Chapter 4: Clues

4/14

I woke up to the sudden pain I felt from my head. Standing up to ease the said pain I realized I was back to my own bed and what made things worst was the fact it was already noon. Well no point going to school I guess.

I stood up and headed to the bathroom to wash my face before taking a quick bath. Looking at the mirror, the images of the battle last night flashed into my mind. If the contract with the Velvet Room was still voided then I shouldn't be able to use any of my powers but what could have possibly reactivated them. Not like I could still feel it but still it shouldn't be possible to summon such a powerful Persona from those fake cards.

But just thinking about it wasn't helping. I decided to leave it at that for now and concentrate on the things in front of me since I doubt that's going to be my last time seeing those weird people. After the cold bath, I quickly went down to the lobby to see a familiar woman sitting at one of the couches.

"Hey," she greeted me.

"You're the one from last night," I replied, looking at the receptionist if he knew her but all I got was a shrug.

"I was hoping if you don't mind accompanying me for a while," she asked, gesturing we should go outside. I gave her a nod and followed her out.

"Where are we going," I asked as she started walking, leading me along.

"To Paulownia Mall," she replied. "And if you wish to know why, sorry but you'll have to wait until we get there. They specifically told me not to tell you anything since they'll take care of that themselves."

"Then, mind asking if they plan on killing me," I asked nonchalantly, but the only answer the girl gave me was the cold shoulder. I guess all we could do now is wait and see what awaits us at our destination.

It didn't take long before we got to our destination though. We were at the Chagall Café at Paulownia Mall and inside she led me to a table where a man with white hair sat opposite a woman with red. The woman beside me bowed and left me alone with the two, who were kind enough to offer me a sit.

"Before anything, I would like to give you our thanks," the woman started taking a sip from her coffee. "Hana was one of our Apathy Syndrome patients at one of our hospitals until this morning. And the first thing she told us was about a place covered in fog where she had to watch herself kill people."

"And that leads us to our business with you," the white man continued. "She told us a boy around your age getting into this 'dream' world of hers and surprisingly was able kill her 'shadow' with what she called a Persona. Mind telling us what you know about this matter?"

"Wait are you suspecting a normal person like me with those crazy things," I tried lying but unfortunately forgot that I totally followed a complete stranger.

"You suck at lying you know," the white man commented. "You just followed a complete stranger to a café and you still got the guts to lie?" Me and my honesty.

"I suggest you tell us the truth Mr. Souji Seta," the red haired woman asked, her tone obviously demanding.

"Fine," I gave in. "But mind asking you your names. I feel uncomfortable talking with people who I know nothing about."

"Fine," the red haired woman nodded. "The name is Mitsuru Kirijo, you may know me as the current owner of the Kirijo Corporation and of all its associate. And this man beside me is…"

"Akihiko Sanada," the man finished the woman's sentence. "Now, mind answering our questions?"

I looked at the two and sighed a bit before telling them what happened last night. I made sure to exclude the fact I used to have powers similar to the incident and it was my first time summoning a Persona. The part about the letter was also kept secret. I told them I found out some details concerning the game from some anonymous source and I tried saving my friend. And about the part where I fought a completely armed shadow to par, I just told them I used to be part of the aikido club at one of the schools I used to go. Luckily the man believed all the things I said while the woman continued to have her suspicions but I guess that's just her friendly way to say, "I believe you." I guess combining facts with lies was more convincing that just plain lying.

"I see," the woman named Mitsuru nodded. "Anyway I hope you're telling us the truth Mr. Seta. Anyway since it seems like you have been drawn into this I guess it's better if you know why we called you here, besides the interrogation of course."

"The things you fought last night are what we call shadows," the man named Akihiko continued. "They are suppose to be the darkness in human hearts. But the ones you fought last night were a little different. They seem to affect the humans they attack and turn them into Apathy Syndrome victims. But unlike the ones who appeared five years ago, these ones are much stronger and for some unexplainable reason cause the human psyche to manifest into tangible forms. The Hana you fought last night could be an example."

"That's interesting," I replied. "Anyway is that all? I don't think I can help you if you want me to fight for you though."

"No, we just wanted to inform you," Mitsuru reassured me. "We thought you would take the matters last night a little too hard and want some information about it but it seems like you're taking it quite better than we thought. Anyway we might have taken a little too much of your time. Till the next time we meet."

I took her statement and stood up. And after saying by goodbyes I whispered her last words and walked away. I guess they did notice my lie but what could have convinced them to give me such confidential information. I don't think the Kirijo Corporation is your everyday business mega power anymore, no, they obviously have a part on this.

