Title: Frozen Flame
Pairing: Akihiko/Minato
Genre: Adventure/Angst/Drama/Friendship/Romance
Summary: The Persona Training Program is a program that was held by the SEES Company to gather the entire persona user and trained them into soldier to fight the Shadows, the enemy of mankind. Minato Arisato is 16 and have no memories and was told to join the Persona Training Program and he hates it… But then he started to likes it when he learns about himself, friendship and love.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own P3 nor P4, I own only the story.
Finally I have finished this chapter! It's take a week for me to finish it because of school stuff I'm sorry though if this chapter doesn't satisfy you. Oh, I would like to thanks those who review me before, it means a lot to me and I'm happy to know that there's actually someone who appreciated my work^^
To deeys, thank you for the review. And I'm happy to know there's someone who also love AkiMina read my fanficXD
To Kuroka, thank you for the review. Hearing you say that this story are really great really motivated me to write more, and I'm grateful for that^^.
To Cantella, thank you for the review. To know that this story are interesting to you makes me happy. And I am very happy for your offer to beta my story, I really appreciate that and happy if you do accept that. However it's fine by me if you want to cancel your offer, because I honestly don't want to trouble you. Thank you for the offer though^^
Anyway, enjoy reading^^
Chapter 2: The City of Dawn
In the medical room, the sound of the water pouring down to the floor sounded from the bathroom. A shadow of a silhouette can be seen from outside the mirror door of the bathroom.
Minato stood under the water, feeling the way the water pour down to him and wet his entire body. It felt so refresh, he didn't remember when the last time he took a bath, but for some reason it felt like ages since he felt like this, feeling relax.
Odd…
He felt like he was a newborn, remembering nothing about himself, left only with a memory of his name.
Joining SEES probably a good idea after all. He might find an answer about who he is.
But deep down, Minato wonder whether it's the right choice to join SEES or not, he have been thinking about this since the Leader had asked him to join last night.
He didn't actually understand how the whole SEES program works, he just didn't know what actually he will encounter in the future. Will he encounter a dangerous enemy? Will he need to put his life on the line? Will he get along with the other users? Will actually joining SEES will help to search for his true self?
Because the only thing that Minato desired right now is to find out who he is.
But if he didn't join SEES… where will he have to go? He didn't have home to come back to… He know no one… He's alone.
Sighing, Minato shook his head and turned off the shower before wearing the dark green uniform that was given by General Shinjiro yesterday. After putting all of his uniform, he step outside with one hand drying his blue hair, his mouth though opened a bit surprised when he notice there's someone sitting on a chair near the hospital bed. If he remember, this is General Akihiko.
"Good morning, Private Minato." Akihiko greet the boy, putting a smile on his face.
"G-Good morning General." Minato bow at the General, the man in front of him is put in higher rank than him after all, he have to pay respect.
Noticing the nervousness on the boy, Akihiko couldn't help but smile in amused. "Hey relax, it's not like I'm gonna bite you or anything."
"Oh… right, sir." Minato straighten up, hesitantly smiling a bit to Akihiko.
Minato wonder what business the General have to come here, that's why he decided to ask. Akihiko who heard the question was directed to him answered "I assume you still haven't eaten any breakfast?"
"Uh… no sir." Minato shook his head.
Akihiko smile, "Then how about you and I go to grab some breakfast? We can go to the city since the Leader told me to accompany you buying some stuff. You need to buy some clothes, weapon and stuff right?"
"Ah…" Minato look down. True he don't have all of those what the General just said, but the thing is, how he afford all of those without any money?
As if the General could read his though, Akihiko opened his mouth and spoke. "Don't worry about the money. The Leader will pay all of this."
Hearing this, Minato look at Akihiko wide eyes. Happiness and guilty shown in his eyes. "R-Really? B-But…"
"Don't worry, the Leader said this by himself. Said that he need to take responsibility since he already asked you to join." Akihiko step closer to Minato, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder to reassure him that it was all right.
A smile form on Minato's face, and Akihiko swear that for a moment he felt something in his chest. "Thank you very much sir! And… could you give my thanks to the Leader?"
"I'll make sure he gets it." Akihiko smile, "Now, what would you say we leave now?"
"Sure." Minato nodded, following the General from behind who already step outside the medical room.
