...PERSONA 3 DEVIL'S HERALD...

...Attention, this novel is faithful and strictly follows some of the events of the game Persona 3, if you don't want to receive spoilers about the game and want to know the story completely from scratch, don't read this novel....

...It is not necessary to play the game to understand the novel....

...The warning has been given!...

...Good reading....

...17/06/2006 Saturday; Morning...

The wind blew gently against the classroom windows, signaling yet another exam period at Gekkoukan High School.

The hallways were bustling, with students moving back and forth, heading to their respective rooms.

Inside the classroom, Mitsuru Kirijo sat at her desk, focused on her Japanese assignment while waiting for the class to begin.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the teacher entered, accompanied by an unfamiliar student.

He had black hair, dark eyes, and a strong, athletic build.

As he walked with the teacher to the front of the room, his gaze locked directly onto Mitsuru, who noticed the intensity in his eyes.

The two stopped in front of the blackboard while the other students settled in, preparing for class.

A quiet murmur spread through the room, especially among the girls.

"Who is he?" one girl whispered to her friend nearby. "He's actually pretty cute."

"He must be the new transfer student," the other replied, with a hint of unease in her voice. "But that look... he gives me the creeps. He doesn’t seem like a good person."

The teacher, noticing the whispering, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.

The murmuring stopped immediately, and she began to speak with authority.

"Enough whispering, all of you. As you can see, we have a new transfer student."

She picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard: "Hiro Mikoshi."

After setting the chalk down, she gestured to the young man beside her.

"This is Hiro Mikoshi." she announced. "He will be our new classmate. Now, Kirijo!"

Mitsuru set her pencil down on the desk, standing up with a respectful look toward the teacher.

"Yes, sensei." Mitsuru replied firmly.

The teacher nodded, acknowledging Mitsuru's impeccable posture.

Then, she turned to Hiro with a authoritative tone.

"Choose a place for Mikoshi to sit. I’ve lost count of how many times I've had to reorganize your seats."

Mitsuru looked around and, with an elegant gesture, pointed to the empty desk beside her.

"Please, sit here." she said in a polite but firm tone.

Hiro began to walk toward the empty desk Mitsuru had indicated. As he approached, Mitsuru felt a sudden discomfort.

A subtle pressure formed in her head, and a voice began to call to her insistently, repeating her name over and over.

She raised a hand to her forehead, trying to identify the source of the voice that seemed to echo in her mind.

“Mitsuru... Mitsuru...” The voice continued, insistent.

Closing her eyes, she tried to concentrate, attempting to recognize whose voice it was, but the sensation was oppressive, as if she were trapped in a dense fog.

...23/07/2009 Thursday; Afternoon...

When she finally opened her eyes, blinking to adjust her vision to the room's light, she noticed a young man in front of her, his hand on her shoulder.

He had short, neatly kept silver hair and gray eyes that held a look of concern.

It was Akihiko Sanada.

His well-fitted uniform revealed a strong, athletic stance.

"Mitsuru, Mitsuru, are you okay?" The familiar voice of the young man brought her back to reality.

She blinked again and found herself sitting in an armchair, adjusting herself on the cushion with a tired yawn.

Akihiko, now fully visible, was one of her teammates and a close friend, known for his seriousness and determination.

"Akihiko... don’t worry." Mitsuru replied, her voice still slightly weakened from exhaustion.

Her long, red hair fell lightly over her shoulders, standing out against the room's soft lighting.

Her eyes, red as rubies, usually expressive, appeared heavier, revealing the weariness she felt.

"I'm fine. I’m just exhausted… after yesterday. The Shadows appeared out of nowhere, and I was the only one who brought an Evoker."

Akihiko smiled slightly, crossing his arms as he watched Mitsuru get up and walk over to the bag on the bed.

Her movements were graceful, reflecting her natural elegance, even in moments of fatigue.

While she organized her belongings, Akihiko took his phone from his pocket and checked the time.

It was 4:50 PM.

"Well, I think it's time for us to go." Akihiko said, his tone relaxed yet firm. "Everyone’s already on the boat, waiting. You're the only one left. So I came to get you."

Mitsuru picked up her bag and the phone lying on the bed.

After checking her messages, she gave Akihiko one last look, her eyes reflecting the usual determination despite her obvious fatigue.

"Alright, let’s go," she replied, putting her phone in her pocket and adjusting the bag strap on her shoulder. "Our little vacation in Yakushima is over. Time to head back home."

