A/N: It's been a long while, but here's the second chapter! It's kind of long, though, I really wanted to cram the whole first day in there. I think I'm remedy length by skipping over trivial stuff everyone knows about already.
Thanks to the Observer and neko-neko-aishizu for reviews. I'm just getting started with Kid!Minato. Just you wait until later in this story!
There's an early bird appearance of a certain character this chapter! Everyone should know who it is. If not, then you'll have to read to find out. (o.-)b
I don't own Persona, d00d.
The First Day
-April 7, 2009-
Dorm, Karin's Room: Early Morning
*Knock knock*
"It's Yukari. Are you awake?"
Karin turned towards the door, straightening the ribbon on her uniform. It was a good thing she was already up, surprisingly before her alarm went off. Takeba certainly had good timing. "Yeah. Come in."
She had a feeling the other girl would come in regardless.
The door opened and Yukari stepped inside, keeping one arm behind her back. In fact, she looked slightly awkward. When her gaze lingered on the unpacked boxes for a little too long, Karin had to speak up. "Relax, nothing's gonna jump out and bite you. I'll put my things away later."
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry." Yukari shook her head. "Anyway, good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Somewhat." I had a dream I was being shot at by a fake gun, Karin wanted to add, but she forced a smile instead. She really needed to break that habit.
"Oh." The girl looked slightly dismayed. "Well, Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school today."
"What about Minato?"
"You just missed him. Senpai left with him a few minutes ago to show him where the elementary school was. She said if you would like to know as well to ask her for the directions later."
Karin nodded. "Alright then." She had no choice in the matter. However, she wasn't too worried. Minato was always an early riser no matter how he felt. She hoped he was better.
"Are you ready to go?" Yukari asked, her head cocking to the side a bit.
"I'll be fine by myself." Karin draped her headphones around her neck and clipped on her music player. She usually went to school alone if Minato wasn't with her. To be honest, she wasn't too comfortable walking with other people…
"But you don't want to be late on your first day, do you, Karin-san? Come on, let's go!"
The brunette found that again, she didn't have a choice in the matter as Yukari dragged her from her room (as soon as she picked up her school bag, of course). Apparently she wasn't taking no for an answer.
New City Passenger Train Anehazuru: Early Morning
The train was pretty crowded that morning, many of the passengers students dressed in the same uniform Karin was wearing.
Her mind often drifted back to her younger brother, but she had to convince herself that he would be okay. She had to admit to being a bit nervous; would he be alright by himself with Kirijo? Kirijo… where had she heard that name before, now that she thought of it…
"Anyway, Takeba-san," she decided to address her fellow junior, who had been silent, "is this the way we always have to go?"
"Yeah, we take the monorail to get there," Yukari answered. "Bet your last school wasn't like that, huh?"
"No. I walked with Minato most of the way, since our schools were in the same direction. We eventually went our separate ways once we were about a block away."
"I see…" The other girl nodded. "Oh, this is my favorite part of the trip… when it feels like we're gliding over the sea." She closed her eyes for a brief moment, but when she realized the auburn-haired girl was still looking at her, she shrank back a bit, smiling sheepishly.
Karin raised an eyebrow. She hoped Takeba didn't do this every morning.
"Our stop is Port Island Station at the end of the line. From there, we walk," the pink-clad girl explained. "Have you ever heard of Tatsumi Port Island? It's man-made. They built our school right in the middle." She started to gaze out the window and she suddenly smiled. "See, Arisato-san, you can see it now! Take a look!"
The view Karin saw was spectacular. Across the sea on the train was the island Yukari spoke of; to think that the place she used to live so long ago had such a view. One thing she had never noticed there was the white structure that seemed to tower above everything else there.
"Can't argue with the view," she said, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "It's beautiful."
"I know, right?" Yukari beamed.
Before Karin knew it, they had reached their destination. She was so caught up in the view of the school that Yukari had to drag her off the train by the arm for the second time that day.
Before long, the front gates of the large white building came into view. A female student standing by the gates turned to Yukari and Karin, hearing their footsteps.
"Mornin'!" she greeted warmly.
"Morning!" Yukari waved back.
"A friend of yours?" Karin asked, curious.
