Paradox Arc:
Chapter 33: Mix Reminiscing
Hamuko Arisato
21/4/2009 – Dark Hour – Tartarus, Tatsumi Port Island
"Hamuko, you should be the leader." Makoto suggested without a second thought as Hamuko left the Velvet Room. Wait, did he just wait for her to exit the Velvet Room? He can see it?
"Wait, why me?" Hamuko responded.
"I think we all agree that Hamuko is the strongest here, and she had what it takes to become our leader."
"Well, she certainly has the potential, but she needs to decide on her own…"
"I think we need to hear her decision…"
"Hmmm… I guess I will do my best." Hamuko finally responded.
That very night, SEES ventured into Tartarus for the first time, the 'nest' of Shadows where they trained. At the lobby of Tartarus, Mitsuru choose to elect their leader, which Makoto immediately suggested.
Hamuko, after being forced by the rest, agreed to become the leader. They were in the team of Hamuko, Makoto and Yukari. On the first floor, the start was easy as Hamuko and Yukari revealed their good partnership in fighting shadows, but on the second floor, they were shocked to see Makoto summoning his persona for the first time.
"Orpheus Telos."
3 shadows were wiped clean after a single hit. Hamuko especially, seeing his persona was almost identical to her persona.
"Orpheus? Why is it that your persona…?"
"Coincidence, I think, since we're both a transfer student." Makoto said with a blank face.
"What kind of… of…"
Afternoon - 22/4/2009 – Gekkoukan High
"What kind of reason is that?!" Hamuko said, but with lower volume in case someone overheard them. Makoto calmly ate his melon bread and listening to his mp3 player as Hamuko moving her mouth.
"And you said I'm the strongest out of the team too!"
"You said something?" Makoto jokingly removed his earphone like he didn't hear her.
"Makoto-kun… are you even listening?"
"Want some melon bread?" Before she could continue her speech, Makoto lend her extra melon bread he brought with him. Hamuko haven't bought her lunch yet, and she's hungry. "You haven't eaten yet, right?"
As much as she tried to resist from being lured, she couldn't, because melon bread is her favorite food.
"…M-Melon bread?"
"You don't like it? Okay-"
"Wait! I want it!" Hamuko reached out her hand, but Makoto cleverly hid it behind him in great speed with a small smirk. When Hamuko went to his back, Makoto stood up and raised it high to the air so that she can't reach it.
"Makoto-kun, I said I want it!" Hamuko reached out her hand and tried to grab the melon bread in his hand. Angry, Hamuko jumped on him and caught the melon bread…
"Got it-"
"Hey, hey, watch out-"
…As they fell to the ground, scattering the books on Makoto's table.
"Ouch!"
"Ouch…"
"Urgh, that hurt-"
She realized she was landing on top of Makoto's body. Their mp3 players were scattered. Quickly, Hamuko back away with a slight redness on her cheeks. Makoto, who was usually calm, was taken by surprise when he realized what just happened.
"S-Sorry…" Hamuko said embarrassedly as she clutched the melon bread in her hand. Makoto's face turned pale, making her more uneasy. She actually believed that Makoto hated it, "I'm sorry, okay?"
"Junpei, don't you DARE." It was then she realized Makoto was looking at her back. She turned to see Junpei standing there with a knowing expression.
"This morning, Yukari told me that Makoto's persona is the same as Hamuko, then they're both transfer students, could it be…"
"Junpei, don't spread any rumors-"
"I'll be back!"
Junpei quickly dashed out of the class with huge smirk on his face. Hamuko's face became blank, unable to comprehend the sudden situation.
"Oh no…" Makoto quickly stood up, avoiding the stares from their classmate and picked up his mp3 player that fell on the ground, "Hamuko, I want to ditch class, gotta be somewhere before Junpei spread anymore rumors about us."
"You want to ditch class?" Hamuko widened her eyes, "It's still recess time! You can't just go anywhere you want!"
"Don't worry, I can handle my study."
"No you can't!" Hamuko gritted her teeth, but her natural adorableness made it looks cute and comical instead. "And you haven't answers my question! Where are you going?"
"Somewhere…" Makoto reached for the door, "Tell the teacher I'm sick."
Makoto quickly shut the door behind him and left the class along with his bag, leaving Hamuko alone with her melon bread. She took the mp3 player on the ground and stood up, at the same time mumbling about Makoto.
"Makoto-kun sure is lazy," She took a bit from the melon bread she got from Makoto, "…yummy."
Makoto Yuki
Afternoon - 22/4/2009 –Gekkoukan High
Makoto, after sleeping for years, decided to take a tour again on the street of Tatsumi Port Island. Let's be honest, walking away from the class to escape Junpei's rumors was just an excuse. Now that he thought about it, he almost forgot the faces of students and teachers in this school.
As he knew, his class was on the second floor, the seniors shared the same floor while juniors were on the lower ground. He laughed at the thought of missing the faces of his teachers, the face of people laughing and having fun. He descended to the first floor and walked among the classes of his kouhai. Just a while ago he swore he saw Junpei talking to someone, probably beginning his 'operation' on spreading his stupid rumors.
He saw many of those he forged a bond with: Chihiro, Hidetoshi, Ms. Toriumi and joyfully he saw Mitsuru watching over the students. He, however, wasn't going to let himself being spotted by her if he wanted to escape the class.