...23/07/2009 Thursday; Sunset...

Mitsuru and Akihiko walked toward the port of Yakushima Island, ready to return to the mainland.

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange.

As they approached the pier, they noticed a young man leaning against some crates, his disheveled blue hair and eyes of the same color seeming lost in the sky.

He was listening to music, oblivious to the activity around him.

When he noticed Mitsuru and Akihiko approaching, the young man removed his headphones and looked at them with a calm expression.

Akihiko, keeping his relaxed posture, crossed his arms.

“Minato, is the rest of the group already on the boat?” Akihiko asked, straight to the point.

Minato Arisato, the blue-haired young man, paused the music on his cylindrical MP3 player, a small clip resembling a necklace around his neck, and walked toward Akihiko with his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah, we were just waiting for you two.” Minato replied in a low, calm voice. "Oh, and President Shuji will be joining us this time."

Mitsuru raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear this. It wasn’t what she had expected.

"President Shuji?" she asked, confused. "Arisato, didn't the president say he wouldn’t return until tomorrow?"

Minato shrugged casually as he began walking toward the boat’s boarding ramp.

"You know, I wondered the same thing." he admitted, glancing over his shoulder.

"But he mentioned something that got my attention. Apparently, he found a new Persona user and will give us the details during the trip."

Minato’s words caused Mitsuru and Akihiko to exchange surprised looks.

The idea of a new Persona user, and possibly a new member for the group, was both intriguing and unsettling.

As Akihiko watched Minato join Junpei and Fuuka, who were chatting near the ramp, he turned to Mitsuru, still pondering the news.

"Already?" Akihiko asked, clearly intrigued. "Aigis just joined the team the day before yesterday, and now there’s already talk of another user."

Mitsuru shook her head, reflecting on the situation. Her usually composed eyes showed a hint of concern.

"I find it strange too." she admitted. "The number of Persona users has increased significantly since Arisato joined us. Why? And besides, the Apathy Syndrome has started spiking again."

With these thoughts in mind, both Mitsuru and Akihiko began to walk up the boarding ramp onto the boat.

Still puzzled and reflecting on recent events, Mitsuru spoke in a thoughtful tone.

"Sometimes I wonder if we’re on the right path… how far will the Shadows and the Dark Hour continue to haunt us?"

Akihiko placed a hand on Mitsuru’s shoulder, his firm touch and reassuring expression offering support.

He smiled, trying to ease the visible tension in Mitsuru.

"Of course we’re on the right path," he said, with a confidence that seemed to lift the mood. "After all, we’ve managed to reduce the peaks of Apathy Syndrome over the past few months, not to mention the people we’ve saved from inside Tartarus."

Mitsuru, a faint smile on her lips, nodded. "You’re right. Let’s see what President Shuji has to say."

...23/07/2009 Thursday; Night...

As the boat drifted away from Yakushima Island, the gentle waves lapped against its hull, filling the air with a constant, soothing sound.

On the ship’s deck, Yukari Takeba, Fuuka Yamagishi, Junpei Iori, and Aigis waited for the rest of the group.

Yukari, her light brown hair tied up in a ponytail and expressive eyes gazing out at the sea, leaned against the railing, lost in thought.

Next to her, Fuuka, a delicate-featured girl with short green hair and soft gray-brown eyes, seemed equally immersed in her own reflections.

Junpei, his inseparable cap and relaxed expression in place, sat nearby, throwing in casual remarks to break the silence.

At the center stood Aigis, her perfectly molded android figure still and observant, her serene blue eyes calmly monitoring the surroundings.

The deck door opened, and Minato entered, followed by Akihiko.

Junpei looked up at Minato, a hint of confusion on his face.

“Took you long enough.” Junpei remarked with a frown. “Is Mitsuru okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine.” Akihiko replied, his calm tone reassuring. “She was just napping in her room. Nothing to worry about.”

Fuuka, ever sensitive and concerned for others, commented softly, “Kirijo-senpai hasn’t really rested during this trip. One moment she’s on the phone with her father, and the next, she’s taking care of us.”

Aigis stepped forward, her robotic voice clear and precise. “Mitsuru-san is an excellent person. After all, it’s her role as S.E.E.S leader.”

Yukari sighed, giving Aigis a gentle smile. “That’s not quite what we meant, Aigis.”

