Persona Ramblings

Shaming gen ai users is so reminiscent of the whole “how dare McDonald’s employees want a living wage!” when the actual damage of gen AI use lies with the unethical practices of the companies (via scraping, environmental, etc). Yes people using them doesn’t help, but if people stopped using gen AI it would be integrated in other, more insidious ways that society couldn’t avoid which is something they’re already doing btw. You probably use gen AI and don’t even know it, esp if you have any android or google products at all.

Every Mistake by strangestquiet Rated: Teen and Up Souji is killed in an accident, and the fic focuses on Yosuke inheriting his Wild Card abilities, his relationship with Souji, his mysterious attendant that looks a little too much like him, and how to solve the case. Bittersweet ending.

Just a catnap by Nyakochan Rated: General Audiences Persona 3 styled ending for Persona 4, focusing on the lead up to Souji leaving Inaba.

And Worship The Trousers That Cling to Him by ladysisyphus Rated: Teen and Up Yosuke gets hit by a weird status ailment in the TV, but it doesn't seem to immediately do anything. It's only later he realizes that somehow he has become the Most Attractive Man in Inaba. Souji seems to be the only one unaffected.

you have to tell me these things, yu by dancingacrossthemilkyway Rated: Teen and Up Hanahaki fic, Yu seems to have come down with a pretty bad cough, but he's been told it's just anxiety. But, he ends up collapsing after the Love Meets Bonds Festival concludes and what's truly wrong with him comes to light. (He doesn't die.)

Please Remember Me by InkstainedGwyn Rated: Teen and Up The Investigation Team beats Izanami, but suddenly Souji collapses after the battle. Once he wakes up, it turns out he has basically no memory of the past year. Fic focuses on Yosuke grappling with how Souji just suddenly no longer loves him, despite his feelings not changing, and how to get his memory back.

weight of love by lvl99arsene Rated: Teen and Up (Summary from author) > You dreamed you were comforting a crying Yosuke.

Backwards Parenting by aphelion_orion Dojima walks in on Souji and Yosuke going at it. Fic focuses a bit more on Dojima's attempts at being a dad, but it's focused on finding out Souji is into boys.

Turn Away by strangestquiet (doujin) No rating Souji is killed in the TV world, and the team is waiting for his body to show up. Yosuke, most of all, is suffering due to the loss, and how the team will solve the case in their leader's absence. (Author provides links to original written fill, as well as someone's epilogue to give the story True Ending, and a side story focusing on Yukiko's perspective, all are good.)

Fight For Us Both by strangestquiet (doujin) No rating (Summary from artist) Yosuke succumbs to a mysterious illness after murdering his Shadow. As the consequences of destroying such a vital aspect of the self become clear, Souji searches for a way to save him.

Bad news is I lost my P5R save (alongside my kingdom hearts saves)

A Foregone Conclusion by scatter

Rating: General Audiences

This is a really sweet one-shot about Yosuke coming over to Souji's house for a little dinner date. I love early-stage budding relationship fics, and this one really does it well. Scatter was a prolific souyo writer, and it's worth browsing some of their other work too as it's all very good.

Yosuke's No Good (But Also Weirdly Perfect) Day by toomanyunfinishedfics

Rating: Teen

Yosuke wakes up to find that everyone in the entire town of Inaba has become incredibly attracted to him overnight. Except for his partner Souji (right?). A longer one-shot that has a lot of excellent fluffy moments, and a bit of an element of mystery!

Songs Yosuke Can't Listen To Anymore by artikgato

Rating: Teen

Yosuke loves American music, and notices that there are a lot of songs that use the word 'you'... which is awkward because it just sounds way too close to 'Yu'. A short and sweet getting-together fic that never fails to give me the warm fuzzies. Artikgato is another writer who has written a lot of Souyo, and their library of work is definitely worth reading through.

Mature and Explicit recs under the cut!

i remember that i used to do fic recs and haven’t in a looooong time so! a post for souyo 🥂 (these will be what I think are more obscure/older; so no oft referenced fics like Nebulous or Sympathy Crime here)

Sunday, 7:43 - my favorite p4 fic. understated and sweet, feels exactly like the game at its most heart warming ♥ (from the badbadbathhouse, so the body of the post is slightly suggestive, but the fic itself is 100% sfw)

P.S. I Love You - every IT member tackles a confession missive. funny, thoughtful, and very in character!

Famous Last Words - ; -; there is a particular gimmick to this one that hits like a fucking truck (slightly nsfw)

Six - another angsty one! this one delves into new game plus mechanics with a bit of a twist

andante - a mixtape fic, a souyo classic. i like this one for exploring why songs relate to people and the song picks are choice!

A Mile in Your Shoes - I’m a big fan of status effect shenanigans and this has an added bonus of a bit of body swapping as well >:3

Goro Akechi (Persona 5)

"It's cold in here! Can you warm me up please?"

"It's Christmas and I wanted to give this gift to you."

"I usually hate the holiday season, but it’s a little more bearable with you.”

"You’ve had some brilliant ideas in the past, but driving through a snowstorm only to get stuck on the road has truly been your best idea.”

"I might’ve told everyone that you’re my date because I didn’t want to go to this Christmas party alone."

"Let’s just stay in here, where it’s warm."

"Stop trying to get me to walk under the mistletoe."

"I know we said no presents this year but..."

"Fuck it, a new year is about to start, and I can’t go another year hiding this from you — I love you.”

"This is the best gift you could’ve given me.”

"Please just come to this New Year’s party with me."

"You look adorable covered in snow.”

“Please don’t make me wear this, I look ridiculous.”

“It’s our first holiday together.”

"How much mistletoe did your brothers put up!?”

"Did you spike our hot chocolate?”

“I’ll let you sit on my knee.”

"I can’t get the star on, would you give me a hand?”

"Looks like you’ve had a few drinks!” - “You haven’t had enough if you’re noticing.

“Please get off the lake-the ice is too thin to skate on and I don’t want to have to jump in after you.”

"God, you’re shivering so much— just take my jacket.”

“You started this snowball fight, and now I have to finish it.”

“Is that my scarf?"

“You’ve never seen snow before?”

“Come sit by the fireplace with me.”

"I think the power just went out.”

“I didn’t think it was possible for someone to suck so badly at gift wrapping, but here you are."

"If I freeze to death, I’m blaming you.”

"I have a confession- I hate Christmas.”

“I guess we’re stuck here until the snow dies down.”

“So, are you going to be my New Year’s kiss?”

"I need a lot more wine to get me through this dinner.”

"I feel like we’re in a cheesy holiday movie.”

“I can’t believe I got sick.”