CHAPTER 10 / A New Beginning

February 16th, 2010

Dear Yukari,

I always wondered how long in human history had Persona and Shadows had existed. However, considering the existence of Nyx there is no doubt other god like beings that exist. Looking at it that way, it is more than likely that the power of Persona was introduced by one of those beings. After all if there is a being like Nyx or a better example being Erebus, where it is created by the suppressed death wish of the human unconscious, then there are more than likely beings that are made of humanities better emotions. I might be wrong but it feels like the world has a somewhat of a balance.

It doesn't help me but think that maybe there had been many others that had struggled for the fate of the world before. It probably wouldn't be too comforting to learn how many times our world had been on the verge of destruction. Then again I'm sure the story of teenagers saving the world is pretty ridiculous. What we do is probably pretty unbelievable. Almost as unbelievable if it turned out that the Feathermen R show was a documentary rather than just a child's TV show.

Still, as unbelievable as it had been, we really did do it. We fought the Shadows…something that no one else could do…and ultimately faced against Death itself, even though the odds were against us. But you can never defeat Death. After all it is a fate that we must all accept. But I refuse to believe it was something that people wish would happen. Sure it might be an unconscious desire for us to take an easier way out of life. But we aren't all that way. Some of us are stronger than that desire and we want to live and show that we can be better than that. You're a strong person, Yukari. And I know you'll live a long and good life. One day, we'll see each other again. How or when that happens is anyone's guess. But it's my wish. And even if its hundreds, or thousands of years from now for it to become real…I'll be there waiting for you.

Love Always,

Arisato Minato

July 25th, 2009 /After School

A couple days had passed since they had gotten back from Yakushima. It felt odd to be back in the classroom after the short break. But then again summer vacation was coming up on them really soon as well. Minato didn't even want to think about what to do in his spare time. Plus there was still the concern about Aigis joining SEES. He still hadn't learned much about her except for the rather short non-explanations that Ikutsuki had given them.

Aigis was what he referred to as a 'mechanical maiden' that was specifically designed to fight Shadows. Or as she had said herself, an Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon. She wielded the persona called Palladion. This meant she was clearly able to fight Shadows. However, as a mechanical maiden she lacked a certain common sense, and had some strange need to be close to Minato. He couldn't understand that at all. It wasn't like he had any connections to her or the Kirijo Group. So maybe Ikutsuki had been right and she was having some sort of malfunction. Then again Minato trusted Ikutsuki about as much as his chances of being personally invited by NASA to explore the moon...which meant exactly zero. Minato couldn't disregard that there could be a connection he just wasn't aware of, but there would be time to think about that later.

He noticed that Yukari had taken it upon herself to try and make sure that Aigis gave him a reasonable amount of space and privacy. Minato appreciated it but wondered why she would go to that length. The only conclusion he came to was that she might have been jealous of the interaction between Aigis and Minato. He hadn't done anything though, as the most she had done was hold onto his arm. In which there was no use trying to wiggle your way out of a robots grip. Which that was another point...she was a robot. The only interest he had was how it was possible for her to have a Persona...as Igor and Elizabeth had explained it...she had to have an ego. At any rate she definitely seemed to have her quirks.

He got up from his chair and found himself looking at the head coach of the kendo team. His coach greeted with a grin and was obviously here for him. "Got a minute, Minato?"

"Sure thing, Sensei," Minato said respectfully as he always was. His coach was probably one of the best he ever had, and always pushed him to go further. Minato never was one to shy away from a challenge either. Plus his time in Tartarus had somehow sparked his competitive side as a side effect. It was nice to fight something that wasn't a Shadow or actively trying to literally kill him.

"I'm not sure if anyone told you, but we have a huge tournament coming up on August second. I was hoping you'd compete," his Sensei's voice more or less implied that his hope for it was really high. Minato wondered if his coach thought he would refuse...but it would be a good chance to spend time with Kaz and maybe meet new people. New social links seemed to crop up at things like this.

