April 20 - Entrance of Tartarus

The quartet of explorers was just arriving at the Tartarus' entrance staircase, Yukari helping Makoto up while Junpei did the same for a still-armored Yin, with Akihiko and Mitsuru waiting for them at the base of it, once the explorers reached them they all fell to the ground exhausted.

Mitsuru: "Sigh... This wasn't supposed to happen..."

Junpei: "Yeah, no kidding! What even was that thing!?"

Mitsuru: "We are not sure, we've never seen anything like it... It was most definitely not a shadow, the reading it gave off was just... Bizarre"

Yukari: "You think we'll run into more of them...?"

Akihiko: "I'd like to say no but we can never be too sure, but in better news..."

His gaze fell on the Rider's exhausted form, who was only able to respond with a tired "Huh?"

Mitsuru (smirking): "Indeed, Tahara's new abilities will prove useful against Shadows and these new foes we've encountered"

Akihiko: "Better get ready Yin, because our training sessions will only get more intense now that you got this new armor~"

Yin: ".... Ugh..."

The boy responded by finally passing out, being forced out of his transformation... And so, the real start of Yin's journey begins!

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Persona 3: LS - Chapter 5: The memories that make us

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April 21 - Dormitory

Why did I have to go to classes? I was the one that got beat up the most... Right now Yin just got back to his room after attending to classes at Gekkoukan, completely exhausted because of what happened last night, he puts his stuff down on a chair before throwing himself on top of his bed, when his gaze falls on the Driver and Ninja Buckle, alongside with a red buckle with a bike handle, on top of a night stand beside his bed, he reaches out to grab the three items, his mind going back to a conversation he had with Gitsu right as he was leaving Tartarus...

{Flashback}

Our heroes are starting to leave Tartarus, when from Makoto's pocket a green sparkle is shining thru the fabric, making him pull out whatever is making that effect, just to see that it was the Velvet Key given to him by Igor, Yin, noticing this goes over to him.

Yin: "... You think it's because they want me to enter?"

Makoto: "... I dunno"

The blue-haired male handed the key to his black haired companion, and when he picked it up he walked over to the door there and entered thanks to the key...

<Velvet Room>

When his view cleared, he saw he was sitting in front of Gitsu, the masked one clapping his hands softly

Gitsu: "Congratulations on the transformation, Tahara... Or Kamen Rider Tycoon, should I say, I'm sure you have some questions, so I called you here to answer any you might have"

Yin thought of what he could ask, before speaking up.

Yin: "Alright, let's start with... What was that thing that attacked us"

Gitsu: "Well... That, was a Jyamato, you could say they are some of the many obstacles that appear at the same time as the Ace, I would like to say they are here to test your resolve to seeing your's and the Wild Card's end of your journey, but not even I am sure of why they are here, just that they seem focused on ending the Ace"

Yin: "... *Sigh*... Nothing I can do about that then... Second question, you mentioned that once I awakened to my true power you would tell me about your 'services', what are they?"

Even though Yin couldn't see it, he felt Gitsu smirking below his mask, apparently waiting for this moment.

Gitsu: "Glad you asked, why don't I demonstrate it for you?"

He looked at the stone relic in the shrine, prompting Yin to watch as well, in that moment, the relic started glowing with an array of various colors, white, red, purple, pink and blue, before the glow settled on a red color, the stone breaking away to reveal something from under it... A new Buckle.

Gitsu: "Well, go on! Grab it"

Yin did just that, reaching out to pick it up, once he did so, the stone of the relic reformed, going back to its original form, Yin was surprised by this, but he then looked down to see the new Buckle...

Gitsu: "That is the Boost Buckle, it'll prove to be useful to you, in due time, as long as you keep advancing on your journey this relic will provide you with new Buckles, now... I believe it's time for you to go, you'll need a good night of sleep if you want to recover enough energy for tomorrow"

{Snap back to reality!}

Looking at the three items, he found a sense of resolve, picking up the Driver and Ninja Buckle, he stood in front of his mirror and as he put the Driver to his waist, a belt extended and wrapped around it.

