Pairings: Shinji/Yui

Warnings: AU Universe. Time travel. OC characters. More serious FemMC. Slight violence. Suicidal implications. Slight crossover with Persona and Shin Megami series

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3 Portable and any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me


Chapter Two: Again

Ave atque vale
(Hail and farewell)

XXXXXX

Do you know what you're doing here?

Huh? Uh… Minato sent me back—to wherever 'back' is.

Do you know what you want to do?

Yes. I want to see Yui once more. I want to protect her. I won't let her die.

Enough for you to bet on everything?

Yes.

Even if by saving her, you might cost the lives of lots more?

Yes. I might sound selfish, but Yui means more to me than anything else. Even if the world burns, I don't care.

You don't lack resolve at least. Fine. It's been awhile since I've interfered anyway.

Who are you?

I am Philemon, a dweller in the rift between consciousness and unconsciousness of all souls. You likely won't remember this conversation when you wake up, but I'll watch over you. I always will. If only to atone for my sins.

Now tell me. What is your name?

Huh? My name…? Uh… Aragaki…Shinjiro…

Well then, Aragaki Shinjiro. It is time to awaken. To a new world that awaits you.

And don't forget…

I shall always watch over you…

XXXXXX

Shinjiro opened his eyes only to have the surface of a vaguely familiar and yet at the same time, non-familiar ceiling staring back at him.

It took him several moments to register the sunlight currently streaming in through the crack between the curtains. And several more minutes for Shinji to realise that he is back in his old room at the Iwatodai dorm—a place that he hasn't been back in for well over a year ever since Yui had passed away.

That's right. I remember now. A sin that must not exist…

For several long minutes, Shinji didn't move. He merely stared at the surface of the ceiling, finding it surprisingly bare—devoid of the countless tiny glow-in-the-dark stars that Yui had somehow managed to snuck into his room one day without him realising (most likely with Aki and maybe Junpei's help).

Who are you?

I am Philemon, a dweller in the rift between consciousness and unconsciousness of all souls. You likely won't remember this conversation when you wake up, but I'll watch over you. I always will. If only to atone for my sins.

Finally, Shinji sat up slowly in his bed, his back leaning against the back of the headrest as he tried to remember whatever he could of that short 'meeting' if one could even call it that. He only remembers nothing but darkness. And maybe a visage of a glowing blue butterfly…?

Philemon…

Why does that name sound so familiar?

It's not good to dwell on lost memories, master.

Shinji barely managed to restrain himself from flinching violently and tumbling out of his bed. Castor had always been so quiet and one with few words—almost like Shinji himself. Thus, whenever Castor had seen it fit to announce his presence to Shinji verbally, it never fails to startle him.

"Castor, huh…?" Shinji mumbled, pressing the heel of his palm against his forehead. "What…is going on?"

Castor was silent deep within him for several moments. He was silent for such a long time that for a moment, Shinji had almost assumed that his Persona had gone to sleep before Castor spoke once more, a comforting rumble sounding from deep within Shinji's chest.

Why don't you check the calendar or your phone? And remember, master. None of this is your fault. You've been given another chance. Make the most of it.

Shinji was left staring blankly at nothing in particular when he felt Castor's voice disappear, and knew that his Persona had truly gone to sleep this time. Unlike the Personas of the others—including Yui's countless Personas, Castor had always been silent. And true, though back then, his relationship with Castor hasn't been the best, especially after the incident with Ken's mother—even before that, Castor had always been one of few words.

I'll use my wish to grant yours and Yui's wish.

Shinji's eyes widened when he remembered what Minato had told him before everything.

He took a quick cursory glance around his room, and soon realised that there are a few things out of place. For one, his room is furnished slightly more than what he'd last remembered after Aki had dragged him back to SEES after he'd realised that Amada Ken had joined. And two, he saw a school uniform belonging to Gekkoukan High hanging from the hook of his dorm door.

Shinji quickly sprung out of bed and headed for his desk where there is a simple desk calendar sitting on it, with the year of the calendar being 2008. The brunette then grabbed the phone lying on the surface of the desk that looked suspiciously new and flipped it opened.

The glowing numbers of that day's date and time stared back at him in his face.

October 15, 2008.

