Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3 or Persona 4 nor any of it's characters.
A/N: After looking at just how long I had made the first chapter, I decided to split it up to make two chapter instead. I was thinking about a comment I had got on another story were someone said the chapter were too long and there were a lot shorter then the first chapter and still shorter then these new 2 chapter.
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Never Fear
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Chapter 2 – A Risk Too Great
Wednesday 16th of January
It was the early hours of the morning, so early in fact that most would say it wasn't morning but in truth still night. The moon was but a thin curved line in the sky, while the star were few and far between light pollution from the city making other impossible to see. The door leading on to the roof of the Port Island Luxury Hotel opened slowly outward, Souji silently creeping outside the large sword containing case in hand. Quietly closing the door behind him, Souji walked out on o the roof and crouched down placing the case down with a uncontrollable thump. With two clicks of flicking the cases catches open, Souji pushed open the case and wrapped his hands round the hilt of the sword before standing pulling the sword up with him.
It didn't feel right to be holding a sword again, he had never liked fighting but he knew when he had fought Shadows it had been needed. Now though it was for practice, something weird was happening and it was somehow connected to Persona. If it involved Persona it could involve Shadows, and he would not be caught unprepared. With a large exhale Souji readied himself and then started, skilled swings at a imaginary enemy, moving forward as if he pushed the foe back. The sword was heavy, nearly a year without having used a sword it didn't come with ease but swing by swing, it slowly returned to him. If Shadows came he would fight them.
–
As Souji practiced on the roof, the hours slowly ticked by and the sun rose over the city. Sunlight poured in through the hotel windows not very bright due to cloud cover but enough that Rise slowly woke rubbing her eyes. Her back hurt from the uncomfortable position of sleeping on the floor but it was her fault for insisting Naoto took the bed as he had seemed so tired the night before. Standing up slowly she looked over at Naoto still in her clothes laying on the bed. Looking around she looked towards the chair that she said Souji could sleep in and saw that it was empty. "Souji-Senpai ?" Rise quietly said walking towards the bathroom, thinking he might be there. The door was open and Souji wasn't in there either. "I wonder where he is." She said to herself. "I should probably see about getting proper suite if we're all gonna be staying here to." She mused looking around the large but only two roomed hotel room.
Groans came from the bed as Naoto turned over and opened his eyes. "Rise even I think it's too early to be up." Naoto complained. "Sorry Naoto the sun woke me. Did Souji mention going anywhere this morning?" She apologized then asked. "No we hadn't decided what to do yet why?" Naoto asked in return giving up on going back to sleep and sitting up. "Well he isn't here." Rise said concerned. "Then call him then." Naoto said reaching out and grabbing her hat from the bedside table swinging out of bed and grabbing her bag from the floor with her other hand and heading to the bathroom. "I'm going to get washed." Naoto said closing the bathroom door behind her.
Watching the door close Rise quickly decided to take Naoto's advice and quickly retrieved her phone from the window ledge where it was currently pluged into charge. Clicking through menus, Rise brought up Souji phone number and put the phone to her ear as she hit dial. It rang and quickly the ringing stopped and Souji answered. "Hello Rise" Souji said confidently. "Where are you?" Rise asked worried and annoyed. "On the roof." He replied simply. "On the roof? I'm sure your allowed up there Senpai. Why?" Confusion in her voice now. "Needed a place to practice with the sword Naoto bought, probably been at it way too long I'm kinda tired now." Souji explained. "Well you better get down here right now, if you get me in trouble!" Rise said anger a open ended threat. "Okay Rise I'll head down, then what do you say to me, you and Naoto getting some breakfast and deciding what to do next." Souji said, not apologizing but his voice sounding as if he was.
"I think Naoto just got into the Shower, I think it's better if you head straight downstairs to the cafe and we'll meet you there." Rise said looking towards the bathroom door. "I think after breakfast I could do with a Shower myself. That's is I you don't mind me using your Shower." Souji said. "Yeah that's okay, I'll probably have to go see my manager anyway so I'll leave you with the room key." Rise said no more anger or annoyance in her tone. "Thanks Rise, I'm glad your so understanding." Souji complimented. "See you soon Rise." Souji said to her before quickly hanging up.
