Conquest Arc:
Chapter 24: A Date with a Twin?
Two days after the defeat of Yog-Sothoth, those from Sumaru City, Shadow Operative and Investigation Team had made a great discussion and theory on the Four Horsemen. From the details about the Archetype from Father Time, the identity of Four Horsemen, their vessel and sacrifice has been investigated.
'Vessel':
As long as that person received an Archetype beforehand and had their Archetype extracted from them, they can be the vessel. Many numbers of suspects came into page.
Thanatos, who once possessed the Archetype of Death, had his Archetype extracted from him when Nyx descended, making him the perfect vessel.
Izanagi was said to have an Archetype, but there were two of him, implying that his Archetype is unstable, thus creating multiple self which should have been a sacrifice. If it was presumed that Adachi is the vessel, he should possess the 'Izanagi' who hold the Archetype in order for him to be a vessel. But since Yu possessed the Wild Card and Izanagi, it is still uncertain.
Takahisa Kandori, which only Maya saw only once during their meeting in Tatsumi Port Island, has been proven to be a possible vessel for either Conquest or War. This was confirmed as Nyarlathotep, the Archetype of Destruction user, had once possessed Kandori 16 years ago.
Tatsuya Sudou and Takaya Sakaki had not been confirmed to hold an Archetype, so there is low chance of them becoming a vessel.
Yog-Sothoth is a perfect vessel, since the Universe Arcana was extracted from him by Father Time.
'Sacrifice':
When an Archetype became unstable inside a person's body, the possessor will develop multiple self until the Archetype became stable and all 'self' will merged back into the original. This does not apply to Wild Card user with an exception for Aigis.
It was confirm that Marie is the sacrifice, as she is the separate self of Izanami. Metis is a possible sacrifice if the case where Aigis receiving back an Archetype. Not a single clue about other possible sacrifice.
In current conclusion:
Conquest
Vessel: Unconfirmed (candidate: Takahisa Kandori / Yog-Sothoth)
Sacrifice: Unconfirmed
War
Vessel: Unconfirmed (candidate: Takahisa Kandori/ Yog-Sothoth)
Sacrifice: Unconfirmed
Strife
Vessel: Adachi
Sacrifice: Marie
Death
Vessel: Thanatos
Sacrifice: Metis
From this incomplete conclusion, the investigation became widespread among persona users and city to prevent further death and calamity. This continued till the next day on Monday.
However, a certain person was having his way on that day…
Windy - Morning – 19/11/2012(Monday) - Nanjo mansion, Mikage-Cho
(4 days before Conquest arrival)
As promised, Eriko came again today on Nanjo's order. Currently at the guest room, piles of paper and books were stacked on the table in front of Eriko. Nanjo who sat at the opposite chair was writing something intensely. It has been that exact situation for 10 minutes, not a single conversation was held between them.
"…Nanjo-kun-"
"Shhhh, just give me a minute."
Nanjo interrupted her as he continued to write on his paper. Wait, is that a picture of Naoya's car on that paper Nanjo was writing? And she noticed the address of Naoya's house, the profile of his school activity and his location for all these years on Nanjo's paper.
'What a hardcore stalker.' Eriko thought as she glanced at his butler who kept staring at her.
"I'm done. Let's continue our topic yesterday." Nanjo suddenly said as he finished his 'stalking' work.
"Ah, yes." Eriko answered, "You said yesterday that Naoya wasn't in Japan in the past 10 years. Do you know where he went?"
Nanjo took out a single file from the stacks of paper on his table and gave it to Eriko, "Guess where he went."
Eriko opened the paper and read the information in it before widening her eyes and said.
"Egypt."
"There is a pyramid that appeared in Dark Hour right in this town. Do you think that's a coincidence?" Nanjo gave a sharp glance at Eriko's expression. Her expression stiffened by the information.
"I-I don't-" Just before she could answered, her phone rang. Excusing herself, she reached for her phone and was surprised by the unknown caller before answered it. "Hello."
At first, her expression was confusion, but all of a sudden, she jumped in overjoy by the voice talking to her, "Oh my god, where are you right now?! I come and get you right away!"
