POV-(Y/n):
The girls that were practicing were now starting to clear out of the gym after Kamoshida left. I was still stunned by the red haired beauty that had just graced our presence mere moments ago.
Shiho: (Y/n)? Are you alright?
(Y/n): O-Oh! Yes I'm well, why?
Rise: Because you've been staring into space for a solid three minutes now.
(Y/n): What!? Why didn't you say something sooner?
Shiho: It was cute to watch.
Rise: We decided to speak up since we'd like to leave before it gets dark.
Rise and Shiho then simultaneously laughed together!
(Y/n): Alright Ms Smug, let's go.
We stopped by our lockers so we could get our bags and then left the building through the front entrance. It was as if a riot had broken out because the seemingly endless crowd of students were swarming out the door. I can't say I blamed them though, I was looking forward to getting out of here too.
(Y/n): Hey Shiho?
Shiho: Yes?
(Y/n): Who was that beautiful woman that defended us from Kamoshida?
Shiho: I'm...honestly not too sure. The school is huge so I don't know everyone that attends it, but I think I've heard the other players on the volleyball team refer to her as Kirijo-chan once or twice before.
(Y/n): Ooooh! What a lovely name!
Rise: Someone has a crush~
(Y/n): Hush. Are you jealous?~
Rise: N-No!
Shiho: *Giggles*
(Y/n) and Rise: What?
Shiho: You two are so cute!
Both mine and Rise's faces started to heat up and blush a little.
Rise: She is a very pretty girl though..
Shiho: Yeah, she turns a lot of heads.
(Y/n): Including Kamoshida's?
Shiho: Yes, but he knows he doesn't stand a chance against her. You saw how quickly he backed down from her.
Rise: She did seem very confident.
(Y/n): A little intimidating too.
Shiho: Exactly! He doesn't like confident women, he tears down girls in hopes of them idolizing him.
(Y/n): He's a sick motherfucker, and that's coming from me of all people.
Rise: He's creepy too, he's not even subtle about it either! How can someone see him ogle his own students and think that it's acceptable!?
(Y/n): I'm assuming he's in the schools pocket?
Shiho: Not even that. He's convinced the school board and the principal that his success as an athlete is "carrying" the school.
Rise: So he just gets away with whatever he wants?
Shiho: Basically, everyone just turns a blind eye to it. Even the parents.
(Y/n): Jesus. A parent will let their own kid get tormented by some has-been limpdick just so the school's reputation will stay high? This shit is worse than I thought. I knew it was bad to see Principal Chungus verbally jack him off out front.
Rise: Gross!
Shiho: *giggles*
(Y/n): What?! You know that's how it was!
Shiho: Anyway, we should head to the train. My parents will get upset if I'm home late, especially since practice is apparently cancelled. If you two are still interested in walking me home—
(Y/n): Of course!
Rise: Absolutely.
Shiho: Thank you, it's always easier to make the trip with someone to talk to.
We gathered our things and walked out of the school. We got to the train station pretty quickly and boarded. It was crowded but we were able to get a seat on one of the benches, even if we were pretty squeezed together.
Rise: Shiho?
Shiho: Yes, Ms Kuji—
Rise: Just Rise is fine.
Shiho: Oh, Ok!
Rise: Why does Kamoshida focus on you more than any of the others?
Shiho looked down at her lap in silence, like she was nervous to talk about it. I gently put my hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, it seemed to work.
Rise: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
(Y/n): We just want to help you, if it's personal then you don't have to tell us.
Shiho: No, it's alright. It's not exactly a secret to me anyway. Remember that friend I told you about back in class?
(Y/n): Yeah, the model?
Shiho: Yes. He...he wants her very badly and.....
She paused again, this was a very serious subject for the poor girl.
(Y/n): So he targets you in an effort to get leverage and pressure her.
Shiho: Yes, exactly.
Rise: He's a disgusting person!
Shiho: Please don't say anything about this to her when you meet her! I know she already feels bad about this and I don't want to put anymore weight on her shoulders.
Rise then hugged Shiho.
Rise: You're such a great friend to her!
(Y/n): I agree, she's very lucky to have you; Ms Shiho.
Shiho: Thank you! We've only met today and you're both being so kind.
(Y/n): Well you're a great person, and you don't deserve to be treated like shit. Not by Kamoshida or by anyone.
Rise: We're here if you need us.
Shiho: Thank you both, so very much.
The conversation had us so focused that we didn't even notice the subway train screeched to a halt. Once we realized this we quickly got up and excited the train.
I had never been to this area of Japan before. There were many apartment buildings squeezed next to each other with clothes lines that hung from building to building. We stopped at one of the buildings and Shiho turned around and looked at us.
Shiho: Here we are. Thank you two for walking me home, I'm...glad I met you both today.
Rise: We're glad to have met you too, Ms Shiho.
(Y/n): If you'd like, we can come and walk you to school tomorrow morning.
Shiho: I'd like that.
She then hugged both Rise and me. It was surprising but we hugged back. I could feel a petite hand slither into my back pocket, as if to put something there. The hand then slid out of my pocket and she walked into the apartment building and went home. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper with a phone number and a short cute message.
