So this is chapter 3, nothing much here but it's about the start where things get moving. Hopefully things continue to make sense and it continue to be enjoyable as a story. Again I've messed around with the lore of the universe so things maybe not be exact but hey sorry about that. Also I'm using all Manga names for the characters because I'm super old like that so if you are unsure of the name the wiki will tell you the character they are associated with.
Day Two: Theory
It wasn't until he hit platform 6 on the 4th level until he saw one of the shutters open. Greeting him was the thick miasma he became so accustomed. Eying it suspiciously, he slowly pushed forward through the mist instantly cutting off the clear oxygen that was situated inside the rail station. He braved it knowing how taxing it was becoming as he waded through it, the presence he felt earlier seemed to be gone but kept on his toes. From his knowledge of this area, he hoped that the backup plan of moving through the subway was viable or he wouldn't be able to get out of this station. Being stuck would be a problem if whatever was getting at him could make it in. He would have nowhere to go and he can't hide. That thing doesn't chase by normal means like sight and sound. Maybe it's the smell but it's not like he could tell with what's going on with his senses.
The platform was deserted; the lack of breeze was unnerving especially this high up. It felt like the air stood still which just helped the miasma grow and thicken. He would ask for a typhoon but at this point it would probably make it worse. It was dense enough that even seeing if there was a train incoming would be difficult.
...
...
Naoto was waiting in the line for security at the airport, her suitcase already in hold as she was making her way down to her flight. Checking her phone's message, the one she sent to Souji still hasn't arrived. Quickly before she was going to get searched she sent a quick message to Rise informing her that she will be gone for a period of time.
'HEADING TO TOKYO TEMPORARILY FOR WORK. HOPING TO SEE SENPAI'
And hit send, hopefully they won't freak out at her temporary absence. She was sure it was fine and nothing would come of it. If everything went to plan she could drag Souji back with her too if he didn't want to stay in the city. Considering what is happening that might be a thing she has to worry about. She was about to put her phone away for security but the small bleep of a notification grasped her attention but the message in return made her clench her eyes shut in both frustration and sadness.
'I hope it goes well but which Senpai? They are all here in Inaba. Who are you referring too?'
Instantly Naoto shut off her phone out of anger and loaded it into the security trays for them to go into the scanner, making a mental note not to turn it on until she got to Tokyo. She didn't have the heart to answer that. She didn't even want it on record on her phone once this whole thing was sorted. The thought that she acknowledged that others believed Souji didn't exist made her tremble. That would be just as much as giving up in her eyes. Shoving it to one side in her mind, she left it. Not wanting to get involved anymore because it would only leave her to be unfocused for the rest of the trip.
"Come on up," The security guard said as Naoto stepped through the metal detectors. To routine they didn't go off meaning she could take her hand luggage and head to the gate. She was still in good time so she could work out a plan of action. The good thing is that her flight took her into Hanada airport meaning she could spend a lot less time getting into Tokyo allowing more time to investigate. Also she needed to look up both where he lived and where in university he had been too last. If people are starting to forget him, physical documents are absolutely the best way to prove that he's missing and to put a timeline to his disappearance. Luckily she visited Souji in Tokyo so she knew where he lived, so hopefully there will still be something there that she can use to move the investigation forward. She could finish this up when she lands. For now she'll get the search paperwork done for his apartment.
...
Within a couple hours she felt the plane touchdown at Hanada airport. The first important step of her investigation completed, actually arriving in decent time. It had been a while since she'd been here. Memories of her boyfriend flooding through her mind as she looked at the arrivals section windows. All she could do was remember the last time she landed here. She had been looking forward to it for months and wanted nothing more but to stay in his arms while she was here. A part of her hated the fact that whatever was going on here he was facing alone. He didn't have any of the other team to support him which might have saved whatever trouble he was facing now. Pushing it aside, she saw the plane starting to taxi, signifying it was time to get ready to take on the big city. The first stop she planned to make was his apartment.
...
...
Stepping away from the platform, he suddenly realised that the mist was so dense he couldn't see his hand in front of him. That was enough of a warning to get out of dodge. He needed to head back to the station so with his basic orientation skills he backtracked, heading to the stairs taking him to the lower levels. The mist was also having the secondary effect of dulling his senses. The sixth sense he relied upon to keep himself out of the way of whatever was following was going in this mist. He assumed that was the point, to bring that claustrophobic feeling to make sure he was easier to pick off. Whatever was chasing him, it was a sound strategy. It kept him on his toes and stopped him from learning too much about this place while keeping him moving. Maybe the station's subway could offer more answers. It seemed to be the best place right now and whoever opened for him he'll be grateful too. Unless that same person ends up murdering him...
