Hello! This is my first time doing a FanFic. I'm just inspired by reading a bunch of FanFics here on the site and Ao3 which I'll be posting there as well. I'm admit I held off posting because I waited for canon name for the P5 Protag (And I was SUPER nervous posting this. No seriously, I have this story in Docs for Months.)

The night-sky was illuminated with neon lights from the Casino with a helicopter flying towards it in quickly. Inside, an alarm had gone off, while some of the patrons have shown concern, many were going their way gambling with whatever money they have left. Men in black suits were roaming around the area looking for someone, it wasn't until a young lady spotted a figure jumping across the ceiling and afterward stood on top of one of the chandelier revealing himself. "Hey, look!" cried out the woman, causing security and the civilians to face her general direction and see him. A young man with black frizzy hair, wearing a fashionable trench coat with a grey collar shirt, black trousers, and Cuban-heeled boots, and a pair of red gloves. To top it off, he was wearing a white bird shaped mask with a black design near the eyes. He took his time to observe the people below him while holding onto a briefcase before he made a quick dash to another platform, all while smirking.

[BGM Life will Change]

Chatter started coming from his earpiece

"Good. Now get running!" Mona ordered

"This is our only chance!" Crow followed.

"Stay calm, you can still get away!" Oracle cried out.

"We'll retrieve the briefcase on our end." Queen, chimed in. The radio started to pick some of the security's transmissions on suspects and holding positions statically. "What was that?" She asked.

"Don't worry about us, just concentrate on getting away!" Mona said.

"Of course." Said the masked man as he darted across the room jumping from one light fixture to another. Mona continued. "But I have to say, showing yourself above that crowd was an excellent move. Nice work as always, Joker."

"I aim to please," Joker replied.

"Heh, I bet Skull wouldn't pull it off that smoothly," Panther spoke up.

"That happens because you have no sense for aesthetics," Fox spoke as well

"I have to agree as well," Lancer spoke.

Skull quickly replied "Nobody asked you, Inari! And you too, Lancey!"

"Hey, he's just stating the obvious." Joker replied "Oh, don't get in on this!" Skull yelled

"Enough! Cut the chatter! Use the radio when needed! We don't have time! Save the pillow talk for after!" Bishop yelled out in a commanding voice.

"Okay, Argus." Joker teasingly replied.

"G-got it, Senpai." Skull meekly answered

"Yeesh, who put a stick up your butt?" Lancer retorted

"It's because we're being chased, Sis!" Bishop yelled. "And don't call me that Joker! Only Oracle can."

"Really?" Oracle gleefully asked.

"No." Bishop flatly replied. Oracle whined.

"Come on, be nice," Joker said. "Okay, I won't call you Argus, I'll call you Pink Argus instead."

Bishop only grunted in frustration.

"There he is! Get him!" An agent, followed by several others, blocked Joker's escape route.

"Just run, get out of there!" Oracle exclaimed.

"OK, the enemy's focus is on him. Looks like the rest of us can slip away." Mona informed the group.

"Everyone remember where we're meeting up?" Noir questioned.

"No worries, I can guide you all." Oracle replied

As Joker shifts gears and leapt across the ceiling lights reaching the second floor. He was quickly confronted by two guards who turned into large misshapen beings with purple masks, yellow eyes, and black skin. A third with a similar appearance jumped down from behind. He turned around to see the one behind him. Normally, most would panic, but this is all too easy for Joker. Even his teammates know this as well as the one who encouraged him to fight it. He swiftly jumped, giving himself the height to land on the guard's shoulders and tore off its mask. The guard convulsed and turned into a giant minotaur wearing nobles' clothes.

"Comparing power levels. No threat. Get 'em Joker!" Oracle informed him.

"My pleasure," Joker said preparing his knife and pistol before charging in with three successful strikes followed up with a backflip and placing a well-aimed shot at the monster, leaving it falling on the floor dazed, leaving Joker for a second attack. "Persona!" His mask suddenly dissolves in blue flames and blue embers and black chains surrounding him while a large dark figure appears behind him.

"Okay guys, use route B!" Oracle ordered the group fleeing. The group nodded and fled the down the hallways with Bishop taking point to lookout for any guards.

"So far, it's clear," Bishop told the group as he peeked over the corner with his back against the wall. He motioned his hand signal the teens to advance.

"Not much longer," Oracle told the rest. "Just have to go right, here….. Wait. No! There's a bunch of Shadows coming this way!"

"Shit, hide!" Skull yelled out, and the rest scatter to hid themselves from the guards. While it was mere minutes it took for the guards to patrol and leave the area felt like eternity for the thieves waiting in the shadows, hoping not to get caught. All let out a collective sigh of relief once the coast was clear.

"Next time, give us a route that doesn't have enemies," Lancer told Oracle.

"Hey! It was a random encounter! Trust me, that was the safest route!" Oracle yelled back at her.

"Guys, enough. We need to go." Queen told the two.

"She's right, I'll take point again," Bishop responded and ran down the escape route.

"Alright, follow Argus!" Oracle cried out

"Don't call me that!" Bishop yelled from the distance. The rest followed except for Crow who stopped next to the red-head girl.

"How's Joker doing?" Crow asked.

"Hehehehe. He's doing alright." Oracle smirked

"Ravage them, Arsene!" With a wave of his arm, black and red energy emerged from the ground, destroying the minotaur that stood in his way, disappearing into thin air.

"You know, you could have avoided them if you stuck to the shadows, Joker." Lancer chimed in.

"Where's the fun in that?" Joker playfully replied.

"There's a shaft behind you that leads to the floor above." Oracle informed Joker

Joker immediately climbed in after pulling off the grate, with his navigator telling him to run through the back room.

"Okay, go through the next room and the fire escape. However, there's a big Shadow guarding the exit route." Oracle said while looking at her goggles.

"We should be able to enter without being seen," Fox commented.

