Chapter 2

I was so caught up in the last encounter with Chidori that for the moment, I forgot that "tomorrow" was the day of the next full moon. Around noon I took a walk, obviously finding myself later at the train station. I guess I was a bit early since she wasn't around when I got there.

Actually, she wasn't there at all. I hung around for nearly an hour before I decided to just go home and hope that she somehow forgot about asking me to be there.

I approached the dorm entrance as it opened. Out came Minato, Yukari, and Koromaru together. "Yo, Minato, Yuka-tan!" Before either of them could say anything, I continued, "...A-heheh, hey, what're you two up to?"

Yukari, standing not a foot away from Minato, immediately turned red. "It... it's nothing, Stupei!" she immediately burst, cheeks red. "We're just walking the dog. Stop making accusations every time you see us together."

"Who said I was makin' accusations? Hah! You just told me what you were trying to hide!" I joked, glancing at Minato, who was cracking up.

"One day, Stupei. One day!" the embarrassed brunette annoyedly yelled.

"Classic," Minato commented, flicking away the overbearing fringe of his dark hair.

"Well, you two are dating, right?" I asked as Yukari turned her head to the side.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," he humbly confirmed, "but it's nothing major, really."

"Big day today, right?" I asked, "My Persona's just begging for some action!"

"Yeah, I'm hoping there'll only be one Shadow to fight tonight. That last pair was real tricky. Anyway Koromaru seems real eager, so we're gonna get going. See you tonight."

"Seeya later!" I said as they left together.

I poked my head into the dorm and the lounge was completely empty. I didn't want to be the only one home, so I locked up and decided to head back to the station. I turned around to find the redhead lolita walking up to me. What were the chances?

"Oh, hey!" I exclaimed while walking down the doorsteps.

"Hello," her voice gently greeted. I noticed she was holding what appeared to be a large instrument case.

"What brings you here?" I asked, curious.

"Well... I followed you," she quietly admitted.

"W-what? Seriously?" I asked, scratching the back of my head in a sort of flattered embarrassment.

"Yes. I waited for you at the station, but stayed out of sight. I was just curious as to where you lived, really."

I was still confused. "Do you..." I started as I searched my head for the second half of the sentence, "...wanna come in?"

She nodded and I felt my face turn red. We walked in and she observed her surroundings. She kept a tight grip on whatever she was holding. "So this is the home of the so-called 'chosen one', huh?"

"It's nothing too special," I admitted, "but Junpei Iori's gotta appreciate what he's got."

"I find it... comforting," she softly spoke as I felt her move a bit closer to me. "Can we go to the roof? The sun will be setting soon."

"Oh, sure."

I took Chidori's hand and walked up the stairs with her. We reached the dimly lit rooftop exit after some ten billion steps and I found that it was unlocked. The sun pierced my eyes as I pushed open the metal door.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Chidori asked as she looked toward the setting light.

"Yeah, it's the little things, I guess."

"Junpei, I have a surprise for you," she said as she put the large container on the ground. "Here, close your eyes."

I did as she instructed. Without vision, her elegant voice was even more comforting. I heard the jingle of some sort of metal object. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head and I hit the hard floor.

I slowly regained my senses as my eyes slowly started to focus. I caught a noticeable red and white figure in front of the dark green sky. "Chidori?"

"Ah, you're awake."

I tried to stand, but I looked down to see that my arms were chained around my body. "What... what is this?" I asked as I rested down on my knees. "Chidori, answer me!"

"My apologies, Junpei, but it seems you're not in any position to be asking questions," she replied, voice cold as ever.

It was the Dark Hour. Yet, Chidori didn't transmogrify into a coffin. "You... You have the potential?"

"Yes. And it appears you were not lying about your activities earlier. Good."

"Chidori, what're you trying to do? Get me outta these chains, this isn't friggin' funny!" I struggled against the chains to no avail as the twisted tower of Tartarus caught my eye in the distance.

"Okay, Junpei. I will release you from your bonds if you contact your friends and cancel the mission," she demanded.

"What? No. No, I won't do that. I can't do that!" I yelled, "Why would you want that?"

"Your friends intend on stopping the existence of the Dark Hour by defeating the major Arcana Shadows, correct?" she asked.

"...Yeah, what about it?"

"I can't have that. Now, please, cancel the operation."

"Chidori, stopping the Dark Hour is for the best. But, what the hell! How could you do this?"

She looked perplexed as she paced around the rooftop. "Do what?"

"What? This! I thought we were friends. I thought... damn it...!" My head was too cluttered for me to go on.

Chidori knelt down to her box and pulled out a short red axe, connected to chains. My heart raced and my eyes widened as she brought it to my neck. "Call off the mission!" she commanded.

"Tch, this just figures. Finally met a decent girl and now she's got me at axe-point."

She lowered her weapon and took a step back. "It seems they've completed their mission. The Hermit Shadow has been eliminated."

"You can tell?" I asked, wondering if there was some sort of sign that was visible from the rooftop.

"Through Medea's eyes,"

"Medea?"

"My friend," she abruptly claimed.

"Her friend..? Is she referring to a Persona?" I thought, "So, you do have a Persona."

"That's not important. Why didn't you call off the mission? Is it worth your life?" she asked, "Dying is what people fear most, isn't it?"

"Well I've never actually given anyone orders before," I truthfully answered. "They wouldn't listen to me, anyway. Ya see, I'm not really the one in charge." The image of Minato being fooled like this wouldn't formulate in my head. Probably because he wouldn't screw up like I did. That's why he's the leader and I'm not.

Her face looked slightly disappointed. "So you were lying earlier? Why? I don't understand."

I didn't care about that right now. "Answer me this: Was it all just an act? Us meeting, your wound, the picture - were you just setting me up for this?" My head found its place hanging low. "Now that I think about it, that cut healed pretty quickly. Hah... I see how it is"
Chidori took a step forward before the door behind her burst open. Mitsuru, Minato, Yukari and Fuuka rushed onto the rooftop. "Junpei!" Yukari called.

"They're here, already?" Chidori exclaimed as Mitsuru drew her rapier.

Chidori raised her right arm, and everyone's eyes were glued to the steel that she held against her head. "MEDEA."