A/N: So yeah, welcome back to your regularly scheduled programming! Minato lacks social links, so we'll be following Hamuko around instead, and that means going with the P3P route. I am a bit torn if the beginning is overkill, but people all have different facets of their personality, just in different bits and pieces. No one is perfect, and here is hoping that showing a bit of vulnerability in the characters will make them more believable. On a side note, I am not going to list social link level ups, e.g. Chariot 5. Mostly because I want the leveling up process to be more organic, instead of the incremental way. I think this is mostly aesthetic and it will become clearer when Hamuko's ranks are high enough from the stuff in the conversations. As usual though, I am open to feedback and am willing to adapt as necessary. I may start skipping a couple of days in between, but who knows. This chapter took a while to come together and I used a couple of extra days to sort things out. Thanks for reading, as always!
Final Update: All done! Thanks goes to my beta, rEpose.
Reader Reviews:
ChilledKitsune: Glad you see Junpei as a decent character. In the game, I always felt he wasn't fully developed, but that's just me.
DeathChaos25: I'm glad you liked the hodgepodge! I delayed this chapter a couple of days in the hopes that it would come together a little better, but I am not sure it did, to be honest. I had a lot of ideas that seemed to appear from nowhere, and it caused everything to sort of explode onto itself. Regardless, WildCardxWildCard tension is definitely there and Minato is still a bit mopey because his confidence is pretty shot still and because he physically feels disabled. I'm still not completely sure what to do about the flower thing. I think it was more for a feel, since Minato did visit the place a couple of times before. I very well may use it for overdramatic symbolism down the line haha! Yeah, I would be a bit confounded if I was Mitsuru as well. There's just a lot of baggage there in between them. Yeah, time flies by, right? I'm glad I still have the motivation to keep going through with this. I'm still trying to balance the descriptions, dialogues, and thoughts of characters. Definitely a work that is in progress. Thanks for the review!
RomanceDagger: As am I! I wish I had better organization skills. It is literally a giant word document with a bunch of notes and reminders at the end. Glad you're looking for more.
MinexLaggante: That is a pretty good theory! I think it will become clearer down the line why Minato was sent back in time. No spoilers from me though! Thanks for reading!
Chapter 14: Enigma
April 24th, Tuesday (Gekkoukan High Archery Fields, After School)
Yukari P.O.V.
An arrow whistled across the archery range and landed with a thump on a wooden target. It missed the bullseye by a large margin, eliciting a sigh from the archery team captain, who shook her head in dismay.
"Yukari, we aren't even going to get to nationals, let alone win them if you keep this up," she mentioned, unable to hide her disappointment. "At this rate, I'll have a hard time keeping you on the first team."
Yukari turned away and wiped her forehead with her uniform sleeve and prepared to try again. Archery practice had always been something she could hang her hat on, but recently it had become problematic. In many ways, Yukari was above average in the classroom and in the amount of admirers she had, but archery was the area she excelled in. Recently though, not much went right for her. Frustrated, she let off another volley and the arrow landed somewhat closer to the intended target.
Yukari knew the real reason for her struggles were the frequent forays into Tartarus that left her winded and struggling to wake up the following morning. That was a fair excuse, just not one that she could tell her captain. Regardless, Yukari attempted to hone her focus and determine the strength of the breeze in the field today, and squinting to better see the target. A shriek from the opposite field broke Yukari's concentration and she looked over in annoyance.
The tennis team had begun to practice and the shouts were from an argument between a girl named Rio and seemingly everyone else on the tennis courts.
"Our team sucks! Why do we even have to bother practicing? None of us are any good anyhow, Rio!" A particularly loud girl shouted at the top of her lungs.
With that, a parade of girls all left the tennis courts, leaving only Rio behind. Yukari felt sorry for the girl, but the tennis club could sort out their own issues. However, out of the corner of her eye Yukari could see Hamuko still standing on the baseline of the tennis court wearing an all-white outfit composed of white sneakers, skirt, and a visor.
