CHAPTER 9 / Lost Sister
February 15th, 2010
Dear Yukari,
As I write about the events that happened over the last year I can't help but see all the tiny things I should have noticed the first time around. Or maybe its that I should have been more outspoken about the things that I didn't agree with. Too many times I let things boil up until I blew up. And I realize now that it was the worst way for me to deal with most of those situations. I never knew what I was doing. I had no way of knowing if my choices were the correct one, but often it felt like it was the only choice I had to make.
I know that there were many times that I wanted to give up on hope. I couldn't find my inspiration like the others could. And if I hadn't made so many good friends in the course of that year, I don't think I would have ever found it.
I hated my life, you know. My parents died and no one from my family came to claim me. Instead I was lost in a system that didn't care about the end result as long as the child was adequately taken care of. There was no drive for me in my life. No reason for me to feel like I should try harder or strive towards a goal. My life had been about just existing for the simple fact that I was my parents' child. My parents died and I would survive for them. That was probably my only redeeming thought before I arrived in Tatsumi Port Island. Thankfully my time here has changed me for the better.
Do you think they would have been proud of me? Their boy went on to save the world…and will now go on and continue to save it for the rest of eternity. I wonder if they'll understand what happened to me in wherever you go when you die. And me…I wonder if I'm dead. Does becoming the seal mean I'm dead? Or am I just separated from my body? Will my body die? Or will it be like I went to sleep and never woke up? I wonder what the doctors will say.
No, I don't want to think about it. It makes me feel cold and empty inside when I know I'm not. When I know that I'm leaving you behind...but I already made my choice. And I don't regret that choice.
Yukari, you fill me with warmth and love. Things I have never had before in my life. And I know that it is worth protecting with my life. So I can never regret my decision, but that doesn't mean I'm looking forward to having to fulfill it.
I'm holding on till graduation day…but it is getting harder and harder every single day. But I will make it till then. I promised everyone. And I promised you. But beyond this…there are no more promises that I can make without having to break them.
I'm sorry, Yukari. It looks like in the end I only succeeded in breaking your heart.
Love Always,
Arisato Minato
March 9th, 2011 / Pseudo Dark Hour
After looking around, it didn't seem that Hamuko had much in the way of options. This room wasn't very defensible, only having a desk that she had flipped on its side as a means of cover. Except that cover wouldn't really help much against those creatures. Luckily they didn't appear to be that smart, but they made up for that with strength and pure tenacity in its pursuit of its prey. They had been able to last the last few hours by repeating the same hit and run type of tactics. It was enough to confuse the creatures but nothing seemed to deter their pursuers. But Hamuko and her friends had no choice but to slow down right now.
She took a moment to take a deep breath and found herself looking into a mirror. At least she had dressed with mobility in mind. She had on white cashmere sweater and short skirt that was orange and white, with the orange being in diamond shape and the white as stripes that separated it. She also had some black leggings and then orange boots. And naturally she had on her favorite orange scarf. Her crimson eyes betrayed a simple truth, she was getting tired...just how long had they been here?
Her usually well groomed dark brown hair was a mess, with only her bobby pins having managed to stay in their usual place. The Roman numeral twenty-two was what her bobby pins were arranged to be. It was her favorite number…although why she couldn't say, no more than she could explain that despite the running and skirmishes with the creatures that the bobby pins were still there. She shook her head and moved to a nearby counter and pulled open a drawer, one of the last places left to check. A mess of different small items were inside, and luckily a few rubber bands. She grabbed a couple and gathered up her long hair which had broken free from her usual hair tie and used the rubber bands to create a simple pony tail so that her hair stayed out of her view.
"Hamuko-chan, what should we do now?"
Hamuko turned towards her raven haired friend and offered a comforting smile, "Don't worry, Saya-chan. I will find a way out for us. How is Akira-san?"
The two girls looked to the brown haired boy that was propped up against the wall. Hamuko's eyes went right to his side where it was soaked with blood. Even though Hamuko and Sayane had patched him up as much as they were able to, it didn't look good. And losing him was not something Hamuko was about to accept.
"I don't think we should move Akira-senpai again," Sayane said in a whisper. Hamuko agreed...but that meant it was time to change the game plan from what they had done so far. First of all they needed to find a better way to patch up Akira.
"Then we'll have to hold him here. You stay with him, Saya-chan," Hamuko said as she walked over to a closet and opened it. There was a metal rod that went across the closet, for hangars obviously. One side looked loose though. Hamuko grabbed one size and yanked on it hard. It came free easier than she thought and it caused her to fall back to the ground forcing her to let go of the bar. The bar landed with a loud crash as the metal hit the wood flooring. Hamuko cursed, so not intending to create noise that could attract their pursuers.
"What are you doing, Hamuko-chan?" Sayane asked but most likely already knew the answer. Still the questions kept her thinking.
