#Ryuji is already the best boy/big bro so you know he's always there for them

[pleasant-boi]

After Shido dies he actually leaves Akechi quite a large amount of money. Akechi doesn't want anything to do with it at the beginning, but he ends up using it to fund a group home and resources for abused children.

Akechi, around his late 30's - 40's, making (slightly burnt, uneven) pancakes for a group of children he refuses to let scrape by with cup noodles and pre-packaged meals, lively chattering and teasing that in some institutions wasn't even allowed when he was a kid echoing through the house, a radio playing some cheesy pop song he hates, but the kids love it, some even singing along so he leaves it on, waving a spatula around as he's breaking an argument, the kids jokingly talking back and sticking their tongues out at him, the loud goodbyes as they leave for school after eating, finally find a purpose in his life being someone he desperately needed when he was a child.

[cryingcow]

Character Story - Kiryu [RGGO]

I finally managed to get some of my cards to level 3! Brief overview: Character Stories are 3-chapter stories featuring a particular character. Not all cards have Character Stories attached to them, sadly, but the main characters have one at the very least. With that, I want to start off with our fave Dragon Dad!

Story: Kiryu gets an offer to run an orphanage, but he’s hesitant to accept. Date is a real bro, and Haruka makes her kid neighbors ragequit with her kick-the-can skills.

Kiryu: (I can’t make the decision to go to Okinawa on my own. I need to convince Haruka as well.)

Kiryu the Master of Self-Sabotage: “Hey Haruka how would you like to never see any of your friends ever again??”

.

CHAPTER 1

.

|2007 . . . Goda Ryuji and the Omi Alliance, and the Korean Mafia Jingweon. Around the end of the conflict between these two hostile forces and the Tojo Clan . . .|

[Kiryu and Haruka’s place]

Haruka: “Ojii-san. Is curry good for today?”

Kiryu: “Hm? Ah, yes. Let me help you cook.”

Haruka: “No thanks, Ojii-san, just sit down.  . . . Oh, we have no meat anymore. What should we do . . .”

Kiryu: “Should I go buy some?”

Haruka: “Hmm. But we’re almost over our food budget for this month . . . Ojii-san, do you need meat?”

Kiryu: “Oh . . . I’m so sorry, Haruka.”

Haruka: “Eh?”

Kiryu: “Next time . . . when my salary arrives, let’s go out for yakiniku.”

Haruka: “. . . okay. I’m looking forward to it!”

----

[Outside Kiryu and Haruka’s place]

Kiryu: “Well then, I’ll be going now.”

Haruka: “Okay. Ojii-san, call me if you’re going to be home late.”

Kiryu: “I will.”

Kiryu: (Well, I should head on to Kashiwagi-san. I wonder why he asked me to drop by so suddenly?)

----

[Kazama Family office]

Kashiwagi: “. . . you came, Kiryu. I’m sorry for calling you over.”

Kiryu: “No, it’s fine.  . . . your office, it’s fixed. The Jingweon blew it up.”

Kashiwagi: “Ah . . . well I can’t stay in a temporary office forever. This was a rush job. But enough on that.  . . . Kiryu, are you willing to live in Okinawa?”

Kiryu: “Live in Okinawa? Me?”

Kashiwagi: “There’s actually an orphanage in Okinawa similar to your orphanage Sunflower. It’s called ‘Morning Glory’. Your father Kazama is also involved in it.”

Kiryu: “Oyassan . . .”

Kashiwagi: “There are 8 children there now. Unfortunately, the caretaker died.”

Kiryu: “. . . so, you want me to be the caretaker?”

Kashiwagi: “Yes. Would that be fine? Of course, Haruka can come with you.”

Kiryu: “. . . Thank you for your offer, but I’m already taking care of a child.”

Kashiwagi: “Well, I thought I would offer anyway. I’ll listen with an old woman’s heart. Kiryu, are you doing well?”

Kiryu: “What do you mean?”

Kashiwagi: “I’m wondering if you’re making a proper livelihood. Do you have a regular job?”

Kiryu: “No, it’s . . .”

Kashiwagi: “It’s a wall that those who wash their feet of the yakuza hit. I don’t blame you. Not to mention you’re a bit of a celebrity, but you still have to feed Haruka. Being the caretaker of Morning Glory doesn’t pay big, but it’s a stable job. I think it’s a good start to staying away from the gang life’s baggage.”

Kiryu: “. . .”

Kashiwagi: “I’m sorry. I ended up talking a lot. Just think it over for a while.”

Kiryu: “Thank you. Can you give me some time to reply?”

Kashiwagi: “Sure.”

----

[Theater Square]

Kiryu: (Me, a director. I can’t imagine. But, Kashiwagi-san is right. I’m working day-to-day just to get enough money to eat.  . . . I want to take good care of Haruka. Even send her to college.)

Omi Alliance remnant: “There he is! Kiryu!!”

Kiryu: “. . . Omi. The war is over.”

Omi Alliance remnant: “What would you know . . . killing a bastard like you would make a great souvenir. Die! Kiryu!!”

Kiryu: “Tch.”

{Kiryu defeats the Omi remnants.}

Date: “Oi! What are you guys doing! . . . oh, Kiryu.”

Kiryu: “Date-san . . .”

Date: “. . . What’s with that unusual face?”

 .

-END-

 .

CHAPTER 2

.

[People’s Park 3]

Date: “I see. Okinawa.”

Kiryu: “Yeah.”

Date: “So what will you do? Are you taking the position?”

Kiryu: “To be honest, I’m worried.”

Date: “‘I can’t be a kid’s talisman, but I don’t want to make her life harder’. Is that it?”

Kiryu: “What do you think?”

Date: “Is it okay? If you don’t want it, then say no.”

Kiryu: “Eh? No, but . . .”

