Well…hmmm…I don't have to say much now. Haha I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona or its characters
"The train bound for Port Island Station will arrive in another 15 minutes." The announcement said.
An eerie silence filled the car where the team was seated.
"So, Aigis…what are your friends like?" Yukiko asked.
Aigis turned her head. "They are kind of like you guys, actually. I would be glad to tell you about each of them, if you would like."
Everyone nodded. Aigis continued.
"First, there is Yukari Takeba-san. She is in college right now, training to become an actress. She's also the captain of the archery club. She is nice and caring, and is usually always cheerful…just make sure you don't make her angry."
"What happens if you make her angry?" Yosuke asked.
"…You'll get kicked." Aigis said. Yosuke immediately groaned.
"Great, so she's like another Chie…" Yosuke frowned.
"What was that?" Chie yelled.
Aigis continued. "Next, there is Junpei Iori-san. He likes to think of himself as the leader of the group, and doesn't do very well in school. But, he's also very reliable and is a very good friend to all of us. He knows how to make us smile."
"Awww, he sounds so sweet! Kinda like our own Yosuke-senpai!" Rise giggled.
Yosuke blushed. "Glad to know I make you smile, Rise-chan."
"Hey, don't misunderstand. I only have eyes for Souji-senpai!" Rise then cuddled next to Souji. Souji felt uncomfortable. Yukiko and Naoto began glaring at Rise.
"Then, there's Fuuka Yamagishi-san. She's very intelligent and is good with technology. She's the one who always tries to break up conflicts between us. Back when we were SEES, she was the analyzer of the group."
"Ah, so she's like me, then!" Rise said.
"Umm, Aigis said that she was intelligent, Rise…" Yosuke snickered. Rise glared at him.
"Akihiko Sanada-san is strong-willed and cares deeply about all of us…he especially cared about Minako-san. He loved her."
Yukiko frowned. "So, he was sad that she died, I'm guessing?"
Aigis nodded. "Yes, but he soon made a promise that he will move on, protecting the world that Minako-san saved. So, he's currently working to become a police officer."
"Hmmm…that's a good profession for such a promise." Naoto stated.
"Mitsuru Kirijo-san is very smart. She is a sophisticated young woman and is the head of the Kirijo Group. And as long as you don't get on her bad side, she is very fun to be around…if you do get on her bad side, however, you will be executed."
Everyone stiffened.
"E-Executed…?" Kanji's eyes widened.
Aigis frowned. "I do not know what that means, exactly. But, Akihiko-san told me that Mitsuru-san's executions are a fate worse than death…"
"Wow, I just love your friends so far…" Yosuke grimaced.
"Ken Amada-san is a mature young teenager. He is very brave, and even after all that he's been through, he is still headstrong."
"Why? What did he go through?" Souji asked.
Aigis looked down. "…It was around four years ago. That's when his mother was killed."
Everyone gasped.
"That's terrible! Who would do something like that to a kid?" Rise yelled.
"…that would bring me to the last person. His name is Shinjiro Aragaki-san. He is aloof, silent most of the time, and is the one that killed Ken-san's mother."
"Wait, so the killer is also a part of SEES?" Yosuke's eyes widened.
Aigis nodded. "Back when SEES was first founded, there were only three members: Mitsuru-san, Akihiko-san, and Shinjiro-san. Shinjiro-san was the newest, and his persona…Castor…is very hard to control. So when they were pursuing a shadow loose in the city, he momentarily lost control of his persona…"
"…And it accidentally killed Ken-san's mother…" Yukiko's face saddened.
"That is correct." Aigis said. "Also, the reason Ken-san joined SEES was to get revenge on Shinjiro-san. However, someone intervened their confrontation…and shot Shinjiro-san. As the person was about to kill Ken-san, Shinjiro-san shielded Ken-san from the gunshot. As a result, he received another bullet to the chest."
"What? Why would he shield his would-be killer?" Kanji asked.
"My guess is that Shinjiro-san's guilt was eating away at him, and so in protecting Ken-san from getting killed, he was atoning for what he did to Ken-san's mother…" Aigis explained.
Everyone's faces saddened.
"Oh, and another thing about Shinjiro-san…" Aigis began. "It is imperative that he joins us in retrieving Minako-san's memories…for he had a special connection with her."
"What do you mean, 'special connection'?" Souji asked.
"…" Aigis didn't answer. Then, the train stopped.
"We have arrived at Port Island Station." The announcement said.
"I have already called the others, so they should be at Paulownia Mall right about now…let's get going…" Aigis got off the train. The others looked at each other and quickly followed her.
~Paulownia Mall, Evening~
When they arrived at Paulownia Mall, it was very busy. Aigis began looking around.
"Heeeeey, Ai-chan!" A voice rang out. A young man ran up to Aigis.
"Junpei-san, it's good to see you again!" Aigis smiled.
"Yeah, good to see ya too! Hey, who're your new friends?" Junpei asked, looking at them.
"I will tell you once we find the others…" Aigis said.
