Chapter 4: The Past & the Elite
Fukuoka Prefecture: Souji's Apartment
"Seta-kun it is currently 7:30 AM, please wake up." Aigis's voice rang.
Souji yawned and stretched. Suddenly his eyes widen and he quickly got up from his bed.
Aigis was standing next to his bedside. "Aigis!"
"Yes Seta-kun, do you require any assistance?" Aigis responded.
"How'd you get in my room?" Souji wasn't angry but rather amazed. He had locked the door before he went to bed.
"I have my ways." Aigis winked.
Souji was mildly surprised by this small human behavior. Yesterday Aigis had explained that she wasn't a human. She is a robot or more specifically, an android with human emotions.
Yesterday Evening
Aigis took quite some time to explain this to Souji, but he took it quite well. He did not show much expression when she showed him her weapon arsenals and her body.
Aigis also explained her connection to Personas. Her adventure, fighting with another group of Persona users called Strega, and the coming of Nyx.
Aigis then explained why she needed Souji's help. Apparently there had been a murder case in her area, Port Island.
She wouldn't have asked for his help if it were a normal murder case but her source in the police department mentioned unusual wounds on the corpses.
"It's as if they were slashed by a demon." Aigis told him.
Souji debated that it could be a wild animal attack but Aigis overruled that possibility.
"The wounds were deep and DNA scans showed nothing. The internal organs were devoured as well. The main concern is where the bodies were discovered." Aigis looked at Souji.
He had an uncomfortable feeling as if he knew the answer. "Where did they found the bodies?" Souji asked anyways.
"Two were found hanging on a radio antenna while the other two were found hanging on the head of a fast-food restaurant's mascot head; it was on top of the restaurant." Aigis answered.
Souji closed his eyes for a moment. Another murder case… But that didn't make sense. They've caught the serial killer last year, Tohru Adachi, a police officer working with his uncle.
And another thing didn't the TV world change to a happy, fairy tale land already? There couldn't possibly be any Shadows left in that place.
Souji looked at Aigis and he explained the accounts of his adventure and encounters with Shadows.
Aigis looked perplexed, but she too accepted his story calmly.
"See, it isn't possible that Shadows killed them. As far as I know, all the Shadows disappeared right after me and my friends defeated Izanami." Souji concluded.
Aigis shook her head. "I do not believe it is the work of Shadows too."
"Then, what else could kill those people?" Souji inquired.
"I believe it is the work of a Persona." Aigis answered darkly.
"…Is it possible?" Souji is trying to accept that possibility. She did mention a group of other Persona users before, Strega was it?
Aigis nodded. "Yes, that possibility is quite high. This comes back to the main reason why I am here. I require you help in solving this case and in turn I will aid you as well."
"What about those friends of yours? Won't they help?" Souji frowned a bit.
"They- Well, they could help me but… To tell you the truth I do not know where everyone is anymore. I know the whereabouts of three of the current Persona members but the others…" Aigis grew quiet.
So they each went their separate ways after their job is finished huh? Souji reflected sadly, as if that happened to him and his friends too.
He can somehow understand what Aigis is going through. Seeking help from those who'd fought against horrible monsters and had just regain peace would be ridiculous. No one would sacrifice the peace that they have to experience the nightmare all over again.
Souji sighed. "Fine I'll help, I'm going to Port Island anyways. I'm transferring to their school there tomorrow, although…now that I think about it, maybe you had a hand in this too." Souji frowned but Aigis merely looked away, smiling to herself.
Present Time
Souji dressed in his usual school uniform, although in this case, it looks more like formal suit. The principal insisted on this uniform as it shows the student a more 'professional' look than the other schools.
"I'm heading to school, Aigis are you ready?" Souji called for her. Seconds after that Aigis appeared wearing the uniform of his school.
"How'd I look?" Aigis twirled around, showing her new outfit. Again, that was another small human behavior. She was teasing him and smiling.
Souji sighed. I know she's a robot, but please God don't let there be a second Rise. I'd do with only one.
