Paradox Arc:
Chapter 36: Diverging Hearts
Makoto Yuki
Late Night – 26/7/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
"Something's not right.
My instinct is beyond wary. What Father Time and what Igor said seems off. True, the past wasn't meant to be changed, but this world is not mine, but Hamuko's. My sole purpose here is to rebuilt my power, thus I have to share a bond with 'myself'.
When I linked myself with Yukari and Fuuka, I can see that they felt the bond. Memories may lie, but the emotions don't. I thought it was but a mere yearning for my home world until Aigis made me doubt myself. When I saw Hamuko's disoriented feeling and my feelings connected to her, my doubt was clear.
I don't feel like my presence here drifted this world from my world, but instead, I felt closer to where I came from. Are they lying to make sure I don't change the past or abandon my quest? Why don't they trust me?
I began to doubt this world…"
Makoto dropped his pen and closed his diary, something he's too lazy to do back in his world. He sighed heavily, before glancing at the calendar on the right side of his table. Hamuko will be going to Inaba on 1st of August, the place where one of the men of prophecy will reside. He glared menacingly at the calendar and he quickly reached for a new page. Only four lines were written.
'If this world is closer than I thought it would be, they should, I think, feel the connection to my world by the name alone. For the sake of my reassurance, let's find out…' Makoto thought.
It was then he heard a screeching sound from somewhere, and the Contact Card under his diary was glowing as if resonating with the noise like a signal. It turned out it came from Fuuka's gift, the portable speaker to him that was placed neatly on the corner of the table. Makoto, taken aback, slothfully direct the card to the speaker. The screeching was getting louder to closer it got to the card. Suddenly, the sound vanished along with the brimming light from the card, sending him to confusion.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening – 2/8/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
"I'm back!" Hamuko gleefully returned to the dorm after 2 days training outside the island. The rest welcome her happily, but she was honestly too exhausted to chat with her friend. She brought some souvenirs for the team from Inaba before she noticed someone was missing from the group.
"Where's Makoto-kun?"
"He's in his room, sleeping maybe. I guessed he's out of gas after winning the tournament yesterday," Yukari said.
Hamuko clasped her hand with joy, "As expected of Makoto-kun!"
She rushed to the second floor to find him. She was thrilled to share everything she could with him during her trip to Inaba. There's so much to talk about, the beauty of Amagi Inn, the ghost stories at night they shared together, and the fact that she found out about Makoto warned their classmate Kazushi about his injury and convinced him to avoid the tournament. Hopefully, he will narrate his achievement in the tournament to her in return. Two days already made her missed him dreadfully.
She already started to lose her patience when she received no answer on the third knock, thus she took the initiative to open the unlocked door to confirm her suspicion. Yukari was right, Makoto was sleeping on his bed with his mp3 player still attached slovenly to his ears, his training uniform was unchanged, still wearing his socks, sweats mark visibly dried on his front chest. His arm rested on his eyes, doubting her if he's truly asleep.
"You didn't even bother to take a bath, did you, sleepyhead?" Hamuko scolded but after she was responded with silence, she was convinced that Makoto was asleep. She took a quick observation at the room and was surprised that it was almost identical to her. She sat on his bed carefully, not wanting to wake him up, and gently unplugged his earphones. She positioned him well and pulled the blanket, and Makoto's sleeping face was exposed beneath his long hair. Hamuko's giggled at the expression, then she smiled at the sight of the icy cold face.
'He looks nice, and so peaceful when he sleeps. I had never seen him this calm before…' She murmured, before releasing herself from the bed and went to his table to place the mp3 player.
The speaker that Fuuka gave to Makoto as a present two months ago was placed neatly next to the rack of books at the corner of the table. The quick observation made her wished to stay in the room for a while longer, thus she pulled the seat and sat in front of the table, resting her arms lazily on the table.
"Ah, I'm sleepy too…" Hamuko said, "I just want to talk to Makoto-kun quickly. Maybe I'll ask him about the letter at Inaba…"
Then, she felt a strong vibration on the surface, forcing her to jerk away from the table. 'What was that?' She realized it came from the table, or to be exact, inside the drawer. Having a quick glance at the sleeping Makoto, she opened the drawer, and there her eyes immediately focused on the brimming white light inside.
"Con…tact?" She read the card before flipping it. It was the same design as the card that Igor used in Velvet Room, "What is this card? Hmmm?"
The card suddenly flashed a bright light, blinded her for a moment. Hamuko quickly shielded her eyes before checking the source. The card had dimmed, but she immediately heard a weak sound screeching to her ears. To her surprise, it came from the portable speaker, similar to walkie talkie's buzzing sound before an unclear voice took over. She picked the speaker and leaned it closer to the card, but just as the sound was clearing, it faded into silence.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice called her.
"AH!" Hamuko screamed, turning to the voice behind her. Makoto was standing still, facing her with a curious look. She scolded, "Don't scare me like that!"
"What are you doing with that speaker?" Makoto asked again, this time his tone changed after he glanced at the card on the table. She knew he was angry. Of course, he would, who wouldn't?
"I-I, uh…" She turned to the speaker, but the voice was gone, "I'm just testing the speaker. And the door was unlocked, so-"
"Alright, I understand," Makoto nodded weakly, but she knew he was still angry, "But don't take this out, this is important."
He slipped back the card into the drawer and shut it close before turning to her. Realizing she was still holding the speaker, she quickly returned it to him and bowed.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that," Hamuko apologized, "I won't ask anything about it… But maybe about the letter in Inaba."
