Disclaimer: The author does not claim ownership of either the Percy Jackson or Persona series. They belong to Rick Riordan and Atlus respectively.

Chapter 5: A Fantastic First Day

4/11

Monday

Lunchtime

(Persona 5 OST-Suspicion)

"Where were you roaming around until this time?"

This was the question the counselor practically demanded the trio outside of the school gates to answer. Trying to explain to the cops what happened was useless, since they didn't believe when Ryuji told them about being in a castle. They seemed about done with everything while one of them said that they had better not be doing drugs, and the aggressive officer threatened to contact the school if they continued to lie.

Percy and Ren didn't want to get into more trouble than they did so they quickly went to school, with Ryuji shortly following after them. Seeing the school look so normal, the three students still couldn't believe that the school was a castle a minute ago. The counselor walked up to them, wanting to know where they had been while commenting on how Ryuji wasn't alone this time. Apparently, the police told the school anyways, and now they had to explain themselves.

Yay.

"Uh... a ca- a castle?" Ryuji stumbled out the words to answer. The counselor didn't believe him though.

"So, you have no intention of giving an honest answer?"

"What's this about a 'castle'?" A new, yet familiar voice asked as the late students were alarmed at the owner. It was the man who had picked up the blonde girl, except now he was in a white t-shirt and black sweatpants while a stopwatch and a pen hung around his neck.

Ryuji's breath hitched as he recognized the man as did everyone else. "Kamoshida!?"

"You seem so carefree, Sakamoto," Kamoshida comments. Apparently, he doesn't remember trying to kill them a terrifying few minutes ago. "Quite a difference from when you did morning practice for the track team."

"Shuddup!" Ryuji shouted as it seemed like Kamoshida had touched a nerve. "It's your fault that-"

"How dare you speak that way to Mr. Kamoshida!" The counselor angrily interrupted Ryuji before sighing and giving the blonde teen a disappointed look. "There's not much leeway left for you, you know?"

"He's the one that provoked me!"

"Do you really want to be expelled? In any case you'll have to explain yourself! Follow me!"

"What!? This is bullshit!"

Kamoshida turned to the counselor with a sheepish smile on his face. "Come now. I should have been more considerate, too. Let's just say that we were both to blame."

"Well, if you say so..." the counselor relented before turning back to Ryuji. "Still, you're coming with me. It's undeniable that you're extremely late."

Ryuji just put his hands into his pockets. "Fine..."

"By the way," Kamoshida interjected, facing Ren and Percy, "you're the new transfer students, correct? Ren Amamiya and Percy Jackson..."

Ren simply nodded while Percy responded with a 'yeah' as Ryuji followed the counselor, but not before stopping to give Kamoshida a death glare. The teacher faced the blonde teen and seemed to give one back as Ryuji went inside the school. He returned his attention back to the black-haired transfer students, eyebrow raised as he did. "Have we met somewhere?"

"You gave the girl a ride to school," Ren answered as he remembered the teacher doing so, but also remembered how down she was.

"That's right... I remember now," the teacher said as he now remembered their first meeting. "Well, I'll overlook this just for today." His face had turned into a scowl, though. "I'm sure you've both heard from the principal, but cause any trouble and you'll be expelled. Understand?" He turned to face Percy, who was startled a bit by the glare being sent his way. "And that goes double for you, Jackson. I don't think I need to explain why."

"I understand," Ren said as his eyes briefly flickered to Percy, who just sighed.

"I know," Percy said, just wanting to get this day over with.

Kamoshida stopped scowling as they answered. "At any rate, you should both hurry up and go to the faculty office. I'm sure Ms. Kawakami's tired of waiting."

'Oh, yeah. Ms. Kawakami,' Percy thought. 'So that makes Ren the other transfer student she was talking about from yesterday. Trying to make up a story for why we were late was going to be hell.'

Kamoshida turned to walk to the school, but stopped and looked back at them with what seemed to be a smug, almost mocking smile. "Good luck trying to enjoy your new school life." With those words, he left them and walked inside.

Percy and Ren looked at each other before they began walking to the faculty office, the teacher's last words making them uneasy.

'What did I get myself into?' was the thought shared between the two of them. They had a bad feeling about this.

(Music End)

(Persona 5 OST-Beneath the Mask Instrumental)

The two entered the school, which was bustling with students. They had to go to the faculty office on the second floor, so they quickly made their way to the stairs, trying to avoid attracting any attention. However, this didn't work as people saw them and were, for some reason, whispering. They were quiet, but they were ignored for the most part. The two of them made it to the faculty office with Ren going in first, leaving Percy waiting outside the door for his turn.

