Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

4/8, Friday

The cast on her forearm itches something fierce. No matter how she moves her ribbon under the cast with her restrained left hand and free right hand it can only do so much for the unbearable itch one gets when sweat builds up on the skin and muscles are immobilized.

Her orange hair pools in her lap turquoise eyes staring at the chair she's cuffed to. Her new guardian is supposed to be here soon, something about her having a half sibling. With her parents dead and no living relatives she figured she was going to be made a ward of the state, but it turns out her father had a child with someone in the past... Did he cheat on mom?

Her eyes shifting to her left, the Prosecutor overseeing her case is busy working on her laptop. Her luxurious bluish silver hair cascading down the older woman's back. If she hadn't been told this woman was the prosecutor she would have believed she'd be a celebrity or a model. Form fitting slacks, a beautiful turtleneck blouse with lace trim, and even a smart yet very well tailored blazer.

This was the way she wished she could look, even wishes she had this woman's regal and confident aura to her.

"Your new guardian will be here shortly, please be patient." She is firm but gentle in her words.

There is a knock on the door as the girls turquoise eyes lock onto it nervously. She could do little more than this because of the cuffs hooking her wrists to her chair between her legs, which honestly made keeping her skirt from bunching up significantly more difficult thankfully she wore leggings.

"Come in." The Prosecutor calls from across her office, the door gently opening.

The person who enters is a tired looking man in his mid forties to fifties, hair slowly balding yet his entire jaw trimmed cleanly almost manicured with facial hair stopping at a peak on his chin. She couldn't help but be surprised seeing a man in a pastel pink dress shirt with khaki pants, yet some how it worked with his white fedora and business jacket. She could tell this man knew how to present himself both professionally yet looking aloof. But from his expression he was anything but happy to see her.

The woman beside her stands up bowing politely to him "Thank you for coming Mr Sakura, my name is Sae Niijima and as I said on the phone-"

While he does bow more curtly he cuts her off. "You want me to adopt her since her only living relative is my daughter?" there is frustration in his voice as he says this.

"Yes, Please have a seat it is rather complicated." Sae says with sadness in her voice.

He does as asked sitting in the chair across from her desk. "Why is she handcuffed and in a cast?"

She doesn't speak, just thinking about that night terrifies her, but there is also an unquenchable anger inside of her chest at it.

"The official story with witnesses is she attacked a drunk man shoving him into the street so hard she fell over and broke her arm." The woman starts, watching the mans reaction.

The girl can only stare down at her old schools blue sailor scout blouse which was slightly torn in some areas. She tries manipulating the ribbon under her cast to see if she can do anything about this itch.

"She claims the man was trying to assault her, and the bruises and the damage to her uniform line up with this. She claims he broke her arm which was why she used her legs to throw him off of her." Sae-san rubs her face with visible frustration before continuing.

"I want to believe her. But the higher ups forced the other story through, as her parents are dead and outside of her half sister she has no living relatives in Japan she would likely spend all her teens in juvenile detention or worse be sent to her fathers relatives in another country." The woman's voice trembles its clear she doesn't believe the official story, no this woman believes her.

The girl smiles softly finally finding her voice. "Prosecutor Niijima here...was the only one who believed me...she said she'd find a relative or a way to help me-" She stops her trembling and fear rising to the surface again. But there is a strange calming sensation on her shoulders that helps her continue. "-I didn't know I had a sister..." The calming fades just as quickly replaced with tears and frustration at her own helplessness.

"As long as you agree to adopt her she can stay out on parole, her families estate would also go to you which should help the financial difficulties of raising two daughters." Niijima-san assures him while the man simply looks at her with a conflicted expression.

"Why is she alone? What happened to her parents?" He finally demands angrily causing the poor girl to flinch.

"They died..." Was all she managed to squeak out, trying desperately to not think about it the night it happened terrifies her still.

"Her father was a J.E.T. teacher, her mother worked in a cafe in the country. I'll give you a copy of the police report. But I'd rather not say it out-loud she's still traumatized by their deaths."

He strokes his chin gently before pressing his palms into his forehead. "That explains why Wakaba never mentioned him. I have two questions left, how old are you?"

She looks up timidly her bangs growing over her face slightly, covering her glasses slightly. "I'm sixteen." her voice getting softer as she struggles to not think about what happened.

"A year older than Futaba. Last question, If I adopt you are you going to keep your head down and behave? Will you be good to your sister? " The last part feeling more like a warning to her than a question.

"Yes Sir." Her eyes go back to her ribbon as she manipulates it again between her hands.

"Alright I'll agree to this, please get her out of those handcuffs though her arm is broken for heavens sake."

Sae pulls a key from her desk unlocking the girls cuffs gently while passing her a cup of water and tissues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She sits in the mans car massaging her cast, which she's already worn for two weeks. She dreads the remaining four to six weeks till it is removed.

"Now listen, I need to take you to the clinic before I can take you to my-" he stops himself as she looks at him distantly. "Our home, I want to make sure your arm wasn't re-injured, and I want to make sure you get a proper check up even if its been a few weeks. You're a teenager you deserve to be able to leave the difficult things to us adults. He tries to awkwardly reassure her.

She smiles at him softly yet halfheartedly, attending her parents funeral in handcuffs was still fresh in her memory. "My name is Ren... Ren Amamiya... Or I guess Ren Sakura now."

"I'll make sure you get your parents seal though; and to get photos of them for you." he says softly going to touch her knee, she flinches away as his hand stops. "Apologies...I simply meant to give you a reassurance I did not mean to scare you."

Hesitantly she moves her knee and offers her uninjured hand which he gently squeezes. It does help slightly, though it is hard for one so young to completely get over her parents funeral that was only last week.

The drive is very slow and monotonous as the radio begins discussing the strange mental shutdowns going on around the city, but the man...Sojiro shuts off the radio as he pulls into a small alley; parking the tiny car.

He guides her though a few walking only streets till they find a small clinic with frankly a rather attractive doctor in a black mini dress, gothic collar, and her white lab coat. Though the massive wedges she's wearing gives away she's rather short. Ren cannot help but smile seeing the doctor who quirks and eye seeing them enter.

"What seems to be the problem?" her voice deep but strangely alluring.

Ren gently slaps her own cheek trying to get her mind out of the gutter; Like Niijima -san this doctor is an adult. Stop it Ren, stop being a pervert. She internally scolds herself as Sojiro explains the situation, that ends with her being led into the examination room.

Once the door closes and its just her and the doctor, the woman walks forward gently pulling the curtain in front of the door. "I'm going to have to ask you to get undressed, I want to make sure there are no more injuries that were missed, or surprises from the man who attacked you."

Those words make her shudder but she does as told removing her teal skirt and sailor top placing them on the seat next to the exam bed. The sterile white ceiling is all she sees as she lays down, the doctor looking down at her face. "I'll be examining your arm first, I'll save the uncomfortable part for last, now I'm going to gently touch you."

The woman while her voice is sultry her words are not, they are completely professional and she feels the woman feeling up and down the area on her left arm that the cast sits for any damage or aggravation. "Thankfully outside of irritation on your wrist from the cuffs rubbing your arm did not get worse."

The doctor at this point notices Ren staring at her and gives her a playful smile. "I appreciate the looks, but I am a little old for a young lesbian Sakura-chan?"

This comment causes the poor girl to blush as the doctor begins examining her torso, first the sides then front and back, eventually having her remove her bra to check for injuries and bruising before letting her put it back on. "So far mostly just bruises and scratches, your arm seems to have gotten the worst of it so far."

She continues checking her legs and feet for injuries and again only minor scratches and bruises. The Doctor smirks as she draws some blood. "If you are wondering how I figured it out, you aren't exactly subtle with your stares little one. I will supply you with a letter so the school doesn't harass you about your less common hair color."

The doctor pulls the syringe free holding three vials in her hand. "Be sure to come back tomorrow after school I'll have your results then. But now for the uncomfortable part...please lower your undergarments."

Ren does as she's told closing her eyes trying to not recount the memories but it is futile.

She was running late getting home. Dad had promised to take her shopping the next day for new clothes and books on mythology. Yet she lost track of time while studying and now it was night fall. As she turns a corner a bald drunk man is leaning against the wall near a car. A woman in a light blue dress running in terror bolts right past her.

Pushing forward Ren tries to pass the man, but is instantly grabbed her left arm twisted behind her back, an excruciating level of pain shoots up her arm as she feels it snap clean in two, her hand flopping the wrong way. The man shoving her into the cars back seat, his drunken breath reeking making her want to vomit as his hands work up her leg-

"Ren!" she snaps back to the present tears in her eyes a blanket over her as the doctor gently hugs her massaging her right arm. "Hey Kid it's going to be okay. I'm done, you're safe, you're safe.
She keeps whispering as the fear slowly fades, the dark streets slowly replaced by sterile white walls. That mans voice angry, vindictive voice replaced with the doctors soothing and sultry yet concerned voice.

"I...I" is all she can squeek out but the doctor keeps holding her tightly, grounding her, keeping her in the present. "I'm...okay...thank you" she leans into the doctors hug as her arms and legs slowly begin to relax.

"You just have some bruising, but it's mostly healed by now, you are strong little one, remember that." The Doctor whispers her short bob brushing gently against the girls neck.

After several minutes they seperate from the warm comforting hug, Ren looking into the doctors brown eyes. "Thank you…"

The doctor simply smiles handing her a bottle of pills and a hot pad. "You're welcome, but you can thank me by taking these regularly. This will help with the pain and assist in the bruises healing faster. Sleep with the hot pad to help with the bruising, and make sure to keep your arm dry while bathing." She hands the girl a card with the name Dr Tae Takemi written on it. "And finally don't forget to swing by after school tomorrow for your blood work results."

She nods as the doctor gets up opening a nearby closet and pulling out a slightly older black dress handing it to Ren. "Here so you don't have to put that soiled uniform back on."

She then leaves as the girl smiles slowly climbing out from under the blanket changing into the black dress pulling its sleeveless straps onto her shoulders, picking up her tights from her school uniform and pulling them on then her shoes.

Pushing gently on the door she sees her new guardian talking to the doctor, she's gently pulled into a hug by him. "Let's get you home." He says softly with a weak smile, guiding her down the alleys towards a small two story house with Sakura written on the name plate.

"Its small but I have a spare room that isn't in use at the moment. I'll take you to get more clothes after your appointment tomorrow and we can buy you some more furniture Sunday." He says softly as he leads her up the stairs to the her room, it is at the end of the hall past two other doors likely the other two bedrooms.

Inside is a neatly made bed, a mirror, a bookshelf and dresser; barren yet simple she doesn't mind though a double bed with a warm blanket and pillows. This is so much nicer than the cell she had been sleeping in the last two weeks.

"I'll introduce you to Futaba tomorrow, for now get some rest I'll bring some food by in a bit."

Sleep honestly sounds really nice right now, she places her backpack on the ground, swallowing one of the pills she was given then lays down on the bed, sleep taking her like a thief to treasure.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sounds of waves crashing stirs her from her sleep as she finds herself in a strange white tunic like dress standing on a beach, on an island she does not recognize. Yet across from her is a mysterious person in what looks like a sorceress's robe. While not completely sure if it's a man or woman Ren assumes it's a woman, and that there is a reason her face is obscured under that hood.

"How long do you plan to hold back?" The woman? asks deep in Ren's mind.

She finds herself looking around in a panic part of her wanting to approach the woman as she outstretches one of her mature yet slightly weathered hands.

"Call my name, and you will never be betrayed again." The woman says softly but her voice holds a sinister laugh behind it as Ren finds herself falling.

The beach, reality everything is gone its just inky black as she eventually finds herself on her old cell bed, chains bound to her wrists, her broken arm no longer injured a barred door before her.

"Welcome to my Velvet Room." an even more sinister voice booms, she slides off her bed, only now realizing this isn't her juvi cell. No even her prison clothes are different, little more than stripped pajamas with literal chains on her ankles. The man talking having a massive crooked nose probably as large as her arms.

Two smaller women approach the cell one slamming her baton against the door. "Prisoner Stand up straight and give the proper respect due to our Master!" The more aggressive of the two shouts.

The other who was identical save for her eye patch being on the other eye and the letters on her hat being different looks up at her. "It is our job granted to us by our Master to rehabilitate a criminal like you."

'Criminal like you' no matter how many times she screams it was self-defense no one believes her except Niijima-san and Sakura-san. She glares at the girls and the man with the large noise sitting at the desk mockingly at her.

"I am not a criminal!" She screams at them, yet the aggressive girl slams her baton against the cell again.

"Shut it Prisoner!"

The Ghoulish looking man with the large crooked nose laughs in a deep booming sinister voice. "It seems our prisoner has yet to accept her fate. Let's send her back for now, next time however she will not be so lucky as to escape her Rehabilitation."

The cell vanishes as she falls again into darkness below farther and farther from the world into a never ending darkness, yet-

4/9, Saturday

She bolts upright her long orange hair drenched in sweat, her eyes darting around, she's still in her new bedroom, yet there is a strange weight at the foot the bed. Cautiously glancing down towards her thin blue sheets she sees a mess of orange hair and a smaller woman who is curled up in a ball.

Chancing a look out the window the sun is slowly rising, its a few hours till she needs to go to school. Gently sliding her legs out from under the sheets. Ren slowly lifts the girls head carefully so as to not wake her before placing it on a pillow.

There is a knock on her door, she slides off the bed gently so as to not wake the smaller woman. Opening the door she sees Sakura-san standing there, he starts to talk but then sees the girl asleep on the bed.

"So that's where she was she must have snuck in while you were asleep. I'll properly introduce the two of you when we get back." He whispers softly handing her a set of hangers, on it a black blazer over a white turtleneck blouse with a small black bow, hanging over a red and black plaid skirt with black leggings.

She looks down at her uniform shifting it to her injured hand as he hands her a small bag with basic toiletries in it, tooth brush, hair brush, razors, tooth paste, even glasses cleaning pads.

"I'll be downstairs making some breakfast hurry and get changed and cleaned up, for now you can use Futaba's soaps and hair product until we can go shopping later." He smiles before heading back down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

She nods backing out of the room and heading to the bathroom to get ready.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The girl never woke up before they left, Sakura-san decided to drive her to school for the first day, he even broke down the route she needs to take from then on. But there is a massive traffic jam this morning and she looks down at her cast running fingers over her uniform sleeve that thankfully had a small amount of give so she could slide it over the cast.

"Sounds like there was another accident; You will need to be careful when you go to and from home." He says firmly turning the radio off.

We're gonna be late. She sighs heavily in unison with Sakura-san.

They were, it took a long time for traffic to open enough for them to get to Shujin Academy over an hour late. Yet they made it, now they were being led to the principals office, a large man who looked like a giant walking toe. It might be the fact he's bald and very overweight but his over all shape really did look like a big toe to her and keeping that intrusive thought in her mind was very much something she had to do.

From the sounds in the hall it was easily first period, but the Principal kept glaring at her.

"My name is Principal Kobayakawa, due to the special circumstances that got your enrolled here, and regarding your adoption our student body president Makoto Niijima, and your homeroom teacher Miss Kawakami are here for this meeting as well." His tone is polite but its clear he holds Ren in contempt.

"Mr Kobayakawa I was filled in on the details by my sister, she was a victim defending herself." A very conservatively dressed girl with short brown hair spoke up, adjusting the braid going over the top of her scalp, something told Ren it was a hairband rather than an actual braid. While the girl was in the same school uniform she had a black halter vest on instead of a blazer.

The Principal looks at the girl with a fake smiles "Makoto-chan I received the official police report when your sister put in the application. I understand she wants to believe that but you cannot let emotions cloud your judgment." His tone is utterly condescending towards the student, who going by her III pin was a third year.

