#I did learn though that my social persona has been tracking off of Anne for a while

[wren-writes-things]

I was showing my mother Amphibia and I think I may have forgotten that some people aren’t autistic.

[spyder-m]

Love Games

ao3 / ff.net 

Summary:  On a particularly grueling trip through Mementos, the Phantom Thieves play a few rounds of "Never Have I Ever" to fend off boredom. In doing so, they learn more about their leader and advisor than they had anticipated. Shumako.

.

Ann's eyes carefully scanned the bleak expanse that was Mementos, low-level shadows scurrying away from the blare of headlights.

Blue irises strained as they adjusted to the darkness of the subway, not wanting the target to disappear from her sight.

"I spy with my little eye… something that's brown and grey-"

"Railroad tracks," Futaba answered, not even bothering to look up from her laptop.

"Wow, Oracle. You got it on the first try! How did you know?"

"Are you for real?!" Ryuji exclaimed; the outburst startling a quietly sketching Yusuke beside him. "There's only like three things down here you coulda possibly been lookin' at. Urgh! This game sucks!

Delving this far into the depths made for a long and arduous trip.

Though Morgana's bus form was fairly spacious, with the seven of them packed in together; and a lack of proper air-conditioning; it was becoming a little stifling.

Some of the more fiery members of the group were beginning to get on each other's nerves.

Beyond the occasional pit-stop to stretch their legs, fighting off shadows and scouring out the different nooks of Mementos for treasures or potential targets, served as their only reprieve.

Even Makoto couldn't find too much of a distraction in the drive. Each level was beginning to look eerily similar, and Futaba's persona could usually map out a clear path through to the next exit. Save for swerving to avoid the odd shadow, it didn't require much concentration. Her muscles were already settling unconsciously into a rhythm.

Still, she had been able to find comfort in the silent form of Joker beside her. It was remarkable how well he could read her and ease the tension she felt with a gentle smile or supporting touch of his hand. The calm washing over her like a healing spell.

He was measured in the affectionate gestures, not wanting to attract the attention of their passengers; currently seeking out other ways to pass the time.

"Alright, fine. Let's hear you suggest something then, Skull." Ann huffed, her eyes narrowing as she folded her arms.

Blinking, the blond scratched his head in thought; not having expected her to turn to him for a suggestion.

"Well, uh... there's that game Westerners always play in movies." He offered. "Y'know, the one where they hold up their fingers and say something they've never done before."

"Isn't that a drinking game?" Makoto's glare lifted, catching the others in the rear-view mirror. "I'll remind you we're all underage and in a car."

"It don't have to be." Ryuji waved his arms, not wanting to incur the wrath of the team's advisor. "Come on! It'll be fun!"

Despite some initial skepticism, the crew supposed that Ryuji's suggestion might not actually be such a bad idea.

The founding members of the Phantom Thieves had been together for several months now and felt pretty tightly knit. The exposure to one another's pasts, their most guarded secrets and inner selves only helped to shift their relationship towards something much more intimate.

Still, between time in the Metaverse, strategy meetings, studying for exams, and part-time jobs, they didn't get many opportunities to spend time together as friends.

They were still a lot of things they didn't know about each other as people.

Haru was their newest member and didn't seem to have many friends outside of their immediate circle. Futaba was still coming out of her shell and sharing secrets among friends could help to continue building her social skills. Yusuke… Well, Yusuke was an enigma. For as long as they'd known him, there was still a lot they hadn't quite figured out.

Even Makoto; though having acclimated well with the team and into her advisory role; was still striving to more learn about her peers.

These were the kind of games kids their age would normally play at parties; a luxury their unique extra-curricular activities as the Phantom Thieves often deprived them of.

It could be a great opportunity for them to get to know each other better.

"Ooo, I'll start!" Futaba called, her hand shooting up. "Never have I ever… gone on a trip to Hawaii!"

"Wha- Oracle! That's not fair!"

"Mwehehehe…" The youngest member cackled. "Well, I had to get one up on you guys. Never underestimate the original Medjed."

"Well, alright. That's one finger down for... Everyone except Oracle. Alright, Noir. It's your turn."

