Paradox Arc:
Chapter 64: Upon their parents' names
Makoto Yuki
Evening – Rooftop?
Makoto found Hamuko sitting next to him on the bench at the same rooftop when he first laid eyes on her. Seeing as it had been a while since he last entered the dream, he almost eagerly awaited Hamuko's next hint about the future.
She was staring at the sky, but for the first time in the dream, there was no hint of joy in her eyes. There were jittering feelings that she was not excited to meet him.
"Hamuko-chan?"
She turned to him with a sad expression, "I envy Junpei."
"Why?"
"Well, he gets to be with the woman he loves, and now, she's thinking of restarting her life from fresh. They're going to be happy together. "
He raised his eyes, "You mean Chidori?"
She left her seat and approached the balcony. Her slender fingers gripped the fence lightly without looking back at him.
"I have found the 'answer'. I made my peace with my friends, the world, and death itself. But, I'm not ready to say goodbye to you yet. I know what you're going to say, but I want to hear it from your lips."
She turned around and faced him with a painful expression, "Why won't you listen to me? I won't lie to you, and you know it. So, why didn't you believe me, after everything I said to you?"
He left his seat and approached her. He warped her in his arm and pulled her closer to him, "I'm listening."
Hamuko pained expression softened, but she tried not to expose it, "Makoto, I love-"
After midnight - 16/11/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
"Ah!"
He let out a small shriek as he rose from his bed, finding himself covered in sweat as he sat on his mattress. He exhaled loudly in respite when he realized he was alone in the room, but turned to grimace when he recalled the vivid dream.
He knew he had to abandon the bed for now. There was no trace of sleepiness when he rested his back on his chair, peering at the empty desk as though forgetting his main purpose. The pencil on the small pencil box made him recalled his almost daily update every night before bed, sometimes when he woke before the alarm.
The small, paperback diary that he wrote months ago was nearing quarter-half by now. When the memories of the other world proved too old for his mind, a physical record was the best kind assistance one could ask for, though he made sure nobody would find it.
But by the time he frequented the revision of the book, he realized that Hamuko's name began to pop out more with each page. Almost like he was writing in her stead, or she was writing it for him. The connection he had in his mind with her became a tangible rope binding them together. It's almost suffocating, but it became more natural the more he visualized her. Currently, he sensed her leaving her bed at the moment, and was sitting on her desk. For some reason, his eyes darted to his phone. True enough, it rang.
"You're awake, aren't you? Bad dreams? Me too."
The message from Hamuko gave him a sense of cloudiness too complex to describe.
"Go back to sleep, we got school trip tomorrow," He typed.
"Are you scared that I know what you're doing?"
"This girl..." He sighed before he replied, "Why do you think I'm scared?"
The response was late but still came afterward.
"Because I am."
Makoto felt his hand weakly typed the dial buttons. He wasn't sure the correct response to her. Eventually, he decided on the simplest answer.
"Go to bed." He quickly shut his phone close and pushed it aside, half expecting it to ring again. He sighed in relief when it didn't.
Hamuko's face never left his mind as he started writing. He experienced this emotion before, but never this strongly. It terrified him, disgusted him, and most of all muddled him. He couldn't see Hamuko as he should anymore.
The moment he pressed the pencil tip on the blank page, he let the pencil fell and clutched his face weakly.
"No... I couldn't have... since when I have these feelings for her?"
Suddenly, he heard the sound of someone turning his metal doorknob. When he realized the hand grinning on the handle was metallic, the answer was obvious.
He reached for the door before she could attempt another lockpicking. Frown always visible on Aigis's face every time she saw him since the incident with Ikutsuki. When Makoto invited her in, Aigis silently stood at the center of the room, but she avoided his gaze.
"You can tell me anything, Aigis."
"Yes..." Aigis nodded, "I promised to protect you both, but it seemed that I have failed my mission towards you. I wish to atone. Is there anything you want me to do?"
He almost chuckled, "I'm so tired of telling you this. Even if you insist, I don't think there's anything you can do for me."
"May I propose an idea?"
"Go on ahead then... Ah."
Aigis hugged him, albeit too tight.
"Hamuko-san told me 'If Makoto feels sad, then hug him. It will make him warm.' Is this statement true?"
Hamuko. Always her name. He gently pushed Aigis away and smiled, "Only by certain people, including you."
It was obvious she couldn't understand, not yet. But something twitched in her eyes.
"Makoto-san, have we met before? Long, long ago? You feel... nostalgic."
He didn't answer Aigis's question. Everyone said that, once they spent long enough time with him.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - 17/11/2009 - Higashiyama-Sanjo, Godaigo Inn
The moment they arrived at the luxurious inn, Hamuko had begun to taste the sweetness of Kyoto's history. She had been wondering why Aigis was rather hostile towards the newest transfer student, who was tagging along with the trip, but with the exception of it, the warmth of hot spring within her grasp made her jumped excitedly.
Ryoji Mochizuki's flirtatious manner to her certainly bothered the girls, although she was honestly nonchalant about it. The young man had a too sweet of a tongue, but he wasn't bad looking. Still, that wasn't what pulled her attention. Ryoji seemed... familiar to her. But she attempted not to think of it at first.
In fact, everything around this place suffered the same fate, a feeling of nostalgia impossible for her to describe. A sense of deja vu? She swore this was her first visit, but her eyes unconsciously focused on the stair, as though she knew the girl's room will be on the third floor. Three sweet nights will probably occupy her mind from the source of her newfound trouble. Though, Mitsuru probably won't share that experience; the death of her father still gripped her.
In the end, like always, her eyes fell on the blue-haired boy, and he did the same. They barely spoke anymore, yet it seemed the bond they had was getting stronger with each passing day. His smile was reflected on her, and their thoughts were once again mutual. It took her a while to notice Ryoji calling her name.
"Hamuko-san, are you free tomorrow? How about we-"
"You are dangerous!" Aigis stepped between her and the new transfer student.
"Alright, that's enough! Let's go back to our room!" Yukari scolded. They left the boys on the first floor and hurried occupied the last room on the third floor, shared with a few students she was barely acquainted with, though luckily Rio Iwasaki from her club was there for her.
At the sitting corner of the third floor, she saw Fuuka and Aigis chattering about Mitsuru and almost wanted to avoid intrusion, but Aigis never once excluded her from any conversation.
"Hamuko-san, please stay clear of Ryoji Mochizuki," The android warned, but Fuuka shrugged it off.
"I'm telling you, there's nothing wrong with him, Aigis-chan," The navigator turned to her, "By the way, Junpei came by earlier. He said he's looking for you."
"Junpei did?" Hamuko raised her eyebrows curiously.
Makoto Yuki
Evening - 17/11/2009 - Higashiyama-Sanjo, Godaigo Inn
Junpei was still talking to him and Ryoji about the trip when he sensed Hamuko reached the first floor. Makoto turned to his back and correctly guessed her approaching the team. Ryoji was the second to notice her, which he jumped from his bench and dashed towards her.
"Aw... Where's your geisha?" Ryoji asked in bummer.
"It's the first day of the trip. Try not getting your hopes up," Hamuko teased, but swiftly turned to Junpei, "Fuuka said you're looking for me."
"O-Oh, right," Junpei startled before facing him, "You and Makoto, actually. Aye, Ryoji, can you fetch some snacks for me? I think I saw some hot girls over there."
"Where?" Ryoji searched around excitedly but stopped grumpily, "I don't think there's a girl inside. Besides, none is as captivating as you, Hamuko-san."
He wasn't sure why, but he disliked that flirtatious attitude towards her. Anyone would be fine with as long as the Death-manifested remembered his limit, but there was a strange sense of dread when he saw her welcomed Ryoji's words like a girl in love. Perhaps because the only logical answer was that she will fight him as the avatar of Nyx?
"Ryoji, I'm pretty sure he means that we need some privacy," Makoto interrupted, smiling at her. He noticed her intrusive eyes digging secrets from his mind. Hopefully, she wouldn't notice his agitation, for the feeling faded away.
Ryoji noticed both of their stares like he always did, "Ah, lovers quarrel? I never knew!"
"Not like that!" Both Hamuko and Makoto spoke simultaneously. Even Junpei backed away from their raised voices.
"Okay, but call me if you need me," Ryoji responded.
Hamuko and he sat next to Junpei when Ryoji left the prying zone.
