Chapter 4: Awakening
APRIL 9, THURSDAY
Paulownia Mall
"This is Paulownia Mall, but I guess Minato-kun already took you here, huh?"
"Uh-huh, he took me to that shop first," she pointed towards the Chagall café. "The coffee there tastes so good."
"Really? I'll try to taste it when I have the time. How are you getting along with school?"
"Fine, everyone's really nice to me."
"That's nice. Y'know, we're both alike, including your brother."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I already told this to him, and I thought you have to know as well. I lost my dad in an accident years ago."
"I'm so sorry, Yukari-chan…"
"No, it's alright; I just wanted you to know. Hey, why don't we take a quick stop by the café? It'll be nice to drink a cup of coffee with someone. We can extend our girl-talk a bit longer."
Iwatodai Dorm
Inside Minako's room, she still keeps on thinking about the doubt she feels until she falls asleep.
I still can't keep my doubts away from me.
I know they're definitely hiding something…
The hours passed until the Dark Hour arrived. Mitsuru and Akihiko were still keeping an eye on Minako. Unexpectedly, something was hitting against the front door. Koromaru barked loudly until the rest woke up and left their rooms to head downstairs. Minako was the only one who was sleeping soundly.
"W-What was that…?" Fuuka screamed.
"I hope it's not what I think it is…!" Yukari said.
"Yaaawn… Koromaru, why'd you wake us up? Junpei said sleepily.
"Everyone, be on high alert! There's a Shadow right outside the dorm!" Mitsuru said while she and Akihiko were rushing downstairs.
"A SHADOW?" They all exclaimed.
"Déjà vu… It's like before right, Minato-kun?" Yukari said.
"Yeah…" he replied.
~THUD~
"Alright, we'll all divide ourselves into groups. Akihiko, Aigis, and Iori, you three stay with me."
"Roger!"
"Yamagishi, proceed to the command room and report back. Keep surveillance on the Shadow's actions."
"Yes, Mitsuru-senpai!"
"Amada, take Koromaru with you and go with her."
"Understood! Koromaru, you'll be coming with us!"
~THUD~
"Takeba, go wake her up and go to a safe place."
"Alright!"
"What about me?"
"You go with Takeba and protect your sister; we can't have her injured and prevent anything serious happen to her."
"Let's go, Minato-kun!"
The two rushed upstairs and knocked loudly on Minako's door. She was awakened by the commotion and by the loud knocking.
"Mmm… What's that noise…?" Minako rubbed her eyes while yawning.
"Minako-chan, wake up! Sorry, but your brother and I are coming in!" said Yukari.
"What's going on?"
"No time! We have to get you to a safe place! Oh, take this just in case," Yukari handed Minako a naginata.
"What's this?"
"Let's go, Minako!"
"Huh? W-Wait…!"
2nd floor
~CRASH~
"Aaah!" Yukari shrieked.
"They're gaining speed." Minato said.
"What's going here? Tell me! This isn't funny, I'm serious!" Minako said.
As they ran upstairs, loud noises were heard from downstairs. Mitsuru and the others were busy fighting off the Shadow. Suddenly, Fuuka sends a transmission.
"Everyone, listen! I sense another one coming in from outside! Take extra caution!"
"Another one?" Mitsuru exclaimed.
"This is exactly the same as before alright…" Akihiko said.
Rooftop
"Phew, we're safe now…"
"Yukari-san… This scenario…"
"You're right…"
"Ooh! Minato! Look, that's what I'm talking about!" Minako said as she tugged Minato's shirt. "Now do you believe me?"
"Minako, this isn't the time to—"
~RRRUUUMMMBLE~
"Fuuka-senpai, they're now on the rooftop!"
"But that's where I sensed the other one heading to!"
"Oh no! Did that one followed us?"
"Yukari-san!"
"I understand! Stand back, Minako-chan!"
"O-Okay…!" she answered and ran to a safe distance.
Lounge, 1st floor
"Persona!" Aigis exclaimed. She defeated the enemy using her Persona.
"Dammit! That Shadow knocked me down…" Junpei said as he struggles to stand.
"Mitsuru! The other Shadow's at the rooftop!" Akihiko said.
"What? Let us head to the command room, now!" Mitsuru said.
"But Mitsuru-san, what about…?" Aigis asked.
"Yeah, aren't we gonna go and help them? Junpei said.
"No, Arisato and Takeba are capable of handling it themselves. We mustn't intervene," Mitsuru replied." And we must all see for ourselves if Minako Arisato will awaken to her Potential as a Persona-user."
"So she really has a Persona?" Akihiko said.
"She shows the exact same signs as her brother…" Mitsuru said.
Rooftop
"B-Be careful!"
This isn't going too well… What is that thing? I can't believe what I'm seeing right now…
"Isis!"
Yukari summoned her Persona and aimed for the Shadow but it quickly dodged her attack. It attacked her and she was knocked down, but not unconscious. Then it changed its course and headed for the twins.
"Minato-kun! Minako-chan!"
"I won't let you hurt her! Orpheus!"
He summoned his Persona but it became berserk and changed into a different appearance.
"AAARRRGGGHHH!" he cried while clutching his head.
"Minato…!" Minako began to cry.
It caused pain inside his body making him weak and knelt down. He was vulnerable as well now. The rest of the team suddenly felt that they have already seen this scenario before. Fortunately, Orpheus became calm and it disappeared right after. However, the enemy is still waiting for them.
What do I do now…? Yukari-chan and Minato are both hurt…!
There's no else to help us…
There's no else to defeat it…
But I can…
Minako wasn't aware of her last sentence, she just said it unconsciously. She felt a surge of power emitting within her. Her instincts told her to pick up Minato's Evoker when it slides towards her. She picks it up and heard a voice inside her saying:
Go on…
Don't be scared…
It's easy, just pull the trigger and everything will be okay...
It's the only way to save your friends…
Per… so… na…
~BANG~
Minako just shot herself using Minato's Evoker and summoned her own Persona—Eurydice.
I am thou, and thou art I… I am Eurydice, master of strings…
Just as I expected, I knew she'll do it…
Everything's going according to plan…
The rebirth shall be upon this world…
I will not be defeated once again…
"A… Persona…?" Yukari gasped.
"My sister… Has a Persona too…?" Minato finally managed to regain part of his strength.
"What just hap—AAAHHH!"
It seems that her Persona has gone berserk as well, none of them knew why either. Lucky for her, it quickly changed back to normal. For some reason, both Personas appeared again and suddenly changed into the creature earlier and united to become one.
Command Room, 4th Floor
"What the…?" Akihiko was startled.
"What's happening, Mitsuru-senpai?" Fuuka asked.
"I don't know either, Yamagishi…" she replied. "But this definitely happened before…"
Rooftop
The creature attacked the Shadow and defeated it in one single blow. After, both Personas reverted back and the twins fell unconscious. The team rushed to their aid.
"Minako-chan! Minato-kun!" Yukari finally stands up and ran to them.
"Minato-san, please wake up…!" Aigis shrugged him.
"Minako-chan, don't give in! Please, say something!" Fuuka shrugged her.
"Hey, you two don't die on us…! You still have futures like the rest of us!" Junpei sulked.
"Don't joke like that, Stupei…!"
I have no idea what just happened…
Did I really do that…shooting myself in the head like that…?
Did that thing really came out of me?
She suddenly changed into something scary…
I hope that monster's gone.
And I hope that I was able to save them, and my brother…
END OF CHAPTER 4
