#coach hiraguchi

[stolen-wolfbread]

Atlus should've let us romance her. They are COWARDS who do not understand the innate sexiness of middle-aged women.

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 223: Back Before We Were Brokenhearted

On Wednesday, Sumire was at the studio practicing her gymnastics. She had been progressively getting more and more into the swing of things, but today felt different. She felt like she was on fire, and ready to do anything.

Once she finished, she began drinking from her water bottle. Coach Hiraguchi came over. “Well done Sumire.”

Sumire swallowed her water. “Thanks Coach!”

“I honestly think you can win this next meet,” Hiraguchi said.

“I’d like to think so too,” Sumire said. “But there’s one more thing I have to do to guarantee it.”

“Oh?” Hiraguchi responded. “What is it?”

“I have to go back to where it started,” Sumire replied.

“Hm?” Hiraguchi replied.

Sumire chuckled. “It’s a twin thing.”

Hiraguchi smirked. “Well then, don’t let me stop you.”

“Thanks Coach,” Sumire replied. She finished the water in her water bottle, and then went to the changing room before heading out.

Soon, Sumire arrived at Maruyama’s Ice Cream; the ice cream shop she and Kasumi used to frequent after practice or meets. She hadn’t set foot in it since Kasumi’s passing, and she knew that needed to change. If she was going to keep her promise, if she was going to move on, she needed to come here once again. She sighed. “Here goes…” She opened the door, and walked in.

The man behind the counter, looking to be in his early 50’s, wearing a black shirt, apron, and paper hat, and sporting a 5 o'clock shadow, along with medium length black hair, took note of the entry, and immediately recognized her. “Oh. Sumire…”

Sumire took a seat at the counter. “Hello Arata-san.”

“I haven’t seen you since the funeral,” Arata said.

“I’m a little surprised you came to the funeral,” Sumire noted.

“Are you kidding?!” Arata replied. “You two were some of my most loyal customers” He pointed to an old photo of Sumire and Kasumi he had on the wall.”

Sumire chuckled. “Well, your ice cream is second to none, so it makes sense.”

“Heh heh. I appreciate the compliment,” Arata said. “To be honest, I had just about given up on the idea of you returning.”

“Well, I thought I wasn’t going to,” Sumire responded. “Kasumi and I made a promise to not come here by ourselves.”

“Gotcha,” Arata said. “So what changed your mind?”

“Well, it depends,” Sumire said. “There’s a part of me that feels like I need to find myself outside of Kasumi. And as much as I love and cherish her, I can’t be bound by her. But on the other hand, I know she’s always with me in spirit, so it’s not like I’m really breaking my promise to her.”

“Heh heh heh,” Arata chuckled. “I hear that!”

Sumire grew curious. “Um, does that mean…you lost someone too?”

Arata sighed. “Ya got me. There’s another reason I came to the funeral.” Sumire was even more confused. “It turns out we share the worst thing in common.”

Sumire was puzzled at first, but then gasped in horror and disbelief. “You…had a twin as well?”

Arata nodded. “And I miss him every day. His name was Akimitsu.” He sighed. “You two should have met him. He had the kind of smile that could light up a room. Me? I have to rely on ice cream to do that.”

“I think you’re incredibly kind, Arata,” Sumire said.

“Thanks,” Arata replied. “I think I kind of get that from him.”

“I know what you mean,” Sumire said. “I’m starting to feel Kasumi’s influence a little more earnestly. So, um, if you don’t mind me asking…?”

Arata nodded. “We were riding our bikes home from school one day. We were racing each other, because you know, that’s what boys do. I thought for sure that was the day I’d beat him. However, he was going too fast, and he hit a bump wrong, and went flying into the river. I tried giving chase, but the river’s flow is mighty.”

Sumire gasped once more. “I’m so sorry.”

Arata smiled. “Normally, I’m not too big on people telling me that when I tell them. But I know you mean it because you know what it’s like.”

“I’m sure others mean it,” Sumire said.

“You’d be surprised,” Arata said. “Some people say it because they feel like they have to.”

“Well, nuts to them!” Sumire reied. “But not your nuts. They go really well with your ice cream.”

Arata chuckled. “I missed having you here.”

Sumire grew more serious. “How come we never knew this?”

“I think your parents might have,” Arata said. “But whenever you were here, you two would always be discussing your practice, or your hobbies, or your dream. I didn’t want to bring you down. Not in the middle of that. Especially since I knew it could be taken in an instant. I mean, I didn’t want that, but…how could I ruin a moment just for the two of you like that?”

Sumire pondered this. “I guess that makes sense.”

Arata sighed. “I do wish I got a chance to tell both of you…

“What are you talking about?” Sumire said. “I told you before, she’s always with me.”

Arata chuckled. “Of course. How could I forget?” Sumire chuckled back. “So, strawberry as usual?”

“You know it!” Sumire said.

“Comin’ right up!” Arata said. He began preparing Sumire’s ice cream.

Sumire began remembering the first time she came here. A slightly younger Arata gave the two of them their ice cream, Kasumi would always get chocolate, while Sumire would always get strawberry. “Here ya go!”

“Thank you, Mr. Maruyama!” Kasumi and Sumire said in unison. Arata smiled as they dug in.

“WOW!” Kasumi said. “This ice cream is AMAZING!”

“Hm hm. I agree,” Sumire said.

“We should come here after EVERY practice!” Kasumi suggested.

“Oooooooooo!” Sumire said. “I like that idea!”

“What do you think, daddy?” Kasumi asked.

Shinichi smiled. “Only if you do well.”

“And you behave yourselves,” Akane chimed in.