There she is, at it again. That girl is always in the middle of everything, Yukari thought. Yukari went back to training, but didn't make much progress. Frustrated, she went back to the locker room to change out of her archery uniform, wondering why she wasn't more amiable towards Hamuko. It seemed rather petty to Yukari because she didn't have a legitimate reason not to like her. Not to mention that they were on the same team, watching each other's backs in Tartarus. As Yukari shuffled about, putting her archery stuff into a locker, she stopped moving because she heard a muffled conversation.
"Have you heard about the transfer student?" a girl's voice said.
"Which one?" another female voice whispered in conspiratorial tones.
"Hamuko, of course. I heard that Toriumi left her file about in the teacher's lounge. Some dunce on detention duty took a peek, and do you know what they found?"
"Hurry up and tell me!" the other girl squealed.
"Pipe down, someone may hear us. Well, not only is Hamuko an orphan to begin with, but she also saw her adopted parents burn to death before her eyes!"
"She's cursed! We should warn everyone!"
Yukari stopped listening and put her bow away as quietly as she could. After walking out of the locker room, she sat down and leaned against the wall with her arms folded together. A queasy feeling engulfed her stomach as she felt indecent for learning something so personal. No wonder Hamuko had snapped at her that day at the hospital and appeared so standoffish. She never knew her real parents to begin with and to watch her adoptive parents die in that manner. This really left Yukari in a bit of a paradox as she wanted to immediately run off and apologize to Hamuko for being so insensitive, but doing so would indicate that she knew about her past.
And here I thought Hamuko was nosy. Life can be pretty ironic at times Yukari thought. No, I'm not going to hesitate this time. I already saw what happened when I hesitated before on top of the dorm. If she's mad so be it.
Yukari hung around the hallway, waiting for Hamuko to come back from the tennis courts with Rio. Finally, the two girls trudged through carrying their own bags and equipment. Both of them were drenched in sweat and walking gingerly after having gone at it for such a while. Rio noticed Yukari first and greeted her.
"Yukari Takeba right? I'm Rio Iwasaki, a junior like you," she said. "You're on the archery team, right?"
"Nice to meet you, Rio, and yeah, I am. I've heard your name before too." Yukari looked over to Hamuko who appeared reasonably glad to see her.
"Fancy meeting you here, Yukari. I thought you would've left school by now," Hamuko commented cheerily.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you for a bit if you don't mind, Hamuko."
"Sure, why not?" Hamuko responded, shrugging her shoulders. "I'll put my stuff away on my own, Rio. Thanks for welcoming me to the club!"
"Of course, Hamuko. See you at next practice!" Rio smiled, and left the two other girls.
Hamuko turned to Yukari and said, "So, what do you want to talk about Yukari?" Hamuko looked at her keenly like a cat examining a ball of yarn. This didn't exactly encourage Yukari, but she pressed on.
"Hamuko, don't take this the wrong way, but I heard that someone took a look at your school file. They've started talking about you as an orphan and how you saw your adoptive parents die." Yukari braced herself for whatever angry response Hamuko would give her. Instead, Hamuko didn't respond at all and seemed a bit glassy-eyed, unable to say anything.
Finally, she said, "Is that really true, Yukari?" The normal, infectiously optimistic voice of Hamuko sounded as if the bottom had fallen out of it. Her shoulders slumped forward and the rosy color on her face drained away.
This wasn't the response that Yukari had expected. She thought Hamuko would have gotten annoyed and at worst, angry. Normally, Hamuko appeared confident, even brash in Yukari's mind, charging forward against Shadows and appearing to shrug off whatever burdens placed on her. Now, Hamuko appeared normal, and perhaps vulnerable, for the first time Yukari had witnessed.
"I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have brought this up, but I felt that you wanted to hear it from me first, instead of someone else." Yukari felt sort of lame for saying this, but couldn't really think of what else to say.
