This is my first shot at this, so please let me know what you think! Also I changed the female protagonist's name to Aria, because Minako was too similar and Hamuko makes me think of hamsters. So thank you for reading.
Disclaimer: I don't own persona 3 but I wish I did.
12/02/1999
Almost Midnight - Moonlight Bridge
The car was completely silent save for the occasionally murmur from the backseat and the car engine. A woman sat on the passenger side looking out the window, the man driving finally spoke, "I didn't think we would be getting back so late."
The woman laughed softly, "It's ok isn't it? It was a special trip for their birthday and a wonderful idea, they loved it."
He nodded to himself, "You're right, as usual." He chuckled, "How are they doing back there?"
She shifted in her seat til she was facing the back seat, what she saw made her smile so gently. The boy and girl had fallen asleep still holding hands while leaning on the other. "They're so adorable when they do that... a pair of angels." She was still watching them when the car suddenly died. "Huh... what's wrong with the car?" Then turned seeing outside leaving her only able to utter, "...W-What happened...?"
He couldn't answer her. What he was seeing didn't make any sense it was too much like a horror movie : a green sky, an eerily large moon, pools of blood everywhere, the nearby cars filled with coffins and to top it all off a feeling of unnatural wrongness. And he thought that single damning thought that some unseen force always seemed punish. 'This can't get any worse... right?' The bridge began to shudder and with each passing moment it grew worse. This finally brought him out of his stupor, "We need to get out of here!"
The bridge began to quake and groan more violently, they had turned around in their seats and trying to grab and wake up the children. "Wake up! Wake up!"
03/29/2009
Late Evening - At the all girls dorm
Looking over the room other than a few boxes that were piled in the corner, you couldn't tell anyone was staying here anymore. And I can't wait til I really am gone, just a few more days left. Laying down on my bed rereading the acceptance letter and the letter from nii-san. Soon we would be going to the same school again and as luck would have it be staying in the same dorm. It felt like a dream come true and it only took 2 years to convince the greedy bastard. We forfeit the inheritance so we can return to our hometown to finish highschool there and never have to deal with our uncle again. I think we made out like bandits.
"...I wonder what nii-san looks like now... he's still the same... right?" As if asking the letter he wrote is going to tell me. I rolled over sighing. "Just a bit longer."
Then I wont have to stay in this prison in the middle of nowhere without anyone that understands just how weird my life is. Ah speaking of which don't want to get caught off guard better get ready just in case... it's almost Time...
04/06/2009
Evening - In the New City passenger train "Anehazuru"
A voice comes out from the intercom, "Due to a malfunction in the switching system, today's rail schedule has been greatly altered. We apologize to any customers who were in a hurry. The next stop is Iwatodai..."
"I'm thankful it's taken so long, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up with you." I turn to him and let out a huge grin.
He chuckles and returns a smile, "Yeah, it wasn't too bad."
I am so happy to see him again, to be with him again. Even though it's been about 10 years since we last saw each other it feels like we had never parted. I look down and smile we were already falling back into old habits like holding hands. Still, I'm surprised I could recognize him so easily... he has gotten taller and his hair is a bit longer but he still carries himself the same. Ha, we must look so contrasting together my reddish brown hair to his grayish blue, my ruby colored eyes to his sapphire it must be some cosmic joke that we're related much less twins.
"...Nee-san, we're here."
"Eh?" I jump slightly, he was standing over me tugging on my arm to get my attention. "Sorry I guess I zoned out a bit. I must be slipping if you're trying to get me to pay attention and not the other way around."
We had just stepped off the train when the most beautiful butterfly appeared it felt like time had slowed down as it floated passed us. And then completely vanished.
"..."
"..."
"...You saw that too right?"
"...Yes." Before the words even fully leave his mouth I tackle hug him, thankfully he manages to not fall over.
"Nii-san really is the best! No one else gets it!"
He pats my back a few times, "I love you too, now let go so I can breath..."
We just reached the entrance of the station when I felt that familiar feeling that told me that Time was about to begin. And without fail the sky turns green, pools of blood appear, electronics die and people are replaced by coffins. Of all the things to be constant in my life this is it.
"It's that late, huh."
"Looks like it. You had the map right?" Pulling the long rectangle case off my back and opening it up, two halves of a naginata sat there waiting for me to assemble them. I finish and give it a test swing, it felt solid. He looked at me with an eye brow raised questioningly. "One time I didn't do a test swing to make sure it was put together right... it was a painful lesson learned."
