Chapter 36: Pre-test Clubbing
Author Note: I seem to have forgotten to title Chapter 35. We shall go with 'The Parents'. Also, sticking true to the game, the entire midterms session will be one chapter.
Author Note to SilverFlameHaze: As always, a thousand thanks for the love.
Otherwise, story time.
Minato prepped for work like he did any other day. A casual dark green shirt, some black jeans, blue sneakers, and his trusty cap would be his apparel this morning. He went downstairs and prepared some breakfast. He began to eat, and had almost finished his meal when Akihiko walked down the stairs. He looked like he was prepping for a run.
"Doesn't training before being fully recovered just slow your recovery?" Minato asked.
"My arm might be out, but I can still work on increasing my stamina and speed." Akihiko said. "Do you plan on taking one last go at Tartarus before midterms?"
"Actually, I already have something else planned for tonight. I'll be going to Escapade."
"Again, huh? If there's anything you know, it's excess." Akihiko chuckled.
"Which I'm almost certain I've applied to training everyone else." Minato said. "Junpei's practically on par with me when it comes to sword fighting, Yukari's gotten a lot better at swapping from her bow to Persona, and Shinji's… well, he didn't really need training, but I've noticed he's more efficient with Castor Prime. He doesn't let it linger around, which conserves a lot of energy."
"… Heh. I really did make the right choice when I put you as field leader, didn't I?" Akihiko asked.
"We both know the answer to that." Minato chuckled. "It's nice that we can just talk like this again, you know? It was annoying as hell when you swore I was trying to kill Shinji off. I mean, you even told him how I fought, giving him a hell of an advantage over me. He was pretty serious about killing me, you know?"
"… Please don't remind me." Akihiko sighed. "It's just another one of my failures… I'm lucky neither of you got hurt because of it."
"Another? Is failure a recurring trend in your life?" Minato mused. Akihiko smiled wryly.
"The fucked up thing is that I can laugh about that because it's true." he said, staring into space. "I'm a walking collection of failures that can barely keep my own shit together."
"Oh… Hit a touchy subject, didn't I?" Minato thought. "How to approach this?"
"A man walking in the shadow of doubt will always put on a façade of confidence. Expose his." David said.
"He who falls victim to lamentation invites despair. He must be reassured." Matador said.
"Tell him to grow a pair." Jack said. Minato mulled over these ideas, and made a decision.
"Maybe you are." Minato said. Akihiko turned on him, looking absolutely depressed. "Yet you fight and fight, train and train, because you want to change that. Isn't every great success built atop a mountain of failures?"
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Akihiko asked.
"No. It's supposed to tell you you're not doing anything wrong. Just because you do everything right doesn't mean nothing bad will happen." Minato said. He leaned back in his chair. "Not even I expect to cruise through life, even with all my… well, everything, really." he chuckled. "Lack of humility aside, you just need to prepare for anything that comes your way. Sometimes, you won't be ready, and you'll fail. Sometimes, you won't be able to do a damn thing regardless of how much you prepared. Sometimes, it'll all work out in the end. The important thing is that you did what you could… after all, time never waits. It delivers all equally to the same end. You can't plug your ears or cover your eyes."
"… I didn't take you for a philosopher." Akihiko said. He laughed. "You know, Yukari might be right about you talking down from a high horse sometimes."
"As a leader, I make it a point for people to look up to me." Minato said. "But I'm not so far up as to be unable to come down to their level when I have to."
Akihiko laughed. "I can't believe I just got lectured by an underclassman." he said. "… But I've gotta say, it was good."
CRACK!
Thou art I… And I art thou…
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Emperor Arcana…
"Thank you, thank you, you're far too kind." Minato said as he rose from the table with a little bow. He chuckled. "Enjoy your run."
"You know me." Akihiko said with a smirk. He left the dorm. Minato cleaned up and left shortly after as well. He made his way to Paulownia Mall, and entered Be Blue V. He headed straight for the Office as usual.
