Chapter 6: Deepest Desires

"Sorry to disturb your studies," Junpei cuts her off, "You can disturb it anytime!"

Mitsuru glares at him but continues, "Fuuka found that there's a shadow residing in one of the buildings in Shirakawa."

Akihiko stands up and pulls on his gloves, "Alright, SEES members move out!"

"It's a love hotel!" Yukari points out as they arrive at the scene where the shadow is supposed to be in.

"No time for that, let's go." Mitsuru says and goes in first where she is met by familiar shadows lurking inside. The battle begins.

Fuuka shouts through the earpiece, "I sense a powerful presence on the third floor."

"Arisato, Sayomi, Iori and Takeba." Mitsuru says looking at each of them, "You four take care of what's inside that room and we'll handle the shadows here." They obliged and went through the double doors.

"Finally! The heat is on!" Akihiko says all revved up as he punched another shadow

Megumi bringing out her rifle of course modified to kill shadows and Mitsuru finishing another shadow by piercing them. Both brought out their persona's and wiped out every enemy.

"I noticed, where's your persona, Megumi-san?" Akihiko asks as more shadows show up.

Megumi smiles, "I don't have one." All were in shock and stopped to look at her in disbelief, even in the earpiece it went quiet, Yumiko's voice broke the silence, "You notice that just now?"

"But that doesn't stop me from annihilating these scum-bugs." Megumi says with determination as she brought another rifle and fired at their enemies.

Mitsuru nods in agreement and the battle rages on.

Back at the room, the four finally face the boss causing the uproar. Drawing their gun and firing it to their head, "Persona!" they shouted in unison.

Before them stood an obese man sitting in a small throne, behind him is a small beige woman, two minions stood beside them in the form of a cross.

Lumina, Yumiko's persona, gave the final blow, as she danced around the obese shadow, she wore nothing but drapes covering her private parts, her long silver hair twirled with her. The shadow was entranced as it watched her; it was all over in a split second as she drew her scythe out of nowhere and sliced the shadow in half turning into ashes along with its minions. Blinding light filled the room.

"There's nothing more, forget everything." A voice rang out Minato's head.

He held his head as it thumped and thumped, "No." he managed to say.

"Yes you will," the voice pressed on, "NO!" Minato shouted

Minato regained consciousness as he looked around the room. Where was he? It looked to be a hotel, it seemed welcoming and comforting. He heard the shower go off and someone emerged from the bathroom.

Yumiko stood in front of him with nothing but a towel covering her body, water dripping down her hair. He too, was half naked as he looked to see he was wearing only his trousers.

The bed moved as he looked to the direction it came from. Yumiko was advancing towards him.

"W-Wait, Yumiko snap out of it!" desperately trying to get away he moved further, backing away from her afraid of what might happen if she got to him.

"Minato..." she trailed off, her hazel eyes looking at him with affection.

She was close now, as she reached him. In split second, she was on top of him. Her foot in between his legs and her hands on either side of his head. She had him locked in place.

Drops of water dripped to his face as she looked down at him. He pressed his head further into the pillow trying to get more proximity but her head went down with him. He could feel her breath now.

"It's alright," she smiled, "It's just a dream, right?" she asked, their lips barely touching.

Minato was sure this wasn't a dream; he felt pain when he hit his head on the headboard.

She ran her hands up and down his bare chest down to his stomach, Minato shivered. He needs to wake her up, now. He doesn't know what might happen if he can't hold back any longer. She nuzzled to his neck, inhaling his scent as she let out a moan. He gripped the sheets of the bed to stop himself as she nibbled the skin of his neck.

"It's not a dream." He said determined to gain control, "You're being charmed by the shadow." He prayed that his words would bring her back to reality, "Please, snap out of it." He pleaded, afraid of what might happen if this continued.

Her eyes went wide, her lips quivered, he felt it for it was so close to his lips.

Aware of what was going on, she quickly stumbled out of the bed, holding on the towel wrapped around her. Face flushed and quickly ran to the bathroom for her clothes.

Minato ran his hand through his hair, relief washed over him. If he hadn't done that, what would have happened? He shook his head. No, it was the right thing. Seeming conflicted he hit his head on the headboard this time on purpose. It was the right thing, right? Questions flowed like a river as he debated with himself.

Yumiko stepped out wearing her usual attire, her face still red from the scene that happened, "M-Minato-kun, please, put on your shirt." She says looking away hiding her face.

This time it was his turn to feel the heat on his face as he had forgotten that his upper body was exposed. He jumped out of bed and searched for his polo and jacket.

"Is everyone alright?" Mitsuru's voice came through the earpiece.

"Affirmative." Yumiko's serious face was on as they raced to the second floor meeting with the rest of their teammates.

"Did anything happen?" Akihiko asked which Megumi blushed as she stood by his side.

Everyone was silent, "Nothing." Minato answered as he looked away from Yumiko, her face turned red.

"Please be careful." It was Fuuka, "It seems there was more than one shadow, it's hiding somewhere."

"Alright, did anyone notice anything different in the hotel?" Mitsuru asked.

It was Yukari who answered this time, "Come to think of it, the mirrors did look rather different."

"That's it! The monster is hiding in the mirror." Fuuka confirmed.

"Everyone split up!" Mitsuru shouted, "We shall go into groups, me, Akihiko and Megumi, Takeba with Iori." Yumiko dreaded as she heard her name with the same guy whom she had almost taken advantage of, "Which leaves Arisato with Sayomi. Dispatch this last shadow no matter what!" she ordered.

She shouldn't think of this now, this is not the time and place! She battled with her inner self, her other side won. "Four of us will go to the third floor, Mitsuru-senpai," Yumiko said looking at her, "You take care of the second floor." She was in combat mode.

Everyone sprinted to their designated place, checking each room for the mirror that caused her this problem she had with Minato, when they had just started being friends. In such a short time, everything was gone, she sighed frustrated. They both have not spoken a word since their encounter, the awkwardness and the gap between them came back.

"I found one!" shouted Yukari, "You say it does not reflect your reflection, right?" she asked, "Then this must be it!" she pierced the mirror with her bow causing it to shatter and gave out its true form as pure black nothingness spread out.

"Good work, Yukari! I'm almost there, but there's still this energy coming from the second floor." Fuuka says distressed.

"We're on it!" Akihiko shouts at the same time, hearing a glass breaking.

"Last one! Another back at the third floor." Fuuka says sure of herself.

Minato slammed open the last door they haven't checked and sure enough the mirror was there, he hit it with his katana and broke it into countless pieces.

Will everything be back to normal after this? The two of them, not speaking a word? Too bad.