Author's Notes: I'll preface this with an apology. I was hoping to have this done a lot sooner and not leave all my beautiful readers hanging on the line. But, as they say, life is what happens when you're making plans, and I ended up with a second job that involves teaching. Something I wasn't expecting. Thus, the classes and lesson plans have been eating into my schedule, hence the increased amount of time between chapters between this and Continuance. Again, I apologize.

That said, I'm not ditching either story. I have way too many great ideas and am having too much fun doing this to let it be another incomplete fic for Minato and Mitsuru. They deserve better. And I want to make sure they get it.

So here is my third chapter, to all my beautiful readers, and I hope it lives up to your expectations. Be sure to leave a review if you see something you like, but whether you do or not, enjoy. Because there's a lot more to come. By the the way, for those who aren't familiar with this aspect of Japanese culture, white chrysanthemums are funereal flowers, placed on graves and used in funerals for the sake of the departed. To place a vase of them on a student's desk after a death in the family means an expression of condolences. To do so when no one in the person's family has died essentially translates into 'I wish you would die!' in nice, non-verbal terms.

And here are some replies to my fans who left comments, but not a means for me to reply. Or because this is more convenient.

Talking Raptors – Glad you're liking it so far. I agree, most fics seem intent on getting to the juicy parts quickly. And there's nothing wrong with that, but I think a slow burn suits these two more. And I'm glad you think I'm writing everyone in character – I do try to make sure I don't push them too hard in one direction or the other.

PS3 Dude – Would you believe me if I said that was my intention from the beginning? Minato's pretty awesome on his own, there's no doubt, but he's a fair ways from perfect. And that becomes more apparent as the story progresses, so if you're picking up an odd vibe from him now, then I feel like I'm doing my job properly. Why would I want this? Well, that would be telling. Thanks for the review, and I hope what follows lives up to your expectations.

A lone Black Angel – You know, I have to admit a touch of hubris on my part when I read your review. I mean, I'm glad you like my writing, and it's great that you're getting into the Persona series, but you called my fic 'pretty good.' 'Pretty good.' I know you didn't mean it as an insult, but the first thing that crossed my mind was '… just pretty good?' So in an effort to rise above that, I have redoubled my efforts toward making Change of Engagement '#*$ ing incredible' instead of 'pretty good.' So thank you for your comment – I appreciate the kick and will do better from here on out.

Xoraan – The pacing of Change of Engagement is going to differ from Continuance, especially since I'm playing around in pre-established lore. Everyone knows how the fights and level grinding in Tartarus go, so there's no sense in slogging through that, and re-explaining the Shadows and such feels pretty redundant. The engravings were a small idea that grew into something quite a bit bigger than I'd originally planned, but I'm liking what I have down for them, so I can promise you'll see more of them as the story progresses. Great to hear from an old fan.

MDZcoolguy – I certainly plan to. I'm a personal fan of the slow development, and I've got some Minato/Mitsuru scenes coming up, as early as the next chapter, that I'm hoping will drop some jaws. Thanks for the review, and I'm glad to have you on board.

Starkiller Jedi Knight – Well, your wait is over – here it is!

Frosty Wolf – Much obliged. Hope you like what you see.

SOME Reader – I'll admit, your praise made me blush. I'm glad that you like my writing style because, well, it's how I write, and I like it too. Kidding aside, I'm happy that I'm getting the ideas and themes across effectively, because that's what I set out to do in all my works. I mean, how can I expect others to like my work if I think it's substandard, right? As for Mitsuru in her leathers, there was a practical side to that – simply that her riding around that fast with just a helmet and no riding gear or additional protection didn't make sense. That the scene made for some drool-worthy mental imagery was a serious bonus, mind you. And as to what they'll be doing next to deepen the relationship, I do have a number of things lined up. I won't spoil the surprises, but I will say that the groundwork is being set even now for payoffs further down the line. And as for the Evokers, I'm glad you like them. Everyone will have their own quote on their Evoker, minus Aigis and Koromaru and Fuuka (not even sure if she had one), so if Akihiko's quote piqued your interest, I hope the others will have the same effect.

There. Now that I'm done thanking my beautiful readers, go forth and enjoy!

Chapter 3 – Glide

The hours was late. Or, more accurately, very early. Most of the dorm was asleep, SEES deciding to forego its nocturnal operations in lieu of study time and a proper night's sleep. And the Dark Hour had come and gone. One room, however, was dimly lit and home to whole wall units of books on a variety of topics, shelves and cases holding files that dated back as far as ten years prior. Research and records, filled to the margins with notes and amendments and coloured tags. And sitting at the desk in the middle of the room was a man hunched over his reports, scribbling away furiously.

Almost done. Almost… Finally. That was the last of them.

The shuffling of paper and scratch of the pen ceased with a sigh of relief and the creaking of a chair as Ikutsuki leaned back to rub the bridge of his nose. For all the support he got from the Group, there were still many day-to-day matters that needed to be tended to in the dorm. And he'd been so busy making the arrangements for the new residents and ensuring that the night operations were covered up that the paperwork had been accumulating steadily until now. He doubted anyone besides the Kirijo accountants missed his reports, but it was the large details that kept the dorm running and SEES operating as effectively as they did, and large details were made up of small details. Each of which needed attention and due consideration. He glanced to the carrying cases on his desk and blinked thoughtfully. The Evokers of the three newest members of SEES were waiting patiently for their engravings. He let his thoughts turn to the trio in question.

Iori Junpei and Takeba Yukari were easy enough to understand – Iori wanted to matter in the larger picture. He was a common face, a nobody, who suddenly had the opportunity to participate in something much bigger than himself. It was a chance to be significant in a way that had been absent in his life until now. A chance to matter. And Takeba's interest in her father's fate was hardly a secret. Well, perhaps it was to the rest of SEES. But her interest in the matter would keep her moving forward. She was passionate and fiery, and it was clear she blamed the Kirijo for her family affairs, but she was still a useful addition to the group.

He frowned to himself in the shadows. The odd one out was Arisato Minato.

Despite how well Arisato worked with Iori and Takeba, and even Akihiko now that the boxer had rejoined the active team roster, he was still very much an enigma. He gave his opinion often enough when asked, and even when he wasn't, but it was difficult to know what he was thinking, regardless of whether or not he was talking. Ikutsuki had struck up conversations with him several times since his arrival, but despite how forthcoming the teen was, there was always the sense that he had three answers to every question he was asked, and only ever gave one.

Then there was the matter of his first summoning. That had taken up several days of Ikutsuki's time, checking records and talking to the Group's finest minds, searching for a precedent or any hints of an explanation. None existed. After all their research into Shadows and Personas, it was a unique incident. One that sent shivers of anticipation through him. The others might have some idea of Arisato's potential, but to say it was beyond measure was an understatement. Because despite what Mitsuru and Akihiko believed, that was more than a summoning gone wrong. Shinjiro had undergone such a thing, but his Persona hadn't transformed into something else. Something… far beyond expectations. And yet the wielder of such power, such potential, played his hand close to the vest. His inquiries into the Shadows and Tartarus had been more direct, more focused, than Takeba's. He knew more than he let on, but it was impossible to tell if it was a great deal, or only a little.

No, for all of Arisato's talent and strong contributions to the team, and despite how dedicated he was to their goals, he was still very much a rogue factor. A wild card.

Hm… a wild card. The thought stuck in his mind, grabbing hold of his attention and refusing to let go. Unpredictable. Volatile. Someone neither side could write off. Yes, that would work nicely.

