A/N : Another short chapter as the Intro of battle chapter

can't do much today because I have a lot of work to do for my job.

But next would be battle chapter so probably gonna be a long chapter.

Thanks for review/comment/fave/follows... I appreciate it!

The next day, afterschool,

We gathered in the rooftop again to talk about yesterday's midnight channel. Nozomi explained a detail that they missed, about the fog and the shadows. She also explained the other behavior of shadows.

"Ah… so they will be fine until the foggy days in real world…" Honoka said.

"Yup, by then, the other world will have no fog at all, that's why the shadows are a lot brutal in that day…" Nozomi said.

"I see, I guess Eli-senpai and Nozomi-senpai really know so much about the other world…" Umi said.

"We already traveled there for a lot more time than you …" Nozomi said.

"But , now back to the main topic, what we should do to the two people in midnight channel? We don't even know them…" Kotori said.

"That shouldn't be a problem, but I'm guessing that they are using a nickname there. I heard Kayochin and Rin-chan…"I said.

"Maybe we should ask around?" Honoka asked.

"I was about to say that too… but, Honoka, do you even know what they sounded like?" Umi asked.

"You fell asleep last night, right?" Kotori said.

"Ah—well…no and yes….." Honoka scratched her head shyly.

"Hmm… Honoka-chan, maybe you should make an alarm…." Nozomi said.

"Well, my sister is sleeping in the room next to me, I wouldn't want to wake her up…" Honoka said.

"Then I'll call you later…" I said.

"N-No…Eli-senpai, please let me do it…." Umi said.

"Yup, I'll do it too, Honoka is our responsibility…" Kotori said.

"Alright then…." I replied.

"So why don't we start looking for clues now? Time is wasting." Nozomi asked.

"Ok!" everyone replied.

We all decided to move on to search for clues.

We searched through the school,

It seems the two are the new students in this school. Their names are Koizumi Hanayo and Hoshizora Rin, but what surprise us is…. They aren't kidnaped yet. We met them at the Alpaca's pen, playing with them happily. There's only me and Nozomi right now, but the others should know about this soon.

"Ah… so, you two haven't seen anything weird lately…." I asked.

"Not at all, we're doing fine… but we heard about the midnight channel, nya!" Rin said, she is a tomboy girl with short orange hair and chartreuse eyes.

"None of you bother watching it, right?" Nozomi asked.

"No, we just don't believe such thing existed…" Hanayo replied shyly. She is a timid girl with short brown hair and purple eyes, also already wearing glasses.

"That's good then. Maybe you should stay far from any big screen from now on. Don't watch it too close…" Nozomi said.

"Yup, we will. Nya! Thank you, senpai…" Rin said.

"Ah, if you have any trouble, please visit us in our student council room. We will try to help you out…" I said.

"Actually, we want to register as the Alpaca keeper…" Hanayo said shyly.

"Oh, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll register you two once we got to our room. You can start working from now…." I said.

They look really happy with that.

"Nozomi, can you show them about the tools? I'll be heading back to the student council room…" I said.

"Yup, anything for Ericchi!" she replied in joy.

"See you there…" I said as I turned around and left them.

At the student council room,

I began to work on stacks of paperwork that just arrived this morning. I wonder if everyone are just lazy or what, but sometime I feel like people are just handing all unworked papers to me— but at least, with this, I can actually control all the school management. Might be more work for me but it's worth it. I feel somewhat proud to be able to control the school.

A few minutes passed, my stomach began to growl. I wonder why Nozomi hasn't returned yet— but either way, I think I want a Pizza now. I wonder if Kitsune can make one for me. I took out my persona card, checking around and walk to the monitor.

I broke the card inside— then waited until I could feel her handing a warm wooden pan. I wonder what Pizza she made for me.

As I drag it out, I could see a large size Pizza with bacons, mozzarella cheese, grounded beef, mushrooms, potatoes, and some tomato along with tomato ketchup which nicely decorating the Pizza topping. It's sliced into 12 parts. This is amazing. Kitsune you're the best.

Her card flew out and slip into my pocket. I tapped on the card gently to tell that I'm really amazed by her work.

I placed the pan on my table, took one slice carefully— the cheese dripped slowly, the bread part is so tender like a pillow, the color too looks very tempting, the best part is, Kitsune also added some mozzarella cheese layer inside the bread. It's extremely well crafted Pizza if I have to say. Magic is wonderful.

I already ate about three slices in a half hour. I can't stop eating it since this is so wonderful. I began to wonder if I could add dark chocolate in this combination later. I bet it would fit the taste.

