"I'll leave Moriyama to you, Kamijou." Taking another check on everyone's equipment, Mitsuru repeated the same thing she told Haruka earlier. "Please watch over her."

Haruka only gave her a nod, but that's enough to let the red head let out one of the burdens. In this case, she turned to Hamuko and the others.

"Shall we go then?"

After some discussion, they came up a thought which Fuuka was still in school. According to Natsuki and the fact Yukari collected, Mitsuru was certain Fuuka was trapped inside Tartarus. Though it has been ten days from the day she went missing, Mitsuru assumed she must still be alive. They wouldn't want to consider she was dead, or else the operation would go meaningless.

"Yes." Determination shined in her crimson eyes as Hamuko gave the order. "Everyone, we're going to save Fuuka!"

"Yeah, of course we have to save her." Being the first to make his decision to save the girl, Akihiko never wanted to feel powerless again. He's not going to back off.

"Count me in, leader." Junpei flashed Hamuko a wink. Hamuko had a feeling his teeth was shined a bit too. "She'll join us if we can save her right…ouch!"

As he shouted, everyone focused their sight on his feet. Never would she tolerate with the pervert thoughts, Yukari stepped on his feet after hearing that.

"Geez…what are you thinking Stupei!?" Her hands clenched into fists. "Think about that after we save her! Let's go Hamuko!"

"Hey…it's hurt!"

Ignoring the capped boy, in fact no one cared for him; Yukari walked out of the dorm with Akihiko shook his head behind her. Minato clapped his best friend's shoulder for few times as he knelt down to his side.

"You know Junpei…your face was priceless."

"H-Hey, I resent that!"

Grumbling something while getting up to his feet, Junpei shot Hamuko a glare when he saw her laughing with mouth covered. Minato grabbed him on his shoulder and dragged him out. Hamuko could hear Yukari yelled 'Stupei, get serious' or something like that.

Hearing a sigh came from the senior, Hamuko snapped her mind back. We shouldn't be such playful…we're talking about saving Fuuka here. Get a little serious now! She could blame at Junpei sometimes for his dumb.

"Haruka, be careful okay?" After confirming with the poker face girl, she looked to the red head. "Let's go, senpai!"

"Yes, we're out of time now."

Watching the team went out of the dorm, Haruka followed up by closing the door behind. She could have lock it consider how late it was, but she only left it be.

Turning back to the lounge, Haruka saw Natsuki stood still like a statue in daze. She walked to the brunette and had her to take a seat. And then, she went to the kitchen, rummaging a little to find a pack of cocoa drink. Thinking there were still some times left, and the brunette might need something to distract her mind too, she decided to make it.

"…Here, take this." Placing a cup of hot cocoa drink on the table, Haruka sat down on the coach beside the brunette as she took the remote to opened the television.

"…What is this?" Staring at the drink, Natsuki asked.

"…Can't you see?" Perhaps the fragrance of the cocoa appetizing her, Natsuki stretched out her hand to the drink and took a sip. She winks a few times and took another sip as if she wanted to make sure of something.

"Hey, not bad."

"Is it? Thanks anyway. I'm not making this very often. Enjoy it while you have time." Haruka barely paying attention to her let the brunette having her own time. She took a glance on the clock on the wall. "There are still some times left until midnight."

If Natsuki was careful enough, she could have read something in that sentence. However, all her attention was on the cocoa drink on hand.

"By the way, are you living here?" Natsuki didn't remember the poker face girl was living with a bunch of popular students in the school.

"…I moved in here a while ago."

Feeling a bit relaxed with the pleasant cocoa taste and fragrance in mouth, Natsuki let out a smile. "Hey, you're not that weird as like the rumor told."

"…Think whatever you want. I don't care at all."

A frown obviously formed on the brunette's face.

"I take back what I said. You're not only weird, you're irritated too!" She huffed as she tossed her head to another side.

Silence settled down in between them as no one wanted to talk a word to one another. Haruka gave Natsuki a mere glance and then back to the television again.

As if she couldn't stand the silence any more, Natsuki being the first surrendered in this silence battle. Her gaze dropped down to her own two feet.

"…Will Fuuka be alright?" Her voice was timid, but still clearly reached to the poker face girl.

