Piecing the Fragments
Chapter 26: Truths
Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable
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Created by: Atlus
written by: wrathie
Author's Notes: Game Spoilers Galore, Readers be warned.
Author's Notes: Thank you, Kaiser Dude for the beta edit as always.
Remastered and Re-edited on 24/03/13
5/13 – Wednesday
Gekkoukan High (Afternoon)
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Lunch was a quiet affair without her friend, Yukari and Arisato Minako decided to take a leap of faith to drop by the Home Economics Room to see if Bebe was present and to her delight the exchange student was there indeed and she eagerly waved at the shocked boy in the room.
'Do you still remember me, Bebe?'
'A-Ah... I-it's A-Arisa...'
'Arisato Minako~ But you can call me Minako-chan if you like, we're friends right?'
'F-friends?'
'Yes, Friends, To-mo-da-chi~ That's how you say friends.'
'Ah! I see, I've forgotten about that!'
Minako triggered the flag that she knew the other transfer student would be happy about, and she found herself a little guilty for taking advantage of knowing how to start a conversation with him to further their bond they shared.
'It is nice to finally have a friend, Minako-chan... erm... It is alright to call you, Minako-chan right?'
Bebe looked nervous as if he was afraid of her being mad at him and she laughed, saying that's alright as she invited herself to sit with him and asking why he was here alone.
'Well, I don't really have any friends... all of my classmates think I'm weird. I'm an exchange student that came here to study... I really like Japan, I LOOOVE this country~'
Minako was glad that her country met up to Bebe's expectations as she knew that many people had been disappointed at how mundane this country really was.
'I'm glad that you like it. I really like this school and this place too...'
Minako agreed with Bebe and started to talk with him about the school, asking him about how he has been spending time here before noticing that the boy's stomach was growling.
'O-Oh, I'm sorry! You are here to eat lunch right? Here, you can have some of mine.'
Minako pulled out her own packed lunch that she had hurriedly prepared by tossing the leftovers into the microwave early in the morning but it was enough to make Bebe's eyes fill with tears as he asked if he really could.
'I-it's my first time eating home-made Japanese food here! I-Itadakimasu!'
In the end Minako had most of her 'bento' polished off by Bebe before the boy noticed what he was doing and Minako had a sudden brainwave, asking if Bebe would like to join a culinary club to learn how to cook Japanese food as well.
'H-hontou?! I-Is it really okay if you teach me, Minako-chan? O-oh, then I should call you sensei right?'
Bebe, with tears brimming in his eyes, clung on to her hands tightly and she would have wanted to chastise him about his actions when the door was suddenly flung open.
'Ah, there you are, Arisato-'
It was Odagiri Hidetoshi, the disciplinary commtee chairman and despite herself, she froze and quickly shoved Bebe's hands away in embarrassment as her face lit up briefly. The other boy looking shocked even as he backed away awkwardly from Minako while the famous disciplinarian's eyes narrowed while slowly crossing his arms. Hidetoshi really looked quite intimidating and Minako did not blame Bebe for being nervous as the face Hidetoshi had on was similar to the one that he would use when he was interrogating someone and it scared Minako very much even if he was not the intended target.
'Well... well... what is happening here? I remember that you are the exchange student... hmm... Andre, was it? From France I believe...'
Hidetoshi rubbed his chin while entering the room before slamming the door shut behind him with a loud bang. Minako and Bebe jumped at that, Bebe even taking a few steps in nervousness as he nodded his head in acknowledgement. He was probably too afraid to trust his voice as Hidetoshi walked towards him, taking slow purposeful steps towards him even as Minako just stood in place, transfixed in a mix of horror and confusion.
'Now I do understand that the French has their own customs... like kissing one on the cheek to greet each other or to kiss a lady's hands as a sign of respect... but in Japan we call that harassment.'
Hidetoshi was definitely mad and Minako initially did not know what made him so mad till it hit her like a ton of bricks after thinking through the whole sequence of events.
Odagiri Hidetoshi was angry at Bebe apparently hitting on her or he was just jealous! It was something so simple that it made Minako's head hurt just thinking about WHY and HOW she was going to get out of the situation without breaking one or perhaps the two social links in the same time.
'I'm sure you don't want to be sent back to France would you for what you have just done to Arisato-kun here? Now then, I would appreciate it you would simp-'
'No.'
