Pre-Chapter Review Answer Corner GO!

P.T. Piranha - Well what other scottish cyclopses do you know of besides Demonmen? And if I was talking about monkey bars, that's what they would've been called. Horizontal bars are literally what their name suggests they are, but I went over that with you on skype a while back from what I remember.

Overlord Duelist - You win an award for making that joke. Also expect more spider shenanigans because of the Anansi Persona.

Guest #1 - Well, there is a good reason for Ken being Devil but that'll come up later. Also Anansi looks nothing like Slenderman...

Guest #2 - Whatever do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about, I never made suspiciously specific denials about some African fellow Roy bumped into. Clearly you're imagining things.

sonicfan315 - You'll find out whether or not you hit the mark with that guess of yours eventually. Hehehehe...

XtremeManiac33 - Actually, the P4 story that follows Reshuffled already exists! Persona 4: Norimoto Style, though I need to make some more editorial tweaks to it after looking back at it due to some of the revised plot points. I won't mention when they happen, though, so people might never know there was a change at all. Mwehehehe...

Jenni Saba - Hehehe, glad you like it! You'll probably enjoy a certain someone's appearance in this chapter even more.

I'd like to thank P.T. Piranha for Beta Editing this. And now, ON WITH THE CHAPTER!

Fuck summer school. I don't care if this clashes with the rest of my narration of this journal up to now but FUCK SUMMER SCHOOL. It was too goddamn fucking hot in that fucking classroom UGH...

"Roy, calm down."

-Oh, shut up Pharos. You barely felt the damn heat!-

"Just write your next journal entry, not complain about having to go to summer school."

-...Bah... fine...-

After the... unpleasant week of summer school, I found myself feeling mostly drained on the fifteenth and just lazed around in the lounge.

"Roy-san."

I looked over at Aigis from my position on the couch.

"Why are you seated like that?" she asked, tilting her head to the right.

For the record, I was sitting on the couch upside down.

"It helps me think sometimes." I said. "Other times it helps me calm down. Then there's times like now where there's not really a reason, I'm just sitting like this."

She stared at me for a moment. "An unusual, sometimes spontaneous habit... I comprehend."

"Figured. Was there something you wanted to ask?"

Aigis nodded. "I was speaking to Fuuka-san and Yukari-san earlier and was informed of an event called a 'Summer Festival' is taking place tomorrow evening at Naganaki Shrine. I wish to know if you had intentions to attend the event."

Eyebrow. "The festival? First I've heard of it, actually. Why, did you want me to go with you?"

"Affirmative." She replied. "I felt it would be an acceptable form of recreation after observing your discomfort during this past week."

I flipped myself over and sat up properly on the couch. "Really now? Well, far be it for me to argue with that logic."

"So you will attend the festival with me?"

I nodded. "Sure. Don't see any reason not to, after all."

"Thank you, Roy-san." she said, a small smile on her face. "It appeared to be an interesting event, and I am looking forward to wearing the special clothing item called a 'yukata'. It will be a new experience for me." Aigis bowed slightly. "Please excuse me, Hamuko-san requested I speak with her once I had received an answer from you."

"Alright, talk to you later then Aigis." I said, lazily waving as she headed off and up the stairs. -...Hey Pharos...-

"Yes, Roy?" he asked from his seat on one of the arm chairs. He's sitting in it like how I was on the couch a few minutes ago.

-Think an occasion like that would be worth wearing a suit?-

"Depends." he replied. "Do you have a suit?"

-I have three.-

"Then go for it."

I grinned. -Excellent.-

I didn't have a whole lot to do most of the following day, mostly passing time with a few video games, up until it was time to get ready to head to the festival. Now, despite my dislike of the extremely dumb ribbon thing guys are expected to wear for the Gekkoukan Uniform, I have no actual objection to wearing a regular tie. In fact I actually like wearing suits, mainly because I'd like to think I look rather good in them. I didn't even care I was probably overdressed for just a Summer Festival as I walked downstairs. Found Yukari waiting at the bottom of the stairs, which slightly surprised me. I'd thought she'd left already.