"Of course I will, Sensei." Minato honestly felt glad, he hadn't been sure what his summer vacation would be filled with, but this was definitely a good start.

"You'll be going up against a monster named Hayase. I'm sure you can handle it though. But to prepare we'll do some intense training. So I expect to see you here from July 27th, to August 1st. You got that, Minato? I'm gonna work you harder than ever to make sure you're ready." His Sensei gave him a smile and the quickly left.

"Well that's one week of summer vacation gone," Minato yawned as he instead of leaving walked over to the window and looked outside. The sun was shining and looked to be another beautiful day. He needed to think for a moment. Of course he should think about working on one of his social links but…he wasn't sure where to start. Not to mention he always felt guiltier when he felt a Social Link improve. It didn't stop him from focusing on his Social Links but...he was more mindful of it...and did his best to appreciate that individual every time the Social Link improved. He still had today to worry about.

"What you looking at?"

Minato jumped a bit turning around to see Yukari standing there with that irresistible smile, "Oh geesh." She was a whole different subject that he wasn't sure what to do when he was around her. But the look in her eyes clearly told him that she had a purpose.

She giggled at him, "Jumpy, aren't we?"

"Maybe just a little. What are you doing here? No practice today?" Minato tried to soothe his nerves a bit and took a deep breath. It was a surprise though as Yukari had never really approached them while they were at school. Sure they talked, it was hard not too considering he sat right behind her in the classroom. But it was rare for that to go to after school. Then again with the way things had been between them lately...maybe it should be expected that this should happen. But Minato had just never known what to do when it came to Yukari. Her presence had a tendency to throw him off...because he couldn't help but stare at her. Speaking of, he made a note to avert his eyes and back to the window.

"You know, I would have thought after all this time you would know when I didn't have practice," she said with a smile. "Say, are you busy? I mean you don't look busy."

"No I guess not," he said glancing at her with curiosity. "You want something?" If she was going to ask him something that would make sense as to why she was talking to him. But the last time they were together alone was on the beach of Yakushima...and well...Minato still wasn't sure how to feel about it. Well, he knew what he felt for Yukari...just not how he felt about the situation. Or the possible implications that could come as a result of it.

Yukari looked around and saw that a few other students were still lingering in the classroom. Some doing school work and others just talking like they were. "Would you mind coming with me? I want to talk to you…alone." She was averting her eyes from him as she said this.

"Alright," Minato attempted to relax a bit. Although the thought of going somewhere alone with her made his heart beat faster considering last time they had been alone they had kissed. And not one that you give to just anybody. Probably not best for him to linger too long on that thought, "Lead the way."

Minato followed Yukari out of the classes and towards the stairs that led up to the roof. It was oddly empty on the roof for once. Usually there were a couple people out here but that wasn't the case today. She sat down on one of the benches that were up there. He sat down as well as a breeze went by.

They sat in silence for a long time. He glanced to notice that she was shaking a bit. "You don't have to be nervous around me, you know," Minato said trying to comfort her and looked out over the city. Of course he was trying to not let her know that he was now nervous being alone with her and not really knowing what she wanted with him.

"I just don't know where to start," Yukari finally spoke after a long moment.

"Is this about what happened in Yakushima?" Minato said plainly, to the point. It must be hard for her to bring up...there was no reason to drag this out.

"Yes," Yukari bit her bottom lip for a moment. "I said some stupid things. I wanted to say I'm sorry and…"

"Forget about it," Minato got to his feet. "You don't have to apologize for that. Do you honestly think I would think badly of you after we all saw that video? Don't worry about it." If that was all she wanted to say then it wasn't really a big deal. Sure he could see how that could bother her. "If that's everything then I'll…"

"No, you can't go yet," Yukari reached out and physically stopped him by grabbing his shirt. "You told me to take some time and think about what I did." Minato felt his face warm up as he realized she was talking about the kiss. And the words he had said to her at the time. "I did, I thought about it non-stop ever since that night. No maybe even before then, ever since what happened at the hotel in the Dark Hour."