Nanjo leaned closer to hear their conversation. It was a female voice, and she sounded so friendly with Eriko. Her voice of joy can be heard from the entire mansion. After a few minutes of conversation, she hung up the phone and turned to Nanjo.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go to Sumaru City right now! We can discuss this later!" Eriko said. Nanjo became shocked by her sudden departure.
"We got only five days before Conquest arrive and you want to go now?!"
"I'm sorry, but it's an emergency! Just a day and we can finish it during our exploration at the pyramid by then!" Eriko packed her stuff and ready to proceed to the door. "Don't worry! Naoya won't do anything funny, even if he hid things from us!"
"Hold it, who was on the phone?"
Eriko grinned by his question before she returned a question, "Have I ever told you that I had a twin?"
Afternoon – Yumezaki, Sumaru City
Ulala and Baofu were taking a stroll around the street taking a break from work. From what they heard from this morning's meeting, Ryoji suggested for them to exploit the pyramid on Wednesday. The job will have to put on hold until Conquest descends. Katsuya said that they both must save their power for next week because those from Mikage-Cho had it under control for Conquest's arrival.
"Guess we have two weeks off." Ulala plug opened a soft drink she bought at vending machine nearby.
"It is safer if we stop all our works until the prophecy ends." Baofu suggested, but Ulala rejected at first.
"What about our finance?"
"We can save plenty in our bank."
"Hmmm, you're right. Eh? Isn't that-" Ulala suddenly stopped walking and pointed her finger at a single woman waiting on the other side of the road. She wore a fancy white dress with her long hair stretching to her lower shoulder. She has a big luggage next to her. "Isn't that Eriko?"
She was looking at a paper and observing the street around her, like she was searching for something. Baofu and Ulala, upon seeing her trouble, quickly crossed the road and walk towards her.
"Eriko-chan, what are you doing here? Are you going somewhere?" Ulala called her.
"!" She immediately leaped backward in panic. The dumbfounded Ulala and Baofu were surprised by her respond.
"What's wrong, Kirishima-san?" Baofu was the one who asked her next. She however, slowly stepped away from them and tightly grabbed her luggage.
"Um, I'm sorry. I think you mistaken me for someone else." She timidly said. Ulala and Baofu shared an eye gaze before turning back to the woman in front of them.
"Please forgive us. You looked like someone we know." Baofu slightly bowed. "Please excuse us."
"Uh, no. I mean, I think you mistaken me for my sister."
Ulala and Baofu shared another gaze with their eyes wide open. "Your sister?" They both said in unison.
"Yes, my sister, Eriko nee-chan."
"So you are…"
The woman introduced herself.
"I'm Eriko's younger twin, Erio Kirishima. Um… nice to meet you."
Foggy - Afternoon – Kirijo Main Facility, Tatsumi Port Island
Mitsuru flipped the page of the file given by Fuuka at her office. She flipped it again and stared at Fuuka in disbelief.
"Are you sure, Yamagishi?" Mitsuru closed the file.
"I had no other suspect, but…" Fuuka look hesitated.
"This cannot be true." She threw the file across the table, "Shuji Ikutsuki is dead."
"Yes, but we no longer have any suspect. Everyone in the Kirijo's group is clean."
"Then who could it be?"
"…Could it be someone among our ally?" Fuuka quickly closed her mouth after such words, but Mitsuru instead find it possible.
"…Do you have anyone in mind?"
"…Suou-san told us NaoyaToudou is the most suspicious among us. But we have no evidence on him."
"…" Mitsuru remained silent. She didn't want to believe anyone in her ally as an enemy, not since Shuji Ikutsuki's betrayal. Stuck in her own thought, she changed the topic, "What about the arcana shadow?"
"We still haven't found anything, Ryoji didn't know about it either, but we can't presume that there won't be next arcana shadow. If we follow the arcana in order, Devil arcana will come next."
"I see. Keep in progress. What about those from Inaba and Sumaru City?"
"They should be progressing fine. Ah, speaking of Toudou-san, I heard some interesting news about him today… What was it again?"
Afternoon – Peace Diner, Yumezaki, Sumaru City
Eriko dashed to the fast food restaurant where Baofu and Ulala are. Upon reaching the entrance, her eyes focused on Ulala and Baofu who sat at one of the corner in the restaurant with a woman who greatly resembled her. She couldn't contain her smile and ran towards them.