The door opened, letting Ren out as he stood next to Percy.

"Ms. Kawakami wants to speak to you next," He said. "She wants to talk to us before we get to class."

Percy only nodded as he entered the office, silently steeling himself as Ms. Kawakami turned to face him with a tired glare.

"Look," she started, "I have already talked with Amamiya-kun about how you were both half a day late on your first day, and you already know that you're on thin ice as it is with your record." She closed her eyes as a sigh escaped from her mouth. "Not only that, you were both caught along with that Sakamoto-kun."

"'That' Sakamoto...?" Percy repeated, confused. From the look on her face, she didn't seem to like the blonde teen all that much, but Ryuji seemed like a nice guy.

"Just don't get involved with him, okay?" Kawakami told Percy. "He's nothing but trouble. You should stay away from Amamiya-kun as well. I don't need you two getting into all sorts of trouble." She looked down as she missed Percy taking a deep breath before quietly letting it out. He was slowly becoming more annoyed at being treated like he was always looking for trouble when it was the opposite. Kawakami let out a sigh as she faced Percy with a neutral expression. "Break's almost over. Classes will end after fifth period today due to the subway accident. I'll have you introduce yourselves when class resumes. Follow me."

Walking out of the office, Percy and Ren began following her to the classroom. Outside of the door, she stopped to give them one last piece of advice.

"By the way, when you introduce yourselves... Be serious about it even if you're lying to the class, okay? Do NOT say anything unnecessary."

Silently nodding, she opened the door to let them inside, closing the door behind her when they do, making them miss two girls staring at the transfer students before they began whispering to themselves.

"...You think it's them?"

"Huh? The ones in the rumors?

(Music End)

Afternoon

"Being super late on their first day? They're insane..."

"They look normal though..."

"Wait, are they related? They kind of look alike..."

"Even if they were, they're still delinquents, right?"

"What if it runs in the family?"

"Careful, one wrong look and they might slug us."

Not ten seconds after the two stepped foot in the classroom, the class was filled with whispers, and unfortunately they could hear that they were whispering about them. Kawakami introduced the two transfer students and told the class that they had to attend from the afternoon since they weren't feeling well. Ren didn't seem to be bothered by whispers, while Percy was slowly becoming more irritated, though he tried to hide it. Kawakami got the class to quiet down to let the transfer students introduce themselves.

"Hi. My name's Ren Amamiya." Ren said simply.

"I'm Percy Jackson." Percy said, wanting to get in his seat as fast as possible. Preferably one where he won't get much attention.

"They seem quiet... but I bet when they lose it..."

"I mean, they were both arrested for assault, right?"

"Wait, Jackson? Isn't he that author's kid?"

"No, there's no way..."

"Wasn't he already a delinquent before Shujin?"

"I heard he was expelled from, like, six different schools back in America."

"Not surprising, really, since he's apparently a bastard..."

While Kawakami was deciding their seats, Ren's and Percy's eyes widened at the things they whispered about.

'How do they know about that!?' was the shared thought between the two about the students somehow knowing the shared assault charge as Kawakami decided on Ren's seat being next to the window and near the back with Percy behind him. Although Percy had expected people to know about his mom and who he was, it made him uncomfortable. He didn't want any attention from being the kid of a famous author when he came to this school, even before they somehow knew of the assault charge, his track record with schools, or even his birth status.

"Sorry, but can the people nearby please share your textbooks with them today?"

Trying to ignore the whispers, Percy and Ren were heading to their seats, but not before catching sight of a small, meek-looking student with bruises on his face, and he looked miserable. Continuing their seats, the blonde girl from this morning seemed to glare at them for some reason.

"...Lies."

"Huh?"

They were confused, but when Ren was about to ask, she just scoffed before turning away from them as the two made their way to their seats.

"Did you catch that? Do those three know each other? Ooh, does that mean they hit on her before transferring here?"

"Maybe she was cheating on Jackson with the one in the glasses. Oh, or maybe it was the other way around?"

"Then that means she's cheating on both of them with Mr. Kamoshida. Then again, this is Takamaki-san we're talking about..."

"For. Real. That side of the room is totally awful."

Ms. Kawakami must have said something important before class started, but Percy was more distracted by the feeling of just wanting the ground to open up and swallow him. The beat-up student rose up out of his seat.

