Persona x Reader

Haru Okumura + Male!Child!Reader (P5) [2]

Following the battle in Mementos, the group led you to a small café in a side street of Yongen-Jaya. Upstairs was the leader's room, which wasn't quite what you imagined. It was certainly quaint and a little dusty, but the odd, mismatched decorations that occupied the shelves showed sentimentality where the room didn't. 

As you and everyone gathered around the table, introductions where given, breaking you of your distracted daze of looking around. 

"My name is Makoto Nijima. I go to Shujin, like Ann, Ryuji, Akira and Haru." Makoto informed you, gesturing to the faves around the table. "... And Morgana, I suppose." 

"I for one attend Kosei. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa." 

Futaba pushed up her glasses. "And I go to my room, sometimes Leblanc."

Ann saw your raised eyebrows and giggled a bit. "Futaba doesn't go to any school's, but she's super smart."

"O-Oh, I see." You lightly bowed your head. "Nice to meet you."

"You can be casual around us y'know, you're part of the team now." Ryuji said. "Besides you were pretty badass back there!"

"I'm inclined to agree, your swordsmanship inspires me to improve." Yusuke added. 

You felt awkward being the centre of attention, although you were flattered. "Thanks, but it's nothing that good... I just wanted to practice a lot, so if I ever met my idols I'd be on the same level as them."

There was silence for a few moments after you had spoke, when Akira looked to you, a small but noticeable smile on his face. 

"Why are you acting like you're not one of us?" 

Ann beamed. "Yeah, exactly! You're part of the team now!"

You couldn't help but be in awe as you looked to see everyone's reassuring smiles. Lost for words you hesitated, but soon nodded happily. "Y-Yeah, that's true! I still can't really believe it."

"Please don't think of this as patronising, but it really was amazing how strong you are despite your age." Makoto commented. "I'm curious how you even acquired your persona, and when."

Sounds of agreement resounded from the table, but in that moment the genuine smile on your face had froze. "Oh, I..."  Your fingertips had grown cold, and you hid their trembling in your pockets. 

Their expecting stares made your own fall to the table. "I... I don't remember it much. I was just in Mementos and it.. It happened."

That wasn't a total lie. Either way they believed it. 

"I see. Maybe it was too intense that it caused you to lose some memory of it?" Makoto guessed, placing her hand beneath her chin thoughtfully. 

"... I guess it doesn't matter too much right now." Morgana said after initially pausing, sparing a glance at Akira who nodded back at him. 

Ryuji stretched his arms above his head and let them fall slack again by his sides. "Yeah, he's here now ain't he? Plus he's strong enough that we don't have to worry 'bout that." 

"Indeed, I'll have to see to it that I don't fall behind." Voiced Yusuke.

Futaba snickered. "That sure would be embarrassing, huh Inari? You better watch out!"

While the usual banter unfolded between them, you sat silently, counting the grooves in the table. Your attempts at feigning apathy made have fooled the group for now, but adjacent to you was a phantom thief that could recognise that loss of light in your eyes. 

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It had gotten late, the sky growing exceptionally darker promoting the street lamps to glow, lighting the path. Akira of course stayed at Leblanc with Morgana as the two lived there, and Futaba only had a short walk to her house. The rest departed to the train station.