New story alert! Let's do this. This story is called "One Month" and it's Minako/Shinji. It's just my take on the Moon S-Link with some personal changes and such. The reason that this is rated M is that this will have sexual content around the end of the story.

PROLOGUE: Just Another Day

It's just another day

For you and me

In paradise

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE (Phil Collins)

Monday, August 24th, 2009

"Dammit, I'm tired of your nagging." Shinjiro Aragaki stared at Akihiko Sanada with tilted angry eyes, his eyebrows furrowed.

Akihiko looked unfazed, giving Shinjiro the same look. "I'm sorry, but I won't take no for an answer." The two stood outside the Hagakure, a ramen shop at the Iwatodai Strip Mall.

Looking away, Shinjiro replied bitterly, "Well the answer's still the same: I'm not coming back." He slid his hands in his pockets and turned to leave, not willing to put up with Akihiko's annoying talks.

"You know," Akihiko called out, "another new Persona-user joined us…and he's not human." The boxer was referring to the dog, Koromaru, which they met earlier at the shrine where the priest used to reside.

"…What?" Shinjiro looked surprised.

"It's a dog," Akihiko explained, holding back a smirk. "He lost his master six months ago because of the Shadows." It wasn't always that Akihiko got to push Shinjiro into a corner. "He's incredibly loyal… Up 'til now, he's been guarding the spot where his master was killed…" He paused for effect. "…despite the bad memories." And he still walks along the same path his always went when the priest was alive… Akihiko added in his head.

"…." Shinjiro looked away. At that moment, Ken Amada came out from the Manga store, Book On.

"Huh?" Ken mumbled when he saw two figures outside Hagakure. "Oh, it's Sanada-san." For a moment, he looked confused, but shrugged it off. "Who's he talking to? I guess it'd be rude to butt in…"

Akihiko didn't notice Ken's entrance and kept talking with Shinjiro seriously, reminding him of the painful memories Shinjiro tried to hide. "We saw someone die right before our eyes, too… But it's been two years since then…" The grey haired boxer bit his lip and looked away as Shinjiro looked down at the floor. "How long do you plan to beat yourself up over it?" He took a sharp breath and continued. "You're always at that spot behind the station, even though you don't hang out with the crowd there."

Finally, Shinjiro spoke up. "It doesn't matter," he said quietly. "It was my fault, and it can't be erased. What difference does it make if I come to terms with it?" Tilting his head up, he glared furiously at Akihiko, his anger pouring into the boxer's eyes. "It won't change anything. This isn't the same as what happened to Miki."

Akihiko flinched at the sound of his sister's name. "Shinji…"

"That's enough already," Shinjiro pressed. "I just wanna forget it ever happened." The man in the long red coat and black beanie walked away swiftly, his blood boiling at the memories of what happened two years ago.

Ken, who had heard the conversation, recapped what was said in his head. "Two…Two years ago…" He gasped in surprise. "It can't be…" Anger coursed through his veins as realization kicked in. "So his name is Shinji, huh…?"

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Minako yawned and sat up slowly, stretching her muscles out contently, enjoying the last days of her summer break, when she heard a knock on her door.

"It's me," the obvious voice of Mitsuru Kirijo told. "I apologize for the interruption, but do you have a moment?" She sounded ready to talk, so Minako stood up and walked to the door slowly, blinking her sleepiness out.

The junior girl opened the door and let the senior into her room. "Good morning," Mitsuru greeted warmly, flashing a soft smile. Minako nodded. "The Chairman will be here tonight. We'll meet on the 4th floor as usual. That's all."

Mitsuru left the room and slammed the door shut without any more words and left Minako in her room. The younger girl yawned again and fell onto her bed, falling asleep again.

Evening

Everyone met up in the dormitory lounge, including Shuji Ikutsuki, the Chairman. "Good, you're all here," he greeted in his exuberant voice. "Please come in," Ikutsuki called to someone outside the door.

Ken Amada slid in slowly and looked at everyone, then began to speak. "Sorry to interrupt." He took a seat next to Ikutsuki.

"You must be kidding…" Akihiko grumbled, clenching the couch seat tightly.

"After running several tests, we've learned that he has more than adequate potential," Ikutsuki said with a grin, adjusting his glasses against the bridge of his nose. "I called this meeting so that I could introduce him, since he'll be joining our squad."

Mitsuru looked appalled and quickly made an argument. "B-but Mr. Chairman, he's still in elementary school. Besides…"

"Besides…what?" Ikutsuki stayed silent for a moment, but when it was obvious Mitsuru didn't have anything else to say, he kept talking. "His ability is quite promising. With the proper training, he could be a big help."

It was Akihiko's turn to make a move. "But is he okay with it?"

Ken smiled. "Actually, I asked to join," he assured Akihiko modestly. "I believe I can be of some assistance..." Turning away, he stared at the floor and bit his lip. "Now, I finally know why I was given this power."

"…So, as you can see, it was his own decision," Ikutsuki finished.

"Nice to meet you all," Ken greeted maturely. "I'll try not to get in anyone's way."

Minako smirked playfully. "Ready for the wringer?"

"Thank you!" Ken replied excitedly, obviously not knowing what the leader meant.

Akihiko stared silently, obviously not enjoying this. "Hey, don't worry, kid," Junpei told Ken in an assured voice. "We got your back. It may be hard at times, but stick with it."

"Y-yes, got it!"

[end of prologue]