Masahiko Irie/Social Links

O - THE FOOL

I - THE MAGICIAN

• Akio Touma – Perhaps one of the simplest relationships that Masahiko has, but one of the most important. Akio’s easy going nature, optimism and encouragement have kept Masahiko going when life was at its hardest. In return for Akio’s loyalty as a friend and as a bodyguard, Masahiko does everything he can to ensure his friend is happy and safe. As one of the few friends Irie’s had since before he had Persona, Akio is one of the most trusted friends Masahiko has and Akio’s lighter side binding them together when Irie’s spirits are humorous and serving as an anchor when Irie dwells in dark thoughts.

• Yosuke Hanamura -

II - THE HIGH PRIESTESS

• Benihime Asano – A mysterious young woman who helped him in a fight for no other reason than to fight. She was badly injured in the struggle, but because of what he perceived as a noble act for a stranger, cared for her in his house. While she knows little save her abilities in battle and her name, it seems likely that two will meet again, but Masahiko has no idea what to make of her, despite her claim that they will be friends.

• Maki Sonomura –

III - THE EMPRESS

• Mitsuru Kirijo – When Masahiko first got the lay of the land in the Sumaru area, he tried to speak with Kijiro about teaming up against the NWO. Her refusal caused frustration on Masahiko’s part, regardless of the reason. This was compacted when he learned of Mitsuru and Shinjiro’s deal with the Joker, one Irie had serious issue with. While the threat of war was narrowly averted, he has recently witnessed her protecting Kyo. While Irie has some respect for her and some amount of empathy, their many differences and perceived slights from her always make interacting with her difficult.

IV - THE EMPEROR

• Nika Rumyantseva - She seems really want to kill Masahiko and he has no idea why. Part of him figures it's because she's a crazed killer, part of him because of some sort of past that he's unaware of. He hopes to find out before she tries to lob off his head again.

• Yisa Taimiev – When Masahiko first saw the woman, he thought he felt a special attraction toward her. Some of it was a foreign beauty, some of it was the maid outfit he first witnessed her in, then it was finally her strong moral center that he was attracted to. For a time, he thought they would be a perfect team, if not a perfect couple. However, as Yisa’s fate became more intertwined, Irie felt he was losing the girl that he never had. His attempt to ‘woo’ her from Kyo failed and while he still hopes the best for her, conversations with others about Yisa and Kyo both make him fear that she may be lost to the cause of ‘good’ forever.

V - THE HIEROPHANT

• Kei Nanjou -

• Shinjiro Aragaki -

VI - THE LOVERS

• Mikage Kohama -

VII - THE CHARIOT

• Miyuu Noboriyama -

• Yoh Yamagatani -

VIII - JUSTICE

• Arisa Shiratori -

• Katsuya Suou -

• Mitsuki Kohama -

IX - THE HERMIT

• Izo Imaizumi – A rather recent person thrown into Masahiko’s life. Having a similar awakening of Persona and some personality similarities with Irie, the young man can’t help but feel there are critical differences between the two. The young man believes that Izo is a man worthy of respect and often seeks his wisdom, but not all is perfect between the two. The attention Izo seems to get from the ladies (ironically, something he often complains of) causes Irie a bit of jealous and Irie gets the sense there is the chance that a massive butting of heads is not merely a possibility, but a matter of time. A point of contention was Izo’s relationship with Yisa considering Irie had his eye on her, but when Yisa’s current ally was made known, the matter was laid to rest rather swiftly.

X - THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

• Chizuru Ishigami -

• Ran Itoh -

XI - STRENGTH

• Enoha Koinose -

• Thora Kobayahi – Originally the hate of NWO brought them together, but Thora was one of the first willing to work and trust with Irie despite his family ties. As time went on, the two have shared much about their lifestyles and discussed the faults and strengths of who they are. While Thora may have learned some of Masahiko’s calming and introspective nature, her faith in his ability to take charge and her support has given him the courage to not run from his heritage and aggressive nature, but accept it. She has become a huge part of his life and he seems to notice some sign of attraction from her, but considering her issues with Yakuza and Irie's desire for a lovely lady at his side, it is clear that their relationship will always be complicated and with deep emotion. Recently, there seems to be some sparks between her and Akio, and Irie is doing all he can to fan the flames.