"You didn't read that, I hope?"
"As if!" Hamuko answered before she returned to her question, "So, what was that about the letter?"
"Just a friend I know from the MMORPG called 'Innocent Sin', Junpei plays it all the time. Since I know he's from Inaba, but not his real address, I had to find someone who knows him. Who did you give it to?"
"It's a middle school girl, daughter of the inn owner where I stayed. I think her name was Yukiko or something."
"Did you see her opened the letter?" Makoto asked with sudden interest.
"I was already on my way to the inn that time, but I saw her opened the letter after I left."
"What was her reaction? Did she looked surprised or did she recognize the name?"
"I'm not sure, but she just kept reading it I guess…"
"Is that so…" Makoto responded with somewhat a disappointment.
She wanted to ask about the card but hesitated to pry into his secret. But they both agreed to understand each other more days ago, so it should be well, wasn't it? 'Wait a second… that card, could it be…'
Makoto was surprisingly good at reading her thoughts, as he drew out the strange card again from the drawer and said, "There's something I need to tell you."
Meanwhile, outside their window, a man who could only be Shinjiro was observing the dorm, yet he didn't step in and chose to walk away.
Makoto Yuki
Evening – 8/8/2009 – Velvet Room
"I have a request that I do hope that you would accept," Theodore said, giving request as always like how Elizabeth used to do as Igor quietly watching. Makoto quietly turned to his side, while shifting his eyes between Theodore and her.
For the first time, Hamuko was in the Velvet Room with him. Theodore corrected himself and repeated, "I mean, the both of you."
"We heard you," Hamuko nodded, before she smirked, "And you owe me a dinner for hiding from me about Makoto-kun."
"I-It's not a priority! We are not inclined to inform our guest about other guests!" Theodore replied in a panic.
"But we are literally on the same team. Why am I the only one who got left out of this? Makoto-kun knew about this from the start!"
"I just don't think it's the right time," Makoto intercepted, little regret to reveal the Velvet Room to her days ago. It was bad that she found out about the Contact Card, and so he might as well revealed the whole thing.
"It was kind of obvious since I can summon multiple personas like you do," Makoto added. Hamuko scratched her head softly and laughed at her own silliness. Theodore, however, was uncomfortable as ever, afraid that the truth of the other world would accidently leak. However, Makoto gave him the reassuring eyes that nothing will go wrong. Igor supported the conversation.
"There never was only one to hold the power of Wild Card. To share such powers is remarkable, for you two are forged by the same destiny," Igor said as he sunk back into his chair.
"It did cross my mind, but to think you really have been to this room surprised me still." Hamuko sulked, albeit fake; she crossed her hands together at her back and lifting one foot upwards. Then, she smiled, "But since you finally told me, I forgive you."
Theodore watched them quietly before he coughed, earning their attentions, "Now, about my request, I would like the two of you to fuse a persona for me. Good news, no due date."
"What kind of persona?" Hamuko asked. Theodore paused for a moment before he said.
"A persona that can be fused by both of your power. Think of it as a test, to see the fusion by two different personas from two different Wild Cards," Theodore explained, "Can you do it?"
"You bet!" Hamuko confidently said, pulling Makoto's arm to her, "We're going to fuse the best persona just for you!"
Paulownia Mall
"Any idea how to do that?" Hamuko asked with a blank face, different from her confident self in the room just as they got out of the Velvet Room.
"I thought you had an idea," Makoto sighed, unlike Hamuko who shrugged optimistically. He plugged in his earphone and ready to walk away, "Since we don't know the solution, might as well skip this job-"
"We promised Theo!" Hamuko pulled him just as he was about to walk away. They argued for a while in their own humorous way. But nonetheless, they agreed to do something about it.
"You look happy, for some reason," Makoto asked upon seeing her face.
"Oh? Did I?" Hamuko adjusted her hair before she gave a warm smile, "I'm just happy that we grew a lot closer now that we shared another common trail."
"Is that so?" Makoto couldn't hide his smile.
"You know, this reminds me of what Aigis said. We're supposed to be together, like soulmates … Ah!" Hamuko shoved aside her words awkwardly, "That came out wrong, doesn't it?"
"I don't mind that, to be honest," Makoto half-teased, "We have acted like siblings before-"
His eyes suddenly widened when he focused his eyes on the far end of the mall, not even bothered to notice Hamuko's wondering stares at him. After a long time searching for her, he finally saw a glimpse of her. It was no coincidence, as they have met Takaya of Strega two days ago during a full moon, including Jin Shirato (Persona: Moros).
It was Chidori (Persona: Medea).
She was exiting the mall with her sketchbook and some probably newly brought painting tools from the store. Although she was part of Strega, she did mean the world to Junpei, and losing her would be the same as losing Shinjiro to him.
"Who are you looking at?" Hamuko snapped him back from the memory den and searching the person he's staring at, but the girl was long gone.
"Oh, I just thought I saw someone I knew," Makoto replied before he quickly changed the topic, "Let's go and grab a bite before we think about this."
Hamuko Arisato
10/8/2009
Today marked the beginning of Summer classes, which lasts for a week. Hamuko, already confident in her intelligence, choose to spend most of her time by fusing a persona with Makoto. As the first day started, so did their test.
"Legion!"
"Loki!"
