[Chapter 8]

Objectives

I became shock at the sudden reveal at the enemy we had made and I felt pity for her. I notice Jane biting her nail as he try to look calm but she is shaking up just as us and Luke felt defeated by his owns word.

"In the end, we were fighting a vengeance ghost of some sort?..." Jane asks.

Jane look stun at something on her mind and she glare toward Luke as he became confuse at her sudden anger building up. Jane suddenly grab Luke's collar with her might and easily push him toward the wall.

"That's why! The moment when she looks at you, she always looks angry at you and completely ignores us. You are her killer!" Jane asks, angrily.

I became shock at Jane sudden backlash and I need to step in or else this will make the team fall apart. I stand up from my chair as I grab her right shoulder and Jane glare at me which I remain unfazed by it.

"Listen Jane, Luke doesn't appear to be the bad guy of this and you really trust an enemy rather than him." I ask.

Jane lowers her eyes to think about my reasoning but a bit and turn to Luke still within her grasp. She looks sad at her action and let go of Luke's collar before apologize to him like a good friend would.

"I am sorry Luke.." Jane mutters, sadly.

"Its fine Jane, I would probably do the same thing if it happens to someone else, and I am not her killer…" Luke answers, sadly. "I am still looking into that case for a while now and I felt really stupid for not knowing her face right away. The fear and stress is really catching up to me.." Luke sighs.

Luke began to rub his hand of this problem bothering him for three years and a strange mystery involving Zoey is approaching us. I wonder if such case is solvable by us and maybe we can help her if we can find her killer. My eyes widen at my own thoughts as I realize something relating to Hotspot and Zoey.

"Guys, that's it!" I spoke, excitedly.

"Huh? What wrong?" Luke ask, confuse.

"Zoey is a ghost that is hurting and taking student away in Hotspot for one reason alone. A good reason to let anyone know her pain and suffering." I explain.

I began to explain my theory to them but they aren't following my direction and I sigh with a smile. Jane quickly caught up with my theory as her eyes widen and she gasps at the truth.

"If you theory is correct, then that mean Zoey is an angry spirit that is trap inside this building and that means.." Jane trails off, thinking.

"Yeah, keep going." I smile.

Jane became to focus on her next comment as she close her eyes and Luke slowly began to understand the situation.

"Ah! What Luke mention before, her body wasn't found by anyone, and that mean her body is somewhere here and unable to rest in peace because of the killer hiding her body." Jane explains.

"What! Is that true?" Luke ask, surprise.

I cross my arm as I smile at my finding and I see both of them looking at me with disbelief.

"Hehehe, don't underestimate a protagonist's ability. Correct, Zoey body is somewhere here and not letting her soul rest. We need to go back to Hotspot to get some answer from her and find her body in order to release her from this prison of her." I instruct, chuckling.

I notice Luke charging at me for a huge, tight hug which surprise me with his rather large strength and he seem to be unable to see me struggling as he is happy about my finding.

"Luck! I really owe you a lot of helping me finds the answers I was seeking for so long and I am happy to meet you." Luke smile.

I felt my body being slowly crush as my lung began to follow after the pain and I struggle to keep my consciousness at bay.

"L-Luke…help…" I mutter, struggling.

Jane smile at my attempt for help and she poke Luke's shoulder to get his attention elsewhere so I can be release from his hug. I fall into the floor as I try to catch my breath and causing Luke to worry about me.

"Ah, sorry Luck, I was so happy I didn't notice I was hurting you." Luke apologizes.

In the end, we all agree to remain on standby at the moment and I needed to meet Shin back at 7th Avenue near Midnight to gather equipment for tomorrow investigation. I was going to go to the 1st floor but I see Ayakane going up the stair toward the senior's floor is. I became quite surprise at her grader, she seems small and I thought she was a freshman. I also notice a blond boy sneakily following Ayakane which did worry me and I began to follow the boy behind him as I slowly climb the stairs. I reach the final floor of this building and I catch of glimpse of the boy from earlier making a turn to my left and I quickly catch up to see him watching something from the door. The boy has blond hair and green eyes looking at something very interesting to him. He wears a grey jacket with a black shirt underneath the jacket which is his uniform and a yellow tie around his neck. A pair of black pant with a brown belt and black shoes, he seem very suspicious for a boy wondering around here.

What is he doing?

I walk to him in order to get some answer and he turn to see me with a grin. I didn't like this guy grin as it felt cold and merciless which made me even more worry for Ayakane.

"Are you here to see Ayakane as well?" The blonde boy ask

"..."
I remain quiet at his questions due to my caution and very distress at him knowing Ayakane. The boy scuffs with a smile on his face and slowly turns to see her from the door's window.

