Summer Break. And I'm so used to pulling all-nighters... urgh. This is not a joke. Don't pull all-nighers and get a lot of sleep. And this goes to those who are going to college.
Aside that, I heard about Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 The Golden, and the PSP Remake of Persona 2 Eternal Punishment.
Okay, I'll admit this right now: I actually saw the walkthrough of Persona 2 Eternal Punishment PSP Remake. And I'll admit- despite the cheeky graphics, I am pretty impressed on the revamped character design and cleaner (if you can call it that) battle system. ...and the story makes much sense. I'm not sure about a few things though... like maybe make the Persona 2 duaology interaction feel more like the way they did in Persona 3 and 4 for the remake?
Persona 4 Arena seems to be fun, it is... ...but I'm not big on the story at all. (I'll be honest- to those who know who the final boss is, what do you think? Is it really necessary? It seems like another dungeon and the Midnight Channel has already been resolved. So... why bring it back?) For Persona 4 The Golden, I'll wait for the reviews to see how it is. But the fact that the new content is a bit similar to what they did for Persona 3 except adding in a few more events (that I think would have not been needed since Persona 4 already makes since to me)... I just think it's a bit too much.
Am I the only one who thinks of this?
Aside that, let's get this chapter underway!
xxSelphiexx: Thanks! And yeah... Thank you for all the help for grammar. T^T
Dreamin'Pop: LOL At this point, I might as well speed up the progression of the story. XD And there will be more Mitsuru and Kei scolding Junpei moments. And well, I'm majoring in an Art Degree. Not fun, let me tell you...
Hi: Thanks!
Disclaimers are in Chapters 1 to 7. However, In case anyone needs it...
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3, Revelations Persona, or Persona 2 dualogy whatsoever. They are respectfully owned by ATLUS.
Warning: A potential Spoiler regarding the Persona 2 Eternal Punishment, the Persona 3 old documents, and the events that happened in Persona 2. Oh, and there will be names mentioned that pertain to Persona 2 Eternal Punishment. And not to mention a moment of fluff.
Memento Vivere
010: Hell's Hounds
Minato sighs as he ungracefully flops onto his bed and pulls the covers over him. It was the most interesting- if not chaotic- night he had ever experienced.
At least they got a good lead on where their new Persona user was.
"Good evening."
Minato jumps up from the bed to see the eerie green lighting and to see the young boy standing there at his bedside again.
"Y-You!" He gapes before calming himself down, "Oh God. What the hell are you doing here?"
"I came to see you again," The boy chimes, sitting down on the edge of the bed with that smile on his face, "As promised. How are you?"
"Could have been better," Minato grunts, seeing the boy's eyes piqued with interest, "...let's just say I'm glad I'm still alive."
The boy chuckles, amusement, "That's good to hear. What about your sister?"
"She's doing the same," Minato frowns, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to warn you," The boy's bright blue eyes now fill with concern, "In another week, the moon will be full again. Be careful with your new ordeal, okay?"
That was a surprise. Normally, the young boy would be speaking cryptic talk, but now...
"I.. I see," Minato smiles and nods, "Thanks."
"No problem," The boy pauses, "Hey. Can I ask something?"
"Yeah?"
"Can... we be friends?"
That caught Minato slightly off-guard, but seeing how the boy looks when he asked that... A small smile appears on Minato's face before smiling, "Sure. But-"
"Hm?"
"On one condition."
"That's fine," The boy nods, sitting up more on the bed.
"The next time you show up," Minato pauses, "...can you talk to my younger sister Minako? She's on the floor above me."
The boy looks surprised before he smiles, nodding, "All right. But can we meet down here? I'd like to talk to both of you... if you don't mind."
The blue-haired teen chuckles, "Sure. Do you plan on staying long?"
"I'll come again," The boy smiles, this time his eyes filled with happiness, "I'll see you and Minako later."
In that instant, the boy vanishes just in time for Minato to hear the voice ring again.
Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create Personae of the Death Arcana...
"...Death Arcana?" Minato blinks before shrugging, pulling up the covers to sleep for the next day.
"So, you finally decide to call us back."
Kei's eye slightly twitches when he can practically hear Naoya's smirk on the other side of the line.
"Hilarious, Naoya," Kei grumbles before getting to business, "How's the kid holding up?"
"So far, so good... except for two nights ago when Castor went on a rampage in the room," He can hear the dark-haired man grunt, "I had to wind up subduing that annoying Persona of his while Maki calmed the kid down. Took him half a day yesterday to recover. And now he's feeling fine."
"Are you sure?" Kei narrows his eyes as he hears Ikutsuki's voice as he is talking with Mitsuru, "That fucking prick is here. And I can't show him what we're found in Tartarus since you called."
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" He hears Naoya groan, "You can't just call up on Ikustuki's game right here! Give me and Maki a few more days to deal with this kid so we can see if he can handle Castor or not!"
"I am going to give you that," Kai frowns, looking over the newspaper, "And I was going to call about another matter you should pass onto Sonomura."
"Enlighten me," Naoya deadpans, "Nothing can't surprise me anymore, not after seeing that fucking tower transform for myself..."
"I take it that you've heard about it?"