"Hey, there you..." Yukari trailed off when she actually got a good look at me. "...are..."

Eyebrow. "What? A guy can't wear a suit around here or something? I felt it was appropriate."

Yukari just stared for a moment before she snapped out of her miniature trance, a faint blush on her face. "N-No, I just wasn't expecting it! I didn't even know you had a suit..."

"I have a few, but where's Aigis?" I asked, changing the subject. "She told me to meet her down here."

"Oh, she should be down in a minute." Yukari said. "She was just putting on some 'personal' touches she picked up from Hamuko-chan. I was just about to head out since everyone else already left."

I chuckled. "Alright, have fun Yukari."

"Alright, see you later!" She said as she walked out the door.

"Dude this is the best night ever." commented Junpei from his spot on the couch. "Gettin' to see all the girls wearing yukata... Almost makes me wish I wasn't gonna watch a movie while everybody's gone."

-Eh?- "All the girls...? Even Mitsuru-senpai?"

"Oh yeah, dude." He said with a smirk. "Apparently Hamu-tan convinced her to tag along with her, Yuka-tan, and Fuuka-chan. They left about two minutes before you came down, Yuka-tan was just a bit slow because she had to fix her hair."

I looked around. "Where's Akihiko and Mr. Grump?"

Junpei shrugged. "Senpai said he was going for a jog with Koromaru, and Shinjiro-san just left without a word, so I dunno what he's doing."

"What about Ken?"

"Said he didn't like festivals before he went up to his room." he replied. "Think he mumbled something about Featherman, too."

I laughed. "Wouldn't surprise me."

"Roy-san."

I looked over my shoulder at Aigis, who was now coming down the stairs. She was in a blue yukata with white flowers on it with a yellow sash around her waist. The overall effect was... well, surprisingly distracting.

"Roy-san?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. You look really nice, Aigis." I said, snapping out of my minor daze. "Shall we be off?"

She nodded moving closer to me before we started out the door.

"Have fun you two..." Junpei commented absently. He was more focused on the TV. "Don't be out late."

"Yeah, yeah..." I replied, rolling my eyes.

Along the way to the festival, I had to convince Aigis that it wasn't secretly some kind of yakuza front or whatever. I'm not even entirely sure where she got the idea it was anything other than a festival, though I suspect Junpei is to blame. Thankfully it wasn't terribly crowded once we got there, so I didn't have to worry quite as much about her wandering off. Not that I expect she would, but it never hurts to play it safe. That, and Pharos could probably help me track her down if I could actually tell where he had vanished off to.

"Roy-san?"

I turned to Aigis, giving up my visual search for Pharos since I doubt he could really get lost. "What's up?"

She indicated one of the festival stands. It was one of those shooting galleries like you see at carnivals and fairs. "Why is there a small-scale target range in a public place?"

"Oh, that's a shooting game." I said. "You use the gun they give you and try to knock down targets to win prizes. A variation is where the prizes are the targets, and you try to knock over the one you want." I looked at the shooting game's booth again. "Looks like the one here is the latter."

Aigis kept staring at the booth very intently as a kid was taking a shot at one of the prizes. "...I believe this requires our attention."

Eyebrow. "Why?"

"I would like to know why the items do not budge when struck precisely at their balancing point." She stated. "The most recent attempts made as we have been conversing have all successfully struck the proper location of their targets, and yet there was no apparent result."

I looked at the shooting game again. "...Really now? Well, why don't we give it a shot then."

The two of us approached the stand. The guy behind the counter didn't seem like a shady, cheating asshole but looks can be deceiving.

"Hello there, care to test your aim?" he said, holding up one of the air rifles. "If you can knock down a prize, it's yours."

I narrowed my eyes. "Challenge accepted." I looked at Aigis. "You wanna take a shot at it, too?"

She nodded. "Affirmative."

"Alright then." I said, pulling out my wallet. "So how much?"

"Holy-! Wow, that's some good aim you got there, ma'am!"

"...How did you do that with an air rifle?"

"I believe a phrase Junpei-san used is appropriate; I am just that good."

