16 Part-time jobs are more complicated than you'd think

"What's that on your shoulder?" asked Sojiro.

Shin saw that he was talking about the place where Shiho salivated earlier.

"It's... rain." he said.

Sojiro's doubtful glance didn't go unnoticed, but he simply couldn't stay there to question him more.

'Alright. Since Morgana isn't here, I'll go all-out with training!'

In the end, he passed out around 4 AM after a 10-hour long training. Unfortunately, he didn't take notice of the black cat furiously scratching the front door, as he was too absorbed into his exercises.

-INTERMISSION-

21st of April, after school.

"Why are we looking through these magazines, again?" asked Morgana.

The cat had eventually calmed down, but not before trying to take his revenge on Shin and failing spectacularly.

"Looking for some part-time job." replied Shin.

"Can't you sell the things you got from Kamoshida's Palace?" wondered the cat.

"I can, but that cash will eventually dry out. Besides, we don't have anything to do till Kamoshida comes to school."

"So, what are you looking for, exactly?"

"Anything that pays a lot."

"That's not really a criteria to search after..."

Nevertheless, the cat still jumped down from his bag and looked around the magazines he could reach.

"Hey, look at this one." said Morgana, tapping his leg repeatedly.

"Hm? What?"

What Morgana wanted to show him was a fashion magazine where there was a little note on the front page.

"'Searching for male models between the age of 16 and 25. For more information, call at...' Modeling? Really?" said Shin.

"Yes. You're pretty good-looking, you know?"

"It's an idea, I guess. I'll note it down for later."

Eventually, Shin stumbled across another job listing. It was for a tutor, and the pay rate was...

"10 thousand Yen per hour?! Holy shit!"

"Call them! Call them quick!" said Morgana."

"I'm doing it, alright. Ah, hello?"

The person on the other end picked up the call quick enough.

"Hello? Who is this?" a voice that couldn't have belonged to a man much older than Shin rang out. He seemed to be at most a few years older.

"My name is Shin Yuuta. I'm calling because I saw your tutoring ad."

"Oh, someone called, good. Yes, the tutoring is for a 12-year-old..."

The two kept conversing for some time. In the end, they determined that they'd meet at a later date.

"So? Did it go good?" asked Morgana.

"Yeah. We'll meet in person later. For now, let's continue looking for other jobs."

Unfortunately, they didn't find anything better than the tutoring and the model jobs. Seeing as it was already evening by that time, Shin decided to call for the modeling back at LeBlanc.

-INTERMISSION-

"...I'll come around tomorrow."

Shin had just ended the call with someone from the modeling agency. He'd have to go over there for an interview.

"Alright! 10-hour training, part 2! Here I come!"

-INTERMISSION-

22nd of April, after school.

"Where did you say the modeling agency was?" asked Morgana.

"Somewhere in Shinjuku."

"Shinjuku isn't included in your student pass, right?"

"Yeah, costs almost 400 Yen to go back and forth from Yongen to Shinjuku."

"I see. Hey, look! Isn't that it?"

Morgana was talking about a large building near the center of Shinjuku.

'I feel like this building is somewhat familiar.'

"Let's go in."

He opened the door and entered into the reception. A single receptionist lady was in the room.

"Hello. I am here for the modeling interview. My name is Shin Yuuta. I called yesterday about this."

"Right, we've been waiting for you. The interview room is on the second floor, the last door on the right." she said.

He went up the stairs and walked through the long hallway. Just when he was about pass a room, it opened suddenly and he bumped into someone.

"Ouch! Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I-Wha? Shin?"

The one he bumped into was Ann.

'So that's why I thought this building seemed familiar.'

"Hey, Ann."

"What are you doing here?"

"Part-time job."

"As a... model?"

"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Besides, you're a model too. What's wrong with it?" asked Shin.

"I just didn't figure you for someone who'd choose modeling, you know?" she said, shaking her head.

"Well, I just thought I'd try this out. If it doesn't work, I also have a job as a tutor."

"You can tutor someone? Oh, right, you're pretty good in class."

"I should be. We have midterms in about 2 weeks." replied Shin, grimacing at the thought of exams.

"Damn, I forgot about those."

Shin kept going, waving his hand at Ann.

"See you later."

To which Ann responded in kind. Inside of the room where he was supposed to go was a man wearing a suit. He was holding several papers in his hands. When Shin entered, the man neatly placed the papers into a stack on the side.

"Let's begin with the name, shall we?" he said.

"Shin Yuuta."

"Age?"

"16."

"The school you're attending?"

"Shujin Academy."

