Akane Hanazawa // Warakuma Shopping District April 12th, 2015 As she neared the edge of the shopping district, her mind a bit preoccupied from the scene she just seen, something came out from the building she was passing and bumped into her. Though, it was more of a slam when you consider the object that 'bumped' into her, causing her to drop all that was in her hands. The impact was strong and if it wasn't for all the hell she went through as a kid, she'd probably on flat on the ground right about now. "Felt like I ran into a damn boulder or something," Glancing upward at the man, Akane could see she was pretty much close. The man was BIG, not only in height but in size as well. The guy had muscles coming out the wazoo. He looks like he'd be more at home in the settings of Berserk or Fist Of The North Star than in freaking Warakuma. "What is this, Guts coming to life now?" she muttered, not realizing that the man probably heard it. Though, he probably wouldn't understand anyway. Without wasting any time, the man bent over to pick up the groceries, though not before apologizing. He had a bit of a strange accent. Sounds kind of familiar, Saitama? Hokkaido? Hmm.. Doesn't matter I guess. As long as he's understandable. But all in all she clearly didn't know this man, well, she could've sworn she has seen him by the gaters of her school. Maybe he's some kind of mobster or bodyguard who spent a little too much in the gym and this all isn't some kind of coincidence. She mused, 'her artistic' mind running wild. Clearly the manga and anime showing it's influence. Laughing to herself, "Ah, don't worry about it, it's fine. Thanks for picking them up at least. You really didn't have to." Since it's partially my fault as well for being too absorbed in thought... She decided not to add.

Alexei Dragunov: Warakuma Shopping District The girl mumbled something before crouching down herself, laughing to herself she dismissed his need to help her even though it was welcome. Alexei wondered how this town was so different from the big city. All the people he has met till now were really non-judgmental and warm. But what gathered his curiosity was that the girl took a particular name, a name that interested him since he was a big fan of the franchise. Gattsu of Berserk.The epitome of badass, if ever was a character could be one. As he put the groceries back in the bag, he couldn't hold on his curiosity any longer and asked the athletic girl. "Well, it's only proper for me to do this at least. Sorry to intrude, but did you just now mention Guts. As in, Guts from Berserk?" he asked curiously, a small smile on his face. Before realizing another grave error. Here he was chatting up with a girl and he hadn't introduced himself. "Uh..um, sorry for forgetting this. I'm Alexei Dragunov, a student in 3rd year here at Warakuma High. Pleased to make your acquaintance." he said with a small bow.

When the other two had not uttered anything to make his leaving unwarranted, Sato found himself back on the main street that made up the shopping district. With nothing do too, just like how he was before that whole fiasco. At least he ended up with something: he’d learned a bit more about Chiaki and he had made acquaintance with the mysterious and edgy Riku. Knowing the seemingly older boy somehow felt important but Sato couldn’t place a finger on why. Perhaps Riku’d be connected with the cult happenings and the police would question Sato when one of the cops remember seeing him with Riku, and Sato would reveal to them the last piece of information needed for them to solve the crime. As he got caught up in his own thoughts again, Sato kept walking onto the relatively busy street, though he found himself in the same position as he was earlier, just about to crash into yet another stranger. He luckily stopped himself before he could collide, though the middle-aged woman glared at him as he stomped to a stop with a soft “Oh”. Sato lowered his brow when he realized what it might’ve looked like, thought it didn’t seem that likely that she’d thought the same. Whatever. Sato shook his head to get himself back into the present. Though his eyebrows only stooped a little further down when he realized there was no present to get back to. There wasn’t anything to get back to do. There was a little too much awkward tension to hang out with any of the Archery group considering how stuffy the club got when Rokoru, Akira, and whoever else pissily took up the whole room with their mere presence. Soon Sato found himself at the exit of the shopping district, another street creating an intersection and leading away from it. Sato cursed his thoughts when he turned the corner though. “Speak of the devil,” he uttered, only letting one eyebrow rise back to its original position. As Rokoru noticed Sato back, he slowed down his jog. He shot Sato a glare, though the younger boy immediately reflected it back. Sato barely shifted from where he stood as Rokoru approached slowly with his usual near-perfect posture. Once he was close enough, Sato observed the club president’s attire, which gave away that he was likely just going for a jog, if the actual jogging wasn’t enough. The tanktop he wore stuck to his chest with sweat, as did a lot of parts of his clothes. Unsure of what to say or do, Sato just fwmp’d his hands to his sides and stared back until Rokoru stopped moving when he reached a normal talking range. “I think a punch was a little unnecessary,” Sato started, after a long moment of silence, “no matter how you received whatever it was that set you off. You’re a little immature sometimes, Rokoru.” The comment ticked the other boy off visibly, but at least this time that effect was on purpose. There was no point in hanging out with him if he’d just get physical over something said that he didn’t like. Rokoru cocked his head to the side and put his hand between his skull and his shoulder, revealing the poorly shaved section just behind his chin. “I think a punch was a little necessary,” he retorted. Sato lowered his other eyebrow back down again at the attempt of returning the comment. “I guess I should’ve known you wouldn’t quite understand why I don’t want to just up and leave, especially on my third year of highschool. You got here like, what, a year ago?” Sato leaned back a bit and slid a hand into the first pocket his fingers found. He corrected, “A year and a half.” Rokoru waved a hand as if brushing away Sato’s correction and returned his head to a normal position. “I’ve been here my whole life, and you don’t even know how close I am to getting Mika to go out with me. There’s no way in hell I’m just going to go with this shit. It’s not like my family’s exactly hard-pressed for money anyway.” The older boy’s voice became a little less salty as he went on in his short explanation as to why he wasn’t okay with the whole new-job situation. Sato nodded in response and for a second it felt like there wasn’t any issue between them anymore, but somehow he knew that the disapproval Rokoru had for him was anything but gone. Still, having the tools to fix it was nice at least. Even if Sato still didn’t agree with Rokoru’s decision on the matter. He’d hoped that Rokoru’s father wouldn’t just leave without him, and assuming that’s correct, Rokoru would be the one holding the family back. And there was no doubt in his mind that the position offered would be taken by somebody else as quickly as it was offered. Regardless however, Sato simply averted his gaze from Rokoru and took a few steps away from the sweaty boy, having just realized that Rokoru sort of smelled like wet dog. He weakly waved a hand good-bye and walked off, and Rokoru did the same, albeit without a returned farewell.

