"What?!" Exclaimed Kanji who helped Rise up on her feet.
"N-no way…Do you think that maybe he might be like Adachi-san?" Suggested Chie, frowning at the fact that such a cute guy was (could be) evil.
Everyone eyes went wide and Chie's frown grew. "So I was right, again?" She sat back down on her chair and everyone followed suit. "I was just saying random things."
Seta shook his head. "That explains why Rise-chan felt something"
Naoto nodded her head. "That makes perfect sense, senpai." She pondered for a moment then added "We should keep an eye on him. He may be innoce—"
"WE'LL DEFEAT ALL ENEMIES NO MATTER WHAT!!! Right, sensei?" Teddie intervened, jumping up and down in excitement.
Yosuke pulled at Teddie's shirt, bringing Teddie down on his seat. "You idiot bear!!!" He hissed. "What if he heard you?!"
Teddie went silent. "I'm bear-y sorry, Yosuke."
"Shh!!! Someone's coming!!!" Said Yukiko, making everyone shut up and see the new character arrive next to Ryoji.
Minato sat down, laying a tray of food for both himself and Ryoji on the table. He grabbed a can of tea and handed it to Ryoji.
Ryoji glared at the tea in his friend's hand. Angrily, he slapped the can away and it landed on the floor with a silent KLANK. "How in the world can you be so calm about this?" He asked through gritted teeth.
Minato, his stoic face turning into a frown, picked up the can. "As a leader, I have to be calm." He gave the cleaner can to Ryoji, who reluctantly accepted it, and he opened his own can and took swig. "And it comes naturally to me." He shrugged.
Ryoji, not fully convinced, opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Minato. "Besides, we won't be able to think properly if we're hungry."
Nodding, Ryoji decided to give in and have a small meal before they talked about what they should do.
"Dude, what's his problem?" Yosuke asked. "His friend was just offering a drink."
Kanji shrugged. "Mood swings?"
Seta let out a little laugh. "Like a girl."
The three of them were immediately slapped by Yukiko. "And what is THAT supposed to mean, huh?"
Ryoji and Minato finished their food considerably fast but, then again, they haven't exactly eaten in 3 years. Ryoji sipped his tea and looked at Minato. "Alright. What do you propose we should do?"
Minato, shoving is hands in his pockets shrugged his shoulders. "The only plan I could think of is to get everyone together again."
"I think that's our only hope." Ryoji started. He looked away sorrow stricken. "What if they can't summon persona anymore…?"
"Th-they can summon?" Teddie asked in astonishment.
"We already deduced that, stupid." Yosuke said frowning. "What we didn't know though, was that there were more people…"
Yukiko nodded. "I guess weird things happen outside of Inaba as well."
All attention was brought back to Rise as she let out a small pained cry. "Guys…the two of them…they are…incredibly s-strong." She closed her eyes. Being around those two was incredibly stressful on both her mind and her body.
Minato and Ryoji stood up. "So, we're going back home?" Ryoji asked, a smile playing on his lips. He hasn't seen Junpei in a while…and Yukari and Fuuka and especially Kirijo-senpai.
Minato gave his friend a look, knowing oh so well what he was thinking. "At least you're looking at things on the bright side…I guess…"
The truth seekers watched them silently and when they were sure that the two strangers wouldn't notice them stand up, they looked amongst themselves.
"Steak-out?" Chie said smiling, remembering their previous adventures of following people around.
Seta nodded. "Let's go."
The group followed them from a safe distance, going by pairs or trio's so that they wouldn't be noticed.
Minato put his earphones on out of habit. He knew it was impolite to listen to music when you were with somebody but he just couldn't resist. Ryoji wouldn't mind he reasoned.
Ryoji on the other hand didn't even notice Minato and his earphones dilemma. He was too engulfed in his own thoughts to actually notice.
Minato turned his mp3 on. He closed his eyes, letting the music soothe his mind. Like he said, a good leader needed to stay calm and music helped him do that.
"Where do you think they're going, senpai?" Asked Rise-chan who managed to get Seta as her partner. She locked their arms together and snuggled into her senapi's arm.
Seta, being used to Rise-chan's hugs, let her do so and shrugged. "Hopefully, we'll find out…and see whether they are friend or foe."
The two stopped a few yards behind Minato and Ryoji because aforementioned persons stopped dead in their tracks. Silently, Seta pulled Rise behind a nearby tree. He glanced behind to see the rest of the group do the same, too. Kanji, Naoto and Teddie behind them and on the side opposite him, Chie, Yukiko and Yosuke.
Seta smiled to himself. Their position was perfect. They could hear the two converse and not be easily spotted. He turned his attention back to Minato and Ryoji and listened.
"Minato-kun…"
Minato stopped and turned his mp3 player off. Something was bothering Ryoji. "What's up?" He asked quietly.
