Memento Mori : Papilio Effectum

Chapt 4

The sun was shinning brightly and Minako had woken up a couple of hours ago and she had put on her uniform. Oh, how she missed using them with her red headphones in tow. There was a knock.

"Hello? Are you awake?"

It was Yukari.

"In a minute."

Minako opened the door.

"Morning! Did you sleep okay?"

She was more cheerful than before.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you and your brother to school. So, are you ready?"

She took her school bag from her desk.

"Okay, let's go. Your brother's already waiting downstairs."

The three of them went to school together. Yukari said that the only way to reach the school was through the train. She kept on bragging about how she feels as if she's gliding over the sea whenever she rides on them, since the train passes through, the sea.

"So, this is it. Welcome to Gekkoukan High. You're gonna love it here."

They went inside and the school looked huge. It's as if they were in a prestigious school full of rich people.

"So, got any questions?"

"No, that's okay. Thanks a lot for accompanying us today, Yukari-san."

Minato gave a light smile. Which surprised her in a way and her cheeks started feeling hot.

"Y-your welcome..."

"Anyway, about last night... Please don't tell anyone about it."

"Our lips are sealed."

Minako gave a reassuring wink. Which Yukari answered with a sigh of relief.

"Okay, then. See you back at the dorm."

And by that, the pink clad girl ran towards the bulletin board leaving the two siblings by themselves.

"Well, I guess we should head for the Faculty Office now. Let's go, Nii-san."

"Minako and Minato Arisato... Ah, I see you two are siblings, twins to be exact."

One of the teachers were flipping through their folders.

"11th grade... Correct?"

"Well, I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach composition. Welcome to Gekkoukan High."

"It's nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to be here."

Ms. Toriumi was a bit startled by their different response.

"My, you two have such different personalities. Other students should learn from your cheerfulness and politeness."

She then began to flip through the pages a bit more, trying to read the files in a fast pace.

"Let's see here... In 1999, that was what? Ten years ago? Your parents..."

She let out a gasp after she read through the paper.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't have time to read beforehand."

"It's okay. We don't mind."

Minako spoke on behalf of both of them.

"Well, it appears that you are both in my class. Oh, we should hurry, the entrance ceremony is about to begin. Shall we?"

She led the siblings to the hall.

"S'up dude."

It appears that a baseball fan has called for the Arisato sibling's attention.

"Who're you?"

Minato was scanning through him, just like a metal detector, only he's trying to see if he's worthy of getting near him, and his sister.

"Me? I'm glad you asked. I'm Junpei Iori, nice to meet'cha."

Junpei.

Minako could remember him, one of her best friends. She remembered how he suffered, how he lost a loved one and how he tries to lighten up the mood by giving out lame jokes. Same ol' Junpei.

"Just wanted to let you guys know, it's kinda tough being the new kid around here. I transfered here when I was in 8th grade, so I know how you feel."

"Ugh, could you get any louder?"

Yukari came into the conversation.

"What? But I was just being friendly."

"Hey, I heard that the three of you walked to school together. Two cuties and one charming guy walking side by side... The whole school's talking about you."

Junpei gave one of his signature smirks.

"What? Already? Well, I'm used to it but they just got here, you know. Don't you feel bad spreading rumors like that?"

But before Junpei could even answer, Yukari's attention went to the siblings.

"Anyways, it's surprising that we ended up in the same classroom, huh?"

"It took me by surprise!"

Minako's eyes were wide.

"Yeah, I know right."

"It must be destiny."

Minato said it plainly. Without any internal meaning. He likes to say things bluntly.

"Ooh, nice lines, Romeo."

Junpei sizzled on his line, which has no specific meaning whatsoever.

Yukari gave an unamused laugh.

"Yeah right. Just keep on dreaming, Romeo."

Minato gave a confused look while Minako laughed so hard. Since he was so dense, when it came to his words and its meaning.

"Oh yeah. Did you guys told anyone about last night?"

Yukari looked straight into the siblings' eyes. Both of them nod in unison. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Good. But seriously, don't tell anyone about it."

Junpei was dumbfounded. With a slight blush that crept into his cheeks.

"L-last night...?"

He gulped. He looked at Minato then back to Yukari and vise jumped and started blushing wildly.

"W-what?! No! Don't even think about it! There was nothing between us. We just met each other the other day!"

"Well, whatever. Hey man, if you need anything just give your ol' pal Junpei a call and I'll come runnin'."

Junepi patted Minato's shoulder as a sign of brotherhood.

"Oh, and of course you too, lil' cutie."

Junpei tipped his cap at Minako. Which Minato glared at him as a respone for flirting with his sister. Junpei retracted.

"Whoaw, man. Chill, I was just joking about the 'cutie' thing 'kay."

Minato's shoulder relaxed a bit.

Yukari had invited the siblings to a tour of the city, but Junpei heard their conversation and practically jumped at the idea and he ended up tagging along. He said that Minato would attract more attention if he was caught walking with two girls, so a male friend wouldn't hurt.

"Hey, dude. Wanna check out the arcade? They have some really cool games there."

Junpei gestured and pointed at the direction of the arcade.

"Sure, why not."

"Hey, we're gonna check out the arcade."

Before the girls even could react, the had walked to the arcade already.

"Geez, it's like your walking with a little kid."

Yukari sighed, which Minako giggled in response.

"I think he's nice."

"Yeah, well he is kinda nice. Buy he's such a perv, he's like the poster boy for sexual harassment."

"Well, anyways, wanna check out the café here? It's really famous and they have really good coffees there."

Minako and Yukari went to Chagall Café. As they eneter, Minako could smell aromas of brewed coffee in the air. It smells nice and relaxing. She could see students from Gekkoukan High chatting and sipping drinks here.

"Students from our school are usually regulars here."

"Welcome to Chagall Café. So what'll it be?"

As they sat down a waitress approached them and handed them the menu.

"I'll have Pu-erh tea, please."

"Then, I'll have the Café au lait ."

"Pu-erh tea? I've never heard of it."

Minako questioned the funny named tea.

"It's a type of tea that comes from China, and just like wine, when it ages it tastes even better. What I like about it is its earthy aroma."

They were hanging out in the café and after that, they walked around Paulownia Mall.

"Phew, I'm beat."

Yukari and Minako had sat down on the wooden bench, resting their strained legs.

"I wonder if the guys are back yet."

"Hey, over here!"

Junpei was waving his hands in the air as him and Minato walked towards the girls. Surprisingly, it seems that Minato had bought something. It looked like a music shop bag. Typical.

"Nii-san, what did you buy?"

He opened the plastic bag. Stared at the item inside and took it out. Finally, he handed the album to his sister. Guns N' Roses: Nightrain to Nowhere. She chuckled.

"You really love classic rock, don't you."

The scene where they first met Junpei was a bit of a blur for me… at it was quite hard to write. But I managed to finish it on time. Phew.

DISCLAIMER : I do not own persona or any of its affinities. It clearly belongs to their respected creators.