"Nah, not really. I've seen her around last year, though," Yukari sniffed. She walked ahead a few steps ahead of the other girl and stood, gazing at her with a smile. "Well, here we are… Welcome to Gekkoukan High! You're gonna love it here!"
Another smile escaped Karin, despite her efforts to keep a straight face. Perhaps things weren't going to be so bad after all.
Gekkoukan High, 1st Floor, Main Lobby: Early Morning
"… You're okay from here, right, Karin-san?"
Karin looked up at Yukari as she straightened her inside shoes. "I think so."
"You should go see your homeroom teacher first," Yukari explained. "The faculty office is right there to the left… And that concludes the tour. Do you have any questions before I go?"
"Where's my homeroom?" Karin's head cocked to the side ever-so-slightly. "I mean, I don't even know what class I'm gonna be in…"
"I think they're posted on the bulletin board," Yukari told her, "but I haven't checked yet, either."
"Oh… well, I don't want to keep you from wherever you have to go." Karin tapped her toes on the floor. Yep, the school shoes were good now.
"… Right." The other girl was slow to reply for some reason. The auburn-haired girl raised an eyebrow.
"Um… Takeba-san?"
"Oh, sorry." Yukari started to leave, but she paused at the last second. "Hey… about last night… don't tell anyone what you saw, okay? See you later."
Just like last night, she was such in a hurry to leave. Karin wondered if this was just some sort of weird habit or something. She shrugged; well, it wasn't her problem. Her mind soon drifted back to Minato. Was he doing well?
Gekkoukan Elementary School, Front Gates: Early Morning
Gekkoukan Elementary School was a new facility; it had only recently opened a few years ago.
Minato blinked, music playing softly through his headphones as he stood at the front gate. He had been dropped off a block away after a five minute ride in a very expensive automobile, which he guessed was owned by Kirijo-san's family.
He really would have walked here himself; it was within walking distance. However, Mitsuru insisted on accompanying him at least partway there.
… In that respect, the young woman reminded him of his elder sister.
The boys' uniform consisted of a black jacket, worn zipped over a plain white buttoned shirt, black shorts, and a thin black ribbon tie. Minato had taken a few liberties with this ensemble, leaving his jacket unzipped and opting to wear knee-length black pants, low socks, and his favorite dark buckled boots.
Fiddling with the music player he wore around his neck, Minato turned the volume up a solitary notch to settle his nerves.
~I never felt like so miserable…
I never felt like thinking this would last forever.
Baby stay with me…
You gotta tell me your love come all over me…~
For the briefest of moments, he closed his eyes… and promptly collided into another student.
"Oi! Watch where you're goin'!" The black-haired student shoved him backwards, knocking him off balance.
"M-my apologies, I didn't see you." Minato righted himself. Surely it wouldn't be good if he had fallen over. His head swam slightly; he had to admit he was feeling a bit woozy from the trip yesterday.
"Course not! What kind of dork walks around wearin' headphones with his eyes closed?" The boy shoved him again, knocking him to the ground.
Several other students stopped and stared, Minato noticed all too quickly. "Look, I know I made a mistake, but…"
"'But' nothin'! A dork's a dork!" the boy snapped, hands clenched into fists.
"Hey, leave him alone, Kimura." Another boy stepped forward from the growing crowd of students. He wore an unzipped orange hooded fest underneath his uniform jacket. He had dusty brown hair and was looking at the boy called Kimura with stern hazel eyes. "He already apologized, so put it behind you and stop."
Kimura looked at Minato, then the newcomer, still seething. "Tch, whatever, I don't need to get in trouble my first day. You just stay out my way, you hear me dork?" He stormed off towards the entrance.
The crowd slowly dispersed after that, whispering amongst themselves.
"That kid was going to get slugged by Kimura."
"Who was he, anyway? He looks kinda frail."
"Dunno."
"Wouldn't be surprised if he keeled over any minute, though…"
Minato sighed. Things certainly weren't going too well. Nevertheless, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
"Hey, are you alright?" The boy who told off Kimura was giving him a concerned look.
"Yes. I am. Thank you." Minato stood and straightened his clothes.
"It's no problem. Kimura's always trying to pick fights with people, but he always backs off whenever someone stands up to him." The boy's head tilted slightly. "Um… are you new here?"