Hidetoshi managed to corner Bebe in the corner of the room even as Minako sorted out her thoughts. But the transfer student suddenly stood up for himself and Minako's eyes widened when she saw determination in Bebe's eyes as he stood up to Hidetoshi. The delicate and emotional boy was actually standing up to a stranger and it was for her!
It made Minako's mind go into a whirl at even more possibilities as Minako knew that Bebe was, by nature a little more feminine than masculine. Especially apparent by how he was able and willing to endure through how his class and school mates treated him rather than to stand up to them, he would definitely get along well with Fuuka though.
Minako had no qualms about his hobby of sewing, she really thought that one's hobbies does not decide one's nature but from her interactions with Bebe; Minako could rightly say that the boy was really one who would never have the courage to confront someone unless it was regarding something really important to him.
Was Minako so important to Bebe even though they barely knew each other?
'Minako-chan is Bebe's friend. She said I am so and I do not think that I am disturbing or harassing a friend of mine! I-it is you that is harassing us! Please leave now!'
Bebe managed to raise his voice a little despite his knees and voice shaking, and Hidetoshi looked stunned at the display of courage or defiance against him and the boy's smile twitched a little.
'I see... so you are trying to cross the line here... I see...'
Minako decided to intervene before things could get more heated up and she clapped her hands in front of Hidetoshi in a sign of apology.
'P-Please stop it! B-Bebe's right, he's my friend! But Odagiri-san, he wasn't doing anything bad! He was just excited that he was going to learn how to cook from me! Please forgive him!'
Minako breathed a sigh of relief as Hidetoshi backed off immediately when what she said sank in, and the boy was embarrassed as his face turned a tad red while he adjusted his collar awkwardly.
'Ah, I see... in that case, I apologize... I acted without thinking... I'm apologize for my negligence in having the full facts...'
Minako had to hand it to him, even while embarrassed and caught off guard like this he was still being so pompous with what he was saying and Minako laughed a little before pushing him forward nonetheless.
'Bebe, this is Odagiri Hidetoshi, we're in the student council together! You can see he's a very protective person to his friends, so please forgive him for what he said, he was just worried for me!'
Minako smiled as Hidetoshi nodded awkwardly while scratching his head and apologizing to Bebe. The exchange student seemed relieved more than anything else as he bowed back to Hidetoshi before smiling awkwardly.
'You can call me Bebe too, I don't like being called Andre... and I forgive you, I would be mad if anyone hurt Minako-chan too.'
Bebe looked at Minako and the Wild Card blushed terribly when the two of them nodded in unison.
'I share your thoughts, Andre-san... I mean Bebe-san.'
'Hai!'
Minako knew her relationships were going to get even more complicated as she met more people but a part of her really didn't mind. It was nice to have her friends be friends with each other as well, especially when Hidetoshi offered to help look for candidates to start a culinary club.
'Now as I recall there were several applications to set up new cultural clubs in the school beside Bebe-san, I'll ask for the list from Fushimi-san to see if there are any applications for a culinary club.'
'Thank you very much, Odagiri-san.'
'Do not mention it, it is the least I could do for threatening you earlier... Please forgive me for my rudeness... but could I have a moment alone with Arisato-kun? There is something that I wish to tell her in private.'
Hidetoshi's carefree demeanour disappeared the moment he remembered his motive of searching for Minako and Bebe nodded in understanding before leaving the room, getting Minako's email address before leaving of course.
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Minako knew it would be regarding the incident of the photos and she tried not to look too surprised as he told her that he had removed the offending the photograph and spoken to the user who had uploaded them in the first place.
'But it was not him who was responsible... I have tried to hide this affair from the President but she ... found out in the end, I'm sorry.'
Hidetoshi looked apologetic and sheepish and it could be that Mitsuru had lectured him earlier. That wasn't too surprising considering how he had been doing that behind Mitusur's back and Minako smiled back to him in thanks.
'I could have gotten you in trouble... so we'll call it even... Mitsuru-sempai would find out eventually after all.'
'I apologize again... you might get a lecture from her regarding this. But this isn't over, I will continue along my line of research... and I would advise you to not work for that place again.'
Hidetoshi reminded her and Minako dryly said that he was the second person that told her to do that already.