"Miss Sakura you need to behave while here or I will expel you, that includes dyeing your hair back to-"

"Now wait a damn minute that's her natural hair color. I'm not going to torture my daughters because they inherited their fathers hair color." Sojiro scolds the man, as Ren pulls the letter from the Dr Takemi free from her bag handing it to him with her good arm.

He looks down at it, along with the photo's from her previous school ID. "I apologize, you must understand when a girl assaults a man so hard she breaks her own arm it is easy to assume she is adopting the delinquent style of dyeing their hair." His apology sounds more fake than his smile, he already is assuming she's a Yankee.

Thankfully it seems like Sae-san was kind enough to tell her sister...maybe she can befriend Makoto later?

As if trying to defuse the situation a woman with wavy black hair and a very tired expression on her face steps forward, her yellow sweater and denim skirt looking like they would fit in better at Ren's old school than an academy as prestigious as this one. "Here is your school ID, and schedule please be here on time Monday."

Miss Kawakami's voice while very tired doesn't seem to hold disrespect instead she really just seems to be exhausted and exasperated. "Understood Kawakami-Sensei."

Just when it looks like things are about to end the giant Toe speaks up again. "I have also been informed you had certain proclivities back in your home town, I hope you know such immature behavior will not be accepted here. So I hope you've grown up enough to act like a proper young woman."

Her turquoise eyes lock onto the man barely managing to mask the concealed rage behind them. How did he find out about her attraction to women? Much less did he have to openly discriminate against her in-front of everyone? With a firm but emotionless voice. "I understand Principal Kobayakawa."

"Good, you will start on Monday do not give me a reason to expel you." He warns as she and her Guardian leave. Her right hand clenched into a fish shaking, trying her hardest to not give into her anger. Grow up, immature behavior, act like a proper young woman?! It's always the same damn thing!

The hairs on her neck stand on end, head whipping over her shoulder, her turquoise eyes landing on a trophy shelf. Something or some one had just been staring at her, it strangely did not feel hostile more like that woman from her dream...yet no less unnerving.

The sooner they get home, the better as far as she's concerned, as she and Sakura-san pull their shoes on and head back towards the car.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thankfully the car ride was less eventful on the way back, yet she could feel Soijiro's eyes on her as they got out of the car. Yet he said nothing simply handing her a key and pointing towards the alley that held Dr Takemi's clinic.

"Hopefully you get good news." He says softly as he enters the house, while she walks back towards the clinic approaching the desk she's not even given an option to say anything before being led back into the exam room.

"Sakura-chan you results came back first let's give you the good news. No sexually transmitted diseases and you are not pregnant both of which should have been checked when you were arrested. But your juvenile detention records show no one looked at your save to put your cast on." The doctors voice goes from cheerful to clear irritation at how little care she was given.

"What is the bad news then?" Ren squeaks nervously, thankfully that bastard didn't impregnate her.

"Your reaction yesterday makes me think it might be a good idea to get you on birth control. Even if you aren't sexually active it might help you with knowing you have this peace of mind." The Doctor speaks with her softly holding up a small disk of light blue pills. There is no maliciousness in her suggestion.

"But I don't like guys..." Ren can barely speak above a whisper yet the doctor gently takes her hand squeezing it.

"I know, and logically you shouldn't need to. But it might help you subconsciously feel safer after what happened to you. Give you control over at least one aspect of your body" she says even softer with more tenderness, as she gently slips the disk of pills into the girls hand.

"I-I didn't do anything wrong...yet...everyone is treating me like a criminal..." Ren almost chokes the words out her hair pooling into an orange mess on her lap.

"No you defended yourself, anyone with a brain could see that. That's why I'm suggesting this. You can't control people around you, including people you should be able to trust." The doctor stops for a minute her almond eyes meeting Ren's.

"But you can trust this, you can control this. If after a month you really don't like it stop taking it, but please at least try." It's clear the doctor will back down if she refuses. At the same time this doctor with bluish black hair in a soft bob actually cares about and believes her.

Yet Ren finds herself not wanting to refuse, her fingers wrapping around the container and placing it in her skirt pocket. "Thank you Dr Takemi." She says with a weak smile, looking down at her phone she sees the time and stands to leave.

"Ren let me know if you need anything. I'm not about to ignore a kid clearly in need of adults on her side."

Brushing her hair behind her shoulders gently with her one good hand she smiles nodding. "thanks, I really appreciate it."

Walking back thankfully doesn't take that long, however what she wasn't expecting was to find the girl from earlier hiding behind Sakura-san when she walked in. It was rather eerie to be honest seeing a girl who looked so much like her just slightly shorter and slightly younger.

Pulling on her slippers she sits down in one of the chairs in the main room, only for the girl to timidly walk closer looking at her, their eyes met. Honestly outside of their age, height, glasses and eye color it is very unnerving how similar they look.

"Futaba this is Ren she's your older sister." Sakura-san tries his best to break the ice, yet Ren and the skittish Futaba are still locked staring at one another, Turquoise eyes to almond. Oval glasses to round, sitting to standing.

"It's creepy..." Futaba says to no one in particular.

"...like looking in a mirror." She finishes.

There is something in Futaba's eyes that hides pain, and a burning question. But Ren dares not ask what knowing doing so would likely lead to similarly painful questions being asked of herself.

The worst part is she knows what Futaba want's to know despite having never really met her, nor interacted with her really beyond this point. The smaller girl likely wanted to know why their father 'abandoned' her. Just thinking even briefly about her parents death causes her breath to hitch.

"I need to lay down..." She says softly standing from the chair and heading for the stairs. Her little sister following her as she does, in a manner similar to a very timid cat. She turns back smiling at the girl who nervously ducks behind the wall next to the stairs.

Her eyes are exceptionally heavy as she lays down, her head throbbing, body heavy, her left arm resting on a pillow so her cast doesn't cut off her circulation. "I'm so...tired...of scumbags."

As sleep starts to overtake her she feels that familiar sensation of being watched. Yet again nothing is there, not even something as simple as danger, just her barren white walls. Her eyes finally win as they close for good.

No sooner is Ren asleep than a figure manifests in the room next to her, the woman from her dreams simply reaching down and gently stroking her head. 'Sleep well.' The figures voice speaks in her mind, vanishing once again.

Chapter Text

A Wilted Flower Blooms

4/10 Sunday

While she hadn't intended to sleep through all of yesterday, Sakura-san was kind enough to let her. However this meant their furniture trip would need to wait until she could get more clothes and basic necessities she needed. At least that is what she assumed.

So why was she in the dusty attic of Sakura-san's coffee shop? Because every student needs a desk apparently and there was an old one up here according to Sojiro-san. It looked like it was made for typewriters. it was a very sturdy wooden desk with lots of shelves and small compartments to store things in, even small hooks to hang tools on. The problem was this thing was incredibly heavy, like even without an injured arm she wouldn't be able to carry it, much less help move it,

"Sojiro-san...I appreciate the desk... but I'd like to remind you my arm is broken?!" She looks to him exasperated her eyes looking around the cluttered attic though Loft would be a better term for it.

"You didn't think I was going to make a small girl help me haul this down the street did you?" He looks at her incredulously, before cracking a smile. "Relax I'll have movers come by later to get it. Is there anything else up here you think you could use?" He asks motioning around the attic.

Her eyes glance around, an old CRT television, some rather large tables far too big for her room. A wooden trunk, and a lot of old books.

She finds herself captivated by the television kneeling to plug it in and see if it works, thankfully it does the warm static making her long hair star moving towards it.  Her eyes then fall on the trunk, kneeling down she checks its contents. It's full of...books on coffee... Well this is a coffee shop.

"May I take the television and the trunk?"

"Of course I'll have them cleaned and brought over to the house." He looks like he's about to say something else when the bell downstairs jingles...someone just entered.

Ren watches him head down the stairs discreetly listening after to see who it is.

"Sorry miss we're closed." He calls out politely.

"Forgive me, I was hoping to find Sakura-chan." A very familiar voice replies.

Poking her head fully down the stairs so she can see her orange hair droops to the floor beneath her as she sees a familiar brunette. "Niijima-san?"

Ren can't help but slowly slink down the stairs nervously as she sees Makoto standing there in her casual clothes that look very prim and proper. Black tights, calf high leather boots, a black turtle neck and blue double breasted coat. It was obvious there was some envy in Ren's eyes at the sisters fashion sense each giving off an aura of authority as well.

"Sis asked me to try and be friends with you." While her words are terse there is confusion behind them, she may come off as confident. But something nags at Ren something is just off with how she talks, could she have trouble with making friends? No that can't be it she's the student council president after all.

"I was about to take her to buy some clothes actually-" Sakura-san starts with a knowing smirk on his face. Why do I get the feeling he's a ladies man? Ren wonders.

"-I can take her, I'm sure you have things you need to do today Sakura-san." Makoto's confidence returning with a familiar presence.

"Are you alright with this Ren?" He asks sitting on a stool so he's eye level with the two of them.

"Y-Yeah that sounds like a plan." She tries to mimic the confidence, that presence from the day before spreading out from her chest around her shoulders as if being hugged. Yet again nothing is there. "Would you be able to get me some books?"

" Send me the list. You girls go have fun now." He waves them off while waiting for the movers to arrive.

With no hesitation her good hand is grabbed by Makoto and she's led off. Thankfully Dr Takemi was kind enough to give her this dress as she didn't really want to wear her school uniform on her day off.

Winding through various streets Makoto eventually leads her to station after a few stops from a different train. "Thankfully this station has a large mall under it, and that train over there leads you to our school." Makoto beams as she continues giving a tour.

Following the Brunette into the underground section they reach a clothing store a really nice one. Glancing towards Makoto who is looking at her curiously. "So what kind of attire are you looking for Ren-chan?"

She thinks for a moment then says something she's almost positive Niijima-san wasn't expecting. "I'd like to look like your sister. I'd like to look good, but not be seen as an easy girl like so many assume..." she says softly. "Sae-san was so confident and strong...and well..." she trails off "Cool."

At first there is surprise on Makoto's face but then her head is nodding, finally there is a playful giggle escaping her lips as her reddish eyes meet the gingers turquoise. "She really is cool isn't she?" the older teen couldn't stop giggling.

Taking a deep breath she leads her towards the back where clothing similar to what Makoto had on is. "Now how many sets do you need?"

Now Ren panics slightly How is she going to react when I say I literally have no clothing anymore. "I-I need at least six pairs...of everything"

Makoto noticing this simply nods slowly pulling blouses off the shelf holding them up to the girl in front of a mirror.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the Sakura residence

Futaba slowly climbed off of her, well her sisters bed. The idea is still very strange to her; but for some reason the Ren feels safe to be around. Maybe it's because they practically mirror one another in appearance that makes it easier? That can't be the only reason though right?

Shuffling slowly back into her room she opens her laptop and decides to start doing research. Thankfully she didn't need to hack anything to read the news from Ren's home town. However the stories she finds cause her eyes to widen. Most of them match up with the police report Sojiro brought home, yet when it came to her parents...their 'father' she now understands why the girl was homeless before Sojiro adopted her and why she has no possessions.

Her parents sold their house to a friend packed everything up and were driving to Tokyo to contact a lawyer they knew; when their car was hit by a train. News stories call it simply a freak accident yet the train was going too fast and the railway gates suspiciously were malfunctioning.

Before she can read further the front door opens, Futaba finds herself quickly slamming her door shut as multiple sets of feet walk past her door towards Ren's, she pulls out her phone.

Futaba: Sojiro what's that noise?!

Sojiro: Just some movers putting some furniture in Ren's room. Are you alright?

Futaba: No...but will you bring home Curry?

Sojiro: Of course, anything else?

Futaba: Can you get Ren a laptop?

Sojiro: Fine, one curry, one laptop.

Futaba: Thank you!!!

She puts her phone back into her pocket with a smile, now to finish that game she was playing. Her hand reaching for her chair when it stops, her room turning dark. 'YOU KILLED HER!' echoes in her mind. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no not again!

She pulls her headphones back over her ears and cranks up her music to full volume before running towards her bed and hiding under the sheets. Those voices...its not true...why did they have to yell at her.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ren's looks at Makoto with shame as her friend is carrying the bags and boxes of clothing and shoes the bought. "Makoto-san...please let me carry something."

"No." She gets a look from those red eyes, cutting off any argument as they walked back towards the train.

"But-"

"Sakura-chan" her tone no longer friendly or playful right now something about her tone is terrifying. Makoto would refuse her no matter how many times she asks, her tone is clear.

After several minutes riding the train in silence, Makoto breaks the ice once they step off at the station. "Ren-chan if it is alright...how do you know my sister?"

"She..." Ren's face pales swallowing hard. "She and mom...went to the same university... Dad said they were going to..." She takes a deep breath looking into Makoto's crimson eyes. "They wanted her help...to hire her as my Lawyer."

Ren watches Makoto, she doesn't say anything for most of the walk back however as they approach the house she watches the brunette stop and look towards Ren with conflict in her eyes. "I'm...I'm sorry this happened to you Ren-chan."

Reaching out with her injured arm Ren gently squeezes Makoto's shoulder. "Thank you for believing me." She says softly as she leads her inside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/11 Monday

Stepping off the train into Shibuya station Ren checks her hair with her phones camera, making sure her ponytail was secure in the middle of her head. As she starts walking to the next train she notices a weird crimson eye app on her phone.

Did Futaba install this? Against her better judgement she taps the app and the entire station is coated in a dark violet glow, crowds and noise coming to a complete halt. "What the-"

At the far end of the station the woman in the cloak stands there, a single glowing red eye shimmering under the face obscuring shadow created from her hood. Black and violet flames circling the woman like a cyclone, her eerie laugh echoing through out the station. Yet everything fades just as quickly, people move, sound returns, and the woman is gone.

The hell?! she looks back at her phone she deletes the app with a quick movement. Seeing the time she runs up the stairs towards her next train.

Thankfully she's one of the first ones on board and manages to snag a seat. Lucky! she smiles genuinely for the first time in what felt like a while. Maybe, Just maybe things can be normal for once. She has a new family, an awkward but mostly friendly little sister, a parental figure who doesn't judge her, and possible a new friend.

Stepping out of the station she instantly regrets forgetting her umbrella, while it wasn't raining before it is now. Turning her head she sees a slightly taller girl walk up next to her and pull down a white hood with a clover on it. Long blonde hair in a pair of floofy yet curly pigtails bounce to life.

Ren smiles at her noticing her hooded sweatshirt on under her blazer and bright red tights instead of the normal school provided black ones. Yet before she can say anything a car pulls up and rolls down its window. "Hey need a lift?"

Looking over towards the car, a muscular man with a squire's haircut, rather pronounced nose and the squarest jaw she'd seen yet. She thinks she remembers seeing him walking through the halls on Saturday when she met with the principal. The blonde girl gets into his car, yet her face drops...something is wrong. He looks at her and she nods climbing into the backseat diagonal to the girl in the front most passenger seat. It isn't like she really has a choice either she needs to keep her cast dry, maybe she can get Makoto to walk her home later so she can hide under the presidents umbrella.

As the car pulls up the teacher is kind enough to drop them off near a a covered walkway. Yet as she starts to get out a hand grabs her upper arm. "You're that new girl Ren Sakura right?" She nods nervously as the blonde gets out ducking under the cover watching the situation. "I hope you enjoy your time here at Shujin Acadamy."

Despite how charming his tone is, something about the way he says it sends chills up her spine. He thankfully releases her arm, allowing her to duck under the covered walkway next to the girl. The blonde girl looks her up and down nervously before whispering "Be careful around him."

Ren turns towards the girl, but she's already walking down the hall towards the stairs. Even without the girls warning something about that man something about him reminded her of that asshole who framed her.

"Ren-chan?"

Spinning around Makoto is standing there with a concerned look on her face. "Are you alright?"

She nods shaking her tension loose. "I was just looking for the faculty office."