–
Junpei Iori slowly woke and opened his eyes, to look at the bare plaster of the ceiling, wanting to go back to sleep but knowing he couldn't. Turning to look to his side, he saw his beautiful red haired girlfriend. Leaning over he pressed a light kiss to her cheek before freeing his arm from around her, hoping not to wake her. His hopes denied she stirred as he got his arm out from around her. "Junpei? It's early." She said groggily. "Go back to sleep Chidori, remember I told you I had to help Mitsuru today." Junpei said softly. "It's alright, getting up early for work is good." Chidori replied. "Well then beautiful what would you like for breakfast before I head out?" Junpei asked, sitting up and sliding out of bed, and quickly heading to a chest of draws. "I'm not hungry." Chidori replied as he got a set of clean clothes out and getting dressed. "Aren't you going to get washed first?" Chidori asked as she watched him get dressed. "Can't the shower is out again, but Miss Ebina said you could use her as long as it's after 11." Junpei said muffled as he pulled a t-shirt over his head. "Again?" Chidori said sounding annoyed. "Sorry." Junpei replied simple walking over and sitting on the bed.
"What are you helping Miss Kirijo with then?" Chidori asked sitting up, but keeping herself covered. "A alcoholics anonymous helps fund, she want someone to explain what having alcoholic relatives can be like with my dad and all she thought I could help." Junpei lied, another lie and he hated it but he had to. Its not like he could say that he was going to talk to some stranger about her. "I didn't think you would want to do something like that." Chidori said. "Hey I'll help people when ever I can." Junpei said leaning in and quickly kissing her. "I better head out, but I'll come see you at the gallery later." He said after the kiss. "I'll be waiting." Chidori replied letting Junpei get up. "Love you Chidori." Junpei said running off. "I love you to Junpei." He heard her called out.
–
Souji sat waiting in the far corner of the hotel cafe, the case on the floor his feet on top of it. Where were Rise and Naoto, did it really take so long for Naoto to have a shower, and because he said they would eat together he couldn't even order anything because it would be rude. Finally though he saw Naoto and Rise appear at the doorway to the cafe and waved. The two women walked over, and sat at the table he had chosen. "Sorry for taking so long, Naoto took so long in the shower I figured you wouldn't mind waiting a little longer while I had one to." Rise explained. "I did not take long in the shower." Naoto said calmly but blushing. "It's alright." Souji started to say only to be interrupted by a ringing from Naoto pocket.
Naoto quickly answered. "Who is this?" Naoto asked, a look of shock on her first as she got her answer. "Please hold on a moment." Naoto said covering the phone, Souji giving her a questioning look. "Its Kirijo, both of you stay quiet I'm going to put her on loud speaker." Naoto said before placing the phone down on the table and pressing a button. "Sorry about that Miss Kirijo but I needed to free up my hands for a moment." Naoto said, as Rise said their covering her own mouth to stop her making any noise while Souji eyed the phone. "Understandable detective. I calling to talk about yesterday. You mentioned that five people from my old dorm were also on those mistaken report. As such I decided to contact those I could. If you desire we as a group will be meeting at Naganaki Shrine in just over a hour. That all." Mitsuru voice said over the phone before the phone beeped as she hung up.
"That was rude." Rise said pulling her from her mouth. "I think what we are doing today has just been decided for us." Naoto said picking up her phone. "Withheld number, expect." She said annoyed. "What about me and Rise?" Souji asked. "You'll both come with me." Naoto replied. "Wait won't it look weird having me and Rise along?" Souji said. "Don't worry. I'll think of something. Souji you better go rush that shower." Naoto ordered. "I said rush now go." She added, and Souji did as told, because it was probably a good idea, taking the key from Rise when she handed it before running off. "Wow Naoto I don't think I've ever seen you tell someone what to do so strictly." Rise commented. "We have to rush, no time for pleasantries I want to know how this Yukari and Mitsuru could be connected to a Persona user." Naoto replied.
