Paradox Arc:
Chapter 35: A Trip to Remembrance
Makoto Yuki
Dark Hour – 7/7/2019 - Shirakawa Boulevard, Tatsumi Port Island
He remembered this. Yeah, how could anyone forget about this night? It was the night SEES battled with Arcana Hierophant and Lover in this love hotel.
Let's see, he was on the bed, someone was in the shower as far as he remembered. That's right, Yukari. She's inside the shower. Having experienced this situation once, he knew Yukari will exit the shower any moment now. Preparing not to see her in a towel, Makoto faced away from the bathroom entrance just as he heard the running water stopped. Sitting on the bed, Makoto fake-coughed, listening to the sound of Yukari covering herself with a towel and exiting the shower.
"Yukari, change into your battle suit, quickly. Don't worry, I don't see anything."
It was a long silence until 'she' suddenly spoke.
"W-Why would you think I'm Yukari?"
"…?"
He turned to the girl with only a towel covering her body. It's not Yukari.
"…Hamuko?"
"Why would you think I'm Yukari, Makoto-kun?"
"I guess I'm mistaken." Makoto looked at her while trying to suppress his shock. It was Hamuko with her hair down and her bare skin exposed to him. It was then he realized he was also exposed, with a single sheet of towel to cover, "Wait, where's my… I'm sorry about that."
"But why Yukari? You won't even look at me." Hamuko began to lose her patience, who was equally confused, "Is there something between you two?"
"Well…" Makoto said, before he suddenly shifted his eyes somewhere, making Hamuko curious. "Hamuko, your towel…"
"What now?" Hamuko said as she approached him.
"Hamuko, your towel fell down…" He said as he struggled to hide his red face and closed his eyes.
"!"
Her body, completely exposed, was right in front of Makoto.
"AH!"
Hamuko Arisato
Afternoon - 9/7/2009 – Gekkoukan High, Tatsumi Port Island
Last night was a full moon operation, where SEES successfully confronted and defeated Hierophant and Lover Arcana shadow. Though, she knew she and Makoto were strangely overhyping the fight, summoning personas non-stop as if they were releasing their anger, added with a red hand mark on Makoto's cheek. They said none of what happened last night to the rest of the team, and they make sure it never will.
Hamuko glanced at Makoto who was sitting next to her in the classroom, with the class still in session. Makoto looked rather calm for what had happened, which annoyed her because the image of him in a towel still haunted her till this moment. She buried her red face in her arms, knowing that the image was printed permanently on her mind.
'That was too embarrassing…' She mused under her breath, 'How can he look so relaxed?'
The teacher at front reminded the student of the incoming exam, but Hamuko was too preoccupied with the last night event. She didn't notice the bell that signed the end of class until Yukari approached her desk.
"Hey, you guys, can I ask you something?" Yukari looked at her and Makoto with a pair of fast eyes, "Did something happened last night?"
"Nothing." Hamuko and Makoto said simultaneously, at the same time averting their eyes from each other.
"Don't need to lie to me. I know you two were best buddies, so seeing you two not talking to each other is way too obvious. Right, Junpei?" Yukari turned to the quiet Junpei, but he strangely shoved it aside, even though he is the one who was usually supposed to be the most curious.
"Oh, I don't care…" Junpei said in a slightly harsh tone, which surprised Hamuko and Yukari as they looked at each other. Makoto however, looked rather calm inside his arms while listening to his mp3 player.
"Just leave him; he'll be fine in no time," Makoto said in a calm tone as if he knew the reason. However, Hamuko wasn't comfortable with his lack of reaction, which made her avoided her eyes off him.
"A-Anyway, if you want to talk, I'll be happy to listen." Yukari gave a weak smile before dashing back to her seat. Hamuko plugged in her mp3 player as well then burying her head in her arms.
Makoto Yuki
Late Evening – 9/7/2009 – Iwatodai New Dorm
'That is both the most embarrassing and awkward thing I've ever experienced in this world.' Makoto thought as he exited the bath with a slight redness on his cheeks, 'Embarrassing because we both were only with our towel, awkward because she is 'me'.'
After a quick bath, Makoto hurriedly returned to his room, only to encounter Hamuko again at the staircase. Makoto put a steady face, walking to his room without making eye contact with her.
"Hey!" Hamuko suddenly said with a very low tone, grabbing Makoto's shirt. Her face was red, "You didn't tell anyone about what happen yesterday, right?"
"As if," Makoto replied in quick response, keeping his poker face, "Now I need a bed."
"One more thing," Hamuko stopped him again, her face looked completely serious, "Last night, were you expecting Yukari to come out of the bath?"
"…" Makoto looked stunned, then quickly fake coughed to answer, "Like I said, I was mistaken."
"How are you mistaken?"
"Don't know, must be the shadows' curse."
"Or maybe…" Hamuko pressed her chin and stared, "…you like her. Is that why you rejected Fuuka-chan?"
"…What?" Makoto was dumbstruck by her question, "I like her as a friend, a good friend, nothing more. Besides, this has nothing to do with Fuuka."
Hamuko was eyeing him with a mysterious smile like she held some secret inside it. Makoto can see that she was thinking about something, but he couldn't guess. "Be sure to tell me if there's any problem."