His footstep froze at the sight of the classroom to his left. Yes, he muttered, he remembered this class. It was the class belonged to one of his closest friend.
Like a cue, the person he wanted to see was among the group that left the class, walking together to the backyard. Seeing her again, he truly pitied her at this moment. His instincts told him to follow the group, since he knew it wasn't a simple walk.
"Have you heard about the ghost story, how about you test it out for us?"
"I-I…"
"Break into the school at midnight and find the ghost for us, will you? Hahahaha!"
A group of three people were picking on the small girl. There're few people passing by, but none of them were willing to lend a hand. Makoto can see her holding her tears as she withstood the words from them.
"I-I can't do it…"
"What do you mean you can't? Seriously, be useful for once-"
Something was boiling inside him when he saw them pushing her around.
"Hey." He finally spoke.
The girls quickly turned to their back to see Makoto glaring at them.
"Who're you?" The dark skin girl, whom he recognized very well as Natsuki, asked him.
"That's the transfer student." Her minion answered for her.
"What do you want?"
"Leave her," Makoto said in harsher tone, taking them aback, "Or would you rather have the teachers to deal with you?"
"…Fine, let's go." The dark skinned girl and her minions left the poor girl. The group was actually frightened by his powerful voice that they quickly escaped the backyard. After they're gone, he took a deep breath and approached the girl known as Fuuka Yamagishi.
"T-Thank you so much." Fuuka bowed her head with gratitude.
"It's nothing." Makoto smiled. He couldn't help but be impressed at her transformation at his original world. Compared to her now, she had longer hair and far more mature that it's difficult to recognize her.
Let's not forget about the others, Mitsuru and Akihiko were certainly a world apart from what he remembered, Yukari and Junpei with their profession, and Ken and Koromaru staying together with the team. And Shinjiro-
"Ah."
"Hmm?"Fuuka raised her eyebrows at Makoto's expression that looked like he remembered something.
"I'm sorry, but I need to be somewhere. See you later, Fuuka-chan."
Makoto left the ground in fast pace, leaving Fuuka alone.
"Did I tell him my name?"Fuuka muttered.
Hidden Alley
Makoto approached the hidden alley, where "he" always been around at. Probably since it was still afternoon, the alley was empty, not a presence could be felt. With a time alone for himself, Makoto began to remember his conversation with Hamuko.
"Oh yeah! By the way, did you hear what Akihiko-san said? Shinji-san will be released from the hospital soon! I'm so happy!"
'She said Shinjiro is in hospital, so he… survived? But…'
"It is only possible for me to send you to the alternate world because it has slightly different scenario than this world, making it 'closer'. But by changing that world's past, it will drift away from this world, making it harder for me to find you."
"Father Time warned me…" Makoto summarized his conclusion, "Still, it's possible to change the past however I want…?"
Makoto's thought were interrupted by footsteps approaching him. Relaxingly, he turned to the presence of a man he couldn't forget. Seeing him alive and well, Makoto didn't notice his lips curved into a smile.
"What are you doing here? …From Gekkoukan High? Tch, you shouldn't be here. What's your business anyway?" Shinjiro Aragaki (Persona: Castor) asked, "And what are you smiling at?"
"Nothing," Makoto shook his head, "Just wanted to see a friend."
"There's nobody here but punks, whoever you want to see sure as hell isn't here." Shinjiro rudely replied, although Makoto didn't seem to mind it.
"No, he's here. In fact, I already met him."
"What?" Shinjiro glanced around but saw no one before turning back to Makoto, "I don't know who you're talking about, but you better leave."
"Don't worry, I'm leaving now."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get lost."
Makoto walked passed him, at the same time whispered something to his ears, half hoping that Shinjiro would hear it.
"Glad to see you, Shinji."
"Huh?"
When Shinjiro turned around, Makoto was long gone from the alley.
Nagasaki Shrine
The little girl, Maiko, of his Hanged Man arcana wasn't in sight, probably still at school. But that's not his real reason for coming to this shrine. He was searching for someone else. Seeing himself all alone at the shrine, Makoto began to call. He realized how much he missed calling that name.
"Koromaru, are you there?"
No response.
"Koromaru?"
No response. Wait…
"Woof! Woof!"
"There you are."
Koromaru emerged from behind the bush, probably awaken from his afternoon sleep when he heard his name was called. The moment he saw Makoto, Koromaru turned quiet, seeing as someone he never met was looking at him with such familiar eyes.
"I got something for you." Makoto took out melon bread from his bag to gain his trust. Koromaru woofed in joy and accepted the food as Makoto opened the plastic pack. Hungrily, he munched down the bread while Makoto gently stroked his head.
"Now then, to the next place," Makoto stood up and replayed the song in his mp3 player, "See you later, Koromaru."
Koromaru barked happily. Makoto descended the stairs, leaving the shrine, but when he reached the bottom, he stopped.
"…" He glanced at his mp3 player, "…Isn't this Hamuko's mp3 player?"
Hamuko Arisato
After School – Gekkoukan High front gate
"So he ditched class?" Yukari asked Hamuko as they both left the school. Junpei was there not far behind them, but he seemed to have a time of his own with a big smirk on his face.
"Yeah, I really don't understand him," Hamuko complained, "I know that he helped me with my study when I was unconscious at the hospital, but that doesn't mean he can ditch his studies too. What if he fails in exam?"