"Ah." He held the map in one hand and a short sword in the other. "Ready to go?"
"Yup, I'll watch your back while you lead on!"
"...You are far too upbeat about the whole roaming around an unfamiliar city with weird black blobs running around, Nee-san."
? - Iwatodai Dorm
"We're here."
"Not a bad looking place, wonder what the inside is like." I disassemble the naginata and hanging the case over my shoulder.
"Only one way to find out."
Huh, why is there light in- a boy's voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Welcome."
What the... wait there's light and he's not in a coffin... did it end without me noticing?
"You're late. I've been waiting a long time for you."
I'm looking desperately to make sure I'm not the only one seeing this... Ok good, his mouth is open in shock I haven't finally just gone nuts. So just go with the flow.
The boy wearing stripes continues, "Now if you want to proceed, please sign your name there. It's a contract. Don't worry, all it says is that you'll accept full responsibility for your actions. You know, the usual stuff."
He points to the contract on the counter, I walk forward and read it 'I chooseth this fate of my own free will.' ...Whatever. Besides I'll be damned if a little piece of paper is going to keep me from staying with nii-san and... it's an odd feeling but he's familiar somehow. I sign it and pass the pen to nii-san. He looks it over for a moment before he shrugs and signs it.
The boy in stripes picks it up with a smile. Then the light start to fade as he melts into darkness, "No one can escape time. It delivers us all to the same end. You can't plug your ears and cover your eyes... And so it begins."
"..."
"..."
"...I'm tired."
He nods. I gather my bags up and I'm about to start walking til I see something move in the darkness. I quietly slipped my case off my back, even if I just use the case to hit it we should be fine, hopefully. I start to flank the shadowy figure when it gave a jump.
"...Who's there?"
The hell, another one not in their coffin? She seemed to be reaching for something...
"How can you be... But it's...!"
...What does she have in her hands? My jaw dropped, a gun! She started raising it slowly.
"Don't tell me.."
"Not a chance in hell!"
It pulls her attention to me and she's too surprised to react, I wont be giving her a chance to ether. Another female voice cried out but I don't hear the words as I use my case to slam into her. Then the lights turn back on and music is coming from my headphones, great that Time ended. I take a look at the girl I've got pinned and she's out of it, her gun landed safely a few feet away. Someone is slowly moving near by, I look up and see an older girl with long red hair trying to move closer. Shit, she has a gun too! It's still holstered but...!
"Don't move." His voice sent a chill up my spine. I'm glad he's on my side, always reliable in a pinch. And just a bit scary.
Someone's running on the floor above us which is just great because we needed another one to join the party. I tighten my hold as our latest arrival gets to the bottom of the stairs. A guy with silver hair and one very surprised look on his face. This isn't looking too good for us now, three on two and they're armed... Yup, not good.
"Don't move." and he managed to sound even more intimidating, making a mental note to never piss him off. Anyway how's he keeping them at bay? Did he draw his sword? I can't look to see, it's just a tad bit too risky, I need to watch for sudden movements. As the standoff continues the brown haired girl underneath me let out a groan and the older girl finally broke the silence.
"There's been a misunderstanding, if we can just talk it'll all make sense. I promise, we aren't looking to harm you."
"Explain the guns then." Because I'm really, really curious how you do that.
"They're not real, it's just a fake... just a prop for protection. You can even check for yourself." She points to the fallen one, nii-san walks over and picks it up then pointed it at the ground and pulls the trigger.
Nothing happens.
"..."
"..."
Seriously? All this because she points a fake gun at him. I slowly get off the girl and stand next to him, sword still drawn. The silver haired guy walks over to the girl, helping her stand and walks back toward the redhead. I sign inwardly, I better get this over with and apologize, she might even be able to understand now.
I bow deeply, "I am terribly sorry for hurting you. I had just seen the gun pointed at him and reacted. I apologize for being so rash."
"...It's ok. I was wrong to point it at someone, even if it is a fake..."
She doesn't sound too sorry about it, but I'll bet she'll damn well think for a moment before pulling that stunt again. Oh well, I right myself in time to see the sword being sheathed. And with that the tension lessened a bit.
"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Akihiko please take Takeba to her room and then come back down."
