A Flower Amongst Devils
Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable/High School DxD
Chapter 2
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Created by: Atlus/Sega and Ishibumi Ichiei
Author's Notes: This is a crossover of High School DxD and Persona 3 Portable. The FeMC would be named Arisato Minako. I would like to thank two particular authors who had been very influential in me publishing this fic, gabriel blessing and The Crimson Lord. Thank you for the great work you two did in HS DxD to get me interested to write one as well.
written by: wrathie
wrathie: well, the Catherine two hit combo that kills my beta/co-authors is here again. Don't expect a rate like this in the near future.
Also - I liked to note that if it was not for XoreandoX, another big no-no would have happened again. And that's alot of followers, but a lack of reviews. But I'm used to it at this point. It's kinda impressive and demoralizing in the same time, but I'll deal.
Thank you for the interest though, and no, this won't turn out to be a P3P/P4:G/HS: DxD Crossover, no matter how it seems like one. It just isn't, Word of God here and everything. Let's see this chapter… well, Minako recruited interesting allies?
EDIT 31/08/14: I've revised chapter 2 due to alot of conflicting ideas, unedited problems and etc. It'll be better now.
XoreandoX: This chapter isn't an attempt at trying to include P4:G characters, however this particular chapter is required for the meeting with the primary DxD natives Minako will meet with in the coming chapters. Overall this will no doubt confuse a few readers, however to put it simply P4:G did not happen here, they did not have to deal with Personas or fighting Shadows. Other than that, you should look forward to the next chapters when we finish working on them, so until then; Keep on Writing.
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"What are you plans after this, Arisato?" Dojima Ryotaro asked before they even made the first turn out of the police station she had been staying in for a week in Ito City. Minako guessed that he wanted to get the awkward conversation out, and trying to break the ice between the two of them.
Dojima-san struck her as a no nonsense kind of person, he hadn't been exactly anti-social, but he had not gone out of his way to socialize with his fellow colleagues in Ito as well.
"He is however of the Hierophant Arcana, and that means he could be a source of wisdom and information, Minako-chan." Cybele remarked as she took a seat behind Dojima, the purple skinned goddess making herself comfortable and petting Alice on the head as the smaller girl snuggled besides her.
Minako had a house rule of sorts, no more than two Persona are allowed to materialize themselves in the physical world unless it was absolutely necessary. There was the chance that they might lose contact with Minako and be unable to return to her as there was a set range for her to sense her Personas. If Alice or Cybele were left behind in a petrol station, it would be disastrous to say the least if they couldn't make their way back to her Sea of Souls!
"I'm grateful for the chance the government has given me, even if I am a Japanese citizen..." Minako's frown made Dojima snort and the older man looked torn before he sighed and explained.
"That's partly why the guys at Ito was trying so hard, and why the central branch was all in arms about you, kid. First time I've seen them so worked up. Your identity was wiped and stolen. At least, that's what I understand. They hid it behind some legal jargon, you should read the paperwork in your free time. And don't get conned a second time, the first time it's embarrassing for them, the second it'll be an outrage." Dojima advised Minako as the car headed to the highway.
According to Dojima it'll take the better half of a day to get to Yasoinaba from Ito. They would have plenty of time to get to know each other before they arrived. Since she was going to stay at their place for a week, it would be good to know his family better and so she spoke up.
"I understand, thank you for your concern, Dojima-san." Minako smiled at him eagerly and the middle-aged man simply nodded as he paid attention to his driving.
"Would you tell me more about your family, Dojima-san? What are they like?"
"Hmm...? You'll be part of the family for a week so you should probably get an idea about how they are like now." Dojima chuckled as he brightened up. He must really love his family for his entire demeanor to change just by thinking about them.
"It makes sense, they are family after all, Minako-chan. And family is precious, just like your comrades. It might be a little late, but... I'm sorry, for your loss, Minako-chan." Cybele remarked behind her and she reached forward to give her a quick hug, the chair she was sitting on being no hindrance whatsoever.
"Well, I didn't lose them yet, we don't know that for sure! I just have to believe, like Alice says so." Minako replied in her mind before paying attention to Dojima again from her momentary distraction.
"- Chisato's my wife, and she's a good cook. She plays the piano, and Nanako is always trying to learn from her. She's not that good though, she says she has fat hands, but that little rascal tries anyway." Dojima chuckled before looking at Minako momentarily and coughing.
"… Sorry Arisato, I wasn't being sensitive. You're an orphan, right? Do you mind if I talk about my family like that?" Minako was confused at Dojima's sudden apology but she quietened down when he continued.
"You look kinda sad there, I thought – I should be more sensitive, about... family and all, considering you're an orpahn. " Dojima asked, before wincing and looking even more sheepish Cybele sighed behind him.