Yin: "Huh... Cool!"

Looking in the mirror, he got the Buckle ready, and remembering all the times he's seen Masku Rider...

Yin: "... Henshin!"

And so he struck a pose... Which didn't convince him, so he decided to throw another one, which... Also didn't convince him, and so he went pose after pose trying to decide which one did the trick...

{Ok so... originally there was a bit in here of Yin trying out different poses of like, 3 Riders but Wattpad's fuckass 3 megas limit to GIFs ruined it, so just imagine him going "No!" at each pose}

He stood defeated, looking at his wounded reflection on the mirror, he had bandaids on his cheek and above his eyebrow, and his torso was bandaged under his clothes, he looked down to the Buckle on his hand, sighing.

Yin: "... Maybe I should try coming up with a pose myself instead of copying what I've seen..."

Taking a breath in and out he faced the mirror once again, sliding the Buckle to his belt before doing one last pose...

{Insert Tycoon's original pose (fuck you Wattpad)}

Yin: ".... I... I like it!"

He kept the pose for a moment to get used to it, and in that moment...

Junpei (Opening the door): "Hey Yin! Wanna grab a bite with Makoto and-"

Junpei stood in the doorway, abruptly stopping speaking as he saw Yin posing in the mirror and said boy could only turn slowly to look at the capped student...

Junpei: "... You uhh... Need some time there or-"

Yin: "Get out!"

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April 23 - <Tartarus>

The view is covered by a black screen, when suddenly the sound of a brandished weapon is heard.

*SHING!*

The view is cut in half, showing Yin cutting a Shadow in half in his Rider form, ducking under an arrow thrown by a cupid before rushing at it, grabbing it by its head and throwing it away.

Yin: "YEET!"

Yin was actually having fun in Tartarus, having stayed behind from the main group by Mitsuru's request to test out his new powers in a more calm setting than the fight against the Jyamato from a few days back.

Mitsuru (thinking): "Yin's battle capabilities have been greatly boosted thanks to his new Driver and Buckle, as he told us they are named, even if he's lost his Persona he makes up for it with new adaptability and fighting power..."

As if to demonstrate this, Yin kept fighting low level shadows while changing from upper to lower armor periodically, mixing moves of swordsmanship and kicking techniques, at one point seeing a horde of Shadows approaching, he took out the Boost Buckle from his belt.

Yin: "Let's try this one out!"

However, as he tried to insert it alongside the Ninja Buckle, the red Buckle ignited the exhaust pipes it had, flying away from his grip.

Yin: "What the-!"

He got hit with a weak slap from a flying crown Shadow, making him return his attention to the Shadows that now surrounded him.

Yin: "... I'll have to ask Gitsu about that later..."

He got on guard, noticing a beetle Shadow trying to ram him he got an idea, jumping in the last moment and getting on the beetle's back, yanking and moving it's horn to make it crash into shadows, once the horde was no more he drove the beetle into a pillar before jumping away, making it crash down on the shadowy being, once that was done he looked around on the ground, spotting the Boost Buckle and going to pick it up.

Mitsuru: "Alright, that's enough Tahara, you've given us a good understanding of your new capabilities, go and regroup with the others"

Yin: "... Roger that"

Knowing he couldn't get distracted right now, the Rider followed through and went to help his peers.

[Mini-Timeskip, Velvet Room]

Once SEES was ready to head back to the dorm, Yin took the chance to visit Gitsu in the Velvet Room, looking to ask him what happened with the Buckle.

Yin (Sitting in front of him): "... Alright, what happened back there? You said the Buckle would come in handy but all it did was fly away!"

Gitsu: "I said it would be useful, but never that you would be able to use it right now, the Boost Buckle is... A bit of a handful, like it has a mind of its own, unless you prove yourself to it, you won't be able to use it, and don't ask me how, you will have to figure that on your own"

Yin: "... Ugh... Fine, fine... Guess it's up to time to tell..."