"Good, you're on time today." Nemissa said. "But the crew won't come until next Thursday."
"Oh, I actually forgot to mention I have midterms next week. I probably won't be able to make it." Minato said. He took another step and saw a small bolt of lightning fly in front of him.
"You forgot?" Nemissa asked. "You think these camera guys just come whenever I call them! They have schedules! And they hate having to change them! Do you know what you'll make me look like if I need to reschedule because you conveniently 'forgot' to tell me you couldn't work next week?!"
"Hey, the thought slipped my mind. What else do you expect me to say?" Minato said. "I'll make it up to you some other time."
Nemissa glared at him. "You better make bank today, boy. Get to work."
"Yes, ma'am," Minato said. He changed into his work clothes, and went out to greet his swarm of fans. Apparently, everyone was now certain he worked every Sunday, but he didn't mind. It just meant the numbers were guaranteed. He was working the day away when he once again ran into Mitsuru.
"Mitsuru, you've made the right choice coming here, the healing shop, Be Blue V, for your pre-test relaxation needs." Minato said with his usual cap-off bow as she approached. Mitsuru chuckled.
"Even I need to relax a little before tests… can I count on you once more?" she asked. Minato took her hand and made his move.
"Certainly… What did you have in mind? A blissful sleep? A serene bath? Or perhaps… an encounter with me?" Minato asked. Mitsuru reddened. "After all… you've yet to ask for my last service. Perhaps we can arrange something… better."
"I-I-I think I'd like a blissful sleep!" Mitsuru snapped. She backed away and took a deep breath. "… Yes, a good sleep… I can be ready for every day." she said.
"Your wish is my command. I have quite the selection for you to consider." Minato said. He led her around the store, showcasing various incense, special pillows, and even supposed magic comforters. He got her to buy the equivalent of a new bed set by the time she left.
"With this, I'm certain I'll be much more relaxed at the dorm." Mitsuru said. She turned to Minato. "Dependable as always. I expect a lot from you on the exams."
"Then I shall exceed your expectations." Minato said.
"I look forward to it." Mitsuru said as she left. After her visit, the day flew by quickly. He walked back into the Office as his shift ended, and passed by Nemissa on her computers.
"You've started enjoying your job. Soon, I could have you working without even paying you." Nemissa said. "Oh wait. I already have that, don't I?"
"It's more like I'm working for reparations, isn't it?" Minato asked.
"But have you ever asked how much you've earned back? Hmm?"
"… I assume you would tell me when I was done with my contract." Minato said.
"Would I? I don't think I'd let go of our best salesman and model just like that now." she said. "You have a few bad habits, but everyone's entitled to those, right?"
"So you'd lie to keep me working here for free?" Minato asked.
"And? What would you do about it? I don't think you're in any position to challenge my authority." Nemissa said.
"Actually, I can tell when my contract is up because I work here… once I regain full control of my body from this suit at work, I'll have finished. Unlike you, I have Fiends who read that contract the moment you brought it out." Minato thought. "But I'll play along. All the more fun when I can watch you fall." "Not yet. But once I surpass you, you'll be the one working for me." Minato said.
"You think you'll EVER boss me around?" Nemissa laughed. "That's rich. You should be a comedian next."
"Really? I wonder… how much influence do you gain with Big Boss on the regular?" Minato asked. Nemissa flinched. "Not much, I'd say… yet in the span of a month, I've gained so much. Just you wait… I'll remember all the shit you put me through."
"H-hey, I'm just playing around! I haven't done anything mean to you, right? I knew you'd like modeling!" Nemissa said. "Besides, what's a kid like you thinking trying to threaten me, huh? You need to know your place!"
CRACK!