At that moment, the door opened once more, and Mitsuru stepped in, followed by President Shuji, an older man with a stern expression, exuding an air of authority.

Mitsuru looked at everyone, her eyes reflecting a hint of fatigue.

“I apologize for worrying all of you.” Mitsuru said, her voice sincere. “Even though we came to Yakushima for a break, I didn’t get much rest.”

Junpei, a wide grin on his face, tried to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, senpai. We expected you’d nap somewhere.”

Fuuka, as gentle as always, added, “You’re doing your best, Kirijo-senpai. Sometimes, resting is good for the mind.”

President Shuji, observing the group’s lively conversation, clapped his hands with a friendly gesture and took a seat with a confident smile.

“Well, well.” he began, satisfied with what he saw. “I’m glad to see everyone is doing well. Now, how about we discuss what I discovered about the new user?”

Everyone nodded, curiosity piqued, as they settled around the sofas, ready to hear what the president had to share.

Minato, with his serene yet attentive gaze, was the first to break the silence.

“So, what did you find out, President?” he asked, watching Shuji, who now held a clipboard in his hands.

President Shuji adjusted his glasses, a familiar habit of his when he was about to share important information.

“Well.” he began, his voice firm, “Mitsuru’s family agents were sent to analyze the readings detected by the dormitory’s computer a few weeks ago. We thought it might be a Shadow becoming a threat. However…”

He turned a page on the clipboard and placed it on the table in the center of the room, revealing the analysis results.

“As you can see, the results were completely different from what we expected. It’s not a Shadow. In fact…”

Akihiko, ever attentive to details, picked up the clipboard to examine it more closely, a spark of interest in his eyes.

“A Persona user…” he murmured, absorbing the information. “And a strong one.”

President Shuji nodded, pleased by the reaction. “Exactly. And, to our advantage, he’s also a student at Gekkoukan. This will make it easier to reach out to him.”

Mitsuru, who had been quietly observing the conversation, glanced at the clipboard in Akihiko’s hands, standing beside her.

“This is good to know,” she said, her voice showing a mix of relief and curiosity. “Do we know his name?”

“Yes, we’ve identified him,” Shuji replied, reaching out to take the clipboard back from Akihiko.

As he turned a few pages to find the information, he finally paused.

“Thank you. Where is it… ah, here we are.” He pointed to the student record on the clipboard, displaying the name for all to see and his photo.

“Hiro Mikoshi. That’s his name.” Shuji announced with the tone of someone familiar with the student. “I admit I’ve seen him several times in the school corridors. An interesting fellow, to say the least.”

Mitsuru’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze fixated on the photo on Shuji’s clipboard.

Yukari, noticing the surprise on Mitsuru’s face, couldn’t help but ask, “Mitsuru-senpai, are you okay?”

Mitsuru brought a hand to her forehead, as if trying to process the information. “I know who he is. He’s been in my class since ninth grade.”

The group exchanged looks, surprised by this revelation.

Fuuka, ever attentive and concerned, turned to Mitsuru and asked in a gentle tone, “But, Kirijo-senpai, if you know him, have you noticed anything different about him?”

Mitsuru crossed her arms and leaned back on the sofa, her eyes fixed on a distant point. “No, he’s just another student at school. Though he’s very reserved, many students are intimidated by him… because of his gaze.”

Junpei, who had been silent until then, took a closer look at the photo and finally recognized the boy.

With a slightly tense tone, he added, “Oh, so that’s his name. I’ve seen him in the hallway a few times. His eyes give you chills just by looking at him.”

Mitsuru thought for a moment before continuing. “The times I spoke with him, he didn’t seem like a bad person. It’s probably because he’s so reserved. Even in class, he only talks to me about the Japanese lessons.”

President Shuji, observing the conversation and considering the best options, came to a conclusion.

“All right, since he’s a third-year student in the same class as Kirijo-san, communication will be easier. Let me handle this. I’ll convince him to move into the dormitory. For now, rest well. After all, it’s a long trip.”

With that declaration, President Shuji stood up and left the room, leaving the group to digest the new information.

As the others continued discussing what they had just learned, Mitsuru remained silent, her gaze fixed on the clipboard on the table, where Hiro’s image was still visible.

“Hiro Mikoshi…” Mitsuru thought, her silent words echoing in her mind. “I never expected you to be one of us, too.”

...23/07/2009 Thursday; Dark Hour...

The clock hand struck midnight.