Thankfully rather than ask questions Makoto-san is nice enough to guide her there, slipping inside she sees her homeroom teacher trying to get her papers in order however it looks like she's also on the verge of falling asleep.

"Kawakami-Sensei?"

Those tired eyes turn towards her and she at least smiles even if very weakly. "Ah good you're on time." she quickly picks up her stack of papers before handing a quickly assembled book to her. "Take this and study it later, these notes will get you caught up with the class."

With a smile she nods taking the book and putting it in her bag, then following the teacher to her class.

Waiting in the hall she hears the usual 'rise, stand, bow' that always happens no matter where you were in the country. "Class we will be having a new transfer student joining us, would you please come in and introduce yourself?"

Ren enters looking at the teacher then all the eyes staring at her, part of her wants to panic yet that strange warmth appears again calming her down. "Greetings I am Ren Sakura, sixteen years old, I am in your care" she says softly.

Her arm is inching something fierce under her cast as she is assigned her seat which ironically is third from the front row closest to the windows and right behind the blonde girl from before. Third from the front by the window, isn't this the anime protagonist seat? she chuckles internally pulling out her pencils to start taking notes.

At the end of the day as class came to an end a text message appears on her phone.

Unknown number: Hey this is Makoto, please don't leave after class, I need to talk to you.

Ren: How did you get my messenger ID?

Makoto: Please don't be mad, I may have taken it off your phone while you were trying on clothes.

Ren: Why didn't you just ask?

Makoto: I panicked

Ren: I'll meet you after class.

Makoto: Sounds good.

Sliding her books into her bag, she looks up to see the blonde girl from this morning looking at her. "Hey...look sorry about this morning, can we get a do over? I'm Ann Takamaki."

She smiles shaking Ann's hand with her right hand, which gives the blonde the answer she wanted. "Mind if I ask which parent?" She asks nervously pulling at her pigtails.

"My Father was a J.E.T teacher, turns out my mother had an Irish relative several generations back. How about you?"

"Each of my parents. Mom is part Canadian, my dad part American." Ann says while also packing her bag. "Look...just be careful around him...and hopefully people don't bother you too much. You seem like a nice girl."

Glancing down at her phone that weird eye appeared again, holding it down to start deleting she glances up at Ann "I wanted to ask about that actually you seemed upset earl-" A loud shout cuts Ren off as she turns towards the door.

"Takamaki!" a loud boys voice echoes through the room at an almost deafening in volume. As the delinquent she saw on Saturday charges into the room aggressively walking towards them. "I get you and that bastard have a thing going. But why would you introduce another girl like you!?"

"What are you talking about? And why are you acting so casual Sakamoto?!"

Looking toward the door way Makoto is standing there, Ren glances back at the blonde on blond argument going on trying to ask her for help with her pleading eyes.

"I get that you are cool with that scumbag treating Shujin Academy like his own castle. But I thought you would care about-"

"Ryuji Sakamoto to my knowledge you are not in class 2-D, and as you are not friends with either of these two I would ask you to leave. You are causing quite a large disturbance." Thankfully Makoto caught on and was now reading the delinquent the riot act.

"Of course its you, Madam President." He practically spits in her face before leaving.

"Ann-" The blonde bolts out of the room running, before Ren can even finish her name.

"Sorry Makoto I'll be right back" Ren takes off on her own as fast as she can without making her bruised and injured body more angry than it already is. Thankfully the girl stopped in the walkway from this morning, yet she stands there looking up at the rain tears in her eyes.

Slowing she pants looking up at Ann, another set of hurried steps slows behind her as well, glancing back it is Makoto-san.

"I'm sorry." She sobs slightly looking back at the two of them. "I just want to be alone right now."

"Who was he talking about Ann-san?" She can't help but ask as Makoto and Ann give each other conflicted looks.

"Kamoshida, the man who gave us the lift this morning...he-"

The world went deep purple again, her eyes fell to her injured arm and she realized she is current still holding the button for that weird icon down, it opened and reality begins to change. Two words echo around them "Beginning Navigation"

Chapter Text

"You have arrived at your destination." Her phone chirps in a mechanically feminine voice. Yet where was 'here'? They had just been between the buildings under the covered walkway. Yet now they're in the middle of what looks like a western styled castle hallway? But how?

Red carpets beneath their feet, tacky gold and red trimming along the various walls, even knights patrolling at the end of the hall. Wait a minute... KNIGHTS?!

"Where ar-"

Ren pounces on Ann covering her mouth with her uninjured hand motioning for Makoto to follow as she pulls the blonde backwards. Wherever they are, going near those knights is not a good idea so the more distance they can put between them the better. Thankfully the student council president agrees, as she checks a set of doors helping pull Ann into the room before barricading it.

Releasing the woman she quickly puts her good hand to her lips. "Keep your voice down."

"Sakura-san Where the hell are we!?" Ann hisses through a whisper.

Ren raises an eyebrow before simply shrugging. "A castle, other than that no clue." As they finish dragging chairs and tables to block the door her head starts ringing, the back of her skull, like someone is making a bell hold a note for an impossibly long time yet having it get louder each second.

"Ren-chan?"

She waves them both off as the sound fades, whatever it was its gone now. The room they're in seems to be a servants corridor hopefully it leads somewhere that will let them escape. "Let's go." She whispers pointing towards the path.

It's either this or head back towards the Knights, and doing that is more likely to get them killed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at Shujin Academy.

Sae paces back and forth by her car, if she hadn't planned on picking up both Makoto and Ren then the bike would have been sufficient. Yet they were late, something she isn't sure if Ren would do but Makoto wouldn't. Something in her gut is telling her this is just like before, something is off, something is seriously wrong.

The last time she had this ominous feeling Akane had called her said she wanted to talk in person and where on their way over in the middle of the night. By morning Sae remembers having the unfortunate task of telling Ren both her parents were dead. That train accident still seems suspicious, both because of the speed at which the train was going, and that the only crossing signals and gates that malfunctioned were the ones they were going through at that very moment. Ren's story mixed in makes it sound like a serious cover up.

Staring at her phone Sae finally sends a message to both of their numbers.

Sae: Ren? Makoto where are you two?

Yet like earlier no reply, She may not know Ren well enough to know if this is normal. But her own sister would at least say she will message back shortly. Pushing off the car she starts walking towards the faculty office, someone has to know what is going on.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ren cries out in pain as she's thrown into the wall, her cast slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. The agony of her burning nerves flooding her mind, filling her with dread and terror just like that night.

"What is this!?" Ann screams from across the room.

Forcing herself to look up despite the sheer unimaginable pain she's in, and the terror filling her very being. She watches Ann being cuffed to an X-frame similar to the ones she saw online for research purposes. Yet far more tacky, again gold with red padding as if the person who owns this place knew a thing about refined.

Makoto's thrown to the ground next to her from the look of her injuries she got the worst of it. She tried holding several knights off while begging Ren and Ann to flee, with one of the girls injured and the other not knowing how to defend herself it was rather brave of Niijima-senpai to try and protect them. Ren curses herself for not being able to help more, If something happens to them, it will be her fault. Her friends are in danger because of that stupid app, her friends are in danger because of her, her mind screaming at her in repeat.

"So these are the intruders?" A familiar voice demands with conceited arrogance, it was that man from this morning. Due to he pain she can barely look up, yet his exposed hairy legs stop before her.

"I wasn't expecting a new addition to the harem so soon. Princess Ann will be delighted to have another exotic girl just like her." His words filled with slime as his disgusting fingers caress her face. The word exotic makes her stomach twist and turn in sheer revulsion from his eyes alone staring at her. Is this how he sees his students? Is this it? Women as sexual outlets?! "You two should have behaved, Now I will need to educate you properly!" His words a growl as those slimey hands grip her ponytail wrenching her head backwards a scream escaping her lips the the sheer assault on her scalps nerves. They need to do something now, if they don't he will... She doesn't even want to finish that thought.

"My Lord it seems this is not Princess Ann just a filthy look alike-" A voice that sounds just like Makoto stops. Ren honestly wishes she could get a clear view thankfully it is getting easier.

She stares at the new woman that looks just like Makoto yet in nothing but her school uniform yet much skimpier barely covering anything. This not-Makoto looked as if any movement would give this asshole a glimpse of her skin, underwear or both.

"It would seem uninvited guests have infiltrated the castle My Lord including this fake copy of myself and the Princess.." The not-Makoto spoke her voice equally strange as if being run through a filter..

"What...is this?" Makoto asks her eyes slowly opening.

She would love to give an answer if she knew but right now her scalp is literally on fire as this bastard won't let go of her hair. Not helped by the moans of faceless girls in the back ground writhing on the ground in their gym clothes behind them and all around the room.

The ringing echoes in her mind again, flooding her ears with searing pain yet this time her eyes fall on a deep blue butterfly passing before her. "This is truly an unjust game, your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you..."

The sound of water crashing drowns out the ringing, that familiar sound of the a shoreline. "How long do you plan to hold back?" That woman's voice again yet this time rather than be kind, it holds nothing but mocking cruelty behind each word. "If you do nothing, these girls will experience the same tragedy that befell you that night ."

Ren's world goes white, she's back in the car, that scumbags weight on top of her, the pain through out her body, the violation of her very being, the bastard backed up to reposition giving her enough room to free her legs and kick him off of her. As he fell back, she felt nothing but a cold rage bubbling up inside of her.

She's again back in the disturbing castle, this disgusting bastard still gripping her ponytail like a leash holding her off the ground by it, his other gripping Makoto's scalp lifting her just as high, its clear he plans to make them suffer for disobeying...what a joke. There is a slow burning in her chest as the woman's question feels like a knife through her heart. "Will you sit back and let this happen ? Do you regret defending yourself?"

"No! I won't! My previous actions were not a mistake!" She growls at the woman tired of this game.

The woman's laughter drowns out everything else she can hear, from Ann's screams to Makoto's whimpers of pain, to these weird freaks attacking them.

"Yes that's it, It is time we seal the contract." Ren's heart feels like it's going to explode, her head feels as if a child was trying to wring out her brain yet the woman does not stop. "Vow to me, I am thou, thou art I, Thou who art willing to betray those who have lost their justice and seek to harm others for selfish desires."

" Call out my name unleash everything thou hast held back, show the world how thy will to obtain strength all on thy own even if it means being labeled a monster yourself!"

Ren falls to the ground as a violent typhoon of wind rips through the room, knocking this fake King and the not-Makoto back, every knight flying into nearby walls in the process. The release of pain as she falls back into the padded floor.

Pushing herself up as something forms over her face, hard, painful, infuriating. Reaching up with her right hand she grips the end as best she can; Her skin tears, rips, and peels yet she cannot stop, she won't , this mask is coming off here and now. "Come Medea!"

Looking down at it in her good hand, her vision obscured by blood and viscera as purple flames engulf her body, eyes glowing yellow. Her lips twisted into a wicked smile as Ren finds herself laughing maniacally.

The flames fading her clothes having been replaced with a black high hemmed dress, with red evening gloves, and black thigh high boots each with a four inch heel. Looking like a high class thief one would expect a master detective to chase after. However the look was not complete without the proper elegant but roguish long coat

Power courses through her, as the woman from her dreams finally appears throwing her cloak open, long blonde hair tied back in many braids, her older face twisted into a Cheshire grin as her eyes glow bright red, matching the rams skull pendant around her neck, that rested upon a black dress like robe. Her left arm and leg completely exposed similar to early depictions of enchantresses. Despite her age and sinister attire she still is quite beautiful, in a rather monstrous way.

The Teachers expression twists into one of terror with what he is witnessing and that sinister feminine laugh echoing in her mind. "Rampage and Kill to your hearts content, show them who you Really are." She didn't need permission she completely planned to her own laugh becoming as sinister as Medea's. A sacrificial dagger appeared in her hand, while lavender flames tear through the knights as the survivors began turning to a black goop. Lunging forward her primary objective is to free her friends starting with Makoto.

Her knife destroys the chains holding the teens arms behind her back with little effort. "Go get Ann, I'll handle the rest." Ren's voice echoing the confidence she once envied her mind and body one, desires mixing with reality.

The dark goop puddles quickly reforming into monsters various floating pumpkins holding lanterns. "Channel that hatred inside of you, turn it into curses that destroy those you loathe!"  Focusing on every negative emotion inside of her, it feels so natural and liberating as violet flames erupt from the ground engulfing and destroying the monsters.

Her eyes turning to Kamoshida, or whatever the hell his name was only to see him fleeing with the not-Makoto.

"I've got her, we need to find a way to escape NOW!" Makoto shouts limping back her arm over Ann's shoulder.

Ren's turquoise eyes fall towards the duo nodding, Ren and Ann having to act as support for the more exhausted Makoto. Her only thought is finding a way out and getting away from all of this, they are injured and everything is so bizarre. Just need to escape, just need to get away, just need to be free of this conceited asshole.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sae stares daggers into Sadayo Kawakami's eyes. "My sister was meeting up with Ren Sakura in your classroom because I was going to drive them both home, and your telling me not only are Makoto and Ren missing but another of your students as well Ann Takamaki?"

She stands up glaring back at her. "You think I've just been sitting on my ass? If anyone hurts those girls you'd be the first to know!"

"Are you implying this was a possible kidnapping?" Sae's eyes narrow, this is too suspicious three female students all vanishing with the last witness reporting them entering the courtyard after a loud argument with the local delinquent?

"I hope not, But the other option isn't much better." The teacher shoots back. Leading the Prosecutor towards the last known location, it had been two hours since that fight and no one had seen them, and their bags were still at the school including their rail passes.

Yet as they go to retrace the steps again, an exhausted and injured blonde girl runs towards them. "Takamaki? Where have you three been!?" The teacher to her side demands yet there is clear worry in her eyes.

 "You're Makoto's sister right? Come quick, they need help but asked for only you." She pants heavily grabbing the prosecutors sleeve pulling her frantically. Sae can tell something happened as this girls wrists are bruised badly, and her level of exhaustion is not normal.

"Lead the way-" Sae can't even finish the sentence as she's pulled along by the girl, into a nearby alley just outside of the school. Where Makoto and Ren lay unconscious, her sister protectively holding Ren. They each have a lot of blood around their foreheads, Ren's cast seems to be partially broken as well.

"She begged me to-" The girl pants hands on her knees gasping for air "Find you, not make a scene...they were so heavy-" Her knees buckling before she can finish.

Sae finds she barely has enough time to catch her, before the girl passes out in her arms. There is fury in her eyes, these injuries and bruises, the blood. "I'll follow their request and keep this quiet..." Her eyes turn to the teacher at her side. "Miss Kawakami I expect you to find out who hurt these three and I'd start with that boy who was harassing them earlier." Even with a low tone Sae's voice holds a fury that exceeds just being extremely protective of her sister. Ren is all she has left of Akane. Whoever did this is going to face her fury.

"You don't have to ask twice, give me your keys I'll bring the car over. Do you know a place you can take them?"

She looks at the teacher and nods, handing her the keys.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sae paces back and forth feverishly trying her hardest to not bite down on her nails. Dammit I could really could use a drink right now. But the door to the master bedroom opens before she can act on the desire and Dr Takemi walks out of the room barefoot. Normally Sae would be curious about those giant heals the Doctor normally wears but right now that isn't the case.

"I don't know exactly what happened to those girls, but it was violent." She motions her to follow gently pulling back some of Makoto's hair, then Ren's. "The blood is from their scalps being torn. Thankfully they only needed a few stitches, and before you ask no they weren't assaulted. But had they not gotten free..." The doctor stopped and looks into Sae's eyes as the color drains from her face.

"I need to report this to that girls father you know that right?" Takemi nudges her pen towards Ren.

"I'll tell him...just give me your rough idea of what happened." She sits down bracing herself in worry eyes watching the three girls asleep in her bed.

