"Right, I don't think I've properly introduced myself yet."
Persona Arsene's figure, floating mid-air, gradually faded away, dissolving into blue-azure flames before reforming into the white, half-face spirit bird mask in Ren Amamiya's palm.
Ren didn't immediately put the mask back on. Instead, he openly showed his face to Hare and introduced himself.
"My name is Ren Amamiya. As you can see, I'm just an ordinary high school student who recently awakened his Persona. But given that we're in this otherworld, I'd prefer if you used my codename: Joker."
Hare had already gotten a clear look at Ren's face, and likely even saw the Chiba Academy uniform he wore before changing into his Phantom Suit. Since she already knew that much, knowing his name was hardly a big deal.
"Joker? A codename?"
Hearing the word "codename," Hare blinked, a spark of curiosity entering her blue eyes.
"Why use Joker as your codename? Is there some deeper meaning I'm unaware of?"
Hare was familiar with the concept of using codenames, so she accepted it readily. World Serpent executives always used codenames during missions instead of their real names; she herself had the executive codename "Hare".
What intrigued Hare wasn't why Ren used a codename, but the meaning behind the name "Joker" itself.
"If you're asking about the meaning, it's probably because—"
Ren firmly placed the white spirit bird mask back onto his face. He tilted his head up slightly, flashing a confident grin at Hare.
"—I'm the final trump card, the Joker, who can save this world from the clutches of the Evil God!"
It had come to this; he just had to go for it.
Whether he could actually do it or not, Ren had to shoulder the burden of saving the world, and he had to succeed.
Even if it's just for the simple pleasures ahead, he had to keep fighting! [Original referenced KFC Crazy Thursday, a specific meme]
"I see. That's quite a heavy codename to bear... If we're using codenames during operations, then Joker, you can just call me Hare."
Hare was deeply moved by Ren's resolve—knowing Kevin's history and power, yet still willing to challenge him.
She pressed her soft pink lips together gently before revealing her own World Serpent executive codename.
"Hare... huh... Ah, right. Your mask back then did have decorations that looked like wings and rabbit ears."
Ren suddenly recalled the embellishments on Armored Hare's mask, deducing the origin of her codename.
While "Hare" sounded a bit unusual as a codename, Ren wasn't overly particular. He didn't feel the need to force Misteln's codename to match the style of the future Phantom Thieves members he hadn't even met yet.
Ren quickly nodded, accepting Misteln's operational codename, "Hare."
"Alright then. While we're in Mementos, I'll call you Hare."
Before Hare could get sidetracked by the term "Mementos," which she was hearing for the first time, Ren continued.
"Hare, could I ask you to be my guide in this otherworld? As a native inhabitant, you must be much more familiar with its layout than I am."
Ren made his request to Hare.
Although he had awakened his Persona, Ren was still fundamentally human. His innate perception of Mementos hadn't improved at all.
He couldn't locate the weak points connecting this world to reality as easily as Morgana could, allowing free travel between the two. That was beyond his own capabilities.
But Hare, being native to this world, should be perfectly suited for the role of guide, pointing the way for Ren within Mementos.
"No problem. Please leave it to me, Joker. Are you looking to leave this place and return to the real world?"
A gentle smile bloomed on Hare's face. She placed a slender hand lightly on her chest as she asked Ren.
"No, I still have plenty of energy. Let's find a Palace to explore first."
Ren clenched his fist, feeling abundant power coursing through him.
Even after two consecutive battles, Ren's mental state was still highly energized, almost euphoric.
Now that he had formed an alliance with Hare, securing a way out of Mementos, Ren—driven by the pressure of time and the looming threat of the Evil God—immediately thought of exploring Palaces within Mementos, gathering Treasures and Will Seeds [Desire Stones in original] to bolster his strength.
"...Palace? What is that?"
Hearing Ren's request, a troubled look appeared on Hare's delicate, pale face.
She could figure out "Mementos" likely referred to the Imaginary Space based on the context and their current situation.
But "Palace," a term with unknown meaning, was something Hare couldn't grasp without further explanation.
"You don't know what a Palace is?"
Ren glanced at Hare, surprised. He found it baffling that a native of Mementos wouldn't know the concept of a Palace, needing a human like him to explain it.
"It's... a special space inhabited by a Shadow that looks like someone from the real world but has a completely different personality. Only a very small number of people can manifest a Palace— You understand what I'm saying, right?"
Ren wasn't great at explaining things. After frowning in thought for a long moment, he managed to awkwardly convey the concept of a Palace to Hare, who listened patiently.
"Ah, I see! I know what place you're talking about now, Joker!"
After quietly listening to Ren's explanation, a sudden look of understanding dawned on Hare's exquisite face.
Hare now completely understood what concept Ren meant by "Palace."
Isn't that just a Stigmata Space?!