Date: “Haruka thinks living together with you is more important than having money. So, decide on ‘what do I want to do’ instead of ‘what should I do’.”

Kiryu: “What do I want to do . . .”

Date: “Besides, you might think you’re not suitable, but I think the opposite. I think you’d be good at taking care of children. You’ve become more well-rounded ever since you’ve been living together with Haruka.”

Kiryu: “Really?”

Date: “Heh. I was surprised when I found out that Kazama Shintaro was taking care of an orphanage, so I don’t know if it’s suitable for you or not. I mean, I split up with Assari, and I thought we would be lifetime companions.”

Kiryu: “. . . I don’t know if I should laugh at that joke or not.”

Date: “That’s what I can tell, at least. The story grows longer as you get older. That’s what Saya says.”

Kiryu: “Heh. No, it was helpful. Thank you.”

Date: “See you.”

{Date leaves. Omi Alliance remnants appear.}

Omi Alliance remnant: “Hehehe, you were here all along, Kiryu . . .”

Kiryu: “. . . later. I’m thinking now.”

Omi Alliance remnant: “Okay, then think carefully . . . in the other world!!”

{Kiryu beats them up, then heads home.}

----

[Outside Kiryu and Haruka’s place]

Kiryu: (It’s really late because I got entangled with those guys. Hm? That’s . . .)

{Haruka is playing kick-the-can with two boys and absolutely wiping the floor with them.}

Kiryu: (. . . Haruka. She looks so happy.)

Haruka: “Ah, Ojii-san! You’ve returned? Welcome back!”

Kiryu: “Yeah, I’m back. Are these your friends?”

Haruka: “Yup. They’re Takashi and Ko. I was playing kick-the-can with them. There were many others earlier, but I always win? I’m the only girl here.”

Kiryu: “Heh. Is that so. Was it fun?”

Haruka: “Yup!”

Kiryu: (. . . that’s right. Going to Okinawa is not just my dilemma. Haruka also has school and friends who live here.)

Kiryu: “. . . Haruka. Can I ask you something? Will you be sad if you can’t play with Takashi-kun anymore?”

Haruka: “Eh? That . . . would be sad. But why?”

Kiryu: “. . . no. It’s nothing.”

Haruka: “Ojii-san, you’re acting strange.”

Kiryu: (So far, Haruka’s life has been hard, and she’s been forced to grow up so fast. That’s why . . . I want to protect Haruka’s smile. I don’t want her to feel lonely anymore.  . . . tomorrow, I’ll go to Kashiwagi-san.)

 .

-END-

 .

CHAPTER 3

 .

[Kiryu and Haruka’s place]

Kiryu: “Well then, I’ll be off.”

Haruka: “Yup.”

{Kiryu leaves. The telephone rings and Haruka answers.}

Haruka: “Yes, this is Kiryu’s place.”

Date’s voice: “Oh, Haruka. Is Kiryu there?”

Haruka: “Date-san? Ojii-san went out a while ago. Is something wrong?”

Date’s voice: “No, I’m just worried about how he’s been. But he went out . . .”

Haruka: “Yup. For some reason, Kashiwagi-san has an errand for him.”

Date’s voice: “What? I see. Then I guess Kiryu decided that he’ll go to Okinawa.”

Haruka: “To Okinawa?”

Date’s voice: “Yeah, didn’t Kiryu tell you?”

----

[Outside Kiryu and Haruka’s place]

Kiryu: (Well, I should go to Kashiwagi-san.)

Omi Alliance remnants: “Kiryu! You can’t escape!”

Kiryu: “. . . tch. It seems before the problem of Okinawa, I have to deal with these guys first.”

Omi Alliance remnants: “Die! Kiryu!!”

{Kiryu defeats them.}

Kiryu: “Jeez. These guys are persistent . . .”

Haruka: “Ojii-san!”

Kiryu: “Hm? Haruka . . . what’s wrong?”

Haruka: “I just got a phonecall from Date-san. I heard you were going to Okinawa.”

Kiryu: “!”

Haruka: “Hey Ojii-san. What does that mean?! Is that Kashiwagi-san’s errand?”

Kiryu: “I’m sorry I kept silent.  . . . But I still won’t talk about it.”

Haruka: “Eh?!”

Kiryu: “You don’t have to worry about anything, Haruka.”

Haruka: “. . . Ojii-san. By any chance, are you refusing to go to Okinawa because of me?”

Kiryu: “That is . . .”

Haruka: “. . .”

Kiryu: “. . . Haruka. You have a life here. You have school and friends. It’s too selfish to go to Okinawa for my own convenience. I think-”

Haruka: “Stop it, Ojii-san.”

Kiryu: “Eh?”

Haruka: “I don’t want to just be my uncle’s baggage! It’s much harder than breaking up with friends.”

Kiryu: “Haruka . . .”

Haruka: “Hey, Ojii-san. What were you planning to do without me?”

Kiryu: “. . . I . . . . . . I was thinking for a long time. What reasons would I, a former yakuza, have to go to Okinawa and run an orphanage? The income is stable. It will be for Haruka’s future. But above all . . . I want to help children without parents. My father Kazama would want me to guide children as he did with me, Nishiki, and Yumi.”

Haruka: “I see . . . then Ojii-san, I have a request.”

Kiryu: “Request? What is it?”

Haruka: “Let me help my uncle out. I can understand the feeling of a child without parents, too.”

Kiryu: “Haruka . . . alright. Please help me.”

Haruka: “Yup. Ojiisan, let’s do our best together!”

Kiryu: “. . . thank you, Haruka . . .”

----

[Kazama Family office]

Kashiwagi: “. . . I see. Together with Haruka-chan.”

Kiryu: “Yes. We can help orphans together, is what I thought.”

Kashiwagi: “Heh. Kiryu, it sounds like it was quite the conversation.”