"Agreed, but we should go in two at a time for ease of movement," Queen commanded who nodded in approval.

"There are vents leading to the room, I can jump into one," Bishop told Queen.

"I'll go with you." Lancer came up from behind her brother. He stiffens as he doesn't want to put her in danger. "I'm not asking." She sternly stared deeply into her brother's darkened mask with determination. She knew what he was thinking and wouldn't take no for an answer. He simply nodded in agreement.

The two climb through the vents that led to the rafters and carefully traverse along the beams while the rest sneaked into the room bellow to positioned themselves over the unsuspecting guard.

"We're in position. Right over his head." Lancer whispered through the radio.

"You do the honors, Sis."

"Will she be okay doing this?" Crow asked, worried.

"Don't worry, she can handle it," Skull assured his teammate with confidence.

"Okay, on my mark." She jumped on top of the guard's back and grabbed his mask. With all her strength, she pulled it from his face.

"We shall expose your real form!" Lancer cried out and the guard transformed into a giant Minotaur, the same one that Joker fought, a being called Moloch.

Bishop jumped down left to his sister and the two pulled out their dual swords and naginata respectively and rest joined up for the battle. The Moloch breathed a huge wave of fire from its mouth scattering the group in order to dodge it. Lancer leaped in and performed a downward slash on the monster's chest dealing some damage. It replied by swinging its tail at her, only for Bishop to deflect away. He jumped over the Minotaur monster and sliced its back on his way down. The being quickly turned around to back hand Bishop right to his head knocking him a few feet away.

"Bis- Gyaah!" Lancer cried before being smacked away by the Moloch's tail.

"Bishop!" Panther cried out, she immediately summoned her Persona to heal Bishop from whatever wounds he endured.

"Lancer!" Crow yelled out, who proceeds to do the same thing.

"Thanks" Bishop grunted as he slowly got up.

"Thank you." Lancer as she composed herself.

"Aim for the eyes." Oracle informing them of its weak points.

"On it. Bishop! Back to back!" Lancer cried out as the pair ran to each other and stood side by side readied their guns. Lancer aimed her M14 rifle and Bishop readied his bow and pulled back his arrow at the creature as it charged at them. They fired their weapons once Moloch was in range right into both of its eyes. The Shadow fell to its knees, clutching its eyes, crying in pain.

"Alright, Imouto-san, just like how we have done it." Bishop tosses his second sword to Lancer and the two split up and rushed at the Moloch's left and right. Mirroring each other the two performed an upward, diagonal slash at the Pyrekeeper's chest, leaving an X mark. Bishop landed behind the being and the two continued to strike at the beast in rapid, perfect, symmetry. The pair jumped in the air and swung their blade at the Moloch's neck from opposite sides, decapitating it. The two posed back to back with Bishop flapped his cape and Lancer slid her thumb across the edge of her Kasa straw hat as the Shadow exploded while it dissolved into nothingness.

"Wonderful, such perfect synchronization." Fox held his fingers out in a frame position the siblings in his vision. "If only I have time to sketch this."

"That's the Phantom Twins for you!" Skull exclaimed.

"We're not twins. I'm a year older than her." Bishop retorted in annoyance.

"Well, 'Phantom Siblings' doesn't have quite a ring to it." Panther said.

"But that doesn't make it true!" Lancer replied. "How about 'The Phan-Sibs' instead?"

"Eeeeeh" Panther sounds unsure.

"Guys, the exit's right there! Let's go!" Mona snapped, which prompted the Phantom Thieves to exit the building, entering the alley beside it, giving the team a chance to recover.

"Bishop, are you sure you're okay? You took quite a blow to the head." Noir asking with concerned.

"Yeah, you're good?" Skull showed similar concern to Lancer

"Of course, I am. It's me, remember?" Lancer gave a reassuring smile to the blond teen.

"Yeah, I'm good. Don't worry, Panther healed me as well." Bishop assuring the floofy haired girl.

"You're more vulnerable to physical attack than the others. You can't just charge head-first. We don't want you to-" Queen started to scold him.

"I know." He interrupted her. "But I'm really to take the risk to protect you all. And I trust you guys to back me up."

Queen only sighed and shook her head in annoyance. It's just the way he was, perhaps it was the protective big brother part of him added to that.

"You can be-"

"Yeah Joker, through the window," Oracle spoke loudly.

"Hey, can we see how Joker's doing?" Lancer asked.

"Sure thing." with a wave of her hand, a holographic screen popped out showing a live feed of Joker running on the railings toward the giant stained glass window for all to see.

"See Ya!" He jumped through the window, doing some spins midair

"Hmph, what a show-off" Oracle commented

"You're so reckless, you know that" An energetic woman joined as well

"Urrgh, sooner or later, it's going to bite you in the ass, kid" the young person remarked as well

He heard all that while he gracefully lands on the ground, unfortunately his theatrics is cut short when multiple lights shined at him blinding him momentarily. It didn't take long that he realized he was surrounded by cops, too many for Joker to count. Joker's earpiece is starting to fill up with many voices

"Enemies here?"

"What's wrong!?"

"These readings…it can't be!"

"What happened!?"

"An ambush?"

"Joker, can you handle this?"

"Joker!"

"Oh, No!"

"IT'S A TRAP, RUN!"

Without thinking Joker ran as fast he could with many officers in pursuit, he instinctively leaps toward a nearby fire escape ladder and started climbing. He failed to realize that there already cops on top waiting for him. One proceeds to rifle-butted Joker face off the ladder, falling to the mob of the policemen. Before he could react, he was already wrestled and pinned into the ground facedown.

"Suspect secured" An officer in a suit walked up to him and kneel in front of him. "Didn't expect to find some kid." He reached and grabbed Joker's hair "You have your teammate to thank for this. You were sold out" He proceeded to let go of Joker's hair and walked away.

