Disclaimer: Persona 5 Characters except Ryuunosuke Katsuo belongs to Atlus, this fanfic has no commercial purpose.

You maybe are asking right now, how a bunch of teenagers were in ridiculous outfits while fighting a giant mechanical god on top of Tokyo. That's one way to start a story because our journey felt like the Divine Comedy, but we were going to heaven instead of hell which it doesn't make things better.

Seven months ago: I was an everyday young man working in a bar for some money for studies in Europe. One could wonder why I would do that instead of going to a university in this country. I had higher expectations, too prideful if I have to describe it better. My family was able to afford it if I ask them, but I don't, I wanted to become more independent after graduating from Shujin Academy a year ago.

That school was a hell hole at the moment Kamoshida, the PE teacher and the biggest douche I could ever meet, step in and started to bend the school for his desire, he always behaves like some king or something. He caused to the Track Team to disband because a first-year student punched him, creating big fuzz around the school. I felt terrible for the student, but there wasn't anything I could do to help him.

Everything changed on last May; I watched the news about Kamoshida getting arrested for physical abuse and sexual harassment, the thing that surprised me was he confessed about all those nasty things and turned himself for the police. There was no chance in life that scum could admit himself about all that stuff, some students said rumors about blackmailing or a fight with some delinquents, the most popular was about people called themselves The Phantom Thieves of Hearts, who left a calling card on the school board as a warning for him.

At first, I thought that they were exaggerating if it wasn't for the following month. Right, when June started, a renowned artist named Madarame confessed on the public during a conference on national television; he was arrested by fraud and plagiarism, including abuse from his former students, claiming he made them ruin their careers, throwing them to the rough streets. The Phantom Thieves appeared once again, and this time they were real for me.

The following month people around Tokyo started to talk more about them, was no longer rumor despite the skepticism from the citizens. Still, people hardly accepted them; television, internet, magazines and any other form of media kept talking about that group of people, being label as criminals. When I was thinking about them, people would easily classify others who are doing a change being criminals despite doing something good for others, made me feel sympathetic for them, sometimes jealous because they were doing more than me for a change.

When criminal organizations and government are always trying to overcome the other, and the third party gets on the middle, is easy to approach them and to try to get rid of them for their benefit instead of others. At the end, I was nobody to interfere on that kind of business, let those people do whatever they pleased. The only thing that kept me alive was myself because of my terrible luck with people, it was easy to do not stick my nose on someone else problems, or it was what I kept saying to myself until that day.

After finishing my morning shift from my delivery job, I drove on my motorcycle to Shibuya to rent movies, hoping to watch The Mechanical Apple. Just when I step on Central Street, I saw her.

She had Shujin uniform skirt, clean and always kept; her collar had some emblem with the letters BJ instead of the usual white polo shirt from the school. Her short hair was dark brown, with some style looking almost like a headband from the same color as her hair. I knew who she was, Niijima Makoto: the little sister of the Prosecutor Niijima Sae, the current student council president at her school, the role model student, and a pain in the ass. When I was her senpai during my senior year at Shujin, she always was talking all high almighty around everyone at school, all the teachers loved her, and she was that egg-headed principal's favorite.

I saw her standing outside of the bookstore, almost like trying to spy someone with malice. She was keeping her eyes on another Shujin student, one with glasses and messy black hair, walking around the street while talking to people. I thought her detective phase was over a long time ago; I was wrong because that is in her blood anyways.

She walked to an alleyway where that student with glasses was, in front of Protein Lovers gym. I ear dropped her conversation, talking about some investigation about looking for a name for some mafia boss, I doubted she would let things go because that is suspicious. A man with cheap clothes walked to them offering quick money work to those two students, and she opened her mouth making that thug being mad, the other student defended her. Good thing he was by her side, who knows what that guy would do to her.

After the thug left the alleyway, I was surprised she thanked the student for defending her from that guy, I usually never saw her like an apologetic type, kind of a friendly tone. I was behind a corner while crossing my arms, without being noticed by them. Whatever she was doing in Shibuya it was terrible news for her, trying to get involved with criminals and exposing them, naïve as always. I was waiting for her to give a piece of advice for her.