2008, Shinji realised after staring at the numbers of his phone for several long moments without speaking. It's really true. Minato did send me back. A small smile graced his face as he thought about what that meant. I can save Yui. She's still alive.

Even as he went towards his wardrobe to pull on some clothes, Shinji can't help but dwell on Castor's words.

You've been given another chance. Make the most of it.

And he will, Shinji swore to himself. Come Hell or high water, this time, he'll protect Yui.

He will not let her die.

XXXXXX

"Shin…ji…?"

Sanada Akihiko was expecting a lot of things when he'd woken up on this fine Wednesday morning. He was already half expecting to try to drag Shinji out of his room but fail spectacularly like how he did for nearly a week already—ever since that incident over a week ago when Shinji had lost control of his Persona momentarily, and had accidentally killed a young woman that happened to be standing nearby.

A young woman that also happens to be a single mother to a young child.

Shinji had been wrecked with guilt for days and had refused to come out of his room and had even refused to go to school, despite Mitsuru's threats. If Akihiko hadn't placed meals outside Shinji's door, he would have probably happily starved to death as well.

(Akihiko might be no Gordon Ramsay, but he can still whip up a mean chicken soup—something that he'd often used to make for Miki whenever she got ill)

Mitsuru had already left for school—something about Student Council duties. But before she'd left, she had instructed Akihiko to drag Shinji out of his room with any means possible—especially after she'd found Shinji's Evoker sitting on the surface of the table yesterday morning when they'd gotten up.

And honestly, Akihiko is almost terrified that Shinji might have really given up on himself and on everything just because of that incident. Mitsuru had used her sources to find out more about the young woman and her child, especially after Ikutsuki had laid several false trails and clues to mislead the police into thinking that the woman's death is a tragic accident.

No matter what, the common populace can never find out about the existence of the Dark Hour as well as the Shadows.

And what Mitsuru had uncovered and had later told Akihiko had left him feeling severely uncomfortable.

The young woman who had died is a single mother as what they'd already managed to find out, with a young son who is still in elementary school—Amada Ken. She has no other relations, with her husband dying from illness just a few years prior. Thus, the woman is all that Amada Ken has left.

And now with her dead, Ken had been officially listed as a ward of the state, and had been staying in the elementary school's dorms during the holidays.

And Shinji clearly didn't take it too well when he'd heard.

Akihiko had been worried about his best friend's mental and physical state after that. Castor had been very difficult to control from the very beginning when Shinji had first managed to manifest his Persona. But now with Shinji's inner turmoil, Akihiko is almost worried that Castor might just turn on his own master.

It isn't uncommon to have Personas turning on their own masters if they aren't strong enough, Mitsuru had admitted once to Akihiko when he had confided in her about his worries. As the Kirijo heiress, Mitsuru is entitled to looking into the files of the Shadow and Persona experiments conducted by the Kirijo Group ten years ago. One of the files by the scientists at that time had even mentioned something along the lines of one of their subjects losing control of their Persona.

Akihiko had wisely decided to stop asking at that point.

He knew after all, from his relationship with Mitsuru, and his meeting with her father that during the time of the previous chairman (Mitsuru's grandfather), the way that the Kirijo Group was run wasn't entirely ethical. The Shadow experiments that Kirijo Kouetsu had conducted were just proof of it—until the accident that had killed him and all the scientists involved.

As such, it isn't that unbelievable to believe that Kirijo Kouetsu had conducted Persona experiments on humans.

Thus, Akihiko was left feeling extremely confused and bewildered at seeing Shinji in the kitchen, apparently preparing breakfast like how he did ever since he'd first moved into the dorm with Akihiko.

"Morning Aki." Shinji greeted with a slight grunt, removing the black apron and hanging it onto the wall hook in a corner. "I hope you don't mind having just toast and eggs, as that is all that we have. I have to go shopping again soon."

"Toast?" Akihiko parroted, brown eyes going towards the plate of warm brown toast in a corner that had already had a thin layer of butter spread over it, along with a plate of scrambled eggs and a steaming mug of coffee that gives off a pleasant aroma.

Akihiko turned to look at the wall calendar in a corner with bewilderment. Did he just step out of the Twilight Zone? Or is it April Fool's Day?

