Chapter 52: A Calm Sunday
Author Note to jasonwu: Woah! You're all alive and junk! Long time no see, and thanks for the continued support.
Author Note to Mr. Haziq: … What? I'm confused as to why you make that connection. I mean, they might appear, but probably not as major characters… like maybe in Toudou's role, or smaller… I don't know. If I feel like they can fit in somewhere, they'll pop up. Like, I get Kei Nanjo being mentioned a few times if I feel like it… but not much else comes to mind. I mean, I already have a lot of extra faces in here. It might get too crowded.
Author Note to SilverFlameHaze: No spoilers, but I think I'll do Fuuka's Shadow well. Wait and see.
The story continues with a short precursor chapter.
The Sunday before the full moon was, in Minato's mind, just another Sunday. He lazed around after making a quick breakfast, and went to work as usual, in his plain blue and white shirt with jeans combo and his hat. Upon arriving at Be Blue V, he headed straight to the Office and lazily turned to Nemissa, who was lazily eating chips while watching one of her three monitors. "Haven't seen you in a while." Minato said.
"… You know, I was hoping you wouldn't show up." Nemissa said. "It's no fun to work with you now that you're so damn cheeky."
"Don't you miss having a little bitch?" Minato mused.
"Yes, I do." Nemissa said. "Regardless, you are still employed here… Now, we have a few photo shoots for you today. You know the drill."
"Are you shooting alongside me?" Minato asked.
"I thought I told you I wasn't that cheap." Nemissa said.
"But I could've sworn you'd enjoy it." Minato said. "I mean, it's not every day you get the chance to be with… well, me."
"… Egotistical much?" Nemissa asked.
"Elegantly so." Minato said. Nemissa rolled her eyes.
"So you really are here in some ridiculous attempt to torment me." Nemissa said. "Don't you have better things to do with your time?"
"There's nothing better than siphoning power, my moon." Minato said.
"… You're still going on about that crap?" Nemissa asked. Minato chuckled.
"Call it what you want… but I actually enjoy your company, you know?" Minato said.
"So you're a masochistic dog that likes being insulted?" Nemissa asked. Minato laughed.
"No. I'm a guy that lies to screw with people for no reason, just like you." Minato said. "So how about we see who we can mess with, huh?"
"Hmph. You're a damn fool." Nemissa said.
"I prefer the term clown, or, more accurately, jester." Minato said.
"… Idiot is the best one." Nemissa said with a smirk. "Now that's enough discussion. You might not be my bitch anymore, but you still need to work."
"I had no intentions not to." Minato said. "Though I like how you're trying to end the conversation with the upper hand. It's cute."
"… Just go already." Nemissa said, shaking her head. Minato laughed and went about doing his photo shoots. Again, he couldn't help but feel like he was doing some pornographic form of peekaboo, although this time it involved him popping out from a bubbly bathtub.
"I'm not going to lie, these things are actually pretty fun." Minato thought as he shook some soap from his hair.
"A model that likes his job, huh? Do you even need to attend school anymore?" Jack asked.
"Of course he does, fool! How else can he pull power from the majority of his Social Links?" David retorted.
"I doubt he could chance upon the majority of SEES whilst walking around town all day." Matador added.
"Exactly… the only reason I go through that boring shit is for the bonuses. If it were just to get a future, screw that! I already have one right here!" Minato thought. He continued his various shots, and emerged from the back three hours later, a cocky smirk on his face. "It's good to know women will touch themselves while thinking of me at night." he said as he walked past Nemissa.
"… That's disgusting." she said. He laughed, and went to the changing room. After donning his work outfit, he went back out and stretched a bit.
"You know, it's nice to have this much freedom in this suit." Minato said. "Let's me know I can do whatever the hell I want."
"If you don't mind having to pay money to work here, go right ahead." Nemissa said.
"Hah! I never said I'd be a loser, did I? I'm still the best damn salesman this place has ever seen." Minato said. "Watch me."
He strolled out of the Office, and went about reaping his profits without fail. He had a feeling he'd run into a few familiar faces, and sure enough, Mitsuru had stopped by. He quickly went to help her as she entered. "Hello, Mitsuru." Minato said, electing to take her hand and kiss it. "And welcome to the healing shop, Be Blue V. I, Minato, granter of your desires, will serve you today."
