Author's Preface: Yes, yes. You are now about to read another Shinjiro and Minako fan fiction. I've only been a member of this site for a month or so, but in that time I've seen several Shinjiro oneshots, stories, etc. Now, I'm mustering up enough resolve to finally write my first material for Persona 3!
As I stated in the summary, I love the pairing of Shinjiro and Minako, and after reading other fan fictions dedicated to those characters, I was inspired to write my own. I will present nothing but my best writing here with my love for this series as my drive to do better, but as I approach the impending tragedy between these two characters, my writing style will become darker with more gloom. Bear with me, though. ^_^
Something needs to be addressed, though, before you read my fan fic. If you're a diehard persona fan like me, you know EVERYTHING about Persona 3. With that said, you might wonder why there's still school going on towards the end of August when it was summertime then during the game. I'm still keeping the accurate dates of when Ken joins, which is on 8/28, but the very next day, Saturday, they go to school. I wanted to make it like this because I wanted Shinjiro and Minako to meet at a school setting shortly after Ken joined. This way, Shinjiro will be joining on 9/2 like he did in the game and the two already know each other. The conversation between Akihiko and Shinjiro explaining how Ken has joined changes as well and comes earlier than in the game. If you're baffled by this logic, just pay no mind to it or just don't read the work. Daijoubu?
~~Kthanksbye~~
Chapter One: Beginning of the New
August 29-After school-Classroom
"Won't you please come with me, Minako-chan? Please?" I turned around to face Fuuka with an anxious smile. This was about the fifth time she had asked me, and I could tell she was begging me to go to this cooking club with her after school, but there was one simple fact that prevented me from going: I couldn't cook.
"I-I don't know, Fuuka. I'm pretty busy and—"
"But that's what you said last time!" She rebuked. She realized her sudden outburst and quickly lowered her voice, her eyes darting away from mine. "I-I'm sorry. I just really want you to come with me."
I sighed heavily, resting my head against my desk. I couldn't help but pity her countless pleas. I've heard so many horror stories of her "cooking skills". Even though I considered myself a badass, I still couldn't stop from cringing at the thought of eating sugar cookies made of vinegar, or hot sauce, or whatever other obscene ingredients she would accidently add.
But she was Fuuka, and there was no way I could say no to her.
Well, I already did before, but this time was different. When I thought about it, I realized I hardly ever spent time with her except for when we planned to go to Tartarus, and it was important for me as a leader to hang out with each of my teammates.
"Okay, I'll go," I finally said, lifting my head off the desk and giving in to her beseeching stare. "But maybe we can avoid…cooking anything." Hey, I had to at least give it a shot.
"Oh, thank you so much, Minako-chan!" She exclaimed with bliss. "Come on, this way!" she cuffed my left arm tightly in her grasp, yanking me out of my seat and practically dragging me down to the Laboratory Hall and into Home Economics.
"Will you take it easy, Fuuka?" I tried saying in between my gasps for air, but nothing could stop that girl whenever she got excited. I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, even though I could feel my taste buds burning as we approached my impending doom.
But little did I know that Fuuka's cooking wasn't the only problem I would be dealing with today.
Home Economics Room
"Okay, so let's bake something simple since it's your first time here," Fuuka's insisted, looking at the recipe book with wide, glossy eyes.
"Sure…"
"Let's see…I want something sweet today, so…sweet fries! Won't that be fun?"
"Y-Yeah!" I can almost feel the sour taste in my mouth.
So we went on with the cooking process, following the recipe strictly to make sure I didn't mess up. I could only hope that she was doing the same. I had to admit that cooking was pretty fun. It made me feel like a stereotypical woman by working in a kitchen, which was what I wanted to avoid this whole time, but it was still fun. Besides, who says I can't kick ass during the Dark Hour and still keep my pride while cooking during the day?
"Okay, so I want to make sure these fries are extra soft and sweet. Soft and sweet is good, right?" Fuuka announced dubiously. I looked in horror as I watched her literally dump in baking soda in one hand and sugar into the other, completely ignoring the measuring cup right beside her.