"… No, I don't... I have friends, good friends... but we separated quite some time ago. And I don't mind... I'll like to know more about your family, you don't need to mind me. Hearing about other families helps me, a little, it's odd, but it's true. I mean what I said." Minako asserted herself and ignored how Cybele was frowning at her, she probably didn't approve of her lying like that to Dojima.
The emotional wounds that she was alone in this world were still fresh, it hurt to hear about someone being so happy, when she was still so miserable. Misery loves company after all, but she was better than that. She had to, this unhappiness, jealousy she was feeling, she'll only let it fuel her determination to find a way to return to her friends and adopted family faster.
"If that's truly what you believe in... Minako-chan." Cybele muttered softly while closing her eyes, she was very displeased, but if that's what Minako wants, she'll have to accept it. She did not approve, will never approve of Minako getting inspiration in this manner. However Minako was incredibly stubborn, – she had saved a world with that same stubbornness after all and there was nothing Cybele could do as her mind was made up.
"Mina-chan will be okay, Cybele nee-sama! As long as she believes in herself, Mina-chan will succeed!" Alice added on confidently, causing more headaches for the earth goddess. Now there are two of them that thinks it's fine.
"… Well, we'll be staying together for a week. Chisato and I will show you the love of a family." Dojima added as he chuckled, Minako didn't expect that and she looked at him in confusion.
"A year back, I had my sister's kid with me. He's Nanako's older cousin, and he really brightened up the place for us, especially Nanako-chan. Chisato tries her best, but I wasn't there for her as much as I wanted to. I was training a rookie around that time too, and as luck would have it, Chisato got ill at the same time... so it was just him and Nanako in the home taking care of my wife." Dojima reminisced while as Minako listened curiously.
"I thought we were family before, but that kid... he showed me what a real family was like. He brought us together, closer... at least me and Nanako closer. She was always closer to Chisato then I was, but with Yu-kun, that's his name, Narukami Yu, she really opened up to everyone. Nanako didn't have too many friends, even at her school. It didn't help that Chisato got into an accident when she was younger and almost died." Minako winced as he retold the story.
"I caught the bastard though, one of the best captures in my career. He's still in prison, serves him right for speeding like that. Honestly, drivers these days are so reckless." Dojima grumbled as he changed lanes, picking up speed.
"I remember then, Nanako, she... was hugging her mother, begging her not to go. Chisato recovered, but Nanako's never forgotten how close she came to losing her mother then. Yu-kun changed that, she helped her open up... to everyone, Nanako got a crush on him, mm... maybe he has one too." Dojima chuckled again while Minako looked scandalized.
"Isn't she 10 this year? And you... approve of such an age difference?"
"I know that he'll treat her right, that's the best a father can ask for, right?" Dojima laughed while Minako slumped back on her chair. This conversation reminded her of the relationship that Ken had with her, they hadn't been lovers... but it could have been if she had not sacrificed herself. It was so painful seeing them not know her, but she supposed it couldn't be helped, saving the world takes precedence of her own love life.
"You know I never approved, Minako-chan. If you had ever considered a relationship with the boy..." Cybele warned, fuming and narrowing her eyes while Minako blushed.
"O-Of course not! He's too young! He doesn't know what it'll be like."
"Minako-chan... you will not think indecent thoughts about Ken, ever. Do you hear me, Minako-chan? I won't allow it." Cybele waved a warning finger as Minako fidgeted in her chair.
"I... don't think that's right..."
"I'll wait till they grow up, it could be just a phase." Dojima chuckled before continuing.
"Yeah, that was some kid. You'll like him, everyone did. He went back to his parents in the states though, he comes by once a year for summer vacation, he made some good friends in town. But we're going off topic... the reason I invited you over is to... well, give you a chance to think things through." A serious expression appeared in Dojima's face, he even reached up to rub his chin as he continued.
"To be perfectly honest, you remind me of Yu-kun. The kid had that same look you had when you were speaking with the guys at Ito. He was kinda lost when he came to Yasoinaba at the start, but the kid adapted well, heck – he became the top student in his year, and made many, many friends. I know that... it's a stretch, but I got a hunch you could do the same thing, Arisato."
Minako inwardly agreed as the story of Narukami Yu sounded quite like what she had did in Gekkoukan High, almost strikingly similar only without the shadows and Tartarus.
"Perhaps he was a Persona user as well? You did pull Kohryu from him. Personas can reside in the consciousness of individuals, or from the history of the land. Only Persona users can perceive the potential of individuals that correspond with the respective Arcana. This Dojima Ryotaro, represents the Hierophant Arcana to someone... do you remember the young girl you met in Yasoinaba? She resonated of the Priestess Arcana after all." Cybele reminded her of the young girl who was helping out at the Inn in Yasoinaba, she had potential in her mind, she was sure of it.
"That's... You really think so, Dojima-san?"
