Piecing the Fragments

Chapter 20: Another Tower

Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable

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Created by: Atlus

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Game Spoilers Galore, Readers be warned.

Note: Some of the facts, especially about Ken was taken from the Official Fan Book!~

Author's Notes: Thank you, Kaiser dude for the beta as always!

Edited and re-mastered on 06/03/13

5/10 Sunday (Evening)

Naganaki Shrine

As they were about to head back to the dormitory with Ken saying his farewell as well, Arisato Minako took the opportunity to have a few words in private with the boy before they left.

They had spent the rest of the afternoon playing with Maiko in the playground and she had gotten to like Junpei just as much as she did with the rest of them. Junpei turned out to be great at the horizontal bars as well as being an expert on the swings, managing to push himself up higher than anything Minako or anyone else could do by himself.

Everyone of them had fun, even Yukari as she watched on, laughing as the rest of her friends played with the two younger children.

Ken wasn't as playful or as childish as Maiko but he was a child at heart too and after some persuasion from Minako and Maiko forcefully pulling him to join them in a game of tag, a game that Yukari took part as well, all of them were closer than before.

Maiko had to leave early as she didn't want her parents to come looking for her and after a while, it was time for the S.E.E.S members to return to the dormitory as well.

'Here, Ken-kun.'

Minako pressed a 5000 yen note into his hands and sternly told him to keep it as he protested, he was probably feeling insulted that she was giving him money.

'Maiko-chan is like a little sister to me... when you visit the shrine, if you see her, I want you to keep an eye on her for me... please, Ken-kun. I know that her family is going through some difficult times now... I want to help her... but school makes it difficult for me... if you can help me cheer her up when she's upset, it'll mean a lot to her and me. Treat her to something on my behalf and if you like, get yourself some milk in the process.'

Minako knew that Ken had lots of pride and especially took ride in his independence. Hence she didn't once comment or hint that Ken should use that money for himself besides that small reward. Her ploy worked as Ken considered it for a while before slowly nodding his head as a reply.

'I can understand what Maiko-chan is going through, I was ignored by my relatives and... I know that is a terrible and scary feeling to have... I'll do what I can, Minako-san. Oh... thank you for believing that I can do it...'

Ken blushed and Minako once again felt a little complicated, was Ken-kun really into older girls?

'… Neh, how do you feel about Maiko-chan?'

Minako asked the question that she shouldn't ask as she told him that Maiko liked takoyaki and Mad Bull and would most likely cheer up if she got to eat some of them.

'Maiko-chan? I don't know... she's energetic... but she's like a child...'

Minako flinched a little in the inside and she stilled her tongue to refrain from adding her view that Ken-kun was a child as well. He wasn't that much older to him but Minako pressed on further as she asked him how did she view Maiko.

'She's very cute isn't she?'

'I guess so... wait... Minako-san... I view Maiko-chan as a friend and perhaps a little sister like you do...'

Ken seemed to catch on as he explained patiently to her. He made it plain that he doesn't really like girls who are younger than him, causing Minako to refrain from asking him if he liked older sister-types.

It would surely not end well and Minako nodded thoughtfully before reaching out to pinch his cheeks, causing him to blush, confirming her worst suspicions and she felt a little light headed again as Ken just looked at her in confusion.

'Then, take care of her for me, Onii-chan~"

Minako ran off after teasing him just as he opened his mouth to object, but Ken seemed not to mind as he waved at the three of them walking off towards the station.

..

'Hey, what were you talking about with Ken-kun?'

Junpei asked curiously as he carried the basket while waiting for the train to arrive.

'About what he thought about Maiko-chan...'

Minako replied patiently while Yukari nodded in approval as well. It seems that Yukari had made it her mission to pair those two together just like how she wanted to do with Akihiko and Mitsuru and it was making Minako wonder how many sides of Yukari she have not seen before. Either that or she has screwed with the timeline so much that Yukari had gone half-insane.

Either way, Minako told them that Ken-kun didn't really like younger girls and that made Junpei made that predictable remark.