“For this ice cream, I’d behave for the both of us!” Sumire said.

“He he,” Kasumi laughed mischievously. “Well, if she’s behaving for me…”

“Hey now!” Shinichi said. “Like your mother said, if you don’t behave yourself, you don’t get to come here!”

“Aww!” Kasumi pouted.

Sumire chuckled. “It’s OK Kasumi. If mom and dad don’t let you come because you don’t behave, I won’t come here either.”

Kasumi looked at her sister intently. “Promise?” She held up her pinkie.

Sumire linked her pinkie with her sister’s. “Promise!” Kasumi chuckled.

As Sumire was reflecting on this, she smiled. “Hey Arata?”

“Hm?”

“Do you think you could mix in some chocolate syrup? Sumire wondered.

Arata smirked. “Of course.” He drizzled some chocolate syrup over the strawberry ice cream. Here you go.”

“Thank you,” Sumire said. She took a bite. Her face lit up.

Arata smiled. “I haven’t seen a smile like that from you in a LONG time.”

Sumire chuckled. “It’s just…I think I’m understanding Kasumi a little better now. And it’s giving me everything I need to succeed.”

“Hm. I hear that!” Arata said. Sumire continued eating her ice cream and making lighter conversation with Arata.

Once she finished, she paid and said “It’s good to be back.” “It’s good to have you back!” Arata countered.

Sumire chuckled. “Until next time!’

“Until next time!” Arata replied. Sumire left, and headed home for the evening.

[persona-game-info]

[gayest-persona-character]

Gayest Persona Character, Round 1

[yoshizawaviolet]

📱

send a 📱 for 5 unsent text messages & 1 sent text message from my muse!

(ooc: this was meant for rp accs HAHA but i thought it'd be fun to write some text messages for other people so yay! hope u enjoy!)

【 sumire ➣ kasumi 】 look i was thinking of asking coach if we could have separate practices from now on — Message deleted 【 sumire ➣ dad 】 i just don't feel well today i have practice in the afternoon and i'm still tired from yesterday's. it's just a one-time thing. i promise i won't skip class again — Message deleted 【 sumire ➣ kasumi 】 hey, happy birthday!!! 🎉 is it nice out in europe? good luck on your competition today — Message failed to send 【 sumire ➣ dr. maruki 】 thanks for seeing me today, it was nice meeting you and just ... talking, for a bit. i've never really talked about all this stuff before — Message failed to send 【 sumire ➣ coach hiraguchi 】 i know. i was being too ambitious. that ribbon maneuver was always kasumi's thing, i know. i just wanted to try it once. even if i fail. especially if i fail. because that'll prove it, right? that there's no way i could ever — Message deleted

【 sumire ➣ akira-senpai 】 hehe yeah, going to school internationally has been stressful, but that makes the summers back home all the more worth it. (˵ •̀ ᴗ •́ ˵ ) so how's things with you back in your hometown? all packed for our tokyo trip yet? — Message sent

[croisvoix]

Released a new fic for Sumire from Coach Hiraguchi's point of view. She'll always be famous to me, you wonderful Shamir look a like.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59164894

[halfmoonism]

the miracle mile

p5r, ryuji & sumire || spoilers for third sem and ryuji’s backstory

ryuji’s the only one who lives on the first floor. such an innocuous thing ends up bringing them closer.

for plantober day 27: peppermint (wisdom, spiritual development, inner strength)

When someone inevitably suggests that she stays at someone else’s house to walk off the sprain without her father or Coach Hiraguchi worrying—stupid of her to get into this predicament in the first place—Sumire really can’t help the pleading looks she casts Amamiya-senpai (“Sorry, Sumire, but you know I live in an attic and you shouldn’t go up stairs.”) and Akechi-senpai (“I live on the third floor and the elevator’s not working for some godforsaken reason, out of the question. Why the hell would you ask me anyway?”) before Ryuji-senpai—someone she’s certainly heard much talk about, but hasn’t spoken to much—sheepishly says he and his Ma had to move to the first floor after his ‘incident’ (What?) and Sumire could, y’know, stay there if there was no other option or whatever, it’s totally fine if she doesn’t wanna—

—“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to accept, Ryuji-senpai,” Sumire says, bowing lightly and waving away the abruptly-embarrassed look he shoots at her. He wouldn’t lie to her about her presence being a hassle, would he?

Amamiya-senpai pulls her aside to say no, he wouldn’t, but she cannot help her nerves as they approach his front door. It doesn’t help that Ryuji-senpai hasn’t said anything since stumbling over his words on the train ride here.

His mother is perfectly accommodating when he helps her walk in, taking her jacket and offering a plate of sashimi she made last-minute—which Sumire initially waves away before Ryuji-senpai’s gentle nudge coaxes her into trying some—before she turns to Ryuji-senpai and asks where he would like the futon to be laid out. Sumire offers herself the living room to spare Ryuji-senpai, still mid-bite, from responding, and it isn’t until she’s shifted for the seventeenth time that something in her brain clicks and she sits up.

Counting her movements used to be something Sumire—Kasumi encouraged her to do, treating it like wrapping all her restless energy into a bow to send off to the night sky. It would be a nice sentiment if Kasumi were here to whisper that story to her again, or perhaps Sumire’s voice, grated and low and scratchy, isn’t making the cut, because trying to talk herself into that calm Kasumi always exuded is just making her head go dizzy.

“Oh, shit,” someone says, “you alright?”

Sumire shrieks.

.

So it was Ryuji-senpai. Not only that, it was Ryuji-senpai merely trying to get a cup of water before going back to bed, and now he’s sitting with her in the living room while she tries to suck air in. She’s being foolish. And as a guest, no less!

