*yawn*

It's only 6:30 PM and you're ALREADY tired?

I'm always tired. When I say Minato's personality has many similarities to my own it includes the constant drowsiness.


Despite his body wanting more sleep, Minato rose from bed slightly before the Dark Hour and made his way to Junpei's room.

I don't understand. You don't want any of them to get too close to you, yet you're about to do this. He's still my friend. I don't want our friendship to end on a sour note. Minato told Pharos internally.

Minato turned the knob on Junpei's door, it was surprisingly unlocked. He went in and saw Junpei sleeping like a baby. Minato simply kicked his bed and Junpei groaned.

"What? Were we supposed to go to Tartarus today?" Junpei groaned as he stood up

"No, but get your sword ready because you and I are going." Minato ordered

"J-Just you and me?" Junpei didn't like the idea of going to Tartarus with that small of a group

"Yes, now get up." Minato ordered.

Tartarus entrance

"So... What're we doin'?" Junpei asked Minato

"Charge at me." Minato ordered. Junpei may have calmed down but the best way Minato could think of to truly get everything out of Junpei's system is to 'fight like men' as they say.

"C-Charge at you?" Junpei was understandably shocked and confused by what Minato just asked

"Charge at me. No persona, no items, just you and me with our swords." Minato clarified

"Uh..." Junpei still didn't understand. Just why would Minato ask him to do that? Was he just asking to die?

"If you won't I will." Minato warned

"W-what?! Mako, what the hell!?" Junpei shouted in confusion

"Three." Minato warned as he straightened his posture "Two" Minato gripped his sword tightly "One"

As soon as the countdown ended Minato ran to Junpei and aimed for his left shoulder. Something seemed off though, Junpei was able to easily block it, it was as if Minato didn't put his usual strength into that swing. Was Minato holding back?

Next Minato went for the right of Junpei's stomach. Junpei managed to jump out of the way in time.

When Junpei was able to catch his bearings he swung at Minato's left leg. Minato saw this coming and easily stepped out of the sword's way.

In an act of semi-revenge Minato went for Junpei's feet to make him lose his footing. Junpei got desperate as he struggled to stay on his feet when Minato did this and ended up swinging at the right of Minato's gut. The Fool barely noticed this in time and was able to redirect the blade to miss and then charged into Junpei which pushed him back but he managed to stay on his feet as a grin appeared on Junpei's face. He just learned his leader's weakness.

Minato 's new target was Junpei's sword arm, if he could hit that then Junpei would be weaponless. Junpei may have many faults but he wasn't helpless, he guarded himself well enough that it wouldn't be easy. So, Minato's strategy was to overwhelm Junpei with a continuous onslaught to wear the capped teen down.

Junpei did what the blue haired boy expected and managed to guard himself hit after hit. What Minato didn't expect was for Junpei to make a last minute punch to the right side of Minato's face.

Minato took a step back and swung his sword to keep Junpei at a distance but the capped boy simply ducked and then tackled his leader.

Junpei immediately held down Minato's arms when they hit the floor and then looked at Minato who was now smiling proudly.

"What the hell are you smilin' for?" Junpei asked still confused as hell

"You just exploited my blind spot and pinned me to the ground." Minato pointed out "Why wouldn't I be smiling?"

Junpei's eyes widen as he got the hint and got off Minato "Holy shit... I did." Junpei announced proudly before jumping in the air "I did!"

"See? You're important too." Minato said as he stood up "Want me to give you more reasons?"

"Huh?" Junpei asked surprised

"Who was it that told me Minako had a stalker?" Minato asked and Junpei pointed at himself "Who was the one who caught and stopped that same stalker? Who's always there to lighten the mood?" Junpei pointed at himself "And if that's not enough, who's been my friend since day one when I came back here?" Minato asked

Junpei laughed a little "Yeah, I guess that was all me." He said smiling

"Now, let's get out of here. Kirijo-senpai is going to be pissed if we stay here too long." Minato told Junpei who nodded in agreement

During the walk home Junpei couldn't end the night without saying 1 thing

"Hey, I know I've been kind of a dick lately." Junpei said whatever pride he had before gone

"Don't worry about it." Minato assured "Friends?" he asked extending a fist

"The best." Junpei agreed as they did a fist bump. "But that's all in the past, it's just you and me now, baby!"

Minato chuckled "Sure thing man." he said as they went in... Where the Ice Queen was waiting

"Where were you two?" Mitsuru asked glaring

"Um..." Minato was sure Junpei was about to piss himself scared

"I forgot something at the mall and went to get it. Junpei just tagged along." Minato lied knowing Mitsuru wouldn't buy it but hoped she'd give them a past once she understood

"With your swords?" Mitsuru asked thoroughly unconvinced

"Never know when Makoto will show up." Minato said as he turned to Junpei "Right?"

"R-right!" Junpei agreed "And when he does we'll kick his ass, right Mako?"

Minato nodded and looked at Mitsuru. She seemed to of gotten the hint "Please refrain from this in the future." Mitsuru requested before going back to her room

"Whoa, I can't believe she just let us go." Junpei said amazed

Minato shrugged "She lived with Akihiko, remember? I'm sure she understands what we did and why."

"Dude... Senpai is awesome."

"Just don't get executed." Minato warned "You know what happened to Akihiko when he was."

Junpei shuddered at the thought "Well, hey at least I'm not weak to ice!"

"No, you're weak to wind. Do you really think Minako wouldn't do it for her?" Minato asked

Junpei's expression changed to someone who was asked to imagine the most horrific thing imaginable "G-Good point."

"Well, I'm off to bed. I got up early for this." Minato yawned

"You need a doctor." Junpei sighed

"All they did was waste my time." Minato muttered as he went to bed


Junpei is finally back to his old Stupei self

Didn't really effect the plot much

Did the game's interpretation affect the plot?

Well, he met Chidori when-

But isn't it quickly abandoned? He doesn't even lash out at Minato a 2nd time. The jealousy thing was completely pointless at the end of the day. You could've said he met Chidori when he was walking around just because and there'd be no difference at the end. The only thing the jealousy did was make him lie that he was leader when he only said the group would fall apart without him which is a very... Junpei thing to say anyway.

Point taken. Still, Junpei won?

Minato held back, he didn't want to hurt him.

And Minato's weakness is his right?

The hair blinds him. Like Minako said : His hair really is his greatest weakness, lol.

Isn't it my weakness too?

Yes it is, white haired... creature.

Well, screw you too

*rolls eyes*