...
...
As long as it's quick, that's the most he would ask for...
"Yes I'm with the Shirogane Detective Estate." The security guard behind the counter looked confused as he read the search form done through Tokyo Metropolitan Police just an hour prior. She managed to get strings pulled from her Grandfather to be able to see the apartment.
"This is at short notice but if it's official I can't say no. Would it just be you?" Naoto nodded.
"Just for now yes, I might return with others a little later depending on what's going on." He grunted in response as he handed back the sheet of paper.
"Understandable, interesting that you are looking for one Seta Souji however..." Perking up at his unusual wording, she motioned for him to continue. "Oh he seemingly moved out a couple days ago interestingly enough, I haven't been in there since then. They needed to pick up some stuff after but they haven't returned since."
That bit of information is very useful. He's moved out, yet his ties were cut by another being. Could she be dealing with another supernatural entity? She had a feeling that Souji is nothing but a pawn in a greater chess game unfortunately. She'd have to tread carefully if she wanted to know more. Walking with the security guard until they went up a couple of stairs the recognisable door of her boyfriend's apartment was all too surreal. There was a part of her mind that didn't want to check, she was scared of what she might find. Taking in a small breath, she pushed away the lingering emotions to try and keep focus; she wanted to be as objective as possible.
The guard unlocked the door and pushed it open revealing a dark room inside.
"Go on, it's all yours to search, I'll wait out here and let me know if you need anything." A quick and curt nod as she pushed the door open as it creaked. She flicked the light to no reaction. Frowning, she did it again to realise it wasn't working at all. Was there no power? She pulled out a pocket touch from her jacket and shone it on the light to see that the bulb had been taken out. The frown only grew wider as she shone the small light on the floor. It looked like there had been a fight here. Chairs knocked over, various items strewn on the floor. Whatever happened here, Souji didn't go willingly. Her eyes instantly stared at the large wide screen TV. She resisted the urge to jump as her immediate solution. She couldn't do that on her own, it was too dangerous. She wished she had the team so they could investigate together.
Shaking her head, she continued to look as she crossed the living room. Pushing open the door she peered into his room. The same one she visited more than half a year ago. The bed wasn't made up at all, like it's been used recently. She also sensed that this room had been heated more recently than a couple days ago, the light haze of the higher temperature was obvious in the atmosphere. Her eyes focused around the bedroom, clothes were spewed across the room like whoever was here was searching for something or possibly various things.
She noticed that the curtains of the room were closed. Meaning the room was basked in darkness. Moving to the window, she pulled the blinds open to find that the window had been covered by a black cardboard sheet, obscuring the light from coming in. Naoto scoffed.
'Amateur hour...'
She tried to tug the boards down but noticed that the industry tape used was pretty firm, pulling out a pocket switchblade, she cut around the edges, using the bed to get a little higher half way through until the sheets started to give way. Careful pulling it back, she placed it on the floor under the window. The light instantly flooded into the room as everything in the room brightened up from the early spring sun. Naoto covered eyes for a second as the change of brightness confused her senses for a second. Looking back at the room, she smiled due to a lot more of the room being visible that her pocket torch didn't catch. Putting her blade away and then turning off her touch she carried on her search for clues. What the daylight did reveal was the sheer amount of chaos the room was in. This confirmed her suspicions that the last person in here was searching for something rather than a fight broke out.
Moving towards the desk, multiple things caught her eye. Her eyes widened at what she found. Quickly putting on a pair of gloves so she didn't contaminate anything considering how important some of this stuff looked, she then shuffled through multiple sheets of papers which seemed to be identification documents. Her eyebrows furrowed as she read through some of the documents, becoming more and more confused as she carried on.
"Change of identity..." Flicking through a bunch of them she started to notice a pattern. "...It's like Souji-kun was trying to be someone else..."