He got up and walked out of the Velvet Room, knowing there wasn't anything more he could ask.

[Believe me I'd like to know a better way to go from one scene to the other... Anyways time skip]

April 25 - Gekkoukan High

The sight of the school can be seen from outside, as the voice of certain red-haired girl is heard

Mitsuru: "As I begin my term as student council president I would like to tell you my vision for the school"

Mitsuru can be seen on a podium of the amphitheater, giving a speech.

Mitsuru: "For our school to be the best it can be, drive and enthusiasm on all our parts is important, but for us all to remain focused on one goal for an entire year is-"

And so she went on with her grand speech, as the four Tartarus explorers walked through the halls of the Paulownia hospital.

Yukari: "Sigh... How can anyone compete with someone like that? That speech she gave was impossibly perfect, does she have any weakness at all?"

Yukari slumped her shoulders remembering the speech Mitsuru had given moments prior, Yin was drinking a bottle of water he had bought on a vending machine of the hospital.

Makoto: ".... Fire, probably"

Yin: "Isn't fire like... Anyone's weakness? Is like saying your weakness is a stake to the heart, that would kill anyone"

Yukari: "Uhhh, no, I didn't mean physically"

Soon enough, they were in front of the door they were going to, Akihiko's.

Yukari (Opening the door): "Excuse the intrusion!"

Junpei: "Hey Senpai! I brought that thing you asked-"

However they didn't see Akihiko in the room, only a menacing looking guy...

Junpei: "Uhh... Isn't this Sanada-senpai's..."

The guy threw them a glare, making Junpei get more nervous.

Junpei: "... Hospital room?"

Akihiko: "Oh, you're here"

The four of them looked back to see Akihiko entering the room, clad in a hospital robe

Akihiko: "Why did you three come too?"

He said looking at Makoto, Yukari and Yin.

Yukari: "A-Ah, we're here to see how you were doing, you seem fine though..."

Akihiko: "Well, I said I was only here for a checkup didn't I?"

In that moment, the menacing guy walked up to the group

???: "... Aki... That's all you need?"

Akihiko: "Yeah, that explained a lot"

???: "Dammit, I've got better things to do than playing along with your crap..."

As he started to walk out of the room, Yin couldn't help but notice his glare on Makoto and himself, making him a bit nervous. Once he closed the door on his way out, Akihiko smiled slightly.

Akihiko: "That guy never changes huh? (Turning to Makoto) He's actually a student at our school, he knows some apathy syndrome victims so I called him here to ask him about them"

Junpei: "Wow... Talk about dedication!"

Akihiko: "Anyways, Junpei, you got that thing I asked for?"

Junpei: "Oh, right! I have it right here!~"

Junpei rummaged through his bag for a second before taking out a gripper (One of those things you use to train grip strength), and handed it to him.

Yukari: "Hey, that's a-"

Akihiko: "They confiscate everything on you when you check in, apparently strength training is forbidden in the hospital"

Yin (Thinking): "More like forbidden for recovering people..."

Akihiko: "If I slack off for too long, it'll affect my performance in my club"

Yukari and Yin seemed a little worried that the guy that almost got killed by a shadow is so adamant about training, while Makoto didn't seem to care (as always).

Junpei: "Speaking of which, why'd you get into boxing senpai?"

Akihiko: "... I'm not attached to boxing in particular, any kind of unarmed martial art would do..."

He punctuated his words with a particularly strong press of the gripper, reminiscing of something.

Akihiko: "A long time ago, I learned what it felt like to be powerless... That's one regret I refuse to experience again"

Everyone stayed quiet after that, knowing the seriousness of Akihiko's words...

Makoto: "... Can I go now?"

... Or not

Yukari: "U-Uh? Ah, yeah..."

The moment he was told he could go, the blue haired emo took off, not without indirectly making Junpei get a bit angry. Once that was done, the three remaining students were on a train, going back to the dorm as the sky started turning orange because of the sunset.

