The Phantom Dragon {Persona 5 Royal Fanfiction Audio Drama} 18+ [RYUJI SAKAMOTO RECAST] 2

(Moody, Tone-setting) 

The car rumbled and jerked under him as it drove over the uneven, unkempt pavement. The handcuffs on his wrists were smaller than he expected them to be, rubbing and burning the skin with the slightest movement. The chafing incentivized him to remain still as possible, which did not prove difficult considering the burly Japanese men in identical, ludicrously expensive black suits that were seated on either side of him in total silence.

(Rising intensity)

As the two goons strikes began to bear down on him, Akira planted his feet and raised his arms, flexing and tensing his muscles as he assumed his stance. Less than a half second after his strength was mustered, the punches connected with his forearms, but he did not even budge, barely even felt it.

(Exhausted, stressed)

In silence, the four walked on back the way they had come. Bystanders now got out of their way, the image of two angry young yakuza and two furious young women enough to convince people to give them space. Akira had to admit to himself, he preferred being an errand boy.

(Nervous, Agitated, Internal Thoughts)  What the hell?  This guy isn't the boss? If he's not, then who on Earth would be in charge of a guy like that!? Okay, just keep cool. Keep cool…

(Confident, threatening) "Hey! The lady told you to piss off, so why don't you be a gentleman and do so?" 

(Agitated, confused, exhausted) "Look, so much has happened in the last day, and I'm not really sure what's going on, but some old creep that I'm apparently staying with said that you would know what was really happening. I wanna know everything, mom. Why am I here? Who are these guys? And… and, uh…"

(Cocky, Taunting) "You idiots are causing trouble in our town, meaning you probably don't know who's really in charge around here, do ya?"

(Angry, Trying to break up a fight) Shut the hell up, Ryuji!  Let's just get out of here!

(Agitated) "Don't you already have an idea? I'm a criminal, working for criminals, and with criminals." 

(Confident, Teasing warning) "See?  What did I say? Now wipe that killer mug off your face; we're here for business, not a barfight."

(Confident, Commanding) "Yeah, sure, (pause) don't fuck with the conversation."

(Furious, ready to start a fight) "You don't even know what happened, Akira! Just stay out of this and let me take care of him!" 

"Come over and say that to my face, shitstain!"

(Dismissive, barely maintaining composure) "Back to your drinks, people! Show's over."

(Lamenting, Reliving painful memories) "He said I was worthless, a burden, an idiot. He said the only thing I had was running, and I didn't deserve it, so he would take it from me.  He tried to stomp on my legs just like he did to Mishima, insulting me the whole time. Thank God he underestimated me, 'cuz I managed to fight him off. I ran like hell back home after I got away, and then… my mom…"

(Angry, Confrontational, Confident) "Hey! (pause) Get out, before I call the police!"

(Worried, Anxious) "Only a couple more blocks, but should we really go there now? If someone finds out where we're staying… Oh, god, I'm not even gonna think about it."

(Foreboding, angry, dark tone) "There was a part of me (pause) that wanted to get caught. So I could fight them, show them I'm not to be messed with. "

(Retelling a painful story, slowly building in anger) "After Shiho stood up to Kamoshida, he came to me and told me how he would get Shiho removed from the volleyball team if I didn't… well, get in bed with the bastard."

(Confident, Smooth Tone) "I am Sojiro Sakura, patriarch of the Sakura Family.  The family you are now a part of." 

(Downcast, but in control) "This city appears beautiful, but under that beauty is a sickness, a cancer that is quickly becoming terminal. Every day, I watch it progress and infect more and more once pure parts of this little town. Soon, it will reach a dramatic and ugly conclusion, Akira, and I am in no way blameless in it ending up like this."

(Dismissive, leaving the conversation) "Whatever justification you need to ease your conscience doesn't really concern me, boy. All I care about is effective, efficient results."

(Matter-of-fact, introductory) "You're right, most are. I buy replicas and other stuff like that then resell 'em. But I do stock some real honest to goodness weapons for my, well, more special clientele."

(Stern, almost warning) "No, I'm not giving some green footed punk off the street a nine-millimeter on his first day. It's just something to keep you safe when fists may not cut it. Everyone gets it when they start out, otherwise we'd have a lot more turnover."

(Observing, sizing up Akira) "Not to most people, no. But given that I know Ryuji, and your fancy-ass suit is dusty, obviously recently by the looks of it, I just assumed. However, since you admit that you were in a fight, and all you got to show for it is some dust and wrinkles on your suit, I take it you were either taking on kids, or you actually know how to fight."

(Teasing, slightly embarrassed, friendly) "Oh, shut up, Ann.  I was barely present when you were gaining all that popularity, remember? You don't give yourself enough credit."

