Hamuko hummed as she waited right beside Minato's door. Last night was weird and scary. Minato was acting really strange in the past few days, and yesterday that strangeness had reached his breaking point, which made him lash out at Hamuko for the first time.
"I wonder what happened," Hamuko sighed, changing the music on her mp3 player. "Goddammit, wake up already, Minato…"
The door to Minato's door slowly opened, revealing the blue haired devil, clad in his school uniform.
"Minato!" Hamuko cried, hugging him as soon as he stepped out.
"Um…" Minato didn't return the hug. He simply backed away and smiled at her.
"What's wrong?" Hamuko asked with a concerned tone, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Minato flinched. "N-Nothing. I'll have to go now," he said, with quickness and force, before walking away as swiftly as he could.
"I'm sorry for whatever pain I caused," Hamuko shouted, making Minato stop just as he was about to descend the steps. "I really am," Hamuko repeated. Minato gritted his teeth and blinked away the building tears, before going down wordlessly. Hamuko released a sigh and slumped against the wall. "What did I do wrong?"
...
"Minato-kun!" Fuuka said weakly. She was always terrified of Minato, and his rather unpredictable nature. She had seen what how he reacted to the others and what he said.
"What?" Minato narrowed his gaze at Fuuka who released a small yelp.
"We, uh..." Fuuka stammered.
"Spit it, woman!" Minato growled impatiently.
"Eep! We're going to Yakushima after mid-terms!" Fuuka blurted out.
"Huh..." Minato thought, before a blush crossed his cheek. "H-Hamuko in a bikini?" he mumbled. He almost, almost smiled. Also, daydreaming. "Ummm..." Fuuka stammered, watching a blushing Minato with somewhat of a smile. Minato kept thinking with those upturned lips. "Minato-kun, are you blushing?" Fuuka said, finally, after a good ten minutes.
Minato snapped out of his daze upon Fuuka's question. He regained his composure as his blush disappeared, fixing a cold glare on Fuuka. "Me blushing?" He scoffed. "Don't act dumb, woman." Poor Fuuka shivered. She shouldn't have said that.
"Why would I be blushing?" Minato growled, narrowing his gaze.
"Um..." Fuuka kept quiet.
"Spit it out, woman," Minato snapped, balling up a fist.
"I-I thought you'd be excited to see Yukari-chan in a swimsuit," Fuuka said quickly. Minato's silver eyes slowly widened. He dropped the backpack onto the floor, before making a mad dash towards the kitchen sink.
Fuuka surely heard a sound like someone was puking, before gargling water and spitting it out. After a good ten minutes, Minato walked into the lounge again, with a severely pissed off face. "I should kick your ass just for thinking of that," Minato snarled.
Fuuka nervously giggled. "I was about to say Hamuko-chan. My tongue slipped, I apologise."
Minato stood silent, before he slowly slapped himself on the forehead. "God damn."
"Sorry," Fuuka said, hanging her head.
...
The next few days passed the same way. Minato came into the dorm, took his meal upstairs and studied the whole night, rinse and repeat for the next few days, until it was finally time for the mid-terms.
Minato slowly made his way towards school, revising the notes in his mind. "Hey, Minato," Minato flinched slightly, before slowly turning around to face the auburn haired girl who had a slight smile. The two didn't talk for more than a week.
"Yes?" Minato asked slowly.
"Good luck,"
"Thank you. Same to you," he replied curtly.
"..."
"..."
"Will you please spill?" Hamuko said, taking his hand hopefully. Minato cringed and pulled his hand back, before walking away, leaving Hamuko alone. "Dammit! You're not making this any easier," Hamuko scowled at his retreating figure.
"You're not making this any easier, Hamuko," Minato sighed, entering the building.
...
Minato aced the exams. He was already a genius. His pen just couldn't stop writing. And on a fateful Saturday, it finally ended. Minato tossed the answer sheet to the teacher and stood up with a slight smile. Even if he was basically evil incarnate, he was still happy that the exams were off his chest.
Soon enough, the teacher walked out, carrying a bulk of papers and the whole class collectively erupted into cheer. "Freedom at last!" Junpei cheered. "The dark days of testing are finally over. The sun is shining bright."
"So, how did you do?" Yukari asked.
"I aced PE!" Junpei fist pumped.
Hamuko giggled. "That answers that question!"
Junpei blew a raspberry. "A real man doesn't dwell on the past. I"m thinking ahead to Yakushima."
"Oh yeah, that's coming us soon," Yukari mused, casting a glance to Minato who was as quiet and passive as usual. "Are you ready?"
"No," Minato said, leaning back.
"Minato, are you really not ready?" Hamuko asked sweetly.
"No!" Minato scowled, before burying his head into palms.
Hamuko sighed. "Let's go do something, shall we?" she suggested.
"Sure, let me grab my stuff from the locker room. Oh, and I'll invite Fuuka too," Yukari added, walking out of the homeroom.
"Uh, dude?" Junpei spoke up, making Minato raise his head up slightly.
"What?" Minato said bluntly.
