Gin Nanashi: Hello, everyone!
As you may or may not know, I've been plotting with ReachingOutFES to take over the world! *insert evil laugh here*
... Okay, so I was just kidding about my world domination plan but I am plotting with her about a brand new Persona 3 Fanfiction as you've most likely guessed since you're reading this and thus have clicked on this story.
Like Memories of You, All Alone With You will be in Social Link format, i.e. 10 main chapters, and it will be in First Person Perspective, namely Minako's point of view! And, most importantly, it will be centered around Minato x Minako as per usual!
Unlike MoY, however, AAWY will (hopefully) be more happy and fluffy and humorous as angst hurts my soul so good... (Yes, I know that made no sense whatsoever. xP) Plus, there will be a different focus on their relationship which, if the lovely Ari Moriarty recalls me telling her some (long) time ago, is based on my own theory and ideas about...stuff...though whether they're original or not will remain to be seen. :x
And now, without further ado, please enjoy the very first chapter of All Alone With You!
P.S. This fanfiction will be updated quite slowly since (1) I suck at managing my time and (2) the both of us will be busy with college stuff.
Disclaimer: Persona 3 (c) Atlus
All Alone With You
Rank 1
Monday, April 06, 2009
Sometimes, the world could be a pretty funny place when you think about it.
I mean...
You could be a genius only to be labeled an insane fool for going against popular social standards.
You could be the aspiring pop star only to get into some accident that would destroy your entire appearance and thus your future.
You could be some hero only to turn rogue when the cause that you've been fighting for became the very thing you've been fighting against.
Or, you could be me.
Granted, I'm in no way all-knowing, popular or fearless but...
Who knew that I would return to my hometown for my high school education after spending 10 years far, far away from there?
Yep, the world could be a pretty funny place when I think about it!
.
.
.
Sigh.
Honestly, it's been a really long time since I was last here.
The last time that I was here, my parents–
I quickly shook away the thought and clutched my bag closer to my chest.
No. Stop right there. Don't go down that path.
Breathing deeply, I held my breath and counted to 10 before slowly exhaling and feeling the tension seep away from my shoulders.
Haha, that trick never fails...
I smiled happily to myself before furrowing my brows in confusion as a blur of blue (likethedarknightsky) and a flash of silver (brighterthanthefullmoon) flickered across my mind.
Still, I wish I could remember who taught me that...
Whoever it was definitely wasn't any one of my relatives–they've always passed me off as some sort of disease-riddled dog, unwanted, unloved...
My grip tightened on my bag before I shook off that heaviness in my heart and breathed deeply–12345678910–before exhaling slowly and silently.
Lifting my eyes from my lap to gaze out the window, I saw the scenery pass by in a blur of colors before a grand bridge caught my attention.
I wonder... Is it a coincidence that I've returned here at long last?
Feelings of nostalgia and terror and pain and sorrow washed over me before–12345678910–I relaxed again.
Or could there be more...? Hah... Look at me ponder fate and the meaning of life...
The gentle rumbling of the train nearly put me to sleep as it continued its passage towards my destination so I began smoothing out my appearance.
I felt a bit uncomfortable wearing the school uniform when the year has yet to start but it was a precaution–just in case I lost my way or something.
Given how prestigious Gekkoukan High School is, I was sure that someone would recognize the style and emblem...
Regardless, maybe I should've worn leggings underneath since it's a bit chilly...
Ugh, my thoughts are everywhere tonight.
Shaking my head a bit to clear my mind, I leaned against the backrest and closed my eyes, deciding to pass the time by listening to my beloved MP3; it was the very first thing that I was able to afford on my own–a symbol of my determination and independence, if you will.
Pressing play, the song began as I hummed along to Burn My Dread by Yumi Kawamura.
I must have dozed off at some point because the next thing I knew was–
"Iwatodai. This is the final train bound for Tatsumi Port Island. Please take care to board before our departure."
–that I had finally arrived.
As I stepped off of the train with my bag firmly in hand, a blur of blue (likethedeepblueocean) and a flash of silver (brighterthantheshiningstars) caught my attention from the corner of my eyes and my breath hitched.
Ba-bump.
Without realizing it, my feet moved and then I was all the way over there–out of breath and clutching onto his sleeve as my heart pounded quickly in my chest.
