Piecing the Fragments
Chapter 7: School and Sports
Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable
..
Created by: Atlus
written by: wrathie
Author's Notes: Game Spoilers Galore, Readers be warned.
Author's Notes: Thank you Kaiser dude for the beta-edit as always. Oh, I've not decided on the pairing.
Remastered and re-done on: 03/02/13
..
..
'Hey, do you think Mitsuru-sempai is really playing cards with Akihiko-sempai?'
As the three of them reached the next floor, which was suspiciously free of Shadows, Junpei rested for a moment as he took a breather beside the teleporter.
'That's right.. it has been a while since we heard from them.'
Yukari nodded in agreement, she had not missed the lack of communication from Mitsuru and the two of them sighed as Minako started, apparently she was the only one who did not notice the lack of commands from Mitsuru sempai.
'Sorry, I guess I was too focused huh...'
Minako took a small break as well even as the other two asked her how did she get so strong by herself before she joined S.E.E.S.
'Endless practise and faith~'
Minako smiled as they laughed but it was the truth too. Minako could never get as strong as she did without the time she spent in Tartarus and the faith she had that the next time would be her liberation.
'But... I think it's my feelings for those who I find precious that makes me strong. They say that mother bears will even fight off bigger male bears for their babies so I'm kind of like that. I get stronger if I have someone with me... and I get super strong if any one of you are injured.'
Minako joked but at the same time emphasized that she found all of them precious.
'I... think we were fated to be friends... across many worlds, many generations... that we are destined to meet. That's what I really feel.'
It was the truth after all but Minako did not refuse the smile from Yukari and Junpei that indicated that they did not mind being called that as well.
With that thought in mind, the last guardian, the Rampage Drive was a piece of cake after Minako snapped at seeing Junpei injured by the shadow as it shrugged off his Agi spell and sent him flying after crashing into him.
'MAZIODYNE!'
Minako ordered darkly while pulling her invoker to summon Pixie, the little spirit seeming very cheerful as Yukari and Junpei's hair stood up when a huge bolt of lightning obliterated the Shadow in a single but powerful strike. At least it wasn't Thunder Reign!
..
'…'
Minako panted in exhaustion, casting that spell suddenly having taken a bigger toll on her than expected. The wild card turned back to see the other two team mates looking at her apprehensively, almost afraid of her and her mood went on a free fall again.
At least temporarily as Yukari jumped up to hug her, checking her for any signs of injury.
'Oh my god, oh my god, did you hurt yourself in anyway?! That was a big spell that you used, are you alright? Stupid Junpei, why did you have to rush in like that!'
But Junpei was fussing over her too, whistling at the Maziodyne that had killed that shadow as he defended himself.
'Hey hey! It was looking at Minako funny so I wanted to kick its butt! Uh... yeah, I messed up sorry... Hope you're fine... don't worry, I'll carry you to the teleporter if I have to, Minako...'
Junpei apologized to the two of them and he was relieved tosee Minako was fine and the three of them reached the barrier after a few minutes.
..
'I wonder what this is.'
Yukari seemed curious and she tried to look at the document that Minako was holding in her hands. However she was getting a little tired too. Even if it was good practise and it burned off excess calories, Yukari found herself a little frustrated at her lack of strength. Where else could she practise on moving targets anyway?
'We'll get it analysed later... I'm worried about Mitsuru-sempai.'
Minako frowned as she tried to contact Mitsuru on the 1st floor inher mind, perhaps something had happened to the two of them?
There should have been no rampaging or rouge shadows today but perhaps the changing lines offate had changed something... and they could be in danger!
Usually Minako would not be worried as she knew that Akihiko sempai would do everything in his power to protect Mitsuru. But she had the nagging feeling that this might not be a normal situation.
Mitsuru had not contacted them for quite a long time and if they had been attack at the start, which would mean around 20 minutes since they were gone.
'Mm.. you're right, let's hurry back.'
Junpei agreed and after calling out Mitsuru's name repeatedly, the trio hurried to the teleporter and was about to beam straight down when Mitsuru's voice could be heard.
..
'Daijobu desu ka, Kirijo-sempai?'