"No" Joker whispered as he felt more cops went on to take him away.

A young tall woman in her mid-20s with long grey hair that is asymmetrically parted on her right side quickly walked down a hallway with a clear intention in mind. She's wearing a grey business suit with a black turtleneck and a section sign necklace. As she approaches the room at the end, which is guarded by two men - one is a detective and the other is an officer in uniform. The detective stopped her.

"Excuse me, but this area is off-"

"I'm Sae Niijima from the Public Prosecutors Office" She states coolly.

"The Prosecutor's Office? What business do you have here?" The detective questioned her without attempting to hide his displeasure.

"Just let me through; it's urgent. There's something I need to confirm with the suspect" Niijima answered without faltering.

"Niijima-san," He sighed "I believe this case is no longer in your jurisdiction. Besides…"

"Let her through." A middle-aged detective sporting a red trenchcoat and brown fedora approached the young prosecutor from behind. She was mildly surprised at his appearance.

"Sam… Otousan…"

"I just got a call from your director. He's going to call you soon. Personally, I'd let you do it, but as you can see, you're not wanted here and my hands are tied." He told her sympathetically, as of now he was her only ally in this situation.

Sae's cell phone vibrate, she immediately answered it knowing full well who is at the receiving end.
"…..I thought I ordered you to stand by" the SIU Director told her

"I'm responsible for this case, yet I'm not even being allowed an interrogation!?" Sae retorts, standing her ground

"I'm calling because I knew you'd bring it up."

"I will not be convinced until I confirm it myself. This is my case."

The old man could only sigh in resignation. "Good luck to you then. I won't be expecting much though…."

"I want to tell you something important," Sam spoke up as soon as Sae put away her phone.

"Your time will be cut short. We don't want you to talk with him for too long. It's for your own sake. His methods are unknown. After all, we don't even know if it's safe to simply meet and speak with him. I'll wait by the door during that time."

"I understand, thank you. I'll make the most of it." Sae replied and as she walked toward the door.

"Sae. Just to warn you, it's not going to be a pretty picture in there. I… I couldn't stop them." He told the gray-hair woman remorsefully. She simply nodded in acknowledgement and entered the room.

As she entered the room, she saw a young man, 16 perhaps, sitting there with his arms on the table and his right hand holding his forehead, he is clearly bruised and beaten, struggling to keep himself awaken, his eyes are in a daze. He appears to be in a school uniform with red and black plaid pants, a white turtleneck shirt with a black blazer on top. Sae grimaced at the sight, Sam wasn't lying, disgusted by the corruption of how the police can get away with their "questioning." She saw a used syringe as she sat down.

"Those bastards" That word is too nice for them Sae thought to herself.

"I didn't expect it to be you. Ren Amamiya"

"I….Can say….. The same." Ren said with a heaviness in his voice, still worn out from the beating he took.

"You'll be answering my questions this time. Can you hear me? It seems you've been through a lot."

"Oh no, the last interrogation was a walk in a park for me." Ren mustered out sarcastically

"Heh, if you're able to make quips, it seems you're at least coherent enough, but be serious, almost anything can happen here and Detective Seta and I can't do anything to stop them. That's why I need you to answer honestly. I don't have much time either." Ren nodded.

"What was your objective? Why did you cause such a major incident?" Yes, give me a series of questions while I'm recovering from a blow to my head.

"I didn't think it was a prank from the get-go, but I couldn't assemble a case for prosecution. It's because I couldn't figure out the method behind it."

"Of course you couldn't." Ren muttered, "It's….something that's hard to explain and comprehend."

"True, there's no way I could be convinced of such a world, just by reading the reports. It seems you're coherent. When and where did you find out about that world? How is it even possible to steal another's heart?"

"Now tell me your account of everything. Start from the very beginning."

Ren held his head, trying his best to remember everything that leads up to this point. "If you're willing to listen and believe what I said."

"I'll be the judge of that," Sae replies sitting back with her arms crossing waiting to hear Ren's story.

As Ren is recollecting his memories, everything around him a darkens and it seems that time has stopped, and a blue butterfly appears fluttering in front of him. A mysterious and feminine voice came from it.

"You are held captive. A prisoner of fate to a future that has been sealed in advance. This is truly an unjust game… Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you…"

"I beg you. Please overcome this game... and save the world… The key to victory lies within the memories of your bonds –the truth that you and your friends grasped. It all began that day when the game was started half a year ago… For the sake of your world's future… as well as your own… you must remember."

The butterfly flew away and time has seemingly resumed, with Sae waiting for a response.

"Okay, let's begin, it started in April."

04/09/2016 Early Morning

A young lean 17-year-old teenager with hints of muscles, stepped out of the shower, drying himself and putting himself on a pair of black and red plaid pants, which is required for a Shujin student, walked over to the sink and proceed to brush his teeth while shirtless. After he was finished, he arranged his short medium brown hair to a clean-cut style that parted on his right side. He stared at himself in the mirror into his teal eyes, contemplating.

Another year, the last one before college, then spend 4 years there. Just go with the flow they say. What am I going to do then? This is such a drag. Should I stay in Tokyo and be a lawyer? Or be a teacher at Port Island with Mo - Kazuko, ugh that's the worst-case scenario. There's bound to have police jobs like Dad back at Inaba or Suma-

"Kaznii-Chan!" A small girl's voice cried out from down the hall. "Breakfast is ready"

"Okay, Imouto-Chan!" The teal-eyed boy answered out.

"GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OVER HERE! OR I'M EATING YOUR BREAKFAST!" Another but extremely loud teenage girl screamed out from the same hall.

"I already know Imouto-San!" Kazuhiro Seta, or Kaz for short, yelled out as he put on his contacts, his white dress shirt, tuck it in his pants just enough to leave none hanging, left the top two buttons unbuttoned, tied his red tie under the collar and kept it loose, tucked his Cross necklace underneath, and finished it off with the standard Shujin blazer which he left unbuttoned. He quickly put on his dress shoes and grab his satchel and stuff it with all the necessary supplies for the day.