Turning more of them over she started to check the personalised stamps and date noting some of them were only filled out a day or so ago. Her hunch was it was recent in that whatever or whoever had been staying here for the time being, possibly masquerading as Souji possibly. She wasn't aware of any shape shifters from the other world but there was also a lot she didn't know about it either to confirm that theory. But considering what these papers were saying, that person might not be Souji Seta but is trying to turn Souji Seta into someone else. Under the set of papers she saw a passport. Opening it up, she smiled knowing this was Souji's. Looking back at the rest of the room this was probably what the assailant was looking for earlier. Some of the documents on the table needed his passport to be filled out. To get this to go through would be insanity in her mind; it wouldn't have worked unless whatever the perpetrator had was something they could do to impersonate her boyfriend physically. Having a feeling his Passport would come in handy, she slipped it into a small plastic bag and placed it into her pocket. At least without it they couldn't carry on these documents without it.
Looking back through these papers she noticed something else of interest. It was the person that Souji wanted to become. Her eyes read it over and over again trying to work out who it was. The name was awfully familiar, one she heard before from a previous case.
"M-Minato Arisato..." Where did she hear the name from? She remembered it came up from someone else in their group's wider stratosphere seemingly linked with the world of Persona. Who else could it have been...?
"Oh that's it..." Quickly she took all of the important parts of the papers and placed it in another plastic sleeve before putting them away into her side messenger bag. This investigation just became wider than she expected. She'd have to make some phone calls once she was back at her hotel to an old contact. Seemingly nothing else she stood up from the desk but not before searching the drawers. Noticing they had nothing of value she checked his wardrobe to see if there was anything in there. Sets of clothes were missing but others were already pressed and ready to be worn. Some had been pulled out and left as a mess at the bottom cabinet.
Rummaging through the pile of shirts she eventually got to the bottom where she found the sheathe of his Toukasa blade. Her eyes widened as she lifted it. This means that the person responsible has either taken it, Souji had it with him wherever he is or it might be somewhere else in the apartment. Holding it in her right hand she checked under his bed and found nothing of use, frowning she hoped that there was something more than could clue him in to his current whereabouts.
The Sleuth shook her head as she left the room but left the door open so more of the day light from the bedroom window would flood into the living room. It wasn't much but it gave her a better perspective on the room. Once again switching on her touch she headed to the bathroom and opened up.
...Nothing...
It was like it's been untouched for the past few days. Not even a hint that it's been used unlike his room, she flicked the switch and noticed that it didn't respond. Pointing her torch to the ceiling, the light had once again been taken out. Whoever was in here must have broken in and taken out all of the lighting to make sure they couldn't be seen. No way would Souji does it himself, it makes absolutely no sense. Looking around the bathroom there was nothing out of the ordinary, her sharp eyes making sure every corner was checked. Whoever was here didn't need the bathroom, or went elsewhere often.
She walked back out, heading into the kitchen, without even flicking on the switch she checked to see if the light had been removed. Naoto sighed figuring she was correct that the bulb was missing. Walking over the counter top it seemed untouched from the last time it was used. The counter was cold, lifeless as with the couple used dishes in the sink. Not many, just the odd bowl and set of chopsticks. It was a habit of Souji's if he'd just finished dinner. Putting a hand to her chin should deduct that whenever this attack happened, it was in the evening. In her silent thinking, she could hear the soft whirl of the electric meter in the cupboard above the counter. Checking it, she pulled out her notepad and wrote down the current reader number. It's something she can double check with the local power company. After finishing with that she quietly closed the cabinet door. The kitchen itself, like the bathroom, managed to avoid the chaos unlike Souji's living room and bedroom. Which makes her think it must have been localised to those two areas. Putting her pad away and lifting up the sheathe to Souji's weapon she went back into the living room.
Shining her torch on the ground, Naoto noticed something reflecting back at her through the debris and clothes on the floor. She reached down and started to push the rubbish away, and shining back at her was Souji's weapon. Looking at the metal work, it was scuffed meaning it was used and did some deflecting she summarised. Considering it's under this much rubble, it seemingly must have been knocked out of his hand early in the fight. Picking it up off the floor, she examined it again for any traces of blood which to her surprise was none.
'He must have not been able to land a hit or whatever he was fighting doesn't bleed.'
Sheathing his weapon, she took it in her left and as she looked around the room for more. Checking her watch she's realised that she'd been in her for about 40 minutes. Whatever was staying here in the meantime is bound to come back for what it was working on. Staking out might not be a good idea currently when she still doesn't know what she was dealing with. She also had a contact to use especially with the name Minato Arisato is involved. While it's worrying that a dead person's name has come up, maybe Kirijo Group will be able to fill in the blanks.