"We've had a lot of battles and verbal duels, right?" Junpei said scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah?" he raised an eyebrow. Where was he going with this?
Junpei sighed. "I'm sorry for acting like a dick. And I'm sorry for starting the fight. We're a team, and we should really start acting like one... Peace?"
Minato caught Hamuko literally pleading him to accept. Minato didn't really want to accept the apology, but he did anyway, in order to shut the both of them up, so they wouldn't bug him later. "Whatever, fine."
Junpei grinned. "Thanks! I never expected you to forgive me, though," he laughed before fist pumping. "Enough of that, let's get going."
Minato caught Hamuko grinning at him. He gave a broken smile and went out with Junpei.
...
"Freedom at last!" Junpei said, as he stepped out of the school gates.
Minato just shook his head. He clearly saw Ikutsuki's limo parked beside the gates. Not in the mood for puns and jokes, Minato clipped on his headphones and walked away.
"Minato! Wait!" Hamuko shouted, but thanks to his trusty headphones, the shout went unnoticed, and Minato kept the pace, before disappearing into the crowd of students.
Hamuko released a sigh and crossed her arms.
...
Minato sat his ass on the chair and rested his chin on the counter. He was in Club Escapade. Even though minors weren't allowed, Minato got in easily, all it took was a wad of cash.
"Aren't you a little too young to be here?" The bartender said.
"I'm old enough to kick your ass if you ask again," Minato growled, lifting his head up.
"C-Chill out," The bartender stammered. Minato sighed and grabbed a bottle of wine, taking a gulp.
"That's kinda out of line, aren't you a little too youn-" The bartender was cut off.
"Say that again, I dare you!" Minato scowled. "I double dare you, motherfucker. Say that again." The bartender flinched once more and scurried away. "I'll pound him into a pulp," Minato said, taking another gulp. Minato face planted right onto the counter again. "I miss Hamuko..." he muttered, slamming his fist.
"Greetings," Minato slowly raised his head up again because of the cold voice that was emitting from right beside him.
Minato jerked his head to the side, and saw a very familiar pale teenager grinning at him.
"You!?" Minato said, almost standing up, but Takaya spoke up fairly quickly.
"I mean no harm," he stated calmly, taking a seat next to Minato.
"You do know that you touch me and I'll kick your ass?" Minato growled.
"I repeat. I mean no harm," Takaya gave a smirk. "I come here often."
"To pick up girls? I hope you get a STD from these skanks," Minato shook his head. "Man, look at you. You're pathetic."
Takaya's smirk disappeared. "Don't think you're much different Arisato," Takaya said slowly, taking a cup of wine and sipping. "I can practically smell your rage."
"Yeah. And I can smell bullshit all over you," Minato shot back, slapping Takaya right across the face, throwing the class onto the ground. Luckily, nobody noticed it.
"Fool!" Takaya growled.
"Go on..." Minato smirked this time. "I'm a big enough of a bastard to start a fight here, with not a concern for these assholes dancing around."
"If this was Akihiko or Junpei, then maybe you could have started a fight, and they wouldn't strike back. But not me," Minato slapped Takaya across the face again. Viciously.
"Pathetic," Minato said, offering his chin to Takaya who stood still. "Hit me you naked little hobo," He taunted. Takaya gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.
"Wuss," Minato said as he splashed Takaya's face with red wine, before he laughed his ass off as Takaya fumed with rage.
"... Can you do this to Theodore?" Takaya whispered.
Minato stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes at Takaya. "Speak up, fool,"
"You heard me. Where was this aggression when Theodore massacred you?" Takaya grinned once again, taking a sip.
"You. You'll tell me everything about that bastard," Minato growled.
"Fearless, aren't we?" Takaya sneered. He pointed at the far end of the club.
Minato looked and gritted his teeth. Shit. He was in trouble; a pair of golden eyes and swiped back silver hair. That was indeed Theodore. In the freaking club. "Bloody hell..." Minato cussed, clicking his tongue in annoyance as Theo gave a crazed from the shadows.
"Ah, corruption is such nifty, isn't it?" Takaya laughed eerily.
"Dammit," Minato stood up and took a deep breath. There was no Hamuko or anyone else here. How in hell could he handle a monster like that on his own?
"Scared?" Takaya smirked.
"I'm scared of nothing," Minato snarled.
"But you don't enjoy pain, do you?" Takaya questioned. "Theodore needs only one thing. That auburn haired girl,"
"Fuck yourself," Minato growled.
"That girl is the only reason why you're living, isn't it?" Takaya continued.
"Problem!?" Minato said, not taking his eyes off Theo.
"If she's gone and the monster inside you will awaken once again. There will be no need for unwanted emotions and this heartbreak," Takaya advised, extending a hand. "Join us, Minato Arisato. I know the hate you harbour for your team mates. Each and every one of them drive you mad."
"... I should hand over Hamuko to him. Is that what you're saying?" Minato asked slowly, looking Takaya with a glare.