"...Ok, I'll be right back." He gave a wary glance then quickly helped the frazzled girl up the stairs. We wait in silence til he returns and reports her condition. "She'll be just fine, just a small bump on the back of her head."
"Good." She turned toward us again, "You must be the be the two transfer students we were expecting, I didn't think you would arrive so late." Her tone made it perfectly clear who she thought was at fault but I let it pass. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students who live in this dorm. And this is Akihiko Sanada, he also lives here." He gives a short nod.
"I am Aria Arisato and this is Minato Arisato, my brother. It may be a bit late to say this but..." I'm going to give my best smile for this, "Nice to meet you." Nii-san nods.
Looks like it went over well, Mitsuru seems to be amused and Akihiko looks... impressed? Huh. Whatever.
"It's late, so why don't we get you to your rooms Arisa-"
Ah. Haven't seen that reaction for a while. "Please just use our first names."
Mitsuru smiles,"I see, thank you. Aria, your room is on the 3rd floor and Minato your's is on the 2nd floor. Your belongings should already be inside. Akihiko please show Minato to his room. I'll show you to your's, Aria, follow me."
I follow her up the stairs to the 3rd floor, my room is at the end of the hall it should be quiet this way. Nice.
"Here we are, as I said before your belongings should be inside. The showers are on the 4th floor, there are additional washrooms on the 1st floor along with a kitchen. Also try to be back in the dorm before evening, it can be a dangerous after dark."
"Ok."
"Also I will not be able to show you to school tomorrow, Takeba, the one you tackled earlier will be the one to show you to school."
Like that isn't going to be awkward as all hell, but I don't care. I want to sleep so badly right now I can deal with it in the morning. "Alright."
"That should be all for now then. Good night."
"Good night."
I open the door and go inside. This place isn't bad, a TV, mini fridge and sink all just for me. Not bad at all. I strip and put on pajamas before diving into bed and then jumping back off it to get to my cell phone. The id says Minato, must want to make sure I actually made it to my room.
"Hi nii-san, I'm still alive and well."
"Good, otherwise I was going to plan a rescue mission."
"Aww, it's so cute when you get overprotective like that."
"I'm not sure what to say to that considering you just tackled some poor girl because she pointed a fake gun near me." he sounds exasperated.
"Hmph. It's her fault for not thinking first."
He chuckles,"Now now, don't pout about it. I'll see you in the morning, good night."
"Good night."
04/07/2009
Early Morning - Iwatodai Dorm - 3rd floor
"...I wonder if nii-san is up yet..." I finish getting ready just as someone knocks on the door.
"...Hello? Mitsuru-sempai asked me to show you the way to school, are you awake?"
She sounds like she'd like nothing more than to not have to talk to me, forever. As I walk over to the door I hear her moving back a little, I guess I scare her. I open the door and use my best smile and warmest voice, "Hello and sorry about last night again. And I apologize if showing us to school is inconvenient for you, I really appreciate it though." If constantly being surrounded by people that don't like you taught me anything it was if you act nice enough it drains away their will to be angry with you. Or leaves them feeling really awkward about, same difference.
"O-Oh. It's no problem. W-we should go get the boy you were with last night...Ah right, I should introduce myself. I'm Yukari Takeba, a junior just like you."
There give it enough time and she just might forget it ever happened. "I'm Aria Arisato, pleased to meet you. I'll introduce my brother soon as we go get him. Shall we?"
Gekkoukan High - Front Gate
As we walk to school Yukari seemed to open up a bit and we made small talk. Hmm. The closer we get to the school the more people greet her... I guess she must be popular. We reach the school gates when she turns around with a proud smile.
"Welcome to Gekkoukan High School. You'll love it here."
"It is a beautiful place..." And I truly meant it, the last school was soul crushingly drab while this school feels so bright and lively.
"...Yeah." I beam at him, I think that's the first thing he's said this whole morning.
I finish putting my school shoes on and start taking a peek around. Looks like there a big crowd around that bulletin board, maybe it's the class lists I'll take a look later. I walk over to Yukari as I need to ask her where to find the faculty office but she spoke first.
"You're okay from here, right? You should go see your homeroom teacher first. The Faculty Office is right there to the left. ...And that concludes the tour. Do you have any questions before I go?"
"...Nope, we'll be okay." You call that a tour? Sigh, whatever you say. I'll just be thankful she said where to find the office. She starts to walk away but turns back towards us again.
