Disclaimer: I do not own Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, or most of the characters within this story as they belong to Atlus.

oOoOoOo

Veluti In Speculum

Chapter 4: Reflection

oOoOoOo

Dojima was roused awake by Adachi after pulling an all-nighter, but in truth, he was waiting for Officer Sanada and Officer Inui. The two were arriving at the train station at five in the morning so there wasn't any point in going home since he was still wrapping up some paper work. He cleared his throat, rising, and scratched his head. He opened an eye as he looked around for his cigarettes. So many younger people coming into town this year… it was definitely strange.

"Dojima-san, we're going to be late," Adachi said, popping his head into the room. Dojima rubbed his neck, finally spotting the box.

"Yeah, let me get my cigs and then we can go," Dojima replied, blinking slowly now. Damn, he could use a vacation and a few naps. Adachi was about to leave as he added, "Get some coffee too. I'm not driving on empty."

"Yes Dojima-san!"

Adachi ran out of the room while Dojima gathered up his keys and popped a cigarette into his mouth, lighting it. He took a slow draw from it, exhaling a puff of smoke before walking over to the door. He pulled his coat off the rack and walked down the hall while slipping his arms through it. Adachi was already outside with the cups of coffee, a quiet series of 'Ow, ow, ow' escaping his lips as he waited.

The car door clicked as Dojima unlocked it and Adachi jumped, "O-oh! Dojima-san, you could've said something. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Yeah, yeah…" Dojima said, taking his coffee from Adachi, "Just get in the car already. We're late enough as is…"

"Ah, right…" Adachi replied, smiling, "They're probably freezing just waiting at the station. Does it seem to be getting a bit colder than normal around here, or is that just me?"

"Just you Adachi," Dojima replied, walking over to the driver's side. Open, close, keys in the ignition and turn… the engine roared to life as he turned the keys. He had been picking up too many people from the train station… these officers should be more capable and, unlike Adachi, a little more organized. Well, at least he hoped.

The station was just a few minutes' drive from the department. It seemed like he just got into the car and sipped his coffee just a second ago when they were already at the place. Two people stood in the archway with their luggage at their feet. Dojima was surprised. They looked like they were just high school students still, but how they donned themselves… well, the first person at least. The second looked like he was freezing to death.

Short silver hair, sharp equally silver eyes, and pale skin, the first man dressed in black slacks and a charcoal black, button-up vest over a white dress shirt. His shoe too were black and his hands were gloved. Dojima only noted that when the man straightened his red tie. The second man had ruffled, light brown hair and was dressed in a brown jacket, a yellow pull over knit vest, and light blue dress shirt with the collar undone. His pants matched the jacket as did the shoes, but did he need so many layers? It wasn't that cold.

The silver-haired man must have felt Dojima's eyes on him for he turned, blinking and then nudged the guy next to him, saying something. The second blinked and turned, his dark eyes looking at Adachi and Dojima. He smiled and said something back to the first man, who just nodded and started walking forward with his suitcase. The second grabbed his bag too and followed, stopping with his partner.

"Are you Officer Dojima?" the first man asked.

Dojima nodded curtly, "Yes. I'm Ryotaro Dojima and this is my partner, Tohru Adachi."

"Nice to meet you. Akihiko Sanada and my partner, Touru Inui," the first man, Akihiko, said. He smiled faintly as he continued, "Sorry about this sudden call, but if I let this problem circulate any farther, there will be a disturbance."

"So, what kind of problem are you looking at?" Adachi asked.

Inui opened his suitcase and pulled out a folder. He handed it to Dojima who opened it carefully.

Dojima just stared at the paper he pulled out, frowning, "Shirogane?"

"Huh? Shirogane? No, that's not… who?" Inui asked, scratching his head. He looked over at Akihiko. Akihiko shrugged in response.

"No… this boy died over a year ago in an incident that must not be disclosed to the public. The longer this picture circulates, the higher the chance questions will be asked," Akihiko said sternly, "It's better that we caught this now instead of it getting up to the Kirijo Group. With their influence, things would get out of control."

"Without a doubt," Adachi said, shocked.

Dojima was just silent, his cigarette burning slowly. The Kirijo Group… that company was definitely not a favorable one to get tangled with. The current CEO was supposedly the only daughter of the late Takeharu Kirijo and, even though she was still in college, she maintained the Group with an iron will on her own.

"So… how did this picture get out?" Dojima asked, putting it back in the folder and passed it back to Inui.

Akihiko frowned, "Over that website MyPlace; someone by the username Prince of Junes."

"Prince of Junes? … I have an idea who you might be talking about," Dojima said. He let out a puff of smoke, closing his eyes. They opened again and he turned, "Come on. I'll drive us back to the station and we can talk more about this. We can bring the Prince of Junes into the station after school."

"… They're still a high school student?" Inui asked, surprised.

Adachi nodded, "Yeah. This might all be some big misunderstanding. Most of the kids here haven't been out of town, but with a username like that, even I know that the person probably is Yo--"

Dojima thumped Adachi over the head, "Shut up idiot."

oOoOoOo

"Anything yet, Yosuke-senpai?"

"Hm? Oh, I didn't even check yesterday," Yosuke replied.

Naoto sighed under her breath, "Maybe I should forget about it then…"

"No! It's too soon to give up Naoto-kun!" Rise exclaimed, jumping up in her seat. She accidentally hit Souji's leg springing up and he yelped. She gasped, "Oh, sorry senpai!"