"Everyone, please rise..."

'A fantastic start to my first day of school,' Percy mentally grumbled. He was thankful for at least having a seat at the back of the room.

After School

(Persona 5 OST-Restlessness)

Class was over for today, and the two new transfer students were thankful for it. Throughout the rest of the school day, they were always being stared at, watched by the other students. Now, they can finally be free of that, but as they walked out of the classroom, the student-filled school hallway temporarily turned into one of the castle's, with a red carpet and furniture with no students before turning back to normal, and the two held their heads as they felt a headache.

Kawakami saw them holding their heads and asked, "What's wrong?"

Percy briefly considered asking her if he was really in a castle before Ren answered with, "Nothing."

"Are you sure? You don't seem okay," Kawakami rubbed the back of her head. "Also... it seems like people are already talking about you two, but I'm not the one who told them." She then turned her head mumbling to herself, "I can't even catch a break... Why do I have to deal with this?"

She then turned toward the two. "You two should head straight to your homes. Don't stop by anywhere."

The boys turned to the hallways to leave. Ren was thinking about how Sakura-san must be angry at him for being late, and Percy knew that his mom must be worried sick about him, and somehow, that hurt more than if she was mad.

"Oh, and about Sakamoto-kun," the teacher continued. "Don't get involved-" she was interrupted however by the aforementioned student walking up to them, making her sigh. "Speak of the devil..." She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. "What do you want? I heard the police caught you cutting classes today."

Ryuji groaned in irritation, not looking at the teacher. "It was nothin'."

"And you haven't dyed your hair back to black either..." Kawakami commented, and nobody noticed Percy's eyes widen slightly.

"Sorry 'bout that," Ryuji apologized, not apologetic at all. He then walked to Percy and Ren, whispering, "I'll be waiting on the rooftop," before walking down the hall.

Kawakami let out a sigh. "See? That's why I don't want you getting involved. Understood?"

She didn't wait for an answer as she walked away, leaving Percy and Ren in the school hallway.

'...He's not a natural blonde?' Percy thought to himself about Ryuji.

Ren had made the decision to follow Ryuji to the rooftop, guessing that it probably has to do with what happened this morning, but before he or Percy made to leave, they saw Kamoshida and Kobayakawa come up the stairs talking to each other. They didn't notice the students and their conversation could be heard by them.

"Why did you allow students like them to transfer here?" Kamoshida asked, obviously referring to Percy and Ren. "They've already started associating with Sakamoto. A student with a criminal record, the culprit of an assault case, and someone who's both." The teacher placed his hands on his hips, looking exasperated. "At this rate, it'd be pointless how much I contribute to the school."

The principal seemed to be trying to assure him, saying, "Now, don't be like that... This school counts on you, Kamoshida-kun. You are our star."

Percy and Ren had their attention grabbed by what the teachers were saying, but kept quiet.

"Still, a steady build-up is necessary behind such brilliance as well," Kobayakawa continued. "Besides, we have her son attending Shujin. We mustn't let an opportunity pass by."

Kamoshida sighed. "I guess you do have a point. You're troubles never seem to end, do they, Principal Kobayakawa?" Kamoshida then seemed to cheer up, smiling at the principal. "Alright, I understand. I'll continue to do my best to answer your expectations of me."

With that, the teacher and the principal went their separate ways, never noticing the students they were talking about had eavesdropped on their conversation.

(Music Ends)

Percy really had no idea of what to say to what he had heard. Even before he started school, he knew he didn't like Kobayakawa that much ever since he pretty much blackmailed him and made that deal with him, but he was almost eager about having 'her' son attending the school, and he has an idea that he was talking about him. An uncomfortable question was then raised in his head. What did Kobayakawa mean by "opportunity"?

"Hey."

He was broken out of his thoughts when Ren spoke to him with a calm expression. "We can think about it later. Let's go meet up with Sakamoto-san on the roof."

Percy gave a quick okay, and after being told how to get to the roof (the beat-up student had stumbled on his words when he was talking to them), they made their way upstairs to the roof, trying to ignore the whispered rumors about them, which kept getting wilder and wilder.

Eventually, they made their way to the door that leads to the roof, an off-limits sign placed on it, though the door seemed open.

Opening it, they were greeted with Ryuji sitting on a chair among many, along with tables, and what seems to be a garden further back.

