Persona 5 reader insert -- Akira x reader

Chapter 21

March 2st, Monday

Walking down central street, it's as busy as it can get. With it being past noon, business people and students are making their way home or to their next shift of work. I'm sort of wandering around, avoiding big crowds and occasionally stopping to look at a shop's window. I'm not too sure what I want to do today. It's been about a month since the library operation and Kamoshida is still the same uninspired person he turned into after said operation. Is this going to be permanent? While under normal circumstances this would have been fine, but I need the story to progress so I can go home! Only the protagonist and his team are supposed to clear the game's problems. It's pretty selfish, using my knowledge of this world for my benefit rather than actually helping any of the people affected by all of this. Should I go back in and see if I can change his consciousness again? No, I'm better off waiting. There is still a full month before the story begins. There isn't a need to rush quite yet. Oh! what about going into mementos. I can train and improve until the protagonist comes! Then I can make the story progress quicker if I'm stronger! Well, first off, I need to buy some healing items and look for Arigade and Water of rebirth. Arguably the best items in the game. Cheap and semi-reliable in a pinch, can be found almost everywhere, and doesn't take a lot of time to get unlike making Leblanc coffee, the best item. Although the coffee is very useful, I don't think it's good to hoard it cause I think it's more susceptible to rotting unlike in the game. I'd rather not drink expired coffee. Alright, so I've got to hit up the machines in Yongen-Jaya, Shujin, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Kichijoji. Hm, well I've never been to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Kichijoji quite yet. Would it be a good idea to go there before the main plot gets there? Probably not, since it's already so late now. Alright, Shujin and Yongen-Jaya are the only machines that are going to be raided for Arigade and Water of rebirth!

Walking into Leblanc, the bell on the door chimes a soft ring. Sojiro glances at me and greets me. "Hey, Sojiro" softly place my bag on the front counter, with a loud clanking that can be heard from said bag. Gah! Carrying all those cans was hurting my shoulders. Slipping onto the chair, I stretch my arms and constant pops are heard with each move I make. "What do you have in there!? Sounds like bricks." Sojiro eyes me. "Just a couple of cans." I open it up and push it towards him, but he doesn't bother to look in. Rude. "You better not be trying to do something dangerous" Sojiro rubs the top of the bridge of his nose. "It's just cans." Whispering, I lay my head on the counter and just look up at Sojiro, whose back is turned at me, looking at coffee beans. He's always suspecting me. I understand where he's coming from, having to protect his daughter at all costs, to make sure he's safe himself. But having to constantly hear it almost all the time, gets a bit annoying. In the game, it was easy to ignore, cause it was all said in skippable chat boxes, but here I hear it all the time. "Hey, if you're tired sleep upstairs, don't bother my customers." Sojiro places a glass of water next to me. "Drink that. Carrying all that today must have dehydrated you." Sojiro turns his back to be again. Although he is constantly doubting me, he still kinda cares, even if he's super harsh about it. "Thank you."

"Food will be ready after the café closes. Don't forget to eat, cause I won't call you down."

"Yes, sir! Actually, do you need any help around the café? Just let me put my bag upstairs and change." I lift my bag and begin to lug it upstairs. "Aren't you tired? I don't want customers to see your tired mug, they'll question me. I " Sojiro eyes me. "Nope! I'm spick and spam! I can help around. Thanks for the worry though." I yell down the stairs. "Wha-! I wasn't worried!" Sojiro's voice, yet muffled, can still be heard from here. "Yes sir!" In a flash, I change into some comfortable clothes and hang my uniform up. I return downstairs just in time for a customer to walk in, the bell trembling. "Welcome-oh!" Takemi, in her punk-rock-like clothing, comes in and notices me. "Oh, hello." she waves and smiles at me before taking a seat at one of the booths. Sojiro gives me a side eye along with a sly smile. What does he think we are? He asks her what she likes and she orders her coffee. Once finished, I bring her coffee. "Wasn't expecting to see my little lab rat be working here." Takemi starts as I place her cup down. "Funny how that works huh? I actually live here."

"Oh. Well, on a different note, things are progressing with the results you've given me. I'm not quite done with the next testing medicine, but I'll give you a call when everything is prepared." She sips her coffee. After she sighs with gratification, I'm glad she's enjoying it. "I'll be ready to hear from you at any time." Waving bye, another customer comes in and takes a seat at the counter. I return to the sink with more dishes than before waiting for me. How!? Only one customer came in and they haven't finished a cup.

Soon enough, the last customer has left and it's time to close now. "There is curry in the fridge for you and have this cup of coffee." Sojiro slides towards the end of the counter. "I'm leaving now. Clean and lock up tonight. Good Night." Then he leaves. The sound of the bell on the door jiggling was the last in the café. Although this place is usually empty, it at least had Sojiro here. But when he leaves it makes me lonely; I don't feel in place here in the first place, but with Sojiro here is lessened. The café in general has a nice homey feel, but then it always reminds me of my family. How no matter what, I'd never be at home by myself for too long before someone came home to share how their day went, or how the weather was outside. Even without saying anything, just having someone else close nearby, was always a reassurance. I should sleep, it'll keep my mind off of all this. But! First things first, Sojiro's curry and coffee! Opening the fridge door, I see a nicely wrapped plate of curry with a sticky note on top. Strange. I take out the plate and place it on the counter, making sure to read the sticky note. "Make sure to clean up after yourself. Enjoy" Obviously written by Sojiro with his neat handwriting. I really believe he thinks of me as a 10-year-old who is learning to do chores or something. Although, I will enjoy this delicious curry. I slip onto a chair by the counter and begin eating. The sounds of the spoon and plate making contact, me chewing and the clicking of a clock are all I can hear. It's a bit ominous but mostly accentuates the emptiness of the café. I pull out my phone and put on a random YouTube video. The people talking and laughing in the video fill the empty cafe as if they were all here. I continue to eat. Tomorrow, I'll go to mementos.