Chapter 5
„Cognition"
[Iwatodai Dormitory – August 8th -daytime]
Persona 3 OST - Iwatodai Station
„Alright, Ren, now play extra attention." -Shinjiro said as he prepared his knife."I'll show you how to properly cut fish."
„Alright!" -Ren said with a small smile.
Ren was really enjoying learning how to cook with Shinjiro. His time with SEES thus far is the best thing that has happened to Ren in a long time. He was getting along with everyone without any issues.
Suddenly, Ren heard someone entering the kitchen. It was Yukari, who gave him a warm smile.
„Oh, I see you two are busy." -Yukari teased, causing Shinjiro to sigh."Anyway, Mitsuru-Senpai said to gather in the lounge."
„What for?" -Shinjiro asked, taking his apron off. Ren quickly followed the suit.
„The scientist and guests she talked about are coming today." -Yukari explained."We're going to greet them soon. We'll be waiting for you." -With that Yukari left the kitchen.
„I wonder who that scientist might be…" -Ren said out loud.
„You will see soon enough." -Shinjiro shrugged."Let's continue after We greet our guests. Maybe We should make more food…"
After that, Shinjiro and Ren joined the rest in the lounge.
„Ah, you're here." -Mitsuru said with a small smile."Our guests will be here any second now. Be at your best behavior."
„We're not little kids, Senpai." -Yukari sighed. Suddenly, they heard a knock on a door."That was quick…"
As the doors swung open, the SEES saw a woman in her 30's. She was wearing black sleeves dress with matching black heels. She had square black glasses and gray eyes. Her black hair reached just a little below her chin. She had a kind smile as she entered the dormitory.
Behind her was a middle-aged man. He had slicked-back dark hair with a receding hairline, gray eyes, a chinstrap beard with a goatee that flares out and wore glasses. He was wearing a normal black suit with a loose red tie.
There was also a little girl with them. She looked strikingly similar to the woman before them. She had long black hair with matching black round glasses. She was wearing a simple green shirt with a black skirt. She was shyly hiding at the back.
„It's a pleasure to meet you." -Mitsuru said as she walked toward the group. She shook the woman's hand."My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm glad that you've manager to reach us on such short notice."
„It's quite alright." -Her voice was kind and gentle."I believe that others don't know me yet. My name is Wakaba Issihiki. I'm a scientist that specifies in cognitive psience. It's nice to meet you all."
„I have to introduce myself as well, huh?" -His voice was low and a bit raspy."My name is Sojiro Sakura. I'm a government official. Whenever Wakaba goes, I go as well."
„That's my bodyguard for you." -Wakaba joked, causing everyone to smile. She looked behind her and smiled at the little girl."Why are you hiding like that, Futaba? There is no need to be shy."
„Hello… My name is Futaba Isshiki… Nice to meet you." -She peaked over, while blushing.
„Hehe, sorry… My daughter is a tad bit shy." -Wakaba said with a giggle.
„It's alright." -Mitsuru said with a smile."These are the residents of dormitory."
Everyone introduced themself to the quests. Wakaba looked at Ren with a surprise. She heard that kid lived here, but she didn't expect an actual kid. He was about the same age as Futaba.
„Look, Futaba." -Wakaba said to her daughter."There is a boy your age. Maybe he'll be your boyfriend, eh?" -Futaba's face turned into a deep shade of red. She hid behind her mother, causing Sojiro to sigh.
„Jeez, she's already acting shy. No need to tease her like that." -Sojiro said, causing Wakaba to giggle.
„Sorry, bad habit." -Wakaba said, and patted her daughter's head."Anyway, I hope you'll get along with Futaba."
„Sure thing." -Ren said with a small blush.
„Man, she's actually kinda fun." -Junpei commented."I thought that it was going to be some boring old fart." -Yukari elbowed Junpei, making him wince."Hey, what was that for, Yuka-tan?"
„Jeez, keep some things to yourself." -Yukari scolded.
„Anyway, your equipment and belongings have already arrived." -Mitsuru informed."Please, let me show you to your rooms."
As they were about to go upstairs, Futaba stopped and waved at Ren. Ren waved back with a smile on his face. Futaba blushed again and quickly followed her mother.
„She's kinda cute, right?" -Yukari teased, causing Ren to blush.
„True."-Fuuka agreed.
„I don't know…" -He muttered.
„Come on, Ren! You're getting at that age where you interested in this kinda stuff." -Junpei said with a huge grin.