Stepping out of the apartment, she motioned to the security guard,
"Sorry I've taken up so much of your time I'll-" Naoto looked around to see them not there completely. She assumed he was going to stay so he could lock up after but that was worrying. Shaking her head the Sleuth assumed that he must have gone back down stairs to his office, which she thought was unprofessional but she shrugged. She had much bigger things to worry about at the moment. Closing the door behind her she went down the three flights of stairs back to the main entrance where she peered into the Security Office's public window to see no one there.
'What the hell...'
Taking her notepad out and scribbling down a note before ripping it out to let him know that she had left and to lock up, Naoto pushed it into the gap under the window as she left the Nakano apartment complex, Souji's sword in hand.
...
...
The station's bright lights and mist less air was comforting to his senses as he found his way back into the main concourse of the station. Akihabara station had always been nice but he'd never been as happy to see it as now. The walk around to the subway entrance was far but not far enough that it was a problem to get too. The fresher air was the first time in a while it felt like progress, and considering how the things around him worked, this is the sort of thing that just doesn't happen for the sake of happening. This world is the world where everything happens for a reason or for a purpose. So before he makes any more progress this is the place he must figure out, also if whatever was chasing him was still going it would have gotten him by now.
Hopping over the ticket barriers, he noticed the lights dimmed on the lower level where the stairs descended. He didn't have a light but his eyes could still see which in this situation is better than nothing. So slowly he walked down checking his flanks just in case anything leapt out from the side. It felt like heading into the abyss, but this time he'd hope there would be nothing staring back at him.
...
...
Naoto was back at her hotel in Shibuya as she threw Souji's weapon onto the bed and collapsed into the love seat in the room. Running her hands over her face she sighed, while this is no different to any other case she's dealt with in the past in terms of procedure, the emotional weight was taxing. She wanted nothing more than to see her Souji again and be with him. She knew time was ticking but luckily she still had the rest of today left to cover as much ground as possible. It felt like the Inaba murder cases again with how tight the deadline was but instead of having the team, she was working on her own. Growling in frustration, Naoto pounded the arm of the love seat in anger. She was angry that it's gotten like this, angry that she was alone, and angry that this happened while he was alone.
'Come on now, don't wallow in self pity, you don't have time for it. He doesn't have time for it.'
Taking a breath, she lifted herself out of the seat and opened the contents of her bag and placed the plastic sleeve on the hotel room's desk. Taking the papers out of the sleeve she examined them, and what the requests that it was trying to make in the transfer of identity.
'Bank details, living arrangements, current education, former achievements...'
This person calling themselves Minato Arisato seemed to want to take Souji's place in life. Was resurrection possible and he had nowhere to go? Or did he need Souji's body to make himself a new one?
'That all sounds so silly but I can't shake it'
Picking up her phone she dialled a very rarely used number hoping she could get to the one person who could answer its calls. Looking at the time it was still before 6 so hopefully she's still in her office. The tailing tone started as the phone call started to establish a connection. It rang once, then twice and a thi-.
"Hello, Kirijo Mitsuru office speaking, do you have an appointment, if not you'll have to book one." Naoto was pleased that she got through.
"No I don't have an appointment-"
"Then you'll need to make one first before contacting this line."
"My name is Shirogane Naoto from the Shirogane Detective Estate. I need to speak to her about a case I'm working on." The receptionist on the line hesitated for a moment, now knowing who was on the line.
"If it's about police matters we have a separate department for this-"
"It's about someone called Minato Arisato." The person on the other side of the line paused completely. The name must have triggered something Naoto thought because she heard them sigh over the line.
"Give me a minute; I'll see Kirijo-san is free."
"Thank you,"
With that she was put on hold. It wasn't a bad thing because it allowed her to take on a couple more notes before their conversation. She was aware that she had nothing to lose to bring this up, and if someone is trying to run around as someone who Mitsuru is dear with then it's just as much of a problem for her as Souji's disappearance is for herself. The fact that said person is dead as well should set off more than a few set alarms for the owner of one of the biggest technological companies in Japan.
"Hello, Kirijo Mitsuru speaking,"
"Kirijo-san, sorry to interrupt your day but I have some important information to bring to you."
"That is fine; especially with the content of this conversation will be a thorny subject to say the least." Naoto nodded in agreement. Seems she's grasped just how important this is very quickly.
"Well Kirijo-san I'm currently investigating a disappearance at the moment and a name that you are familiar with came up."