Once again, without anyone realizing it, people in the streets had stopped, frozen in time, while a coffin formed around each of them.

Hiro was in his room at home, tossing and turning in bed, restless.

In a disturbing dream, he found himself on a desolate platform, holding a large war axe.

His gaze rose to the sky, now tinged with a disquieting green, where a massive black figure roared, staring at him with empty eyes.

A haunting voice echoed through the vastness of that nightmare.

"Loipón, poia eínai i apófasí sas? O proángelos tou diavólou."

Hiro awake, falling out of bed with a dull thud.

The impact reverberated through his bones, forcing a groan of pain from him.

“Ah... damn. What kind of dream was that?” he murmured, still dazed as he slowly got to his feet.

His eyes turned to the window. A green light seeped through the curtains, casting an eerie glow across the room.

Confused, he reached for his cell phone on the bedside table.

But when he tried to turn it on, the screen stayed dark.

The device seemed dead, despite being plugged into the charger.

“What? Why isn't it working? Turn on, you piece of shit!” he muttered irritably, pressing the button repeatedly, to no avail.

Frustrated, Hiro walked to the window and pulled the curtain back, revealing a sky glowing in a brilliant green, nothing like the usual deep blue of the early morning.

He blinked several times, trying to understand what he was seeing.

“The sky… it shouldn’t look like this…” he said, his voice thick with confusion.

Suddenly, the sound of something falling in the living room echoed through the house.

Hiro jumped and, without hesitation, grabbed a bat he kept behind his bedroom door.

His heart pounded as he moved slowly down the hall, senses alert.

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” His voice echoed in the silence, but there was no reply.

Cautiously, Hiro reached the living room. His eyes went to the clock on the wall, whose hands were frozen, showing exactly midnight.

He approached the clock, even more confused.

“I bought this clock last week. It’s not broken, and it can’t possibly be out of battery.” he said to himself, trying to rationalize what was happening.

Then, something in the distance caught his attention.

Through the window, Hiro saw a colossal tower that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

He approached the window, haunted by what he was seeing.

“Wha… What the hell is that?” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and disbelief.

The tower was made up of irregular blocks, stacked chaotically.

Its bizarre, distorted architecture defied all laws of physics, with parts of the structure seemingly floating or disconnected from the whole.

Giant clocks adorned the walls of the tower, ticking ominously in a countdown.

When the hands reached midnight once more, a bell rang, announcing the end of something unknown.

In the blink of an eye, the sky began to return to its usual color, and the clock on the wall resumed ticking, its hands marking the time as usual.

Hiro blinked several times, unable to believe how quickly the immense tower had vanished.

The phone in his hand vibrated, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He looked at the screen and saw that the device was perfectly fine, with 95% battery.

A promotional message had arrived:

“Come enjoy our weekend discount! Electric tools, from 23,000¥ down to just 10,000¥. Don’t miss out!”

Hiro dismissed the message with an exasperated sigh and looked back out the window, still searching for answers.

“What is happening here?” he murmured to himself, still immersed in confusion.

...??/??/2009 The Velvet Room...

A melancholic melody resonates in deep piano notes, echoing in a room that seems to rise infinitely, like an elevator that never reaches its destination.

The room is painted a deep indigo blue, giving everything an ethereal and mysterious aura.

A massive clock, with hands that turn endlessly, occupies one of the walls, reinforcing the feeling that time, here, is an illusion.

In the center of the room, an imposing armchair rests, where a peculiar figure is seated.

The man is short, his stature almost disproportionate to the grandeur of the room.

Beside him stands a woman with short, silver hair and golden eyes, dressed in a uniform resembling that of a flight attendant. She holds an enormous book with a metallic cover, featuring a large "V" in the middle.

The man sitting there has his eyes closed. His nose is long and pointed, almost caricature-like, and he wears a formal suit that fits his figure perfectly.

His hands are clasped, supporting his chin, and a mysterious smile, stretching from one corner of his mouth to the other, completes his expression.

He gazes intently at another chair, where a vague and empty figure is seated.

The presence of this figure, though undefined, is palpable in the heavy air of the room.

The man’s smile widens, as if he has been awaiting this encounter for a long time.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room. This place exists between dream and reality, between mind and matter." says the man, his voice deep and laden with wisdom that transcends time. "I'm Igor, the master of this place."

With a snap of his fingers, several tarot cards appear around Igor, floating in the air in a circular motion, as if obeying an invisible force.

