[IC] The True Self - Persona

[VitaVitaAR]

Midori blinked the sleep out of her eyes for a moment as she heard a voice from the other side of the door. The early morning bleariness left her confused for a moment, until she realized it was indeed her little brother calling. Memories came flooding back to her as she became more and more awake. That's right! She had promised to take Shiki out to the amusement park... For a few moments, she felt sad about missing the opportunity to spend time with Akemi. However, she still loved her little brother and she had made a promise. Besides, the amusement park was fun... as... long as they stayed away from the bigger crowds.

Midori shuffled over to her bedroom door and opening it enough to poke her head and one arm out. Her pyjamas were quite disheveled, the long sleeves flopping down and over her hands, and her hair was still a total mess, and she failed to look totally awake yet. This was in part because, well, last night had ended up being a rather late one for various reasons. "Ah, that's right... I promised to take my little brother out for a day of fun!"

Midori tried to sound energetic, but it was a bit too early in the morning for energy. Still, she managed to smile and reach out to pat her younger sibling on the head. "... But first your big sister needs to take a shower and get dressed."

She rubbed her eyes again, and vanished into her room to make a selection of clothing. Underwear, orange t-shirt, black skirt with an orange rim... just in case Akemi saw her she wanted to look nice enough, too. She thought she looked nice in black and orange... With her clothing gathered up, she re-emerged from her room and hurried to the bathroom, where she stripped off her pyjamas and got ready to shower.

Once inside, she tried not to take too long. She didn't want to make Shiki wait too much... and that meant not thinking about Akemi, that would make her take longer. Still, eventually she was done, dried off, and dressed.

Midori returned shortly afterwards.

"Okay, er... we need to make sure we have everything before we get going!"

Eating breakfast had entirely slipped her mind.

[SwordfishKnight]

Taking in all that had been said, he was really skeptic. Nonetheless, Noboru took a card, but not before waiting for the others to do so. He randomly picked one, looking it over. "Strength huh? What irony." After picking his card, his dream slowly faded, the room warping out of existence.

---

Waking up, Noboru quickly got ready, putting on shorts that might have been slightly too tight, as he had them since he was ten and still had not outgrown them. Next was a simple black tanktop, skintight so it wouldn't flsp around as he ran. Taking a knapsack, he weighed it down with a decent sized amount of weight and slung it around his back He decided this morning would be as good as any for a nice jog. Walking out the door of his house, trying to not wake his parents, Noboru started his jog around town.

[Sho Minazuki]

Rui Shinichi | Department Store - Sunday

"Hm?", it appears he's bumped into someone. He was holding two bags of groceries in his hands, it appears he was very much done for the day, it wasn't much to buy after all and he even got himself some candy, though the girl he'd bumped into seemed to be so deep in thought she stumbled a lot more than he did, and ended up falling down. Black hair, cardigan, glasses skirt, overall a bit plain, and seemed respectable. It looked like she was also a student at the school he was going to attend starting tomorrow, based on what age she appeared. Based on her direction, it looked like she was going shopping for the same thing.

"Are you okay? You should look forward while walking", he said, putting down one bag of groceries and offering her a hand up. He thought he'd seen her somewhere before, it was definitely school related... Was she someone important...? Regardless, he was offering to help her up now.

[Haru Nyan]

Ayano was walking along the streets and for some reason she felt like she forgot something...No, SOMEONE important! Murmuring a silent curse, the girl backtracked all the way back to her home again. She opened the door and her parents asked why she's back so early, to which she replied with, "I just forgot to bring someone with me." Then, she was facing Chiaki's door and knocked on it a few times. "Chi-Chi, you awake yet?" she asked, waiting for a response. "If you are and if you can hear me, I need to ask you a...favor..". The girl sighed, she thought how it was ridiculous that she had to ask someone to accompany her of all things...