"Erio-chan, you've grown up!" Eriko surprised Erio from behind and hugged her. Erio yelped in panic and tried to break free.
"N-Nee-chan, there're people watching." Erio embarrassingly said and Eriko giggled in joy.
"Erio-chan, you never change." Eriko took a seat next to her, facing Baofu and Ulala. They both laughed at their close relationship.
"You really look alike, except your hair is shorter, Eriko-san." Ulala commented.
"That is obvious." Eriko replied before facing her younger twin, "I take it you two already know each other."
"No, we just meet at the street when they come at me."
"Then let me introduced you properly." Eriko went behind her and grabbed both of her shoulder, "This is my twin sister, Erio Kirishima. After we graduated from school, she went to study abroad with me to study fashion, we return to Japan afterward before she went back overseas three years ago. I never thought you'll finally return to Japan, Erio-chan. Why didn't you call me first?"
"Ummm…" Erio shyly murmured, "A few days ago, someone call me and tell me to return to Japan because he said you're in trouble."
All three pair of eyes focused on her.
"Who did?" Eriko asked.
"I don't know, he didn't say anything about himself, he just told me to return to Japan because my sister needs me for something, something about-"
Just then, Eriko's phone suddenly rang. "Please excuse me." Eriko said and saw the caller.
Naoya.
"Hello, Naoya."
The atmosphere became silent for a moment as Naoya talk. Ulala, Baofu and Erio leaned closer to hear their conversation. Erio turned to Baofu and Ulala and made a lips message 'Who's that?' to them. They whispered 'Her love interest' to her, which she blushed.
'So he's nee-chan's love interest. I never knew…' Erio thought, 'I should cheer for them-'
Until one of the hell's gate suddenly break loose.
"WHAT ARE YOU THINKINGGGGG?!"
Naoya Toudou
Sunny - Afternoon – Clair De Lune, Aoba, Sumaru City
"One more glass please!" Reiji order another drink for Hidehiko who arrive at the table. Lunch break came again like usual for most people, but not the same for the three man in that crowded restaurant. Naoya was having a lunch with Reiji who came back for his salary work. Hidehiko was coming back from his work as well and join them.
"Man, today is a tough day as well." Reiji sighed.
"Yeah." Hidehiko replied.
"Well, we're going to exploit the pyramid at our hometown in Wednesday. So better enjoy these two days all you can before we head there. Who knows if it might be our last trip?" Naoya added. They didn't find Naoya's last sentence helping at all. In fact, they were shocked.
"Why are you saying that? I don't wanna die yet, you know." Hidehiko said, "I got this girl I've been dating for months. I was thinking of proposing to her next year since I've been saving my money. So we got to save the world if I want to marry her."
"Better start early, man. We're not young anymore." Reiji turned to Naoya, "You too, how about you? Planning to stay a bachelor?"
Naoya stuttered for a moment as he drank his tea before he answered, "I don't think so. I'm planning as well."
"Who's the girl?" Reiji and Hidehiko said in unison, intrigued. "Is it Kirishima?" Reiji added.
"Not telling you." Naoya chuckled and took another slurp from his tea.
"Oh right! By the way, I got a call from Eriko just now! She said her twin sister came to Sumaru City today! I heard her name is Erio Kirishima."
"*cough*!" Naoya suddenly coughed his tea by his words. He quickly wiped the stain on the table with a tissue, "Did you just say Eriko's twin?"
"Well, yeah?" Hidehiko looked at him in suspicious as he looked… pale.
"I didn't know Eriko has a twin."
"I don't know either, I just found out today. Wait, maybe she did tell me before, but I don't remember."
"So that's… it…" Naoya mumbled something, his face was extremely worrying. All of the sudden, he stood from his chair and took out his phone, being watched by Reiji and Hidehiko in confusion. He's calling someone, before the line connected.
"Hello Eriko. Listen, I know this is sudden, but…"
He's calling Eriko, much to their surprise. Reiji stared at Naoya, "Brave move there, man."
But they never expected such thing coming from Naoya, EVER.
"…please go on a three-way date with me and your twin sister!"
...
...