"I'll draw them away. With any luck I can find a way to lose them. Once I'm out of sight see if you can salvage any medical supplies in these nearby rooms. Maybe a storage room or something. I'm not giving up on Akira-san," Hamuko got back to her feet and picked up the metal bar. It was only about an inch taller than her…it wasn't ideal but it was very close to the right size for her to use it. She'd have to compensate for it not being the right length. And she very much doubted she would land strong enough hits to do any real damage. But defeating them wasn't the goal...just to get them away long enough for Sayane to get what she needed to fix up Akira. She went to the door and turned back to Sayane.
Sayane thought for a moment and shook her head. "Please be careful. I'll be waiting for you Hamuko-chan."
Hamuko opened the door, "I'll be back as soon as I can." Well...she hoped she would at any rate.
She wasn't sure what she was doing, but as she stepped into the hall way and closed the door behind her, it felt to her that she was making the right choice. Right now all she could do was buy time for Sayane to hopefully get some much needed medicine for Akira. After they got Akira stabilized then they could move on to trying to escape. She took a deep breath as she began to walk down the empty hallway. The creatures that had been following them had a tendency to disappear without any indication as to how to find them. As long as they didn't get to her friends that was fine. But Hamuko didn't want to deal with being ambushed either.
She bit her bottom lip as she made her way down the hall and held the metal bar as if it was her naginata. She stopped and flipped the bar in her hand as she took in her surroundings. They had to be close by. She turned the metal bar again and this time brought it crashing down onto the ground, causing the sound to echo through the hall. Hamuko positioned herself defensively as she looked around the hallway. Then she heard them coming.
At first it sounded like liquid hitting the ground, but then the undeniable sound as if that same liquid was moving across the ground but...it could be heard from almost all around her. For the third time since encountering these creatures she felt a pain in her head.
"Thou art I and I art thou. I await for thee to open thy eyes and open the door," came the voice from her mind. Hamuko had no idea what to make of it. Her thoughts quickly became focused as the black creatures came into view, seeming to slide across the floor as hands came at her, reaching for her. The first one came from her left, she flipped around and spun the metal pole hard knocking it away and giving Hamuko the room she needed to run. She took off into a dead sprint with the creatures now chasing her. At least for now Sayane and Akira could be safe. But she needed to find a more permanent solution. Without a way to stabilize Akira, he would die. And that was something she couldn't allow...and would never forgive herself if it happened.
She pushed those thoughts aside as she slammed through the door into the stairway and headed up the stairs. More of the creatures joined in the pursuit of her. That didn't matter to her…the more going after her was less that Sayane didn't have to deal with. Hamuko reached the fifth floor of the building, only knowing it was the fifth floor because of the sign she passed as she left the stairwell. Quickly she ran out and into what she could only guess could be the ward section. Here was where a lot of patient rooms were, but the main hallway was incredibly spacious. She could try and take a stand here. If maybe she could kill some of these creatures it would greatly help their situation. Hell, she would settle for just intimidating them.
"It's been a while since I've had a match," Hamuko smiled. Although a normal match in naginatajutsu involved them wearing armor called bogu. She was hardly in her bogu, and wasn't even wielding her naginata. A metal pole was hardly an adequate replacement for a bladed weapon...although a naginata was more akin to a spear that was instead better at slashing than piercing. If she had a real naginata then maybe she would have a chance...if only she had grabbed her...now that she thought about it…she only owned a practice one and another that was just for show anyway. So even if she had grabbed it she still wouldn't have been adequately prepared enough to fight or kill whatever these creatures were.
The creatures seemed to come at her in a wave. She swung in a wide arc, stopping the advance and then flipped around and brought the metal pole down hard onto one of the creatures. Hamuko jumped back to give herself more room as she turned and brought the metal pole around again to hit another creature away. Soon she found herself in a rhythm of advancing and then falling back to regain her distance from her attackers. She avoided attacks and landed some of her own. But without an actual blade these bludgeoning attacks didn't have enough stopping power into them. Hamuko felt she was doing little more than irritating them.
Hamuko was definitely stronger than most girls her age because of her being a practitioner of naginatajutsu but she also knew that she was only going to get overrun eventually. She hoped that Sayane was clear enough to be gathering supplies. She had no way of knowing…Hamuko had to assume the best for now and continue to keep their attention as long as possible.
She used her leverage and hit another as hard as she could and then jumped back. The creature let out a cry and then all of them started to act weird. Instead of charging towards her they began to move towards each other. No, to be more accurate they were devouring each other! Hamuko took a few uneasy steps back as the creatures were steadily turning into one massive form. Why were they doing this? Did she do something to cause this?
"What the hell are these creatures?" Hamuko whispered to herself but quickly shook her head and strengthened her resolve. It didn't matter what it was. "Do whatever you can, it won't help you!" She would hold out as long as she needed to.