"…She will be alright. In fact, she is fine than ever." Maybe a little exhausted, she added in her heart. It's understandable. It's not easy to survive in Tartarus all by herself for ten days, but this just proofed her to be a worthy ally.

Like couldn't believe in her words, Natsuki looked at her with shock filled on her face.

"How can you be so certain?" Her tone was so firm and tough like she knew everything. "What do you know about this? Who did this to Fuuka anyway?"

Turning her head to the brunette as she put down the empty cup on the table, Natsuki nearly choked when she saw the glare form the poker face girl. It shouldn't be called as glare, but Natsuki only felt her body was frozen. Voice couldn't come out from her mouth as if it stuck at the throat.

"…Do not bother. It doesn't concern you." Withdraw her gaze from the brunette; Haruka looked back to the television again. "Something is better left unknown."

Feeling her body finally back to sense again, Natsuki fought back the fear within. She had to dig things out from this bitch. She pissed her off.

"Tell me! Who did this to Fuuka…and what happened to her!?"

She dragged her closer by her collar, making Haruka twisted her face. Haruka tried to pull her hands off, only caused the brunette the tagged even closer and tighter.

However, Haruka didn't back down at all. Instead of telling the truth, she still stubborn and remained silent. Grimacing, Natsuki held up her palm and—

Click!

The room melted into darkness. All the light went out, leaving the dorm covered in green light from the outside.

"W-What happened!?" Freaking out, Natsuki let go of Haruka. Looking all around, she couldn't find a glimpse of light. Even the television was gone dead. "What is this!?"

Barely ignoring her freaked, Haruka adjusted her shirt back to normal. The next second, she heard the sound of the cup dropped down to the floor, and all the contents splashed around.

"Huh!? What…this voice is…" Slowly, Natsuki's eyes went daze. Pushing the poker face girl aside, she walked to the door and getting outside. Her steps were unbalanced as if she would fall down any second. "…Fuuka…"

Watching without stopping the brunette, Haruka looked at the drink on the floor.

"What a waste…" Thinking this could wait, she went followed after Natsuki.

So it started.

"Hmm…" Groaning lightly, Hamuko pulled herself up from the floor. She rubbed her temple, tried to look clearly where she exactly was. "…Where am I…?"

Regarding to the structure of the floor, she was certain she was in the Arqa block. But where is everyone?

"Minato-kun! Akihiko-senpai! Junpei-kun!"

Her voice echoed in the floor, only empty answered her. Her heart sank.

She remembered they gathered in the gym room when Gekkoukan High turned into Tartarus. Even so, they're still got separated. I wonder how the others are. Now she truly felt that having Mitsuru to support them was something they should appreciate.

Her hand reached to the line, trying to connect to Mitsuru and Yukari however, only static she could hear. Feeling frustrated, she carefully moved to the stair with naginata grasped firmly.

Taking down the enemies on the way, she brought herself up to the next floor. To avoid bumping into the monster she and Minato encountered in their secretly exploring, Hamuko didn't dare to take thing easy. She knew how terrible when she did so.

Who is this…?

Hamuko jerked up, but she heard only fainted voice coming from nowhere. What is that? Could it be…Fuuka? The thought delighted her. It's good to know Fuuka was somehow alive and sounded alright.

Regaining her pace, she moved on and explored this floor looking for her friends as well as the stair. She wouldn't want to miss any chance that might lead her to her friends in this depressed state. If they made a mistake, they might trap in this labyrinth like Fuuka.

Heading front, Hamuko heard some voices. It's different with the fainted voice like Fuuka, but someone's chatting voice. Could it be any of her friends?

"…This is the second time we met outside of your room."

"…I'm not yet thanked you for saving me and Hamuko for that day."

"It doesn't matter a long as you both were safe. But please never do that again. Reaper is way too strong before you make any preparation to face it."

"Yeah…I'll remember this."

Familiar voices Hamuko could only figured that's belonged to Minato and Pharos. She walked out from the corner to the boys, feeling nostalgia with the scene.

"Minato-kun, Pharos!"

"Hamuko, are you alright?" Minato asked as she ran to him.

"I'm fine…but where's Junpei-kun and Akihiko-senpai?" They're not here either…Hamuko concluded after examined around.

"…I don't know. I was here alone when I woke up."

"No, you have me with you." Pharos broke into the conversation. Minato let out a sigh with his statement.