"I'll see to it."
They both parted away, returning to their respective room. Makoto thought a lot about what Hamuko said to him as he sat thinking on his chair in front of his desk.
Hamuko Arisato
After school – 11/7/2009 – Gekkoukan High
There will be an exam next week, so she tried to put an extra attention to class. Of course, every time she looked at Yukari during the class, she wondered about Makoto's behavior during that full moon night. Maybe, as he said, there was nothing, but after making friends with tons of people, she always found small details to help someone as it is in her nature. If there's something bothering him, she wanted to know. In fact, she felt that Makoto was very hard to read. Maybe he likes her, but refused to admit it?
"Huh?" Hamuko checked his phone and realized it was Mitsuru, informing about Ikutsuki coming today for a meeting. Although she didn't understand his reason, Makoto's words a few months ago resonated in her mind, "I wonder why Makoto doesn't like Ikutsuki…"
Evening – Iwatodai Dorm
All members of the team were in the meeting room, listening to the speech from Ikutsuki and Mitsuru. Ikutsuki claimed the possibility of ending the Dark Hour by defeating all 12 Arcana shadows, plus the truth that Kirijo was responsible for the formation of Tartarus and Dark Hour 10 years ago.
Hamuko was listening in focus, but at the same time, she was observing Yukari's face and wondered how Makoto could have mistaken her for the brunette. Ah, it was frustrating to recap the situation. Why Yukari, but not her?
'Wait a sec! Why am I thinking of wanting Makoto to see me naked?' Hamuko covered her face that was starting to glow red, 'He's my friend! That's not how a friend is! See?'
To her surprise, when she glanced at the blue-haired boy sitting next to her, he was looking right back at her, as if reading her embarrassed expression in confusion. Hamuko's face glowed even redder by his stoic gaze.
"You okay, Hamuko-chan?" He asked. Hamuko pretended not to hear and shifted her attention to the talking Ikutsuki.
"Alright, that concludes our meeting today." Mitsuru, still saddened by the reminiscence of her family, said. Despite her troubled mind, Hamuko knew she had to listen thoughtfully as the leader of the team. But the image of Makoto and her being naked together was stuck in her mind like a parasite. Why didn't Makoto felt the same and stayed calm?
And three days later, the final exam began before summer vacation. Mitsuru promised something she would love to experience during the holiday to forget the event.
The Yakushima trip.
Makoto Yuki
20/7/2009 – Rooftop
He watched gently at the girl sitting on the bench facing the sky. He didn't know what kind of conversation to begin with, as he believed there was nothing to talk about. For some reason, this dream of him and she seemed to happen every now and then, but this moment was vivid, unlike any other nights.
After a while, he approached her, giving up on waiting for her response. A glance on her sour face answered him immediately. She rested both hands lazily on her lap, puffing her cheeks upon noticing him.
"Do you like someone else?"
She said, burying her face in her hair as she reached out her hand and softly tugging his arm collar. He was quite surprised when it happened, and much more when she finally faced him with a sad face.
"Makoto-kun?"
"Yes?" He replied.
"Makoto-kun?"
"What is it?"
"MAKOTO-KUN!"
Daytime – 20/7/2009 – Ferry heading to Yakushima Island
"What?!" He jumped from his resting chair to see Hamuko standing in front of him, both hands resting upon her waist.
"Don't sleep now, come and see the view. We're about to arrive!" She said before running off outside, leaving him in the resting room. Annoyed, he crept up from his chair and went outside with the rest. He never thought it could be as beautiful as he remembered it. The island seemed far from here in the middle of the sea. The rest of the team were observing the environment as he approached and leaned on the ledge next to Hamuko. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was heavy due to the meeting last week, especially Mitsuru and Yukari, who were gloomy for the entire trip. Junpei was the only one trying to hype up the mood, but only in vain.
"Look, that's the island!" Hamuko pointed towards the island in forced excitement, trying to lift up the mood. Makoto's unimpressed expression killed it instantly. Hamuko sighed, gazing towards the sea in disappointment, "Hah, at least pretend to be excited for a moment…"
Seeing her in this state made it hard to believe that she was the same girl who asked for his affection in his dream. He couldn't help comparing her, all the more reason to since the dreams helped to resurface the first dream he had with her months ago.
"What are you looking at?" Hamuko asked after finally noticing him staring at something. He quickly looked away, avoiding her stare.
'Was he looking at me, or…?' She mused as she turned to the other side, where Yukari was seen sulking at the corner. Meanwhile, Makoto already went back to his room, preparing his swimsuit for the upcoming beach scene.
Hamuko Arisato
Daytime – 20/7/2009 – Beach
"Urgh…"
Hamuko groaned as she walked to the beach. After remembering the look on the mirror back in the mansion, she wasn't sure if she's looked good enough. But still, today was the day to enjoy, not to think about the bad stuff.
Upon arriving there, Akihiko and Junpei were already there talking to each other, with Junpei being extremely excited about today. Makoto was standing not far from there, watching them with a smile, until he noticed her and gave a face of astonishment upon her figure. Yukari came just as Hamuko arrived at the scene.