(Stern, uncomfortable but rising above it) "No, (pause) more people need to know what kind of man Kamoshida is. And, well, one more person who knows the truth is still more than there was yesterday."

(Angry, pained, increasingly emotional) "While both the guys' and girl's teams were being pushed well beyond anything remotely reasonable, Kamoshida was also preying on some of the members of the girls' team and the cheerleading squad, offering advancement in their respective program in exchange for… relations."

(Taunting, Haughty, Threatening) "Just look at yourself.  You had so much potential, and you're blowing it on low-lifes. You ought to be in jail 'till you grow your first chest hair, Sakamoto!"

(Taunting, Condescending) "And who is this? One of your low-life, worthless, scumbag friends?"

(Threatening, Venomous) "Stay out of my way, or I'll fuck you up way harder than track ever did."

(Friendly, motherly) "So, what bring you in today, Ryuji-kun? And who is this strapping young man you've brought to me?"

(Caring, mysterious, sagelike) "We are not just blood and bone, Akira. There is something in us all that defines what we are, who we are, and who and what we will become. I take pride and enjoyment in seeing the history and future of all our new yakuza just by looking into their eyes, a skill I received from my mother, and her from her mother. You are… very special, Kurusu Akira. Eyes like yours are rarely seen in these times." 

(Friendly, Caring, Sense of importance) "This isn't payment, Akira, but a gift. Something very important that I can't let you leave without."

(Slurring, almost flirty, aggressive ) "C'mon, Sshaya, you don't need to go into work in the morning. I can pay you for any wages you may have mished."

(Threatening) "This isn't a peep show, kid! This is grown up business! Get lost before I get mad!"

(Furious) "Damn brat, I'll kill you!"

(Surprised, Overjoyed) "Akira?! Akira, is that you?"

(Relieved) "I'm so, so glad too, honey! Are you okay? Have you been hurt or something?"

(Reassuring, Emotional, Tense) "I promise, this is for all our good. I trust Sojiro with my life and yours, I know he has the best intentions with all this and he has the influence to make something of it. Just please, Akira, I'm trusting you to be a man and see this through. All I ask is that you trust that I would never do anything to hurt you."

(Stern, unimpressed, almost taunting) "Tell me, boy, (pause) are you afraid?"

(Respectful) "Welcome back, Boss. I hope the night has found you well." 

(Humored) "Thank you, Boss. It's not like you'll be needing protection from this scrawny-ass kid anyway."

(Frantic, trying to escape) "I-I really have to go now! I'm sorry, I can't stay here! I, uh, I have work in the morning!

(Angry, frightened) "I'm not a damn hooker! Just let me go or I'll call the police! "

(Terrified, calling out) "Help! Please help me!"

(Respectful, almost meek) "I will always take time to speak on matters regarding the Boss. Please have a seat, young sirs. Is there anything I can order for you while we talk?"

(Impressed, sizing up Ryuji)  "Sakamoto, I am surprised that the Boss was so trusting of someone of your age to represent him. He must trust your judgment greatly." 

(Worried, fearful) "We cannot confirm anything yet, but we are not willing to take any more risks. We… *I* would be most grateful for the Sakura family to provide us with more security resources to keep our patrons and staff safe." 

(Annoyed) "I hope we can resolve this matter quickly."

(Almost taunting, sarcastic, shaming) "Ah, a new recruit into the shadows, are you? You're messing with a dangerous business, boy. This line of work will make it difficult to keep friends."

(Perturbed, annoyed) "All I have been made aware of is a thinly veiled threat by yourself and your co-workers, if that is how you can actually refer to yourselves."

(Gruff, commanding) "Hey! Stay awake, kid. We're here."

(Taunting) "Don't let the exhaustion get to you yet, boy. Boss don't like it when his appointments seem uninterested." 

(Commanding, annoyed) "Move, damn it." 

(Flirty, overly happy) "Okaaay! Thank you, Sakura-san!" {girly giggling} 

(Overly flirty) "You big, handsome men looking for a good time?"

(Giving the hard sell) "We've got the most fun girls on the strip, even able to keep up with dangerous men like you,"

(Gruff, quick) "What'll it be chief?"

(Gruff, deadpan) "Sure thing. Take your time."

(Frustrated, taunting) "And you still wanna fight!? It's five on two, moron!"

"Cocky son of a bitch. You both won't be talking at all after we're done!"

(Furious) "You bastards! You'll pay for that! Hey, stop laughing! I SAID STOP IT!"

(Annoyed) "It was just a question, Christ."

(Angry, confrontational) "Hey, buddy, you hear anything I just said?"

(Nervous, Perturbed) "…I do not know anything! If you are not here to buy anything, I must ask you to leave or I will call the authorities."

(Faking politeness) "Sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Would you perhaps be interested in one of our specials?"