"From the bruising it looks like something was chasing them, your sister likely defended the other two, the target was likely Sakura-san and Takamaki-san. If I had to hazard a guess though Ren probably helped fight off the attacker which caused her cast to get damaged." She holds up a hand anticipating the next question. "I mended the cast, when she is up and moving I will take another x-ray."

"The reason Takamaki-san has the fewest injuries my guess is she was the main target, and the other two were most likely protecting her. As for their scalps I'll leave you instructions on how to care for the stitches. The doctor heads towards the door. "Physically they will be fine, but be gentle when they wake up."

Sae can hear the unspoken part in her mind, the thought scares her as well. Ren's guardian is likely going to be furious when she calls him. Akane... Akane Amamiya why did she ask Sae to do this, yes they were friends back in school, hell Akane back then was in the experimental psychology department with that other woman... She can't remember the name, but regardless how Akane became her friend was honestly strange. Both being members of the same kickboxing gym, which of course meant when either of them got frustrated the other helped by sparring. Yet they hadn't talked in a few years, then all of a sudden that call out of the blue and her need for a lawyer for Ren, also why was she working in a cafe? Wasn't she that woman's assistant?

With a heavy heart she lifts her phone calling Sojiro Sakura.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ren slowly opens her eyes as she finds herself again in the velvet cell, chains, striped pajamas and all. Again her arm is fully healed inside of this cell, it feels very strange to use her left hand normally after two weeks of it being in a cast.

"It would seem, you are finally ready for Rehabilitation." The deep booming voice calls to her as she approaches the door. This time she can see him more clearly besides his giant crooked nose, his head is massive with pointed ears sticking out of his balding head. Long arms and legs and his shoulders hunched forward every thing about him screams that he's a villains henchman.

"Where am I?!" She screams at him ever since she met this bastard weird things have been happening left and right, from her headaches, to hallucinations, to even that weird app on her phone.

The more volatile of the two children from before slams her baton against the door. "Show respect Prisoner!"

"But of course, you left so early before, shall we start again?" His voice booming all around her something about it felt oppressive and terrifying.

She swallows the fearful knot at the back of her throat, watching him as he grins at her. "Trickster, Welcome to My Velvet Room, a place that exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. Only those who have a contract may enter."

She stares at him in utter shock unsure of exactly what to say. "So where am I really?"

"You are currently asleep, that is why you lack injuries inmate" the more professional of the two girls speaks up.

The 'man' at the desk extends his hand pointing at the two girls. "Allow me to introduce Justine and Caroline."

Kneeling down to get a better look Ren finally notices a major difference between them other than their eye patch mirroring which eye its on. Justine the more professional of the two's hat says 'O-Y-O-O' while Caroline's says 'X-M-R-N'

"Inmate remember my eye patch is on the right!" Caroline shouts at her.

"Fine, I'm here what is this about rehabilitation?" She demands as the man simply begins laughing again before.

"In due time, until that time comes allow me to introduce myself. I am Igor the Master of this realm." As he laughs the sound of water dripping behind her is more and more noticeable as she finds herself falling free of the cell again by the floor vanishing beneath her. Her vision obscured by her long orange hair falling away from her towards the sky. Shortly after her body crashing into an angry sea.

What is with this beach? Why is it always appearing to her? She gasps for air, while swimming desperately through the waves to the familiar sandy shore. Yet this time the woman is no longer there, instead a simple bottle with a letter in it. 'This unjust game stole something precious and locked it below. Please recover it or your odds of winning become zero.'

Staring at it she dreads it means what she thinks, it wants her to go back to that castle, to find what was stolen. With a defeated she lays back on the wet sand as it clings to her exposed legs. Wait what? she had tights on last she checked!?

Looking down at herself she sees something new, she isn't in her street clothes like last time, now she's in those weird clothes from when she made her contract with Medea. So this world alters based on her subconscious. Interesting.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/12 Tuesday Morning

Sky blue eyes slowly open as Ann finds herself slowly sitting up in a strange bedroom she doesn't recognize. Her head ringing loudly at an unbearable pitch, to her right Ren-chan, and Makoto-san lay asleep each of them patched up. She looks down at herself in little more than a loose tank top slightly too big in the chest for her, and a pair of shorts.

Looking back at the other two both have also been changed, Makoto looks like she's in a set of pajama's that fit her normally, Ren-chan being in a matching sized set but rather than having buchimaru on it like Makoto-san's, Ren's seems to be... Featherman ...? Is she still a kid? Who am I kidding they're both kids based on these . She laughs to herself slightly as they both look absolutely adorable

Slowly sliding out from under the blanket of the frankly massive bed, Ann finds her legs throbbing and aching, guess it was too much to hope the Castle was a dream. Thick black marks are on her wrists and ankles from where those restraints held her. What happened after that? They found a window...used it to escape and then she found Makoto-san's sister...

Is this Makoto's house? Limping towards the door, it's already cracked open the light from the main room leaking in, the smell of eggs and instant coffee causing her stomach to grumble rather loudly. Glaring at her stomach for daring to make a noise, the blonde can't help but sigh pushing the door open walking towards the delicious smell as a beautiful woman turns off the stove-top turning to look at her.

I'd heard the Presidents sister was a looker but the rumors don't do her justice. She tries to smile but winds up grimacing in pain.

"Niijima-san?" She hazards a guess at the woman, only to be passed the plate and cup.

"I heard you stirring, I wanted to call your parent's or guardian. But I was informed you live alone while your parent's are abroad?" The woman asks motioning for her to eat, as she sits on the stool next to her.

"Yeah...I live alone...why?" She asks softly sipping the incredibly bitter drink with a retch that causes the other woman to burst out chuckling before passing her the sugar.

"That's what I would like to know. You three were missing for over two hours, other students witnessed you three in an argument with a boy named Sakamoto?" The woman's silver eyes feel as if they are piercing Ann's very soul looking for the very truth inside of her. "Did he do this to you three?"

She shakes her head pouring an absurd amount of sugar into her coffee before she can finally enjoy it. "No...he's an dick...but not a scumbag. We were under the covered walkway... then suddenly we were in a castle. A bunch of knights...and Kamoshida...attacked us...Look I know it sounds crazy. But it happened...I'm telling the truth." She can't help but ramble as that event was still too weird.

The way the woman is looking at her, Ann has no idea if she believes her or not. But something tells her regardless the woman is on her side.

"Listen Takamaki-chan until this attack is dealt with would you be willing to stay here for now? I'd feel safer knowing you aren't alone."

Her first instinct is to say no because she enjoys her freedom. But then deep down she wants to. Kamoshida can't harass her if she's staying with an adult. Maybe for now this is the best, knowing Shiho she'd tell her to take the option. "Yeah, I'm alright with that." Hopefully now Shiho's position won't be threatened over her refusal to give that scumbag what he wants.

"Due to the mysteriousness of how you three got injured I was able to get you kids a few days off from school to recover, to at least help those bruises heal. You're teacher Miss Kawakami already dropped off study packets and is covering for the three of you." The woman continues watching Ann eat.

"Why are...you doing this?" She finally asks as no one ever wants to help her before so this feels...suspicious.

"Makoto never asks for favors yet she did, so I would like extend help to all three of you. Now do I believe your story? Not completely, its a bit too fantastical, regardless I'll start looking into Kamoshida."

Finishing her food, she is lent a set of clothes so that she can bath, yet as she relaxes in the tub staring up at the ceiling Ann hears that splitting ringing again. 'How long do you plan to let him get away with this?' Asks a sultry purr.

The voice startles her, that was definitely not Sae-san's voice. Not to mention its inside of her head, with that ringing. A stabbing pain floods her chest, breathing is impossible, her hand clutching her heart as the ringing gets higher and higher in pitch before dying off as quickly as it came. Her breathing slowly returning to her, her mouth hanging open eyes bulging as the pain begins to fade. What the hell was that?!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Will you continue to avoid it?' A calming woman's voice asks waking Makoto, her eyes darting around in confusion hearing it.

Why am I in sis's room? Her eyes shift down towards the bed seeing not only was she in her pajamas but next to her is a mess of orange hair in Featherman sleepwear. For once someone who appreciates the joys of the cute things rather than calling it childish. Reaching down she gently pokes the mess as it stirs letting out groans of annoyance. 

"Sojiro...just a few..more-"

Makoto smirks watching the girls eyes slowly open looking up at her with confusion, then the realization finally clicking as the girl starts sitting up.

The door opens slowly her sis standing there with two cans of coffee in her hands. "So you two finally woke up. Drink this and be careful when brushing your hair you both have stitches." She smiles at them handing each of them one of the hot cans she held.

The heat feels divine going down Makoto's throat, placing the can down after finishing it she gently reaches up to feel her scalp, sure enough stitches running along where that weird Kamoshida was gripping her hair.

"Ren...I'll give you a hand with your hair since I can see your stitches." She offers softly taking the brush from her and gently working the knots out of her hair.

"Would you two be up for telling me what happened?" Sis's voice is full of worry..

Glancing down through the mess of orange hair her eyes fall on Ren's phone and the weird eye shaped app.

"That creepy teacher attacked us... but there was more...it was very weird." She says not taking her eyes off her phone as she opens the app, her thumb going over the history tab. Kamoshida, Shujin Acadamy, Castle . Reading it that makes sense with what they went through did this app?

"Sis we were in a castle... and Kamoshida was treating us like..." her face pales remembering how she herself appeared.

"A castle, this teacher Kamoshida attacked you with a bunch of knights?" Her sister finishes as she pulls up a chair next to the bed looking at them both.

Makoto looks at her and its an expression she knows well, her sister doesn't completely believe them, but she doesn't disbelieve them either.

"Takamaki-san woke up first and I have to admit this story sounds very fantastical, but you aren't known for lying Makoto, you also asked me to keep it quiet, finally with how badly injured you three were but there was no crime-scene." She watches Sae press her palm into her forehead in frustration.

"Sis I-"

"I'm going back in." Ren cuts he off as Makoto sets the brush down staring at her in horror.

"Ren we barely made it out of there!"

"I'll go with her Makoto, I took a few days off from the SIU to take care of you three. If a teacher really is hurting students I'll make sure he's arrested."

"You two cannot be serious?!" She cries out a ringing echoing in her mind a shrill sound of a bell getting louder and louder. A gasp of pain escapes her as she covers her ears trying to force it away as it begins to fade.

"Makoto-san?"

"Sorry...yeah...I'm going too, lets take Takamaki-san as well." Her breathing heavy as the pain eases.

"Obviously I'm going Niijima-senpai." Takamaki-chans voice comes from the door as she stands there in clean clothes and freshly bathed.

"Come on you two, I made food for the three of you." Sae says with a smile as she helps them both to their feet.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ren walks out of the bathroom slightly annoyed that of the trio she was the only one who needed assistance bathing both because of her arm and now her stitches. Though Sae-san was having more fun at the situation than she was, But was it really nessecary to have rubber ducks in the tub only for her? Some part of her felt like Sae was teasing her to distract from the frustration Ren was feeling. But still, she was fully expecting Sae-san to pull out Featherman action figures...or  buchimaru toys from when Makoto was younger.

"I understand thank you for covering for me" Makoto was just getting off her phone.

"Something up?" Ren asks drying her neck off with her off hand, how did right handed people do this all the time? This will never stop confounding her, yet these towels are so fluffy she is rather envious of Makoto getting to use them all the time.

"Yeah...while Miss Kawakami did try to suppress what happened, someone leaked that we went missing and were found in an alley, rumors going around the school are that Sakamoto-kun did it." There is something worse there has to be, the look on Makoto's face is one of dread.

"What is it Niijima-san?" Ann asks worry in written across her face

"Rumors are that Kamoshida is pushing to have him expelled at the next PTA meeting on the 29th." The terror in Makoto's eyes is not something easily overlooked, with Sae asking the very question Ren was thinking.

"How can a Volleyball coach have that much power?"

Ann answers looking down towards the floor depressed "He is basically the king at school, he keeps saying if I don't give him what he wants he will bench Shiho."

"What are you talking ab-"

"Sae-san do you have anything we could bring with us as weapons?" Ren asks determination in her eyes, as she finally lifts her phone showing the weird eye.

"You're a girl on parole and you just asked a SIU prosecutor about weapons? You do realize I could revoke your parole right now for that?" There is anger born of concern in her gray eyes but Ren doesn't back down, she can't. This cannot be allowed to go on.

"I can get us back to the castle, I need to find something there something that can help us." She points her cast towards Ann anger in her eyes. "Revoke my parole then, are you going to sit back and let a scum bag like that do to her, what that bastard did to me?!" She demands walking closer the smaller teen shoves her phone in the adults face, the giant eye illuminating her face. "This app drags us into another reality, that much I've figured out, maybe we can use it to put Kamoshida away for good. But I'm the only one who can defend herself there at the moment, it's hard to explain but you NEED to trust me here."

Strangely Sae backs down with a frustrated growl. "Fine! But it would be best to test this method while school is in session, less people around so get dressed. Let's see what this alternate reality is."

The Prosecutor storms out of the room as both Ann and Makoto give her absolutely confused stares. To be fair Ren had no clue if that would work; But she had to try and thankfully it did, maybe the rest would get one of those weird beings like Medea. She takes the statement to heart though and goes to get changed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Staring at the alley they had been rescued from she looks at Sae who had various martial arts weapons in a duffel bag, as she watches the them. "I don't know how it pulled us all in last time so stay close."

'Beginning navigation' her phone chimes in that same synthetic woman's voice the reality around them slowly shifting until the school is no longer in sight... instead its a castle... a Really big castle.

"Okay...I believe you." She hears Sae comment in utter disbelief as Ren glances over seeing her staring up at the massive castle in utter confusion.

With a slightly psychotic smirk, Ren twirls the ritual dagger in her hand as her clothes had changed back to the dress from before, something obscuring her vision ever so slightly. "Huh that mask is there again..." the lack of glasses is more surprising than anything, gently touching her eyes tells why. This outfit replaces her glasses with contacts, she has no clue why but the very concept is amusing.

"It doesn't matter, we need to go down, this place likely has a dungeon, what I need to find is likely there." She looks at Sae who finally remembers the bag she's carrying and hands a baton to Ann, a staff to Makoto and keeps a pair of tonfa's for herself.

"I feel more alive than last time, less heavy, so I'll take the lead." She says with confidence palming her fingers over her mask only now realizing it has an elegant yet exotic feel to it, similar to those casino heist films she loved growing up. In a way matching her femme-fatal looks.

"Ren I would ask about your outfit and the clearly glass mask but something tells me you don't know." Sae starts only to be flashed a smile.

"That would be correct." She can't help but laughing as she runs towards one of the lower windows, looking for a way in before jumping up and helping pull the other three in.

Avoiding knights is suspiciously easy this time, the hallways are practically empty, it's honestly unnerving how quiet it is. Yet they go deeper and deeper eventually finding a set of stairs going down, and that's when that gut feeling was proven right. Ren finds herself thrown backwards over a moat onto a parallel path separated from the other three.

Several knights running forward towards her many more towards the other three. "Medea!"

Thankfully the weapons prove useful the problem is this three to eight ratio, for every eight that try to grab Makoto, Ann, and Sae three try attacking her from behind. "There are too many!" She screams in frustration.

"Of course, what do you take me for a useless idiot?" The not-Makoto asks as she appears with Kamoshida at her side and this time a copy of Ann in a pink bikini with cat ears.. this not-Ann just from her expression alone feels like she's a blonde stereotype,  The trio are staring at them from above, perched on a wall as one of the knights slams his shield into Ren knocking her down, pinning her under him as he raises his sword to finish her off.

" Get your Hands Off of her!" Ann screams from under the various knights trying to carry her away while Sae and Makoto each holding their own but the exhaustion is obvious in them, it will be only a matter of time before they are overwhelmed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ann slams her baton, it really isn't her kind of weapon but that fake Makoto is royally pissing her off, a trap to intentionally separate them by this dungeons stupid moat. Ren's about to die and all she can do is struggle in a losing fight. Is this sick bastard going to keep getting away with this!?

