Chapter 26: Ready for the Showdown.
-12:00 pm-
-Port Island stadium-
Once the group came out of the train and traveled Eastward from the station, Seta deliberately trailed behind the group for a little while in thought.
It was after a few minutes had passed, they exclaimed with excitement upon seeing a sea of people flooding towards the Port Island Stadium.
Rise had gone back to acting like her normal self rather easily... Or atleast it seemed so.
Acting was no problem for her after all.
In contrast, Seta was still looking a little lost until Dojima slapped his back to grab his attention.
"Alright you lot, listen up. It looks like the arena's just up ahead," Dojima said pointing at the packed out venue grounds.
"Unbelievable!" Chihiro gasped. "The crowd's getting even denser near the arena! Let's stay together. Nanako you should hold Seta-kun's hand so you don't get lost."
"That's a good idea," Yosuke concurred still unable to take his eyes off the swarm of people passing him in uniform direction.
They all seemed to be headed to a towering five story high closed arena
"Amazing isn't it?" Rise said, catching up with Yosuke in midst of his surprise. "I performed there once, it's one of the largest arena's I've ever seen!"
"Yeah, the brochure said it had a maximum capacity of nearly 37,000 people!" Chie said with a rising eagerness.
(A.N: To save words, the arena is based exactly off Saitama Super Arena. It's an amazing multi-purpose arena in Japan.)
"You guys wait here," Dojima ordered. "I'm going with Fuuka to get in line to check about the last minute seating arrangements Mitsuru organized for us."
"Oh that's right!" Fuuka remembered as well. "Mitsuru-senpai said to take these passes to the box office. I'll come with you Dojima-san. We'll get everyone's tickets at the same time," Fuuka voiced to the group over the loud bustling competing with her.
Once they left the group in waiting, Seta found it refreshing to see how well everyone was getting along with each other.
Yukari who was slowest to walk with the group, far back at the end of the pack with Yukiko close by to look after her if need be.
Though Seta didn't know what they had discussed this morning, the two seemed to be getting on rather well and looked to have a lot in common judging from the flowing conversations they were holding.
Yosuke and Chie were chatting with Chihiro excitedly talking about a chef's convention they should all go to when they had the opportunity.
This left Seta, with Nanako close by who was being pampered by Rise's full attention with her usual sweet tone and jolly nature.
It was during this moment that Seta's eyes caught a rather strange event off in the mass movement of the bustling crowd around him.
He could have sworn he noticed a suited gentleman who was walking with his child and wife towards the arena…
Holster in his back pocket…
A gun.
"Big bro!" Nanako's voice breaks your line of attention. "Rise and I want to go get some drinks for everyone. Do you know where we could get some?"
- Offer to pay for it
(Rise and Nanako R.P plus 6)
- Give them directions
- Ignore them and look for the suspicious figure
(He's disappeared)
"Thank you!" Nanko cheerfully exclaimed.
"Hey…" Rise said with a formal smile as Seta gave Nanako some money to spend. "You don't have to do that… Let me help."
You insist regardless and give your last 2000 yen in your wallet without letting Rise pay. You look around and notice three visitor attractions. Be careful where you chose to send them to pick up drinks or you may force Rise to pay out of her own pocket.
- Lawson Convenience store.
(You cover full cost.)
- Chagall Café stand.
(Very Expensive! Rise covers most of the cost.)
- Escapade beverages.
(Liquor only!)
(A.N: Lawson is a real Japanese chain of convenience stores & Chagall Café and Club Escapade are in Persona 3's Paulownia Mall)
Once the girls went off on their way, Seta tried to track down the questionable figure he recently saw…
But in the thick of this crowd,
It was near impossible to do.
-1 hour later-
"Alright, let's head inside, everyone." Dojima said, returning with Fuuka who held admission tickets in her hands.
As they all approached the large cue, Nanako excitedly walked to each and every one and passed out some cans of drink.
All were grateful to Nanako who instantly redirected praise to Seta, but his head was elsewhere in deep thought; failing to notice Yukiko approaching.
"Something wrong?" Yukiko asks you warmly as she places a hand comfortingly against your lower back. "Was it, what Rise said to you in private?"
-[Lie] Nanako didn't get my favorite snack
(Expression up, Jester Arcana equips)
-[Withhold] I'm… just thinking of the match.