"Mm... I might be projecting here, but... I've seen many good kids like you end up being criminals because their parents weren't there for them, and I don't want that to happen to you. You're welcome to stay as long as you like until you decide what you want to do, Arisato." Dojima smiled sincerely and Minako blushed, she certainly didn't expect that as a reason for Dojima to ask her to stay with his family.
"Thank you... I, really, thank you." Minako mumbled weakly as she turned aside, face flushing at the mix of emotions she was feeling. She was happy and embarrassed by the sincerity and kindness from Ryotaro Dojima. It had been the right decision to accept his offer after all.
"This oji-san is a real nice person, neh?" Alice chipped in in agreement while Cybele studied him closer.
"The man has no malice in his words. You are extremely fortunate to find someone who would be willing to help you in this manner, Minako-chan."
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"Welcome to our home, Minako-chan." The woman with long wavy brown hair must be Dojima Chisato and she beamed happily as Minako bowed politely to her.
"I'm Arisato Minako, I'm sorry for intruding and... I'll be in your care for a while."
"Ara ara, she really does have good manners, Ryotaro, just like Yu-kun, right?"
"Funny thing, I said the exact same thing." Ryotaro gave a loud chuckle even as a young girl waved at her cautiously.
"I'm Nanako, nice to meet you." She smiled hesitantly and Minako beamed back at her in reply.
"Nice to meet you too, Nanako-chan. Your father told me lots about you." Minako allowed a grin when Nanako pouted at her father before running up to stomp his feet.
"Daad! Stop embarrassing me! You did that with Onii-chan too!" Ryotaro simply laughed as Chisato asked her whether she was tired from the long trip.
"I'm fine, I spoke with Dojima-san the whole time. He told me many stories of his police days as well." Minako answered truthfully and Chisato nodded in understanding.
"He exaggerates, but I'm glad you didn't find my husband boring. Come in, come in, I prepared lots as a welcome party." Minako blushed as she heard that, feeling awkward again but frowning when she saw Alice run into the house by herself.
"Nee-san! Catch Alice!" Minako sighed internally when Cybele nodded and followed after Alice as fast as she could.
"You shouldn't have, Chisato-san... I hate to impose like that." She stuttered out even as the Dojimas led Minako into their home.
"Nonsense, you're a part of our family now if you're staying with us. It's a Dojima tradition, although it was Yu-kun who taught us that so it isn't really. Did Ryo-kun tell you about Yu-kun?" Chisato's smile got even bigger when Minako nodded her head.
"I really like Yu-kun, everyone in our family does. I think that if he runs for mayor in Yasoinaba, he would get the post immediately. But... really, Yu-kun is an incredible person, so much that we can't stop talking about him. I'm sorry if we mention him too often, Minako-chan." Chisato laughed but seemed sheepish too when Nanako stomped up to tug at her shoulder.
"Onii-chan is the best! You'll be staying in Onii-chan's room, don't mess it up, okay?" Nanako sternly warned her before she pulled her into the kitchen.
"Let's have dinner together, Minako nee-chan!"
"Nee-chan? Is having an onii-chan not enough?" Ryotaro sounded bemused while Nanako blushed and shook her head.
"Minako nee-chan reminds me of Onii-chan! I like her too!"
"Mm.. you work fast, don't you, Arisato? It took Yu-kun ages to connect with Nanako, and you just did it like that." Ryotaro grinned while Nanako blushed.
"Daad! You're embarrassing me again! Let's go, Nee-chan!" Nanako pouted but pulled Minako away, not noticing that Minako's mind wasn't really here. Her eyes were elsewhere, to be specific, staring at the flight of stairs and who had just walked down it.
It wasn't just Alice and Cybele, it was another Persona. One that she did not recognize. He was dressed in a long black jacket that made him look like a yakuza member. The Persona also had his face covered with a white mask that hid his identity and he cleared his throat before looking at the other two Personas who were looking at him contemplatively. Well at least Cybele did, Alice was clinging to the other Persona's arm as he spoke.
"Welcome to Yasoinaba?" He seemed more than bemused as he waited patiently with her two Personas.
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"Are you a Persona?"
"Persona? Ah right, so that man was right... there are Personas users, and I suppose we-" The figure gestured at Cybele, who nodded in confusion, he continued.
"Are the Personas, in that case... yes, I am a Persona." The masked man seemed amused as he stood patiently in Yu's room as the others gathered around Minako.
"Could I have your name? And... since you're in Yu-kun's room, can I say that he was your wielder, or summoner?"
"Yes, I was awakened by Yu-kun. He is completely unaware of my presence however." The figure nodded in reply while Minako rubbed her chin.