The two of them head inside the elevator, and Minato saw Akihiko pushed the 1st floor button, he noted in his mind that the exit must be on the first floor. He guest that there's must be 4 floor and two basement in the company, judging from the button on the elevator.
A 'ding' sounded in the elevator, that's when Minato noticed the elevator's door opened, both he and Akihiko step outside. Minato look in awe around him, the company was surprisingly very big despite the fact that it's only have 6 floor.
"Minato, come on." The General's voice made Minato snapped out of his mind and when he turned around, he already noticed that the General stood near the exit door.
"A-ah. Forgive me sir!" Minato said as he run to Akihiko.
Akihiko smile, "Relax, I know that you must be excited. Since you never have been this place before."
Minato smile back. The General surprisingly very nice and understanding, he thought that all General get angry easily and being so bossy. He's glad that General Akihiko is nothing like that.
When they stepped outside the accompany, the view in front of Minato made his eyes widen in delight. In front of him, he could see the big city below, so many buildings, so many houses, but what made him surprised is the huge and tall wall that look like made in steel surrounding the company and the city.
"Holy…" Minato muttered in awe.
Akihiko chuckle before walk to the boy's side and spoke. "This city, it's called the City of Dawn."
Minato glance back at the General hearing that before he turn his attention back to the city, looking in amused. "The City of Dawn… It's so big."
"Well, this city is one of the most biggest city in the world after all."
"Really? Wow." Minato spoke before turn to look at the huge wall then. "Sir, what are these huge wall for?" he asked, pointing at the wall.
"The wall was build to protect both the company and the city from any attack, whether it's human or Shadows. The gate of this city was divided into four gates. The north gate, the east gate, the south gate, and the west gate. Each of them was guarded by two people."
"Only two?" Minato turn to the General, "What if there's a big attack that they couldn't handle by themselves?"
"If that's happen, they'll call for our aid of course. Because as you can see, they're not a persona-user, so they can't fight the shadows."
"Oh… I see."
"Well, enough talking. Let's go the city right now." Akihiko spoke, turning around to walk who followed by Minato from behind.
"Are we going down there by foot sir?" Minato asked.
Hearing the question, Akihiko chuckle. "Of course not, well, we can go by foot to get down there with stairs, but it's to troublesome." He said, "We're going down to the city with hovercraft."
"Hovercraft?" Minato asked before he even think, and when he noticed it, he put a hand on his mouth. He didn't want to bother the General by asking too much question even if he didn't understand it.
Akihiko glance behind at the boy who had his head hanging down, a guilty look on his face. He knew that the boy must thinking that he was being a nuisance for Akihiko for questioning too much. Well, it's not like that, Akihiko didn't think like that. Minato lost his memories, and he felt sorry for the boy, that's why he didn't mind at all even if the boy keep asking him question.
"Hovercraft is a vehicle that carries goods and passenger, normally, it's as big as a cart and look almost like a train, since it's run in the railway as well, only that this thing is floating."
"It's okay. Don't look so guilty by asking me question." Akihiko spoke, earning the boy's attention to him that made Akihiko smile in reassure. "Feel free to ask me anything, and I'll try to answer all of your question. So don't worry about it."
Minato stay silent for a moment, only staring at the General before a gratitude smile form on his lips. "Thank you sir."
Akihiko only smile in return before he and Minato continue to the station. Minato only look amazed once he saw many hovercrafts on the station, because since you all know, this is his first time ever seeing an hovercraft.
"We're going to ride that?" Minato asked, eyes turning to the general.
Akihiko couldn't hold the urge not to smile at the smaller boy. Though it's not shown, he knew that Minato was really excited to ride the hovercraft judging from the look on his eyes. "Yep, we're going to ride that."
"Wow." Minato muttered under his breath, a smile form on his lips as he stare at the hovercraft.
Both of them walk to the hovercraft, a woman dressed in a green uniform with a short black skirt greet them with a smile on her face. "Good morning General Sir, planning to go to the city?"
"Yeah, hope you don't mind." Akihiko said.
"Of course not sir" the girl smiles before she opened the door's aircraft to let Akihiko and Minato step inside the aircraft.