"About last night... Don't tell anyone what you saw, okay? ...See you later." And she was gone.
"...Like I would talk to anyone but you about things like that." I frown, looking at him.
He shrugs and flashes a grin, "She's not playing with a full deck."
"Heh. Let's we go find our homeroom teacher."
The Faculty Office is right where she said it would be, I open the door and look around. A few teachers are milling about, while I'm feeling unsure of whom to ask a female teacher with short light brown hair waves us over.
"You must be the transfer students, Aria and Minato Arisato... 11th grade correct?" We nod and she starts flipping through our files. " Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places... Let's see the last school you attended together was in 1999... That was what, ten years ago? Your parents- I'm sorry... I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand. I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach Composition. Welcome to our school."
And this is why you read files in advance walking into a mine field isn't fun for anyone. Ah well I'll forgive her, "We're pleased to meet you!" Nii-san just smiles and nods.
"My, aren't you polite? Girls like you should be examples for others." Oh if you only knew what I was thinking. "Have you seen your classroom assignments? You'll both be in 2-F, that's my class." That's great news, first the same dorm and now our class. if I can just repress the urge to tackle hug her, all will be right with the world. I don't want to be put in a different class after all. "But first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon. Follow me."
Nii-san is already fast asleep and I'm fighting a losing battle. The principle droned on and on til I finally fell asleep, which wasn't too hard because I'm still very tired from yesterday. Luckily, I wake up just before the end of it and for whatever reason there seemed to be alot of giggling around us. It didn't click until I heard someone whispering behind me, we had started holding hands. Habits are seriously scary things when you do them while sleeping.
Ms. Toriumi finally got involved, "Shh! Be quiet! You're going to get me in trouble!"
After School - Gekkoukan High - Classroom 2-F
...I want to go back to the dorm and sleep so badly. I give nii-san a hard poke to wake him, he shoots a glare at me.
"...Sorry, I'm tired too. Let's get going, we can get a good night's sleep tonight.".
"Alright." He yawns, grabbing his bag. So we're ready to go and some guy in a cap walks up and starts talking to us. For the love of...
"S'up? How's it goin'?" The combined stare he received forces him to take a step back.
"...Who're you?"
"Me?" I give him an annoyed look. "Right, of course you mean me. I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya. I transferred here when I was in eighth grade. I know how tough it is bein' the new kid... So I wanted to say, 'hey.' And... I was kind of curious about you guys, it's rare to get two transfers at once much less two that have the same last name." I guess he isn't so bad and it was refreshing to hear someone just be honest about it. "Hey, it's Yuka-tan! I didn't think we'd be in the same class again." She had walked over and stood close by me.
"At it again, huh? Honestly is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?" She sounds a bit fed up.
The soft music coming from nii-san's headphones stops. I turn, he had taken them off and was giving Junpei a bit of a glare. Ack, don't laugh, don't laugh.
"W-What? I was just tryin to be friendly!"
Poor Junpei is surrounded, guess I can help him out. "Junpei."
"Y-Yeah?"
"The reason we have the same last name is because we're brother and sister." Nii-san gives me a questioning look but I just smile in reply.
"But you're both in the same year."Junpei says while looking confused.
"Yup, it's cause we're twins."
"...Seriously?"
Doesn't believe me huh. I give nii-san a nudge, he sighs but complies with my silent request. We stand shoulder to shoulder I pat down my bangs to cover my right eye a bit then mimic his posture, hands in pockets elbows out and the most bored expression I can manage. I didn't do half bad judging by the looks on their faces.
"...Wow."
"Dude, that's sweet!"
An annoyed sigh later and he's turned the music back on. "So there you have it, fraternal twins." And with any luck the whole class will know by tomorrow thanks to Junpei and we wont have to do this again.
"I'm surprised we're in the same homeroom."
"Yeah, me too." Because sharing a class with the girl you assaulted last night it just a bit much.
"Um, hello? Are you forgetting that I'm in this class too? By the way, I heard you three came to school together this morning. Do you know each other or something? A couple of cuties like you walking side by side with a guy in tow... the whole class was buzzing about it."
"Ugh... Could you just cut it out? I hate dealing with rumors like that. We live in the same dorm. Why are people even talking about it? Now you have me worried..." Way to act suspicious Yukari. She turns to face nii-san and I, "Hey... You didn't say anything to anyone about.. you know what, did you?"