"Oh. Well, let me see." Haru pondered. "Never have I ever... Tried the 6,000 yen Dark Ivory coffee at the Wilton Hotel."

The engine rumbled amidst the dip in conversation, the teens looking between one another with blank expressions.

"Uh, Noir?" Ann eventually broke the silence. "Clearly none of us have done that before. Now you have to lower a finger. You're supposed try to try and get us out."

"Oh, I could never do that. You're all my friends."

"But that's the point of the game!" Ryuji's voice rose again. "You're gonna lose at this rate!"

"Moving on." Ren interrupted, his lips sliding into a smirk. "Never have I ever eaten so much fatty tuna that I made myself sick."

"What?!" The Mona-bus vibrated as an indignant mewl reverberated throughout. "Why are you singling me out, Joker? I'm not playing. I don't even have fingers!"

"We can keep track. That's one down for Mona."

"Hmph. Fine, but I'm going next."

"Whatever. Do your worst."

"Never have I ever… called a Maid Service before."

"You damn cat!" Ryuji exclaimed, thumping the side of the car. "I thought we agreed to keep quiet about that."

"You called a Maid Service?" Ann side-eyed Ryuji, a shudder crawling up the base of his spine.

"Well, uh…" Anxious, Ryuji glance darted around the inside of the car, desperate for a lifeline. "Hey! I- I'm not the only one who's guilty here. Right, leader?"

Swallowing, Ren begrudgingly lowered a finger.

"What?!"

"A maid's services? Hmm, how fascinating. I wonder if they would be willing to serve as the model for my next piece?"

"Dude, it's 5,000 yen a visit. Like you'd be able to afford that."

"Also, I thought you agreed; no more nude paintings!"

"Anyway! Uh… Panther; you're up next."

"Oh, me? Hm, well... Never have I ever… dated before."

To the surprise of no one in the group, Ryuji, Yusuke, and Futaba each kept the fingers up, while Haru lowered a finger. However, given the circumstances surrounding her and her fiancé, the Thieves were happy not to ask for any more details. What piqued their curiosity more so, was when Makoto and Ren both each lowered a finger.

"Wait… What?!"

"Dude! You mean you were out scorin' hotties and didn't think to tell me?!"

"Well, Joker has had an entire life outside of Tokyo that we are not privy to…"

"Plus, his charm stats are like… maxed out."

"Right. Still, I really wasn't expecting that from you, Queen."

"W- well, there is someone… That I'm seeing."

The car jolted, almost swerving off of the tracks and into the station's wall, as Ann pulled herself over the front seat.

"What?!"

"Panther, please! Stay in your seat."

"Oops. Sorry!" Ann flushed, returning to her spot in the middle row. "I just can't believe you'd keep something like that from me."

"W- well, we both agreed to keep things... discreet."

"Perhaps we should move on from this topic for the time being," Yusuke suggested. "It seems to be getting Panther rather excited."

"Right." Joker nodded. "Well, Queen; it's your turn."

Makoto paused, one hand slipping from the steering wheel to touch her chin.

There was much she had not experienced before finding the Phantom Thieves, things that many would see as a normal part of life for a typical, Japanese teenager. If she were being tactical, there were likely several answers she could give that would get most of the others out.

Still, recently she had been fortunate to gain friends who brought more of simple pleasures into her life. In particular, it was thanks to the young man seated across from her that she had been able to broaden her horizons.

Though, thinking on it; as she caught Joker in her peripheral vision; Makoto realised, with a flush, there were still things she wished to learn.

"Never have I ever... kissed someone before."

"Woah, woah, wait a minute." Ryuji interjected. "You're with a guy but you haven't even swapped spit yet?"

"Skull." Ann sighed, her nose wrinkling at the boy's crude description.

"N- no, it's fine, really." Makoto countered, lifting her hands from the wheel briefly. "It's all still very new to me. I think he's just been holding back on my account. I just wish there was a way I could let him know that I want it as much as I think he does."

"Aw, don't worry, Queen!" Futaba encouraged. "I'm sure he'll come to his senses."

"Yeah! Any guy would be lucky to be with you."

"Anyway, looks like Joker and Noir are the only ones who lowered their fingers. No surprises there."