…Nothing happened as they tried it in the lounge at the dorm at night…
11/8/2009
"Jack Frost!"
"Surt!"
…Still nothing happened…
12/8/2009
"Unicorn!"
"Scathach!"
Again, nothing happened.
"Maybe we should summon a matching persona. What do you think?" Makoto asked, but Hamuko noticed something, something curious.
"Why all your personas are way stronger than mine, even though we shared the same training sessions?"
"…I trained harder…" Makoto replied, which she was extremely convinced it was a lie despite his poker face.
13/8/2009
"Hariti!"
"Hariti!"
…Nothing happened, disproving Makoto's solution yesterday.
"I want to quit this quest," Makoto said, but Hamuko once again stopped him from walking away.
14/8/2009
"King Frost!"
"Odin!"
Nothing happened, and the Summer classes were ending.
Evening - 15/8/2009 – Rooftop, Gekkoukan High
"Alright, just one more time and we're done, I promise!" Hamuko begged. It was the first mission they had together and she didn't want to end abruptly. Yet, today was the last Summer classes for them, and missions and works will steal the free time she could spend together with him. Makoto seemed ready to excuse himself from the quest and enjoy the time before the upcoming Summer festival.
"One last time. If we keep doing this, it'll be dangerous." Makoto warned with his quivering index finger to her. Hamuko, gulping, slowly aimed the Evoker at her temple, praying for the best.
"Ananta!"
"Kohryu!"
…
"Ehe…"
…Nothing. Hamuko gave an awkward smile at the failed attempt. Makoto, on the other hand, looked incredibly bored and just waiting to return to the dorm. She was twice as disappointed, as she thought that she could improve herself to reach his extreme level of persona arsenal and at least made some good impression to him. She nodded quietly as he exited the bench and stood up. The distressed leader sighed before suddenly a wrapped melon bread was lent to her face.
"Don't force yourself. Like I said, it's dangerous," Makoto said, chewing on his own melon bread. Hamuko, realizing that she hadn't eaten much in the morning, quickly munched it down, but immediately tuned down her eating speed when she noticed Makoto was watching her.
"But we spend days working on it! It should have some progress, right?" Hamuko nagged childishly, albeit comically, "Imagine if we could fuse two personas into one in the middle of a battle and it has twice the power!"
"And we need a break," Makoto calmed her down as he finished his snack, "Tomorrow is Summer Festival, enjoy ourselves until then."
"Ah!" Hamuko jumped from her seat, completely forgotten about the once-a-year event. She should still have her old yukata, but there was a thought to grab another one from the store before the festival began. She expressed her lament to Makoto, "Ehehe, I completely forgot about it. Looks like I'll be using my old yukata again."
"Are you seeing someone special?" Makoto asked rather vacantly.
"I'm not sure, I haven't decided yet who I should go out with," Hamuko spoke with utmost honesty. Based on her Social Link, Akihiko's was already maxed, but the rest of her male friends weren't close enough to take the spot. Then there's Junpei, but obviously, he was just a friend.
"As long as your Social Link is high ranked, then it doesn't matter if the yukata is old. It will look beautiful as long as you wear it," Makoto replied confidently, "I don't mind it."
"Thanks!" Hamuko shyly accepted the praise, but still inclined to buy herself a new one from the mall. Then, finding the opportunity, Hamuko rapidly changed the subject, "What about you? Who's your special someone? And your Social Link, I want to hear about it too!"
"Calm down…" Makoto voiced with a poker face, sinking into his mind for a while, "Based on my Social Link, I guess I'll just spend my time with Aigis."
"I-Is that so?" Hamuko sweat dropped, disappointed by his answer. Then, one question popped into her mind, a question she had been desperate for his answer, something that haunted her occasionally, "Makoto-kun?"
"What is it?"
"Am I one of your Social Links?"
For a moment, his icy eyes sparked like a nerve pinched correctly. He dozed before returning another question, "Why do you ask?"
"Because, despite us being a great friend, I can't establish any Social Link with you, so I thought maybe you're the one with the link."
"…*chuckle*" Makoto, out of nowhere, gave a weak laugh. She was confused from the sudden chuckle, but he explained it before she could ask.
"Just because there's no Social Link, doesn't mean we can't be friends," Makoto responded.
"No, that's not what I mean," Hamuko said, "I'm just curious where you and I stand."
"What do you feel? Are we a good friend, or…?"
"I…" Hamuko turned silent. She never thought about it specifically, but they were always closer than most of her friends. Unlike most of her friends, the absence of Social Link with her Makoto infected her with such paranoia that she dreaded to know their true mutual bond. She saw him as close as the word 'best friend', but what does he feel about her? Thus, she could answer only one.
"We're best friend, right?"
"Of course we do…" Makoto, once again, gave a pale smile, gesturing himself afterward to the exit, waiting to reach his bed.
As he walked away, she recalled Makoto's words about his Social Link with her. Many theories were formed about their empty connection, but even the most naïve person will notice the lots of similarity between them. Once, Mitsuru asked her about her blood type before she went to Makoto's room. Let's not ignored the fact that they're both an orphan, the same Wild Card, guests of Velvet Room and their taste in everything is almost the same.
How are they too similar? Was there nothing to link with because they were already close? The more she thought about it, the messier her mind becomes. Hamuko quickly shoved it aside to enjoy the festival after the harsh week of classes. The sun will set, and she chose to be stubborn to find another Yukata as soon as possible.