"..."
"..."
Is she really that thick? We both shake our heads.
"Seriously... Don't say anything about last night, alright?" ...That was seriously, a bad choice of words.
"..." Now Junpei's staring at her with his mouth open in shock.
"Wh-What?" I sigh inwardly, this should be good to watch.
"L-Last night...?"
"W-Wait a minute! Don't get the wrong idea! Listen! I just met them yesterday, and there's absolutely nothing going on! Geez... I've gotta go. I've got something to take care of for the archery team. But, you better not start any rumors!"
"Ah, who cares? No one takes rumors seriously, anyway. She's so paranoid... But, hey! It's your first day here, and people are already talkin' about you! Heheh, this is gonna be a fun year. I can feel it! Well, I'll be seeing you two around, then.
I sigh, "Let's get out of here before someone else starts talking to us."
He chuckles, "Works for me."
Feigning annoyance, "Sure, you can laugh about it but I'm the one that gets stuck doing all the talking while you listen to music."
He ruffled my hair teasingly, "I'm sure you'll get used to it again. To make it up to you how about I make you a treat later."
"And how do you know that'll still work, nii-san?" We took a few more steps, "...I hope it'll be something sweet."
He was still stifling a laugh when we reached the school gates and Junpei showed up.
"Hey Aria-chan, Minato hold up! Lemme walk you to your dorm, it'd suck if you got lost, right?"
"Ok." I watch nii-san put his headphones on low and it seems Junpei doesn't mind, which is good. Looks like I wont be listening to music anytime soon... We made small talk about school clubs on the way back.
Evening - Iwatodai Dorm - 1st floor
"Welcome back." It's Mitsuru and she's sitting in the lounge reading a book.
"We're back." A normal greeting and a normal response yet I still feel pleased as it's not a repeat of what happened last night.
"You both must still be tired. You should get a good night's rest."
I can't argue with that, it's what I've be wanting all day. "Right, well good night, sempai."
"Good night."
04/08/2009
Afternoon - Gekkoukan High - Class
Ms. Toriumi is teaching or atleast she was before she started going on about her favorite author. I look next to me and see nii-san sound asleep... that doesn't look like a bad idea even after going to bed early I'm still tired.
"...Hey Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favorite author?"
"H-Huh? U-Ummm..." He lowers his voice, "Psst, Aria-chan! Who does she like?"
"...Utsubo Kubota." I think that's right... I wonder if she'd notice I went to sleep too.
"That's right! So you were listening to me after all!"
"Eheheh... Well, you know how I like to pay attention! Man, you saved-...How'd she fall asleep so fast?"
Evening - Iwatodai Dorm - 1st floor
We walk into the dorm when I spot Yukari siting with a gentleman with glasses. And it seems Yukari noticed us too and pointed us out to the man, we walked over to them.
"Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki'... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... Please, have a seat. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them."
Why is such an important person here? Well he did say if I had any questions. "Why are you here?"
"To welcome you, of course." I frown a bit."Well, to be honest, I do have other business here. Speaking of which... where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"
"She's upstairs."
"As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello... Is there anything else?"
"No, we're good." I'm not sure why but something about this guy bothers me...
"Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me... You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!'...Please forgive the bad pun." He chuckled then stood up walked towards stairs.
Yukari sighed, "...You'll get used to his lame jokes."
"... I think I'll just ignore them. Well, good night."
"..."
"Oh sorry, good night."
Why did she pause? We head up the stairs.
"...Hey nii-san, they're acting odd, just a bit. What do you think?"
He's frowning, "Yeah, something is off."
"So it's not just me then." I thought for a moment and a wicked grin spread across my face, "I have a simple solution then. I'll keep my weapon assembled and near my bed, you should do the same. They can't complain if something happens when they are sneaking around like this."
"...Nee-san... I'm glad I'm not your enemy."
I beam at him, "You never could be, nii-san. Good night!"
He just shook his head smiling slightly, "Good night."
? - ?
"...Master..."
"Master Aria Arisato..."
I feel like I'm being pulled to a blue door, blinding light fills the inside of it. The next thing I see is... a blue room... in a fast moving elevator... what? This can't be right...but I look around again and it is, great. A man sitting in front of me with a very long nose with budging eyes but the most startling features is the manic smile. To his left and right a man and woman they both had similar features, yellow eyes, pale skin, cream colored hair and a very blue outfit complete with hat. This is a bit much... isn't it?