Thou art I… And I art thou…
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Moon Arcana…
"I'll know my place once I've stopped moving up in life," Minato said. He laughed, and changed back into his normal clothes. Nemissa grumbled at him as he left, but he ignored her and made a call. He got back to the dorm, showered, grabbed a small meal, and added what he considered a stylish black jacket without sleeves on top of what he was wearing previously.
"You look like you're ready to party," Yukari said as he walked into the lounge.
"Hittin' Escapade again? Maybe I should come along this time… I mean, I'm pretty fried from all this studyin'." Junpei said. "How the heck does Mitsuru-senpai just keep at it? That's crazy."
"I'll tag along. Anything to not go throguh another of Mitsuru's damn lectures." Shinjiro said, closing a textbook. "You in or not, Junpei? There's a concert today, anyways."
"Actually, I'm going there with somebody." Minato said.
"And how is that unexpected?" Yukari asked. "I bet it's that teal-haired girl."
"Oh yeah, the one you were puttin' the moves on!" Junpei said. He tipped his hat to Minato. "Bravo, man! I get ya! Hey, I'll hang back if ya don't want any company… Besides, who the hell wants ta' be the third wheel?"
"If you don't want us around you all the time, we can just stay clear of the VIP section." Shinjiro said.
"VIP section?" Yukari asked.
"Me and Shinji get everything for free in Escapade because we're friends with the guy who owns the place." Minato said. "How else do you think I can afford to just go out until five in the morning on a weekly basis?"
"… Huh. I guess that makes sense…" Yukari said.
"Hey, Shinji-senpai, you mind if we let Yuka-tan tag along? I know she's been dying to hit Escapade with us." Junpei said, a confident grin on his face.
"I don't care. As long as she doesn't turn into a drunken idiot that I have to drag back here, be my guest." Shinjiro said. Yukari scowled.
"You know what? I am coming along." Yukari said. "Let's go."
"Whoo! Gonna score some ladies with my two new wingmen!" Junpei said. He got up. "Let's do this!"
"Don't get your hopes up. I don't plan on going there to 'score' or any shit like that." Shinjiro said.
"Ugh. If you think I'm helping you pick up girls, you're seriously mistaken." Yukari said. "Let's get changed. I'm not being seen around with you two dressed like that." She turned to Minato. "Don't pull anything weird on that girl. We'll be checking on you."
"What the heck?! Stop cock-blockin'!" Junpei said. Minato sighed.
"Look, I'm not this sexual deviant or animal or whatever the fuck you think I am, alright?" he said to Yukari. "But if it'll make you sleep at night, I won't bitch if you happen to run into us every now and then."
"… Fine."
With that, Minato took his leave and made it to Paulownia. He glanced at his watch as he stopped in front of the fountain, and noted that it was six on the dot. He was on time. "M-minato?" he heard from behind him. He turned to see Fuuka, wearing a white jacket over a sky blue shirt, and a white skirt over florally designed high socks. Her shoes, oddly enough, were the same as her school shoes. She was carrying a brown bag with her.
"Oh, the dichotomy of light blue and dark blue. How picturesque we must be." Minato mused in his head. "Hey, you look good. I think that outfit suits you well."
"R-really? Thanks… I wasn't sure of what to wear, actually." Fuuka said.
"You made the right decision." Minato said. He offered her his arm. "You should probably get used to Escapade before Kazuya's performance starts. We've got some time."
"Oh! That's a good idea!" Fuuka said, joining him. "The line's starting to get long, so we should hurry."
"Line?" Minato chuckled. "You don't need to worry about trivial things like that when you're with me." He led her past the line and up to the bouncer, who nodded and let the two of them pass. "See?"
"I didn't think you were that well known…" Fuuka said as they entered. She looked around, and saw quite a few people seemingly clamoring around, getting their buzz before the concert began. "So, this is the inside of a club…"
"It's pretty nice, right?" Minato said. "I usually on stay on the floor to dance or eat at the bar."
"But, isn't upstairs for VIPs?" Fuuka asked. Minato chuckled.