The sudden mass of form took shape. Hamuko's resolve shook as it took a step forward. Now it looked more like a human but it was gigantic, it was still colored as if it was a shade, but the face had a bright yellow mask on it. And she could swear she felt its killing intent cover the air around from it. Feeling a change in the air she jumped back as the new creature swung where she had just been and with force enough that it struck the wall behind her and destroyed most of what had been there.
"Get hit and get a hole in my chest…good to know," Hamuko muttered. The creature then turned back to her and began to step forward. "Alright then…let's see how fast you run."
She turned and quickly sprinted down the hallway, holding the metal pole at her side as she did. She looked back and the creature had quickened its pace as well. It was getting even faster, and by that rate he would catch up to her before she even got close to the end of the hall. She did a quick glimpse of her immediate surroundings and saw a change of place that would still offer a good amount of room to move in. The Mess Hall. That would definitely be spacious enough. She refocused herself and made a line for the doors to the Mess Hall. She heard the creature's loud footsteps coming dangerously close. Keeping the pole perpendicular with her body she turned and slid through the door and into the Mess Hall. The large cafeteria area could definitely give her room to move. The creature was too big for the doorway, and came to a full stop trying to get through. It gave her a few moments to catch her breath but she was quickly on her feet and kicking tables and chairs out of the way.
The monster suddenly burst through the wall and made a charge at her. She moved to one side and avoided its huge fist as it went through the wall behind her. Taking advantage of it she flipped around hard and hit it on the back of what she assumed was its knees to force it to fall. But it didn't and the pole essentially bounced back. She hadn't been ready for that. If it had been anything else...even an animal...it would no doubt have buckled by her strike. This creature's reactions were faster than she had imagined and as she jumped back to try and avoid it, his fist came across and hit her. The force was enough to send her into a table and she painfully slid off it and onto the ground, her head hitting the floor. Her vision blurred but she shook it off and quickly got back to her feet. The creature shoved desk to either side of the room as it made its way to her. She had no time to think and jumped back.
Hamuko felt her legs were going weak. One more hit like that might be the last for her. She couldn't go back to Sayane…but she couldn't let this thing kill her. If it did it would go after the others and Sayane was no fighter. If Hamuko died…they all died. She was afraid…she didn't want this to happen. "Saya-chan," she breathed as she stumbled back. She ran into a table behind her. Turning she jumped over the table and then the next…then the next. Again and again as the creature became more visibly irritated by her constant retreat.
Then Hamuko made a mistake. She miscalculated the next tables location, as she couldn't spare the time it took to check its location, and as a result found that she was unbalanced. The creature was there and connected a punch directly to her chest sending her flying back into the wall. Her vision blurred. Had she hit her head again? There was a bad taste in her mouth, was it blood? Was this the place she would die? Alone in this dark place by some inhuman creature? She couldn't...not yet...she had to save Akira and Sayane...she had to get them out of here, it was the only reason she had even come here.
"You are never alone," said an unfamiliar voice. "You only need to believe in the power that you have."
"Power?" Hamuko was confused. Her head was a mess and she had no strength left. She had no power.
Thou art I, and I art thou. Look within and you shall find all the strength thy need. This voice was different than the other. She closed her eyes and then quickly opened them. She could have sworn she had seen a blue butterfly. She got to her feet. "I have to look within?" she repeated those words.
Looking deep inside herself she felt something…what was it? Why did it feel so familiar to her? She looked as her attacker was closing in on her. Then it all seemed to make sense. "My other self…who's been waiting for me to use her power…" a card appeared in front of her floating and spinning.
"Per…" the creature was closing the gap.
"So…" Hamuko grinned and tightened her grip on the metal pole.
"Na!" she spun and swung at the card, shattering it. The creature was suddenly blown back by a force to the other side of the room.
"I am thou, and thou art I. I am Orpheus, Master of Strings!" called the being that had materialized in front of Hamuko. Orpheus had a other worldly beauty to him. And the lyre he had…was that what he'd use to launch the creature back. The creature was beginning to head right back to Hamuko as Orpheus disappeared back into her. She knew instinctively how this worked.
Feeling suddenly rejuvenated she focused her mind as the card came floating down again, "Orpheus!" She yelled and brought the metal pole around to shatter the card once again. Orpheus appeared once more but this time hit the creature with something called an 'Agi' spell. When it hit, Hamuko saw fire which made the creature flinch back and stop dead in its tracks. Apparently it was not a fan of the Agi spell. Good to know. She pushed forward and summoned Orpheus again and hit it with another Agi spell and watched as it stumbled off its feet and onto its back.
Hamuko rushed forward and used the metal pole to vault herself onto it and once again shattered the summoning card to bring forth Orpheus, hitting the creature once more and then came down with force with the metal pole. She felt as if her physical strength had never been like this much before. She stabbed right into the creature and after a moment it simply disappeared. Hamuko was sure that only a moment ago she would not have been able to do such a thing.