Kiryu: “Haruka pushed her position. ‘I also want to help’, she said. She has a life here, but she also wants to help the orphans with me. She said so.”

Kashiwagi: “Really . . . Kiryu, it seems like you found yourself a reliable partner.”

Kiryu: “Heh. Looks like it.”

Kashiwagi: “Then . . . what I asked, about Morning Glory?”

Kiryu: “Yes. I’ll do it.”

 .

-END-

Masterlist

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #776: Text Before Graduation (Persona 5)

Futuba: Ladies!!

Futuba: Gents!

Futuba: You will NOT believe what just happened today!!

Ren: I'm not gonna do the big speech after all?

Makoto: Ren.

Ryuji: Dude.

Ann: Don't even start

Haru: That's not the news Futuba is talking about at all.....

Ren: I know.

Ren: Just trying be hopeful is all.

Futuba: 'Kay. We'll DEFINITELY talk about all that later. But first, some exciting news are ahead!

Morgana: GUESS WHO'S FINALLY HUMAN FOR A DAY!?

Morgana: Real Human Boy!.jpg

Ann: ＼(◎o◎)／＼(◎o◎)／＼(◎o◎)／

Ren: Oh my god.....

Ryuji: HOLY FUCKING SHIT, DUDE!!!

Haru: RYUJI!!

Haru: What did I say about texting out cuss words in group chat with children present!?

Ryuji: Sorry. Sorry. I was just surprised is all.

Ryuji: But seriously tho, is ALL OF THIS FOR REAL, DUDE!?

Morgana: Yes, Ryuji. It's for real.

Morgana: I'm a human now! :D

Morgana: For the day at least lol.

Ann: OMFG MONA YOU'RE SO CUTE I JUST..... CAN'T!!!!! (≧▽≦)(≧▽≦) (≧▽≦)

Makoto: I agree. You look wonderful, Mona.

Lavenza: And very handsome too.

Morgana: Thanks, Lavenza ( ꈍᴗ��)

Lavenza: (✿^‿^)

Yusuke: Did your wish of being one has finally been answered?

Morgana: Not exactly. I asked Ludwig to make me a potion to make me human for day so I can be able to see you guys graduation tonight.

Ren: Neat. We're happy for you, kiddo.

Ryuji: Yeah. Being a human makes you feel alive now, doesn't it?

Morgana: You know it!

Morgana: This maybe a one time opportunity, but I'm still gonna enjoy every moment of it!

Futuba: We're gonna be with ya no matter what! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

Morgana: Never doubted that for a second, Futuba. Thanks.

Makoto: Speaking of which, Haru, where are you guys right now?

Haru: We're just leaving out beauty salon and finding ourselves something to eat.

Lavenza: Ms. Haru wanted to receive a "Graduation Makeover" before the ceremony begins in the next couple of hours.

Ann: Cool. Shiho and I are getting ready ourselves. Looking our best and whatnot.

Makoto: Sis is helping me get ready too. Which reminds me.....

Makoto: Ren, have you been able to write down your speech yet?

Ren: I did.

Ren: Still not sure it's gonna be good tho....

Futuba: What kinda speech you gotta do, Ren-Ren?

Ren: A Graduation Speech. I was nominated to do at some point during the ceremony.....

Makoto: You'll do just fine out there, Ren-Ren. Trust us.

Ryuji: Makoto's right, man.

Ryuji: Remember that speech you did on your birthday?

Ryuji: You totally nailed that one mo problem!

Ren: Yeah. But only because you guys and everyone else in the mansion were there to see it.

Ren: Meanwhile, there's gonna be a crap ton of people in the ceremony. Sone of which I don't even know, some that might have high expectations of me, and with the exception of you guys, Shiho, Mishima, Eiko, and even Kawakami Sensei, I'm pretty sure everyone else in school still doesn't like me.

Ann: I'm sure most of the people in school has already warmed up to you as of late.

Ann: And even then, u shouldn't have to worry about them or anyone else in the audience think. Just have the same confidence u been having ever since you first came to Shiyuba and you'll be just fine.

Ren: That's almost easier said then done really....

Ren: What if I randomly mess up?

Yusuke: Then you simply keep going and never look back. It'll be less stressful that way.

Haru: You've endured so much since when we first met you. Your false accusations, the mementos, even the Smash Tournament.

Morgana: And against all odds, you were still able to pull through in the end.

Futuba: Which is all the more reason why you shouldn't back this one out.

Futuba: We believe you, bro. Always.

Lavenza: I wholeheartedly agree with everyone on this, Joker. You must gain more confidence in yourself.

Lavenza: You are the chosen one after all. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

Ren: You guys really believed in me that much, do you?

Ryuji: We've always believe in you, man. And so does the boss and almost everyone in Smash Family.

Makoto: We love you so much, Ren. And we'll always be there for you no what anyone else says.

Ren: I knew I see you all as my real family for a reason......

Ren: I love all of you too.

Ren: And it might not be important to tell you all this, but... I'm already in tears lol.

Ren: The Crying Joker.jpg

Makoto: Oh honey~ I'll be sure to give you lots of love once my sister and I get to the café

Ryuji: Already on my way right now. Ain't no way I letting my bro cry us on now lol!

Ann: Neither am I!

Yusuke: Nor me as well.

Haru: We are also on our way to to café too, Ren-Ren!

Haru: You better prepare yourself for the bestest group hug of your life!~

Futuba: YEAH!

Ren: Sure thing, guys lol.

Ren: By the way, Morgana, you're having a good time being a human so far?

Morgana: Oh definitely. The salon was great and the burger we ate was pretty good.

Futuba: He even get to hold hands with a certain velvet girl every time we take scroll~

Morgana: NO I HAVEN'T!!!

Futuba: You so did! Haru and I were there to witness it.

Lavenza: I can conjure on saying that what Futuba is stating is true. Mona-Chan and I have been holding hands since we left the mansion.

