Chapter 9: The Emperess' Speech

Author Note to Nero: Thanks, I'll try not to disappoint. Here's some food for thought though: I write every chapter in one sitting, with only a general direction… Most of my work is just the result of letting my ideas flow.

Minato, upon realizing that the fridge was full, decided against making another breakfast, and shared out the leftovers. Junpei and Yukari actually ate breakfast that morning, as last night's exploration seemed to tire them out quite a bit.

"Mitsuru-senpai," Minato said as everyone was finishing, "I left your speech on the third floor lounge table. Did you get it?"

"Of course. I'd like to thank you again for taking the time out of your schedule for me," Mitsuru responded.

"It's no problem," Minato said with a smile. "After all, it's not like I do anything too important at 4 in the morning."

"You still didn't manage to fall asleep?" Yukari asked, dumbfounded.

"It's not like the guy was even that tired, Yuka-tan," Junpei said. "Besides, I don't think one run in Tartarus would knockout a guy who doesn't sleep anyways."

"He gets it," Minato said. Yukari sighed, finishing her breakfast. Oddly, the everyone left as a large group, taking the same train. Minato spent the majority of his time trying to create a training regimen for Junpei, who swore he'd create one made for real men that didn't involve learning Pilates. Near the school gate, a brown-haired boy named Kenji called Junpei over with a strange look in his eyes. Minato would only realize what it meant as he entered the front gates, right alongside Akihiko, Yukari, and Mitsuru.

The sight actually stopped quite a few people.

"The Holy Foursome…" a girl dared to say.

"Minato really does swing both ways, huh?" a boy muttered.

"Get those harpies off of Aki and Mina… actually, maybe this is better?" a group of girls discussed.

"He must'a been forced to share, right? Akihiko-senpai threatened him? There's no way he'd just let another guy in the mix… right?" a group of boys discussed.

"After that show yesterday… he added a boy to the mix?" somebody from Minato's class questioned.

As the awkward comments fell, Yukari was the first to break off, followed by Mitsuru and Akihiko shortly afterwards.

"At this rate, I'll need a friggin' disguise just to hang out with my friends," Minato thought.

"If you find out where they live, I can always shut a few of em' up… permanently," Jack suggested.

"Actually, I'd say we can enthrall them. A legion of Fiends, a legion of Humans, and a legion of Personae… you'd be quite the terror, Boss," David chimed.

"As appealing as both of those options are, I'd rather not become a menace to the public while still in school." Minato replied in his mind.

After successfully avoiding death by stare-down, Minato made his way to the morning assembly where Mitsuru would deliver her speech. He thought it was a little too high strung for the majority of the student body, but it was exactly what Mitsuru intended to get across. Her personality fit well with the entire 'cut-above' vibe the whole speech had, anyways. Minato found that Junpei and Yukari had saved him a seat, and joined them.

The assembly began. It was boring. Then Mitsuru was introduced as the new Student Council President, and she took the podium. Minato ignored Junpei and Yukari's comments, leaning forward. He was interested in how well she could give speeches.

Mitsuru spoke. "As I begin my term as Student Council President, I'd like to share with you my vision for this coming year. It is my firm belief that each of us must accept the responsibility of bettering our school. However, change cannot occur without sustained effort and an unprecedented level of commitment. That is why we must restructure our daily lives to accommodate this lofty goal. I'd like each of you to dig deeply into your well of motivation, and re-evaluate your convictions... To imagine a bold new future without losing sight of the realities around you. That is the key. I am certain that many of you have your own visions of the future... For us to reap the full benefits of our education, your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are essential. Thank you."

Under the thunder of applause, Minato uttered a single word. "Flawless."

"Dang… That was freaking amazing… So…" Junpei said, turning to Minato, "Do you have any idea what she just said?"

"Thanks for making me president. Let's all do shit, contribute, and Gekkoukan rules, basically. Don't overexert yourself along the way, and study hard." Minato answered.

"Really?... When you say it like that, it sounds kind of…" Yukari began.

"No way that's all she said, dude!" Junpei said.

"If you take away formalities and elegance, everything sounds pretty stupid," Minato mused. "But I probably missed something along the way."

He didn't. He had read that speech quite a few times, and besides changing how the main points were phrased, he told Junpei every single detail Mitsuru wanted to hit. But he'd let him imagine it was something great.

"Why kill the kid's imagination?" Minato thought.