"But I am a very important person, am I not?" he mused. "And so are you, as of today. Come on." Minato escorted her to the VIP section and took his usual reserved table. "Thank you for your wonderful wordplay, Igor." Minato thought as he sat down with Fuuka. He put one arm around her and held his cap on his head. "Welcome to Minato's Escapade booth. This place lingers between fantasy and reality, euphoria and melancholy… Henceforth, I'm bound to grant any and all of your desires." he said.
Fuuka giggled. "Where did that come from?" she asked.
"A friend gave me a similar introduction once. It was even more far-fetched than that one, but I thought it was cool."
"You must have interesting friends, then." Fuuka said. She looked around to take in the view. "This has a nice view of the stage… I wouldn't mind watching from here."
"Oh? You don't want to meet Kazuya?" Minato asked.
"Wha-?! Meet him?!" Fuuka asked, suddenly seriously facing Minato. "Y-yes, please!"
Minato chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "As you wish." he said.
"H-hey, wait!" Fuuka said. Minato relented, and signaled to a waiter in the corner. He also signaled, and in a few seconds, Kazuya, clad in his usual clothing with a huge black and red cloak over it, walked over.
"How's my biggest fan doing?" Kazuya asked as he took a seat. Fuuka gasped, and Kazuya chuckled. "Pretty good, then? Let's get a few drinks."
"I-it's you!" Fuuka squeaked as Kazuya snapped at the waiter. "H-how…"
"Minato told me a bit about you." Kazuya said. He reached into his cloak, and pulled out a pair of headphones identical to the ones he wore. "Got a pen?"
"Don't worry, I've got one." Minato said, pulling one out of his pocket.
"S-s-s-signed headphones…" Fuuka muttered. She looked at Kazuya like he was giving her the gift of life itself.
"Where do you want the signature? The earpiece, or the crown design?" Kazuya asked.
"Right on the earpiece, please!" Fuuka said.
"Then… to Fuuka Yamagishi… my number one fan and dear friend." Kazuya said. The drinks arrived as he handed Fuuka the headphones.
"Your wish and more has been granted." Minato said as Fuuka carefully stored the headphones in her bag.
"This is… too much." Fuuka said.
"Didn't I say I'd spoil you a bit?" Minato asked. Fuuka blushed and looked away. Kazuya took a drink and laughed.
"I think the two of you are rather interesting." he said. "Still, I figured you'd want to talk more, Fuuka-chan."
"I do, actually…" Fuuka said. She turned to face Kazuya. "Umm… I don't really know what to ask."
"Just ask me whatever you feel like asking. I'm game." Kazuya said.
"It'll be fine, Fuuka." Minato said. "Kazuya's actually a pretty dorky guy. He plays online games half the time."
"Huh? Really?" Fuuka asked.
"It's true… most of my downtime is spent looking at other music, or playing games." Kazuya said. "Not very exciting, huh? How about you?"
"Me?... I'm trying to learn how to cook, actually… b-but I also mess around with… electronic stuff too." Fuuka said.
"Oh! Are you trying to make music yourself?"
"No, actually. It's… more like I enjoy seeing new kinds of technology… and that type of thing."
"That's just like my cousin, actually." Kazuya said.
"I thought as much. You own some pretty good headphones." Minato said. Fuuka chuckled nervously. "Hey, that's not a bad thing. It just means you know your stuff."
"Exactly." Kazuya said. The waiter walked over and whispered something in Kazuya's ear. He sighed. "Well, looks like I need to go get prepped. Sorry it was so short, Fuuka-chan, Minato. Enjoy the show."
"I-it was an honor!" Fuuka said. Kazuya laughed and walked away.
"Was that so bad?" Minato asked, reaching for a glass. He put in front of Fuuka and took the other one. She stopped and stared at it. "What's up?" Minato asked.
"Umm… I can't…" Fuuka began.