Lavenza: It makes me happy to see that he cares about me ever so much. ( ꈍᴗꈍ)

Futuba: Holding Hands!.jpg

Ren: Now that's adorable.

Makoto: I agree. It's so cute!~

Haru: I knooooow!~ I couldn't stop gushing about earlier!~

Ann: I just told Shiho about and we're already gushing about it RIGHT. NOOOOOOW!!!~ (≧▽≦)(≧▽≦)(≧▽≦)

Ryuji: Oh I am SO gonna tease you about this, cat! >:)

Yusuke: Maybe I should create a reincarnation of this in my paintings....

Morgana: ALRIGHT, LISTEN!

Morgana: I only hold her just to make sure that neither of us get close to the road. THAT'S. ALL.

Morgana: Nothing more! Nothing less.

Haru: It's okay, sweetie. We believe you.

Haru: Isn't that right, you guys?

Ren: Yeah.

Ryuji: Whatevs.

Makoto: Of course.

Yusuke: If you say so.

Ann: Whatever you say~

Futuba: I still ship it.

Morgana: CAN WE NOT, FUTUBA!?

Lavenza: What does "Ship it" means, Mona-Chan?

........................................................

Morgana facepalms himself as he continues texting.

........................................................

Morgana: I tell you about it, later, Lavenza.......

Kazooie Joins the Chat......

Kazooie: Hey. I don't wanna alarm u guys or anything, but we saw some blue haired kid earlier ago in the mansion that sounds EXACTLY like Mona!

Morgana: That's because that blue haired kid was me, Kazooie.

Morgana: I'm a human now!

Futuba: Human Morgana!.jpg

Kazooie: Huh.

Kazooie: Well, I'll be damned......

Kazooie: Not bad. I'm happy for ya, squirt.

Morgana: Thanks!

Kazooie: Also I've just seen the messages you posted just now and I agree.

Kazooie: You and the white haired girl look cute together.

Futuba: RIGHT!?

Morgana: KNOCK IT OFFFFF!!!!

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@princekirijo

@26shann

@cyber-wildcat

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

[bobzora]

official persona 5 character review

i have only played up to the end of the third palace but i won’t be able to play for a few weeks because my sibling has ABANDONED ME (single tear) and we play together. and i’m bored. so HERES MY REVIEW of all the major characters so far. under read more because i do tend to ramble

- mc/joker (bob johnson)

why is my silent video game protagonist a catboy. it’s funny to me how much personality he manages to have despite being. yknow. a blank slate to project on. charisma! the dialogue options when you’re talking to shadows that are like “girl power!” live in my mind. joker is a girlboss to me. feminism win

- ryuji

he’s like one of those very excited big dogs where you’re like “oh good for you buddy! oh yeah buddy!” but you’re also just like man this is a bit much. on one hand he’s a very good guy but on the other hand sometimes i feel a very strong urge to insult him or just be mean to him in general, often for no particular reason. i like him i really do he just has that kind of personality. he’s a bro. his pirate thing is funny i know they’re named after like. historical figures/characters in literature(?) but captain kidd sounds so. it’s funny ok. it’s funny. he’d be a backyardagain. i like how he’s a mamas boy that’s cute. sorry about your leg buddy. he’s very. naive isn’t the right word but something like that. i still want to bully him. his grin looks dumb (endeared)

- morgana

i think it’s funny how big his head is when he’s in his metaverse mascot form he’s like a bobblehead i want him to fall over from the weight. the gags about his puppy crush on ann and his dislike of being called a cat are ANNOYING like sorry about your identity crisis but i really don’t care. he is cute sometimes though it’s not like i hate him but he’s a little annoying! you know! i’m not big on mascot characters in general haha

- ann

i adore ann she is cute and great and she deserves a lot better get this girl a better costume PLEASE. at the start of the game i was already rooting for her hardcore cause everyone was being terrible to her (very common occurrence that happens to like every character i have noticed. Society) and then she had that thing where she was like “let’s have him continue to live so he can suffer more” and i was like HELL YEAH ann is always saying the truth man. other thieves like “yah it wouldn’t be moral to kill them” (tho they’re cool with the mind control lol 🤔) but ann’s like “idc about that lol i just want him to suffer” SO TRUE. so true. i like her pigtails

- yusuke

ngl before i started playing i kind of already knew that i’d like this guy. i didn’t know much about him other than gay little artist but i knew. i was right. i am incredibly fond of this guy. partially because i too am a weirdo artist with parental issues (his persona awakening had me like *vibrates*) but mostly because he is just so funny. look at this guy! look at his stupid little tail! i lost my mind while doing his first confidant event thing he is GREAT. VERY cool. i just really like him. i could sit there and listen to his long impassioned speeches for a long time

- makoto

i was a big fairy tail fan in early middle school (unfortunate) and i play in dub so every time she opens her mouth i can only hear lucy/every other dub character her va has voiced cause there’s lots of them. ok first of all i’m not a big fan of her character archetype. yknow the straight laced student council president type. nothing personal just not my thing yknow! i do sympathize with her Issues of being useful and being used by the adults around her ofc but i’m not like INVESTED invested. tbf i haven’t known her too long. what’s his face mafia guy’s palace didn’t feel as personal as the last couple which probably contributes to that (underwhelming). on the other hand i really like that she has a motorcycle i was like ?! QUEEN and then THAT WAS HER CODENme??? very cool of her. i don’t care about her that much but i do think she is cool. if i were to encounter her irl i would be so intimidated

