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The Happiness Game! by engraved (Ludicrously_Idiotic), shouldbeworking
Fandoms: Persona 5
15 Nov 2025
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The Phantom Thieves have nearly secured their route through Maruki's Palace. There’s only one section left: The Twilight Corridor. A paradise where everything is perfect, and everyone is always smiling.
In order to enter that place, the Thieves must first prove they've "completed orientation" and can be "happy." There are points, there is a scoreboard, and they’re locked together in an experimental space where wishes can be granted by simply saying them aloud. Everyone has to individually earn 100 happiness points, or no one is leaving.
So what is “happiness,” really? How does Maruki define happiness? What the hell is a quantifiable happiness point? Is there any way around this? Don’t these stupid kids realize this is a trick to get them to fall back into the thrall of Maruki’s reality? And why can’t Goro earn any fucking points?
(Or: I've been watching too much Dropout Game Changer and I’ve built an Akechi torture chamber.)
Includes illustrations by the amazing engraved!
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After months of peace and boredom, Amamiya Ren finds himself dodging undercover operatives, butterflies, and his own schoolmates when he meets an intriguing man with burning red eyes and plenty of secrets.
The Metaverse may be gone, but Ren will always be a Phantom Thief. Of course this summer trip would be anything but normal.
[Translation in Chinese is now available on ao3 courtesy of anyonehvrice!]
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The booth in the corner, shrouded deep in shadow, is living up to its name again.
Here at the Jazz Jin one can find a delightful atmosphere, delightful drinks, delightful music—a delight all-around, barring one exception for anyone unfortunate enough to notice it: the kissing booth.
“Teenagers,” Goro says derisively.
“And how old are you?”
Fuck off, Goro grumbles to himself. To Ren, he says: “Old enough at least to be above that sort of disgraceful display, thank you very much.”
“Mm,” Ren hums, absently swirling his straw around his finger. “So have you ever kissed anyone?”
Goro chokes on his drink.
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one drink goro is slightly more talkative than usual. two drink goro is very adamant that he’s not feeling tipsy at all. three drink goro is slutty. four drink goro is quiet. five drink goro is sad, and six drink goro is already asleep.
ren is there for all of them.
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His mother’s grave is already clean, which has never happened before. There are fresh flowers already beside it, which he’s never seen before. And, resting innocently beside those flowers: a single glove.
Goro places his own flowers down in a daze. Picks up the glove—gently, like it might disappear if he’s too rough with it.
It’s black leather. It’s Goro’s size. It’s Goro’s brand. It’s his glove. He knows the rest.
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 7: Lust /
Envy/ WrathThe Phantom Thieves struggle with certain status effects. Some of them struggle more than others.
Series
- Part 7 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 6: Rattled /
Fear/SleepRecorded are the contents of one scrap journal of Akechi Goro, recovered by his friend as part of his personal effects.
Series
- Part 6 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 5: Confuse / Forget /
Dizzy“Fantastic,” Akechi grumbles, “I knew I shouldn’t have left you two alone. This was supposed to be a simple mission. In and out before dinner. Simple.”
Series
- Part 5 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 4:
Brainwash/ Despair / DownIt’s getting late, and you should go.
Series
- Part 4 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 3:
Burn/ Freeze /Shock“Hey,” Ryuji says, gives Violet’s shoulders a quick friendly rub before he remembers she’s a girl and claps his hands back to his sides where they belong. “Uh. You good now?”
“C-c-cold,” she says.
“Yeah. Shit.”
Series
- Part 3 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 2: Special Weather Conditions (Heat Wave)
Vasovagal syncope: A sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting, often in reaction to a stressful trigger.
Common triggers include strain, stress, heat exposure, or wearing a long-sleeved shirt and sweater vest in the middle of summer.
Series
- Part 2 of status condition week 2022
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Status Condition Week 2022 Day 1: Rage /
HungerPanther leans into the group and whispers as quietly as she can, “Do we have any tape for Crow’s mouth?”
Series
- Part 1 of status condition week 2022
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Akechi Goro’s Guide to a Perfect Proof (of Justice), Plus Other Baking Tips! by shouldbeworking
Fandoms: Persona 5
01 Jan 2022
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Can’t get enough of The Great British Bake Off? Your wish has been granted! We’ve brought the winner of Season 22, Baker Prince Akechi Goro, and fan-favorite Amamiya “Joker” Ren together for a once-in-a-lifetime tour across Japan.
Please don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet the best bakers in the country, and don’t forget to bring your cookbooks too! Books will also be available on location, while supplies last.
- Maruki Takuto, Tour Coordinator
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Amamiya Ren, known part-time job collector, picks up another job and a new persona along with it: Kurusu Akira, Tokyo’s preeminent phone sex line operator.
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“Akechi,” Ren says.
“Shut up.” Akechi snaps again, as dismissively as the first time. He stands with his gun resting against his hip, pinches the bridge of his nose and shuts his eyes tight. “Shut up, I need to think.”
“Akechi, have you been, uh,” Ren taps his foot nervously against the floor. Can’t bear to get his hopes up. “Have you been repeating today too?”
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ShuAke Week 2020 Day 7: Soulmates / Nightmares / Free day
Soulmates aren’t given, they’re chosen. Tiny, gentle, immaterial threads connect and entangle themselves to link one heart to another over days, months, years, as lives are lived. It’s said that a fully developed bond is the most powerful force in the world—and it’s that same power that gifts the newly bonded with “the dream.”
A glimpse of the future they chose, exactly ten years from the day it was chosen.
Series
- Part 7 of shuake week 2020
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ShuAke Week 2020 Day 6: Sins / Partnership / Per aspera ad astra
“Who are you?”
Series
- Part 6 of shuake week 2020
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ShuAke Week 2020 Day 5: Opposites / Home / Outfits
Ren is on a routine scouting mission, poking around on his own in what he’s pretty sure are the outer edges of Metaverse, when he ducks into an area that feels safe for a rest. And that’s when he finds it.
A small camp.
Series
- Part 5 of shuake week 2020
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ShuAke Week 2020 Day 4: Festival / Vacations / Seasons
Day 4: Seasons
4 Seasons
Four Seasons
Series
- Part 4 of shuake week 2020
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ShuAke Week 2020 Day 3: Roles swap / Chocolate / Comfort
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are seeking information on a blue van—make and model unknown—spotted speeding and fleeing officers yesterday afternoon in Shibuya near the city center.
Series
- Part 3 of shuake week 2020