"Wow, you sure do care about him."
"Of course I care, we're both transfer student! We should take care of each other." Hamuko gritted her teeth, mimicking Makoto, "But he will often say "Don't worry, I can handle my study", just like that! I'm really worried about him."
"Haha, you're like his older sister or something."
"S-Sister? I do care about him, but not like that," Hamuko tangled her fingers together awkwardly, "I just… want to know him better…"
"Hamuko, Hamuko! Look!" Yukari suddenly pointed her finger towards the crowd. Akihiko was being crowded by his fangirls not far from them, "Akihiko-senpai sure is popular."
"Mm…"
Yukari's word didn't seem to reach her as she was deep in her own thoughts, which made Yukari sweat dropped at her reaction.
Then, Hamuko shook head, forcing herself not to think about it as she plugged in her earphone again. "*sigh* I rather not thinking about it. Let's just go home-"
Hamuko froze, surprising Yukari. Hamuko stood motionless as she reached both of her hand to her earphone and listened to the song.
"Wait a second…" Hamuko said, "I don't remember having this song."
"Ah, look!" Yukari pointed at her mp3 player.
When Hamuko examined the mp3 player, she realized that the color was wrong. She finally realized it wasn't hers.
"This is Makoto's! That time, when I fell on him! We must have switched our mp3 player!" Hamuko realized.
"How come you never noticed?"
"Because the song was the same and even the tracks were the same! I only noticed it just now because I've never heard of this song!"
"Okay, now I'm impressed. You both have the same taste in music." Yukari said with a teasing tone.
"Y-Yukari-chan!"
Makoto Yuki
Evening –Port Island Station
After a whole evening revisiting the places, Makoto went straight home, only to be stopped by Mitsuru at the lounge.
"One day… just one day and you have already did something that what I believe to be 'ditching class'." Mitsuru said to Makoto in barely concealed rage. As the student council president, Mitsuru was among the first to know Makoto's absence from the class. "Did you know that your academics will-BURN MY DREAD!~"
Mitsuru quickly pulled the mp3 player from him just as he's about to play the song, "Stop listening to your earphones and focus!"
"That's Hamuko's, by the way."
"Makoto Yuki!"
After receiving a savage lecture from Mitsuru for 2 hours straight, Hamuko finally approached him alone at the lounge.
"I warned you."
"I know."
"So…" Hamuko revealed a silver mp3 player behind her back, "It seems that we switched our players."
"I hardly noticed."
"Me too." Makoto revealed the red mp3 player to her.
There's a pause between them before they both laughed as they returned the mp3 players to each other. Luckily the rest of the team was already in their room, or else they'll look silly.
"Who would have thought that we had the same taste in music?"Hamuko said.
"Guess it's a coincidence?"
"Well, I was going to ask about your persona," Hamuko sat next to him, "But you know what, it doesn't matter, I think."
"Hmm? What changed your mind?"
"Hmmm…" Hamuko showed a gleeful face when she thought about it. Suddenly, she jumped from the seat and left the seating area as she turned to Makoto.
"Not going to tell you!"
"Hey." Makoto responded with annoyed tone, but Hamuko was long gone from the lounge.
Hamuko Arisato
25/4/2009 – Gekkoukan High
Hamuko was sure that for some reason, she received a lot of attention and gazes today. To be more precise, they were looking at her AND Makoto. To make it worse, a few students were already swarming around her table when they entered the class and began to ask questions.
"You guys," a classmate named Kenji asked them, "I heard rumors about you two."
"Really, like what?" Hamuko cheerfully asked but with slight uneasiness.
"About you two are actually… a couple before you came here."
"Huh?!" Hamuko's face was utter shock. Junpei, who was about to enter the class at that moment, slowly stepped away from them. Makoto, however, already locked him in his sight. He stood up and ran after Junpei as he began to scream for help.
"There's rumor that you two are dating outside the school." Kazushi of the track club asked.
"Is it true that you two share your earphones?" Yuko, the team manager said track club asked too.
Hamuko's eyes turned to spiral at the crowd of students talking to her while surrounding her table. Yukari sat quietly in her seat not far from there and watching them, shaking her head and sighed. Makoto was just in time to return to the class.
"Everyone, that's not true! That's just some rumors by Junpei!" Hamuko strongly denied it before shifting her attention towards Makoto, "Makoto, say something!"
"Hmmm…" Makoto thought deeply, trying to find a suitable answer. Finally, he said.
"We are not dating…"
'That was so plain!' Hamuko thought, seeing as her classmate didn't seem convinced. She knew she had to think of something, but she couldn't.
"…Because we're more than that."
Makoto continued. Hamuko and the rest of her classmate turned to Makoto with widened eyes. He cleared his throat and announced it.
"We're twins."
…
"EH?!" The whole class screamed in one word. Yukari, who was sitting at the side of the table, nearly fell off her chair. Hamuko's expression at that time was priceless.
"Ah, my mistake: fraternal twins." Makoto glanced at Hamuko, hoping for her support. Hamuko was still with her mouth wide open before turning to the crowd.
"Play along with me." He whispered.
"Y-Yes, we're twins!" Hamuko forced a smile. She had no idea what to think right now. Same goes for their classmate, they looked too surprised to accept such thing.
"T-Then why did you two have different surname?" Yuko asked.