Makoto Yuki
Daytime – 16/8/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm
"That should be it," Makoto said, suiting himself in a comfy outfit for the festival tonight. Aigis was waiting impatiently outside his room. After days of stressful emotion during his reminisce of the past, Makoto was oddly warmer than his usual blank face for today. Why shouldn't he, since he got to spend the evening with Aigis? This was the first time he and she could properly talk alone, without Hamuko and the rest of the team. He did owe her a lot in his world.
"Do I have the permission to come in?" Aigis asked.
"Of course," Makoto spread open the door. Aigis came right in, adorably dressed in Mitsuru's newly brought Yukata for her tonight. Makoto couldn't help but complimented, "You look beautiful."
"Should I say thank you?" Aigis asked. Makoto chuckled at her response.
"Always do that when someone praises you," Makoto advised her, calmly waiting for her to 'add' the notes to her terminal, "Where's Hamuko-chan?"
"She is inside her room, current status: dressing. I will come to her room with you so that I can be with you two."
"To protect us both, huh?" Makoto said, began questioning something on his mind. Since he didn't have Thanatos, technically Aigis won't have to protect him. He couldn't resist asking, "Aigis, why do you think you need to protect us both?"
"Incorrect."
"Hmmm?" He turned to her with curiosity. Aigis, with her expressionless, explained.
"I do not know why I wish to protect Hamuko Arisato, but it is my sole mission. But you… I wish to be with you because I want to. You are not my mission, but I still want to be with you. I am currently trying to understand this emotion."
She felt the bond, she sensed the bond in him too. Even though she was not the same, but she shared the bond that linked him forever. Never had he felt this touched by a mere word for a long time. He ignored her stare and locked her in his embrace.
"Thank you, Aigis. You are always there for me."
"What is the purpose of this hug? Your temperature is rising. Are you sick?" Aigis, somehow killing the warm mood, but he didn't bother.
"Yes, I'm sick of yearning. But you cure me," Makoto responded gently, then he quickly changed the topic and he let her go, "Let's go meet Hamuko-chan. She's probably waiting too long."
Hamuko Arisato
Daytime – 16/8/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm
"I hope I look good," Hamuko said, adjusting her hairpin and yukata, "That's better."
Riiiiiiiiing!
Her phone rang. It seemed that Akihiko wanted to invite her to the festival. Knowing that Makoto wished to spend time with Aigis today and there's no one else to go with, she agreed. The knock on the door should be Aigis.
"Hey, Aigis- Ah, Makoto-kun! How do I look?" Hamuko asked the astonished Makoto. He momentarily observed the yukata before he nodded with a smile.
"Terrific," Makoto praised, "Walking with someone?"
"Since Aki-san asked, I guess I'll go with him."
"That's a plain reason."
"Why? I don't need to reject. Everyone will be going to the festival, right?"
"I guess you're right."
It wasn't long before Aigis decided to drag both of them to the lounge with her for 'safety measurement checkup'. Makoto and Aigis chose to walk to the shrine first for some small talk. So after they both left, she went outside where Akihiko was supposedly waiting.
She didn't expect two people to wait for her. Akihiko was waiting for her; or, to be precise, he was unaware of her. It was Shinjiro that noticed her, talking rather comfortable with him that Akihiko seemed excited over the fact that he was willing to come to the dorm on his own. Hamuko's presence immediately forced him to excuse himself.
"Your company is here," Shinjiro said, glancing at her. Akihiko noticed this and turned to his back to see Hamuko already prepared for the festival.
"H-Hamuko, so you're here. So… Hey!" Akihiko stopped Shinjiro from departing, "You just got here. Come with us to the festival, I'm sure the team would be happy to have you."
"No thanks," Shinjiro said before he hurriedly walked away from their location.
"Sorry about that. He suddenly came today, said he just wants to talk," Akihiko explained, "Seriously, he can come along if he wants to, all he had to do is say it."
She knew, following her instinct, that Shinjiro wanted to join the festival. It was sad to see him being left out of this festival, and something told her to reach out for him.
"Why did he come here, though- Wait, what are you…"
"Shinjiro-san, wait!"
Makoto Yuki
Late Evening - Naganaki Shrine
Mitsuru, Yukari, Fuuka, Aigis, and Makoto were waiting for Hamuko and Akihiko to arrive. Junpei was already missing, probably searching for foods. Makoto glanced at his watch and realized they were oddly late.
"Strange, I wonder what those two were doing," Mitsuru began to speak, "I hope they didn't get into trouble."
"Wait, there they are," Fuuka said, pointing towards the two figures walking towards them. But Makoto noticed another presence walking alongside them, and, like the rest of the team, was extremely shocked to see the familiar face.
"Hey, guys!" Hamuko waved, "Look who we brought!"
Makoto felt like the world just blackout in front of him. He was more than convinced that Shinjiro wasn't supposed to be here to join them. Then again, Hamuko might be the one who invited him, so he was predestined to be here in this world, supposedly?
"Aragaki, I… I'm surprised you're here," Mitsuru commented, but her tone indicated that she was taken aback by his presence here.
"Actually, he doesn't want to be here, but…" Akihiko explained while shifting his eyes to Hamuko, "Since Hamuko was desperate, he had to follow."
"And I still don't," Shinjiro cursed, "If I refused, they're going to blabber all day at me."
"But I thought you're the one who wanted to see Akihiko first?" Hamuko corrected him. He was a bit annoyed by her interception but chose not to turn wild in the middle of the crowd.