-...Well now I want to know when, where, and why Junpei said that...-

Aigis seemed surprisingly content as we walked away from the shooting game booth with her prize in hand. She won herself a Black Frost doll. I only managed a Jack Frost one. Kind of strange they resemble the Personas I've used, though...

"Hamuko-chan!"

-Eh?-

Aigis and I looked over to see a familiar group of girls helping a certain brunette with hairpins onto a bench.

"Are you okay?" asked Yukari. "Nothing sprained or broken?"

Hamuko nodded. "Yeah, I just lost my balance..." She made a face then looked over at a damaged sandal a short ways away. "Aw man, my sandal broke...!"

I noticed some movement in the corner of my eye, turning my head slightly to see another familiar figure watching things unfold. The other girls had scurried away, likely trying to find someone to help because of complications I hadn't heard because I got distracted. Hamuko was sitting on the bench, looking a bit unhappy as she glared at the broken sandal. Shinjiro started towards her, picking up the damaged piece of footwear as I suddenly wondered how Mitsuru, Fuuka, and Yukari missed spotting him, me, and Aigis when they walked away for help.

"Roy-san?"

I looked at Aigis. "Yeah?"

"Should we not go and assist Hamuko-san?"

I turned back to watch Hamuko and Shinjiro. He was talking to her, but too quietly for me to make out what he was saying.

"Nah, I think Shinjiro's got it under control." I told her. "That and... I'm kinda curious as to what he's up to."

Aigis and I moved a little ways back, watching Shinjiro talk with Hamuko. He knelt down and seemed to be messing with something. Once he stood up, it turned out he'd fixed Hamuko's broken sandal. She seemed pretty happy, but he just tried to brush it off and walked away. He succeeded because the other girls showed up, though Mitsuru spotted him and had a quick word with him. They were too far away for me to hear anything. Once their chat was over, Shinjiro started in the direction of me and Aigis, not noticing us until we were only about four feet away.

"...How long have you two been standing there?" he asked.

I looked at my watch. "Uh... since about when Hamuko tripped?" I looked at him. "Why?"

He just glared at me.

Eyebrow. "What? Is it really that big of a deal for someone to catch you acting like a decent person?"

"Just mind your own business." Shinjiro grunted, starting to turn away.

"You were right, y'know."

He paused, looking at me over his shoulder.

"That little observation about me you made in that journal entry I asked you to write." I said. "But I'm not the only one with something to hide, am I?"

He scoffed. "So what, you're a shrink now?"

I shrugged. "I just know a thing or two about Arcana is all. I guess based on what I see."

"Hierophant?" asked Shinjiro. "Or however the hell you say it?"

I shook my head. "Moon."

He skeptically raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "Whatever."

"Really, why is it so bad if people know you're a nice guy at heart?" I asked, approaching Shinjiro.

Shinjiro glared at me. "...I ain't a nice guy. Best if nobody misses me when I'm gone. Not worth anyone's damned time anyway."

"Not even Akihiko's?"

"Especially not his." He said sternly. "He doesn't need someone like me around anyways. And why do you even care?"

I folded my arms. "How about because even if you don't want people getting close to you, it's kinda gonna happen anyways? Just as an example, your little stunt there with Hamuko? Yeah, I can't see that deeming you some kind of heartless jerk in her eyes."

"Tch. Whatever." He turned away again. "I got nothin' for her, so it's better she doesn't waste her time."

"It's likely only gonna be a waste to you, y'know." I commented as he started to leave. "People see things differently. Opinions and whatnot. Not much you can really do about it."

Shinjiro paused mid step, as if contemplating turning around, but shook his head and kept walking.

CRASH

-Wait what are you kidding me how did that exchange count?-

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Moon Arcana...

-...Social links are weird.-

"Roy-san?"

I turned my head. "Yeah?"

"Why does Shinjiro-san not wish to be recognized as helpful?" she asked. "I do not comprehend."

I shrugged. "I couldn't tell you for sure. I know he has reasons, but I don't exactly know what they are."

Aigis tilted her head slightly. "Would it not be simple to inquire about Shinjiro-san's reasons?"

