(11/12/10)
Same day...
After falling asleep again, I finally woke up and it was right around 2 P.M.
"Arriving in New York. E.T.A. ten minutes." The pilot said.
Minako yawned beside me, "Here already...?" She said thickly.
I nodded and nudged Yukari, "We're here."
She smiled at me and rested her head on my shoulders.
After a rather rocky landing, we were finally allowed to go out. The boys and I helped the girls take their stuff out. Lee barked at his underclassmen to carry our stuff. I didn't mind the least, since my head was befuddled. And the underclassmen actually fought for who'd carry the most luggage.
The teachers came out first, followed by Mitsuru and then the sudent council and, lastly, us.
Cato and his gang, who sat in the A row, eyed us suspiciously, but everyone else assumed we were there because we were the top of our class. The rest were too sleepy to notice.
We went out of the plane and out the J.F.K. International Airport.
I took a deep breath, "So, this is the smell of the Big Apple...it smells more like smog and hotdogs."
"Actually, that's just the smell of Queens." Minako said.
Kenji has a camera and recorded everyone.
"Hey New Yorker! I just got here-" he says cheerfully to a stout man with his carefully used English, a culmination of all the classes we attended with the Professor. We had long agreed to speak English at all times here.
"Fuck you. Go home, we don't want you here." He snarls and leaves.
"Whoa, the people here aren't very nice..." Kenji said, deleting the video.
"Welcome to New York." Minako muttered as she walked towards the Buses we reserved.
Our plan today was to head for the hotel and then go to our tour.
It took about a few minutes for us to head to the island of Manhattan, where the Hotel was.
Kirijo Luxury Hotel... It was a magnificent, elegant and quaint place. The front lawn was an open café and the lobby was even more elegant. It must've cost a large fortune in yen to make this place.
Everyone was given a card of where their rooms were. With it, was a map of the hotel.
There were loads of floors. About two dozen or so.
Our rooms were at the penthouse suite, which we didn't mind in the least, since that's where the best rooms were.
"Oh wow!" Fuuka exclaimed, "They have a hot springs here!"
"Ooooh! Let's all promise to go there later!" Yukari said.
"That's a dealio!" Minako sighed.
Junpei and I stiffened, remembering last year's close shave. And I was quite sure if either Akihiko or Ryouji were here, they'd stiffen as well. We had our fair share of hot springs.
"Forget that, they have a gym here! I'm gonna work out later." Kaz, who was beside us, said.
"Dude, how many track suits you have?!" Kenji cried.
"You can bet on that! I'm excited to try the gym!" Rio declared.
"Not you too, babe..." Kenji muttered.
"Here we are." Yuko said.
Lee sighed, "This is where I'm due. Bye dudes." He said and barked for the underclassmen to hurry.
After they went down to their floors, it was only us remaining.
We stopped in the topmost floor.
"Sweet suite!" Minako cried.
"Haha, nice word-play!" Fuuka said.
"Very clever, Minako-chan." Naoto said.
The place had several rooms. I took the third room to the left as everyone chose their own rooms.
I threw my bag and hurried out with the others; the tour was about to begin.
After dragging Junpei from the comfy air-foam mattress, we went down.
We rode the service to the American Museum of Natural History.
"Great. Our first trip abroad, and the first place we tour is in a stuffy museum?!" Junpei cried
"Junpei, history is a great subject! Well, at least Sengoko-era history is." Mr. Ono said.
"I was expecting some sort of inland resort!"
"Iori, this is a field trip, not a vacation," Mitsuru's stern voice said.
She turned to everyone else, "I expect you all to be in your best behavior. Anyone caught misbehaving will be punished most severely."
Everyone nervously nodded.
Mitsuru said goodbye as she rode on a Rolls-Royce.
We entered the museum. It was quite modern than one might think of a museum.
"So, if we stay here, the exhibits would turn to life?" Junpei wondered.
"Don't be stupid, they were transferred to the Smithsonian." Minako said, "I don't see Robin Williams here..."
We toured the museum. Contrary to popular belief, museums aren't boring at all. Well, in my mind, it's an adventure to the past.