–
Naganaki Shrine was small and old, with a connected playground. It was unused by most except for certain events and was away from busy places. Mitsuru, and the other excluding Ken who they decided shouldn't be there and Junpei who had yet to arrive waited. They were all silent, not sure what to say as they waited. "Hey guys." Junpei called out running up the stairs to the shrine. "Am I here in time?" He asked. "Yes." Mitsuru replied simple. "Remember what we talked about everyone, we don't want it seem like we spoken about this too much." Akihiko told them. A few more minutes passed, mostly filled with complaint from Junpei, but everyone turned when footsteps came up the stairs.
Naoto, Souji and Rise walked up the stairs with Souji taking the lead, and the trio looked at the strange group in front of them. "Morning." Souji broke the silence first in a polite manner. "Thank you Souji." Naoto said stepping to the front of the trio. "I am Detective Shirogane. I'm certain Miss Kirijo told you why your here." Naoto said. "I told them you would want to speak to them about some incorrect files. May I ask who this girl with the two of you is?" Mitsuru asked. "Hey I know who that is, that's Risette the pop idol!" A small women with short slightly green hinted hair holding a dog on it's lead exclaimed. "Strange choice of company Detective." Akihiko said walking over to face Naoto. "I'm police officer Sanada. May I ask why a private detective is investigating possibly mistaken police reports." Akihiko said.
"I believe they could be connected to illegal weapons sales." Naoto said. "Now please may I be the one to ask the questions." She added. "Certainly Detective, but I'll need to speak to you about this afterwards." Akihiko replied. "Thank you. Now Mr. Seta and Risette are friends of mine I managed to convince help me there here as witnesses. Is that okay with everyone?" She finished with a question receive nod and quick replies. "Now which one of you is Chidori Yoshino partner that Mitsuru mentioned?" Naoto asked. "That be me Detective. I'm Junpei Iori." Junpei said raising a hand. "Follow me aside so we can talk." Naoto said looking around and then leading him to the the benches just passed the playground.
Yukari walked up to were Souji and Rise were. "I didn't believe it when Mitsuru said you were helping Detective." Yukari said a edge to her voice. "Sorry but I promise I didn't start helping until after I met you." Souji said trying to calm the older women before she got mad at him. "It's okay." Yukari. "Errm..err. Who are the other to girls?" Rise asked poking a head out from behind Souji. "Oh that's Fuuka and that's Aegis." Yukari said pointing to each of them. Mitsuru sighed and joined Akihiko who had gone and sat on the offering box of the shrine. Fuuka quickly walked over, leading Koromaru and smiled at Rise. "I can't believe it really a pop star." Fuuka said to Rise. Rise ignored the words and quickly saw the dog and crouched down to start petting him.
"Oh I'm sorry, I'm Fuuka Yamagishi and this is Koromaru." Fuuka said looking at Souji. "A smart looking down." Souji said simply. "More then you know." Yukari commented. "Yeah we found him here, protecting the shrine and as a dorm we adopted him. I kept him after we left the dorm." Fuuka explained without being asked. "He's cute." Rise said looking up at Fuuka as she petted him. "Seems like he like Rise." Souji said. "Koro like anyone with a good heart." Fuuka said smiling.
!
Thou art I and I am Thou
Thou have discovered another's true bond
You shall receive a new blessing
You may now call on any Persona of the Priestess Arcana at will.
Souji blinked and rubbed his head with a hand. The second voice behind the first was even louder then before now, and both voices in his head at the same time gave him a head ache. "Hey everyone Detective done with me." Junpei said loudly walking back over. "The time is now." Aegis said aloud, causing everyone to look at her. "Souji my name is Aegis, and a machine with humanity thanks to one man." Aegis said loudly walking over to Souji. "Aegis what the hell are you doing?" Akihiko shouted. "Know me, and know us." Aegis said so loud it was almost a shout. The scene cause Naoto to run back over. "What's going on?" Naoto demanded to know. "You will see." Aegis countered staring intently at Souji. Souji staggered backward his head a explosion.