"Wait, Fuuka!" I swatted the boxes out of her hands, making them collapse on the ground and spew across the floor. I looked down at the bowl, but I couldn't tell what she was trying to do. I didn't know what other ingredients were in there; everything was drowning in sugar, baking soda, and way too much water.
"Well, at least you didn't forget to add sugar and baking soda in there," I finally said, trying to sound reassuring.
""Yeah, unlike last time," she recalled gravely.
"Hey, don't worry about it. There's always next time." I tried to scoop up as much as I could to try and help her, but by her expression, she was done for today. There was so much wrong with this that it was beyond repair, anyways.
"It must get lonely in here by yourself," I said, trying to change the subject. "Tell you what…as of today I'm now an official member of the cooking club! We'll try again next time, okay?" What am I getting myself into?
"Really? Thank you, Minako-chan!" Her expression almost instantly changed, her eyes glistening with delight. "But I'm not the only member here, you know. Come to think of it, he didn't show up today…" She said, wandering off in thought.
"Wait, did you say he?" I know I was sounding like I was discriminating, but the thought of a guy sucking up his manly pride to come and bake after school blew my mind. The more I thought about it, though, the more I grew to like the idea of a guy being in the cooking club. If anything, it would show how sweet and unbiased he was. It would illustrate his ability look past the stereotypes of others and show the capability of opening his heart! With a heart so great as his, he could break free from any shackle of society while—
"Minako-chan, are you okay? You look like you're daydreaming." Fuuka's voice snapped me back in reality, and I almost bit my tongue from embarrassment. What was I thinking? I was fantasizing over a complete stranger. Then again, who knows what this guy could be like?
Now I really needed to be a member. I had to get a look at this potentially kind yet strong man, this crafty yet gentle soul. I knew that with one look, I'd fall head over—
"Dammit, I'm late again..." A stern voice cut through my thoughts as the entrance door swung open, revealing a tall, slim boy wearing a burgundy pea coat and black pants. A dark grey beanie sat comfortably on his head, his brown hair resting on his shoulders. He reminded me of one of those punks I would see at the back of Port Island, and that definitely wasn't a good sign.
So what the hell was he doing here? And when was my amazing, kind knight coming?
"I'm sorry I'm late, Fuuka," he spoke between pants. His voice was as gruff as his appearance, but its mature tone was almost alluring. "I was in the middle of—"He stopped mid-sentence, his silver eyes focusing on me now. "Who the hell is she?"
"Hello to you, too!" I shot back, staring him down just as much.
"Shinjiro-senpai!" Fuuka said cheerfully, seeming to overlook the sudden face off between the two of us. "This is Minako Arisato, a junior transfer student. She's our new member, so that makes three of us now. Isn't it great?"
"Just great," he mumbled. I didn't get it. Was there baking soda on my face? Did I give off the wrong vibe? By the look of his outfit, I didn't even think he went to this school. So why was he giving me a death glare if he didn't even know me?
"How is he a member when he doesn't go to school here?" I finally asked. The boy looked away from me as I spoke, walking over to the recipe book and flipping through the pages.
"Oh, Shinjiro-senpai is a senior, but he doesn't like wearing his uniform. Actually, he just doesn't like coming to school, I guess. He always comes here, though."
I noticed a smug grin form in the corners of his mouth as he turned a page of the book, looking as if he was proud about Fuuka's knowledge of his reputation of skipping.
"I don't know why they bother giving me the assignments I miss, but it's really…" He came to a stop and leaned over the counter. "Fuuka, what the hell is that?" He inquired, pulling the bowl towards him. He winced at the soupy mixture of water, baking soda, sugar, and…and whatever else Fuuka might have put in there.
He looked up at me with an agitated glare. "Is this what you call cooking?"
"This isn't mine, you jerk!" I snapped, snatching the bowl away from him and setting it closer to Fuuka.
"Sorry Senpai, but that's mine. I messed up. Again," Fuuka admitted, laughing nervously. Instead of yelling at her like he did with me, he merely shook his head and smiled weakly, returning to his book.
"Fuuka," I began saying timidly. "Is this really the other member you were talking about?"