"Actually," Joker cleared his throat, and raised his hand, showing that his total was still at seven.

"Okay, now I'm confused."

"What else is new?"

A pained meow rang from the car as Ryuji's bat struck the inside wall.

Makoto flushed as she felt Joker's gaze cover her; the stark white of his mask accentuating his eyes, drawing her to them. She bit her lip, readjusting her grip on the steering wheel.

"I suppose you could say I was... holding back."

"I- is that, so?" Makoto answered, trying to keep her eyes focused ahead, away from Ren's longing stare.

She had hoped that in keeping her answers curt and concentrating on the road ahead the conversation would shift, the rest of the Thieves carrying on with their game. Yet, their interest had seemingly turned towards their leader, as he watched her with a fond smile.

"Queen, pull over here." Joker instructed abruptly; his tone sharp.

Makoto slowed the vehicle to stop, suspecting that Joker had spotted a target.

She immediately ripped off her seatbelt and moved to open the door, more than willing to steer the focus away from their conversation.

However, at the flash of red covering her own gloved hand and ceasing her movement, she turned, catching Joker's mask with a puzzled expression.

Having readied herself for battle, Makoto's normally sharp reflexes had been prepared to react the moment something grasped at her. Though, her guard slipped as Joker's fingers caught her the jaw.

Their masks clinked together as he pulled her face towards his own; the breath that ripped involuntarily from her throat was caught by the soft pressure of his lips.

Her first kiss.

The scent of coffee still lingered on his breath, likely remnants from his breakfast at Leblanc. The bitter taste warmed her chest, striking and familiar.

Now unimpeded by her seatbelt, Makoto fell deeper into Ren's embrace, her hands lifting to catch in the thick clumps of his hair.

It was surprisingly soft.

Spurred on by the sensation of Makoto kissing back, Ren trailed his hands down to the swell of her hips, appreciating how her suit clung to them. Makoto's eyes bulged in surprise as she was pulled into Joker's lap, though she didn't break from his lips, her arms surrounding him.

With that daring gesture, it struck her that she was sharing her first kiss not with Ren, but Joker; an experience distinct from what she had anticipated. It hadn't been a shy, chaste caress that had caught her; a moment their relationship had steadily being building towards; but something bolder, more extravagant.

The gesture, in a sense, reflected how they had entered each other's lives, how they had awoken to their true selves in the Metaverse; abruptly and explosively. How everything strange and otherworldly suddenly began to make sense, as if it had been there, waiting, all along.

There was something captivating about the suave, cocky persona Ren assumed in the Metaverse. Seeing those soft, shy smiles of his break into confident grins; his dark, mysterious eyes, shining and proud. The way he remained strong and collected for the rest of his team, even during their most tense battles.

That he was forward enough to make the first move; where in the real world he may have hesitated; closing the distance between them like this, his lips flickering into a familiar smirk as they caressed against her own.

It was... sexy.

The magic dissipated as Makoto became conscious of the eyes boring into her, sliding up her spine like cold digits as she recalled, abruptly, that they weren't alone. Gasping, Makoto slipped from Joker's arms, glancing mortified, towards their friends.

Ann's hands had lifted to cover her mouth, barely containing the bright smile lighting her features. There was a sheen in her wide, starry eyes. Haru had moved up beside her, hands similarly cradled together.

"Oh, how romantic."

With a smirk, Futaba had, reflexively, pulled out her smartphone; a pout settling across her features when she remembered the camera function was useless in the Metaverse.

Beside her, Yusuke was rifling through the back of the car, eventually producing a canvas and a selection of brushes, frantically setting them up.

"You two, hold your positions! I must capture this!"

"Inari!? When did you bring that with you? And also, why?"

Ryuji watched on in curious silence, his brow furrowed as he scratched the back of his head.

"Huh? Skull? What's up?"

"So, like... Do they have to drop a finger now, or what?"

[lwk3y]

Persona March! AU MasterPost: Part I

((THIS POST WILL BE ABOUT THE P5′S SIDE OF THE REGIMENT! P4 AND P3′S SIDE WILL BE POSTED IN A SEPARATE POST DUE TO LENGTH !!))