Minato didn't dare to look at her with how the conversation was turning out. "Don't push yourself," Minato said. It was all he could think to say. What else was there to say? He was sure he had in one way or another admitted his own feelings to her. He just didn't want to pursue something that she didn't want. If it was just a heat of the moment kind of thing then at the very least he didn't want her to hate him for it.

"I'm not," she got to her feet. "Please look at me Minato."

He was hesitant but did as she asked. He slowly turned back towards her. Minato felt his heart rate climbing with every agonizing moment that passed. His eyes met hers and he was surprised with the amount of emotion that filled them. But she looked to be on the verge of tears...however, he also could see the determination that guided her actions. She did want this...she wasn't doing this for him...but for her...that was the clear intention he was getting from her.

"I like you, Minato-kun. I probably have for a while," She said boldly and blushing like mad, but she was resolute in holding her gaze with his.

"Are you sure?" Minato breathed looking away from her. No, he couldn't just accept it...he would give her another way out...a way to refuse this and leave. A last chance to escape the situation. It didn't make sense why Takeba Yukari was here on this roof and confessing to him, "Why would you like me? I'm not special or…"

Yukari closed the gap between them and brought her hand to his cheek, this time she forced him to look back at her before she stepped in and stole a kiss from his lips. It was brief...it was sweet...and Minato couldn't deny wanting more of it. She leaned her forehead against his, "You idiot. There is plenty of things that are special about you. You've been looking out for me ever since the beginning. You've saved my life so many times since we've met. You're a wonderful listener and have been my anchor at times that I'm sure I would have lost control. It doesn't matter to me what the world thinks of you, you're special to me. So please...be my boyfriend."

What could he do? How could he deny her? He knew...knew from the bottom of his hear that it was what he wanted...and it was more obvious now than ever before that she wanted it as well. She had asked him...point blank. That took courage...courage that she might not have had before. Everything that had happened between them so far...if he refused her...he would only be lying to himself. There was no other answer for him. He was still leaning against her, forehead to forehead when he finally whispered, "Then please…from this day on, I'll be in your care."

"And I'll be in yours," Yukari smiled and stole another kiss from him, lingering a little bit longer before she broke it. She took a couple steps away from him and let out a long sigh, her smile didn't seem like it was going to go anywhere for a long time. "I was worried you would have flat out rejected me."

He said nothing in regards to it...there was the part of him that had wanted to...because he was afraid of what could happen. But he had lived his entire life that way...cautious and never did anything unsafe. But...for once in his life he wanted to be selfish. He couldn't deny the way she made him feel just by being close to her. If it meant he had to work a little bit harder to have that...then it had to be worth it. Yukari was the only one that had ever made Minato feel good about himself...like things he did actually mattered. That meant more to him than he could ever fully explain. Minato walked over to the fence of the roof, "Hey you want to grab something to eat on our way back to the dorm?"

"Yeah, okay. How about Hagakure? It's been a while since I've gone there," Yukari walked up next to him and took his hand, albeit shyly and blushing as she did so. Strange how such a simple act could cause such a reaction when we had shared some passionate kisses in the past...although those were circumstantial and honestly both times they hadn't been as in control as they should have been. This was something...normal. And such an action caused butterflies to surface in Minato's stomach...he could only imagine it was doing the same for Yukari. Her smile comforted him, "Come on, after everything I've developed quite the appetite."

He looked at her and asked her one final time, "Are you sure that this is what you want?" He wouldn't blame her to reconsider him...he wasn't anything special...there was probably a dozen better guys for her than him...

"Yes," she said firmly this time. "I think it's the first time I've ever known for sure what I wanted. So I don't want to hear you ask that ever again."