"Alright! Score one for Hamuko!" she cheered and twirled the metal pole around in celebration. Then she felt something else. "What's this? Pixie? It's another Persona…" She gasped as she felt the abilities of the new persona. "A healing spell? I have to get back to the others!"
She rushed out of the Mess Hall and back into the hallway. The creatures were coming again. Hamuko didn't stop and ran down the hallway. "Orpheus!" he appeared smashing one under his harp as Hamuko knocked another of the creatures into the wall, both of them disappearing. As she defeated them she felt other persona's joining her. So as she defeated more she gained more and her other persona's would learn new skills. Now she would be able to get Sayane and Akira out of here. She could do it…she could save them.
"Apsaras!" She broke the card and a woman in blue appeared and launched a spell of ice. It was called 'bufu.' She wasn't sure how she was able to know this stuff, but it all felt right. And if this power could save her and her friends then she wasn't going to question where it had come from. She cut, smashed and used her spells to get through the creatures as she made her way back down to the fourth floor and back to Sayane and Akira.
She ran down the hall and into the room where her friends were and closed the door behind her. She wasn't sure how many she had defeated on her tear back to the lower level but there was a significant amount less and Hamuko who had no power just minutes ago was starting to feel at home with the Persona's she had gain in such a small amount of time.
"Hamuko-chan!" Sayane ran up and pulled her into a hug. "I was worried that those things had…"
She allowed herself a brief moment of relief to be with Saya-chan again. But she needed to stay focused until they were out of here, so she doubled her concentration. "I'm just fine, Saya-chan. We're you able to help Akira-san?" she asked.
"I was able to change his bandages but that is about it," Sayane hung her head. Hamuko reached out and took Sayane's chin and forced her friend to look up at her.
"That is more than enough. I'm going to try something. It may look weird, but trust me. I think it will work," Hamuko smiled and moved over to Akira who was now lying on the ground by the back wall. Hamuko felt her mind change to Pixie and watched as the card came down in front of her. She reached out and smashed the card and Pixie appeared. "Dia." Hamuko spoke softly and a gentle wave moved over Akira. She did it twice just to make sure it did something.
"Hamuko-chan…what did you do?" Sayane asked perplexed.
"It's called Persona. Some sort of power I have. I really don't understand any more than that," Hamuko looked to see that Akira was breathing much easier and then his eyes suddenly opened.
"Oh goodness, Akira-senpai! You're alright! Hamuko-chan you did it!" Sayane embraced Hamuko again.
"Ugh, I feel like I was run over by a truck," Akira groaned as he sat up against the wall.
"It would be more accurate if you said skewered," Hamuko giggled.
"Takahashi? And Fujihara? I feel like I am forgetting something," he looked confused for a few moments. "Wait that's right I…" he frowned obviously recalling what had happened. "I really did get skewered."
"Very heroically. You saved Saya-chan," Hamuko smiled, Akira had taken a hit meant for Sayane but right now they weren't out of danger yet. "Glad you're okay, Akira-san."
"Me too, thanks for taking care of me, Takahashi and Fujihara as well," he smiled as well. And for the first time since they had been trapped here things started to feel a little better.
"Can you walk senpai?" Sayane asked.
"Yeah I think so. Help me up, please," Akira put his hand up which Sayane was happy to take and help him up to his feet. "Thanks, Fujihara."
"Of course, Akira-senpai," Sayane blushed and looked away as Akira seemed capable of walking again.
"Now that I can fight back, we should make a push out of here," Hamuko said looking back at the other two. "Just stay behind me and let me do the fighting."
"Wait, what changed?" Akira was confused.
"She has some sort of power called Persona. Its how she was able to heal you," Sayane quickly explained.
"True, but it was Saya-chan that was taking care of you this whole time, Akira-san." Hamuko teased causing Sayane to turn into an even brighter red. If that was even possible.
A large crashing noise stopped all conversation. It sounded like it was above them. Or was it below them? Now that she tried to focus on it, it seemed like it could have been from any direction. "We need to go, now!" Hamuko slammed open the door and rushed out. The hallway had dozens of the creatures heading towards them. And then they began to devour each other just like they had on the upper floor. Except they were forming three separate ones. It was the same that had attacked her before she gained her Persona. Three large creatures with the yellow masks. Sayane and Akira were behind Hamuko.
"They're cutting off our access to the stairs," Akira said and then turned around. "If I remember correctly there should be another set of stairs on the opposite side."
Hamuko highly doubted she could defeat three of these things on her own when she was so new to her power. It would be better if they avoided any fight they could. "You two run, I'll be right behind you."
"No, Hamuko-chan I won't…" Sayane started but Akira grabbed her hand.
"This isn't open for debate, Fujihara," he said as he turned and began running dragging Sayane with him. Hamuko was glad Akira understood what what happening.