- akechi

he has not joined the team yet but he obviously will. i have not seen much of him yet but i do have many opinions. i did know he was this games komaeda archetype before playing because of the sheer amount of arguing i can vaguely remember scrolling past about him but even if i didn’t i would’ve instantly been able to tell. he’s fake as hell. i lose it every other sentence whenever he’s on screen WHO IS THIS GUY. “thesis antithesis *pretentious stuff*” “woowwwww you’re so interesting ^-^” “woahh look we happen to have met waiting for the train teehee” (whenever he pops up in those train scenes it feels like a jumpscare) there is a high percentage chance that i will like this guy a lot. there is a precedent for me really liking that sort of character and he is very entertaining. i hope he is just so unhinged. i mean there’s like a 99% chance he’s the ~mysterious guy causing all the accidents~ and also the “heh kid u were betrayed by one of your own” guy. so. he gives me the vibes of one of those really tiny cutesy dogs who are just incredibly aggressive. funny to me how ryuji hates him to an absurd degree like buddy chilll yeah he sucks but wowww. i LOVE that stupid doodle of him on the classroom chalkboard. the anime sparkles. his hair is ugly btw. we met on 6/9 which turns me into a 12 year old. i enjoyed our silly little tv debate

- futaba

i’m 99% sure that’s the name of the girl with the orange hair and glasses? i haven’t met her yet. she does the hackerman typing thing in the opening which is cute. i’m just mentioning her because i think she’s cute. she’s a techie with orange hair so i’ll probably like her

- fluffy brown hair girl

only character in the game art i haven’t mentioned so i kind of have to so it’s fair. she looks kind?? very fluffy. fluttershy is probably her favorite my little pony. she would eat bread

IN CONCLUSION everybody here needs therapy and also i’m mad that i got invested in a game with time / resource management / stealth mechanics :/ . the battle system is very cool. also the menus are the best character they’re SO sexy

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

Was reading your response to the Okumura Ryuji/Morgana fight, and the way the person worded Ryuji's character made me wanna ask... Do you think a bad fanbase is a fair reason to dislike a character? I've heard people say things like "no look at the character too", but... For example, I'm very neutral on Ryuji. When he's good, hes SO GOOD, EXCELLENT BOY, but Ann is my favorite girl. Guess who he pervs on exclusively and is rude to all the time? I've never seen his fans talk about (1/2 sorry)

His rude behavior, or his pervy tendencies, or his more selfish desires regarding the PT. That's fine!! Not everyone wants to constantly talk about bad things their fave has done!!! But people referring to him as a "woman respecting king" so insistently rubs me the wrong way, since he treats Ann Like That. That, and (more personal) i remember making a post/ask thing once about my grievances with Ryuji, esp his perv stuff, and the fans that interacted very aggressively denied his behavior (2/3)

And it even turned into a big discourse on the blog I submitted it to (it was that one confession blog). All the people that responded and just tried moving the arguments to "well Yusuke did this-" or even tried to push blame on Ann "she was asking for it" just kinda cemented my already growing dislike for Ryuji. Super sorry this is so long!!! Final question: is a bad fanbase a fair reason for disliking a character? (3/3)

Don’t say sorry about multiple sent asks, I don’t mind kfdsjla;fja As for the answer, I want to say yes and no, but really it’s just “yes with a side note attached.” Yeah, it’s ok to not like a char because of their fans, but I think it’s as long as you know why you dislike the char beyond the fans (well tbh, imo it’s usually the crazy fans so I think stans is a better word, but even then there’s diff stans). And tbh, I....can’t....think of a character I don’t like that the fandom/fanbase does....but I know nothing about the char all the while (closest and most recent example this....is....I know people dislike that grey haired moe blob on twitter even tho I don’t think they watched the show, and while I’m not a fan of the moeblobness I don’t know anything about the char so I’m personally not upset). I can only name chars I don’t like because of what happens in the text, fandom be damned (but sometimes they don’t help). Which is why it’s a yes with a side note. If you don’t like the char despite not knowing them.....probably get to know the char first even if your impression is clouded by the fandom....at least you gave the char a chance. 

Under cut cause length (first few sentences in the first paragraph under the cut/tldr at the end gives you the answer a bit more in depth, the rest is rants related to that and why I get frustrated in a similar sense too, but yeah sorry if I repeat myself, I kinda jumped all over + my tendency to try to nail a point home I feel like might’ve had me repeat a bit more than usual akslfjdakfjaf):

I say this because.....it’s hard....it’s hard to keep them separated, unless you completely isolate yourself from the fandom (which is basically impossible if you wanna keep up with news, even the comment section is part of the fandom tbh...and you might be looking down their for diff reasons). And then.....well...the big reason....sometimes seeing the fans really highlights the reasons you dislike the char. That’s what happened to me and Makoto, specifically cause of....a certain fan (and buddy if you happen to see this, nothing against you, no bad blood, def won’t mention your name I respect you and the debates we had)....AND TO THE TUMBLR READERS WHO GET NERVOUS: It wasn’t on this website in case anyone is freaking out so if you’re thinking “Oh god it’s me” it is most likely not you (tho I think we do know each other on here cause of usernames/saw each other in passing but we def aren’t mutuals last time I checked), and while I do respect that person.......my god did they highlight the reasons I had issues with P5 and Makoto. Ironically in trying to defend her and show off her good sides, I realized the writing issues more and more and her bad sides became more glaring. It turned my frustrating dislike and attempt to try to work out my issues with her and P5 (ironically “working out” in hindsight would’ve been me....denying and refusing to look at P5′s flaws) into....well......the salt factory you know today. (same thing happens with like......Yukari and Junpei fans too tbh...that’s more recent tho, it feels like they are just downplaying their negatives constantly and I’m not about that). Basically, you probably have issues already, they are just more pronounced now. 

As for “look at the character”....you kinda already are doing that, and that’s probably where your existing issues originated from (tho if someone wants a more in depth reason as to why, while you DON’T OWE them an explanation, it is also hard for someone to understand your feelings and reasons if you don’t try to explain). 