"PURRRRGGGGGHHHHH!" Hidehiko almost vomited his food. Reiji gave a thumb down.
"T-That is… not good." Reiji stood from his chair and ran to Naoya's side, "I know I said we're not young anymore, but that is-"
"WHAT ARE YOU THINKINGGGGG?!"
Eriko's voice can be heard from the phone. Not even Reiji and Hidehiko have heard that kind of voice from Eriko before.
"Did you just ask me AND my sister on a date?!"
"No! Not literally! I need to meet your twin sister!"Naoya was in a pitch, "I mean, I want to go on a date with you and meet your sister at the same time!"
"T-That's… NO WAY!"
The phone was disconnected. Naoya looked around and realized there were more people watching him with sour face. Reiji and Hidehiko's face were priceless.
"D-Did you just make the end of the world happen today?" Hidehiko said. "Am I missing something in progress?"
Peace Diner, Yumezaki
It's been half an hour after the call from Naoya. The atmosphere in the restaurant was awkward with Eriko, who supposed to be happy with Erio's arrival, was now in an extremely bad mood. Not even her sister knew how to comfort her.
"…Eriko… -san…?" Ulala started, but quickly cut her words when Eriko buried her face even deeper inside her arm.
"Please, don't talk to me…" Eriko mumbled in stress. That was too much for her to handle.
"Grrr, what the actual hell is that Toudou thinking?" Ulala clenched her fist in anger, "Asking for a three-way date date on the day her twin sister arrived? He's just getting weirder and weirder these few days."
"…You know, Serizawa…" Baofu began to speak, "I noticed that he grew closer to Eriko lately as well. Maybe he has his motive with something, and upon realized that Eriko's twin came to this city, he panic and made a rushed call for a date."
"What's dating Eriko had to do with the world? That guy is getting more mysterious plus the fact about his secret. If only he reveal to us more about his…" Ulala said as she drank her cola, but all of the sudden she stopped and turned to Baofu who looked at her as well. "…I just got an idea."
"Eriko-san, did he said anything to you as to why he grow close to you? Or is there anything more about him you found from Nanjo-san?" Baofu asked.
"…I don't know…" Eriko finally revealed her face under her arms. She looked scary with a small bag under her eyes. "He knew I like him, but he just kept repeating things like giving me a chance or something. At first I was happy, but now it feels like he's just messing with me… Nanjo told me that he went to Egypt these past 10 years before returned to Japan, but I don't care anymore…"
"Egypt? …Well how about you use this chance to dig his secret?" Ulala suggested. Eriko widened her eyes upon her words.
"You tell him that you will go on a date with him with your sister, in exchange he must tell you everything he knows about the prophecy. How's that sound?"
"…You mean, threaten him?"
"Exactly!" Ulala and Baofu said in agreement.
"Ummm, what are you all talking about?" Erio asked, looking very confused. Eriko realized this and whispered to Ulala and Baofu.
'She didn't know about the prophecy.'
'Oh, I see.'
'Then we shouldn't get her involve.'
'That's right.'
They all turned to Erio who's still waiting for an answer. They all said nothing and changed the topic.
"Alright, I decided." Eriko took his phone and messaged something to someone. After a short message, she turned to Erio and smiled, "Can you please follow with me and meet someone today?"
Naoya Toudou
Kismet Publishing, Aoba,SumaruCity
(Half an hour after the call)
Naoya was dragged (literally by collar) to Kismet building by Reiji and Hidehiko and explained things in a flash to Yukino and Maya who were listening to their story. In lightning speed, they both ran away from the room after the explanation and shivered when they heard a crash sound who was possibly Yukino flipping the table.
"YOU DAMN IDIOT!" Yukino roared, "#%$# **&##!"
All of a sudden Naoya was unable to understand her language. Soon Maya followed.
"***#%$% &**&*7*^!" No, that's not it. Though he crossed his legs in cool manner on his chair, Naoya continued to sweat bullet in panic. He lost the will to understand them.
"Look, I can explain-"
"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU ASK HER AND HER TWIN ON A DATE?!" Yukino took out a razor blade and threw it at Naoya, which he dodged perfectly, ballet style.
"The world is ending and you making a scene?! Tatsuya was right about you, you are suspicious!" Maya took out her gun and pointed it at him.