He quickly walked down the hall to the kitchen to meet his father, Samuru Seta, or Sam to the very select few, a veteran police detective, with black hair and brown eyes, sporting a five o'clock shadow, and wearing a standard grey suit with the jacket unbuttoned and a blue tie, with a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, reading a newspaper and sipping his coffee. He had his red trench coat and a brown fedora on his chair.

Sitting next to his father was his 9-year-old sister, Reiko Seta, or Rei for short, a young girl with shoulder-length black hair with a flip on the end and teal eyes, and a lotus hair clip attached to her left side of her head, wearing her elementary school uniform of a yellow cardigan, and a plaid black and gray skirt with black leggings at the table eating a bowl of cereal. She has her Buchi-Kun backpack on her as she gets ready for school. She is the only person in the world alive that Kaz allowed to call him "Kaznii-Chan."

Across from Rei, was Kotone Seta, a 16-year-old girl who just transfer to Shujin Academy from Gekkoukan High School as a second year.

She had brown eyes and long light black hair, just like her father. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with multiple volumes but have some hair bangs to the side, and a couple of golden barrettes on her left head that arranged to look like two Xs. She was wearing a standard Shujin uniform with black leggings, plaid skirt that extended beyond her knees, buttoned black blazer with has both the Shujin and Gekkou logo, white blouse with a red ribbon tied around it and a pair of brown loafers.
Due to the two them being seen together often growing up, Kaz and Kotone were mistakenly seen as twins despite the age difference.

It was agreed upon the divorce settlement, that Kotone and Kaz had a choice to choose to live with each parent and the option to move if they wanted to. Kotone decided to move with her father after living a year with her mother, Kazuko Seta, in Tatsumi Port Island, while Kaz stayed with his father for the entire time. Both of the parents agreed that Samuru was given custody of Rei after it was decided that Samuru had the means to provide the cost for her medical treatments and she was allowed to see her children whenever she wanted.

A TV was turned on showing the news as a mean for ambient noise. Kaz sat down have himself some waffles and a cup of coffee.

"Morning" Kaz greeted all

"Morning, Big Bro." Rei grinned widely at her brother.

"Took you long enough." Kotone replied as she wolfed down her second helping of breakfast.

"You didn't have to yell like a banshee, Rei already told me." The brother glared at his younger sister.

"Eh, I wanted in on the fun."

"You can be such a pain."

"Have you seen a mirror?"

"You can be such a Harpy."

"Don't." She sternly told him.

"Morning to you. Hurry up and eat, you got school." His father reminding his son

"Yeah, I know," Kaz responded as he dug into his waffles.

"No glasses again?" Rei asked her brother in confusion.

"Hmm? Oh no, like I said, it's just something new I'm trying out for a while." Kaz replied.

"Guess it had nothing to do with mom, who also wears glasses." Kotone sardonically whispered under her breath, low enough that no one heard it.

"But you look handsome with your glasses, Kaznii-Chan."

You look very handsome with your glasses. An older but caring feminine voice rang out in his head as soon his sister commented. He silently grunted, but for the sake for his sister.

"Well, at the very least, I'll wear them at home. Fair enough?" Rei happily nodded in agreement.

"It's the final year before college, keep hitting the books. It's a new start, you just got out of that slump from last year, when we moved here. You too, Kotone, keep up with your progress in Gekkoukan High."

"That was a…. low point after the moving and…. The whole thing with… Kazu- M-mom... all that beforehand, but I'm getting back up. I'm still above average now or in the top… 20?"

"You used to be in the Top 10, I know you can do better, I saw you done it before. Don't give me the "it's harder" crap, I know the subjects, it's nothing compare to your mother when she tutored the three of you." Kaz's eyes shifted away from his father's brown eyes when Samuru pointed that out. Worried his father might suspect something. His left fist clenched as well when his father mentioned Mother.

"Anyway, are you doing that Student Council thing again? You were in the Disciplinary last year and the year before from your old school?" Samuru inquired

"Yep, same position as before," Kaz answered

"And since I was the Treasurer back in Port Island, I humbly take the position as well and the task to make sure he doesn't slack off," Kotone interjected proudly

"Okay then. What about you, Kotone? Anything besides Student Council or volleyball?"

"Or do you decide to play the harp instrument?"

"Shut your damn mouth, Kaz."

"Language." He whispered

"I decided to drop volleyball to do something different, I wanted to do singing or dancing but they're closed down, but definitely cooking, maybe it'll get Kaz to stop complaining," Kotone answered as she glared at her brother.

"That curry was purple! And it just smells and oozes, I was on the floor twitching, drooling and gagging, unable to talk. Rei puked as well!" Kaz yelled out

"3 times" Rei sadly remembered

"You're being over-dramatic." Kotone rolling her eyes

"I still get queasy when I try to eat curry to this very day. Or any food you made back then! I like omelets, now I get flashbacks when I eat them!"

"You're exaggerating."

"I legit fainted! Dad had to use smelling salts!"

"That was one interesting breakfast. Heh, you and your mother cannot cook to save a life" Samuru laughingly said, only to get hit on his arm from Kotone

"Well, I'm trying to improve, Damnit!" Kotone pouted with her arms crossed

"Hey!" Kaz shouted at his sister while covering Rei's ears.

"Oh grow up, she heard those from Mom and Dad. It's not like she heard any of the seven dirty words." Kotone rolled her eyes.

"Heh, anyways who else is on the Student Council? I heard Makoto's in it." Samuru rubbing arm

"No, she's not, the Vice-President from last year, who is the top of her class and the most active member, have decided not stay in the Student Council this year," Kaz commented. He got his head smacked by Kotone.