"Minako told me a few days after they explored the damn area for the first time," Kei can hear Naoya's concern grow, "And Minato... how is that possible? I thought back then we could just control any Arcana that was similar to what we have..."
The Nanjo heir frowns, knowing how true that statement was. At first, he was expecting the new batch of Personae users from SEES to act like them: They should have gotten full control of a few Personae within their Arcane bounds at the moment their initial Personae was summoned. For some odd reason, however, it was different... All of the SEES members except for Minato can only control one Persona. But why...?
"I think things are changing," Kei replies, concern marring his voice, "When you paid a visit to the Velvet Room a while back, what did they say?"
"They only explained to me about the large Shadows and the Personae abilities altering with these kids," Naoya grunts in irritation, "He also gave me some advice about the kid we're dealing with now-"
"I HEARD THAT!" A loud roar was heard from the room; Naoya chose to ignore him.
"-and how to best approach our situation now," The man finishes, "How is everything going on your end?"
"Pretty interesting, actually," Kei looks at the two documents that are in front of him, "Apparently, they have found documents that are at the barrier points of each block in Tartarus. From what I understand in these notes, it was the Kirijo Group that was responsible for creating a laboratory on Port Island."
"I thought Takeharu told you that."
"He did," Kei hums, but these old documents prove it, "Takeharu mentioned that he had a former colleague who left behind eight documents within Tartarus; I've been trying to find them since then."
"And you think whoever knew about whatever happened ten years ago would provide those answers?"
"Possibly, or it might confuse us more," The Nanjo heir narrows his eyes as he places the documents back inside his briefcase, "So far, we found two. And they were lengthy. Whoever wrote this also placed down the exact time and date each event occurred... there are no names mentioned with the exception of Takeharu and other names."
"I see," Naoya frowns, "Kei. About that incident that's happening-"
"No doubt about it and that was the other thing I was going to talk to Sonomura about," Kei gently taps on the newspaper, "That kid... what is his name?"
"It was Shinjiro Aragaki."
"Did you ask him about Tartarus?"
"Once. All I got in return was that he refuses to re-enter that tower unless prompted. In other words, he didn't say anything."
"Hm," Kei frowns, "Just focus on making Aragaki summon his Persona without the use of those blasted pills. The incident that recently happened in Gekkoukan High, on the other hand... have you both heard anything else about it?"
"Aside what we have just learned?" Naoya scoffs, "Not really helpful either. The police are withholding amounts of information and from what Minato's mentioned to me earlier, it seems to be more than just an urban myth."
"...he visited you?"
"Earlier this morning before Maki and I left for the kid's place."
"...I see," Kei sighs, mentally wishing that Minato could keep his mouth shut sometimes, but for the sake of everyone and the others, it could be a good thing.
"So, you are going to investigate that?" Naoya asks, "Maki and I might do some looking around too-"
"Actually," Kei interrupts, "We're going to be a bit more busy than usual today."
"Wait, how come?"
Kei hears a slight beep coming from his phone as he looks at the caller... before he frowns, "Naoya. Stay on the line. I have to take this call."
"Let me know what else I should be doing, Nanjo," he can hear Naoya grumble in what seem to be sarcasm before Kei switched over the calls.
"So I take that you've been transferred over?"
"From Sumaru City," Another voice replies, "And for once, it looks nice... until I saw what you were talking about."
"What do you think?"
A silence came from the other line before a grimace was heard, "About what I'd expect if we were to explore a large bloody tower in a middle of a city- not that much."
"How did... he..." Kei is trying to choose his words carefully, "...take the transfer?"
"At least he's happy over at Sumaru City," The man on the other line replies, "The last thing I heard is that he is living with Eikichi Mishina and Lisa Silverman along with Jun Kashihira."
Kei freezes, recalling about- "Hang on. I thought I heard you wrong-"
"No. You heard me right, Nanjo. He's living with those three."
"But-! What about that-"
"They didn't regain their memories, if that's what you are wondering," The man softly snorts, "They got together when they were graduating and began hanging out with each other while they are in college. And their friendship began again. ...at least on a different ground than the one that we've learned about before. They are happy. Just make it stay that way... for his sake."
The Nanjo hair sighs, running his gloved hand through his hair, "Did Philemon...?"
"I asked him," The man cuts in, knowing pretty well where the question is going to lead, "And he said that with the current situation we are dealing with, their new links won't be affected."
"And not even risk the chance of-"
"No."
"I see," Kei frowns, "...though I do have one thing to let you know, Suou."
"...what is it?"
Nanjo grimaces, "It's not just you that hast stared to show up in Iwatodai area. I asked Ulala and Baofu to keep tabs on this area while they are back in Sumaru City; there are two friends I know here that are willing to help us too."
"And I am guessing they are your comrades back in that tower?" A smirk was heard from the other line, "One of them was Maki... but the other one you said, his name is Naoya?"
"Correct," Kei pauses, looking the newpaper again before his eyes narrow, "...wait. Hey, what was that woman's name... the one that was with us when we were investigating that-"
"Maya Amano," The man cuts in, slightly offended, "...why do you ask?"
Gotcha... Kei smirks, "She's also here in Iwatodai."