Makoto, watching the conversation from the side, nodded silently to himself. Watching how Shinjiro looking at her, he could see, even a while, a little spark in his eyes shining with a ray of hope. He never saw Shinjiro with that kind of eyes, plus his charisma was too good to miss something so obvious.
'He's a potential Social Link for Hamuko…'
"Woah!" Junpei, who had just arrived with foods in hands, was stunned by the extra presence. For a while, he seemed menaced by Shinjiro's strong glare towards his reaction, but seeing Akihiko reassuring eyes calmed his nerves, "M-Man, good to see you."
"I was thinking, maybe it's better if we invited him with us," Hamuko revealed, "The more the merrier."
"I'm not staying that long," Shinjiro responded lazily, "So move it."
It was surprisingly enjoyable to add Shinjiro to the party tonight. Shinjiro revealed a side he never showed to the world. He seemed bitter losing a fight in goldfish scooping against Akihiko. The resemblance was clear when the two childhood friends were childishly stubborn to back away from the competition. Makoto was satisfied, seeing how much the team warmed themselves to him. A shame that Ken wasn't here, since he's watching over Koromaru, or he might share a precious memory with Shinjiro before his doom.
Makoto could see how unsettled Akihiko was when Shinjiro and Hamuko were around together. A friend will always be a friend, but when romance was involved, complications like this is definite.
"Aki," Makoto tapped Akihiko's shoulder as they both were at behind the group, "You noticed it too, don't you?"
"Notice what?" Akihiko asked obliviously.
"Shinjiro, the way he looks at Arisato," Makoto chose to be straight, "You know your childhood friend long enough to see his attitude towards her."
"Oh…" Akihiko nodded, dismissing his false instinct that Shinjiro was looking extra gentle when he spoke of the leader. He sighed, slowing his paces to continue to follow the group before he eventually gave up, "Damn it, I don't know what to do…"
"Don't tell me you're giving up on her," Makoto said, but Akihiko responded rather fiercely at the remark.
"I've never seen Shinjiro talk to someone like that," Akihiko said, "Damn, what do I do if Hamuko and him… Guh…"
While Akihiko was busy cursing, Makoto glanced at the team and focused on the young girl cheerfully laughing alongside the rest. The crowds had swamped the festival as the sky darkened, and without they realized it, Makoto and Akihiko had been drifted apart from the party.
Hamuko Arisato
Night – Naganaki Shrine
"When did it get so crowded?" Hamuko said, finding herself buried between people as the drums started to play, "Yukari-chan, Fuuka-chan, Mitsuru-san? Wait, where are they?"
It seemed that nobody from SEES was next to her, including Aigis, who stuck to her like glue. People just couldn't wait to march towards the offering box to say their prayers. Hamuko was in a panic since she's getting pushed around.
Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed from the sea of people and pulled her. The tall figure dragged her to his chest, keeping her close before Hamuko looked up and realized it was Shinjiro.
"Don't get lost, idiot," Shinjiro said, slowly removing her hand from his grip. She was quite intimidated by his scolding, but she was grateful to know he was soft enough to save her from getting lost.
"T-Thanks, Shinjiro-san," Hamuko said, at the same time searched around for her friends. She saw a glimpse of them walking around the food court, though she knew the shrine was too small to miss a face. They decided to wait at the nearest tree for the crowd to disperse with Shinjiro by her side.
It was quite a moment before she saw him tugging his coat.
"What's wrong?" Hamuko asked.
"Nothing, just a bit cold…"
"Cold?" Hamuko widened her eyes. It was in the middle of Summer, yet Shinjiro said it was cold under those thick coat. How odd… "Are you sick?"
She, on reflex, raised her hand and reached for his forehead to measure the temperature. Shinjiro, taken aback by her action, quickly shove her hand away, "Stop!"
"I was just checking-"
"I don't ask you to!" Shinjiro faced away from her. Hamuko, refusing to give up, curved her eyebrows and pulled him closer.
"Don't be stubborn!" Hamuko dragged his tall shoulder to her level and rested her hand on him. This time, Shinjiro couldn't resist and let her do her check-up. Shinjiro's body was strangely cold, but it slowly got warmer, and his cheeks were red.
"Okay, that's enough. Happy now?" Shinjiro removed her hand again, this time gentler. Hamuko nodded, exhaled in relief to see him in fairly active mode. However, he seemed like he began to lose his mind. On the few glance, however, he didn't seem all that scary, and she stared in disbelief over Shinjiro's gentle hospitality, opposite from what he displayed habitually. She couldn't help but smile, proud that she believed in Aki's closest friend.
"The crowd is dispersing now… Why are you smiling like that?" Shinjiro asked.
"You unexpectedly have a good heart."
"Is that how you compliment?"
"I guess."
"…" Shinjiro suddenly went silent and turned his face away. Hamuko noticed it easily and wanted to ask, but he began to voice himself, "Hey, remembered that day in front of the dorm?"
"This morning?"
"Not that one, the one where you dragged me out of the shop and gave your little speech," Shinjiro faced her and scolded, before his tone turned soft, "So, uh… About what you said to me… That does sound stupid, but…"
He was struggling to keep his words together. Then, he spoke. Amidst the loud voices of the festival, she could faintly hear him uttered the warm words.