Hamuko paused, as if digesting what Yukari said and replied, "Yeah, thank you for telling me. It's just I hoped to have a normal school life here without the past getting dredged up. I guess that's just too much to ask." The way Hamuko apathetically uttered these words caused Yukari concern.
Yukari placed her hands on Hamuko's shoulders and repressed her own bewilderment at how slender they were. "Look, I understand why you acted the way you did back at the hospital now. I can't say I understand what you're going through exactly, but you don't have to bottle it up all inside."
Yukari took it as a good sign that Hamuko didn't remove her hands and eventually Hamuko shuddered a bit. "Thank you, I don't really deserve your sympathy."
"Don't worry, that's what friends are for, right?" Yukari went in for the hug and wasn't pushed away. "People are always going to talk, but I'll be there with you. I know what it feels like having people talk badly about you. My mom and I had to deal with it when people blamed things on my father. Besides, we need to stick up for each other."
Hamuko sniffled a bit into her shoulder, causing Yukari's favorite pink sweater jacket to become wet, but Yukari didn't really mind.
(Iwatodai Dorm, Early Evening)
Minato P.O.V.
Minato lounged on the sofa, which had become a rather bad habit. The old sofa groaned as he wiggled around, trying to find the perfect comfortable position, his legs splayed out in spectacularly lazy fashion as he listened to the recent news on the television. He had rolled up a bit of old newspaper and tried to keep bouncing it with his left hand. It was his attempt at trying to improve his coördination with his non-injured arm, but a way to kill some time as well.
Just what is causing the Apathy Syndrome in Iwatdoai? Live report in 5 minutes, the television blared. Then came along a crappy commercial with none other than President Tanaka.
The lobby door jerked open and Minato took a glance towards it as Yukari and Hamuko entered.
"Hey, welcome back you guys," he said while giving them a slight wave.
Yukari seemed a bit ticked off at him for whatever reason for his response, but Minato didn't really care. He hadn't done anything wrong except look a bit like a bum. Hamuko ignored him and continued to walk slowly past him. Her heavy footfalls made it clear to him that the chances of going to Tartarus tonight were slim to none.
He sat up and spontaneously decided to see what the residents of the Velvet Room were up to. On his way to Paulownia Mall, an incoherent sound caught his attention from the sidewalk. A woman, no doubt suffering from Apathy Syndrome gave him a vacant look. There wasn't much he could do for her and he felt sorry for her with her wretched coat and dirty shoes, but Minato decided that he could at least give her the reversible jacket he wore. The news had said there was a chance of rain over the weekend. Minato put the jacket over her and began to walk away when a voice called out to him.
"You are as noble as ever, Minato," a voice succinctly said.
Confused, Minato turned around and saw he was face to face with none other than Elizabeth, the Velvet Room attendant, who was standing where the woman with Apathy Syndrome was.
"Elizabeth?! But how? I just saw a woman who looked like she had Apathy Syndrome," Minato motioned to the spot where she was and felt around it to see if there was a portal to the Velvet Room somewhere.
"Minato," Elizabeth said, cutting him off in a serious tone, drawing his attention away.
"Yes?" he replied unsure of what she would say.
"May I keep your jacket?" Elizabeth held it carefully in her arms like a baby. "Oh, I see. This jacket is worn this way as well. What is the reason for such a confusing feature?"
"Well, uh…" Minato did like the jacket, but didn't want to upset her.
"If you let me acquire it, then I will consider forgiving you for not visiting the Velvet Room sooner. As you have not inquired about me since your return," she said solemnly.
"Fine, fine. You can have it. Still, it's great to see you again." Minato did appreciate seeing her again.