When she opens her mouth to say something, Ryuji-senpai shakes his head. “Nah, don’t apologize. Bad dream?”

Sumire shakes her head.

“Bad night?”

Sumire does nothing.

Ryuji-senpai looks away, grimacing. “I, uh. I had those too. Have them, I guess. My old man—well, eff him. But I spent a lot of nights like this. You want tea?”

She nods, almost wary. And Ryuji-senpai talks and talks as he prepares her a drink she doesn’t deserve, and he tells her he used to mumble to himself whenever the silence felt too loud because he didn’t want to bother his Ma, and Sumire leans into the cup’s warmth and thinks, it hasn’t felt this clear in my head in such a long time… did Ryuji-senpai know I needed this…?

“Thank you, Ryuji-senpai,” she says decisively after a sip. Ryuji-senpai breaks into a grin. It really suits him. She can’t help the responding smile and hopes it suits her, too.

[summermimosas]

[Sumire NG+ Character Study]

"Just be yourself." The Phantom Thieves insisted when they find out about her identity (even Akira, a little too kind and patiently like she's a fragile glass figurine) and so Sumire tries.

But try as may, Sumire doesn't have a clue to be 'herself' beyond the weight of resentment and guilt she clings to.

After all, she can't remember what it's like to be 'Sumire' because Sumire was only ever 'Kasumi's sister'.

A shitty sister at that, a coward who hides behind her elder twin and goes along with the flow because it's comfortable to. One who bottles up all her ugliness until it explodes and selfishly blames everyone for not seeing it. Yet at the same time, Sumire had never bothered to express herself to anyone so how could they ever know what she likes or doesn't?

After all, it's just so convenient to slink back and fall into the roles they want her to be. A quiet, demure child, an excellent student, a team player who is always there to support her group.

A best friend who is always there to listen to people's worries and comfort them why isn't anyone asking about her?

And a lifelong companion always, the other half of a blissful childhood wish to be by each other's side.

A hopeless one. Sumire realises as she stands at the edge of the Gymnastic Hall watching Kasumi shine as she performs trick after trick of her solo routine that she's entering a competition for the school as the best gymnast in their age group.

Because Sumire can tell how much Kasumi is still in love with the sport from that lovely smile she has on her face. That delighted adrenaline-filled thrill in her warm brown eyes. The determination she has, bursting out into lighthearted complaints on a misstepped flip that she resolved to redo. Little moments that Sumire found herself treasuring the sight of, heart aching at the loss that hadn't happened.

Had Sumire been in the same position, she would have hated herself for failing anything. Taken a small failure too hard and wallow in her crippling self-hatred and angst, no doubt. It doesn't help that she knows watching Coach Hiraguchi complimenting and encouraging Kasumi for a job well done that had it been her performing on that same stage, Sumire would have gotten a different treatment from just supportive praise.

It's not like their coach was abusive or anything, nor did she intend any harm, in fact Hiraguchi has been a wonderful teacher to them for the past 8 years she was in charge. Just that— Sumire glanced over at the mirror when she stretched out, tearing her eyes away from the crowd Hiraguchi-sensei was gathering around Kasumi as the gymnastic coach launched into a lecture on Kasumi's performance, drawing starry eyes from their other teammates as the woman gushed about her prized student. — It's truly hard to feel any joy in anything you do well when you're know you'll always be pitted against a genius that wears your face.

"Your sister's amazing, she tried that move last month and Kasumi managed to perfect it in a week!"

"Why not ask your sister for help?"

"You must be proud of your sister, she's such an angel!"

"You know, you can stand to learn a trick or two from Kasumi! You don't seem anything alike."

"I know you can better than this, stop trying to imitate Kasumi when she's on another league and focus on you. Be more confident in yourself!"

And it's— So, so hard not to resent Kasumi when she did nothing wrong. She's truly the best sister Sumire could ever have as Kasumi is always the one reaching out to include her, trying hard to be there and support her when the younger twin seemed upset. Between the sickening knowledge of how happy she had been living a lie in that future compared to present events of her lacklustre skills never improving enough, it's grating at her limited sense of self-worth she has but she's pinning this on the wrong person and it's not fair again to Kasumi. That comes back to hit Sumire like a stab in the heart later when Kasumi worries and frets over her mood so much that it's instinctive to Sumire by now to hide away and avoid showing a glimpse of anything negative to her dearest big sister.

Because all of this, it's really just her fault in the equation... Right?

[queersrus]

HII KIRA KIRA looks at you :] persona names maybe... (feel free to choose from all games, but obviously 5 is the one I know :D)

yeye!! (nick)names from persona 5!!!

Aka, Akan, Akane, Aki, Akim, Akimi, Akimitsu, Akira, Al, Ali, Alice, Ang, Ango, An/Ann/Anne, Aoi, Ama, Amami, Amamiya, Ake, Akechi, Ara, Arai

Car, Caro, Carol, Caroli, Carolin/Carolyn, Caroline, Chi, Chiha, Chihay, Chihaya, Coach

Dem, Demi, Demiu, Demiur, Demiurge, Di, Dir/Dire, Director

En, Ena, Esc, Esca, Escar, Escargo/Escargot

Fu, Futa, Futaba, Fuji, Fujikawa

Go, Goro

Haru, Hi, Hif, Hifu, Hifumi, Has, Hase, Hasega, Hasegawa, Hi/Hii, Hiir, Hiira/Hira, Hiiragi, Hiraguchi, Hy, Hyo, Hyodo