"Alright," he chuckled. He had no choice but to accept her answer. Minato could respect her resolve and her choice. After all he was constantly reminded of his contract by Igor. I chooseth this fate of my own free will. Meaning that he had to accept responsibility for any choices he made. And this one was easy to make...he wanted to be with her. Even if it would be hard... "Let's go then, Yukari-san." Yes, this was what Minato wanted.

"No…it's just Yukari now," She placed a finger to his lips. "Okay, Minato?"

He nodded and wondered why it had felt so inevitable for things to end up as they did. Then his mind went blank when he felt the familiar feeling that came with the forming of a new social link. The Lovers…the new link with Yukari. His blood went cold, but he did his best to shake it. No, he had to be better than that. He wasn't using her, or any of his social links for power. If anything he would find a way to transcend that. He had begun developing feelings for Yukari long before this day when the social link was formed. He was going to be tested, more than he had before. This was going to be harder than he thought...this would be the hardest social link for him...he could feel it.

Minato would make it work…one way or another. No matter what he had to face to achieve it.

March 11th, 2011 / Daytime

Hamuko felt an immense pain in her head and couldn't help but groan as she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes felt like they were burning which prompted her to close them again. Still her memory was a bit foggy and she didn't want to fall back to sleep until she had some answers. Most importantly she should find out where she is and if her friends were okay.

Her body protested more than she liked as she forced herself to sit up, her muscles were stiff and obviously she had been out for a while. She looked over to see a girl she vaguely recognized. She seemed to be reading. As soon as the girl realized Hamuko was up she threw a bookmark into the book she had and put it aside. "You're up," she smiled.

"Where am I? No, forget that, where is Saya-chan and Akira-san?" She said as her mind focused a bit more as she was awake longer. Hamuko was eased when the brunette gave her a comforting smile.

"Don't worry, they're here. Ishide-san took Fujihara down to eat. She has pretty much stayed by your side the whole time," the girl who Hamuko finally recognized as Takeba Yukari was the one here. One of the individuals that had saved her and her friends. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling okay. Killer headache though," Hamuko rubbed her head trying to somehow soothe it but gave a questioning look when Yukari seemed to be laughing.

"No, no, I'm not laughing at you. It's just someone very important said the same thing when he woke up after he awoke to his own persona. Although he was out cold for a week, it's only been a day for you." Yukari tried to wave it off. "I know you might be really confused about what happened but first things first." The brunette got to her feet and picked up the book again, she hugged the book…or whatever it was to her chest. "I'll let Fujihara know you're up. Want something to eat? I'm sure you're starving."

Hamuko nodded, "Thanks, Takeba-san. Can you…"

"Get something for your headache? I'm on it," Yukari smiled before disappearing out of the room.

Hamuko finally looked around. Well she wasn't in a hospital; it was definitely the Inoto Inn. She worked here part time actually, so there was no way she'd mistake it. She was on a large futon in a traditional Japanese room. It was one of the features of the Inn. A traditional Japanese experience, including their hot springs. Although not that famous, it was a definite favorite local attraction among the locals. She knew that sometimes her Naginatajutsu club would often come here after they did their spar sessions.

It was no wonder she felt so at ease, the atmosphere and smell of the place was something comforting and familiar to her. The sun was coming in from open window and a pleasant breeze came in. It would have been even better if her head didn't feel like something was trying to escape from inside of it. Maybe it was just her adjusting to the Personae. They had reacted kind of odd when she said she could use multiple, perhaps that wasn't normal to have more than one. If that was true then why was she different? She was sure that they had said some odd things during that time but she couldn't remember. Her friends had been more important at that time. Yukari had probably been understating just how much their was to explain.

"Hamuko-chan!" Sayane came running in and jumped onto the futon and wrapped her in a hug. "I was so worried about you." Hamuko couldn't help but smile and hug the raven hair girl back. Following behind her was Akira-san and a tray of food.

