Chapter Text
April 3:
Evening:
You’re looking over the last bit of paperwork you need to transfer to Seishin Academy.
Everything appears to be in order.
“Please fill out your name.”
Seiji Kurokawa.
“Reason for transfer.”
…
You hesitantly fill in “Moving in with cousin.”
You put it down and head off to your bed.
If only your reasoning was that simple.
You reflect on the events that lead you to moving to Osaka with your cousin,
And how strange they were.
March 18:
It is the last day of the school year
You look at yourself in the mirror as you contemplate what to do.
You see your usual self: Long-ish black spiky hair, hazel eyes, a blue blazer with a white undershirt with matching blue pants.
You leave your room, fully dressed for school.
At the table, you eat breakfast with your mom.
She has black messy hair, brown eyes, black glasses, and is dressed in a black tank top, a necklace with a red jewel, a black skirt, black leggings, and black heels.
Yua: By the way, I got a call from the hospital this morning.
Yua: It seems that we can go and visit Ichiro now.
Yua: I was thinking about going after the commencement ceremony this afternoon.
!!
Ichiro.
Your best friend.
He was rescued from a river after nearly drowning to death. He’s been in a coma since.
Yua: He’s still in a coma. But we can visit him now.
Yua: What do you say?
You nod your head in agreement.
After School:
Once the commencement ceremony is finished, you say your goodbyes to everyone and leave school with your mother.
They two of you go directly to the hospital Ichiro is at.
Ichiro’s hospital room:
You see Ichiro hooked up to a bunch of machines.
Despite this, he looks as calm as ever.
Yua: Oh, Ichiro…
Yua: You would have loved the commencement ceremony this afternoon.
Your mother starts tearing up.
You can’t help but feel sad as well.
Nurse: Excuse me? Yua Kurokawa?
Yua: Huh?
Yua: That’s me.
Nurse: You have a phone call.
Yua: Ah!
Yua: Sorry I have to take this.
Your mother leaves.
…
You are alone with Ichiro.
1. You really would have liked the commencement ceremony.
2. So, just two more years of high school…
3. Sorry you couldn’t get a kiss from Tsuba-senpai before she left.
…
You wait in vain for an answer.
You scowl at the fact that Ichiro is in this state.
In a moment of frustration, you punch the table beside you.
…
It really hurts.
Why Ichiro?
Ichiro: ...uh
!!
Ichiro: ...uhhhhhh
Is Ichiro waking up?
Ichiro: …uhhhh.
…
No good.
Ichiro fell asleep.
Still, you smile, knowing that he’s fighting for life.
You’ll be there when he gets better.
You decide to spend some time talking to Ichiro about what has happened since he fell into the river.
Yua: (Walks back into the room.) Sorry, that was your father.
Yua: He’s coming home tomorrow!
Yua: We should celebrate!
Yua: …
Yua: I’m sure Ichiro would want us to celebrate too.
Yua: Besides, we’ll celebrate again when he gets out of the hospital.
You smile and nod.
Visiting hours are over, so you and your mom head home for the day.
Once you get home, you go to your room and fall asleep.
You then feel yourself wake up, but something feels off.
You look around and you find yourself in a deep blue conference room.
You are sitting at a table.
Across from you sit a strange man with a big nose. Standing beside him is a man in a blue suit, matching the room, with short brown hair combed to the side, black glasses, and piercing yellow eyes.
Mysterious Man: Welcome.
Mysterious Man: To The Velvet Room.
Mysterious Man: Do not be alarmed. You are still fast asleep in your world.
Mysterious Man: My name is Igor.
Igor: My associate here is Henry.
Henry: …
Igor: Now, I assume you have some questions for us.
1. What is this place?
2. How did I get here?
3. What?
Igor: Hm hm hmmmm.
Igor: This place exists between dream and reality. A place that only those that have entered a contract may enter.
1. Contract?
2. Who did I make a contract with?
3. I don’t remember signing any contract!
Igor: Hmmm hm hmmm.
Igor: As it just so happens, a friend of mine has taken an interest in you.
1. Friend?
2. Who are you talking about?
3. An interest?
Igor: All will be explained in due time
Igor: Right now, I want us to get acquainted.
Igor: We will be seeing a lot of each other in the upcoming year
1. Acquainted?
2. Year?
3. WHAT?!
Henry: HEY! Don’t disrespect the master like that.