'Is that so? Well, your friend has the right idea. Please do not work for that place and not in that costume...'
'It's a UNIFORM! And I'll be fine, I think I have enough people watching over me... thank you, Hidetoshi-san~ Come to think of it, this is my first time calling your name. It's okay to call you Hidetoshi-kun right? It'll be fine to call me Minako too.'
He seemed to be a little torn and he only agreed reluctantly when Minako pouted and made a face to him.
'If that is your wish, I shall call you Minako-san then.'
'Thank you, Hidetoshi-kun~ I'll see you in the next meeting then if I can go... I think I'll lie low from Mitsuru-sempai...'
'… That's probably a good idea... even if I did not just say that.'
Hidetoshi quickly added and Minako had to wonder if even he had heard about Mitsuru's execution from before.
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Rank up!
Temperance Social Level: 2?
Emperor Social Link Level 2?
5/13 Wednesday (Afternoon)
Gekkoukan High Gymnasium
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'Sup, see you back at the dormitory later huh?'
Junpei waved to the girl as Minako rushed over to the gym to get ready for her club activity with Rio. There had been so many things going on that she was having difficulty remembering what was supposed to happen now and she sighed deeply to herself as she ran into the changing room to see only Rio and a few of their club members with them there.
'Hi!'
'Hey, Minako! Glad to have you with us!'
Rio smiled cheerfully even though it was obvious that she was still feeling a little upset at seeing the attendance for today, there were only around 6 of them around counting herself. Minako bit her own lip in worry as well beefore she started changing as well, making small talk with Rio as another student came running into the changing room. It was Nishiwaki Yuko, one of Rio's friends and she smiled at Minako as she ran to Rio to ask about borrowing some tape.
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'Sorry, we ran out. Is it okay if I take some from the box? ...Doesn't look like you have too many people here today, huh?'
Yuko looked around as Minako waved at her in a friendly way again and the girl waved back as well. Rio sighed to herself while replying.
'...Yeah. I guess we'll have to just practise with each other again... Minako-chan.'
Minako kept quiet as she knew what was coming next, the bombshell that would cause a huge rift with Rio and the other club members.
'I wonder where they heard about that group date... Seriously, I don't know if I should be appalled or jealous...'
'Hey, you idiot!'
Yuko flinched as one of the other members called out to her and Minako just sighed, trying her best to look interested in tying her shoelace even as Rio narrowed her eyes and asked questioningly, directing the question at the two of them.
'...Group date? What are you talking about? Are you all hiding something from me?'
Rio glowered and she seemed relieved when Minako assured her that she had no idea what they were talking about at all.
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'Oh... Ohhhhh... You didn't know... Sorry, I heard the girls in the tennis club talking about it at the shoe lockers... Well uh... Sorry.'
Yuko looked sheepish as the other member glared daggers at her. Minako felt sorry for Yuko, it wasn't her fault that she blabbered. Well, she was at fault but they were at fault for sneaking out like that anyway!
'So, everyone went to that? I can't believe them!'
Rio was really upset now, she raised one fist in anger but she lowered her hand with effort before confronting the other member who was still glaring at Yoko angrily.
'That's stupid... ...Why'd they hide it from me? All this running around behind my back is so irritating! You could have just told me! We could have rescheduled the club meeting if you have just told me!'
It was a change from what Rio would have done in the past and Minako raised an eyebrow as even Yuko and the club member was surprised at her action.
'...You'd get angry if we told you. Besides... no one said that we'll have to come to every practise. They didn't want you to know... cause they'll be afraid that you'll be a spoilsport.'
But the girl was still sulky as she admitted that to Rio. It was not really a wise choice as Minako knew that could only make the situation worse if she continued in the same way.
'Of course I'd get angry if you never told me in the first place! If you've given me good reasons I would have accepted it!'
'W-Well, calm down now... both of you...'
Rio and the girl was at each other's faces now with Yuko pulling Rio back and Minako holding the other club member as well even as the two girls glared at each other. If they were not around to break the fight they might have actually started fighting. Even if Rio had made some concessions they were still defiant against her.
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'What a pain... They're just taking a breather. What's wrong with that?'
'You call a group date "taking a breather?"
'Yes! I don't expect someone who's never been in a relationship to understand it, though! And what's with that attitude of yours all the time? Who do you think you are!?'