Silence was heard before the man asks, "You are not-"
"No," Kei knows pretty well the man has kept his feelings for the woman for such a long time- especially after seven years of what happened, "I am not joking."
A silence pierced through before the man asks, "Kei. I need to talk to you... and your two contacts. I need to know about a few things in the city."
"Figures you would have questions," Kei can hear Mitsuru's footsteps coming up into the command room, "Meet the three of us in the Iwatodai shopping area in an hour. Don't be late, Katsuya Suou."
On the other line, the red sunglasses man hang up the phone, his eyes showing concern as he looks at a photo that was inside of his cellphone: a young woman with black hair with the brightest brown eyes he has seen. A genuine smile was adorning her face, laughing while the picture was taken. If he recalled correctly, the photo was taken where they were supposed to meet the people investigating the New World Order seven years ago. Not only did he see a side of the woman that made him fall in love with her, but it was also where they were introduced to Kei Nanjo and that Kirishima woman (the last he heard about her was that she is on the world travelling with Hidehiko Uesugi).
But still... after seven years...
"Maya Amano... why are you here?" Katsuya Suou frowns, concern lacing his voice.
Luckily for Yukari and Minako, asking around the school was easier than they thought.
It was also not that surprising as to how easy it was to gather the information that let them know that the entire ghost story Junpei told them was... well, Yukari would like to see Junpei's face once he realizes she stole his thunder over some lame crappy-ass story.
Minako, on the other hand, has been a bit more silent, especially after overhearing the two girls talking about the girl they picked on. Yukari didn't bother to ask Minako about the incident, but she could tell that the other girl looked annoyed. Regardless, she agreed to help Yukari out with the investigation and even talked to other students who felt sympathetic for the bullied girl (when she asked more about the girl).
It surprised the two when Mitsuru told them that she'll have a hand in the investigations too... under the condition that Kei Nanjo should never know the details. It was alarming too, knowing that Mitsuru would normally not agree to help anyone.
And thanks to that, the entire investigation took three days before finally calling in Minato and Junpei to the living room. Akihiko was probably out training while Mitsuru and Kei were talking to the Chairman upstairs along with her father about... something (Ikutsuki looked bothered, but Mitsuru calmly told him that the two need to ask him a few questions, leaving the rest of SEES worried).
"So," Yukari smirks, "Let's talk about that stupid ghost story that Junpei told us about on Monday."
"You're never gonna give that one up, huh?" The capped boy smirks, "Thought it would scare ya! Even Kenji and Kaz agreed on it! Right Minato?"
"I have absolutely no say in this," Minato quickly replies, seeing how irate Minako was when she glared at him, "In fact, because of what happened on Monday, I blame you for everything that happened these past few days!"
"Whoa, whoa! What the hell did I do?"
"I had nightmares in my sleep, thanks to that stupid story!" Minako pouts, "And now I have to play the music from my mp3 when I go to bed!"
Junpei blinks before he sputters a laugh, "Really! That's why you don't like horror stories? Ahahahahaha! I should do this more often!"
"Do it more often and I'll find a way to run over that OdinSphere of yours," Minako mutters, catching Junpei's attention.
"Wait, what!"
"Okay, back to the subject at hand!" Yukari interupts, "Minako and I got lots of good info about thie story- and oh, by the way, it turns out no angry ghost story was involved!"
"Oh course..." Junpei mutters, rolling his eyes, getting a chuckle from Minato.
Yukari glares at them, beet-faced while Minako decides to do the talking while Yukari calms down, "Okaay... anyway, one: that rumor got started since that girl Mayi was found on the school grounds."
"Well, it was creepy," Minato frowns, "What of it?"
"It was similar to that damn ghost story, by the way," Minako sighs, "But here's the thing: that rumor didn't just spread slowly; it was instant. Why did that happen?"
That lapsed Junpei and Minato into a silence as Yukari takes a deep breath, calming down. It wasn't until Minato's eyes open in surprise, "Wait. Uncle Kei mentioned something yesterday about that incident to me."
"We're refering to him as 'uncle' now?" Minako arches an eyebrow.
Minato chose to ignore it, "He told me that it wasn't the first time it's happened..."
"Hang on," Junpei stares at them, "You mean- there were more? Something like this happened before?" Then he pauses, "So the ghost did haunt other schools?"
Minato couldn't help but burst into laughter while Minako was holding back various curses to him. Yukari groans, "Just let it go already... But yeah, it happened twice to other students. And the thing is, all three students had to be hospitalized!"
"Go figure," Junpei's expression went serious this time, "That explains why that rumor came to be..."
"Here's another thing," Minako frowns, "When I checked the hospital the other day, all three victims are in different classes and there was no way in hell they were connected while they were school."
"Wait a sec," Minato frowns, "So, it was a second year, then a third year, and a first year?"
"It's odd," Yukari nods, "They did have one thing in common though..."
"You mean they hung out with each other?" Minato guesses; seeing Yukari and Minako nod made him gape in surprise, "Hang on. Really? How the hell did that happen?"