"I visited Chidori again yesterday," Junpei tweaked a smile, "Thanks, Makoto, for encouraging me to keep visiting Chidori, even after she keeps telling me to get lost. And Hamuko-san, thank you for keeping me company whenever I visited her. Despite everything she said, I know she's kind."
He could sense Hamuko's smile without looking at her. However, Junpei turned grim.
"But... if you don't mind me asking, why do you care so much about her? I mean, I know she didn't take note of it, but... Yeah, I guess I'm kinda curious."
Hamuko didn't bother looking at Makoto at this point, who was trying to dismiss Junpei's stare. He had no idea the kind of lies working for this situation.
"I want her to trust you, Junpei," Makoto convincingly said, "And I want to give her a bright future, not walking the dark route of Strega. Flowers we brought to her were a reminder that we always remember her, no matter her background." Hamuko was nodding to it as much as Junpei was, though his instinct told him she was not truly convinced about it.
"I see..." Junpei tugged his hat lightly as if trying to hide his sudden grin, "Thanks, guys. Know what? The snacks today are on me, you two! So pick anything, but don't take too much- Guys?"
Hamuko and he bolted to the stall and reached for the snacks area inside the stall not far from them.
"Don't worry about Ryoji," Hamuko suddenly spoke next to him as she grabbed another sweets, "He's a friend, that's all."
"...I didn't ask."
Makoto cursed under his breath as he felt his cheeks slightly reddened. She knew.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - 18/11/2009
The second day of the trip lacked the appealing difference from yesterday, though most of the students were finally given the chance to try the yukata, even Aigis, whose was neatly tied till it obscured any trace of metal beneath it. Mitsuru did too, enjoying herself after days of gloominess. Something good happened between her and Yukari, though it's best if she pried no more of it.
In her room, Hamuko was still dressing her yukata when Rio, giving up the robe entirely, spoke as she rested her back on the tatami floor.
"Hah... this place is boring," She complained, gesturing to the unworn pilling yukata, then resting her arm on her eyes, "Why can't we have something like that training camp?"
"Which one?" Hamuko questioned without taking her eyes away from the knot she gently made.
"You know? Back in August, when we went to Yasoinaba high school. I like that place."
"Oh, yeah..." She recapped her memory, "We met a girl named Yukiko Amagi there, heiress to the Inn."
"Yeah, I remembered her," Rio nodded, "She was an interesting middle school student."
"Hmm? Middle school?" Hamuko finally finished arranging her knot correctly before shifting her head towards Rio, "I thought she was a high school student?"
"I thought that at first too," Rio replied. Boredom finally strangled her as she jumped to her feet, "I need to see Kenji downstairs. You want to join?"
"In a moment. Go see your boyfriend first."
"H-He's not my boyfriend!"
When Rio left in a fluster, Hamuko remembered the letter written by Makoto to her the day of training camp. Didn't she give the letter to the young Yukiko as per his request? If there was a way for her to identify the reason behind his cause... Again, Makoto Yuki occupied her mind. She pushed the image away and decided to meet the man himself.
Slotting some candies into her small obi belt in case of hunger, Hamuko descended to the boy's corridor and saw that everyone had already changed into their yukata.
"You missed him a while ago. He's already downstairs," Akihiko gestured to the lower floor as he sat on the resting area, but his eyes nervously avoided her, "...And you look very good in those. S-Sorry, I couldn't help myself."
When she reached the first floor, Ryoji was talking to Junpei about the scenery they visited today. Rio, Kenji, and Kazushi from the sports team were talking close together at the far end of the floor. But her eyes kept on searching for the blue-haired boy.
True enough, Makoto was heading for the front door, but with his yukata, it might simply be a stroll. His hands scarcely reached for the door handle when he turned around. He was waiting for her. His eyes always found her when she found him. Almost like an impulse, they both left the inn without a single word.
Night - Bank of Kamogawa river
There was a strange sense of satisfaction when they realized the bank was nearly empty except for a few passengers who were rushing home. Clean waters streamed through, night lamps reflecting gleaming lights on the river's surface. When they descended the bank and prepared to sit, Hamuko realized she had gripped Makoto's hand ever since they left the inn. Makoto spoke nothing, but she sensed shyness when their hands disconnected. As they sat down, awkwardness filled the air, but there's not a word exchanged between them.
The moonlight failed to reveal much of the earthly grass beneath them, including Makoto's face when she peeked at his right side. But when the darkness began to subtle, a pair of blue eyes returned the gaze, with lips gaping but no words passed through. Deadpan, but a thousand words were not enough for one expression.
"You're thinking how awkward this is," Hamuko coughed lightly.
"But you don't want to go back," He answered.
"You want to enjoy the sounds of rivers."
"And you want to stay here with me."
"You hate that I'm reading you."
"And you hate that I hate it."
She gripped Makoto's hand smoothly and focused on the river, ignoring Makoto's fixed stare on her. The reoccurring action was almost an instinct. She wondered why the sudden urge to grip for his hands whenever something invaded her mind about the boy? Did she hate it? That's not true, not entirely. Her hands were trembling.
"...No, you're scared that I hate it," Makoto added.
Hamuko turned to him, and he revealed his usual blank stares as he returned the grip on her.
"Are you not curious?" Hamuko asked.
"No," Makoto answered swiftly. She sensed apathy emotion regarding the statement. No, this wouldn't do.
Taking out some candy from her pouch, she gripped it in her left palm and stood in front of Makoto, hiding both hands behind her.
"How about we test it?" She began, "What's inside my hand, and which hand?"
Makoto raised his eyebrows, "Are you serious?"
"If you guess it right, I'll give it to you."
"Oh..." Makoto tilted his head slightly upwards, "A snack."
She gasped, fumbling the candy in her hand, and unwrapped the plastic, "Almost got it."
"On your right hand. Candy."
"Bingo."
Hamuko leaped towards him and clogged the candy into his mouth with her weight on top of him. Despite being forced, Makoto showed only small resistance towards her as he chewed the rough candy in his mouth.
"Minty," He commented, which made Hamuko clenched her stomach to restrained her laugh. He narrowed his eyes curiously, "I thought you're scared of me reading your mind?"
"But that doesn't mean we shouldn't question it," Hamuko replied, removing herself from above him and sat next gently on the grass, "I know you have something important you need to tell me."
"Then you have to do the same," Makoto talked as he chewed the candy in his mouth with a teasing look, "You don't have a secret, are you?"
"Nothing you can guess," Hamuko was confident. There's no way he could find out about her feelings. Makoto widened his eyes in amusement.
"Hmmm... Don't tell me you're in love with someone I don't know of? Or is it me?" Makoto chuckled, "Just kidding... Hamuko-chan?"
She found herself frozen in one place as he uttered those suggestions before she quickly returned to her feet. He didn't believe it, but with their minds interconnected, his furrowed eyebrows proved enough the burning panic he sensed showering her skin as she avoided his stares.
"Why are you so flustered?" Makoto stood and straightened both legs before approaching her hastily, "Which part was I right?"
"Please forget I said anything," She took a step back, edging the river bank. "All of it."
"Hmmm..." Makoto leaned his head closer peeked at her face, again forcing her towards the water's edge, "You're not being honest yourself, I see."
"Idiot," With a quick hand, Hamuko took out another candy wrap from her obi and attempted to shove it into his mouth. But Makoto anticipated this and quickly gripped her wrist. The sudden movement eventually made them tripped, and Hamuko will have to pray the cold water swallowing both of them wouldn't give her cold.
When they emerged out of the river's surface, her ponytail had come undone as she attempted to stand, but tripped yet again, pushing the boy's torso into the water. By the time she realized it, her face was inches away from his, whose face was mostly covered with his hair. It was not her intention to laugh, but at least Makoto had enough sense of humor to chuckle at her reaction.
But all of a sudden, the laughs slowly faded to silence, along with their smiles. Makoto's eyes glittered next to the flowing waters, and he was beautiful. Without she realized it, her forehead was pressed against his.
Should she confess now? The mood was just right. He was staring at her soul, just as she did-
"I-I'm sorry," He gently pushed her body to the side before walking back to the shore. Hamuko said nothing, for the sense of horror filled her.
For a short while, there was a dreadful rejection from him towards her.
Makoto Yuki
Evening - 19/11/2009 - Godaigo Inn
"What's going on with you and Hamuko, lately?" Akihiko asked the moment they returned from today's touring session. The girls had left for the room, leaving the boys on the first floor to chat among themselves. Akihiko and Junpei were staring at him as he sat on the bench not far from the entrance.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on," Akihiko was obviously bothered by his lacked concern, "You came back to the inn completely drenched last night. You got the whole inn looking at you both. Hey, you didn't do anything funny with her, do you?"