"Nah, I doubt he'd tell either of us even." I said. "If he tells anyone, it'd probably be once he trusts them enough."

She was quiet for a moment. "Roy-san, you referenced 'Arcana' durring your conversation with Shinjiro-san. What purpose do classifications for Shadow types serve in interactions with others?"

"Ah, that's the thing though." I began, leading Aigis away from the festival. "They weren't originally meant to classify Shadows by type of mask."

"Is that so?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Arcana are from Tarot, a total of Twenty two exist in a given Tarot deck. They go from zero, the Fool, to twenty-one, the World, and each tells different things about a Person."

"Hierophant is the fifth Arcana..." Aigis noted. "But what number is Moon?"

"Eighteen."

"And what is the meaning of those Arcana?"

"Hierophant is the doctrine of order which helps maintain all things, the presiding semblance of structure and authority that ensures a sense of community and harmony amongst people." I stated. "Moon, meanwhile, is more related to doubt, deception, and illusions. Hence why I'm sure Shinjiro has reasons for why he acts the way he does and tries to cover his tracks in regards to acts of kindness by acting like a massive jerk."

Aigis seemed to make a sound akin to a hum. "So then he masks his true nature from others in an attempt to prevent them pain of some sort?"

"Could be." I said. "It's entirely possible, but without knowing more I can't really say." -Technically I do know more, but it's probably not my place to blab that Shinjiro's Persona has murdered someone.-

"I am curious, however, how a given person can be attributed to multiple Arcana." she said. "Shinjiro-san's Persona is Hierophant, yet you say he is also represented by Moon."

I crossed my arms. "Yeah, I don't get that either. But so far, I've only met three people besides Shinjiro that seem to have two Arcanas."

"Who are the others?"

"Akihiko, who has Star in addition to Emperor..." I began, counting on my fingers. "Then there's Ken, who's got Justice and Devil, and lastly you, with Chariot and Aeon."

Aigis titled her head. "Aeon?"

"It's from a different tarot deck than other ones." I explained. "It's in the same position as the Judgment card, but it has a slightly different meaning."

"Different?"

"Judgment is the second to last card and, as I know it, is about looking back and reflecting on the things you've done and casting aside any remaining uncertainties you have before you can truly say you have reached the end of the last trial that was laid before you." I said. "Aeon is more you searching for understanding within your experiences to see if you do indeed know what you were meant to learn and that you know just exactly who you are and where you belong in the world."

Aigis made that humming noise again. "Then is that to say I will examine my circumstances carefully as we continue to defeat the Shadows?"

I nodded. "More than likely. Because, really... once the Shadows are gone, what would happen to you?"

She stared at me in silence for a few moments. "I... do not know. It is likely I will return to the Yakushima laboratory."

"Well, is that what you want?"

Aigis blinked absently. "What I want would not be taken into account. I am a machine with the singular purpose of destroying Shadows."

"No, you're a person with a mechanical body." I countered. "Ikutsuki himself said they had to give you a human-like body so you would think like a human and thus be capable of using a Persona. If a Persona is a manifestation of human will, then logically you are just as human as I am, even if your body is different from mine."

Aigis stopped in place, staring at me in what looked like it might've been shock. I stopped as well, keeping my eyes on her.

"Aigis?" I asked.

"I..." she began, her voice sounding like it was wavering. "I had not considered that line of thinking before..."

"It seems simple enough to me." I said. "Persona is a power formed from the human will. You have a Persona, thus you are human. Makes sense, right?"

She was quiet for a moment, then nodded a little. "I comprehend the thought process behind your statement, Roy-san. And... thank you for informing me of it."

I smiled. "You're welcome, Aigis."

CRASH

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Aeon Arcana...

-Nifty!-

"We should resume our return to the dormitory." Aigis said. "I believe the Operation has concluded in a satisfactory manner."

"Alright, let's go then." I replied, the two of us resuming our walk back to the dorm.

The trip back was part idle talk and part introductory lesson on Tarot Arcana, which Aigis grasped easily and quickly. Once actually back at the dorm, Aigis went up to her room and I went to mine, finding Pharos sitting on the bed.