"I just transferred, actually. I'm Arisato. Arisato Minato."
"I'm Amada Ken. Welcome to Gekkoukan Elementary." The boy named Ken reached out a hand, which Minato tentatively shook.
"Thank you, Amada-kun," the blue-haired youth replied softly.
Ken's brow furrowed slightly. "Whoa, you speak very formally. Come to think of it, I did see you getting out of a really expensive-looking vehicle about a block away from here. Is your family wealthy?"
"Eh?" Minato's eyes widened. "N-no. I just got a ride here this morning, that's all. I don't have any parents."
Ken blinked, and he looked almost melancholy. "… Oh. I didn't know. Sorry."
"U-uh, um, it's okay, really, Amada-kun," Minato said quickly. "It happened a long time ago… and I'm not wealthy or anything, I just speak this way…"
"Oh, okay then." Ken seemed to have gotten out of his brief funk, though he suddenly looked as though he'd been knocked silly. "Oh, crap, we shouldn't be standing here talking. Come on, we don't want to be late!"
Before the blue-haired boy could react, the other youth took hold of his sleeve and dragged him inside the building.
…This was exactly how Minato did not want to begin the school year.
Gekkoukan High School, Auditorium: Early Morning
It was official. The principal was putting Karin to sleep.
"… if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well…"
Karin, yawned, reaching for her headphones to tune out the little old man. Her day had been sort of normal so far, like a typical first day. She had to sort of push her way past a crowd of students only to find her name sloppily written on a note attached to a roster of class 2-F (where she found Takeba's name, ironically). Then she met her teacher, Isako Toriumi, who somehow did not read her file in advance. She smiled like she always did, and spoke politely. She had to keep a civil tone.
And now, here she was, bored out her skull. She started to turn up the sound on her mp3 player when she heard something behind her. Turning her head ever-so-slightly, she saw two boys whispering to each other out the corner of her eye.
"Hey, I heard we got a transfer student," said the first.
The second boy smirked. "Yep, I've seen her, too. She came to school with Takeba."
"Seriously? Dude…"
"I hear talking." A stern-faced male teacher spoke up this time. Karin's head snapped forward immediately. "I think it's someone in Toriumi's class."
"Shh!" Toriumi hissed. "Be quiet! You're going to get me in trouble!"
Karin nonchalantly turned up the volume. The rumors weren't going to stop anytime soon…
Gekkoukan Elementary School, Classroom: Morning
Minato was starting to feel ill, and he hadn't even been sitting at his desk for more than five minutes.
His blue-gray eyes focused lazily towards the front of the classroom, where the teacher was writing his name on the chalkboard in front.
"… you may call me Iwata-sensei," Iwata Hajime, a young man with dark brown hair and a kind expression. "As you no doubt saw the sign outside this room, you guys and girls are in class 5-B this year…"
"Arisato-kun…?" Ken, who sat in the seat next to him, was gently tapping the blue-haired youth on the shoulder. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."
Minato shifted his head a little, burying his face in his folded arms, shaking his head. "Too much traveling. Tired."
Ken was about to ask further when Iwata cleared his throat. "It would do you some good to pay attention, Amada-kun. Arisato-kun, you're not in kindergarten anymore, so sit up."
Ken stiffened a little in his seat, and Minato resorted to resting his chin in his hands. Several students around them snickered and started whispering again.
Iwata silenced them at once, swatting the chalkboard with a yardstick to get their attention. "Alright," he bellowed, "let's get down to business, shall we?"
"Yes, Sensei!" the class said in unison. Minato had to stifle a yawn.
Gekkoukan High School, Classroom: After School
The rest of the day flew by for Karin, as the teachers mostly talked about the topics they would be covering for the first term. When the bell rang signaling the end of homeroom and the students started getting their belongings together, Karin exhaled a breath she wasn't really aware she was holding.
As the auburn-haired girl stood up and started to get her bag, a voice behind her spoke up.
"'Sup dude!"
Karin whirled around, and came face to face with a male student. He wore a blue dress shirt underneath his uniform jacket and a baseball cap over very short dark hair, red eyes widened.