Igor: Settle down Henry.
Henry: ...Sorry sir.
Igor: It’s quite alright.
Igor: This is what this meeting is for.
Igor: My friend has given you a task for the upcoming year.
Igor: It is our duty, as residents of the Velvet Room to assist you.
Igor: The way in which we do so will also be explained in time.
Igor: Just know, we will be here when the time is right.
Igor: For now, you must return to your world.
Igor: Be ready. For the conflict you are about to face will be one that will determine the outcome of all of humanity.
Henry: Hey!
Henry: …
Henry: Sorry...again…
1. You don’t need to apologize.
2. It’s cool.
3. I understand.
Henry: Hm.
Henry: Thank you.
Henry: I look forward to working with you.
Igor: Farewell. Until we meet again.
March 19:
Morning:
You wake up from that strange dream.
Contract? Friend? Something happening over the next year? You can barely comprehend it.
And yet, it felt so real.
You decided to not think about it too much, and get ready to start the day.
You dress yourself in your casual clothes, green unzipped hoodie, navy blue shirt, and light blue jeans.
Your mom has tasked you with getting a cake for your father’s arrival, while she prepares the house.
You should get going.
Daytime:
You walk around town looking for a bakery.
Once you find one, you walk in and inspect the cake thoroughly.
You decide on a cake and pay for it.
While your payment is being processed, you overhear two girls from your school talking.
Girl 1: Hey, is it true that you can visit Ichiro in the hospital now?
Girl 2: Oh yeah!
Girl 1: Poor thing. I wonder how he ended up almost drowning.
Girl 2: I heard that someone pushed him in.
GIrl 2: I bet it was his friend.
Girl 2: What was his name?
Girl 1: Oh, you mean Seiji-san?
Girl 1: Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised. He is a little hot tempered after all.
Girl 2: Yeah. He’s kind of scary.
Girl 2: I wonder why the two of them are friends.
…
You decide to ignore them, and take the cake home.
Evening:
You’re walking home, excited to see your dad.
He’s been gone for the past six months on business.
As you’re walking home, you get an uneasy feeling in your chest.
You decide to walk home faster without disturbing the cake.
As you walk, that feeling in your chest keeps getting deeper.
You hope this is nothing more than just a minor health issue that a goodnight’s rest can solve.
Yet you feel like it isn’t.
You walk into your house and make your way to your kitchen.
You see your mom and dad passed out on the floor.
You set the cake down and rush to their aid.
You are unsure about what to do.
Suddenly, the feeling in your chest gets incredibly tight.
Unknown Voice: Seiji!
?!
Unknown Voice: You want to help your parents?
Unknown Voice: Then use the power I bestow upon you to fight their attackers!
You see a glowing light in front of you.
You grab onto it, and it turns into a sword.
You swing the sword and it slices through the air to open a portal seemingly to another dimension.
Unknown Voice: I have also created an ally to fight alongside you as well.
You look in and see a boy about your age wearing your school uniform.
The top half of his head is covered with a cloth, so you can’t see who it is.
He is fighting these vile looking creatures with a katana, but he is holding it upside down.
You decide to go into the mysterious place and help.
After taking out one of the creatures, the combatant turns and acknowledges you.
Student?: So, you’re the one my Master asked me to assist.
Student?: Let’s go!
You are more confused than you’ve ever been, but you decide to fight alongside this person.
Despite their questionable weapon technique, they are a capable fighter. And you’re not so bad yourself.
After fighting those creatures, you hear someone else walk up to you.
You both turn around and see a man with spiky grey-brown hair, brown eyes, a long black coat, a white shirt, black pants, black boots, and a giant sword in his hand.
Condescending Man: Well well. What have we here?
Condescending Man: I wasn’t expecting you to defeat my shadows so aptly.
Condescending Man: However, I can still deal with you before this battle is set to begin.
1. I don’t think so!
2. I’ll take you down!
3. Try saying that to my face!
Condescending Man: Hm.
Condescending Man: How can you say that?
Condescending Man: After I dealt with your parents so quickly!
!
Student?: Parents?
Condescending Man: Of course, your ally is clueless.
Condescending Man: See those two?
You both turn around and see two figures whom the shadows have attacked relentlessly.
You turn back to the man and scowl at him.
Condescending Man: It was easy for me to do that, you know?