March! Is an AU wrapped around the Persona series, mostly centered around Persona 5, where the characters are members in their school's marching band regiments.

The March! Au will be setting in: Tokyoami, Japan (a more Americanized part, due to the fact that most of my knowledge is American schooling.) The March! AU is a work of fiction and will be improved more along the way. Please keep in mind that some stuff might be triggering as most of the characters storylines are the same as the game or have been changed to fit AU.  

Now here are the first two revealed regiments:

Shujin Marching Regiment- Show theme: Fairytales- Led by Akira Kurusu

Shujin is the top high school marching regiment around the country scoring a 99.23 in the JMA championships (Japan Marching Association). The Shujin Regiment is currently directed by Sadayo Kawakami, a concert/jazz band teacher. It was formerly directed by Suguru Kamoshida, however, after a planned sell-out of abuse, he got arrested for sexual and physical abuse.

Drum Major(s): Akira Kurusu, Makoto Niijima (Understudy)

Participants of Shujin Regiment:

Akira Kurusu- Drum Major- (Junior Year): Akira Kurusu was transferred from his hometown Inaba and adopted by Sojiro Sakura after a mishap that resulted in CPS taking him away. He was a shut-in for his freshman year after the incident, doing online school for a year before coming back to the public school life in the sophomore year. He applied to be in a drum major position already playing Drumline at the time of application. Band director Kamoshida took him in after seeing all the stuff he put through during band camp and helping the team. During Kamoshida’s “rein”, Kurusu did some digging about him from students. After hearing from a forgotten trombone player (Ryuji Sakamoto), a clarinet player (Yuuki Mishima), a colour guard captain (Ann Takamaki), and one of his regular “special training” victims (Shiho Suzui),  he confronts Kamoshida about the abuse. With that, both Kamoshida and Kurusu himself have a fight, to where the student council president (Makoto Niijima) walked in on them with the police behind her. He was shown capable of being a Drum Major from Kawakami, the new band director and still is to his junior days.

Ryuji Sakamoto- Trumpet Section Leader- (Junior Year): Ryuji Sakamoto is a troubled teen but found an outlet in track and marching band. Playing trombone as a kid to make his mum happy, he signed up for the regiment in freshman year. He was going through a tough time already with an alcoholic dad leaving them and his mum trying to balance out her busy work schedule, so when he started witnessing Kamoshida’s abuse to the other students, it ticked him over the edge. Confronting him after a weekend practice session, it got physical as Kamoshida attacked, resulting in Ryuji trying to defend himself. Kamoshida ended up breaking Sakamoto’s right femur, saying it was an act of self-defense then kicking him out of the regiment. Ryuji never picked up a trombone again after that whole ordeal, as well as never taking up track again after an incomplete healing of his leg. One day, a marching band regiment member (Akira Kurusu) asked about Kamoshida and the reason why Ryuji dropped out. He came clean about the truth of how Kamoshida broke his leg. With that information, Kurusu asked him to come back to the regiment. Ryuji, not believing the transfer student, said that he would if he got justice, as well as Ann and Shiho’s getting theirs. Ryuji would later see the transfer student at his locker with a trumpet case and bruises, smiling widely. Since then, Ryuji joined back as a trumpet player, playing in the concert band to improve his skills and getting additional lessons, later becoming a section leader during band camp in the junior year.

