(-- --)

Chapter 16

Opposites Attract

-July 7. 2007, Saturday

Naganaki Shrine

Nighttime

"Tanabata! Tanabata!" sang Minako as she ran down the rows of stalls in her yukata.

"Minako! Wait up!" called Miki. She followed after the younger girl.

"Minako really loves the Tanabata Festival, doesn't she?" asked Mitsuru as she watched her friend's younger sister buy a serving of takoyaki.

Yukari chuckled. "I think it's because it's a festival day, she gets to dress up in a yukata, and make her brother pay for anything she wants." She grinned at Minato. "Right?"

"Like it matters," interjected Shinjiro. "She makes him pay for everything anyway."

"Not everything," muttered Minato, tugging his hair in embarrassment. "Yeah, it's a festival day. Yeah, she gets to dress up. But she likes today because of the story about Tanabata."

Fuuka smiled. "I can relate. I loved the story about Orihime and Hikoboshi when I was younger."

"Yes, me, too," murmured Mitsuru.

"Same for me," added Yukari.

Akihiko climbed the steps of the shrine and approached his friends. "Hey, has anyone seen Junpei? He was supposed to meet with us fifteen minutes ago."

"It's Junpei," said Yukari. "If he was ever on time, I'd start to worry."

Shinjiro let out a low whistle. "What a way to kick a guy when he's not even here."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, whatever. Let's go! When Junpei gets here, he'll find us. Come on!"

(-- --)

-July 7, 2007, Saturday

Port Island Station

Nighttime

As Junpei neared the station, he checked his phone. He was already late in meeting his friends. He should have rushed to catch the next train, but a few more minutes wouldn't make much of a difference. He was already late, right?

There weren't many people at the station tonight. A few were at the café. Others were lined up outside the movie theater. A girl was sitting on the flowerbed, drawing in a sketchbook under the artificial light. Upon closer inspection, she was dressed like a gothic Lolita. Her red hair spilled over her shoulders and stood out against the white color of her dress like blood on white snow.

What a strange girl, thought Junpei.

"Heeeey, don't you think you should save your drawing for another day?" he asked the girl, moving in front of her. "It's pretty dark out." She looked up at him, her dark brown eyes giving him a cool stare. "So you're not going to the festival tonight?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Move," she ordered. "I can't draw if you're standing in front of me."

"Sorry." Junpei scrambled out of the way. "Do you like drawing?"

"Not really." She shrugged. "I only do it because I can."

"If you draw because you can, doesn't that mean you do like it?" He sat down next to the girl on the flowerbed.

She cocked her head to the side slightly. "Do you have anything you like to do?"

"Uh…" There wasn't much that Junpei did anyway. He mostly procrastinated and slacked off. He hated studying. He played video games, but he didn't want to seem like such a nerd in front of her. He didn't play sports unless he counted all the times he played baseball with his friends. There was also that bet he made with Minato. "Well…I guess I like to play baseball."

""You guess?""

"Well, I'm not too serious about it, but it is fun to play."

"Hm." The girl closed her sketchbook and stood up.

"Huh? Where ya goin'?"

"Home." She turned to Junpei and smiled. He had seen a lot of smiles before, but only hers made him feel different. He couldn't quite explain it. "Won't you come again tomorrow? I'll be waiting here for you."

He grinned. "Yeah, sure."

She gave a short bow. "Good night."

(-- --)

-July 8, 2007, Sunday

Port Island Station

Daytime

Junpei had plans to meet up with the rest of his friends at the Kirijo Mansion. Exams were coming up, and Mitsuru suggested that everyone meet at her house and study in her huge library. He was originally going to go. Not to study, but to check out more of her house. He didn't get to explore it when he was there for Mitsuru's birthday party or when they were "kidnapping" her. But since meeting that strange girl last night, he figured he'd have other opportunities to look around the Kirijo Mansion later. He wanted to get to know the girl more and find out her name.

"Yo!" greeted Junpei.

The girl was sitting on the flowerbed again, the sketchbook open on her lap. She turned to him and smiled slightly. "Hello again."

Junpei sat beside her. "So whatcha drawing?"

She shrugged.

"So you don't know what you're drawing?"

"I don't pay attention to it. It just…happens."

"That's strange."

This girl was strange through and through. Still, Junpei was intrigued with her. It wasn't about her choice of clothing. It wasn't about the way she went about her hobby. He thought it had to do with the fact that she was different. Her choice of words seemed a little cryptic, but he didn't mind it at all.