"Breakfast is served," Akria said as he knelt down and sat next to the futon handing off the tray of food as Sayane sat back, giving her room. But Sayane helped adjusting the tray for her as Hamuko was still a little out of it. Seriously, she wondered how she would do anything without Sayane.

"Oh Akira-san, you're my hero," Hamuko laughed, and found herself smiling much easier now with them in the room.. "I'm glad you're both okay."

"You had us worried, but Kirijo-san and those other guys said that it was normal. For people that have awakened," Akira said but seemed to be confused.

"I'm guessing they haven't said exactly what all of that means," Hamuko smiled.

"Yeah they said they wanted us to wait until you were awake, senpai," Sayane said.

"Oh Takeba-san wanted me to give you these, for your headache," Akira said handing over a couple pills.

Hamuko graciously took them and quickly took them along with downing the tall glass of water that had been on the tray. "Well at least all of that is over…I guess we were lucky. If it hadn't been for them, I'm not sure we could have made it out," she said softly.

"That's not true. You were absolutely amazing in there, Hamuko-chan. If you hadn't been there we would have never lasted up until that point," Sayane was quick to defend her. Not that Hamuko didn't know that she would, but it grounded her a bit. Sayane was just trying to make her feel better, but Hamuko smiled regardless.

Hamuko wasted no time on attacking the rice portion of her meal. Using her chopsticks to great effect and eating a large portion of it before speaking again. "So what do you guys think of them? I mean we owe them our lives after all."

"They were very understanding. And they don't seem to want to pressure us or anything. Yet I feel like they are all very on edge…" Akira said as he thought about it.

"I wouldn't say on edge. It seems more like they are impatient," Sayane elaborated.

"Impatient? What do you mean?" Hamuko asked in between bites.

"Well we don't know anything but we do know that there is something they wanted to tell you specifically. She wouldn't answer us but Takeba said it was something personal related to you. And something that you may not know about yourself," Sayane herself seemed confused by it as well.

"Something I don't know about me, huh?" Hamuko put down her chopsticks for a moment and looked out the window. "I wonder what it could be…"

"If that's true though, I think the only reason they even showed up was because they were trying to find you Hamuko-chan," Sayane said simply.

It made the most sense. There is no reason for people coming so far just to rescue people in…that place. Still they had been no stranger to the threats that had been going after them. And even if Hamuko had awakened to the new power, she doubts it would have been enough to guarantee their survival. The only thing to do was to hurry up and eat and get the answers straight from them. She was sure they would answer everything. It seemed like they were more than eager to disclose what exactly had happened. And there was no way that they would forget about it. What if they hadn't been looking for her? More than likely...the three of them would be dead even after she had awakened to Persona.

Hamuko started to feel better when the pills finally started taking effect, and the full meal certainly helped her a lot as well. After a bit, Yukari came and checked up on her not too long and said that they would meet later on at the night with everyone and talk about everything. She took some time to relax and took a quick shower while Sayane ran off to her house and grabbed them both some extra clothes. Akira-san also went home for a bit to shower and change.

Sayane showed back up just in time to bring her some of her summer clothes. She had on a short sleeve orange shirt that was ruffled and an orange skirt that went to her knees. Since she wasn't going anywhere for a while she left the socks and shoes in her room for the moment. Hamuko took a moment to pull her hair back but didn't bother putting her bobby pins in her hair to put the usual 22 roman numeral in her hair. Instead they went down to the lobby. She and Sayane waited for Akira to show up before the three of them were shown the way to a business room in the Inn and where the other group was waiting. Nervously, Hamuko took a seat at the table with Sayane sitting on her right and Akira on the other side of Sayane.

"It's good to see you've recovered, Takahashi. Let me formally introduce you to the group. This is Iori Junpei, Sanada Akihiko, Amada Ken, Aigis, Takeba Yukari and Yamagishi Fuuka. I am Kirijo Mitsuru. We're accustomed to facing such enemies as the three of you saw," the redhead indicated each of the others before moving to herself.

