Chapter Text
Seemed from the poll I put out, I can be thankful to have some persona fans following my writing. Therefore I decided I'm going to go ahead and start a new story set in the world of Persona 5 Royal. Now given that this is such a massive game, I definitely wont be covering everything, and will be possibly skipping a few parts here and there for the sake of the story. However I will also be trying to incorporate my own elements to the story, primarily strengthening the relationship between the main character and Kasumi. I'm looking forward to seeing how this story develops and how people find it. Hope you enjoy!
[Your POV]
~Early Morning~
???: "Look...isn't that her?"
???: "You mean that one with the red ribbon?"
Your attention piqued up for a moment as you waited in the crowd at the platform. You put your phone back in your pocket, having deleted the creepy app that kept coming back from it once more. Since you overheard the chatter, you looked ahead to see a red headed girl in a school outfit similar to yours, her hair tied up in a red ribbon as was said. The students behind you continued to mutter about her up until the train arrived, everyone quickly boarding it. Your name was F/n L/n and you were on your way to Shujin Academy, the school you had transferred to after being cast out of your home town. The idea of settling into to your new life easily however had been quickly cut short, as you gained the confusing power of a 'Persona' after an even more confusing first day at school. As you reflected on what had come to pass in your first few days on your train ride, you looked over to the red head once again, observing her features and figure. You were quickly caught however, as she felt your presence, her eyes looking with yours before giving you a simple smile. Without even knowing it, you reciprocated the gesture, smiling back as the train announcer read out the next stop of Aoyama Itchombe.
Red haired girl: "Please, take my seat. My station is coming up"
The girl had been speaking to a nearby elderly woman, offering the place to her.
Elderly Woman: "Are you sure? Then..."
As the two began to switch position, the seat was intercepted by a middle aged man in a suit, the individual quickly claiming the seat for himself as lightning speeds.
Red haired girl: "Oh wow, what speed!"
You lightly chuckled allowed at her response before she continued.
Red haired girl: "I mean - excuse me? That seat was for this lady"
The man looked up at her with a dull expression, quickly leaning back to fall asleep.
Red head: "Oh..."
You: "Want me to wake him up?"
Red haired girl: "It's alright. I can understand his position as well"
You: "Guy was out like a light, s'probably gonna end up missing his stop while hes snoring away"
The red head let out a small giggle in response to your comment before turning to the elderly woman.
Red haired girl: "I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help"
Elderly woman: "It's alright dearie. Don't you worry"
Red haired girl: "Please allow me to carry your luggage at least"
Elderly woman: "Thank you! Ain't it heavy though?"
Red haired girl: "Not at all. I train plenty"
As the station slowed down to a stop you moved towards the door, stopping yourself for a moment to look back at the girl. Her generosity was incredible, and you felt it was only right to return the favour.
You: "I can clear a path for you two"
Red haired girl: "Could you? That would be a big help!"
As the doors open you quickly moved through the crowds of people, turning around to make sure the two followed you as you worked your way off the train. Finally on the platform, you extended your hand to the old lady, helping her with the small gap as the torrent of uncaring commuters paid you no mind.
Elderly woman: "My my! The generosity of this generation is truly a sight"
You: "Anytime ma'am. See ya"
With your good deed of the day done you began walking to school, making your way through the station platform, wondering what crazy event Ryuji would have in store for you today.
Red haired girl: "Pardon me!"
You recognised the girl's voice instantly, turning back round to see her making her way up to you.
Red haired girl: "I wanted to thank you for earlier. Helping me and that woman was really thoughtful"
You: "You helped too"
Red haired girl: "Hehe, I suppose that's true. You're a second year at Shujin, correct? I'm a first year myself"
You: "Mhm, I just transferred"
Red haired girl: "Oh? Me too! Anyways, you walked off before I got the chance to thank you, so I rushed to catch up. I didn't wanna be rude to my senpai. Please excuse me!"
The girl made a small bow before she began to move off on her own path. Before she could get a few steps however, you spoke out.
You: "Hey, you wanna walk together? We're going the same way after all"
Red haired girl: "Hm? Oh I guess we are! Ummm...sure!"
This girl definitely was intriguing. If the whispers of the students you had heard before weren't enough, she had been one of the only students at Shujin besides Ryuji to even give you the time of day, let alone actually thank you. With a small smile on her face, you and the red head made your way to Shujin together, occasionally chatting pleasantries as you went. As you got closer and closer to school you both began to pass by students, with them whispering among themselves as they gazed at you both. It seems people were fixating on your record as usual.
You: "Hey...let's split off here"
Red haired girl: "Hm? Is something wrong?"