Junpei was trying to find that tablet from Night at the Museum, while Minako kept telling him that they moved it to D.C., as per the latest Night at the Museum movie.
"I'm gonna go find Rexy the dinosaur..." Minako said as she craned her neck.
"I'll look for Dexter, the monkey." Junpei said.
"Junpei, it's not nice to call your brother a monkey, even if you ARE one." Kenji said as the crowd roared with laughter.
We spent the next few hours gazing and picturing displays. When it eventually ended, we went back to the buses.
Our next destination is the Grand Central Station.
"Wow... So this is the Grand Central Station... Makes Iwatodai Station seem like a shrine. It's so noisy here!" Quan said.
"Well, you certainly are adding to the noise." Professor Peter joked.
"Aw, gimme a break, Pops..." Quan muttered.
"Forget noisy, it's so white! Why is it so white?" Junpei asked.
"Oh my goodness, Junpei, you can't just ask why something is white! That is NOT okay!" Minako said.
Minako then squealed with delight as she bought a few bottles of Apple Juice.
We toured the area, took a few pictures and got in a train and found out the interiors and whatnot. We also met the driver of the train. Unlike Japan, where groping perverts are prevalent as flies in a pile of dung, the passengers seem more or less reluctant of physical contact. Hell, they even avoid each other's gaze.
After doing everything needed, we all elected to go back.
It was a rocky trip back, considering it was rush hour. When we did, we collapsed in our living room. Lee tagged along with us.
After taking a short nap with everyone (and having a quick drink from the kitchen,) Minako's voice woke me up.
"Goddamn it!" Minako cursed from the kitchen.
"Uh oh..." I said while rubbing my eyes nonchalantly.
"Who drank my apple juice?!" Minako asked furiously.
No one paid any attention. That, or everyone was too intimidated by Minako.
"What, you guys deaf now?" Minako said, "Who drank my goddamned apple juice?!"
"Hey, Minako, quit cussing!" I said while sitting up.
"I put a big, red ass sign that-"
"Minako, quit cussing, this ain't Jersey Shore!" I said.
"However, we are pretty close to the actual Jersey Shore." Naoto added.
She composed herself a bit, "I put a big RED sign that said, "Do NOT drink me!""
"No one drank your apple juice..." Kenji said.
"Then why has it been drained?" Minako asked.
"Hey... maybe it... evaporated or something?" Kenji said as he sat down.
"I'll slap you! Don't you get on my bad side!" Minako warned.
"Girl, it's not like it's a bottle of Hennessy or nothing, it's just some funky-ass apple juice!" Lee said.
"This is MY funky-ass apple juice! You don't see me touching anyone else's stuff!" Minako snarled.
Junpei coughed something that suspiciously sounded like, bullshit!
"Minako..." Yukari said wearily, "Junpei drank your apple juice."
"Hold up!" Junpei, who was sprawled on the soft couch, jumped up, "You blaming this on me?!"
"Why'd you drink it?!" Minako spat.
"Wait-"
"I don't want to get infected by your cooties." Minako said.
"Did you see me drink it?!" Junpei asked Yukari.
"I didn't have to! You asked about it." She said back.
"I put it back after asking!" Junpei said, "D'you have any proof?"
"I said I didn't need to see you drinking it to know it was you!" Yukari spat back.
They began to argue loudly.
"Hey now..." I said, "This isn't the ghetto, this is a respectable establishment.
"Although there's a possibility-" I began.
"SMALL possibility." Junpei supplied.
"-of Junpei drinking your apple juice, but nobody saw him. YOU didn't see him do it, so why don't you-"
"No fair, you're totally on his side!" Minako protested.
"I'm on no one's side. It's been a long trip, I'm suffering from severe jetlag and I have extreme vertigo from being up in the penthouse room. It's been a mighty long day, I'm tired and I'm very sure I'm not the only one. All I want is for everyone to shut up and solve this thing. Now, ask Junpei if he drank it. If he did, kick him in the balls and throw him out the window-"
"What?!"
"-if not, then quash it." I finally said.
Minako glared at me.
I swept my arm at Junpei, "Ask him."