Chiaki Nettu - Warakuma Shopping District, Currently Undisclosed Cafe Hashsimoto left, its not like Chiaki really wanted him to leave, but she couldn't make him stay, he probably just had things that he needed to do or felt like going home, which is understandable. Chiaki finished her drink before Hashimoto left, but at this point the silence was a little bit awkward, She decided to get up and go home. The talk about Noboru made her depressed, she decided to return home. Before leaving, she looked at Riku. Squinted her eyes, and said something a little out of character. "There is something about you... I'm not sure what it is... Uh, nevermind. I'm just dribbling nonesense. Excuse me, I'll be taking my leave." Chiaki got up out of her seat, pushed it back in and left for the door. Mid exit, she stopped, and turned to Riku. "If you find Noboru... Let me know, he's a really good friend to me, I want to see him again. It was nice meeting you, Riku." Chiaki flicked a piece of red note paper to him, it sliced through the air precisesly and drifted to a halt infront of him. The paper had her phone number on it. She doesn't give her number out to many people, but for some strange reason, she felt as if she could trust this boy. She then left the cafe. Warakuma Shopping Complex Chiaki, handbag securely fassend, walked through the middle of the complex to the exit, to pressumingly get home, assuming nothing, or, nobody stopped her along the way, she wanted to talk to her beloved cousin, Ayano.

Leiko Hamada: Warakuma Shopping District At Shirohane's shy reply and confirming nod, Leiko immediately started thinking of an appropriate place for the two of them to sit down and talk more about literature. There were plenty of cafes and restaurants scattered around the district, and there was only one that Leiko normally went to. But she wanted somewhere quiet... Shirohane's following question mirrored Leiko's own thoughts, and she merely mumbled softly in approval as she looked at the areas around them. Well, there was only one place worth going... "I was going to meet up with her later anyway, I suppose..." Leiko muttered to herself, turning around and gesturing to Shirohane with a click of her fingers. "Come, I'll purchase you some lunch." --- Leiko Hamada and Kotori Shirohane: Ueno Restaurant The Ueno's were a part of Warakuma's history, or so Leiko had understood from Saya's exasperated rants when on the subject of her workplace. The exterior, with its polished oak doors and vibrant red, untarnished walls, looked classier and a cut above the other establishments in the district. It was a popular place, although not the exactly cheapest, which made it an ideal place for dating and business meetings. Of course, in Leiko's eyes, the prices were mere peanuts compared to her weekly allowance. Besides, she would be paying for Shirohane's share as well, so no objection would satisfy. Entering the building with a meek classmate in tow, Leiko thanked the waiter as he designated them towards a cosy booth near the corner, where a single wax candle emanated a warm orange glow. After sitting down, Leiko shifted herself to get more comfortable before opening her mouth purposefully. "So..." "Hama-channnnn!!" A loud, high pitched squeal interrupted the two of them as Leiko turned her head with a pained expression. She knew this was a bad idea... The sound of wheels scratching against wood followed as the mobile girl gracefully skidded to a halt before their table, a plate of beverages balancing on her splayed hand. "Hama-chan! You visited me in work?!" She let out another squeal, bouncing on the wheels of her rollerblades as the glasses on her tray clattered dangerously. Some people would certainly question why a formally dressed waitress would be allowed to wheel across the vicinity in the first place, but it was a quirk that Saya had harboured since she was young. Plus, as Saya had described it, it added to her 'cute and youthful appeal'. "I thought you were coming over later! You thought of me, wasting away in work..." Saya lifted a hand dramatically against her brow, as her eyes slowly travelled to the girl opposite Leiko. "Hmm?" Puzzlement crossed Saya's face as she leaned down and studied Shirohane's face closely. "Hmm...you look familiar..." Kotori Shirohane," Leiko supplied calmly. "Family owns the flower store." "Oh! Oh my gosh, now I know!" Saya nodded her head exuberantly, shooting Saya a bright smile. "You're pretty quiet whenever I see you in school. Honestly, I'm kinda surprised to see you with Hama-chan though. You have more guts than I realized!" "Thank you for that, Saya..." Leiko muttered under her breath, looking fairly unamused as she focused back on Shirohane. "Now, unless you intend to take our order, Shirohane-san and I were discussing something." "You were?!" The tray slammed on the table, startling the both of them as Saya leaned in intently. "What about? Is it boys?" She fixed Shirohane with an intense look. "Ooh, do you have someone you like, Kotori-chan?"