(Persona 5 OST-Suspicion)

"Sorry for calling you up here like this," Ryuji apologized. "I bet Ms. Kawakami already told you stuff like 'don't get involved with him,' huh?

"Something like that," Ren answered. "Said we should avoid you."

"Figured as much," Ryuji sighed. "Then again, we're in the same boat. Heard you guys got criminal records. Everyone's talkin' about it. No wonder you were so gutsy, Amamiya."

If he was trying to compliment them, he failed at it as Percy and Ren groaned, leaving Ryuji staring.

"Uhhh... is somethin' wrong?" Ryuji asked, confused.

"That's all anyone's talked about since we got to class," Percy explained, exasperated from all the rumors about him. "Apparently, from what Ms. Kawakami said, she didn't tell anyone about us, but they somehow knew about our records and some other stuff."

"We heard rumors about us while on our way here," Ren added. "They're always talking about 'those transfer students.'"

"Yeah, I've heard 'em, too," Ryuji responded. "Shit, now I feel bad."

"Hey, don't worry about it, man," Percy assured him. "I mean, it's annoying, but we can ignore them. By the way, I guess you want to talk about the castle, huh?"

"Yeah," Ryuji confirmed and was silent for a moment. "...What was all that that happened? Y'know, how we almost got killed there? It wasn't a dream... right? I'm guessing you guys remember it too."

"Yeah, we do," Ren said, nodding his head. "It felt way too real for it to be a dream."

"Well, just 'cause we all remember it doesn't mean much though..." Ryuji stated, eyes looking down before he brought his head back up. "I mean, even if it was a dream, you saved us from Kamoshida. So yeah... Thanks, Ren."

"You really saved us there," Percy agreed, thankful.

"You're both welcome," Ren said, a smile crossing his face. "I just did what I could at the moment."

"But man, that Kamoshida we saw there..." Ryuji muttered, getting Percy and Ren's attention.

"You mean the buff guy we saw at the castle and in school?" Percy asked. "We heard the principal kissing up to him in the hallway. So, is he important?"

"Important?" Ryuji questioned, eyebrows raised before scrunching them. "Try some medalist who took his volleyball team to the nationals. No one speaks against him 'cause of that. Though, that's why the way Kamoshida was king of that castle felt crazy real..."

The three remained in silence for a bit, with Ryuji silently wondering about something.

"I wonder if we can go back to that castle again..."

That snapped the other two out of their thoughts. In all honesty, they didn't really think about going back into that castle and Percy was about to protest the idea when he remembered the student locked inside the dungeons. Ren had a thoughtful look on his face as he turned to his pockets, but before any of them could say anything, Ryuji stood up.

"Ugh, forget it," He shouted in frustration. "Must've all been a dream! It has to be!" Getting up from his chair, he started walking toward the doors, but he stopped and looked back to the two transfer students. "Sorry to drag you out here like this. That's all I had to say."

"It's fine, really," Ren assured. "After everything that happened today, it felt good to talk to someone, so thanks."

"Don't sweat it," Ryuji assured before grinning. "Heh, we might be more similar than we thought. I feel like we're going to get along just fine."

"No doubt about that," Percy agreed.

"I'll come talk if I see any of you around," Ryuji said. "Don't ignore me, all right?"

They nodded, agreeing to meet up with him whenever they could. Saying "Seeya," Ryuji walked towards the door and left. The other two students followed, but Percy stopped.

"Hey."

(Music Ends/Begin Persona 5 OST-Have a Short Rest)

That got Ren's attention as he looked back at Percy.

"About that night," Percy said awkwardly. "Y'know, the drunk guy and all?

"Yeah," Ren said, remembering that night as clear as day. "Something you want to say?"

"Sorry for getting you dragged into my problem," Percy apologized.

Ren was silent for a moment, thinking about that night. "It's fine," He says, finally. "You have nothing to apologize for. Even if I knew what was going to happen, I still would've done it."

Percy's eyes went wide at that statement.

"And I mean that truthfully," Ren then gained a sheepish smile. "And besides, if we're right, I kind of accidentally dragged us all into that castle, so I guess that makes us even."

Percy chuckled a little at that. "Yeah, I guess it does."

"See you tomorrow?"

"Sure."

And with that, they walked to their homes.

(Music Ends)

Evening

(Persona 5 OST-Beneath the Mask Instrumental)

Standing in front of the door to their apartment, he took a deep breath and opened it. He was greeted to Sally hugging him, grateful that her son was safe.

