I'm updating much faster now! Reason being that, at my new job, I'm in front of a computer for eight hours, five days a week XD So when I have free time, I write! Let's hope I don't get caught...

Well, I hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 10: The Magician Arcana

Thursday: April 23rd, 2009

Last night we all went to Tartarus to try out our new weapons. Needless to say, I'm extremely exhausted today… I wake up later than usual. Of course, Akihiko is already gone by now. He really doesn't like to miss his morning jogs. As a result, I end up just going straight to school.

The lecture is just really boring me… My mind starts to wander to yesterday's events. We went through the Tartarus labyrinth, like the first day, but we went beyond the first floor. The higher we went, the stronger the monsters. I was able to find two new Personas: Pixie and Angel. I feel so much stronger with all these Personas. We were also able to find a waypoint that allows us to go back to that same spot without having to go through the previous floors. Mitsuru said that she felt a really strong Shadow a few floors higher. Since none of us had enough energy to go against a powerful foe, we decided to call it a night and go back when we were well-rested.

The day ends, and I start packing my bag, getting ready to go home.

"Hey, you going home?"

I turn around and see Junpei carrying his bag, also ready to leave.

"Yeah, that's what I was planning on doing."

"Oh, well… um… if you're not too busy, do you wanna hang out for a bit?"

I look at him, a bit surprised to be asked to hang out. Usually he asks me to go home together, since we both live at the dorm.

"Sure. Where do you want to go?"

It'll be good to spend some time with Junpei. He's my teammate, after all.

"Well, there's this ramen place that's wicked awesome."

"Great! I love ramen!"

"Alright! Let's go then!"

We head down to Iwatodai strip mall. I've never actually been here before. I follow Junpei who seem to know his way, unlike me. He then takes me to a ramen shop called Hagakure Ramen. I look at the shop and find people actually lining up to eat here.

"It's a really popular place, isn't it?"

"Well there's a reason it's so popular: the ramen here is the best!"

We wait for a bit, while Junpei talks about how awesome this place is. Finally, we get in and go sit at the counter.

"I'm stoked! We'll have two specials, sir!"

Junpei's so excited. He really likes this place, doesn't he?

"Comin' right up!"

While our ramen gets made, I take the chance to ask Junpei about the ramen he ordered for us.

"You ordered the special?"

"The normal meals are good, too, but the special… Pure awesomeness."

I giggle at his description. The meal arrives, its fragrant scent filling our nostrils. This is making me really hungry.

"Let's dig in!"

After having said that, Junpei starts slurping the hot noodles. Seeing him makes me almost drool. I hurriedly pick up my chopsticks and take the first bite. This is… amazing! The thick al dente ramen noodles mix so well with the light refreshing broth.

"This is way too good!"

I say to Junpei, my mouth full of ramen.

"Haha! Delicious, ain't it? We should come here more often."

I nod and we both enjoy our food. We start casually talking together.

"Hey, by the way, are you feeling okay now?"

I swallow the food in my mouth to answer him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I heard that while you were out for a while, you were in the hospital. You seemed full of energy at school, but… I was still kind of worried."

That's unusual. I mean, I would've never expected Junpei to be that considerate. It shows that I still don't know much about him.

"I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking."

I give him a sincere smile.

"Huh? Oh, um... No need to thank me... I had some problems myself when I transferred here, too. In your case, you've got all the fighting stuff on top of that... I was wondering if you weren't accustomed to school or whatever... Then again, I think you'll do just fine."

He's stuttering a lot. Junpei is probably a bit embarrassed to have said so much. He laughs nervously. He's actually a really thoughtful guy…

"Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Magician Arcana..."

It's the same voice as the time where I established the Social Link with the SEES… So… The Social Link related to Junpei is the Magician Arcana. According to what Igor said that, based on the strength of the Link, it will strengthen any fusion resulting in the Arcana that has a Social Link established. Does this mean that, if I spend more time with Junpei, it'll make the Social Link stronger? I'll just have to let things happen and see where it brings me.

"Still… Girls and guys livin' in the same dorm, huh? That can't be good."

Junpei's remark snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Look at you smirking like that. Even if you say it isn't good, you're probably ecstatic about it."

I chuckle while teasing him.

"Aww… I can't help it. Oh, but I don't drag love into my work. Then again, I can't guarantee that I won't fall for somebody, mwahaha!"

We laugh together at what he said. Falling in love, huh… I've never really given it much thought. I've never actually fallen in love before. It's probably because nobody ever made me feel like it was worth my time. I've always been kind of busy with my own life. I wonder if I'll ever actually fall in love. And if I do, then with whom will it be? If it's someone who doesn't know anything about Tartarus, it'll be really hard to make time for him or to even be able to maintain a healthy relationship. I'd have to hide things from him and keep secrets, since he wouldn't believe me anyway. But then, if it's someone from our little group… Junpei? No, I see him more as a friend than anything else. The only other guy is… Akihiko. My heart squeezes a bit when I start thinking romantically of Akihiko. No! What am I doing? I must be really tired if I'm having thoughts like that…

Junpei and I finally finish up our meal and head back to the dorm.

It's a slightly shorter chapter than the others, but I'll be updating soon (probably next week) so I hope that makes up for it a bit XD

Review and tell me what you think!