Junpei looked at the movie theater across the plaza. "Hey, do you wanna go watch a movie?"

"A movie?"

"Yeah! How 'bout it?"

The girl looked up at the sky. The sun was just starting to set. She closed her sketchbook, tucking her pencil away in the spirals. "Maybe tomorrow instead?" She got up and started leaving.

"Hey, wait! I don't know your name still!"

She turned around and smiled softly. "Yoshino Chidori. And what's your name?"

"I'm Iori Junpei!"

(-- --)

-July 16, 2007, Monday

Adachi Middle School, Class 9-C

After School

It was clear to everyone that Iori Junpei was more cheerful than ever.

No one really knew the cause for his sudden happiness. Not even his own friends. He arrived at school in high spirits and left in high spirits. Minato, Yukari, and Fuuka were curious to know where he went everyday after school, but they had other things to do. Minato occasionally had track practice or he would have to pick up Minako from school and walk home with the Sanadas and Shinjiro. Yukari had archery practice, and when she didn't, she was with her own friends. Fuuka had Photography Club on some days, and on her free days, she was usually inside one of the Home Economics classrooms.

"Do you think he has a girl?" asked Minato as he watched Junpei leave the classroom humming.

"Junpei have a girl?" asked Yukari, raising an eyebrow. "Wait. Girls like Junpei?"

"Aw, that's mean, Yukari," said Fuuka.

"Sorry, sorry."

"I really want to know where he goes every day," replied Minato.

"Don't we all?"

(-- --)

-July 16, 2007, Monday

Port Island Station

After School

"Hey, Chidorita," greeted Junpei. He sat down on the flowerbed next to Chidori.

She raised an eyebrow. "Don't call me that."

He chuckled. "Sorry. Couldn't help it."

"It makes me sound like one of those Pokémon." Both of them burst out laughing.

"So what are you drawing today?"

"Nothing in particular."

"Will I ever get to see them? Your drawings, I mean."

Chidori smiled and shrugged. "Maybe someday."

"Cool. Oh right!" Junpei took off his backpack and opened it up. "I got you something." His cheeks went slightly pink as he reached inside and pulled out a blank sketchbook. On top of the cover was a bundle of sunflowers. "I thought you'd need a new one. And, um…" He started fidgeting. "I thought you would like the flowers…"

She smiled and her pale skin began showing tints of pink. "Thank you, Junpei. You're so thoughtful."

Junpei laughed nervously, the blush on his face growing deeper.

(-- --)

-July 22, 2007, Sunday

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Outside Hagakure

Daytime

July was always a rainy season. It was raining again today. Shinjiro was itching for some ramen, and Akihiko had nothing to do. Both boys dragged Mitsuru out of her home because she was studying too much. Minato simply wanted a day where he didn't have to take care of Shoji.

They were standing outside of Hagakure, admiring the pouring rain. Though it started out as a light drizzle, it soon became very heavy.

"Hey," began Shinjiro, "y'know how Junpei's been in a really good mood lately?"

"Yeah," answered Minato.

"Aki and I know what's going on now."

Minato raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "So what is it?"

"Junpei has a girlfriend," answered Akihiko with a laugh.

The younger boy laughed. "So I was right then?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"After school, we went to take a train home at Port Island Station," said Shinjiro. "We saw them talking on a flowerbed in front of the movie theater. Since we saw them the first time, we've seen them there everyday."

"Oh, I saw them, too," replied Mitsuru. "I think he's been giving her sunflowers everyday. That girl always has some next to her."

"What does she look like?" asked Minato eagerly. Finding out that Junpei had a girlfriend was like finding gold. The poor guy needed some love anyway.

"Red hair," said Shinjiro. "Lighter than Mitsuru's."

"Dark eyes," added Mitsuru.

"She wears white Lolita clothes," replied Akihiko.

"Huh. They sound like would make an odd couple," replied Minato.

"Opposites attract, I guess?"

"I can hardly see the opposites in them," pointed out Shinjiro. "If anything, they're both pretty awkward."

"T-that shouldn't matter," cut in Mitsuru. She frowned. Though she was always confident when speaking, her voice began to shake slightly. "All that matters is that they like each other."

Shinjiro looked at Akihiko and then at Minato. "Okay, whose influence is it this time?"

