Well, here it is…the chapter I've been dreading the most. This chapter is another chapter that made me cry…but I felt the need to add it, or else my story wouldn't be able to move forward. This chapter is based on the October full moon event…a.k.a Shinjiro's fate. I wasn't sure if I got Mitsuru's personality down when I had to come up with her dialogue. I mainly used the dialogue from the actual game, but added a few extra dialogues in between. I didn't want to change it too much. Anyway, I hope you like (I'll understand if you dislike it, all you Shinjiro fans out there…I disliked it myself haha), and like always, reviews are greatly appreciated!
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona or its characters
~October 4th, 2009~
Shinjiro was sitting by himself in the lounge. Everyone else was at school, with the exception of Koromaru. And throughout the rest of the morning, he began thinking about what occurred earlier in the day…
Flashback…
Shinjiro woke up after a night of kissing the girl he loved. He got up, got dressed, and went downstairs. While he was about to go into the kitchen, he ran into Ken.
"…S-Sorry, Shinjiro-san…" Ken said. It sounded like he was trying to hold back his emotions. Shinjiro looked at him.
"…It's alright…" However, as Shinjiro was walking away…
"Meet me in the back alley behind Port Island Station when the Dark Hour starts!" Ken yelled, his hands balled into fists.
"!" Shinjiro turned around to face Ken. Ken's eyes were filled with anger. "…Alright…" Shinjiro said.
"And don't be late…" Ken said, then ran out the front door.
End Flashback…
Shinjiro sighed. 'I guess this is it…' At that moment, Minako's face appeared in his head. '…Dammit…' He began to scratch his head. The front door opened, and Akihiko, Junpei, Yukari, Aigis, and Fuuka walked in.
"Hey, Shinji…" Akihiko said. Shinjiro was looking around the room. As expected, Ken didn't return.
"Where're the others?" Shinjiro asked.
"Mitsuru and Arisato have Student Council today, and I don't know where Ken is…" Akihiko's face saddened. Shinjiro nodded. He secretly felt glad that Minako wasn't there…how could he face her knowing that he might not be alive after today? Shinjiro's face saddened as well.
*Cough Cough* Shinjiro began coughing, no doubt from the side effects of the suppressants he's been taking.
"Aragaki-senpai, are you alright!" Fuuka looked worried.
"It's alright…that happens sometimes. I'm going to get something to drink." Shinjiro walked into the kitchen.
"Fuuka, do you have any new information on the shadow today?" Yukari asked. Fuuka shook her head.
"Until the Dark Hour begins, I won't be able to detect anything."
"Guess we should just wait until the others come back, then." Junpei sighed.
~Dorm Lounge, Evening~
Fuuka was on her laptop as usual, getting ready for the big fight. Shinjiro walked down the stairs.
"I'm gonna go out…I'll meet you guys at the destination point, just send me the location." Shinjiro told her.
Fuuka nodded. "Aright." And with that, Shinjiro left the dorm. Shortly after, Minako and Mitsuru returned.
"We're back!" Minako yelled cheerfully.
"Haha, I'm glad you're back in good spirits." Mitsuru smirked.
"Of course! After we beat the crap outta tonight's shadow, there will only be one more shadow left!" Minako smiled.
At that time, Yukari walked in the room. "You sound more like Junpei every time I see you."
Minako looked at her. "Hey, I resent that!" She started laughing. Yukari began laughing too.
"I'm going to the command room…we'll all meet there when the Dark Hour begins." Mitsuru said and went upstairs. Minako, Fuuka, and Yukari nodded and went upstairs as well.
~Command Room, Dark Hour~
"Can you sense anything, Yamagishi?" Mitsuru questioned.
"Yes…give me a moment to pinpoint its location…" Fuuka responded while inside Lucia.
"I just hope that there's not two shadows…" Yukari said.
Fuuka seemed shocked. "Yukari-chan, how did you know? I sense two of them!"
Yukari frowned. "Are you serious? Me and my big mouth…"
Akihiko began looking around the room. "Where's Shinji?"
"Aragaki-senpai informed me that he'll be late and that he'll meet us down there. I didn't ask any questions." Fuuka replied.