"Ah, got my sandals on… Giving my feet a chance to breathe… Yup! Summer's here!" Junpei said excitedly.
"Urgh, could he be any louder…?" Yukari responded in annoyance. She proceeded to comment on Akihiko's swimsuit, but the boxer seemed unflustered by it. As expected, Junpei began his perverted comments on Yukari and her.
"Say hello to contestant number 1! As you can see, she chose a bold design, quite unexpected!" He said, impressed, before turning to Hamuko and eyeing her figure, "And checked out contestant number 2, our leader, she's like a cute mermaid herself! Those curves she usually kept covered up are looking good! I can't tear my eyes away!"
While Junpei was busy commenting on Fuuka and Mitsuru who came shortly after, Hamuko was busy observing Makoto who was looking at the team. Remembering the event on the ferry, she was wondering if he's gazing at Yukari again. Instead, to her surprise, she saw a pair of blue lonely eyes belonging to a boy who was losing himself in his thoughts. She clenched her arm and wondered…
Then, she felt a slight chill, as if someone was watching her. She turned to the thick forest behind her, but it faded slowly afterward. She thought it might be her imagination until Makoto suddenly walked in a fast pace towards the direction she's looking at with a serious expression, before he stopped and calmed down. There's no denying it, she was sure that he felt that too.
Makoto Yuki
Daytime – 20/7/2009 – Beach
Instead of playing in the water, Makoto chose to lean on the sand not far from where they were playing. Sometimes, he lifted his head and glanced at the team. Watching his friends playing without worries sure placed a smile on his face, but he knew it all, about the 'truth' that will be revealed to them tonight, especially Yukari, who will be devastated by the truth of her father. When he looked at her again, he remembered how much she missed him in his original world, but he had a mission in this world. Trying not to think too much, he leaned back to the sand, only to see a shadow blocking the sun and a face gazing down at him.
"Is she pretty?"
"!" He jumped back to his seat to see Hamuko bending down her legs to see him. He growled, palming his face in annoyance for getting surprised. Hamuko, on the other hand, giggled at his reaction.
"Don't do that again," Makoto warned with a strong tone.
"Ehe, are you embarrassed to look at me up close?" She teased.
"I've seen everything already in the hotel…" He replied, which earned him a strong karate chop right across the head. "Sorry…" He maintained his composure, despite the pain. Hamuko, with her face as red as a tomato, gently sat next to him and shared a moment of silence together.
"Do you think she's pretty?" Hamuko repeated herself.
"Who?" Makoto responded, lost at the moment.
"I mean Yukari-chan, who else? You're been looking at her for a while."
'Oh, she noticed?' Makoto thought, but had no reason to lie, "Yeah, she is attractive."
"Oh…" She responded rather weakly before pausing to stare at Yukari, then returned her eyes to Makoto.
"Do you like-" Hamuko said, but quickly cut her words with another, "I mean, why are you looking at her like that?"
"Well," Makoto rested his chin on his knee, "I guess I pity her for the hardships she went through. If someone she loves and believed for so long suddenly left her, she'll be too weak to withstand the lost unless someone was there to hold her. That's why she often pushed others away. But we can support her, Hamuko-chan, because we three shared parental issues, so she'll be more open towards us," Makoto leaned back towards the sand and closed his eyes, "But I'm sure you can do better. After all, you're the leader."
Hamuko remained motionless by the statement from Makoto, before she chuckled, "Wow, I had no idea you understand her so well. Even I didn't know that. It's like… you've known her for a long time."
"Maybe."
"But, listening to your words made me feel like I understand her too. Then…"
Hamuko stood up and posed with her hand raised high, "As the leader of SEES, I'll make sure I won't leave any of my teammates behind!"
"Hamuko…" Makoto gazed at her with a sudden heartbreak, knowing the fact that she will, unavoidably, leave everyone behind. His chest tightened, and he felt like he wanted to tell her everything, but he promised Igor, and how could she believe him? "Don't swallow your words later, you hear me?"
"Hehe, that's my promise!" Hamuko laughed, then quickly jumped from the sand and faced him, "I guess I'll go play with them now. Don't get sunburned, okay?"
Makoto could only stay quiet as he observed her running towards the rest of the team.
Evening – Entrance of Kirijo mansion
"It's been a while," Mitsuru greeted with a faint smile towards the man who is her father, Takeharu Kirijo. Takeharu Kirijo, however, was sharp and knew the intention of her trip here, in Yakushima.
"…I heard you told them about the accident. Why did you hide it for so long?" Takeharu went straight to the point, demanding answers from his daughter. Their conversations continued for a while before Takeharu demanded to see the entire team.
"One more thing," Takeharu added, "I know you're trying to find something else when you accessed my database. It's about that boy, Makoto Yuki, was it?"
"Yes," Mitsuru replied, "I… had doubts about his origin, so I wanted to find more."
"I agree. And I found something truly shocking about him and the leader, Hamuko Arisato."
"?" Mitsuru raised her eyes, curious. But Takeharu shook his head.
"But it's not important for now, I'll tell you when I have the chance."