Akihiko sat on the long chair while the girl sat on the driver seat. Minato stood there for a moment, wondering whether it would be alright to sat on the same chair with general or not. Well, because this is the General we're talking about, and he's a higher rank from him, maybe it won't be so disrespectful if he sat on the same chair with the General. But then again, it's the only chair for a passenger.
"You're not just going to stand there aren't you?" Akihiko's voice made Minato snapped out of his mind, he saw the General looking at him, one eyebrow was raised.
"Oh…Uhh… Can I?" the blue hair boy asked a bit hesitantly.
"Of course you can." Akihiko smile, "Are you scared with me?"
"Eh? No! It's not that, it's just—"
"Excuse me, could you please sit down? It's dangerous if you stand like that." Minato turn at the driver girl when he heard her spoke.
"Come, sit here." This time he turn to look at the General when he felt a hand grab his wrist, pulling him to sit next to the other.
Minato glanced at the hand that wrapped around his wrist. The General's hand was bigger than him, and it's… warm.
At the thought of that, a small blush form on his cheeks, wondering why he was thinking about it. "Um, sir, you can let go now."
Akihiko blinked, noticing that he was holding Minato's wrist and let go immediately then. "Oh, sorry."
When the hovercraft started to turn on, floating on top of the railway before moving, Minato stare at the outside, looking in amazed.
Akihiko chuckle, "It's funny seeing someone get excited riding an hovercraft."
Hearing that, Minato blushed and tried to calm himself. "Sorry."
"Your apologize is not necessary." Akihiko spoke, "Just relax, don't be so tense with me."
Minato smiled, "Thank you sir."
Once the two of them arrived at the city, Akihiko suggested that they should go grab a breakfast first and bought stuff like Minato's clothes first. Minato of course only obeyed what the General said. When they went to the store and bought some clothes, Minato tried to look for the cheapest clothes but Akihiko insisted that they're too cheap and ugly, that's why it's ended up to Akihiko who choose the clothes for Minato, and the boy of course has nothing to do but complied.
Both of them stepped out of the store with the shopping bags hold both in Minato's hand. Each on his hand holding two shopping bags since they ended up bought a lot of clothes.
"Here, let me help you bring those." Akihiko offered a help.
"Oh, there's no need for that." Minato gently decline. He didn't want to bother the General more than he already does.
"Come on, it's heavy right." The General smile, taking two bags from Minato's hand and hold it on his own. "Now come on, we still need to look for your weapon." He spoke as he walked ahead to the direction of the weapon store with Minato's who tried t walk by his side.
"Where's the weapon shop sir?" Minato asked.
Akihiko pointed his finger at the store ahead of them, "It's right there. Not far right?"
Minato turn to look at the shady Japanese style house in the corner of the street they walked. Noticing the board sign on the door's shop where there's written 'Dojima Weaponry Shop' n it.
"Excuse me." Akihiko slide the door opened before both of them steeped inside the store.
Minato look at his surroundings where there are many weapon on the shelf and the wall. Such as swords, axes, guns, two-handed swords, bows, spears and many else.
"Excuse me, Dojima-san." Akihiko called out again when no one's answered.
When the back door behind the counter slide opened a bit, Minato turn to look there and saw a little girl with pigtails brown hair wearing a white shirt and red skirt peeking from the door.
"Oh hey Nanako, is your father here?" Akihiko smile and asked at the girl.
"Yeah, he's here." The girl nodded before she went back inside, Minato guest that the girl must be calling for her father.
A minute later the girl called Nanako came out with a man wearing a white apron around his waist, wearing a blue shirt and black pants with a smoke between his lips. This man looks a bit scary in Minato's opinion.
"Oh, it's General Akihiko." The man smile a bit as he walk closer to Akihiko.
"Hey there Dojima-san." Akihiko smile back at the man.
"Oh, who's the kid?" Minato noticed the man was looking at him with arms crossed in front of his chest.
Akihiko look at Minato and introduce the boy, "This is Minato Arisato. He's a new soldier. We came here to look for a weapon for him."
"Oh, soldier. Well nice to meet you, the name's Ryotaro Dojima." The man smile before pointed at the little girl behind him, "And she's my daughter, her name's Nanako Dojima."
"…Hello." The little girl blushed a bit, and she looks cute in Minato's eyes.
"Nice to meet you as well." Minato smile at the two of them.
"Minato, why don't you look around and find if there's something that catches your eyes." Akihiko said.