Ichi, Ichiko, Ichiryu, Ichiryusa, Ichiryusai, Igo, Igor, Iss, Isshi, Isshiki, Ichino, Ichinose, Iwa, Iwai

Jo, Jose, Jun, Juny, Junya, Jyu, Jyun, Jul/Jule, Juli/Julie, Julia, Julian, Just, Justi, Justin, Justine

Kas, Kasu, Kasumi, Kaz, Kazu, Kazuya, Ko, Kob, Koba, Kobaya, Kobayaka, Kobayakawa, Koto, Kotone, Kumi, Kun, Kuni, Kunik, Kunika, Kunikaz, Kunikazu, Kuo, Kuon, Kiu, Kiuchi, Kita, Kitaga, Kitagawa, Kamo, Kamoshi, Kamoshida, Kawa, Kawakami, Konoe, Kage, Kageya, Kageyama, Kane, Kaneshi, Kaneshiro, Kat, Kata, Kataya, Katayama, Kabu, Kabura, Kaburagi

Lala

Mak, Mako, Makoto, Mari, Mariko, Masa, Masayo, Masayoshi, Mer, Mero, Merope, Mi, Mika, Miya, Miyako, Morg, Morga, Morgan, Morgana, Moto/Motoh, Motoha, Mune, Munehi, Munehis/Munehise, Munehisa, Mish, Mishi, Mishima, Maru, Maruki, Maki, Makigami, Mifu, Mifune, Mada, Madara, Madarame, Mon, Mont, Monta, Montag, Montagne

Nao, Naoya, Nat, Nats, Natsu/Natsuh, Natsuhi, Natsuhiko, Noge, Nii, Niiji, Niijima, Naka, Nakano, Nakanohara, Natsume

Od, Oda, Oku, Okumu, Okumura, Ohya, Owa, Owada

Pres, Presi, President

Ren, Ru, Rufe, Rufer, Ruferu, Rumi, Ry, Ryu, Ryuji

Sada, Sadayo, Sae, Sei, Seiji, Shadow, Shi, Shibu, Shibus, Shibusa, Shibusawa, Shiho, Shin, Shini, Shinichi, Shiny, Shinya, Shu, Shuz, Shuzo, Si, Siu, So, Soji, Sojiro, Soph, Sophi/Sophie/Sofi/Sofie, Sophia/Sofia, Sugi, Sugimura, Suguru, Sumi, Sumir, Sumire, Saku, Sakura, Su, Suz, Suzu, Suzui, Shira, Shirato, Shiratori, Saka, Sakamo, Sakamoto, Shido

Tae, Tak, Taku, Takuto, Tom, Tomoko, Tor, Tora, Torano, Toranosuke, Take, Takemi, Tan, Tana, Tanaka, Tsu, Tsuda, Taka, Takama, Takamaki, Togo

Ubu, Ubuka, Ubukata

Wakaba

Yu, Yuki/Yuuki, Yukimi, Yusu, Yusuke, Yuji/Yuuji, Yosh, Yoshi, Yoshida, Yoshiza, Yoshizawa

Zen, Zenki, Zenkichi

[stolen-wolfbread]

Aaaaah?! She's so beautiful??? But we can't romance her??? WHY, ATLUS, WHY??

[yoshizawaviolet]

[ Practice is largely uneventful - a lot of reviewing basics as well as blocking out her newest routine. Sumire's glad for a relaxed day, as it allows her time to daydream while going through the motions. ]

[ It's a shame she can't find the time to stop by Leblanc more often. More than just good coffee and good company, t's a place for her to completely relax, and have a breath of fresh air. It's a place that's hers, Sumire Yoshizawa's, where Akira-senpai and everyone else sees her for her. Even when her cognition was altered, she could still subconsciously let her guard down a little in Leblanc. ]

[ Even a year and some after her sister's passing, Sumire still ... ]

[ When practice is over, she bids Coach Hiraguchi a quick farewell and almost runs back to Leblanc, peeking in through the window. How busy is it ...? Would she be interrupting Akira-senpai if she walked in? ]

( For now — he’ll just hold down the fort as he waits for Sumire. )

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 203: The Book of Love

The next day, Makoto was getting ready to head to school. She was determined, and just about ready to tackle this day head on. For she knew that tomorrow was the day of her sister’s court case, and tomorrow was the day they would go back in and finish finding an infiltration route to her sister’s treasure.

She went out to the kitchen to see Eiko doing some cooking. “Oh!” Eiko said. “Good morning!”

“Good morning,” Makoto replied. “How are you doing?

“I’m doing GREAT!” Eiko said. “I know it’s only been a short time, but I really like living here.”

“Well that’s good to hear,” Makoto remarked.

“So, what are we doing tomorrow?” Eiko asked.

This caught Makoto off guard. “T-Tomorrow?”

Eiko nodded. “I mean, like, it’s Sunday tomorrow. We have off from school, silly. I was thinking we could do something together.”

“Oh…” Makoto said. “Um, well, uh, about that…” Eiko was confused. “I…made some plans with friends.”

“Oh,” Eiko responded. “Well…maybe I can tag along! I’d like to get to know your friends.”

Makoto was panicking. She wasn’t sure what to do. “Sooo, ummmmmm…”

Eiko grew concerned. “What is it?”

Makoto sighed. She knew what she had to do. “I need you to promise not to say this to anyone. Do you understand?”

“What is-?”

“Do you understand?” Makoto repeated. Eiko was a little scared, but she didn’t suspect that Makoto would pressure her like others did. She nodded. “Good,” Makoto said. She grew quiet. “The truth is, I am a member of The Phantom Thieves.”

“WHA-” Eiko belted before catching herself. “What?” she said, quieter.

