Your Japanese was embarrassingly weak, and relying on context clues to get through conversations made you question how you even got into an elite school. With exams approaching, you spent lunch alone, watching videos to improve your skills.

“That’s bold of you.” A voice startled you, nearly making you drop your spoon—and your soup. You turned to find the owner taking a seat beside you, glancing at your phone. “Am I that interesting that you’re taking notes on my interview?”

You blinked, puzzled, before realizing he was the person on your screen: Goro Akechi, the Detective Prince. His interviews had helped you improve your conversational skills, if only slightly. “I see,” Goro mused, taking a bite of his lunch. “I’m glad my TV appearances are useful to you. But wouldn’t it be better to practice speaking? Observing won’t teach you as much as experiencing will.”

You must’ve been incredibly lucky to befriend a celebrity, especially one who rarely attended school due to his work. After exchanging numbers, Goro gladly chatted with you during his free time, occasionally correcting your mistakes. Thanks to him, your social circle grew. That’s how you ended up tangled with a girl notorious for driving away anyone who got too close to Goro. Rumors swirled of students dropping out due to her bullying. Hoping for help, you turned to the Phan-site, but the language barrier made it hard to explain. The moderator suggested meeting in person instead.

That’s when everything changed. A palace appeared and you found yourself in it. Before you knew it, you’d awakened to your own Persona.

Goro never questioned your sudden busyness—until the day he walked into Leblanc and found you talking to Ren. He’d only stopped by for coffee, but seeing you so comfortable with him irked him. He took a seat at the counter and watched as Ren prepared his usual order. Putting on a smile, he finally spoke. “Where were you all day? I tried calling you on my break.”

There was no way you were the new Phantom Thief, right? You would’ve told him.