She nodded firmly. "Yes. Shinjiro-senpai is an amazing cook! He's helped me so much since I joined, even though I still can't get the hang of things."
"Okay." I didn't try hiding my disappointment. Here I was expecting this great, kind, well-rounded guy, and I get this punk? Talk about a letdown.
"Is there a problem with that?" He questioned, refusing to look at me. "I don't know, Fuuka," he added after a quick exhale. "Are you sure she's good enough for this club?" He finally looked in my direction, narrowing his eyes and sliding his hands in his pockets. "I mean, this isn't easy, you know. People think anyone can cook, but there's more to it. It's a pain in the ass sometimes and even dangerous. Would you be able to keep up with us?"
I rested my face against my first, leaning my elbow on top of the counter nonchalantly. I gave him my best indifferent expression in response to his challenge, showing the same steely resolve in my eyes as he was.
"I think I can handle it, but thanks for the concern, senpai." I managed a quick grin after I caught a glimpse of his red face.
He drew back his glare and looked away, his eyes flickering nervously at the wall and back to the cook book. Was I really able to throw him off with just my sarcasm?
"Well, we really didn't get much done today since I messed up," Fuuka stated, breaking the tension. "So let's meet up again on Monday, okay?"
"Fine by me." With that said, Shinjiro took his hands out of his pockets and slammed the book shut, making his way out of the room. He gave one last look at Fuuka as a sign of a goodbye, unsurprisingly avoiding my gaze.
"Well, wasn't he pleasant?" I muttered as the door shut behind him.
"Oh, Shinjiro-senpai is always like that. You just have to get to know him. I'm used to the way he acts," She explained, cleaning out all the bowls and supplies.
"You've known him for a while, huh?"
"Just since the beginning of the year. I would come here to the meetings and in between lunchtime when I was bullied a lot, and I would always see him here. We've talked a lot since then."
"Hm, maybe you two should date," I suggested, fiddling with my bangs that fell to the side of my head.
She inhaled sharply at the remark, nearly dropping the boxes of sugar and baking soda that she picked up off the floor. "O-Oh no! I could never date him. I just couldn't! I-I really don't want to date anyone while I'm in high school, and senpai and I…we just don't—"
"I get it, Fuuka." I turned my attention to her and smiled genially, calming her down a bit. Honestly, that girl worried way too much.
But I sure was one to talk. I couldn't get that guy out of my head, and that wasn't meant to sound like I was fantasizing again. I couldn't help but wonder if he was really that big of an ass to everyone like she said or if it was just to me. What could I have done to piss him off?
"Ready to head back?" She asked, holding the door open.
"Oh, Yes. Let's go."
Well, what was the point in worrying? Besides, that guy probably already forgot about me. By his looks, I could tell I was just one of many faces he would see, right?
Evening-Tatsumi Port Station Outskirts
It was a normal, windy day out here, but he didn't mind. Shinjiro stood alone out back of the station again, staring fixatedly at that one spot, that one location that continued to chain him down to despair. There were others here, too, but he disregarded them like everyone else. They were just the usual punks that would hang around and gamble all night and pick fights with each other. People probably considered him as one of them, but he didn't care. As long as he was here looking at that spot, nothing else mattered but the memories.
But tonight, something besides the memories was bothering him.
"Hey Shinji." That familiar voice ruptured his concentration, just like it did nearly every night. He didn't even have to look to know who would be talking to him at this time.
"Why are you still coming here?" He asked the owner of the voice. He could sense his figure right beside him, but Shinjiro continued to stare ahead, his fingers anxiously grazing the surface of the remaining change he had left in his pocket.
"I just thought I'd tell you about the new member that joined the other day. His name is Ken Amada."
Shinjiro stood paralyzed at the sound of that name, that very familiar, haunting name. This person knew very well that this name would surely get Shinjiro's attention.
"So, I suppose you really want me to join now," Shinjiro managed to say. He looked up at Akihiko Sanada, captain of the boxing team, owner of the persona, Polydeuces, and his childhood friend.
"You can do whatever you want, Shinji, but it would be nice to have you back."
I have to join now. This way, I can make things right.
"I'll think about. I promise."