"That feeling is mutual, I assure you. Now, if I may be so bold, would you accompany me to the Velvet Room?" The way she said it didn't really leave him with much choice, so they walked to the mall and were just about to pass the water fountains when Elizabeth exclaimed. "Oh! The fountains where I sacrificed 2,000 of your 500-yen coins, to be exact. I returned here frequently to appease the fountain spirits in exchange for your safe return."
Minato remembered vividly the date where she had deposited a cascade of yen into the three fountains. Underneath the flowing water he could see that the money she had deposited was no longer there, but Elizabeth did not seem bothered by this at all.
"Oh my! It seems that the fountain spirits subjugated the coinage I deposited on your behalf. However, it was well worth it, and in exchange I obtained a jacket worn by my guest."
Minato couldn't help but chuckle to himself a bit. The whimsical sense of humor that accompanied Elizabeth wherever she went was something he had missed a lot. Plus, Minato had pieced together from Igor's veiled comments that Elizabeth had gone out of her way in an attempt to free him from the Great Seal.
"Thank you for trying to save me," Minato said as he held the door open to the Velvet Room behind the alleyway.
"But of course. We are like this, correct?" Elizabeth hugged him a bit too warmly causing Minato's face to go up in temperature a few degrees.
Minato entered the Velvet Room after Elizabeth and heard the familiar clicking noise of the elevator going up endlessly. Igor had his eyes closed, fingers interlocked as if in prayer and Margaret flipped through what looked like the memory compendium. Minato always wondered if the residents of the Velvet Room ever wore different clothing, or perhaps they had an endless supply of the same outfits.
"Hello, my young man. It is a pleasure to see you once again. I must say that I am surprised that you did not grace us with your presence for an extended period of time, when you may need our guidance more than our other guest." Igor sounded a bit cranky, but maybe that was just his way of telling Minato to visit more often than he had.
"Well, I haven't been able to accomplish too much, Igor. All l I managed to do was to get injured." Minato fidgeted a bit, trying not to feel like he had been neglecting his duty.
"Sister, how long do you intend on delving into Minato's memories?" Elizabeth interrupted, with a bit of annoyance in her tone.
"As long as I want to," Margaret airily said, while lifting her head and causing her perfectly coiffed hair to bounce. "I never imagined that the fairy tale you told me about was in fact grounded in reality. If I may say so, he is quite a fascinating guest."
Minato could feel a bit of tension building in the room and cleared his throat in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
"Igor, have you told Hamuko anything about me at this point?" Minato inquired.
"I have not, per your request. However, I cannot say that I am in agreement with it," Igor intoned while tapping his fingers on the side of his armrest. "Our other guest would no doubt benefit from your experience when she encounters times of unrest within your world."
"Wouldn't that cause unwanted consequences though?" Of course, Minato had tossed around this idea many times in his head, and he had always drawn the same conclusion. Hamuko was better off without knowing about his past.
Igor stared him down as if he thought Minato wasn't serious. "I would think that if you thought that were a legitimate concern then you would have not returned to this time. Furthermore, her circumstances are not the same as yours were."
"What do you mean? She is the Wild Card and everything will be the same, right?" Minato quickly said.
Igor seemed to choose his words carefully and said, "There is nothing that is definite, my young man. I believe you are forgetting that Nyx is well aware of your situation."
"That's news to me," Minato muttered, sitting up in his chair. "How can she know what I'm doing when she's supposed to be dormant?" Minato didn't like the idea of Nyx, the goddess of the night, watching his every move.
"For the same reason that we are aware of your past, Minato," Elizabeth told him consolingly. "We are not bound by the limits of time."
"You made a conscious choice in an attempt to change what the final outcome will be," Margaret added. "No doubt that Nyx will make her presence known at some point. Take solace in the fact that she seems to intend to let you be for the foreseeable future."
"And what guarantee do I have of that?" Minato asked a bit incredulous to Margaret.
"A woman's intuition of course," Margaret replied with a knowing smile. "Have you forgotten Metis' words, Minato?"
