Asphyxia // PERSONA 5 FF [ under editing ]

CH 09 │School Festival

“A lot of things happened between us, so it was finally the time to have fun and blow off some steam.”

“We deserved to forget everything, even for a short while and no one would be harmed. Right...?”

Part 1

It was finally the day of Shujin's annual cultural festival that had been awaited for quite some time. It was a big opportunity for students to distract themselves from schoolwork and see their school in a new light they didn't normally see.

The hallways of Shujin were amazingly decorated as many stands were scattered along and extended for as far as the eye could see as if it was a festival or something.

Among the crowd of students and the shouts of others to promote their stands, two girls were walking together side-by-side as their eyes lit up while scanning their surroundings.

There was no mistaking that the festival this year was grander than the previous year... it appeared as those students council snobs could do something right. Who would've thought?

"Whoa...!" Emiko breathed out in awe.

"I didn't expect things to be this nice," With her eyes slightly widened, Kyoko remarked.

"The student council really outdid itself."

"Who would've thought?" Kyoko chuckled lightly.

"Where... do we even start?" Emiko looked around her.

"I'll nail that darts game over there and get the biggest prize," The lavender-haired focused her gaze on one of the games prepared.

"And give you the pleasure of victory? Ha, in your dreams."

"Oh?" Kyoko raised her eyebrow in anticipation, then let out a teasing chuckle. "How cute, are you trying to challenge me, Mi-chan?"

"Anytime, anywhere."

"I like your confidence. Don't get too hopeful that you'll beat me, though."

"You sure do talk big, Kyo-chan when we still haven't played yet."

"I can't help it." Kyoko shrugged arrogantly, closing her eyes for a moment. Snapping it back open, she sneered. "I'm too great, I'm afraid I won't show mercy when I crush you."

"We'll see... we'll see..."

The flame of the challenge was undeniable in the girls' eyes as they looked at each other, confidence brimming in their pupils as smirks crept their ways on their lips.

The previous day's events were overwhelming to Kyoko since it was the death anniversary of her mother, and there was also that attempted kiss between her and Ren.

Had she not loved Emiko so much, she would've chosen her heart over her mind which was why her broken image came to the forefront of Kyoko's mind back then.

Yes, she swallowed her pride, her heart, her emotions all because her best friend can be happy. She was no fool and realized that Emiko became softer after knowing Ren which meant that he was making progress in their small "challenge", so taking him away would only worsen her view of men.

Hopefully, all of that would be worth it...

"Um..."

Hearing that awkward and uncomfortable trail, the girls' ears perked up and caused them to look at whoever was standing next to them.

It was none other than Ren Amamiya who was sweatdropping heavily at them, clearly seeing their challenging and 'fiery' aura blazing all over the place.