"Did you drink my apple juice?" She asked with contained rage.
"Did you? We'd like to know!" Rio said.
"Did you?!" Minako asked again.
"Nope." He said slowly.
I clapped my hands, "Answered. Done deal, case closed."
"Come on Minako, let me buy you some apple juice..." Rio said.
They went to the door.
Minako glared back at all of us, "Well, one of you M.F.'s drank it and I'm tired of it! You better not touch any more of my stuff!" She said and closed the door hard.
"Quit slamming them doors!" Junpei snarled.
I kicked back on the La-Z boy chair, "Well, I know it wasn't me... I'm lactose intolerant." I said as I winked at Naoto, savoring the aftertaste of Minako's apple juice.
A little while later, after getting some more rest, I looked at my watch and it was 7:30 PM. I headed out of my room to the lounge area. Junpei, Naoto and the boys were hanging out, watching TV.
"The channels here are wierd!" Quan cried, "I can't find Animax anywhere!"
"Maybe cause it's America?" Junpei said.
"Hey guys!" I greeted.
"Yo bro!" Kenji said.
"Where are the ladies?" I asked.
"At the Gym." Lee said, "I'd go over there and break a sweat, but it'd seem creepy if I go alone. And these little girls don't want to go with me."
"Well, sorry dude. That stuff isn't my cup of tea." Junpei said.
"I apologize as well, Minato-san. A cup of tea is my only cup of tea."
"Nope, I finally found Animax and I wanna watch some Inuyasha." Quan said.
"After that, tune in to Fox when we arrive. I ain't missing The Walking Dead." Lee said as he grabbed a towel.
"Heck, I'll go with you." I said, "Kenji?"
"Uh..."
"What, afraid Rio could do more reps than you?" Lee sneered, "C'mon, let's go and work up a sweat."
Kenji sighed deeply, "Yeah, sure."
We suited up and went down to the Fitness Floor.
It was a utopia for fitness freaks. Here and there were bodybuilding equipment, exercise machines, treadmills, sandbags and fitness stuff I didn't knew exist, like kettleballs and balance poles.
People were doing things like "Zumba", "Taebo" and "Pilates"... Whatever those were, they looked painful, complicated and extremely effective at whatever they were meant to be.
On the west side, were fitness bars and a drink island. We had a feeling this was only but a taste of what lay on the floor.
"Damn, this looks scary..." Kenji muttered.
"Hey, there's the girls!" Lee cried.
The girls, Yuko included, were working out using stationary bikes. Kaz was lifting weights nearby. Cato and his gang were exercising a good distance away.
Cato was admiring his muscles (they were rather monstrous-looking) in the full-view mirrors. He seemed to be readying for something, like a fight.
"Enjoying your stay, Adonis?" Lee said in a faux and patronizing tone.
"Shut up, Lee." He said as he flexed his muscles some more.
Lee rolled his eyes, "Heeeya Fuuka! Looking fresh!" He said to Fuuka, who reappeared from wherever she went.
Fuuka gasped and slapped him.
"Owh!" Lee howled with pain. A red, hand shaped welt appeared instantly, "Yo, what was that for, eh?"
"Oh, sorry! The clientele here are rather... spirited. I thought you were making an off-color joke." Fuuka said.
"Then why didn't you just shrug it off?!" Lee said, "Argh! Forget that, point to me who's been bothering you and I'll send them six feet under."
"Hahaha, no, it's not us they've leered at." Fuuka said.
"I have diplomatic immunity in six different countries, one of which is Puerto Rico." Lee said.
"Are you trying to reassure me?" Fuuka sighed.
"No. If they so much as touch you... I will hunt them down, I will find them and I will kill them." Lee said with a dangerous tone.
Fuuka studied him nervously.
"Lee, you dumb-ass joker, quit monologuing and start working out!" Minako huffed from her bike.
"Uh, yeah, good plan." Lee said.
We began doing several workout regimes. While lifing dumb-bells, I noticed Cato flooring several opponents in the boxing ring. Normally, it wouldn't have bothered me, but I felt uneasy knowing Cato punches stronger and much more accurately.