'So he likes older sister-types?! Man... that's so … '

Junpei coughed once as Yukari stared at him, daring him to say something before he decided it against it, probably for the best as well as he commented again.

'… He would actually get along with Kenji...'

'HUH?!'

The train ride back was filled with slanderous gossip and Minako found that she didn't really mind it that much.

5/10 Sunday (Evening)

Dormitory

Yukari decided that atmosphere was frosty when the three of them returned to the dormitory and in a stroke of bad luck, was greeted by Akihiko sempai speaking with Mitsuru sempai in the lounge. Yukari didn't fail to notice how Minako looked away and hurried to the kitchen to unwrap the three plates of Prodigy Platters that would serve as their dinner.

Junpei had argued for ramen but Minako had insisted on the fishy meal again for the third time this week and as Yukari had to admit that she was able to concentrate better after eating the platter of fish, which could be a placebo effect nonetheless, Junpei was outvoted. However in the end he seemed to be a little eager when Minako hinted that it could probably help with Junpei's grades.

'Mitsuru sempai, we brought some food back, so if you haven't had dinner, you can have some of the ramen that we bought.'

Even so, they three of them had decided to take back some ramen with them as well in the event that Junpei couldn't stomach the whole platter of fish. Both the girls admitted that the taste needed one to get used to it and they brought four portions of ramen back just in case. One was for Mitsuru sempai, one for whoever is still hungry and the other two... for Akihiko and Shinjiro -sempai.

Despite how he had hurt her, Minako seemed to still care for her two seniors as she had ordered four wordlessly, not even answering why she bought four from Junpei till it dawned on Yukari. She had to hit him on the head to make him shut up at being insensitive likethat.

'Thank you, Arisato... It would be my first time eating ramen, I am looking forward to eating something that Akihiko had said was delicious. I hope you got some for him as well'

'…. I got the special, Mitsuru-sempai, so you should enjoy it.'

Minako answered softly even as Akihiko shifted uncomfortably in his seat while Yukari set the table and Junpei started to wash the dirty containers that they brought back. So he was feeling guilty, good!

'Aragaki has informed me that he would be staying no more than tonight but I assured him that if he needed a room, he would be welcome at any time. So I expect all of you to not alienate him when he does visit occasionally. That said, he has agreed to assist us during the Full Moon, his help is greatly appreciated... he is a skilled fighter and I have full confidence in his abilities. Arisato, as our permanent field leader, something that Akihiko had proposed and I agree with, I hope that you would be willing to give him a chance to prove himself as well.'

..

It was not really unexpected but it was still surprising to hear that both their seniors had agreed to make Minako their permanent field leader. It was something to be happy about as Yukari felt that if it was someone else leading, she would be a little loss as to what to do. Their teamwork were great and it would be odd if someone like Mitsuru sempai was leading and not Minako.

'Oh, I do apologize for informing you this way.'

Mitsuru seemed embarrassed as she saw how Minako was staring in confusion at the announcement. It was not the first time Yukari had seen her like this but it was still something strange, like she didn't quite know how to look surprised.

'I should have waited for a more formal occasion to announce your appointment. You have my apologies, Arisato, perhaps we could arrange for a more formal dinner to do that?'

The entire first floor turned to chaos as Minako hurriedly said that was not necessary, Mitsuru insisting it was, Junpei asking what kind of food were they going to have and Yukari just trying to calm all of them down. In the end Mitsuru relented as she cleared her throat and announced again.

..

'We were hoping that you would be willing to take on the responsibility of being the S.E.E.S Field leader in all our operations. I agree with Akihiko's opinion and assessment that you have proved yourself very responsible, more than capable of being able to operate under stressful situations while still maintaining your ability, and capability to engage in combat with the shadows. Your unique ability aside, I personally would feel more at ease if you were leading the team. As Akihiko would still be unable to return to active duty for some time, I do hope that you would continue to be the leader in the considerable future, as our permanent field leader for explorations into Tartarus as well as operations on the field for S.E.E.S. It is a position that carries with it a lot of responsibilities but I do hope that you would accept.'