He didn't have to think twice about it. Now that Ken joined, he knew he would be joining eventually, too. He couldn't do it right away, though. He would wait a few days until Ken was settled in the dorm.
Besides, Shinjiro had another matter to discuss with his friend.
"Say Aki, what is your leader like? You know, Minako Arisato…"
Akihiko's expression seemed to brighten at the sound of her name, his hazel eyes beaming at him. "Well, she's amazing to say the least. I've only hung out with her a couple of times, but I've seen her up close in action every time we go to Tartarus. Her fighting style is incredible, and she rarely ever shows signs of weakness. We're pretty lucky to have her as a leader if you ask me."
"Heh, there's no need to kiss her ass and make her sound great when she's not even here, you know."
"H-Hey, I'm telling the truth! She really is a reliable leader."
"Is that so?" Shinjiro became lost in thought again. He had figured she would be as good as Akihiko had described her, but he still couldn't help but feel unconvinced. He knew from the moment he saw her that she was the leader of S.E.E.S, considering how Akihiko had mentioned her appearance briefly before—a girl with long, brunette hair in a ponytail with vibrant, crimson eyes. That's why he was treating her so coldly. He wanted to test what she was like outside of battle, but her personality was incomprehensible to him.
"I saw her at the cooking club after school today," he decided to point out. "She's a lot more snide and cocky than you mentioned."
He told Akihiko the event that took place between the two, the "event" being the big glaring contest with each other. He explained everything she had said to him, especially that sarcastic remark at the end. He knew that he was making a big deal out of it, but there was something about that smirk of hers that mocked him, or maybe it was something else.
"It was as if she was challenging me," he concluded aloud.
"Challenging you, huh? She does tend to do that." Akihiko placed his hands in his pockets, smiling at the thought of her aggressive personality. She seemed to be easier to read to Akihiko than she was to Shinjiro. "But what do you think of her?" He asked.
"She's annoying and beyond my understanding, like most girls."
"Come on, Shinji. She's not that bad. You'll change your mind once you spend more time with her."
"Maybe, but I don't really care either way."
Akihiko slightly shuttered at the incoming sharpness of the wind against his face. He turned away from his friend to see everything gradually being consumed by the darkness of the arriving night. He had to leave soon before the Dark Hour came.
"It's getting late. You should get out of here soon," he insisted.
"I could say the same for you." Shinjiro was getting tired of seeing him tonight. What was he saying, anyways? Where else could he go but here? Akihiko had the dorm to return to, but the gruff, lonesome teen would find himself sleeping here against the wall for the rest of the night, just like he did nearly every night when he wasn't taking refuge at the club or any other type of shelter.
"Well, I'll see you later. Take care, Shinji."
"Yeah. See ya'."
With that goodbye, the silver haired boxing champ made his way out of the area, leaving his dear friend with the same thugs in the corner. Some were throwing their chips and cards in defeat while others were yelling out threats and insults.
Shinjiro sat up against the closest brick wall next to that unforgettable spot, staring at it intently until the need for sleep had overpowered his clouded conscience. Yet, as he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't erase a certain emotion he was feeling, a sensation that helped rid his mind of his usual guilt. This sentiment was beyond description, but he was able to connect the feeling to yet another indescribable notion.
A part of him was looking forward to Monday.
Author's note: Well, I finally finished my first chapter. Something was bothering me, though, as I was creating this story. Throughout the game, you see Shinjiro always at the spot where Ken's mother had died, but where does he go after that? Since he's not living at the dorm with the others until later, I always wondered where he would go at night, so I gave my best guess.
I'm still curious, though... *sigh* the amazing mysteries of Persona 3 are so, well, amazing. =D
By the way, I don't really remember what Fuuka and the protagonist tried making the first time they cooked together, so I went with sweet fries. For all you diehard, all-knowing Persona 3 fans out there: Sue me if I'm wrong! Jeez (Don't really sue, please, for those who are very literal and can't understand a joke like Akihiko. HAHA…) I'm just kidding, Aki! 3
But seriously, Shinji. If you didn't have a place to stay, you could've asked me… hehehehe XD