(Understanding up, Hermit Arcana equips)
-[Unveil] …I saw something troubling.
(Judgment Arcana equips)
-[Neediness] I'm upset you've been ignoring me.
(Courage down one star, charm down, Lovers Arcana equips)
"You're probably the worst liar I know…" Yukiko said with a caring gaze. "But I'll go along with it this time, if you don't feel like talking about it," she added forgivingly.
Though Seta felt bad keeping the truth from her, he knew it was unlikely to do any good to tell her about a man who was now nowhere in sight…
For all Seta knew, he was just an undercover cop like Dojima.
Two officers on duty spending time with their families during time off suddenly didn't feel so hard to believe.
The thought put Seta's conscience at ease again.
-Inside Iwatodai Stadium-
Once Seta and the others were inside, they were awestruck by the grand arena.
Stretching far in a circular rim, the closed ceiling stadium had towering levels of ring like seating podiums to almost give a colosseum vibe.
Thanks to Mitsuru's arrangement, the group had seats very close to where the action was likely to take place.
Though surprisingly, the arena in the centre grounds had no ring set up yet…
In the darkened stadium people were continuously flooding in and coming through to take their own seats at an overwhelming rate.
Over the course of an hour, the entire arena was filled with excited spectators, ranging in age from children to adults.
"Something ain't right here…" Dojima said with suspicion. "Japanese boxing isn't this popular. Even with these two well-known national stars, there's over double the expected crowd. They've almost filled out the full arena!"
A familiar voice spoke from behind the group. "There are exactly thirty four thousand and twenty three people in attendance today."
It was Aigis.
…But why?
Chie had specifically said that she told her she would not be coming with the group today.
Yet there she was.
Her eyes fixed on Seta as she took a seat not too far from him.
"Aigis!" Fuuka exclaimed "I thought you were going to-"
Fuuka was interrupted by the sound of a booming voice exploding across the excited arena of loudly chattering spectators.
It was an announcer's voice, but coming from an unknown location.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please take your seats! Today we bring to you a night to crown kings. The order of match ups have been switched around as a last minute decision by the promoters. Though we doubt this will come to anyone's disappointment! Tonight, Deuce promotions in association with Tanaka Technologies is proud to present national boxing's most anticipated event...
Clash in the colossus!"
"Hm? Switching the order? Why would they do that?" Yosuke questioned suspiciously as he turned to Seta.
Though Yosuke was late to pick it up, Seta and the others quickly made sense of the decision.
These people weren't here to see boxing…
They had come hoping to witness a supernatural event unfold in person.
Akihiko had been set up as an attraction,
Like a caged animal at a zoo.
...
Seta looked troubled until Yukari smiled his way before taking a seat next to him.
"Don't worry about Akihiko-senpai… If these people want to see something like nothing witnessed before, then he will show them… But through his boxing, nothing else."
Her optimism quickly put Seta to ease.
"Hey guys…" Chie began awkwardly. "Shouldn't the ring have been well set up already? Why is the arena's center vacant?"
Chihiro smiled, "Oh that's right… Inaba isn't too familiar with Tanaka technologies…"
Yukiko looked to ponder in thought, "I read about them back in middle school when our family inn ordered some supplies from their factory… Weren't they miscellaneous goods retailers which escalated in popularity? I think they're latest work has been with hologram imaging, right?"
"Oh! Now I remember!" Rise exclaimed. "I've used their latest product to give a concert held in Sweden."
"But you've never been to Sweden!" Yosuke exclaimed in confusion.
Everyone except Yosuke seemed to have caught on to how Akihiko's privacy was going to be protected during this match.
If they were lucky… It was also going to prove to serve as an alibi to the supernatural event which took place during the Shadow outbreak.
…
On the titantrons now being lowered over an empty stadium, two important looking people appeared with one introducing a famous guest present to watch the match soon to begin.
An old man who was a long retired boxing veteran was being interviewed by a reporter announced as Mariko Kusumi.
"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the showdown! Before we begin I'm going to share some insight and premonitions for the upcoming title match with the legendary Olympic medalist Mr. Tadashi Mihara."
Mariko chirpily opened.
"This tension exceeds all expectations, would you agree, Mr Mihara?"