Makoto nodded. “Tomorrow, we have something important planned, so we can’t do anything.”

“Huh…” Eiko reacted.

“I’m sorry…” Makoto said.

Eiko smiled. “Don’t be. I…really appreciate The Phantom Thieves. So it’s nice to know that you’re among their ranks.”

Makoto was shocked. “Oh! Oh. Ummmm…”

Eiko grew worried. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, um,” Makoto said. “I thought you’d be more…upset.”

“Why?” Eiko asked.

“Well,” Makoto began, “We didn’t go after Tsukasa when we could have. Or your parents for that matter.”

Eiko frowned. “Oh. Well, I suppose a little of that is my fault. I could have easily put all of them up on the Phansite. But there were so many requests that I think I wouldn’t get noticed. Besides, I didn’t think I was worth saving.”

“Eiko...” Makoto said, shocked. She took her hand. “It’s not your fault. In fact, I’m the one who suggested not targeting Tsukasa because I wanted to show you that you were worth more than that. I was a little selfish, but I thought if you could see what Tsukasa was like without him having to say it, you’d be better off for it. But I didn’t know better.”

Eiko was stunned. She grew determined. She broke from Makoto’s hand to grab her arm and pull her in, wrapping her other arm around her waist. “It’s nobody’s fault,” she stated. “We were both in our own head about things.” She smiled. “But now, everything’s changed, and we’re both better off for it. I admit the road was bumpy, but I’m glad that things turned out the way they did.” She kissed Makoto. “So, you do whatever it is you do with your Phantom Thief friends, and we’ll do something some other time.”

Makoto was in disbelief. She then smiled, and placed her forehead against Eiko’s. "I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.” They shared another kiss. “Well then, we still have school today, so let’s get ready.”

“Hm hm, right,” Eiko said. They prepared themselves further, ate breakfast, and headed off.

After school, Ren got a text. She was confused when she saw it was from Dr. Maruki.

Maruki: Hi. Do you have a minute?

Maruki: I know it’s a little unorthodox to contact a student, but I’d really like your expertise.

Ren: Um, sure.

Ren: Give me a minute.

Maruki: Take your time.

Ren put her phone away, and headed over to Maruki’s office.

Upon Ren’s arrival, Maruki greeted her. “Heh heh. Welcome.” Ren closed the door and took a seat. “What do you need help with?”

“Well…about that…” Maruki said. “It’s a little complicated. I just needed someone to talk to.”

Ren was confused. “And you wanted that person to be me?”

“Well, see,” Maruki said, “as you know, I’ve been going through a difficult time as of late, but talking with you has helped alleviate that. I feel like I’ve been getting better with every conversation, but you in particular have helped me quite immensely.”

“Thanks?” Ren said, a little confused.

Maruki chuckled. “Don’t mention it.”

Ren chuckled. “So, what’s up?”

“Well, uh, here’s the thing,” Maruki said, “I’ve started dating again.”

Ren was surprised. “Really?” Maruki nodded. “Well, congratulations!”

“Eh heh, thanks,” Maruki said. “But I’m a little nervous.”

“Well, so long as you don’t mention the fact that you were on course to take over the world, I think you’ll be fine,” Ren jokes.

“About that,” Maruki said. “What if I did?”

Ren was puzzled. “And she still said ‘yes’? Or he? Or they? Sorry, I don’t know what way you swing. Well, I mean, I know you had a girlfriend, but…”

Maruki chuckled. “It’s fine. She’s a woman, I’m straight, and for the record, she asked me out first.”

“Huh,” Ren replied.

“Truth be told, the confession itself was a little messy,” Maruki said. “There were a lot of surprises between the both of us. But through our intense honesty, I think we came out the better.”

“So, why did you want to talk to me?” Ren asked.

“Well, I mean,” Maruki said, “I’m still nervous. I haven’t dated since Rumi, and despite everything that happened, I’m nervous I can mess this up.”

“Well…I can’t say I don’t understand,” Ren replied. “I mean, I know my girlfriend asked me out, and I still get butterflies sometimes. But I think that ‘intense honesty’ you mentioned before might be helpful. I mean, it’s certainly been helpful in situations where being dishonest was causing pain. I know it’s not always the easiest thing, but if you told her that you were hatching a plan to usher in a false utopia, then I don’t know if there’s much to worry about.”

“Hm,” Maruki grinned. “I think we’ve talked about stuff like this before. But it’s nice to hear that it’s stuck with you.”

“I think you’re right,” Ren said. “But it’s nice to reiterate.”

“Of course,” Maruki nodded. “But I know it’s easy to say things like that and not put them into practice. I guess I’m just scared of that. I’ve talked with countless students who were telling me about their problems, and time and time again I’m impressed by their courage. I feel like if I don’t get this right, I’ll fail to live up to their expectations, you know? Especially since I’ve already failed to live up to expectations previously.”

“Hm,” Ren pondered.

“Something on your mind?” Maruki asked.

“Oh, uh, well,” Ren said, “I was just thinking about something Miss Kawakami was talking about.” Maruki looked at her more intently. “She was teaching us about the practice of kintsugi, or gold repair. The idea is that when you fix broken poetry, you line where the break happened with gold to show off its damage, rather than hide it. The damage is seen as part of the pottery’s unique history. I was kind of thinking that people would benefit from something like that. Although an emotional scar isn’t visible, so there’s no desire to paint it gold. But if the people you care about need to see it, maybe it should be a little more gold.”

Maruki was stunned silent. He was impressed. He started laughing. “Oh man. That’s BRILLIANT!”

“Well, I’m just thinking out loud,” Ren said.

