Persona 5 Royal AU

Chapter 19 - Tasks and Truths

The next day was a same old day at school when I saw that one girl again. I really wanted to talk to her, so I decided to do so.

"Hey, need a hand?"

"Huh, oh you're that boy that Nijima-san had to talk to. How are you?" she said with a gentle smile.

"I'm fine, do you need some help?" I asked.

"Yes thank you." she said. "The fertilizer bags can be pretty heavy."

I helped her carry them even when other students were gossiping about us.

"Just ignore them." I said when she heard them.

"It's fine, if you wanted to ask me out then I'm sorry I have to turn you down." she said. "My father has arranged a marriage for me so again I am so sorry."

"Oh, well I can at least just help you out right?" I said.

"I really do appreciate it." she said smiling.

Well that killed my idea. I set the bags down where she asked me to set them down at.

"Thank you again. Umm...."

"Ren Amamiya." I said smiling.

"I'm Haru." she said smiling back.

I soon left after she said she could take it from there and then I met up with Yusuke, Ann, and Ryuji at the station to discuss the calling card. I also discussed with them about the tattoo that Shadeon left on my arm.

"So his power remains visible when you use his power. But it's not visible to people who aren't inside the metaverse. Fascinating, I kind of want to see this tattoo." Yusuke said.

"For now let's worry about getting the calling card." Morgana said.

Yusuke would give the calling card's design more oomph and Ryuji decided he was going to write it again. So we just need to be ready for tomorrow. I had a few things to do, I sighed. I ran into Nijima-san while I was buying something Shadeon was recommending. It was an inexpensive salad.

"Oh!" Nijima-san said startled.

"Ah!" I said startled. "...Nijima-san..."

"Hello Amamiya-kun." she said. "Buying dinner?"

"Yeah, I needed some veggies."

"I heard you talked to Haru, were you trying to ask her out."

"I was going to but she already told me she has a fiance." I said. "So I just helped her with the fertilizer bags."

"I see."

"Look Nijima-san, if you think I have a vendetta against her fiance because she's already taken then you are mistaken." I said.

"I wasn't going to say you did." she said. "Students just came to me with concerns since you have a criminal record."

"Course they would." I said. "Can I go now, my salad is going to get limp if I don't eat it soon?"

"Yes of course." she said. "You be safe on your way home."

I waved walking away. I got back to LeBlanc eating my salad with curry. Shadeon and Ame-no-uzume were discussing things Morgana watched me as my eyes would switch between them as they talked. My one eye was yellow and the other was red again. They were discussing how I can use that dark skill of his he gave me without flipping my mask upside-down. It's the tattoo. Now that I have it, I can freely use the skill with minor energy draining so I might want to stock up on items to restore energy.

So I guess I'll make stuff for missions. We're really gonna need them for battles especially me. Using Shadow Strike will drain my energy no doubt but by how much is a different question.

"Ren, why is it that your eyes change the way they do?" Morgana asked.

"One is yellow and that's linked to my personas. The red one is linked to Shadeon. The two eye colors act like the contract deal between Arsene and Shadeon." I said.

"Oh I see, that makes some sense." Morgana said. "There's a lot we don't understand about Shadeon so I think we all hope to learn more."

"I think in time we will." I said. "Let's get some rest, we have a heart to steal tomorrow."

Morgana agreed, Sunday was the day we decided to carry out our mission. The next day we waited for Madarame to read the calling card so we could commence the mission. Once he reads it, Yusuke walks over to us.

"Was that acceptable?" Yusuke asked.

"Yeah, that's the reaction we're looking for." I said.

"Remember we only get one chance to do this." Morgana said. "We need to go now."

"Let's go!" Ann said.

We went to the metaverse and teleported to a safe room, and then went to the control room for the hanging art.

"Are you ready to start the heist?" I asked.

"More than ready." Yusuke said.

"Yeah, let's do it!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"Let's get into position." I said. "Ryuji, Ann, when Fox gives the signal make sure to cut the power. We need to work fast."

We all got into position, now to wait for the signal. When it went dark, Fox gave me the signal and I pulled the switch. We met up with Mona and had to make our escape. We made it back to the courtyard when Mona started acting a bit like last time.

"I gotta look at it!" he said.

He set the treasure down and unwrapped it, but what we saw definitely wasn't the treasure. We all had to do a backflip realizing it was a trap. Shadow Madarame confirmed that by the one guard who was holding the actual treasure. When he showed us the treasure, Yusuke said mom.

"Indeed it is, it was a self portrait painted by your mother." Madarame said.

"You stole something that personal!?" Ryuji yelled.

"Now I know what felt off about all this." Ann said. "You selfishly used that painting for profit when it doesn't even belong to you!"

"That is a real low blow!" I said.

"While you have the real treasure, you're real skills are nothing more than the scribbles on that fake!" Mona said.

Shadow Madarame didn't care what we said. Fox looked down and we looked to him.

"Fox?" Mona said.

"I heard you dispose of your art when it's no longer useful to you. Did that include my mother as well?" Yusuke asked.

This stunned us and I growled slightly, especially when Madarame grinned.

"She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me, that's when a thought crossed my mind. If I don't call for help then I can acquire her painting without any strings attached." he said.

"No....You let her die!?" Ann said in shock.

"You killed her!" Yusuke said in anger.

I growled slightly, this man let Yusuke's mother die of a seizure just so he could get a painting that was not meant for him. Yusuke chuckled.

"I thank you Madarame. All reason for me to forgive you has vanished with out a trace at this very moment! You aren't some rotten artist, you're a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!" Yusuke yelled.

Let's take the treasure!" I said.

Now, now we must fight and take back the treasure. How will this go I wonder?