„Shut up, Junpei…" -Yukari groaned."Don't listen to him. Futaba-chan seems like a shy girl, but I bet she's a nice girl. Be nice to her, okay?"
„Alright. But shouldn't We all be nice to her?" -Ren asked, and Yukari giggled.
„Of course, but I mean she's not our age. You two might better understand each other." -Yukari explained."I think you two will be great friends."
„Alright, let's go back and finish the meal." -Shinjiro said, and Ren nodded.
[Later- Before midnight – Assembly Room]
Persona 3 OST - Troubled
Wakaba couldn't contain her excitement. Her research was recognized by the Kirijo Group of all. Though, as of late, she had issues with proving the existence of the Cognitive World. She was surprised when she got a call a few days ago. To think that Kirijo Group would contact her and offer help in exchange for assistance in a 'project' of theirs. Though, she got support from the government, having support from the Kirijo Group would mean that her research would be recognized by the entire world. This meant a lot to her.
„So, We'll research this room?" -Wakaba asked, examining the room."Anyway, why are the kids in here?"
„Yeah, shouldn't they be in bed or something?" -Sojiro agreed.
„They're part of this 'project' I informed you about." -Mitsuru explained.
„That's right. They're a vital part of our project." -Ikutsuki agreed with a nod. The Chairman handed Wakaba a ring."Could you please put this on?"
„Really? Proposing already?" -Sojiro joked."Am I getting one as well?"
„I'm afraid not." -Mitsuru replied."It's part of our project, so don't worry." -She looked at the clock and there were only a few seconds to midnight."Please, don't panic."
„Hm? What do you mean?" -Wakaba asked. Suddenly the clock struck midnight. The whole atmosphere changed, but what shock her the most was the fact that she was standing next to a coffin. That coffin was supposed to be Sojiro."Sojiro?! What happened?! Can you hear me?!"
„Calm down, Isshiki-san." -Ikutsuki said with a calm voice."He's alright. There is nothing to worry about."
„But…" -She glanced at everyone. Wakaba was shocked to see that others were unaffected by whatever just happened. They didn't even seem bothered by it. What was going? Soon her turned toward a cat-like creature."Ah! Monster Cat!"
„I AM NOT A CAT! MY NAME IS MORGANA!" -Morgana exclaimed, annoyed by people still calling him a cat. He did look like one, but he wasn't a cat.
„Calm down, Morgana." -Ren said, trying to calm his friend."It's her first time, after all."
„Yeah, but it's still annoying…" -Morgana huffed.
„I must be imagining things… Yeah, I'm just tired from my trip. That's all…" -Wakaba tried to rationalize what was going on around her.
„I assure you that this is happening." -Mitsuru said while pointing at the coffin."Well… You can say that this is our 'project'…"
„Please, let us explain everything. Would you like to sit down first?" -Ikutsuki offered, and Wakaba slowly sat down. She was glancing at the coffin in the room. That was Sojiro, in some shape or form.
Sometime later, Ikutsuki finished explaining everything. They gave Wakaba a bit of time to process all the information she was just given.
„This is unbelievable…" -Wakaba said."I've spent so much time trying to find proof for the existence of the Cognitive World… And right now, I'm experiencing it. How come I didn't notice it sooner…?"
„Probably because you're in a coffin, like Sojiro-san." -Mitsuru explained."Only those with potential and a Persona can function during the Dark Hour."
„You'd mention Personas before." -Wakaba said."Does that mean you all have them?"
„Beside me, yes. Everyone in this room is a Persona user." -Ikutsuki nodded.
„Incredible…" -She glanced at Ren."Even you, Ren-kun."
„Would you like a demonstration?" -Mitsuru asked, and Wakaba nodded."Ren-kun, if you would."
„Alright…" -Ren took out his evoker, and Wakaba was alarmed.
„Why does he have a gun?" -Wakaba asked, having an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
„It's an evoker. We use it to summon our Personas." -Mitsuru explained."Go Ahead, Ren-kun."
„Come, Arsene!" -Ren pulled the trigger, and Arsene appeared above him.
„No way…" -Wakaba gasped. She stared at Ren's Persona in complete awe and fascination."So, this is the power you use to fight Shadows…"
„Well, it's basically fighting fire with fire." -Morgana explained.
„What do you mean by that…Wait you don't mean that Personas and Shadows are the same…?" -Wakaba was surprised.
