Persona 5 reader insert -- Akira x reader

Chapter 33

April 14, Thursday

Midnight

As I jolt awake, my heart pounding, I feel something wet and cold fall onto my lap. It's a towel. Looking around, I see that I am in the attic, and it's uncomfortably hot. I'm drenched in sweat. The only light in the room is the moon shining through the window, illuminating Akira, who is fast asleep on his bed. I throw off my blanket and tiptoe towards the stairs, trying not to make any noise. As I make my way down, I notice that the cafe is empty, but something catches my eye on the counter. I turn on the lights to see a note with pills and medicine. "This will lower fever. Take it and get better.-Sojiro". I follow the directions of the note and take a seat at the counter. I know Sojiro must be stressed out, especially after I passed out at school. People might think he's abusing me, but as a 'criminal,' they probably wouldn't care.

I wait the counter for the medicine to kick in. My body is burning up too much to go back to bed, and I feel a light headache coming on. It's a strange feeling since I don't get sick often, but to be fair, a lot has happened to me. I got transported into a video game, went through many deadly situations, and have to prepare for anything this game may throw at me. I shouldn't dwell on these things, though. I still have a lot to do to get back home. I can't afford to let a silly little fever slow me down. After some time, the cool air surrounds me, instead of the boiling air my body was making. I'll take this as a sign the medicine has taken effect. I drink another cup of water, wash and put it away, then make my way back to bed. I've got to go to school later.

Early Morning

Just like every morning, the sun has risen to my window to say hello. It would have been like every morning, hadn't it been for my body temp rising again and another headache setting in. I'll just take some more of the medicine from last night again, then head out. Looking across the attic, Akira's bed is empty. He must have left already. I get up and get my uniform and other essentials, and head downstairs to the bathroom to get ready for this grueling day.

As I step into the cafe, I see Sojiro working and feel a strange sense of comfort wash over me. I don't know why, but it just does. Sojiro notices me and immediately sticks a thermometer in my mouth before I can even say hello. After a moment, the device beeps and he looks at the result. "Head back upstairs. You're not going to school."

No way. I can't possibly be that sick. I argue that I can walk and think just fine, but Sojiro is adamant. "38°C. You're not going anywhere. You need to rest."

But I can't rest. I need to keep an eye on Shiho. "I'll be fine. I'm just going to take the same medication as last night. Don't worry, I'm pretty resilient." I flex, but my muscles are pretty sore, so I think I looked more like a scarecrow raising its arms out. Sojiro tells me that the medicine from before will make me fall asleep and that's the only medicine he has. I plead with him to let me go to school and even offer to get the medicine myself on the way, but he's not having it. My headache is getting worse, but I refuse to give up. "Sojiro..." I whimper, but he doesn't turn around or respond. Oh wait, It must be because he doesn't want anyone to think he'd let a sick kid get out, when they obviously are dying. "I know I must look like a wreak right now, but I swear I'll do everything in my power to not give others the wrong impression about you...Please."

"Alright, alright. But you've got to promise me to not push yourself too much." Sojiro throws in the towel.

"Will do, sir." I solute as usual. "And you don't need to worry about what others think, take care of yourself more. Hurry up, I'll drop you off. You'll still be late, but it's better than the subway."

"What about the cafe? If no one's here..."

"It'll be fine, I realized I forgot to get some ingrediets last night so I'm going now. Go, hurry up before I change my mind." Sojiro taps my shoulder. I won't refuse his kind offer so I hurry to get ready.

After getting medicine, from Takemi of course, Sojiro drops me off at the school gate. I think it's the begining of 2nd period at this point. I hurry inside the silent building. Despite there being so many people here, it's really quiet in the halls. Of course, it would be though since everyone should be in class. Walking to class, the view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom in the courtyard caught my eye. In my lifetime, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to see such a beautiful sight, much less cherry blossom trees. I stop in my tracks, stepping towards the window. The swirling of the leaves on the ground is as if they are all taking part in a dance. I know I should be going to class, but something tells me to go out there. With not much thought to it, I listen to my feeling and head out towards the courtyard. The usual bustling courtyard is now silently dancing by itself no matter if anyone were there. I walk in, to watch the blossoms sway in the wind. I don't think I've ever taken the time to really look around and calm down and take a break since I've gotten here. It's always been training or preparing. A strong gust of wind blows and catches me off guard. Suddenly, behind me, I hear something splat and the sound of creepy cracking. I turn to see Shiho. There on the side of the courtyard. Sprawled on the grass, her legs twisting in unnatural positions. Blood gushing out of her head and dyeing the grass a deep deep red. There's no way that's Shiho, right? Everything around Shiho becomes blury, but I can still make out her form. I hear nothing but the howling wind around us. Shiho turns her head, looking at me, and says something. "W-what?" my voice tumbling out of my mouth. Shiho's mouth continues to move but the ringing in my ears overpowers anything else. In frustration, I hit my ears, hopping to clear the ringing, but I can only hear the wind. Taking shaky steps to Shiho, I crouch down in front of her.

"I'm sorry." She chokes out

Her voice is hoarse, but it is definitely her. The strength of my legs leaves me, and I collapse.

I've failed.

I couldn't save her.

I couldn't stop her.

Suddenly, pools of people surround us. Everyone trying to get a sight of Shiho. All of them talking so loud.

"Shiho!" I hear behind me. Ann runs to us and tries to keep Shiho awake as she is continuously saying sorry. An ambulance soon shows up and everything follows the same as the game.

Everything is the same.

What was the point?

Was I doing anything?

I wanted to stop Shiho, but I didn't change the event.

A hand grabs my shoulder, having me turn to face them. Akira is holding me, saying something, but I can't hear him.

"Wha......here"

Is the best I can make out but the ringing in my ears is getting louder.

The ring of students surrounding us grows louder and louder, and the ringing in my ears becomes unbearable. I feel a sense of panic and run out of the courtyard, past the crowds of students and staff, and into the quietest place I can find: the bathrooms at the end of the hall. The churning of my stomach is about to make me heave. Running inside, the pounding in my head and chest feel like it's about to pop both. I head into a stall and lock the door. As if my body was waiting for the right moment, I feel puke running up my body.

Hugging the toilet for dear life, everything leaves me. Once everything has been deposited, I'm left sitting on the floor, tears running down my face. I can't tell if it's from throwing up or from the overwhelming emotions I'm feeling. My chest aches, and the pain intensifies as I cry. I'm such a failure. Who was I to think I could change the story? I'm not even a side character - I'm an outsider. "Please, Shiho, make it out alive," I whisper through my sobs, as if my words could reach her.