Ann Takamaki- Colour Guard Captain- (Junior Year): Taking up dance when she was little, it was easy to sign up for colour guard in her freshman year. Her audition shown her potential in becoming one, so easily she got the spot along with her best friend, Shiho Suzui. She enjoyed the long practices and hanging out with her friend Shiho as well as hanging with Ryuji when it was lunch or in classes together, it took her mind of her busy parent always overseas. However, in sophomore band camp, Kamoshida, as well as the colour guard director, came to her that due to her passion and hard work to improve the show, she would be promoted to colour guard captain. Excited, she began improving more and showing leadership to bring the team together. However, more and more into her position, she realized more about Kamoshida. That Kamoshida was treating her differently than all the other members. She brought it up to him that she wasn't that person and it was wrong, he pinned her into a corner, however. Bringing up the fact that Shiho would be dropped from the regiment if she doesn’t agree. Manipulated, she was forced to let the treatment go on to keep Shiho on the team. However, she noticed her best friend missing practices, always tired and showing up with bruises most of the time, until one day, she didn’t show up at all. Along with that, Ryuji wasn’t showing up either. Her fears became reality as she later found out the Shiho was in the critical care unit in the hospital to a confirmed attempted suicide. Ann was devastated, however staying strong for Shiho, she continued colour guard. A week after, she was approached by the Drum Major Understudy, Akira Kurusu. He asked for information about Kamoshida and Suzui, saying that Ryuji directed him to her. She came clean too, saying that she didn’t wanna play games anymore and that she wants her own justice as well as Shiho's. Kurusu promised that he would help as well as “he was right though, you do make an excellent colour guard captain.” Hearing that from someone else, she was hopeful that it would turn out better in the future, which it did. Another week later a new band director introduced themselves as well as a proud Akira Kurusu stood on the podium to begin the sets for the day.  Ann began hanging with Ryuji again and opened up more to her new group of friends, including becoming stronger for Shiho to keep her happy as she returned back to school.

Makoto Niijima- Flute Section Leader/Drum Major Understudy- (Junior Year): The student council president was not very open to the marching band. Knowing about Kamoshida’s abuse, she didn’t want to be near the band. Makoto was already unlikable due to her harsh thinking and her unlikeable personality. Her mind opened up more however when she met the new transfer student in her sophomore year that claimed to be the new Drum Major Understudy. Akira Kurusu held a normal conversation with her, no taunts or disrespect shown like she usually gets. She was able to connect to someone which made her open up about Kamoshida and how she wants to take care of the problem. Akira tells her about the risky plan he set for the next day and how she could help. Makoto hesitantly agrees, saying she would do her best to help the students. The plan was set into action, resulting in Makoto calling the police and arresting Kamoshida. Along with that was a beat up Akira. Grateful, Makoto helped Akira sorting out the marching band as they try to find a band director. During her time, she fell in love with the way an instrument was played. She asked Akira about what it was and as Akira explained more and showed her, she fell in love with it more. Over the year, she learned to pick it up and how to play. Later, trying out for section leader and wowing Kawakami and Kurusu. She got the position as well as applying for the Drum Major position, soon becoming Akira’s right-hand man with him.

Futaba Sakura- Set Design/Tech Work- (Sophomore Year): Futaba went through a rough time since her mother, Wakaba Isshhiki, passed away due to a mysterious death (reported suicide)  in front of her. With that, she was passed around her families before ending up in Sojiro Sakura’s house. She went through rough times with her uncle before her switch to Sakura’s house, however, resulting in trauma and her becoming a shut-in for two years. She has a strong case of social anxiety which resulted in her only talking online, thus creating a hobby of her being a tech nerd. Sojiro let her live that lifestyle due to his guilt of not protecting her from that trauma. She thought she was going through dark and murky water, no place to turn but down, however, she found the light of the tunnel when someone other than Sojiro dropped off dinner for her. The mysterious stranger introduced himself as Akira, the same name she heard Sojiro speak of over the year. He spoke simple conversations through the door, just telling her about his day or how the weather is like. Soon, he told his own story about what he's gone through when he was a shut-in. She begins to communicate through text with him, how she was blamed for her mother's death, how she sees her mum , etc. Over the year of where she would have been a freshman in high school, Sojiro called from outside the door, saying that Akira asked her to text him. Texting out of curiosity, she reaches to him, getting a text about the case of Wakaba, how it wasn't reported as a “suicide” like she was told. It was reported as a planned poisoning. She connects the pieces together about how the note seemed out of place how she was deluding herself. She texts him how she was realizing now and that her mum really loved her, however, she never got a text back. She waited till morning, still not getting one back until she heard him outside of her door, giving her some breakfast. In a last-second decision, she opened her door and dragged him in. She thanked him, saying that he’s helped her to realize a lot and is in debt to him. She began opening up more, going outside the house, meeting friends through Akira, and even going back to school at Shujin as a sophomore. Even though she still suffers from anxiety, she is more at peace with herself and about her mum. She bonded with Akira even more, to the point where she joined the Marching Regiment at Shujin as a design helper and audio technician if the show needs it.