"You don't have to tell me, I know Ayakane's body is very desirable and her popularity as an artist." The boy explains.
The boy's words made me angry at mocking a girl's body like that and I felt like I need to do something about this weird guy getting away from her.
"Why are you doing here? Shouldn't you be somewhere else or perhaps not bothering a young lady in her time of work." I explain, holding my anger tone.

The boy chuckle at my response which made me angrier at this strange boy but I need to keep it together since she is here.

"Not me, I am her boyfriend and she is my precious trophy. A tiny girl with big-"

I grab his collar as I fell for his disgusting personality of his and he seems to be enjoying my reaction as the boy chuckle at my attempt. The door suddenly opens to reveal Ayakane with a shock expression to see me holding this guy by the collar.

"Luck and Lucas!?" Ayakane ask, shockingly.

Lucas?
I turn to face him to see his usual smock smile but he suddenly made a 360 on his personality as he look normal at best.
"It isn't what you think Aya, this gentleman grab me as I was about to fall off and save my life." Lucas chuckle, happily.

"Ah, I see, thank you so much Luck." Ayakane said, smiling.

I am dumbfound by this situation as I slowly walk back from this and I notice Lucas's cocky grin as he hide it from her. My eyes wide at the realization of something and I regain my composure. I regain what little sanity I have of not letting my anger overtake me since I see Ayakane's warmth smile showing.

"Y-Yeah, no problem." I mutter.

I sigh as I felt my anger taking a toll on me and Ayakane turn to Lucas as he quickly change into his kind smile from before. It made me angry at the inside as he is manipulating Ayakane with his words.

"Welp, I came here to wish you luck on your next art piece before i go. So, good luck." Lucas smile.

"Thank you Lucas, I will make you proud as your girlfriend." Ayakane spoke, excitedly.
The boy nod with a smile and began to leave the hallways but he pass me with a grin on his face. I clench my hiding right fist from Ayakane and I need to change Ayakane's mind about him.

"So, that's your boyfriend, huh?" I ask, sadly.

"Yeah, he really save me with my mom…" She spoke, but pause. "You don't seem to thrill about Lucas, are you okay? Did something happen." Ayakane said, worrying.

I felt like I need to do something to break those two up and letting Ayakane be free from that dangerous guy. I know I am just a stranger to her and I have no chance to change her mind but I am a protagonist for a reason.

"Ayakane, listen to what I need to tell you. Lucas is a bad man for you and I think you need to break up with him." I spoke, truthfully.

Ayakane became shock at my answer and she look stun at me for talking bad about her boyfriend. Her shock turn into anger which was to be expect since it wouldn't be easy to break them up

"Luck! I didn't expect this kind of behavior from you and I believe in Lucas." Ayakane said, with a little anger.
"You can't! That guy think of you like a trophy or a thing that bring him pleasure, I can't allow such thing to happen to you and-"

"I don't want to hear any more Luck! Lucas protects me from people like that and I want you to never bother us again." Ayakane spoke, pausing as she looks down to gather strength. "Y-You hear!" Ayakane shout.

I see Ayakane's angry face but I also see her watery eyes and her hands shaking from fear. I felt sorry for Ayakane as she must muster her all in order to reply back and she doesn't handle anger very well. I felt broken and depress for Ayakane hating me for trying to save her but I have no choice but to retreat from her. I ran away from her for both of our sake and I began to walk alone toward my next objective.

…Aya..

[Ayakane POV]

I watch as Luck ran away from me as I began to sob at my anger building and I am not good at expressing my anger so well. I rub my teary eyes as I felt like I made a big mistake and I felt like my heart hurting as I shout at a friend. I shook my head as I slap my cheeks with my hand to focus on my art piece that is due in tomorrow.

"I need to get back to work…" I mutter, silently.

I turn to the hallways Luck ran as I grab the door as if hoping he will come back and I could apologize for my shout but alas, he didn't came back.

[Jane POV]

I arrive to the first floor as watch the student leave the school through the main entrance and I need to talk to Luck about me accompany him as we need to decide many thing relating to our weaponry of choice. I began to engross myself at the new weapon in store today and the two Persona-user capability of handling Hotspot.

Those two seem promising at such early state. Hm, I wonder if we can manage to suppress the Hotspot if we can figure out the killer of that Zoey girl….

I began to focus on the next investigation as I gently put my right index finger on my chin to think on Luck's theory until I notice the genius himself walking down from the stair in a strange hurry. He seems to be breathing quite heavily as he just sprint from 3 floors and he took his glasses to rub his eyes. I immediately notice Luck looking depress of something and my first thought is bullying, I approach Luck with worry as I try my best to hide that from him.

"Why do you look sad, Luck?" I ask.

Luck became startle as he quickly put his glasses and turn to me with a shock expression as I cross my arms and look at him with serious expression, demanding some answer from him.