Hamuko turned and started running after them, knowing that these creatures would chase them. Unfortunately, she never saw the fourth one that came colliding with her. It knocked her into the wall but she recovered quickly enough.
"Hamuko-chan!"
"Just go! I'll catch up! Trust me!" Hamuko yelled. She dodged as another of the creatures attacked her. It punched through the ground just as another tried to hit Hamuko and she moved just in time. The floor suddenly moved and then Hamuko felt herself falling. The ground had collapsed. She hit the ground hard, but so did those creatures. Hamuko went to get to her feet but realized she couldn't move. Part of the debris had pinned her in. The two creatures however were already on top of her.
This was pathetic…she had made it this far just to get killed here? She wouldn't have time to attack and she'd only be able to hit one…the creatures began to swing down at her to end her life. Hamuko closed her eyes. It was okay like this. She'd been able to save her friends, and they'd have a chance to leave this place now that Akira was up and moving.
She felt a gust of wind. Hamuko opened her eyes as the two creatures were blown back against the wall. Then the two were covered in ice, and just as quickly they shattered. Three individuals who she didn't know rushed up to where Hamuko was pinned.
"Don't worry, we'll get you out of there soon," the red headed girl said.
"Takahashi? That's your name right?" the brunette asked her.
"Takahashi Hamuko, if you want to get technical. But forget about me," she urged. "Please you have to go save my friends. There were four of those things, and if they didn't come down here they are probably after them. Please their names are Fujihara Sayane and Ishide Akria."
"Don't worry, we're already on it," the brunette reassured her. "We won't let anything happen to you or your friends."
"Alright, on three pull her out. One, two…"
The only guy there lifted part of the debris as the girls pulled her out. Hamuko couldn't feel much in her legs. The brunette suddenly pulled out an object…it looked like a gun. She put it to her temple and…
What appeared was a persona. Hamuko knew this instinctively. A warmth rushed over Hamuko and suddenly all the pain in her legs was gone. She got to her feet with the help of the brunette. Confused she shook her head and asked the only question that seemed to matter. "Who the hell are you people?"
"That's complicated. We'll answer your questions later, but first we should get you to safety. There could be more shadows in the area," the redhead said.
"Shadows? Is that what you call those creatures?" Hamuko felt somewhat more at ease. It was obvious that these people had dealt with these things before. That meant Akira and Sayane would be saved by them.
"Yes, we call them Shadows…and the power we use to fight it is…"
"Persona," Hamuko supplied. "It's the only way you can fight them right?"
The others were taken aback. The guy with the baseball cap spoke first, "Dude, don't tell me you have a persona."
"I have a few," Hamuko replied which caused them all to exchange looks.
"You can use multiple persona?" the brunette looked shocked. Hamuko nodded her affirmation. The brunette looked back to the redhead, "Mitsuru do you think…"
"I don't know. There hasn't been any research indicating that power could be inherited from family, or siblings. But then again there is no way to know for sure," the redhead shrugged. She put her hand up to her ear. "Yamagishi, can you locate the other two? We've secured Takahashi."
"I found them! They're moving up to the fifth floor!" A new voice could be heard but Hamuko felt it in her head and there was no one near them.
She ignored that for the time being. If they headed up to the fifth floor that could only mean that they had no choice but to go up instead of down. Hamuko ran past the other three and towards the stairs. There wasn't any time...if Akira and Sayane were in danger then the hundreds of questions she had about these people could wait.
"Hold it! Takahashi!" the others ran after her.
"Sorry, but I have to go after them!" Hamuko yelled as she entered the stair well and headed up. She had no weapon now, having lost the metal pole when the floor had collapsed. That didn't matter, she had her own persona. Though she knew she wasn't nearly as powerful as the others that had appeared.
"We're right behind you!" said the voice of the brunette. She was glad for the backup…but wasn't sure what to think about them at the moment. She rushed up to the fifth floor and opened the door and saw Sayane and Akira running straight to her. The creature…or rather Shadow behind them was even bigger than the ones than before. This wasn't good.
"Saya-chan! Akira-san! Over here!" Hamuko yelled urging them to rush towards her faster.
"Hamuko-chan!" Sayane yelled back as the two were running fast.
The three that had rescued Hamuko were at her side. The brunette brought up a bow and arrow and readied her shot. "I'll cover you. Go get them," the brunette said.
"Thank you," Hamuko charged off down the hall.
"Yamagishi, we have a Shadow here. It's a Gigas, can you find its weakness?" the voice of the redhead was commanding, but there was gentleness there, Hamuko was sure. "Iori, let's go."
"Now we're talking!" the guy yelled.
Hamuko could hear them moving quickly behind her. She quickly reached Sayane and Akira and moved behind them and used her persona. "Orpheus!" The persona appeared and smashed its lyre into the Shadow. The Shadow stumbled a bit but didn't stop its advance but it was enough time for the redhead and guy to charge in with…swords?