Haru Okumura -Flute- (Junior Year): Haru learned how to play the flute ever since she was little from her grandfather. Her dad encouraged her playing the flute along with her grandfather. However, a falling out in her family made her not see her grandfather or any other family members besides her father. She still played music, however, getting reminded of the good times her grandfather and her played together. She joined the concert band in her freshman year at Shujin. Her father doesn't fully support her decision to join, however, he allowed it as she does help him with his company. As she turns sophomore, her father becomes a bit more selfish about his business and himself. Being forced into a relationship for a business partnership, Haru was forced to missed shows and practices, making time for forced time with her “boyfriend” Sugimura, an abusive senior football star. Akira, the director of the concert band sometimes, notices the constant absences of Okumura which leads him to the rooftop gardening center. He asks her about the attendance and if she was okay, she brushes him off, saying that she's “busy, that’s all.” He encourages her to come to the after school practice tomorrow, she agrees. Later that night, she and Sugimura are having a verbal fight in an alley near the sushi restaurant they were supposed to have a date at. Started by Haru by asking for some time to herself that next day, they argued for 10 minutes before it got physical. A nearby group was able to stop, that group being Akira and the rest of his group. (Yusuke, Ryuji, Makoto, Ann, Morgana, and Futaba). Akira and Ryuji chase the man off while the rest of the group stayed with Haru. They all lead her to a cafe that was near them, calming her down as she seemed in a state of shock of how many people care about her safety. Akira and Ryuji come back and they all talk as a group of how Haru is stronger then she believes herself, and that she has her own voice in her own decision. Haru, inspired by the group's words, takes more control over her own life. She fights with her father that she never loved Sugimura and that she will be going to more of her band shows if he likes it or not. After days of fighting, her father finally agrees to her wishes. She thanks Akira for the help and encouragement and is grateful for the support. She decides to join the marching regiment at the end of her sophomore year.

Morgana-Band Cat: Found by Akira Kurusu when he was beginning the sophomore year, he followed Akira to school and to home until Akira just took him as his own. Mona was with Akira the whole time; Kamoshida’s rein, trips to the store or clinic, or just midnight walks. Mona became sorta a comfort animal to him and to some of his friends as they hang out more. When Futaba was introduced to him, she made a device that was able to translate his meows to human words with a wired bandana that she made for him. With his new voice, he became more talkative. There might be some wrongs in the translation, however, he still gets his points across. He began becoming more aware to stuff too, noticing panic attack signs (After living with Akira for a long while) or feeling drops if something bad is about to happen. Morgana travels with Kurusu in school in his backpack, making him known as the cat in the bag. Nobody really minds because the cat usually keeps quiet in classes. Mona was introduced to the Marching Regiment after Futaba gave him the bandana, he became a helper to Aki when he was swamped with work or to just go around and help the other members of the regiment feel at peace.

The outfits can be found here:

Kosei Marching Regiment- Show theme: Society- Led by Goro Akechi

Kosei was one of the top regiments at the time with the highest score being 99.21. However, they are now placed in second highest tied with Yasogami due to Shujin taking the place of first. The band director has not been announced or kept a secret to the Kosei ears only.

Drum Major(s): Goro Akechi

Goro Akechi-Drum Major-(Junior Year): Goro Akechi is secretive and not open to the idea of friends. Nobody knows a lot about Akechi, only know that he was an orphan in his childhood before being adopted by a politician. His birth mother reported dead and that his dad was never to be seen. He was taught to grow up, stop acting like a child. So his personality is strict yet prince-like. He has a tv show like appearance, probably use to the fame he got when being on papers about Kosei’s regiment in the schools rise to fame. He can also read people easily, making people sometimes uncomfortable or amazed. He was a trombone player before he applied to be in the Drum major position. He ended up getting the position his sophomore year and being top of his class. He then meets Akira Kurusu, who also just got accepted into being a Drum Major. It felt like fate, Akechi found someone that he didn't despise as much as he does to a lot of people. However, when Kurusu took 1st in the JMA championships, a rivalry started between the two, creating the tension whenever Drum Major summits take place or when they see each other in public. He tries his best to let it go, trying to create a bond with the Shujin Regiment team, however, he has a tough time and only wants the best for his future.