"Yes, Dad, she is," Kotone said. "I don't know how she and the rest were able to put up with your smart-mouth. It's going to bite you in the ass."

"She's right, you don't make it easy on yourself, I guess, you got that smart-mouth from your mother." Kaz's left eye briefly twitched, Samuru continued "Heh, not surprising that you two worked together, her dad, bless his soul, and I were partners when we were patrolmen, a good man, and a friend."

Rei coughed a bit while eating her cereal, which led to Kaz to rub her back to comfort her.

"Her hospital check-up is coming soon." Samuru in a concerned voice

"Do I have to?" Rei whined

"Unfortunately, yes, you were born…. Weak, and you get sick easily, this is all to make sure you'd be okay." Kaz said

"I know, but it gets so boring. With you three busy, and without Mom, it gets lone-."

A small surge of anger rose inside in Kaz at her mention of mom but it quickly simmered to comfort his sister along with Kotone. "We'll… do what we can to visit you. I'll read you a story or play the piano and Kotone'll sing." Kaz remorsefully replied while petting her

"Yeah, it'll just be like old times." Kotone agreeing with Kaz

"Okay," Rei said in resigning tone, but her mood quickly changes to excited when she notices the TV was advertising the new Sapphire and Dropkick albums. "Oh, I want one or both! But I want Risette more!"

"I'll get you one, someday kiddo just gotta be patient," Kaz said to his young sister while rubbing her head.

"I know, are you going to buy another one for yourself? Aren't you a fan of Risette too? Right?" that earned a surprised look from Kaz and his father, and a devilish smile from Kotone.

"Nyaaahh! I-I d-don't know what you talking about! I know the songs because you play her music all the time!" Kaz nervously replied in an attempt to save face, unable to hide his blush.

"But what about the Junes con— "

"That was because I just happened to be there! I was shopping!"

"Kotone was there and she wanted to go." She nodded in agreement and decided to torture Kaz further: "And I think I saw that your phone's music list have – "

"Anyway! I got a train to catch! Gotta study! Make good grades! Council Duties! Rei, Kotone, we'll continue this conversation never! Bye!" Kaz quickly gathered his stuff, rushed out of the door before any more of his dark secrets being revealed.

After a brief moment of awkward silence between the three, Kotone decided to speak first, "I'll get the Dropkick album for you, and he'll buy that Sapphire album for you and the digital version for himself." Kotone smiling at Rei. "Gotta go, bye Rei, bye Daddy." She kissed Rei on the head and her father in the cheeks before leaving the house.

"Tch" That's not how I want to start the day. At least it won't get any worse. Kaz mused as he tugged on his tie while waiting for the train to Shujin.

"Oh, hello there." A familiar voice called out to him.

Oh God Damn It "Oh hi, Akechi-San" Kaz greeted back, in a deadpan voice

"Not happy to see me? Most would be ecstatic to see a celebrity."

"Eeeh, you're dad's coworker, nothing to get excited about. And besides, when you met the first one, what's the point of meeting the second one?" All the while rolling his eyes

"He-heh, heh" Akechi crooked his head. "I see that your tongue is still sharp."

"It's one of my hobbies."

"Yes, I bear the brunt whenever we meet at the station or the courthouse."

"Admit it, it makes it an interesting time when I'm there."

"Well, I can't argue against that. Still, I heard that the SIU is offering internships to students, college and third-year students. You should try to apply when you have the time. "

"Hrm, I'll think about it, but I'm not making promises."

"At least you know of it. I'll give your father my regards when I meet him. Oh, by the way, lay off the caffeine, it makes you way tenser than now. I suspect something embarrassing happened recently." Goro teased as he saw Kaz bit hunched over, shoulders bunched up and a small twitch on the right hand.

"Likewise, and I can say that you need more sleep, preferably on a bed, instead of the sofa, you're overworking yourself. Take it easy, man." Kaz countered after observing a hint of dark circles and saw Akechi crooked his neck a couple of times.

"Impressive, not surprising that coming from Seta's son, it requires hard work, unlike some people." Akechi teasingly replied.

"I wasn't talking about your detective work, TV Boy." Kaz snidely retorted

"There you are, you dumbass! You rushed out of that house before you let me say anything about you being an idol fan." Kotone yelled out as she approached the two boys.

"Oh hello, Kotone-San. I'll take your transfer to Shujin has been swell. And idol fan?" Akechi kindly greeting Kaz's sister.

"Oh yeah, it's been a week, not much happened. Most of them are like 'she's way too cute to be related,' 'how is she related to that slacker' or 'that snarky asshole.' Yes, he is a fan of-."

"Oh hey look! The train's here, oh sorry, we can't finish this discussion, see ya tomorrow Akechi." Kaz quickly interrupted Kotone and dragged her into the subway before she spills the beans.

They stood pretty close in a crowded train.

"Port Island wasn't this bad." Kotone being squished between two people. "I missed the monorail, my favorite part is over the waters. It feels like you're gliding over the sea."

"I don't enjoy this aspect of the big city at all. That and the traffic."

"You know, I wasn't on telling him." Kotone teased

"Come on, don't give him more ammo. At least you don't act like a fangirl, well openly. "

"Hey man, it's rare to meet another Detective Prince in our lifetime. And another cutie at that." Kotone replied

"You do know that the first one is a girl pretending to be a boy? Right?" Kaz looking confused

Kotone's eyes widen in surprise, trying to find the right words: "Umm, yeah… yes…. I…. thought… her male disguise is cute, I was not talking about when she's revealed to be a girl. Not that she's doesn't look cute or anything as a girl, she looks good for those who are interested in girls. Like you, a straight guy, not me who likes boys, and not interested in girls at all." She nervously answered, her hand on the back of her neck, eyes shifted away in embarrassment.

"Uh huh, I don't like where this is going, and I'm not opening that Pandora's Box." Kaz crooked head upwards, still looking at his embarrassed sister, still confused or rather he doesn't want to know.