Minako and Yuko both winced as she said the words that will surely piss Rio off and true to their words Rio just exploded as she exclaimed in a loud voice, shock apparent to everyone as she stared, mouth agape at the girl in front of her.
'What...!? I'm your leader! You're the ones that nominated me! Or did you all forget about that!?'
'If we knew you'd turn out like this we never would've nominated you!'
'What...!? Well, it's too late now!'
Rio was too emotional to think through her words and she didn't imagine that was the right words to use as she confronted the other member.
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'Screw this! This isn't worth my time... I'm done with this stupid club. You're a pain in the ass, and I don't care about keeping up with
you! I bet everyone else is gonna quit, too! Serves you right for being such a mean bitch!'
The other girl called upon the other members for support and they left together, staring daggers at Rio and Minako who had stayed behind, not even caring when Rio started to stop them a moment too late.
'Hey! I'm not done yet-'
An awkward silence passed between the three of them till Yuko spoke up awkwardly.
'I-I'm sorry about that... If I had known I wouldn't have told you...'
Even if Yuko didn't, Minako would surely have done so and Minako just comforted Rio as the girl looked like she was about to cry again.
'...It's not your fault, Yuko.'
..Hey, I know that I'm butting into another club's business here, but... You... really should make peace with them. I'll try and help, too if I can. Here, she'll help too right?'
Yuko pointed at Minako who nodded eagerly but Rio seemed tired as she shook her head, stubbornly sticking to her point of view.
'They're the ones that are wrong.'
'Uh... That's true, but...Oh.'
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Yuko left Rio alone to think through things and approached Minako, who blinked in surprise as she leaned closer to whisper to her.
'You're the transfer student, right? Can you keep an eye on Rio? She doesn't know how to interact with people sometimes... To be
honest, I'm kind of worried about her. I saw you and your friends with her and I thought that she's getting better but...'
Yuko laughed in a tired kind of way before continuing.
'Anyway I'll try to lend a hand when I see things aren't going great, but I don't know much about your club... ...Oh, by the way, I'm Nishiwaki Yuko. I'm the manager for the guy's team. Nice to meet you.'
'I'm Arisato Minako, it's nice to meet you too.'
'Yeah... Take care of Rio for me, kay?'
Yuko left after apologizing to Rio again, leaving the two of them standing there awkwardly in their sports uniform before Rio spoke up suddenly.
'Minako... You're not gonna leave? ...Sorry, but I want to be left alone right now. So... go... please?'
Rio asked timidly and Minako knew that Rio was hoping and praying that she wouldn't leave and Minako simply smiled as she pulled Rio into a hug.
'Hey, what are friends for?'
'Haha... You really are strange...'
Rio just sobbed a little on her shoulders as they sat there for a while in total silence before they left for home together after an hour.
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'H-Hey... Minako.'
'Yeah?'
Rio looked very embarrassed and Minako just acted normally as the girl stumbled with her words while looking away from her.
'S-Sorry... and thank you... for sticking with me... I must look like a horrible person huh?'
'Not really... you just value different things than them...'
'Haha... y-you... really are strange... b-but I'm happy you're sticking with me so...'
Rio laughed weakly before running away from Minako, the Wild Card looking in surprise as Rio waved back to her while shouting.
'W-Well.. s-see you tomorrow!'
Minako felt the bond between them get better, a good sign as she had just noticed a message from Yukari stating simply:
'Meet me at Chagall at 6pm.'
If anything, she should take the bull by the horns, right?
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Link Up!
Chariot Social Link – Level 3?
5/13 Wednesday (Afternoon)
Paulownia Mall, Chagall Cafe
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'Hello!'
Minako waved cheerfully at the girl who was waiting for her in one of the inner and more private booths, and she greeted some of the fellow colleagues in the cafe who asked how she was as well. Minako spent a few moment gossiping about things before she sat down with her friend, who had a cup of cold coffee left forgotten beside her hands even as she looked down at the table silently.
'Yukari-chan~'
Minako called Yukari's name while ordering a cup of coffee and Yukari started, looking up to meet her eyes before nodding slowly to the girl. Minako crossed her fingers as she waited for the girl to speak, the awkward silence persisted for a while till Yukari licked her lips and started at long last.