"I'm guessing they ate out a lot?" Junpei blinks, causing the three to stare at him as if he grew a second head.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Yukari stares at Junpei before pursing her lips to consider, "...well, I suppose it could be that way, but still! Their families never eat out with each other!"
"Well, it coulda happened!" The capped boy protests, "Unless they were hanging out around somewhere else, like that fucking area that's near the Port Island Station."
Silence came over the group as Yukari and Minako stare at Junpei in shock.
"Wait," Junpei blinks, "...I was joking about that."
"Apparently, you weren't," Minato pats his friend on the back lightly, "From the way Yukari and Minako are looking at you."
Junpei stares at them, eyes widening, "Are you fucking serious! They hung out with those guys?"
"It wasn't just a coincidence!" Yukari jumps in, "They're the ones who are always out late, you know! That could be why those incidents can be happening!"
"I don't think staying out late caused those victims to be hospitalized," Minako frowns pensively, "Unless we find out what really happened by going to the source-"
"Ohhh no," Minato cuts in, shaking his head as he sees where this is going, "No, no, no, no! I am not letting my imoto go out at that area behind Port Island Station on her own to talk to those bigoted morons that late in night!"
"Ah darn," Yukari mock-pouts, "And just when I was thinking about field research."
"Field Research!" Junpei has to agree to Minato on this one, "Are you kidding me! I heard some nasty rumors and stories about that place- I agree with Minato! We are NOT going there! That place is bad news! You guys aren't serious about going there! You're in over your heads!"
"Well," Minako grins, "That's why you two guys are coming along with me and Yukari."
"Wait, WHAT?" Minato and Junpei stare at the two girls.
"Count me out!" Minato shakes his head vehemently, "No. NO. No way in fucking hell am I going there."
"Yeah, count me out too!" Junepi frantically shakes his head, "Sorry, but hell no!"
Yukari sighs before glaring at the two as Minako sighs, exasperated.
"Look, you two," Yukari glares at the two boys, "Up until now, all we've done is taken orders. Does that sound and feel right to the both of you at all?"
That made Minato and Junpei go silent before they grimace and look back at a smirking Yukari and a grinning Minako.
"Goddamnit," Minato grumbles, "Did you have to say it like that?"
"I get what you mean though..." Junpei groans, "Fiiiiiiiine. When are we going? Now?"
"No, you idiot!" Minako hisses, "We're going tomorrow night!"
"Tomorrow night?" The two boys groan.
"Yup," Yukari nods, "So you two still in?"
Junpei dreads this moment more than having to look at his exam grades.
"Why," he asks Minato when they were at the dorm the next day as soon as they came home from school, "Why, why, WHY are we going to do this again?"
"Like Yukari said," Minato deadpans as he sees Yukari and Minako come in, "...Field Research."
Junpei snorts, "I'm startin' to think otherwise. She likes to torture me or somethin' just because I told her that ghost story!"
"Not to mention Minako," Minato grimaces, recalling what she told him before they left for school this morning, "This makes us feel we're feeding steaks to the lions."
"Now you know how I feel...!" Junpei groans, "And plus, they know we're Gekkoukan students with our uniforms on! Why are we going out in our school uniforms?"
"That's why we're changing and heading out now," Minako shrugs as she begins to go up the stairs with Yukari, "Well? Come on!"
Minato and Junpei stare at each other.
"And plus," Minako grins, "In a way, you two are like our guardians. Well, more like a knight in shining armor for one person." She smirks once she sees Minato's blushing face before running upstairs.
"If she puts it like that," Minato mutters hotly as he goes up the stairs, "Then I might as well go with them."
Junpei smirks, "Sucks to be you."
"Shut up."
It didn't take long for evening to arrive, much to Minato and Junpei's dread.
Yukari looks around the dorm living room before indicating to the other three, "All right, let's get going!"
"What's your hurry anyway?" Junpei groans, struggling to place his cap on, "This is still a bad idea! Why aren't you scared of this anyway?"
"It's already bad enough to be scared of ghosts and monsters," The dirty blonde replies as they leave the dorm, "Don't you think it's freaky to be scared about things you can't see?"
"I'm more scared of things I can see!" Junpei groans as the four students begin walking, "Like bats and knives!"
Yukari groans.
"Big deal," Minako shrugs, readjusting her purse, "So that area's a little dangerous. Come on! It'll still be an adventure!"
"More like a bloody suicide mission!" Minato counters back, concern growing, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Sure!" Yukari nods, "What can possibly go wrong?"
"The fuck?" One of the punks takes out a drag from his cigarette, "Who the hell are they?"
And already it's going south, Minato grimaces as they walked into the area that Junpei warned them about, Way to go, imoto and Yukari! What else do you want us to do?
"Crap, crapcrap..." Junpei whispers, causing Yukari to jab him in the stomach.
"Hey, wait a sec!" Another punk stare at Junpei's cap, "That stupid lookin' hat's from Gekko High! They're from that fucking school!"
"This is worse than I thought," Minato mutters as they saw the group of punks gathering around before one of them approaches the group.
"Hey, Goatee!" The punk with the yellow shirt smirks, seeing Junpei's face, "Beat it! You're in the wrong place!"
"Shut up," Yukari glares back at him, "We don't need your permission to be here!"