"Ericchi, I'm….." Nozomi paused as she opened the door. I paused too while biting my fourth pizza,

"Ericchi! Just how could you have a Pizza delivery in here!" Nozomi said— somewhat upset.

"Uhm…well…" I turned my eyes away.

"Aahh! Either way! I want it too! Share!" she said as she closed the door, then walk approaching me with rough steps. She dragged her seat close to me and sits there quietly.

She keeps staring at me while pouting. She looks really cute, she made me want to try feed her. I offered her the pizza that I just bite. She looks somewhat amused and began to take a bite.

I really like the way she eats the pizza. The way her cute lips move, the way her tongue licks her own lips as she clean the tomato ketchup, the way she pulls the melted Mozzarella cheese into her mouth, the way she grip my wrist tightly, the way she brushed her other hand against my forearm, the sound of her unnecessary moan— why is she moaning while eating a slice of pizza?

I keep watching her slowly eating the Pizza on my hand, it made me somewhat tensed around my groin, though I tried to keep myself away from that thought. She is getting closer and closer to the last bite, I wonder what will happen next?

I could feel something sticky fall on my finger, is it the tomato ketchup?

Either way, she keeps on going until the last bite.

Then she munched her pizza as she watched me with blush on her face. Her looks are very inviting, but I shouldn't think that way.

She is somewhat looks funny and cute. It made me want to giggle at her, though before I could express it, she licked my two fingers, the middle and index.

"Nozomi…." I called her name gently.

"You have tomato ketchup on your fingers…" she said innocently.

"Ah…." I turned my sight away.

She put my fingers in her mouth, sucking it slowly with a hint of slight movement— sliding in and out from her mouth. Repeating the same motion for over and over...but... Why?

She keeps on going with it for a while, until she finally released my fingers from her mouth— then licking it again slowly, her tongue trailed between my fingers, from my knuckle then up to the tip of finger. She repeated it again and again while I wonder why she needs to do such to clean my finger from tomato ketchup.

For whatever reason it is, it feels so good. I feel like I wish I could insert my fingers to her mouth again, feeling the same wild wet tongue brushes against my fingers, her warmth, the pressure she made as she sucked it. Everything feels so good, I want more.

Wait...

No..

I have work…

I need to work….

I pulled my fingers away from her. She giggled at me as she released me.

"Does it taste good…?" I asked shyly, maybe I have blush on my cheek right now.

"Yup, it tastes really good…" she appreciated.

"You can have the rest, I already ate enough for myself…" I said.

"Really?" she looked happy.

"Yes… go on…" I said as I placed the wooden pan in front of her.

"Thank you Ericchi!" she said happily.

She began to eat the Pizza on her own. I think I should ignore her for now— work still piling and I don't want it to be any higher.

I returned home by myself today,

Nozomi said she wanted to help out at shrine to increase her spiritual power. I often wonder if I could just help out at shrine too later. It's good for spiritual power, so perhaps it will also help me in the other world too?

As I came in, Arisa greeted me cheerfully,

"Onee-san!" she jumped at me and hugged me tight.

"Arisa, I'm home…" I replied.

"Yup! Let's go play now!" she said.

"Play? Have you finished your homework?" I asked.

"I…. I haven't…." she said shyly as she pouts. How cute.

"Then, let's just finish that, shall we?" I said.

"Yup!" her face turned happy again

I helped Arisa to finish her homework,

She seems to be still hardly recognizes Japanese Kanjis. I don't blame her since she isn't living here like I was. She also had lesser time to spend with our grandmother. Though she have to learn this as soon as possible...

"Arisa, I'm going to make you read a lot of Japanese books and newspaper tomorrow. Please study more…" I said.

"I'm sorry…" Arisa apologized sadly,

"It's still the beginning, Arisa. Don't lose your spirit just yet… you can be as perfect as me." I said teasingly.

Arisa nodded weakly.

"Now, what do you want to play?" I asked. Arisa seems to be cheered up again,

"Uh! Uhhmm! I want to play…. Uuhhnnn…" she is trying so hard to think.

I remained quiet as I waited her,

"Let's just play card…" she sighed.

I giggled at her,

"You just don't know what to play, right?" I asked.

"Yes…" she sighed again.

"Then, let's just play card…" I said as I smiled at her.

Night time, in the main bedroom,

After all activity done for tonight, I lay down on my bed next to Nozomi. She seems to be a little too tired to do anything else today. I wonder if the Shrine is just busier today, usually at this time of the night, she would still be very hyper.

I tried to poke her cheek.