Condescending Man: I can do that to you just as fast.
Condescending Man: Now, why don’t you just stand down and don't interrupt me, OK?
Condescending Man: I might even let you walk away from this unscathed.
Condescending Man: Just don’t get in my way!
You feel your blood boil over.
You then feel a massive surge inside you.
“Stand down? Back off?”
“Are you really going to do that?”
“Especially after what he did to your parents.”
Seiji: N-No!
“Excellent!”
"I can feel you conviction in your soul!"
“I am thou! Thou art I!”
“Together, we will protect many, and avenge those we fail to protect!”
“Now, call upon my name, and my power shall be yours!”
You see a blueprint rolled up floating in front of you.
You grab it.
Student: …?
Condescending Man: What?
You unfurl the blueprint and place your hand on in.
Seiji: PERSONA!
Energy gathers around you.
Seiji: OISHI!
A burst of energy runs through the area.
Once it settles, your Persona, Osihi, stands behind you.
He is portrayed as a light-blue figure, with white pupil-less eyes, wearing black samurai robes and helmet, red pants, and wielding a katana.
Condescending Man: Dammit!
Condescending Man: What is this?!
Condescending Man: Well, whatever it is, a fight is a fight!
Condescending Man: Let’s see what you’re made of, PUNK!
You have a one on one fight with the Condescending Man.
With your Persona by your side, the fight is made easy.
Condescending Man: DAMMIT!
Condescending Man: This was not how this was supposed to go!
Condescending Man: Tch!
Condescending Man: The next time we meet, I’ll beat you for sure!
Condescending Man: Just you wait!
The Condescending Man disappears into thin air before you can get to him.
You’ve met your enemy.
Oishi disappears into your heart.
Student?: Hey!
You turn to meet them.
You almost forgot about them.
Student?: What was that?
You aren’t sure what to say.
Student?: Whatever! I’ll figure it out.
You both look around.
Studnet?: How are you going to get out?
You look at the sword in your hand.
You decided to slice the air.
Surprisingly, the swing opens the portal again, and you walk into your kitchen.
Your sword disappears.
*Knock Knock*
Police Officer 1: It’s the police!
Police Officer 1: A disturbance was reported at this address!
You freeze in fear, unsure of what to do in this situation.
Police Officer 1: We’re coming in!
The officers come in to see your parents passed out, and you pale as a ghost.
Police Officer 1: We need an ambulance! I have two unconscious adults, and a child that appears to be traumatized!
Police Officer 1: The adults appear to still be breathing!
Police Officer 2: Sir, look!
You turn to see that the portal is open, and the mysterious student peering through it.
Police Officer 2: I bet he did this!
Police Officer 2: Just look at that sword!
Police Officer 2: He’s definitely the slasher behind this!
Police Officer 2: Hey You! You’re under arrest!
The police officer tries to catch the mysterious student, but he disappears through the portal. The portal closes, and the officer runs into a wall.
Police Officer 2: Where’d he go?!
Police Officer 1: No time to worry about that now! Just help these people.
Police Officer 2: Right!
The police, and later, some paramedics come in and take your parents to the hospital.
You’re taken to the hospital as well to get checked up on your shock.
You’re released the following day, while you find out that your parents are in a coma, struggling to cling to life.
First your best friend, and now your parents.
It feels like your whole world is crashing down.
And this whole Persona business.
What’s going on?
The following days are spent figuring out who will be taking care of you.
It comes down to a massive argument between your aunt and uncle and their son.
Eventually though, they look through their will, and find that if they were to die, they would want you to live with your cousin.
They agree to respect your parent’s wishes.
It feels weird that they went to their will, since they weren’t dead, but you felt slightly relieved.
Your cousin seems nicer than your aunt and uncle.
Your cousin, Kenta Koyama, stays with you for a bit to help you pack up your things and get ready to move into his place.
He also helps you get ready for transferring schools.
April 3:
Evening:
You set your transfer papers and fall asleep in your own bed for the last time for a while.
April 4:
Morning:
You wake up, reflecting on everything, and make your way to the train station to head to Osaka to live with your cousin.
Daytime:
You and your cousin, who has brown hair, brown eyes, and is wearing a black hoodie, black fingerless gloves, black sweatpants, and black shoes, are at the train station.
Kenta: Hey.
You look at him.