It was Yukari, to her Minako's surprise who called out for her and to everyone's surprise and relief, Mitsuru sounded distinctively panicked but fine as she asked about their situation.
'We've just reached the 16th floor. There is a barrier preventing us from going further and we're coming back now.'
'Y-You are r-returning now?! I-I see! D-Did you meet any of the guardians?'
Her panicked voice made the three of them confused and they paused in their footsteps while they started to key in the floor number in the teleporter.
'We did, Kirijo-sempai, we defeated two of them and we found a document in the 16th floor... is something wrong?'
Yukari asked again while Junpei strained his ears to hear what was going on there.
'I-I see... then if you met an obstacle... you should return to the 1st floor. I-I apologize for not providing back up earlier... in the meantime... there were issues that prevented me from doing so...'
'Issues?'
Junpei literally leered as the pieces came together for him and he was apparently vindicated when Mitsuru's panicked voice spoke in their mind again.
'I-it is none of your concern, Iori!'
'We're going back now, Ma'am~'
Junpei said so cheerfully while Minako simply sighed in exasperation as they could hear Mitsuru give an uncharacteristic squeak at them coming back now.
..
'…'
The three of them were bemused when they saw two red faced individuals waiting for them in the 1st floor as they beamed down. Mitsuru's clothes were a little dishevelled while the same can be said to her hair, which was a mess. Akihiko was looking away, the deck of cards frozen in an ice cube in one corner of the room while Minako raised an eyebrow at the sight.
'….?'
Yukari finally got it and her eyes widened as she turned pink. Junpei in the mean time merely whistled and headed off to speak to Akihiko sempai. For some reason, the two seniors refused to look at each other on the way back and the only thing Mitsuru said to them was that they did great and they would talk tomorrow. She was however hugging her body protectively as she did so when they returned to the dorm.
..
'So, you had a friendly game huh.'
Junpei teased Akihiko when they were making their way up to their rooms and the two girls saw his face turn bright red again.
'...'
Minako was flabbergasted while Yukari's jaw dropped in disbelief. They had their suspicions but they could not believe that the two of them would play something like strip poker in Tartarus, THE LAIR OF THE SHADOWS!
'Iori, yo-you're the one that mentioned the house rules... I didn't even know she took it literally...'
Akihiko was too embarrassed to fight back the accusations and Junpei whistled as he pressed for details till Minako and Yukari both pulled his ear and saved Akihiko from more interrogation.
'Stupei...'
'You never learn...'
5/4 Monday
..
It was difficult for Minako to pull herself out bed again but she managed to somehow achieve it before her alarm clock rang. It was going to be ten minutes before it was supposed to ring too. However Minako looked at it fondly, counting the days till she can meet Aegis again.
The 'female' android was one of her closest friends and allies, even if the time she would be able to spend with her was limited to barely a month together.
Even so, she was happy to spend as much time she has with Aegis when she remembered everything and Minako wondered if she could jolt some memories by playing with her circuits. That was a bad idea so probably not.
Minako's thoughts drifted to two others who were close to her, living with her right now in fact. The being known as Pharos and Ryoji, who augmented her natural talent and granted her the Wild Card ability. Not to mention being affiliated with the Death Arcana and granting her the use of Thanatos, one of her more powerful Personas.
Pharos would make her appearance later on and Ryoji even further along the last stretch of time that she had left. Both of them connected with her in ways that the other boys did not. If not for the physical and psychological barriers between the two of them, it was true and literal in this sense, Minako felt that Ryoji could be her real soul mate.
..
The two of them had been with her for 10 long years after all. Having every waking and sleeping moment with the other tends to make each other conscious and aware of each other and he was the only one person that she could not lie to with a straight face.
Ryoji has a way of seeing through her every move and his every action made her feel like she was tasting a piece of heaven if there was ever one.
Although Minako knew that he was a natural flirt and he has a way with words, she was quite happy to be whisked away by him if he wished to spend time with her.
It could be just an act, but in previous worlds, Minako had tried to ignore him, in hopes of stopping him from awakening and remembering his true self.