"Oh, that, uh…" Hamuko gripped her mp3 player, finding the next answer.
"We live together when we're younger, but after our parents passed away, we were sent to different relatives and parted ways." Makoto turned to her and raised his eyebrows, "So my caretaker changed my surname."
Hamuko stared at him as hard as she could. That actually sounded CONVINCING, that she was unable to deny it. No, she swore that she remember she was the only child in her family. Still, his persona, his taste in music and food, they're all similar…
"So, this is basically… a reunion between two long lost twins?" Kenji said, his eyes were showing a rare sight.
"I… think?" Hamuko timidly answered.
"H-Hey you two!" After watching long enough, Yukari finally stepped in. "Stop, Mitsuru-senpai never said anything about you two being siblings, enough with the nonsense, or Mitsuru-senpai will get mad!"
The talk heated instead when Yukari step in, leaving Hamuko and Makoto alone speechless at the side. Hamuko shook her head and turned to Makoto with fierce eyes.
"Makoto, come with me." Without waiting for his answer, Hamuko grabbed his wrist and dragged him outside the class, leaving their classmates debating whether they're twins or not.
"This is all Stupei's fault." Yukari mused among the arguing classmates, before realizing something. "Where is he, anyway?"
As soon as she said that, Junpei entered the class with some bruises and burns on his face.
"J-Junpei?"
"Makoto… used Agi… and Almighty attack on me…"
Makoto Yuki
Rooftop
"What was that about?!" Hamuko screamed as they both reached the rooftop and she shut the door behind her.
"We need an excuse to avoid being called lovers, right?" Makoto sat on the bench where… his final resting place was.
"So all that talk about us being long lost siblings…" Hamuko ran to his front and placed both hands on her waist, waiting for his answer. He sighed hard.
"Of course it's not true, I obviously don't have a sister."
"But now people are going to assume we are real twins!"
Makoto stared into her eyes with sudden seriousness, forcing her to back away slightly by surprise. He looked like he's finally realized his action. He replied.
"Oh." Plus a poker face.
"Makoto-kun, please be more serious!"
Upon the blank reply, Hamuko grabbed his shirt with both hands and violently shook him, but it didn't bother him one bit. Makoto tried to escape, but Hamuko grabbed his leg and made him fall.
'Is this girl seriously 'me'?'
Night – Iwatodai Dorm
Makoto was called again by Mitsuru, this time with Hamuko.
"I heard rumors about you." Mitsuru quickly called them to the command room. The room was quiet with only their presence.
"What rumors?" Hamuko nervously asked.
"You do know that I'm the student council president, correct? If anyone knows anything first, it's me." Mitsuru crossed her arms with terrifying aura, "Now, mind explaining where the 'twins' came from?"
"It was Makoto's idea! Junpei spread that rumor, so Makoto came out with a lie!" Hamuko quickly explained.
"Yuki, your words?"
"I admit I came up with it, since we're pretty similar to each other."
"…Now that you mention it…" Mitsuru gazed downward before averting the subject, "Very well, I want you to resolve this quickly; you may go."
They both left the room, leaving Mitsuru by herself.
"…I should look into Makoto's file again…"
Hamuko Arisato
Late Night - 2/5/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm
The member of the SEES, excluding Hamuko and Makoto, were gathering at the lounge after, apparently, being called by Junpei. The rest still had no idea what Junpei's idea was.
"Junpei, what's the deal?" Akihiko asked, looking at Mitsuru and Ikutsuki for answer, but they were apparently confused as well.
"Everyone, I see that you have gathered here…" Junpei said in a very low tone.
"What's this about, Junpei?" Yukari said in her night grown, she's in a bad mood since someone call out for her before her sleep.
"Shhhh… Not too loud, we don't want to wake Makoto and our leader…" Junpei quickly said.
"What does this have to do with those two?" Mitsuru asked, although at the same time she could somehow guess his reason. After seeing that everyone was seated, Junpei began.
"Exactly, it's about those two." They raised their eyebrows in curiosity.
"Urgh, Junpei, it's been a week, enough with all these nonsense." Yukari growled.
"No, no, wait! Listen!" Junpei continued, "It's about that thing Makoto said. He said Hamuko is his twin sister! I'm sorry about the rumors, but they're the one who admittedly said they were twins!"
"Not this again… That was obviously a cover up, Stu-pei! They don't want people to think they're lovers or something because of your rumors!" Yukari scolded, "Looks like the Agi Makoto gave you wasn't enough."
"Shhh… quiet down! You're gonna wake them up!"
"That's it? If so, I'll be in my room." Akihiko waved as he left the circle, only to be stopped by Junpei.
"Wait, I'm not done! Here's the thing." Junpei forced Akihiko to sit again. "We don't actually know if it's really a cover up. I mean, think about it, they transferred on the same day, share the same taste in music and food, they're both orphans, not to mention they have almost the same persona!"
They turned to each other. Truth to be told, they noticed a lot of similarity between them. Unbeknownst to them…
"*Yawn*" Hamuko wanted to go to the restroom, but stopped at the stair when she heard voices downstairs. Slowly, she descended the stairs to listen. "Eh, why is everyone…"
"I see…" Mitsuru responded.
"You don't actually believe that, don't you, Mitsuru-senpai?" Yukari turned to Mitsuru.
"…As much as I hate to admit it, there's something strange about this."
They looked at Mitsuru with surprise.