"Thank you…"
Her heart burst in joy from those words alone. She felt Aigis was overprotective of her, but now she felt related to her when she wanted to stay by his side for a moment. She wanted to protect him, or she could never see him again.
"What did you said? I can't hear you," Hamuko responded, despite clearly hearing his gratitude. Shinjiro quickly shoved it aside and changed the topic.
"Tch, where the hell are they? If I wait any longer, maybe I should just go home."
"Wait, stay with us for while," Hamuko plead, "This is once a year event. We don't want to miss it, don't we? Unless you're sick."
"Tch…"
Makoto Yuki
"Damn, how did we lost them? I hope Shinji doesn't do anything rash when I'm not around," Akihiko commented, "He really worries me, so I hope Hamuko doesn't overstep her boundaries like last time."
"Wait, what happen last time?" Makoto asked.
"Uh…" Akihiko seemed to struggle to explain, "There was a time when we meet with Shinjiro in a restaurant, and there's an argument between us and him. To be honest, I wouldn't call it an argument, but… She kinda gave him some lecture and asked him to join the SEES."
"Oh…" Makoto responded. It was something Hamuko didn't tell him. He was mistaken. What Hamuko felt towards him might not be a mere friend in her Social Link. He had noticed her's strong attachment towards Shinjiro. "I never thought Hamuko care so much about him. Makes you surprised, isn't it?"
"Right?" Akihiko replied, "Though, I'm kinda glad that Arisato was the one who changed him, at least we can get closer again, like the old days. It's hard to see him drifting away."
Makoto was stunned by those words. If only he knew he had a few months left to live. Then, he realized that it applied to him too, knowing that Hamuko won't survive the next high school year.
"Sometimes, the only way to love someone is to let go," Makoto said. Akihiko seemed baffled by his words that he laughed it off.
"Geez, where did that came from? I'm just happy that Shinji's here. Hamuko seemed to like him too, so I'm just living the moment."
That was a hard thing to hear. Makoto ceased to speak as they regroup with the rest of the team. They were quite surprised to see Hamuko and Shinjiro together, and he saw from their expression that they already shared some conversation. Junpei, still holding the camera, gave a brilliant idea, which he thought to be rare from the idiot.
"Alright guys, since all of you are here, how about we snap a picture together?" Junpei suggested.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt for a few pic," Mitsuru agreed.
Finding a spot near the end of the shops, they began to line themselves, before Fuuka noticed the error, "Hold it. If we're in the picture, who will take the shot?"
"I'll do it," Makoto volunteered without hesitation as he snatched the camera from Junpei, "Take your spot, Junpei."
"Wait, why?" Hamuko rejected, "Just ask someone to do it."
"Trust me, this one is complete."
Snap!
"Makoto-kun," Hamuko said after the first shot, "Come here, we're never complete without you."
For a short moment, he saw the SEES that he loved dearly overlapping the one in this world. His eyes struggled to keep it open without shedding a tear, thus he shielded the yearning with a small chuckle. He missed the true SEES of his world. Shinjiro wasn't there, but he's here. Then finally his eyes shifted to Hamuko, the one who replaced him, and saw briefly the same eyes of the one who repeated the questions to him in his dream. He remembered her words back in Yakushima, about not wanting to leave anyone behind. It will be absolutely devastating for her.
So he wished so much that he would protect her smile until then. After all, she and he were 'complete'.
"Alright," Makoto gave up, "Junpei, take the shot."
As Junpei prepared another shot, he felt a tug on his left side. Hamuko grabbed his wrist lightly, biting her lips gently as she said.
"You belong here as much as Shinjiro and everyone else."
Snap!
Hamuko Arisato
Late Night – Iwatodai Dorm
What did she miss?
She couldn't stop thinking about it. When the first shot of their picture was taken, Hamuko could have sworn she saw the crystallizing blueness of Makoto's eyes when he first snapped the picture. A strange surge of sadness clenched deep inside her, causing her almost wanted to shed a tear, but she endured it, currently trying to forget the feeling as she walked with the rest of the team.
They all returned home over an hour before the Dark Hour emerged. It was an exhausting night, but enjoyable nonetheless. Makoto was the first to enter the dorm as if rushing in, while the rest followed suit. Finally, Shinjiro chose to depart, seen off by both Akihiko and Hamuko.
"I guess this is it," Shinjiro confessed, "It's not too bad, the festival I mean. But I never want to go that kind of place again."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Akihiko said, "Thanks for joining us, Shinji."
"Shinjiro-san," Hamuko said, "Please come again. We'll miss you."
"There you go again, repeating those words," Shinjiro said, "You're almost too similar to that blue-haired boy. Are you guys sibling or something?"
Hamuko and Akihiko turned to each other in question.
"Makoto Yuki talked to me a lot before, sometimes I ambushed him when I saw him following me around. He usually avoided my question and smiled, but he always asked me to take care of myself, like he can't even see me for another day. Annoying…"
She almost froze from his words. She knew there was a lot of similarity between Makoto and her, but who would have thought he cares about him just as she did?
"Oh well, I'll be going now," Shinjiro turned away and waved his hand weakly, "See ya."
They returned to the dorm, but she couldn't sleep too well that night. She's never so distracted and confused. There was this throbbing emotion that screamed, despite everything that they went through, she did not know Makoto at all and what to feel towards him.
Makoto Yuki
Daytime – 17/8/2009 – Velvet Room
"Perfect timing, you have not visited for long," Igor said the moment Makoto entered the room, "What is the purpose of you visit here?"