[Pudding]

Chiaki was just curling her left drill to complete her duo, when she heard a knocking upon her door, and the call of her older cousin calling her. 'Chi-Chi' she would say. It reminded her of the old times, when they were younger, those were happier times...
"Just a second Aya-chan! I'm just fixing up my hair!" Chiaki did just that, it took her only a minute to make her second drill. She then opened the door to her lolita domain. She had changed her room to accustom to her tastes. Nonetheless she answered her cousin.

"Yes Aya-chan? Ahaha its been so long since we've called each-other these names, no?"
Chiaki giggled, she was now in a good mood.
"Now, what is this favour you wanted to ask?"

[Haru Nyan]

It wasn't long before Ayano heard a response from within the room, "Just a second Aya-chan! I'm just fixing up my hair!" Oh, right...She had forgotten about those two gigantic drills she calls hair, how does one even do those?! It will forever remain a mystery to her...Then, she could see the interior of her bedroom...What was once a dull spare bedroom had transformed into something that looked like it was fit for a prince...There was just lace and frill...everywhere...EVERYWHERE. Ayano was taken a back and wondered how Chiaki was able to turn it into something so...pretty...

"Yes Aya-chan? Ahaha its been so long since we've called each-other these names, no?"
Ayano chuckled a little, it's been too long since she actually laughed at something sincerely and she had to admit...It had been long...
"Yeah...It's been a while..."
"Now, what is this favour you wanted to ask?"
Ayano gulped a little...she was nervous, embarrassed too...Her face was slowly getting redder and redder before she finally said it.
"T...T-The thing is...I have a friend whose birthday is today and...a-and...I don't know what to give him...or what to do for that matter...And you're good with these sort of things so..."
At this point her face was as red as a tomato, she resorted into looking at the floor instead of looking Chiaki in the face and she just wanted to get it over with...

[Pudding]

Ayano laughed a sincere laugh, Chiaki could tell, considering the many fake girls she' whilst she was a model. It was nice to see her cousin laugh, Chiaki's Aunt and Uncle told her a little about how she'd been feeling down as of late, she was glad to see her smile.

Ayanos' face started to become red before she explained what she needed. She then blurted it out in a big blast of stuttered words as she quickly faced the ground.

"T...T-The thing is...I have a friend whose birthday is today and...a-and...I don't know what to give him...or what to do for that matter...And you're good with these sort of things so..."
Chiaki giggled.
"Ahehe, aww you're cute when you're embarrassed Aya-Chan. But, do not fear, I will help you out, and might I say I'm quite flattered you came to ask me!"

Chiaki placed a finger underneath her lips and thought for a moment.
"As per memory, you said, 'I do not know what to get him' which implies its for a boy..."
Chiaki then gasped. (Could she have a boyfriend?! If this is the case, I must not fail!)
"I know the perfect gift for a boy! A comic book with crime fighters! Perfect, no?" Chiaki closed her door behind her.
"Come, let us go together and acquire the gift. I would very much like to meet your-" She paused for a moment. "Your, friend" Chiaki smiled sweetly and waited expectantly. She hoped her cousin would agree to her proposal, she didn't want to spend all day in the house, but also did not to wander aimlessly around the town.

[Savo]

-Kaminari : The Park-
As Kami finished studying, he let out a sigh of relief as he bathed in the serenity of the park. As he began closing up his books he heard a loud voice interupt the peacefulness of the park. He almost jumped out of his seat, but was able to keep himself calm due to the familiarity of the voice. He turned his head around to see Sachiko coming towards him, smiling with a present in hand. He was pleasantly surprised when she told him that she remembered his birthday, and handed him a present.

"Th-thank you Sachiko-Chan, I didn't think anyone remembered my birthday," he said as he prepared for what was next. He stood up and was soon caught within Sachikos iron hug. She usually did this on peoples birthdays, her friends anyways. He smiled profusely as she hugged him, happy for that time just standing there being hugged by a friend who cared for you... A friend.

As he hugged her, something loomed on his mind, As he smiled he whispered something to the girl. "Say Sachiko-Chan, what would you like for your birthday?... And uhm..." He began blushing a bit as he began stumbling over his words. "Y-you see, there's a girl I've fallen for a while back, and I d-don't know what to get them for their birthday, or anyday," he murmured as he let out a breath as he continued on. "It's a strange r-request, but could you maybe please h-help me?"