"Hold it! I didn't literally asked them both on a date, okay?! I have my reason-" Before Naoya could finished his sentence, he received a message. He was surprised to see it was from Eriko.
"To Naoya,
This evening at 4, Aoba Park, I'm bringing my twin sister with me. In exchange, you must tell me why you ask me on a date and everything else you know about the prophecy. Is that a deal?
From Eriko"
"Is that Eriko?" Yukino asked in anger. However, Naoya was at loss of word, he somehow didn't expect her to trade the date with what he knows about the prophecy.
'…Guess I can't keep hiding too long…' Naoya sighed and began to type his reply.
"To Eriko,
I won't promise I tell you everything, but I will answer any of your questions. I just want to ask a few things from your twin as well, but this date is just for us both. That's the truth.
From Naoya
P.S.: Wear something nice, I'll pick my best suit too"
And he sent it just as he stood from his chair, running away.
"Wait, Naoya! I'm not finish!" Yukino screamed.
"Later, Yukino! I'll explain soon! I got a date to be ready!" And he was out of sight with a smile on his face.
Tatsuya Suou
Sunny – Early Evening – Honmaru Park, Rengedai, Sumaru City
Honmaru Park was lively with kids starting to play hide and seek and couple cuddling on the bench. Tatsuya didn't feel lively, because he's too gloomy sitting at the end corner of a bench to smile upon other people's happiness.
"You look weak these past few days." Tatsuya was surprised by the voice behind him. He turned around and sighed upon the slender woman in front of her.
"Oh, it's just you, Anna-san. Have a seat." Tatsuya forced a smile and shifted aside to let her sit.
"Good seeing you today, Tatsuya-san." It was Anna Yoshizaka (Ex persona: Reverse Aeshma), a member of Masked Circle from the 'Other side', and his 'other side's close friend in this side before he disappeared. Since the day she found out about the Tatsuya from the 'other side' had left this world, she's been keeping a distance from him, but eventually began to grow closer after his marriage with Maya.
"Good seeing you too." However, he didn't tell her about the fact that he remembered how close they were after receiving the memory from the 'other side'. Well, as long as she can move on with it, then there's no need to mention it.
"Hope you don't mind drinking orange juice." Anna lend out a canned drink from the vending machine to him.
"I don't mind. Thanks." Tatsuya took it and gulped it quick. Anna took this moment to speak.
"You look terrible, what's wrong?"
"Huh? Am I? …You can say that again." He didn't reject her words, "I just… Someone told me that I will lose someone important to me, and I don't know how to save them."
Anna didn't understand very well, but she still nodded anyway, "If that happen, then you either do everything you can to save that person or brace yourself to accept their loss."
"…You're right. Thanks, I feel a lot better now." Tatsuya gradually smiled and change the topic, "By the way, have you heard a rumor today, about a guy asking twins on a date?"
Yu Narukami
Evening – Junes, Inaba
"I got news from Mitsuru-san. It seems pretty interesting." Naoto explained as the Investigation Team gathered at their meeting place at Junes.
"Tell us, Naoto." Yu said in curiosity, everyone waiting for Naoto's next words.
"It seems that Naoya Toudou, the 'emperor', has asked a date with Eriko Kirishima of Sumaru City."
"…Eh? That's it?" Yosuke sank back to his seat, "Lame, it's just a date."
"But what made it interesting is that he asked both Eriko and her twin sister on the same date." Naoto continued.
"Huh?" Everyone regained their curiosity.
"He got some guts to do that." Kanji commented.
"That a stupid move, asking twins on a date." Yukiko said.
"Yeah, no one want to go on a date like that, right Yu?" Chie turned to Yu.
"I wouldn't mind going on a three way date-" Yu stopped when he realized Chie, Yukiko, Rise and Naoto were glaring at him before he finished it, "But I absolutely won't do such thing."
"That's right, Senpai belongs to me!" Rise sat closer to Yu, but realized Chie was in the way between them. They exchanged a heated stare.
"Eri-chan has a twin? Uuu, she must be pretty as well!~" Teddie said happily.
"Eri-chan?" Everyone sweat dropped by the nickname.