-And just where the hell have you been?- I asked with the most accusing tone my mind could conjure. -You just up and disappeared on me, hours ago!-

Pharos chuckled nervously. "Oh, um, I was at the festival..."

Eyebrow. -With who? You're invisible to anyone who's not me.-

"Eh heh..." He didn't look at me. "I... uh..."

-...You were stalking someone weren't you.-

"What? NO!" he shouted, his head snapping in my direction. "Of course not!"

I just smirked. -Suuuuuure little buddy.-

"I wasn't!" Pharos insisted, glaring at me.

I held up my hands. -Alright, alright, I believe you. But Fuuka looked nice in that yukata, right?-

"Beyond nice..." he sighed contently, then he realized what I did and glared at me again. "Oh you massive jerk!"

-Hehehe- I thought with a grin. -Couldn't resist a gag like that man. No offence.-

Pharos groaned. "Man, just go to bed or whatever..." He paused. "You're going to put this in the Journal, aren't you?"

-Maaaybe.-

"...Asshole."

Not having much to do for the next few days, I spent part of them getting my summer homework done with. On the twentieth, I'd finished everything and opted to head out somewhere with Yukari. I slightly regretted that, because flower shops make my head hurt because of too many different goddamn smells, also I've got a pollen allergy, but thankfully she told me before we got there so it wasn't like I wasn't gonna be able to do something about it.

"Hmm... Lilies are too overpowering, and roses aren't really my thing..." Yukari commented as I swallowed some allergy pills and washed them down with some juice I got at the same corner store as the pills. "Maybe gerberas?"

"Man, I don't even know." I replied. "Only flowers I can tell apart from any others are roses."

She giggled. "Well, that's a shame... I was hoping you could help me pick out some flowers for my room."

"Oh, well I guess I..." I paused about a half second into that sentence. "Wait a second, I've never even been in your damn room!"

"Well, then what good are you?" She said with the most blatantly teasing tone of voice I've ever heard her use.

"Not much, that's fer sure..." I sighed. "Only thing I'm sure of is whatever you pick, you'll probably go for the pink ones because you have pink EVERYTHING."

Yukari looked at me like I was slightly crazy. "No I don't..."

"Yukari, I have seen you wear at least one pink piece of clothing every single day for as long as I've known you." I said flatly. "Plus you told me yourself it's your favorite color anyways."

She giggle again. "Oh yeah, I did huh...? I'm surprised you remembered..."

I shrugged. "What can I say? I at least try to make an effort to remember random little things friends have told me."

CRASH

-Oh hey there Social Link Voices-

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest-

-To make a Lovers persona blah blah blah, I'm honestly starting to get sick of hearing these things all the time.-

"Too bad there's no way to shut them off, huh?" commented Pharos.

-Yeah...- "So, you picked out which ones you wanna get?"

"Kinda, but I think I'm gonna look around a bit longer." she replied. "You don't have to stick around if you don't want to, cuz I'm pretty sure I can handle a few flowers by myself."

I looked at Yukari as I started to turn to leave. "You sure you don't mind me headin' out?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "It's totally fine. You've got allergies, right? Those pills you took won't kick in for a little bit anyways so it'd probably be better if you stepped outside."

I laughed. "Ha, alright... thanks Yukari, I'll see ya back at the dorm."

"Alright, see ya Roy-kun!"

I waved absently over my shoulder as I left the flower shop, glad to no longer be assaulted by all the damn flower smells. I started checking my pockets, only to find I had my sketchbook with me, almost wondering why until I flipped through it and found the half-finished drawing in it. Forgot I left it in a card in my pocket cuz I wanted to finish it up...

"Well, why not sit down next to her and finish it?"

I looked at Pharos. -Who?-

"Her." he said, pointing at a red-haired girl in a white... dress I want to call what she's wearing? "She's drawing something herself, so why not ask if you can sit next to her?"

-...Eh, sure. Why not?- I though with a shrug as I walked over to the girl.

"Mind if I sit here?" I asked.

She looked up at me for a moment, then back at her drawing. "No."

