Persona 4 and it's world is owned by Megami Tensei. Not me. This just for fun.
Dance of the Cards
Dance of the Cards
XII. Oona
June 2035
Early Morning
"Okina City!" exclaimed Kotori. She spun in a circle to the amusement of the three other girls.
"You'd think this trip was for you, not Amagi," said Reika.
"I hardly come to Okina for fun, so yeah."
"What is planned for today?" asked Himeko.
Sakura smiled, "It's a secret."
"Come on Amgai, just trust us."
"Yeah Hime-chan, it will be fun." Kotori linked her arm with Himeko's. "Let's go."
The four girls wandered from shop to shop. Himeko wasn't use to doing such a thing, but found it was a lot of fun. In the past two weeks, ever since they had fought the strange shadow, they had been getting along better.
"Wow, that's really cute!" Kotori's excited shout broke Himeko out of her thoughts. Kotori was looking at a pair of light blue jean shorts. The bottoms were rolled up just a bit. There were two small buttons on the outside of the rolled up part as if they were hold it up.
"They are, but you can't really pull them off."
Kotori turned to look at Reika. "What? Why?"
"You need long legs, it's something you don't have." Reika paused. "Um, not that you don't have good legs..."
Kotori waved at hand, "I know what you mean." She looked back at the shorts.
"They are really cute, but I like the green top better." Sakura leaned closer, trying to see if she could read the price.
Himeko on the other hand was staring at the shorts.
"You know Amagi you do have long legs, you could pull it off."
"I've never had a pair of jean shorts, or jeans for that matter." Himeko said this more to herself then the other, but they heard.
"You know...now that I think about it I've never seen you in jeans, ever." Kotori looked at Himeko's layered skirt.
"Let's change this, birthdays are a good times for change." Reika took Himeko's hand and lead her into the store.
"Isn't the New Year suppose to be the good time for change?" asked Sakura.
"Let's just follow them." Kotori and Sakura followed the other two inside.
The attendant looked up. "Ebihara-san, how nice to see you again, how may we help you today?"
"My friend here," Reika gestured to Himeko, " wants to try the pair of jean shorts in the window. You can put the price on the tab."
"Of course." The attendant lead Himeko away.
"Tab?" Kotori looked surprised.
"My family is new money. I don't shop that much, but when I do I don't have to worry about the price."
"Oh, that's nice."
"It ca-" Reika broke off, spotting something outside the shop window.
"What's wrong?" Sakura looked up but didn't see anything odd.
Reika, on the other hand, bolted out of the shop. She had seen him, she had seen her father. Why was he here? As she ran after the taxi she was once again glad of her long legs and tennis practice. She lost sight of the taxi as it rounded the corner, but as she went around the same corner she saw that it had stopped. Her father exited the taxi and went into the cafe. Reika only stood there panting, unsure of what to do.
"Reika!" She turned at Kotori's shout. She turned and saw the other's running towards her, Himeko slightly ahead of them and still in the shorts.
"Did you steal those?" asked Reika.
"What?" Himeko looked down. "No, they were put on your tab apparently. Sakura dragged me out as Kotori told the attendant, but more importantly why did you run?"
Reika looked back at the cafe. Her father was now sitting at one of the outside tables. "Do you see that man in the dark blue suit, striped tie?"
The others all looked and then nodded.
"That man is my father."
The others looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
"Do...do you want to talk to him?"
"I...yes, I do." Reika looked back at them. "Please wait for me."
Himeko nodded.
"We'll go to the park. You can meet us there whenever you're ready." Sakura gave her a reassuring smile.
Afternoon
Reika walked into the park looking for the others. Soon she saw Sakura and Himeko watched the clouds pointing out different shapes while Kotori seemed to be asleep. With a true smile she walked over to them.
"Hey."
Sakura and Himeko sat up, saying hi in unison. Himeko poked Kotori who grunted, but opened her eyes.
"What was that for?" Kotori sat up with a glare.
"Reika's back."
"Oh." Kotori looked up at Reika.
"I just want to thank you guys, for waiting." Reika paused looking off to the side. "When I talked to my father I excepted that I would want to yell and shout, to demand to know why he left me. But...when he looked at me I wasn't mad anymore, he just looked so sad. Sad and lonely. I almost pity him. I told him if he wants he can call me, I've given him my number, but I don't think he will." She gave a small smile and looked back at them. "It doesn't matter anymore, I have all of you. You're my true family."