A bunch of the group whistle and whisper amongst themsevles as the punk's eye twitches, "What was that?"
"This is amusing," Minako arches an eyebrow, "You don't know how to listen?"
"Hey!" Minato glares at her, "Look where you are, baka-imoto!"
"So?" Minako frowns, "Take a look at them! They're idiots! Don't be scared by them! You too, Junpei!"
"They're actually scum," Yukari rolls her eyes, "We're not blind, you know!"
A loud "OOhhh!" was heard from the crowd, especially from some of the girls from the group who were smirking.
"You heard that?" One of the touch girls snickers, "She called us 'scum'!"
"Are you gonna take that?" A rowdy punk asks, sounding pretty irritated.
"We'll post some pictures that'll make her daddy cry and make her wish she was never born!" Another girl sneers, causing the entire group to laugh and give the tough girl high fives. Yukari freezes up, not having a comeback to say before Minato takes over.
"Shut it," Minato narrows his eyes, "No wonder Junpei's right. You guys are the worst! Don't you dare talk about that to Yukari!"
"Haaahhh?" The punk stares at him, "What the fuck was that!"
"That kid thinks he's so smart!" Another punk snorts, "Gekko or not, we all don't like your faces!"
"Shut it!" Minako balls her hands into a fist, "I don't like yours either!"
That caused a gasp and some guys to gape at Minako, who smirks as Minato, Yukari, and Junpei look at her in surprise... and a grin crosses their faces.
"Hey, normally, I'm scared of these areas," Junpei grins, "But for some reason, I'm itching for a fight."
"What? You're not scared now?" Yukari smirks, "Thought you were earlier."
"No more words?" Minato arches an eyebrow, looking at the speechless group of people. A smirk crosses his face, "I thought so. Figures we won't find anything here."
"What was that!" The punk growls, "You all think you're so clever? Well, then!" He smirks, balling his hands into a fist as the group got even more rowdy, "We'll beat all of you into a pulp! You're going down!"
Whatever the punk was about to do next was stopped by a punch that landed in his face, causing the group of people behind him to pale or gape before the punk landed on his back. Even Minato, Minako, Yukari, and Junpei were surprised to see someone else in front of them.
"You were saying?" The peacoat teen asks, stepping forward, "And by the way, I didn't sign some fucking blood oath or anything since I'm not one of you." He then cracks his knuckles, popping them each time, "Anyone else wanna give it a try?"
That caused the punk group to scatter while running frantically from the pea coat teen. The tough girls were already running off from the area.
"Y-You- damn you Shinjiro!" One of the punks hollers, "You just crossed the damn line!"
"Too fucking bad!" Shinjiro Aragaki hollers back, giving one of the punks the middle finger salute, causing them to sputter with anger before running off. Huffing, Shinjiro turns around to see the four teens standing there in awe and shock.
"What are you idiots doing here!" Shinjiro hisses, glaring at them, "This place isn't for you!"
"We came here for a reason," Minako was the first to snap back, glaring at him, "We need answers!"
It took a small moment for Shinjiro's eyes to widen as he looks at the other three before landing back on Minako.
"Hang on..." he murmurs, "You four were from the hospital that other day. Wait, did Aki tell you guys to come here?"
"'Aki'?" Junpei echoes next before he frowns, "No! We just came here on our own!"
"Hmnh..." The beanie clad teen narrows his eyes, "...this may be the time after all..."
"What?" Minato frowns, "Look. We just want to know about that rumored ghost story and we're out of here."
"Thought so," Shinjiro grimaces, facing them, "It's just some shitty rumor some moron made up just to scare some kids. But if you all want to know, those girls who were in the hospital were hanging out here every night, talking some shit about the things they've done to some girl named Fuuka."
"Fuuka...?" They all looked at each other before Yukari gasps.
"Wait. Fuuka Yamagishi from 2-E? They were picking on her?"
"So that's who they were picking on..." Minako's ruby eyes mars with concern, "Where's that girl Fuuka?"
"Tch," Shinjiro frowns, "That's the bad news. This Fuuka might be dead since she hasn't been home in over a week-"
"Wait! DEAD?" Junpei freezes, "Wait! That ghost story! So that story was-"
"A thing to say that maybe Fuuka's spirit did it," Minato's eyes widens with realization, "Crap! Why don't we know about this?"
"People said that Fuuka was sick," Minako frowns, "That's what I've heard about her, but she's missing?"
"How can you guys not know about this?" Shinjiro gapes at them before a small smirk comes over him, seeing Minako, "Huh. Well, well... so that's why you're doing this, huh, Aki..."
"Eh?" Everyone stares at him.
"Nothing," Shinjiro shakes his head, "If you want that stupid ghost story, it's dead. It's a made up thing someone did just to cover his ass up."
"I thought Mr. Ekoda would know more about this..." Minato slowly muses, "Does he?"
"Probably not," Yukari looks concerned before bowing, "H-Hey! You helped out, so... thanks!"
"What?" Shinjiro stares at them, "Tch... I did nothing-"
"Look, you saved us," Minato nods, "So thanks for that too."
"Hey, I said to-"
"Thanks senpai!" Junpei beams, causing the beanie to fume up.