"… Lemme check that for you." Minato said. He took a small drink from Fuuka's glass. It was just Diet Cielo Mist, as far as he could tell. "This is just soda, I think… but I can just get you something else if you want."
"… If you say it's fine… I should be alright." Fuuka said. She nervously took a drink. Then she giggled. "Yes, it's just soda." Minato chuckled and pat her on the head.
"So, have we done anything you didn't want?" Minato asked.
"No, not at all!" Fuuka answered. The lights dimmed, and the announcer began to talk about Kazuya's upcoming performance. Minato then got a great idea in his head. He leaned over and held one of Fuuka's hands up between them.
"Then, I must ask. Will you give me the honor of a dance?" he said. He kissed the hand he held. Fuuka was efficiently stunned.
"… You've gotta be kidding me." A voice said from outside the booth. He turned to see Junpei tipping his hat to him, with Shinjiro and Yukari behind him, all standing at the entrance to the table. Yukari was resting her forehead on one hand while Shinjiro seemed mostly unaffected.
"Ah! There are people!" Fuuka said suddenly, withdrawing her hand.
"I know where all of you sleep…" Minato thought. He turned, hiding his annoyance, and faced the other members of SEES. "Well, you guys are here earlier than I thought."
"Shinji-senpai can cut line, remember?" Junpei said. "But hey, we just swung by to say wassup, ya know? Laters!"
Junpei then dragged Yukari away from the scene, while Shinjiro just silently followed them. Fuuka looked at the trio confused, then to Minato, and then reached a sudden realization. "… They must feel awkward now." Fuuka said.
"Bad timing, I say… not much we can do to fix that." Minato said. "Especially after I put so much effort into my request. But…" he trailed, suddenly moving to look Fuuka right in the eyes. "I think it gives us quite the opportunity, don't you?"
"… W-who does this kind of stuff anymore?" Fuuka asked, scooting away from him. Her face was still crimson.
"Obviously, I do." Minato said. Fuuka sat silently for a few minutes, and the music began. It was loud, bass centric, full of ridiculous sound effects and overlaid by rap lyrics. Minato was about to finish his drink when Fuuka turned back to face him.
"I… I'll try." Fuuka said. She looked extremely nervous.
"I'm right here with you. It'll come naturally… I think." Minato said. "Even if it doesn't, it won't be that bad. A cute girl like you can't fail at dancing."
Fuuka laughed. "I think I may surprise you… but thanks." Fuuka said. "… Let's go."
Minato escorted her down to the dance floor, which was actually rather crowded, and the two started to dance. Fuuka didn't really know what she was doing, but Minato managed to guide her through it. Eventually, she got into a good rhythm, and everything was looking good until Yukari interrupted them. She literally wedged herself between the two while dancing.
"Oh, hey Minato!" Yukari said. "How's it going?"
"It was going good," Minato said. He spun around her on the balls of his feet, and Fuuka turned to see him behind her. "And now it's good again."
"Wha-?!" Yukari said, stopping to see the two of them discreetly slip away. "Hey, c'mon, that was-!"
"Yuka-tan!" Junpei screamed, practically yanking her away from them. "I was wonderin' where ya went off to! Shinji-senpai got all worried and went to look for ya!"
"Huh?! He wasn't even around when we started dancing!" Yukari said. "If we lose him, we'll get stuck paying for everything!"
"Then let's go get im'!" Junpei said. Yukari moved towards the crowd, and Junpei mouthed to Minato 'I got you!' Minato nodded and waved him off.
"Yukari-san sure is pushy, isn't she?" Fuuka giggled as Minato turned back to her.
"I think she's my public stalker, actually." Minato said. "Though I think she fancies herself as the defender of women or something like that."
Fuuka laughed. "Maybe you are a threat. You have a reputation from what I've heard." she said.
"Look at you, teasing me now!" Minato chuckled. Fuuka nodded and kept dancing. "Are you threatened by me?"