Yusuke Kitagawa-Clarinet-(Junior Year): Yusuke was orphaned when he was young, with both of his father and mother gone. He was adopted quickly by Ichiryusai Madarame, a famous artist and well-known oboe player. Through the years, Yusuke learned the ways of painting by going under the wing of Madarame, as well as playing a clarinet/saxophone on his free time. With his free time, he also created sheet music for the clarinet. As he grew to his Sophomore year, he was hesitant to join to the high schools marching regiment. He was already in the jazz band at the time as he took mostly painting class. He was in one of Madarame‘s art galleries and played his clarinet outside to get fresh air as well as also finish his piece. After playing, a stranger complimented his piece, saying that the melody of it was peaceful and that it was good so far. Yusuke was shocked that someone even complimented a piece he made, Madarame didn’t even do that. The boy introduced himself as Akira Kurusu, a marching band Drum Major at Shujin. He was curious and asked how the marching band was to the frizzy-haired boy. “An escape, a way of expressing yourself without even realizing it” The way the boy described it peaked Yusuke’s interest. The newfound friend he made gave him his number as a way to contact, wishing him luck in the piece he was making. He was awed and signed up for an audition at Kosei’s Regiment. He got approved a week later and was to start at the beginning of junior year. He kept it a secret from Madarame as he kept painting for him during his time available. However, Madarama found out about his involvement in the band, prompting him to give Yusuke more work to due to his “artist block”. A few weeks after the situation, Yusuke contacts Akira, asking to meet up for them to talk. Akira agrees and the go to a cafe where Akira works at. Yusuke talks about how he wishes to continue marching band however he is struggling between a block of sorts. Akira encourages him to keep talking and to keep creating even if the block is dark deep down. Yusuke took his words into heart and continue making music and art for himself, cutting ties to Madarame after doing some digging and questioning. He now lives in the Kosei dorms. Along with that, he is friends with Akira and the Shujin Marching group he has. Even if they aren't in the same team, he doesn't see them as enemies, even on the field.

Outfits can be found here: 

This is a summary of how everyone came into the regiment and how it brought them together. My writing isn't very well so I hope I got the point across of how it started. I was in marching band myself for a short while before I was forced to leave due to injury. So, I know the process of a marching band, however, I might change a bit of stuff depending on story. but other then that, thank you so much for the support on my last post about it!! I’m still researching and changing some things to make accurate!!

There will be no metaverse in this universe, however, if there was to be one, Akira wouldn't be in the Phantom Thieves til later on. The people who have shadows will be the drum majors. (Including P4′s and P3′s Drum Majors have one)

 Akira Kurusu: Castle Dungeon (Shadow form- A thief prince)

Goro Akechi: Tv Studio (Shadow form- Tv Reporter)

You can ask me questions if you would like too!! I like to talk about my au and explain more!! I have some ideas for drawings and comics that I will get done soon hopefully!!

[sokumotanaka]

Alright I wanna start this out with something important:

Yes Ryuji is an abuse victim so is everyone else on the team, doesn’t mean ryuji gets to act the way he does. I’m an abuse victim I was teased, beaten up and had things thrown at me because I was black by my white peers, but depsite being so young I was able to distigush that from my interactions with white people in the future, I was able to tell instantly that they weren’t jerks cause they were white but because they with stupid bigots not raised right,

I also wanna state this right off the bat that talking about any character’s faults should not turn into what abouting another character’s faults to soften the faults and mistakes said character, ryuji has done.

