April 7, 2009

Minato stood up straight and stared at himself in the mirror. Reflected was himself wearing a school uniform, the emblem essentially glowing on his chest. It wouldn't take anyone a second glance to know he was going to the prestigious Gekkoukan High School, where the teachers were experts in their field of study and the amount of resources better than any other high school in the country.

Of course, not every rumour should be believed. With his usual blank expression, he smoothed out his soft hair while returning to his usual slouch. Things were becoming strange, he noted, for he had received a scholarship for an impressive school and sent to a dorm where there were others who were conscious during the strange hour. Not to mention there was the contract which as far as he could tell had no actual relevance to the dormitory or the scholarship he received. After all, any paperwork was already dealt with.

And then there's the fact that the school he was attending was built shortly after his parent's death.

If he was to believe this was all a coincidence, then it was one hell of a coincidence.

Minato looked towards his wristwatch and confirmed the time. He should be able to make it to the school on time without any problems, if he didn't get lost.

Stepping out of his room, Minato just closed the door, not bothering to lock it. He had nothing really worthwhile for anyone to steal. Not to mention he had a feeling the dorm was under strict security. Just a hunch.

When he stepped down into the lounge, he saw a tall, gruff-looking teenager standing next to a much shorter girl by comparison. Silver hair that was shorter than Miss Kirijo and longer than Takeba. Her hair rested on both her shoulders. She was wearing the female variant of his uniform with a small ribbon that represented her year. However, what stood out to him the most was the obvious amount of foundation that made her face look like the perfect doll and idol for any young man.

The tall teen looked over to him with a stern gaze. "You're here. Come on, let's get going."

The girl gave the tall teen an annoyed stare before meeting Minato's eyes. "I'm Miki Sanada, you're underclassman. I'll be in your care."

She finished with a bow and Minato nodded in return. "I'm Minato Arisato. Nice to meet you."

When Sanada realized the tall teen wasn't going to introduce himself, she gave him a jab with her elbow. "This is Shinjiro Aragaki. He's a third-year so he's both our upperclassman."

Minato again noted that he hadn't mentioned what year he was in yet they seemed to already know. It was likely the information that a new dorm mate was coming so they tried to learn more about him. Whether it was to be more comfortable around him or some other hidden agenda, only time will tell.

"Nice to meet you," Minato responded politely as he did with Sanada. He recalled Takeba mentioning something about one of the residents being scary and Aragaki definitely fit the bill.

"Let's go. Unless you two want to be late on the first day."

Minato shared a glance with Sanada, silently asking if Aragaki always spoke so passive-aggressive. To which she nodded with a smile and started to walk by Aragaki's side and Minato followed silently.


"I shall count on you then." Mitsuru turned around swiftly as she handed a fellow junior with swept black hair a stack of papers. He was only in his second year yet was very impressive as a public speaker and was very capable at retaining order. The previous year disciplinary chairman recommended him as at the very least a member of the Disciplinary Committee. Thus, Mitsuru chose him as the person who would give her campaign speech.

Under normal circumstances, which was her middle school student council, she would give the speech herself. But she understood that this is also a popularity competition. And while she was well-known, she didn't have nearly as many friends as Takeba did. So, if she got someone as popular as Odagiri to assist her, it would help her greatly.

The students weren't completely incapable of making a decision based on logic. They should be able to see who would be able to push the school forward into a new direction.

Though Mitsuru had to admit, she didn't expect Takeba to actually take the campaign as seriously as she did. Already preparing for the elections was a surprise. Mitsuru was hoping she'd get the advantage by preparing in advance but it appears this was going to be a difficult fight.

"Hey, Mitsuru." Mitsuru turned around at the familiar voice. Walking coolly towards her with his uniform jacket over his shoulder was her old friend.

"Akihiko," she greeted with a nod. "I'm surprised you left without your sister."

Akihiko shrugged before slipping on his uniform jacket. "I trust Shinji. If anything, she's probably going to drag him here."

Mitsuru closed her eyes and smiled. "Yes. Let's hope she also drags the transfer student here as well."

Akihiko furrowed his brow and crossed his arms. "Transfer student? To our dorm? Now this is something you should tell me."

Mitsuru let out a sigh. "I was only told the day he arrived. According to Takeba it was a last-minute transfer."

"Come on…it's been two years. She could have told all of us," Akihiko sighed.

"She's been very busy. Remember, she's still our junior yet has more responsibilities than we could imagine."

"We're all busy," Akihiko quickly pointed out. "But…yeah I understand. Elections aren't for a while, but good luck. You have my vote."

"Thank you." Mitsuru watched Akihiko walk away, fumbling with his uniform jacket. He never really wore it properly. Perhaps being a senior sparked some sort of change? Letting out a huff of amusement, Mitsuru started walking to the assembly hall where the principal would give his school beginning speech.

As for why she didn't get Akihiko to do her campaign speech for her, she wasn't oblivious to his fan club. They might vote for her if Akihiko was supporting her, or they might purposely not vote for her because Akihiko was supporting her. Odagiri was the safest bet.

Mitsuru stopped completely when a strange sensation filled her head. Looking around, Mitsuru couldn't see anything out of the ordinary at first, until her eyes landed on a girl with hair as red as hers. There was something about her but she couldn't say what it was. In fact, if it weren't for her very own eyes she wasn't sure if she would have noticed her despite her eye-catching hair colour.

Realizing she didn't have time to ponder, she quickly entered the assembly hall, taking note of the girl's ribbon size.


"Yo! How's it going?"

Minato stared blankly at the extended hand. Cautiously, he accepted the handshake while wondering what was up with this baseball-cap guy who didn't even bother to wear the tie with the uniform.