Like that, the interview went smoothly. Afterwards, Shin had been told he'll receive phone calls when a shoot is available.

"Alright, that went well. Now, onward to Akihabara!"

Akihabara is where the tutoring would take place. Yesterday, when Shin discussed with that man, he gave him an address.

'Why are there so many neon signs?'

Shin had been speedwalking the entire way to his destination, purely because he felt he'd be sidetracked if he stopped to look around.

Unfortunately, he got lost, as even with the directions written down, Akihabara was too confusing.

He was about to retrace his steps to the station and try again, when he bumped into a man.

"Ah, my bad. Are you alright?" asked the man.

Now that he could take a look at him, Shin noticed that the man had grey hair and was somewhat handsome. He was wearing a white suit with golden buttons and a yellow tie, tucked inside the suit.

"I'm fine. Are you, by chance, a resident of this district?" asked Shin.

"Yes, actually. Why do you ask?"

"I'm supposed to go to this address, but I kinda got lost." said the teen, showing his paper.

"Huh? You're the one who called for the tutoring job?" asked the man.

"So it was you on the phone. No wonder I thought your voice sounded familiar."

"It's already the time for our meeting? I must've stayed in that meeting for more than I thought." said the man, looking at the watch on his left wrist.

"Let's go. My house isn't that far." he said, gesturing with his hand.

It only took them 10 minutes to get there. Shin was feeling kind of abashed, knowing how close he got.

"Nanako! I'm home!"

'Nanako!? Don't tell me...' Shin was shocked.

Out of a room came a brown-haired girl, who looked to be about 12-years-old. The girl rushed to the entrance and was about to jump on the grey-haired man, but she noticed Shin besides him and stopped.

"Big bro? Who is this?" she asked, confused.

"This'll be your new tutor. We talked about this yesterday, remember?" said the man.

Even if he didn't introduce himself yet, Shin had an inkling of an idea about who he was.

"Hello. I'm Nanako Dojima. Nice to meet you!" she said, stretching out her hand.

'Fuck! So this guy's Yu Narukami? Or is it Souji Seta?'

Despite his inner monologue, he still shook Nanako's hand.

"Ah, right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hayato Asakawa." said the sis-con kingpin of steel.

The man looked at his watch again.

"Damn, it's already so late. C'mon, I'll lead you back to the station."

On their way there, in a less crowded part of Akihabara, Hayato suddenly stopped Shin. He planted his hand firmly on Shin's shoulder.

"You're a Persona user, aren't you? What are your intentions?"

Shin could feel Izanagi-no-Okami looming ominously over his head. He turned around to face Hayato and said.

"Is this an attempt to scare me?"

"And what if it is?"

"I have a literal god constantly watching me. Your 'World' isn't enough."

"A god? That's concerning." said Hayato, without sounding concerned.

"Oh, he just wants to rob humanity of its freedom. Nothing to be scared of, really. Either way, you'll be fine."

"I see."

A sharp glint passed through his eyes.

"That's not all, is it?"

He released his shoulder.

"Well, I'll let you go for now. I still need you to tutor Nanako. But know this..."

The man leaned towards Shin.

"One hair is out of place, and I'll end you."

Shin grinned.

"I know you can. That's why I won't do anything. Honest!"

"Then you better take care of that god or whatever soon enough. I'm already stressed enough from these meetings. I'd rather not have to save humanity again."

The teen stretched out his hand.

"It's a deal."

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This chapter's additional info is on... The World Arcana!

It often appears as the final triumph arcana, creating miracles and aiding the protagonists. Portrayed as a young woman (or an androgyne, depending on deck) surrounded by figures of an angel, a bull, an eagle and a lion (representations of the four elements in transcendent form, as well as the symbols of the four Evangelists (Luke, Matthew, John and Mark respectively), The World Arcana is a representation of the world's totality, the symbol of fulfillment, wholeness and harmony.

The World Arcana is commonly associated with Social Links, where its power is based upon the protagonist's bonds with others.

Unused game files in Persona 5 indicate that the World Arcana was planned to be a fully functional confidant in the game, but this was scrapped in the final release. It allows free stat adjusting of Personas of the Arcana, and was intended to be able of being doubted (reversed) or broken. If it is doubted or broken, it will prevent the protagonist from adjusting the stats of World Arcana personas.

Just so you know, out of 6 Persona games, only 3 characters have this Arcana. And 2 of them are protagonists.

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Confidants:

Igor (The Fool) - Rank 2

Morgana (The Magician) - Rank 1

Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 2

Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 1

Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 1

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