For a moment time stopped around them. Above Reika Mab appeared. Mab flickered and transformed into a tall woman with long pale blonde hair. Her skin was tinted a pale green. The flowing white dress she wore covered her feet and she had near invisible wings.
"Oona," whisper Reika. Onna faded and time started again.
Kotori jumped up. "What was that?"
"My Persona seems to have changed." Reika flexed her fingers. "I feel different, lighter somehow."
"That's...good?" Sakura uncertainly at Himeko, who shrugged.
"Let's go home, there's something I need to do," said Reika.
Soon they were on the train home and just a bit weirded out by the shift in Reika. She hadn't stopped smiling and was talking more then any of them could ever remember her talking.
"So, boys..." Reika looked at Sakura, who was sitting next to her. "You like boys right?"
Sakura blushed a bit. "I think so, I mean I've only had crushes on boys."
"So, do you have a crush now?"
Sakura's face turned bright red.
Reika smiled "I'll take that as a yes."
"Y-Yes, He's one of my brother's friends, a third year, but I'd rather not talk about it."
"Fair enough." Reika turned to the others. "What about you Himeko? Did you always like Akira?"
Himeko masked her shock at being called by her first name. "Not really, I mean we're just kind of friends. Our father's were friends so we ended up hanging out a lot as children. It kind of...grew from there. I was surprised when he asked me, but I did say yes."
"That's somehow...sweet, I suppose."
"Wait." Everyone turned their attention to Kotori. "If you didn't always like him who did you like?"
Himeko opened her mouth to answer, but no name came out. She closed her mouth, confused. "I...He was the son of one of my father's fellow instructors..I think. But I can't remember his name."
"Maybe all your mushiness with Akira has block it out." Kotori grinned.
"As if anyone can be mushier then you and Shinji."
"That is true." Piped up Sakura, who had finally stopped blushing.
"I..." Kotori blushed. "We're not that bad."
To that the others just laughed.
The station was empty when they arrived save for one girl in a pretty yellow sundress with matching sandals.
"It's that Hayase-senpai?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, I asked her to meet me here." Reika walked away towards her girlfriend.
Ayame was apprehensive as Reika approached her. "Hello Rei."
"Aya-chan." Reika stepped closed and hugged her. Ayame was shocked, unsure what to do. "Please, please forgive me. I was a horrible, terrible girlfriend."
"I-well,um.."
Reika pulled back a little to look at Ayame in the eyes. "I was behaving the way I was because I was scared. Scared you would leave me and if I got too close to you it would just hurt more."
"I wouldn't."
"I know you wouldn't, but it wasn't about logic. I've hurt you and for that I am truly sorry."
Ayame took in Reika's expression and knew she was telling the truth. "I think we need to have a longer conversation later, but I do forgive you." Ayame cupped Reika's face. "However you must promise, never to be that way again. Don't push me away, I'm here for you. You can relay on me."
"I promise and I will."
"Good." Ayame pulled Reika face down for a soft kiss. Reika smiled into the kiss and held Ayame closer, causing her to giggle. Reika pulled away and rested her forehead against Ayame's. "Let's go, Rei-chan. I'd like to have that longer talk somewhere more private."
"As you say." Reika left the station with Ayame.
"That was...I...okay." Kotori watched them leave.
"I think it was sweet," said Sakura.
"It was, it's just a bit strange the large change in Reika."
"Maybe this is real her," guessed Himeko. "At any rate we should get use to it and if Kanji is any indication Reika will be telling Hayase about us."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, Sakura. I'm sure it will be fine. Now I'm planning on going to the Velvet Room. I want to know what happened with Reika's Persona. Care you join me?"
Both agreed to go with Himeko.
Velvet Room
"Hello girls. How nice it is to see you again," greeted Igor.
Sakura looked over and noticed that Kit was curled around the singer's feet. She seemed to be sleeping so Sakura let her be. She joined the others who had already sat down.
"Igor, today Reika's Persona changed. We'd like to know why," said Himeko.
" As you know a Persona is a manifestation of the human who summons it. Their feelings and thoughts. When one faces what they do not face their Persona can metamorphose into a stronger form. Your friend Reika has done this." Igor gave a smile that seem to be longer then his nose. "I wonder if the rest of you will do such a thing. I suppose only time will tell."
A soft blue light filled the room and the girls found themselves on the street once more.