!
Thou art I and I am Thou
Thou have discovered another's true bond
You shall...!
Thou have established a new bond
It has...!
You shall be blessed
When choosing to create Persona of the Aeon Arcana.
!
Souji screamed, the two voices in his head screamed, Their word mixing together and being different at the same time. "What the hell is wrong with him?" Junpei shouted. "SOUJI!" Rise shouted concerned. "Aegis what the hell did you do?" Akihiko demanded to know rushing over to Aegis and grabbing. "Tell me what's going on NOW." Naoto shouted over everyone, pulling her gun to her hand and point it at Aegis. It turn Junpei, pulled out his Evoker and pointed it at Naoto. "I don't know either but I ain't letting you shoot my friend." Junpei shouted at Naoto. "EVERYONE BE QUIET." Aegis shouted. "We should not be fighting each other, just wait." Aegis said in a more reasonable tone when everyone was looking at her. Even Souji was the pain finally fading. "Explain Aegis." Mitsuru said. "Not until I finish what must do." Aegis said calmly. "Stay away from him." Rise shouted placing herself between Aegis and Souji. "Souji look at us a group. We are not all here but we fought shadow side by side. Know us." Aegis said loudly ignoring Rise.
!
Thou art I and I am Thou
Thou have discovered another's true bond
You shall receive a new blessing
You may now call on any Persona of the Fool Arcana at will.
"Aegis shut up you can't tell them all this." Akihiko said grabbing Aegis arm. "Sorry" Aegis said simple before throwing Akihiko aside. "Stay from him!" Naoto shouted again ignoring Junpei Evoker even though she didn't know it wasn't a real gun. "Naoto put down the gun." Souji said steadying himself completely now, and stepping around Rise and putting himself in a path between Aegis and Naoto. "Tell me." Souji said ignoring everyone else now, while everyone else had no idea what to do. "We climbed to the top of the tower of death fighting along the way. Know what we did." Aegis said, as if reading from a script now.
!
Thou art I and I am Thou
Thou have discovered another's true bond
You shall receive a new blessing
You may now call on any Persona of the Judgment Arcana at will.
Souji could hear the other around him but not the word all he could understand right now were the words coming out of Aegis mouth. "There are others men and women that he helped, his friends, the people he bonded with, the people he knew best. Know of them. Know of them and know of him." She said to him. Images flashed through his mind, of different people, each smiling at him. Then a last face, a blue haired guy, the image faded but the voice came to him. The old voice in his head gone and only the newer one speaking now.
!
I am you and you are me
You have discovered another like you
My power is yours now you must decide
You may summon all Persona of any Arcana we both share.
As the voice finished speaking Souji saw something start to form by the shrine. The blue door of the Velvet room came into being. "Everyone calm down, and please excuse me for a moment." Souji said quieting everyone due to calm manner while both Naoto and Junpei had guns drawn. Simply walking round Aegis and over to the door. Reaching out for the door, the mystical Velvet key appeared in his hand and Souji opened the door. To the other it simply seemed that Souji stood the unaware of the world around him as Souji entered the Velvet room.
–
Souji appeared already seated in the comfortable cushioned chairs of the limousine that was the Velvet room and was immediately shocked by a few things. One was the lack of Igor who, the second was Margaret sitting in Igor normal seat and another women sitting where Margaret use to. Souji guessed quickly that the women was the sister Margaret had mention to him in the past. The fact she had yellow eyes and white blond hair was a big give away. "Hello Souji it's good to see you again, this is my sister, Elizabeth." Margaret welcomed. "Hey Margaret I'll bet one of you can explain what has been happening?" Souji replied.