"So Yu-kun really is a Persona user. He had the potential then... even if he didn't actually use it. But Cybele, you say he was the Fool like I am?" Minako asked the moment they were able to get some time alone. Minako had suspected as much, Narukami Yu's story, not to mention his influence on the city of Yasoinaba had similarities to her own influence in Gekkoukan high.
Heck, she was worried about stalkers in the middle of the school term, by the end of the year she was getting plenty of love confessions and admirers everywhere. It wasn't intentional, but she supposed that was the price to pay if she put all of her time and energy into developing her social links that empowered her further.
"That was something I will never approve of. The boys who were stalking you, deserved to die, right, Alice-chan?" Cybele growled protectively while Alice nodded in agreement.
"Not now, Cybele, Alice... Well, why do you say that Yu-kun is of the Fool like I was? He didn't actually summon, him... actually, we didn't get your name?" Minako was getting more and more used to talking in her own mind now, to others she was just staring into mid air.
"Hmm... Well, I have deviated much from my legend, but a resurrection is still a resurrection... I suppose I can't fault you for not recognizing who I am. My name is Izanagi-no-mikoto." He sounded proud, and a little put-off when Minako didn't seem too impressed.
"The Japanese God of Creation, Izanagi-san?" Minako asked the Japanese god of creation politely as he leaned against the door while studying the three of them.
"You said you are a Persona user, and in addition to being of the Fool Arcana, you possess the Wild Card ability as well... It would be interesting if Yu-kun had met you. Perhaps he would have been able to reach his full potential as well. I've heard what the Wild Card could accomplish, it is a pleasure to meet one who has wielded that power.' Izanagi replied patiently and fell silent again.
"So... he didn't need to fight Shadows like we did? Or visit Tartarus? Or did something else happen here? To need a Wild Card?" Minako asked quietly, looking a little perturbed as she sat on the bed that belonged to another Persona user. She felt like she was intruding, even if the Dojimas welcomed her to their home, this room... had someone else's presence all over it.
It was like Shinjiro's room again, no one had been able to claim it, and she felt extremely awkward.
"Like I mentioned before, Yu-kun did not materialize his full power. There was no need for it in the end, Yu never encountered a situation where he was in need of his power.. I only know of the terms Wild Card and Fool from the two who awakened his potential... They called themselves Igor... and Margaret? The Tartarus you speak of, is it not part of the Greek Mythology, why would you be fighting there?... and if I may ask one additional a question, Minako-san." Izanagi answered her questions easily enough and when he wanted to pose a question, she nodded and asked him to carry on. He knew of the Velvet Room? But if Yu-kun did not materialize his powers, so he wasn't a true Persona user then?
"Why are you here? Is there a crisis that requires the power of the Wild Card or a Fool again? All of us are still gathering our powers in Yasoinaba and it will take some time before we have recovered our strength from the Great War. If you require our assistance, or to awaken other comrades, it would be difficult for us to assist you. Is that what brought you here?" Izanagi asked stoically but he was surprised when Alice's form suddenly shattered to light, and from her consciousness Kohyru appeared in her stead, the golden dragon taking up most of the space in the room while Izanagi and Cybele look at him in surprise.
"Kohyru?"
"It has been a long time, Izanagi-dono."
"Kohyru? Are you the same Kohryu that was awakened by Yu-kun?"
"Yes, I've came from the depths of Dojima Ryotaro's consciousness. Unfortunately the Melchizedek that Minako-san wields is not the same as the one awakened by Yu-dono."
Minako blinked in confusion at the exchange until Cybele snapped her fingers in understanding.
"I see! Kohryu came from Dojima-san after all! So he is the same Kohryu that Yu-kun must have bonded with and awakened in his time as the Wild Card even if he didn't do so consciously. Since he wasn't an active Persona user, he might have left Kohryu with Dojima-san." Cybele reasoned and Kohryu nodded
"Like Izanagi-dono, who awakened due to Yu-dono's influence, I too have awakened due to Yu-dono's relationship and bond with Ryotaro-kun's. I am the manifestation of the bond that had formed between Yu-dono and Ryotaro-kun. Ryotaro-kun is unable to awaken us, only Wild Cards like Yu-kun and you, Minako-san can do so."
Kohryu looked at Minako meaningfully before continuing.
"You are far away from where you should be, I can sense it, the bonds you have with others feels weak and destabilized, Minako-san. The comrades that you have now, are those who you specifically wished for in your heart, those 'Personas' who were born from such bonds that allow them to transcend space and time to come to your aid."
Minako's head was spinning and she sat down hard, unable to take that in fully as her mouth opened and closed in shock. Cybele frowned, but let it slide. Minako had a little too much on her plate right now and she took over.
"Alright, so you aren't the Kohryu we know, the Kohryu that Minako-chan uses comes from the bond from the old couple who owns that book store... if you're not the same one, but why did you follow us if you don't have a bond with Minako-chan?"