Something inside of her snaps, her helplessness being replaced by a burning fury that escapes her voice in a deafening scream. " Get your Hands Off of her!" It's like that last little string that kept her obedient to this scum bag has finally broken, and it feels amazing.

'My it's taken far too long ... Will you do as he demands and give in, or will you Fight, Rebel against all those who would own you as little more than a trophy? '

She falls to her knees as her head feels like its going to rip apart, that blasted ringing noise, the sound of her heart pounding in her ears, her chest wanting to rip itself apart. A knights hands attempting to restrain her. Yet Her rage only grows her fury at everything and everyone reaching the boiling point. I am no ones Trophy! I will never give into that bastard.

'That's it. I am Thou, Thou art I, we can Finally Forge our Contract.' The voice purrs in her mind, the same sensual voice from her bath earlier, that name she knows the woman's name without even having to hear it.

Tears falling from her eyes, saliva from her lips, the pain radiating from her chest to her very core of being. "I hear you...Carmen...you're right no more holding back!"

' There you go, Nothing can be solved by restraining yourself... Understand? Then I'll gladly lend you my strength.'

It's then that the pain becomes solidified on her face, something hard, solid, physical, a mask, a mark of her shame and regret one that needs to come off. Flames erupting around her arms and legs forcing the knights to let go as she rips it off, shredding her face in the process blood coating it in the process, a pillar of molten flames of ethereal blue surrounding her.

"Lets Do This Carmen!" She screams, with all the primal rage and fury from all the months she's put up with that scumbags bullshit! Now, now they will all BURN!

Chapter Text

One year ago

Her fingers trace over the Vague magazine the advert she modeled for, The ad being a full page this time. There is pride in Ann's chest as the light above her is darkened by shadow. Gently raising her head Ann's eyes fall on her best friend Shiho who is smuggly smirking at the advert. "I'm proud of you, Ann-chan."

It was well worth the pay she got from this job, they even let her keep the clothes from the shoot. A red cocktail dress with a pink leopard print shawl and a set of slip on red heels. The hair-dresser did a fantastic job with her hair keeping it wavy yet elegant behind her back. "Thanks, Shiho." Ann beaming a playful smile back in response.

Lifting some of her rice with her chopsticks she scoots slightly to the side so that her friend can sit next to her. Suzui Shiho the only friend she's really got, the only person who doesn't judge her based on her looks or the racial stereotypes about her ethnicity.

"Ann did you hear? We're getting a new volley ball coach, apparently he was an Olympic gold medalist."

The infectious grin of the raven haired girl as she opens her lunch leaning against Ann in pure bliss. Shiho is a sweetheart, her love of volley ball rivals that of Sakamoto-kun's love of running. "Hey did you hear Sakamoto-kun made first place again?"

Her friend giggles causing a piece of rice to dislodge and hang from her cheek. "Yeah it will look great on our college applications Ann."

Right college. Ann grimaces to herself as she's not really that great academically save English. But Shiho will do great and that is all that matters. Meanwhile she personally will likely work in her family fashion business. "Hey Shiho let's go get crepes later?"

"Honestly that sounds great." Shiho gives that infectious smile again as the bell rings, lunch time is over. Yet before they get up Ann teasingly reaches out licking the rice off Shiho's cheek, then taking off running playfully sticking her tongue out at her.

"See you after school!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eight Months ago

"Hey Takamaki-chan would you mind waiting I need to talk to you about something?" The new coach Kamoshida-sensei asks her as she was prepping to leave gym class, his overly familiar way of speaking bothers her, yet she does as asked.

He leads her into his office getting honestly too close for comfort causing her to back up into the wall, he looks down at her holding up her advert in Vague. "You know you look very mature for your age dressed like this? People might try and take advantage of that if you aren't careful."

His comment making her skin crawl. "That isn't very-"

"You're friends with Suzui-chan aren't you?" His words cutting her off, her skin going pale at the meaning.

In a panic she flees the office stopped only for a moment when his hand firmly grips her wrist. "No one is going to believe you, so be smart and keep quiet." He hisses as she breaks free running out of the office in a barely able to breath eyes wide in terror, as she finds herself on the floor still lost in her thoughts.

He's joking right? who the hell does he think he is threatening Shiho?! "-Takamaki-san?"

Glancing up Ann realizes she collided with the Student council president. "Niishijima-san apologies…" She doesn't give the upper classman a chance to respond as she takes off running again, she needs to be sure Shiho is okay...he wouldn't dare touch her right?!

Yet as she gets inside her eyes widen seeing a large bruise on Shiho's back, fear building up inside of her. "Sh-Shiho y-your back?!" she barely stammers out.

"I-I got bruised during practice it's nothing..." Did Shiho always sound so defeated?!

"Shiho...I-"

The bell rings, before she can get out what she wants Shiho is already heading for class. Rushing to quickly get dressed Ann barely gets into her seat before the next class begins. They're gonna talk about it later.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Six Months ago

Sitting across from the Track teams Coach she had just finished explaining the strange bruises on Shiho and the unwelcome advances from Kamoshida. He really is a kind man looking at her with warm eyes and a gentle smile.

"Sakamoto!" He calls out cupping his calloused hands together as a raven haired boy pokes his head in with a smile.

"Yeah Coach?" The familiar student asks. Ryuiji Sakamoto, Ann remembers their time together in middle school after she got back from living abroad with her parents. He was alright, treated her as a normal student rather than based on stereotypes. But once classes changed he never reached out so they were little more than aquaintences.

"Mind walking Takamaki-san here home? There have been those recent accidents as of late and she's been kind enough to stay after and help me with something."

"Sure coach, let me get changed quick" The plucky boy grins somehow even wider as he bolts out of the room.

"I'll look into this, I've noticed his training sessions have been rougher than I care for. If he is actually abusing students I'm going to stop it." The coach reassures her softly, his kindly eyes smile equally with his lips, even his graying hair cut into a simple short haired style. It was as if everything about him just was made to give him the image of a kind older man who cared about his students.

She can only hope, maybe this way she can finally relax. This coach is well respected here, hopefully this creep Kamoshida will be gone soon. Then Shiho can be safe, maybe they can even hire someone better.

Shiho will be safe, She will smile again, return to being a light in the dull world that surrounds their lives. Shiho, I'm going to make this right.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five months ago

It's raining and against her better judgement she allows herself to be pressured into taking a ride from Kamoshida. It was three weeks ago that Sakamoto attacked Kamoshida, now the track team is disbanded, the former coach fired, and her chance of freeing Shiho gone. Sakamoto you hot headed idiot!

Kamoshida places a magazine in her lap, her Vague ad book marked as she looks back down. He gives her a 'friendly' smile something about it still sends chills down her back. It was bad enough everyone at the school saw her as easy. But now there are whispers she's dating Kamoshida, this car trip isn't going to help it.

"You look good in leopard print." He's so good at hiding his intentions, his words sound innocent but if one had actually seen the ad the only print she has on is her shawl.

"...thanks..." it takes a lot of effort to hide her disgust.

The short trip to the school feels like it crawls at a snails pace. Thankfully he's pulling into a parking spot, yet as he takes the magazine from her lap his hand lingers on her knee briefly. "Remember my offer." His words clear as day, and equally terrifying.

Nodding she gets out of the car slowly walking inside swapping her shoes for slippers before barely making it into the bathroom before the contents of her breakfast empties itself in the freshly cleaned toilet.

...If I don't do what he wants Shiho gets benched...

"...Shiho..."

If I don't cooperate... The images of Shiho's bruises flash before her mind, the fear and just thoughts of her being abused more causes her to retch again. Shiho...I...I failed you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One Week Ago

Sitting across from Shiho she watches her gently pick at her stuffed crepe. There isn't even a hint of the old lust for life she used to have behind her eyes anymore. Ann's stomach twisting and turning in knots seeing her like this. Shiho has so many bruises now that she practically never takes that sweater off anymore, the bandage on her cheek barely hiding the bruise.

"Hey-" She tries to think of something to say, to distract herself from the obvious pain her best friend is in, and the guilt she feels for not giving into Kamoshida's demands yet.

"Did you hear about that freak train accident? Apparently it was another of those mental shutdowns, I feel bad for the victims though." Oh yes Ann distract Shiho with the family that was killed by a mental shutdown.

"...Y-yeah I heard about it...apparently their sole survivor is a girl our age..." Shiho's words soft and lifeless as she looks down picking at her food some more with those lifeless eyes. "...I... need to get back to practice...sorry Ann."

She can do little more than watch her friend get up an leave...yet no sooner does Shiho leave than a text arrives on her phone. No words just a simple picture, of a pink leopard print bikini and cat ears...from Kamoshida.

Bastard...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present.

Her eyes burn with an incendiary rage, the dancer floating behind her with a cigar poking out from under the dancers cat like mask, in each of the dancers hands a string tied to a floating man like puppet with a heart for a head. Her body adorned with a red and black ballgown, matching gloves, boots, and Corset that had roses growing out of the base of it.

She doesn't know how she knows but she knows this is her persona, herself, her weapon against this bastard. The knights pinning Ren explode in the vicious volumous flames erupting from Carmen, her anger only making it stronger. Her eyes falling on Kamoshida, the Not-Makoto, and the Not-Her. That scumbag has the fake her in that very bikini and cat hears he had texted her months prior, the very one he wanted her to wear when he 'claimed' her.

"Carmen!" The flames burning the stragglers as Kamoshida looks absolutely terrified, the fakes of her and Makoto looking even more unnerved at what they are seeing. "You've pissed me off You son of a bitch!" The room igniting in more fire as her flames are joined by Ren's flames of pure darkness, her Persona remanifesting.

"Medea!" The gingers own words calling out as soon this trap is gone for good, destroyed by the very people who it was meant for. The trio of lecherous watchers having since evacuated thankfully the knights seem to have fled as well.

Glancing down Ann only just now realizes she's in a leather catsuit with pink latex gloves, and thigh high boots. Covering herself out of embaressment she screams. "What happened to my clothes?!"

Yet as she screams in frustraited embaressment, Sae-san walks over placing her blazer over Ann's shoulders helping her cover up as she slowly gets used to how she looks. It doesn't feel wrong just different, strange...like those Femme-fatale's she loved so much growing up.

"Hey! Let me out of here! Hurry!" A high pitch voice cries out from across the corridor, yet as she hears it her knees buckle, thankfully each of the Niijima sisters catch her helping her get her balance.

A few moments later Ren walks back with a- "Is that a Monster cat?!"

"I'm not a Cat I'm Mona and we need to get out of here!" the creature screams as she really cannot argue with that logic, every part of her feels exhausted like she ran a marathon.

The creature points at her. "She just awoke her Persona we need to get out of here, she's going to be too tired to do anything."

No kidding. Ann can only scowl as she does so and follows them out, thankfully they already knew the way out from before, and well how to get in a well.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the Niijima Residence 4/13 Wednesday morning.

The ride back is very quiet and awkward, to say Ann slept like a brick is an understatment, she fully sleeps through the night waking up the next morning. Ren is nowhere to be seen, yet Makoto and Sae-san are still there eating breakfast.

"Hey...um where is Ren?" She hopes the girl is alright after what happened.

"I took her home shortly after dropping the two of you off." Sae-san says softly sipping her coffee.

She decides to sit next to Makoto and finally ask the question she's been wondering. "Yesterday you said she was a girl on parole... what do you mean?"

Each of them freeze, Makoto and Sae each glancing at the other then Ann. Finally Makoto breaks the ice. "Takamaki-san... that might be best to ask Sakura-chan about."

From the looks on their faces its clear they expected her to demand answers but honestly Niijima-Senpai's words made sense. She seems like a normal girl so if she is on parole odds are something happened it is better to ask inquire from the person it pertains to than ask through rumors. After all if rumors were to be believed Ann would be the easiest girl in the school.

Looking back on it, the ginger girl seems to be rather mysterious, hopefully though Ren will feel like opening up soon.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sakura Residence : 4/12 Tuesday Night time

Staring at herself in the bathroom as she gently wrings the water out of her bright orange hair carefully so as to not damage her stitches, she looks down at the pill container the doctor had given her. '...you can trust this, you can control this.' Her eyes watching the birth control just sitting on the sink. She hadn't planned on actually taking it, she didn't even know why she brought it into the bathroom with her. But there it sits on the sink, gritting her teeth she pulls a pill lose and swallows it with some water.

'Ren remember the mental body is just as easy to injure as the physical.' Her mothers words echoing briefly through her thoughts. What's the worst that can happen? Wrapping herself in her robe she takes the container of pills, before tossing her clothes in the dryer as they had been washing while she bathed.

Laying out on the bed she slowly starts getting comfortable, when her door creaks open, a thin sliver of light creeping over her face, the door clicking shut again. Her blood running cold as soft foot steps get closer and closer. Her panicked mind starting to race as someone climbs onto the bed, but its small, very small, a soft reflection of half dazed eyes reflect dimly in the dark.

...Futaba... she must be sleep walking... Reaching out gently she pulls her half sibling into a gentle hug as the girl falls back asleep in her arms. Ren feeling her own exhaustion taking her shortly after, her last though being. I'll protect you Futaba.

Chapter Text

4/13 Wednesday

Sojiro-san watches Ren carefully as she eats her breakfast. The adopted girl gently pushing some of the carrots and beef in the curry onto the fresh white rice. The thick white plate is quiet beneath her spoon despite manipulating her food with one hand. 

She can feel the eyes of a couple of customers likely staring at either her cast or her bright orange hair. She glances down the long black coffee bar towards the bright yellow payphone, the pristine dark hard wood floors mopped to a beautiful sheen, leading from the door to the bathroom in a straight line with the coffee bar and wooden booths along the single walking path. The sound of a coffee siphons boiling as Sojiro works on making himself a cup is very relaxing the smell even more so.

Deciding to finish her food she stops looking around the coffee shop ,But briefly glancing towards Sojiro, her good hand holding out a scrunchie. Thankfully she was able, with his assistance, to tie her hair into a ponytail that hides her stitches. A little light make up is all she needs to hide her light bruises. She thinks Not like I can escape the looks in the city... Not like home where everyone knew me from birth.

She really does miss her home town. It was so small everyone knew one another so she was just treated like an average Japanese citizen. Now she can feel the stares on her whenever she goes anywhere.

"Sakura-san, I have to say the coffee here is so good. It seems even exchange students cannot get enough." One of the older patrons laughs from his booth behind her.

She can tell from his expression he wants to ask what happened, but his eyes turn towards the patron. "That’s my daughter." He corrects the regular still on their first cup of coffee despite having been there when she arrived thirty minutes ago.

Before the elderly gentleman can comment again she stands grabbing her school bag. "I'll see you tonight, thank you for breakfast." She bolts out the door and barely makes it around the alley before she feels her tears return.

That day had been like any other, it was the beginning of the semester and she wanted to get ahead on her studies. Had she only gone home earlier… Maybe they would still be alive?

"Now, now. None of that, no parent wishes their child to blame themselves for their death."

Her eyes bolt around before realizing the voice is inside of her head... Medea?

"I am glad my voice is reaching you in that other world. Now wipe your tears, back straight, chest out. You have a train to catch, and remember you are no longer alone. You heard him right?"

She nods in reply while doing as she's told. While it doesn't make her feel better per se it does make her feel a bit more confident. His daughter, he called me his daughter.

"Exactly, you also have those lovely ladies."

She starts walking towards the station which is thankfully close by. You mean Sae-san and Makoto-Senpai?

" There is a third, she experiences the same struggles as you."

Takamaki-san?

There are no words, just a proud nod that she can somehow feel deep inside of her. She thinks about the sheer absurdity of it, how could she explain feeling what her Persona is doing? This really is a bizarre train of thought.