---

-Yakudatsu : Wakahisa Household-
Yaku was sleeping soundly as he dreamt about anything other than the Velvet Room since he wasn't a Persona user. As he snored like a baby, he suddenly jolted awake for no apparent reason. A droplet of sweat inched down his head as he rubbed his eyes and got out of bed. He began grabbing clothes from his closet and drawers and headed to the bathroom. As he walked past he noticed that his sister Ayano was gone and that Chiaki was still sleeping. He shrugged as he entered the bathroom, whistling a strange light toon as he went in.

---

-Yakudatsu : Wakahisa Household-
As he left the bathroom he saw that Ayano and Chiaki were speaking to each other and over heard that she was getting a friend a present but couldn't figure out what to get for him. It was a him? "(Did she get a boyfriend or something, or is it one of those guys she talks online with...)" He walked over to the two and interjected in to their conversation.

"Mornin' Oneesan, mornin' Chiaki-Chan," he said aloud as he approached the two. He was quite interested in knowing whose birthday was it, and poked his nose into their conversation. "Say, what's this about a guys birthday? You gotta boyfriend or is it one of your online friends," he asked, chuckling a bit.

[RolePlayerRoxas]

Startled from her thoughts by a sudden collision and subsequent landing on the floor, Akemi cried out and looked up, seeing a young man standing before her. Evidently the person who had walked into her. Because obviously, Akemi would never make such a silly mistake as to walk into someone, herself. Totally ludicrous. Still, she allowed him to help her to her feet, dusting herself off afterward, "Thank you," she replied shortly. This boy didn't seem familiar to her, so he probably wasn't a student, despite how young he looked. The only other school that could be considered nearby was a private school several miles from town... though it was exceedingly rare for anyone from Warakuma to attend there for one reason or another.
"...I apologise for taking your time," Akemi said, intending to head on her way. After all, time had to be precious for both of them. Think of the studying to be done!

[Cuco]

Sachiko put on a pretend pout when Kami asked her what she wanted for her birthday. "Tsk, I thought you actually knew me, Kami. Heh, well, I could always use a new pair of dance shoes or something...." He then went on to explain the real dilemma he wanted help with. Sachiko giggled as Kami's face turned red. "Aww, is it time for Kami's first romance?" She was just ribbing him, but she sure was curious. Who wouldn't be, when your friend suddenly professes to having a thing for someone? "Okay, so, serious advice; the simplest thing I can tell you is to get them something that will mean something to them. Anyone can buy a token gift like chocolates or flowers, and they might say it's the thought that counts, but something that shows that you listened will show how much you think of them. Like, knowing what a good friend of a few years might want for their birthday....." She flashed him a few second leer, but quickly changed expressions to show she wasn't being serious. "Without knowing who this person is or what they like, I can hardly give you any specific advice. If you REALLY don't have a clue as to something they might enjoy, I think you have bigger problems than what to get them as a gift." Sachiko did think it was best to start with knowing a thing or two about the person, that much was true, but she was also hoping this line of logic would lead to him spilling the beans on who he liked. Sachiko definitely wanted to find out.

[Savo]

-Kaminari : The Park-
Kami looked surprised as she put ona pretend pout. He looked a bit nervous when she seemed saddened, but soon came up with the conclusion that she was just teasing him... Hopefully. "(Well, it didnt hurt asking I guess,)" Kami thought to himself as she acted all sad like before telling him what she wanted. He blushed even more profusely as she asked about his first romance."(My first romance... She's someone I've known for a longtime... She's changed over the years... How long has it been since I fell for her?)"

"Uhm, well... This girl I like... We've honestly been far a part for a while.... I hurt her a while back, and now I feel that she hates me... But that's understandable due to what I did." Kami lets out a gloomy sigh and continues on. "I'm too afraid to look her in the eye, because if I do for too long I feel like breaking down and crying... I want to make amends for what I did to her, but I'm too much of a damn coward to do so..."