He reached for his engraving tools and Arisato's Evoker.


"What do you think of him?"

Mitsuru looked up from her books, meeting Akihiko's stare across the foyer on the dorm's first floor. It was a lazy Sunday morning, approaching noon, and the kouhai were either studying (Arisato and Takeba) or outside enjoying the fresh air (Iori). It was an excellent day for the latter, as Akihiko's light training clothes attested to. Mitsuru was going over her notes and studies, having received a package of college texts in the mail. "Think of who? Arisato or Iori?"

It was easy enough to infer who Akihiko was talking about, but she was nearly done her paragraph, and needed a few extra seconds to finish it and commit it to memory. Akihiko allowed her the time before speaking up. "Arisato, of course. The Shadow on the train, our operations in Tartarus. What about his Personas? I've never seen someone have more than one, or have that strong of a reaction on their first try."

"He is an interesting case," she replied mildly, marking the page she was on and standing to address him. "And I have the same questions you do. Perhaps more."

Her companion gestured for her to continue. "Like?"

She glanced at the stairs, making sure that they were alone, before continuing. "His timing is impeccable. One might say too convenient to be a coincidence. Years of investigating Shadows and we never saw anything like what attacked us less than a week after he arrived. A month later, another one appears. He decided to help us with very little added information, he's established a rapport with Takeba and Iori, and he fits the role of a team leader perfectly. Everything's coming together like words of a phrase. It's as though these events were waiting for him to arrive before going into motion."

"That's a bit far-fetched," Akihiko noted, though he didn't look skeptical as he replied. It was clear that those details weren't lost on him either. "But you're right on the timing part. And his talent's impressive. Way past what I expected for a newcomer."

"What's your opinion of him?" she asked in return.

Akihiko shrugged. "He's got a lot of potential for fighting in the ring. No denying that. His footwork, his balance, and his attitude all say he's used to combat. I mean, he's taken to bringing down Shadows pretty well."

Mitsuru looked at him knowingly, caution and a trace of resignation in her eyes. "He's not an opponent for you to assess and defeat, Akihiko. He might be skilled with a sword, but fighting you in the ring is completely different."

He gave her a look of feigned innocence, which was convincing except for the cunning glint in his eyes. "I wouldn't do that, Mitsuru. Not unless he asked. And you never know – he just might. There is crossover between swordsmanship and boxing. Might give him perspective, help him build stamina."

She sighed and turned back to her books. Akihiko's drive when it came to fighting bordered on the single-minded, and while she knew he wouldn't push Arisato into training with him if he was reluctant, she also knew that the Rising Star of Tatsumi Port Island wouldn't go easy on anyone who stepped into the ring. Arisato might be an exception, but any slack he got wouldn't go very far.

But then the thought of what might happen in the ring crossed her mind, and she hid a smile from her long-time partner in crime. It was unlikely… No, it was nearly impossible, but it would be enormously interesting if Arisato showed all the potential Akihiko spoke of and one-upped his senpai. It wouldn't last long, considering how competitive Akihiko was, but it would certainly change the dynamic on the team. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she could imagine Akihiko's face if Arisato put him on the mat. The mental image made her chuckle to herself before she turned back to her books.

"Something funny?" he asked curiously, a silver eyebrow raised.

"Nothing," she assured him, still smiling. "But you raised a point earlier, that Arisato might take well to training with you. It might help us learn more about him if he felt comfortable enough to exercise with you." Akihiko blinked, then his eyes shifted to the side, deep in thought. "He looks up to his senpai," she continued, gesturing to her comrade, then to herself. "And there are things we might learn from him in such a scenario."

"I'll give it some thought," Akihiko told her, still mulling the idea over. She smiled encouragingly at his words. Coming from someone else, they might have been dismissive or forgotten as soon as they were said, but when Akihiko had an idea, especially when it pertained to his training, he stuck with it and explored it to the fullest.

"You know," he murmured, humour in his voice as he looked at her across the foyer, "you could do the same if you wanted. Arisato uses a saber, so he'd make a good fencing partner. The others said they'd love to see a match between you two. And when was the last time you had a serious opponent?"

She leaned back a little, surprised at the suggestion. It made perfect sense considering they were the two members of SEES who used fencing weapons, and Arisato seemed the sort who would fight competitively. But she hadn't thought of it until Akihiko mentioned it. Indeed, she hadn't been part of the fencing circuit in quite some time on account of her responsibilities with SEES and to her father, despite numerous invitations to return. "Did they now?" she asked.

Akihiko nodded and gestured toward the doors. "Yeah. Iori and Takeba brought it up when he talked about his fighting lessons. How he used to be in a kendo class and switched when his teammates didn't like how good he was. Anyway, it came up, and if you wanted to get to know him better, then a match or two might not hurt."

What he was saying made sense, and she knew it. Fighting was a pure form of expression, after all, with intentions and thoughts and desires melted down into actions rather than words. It was why she trusted Shinjiro despite the harsh face he showed the world – they'd fought once, and she knew how strong an ally and how close a friend he would be, and not just because of his connection to Akihiko. Still, sparring with Arisato? She couldn't deny that there was some appeal to the idea, but there were probably other ways to get to know the transfer student without bruising his ego and backside. "I'll think about it," she replied, using Akihiko's words.

Further discussion was cut off as footsteps on the stairs announced that Takeba or Arisato was coming toward them. Both senpai looked up expectantly, and Takeba Yukari appeared in her usual pink cardigan and dark skirt. She nodded to them both as she approached, but didn't say anything as she headed toward the door. Mitsuru was content to let the girl do as she wished – despite working together for this long, it was clear that Takeba still harboured suspicion and distrust for the Kirijo Group, and that evidently extended to Ikutsuki and Mitsuru herself.

Akihiko, however, was not as connected to Takeba's suspicions, and utilized this neutrality by calling her as she passed. "Hey, Takeba. Wait a sec."

Both young women looked at him curiously, and he bore the weight of their attention with ease. "Yeah? What's up?"

"We were just talking about Arisato, and we were wondering what you thought of him," Akihiko told her smoothly, like he'd been planning the conversation for the whole morning.

Takeba blinked, then turned to face him, curiosity obvious in her stance. "What do I think about Minato-kun?"

"Yeah. You've been working with him on the trips to Tartarus for longer than we have," Akihiko explained, gesturing to himself and Mitsuru. "You worked with him against the Shadow on the train, and you're both in the same class. What do you think of him? As a student, as a part of the team, whatever."

Takeba was silent for a moment, thinking over her response, and Mitsuru was expecting the girl to brush off his inquiry when she finally replied. "Well, he's a lot more talkative than I expected him to be. I dunno. I mean, I got the impression he'd be pretty quiet or awkward at first, but he's got a mouth on him."

"His previous evaluations stated he was very subdued in his facial expressions and vocal range," Mitsuru supplied calmly from her place by the couch. "We assumed that it was an indication of his emotional state, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Perhaps he makes up for his expressions by voicing his opinion whenever the opportunity presents itself."

Takeba gave a small snort, shaking her head at Mitsuru's words. "Facial expressions and voice? I suppose that's a way of looking at it. He's always got something to say about pretty much everything, even when it'd be better if he didn't talk at all." She shrugged. "That's probably why he hasn't made too many friends at school so far. Besides that, he's good at killing Shadows and dealing with his Personas. He hasn't been at it for much longer than Stupei, but he's taking to all this stuff pretty easily. Speaking of which, why does he have more than one Persona?"