"Enough chatting, let's enter the TV world today." Yu ordered, everyone nodded as they left the table.
Naoya Toudou
Evening – Aoba Park, Aoba, Sumaru City
A man wearing a classy grey suit was standing at the entrance into the famous Aoba Park. The park has greatly developed since 10 years ago. There's a many food stall, street performance, even a hidden park can now be found within this park. Well, don't even think of going to that hidden park. That's where all kind of stuff happened. Of course, there's no cinema or Ferris wheel like some cliché romance manga.
Was he too early? Naoya searched for them in the midst of people. He was actually nervous about this, even with his reason. 'Hope I'm doing the right thing now, Philemon…'
Then from afar, he was able to notice in a flash, two women in matching yellow dress were walking towards him. They were so identical that Naoya was confused on which one is Eriko, but soon noticed when he heard their conversation.
"Nee-chan, I'm so nervous… Do I look okay?"
"Of course you are, you look great!"
Naoya smiled as he approached them. "Good to see you, Eriko. I thought you didn't come."
"…" Eriko's face, upon seeing him, quickly turned sour, "…Of course, Good to see you too, Toudou-san. Shall I introduce to you my twin sister, Erio Kirishima. Hope you get along well."
"H-Hello. It was nice to meet you, Toudou-san."
"I'm Naoya Toudou, nice to meet you too." Naoya lend out his hand to Eriko, "Shall we…"
"Let's go Erio-chan." Eriko took Erio's hand instead and proceed into the park. He sighed, "I said things too fast."
Aoba Park was a popular dating spots for newly couple, eating, watching the view, holding hand and kissing. That day was a special event for most couple who went there, a man and a twin walking together holding hand. Correction, the twins were holding hand while the man was walking beside them. He was trying to reach his hand at one of the twins, but she rejected him. Anyone who saw them would be intrigued to listen to the story behind it.
Naoya and Kirishima twins reached the ice cream store and decide to have an ice cream. Naoya insisted on paying and bought himself some too. While walking towards a magic show, Naoya suddenly wanted to exchange ice cream with Eriko. Eriko quickly gulped down her ice cream before he could take it. A single nerve appeared on his forehead and he gulped down his ice cream as well.
It was a simple disappearing magic trick show they watch, but the magician attracted quite a number of people, Naoya and Kirishima twins were among them. Well, this isn't romantic, Naoya thought, until he realized someone was holding his hand. It was Eriko, she hid her face under her hair, but she was indeed blushing. Guess some magic did work after all.
They reached the north part of Aoba Park, which was behind the concert hall and noticed there were many food stall. They decided to eat something simple. After a while, they walked towards deeper part of the park. They widened their eyes after seeing a couple doing 'things' behind a tree. Eriko quickly closed Erio's eyes and dragged her and Naoya away from there.
"Don't be embarrassed if you want to try that." And he was stepped on his feet and fell.
"That was tiring." Erio said after another walk of half an hour on the park. The three of them were sitting on a bench, Naoya was on the right, Eriko was on the middle and Erio on the left.
'It's time to ask…' Naoya thought and proceed with a sudden question, "Where've you been these past years? I've never seen you before."
"Eh? Ummm…" Erio startled upon the question but answered, "I went oversea to continue my study before I came back today. Now I feel so tired."
"Oh, I see. But why did you come back?"
"Ummm, I got a phone call a few days ago from someone saying that I should return here for my sister."
"Huh? What do you mean?" This time, Eriko was the one asking.
"I don't know, but he said nee-chan need to see me for something, or something bad might happen to her. I got worried and came here as fast as I could. But I'm relieved you are okay. I guess I must be overthinking."
"Do you know who he is?"
"He didn't tell me, but he knew my name and nee-chan's name, nothing else about him. I thought I should come here even if I didn't trust him, so here I am."
In instant, Eriko turned to Naoya who was watching them seriously. His expression could give a thousand meaning to it. Eriko turned to Erio and comforted her.
"No matter the reason, I'm glad I can see you today." Eriko smiled, "You're tired right? Wait for me at the gate and I'll come after you so we can go home together. I need to talk to Naoya for a while."
"Okay…" Erio nodded lightly and proceeded to walk away, leaving Eriko and Naoya alone at the bench.