"Igor, did you know about the first time I meet her in my dream? Philemon was the one who showed me the future that will supposedly happen."
Makoto said to Igor, listened by Theodore close by. Igor rested his eyes without motion, menacing as ever with his spreading smirk before he opened his eyes widely.
"Proceed and speak your mind."
"Hamuko Arisato is certainly the most difficult Social Link I've ever bond with. But seeing our conditions, we're already closer than most of my friends. Honestly, I think she's the closest friend I ever got."
"That is good."
"However, the Social Link isn't full. So I have to wonder, how far do my relationship with her must be strengthened?"
"This bond represents your innermost self, so it will be no wonder that there's more to this bond than you may imagine."
"Not convincing, Igor. But, I've been thinking a lot about this, about what I need, and I will have to state one thing."
Igor and Theodore waited for his next words with utmost attention.
"I don't think I need love to do this."
"!" Theodore was the one with the shock, "I-It is possible to maximize the bond without such thing, but why?"
"She's not like any other girls, I can see it in her eyes that she see me as her brother, a supportive friend, a support to her leadership, and most of all a shoulder to lean on. But no, she doesn't see me as someone she loves. My bond may be challenging, but the meeting with Shinjiro made me realized she can have love on her own. Besides…"
He gave a small chuckle.
"She is my alternate self, a 'me'. We share the same heart and the same hope for my friends. We are just too similar, Igor. To have her crossing those line, I don't think it's possible."
Igor's grin grew wider and more disturbing, dropping a hint he somehow denied ever since he met Hamuko.
"Are you really sure that there won't be such emotion between you two?"
Makoto was unable to speak as he continued and alarmed when he mentioned the letter.
"There's one more thing. Concerning the letter, that you sent to Inaba; true, they may be parallel to yours, but they won't affected anything you do now, for you knew so little of them."
"What about my bonds? Their emotions, they're connecting to my world, aren't they? My friend's bonds with me were the proof," Makoto taunted, "As long as our heart stay strong and connected, the two worlds can't be drifted apart. As long as you're here, I'm connecting to my world, is it not?"
Igor closed his eyes, seemly meditating, searching the correct words for him. He then glared at the lost messiah.
"Are you, perhaps, intends to save your friend? Mark my words, chaos butterfly is a horrifying thing…"
Early Morning – 20/8/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm
He couldn't stop thinking about Igor's words. Still, today marked the fourth day of Movie festival and the holidays before the start of the second semester. Using these days, he spent a lot of time wasted away in the dorm, and he felt no mood to visit the Velvet Room after the particular comment from Igor. Hamuko will probably spend some time with her friends, and there's no need for him to bind her from other social links. He almost forgot about Theodore's request, but he didn't see it as his main priority.
Yet, when he exited the door of his room that morning, Hamuko was standing in front of him, as if waiting for quite some time. She raised one foot upward and clenched her hand at her back, taking a weak breath and spoke.
"So, today is a holiday," She gave a smile, but the kind that locked secrets. He knew something wasn't right.
"You don't have friends to hang out?"
"I do, but my best friend deserved a spot too."
"…What do you want to do?" Makoto asked with a rather careful tone.
"Let's watch a movie, and then we can try fusing personas again."
"Is that it?"
"We can talk."
"I'm fine with that, but is there something you want to share with me? I'm willing to hear."
She hushed something between her lips and said.
"Let's talk about Shinjiro."
…
What did she mean?
Hamuko Arisato
Daytime – 20/8/2009 – Iwatodai Dorm
After watching the movie, they went straight home and prepared their Evoker. Ken and Koromaru were at the lounge, so they wouldn't be aware of anything in her room.
"Tell me why we're doing it in your room," Makoto asked uncomfortably.
"My room is at the top most and furthest from the hall, so nobody would hear us when we summoned our personas. Come on."
However, Makoto refused to equip his Evoker. He instead focused his eyes on her.
"Let's talk about Shinjiro first. I think you want to share something with me."
"Ok," Hamuko took a deep breath, "What do you think about Shinjiro-san?"
"Him? I guess he's a pretty good guy, and he actually cares for his friends. I hope so much that he'll return to the dorm with us."
"Can you tell me why do you feel so?"
"…" There was a long pause until he found a good answer for her question, "Because of you."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Do you remembered back in Yakushima, what you said to me? 'As the leader of SEES, I'll make sure I won't leave any of my teammates behind!'" Makoto tried to mimic her voice, although horribly, which made Hamuko burst into laughter.
"I didn't sound like that!"
"It's an example," He looked enjoyed before switching back to his serious tone, "You said you won't leave anyone behind, so I look over Shinjiro because I know you cared about him so much."
"Is that so…" She nodded slightly in agreement. Makoto then returned the question.
"What about you? Why do you care so much about him?"
"I don't know, but maybe because of you," Hamuko answered, "You cared for him, so I care for him. I feel like…"
Hamuko took a deep breath and exhaled.
"I want to protect him."
He was silent until he suddenly smiled, the kind which was hard to determine what kind.
"What's so funny?" Hamuko asked.
It was then he had to ask that question.
Makoto Yuki
"…Do you like him?"
Makoto asked something which was something too big for her, but he wanted to know this trivial thing, which may guide him to maximizing his Social Link with her.
"W-What are you talking about?" Hamuko returned the pointless question.
"I think, after all the Social Link you established, Shinjiro feels… different. Am I wrong?"