Kenji was doing his own private contest with Lee. When he knew he couldn't possibly beat him in reps, he turned on Kaz, who left him in the dust. Then, he challenged me, and I beat him.
He checked his still lean arm.
"Dude, what's this all about?" I said.
"Sigh... Nothing gets by you..." Kenji said mournfully, "I wanted to beat at least one of you guys... To show Rio that I can be someone who's strong enough to defend her. I wanna be the best for her."
"I don't think she'd care about that." I said firmly, "In chess, the Queen defends the King."
His eyes brightened.
"Hey, Babes, thank goodness you're here," Rio's voice chimed, "Could you please open this? I can't do it myself." Rio said as she handed him a bottle of Rio Grande Bottled Water.
"Oh, sure thing." Kenji said as he opened the tight bottle with relative ease.
"Thanks so much! You're the strongest man on Earth!" She said as she kissed him in the cheek.
Kenji smiled dumbly. You could've knocked him down with a feather.
"You don't have to be better than others to be the best for the right person." I said.
"Who said that?" Kenji said dreamily.
"Me."
"What would you do?" He asked.
"I dunno... Maybe ask her for dinner later or something."
"Really? I'm all nervous..." He said.
"You only need twenty seconds of courage to reap a lifetime of rewards." I said.
Kenji nodded, "Good man."
After that, Kenji ran to Rio and hugged her for some weird reason.
"K-Kenji...!" She said in surprise, "I'm all sweaty!" She murmured angrily.
"I don't care. Rio, I want to invite you for dinner." He said nervously.
Rio blushed clearly, "Oh! Why of course!"
Lee stared stonily at the two, then he turned to Fuuka, "Hey, Yamaghishi-chan, I wanna invite you for dinner as well, want to come with?"
"Why, that would be lovely." Fuuka said shyly.
Minako and Yukari glared at me.
Almost immediately, I got a text from Minako.
To: Minaaato
From: MeeNako
dude, want to go to dinner?
To: Meenako
From: Minaaato
uh, okay.
She smiled and winked playfully at me. She made the sign, 9:30, with her fingers.
Kenji pumped his fists and Lee jumped in joy when we later went back to our room. Junpei looked dejected.
"What's wrong, hero?" Lee asked him when the guys came back.
"Easy for you guys to say... You all have girlfriends, while mine is a thousand miles away." Junpei said.
"Well, she's worth waiting for." Kenji said.
"Yeah, whatever." Junpei said as he left for the juice bar.
"Whoa, he's pretty bummed out." Lee said.
"Got that right." I said.
Yukari passed to our spot
"Hey Minato! Hey guys!" She greeted.
"Hey Yukari-chan." We said in unison.
"So, Minato, I was hoping you'd come to dinner with me later. How does that sound?" She asked sweetly.
"Uh...Sorry, but someone's asked me out already." I said.
"Oh! So sorry to have put you out then..." She murmured and turned.
I held her shoulder, "But I'd like to ask you to go with me for dinner tomorrow. Just us."
She smiled,"I'd like that." And left.
The guys and I hit the showers and went back to our rooms.
Quan and Naoto were still there. Quan was wearing a suit and his hair was parted in the middle, making look like an überdweeb.
"Here comes the sun...?" Lee said.
"Shut up, Lee. I have dinner plans with Pinky."
Junpei scoffed and went to the lounge.
"What's up with Junpei?" He asked.
"Oh, believe me, we've been asking that question for a long time now." Kenji said.
I then got a message from Mitsuru.
-Cuba Hirare Ifugao Dominica Obel Rats Irate Ignorant So Complete Ongoing Manila Idiot Nap Goo Hex Ears Renege Expelliarmus
The meaning lies in the capital cities.
-tell Naoto to decrypt this.
"What the...?" I said, then I looked at Naoto, "Hey, Naoto, I've got a wierd message."
She ran up and went to my place.
"Ah... Smells like a case." She mused.
She scrunched up her face, "Ah, easiest encryption ever..."
She scribbled something on paper.
I looked at it and smiled at her, then at Junpei.
There was a knock.
Quan was about to get it.
"Hey, Quan, why not let Junpei take this?" I said.