"Figures. He's always lived by his own rules…"
Yukari looked around as well. "Hey, Ken-kun's not here either…Junpei, go get Ken-kun. Think of it as punishment."
Junpei grimaced. "Punishment? What is this, kindergarten?" Junpei went to get Ken.
"So, are we going or not?" Minako said. She was more than ready to fight the shadows.
"Yes, we should get going." Mitsuru said.
~Iwatodai Strip Mall~
"The shadows are just down from where we are" Fuuka said.
"Very well…Iori, where's Amada?" Mitsuru asked.
"I don't know…he wasn't in his room."
Akihiko looked annoyed. "Dammit, Shinji, where are you?"
Fuuka had a worried look on her face. "Umm…I think we should hurry…"
"Right…Arisato, pick who will be going into battle" Mitsuru said. Minako nodded.
"My team will be…Akihiko-senpai, Yukari, and Aigis."
"Alright…is everyone ready?" Mitsuru asked. Everyone nodded and proceeded to their destination.
~Iwatodai Station~
Two enormous shadows appeared. Fuuka began analyzing them. "They're of the Fortune and Strength arcana! Fight hard!" And with that, the battle began…
…
…
Akihiko dealt the final blow by using Zionga on the Fortune shadow. Thanks to the Indra Bracer, his electricity skill nearly doubled.
"We did it, we beat the shadows!" Minako cheered.
Fuuka nodded. "Good job, everyone, only one more left!"
Junpei was looking around. "…Where's Shinjiro-senpai and Ken?"
Everyone looked around as well. There was no sign of them.
"Hmm…let's go back to the dorm; they might have gone back there…" Mitsuru said. Akihiko wasn't paying attention. His eyes became saddened. Mitsuru looked annoyed.
"Akihiko, are you listening?"
Akihiko suddenly remembered something. "Today is…October 4th, huh?"
"…And?" Yukari asked.
Akihiko's face became serious. "You guys go on ahead…I'm gonna go look for them for awhile…" and with that, Akihiko ran off.
"What was that about?" Junpei asked.
"Akihiko?" Mitsuru sounded worried.
Meanwhile…
~Back Alley, Dark Hour~
Ken was standing alone, spear firmly in hand. A figure arrived and stood in front of him.
"You came…" Ken said.
"…" Shinjiro remained silent.
"Ken continued to talk. "I'm surprised you abandoned the operation…do you know why I asked you to meet me here? Two years ago today…October 4th…That was the day my mom died here. They called it an accident…but it wasn't. I saw the whole thing…You murdered her!"
"…"
"Since then, it's been one bad thing after another…and all I get from people is sympathy, no matter where I go. What's the point in living…?" I even thought about killing myself…but Mom wouldn't have wanted that…That's why I decided that I had to find her killer - - YOU!"
There was a short silence, before Ken continued to talk.
"You said once that you wanted to forget what happened on that day…So, when I found out it was a full moon today, I knew I had to confront you…today, Mom is watching over me. I'll make you remember what you did to her! I'm gonna kill you!"
"…Do it."
At the same time…
~Command Room, Dark Hour~
Everyone arrived back at the dorm…no one was there.
"Huh? No one's here…" Yukari said.
"Anyway, why was Akihiko-senpai acting so weird? What's so special about October 4th?" Junpei asked.
Mitsuru began thinking. "October the 4th…*gasp* that's right! I was so caught up in the operation that I didn't realize it. This is the day Amada's mother was killed!"
Everyone was shocked.
"You serious?" Junpei said.
Mitsuru suddenly had a very serious expression on her face. "Yamagishi, I need you to find the two of them immediately. There's a good chance that they're together. Akihiko must have already realized that…"
"I-I understand." Fuuka said and summoned Lucia.
"Umm…what's going on?" Yukari questioned.
Mitsuru's face saddened. "Although her death was officially as an accident…We're the ones who killed Amada's mother…"
For the second time, everyone was shocked.
"It was two years ago, when we were pursuing an unusual shadow that had escaped into the city…we were in a residential area, but the shadow was all we were thinking about…Aragaki was still new, and he momentarily lost control of his power…Unfortunately, there was a casualty: Amada's mother.