Thankfully the train to Shibuya station is on time which offers a welcome distraction from her wandering mind. As she hops off and gets in line for the train to school, a gentle hand taps her shoulder. Turning around a slightly shorter woman smiling at her, they were so close in height it was a little amusing. The girl is wearing a Shujin academy uniform but has a first year pin on her collar. She's tall for a First year.

"Apologies, I was just wondering if you would mind if I could get your name?" The girl asks politely as Ren realizes the likelihood why the girl reached out, albeit the first years hair is a deeper shade of red, they are still both redheads.

Giggling softly she nods. "Sure, I’m Ren A- Sakura.” She starts to say her family name before correcting herself remembering she was adopted now. “Did they give you the same issues they gave me about my hair?"

The girls face scowls in a pout as she nods. "I understand my hair color isn't common, less so than even yours. But you'd think the doctors note would have gotten them to leave me alone about it." 

The girl palms her face in minor annoyance before her eyes widen in shock likely because she hadn’t introduced her self yet, the girl quickly bows. "Apologies Sakura-senpai, I am Kasumi Yoshizawa first year."

Gently patting the girl on her head Ren smiles, "My guardian had to argue with the principal till he dropped it." She stops for a moment looking the girl over curiously. "I don't think I saw you when I arrived, are you a new student too?"

"Yeah, athletic scholarship."

Ren's blood runs cold hearing this, from the girls expression it was also visible on her face. "Please don't say Volleyball." Not realizing shes saying this out loud.

"No, I'm here on gymnastics...why is something wrong?" The girl asks as the wind starts whipping around on the station, with air being pushed out of the platform from an approaching train.

"Do not trust Kamoshida, don’t let him notice you." She barely manages to get out as the station is filled with the sound of a train screeching to a stop, their ride to school.  Hopefully the girl takes her warning seriously as she helps her grab a seat. 

Ren, deciding to play it safe, taps her phone as if signing 'may I see your phone?' The girl nods with a smile handing it over. Ren gently starts adding her messenger address to the girls contacts when sees the girls background by accident. A timid looking red-head in glasses with her long hair down, and a confident looking brunette with her hair tied up in a curly ponytail like Kasumi's currently is. Odd.

But the train is filling up quickly so she copies the girls messenger address to her phone before handing it back.

Ren: Now you have my messenger address, let me know if you need any help.

Yoshizawa: Thank you Sakura-Senpai. I will don't worry.

Thankfully the ride is uneventful and Ren decides to walk to school with the adorable little Kohai, as they approach the school Ren stops her eyes falling on a pair of students waiting for her at the gate Makoto-san and Ann-chan.

Smiling she raises her good arm waving to them, each waving back with a smile on their faces. Something though makes the hairs on her neck stand on end. Glancing back the little Kohai Kasumi is looking between the trio in flustered confusion.

"Shall I introduce you?" She teases the red head.

"I-I Yes please."

Aww the shy stammer vanished as she walks forward no longer standing behind Ren.

"Nishijima-senpai this is-"

"Yoshizawa-chan the first year on scholarship right?" Makoto asks with a devilish smile bowing politely to the girl.

"Y-Yes How did you know?" The little redhead is caught off guard again.

Ann chimes in with a playful smirk "Niijima-senpai is a bit of an over achiever, she knows everyone's name."

"H-Hey Ann!?" Makoto's now stammering in embarrassment which is equally adorable, Ren cannot help but laugh as the trio are pushed inside by a very embarrassed Student Council President.

Ren's playful laugh slowly turns into a small laughing fit as Makoto's face slowly turns bright red leading to a very uncharacteristic reaction from the Student Council President, her running inside out of embarrassment as if she were an anime character.

 Taking several deep breaths trying to calm herself down Ren eventually follows her in as Ann and Yoshizowa walking in after them each grinning ear to ear. Thankfully this is a good morning, maybe today can just be normal?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunch time

Wandering through the halls next to Ann-san she struggles to keep the blondes pace, yes they weren't that far off in height. But Takamaki has longer legs than she does and still is taller than her. She tries harder to catch up only to practically fall forward as an errant hand catches her stopping her from completely falling over. The delinquent from a few days ago, his blond hair sticking out like a sore thumb, part of it royally pisses her off seeing him like that.

"You need to be more careful, especially with your fr-" He starts to lecture but something inside of her snaps slightly hearing this.

"The only one who should be careful is you. Jumping to conclusions, then bleaching your hair, do you not know how infuriating it is to be accused of being a delinquent because of people like you?! Do you think people like Takamaki or myself enjoy sticking out in public? Enjoy the harassment that comes from stereotypes about our hair?!" She yanks her arm free running after Ann who had just stopped at the corner...but turns out it was less she was waiting more what she heard.

"You see that new transfer student?" A girl around the corner asks in a catty manner.

"You mean the redhead who thinks she's special?" A different girls voice replies with a snicker.

A boys voice chimes in. "You saw her this morning right? Hanging out with Nishijima-senpai like she's someone special."

Ren finds herself struggling not to cry hearing this, her father wasn't wrong cities are very different especially when you stood out. What do they know? She tries to reassure herself.

"You saw even Kamoshida is giving her special attention." The boy continues as Ren forces herself past the trio who stop talking as the blonde and ginger come into view. Ann rushing past them trying to catch up to her friend.

Bolting into a nearby bathroom she slams the door pressing her back to the wall as she slides to the floor, Ren's eyes can no longer fight back the tears building as she softly weeps. Her mother used to play with her hair as she grew up, constantly trying out new hair styles with it. Telling her how lucky she was to have a wonderful daughter like Ren.

"Hey..." Ann's voice comes from behind the door. Ren relents enough to allow the door to open at which point Ann sits next to her. "I wish it got easier, but honestly I can't say it ever does."

She looks at her tears still trailing down her face. "In my home town, no one treated my like this... They just treated me like a normal girl."

Ann smiles weakly. "I'm guessing you were born there?" Handing Ren her bento box that was sitting next to her on the floor.

Ren nods softly opening her bento box Sojiro had been nice enough to pack her, inside were some of her favorites...how he knew is beyond her but she appreciates the thought regardless.

"That is likely why, you grew up in the country didn't you?"

Ren smiles softly "Yeah...it was one of those small towns you hear of that are slowly losing its population due to people moving. It was so rural Inaba was big compared to it, Dad used to take me there on occasion he was a huge Risette fan." She giggles softly remembering all the posters her father had, her mother found it adorable.

The blonde looks at her before carefully asking her next question. "Was? don't you live with your parents now?"

Glancing down at her food more tears slowly fall from her eyes, the callous cops dragging her from her cell in the middle of the night to confirm their corpses. She places her bento box down covering her eyes softly with her one good hand.

"They're dead..." She whispers softly.

As she says this there is a knock on the door followed by Makoto's voice. "Takamaki-san, Suzui-san is looking for you in the cafeteria."

"C-CRAP I forgot, I'm s-so sorry I need to run!" The blonde practically shouts in a panic as she grabs her food opens the door and takes off running in a sprint that would impress even the former track team. Makoto catching the door and sitting next to Ren.

Ren just stares at the cloud of dust Takamaki had some how made with her fast exit before her eyes. "I swear she has more energy than grade schoolers."

Yet as her gaze returns to Makoto she sees those red eyes looking down at her eye what feels like parental concern. "Ren-chan why were you crying? What upset you so much you are hold up here in the bathroom"

She looks down...not wanting to bring it up again...but that stare makes it clear Makoto will not take no for an answer. "She...asked why I used past tense...when referring to my parents..."

Rather than say anything Makoto just pulls the girl into an awkward yet sisterly hug, holding her close and warmly. Nijiima-senpai honestly feels safe to be around, maybe it's because of how similar she is to Sae, maybe it's because she feels familiar?

"...I...didn't even...get to attend their funeral..."she whispers softly just thankful no one in the school really knew about her record, because at that point any chance of her to have a normal social life would be gone. Would Ann want to even befriend her if she knew the truth? The truth of what that bastard did to her?

Makoto says nothing simply rubbing her back gently thankfully Ren slowly starts to feel better as her tears dry. Slowly she tries to smile, but accidentally swallows her own saliva down the wrong tube and begins coughing which inadvertently gets both of them to smile at the absurdity of it. Standing up they leave the bathroom heading back towards the open hallways still in a side by side hug.

A noise from behind them that sounds like an 'Ahem' causes them both to turn around. Ren's eyes narrowing in disgust seeing the rotund sentient walking toe staring at them with equal disgust.

"Principal Kobayakawa!" Makoto barely stops from shouting as she releases her hug of Ren.

"I believe I asked you to not take part in such childish proclivities and act like a proper young woman." His words despite being politely spoken seethe with his disgust at her being a lesbian.

Makoto looks like she is going to speak up but she shuts up again her jaw clenched discreetly enough that Ren could barely make it out. A hand gently reaches out gripping Ren's cast softly reassuringly as they are still hip to hip.

"I apologize that my crying was misconstrued, I will do my best not to think about my recently deceased parents on Shujin Academy grounds." Ren's words matching his polite yet equally venomous words.

"I would also appreciate if you would not be a poor influence on Miss Yoshizawa. It is already as shame we only got one of the sisters, We don't need your bad decisions rubbing off on her." He smirks at her with such arrogance that one could smell it from a kilometer away.

As he left she feels Makoto force her hand into Ren's bad one gently squeezing it. "Ren...look at me."

Her good hand continuously clenching and unclenching as she tries to force herself to calm down, she never broke the law. Yet this scumbag keeps treating her like a convicted felon. Her turquoise eyes shifting to Makoto struggling to not snap right then and there.

The President's red eyes meet Ren's as she takes the girls other hand gently squeezing both of them gently. "Don't let his words get to you." She grips the hands tighter moving closer to the ginger of the same height. "You are not a bad influence, what happened to you was not your fault."

"She's right. Society betrayed you."

Not now! She internally curses at the other worldly demon in her mind, yes she's usually right but right now everything is just filling her with a smoldering anger.

"You have a justified anger at the world little one."

"Ren!" Makoto's warm voice snaps her back to reality. A soft warm smile over her lips as she sees Ren is finally paying attention again. "Lunch is almost over, head back to class. But lets get together to study tonight, I'll message you later."

Nodding she adjusts her ponytail so her bangs continue to cover her stitches, yet before Makoto-senpai can leave she grabs her shoulder pointing at the girls own bangs. Thankfully without words the message was clear as she adjusts her own chestnut hair.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon

As she is packing her bag her phone buzzes.

Odd Duck Society

Ann: Hey Ren, Nijiima-san isn't going to be home tonight and told us we aren't allowed to mess around with that app if she isn't there to cover for us.

Makoto: Yeah... Sis made us promise not to mess with it after the injures we sustained the last few times.

Ren: Is this why you wanted to study together tonight?

Makoto: Well...yeah...

Ren: Pardon my english but the fuck is up with the chats name?

Ann: Yeah this better not be a crack at our ancestry!

Makoto: More of it's a reference to how all of us have issues society forced on us that in a way exiles us from the whole...

Ann: Nijiima-senpai mind explaining how you fit in that description?

Ren: She's the student council president, people expect her to do the impossible and then criticize her when she can't would be my guess.

Makoto: Something...like that.

Ren: We could...

Before Ren can finish typing the message a separate message pops up

Sakura residence.

Futaba: Ren I finished setting up your laptop

Ren: I'm sorry? My what?

Sojiro: Futaba insisted that I get you one, she installed all the programs you would need for school herself on it.

Ren: I'm genuinely touched, thank you.

Futaba: I'm going back to bed now

Sojiro: It should be in your room.

Ren: Thanks. Um Sojiro would you mind if I had some friends over for a study group. Nijiima-senpai wanted to help me catch up.

Sojiro: It should be fine, just stay down stairs and don't stress your sister out. I'll be at Le-blanc until closing. Let me know if you need anything.

Ren: Thanks and will do.

She glances up to Ann standing over her curiously causing the ginger to practically jump out of her seat as the blonde who is normally in front of her was now hovering over her shoulder.

"So we're studying at your place then?" She asks with a smirk as Makoto walks into the room her bag slung over her shoulder. Ren quickly standing doing her best to zip her school bag shut with one hand only to get a tut from the duo as they insist on doing it for her.

"Guys I'm able to close my bag..." she pouts as Makoto slings the spare bag over her own shoulder.

"You agreed to let us help you, Ren-Chan"

Why is it when Sae-san's sister uses that tone of voice does it feel like she's going to rip Ren's arms off if she protests. Why is Makoto so cool yet equally terrifying? Is it wrong she's kind of attractive when she acts like this?

"Not at all, sometimes fears just open a new window for romance." Medea's words catch her by surprise and cause her to blush profusely, something had to be wrong with her right!?

"Why would it be wrong to be scare-roused?"

Shut it! And since when does a woman from Greek mythology use the term 'scare-roused'?

"I am thou, and thou art I little one."

She really hates she cannot argue with either comments logic. Letting out a frustrated side she nods following the pair to the train and riding it to Shibuya, then shifting to her route in Yongen. Yet as they get off the train rain starts picking up, dark clouds in the skies rain falling on them as they dash through the thankfully short walk towards her home.

The rain not really getting heavy until they are only a few blocks from the front door, with a quick sprint they make it inside.

"Phew that was a freak storm, let me get some towels, living room is down the hall." Ren finds herself nervously laughing and grumbling internally. She turns the corner to the bathroom, thankfully Sojiro had done the towels the night before like he said so three fresh ones were available right away. Taking off her blazer she starts to throw it into the dryer only to realize her blouse is completely soaked through. Crap!

Wrapping her own towel around her she heads upstairs to her room, yeah she didn't get more than six sets of everything with Makoto but there should be at least enough Tee shirts for them to wear until their tops are dry. Grabbing the loosest of the shirts for Ann and the Buuchimaru shirt for Makoto Ren pulls on her own Featherman shirt, as well as a pair of comfortable shorts for each. Advantage to being teenagers is the trio of them are roughly the same size so she grabs too more pairs and heads down stairs placing her wet clothes in the dryer.

"Here towels and a change of clothes... Ann I hope the shirt fits..." She says nervously eyes on her classmates more pronounced bosom, much to her own chagrin. Both of them have western genetics yet why is Ann more gifted. Rolling her eyes she points the bathroom out as each of them take turns changing into the borrowed clothes. Her upper classman senpai looking way too happy to be in the mascot shirt she pressured Ren into letting her buy her.

"Those are you clothes right?"

No they're from the thrift shop. OBVIOUSLY they're mine!

"Why are you being sarcastic with Thou?"

Ren sighs at the absurdity of her being immature with a fictional hallucination created by that weird digital world.

"That was rude."

Sorry. Why do you ask?

"She looks very pleased to be in that shirt is all, like it was meant for her, rather than you."

She makes a good point but that would imply Makoto intentionally bought her a shirt she expected to wear while visiting, which would imply her friend had any knowledge of dating... and something about Makoto just feels like that isn't the case.

Pulling out her books she starts setting up coasters on the table and putting out tea and water for her guests as Ann takes her time drying her extremely wavy hair with the towel. Thankfully studying seems to be going well despite Ann's griping at times.

One of the math problems is sadly giving Ren issues and she points at it. "Senpai how do you solve this one?"

Ann looks relieved as if she was embarrassed to ask the question herself. Giving her a playful smirk Ren watches as Makoto begins writing the problem down and showing the steps.

"You first redu-"

Loud thunder cracks outside giving the house a quick shake as the lights flicker. Looking up the sound of something thudding against the floor upstairs draws Ren's eyes up, as she goes to stand worried about her look alike sister, a hand grips her side.

Another crack as the lights actually go out this time, Futaba screams upstairs as the hand gripping her side starts trembling, Ann's eyes go wide and is looking at Ren in terror. But wait she's on the other side of the table who's shaking in the very dark room? Her hand gently feels a braid as heavy foot steps begin descending the stairs.