I took this time to go back to the dormitory and get some rest. I think the fun's just getting started.

4/15

I woke up like usual and was able to meet up with Yui and Yamato before they decide to leave me behind again.

"What happened to you yesterday," Yamato asked. "I mean you missed school on your third day. Even Yui here starts skipping after midterms."

"Hey don't bring me into your conversation," Yui complained. "And it's not my fault the lectures get boring after midterms."

I couldn't help but laugh, as Yui started her usual fits. But I guess I still have to give them an excuse. "I got down with the flu and was having problems getting out of bed. Luckily I was able to get some fresh air around noon."

"I see," Yamato nodded. "Anyway, Eri seemed frantic yesterday after we had the morning assembly."

"Yeah," Yui added. "She just wouldn't shut up about how the auditorium was all okay after getting destroyed by the battle you and a monster had. Can you believe it?"

"Maybe it was because of that game Persona, she joined," I replied. Not like it was a lie though. But it seems like the auditorium is all right after all the beating it got last night. Another question waiting to be answered it seems. "Who knows what kind of game she played." I continued until we arrived at school.

It was after school that I decided to check up on the auditorium myself. Surprisingly some familiar figures have already started their own little investigation.

"Souji," Eri shouted, jumping onto me and causing me to fall down to my back. And following close behind her was her good friend Himeko.

"Hey Himeko," I greeted the shy girl since she's the only one who besides Yamato seems to be normal.

"Don't give me the cold shoulder now Souji," Eri complained as she removed herself from my body. "Anyway you're here because of what the other two told you right, anyway as you can see, the auditoriums a-okay. Can you believe it?"

"I know what you mean, anyway I think it would be better if you avoid telling other people about these things. Who knows who might tell the hospital you're crazy."

"That's least of our problems now." Did she seriously reply with that? Isn't she at least a bit worried about her sanity? "Anyway, the only one who believes me is Himeko here. Look she even received the same letter."

"It's the same one Eri showed us yesterday," Himeko quietly said while taking out the letter from her pocket. I took the letter from her hand and gave it a quick look. They're right; it's the same recommendation letter Eri got the other day. But this time instead of giving it back immediately I took my time finding for any more clues, but like the last one, this was also completely anonymous.

"I guess you should be careful for now Himeko-san," I told her before giving the letter back. "I doubt they'll keep quiet now they sent you that letter."

"But don't you think this could be the perfect opportunity to get to the bottom of this," Eri asked. "You did so well last night as well. I mean that was a freaking monster and you didn't even showed any sign of fear."

"That was just a fluke," I told her, with a serious tone. "The chances we might die this time are the same as last night."

"But that power you used was awesome. I mean that was a God right? Can't you do it again?"

"Sadly, I think that was a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"I guess we just hit a dead end then," she sulked. "And here I thought we were in some kind of supernatural adventure

"We," I asked. I mean is she seriously thinking of going back after what she went through? "What do you mean 'we'?"

"I meeean," she replied. "You and me as a team against those monsters. You fight them and I… well, I cheer you on from the backgrounds."

I don't believe this, this is worst than the first time I went inside the TV at least back then Yosuke was enthusiastic about fighting with me while Teddy stayed behind. But this girl is seriously enthusiastic on bringing me into a fight where she's only a spectator. What does she see in me? I'm not superman for crying out loud. I gave her a disbelieving look and walked away ignoring her shouts.

Once back at the dormitory, I took the time to get things straight. If the invitations work like the midnight channel then Himeko is already in a lot more trouble than we could handle. And as I still can't use my powers since I clearly can't get my hand through the TV just makes things a whole lot worst. But now thinking back to what the people from the Kirijo group told me, defeating those people in the fog could cure the people with Apathy Syndrome. Then I guess due to one thing or another, I'll clearly have to get back to fighting those things. But first thing's first, I seriously have to find a way to use my powers, even if it's only a fraction of the original.

As my mind wondered away with these thoughts, I decided it was better to get some rest since all of this is clearly getting to me. I just wish one of them were with me, even if its only Naoto.

Hi guys... chapter 4 is up and I hope you guys like it. But sadly It feels like the quality of my chapters are only going down hill. T_T. So to try and cure that, I would like the people who are kind enough to review to vote which chapter is written the best. Just add it to your review and I'll see what I can do.

I would also like to thank the people who are following this story and Shiroi Iyasu, I hope the things written in this chapter answer your questions.

Humility sighing off...