"Where were you?" Sally asked, her face full of worry, causing Percy's heart to clench. "The school called me. You were late for hours and didn't show up until school was almost over. Were you hurt? What happened?"

Percy took a deep breath as he began to explain his story of why he was late. Of course, he wasn't going to tell her about the castle, the cat, or the monsters his classmate had to fight with Personas. He thought it sounded stupid, and he didn't think he would believe her, so he made up a story of how his train was running late and tried to walk to school on his own, where he met the others before they got chased by muggers.

His mother had this look on her face, like she knew there was more to Percy's story, but when he finished, she just smiled and said, "I'm just glad you're okay, but please, don't scare me like that again, okay?"

"Okay, mom," Percy promised, not wanting her to be worried anymore.

They separated, Sally kissing his forehead before going into the kitchen to get dinner ready.

Once it was ready, she began asking him what it was like at Shujin. Percy didn't really want to tell her about how everyone somehow knew about his record and his birth status, so he told her about how he had made some new friends. Sally was happy that he was making friends on his first day.

Finished with dinner, they got themselves ready for sleep. Percy remembering to write in his journal, but he wrote down the same story he told his mom. He didn't want his probation officer thinking he was crazy on top of being a criminal.

Plugging his phone to the charger, he went to sleep.

(Music End)

Velvet Room

(Persona 5 OST-Aria of the Soul)

The soothing melody of a piano woke Ren up, and he saw that he was back in the blue prison, prisoner's clothes and all.

"...About time you've come to."

Changing his position on the bench so that he's sitting on it, he recognized the irate voice of Caroline, who was apparently Percy's "warden," though she was standing outside of his cell, along with Justine, his "warden."

"On your feet, Inmate!" Caroline barked as she slammed her baton against his cell door, making Ren stand up straight in surprise and face towards the door.

"Our master wishes to speak with you," Justine explained as Ren took a quick look around the room. "It's for your own sake that you take his words to heart."

"First off," Igor began, "let us celebrate our reunion."

"Not to be rude, but where's Percy?" Ren saw that the cell Percy was in the first time they came here was empty, and he wasn't in any of the other ones.

"Silence, Inmate!" Caroline shouted, looking very irritated at the question. "Wait for your turn to speak!"

'It was only a question, geez' Ren thought to himself as he backed away a bit, surprised by the girl's snappy answer.

Igor actually chuckled. "At ease, Caroline." He ordered, and the bun-haired girl seemed to stand down, though she still kept a grumpy look on her face. Igor then faced Ren. "Perseus is not here because he has not yet awakened to his powers. However, you have. And very special ones at that. Your rehabilitation can finally begin."

"Rehabilitation?" Ren asked.

"There is no need to understand it all for the time being." Igor said. Looks like he's not going to get an answer to that question for now. Igor continued. "You will be training the power of Persona, which you have awakened to." Seeing the confused look on Ren's face, he began to explain. "Personas are, in other words, a 'mask'-an armor of the heart when confronting worldly matters. I have high expectations for the both of you."

"What do you mean?" Ren asked.

"There is no need to worry. You will learn when the time comes."

'Does he have to be so cryptic?'

"By the by... have you come to appreciate the Metaverse Navigator?"

Ren was surprised by what Igor said, and he listened to him as he explained.

"Using it will allow you to come and go between reality and Palaces."

"Metaverse Navigator...?" Ren asked. 'Does he mean that weird app?'

"I bestowed it to you as a means to train you as a thief." Igor answered.

"The Metaverse Navigator is a gift from our master!" Caroline stressed. "You better take care of using it, Inmate!"

"Devote yourself to your training so that you may become a fine thief," Justine monotonously encouraged.

"You are not the only one who is gifted with the Metaverse Navigator." Igor says. "Perseus has also been bestowed it. However, should there be others who would prove beneficial to the two of you, I will grant it to them as well. This is all for you to grow as most excellent thieves..."

At that moment, the bell rang, signifying the end of his time in the Velvet Room.

"Hmph," Caroline scoffed, "it's time. Go back and enjoy whatever rest you might have." She scowled before giving an order to Ren. "And tell Jackson to hurry up and awaken to his powers already!"

'Oh. So that's why she was grumpy.'

His vision faded to black, and sleep overtook him.

(Music Fades)

A/N: I hope everyone is doing well during quarantine. Remember to take care of yourselves.

Constructive criticism is appreciated as always.

Farewell for now.