Chapter Eleven

The massive, hulking Shadow ahead of them was certainly not what Kae was expecting. It made sense, however. There had been recent power fluctuations, especially after The Dark Hour, and utility workers were starting to suffer from Apathy Syndrome. The biggest issue SEES faced with this shadow was just how powerful it's electric attacks were. Erik wasn't exactly skilled in treating electricity related injuries, and it could knock down most of SEES with ease. Kae turned to Minako and her brother, who were trying to think.

"Ken, use your persona to tank the electricity." Minato stated. "Shinjiro, use yours to attack as fast as you can. Erik, keep everyone alive. Kae, prepare to use the Shadow Breaker."

"Copy that." Erik stated, opening his bag to grab some burn cream as Yukari groaned on the ground. "Oh relax, it's just a little first degree burn."

"Is that really true, Erik?" Kae asked as she charged the shadow breaker's new liquid nitrogen sprayer.

"No, it's second." Erik whispered. "I'm just making sure she doesn't panic."

"Yeah I can see why you'd do that." Kae shrugged. "How do you treat electrical burns anyway?"

"Like any other." Erik shrugged as he bandaged the wound. "It's cloth, Yukari, it's nothing serious."

"It hurts…" Yukari groaned. Erik sighed. It was clear to Kae that Erik was becoming desensitized to Yukari's melodrama when it came to being injured.

"Here's some tylenol, now please be calm, Jaysus." Erik stated, handing Yukari two pills. "And no, you don't get water, take 'em dry." Yukari glared at Erik before she took the painkillers.

"What happened to Erik who treated my injuries with a smile?" Yukari wondered out loud.

"He got fed up with you treating everything like a life or death scenario." Erik stated, pressing his evoker to his carotid. He pressed it, releasing a healthy green glow around the team. Erik then fired it again, sending a slash at the Shadow, distracting it for a moment, giving Kae her opportunity to strike. Kae activated the Shadow Breaker, spraying the Shadow with ice, freezing it just long enough for Minato to smash it with Orpheus' lyre. The Shadow shattered, leaving the team time to breathe.

"Whew, that's over with." Minako sighed. "Never in a million years did I think that would happen."

"At least it's dead…" Yukari grimaced. "I'm weak to electric attacks and I got hit more than a few times."

"Yukari, you're fine, that ointment should clear any scarring in a day." Erik sighed. "The only real concern is shock, which you obviously aren't in."

"I guess…" Yukari mumbled.

"Well, that's another shadow out of the way. Great work everyone." Mitsuru stated. "Let's get back to the dorms, the Dark Hour will be over soon."

"Kae, Erik can I talk to you two for a second?" Minako asked, a shit eating grin on her face. Oh god damnit she was going to ask about their relationship. Kae had agreed with Erik that it would be a good idea to keep their relationship underwraps, but Minako almost had a sixth sense for detecting and creating relationships, and announced that Erik and Kae were dating a week into their relationship. Naturally, Minako regretted it soon after Kae hit her with the Shadow Breaker.

"What's up Minako?" Erik asked. Oh God bless Erik, being patient enough to be with Minako without getting angry over what happened.

"When are you two going on your first date?" Minako demanded. Just as expected.

"We're planning on going out on Sunday." Kae stated. "Erik said he found a nearby shopping district larger than the one by the station."

"Ooh nice." Minako stated. "Already appealing to Japanese norms, Erik?"

"Actually I had no idea that spending an entire day with your partner was the norm here." Erik stated. "My dad always told me that if you really want to show someone you love them, spend an entire day with them."

"Oh, well that's fortunate!" Minako stated. "It's also important to get some money for the person who helped-" She was trying to scam Erik…

"Not gonna work, Minako, plus, you barely did anything to help either of us." Kae stated.

"Not true, I helped Erik realize he has feelings for you." Minako smirked.

"Doesn't count." Erik stated. "Talk to us when you actually put us in a situation where we're able to confess." Minako gave the two another shit eating grin.

"Damn you…" Erik grumbled, pulling a few hundred Yen out of his wallet.

"Erik, she's scamming you." Kae deadpanned. Erik blushed as he put his money back in his wallet.

"Oh." Was all Erik had to say for himself.

"Well, have a good time you two." Minako smiled. "I hope you enjoy your date."

