Persona: World of Twilight

My Little Sister

Akoto sighed as she lugged about with heavy shopping bags. Chieko had invited her and Aurora on a shopping trip to Jansaai's newest shopping district. It was about the size of a large supermarket, but for a place like Jansaai, it was the closest thing to a shopping centre that they'd ever get. 

"Isn't this so exciting?" Chieko chirped as she hurried into the next shop. "Those local places were getting boring. The brands rotate their stock regularly, so we can go... hmm... do they do it by season, or by month...?"

"I think they do it by season," said Aurora, "I don't think my wallet can take going here every week... but it was nice to get out and away from everything."

Akoto huffed and puffed behind them. "Hey! Wait for me! Just because I volunteered to... do all of this... hah... Chieko, do you really need all these clothes?"

"Of course I do!" Chieko grinned. "I... hmm." She glanced behind them. "Let's speed things up. Keep walking."

"What's the hurry?" Aurora asked her, "We're not in a rush... are we?"

Chieko grabbed the two girls and pulled them round a corner. She seemed to be watching someone in the crowds. "S-Sorry... but there's someone following me. I'm sure of it."

"Are you sure they're following you? Maybe they're following one of us," Akoto suggested.

"No, it's me. He's followed me around before. At school, after school... whenever he's not busy," she told them, "I didn't notice it until recently..."

"Well... let's confront him!" Aurora exclaimed, "Come on! We can't let him get away with this! Point him out to me, Chieko, and I'll yell his face off."

Chieko pointed to a young boy in a brown hoodie. "Him. He looks a little nervous... shifty. Do you see?"

"Yes," Akoto nodded. "He's doing a very good job at bumping into people. It's because he keeps looking down at his phone."

"Enough talking. Let's confront him," Aurora marched up to the boy, standing in front of him. He bumped into Aurora and looked up at her.

"O-Oh! Sorry," he quickly apologised.

"You need to stop stalking my friend," Aurora demanded, "The blonde girl. We know you've been doing it."

"Yeah!" Akoto cried as she joined Aurora. "That's super creepy! I bet you were planning something gross, huh?"

"N-No! You've got it all wrong!" The boy insisted, "I was only... I wanted to see if Chieko was like the rumours said-"

"Rumours?!" Chieko stormed out of her spot. "Who's being saying stuff behind my back?!"

The boy gasped at Chieko's sudden presence. His cheeks flushed red. "U-Um... they say that... you're an air-head, and that you don't care for your friends... and you're really... uh... gossip-y..."

Aurora's eyes narrowed. "And that's why? You just wanted to see if the rumours were true? Seems like a lot of work..."

"I just couldn't believe them," the boy explained, "I didn't want to... I had to investigate for myself. I truly am sorry. I was too nervous to ask you myself..."

Before Chieko could respond, there was a rumble. She glanced over and saw some of the objects on display in the shops were rattling. Shaking. 

"Earthquake!" Chieko gasped, grabbing her bags. "Aurora, Akoto, what if-"

A bright light enveloped their eyes, and they were transported to Luethea.

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