"She asked for my aid, and if it is in my capacity to do so, I will assist a Wild Card. It is like Izanagi-dono said, a Wild Card only appears in a time of crisis. In exchange for being awakened from our slumber, we are obliged to assist them in their time of need as explained to us by the attendants. I sensed Minako-san's potential and her need of my powers, and I offered my aid. That is all." Kohryu answered patiently and Cybele bit her lip before turning to Izanagi.
"The attendants, you mean Igor? That aside, to be honest, we have no idea why Minako-chan is here. She's... not supposed to be here, but she still is. We came here to find her allies, the Personas that she has lost. Her bonds... are far away, like what Kohryu said." Cybele explained and Izanagi nodded in understanding before he suddenly excused himself, turned to Kohryu and pulled the other Persona to the side to speak with him briefly before they came back.
"Like I told Kohryu, Yu-kun will not be able to visit this summer. Perhaps that is why Minako-san is brought here, to aid with the crisis that would befall Yasoinaba and Japan soon?" Kohryu reasoned after Izanagi told him of what had been going on in Yasoinaba.
"Indeed, that is a possibility. Yu-kun had awakened many of our allies, even if it will take a while for them to regain their full strength ... but if he is unavailable, perhaps bringing her here is Igor's idea and he made arrangements for Ryotaro to bring her here?"
Kohryu suddenly coughed and looked sheepish as he admitted something that made Cybele see red.
"Actually I was the one who did that... it was not easy, but I influenced Ryotaro-kun's memories to take in Minako-san. She has the same qualities as Yu-dono, perhaps more. She is a worthy Wild Card and successor to Yu-dono."
What was this?! Had Kohryu just admitted to manipulating Dojima-san into bringing Minako to Yasoinaba so they could get her to take over the role of someone else instead?!
Cybele couldn't believe it, this was just... unbelievably manipulative! She didn't care about the burden of the Wild Card, for all she knew that was just an excuse made up by Kohryu to justify his actions. They hadn't even gotten to see Igor yet!
How dare they make that assumption and try to manipulate Minako just because of an assumption like that!
"What?! HOW DARE YOU!" Cybele growled she leaped at Kohryu, her blades flashing and score a few critical hits on the golden dragon's face that made him howl in pain.
"Cybele?! What are you doing!" The golden dragon was honestly confused while Izanagi materialized a naginata and held it protectively in front of the golden dragon, he didn't speak however as Cybele continued on.
"How dare you! Why are you pressing this responsibility to Minako when you don't even know what she went through! She might be the Wild Card, but that doesn't mean she has the responsibility to save the world!"
"But she is the Wild Card! Just like Yu-dono who is able to awaken us, Minako-san wields the same power to awaken all of us who have fallen in the Great War! She is a savior! If a crisis plagues the world, she has a duty to save it! That is the reason she was granted power!' Kohryu rebutted while Izanagi's eyes widened as Cybele screamed back in frustration.
"She already saved the world once! She has sacrificed, everything for the World once! If you think that I'm going to let her to do the same thing again a second time, you have another thing coming! I will not let her go through that again! We're going now, Minako-chan!" Cybele howled angrily and she tugged at Minako, only for her wielder to remain seated.
"Minako-chan?" Cybele suddenly sounded uncertain as the Wild Card looked up from her seat on the bed.
"It's... okay."
"What? It's NOT! They don't know -"
"It's okay, really... it's okay." Minako spoke softly as she laid down on her bed while Cybele looked at her in a mixture of horror and guilt. The expression on Minako's face was similar to how it had been when she decided against killing Ryoji and before she ascended to the Moon to take on Nyx.
It was resignation and determination rolled into one, and the earth goddess felt her heart break at seeing how Minako was going to quietly accept her fate, as cruel as it was, once again.
"Izanagi-san, you know where the Velvet Room is, yes? That's how you were able to know what a Wild Card is, right?" Minako asked quietly and the Japanese God of Creation hesitated before nodding his head.
"Of course, Minako-san. I will bring you there tomorrow if that is your wish."
"Mm.. thanks, I'll... turn in earlier tonight. Nee-san... don't... just, don't, okay?'"Minako pleaded in a soft voice that made Cybele flinch and the earth goddess shot the other two Personas a death glare before she disappeared into Minako's consciousness.
"Thank you for your help in bringing me here, Kohryu-san, and thank you for all the things that you have you told me, Izanagi-san... I'll have to sleep on this, let me think about it, okay?. Good night." Arisato Minako, the Wild Card, smiled at the other two Personas before she closed her eyes, wanting nothing more but to sleep, and wishing this was just a nightmare.
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Deep in Minako's Sea of Souls.
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"Could I have a word with you, Melchizedek?" The angel, lord and priest looked up from where he was currently meditating to the sight of Izanagi and he nodded his head.