The seasoned veteran spoke in a laid-back yet thoughtful tone. "Yeah, it feels different to the normal matches held here. Especially from such rowdiness being shown this early into the night by the crowd."
"Truly! Now can you please give us a brief background on these two talented boxers? Also, what do you make of the chances each fighter has?" Mariko asked.
"Well… It was two years ago that I gave Akihiko the ring name of Caesar, for his reminiscent aura comparable to the Roman conqueror. It's his intuition and fortitude which makes Akihiko a tactician, and with jabs that hit at mach speeds, it's not that rare he has his opponents on the mat before he even uses his right."
"Do you think that speed will determine his victory tonight, Mr. Mihara?"
"Hard to say… It's not necessarily perfected execution which wins fights. Talent is irreplaceable in the world of boxing and occasionally found in the seasoned years of a boxer's career. Lately spectators have witnessed first-hand the Champion's devastating momentum."
"Are you saying that the champion, being a late bloomer, is peaking now in his mid-twenties with power outweighing technique?"
"Yes, and there's also a difference in the attitude. We noticed the champion's behavior wildly transform around 2010... Unusually, we witnessed him erupt into a rather controversial character. He revealed a violent, pain-hungering personality we never imagined to be hidden within him. It's that drive which is needed to claim the title though. I seriously question if Akihiko has ever broken from his calm and raged with a strike strong enough to bring such a champion to his knees."
"With all due respect… I think Akihiko's supporters believe he has an incredibly high chance for victory this time around; especially given the focus in his last three matches." Mariko challenged politely.
"They may believe this because Akihiko is a prodigy in this sport. Though, his opponent tonight has shown something more valuable than talent."
"What's that?" Mariko asked.
"Luck… Some argue his finishing combinations are messy and resemble brawling, but for whatever reason… Whether you call him 'lucky' or simply a 'juggernaut', I have never once seen his strikes miss an opponent's vitals."
"You don't think he's lucky do you Mr. Mihara? I thought boxers didn't believe in luck." Mariko said as she smiled his way.
"Lady luck certainly visits the ring at least once in a boxer's career… Though just between you and me… She's a bit pudgier than one would imagine."
Mariko laughed. "Well, how can I argue with that? You're expertise is not only appreciated, but it is also clear to see you are a fan of these two young superstars."
"It's not a worry Mariko… I am indeed a supporter of both these fine young men. I also wish to add I do not support the garbage rumors I've heard of recent supernatural activity. It was likely a hoax to boost ratings and the public needs only think of Akihiko as a boxer who holds a good chance dethroning one of Japan's kings."
"Well said and thank you so much for your insight, Mr Mihara… Ladies and gentleman that was Tadashi Mihara, a former WBA Light-Middleweight Champion. Before I let the commentators take it away, I wish to thank everyone for atten-"
Mariko suddenly fell silent as her gaze fell from the crowd to a nearby group of spectators during the interview's close.
Mariko had noticed Seta's investigation team seated nearby.
"She look familiar to you, partner? I swear I'd remember a cute girl like her…
"I get the feeling like I knew her not long ago too." Chie added as well as if trying hard to remember something important forgotten.
"I don't like the look of her one bit," Rise added. "I have no idea why, so don't ask me!"
Yukiko silently watched from a distance as well silently trying to gauge who she was also.
"I remember her!" Nanako exclaimed.
The group turned to her in hopeful curiosity.
"She's… The weather-lady!" Nanako excitedly declared.
"Oh Nanako… You're adorable; at least you tried," Chie sighed.
Aigis' eyes for the first time had shifted their gaze.
Impressively she seemed to see something in the news reporter as prominently as Seta did too.
But for whatever reason, when he tried to remember this woman, he felt something was blocked within him…
A part of his memory which gave an odd fluctuation on the Aeon Arcana.
...
A cameraman frantically called out to Mariko who had been dazed for quite a while now.
Snapping out of it apologetically, she continued. "…Er, right sorry! Now, without further ado, it is with great pleasure I say… Let the championship rounds begin!"
Mariko closed her introductions with absolute glee while breaking into a joyful smile.
It was then,
With a thrilling atmosphere,
The lights died out.
The audience grew quiet in an excited anticipation.
…
The fight, was finally about to begin!
END CHAPTER