As for Ryu, yea, I getcha, I like the guy, I’m neutral positive on him....was my best bro but he’s 2nd best thanks to post-Kamo writing. I like him because of his positives, but I always keep his negs in mind because. Cause like while I agree with the fans IT MAKES NO SENSE! P5′S WRITING IS BAD! it happened, same as I agree that Anne kicking Ryu’s ass, along with the other girls, is shitty. Hate the scene, and I accept that it happen (low key gonna start some kinda 2nd wave war with this bs cause the fandom be like that, but I’m really surprised no one took Anne smacking Ryu behind the neck cause he was being too loud as super offensive and abuse.......it’s def something a friend might do, not like belting him just a tap, and it’s framed as chill and also as warning him to reign in the volume control, but high key surprised no one has tried to cancel her cause of that). BUT that DOESN’T mean it erases all the creepy stuff he’s done. Is he the goodest boi when he’s being good? The best. Is he always a good boi? No, he def is not. And hearing that he is can be frustrating to people that do see his flaws (cause they are there). And like....you are 100% able to like a character despite and because of their flaws, while also accepting they have those flaws. I do it with Yosuke, Ryuji (for the most part), Teddie, Shinji, Ken, Kanji (when he’s not around Naoto, then he’s in a trash can for me), P1/2 casts, Aigis, Mitsuru, as long as the flaws are within reason and are treated pretty well....then I’m ok with it. (again, Kanji/Ryu have moments when I’m like....NOPE! but when they aren’t doing the bad thing I’m cool with them). As long as the flaws are withing reason (aka they aren’t making a jerk person out to be the person in the right, or the writing is trying to sweep what they did under the rug, or trying to force us into empathizing with them despite what they did while also trying ot sacrifice empathy towards another char.....*cough*Makoto/Yukari/Junpei*cough* if the writing isn’t doing that...... I’m probs neutral to pos on them). 

Like I’m fine if they are criticizing the writing and being like “Him doing this makes no sense cause it conflicts with the good boi we’ve already seen!” That’s a-ok! Not only do you recognize your char has flaws, you also are able to identify issues with the writing. But saying “so I’ll choose to ignore that scene” isn’t....ok. Because sadly it did happen, as contradictory it did happen. AU it all you want, but you have to accept it happened outside of that AU. Like, I don’t like the Mika conflict in Anne’s CoOp, by which I don’t like how it went down (100% fine with Mika, and there being conflict with her). How it the whole thing started doesn’t make sense if you put MainStory!Anne in her CoOp. MS!Anne can read the room and other people’s emotions (only other person capable of that is Haru, or at least with Mona), hell she was so good at it she noticed something was up with Shiho without Shiho telling her about it! The issue was the fact Anne’s not a mind reader and could only assume the issue Shiho was going through that Anne was aware of (and that was her spot on the team). Now MS!Anne is not like Yosuke, she doesn’t put her foot in her mouth. She’s not like Naoto who can’t read the room. She’s not super eloquent, but can empathize and when she can interact with people she can do it pretty well. So why the hell does she basically not think before talking and insult Mika? Sure Anne’s not GREAT at school, but she’s not a moron, she can talk to people. But her CoOp makes her a moron all around, 100% airhead, and that’s how her issues with Mika start, by not thinking before talking and accidentally insulting her via blatantly “not caring” about the job to a full time person......it’s stupid, it makes no sense, I hate it. But it’s there, the flaw might not be present in the main story, but for the all around character (cause CoOps are included) it is now and I just have to deal with it. We can bitch about it all day (and trust me I will) but it happened. Basically never frame it as “it didn’t happen,” but instead “It SHOULDN’T HAVE happened.” One is denial, the other is critiquing the text. 

Anyway my rant aside, yeah I hate it when...well Ren/Ryu/Yusuke (no one’s said Mona yet, cause....well yeah...which is good they haven’t labeled him as it yet tho), are labeled as “drinking respect women juice” and I’m like “I have one to a few women who would disagree.” I know some people will argue Goro is drinking it, and imo he’s not....he’s just eating the “I don’t discriminate sandwich” which is different. And yeah the “But Yusuke-” yeah yeah we’ll get to him, but right now we’re talking about RYUJI. I’m not a fan of derailing a topic *war flashbacks* *shivers* anyway. But yeah I remember that debate, I was probably one who was like “We’ll get to Yusuke but right now we’re talking about Ryuji” and pushing the blame onto Anne is disgusting and Kamo Arc!Ryuji would be very upset. >:( (btw high key I think I was the first one who started the first anti-makoto war wave with me saying “yeah Anne shouldn’t have apologized Makoto started it and blah blah she was an ass” not the exact words but basically just calling her out on her shitty behavior cause the game certainly didn’t......tho as Miley Cyrus would say.....”I didn’t mean to start a waaaaaar~!” I actually wrote my first Persona Problems on that topic.......but it got lost in the drafts....my photo examples kept getting messed up which is bad considering the whole post really relied on them....I should try to dig it up tbh....)

Tldr/short answer: Yeah, you probably already have issues with the char to begin with tbh, and the fanbase can highlight those issues more. It’s also hard to escape the fanbase (I see stuff I don’t wanna see despite trying my hardest to avoid certain circles, it just happens).

[bring-forth-your-justice]

Chapter 1: Troubled Mind (Reader x Akira Kurusu)

So um, I wrote a fic. I already have 3 chapters complete for this long fic. When I say long, I mean very long *cough* 15,293 words *cough*. So a bit of context to the story, it ties in with persona 3 because of the reader’s past. As well a major change to the story (won’t reveal it because I’m not so sure on whether to add it in or leave it out.) Hope you enjoy reading this piece of trash.

You couldn’t be late to school, not today.

You ran past people in a panic to reach the subway. The forecast said it was gonna rain today, but your wonderful and brilliant brain forgot that. Not that it mattered anyway, you had no idea where your umbrella went.