"Of course, Izanagi-dono. It is a rare thing for us angels to play host to a god like yourself." Melchizedek smiled, not that anyone could see it as he floated off to grab chairs for the two of them. To his surprise, they were the only remaining Persona in the lounge who Minako could call upon their aid immediately.
"Speaking of which, where did Minako recruit you from? Izanagi-dono, I do not believe that Minako was able to summon you previously." Melchizedek was greeted with Izanagi wincing as he cleared his throat.
"A-About that... what could you tell me about Minako-san. She is a Wild Card, and from what I can sense, she does indeed possess power that is beyond that of Yu-kun, the one who awakened us."
"Awakened? Ah, you mean, your previous partner?"
"No, the one who awakened us... from our slumber, like she did with you..." Izanagi explained and Melchizedek tilted his head in confusion, but shrugged.
"It depends on how one views it, I guess. Well, Minako's story is... like with all Wild Cards, fueled by a crisis. It would take a while though, are you certain? I am not loathe to tell you the story, you are going to be an ally of ours after all." Melchizedek smiled and looked confused when Izanagi winced again, the Japanese God of Creation looking sheepish as he averted his eyes.
"Izanagi-dono, what is wrong?"
"… I would like to listen to what Minako-san went through, please." He cleared his throat and implored the angel, relieved that he had not been paying attention when the altercation took place.
The other Personas, Scathach, Siegfried, Alice, Orpheus and Thanatos had not been amused and had either ignored the two of them or simply slammed the metaphysical doors in their face. Kohryu was in the doghouse now, even if he had good intentions, but he was still guilty of manipulating the Wild Card for his own purposes.
He had already chastised Kohryu for his actions, it was not an honorable thing to do, regardless of his intents. If it had happened to Yu, he would just be as mad as the Cybele was.
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"And that's what happened. Minako sacrificed her own life and soul to prevent the Fall from happening, she is truly someone else altogether. She went against the total will of humanity and defeated a god at the peak of her powers. I assume your wielder did the same?" Melchizedek asked politely while Izanagi felt like a heel all of a sudden.
Izanagi found himself speechless, the human, this Wild Card has given much more than they had expected one like her to do, she had sacrificed her own life to save her world against a god. By their own actions, they might have just thrown away everything she had fought for just for her to solve another crisis for them? One that they weren't even sure was going to happen?
No wonder Cybele was mad, she should be more than furious at them for trying to insinuate that Minako-san had not given enough for the world, indeed she had given up more than an average person would have. What was Kohryu thinking, insisting they had a say as to what a Wild Card should, or should not do? The Wild Card were saviors, yes, but they were the ones holding power, and Igor had made it clear that no one should coerced them to do something they didn't want to.
He had lived through the Great War and had to make many tough and difficult decisions in it. Even during his last and fateful battle against his wife with his sons and daughters with him, all of them had stood by his side of their own free will. They chose to fight, because if they did not, Japan would be destroyed by the three heavenly factions when Izanami defected to their side.
He made the decisions, all of them, good and bad, and there were times when the ones that had followed him had almost died due to that.
No one could faulted him for all those decisions, as he was the only one who could have made them. There was no alternative, he was the Japanese God of Creation, and the leader of the Shinto Gods of Japan after all.
The same could not be said of Minako, merely a human, and one who should not be able, or willing to make such a momentous decision for all of humanity.
That decision should not be given to a human at all, it should be given by someone who had more authority, more experience... something more than a human with barely two decades of experience. But she had still done so, and despite all she had to give up, she had still managed to pull off the impossible, something that even Gods would have failed at. She had defied everything, the world, humanity and a God that for all instances could not be killed and won.
All of the feats in the Great War, he would not have accomplished if he was not coerced to do so, and that was the crux of the issue.
They couldn't force Minako-san to do the same for them, he felt extremely guilty and he sighed in reply.
"I.. we, owe Minako-san an apology." He finally admitted to Melchizedek who looked very confused.
"For what exactly?"
..
"Can't sleep, Arisato?" Minako looked up to see Dojima Ryotaro looking at her in concern as he spotted her sitting in the couch of the living room at 5am in the morning.
The girl looked like she had been up all night, with bloodshot eyes and her hair a mess. He knew that Chisato would have plenty to say about that, and he mentally made a note to ask Chisato to pick up some sleepwear and clothes for her later in the day.
"Mm... I'm sorry... it's just that... it's like Nanako-chan said, that room belongs to Yu-kun, it feels like I'm intruding." Minako admitted honestly and Ryotaro winced as he moved to the kitchen to prepare some coffee.
"Look, don't take this the wrong way... but I don't expect you to replace Yu-kun -"
"Of course not, no one can replace him." Minako answered softly and her tone made him start before he whirled at her.