"Huh? Uh, sure." Quan said.
"It's prolly one of your dates." Junpei said distractedly.
"Open the door, man!" I cried.
"All right, all right!" Junei cried, "But I don't know why you'd-"
He stopped midsentence as his jaw dropped.
Standing in front of him was a short, very pale and red-haired lady of Junpei's greatest nightmares. She wore a black, glittering gown that made her seem like wearing the night sky. She smiled as her orange hair swished back and forth.
"Ch-Chidori..." Junpei faltered and actually almost collapsed, but I managed to hold him up.
"Junpei, we better hurry or we'll be late for dinner." She said sweetly.
"S-Sure! Bye guys!" He said and left.
"Holy hell, I'm late as well!" I cried as I scrambled to get ready.
I went down with Lee and Quan.
Past the common area, where everyone who was single ate, was the couple's restaurant.
There were a considerable amount of couples inside. Chidori and Junpei were eating, looking euphoric.
I saw Minako and sat in front of her. Quan took a table beside us where Pinky was sitting.
Pinky laughed at Quan's hair and ruffled it back to the way it was.
"Hey! It took my Dad thirty minutes to fix my hair!"
Three tables away, Lee and Fuuka were smiling at each other.
I laughed and looked at Minako.
She didn't look like a diamond in the rough anymore. She was absolutely stunning. I think she went to see a stylist today. Her eyelashes were lined with mascara and her eyes were drawn with eyeliner.
She wore a red dress that looked simple, yet bold and elegant as well.
"Hey Minako. Wow, you look-" I was at a loss for words, "Just... Wow. You look fantastic."
She smiled, "Thanks Minato."
She hardly ever called me that, but it felt like a warm liquid dripping from my head to foot. I think she might finally see me more than a friend.
"Uh, so shall we eat?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah, let's go." She said, "Yo, waiter- I mean, Maître D!"
The waiter came over. We order sizzling steaks, vegetarian salads, champagne and Cheese fondue.
We had a great time eating. Minako was, strangely enough, very sophisticated. It seemed unlike the usual Minako, who ate her wieght in food, was cutting her steak gently and eating with grace of a princess.
When I think about it, this seemed to be one of the few moments when Minako and I were alone. She's very sweet and caring that way, without people seeing her the way she is.
That night, I learned more about Minako than I did with several months.
She smiled sweetly and talked gently. I felt a weird feeling in my heart. I hadn't felt anything like it since... since I was with Yukari.
While Minako laughed at my joke, for some reason, I held Minako's hand.
She stopped abruptly and looked at me seriously. I thought if I'd made a mistake in doing that, when she held my hand too. Hers felt so warm.
The world didn't seem so alone now. It felt more vibrant and more lively than ever.
We talked about trivial stuff, but with her, it seemed important. Suddenly, I wanted her problems to be my problems as well. I wanted her hurts to be mine too. And for some unexplainable reason, I really wanted to grow old with her. I wanted to be with her in every waking moment of her existence.
The night seemed slower and I didn't mind the least. Though Minako and I had hung out countless times, it was hardly alone. Even then, it felt very different.
As the night grew older, and the people fewer, I found myself feeling something I haven't felt in a very, very, very long time.
Love.
I didn't see the annoying, quirky and upbeat girl who I called my best friend. In front of me was a lady who was ready to be loved. Romantically.
I thought about kissing her. The mood felt quite right. She looked at me with her glittering red eyes. Her sweet aroma filled my nose as I longed to get closer.
The candle-light flickered dimly, casting dancing shadows on the walls... the faint smell of roses from the elaborate flower vases... the sweet scent of French bread... the mood was definitely perfect. I decided to do it.
With bravery that came from nowhere, I boldly brushed her red bangs behind her ears as I stared into her soulful eyes. I made my move.
As my lips neared hers, my heartbeat increased dramatically. I thought it was because I was in the moment. Everything was getting hazy. Then, I toppled over and heard several surprised voices.
The next thing I knew, I was in my bed. My head had a splitting pain to it. I stood up and went out.
Lee, Naoto and the boys were outside watching the Walking Dead.