"I have no issue with Hamuko Arisato. I certainly do have a profile of Arisato, her birthdate, her parents, so does her accident and how she had to leave Tatsumi Port Island 10 years ago.
However, it is Makoto Yuki that confused me, as there's a void in Yuki's profile. The only thing stated is that he is of this island, and he lost his parents in the same year and at the same place as Arisato. But after that, nothing, almost as if he vanished before suddenly appearing again in this island just as Arisato's arrival. And not to mention, Makoto's profile is exactly identical to Arisato's, minus the gender, and we can't seem to find out about his parents' name."
The atmosphere suddenly tense up at the lounge as they stood from their seats.
"Okay, this is creepy," Yukari commented, "That one time, Hamuko and Makoto switched their mp3 player, and they didn't notice even though they're using it all the time…until we left school, because Makoto mp3 played a song that she never heard of."
"And they share the same love for melon bread." Junpei added.
"Not to mention, Yukari said their personas were almost identical…" Ikutsuki said.
"Hold it, so basically, they COULD be twins, for real?" Akihiko finally got interested in the conversation.
Hamuko, who was listening on the first floor, widened her eyes.
"If we were to analyze on Junpei's theory of them being twins, Hamuko's profile state that she was a single child. As for Makoto, it only stated that he lost his parents, nothing about his siblings. Their different surname could be just because one of them changed it after the accident. Still, that is not enough of evidence to prove so. Plus, they denied it themselves."
"Really? When?" Akihiko asked.
"That exact night they claimed it at school." Mitsuru confessed.
The atmosphere faded into silence.
"I got an idea," Junpei suddenly suggested, "How about we test it tomorrow, on the first day of Golden Week? We pair them together as they go out and I will follow them. Maybe they'll start calling each other as brother and sis behind our back."
The rest looked at him with raised eyebrows as he continued, "They might hide it from us."
"Are you serious?" Yukari asked, sweat-dropped.
"Dead serious."Junpei grinned, "Wanna bet if I'm right? Free lunch for a month if I win."
"Detention for a month if you're wrong." Mitsuru jokingly threatened with a smile. Junpei's face was already half pale.
"I take that back…"
Hamuko, after done listening to them, slowly returned to her room.
Makoto Yuki
Morning - 3/5/2009 – Paulownia Mall
One week passed. On the first day of Golden Week, Makoto readied himself in his room with his favorite outfit. Since he maxed out all other social link, he didn't really have a plan for the day other than walking around town to enjoy the scenery. Then, someone knocked on his door.
"Yukari?"
"Hey!" Yukari was at the door with a smile, as if waiting for him. "I hope you don't have a plan today."
"No, I don't."
"Good! Say, how about you and Hamuko take a detour around the Island, considering that you both just arrived a month ago? I'm sure Hamuko would love to."
'Okay, they're plotting something…' Makoto thought, playing along. "Sure."
"Great! Go meet her!" Yukari took him to Hamuko's room by pushing him from behind. It was located exactly above his room. Yukari quickly disappeared into her room after leaving Makoto at the door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
"Makoto-kun?"
"…" Makoto became speechless to see her wearing her casual orange outfit, yet looking beautiful all the same, "You look cute."
"…Thank you." Hamuko was taken aback by that compliment. But Makoto saw something more in her eyes. Was it… longing?
"Are you okay?" He asked. She looked at him in surprise, before smiling.
"Ah, there's nothing wrong. It's just that I've been thinking of something since last night…" She said with a sigh. Makoto tilted his head at her behavior.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"Maybe."
"Then, how about I take you for a trip around the island today? I'll pay for everything."
"…" Hamuko stared at him for a while, rather, stared into his cobalt blue eyes. Then, she composed herself and teased, "Are you asking me for a date?"
"Do you want it to be a date?" Makoto swiftly answered with a smirk.
"A-ah, no." She replied weakly, actually surprised by his comeback.
"So?"
"Yeah." Hamuko returned to her cheerful personality…actually, she looked more cheerful than usual too. As she was about to close the door, she muttered with a grin, "Give me a minute."
They both reached the lounge to exit the dorm before they saw Akihiko sitting on the sofa, minding his own business…or so it seems. He turned to them with a suspicious face.
"Going somewhere?" Akihiko asked.
"Yeah, we'll be back before night." Hamuko answered. Makoto noticed the odd stare he gave them.
"Is that so? See you soon."
"Bye!" Hamuko waved at him as they exited the door.
Slam!
"Are they gone?" Junpei revealed himself behind the bathroom with Yukari at the first floor.
"I can't believe I'm going along with your plan." Yukari commented.
"Come on, this'll be fun!" Junpei brought a low quality camera with him as he turned to Akihiko, "How about you two join me?"
"No way, I have a plan today." Yukari rejected.
"Well…" Akihiko checked his arm. His arm, which was injured during Magician Arcana shadow, wasn't fully healed. "Since I can't train with this arm, might as well monitor you for a while from doing anything reckless."
"Great, Akihiko-senpai! Let's go!" Junpei said as he and Akihiko marched to the door. Yukari sighed, seeing as she and Ikutsuki were the only one left. Not long after, she left as well.
Morning – Iwatodai Station
"Let's eat." Hamuko pointed at many restaurants of choices. "Which one do you want?"
"I don't mind." Makoto answered.