"Nyx is neither good nor evil," Minato recalled.
"Correct," Igor answered. "She will only act when humanity abandons its hope in living, as you are well aware. I presume she may even be amused at your attempt to prevent this outcome." Minato wasn't sure if this was Igor's attempt at a joke or not.
Minato sat in silence for a while, taking some time to think. He had been a bit naïve, thinking that Nyx is ignorant of his actions. Hamuko still had Death within her, so the avatar wouldn't engage as the harbinger of doom any time soon. On the other hand, Nyx was a goddess, and Minato doubted he could negotiate with a goddess for leniency if she decided to act.
Margaret went back to perusing Le Grimoire and laughing silently at whatever she saw. Her golden eyes seemed full of merriment and maybe even a mischievous glint. Minato wouldn't have thought her capable of laughing before this visit to the Velvet Room. He thought she looked rather nice without the frosty persona that she usually took when he visited.
Taking a deep breath Minato asked the question that had been a source of consternation since he learned of his connection to the Hanged Man Arcana.
"Igor, I want to ask a question about my current power," Minato said. "You mentioned that it's a double-edged sword, but I don't quite understand what you meant."
The wizened resident of the Velvet Room carefully considered his statement and replied, "I cannot offer you much guidance than what I have previously stated."
Minato pressed on hoping for something, anything. "When I injured myself I could've sworn that I sensed where the Shadow was before I saw it. On the other hand, I know for a fact there's a voice in my head that isn't exactly benevolent." He leaned forward in his chair, hoping to put some pressure on Igor.
"You will comprehend better by action than any words I can provide you," Igor stated unbowed by any pressure Minato attempted to put on him. "When the next ordeal occurs at the Full Moon you will begin to understand. That is all I know."
It was better than nothing, at least. Minato had a lot on his mind, said his goodbyes, and prepared to return to the normal world.
"Make sure to visit more often, Minato," Elizabeth cheerfully said.
"We look forward to your next visit," Margaret added, returning her tone back to her usual, reserved manner.
"Do not forget my suggestion, my young man," Igor concluded.
Igor's suggestion that he should carefully consider confiding in Hamuko because they would both benefit irritated Minato a bit. Minato just didn't see how he would get much benefit out of putting even more strain on Hamuko when she already had so many things to juggle in her life.
(Iwatodai Dorm, Evening)
Hamuko P.O.V.
Hamuko felt exhausted both physically and mentally as she changed her clothes after taking a hot shower. Her legs ached and her head felt like a giant burning piece of charcoal. Her first practice at tennis club had been both eye-opening and enjoyable. Rio seemed really devoted to the club, but Hamuko secretly wished she didn't have to endure her venting during the entire two women practice session. The other members of the club were about as useful as the club's sponsor, Ms. Kanou, who wasn't exactly ingratiating to Hamuko. Still, it was Hamuko's first attendance at a school club of any kind, and she marked today with a giant smiling face on her calendar. Only if this had been all that had occurred today.
There was no escaping that the rumor mill would be talking about her past and it did distress her a bit. Hamuko spun around in her chair, hoping that she would stop thinking about what Yukari said, but to no avail. It was really depressing how she had barely started at Gekkoukan, yet people were already going to think she was a freak. Would it be like this no matter where she went? Still, it felt oddly relieving that she and Yukari were closer than before. Hamuko thought she was a bit of an airhead, prone to wild mood swings, but Yukari had a good heart, it seemed.
Hamuko had to admit there was just a lot on her plate, and that it was hard to keep track of everything. Her personality made it so that she wanted to meet and exceed expectations that people put on her. Maybe it was just a habit she had grown into, but her encounter with Yukari made her wonder if she paid enough attention to her own well-being.