"No, no, it's not like that! Arisato, what's wrong, you were fine yesterday... why are you saying all this now?" Ryotaro was very confused, Minako had seemed to be fitting well last night, there was no reason for her to well, be so distant and cautious out of the blue.
"… Dojima-san... can you tell me honestly? Why... why did you invite me to stay with your family for a while?" Minako asked softly and the older man paused before laughing sheepishly.
"Didn't I say that yesterday? I don't want to see a good kid with a bright future in front of her get ruined just because you didn't have time to think about what you should do next.' Ryotaro grinned but Minako didn't seem fully convinced as she stood up, holding something in her hands, when she walked closer, he recognized it – it was a family photo that all of them had taken with Yu before he left Yasoinaba.
"… Didn't you say that I reminded you of Yu-kun?" Minako asked softly and Dojima blinked before nodding his head.
"Yeah, I did... why, what's wrong? Is it bothering you, Arisato?" Dojima asked curiously and was taken aback by her reply.
"A little, yes... I'm not Narukami Yu-kun, I'm... Arisato Minako, if you expect me to be like him... I'm sorry, I just can't... I'm a stranger here, Dojima-san, if you treat me like I'm a replacement for Yu-kun, I, I don't think we can get along."
Minako answered quietly and for someone who was so young, Dojima was shocked to hear her being so weary that he was sure he was dreaming for a while.
"I never thought that for an instant, Arisato. I really do want to offer a kid like you some help, some... family love, if it's not so cheesy." Dojima admitted while scratching his head, but he was certain that Minako did not believe him and he shook his head and sighed.
"I mean what I said, Arisato... if you feel uncomfortable, I'm not stopping you from leaving, especially if you feel like you're intruding. Yu-kun, he means a lot to us, and like you said, no one can replace him. I'm not asking you to be his replacement, Arisato. I hoped to give you a hot dinner and a warm bed to sleep, though you didn't get the second half, dinner was nice, right?" Ryotaro hoped so at least as he turned to prepare his coffee again.
"Yes... it was, thank you very much, Dojima-san... and I'm sorry."
The more he looked at Arisato, the more he could pick up similarities and differences between her and Yu. It was unfair to her, that was true, and he had the feeling that Arisato would be gone by the end of the day and there was nothing he could do to stop her.
Yes, the similarities were definitely there, Yu-kun didn't listen to him either when he told him not to get involved with the murder investigation either and yet he had solved it with his group of friends and good old fashioned legwork. But he should stop comparing the two of them, Yu-kun was a totally different person than Minako, he was quiet but he knew what to say at the right time to make others believe in him.
Arisato, from what he could see was a totally different person, she was a natural born leader, and had charisma in a way Yu didn't have without even saying a word. Maybe the two of them could have gotten along well, or they might have hated each other, Ryotaro didn't know.
But he could tell that perhaps their family had been a little too generous with their praise for their sister's son, and that had caused unneeded stress for Arisato. Goodness knows the poor girl didn't need more of that, but it had ended up like that inadvertently.
His plans all backfired on him, didn't it?
"The least I can do now is to make you some coffee. That's the only thing I'm allowed to make in the kitchen when Chisato's around." Ryotaro chuckled and he turned, hoping to see Minako there and he was relieved to see that she had taken a seat and was looking around absentmindedly around the table quietly.
..
"Here you go," Ryotaro smiled gruffly as he pushed a c up of coffee to her, biting his tongue from telling him that he had taken Yu's personal cup by accident to fill her drink instead. She wouldn't be happy with that at all, seeing how she had been voicing that concern all along.
"Thank you..." She took a sip and smiled. "This is good coffee."
"Isn't it? It's my personal brew and it's a family secret. I'll pass it on to Nanako when she grows a bit older." Ryotaro laughed before he leaned back against his chair, continuing his drink.
"Is there some place I can drive you to? If you're... dead set on leaving." Ryotaro asked quietly and Minako looked up to him before shrugging.
"I think it's best for me to just wing it, the world's not done with me yet. I'm sure they'll give me a sign." Minako answered confidently and despite him trying to say that was ridiculous, he found himself believing her. That was like what happened when Yu told him that they would catch Adachi, the look and tone of certainty was the same and Ryotaro nodded in understanding.
"Well, take your time... and do visit any time you want, Arisato... even if we hadn't been the best hosts..."
"You were great hosts, it's just me and you didn't mean it, none of you did... it's just that, Yu-kun was an incredible person." Minako answered honestly as she smiled honestly at Ryotaro, causing him to blink and grin back in acknowledgment.
'"eah well, if I'm making so much comparisons between the two of you, you're a real piece of work yourself." Ryotaro laughed out loud before grabbing the two empty mugs to wash them, missing on how Minako had turned bright red upon hearing the phrase again.
It was what Aragaki Shinjiro had loved to tease her with after all.
..