"Funny?"
"What he means is..." Junpei chuckled, "Were you two doing something lovey-dovey together?"
"Uh, that's not what I meant!" Akihiko's face was red from Junpei's remark, "You didn't, right? Please tell me nothing happened!"
Makoto shook his head, "We just took a walk and fell into the river."
They both were staring at him with disbelief. Let them believed what they wanted. He had more important concerns to worry about at the moment. To think he almost wanted to embrace Hamuko last night...
"Where's Hamuko, by the way?" Akihiko tried to change the subject, "I don't see her enter the inn."
"She's with Ryoji," Makoto answered, but added when they narrowed their eyes curiously on him, "...I think. Now, if you excuse me, I need a bath."
"Woah, there! Won't you join us?" Junpei stopped him from rushing out with a sinister smile, "I got a plan today."
"No, not with you guys."
In his world, he and the boys barely escaped the executions from Mitsuru when they almost caught them bathing during the female's session. That memory was as fresh as yesterday. Secretly, he hoped Hamuko caught the boys tonight.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - 19/11/2009 - Bank of Kamogawa river
Ryoji was still enjoying the creeps they brought together when they arrived at the river bank. The truth was she refused to look at the river they tripped into last night. The reason Hamuko accepted Ryoji's invitation was she and Makoto both were too embarrassed to eye each other. Then again, walking together with Ryoji was under-appreciated, though again she swore the young man felt familiar to her.
"Hamuko-san, can I ask you something?" Ryoji suddenly turned serious, but sad at the same time, "What's your relationship with Makoto-san?"
She blinked her eyes at the sudden question, but Ryoji's eyes were sincere.
"He's a precious friend to me," She answered honestly.
"Then why are you so afraid of him?" Ryoji asked, "When we toured the local's spot this morning, I can see you avoided him."
How did he notice that? But she didn't disclose her confusion, "It's complicated."
"I see, then I won't pry anymore..."
His eyes were pleading. Maybe this man could keep a secret. Hamuko let out a quiet exhalation.
"What if I told you that there's something inside me telling me he won't 'accept' me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know how to say it, but there's something about him I started to notice when I'm close to him," She buried her face in her knees, "It's like... he trusts me, he values me, but he's scared of something, something he doesn't want to accept. And he's afraid I will find out. Worst of all, I'm the same way, there's a secret I don't want him to know too, not yet."
Ryoji said nothing at first, but his eyes were cloudy.
"It's funny," Ryoji responded, "Whenever I look at him, I'm reminded of you."
"You're not the first to say that," Hamuko chuckled.
"I don't think you need to worry. Whatever his reason, you two will work it out," Ryoji advised, rubbing his hands in chillness, "Ah, it's getting cold. How about we return to the inn?"
Of course, whatever reason Makoto will give, she will have to acknowledge it, as long as it's truthful.
Makoto Yuki
Morning - 20/11/2009
He couldn't forget the emotion of anger within Hamuko last night in his room, during the time the girls were entering the hot spring together. When he greeted the boys on the first floor today, they were eyeing him with depressed looks.
"You're lucky you're not there last night," Junpei nearly wanted to cry as he wailed those words.
"Mitsuru's execution was brutal," Akihiko stared at the ground with sorrow, "Hamuko looked at me with disgust! I hated myself."
"But it was an enjoyable experience," Ryoji smiled, not even sarcastically.
He almost laughed at Akihiko and Junpei who glared at Ryoji before he saw Hamuko, Yukari, Fuuka, and Aigis approaching them. They peeked at the boys and eventually decided to ignore them. But to him, Hamuko curved a smile.
"I'm glad you're not one of them, Makoto-kun," Hamuko's smile was filled with malice, "You know why I'm so angry last night, do you?"
"As you said, I'm not part of their plan," Makoto shook his head furiously, "You can trust me, girls."
"Of course we do!" Yukari intercepted their conversation with a genuine(?) smile, before glancing at the boys, "Unlike those scums."
The three boys shuddered, and their face went white the moment Mitsuru herself walked by without a second glance at them. Her eyes towards him were warm, though, which made him shuddered in fear.
The boys were dispersing as the girls left for their room. He took the opportunity to approach the miserable orchestrator of last night's plan. Irritation filled Junpei's face when he saw Makoto's smile, assuming he was still teasing him about last night. Too cautious, Makoto thought. He merely wanted to inform the idiot that there will a good armor waiting for Junpei, reserved by Hamuko at the island, a 'precaution' for the impending danger.
However, his eyes paused on the small gift bag on Ryoji's side. Ryoji, assuming the bag well hidden, startled in surprise when Makoto questioned it.
"Well..." Ryoji hesitated, "I want a souvenir for myself while I'm here."
Makoto narrowed his eyes in suspicion. The gift bag was too small.
Hamuko Arisato
Afterschool - 22/11/2009 - Chagall Cafe, Tatsumi Port Island
In truth, she was in no mood to accept Ryoji's invitation to the cafe today. Chidori Yoshino disappeared yesterday, Junpei couldn't sit down in peace, while she sensed Makoto's evergrowing tension due to Junpei's rejection to accept the armor by Makoto and her. Everything was a mess until she found herself waking from a nightmare she couldn't interpret.
Perhaps Ryoji knew this, and offered the coffee for peace of mind? Ryoji, who was sitting in front of her, curved his lips in relief.
"I'm glad you're taking a break," Ryoji tried to sip his coffee but returned it to the table when it proved too bitter, "I was worried because you looked so stressed out."
"Thank you," Hamuko smiled, "But it doesn't have to be coffee if you can't drink it."
Ryoji laughed with tamed volume, pressing his palm on his chest to suppress it. It was then Hamuko's sharp eyes scanned a thin, shiny ring on his ring finger. Ryoji noted her stares and trailed her attention to his finger.
"Oh, this? It's a souvenir I brought from Kyoto," Ryoji exposed it proudly in front of her, "Such small thing, but it fits so perfectly on my tiny finger... It made me feel like... I'm real."
"Silly. You are always real. I'm here with you now, am I?"
Did she misspeak? Ryoji frowned as he gazed downward.
"Why you?" Ryoji muttered, but loud enough for her to make out his words, "Why am I so... attached to you? I feel like... I have known you for a long time..."
Hamuko nodded, both to herself and him. Ryoji did remind her of someone.
"Hamuko-san, can we... meet again? I feel like I want to- No, I need to know you more."
She nodded, "Why not come to the dorm instead?"
Ryoji's lips curved upward.
Makoto Yuki
Evening - 27/11/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm
Makoto truly welcomed to see Ryoji's frequent visit to the dorm as of late. Junpei needed all the listeners he had to cheer him after the incident that befell Chidori days ago. The griever himself sometimes smiled, whenever he didn't weep about his beloved girl.
There's no way he could tell Hamuko how much he needed a listener as well. Foulness filled his mood for nights after his failure at saving Chidori. Junpei didn't wear the armor both he and Hamuko provided for him. That night, He was in so much rush when the gothic girl taunted them towards Tartarus for Junpei to grab anything.
Makoto was sitting on the kitchen's chair when he saw Hamuko descended from the upper floor. They made eye contact but said nothing. Her attempt to make him smile days ago failed horribly with her ended up infected with his sullenness. She was equally depressed due to the incident.
When Ryoji, who was sitting on the lounge's sofa with Junpei caught sight of her, he leaped from his seat and approached her. Probably for the first time, he caught sight of Makoto as well.
"Hamuko-san, Makoto-san, forgive me for coming so often," Ryoji bowed slightly towards them. His face suddenly turned dark, "I heard not much from Junpei, but it appears that he had lost someone very important to him."
"He still mourned her," He heard Hamuko answered, "I'm glad that you talk to him. He needs it."
"What about you?" Ryoji asked, "Do you need to talk?"
Hamuko shifted her attention to him.
"No," Makoto and Hamuko answered at the same time, "I'm not the only one."
Makoto smiled weakly as she nodded in approval. The appraiser watched from the side curiously at them, then glanced at Junpei who was busy petting Koromaru.
"Maybe we can talk in a better place?" Ryoji suggested, "I want to get to know you too, Makoto-san."
"Yes, let us all go." The fourth voice spoke.
The three of them turned to the sudden entrance. Aigis was already in her casual dark uniform, eyeing Ryoji as though she already had her fingers wrapped around his neck. "Let us all go together."
