Asphyxia // PERSONA 5 FF [ under editing ]

CH 06 │Challenge

“Some people say that you should never say never. I used to laugh at such stupid beliefs.”

“But then I realized... that maybe I was mistaken this whole time?”

Part 1

The hallways of Shujin Academy were brimming in life as always as each corner burst with laughter and chatter of students who were heading toward the exit of the building.

The classes were long done and over with, much to the relief of the students who were stuck with hours of boring classes and lectures, most couldn't wait to set the plans for the upcoming weekend.

Among the crowd of endless students, one individual was making their way hardly through the sea of bodies, a pile of papers carried in their hands while they were trying their hardest not to make them fall down.

For the most annoyed groan came from Emiko Hayashi's lips as she was literally squeezing her way through, no one bothering themselves to properly move out of the way to make her pass.

"Seriously, why me...?" She huffed while trying to adjust the papers in her hands.

Ms. Kawakami had asked Emiko to deliver those papers to the student council room and to the hands of Makoto Niijima, the president, which contained the faculty's approval of their plans regarding the upcoming school festival or something along those lines.

The only thought that lingered on her mind at that moment was delivering those papers as soon as possible and going to meet with Kyoko so they could head to the movies to see that new action film they both were eager to see since it's trailer's release.

"Out of all the 20 students in the class, it had to be me, wow just how convenient..."

Just as she was about to turn the corner to head to her destination, something hard bumped into her which caught her entirely off guard, making her lose her balance and fall down, papers scattered all around the floor as well.

A painful yelp came out of her mouth as her body collided with the floor, falling on her right arm which luckily didn't get broken or anything. Opening her eyes, she cursed herself mentally at the last thing she ever wished to occur... Well, it did happen.

It was as if someone had slapped her entirely on her face.

"Hey, watch where you're going at least!" Emiko scolded as she was picking up some of the papers, not looking up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Here, let me help." That person knelt down and was grabbing some of the documents as well.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need your help--"

Emiko shut her mouth entirely as soon as she looked up to see whoever had just bumped into her. And ho boy, she did not see that one coming. They attended Shujin too?!

Oh, fuck.

"I didn't hurt you, did I, Hayashi-San? I'm really sorry."

Ren Amamiya.

He looked at her with those soft and gentle grey eyes of his which were concealed behind the lenses of his black-framed glasses.

His unkempt dark hair remained the same as ever since their first encounter at Inokashira Park and dared Emiko to say that he looked so damn handsome in his school uniform.

Wait, what?

"Oh, it's you." Emiko didn't even bother to hide the disappointment from her voice.

"Something tells me you're not happy to see me." Ren frowned at her reaction. He expected a different approach from her.

"Hm, you're quite perceptive." Venom dripped from her words.