I smiled, sitting down next to her and starting to finish up my sketch. I glanced over at the girl next to me, and it was like she knew because she turned her sketchbook away from me. I shrugged again, focusing on my own drawing again.

"You come here to draw often?" I asked.

I heard the sound of her pencil stop for a moment, then start up again.

"...No." she replied.

I hummed. "Too noisy?"

"...Sometimes."

"Ah. You drawn for a while?"

She looked over at me for a moment, apparently surprised I was trying to have a conversation with her. "A few years."

"Thinking of doing it professionally?" I asked.

She didn't answer for a few moments. "...Maybe."

"You enjoy drawing?"

Her reply came with a very tiny smile. "Yes."

I chuckled. "Always good to have something you enjoy to help pass the time..."

"Mmhm..." she hummed.

I did some final touch-ups on my sketch, then flipped my pad closed and stood up. "Think I'll get out of your hair now, though. Nice talking to you, miss."

Her response was a simple hum as I started to walk away.

CRASH

-WHOA FUCKING SHIT WHAT-

I am thou... thou art I...

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Temperance Arcana...

-...New friend? Awesome!-

Nothing worth mentioning happened for a few days... then the twenty-forth rolled around.

I'll... just start with how my day began. Akihiko started knocking on my door, saying he wanted me to come with him. Turns out all he wanted was a training buddy, so guess who got roped into that AND taking Koromaru for a walk? If you guessed me, you win nothing but the smug satisfaction you predicted something written down in a journal written by a teenager.

Koromaru barked at the two of us as we gasped for breath the entire way up the stairs at the shrine. He seemed happy to have more than one person with him, but I wasn't in the position to tell more than that because Akihiko wanted to do like twenty laps around like four blocks before racing me here.

"Let's... haa... take a short break..." he wheezed, plopping down on a bench. I wasted no time in occupying almost the entirety of the bench next to the one he was on, Koromaru sitting down in front of me and giving me a curious look. I just patted him on the head. "Hey... the wind's starting to pick up... feels nice after a jog like that..."

"Jog my ass." I griped. "That was... haa... like five fucking miles you insisted on..."

Akihiko laughed. "Yeah, well endurance training does the body good. But it was nice having a training partner for once... usually I'm practicing at the club room at school or alone in my room..."

I turned my head slightly. "What, you have a personal gym thing set up in there?"

"Of course." he replied with a tone that suggested it was completely normal and obvious he'd done so. "It's not the best, but it helps with what I need."

"I'm not even sure why that surprises me..." I commented. "Hell, I'm sure if you could do it, you'd have gotten Mitsuru to install a full gym in the dorm somewhere..."

"...I wonder..."

I gave him a look. "Dude she'd never go for it. Not even if you said it'd help us prepare against Shadows."

He sighed. "Yeah... you're probably right..." Akihiko glanced at his watch, then stood up. "Actually, can you keep an eye on Koromaru? There's something I've gotta go talk to someone about."

I sat up, while Koromaru tilted his head curiously upon hearing his name.

"Sure, I can handle the little dude..." I said. "But what's up?"

He shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry yourself over..."

"You sure I can't help out?"

Akihiko laughed. "Yeah, but... thanks for offering. I'll catch you later, Roy."

I waved as he started jogging away. "Later senpai..."

CRASH

-GAH! Damn it I need to be more prepared for these things!-

Thou shalt ha-

-Blah blah blah Star Arcana blah blah.- I griped mentally. -Pharos, you think we should hit the Velvet Room sometime soon and ask Igor if I can turn down the volume on the social link pop-ups?-

"Couldn't hurt." he said. "I mean if you got nothing better to do..."

I started to answer when the sound of a little girl crying suddenly started getting closer. Koromaru was on his feet, looking at the stairs to the shrine. It took me a few seconds before the source came into view for me to recognize who it was.

Maiko.

I didn't even have the chance to get up before she ran straight towards me and latched on tightly, like I was a live preserver in the middle of the ocean. She was still crying.

"R-Roy-san...!" she squeaked out between sobs. "M-My dad, he... Waaaaah!"