Makoto and Hamuko turned to each other with worried stares.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - 27/11/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm
"Death... is such a scary thing to happen..." Ryoji said as they conversed. It was awkward for them to sit around the small table, but their legs still had a small room to stretch. Aigis never broke her line of vision from the young man. The android suggested sitting between her and Makoto while keeping them both certain feet away from Ryoji's chair. Ryoji ignored her with zero visible annoyance.
As she nodded to Ryoji's words, Hamuko eyed both Ryoji and Makoto within near distance for the first time. Ryoji, if he mashed his hair carefully, had striking semblance to Makoto. Could it be a coincidence?
"Memento Mori," Makoto said, "Remember that you are mortal, and-"
"You must die," Hamuko finished his quote. Makoto turned to her and nodded.
"Mortal must die," Aigis interjected, glaring at Ryoji, "You must die."
Aigis didn't realize the increasingly heavy atmosphere as they stared at each other for a while in silence. Ryoji attempted a small laugh to break the mood.
"Come on, don't be so gloom," Ryoji said, "So, tell me about yourself, Makoto-san."
When the three of them conversed at first, excluding the non-drinking Aigis, Hamuko removed herself from the conversation as Makoto and Ryoji were chatting regarding the ring on Ryoji's finger. Ryoji jokingly said that Hamuko gave him the ring and he had another pair, but Makoto frowned deeply and turned away from the man.
The blue-haired boy was jealous? Hopefully, redness won't be visible on her cheeks from the joy she felt. Back in Kyoto, perhaps what she felt wasn't rejection, but shyness? Were their feelings mutual, like Junpei and Chidori?
For some reason, she noticed the slight redness on Makoto's cheek as he glanced at her.
"Hamuko-san, Makoto-san, both of your temperatures suddenly increase," Aigis examined them both with a hand touch, "Is this the effect of caffeine? Your heartbeat also increases every time you two made eye contact."
"It's the coffee, Aigis," Hamuko pat the top Aigis' hand that held hers, "Please don't think too much of it, okay?"
"For an optimize protection, I need to brief any anomalies occurred with both of you," Aigis disagreed, "Tell me. Is this what Jumpei-san calls high sexual tension between man and woman?"
"Phhhggg!"
Makoto spat the coffee in his mouth until some of it spilled on his trousers. Ryoji left his mouth open in shock, while Hamuko popped her eyes upon the android. Some customers peaked at them curiously, but their attention returned to the cup in hand.
"Makoto-kun, are you alright?" She left her seat and rushed to him, but he lifted a hand at her.
"I need to clean this," Makoto stood up and hurriedly went to the direction of the washroom.
"I will check on him," Aigis pushed her chair backward as well.
"Aigis, you can't enter the man's washroom..." Hamuko let her words trailed off when Aigis hurriedly ran past her to Makoto's direction, "I hope she won't cause him trouble."
"You have interesting friends," Ryoji commented joyfully, "Surely Makoto enjoy your company as well as I do."
"The reverse. I'm the one enjoying his company," She answered, staring at the direction of Makoto, "I'm glad we need each other."
She noticed the young man's brimming eyes, "So that's the secret you don't want him to know," Ryoji sounded astonished, "You like him."
"Eh? N-No!" There's no hiding her boiling red face as she returned the weak attempt at dodging the question. Ryoji nodded slowly, albeit strangely sad when he understood it.
"Don't worry, I won't tell him," Ryoji smiled, but proceeded to look downward with an inaudible mutter.
"You promised, Ryoji," Hamuko warned teasingly.
"How nice. Falling in love, making friends... Heh. Somehow, I'm scared," Ryoji confessed, "Am I worthy of living in this world, like all of you? It feels like if I indulge myself in this reality for a moment, everything will be gone. I'm worried about not seeing you anymore."
Felt like a recall to Makoto's words weeks ago. Unconsciously, she reached for his slender hand and caressed it. He observed his hand in surprise, but redness bloomed on his cheeks.
"Ah, what am I saying? I shouldn't speak like this. Now, I wonder what happened to Makoto-san and Aigis-san?"
"Aigis, this is a man's washroom. Get out!"
"I must protect you all the time, even here. Do you need spare underwear?"
"Aigis, cut it out!"
They heard Makoto and Aigis's voice and sweatdropped.
Makoto Yuki
Late Night - 30/11/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm
He couldn't sleep a wink with Fuuka's speaker constantly buzzing in his room until he had to bury the card inside his blanket away from any audible device. There's no point deciphering any change that was occurring when the one change he needed failed.
Hamuko was awake, though it seemed something else was distressing her mind other than Chidori and Junpei. A moment she was attached to him, another moment she was afraid to look at him. Something was affecting their relationship.
There's no need to face Igor. He knew his attempt had failed, which baffled him about the status of the Contact Card that only reacted to great change. What could possibly alter?
As he was walking towards the vending machine, his attention was disturbed when he heard a female's voice on the third floor. Concern overtook his thirst when he realized it was Mitsuru's voice. Delightfully, the stairs were not squeaking when he climbed the stairs.
"Huh? What did you say?" He saw Mitsuru talking to someone on the phone as she faced the window. She had not noticed him yet. As she conversed, her serene voice began to grow disquieting.
"Transmogrified?! Y-You mean the corpse-... But judging by the post mortem, we were certain she was..." Mitsuru composed herself, "Understood. I'm sorry, but this must be kept strictly confidential until we know more..."
Who was she talking to? Could it be...
"Huh? Who's there?!" It seemed Mitsuru finally detected his presence. Mitsuru appeared surprised when he appeared, but there was no anger in her voice, "Yuki? What are you doing here?"
"I'm just checking out on you," He answered, but she didn't seem to believe him at first.
"...Were you listening?" She narrowed her eyes on him, "Please don't tell anyone. We don't know for sure what's happening to her."
"Was it...?" He let his words died when she continued.
"Yes, Chidori, the member of Strega, transmogrified during the autopsy. She's currently in a state of neither living nor dead. We can't confirm anything, but-"
"She might live," Makoto couldn't help smiling. Joy and satisfaction filled him to the point that even Mitsuru was speechless to his reaction. He did it, he saved the girl, "She might live, it's all the better."
"We don't know that yet... Which is why I need you to bury this secret."
"Not a soul, cross my heart and hope to die..." But he began to reconsider his words, "...Though I can never hide from Hamuko. She will know there's news enough to make me happy, but I'm sure she will pretend this night never happened."
"I take your word for it," Mitsuru nodded, but something still caught her tongue, "Yuki, I believed I never had the chance to express my apology concerning our chairman-"
He pressed his index finger on her lips to pause her, "Not another word, Mitsuru. You owned me nothing."
"I-I..." Her face was burning red as she backed away, "T-This is strange... Why do I feel like I know you much more than I think I do? I feel... Excuse me..."
She dashed past him at an impossible speed. As he began to descend the stairs, he chuckled when he correctly guessed Hamuko leaving her room and searched for him. They paused upon eye contact, but Hamuko let out a faint smile when she saw him. But there was a strange viper-like emotion crawling in his heart when he noticed that ominous aura. Was that... jealousy? At this point, he wasn't sure if it's his or her feelings.
His legs felt heavy when he approached the girl. This feeling... he couldn't have these feelings for...
"I won't ask if it's something you can't tell me," Hamuko said.
"Something good happened."
"I can tell," She answered. His instinct about her emotion was correct, as it was visible on her face when she released his hand, "Makoto-kun, do you dream of anything? Any nightmares?"
"Just a bit of this and that, nothing too important, I hope," He answered, but the truth was he dreamed of the mysterious girl in a dark robe, over and over again.
"Well..." She crossed her hands behind her back and avoided his gaze, "For these past few days, I dreamt of my deceased parents, and of a bridge..."
All memories flooded into him like a storm. How could he possibly forget about the event that will transpire for the next two days? She noted this revelation from his expression.
"You too, Makoto-kun?"
"I guess..." The shock from the terrible night still haunted him. How could he forget about the incoming full moon?
Hamuko Arisato
After school - 2/12/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm
Hamuko found her hand in Makoto as they walked home together. Initially, she was the conversation starter, but she sensed a strange sense of empathy from him, directing to who was beyond her.
She was not being rejected, Hamuko realized it now. Makoto still viewed her preciously. But he barely made eye contact with her as of late, as though there was something he needed to tell her, but couldn't.