XII - THE HANGED MAN

• Miyuki Tsukuda -

• Rui Onishi – Learning about her through Nagisa, Masahiko has learned that her family history is tied into his own. Upon understanding her tale, he wishes to help her, but due to the same tale, she wants nothing more than to kill Irie. While the grandson of Irie-sama wishes to avoid conflict, it seems history is doomed to repeat itself.

XIII - DEATH

• Seiichi Miyamoto - While the two initially got off on the wrong foot since Kandori revealed him to be a member of the NWO, over time, Seiichi has proven himself to be more complicated than a simple hero or villain. Like Masahiko himself, Irie understands he walks in the shades of grey and due to that, is willing to give him the chance he feels so few give him. As Irie understands his own path is not black and white despite his earnest desires, he is able to empathize with Seiichi’s current position.

XVI - TEMPERANCE

• Naomi Suzuno – One of the two that he tried to gather in his first attempt of unification against the NWO, Masahiko found himself annoyed when both she and Mitsuru both politely refused the offer (unaware at that time the two ladies had deals amongst one another). Despite this, Naomi seems to respect Masahiko and help him enough that he remains amiable toward her, even to the point where he has tried to convince her to join his cause. While again she refused, it seems these two get along on one level, while both lead very separate lives.

XV - THE DEVIL

• Daisuke Itami – Having met the man only through Maki and Nagisa, their fates became much more intertwined since Daisuke was one of those who encouraged him to turn the Spring Frog Cartel into something new, convincing him despite his many hesitations on the matter. While Masahiko has learned to accept his new rule, he still is wary of the man, the clear lack of motive on Daisuke’s part beginning a relationship of necessary and mistrust on Irie’s part.

• Mariko Ohmukai – As someone linked to the Yakuza clan he is with, Masahiko feels some responsibility toward her and tries to help her out as best he can. Considering her past fascination a certain killer, one of his trusted associates/friends, and a series of decisions he strongly disagrees with, he has taken a more forceful and controlling approach in dealing with her. As times goes on, her involvement with criminal elements have suggested to Irie she may be more of a liability than an asset, forcing Irie to consider options he wished he didn’t.

XVI - THE TOWER

• Mai Namikawa – Another ally who became a friend once they learned they both had a proactive nature when it came to threats such as the NWO. Mai and Masahiko work well together, Masahiko often willing to offer help and resources while Mai offers her knowledge and connections. She is one of the few people willing to express her own issues with other groups and people, validating concerns that Irie himself might keep to himself. He trusts her and is glad to have her as a friend, despite the fact that their relationship is mostly work related.

• Mikiya Ryouhara -

XVII - THE STAR

• Teddie -

XVIII - THE MOON

• Akari Hoshi -

XIX - THE SUN

• Kyo Enda -

• Tatsuya Sudou – After the death of Kandori, Sudou has become the 'accessible' face of the NWO, making him Masahiko’s chief enemy. While Suou might be Sudou’s first hate, Masahiko’s purposefully antagonistic nature toward the man and a rather determined nature makes it clear that Irie will not be letting the man have a break until the NWO is gone.

• Tatsuya Suou – The leader of the Shinsengumi, Suou and Irie have not gotten along, Tatsuya with his sometimes abrasive personality and Masahiko with his disappointment with how successful the Shinsengumi have been in protecting Sumaru. When attempts to work with Suou during a Zombie attack fell flat, things continued to sour. While it is clear that Masahiko is increasingly annoyed with Suou, the fact that he hasn’t done anything to actually spite the resident hottie of Sumaru suggests that there might be hope that the two might be able to work together... Or that Irie is merely waiting for the best time to strike.

XX - JUDGMENT