"O-Oh, it just you Jane.." Luck mutter, relief.

I raise an eyebrow to Luck's careful word as he expect someone else asking him something and my thought were right from right then.

"Luck, is someone bullying you?" I ask.

Luck pause for a second at my question as he look chuckle at the idea and he doesn't seem to be lying with that humorous chuckle of his.

"No, why would you assume that?" Luck smile.

I smile at Luck chuckle as I felt happy for him not being bully by other student and as a friend; I deeply care for his well-being. Although, that doesn't change the fact he still look sad about something and I want him to rely on me more than anyone else as I believe to be the more useful among my peers.

"Luck, I want you to rely on me, so if you have any problem, you know you can tell me, right?" I ask.

Luck smile as he hide his eyes from me and adjust his glasses with a gently push which made him more mysterious as he is hard to figure out.

"Sure, but why do you want to help me? I am a protagonist; my duty is to do the same action you are doing as well." Luck explains.

I took a deep breath as I need to choose my word real carefully and I felt some nervous when I am around this guy which is a big surprise.

"Well, for a start, I am very reliable person as I can handle almost any scenario possible and I know I can accomplish anything if you ask me." I explain.

Luck became silence at my explanation and look at me with a smile on his face as usual.

"I see, I am happy to know you open up to me." Luck spoke.

I became shock at his word as I gasp at that realization myself and I know I wouldn't trust anyone to rely on me or someone else entirely. Luck nod as he felt happy for me trusting him and became worry for him. I felt warm nostalgic feeling inside my cold heart and I never felt like this in a very long time.

I smile. "I thought I came here to help you with your problem, but in the end, you were the person to help me with my little problem." I said.

"I didn't do anything, it was just a coincidence scene and I notice your lonesome from a mile away, even Luke himself took notice on that." Luck spoke.

"I see, I am rather good at hiding my feelings while not effecting my current action since that a sign of weakness and I want to be useful to someone." I spoke, smiling sadly.

I try my best to hide such emotion but I couldn't, not from him anyways as he seems to be my main problem and also my solution in a way. I gently look down at my depression, my lonesome, and my betrayal from my lifetime until I felt a warmth weight touching my head.

[Luck POV]

I look at the depress Jane looking down from shame and I needed to help her to guide her toward a better path. I smile as I softly pat her head and stroking her beautiful hairs of her. Jane flinches at my action and look up to see me patting her, like a good child would deserve for enduring such hardship on her own. I knew the words that she wanted to hear from someone in a very long time and I softly spoke those very words.

"You did a good job Jane, I am proud of you." I spoke, smiling.

Jane became frozen in that position looking at me with shock face as I continue patting her head. It took a while for her to slowly raise her head high and she seems fluster about her current state.

"So, ummm.." Jane coughs. "Th..you.." She spoke, quietly.

I couldn't catch her last two word spoke from her and I mischievously smile as I try to tease Jane.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch those two words of yours; can you speak a bit louder?" I ask, smiling.

Jane blush as she mumbles angrily at me for teasing her as she has keen eyes for understanding the situation.

"I say, I am thankful…" Jane spoke, angrily.

I nod as I adjust my glasses and extend my arm toward her and she sigh to our further friendship developing from now on. Jane accepts the handshake from me and this is a pact to our friendship growing.

Thou art I… And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a new Judgment

Thou shalt further expand his horizon

And develop his own cause to judge.

With the aid of the Fortune Persona,

I have the power to change your fate from salvation and save thee from Death

"Geez, why do you need to try that! I am still a girl, you know…" Jane mutter, quite cutely and blushing.

I chuckle. "This new personality of yours suits you better and you look rather cute as well." I spoke, teasingly.

I see Jane showing her emotion to me and I felt happy for her and at the same time sad as I am probably the only person that can witness such raw emotion. Although, anger isn't a good emotion to experience from her as she scuff and walk away from me.

"I was going to join you on shopping but I just change my mind." Jane asks, angrily.

"R-Really!? Wait, I am sorry for teasing yo-Wait!"

I shout at Jane to wait for me, which she refuse to talk to me on the way to Shin's place and I had to remain silence for my punishment. The long silence travel manages me to think of never trying to tease Jane again and I learn my evil deeds as we walk into 7th Avenue. We notice the young man sitting in the back alley as he looks rather cool and mysterious as he watches the citizen walking by day to day. Shin made a reaction as he notice us walking toward him and slowly get up for our conversation.

"Hello Shin, it has being a while since the last time I came here to buy good from you." Jane spoke.

"Yeah, and I am curious is to why you invite a civilian into this and most importantly, how this guy manage to gain your trust ever since.." Shin trail off, covering his mouth and thinking.