Moving on Ryuji regardless of what anyone says is in charge of his own words he’s not possessed by a ghost or forced to be this way by any abusive past because there are plenty of fulfilled and deep characters in persona that are still respectful and rational despite having horrible lives. Let’s use Shinji as an example, shinjiro was a man who was brash and curt because he feared that the more people stay close to him the more his powers could hurt them, he pushed people away because of the life he took and the family he accidently broken, despite that he wanted to still do good and was only cold when he had to be and when he called say akihiko out by addressing old wounds he was appropriately hit and called out for it. (And no this isn’t condoling physical violence that’s just how aki is)

But like Yusuke JUST learned about his surrogate father killing his mother and while he’s about to probably break down Ryuji decided to scoff at him and specifically say “You aren’t gonna cry are you?” and even if the tone in japan and english were a mistake  (which they weren’t japan would have corrected for that; Ryuji still decided to say those specific words.

Not to mention that’s not the only time he’s been disrespectful and no him being an abuse victim or a teenager doesn’t mean he gets away with it, nor does he get to take his abusiveness out on other people.

Like the time where he compared futable to morgana knowing morgana has indentity and isecurity in being useful (which is stupid and here’s why) Morgana taught them how to sneak in and out places, theif tools, alot of the early plans hingh on him and even then he adds alot to the overall series plans, he’s the one who ask futaba to hack the phone. Morgana is the second most useful party member; he’s also their getaway alive vehicle, when ryuji stupidly activated the metanav and sent them into a desert, morgana didn’t get lazy or complain or had to be told, he turned into a car and offered the ride.

I’m just saying Morgana has much more to offer than Ryuji and Ryuji fanned those flames putting that all on futaba for no reason and morgana who without him ryuji would get nowhere fast.

Last stretch

And in the end the cat apologized and Ryuji never did for driving morgana away in the first place, so it seems like to me Ryuji is literally abusing someone himself.

The time they were trying to flirt with girls and when one of them spoke he said to her face “weird accent.”  Ryuji has no filter or respect and he doesn’t learn by the end of both games he’s in; it says something that Morgana doesn’t chastise ryuji anymore after well makoto joins but even more the team gather to literally tell morgana sorry, Futaba yells at him that he needs to apologize and when he’s there he literally shits on him right there.

Morgana’s about to come back and instead of swallowing his pride and admitting he’s a big source of the team’s problems, yelling out phantom thieves everywhere like an idiot, literally using the fact that he has superpowers as a reason why they should be rolling in women or money despite doing all that ot literally get rid of people who abuse that. Getting upset cause the girls on his team dont kiss his butt, one of his excuses being “we helped save them” as if they also didn’t save ryuji’s dumb butt plenty of times, it’s a team not a reward system, it also says something that when ryuji says these things a room full of people look at him and say how stupid the take is; or you the player have the option to disagree with him and steer him back on track of being a hero….cause it’s morally right.

And not because in the end you’ll get a reward, it’s superhero 101; in the end Ryuji has alot of problems he has to work out; him being thoughtful, smart, understanding and mature is something he needs to take from his social link and people need to stop being over backwards for him because they can excuse his abuse for literally being just as bad in the game himself, it’s not cute, it’s not Atlus being bad at writing cause p3 is a banger and persona 4 was popular (though overhyped and oversaturated) for a reason and the characters here are well written too,, But Ann and Ryuji have a serious case of whiplash from their SL to their canon portrayals.

Ryuji needs to take things from his Social link and Ann needs to put her canon personality into her social link cause “stupid white american girl” was dead and stupid in p2, let’s leave that in the past.

-I still want them to repay me for makig mark a black persona user with a spear chucker and graffiti and he gets called a money and put in jail? why did they THINK this is the rep we’d want? Repay me back in persona 6 you dicks-

You’ll also notice I didn’t bring up the fact that you tried using other characters faults as crutches for Ryuji which I wont address cause derailing to topic to point at the faults of another is a recipe for ignoring a character’s problematic traits, we are not kylo ren’ing this.

Anyway I dont expect you to agree and that’s fine, I’m not trying to get people to hate ryuji but realize “why” they like him and where his real faults lie and the faults in his writing fall, he should of apologized to morgana cause as it stands now, the cat is the more mature one for having the guts to face his faults and they weren’t even his ryuji was just an ass, and a getaway vehicle is more useful than ...not having one.

Thanks for reading all the way if you did, I’d give you a monies if I had any. Still I do genuinely hope we talk more in the future, maybe about what we’d like to see more in the future or whatever fancies, thank you and take care.