Minako eyes widened, unsure whether she heard Mitsuru correctly or not. 'Shinjiro…killed Ken-kun's mother? That…that can't be…'
Junpei was shocked. "No way… are you shittin' me!"
"Then, to Ken-kun, senpai is…" Yukari said, just as surprised as Junpei was.
Mitsuru cut in. "Amada volunteered to join us. But, now that I think about it…"
Fuuka cut in next. "I found them! They're together, and another persona-user is nearby…"
"Akihiko?"
"No, it's…It's a member of Strega!" Fuuka began panicking.
"That's not good." Junpei said.
"Ugh, it's an absolute nightmare!" Mitsuru ran out of the command room.
Yukari looked at her. "Senpai!" She then looked at the others. "C'mon!"
Minako and the others began running after Mitsuru. Minako still couldn't believe what she had heard…Shinjiro had killed Ken's mother…regardless, with a member of Strega close to Shinjiro and Ken, she knew they had to get there fast…
~Back Alley, Dark Hour~
"Do it…I won't stop you. You're right…I wanted to forget. That's why I left the group, and tried to suppress my power…but, nothing I did could erase the memory…and now I find myself here - - the last place I wanna be." Shinjiro said.
"…" Ken remained silent, looking down at his feet.
Shinjiro continued. "It's my fault…this is what I deserve. But…let me give you one warning…"
Ken looked up. "Warning?"
"If you decide to take my life, you'll end up like me. Just remember that…"
"Is that supposed to change my mind…?"
"Even if all you have now is hatred, one day you'll regret it."
Ken's face filled with anger. "Shut up! That's a load of crap!"
"He is correct."
Shinjiro and Ken turned their attention to a certain tattooed pale-faced man.
"There is no reason for him to feel regret…That is the nature of revenge. Is it not permissible to kill those who are themselves killers?" Takaya questioned.
Ken looked downwards. "Th-That's right."
"Whaddaya want?" Shinjiro interrupted.
"The loss of Chidori has posed a bit of a challenge for us…but we cannot simply ignore your meddling." Takaya took out a gun.
"You bastard…" Shinjiro said.
Takaya continued on. "Do not fear. This life is but a stepping stone. Salvation shall be yours…"
"What!" Shinjiro stood in front of Ken.
"My…trying to protect your would-be murderer? You cannot defy fate…whether or not it comes at this boy's hand or not, you will die tonight…"
"…" Shinjiro remained silent.
Ken intervened. "What's he talking about!"
"You've been taking those pills for some time now…you don't have much longer." Takaya said.
"That's bullshit!" Shinjiro yelled.
"Listen to your body…you know it to be true."
"…!" Shinjiro didn't deny it.
Ken got angrier. "What does he mean…? You're going to die…? No matter what I do? That's not fair! All this time…! I've been waiting for this!"
"The cause of death is not of importance. Besides, the breath of life is faint in you as well, child…after killing him, you were planning to join him, were you not?" Takaya asked rather coldly.
"…" Ken looked downwards again.
"Ken, don't…" Shinjiro began.
Takaya interrupted, holding up his gun. "Since you are both destined to perish, allow me to do the honors…a slight change in timing shouldn't matter too much."
"Go to Hell!" As Shinjiro tried to grab the gun from Takaya, Takaya pulled the trigger, a bullet entering Shinjiro's chest.
"Ugh…!" Shinjiro fell to the ground, one knee still holding him up.
"*gasp* N-no…" Ken was shocked.
"Now then…with what little life you have left, answer me this…there is one like Chidori among you, is there not? This has enabled you to locate and defeat those we wish to protect. Now tell me…which one of you is it? If you don't expedite your answer, then this will hurt you more than it hurts me." Takaya kicked Shinjiro in his wounds.
"Ugh…ah…" Shinjiro winced from the pain. Ken gasped.
"…What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Takaya smirked.
"Th-There's…no one…" Shinjiro said, in pain.
"…" Takaya was about to kick Shinjiro again, when Ken spoke up.
"Wait! It-It's me!"
"Is that true?"
Ken hesitated. "…Yes. That's the only reason they let me join."
"Ken…no…!" Shinjiro yelled. Takaya kicked him, causing Shinjiro to fall to the ground. "Agh!"