Jane glare at Shin as I felt left out again at her past and Shin sigh as he scratch his head at his situation.

"Regardless, it isn't my business and I have the good in my hideout so you can come now." Shin explains.

He nudge to us to the back alley and Jane follow his lead and I walk behind them to this suppose hideout of his. After a couple of turns of walking in the back alley, we reach a dead end and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary here.

"Where is the hideout?" I ask.

"Right here, just because it is the end of the road.." Shin mutters.

Shin began to tap the solid brick wall a couple of time and moving his hand around in a specific order until we hear a click sound. The whole wall quickly move away to reveal a door and Shin turn around with a smile.

"It doesn't mean your path end here; you can just make another one." Shin explains.

I became stun at this guy strange personality and coolness to hide such place from ordinary people. I became excite to learn more about this guy should the time arrive and we enter the shop of Shin. I see a rather expensive looking rotating chair in the back of the store with a large table occupying the entire room and other rotating chair alongside it. A whole weaponry, armor, jewelry, weapon is visible through a well organize shelve all around us and a glass seem to be protecting the goods from anyone that may steal such goods. I manage to see a door behind the expensive chair and it seem out of place to me. I could see light-blue light illuminating the whole room and Shin began to talk right into business as he sit on the expensive chair of his.

"Well, you know the deal Jane, you pick whatever I have at the moment and you give me money as usual." Shin spoke.

"I understand, come Luck, let's pick Luke weapon and other things that may come in handy." Jane instructs.

"Didn't Luke mention he didn't want any gun?" I ask.

"Nonsense, he definitely needs one for combat and this will be a surprise for him so let's pick one that suits him." Jane reply.

I agree to Luke having a weapon since it will protect him from danger and he may understand it very well now after he awakens to his power. We look around each gun and I became quite curious to what each gun can bring out from battle and Jane quickly examines it until we reach our answer. We nod at this particular gun since and Shin approach us with curious eyes as we look mumble.

"Oh, the Dan Wesson DW RZ-10. Not a bad choice for whoever may wield this weapon." Shin spoke, nodding.

"We will take it then and we will take a 3 pair of those pendants." Jane orders.

"Got it, by the way, those pendants will make the user's spiritual power rise a bit." Shin explains.

Shin quickly got the items we order for today and I pull the wads of money given to me by Jane to Shin. Shin began to count the money and he seems please with the money and he returns a few back as our change of our purchase. Jane handles the good as she put them in the bag and turn to Shin with a smile.

"Thank you for the goods as usual, we will come back here more often so do prepare new item for us until we do." Jane spoke.

"Got it, I will make an arrangement." Shin answers.

Jane became quite satisfy with her purchase as she began to prepare for her departure while I watch her do her usual stuff as I may will do the same thing here.

"Well, I will be going so I will see you back at school tomorrow morning, good night Luck." Jane said, smiling.

"Yeah, good night and be careful on your way back." I smile.

Jane left Shin's store with anticipation for tomorrow's investigation of the Hotspot and i felt the same way.

"Hold there."

I stop at my track to hear Shin's word and I turn confuse by his sudden command which is odd as we have no more business here. Shin gently rests his chin on his head that cover his mouth and began to think about something as he examines me.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"What's your name?" Shin asks.

Oh right, I didn't tell him my name.

"My name is Luck Arcight." I reply.

"I see, you reminded me of me when I was young, willing to save someone no matter what the cost. Like you did with Jane, right?" Shin asks.

I could feel a sadness from those words of him as he remember his past and I grab my blazer hiding on my back to quickly push it away as I look at him with confidence.

"Right! I will do anything to protect those who are precious to me and I will gladly do it again." I reply.

Shin began to hide his eyes by his folding hand and I could faintly see a smile from him as I felt proud.

"I have another question; do you have any combat experience?" Shin asks.

"Combat experience? No, I just fight what I can manage." I answer, thinking.

Shin began to get up and approach me with confident eyes and I felt no threat from him but rather, a helpful guide for my future.

"Then lets me teach you what I learn and hopefully, this will come helpful for you during those strange travel to that other place." Shin explains.

"You know about the Hotspot!" I ask shockingly.

Shin nod. "Yeah, I may not experience that place but I do know about that place as an agent of the government." Shin spoke.

I became taken back by Shin's explanation and I slowly gather the whole information from him. I didn't know what to say to him as I am shock about his sudden reveal and he extend his arm to me.

"Now, let's see what you got, kid." Shin smile.

I slowly took his hand as I shake his hand and I felt a new bond developing or perhaps my end slowly approaching me.

Thou art I… And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a new Judgment

Thou shalt further expand his horizon

And develop his own cause to judge.

With the aid of the Death Persona,

I have the power to change your fate from salvation and save thee from Death

[Chapter 8 End]