"I said-"
Minako smiles, bowing to him, causing him to stop ranting, "You're very kind, you know that?"
That make Shinjiro to stop talking and flush a slight red before turning away, "Tch! Don't come here again, you hear?"
"Yeah, yeah, I think we know about our lessons," Junpei mutters before facing them, "Come on. Let's get outta here."
"Wait a sec!" Minako hollers before taking something out of her purse and opening it to place something on the ground, "Okay, coming!"
Shinjiro stares back at the four teenagers that walks off; he can hear snippets of the two girls and two guys talking amongst each other before he shakes his head to see a small metallic glint in the alleyway.
"What the..." The beanie teen walks up to see a package of wet cat food before hearing a small mew come from the alleyway. The calico cat looks up at him, its hazel eyes wideneing before resuming to eat its food hungrily. Shinjiro's eyes widen before turning back to see the four teens running up the steps for the station. His eyes go towards the brunette, who is laughing with the dirty blonde before they vanish inside the station. Then a smile crosses his face, one he hasn't used in such a long time.
"...welcome back, Minako Arisato."
"And you thought that by going over there, you would find out more information?"
Akihiko sighs, rubbing his temples as he sees one irritated Kei Nanjo glare at a bored Minato, an irritated Minako, a panicked Junpei, and a tired Yukari all sitting at the couch in the room. Mitsuru purses her lips, looking concerned for the four second-years that are sitting in front of them. Kei sighs before resuming.
"You could have done something else to gain more information instead of getting yourselves into a lot of trouble AND could have consulted any one of us for help! What the hell were you four thinking?"
"At least we got something interesting to say about the whole thing," Minato deadpans, causing Minako, Yukari, Junpei, Akihiko, and Mitsuru to stare at the blue-haired teen incredulously, "What did you get anyway?"
Mitsuru hid a smirk once she sees Kei flustered- annoyed even as the older man grumbles out something about how he should have gotten someone to talk to those punks before the chance was away and such.
"Look," Yukari sighs, "Nanjo-san. We found out some stuff about that stupid ghost story Junpei told us, the hospitalized girls, and Fuuka Yamagishi-"
"Wait," Akihiko stiffens, sitting up, "Did you just mention Fuuka Yamagishi?" That girl who was supposed to be the new Persona user?
"Yeah, apparently, she is missing," Junpei frowns, "Know anything about that?"
The entire room went silent.
"Now that you mentioned it," Mitsuru narrows her eyes, "...no, there was nothing mentioned about her disappearance. Only that she was sick from... well, well." That part was grounded with ire as she grits her teeth, "Guess this can explain the unusual behavior Mr. Ekoda's been having lately when being asked about Yamagishi."
"Wait a sec," Minato sits up, "You mean- he knew about it?"
"From the very start!" Mitsuru is fuming, Akihiko can tell from her tone, "What in the world was he thinking?"
"Politics," Kei grimaces, sitting down on the other chair, "If there was a rumor coming out mentioning about a missing student, the school will be under scrutiny. Especially if a teacher is involved; this is not good for the school and the teacher's reputation."
"That explains a lot of things," Akihiko frowns, "But what about those girls? What did they have to do with this?"
"They were bullying Fuuka," Minako bitterly replies, not seeing the surprised looks Minato, Yukari, and Akihiko were giving her, "They were saying all the horrible stuff about what they did to her since they were hanging out around that area."
"I see..." Kei's eyes narrow, "Hey. Who told you all about this?"
"Some guy that was hanging around the area," Junpei shrugs, "...dunno. Someone said that it was Shinjiro-"
"Wait, Shinji!" Akihiko was alarmed to hear about this. It was already bad enough to hear about the disappearance of a student, but Shinji?
"He saved us from those punks, at least," Yukari frowns, "The thing is, I never see him at school around often..."
"That's because he dropped out," Mitsuru replies, "During second year of school. Where did you... oh wait. I think I know where you saw him."
"At that blasted area," Kei looks like he is mentally cursing to himself as he stands up abruptly, "The situation about the missing student just escalated; where could she be?"
"There is something I heard though, but maybe it's just a train of thought," Junpei muses, his hand on his chin, "About two weeks ago, I heard a few girls talking about something that happened in the gym; about locking up someone in the storage room and how they were just messing around with her. I'm not sure about how important this is, but I think one of those girls was named Mayi..."
Even Kei fell dead silent along with the others as they all stare at him in a state of surprise. Akihiko had to admit, Junpei can hear the oddest things...
"Hang on," Yukari pauses, "Did you say that... one of the girls that were gossipping was Mayi?"
"Umm..." The capped boy frowns, "Yeah?"
"Was there a Natsuki in the group?"
"Natsuki?" Junpei gapes incredulously, "What the hell am I? Your spy?"
"Just tell us already!" Yukari sounds like she is going to panic.
"Yeah! That ganguro girl from Ekoda's class?" Junpei nods, "Yeah, she was there with those other three girls from the hospital-"
It all suddently clicked within all of their minds at the moment Junpei stops talking... as soon as a terrible realization came across their faces.
"Well, fuck," Akihiko has a small grimace on his face, "Looks like we know where Fuuka might be."