Kicking off her flip-flops, Hamuko searched for her notes from school earlier in the day and attempted to study in the dim lighting of her table lamp. It was tough sledding and she began to twirl her pencil faster and faster until it helicoptered out of her hand, landing underneath her bed. Hamuko grumbled and knelt down, trying to feel around for the pencil. Unfortunately, her pencil had caught itself in a crack and Hamuko stabbed herself.
"Owww! That hurts!" she yelled and quickly removed her hand and shaking it vigorously. She took a look at her finger and found a piece of graphite partially lodged under her skin with blood starting to ooze slowly out of her finger.
It just wasn't Hamuko's day it seemed. She went to the bathroom in hopes of finding tweezers and started rummaging through the cabinet. Finding none, Hamuko went downstairs to see if anyone knew where a pair of tweezers were. She found Mitsuru drinking tea and Akihiko re-lacing his gloves. They looked up at their junior with rather appraising looks as she came down.
"Hamuko, you look a bit frazzled. Are you doing alright?" Akihiko asked, his face full of concern.
"I'm fine, thanks for asking," she replied. "Do you know where I can find a pair of tweezers? I want to pull this out." Hamuko gestured to her finger.
"I believe Arisato-kun has one," Mitsuru told her calmly.
Hamuko wondered how Mitsuru knew this or why Minato even had tweezers in the first place but said, "Thanks, senpai," and went on her way.
Akihiko P.O.V.
"Mitsuru," Akihiko said in an undertone, while watching Hamuko go up the stairs.
"Yes, Akihiko?" she replied, her crimson eyes focusing squarely on him.
"I think during the next operation we should consider having Hamuko lead the team," Akihiko mentioned, trying to say his words with some conviction.
"And why is that, I may ask?" Mitsuru replied rather imperiously. "I see no reason to change leaders when the team has been successful."
"It's just that I think I'm holding the team back," Akihiko admitted, scratching the back of his head.
It wasn't easy for Akihiko to admit this, but he had seen Hamuko's battle prowess close up and she would quickly surpass him, if not already. At first, Akihiko's pride diminished with Hamuko's rate of fighting skills growing faster than his ever did. However, Akihiko understood that against Shadows there was no room for whatever pride he had in his heart.
"Her success has been admirable, but you do have more battle experience," Mitsuru explained to him, as if he didn't know this already. "Is there perhaps another reason that you are suggesting this?"
Truth be told, Mitsuru knew Akihiko too well, since they had been fighting this war the longest. Akihiko wanted to focus his energy on protecting his juniors and felt that he couldn't protect and lead them simultaneously. He really wasn't cut out for the whole leader thing, and was more of a brawler than a strategic thinker.
"I think I'd be better suited playing a vanguard role and protecting the newbies," Akihiko replied. "I'm not really the greatest thinker in battle, and I'm hot-headed at times."
"Well, I'm glad that you do realize that your actions are impulsive at times, Akihiko," Mitsuru gave him a small smirk, while twirling the end of her hair. "I do agree with your assessment as well."
Hamuko P.O.V.
Hamuko was about to walk onto the second floor corridor when she paused. Girls usually weren't allowed on this floor just as the boys weren't allowed on the third. Still, her finger hurt like crap and she wouldn't be denied.
Knocking on the door she bellowed, "Minato! It's Hamuko!" The door creakily opened on its antiquated hinges and Minato looked at her dumbfounded.
"You shouldn't really be here, Hamuko. What do you want anyways?" he said, while looking at the wall clock in his room.
"This!" she exclaimed, pointing her injured finger in his face. He looked at it for a second and sighed.
"Come in, but leave the door open. I don't want anyone thinking we're doing anything," he said.
"Ha, you'd probably like them to think that, wouldn't you?" Hamuko teased as she entered his room.
"No, not really," he replied, while searching around his room.
Hamuko had expected him to play along, but Minato seemed rather tired today. She was the one that had a rough day, yet he didn't make any attempt at picking up her mood. Regardless, it was the first time she had ever been in his room, and in the short amount of time, Hamuko tried to look at every corner of the room, taking note of how similar it was to her room.
