This was absolutely amazing and exactly what I was looking for when it comes to Akira's inner turmoil. Ill be reading more content like this soon :O :D

This is the best thing I have read in the whole universe!

A bit late to the party, I know, and I'd be shocked if no one else brought this up, but wouldn't they just tell him point blank that he has a palace? In need of help or not, wouldn't they still go to their leader? Plus, it would give him a chance to ask them for help and cure the palace the normal way. Really, all that would change is instead of a calling card, Joker would get a text message. He'd probably still freak out all the same, and they'd still have to go through the palace.
still a great story. where's that time loop you promised?

Oh my goodness where do I began. I love this story so much! I love everything from it and yes I do

Of course joker stole your soul. :P
If I ever write something similar i’ll Credit you. Seriously, this is fabulous. Absolutely magnificent. I skimmed it because i’m Tired but I cried anyways. No doubt when I reread it imma sob full on. I always thought his parents was fishy!

That was just ... I don't know I mean it showed words from p5 word for word God it was sad but that was very good

Well I would romance sumire

I’m actually crying over this and probably won’t be able to see these scenes the same ever again. Excellent job!

I've read this story so many times, and yet, I've never left a review showing my appreciation for you writing it. This is something that I'm choosing to rectify right now.

This story is amazing. definitely one of my most favourite Persona 5 fanfictions, hell, it's one of my most favourite fanfictions overall. Considering its competition, that is more than impressive. This is just a oneshot, albeit it, an extremely long one, and yet, it knocks most 100k stories that I've read out of the water.

Firstly, the idea isn't that widespread, yet is very intriguing to me. You can't find a lot of these stories on FF.

You really did a spectacular job at delving into Akira's misery. The pain that he feels and is forced to bottle up, fearing what would happen should he not do so is so upsetting, in a good way, of course. A good story needs to make you feel emotional attachment to the characters and the world, and you managed it beautifully.

You showed a side of Akira that most people tend to gloss over, or don't think about, giving him more emotional depth than we ever saw in the game. To suffer so much agony that he develops a Palace despite his ability to use a Persona, and even his reliance on his double identity as Joker was amazing.

Everything, from his Palace, to what it contains within, and even his non-Phantom Thief struggles perfectly interprets what it would be like if Akira did actually have a Palace.

Everyone else is perfectly written to fit their game counterparts in the story too. From Ryuji's ironclad loyalty, to Morgana's fierce dedication, and even Futaba's firm support. Not to mention the Phantom Thieves undying desire to save Akira as a whole.

The story unfolds with just the right amount of pacing and keeps you reading from start to finish, no matter if it's my first time reading it, or my seventh.

It's such a wonderful tale, depicting inner torment, emotiona salvation and steadfast camaraderie. It's such a shame there are so few others like it.

This fic is proof that one shot can surpass a larger, more detailed fic, and I'll be singing praises for it until I die. I'll definitely be reading it again and again.

Thank you so much for bring this story to life. You have given lots of people a truly special gift.

I loved this. I hope that I can find more stories like this. It made me cry and that means you did a great job. Find this when YouTube recommend me the protagonist place song.

you don't know what a soul truly means

This is the absolute best fanfic I've read on Persona 5. Few people have thought about exploring the idea of Joker having a Palace that this stood out to me. Great writing as well, and the characters stuck close to the game's ones.

keep a level head at all times
[Well, keep up a strong front in your case]

if only to adorn his mask once again
[I think “don” or some synonym for ‘wear’ fits better. ‘adorn’ means to dress up a thing, not be dressed with]

"I haven't like anything
[liked]

the existence of a Palace leads me to believe that both are masks
[clever]

I am? I mean, of course I am!
[This is exactly in line with Ryuji’s character]

No candidates found?"
[Oops, you dropped a question mark on the Nav’s statement]

"Special Housing Unit
[I’ve heard of dozens of euphamisms for solitary confinement, but not this one. Interesting choice, especially for Akira whom I wouldn’t think would be that up on the lingo. It works, I just expected a layman’s term]

We struggled with one keyword out of two
[While there’s some truth to this, it looks like a conversation under half an hour. I’d expect they went over an hour before all leaving spent at futile guessing]

"Candidate found. Reduce distance to begin navigation
[You know what? I don’t think canon ever clarified whether distance was a factor. Interesting detail to throw in to flesh out the world-setting]

more comprehensive of his predicament
[Comprehensive doesn’t quite seem to work. Empathetic? Compassionate? Considerate?]

They always fought, over the smallest things. The only time they agreed was when they sent me away. It must've been my fault they fought. I tried not to talk too much. I tried not to stand out. I tried to be good. I wasn't a good enough child. I got in trouble, and it gave them the opportunity to get rid of me
[Harsh interpretation, but the underlying situation implied makes sense given them booting him to Tokyo and having no contact with him even after his exoneration]

Kurusu, you are charged guilty of assault
[A person isn’t charged guilty, he’d be “charged with assault” or “found guilty”]

with an audible crack
[Thump. If it made an audible crack, either his skull gave way or the floor did. Either one would result in an open, bleeding wound. Granted, the concussive injury would still be painful and in the real world more problematic than a cut, it’s just less cinematically visible]

I do the hurting. He… He picks up the pieces after I'm through
[Good distortion to have to grapple with]

bugged Akira's room, too
[Do they not all remember bugging his phone?]

That was exceptional. Too few writers give thought to the parents that would’ve sent him to live in another city with a stranger, and fewer have applied the impacts down through the story. You’ve done all that and then some. You only had a couple small technical flaws, and both your characterization and scene writing was a pleasure to read.

About some of your comments, I think they left things oddly ambiguous with Ann (except the last 3-4 of her SLinks which seem inclined much more to romantic than platonic), but agree that despite the comradarie that there’s not as many interpretations of Makoto and Akira that work together. And Haru comes in far too late to even be considered in the running – besides coming across like a cardboard cutout lacking even half as much character growth as the majority of the supporting characters like Hifumi, Iwai, or Sojiro.

I wasn't disappointed. This is definitely the best Persona 5 fanfic I've read and I sure as hell felt the emotions. Man, what an emotional roller coaster ride. I also don't pair Akira with any of the party members but I ship him with either Hifumi or Tae (best girls. hands down, no questions asked.)

For starters, this is how Akira should have been represented after the interrogation arc because no one comes out torture right in the mind. I felt the personalities were pretty on point. And Jesus, the plot was awesome. If we cared a bit more about the aftermath this is what we would have. It was incredible, heartbreaking and inspiring to know this side of our characters, even more it bring more humanity to what palaces really are, and they do not have to always be built by twisted persons. I’ll admit Akira crying in the end made me cry too because boi does this man needs a break? Anyhow, I’m overall, I loved this one-shot.