"…Quiet. You had your chance."
Ken looked down. "It doesn't matter anymore…I'll never have my revenge…I have no reason to live…"
"…I see. So, you have achieved resolution. How enviable…Then, you shall be first. Rest peacefully…" Takaya aimed his gun at Ken.
"Mom…"
"…!"
Takaya pulled the trigger, and someone fell to the ground.
"…What…? Huh…!" Ken stood, astonished. Shinjiro, at the very last second, shielded Ken, causing another bullet to lodge itself in his chest. He began to cough up blood.
Takaya stared at Shinjiro. "…What is the meaning of this? Why would you risk your life to save the child?"
"A…Ah…" Ken was speechless. "Shinjiro-san…"
"Shinji!" A voice could be heard in the distance.
"And now your comrades arrive. Is there any moment of joy they won't intrude upon…?" Takaya sighed. "Perhaps another time, then…" Takaya left just as the other SEES members ran up to the scene. Akihiko got there first.
"Shinji! Shinji, hey! Hang in there!"
Ken was still speechless.
Minako ran right behind Mitsuru. She could see Akihiko and Ken…and Shinjiro, covered with his own blood.
"Shinjiro!" Mitsuru yelled.
"Senpai!" Yukari yelled, catching up with everyone.
"Shinjiro-senpai!" Junpei yelled.
Fuuka's eyes were on the brink of tears. "No…"
"Shinjiro…" Minako began crying, and kneeled beside Shinjiro. She was afraid to touch him, at the risk of hurting him more. Shinjiro looked at her, smiled, then looked up at Ken.
"Ken…"
Ken looked downwards, speechless.
"Heh…why the long face? Isn't this…what you wanted? It's alright…give yourself time…let your anger be your strength. You're still just a kid, Ken…you got your whole life ahead of ya…So don't waste it…make it your own…okay?"
"But, I…I…!" Ken couldn't think of anything to say.
Shinjiro looked at Akihiko. "…Aki. Take care of 'im…"
Akihiko's face saddened. "…I will."
Shinjiro then turned to look at Minako, whose eyes were filled with tears. "Don't cry…Minako…this is how…it should be…" With the little strength he had, Shinjiro wiped the tears from Minako's eyes.
"Shinjiro…you can't leave me…I…" Minako hesitated. "…I love you, Shinjiro!"
Mitsuru was speechless. Yukari, Junpei, and Fuuka, the only ones who knew already, stood beside Minako. However, Akihiko felt like crying. It felt like his heart had split in two…and yet, he said nothing. Instead, he waited for Shinjiro's response.
Shinjiro stared at her and smiled. "…I…love you too…" were his last words, before he collapsed in Minako's arms…unconscious.
Fuuka kneeled beside Shinjiro's body. It was very faint, but she sensed that he was still alive. "The hospital…w-we need to get him to the hospital…"
Mitsuru's face was sullen. "Y-yes, let's waste no time…" She gasped. "It's the Dark Hour…until it ends, the doctor's won't be…"
Yukari got worried. "No…then is he not going to make it!"
"Ah…Ah…Aaaaaaaaaagh…!" Ken broke down and began crying, pounding his fists on the concrete. It took all of Minako's willpower to prevent her from doing the same. And then, finally, the Dark Hour ended…
*sigh* I keep reading this chapter, and the more I do…the more I WISH that there was an animated cut scene for it in the game…I feel like killing Takaya for what he did…
Oh, and if any of you are hoping that Minako will be mad/incredibly angry at Ken for what he did…I'm leaning more towards of her character being depressed more than mad, and hopefully they will get through it together (I'm sorry, but I just can't stay mad at Ken-kun! He's so adorable…). Oh, and you know that these events were all flashbacks, right (cause in the first chapter, I started it off with "~Beginning of the Year~"or something like that)? Well, after the next chapter or so, I'll make it in the present again. The present in my story is on Christmas Eve…just a little heads up, kay? Just a little heads up for what there is to come! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And please review!
PS: I'm not sure if I'm the only one who noticed this, and this was NOT intended, but I noticed that this is my Chapter 10…and this chapter takes place on October 4th…and October is the 10th month of the year…sorry. Don't mind me and my weird way of thinking haha.