Mitsuru asked Minako politely even as she placed the Prodigy Platters on the table along with two plates of soy sauce and wasabi to help enhance the bland flavor somewhat. She did took a while to digest Mitsuru's words, their senior having came up with that impromptu speech out of nowhere as she looked patiently but eagerly at Minako.

'I'm glad that Mitsuru sempai has so much faith in me, I will be honored to lead the team if you do believe that I should be the one leading. For now I believe the three of us are more than capable to explore Tartarus, but I will certainly consider asking Aragaki-sempai to join us during the next full moon mission.'

Besides modestly answering Mitsuru, Minako managed to ignore Akihiko at the same time as well. The Wild Card did not even look at Akihiko for a second as she called Junpei to hurry up so they can start dinner.

Mitsuru smiled and seemed satisfied with Minako's words as well as her reassurance.

'Thank you for accepting this role, Arisato. I am expecting a lot out of you and I am certain that you would perform even better than what I myself pride myself on. Please do go ahead with dinner, the three of you must have had a long day.'

..

Mitsuru either did not notice the frosty atmosphere between Minako and Akihiko or simply was too elated with Minako accepting and she went back to conversing with the other senior. This made even Yukari feel bad for him as Minako was totally ignoring him.

Yukari decided that day that she would never want to engage in a silent war with Minako, it just wasn't worth it as the other girl seemed to be suffering as well just by engaging the war in the first place.

'Let's start first, Yukari-chan~ Ittadakimasu!'

Yukari clapped her hands together as she repeated the line with Minako, a little hesitantly of course as Akihiko-sempai looked to be trying to catch the eyes of her best friend without much success as Minako was sitting with her back facing him.

Now Yukari felt more than a little guilty as she was an unwilling accomplice in this war without words. Even Junpei had to avert his eyes as he sat down beside her for his share of the fish slices.

Normally Yukari wouldn't like it if Junpei invited himself to sit beside her but she welcomed any one to share the guilt. It's like they all say, guilt needs company... or was that misery?

Thankfully for the two of them, Minako announced that she was heading out after the quick dinner and headed upstairs to change just as Akihiko and Mitsuru-sempai decided to have their dinner as well.

..

'You seem very uncomfortable today, Akihiko. Perhaps you are coming down with something? That being said, I believe you have not trained at all today... if you are sick, perhaps I should drive you to the clinic?'

Mitsuru mentioned to her friend in concern even as Akihiko served the bowl of ramen to her. Yukari noticed and silently cheered her senior on even as made her way up to her room as well. Junpei on the other hand was watching the rerun of yet another show with some notes in his hands.

Even if he was trying to change himself, Yukari has her own doubts whether he'll succeed. But she can never fault a person for trying, right?

'No, you barred me from training right, Mitusur? Let's dig in, I'm famished.'

'Ah, that is correct... it had slipped my mind for the moment. I do apologize for the mistake. It seems that I have been too used to your constant training regimes after all. First of all however, Akihiko, what is the proper decorum and manner to eat this dish?'

Yukari actually felt a little disappointed that she would not be able to see another interesting scene but she still left, leaving Junpei with an excellent view of the scene going on. Yukari headed up to her room only to see Minako rushing out of hers in the same time.

'You're done so soon? And what's with that getup... you got a date today?'

Minako had applied some more makeup as well as picking a more revealing blouse and skirt combination than usual. Of course, it was more conservative than the little black dress that Yukari chanced upon her wearing a few nights ago. Now that was borderline racy!

'it's something like that. I'm hoping to catch someone tonight! I'll be back before midnight so don't worry!'

Yukari watched Minako rush down the stairs but she stopped abruptly to call back to Yukari.

'Yukari-chan, help me tell Junpei that he needn't unlock his window tonight! Thanks! He'll know what I mean! I'll be back soon!'

Minako called out again before she ran down the flight of stairs and out of sight. Was this the same girl who had been sobbing and crying her heart out in the morning and all of last night? Like what she had expected, Arisato Minako was unstoppable and she probably had her own agenda today again.