'Minako-chan... thank you for giving me time to consider... and to think. Honestly I really didn't... fully believe what you told me despite me saying that I would trust you. I knew that there were things that I did not know... things that were hidden behind our backs by Mitsuru sempai and I only wanted to believe that Ikutsuki-san was someone who betrayed us because I didn't trust him.
But when you told me all of that, I went back and thought about it... Thought about what I wanted to find out, why I joined S.E.E.S and why I was trying so hard in the first place. It is embarrassing but... I've forgotten about that... I was having so much fun with you, Minako-chan. I never had such a good friend before and... and I wanted to feel important to you. I'm really a horrible person... I wanted you to rely on me so much that I was willing to lie to you.'
Yukari laughed but she cried a little too as she hiccuped while waving her hands in front of her. Minako simply listened quietly as she looked at Yukari. It was a blow to her as she had really thought that Yukari would have believed her but apparently that was too much of a stretch for her and Minako lowered her head sadly even as Yukari reached out to grab her hand, not letting her go even when she weakly shook her hands in denial.
'I-I thought... t-that...'
Minako's voice was shaky too, upset and angry at what Yukari was telling her but Yukari begged Minako to let her continue and not run away now.
'Please, just listen to me... Minako-chan, just like how I listened to you before.'
Yukari pushed Minako's chin up with her free hand and made the brunette look at her before continuing.
'I really... think that you are my best friend, Minako... but that was a lie. I just wanted someone to rely on me, to show that I can be strong and independent by myself... but gradually I... I just became afraid that I would be too getting close to you without my noticing... and that's when I knew that I already had... it-it's odd right? T-That I'm saying I'm afraid of being attached to someone when I'm trying so hard to make you like me too. I-it's different with you... I... I want you to be my friend...'
Minako remembered what she was saying and implying as that was Yukari's preferred way of protecting herself. Yukari always preferred to keep a distance with everyone to protect herself before she made her understand, perhaps a little unwittingly that it's alright to be attached to a friend. That it was normal and good to have a very close friend and wanted to cherish every moment they had with them when they still can.
In a way, their Social Link really fully Maxed out when she was to leave her friend for somewhere far away, where they will never meet together, when she became the Great Seal.
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'And I want to protect you too... just like you have been protecting me so far. I'm not going to take any short-cuts or to make any excuses now. I just want to be your friend, your best friend as I care for you, I really want to protect you, to be your big sister no matter how embarrassing and odd that might sound like. Despite the dangers that you are hinting that I might be getting into... I want to'
Yukari smiled as Minako looked at her, her own tears welling up again as Yukari looked at her sincerely. Cybele, the ultimate Lovers Persona cheering inside her mind as Minako felt the bond between them grew stronger than ever.
'We might have really met before... You said we did... and maybe... just maybe I can understand why my other self, me, was able to be friends with you. I can tell you anything and I.. want you to do the same to me. I want you to tell me everything... but most importantly, I don't want to lose you...'
Minako was unable to say a word as Yukari pulled out a tissue and wiped Minako's face with it, getting rid of the tears as she whispered softly to the Wild Card.
'… So please, tell me what happened to my father... I've made up my mind and... no matter the consequences are, I can't back away just because I'm afraid of what might happen as... as... I want you to trust me too. I won't lie to you now... best friends, don't lie to each other right?'
Yukari blushed as she told Minako and the wild card looked down before laughing softly.
'T-That's mean... y-you... were lying to me... b-but I was lying to you too before.. t-then... w-we...'
'Can you please forgive me, Minako-chan? I know I'm a terrible person and... it.. must be hard for you to accept me like this but...'
Yukari stammered as she knew that it was the second time that she had lied to the Wild Card but Minako didn't seem to mind as she knew that she had formed a true bond with the Lovers Social Link, Takeba Yukari. Somehow or another Yukari had opened up to her completely, going through most if not of her worries and this was great news for Minako.
Even if she did admit that she did not expect Yukari to behave in that way at all, she was like a totally different person, clingy and easily possessive of her but everyone does have their own dark side, a side of them no one else can see, even for their best friends and Minako felt like she became closer to her than every before.
'T-That's cheating... r-really... h-how can I say no now... r-really, Yukari-chan?'
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Rank up!
Lovers Social Link – MAX?!
Author's Notes: Yes, Maxed!