And they both left for the reception room to gather the team.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening – Reception room, Yakushima mansion
It was a sudden invitation from Mitsuru to gather the entire team in the reception room, with the presence of her father too. Takeharu began to explain about the true intention of the Kirijo's group to SEES, about how Mitsuru's grandfather wanted to create a time manipulating device to control future until madness led them to stray from their original purpose. Then, he played an old footage on the large monitor in the room.
"To end this nightmare, you must eliminate all of them!"
The voice of the scientist begged in the video, and Hamuko swore she heard Makoto growling as he palmed his face as if he was annoyed by it, noticeable by Mitsuru and Hamuko when they both turned to him. But they quickly returned their eyes to the screen.
"It is all my fault…"
As the footage ended, Yukari suddenly jumped from her seat and revealed the identity of the scientist, much to the team's shock. Takeharu revealed the entire truth to Yukari, much to her dismay.
"So that means… my dad caused it all…?" Yukari responded on the verge of breaking, "So that's why you were hiding this? Because you felt sorry for me? It that it?!"
The rest were panicked by the outburst from Yukari, "I don't want your pity!"
Yukari ran off outside before anyone could stop her.
"Hamuko… Please go after her…" Mitsuru turned to Hamuko, the leader of the team. She remembered Makoto's word a while that morning, on how she may only open up to her and Makoto. She looked at Makoto to see his response, and he immediately nodded to encourage her to do so.
'But…' She thought a lot about what he said this morning, on how much he understood Yukari for who she is. All of it made her felt like he had some sort of feeling for her.
There's only one way to find out.
"Makoto-kun, come with me."
"…Eh?" Makoto stared blankly at her for a second, "But I think you should go alone."
"Just come with me!"
Hamuko dragged Makoto by the collar, and he was lazy to retaliate.
Beach
"Okay, this is your chance," Hamuko said to Makoto when they both saw Yukari alone at the beach who was unaware of them.
"Hamuko-chan, you're the leader. You said you won't leave anybody behind. So, prove it, prove to me that you have the strength to do it."
"Makoto-kun," Hamuko replied as she smiled, "But you want to comfort her too, right? I can see it in your eyes how much she meant to you."
"Hamuko-chan…" Makoto wanted to respond, but Hamuko pushed him out of the bushes towards Yukari, which she immediately noticed him.
"Ah, Makoto-kun, it's you," Yukari said. Hamuko, hiding behind the bushes and palm tree, was observing them and listening carefully to their conversation. He was right, everything he said about Yukari was right on the mark, so much that he knew everything she would say.
Then, Yukari rested her body on Makoto, while Makoto was stroking her hair to comfort her. "Believe in your father." were the words that returned the smile on Yukari's face before she removed herself from him. Hamuko smiled, confident that she made the right decision.
"Pssst, what happened?" A voice whispered next to her.
"They're doing fine- AH!"
She shrieked and blew her cover, revealing Junpei was the one next to her. Makoto and Yukari stared in surprised at the two figures.
"Wait, why are you guys here?" Yukari asked.
"Just wondering what took you so long. It's almost Dark Hour, we're waiting for you at the mansion!" Junpei said, warning them. They all quickly rush towards the mansion, not before she felt a presence of someone watching her.
Daytime – 21/7/2009 – Forest
Hamuko and the rest of the girls were visiting a large cryptomeria tree, which is said to be a world heritage side. Due to Junpei's attitude yesterday, the girls wanted a private trip of their own.
"Ah, the air is so fresh…" Fuuka commented as they walked through the woods, "I never thought a walk in the woods could be so enjoyable. You can't do this in Iwatodai."
Unfortunately, last night event left Yukari and Mitsuru completely awkward as they walked next to each other. Fuuka tried to cheer the mood but failed. Until suddenly, Mitsuru received a phone call from Ikutsuki.
"Well, I'm at the lab here on the island…" Ikutsuki explained, "And a machine that was considered inoperable suddenly left the facility on its own."
Ikutsuki referred to it as Anti-Shadow weapon, a machine that escaped to somewhere on this island. Yukari wanted to call the boy's group, but, for some reason, no one was answering. Where could they be?
Makoto Yuki
Daytime – 21/7/2009 – Beach
"This say, 'We've gone to see the Jyomon-Cedar Tree." Junpei read the notice Akihiko received in the morning. Knowing Junpei, he began to nag like a child before he was scolded by Akihiko.
Since he knew the girls will be having their own trip today in the forest, Makoto will have to join in Junpei's stupid "Operation Babe Hunt" on the beach. Though, he knew the result too well. But for now, he'll let Junpei and Akihiko have their fun.
"Don't bother us."
"Boring…"
"Don't get in my way of tan…"
As expected, they failed, though they did meet a strange woman with a revealing bikini and unknown age, which he didn't remember seeing in his past life.
"Hey, boys~! Want to join me in bed~?! I'll take good care of you~!"
"AAAHHHHHH! RETREAT GUYS, RETREAT!"
But it all was bound to fail in the end. Though, while Junpei was busy picking up girls, his own chest was pumping for a second chance to meet with one of the closest friend he ever had… once again.
Then, finally, Junpei caught glimpse of a girl on the bridge. Makoto felt like his heart skipped a beat, happy to see her being just the same as he remembered.