“But I agree with you,” Maruki said “I just didn’t know how to phrase it until you said it.”

“Well…I only learned about it through Miss Kawakami,” Ren said.

“Hm,” Maruki chuckled. “Maybe I should thank her as well.”

“Not to mention your new girlfriend,” Ren retorted.

“Ha ha, yeah,” Maruki said. “Although, I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Ren was curious. “They just so happen to be one in the same.”

Ren was shocked again. “Really?!” Maruki nodded. “Well, congrats to the both of you!”

“Thanks,” Maruki said.

Councilor-Takato Maruki: Rank 8

Ren checked her phone. “Well, I should get going. Sojiro’s planning something tonight, and I don’t want to be late.”

Maruki nodded. “Take care!” Ren got up, bowed, and then left.

Once she got back to the house, she looked around for Sojiro. “He’s at Leblanc,” Futaba said, sneaking up on Ren.

“Gah!” Ren said.

Futaba chuckled. “Gotcha!”

Ren rolled her eyes. “So, do we just meet him there?”

“Not until he tells us,” Futaba said. “He’s going to text me when he’s ready. Although I don’t know how much he has to get ready.”

“Well, do you know what he’s doing?” Ren asked.

“No clue,” Futaba answered.

“Really?” Ren said. “You’re usually so good at keeping an eye on him.”

“Only here and at work,” Futaba said. “I can track his phone, but I haven’t hacked it to the degree I have yours. Well, I actually have, but then he caught on and got a new phone. And then didn’t give me his new number until I promised not to do that again.”

“What if you needed to call?” Ren asked.

“He told me to call the payphone Leblanc has,” Futaba said.

“I see,” Ren said.

Futaba’s text notification popped up. “Oh!” She checked her phone. “That’s Sojiro! He says he’s ready.”

“Well then, let’s go,” Ren instructed. She and Futaba headed out.

Upon entering Leblanc, Futaba said “So Sojiro, what’s the ocas-EEP!” She and Ren noticed Hiraguchi at the bar taking a sip of coffee. “You said you were ready! You still have a customer!”

“Uh, hi,” Ren said, nervously.

“Hello,” Hiraguchi replied.

Sojiro sighed. “Futaba, this is Kokoro Hiraguchi. She and I are…seeing each other.”

Futaba seemed puzzled. “Um, pardon me, but I don’t need to know who you take on various one night stands…”

“Well, that’s the thing…” Sojiro said. “This is more than that.” Futaba seemed puzzled. “She and I are, well, dating. Properly.”

Ren was shocked, but not as much as Futaba. “Oh!” Futaba said, pale as a ghost. “Oh…”

“I wanted you all to get to know each other,” Sojiro said. “I have a good feeling about this, and I don’t want it ruined.”

“Well, I’m already familiar with Ren,” Hiraguchi said.

“Yeah,” Ren said

“You are?!” Futaba said, incensed.

“She’s Sumire’s gymnastics coach,” Ren explained. “Plus, she’s the interim gym teacher at my school.”

“Oh…I see…” Futaba said, calming down. She turned to Hiraguchi. “Um, hi.”

“Hello,” Hiraguchi replied. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Futaba was alarmed. “How much?!”

“Well, a fair amount,” Hiraguchi said. “Not too much, I don’t think.”

“She knows about Wakaba,” Sojiro said.

This oddly calmed Futaba down. “She does?”

Hiraguchi nodded. “I’m…sorry that happened to you.”

“...I mean, it’s not like you did it, right?” Futaba said.

“Right,” Hiraguchi answered. She glanced away. “I know this might seem like a lot, but Sojiro and I are having a good time together. I just want to make sure that things are going to be OK going forward.”

Futaba stared at her intently. She then looked over at Sojiro. “Um, do you mind if I speak with her one-on-one?”

Sojiro was surprised by Futaba’s initiative. “Not at all.” He started walking around the bar. “C’mon Ren.” He led Ren outside so that Futaba and Hiraguchi could have their one-on-one.

While outside, Ren asked “So, you decided to go for it, huh?”

Sojiro nodded. “Yup.”

“If I may, what was the catalyst for it?” Ren asked.

Sojiro sighed. “We just kind of opened up to each other. One thing led to another, and then…”

“Gotcha,” Ren said.

“You know I wouldn’t do this for just anyone,” Sojiro said.

Ren nodded. “I know you don’t like doing something just for the heck of it.”

“Hm,” Sojiro grunted. He looked at the ground. “Of course I’m not going to forget Wakaba. Nor should I ask Futaba to. But after what happened this summer, after dealing with all of that, I feel like it’s time to move forward.”

“Well, that’s a noble stance,” en remarked.

Sojiro smirked. “You taught me that.”

“I did?” Ren wondered.

Sojiro nodded. “Ever since you came here, you’ve grown immensely. The position you started in was unenviable to say the least. But looking at you know, I know you make the world green with envy.”

Ren smiled. “Thanks. But I think I have some growing left to do.”

“Hm. We all do,” Sojiro shot back.

“I guess that’s true too,” Ren said.

Meanwhile, inside, Futaba and Hiraguchi were looking at each other. “So, um,” Futaba said, “what do you see in Sojiro?”

Hiraguchi was surprised. “Not what I was expecting. Straight to it, eh?”

Futaba nodded. “I’ve already lost one parent! I won’t lose another if I can help it!”

“What about your birth father?” Hiraguchi questioned.

“I dunno,” Futaba said. “I never knew him. Mom didn’t talk about him. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a non-entity.”

