Disclaimer: I do not own the Persona series. Every original character in this story is my making, though.

Midsummer Dream

There's nothing here except this thick fog, so thick that I can't even see where I stand. I've been shouting for some time, but there's not a single response. I don't think my voice echoes too, so it's not likely there's any building or wall or mountain or something like that around. I'm not the kind of sports guy, but walking around for some time surprisingly doesn't make me tired at all. For now, I think keep walking is the best option I had.

After a while, my effort has paid off. Now at least I found something other than those damned fog. I'm not really sure what it is, but it surely looks like one of the gate you find at the Japanese Buddhist temples. It's about four or five meters high, with some kind of huge wooden door in the middle. To the right and the left I saw nothing but long wall with no end. What the heck is it doing in the middle of nothingness? Who build this thing? Why am I just standing here like an idiot?

*sigh*

Maybe it's the last chance for me to find someone or at least something here, so I began shouting. As expected, nothing came in response. Not even when I knock the door like an idiot ended with a response. Surprisingly, the door moved after I pushed it with some effort. With a new hope, I began to push it further, hoping that at least I could find something behind.

Before long, I heard a roaring sound from inside. It sounds like a beast's roar, so terrifying and intimidating. I flinched a little and chill came down into my spine. My instinct said that it's not safe to continue but my curiosity keeps making me push the door. I know that I might be dead if this beast greets me and decides to makes me its dinner but who knows, maybe it's just a pet of something benevolent. Although I don't think that a benevolent guy would have a terrifying beast as a pet.

Pushing the door is a heck of effort. I managed to open it just enough for me to enter, even after those effort. I take a peek into the opening but I saw nothing but more fog. Damn it, this fog really gets into my nerve! Maybe I would find something else if I enter it so I decided to enter the door. As I walk in, a blinding light greets me. It is so bright that it took a while for me to regain my sight.

The fog is surprisingly less dense here; I could actually see my feet and really 'see' the surrounding. It looks awfully familiar. Wait! It's the road near my dorm! Dear God! What the heck is happening here? I try to look back to check the gate, but it's not there anymore. There's only those familiar road I pass everyday! It's not long before the silence broke, it's the roar again! I better check it out. The roar's source came just right ahead.

I saw a beast, about three or four meters high. It got two large horns protruding just above its eyes. The beast has a head which reminds me of the monster Salamandra from a tokusatsu show I watched. The beast has a huge stocky body and pretty long arms with relatively short legs.

In front of it stands a girl. The girl, being only as tall as the beast's abdomen, surely looks done for. It looks like she tries to defend a collapsed man behind her. She looks pretty tired and wasted, which I'm sure not a very good sign.

The beast let out a roar again before smashing its hand at the girl. The girl quickly dodges it so it only smashed the ground and leaves a crater there.

The beast looks very pissed and it tried to give another hit. But the girl suddenly engulfed in blue glow and smashed a card that appear in front of her.

A figure appeared in front of her, blocking the beast's attack but threw a few meters behind in result.

The figure has the body of a woman but has the head of a lioness. It wears an ancient Egyptian accessory on its neck and holds an ankh and a staff. The figure has a red disk its head which is as big as its head.

The girl shout a word, seemingly commanding the figure. The figure responds by holding the ankh facing the beast as a blaze of fire was sent from the disk. The beast's engulfed in fire and roars.

The beast tries to ram the lioness figure but it dodged with ease. Once more it roars before smashing things around it in blind rage. Realizing that the unconscious man might be in danger, the girl ran into the man, trying to wakes him up.

The lioness figure sends another blaze of fire at the beast. The beast shrugs the fire with ease and rams the figure, smashing it to nearby wall. With it's enemy badly damaged, the beast turns at the girl.

The beast stands with both its legs and hands. Reddish particle began gathering around its mouth. It looks like it gonna release an atomic breath or something.

The girl, noticing what the beast is going to do, calls out the lioness figure. The figure began rushing in between the beast and the girl. Before long, the beast began sending red version of Godzilla's atomic breath. The road around its path was destroyed and debris was sent flying everywhere.

There's a feeling inside me calling me to help the girl and the unconscious man. But when I run, everything was stopped; the beast, the lioness figure, everything stopped. As I realized, I couldn't even move my body. The time itself seems stopped at all. What the heck is happening here?

Before I could even think, the whole scene cracked like they were made of ceramics. In a blink of eyes, everything shattered and leaves nothing but darkness. I fall into that pitch black darkness. Is this the end? Everything seems to flash in my mind: the face of my parents, the image of me running on the hill behind my elementary school, the face of my chair mate; Yuna Mikado. Everything seems to be in past distance. Sense of desperation and regret began crawling on my nerve. Before my consciousness passed too, I hear a sound, companied by blue glow emanating from my body.

"I am thou..."

"Ken-chan! Ken-chan! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes and apparently Yuna's been desperately shaking my body, trying to wakes me up. That's right, I remember now. I was in my class, sleep deprived and Sakuragi-sensei's history speech didn't help me to maintain my consciousness. At least I'm not alone. Half of the class has been reduced to a semi coma state. Only those sit in the front row could maintain their consciousness. Well, I doubt these brave men could maintain their attention, though.