Thankfully it wouldn’t rain for another hour or so, that was your saving grace for the day. You only wished it could’ve been used for something else though.

You reached the subway just in time and pushed your way into the cramped train, managing to grab the last seat. You held your bag tight, so tight that you could’ve sworn that your papers were gonna be in crumples by the time you left. “Maybe today won't be as hectic as I predicted”. You thought to yourself, as you tried to doze off for the duration of the ride for Shujin Academy.

Normally you were never late, not once did you ever miss school, and you wouldn’t dare over sleep. After all, you were the student council vice president! You were a straight A student for goodness sakes! You were the person every student would look to for help and advice, a role model. Only second to Makoto, but even then you both were identical in terms of efficiency and marks.

So why were you late?

Well, you weren’t late, not really. It’s just your student council meetings start before school does and that's what you couldn’t be late for. You had many things flooding your mind last night and you ended up over sleeping.

Luckily your 3rd alarm woke you up. If not for that, Makoto would’ve freaked and sent enough messages for the constant dinging to wake you up.

The train had stopped and you made your way past the other passengers. You put your headphones on and started making your way to school.

As you made your way towards the school, you spotted the alleyway that Ryuji and you would walk through together. You flinched at the thought of just hanging around Ryuji again. As badly as you wanted to again, as badly as you wanted to say sorry and make him smile, you couldn’t. There was just something standing in your way, why lie to yourself? There was someone in your way.

The gloomy clouds plagued the skies above you but it didn't matter now, you’d finally reached school. Walking through the empty halls seemed to take more effort than usual. It seemed the feeling of the desolate halls had caused you to forget about your surroundings, as you had tuned out someone shouting your name.

“Y/N! Y/N! CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME!? Oh GoD!” She hollered, as she tried to close the gap between the two of you.

You lept back as the girl caught up to you and grabbed your shoulder. She then continued to slump forward, crouching, in an attempt at catching her breath. “Arine? What’s wrong?! You look exhausted.” You say in confusion as you take out the headphones from your ears. 

Arine suddenly shot up at what you had said, with only frustration to be dissected from her expression and beads of sweat showering down from her hair.

You jumped back at the sudden action, still dazed with her conduct.

“Are YOU REALLY asking ME if there’s something WRONG with ME!?” She retorted back, still huffing, slightly slouched. Just as you slightly parted your mouth to respond to her, she cut you off. “Never mind that, c’mon the meetings gonna start. I was looking to see if you had came or not. But, like always, your right here.” She sent you a quick loving smile and grabbed your left hand, and dragged you to the council room.

“ Sooo..er..Arine, why exactly were you so upset?” You spoke shyly, you were now walking beside her, retaining your elegant stature. Arine was a first year, and the treasurer of the student council. Although a very small and timid girl, she proved to be very enthusiastic around those she knows well.

“Well, besides the fact that you made me run after you around the school, and made me look like a fool for yelling and screaming your name about 4 billion times..” She spoke sarcastically as she turned to face you. “ The..” You noticed the sudden shift in her expression, from one with glee to one with dread and unease. Your face didn’t falter from its blank expression, but you felt concern ebbing away your lifeless expression.

“It’s j-just the..um...the t-transfer s-student”.

The transfer student? Wha-oH WAIT! “OH, yes of course! It seems as if I had forgotten about him. I just had a lot on my mind the other night, and I forgot he was coming today.” You spoke with more confidence.

“But why exactly are you mortified by just talking about him?” You slyly inferred. Arine shot her head down, being both shocked and embarrassed by you noticing her dismay. “Oh, um. Well, err you see..uhh.” She choked on her words, making it hard for you to understand why this student brought out her inner demons just at the mention of him.

‘GOOD LORD! Was this boy the new coming of Voldemort!?’ You thought, with concern now evident on your face.

“A-apparently he’s currently on probation for ASSAULT! A-and I overheard some of the teachers that he’s really d-dangerous, they said that if he had a knife that day...he wouldn’t be convicted of assault but ..m-murder.” Arine started to tremble. You slid your hand into hers in an attempt to rid of her quivering. “I’m not one to judge on rumors….but if he’s as menacing as you say he is..” You took a pause in between your thoughts, slowly biting your lip with the situation at hand.

“I’ll be careful, and hey! Don’t worry, I won’t let him hurt anyone. Including you, so quit your worrying!” You said blissfully.

Haha..how would that even work? You couldn’t even save your brother, father, or even yourself! Pathetic, you want to save your friend and the school while you can't even escape the people who hurt, torment, and abuse you. You lie to yourself and now you lie, to her.

Arine’s face slowly lit up with more of your false assurance. The two of you reached the council room, and were greeted by Makoto and the others. Makoto rushed to your side to give you a small but strong hug. She asked what had taken you both so long. You sheepishly explained that you overslept and were in a world of your own thoughts before Arine came along. Makoto was shocked at the fact that you overslept, and continued to say that she would personally enter your house and wake you up. After that, the meeting had finally begun.

“Y/N wait!” Makoto said just as you was about to leave the modest, dimly sun-lit room. “Hmm? Something wrong Mako?” You and Makoto have been childhood best friends since middle school, always by each other's side.

Things were rough after your mom, dad, and big bro died. After all, you were only 4 and Taro was 12. Your oldest brother, Taro, was left to take care of you but at the time, you had your grandma. When she passed, Taro was 17 and was on his way to becoming a prosecutor. That’s where he met Sae-san. Their friendship lead to you meeting Makoto. You both had so many things in common, your love for knowledge, books, kawaii things and of course, the need to be like your older siblings and bring forth justice! But besides your interest, you both shared the pain of losing your parents and loved ones. You depended on each other when the world around you seemed to collapse, when the pain and grief resurfaced. When the occasional sibling fight happened, the other would always spend the night at the others house.