"Mmmmnnn…Ericchi I'm tired…. I can't play today…." She mumbled.

She is so cute when she did that. Let's try again. Now— poke on her breast!

"Hnyaa….Ericchi so naughty-naughty!" she mumbled again, yet her eyes still closed.

"Nozomi-Nozomi, do you want a Piroshky?" I whispered.

"Ericchi… you can't make that in this time of night …." She mumbled again.

I giggled at her.

"Nozomi… I have a pizza.. do you want a pizza…?" I whispered again.

"Ericchi is a liar… you don't even order one tonight…" she replied— still tiredly.

I giggled again, it can't be helped since she is so cute. Maybe I can make her pay for something she did to me before…

"Nozomi…"

I pulled myself closer to her, hugging her gently and licked her ear very slowly.

"Ahhh…." I moaned erotically on her ear.

I swear I could feel her heart suddenly rushed, her eyes open widely, and her grip on her pillow tighten.

"E-Ericchi! We promised!" she scolded me.

I giggled again.

"I didn't try to flirt you, just teasing…" I said.

"Bu-but! I'm…I'm…." she struggled to find words.

"Good night!" I said as I turned around before she finished.

"Ericchi so meaaaannn!" she hits my back a lot of time, none of it hurts.

It's cute of her to do such thing, but perhaps it would be much more fun if I ignore her and let her do it until she gets tired? It's a payback anyway, is it?

"Mean! mean! mean! mean!" she keeps hitting me cutely—now with her pillow.

I guess it is a good pay back... time to sleep then.

The next day, afterschool,

As usual, Nozomi and I stay in our student council room to do our work until suddenly the trio came in again.

"Eli-senpai!" Honoka called.

"What is it?" I looked at her.

"We want to use the auditorium!" she said.

"Huh? For what?"

"The school idol, we're going to perform there…" she said again.

Are they serious? This school is filled by apathetic students and they're all girls, they won't have the will to watch other girls dancing and singing—except they're into it.

"No…." I said.

"They're just asking permission to use the auditorium… student councils have no right to interfere about their business there…" Nozomi said.

Urgh…. Why she is on their side.

"But….."

"Ericchi…." Nozomi seems to be seriously on their side.

"Fine…." I said.

I began to write their permission. I really wonder if this is alright for them. If it gone waste, then I'll probably have to arrange something to make up with the system cost, though since Nozomi insisted it anyway. I have no choice.

To think about it, maybe I could try something like publishing their performance online since I believe not everyone in this world is as apathetic as those girls— just look at Honoka. Though perhaps I would like to browse further about this school idol thing before trying…

My Internet account has a lot of follower for no real reason. Would be best if I can make use of that…

I gave them the permission letter. They accepted it gladly.

"Thank you Eli-senpai!" Honoka said cheerfully.

Suddenly, someone knocked the door like a panic.

"Senpai! Senpai!" A familiar voice, Umi quickly open the door.

Rin is breathing heavily.

"It's Kayochin! Kayochin is missing-nya!" Rin said in panic.

I and Nozomi quickly stood up from our seat.

"H-how do you even know…?" Kotori asked in panic.

"L-Let's call the police!" Umi said in panic.

"Let's go search for her!" Honoka said, she also sounded panic.

"Calm down!" I shouted clearly.

After a few minutes passed,

They finally calmed down. We closed the door tight and began to ask question,

"Now, tell me what happen and how could you come into that conclusion…" I asked.

"Rin and Kayochin went to the department store yesterday. We wanted to check out on the new gadget that Kayochin been looking at,Nya…" Rin started. The trio and Nozomi seems to be quiet,

"T-then, we were separated in the electronic store—…"

"Didn't we tell you to stay away from any big screen? Why are you—…"

"Ericchi!" Nozomi called me as I accidentally snapped at her. I sighed at them.

"I'm sorry Nya! We thought it was alright to just go around there, Nya!" Rin said in her cry.

"What happen next?" Umi asked politely.

"I thought Kayochin went home because she couldn't find me— so I went home too…" Rin continued.

"Did you try to call her after?" Kotori asked.

"I did, but no answer— I thought Kayochin is taking a nap or sleeping since she did say she was so tired yesterday after playing with the Alpacas. B-but she isn't coming school today and her parents said they thought Kayochin is staying over my house! She isn't, Nya!" Rin cried again.

I looked at Nozomi and the Trio.

"It's probably be it…" I said, they all nodded.

"Yes… probably… but maybe we should call police first?" Umi asked.

"No, we can't… if we found her today we will be accused as making a fake report… it will worry her family too…." Nozomi said.