"My name is Igor... I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This is Elizabeth." She gave a bow, "And this is Theodore." He also bowed. " They are residents here, like myself."
In unison they smiled, "We are pleased to meet you."
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... It's been years since we've had guests.
He pointed at the table and the contract the stripped boy had taken was laying there. I open y mouth for a second before closing it and jump up to look at it closer but I ran into something and fall.
"Ow."
"Ouch."
I know that voice, so why am I shocked? When things like this happen he is always there experiencing it with me. So why can't I get this dumbstruck look off my face is beyond me. But, thankfully even he is showing plainly that he hadn't been expecting this ether. I'd hate to look like the only idiot here.
"You're here... this is really happening, huh?"
"If this keep happening at this rate we're going to be admitted to a hospital." He's shaking his head.
I'm grinning in spite of it, after all, "We'd just sneak out during that Time anyway."
Igor waits for us to sit back down with a rather amused smile on his face then continues, "Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place... Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. I only ask one thing in return... that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices that you make.
We look at each for a moment then nod, "We understand." After all this is just another weird thing in our very weird lives. So, why not?
"Hold on to this." A velvet key appeared in both our hands," 'Til we meet again..."
And everything faded.
04/09/2009
Early Morning - Iwatodai Dorm - 2nd Floor
I wave to him as he leaves his room and when he reaches the stairs I pull out the key from last night. He gives a half hearted smile and pulls his from a pocket. He starts running away? I guess I gave away what I wanted to do...but a chase can be fun too I suppose. We reach the school gates and he must have decided he no longer needed to keep a 'safe' distance away. He's so very wrong there's still a time left before we need to be inside. I launch myself at his back and wrap my arms around his neck.
"Gah!"
"Heh, you should of waited just a bit longer and you would of been safe! After running away for so long I'm not letting you off easy."
"Dude, you are the only guy I know that comes to school with a cute girl literally hanging all over him. " I'm just going to ignore Junpei for now, I'm in a good mood at the moment.
"...She's my sister and I think she's trying to kill me."
"Still, man... Hey, Aria-chan how bout you let him go he looks like he might actually die if you keep doing that!"
Pouting a bit, I let go. Guess I squeezed a lil too tight, my bad he's panting.
"If you want to do it that bad, I can make the sacrifice and let you hang on to me like that."
He's standing there all expectantly. It's just not going to happened and apparently the look on my face says so too. He sags and nii-san is having a fit laughing. I take the chance to walk ahead, should leave the boys to chat by themselves now and then.
"Dude, that's so not funny. Especially when I go out of my way to help."
"Right, sorry."
"So-"
Morning - Gekkoukan High - Class
"Ahem... I'm Mr. Ekoda. I'll be teaching you Classic Literature. I'll be teaching you about good old Japan all year. Some people say Classic Lit isn't relevant to everyday life, but oh, how they're wrong!" Sheesh, I thought he was bad the first day but he's even worse when he teaches.
"Hey... Are you all listening to me?" The teachers are 0 for 2, I'm going to sleep in his class too.
Afterschool - Gekkoukan High
I meet Yukari at the shoeboxes.
"Oh not with Minato today?"
"Yep, he's with Junpei. What's up?
"I just wanted to see if you'd like to go to the mall, I can show you around a bit."
"Perfect, lead on." Not bad, I was getting worried because I had nothing to do. Surprisingly enough we both have a good time. After we get back to the dorm I head straight for my room.
? - Iwatodai Dorm - 3rd Floor
..The hell is going on? The building's shaking, I hear people screaming bellow and it's that freaking Time. So what the hell is going on? I'm in my freaking pajamas holding a naginata getting ready to go figure out what's going on or atleast get nii-san and leave. Seriously, what give? I get out of the room and Yukari is running towards me like the world's going to end. She freezes a second then grabs my free hand and starts pulling me with her.
"I don't have time to explain, We have to get out of here, now!"
"What about Minato?"
"Akihiko-sempai is getting him, hurry! We need to get downstairs!"
"Y-Yes! I hear you!"
Please tell me she isn't hearing voices now, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle that given the situation. Oh good, she's just wearing an ear piece... wait... how's it working?