"Trismigestus!" The guy yelled. Again using that gun looking item to summon…but it was definitely a persona.
"Artemisia!" the redhead proclaimed and a block of ice formed around the shadow but it quickly shattered. She too had used the gun like object to summon hers. "It's no good."
"No good physical attacks aren't doing much," the guy reported.
"You're Takahashi-san, right?" a voice entered her head but…it didn't feel intrusive.
"Who is this?" Hamuko felt so confused.
"I'm Yamagishi Fuuka. I have a Persona that can scan and gather data. That Shadow is weak to Zio skills, but the others don't have any. Can you assist them?" the girl known as Fuuka asked her.
"I…" Hamuko closed her eyes and felt through her different personae. "Yes…Yes I do. Alright leave it to me." She jumped forward and saw the card falling. She put her hand out and crushed it, "Omoikane! Zio!"
A blast of electricity struck the shadow sending it on to its back.
"Attack now! Go in for an all-out attack!" yelled the red head.
Hamuko however felt incredibly dizzy. She stepped back and felt her vision go fuzzy. Her body felt so drained, as if she had just got done running a marathon.
"Hamuko-chan, are you okay?" came the worried voice of Sayane who was at her side in a second. Hamuko smiled as she felt her best friend's hands easing her.
"Sorry, Saya-chan…I feel really…" Hamuko's body suddenly felt light and her consciousness drifted away as the world went dark.
July 21st, 2009 / Daytime
Minato yawned as he found himself standing on the beach, around the same spot that he had been with Yukari just last night. She had kissed him, and he could remember the intensity behind it. He honestly wished he could have let himself get lost in it. But she wasn't herself then, just like the first time they had kissed. It felt like she was just looking for an escape to forget her problems. He couldn't say if she actually harbored those kinds of feelings for him or not. However, because of what had happened he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep despite how tired he had been.
"This says, 'we've gone to see the Jymon-Cedar Tree.'" Junpei was holding a piece of paper.
"It looks like Fuuka's handwriting," Akihiko commented as he walked by Junpei.
"Aw man! We're at an island resort in the middle of the summer! Why don't they go to the beach? That's just not right," Junpei groaned.
"Well, it is your fault," Akihiko stated.
Minato raised an eyebrow at this, something he hadn't heard about. "Huh? Did something happen?"
"He-Hey now. I was just trying to lighten the mood this morning," Junpei quickly defended himself.
"I don't want to hear it," Akihiko waved off the explanation and took a few steps towards the beach. Minato shook his head realizing he wasn't going to get a reason for Akihiko's comment.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway…we're on our own now, just the guys. If you're out of ammo, you pick it up on the battlefield. That's one of the most basic military tactics. We'll call this Operation Babe Hunt," Junpei announced with his ridiculous trademark grin of his.
Minato frowned and Akihiko seemed puzzled.
"'Babe hunt'? You mean like, pick up girls…?" Akihiko looked to Minato. He merely shrugged.
"Whaddya think, Akihiko-san? With you on the squad, we're guaranteed to succeed," Junpei seemed actually somewhat serious about this.
Minato could only imagine the trouble he would get into if Yukari saw him hitting on other girls. Well, it wasn't like the two of them were officially dating but they had kissed twice now. And if he was seen doing something like that…well he was sure there was a name for guys that did that. Either way he wasn't comfortable with what Junpei was saying.
"What do you think about this?" Akihiko turned his attention to him. Minato looked away.
"No way," Minato said firmly.
"What? Come on, dude! You two want to let this opportunity to enjoy our summer vacation go to waste? Come on guys! It'll be fun," Junpei urged.
"I can't, okay?" Minato said. He knew he wasn't going to be able to avoid explaining it...or at least giving a somewhat believable explanation.
"Huh?" Junpei was confused for a moment. Then a grin quickly took its place. "Oh! So is it true then?"
"Is what true?" Akihiko asked. Minato didn't like where this was going.
"Rumor has it that Minato and Yuka-tan are an item," Junpei said it so easily. Minato felt a mixture of embarrassment and anger at the same time.
"That isn't true," Minato was quick to defend, maybe a little too quickly.
"Oh really? So why did it really take so long for you to bring her back last night?" Junpei pressed. Even Akihiko was not immune to this development.
"Well she was really upset and…" Minato had no idea how to explain this...man why was he so horrible when it came to things like this. But he couldn't help how he felt for Yukari and...
"And…" Junpei definitely wanted every detail.
"Are you kidding? If I tell you, Yukari would kill me," Minato took a few steps but then quickly realized what he said. "San, I meant Yukari-san."
"That seems a little suspicious, doesn't it Akihiko-senpai?" Junpei was on the attack. Much to Minato's dismay, Akihiko joined the Junpei team.