"Ehm… don't worry about it…" Souji muttered, smiling back to the idol while hiding his pain. Everyone was back at the Junes Food Court even though it was cloudy overhead. They had much to discuss. The murderer hadn't struck in a while and with the Culture Festival in a week's time. Also, the puzzling case about how Naoto's home was wrecked like that needed brainstorming. Unfortunately, the fall at the Shirogane Estate left Souji with a broken leg and the TV was out of the question to relieve some of the tension.

"I'm sorry senpai. The Estate is being repaired while we speak," Naoto said, looking at his leg.

Souji shook his head, "It wasn't your fault. We should've stopped and assessed the damage before going into your room."

"I have to apologize to your uncle too," Naoto sighed, "He was probably furious."

"It wasn't a compound fracture… the doctor said it would take three weeks to heal," he replied, waving a hand, "As I said, it wasn't your fault. Still, did those seem like claw marks to you guys?"

"Claw marks? … Hm, they kind of did, but they were too big for a shadow," Yosuke said, "Those barely mar up Kanji at all."

"Yeah, but they knock your ass down all the time," Kanji snorted. Yosuke glared over at the younger student, but he just shrugged, "I'm tellin' the truth no need to glare at me."

"He's right Yosuke," Chie said, smiling, but then paused, looking down at the table, "Hmm… but if they weren't made by shadows…"

"You're forgetting that the shadows are only in the TV world," Yukiko spoke up suddenly, "The only way you could get marks like that in a house… Naoto-kun, is your house haunted."

"Oh, so now we're running on the speculation my house is filled with poltergeists?" Naoto asked, voice dripping with vicious sarcasm, "Next will be a demonic lion broke into my room and smashed everything."

"Well, what do you think?" Teddie questioned while Yukiko pouted. The demon was her second suggestion.

Naoto just shook her head and stood up, "I don't know, but we're not getting anywhere. Call me if some--"

"Minato?"

Naoto blinked and looked up, shocked to see a silver-haired man looking at her just as equally surprised. He walked over and took her hat off, at which, she gasped, "What do you think you're doing!?"

"… I'm sorry… you just look like…" the man cleared his throat, giving her hat back, "Never mind… I'm looking for Yosuke Hanamura aka Prince of Junes."

"Yosuke Hanamura? What business do you have with him?" Naoto asked, straightening her hat on her head before Yosuke could speak up.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge, "I'm Officer Akihiko Sanada from the Ayanagi Police Department. The man walking around the table is my partner, Officer Touru Inui. We have a few questions to ask."

Yosuke closed his mouth fast, but now Chie was gawking between speechlessness and fan girling.

"Questions?" Naoto stared at him.

"Yes. A few questions about this."

Naoto frowned, but her eyes widened as Akihiko pulled out a copy of the picture. He had folded it up and slipped it into his pocket. Yosuke stood up now, "Uh… why would you want to talk to me about that?"

"Do you know this person?" Akihiko sounded sullen, almost glaring at Yosuke.

The russet hair teen swallowed nervously, "N-No, but my friend wa--"

"What kind of kick do you get for posting the image of a deceased person you don't even know?" Akihiko cut in, his voice rising. Everyone's eyes widened now, but Naoto's blood ran cold.

"This… boy is dead?"

Akihiko turned his head, looking down at Naoto. She looked disheartened, her eyes downcast. He raised an eyebrow, "Yes. He died almost a year ago, but I'm afraid that's all I can say." His eyes shot over to Yosuke, "Remove this image from you MyPlace and any other website you may have posted this on. Believe me, better I came now than someone else in the future."

"But why!? This is important to my friend!" Yosuke exclaimed.

"Damn right! She wants to know who the hell he is!" Kanji yelled, standing up and glaring at Akihiko. He didn't falter like most cops.

Chie looked at the two like they were idiots, "You dumbasses! What are you doing!? This guy could knock you flat!"

"The hell you talking about senpai?" Kanji growled.

"T-The hell…? Kanji! This is Akihiko Sanada! Don't you know! He's the youngest lightweight boxing champion in Japan!" Chie exclaimed. She was on her feet now, looking at Akihiko with admiration, "Your bout in the championship was amazing! How you countered Kaito in the last round and then delivered the upper cut and hook on him… pure genius!"

"A-Ahem… can we talk about that later?" Akihiko asked, clearing his throat though there was a faint hue of red on his cheeks. Chie just became silent and sat down, still staring at him as he continued, "A-Anyway, Hanamura, this image needs to be removed before it gets any further."

"She still doesn't know who he is though!" Kanji snapped.

Akihiko sighed, "Who asked Hanamura to post it then?"

Yukiko frowned, "She's been standing next to you this whole time, Sanada-san…"

His eyes darted over to Naoto. Her head was bowed as she contemplated this new information. Who died recently in the past two years? Inui blinked and looked at Naoto, tilting his head, "Hey, she kinda looks like him, don't you think?"

"Probably why Dojima-san thought the photo was her…" Akihiko trailed. He had to check, "Shirogane-san?"

"What?" Naoto raised her eyes as he addressed her. Charcoal-blue eyes, indigo hair, that knowledgeable gaze… yes, it was very familiar.

He straightened himself and pulled out a card, giving it to her, "We both have something to look into. Take my card and call me in three days. Between the eight of you, you don't mention this conversation to anyone. Inui, let's go."

They both walked away and once out of ear shot, Inui whispered, "What's the plan?"

"A phone call. It can't be a coincidence that Shirogane looks like Him," Akihiko replied quietly, pulling out his cell phone.

Inui grinned, "Calling up your girlfriend?"

"Shut up…"

oOoOoOo

Me: Hm hm hm… please review.