AUTHOR NOTE: For obvious reasons this story is now taking place after the events of Persona 4 proper and the spinoff Persona 4 Arena/Ultimax.
"That...was...AMAZING!!" Chie squeeled with excitement as she exited the movie theater.
"Keep your voice down. There's no need to shout." Akihiko Sanada scolded. "But yeah, that was a pretty great for an action movie."
There had been an incident, not long after the investigation team had confronted and defeated the god of Inaba responsible for the existence of the TV World. The details were somewhat convoluted, involving robots and other persona users and an attempt to destroy the world. But most important, it had resulted in Chie meeting the former boxer turned lone wanderer, Akihiko. He was clearly as serious and passionate about fighting as Chie herself, and had years of experience pursuing his craft to boot. The first time Chie had laid eyes on the half naked, battle scarred fighter she knew she had found him at last. Her role model. Her hero. Her Master on the road to becoming a martial arts hero of justice!
Also, a guy trying to get into the police academy who liked fighting movies and training as much as she did! A natural companion for enjoying the epic that was the Naked Fist.
"That last fight was incredible! The way they were just wailing on the hero back and forth and just when you think he can't win....'BUT YOU SEE, BLACK SCORPION GANG, I'VE BEEN WEARING WEIGHTED CLOTHING THE ENTIRE TIME!' And then...BA-BOOSH! Whips off his clothes, and beats the crap out of em in less than a second!!"
"Mmmmm. It was impressive.. Its mostly CGI these days, of course. No doubt their stunt people could dodge a real bullet like that." Akihiko mused.
"It was still cool, though!" Chie said.
"I suppose. But in real life actually dodging something that fast doesn't leave you time to smirk at the camera. It doesn't leave you time to think at all. Its pure muscle memory. By the time your brain has a chance to think about what you did beyond pure instinct, you've already done it and counter attacked...."
"Your really that fast, master?" Chie said in awe.
"Don't call me that. But yeah. You might be too, for that matter. Training your persona helps train your body beyond what a normal person can achieve on their own. Plus, I've spent my time training up my arms and upper body. If gives me power, but also slows me down. If I was fighting someone like you on my level, your focus on your feet would probably give you a huge speed advantage."
"Whoa...you...really think so?"
"Sure. But don't get cocky. I've been training way longer than you have!"
"Yeah, but like you said, all my training goes to my legs! Those are naturally more powerful than the arms anyway since they get more exercise daily just from walking. So I'm probably already faster. No offense, Master!"
"Oh really?" Akihiko whispered.
Something to note about both Chie and her so called master. Action movies excite them, but also leave them feeling restless. Seeing super human feats done with such ease makes them think about their own training. As energetic and athletic as they are even as their default personality, the level of competition and desire to throw themselves back into their training was now at a fever pitch. In contrast, their tendency to throw themselves recklessly into an endeavor in defiance of common sense, while always a danger, was also at an all time high.
"You and me. From here to the Amagi Inn! Loser pays for our next meal at Aiya's tonight. And just to warn you, I hear its gonna be stormy in the evening. Hope you have enough for two Mega Beef Bowls, Master!" Chie proclaimed in excitement.
"Your on. Just so you know, I'm not one to hold back. I'll be looking to beat not just you, but my own best time! Put your all into it, or your going to lose!"
"Same to you!" Chie replied.
And with that, the great race of Inaba began. It would be a day the two would not forget...no matter how hard they tried.