'… She sure is a busy girl, huh?'

Yukari sighed before slipping into her own room to arrange her thoughts, particularly about what Minako told her last night and today in general. She would say that she was going crazy, but a part of her wanted to accept it as well.

'We'll burn the bridge when we get there.'

Yukari told herself as she started to change and to head off for a bath.

'Even so... who is Minako meeting tonight anyway?'

5/10 Sunday (Night-time)

Club Escapade

At Club Escapade, Minako managed to slip into the club by offering the same bouncer the same monetary reward that Theodore did and she slipped into the crowd easily enough, looking towards the VIP lounge and waiting for her chance.

In the process of waiting for her target to arrive, Minako sat down on the bar table and watched as the club started to get packed. The more people there were, the more orders there were to fill and Minako watched as the bar tender worked with his hands full, pouring and mixing drinks like there were no tomorrow.

'Hey.'

An unfamiliar voice called out to her and she turned to see a middle-aged man looking at her curiously and Minako tilted her head curiously back as well. The man wasn't really checking her out per se, his hands were kept to himself and he didn't seem too drunk despite several cups in front of him.

'You're too young to be here. What are you doing in this rowdy place?'

He asked patiently while ordering another drink, a mixture of cola and rum that he drank slowly and with no rush at all.

'I'm here looking for someone... If you're trying to hit on me, I'm sorry but I don't date boys who are much older than me.'

Minako spoke sweetly and without a hint of malice and the man seemed to pick up what she meant as he waved her off dismissively.

'Nah, I wasn't going to hit on you. I seen some of those jocks looking at you though... was just doing a good deed in telling you to be careful. Geez... what's up with that quick brush off huh? '

He smirked and didn't seem too offended before ordering a cup of soda for Minako and the wild card took it cautiously as he continued to ramble on.

'Don't worry, It aren't spiked. I aren't interested in girls like you... I got a nice girlfriend and all... I am going to propose to her soon. Wouldn't do to get into an affair right before the marriage, eh?'

It seems like people in general view her as a good listener and Minako shrugged non-commitedly as she scooted her seat closer to the man who seemed happy enough to talk about her life to her, a random stranger in a bar. If anything, it'll stop the guards from hauling her out if they decided to do a spot check after all and she took the time to listen to him.

..

'She's pregnant... and here I am, drinking myself silly... Pathetic huh? I'm not even from around these parts. I'm just dropping by for the night to get away from it all.'

'And to get wasted?'

'Probably...'

The man sighed as he pulled out a card and passed it to Minako. The card was smudged a little and the ink was running but Minako could read out the name: '…. Brooks'.

'Mr Brooks?'

She asked him and the man known as Brooks laughed as though it was quite a joke.

'Hey, no need to call me so formally in that way. Call me Vincent... you aren't... hitting on ME, are you?'

Minako blinked several times before slowly shaking her head, scooting her chair further from him as Vincent laughed and ordered another drink, a cuba libre as he shook his head as well.

'Man, I need to get my head screwed right huh? After that one time I thought I was becoming popular with the girls... I don't swing for kids, so don't worry... I've got enough to worry about with woman my age.'

Minako could see the frustration in his eyes and the sad resigned and mournful smile told her more than he could with words. She simply nodded cautiously as she sipped the soda that this man, Vincent Brooks offered her.

'Yeah, there's this girl that I know... she's a totally hot and wonderful girl that I met on the bar. But then you know, when it rains it pours! I got Katherine with me already and this other girl just pops up when I'm... argh... this is just plain crazy... hey.. why am I telling a kid this...'

The man laughed again while Minako decided to let him continue on in his drunken stupor. He wasn't that drunk but it was obvious that he was stressed as he didn't really care what he was drinking as long as he was drinking. It was odd, but at least she found the story as a cautionary tale of some sort. Never cheat on anyone... She'll have to remember this firmly.