"A correct assumption, one I think would be better explained by my sister." Margaret replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you Souji, my sister told me so much about you, all good I assure you." Elizabeth said. "Firstly I must apologize as what you have been experiencing is my fault." She said not sounding very guilt ridden over the fact. "Your fault, we haven't even met before why would you interfere with my life?" Souji asked slightly angry at Margaret's sister. "Please do not interrupt." She replied.
"As I told my sister and she told you I seek to help someone who was lost. Margaret found me not long after you parted ways and told me about you. I believe you can help me. Since then I have tried to lead you here to Tatsumi Port Island. Your teacher suggestion of the College in this area, his talk with your school board to give you time off in order to take the entrance exam these were my most recent attempts to get you here." Elizabeth explained. "How gave you the power to choose where a person life leads them?" Souji interrupted again sounding annoyed.
"Please do not choose badly because of the underhandedness of how I got you here. Minato my friend was like you, able to wield the power of the wild card, and with it he used all of the power in his soul to become the barrier between humanity self destructive desire and the end of the world. I do not have the right to have brought you here through manipulation but he deserves a chance at life." Elizabeth said sounding sad and worried. "You still haven't explained what been apparently changing my powers. I think I have a idea but..." Souji stated.
"Your powers have been changing as you connect to those which he also connected to. Elizabeth believe that by connecting to them you would connect to him and it would grant you the power to save him from his prison and then together destroy that which is believed to be indestructible." Margaret said. "What?" Souji said confused again. "Nyx. Nyx is a being that will bring about the calamity know as the fall, as is called into this world by humans desire to end their own lives. It is a mindless being so powerful that Minato sealed it from being called rather then trying to destroy it because he thought destroying it impossible." Elizabeth said. "If its impossible wouldn't breaking the seal to save your friend just be stupid, I know you want to help but you would risk the entire world." Souji amazed someone could think of something so idiotic
"Souji you don't see, you have already done the impossible. You defeated Izanami, you defeated a god. You and your friends did together something that even with persona should not be possible." Margaret stated believing whole heartedly in the Souji. "You do not need make a decision so quickly. Speak to your friends, speak to his friend make a decision together because if you do decided to help Minato it would take all your power in order to do so. If you do decided to help return here and I will show you the way to do so." Elizabeth said, as the Velvet room faded away.
–
"What is he doing?" Akihiko asked aloud watching Souji just stand there. "I believe he has entered the Velvet room." Aegis replied. "That's it tell me what's going on?" Naoto demanded, having finally put the gun away and taken up a spot standing next to Rise who looked worried. "Just wait. I do not wish to explain things multiply times." Aegis replied. "Aegis there better be a good reason for this." Mitsuru said annoyed. "There is." Aegis simply said. Standing by the door only he could see Souji reopened his eyes and turned to face everyone before walking over to Naoto and Rise. "Don't worry these are good guy. Friends of Margaret's sister friend the one she was trying to save remember." Souji said recalling the encounter Souji and his friend had inside the world inside peoples heart with the women.
"Wait so these people are persona users?" Rise asked quietly. "I think so.." Souji replied before turning to look at the other group. "I think we all need to sit down and talk." He said plainly. "Yes we do." Aegis replied before any of her friends could instead. "First I have to call a few people. They should be there too." Souji stated. "Naoto, Rise. Let go back to the hotel, I'll tell you what happened." Souji said. "We'll also need to ring the others to tell them to." Souji added as he lead the two girls away.
Aegis watched as the left and turned back to face her friends. Different glares and frowns came back at her. "Aegis I can't believe why did you tell him that stuff? Who is he? Did he really go to the Velvet room? And Why didn't you tell us what you were going to do?" A barrage of questions came from Fuuka. "Yeah Aegis and that Detective heard what if they find out the rest and tell Chidori? Man Chidori will kill me if she finds just how big what she doesn't remember is." Junpei said sounding really worried. "I'll say it again Junpei, you should never have told her you didn't know each when you realized that her memory had been wiped a second time when the dark hour ended." Akihiko stated. "Shut it." Junpei snapped. "Please Junpei, Akihiko. Aegis answer Fuuka's questions.
