In the lower levels of one of the Kirijo Group's laboratories, a few scientists lead Mitsuru down a hallway. They offer many hurried apologies as they walk. After all, the girl who they're guiding has just lost her father and is in the process of taking control over the company he once ran, yet here they are preparing to push another responsibility onto her. Mitsuru's been given a manila folder full of information on someone with a familiar name—someone who, quite soon, will be hers to manage.
Kaito Nagano. A third year at Gekkoukan, and a longtime Iwatodai resident. Through elementary and middle school he was a hot-blooded but likeable delinquent. The kind of troublemaker who stuck his neck out for other kids and was considered reliable by those who looked past the fact that he was constantly stirring the pot.
That changed by the time he entered high school. The Kaito that Mitsuru is more likely acquainted with is the taciturn and severe Botany Club president who glares at her with some one-sided ire every time they pass each other in the halls. He never goes out of his way to attack her, but his gaze has made it clear that he has some sort of hangup with her. The files she's been asked to flip through while traversing the halls should offer more context.
The Kaito that she and the scientists are approaching is a Persona User—one who had been under Shuji Ikutsuki's "care" for the last three years. Notes on the front page suggest he's just one of Ikutsuki's many experiments; another soldier, another layer of insurance in his plans. Not the first by far, and unfortunately, not the last.
There's much more in his file regarding detailed tests and their results as well as behavioral observations, but one note that was highlighted is the fact that Kaito's family (a brother, parents, and grandfather) have all fallen under Apathy Syndrome and have been cared for by the Kirijo Group since Ikutsuki took him in.
Eventually, the group reaches a door near the end of the hallway, and inside... ]
[ Within a sterile white room that feels more like a cell than a living space, Kaito lays in bed in blue pajamas. His left arm from the elbow down is locked in a cast, and with his right he's reading some kind of book. The only other signs that his room isn't vacant are a rack of uniforms and casual clothes in one corner, his book bag hanging off a post at the end of his bed, and a night stand with a small, slender case propped open on it.
As Mitsuru and the scientists enter, the redhead will likely notice the Evoker sitting polished inside the box. Kaito turns his head towards the scientists as if to greet them, but his lips purse shut the moment he lays eyes on Mitsuru. He slowly kicks his legs off the bed to sit up. ]
The hell is this? Where's Ikutsuki? [ A beat. He squints past the StuCo president. ] ...You're not his cronies. What's going on?
[ The lead scientist among the group clears his throat. ]
"Ikutsuki-san is no longer with us. Starting today, you'll be reassigned to SEES and put under the direct supervision of Miss Kirijo."
[ His voice is a little shaky, as if he's nervous to be speaking directly to the third year. He and the other scientists have had the time to pore over his files, and the trepidation in their eyes hints that they think they're talking to a barely-restrained attack dog rather than a teenager. Kaito bristles at the mention of Mitsuru, and now the whole group's being scrutinized.
After a moment, he slowly asks: ] Then, are the terms and conditions of my indentured servitude changing? Even if I'm going to be working under my enemy, will you still be handling my family's medical expenses?
[ Sharp golds lock to Mitsuru's auburn. His entire body is tense, like he's ready to spring out of his seat and go for her neck—yet his voice remains level as he awaits a reply. ]
third years must suffer
In the lower levels of one of the Kirijo Group's laboratories, a few scientists lead Mitsuru down a hallway. They offer many hurried apologies as they walk. After all, the girl who they're guiding has just lost her father and is in the process of taking control over the company he once ran, yet here they are preparing to push another responsibility onto her. Mitsuru's been given a manila folder full of information on someone with a familiar name—someone who, quite soon, will be hers to manage.
Kaito Nagano. A third year at Gekkoukan, and a longtime Iwatodai resident. Through elementary and middle school he was a hot-blooded but likeable delinquent. The kind of troublemaker who stuck his neck out for other kids and was considered reliable by those who looked past the fact that he was constantly stirring the pot.
That changed by the time he entered high school. The Kaito that Mitsuru is more likely acquainted with is the taciturn and severe Botany Club president who glares at her with some one-sided ire every time they pass each other in the halls. He never goes out of his way to attack her, but his gaze has made it clear that he has some sort of hangup with her. The files she's been asked to flip through while traversing the halls should offer more context.
The Kaito that she and the scientists are approaching is a Persona User—one who had been under Shuji Ikutsuki's "care" for the last three years. Notes on the front page suggest he's just one of Ikutsuki's many experiments; another soldier, another layer of insurance in his plans. Not the first by far, and unfortunately, not the last.
There's much more in his file regarding detailed tests and their results as well as behavioral observations, but one note that was highlighted is the fact that Kaito's family (a brother, parents, and grandfather) have all fallen under Apathy Syndrome and have been cared for by the Kirijo Group since Ikutsuki took him in.
Eventually, the group reaches a door near the end of the hallway, and inside... ]
[ Within a sterile white room that feels more like a cell than a living space, Kaito lays in bed in blue pajamas. His left arm from the elbow down is locked in a cast, and with his right he's reading some kind of book. The only other signs that his room isn't vacant are a rack of uniforms and casual clothes in one corner, his book bag hanging off a post at the end of his bed, and a night stand with a small, slender case propped open on it.
As Mitsuru and the scientists enter, the redhead will likely notice the Evoker sitting polished inside the box. Kaito turns his head towards the scientists as if to greet them, but his lips purse shut the moment he lays eyes on Mitsuru. He slowly kicks his legs off the bed to sit up. ]
The hell is this? Where's Ikutsuki? [ A beat. He squints past the StuCo president. ] ...You're not his cronies. What's going on?
[ The lead scientist among the group clears his throat. ]
[ His voice is a little shaky, as if he's nervous to be speaking directly to the third year. He and the other scientists have had the time to pore over his files, and the trepidation in their eyes hints that they think they're talking to a barely-restrained attack dog rather than a teenager. Kaito bristles at the mention of Mitsuru, and now the whole group's being scrutinized.
After a moment, he slowly asks: ] Then, are the terms and conditions of my indentured servitude changing? Even if I'm going to be working under my enemy, will you still be handling my family's medical expenses?
[ Sharp golds lock to Mitsuru's auburn. His entire body is tense, like he's ready to spring out of his seat and go for her neck—yet his voice remains level as he awaits a reply. ]