"Kirijo? That Kirijo?" Akira asked. Hamuko knew who she was too, it had been all over the news last year around the time her Father died...but what did the head of the Kirijo Group have to do with Shadows?

The redhead nodded, "The very same. I am indeed the heir to the Kirijo Group. I'm sure you have many questions, so let us start at the beginning." She took a moment to regard the three of them, "If we go to fast please say so."

"That time you experienced was known as the Dark Hour. It is normally impossible for those who have not awakened to the power of Persona to experience it. Plus the real Dark Hour no longer exists," the silver hair boy named Akihiko spoke up.

"The real Dark Hour? So you're saying what happened was a fabrication? And what do you mean that the Dark Hour no longer exists? You're not making much sense," Hamuko shook her head. That was way too much to process all at once. "Please start from the very beginning."

The other group all glanced at each other and then Mitsuru looked over to Yukari and gave a nod. Yukari got to her feet and walked over to the table in front of Hamuko and put a folder and opened it showing several documents. It looked like medical files. She noticed that her name was on several of them and…so was another, one she didn't recognize. What was this about?

"What is all this? How did you get these?" Hamuko looked up seeing several grim faces looking at her. A birth certificate for her and well there were others here but the connection didn't seem to...frustrated she pushed them to the side to Sayane. Her best friend diligently began to fish through them.

"This will be hard to take in all at once, but we already decided that you should know the truth about you and what happened at the time of your birth. All of this is connected to you, so it will not be easy to take in and probably harder to accept," Mitsuru indicated towards the documents. "You were born only a few seconds after that of your twin brother."

"Twin?" Hamuko mind and heart raced as Sayane pushed a couple documents in front of her. Immediately she saw something stand out, a death certificate. The name on it was Arisato Minako, The date...the same as on the birth certificate. Another birth certificate that shared the same date belonged to...Arisato Minato. The girl that died at birth...it was supposed to be her? But how? "Your saying my death was faked at birth...and that I have a brother? A twin brother?" It came as a whisper, she felt tears forming as this was clearly too much to take in. "So my name was supposed to be Minako…and my brother is…Minato? Explain this! How...no...not how...why would someone steal me away from my family?"

"Your real parents worked for the Kirijo Group. Your Father was a researcher and your Mother an assistant to the man who was the lead researcher at the time. Your parents had both of you at a Kirijo Group Hospital and you were made to look like you had died at birth so that you could be taken elsewhere for a different experiment. Led by a different team. Your parents were lied to and you were taken away so that they could have a test subject," the voice of Mitsuru sounded bleak and angry. She obviously felt regret for the part of her namesake that had been involved in this. "The Takahashi family that originally took care of you was under the employ of the Kirijo Group as well. Once the experiment was cancelled they took care of you for a time to monitor any ill effects that might have come from the experiments. Once it was deemed safe they put you into foster care."

Yukari took over the explanation, "Around that time, when you were six and you were still in the facility being experimented on, your real parents died in an accident related to the large explosion that happened on Tatsumi Port Island about twelve years ago. You're brother alone survived. He was quickly put into foster care and shuffled around the system, much like you. But also the time of that explosion is also the same time the Dark Hour was created."

Hamuko felt her mind go blank. A question immediately jumped into her head, "Wait wait…is my brother alive?"

No one said anything and that was definitely not a good sign. Yukari finally did after a moment, "No, he's gone. But you deserve to know the truth about you, and you're family."

"So it's just me after all," Hamuko breathed, she was having a hard time processing the onslaught of information. "But I really had a brother? A twin? Maybe that's who that was all this time." Her thoughts drifted to the many dreams she had in her youth.

"What do you mean?" Yukari asked.

"Well, all through my life I've had these vivid dreams. In them I would meet a boy with blue hair. But it was just a dream. It isn't like anything from a dream is true," Hamuko felt like she was suffocating. How could all of this happen? What did it even mean? Experiments? Shadows? Persona? Dark Hour? All of it was new...how was she supposed to understand any of it? And why would she think about some boy from ehr dreams so suddenly.