"What?" It doesn't look like she got good news. Joy.
Half running half pulling and being pulled we make it to the first floor. Nii-san and Akihiko are already by the back door and as he is going to open it something powerful hits the door three times causing part of the door to collapse inside. I'm all for not opening that door and looking around I see her pale even more. Shit, Yukari is entering complete freakout mode. Not good. She yanks my arm starting to run again.
"L-Let's pull back!"
Akihiko shouting something but it's drown out by another bang to the building. Yukari isn't listening any more, just dragging me all the way up to the building roof. Sounds like nii-san and Akihiko are following, we burst in and soon as everyone is up top it's locked shut. Everyone is breathing heavily, I look around, nii-san ok, Yukari ok, but Akihiko... is not- he's wounded. Ah um er... right apply pressure and stop the bleeding.
Yukari mumbles a word, "...Shadow!"
Hands, so many hands. Some reaching out while others hold weapons and a single hand holding a blue mask with an eery face carved into it marked with a I.
Ok... Ok... Huh? All of the black blobs I've seen before were just that, blobs, what the hell is this?
The hand with the mask moves as though it's scaning us, it pauses on me first then nii-san. Yukari slowly moved her hands, she's holding that gun again. Before she can take another step it knocks her over, without so much as even looking at her.
"...Tch!" Akihiko moves to the front, I can't let a guy that's already injured protect me...! Wait, why is he putting that fake gun to his head? But it doesn't matter, the hands monster throws a fire ball at him. Thank goodness he was able to dodge it, looks like he can't get up though.
Then the boy wearing stripes, as though it was natural, placed the silver gun he's holding to his head mouthing bang.
I look down and pick up Akihiko's gun.
He looks down and picks up Yukari's gun.
He holds out his hand and I take it.
The boy wearing stripes smiles, "Go on."
We place the guns to our heads.
"...Per...so...na..."
We pull the triggers.
I hear the shots and something breaking like glass. I'm grinning as I feel the power rushing through me and it materializes in front of me.
Two voices in sync, one male and one female announce, "Thou art I, and I am thou. From the sea of thy soul I cometh. I am Orpheus, master of strings..."
It hurts so much, my head is splitting! Falling to the ground clutching my head, overflowing with emotions that aren't my own. Pain...Anger...Despair.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Waaaaaaaaaaah!"
In front of me Orpheus convulses as something is tearing it's way out of it. Orpheus fell away something else took it's place.
The pain stopped but I can't think straight.
...a blurry shadow...?
...there's two of them...?
...It merged together and it's form was becoming clearer now.
"What on earth is that!" ...That's Akihiko, right?
A bone white mask held together by chains, coffins bound in chains as though it were a mantle, a sword that looked impossibly sharp and a strong body fited in black. I shudder, not because of fear but this feeling of familiarity again. I want to call out and say "Welcome back." but why? I'm sitting here fighting with feelings I can't understand.
It lunges forward so quickly and effortlessly that I almost don't catch that it's attacking the hands monster. It slashes at the swords the other one is holding, knocking them out of the way then using it's foot to pin down the arm with the mask. Cocked it's head for a moment then swung down cutting the blue mask in two.
It's so mesmerizing to watch. It turns around and looks at us for a half second before splitting in two. Each of the halves kinda of phases out and then in again as a male and female Orpheus, I feel Orpheus return to me, I think. Everything feels kind of... ethereal, I stare at the moon.
"Is it over...?" As though waiting for her to say that the pool of shadow that had been left over collects and forms two smaller black blobs each wearing a mini blue mask identical to the hands monster. I can't move, I'm still feeling dazed.
"It's still moving...!"
"Shit!"
"No... G-Get away from me!"
Damnit, stop fucking around I need to help them! Finally my body listens and runs in front of Akihiko. I'm not ready for round 2 of the head splitting pain but it's better than letting him die. I put the gun to my head and pull the trigger.
"I summon you!" Orpheus appears then uses the lyre to bash the blob til it dissipates. And I'm flooded with relief, it's not painful just a little draining. Wait I'm forgetting something.
Shit, what about Yukari?
"Come forth!"
Ah, nii-san's got her. Oh that's cool his Orpheus turned the blob into ash with a strum of it's lyre. Ahhh... I'm really tired now. Nii-san looks at me and smiles so I grin right back.
But... every...thing's... getting dark...