"I seem to recall that Takeba has begun using your first name, although she is always sure to add –kun to then end of it," Akihiko was more interested in this than Minato could have ever guessed. "So when did this change happen?"
"You guys aren't going to drop this are you?" Minato groaned.
"Give us the dirt," Junpei grinned.
"I can't tell you anything specific…" Minato sighed. He couldn't believe he was giving in to these two, besides there wasn't really anything to tell. But there was no reason to hide it either. "I think it started a couple months ago, when we were going to rescue Yamagishi. I had a bad feeling so I…gave her a charm that I wore. It also happened to be a memento of my Mother. And it saved Yukari from being seriously injured that night."
"So that's what she has on," Junpei mused. "You know dude, she wears that thing every day. I catch her playing with it every once in a while."
"Is that right?" Minato wasn't sure what to say. At the time it felt so right to do so. And occasionally it felt odd not wearing it anymore but he never regretted giving it to her despite it being the only thing of his Mothers he had. "As long as she likes it, it's fine."
"Giving a girl a memento of your Mother, that clearly means a lot to you. I'm sure Yukari treasures it," Akihiko said with an obvious grin.
"Look I admit that a few things have happened between her and me since then, but I can't tell you. I mean, I don't even know if it means anything. I mean it's probably one sided anyway. She's like the most popular girl in our grade and the only reason she knows me or talks to me is because of SEES," Minato spoke and then stopped as he realized his words. He wasn't lying…it was how he truly felt. "I bet I would have never been more than just another invisible blip in her radar if not for that."
"You got it bad, dude," Junpei let out a laugh. "You've totally fallen for her."
"Good luck, Arisato," Akihiko gave him a pat on the back.
"I hate both of you," Minato muttered as he turned around and walked off. He made his way down towards the dock not really paying attention to anything. "Besides, she deserves someone a lot better than me."
"You are…"
Minato looked up to see that he looking into the eyes of a girl with blonde hair and was wearing a blue dress.
"Initiating evasive maneuver. Confirmation must be made at a secure location," the girl then stepped around him and made a mad dash up the beach and up the forest trial.
"Hey! What did you say to make her run off like that?" Junpei said running up.
"I didn't say anything, she just said something weird and then ran off," Minato quickly said.
"You should go tell her you're sorry. If you don't we could get into trouble," Junpei elaborated.
"Get in trouble how?" He wasn't sure how that would work but if he had done something to offend this girl then it wouldn't sit right with him either way. So without saying another word he ran off in the same direction that the girl had. It was about halfway up the trail where he had slowed down. He was only in his bathing suit and the forest trail wasn't too kind about those going up it with bare feet.
Still he managed just fine and walked up until he got to a large tree, with an equally big sign. "Jymon-cedar tree? So this is where the girls had gone to this morning."
Suddenly the girl he had been following came out from behind the sign. Minato was worried a moment about what she would do so he waited for a moment.
"Now I am certain…I have found you," she said which just made Minato confused.
The girl then rushed over to him and grabs his arm, "I have been searching for you. My highest priority is to be with you."
"What?" Minato shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
Akihiko and Junpei were there a moment later. "What? Man, I can't believe this. After everything you said."
"Takeba would be disappointed," Akihiko added.
"Shut up, both of you! I didn't do a bloody thing," Minato found himself getting angry. Of course with his luck…all the girls showed up as well.
"There you guys are. What are you doing here? We've been looking all over for you," Yukari said as the girls came into view.
Considering the death grip the girl had on his arm he merely looked away from all of them, "I can't believe this." Of course, why the hell could anything ever go right in his life? He starts seriously falling for a girl and now she is just going to see him as the scum of the Earth where he literally did nothing and didn't understand who or why this girl would not let go.
"What are you guys doing in the middle of the woods with your swimsuits?" Fuuka asked.
"You have no idea what we've…" Yukari stopped mid-sentence. Minato didn't have to look to know she was glaring daggers at him and this girl that would not let go of his arm. "Who's this?" The anger in her voice couldn't have been more obvious.
Luckily he avoided having to answer when Mitsuru started talking. "Listen, we've encountered a problem. I'm sorry to interrupt your vacation, but I need you all to go back to the house and prepare for battle."
"That won't be necessary…we've found what we were looking for." Ikutsuki suddenly appeared in front of all of them. Minato felt his muscles tense up and the current situations awkwardness went away.
"What do you mean?" Yukari asked.
Ikutsuki walked past the group and up to me and the girl and he let out a sigh, "You had me worried. You don't have permission to leave the lab on your own, Aigis."
March 10th, 2011 / After the Pseudo Dark Hour
"Is everyone safe?" Yukari asked as they loaded up the limousine. Mitsuru turned and smiled.
