Persona 5 - The Aftermath

Back to the norm

Makoto Yuki's POV

It's so dark.

I've been walking around for what feels like eternity.

"You shouldn't be alive!"

"Why do you get to live?"

Aragaki, Mom... I know... I know it's not fair for you.

"I'm sorry..."

"Then die like us."

My neck! Their hands are hard, rough and unforgiving... is this what I deserve?

"NOOOOOO!"

I awake in a panic, struggling to catch my breath... It was just a dream.

Every night. Every night I have the same nightmare. I still feel their hands around my neck, strangling me.

I shouldn't be here. I know that, but... I don't want to die.

I haven't been able to tell anyone about my nightmares, I just can't do it. I need to at least tell Aigis but I-

"KID! GET DOWN HERE, YOU'LL BE LATE!"

Right, I gotta get to school.

Sojiro: "You wake up screaming almost every morning, what's going on?"

Me: "I..."

Boss, I just can't.

Sojiro: "Alright, but eat something before you head off ok?"

Me: "I'm sorry..."

Sojiro is nice, he doesn't pry into my affairs when I'm uncomfortable, and it was nice of him to just let me stay here at Leblanc while I go back to school.

It was about two months ago we left the TV world. I got a glimpse at what it was supposed to look like, and I understand why Teddie was so upset when it was covered in fog. The sun was brighter than I've ever seen, the cool breeze was just perfect contrast to the heat, it smelled like a meadow, although now that I think about it, the breeze may have just been Morgana's AC.

Sojiro: "Go on, get to school, you don't wanna be late."

Me: "Right, thanks boss."

It's a lot more crowded in Tokyo than it was back in Tatsumi, I can't believe Ren was doing this everyday.

Ren and Morgana went back home shortly after we departed from the Investigation team and S.E.E.S... I gotta remember to text him after school.

School is well, school. I technically never finished my third year, plus I haven't really aged a day since the roof...

I still can't believe I'm alive after that, those two months after the Great Seal I could just feel my life force drained, like anaerobic exercise, but everywhere all the time, walking one step felt like running a mile, standing up felt like I had the world on my shoulders, and lying down, keeping still was the only thing that relieved some of the pressure. I was glad I had made it that far though. Funny enough, I had a dream the night before, it was just me, Junpei and Yukari hanging out as always, but Aigis was acting like she didn't know us, Mitsuru was giving a speech to the students, and after that we did some Karaoke, it was fun but something felt... ominous about it.

Eh. It was just a dream though. Nothing to worry about.

Class is a breeze of course. During lunch I meet up with Ann, Ryuji and Futaba. It's probably my favourite part of school, I love hearing their stories as Phantom Thieves and they seem to enjoy mine.

Although it's a little annoying when the reporter girl suddenly comes every now and again to interview me.

Ann: "So Makoto, how are you finding Shujin?"

Me: "So different yet so similar to Gekkokan, it's too bad I can't sleep in class though."

Ryuji: "I know right? It's a drag."

Me: "What about you Futaba? How are you finding school?"

Futaba: "Still a bit scary but I think I can manage, there's a girl in my class who loves Neo Featherman, we've been talking a lot during our breaks."

It's hard to believe Futaba was once a shut in, given how she's grown, in a sense, me and her are the same in that regard.

Me: "You have to show me that, I've never watched it before."

I've been trying to take a bit more interest in those around me, to be honest, people are a little more interesting than I thought.

Futaba: "Ooo how about a movie night?"

Ryuji: "That sounds awesome!"

Ann: "I guess I could join, if Haru and Makot- Nijima join."

Futaba: "Fine, I guess I'll have to invite Inari."

Ding dong

Back to class.

Honestly I just think about stuff in class, I miss Aigis. I can't wait till she comes to visit. Although, I'm probably gonna have to tell her about my dreams next time I see her. I'm afraid to sleep now, because the nightmares are ruthless and consistent, they give me no peace. But maybe this is the burden I have to bear. I shouldn't be alive, Oizys was angry, of course Aragaki and... Mom are too.

Ding dong

Huh? Oh school's over. Need to get back to Leblanc.

Oof!

I was in such a rush to get back to Leblanc I didn't even notice the red head girl right in front of me, her hair was down and she had glasses on. She's beautiful! The mixture of red and black in her clothes reminds me of Ren for some reason...

Oh wait I know this girl...

Me: "Sorry, you're Yoshizawa right?"

Yoshizawa: "I'm so sorry, I should've noticed you, and yes I am, Yuki kun right?"

Me: "Yeah that's me."

I saw her in the Palace, she saved Ren, but me and her never really talked much so I don't know much about her.

Yoshizawa: "Hey, are you ok?"

Me: "Yeah? I'm fine."

Yoshizawa: "Hmm. Come with me."

What?

Me: "Where? And why?"

Yoshizawa: "We're going to Kichijoji, I want to speak with you."