„You're pretty sharp, Doc." -Morgana said with a grin."Every human has a shadow. The part of you that you don't want to admit to. If you managed to tame it and train it, it becomes a Persona."
„We're able to learn that thanks to Morgana." -Mitsuru said."We wouldn't have contact you if it wasn't for that."
„So you know about Cognitive World." -Wakaba's eyes sparkled. She got up and walked to Morgana. She grabbed his paw and look at him in the eye."I'm so sorry for calling you monster cat. If it's not an issue, please tell me everything you know! Pretty please!"
„Uh…Um…" -Morgana looked at Mitsuru. She gave him a look, making Morgana sigh."Alright… I'll answer all your questions. Just nothing about me, okay? Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to tell you."
„Thanks! You have no idea what it means to me!" -Wakaba suddenly realizes that the way she was behaving was like that of a little kid."Ahem… Sorry about that. It's just… I've really been trying to prove that my theories are right."
„It's quite alright." -Ikutsuki said with a warm smile.
„Since you've given me this opportunity… I'll do everything in my power to help you." -Wakaba promised with a serious tone.
„We're glad to hear it. This is a very important task." -Mitsuru said with a nod.
„Even though We believe that destroying all twelve shadows will end the Dark Hour, it won't hurt to have a backup plan." -Ikutsuki said."Anyway, I believe that should be enough for now. We'll explain more tomorrow."
„Now, let's just wait for the Dark Hour to end." -Misturu said and looked at the coffin."If We leave so suddenly, Sakura-san might get startled."
„True… He won't believe me when I tell him about this." -Wakaba giggled.
[Next Day - Iwatodai Dormitory - early morning]
Persona 4 Ost – New days
Futaba woke up with a loud yawn. She noticed that her mother wasn't in the bed next to her. Worried, she quickly dressed up and carefully peaked out of the room. There was no one in the corridor. With a gulp, she slowly walked out of the room and decided to look for her mother. She heard voices coming from the doors at the end of the corridor. After coming closer, she recognized the voice of her mother. But she also heard meowing. Quietly opening the doors, she peaked into the room.
Wakaba was furiously scribbling in her notebook. That didn't surprise her at all. She does that back home too. But what surprised her was the cat next to her. She saw it yesterday when they arrived. The cat was tiredly meowing as if it was talking. Deciding not to bother her mother, Futaba decided to leave.
Since everyone was still asleep, Futaba decided to explore the dormitory. Nothing finding anything worthwhile, she went down to the lounge. There was a nice smell coming from what she thought was a kitchen. Peaking over, she noticed the boy from yesterday. His name was Ren, she remembered.
He was standing on a small wooden helper since he wasn't tall enough to operate the stove properly. Ren was humming to himself, seemingly enjoying what he was doing. Futaba unknowingly smiled.
With his heighten senses, Ren knew someone was watching him. Turning back, he saw that it was Futaba. As soon as Futaba realized that she was spotted, she panicked.
„Good morning, Futaba-san." -Ren said with a calm voice and kind smile.
„G-Good mornin'…" -She said shyly. Seeing that Futaba was still stressed, Ren chuckled.
„Are you hungry? It will be some time before breakfast." -Ren said, and Futaba's eyes cast down."Um… Would you like to help me?"
„I… I don't know how to cook." -Futaba replied with a shrug."My mom… My mom usually makes breakfast if she has time…"
„I didn't know how to cook either until now." -Ren reassured."I'm still learning, you know. I can show you how to cut vegetables."
„Um… Well… Okay, then." -Futaba nodded. After putting on an apron, She used the second wooden helper, She looked at the washed vegetables before. Ren gave her a knife and gulped."What… What now?"
„Just breath… There is nothing to worry about." -He said with a nod."Remember to be careful when using the knife. It's easy to cut yourself sometimes. Here, let me show you." -Taking his own knife, he showed how to carefully and safely cut tomato."See? Now, try to repeat it."
„Alright… I can do it." -Futaba found a sudden determination within herself. She managed to repeat what Ren showed her."Woah… I did it!"
„Not that hard, right? Good job." -Ren praised. Futaba giggled, and looked at Ren."Can you cut the rest?"
„Sure thing!" -Futaba nodded. It seemed like Futaba was getting more comfortable around Ren.
Yukari let out a yawn as she went down the stairs. Smelling something delicious coming from the kitchen. She guessed that Ren and Shinjiro were cooking something again. With a giggle, she decided to tease the boys again. But to her surprise, Ren was cooking with Futaba.