Kami almost looks as if he is ready to drown in his sorrows and let it all out, but he does his best to keep his cool as he keeps explaining his dilemma. "I want to show her I care, but I don't know how... I'm such a damned fool... If I could just reset the past, if..." Kamis emoish ranting goes on for a while before he stops with his right hand to his head.

"I'm... I'm sorry about that.... I wasn't as calm as I should of been." He looks up to Sachiko, smiling a little bit. He pulls his hand down to his face, and goes into a thinking position. "Maybe if I told you who it was instead of going off like that, it could help." Kamis lips begin to tremble nervously, and he begins to stare down at his feet.

"The p-person I've f-fallen for all these y-years..." His speech sounds exactly like yesterday when he had to leave the arcade. "Y-you know h-her.... Kato kn-knows her..." He starts to blubber a bit, and his voice begins to go down to almost a soft whisper.

"It's A.... Ayano."

[Sho Minazuki]

Rui Shinichi | Department Store > Home - Sunday

"Hm... I guess she's got a lot on her mind...", he said to himself as the girl walked off and out of sight. Well he had his groceries... So he simply headed home and put them all away. Didn't take long, just putting drinks and vegetables into the fridge, then the eggs, and so on. Rui would spend his time playing his games today, or surfing the internet, but for one the internet wasn't very good, though the better connection should be online tomorrow, and two... Well, there's nothing new for him on his handhelds.

"I guess I'll wander around some more..."

Rui | Home > Warakuma Park

So, there was a park here. It wouldn't interest him honestly, but he saw a familiar face, or rather two. Seated side by side on a park bench, it looked like they were having a conversation. It didn't look intimate either, just friends still, but it seems the topic was rather private. As he walked towards them, the only thing he could pick up from the conversation was "It's A...Ayano". Oh right... Ayano was that girl who ran off yesterday... He wondered what her deal was, but so far it just looked to him like social anxiety.

"Yo...", he greeted them, one hand up to signify his approach. After greetings were exchanged, he continued.

"So what about Ayano? Did she do something...?", he asked.

[Cuco]

As Kami began to diverge into the more emotional part of his speech, Sachiko's ever present smile faded from her face. She certainly wasn't going to enjoy hearing how conflicted her good friend was. The more he continued, the more Sachiko had the suspicion she knew who he was talking about. She let him finish, but once he was done, her guess turned out to be quite correct. "Ayano...." She could already see the problem. It had to be hard to know someone you wanted to be closer to seemed to want nothing to do with you. If anything, they all felt that way a little, since they had all been a group. But Kami probably felt it hardest of all.

Before she could start talking herself, they were approached by someone else. It was Rui Shinichi, whom they had met yesterday. In some ways, it was a touch ironic, considering he was right there when they had words with Ayano the day before. But more than anything, she just thought it was a little weird. Sachiko was an open and friendly person usually, but even she didn't think it was appropriate to intrude on people's private conversations when you had met them only once. "Oh, uh, Ayano....well, it's a LONG story. Very personal, too. I doubt you really want to hear it. I think it would be a good idea if you gave Kami a little space too, he's more than a bit upset about all this." She hoped he would take the hint, as she didn't want to be too rude about this. "Kami, let's take this somewhere a little more private, shall we?" She wanted to try and help him with this, but it would be awkward if they sat out in the open. Who knows, half of Warakuma might decide they felt like getting in on his business.

[Savo]

-Kaminari : Park-
He let her think of the predicament at hand, and wondered what was going through her head. Kami was fidgity as she said Ayano, as she now knew his secret. He stared downwards and let her think of how to deal with this... Then again, he really shouldn't be dumping personal problems onto his friend... But he felt he had to tell someone or else he was just going to explode. Kami signed as the deafening silence shrouded the park yet again. The silence from Sachiko felt unbearable, and he couldn't take it any longer. He sought to break it by speaking up and taking initiative.