"Yeah, let's just ride the crowded train awkward silence." Kotone looking down in discomfort

Kaz nodded and decided to pass the time, Kaz put on his earphones to listen to some music. He discreetly picked "True Story" from his playlist.

Midday

"We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly." As the train intercom made its announcement, it was enough to wake up one sleeping passenger in black frame glasses, Ren Amamiya.

"Nyah!" He jerked his head from where he rested. Taking a moment to get his thoughts together. He sadly muses the events that led him to this point.

"Please, Help!"

"Damn brat! I'll sue!"

The last image in Ren's mind is being dragged by the police.

What was it they called it? No good deed goes unpunished. Tch, that's one Hell of a punishment. Still can't believe what happened. Ren thought as the train approaches the station. He unwittingly overheard a couple of girls talking about mental shutdowns and some occult things.

Might have heard something about that in the news. The train stopped at its destination and he and many others got out and went the Central Street of Shibuya. Ren pulled out his phone to use the GPS to get to his destination. He takes a moment to survey the new area around him.

I'm finally here, so many people. I always wanted to leave home to see the big city. Funny it had to take an assault record to get here.

He looked at his phone again and surprised to see a strange red and black icon in the middle of the screen which grew larger.

What the? Ren taps the screen multiple times to no avail. It was suddenly that he notices that everything is quiet and he looks away from his phone. Everything stopped, frozen in time.

What's going on? Am I hallucinating?

Just then a huge blue flame emerged from the center of a large crowd and it's getting bigger at each passing moment. For some reason, Ren kept staring at it. The giant flame slowly formed into something that resembles a human but wings spread across from its back. The flames intensify and Ren keeps on staring. A demonic face appears within the flames, a pair of red sinister eyes and a monstrous grin, looking back at Ren, and in a flash, he saw himself with yellow eyes grinning menacingly at him.

Before he could make anything out, time resumes and everybody is walking about their day. Shrugging that strange experience off, he immediately dragged that weird icon into the trash. He immediately heads off to the subway leading to Yongen-Jaya.

After talking to the officer for directions, Ren made his way to Sojiro Sakura's, his guardian for the year, home. He rang the bell a couple of times with no answer. Fortunately, a delivery man was there to inform the young teen that Sojiro was most likely be at his cafe who told him the directions.

"Thank you for the information." Ren bowed before making his way to the Café Leblanc

Leblanc? Isn't that a TV actor's name? Sounds pretty French. Coffee and Curry? Random thoughts going through Ren as he makes his way into the café. There are only three people in the café, an old couple watching the news from a TV that's reporting something about a psychotic breakdown and a public bus incident. At the barstools, stood there an old man with glasses with a slick black hair with a receding hairline, and pointed beard that connects to his sideburns, in a pink shirt, brown khakis, wearing a green apron, working on a crossword puzzle. It's safe to assume that old man is Sojiro Sakura, the owner of the said establishment.

"Vertical is…. The name of a shellfish used for farming pearls." Ignoring the news broadcast.

"Excuse, we'll be going now. The payment is on the table." The elderly man spoke to the manager

"Thanks for coming." He watched as the couple leave. "*sigh* 4 hours for a single cup of joe." He turned his attention to Ren. "Oh yes, that was today. So, you're Ren Amamiya?"

"Yes, I am grateful for taking me in," Ren answered with a bow.

"Hmm, manners, that's a start. I'm Sojiro Sakura. You'll be in my custody over the next year. I was wondering what kind of kid would show up. If you don't already know, a customer of mine and your parents know each other so…. That's that. Follow me."

Ren follows Sojiro up the stairs that are located at the back of the café to the attic that doubled as a storage space. It's clear the attic has been left unattended for a long time, with stacks of books cluttering around, old boxes, trash bags, and dust everywhere. At least he noticed the box filled with his stuff is there in the attic.

"This is your room," Sojiro said

Seriously? *sigh* Beggars can't be choosers.

"I'll at least give you sheets for your bed." Sojiro noticed the reaction from Ren. "You look like you wanna say something."

"It's… big." Technically, it is bigger than my room back home.

"I know it's messy here, it's on you to clean up the rest." Ren nodded

Sojiro went on detailing Ren's predicament and how his freedom is on the line. Ren just mentally went through the motions after hearing the same again. At least, Sojiro knew that Ren fought off a drunken man taking advantage over a woman, unlike him assaulting a man like most would believe. But, Ren was getting riled up to his comments of intervening between two adults, like he was going to walk away, and hearing that his parents basically send him away for being a pain in their ass.

Still, his anger subsided to sadness, Sojiro may be harsh but there was some truth in his words. Ren's parents didn't attempt to help him when he was arrested; he was quickly ostracized by everybody he knew from his old school even from the people he thought were his friends. His last memory of them before taking the train was the face of shame and disappointment and so far, not a single text from them.

"It's best you do not talk about anything unnecessary. I am in the restaurant business, you know. Behave yourself for a year, if nothing happens, your probation will be lifted."

"Yeah, I've been reminded of that many times already."

"Good, it'll last until next spring, anyway, we'll be going to Shujin tomorrow."

"Shujin? So, is this their uniform that was sent to me earlier?" Ren asked and gestured to show the clothes he's wearing right now.

"Yes, Shujin Academy—the school you'll be attending. They're a week in already, but you'll catch up. We'll introduce ourselves to the staff there. There's rarely a place that'll accept someone like you, you know. Count your blessings for that." Sojiro scoffed "What a waste of my Sunday."

He pointed at the box in the middle of the room. "Your luggage, or box, arrived earlier; I left it over there." He proceeded to walk downstairs to continue his business leaving Ren in the attic alone. Ren sighed and hung his head for a moment.

Well, I'll be living here starting today. Talk about a cold reception. Wasn't expecting a warm one, but still. I should change into something more comfortable.