"We're still looking into that ourselves," Akihiko admitted. "It's not something we've ever seen before, so it's hard to figure out where it came from."

Takeba looked at Akihiko, then at Mitsuru, and shook her head. "Either way, he can definitely fight with the best of us. And he thinks on his feet. Besides that, I don't know what else to say about him. Not sure where your people got the idea that he was distant though, because he's got plenty of attitude once you get him talking."

"I wonder if that's a sign of how comfortable he is here," Mitsuru pondered aloud. "No one speaks openly to doctors or psychologists, after all."

Yukari shrugged again and half turned toward the door. "Could be. Even when he talks about himself, I can't figure out what he's thinking – he's impossible to get a handle on. Or at least he is for me, and I don't know if Junpei's had any more luck with him than I have."

The two senpai took her gesture as an indication of the conversation being over. Akihiko nodded politely to her, closing the discussion. "Thanks for the feedback, Takeba. It was helpful."

She nodded and headed out the door without another word. Akihiko and Mitsuru looked at each other, asking questions and giving answers without saying a word, and, as though just thinking his name summoned the student in question, there was another pair of footsteps on the stairs. Footsteps that approached and gave way to sneakers, a casual pair of slacks, and a pressed white dress shirt with short sleeves. On someone else, the clothes would have stood out, but they just seemed to be part of his personal style. Arisato bowed politely to the two as he reached the foyer. "Akihiko-senpai. Mitsuru-senpai," he said in greeting.

Mitsuru inclined her head in return, and Akihiko turned to face him. "Come down for some air?"

Arisato nodded. "I was going stir crazy upstairs. Needed some space. I think I might go for a walk, stretch my legs out."

Mitsuru saw Akihiko's eyes light up in a second, and suppressed a sigh. Once she'd mentioned using exercise to get to know the transfer student better, it was only a matter of time before a plan was implemented, and Arisato had appeared at precisely the right moment to kick Akihiko's interest into gear. "Well, if you need some exercise," the boxing champion began with a cordial grin, "I could use a jogging partner. I know a few places around here that're great for running. We can discuss how you're fitting in with school and the others."

Arisato blinked as his senpai, a student who rarely said more than six words when four would do, proposed to have a conversation with him. "Uh… That sounds great, Akihiko-senpai. I appreciate the offer."

Akihiko nodded enthusiastically, turning toward the door with long strides. "Sounds good. Let's go. We'll be back later, Mitsuru."

"Don't push yourselves too hard," she told him firmly. "Iori and Takeba can't explore Tartarus on their own if you two run yourselves out of commission."

Arisato seemed about to answer when Akihiko waved her concerns off calmly. "That won't be a problem. We'll just be going for a warm up this time."

And she was left shaking her head in the silence of the foyer as the door closed behind them. Boys and their games. There was no stopping Akihiko once he got an idea in his head, and Arisato's compliance might lead to something he'd regret later.

Ah well. If nothing else, it would keep Akihiko happy and Arisato from slacking off during his combat training. And maybe, just maybe, he'd start fighting his senpai in the ring. She chuckled to herself and went back to her books. That would be a sight to see, and probably a learning experience for both of them. And with Akihiko taking on the role of a trainer, there was probably no need for her to spar with Arisato like he'd suggested. After all, physical contests were more Akihiko's style, and Mitsuru had other means at her disposal to get to know the transfer student better. She glanced at her cell phone, laying on the table and still containing the message from Fushimi regarding the vacancies in the Student Council, an idea beginning to form.

Such opportunities didn't come every day, after all.


Minato was stiff the next day, carefully walking to school and through the halls and slowly twisting in place as he lowered himself into his chair, trying to find the position that his muscles objected to the least. It had been a while since he'd been this sore, and if he hadn't started fighting in Tartarus and practicing his fencing so soon after his move to Tatsumi Port Island, he'd be far worse off than just stiff. Akihiko-senpai's idea of a 'warm up' had involved a light jog almost across town, which hadn't been a problem by itself. The problem stemmed from what he was warming up for, which had involved races up several very long flights of stairs around the downtown district and near the local train stations. If Akihiko-senpai hadn't been in such a chatty mood, Minato would have found something else to do before the first mile was up. But hearing about the history of SEES, about how long Akihiko-senpai and Mitsuru-senpai had known each other, kept him quite interested, and that meant running to keep up so he could hear more.

Of course, the information had seemed like a fair trade when he was getting it. Now it felt like he'd been cheated.

"You okay?" Junpei asked as their lunch break started.

"I'll manage," Minato replied, stretching in place until the aches in his legs subsided.

"I wouldn't think that exercising with Akihiko-senpai would do that to you," Junpei continued with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, you seemed like you were in shape before with, you know, work."

"Different muscles for different things," was Minato's response as he bent almost in half, still in his seat and reaching for his toes. Compressing his stomach and focusing on holding everything steady made his breathing shallow and his words short. "Fencing and kendo aren't the same as climbing and endurance training. Our activities've kept me in pretty good shape, but yesterday was focused on building up completely different muscle groups."

"Makes sense, I guess," Junpei conceded before leaning forward with a conspiratorial look to his eyes, talking quietly while Minato straightened out in his seat. "Though you might want to keep it a secret. A lot of people here would pay for the chance to hang out with him like that. You remember how he was to those girls back when we started getting together? He's like that with everyone, no matter who they are or how much they ask. So don't let it out that you've got a free ticket with him. Catch my drift?"

Minato had noticed the long stares he'd been getting the moment Akihiko-senpai's name had been mentioned. From the students behind Junpei, from a group near the end of the room, and, he guessed, from behind himself if the suddenly cut-off conversations were any indication. Hopefully the warning hadn't been too late. Or that Junpei's generosity hadn't tipped everyone else off, enabling the very thing he'd been warning against. "I'll remember that," Minato promised quietly. "Thanks for the heads up."

Junpei nodded and tapped his ball cap in response. And it made sense, Minato deduced. His classmates already knew that he was living in the same dorm as Yukari and Mitsuru-senpai. For a nobody from nowhere to suddenly have an in with the most popular students in the entire school, albeit for different reasons than anyone could guess, would go a long way toward disrupting the balance of things. The patches of silence around him were already telling him that he was fast becoming part of the politics he wanted no part of.

Just as he'd worked out the logic in his head and vowed to keep from doing anything too flamboyant, however, the doors at the front of the class opened. Which wasn't unusual, considering it was lunchtime and they were one of the two ways into the class. But they opened to reveal Mitsuru-senpai, dressed in her usual boots and skirt and blouse. Like it had been planned on a movie set, the sunlight from outside seemed especially bright as soon as she walked in, bringing that aura of authority and the quiet of the students around her as she moved. Minato noted that she moved very smoothly, even in her boots. She had an easy stride, one step flowing into the next. Akihiko-senpai had said that she was a fencer, and it showed in the strong and graceful way she carried herself, even without a sword at her hip. He let his eyes follow her as she stopped and looked around, and couldn't help but notice that her hair looked especially fetching today, resting on her shoulder and down her back in its usual style and shade of dark red, just before she caught sight of him and walked over. And she stopped right at his desk, head cocked to the side and eyes welcoming.

Everything around them went quiet. Never mind hearing a pin drop, Minato was sure he could have heard the air move in the class. And it didn't.

"Arisato," she greeted him in a clear voice. "There's something I'd like to speak to you about. It's regarding a topic of common interest and something I think you are able to help me with. Could I have some of your time?"