The student chuckled. "Haha, you look like a deer in headlights."
"Who are you?" Her voice came out as almost a squeak. It always did when her nerves got rattled.
"Me? I'm Iori Junpei. Nice to meet ya." Junpei gave her a friendly grin. "I transferred here when I was in eighth grade. I know how tough it is bein' the new kid. So I thought I'd check up on you, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day."
"Arisato Karin. Nice to meet you, too. I'm kinda used to it, really," Karin said, picking up her school bag. If only this boy knew. At least he seemed friendly enough, Karin thought.
There was a heavy sigh behind her as Yukari approached them. "At it again, huh? Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?" She was giving Junpei a slightly disgusted look. "Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?"
"Takeba-san, I'm fine, really," Karin spoke up.
"See, you heard her," Junpei chimed in. "I was just bein' friendly!"
"If you say so," Yukari huffed, turning to Karin. "Anyway, it's some coincidence that we ended up in the same class, huh?"
"I know. Took me by surprise, actually." The auburn-haired girl smiled. Takeba seemed to easily switch moods, she thought.
"Funny, huh?"
"Um, hello? Did you forget I'm in this class, too?" Junpei must have started to feel left out, because he was awfully loud when he spoke. "C'mon, let me in on the fun!"
Karin had to suppress a smirk when Yukari gave him a half-murderous glare.
"By the way, do you guys know each other?" he addressed Karin, getting her attention.
"We just met yesterday. Why?"
"I heard you two came to school together this morning." Junpei grinned again, but this time Karin found it a little off-putting. "A couple of cuties like you, walking side-by-side. The whole class was buzzing about you."
Yukari frowned at him. "Ugh, will you cut that out? I hate dealing with rumors like that!" She jabbed a finger at Karin. "I'm used to it but she just got here, you know? Don't you feel bad, spreading rumors like that?"
Junpei adjusted his cap a little as Yukari picked up her school bag. "Well, I got to go take care of some archery team stuff," the cardigan-clad girl said with an air of finality. She turned to Junpei and jabbed a finger at his chest. "Don't try anything funny, you got that, Junpei?"
She huffed again and left the classroom, as though she really wanted to get away from the cap-wearing boy.
"No one takes rumors seriously, anyway, Yuka-tan!" he called after her as the door slammed. He turned to Karin, grimacing. "What is she, your nanny?"
"I most certainly hope not." Karin's expression was slightly perturbed.
"Anyway, just to clear things up, I seriously did not come over here to hit on you or anything."
"And that's an oddly specific denial."
Junpei chuckled. "Well, if you ever have a problem, you can tell your ol' pal Junpei about it!"
Karin found herself smiling. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind… Junpei."
"Heh, cool." Junpei gave her a thumbs-up as he picked up his school bag. "Well, I'll be seeing you around then."
As the male teen left the classroom, Karin breathed a sigh of relief. All things aside, she had a decent first day for a change.
Junpei later caught up to Karin at the school gates and persuaded her to let him walk her back to the dorms, making small talk along the way about potential school clubs to join and random subjects. The auburn-haired girl had to admit that she felt comfortable around Junpei; then again, she'd always gotten along with most boys… ones that weren't jerks, anyway.
When they reached the dorm, they found Minato standing at the front doors, fiddling with a set of keys in his hands. Sensing the teens' presence, he looked up at them, blue-gray eyes widening a little upon seeing Junpei.
"Hey, Minato!" Karin walked over to him and ruffled his hair a little. "How was school?"
"… F-fine." The blue-haired boy still looked wary. "U-um, Nee-san…"
"Oh." The lone girl motioned to the cap-wearing teen as though to answer his unasked question. "Iori Junpei. He's in my class, and he insisted on walking with me."
Minato nodded in understanding. Karin looked over to Junpei. "This is my brother, Minato. He's in elementary school. There was a bit of a mix-up with the dorm stuff, and they couldn't really separate us… so, yeah." Karin shrugged.
"Um… nice to meet you, Iori-san," Minato said, bowing slightly.
"Same here." Junpei adjusted his cap. "You okay, though? You look kinda out of it."
"It's been a long couple of days," Karin said quickly, answering for her brother. "Spent the better part of it traveling."