When the other didn’t have an interest in one particular area, the other would force them to do it with them. Makoto doesn’t know how to play piano or skate so you drag her with you. Cooking and aikido comes as a challenge for you so you’d tag along with her and learn a thing or two.

You told each other almost everything. Feelings, opinions, secrets, hopes and dreams. Including a secret only she believes when Taro can’t except it..

You know in your heart that, that secret is no secret, but the truth. The truth that won’t ever be told until you find the killer. . .

“No, nothings wrong but um, Miss. Kawakami had asked if you would show the transfer around the school?” Makoto asked shyly, fiddling nervously with the pencil in her hand. You were in shock. Usually the homeroom teacher would be the one to show the student around. Though you wouldn’t argue with a teacher about showing a student around, it was just this student. After what Arine said, you weren’t so sure about this.

“I certainly don’t mind, but why? The teachers usually show them around, am I wrong?” You asked.

“Yes, it is the teachers duty but, you and the transfer are in the same class. So Miss. Kawakami thought it would be good if he got to know someone in his class. She also mentioned that it would be wonderful if he had such a marvelous and outstanding influence as his first ‘friend’ at this school.” Makoto clarified.

“Alright, I guess you already know what I’m doing this morning. Honestly though, I’m honored that she’d think so highly of me.” You let out an embarrassed chuckle.

“Obviously, you’re an amazing student. Not to mention an even better best friend. Speaking of which, you told me Taro is not coming home tonight, you watnt to spend the night at my house?” There was no way you wouldn’t take up the chance of staying over at Makoto’s just talking and goofing off.

“Why would I say no? I mean, my dance class was canceled today, and I could always reschedule my shift. As long as Sae is ok with it, I’ll come over right as I get something~ from my house!” You said winking. “Oh please tell me it’s ‘that’ thing! Also Sae’s always ok with you coming over, so don’t worry about that.” The two of you exited the room and headed towards your classes, laughing at the random jokes that each of you would insert into the conversation. You said bye to Makoto as she walked down to the third-year floor.

You walked into the classroom, with all the students in groups and talking about the latest gossip, trends and so on. As you went to take your seat, you would get the casual stares from some of your admirers. You stood out from the other students, partially because of your very different uniform ( a black waistcoat with white accents, the Shujin skirt, black thigh high boots, A white button up collar shirt, and black tights. Along with a headband in your hair.), but it was mostly due to your brandeis blue highlights.

They weren’t highlights they were part of the aftermath of what happened one year ago. You tell others that they’re highlights to hide the truth.

You sat besides Takamaki-san, she looked agitated, and distressed. The girl was looking down at her desk while fiddling with her blonde, curly hair. You didn’t really know the girl, you’ve never really had the chance to talk with her. You’ve wanted to but... you don’t know what you’d say to her. All you actually knew about the girl was she and Suzui-san are best friends, and that she's half american, a kind girl whose parents are always overseas due to work. Then there were the rumors with her and Kamoshida, the volleyball coach, an award winning athlete.

Ah~ There it was, you already figured out the reason behind her melancholic expression.

You knew how scary and menacing Kamoshida could be, from first-hand experience. You did whatever you could to be far away from him and his counterpart, Kaito-kun. No one knows that Kamoshida has harassed you too. After all on the outside it doesn’t look as if you’ve been hurt by him, but on the inside your dying, a soul pleading for any form of help. You’ve tried, you’ve tried saving others plus yourself from him. Sometimes it worked but all your efforts puts you into a dangerous zone with him instead. To save others you’ve put yourself in vain.

If you knew about a volleyball player that he was gonna ‘call out’, you’d jump to their aid by using the little authority you have, to ask the volleyball player to help you with a student council duty. That way, they wouldn’t have to see Kamoshida. But your efforts to help others backfires on you when he catches you.

“SHE’S HERE! Everyone get to your seats!” One student hollered.

“OMG Kiyoshi! SHE’S COMING! MOVE!” Another student yelled as she pushed a girl out of the way, presumably Kiyoshi.

“MIYAKO!!” Kiyoshi squealed just as she tripped and hit the ground face first.

‘Ouch!’ You thought.

Miss. Kawakami walked in through the sliding doors and all the students scrambled to get to their seats. Miss. Kawakami let out an annoyed sigh, she looked deflated and exhausted. “Okay, everyone settle down. Settle down! Uh, Yuki-san can I talk to you outside?” She spoke sounding incredibly tired. You nodded and walked outside the classroom; outside to the empty hallway.

“I’m glad you said yes to giving the transfer a tour.” She said with a faint smile on her face. Was she always this burned out? You felt as if she would fall over any second now, so much so that you mentally prepared yourself to catch her fatigued body.

“Frustrating as it is, the boy hasn’t arrived at school yet! So I suppose for now just relax but if he does show up, then I’ll come find you. Alright?” She asked.

‘Wow, late on the first day! It’s really becoming harder not judge this guy! No, you promised yourself you would never make assumptions and judge others without knowing them!’ You thought to yourself, mentally scolding yourself in the mix.

You told Miss. Kawakami that she could rely on you and not to worry. She let out a tired but grateful sigh. “It’s great to have such a dependable student, unlike that Sakamoto. Looks like he’s not coming to school again..”

Your eyes widened. ‘Ryuji, why would you miss school? I get it, this place is hell! But you hafta stop getting yourself in serious trouble!’

“Oh...I see. Well that’s unfortunate.” Your voice was laced with sorrow.  

“If he had only stayed on the right path, he could’ve made a great student. After all he was once a star athlete.” Miss. Kawakami unknowingly had added insult to your already aching injury.

‘Bullshit, It was all Kamoshida’s fault! He stole his future, THAT PERVERTED BASTARD SHOULD BE THE ONE THAT GETS HIS REPUTATION TAKEN FROM HIM! He HAS to pay!’  Your thoughts fueled your anger.

‘But how can I put an end to the pain, and him..’