Infirmary

"Welcome," said a masked man. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Philemon, a dweller between consciousness and unconsciousness and now a simple test. Can you state your name?"

"John Doe." I said.

"Splendid. There aren't many who can remember their identity when in this domain. It seems you passed that test but tell me this. Are you aware of the many and varied selves you harbour within you. The self suffused with divine love, the self capable of demonic cruelty. People live by wearing different masks. Your current self be may one of those innumerable masks. You though, you have a very firm grip on your identity. I respect your strong will. In return I grant this power, Persona. It is the power to summon the selves within you, the gods and the demons you harbour. The time will soon come when you need this power. Now you must return to your proper time and place."

--

I woke up in a bed. St. Hermelin High's nurse, Natsumi Yoshino was stood over me.

"Oh John, you've come around. Welcome to the infirmary." she said. "You sure look cute when you're asleep."

She didn't seem to be a very good cook. I not really sure why I'm telling you that but she doesn't seem to be a very good cook. Also there was my homeroom teacher, Saeko Takami, very popular with the students.

"John, are you alright!? Thank goodness, you're aware! I was so scared when I heard you'd collapsed!" she said before turning to the nurse. "I'm sorry you had to deal with my students, Natsumi."

Mark rolled his eyes, "C'mon, taking care of students of her whole job! What's so bad about us?"

"Now, now, Masao! I want to think about what you've done!" Saeko chided. "Anyway, Eriko and Ayase told me what happened. No helping out for you today! Instead, go get yourselves checked out at Mikage Hospital and head home!"

"You think something's wrong with us, too?" Yukino asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, not like that. I can tell my looking at you that you're perfectly sane but I'm worried you might have gotten hurt while collapsing, so go see the doc." Saeko explained.

"So there is something that can faze you, Ms. Saeko." noted Yukino. "Alright, we'll go."

"Speaking of Mikage Hospital, wasn't a student in your class staying there?" Nurse Natsumi asked.

"You mean Maki, right?" Mark asked.

"Yes, that's right," Ms. Saeko said. "You should visit her while you're there. She's been laid up there for over a year now. I'm sure she's lonely."

"You're all too slow. You must seize the moment, like myself! There's a reason it's said that one's youth passes quickly." Nanjo said in a condescending manner that pissed Mark off.

"That Nanjo pisses me off so bad. I'll find a chink in his armour someday." Mark muttered.

"Masao and Kei are both such children." Yukino said.

We stepped outside the school to find Yamaoka, the Nanjo family's butler. He'd taken care of Nanjo since the heir was an infant.

"Young master!" he said. "Oh my! Master Kei is leaving the premises with a crowd of friends! I'm so happy to see this!"

"Master Kei?" Mark asked.

He had no idea Nanjo had a butler. Most people didn't. His wealth was mostly rumour and I was the only one who knew it for a fact.

"Yamaoka! I've told you time and time again never to call me that, you dummy!" Nanjo said.

"Did you just call him dummy?" Mark laughed.

"No, I... ah... Oh, be silent, Masao!" Nanjo said. "Look, Yamaoka, I don't need a ride today! Just go back without me!"

"Oh my! Will you be going out on the town with your chums, young master?" asked Yamaoka.

"I'm only going to the hospital and stop calling me that!"

"The hospital!? Heavens! I do hope you haven't hurt yourself, young master!"

Yukino laughed.

"Enough!" Nanjo said. "Let's be on our way John! Yamaoka, do NOT follow us!"