"Uh… Just what are you doing here, Shinji?" Akihiko asked in bewilderment, turning his attention back to his best friend. He was half expecting to try and fail for another half-an-hour in dragging Shinji to school. Mitsuru already has to use every ounce of her powers as the Kirijo heiress to keep Shinji on the student roster still, as the disciple committee is already threatening to expel Shinji for his numerous days of absences.

Shinji looked at Akihiko with a look like he'd just said something stupid. "Because I live here?" he said matter-of-factly.

"That's not what I—you know what? Forget it." Akihiko sighed, giving it up even as he sat at the table to tuck into a Shinji breakfast—something that he hasn't had for over a week. "I have to head for school in another hour." He looked at Shinji who winced a little at the mention of school. "Are you attending today? Or are you skipping again?"

Shinji was silent for a long time, fiddling with the pocket watch in his hands—the one that got broken during that incident over a week ago.

"…Not today, sorry." Shinji murmured. "I…have somewhere to be." He got to his feet. "I'll be back in time for dinner."

"It's not your fault." Akihiko called after his best friend even before he took one step through the doorway of the kitchen. "You know that. None of it is. It's an accident. You didn't want it to happen. Stop beating yourself up over it."

It's not your fault…

Unseen by Akihiko, Shinji's eyes widened when he recalled what Yui had told him the night when he'd admitted to everything that had happened on that night when he'd lost control of Castor and why he had started depending on those dangerous drugs that Strega had supplied to keep Castor under control, but with great damage to his body.

If he remembers correctly, he shouldn't be taking Strega's drugs until about six months before Yui had shown up at Iwatodai, as that is around the time when those three have started making a splash for themselves in the town.

And honestly, with how cooperative that Castor is now, especially after Minato had played mediator between the Persona and Shinji, he has no need for those drugs any longer. And truthfully, Shinji doesn't wish to see those disappointed eyes from Yui when she'd learned of the damage that he is causing to his body by using those drugs.

"…I'll be back by dinner," was all that Shinji said even as he left the kitchen, heading back up to his room to pack a few things for his small trip.

Is it even possible to feel guilt driven for something that he technically hasn't done yet in this timeline?

Maybe.

XXXXXX

Shinji slumped in his seat on the train even as it rocked continuously, staring at his reflection in the window opposite him. As it is a school day and a work day, not many people are aboard the train, especially at this hour.

Shinji stared down at the broken pocket watch that he is clutching in his right hand.

The watch that he had gifted Yui and that she had taken to get repaired. And also the same watch that had all but saved his life from Takaya's bullet.

Yui… Shinji mused to himself, pressing the surface of the watch to his lips. It isn't too selfish of me to want to try to live again, right? To try once more? And… He gave a wry smile. It'll be nice to fall in love with you again.

The train's intercoms blazed to life overhead.

"Next stop, Sumaru Station. Alighting passengers, please be mindful of your belongings. Thank you."

Shinji got up from his seat after the voice on the intercom spoke, taking down his bag from the rack overhead. It didn't take long for the train to pull in at Sumaru Station, and he alighted, taking his first view of the childhood hometown of his beloved and her twin brother.

Sumaru City is older than Iwatodai. At first glance, it is obvious.

Even just the train platform of Sumaru City alone is a stark contrast to the one with Iwatodai.

While the train station of Iwatodai is smaller, it is also much cleaner and neater with only a handful of train operators and employees working there. The one at Sumaru City is however larger, though it is also more disorganised, though it has some modern amenities that the train station at Iwatodai doesn't have.

Shinji hummed to himself even as he went down the escalator, almost laughing to himself when he saw a poster on the wall as he went down the escalator of that of what seems to be a band. The one whom Shinji presumed to be the band leader had electric blue hair and the strangest makeup on. The words 'Gas Chamber Concert' was visible across the poster.

Shinji slipped his ticker into the turnstile and got through without any problems. Though the moment that he'd left the train station, he was greeted with the sight of various tall buildings that towered above the city.

Shinji frowned as he stared up at the buildings. It might be due to his experience as a Persona user, thus, his senses have been honed thanks to his experience in fighting Shadows, but he somehow felt as if something disastrous used to happen in this very city a long time ago.

No one cast Shinji a second look even as he walked through the streets, though he definitely looks as if he should be in school, particularly at this time of day. It speaks a lot about the city as a whole, Shinji thought privately to himself.