"Ye-" Kami suddenly jolted in surprise when he heard someone behind the two signifying they were there. "-AAH!" He turned his head to see Rui holding his hand up as he approached. How long was he standing there? Did he overhear the conversation about him confessing that he was in love with Ayano? Did he know how much of an ass Kami was? All he could do was stare as he came over, possibly acting in wonder about what was going on. He didn't know how to act now, but he looked a bit pale as Rui awaited an answer.

Kami turned to Sachiko as she spoke to Rui about how their history was personal, and how he should give Kami some space. He just listened to the response until she made the recommendation of going somewhere private. "(She's right, this conversation needs to go somewhere else ASAP.)" Kami pushed himself up from the bench and turned to Rui.

"Look, its not that we don't want to talk to you its just... What Sachiko-chan said." He rubbed the back of his neck as he held his items. "Uhm, I've gotta good place where we can talk Sachiko-chan. We can head back to my place since my parents nor my sister is there for the time being. Shall we go?"

---

-Kaminari : Sutoraiki Household-
As Kaminari entered the house ((presumingly with just Sachiko in tow)), he dumped most of his stuff on the coffee table, and sat on the couch. He looked back on his actions, and closed his eyes. "(So much has changed in very little time... I wonder what will happen in the near future?)" He shook his head as he concentrated on his innermost thoughts.

[Sho Minazuki]

Rui Shinichi | Warakuma Park

"That's okay. I won't ask if you're not comfortable talking about it", he wanted to find out a bit more, but it appears to be too soon... Then again it wasn't really his business. Whatever it is, feels like it might've been ongoing. Kami being a bit upset just tells him he really cares for her... And Sachiko seemed to have tact despite being so cheerful. So it wasn't just some kind of facade.

"Well, if you want to do something for her, the best thing is often the most honest thing... Well anyways, good luck", he said. He had no idea of the topic though, so he just gave a general word of advice. He nodded with respect, then walked off to someplace else. Hmmm... There really wasn't much to do around here... Maybe he should just head to the arcade again or something...

[Cuco]

Finally, they were alone, or at least not in such a public place. Sachiko knew Rui wasn't intending to be malicious or anything, but that little episode sure was strange. Right now, it was time to focus on Kami. Plonking herself down on the couch next to him, she started to try and put together something to say. "So....yeah, so....Ayano. Hmmm." She was still wondering how best to approach the subject, but she was good at thinking fast. "....it's like I said before; there's a bigger problem than just getting her a gift. It's a bit too soon to be thinking of how to get closer to her when you can't even talk with her platonically. I think we all want to try and change that much." She had learned for sure that Ayano didn't want much to do with them yesterday. Kami's birthday had taken more immediate thoughts on what to do about it out of her mind, but it had been dwelling on her. It wasn't something that was going to be solved simply, she imagined. Maybe with all of them working together, they could try and mend the gap, but first, they really needed to be sure about everything. Sachiko personally still didn't fully understand the problem. "Let's start from the beginning. I think we all know it started with that bullying nonsense years ago. But you obviously think it's partly your fault." She had picked that much up from when he was rambling earlier. That seemed to be the big problem on his end, at least. "Are you absolutely sure she blames you? Did she say that herself?"

[Savo]

-Kaminari : Sutoraiki Household-
Kami turned his head to Sachiko, and humored each of her thoughts. "(Yeah, she's right about that... I need to figure out a way to mend past wounds... I don't want her hating me.)" He felt a bit better when she decided to try and help fix the broken bridges between both of them. Kami felt that she didn't dislike Kato, or Sachiko - just him. "Yeah, I need to focus on fixing our friendship first, and not jumping the ship... (Wait, was that the right saying? Eh whatever.)"

He finally didn't feel alone with someone to assist in figuring out what to do. Kami felt abandoned for the longest time after that day when she broke off contact with all of them. Sachiko beginw thinking on going back to the beginning, when all of this started. "(Think its partly my fault? It isy fault though...)" He bit his lip as she continued going on about if he was sure that she blamed him. Kami looked at her as she said this, with a frownforming on his face. He then turned his head down and let it droop for a few inches, and then finally spoke.