"Still playing the Junior Detective, are you Niijima-san?" I was lying behind the corner while crossing my arms.

"Did you were listening to my conversation there? That doesn't concern you." She gave me her trademark glare while she turned at me.

"Ok Miss Perfect, you should already know that those issues do not concern to a student like you either."

"It does concern me because some students are being dragged by shady business at Shibuya."

"You might be right about protecting your students, but you are doing a huge mistake."

"What kind of mistake?"

"You should stop with this wannabe-cop nonsense. Those people are hazardous for a high schooler, and using those students to search them for you is the lowest you can get. Are you trying to look good for that goodie-two shoe Principal? What did he offer you, a letter of recommendation for the best college in the country?"

"That's…"

"Because let me tell you a little secret. You are not the first student to being bribed by such shallow promise."

"How did you know that, and why should I believe you?"

"Take a wild guess."

"Wait…Don't tell me he…"

"Yep…he did offer the same thing to me, even if I wasn't the top student from my grade."

"And why should I listen to you about those things? That was a matter of the students. A civilian has no reason to interfere."

"That's right, it is something doesn't concern me at all, but to be fair, I'm more worried for you and those kids before you get into deep shit. Even if I'm no longer your senpai, you still need to listen to me because I know by experience, regardless of who you think I am."

"You don't understand what is going on!"

"I know that, and I don't want to. Whatever is going on between you and those guys, I won't forgive myself if people I know end up dead for foolish choices!"

"I never thought you cared for others besides yourself."

"I always do, but I'm more afraid that people around me get hurt because of myself!"

"Senpai…."

"Do you know what the worst enemy is for society? I'm sure you know the answer."

"….. Is…ignorance?"

"Ding-ding-ding! It is because if people like you don't know about the consequences of one's actions, we are losing our right to freedom. That is why you are still stuck where you are. No matter how academic successful you are, you still become useless for others if you don't take the initiative by yourself!"

"Huh..u..useless? I…." A tear showed up on her left eye.

"Now, if you don't want to disappoint people, better change that attitude." That was rude of me to say this to a woman, but that was necessary for her to make it understand my point. Before I could say more to her, she was standing in front of me while looking me at the eyes with fierce.

"Don't call me useless, you piece of shit! She was furious, never saw her like that before.

"What a surprise! Are you calling me a piece of shit because I'm calling you useless? Now that is what I'm talking about!"I was oddly happy about it.

"Why are you so happy about for?" She was confused about my change of mood.

"Don't you see? You are proving me wrong; people will always are going to claim things they don't know until you show them what you worth for. Nobody should call you useless, but if they do, you have to know when or how to respond to that."

"Why are you telling me this? What kind of benefit you gain to insult me and then praise me?" She was utterly in blank without any idea of why I was treating her like that.

"I'm saying this because you still need to learn how reality works. People will eat you alive if you don't act by yourself. It is easy to commit mistakes while trying to please others."

"Ok let me understand this: A criminal like you, is trying to teach me about life. It seems that you underestimate me." She said it while smiling.

"Ouch, that hurts me. Is this how you repay me for giving you useful tips? Calling me a criminal? THAT'S TOO FAR FOR YOU!" Her comment pissed me off.

"We can call it even then." She was mocking me with that stupid smirk."I have no reason to keep listening to you. So have a nice day."

"Hey, we are not done talking. You need to...Hey! Don't ignore me! Wait..."She kept walking down the street before I could say anything else.

"Fine, don't expect me to help you if anything happens." The nerve with that woman. I doubted she cared about my advice. She made me worried about her and that guy about their investigation. It made me feel tired. "Criminals huh?" I don't even know what I'm supposed to be at that time. After finishing buying some stuff from the convenience store, I ran into a punk with blond hair.

"Oww be careful where you run into!" I said that to him in my worst mood.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry." He took his time to apologize with me for a moment before he was continuing on his way.