"Not yet." Aegis said. "Damn it Aegis this isn't a game." Junpei shouted. "I know, please trust me." Aegis replied. "You didn't trust us enough to tell us." Mitsuru said. "I trust you all, but if I told you I know you would have convinced me to stop, in fact I would have wanted you to." Aegis said. "Wait I'm confused. If you wanted someone to stop you why do it at all." Akihiko asked confused as he had said. "Because this was the right thing to do." Aegis replied. "And your still not going to tell us are you?" Akihiko asked rhetorically.
–
The day so far had been a normal one for Yosuke, taking his bike to school, meeting Chie and Yukiko and going to lessons. His last year at Yasogami high school, after that he pretty much had a plan for his life. To continue working at Junes along side Teddie and saving money until the pair of them could either find a better paid job or move out of his father's house. So far Teddie had already begun that, as since he started living with him and his family the group believed trying to enroll Teddie at school would create too many question. So while Yosuke learn, Teddie worked. That would have been try if Yosuke was learning and not ignoring the lesson going on like he was.
He couldn't help it though he was distracted. When Rise had called each of them two days ago saying that Souji had been in the Velvet room and something weird could be happening he couldn't help but worry. He also couldn't help wanting to be there wishing for something exciting to happen even though he knew it was wrong. He may have grown since the thrill wanting Yosuke he had been when he had met Souji, but the day in day out still got him down. Even so he was concerned for Souji and the girls and wanted to be there for them no matter what boring or not.
The school bell rung jarring him from his thought, and he wanted to cheer aloud as the class was dismissed. "Hey Girls, what you wanna do for lunch?" He said getting up and walking up to Chie's desk. "Wait a moment, Yosuke." Chie replied, reaching in to her pocket. "Someone sent me a text during class I better check it." She added taking out her phone, and looking at it. "What is it Chie?" Yukiko leaned over from her desk to try and look. "Thats weird it's from Rise, telling us to go up to the roof." Chie replied. "The roof? Why?" Yosuke asked confused. "To met Kanji and Teddie." Chie said.
"But Teddie is meant to be at Junes." Yosuke pointed out. "I let's just go." Chie told the others getting up and heading for the door. "Wait up Chie." Yukiko called out after her and rushed to follow. "Hurry up Yosuke." Yosuke heard Chie shout out for him and he went after them. The three of them quickly headed for the roof and got there in a pretty short time. As they came out on to the the roof, Kanji and Teddie were already waiting for them. "Hey guys." Kanji welcomed with a small wave. "Beary good. Now to ring Sensei back." Teddie mused aloud. "What's that Teddie?" Chie questioned.
"Sensei called me and said he wanted to speak to all us. He asked me if I could get on break so I could come meet you guys here so we could call him back." Teddie related. "You serious, he couldn't wait until after school." Kanji moaned. "Well I hope it doesn't take all of lunch I'm hungry." Chie mumbled. "You gonna ring him already then." Kanji said. Teddie didn't bother responding but got his phone out, and with a few quick key hits put the phone to his ear and waited.
–
Rise hotel room at the hotel was quiet. Souji sat in the chair he had last night, his elbows on his knee and his chin in his hands as he stared at the floor while he thought to himself. Rise was laying on the bed looking at the ceiling while Naoto lent against a wall, notebook in hand chewing a pen. Souji had informed girls what Elizabeth and Margaret had told him. How the changing of his power was due to meeting those who were connected to Minato, and the pair believed that he could be able to save him. Neither of the girls had know what to say to that. Especially the part about trying to save him would be dangerous and possible put the entire world at risk at the same time.
The need to speak to the others, and as such while Rise texted Chie, and Naoto, Kanji. Souji called Teddie and told him to meet the others and call him back. That had been over a hour ago now, and since that phone call Souji had barely made a sound. Looking up from the floor for what felt like the hundredth time, Souji glare at the time on the clock. The lunch break at school in Inaba would have just started. Hopefully that meant Teddie would ring anytime now. Watching the clock as a couple of minutes ticked by the silence of the room was finally broken.