"Oh, well…Fuuka-tan and Yuka-tan were just with me…" Junpei looked behind him.
"Aigis!" Fuuka and Yukari both yelled. They ran up to her and hugged her.
"It's good to see you guys…" Aigis said.
"Wow…Aigis is really loved, huh?" Yukiko stated.
"Hey, Aigis…long time no see."
Aigis looked up and saw Akihiko and Ken walking towards her.
"Ah, Akihiko-san…Ken-san." Aigis smiled. "…Where is Mitsuru-san and Shinjiro-san…?"
"Mitsuru called me saying that she wouldn't be able to make it…she's up to her head in paperwork." Akihiko explained. Aigis nodded.
"…And Shinjiro-san hasn't picked up his phone at all…I've called him twice already." Ken said.
"He's probably out of his apartment room…I noticed that whenever he's out, he leaves his phone on the counter." Akihiko said.
"By the way, Aigis…who're they?" Ken asked.
"Ah, right. These are my new friends that I met in Yasoinaba. I have a new mission, and they agreed to help me." Aigis explained.
"Mission? What kind of mission?" Yukari asked.
"…This young man…" Aigis pointed to Souji. "…defeated a goddess, and obliterated any desires for death in the hearts of humans…in doing so, Nyx will never return."
Their eyes widened.
"Then…that means…!" Yukari was holding back her tears.
"Yes…it means that the Great Seal is no longer necessary, and that Minako-san will eventually be released." Aigis smiled.
"Really? YES! Finally…" Junpei smiled.
"You mean that we get to see Minako again?" Akihiko asked, his eyes slowly filled with tears.
Aigis nodded. "However, if she should get released naturally, she will have no recollection of what she did, or who any of us are."
They all frowned.
"…But…if we were to retrieve her memories before that happens, then she will remember everything…"
"So, how are we going to find retrieve her memories?" Fuuka asked.
"We have to go to the Velvet Room…" Aigis said. "Igor will explain everything once he sees that the wild card, Souji-san, is with us…but…he won't tell us if Shinjiro-san is absent."
"Huh? Why?" Ken asked.
Aigis stared at the ground. "…I…"
But before she could answer, a dog ran up to her and jumped on her.
*Woof!*
"Ah, Koro-chan!" Aigis pet the dog.
Then, a person came up to them.
"I got your text, Aki…what did you need me here for…?" The person asked in a cold tone.
'…who is that guy? He's kinda scary…' Rise whispered to Chie and Yukiko.
'I have a feeling we're about to find out…' Chie whispered back.
"Shinji, where were you?" Akihiko yelled.
"…None of your business. I don't have time for this shit, so if it's not important, then I'm leaving…" Shinjiro was about to leave, when Aigis grabbed his arm.
"Please…Shinjiro-san…" Aigis pleaded. "At least hear what I have to say…"
"…Tch." Shinjiro released his arm from Aigis's grip, and began to walk away.
'…That's Shinjiro…?' Souji thought.
"…Shinjiro-san…I have learned that since Nyx will not return here, that Minako-san will be released from the seal…" Aigis said to him.
"!" That stopped Shinjiro in his tracks. He turned his head to look at Aigis.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Shinjiro yelled.
"…No one in the world wishes for death anymore, which means that Nyx will no longer be a threat, and the Great Seal is no longer needed." Aigis explained to him.
"It's true, Shinji…Aigis has no reason to lie." Akihiko told him.
"…However, we need to retrieve her memories in order for her to regain her memories of everything and everyone. I can't do that without your help, Shinjiro-san…" Aigis said.
"…Why do you need my help?" Shinjiro asked with an unreadable expression on his face.
"…I don't know. I was told by Igor that I couldn't retrieve her memories without your assistance, and that he'll explain everything to you once we go to the Velvet Room…" Aigis said.
"…Tch. Why would you want her to retrieve her memories, anyway?" Shinjiro questioned.
Everyone had confused looks on their faces.
"…What do you mean by that, Shinji?" Akihiko looked angry.
"…Why? Don't you want her to remember you, as well?" Aigis asked.
"Not if it means her remembering everything." Shinjiro said rather bluntly.
Aigis looked hurt.
"Shinjiro-san, how can you say that?" Ken yelled.
"…Don't you remember everything she's had to endure? Everything that made her sad…? Why would you want her to remember all that crap she's been through?" Shinjiro yelled.
"…Shinji…I understand that you want her to be happier by having her not remember any of that…" Akihiko said, realizing what Shinjiro meant. "…But, we want her to remember all of us. She's strong, and she can get through it."
Shinjiro glared at him. "You people are that selfish, huh? I want no part of it…" Shinjiro left. However, Souji noticed that when he said that, a tear rolled down Shinjiro's cheek.
"Eh, Shinji!" Akihiko yelled.
"Senpai…" Yukari and Fuuka frowned. Ken looked down at his feet.