"Talk about saving the best for last!" Junpei said as the three of them were hiding behind a rock, "Alright, we're going for rock-paper- scissors. Who's first-"
Without waiting for Junpei and Akihiko, Makoto walked right on the bridge and approached her, much to their shock. "Woah, woah! Wait!"
It felt like the slowest walk ever, but his heart was finally calm. He gently stood right behind her and greeted…
"Hi, Aigis."
"!" Aigis turned to her back to see him, clearly shocked, "You are…"
"Wait, she's looking at him, but I can't hear what he said!" Junpei said, "Let's get closer!"
The moment Junpei and Akihiko entered the bridge, Aigis began her initialization.
"Initiating evasive maneuver. Confirmation must be made at a secure locat-"
Before she could finish, Aigis faced the forest, as if detecting something. She quickly ran towards the forest, leaving the three behind.
"What just happen?!" Junpei said.
"Did you just score her on the first try?" Akihiko said, "What did you say to her?"
"I'm going after her first," Makoto replied, before running towards the forest, followed by Junpei and Akihiko afterward.
Hamuko Arisato
Forest
How embarrassing for her to get lost and separated from the rest of the girls, but it seemed she did reach the so-called heritage tree, but-
"Hmmm?" She felt it again, someone was watching her, but this time it was much closer. When she looked carefully, there was a girl in a dress watching her behind the sign post of the heritage tree, "Hello?"
"Now I am certain… I have found you."
The girl suddenly… embraced her?
"I have been searching for you. My highest priority is to be with you!"
"Eh?" Hamuko responded, still in the girl's hug, "What do you mean I'm your highest priority?"
"I think maybe she wants to protect you."
"!"
Out of nowhere, Makoto came walking with a smile on his face towards them. He chuckled, for some reason, while mumbling something under his breath, "Silly me. It was you she should protect, not me-"
"Confirmation two, identified. I will be with you too!"
The girl used another arm and pulled Makoto into her embrace along with Hamuko, almost making her suffocate. Makoto's face was so pale like he just realized something huge. It was awkward, the two of them stuck together in the girl's arm where Makoto and she both stared each other in the eyes.
"Makoto-kun, please tell me what happen? Why is she hugging us?"
"I don't even know where to start…"
"What just happen?!" Junpei screamed as he and Akihiko both arrived at the scene, "How did he score her in one try and… Wait a second, Hamu-chan, why is she hugging you?"
"What are you doing here?" Akihiko asked Hamuko. To face him, she and Makoto had to spin around since the girl in the blue dress refused to let go of them both. Then, came the rest of the girls, finally finding her but were shocked as well to see the mysterious girl hugging both Hamuko and Makoto. It was an uproar until Ikutsuki entered the scene to conclude it.
That girl was Aigis, the Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, now an official member of SEES. And… she took a huge interest in her and Makoto…
Evening – 23/7/2009 – Hidden Alley, Tatsumi Port Island
"Then, tell us."
A pale man with a revolver and platinum blonde hair demand answers from Shinjiro Aragaki, as they stood alone, along with two other followers. Shinjiro still held the pills inside his pocket tightly as he was taunted by the pale young man. Eventually, he told them of SEES's idea of erasing the Dark Hour, which immediately angered the pale man.
"They want to take out the Tower of Demise?!" The pale young man lashed in anger before a smart-looking guy next him calmed him down. Eventually, they left the alley, leaving Shinjiro all alone.
"I can't go back…" Shinjiro mused to himself, "Not after what happen-"
"Don't bottle everything inside you. You're more than welcome to be here and share with us your trouble. Don't say you don't care, because someone cares about you."
"Urgh…" Shinjiro clenched his teeth when he remembered Hamuko's words to him.
"We care about you because you're Akihiko-san's friend. I care about you, so come and visit us later."
"Tch… Dammit, I can't forget about that girl…" He hissed annoyedly as he scratched his head, "Why does she care so much about me? Why do I… why do I feel like I want to see her again?"
Makoto Yuki
Early Morning – 24/7/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
"Good morning. Please wake up."
Makoto didn't to open his eyes to know who's the voice inside his room. Laying in his bed with his eyes still shut, he smiled and greeted her.
"Morning, Aigis. Here to monitor me?"
"Yes, I shall protect both of you from now on."
"Hmmm? What do you mean both-" When he opened his eyes, however, he was frozen to see Hamuko, still in her nightgown, sleeping next to him on his bed with her face literally inches away from his face. Her face was so close, he could feel her breath as she slept and her rather long unkempt hair covering half of her face. They even shared the same blanket, as if they actually slept on the same bed last night.
"…Hamuko's here?" Makoto asked, unaware of his face that was already red, "How did she get in my room?"
"To ensure that I can protect both of you, I quietly carried her last night when she slept to your room and put her on your bed together. I apologize for not bringing an extra blanket. Right, I should wake her up."
"Aigis, stop!"
"Hmmm…" It was too late when she yawned and opened her eyes to see Makoto literally sweating, "Makoto-kun?"
It took her a few seconds to scream.
"What are you doing in my room?!"
"This is my room."
"Why am I in your room?!"
"Aigis brought you here."
"Did you kidnap me?!"
"I don't even know you're here!"