'If those two ever found out that I'm telling a girl this... who knows what they'll do to me... or what they'll do again after they found out I'm cheating on the two of them.'

He really was a sorrowful soul and Minako reached out pet him on the shoulder only for him to give a yelp and jump out of his chair in fright.

'S-Sorry?'

Minako apologized as the man looked like he was going to wet himself as he slowly sat back down on his seat.

..

'Geez, don't do that! I thought it was Catherine... how'd the hell did she manage to find me that night... ... Sorry kid, the rest of the conversation is rated R so you'll have to use your own imagination.'

Vincent laughed even as Minako sighed while finishing her Soda before Vincent Brooks continued his tale once more.

'… … Why am I telling you this...'

The man seemed to be a little torn at trying to tell her something and Minako waited patiently before he finally whispered to her.

'… Have you had dreams where you are running from something?'

'Erm... No? It sounds like some kind of a bad pickup line.'

Minako tried to ease the tension with her joke, but she could see that she failed as he got a crazed looked in his eyes again. In fact he seemed to be more terrified and frustrated.

'No... running from something that was trying to kill you... after I met her, I get these strange dreams where I'm climbing up a Tower... Tartarus... they call it?'

Minako's blood ran cold as he mentioned an impossible name and an impossible tower. Even though Tartarus was a well known mythology staple, being the maze that housed the Minotaur if she remembered accurately, Tartarus + Tower + climb was something that she was very familiar with and it seemed that Vincent was glad that he had spilled out his worries to the girl as he could see the the girl in front of him recognized something.

'You believe me!? T-That's... crazy man, either I'm crazy or you're crazy... you're a girl and all that... and they say that only men can cursed with that... Erica... now that girl's different...'
Vincen scratched his head for a while before turning to Minako again and ordered a brandy for her as he grinned back at Minako.

'Hey... sorry for blabbing so much... I didn't get your name and I told you so much crazy stuff huh? It's odd, but I thought you could believe what I said... it's crazy man, climbing up that tower every night. But I don't want to die... and neither should you give up. If you fail, you die. There are crazy things out there and if you don't climb, you're dead. Well, only if you're climbing that thing that is...'

Vincent hiccuped a little as the brandy was delivered to her and after dropping of the money for his drinks, he got up and prepared to go himself

'I should go now... time to start climbing again! But I'll probably see you around kid, maybe at one of the landings... thanks for listening to this crazy man for some time yeah?'

There was no Social Link formed between the man, Vincent Brooks that Minako had just spent time with, but the information that she gathered from him was priceless.

..

So there are other Tartarus's out there in the world and this man was climbing up the place too... it sounded crazy, but Minako was climbing one tower herself. Although she did not sense any power from the man, Vincent, she could tell that he has the confidence and determination that she had as well not to die. Perhaps his game was a little more difficult than hers, where one slip would mean certain death... it certainly didn't sound fun or easy to her and Minako called out to him before he squeezed into the crowd.

'Vincent!'

'Yeah?'

'It's Minako!'

'WHAT?'

'Arisato, Minako. And... let's meet again when we climb to the top of that tower.'

Minako raised her glass of soda and it was a miracle for him to be able to hear her in the crowd but Minako saw the man blink before grinning and raising a thumbs up as well. It was an odd encounter and Minako was sure that the two of them would never meet again.

Still, it was nice to meet someone who shared a similar fate, even if she wondered whether that man have the weight of the human race on his shoulders. Minako did tuck the card into her wallet as she quickly scribbled his mailing address to make sure it didn't fade away after a while.

..

Minako took the bottle of brandy that Vincent had treated her happily while thanking the stars that she gotten this lifeline from him. Minako thus hurried to the VIP section, explaining that she was asked to provide brandy to their guest and was let in without question.

'It's a busy night!'

Minako mocked being upset at that and the bouncer grinned and shook his head as well.

'Here's some more brandy sir, on the house!'

Minako cheerfully served the brandy to the weird old monk, Mutatsu closed one eye as he surveyed the drink and then her while sucking on his cigar.