"But in the gym?" Minako blurts out next, "No way! We all go the gym for P.E. and there was no one there when we opened the door!"
"I don't know how to say this," Kei lets out a surprised laugh, "But I think this all makes sense as to where this Yamagishi girl is."
Akihiko saw Minako pale considerably while Minato looked shocked. Mitsuru's hands were gripped on the edge of the seat handles.
"Out of all the people who can cover up Yamagishi's disappearance..." The Ice Queen growls, "This is not good. I hope to God whatever I'm going to say is wrong, but I think Yamagishi is trapped inside Tartarus."
"Wait, what?" The chorused voices of Minato, Minako, Akihiko, Yukari, and Junpei exclaimed at the same time in horror.
Kei grips his cellphone tighter, his eyes filled with concern, "I believe tomorrow is a Sunday, meaning there is no way we can enter the school to question other teachers about this."
"Oh God, now what?" Yukari asks.
Akihiko frowns, "For one, we have to see whatever Junpei said was true about what he heard; then there's Mr. Ekoda. We have to know why he covered the story up."
"That second question is already answered, wasn't it?" Minato grunts, but that didn't stop their concern level from growing, "God, I hope we're wrong about where Fuuka Yamagishi is."
From the look on everyone's face, Akihiko muses, ...I'd say we're wrong. But why am I still agitated about Shinjiro saving them earlier?
"Here is what is going to happen," Kei snaps everyone's attention back to focus, "Mitsuru. Let the Chairman know what is going on. Also, ask him for more reports on the Lost; they've seem to have appeared more recently."
"Well, that's better news," Yukari grumbles.
"For the rest of you," Kei pauses before sighing, "...we'll resume this discussion tomorrow. For now, just get some sleep."
"But I didn't go out to that area!" Akihiko protests as Kei flips his cellphone while Mitsuru steps out to call the Chairman.
"...well, you're off the hook," The Nanjo heir mutters, hearing a protest from Junpei, "And no, Iori, you, Takeba, and Arisatos are not off the hook yet."
"I'm going up to my room!" The capped boy huffs before Minato stands up, "You coming?"
"Yeah," Minato grumbles, placing his headphones on, "I'd like to vent some stress."
"By playing games?" Minako frowns before hearing the two boys say that they were just studying, causing Yukari to snort, "...if you both don't mind, I'd like to join you."
"Seriously?" Yukari blinks before sighing, "Well... count me in too."
Akihiko frowns before grabbing Minako's wrist as she passes him, causing her to jolt back to meet his concerned eyes, "May I have a word with you?"
"Umm... sure?" Minako nods before looking back at her concerned peers, "I'll join you guys in a minute!"
"Okay, we'll start without you!" Minato nods before following Junpei upstairs. As soon as everyone else was out of earshot (Kei was talking to someone over his cellphone while Mitsuru was over to the side, possibly talking to Ikutsuki), Minako frowns.
"Akihiko?" She asks, "Are you okay?"
Uh, how can I say this? Akihiko mentally rants, You nearly got yourself beaten up by a bunch of idiotic bastards in the area behind Port Island Station- or worse, you would have gotten molested by those scum and I wasn't there to protect you! And to make my day slightly worse, Shinji just had to show up- not after what happened the last time he and I met! No, I am NOT all right!
"No, I'm not," Akihiko mutters back, making sure Mitsuru and Kei do not get wind of this, "Minako, why did you decide to go out there without-"
That made the brunette flare up again, "Didn't you hear what we were saying earlier? We were just trying to find answers about- mmph!"
Akihiko had silenced her with one of his fingers on her lips, causing his face to slightly blush at how soft they were, "Y-You didn't let me finish."
She looks at him in surprise.
"Why..." His voice lowers into a soft whisper, "Why didn't you go with me so that I can protect you?"
"Oh..." He feels her lips move again, causing to slightly shiver, "...sorry. I thought you were busy or something-"
Akihiko pulls Minako into a tight hug, his arms around her waist.
"Minako," He says, "Don't... do this to me again. You're going to make me worry a lot about you. Please... don't do this again."
"Aki..."
That caused his eyes to slightly widen as he hears her use his childhood nickname, "You do remember..."
"H-Huh?" Minako sounds surprised, "R-Remember what?"
That caused him to be disappointed for a bit, but he closes his eyes before facing her, relasing her from his embrace, "You... still don't know?"
"No... what about?" Minako asks, still surprised.
So, there's a part of her that doesn't remember? Damn it! Akihiko sighs before eyeing the locket on her neck, "Hey... where did you get the locket?"
"Oh..." Minako slightly blushes before fingering the silver locket, "I got it as a gift from someone when I was a child. I remember him being a very nice person... and caring. Why?"
Akihiko blinks before smiling, At least she remembers about that. That's... good. "Nothing," he replies, a small smile still on his face, "Hey... do you want to join the rest? I think I might join you guys for a game or two."
The brunette blinks before nodding, "Sure! Why not?"
The silver-haired boxer softly chuckles before walking up the stairs as Minako goes into Minato's room, where the rest of the juniors were. His eyes glaze over with concern as soon as he stops in front of one of the doors that lacks the labeling plate.