Kenta: I know you’re nervous,
Kenta: but try to relax.
Kenta: I’m here if you need anything, OK?
You nod understandingly.
You two board the train and head to Osaka.
As the train goes on, you look out the window, but don’t really see any of the passing scenery.
You're too absorbed by everything that has happened to pay attention to what’s going on outside.
You pass through a tunnel and suddenly, the train car changes scenery.
Everything is this deep red. And also, you are the only passenger on board.
Unknown Voice: Seiji!
You look, and sitting across from you is a man with curly black hair, with beard to match, green eyes, a red shirt, a toga, and sandals.
You recognize his voice as the one who gave you the power of the sword.
Unknown Man: Forgive the intrusion.
Unknown Man: This is the only way I can talk to you.
Unknown Man: To everyone else, it just appears that you are lost in thought.
1. Who are you?
2. What do you want?
3. Why did you give me those powers?
Unknown Man: I intend to tell you that and much more right now.
Unknown Man: I need you to keep an open mind and listen to what I have to say.
You are confused, but agree.
Unknown Man: My name is Romulus.
Romulus: Founder of Rome.
!!
Romulus: I have transcended your mortal plain to become the being you see before you.
1. So, you’re Igor’s friend?
2. So, we’re in a contract?
3. So, why do you need my help?
Romulus: I shall explain.
Romulus: Two entities are locked in a battle of ideas.
Romulus: Philemon and Nyarlathotep.
Romulus: Philemon believes humans can go beyond their nature to create a brighter future.
Romulus: While Nyarlathotep believes humans will eventually destroy themselves.
Romulus: Of course, I am on Philemon’s side.
Romulus: Then again, so is your enemy.
?
Romulus: Remember that unscrupulous man you met that attacks your parents.
You think back on the condescending man who attacked your parents.
Romulus: I selected you as my champion.
Romulus: The man you met that night is the champion of my brother, Remus.
Romulus: Remus and I agree with Philemon,
Romulus: but Remus had a different idea as to how to achieve this.
Romulus: I tried stopping him, but Remus is nothing, if not stubborn.
Romulus: As a result, he has given a dangerous power to a human he believes can achieve his goals.
Romulus: Which is why I’ve chosen you to combat this person.
Romulus: I believe you are the only person strong enough to defeat this person and show my brother the error of his ways.
Romulus: If you’re wondering why we aren’t doing this ourselves, it’s because we want humanity to succeed in our goals.
Romulus: If we did it ourselves, humans wouldn’t advance at all. They would be coddled.
Romulus: All we do is give humans assistance.
Romulus: I know a lot of this is sudden, but will you accept?
1. I don’t have much of a choice.
2. I kind of already started.
3. Of course!
Romulus: Good.
Romulus: As a favor to you, I will work on keeping your parents alive.
!!
Romulus: Those shadows did a real number on them.
Romulus. Nevertheless, you have nothing to fear.
Romulus: Your parents will be alright.
Romulus: I eagerly await your results.
I am Thou. Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond.
It shall provide clarity, and allow you to see past the narrow-minded judgement of this world.
With the birth of The World Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.
The World-Romulus: Rank 1.
Ability: Arcana Burst-Persona fusions can now gain Exp. depending on your social link ranking with the corresponding arcana.
Romulus: I must go now.
Romulus: I will only see you when necessary.
Romulus: I will be relying on Igor and my creation to help you for most of this journey.
Romulus: Until we meet again.
You leave the tunnel, and everything is back to normal.
Kenta: You OK there?
You look at him, unsure of what to say.
Kenta: You look exhausted. Maybe we should get something to drink the next time we can.
You spend the rest of the train ride trying to relax.
Evening:
You made it to Kenta’s house and took in your new surroundings.
This will be your home until your parents are well enough to take care of you again.
Kenta: Do you have those papers?
You give Kenta the documents of transferal.
Kenta: Great. I’ll take these in tomorrow.
Kenta: Speaking of, school starts a week after that, so try to get settled in as much as you can before then, OK?
You nod.
Kenta: Well, it’s kind of late, and we’ve had a long day.
Kenta: Your room is over there.
Kenta: Well, good night.
Kenta heads to his room.
You’re tired, so you do as well.
You look at your new room.
It has a bed, a desk, a dresser, a closet, some shelves and a TV.
It really feels welcoming.
You decide to go to bed for the night.