When they both entered the dorm, Ryoji appeared joyful at Junpei's slow recovery from Chidori's death. Fuuka and Yukari were there, sitting on the different side of the sofa as they watched the boys chatting.
When he saw them, Ryoji's face lightened further. However, it was obvious that Hamuko was the reason he came here. Without Makoto noticing, Ryoji was able to whisper to her ear.
"I'll be waiting in front of your room."
Ryoji wasn't surprised to see her room for the first time. In fact, he called it nostalgic, despite her only mentioning the location of her room days ago. He claimed that her room was identical to Makoto's room, yet Makoto never mentioned inviting him. There was something in his manner today that made it as though he was going somewhere far. It reminded her of Shinjiro before he fell into a coma.
"I dreamt of this place..." Ryoji commented on the nostalgic feeling he had, "Would it be too romantic if we really had met each other a long time ago?"
"I wouldn't call it romantic," She answered with giggles. Ryoji smiled even brighter, but there was no joy.
"You have such a kind heart," Ryoji looked downward embarrassingly, "There's no need for you to accept my invitation each time, yet you do. I'll probably make you sad. It's just a feeling I get."
Wait... Was this...? Ryoji continued.
"It's probably wrong of me to feel this way. It's like... a forbidden love."
His small confession reached her deeply, including his sorrow. Despair too difficult to describe, instinct told her what he needed before he begged it.
"It's painful deep inside..." Ryoji continued, "This must it how it feels to have one side love."
'One side love'. She folded her hands to her back in embarrassment as she serened herself from his confession.
"Hamuko-san," Ryoji wiped his eyes before tears could leak and provided an encouragement she never realized she needed, "You have my full support for you and Makoto-san. I get the feeling that he will protect you more than anything in the world, than anyone. Don't falter."
"T-That's..." Hamuko took a step backward in hesitation. Telling her to confess to someone, even though he had the same feelings for her? That's cruelty. "You can't say that to me, Ryoji."
Ryoji dismissed her worries, "Don't worry. I have something I need to do alone to ease my mind, tonight."
Aigis
Dark Hour - 2/12/2009 - Moonlight Bridge
She detected the hostile presence on the bridge, exactly as she expected from him. Ryoji Mochizuki showed absolute adaptation within the hidden hour. That merely confirmed her suspicion about the identity of the man. She finally understood everything about him, and why she wanted to protect Hamuko Arisato.
"That right, on a night like tonight... The moon was full..." Ryoji said, "It was long ago."
"Yes, we met once before... as adversaries," Aigis began her battle position. Watching him still in confusion irked her to no end. He still didn't remember what happened ten years ago? "And you... Your true name is "Death"." She sealed him, ten years ago, on this very bridge.
"Yes..." Ryoji appeared determined, "It was ten years ago..."
The resurgence of old memories within them brought the two figures straight to the past. The 13th Arcana, the Arcana that was never meant to be, was born and fought here. 'Death' was incomplete, yet it was impossible to defeat him still. Defeat lingered in Aigis's mind. Rather than defeat, the only solution was to seal him away...
"Under the circumstance, there's only one suitable vessel," Aigis remembered her, "A human girl who happened to be nearby... I had no other choice..."
"A human... girl? Or..." Ryoji's face suddenly twisted in pain, "I see. Hamuko, I was inside her all this time... Yes, I remembered everything now... Who... and what I am... Wait..."
"A machine is created for a purpose..." Aigis entered battle mode, "Mine is to defeat you. That is the purpose of my existence!"
All of a sudden, something corrupted entered her program. Did she remember that right? Ryoji's voice resounded within her.
"...Aigis, forgive me for asking... but was there really a human girl...? Or was it a boy?" He clenched his head with one head, "Strange, why am I remembering a boy?"
"A boy?" Aigis tried to recall the presence of Hamuko Arisato, but instead, another figure entered her mind. A blue-haired boy.
"I... I don't know," She felt the gear in her head spinning madly. Why was it only one, but there's an image of a girl, and a boy? No, she had a mission! "It doesn't matter! Palladion!"
"Don't be foolish, Aigis," Ryoji scolded, "I'm different than before..."
When her persona failed to pierce the invisible shield around Ryoji, she realized there's no way she could defeat it. And yet, despite dedicating her life to this sole purpose, the question of that night lingered. Before she realized it, she was thrown back by a fierce force destroying most of her system.
"I'm sorry, everyone..." She found herself begging for forgiveness as she struggled to stand, "Hamuko-san... Huh? Hamuko-san, or Makoto-san? Why is he in the database?"
Two images overlapped her eyes as she saw Ryoji walking away. That night, ten years ago, which one was the one she saw? A boy, or a girl?
Hamuko Arisato
Dark Hour - 2/12/2009 - Moonlight Bridge
When they all rushed to the bridge, where the missing Aigis was supposedly detected by Fuuka, an extremely distraught feeling clutched Hamuko's mind like hands pressing its nails into her chest. Through Makoto, she felt a horrible truth was approaching her. The blue-haired boy was distressed, more so than any other night before. It was the first full moon without a battle with Arcana Shadow, but she felt awfully afraid.
The malfunctioning Aigis was kneeling on the ground when they found her. She was battered beyond anything she had seen from the machine. Apologies never stopped repeating itself on her lips, and most of all, she was staring at Hamuko expecting forgiveness she had no notion of.
"I remember... almost everything..." Aigis reached out a hand for her, which she hurriedly took it.
"It's okay, Aigis. I'm here," Hamuko comforted the machine.
"I know why I wanted to be by your side... But there's more..." Aigis pleaded, "I'm sorry. I failed..."
"Stop apologizing! What happened to you?!" Hamuko gripped her hand tighter, but she kept on apologizing. But then, they heard a familiar voice speaking behind her. As she glanced at the incoming man walking towards them, she noticed Ryoji presented himself to them with a bitter expression. Earlier today, he was eager to spend time with her. But now, Ryoji won't even dare for eye contact. She felt her blood rushing to her head, and Aigis falling headfirst to the ground added the headache. But the one thing stretching the disarrayed thoughts was Makoto's emotion.
The Appriser, that's what he introduced himself. He claimed that Shadows existed to facilitate the rebirth of a maternal being. The more he spoke, the more she began to cower. The self-proclaimed Appriser revealed that he was sealed by Aigis into a child on this bridge ten years ago. The very place her parents were killed in an accident.
When the biggest reveal happened, everyone was looking at her in shock. Makoto was the only one who gave her the sympathized stares. She was too stunned for word.
"It's all my fault... I'm sorry," She saw Ryoji's hurtful eyes. If she could hug him right then, she would, regardless of his origin. But he wasn't finished, "There's more I need... to tell you..."
Ryoji lost consciousness and fell to the ground, like a puppet losing its string. SEES agreed to Mitsuru's suggestion of letting Ryoji rested, plus Aigis needed the maintenance. However, she was too stunned to walk home in a straight line. Luckily, everyone was there for her.
Makoto Yuki
After midnight- 2/12/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm
Countless thoughts crossed his mind as he knocked on Hamuko's door. Tonight was the night he remembered his parents the most out of all night in this world. Did he visit their graves in his world before joining them in the Sea of Soul? Perhaps he did, but did it matter? He will never rejoin anyone in the great sea of consciousness as long as he held the Great Seal; not his parents, not his friends, not in a million years. He still remembered Erebus claiming onto the golden barrier, where every 'star' in the collective unconsciousness was watching him.
Where will he go but the seal itself? There will be no meeting with his parents in the afterlife. No happy reunion, only eternal slumbering detached from everyone. He almost forgot his parents' faces. Will they scold him like a child if they knew he chose the path of humanity's messiah? There's no point in pondering it anymore. Perhaps he paid them a visit later. Surely, the new prophecy in his world might promise a different path. Still, if all other alternatives failed him, there's no shame in holding the Great Seal again.
"Who's there?" Hamuko called from within her room.
"It's me," Makoto, dressed in his night casual shirt, removing his hand from the door. Hamuko opened the door with a dark spot under her eyes and greeted him.
"I'm fine," She smiled, but it only irritated him. Sensing his anger, Hamuko retraced her words, "A company would be nice."
When he swung close the door behind him, Makoto examined the room and was slightly bewildered by the interior. Her room was nearly identical to his. The girl's lower half was already covered in a blanket when her eyes locking on him. She will suffer his fate, there's no escaping it. But for tonight, she appeared fragile like glass, and he unconsciously walked towards her bed, where her hand awaited his beneath the blanket.