Hey (Y/n)! Thanks for all your help today, text me please! :3
Love-Shiho
I couldn't help but smile at the nice note as I pulled out my phone and typed the new contact into it and then put the number in. I put my phone back into my pocket afterwards as Rise yanked the note out of my hand. She quickly read it before speaking.
Rise: Aaaww how sweet!
(Y/n): Yes, she is.
Rise then took out her phone and typed the number in it. She handed the piece of paper back to me and I pocketed it. I then looked at her with a smirk.
Rise: What? She's my friend too!
(Y/n): Sure~
Rise: Don't think naughty of me!
(Y/n): No naughtiness here, but don't think I didn't notice you admiring the view of her as much as I was.
Rise: I can acknowledge when another girl is pretty. She's adorable.
(Y/n): Oh I know, I just think it's cute is all. It may have put certain images into my head.
She lightly punched me in the shoulder.
Rise: Bad boy~
She had a very provocative tone, it sounded sexy!
(Y/n): Careful Rise,if you keep talking like that...
I stepped closer to her to where now our faces were mere inches apart. Her eyes glistened with anticipation as they met mine. I started lightly tugging her skirt and shorts underneath it until I saw lacey hot-pink waste-band. She seemed to be completely lost in the moment, I wasn't sure how but it was so cute!
(Y/n): You just might end up with a little less clothes, because I've been craving to see more of you~
Rise: L-Less C-Clothes?
She then snapped out of it as I broke eye contact and looked downward.
Rise: Wait!
She then quickly look down to see my hand on her skirt with the lacey waste-band of her underwear showing. She let out a cute little squeak and pulled them back up.
Rise: Hey! Really?! You're just going to strip me out in public?!
She was so cute when she was flustered!
(Y/n): I'm only teasing cutie, although pink is adorable on you.
Rise: Quiet! I didn't pick out my underwear with the knowledge that you would see them.
(Y/n): So what kind are they?
Rise: W-What!?
(Y/n): Your underwear. Are they like regular panties, thong, cheekies, g-string? You definitely don't seem like the granny-panty type. Do they have a cute design or print?
Rise: *Giggles* You're so pervy! As if I'd really tell!
(Y/n): I figured it was worth a shot.
Rise: Come on dirty boy, we still need to catch a train back to our district.
(Y/n): Agreed, especially now that it's starting to get dark.
We continued walking towards the subway station. As we continued to walk, I kept getting these odd headaches. It started as a small ache but the pain was getting worse each time. I couldn't help but feel like it had gotten darker much quicker than normal too. A large fog was rolling in too.
We arrived at the stairwell and walked down to the docking bay. Not long afterward, a subway rolled in and stopped. We boarded the subterranean train along with a large group of people and it started moving towards our destination. Rise and I failed to get a seat, so we were stuck standing up while crammed in with many other passengers. We were squeezed pretty close to each other but I didn't mind. My head continued to ache and then, Rise noticed.
Rise: Are you alright?
(Y/n): Y-yeah, why?
Rise: Because you looked like you've been in pain for the entire walk over here.
(Y/n): I'm alright, really!
She hooked her arm around mine and put her other arm on my shoulder, like she was trying to comfort me. It worked.
Rise: Please talk to me, we can stop and find a doctor! I don't mind.
(Y/n): Maybe another day...but for now I'm fine. I just started getting a headache all of a sudden.
Rise: Are you sure?
(Y/n): I'm positive. Thank you though, I appreciate your concern.
I smiled as I said this, causing her to smile back.
Rise: Of course, I'm here if you need me.
(Y/n): Thank you, Rise.
Rise: You're welcome.
We continued on the train back to our district until we finally arrived. We hopped off the train and made our way to Rise's grandmother's restaurant. The fog kept intensifying, growing more and more thick by the minute. We finally made it to her Grandmother's and walked inside.
Rise's Grandmother: Oh good you're home. I was starting to get worried since it's getting dark out.
Rise: Sorry Grandma, we walked a friend home after school.
Grandma: That sounds lovely dear, I'll be cooking if you need me.
Rise then turned around and looked at me.
Rise: Thank you for everything today (Y/n). Same time tomorrow morning?
(Y/n): I'd like that!
Rise: Great!
She hugged me and I hugged back.
Rise: Do you want me to pay for a cab so you can get home?
(Y/n): No I don't want to trouble you.
Rise: It's no trouble at all.
(Y/n): Thanks Rise, but I'll be fine. I like the fresh air.
She then hugged me again, but tighter.
Rise: Ok, but please be careful. After all the things that happened today I don't want you getting hurt.
I lightly kissed her on the forehead.
(Y/n): I'll be alright Rise, I promise~
She was blushing a light shade of pink!
Rise: *Giggles* Ok, text me please!
(Y/n): I will!
After that I walked out and began the walk back home to Leblanc. The fog was so thick that I couldn't even see ten paces in front of me. I kept walking for a while and began to wonder if the fog had caused me to miss my route home. I took out my phone to look up a gps map, only to find something extremely odd. There was no service! Wherever the hell I was, was a dead zone.