They both were struggling on the bed with Hamuko standing on top of him and slamming the pillow on Makoto while Makoto was gripping her wrists to stop her. Aigis stood quietly next to them, wondering the conflict.
"What is the cause of this situation?" Aigis asked casually before there was a knock on the door. It seemed to be Yukari.
"Makoto-kun, are you awake? That girl is missing, Hamuko-chan too. I need your help to find them. Wait, what's that noise?"
"I am not a girl," Aigis opened the door for Yukari, allowing her to witness the entire situation. Makoto and Hamuko turned to the door when the door was opened, forcing them to stop.
"Aigis, what are you doing here-" Yukari paused when she saw Hamuko on top of Makoto. As if the time was stopped for a while, Yukari finally backed away from the door.
"Y-You can continue whatever you were doing, I won't disturb you two."
"Yukari, wait!" Hamuko screamed just as Yukari shut the door, watched by Aigis who was clueless to their action.
Hamuko Arisato
Early Morning – 24/9/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
"Alright, I understand. I was shocked, though, to see you two on the bed like that," Yukari replied on the breakfast table after listening to the explanation. Makoto, Hamuko, Mitsuru, Fuuka, and Junpei were there sitting around the table, with Aigis standing in between the seats of Makoto and Hamuko. After sharing the same bed for the night, Hamuko and Makoto couldn't look each other in the eyes without feeling awkward. Junpei was the only one that was intrigued by the story, but Mitsuru scolded before he went overboard.
"Hey, I'm just asking. No need to get stiff with me," Junpei replied as he drank his soft drink.
"Let's just forget about it, okay?" Fuuka said.
"Aigis, we will give you a room, so I hope that this incident will never repeat," Mitsuru warned. Aigis, however, seemed to disagree.
"May I have a request?"
"Yes? What do you need, Aigis?"
"May I have Makoto Yuki and Hamuko Arisato living in the same room from now on?"
"Pfff!" Junpei, who was drinking his soft drink, gushed out the water from his mouth when he heard it. Mitsuru, Fuuka, Makoto, and Hamuko were stunned by those words.
"I believe that by placing them in the same room, I can protect both of them more effectively. I would like to have Makoto Yuki in Hamuko Arisato's room as of today-"
"NO!" Hamuko and Makoto objected strongly.
Morning - Iwatodai Port Station
"I'm sorry about that, Yukari-chan," Hamuko said as they both took the train to school together.
"It's fine; not your fault," Yukari replied before she grinned, "How can you not woke up after being carried like that?"
"Maybe I'm a bit too tired yesterday," Hamuko answered embarrassingly with a laugh before she began asking some serious question, "By the way, what did you two talk about back at the beach that night?"
"Ah, don't remind me that!" Yukari blushed, lowering her voice and warning her to do the same, "Nothing much, he basically comforted me… That's all. I guess he understands me pretty well, but don't you go tell anyone about this, okay?"
"That's Makoto-kun, alright. He does understand people well."
"No, it's…" Yukari explained, "I don't know how to describe it, but I feel like… I've known him for a long time. He feels… close, even though we don't really talk much, to begin with. I guess it's probably my imagination."
"Do you like him?" Hamuko asked a question that accidently came out of her mouth, 'Why are you asking her, idiot?' She mumbled to herself.
"M-Me, liking him?" She stuttered with her cheeks red, unsure herself, "M-Maybe not. But there's these feeling of déjà vu like I'd once liked him, but no? I-I mean, it's like you like someone without even knowing it yourself. Ah, what am I saying? Besides, he rejected Fuuka, I think. Maybe he already had someone he likes?"
"Who else can it be, then?" Hamuko said, curious to know more about the girl who could capture that man's heart, just as they arrived at their station.
Makoto Yuki
Afterschool – 25/7/2009 – Road to Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
He was selected as one of the athletes to compete against another school in his club, and he vaguely remembered competing in a match in his world too. It seemed that Hamuko was also selected to go to a training camp, outside Tatsumi Port Island.
"Outside the island? Where is it then?" Makoto asked her on the way home.
"I'm not sure, but I heard they held the training in a town called… Yasoinaba."
He almost missed his steps and fell when he heard the name. To hear the name of that place, where his fellow persona users were, felt like fate had come to remind him of the danger in his world again and again, even though he never did forget.
"Are you okay, Makoto-kun? You almost fell!"
"I'm fine, don't worry. It's just, I think I heard of that town before. It's not fair, I have to train in this island while you get to travel to another town."
"Ehe, are you going to miss me?" Hamuko asked.
"Hmm? Of course I will," Makoto replied. Hamuko coughed as her cheeks reddened, before chuckling at his answer.
"You're supposed to say it to the girl you like," Hamuko responded relaxingly as she strolled down the road. The girl he likes? He didn't even know how to react to that. He did maximize his social links in his world, he did capture the heart of many girls. But the girl he truly likes? Was there anyone?
Then he focused his eyes on Hamuko in front of him, the girl sharing his fate, the girl sharing his life, and eventually… his sacrifice. How far did she feel about their relationship? How long did he need to maximize his social link with her?
"What if I don't like anyone?" Makoto asked.
"Don't you?" Hamuko responded, "I can't help it if that's true. But if you do, I'll support you. Doesn't matter if it's Yukari or Mitsuru, or anyone else. Let me know."