Minato only nodded in reply before he look around the store and walk to the nearest shelf where there are also many weapons there.
"That's very rare for you to accompany a Private to buy his weapon." Ryotaro spoke, earning the general's attention to him. He stay silent for a second before a smirk form on his lips. "Oh I see."
Akihiko raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"He's your boyfriend, isn't he?" Ryotaro whispered the words as he walked closer to the general so it will only be heard by Akihiko and himself.
Akihiko eyes widen in surprised hearing that, and if one see, they would be certain that there's a small blush on both Akihiko's cheeks. "The hell? Of course not!" he hissed under his breath.
Ryotaro laugh upon seeing the look on Akihiko's face, it's not often to see the General blush, even if it just a bit. "It was a joke."
Akihiko only glare at Ryotaro before he turn around, seeing Minato holding a long thin sword, though not that long like katana. When he called out for the boy, his face immediately soften, "You want that sword?"
Minato turn to look at the General before looking at the sword in his hands again, "Hmm… Not really sure. But it's seems easy to handle and really fit in my hand."
"Why don't you give it a try then? We've got a training room in the next room." Ryotaro suggested.
"That's a good idea. What about a spar with me?" this time it's Akihiko's turn to speak.
Hearing this, the blue hair boy look at the General in surprised. "What?"
"Come on. It'll be fun. And don't worry, I won't attack you, I'm only going to do defense." Akihiko smile. "So, what do you think?"
Minato stare at the General, thinking whether he should accept the challenge or refused it. The General had kindly offered him to spar with him, the GENERAL, mind you. He should be honored by the man's offer.
That's why Minato nod his head in agreement.
Ryotaro lead the soldiers to the training room. There are many wooden dolls and some weapons arranged neatly on a shelf, the room are quite simple and it's big.
Minato and Akihiko stood facing each other in a quite far distance. Minato grip the sword a bit tighter, taking a ready position. He saw the General taking out black gloves under the uniform and it made him frown. Does the General won't use any weapon?
"Uh, Sir. Aren't you going to use any weapon?" Minato asked before he could stop himself.
"These gloves are my weapon."
Minato raised an eyebrow.
Noticing the confuse look on Minato's face, Akihiko chuckled. "Just to let you know, this is not a normal gloves you know. With these gloves I can output power 10 times greater than my normal power. With a normal blow I can break down a wall when I use these gloves."
The blue hair boy widen his eyes in surprised an amazement, "For real? That's really cool."
"The Leader gave it to me, says that he got it from a professional scientist." Akihiko spoke, "Alright, are you ready?"
Minato nodded. He was feeling a bit nervous, but at the same times, this made him excited as well.
"Show me what you got, Private Minato." The General gave him a challenging smile.
Minato gave a smile back in return before his expression changed serious. And the second everyone knew, Minato suddenly ran forward to Akihiko and quickly swung his sword to the left and back to right. Akihiko was amused at the speed Minato's had, but he's the General, it was easy for him to dodge the attack.
"You're fast…" Akihiko commented as he once again dodge Minato's thrust. Like a flash of lightning, Akihiko rolled over until he stood behind Minato with a smirk form on his face. "But not fast enough."
Surprised by the sudden movement, Minato immediately swung his sword around, but once again Akihiko easily dodge them by jumping backward. As expected from the General, not even a single attack for him work on the taller man, however he won't give up, he's not done yet.
Minato swung his sword to left and right repeatedly in a speed that made Akihiko amused, but the General was much faster and he manage to dodge all of the attack. Akihiko dodge Minato's attack who swung his sword to the right, however he didn't expected that the blue hair boy will launch a punch to him with his other free hand after that. Luckily he saw the attack and manages to catch Minato's fist with his right hand before it made contact with his face.
Akihiko smirk, "A sudden attack, you're good." He complimented.
Minato only smile and didn't hesitate to thrust his sword to the General who have to let go of his hand and rolled back to dodge the attack.
"I'm surprised that you manage to handle using your sword so quickly. For someone like you, I'm quite impressed."
"I'm honored to hear that, sir." Minato smile in satisfaction.
"But enough talking and be prepare." The General clenched both of his hand into a fist. "It's my turn to attack."
Minato was surprised hearing that. Didn't the General told him that he won't attack him?