"Everyone is going to be just fine. However, to think that the Dark Hour could have manifested due to that small of an object. I wonder if it is even possible to dispose of it." Mitsuru mused. The object in question was like a small music box. Just like Minato had told Yukari in the journal...an object capable of giving the effects of the Dark Hour. And Shadows wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
"Do you think Minato was right? That there was some sort of extended research that happened in relation to the Dark Hour?" Yukari took off the bow and arrows and stored them into the trunk of the limousine.
"Absolutely, although honestly I had never even thought of that possibility before this. I should have been more diligent in looking into the past," Mitsuru took a moment and seemed to be lingering on a few thoughts. "It should have been obvious considering I was able to experience the Dark Hour before I gained my Persona. Whatever technique it was to let people experience the Dark Hour had been used on me as well."
"There is a lot to be considered," Yukari sighed and looked inside of the limousine. Hamuko was laid out on one side with her head resting in the lap of the girl named Sayane. "Her Persona is the same as Minato's."
"She seems to share a lot of characterizations as him. Usually after awakening there would be the confusion and the feeling of being drained because of it. But she managed several battles and expanded her power before she succumbed to exhaustion from the awakening," Mitsuru smiled a bit. "She's most likely just as full of potential as her brother was."
"Let's hope she doesn't stay unconscious as long as her brother did," Yukari laughed. She gave a nod to Mitsuru and the others and stepped into the limousine and taking a seat across from the two individuals that were looking after Hamuko. The raven haired girl eyed her for a moment as did the guy. "I'm sorry; I don't think I've introduced myself. My name is Takeba Yukari."
"Is Hamuko-chan going to be alright?" Sayane asked, obviously her priority being her friend. Yukari understood that feeling all too well.
"She'll be fine. It's just awakening to her power exhausted her. When she wakes up she'll be good as new," Yukari said reassuring the girl.
"Relax," Akira interjected and put a hand on Sayane's shoulder before looking to Yukari. "She's a little shaken still. I'm Ishide Akira, and she is Fujihara Sayane. And her, she's Takahashi Hamuko. Takahashi and I graduated last week from Inoto High School."
"Nice to meet you Ishide and Fujihara. I'm guessing you two have lots of questions, but can it wait for when Takahashi is awake?" Yukari looked at the brunette that looked to be peacefully sleeping. "For now I think you both could use some rest. We're going to the Inoto Inn and we'll have a couple doctors come and make sure you guys are alright. And hopefully Takahashi will be up by tomorrow. Then we'll explain everything. But we also have a few things to inform Takahashi that she may not know about herself."
"What do you mean?" Sayane asked.
"That's all I can say for now. I'd rather wait for her to be awake because it is rather personal," Yukari gave them a reassuring smile. "Please be a little more patient."
"Alright, after spending almost a day in that place, I think we can wait a little bit more for answers. Alright Sayane-san?" Akira smiled.
"Okay…Akira-senpai, if you say so," Sayane said and focused her attention to Hamuko whose head was in her lap.
Yukari sat back and looked out the window of the limousine. The night sky made her smile to herself. I found your sister, Minato. I know it may not be much but, I want her to know about you. Even if she'll never be able to really meet you. She deserves to know. Even though Yukari knew that it might not be fair of her to tell her about the brother she never knew about, only to have her learn that he was already gone. That part isn't for me to decide. Right, Minato?
Author's Note:
Well Hamuko is here and the only other character I will use as a viewpoint for the story. This story is about two people, and no, despite a focus on Minato and Yukari's relationship, and how much we learn about him, it is more about Hamuko and Yukari. I think you'll start to see what I mean a few chapters down the road. Anyway, I honestly haven't read that much fan fiction that incorporated both the male and female protagonist so I have no idea how she is commonly portrayed by others, but I hope I can offer you something different.
Ishide Akira and Fujihara Sayane were essential original characters to include because of Hamuko. I know that there is a stigma often associated with original characters but mostly they are used to help show exactly the kind of person that Hamuko is, and they kinda grow in their own way from there. All of it is in service to the story I am telling, so I hope you stick with me.
And I might as well address it here, but I know some people may be disappointed that Operation Babe Hunt was essentially cut and instead turned into a teasing session of Akihiko and Junpei trying to learn more about Minato and Yukari. Honestly, I don't like to tread ground that has been done again and again, and I feel everyone has such fond memories of that section of the game, and it also does not fit with the Minato I'm writing. In no certain terms would he have gone along with it so this felt infinitely more natural than trying to force some other scene which he would have felt infinitely guilty about because of his feelings for Yukari at this point. And some may feel Akihiko is a bit out of character with this scene, but really he isn't. If you've done his social link with the female protagonist on the PSP then you'll know that he isn't exactly immune to this subject.
I'm looking forward to see everyone's reactions to Hamuko's entrance to the story, so please leave a review/comment, or whatever. And maybe spread the love. The more readers we have the more inspired I become!
See you all later with Chapter 10.