"Yeah I know…"

"Why are you here, Pharos?" Hamuko asked Pharos.

"Isn't this brought back the memories?" Pharos chuckled, bringing up the memory they faced Reaper, causing the two groaned.

"Yeah, bad memories…"

Who's there? Who are you…?

"Ah…again." Checking around once again, Hamuko still found nothing. But the voice was definitely coming to them, and referred them too.

"…Pharos, is this what you called as 'ordeal'?" Minato asked.

"Yes… she is very important to you and your team. You better hurry." Pharos pointed the stair up ahead of them at the back of the corner, telling them to get up another floor. "Don't worry, you'll find her soon…and please be careful of the full moon." Little by little, Pharos melted into darkness.

"Wait, I still have questions for you…Pharos!" As if refused letting his dearest to get to him, Pharos disappeared before Hamuko could catch him. "Urgh…he got away again! 'Be careful of the full moon'? What's that about?"

Again and again, Pharos avoided their questions. She always doubted if the boy was telling the truth, but the other side of her told her he was. Even so, they still having no clue what was this ordeal was, and for what they had to bear it. Talking about the full moon…she remembered the last ordeal was on the full moon day, and the Magician attack too. Was he giving them any hint?

"Who knows?" Shrugging, Minato let out a yawn, clapping his mouth. Seeing the auburn haired girl in her deep thought, Minato sure she was pondering the message Pharos left. He walked to her, before Hamuko aware of it; he flicked a finger onto her forehead.

"Ouch…hey!" Rubbing her forehead, Hamuko felt a palm landed on her head before voicing her protest, and started messing with her hair. "W-Wait…what are you…?"

"Don't think too much. Focus on our mission first."

"Yes I know. You don't have to remind me…and stop messing with my hair!" Flicking his hair off her hair, she tied up her hair once more while grumbling. Minato chuckled as he waited for her to finish.

Following the direction Pharos pointed for them, they headed up to next floor.

"Say…we'll not bump into that monster again…by any chance right?" Hamuko could hear the gulping sound inside her.

"…Hopefully we'll not." They exchanged a glance, both saw uncertain in each other's eyes. Hamuko let out a helpless snort.

Down to a fork, they wondered which way to pick. Hamuko tried on the line again, but all she heard was still the static. Junpei and Akihiko were still nowhere to be found. She wondered where they had gone.

Suddenly, Hamuko caught a glimpse of silver light behind Minato. Alerted, she didn't aware Minato had the same expression as her when he looked to behind her. To warn their companions, they both shouted.

"Look out Minato-kun!"

"Behind you Hamuko!"

Almost at the same time, Hamuko shifted her naginata to her back while Minato held up his sword to his back. Clashing sound echoed in the hallway. Shifting both their weapons, it seemed their opponents were too, regained their postures. Another flash of light struck, Minato ducked it and countered back. Hamuko on the other hand was pulling her naginata back, and stabbed forward. Her opponent seemed tripped down and let out a cry.

"Eh…this voice is…?" Thinking this was a good chance, Hamuko pushed her weapon directly to the person.

"W-Wait!" The person cry's stopped the battling. Turning her head to the person, Hamuko found that's not other than—

"Junpei-kun!?"

Junpei sat down on the floor, sweat dropping looking to the blade on her naginata.

"Yeah is me…phew…I thought I'll die."

"Hey not bad at all, Minato." Akihiko waved his fist. "We thought that you're the shadows. Sorry."

"Senpai, this is not fun at all…" Thinking he might accidentally hurt his senpai, Minato shot them a glare. If that truly happen, I won't be able get away from Mitsuru.

"I-I'm sorry Junpei-kun!" Pulling the capped boy up, Hamuko quickly apologized. If Junpei hadn't cried out, she might have her naginata down. In that case…Hamuko shivered by the thought. Nononono, that should never happen!

"By the way, can anyone of you contact Mitsuru?" Akihiko asked after trying out his line.

"No. The line is dead." All of them shook their head. They already checked that the moment they trapped in Tartarus.

"…I don't think we should enter Tartarus this way again." Akihiko commented.

"Yeah, never again." Minato nodded.

"By the way senpai and Junpei-kun, did you hear a voice?" Hamuko asked. She didn't hear that again once they're in this floor. Hopefully Fuuka is alright…

"Yeah of course I heard it! It's just like…"

…Are you human?