Minato let out a surprised yelp when he saw the General suddenly dash toward him, and in reflex, he swung his sword hoping that the General will back away from him. The General does back away, but he didn't expected that the General would quickly dash and rolled over behind him, when Minato about to turn around and attack, the General suddenly grab his right hand that was holding the sword. In a second a fist launched toward his face, Minato shut his eyes in reflex, waiting for the contact of pain in his face.
But when he felt nothing, he dare to open his eyes only to see that fist faced against his face in a small distance. He look to the left, seeing the General was staring in amused.
Akihiko withdraw his hand and stood straight, the smiles never left his face as he look down at the boy. He lifted his hand, placing it on top of the boy's head and gently ruffling the boy's hair before he could stop himself.
Minato stare at Akihiko in surprised by the sudden contact. But he immediately relax on the touch. It's very comforting, and Minato likes it.
"You're not bad for a beginner." The General spoke as he continue to ruffle the boy's hair before withdrawing his hand.
A smile form on his lips, though Akihiko very confirmed that the boy extremely happy with his comment judging from the sparkle in the boy's eyes.
"Wow~ that's so cool~" both of them turn to look at Nanako who had a wide smile on her faces as she claps her hand, while Ryotaro join to clap, smile in amazed clearly shown on his face.
"That's what you expected coming from the soldiers." Ryotaro spoke, and Minato was quite pleased hearing that.
"So, what do you think of his skill?" Akihiko asked to Ryotaro and Nanako.
"He's really cool with that sword! He goes like this, and like this!" Nanako said in enthusiasm as she imitated Minato's move of swinging his sword.
Minato chuckled and crouched in front of the girl, ruffling her hair gently as he spoke with a smile on his face. "Thank you Nanako."
Nanako smile sheepishly at that.
"Yeah, I've got to say he's quite good." Ryotaro smile. Handing the sword's shed to Akihiko who took it from him.
"Minato, give me your sword." Minato gave his sword as what the General told him to. He look at Akihiko who put the sword on its shed and was surprised when the General walk to him and tied the leather belt on the shed around Minato's waist.
Minato's blush a bit at this, he felt hopeless. "Uh… um… General sir, I can do it by myself." He said, staring up at the General.
"It's okay." Akihiko calmly replied as he tied it around Minato's waist. "There you go."
"Thank you." Minato said, not looking at the General since he was a bit shy. He really felt like a kid.
"Well, we should leave now, there are few things that I should teach him." Akihiko spoke, handing out the money to Ryotaro. "Thank you for everything."
"No problem, it's my job." Ryotaro laugh.
"General!" Nanako called out, "Would you please told Ken I say hi?" she asked, and Minato did not missed the small blush on her cheeks.
Ryotaro groan, "You're still hanging out with that kid?"
Nanako huffed and puff her cheeks as she look at her father, "Ken's my friend!"
"Yeah, whatever." The man shrug.
Akihiko laugh watching the two of them before he ruffles Nanako's hair. "Sure, I'll told him that."
The pigtails girl smile in happiness. "Thank you General."
"I'll see you two again." Akihiko waved his hand as he stepped outside of the store.
Minato faced the two of them, and with a appreciation smile, he bow at them. "Thank you so much for your help."
"No problem kid." Ryotaro smile.
"Buh-bye~" Nanako waved her hand to Minato, a wide smile crossed over her face.
And with a last smile on his face, Minato stepped outside of the store, seeing the General outside waiting for him.
"Let's go back to the company, there are still things that I need to teach you." Akihiko said once Minato came to his side, earning a nod for an answer from the boy.
Both of them came back to the company, and Minato have no ideas where the General took him when they entered the elevator and seeing the General pushed the third button. He was curious of course, that is why he decide to asked the taller man.
"General, where are we going now?"
"We're going to the Persona Analyzing room on the third floor. We're going to analyze what kind of Persona that you have." Akihiko answered before he turn to look at the Private. "It's important to know your Persona's profile and status."
Minato only nodded in respond since he didn't fully understand all of that. But he's sure that the General would teach him about that later, so he decide to stay silent.
They stepped out of the floor once they reached the third floor. Minato silently followed the General from behind who lead them into some room that quite big but have nothing in it except some kind of machine that looks like a monitor, only bigger.