"You can start asking me now." Naoya sank his back to the bench and stared at Eriko who returned the stare. Eriko flipped back her hair and shifted her body to face Naoya.
"Why are you in Egpyt?" Her voice began with a cold tone. Naoya blinked his eyes on the fact, but eventually smiled and thought for a moment before answering her.
"Philemon told me to."
"Philemon did?"
"After our gathering 10 years ago and after the second defeat of Nyarlathotep, I met Philemon inside my dream and he told me that Nyarlathotep's grand plan is still in motion. He told me to investigate his plan by going to Egypt."
"What did you find there?"
Naoya turned to Eriko with a dead serious face before he said.
"I found Conquest."
"Eh?!" Eriko jumped from her seat and stood facing Naoya, "You mean, you met Conquest?!"
"Not literally, I just met his presence as a white silhouette. It was only a year ago Philemon told me that he was Conquest."
"T-Then who is he?!"
"I don't know. I'm trying to find out about his identity as well."
There was a slight pause in his answer, but Eriko changed the question.
"Then what about other riders?"
"I have no clue about their identity, but I know that the four riders had set this prophecy up since the time we gained our persona 16 years ago at high. From the beginning, everything is just a part of the great prophecy, the 'Seven seal of god'."
"What else do you know?"
"The plan has begun since years ago, Nyarlathotep himself choose the riders of Four Horsemen to complete the prophecy. All the conditions have been prepared and ready, all they need is the 'Friday' of this year. At least, that's what Philemon told me."
"…" Eriko became speechless by Naoya's answer. She had many question to ask, but she just don't know where to start. Right, there's one important question. "…Why did you ask me on a date with my sister today?"
"I didn't want to bring your sister on a date, I just want to know why she suddenly return today. It's just that I want to date you today as well, and everyone misunderstand that I want to date both of you."
"That's not what you said to me."
"I don't know how to explain in a simpler way."
"Then let me ask properly, why do you want to go on a date with me today?"
"…" The question was somehow harder than the previous one. Naoya's face became sad and pale. Eriko still waiting for an answer from him, she didn't want to ignore it this time.
"…I'm giving a chance-"
"Quit it with the chance! If you think my feelings for you is just something you want to sympathize with then-!"
"Not you, me! I'm giving myself a chance!"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense as Naoya stood from his seat as well, facing Eriko.
"…What do you mean, Naoya?"
"…When you confessed to me, I was happy and…" He looked away, "…I just want to protect the person who cared for me the most in the worst moment. So I want to love you too, that's why I tried to get close to you to make myself fall in love you as much as I can before the prophecy end. It's not like I want the world to end, but I just want to protect a person who loves me the most if that is to happen."
"…" Eriko's face turned blank by his confession.
"You don't have to believe me, but when I said I want to fall in love with you too and protect you, it is the truth." Naoya shook his head and chuckled in defeat, "But I guess that was too stupid for a reason, huh?"
"…Then what are your feelings for me now?" Naoya was surprised by her respond. Her face soften and brighter than before. Naoya was confused for a moment, but he understood.
"I think I already like you, Eriko."
Eriko's face softened again and she finally sighed.
"Okay, I believe you. But one last question. Is my sister going to be safe from the prophecy? She doesn't have a persona, just a reminder."
"Even if she doesn't have a persona, she's still your twin. Watch over her, the fact that someone make her return to Japan means that she will get involved. Twin persona users are connected in some way without you notice. Trust me, I know what it's like to have a twin."
"You do? ...Oh right, I remembered." Eriko remembered the incident about Naoya's past.
"…"
"…That's enough question for now. I don't want to keep Erio waiting for me. Thanks for today."
"Eh? That's all? …*Chuckle* Yeah, you're right. Let's go." Naoya regained his usual self as he and Eriko began to walk. "Want me to walk you two back? Don't want to let the shadows separate our beautiful twin."
Naoya was smacked at the back. Yeah, that's more like it, Naoya thought.
A/N: Hope all of you enjoy this chapter. I was thinking of making a bit of NaoyaxEriko romance scene after a several battle scene, but of course I insert a plot between them. Eriko's twin sister really did exist, but other than that she existed, nothing else is known about her. So I give her a name and a simple personality for her.