"… Good morning, Minato." Mitsuru managed. "I see even an upcoming operation won't keep you from work."
"But it isn't really work if there's pleasure involved, right?" Minato asked, getting too close to Mitsuru for her comfort. "I can tell you just what to get for a very happy ending tonight."
Mitsuru turned her head to examine some shampoo very quickly. "T-that won't be necessary. I'm simply here to have another relaxing encou- I mean, bath."
Minato drew back and smirked. "Why, Mitsuru… you only had to ask. I'll tell you everything we need. Will it be a public affair like last time?"
"… It will be private." Mitsuru said. "Don't expect this to become a habit."
"Of course not… only once every full moon, right?" Minato said. "We've got to let off some stress before an operation…"
"… You sound like a voyeur." Mitsuru said. "I think you should work on your phrasing."
"I only speak the truth." Minato said. "And sometimes, it's perverse, don't you think?"
"I see your point… but a bit of tact wouldn't hurt." Mitsuru said.
"That's also true… Well, I'll be on the second floor lounge 'reading' tonight… come see me when the coast is clear." Minato said. "But first, to ensure quality service… After all, this is for your enjoyment, right?"
"… Perhaps I rely on you too much." Mitsuru muttered.
"I am both an angel and a devil." Minato whispered. She flinched, not expecting him to have heard that. He chuckled, and helped her find what they would need. Otherwise, he made quite the sum of sales, and changed back into his normal clothes. He entered the Office again, and found Nemissa busy reviewing his photos from the day. "You should print some copies of those so I can sign them for you." Minato said.
"That's a horrible idea." Nemissa grumbled.
"But you could sell them off, and all it would cost is one sheet of printing paper and a miniscule amount of ink." Minato said.
"… Perhaps if you were a real celebrity." Nemissa said. "But as a singular city model, your following has yet to reach a thousand. Anything you sign will just be considered ink-stained."
Minato chuckled. "You're probably right." he said.
"It's not probably." Nemissa said. "… You know, this pisses me off. A lot."
"It's as I said… I am constantly gaining power and prestige, while you have already fallen into a role. You need to accept this already and get on with it." Minato said.
"It's still a load of shit… you've been around for what, two months, and you're already on my level? I've been around for years!" Nemissa said.
"You lack ambition." Minato said. "I've never seen you chase power. You're more than content with what you have, living a carefree life. Compared to someone who constantly hungers for power and has the ability to attain more such as myself… well, let's just say that any expectations of constant superiority are misguided."
"Pfft… since when the hell could you lecture me?" Nemissa asked.
"Think of it as advice, partner." Minato said. "That's what you called me last time, right? I'm not going to try and keep you down… granted, you don't have very far to fall, but that doesn't mean I'll stop you from moving up."
"… You had to throw in the low-blow, didn't you?" Nemissa asked.
"When someone is down, it's only common courtesy to make sure they've been kicked." Minato said. Nemissa laughed.
"I can't argue with that logic." she said. "So, you're saying I'm stagnating? Well, I've got news for you… starting now, I'm moving up in this world and in Big Boss' favor. I hate to say this, but you're out of your league. Better quit while you're ahead… just try not to cry on the way out, okay?"
CRACK!
Thou art I… And I art thou…
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Moon Arcana…
Minato laughed. "If you think you can get on your grind that quickly, by all means. Amaze me." Minato said. "But for now, I'll take my pay."
"… Shit." Nemissa said. "You still didn't forget."
After collecting his cash and parting ways with Nemissa, Minato promptly returned to the dorm. "S'up, dude?" Junpei greeted. "… You think we'll get a chance to look for Fuuka tomorrow?"
"Who knows? Assuming Natsuki Moriyama hasn't gone and died, you guys probably could." Minato said as he signed in. "... Just don't expect a miracle. Tartarus isn't a place for people to just wander around in."
"… I know. But Akihiko-senpai's right… we've gotta at least try." Junpei said.
"Don't dwell on it too much. We'll know once the sun sets tomorrow." Minato said. "Remember, you'll be leading in my stead if the operation commences tomorrow. We don't know how Tartarus' formation works, so be prepared for complete and total isolation from the rest of the team once the Dark Hour begins. You'll need all your senses up there."