A moment of silence passed as I just stared at him, trying to figure out why he felt so...so familiar, before I felt that prickling sensation on the back of my neck that indicated that someone was staring at me.
Looking around, I blinked owlishly before realizing that it wasn't just someone staring at me but rather everyone in the general vicinity was staring at me...and the hand that I used to grab the boy.
I couldn't help the rush of heat rising to my cheeks as I quickly released my grip on the other (as if burned) and bowed repeatedly while squeaking out apologies.
OhmanIcan'tbelievethatIjustdidthat! Stupidstupidstupid!
"I'm truly sorry! I don't know what came over me and–" I kept my body lowered at a respectable 50˚ angle in hopes of hiding my flushed face (because I was still blushing), "–I'll try to think before I act so please forgive me and–!"
A weight on my head startled me into silence and I froze, not knowing what to do, when it began...stroking my hair?
.
.
.
Huh?
Breaking out of my self-imposed stillness, I blinked and raised my head to peek through my bangs out of pure confusion.
Clear silver eyes gazed back at me and blinked slowly (almost lethargically?) before the boy pulled back his hand, tilted his head the slightest bit to the side, and parted his lips to say,
"Pochibi." [1]
Blink.
.
.
.
Blinkblinkblink.
Does he...think that I'm a dog?
He began petting my head again and, this time, I face-faulted.
Epically.
(Ouch... That's a pretty big blow to my self-esteem, y'know...)
Pushing myself up, I sputtered indignantly and couldn't help but stomp my foot like a flustered child.
"I am not a dog," my blush wasn't going to go away anytime soon, "And stop petting me!"
He paused (finally!) and just looked at me for a moment...or two...or three (okay...?) before resuming his actions (gosh darn it!).
Puffing out my cheeks, I crossed my arms and just sulked for a moment.
Seriously, what's so fascinating about my ponytail?
I mean, I get that it's fluffy and soft and all but...
Is it really that ruffle-able?
.
.
.
Wait a moment...
Why the heck am I still stuck on this?!
Shaking my head rapidly and throwing off his hand (success!), I straightened up and glared at him.
He blinked (again...) before placing his hands into his pockets (yes! no more petting me!) and slouching a bit as his face became impassive (well, actually, it was always that way...) and his eyes drooped sleepily (or in boredom, I wasn't sure).
An awkward silence settled over us and I almost (almost) regretted shaking him off.
Instead, I looked him over as discreetly as possible.
He looked to be my age and was pretty tall, taller than me by at least 10 centimeters I reckon (why must I be so short?), and had blue hair with bangs that covered half of his face (his right, my left). His skin was a few shades tanner than mine and, surprisingly enough, he wore the male counterpart to my school uniform (so we might be in the same class). But it was his eyes that really caught my attention.
Silver...
Like the moon...
Like the stars...
Like the flash that would come and go in my broken memories.
I furrowed my brows, trying to recall those brief moments of joysorrowpainnostalgia, but came up blank.
Why...?
Why can't I remember what happened that night...?
Why can't I remember my life before...the week after...?
Is... Is the trauma truly too great to overcome?
My shoulders slumped a bit as my heart tightened almost painfully before I–12345678910–slowly relaxed and shook my head.
A tap on my shoulder made me jump a bit and I mentally scolded myself for zoning out before blinking in surprise when I saw a hand in front of me.
"Minato," a low voice, no...he spoke slowly, "Minato Arisato. A pleasure..."
Lifting my head, I looked at him straight in the eye without hesitation (and was that a flash of pride? but he looks so expressionless...) before taking his hand politely.
"Minako," I said in turn, "My name's Minako Inoue. It's nice to meet you, Arisato-san." [2]
Something flickered in his eyes but it passed far too quickly for me to read this time around...
Just then, the world around us changed.
All of the lights, the computers, every man-made object shut down simultaneously. Blood suddenly trickled from the ceiling, dripping down the corners and walls of the building, before settling into ominous puddles on the floor. The once beautifully dark sky faded into an eerie shade of green as the glorious silver moon took on a murky yellow color. And black coffins replaced the once bustling visitors of the now silent Iwatodai Station.
It's morbidly attractive...