Junpei stared. The class was silent despite the students that were turning to their friends to make sure they were all seeing and hearing the same thing. Minato suppressed a groan. It figured. After Junpei had just finished talking about the virtues of discretion and flying under the radar, too. And Mitsuru-senpai's words made it pretty clear that this wasn't just a social greeting – she'd singled him out for a reason. Much as he wanted to be anywhere else right then, he also knew that the students who admired her would be out for his blood if he shot her down in such a public place and way. And those same students would hate him for catching her attention in the first place. He knew he was choosing between the claws or the fangs, so he nodded gracefully, accepted his fate, and rose to his feet, suppressing a wince as his muscles pulled painfully. "I'm available right now if you need me for something." He bit his tongue to keep from using her name – no need to make this worse.

"Excellent," she told him with a small smile. "Please come with me." She turned and strode toward the doors, and Minato kept his eyes forward, feeling the stares of his classmates, Junpei included, prickle his skin. They made their way through the door and into the hallway, and any reprieve Minato thought he'd be granted was immediately crushed as the students in the hallway were similarly affected by Mitsuru-senpai's presence, and by his place right behind her.

He focused on ignoring them and kept his mind on why she was there in the first place. "Is there something I can do for you? Me specifically, I mean. Or is this regarding work?"

She slowed down enough for him to walk at her side, and he moved in step with her when she gestured for him to do so. "It's nothing so serious," she told him patiently. "But the Student Council has been short-staffed lately, and there is an opening for a position I believe you would fill quite well, so I felt that a personal invitation was in order."

She stopped in front of a door to slide it open. He stopped right behind her, absorbing her words and finding a genuine sense of surprise at her words. Him? On the Student Council? It wouldn't have been his first choice, or probably his second since he wasn't much of a leader when it came to his classmates. But Mitsuru-senpai had come to ask him specifically, so… "Why me?" he asked as they moved through the door. There had to be volunteers by the dozen if she was looking for someone to help her.

"I'll mention that shortly," she told him as she walked into the room and stood at the head of the long table. Minato stayed back and looked down the room, noticing the eyes that were on him and her. There were only a few students in the room, but he got the impression that he was being tested, even as he just stood there. "Good afternoon," she greeted those in attendance. "Thank you all for making this meeting on such short notice."

"It's no problem at all, Kirijo-senpai," a girl with brown hair and glasses told her immediately. Minato didn't recognize her from his own class, and the markings on her uniform collar indicated that she was a year behind him. Then she turned toward him, and Minato noted that her eyes were brown as well. "Is this Arisato-senpai?" That solved it – only someone a year behind him would refer to him as 'senpai.'

"That's correct," Mitsuru answered before turning to address Minato himself. "This is the Gekkoukan Student Council. This," she indicated the girl with the glasses, "is Fushimi Chihiro, the group Treasurer. And Hidetoshi Odagiri is the head of the Disciplinary Committee." Minato turned to the dark-haired student and bowed politely, who responded with a nod. "There are others, but they weren't able to make it."

"It's an honour," Minato told them before turning to Mitsuru-senpai. "So what is the matter you wanted to discuss?"

"The Student Council is in need of some additional members, and I thought that you might want to meet some of the students on the executive when being offered a position among them," Mitsuru explained simply.

Minato blinked and let that sink in, and the surprise must have shown on his face because Hidetoshi turned to Mitsuru-senpai and asked "Did you tell him about this before bringing him here? It seems like this is newer to him than it is to us."

"Arisato-kun is very adept at changing as situations require," she assured him, still looking at Minato. "I didn't bring you here to pressure you. If you don't feel that this would suit you, you're welcome to not join. But if you were to accept my offer, you should understand the group and what it looks like before making a decision."

"I'm alright," he replied, though he didn't know exactly why that was the case. Normally he'd shirk the chance to be in the spotlight and all the responsibilities that came with it. He had no problem leaving the clubs and politics of the school to those who thrived in such a situation, and yet being at the centre of attention didn't bother him as much at the moment. Perhaps it was Mitsuru-senpai's influence again. "I'd like to know more about what you had in mind, actually."

She smiled as she turned to face him directly. "The position is one I think you would fit quite well, and wouldn't require you to be at the heart of the Student Council's affairs if you don't wish to be." Damn, but she was good. Had he been that obvious? "The fact of the matter is that I find myself in need of an assistant. Someone to help me keep the affairs of the Student Council straight along with my other concerns." The look she gave him told him she was talking about SEES operations. "I feel that you would be uniquely qualified to help me, and I felt that the experience might benefit you."

"Wouldn't that be suited for the Student Council's VP?" Minato asked. "Or is that position vacant as well?"

"We do have a Vice President," Hidetoshi told him, "but she couldn't be here today. Even if she could take on the role we're offering you, she has other obligations, shall we say, that make her a less suitable candidate. The position we're offering you is essentially the role of a secretary, and you'd be working directly under the President if you accepted. You could also work with some of us if you desire to."

A chance to work with Mitsuru-senpai directly? It wasn't what he expected when he woke up that morning. He knew that there could be issues, especially considering the matters he'd discussed with Junpei earlier, but the chance to work closer to the Kirijo heiress was tempting. As tempting as the memories of her dressed in her motorcycle gear were.

And he'd already signed on to help fight the Shadows. What was a little more danger, this time from his fellow Man?

Before he could answer, Mitsuru-senpai took her seat near Fushimi. "I'll give you some time to think it over. I wanted to ensure you knew where the Student Council room was in case you decide to join us. Lunch is nearly over, however, and I have some matters to attend to."

Hidetoshi rose from his seat and looked to the two ladies. "I have concluded my business with Fushimi-san, Kirijo-senpai, so I can escort Arisato-kun back to his class and answer any questions he might have."

"I would appreciate that," Mitsuru-senpai replied before nodding in farewell to Minato.

Feeling the tone shift, Minato bowed to Mitsuru and left the room, Hidetoshi close behind. The transfer student took a steadying breath and went over the situation in his head. Joining the Student Council? It wasn't what he would have signed up for on his own, but the opportunities were hard to ignore. And if nothing else, it would look good on a résumé.

"Student Council isn't for class credit," Hidetoshi informed him as they stood in the hallway, near the wall so as to be out of the way of traffic, "but we'd appreciate any help you can offer. Kirijo-senpai's word goes a fair ways here, and–"

"No need to ask," Minato told him calmly, eyes on the door they'd just closed while he thought of the redhead who was working on the other side. "I'll take the position. Is there any paperwork I have to sign or reading material I need to go over to before I'm officially a member?"

Hidetoshi pulled back for a moment, surprised by his immediate acceptance, but regained his composure and gave an earnest smile. Or at least it looked like he was trying to smile – it was hard to say. "No, nothing like that," he assured Minato. "There are rules of conduct, of course, and you will need to be brought up to speed on the current goings on of the Student Council if you plan on contributing to the group. Of course, the position is voluntary, and no one's expecting you to make every meeting if you have other obligations to attend to. That said, you can start tomorrow if you feel so inclined. I know that the others would welcome a new addition to the group."

"Then I'll be attending meetings starting tomorrow." Hidetoshi nodded and seemed about to turn away when Minato held a restraining hand out and gave a small smirk. "Would you be able to tell me, in that case, why I was singled out for this position right from the start? I hardly think you've had so few volunteers for the Student Council that I stand out that much."