"Hey, you watch out for yourself. Yer' gonna tango with a Shadow like the one from the monorail alone, dude… you better not be lyin' about this crazy secret power you've got." Junpei said. Minato chuckled.
"Then, from one leader to the next… I wish you good luck." Minato said.
"Same here." Junpei replied. He and Minato nodded to each other, and Minato headed upstairs.
Akihiko and Shinjiro were eating at the lounge table, but listened intently to their brief conversation. "… Those two sure have changed a lot." Akihiko said.
"How so?" Shinjiro asked.
"The obvious one is Junpei… he's so level-headed these days, it's almost hard to believe he's the same person. Not to mention he's improved his skills all around in a ridiculously short time-span." Akihiko said.
"Hmph… he has improved." Shinjiro said. "… Though Minato's the same friggin' monster as usual."
"I don't think so… he's got this… new level of approachableness, if you could call it that." Akihiko said.
"… You eat somethin' funny?" Shinjiro asked. Akihiko chuckled.
"Probably." Akihiko said. "Still, it's good that both of them have prepared this much…"
"Aki." Shinjiro said, snapping Akihiko out of his thoughts. "We'll know once we find her… it ain't over till it's over, right? So quit brooding… that's my job."
Akihiko couldn't stop himself from laughing. "… Thanks, Shinji." Akihiko said. "It's been a while since we talked like this, huh?"
"... And?"
"Nothing… it's just… nostalgic."
"… Whatever. As long as you don't start crying like before, I don't really care."
"Wha-?! Hey! I didn't cry that much!" Akihiko said. Shinjiro chuckled.
"If you call biting down on a pillow to stay quiet not crying, then sure." Shinjiro said.
"Tch… you cried just as much!" Akihiko said.
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"Oh yeah? Name one time."
"Remember when we were in middle school, and that teacher took your hat away?" Akihiko asked. "You didn't stop until Officer Kurosawa came and got it back for you!"
"What?! That didn't happen!" Shinjiro said. "Maybe I did cry when he took my hat, but you know damn well that this hat has sentimental value! But even so, there's no way in hell I cried for that long!"
Akihiko laughed. "I had to beat up a few kids who wouldn't stop laughing at you, how long it was going on!"
"Tch… still doesn't compare to the time you got stuck in the top of the jumbo slide." Shijiro said. Akihiko was silenced.
"… I thought we agreed never to talk about that." Akihiko said.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember… pissy pants." Shinjiro said with a smirk.
"You sonuva-!" Akihiko said, getting up from his chair. "That's it! Outside, you and me, fists only!"
"… You sure, Aki? I don't want you cryin' again." Shinjiro taunted.
"You… I'm not Captain of the Boxing Club for show." Akihiko said.
"And I ain't a bouncer just because I can look scary." Shinjiro replied, getting up. "Don't complain when your eyes are black and blue."
"That's my line." Akihiko said. The two went out the back door as Yukari walked down the stairs.
"… What's up with them?" she asked Junpei.
"Don't know… they were just talkin' until all of a sudden, they're all like 'oh, I'm gonna kick yer' ass for sayin' that'!" Junpei said. "But it didn't sound like this was a weird thing… I'm guessin' they just do this every now and then."
"Correct." Mitsuru said, entering the lounge. She headed to the kitchen to take a bottle of water. "It's refreshing to see them bicker like this. They were even worse two years ago."
"Really?" Yukari asked. "… Y'know, guys bond in the weirdest of ways."
Mitsuru chuckled and left the duo to watch television. That was all four other members of SEES accounted for. She went to the second floor lounge and looked at Minato, who was busy reading Goth. "… Our time is nigh, isn't it?" Minato asked, closing the book.
"… Let's begin." Mitsuru said.
As the night passed, Minato and Mitsuru returned to the lounge at about the same time Akihiko and Shinjiro walked back in through the back door. The two boys looked extremely dirty while Minato and Mitsuru looked ridiculously clean… yet both pairs seemed happier than usual. The night was quiet and peaceful as SEES prepared for its coming operation.