"Then-"
"Hey, Hamuko-chan!"
Out of nowhere, a group of high-school girls approached them. Hamuko seemed to recognize one of them, the one with the ponytail and black hair.
"Rio-chan, hi!" Hamuko waved.
"I see you with your brother. I mean, twin brother." Rio looked at him with interest. Makoto and Hamuko turned to each other at her comment. It seemed that the lies hadn't faded in school. Makoto noticed that Hamuko's face turned…neutral? For a second, before she finally showed a grin, as if making up her mind.
"Yeah, we're just going out to eat!" Hamuko answered, much to Makoto's surprise.
"Okay, see you twins soon. Don't want to bother you two." Rio said, "Nice to meet you, Yuki-san."
"Nice to meet you too."
As they entered Wild Duck Burger and sat, Makoto immediately said.
"What happened?"
"Well…" Hamuko said with softer tone, "What's the harm? How about today, you pretend to be my real twin?"
"…Why?" Makoto wanted to confirm. He knew something was wrong here.
"Please?~"Hamuko placed her palms together. What a weird demand, he thought. Maybe she had ulterior motives? Or maybe she's just doing this for fun? After a while, Makoto finally gave up. Well, it's not like the request was dangerous or something.
"Just for a day, this can't stay forever."
"I know. Thanks, b… brother."
"Brother? *chuckle* I thought twins and siblings in general call each other by name?"
"I'm not too sure myself."
"Okay, 'little' Hamu-chan." He said with a smirk, and Hamuko can't help but blush at the nickname.
"Waaaait, why are you calling me little?!"
"Because I'm more mature, obviously," Makoto smirked, teasing her. "It should be obvious that I should be the elder one."
"Huuu…" She sulked, albeit playfully, "Okay, O-nii-san~!."
Unbeknownst to Makoto, the real reason why she had asked him to pretend to be her brother is because of the conversation she heard last night.
…
"Did you see that, Akihiko-san?" Junpei, who was sitting at the end corner of the restaurant with Akihiko, said with a binocular in his hand.
"I don't hear anything." Akihiko said, drinking his soft drink.
"Her lips, I can read it, it says "O-NII-SAN(Big brother)"! It can't be… They knew each other, they hid it from us! I knew it!"
"When did you learn how to read lips? You're being paranoid, Junpei. Why would they hide the fact that they're twins from us anyway?"
"Wait, Shhhh…"
Hamuko Arisato
She ordered a medium set burger, but she knew her portion wasn't enough. Not many people knew she had a big stomach for food. But to let others, especially a boy her age, to know about her big appetite will be embarrassing.
'I can't order too much in front of him…but wait, siblings are supposed to not be embarrassed about each other r-right? I-I'm not doing this because I'm afraid Makoto-kun will see me as a glutton right?!' Hamuko argued with herself in her mind. 'A-anyway, he paid for my food, so ordering too much would be rude…yeah, that's it. That's why! Mhmm.'
Then, when their orders arrived, Hamuko could only stare in shock to see his XXXL size burger towering Hamuko's.
"…Can you eat all that?" Hamuko asked.
"I can and I will."
'H-he is a big eater too!' Hamuko thought.
"Hamu-chan, you can have mine if you want. Don't hold back."
"No, I'm perfectly fine! This is too much for me!" Hamuko laughed, 'That was my favorite set…'
Makoto, like Hamuko, was a quick eater too, already about halfway through his burger. She was already done with her food, but she knew she was still hungry.
"Hamu-chan, open your mouth." Makoto was holding a piece of chip in his fingers, surprising her.
"Eh?"
"Come on, we're siblings for today. No need to feel embarrassed."
"Oh, right!"
"Akihiko-san, look, look!" Junpei called out for the distracted Akihiko as Hamuko nibbling a piece of chip from Makoto's finger cutely, almost like a hamster.
"What is it?" Akihiko was busy checking his phone.
"Oh no, you missed it!"Junpei said with a sigh when she was done eating it.
"You're still hungry right, Hamu-chan?"
"No, I'm not!"
Afternoon – Port Island Station
"What kind of movie do you want to watch, Makoto-nii?"
"A family friendly movie, of course, I can't let my sister watch a romantic movie without me."
"Ehe!"
They both laughed at their own silliness in front of the cinema. Summer time tends to have more movies to watch, but watching on Golden Week wasn't that bad. In the end, they both watch a comedy movie together, stalked by Junpei and Akihiko who entered the cinema as well.
"I'm sure of it, they're siblings…" Junpei said.
Then, Hamuko unconsciously leaned her head on Makoto's shoulder.
"You know what, this is more like a date, don't you think?" Akihiko scratched his head.
"Shhh… the movie's starting…"Junpei hushed him.
"*sigh* I regret following you."
Evening – Paulownia Mall
"Stop!" As they walked, Hamuko stopped in front of Power Record, a music store, "Hold on, I'm going inside."
Leaving Makoto alone, Hamuko dashed into the music store before Makoto could say a word. Since he wasn't in a mood for a new song, he seated himself on the bench not far from the shop, waiting for her.
"Makoto-kun? What are you doing here?"
He turned to his left to see Yukari approaching him.
"I'm sitting, of course."
"Where's Hamuko?"
Makoto pointed his finger to the shop and Yukari nodded. As the same time, Yukari gave a hand signal to Junpei and Akihiko not far from them, telling them to stop getting closer. Makoto noticed this, however. Actually, he had noticed someone stalking him ever since he went out with Hamuko.