Hidetoshi tilted his head to the side, mouth set in a thoughtful line. " I think you underestimate your potential contributions to the group, Arisato-kun. Sanada-kun and Kirijo-senpai have spoken of your aptitude when dealing with new situations and being part of a team. They are the ones who recommended you for the position, and you've made a strong showing for yourself already. Whether you can keep up with the President remains to be seen, but I don't think that will pose a challenge for you."

Minato nodded in reply. "I see. Higher risk, higher reward, and what better way to test someone than by tossing them into the deep end, right?"

Hidetoshi shrugged. "You can think of it that way, if you want. In the end, it was the President's idea, and I'm looking forward to seeing how well you perform. You clearly respect her, but not to the point that you'd let that get in the way of saying what you think or feel. And that's what the Student Council needs, regardless of the position – someone with their head on straight." Minato cocked an eyebrow and smirked at his senpai's words, but Hidetoshi continued. "We have had other volunteers, as you mentioned before, but most students do it as a chance to get close to Kirijo-senpai without thinking of the responsibilities that come with the position. When put to the test, their skills have been… less than acceptable. If it makes you feel better, consider this invitation proof of your making the short list."

Minato couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. "I see. Thanks, Hidetoshi-senpai. I'll do that."

Whatever else they would have discussed was cut short by the lunch bell ringing, so Minato walked back to his classroom with Hidetoshi close by, talking about the Student Council and what the expectations were, when Hidetoshi stopped and glowered hard at a desk they were coming up to. Minato turned to look at what had caught his attention, then noticed that the desk being glared at was his. And it wasn't simply the desk that was earning all the attention.

"Who left these here?!" Hidetoshi snapped, looking around the room angrily. Some students turned to their books or lunches and didn't look up, while the braver ones spread their hands and shook their heads.

Minato walked over to his desk and sat in the chair, taking in the 'gifts' that had been left for him during the break. Resting on his desk, centred and looking like it belonged there, was a small flower vase. And within that vase was a handful of flowers. The silence in the room was oppressive and heavy, as if everyone was waiting for him to respond, and that response would be loud and violent. Even more than what Hidetoshi's glare was promising.

Instead, Minato smiled. Genuinely smiled. Someone had left white chrysanthemums on his desk, an entire bouquet's worth, and had even surrounded it with letters still in their envelopes.

"I can guess what those say," Hidetoshi growled, walking over to stand next to Minato. "This is ridiculous. And completely inexcusable." Minato slipped a letter out and read it, his eyes lighting up at the calligraphy:

"A new student should know his place! Someone like you doesn't deserve to be around Kirijo-senpai and Takeba! Die! Disappear!"

Whoever had written it had felt strongly about the matter – there were creases and press marks in the paper under the ink, and there were jagged strokes and clipped swoops where there should have been neat lines and curves. "Someone seems angry about this," Minato noted lightly, passing the note to Hidetoshi and reaching for another. "Sanada-senpai can do much better than you for a training partner! Stay away from him!" Then another. Then two more. The wording changed a little, and some were more neatly written than the others, but the sentiment was the same – several students seemed to take exception with him being acquainted with Akihiko-senpai, Mitsuru-senpai, and Yukari. That they were worded so strongly only made him chuckle. "These are an absolute scream," he told Hidetoshi just as class was about to start, leaning forward to take a long sniff of the flowers, letting the fine scent fill his head and clear his mind. The entire class was looking at the pair expectantly, but Minato just glanced at the letters again while Hidetoshi fumed. "I should frame these and put them up at the dorm."

"You should report these to the school administration," Hidetoshi insisted. "This behaviour is reprehensible, and should be dealt with immediately."

"I think it's rather appropriate," Minato said calmly and clearly, louder than was needed for the discipline committee's rep to hear. "And we shouldn't be in such a hurry to dash such fragile wishes and dreams of others, right? After all, this is as close as some of these students will ever get to Mitsuru-senpai and Yukari."

The silence that followed rivalled the audio dead zone that had followed Mitsuru-senpai into the room earlier. Some of the students were stunned. Others were indifferent. Hidetoshi simply cocked an eyebrow and said he had to get to class, leaving Minato at his desk. Before the disciplinary committee member was gone, however, Minato could feel the glares and raw hatred rolling in from the corners of the room. The sheer feel of it made him smile, which only made the ire intensify. He leaned back and held the vase near his face, taking a long, deep sniff of the funereal flowers again. Then he took the letters and set them into an empty sleeve of his book bag, pulling out his text for the class as Junpei and Yukari slipped in at the last minute. The silence was still heavy, and the glares were fierce even as one of the ladies in question arrived.

"Made it," Yukari whispered to him as she sat down. Then she looked at the flowers in the vase that was still on his desk, her eyes inquisitive before they narrowed with suspicion. "Minato-kun… where'd you get those? Are those flowers what I think they are?"

He had to bite his lips to keep from laughing out loud. There was no way she could have known, but her question, addressing only him as she entered, only twisted the knife more, and he could almost hear the teeth gritting around him. How Yukari didn't, he'd never know.

But that was enough fun for the day. He slid the flowers to the side and opened his books. "It was nothing," he told her calmly, his face as smooth and guileless as a marble statue's. "Just some students welcoming me to the class is all."

The lecture started just then. And the smile on Minato's lips, unseen by everyone else, remained fixed until he left school that day. First an invitation by Mitsuru-senpai, then a stellar performance by Yukari that she didn't even know she was putting on.

Yes, all in all, it had been a good day. So good that he didn't notice his sore muscles.

But all good things must come to an end, as Minato had learned as a child. And his fun at school was no different.

His good mood hadn't lasted beyond the day. By the next morning he was back to normal, even though his classmates went from quiet to cold around him, and his run with Akihiko that afternoon had been more invigorating and less painful than the first. But his muscles weren't his concern by the time he was finished dinner and in his room that night. His mind and his special Shadow-killing talents were.

Minato rested back against his door, his head gently touching the cold, solid wood while his eyes went distant. It was still there. Despite what Akihiko-senpai and Mitsuru-senpai told him before, something felt off with his Personas, like they were rising to his commands before he pulled the trigger. Which was odd because SEES had been taking it easy since Ikutsuki hadn't returned their Evokers yet. Normally his Personas were always ready to respond to his call, eager to follow his commands, but this was different. Now it felt like they were pushing against his skin, prickling and tingling just under the surface. Like being supercharged with electricity and having no ground to tie onto. Were they backed up? Itching to get out and break something, and this was how it felt when he went too long without fighting?

No, that didn't make sense. Otherwise he'd have felt this before he came to Tatsumi Port Island. Unless the first summoning fundamentally changed something inside him so that his Personas affected him differently than when they'd been dormant. But that didn't make sense either, because he didn't feel very different from before he'd arrived.

He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, trying to focus on the cool friction instead of the lively humming between his muscles and bones. Perhaps where he should be starting was finding out what was normal for a Persona-User, and what wasn't. He didn't have a measurement of 'normal' to go by yet, so maybe he was worrying over nothing. The thought felt wrong and hollow, of course. So much so that he knew that wasn't the case the moment the thought crossed his mind. But it did help to take his mind off things enough so that he could get to sleep that night.

While he didn't feel much better the next day, the morning run with Akihiko before school had been a welcome distraction. It took his mind off the tingling that was growing to a full-blown itch and let him focus on his breathing and the pull of his muscles. Even the run up the stairs didn't hurt as much this time, despite how little time had passed."You're in pretty good shape," Akihiko-senpai told him as they rested at the train station. "I thought you'd need more work than this."

"Most people our age do," Minato replied, looking out over the concrete structures around them. "But our work wouldn't really suit someone who wasn't in shape, would it?"

