Alright (elp ver.) - Persona 5
The halls of Hope's Peak Academy were unusually festive, adorned with garlands of tinsel, strings of twinkling lights, and an assortment of student-made decorations. Everyone was truly getting into the Christmas spirit.
Kyoko walked silently through the corridor, her boots barely making a sound on the polished floor. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she glanced around at the festive decorations, though she quickly masked it with her usual composure.
Her destination loomed ahead: the headmaster's office. It was never her favorite place to visit, but today, she had a purpose. There were matters she needed to discuss with Jin Kirigiri. And for once, not as the Headmaster of Hope's Peak, but as her father.
She knocked once, briskly, before pushing the door open.
"Excuse me-" she began but stopped mid-step, her neutral expression giving way to mild surprise.
Jin Kirigiri was standing in the middle of the office, surrounded by boxes of ornaments, tangled strings of lights, and a rather pitiful-looking Christmas tree that leaned precariously to one side. He was gripping a ladder in one hand and a star in the other, his brow furrowed in concentration.
The tree swayed alarmingly as Jin tried to balance the star on top.
"Stay...just stay right there..." he muttered under his breath.
Kyoko stood silently in the doorway, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. The tree wobbled once more, and Jin flinched. Finally, unable to take it anymore, she cleared her throat. Jin turned to her, startled, nearly dropping the star. His face lit up when he saw her.
"Kyoko! Haha...I wasn't expecting you so soon...!" He glanced back at the tree, now tilting even further, "Er, as you can see, I'm a little...preoccupied."
"I can see that," Kyoko raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement, "Should I assume this is for the staff Christmas party?"
"That was the idea," Jin chuckled sheepishly, "But as you can see, decorating isn't exactly my strong suit."
Kyoko sighed softly and stepped further into the room, her sharp eyes assessing the chaos.
"You're going to need help."
"Really? You'd help me with this?" Jin asked, his voice laced with surprise.
"Let's just say I'd rather not witness this tree collapse under your efforts," Kyoko's lips quirked upward ever so slightly, "Now, step aside."
Jin gratefully handed her the star and stepped back. As Kyoko approached the tree, she couldn't help but shake her head. This wasn't exactly how she'd envisioned the conversation with her father going, but then again, maybe this was the kind of distraction they both needed.
As Kyoko straightened the tree and adjusted its branches, Jin handed her a strand of lights, carefully untangling them as he spoke.
"You know, Kyoko, it's nice to have someone helping out with this," he said, "I figured Christmas probably isn't much of a thing at your detective agency."
Kyoko paused mid-motion, her hands hovering over the tree.
"Why would you assume that?" she asked, her tone calm but pointed. Jin looked sheepish, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ah, well, I just thought..." he chuckled, "given how busy you always are, it might not leave much room for something as, uh, frivolous as holiday cheer."
"Just because I'm dedicated to my work doesn't mean I disregard everything else," Kyoko turned to him, her lavender eyes narrowing slightly, "I might not have extravagant celebrations, but I do celebrate Christmas. We even put up a small tree at the agency last week."
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Phantom Thieves of Hope - A Danganronpa X Persona 5 Story.
Fanfiction"Makoto Naegi is the Ultimate Lucky Student as the esteemed school of Hope's Peak Academy. Now beginning his second year with little to no problems, Makoto's life is turned upside down when he discovers a cognitive realm known as the Metaverse. Thro...