She wanted to squeal but stopped herself from doing so. She instead watched with the biggest smile on her face.
'Oh my god! They're like a little couple! My heart!' -She thought, feeling an urge to go and hug them both.'Dammit, Yukari! Get a grip! They're cute, but you're overreacting!'
„Is everything alright, Yukari-san?" -Aigis, who silently appeared behind Yukari, asked.
„Waah!" -Yukari screamed.
Hearing someone suddenly screaming, Futaba lost her balance and was about fall. Ren noticed that and quickly grabbed her before she could hit the floor. Futaba braced herself for impact, but to her surprise, it didn't come. Because she was scared, she closed her eyes. Opening them, she blushed, seeing that Ren was holding her. She felt like her heart would burst out of her chest.
„Are you alright?" -Ren asked with worry. She was too stunned to answer his question.
'I can't! This is too much!' -Yukari was drooling mentally.
„Um… I'm… well… oh…" -Futaba was out of words. She had no idea how to act in this situation.' Ah! I just want to die!'
„What's all that ruckus?" -They heard a male voice. It was Sojiro. He saw Yukari and Aigis outside of the kitchen and decided to see what they're looking at."What happened? Are you okay, Futaba?"
„Ah! Sojiro… yeah, I'm fine…" -Futaba said as she and Ren got up."I just tripped…"
„Hm? Oh, don't tell me you two are cooking." -Sojiro chuckled, causing Futaba to look away with a blush."I didn't expect a kid to be interested in that sort of stuff."
„Well…" -Ren scratched the back of his head while smiling.
„And you've managed to convince Futaba to try it. Not bad." -He complimented."Anyway, what are you two doing, standing out of the kitchen?"
„Oh…? Well…" -Yukari had no idea how to explain herself. She was too engulfed in how Ren and Futaba looked cute together.
„I believe Yukari-san was in trance from watching Ren-san and Futaba-san." -Aigis said.
„No, I wasn't! What are you talking about?!" -Yukari was both embarrassed and angry.
„Anyway, do you need help in the kitchen?" -Sojiro offered.
„Oh! Maybe you can teach Ren how to make your curry." -Futaba said with a small smile. She loved Sojiro's curry more than any other food.
„Is that good?" -Ren asked, and Futaba nodded furiously.
„Yeah, you won't eat curry any other way after that." -Futaba smiled.
„Hm… Maybe I'll consider teaching you how to make it." -Sojiro said with a smile.' It's nice to see Futaba smile already.'
„Anyway… Um, I just remembered that I have some errands to do." -Yukari said with a nervous chuckle."I'll eat something in the city! See ya!" -With that Yukari quickly left the dormitory.
At the same time, Wakaba entered the lounge with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and noticed that Yukari left. She looked toward the kitchen entry and saw Sojiro and Aigis.
„Mornin', you two…" -Wakaba said with a small smile.
„Oh, mornin'." -Sojiro greeted.
„Good morning, Isshiki-san." -Aigis greeted.
„Man… I'm in some need of coffee." -Wakaba yawned again."Did you make something in the kitchen? It smells great…"
„Not me this time." -Sojiro replied with a laugh. He pointed his finger to the kitchen.
Wakaba tilted her head and walked to where Sojiro was standing. Peaking to the kitchen, she saw Futaba and Ren standing next to each other. Behind them, she saw some cut vegetables and a few prepared cutlets. She smirked to herself.
„Oh, trying to win my daughter over already? Not bad, Ren-kun. Not bad at all." -Wakaba teased with a huge grin.
„MOM!" -Futaba whined as her face turned bright red. Ren blushed while scratching his cheek.
„Alright, stop teasing them." -Sojiro let out a sigh."Since you've pulled another one of these all-nighters, I guess you want some coffee. There isn't one, so I'm gonna go and get some. Though, I can't promise it'll be the same as back home."
„Any kind of coffee made by you will be the best." -Wakaba said with a giggle. Sojiro smiled at her and left."Want me to help you? I promise I won't tease you."
„Aren't you tired, Mom?" -Futaba asked, and Wakaba chuckled.
„Nothing new to me. Don't worry." -She waved her off. Wakaba glanced at Aigis."Aigis-chan, want yo help us out?"
„Of course!" -Aigis replied with a kind smile.
Wakaba was still trying to grasp the fact that Aigis was an android. She had no idea that Kirijo Group was that advanced. Aigis was basically state of an art. She couldn't wait to learn more both about Cognitive World and Kirijo Group.
End of Chapter