"…I guess that we won't be able to acquire Minako-san's memories, afterall…" Aigis began crying. "I know that I'm selfish in wanting her to remember, but…"
"It's alright Aigis…I'll talk to Shinji." Akihiko said to her.
"Umm…if you don't mind, I'd like to have a talk with Shinjiro-san." Souji asked.
Everyone was surprised.
"Senpai, you hardly know him!" Rise yelled.
"Yeah, are you sure you want to get involved? He seemed kinda…scary." Yosuke cringed.
"…I have a feeling I know why he doesn't want her to regain her memories." Souji said.
"!" Akihiko was surprised. 'Like Minako, this Souji kid seems to be good at reading someone else's feelings.'
"…Akihiko-san, do you have an idea where Shinjiro-san went?" Souji asked.
Akihiko began thinking. "He usually hangs out in the back alley of Port Island Station."
"I'll be back in a little bit." And with that, Souji ran off towards the direction of the station.
"…Does he have any idea what he's getting himself into? Who, for that matter?" Akihiko smiled sadly.
"…No, but we can trust him. Senpai is a reliable person, you have my word." Naoto said. "But off topic, Akihiko-san, I heard that you are training to be a police officer?"
Akihiko nodded. "Yeah…I made a promise to Minako."
Naoto nodded. "I understand. If you do become a police officer, I would love to help you on some of your cases, if you wish."
Akihiko looked surprised. "…Do you want to be a police officer, too?"
"Naoto-kun is a detective who works on many hard cases." Yosuke told him.
"A detective? At his young age?" Akihiko's eyes widened.
"Yeah, we were caught off guard, too…oh, and Naoto-kun is actually a girl…" Yosuke smirked.
"…Must you tell everyone?" Naoto glared at him.
"But it's true…" Yosuke said.
Yukari and Fuuka began to laugh. "Hey, while we're waiting for Souji-kun to return, how about going shopping?"
"Oooh I want to see what kind of clothes they have here!" Rise yelled. She grabbed Chie and Yukiko and dragged them along.
"Come on, you guys! You're going to carry all of our bags!" Rise yelled. Yosuke, Kanji, and Teddie groaned.
"I wish we went with Sensei…" Teddie said.
"Come on!" Fuuka and Yukari ran after them.
Ken looked at Naoto. "You're not going with them? I thought that girls like to shop…"
Naoto stared at him. "…This girl doesn't like to do those kinds of things. I prefer to read detective novels."
Ken nodded. "Oh, I see."
Ken and Naoto decided to walk over to the arcade.
"Akihiko-san, I hope that Shinjiro-san changes his mind…" Aigis said, looking down.
"Don't worry, Aigis…Souji-san's friends seem to believe in him, so I will too." Akihiko said. Aigis smiled.
~Back Alley, Late Evening~
Shinjiro was standing by himself, looking at the sky. A figure emerged.
"…What do you want?" Shinjiro asked Souji. Souji walked towards him.
"Did you mean what you said?" Souji asked.
"…" Shinjiro didn't answer him.
"…You loved Arisato-san, didn't you? That's why you don't want her to remember all the hardships she had to go through…?" Souji asked.
"!" Shinjiro glared at him. Souji didn't budge.
"It doesn't matter what had happened…your friends want her to remember them. And I know that secretly, you do, too." Souji said.
"You don't know anything about Minako! Do you know what she went through?" Shinjiro yelled.
"Calm the hell down!" Souji yelled back.
"…!" Shinjiro tried to calm himself. "…You don't know what she went through…"
Souji nodded. "Maybe not…but Aigis told me that Arisato-san had a heart of gold…that she always looked to the bright side of things, and that she remained cheerful even after all she's been through. So who's to say that she will change if she regains her memories…?"
"…" Shinjiro remained silent.
Souji continued. "…When you said that everyone was selfish for wanting Arisato-san to regain her memories, I noticed that you began to cry."
"…!" Shinjiro was surprised that Souji had noticed that.
"…So that leads me to believe that in your heart, you want Arisato-san to regain her memories of you…even if it brings back those painful memories along with it." Souji stated.
Shinjiro looked at Souji. "…I…" He clenched his fists together. "…I'll help you guys retrieve Minako's memories. Can you leave me alone now…?"
Souji nodded. "I'll tell the others, then…" Souji was about to leave, but looked back at Shinjiro. "…Believe in Arisato-san, Shinjiro-san. I'm sure that she would worry to see you like this…" And with that, Souji left.
"…" Shinjiro didn't respond. '…I do believe in Minako…I can't believe that it took me till now to realize it. I guess I'm the idiot this time, huh?'
Shinjiro looked down at his feet, and began to cry.
Well, this chapter kinda put Shinjiro out of character towards the end, didn't it? I'm sorry I didn't put Mitsuru in this chapter. I just thought that she'd be busy being the head of the Kirijo group, plus I have trouble coming up with dialogue for her. Next chapter will most likely be a visit to the Velvet Room, and possibly a hang out "get to know each other" chapter. So, I hope that you all liked this chapter, and please review!