Ren unpacked changed out of his uniform and put on some blue jeans, long-sleeved T-shirt and with an unbuttoned black blazer. He walked around the room, observing the mess.

Well, best get start cleaning, need to make this look at least livable here.

He went downstairs and asked Sojiro for cleaning supplies which he promptly received. And started cleaning, judging from the size of the room, and the state it's in, it's going to take a while.

After-school Shijun Academy

Kaz was standing next to the library just looking through his phone just to waste some time. He suddenly got a text from father.

"Remember to call your mother or text her at least. I know it's hard, but she still loves you, Kotone and Rei. She misses you three."

"…. I'll try to contact her."

"Tch" He breathed air out of his nose in annoyance and squeezed his phone tightly.

If she misses me and Rei, then why the Hell did she break this family apart! …. Damn, it's not like that. They told me why, Dammit why is it so hard to accept what happened! Just sent the damn text to her and do what you were here to do.

He quickly sent a text to his mother: "Hello, Kazuko"

He saw a reply message from his mom but decided to ignore it.

"Hey" a familiar voice caught his attention. Kotone approached her brother.

"Oh good, you're here," Kaz answered

"I should say the same thing, I heard that you hardly attend the meetings last year. Anyways, Dad wanted to remind you to contact mom," said Kotone

"I was looking for the guy who dropped a cigarette butt in the bathroom. Besides, I did, okay? I just texted 'Hi' is that good enough?"

"You need to do more than that. You can't stay mad at her forever. What happened didn't happen out of the blue. There were problems between mom and dad beforehand, we didn't know because we were too young." She glared at him

"That does not excuse her for what she did. It would have been tolerable if it was a one-time thing but it wasn't! If Dad did the same thing, we would be condemning him to Hell and back." He snapped back

"I… I know, I would be pissed, and I was mad. I'm not saying what she did was okay. The process was messy, but mom and dad are at a better part of their lives now previously. It worked out for the best."

"Not for Rei. She still cries at night for her. She still doesn't know the whole story. You weren't there during the last year."

"I'm…. sorry for that. She's too young to understand. You know the whole story and yet you're still holding a grudge on this. Who's the child here?"

"…. We've been a family for 8 years, long before Rei and you, for it to break apart is…" Kaz groaned in frustration

"It's hard, I get it, you're the firstborn. I made my peace but have you tried to say anything to mom?"

Kaz remained silent

"You need to talk to her about this, it's going to get worse between you and her."

"Easier said than done."

"I know, I can't force you, Kaz. You have to make the choice to move on or not."

He looked away and grimaced in silence contemplating about his emotional baggage. He should accept the reality that befell his family, and forgive his mother for the pain. Somehow he couldn't do it and actively avoided her for a while. He should be grateful that both of his parents were willing to support their children after the divorce, most other times one of the parents would have left. He knew what he was doing was childish, immature, and petty and yet why was so hard for him to let go? Thinking hard filtering through his memories, trying to find the reason. An image flashed before his eyes, his mother with another man and he could remember the screaming and crying. He decided not to look into that anymore.

At the same time, Kotone sighed in frustration. She hung her head forward, back onto the wall, trying to think of ways to get through her stubborn brother. She made her peace with her mom, which was why she's able to stay with her initially, that and she doesn't want her to feel lonely.

Ugh, he is so stubborn! Just like Mom! He does take after her. Maybe, that's why he resents her? Damn! Freud must be having a hard-on right now! All that mommy issues!

"Hello there." a voice interrupted the siblings' thought process and brought them back to reality to a crimson-eyed dignified female student wearing the standard Shujin uniform but a black halter vest instead of a blazer, she has a bob-cut hair with the color of darker shades of brown compared like Kaz's approaching to her.

"Hmm? Oh, Niijima-Senpai, we were just talking… in silence" Kotone composed herself
"Hello, Makoto-San, we just have one of those sibling arguments, it's one of those." Kaz lied to avoid anymore questions.
"Very well, and I am surprised to see you here, Kazu-Kun. I thought you're going after the person who left a cigarette in the bathroom. Kotone-San, please, call me Makoto."
Kaz sighed, "I need a better excuse." He muttered. "I need to make a slightly better impression."
"Can it, Smart-ass." Kotone directed to her sibling. "And, sure thing, Sen-umm-Makoto. Anyway, we should go in."
"Of course."

The trio entered the door to meet other members of the Student Council, after everybody settled in, Makoto started the meeting. A couple of whispers went through the members like wildfire.

"He's here, that's a first."
"And yet, she goes easy on him."
"Not surprising, their dads knew each other. Favoritism, I'll tell you."
"And his twin is there getting buddy-buddy with her. Maybe she thinks her Gekkou-High background gives her privileges."
"They're not twins."
"Wait, they're not?"

"Alright, settle-down. Let's get this started." Kotone told her fellow peers. Kaz only glared at his peers to silence the whispers.

"First things first, we have a new transfer student coming here soon, his name is Ren Amamiya." Makoto handed out the file and picture for the Council to see.
"Huh, another one so soon. What are the odds of that?" one student council member commenting while giving a quick glance to Kotone, who rolled her eyes in response.
"Hold up, I heard about this, rumors said that he's a felon involving assault?" a girl sounding worried which led the rest of the Council except Kotone and Kaz to show concern. Kaz crooked his left eyebrow in curiosity.

"Hrm, something like this should have been confidential among the school faculty, and the students shouldn't even know about it." Makoto wondered.

"But shouldn't it be a concern for the students' safety?" A male member asked, he turned to Kaz. "You're the head Disciplinary. Shouldn't this be up your alley? Could you…. warn him?"

"If he doesn't do anything, it's not my concern. And no, I'm not going to threaten him. It's a dick move to do that." He replied in annoyance.

"Besides, he's a not a felon, otherwise, he would have been in juvie by now." Kotone answered. "He's most likely on probation, if he's walking around."