"Hey, hey! What are you doing up?" Lee asked frantically,
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I said quickly, "What the hell happened?"
"Oh, you passed out from dinner." Lee said simply, "You keeled over the table and Minako had to haul you up here."
I groaned. I blew my one chance. I blew it because I had to pass out like a wimp.
"I'm going to sleep." I mumbled.
"Night bro!" The boys shouted.
"Good night Minato-san." Naoto said.
"Sweet dreams, Minato." A familiar and sweet voice said.
I turned around to see Minako wearing a nightgown.
"Hey... Good night." I said, "See you tomorrow."
She smiled, "See you tomorrow."
I grinned, "Not if I see you first."
"We'll see." She said and closed the door.
I smiled and closed my door.
So close... I thought.
So close... Minako thought.
I took a deep breath and went to sleep.
A/N: hey guys! First day is done.
The poll is still raging. Please, if you haven't voted yet, then now is the time to do so!
How did you guys feel about this chapter? Filled with love? Filled with romance?
Also, what did you feel about Minako and Minato's dinner?
Be sure to review, because I tend to update faster if you do.
Now to answer all your questions...
Question one:
I've haven't been enjoying these new chapters lately. They've been a real slog-fest. Can we get off these side stories? If they're supposed to have a point to them I definitely don't see them. Let's progress the main story and character development. Also, please for the love of god. Those OC characters are not compelling. It's hard
to care for them.
P.S: One last criticism, you don't do it as much but don't mention or do stuff like put in Skyrim or ATLUS. It really takes away from this fictional world. It might seem really neat or funny but it just makes me cringe.
I'm sorry you think so. Let me assure you that I was writing from the heart. But what sidestories are you talking about? Be specific. All these "sidestories" are important later on. If I rush it, it wouldn't come out right. And who's to say that it's not a part of the main story? And if you haven't noticed, the characters are developing right before your eyes.
Yes, I do admit that my OC's are rather... plentiful, but only because the P3 cast lacks any other interesting characters from the school other than the cast and Kenji and Rio.
and your last statements did not make any sense to me at all. What on earth are you talking about?
Nevertheless, I thank you for taking the time to say something bout my story. It helps in more ways than you think.
next!
Why'd you put Adachi in there? I freaked for a second -.-"
More importantly, why New York!? D:
Sorry Tammy. London and New York were my top two choices, but I was overruled by a friend of mine. Says NYC was also a British Colony.
I just used Adachi's name, since he was Dojima's slave. But if you do want to make 'em related, then feel free.
next...
Okay, so maybe I have my favouritism because of the accent, but, but-!
Maybe try to do some Naoto/Minato moments when they're in New York? i don't know it seems like a good idea... but just for New York, when they get back to school keep on the Yukari, Minako, Minato thingy.
That last part about mince meat... you took that from Conan, right?
Seriously, that is really tempting to do. I thought of the same thing' that I had to rack my brains about it and finally come to the conclusion that it is a very bad idea. Minato has a lot of girl problems enough without Naoto adding to it. I'm very sorry. If anyone feels bad about it, it's me. But do keep your eyes peeled.
Yep, I'm a fan of CoCo.
and this last question may not even be a question... But I decide to answer it nonetheless.
Bro, AWESOME...I for some reason can't find words to describe this chapter...Naoto and Minato don't look alike...I was fooled once, but that was...fanart...
Well, TBH, they DO look alike. Atlus confirmed that Minato and Naoto look alike because Naoto was designed after Minato. So that "fanart" was right.
Well, I'm glad to get such great questions. If any of you want to ask a question, or point something I messed up out, then feel very free to mention it on your review and I will sort it out ASAP. Let's see if any of you have what it takes to make mincemeat out of the Maestro.
Also, I will update faster if you review. I have the latest chapters on backup and am just waiting for the ripe good time to post it.
have a good one!
Update:
-made the gang, especially Kenji, use English as a speaking medium. Credits to KazuyaYamura for the eye-opener.
-updated the Night at the Museum reference.
-fixed the gym goof that included Junpei.
-made additions to the romantic scenes. Credits to KazuyaYamura for the helpful suggestion.