Kotori Shirohane - Ueno Restaurant | Noon Kotori's initial protests about having Hamada pay for lunch were shot down before she'd even managed to get them out halfway; leaving her to simply nod as she followed her to the location she had in mind - which turned out to be the restaurant of the Ueno family. It wasn't a place Kotori frequented - though the same could be said of all restaurants, given her tendency to rarely miss a meal at home. Still, she felt it would hardly be fair for Hamada to have to pay for two of them - but much like her first attempt, it was shot down nigh-immediately. Giving a thankful nod as they were guided to an empty table, Kotori sat down facing Hamada - who brought her attention from the rather nicely decorated interior of the restaurant back to herself when she began to speak up. Except that said attention was immediately snatched away by a sudden call and the rather out of place sound of skates skidding to a halt. The source of both, as it turned out, was a girl whose clothes identified her as a waitress and whose calling to Hamada pointed toward her being an acquaintance. Rather than note the rather odd gap between the fact that she was wearing both a waitress uniform and skates, Kotori was far more worried about the tablet in her hand - though the girl in question managed to somehow keep both it and the contents of the glasses thereon balanced. Her relief as she managed to do so was short-lived however - as her attention soon turned to Kotori. Feeling a little nervous under the sudden close inspection, Kotori tried to avoid the immediate attention - which turned out to be fairly impossible; leaving her to merely fidget with her hands that she kept on her knees beneath the table. Luckily though, Hamada interjected herself by introducing Kotori - which seemed to light a bulb within the rather energetic girl; noting that she'd seen her around at school and that it was quite a surprise to see her in the company of Hamada. Now that the immediate attention was off her, Kotori glanced up at the waitress - before, combined with the name Hamada called her, recognising her as one of the regular faces around Hamada: Saya Ueno. A moment later, the connection between her and the restaurant also became clear, given the surname - even as Kotori was given a wry smile as she wasn't quite sure if the comment about her having guts being a compliment. Hamada, meanwhile, seemed to not exactly appreciate her friend's interruption as she instead turned her focus back to Kotori - except that Saya wasn't having any of it; jumping right back into the conversation with a sudden bang as she slapped the try onto the table, much to the surprise of both girls and eliciting a startled "Eep!" from Kotori. Following that, Saya turned right back to locking her with a close look as she began guessing about what they were talking about and immediately spinning it further. "Uhm... N-no," she said faintly as she nervously tugged at the hem of her skirt from the close scrutiny she was being placed under by Saya; only occasionally glancing up as she preferred to keep her eyes down at the table all the while.

Glam-pitheatre Noboru couldn't believe what was going on. His friends, and someone he didn't know well at all, was fighting to protect him from himself. They were busy hacking and slashing away at the shadow, while he sat in a corner. As he was thinking about it, an ear splitting roar shook the floor. His shadow rose up, breaking all the chains that held it down. It stood up and gave an imposing look, before staggering and falling to the ground. The globe that was held up shattered on the ground, and the being inside fell from his noose. from that emerged his shadow once again. Noboru knew that if he denied the shadow again, it would most likely go crazy again. He looked at his friends, and back at the shadow. It was time to accept his true feelings. I guess you're right Rui. Friends are waiting at home for me, and if friends are all I have, even if my family doesn't care, friends are still friends. I can't just run away or hate you all for my own problems. It's time to accept that I can't just run away or complain. He looked at his shadow self and started talking to him. No matter how crazy you look or how strange you sound, you will and forever will be me, so I might as well accept that. The shadow looked at Noboru and nooded, and faded away revealing a new figure, his Persona. he staggered, tired from all that happened, but tried to keep his balance nonetheless. He took another look at his friends, and started talking again. Well, I guess it's time we got out of here. I would prefer not to be here much longer. --- Aiko-Warakuma mall Aiko looked at his phone and the new text from Toma. He couldn't deal with it anymore. no sign of Noboru, no clues, not one single hint. He was depressed about this. It was possible that this was all his fault, and despite how mmuch he disliked Noboru, that wasn't something he could truly handle. The guilt would eat him alive. Aiko broke his thoughts and replied to Toma. No. I've given up at this point. No use in trying anymore. He might be long gone by this point, with none of us knowing the better.