Yukari pulled out her phone and slid it over to Hamuko showing her a picture. A boy with blue hair and eyes. He was wearing a school uniform and a pair of headphones. Hamuko couldn't touch the phone, she couldn't breathe. "That's him? That's supposed to be my twin?" It was him...it was him...the boy in her dreams...the one she had simply thought of as a comforting part of her imagination...and imaginary friend. Something she made up to better cope with her life but...how was that even possible. There was no denying that this was that boy.

"Yes, that's him. Arisato Minato," Yukari answered softly.

Hamuko felt a few tears run down her face, "Oh my god. It was him. He showed up in my dreams so often. I would always tell him everything about my life. He had such a brilliant smile and he always knew what to say. He was just a dream right? None of this is real…You're lying. You're lying!" Hamuko felt as if she was all over the place and she couldn't focus on anything. The constant tears made it hard to see and she felt a mixture of anger and more confusion than anything else.

"Hamuko-chan, I don't think they are lying. At least about you having a twin brother. I didn't want to believe it but these documents are all legitimate," Sayane said going through the documents still in front of them. "There is even correspondence specifically talking about the deception of your real parents. Arisato Kayane and Miyuki. It is very elaborate documentation. Most of it hand written...someone had also made sure it wasn't documented digitally. Doing it by hand definitely means they meant to keep it hidden."

"Yamagishi and I were able to dig through the Kirijo Group database, but we also acquired most of the correspondence from the abandoned facilities here in Inoto," Mitsuru explained. "We're sorry for not having better news, but even so we all agreed that you should know about your real family."

"Minato would never forgive me if I found out he had a sister, a twin sister and then never told her the truth. Especially when you should know what he did for not just me, but all of us. Every day we live is a gift given to us by your brother. The Dark Hour, Shadows, Persona, is all related to a struggle that started twelve years ago when your real parents died and your twin brother alone survived. It's a long story but we have this," Yukari placed a blue leather bound book in front of her as she sat down.

"What's that?" Hamuko managed to speak, but she was close to breaking. There was too much to go through.

"This is a detailed record of the entire thing and something very precious to me sent to me exactly one year after he died. Your twin brother wrote about everything, and I think it can give you answers to a lot of questions," Yukari paused and ran her hand down the journal. "Through this you can learn about how amazing your brother was. The man who I fell in love with."

Hamuko could tell that this was not an easy subject for any of them. What kind of person had her brother been? And how could she have seen him in her dreams without ever have meeting him? Still if this was all in relation to the things that had happened and her own personal awakening to new powers…then she would definitely listen. As she learned more then she could find out about her brother…the brother she would never meet. But Hamuko stumbled to her feet...her vision blurred with tears...confusion hammering on to her without relenting.

"It's too much...its too..."

"Hamuko-chan don't..." Sayane started but she didn't hear the rest as her mind could no longer handle this and slipped into darkness.

Author's Note:

This is the start of Minato and Yukari's social link within the journal...and then Hamuko get bombarded with information about her past.

Most of you probably figured that this was how it went. But take note that we're really only covering the broad strokes because that is all anyone really knows about it at the moment. As we progress we will learn in much greater detail as to what exactly happened in their youth. But yes...Minato and Minako/Hamuko were twins separated at birth. From what I've heard most other people if they have them as twins will have them just modify the story so that they are just both there...or they were separated from when their parents were killed. But to me I wanted to fit it in so that what you knew from the game wasn't changed. What you remember is the same thing the members of SEES remembers. What is being told here is in response to the unasked questions...and what the answers to that is.

Who exactly was Minato? That is one of the questions we want to answer. As well as why no one seems to remember his personality. Even Yukari. More of this will continue to be brought up as the story continues.

See you tomorrow with Chapter 11.