Pi Pi Pi...Pi Pi Pi...
Rise leaped from the bed so quick Souji head swung round to look at the sudden movement. "Quick Senpai answer it." She ordered standing there expectantly. "Rise calm down." Souji responded as he reach for his phone and picked it up. "Teddie that you?" He asked quietly, and listened. "Yeah thanks for calling back. Stick me on loud speaker would you please." Souji requested, as he pressed a button on the phone and put it down on the chair's arm. "Can you hear me Sensei?" Teddie's voice came out loud over the phone. "Yes we can here you." Naoto replied in Souji stead.
A large stream of welcomes came down the phone, and Rise offered similar greeting in return as quick as she could for all three of them. As Rise finished talking though Yosuke finally asked the questions on the others minds. "So Partner, what this all about? Did you find out what that dude from the Velvet room meant? I've been worried dude." Yosuke's words stormed together as if had been holding off asking until at least everyone had said hello. "I did. Do you guys remember Margaret my friend from the Velvet room who we fought?" Souji replied with a question of his own. "How could we Senpai that women was damn scary. Come on she could frigging fly!" Kanji exclaimed.
"Well this is about what she said after, remember about the guy who risked his soul to save the world and her sister trying to help her. To sum things up quick Margaret's sister think that because we managed to beat Izanami that we could save the guy." Souji summed up, looking to Rise and Naoto. "Shouldn't we then, you, Yosuke, Teddie and Chie saved my life. If we can save a guy's soul isn't it the right thing." Yukiko urged. "I wish it was that simple. Apparently Minato, the boy in question created a seal, if we save him no more seal, and if we would fail in defeating what he had sealed away it would destroy the world." Naoto elaborated.
"That's insane, and you want us to try this?" Yosuke shouted shocked that Souji would want to try something so dangerous. "That isn't what I said." Souji rushed over his words. "Elizabeth said that even if I did want to help him though, I would need the help from you guys, and from the boy's friends too. So it isn't just my decision to make." Souji restated what he had been told. "Partner I'm sorry but I have to say no fucking way." Yosuke said loudly. "You don't have to swear Yosuke." Yukiko reprimanded. "Yosuke right though, it's too big a risk. Apologies to his friends but I don't think one person life is worth that level of danger." Kanji said to them all.
"Well I guess I've decided then." Souji mused aloud. "What already Souji?" Chie asked surprised. "Elizabeth said I would need all your help, So I wasn't even going to consider it unless you all wanted to." Souji told them."Wait so that's it. As soon as one of us said no you just stop asking what we think." Yukiko said sounding hurt. "Of course not. I still want to know, but I wouldn't want even try without all of you with me like before." Souji said. "But Teddie wants to help." Teddie said. "So would I but it doesn't seem realistic." Chie interjected. "But..but." Teddie spluttered. "Sorry Teddie, but think about if the world ended because we tried this. We would have basically killed billions of people just to try and save a single guys life." Naoto said. "Damn Naoto that was deep. If I hadn't said no already I would be now." Yosuke said.
"Rise, Yukiko what do you think?" Souji asked directly, even though he had pretty much made up his mind, Yukiko had sounded like she wanted to give a opinion anyway. "I don't know. I feel like we should help him like you helped me, but I guess what Naoto said was right." Yukiko responded a edge of sadness in her voice. Souji turned to look at Rise. "I could never try because if we messed up. I would lose all of you. You guys are my friends and I never want that to end." Rise said her voice normal but Souji seeing a silent tear at the thought of losing them run down her face. "Hey Souji, your a good guy. Don't let this get to you. I know you'll try and beat yourself up about not being able to help but It isn't your fault. That Elizabeth women is insane for even thinking we could put everyone in the world in danger just for one guy." Reassured Yosuke. "Yeah Souji just forget this, have fun with Naoto and Rise before you have to go back to school." Kanji said. "I'll try, see you guys, sorry for bringing this up with you. Oh and I'll try to come down to Inaba when the holidays come up." Souji said picking his phone back up, and turning off loud speaker. "I'll talk to you all later." He said and waited for the other to give different goodbyes before finally hanging up.