"Shall we, Izanagi-san?" Minako asked their guide, Izanagi quietly and the two of them walked down the streets of Yasoinaba together. Her other Personas had refused to materialize, instead they kept to themselves in Minako's Sea of Souls. She couldn't blame them as they were still mad. Melchizedek had apparently even chewed out Izanagi and Kohryu despite her telling him not to, but that was water under the bridge for her now.
She had to do what was necessary after all, and if they had met Igor before and wanted her help in Yasoinaba to stop a crisis so be it. If she could return home after solving it, that makes it even better.
"Of course, Minako-dono."
"Dono, I'm not worthy of such respect from you..." Minako frowned but Izanagi kept his head bowed as he shook his head.
"That is inaccurate, you have given up much more to save the world, calling you anything less would be an insult, Minako-dono."
"Who... Melchizedek? Did you..." Minako frowned, her Personas had gotten the hint that they were not to tell him of what she had gone through. Apparently the Justice Persona missed out on the memo, and he simply replied that he did, and it was better this way. Minako did not agree, but the deed was done.
"Honestly... It's... not that important, let's go, Izanagi-san..." Minako pinched the bridge of her nose to stop herself from having a migraine before following Izanagi's lead.
..
"May I, ask a question, Minako-dono?" As the two of them turned a corner heading towards the main streets, Izanagi spoke out suddenly and Minako tilted her head in acknowledgment.
"It is not me who had been awakened due to Yu-kun's influence. There are others like us who were awakened by his influence. We were gravely wounded in the Great War, and we returned to the land to slumber to regain our strength, the site of our final battle then was Yasoinaba, and that is where many of us are still slumbering. I have spoken to a few of them, my son, daughter and two other warriors under my rule then. They would wish to meet with you." Izanagi spoke softly and grimaced when Minako whirled around to stare at him in shock.
"You... what? They... alright... but, how many? Great War? I've forgotten to ask about that, what exactly is the Great War... and who's that?"
Minako was about to continue asking when she suddenly pointed at a figure she knew was a Persona floating by herself on top of a petrol station.The figure was a woman wearing a skin tight and skin colored garment that covered her entire body. She had her hair tied neatly at the side of her face, but was also wrapped tightly with shimenawa ropes. The rice straw rope continued to wrap around her chest in a pseudo bra before tapering around her shoulders. Other shimenawa ropes also wrapped around her waist, covering her modesty and around her ankles, almost as if they were cuffs. There was no doubt this was a goddess that was heavily steeped into the history of Shinto, but who could she be?
"Who, what do you mea-" Izanagi was confused as he turned around but then Minako was treated to the sight of Izanagi choking as his eyes widened in panic. Whoever that Persona was, it unsettled the god and Minako found herself tensing as the woman spotted the two of them and flew straight at them.
"Not good." Minako muttered while inside her mind, Cybele facepalmed and wondered how things could possibly get worse.
..
"Izanagi." The woman spoke coldly to the stunned Persona and dismissed him before turning to look at Minako instead.
"You are a Wild Card just like the old man said. How... intriguing." Izanami spoke softly and she looked like she was about to clasp a hand around Minako's chin when she jerked backwards, narrowly avoiding a slash from an enraged Izanagi.
"What are you doing here, Izanami! You are supposed to be vanquished! Returned to the world of the dead! We made sure of that!" Izanagi growled angrily while Minako took a nervous step back, there was obvious animosity between these two, but she understood, in the legend of Izanagi and Izanami, the two didn't really leave in good terms.
"That I did, but I found myself awakened from my slumber to fulfill another purpose. It looks like I did, Wild Card. My name is Izanami, of the Priestess Arcana." Izanami ignored Izanagi and bowed to Minako even as the Wild Card just stared at her before starting to walk. She would look stupid if she was staring at nothing in the middle of the road, she stood out enough with her Gekkoukan school uniform after all. Izanami followed her easily enough and Izanagi too, staring at him warily.
"R-Right, pleased to meet you... so will you grant me your strength too, Izanami-san?" Minako smiled tentatively, looking worried as Izanagi looked like he was about to burst blood vessel at that very suggestion.
"Indeed, I was awakened for a reason, but the purpose was unclear. And I am certain that this is the first time that my dear husband has laid eyes on me despite me awakening a week ago, I've seen Susano-O and Amaterasu walking past earlier." Izanami sniffed while Izanagi growled angrily, refusing to speak for fear of lashing out at her.
A week ago, was when Minako had awakened herself, so there was definitely a link there.
"Then I'll be in your care, Izanami-san." Minako accepted her offer and accepted the shinto goddess into her Sea of Souls while Izanagi gritted his teeth before relaxing his hands.
"… If that is what Minako-dono desires, I have no objections." He tried hard to lie through his teeth while resisting the urge to punch his hand through a wall. What more can go wrong?