Akihiko-senpai grunted in agreement and took a drink of water from the bottle he'd brought with him.

Minato sighed as the silence stretched out between them. No time like the present, and they had to get back to the dorm soon if they were going to make it to school on time. "I was wondering if I could ask you something," he said finally, not looking at his senpai as he spoke quietly. "About our Personas."

"Hm? Questions we didn't cover before?" When Minato nodded, the boxer stood a little straighter and gestured for him to continue. "We've got some time, so go ahead."

"There's something… strange about my Personas. About how they feel." He described the sensations as best he could to his senpai, careful not to leave out any details, and when he was done, the older teen looked a bit more pale than he usually did, despite the flush of exertion he'd sported before.

"I'm glad you told me about this," he muttered when Minato finished speaking.

"It started out as different Personas with distinct voices, and there wasn't a problem. It felt pretty natural that way. But now things're different. It's like they're always there, waiting to come out."

Akihiko-senpai's face grew guarded, like something about the whole situation was familiar to him, and not in a good way. "Maybe it's an effect of having more than one. Are they all trying to get out at once?"

Minato hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not sure. I don't think so. It doesn't fluctuate or shift, so… I guess if I had to describe it, it's like a steady rise of sound in band class. Growing and growing, but always from one place. I think if they were all trying to get out, the feeling might be less even, more like they were pushing each other out of the way." He sighed and brushed his bangs back. "I'm probably not explaining it very well."

"Are they under your control?" Akihiko-senpai pressed. "Do you feel like you're going to lose control? Or are you alright so far?"

"I'm fine in that sense," Minato assured him. "It feels different from the first time, but not to the point of them breaking loose or something. It's more like it gets to a certain point and then stays there, without crossing that threshold."

"You're sure?"

"It's been like this for the last couple days, so yeah. Very sure."

Silver eyes were hard and piercing as he stayed silent for a while, trying to dissect the transfer student like a science project. "I've never heard of something like that," Akihiko-senpai replied finally. "I know I've had days where the summoning's gone a lot better than usual, like Polydeuces was just waiting for me to pull the trigger, but not to the extent you're talking about. Not unless I'm in Tartarus, and definitely not out of the Dark Hour."

"So we're back to square one," Minato mused aloud.

"No." The word was sharp and curt, snapping out like the lash of a whip. "There might be a precedent. I'm not sure though – I'll look into it with Mitsuru. Until then, be very careful to keep tabs on it. How you feel, when it feels like they're getting agitated, anything, big or small, that might help. We just got our team back together; the last thing we need is another screw-up that'll set us back."

"I'll be careful," Minato promised. "I don't want to think of what could happen to me if all my Personas went out of control. I doubt it would be pretty."

Something about that seemed to trouble Akihiko-senpai. His eyes were a mix of hard and distant, and it was clear that there was more to the subject than a senpai looking out for his kouhai. Still, he took a deep breath and faced Minato head-on. "Look." Akihiko's voice was as serious as a heart attack, but even it paled compared to his stare. "I meant what I said before. A Persona gone out of control's nothing to shrug off. You feel like you're going to lose it or like something's wrong, you let us know, alright? Mitsuru and I'll help you as best we can, and that's better than the alternative. So don't think you have to keep it from us or that you're not part of the team. Got it?"

Minato blinked, then narrowed his eyes. That was… unexpected. No, not unexpected. But certainly different. Akihiko-senpai was more stalwart and straightforward as any student, any person, Minato could remember ever meeting, so he obviously didn't say those words lightly. But what was unexpected was that he'd said them at all. Akihiko-senpai was, after all, pretty quiet when it came to most subjects. But not Personas. Minato recalled that his senpai had been intense on the topic of out-of-control summonings before, when Junpei joined the team. Was it something that SEES looked out for because of the possible damage and the risk to a team member? Or was it personal? Mitsuru-senpai didn't seem to fixate on it as much as Akihiko-senpai did. Why not? Minato could think of a few reasons, all of which were valid, but he had a question to answer first. "I understand, Akihiko-senpai," he replied, staring the teen in the eye as seriously as he could muster. "If anything feels wrong, or more wrong than it does now, I'll let you know. No matter what."

Argent eyes dug into him and held him in place. Minato met his gaze and tried to see something in his senpai, to find out where the intensity was coming from. But before he could get anywhere, Akihiko-senpai blinked and backed away with a heavy sigh. "Good. Make sure you do."

Minato cocked his head to the side, frowning in thought, then dismissing his curiosity. Much as he'd liked to have gotten more from Akihiko-senpai, he could push only so far before someone pushed back. And as much as the questions were prodding him, he owed it to his senpai to be patient and exercise restraint. There would be other opportunities, and at least now he knew more than he did before.

Still, all it told him was that the sensations weren't normal, or at least they varied from the standards of Akihiko-senpai and Mitsuru-senpai. That wasn't distressing to him, since he was quite used to being unusual in the things he did. But it did lead into the next most logical question: why? Why him? Why now? Where did his talents come from? How was he connected to the Shadows, or was he just imagining it? Back when he joined SEES it was easy to dismiss the deeper meaning to having the abilities that he did. But not anymore. It was fast becoming obvious that there was a lot more going on, more to their activities than just killing parasites feeding on people. The problem was that, like his Personas, there was no clear answer. He was operating in the dark, and unlike Yukari, Minato didn't think his senpai were keeping the answers to his questions from him.

When Akihiko-senpai murmured "C'mon. Let's head back," Minato didn't disagree or argue in the least. He followed his senpai back to the dorm to get ready for school, and neither said another word.


When he awoke that night, there were two things he was aware of. The first was the scent of decay and the warped sense of wrongness all around him that told him he was in the Dark Hour. That alone would have struck him as odd – he was either fighting Shadows at this time, or was sleeping when he wasn't – if he weren't aware of the second thing.

That he wasn't alone.

Swiftly, he pushed himself up and looked at the foot of his bed. There was the boy, his hands folded and head cocked curiously with that knowing little smile on his face. "Good evening," Junior said to him in greeting.

"There's not much good about this time of night," Minato replied automatically, moving around under the covers until he was seated comfortably on the mattress. "Where have you been up to now?"

The boy walked along the bed, wordlessly prompting Minato to swing his legs out and stand to face him. Despite the height difference, there was no disparity between them. Minato didn't feel the need to crouch or talk down to him, and the calm, expectant look he got in return told him that his height wasn't an advantage here. "I've been busy," Junior replied calmly. "Visiting people. Learning things. Watching you."

"Me? Well, sorry kiddo, but I'm pretty boring as far as students go."

Those pale eyes intensified as the boy shook his head. Minato felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, but couldn't place where it was coming from. From the kid? No, that didn't make sense. Junior wasn't threatening or dangerous, not in those prison-convict pajamas. Shadows? He looked around, reaching out with his senses. Nothing. Even his Personas were quiet, a welcome change from how they'd been feeling before. It must be the Dark Hour, he decided. It always felt off. That was the only thing that made sense. When he turned back to the boy, his smile had grown. "I disagree," he told the teen quietly. "I think you're pretty interesting. You can do things lots of other people can't, right?"

"How do you know about that?" It was a stupid question – he'd heard Junior's voice when he summoned Orpheus, after all. And they only met during the Dark Hour, when normal people were safe in their coffins. So it only made sense that the kid would know things about what was going on.

"I know a lot about you," Junior replied, folding his fingers together again. "Like I said, you're an interesting person. And you've changed since we met. You seem lighter now. Brighter."