Today's been hot as hell. No wonder, it's already mid June and the summer solstice is just round the corner. Speaking of summer solstice, the mid-term will come almost together with it. It will be a double-hellish week.

*ugh*

Shoot, it's coming again. I've been having those same dreams every time I sleep this week. The worst part of it is that I will always end up having a headache and heaviness. Yuna has been bugging me to go see a doctor, but of course I refuse. I don't really like to see them from the beginning. It kinda makes me feel weak and helpless.

"Hey, Ken-chan. Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just a little dizzy. It will be better if I rest for a while."

Of course it's just a bluff. I usually end up taking pain killer to relieve it. But I guess today wasn't my day. When I check my bag, I couldn't find my medicine at all.

"Urgh... Okay, I give up. I think I need to see the nurse."

"Yeah, you better. Should I take you there?"

"No, I think I'm fi..."

Damn, it's the worst. I blacked out and fell when I try to get up. Now the whole class stares at me.

"Are you okay, Hakamichi-san?"

"I.. I'm o-"

"Hakamichi-kun is going to see the nurse, Ma'am. I'm going to take him there."

The teacher nods in approval. Damn, now I don't have any choice but let her take me. She'll definitely interrogate me. My fault, though, for keeping it from her. We've known each other for too long for her to know that I kept something from her.

I tried to stand while holding my table to keep my balance. As I walk away, I try to hold on someone else's table as support. Half way out, Yuna took my arm on her shoulder. Darn, I can't keep myself from blushing. Some of the girls on the back row giggle at us. Dear, God! Please let me sink now.

It's been a while since the last time I came to the nurse office. Last time I came, I was in a better condition. I took one of my student council friend. Apparently, she overworked when preparing the festival and collapsed. It was a very ambitious project back then. Well, the student council's president back then was ambitious and perfectionist so she wants it to be an outstanding one. It turns out to be a big hit, though.

"Well, Mikado-san. What brings you here today?" said the nurse with a mischievous smile.

"Ken-chan said he was dizzy and he kinda black out in the class."

"Is that so?" The nurse turns at me and raise one of his brow.

"Hehe... Yeah, I guess."

Seeing my troubled face, the nurse smiles and turns at Yuna, "Could you please step outside for a while, Mikado-san? I think we need a little privacy here."

Yuna nods and walks away. I heard the door closes after a while. The nurse turns at me and start taking the history of my condition. I don't have a choice but to tell him. Well, I didn't tell him about the dream though, since it will be silly. He then took out an old fashioned sphygmomanometer and placed its cuff on my arm. After feeling counting my pulse, he began taking note on my blood pressure. After a while, he looks under my eyes and smiles.

"I didn't find anything wrong now. Do you know what might be the cause?" the nurse raise a brow.

"I... Don't know," I hesitate a bit and decide to keep it by myself.

The nurse gave me a smile and continues, "I guess you were just tired then. Do you still need a pain killer?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, just a minute," said him while looking for the medicine in his wardrobe. He came back with some medicine and a glass of water. "You should stay here for the rest of the afternoon. Now I will inform Mikado-san in case she worries."

The nurse then left after gave me a smile.

Time pass slowly in the nurse office. I gaze on the sky outside, so vast and high. Reminding me of this linen prison I currently stay in. Damn it! This is why I don't like hospital or the nurse office. Well, there's nothing I can do except trying to relax.

A futile effort, since I can't keep thinking about those dreams that keep bugging me this whole week. It's the first time the dream was so vivid. I know that I know the girl, but who is she? Damn! Why am I so stupid? Ah... Thinking only makes me dizzy. I really should try to relax.

The school bell rang and the silence in the nurse office finally broke. I could hear chatter coming down from the hall. If I want to slip away and avoid Yuna, now's the chance. I stood up and tidying up my half opened shirt. Just before I walk, the door suddenly opens. Darn, I know she's coming but this fast? Today's definitely not my day. Yuna came out of the curtain and gives a big grin.

"Hey, Ken-chan! Feel better?"

"Yeah, I guess the medication works." I can't help but frown a little.

"Tehe... Feeling like to tell me something?" again, those big grin. I don't think I can go around this time.

"Fine, but let's do it somewhere else."

"Yay! Ken-chan's going to treat me!"

"Wait! I didn't say tha-"

"Hey, ever been to Wild Gunners? I heard they have the best parfait around."

"Urgh... Whatever. Ok, shall we go now?"

You win this time, Yuna. Just wait for my revenge!

*sigh*

I guess those grin are my weakness. Well, not just her grin though. She also has this warm and calming smile. I don't know how to put it. She seems so playful and mischievous, but at the same time also caring and motherly. I guess this girl is my weakness.

"Hey, Ken-chan! Don't just stand there! It's getting late!"

"Go ahead! I still have to take my things in class."

"Okay, I'll be waiting at the school gate."

She winks and left. I thanked the nurse and left to take my belongings at the class.