"I agree. We will go find her right now— Rin, you're coming with us…" I said.

"Rin will come, Nya!" she said with full of enthusiasm.

I invited them all to my house,

The plan is, we just go straight to the television and search for her, but...

I totally forgot something…

Arisa…

"Onee-san!" she greeted me cheerfully.

"Ah, Arisa…." I greeted her back as she jumped to me.

How do I tell her that I need to go into the television?

"Oh, so she is Arisa… Yukiho told me about her." Honoka said.

"Yukiho?" I asked.

"Yup, my little sister…" Honoka said.

I think I can arrange something from that.

"She said she was amazed at Arisa's score. She is a foreign but she can get the best score in class already…"

"Yukiho…yukiho….. who's that?" Arisa asked.

"She should be your classmate…." Honoka said.

"Then, Arisa, why don't you try visit her?" I asked.

"Eh? Why?" Arisa wondered.

"Yukiho isn't very friendly—…."

"Psst! Honoka-chan!" Kotori called her. She was then whispering something to her.

"OhhH! I see! Well, Yukiho got no friend because she is so cocky! Maybe Arisa want to befriend her so she can be friendlier?" Honoka said. Arisa tried to think for a while.

"Alright then! I'll befriend her!" she said cheerfully.

"Great! I'll take you to her…" Honoka said.

I placed Arisa back down slowly before Honoka hold her hand and left the house.

We waited for Honoka for a while,

Me, Kotori, and Umi haven't summoned our persona since we wanted to know what Rin think about the place.

"W-why Ayase-senpai's house is suddenly full of fogs?" Rin seems to be scared.

"We're in another dimension…" Nozomi said. Rin is getting more scared.

"It's strange isn't it? But this is where Hanayo probably be… we have to deal with this." I said.

"Don't panic, Rin-chan, everything is going to be alright. But…what important is, please listen to us…" Nozomi said before she began to explain about shadows and stuff that we do. Rin looks so confused, but she tried her best to understand the situation.

"It must be hard for her… but she has to understand it." Kotori said.

"Mm…. I agree. I understand why we have to bring her here too— it's better that we guide them to deal with it than letting them be living in fear forever…" Umi said.

"If she isn't appeared in the midnight channel, I wouldn't get her here…" I said.

"True, I'm still curious too why is this midnight channel appeared and who is the one who want them dead and why… I'm guessing it probably be related to the one who want to summon the ten headed dragon— maybe that person see Eli-senpai as an enemy and don't want Eli-senpai to complete Kitsune's form?" Umi said,

"But, to begin with, they are the one who trigger their shadow to appear— which let them to be able to master a persona. Isn't that strange?" Kotori asked.

"I never faced my shadow…" I said. Kotori and Umi looked at me with surprised face.

"It just awakened in me— so we don't have to face our shadow to awaken a persona." I said.

"How is that happen?" Umi asked.

"I don't know. It just happens— but the thing that I remember was… someone kissed me…" I said as I turned my sight away.

"E—Eh?!" Kotori and Umi looks very surprised.

"D-Does that mean…. we can kiss someone to awaken their persona?" Kotori said.

"No— I don't think it's as simple as that…" I said.

"Right. Nozomi-senpai hasn't awake her persona yet…." Kotori said.

"I-I never kissed her! B-But anyway!" I tried to keep the topic on track. Seriously, Kotori's mind is as wild as Nozomi sometime. No wonder they can enjoy talking with each other.

"That person might be a special kind of person…." I said.

The two remained quiet— maybe they just don't understand it, but I don't need them to understand it now anyway. It's not important right now too. What important is, that person made me able to save others— that person is kind.

"Ne…Nozomi-senpai… are you not jealous?" Kotori asked.

"Eh? What? Sorry I didn't pay attention?" Nozomi replied.

"Oh— then never mind it!" Kotori said.

"What?" Nozomi got confused, I guess she was too focused on talking to Rin before.

Kotori and Umi just giggled at her.

Just about a few second later, Honoka ran in.

"Ugyaah! That's so close!" she said in relieve.

"Yukiho is so nosy sometime. I'm glad Arisa can take care of her…" Honoka said.

"Ah—Honoka-chan!" Kotori greeted her.

"Now, everyone is here, shall we go find Hanayo?" I asked.

"Yes please,Nya! But how do we see in fog like this nya?" Rin said in enthusiast.

"Oh—right…. I'll make you glasses…."

I took out my persona card and summoned Kitsune.

Kitsune once again already appeared with glasses and … pizza?

"Pizza?" Everyone get confused.

