Persona 5: Infinity [HIATUS][UNDER EDITING]

Chapter 45 {Falling Star}

(A/N: Okay, I'll be honest... I was quite hesitant about writing this chapter because I've never written anything quite like it yet. Also because of many other reasons, I'll talk about them at the end of the chapter. But truthfully, I'm quite excited to present to you my own version of this part of the game along with my own twists sprinkled at the top! Without any further ado, BUCKLE THE FUCK UP!!! 'CUZ HERE WE GO!!!)

Music: Persona 5 OST - 46 - Sunset Bridge [Extended]

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Opening

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------Morning: Protein Lovers Gym------

Panting heavily to himself while wiping his sweaty forehead with the towel wrapped around his neck, Ryuji Sakamoto sat on one of the chairs near the treadmills after he finished a good workout session. He'd be lying if he didn't say that his body wasn't on fire and was torturing the shit out of him from all the pain that ran through his veins. His broken leg took most of the damage and kept stinging him mercilessly in a cruel reminder of the new limits it set on his body after that asshole of a teacher broke it. He was really going all-out on his leg which was proven to be a big mistake... yet he felt like he needed to do that after feeling how sluggish his muscles became. The previous day's trip to the beach was a lot of fun indeed, there was no denying that, but he wanted to take the chance to work out even once before the new semester began.

It's been a while since the last time he's been at the gym, so working out there again brought back many good memories to him... fond ones even as a wave of nostalgia came over him. With a final deep huff, he began drinking from his water bottle in huge gulps, letting the cool liquid quench the thirst of his dry throat before pouring some of it on his face. Sighing to himself deeply at the heavenly feeling of the cool water on his hot face, he grabbed his towel once again before drying it. But when he lowered the towel from his face, his eyes widened fully at a very unexpected scene in front of him. Before him stood none other than Ann Takamaki with her head tilted to the side while looking at him curiously, hanging a bag on her shoulder while wearing the school's PE uniform. Both their eyes lit up ever so slightly as their reflection danced in the other's irises. The two blinked their eyes in pure shock and surprise to see each other so suddenly, heavy silence lingering above their heads as none of them ever spoke a word.

"Oh, hey Ryuji! What a surprise seeing here!" Ann greeted him with a friendly grin, finally breaking the silence.

"H-Huh...? Oh, yeah! I'm more surprised seein' you here actually." Ryuji replied as he continued drying his face.

"You just finished working out, right? I mean, you look like it."

"Yup, just did."

"But seriously... this place is amazing! I had no idea that a gym can look so incredible on the inside!" Ann looked around her in pure awe.

"Hey, uh... why'd you come here in the first place?" Ryuji finally asked what was lingering on his mind.

"I want to slim down!"

"Huh. You tried joggin'?"

"Aerobics alone aren't enough! I want to tone up too, so I need to start lifting weights. Plus my shoulders are drooping, I wanna make my biceps leaner, and straighten my back out!"