After the assembly, Minato once again cursed being unable to sleep. He didn't mind Ms. Toriumi, but her class was downright boring.

After school, Minato was about to leave with Junpei when he spotted Akihiko approaching them. Fast. Too fast.

"Junpei! Minato!" Akihiko yelled out to them. A literal horde of fan-girls was running him down. "We've got to go!"

"Bringing your friends, senpai?!" Junpei asked excitedly at the sight of the girls chasing Akihiko. Miinato quickly analyzed the situation. A sacrifice was necessary.

"Actually, they're interested in you, Junpei," Minato said, slowly backing away. "You hang out with me pretty often, after all. You were the one to help me pick up Yukari, after all."

"Huh? I did – OH," Junpei began. When he realized what Minato was implying, the most idiotic smile Minato had ever seen consumed his face. He turned his cap around, popped his collar, and cracked his neck for good measure. "Why, of course… when Junpei, professional Lady's Man, sees such a sad case struggling on his own, he can't help but show him the ropes," he said, shifting to copy Minato's usual aloof stance.

Once Akihiko ran past Junpei, Minato turned and ran with him, "Akihiko-senpai! Come here!" Minato said. Akihiko got closer. Minato grabbed his arm and drew his Evoker as they rounded a corner. He pressed it to his head, switching to Pixie. "Trafuri!" he muttered, pulling the trigger. He and Akihiko were engulfed by a bright light as the sounds of Junpei being trampled reached their ears. In the next instant, they reappeared in the back alley of Paulownia Mall, running out to the main plaza.

"Before I even ask how you did that," Akihiko said, catching his breath, "Why did you have your Evoker?"

"I'm always strapped, senpai," Minato said, flashing his best creep smile. Akihiko simply shook his head. "As for the move magic trick, I got a Persona in Tartarus last night that I never tried out. That's one of its moves."

"Well, I guess it's better to test it out sooner than later. Still, did we have to abandon Junpei like that?"

"Nah, but I thought it would be funny. He'll be fine… I think."

Akihiko sighed. "Anyways, I was going to ask you guys to come with me here. There's something I need to show you. C'mon."

Akhiko and Minato entered the police station to see a stern-looking police officer reading a newspaper by the front desk. The apparent secretary got up and nodded to him.

"I was right to classify this as a shop? Huh… and here I thought I would just visit during the Dark Hour and raid the lost and found or something," Minato thought as the officer approached the counter.

"Officer Kurosawa. It's been a while," Akihiko said cheerfully.

"I thought you said there were two of them," Kurosawa stated bluntly.

"The other guy got held up," Akihiko answered quickly. "This is Minato Arisato Minato, this is Officer Kurosawa. He knows about us and keeps our squad well-equipped. Also, this is from-Ikutsuki-san."

Akihiko handed Minato 10,000 yen, and gave him a sharp look.

"Some of this was supposed to be for Junpei, huh? I'll get him something nice, I guess…" Minato considered.

"You can't fight shadows empty-handed, so find something you like. Officer Kurosawa has connections… But these things still cost money." Akihiko finished.

:"Of course. Nothing in life is ever free," Kurosawa quickly added.

"I realize that… Well, I'll see you later. Thanks again." Akihiko said, taking his leave. Minato turned to face Kurosawa.

"I might be a demon, Boss, but he's got a face that says "You don't wanna run into me in a dark alley,", ya know?" Jack said.

"Indeed. He seems like the type of critic you love and hate at the same time… The one that can make or break you." David added.

Before Minato could respond, Kurosawa spoke up. "I've been informed about you and your group. My job is to maintain the peace in this city, regardless of the circumstances. It doesn't take a genius to know something strange is going on here, and I've seen more than my fair share of strange. I'm only doing what I think is right."

"What'd you see?" Minato asked, intrigued at the answer.

"Things no human should ever see, kid." Kurosawa said without wavering. "I don't know what you kids are dealing with, but I pray to whatever God exists out there that it isn't what I faced."

"He's dealt with demons worse than us in the past, Boss… let's drop this topic." David warned. He felt something similar to what he experienced when he met Kazuya, albeit much weaker.

"…I'll take your word for it." Minato answered. "So, what's your inventory?"

Kurosawa motioned for Minato to follow him, and led him to a large backroom filled with various forms of close range weaponry, and, handily for Yukari, bows.