She whispered, "Can you stay with me for one night?"
"I will," He found his hand tangled in hers. She wasn't satisfied with a smile, thus he sat on her bed, tugging her blanket gently.
"I..." Hamuko closed her eyes, "I feel like I have forgotten my parents' face. Being an orphan since childhood doesn't affect me until others mentioned it. Strange, huh?"
"I understand that too well."
"...Makoto-kun, can you... tell me what you feel about Ryoji's words?"
"You're Hamuko, regardless of what happened to you."
Hamuko smiled, "I always pretend to strong so that I can be happy with everyone. But the truth is... it hurt pretending I'm not lonely. It hurt telling myself it's okay. Were you the same?"
"When my parents died, I just block any connection I gained. You don't lose anything if you never had one," He talked from his previous experiences, "I don't pretend. I just numbed myself at first so I don't feel lonely. But that way of life is sad, I know that now. "
Hamuko grabbed his hand tighter, "I want to visit my parents' grave, with you."
Makoto nodded, and they spoke nothing more. When Hamuko began to drift into a dream, he decided to rest on the chair not far from them. Unlikely he could sleep anyway.
Hamuko Arisato
Night - Iwatodai Dorm
Hamuko swore that before Ryoji entered the meeting room, he was whispering something to Makoto next to his ear. She pressed nothing of it at first. The origin of Shadow intrigued her more. Still, she sensed puzzlement from Makoto's mind when Ryoji gave his message. From the way he avoided her eyes as they all sat around Ryoji, her suspicion deepened.
Half an hour later, by the time Ryoji finished his explanation, she was left in a paralyzed state, where no words exited her mouth. A choice only she can make; to kill Ryoji and live in blissful ignorance, or spare him and challenge the mother of all Shadows. Either way, the Fall will occur, and she might not see spring again.
"I'll be back on New Year's Eve," Ryoji finally said before leading to the exit door. Junpei demanded a chase, but Fuuka stopped him, for the navigator realized that she could no longer sense him.
One month left, the big choice was upon her. Still, something else gripped her mind. Makoto was watching the door, where Ryoji had gone to. His expression was not pleasant. When they dispersed and left the room, Makoto approached her with a terrible attempt at deception.
"I need to take a walk outside tonight. Go back to bed. Don't rush your decision."
"You don't want to tell me where you're going?"
To answer her question would be painful to him, she realized. It frustrated her to see him hiding secrets from her. At the same time, her instinct warned her to avoid delving deeper than she needed.
Makoto Yuki
Dark Hour - Moonlight Bridge
"Meet me at the Moonlight Bridge tonight, during Dark Hour. Alone if you must, without a word to Hamuko-san..."
He truly hoped that Fuuka won't be able to detect him sneaking out of the dorm. Then again, she was probably too shocked about Ryoji's truth tonight that she will hopefully walk to her bed.
Hamuko should be at the bed, though his mind knew she was wide awake, guessing his destination. If there's a way to shield his mind regarding Ryoji's curious request...
Just as the previous night, the bridge lacked vehicles and passengers, allowing him to catch sight of Ryoji watching the near-full moon intently from afar. The man only noticed him when Makoto's footsteps became audible as he pressed his foot on the concrete ground hardly, trying for attention.
Ryoji didn't smile as Makoto said nothing and waited for him to talk. There was a sense of longing and sadness in his eyes.
"...What do you need to tell me, Ryoji?"
"...Hamuko Arisato... is you, and you are Hamuko's alternate self."
The moment Ryoji breathed those words, the Contact Card in his pocket was moving until he almost believed it will leap out of his pocket. Not only his silenced phone was vibrating, but for the first time, it affected his headphone as well. There was no word among the static noise, but he hoped Ryoji didn't notice it. He unequipped the mp3 without breaking eye contact with him.
"Talk."
"Ten years ago, the child who happened to be nearby that night was you, but also her..." He explained, "Two existences overlapping in a single world. There's no more doubt the aura I sensed from you and her. You two shared the same existence, but you are not from here. I believe Aigis shared my realization."
Makoto pondered his next actions. The first native of this world to find out the truth, then Aigis. While he was frozen in one place in dumbstruck, Ryoji continued.
"Who are you, Makoto-san?"
That was not his true name. He exhaled loudly, cleared his throat, and revealed his long-forgotten name.
"Ryoji, my real name... is Minato Arisato."
Minato Arisato
"Ah!" Ryoji half gasped and half amazed, "The same surname!"
"I came from another world by the order of the Velvet Room. In fact, I came from two years- No, three years in the future, " Minato found his lips rapidly spewing out everything. The joy of never had to bury the secret alone was a bliss he never knew he needed.
"Three years in the future? Did I heard that right?" Astonishment filled his face that his eyes nearly popped out, "Makoto -pardon- Minato-san, how did you prevent the Fall?"
"I sealed Nyx's psyche..." He said bitterly, "...With my life. Hamuko will suffer the same fate if she chooses to confront Nyx, just as I was..."
"You... died? And she will too? " Ryoji pressed his chest, trying to comprehend the answers, "But you... you did the impossible. You sealed the goddesses of the night herself. But if what you said is true, then how are you alive? Or are you a Shadow with a physical body, like me?"
The conversation they had at the dorm today sparked an idea for him. Ryoji was the Appraiser. If anyone could tell him about his mission here, it will be him. The mysterious kid was nowhere on sight. Certainly, there's nothing wrong in seeking council from the spawn of Nyx himself? He leaned closer to Ryoji.
"Ryoji, I will tell you what I know about the new prophecy. I believe I need the insight from the Appraiser himself. Please, listen to my story. It all started when a man named Philemon met me..."
Hamuko Arisato
Iwatodai Dorm
The only thing stopping her from running towards Makoto's location was knowing that he will disapprove of her action. Throwing a tantrum at the empty lounge was a breath of fresh air compared to being caged in her darkening room.
The rest of the team should be in their room, but logically most of them were still force awake by Ryoji's word. Waiting for Makoto to return from his 'stroll' might be more preferable than struggling with hopeless sleep. A shame that her headphone was not operable during the Dark Hour. The silence was too nerve-racking.
Suddenly, she heard buzzing noise came from somewhere in the lounge. Fear crippled her legs for a moment before she hurriedly stood up and searched for the source. It was not human.
"Is anybody there?"
No answer. Her friends would never intimidate her like this, but the buzzing noise never diminished. It was then, very closely, she realized the noise came from her headphone.
"Eh? Why did my headphone...? I thought it won't work in Dark Hour!" She removed her mp3 player and set it aside. The moment she removed it, the loud buzzing noise stopped for good.
That moment, from the corner of her eyes, she saw a silhouette of a little kid covered in a dark robe, watching her from the reception area. When she shifted her eyes to him or her, there was no one there. The odd thing was she wasn't truly scared, only curious.
"What was that about-"
?
...She blinked. What happened? Where was she right now? She swore she was in her dorm. But now...
The Gekkoukan school hallway was as it always been, but it was desolated except for Aigis who was pulling her hand towards an unknown destination. She heard the bell signaling the morning session, yet Aigis had no intention of returning to class.
"Come," Aigis turned to her with the most 'human' smile Hamuko had ever seen, "Our friends are waiting for us."
"Where?" She asked, but Aigis ignored her and focused her attention on the stairs.
She turned to the window and saw that it was spring-blooming trees all over the school. How did spring arrive so soon? She examined closer the window and...
She saw the figure of Makoto Yuki looking at her. Aigis had already removed her hands when she paused. Hamuko raised her hand towards the window and saw that Makoto repeated her action.
"Makoto-kun?"
It was then she realized that the boy in the window... was her own reflection. Her shriek woke her from the mysterious vision.
Minato Arisato
Moonlight Bridge
There, he said it. All secrets he learned from the real world was laid bare to him. Confronting Aigis will be another story, but for tonight, another ear was something he needed. As they both sat at the ledge of the bridge together, he awaited for Ryoji's response.
"That... is the most bizarre thing I've ever heard," Ryoji didn't bother closing his gaping mouth and clenched his head in confusion, "Four Horsemen? And the last rider supposedly share my name, with me as the vessel?"
"I didn't know much myself since I was sent to this world too soon to learn everything," Makoto slid his hand into his pocket comfortably. The noise on his headphone had ceased, "What can you tell me about it, compared to what you explained to SEES today?"