"This is the machine that will displayed your Persona's profile once it had analyze them." Akihiko said suddenly, earning the boy's attention to him.
"Now, Minato. Put your hand on that scanning machine." Akihiko said, pointing at the scanner on the wall.
Minato walk to it, putting his hand on the scanner and was a bit surprised when suddenly a green light emitted from it.
Akihiko saw how the boy flinched a bit at the sudden light, he understand that Minato must be surprised, that's why he spoke to the boy in a comforting voice. "It's okay, it won't do you any harm."
Minato nodded in respond and stare at the green light that keep coming out from the scanner. A few seconds after that, a picture suddenly displayed on the giant monitor. "Okay, you can let go now." Akihiko said to Minato who withdraw his hand and walk to his side then.
"This is your Persona's profile." Akihiko spoke to Minato, pointing at the monitor with his thumb.
Minato stood next to Akihiko, reading every words that displayed on the monitor.
Persona user: Minato Arisato
Persona's name: Orpheus
Strength: 26
Magic: 32
Agility: 30
Endurance: 22
Luck: 11
Weak against: electricity skill
Strong against: fire skill
Ability: Bash, Agi, Maragi, Tarukaja, Rakukaja
"Orpheus…" Minato whispered the Persona's name. That name, why does he felt like it was so familiar to him, as if he already knew that name before.
Akihiko frown at the Persona's profile. Why it's only shown one profile? Shouldn't it be two? He was sure that Minato's Persona, Orpheus, can transformed into that Persona that both he and Shinjiro had seen before. So why won't it analyze that Persona? Why it's only shown Orpheus profile?
"Hey Minato, your Persona, he can turn into another Persona right?" Akihiko decided to ask.
Hearing this, Minato stare at the General wide eyes. "What? Really?"
Akihiko wear the same surprised expression hearing the boy surprised. "What? You don't know that?"
Minato look away, showing his hands into the pocket of his pants. "I… don't know. I'm sorry."
Seeing the solemn expression on the boy's face, Akihiko felt guilty now. "Hey, it's okay. Don't apologize." He offered a smile to Minato, who seem rather relax after seeing him smile.
"Oh yeah, wait for a second." Minato watched the General took out something from under his uniform and was really surprised to find out that it was a gun wrapped on its shed that the General hold.
"Here, this is for you." Akihiko handed the gun to Minato who hesitantly took it from him.
"Um… what is this for sir?" Minato asked. He doubts that the General asking him to use this gun as a weapon since he already has his sword.
"It's an Evoker. We use it to shoot our head with this so we cold called out our Persona." Akihiko explained.
"What? Shoot ourselves?" Minato shocked.
Seeing the look on the boys' face, Akihiko couldn't hold the urge not to laugh at the boy. "Don't worry, it's not a real gun. So you don't have to worry about to kill yourself every time you want to summon your Persona."
"Oh, right."
Akihiko crossed his arms in front of his chest, "Why don't you give it a try?"
Minato stare at the General, "Now?"
Akihiko chuckled, "Yes, now."
Minato hesitated. Yes, he was afraid if you didn't noticed. Everyone would think someone is nuts when he tried to shoot himself in the head with something that looks clearly like a gun.
Slowly, Minato held out the mouth of the gun to the side of his head. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and noticed how his heart beat ever so loudly inside his chest. His finger felt numb as he tried to pull the trigger, just the thought of pulling the trigger only made him sweating.
Akihiko noticed this. It was normal for everyone if this kind of thing was their first time. He remember he was also like that when he had first used the Evoker. Fearing the death is something normal.
The General walk behind Minato, putting his hands on each side of Minato's shoulder as he whispered, "It's okay Minato. Calm down. All you have to do is to pull the trigger."
Hearing that, Minato gradually relaxed as his breath came back to normal. "Per…so…na." With a whisper between his lips, he pull the trigger and followed by the sound of shooting gun.
A blue light glowed around Minato's form before something appeared from him. It was the same Persona as Akihiko saw yesterday, the same white form that carrying a white big harp on it's back. It was Orpheus.
"Orpheus?" Minato voiced out, seeing Orpheus nodded.
Orpheus disappeared back inside Minato, and the next thing Akihiko knew the boy suddenly fell down on his knees to the floor, grabbing his hand as grunts escape from his lips.