"Did a guy like him just apologized to me?" Even if that was brief, I wasn't expecting someone with that appearance of his being polite at the very at least; well not all people are what appear to be. I wished it could be that easy for me. For some reason I remembered the last time I talked to Makoto, it was at her Father's funeral two years ago. My old man respected hers with immense gratitude, saying he was one of the few men who served to protect the people he loved. I didn't care at first, until I saw her wholly shattered, unable to talk or express some emotion. Those vivid red eyes became lifeless after seeing her father gone. A different person, if only I could do something to help her at that time. I was the useless one.

Two days after, I went to work at Crossroads Bar for the evening. It felt like a typical shift, my boss Lala Escargot always watching for Ohya Ichiko, a journalist from the local magazine, she was a workaholic on both senses of the words, always looking for her next scoop and cold booze.

"Is something wrong, my dear?" Lala asked me.

"Mhh? Nothing wrong, Lala-chan, just tired of my morning shift from my other job."

"I can give you the free night if ya don't feel good."

"It is not necessary, I appreciated though because this place is calm despite Shinjuku is lousy."

"Damn Straight! This place always has great ambiance any night of the week!" Ohya joined the conversation.

"You only like this place because nobody would bother you while you are drinking," I replied with my deadpan attitude. "By the way, I thought you wouldn't come here because you have work tonight."

"I'm working right now, just waiting for someone to come here."

"Who is the poor guy this time? I'm feeling sorry for whoever will show up here."

"It's no big deal, just someone who wants to trade info with me."

"I better have the bottle on stand by for you, because I will talk with Lala-chan while you 'work' with that person."

"Don't feel sad, I can talk with you if you want to." Ohya winked at me; which I wasn't amused.

"No thanks," I said before someone entered the bar.

"Welcome, welcome" Lala greeted as always to the person he came to the bar. "How old are ya, boy?"

What the hell? That guy was the same who was with Makoto two days ago at Shibuya. Why was he doing here? I thought high schoolers weren't allowed to walk around Shinjuku during these hours. I hope is not what I think it is when Ohya mentioned about waiting for someone.

"Sorry, Lala-chan. He is with me." Ohya said with a big smile. I wasn't happy though.

"Ooh, you picked up a real young this time…Just don't let a minor to drink alcohol, ok?" Lala said it with such calm.

That guy walked towards Ohya, almost like they knew each other before. What was the hell going on here?

"Lala-chan, I'm going to borrow the seats in the back. Go on, back there. I will treat you with some water." Ohya and that guy with glasses moved to the seats of the back, to have a private conversation.

That was getting odd every time he shows up: First, he was helping Makoto to find the Criminal Boss at Shibuya. And then he was trading information with Ohya-san. That became suspicious the longer this guy appeared wherever I was; he was some enigma. Despite his docile appearance, he emitted a strange aura that made me feel goosebumps like he was from one of my Arsene Lupin books.

I wasn't able to hear what they were talking about, but I had an impression that is about the rumors at Shibuya. Something wasn't reasonable, entirely not normal at all. Whatever he or Makoto were trying to do, this just made me uneasy with the idea of getting involved with criminals. Should I interfere at that time? Do I need to help them from being dragged for dangerous business or worse? Whichever was the case, things become complicated

"Lala-chan, can I get a refill for this kid? We need to make a toast for new acquaintance!" Ohya said it loud, and with the whiskey already kicking in.

After that guy left the bar, I decided to ask about what they talked about moments ago. I was hoping she willingly could tell me some information without any issues now that she was under the influence of alcohol.

"Hey Ohya-san, did you get a good time with your informant?"

"It was great! That kid had info, even a reliable source about my next story!"

"That is great, what is your next story?"

"It is an interview with a victim from Kamoshida's abuse. He gave me his ID to call him another time."

"Kamoshida? You mean the Olympic Medalist that was arrested two months ago?"

"Yep, of course, I had to give him some info as well if I wanted the interview."

"What kind of info he asked you for? If is not a problem."

"Just rumors, but about a crime boss in Shibuya, his name was supposed to be Junya Kaneshiro." She said it like if it wasn't important.

"Kaneshiro, huh? I'm sure are just false rumors, people talk too much because how heating up is Shibuya at the moment." Although that name sounded familiar for some reason, not sure where exactly.