"That's that then. I guess I should call Mis Kirijo to explain not to worry about we were told, we decided to ignore it. No point explaining we decided not to save her friend." Souji spoke to himself looking at his phone. "Make it quick no reason to drag it out." Naoto said looking at the carpet ashamed. It seemed that like him Naoto felt bad in just leaving someone who might be savable, even though both of them knew the risks. "I just realized I don't have her number." Souji commented to Rise and Naoto, a little embarrassed that he forgot such a detail. "You could try calling a directory enquiries service." Rise suggested. "The Kirijo group is big round here they must have the number." She added laying back on the bed. "I'll try that, and then the three of us will try and make the most of my last couple days before I have to go back home." Souji responded with a smile.
–
Mitsuru Kirijo sat at her desk, piles of papers in front of her. Some of them were recent, documentation and contracts that needed her signature before certain work could be done. Medical research for new drugs, building work, the full monetary power of the Kirijo group applied to turning problems in the local area in to profitable trade, and help the normal person at the same time. It was difficult but it was working, and she was repaying the debt that the Kirijo group to the city.
The other papers were more personal. Reports from a small Kirijo group own hospital, the original reports of Minato's condition. He was in a coma, legally brain dead and his body kept alive by machine. Even though Mitsuru and the others knew that his body was alive, they knew he was dead as long. Still tears streamed down Mitsuru face, quietly but untouched. It had been some time since she had though so much about Minato, normally too distracted by work. The recent events, Detective Shirogane asking about mistaken report left over from the event surrounding the dark hour, and Aegis out burst at the shrine she couldn't help thinking about Minato, Shinjiro and her father.
The phone of the desk beeped and a voice came over it. "Miss Kirijo, a Souji Seta apparently left a message on the front desk phone asking that you call him urgently." The voice said. Mitsuru quickly put on appearance, wiping her face dry and calming herself before pressing a button on the phone. "Thank you." She replied, over the phones built in intercom. Tidying her desk, putting the paper for work into a pile, and Minato's medical reports in the bottom desk and pulled open the top desk draw afterwards. Quickly finding the small note she had made of the Detective's number when she had someone find it after the Detective's original visit she dialed the number and let the phone ring.
The phone stopped ringing and the Detective's voice spoke. "Detective Shirogane speaking." Naoto answered. "Afternoon Detective. Is Mr. Seta with you?" Mitsuru replied sounding as official as she would with any business call. "He just stepped out." Naoto responded. "He left a message asking to speak with me." Mitsuru explained her reason for calling. "I know. He just wanted to inform you not to worry about what your friend told him. We no longer will be looking into it and we won't be telling anyone other then those we trust. Sorry for wasting you and your friends time." Naoto stated on Souji behalf. "Is that it? No explanation?" Mitsuru asked surprised at what Naoto had just said. "It's better that way. If you really wish to know, I'm sure your friend knows. I hope not to talk again." Naoto replied before hanging up rudely.
–
Naoto slid the phone back in to her pocket and turned to face Souji and Rise. "There done." She announced to them. "Thanks, I really didn't want to do that myself." Souji expressed before sighing. "Now what do you say to us having a night to remember and forget this mess." Rise asked the others. "Well we didn't really get a good night at the club before, we could go there." Souji said leaning back in his chair. "It won't have opened yet." Rise pointed out. "I did see that there way a karaoke bar nearby the club. I'm sure it be great fun and everyone there to have you there Rise." Naoto suggested making Rise grin. "It will be fun but I'm not going to be the one singing!" Exclaimed Rise walking up to Naoto and grabbing her under the arm. "I'm sure you can sing great Detective." Rise laughing, as she dragged Naoto away. With a small laugh to himself Souji got up to follow.