She heard Mitsuru hum in agreement to her words. "Is the name Arisato Minato correct?"
"Yes,"
She heard her sigh over the phone, one filled with a lot of sorrow and painful memories. Naoto felt guilty for having to bring a lot of that back up again. "Where did you see his name? Are you sure it's not someone who just happens to have the same one?"
"Actually I found it in a set of change of identification papers..."
A slight pause, "Really?"
"Yes really. I wouldn't lie about that."
"Was someone planning to change their name to Minato-kun or vice versa?" Naoto stopped for a minute, making sure to look over a couple of the documents again before replying.
"Actually it was to change the identity of one Souji Seta to Minato Arisato." Mitsuru almost jumped out of her chair.
"What!? As in your Wild Card user? What in god's name is he playing at?"
"Hold on Kirijo-san there is more to this." Naoto said calmly. Hopefully her tone could tame her anger. "The problem is with all of this is that Souji-kun has gone missing."
"What!?" Yeah that's a fair enough response.
"Yes, I'm currently investigating his disappearance and I'm aware it's not of his own volition either. Someone has kidnapped and displaced him and I think something related to Personas are involved."
The line paused again for a minute. Seems that Mitsuru was contemplating her options. "It would have to be if both Seta-san and Minato-kun are both involved. Do you have anything else to support your claim that something else is going on?"
The Sleuth frowned, going over the memories of yesterday. "My friends- Our group has begun to forget our interactions with him. From what I've known since this morning they don't remember who he is."
"That is highly concerning."
"I agree, and someone who was aware of the dealings of the velvet room has informed me that her personal connection to Souji in the form of her social link has been severed by a third party."
"Third party? But how?"
"I'm not sure. I wish I could tell you. I'm investigating now and I managed to uncover these documents of someone trying to impersonate the two of them. Souji is nowhere to be seen since a few days ago. I've just come from his apartment but I might be able to cover his University before the night comes in. I just thought it was good to inform you that someone of your interest is possibly involved in this case."
"Hmm..." She heard Mitsuru hum to herself like she was contemplating something. "How come you haven't been affected by this selective memory loss?"
Naoto was about to answer but blushed instead. She just remembered that bit of information hadn't been known to anyone not from their group. "From what I've been told from my contact from the velvet room, my errm... ...Deeper bond keeps my memories of him intact. It might be something else though."
This got Mitsuru's interest.
"Deeper bond?"
"I'm dating Souji-kun,"
"I see... Where are you now?" Naoto hesitated. Would it ruin everything if she disclosed her location?
Could the Kirijo Group be involved in some way?
It may not be Mitsuru herself but something to do with them is wrapped up in this...
...No, she was on her own and someone knowing where she is might be something that comes in handy later.
"I'm currently in a hotel in Shibuya. Souji-"
"Keep your phone close; I'll be in Tokyo by tonight. Anything with Minato-kun demands my immediate attention, even if it's a faker. I need to set an example to anyone who thinks they can get away with it." The Sleuth was taken back, she didn't expect support.
"I-Sure... Are you sure you want-"
"Think nothing on it. I appreciate letting me know when you did. Since we both have a vested interest in this operation, it would be my best interest to help you. Also Seta-san is still a friend to me so the least I can do is offer a hand of assistance. And considering your situation you don't have many options in allies either." She was right about that as much as it hurt her pride.
"Yeah, you are correct…"
Anyway, continue what you were doing but stay out of trouble. I'll see you by tonight. Take care."
"Take and thank you Kirijo-san," With that the line went dead. Tilting her head to the side, the thought of support in a case as time sensitive as this made things a little easier. The hope was starting to crawl back in. Looking out of the window, she saw the sun start to set. That means she's got a limited amount of time to head to Tokyo University and to find out what's going. Placing the documents into the hotel room safe with Souji's passport, she closed it and put her bag over her back and grabbed her jacket.
Still no time to lose...
...
...
The light was enough to see ahead of him. Much better than the thick miasma from the ground level. The air was also clean so he could react without feeling out of breath. His legs were tired however and the feeling of being on his feet for however long he has been in here had really started to take its toll. Leaning against one of the tile walls, he let his weary legs rest a second, sensing no immediate danger. Still keeping alert, he had a finite amount of time in this place before he completely withers away. Opening his phone again the dreaded 'no signal' appears with the time still frozen since it came too. This world was like nothing he's experienced before. Hopefully he would find answers if he continues, or a way to end it all. Either one at this point.