Persona 5 AU: Shifting Equity

Chapter 1 | Denial

11/20, Sunday

"Caught. Taken advantage of. These were the things that HE did to me. HE was the reason why I am here. Now, I'm just nowhere to be seen inside of these blank walls staring at me, mild murmuring outside the door and feels like its been hours."

I heard a creak from the door in front of me. I thought I was just hazy. When it opened, I saw Sae, the prosecutor. Her ashen brown hair and her gray high heels were something people truly wished to have.

"Well done, on making it this far, inmate."

"Now that you have traversed your long perilious recollection, you truly have entered the present."

"The effects of the drug are going to wear off soon."

"This is your golden opportunity. You must grasp the truth that will save you from the brink of ruin."

"The evil influence who wishes you dead is fast approaching."

"If you want to win this unreasonable game.."

"If you wish to take back your stolen future.."

"Recall the bonds you have formed with your allies, and grasp the truth that will save you from the brink of ruin."

Slowly, I began to tell the prosecutor what happened... from the very beginning. Personas, palaces and everything we done and how we did it. My words was far from believable, yet it was evident in her face that it caused and impact. In the end, she had a general idea of what we, the Phantom Thieves do and she can't believe things like that were possible.

".. I see."

"But now I have a general idea on what methods you used for your crimes."

"There's much more I would like to ask, but I'm afraid my allotted time is nearly up."

"I do have a proposal, though. Care to strike a deal with me?"

With all due respect, I looked at her and said "What do you want?"

"I have a responsibility to solve this case. I will win, even if it means making a deal with you."

"Not only have you failed to change my heart, but you've also corrupted the order of the country and caused an uprising to its very existence."

"You'll most likely be given life imprisonment or the death penalty... unless you accept my proposal."

"Going forward, I will read a list of people who are closest to you and this case."

My mind was racing. I didn't know what to say, as I couldn't avoid this question and my friends going to be in grave danger, no matter the outcome.

"Tell me honestly whether or not the following are involved with the Phantom Thieves."

"First, the friend that you've been with since the day you transferred to Shujin, Ryuji Sakamoto."

Ryuji...

"One of the victims of the Kamoshida case, Ann Takamaki."

Ann...