Minato cocked his head to the side. "Brighter?" What does that mean?" Was the kid talking about his Personas? There was light and energy when they were released.

The boy frowned a little, like he was chasing a detail that refused to be said out loud. It was odd to see, Minato realized, considering the kid was more articulate than half the teachers he knew. "It's hard to explain. It's like it's part of you now, but isn't from you. And it's still new." Junior visibly pondered it, then shrugged and went back to smiling. "Oh well. It'll come to me, and it's interesting to see."

"That's… great to hear," Minato replied, trying to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

"It really is," the boy asserted before turning toward the door. "Well, it's been fun, but you should get back to sleep."

He had only gone a few steps before Minato's mind kicked back into gear. "Wait a minute. I have something I need to ask you." His tone wasn't hard, but it had lost its conversational edge.

Junior turned back and looked at him expectantly, a smile in place and not a hint of caution or fear in his eyes. "Yes?"

"That contract you had me sign was part of all this, wasn't it? The Shadows, my Personas, Tartarus." The boy's smile died down a little, but Minato kept pushing. "What's going on here? How are you involved?"

"I'm not," was the immediate response, this time in a steady, toneless voice. "I'm just here to help you. You're the one that's important here, Big Brother. I'm just here to… help when you need it."

The last comment was what Minato'd been looking for, but his mind tripped over what Junior had said just before that. "W… wait a minute. What did you call me?"

"Big Brother." Yep. He hadn't heard it wrong. And it was hard to get his thoughts back in order between the Dark Hour throwing everything off kilter and the kid looking like giving out such a title was the most natural thing in the world.

"Why call me that? Don't you have parents of your own? I mean, if you're going to call me that, at least tell me your name."

The boy frowned thoughtfully, his stare growing heavier and more intense with each passing moment until Minato felt it like a lead weight on his shoulders. "I… suppose you're right. This won't be the last time we meet, and you did ask for my name. In that case… I guess you can call me Pharos." The stress he put on his name sent shivers down Minato's spine, chilling him to the core even as his mind turned the word over, going through what Greek he could remember from the books he'd read since Akihiko-senpai had showed the group his Evoker. Pharos. The Greek word for 'lighthouse.' Something that stood out in the darkness for sailors to follow. A guide in the night. It was an odd name for a child who was obviously Japanese. "And I don't have parents anymore," the boy continued calmly. "They died, along with my sister."

Minato blinked at that. Any normal child would have had some response to an event like that. Had he been too young to remember them? No, he singled out his sister, so they weren't just names on a list to him. They'd been real people, completing a family with memories and a past. So why did Pharos sound so blasé about it? And why did those words, that the boy had lost his family, make him cold to the marrow? He couldn't come up with any answers, but the boy's story was a curious coincidence. "I see. I can relate, I suppose – my parents and sister died in a car crash when I was young too. If that's the case, then what are you doing here?"

"Well, I don't have a family anymore, so you're like my older brother," Pharos told him as though the answer were a natural fact. "But you've been asking all the questions so far, so now it's my turn. What was your family like?"

Minato shrugged. Not at the question, since it was a logical place for the conversation to go, but because there wasn't much to say on the matter. Same as when Yukari brought it up – it simply was. "They were… a family, I guess. My parents worked, and my sister was two years older than me, so we spent a lot of time together. Studying, playing, anything we could think of when our parents weren't around. Minako was always joining groups and hanging out with her friends. And me, well, I tagged along when I could."

Pharos gave a small smile. "It's funny how your names are so close, but you said she was older than you, so you're not twins."

"Our parents weren't very creative when it came to naming us," Minato replied with a small, vacant smile. "They admitted it to anyone who pointed that fact out. But 'Nako and I worked around it. Even had some fun with it at school." Pharos's smile became less open for a moment. Pensive, restrained, like he was thinking of how to word an observation and didn't know how it would be received. "What is it?"

"It's funny. You talk about your family, but you seem very distant about it. From the way you describe them, I get the feeling you weren't close to them."

Minato blinked, then backed up incrementally. He'd heard those words before, from the psychiatrists hired by the Kirijo Group and his regular social contacts. That he was detached from the event, from his family, and wasn't connecting with the memories anymore. It had been one of the more vexing exercises they'd given him: to focus on his family and talk about them, happy or sad, for more than a few minutes. He'd tried back then. Several times. And when he'd been berated for not trying for the fourth time in a row, he'd left the room with a cold farewell and spoken to his contact in the Kirijo Group. That was the last meeting he'd ever had on the topic.

"But I'm like that too," Pharos continued. "It's just strange finding someone else like that. I remember the night they died the most, but not much before or after that. I don't even remember the funeral. Is it like that with you?"

It should have been a red flag in his mind, but Minato wasn't thinking of the mysteries of his past just then. Or the Shadows and Tartarus and his strange link to them both. Or even what Junior here might be, since they seemed to have a link that he couldn't explain. Instead he was turning over a decade-old memory. And finding something wrong with it. "I guess what stands out the most for me is the blood, and the car wreck." He frowned. There was more to it now, like a jigsaw puzzle with new pieces to choose from where there'd been none missing before. A sense beyond the wrongness of the Dark Hour. A smell past the blood and spilled gasoline. But was it right? It didn't make sense. His family died in a car wreck, not an armed robbery or a mall shooting. Still, it was there, and the words slipped out of his mouth while he was thinking them. "And… gunpowder. I think."

That seemed to shake Junior out of his pensive mood, and he smiled, differently from before, when he heard Minato's last few words. "I see. Then I guess things will be getting interesting."

"What does that mean?"

Pharos gave him a secretive little smile, and his eyes took on an unusual glow. Unusual enough to make Minato shiver in spite of himself, despite being in the Dark Hour and getting used to all the craziness making its home in Tatsumi Port Island. "I won't spoil the surprise. But you'll meet 'her' soon. And then… well, we'll see."

Before Minato could say anything else, there was a shift in the Dark Hour. Not its end, or an approaching Shadow. But the light from the moon outside his window died down, plunging the room into long, deep shadows. Shadows so deep that even Pharos's eyes dimmed, his pale complexion clouded, and his odd choice of clothing being swallowed completely by the night.

All that remained of him was his voice. And even that felt like it was moving away. "So long, Big Brother. I'll come back soon."

Minato stepped back, trusting his other senses like he'd been taught. He wasn't feeling threatened, however, and he knew what had happened even before his eyes adjusted to the gloom. The Dark Hour lightened a little, the wave of darkness passing like clouds before the moon, and showed him what he expected.

Whether he'd pulled the same trick as before, or used the door this time, or was never there in the first place, Pharos was gone.


It was several days later that SEES gathered in the foyer before dinnertime, discussing their newest lead. Yamagishi Fuuka. Her disappearance, her background, and the events surrounding her at school. Yukari brought up what gossip she'd heard on the subject, more animated than she'd been in a while, and Junpei's conjecture was entertaining and entirely plausible, given how many other weird things they'd seen so far.

But there was something else on Minato's mind now. Not his Personas, since they'd calmed down earlier that morning – something his two senpai had been very diligent in checking up on him for. And not Pharos and his odd past. But rather a tension, a thrill that hummed in his veins like a second pulse, different from his Personas and putting him on edge like he was about to fight, and it had been growing since Junior had visited him.

Mitsuru-senpai and Akihiko-senpai were going over the different possibilities surrounding Yamagishi, and what the odds were of her surviving in Tartarus very long given that she didn't have any combat experience – after all, word around the block was that she tinkered with engines and radio transistors as a hobby. So unless she ran into a Shadow that had possessed a metalworks or a pickup truck, she'd be in trouble.

