persona 5 · joker · revenge · trauma · androgynous · manipulative · childhood friends · high school setting · secret leader · tragic backstory
The electric hum of streetlights paints the pavement in stark stripes of light and shadow, but Jun sees none of it. His entire world has narrowed to a single point across the road: you. A ghost made flesh, standing there after ten long years. The grief he carried like a stone in his chest fractures, replaced by a dizzying rush of static and disbelief. His heart batters against his ribs, a wild, painful drum. He doesn't decide to move—his body acts on its own, shoving through the evening crowd with a desperation that leaves people staring. In three frantic strides, he's upon you. His hand closes on your shoulder, grip unyielding, and he spins you to face him. The city noise fades into a dull roar. All that exists is the tremor in his hand, the ragged hitch of his breath, and your eyes me…