"Say, how are you two?" Yukari asked suddenly.
"You asked me to go out with her, so I did, we're fine." Makoto answered.
"So… I've been meaning to ask," Yukari took the chance to ask, "Do you have a sibling?"
'Okay, now I get it…' Makoto finally realized Yukari's motive, 'Let's see…'
Makoto smiled for a brief before he lied, "Yes, I have a sister (For today…)."
"Really?!" Yukari gasped, "Who is it?!"
"Well, you already know..." Makoto stood up, "I should probably check on her. See you later, Yukari."
"O-Of course," Yukari answered as Makoto ran into the shop. When Makoto was outside her range, she stood up, "That can't be true, right?"
Inside the shop, Hamuko was slightly nervous to see him staring at her hand. She was looking for a song, but hadn't found it yet.
"Hamu-chan, what song are you searching for exactly?"
"Nothing, Makoto-nii."
"You sure?"
"Of course!"
In the end, Hamuko and Makoto left the shop empty handed.
"Say…" Hamuko turned to the Karaoke Bar, "Can you sing?"
"No, never."
"Come on! It'll be fun!"
Hamuko and Makoto changed their destination to Mandragora, the Karaoke Bar. They entered into the same room and was given an hour. Junpei and Akihiko followed but Akihiko stopped before they entered.
"You know what? I should leave, Junpei. You're on your own." Akihiko suddenly turned back, his voice suddenly serious.
"Why?! Our operation is still half way!"Junpei begged.
"I have better things to do. Go ask Yukari for help." He pointed towards Yukari who was staring at them, "Then, I'm out."
Akihiko quickly left. It was then he realized Akihiko was chasing after some punk with beanie hat not far from them. When Junpei turned to Yukari, however, she's already escaped the mall, leaving him alone.
"How could you both leave me like this?"
Late Evening – Mandragora
~Kimi no Kioku / Memories of you~:
"Kimiwa ne tashi kani ano toki watashi no soba ni ita,
itsudatte itsudatte itsudatte suguyoko warateita,"
"Nakushitemo torimodosu kimi wo I will never leave you."
"You can sing!" Hamuko said proudly, but Makoto quickly threw aside his microphone and landed on the sofa.
"That really tired me out."
"Aw, I think my big brother is doing pretty good," Hamuko landed on the seat next to him, "By the way, I've been meaning to ask? Where did you find that song called MAZE OF LIFE? When I accidently used your mp3 player, I heard this song… and I'm pretty sure the singer also sang some of the songs in our player."
"*cough*!" Makoto coughed, turning away from her. "Maze of Life", it was a song he managed to download in his world before Father Time sent him to the past. Basically, that song didn't exist at this time. Then, he widened his eyes at the realization as he shifted back to Hamuko.
"So that's what you've been searching at the Power Record. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well, it's your song… So…" Hamuko nervously answered, "I thought if you have the song, then why I can't find it? It's too embarrassing to ask..."
"It's a limited edition, that's why. All you need to do is ask." Makoto answered, hoping it would sound convincing.
"So that's why I never heard it!" Hamuko exclaimed loud and turned to Makoto with a smile, "Can you lend me a copy?"
"I'll die first before that."
"Eh? But you said-" Hamuko looked disappointed.
"I never said I'll give it to you," Makoto said with a smirk, before his face turned to panic when Hamuko stood in front of him, "Hey, I'm kidding-"
"You're the worst, Makoto-kun!" Hamuko went ahead to shake his body violently, albeit comically, temporarily forgetting to call him 'Makoto-nii'.
Makoto Yuki
Late Evening – Port Island Station
"Oh man, I'm so tired…" Junpei said as he hid somewhere not far from them, but not near enough for him to actually hear anything, "What are they saying? I can't hear them…" In the end, Junpei was all alone following them with a tiny camera with him.
"So, anywhere else you want to go?" Makoto asked as they both sat on the bench near the behind the flower bed.
"Hmm, I guess it's time to go home, to our house! I'll cook for dinner! What do you want, Makoto-nii?" Hamuko said playfully.
"Oh…" Makoto finally realized that she knew their dormmates were stalking them. So the reason she asked him to be her twin for today was because she's trying to fool them…which was partially true. He smiled, "Will you cook for me… a melon bread? I'm so tired at school…"
"Hahaha, you can't cook a melon bread!"
"You won't? Then I won't teach you your homework tonight." Makoto smiled at their silly act together on that bench.
"No need, I can do it myself!" Hamuko replied with a laugh, "Let's go home, to our house."
"To our twin sibling lives."
"Together with mom and dad."
"…Yeah…?"
"With mom… mom and dad…"
…
The moment of silence emerged, it was then that they realized they went too far.
"…What am I saying? Mom and dad are not here anymore…" Sorrow filled Hamuko's face.
"Hamuko…" Makoto felt that he didn't need to speak a word, and can only listen to her.
Then, he felt a light weight on his shoulder. It was Hamuko who was leaning her head on it.
"Last night, I heard SEES talk about us." Hamuko began, "They said we might be siblings."
"What do you think?" Makoto responded with a low tone.
"I… I don't know. I returned to this place, to my hometown where I lost my parents. But the moment I saw you, the past suddenly became blurred. It's not that I believe them when they said we could be related, but at the same time I think it's possible because I feel really close to you."