'Hmph... you sure it's on the house kid? You're awfully young.. You still in high school? The guys that run this joint is crazy to let you in. Well, since ya got me a drink, I'll pretend I'm your parent so ya don't get thrown outta here.'

Minako nodded as she sat down in front of the monk, wrinkling her nose at the amount of nicotine based products that he was going through. The man was like a smokestack, going from one stick to another like he was stringing them together.

'So, you wanted to see where adults spend their time, eh? Well, don't worry, in two or three more years you'll be old enough to hang out here unsupervised. Just take it easy, kid. You'll be legal before ya know it. No need to rush.'

Minako nodded as she poured a new cup of brandy for the monk, who grabbed it and chugged it down like it was water.

..

'Heh... I guess that sounds funny comin' from an alcohol-drinkin', cigar-smokin' monk, eh?'

'I guess... But does liquor really taste that good? I've got a senior that swears by it... but it tastes horrible to me.'

Mutatsuwatchedthe girl make a face and he laughed and coughed together. This gave Minako an opportunity to tell him that smoking isn't good for him or for her in general.

'Heh, you lecturing me now kid? Alright, I'll cut down a little when you're around as I like your guts... guts count for a lot of things in the world you know? Some say alcohol does... but I just drink to get drunk. It makes me feel good.'

The monk laughed as he stuffed out the cigar and waved some of the smoke away, going instead to drink as Minako asked again.

Although she knew that the monk loved hearing his own voice, taking the initiative didn't hurt and from experience, she needed to get him interested in something to have him talk in the first place.

'You seem to be optimistic about the future... Well, don't get your hopes up too high, kid. That way you won't be disappointed when things don't work out. Cuz then you'll hafta smoke and drink just to get through the day...'

'Don't worry, I won't... I'm allergic to smoke... I tend to be sarcastic when I get exposed to it.'

Minako boldly stated and the monk laughed, amused at her words.

..

'You sound like my kid... he liked to talk back too... but you mean well... if only he did.'

Mutatsu's eyes hardened as he seemed to recall his wife and son while Minako stayed silent. But he spoke up quickly enough again as he grinned at Minako.

'You're nothin' like those punks I see runnin' 'round town these days. ...Always bein' taken in by the police for questioning... I'm gonna remember your face, kid. And next time you come in here, I'm gonna have you thrown out. Got it?'

Mutatsu swore at her but Minako simply smiled in response, causing the monk to roar in laughter at the amount of guts this girl was packing in her small body.

'You're really... impossible kid. Get out of here, you deserve more than to be seen by an ugly old man like me... they might think you're a hooker or something... so scram and don't come back.'

Even though his words were harsh, Minako felt a bond form between the two of them and she took his leave of the monk, who kept his eyes on her till she left.

'… Such a kid... and such a pity.'

He mumbled to himself before lighting another cigar, wondering why it didn't taste as good as it usually did.

..

Minako knew that Mutatsu probably recognized her from somewhere as he wasn't as vicious with his words or was anywhere demanding her to show some respect for her like last time.

Mutatsu was the Tower Social link and her least favorite Persona, Mara, tugged at her mentally while she swore once again to kick that offending Persona out of her mind if it did not shut up. It was probably due to that offending Persona did she attempt Mutatsu's social link the least often out of the many links that she can form.

Mutatsu being a very hard nut to crack made it difficult as well... not to mention sneaking into the club was a difficult prospect in the first place... and in the end, being rewarded with a Persona like Mara was like fighting hard for a first prize tissue box... totally ridiculous.

She'll die if she has to summon that Persona out and she was glad at how she would never be wearing this particular set of clothes as she was sure she'll never get the smell of smoke out of her clothes... ever.

'… but I need all the allies I can get...'

Not to mention that she was helping a family get together again, anything was worth that... but Mara seemed more like a penalty more than anything else, really...

Even so, Tower Social Link established! That's gotta count for something so early in the year!

Link Formed!

Tower Social Link: Level 1

Author's Notes: And a Merry X'mas to all of you too! Season greetings!