"I didn't know you liked flowers, Minato," she said, trying to smell the plant that was near his desk.
"Well, you learn something new every day," he quickly responded while motioning her for to sit down on his bed. "Here, let me take that out for you."
Minato with his off-hand slowly albeit carefully took out the graphite, put some antibiotic ointment, and handed her a small bandage. Hamuko liked how methodically Minato did this and just how soft his hands were.
"You can put on the bandage yourself, right?" he asked, just about to go back to whatever he had been doing.
"Could you put it on for me?" Hamuko pleaded. He raised an eyebrow at this and she said, "Please, Doctor Minato?"
He put the bandage on her finger and Hamuko felt a lot happier inside.
"You know, I think I was wrong about you. You're a lot nicer than I thought," she mentioned.
Minato simply shrugged.
"Hey, you're supposed to say, 'Thank you,' or, 'You're nice too, Hamuko.'" Hamuko pretended to pout.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say," he replied. "If that's everything could you leave?"
"Hmph, thanks anyways, meanie," Hamuko said. She did have a smile etched on her face though as she left.
Minato P.O.V
Dammit, I wasn't able to say anything, Minato thought, angrily. Why was he always so tongue-tied around Hamuko? His stomach had churned at seeing her hurt, even a little, just like ten years ago when grabbing her out of the burning vehicle on the bridge. Minato hadn't even managed to ask her what was wrong today when she came back to the dorm, no doubt after crying her eyes out about something. It almost felt like Minato's actions didn't match with this thoughts.
April 25th, Saturday (Port Island Station, After School)
Minato P.O.V.
Well, school was over for the week finally. Minato felt it was one giant slog to go through the same material again. He had gone way past nostalgia and wondered if he could keep his sanity for the year. Still, his visit to the Velvet Room the previous day had cheered him up somewhat, as well as eagerly awaiting the next full moon. Maybe the Shadow would eat me and put him out of his misery, he thought. Of course he thought this in jest, but wished he could understand what was going on better.
What could he do, differently? He was in the middle of the station because there was nothing better to do and it wasn't like he could visit the old couple at the bookstore. Once his arm got better he could try out some clubs that he could never get into such as fencing or boxing. The idea of sparring with Mitsuru or Akihiko was more appealing than running on track team again. He thought even the idea of trying to get into those clubs was more exciting than doing stuff he had already done before. As Minato continued to ponder on how to spice up his life, he heard a commotion.
"Hey girlie, what's with that outfit? Are you some goth?" a sleazy voice said. "How about you and me go somewhere?"
Minato looked over and it was a rather greasy looking punk with a shaved head that looked like he had crawled out from the alleyways. The person he was talking to was none other than Chidori. It had been a long time since Minato had seen that elaborate white dress with embroidery and frills. Along with that black headband with the needle poking out on either end. One look at her facial expression and Minato knew that she would probably axe the punk to death soon.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" The punk moved over her and cast a shadow over her.
"You're in the way," she replied.
"Hey, skinhead! Get lost!" Minato yelled, rather recklessly stepping in between the two. This was the chance Minato had been waiting for to find Chidori without Takaya and Jin. No way that some meathead would derail his mission.
"Who the hell are you?" as the punk landed a solid blow to Minato's stomach.
Minato got pummeled, but stood his ground.
"Tch! You can have her!" and the punk scurried away, as the yelling had drawn the attention of some bystanders.
Minato took a seat next to Chidori.
"No one told you to interfere," she said flatly.
"Hello to you too," Minato said, trying to sound as diplomatic as possible.
She said nothing in response. Minato knew that her Persona, Medea, had an affinity for the Hanged Man Persona. Igor had said that in theory this would be meaningful. Except Minato had no idea what that meant. Chidori wordlessly stood up and started to walk away and Minato didn't say anything to stop her. It may have been awkward, but it was a start.