Ryoji, with his back facing Minato, clenched his fists at his sides. "Kill me…"
Minato frowned. "Ryoji, I---"
"I want you to kill me." repeated Ryoji. Though he didn't notice it himself, he was crying. "Please…I don't want you to have to go through with that again…" His nails were digging into his flesh and slowly, blood dripped from his hand to the ground. "Do it!!!" He screamed.
Minato looked away sadly. How could he suggest that again…
A small gasp escaped Chie's lips but Yosuke quickly placed his hand over her mouth. He made a disgusted face though, when he felt Chie's spit all over his hand. "Oh, gross!" He said in a whisper.
"Why would he want his friend to kill him?" Yukiko asked but only got a shrug as a reply.
Ryoji started sobbing violently. He couldn't control himself. He brought his fist to his face and, using the back of his hand, wiped his tears aggressively. "Do it…"
He didn't expect what was going to happen next. He thought he would hear a gunshot and shattering glass and feel the pain of being struck by a persona but no, that didn't come. Instead, he felt Minato's hand on his shoulder.
Minato turned him around so that they could look at each other eye to eye. Ryoji looked away. He couldn't look at his friend in the state he was at. He just couldn't. Then, he felt a pair of arms wrap around him and let out a small gasp.
"We've already been through this…" Minato said silently, rubbing comforting circles around Ryoji's back. "I don't want to kill you…" He whispered into Ryoji's ear. Ryoji shivered at his friend's warm breath on his ear but he sobbed even more into Minato's shoulder, staining it with tears.
They stayed like this for a while, Minato waiting for Ryoji's sobs to quiet down. When he did, he pulled away from Minato. "Thank you…" He said quietly, blush spreading across his face.
A small smile formed on Minato's lips. "But of course." Using his thumb, Minato rubbed the last of Ryoji's tears away. "We HAVE to save the world no matter what."
Seta assumed they were on the good side. He said that they had to save the world. Words of a friend, he supposed. He glanced at his group mates. "I think its safe to assume that they're on our side."
He earned a nod from Naoto and Yosuke. The rest of the group, however…
"Oh, geez! THAT WAS SO CUTE!!!" Whispered Chie rather loudly but earned a nod of agreement from both Rise and Yukiko.
Kanji looked away. He didn't feel too comfortable with two guys going all girly and hugging and Teddie, being the Teddie that he is, joked Kanji about it and Yosuke just couldn't help himself and joined Teddie.
Seta and Naoto shared same the same annoyed face. "Guys…" Naoto started but was interrupted by Seta who shushed the whole group.
"You'll need more persona users." Ryoji stated, sniffling and rubbed his nose. "Nyx is probably stronger than she was before. You'll need all the help you could get."
Minato nodded. "That means well have to patrol the city at dark hour to see who has the potential." He shuddered. "Dark hour IS back, right…?"
Ryoji nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so---"
"We'll help you!" Seta found himself saying, feeling utterly idiotic for revealing their hiding spot.
Yosuke slapped his face. "Seat, you're an idiot, you know that?"
Seta gave a sheepish grin. "Eh heh, sorry Yosuke." He turned back to Minato. "We can help you." He stated again.
Minato's face was stoic. He glanced at the Truth seekers then shook his head. "You're all too weak…" He said calmly.
Kanji's face turned red with anger. "You don't know who you're talkin' to, do ya?"
Minato shook his head. "No. No I don't."
That only pissed Kanji more. "You little----"
"Minato-kun…You're going to need all the help you can get." Ryoji stated again, a hand on his friends shoulder.
Minato looked away. "Tch…" He pondered for a moment. These guys were weak compared to him. They'd have no chance against Nyx.
"They can train in Tartarus." said Ryoji, trying to convince his friend.
Just then, Minato had an idea. "Alright, fine but on one condition…"
Seta nodded for his team. "What's the condition?"
Minato smiled. "Fight me." He had to test their skills and see if he's lost his touch too.
Ryoji's eyes went wide. "Minato, don—"
Minato shook his head. "We have to see if they can fight." Minato gripped his evoker, excitement running through his veins. Despite the fact that impending doom was drawing near he wanted to fight.
"Bring it on." Seta said, smiling himself.
Naoto stepped forward. "Alright but can we please fight somewhere else?"
Both leaders stopped. "Besides," Naoto continued, "We aren't exactly prepared."
Minato loosened his grip on his evoker and let go of it. He shoved his hands in his pockets then nodded. "We don't want to draw people's attention either."
Yosuke nodded. "Right. We'll prepare ourselves." He turned to Teddie. "Bring them to the other world. I'll get your things too."
Teddie nodded then gave Yosuke a salute. "Aye aye, Yosuke!!!" He turned to the two and smiled. "Follow Teddie!!!" He skipped merrily to Junes with Minato and Ryoji following.
Aww, c'mon! Admit it! You wanna see the two leaders fight, right? well , i know i do XD