The speechless Hamuko stared at him blankly, almost fell down onto her bed.
"You're right," Hamuko replied, "He really is different from my other Social Link. Akihiko-san confessed to me, but even the presence of Shinjiro-san made me want to be close to him. Is that really liking someone? I don't know if that's what you called liking; maybe it's just a sense of leadership…"
"Ask your heart, do you like him?"
"…Maybe I do, but I need time. For now, I want to protect my teammates, and him."
The scene of Shinjiro's pool of blood drenching his coat as he laid dying on the ground came back to him like an exploding spectrum. How will Hamuko recover from the inevitable death of him? He gritted his teeth, clenching his fist tightly as the conflict tensioning in him with every second in her room. He approached her and gently locked her in his embrace.
"Then I'll protect you as you protect him. So I want you to listen close. If you ever feel the loss of those you care, come to me. I will stand with you till the end of days."
Crash!
Universe Arcana Social Link:
Rank 5
Hamuko's expression was puzzling beyond his charisma, but he knew she took it to the heart when he said it. He knew she felt something for Shinjiro, and he was willing to support her.
She was speechless as he removed himself from her. With blank eyes, she pressed her chest tightly, mustering her strength to talk, "Makoto-kun?"
"Yes?"
"…No, it's nothing."
Finally, they both agreed to test their personas fusion as they equipped their Evoker. They both decided to place the Evoker on each other's temple and pulled the trigger.
"Persona!"
Crash!
They both couldn't say a word for such wonder. A persona palleted in white, black and red was floating admiringly above them. Hamuko gasped in joy, successfully created an unknown persona as Theodore request, which even Makoto never summoned it before.
"Eros, the god of love…" Hamuko said, cheered, "We did it, Makoto-kun! We did it!"
Makoto shared her joy to cover his doubtful decision. Will he change the past of this world? Will he save those who lost?
Hidden Alley
Shinjiro, hanging out alone in the alley, was holding in hand two pills from the bottle in his pocket. He clenched the pills hard, cursing himself desperately.
"Come on, just do it like before. One gulp and that's it. Come on! What's wrong with you?"
Just as he almost inserted it in his mouth, a certain girl's face flashed in front of him. "Damn it!" He threw the pills away down the drain, clenching his head in pain.
"Why is it now that I'm afraid of death?"
Port Island Station
"Man, it's scorching hot out here."
Junpei, without a companion, chose to walk around the Port Island Station, clueless as to what do. He checked his phone and was shocked that the fourth day of the holiday went by in instant. He sighed deeply in regret, "Too bad there's nothing to do…"
As he walked around in boredom, it was then he saw a girl, dressed in white, Gothic Lolita with a blood red long hair, was seen sitting by the flowers with her hand seemly sketching something. When he approached her, however, she quickly shoved him away. As he walked away, he glanced at the girl in the weird dress, drawing something beyond his comprehension.
If only they knew, there was more to it than just an art on a sketchbook…
Hamuko Arisato
Late Night – Iwatodai Dorm
"Makoto-kun…"
Hamuko stared at the ceiling for a while, unable to find herself falling asleep. The hug Makoto gave her in the evening was still lingering in her mind. His voices still echoed in her mind, about whether or not her affection towards Shinjiro was real. It was, she admitted, stronger than 'like'. She might, just might, was in love with Shinjiro.
Until she felt that powerful heartbeat from Makoto when he hugged her. Her heartbeat was never as easeful as that moment.
"Could it be…?" She reached out her hand for the ceiling, imagining Makoto's presence in front of her. A reminisce of her past with Makoto flooded through her.
"It can't be, he's the one I…" She mused, "But we're just too similar… Who are you, Makoto-kun?"
Makoto Yuki
Late Night – Iwatodai Dorm
"Am I the one who's lying to myself? If I hadn't known she was my counterpart, will I be honest with my feelings?"
Makoto wrote in his diary, but finally put down his pen, out of words to write. He laid back to his chair, remembering the warning of those in the Velvet Room. His decision might bring doom to his world, yet the will of Hamuko Arisato to save Shinjiro forced him to rethink his firm goal.
"I'm already halfway. Do I really have to go over the borders of friendship and accept it as the way Philemon had shown me? What will the consequence of my choice affect my world at this very moment?"
He was answered immediately. The portable speaker that Fuuka gave him suddenly emitted the white noises. He didn't have to wait, as he reached the glowing Contact Card and placed it next to the speaker. The signal was crystal clear, and it reminded him of his original mission. The familiar voice spoke nothing but a brief report, but apparently not to him.
"I'm going to say this once, so you better listen… Riots are everywhere, people are mad… They corrupted these people… We already lost a friend, and it's chaos… So, the question is… WHO AM I TALKING TO RIGHT NOW, huh? Apollo, or is it you, you bastard? Guess what, we have the 'Adam', we have the Prime Anima and if you're listening right now, come… come, and I'll show you my madness."
A/N: Minato finally reached rank 5 in his Social Link with Hamuko, with Eros, the god of love, symbolizing the spark of romance between them. Now that the voices from the original world had spoken, it's time to return to the original world.
And thus, I shall put this arc ON HOLD with this chapter ended and halfway through the 'Paradox' Arc. On the next chapter, we officially enter the next arc focusing on Tatsuya Suou, the 'War' Arc. The 'Paradox' Arc will only continue after I finish the 'War' Arc. Hope you enjoy and wait for the update.