"Without her, you won't have to join the team. Gather your will up and let her go. You'll feel better. You'll become stronger, and we shall strike back at the cruel world." Takaya grinned. Minato bit his lip. He was already wallowing in grief because of Hamuko... Was it a good idea to let her? Minato gazed at Theo, his crazed eyes and sadistic grin.
"... I refuse," Minato said after a few minutes, before looking back at Takaya. "I pity you. At least I finally got something to live for, do you?"
"Tch!" Takaya clicked his tongue in annoyance and took a step back. "Very well. You won't join us. Then you'll die."
"Bring it bitch," Minato said defiantly.
"Theo, take it over from here," Takaya said with a wave, as the psychotic teenager stepped out from the shadows, moving into the crowd of people, making his way towards to Minato.
Takaya stepped to the side as Minato summoned a small dagger into his palm and took a deep breath. Theo stood in front of Minato, standing more than a couple of inches taller than the blue haired teen. "Lucky shot, last time," Theodore said, stretching his palm. Minato instinctively clutched his gut.
"Are you gonna talk or fight!?" Minato snarled. Just as those words were spoken, the world around him shifted. The greenish hue took over his surroundings and everyone in the club sans the three of them transmogrified into coffins. Takaya grinned. This was perfect. The authorities couldn't catch wind of this now.
Minato gasped, sidestepped the fist that Theodore threw and backed away. Theodore roared and charged up a Megidola into his veins. Minato gritted his teeth. Theodore's attack could make the whole building collapse. "Leave him be," A cool voice made Theodore cringe. Minato blinked. Did Theo of all people actually cringe?
Minato looked towards the entrance, where someone else was standing. No, it wasn't Hamuko. It wasn't any member of S.E.E.S, rather... "Elizabeth!?" Minato blinked, finding the attendant standing at the entrance, the usual grin on her face was replaced by a cold expression.
"Y-Y-You..." Theodore snarled, as he shivered once.
"What the hell... He's scared of her?" Minato said in disbelief. But then he remembered that Elizabeth's once punch nearly tore through his stomach.
"I repeat. Leave him be," Elizabeth commanded. Theo snarled in return, fixing his crazed eyes on Elizabeth who wasn't scared in the slightest.
"Who is this woman?" Takaya asked, but Theo ignored him.
"Step aside," Elizabeth commanded again. Theodore released a scream of hate, before fixing his eyes on Minato once. He raised his fist in the air, aiming to smash the blue haired teen.
Elizabeth gasped and bolted. Just before Theo could strike Minato, he was sent flying into a wall, courtesy of a punch by Elizabeth. Minato blinked, almost not believing. The entire scene was so fast that even his brain couldn't process it properly. And here he thought that he was the strongest Persona user in the world.
"What!? W-What just happened!?" Takaya said, backing away. He couldn't believe that a girl could knock a monster like Theo just like that.
"... I feel so puny," Minato mumbled as Elizabeth gave a cheerful smile. "Alright, I feel pathetic now. She's smiling!"
"Persona!" Theodore snarled, summoning a card into his palm.
"Hmph." Elizabeth responded by summoning her compendium and opening it to release a flash of blue light, blinding Theo.
Takaya gritted his teeth and took a step back. He was no match for this girl, so he did the only logical thing. Run out of the club. Theo bolted across from Minato and Elizabeth, before ending at the entrance as well. He gave a hateful glare to the both of them, before disappearing from view.
"..." Elizabeth sighed as the tome in her hand disappeared.
"..." Minato blinked. Who in the blue hell were these creatures?
"So," Elizabeth started, after a long silence. "This is the fabled club?" She grabbed a goblet of wine and held it towards Minato who was puzzled. "Butter?" she proposed.
"Oh my God," Minato sighed, slapping his forehead hard. That was supposed to be 'toast'. Welp, at least he was saved from another busted stomach. Minato grabbed a goblet and clinked with Elizabeth's. "Toast."
Elizabeth nodded in understanding. "Butter Toast."
Minato sighed and gulped down the wine in despair.
Raider AN: And we're back. Yakushima's next up. Plz box us yo thoughts and we'll see ya guys later.
Beautiful blossom: No problem, and thanks.
Sweetfulfrenzy: …why would it? Blood Lust is all about Hamuko and Minato, there's no other reason.
MinaxMina: Yeah, it should end later… Hehe. Won't that be interesting indeed? Well… Aigis is going to be quite a special case. You'll see why.
Indeed, ne?
Thanks.
TheOtakuTeen: Ah, of course. It fortunately was resolved quite quickly.
Raidou: Indeed, yeah? Thanks.
Stardustwarrior: Hahaha, don't you know it? Glad you liked it.
Guest: No promises. But of course, Minato and Hamuko are inseparably paired.
Ventusblade: Oh, most likely! Depends on Nights.
Yoshikunitsu: Yeah, it will, but probably not during the Yakushima arc. That's to find out!
Indeed. We will, and glad you like it.
Gin: Ah, they don't. But it's for a pretty good reason.
Indeed. Haha. And yeah, Liz is cool like that. Thanks.