"Stop trying to pair me with Yukari," Makoto replied annoyedly as he thought, 'She's not my Yukari, and I don't want to leave her heartbroken.'
"Okay," Hamuko said, "But eventually, you will find someone you like."
Makoto remembered the first thing she said to him in his dream. Following the incident at Yakushima, he noticed something, "Hamuko-chan, can I ask something?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you care so much about who I like?"
…
She stopped her tracks, her face darkened, her lip was stiff, and she was frozen in place. She looked at him with weak eyes, caught off guard by that question. Her gaze reached the ground, speechless.
Hamuko Arisato
Afterschool – 25/7/2009 – Road to Iwatodai Dorm
She understood that she wouldn't want to miss Makoto Yuki as a friend, she acknowledged it long ago. But, why did she care? What was it that she afraid of?
"Because we're…" She caught her tongue before she finished it.
-'Because we're best friends.'
-'Why not?'
-'Well, what do you think of us?'
None of those things she wanted to say escaped her mouth. So, she bit her lips and smiled.
"I just want to know who would take care of you when I'm not around."
"That's a lie," Makoto pulled her hand and stared at her with a piercing gaze, reading her expression.
"What if…" Makoto, in all seriousness, said in a calm voice, "What if it was yo-"
She felt a cold wind when he said it, but…
"Makoto Yuki, and Hamuko Arisato, you are here," A voice reached them from afar, surprising them. They quickly separated themselves when they saw Aigis approaching them, "I detected your presence together outside the dorm, so I get here as fast as I could."
"Eh? Aigis-san, you're not supposed to be out here," Hamuko said, observing her dress that she wore back in Yakushima, "Mitsuru-san is going to be mad."
"I have informed Mitsuru of my situation, to ensure that I can protect you both."
"…Why both of us?" She asked, "Why do you want to protect the two of us so badly?"
"I am not sure, but you two are meant to be together, and I shall never separate you both."
"But…" Hamuko's mind goes blank when Aigis said that. Meant to be together? What does that mean?
"It's getting late, we should head inside," Makoto said calmly, but not her, her mind was a mess.
"Guys," Hamuko said, "I'll be back home later, I got something I need to do."
"Wait, where are you going?" Makoto asked curiously.
"Don't worry, I'll be back! Tell Mitsuru-san I'll be late!" Hamuko said before she dashed away, leaving the team. She didn't know what to say, she didn't know how to respond. All she could do was leave the dorm and gathered her thoughts. But she didn't know where to go…
Then, one place slipped her mind, a room that she hadn't visited recently.
Velvet Room
"Hamuko-sama, I'm sorry, but Master Igor is currently absent." Theodore bowed humbly. It was the first time she saw Igor's absence in the room, but there's always next time.
"It's alright," Hamuko replied, seeing as he seemed to be in a weak mood today, probably because of the loneliness, "Have you ever stepped out of this room?"
"A few times, but never at Tatsumi Port Island," Theodore answered, but he seemed to be reminded of something from his eyes, "Though I would love to explore this place."
"Then…" Hamuko glanced at her watch and see the night was still young. Besides, she didn't want to return anytime soon, "How about I show you around?"
"Splendid!" Theodore said joyfully, "Will it be a date?" Hamuko pretended to not hear that question.
Paulownia didn't have much to enjoy for Theo, even with karaoke, CD store or food. Though, he took a special interest in the fountain, dropping a few coins in the water with questions of its charm. Hamuko had a surprisingly fun time showing him around, even dragging him out of the mall to their next destination.
Late Evening - Iwatodai Station
"To think it is as delicious as they said!" Theodore said, chewing down the hot takoyaki he brought from Octopia shop, while proudly showing off the takoyaki cell phone strap that he received from the cook, which he refused to lend towards Hamuko.
"You never tasted it before?" Hamuko asked, poking another hot takoyaki with her stick.
"My sister tasted it before, and she told me how good it is."
"Your sister?" Hamuko raised her eyebrows, "I didn't know you had a sister! Did she already taste this takoyaki before?"
"Hmph!" Theodore nearly choked on the takoyaki he ate before he answered, "O-Of course! She loves it!"
"Does that mean she's been here before? I would love to meet her," Hamuko smiled, but Theodore's smile suddenly faded, much to her surprise.
"Let's walk a bit more," Theodore suggested as he stood up.
Night – Port Island Station
"My sister, she…" Theodore sat together with her on a bench with Hamuko after they walked further, "She's been here before, with a man guiding her around. That was, of course, a long time ago, once too."
"Who's that man, her boyfriend?"
"…I don't know," Theodore looked oddly at her as if he was trying to hide something. Then he looked down, "But she's been far away, so I don't know if I got a chance to ask her anymore."
Hamuko realized her question somehow saddened him greatly that it clearly expressed on his eyes, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried too much."
"No, it's alright. I'm glad to speak with you, Hamuko-sama."
Naganaki Shrine
Theodore was checking the playground as Hamuko watched him silently at the corner. Then, Theodore spoke.
"Is this what they call a date?" Theodore asked, "I honestly don't see how it is any different from Social Links."