The sun has started to set when we reached the flood plain. Contrary to me, Yuna seems very cheerful. I couldn't keep myself from thinking about those dreams. I don't believe in such thing as prophecy or 'sign', but I couldn't scrap the idea that having the same dream on every sleep must have a meaning. But what is it?

People said that dream is the reflection of our thoughts and worries. What worries me enough to makes it came into my dreams? Exam? Definitely not. I don't think exam would manifest itself as a monster, even though it's pretty 'scary'. Well, for sure, the dream itself worries me enough now. Does it mean the worry of the dream manifest as the dream itself? Dreamception?

I suddenly laugh at myself. Which responded by silly look from Yuna's face.

"What is it, Ken-chan?"

"Nah... I just laugh at myself. Say, I must be pretty silly right now."

"Silly?"

"Yeah, I was having the same dream every sleep this week. Suddenly I thought: 'Hey, what if this is some kind of prophecy?' and it makes me worry more. Not about the dream, but about myself. Like, I was thinking, who am I really? Was the monster in my dreams manifestation of myself?"

"Monster?"

"Yeah."

I stare blankly at the setting sun. Yeah, I never thought about who I am. I usually just live the day after day, never really think about future, myself, or those kind of thing. I know this kind of living is not very healthy, but that just me. I don't know where it came from, but suddenly I began doubting myself.

"You're just you, Ken-chan," said Yuna with a smile on her face.

"Eh?"

"I mean, you can't help being Ken-chan just as I can't help being me. There's nothing wrong about being yourself."

"Thank you."

My worries suddenly swept away by this girl's smile. She definitely will be a good doctor with her smile. I didn't realize it, but the frown on my face has been changed with a smile. I guess smile really is contagious, eh?

It's already seven o' clock. We end up spending time in this cafe longer than we had planned. Light Jazz played by the music box in the corner. The cafe was lighted by some yellow old style lamps. The interior were that of typical American cafe you see in the 80's movie.

Yuna has finished her second parfait. She's surprisingly has a strong appetite despite her slim body. I stick with my old fashioned black coffee. It came from a tropical archipelago south of Japan. I'm not really sure, but it taste like Arabica and has a distinct caramelly smell and deep buttery flavor. This was the best I ever taste.

"Hey, Ken-chan. Wanna finish now?"

"Yeah, it's getting crowded here." I also think that it might not the best idea for a guy who ended up in the nurse office this afternoon to stay longer.

We then move to the cashier to pay. I stop Yuna when she took her wallet. "It's on me. Consider it as a thank."

"Yay! You're so cool, Ken-chan! Tehe... Maybe we should hang out more often."

"That doesn't mean I will pay next time." We both burst into laughter as we walk outside.

The downtown at night was pretty. I keep moving my eyes from the bright electronic board on top of a building to the street lamp piercing the darkness. Business men enjoying themselves after work and couples busily chatting between themselves is a pretty common sight around.

Getting to our dorm would take around fifteen minutes by metro and another twenty minutes' walk to the dorm. Walking home together like this has been a daily ritual since we were in elementary. Our homes were just next to each other back then. Of course it's been a teasing material for eternity. Nothing really happens between us, actually. But of course they won't listen.

The metro station was pretty empty when we get there. There are only ten or twelve people besides us, mostly are high schooler like us. It's unusual, since it's Monday. Well, maybe they decide to do some overtime or just having fun downtown.

The road leading to our dorm seems unusually quiet too. I don't see any passerby since we left the station ten minutes ago. Not even the cricket or the dog in Ibarada-san's house bothers to bark. It really is getting creepy. I can't stop thinking of a scene in one of those slasher movies I saw when the girl was killed by a psycho. Of course our neighborhood was too safe for something like that to happen.

The night wasn't that cold, but occasionally the breeze blow, which makes the air less comfortable. Rattling sound from the branches above us adds to the eeriness of our surrounding. I try not to think anything weird but those scenes from Friday the Thirteenth I saw last night didn't help. I know I shouldn't watch those kinds of movies.

I didn't notice it before, but thin mist began developing around our feet. What is it doing here? I don't think it is cold enough for a mist to form. Nah, it must be those weather anomaly things I saw in the internet. What's so bad about a little mist anyway?

"Ken-chan, I think we should hurry."

"Eh?"

Yuna's fidgeting?

"Not feeling well?"

"J- just hurry, please."

"O- Okay."

It's unusual for her to act like this. So I agree that we should move faster. Maybe she's really sick or something.

"Hey, if you're feeling ill or something, let me-"

A sudden burst of smoke from nearby ground interrupts me. I was caught off guard by its sudden appearance. Now our surrounding is covered in thick fog. I can't even see my feet in this fog. I'm not an expert in geology or meteorology, but I know that this phenomenon is not natural. Is this some kind of magic? Is some kind of monster will appear here? Fool you, Kenji! What are you thinking in this situation?

"This is bad..." said Yuna with troubled expression.

"Eh?"

"They're here."

What? Who are they? What are you talking about? Yuna, what's going on here?

That's it for the first chapter. I will upload the next one on the next week. Stay tuned. ;)

Oh, and I will definitely appreciate any critics or commentary. :)