"That's it! That's the voice! Sounded like it came from behind us…"

Everyone straightened their posture. Following Junpei, they all turned their head to their back and—

There's a girl wore in Gekkoukan High uniform with tale hair. She stood behind the corner and looked at them in fear. Once she realized they're human, her lips immediately curved into a soft smile.

"This is great…!" She tried to walk to them, but her steps were unbalanced and almost tripped. Hamuko rushed ahead and avoided her from falling to the floor.

"Are you Fuuka Yamagishi?" Hamuko asked as she checked on her to see if she's injured.

"Yes I am…are you here to save me?" Looking up to the group, Fuuka brought herself up with the help of Hamuko.

"Yes. You've been disappeared for ten days. Everyone thought you're dead." Akihiko explained some of the things to her so she had an idea what's going now. "Yamagishi, do you know who kidnapped you?"

Fuuka blinked a few second hearing the word 'kidnapped'. Her lips shivered a bit as she wanted to move them, yet they only heard a choke.

"Fuuka?"

"I-I don't know. That day after school, a group of men came to me and said Natsuki wanted to see me. I was confused too…when I refused to follow them; one of them knocked me out…" She told the whole process as she covered her head where the men knocked her. "When I woke up, I was in this place…"

The truth she told furrowed everyone's brows. Akihiko clenched his fist feeling furious built inside him. Hamuko lowered her head.

This is obviously targeted on Fuuka…who were they trying to do that? Do they ever know how dangerous to leave Fuuka in Tartarus? …But speaking of which…

"How could you be able to survive, Yamagishi?" Minato asked the question Hamuko wanted to ask too. As he asked, they are on the way to the access point Junpei and Akihiko found when they searching around.

"Hmm…I don't know. But I can know…there are a lot of creatures around right? I can know where they are…"

"Her power is the same as Mitsuru I think, maybe even stronger. Mitsuru is more battle oriented though."

They passed through a hallway where the moon could clearly see from their position. Looking at the moon, Hamuko suddenly remembered the message Pharos left. Tossing her head to the cool boy, she saw his eyes narrowed like he had the same thought as her.

"Minato-kun, the full moon…!"

He nodded to her. "Yeah…I think he's talking about this."

Seeing the two of the Wild Cards stood there dulled, Junpei stopped his pace.

"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?"

Following their gaze, Akihiko also took a look at the moon. He immediately hit by an idea as his hand reach to the line again and checked it out.

"Mitsuru, can you hear me? Mitsuru! Dammit!"

Fuuka suddenly lifted her head, eying the area around.

"What is this thing…? It's much bigger than the others, and it's attacking someone…"

Hearing that from the tale haired girl, Akihiko even confidence with his assumption. He urged the rest to follow him.

"W-What is it?" Only Junpei remained dumb as he completely had no idea what the hell they're talking about. "What is it to do with the full moon!?"

"Shut up and follow us!"

There was a fat woman in bikini-like suiting with a silver staff on hand and a bulky man in armored with large sword at the entrance of the labyrinth. Their face both covered with pure white and purplish pink mask.

Standing behind the unknown enemies, Yukari held her bow but didn't know what to do. The bulky man currently was with Mitsuru on its hand and squeezing her in pain. She wanted to help Mitsuru, but she afraid her arrow would accidentally hit her senpai instead of the enemies. And the worst was, Mitsuru's attack didn't work at the enemies at all, she doubted she could do anything.

"What I should do…?" Seeing Mitsuru groaning in the shadow's hand, Yukari felt anxious almost drove her crazy. Suddenly she heard the door opened, revealing the dark skinned brunette walked into the labyrinth. "What are you doing here!?"

"Fuuka…where is Fuuka…?" Her gaze was daze as if she didn't see Yukari in front of her. She just kept walking toward the shadows. The fat woman squeaked like it had found another victim to prey on.

"You can't go there, Moriyama!" Pulling the brunette back, but the brunette swung her hand off. "Hey!"

"Mitsuru!"

The access point shined just in time. Hamuko, Minato, Junpei and Akihiko along with Fuuka got back from the labyrinth on top. Yukari felt her fear lifted a bit.

Seeing the red head was caught by the shadow, Akihiko summoned Polydeuces and used Zio on it. The bulky man shadow groaned and let go of Mitsuru.