Perhaps by doing that she would not feel so attached to the boy. But he had that magnetic charm that drew her to him no matter how many times she said no. Many of the girls fell victim to his charms, with Mitsuru, Fuuka and Yukari being the exception. Although they felt that although he was a decent guy, there was something different about him and how right they were.
..
Ryoji was special and was someone that she cherished as much as any one of the S.E.E.S members. Perhaps more as she recalled how difficult her life was after he rejected him totally, having to endure seeing him smile sadly at her every time they met and she watching from a distance as he spent time with other girls.
It was like having a part of her being wrenched from her and it hurt so much and she spent many nights crying to herself till Yukari and Fuuka broke into her room and asked if she was fine.
They could barely recognize her tear soaked face as Minako hugged her two close friends while confessing her love for Ryoji.
Yes, she loved him, more than any of the boys that she could have a relationship with. All she wanted was for him to look into her eyes, for him to tell her that he loved her, and that she was someone special to him.
For her to be there at his weakest moment to comfort him, to tell him that he was real, that he was not Death and that she could be with him forever.
For Ryoji to tell her that she could be saved, that she could be with him for all of eternity and not... stuck like a statue to prevent the Fall.
For him to be her shining knight in armor... but it seems like it was not to be. Not when they were essential opposite beings that existed together. No matter the attraction, no matter what she truly felt, the truth was that Ryoji was not the one.
..
Minako's eyes hardened upon realizing that she had a tear rolling down her face and she wiped the tears away, slapped her hands on her cheeks to rouse her spirits for another day.
No, there will be no knight in shining armour for her... if there was, it would be herself who will save her from this predicament. Her weapons are the knowledge of the future, the determination that she carried in her heart as well as the bonds that she formed with her friends.
They will carry her forward, that was what she believed in as she stepped out of the door, tying her hair into the signature ponytail for another day in this endless world for her.
..
It was a usual day for all of them and Minako passed Yukari and Junpei a packet of Yawn-Be-Gone to raise their spirits for another gruelling day at school. She herself needed the boost to prepare herself for her first ever Volleyball practise with Rio and the tennis team.
She had spoken to Rio briefly before class started and had hit on well with the girl who would be her next social link target, the Chariot, and Minako hoped that it would end well.
Besides, she looked forward to being with the team again, despite the differences that the team had with Rio at the start.
Minako also took the time to be 'better' acquainted with her classmates again, getting to know Kenji, Rio's crush and childhood friend as well as Rio's friend, Yoko from another class that would be a valuable ally in the future.
All in all, Minako found that she was juggling a lot of things when she dug into another Prodigy Platter or lunch together with Yukari.
It had become a habit that she knew she had to get used to if she was to score top grades in the coming exams and Yukari seemed to share that sentiment, joining in on the food she had brought with her as the three of them spent lunch together.
'Eh, you're joining a club?'
Junpei seemed to notice the clothes that she had prepared as she pulled them out of her bag, Minako nodded to Junpei while Yukari commented that she had practise today too.
'You belong to the go-back-home club, Junpei, so you wouldn't understand. We're doing things with our life, we're thinking ahead! Besides, it's good exercise.'
Yukari was as vicious as always as she commented that she might become stronger than Junpei if she keeps up the workout that she was getting in Tartarus every day.
'N-No, I don't want to go there everyday...'
Yukari noticed the look of horror and exhaustion in Minako's face and she smiled while pushing the wild-card out the door with Junpei looking on.
..
'The two of them sure had gotten close over the weekend huh.'
Kenji commented as he packed up too, probably ready to head back out to eat ramen or to hang out with his crush and Junpei nodded absent-mindedly as he packed his stuff too.
'Funny, they seemed to have an argument last week, so that's resolved huh... you seem to be closer to them too. I can tell~ good for you, Junpei!'
Kenji slapped him on the back as a sign of congratulations and he was surprised when Junpei didn't seem as excited as he should be at getting close to two of the most popular girls in school.
'I guess... I should think about it too.'
Junpei seemed thoughtful and Kenji raised an eyebrow at his friend being uncharacteristically deep in thought.
'Oh, is there a girl after all?'
Kenji came to the logical and easiest conclusion but when that did not even earn a response from the boy, he shrugged and left Junpei alone, occupied with his own thoughts.