"Hence the act today," Makoto said, "You want to confirm it yourself, and to see if we truly felt like real siblings."
"I've seen too many similarities between you and me these past few days, yet I don't understand why. Maybe we're twins, but we're just too similar."
"Does it bother you?"
"No, actually, I'm happy at the thought of us being twins or related. I won't feel so alone. I just want to know why. So I thought if I get closer to you, maybe I'll find out. Like how I've been searching for a song which you have but I don't. Silly, isn't?"
There's a long pause between them.
"You sure are strong, Makoto," Hamuko said, "We both lost so much, but you're so much stronger than me. It's like you already found your "answer". Why can't I be strong like you?"
"Hamuko," Makoto pulled her face to him, and only then he noticed she was crying, "Listen carefully."
Hamuko Arisato
Even though Hamuko had always been cheerful all the time after her parents' death, there were many times when she craved to have a real family again. She appreciated her parents' relatives that took care of her of course, but they don't spend time with her much and she was taken care of by multiple people, so her attachment to them isn't that strong. That's why, when she realized that there is a slight possibility that Makoto, who was one of her closest friend ever since entering Iwatodai, was her twin brother, she immediately asked him to pretend to be her 'brother' for the day.
…Because, she wanted to know the feeling of spending time with a sibling…a family member…a…precious person…
"The bonds that you forge with your friends, that's your power. Someday, you'll be strong, as strong as me. You don't need to think of me as your brother…just see me as what you've always been seeing me as. I'll always be close to you."
Such a calming presence… She never felt this close to someone ever since she lost her parents. Hamuko looked straight into his eyes as deep as she could when she said.
"Who are you, Makoto?"
"Don't look too close, that's why all you see is a blurred past." Makoto smiled, a true, genuine smile he rarely shown to anyone, "How about you take a step back and look again?"
After that, Hamuko and Makoto stood up. Hamuko stared carefully into his eyes again and again. She wiped her tears and smiled.
"I see a good friend…a very good friend. Thank you, Makoto."
Makoto Yuki
Crash!
Universe Arcana Social Link:
Rank 2
"Say, how about we pretend to be twins again next time?" Hamuko said.
"Seriously? After everything I just told you?" Makoto sighed, but with a smile, "How about pretending to be my lover instead?"
"E-eh?! Makotoooo!"
"I'm kidding."
"…Makoto-kun."
"Yes?"
"Come here for a second…"
Hamuko Arisato
She saw everything today, Junpei with his camera, Akihiko and Yukari, she saw through it all, and it was a terrible act. So, why not trick them a little further, seeing that Junpei's camera was already in standby? She whispered into his ear about her plan. Makoto couldn't help but chuckled. Then, they began their final play with a louder voice for Junpei to hear.
"Makoto-nii, only if we could tell our friends of our origin!"
"But we can't, my little twin sister, or we can never be together… and continue our forbidden love!" They both talk dramatically as they hugged each other.
"If anyone knew of our relationship, we cannot be together!"
"We should keep this secret from everyone, so that we may still love each other without any disturbance."
'HOLY SHIT!' Junpei's camera cracked and Junpei's jaw dropped at their conversation. Panicking, he ran away from them and disappeared, 'It was a mistake, I don't hear anything, I don't hear anything!"
Makoto and Hamuko shifted their eyes towards the running Junpei with utmost satisfaction. Hamuko laughed, finally tricking Junpei of his own action, "We did it, Makoto-"
But Makoto's face was pure white. Hamuko thought he didn't like the hug, "What's wrong…"
But his eyes were staring behind her. She turned around to see them.
"Hamuko-chan…" Rio of the Basketball club and her friends were staring at them after they finished their shopping. They gasped, turning to each other with a shocked expression. She and Makoto stared back at them with the heaviest and most awkward expression they could ever give.
"This… this is not what it looks like…" Hamuko said, begging them to understand, but Makoto was already pulling her hand and dragging her away.
Night – Iwatodai Dorm
They both returned to the dorm, only to be stopped by voices of someone arguing over something at the front door. When they opened the door, Junpei, Akihiko and Yukari were arguing, watched by Mitsuru and Ikutsuki.
"What kind of nonsense is that?!" Akihiko shouted, "Don't you see? They went for a date!"
"I don't know, I just heard Makoto said he had a sister! Maybe it's a lie!" Yukari said.
"Guy, guys, no! They're both, they're twins AND lovers!" Junpei said, "It's a forbidden love!"
"Wait, there they are!" Yukari turned to the door with the rest. They received a powerful glare from each of them.
"…Pfff, *chuckle*." Makoto couldn't hold his small laughter. Hamuko as well, laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
"Ehehe, I'm so sorry, guys!"
SEES could only watch them with dumbfounded expressions.
A/N: Chapter 2 of Paradox arc is done, which I never expect to be this long. This chapter was meant to "lock" the bond between Hamuko and Makoto so that it'll be easier to develop their relationship, add with revisiting the important place. But mainly, this chapter was simply a stress reliever. Just so you know, "Maze of Life" is a song from "Persona Q: Shadow of Labyrinth". I'm planning to continue the 'Paradox Arc' for a few more chapters, perhaps until Minato reach rank 5 Social Link before we start 'War Arc'. So for now, good luck waiting for another long month.