SMT Persona series and all its known characters belong to Atlus

A mind-boggling sight greeted Yukari the moment she stepped into the dorm. Junpei was hunched before the computer behind the registration counter, his face bunched up into an intense look of concentration. It was a monumental moment, worthy enough to make her stop dead in her tracks. For the first time since knowing him, he seemed truly focused over something not related to games, girls or Shadows.

"Whatever it is you're doing, it must be painful," she remarked tartly. "Because that's exactly how you look right now."

"At least it's better than having a face permanently stuck in beeyotch gear. How's that treatin' ya so far?"

The girl sucked in a breath and levered a glare which not only liquified him, but left barely enough remains to have a proper matchbox burial. Much to her chagrin, none of the above happened.

"What did you say?" she ground out menacingly.

Junpei took a moment to turn and give her a sickly sweet smile. "That pissed-off emo shrew look is so last season, Yuka-tan. You should go for happy chick mode like Minako always does. That would definitely boost your chances of becoming Miss Gekkoukan High #1 again."

"Hmph, as if I'd care about stupid things like that!" she said, walking away in a huff.

Junpei shifted his attention back towards the website entry he was reading. He'd refused to believe it initially, but the more he dug for information, the more he was convinced that Theo was some freaky version of Patrick Swayze's 'Ghost'.

He'd caught a late night Japanese-dubbed version of the film once. It was either that or watch infomercial reruns…which was never a good idea when you're battling insomnia at 3am. During that time, even a Breezy Vibrate 3000 Neck Massager at a low price of 1,200 yen (call now!) would seem like the ultimate saviour for mankind.

Maybe those stories of ghostly images on photos were actually Shadows. Most of them looked like the things SEES fought during the Dark Hour at any rate. Could it be possible that something had followed Minako out of Tartarus and transformed into Theo?

He shuddered as a chill ran down his body. Being squeally over ghosts was Yuka-tan's specialty, but thinking about Minako walking around with that…that thing was enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies.

There's only one person who could confirm his suspicions, and he found her at the second floor lounge, sitting all by herself.

"Yo, Aigis," he said, joining her at the couch. "Just wondering about something…you can sense Shadows, right?"

"That is correct, Junpei-kun."

"Is Minako's boyfriend one?"

"You mean, that certain individual who goes by the name Theo? No, he is not."

"You sure?"

"I am 100% certain. I ran a thorough diagnostic scan on him twice, and both results came out negative. Why do you ask, Junpei-kun?"

"Nothing. Just wondering."

The front door slamming downstairs told them that someone just got back, and it turned out to be Minako as her cheerful "I'm home!" rang throughout the living room. Moments later, she appeared at the stairs, giving both Aigis and Junpei a large grin. The boy stared.

"Dude, is that a hickey?" he asked.

"Huh? Where?"

Minako's hands automatically clamped around her neck, consciously smoothing the collar back into place.

"Ohohoho…" Junpei chuckled, "No point in covering that one up, buddy. It looked as if some giant octopus tried to suck your head off or something. It was a giant octopus, wasn't it?"

"I really don't know what you're talking about, Junpei," Minako shot back, although there was a crafty smile on her face when she said it.

"Yeah, sure. I'll tell that Bebe guy to check the home ec room thoroughly for evidence," Junpei called out after her as she breezed past them to get to her room. "It can't be that hard, since I know you're the only person with the spare key, and the janitor's cupboard ain't big enough for the two of you!"

His grin faded as she tossed a wink over her shoulder. There was that unmistakable bounce to her steps that told him everything he didn't want to know.

She really liked Theo.

Liked to the point of actually loving him.

That guy may not be a Shadow…but he's certainly something else. This whole unphotographable-mystery-dude thing seemed enough to get the Men In Black come running over. The next thing they know, investigators would overrun the dorm and a guy in dark sunglasses would insistently say to them: 'Classified matter. None of this is happening, you understand?'

Ok Junpei, no more Saturday night movie marathon for you.

So how the hell was he going to break this to her? 'I'm sorry, Minako…but I think your boyfriend's some mondo freako from the Dungeon Dimensions. Probably even from the Cthulhu Mythos. How'd I know? Well, he didn't show up in pictures, that's how. But, if dating dudes with more tentacles than legs floats your boat, then it's fine by me. Just thought you should know, that's all. Oh, and make sure you sleep with your naginata under your pillow from now on.'