..
Minako got along well with Rio like she knew she would and despite trying to hide the shudder that ran down the back of her spine when Ms. Kanou giggled, Minako realized she scored some points when the girls crowded around her to get to know her better. They continued gossiping about Ms. Kanou till Rio broke them up to start practise.
'The basics again?'
One of the club members complained and Minako stayed silent as they went through the same series of warm ups and jogs without complaint. Despite the fact that Minako was physically fit and on her prime due to Tartarus, she wasn't functioning at fully 100% from her awakening.
Besides her inventory, her 'inheritance', Minako would have approximately the same physical fitness that she would have before she challenged Nyx in that final battle in the previous battle.
The amount of strength and tenacity was sufficient to clear the first few blocks of Tartarus with ease but it still meant that after a night at Tartarus, her body would still be sore. Not to mention that her stamina was not infinite due to the physical toll that using spells and skills would be to her body.
Playing tennis was a good opportunity to train up her stamina again and Minako reacted positively to Rio's suggestion and she smiled at Minako encouragingly before deciding to practise her serving with Minako.
Rio's serves were just as impressive as she remembered and with her cramping muscles Minako could barely catch them, but she did returned them with all she got and the other girl seemed to grin at the strength that Minako was showing to her.
'You're pretty good, Arisato~ I'm going to get serious now!'
Rio had a competitive spirit similar to Junpei and before Minako could moan about how her cramped up muscles. Rio had already fired off a ferocious volley that Minako barely managed to hit back with some difficulty.
The fire in Rio's eyes intimidated her but so was the stubbornness that pushed her own body to react like that.
Whatever the case, she was not going to lose like this... the Queen of Tartarus can't be defeated by a normal high school student!
..
Or so Minako thought as the 'practise session' seemed to turn into an exhibition match of sorts as the two girls gave it all they got, Minako being the weaker of the two due to her physical tiredness but she was at least as good as Rio in her prime. It was something that the other girl realized and called her out when she fired off the winning volley and making Minako drop to her knees in exhaustion.
'You're really good! Are you sure you never played any Tennis before?'
Rio called while panting on her side of the court, looking bemused as Minako dropped to her back in tiredness. The Wild Card wincing in pain at how her cramps got worse with that physical training session.
The other girls in the club were mumbling and gossiping among themselves at how serious they were but their opinion of Minako didn't get worse as she remarked that she couldn't stand losing.
'… ahaha... I'm just a stubborn girl after all...'
They offered assistance by helping Minako to a bench to rest, even getting her a towel while she thanked them profusely for their help.
'It's alright; you did your best, Minako-chan~ It's alright to call you Minako-chan right? I didn't think anyone would be as good as Rio... you're really awesome.'
Some of the girls gushed while Rio walked over with a bottle of water for her and Rio acknowledged their words with a nod.
'They're right; I can't believe you never played Tennis before... here, some water.'
Rio called for a break and the team gathered around Minako to learn more about her as Minako felt the Chariot Social Link form in her heart as she formed a sort of budding rivalry with Rio.
It was not what it was supposed be like, but hey, whatever works and Minako smiled wearily while taking a break, applying a cream that Rio produced that would help her with the cramps.
..
Link Formed! Chariot Social Link: Level 1!
..
Akihiko could not help but be a little confused as he got a phone call from Minako asking him for help in school. Although he was a little apprehensive as to what help the younger girl had in mind, he turned up at the school gym as instructed to see Minako waving at him within a gaggle of girls. Some of them were gasping at seeing Akihiko in the flesh and he waved back tentatively, in fear of upsetting some of the girls that were staring at him and Minako.
Akihiko was not as dense as others would believe him to be and this was especially so when he was around the younger S.E.E.S members as he made it his business to look after his juniors, especially Junpei and Yukari.
For Minako, from the unbelievable things that she had told him, he knew that the girl was able to take care of herself and thus he walked over to see what help she needed.
'Cramps?'
He looked at her incredulously, wondering if this was one of her pranks and after hearing from the leader of the group, Iwasaki Rio apologizing that she had contributed to it, he had to chuckle at her stubbornness.