"I don't think so." Fuuka said. "I think you're a big teddy bear, actually." Minato laughed.
"If I'm a black skeletal teddy bear with a sword and eye-patch, then maybe I am." he said. "I'm a pretty scary guy. The people who hang out by Port Island all know me."
"Just because you have a bad reputation doesn't mean you're a bad person… at least, I believe that." Fuuka said. She slowed down considerably. "I think… it's really great that you can just be yourself, despite what everyone else says about you."
"… I just do what I think would be fun, really." Minato said.
"That's what I admire about you… it's something I… I want…" Fuuka slowly began. She looked like she was about to cry, and they stopped dancing completely.
"Hey… let's take a break." Minato said. Fuuka nodded and Minato led her back up to the VIP section. He ordered two more drinks and sat down next to her. He hugged her, and let her rest against him.
"… I'm sorry." Fuuka said. "You brought me here to have a good time and now… it's like this. I'm a horrible person, aren't I?"
"No you're not. A horrible person wouldn't interrupt their own worries to care about how they're affecting another person… that's more like something I'd do." Minato said.
"Don't try and degrade yourself for me." Fuuka said suddenly. "It's not something… I don't want that."
"… You put me on a pedestal I don't deserve." Minato said. "I'm selfish. You know that."
"Even so… you're selfish about all the right things." Fuuka said. "You're not like me… you give people the real you. I… I don't even know what to call what I give. Nothing? A shell?"
"You give them what they expect… but they don't expect much, do they?" Minato answered. "But I think people like surprises… after all, you certainly seemed to like most of mine."
Fuuka chuckled. "I want to believe that… but I don't think I can."
"… Do you want to leave?" Minato asked.
"No… but I need some time." Fuuka said. "If you don't mind… could you stay like this for a while?"
"I wouldn't be a very good teddy bear if I didn't do that much." Minato said.
"… Thank you." Fuuka said. She hugged him back.
CRACK!
Thou art I… And I art thou…
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Priestess Arcana…
"… No one interrupts us." Minato said to his Fiends.
"As you command." they answered. The concert drew to a close as Fuuka recovered.
Yukari, Junpei, and Shinjiro were about to go talk to Minato when they were blocked at the entrance to the VIP section by none other than Jack. "Boss is busy. Nobody interrupts him."Jack said, blocking their path.
"Busy?!" Yukari exclaimed. "No way! Move!"
"Ah, c'mon, Yuka-tan! You don't honestly plan on disturbing the guy NOW of all times!" Junpei said.
"… Even I'll say that's fucked up." Shinjiro added.
"The whole point of being here was so this WOULDN'T happen!" Yukari said. David appeared next to Jack as she spoke.
"Boss is coming… the job's done." David said. Jack nodded and vanished along with David. Sure enough, Minato walked over, escorting Fuuka, who still looked sad.
"You! I can't believe you! I thought you said you weren't doing something like this!" Yukari said. "But no! I knew if we left you alone you'd do something! And to somebody who trusts you so much too! Just look at-"
"That's enough backtalk from you, Yukari-san." Fuuka snapped. Everyone froze. "I don't know why you think of Minato like that, but I won't let you insult him like that in front of me. Now, please get out of our way."
"... Outta the way, Yukari." Shinjiro said, pulling her to the side. Minato and Fuuka walked past, receiving a host of strange looks. They wordlessly left Escapade.
"… I can't believe you just did that." Minato said as they began their walk to Fuuka's house.
"… Neither can I." Fuuka said. "It just happened… I don't want people lying about you too."
Minato chuckled. "Sometimes, I think you're more knightly than I am."
"Who said a modern princess couldn't defend their knight?" Fuuka mused.
After walking Fuuka back to her apartment, Minato returned to the dorm. Everyone else had already gone to bed by the Dark Hour. He went to his room, and for the first time in a long time, decided to spend the early hours relaxing.