"Minato! What's wrong?" Akihiko rushed to the boy's side, grabbing the boy's shoulder who ignore him and continue to groan that sounded like he was in pain in Akihiko's opinion.
His heart hurt like hell. It was like it wanted to torn apart. And his groan only become louder when a voice sounded in his head.
"Your existence is one with me."
"You will carry out Her wills."
"Open. Hear me."
As the voice had slowly disappear, Minato no longer feel the pain and he slowly opened his eyes to find Akihiko staring at him, a look of concern shown on his face. "Private Minato? Can you hear me? Are you alright?"
"I… I'm alright…" he replied a bit weakly in Akihiko's ear, and this is made him even concern.
"Are you sure? What happened anyway?" the General asked.
"I… I don't know…" Minato answered. He was thinking whether he should Akihiko that he heard someone speaking in his mind, but if told the General that, he might become suspicious of him for no reason or thinking that he might be crazy. From now on, maybe he should stay silent after all.
"I'm okay now General. I appreciate your concern." Minato gave the taller man a small smile, telling him that he was okay now.
The General stare at Minato unsurely. Judging from what he saw, that was more than just a normal reaction. It's weird, it felt as if something that need to be concerned has happened to the blue hair boy.
"Well, if you say so…" Akihiko spoke, standing up before he offered a hand for Minato who gladly accept the help.
"Maybe you should rest now, that might help you feel a little better."
"Yes. Thank you sir."
"Come, I'll accompany you to your room."
Both of them came out of the room with Akihiko carrying all the shopping bags since he was concern that Minato might fatigue from all the activity they did today. Minato tried to protest of course, but the General had insisted to carry them, so he was left with no choice but to surrender.
This time, they went to the second floor. The General had explained that the second floor is specialized only for the Privates rooms. The rooms are divided into four groups based on their study schedule. The west wing, the north wing, the east wing, and the south wing, and the General had told him that he would be staying on the room in the west wing.
As they walk along the hallway of the west wing, Minato noticed that they haven't met a single person here and cannot help but wonder where the other are, that's why he had decided to asked the General. "Sir, I see that we haven't encounter a single soldier. Why is that?"
"At this time, the Private soldiers are assigned to go studying. Teachers that was hired in here have the duty to teach and share their best knowledge to the soldiers in order to strengthen them." Akihiko answered the question.
"Are the teachers also a Persona-user?"
Akihiko shook his head, "No. The Leader hired them only because of their skill and knowledge. Ah, but when it comes to basic combat skills and Persona combat skills, me and Shinji always have to aid the teacher since we, The General, are the best when it comes to combat."
Minato turn to look at the General, "Um sir, are you and General Shinjiro are the only Generals in here?"
Akihiko smiled, "Yeah. You could say that among of all soldiers, we are the most powerful one here, except for the Leader, he's very strong."
Minato stare at Akihiko in amazed. The Generals must be very admired by the other soldiers, and it made Minato wonder whether it was really okay to walk so friendly like this with the General. He was concern that this kind of act are the kind of act that shown disrespect.
But Akihiko is very friendly and kind. And he was very grateful for that. The General shown nothing that told Minato whether he have done something disrespectful or not. Instead, Akihiko act very normal around him in his opinion, it feels like the difference of rank between the two of them didn't bother the General at all.
"What you got in mind? You're being quiet." the General's voice shook Minato out of his thought, and Minato turn to look at the General, noticing how he was staring at him from the corner of his eyes.
"Oh, uh, I only wondering just how powerful the Leader is…" Minato lied, hoping that the General won't caught him that he was lying. It was quite embarrassing if the General knew that Minato was thinking about the man suddenly.
"Well, despite the fact that he was younger from me and Shinji. He's very powerful." Akihiko said, "What made him powerful is because he could hold 12 Persona inside of him, and more over he was very skilled at physical combat."
Minato eyes widen surprised, "12? Is that even possible?"
"Well, I guess only someone who have something special can do that." Akihiko said. "And that goes for you as well Minato." He said in his mind.
"Wow, the Leader must be very amazing." Minato said in amazed.
"Well, that's why he's our Leader." Akihiko chuckled. "Oh, room number 1542. This is your room."