Junpei: "Man, that guy rubs me the wrong way! Compared to him, Sanada-senpai is so damn cool! 'I fight so I won't regret...' Doesn't that sound like a line from a game protagonist or what!?"

Yukari: "That's definitely the kind of stuff that guys like..."

Junpei: "... What do you think Makoto fights for?"

Yukari (Looking out the window): "... He probably doesn't care one way or another, he fights because he was told to..."

Junpei: "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

Yukari: "Living like that must be... Really lonely..."

Junpei, noticing Yin hadn't talked during this conversation, decided to turn his gaze to him.

Junpei: "Aaaaand what about you Yin? Surely a badass Rider like yourself has a cool motivation to fight don't cha'?~"

However, Yin kept quiet, looking out the window in a silent gaze, Junpei's words going through one ear out the other as he thought to himself...

Yin: ".... It's gonna be one year huh? Everytime I get on this train I think about that moment... The day she saved me from doing the most horrible thing I could've done..."

Back to Makoto, he was walking out of a used bookstore from the Paulownia station mall, and as he started to walk away he heard some commotion behind him, prompting him to turn and see what was going on... Seeing a familiar bully being stopped by a teal haired girl.

Natsuki: "Quit botherin' me! Leave me alone!"

Fuuka: "I can't! There's all sorts of scary people there... I don't want you to go to a place like that..."

Natsuki: "Where I go is none of your business! Why should you care!?"

Fuuka: "I have to care!"

Natsuki: "God you're so annoying! What's it with you!?"

She punctuated her words by pushing Fuuka, making her fall down to the floor and making the contents of her bag spill on the ground. Natsuki seemed a bit regretful at this, going to grab her stuff but ending up staying in place.

Natsuki: "... I only hang out with you to mess with you, seriously, stop acting like we're friends... (Walking away) At least that Tahara-nuki guy knows what's up..."

Fuuka saw her walking away until she was out of sight, sadly going to pick her books up when Makoto came in, helping her out

Fuuka: "Y-You did this at school as well..."

However, the sound of a grumbling stomach stopped her from continuing to talk, after a small moment they were now sitting on a bench, Fuuka offering a plate of takoyaki to Makoto.

Fuuka: "I have to thank you somehow, please have some..."

Makoto: "Thanks..."

Fuuka: "Sometimes I have to go buy food for many people during lunch break, so times like today I don't have time to eat..."

As she took a bite, Makoto simply stared at her, making her feel a bit embarrassed.

Fuuka: "W-What is it?"

Makoto: "... Why do you have to care? She said you shouldn't, right?"

Fuuka: "I know... It's because we're friends. It's my own fault Moriyama-san is mad at me, I didn't give any thought to her feelings and said some insensitive things... I want to apologize, but I can't get the words out, I think it's probably because I'm afraid that she won't forgive me..."

Makoto: "Afraid?"

Fuuka: "Yes, she's my precious friend... That's why I have to care..."

Makoto: "... Like Yin?"

Hearing the sudden mention of him, Fuuka got startled, making her put down the takoyaki ball she was eating.

Fuuka: "Y-You know him...?"

Makoto simply nodded at her.

Makoto: "... From what it seems, you two are close, why is that?"

Fuuka: "... That is... Because we've known each other for almost a year now..."

[Flashback time, once more]

{I recommend to put the volume down so it's in the background}

Fuuka (Narrating): I was a first year student at Gekkoukan, I was heading to the station to go home from classes and when I arrived at the station, I saw someone that stood out... He seemed like he had gone through a lot, his clothes were ragged, and his hair was unkempt...

The scene shows Yin standing next to the train track, like Fuuka's description he wasn't looking too good, his gaze cast down at the track in front of him, apparently in thought...

He seemed sad... And the way he was looking at the train tracks made me think he was going to do something... Horrible, I don't know why, I've never been good at