He didn't mind her teasing him but something was wrong. "Why are you wearing that uniform? You don't even go to my… Never mind, I think you have enough tricks up your sleeve to be a student in my school too." Souji sighed again.
Souji gathered all his belongings and Aigis hers. They would not be returning to this apartment for a year or so. He'd called his parents a few days ago and told them about his transfer. Despite his parents' protest Souji decided to transfer to Gekkoukan anyways.
His initial plan was to get as close as possible to his friends in Inaba. Now there's another reason to it.
Fukuoka Prefecture: Shuyukan Senior High School
Souji and Aigis arrived in front of the school. There was already an attendant waiting for them.
Souji gave his letter of transfer to them and saw Aigis took out a similar letter.
After their luggages are taken they walked towards the Main Hall. "Why'd you follow me here anyways? I thought you'd go back to Port Island and wait for me there. That would've been easier." Souji asked Aigis.
She shook her head. "I was once a student of Gekkoukan. It would be bad if someone recognized me if I had been there as a 'normal' student rather than a 'transfer' student. In this condition people would just mistake me as my own sister or something along that line." Aigis answered.
"While we're in this topic, could you also not tell anybody that I am an android? After all I'm not supposed to exist until at least in the twenty-second century." Aigis looked both serious and amused at the same time. Souji nodded.
Just then Souji instinctively jumped sideways. He heard something hit the tree where he was standing in front of just now.
"Quite the good reflexes as always, Seta-san." A boy appeared in front of them. He was wearing the same uniform as Souji but in a more untidy way, his tie was loose and the suit not buttoned up. He also wore a cowboy hat and a red scarf that clashed with his suit around his neck. He was pointing a gun at Souji.
Aigis immediately went between the two in an inhumane speed. She reared back as if storing momentum in her legs. Souji knew what was going to happen and yelled, "Wait Aigis! This guy's a friend of mine, don't attack!"
Too late. Aigis had unleashed her kick. Surprisingly that man was able to move in split seconds too, but was unable to dodge the kick entirely. "Ouch! That hurts doll!" The boy groaned and massaged his sides.
"You ok Kid-kun?" Souji stood up and watched the boy settle down.
"I'm alright, boy can this doll kick! Hmm, I've never seen her before…" He frowned but shrugs it off.
"I am sorry. I thought that you were a hostile. My self-defense program kicks in." Aigis apologized.
"No need to worry ma'am. It's my fault anyways. The names' Kid Igarashi, jes' call me Kid. I'm this guy's classmate." He pointed at Souji and tips his hat to Aigis.
"Shooting someone with his BB gun is his way of saying hello Aigis." Souji told her. Aigis nods and continues to watch Kid.
Just as the commotion died down suddenly a girl appeared and gave Kid a drop kick to the face.
"KID! Did you shoot at my Souji again??!" The girl roared and put Kid in a submission lock.
"L-Lili! 'Course not, I was only saying hello…M-My back…" Kid struggled.
After beating Kid half to death the girl stood up. She smiled at Souji.
Looking at her now Aigis thought that she was quite a beautiful person. Her uniform was neat and tidy even though she had just been in a wrestling match; her long-blonde hair was straight and shiny. She had the face that many supermodels would kill for.
"This is Lili Rosenkruetz, another classmate of mine." Souji introduced her to Aigis.
Lili gave a shocked expression when she saw Aigis. "Souji! Who's this girl! Don't, don't tell me she's your…"
"She's just a friend Lili." Souji sighed. Aigis nodded in agreement.
"Oh I see…Hello there, my name is Lili. I am pleased to meet you." She bowed.
"My name is Aigis. Nice to meet you too Lili-san." Aigis bowed too.
"Darn it woman, you're gonna kill me someday…" Kid groaned as he stood up.
"Shut up! It's your fault anyways! If anything happens to Souji I'll…" Lili bickered with Kid.
Souji smiled to himself. These two are exactly like Yosuke and Chie when they are fighting.
"A-Anyways I'll see you in the Main Hall Seta-san." Kid waved at Souji.
When he looks at Kid Souji could feel a bond between them. Suddenly in front of him the card for the Strength Arcana appeared. He had established his second Social Link with Kid.