"So, Shinji... you want a competition for her?" His grey eyes narrow, "...bring it. I won't give up Minako to you."
It was hell at the moment Sunday came around.
Well, for Minato, Minako, Junpei, and Yukari, who decided sneak out just to talk to the people in the Hideout area... Kei gave them another lecture; Akihiko was busy being couped up in his room. Surprisingly, he looked tense and a bit unnerved about something. According to Junpei, Akihiko was luckier than the rest about how they had to suffer with Kei (before earning a jab in the stomach courtesy of Minako and Yukari).
Mitsuru gave herself a mental reminder to talk to Akihiko about how his situation was. She really needed to catch up on her execution skills... but for now...
"At least there's tomorrow," she narrows her eyes, "For now, it's about the safety of the students and Yamagishi..."
How come we never knew about this from the getgo? Her wine eyes pierce the absence reports that she managed to print out from the Gekkoukan database. Being out for more than two weeks is odd, and if Iori is correct, then maybe Yamagishi is truly inside Tartarus. She wasn't spotted around the Port Island or the Iwatodai area... and there were no gestures from her parents whatsoever. What is really-
"Let's see," she slowly murmurs, picking up a paper in the lounge table area where she is residing, "Exams... check. Trying to figure out where Fuuka Yamagishi is... hmmm."
The doorbell rings, stopping her train of thoughts.
Mitsuru blinks, looking at the time. Odd, she frowns, The Chairman is not supposed to be here this early; he said he was going to stop by later tonight to check up on us and tell more about what to do to contain the Lost.
Walking up the door, she opens it to see a young woman with shoulder black hair; sharp brown eyes looking at her with determination. Her brown and white dress with two pink hearts (adorned with a dark blue tie) made the woman look younger than she looks.
"Mitsuru Kirijo?" The woman asks.
The wine-haired teen frowns, hesitantly stepping to allow the woman to enter in, "May I help you?"
"I'm here to ask a few questions about the incidents happening over at Gekkoukan High," The woman replies, taking off her brown boots before facing Mitsuru, "I'm a reporter for the COOLEST Magazine."
"A reporter...?" Mitsuru narrows her eyes. No one, not even the Chairman, mentioned anything about this, "Hold on, I never said anything about an interview."
"You're getting one now," Mitsuru's eyes slightly widens before narrowing, the woman looking at Mitsuru with a small twinkle of amusement, "Wow, you look a bit angry, Mitsuru Kirijo. Everything okay?"
"No," The crimson-haired teen grits out, "Why are you really here? And how the hell do you know my name?"
The woman smiles, "Let's just say I had do to a bit of investigation just to know more more about you and your friends."
"I'm ordering you to get out," Mitsuru's patience was narrowing thin, "Unless you have a very good reason to be here inside the dorm because I don't care much for interviews-"
"Your Persona's name is Penthelisia, right?"
That made Mitsuru freeze on the spot.
"And your leader has the ability to use multiple Personae... and your school transforms into a large tower in the middle of night when everything turns dead black. It took a while to get all of these together, you know!" The woman is now serious, "So, are you ready to have that talk with me?"
Mitsuru sighs, before meeting the woman's eyes, "Fine. ...on one condition."
The woman smiles, crossing her arms, "Name it."
"What is your name?"
The reporter blinks in surprise before she beams, "Forgot about that! Well, I'm Maya Amano! Reporter for a magazine and for newspapers and a mild-manner editor."
Mitsuru couldn't help but chuckle, seeing that Maya's personality is similar to a certain brunette in the group, "It's nice to meet you, Amano-san."
"Maya, please," Maya smiles before it falters into a serious expression, "I'm really here to ask a few things."
"What about?"
"Those three girls that are in the hospital," The reporter says, "Why are they in a comatose state?"
To Be Continued
Let's get this over with...
So you placed in Maya Amano in the story...
Yeah, and before any one of you asks, this is the world in which Eternal Punishment took place. It's... let me put this way. Unless you want a tremedous headache from me trying my best to explain what I thought happened in the Persona 2 dualology, I'd advise you look at the entire playthroughs of both Innocent Sin (PSP) and Eternal Punishment (unfortauntly, the only one out is for the PS...whatever it was out for and there is a PSP remake for it coming soon). Let me know if you're still confused.
Okay, about why Maya Amano is here: I was somewhat satisfied with the ending of Persona 2 Eternal Punishment, but I wasn't exactly satisfied with a few things that happened in those games. Not to mention that don't you think some parts of Japan (in the Persona world) would think something something with that area if they heard rumors about the Dark Hour and the ghost stories? Also, there could be a chance that reporters do have to go to other areas to investigate what unusual things are happening in Iwatodai with the Dark Hour.
...so what happens to Shinjiro?
Oh he'll show up again! Don't worry! ...and yes, Akihiko just waged a war with Shinjiro. You know what's it over. XD
Social Links so far:
Fool, Magician, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Death, Star, Moon
Mastered:
Hierophant
Remaining:
Priestess, Emperor, Justice, Hermit, Fortune, Hanged Man, Death, Devil, Tower, Temperance, Sun, Judgement