They'd just covered the details of Yamagishi's past when Ikutsuki came down the stairs. Conversation stopped as the administrator approached Minato, stopping within arm's reach. "I believe this belongs to you," Ikutsuki told him soberly, bringing up the familiar wooden case that had carried Minato's Evoker and presenting it to him with a staid sense of formality.

The teen bowed politely before placing it on the table and snapping the clasps open, lifting the lid to see his Evoker. Nothing about the form or structure of the gun had changed – it still had the left-handed grip and the iron sights. But it was the addition to the slide, the Greek script so delicately scribed into the metal, the solid feeling of being part of the group, that broke a slow smile across his face. He lifted the instrument gently, feeling his Personas curl and twist in response to their catalyst in his hands. He looked at both sides of the weapon, noticing that, like Akihiko-senpai's, the script was different on each side. However, the script on Minato's Evoker was shorter than that of his comrade's. "What does it say?" he asked finally.

"Alea iacta est," Ikutsuki replied simply.

Minato cocked his head in confusion since his self-education in Greek hadn't been so extensive as to offer an immediate translation, but Mitsuru gave a quiet chuckle. "Translated by Suetonius and attributed to Julius Caesar, as I recall."

Ikutsuki nodded. "That's correct, Mitsuru-san. Well done."

"It's very fitting," she replied, looking at Minato with an arched brow. "It means 'Let the die be cast,' a reference to how the dice are uncontrollable once they are thrown. It is a gambler's saying, and it originated from the days when Caesar crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome."

Which began the reign of Julius Caesar and the rise of the powerhouse that was Ancient Rome, as Minato recalled from his history classes. It also signified passing the point of no return. Once thrown, the dice couldn't be called back to the hand, and it wasn't just dice that such a saying applied to. "Like the wild card in poker," he deduced with a look of newfound respect. "Thank you, Ikutsuki-san. I appreciate the sentiment."

"That is pretty awesome," Junpei commented from the side, looking on expectantly. "So where're ours?"

"Yours and Yukari-san's haven't been personalized yet," Ikutsuki replied smoothly, adjusting his glasses. "It shouldn't be long, however."

Junpei frowned at that. "Guess it's 'cause you're the leader, huh?" he mentioned to Minato without a trace of humour.

"Perhaps it just came more naturally," Minato responded, spinning his Evoker around before placing it back on the table carefully. "I doubt Ikutsuki-san has a list of sayings like these just lying around."

Junpei didn't look convinced. He'd been like that, Minato noted, since Mitsuru had invited him to the Student Council. Was he… jealous? "Yeah. I guess," Junpei grumbled to himself, looking away.

"Anyway," Akihiko cut in, cracking his knuckles, "we have work to do. Might be a chance to put your Evoker to good use, and we're not getting anything done sitting around here. The sooner we find out more about Yamagishi, and the sooner we get a handle on the Shadows, the better."

Minato nodded, picking his Evoker up and looking at the others. "I agree. In that case, let's get started." His questions and concerns could wait, for now, and Junior's odd comments about meeting women weren't important. Right now SEES had an objective. It was time to achieve it.


"I take it you've heard the news?"

It was a meaningless question. Shirato Jin knew what happened in Tatsumi Port Island before their most fervent news reporters did. Still, Jin turned and faced him, the light of his computer screen reflecting off his glasses. "Three more students have been reported missing," he replied. "Better than we could've hoped."

Pale lips spread in a smile, slow and wide like rigor mortis. "And the girl?"

"Missing for now. No one knows where she is. Might be she's still alive if they left her in that place."

"A triviality now. She is unimportant."

Jin shook his head, his eyes narrowing with a dark fire behind them. "She was unimportant, but not anymore. Turns out that she might be bait for the Shadow killers."

Ahhh, yes. Them. The topic was something Jin had devoted his energy to since hearing about it. An empty passenger train crashing into the rail yard would have been useful for making people talk, he'd said, but the authorities at the scrap yard were confused by the extensive internal damage that couldn't be accounted for, not to mention how the train had gotten to where they'd found it when there was no records of the access codes being used to start the engine. Black 'tar' in corners and on the walls, scorch marks from something incredibly hot, and markings in some places that looked like scrapes from a blade. None of it had been reported on the news, but the clues had caught Jin's attention like a starving dog going after a bone. "Are you still thinking about the train incident?"

Jin brushed past the inquiry and got to what was obviously on his mind. "I think I have something. Yamagishi's disappearance has gotten the school student authorities sniffing around. By itself, it means nothing. But a few names have been popping up recently, and it's not a coincidence."

Coincidence or design, it didn't matter. Humans would attribute meaning to anything they didn't understand. It was… such a charming quality of theirs. Still, Jin didn't fixate on meaningless details. "Continue."

"I've been looking into anything unusual that might explain the strange incidents, and it seems the Kirijo have been more active than before." Jin didn't bother to hold back the hostility in his voice as he said the company's name. "More requests for student residency in Iwatodai have been filed, right around the time the first Shadow disappeared. Also, there's been a development on the site, and the timing's too close to be a fluke. Seems there's a new student in town, and he's pissed off a few of the locals. Enough that they've all mentioned him to us." At the responding nod, he continued. "He's on the same thread as Takeba Yukari, so it seems like the idiots who hate him are fans of hers. Their grudges aren't anything new, but this guy is – Arisato Minato."

Ahhh, the Kirijo. It was only a matter of time before they got involved again. A thoughtful frown crossed his lips when he heard the student's name, however. Arisato… "Who is he? How does he fit in with Takeba and the Kirijo?"

Jin shook his head and gestured to the screen, looking both irritated and curious. "Aside from being a new student, he's a ghost. No past records on the public networks, a few rumours from where he might have attended middle school, and an obituary of a family with the same last name ten years ago. But here's what's interesting." Jin's fingers flew across his keyboard, tapping keys and commands like raindrops on pavement. A new screen opened, and a photo of an unfamiliar face popped up. "Seems he's living in the same dorm as their chairman's kid, and he's apparently hanging around her and Sanada a lot. And his arrival corresponds with one of those residency transfer requests they made."

"Intriguing."

"The Shadow that attacked the Kirijo dorm went silent the same week he arrived," Jin pointed out. "And the train incident was left alone, like it was just an accident. It's not like the Kirijo to leave evidence uncovered, unless they know it can't be traced back to them. They haven't made a move since Aragaki ditched them – they haven't had the people or the talent. But this Arisato shows up and two Shadows are killed right after. And they have more people in the dorm that the brat lives in, so it could be they have more Persona-Users than before. Put those pieces together, and things start to make a lot more sense."

Sakaki Takaya looked at the picture, feeling a deep-seated tremble stir in his soul. It wasn't fear, but anticipation. Something about this student, his blue hair or guarded eyes or lax posture in the photo, made Hypnos take notice. Jin was right. It wasn't a coincidence. Events were moving forward, and this Arisato was part of them. What role did he play? Why was he important? Why now? So many question, and Takaya felt it spark his interest like so little could now.

"Find out what you can about him, and the Kirijo's movements," he told Jin unnecessarily. "It seems there are new players on the board. And it wouldn't do to let them parade about recklessly."

Jin nodded and turned to his computer, already typing away. Takaya stared at Arisato a moment longer. The poise. The eyes. This was no mere pawn they were looking at.

Yes. This one would prove very interesting.