"Sister, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Sister. Save me please." Makoto's practically crying gripping Ren's shirt, the only thing actually keeping the upperclassman in her chair is her vice grip on Ren's shirt.

Lightning cracks again lighting up the windows as the light reflects off both of Ren and Futaba's glasses and in that split second after a pair of screams from both her sister and senpai disorient Ren causing the poor girl to fall over accidentally pulling her upper classman on top of her.

Those footsteps bolt back up the stairs one of the screams following as the front door is yanked open. "GIRLS! I heard screams! Are you okay?!" Sojiro's voice calling out as he runs in with a bat and flash light. The beam going across Ren's very red face, then Makoto's terrified face, and Ann hiding under the table.

"I-It's alright...Power went out...Futaba panicked and came down...Makoto-senpai panicked...and both screamed...help...please...she's on my arm" Ren barely manages to get out from under the death grip hug she's currently trapped in.

The lights thankfully flick back on after a moment as Sojiro resets the breaker, but getting the terrified Student Council President to release her will likely take a tiny bit of effort from Ren.

"Comfort your friends, I'm going to check on Futaba." He calls out heading upstairs, as Ren slowly gets her cast free from being pressed between her and Makoto.

"Makoto... please let me go" she gasps out.

"B-B-But there were T-two of you?!" she stammers refusing to relent her grip.

"T-that was Futaba...My younger sister." this is thankfully enough to get the terrified teenager to release her iron grip.

"Wait, so that's who Futaba was?" Ann finally asks remembering the text conversation she was eaves dropping on from over Ren's shoulder.

"Yeah...we look a lot a like, both of us take after our father apparently." Ren chuckles helping Makoto back to her feet the girl still shaking slightly. "I'll see if I can coax her down, just try and catch your breath."

As she makes her way upstairs Futaba's caution taped door is strangely wide open, her messy room very much missing the small ginger. Why do I get the feeling she's in my room?

"Evidence would say yes?"

She rolls her eyes walking towards her own room, where a laptop with a giant ribbon on it sits on her desk, and Sojiro sits at the foot of her bed gently reassuring a lump of something hiding under her blanket.

Gently reaching out she sits on the bed gently laying down behind the ball of human that is hiding. The ball squirms between her and Sojiro eventually poking her head out shaking nervously. "S-she screamed..."

Gently stroking the smaller woman's hair she smiles at her. "You both did, it's okay though, would you like to meet my friends?"

"O-okay....S-sure...they won't h-hate me will they?" She asks nervously climbing out from under the covers.

"Futaba..." Sojiro starts.

"No. Who could hate someone as sweet as you." She says softly gently hugging the smaller girl, helping her climb out from under the blankets. Her t-shirt over her longer sleeved shirt basically making a dress over her shorts.

She's so small, I should talk to Sojiro about this later. Her hand gently running through her little sisters hair as Futaba hugs her tightly for a few moments. Eventually the two stop hugging and she backs up helping Futaba off the bed, as Sojiro walks up behind them smiling gently putting a hand on each of their shoulders, before kneeling in front of them.

"Futaba, Ren. I want you both to know I will never hate or dislike you. You are my daughters, I will always be here for you." His words warm and sincere as they are both pulled into a tight hug. "Now Ren, don't feel ashamed if you want or need something."

She smiles and sees a small but noticeable smile on Futaba's face, before her sister turns to face her, that small grin growing slightly as she pushes Ren towards the laptop. "Ren! I worked hard on this all day, why aren't you using it!" She whines playfully thrusting the computer into her hands.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to wake you." she tries to argue, before Sojiro cuts her off.

"Well now, Girls lets introduce Futaba to your friends." Sojiro smirks leading them both towards the stairs, Ren taking the lead holding the laptop in her arms bow and ribbons still attached, as Futaba's tiny hands grip her back gently, Sojiro bringing up the rear.

As they enter Makoto and Ann thankfully look much calmer, Ann's long blonde hair gently cascading behind her back, while Makoto's braided hair band sits on the table. I knew it!

Gently stepping to the side Ren gestures for her timid little sister to step out.

"H-hi..." Is all she says before ducking back behind Ren.

"Woah Ren-chan you weren't joking you two really do look almost identical." Ann exclaims in amazement.

"Are you sure you aren't twins?" Makoto asks softly with confusion seeing them.

She shakes her head smiling "She's fifteen I'm sixteen so that isn't possible Nishijima-senpai"

Futaba pokes her head out one more time before slinking back up the stairs the sound of a door closing telling Ren all she needs to know. The girl was very timid after all.

"Now Ren, why don't you introduce me to your girlfriend properly." Sojiro asks causing all three of the teenagers to look at him in confusion, yet he just points one of his old fingers at Makoto, then Ren. Then it clicks... Makoto-senpai was on top of her, clinging to her, refusing to let go.

"G-girlfriend!?" The upperclassman stammers her face turning bright red.

"You were on top of her, you seem much more comfortable in her clothes than your friend there, and you were clinging to her very tightly." His smile widens, Oh that asshole. Ren sighs face palming.

"Sojiro!"

"Alright alright I'll stop teasing. I see I misunderstood. It's a shame you'd make a cute couple." He teases one more time before heading to the kitchen. "I'll make you girls something to eat."

Glancing back somehow Makoto's face is redder than Ann's latex catsuit in that other world, her eyes wide pupils dilated. Ren's positive if she poked her right now odds are her senpai would fall of the chair maintaining her stiff rigid pose.

Ann playfully giggles as she walks over helping Ren set up her laptop on the table, while the brunette slowly regains her composure. Despite it likely being him actively messing with them, she couldn't deny Makoto was her type. But then again Sae is her sister, and Sae-san dresses and acts like her ideal type of woman in a role model sense.

Thankfully the studying resumes and each of them start helping one another late into the night, Sojiro was kind enough to bring them a dinner of several plates of Hambagu which unlike American hamburgers, is closer to a small meatloaf or hamburg steak, onions, eggs, and various vegetables. To say it was delicious would be an understatement, after he came back down from Futaba's room he passed them coming out of the bathroom with their uniforms on hangers a few minutes later.

"I called your sister while you were studying, due to the heavy rain she is alright with you two spending the night." His words calm and warm as he heads back upstairs, his heavy feet slowly creaking up the old wooden stairs.

Ren appreciates this, working on cleaning up the dishes she motions for the other two to go bathe first. As the night slowly goes on they finally start to get some sleep, a thankfully restful night taking them all as each shared the queen sized bed in Ren's room.

Chapter Text

4/13 Wednesday

The howl of her motorcycle eases as Sae pulls off the highway to her exit, Tsukimi city. Originally, she hadn't expected to feel this compulsion to investigate the death of Akane and her husband Jiichi. However, things seem too suspicious at the moment and if Sae is going to help Ren, she needs to know the full story. Taking care of that teacher would only be the first step; the girl has weird metaphysical powers. Akane what were you up to?!

Crossing the intersection where the tracks and road meet, she pulls her motorcycle over to the side of the road. While the town proper is managed by Tsukimi city, Hajikari town — where Akane's home was located — is a very small and isolated place. It's no wonder Ren feels uncomfortable in the big city, here she would be known by most of the town; so while something like her hair would unusual to strangers, it would be normal to them. A cozy, safe place to grow up.

This intersection is where her parents were hit by a train… As she's getting ready to move on, a small glint of light catches her eye. There shouldn't be anything left? The police cleaned the scene thoroughly according to the police report. But her curiosity gets the better of her as she approaches, eyes widening at what the glint is: a single USB drive with a small butterfly symbol stenciled onto it. Akane had this symbol on her laptop back in university. This cannot be a coincidence. Pulling out a pair of gloves, she pockets it in a bag before placing the bag gently in the carrying case mounted to her motorcycle. Great job Sae. Breaking the law now by stealing evidence.

She can't help but chuckle softly as her engine revs back up.

Driving a few houses down, she stops at the address from Ren's old ID. For a moment, she wonders if she’s gone a house to far. Back one house was a bright red building, built in a western style, completely alien to all the other houses in town. Something befitting her father being a J.E.T. teacher. However, no, that’s not the address. Instead, it seems Ren’s home was a much more traditional building next door. Still, it too is at odds with the rest of the village. The yard is quite spacious, while only a small corner dedicated to a garden. Strange that after two weeks of being unattended, there weren’t any weeds there.

"May I be of assistance miss?" A kindly old voice asks. The voice belongs to an old man, who’s walking out of the western styled house. He’s Caucasian, likely a foreign resident or person who gained Japanese citizenship. He’s taller than her, with long dark black hair, tied in a loose ponytail behind him.

"I was hoping to speak to the person who bought that house." She points towards the traditional home.

Akane's email was weird: she was pleading for help, yet sold her house overnight before leaving? First, that is unrealistically quick to begin with and second, she had succeeded. But it was just a bizarre train of thought, given Ren would likely be returning home had the higher ups not been so determined to send her to prison on those bogus charges.

"May I ask your name?" he asks her.

"Sae Nijima, I was friends with the former owner." she goes to offer her card to the man, who shakes his head, instead pointing at her license as she pulls her card free of her pocket book. With a sigh she hands her license over instead. He looks at it, comparing it to her face, then nods, motioning for her to follow.

"Nijima-san you must forgive this old man; Akane sold us the house in such a rush after poor little Ren was attacked by that wicked man, but begged us to not let anyone but you, or Ren-chan inside." He smiles back at her while unlocking the door.

"Sir if you don't mind, why would you take part in such a deal?" Her curiosity getting the better of her.

"I watched that girl grow up, from her first days in kindergarten to getting accepted into the local high school. I'm not sure how it is back in the big city Sae-san. But this is a very close knit community, so what happened after shook us all to our core. But the police ignored us when we tried to tell them they were wrong." His old green eyes look back at her, while his black pony tail flutters gently in the wind.

"So what you're saying is you helped because you knew the girl growing up?" she looks at him, startled. Granted it would be hypocritical for her to judge; as the whole reason Sae is even involved herself is due to being friends with Ren's mother Akane. So obviously some things make sense. Maybe years in the prosecutor's office have left her a bit jaded.

Shaking her head in bewilderment, she crosses the threshold, removing her shoes and picking up a pair of slippers. The house, despite the rush they left in, is still in relatively good shape; clean, orderly even.

Her eyes wander across various pictures on the walls. Each with a little note in hiragana on it.

'Ren's first day of kindergarten.' A picture of a tiny redhead in a bright yellow hat and very oversized backpack with a small light blue raincoat on. Akane and a man with bright orange hair flanking her with his hand on the Ren's shoulder. The trio look so happy and content. Akane looks about as young as when Sae first met her.

Sae’s fingers gently trace over another photo, this one was before they had met. Akane looks slightly younger than she did during her time in University. Another next to it: little Ren in what looks like dance classes in her Elementry school. This is less of a posed photo and more of what looks like a photo taken candidly by her watching parents. 'Ren's dance classes.'

Her eyes wander past various photos. In them, its clear to anyone just how much Akane loved her daughter. Why Ren has a half sister with Akane's former employer is anyone's guess. But considering how stubborn that woman was, Akane would have divorced him had it been infidelity.

Walking towards the bedrooms, it’s obvious which one belongs to Ren. While most of her stuff was packed up, including her clothes, there are somethings left behind; like a signed Risette poster and several figurines from what look like that Featherman show.

Her gentle hands remove the poster from the wall, before carefully rolling it up so she can slide it into a nearby poster-tube. Then she carefully picks up the figurines. She cannot carry much on a motorcycle but she can at least carry a few toys and a poster. She tucks the figurines into her backpack alongside the small tube, and smiles softly.

"Ren will hopefully be happy to see these at least, probably should bring one of those photos as well for her." She talks to herself, grabbing a more recent photo of Ren and her parents at a theme park; as well as one from her first day in high school with them standing by the gate with Ren wearing the same uniform Sae found her in when she arrived to pick her up from Juvie.

As Sae starts to leave the house, she spots something that startles her to her very core. She sees herself standing by a ordinary shelf, yet it wasn't silver eyes that looked back at her; it was sinister yellow eyes surrounded by black eye shadow wings. Her motorcycle leathers replaced with a long black ankle length silk dress, that had an almost impossible v-line cut going past her bellybutton with fishnet mesh being the only thing holding the two sides together, long silk gloves and an oversized wide-brimmed black hat. This not-Sae points at a shelf snickering at her while doing so. "Fool" This copy mocks her before vanishing.

Why is every damn thing so weird ever since she picked Ren up from Juvie? First finding out her friends husband has a second kid, finding out her friend died in a suspicious accident, someone with a lot of power is covering up the rape of a minor, then to make things all levels of fucked up not only does her sister, and friends kid get injured; But a weird fantastical world appears. If that wasn't enough now she's hallucinating her own fucked up version of herself similar to that damn Teacher.

Deep breath Sae, something is going on, something tied to Akane suddenly changing jobs, something tied to That Woman she used to work for. There is also that weird mascot cat they rescued the other day. Sae get a hold of yourself you're twenty four way too young for a mid-life crisis.

Wanting to know just what the fuck is going on, and why there was a hellish doppelganger of herself pointing at it, Sae inspects the shelf. She feels around until her fingers come across a hidden panel. With some experimenting it pops open, inside is a strange book along with a note sitting on top of it, the book seemingly locked yet lacks a keyhole, a bio-metric sensor or even some sort of puzzle like system to open, the Note has 'To Sae Nijima' written on one side.

She flips the sheet of paper over. 'This book is the entirety of my research please protect this with your life, once you make your vow the book will open for you.'

Such a vague and ominous letter, but leaving this here is only asking for trouble. It takes a little adjusting to fit the book into her backpack. Once her significantly fuller bag is closed, she slips her shoes back on only to see the old man from before smiling at her warmly.

"I thought you would like to know, a few days ago that ace detective came by asking questions about the house." His voice still ever so polite and friendly.

"Ace detective? Akechi?"

The man chuckles, waving that away, "No, the one from several years ago. She came by, asked to see the place, then left me her number." His wrinkled hand holds out a business card with the detectives number on it.

Weird, why would a detective swing by? Taking the card she places it in the pocket of her biking leathers. "I need to head out shortly, but I have two questions for you."

"Of course Sae-san how may I help?" He asks, while raking the leaves in the yard off the walking path.

"May I have your number to give to her guardian so you two can work out the house details?"

He nods, typing his number into the phone she handed him. "Done, and the second request Sae-san?"

"Where was she attacked?" While she has little doubt Ren is telling the truth, even her parent's believed her, Sae still would like to confirm it herself. The easiest way to know which story is true is to see the scene herself.

"On the way to the nearby train-station, there is a tunnel you need to go through to get over here. It's rather secluded, but I can give you directions."

Following the old man’s directions, she walks towards the tunnel. Its small, goes under the tracks. However a single dim light long and wide enough to fit some cars, and extremely secluded, the walls to the road obscuring it from the homes all around. Ren said she'd been walking her bike back home at night when she encountered the man in her path.

There is a dried blood stain on the far wall, The official story being when she attacked him, she was thrown backwards which broke her arm.The blood isn't the right place, being far too high for a teenager even for a girl who was thrown. But it lines up with her story of shoving the man off of her with her legs, accounting for adrenaline that could throw a grown man hard enough to break the skin on his head. She did say she remembered seeing his head bleed, and the police reports said similar.

Sojiro with Ren's family home, the ace detective, that mysterious book with the strange lock, and that weird app and power the girls have. Something tells me if I dig too far into the official record I'll have my own accident. Her thoughts are getting the better of her as she begins heading back to her motorcycle. On the walk back a hand pulls on her riding jacket causing her to stop and turn around to a teenage girl with raven colored hair, who’s panting out of breath, wearing a similar uniform to Ren's old one.

"Miss… you're miss Sae-san right?" The raven haired teenager asks.