"...Impossible," Ryoji uttered one word. He furrowed his eyebrows at him, but not with anger, "I believed you when you said the Arcana you forged is capable of sealing the mother of all Shadow, but... if you told me the entity resides within Nyx's psyche can surpass her almightiness... I would never accept such absurdness, Minato-san."
"Shadows are unpredictable. There might be a more powerful entity in the Sea of Soul than her, even more so than Philemon and Nyarlathotep."
"No, you don't understand," Ryoji voiced as though he wanted to argue, but couldn't. He let out a huge sigh, still processing the new prophecy in his head. They had been talking for more than half an hour. Soon, they both will have to return. Something still stuck in the Appraiser's throat, but Minato's glare on him forced him to relent and looked around, expecting another set of ears to eavesdrop.
"I will tell you something I told no one today. And I believed the 'me' from your world informed you nothing of it yet."
He had Minato's full attention now as he began.
"Today, I told SEES about Nyx gifting death and night to the world in ancient times," Ryoji narrated, "But what I didn't tell you or anyone, which I believe is irrelevant to the Fall, is the origin of Nyx. Nyx is the mother of all Shadows, but... she herself is not truly a Shadow."
"...Huh?"
"How should I explain it... Shadows exist to facilitate the rebirth of her psyche. When I mean Shadows, I mean all of the Sea of Soul, every speck of it. She's not like Philemon or Nyarlathotep. Even if the Crawling Chaos may be the mightiest of all Shadow- I doubt it's true, though- in the end, he's still part of Nyx's psyche. Every single unconsciousness is part of Nyx, waiting for her true rebirth. The Lost is simply when their Shadow returns to the great mother."
"How is it relevant to the pale rider I just mentioned?"
Ryoji seemed impatient to continue, "What I'm trying to say is... every single will, every shadow, every persona of every individual is part of Nyx's godly psyche. Nyx is the catalyst of collective unconsciousness, existed to resist her psyche from returning to her original body. She was no god born from humanity's collective will like Philemon or Nyarlathotep; she is a pure, genuine god! A true celestial being! To have another entity overwhelming her is... utterly impossible. I'm not denying your story, but nobody surpassed Nyx, no one. Upon my 'mother's name, I guarantee this as her kin."
By the time Ryoji's finished, he was breathing heavily as he pressed his chest to catch his breath. Minato listened diligently, realizing that he had left his mouth hanging open. Something new to learn about the goddess of the night that increased the value of his sacrifice. So, he was suppressing the most powerful entity in history? Then surely, the Four Horsemen was an exaggerating prophecy?
...But was it?
"I must leave now," Ryoji stood up and dusted his trousers, "I will rethink about your conversation today, but I will meet you again on New Year's Eve as well after Hamuko made her decision. Well, there's no point in waiting for her answer. It pains me to know that she will make the same choice as you do, but at least she found the answer to life itself."
Ryoji didn't hide his affection towards her.
"Minato-san, I think... there's something more sinister to your reason for arriving in this world," He added one last time, "There must be a good reason the other me sought this so-called Pandora's Box before you departed to this world."
"What do you mean?"
"I am the Appraiser," Ryoji said firmly, "If I appeared before you in your world, then Nyx will descend. It could only mean I'm looking for something valuable enough for me to leave my duty."
"Thank you for the warning," Minato smiled. Surprisingly, Ryoji mimicked his expression.
"Minato-san, I know this is going to sound stupid," Shyness bloomed slightly from his cheeks, "But can I hug you?"
"Uh..." Minato tilted his head in confusion, "I suppose there's no harm."
Ryoji wrapped his slender arms around his torso and clutched his back as tightly as he could. Minato resisted nothing and merely returned the hug.
"Please, take good care of Hamuko-san for me..."
Like a cloud of dust, the figure disappeared from Minato's grasp after he whispered in his ear. He immediately went for his back pocket, where Ryoji inserted something during the hug. What reflected in his hand was an identical ring Ryoji wore days ago.
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - 4/12/2009 - Graveyard
There were still reeds growing near her parents' graves when she arrived with Makoto at the graveyard, still in their school uniform. Hamuko hesitated on her next action after placing the blooming carnation flowers on the front of the tombstone. After a while, she finally decided to press her palms together in prayers. Makoto said nothing, but she sensed remembrance as he repeated her action.
"Hey, mom, dad," Hamuko prayed, "I'm sorry for not visiting for so long. No, I'm not forgetting you. It's quite hard to remember that night. When the reason behind the accident was brought to me, the blow feels harder. I think that's why I want to come as soon as I could, or else I never will. I'm going to move on from now on. Whether or not we survive against our adversary, know I'll... I'll join you in the afterlife in the end."
When the burst of grief overtook her suddenly, she opened her eyes and turned to the boy crouching beside her. Makoto was gritting his teeth as he stared at her parents' grave, trying to withhold his despair.
His attention was interrupted when he caught her stares, and the despair was no more. The strange dream began to resurface in her mind. Why would she dream of being Makoto of all people? No, it must be an illusion, and hardly worth her attention.
"Anyway, I have someone precious to me now. Please give us your blessing."
"Bless their souls..." Makoto added before they both stood up. Hamuko wasted no time on her comment.
"Sorry if it seems too emotional."
"I was just reminded of my parents, that's all."
"That can't be helped..." Hamuko nodded slightly at his lies. She wished she could just erase the telepathy mind they had together. Lately, she found so many lies buried within Makoto's tongue that she was afraid to dig it out, almost as if she knew it will be best to leave it locked inside him.
"Can you leave first? I need to visit my parents too," Makoto said, but quickly added, "Don't worry, you don't have to come."
She left the graveyard for a quick stroll. Whatever his reason for rejecting her company, she will have to understand. That won't change the fact that she was just like him in almost every sense.
A weight had left her shoulder as she exhaled at the streetwalk. Her parent's blessing... She will have to decide the fate of the world in a month. However, that wasn't the main trouble that plagued her mind. Ryoji's words gave her the strength she needed to resolve this restlessness.
Hamuko sensed Makoto emerging from the graveyard at the front gate. By the time she saw him waiting for her, she realized her legs were wobbling. One more thing she needed before she prepared for the important decision, but this was infinitely harder. All of sudden, she saw Makoto eyed her curiously. Not yet!
"Have you met your parents?" She asked. Makoto nodded.
"What is it?" He approached her and removed his headphone, sensing that she had to get something off her chest. Unconsciously, she did the same with her headphone and faked a few coughs.
Makoto Yuki
Evening - 4/12/2009 - Graveyard's entrance
"Ryoji gave me a crucial choice, one that will decide the fate of this world," She began, "I... I think that I already made my choice."
Makoto was impressed, "And that is...?"
"Yeah, I want to confront Nyx. I won't run away anymore," Hamuko was brimming with a beautiful smile, "Makoto-kun, I... thank you for everything. You made me realized this choice sooner."
Crash!
Universe Arcana Social Link:
Rank 8
He nodded in satisfaction. Still, something gripped her tongue.
"Which is why... I won't run away from my feelings anymore," Her face was... soft, "If I wait any longer, it will be harder for me to do it."
At that moment, he sensed an emotion he had grown ever since last month towards her. Surely, this must be wrong, but his suspicion about it grew every day each time he gazed at her face. No, there's no way that's true...
Suddenly, he saw both of his hands were tightly clenched by Hamuko. She was watching him earnestly, with her lips twitching.
"Makoto, I love you."
...
Makoto blinked at her answer. The emotion erupted in his chest until he found it hard to breathe. Without he realized it, he had snatched away his hands from her, not bothering to hide his puzzlement. Hamuko expressed no displeasure over the sudden detachment, but she awaited his answer.
"I thought you love Shinjiro."
"No, he merely showed me who truly has my heart."
"This is nothing more than an attachment in friendship."
"It's not."
"You're confusing our similar mind with being soulmates."
"How I wish it is true."
"You don't love me, Hamuko. It's impossible."
"By my parents' name, everything I said is true. Why won't you listen to me? I won't lie to you, and you know it. So, why didn't you believe me, after everything I said to you?"
He backed away in horror. It was the same thing she said to him in his dream. There's no more honorific in their callings. His hands were trembling, and soon his legs were slowly losing its strength.
Hamuko was still watching his face. This time, her face was blank, yet he sensed distraught and fear of rejection from his mind. Calmly, he composed himself and rested both hands in his pocket.