"Maybe you're right," Hamuko smiled, "But you only date when you and your companion like each other. It's… love, I guess."
Theodore turned to her with powerful eyes, "About your question… To be honest, I lacked the knowledge, but my sister apparently is willing to do anything for him. She sacrificed all of her to free that man from the oblivion, and to be with him. Does it mean she loves him?"
"That's… love! I'm sure of it…" She remembered Akihiko's face when he confessed to her a month ago. Then, Makoto's face flashed before her, before she shrugged it off, "She must have loved him that much. I wonder who he might be."
"I see…" Theodore broke a bright smile, "I guess I understand her a little. Perhaps that was her social link. Ah, Hamuko-sama, I should be going now. Igor should be in the room soon."
Theodore decided to return to where he came before turning to Hamuko once again, "Mind if I ask? What do you think of Makoto Yuki?"
"Makoto-kun?" Hamuko was slightly surprised to hear Theodore spoke of his name, and she didn't know how to response, "I think he's… a good friend that I can rely on."
But then, she disagreed with her own opinion and added, "Though, he's different from any kind of friend. I feel like…"
She was lost in her words.
"Hope you'll be more than that," Theodore bit his farewell with extreme confidence when he saw the conflict expression on her, "Good luck, Hamuko-sama. I'll be in the Velvet Room if you need anything."
And he disappeared behind the corner, leaving Hamuko's answer unfinished.
Makoto Yuki
Night – Naganaki Shrine
He was listening, behind the wall next to the staircase at the shrine, to their conversation. It was the right choice to find her when she hadn't returned to the dorm after the sun was gone. Maybe it was fate, for he to find her at the shrine talking to Theodore.
Theodore, who was exiting the shrine, finally saw Makoto looking back at him, "Minato-sama!"
"Shhhhhh…" Makoto placed his index finger on his lips to silence the shocked Velvet resident, signaling him to hurry and left them. Theodore obeyed and left, which allowed him to walk up the staircase and approached the lonely girl, still in her uniform, sitting on the swing set.
"Hamuko-chan," Makoto called out for her. Upon noticing him, she was surprised, but then she giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, it's just that I know it had to be you to come looking for me."
"Is it bad that it was me?" Makoto sweat-dropped, sitting on the swing next to her. They swung a few times before Makoto began, "You want to talk about it? The things that are bothering you?"
"Have you…" Hamuko said, "…Have you perhaps wonder how much you don't know someone before they were gone?"
"Always."
"There's always some kind of feeling inside me, that's telling me that I don't want to leave before I get to know someone completely. I feel like I don't have much time, and I want to get as close as possible to that someone before it's over. I felt sad, and ever since we returned from Yakushima, it deepens."
Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. The feeling Hamuko was saying, the sadness, the emotion, it all connected. He finally understood something.
'This isn't her feeling, but mine.'
"Makoto-kun, there's something I want to say-" Hamuko said, but he quickly interrupted her.
"I already know."
"…Eh?" Hamuko turned to Makoto who already left the swing and stood in front of her.
"We may be apart later, but for now, I want us to stay together."
Hamuko stared at him for a while, before she chuckled, revealing a sweet smile.
Crash!
Universe Arcana social link:
Rank 4
"What are you looking at, Makoto-kun?" She said when she saw his eyes on her face.
"You really are beautiful."
"…Huh?"
"Ah! I mean…" Makoto cursed himself for speaking out loud before quickly changing the topic, "Come on, let's go home. You got to meet Ken, he'll be joining us from now on."
"O-Oh, okay!" Hamuko nodded, trying to ignore what she just heard. Then, she added, "By the way, do you really have no one that you like?"
"No… I mean, not yet."
"Then, poor Yukari-chan with her unrequited love," She said.
"I know, but I can't help it."
"Of course you know- Eh? You knew?!"
Makoto got an earful of questions on their way home.
"And one more thing," Makoto added, "Can you do me a favor when you go on a trip to Inaba?"
Hamuko Arisato
Daytime – 1/8/2009 – Yasoinaba High, Inaba
The training camp started today on Hamuko's trip. Hamuko and the rest of her club will be going to a high school called Yasoinaba, the only school in the rural town Inaba. She had to compete against the students of Yasoinaba and lost, forcing them to clean up after training. However, they knew they had a hot spring waiting for them at Amagi Inn.
After the training, a young girl came, tasked to accompany the camp to the Inn, named Yukiko Amagi, who was actually the daughter of the Inn. They were ready to depart, but Hamuko had a task of her own, a task entrusted to her by Makoto that she mustn't ask or investigate. Still unsure of his reason, Hamuko called the young girl before she left.
"Hmmm? What's this?" The girl asked.
"So, uh… a friend of mine asked me to give this letter to someone who knows a lot about this town, but I think you'll fit the criteria."
She handed her a letter before she left for the inn. It was a short letter, with only a few lines written on the back:
"Three years from now,
to the Investigation Team,
to Yu Narukami, 'Father' of the prophecy,
Best of luck and be prepared for the worst."
A/N: Hello to all my readers. I hope you enjoy this chapter, though there's not much development in it. Once again, I hope you enjoy this since the next chapter will be important for both Makoto (I mean Minato) and Hamuko. See you soon…