You: "Nah. I just gotta wait for a friend. Don't worry about me"
You felt bad lying to such an earnest girl, but considering she already had students gossiping about her, having everyone see her walking with the 'deliquent transfer' definitely wouldn't help.
Red haired girl: "Oh. I see, well I hope you have a good day senpai!"
The girl gave you a bow once again, attracting more gazes to your dismay. You quickly responded to her to try and sort the situation out.
You: "Same to you!"
With that the young first year continued on, turning back to give you a small wave, with you in turn waving back. After a small bit of time passed, you continued on your way, making your way through the alleyway Ryuji had shown you on day one. You were thankful that a castle was nowhere in site as you turned to see Shujin, making your way inside and to your classroom with the usual glares and whispers directed at you. You still hadn't figured out how anyone knew you had gotten a record in the past, but you were at least thankful you weren't making anyone suffer due to it. You knew that record or not, anyone who truly mattered would be willing to learn what you actually were like, it would just take time.
~After School~
The afternoon had started about as you expected, with you getting ambushed by Ryuji as soon as you walked out of school, with him determined again to understand what had happened on your first day, and where that castle had come from. What wasn't expected however was what transpired later, with Ryuji's discovery of the true use of the app on your phone, with it transporting you back to that strange place. Morgana had been kind enough to explain most of what you came across in Kamoshida's 'Palace'. After witnessing the birth of Ryuji's Persona, you made a dash for the exit, leaving the cat...thing...in the dust as you both returned to reality. Having dragged you along for his adventure into the Metaverse, Ryuji was kind enough to treat you to some food. Leaving him thinking he wasn't as bad as you thought, you made your way back to Leblanc. The familiar bell jingle alerted Sojiro to your presence, him speaking up as soon as you entered.
Sojiro: "You're home. I take it you actually went to school today?"
You: "Of course. I told you, I just got lost yesterday"
Sojiro grumbled to himself for a moment before responding.
Sojiro: "Well...long as you learnt your lesson from yesterday, and are staying out of trouble...that's fine with me"
You: "I actually made a friend today...two actually"
Sojiro: "Oh? Well aren't you a charismatic so and so. Though...they must be pretty weird to wind up friends with a kid like you."
You: "I'm really appreciating all the confidence you're throwing my way"
Sojiro: "I'm your legal guardian, not your life coach"
You felt your phone buzz in your pocket, taking it out to see a few messages from Ryuji that you began to respond to.
Sojiro: "Are you even listening to me?! Just stay away from bad influences!"
You: "I got it"
Sojiro: "I'm gonna head home for tonight. I'll lock the store up. Don't go wandering about"
You gave Sojiro a thumbs up as you made your way to the stairs to your room.
Sojiro: "Oh by the way. Since you're seemingly so popular now...here"
You turned back round to Sojiro who handed you a hefty pile of small cards, each with the Leblanc logo and address printed on them.
Sojiro: "It's a calling card. You're here for free right now so the least you can do for me is strum up some business. Got it?"
You: "Business is that bad huh?"
You gave Sojiro the comment in a teasing way, which he seemingly did not take unfortunately.
Sojiro: "Just do what I say and hand them out where you can. And if I find these in the trash somewhere, ho ho! School's gonna be the least of your troubles"
With that, Sojiro left you at the cafe, locking up the place. Despite the unfamiliarity to your new life, you were very quickly finding solace in your new home at Leblanc, enjoying it compared to fighting for you life in a castle, and your reputation at school. You spent the rest of the night chatting with Ryuji, formulating a plan of action to 'take down Kamoshida' in Ryuji's words. Knowing the blonde haired troublemaker would most likely have something crazy in store for tomorrow, you got a good night's rest, the usual dream of the Velvet Room and its inhabitants coming to you once more.
~The Next Day - Afternoon~
The sound of the volleyball match flooded your ears as you watched Kamoshida and his team play, clearly showing no mercy to the students on the opposing team. You were sat down with Ryuji in your gym wear, watching the game.
Ryuji: "Still sticks out. Hasn't changed a bit"
You: "Hm?"
Ryuji quickly changed the subject, yawning and putting on his usual carefree grin.
Ryuji: "Pretty boring...right?"
You: "...that reminds me...she said she trained...wonder if shes in the volleyball team too..."
Ryuji: "Hmm? What you mumbling about over there F/n? Better be bout our plan"
You: "Nah. Girls"
Ryuji: "Dude seriously?!"
You: "Can't exact think about 'our plan' when I barely know what it is..."
Ryuji: "Oh yeah! Hehe...might have forgotten to mention that part"
Ryuji rubbed his nape in embarrassment as you rolled your eyes at him, your thoughts trailing back occasionally to the girl you had met the day before, ever curious about her as your school day with Ryuji continued on...