"I'm sure she blames me Sachiko.... Remember what she said to us those many years ago?" Kami begins sorrowfully thinking about the past, letting his mind be ravished by the torment of it. "She never said that she hated or had any disdain, but I saw the loneliness in her eye when she looked at me and that's when I knew..." Kami began crying as he spoke, choking on the words as tears streamed down his eyes. "I abandoned the person that I solemnly cared for."

He almost broke out into a full out sob as he continued talking, covering his eyes with both of his hands. "I did this to her... And aI got what I deserved... If I was just there to stand up for her... If I just took away some of thatsuffering, and carried it with me we wouldn't be in this predicament." Kami turned his head up, and stared at Sachiko, still frowning with salty streams flowing down from his eyes. "Lets face it Sachiko.... I'm a god damn asshole who caused this whole mess! I deserve this devastation, I deserve this pain in my heart." Kami began holding his head up with his arm that was resting on his knee.

"I wish I had the courage to walk up to her, and apologize for what I did, but I'm just... Too weak."

[Aquaknight]

Kato | Warakuma Park

Kato was cursing aloud, as his eyes became heavy with sleep. He tried his hardest to wipe away the sleepiness, but it didn't do anything to help. He yawned loudly and took a seat at one of the benches. He felt groggy and tired. He was only up for like twenty minutes and now he tired again. It won't do anything if he stays awake and become annoyed and catty. After a few moments on sitting on the bench he pretty much fell asleep in place, yet he was still sitting up with his head leaned back and he looks like he just resting his eyes, but soon enough his sleeping will be obvious when he moves around in a few seconds. But for now he looks like he's only relaxing.

[Haru Nyan]

Ayano couldn't do anything at all...Her embarrassment got the best of her and her red face pretty much said everything. At this point she could barely say anything and if she could, it'd be full of stammers and pauses.
""Ahehe, aww you're cute when you're embarrassed Aya-Chan. But, do not fear, I will help you out, and might I say I'm quite flattered you came to ask me!"
"S...S...S-Shut up! Don't call me cute!!" the girl shouted at her cousin, she folded her arms across and paused for a brief moment as she let Chiaki think for a moment.
That's when she had the great(maybe not so) idea to give him a comic book...Yeah, it's simple and the genre appealed to him! Though, it might be a little...lacking, maybe something extra wouldn't hurt?
Soon enough, the two were ready to leave, Ayano could've sworn that she heard Chiaki pause a little bit at the word 'friend'...

---

Although it wasn't long before the two were greeted with Ayano's little brother, Yaku...He meant well but should really stop poking his nose into other peoples business.
He greeted both of them with a simple good morning and she nonchalantly replied back, "Yeah, mornin'...". Ayano's expression changed from indifferent to frustrated at the moment her brother said the word "boyfriend". Again, she slightly raised her voice and said, "He is NOT my boyfriend!!" Her face was turning red once more, whether it was out of anger or embarrassment was unclear. She was ready to go out with Chiaki but before she could forget, Ayano approached her sibling again and said, "You know what...You're coming with us! No questions asked!!"

[Pudding]

Well it would seem Ayanos' brother was tagging along too, Ayano in the lead and Chiaki, followed by Yakudatsu in toe behind her.
As the trio walked together outside in search of the perfect gift, Chiaki decided to tease Ayanos' brother for previously butting his nose in to her and Aya-chans' conversation.
"Isn't this going to be exciting Yaka-Kun! My goodness, I haven't called you that since you were atleast four years old! Anyway! As soon as we've finished buying a gift for Chiaki's Friend."
She tried to stress the 'Friend' part so that he wouldn't get the wrong idea, and hopefully stop angering his sister.
"Once we've finished, you can help me go... Clothes shopping! Ahehe~" Chiaki giggled with delight!
"You can help me pick the perfect dress with matching shoes... Oh yes! Lots and lots of shoes! Oh and you'll be holding all the bags of clothes I buy of course, like the true gentlemen I know you are!"
Chiaki smiled mischievously, though she was only teasing him, she wouldn't mind buying some new clothes.