"I can't sell you firearms outright. Also, from what I know, having more than one gun on you could be… hazardous," Kurosawa said. Minato struggled to suppress a smile from reaching his face. As fucked up as it was, the thought of Junpei screaming 'PERSONA!' and then splattering his brains across the floor gave him the giggles.

"See? THIS is why you got us, Boss. You're just like us, really," Jack said, sharing his amusement. He had forgotten his thoughts were constantly being read by his Fiends.

"Thanks for being so thoughtful," Minato said. He looked around at the viable weaponry he could use, until his eyes rested upon a beautiful saber. He picked it up, and eyed it carefully. It conveniently had a price tag, costing him 9200 yen.

He walked out of the store, sword in a convenient guitar case Kurosawa had laying around. He'd get Junpei something later.

He returned to the dorm to overhear Junpei and Akihiko talking in the lounge.

"Akihiko-senpai, why'd you really choose Minato to be the leader?" Junpei asked. Akihiko's face turned grim. It may as well have been set in stone.

"The real reason," Akihiko began, his voice deepening, "is that he not only survived one of Mitsuru's executions, but enjoyed it… No human… nay, no sentient being… should ever… experience that… horror… that…"

"What's up, senpai?" Minato asked, placing a hand on Akihiko's shoulder. Akihiko turned to see an even creepier smile than usual on his face, and instinctively threw a punch at him, only for Minato to catch it with his free hand. "Wanna spar?"

"Akihiko!" Mitsuru called, walking down the stairs. "Attacking people in the dorm… I hope you're ready for one of my new and improved executions." A smile eerily similar to Minato's slowly formed on her lips as she approached the group.

Junpei hadn't thought Akihiko could get any whiter, but he did. He froze on the spot like a hamster, his eyes screaming out for help. Minato simply shrugged and went towards the fridge, a cocky smirk on his face.

Part of Junpei knew he had to do something. Minato had left him for dead this afternoon and set Akihiko up now. He was a monster. Yet he did nothing as Mitsuru started to pull Akihiko upstairs.

"…Dude," Junpei began once Mitsuru and Akihiko disappeared, "Why'd ya do that?"

"It killed two birds with one stone. Seeing Akihiko-senpai's reaction to his execution sentence entertained me, and I gave Mitsuru a reason to practice one of her new executions. Efficiency," he said, taking out some leftover food.

"Cold and calculating…" Junpei muttered as got some food as well. As the two ate, Minato told him about Officer Kurosawa and his connections. Junpei's biggest concern was that he didn't get a uniform and a badge.

"That aside," Minato said, finishing his meal, "No hard feelings about us ditching you at school, right?"

It was Junpei's turn to flash Minato a creepy smile. "All those girls trampling me…" he began, licking his lips. "What do ya think I saw?"

"Oh, God... I'm surrounded by perverts, aren't I?" Yukari whimpered from the stairs. She quickly turned around and went back to her room, making a mental note that locking her door at night should become a habit.

"Junpei…" Minato said, shaking his head. Both of them saw Yukari's newfound fear. "And you say I'm the weirdo?"

After a silent dinner, Junpei retired to his room, passing a rather pleased looking Mitsuru on her way down.

"Minato," she began, "I don't know where you learned Chinese Water Torture… but I love it."

"Good to hear," Minato said. If he recalled correctly, Akihiko was now frozen up to the sides of his head in an almost inverted position, with a chunk of ice hanging above him. He would watch it slowly melting above him, dropping water onto his exposed face that could just barely twist and turn in its icy prison. With all of his other senses numbed from the cold, stimulation like that would be… unbearable, for the average human. "You made sure it couldn't get into his nose, right? That could kill him."

Mitsuru chuckled. "He won't die… but he might not be the same for a while." She took her regular seat in the lounge. "Now then, regarding our exploration of Tartarus… Akihiko is still unable to join you for obvious reasons, so I'd like you to remain as our active field leader. You never know when a powerful enemy might appear, like the one you faced the other day. It's best to be prepared, or else you may find yourself in a difficult situation. So, whenever you'd like to explore Tartarus, just let me know, and I'll gather everyone there. Also, since I'm sure there are other things you will need to take care of, you may go out at night if you need to. Well, that's it. Keep up the good work."

"In that case, let's go to Tartarus tonight," Minato said. "It's imperative we bring up Junpei and Yukari's resistance to the Dark Hour ASAP, or else they could fail at a crucial moment."

Mitsuru nodded. "I'll inform them of the plans for tonight. We meet in front of the school at midnight."