He had only been in Sumaru City once when Minato had dragged him here a few months after Yui's funeral—dragging him to visit the orphanage where the twins have grown up until they'd left when they've started high school. But as Shinji was nearly drowning in his misery and mourning back then, he didn't really pay much attention to the city that Yui and Minato have grown up in, and can't remember much of anything that Minato had said to him back then, and had even pointed out the places where Yui used to hang out with her friends.

This time however, Shinji is looking at Sumaru City with a fresh pair of eyes, taking in everything, knowing that this is the city where Yui and Minato have grown up.

…Maybe he could meet them here?

"When Yui and I started applying for education scholarships when we were in our third year of middle school, Gekkoukan High was one of those that popped up." Minato had told Shinji when he had dragged the older boy around Sumaru City with him. "It was also one of the schools that covered nearly everything in the scholarship—tuition grant, lodgings, and even the cost for school books and necessities. It is one of the better options that we have, but I didn't want to apply to Gekkoukan and return to Iwatodai, unlike Yui. I didn't want to return to a place where nearly my entire family had died."

Shinji stood at a distance, eyeing the familiar building of the orphanage where Minato had dragged him to during the one and only visit that he'd made to Sumaru City.

The place where the twins have grown up after their parents' demise during the accident.

"We stayed here after our parents died." Minato told Shinji, with both young men leaning against the large oak tree in the courtyard, watching the rambunctious children run about, laughing as they played a noisy game of catch. "Yui and myself. It's where we grew up. It's a nice place—almost like a madhouse. The caretaker is like a father or even an older brother to us. He had always been nice to us. And when Yui and myself left, he made us promise to return if we ever need help. It is where we'd met Katsuya-san, Tatsu-nii and Jun-san as well."

Shinji's own memories of the short period of time when he'd stayed in an orphanage isn't very clear, but he knew that the place that he'd stayed in is a good one as well. At least until the fire had burned down the orphanage and had taken the lives of the caretaker as well as ten of the children, with Aki's sister amongst them.

Shinji and Akihiko have only escaped with their lives that night as they were on one of their night escapades then. It is probably one of the reasons why Aki had beaten himself up so much about Miki's death.

"Tatsu-nii and Jun-san are best friends. They often came to volunteer at the orphanage. It is through them when we met Katsuya-san, Tatsu-nii's older brother. Katsuya-san and Tatsu-nii are police detectives. They actually helped us to locate our maternal grandfather when they heard about our situation. You actually saw him during the funeral. And that girl with him is actually our cousin. Most of those on our mother's side of the family are investigators."

Shinji didn't recognise much of anything in Sumaru City, though he is sure that Minato had at least pointed out a few landmarks to him during their last visit here. And he is also certain that their grandfather's house was amongst those that Minato had pointed out, though they've never actually gone for a visit.

Minato had actually shown Shinji around the city, and they have even eaten lunch at a small café in the commercial district that Minato had said is where he and Yui frequents all the time when they were in middle school.

Shinji can't really remember much of his visit to Sumaru City, as he was so lost in his head at that time. But he did remember Minato sitting him down at the side table closest to the glass window and going to order their meals.

The café is a quaint little place where you place your orders at the counter, and where you could easily see out into the streets due to all the glass windows. Minato had even said that Yui and he have often spent their time people watching in the café.

The memory faded out of Shinji's mind as he walked past the café and he froze.

In that familiar corner at the small table was a familiar brunette with a certain familiar boy with blue hair.

Yui.


A/N: Sorry for the late update, people! I have a severe case of writer's block for this story, and this chapter is equally difficult to churn out! It mostly comprised of Shinji's reminiscing of the past with Yui. The pre-canon chapters will likely last for only another chapter before I delve into Yui's arrival. And so I received a rather humorous PM from a reader some time back in regards to Shinji and Minato's relationship. Apparently, the reader is shipping those two together no thanks to the implications and that Minato had basically sacrificed himself for Shinji.

Haha, thanks for the good laugh! While I don't have anything against same sex relationships, the main pairing will be Shinji and Yui (female MC); and I don't plan on changing it or even having a threesome. Some of the characters will also be portrayed slightly differently in this story due to Shinji not leaving SEES for certain reasons.

Anyway, I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!