"How would you know?"

"She's right. I'm sure the school wouldn't accept him if he's too dangerous. They have their reasons."

"But, how is he able to enrolled into Shujin? It's a prestigious academy. Kotone-San got in because she came from Gekkoukan High, which is a pretty well-respected school, and yet a dude with a record somehow got in?" a member inquired

"Maybe, it will help the school's reputation by showing a school like this can rehabilitated a criminal youth back into society and something along the lines. You know how the Principal's been." Kotone replied.

"With the volleyball team, that's not too far off, if that was Humpty Dumpty's reason. Dude would bend over backwards so far, that a contortionist would break his own back." Kaz casually respond while leaning on his chair. He glanced at the students who were shocked at his comments. "Oh, don't act surprised, you see how you gives those blowjobs to Kamoshida. It's like he had experience doing that in the Red-LIght Dis-Aaaah!"

Kotone slapped the back of his head causing him to fall over his chair to the ground in comedic fashion, legs in the air. He seemed winded from the fall. "Ugh, Damnit." he grunted

"Idiot" Kotone whispered

"Still smarter than you. AAAH!"

Kotone kicked him in the ribs to shut him up. Girls can be so violent.

"And besides, he was a decent student in his old school if you look at his transcripts." Makoto completely ignoring Kaz's misfortunate.

Kotone closed her eyes and sighed, "Okay then, new guy, won't be too lonely. Anyways, we have to organize the volleyball rally, that starts in the week or something."
"Oh yes, since it's the start of the school year, maybe we should start by-" Makoto went on discussing plans on what to do in the school year and the meeting went on as normal with Kaz still laying on the floor, upside down, legs still in the air.

Evening

Ren stood in the middle of his new cleaned room, tired but proud. He took out the trash, got rid of all the dust from the furniture and windows, mopped the floor, made his bed, and put all the unnecessary items to the side in somewhat orderly fashion. At the very least, he can the floor, and made a clear path from the stairs to the bed.

It's late, seems like I've been cleaning for a while.

Sojiro walked upstairs and shocked to see the new condition of the attic.

"The heck? I heard you're making all sorts of noise upstairs, but I didn't think you were cleaning." He took a glance around the room, impressed by the state it's in.

"Actually, it doesn't look too bad. It's natural that you'd want to keep your room tidy, after all, you'll be living here for a year. Anyway, why don't you go to bed for tonight. It's not like you have anything better to do, right?"

"Sure thing"

"I'll be closing up shop and get out of here myself. I won't be the one looking after you if you get sick from staying up too late, you got that?" Sojiro proceeds to go downstairs and locked up the store.

Ren changed to more comfortable sleepwear, and laid down his new bed. He stares at the ceiling wondering what the next year will bring. He's alone in a dusty old attic, with nobody supporting him from back home, no friends nor parents. He worried if this would be like this for him for the whole year. Alone. Even if he manage through without trouble for a year and returned home, it would be the same as it was for him in Tokyo. Alone.

As of today, this is my new home. A dusty, dreary attic of a coffee shop that serves curry. All alone. Arrest. Trial. Criminal Record. I just couldn't let that go.

His phone rang off. Ren reached to check it, only to be surprised the strange red and black eye app to reappear.

It's back, I thought I deleted it. Might as well restart the phone to be safe.

He dragged the app to the uninstall icon and reset his phone. His eyelids are starting to get heavy as he put his phone aside, and let unconsciousness take over as he closed his eyes.

For some strange reason, Ren immediately woke up to find himself in a completely different place. He gets up and noticed he's in a small prison cell, with his clothes changed to a typical prisoner garb, of black and white stripes, he notices that he has chains on his wrists. There was laughter from outside of the cell and footsteps approaching the bars.

Two short girls, twins most likely, in prisoner guard uniforms walked into his view in front of his cell and turned to observe Ren. The one on Ren's right has an eyepatch on her right eye, bear a twin bun hairstyle and carrying a baton. The girl on the left has an eyepatch on her left eye, she had a braided ponytail, and carrying a clipboard. Ren approaches the cell bar, only to notice that he is chain to a giant metal ball, indicating his limited movement. The two girls turn to face another person in the middle of the room sitting at a desk. He is an old, bald, sinister-smiling man with white hair from the sides and back of his head. The most defining feature of this strange man is his long nose that resembles a Tengu's.

"Trickster… Welcome to my Velvet Room."

A/N

Thanks for reading this, again it's my first time doing this so I can take any advice and constructive criticism I can get. I'll do my best not to make them into Mary Sue/Gary Stu, Ren Amamiya is still the main character as he is The Fool. More will come in time about them. I'm not sure on the pairings since this is a story of Persona 5, not a shipping story.

I have to thank Musical_Life for proofreading this Fic, check her profile over at Ao3, which I will post my Fic there as well.

Okay for some fun trivia
- The surname, Seta, is a callback to Yu Narukami's manga name, Souji Seta.
- Kotone is named after P3P FeMC's stage name, Kotone Shiomi, and the appearance is based off of as well.
- Reiko's name and appearance are based from Rei or Niko from Persona Q. (Reincarnation, maybe?)
- Samuru's clothes are based off of Koichi Zenigata from Lupin the Third Part 4. And his name, Sam, is a callback to Sam Spade of the film noir, Maltese Falcon.
- Just how Akechi is based from Sherlock and Kogoro Akechi, he will be based from the hard-boiled Noir Detectives, Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe.

VA for the new characters!

Kazuhiro 'Kaz' Seta: Ray Chase (More than just the Subway Annoucer guy. Plus Team L.A.V.A (Loud, Annoying, and Very Annoying) unite!)
Kotone Seta: Erica Mendez (All the Erica/kas in the fic!)
Reiko 'Rei' Seta: Kira Buckland
Samuru 'Sam' Seta: Marc Diraison or Lex Lang