"Hey, hey take it easy Maiko..." I said, trying my best to calm her down. "Just take a deep breath, then tell me what's going on, okay...?"

She sobbed loudly, but slowly nodded. It took her a few minutes, but she eventually managed to calm down enough to talk to me. She sat next to me on the bench her hands still latched onto my shirt.

"M-My dad, he... he hit me!" she exclaimed. "I-I don't know what to do...!"

-WHAT?!- "That's horrible! Why'd he do that?"

"A-All I did was ask I wanted to know why they wanted to get a divorce..." Maiko said, tears welling up in her eyes again. "B-But they said I was too young to understand... but I-I kept asking and Dad got angry and... he..." She let out a choked sob. "...Th-Then mom said it was my f-fault because I was so annoying..."

-...Oh god... no...- "That's not true, Maiko-chan!"

She looked up at me, her eyes red and puffy from all her crying. "B-But then... why are they so mad...? Th-They were really happy on my birthday, b-b-but now they... they..."

I pulled her into a gentle hug as she started crying again. Koromaru whined, nudging the young girl's leg with his head.

She looked over at him, still sniffling.

"A... doggy...?" she asked.

"Mmhm." I replied. "This is Koromaru. He's a good friend of mine."

She stifled a sob, wiping the tears off her face. "C-Can I pet him...?"

Koro's ears perked up and his tail started wagging the moment he heard the word 'pet'.

"Sure. He's really friendly."

Maiko carefully reached out to pet Koromaru, and when he didn't react besides wagging his tail faster she kept petting him.

"Hehe..." she giggled. "His fur is really soft..."

Koro let out a proud sounding bark.

Maiko seemed absorbed in scratching Koromaru's head, but her smile faded after a few moments.

"Roy-san...?"

I looked at her. "Yeah?"

"...I don't want my Mom and Dad to fight because of me." she said. "So I'm... I'm gonna run away from home!"

-...No...- "...You sure that's a good idea, Maiko-chan?"

She nodded seriously. Well, as seriously as a seven year old can manage anyways. "I know it's probably selfish, but... I made up my mind. I'm gonna run away."

-...Please no...- "Were would you run to, though?"

"I don't know..." she said, her hand resting on Koromaru's head. "But... if I do run away, then Mom and Dad will have to work together to find me, right...?"

-...She sounds just like him...- "Yeah... but..." I hesitated, then sighed. "Tell ya what. Why don't you hide out at my house for a while?"

Both Koromaru and Maiko looked up at me.

"Your house?" she asked. "Would that be okay...?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and it'd be a lot safer. Plus you could play with Koromaru while you're there."

He barked happily and Maiko's eyes lit up.

"Yay!" she cheered, giving me as big a hug as she could manage. "Thank you, Roy-san~!"

-I'm not letting something like that happen this time.- "Ha, no problem. I wouldn't be a gentleman if I let a lady wander the streets and possibly get hurt, now would I?"

Maiko giggled. "Nope~! You'd be a big jerk if you did! But you're not a jerk, you're my friend!"

CRASH

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Hanged Man Arcana...

-Shut up, you.- "Alright, then here, lemme get out a notepad to give you the directions..."

About ten minutes of planning later, and Maiko had left with directions to the dorm in hand and a spring in her step. I just sullenly started walking back to the dorm myself with Koromaru and Pharos in tow.

"...Hey, Koromaru?"

The shiba inu looked up at me.

"Thanks." I said. "For cheering up Maiko-chan."

He barked happily, his tail wagging.

CRASH

-Wait what-

I am thou... thou art I...

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Strength Arcana...

-...Well hot damn. These things are just going off all over the place today.-

"You gonna be okay, Roy?" asked Pharos. "You seemed kinda shaken up..."

-...Depends on how things play out, Pharos. Just hoping for the best.-

I spent the whole rest of the day at the dorm, half expecting Maiko to turn up. She never did, so I assumed she'd show up the next day. Fuuka, Junpei, and Hamuko all commented that Ken seemed a bit out of it, but I figured he just wasn't feeling well. I didn't even get the chance to talk to him till around seven at night on the twenty fifth after spending most of the day still expecting Maiko to turn up.