"Be careful…normal attack won't work on these shadows…" Having Yukari using her healing spell to her, Mitsuru still held her body in pain. She summoned her persona Penthesilae to help out the healing process.

The bulky man shadow slashed down its sword upon the attack from Akihiko. Minato and Akihiko quickly leaped to avoid the attack. Minato followed up, summoned Orpheus to use Bash. However, the attack didn't leave a scratch on the bulky man shadow. Noticing that, Minato quickly reported the situation.

"Physical attack didn't work!"

At the same time Hamuko received the information, she saw Fuuka ran to Natsuki and pulling her away from the still approaching fat woman shadow.

"Natsuki…you can't go there…!"

"Fuuka…where is Fuuka…?"

"I'm here, Natsuki. I'm fine!" Pulling the brunette's to her, she forced the brunette to look to her. "It's alright now!"

"Fuuka…!" Hugging and breaking into tears, Natsuki leaned over Fuuka. Fuuka saw the fat woman was just an inch away from them.

"Take this Fuuka!" A gun tossed to her side as she looked at it. Gasping on the fact, Fuuka saw Hamuko gestured her to point the gun to her temple. Hesitating, she shifted her gaze in between Hamuko and the gun, uncertain what to do.

She looked at Natsuki again, and found she was trembling. Bit her lips, at last, she grabbed the gun.

"…I want to protect my friend…to protect all of you!" Shutting her eyes as she pointed the gun to her temple, a bang echoed and the shattered mirror splashed out. Blue light illuminating below her legs when a red masked woman appeared and covered the two girls with her sphere, the fat woman shadow let out a squeak and took a step back. Hamuko followed up with Agi skill.

"I can see…I can sense these monsters' weaknesses."

"Please Fuuka, do it for us!"

"Yes!"

Minato took the command of the bulky man shadow and Hamuko to the fat woman. Mitsuru and Yukari joined the battle as they completed the healing.

"Their arcanas are Empress and Emperor. Empress blocks all the magic and Emperor blocks all the physical!"

"Got it! Junpei-kun and Akihiko-senpai!" Without evoker, fortunately Hamuko could summoned even without it, she closed her eyes. "Come to me, Orthrus!"

"Polydeuces!"

"Here we go, Hermes!"

Both Junpei and Akihiko summoned their personas and used Sonic Punch and Cleave. On the other hand fighting Emperor were Minato, Yukari and Mitsuru.

"Go, Black Frost!"

"Help me, Io!"

"Penthesilae!"

The Empress and Emperor both cried out and back down. Getting the chance, Hamuko almost commanded an All-Out-Attack. But to her surprise, the shadows got up and some lights engulfed them. Hamuko had a bad feeling about it, so she stopped her command.

"Huh? Wait…their weaknesses have changed! Let me check it first!" Fuuka managed to notice something was wrong. "The Empress is weak against strike attack and Emperor is weak against ice! Their weaknesses will change after sometime, please defeat them before they do so!"

"So it's my turn, huh? Show it your strength, Polydeuces!" Again summoned his persona, Akihiko commanded another Sonic Punch on the Empress.

"Let's get going, Penthesilae!" Mitsuru had her persona used Bufu on Emperor.

The shadows were knocked down to the ground. Now this is the best chance for an All-Out-Attack, having this in mind, Hamuko was anxious to take them down before they shifted their weaknesses—

Bang!

The main door was pushed opened, revealing a long purplish hair and fragile figure panted heavily, though she still remained expressionless.

"H-Haruka!?"

"…Huh?" Lifting her head, she saw Empress and Emperor were knocking down. Everyone focused their gaze on her, so none of them aware Emperor had regained his posture, and— "Hamuko!"

Minato was the first aware of that upon her shout. Seeing Emperor charging toward Hamuko, he followed up behind, hoping he would not be too late. Everyone snapped their minds back when Minato shouted her name.

"Hamuko!"

"Huh?" Hamuko tossed her head to her back, finding Emperor was right an inch behind her lifting its sword about to wield down. Her mind went blank, feeling numb. She should do something, but she couldn't, or rather say, her body was out of control.