"I'll see you there too Souji." Lili smiled. A card also appeared as it did with Kid. The Devil Arcana appeared. Souji had established his third Social Link with Lili.
Souji nodded to both of them and leaves with Aigis.
Inside the Main Hall the principal had already finished his speech and the students who are transferring schools were shepherded out of the hall. They followed the number of students.
They were later joined by Kid and Lili, Kid looked as if he just brawled with an army of Shadows. Besides the four of them there were five others. Souji recognized them, they are his classmates. He didn't remember their name as he did not know them well.
"Wow, looks like the big guns are transferring with us as well." Kid pats his cowboy hat.
"It's going to be interesting in Gekkoukan High…" Lili muttered.
With that, all of them boarded the bus to Port Island.
Tatsumi Port Island: Train Station
"Hey! We're finally here! Woohoo!" Yosuke cheered. Chie, Kanji, Yukiko and Naoto looked around.
"Hmm, so we're gonna live in this city for a year…" Chie said in awe.
"I'm just as excited as you are Chie-Senpai. Hell, I've never been outside of Inaba much, this is awesome! Ma's finally outta my hair!" Kanji celebrated.
"Dude, that's what you're happy about?" Yosuke shook his head.
"I'll admit that it's nice to have a change of scenery but…" Naoto sighed.
"Huh? 'Sup with you? Got train-sick or sumthin'?" Kanji looked at Naoto, slightly concerned.
"I-It's nothing, don't worry about me!" Naoto answered in a slightly high-pitched voice. I can't tell them that I'm already missing Grandpa, they'll laugh at me! C'mon, keep it together Naoto! Now's your chance of independence!
"Ok then." Kanji shrugs and turned to speak with Yosuke.
"Yukiko are you alright? You've been kinda quiet…" Chie looked at Yukiko.
"H-Huh? Oh I'm sorry! I guess my head was in the clouds." Yukiko smiled at Chie.
Yukiko wandered back into her thoughts. Well, I already convince Mum and Dad to let me transfer here but… Yukiko shook her head and read the transfer letter again. Will Souji-kun really be here? She closed her eyes and imagined Souji's face. Immediately, her own face turned red. I know he's gonna be here! He just gotta be! Yukiko was determined to see him again.
"Hey, this is all good and all but…aren't we forgetting sumthin'?" Kanji asked the others.
They scratched their heads and suddenly remembered. "TEDDIE!"
They turned to see the train had already left the station. Another train was approaching the station.
"H-Hey, what're we gonna do? We left Teddie in the train!" Yosuke panicked.
"Should we call the train operator?" Yukiko suggested.
Just as they were panicking they heard a muffled voice in one of Kanji's boxes.
They looked at each other and Kanji finally approached the box. He opened it carefully and out jumped a blue and red bear.
"Teddie! The hell you're doin' in there?" Kanji was surprised.
"Ta-ta-ta-da! I thought you guys would forget about me so I hid myself in one of these boxes. Pretty smart huh?" Teddie praised himself.
"We're glad that we didn't leave you behind Teddie." Naoto folded her hands.
"Yeah we almost had to- waitaminute. What'd you do to my stuffs?" Kanji peered into the empty box.
"I threw 'em all away." Teddie answered simply.
"YOU WHAT??! My sewing machine and barbecue set! Ted, I'm so gonna skin you alive! C'mere you stupid bear!" Kanji approached Teddie menacingly with a killing aura.
"H-Hey come now, don't fight over me baby." Teddie laughed but Kanji didn't stop.
"AHH! Chie-chan! Yuki-chan! Naoto-chan! Save meeeeee!" Teddie ran away from Kanji.
They ran in circles as the rest of the gang laughed.
From the other train that had just arrived only two people got off. If the gang had paid attention to them they would notice the oddness of the pair. One was a giant while the other was a little girl. The girl noticed Teddie and muttered quietly, "Shadow…"
Hmm hmm hmm, finally going into the main storyline! yayyyyy! nyway i'll try to keep posting my stories as regularly as possible so I'll work hard! ganbatte! :) ya-haw!