"Ah. Well, see you tomorrow." Junpei gave the siblings a wave and a grin before leaving. As soon as he was out of sight, Minato looked up to his sister.
"… I know how to speak for myself, Nee-san," he said. "You…"
"Don't strain yourself, little bro," Karin told him, taking out her own keys and opening the door. I'll help you out, okay?"
Dorm, 1st Floor Lounge: Evening
"Welcome back."
Mitsuru greeted the Arisato siblings as they set entered the dorm.
Karin simply waved. "Good evening, Senpai."
Minato stifled a yawn, swaying a little as he stood next to her.
For some reason, the crimson-haired senior found this slightly amusing. "Long day?" she asked with a queenly smirk.
"For me," Karin answered, "not really. In Minato's case, yes." She motioned the youth towards the stairs. "Go on ahead, little bro, you look like you're going to crash."
"Uh… uh-huh… I… dun feel well," he muttered, half staggering towards the stairs.
Mitsuru looked on in concern, but said nothing at first. It was a moment before she addressed the auburn-haired underclassman.
"Arisato, please be aware that you cannot go out on your own at night. It is too dangerous."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Senpai," Karin replied, eyebrows furrowed. "I still have to unpack…"
"I see. Well, in any case, remember to get a good night's rest."
"Thank you. I will." With that said, Karin headed towards the stairs, but before noticing Yukari sitting at a table in the kitchen area. When the pink-clad girl noticed her presence, she turned around. "Oh, hi. What are you doing?"
"Just looking around," Karin shrugged.
"Well, there's not much to see." Yukari's expression remained flat. "Anyway, you must be tired. You should turn in early."
"… Yeah, Mitsuru-senpai just told me the same thing…"
"Oh." Yukari didn't say anything else, choosing to resume messing around with her phone.
Karin raised a brow. What was with Takeba's attitude?
Leaving the other girl alone, Karin headed towards the stairs.
Dorm, Second Floor: Evening
She found Minato sitting with this head nestled in folded arms at a table in the second floor lounge, fast asleep.
She sighed. He really was tired. Stirring the boy awake (although she didn't want to), she led him down the hallway to his room and into bed. He'd have to finish unpacking when he was actually up for it.
Passing by the door on the opposite side of the hall, she noticed a golden nameplate on the door, identical to one displaying Minato's name on the door to his room.
"Sanada Akihiko," Karin read the characters on the plate. Deciding she'd better get going, she started to walk away, but, her curiosity got the better of her once she realized someone was in this room. This Akihiko person was obviously a resident of the dorm she hadn't met yet, so it wouldn't really hurt to introduce herself, right?
Reaching her hand out slowly, she knocked on the door three times.
"Is that Mitsuru?" a male voice spoke from the other side of the door. "Sorry, I'm busy, but can you come back later?"
Karin shrugged. Oh well, it was worth a try. She left the hallway and headed for her own room, finished unpacking her belongings, and went to bed, falling asleep almost right away.
Dorm, First Floor Lounge: Late Night
Mitsuru looked up from her book the moment she heard footsteps coming from upstairs.
A young man with silver hair and gray eyes walked into the lounge, wearing a red vest over his uniform shirt, straightening a pair of black leather gloves over his hands.
"I'm going out for a bit," he announced.
"Hm?" Mitsuru's expression didn't change.
"Have you seen the newspapers lately?"
"I know. People who had no problems before are suddenly developing acute cases of Apathy Syndrome. I've seen it in the news quite often lately." Mitsuru closed her book. "They say it's due to stress, but…"
The silver-haired male smirked, making him look almost arrogant. "Yeah, right. It has to be THEM. Otherwise it's not worth my time."
"You have a one-track mind," Mitsuru said pointedly. "Will you be okay on your own?"
"Don't worry. I'm just getting a little practice."
Mitsuru looked on as he walked out the front doors of the dorm and sighed after they closed.
"… This isn't a game, Akihiko…"
A/N: Another one bites the dust. Next chapter: More boring character interaction and Karin's first Velvet Room visit! The battle at the dorm is just around the corner, guys!
Don't worry, The Old Days isn't dead. The next chapter will probably be up after New Year's, though.
Edit: Fixed some minor errors.