She handed me the pizza and handed the glasses to Rin. Rin wore the glasses and she seems to be excited.

"Wh-whoa…. The fog is gone…" Rin said.

She examined Kitsune for a while.

"She is cute!" she said as she pat her head. How could she know Kitsune is a she? Am I the only one that see her as a he in the first time?

"The Pizza is surprisingly good…." Honoka already took a slice.

"W-Waaaa! Honoka-chan! I want one too!" Kotori took a slice.

"H-Hey! You two! Do-don't just take that! It's Eli senpai's pizza! Ask first!" Umi said.

"You want too Umi?" I asked.

"Yes… I wonder what meat Pizza with dark chocolate taste like…." Umi said politely.

"Go on, take…" I said as I took a slice for myself and offered it to Umi. Umi took a slice.

Nozomi too approached me and took a slice.

"Weird…" Nozomi said after she took a bite.

"It is weird, but it's a funny combination…" Kotori said.

"Uhh..can Rin take one too?" Rin asked.

"Yes, go on…." I offered it to her.

She took one slice.

We ate the Pizza quietly. At least this is good for early energy. But anyway, the Pizza taste funny but I like it. Kitsune began to ask everyone for a pat on the head and most gave her a hug instead. What a childish girl— but then again, that might be what I want too? Because Kitsune is totally snuggling on Nozomi right now…. also rubbing her head against her thigh. Why does she look so innocent when doing that? I want to do it too but it would be totally called as sexual harassment.

Maybe I can do this though– I swapped my glasses to the one that can see through cloth layer.

Nozomi is wearing purple panties now, it's decorated with black frills, hmmm… beautiful. If only there's something that decorates the center….like… some letters? What would it say….. Nozomi? no….that's too childish…. then maybe…. Eli's property? That sounded good….W-wait! No, that shouldn't be what written there.

I'll just leave it at that for now. What about her bra…? I can see it's also purple with black frills, there's a black ribbon at the center. It's cute…. Nozomi surely have a good sense of fashion. Maybe I should go shopping for fashion later.

But then , Kotori already become our fashion manager. Her persona now can project her fashion to our current clothes to prevent any getting broken. It's also automatically adding a few defenses to all party members on each battle. Honoka's persona add attacks to all party member in each battle while Umi's persona add some accuracy and evasion rate. I don't really know the other specialty since so far I see, they are always using the same pattern in battle. Honoka always rely on strength and her fire attack, Umi is always on range and her ice attack, Kotori is always using magic, either it be support or wind attack. I wish she can use her trap too but she hasn't learned how to do it.

I should better start now, Hanayo is waiting.

"Let's start. We can't waste time here…" I said as I swapped my glasses back to normal.

"Ok!"

Everyone agreed to it and began to charge forward.

Rin lead us to the department store they visited,

Surprisingly… the department store is not a department store…. It's…. a castle…..with rice balls decoration everywhere…. What on earth happen here….

"Looks like someone have a wilder imagination about food…." Nozomi said.

"Honoka-chan… this is more absurd than your imagination…." Kotori said.

"I have to admit…this is absurd….." Umi said.

"This is so Kayochin, nya! She must be here nya!" Rin said.

I can't believe my eyes.

"This place looks fun though…" Honoka said.

"Yes…. But let's not see that as a reason to not go rescue her…. don't make this fun place turned into a graveyard…" I said as I step forward.

"Waaa! Don't say that! Let's save Kayochin!" Rin said as she followed me.

"I wonder what's inside…." Kotori said as she also walk closer and summon her persona.

"We must stay alert…" Umi said as she summons her persona and her bow.

"Yup, let's raid this place and rescue Hanayo-chan!" Honoka said as she summons her persona and her hammer.

"Hmm…. I wonder what Ericchi have today…" Nozomi said as she ran to catch up with me.

I opened the front door…

Everything is dark…..

No light….

No window…

And looks like this is going to be a long journey….

Long journey in a dark place….?

No way….

You're kidding me….

"What's wrong, Eli-senpai?" Umi asked politely.

Everyone's eyes on me while I...standing here... with my feet froze...

"I…I DON'T WANT TO GO IN!"

A/N : There... that's the main problem in battle.

Gonna work on the battle scene now /o/

Just to keep you on track.

Eli's Unlocked Arcana :

- The Fool

- The Magician

- The Emperor

- The Hanged man

- The Moon

Unlocked Social Link:

- The Priestess (Sonoda Umi)

- The Temperance (Minami Kotori)

- The Strength (Kousaka Honoka)

- The Judgement (Everyone's heart together)

- The Justice (Ayase Arisa)