"I am genuinely pissed of at you." Kae stated.

"Ah don't be so mean, she's a good person." Erik requested. Kae answered with a roll of her eyes.

"Dress code for the district?" Kae asked. Erik shrugged.

"Presentable, I guess?" Erik stated. "I'm not sure, it's my first date ever."

"Same here…" Kae admitted. "I'll get help from the girls."

"I'll probably ask for help from my dad, I think he may be a better source for this stuff than Junpei, Minato, Shinjiro or, god forbid, Akihiko." Erik chuckled. Kae gave a soft chuckle.

"Yeah I agree." Kae laughed. "See you on Sunday."

"See you Sunday." Erik responded.


Erik checked his watch and paced as he stood outside the station, going into a loop of checking himself over in the mirror and waiting for Kae. His father gave him a rule as part of dating advice, 15 minutes is on time, on time is 15 minutes late, and if you were 15 minutes late, you may as well not bother showing up. He also gave him advice on how to dress, advising Erik to wear a nice button up shirt, a sports coat, a pair of business jeans, a belt, and the sunglasses Kae gave him. Oh, and also to buy flowers, it was a nice gesture. Soon enough, Kae was approaching him, exactly on time. She was wearing a pair of black slacks, a red leather jacket, a white dress shirt, and carried a handbag.

"You're looking wonderful, Kae." Erik opened, handing her the flowers. "Gotta ask about the handbag though."

"Thanks, you're looking good too." Kae smiled as she put the flowers in her bag. "And the bag was a gift from Minako, she said I'd need it if we bought anything. I think she just wanted me to carry something typically associated with women 'as a treat' for you."

"You still look wonderful." Erik stated. "Alright, let's get on the train, it's a bit of a distance out."

"Sounds good." Kae stated. The two boarded the train, going through the uneventful ride out of the city. Once at their destination, the two began walking from shop to shop, not really buying anything until Kae noticed a model at a hobby shop.

"Found something you like, Kae?" Erik asked, looking at the puzzle she was holding. It was the poster for a stealth action game he knew of, Metallic Gear Sold.

"I want this." she sheepishly admitted.

"I'll pay." Erik stated, fishing some bills out of his wallet. "I'm not big into vidya, but I'd be more than happy to get it for you."

"I thought you'd be more into them?" Kae said, somewhat questioningly.

"Nah, never really had them around the house." Erik explained. "Kinda shocking since I grew up in the middle of nowhere Texas where there was nothing to do but shoot and do part time work."

"Ah, I see." Kae nodded. "Thank you though." Erik paid for the puzzle and the two ran to go get some food. It was kind of awkward, seeing that the two had never really been on a date before and had no idea what to say. The only thing they did know was that they shouldn't eat all of their food quickly. So lunch was mostly the two sitting in silence, occasionally taking a nibble at their food. Soon enough, Kae spoke up, rather nervously.

"I realized you've never talked about your mother." Kae stated. "Did something happen?" Erik took a sip of his coffee before speaking up.

"She died when I was little." Erik stated. "She was killed when the lab she worked for was robbed by some junkie who was looking for his fix. Fifty three dollars, that was how much in pills he got off with. That's how much my mother's life was worth to him."

"Damn, sorry to hear about that." Kae stated. It was silent for a few minutes longer.

"You said a while ago that your parents died in an accident?" Erik asked. Kae nodded.

"They were leaving home to bring some samples to the Kirijo group's labs." Kae explained. "The midnight channel began the moment they pulled out of the driveway. A Shadow breached containment and sent my parent's car flying into our house. It collapsed, piling rubble on me when the rubble broke the car. It crushed my arm, doctors had to cut it off. I can't get in a car, or even be near one to this day."

"Damn." Was all Erik could say. The two sat in silence longer, awkwardly taking nibbles of their food.

"You know what?" Kae stated. "Let's not care about that. We're in the now, we're together, let's just move forward and carve our own paths."

"You're right." Erik smiled. "We gotta keep moving. That's the best way we can honor their memories. We just keep moving forward." Kae smiled.

"Let's just do that."


A/N: I struggled to find a way to end this chapter, honestly. After much deliberation, I decided to end it right there. Sorry for updating so late, been very busy lately. Until next time, hope you enjoyed and have a great day!