Suddenly, all she felt was a heavy momentum sent her to other side just when the sword slashed down. She heard a light groan, and some bloods flying out. Blinking, she had no idea what was that, and what just happened. Her back hit the floor, and she felt a weight on top of her. Looking to her hand as she felt something wet on top of it. Red liquids.

"Urgh…"

"H-Haruka…?"

Haruka was lying on top of her with a twisted face. Pushing herself up, Hamuko saw her back was stained with red liquid. Though it seemed to be a small scratch, Hamuko couldn't stop from shivering. What if…what if she was directly hit by that huge sword? What if Haruka didn't save her?

Shaking the negative thought, Hamuko pressed a hand on Haruka's back intended to stop the blood from oozing out. Her eyes filled with water by this time, realizing how stupid she was to get distracted so easily in the middle of battle, and when they almost made it. she summoned Saki Mitama and used Diarama on Haruka.

Minato took the full command thinking Hamuko might need some times for the poker face girl; he ordered Akihiko and Mitsuru to strike Empress and Emperor like previous. Again, Sonic Punch and Bufu skill knocked the shadows down, Minato commanded an All-Out-Attack.

"Now, go!"

Minato and Akihiko smashed their masks with others help. As the shadows cried in pain and vanished in the air, leaving a piece of shattered glass in the air. Like before, the shattered glass dissolved and disappeared. This marked the battle ended.

Some images again flashed through Minato and Hamuko's mind. In the same place inside Tartarus, with Natsuki and Fuuka together and other members in the same scene, they didn't see each other however, nor Haruka inside. In unison, they looked at each other. Question and puzzlement written clearly in their face and eyes, but none of them voiced out.

"…Hamuko." Looking at the auburn haired girl with her violet eyes, Haruka timidly called her name and caught her mind back.

"Haruka, are you alright? How are you feeling now? Is the wound hurt?"

"…No, I'm fine." Taking a glance to Fuuka and Natsuki in front of them, Haruka secretly let out a sigh. "How are Fuuka and Natsuki?"

"They're fine. Don't worry."

Yukari and Minato went to check on them. Fuuka had fallen unconscious probably due to exhausted. Natsuki held her and cried for her back. She seemed completely fine now.

"By the way Kamijou, why are you here?" Mitsuru asked as she approached them. Akihiko and Junpei followed behind.

"Hey you shocked us Kami-tan!" Junpei took a careful check on her to make sure her wound was healed. "Let's go to hospital!"

The poker face girl shook her head, told them she didn't want to be hospitalized and stated she would get a day off. "…I'm sorry…Moriyama got out of the dorm by herself when Dark Hour approached. I went after her…she said she heard some voices." Haruka told them the lie she had prepared earlier.

"That must be these two shadows. Mitsuru, there's something I need to discuss to you and Ikutsuki-san." Akihiko told Mitsuru, and had Minato and Yukari took care of the girls.

Mission completed.

Burying her face into the pillow, Haruka could hardly fall in sleep. Her mind kept wondering the question that lingering on her heart.

"Why am I saving Hamuko?"

She was sure she pounded onto Hamuko without proper thinking about the risk. Though she wouldn't believe that attack could kill her, she would properly hurt quite seriously. If so, she would be hospitalized.

I can't be hospitalized.

She couldn't, or they might find out something wrong with her. She couldn't let that happened before they defeated twelve arcana shadows.

On top of her, she felt her phone vibrated. Her hand grabbed the phone and put it onto her ear.

"…Hello?"

"Is me Ikutsuki." The man voice sounded on the other side of the phone. "I was just received the report from Mitsuru and Akihiko. Great job Haruka, though that was a little out of the plan."

"…" For her, that was not 'a little' but 'totally' out of the plan.

"Now you completely gain their trust. I have to say, this is not a bad thing!" The man chuckled. "Akihiko told me about the full moon and Fuuka's kidnapped case. Looks like our plan just perfect!"

Ikutsuki seemed very pleased by the fact. However, Haruka felt the opposite.

"…Are we done? I'm sleepy."

"Oh my bad. I should have considered your situation, but I don't think that will take you down so easily. Good night then." Then, Ikutsuki cut off the line.

Looking blankly at the screen, Haruka tossed her phone on the table after closed it back.

The more she getting close with SEES, the more she felt her heart changed without realizing. Like today, she would never do that if she was still the 'Kamijou Haruka' before.

"…Will I someday stop desiring the end of the world?"