It sounded dumb even from inside his head.

"Junpei-kun, what is this 'hickey'?" Aigis asked.

"Eh? Ah…" he sputtered, floundering about for a suitable enough explanation without causing more awkward questions. "It's a kind of sweet."

Igor was angry. Nay, he was livid. Frankly, it'd take the most astute of observers to notice the difference. His gaze would become sharper, or his jokes would have a more acidic tinge to it. He wasn't one for shouting, for centuries of experience have taught him that a quiet, meaningful word does far more damage than one that could be heard across the room.

Usually, he'd retreat into his hobbies to calm himself down: build a house of cards, or trim his beloved bonsai plant. It was coming along rather well too. He'd finally managed to shape it into the form of a dragon. It even looked as if it could come alive at any moment.

But no: no amount of bonsai shearing is going to help in this matter, for things had become Very Serious.

He sat hunched over his knees, his gaze sweeping over the open Persona Compendium before him. Occasionally, he'd reach down and flip over a page. A troubled sigh escaped his pointed nostrils. It had just about the same weight as the world.

Something had mutilated the Compendium, or so it seemed. Some of the Persona images had been smudged and blurred together to the point of disappearing completely, like a watercolour painting. But that wasn't the worst. About three-quarters of the Devil Arcana had been charred to cinders. It's a wonder the whole book didn't catch fire.

"Greetings, master."

"You've gone out longer than you usually do," was the first thing the card meister said. He didn't even look up.

"Forgive me, Master Igor. I've miscalculated the passage of time in the human world. Here, I've brought you something."

Igor inspected the bread proffered to him before taking a small, cautious bite.

"You've miscalculated," said the old man, "or you've forgotten?"

"Nonsense, master! I never do! What kind of assistant would I be if I forget things?"

"An incompetent one, no doubt. Have you taken a look at the Persona Compendium lately?"

Theo glanced at the tome laid out on the table before Igor. His eyes widened in recognition.

"The Compendium! But…what happened to it? Oh, this is terrible!" he exclaimed, sweeping down to grab it and flip through its pages with increasing alarm.

Igor leaned back and finally, finally glared at the young assistant. "You happened to it, my dear boy. You."

"Me? I never would be so crass as to deface something like this! Was there an intruder in the Velvet Room just now?"

"Yes. It's called: Abandoning your true duties here while you go off gallivanting after your foolhardy quest for our human guest. Honestly, what were you thinking, Theodore? Do you imagine you could walk around long enough in her world without feeling the side effects? There's a reason why we have to stay in the Velvet Room, you know."

With a soft fap, Theo closed the Compendium. "I know, master," he said. "I-I'm truly sorry."

"Far from me to interfere with the private matters of my assistants…but if it potentially threatens the very life of our guest, then I have no choice but take countermeasures."

"I…understand, master."

"Do you, now? If I were to tell you to stop seeing our guest outside of the Velvet Room, would you comply?"

The answer took a far longer time to arrive, but when it did, it came in the defeated tones of a man letting go of his very soul. "Yes, I would."

"The mortal world threatens your very existence, does it not? You're beginning to experience one of the dreaded human curses: forgetfulness. No, don't lie to me…I can tell. Even if I couldn't, the Compendium would." He nodded at the tome clutched within Theo's hands. "See now, the fruits of your naivete. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Theo was silent. There really was nothing left to say at that point, save to apologize a million times over.

Igor extended a finger commandingly towards the assistant. "This dalliance with our guest ends now. You are to resume your duties as per usual and your immediate task is to retrieve each and every lost information within that Compendium. Do you understand?"

Theo gasped, seemingly torn over something. "But Master, I can't just end it like that! I have to explain to our guest-"

"And distract her further from her true goal? I think not."

"She will be if I don't! Please, master…just one last time. That's all I ask."

"That is one request too many, Theodore," Igor grated out sharply. He frowned at his assistant for a moment, seemingly thinking over something. "Very well," he finally said. "You may see our guest one last time and that's it. The moment you return to the Velvet Room, you are to never leave again unless if directed by me otherwise. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, master."

"Good. You're dismissed."