"Well, that was..." Kotori trailed off.
"Actually that was a bit more informative then I thought it would be." Himeko pulled out her phone. "I'll call Akira and Daisuke, have them meet us at Batafurai. We can tell them what we learned. I can tell Taka later."
So the girls waited for the boys to show, it didn't take to long. Akira arrived before Daisuke did.
When Akira opened the door to Batafurai Himeko stood up to meet him.
His smile falter when he saw her legs. "You're wearing shorts."
Himeko looked down. "I've wore them before." She tugged a bit on the end nervous.
"Yes, but not jean ones and not..." He trailed off with a cough.
Himeko bite her lip as she tugged on her shirt in a vain attempt to cover her shorts. "Is it not suitable?"
"No! no, it's not that." He walked up to be level with her. "They are very suitable, cute. I was just...surprised. I've never seen you in shorts before."
When Kotori opened her mouth to say something, Sakura stepped on her foot. Kotori yelp and glared at Sakura who just tipped her tea like nothing was wrong.
However, much to Akira's relief, Himeko turned her attention to Kotori. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
The door chimed again and Daisuke entered. After they all sat down Himeko explained what happened with Reika and what Igor had told them.
"So are we all going to...get a new Persona?" asked Daisuke.
"I think that's up to us." Sakura set down her empty tea cup. "Igor made it seem like we could do it, but it didn't have to happen, I think."
"Hmm." Daisuke stared at the table lost in thought.
Akira rested in arm along the back of Himko's chair. "True, but as with everything to do with this, I doubt we'll figure it out now. Maybe we should think about and mention if any of us think of something."
"That sounds good." Sakura checked her watch. "Oh! It's getting late. I should go home." It wasn't too late, but Sakura didn't want to be caught outside at night, far too dark for her liking.
"I can walk you home." Daisuke stood to help Sakura out of her chair.
Sakura's cheeks pinked. "Thank you." They left after paying for Sakura's tea.
"I have something I'd like to show to Himeko, so if you'll excuse us Kotori."
"Sure, sure. Have fun." Kotori waved as they left.
Outside Himeko linked her fingers with Akira's. "What is it you wanted to show me?"
"Tsk, tsk Himeko don't you know the birthday girl should know better then to ask such questions?"
Himeko face broke into a wide smile. "Really?"
He gave her hand a light squeeze, "Of course, I know it's a few days late, but I'd never forget."
"I know."
"The reason, it's late is cause I wasn't sure when it would be ready, but I lucked out today. I'm just glad you got back in time for it."
"It has a time limit?"
"Yes, so let's hurry." They walked a bit faster until they reached Top Hill. No one else was around. Akira lead her to the middle to the hill. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Good." Akira covered her eyes with his warm hands. "Now I have to stay like this for a bit, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind." She grabbed the ends of his open shirt to pull him a bit closer, he complied.
"Good." She could hear his voice right above her ear. Himeko was happy to wait however long she needed wrapped in his warmth. It didn't seem like a long time had passed when he spoke again.
"Okay, ready?"
"Yes."
Akira lowered his hands. What she saw made her gasp. Sometime after he had cover her eyes, night had fallen. Surround them were many, many fireflies. To Himeko it looked like the stars had come down to dance around them.
"Why are there so many?" she whispered.
"It's the temperature and I spread a certain mixture of scents around here earlier. I had to wait for just the right temperature, so that's why it's a few days later. I hope you don't mind. I just remember how much you liked fireflies when we were children."
"I don't mind, this is wonderful." Himeko turned to face Akira and hugged him. "Thank you."
He hugged her back, "It was my pleasure, but I do have something else for you." He pulled a small box out of his pants pocket.
"Oh." Himeko took the small box and opened it. Reaching inside she pulled out a long chain with a bullet attached to the end. "Akkun..."
Akira blushes, still not use to Himeko calling him that.
She looked up at him, "This was your father's I can't take it."
"Yes you can. I want you to have it." He took the box back from her. "I shall even put it on for you."
Himeko stared at him for a long moment before handing him the necklace If Akira said it was fine, she'd trust him on it. Akira placed the necklace over her neck. Gently he lifted her long hair out of the necklace.
"There." He smiled. "It looked good on you."
Himeko giggled "The fireflies are the only source of light."
"Still it looks good."
Himeko wrapped her arms around Akira to watched the fireflies. With a small smile Akira kissed the top of her head, very glad she had liked the presents.