I shook off the strange thought and nearly jumped (luckily, I actually didn't) when Minato shifted from his place beside me. Turning to look at him, I noticed that he was tapping the sides of his headphones (the same model as mine) before he slipped them off, allowing them to dangle around his neck like mine was (I took it off when I realized I'd arrived). Belatedly, I realized that I should be seriously freaking out right about now.
Yet, as I gazed through the glass ceiling at the strangely colored moon, I felt more than just my usual apprehension to odd things.
I felt...longing for this strange event.
The rustling of paper brought me out of my daze and I looked over at Minato before stepping closer to take a look at what he was holding.
It was a pamphlet detailing Iwatodai Dorm, where I (and apparently Minato as well) would be staying, and the route to said destination.
I sneezed, feeling a bit dizzy, as my stomach churned uneasily from this new experience.
The smell's starting to get to me...
And Minato began walking after placing the pamphlet away (I guess he's memorized it).
I quickly followed him and was relieved to find that the metallic scent had dispersed given the vast amount of space outside.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Our footsteps practically echoed down the streets, making it that much more creepy since there seemed to be no sound, no movement, nothing...save for us.
I shivered.
Warmth brushed against my arm and I looked up in alarm before relaxing when I noticed that Minato had simply walked a bit too close.
I'm not alone. I thought to myself sternly. We'll get through this...whatever this is.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Once again, our footsteps resounded in the silent green night but, this time, I didn't feel as tense as before.
Briefly, I admired how charismatic Minato seemed to be since he managed to even calm me down with just his presence.
A familiar building soon came into view and I perked up with a smile.
We're finally here!
Stopping in front of the double doors, I looked over at my companion just as he looked at me.
We nodded to each other and placed our hands on the knobs before twisting them and pushing the door open.
As expected, the building was dark but we stepped inside anyway (sorry for the intrusion!) and closed the door behind us.
"Welcome," I blinked at the unexpectedly young voice (so familiar, do I know you?), "You're late. I've been waiting a long time..."
Walking over to the receptionist desk, I smiled sheepishly even as I observed the boy, looking no older than 10 or so (that number's coming up a lot...), with dark hair and bright blue eyes and dressed in black and white striped clothes, "Sorry. The train schedule was delayed..."
The boy (does he live here as well?) smiled back at me and nodded in understanding before sliding two red booklets towards us, "Please, sign here. It's a contract."
Curious, I flipped open the cover and blinked before staring at the single sentence on the whole sheet of paper:
I chooseth this fate of mine own free will.
Under it was a line, supposedly for my signature.
"There's no need to be scared," I was still apprehensive about signing such a strange oath, "It only binds you to accepting full responsibility for your actions."
For a second, I simply gazed at the unknown boy in front of me.
Logically, I knew that such a document could get me into a whole bunch of trouble but...
My instincts told me to trust this one.
Nodding resolutely, I picked up the offered pen and wrote my name in my own unique way as I heard Minato follow suit on his own contract.
"... Very well," He spoke softly, sounding so young and so old, "Time is something no one can escape. It delivers us all to the same end."
"Memento mori, Ko-chan... Never forget that fact...so that you may truly live."
My heart throbbed in sharp pain and sweet remembrance as I recalled that gentle voice speaking to me as if I were still small and safe in her warm arms.
Mama...
"Wishing won't make it go away," the boy continued as he held the contracts in his hand and flicked his wrist, making them disappear into nothingness, "And so it begins..."
With that said, he melted into the shadows...
I stared at where he once was and, for a moment, I wondered why I wasn't spazzing like I usually would've when I soon realized that someone was...petting me.
Again.
My eye twitched before I looked over at the stoic male beside me with an unamused look on my face.
"I should bite you," I said and paused before adding, "To death." [3]
A tilt of his head and the continual strokes through my ponytail were his answer.
Why me? I thought in mock-despair. Do I really resemble a dog of some sort?
There was no answer.
I sighed in exasperation.
And there goes my self-esteem...
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond..."
Fool Social Link: XXII – Rank 1 – Complete!
[1] "Pochibi" is a mix of "Pochi" and "Chibi" which are two popular names for pet dogs.
[2] The surname "Inoue" is taken from "Marina Inoue" who's Minako's Japanese VA.
[3] KHR-reference. xD