The cards dance around the armchair, creating an even more enigmatic aura around him.

Igor continues, "In this room, every guest who signs our contract receives our assistance in reaching their destiny. But that does not mean you are here to make use of our services."

The cards, obeying a silent command, begin to land gently on the table before Igor, arranging themselves in the order of the Major Arcana.

From Arcana 0 to Arcana 22, they all align, except for the card 0, which hovers above the others.

Igor points to the card that remains in the air. "The Fool Arcana, the card that represents facing what destiny has to offer without fearing what awaits at the end of the abyss. Can you die? Yes. There may be something that cushions your fall and saves you. Observe the image."

On the card, the figure of a man walks carelessly toward a precipice, confident that destiny will save him.

Beside him, a dog bites his pant leg, trying to hold him back, as if begging him not to jump.

Igor turns his gaze to the indistinct figure. "The contract has already been signed for the Savior. He's already in the process of creating new bonds with his allies, becoming more powerful with each step."

Suddenly, Igor seems to hear something beyond normal perception.

His smile does not disappear, but his eyes close, as if he is absorbing a message from the universe itself.

When he opens them again, his pupils are filled with melancholy, animation, and a determination that shines in his deep gaze.

"Our time is running out." he says, with a softness that contrasts with the gravity of his words. "But allow me to ask one last question before you leave."

The room begins to dissolve around the figure, as if being sucked into an invisible force.

Igor extends his hand toward the figure, his smile widening even more, as the room slowly fades away.

"Would you believe me if I told you that the day has more than 24 hours?" Igor asks, his voice echoing as everything around fades into darkness.

...24/07/2009 Friday, Morning...

Hiro sits on the edge of his bed, his hands covering his face as he tries to shake off the remnants of that strange dream.

Every time he closes his eyes, flashes of memory hit him, bringing back the image of that immense tower he saw.

The alarm clock beside him begins to ring, emitting a sharp, grating sound, but he quickly silences it with a slap that dents it even more. Hiro lets out an irritated sigh.

"Alright, alright. I know it’s time to get up." he mutters, his voice muffled by his hands.

Slowly, he rises and looks at his reflection in the wardrobe mirror.

The young man staring back at him, dark-haired and disheveled, has deep eyes, colored by a blend of exhaustion and confusion.

Hiro holds his own gaze for a moment, reflecting on what he had witnessed.

"That tower… it wasn’t just a dream… but what was that?" he murmurs to himself, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to make sense of it.

He stands up and heads to the wardrobe, pulling out his school uniform. After grabbing his bag, Hiro leaves his room and heads for the bathroom.

Steam from the hot water begins fogging up the mirror as he showers, but thoughts of the tower persist, swirling in his mind.

A bit later, fully dressed and ready, Hiro leaves his apartment and descends the stairs, blending into the crowd of students heading toward the metro station, all on their way to Gekkoukan High School.

"Hmph, break’s over, and most of the girls are already complaining." Hiro thinks, walking among the other students.

"I’m starting to think I’m going crazy." he mutters, scratching his head.

The metro arrives, and he boards, joining the sea of students who, like him, are headed for another day of classes.

When he arrives at the school and starts walking toward the entrance, a shiver runs down his spine.

He has the feeling he’s being watched.

Hiro pauses for a moment and looks around, scanning for any student’s face focused on him.

But all he sees are ordinary faces, absorbed in their own thoughts and worries.

"I guess it’s just my imagination," he thinks, trying to shake off the uncomfortable sensation.

He continues toward his classroom, unaware that, from behind a tree, Junpei, Minato, and Yukari are watching him closely.

"I don’t know, man…" Junpei whispers, his face a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Feels like he might pull a katana out of his bag any second."

"You’re just exaggerating." Yukari retorts, narrowing her eyes in Hiro's direction. "He doesn’t seem that bad. Anyway, we need to know more about him. Good thing the president is the one talking to Hiro about S.E.E.S."

Minato, looking noticeably annoyed to be there, thinks to himself, "What a pain, why did Junpei and Yukari drag me out here?"

Inside the classroom, Hiro walks in and places his bag on his desk.

His eyes drift over to Mitsuru, who is seated near the window, diligently jotting something down in her notebook.

Her expression is as serious and focused as ever, her long red hair perfectly in place, reflecting the soft light streaming through the window.