'Well, all of us know how stubborn Arisato can be and I'm glad to see someone managed to beat her at a game of hers.'
Akihiko smiled and he was clueless as to why some of the girls seemingly swooned or giggled loudly at him in that way.
Minako was tickled pink at the reaction but she knew she shouldn't push her luck too much as she explained that she might need help to get back to the dormitory and if he was so kind to walk back with her.
'Besides, I think we have something to talk about.'
She whispered to him while enduring the painful glares some of the girls were shooting at her, mixtures of 'It not being fair or 'How could she' painfully obvious to her and Rio as well.
..
Akihiko ultimately agreed and although he had to contend with the whole Tennis Club walking with the two of them to the school gates, Akihiko found it a bargain seeing Minako was grateful to him for doing that for her.
'Junpei headed back and Yukari-chan's practise won't end till it's late... and I know sempai's practise ends around the same time... I'm sorry for troubling you.'
Minako apologized to him and he said that it was nothing as he held her with one hand as the two of them made their way back to the dormitory after saying good bye to the Tennis Club members.
'I think you owe me something, Minako.'
Although Akihiko would never admit it, he had enjoyed himself yesterday and it didn't sound quite like a favor to him. Yes, it was surprising to meet Amada but that would have happened eventually and perhaps it was better that it happened now then later as Akihiko could check up on the boy after all.
But a deal was a deal and he wanted Minako to honor her side of it and he was glad when she did, wincing as she put too much weight on her cramped leg as she explained to him.
'That's fine and I'll make it brief for now.'
The Wild card paused before looking up at Akihiko as though to survey his emotional state before dropping the bombshell on him.
'Aragaki-sempai is taking drugs to suppress his Persona, more specifically these kinds.'
Minako produced a couple of pills to him and Akihiko did not realize the implications till he took a closer look at them and paled.
'These drugs! But the side effects are-'
Minako interrupted with an annoyed expression on her face.
'I know what the side effects are, that's why I said that Aragaki-sempai's fate is to die... however we might be able to prevent that.'
Minako said so slowly and Akihiko felt a rush of emotions hit him at the same time. Relief that she had Shinjiro's health in consideration, confusion and denial that she could know so much and of course, anger at her hiding the truth from him and Mitsuru.
'If you knew about this why didn-'
'Would you have believed me if I just told you this?'
A quick and harsh reply from the girl whose her eyes flashing in anger despite not even raising her voice. Akihiko was barely able to stop the girl from collapsing to the floor as her leg gave way due to how her body shook in anger as well.
In his arms, the girl's eyes reflected anger and despair, it was not for the first time that he had seen it and Akihiko sighed in reply.
'I'm sorry, Minako. And you're right. I wouldn't have believed you then. But I will now and I'll talk to Shinji about this...'
Akihiko seemed out of it and Minako could not blame him for that and the girl only nodded in satisfaction.
'Akihiko-sempai, I have another favor to ask of you. But before that, you should speak to Aragaki-san about the drugs. The sooner we get him off the drugs, the better. I'm sure there is something we can do about his Persona in the mean time...'
Although Minako had no idea how to control a rogue Persona, perhaps Akihiko-sempai would know what to do and anyway, it will be best for the drug to be out of his system. Akihiko smiled back in response, worry clouding his expression but Minako took it that he was grateful to her for telling him that.
'And I won't tell Mitsuru about this yet... You wouldn't want me to do so, right? I'll only talk to her if I can't get him to wake up.'
Akihiko reached out to ruffle Minako's hair as he squatted down in front of her, much to her surprise.
'E-Eh? What are you trying to do? Sempai, people are watching!'
Akihiko blushed while replying that he was going to carry her piggy back style straight to the dormitory to save time.
'I'm heading out after dinner, so we have to get back home early. Hurry up, Minako.'
Minako reluctantly got up to his back, knowing how embarrassing it was but she couldn't help but press her form against him slightly. Akihiko only took after after making sure it was safe for her, he took off like the wind, running flat out to the dormitory while carrying her.
It was the most exhilarating and dangerous ride of her life yet.
Author's Notes: Thank you for your support up till now!