Both of them walk to the door with the number 1542 on it. Akihiko put the bags on the floor before he took out a key from his pocket and gave it to Minato, "This is the key to your room. Make sure you don't lose it."
"Your room mate are currently on lesson today, lessons will ended at three o'clock at noon. So you'll be alone until that time. I suggest that you could use your time to rest or studying a few since tomorrow you'll begin your lessons as well. We already sent your study books to your room, feel free to use it whenever you want." Akihiko said.
Minato nodded, "Okay."
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you the rules." Akihiko suddenly remember, wanting to smack himself for not telling the boy earlier. Well, at least he was telling him, right?
"What rules?" Minato questioned.
"Rule number one, Private soldiers aren't allowed to go to the city except at Saturday and Sunday or at holidays."
"Rule number two, Private soldiers aren't allowed to go out of the city without the General accompanying them."
"Rule number three, Private soldiers must return to their room at ten o 'clock at night."
"Rule number four, no one, and I mean no one are allowed to meet the Leader without any permission for the Leader himself."
"And last, rule number five, hurting another soldiers without reasonable and specific reason are not tolerated. We soldiers join SEES for the same reason, we're here to protect others, we're comrades. Remember that." Akihiko explained all the rules with arms crossed in front of his chest. "Understood?"
"Yes sir. I understand." Minato nodded.
"I should leave now. Have a nice day and good luck for tomorrow Minato."
Minato smile, "Thank you sir. Have a nice day as well."
With one last smile on Akihiko's face, he walked away from Minato who only stood there watching his back that soon disappear when the General turn to another way. Unlocking the door to his room, Minato picked up all the shopping bags inside and closed the door back with his foot.
Minato scanned around the room. There are two beds, two wardrobes, and two study desks in the room. And apparently the bed on the left side are already taken by his roommate judging from how messy the bed looks like.
He put the shopping bags in front of the wardrobe on the right side, opened it and to find there's nothing in it as what he expected. He put all of his clothes there before change his uniform to a white shirt and black short pants. Minato noticed a box beside his wardrobe and walk to it, opening it to find piles of books as well two Privates uniform in it. This must be his books that the General told him earlier.
Minato look around the room again, noticing there's a door on the corner of the room on the left side. He opened the door, only to find it to be a toilet.
And this makes him wonder, where's the bathroom?
He thought about this for a minute before shrugging his shoulder and decide to ignore it. He was tired, and taking a nap probably the best option right now.
That's why he sat on his bed before laid his back on top of it, resting his head against the soft pillow, and it only takes for a few minutes to made Minato lost his conscious before he closed his eyes and let sleep take over him.
"Sshh, dude. Wake up."
Minato groan sleepily upon the touch on his shoulder, but he noticed he heard someone voice, that's why he force himself to open his eyes to found a boy with a brown quite-spikey hair wearing a Private uniform stood next to his bed, when Minato sat on his bed, he noticed that the boy was wearing an orange headphone around his neck. Quite weird, but Minato didn't care though.
"…And you are?" Minato asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
The boy grin, "Well, I'm you roommate, obviously." He said. "I'm Yosuke Hanamura, nice to meet you."
"Oh. Hi Yosuke." Minato offered a smile, "I'm Minato Arisato."
"Minato, huh? Cool." Yosuke smile back, "You must be the new guy that the Generals found in the Lost City."
Upon hearing this, Minato stare at Yosuke. Wondering how the boy already knew about that. "How do you know that?"
"Well, the other soldiers already talking about you. You're already famous dude." Yosuke chuckle, but the laugh disappear when he sat next to Minato and gave the other a question. "So… We also heard that you have lost your memory, is that true?"
To that question, Minato only nodded his head as answer.
"Sorry to hear that…" the brown hair boy apologized.
"You don't have to." Minato smiled, earning a smile back in return from Yosuke.
"Ah, but I'm happy that you finally came." A chuckle left from Yosuke's lips. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to get a roommate. I hope we get along well."
Minato nodded and smile. Yeah, he do hope that they get along well.
Okay. That's for chapter two. It's long and I think it's rather boring .
I noticed how Akihiko and Minato seem a bit out of their real character, so I apologize for that.
And once again I apologize for the bad grammar and structure . really, I'm really sorry for that and really sorry if this chapter rather boring.
Review would be very appreciated^^ Thank you for reading