"I can tell those days off didn’t make much of a difference for you, Mitsuru," Hiro comments as he takes his seat.

Mitsuru pauses her writing for a moment and looks up, meeting Hiro’s gaze. "Good morning, Mikoshi. I can't rest too much, after all, I am the student council president," she replies, her voice firm but with a slight smile on her lips.

Hiro pulls out his chair and sits down. "Yeah, I know. Not that it makes a difference to me."

Mitsuru resumes writing, but her gaze occasionally shifts back to Hiro, as if she’s pondering something.

After a brief silence, she speaks again, her tone more serious this time.

"Mikoshi, can I ask you something?"

Hiro turns to her, slightly surprised by the shift in tone. "Alright... what’s it about?"

Mitsuru places her pen on the desk and, with her eyes fixed on his, asks, "Did you saw anything unusual at midnight? Anything strange in the sky?"

Hiro is caught off guard by the question, and his hand unconsciously goes to his chin.

He reflects for a moment before answering. "That’s unexpected. But since you’re asking… yeah, I did."

Mitsuru raises an eyebrow, intrigued, and leans forward slightly. "Really? And what did you see?"

"A green sky." Hiro begins, crossing his arms as he looks toward the front of the room. "And I saw a massive tower on the horizon. All the electronics stopped working, and the clock at home froze at midnight."

A slight smile appears on Mitsuru’s face, as if she’s confirmed a suspicion.

"I see." she says, sitting back in her chair and picking up her pen again. "Maybe you saw something in a dream. Or something like that."

Hiro, still gazing at the board, narrows his eyes, his thoughts circling around Mitsuru’s question.

"If she’s asking about this, then she must know what it’s about," he thinks, suspicious.

He turns to Mitsuru and asks, "Why are you asking, Mitsuru?"

Mitsuru meets his gaze, her look calm but enigmatic. "It’s nothing important. I was just curious."

Hiro watches her for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Her voice remains serene, her posture elegant.

The two stare at each other, a silent tension hanging between them, until the teacher enters the room, breaking the moment.

"Sorry for the delay." the teacher says, adjusting his glasses as he heads to his desk.

"I was looking for my book of circumferences that I’d lost in faculty office. Open your notebooks to take down the formulas I’ll be writing on the board."

Mitsuru and Hiro return to their activities, the mystery of what happened the night before lingering between them, unresolved but certainly not forgotten.

...24/07/2009 Friday; Dusk...

The bell echoes through the hallways of Gekkoukan High School, signaling the end of the school day. Hiro, with his usual look of disinterest, walks slowly toward the exit.

He passes through the hallways and the courtyard, where he notices some students chatting and laughing without a care. His mind, however, is elsewhere.

After taking the subway and arriving at Iwatodai Station, Hiro senses something unusual.

A group of boys surrounds him, forming a circle.

Hiro recognizes one of the leaders, Akasa, a student from another school.

"Brought more friends, Akasa?" Hiro asks, unfazed. "Didn’t I already tell you there’s no reason for you to keep coming after me?"

Akasa, visibly irritated, replies, "Oh, Hiro. You always like to play innocent. But don’t forget, you still owe me twenty thousand yen."

Hiro sighs, bored. "Didn’t I pay you last week? Or did you spend it on another hospital bill?"

Before Akasa can answer, one of the boys tries to catch Hiro by surprise, raising his fist to strike.

But Hiro, with quick reflexes, grabs the boy’s arm, skillfully twists it, and applies a lock that makes a loud crack echo in the air.

The boy cries out in pain as Hiro shoves him away, making him fall at Akasa’s feet.

"Anyone else want their arm in a cast?" Hiro asks, his gaze sharp as he looks around.

The other boys hesitate, uncertain about attacking. Akasa, however, doesn’t back down.

He charges at Hiro, attempting to hurt him. But Hiro easily sidesteps, sticking his foot out just enough to make Akasa trip.

As Akasa falls to the ground, a switchblade slips from his hand.

Hiro quickly kicks it away and stomps hard on Akasa’s wrist, drawing a shout of pain from the bully.

"Next time, your hospital bill’s going to triple. Got it?" Hiro says, coldly.

Terrified, Akasa nods in agreement.

Without hesitation, Hiro kicks Akasa in the face, breaking his nose, and walks away calmly as if nothing happened.

However, as he’s leaving, Hiro is stopped by a police officer, who prevents him from going any further.