(Y/n): You've got to be fucking kidding me. I'm in the middle of Tokyo!
Or so I thought. I kept walking until I could now see old brick walls on each side of me. I was in some sort of alleyway. I pulled out my phone and turned on it's flashlight since it had gotten darker since I left Rise's.
Out of nowhere, my head began to ache again. Only this time, it was far worse. It was excruciating! I began to hear voices. I couldn't understand what they were saying either. Just tens or possibly hundreds of voices all talking and screaming at the same time! It was painful just to walk, I put my phone in my pocket and clutched my skull with both my hands; running them through my hair in an effort to give me some small sense of relief. I stopped and leaned on one of the old brick walls. I could barely stand at this point!
(Y/n): It......hurts......
*talking* *talking* *talking*
(Y/n): Please.....
*chatter* *chatter* *chatter*
(Y/n): Make.....
*Yelling* *Yelling* *Yelling*
(Y/n): It....
*Screaming* *Screaming* *Screaming*
(Y/n): STOP!
I yelled out into the fog, my voice echoing into the void. The voices seemed to stop, but the aching continued. I felt a little relief at the silence of the voices. Unfortunately, it seemed this was only the start. I could hear footsteps coming out of the fog. They were getting closer, closer, closer. Am I losing my mind?
I looked behind me, and there was a figure. A tall man with skin paler than the snow. His complexion was clear but his body was extremely thin, to the point of appearing emaciated. He had jet black hair and appeared to be wearing all dark clothing; pants and a long sleeved shirt. The most notable thing about this man was his eyes. They were solid white! No iris or pupils at all.
He started to walk closer to me. He reached out towards me with one of his long, borderline skeletal hands...but I immediately jumped back. The voices started to scream again and once he reached out at me again, I turned around and began to run. As this man got closer, the voices seemed to get louder. I ran through the fog for what felt like a solid half hour, my heart was beating out of my chest. There was some bizarre shit going on and I had no way to defend myself against it. Unfortunately, it seems as though Personas don't help that much outside of the metaverse. At least not currently.
I kept running and running until I ran right into something. I fell on my back and whatever or whoever it was landed on top of me. The voices had stopped completely and the headache was starting to subside. I rubbed my head in pain and as I did, I heard a feminine voice groan and do the same! I opened my eyes and there was a beautiful girl sitting on top of me! She must be what I bumped in to!
She had fair light skin and looked to be a little shorter than I was, roughly Tomie or Rise's height. She had long silky ginger red hair that flowed nicely down to above her chest. Her eyes were a lush dark brown and helped frame her cute nose and plump smooth lips. She wore a long red button-up jacket with a short skirt and pantyhose on that fit tightly around her lovely legs.
??????: Ouch, not what I needed today.
She then stopped rubbing her head and looked down and her eyes met mine, coming to the realization of the rather...compromising position we were both in. I wanted to look away and get up but found myself unable, I was too entranced by her. There was something different about her, similar to how I felt when I first laid eyes on Tomie but...slightly different. I decided to break the silence by speaking.
(Y/n): I'm very sorry ma'am I was in a hurry and didn't see you through the fog.
??????: Obviously, unless you run into people on purpose.
Well, she certainly has a sass to her.
(Y/n): Yeah I was running from...
I then looked back in the direction that I last saw the man, but nothing was there. The girl looked in the same direction I did and responded.
??????: Running from what? Scared of the fog?
(Y/n): Kind of, but more someone that was in the fog.
??????: You're.....
She paused.
??????: This may sound strange but, was it a man by any chance?
(Y/n): Yes! Very tall—
??????: Pale skin—
(Y/n) and ??????: White Eyes.
We both paused and looked at each other and began laughing. I'm relieved to find out that I'm not completely insane. Or if I am...then she's insane with me. We finally stopped laughing to speak again.
??????: I'm Kirie, what's your name?
??????: A lovely name! It's nice to meet you Kirie, I'm (Y/n).
Kirie: Thank you, (Y/n).
She then stood up, offering me a hand as well. I took it and she pulled me up.
Kirie: Well (Y/n), would you like to join me for some tea? You're the only other person I've heard come through those paths running from that same strange man, besides myself.
(Y/n): I'd love that! I'm a bit lost.
As I said this, I nervously rubbed the back of my head.
Kirie: Yeah, there's a lot of bad stories that come out of those alleyways. How did you get here?
(Y/n): I was walking home from school at Shujin until I got lost in that fog.
Kirie: Shujin?!
(Y/n): Yes, why?
Kirie: That's over a two hour drive from here.
(Y/n): What?!
Kirie: Damn! You really did get lost.
(Y/n): No shit, it didn't even feel like I was walking for that long.
Kirie: Interesting. Well, follow me. You can make up for knocking me down by having a cup of tea with me.
(Y/n): That sounds amazing!
Kirie: Great, follow me.
(Y/n): After you~
We then began walking to her house. I couldn't give up the opportunity to have tea with another gorgeous girl and meet someone else who had a similar experience to mine in those alleyways. I can't wait!