, really I couldn't! This was just so... so exciting! I mean, sure Persona's were cool. But this was... special
Like, we were walking in with gear and everything! I had a special headset on, one that'd allow me to communicate with them whilst they were in Tartarus. And we all had these cool armband things that had the SEES logo on them!
"As the Navigator, your job is to stay in the room and give us directions and find our enemies weaknesses as well," Kirijo explained, to which I nodded.
A few times.
"Okay! Give directions and find weaknesses!" We made it inside Tartarus. It was... well, big. On the inside, it almost seemed bigger than the outside. It stretched on and on with a green tint to everything. The roof was held up by many, many pillars. And in the middle was a massive staircase leading into a giant, broken clock. "Woah..."
"It's huge," Takeba and Yuki looked around as they stepped foot inside. Meanwhile, Kirijo turned back and began walking- "Wait Kirijo-senpai! Where are you going."
"I'm getting my equipment, just in case there are any complications with Yamagishi's Persona. You three take the time to look around and familiarize yourself with this place. It will be where we spend plenty of nights from here on out. Once you've done so and I return, we'll begin operating."
This was it, huh? We were here, we were ready, we would fight.
It was time to be a hero. Someone who'd save the world... and they wouldn't even know. And whilst that was definitely part of the fun, a bigger part of me was just excited at the prospect of saving the world, at doing something.
At maybe not being a complete and utter failure!
So with a face splitting smile on my face...
"Let's fuck this place up!"
I was ready.