"The same troublemakers as always?" asks the officer, who seems used to these scenes. "If I were them, I’d have stopped coming after you by now."

Hiro shrugs. "Honestly, they just want to squeeze some money out of me. I lost count of how many times they’ve harassed me, and I reported them to you. Well, you know what to do."

The officer sighs and goes to talk to the group of boys, while Hiro continues on his way home.

Arriving at the building where he lives, Hiro climbs the stairs with a sense of unease.

As he goes to open the door to his apartment, he notices it’s slightly ajar.

He narrows his eyes, confused, because he clearly remembers locking it before he left. Cautiously, he pushes the door open and steps inside.

Sitting on his couch, waiting for him, is a middle-aged man with dark brown eyes, long wavy brown hair, and a well-groomed goatee.

He’s wearing a beige jacket over a black turtleneck.

His expression is calm, almost welcoming, yet Hiro can’t hide his suspicion.

"Who the hell are you? And how did you get in here?" Hiro asks, his voice cautious.

"I apologize for intruding in your home, Mikoshi-san." the man replies in a polite tone. "I’m Shuji Ikutsuki, chairman of Gekkoukan High’s board of directors."

Hiro steps closer, vaguely recognizing Shuji’s face. "Now I remember you. I’ve seen you a few times in the halls. But you still haven’t answered my other question. What are you doing here?"

Shuji gestures to the couch, indicating Hiro should sit down.

Reluctantly, Hiro sits, keeping his gaze alert.

"Mikoshi-san." Shuji begins, crossing his legs, "I came here to ask a favor. It’s not just anything but something involving everyone’s safety."

Hiro scratches his head, still wary. "Just call me Hiro. So, what do you mean by ‘everyone’s safety’?"

Shuji smiles slightly, his eyes almost hypnotic as they meet Hiro’s. "Well, Hiro, would you believe me if I told you that a day is longer than 24 hours?"

Hiro’s surprise is evident as he tries to process Shuji’s words. "Wait... what? Explain yourself."

"The Dark Hour," Shuji starts, "is an hour hidden between one day and the next, where creatures called Shadows appear. These creatures are responsible for the Apathy Syndrome."

Hiro feels a chill run down his spine as Shuji adjusts his posture, speaking seriously. "Have you ever seen a green sky, by chance?"

Hiro nods, still confused. "Yeah, I did. My phone stopped working, and everything seemed frozen in time. At midnight."

Shuji nods, as if he expected this answer. "The Dark Hour is unnoticeable to most people because, to them, it’s just a few seconds. And if someone happens to see the Dark Hour, after it ends, they simply forget and continue living as normal. However, there’s a catch..."

Shuji looks out the window, and Hiro follows his gaze.

"Certain people have the ability to remember the Dark Hour, either because they have a natural resistance to its influence or because they possess a power within them, the Personas. And that’s why I’m here talking to you, Hiro."

Shuji pulls out an armband from his jacket and extends it toward Hiro.

He takes it, noticing the words "S.E.E.S" written on it, with "Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad" and the number 8 engraved below.

At the center of the emblem, Gekkoukan High’s crest stands out.

"S.E.E.S... is it some kind of club at school?" Hiro asks, still processing the information.

"Something like that." Shuji replies with a nod. "The S.E.E.S is a group of students with the same power as you, Hiro. You fight the Shadows to keep everyone safe."

Hiro hands the armband back to Shuji, his mind reeling from the new information. "And what exactly is this power?"

"How can I put this?" Shuji begins, thoughtfully. "The 'Persona' is a manifestation of a user’s personality, a sort of 'mask' that an individual can rip off. Those who can do this have the ability to use it to destroy the Shadows. It’s like the embodiment of one’s true self."

Hiro is taken aback by this, looking down at his hand as he reflects on what Shuji just said. "So, you’re saying I have some kind of power that can stop the Apathy Syndrome?"

"Exactly," Shuji confirms. "You’re one of the few who can save people, Hiro. If you want to go on with your life as it is, I won’t force you. But everything you do with the S.E.E.S will be the same as saving humanity, without them ever knowing a battle took place."

Hiro looks away, questioning himself if this is what he really wants.

Would he have to sacrifice so much without even receiving a simple "thank you"?

Face creatures that no one understands or knows the purpose of?

"I never wanted to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders," Hiro thinks to himself. "But, just this once, I might be able to save someone."

Finally, he looks Shuji directly in the eyes and says, "Alright, I’m in."