The teen’s short hair barely has enough length to not be called a pixie cut. She's panting as if she'd just ran a marathon, honestly she likely did trying to catch up. She has a rather mousey appearance to her; the image of her with mouse ears pops into Sae's mind. Still, there is something about her that is just very cute, playful even. The look is helped by the colorful bracelets on her arm, and bright pink cardigan she has on over her uniform. That is definiantly not the official uniform jacket.

"That is correct, how can I help you?"

Her almond colored eyes look into Sae's own silver eyes. "…Is R-r" the girls panting takes her breath away.

Out of concern the prosecutor leads her to a bench giving the teen a moment to catch her ragged breathing,

"T-thank you" the teen stammers after a few moments, her breathing finally slowing down. "Is Ren-chan safe?"

This question was not exactly the one she was expecting, but she nods, which gets a smile from the girl. "She is, may I ask how you know her?"

The teen pulls out her phone, showing selfies of both the girl and Ren smiling like idiots, no worries in the world for the pair of schoolgirls. One even has Ren in a cheerleading outfit while the girl before Sae was in a volley ball uniform, both jumping in the selfie. "I'm… well I guess now it would be I was her best friend, we've been inseparable since we were children."

That is certainly a strange wording for the girl to use. "What do you mean by was?"

She looks down in shame. "We got into an argument because I wanted to leave school early and she wanted to stay longer in the library to study." The girl wipes her eyes. From the look of it, she’s fighting back tears, her lower lip quivering. If there is something Sae learned in her time as a prosecutor, it is how to tell real tears from fake. "I should have stayed, or pushed harder for her to leave…if I had she wouldn't have been-"

Sae cuts the girl off, pulling her into a hug, pressing the girls face into her jacket’s reinforced shoulder as she sobs. A fight right before a major incident will always bring upon guilt, but in this case neither of these teenagers were to blame, it wasn't their fault, it wasn't this girls fault, they are kids, kids fight, it happens. The only one at fault is that bastard who attacked her.

"There, there" She gently pats the girl like she would her own sister, gently massaging her back giving her the reassurance she clearly needs. "It wasn't you're fault this happened, and if Ren held this against you I'd be very disappointed in her. Tell me your name, and give me your number I'll pass along a message for you." Her voice soft and maternal as she slowly releases the girl.

The girl sniffles slightly wiping her nose with a handkerchief that she quickly tucks back into her pocket. "Kimika Kujikawa."

Based on the girls reaction Sae realizes her face must have been one of shock as the girl lets out a sigh. "No relation, ironically that was how Amamiya-san and I met, she wanted to know if I was related to Risette, then we just kinda became friends in elementary school."

Sae cannot hold back her chuckle hearing this, as that sounds very much like Akane, the image in her mind of a little Ren in a yellow rain hat pointing a chubby finger at a classmate and wanting to know if they were related to her dads favorite idol makes her internally want to squee, its a bit too cute. The irony of a woman who looks like she could be in a motorcyle race, is currently chuckling at the image of a tiny Ren, her face brighly lit up by her smile and laugh.

The girl is seemingly confused by the tonal whiplash, but it isn't unwelcome as she catches a case of the giggles as well. After they laugh for a bit, the girl speeks up. "Here is my number" The girl holds up her phone showing her messenger account and phone number. There is still regret in her eyes, but there is also some relief from Sae's words. "Please…Tell Ren I'm sorry that I was stubborn and refused to stay that night."

With a gentle pat on the girls shoulder she nods reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll pass these along." Gently pulling the girl into a tight hug, giving her the warmth the teens guilt ridden soul clearly needs. Survivors guilt being one of the worst sorts, as you keep punishing yourself for either surviving or in this girls case just not being there.

After a few minutes they separate her eyes watching the girl as she smiles softly. "Thank you Sae-san" The girl simply smiles when given Sae's card. She smiles a few more minutes before departing but relenting to being escorted to safer more visible streets.

It starts getting dark before she makes it back to her motorcycle, the sun setting far earlier than usual, thankfully its not that long to get back to Shibuya, and hopefully the weather stays nice. Yet she barely makes it half way before the rain forces her to pull off the road into a nearby hotel.

This wasn't in the original budget. But one can't help a freak rainstorm can you? She playfully muses to herself as she checks in and heads to her room. Thankfully the room is decent enough for something so last minute. Removing her leathers, Sae looks at herself in the mirror of the washroom, while emptying the contents of her backpack to allow them to dry. In little more than a T-shirt and her underwear, she stares into her own reflection, eyes watching her own breathing.

It had been a day just like this one little over 15-16 days ago when Akane had called her in a panic interrupting her bath, begging for Ren to be defended by her. Fear. Genuine fear in her voice. Fear Sae had never heard from her before. After Akane explained the situation, Sae accepted the job, but didn't hear back from her for another day, where she said she was selling her generational home and coming to Tokyo. Then the next day a news report about her and her husband being fatalities to an accidental collision with a commuter train. Mix in that weird email about selling her house and bringing their possessions to Tokyo?

Breaking her stare, Sae removes her shirt checking the temperature on the tub, her mind still wandering with confusion. What still doesn't make sense however is the fact that Akane went from a well paying job as a researcher under that woman, to being a waitress at a cafe in Hajikari-machi? Everything Akane has done up to this point feels like she's running from someone.

Glancing back at the mirror her normally gray eyes are now golden, her lips twisted into a smirk but she has black eye liner and eye shadow accenting her eyes into wing tips, along with matching lipstick. "Will you keep ignoring the truth?" A voice-her voice echoes in her mind, distorted but very much her own voice. Blinking her reflection is again normal but a faint sinister laughter echoes in her mind.

With a frustrated growl, Sae pulls her underwear off, only then to hear her phone ringing. She walks over to where it's charging, and answers it. She's thankful she closed her rooms curtains earlier, as she did not need to arrest some weird peeping pervert for staring into her room. The phone number was one she knew, Soijiro Sakura, what could he need from her?

"This is Nijima."

"Hey, this is Soijiro, I wanted to ask if you have an issue with your sister and Takamaki-chan staying over for the night? I would feel terrible sending them back to your place in this heavy rain."

Looking a bit confused she checks her texts which indeed Makoto had sent a single message saying they were going over to Ren's house to study. "I'm fine with it, it would be preferable as I can't make it back due to the weather either."

"I'll get started on dinner then. Thank you." His tone is one of genuine gratitude and from the sound in the background it sounds like the girls are all having a good time. Good, and tomorrow I need to start looking into that teacher.

As she hangs up, her thumb hits a music app. She sets the phone outside the bathroom, proceeding to rinse herself off in the shower, as her hands dig into her hair. Memories she wishes didn't exist, slowly start to surface. The sight of their father on a table at the morgue, shot with his own gun. Makoto still back at her middle school, unaware their father was killed. Makoto's tears when Sae informed her barely an adult herself at twenty one. Sae found herself struggling as the guardian of her fourteen year old sister.

The shampoo on her hands shifts from white to red, blood slowly dripping down her fingers. Lowering her hands, her eyes widen at the blood on her hands, the soap bubbles now viscera. Yet with a blink her hands are covered in regular old suds.

'Will you just cower and fear at a rigged game?' That voice demands in her head again.

"What would you have me do? Akane is dead! My Father is dead! Hell, Ren's father Jiichi is dead! If I let those kids get in over their heads then it could be Makoto, Ren or even myself on that slab!" She growls at the voice before lowering herself into the tub after quickly rinsing her hair off.

'You know the answer.' The voice mocks her before eventually fading into the music as she relaxes in the tub, stuck in her troubled thoughts. The piano and bass intermixing into an aggressive yet encouraging synth. The woman's voice an angelic melody, the violin joining the other three instruments each matching the woman's speed and rhythm.

How?! How can she help the girls? The police already will assume Ren is at fault and probably ignore it, the school must be complicit in some way for it to be as entrenched as it is. That weird world wouldn't hold up in court… if she wants to convince her boss the only way to do it is gather irrefutable evidence. But how? That is the question, how?

She muses over this while finishing her bath, staring at herself in the mirror again, swearing she could see those golden eyes briefly, yet it might also be her imagination and paranoia spooking her. If Akane's death was no accident, doing this through the normal means risks putting a target on Ren's back.

After toweling herself dry, she walks towards her leathers, pulling the 'ace detective’s' card from her jacket. Dialing it on her phone she listens carefully. She has a theory as to who this is, and for everyone's sake she hopes she's right.

"This is the Shirogane detective agency, what is the nature of your business?" The woman on the other side of the line answers, a familiar voice, one Sae used to hear on TV during her later years at university investigating those strange murders in Inaba.

"I would like to speak to Naoto Shirogane, and to know why she was looking into my friends death." Sae's demand met with a soft chuckle from the other end of the line.

"Is it safe to assume I am talking to Prosecutor Nijima?" The voice asks all but confirming Sae's assumption. Last time she'd heard the woman's voice was when she was significantly younger, most people assuming the woman was a guy.

"If we are both done confirming the others identity, meet me at my hotel, I know you're out of Inaba." Sae says curtly, knowing she cannot go anywhere on her motorcycle in this weather due to the risk of hypothermia.

"Text this number your address, I'll get a ride over. It's best this isn't discussed on the phone." With that the other side of the line went quiet. Sae types out her address and proceeds to get dressed, knowing it will take at least an hour for the ‘ace’ to get here.

Later that night

Leaning against the entrance Sae watches a woman with long dark bluish black hair approach her. The woman walks briskly, umbrella in hand till she can get close enough to shut and wrap her umbrella in the usual bags before stowing it in the lobby.

"Detective Shirogane?"

Detective Shirogane nods with a warm smile.

The woman swears black slacks held up by suspenders that go over a sleeveless white blouse. Her hands are clad in black gloves, her hair mostly hangs behind her head before going past her shoulders. Over her blouse is a loose fitting coat that one would expect a person from a noir novel to wear. But the thing that stands out the most is just how short Naoto is, the woman barely coming up to Sae's shoulders.

Motioning for her to follow Sae leads her back to the hotel room, taking off her shoes and shutting the door behind them.

No sooner is it shut than the detective starts "I must say I am a little surprised that Dr Amamiya's friend was the SIU's sole female prosecutor." It is then that the woman removes her coat and something catches Sae's eyes. A gun?!

There is no mistaking it, the detective is wearing a holster similar to those people on the force use, including the safety cord attached to it. A standard police force issue pistol, on the girls hip. Naoto stands there hand on her free hip, but the other hanging at her side, next to that holster.

"How do you have a gun, Detective?" She asks hesitantly her eyes watching the shorter woman curiously.

"Every detective in the Shirogane agency is trained and licensed to carry. Now how is it you know her?" There is caution in her words, something has her on guard, and while Sae herself is a prosecutor she doesn't get to carry. In this situation she does have the advantage due to her kickboxing, but guns tend to be dangerous, even at close range.

"You first.” Sae shoots back. “ You're not located in Hajikari-machi let alone Tsukimi city. You're in Inaba! yet somehow you are investigating Akane's death?" Sae’s eyes watch the woman, who lets out a sigh before sitting down, allowing Sae herself a moment to relax.

"I suppose that is fair,” the woman says. “Akane was helping me investigate strange cases." She stops there, reserved, not wanting to say anymore.

"Do these strange cases have paranormal aspects to them? Such as…" Sae thinks for a moment before deciding to test the waters.

"Persona?"

That was the word Ann's summoned creature used, its what Ren and Ann both shouted in that bizarre other world.

That puts the woman on guard, her voice now hesitant. "How did you hear that term?" Her hands reach for something on her side.

Aha, Sae smiles. "I could ask you how you heard it?" The Prosecutor demands, her eyes locked onto the detective’s silver eyes.

"The Inaba murders, now it is my turn: prove she knew you." The woman's hand is still fumbling for something.

Sae, in an attempt to diffuse the situation plays the voicemail she received that night.

"Sae, this is Akane, I know its been a few years since we talked but I need your help right now! Jiichi and I are rushing to Tokyo now. Ren's been attacked, someone is framing her, she's in danger! I need you to defend her Please! I know you are a prosecutor but please be her defense attorney, and if something happens please find Futaba Isshiki!"

Sae ends the voice mail, the panic in Akane's voice still as apparent today as it was back then. The only reason she even knew about Ren's sibling is because of the message. Her eyes narrow on the detective who pulls her hand free from her pocket, placing what looks like a silver toy gun on the table.

"There are others who can use Personas, the common element being something supernatural happens each time. A group called the Shadow Operatives use this gun like device, called an Evoker, to summon. During the Inaba murders, the paranormal incident involved a metaphysical world in TV's called the Midnight Channel. My own Persona summons by a tarot arcana"

Sae stares at her in confusion. Then she nods, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Murders are so much easier than this" She digs her fingers through her hair gripping her scalp, why was it Ren involved in this?!

"Did Ren awaken a Persona?" Naoto asks.

That question sends a chill down Sae's spine as her eyes widen, that was too good to be a guess, too on the point to even. "Yes, she was attacked and showed me this app on her phone that dragged us into a castle, where one of her teachers tried to add her to his harem." Even as she says this, she can feel that chill deepen. "I've heard rumors the teacher is just as abusive and lecherous in the real world so I need your help detective."

"I'm not sure how I can help in regard to her awakening, because each instance is different; But I can look into this teacher, see if I can dig up evidence to help you."

Those words fill Sae with a sigh of relief as she feels like a weight has been lifted off of her shoulder. "Detective-"

"Naoto" She's cut off by the smaller woman.

"Naoto, his name is Kamoshida, he's the volleyball coach at Shujin. I will help the girls with the Persona side; if you can help me make sure there is a case on this bastard once I'm finished." Sae hisses remembering Makoto and Ren unconscious on the ground badly injured, it could very easily have been a coroners slab. No that isn't going to happen and the moment Ren's arm is healed, she's learning to fight just like Makoto. It takes every ounce of Sae’s will to not invision herself strangling the bastard, for hurting her sister.

"Normally I'd charge for this, but Dr Amamiya's death, followed shortly with her daughter awakening a Persona. I'm a bit suspicious of the circumstances. If you don't mind covering my expenses I'll do it at cost." This is a rather unusual offer from a private investigator but Sae nods.

"Understood, and the name is Sae, Sae Nijima." She stands offering a hand with a smile.

The detective… no Naoto takes her hand and shakes it giving her a serious look. "If you ever see yourself with golden eyes, do not deny it." She says softly as Sae's mind flashes back to her reflection laughing and mocking her.

Sae nods looking back out the window at the weather and knowing its an hour to get back to Inaba she offers the detective another option. "Would you like to spend the night, the room has a couch this has to be better than driving back in that weather." She smiles softly hoping the woman says yes. Sae doesn’t need another lead dying on her; not before she can get to grips with… with all this. Whatever this is.

Thankfully Naoto snickers, nodding. "That is a good idea, especially with how suspicious things are around Akane's death."

4/14

The drive back the following morning is thankfully boring due to how empty the roads are. Getting back to the apartment, she is pleased to be able to put on some clean clothes. She puts Akane's weird book in her safe along with the USB drive. As she locks it, she glances down at the rest of the objects in her bag: A poster tube, some action figures and several photo's of her parents for Ren.

Placing the bag in her car she messages the girls that she's coming to pick them up after school. Yes she has a few hours, might as well eat, get cleaned up and see what she she can find that will be useful in that other world.

'How long will you keep playing a rigged game?' That haunting version of her voice asks again in her mind, causing the silver haired woman to jump. Sae sees her reflection in the mirror of her bedroom. Golden eyes and all.

"Who are you?" She demands as her golden eyed reflection laughs maniacally. That reflection…Don't deny. That was the only advice Naoto had given her. Hopefully school is uneventful and they can just explore that weird castle discretely to understand its logic. Hope. That is a feeling she hasn't thought of in a long while…not since their father died… it's a nice feeling.