But no word came to him. He was still trying to comprehend the confession that occurred so suddenly to him. Yet the attempt turned everything stale and redundant. Worse, was it just him, or he began to feel even intimate in mind with her? She was looking at him with a horrified expression. No, there's no mistaking it. Their 'telepathy' had grown stronger now.
"...You feel hurt... Am I not supposed to confess?"
"It's... a good thing you let out your true feelings. I was just..."
What was he about to say? She loved him, but did he?
"...Hamuko, can you give me some time?" He finalized, "I need... to sort out my feelings."
She looked dejected, but there's no hint of quitting, "How about we made a promise?"
"What kind?"
She locked eye contact with him, revealing the most complex set of eyes he had ever seen, "I'll be giving Ryoji his answer on New Year's Eve. As for you, however, I will wait until the 24th of December, on Christmas Eve. On that night, I will be waiting under the Christmas tree at Paulownia Mall starting from 11 at night until Dark Hour greets me. If you accept my confession, then come meet me. But if you don't show up, then I consider you reject my feelings."
The first reaction to give was impossibly hard for him. But her condition was agreeable. A little more before maxing out his Universe, and he had already received confession? The power barely felt in his veins. What will be the correct answer?
"Until that time, let's pretend this never happened," Makoto set his own term.
"Deal," She responded, but sadness surged through him from her, "I will wait for you, Makoto."
Hamuko Arisato
Evening - Iwatodai Dorm
By the time she closed the door of her room behind her after the long run, she shrieked under her pillow with cursings. Makoto's feelings felt a little stronger after the confession, and it was not a pleasant one. She had the feeling she was already being rejected by the blue-haired boy.
"HRGHHHH!" The growling continued under her pillow. She needed no mirror to tell her burning red face, "Why did I say that?! Idiot! Idiot! You just refuse to accept the fact that he didn't return your feeling!"
After releasing her pillow for a huge breath, she almost wanted to cry. Sort out his feelings? Nonsense! He was straight-up shocked by that idea! But she didn't want to be friends. She wanted more than it. Her mind was screaming at her to reunite with him at this moment, but she was ashamed beyond words. A month without mentioning it was more than enough proof that Makoto wanted no more than an unbreakable bond of friendship with her. Was it truly unbreakable? At the moment, she sensed his frustration at the same place she left him at the graveyard, where she dashed towards the dorm without looking back after their talk.
Complex emotions built itself within her. She could almost feel every emotion he felt on every waking hour, but the labyrinth of emotions within both of them blurred everything. As she laid her head at the wall on her bed, she realized she was trying to suppress her cry. Why? She had no idea, and she had no doubt Makoto could never understand it either. There was a labyrinth within them, and they both trying to find each other at the center. Yet it was a maze too massive to solve within days.
When the countdown to potentially their last Christmas Eve began, she prayed to whoever divine enough to hear her voice. Please, let them solved this labyrinth together and meet at the center.
Makoto Yuki
Evening - Naganaki Shrine
There's nobody at the empty shrine to disturb him. As he sat on the see-saw, he observed the Contact Card that he almost threw into the drainage earlier in his hand. He wanted to talk to her at this moment, but he couldn't, not when he aimlessly walking to wherever his feet took him. A month might be all he needed to comprehend the relationship that occurred in front of him.
There's no way she could love him. If only she knew he was not of this world, her existence, and their relationship, she wouldn't be able to bloom that feeling. However, their mind had linked to the point he literally couldn't deny her confession. All that she said was an absolute truth. Perhaps this distraught feelings came from her?
"What should I do...?" He muttered as he buried his face on the handle of a see-saw.
"Both of your minds are synchronizing."
He lifted his face quickly and beheld the young girl in the dark hood who had trailed him for so long. She was sitting at the other side of the see-saw, but Makoto could barely feel her weight as she pressed against the opposite seat.
"I can tell, thank you," Makoto shunned her, finding no mood to entertain the girl.
"I believe I had begun to understand your strange connection," She tilted her head at him, "Is that the source of your distraught?"
"Everything is wrong," He stood up so suddenly that she began to sway on her seat. Still, she showed no sign of struggle as she returned to her feet.
"You are linking to her, more than anyone else."
"Does it matters?" He answered instantly, but weakly, "She's going to die sealing Nyx the same as I do."
From the corner of the hood, she narrowed her eyebrows.
"You are a most curious person. Her destiny had been set in motion, ever since you arrived from your world."
Makoto slotted the card into his pocket as he stared at her intriguingly.
"It's time for you to fess up who you are and what you know," He stretched his feet as wide as he could towards her, "Who- What are you?"
The girl said nothing, but her next action took him completely by surprise. With a small pair of hands, she gripped her hood and pulled it backward. Makoto widened his eyes at her appearance.
Her skin was ashen white as it reflected the setting sun, her blonde hair stretched all the way to her hips as she undid her hood. Her eyes were cobalt blue, though it seemed to glitter like stars in those iris. His impression of her was mistaken the first time he saw that face. The girl was evidently older than she appeared. Her lips were so red, he almost assumed it was lipsticks, but there was an aura of womanhood behind those stares she gave him, like an older woman trapped in a child's body.
"I have wandered this world for two years," She introduced herself with a strong bow, "You may call me... Elpis."
What a curious name. "What can you tell me about yourself, Elpis?"
"Myself?" She appeared surprised to hear her own name. Was she expecting a '-san' attached to it? "If you want my secret, then you have to show me the secret of this world too."
"But I don't know much about this world."
"But you can lead me to it. After all, the fate of this world centers around you and her," She crossed her arms together on her chest and peered at him with a straight face. His instinct was correct. This girl was too mature to be a child.
"Where would I find it?"
"I told you too much. The time you confront the mystery yourself and show it to me. A part of your secret, a part of mine. You want to know about this world too, yes? Only a fool rejects a deal so generous," She raised one eyebrow at him, "Agree? "
Makoto let out a huge sigh at being cornered by her. Still, she was correct. There must be something not even the Velvet Room will tell him. Hesitated at first, he lent out a hand towards her.
Crash!
The moment he shook her hand, he heard a crashing sound in his head. Elpis's eyes were glowing white as she recited a verse foreign to him.
"I am thou, thou art I... With the guide of thy contract, all wisdom and power are granted to thee...
I bestow thee the bond of Hope Arcana, that shall guide thou to the ultimate answer..."
With the verse complete, her eyes receded in white as he stared at her speechlessly. Elpis smiled.
"Do not fail my expectation, Makoto Yuki."
"For my first secret, my real name is Minato Arisato," How many times did he had to bring up that name? "But don't ever use it again in front of me, or anyone."
"Please to meet you, 'Minato-san'," Elpis gave a curious smirk as she removed her hand, "You failed to notice? The card is vibrating again."
He reached for his pocket and felt the vibration from the card. The noise returned to his headphone. Without breaking his line of stares at her, he equipped his headphone and gasped at the audible voice. It was not Yu Narukami, but a young woman's voice.
"So... Can I start now? I'm not sure you're listening since you gave no response. Well, Yu said I only have to summon you... Amaterasu... san? Geez, this is weird. Talking to my own persona..."
Elpis watched him with her blue eyes. He pressed an index finger on his lips before she could say a word.
"Alright, let's go straight to the point. Tengu keeps mentioning something about the 'sin' of Izanagi and Izanami. You might know since you have ties to them- at least, that's what the bird said... So, any idea?"
There was no second voice, but she was answered. If she was in front of him, it's possible she was nodding every few seconds.
"Oh? You mean, at that place we just went the other day? ...Now that you mention it, that place is too secluded from the town."
The girl knew Yu Narukami.
"Uhuh... I see. Not very helpful, but okay. I'll check them later."
The voice ended, and he was certain of the voice.
Yukiko Amagi. How that name came to him was the bigger question. That girl's name was in his mind before, but where? Elpis still watching with utmost interest.
Inaba, that was the place where Yu Narukami lived. But where had he heard it before? His memory wasn't strong with Hamuko in his head.
"Dusk will cover the sky soon. It seems we have to continue this in private," Elpis rested one hand on her waist, "Calm yourself, memories stay within everyone, anywhere, and never lost..."
Makoto slowly nodded. Perhaps his diary will provide some insight into the missing link.
"See you later, Elpis," Makoto bid her farewell. But there was no more trace of her.
A/N: That will be it for this chapter. Ryoji finally uncovered Makoto's secret. Now that there are only 2 more ranks, what oddities will occur to them now? What mysteries revolved around Yukiko Amagi? And Elpis, who is she?
Please wait for the slow update.