"Hey Ken." I said casually, sitting down across from him at the table he was at on the second floor's mini-lounge. "You feelin' okay?"

He looked over at me. "Huh? No, I'm fine... just had something on my mind is all."

"Like what?" I asked.

Ken seemed hesitant for a second. "Well... I always felt like there was something I needed to do... but I could never figure out what it was. Now, though... I know what it is and I'm ready to do it. My mind's made up."

I smiled. "Well that's good then! And hey, don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You don't have to do everything yourself."

"Pfffft, that's a funny way to put it Roy..." scoffed Pharos.

-Hush you.-

Ken nodded. "I will... but can I ask you about something, Roy-san?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"What do you guys do at night?" he asked. "You all stay up really late sometimes... I've tried staying up but I never manage to stay awake late enough and fall asleep before the rest of you do..."

-...Well damn, kid's pretty damn observant.- "Well, what do you think we do?"

"You guys are in high school, so I thought you might be studying..." he admitted. "But do you just goof off instead?"

I shook my head. "Nah. It's... well, it's kinda more adult stuff than that."

Ken frowned. "So, what? You're saying I'm just a kid?"

"Not at all. Honestly, you could probably help us out a lot." I told him.

He seemed surprised. "Really?"

"Really." I said with a serious expression. "I can't say I know what the others think, but you could definitely handle it... I'm just not convinced it's a good thing that you can."

Now he looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not trying to be condescending or anything, but..." I began. "Well, you're ten. Sure, I will absolutely agree you're far more mature than at least two of the high schoolers in the dorm, yes Junpei is one of them, but you're still pretty young. You've got a whole life to live how you want to live it, so even though you can, I really think it's a better idea you don't get caught up in this."

"Why not?" he asked. "Is it dangerous?"

I paused before answering. "Yeah... it kinda is."

Ken chewed on his bottom lip for a moment. "...I see. So, if your friends ask me to help, I should really think about it before I answer them...?"

"Or before you ask them yourself." I said. "Either way, just seriously consider things before you do something. It's a fairly good habit to get into when it comes to most things in life."

He nodded. "Yeah... it does sound like the smart thing to do..."

"Mmhm." I hummed, standing up. "But if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go raid the kitchen."

"Alright." replied Ken as I started walking away. "And, Roy-san?"

I stopped and looked back. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for being honest with me." he said with a smile.

I grinned. "You're welcome, Ken."

CRASH

-Whoa hello... Blah blah, Devil Arcana, I've got the munchies now go away.-

I headed downstairs, only for my phone to start ringing once I reached the lounge. I pulled it out and raised an eyebrow when I saw the caller ID.

-Velvet Room... What's Liz calling about this late at night?- "Hello?"

"Hello, Master Roy. I have something urgent to inform you of." said Elizabeth. "It seems someone has wandered into Tartarus..."

I froze. "What?"

"I am very certain, though it took me some time to be sure I was in fact sensing someone within the tower. Whoever they are, they are quite small." she stated. "They also appear to have a connection to you, Master Roy."

"...What."

"Now for a Missing Persons update." exclaimed the news from the TV. "Today a report was filed for the disappearance of Maiko Oohashi, age Seven, of Iwatodai."

My blood ran cold as my phone dropped from my hand, Elizabeth's voice coming through as she tried to get my attention.. I darted around to stand in front of the TV, hearing a few complaints from behind me.

"Oohashi was reported missing by her mother and father, who found a note from their daughter stating she was running away." the news anchor continued. "A reward has been offered for any information regarding her whereabouts."

I stared in horror at the image of Maiko on the screen.

"Maiko-chan..." I said quietly. "No..."

Author Notes - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd Cliffhanger because I'm STILL EVIL! MWAHAHAHAHA! Sorry about the four month gap between chapters, but my writing muse just WOULD NOT cooperate with me. Hopefully that's been resolved and shit will start getting done again soon! Also, chapter 15 MIGHT be kinda short, but if all goes well I might have it done in a few days! See you all whenever I get it done!