Shadows: Beneath The Mask | Persona 5 Royal - Book 1

I | Lost In The Crowd

Saturday - April 09 2016

~???~

The empty sky echoes with the clang of metal as the man's head slams against the guardrail, his body tumbling to the ground. Rage runs through Tatsuya's veins, his breath labored, held back by gritted teeth. He stares at the man lying in front of him, seeing his limbs splayed out, his arm stretched up to hold his bloodstained forehead.

"Damn brat... I'll sue!" The man screams out in anger, watching his precious lifeforce trickle down his hand, dampening the cuff of his–

Thud!

Tatsuya is thrown forward, his eyes shooting open in shock as he gasps for air. The faint rattle of the train barely audible over the chatter of crowds taking their routine excursion between cities. He runs a shaky hand through his tangled, cafe noir locks, combing it back and taking a deep breath. Sweat gently runs down his face, the sirens still blaring in his mind. That day...

"Are you all right, dear?" A soft voice reaches Tatsuya through his panic. It's the woman seated beside him. Her hand is hovering above his lap, a pair of glasses sitting comfortably on her small, slender fingers.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." Tatsuya takes the glasses and slips them on, though he doesn't need to. A warm smile graces the woman's lips as she giggles at the tired boy in front of her.

"You're welcome, sweetie. I hope my shoulder made for a comfy pillow." Tatsuya instantly looks away, his cheeks coated lightly with a pink hue. Had he really slept leaning on a stranger?

"Sorry..." he mutters, refusing to face her again. The woman's eyes light up as she twirls a strand of her long, messy hair around her finger.

"No need to apologize, darling. Your company was simply divine," she teases, playfully patting his shoulder before turning to gaze out the window with a smirk on her lips.

Their transit continues, each passenger absorbed in the mundane happenings of their day. The woman, indistinguishable from the masses, absentmindedly traces her fingers along the glass.

Tatsuya found himself sinking into the plush seat, a sense of calm washing over him. Maybe it won't be so bad here after all, he thought contentedly as he glanced out the window. Shibuya loomed ahead, a suburban wonderland of lights and sounds that seemed to swallow up the last remnants of spring as the train rolled into the station.

~Yongen-Jaya Backstreets~

The rays of the sun drape gentle tendrils over the backstreets of Yongen-Jaya, casting a serene lull over the narrow alleyways. Amidst this urban maze stands a small café, its picturesque charm standing out between the sleek modern buildings.

The front of the café is adorned with a vibrant display of potted plants, their delicate leaves fluttering in the gentle afternoon breeze. The unseen proprietor's dedication to the shop is evident in the lush greenery that embraces its entrance. Framed by ornate wooden accents, the windows beckon passersby to peer inside and discover the soul of this establishment.

Tatsuya peers through the large windows of the café, his eyes fixing on the silhouettes moving inside. They're like shadows against the backdrop of warm light and rustic furnishings, creating a cozy mosaic that begged to be explored. The shelves were lined with jars of colorful ingredients and coffee apparatus that occasionally glint in the warm amber light. He pulls away from the glass and gazes up at the red and white striped awning above the door, frayed and weathered from years of sun and rain. The faded black letters spell out the name of this quaint business.