“I see,” Hiraguchi said. “To answer your question, I think he’s a smart man. He’s serious, but he knows when to let loose. On top of all of that, he knows just what to say. He may seem like just another guy, and he can certainly present himself that way, but when you get down to it, he’s really genuine.”

“Hmmm,” Futaba said. “Yup. That sounds like him alright. Next question: Are you concerned at all about, well, me?”

Hiraguchi smiled. “Not at all. In fact, I was the one who insisted on meeting you.”

Futaba was surprised. “Really?”

Hiraguch nodded. “I really like kids. I wouldn’t teach them if I didn’t.”

“So, um, do you have any kids of your own?” Futaba wondered.

“Well, no…” Hiraguchi said.

“Why not?” Futaba inquired.

Hiraguchi sighed. “Well, I know your baggage, so it’s only fair.” Futaba was confused. “The truth is, I just can’t have children. I’m…infertile.”

Futaba gasped, covering her mouth. “I’m so sorry I didn’t-”

“It’s OK,” Hiraguchi assured her. “There was no way for you to know. Besides, being open like this was what led to me and Sojio to start dating in the first place.”

“I see,” Futaba said.

Hiraguchi frowned. “I don’t…I’m not here to replace your mother. I don’t even think I could. But Sojiro and I feel like we need each other. And if we’re going to be in each other’s lives like this, well, things like this need to happen.”

“Hmmm,” Futaba thought. “You seem almost too good to be true.”

Hiraguchi smirked. “Don’t I know it. Sojiro had to get serious to start dating me.”

Futaba was impressed. “Wow. You really carry yourself well. Respect.” She smiled. “Well, if someone like you is dating Sojiro, then I can see things being alright. And if they aren’t, well, I think Sojiro might have himself to blame.”

Hiraguchi chuckled. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Futaba giggled. “Me either.” She went up to the door and knocked on it. “We’re good!”

Sojiro opened the door and he and Ren popped their heads in. “Well…?” Sojiro wondered.

“I gotta say Sojiro, you managed to pick yourself a feisty one,” Futaba said.

Sojiro and Hiraguchi grew a little embarrassed. “I take it you like her.”

“I…think so…” Futaba said. “It’s still a little…”

Sojiro smirked. “I understand.” He gave Futaba a hug. “Change like this isn’t always easy,” he looked at Hiraguchi, “but sometimes it’s necessary.”

Hiraguchi smirked. “Well said.”

Futaba looked up at Sojiro. “So, um, is that everything?”

“Well,” Sojiro said, “I figured we could go out a little.”

“Where to?” Futaba wondered.

“Well, first, I would like to visit Wakaba’s grave,” Sojiro said. “But then we can go get something to eat. Together.”

Hiraguchi was a little surprised. “You want to visit Wakaba’s grave?”

“Well,” Sojiro said, “I haven’t been in a while. I didn’t even go on the anniversary because, um, well…there was an incident.”

“What kind of incident?” Hiraguchi wondered.

“That’s on a need to know basis,” Sojiro said.

“Oh?” Hiraguchi said. “And who says I don’t need to know?”

Ren interjected. “It’s OK. So, um, well, you know how The Phantom Thieves were dealing with Medjed through the summer?”

“Oh!” Hiraguchi said. She nodded. “Gotcha.”

Futaba and Sojiro were confused. Ren turned to them “She knows I’m a Phantom Thief.”

“Oh!” Sojiro said, surprised.

“Yeah, she figured it out with Sumire,” Ren said.

“Huh,” Sojiro said.

“Not gonna lie, that’s pretty cool,” Futaba said. “But also kind of scary.”

Hiraguchi chuckled. “I’ll take that as the compliment it is.”

Sojiro sighed. “Well, now that that’s out of the way, shall we get going?” They all nodded, and headed off.

At the church, Futaba went to pay her respects on her own, while Hiraguchi went to use the bathroom. Sojiro turned to Ren. “Hey.” Ren looked over at him. “While it’s just the two of us, I just wanted to say: Thank you.”

Ren was confused. “Where is this coming from?”

Sojiro smirked. “I know it might not seem like it, but you’ve taught me a lot since I took you in. I watched you grow. I’ve watched you help Futaba break out of her shell. At every turn you’ve always impressed me. I thought I was content with just keeping to myself and Futaba. But I’ve seen what opening up can do, and I’m not about to be outdone by some punk kid. So again: Thank you.”

Ren smiled, bowed, and said “You’re welcome.”

I am thou, thou art I

Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret of the Hierophant, granting thee infinite power…

Hierophant-Sojiro Sakura: Rank 10

Futaba returned. Ren turned to her. “How’d it go?”

“Oh, uh,” Futaba said, wiping some tears. “I think it went alright.”

Sojiro pulled her in for a hug. “I know…”

“I’m back,” Hiraguchi announced. She saw the hug. “Is everything alright?”

“As fine as it can be,” Sojiro answered. “This is a more somber activity.”

“Right…” Hiraguchi said. “Well, I’m glad you’re able to do it.”

“Me too,” Sojiro replied. He let go. “Alright, I’m off. Once I get back, we’re heading out, OK?”

Futaba nodded. Ren gave a thumbs up. “You got it,” she said. Sojiro smiled, nodded, and walked off.

Once he got to Wakaba’s grave, he sat down. “Hey. I know it’s been a while, but, well, you know that not a day goes by where I don’t think of you. But I’ve started moving on a little.” He smiled. “You know, you told me to be the man you fell in love with. I feel like I’m starting to get back into that thanks to Kokoro.

I think you’d like her. She’s got a similar fiery spirit as you. Of course, if you were still here, she and I wouldn’t be dating, but I still think you’d get along.” He sighed. “You were my first catalyst to change. And I will always appreciate you for that. I didn’t know I needed that to keep me going until another one got arrested and just so happened to be the kid of a friend of mine.”

