You’ve been grinding. I know how it goes. You’ve spent dozens of nights at Wakatsu Kitchen, shoving Prodigy Platters down your throat until your brain feels like it’s actually going to explode from all that "Academics" points. You hit Rank 6. Genius. You’re ready. You walk up to Mitsuru Kirijo in the hallway, expecting her to finally acknowledge your existence, and... nothing. She brushes you off.
It’s frustrating.
Honestly, the mitsuru social link p3r is the ultimate "hurry up and wait" of Persona 3 Reload. Most players think maxing out their stats early means they can start hanging out with the student council president by summer. Nope. Not even close. You are locked out of the Empress Arcana until the very tail end of the year, and if you haven't planned your December and January perfectly, you're going to miss that Rank 10.
When Does the Mitsuru Social Link Actually Start?
Forget about summer. Forget about the culture festival. You cannot start the mitsuru social link p3r until November 21st.
That is the absolute earliest. There are two massive walls standing in your way. First, you need Rank 6 Academics (Genius). If you aren't a certified genius, she won't even consider you worth her time for a casual ramen run. Second, you have to have "aced" at least one exam throughout the year. If you've been slacking on your midterms, you’re out of luck.
She hangs out on the 1F of the School Building, right outside the faculty office. Usually, she’s there on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
But here’s a tip most guides miss: during the week leading up to exams, Mitsuru becomes much more available. She’ll often show up every school day because, well, she’s Mitsuru, and exams are her natural habitat.
Why the Late Start is a Trap
Because you start so late (late November), you only have about two months of game-time to finish 10 ranks. If you get distracted by other social links like the Star or the Moon during this window, you will fail. The winter break and various story events in January will eat your days alive.
Navigating the Empress Arcana Choices
You need to bring an Empress Persona with you. Every single time. If you don't have a Leanan Sidhe or a Mother Harlot in your pocket, you’re basically wasting a day.
The points requirements for Mitsuru are steep.
The Ramen Date (Rank 1 to 3)
Early on, it’s all about Mitsuru trying to understand "commoner" life. It’s kinda cute, actually. At Rank 2, when she’s baffled by a burger shop, tell her, "Is this your first time?" or ask if she knows how to eat it. She’ll appreciate the guidance.
By Rank 3, things get a bit deeper. She’ll talk about her father and the pressure she’s under. When she asks about her feelings, go with "Maybe you're anxious." It shows you’re actually paying attention to her internal struggle, not just nodding along.
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The Turning Point: Marriage and Duty
Ranks 4 through 6 are where people usually mess up their point totals.
- Rank 4: She asks about marriage. Don't be a cynic. Say, "It's all for love." Even if you don't believe it, she needs to hear it.
- Rank 5: She mentions motorcycles. This is classic Mitsuru. Say "A motorcycle?" and then follow up with "Let's go for a ride."
- Rank 6: She’s looking at books. Ask, "Need some help?" When she talks about her "destiny," tell her "I'll do something about it." ## Romance vs. Friendship: How to Choose
Persona 3 Reload changed how romance works compared to the original. You aren't "forced" into a harem anymore, which is a relief for anyone who actually has a conscience.
The big moment happens at Rank 9.
She’ll be vulnerable. She’ll talk about how embarrassing it was to shout her feelings in public. If you want to romance her, you have to say, "I love you too." If you want to stay friends, choose the platonic option. But let’s be real—most people are doing the mitsuru social link p3r because they want the romance path. If you do go the romance route, her Rank 10 dialogue changes significantly, and you get the "Motorcycle Key" item, which lets you fuse Alilat, the ultimate Empress Persona.
The January Deadlines
January in P3R is a nightmare for scheduling.
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Aigis becomes available in January, and she wants to hang out every single day. If you haven't finished Mitsuru by the time the final month rolls around, you’re going to be constantly choosing between the two of them.
Pro tip: Use the "Dating Site Notes" from the shared computer in the dorm at night. It’s the best way to get "relationship points" without wasting a daytime slot. If you spend your nights buffing Mitsuru’s points, you can hit the next rank-up event every single time she’s available in the hallway.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently mid-game, here is exactly what you need to do to ensure you don't miss out:
- Stop studying at night once you hit Rank 6 Academics. It’s a dead stat after that. Use those nights for the arcade to boost your Persona stats or work at the cafe for Charm.
- Save your "Dating Site" URLs. You can buy these from the shady dealer in the Club Escapade. Keep them for late November.
- Clear the hallway links early. Try to finish Yukari and Fuuka before November. If they are still cluttering up your school days when Mitsuru unlocks, you're going to have a bad time.
- Check the calendar for January 25th. This is a notorious day where Mitsuru and Aigis are often both unavailable. If you’re counting on that Monday to finish a link, don't. Plan to be done with the mitsuru social link p3r by the third week of January at the latest.
Finish your Academics, grab an Empress Persona, and wait for November 21st. That's the game plan.