"Isn't too risky to give such info to kid like him, Ohya?" Lala commented about that.

"It is not your problem, Lala-chan. Just like he said, most of those rumors usually tend to be false. Maybe I should send a message with an update to that kid if I find something else about it." She sounded serious about him.

"Lala-chan, I will go outside to get some fresh air for a moment, if you don't mind," I asked her.

"You can go, my dear boy, just comes back before the regulars show up; it's almost time for the happy hour."

I went outside to find that guy and warning him about this investigation nonsense, but I couldn't see him anywhere nearby. He most likely left the district shortly after he went Crossroads. "Let's get some fun; you are so young to leave so soon." Oh no, I knew those voices, those were from those colorful guys, how annoying. It seems they were already busy to notice me; I moved faster before they do see me. I decided to walk around if he appears again.

"Good evening." Mifune-san greeted me when I passed in front of her.

"Good evening, Mifune-san. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Are you here to make me reread your Luck?"

"Not really, but I wouldn't mind though." I was about to pull out my wallet for my Luck reading.

"It is not necessary to pay me." She refused my 5000 yen.

"Why not? It is bad for your business if I don't pay you for Luck reading" I said it with confusion.

"Your Luck is pretty odd every time I read it, almost like goes in zigzag or stays in the middle. I won't ask you to pay me until it changes." She was modest; I don't blame her though because my Luck is bizarre.

"Ok, instead of Luck reading, can you read my future or something else?"

"I can do that; sit down while I shuffle the deck." She started with the Tarot process. She thought me how to read Tarot cards because I'm interested in occultism or any other form of mysticism stuff. My Luck is so unnatural, almost like there is not good or bad luck. Falling in the middle where the concept of win or lose is practically nonexistent. Mifune-san is a pretty good fortune teller, most of her predictions are accurate, and something I never ask her for a regular fortune reading because it never changes.

"Mhh, interesting…" She said it with amuse after finishing the card reading

"What is it?"

"Do you know what this card means?"

"It is the Tower Arcana, meaning an upcoming tragedy. Wait, Is something bad going to happen to me?"

"Not necessarily, the card is in the reversed position which means is not too serious. Although, it acts as a warning, so it is easy to assume you are not safe yet. The outcome can be positive or negative depending on how you see it. I recommend you to look at your surroundings, so you don't miss the warnings." She gave me another lesson about Tarot reading.

I was truly curious if my fortune had something to do with Makoto and that guy about their investigation. I already warned Makoto, but it looks like something is going to happen regardless of what I said to her. Talking to her was a mistake? Did I make things even worse? I didn't like the odds. It looks like I would need to keep an eye on them until I can be sure they are safe from any danger.

"Thank you for the reading, Mifune-san. I will try to pay more attention around me. By the way, do you have any Holy Stones that I can buy? I know my luck is not going to change anyway, but at least to give me some boost."

"I'm sorry, I don't have for the moment, but I don't think you would need one anyway. Besides, you told me you are trying to save some money for your studies right? My Holy Stones are too expensive, that would be bad for your business, don't you think?"

"Touche." She used my own words against me.

After saying goodbye to her, I thought that was time to get back to work. I couldn't believe that my warnings were useless to Makoto. Did I say something that would make her continue with this? I should guess it that getting on her way was a bad idea. Every time I was trying to help someone with any problem, it just made things worse for them.

I can't help myself to intervene in other's problems. Tomorrow would be Sunday, which means I can go to Shibuya all day to watch for those kids if they are going to do something. I only needed to keep my distance and call the police if things go out of control.

That name, Kaneshiro sounded too familiar for someone who hides under the cop's noses. Whoever was means bad news, why bother to get near to him? If those kids were trying to locate him, expose him or else. I will get killed if I intervene even further. I stayed far from other people, fearing that others would suffer because of me.

I always have been considered as bad luck trinket for any person gets close to me. I thought getting away from my family was enough, but a tragedy always followed me wherever I go. After tomorrow, things would go for better or worse. I sensed change, never felt so attached to others a long time ago since I lost my friends; I don't want to feel empty again.