He took out the ring he kept on him. “I was going to give you this, right before you told me you were going to die. I was going to ask for your life, but it appears I wasn’t the only one who wanted it, huh. I kept this on me because it made me feel closer to you when you were taken from me. But I’ve always thought you deserved this, and I’m finally in a place where I can give it to you.” He set the box with the ring next to the grave. “Thank you for everything.” He stood up, and walked back to his new family.

[badlydrawndrawnings]

(source on both: megaten wiki)

honestly speaking the more i look at the two, the more i’m thinking:

‘the artist didn’t have to go all out and make these minor npc characters so damn attractive as f*ck’

[gayest-persona-character]

Round 1!

Rules

Vote for who you think is more queer/gay (doesn't matter if you think they're bi, pan, gay, lesbian, etc. Who's the most not straight!)

I will allow propaganda in the form of asks or notes (tags and comments)

Be nice and respectful. Not everyone has the same headcanons.

Remember, this is mostly just for fun! We have a few submitted characters for this exact purpose, so don't take things too seriously. (It doesn't matter what the results are, most persona characters will be queer-coded in my heart)

The list of polls is as follows:

Labrys vs. Daisuke Todoroki

Principal Kobayakawa vs. Yukiko Amagi

Mayumi Yamano vs. Suguru Kamoshida

Bebe vs. Sho Minazuki

Isako Toriumi (Maya) vs. Ann Takamaki

Ichiryusai Madarame vs. Ichiko Ohya

Chihiro Fushimi vs. Ai Ebihara

Philemon vs.Shibusawa

Kou Ichijo vs. Fuuka Yamagishi

Munehisa Iwai vs. Miyabi Hanakouji

President Tanaka vs. Akihiko Sanada

Ryuji Sakamoto vs. Taro Namatame

Kanami Mashita vs. Haru Okumura

Nozomi Suemitsu vs. Angel and Julian

Ryotaro Dojima vs. Rio Iwasaki

Sadayo Kawakami vs. Maya Amano

Nagi vs. Saori Hasegawa

Cashier from Peace Diner vs. Junpei Iori

Chizuru Ishigami vs. Minoru Inoue

Chihaya Mifune vs. Mamoru Hayase

Misuzu Hiiragi vs. Lala Escargot

Setsuko Sonomura vs. Junko Kurosu

Eri Minami vs. Tae Takemi

Zen vs. Kenji Tomochika

Eriko Kirishima vs. Takeharu Kirijo

Mika vs. Metis

Junya Kaneshiro vs. Takuto Maruki

Moel Gas Station Attendant vs. Hanako Ohtani

Maya Okamura vs. Igor

Sayoko Uehara vs. Makoto Yuki

Lesbian Student from P3 vs. Mami Shibata

Shunsuke Fujii vs. Saki Konishi

Tatsuya Suou vs. Akinari Kashihara

Miho Ogishima vs. Kinshiro Morooka

Hisano Kuroda vs. Ayane Matsunaga

Kanji Tatsumi vs. Makoto Nijiima

Marie vs. Tatsuya Sudou

SIU Director vs. Reiji Kido

Baofu vs. Takahisa Kandori

Yuuki Mishima vs. Tamaki Uchida

Zenkichi Hasegawa vs. Yosuke Hanamura

Mitsuo Kubo vs. Aigis

Kei Nanjo vs. Margaret

Masao Inaba vs. Noriko Katayama

Yukino Mayuzumi vs. Saeko Takami

Tadashi Satomi vs. Chidori Yoshino

Yumi Ozawa vs. Gay Demons P2

Kasumi Yoshizawa vs. Yuka Ayase

Hidetoshi Odagiri vs. Mutatsu

Shinjiro Aragaki vs. Kazushi Miyamoto

Localized version of Naoya vs. Ren Amamiya

Coach Hiraguchi vs. Chie Satonaka

Shuji Ikutsuki vs. Shiho Suzui

Futaba Sakura vs. Naoto Shirogane

Jin Shirato vs. Hifumi Togo

Keisuke Hiraga vs. Eikichi Mishina

Maki Sonomura vs. Toranosuke Yoshida

Rise Kujikawa vs. Elizabeth

Goro Akechi vs. Yuko Nishiwaki

Noriko Kashiwagi vs. Ulala Serizawa

Yuko Himeno vs. Anna Yoshizaka

Hikari vs. Joker (IS)

Mitsuru Kirijo vs. Hidehiko Uesugi

Masayoshi Shido vs. Youichi Makimura

[violetinfaith]

"M-much appreciated." She said with a smile, walking over to the wall and sliding down to side on the floor. She didn't want to get in the way of his paintings.

"Sorry I was a bit late. I have a big tournament, so Coach Hiraguchi and I have been putting in extra hours, not to mention my extra hours with the gymnastics team." She explained, smiling as she pulled out her own post workout box. "Anyways, let's dig in, shall we?"

"Hello, Yusuke-Senpai. I just was dropping off your bento." Sumire said with a smile, holding out the large blue bento box for him. Her hair slightly messy and her glasses were crooked. She had been getting ready for a big tournament, so she had put in a few extra hours of practice, but she still wanted to make sure Yusuke had some food. (Violetinfaith)

“Ah, Yoshizawa-san. Always a-“

He paused as he saw her messy appearance. The poor girl looked like she just ran all the way to deliver the boxed food.

“Please, have a moment to relax. I insist upon it.”

[sweeteaglecreation]

Coach Hiraguchi