"Junpei Iori, at your service!"

A nice guy with the look of delinquency. Minato questioned his true motives. Not many people came out of their way to talk to him at first. His hairstyle made sure of that.

"What do you want?" Minato finally asked after taking his hand back from the handshake.

Junpei recoiled comically from the bluntness before rubbing the back of his head. "I transferred here myself a few years ago so I know what it's like being the new kid. So, I decided to come break the ice! See what a nice guy I am?"

Minato had met his fair share of people, but Junpei was definitely a first of his kind. Minato opened his mouth to respond but it wasn't his voice that came out of it.

"Do you ever stop to wonder if you're bothering someone?" Minato was surprised to see the famous Takeba enter the classroom and walk over to the two of them. Minato learned just uncomfortable it was having the eyes of every single person in the classroom staring at your back.

"Hey, if it isn't Yuka-tan! How's the prep for the elections going?"

Junpei, Minato noted, was close to the famous Takeba if the nickname was anything to go by. Perhaps he should get closer to Junpei to stay on her good side.

"Funny coincidence, huh? The two of ending up in the same class."

She outright ignored Junpei. Maybe he should stay far away from Junpei as possible.

A coincidence though? Was it really? "Hm, I guess."

She seemed to accept that before looking apologetic. "Sorry I couldn't show you the way to school. I'm running for president so…" She stopped when she noticed Junpei's shocked expression that formed instantaneously. "…What?"

"Show you the way to school…? You two know each other!?"

"Huh? We just live in the same dorm…"

"Huh!?"

Minato witnessed one of the nastiest glares he's ever seen. What was more impressive was that Junpei wasn't even bothered by it. "Listen. We met last night and that's it. Don't go spreading rumours."

Junpei put both his hands behind his head and leaned back with a grin. "Don't worry, I won't say anything." Minato glanced at some of the other students to see them whispering. What had he gotten himself into?

"Junpei, I'm serious!"

"Jeez, don't worry! I was just joking around!" Takeba gave him one final glare before leaving the classroom quickly. "Not like anyone takes rumours seriously."

"You two seem close," Minato pointed out, hoping to probe for some information.

Junpei shrugged. "We were desk buddies last year."

Seeing he wasn't going to get anything else out of him, Minato stood up and left. He noticed Junpei walk over to another girl in the classroom. Unlike the other students, she was by herself drawing on a sketchpad. Her red hair stood out compared to everyone else and reminded him of Kirijo.

When Minato arrived by the shoe lockers, he saw a familiar silver-haired girl and gruff-looking teen. It was because of them his current reputation was weird. He heard the whispers. People saw him with Aragaki, so associated him with either being a delinquent or a friend of Sanada. Though it seemed like they were referring to a different Sanada then the girl in front of him.

Being seen with Sanada made people wonder if they were dating. And now thanks to what happened with Takeba, things were going to be even stranger. Perhaps annoying is a better word.

Regardless, he still approached them. Mostly because Sanada waved to him and turning away would have made things worse. "Minato, want to walk with us back to the dorm? We can even show you around!"

Minato gave a glance to Aragaki who looked away. Shrugging, Minato nodded. "Sure. I appreciate it."


"Ugh…"

"Tch, I told you not to get carried away."

Minato watched in amusement as Aragaki returned to the lounge with a glass of water. The current situation had Minato sitting on one of the lounge couches next to an ill-looking Miki Sanada with Aragaki no longer wearing his pea coat and was instead wearing his own Gekkoukan uniform.

"I thought I would have gotten better…"

Aragaki placed a hand on his forehead. "You're just as headstrong as your brother. And that ain't a good thing." Sanada smiled weakly before taking a sip of water. Minato learned from Aragaki that when it comes to fast food, Sanada easily became sick. As a result, she threw up on Aragaki. "We should have gone for ramen…"

"You and brother, ramen addicts." Sanada shook her head lightly in amusement before recoiling. "Besides, we need to show Minato everything Iwatodai and Port Island have to offer!"

"He can go get a peta-wac anytime on his own. Or with someone else. Don't go getting sick for a reason as stupid as that."

Sanada sighed. "You're being annoying again, Shinji."

"Tch."

It was a strange atmosphere; one Minato hadn't felt in a long time. A very familial atmosphere. Minato let himself smile at the two as they continued their friendly banter.

Of course, he knew there was more to these two than they were showing. They were residents of this dorm. A dorm that seemed to house people who were awake during the strange time. He'd have to be extra careful during that time.

But maybe for now he'll revel in the comforting atmosphere of lies and masks.


Huh. Decided to write a second chapter to see how it will go and it was…short. 2k words. But man was it easy to write. Maybe I can actually update this story every now and then if they're this short. Short isn't terrible. Just think of this story as a bunch of short (very short) stories.

One purpose for this idea of "switched fates" was to see interactions we never really got to see. In this case, Shinjiro and Miki and Minato…okay I just wanted more Shinjiro. The Mitsuru part was kind of pointless though and I was about to delete it but eh, I decided to leave it in. It gave some insight to the difference between her and Yukari, though I did that last chapter.

Maybe I should delete it before I upload this chapter…

HMM I SURE WONDER WHO THAT RED-HAIRED GIRL WHO LIKES TO DRAW IS. I WONDER.

Yeah, I'm not trying to be subtle in this story, because really what's the point? We all know the story of Persona 3 and its characters.

And Junpei. He sure seems normal, doesn't he? Looks like no switch for him…

Also my plan for this story was a day a chapter. So…huh. Over 300 chapters…