"I-I just think that they shouldn't care about how people see them. They're happy with each other. End of story, okay?"

This was no one's influence. It was something that had been on Mitsuru's mind for a long time. She had noticed it before at school. People were always pairing two people together based on appearances and status. People were always trying to pair up those who were popular. They always said, "They look so cute together!" Just because two people look good together didn't mean anything. They probably wouldn't be happy with each other. In essence, it was the same for Mitsuru. She would eventually be put together with a man who would look good and be able to run a major corporation with her. That didn't ensure that she would be happy. She wanted to be happy.

"Sorry," apologized Akihiko.

Shinjiro coughed. "I'm walking home now."

"But it's still raining!" said Mitsuru, her eyes widening with horror. "I'll just call for a car to pick us up."

Shinjiro grabbed the girl by the arm before she could take out her cell phone. "Don't be stupid, Mitsuru. You're walking with us."

Akihiko grabbed her other arm, and both boys began pulling her down the steps and out into the pouring rain. "Yeah. Some water won't harm your beauty."

""Some" water is an understatement!" she yelled.

They were soaked within seconds. Minato grinned as he opened up his own umbrella and followed after them.

(-- --)

-July 26, 2007, Thursday

Port Island Station

After School

Chidori looked up at the sky. It was just starting to get dark. She closed up her sketchbook and gathered up the sunflowers.

"It's getting late," she said. "I should be getting home now."

"Oh. 'Kay." Junpei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Can I walk you home?"

She stared at him before a moment with surprise. "N-no, that's okay. And besides…I'd rather if you didn't see where I live."

"Chidori, I don't care if you're family's poor."

"That…that's the thing. I…don't have any family. I'm an orphan."

Junpei frowned. "So where do you live?"

"There's an abandoned mansion just a little outside the city. It's a place where orphans gather off the streets."

"How do you guys do things like eat and survive?" demanded Junpei. Chidori's story was just starting to sound worse and worse. He suddenly felt really worried.

"As far back as I can remember, I used to go through trash cans in order find food. But everyone at the mansion chips in to survive. The younger kids tend to pilfer small things from people. Some of the older kids have jobs and are making money so we can eat and have some basic things. The house is a little rundown so we're trying to put aside some money to renovate it."

"…you guys don't go to school?"

"We don't have the money to."

"I'm sorry Chidori."

"What are you sorry about? You don't have anything to be sorry about."

He gently clasped her hand. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. It's fine. Honestly…"

They were silent for a moment before Junpei stood up. "I'm gonna to do something."

"What?"

He grinned. "I'm gonna try to do something to help you, Chidori," he replied. "I can't guarantee anything right now, but I'll try."

(-- --)

-July 27, 2007, Friday

Inside Hagakure

After School

"Junpei, you're awfully quiet for someone who called us down here," said Akihiko.

"Sorry. I was just thinking."

"So what do you want?" asked Shinjiro.

"What do you have to do to get Kirijo to sponsor you?"

Shinjiro snorted into his ramen. "You want Kirijo to sponsor you or something?"

"Not me. There's this girl I know--" Akihiko and Shinjiro exchanged looks. "And she's an orphan. She's used to live on the streets but now she--"

"Is she one of those orphans that live in that abandoned Kirijo mansion?" cut in Shinjiro.

Junpei looked at him, surprised. "How did you know?"

"I've heard of that place. If Kirijo didn't take me in, I'd probably be living there right now."

"I'm not familiar with this," said Akihiko.

"Orphans who get put onto the street go to live in the old Kirijo mansion just outside of the city. The older kids work to support themselves and the younger ones. They mostly use the money for food and clothes. I've heard the younger kids go out to look through the dumpsters for furniture and anything else useful. When they get desperate, they steal," explained the buff boy.

"That girl also told me that they've been saving up money to fix up the place." Junpei sighed. "I really want to help her and the rest of those orphans."

"Through Kirijo's influence?"

"If possible."

"I don't know if Kirijo will be able to sponsor them," said Akihiko. "When we were at the orphanage, the lady in charge submitted applications for the sponsorship. Afterwards, workers came to ask us questions and run tests. Unless any of those orphans have any special talents, Kirijo won't sponsor them. They want kids with potential."

Junpei groaned. "So what do I do?"

Shinjiro pulled the boy's hat off of his head before smacking him with it. "What are you, stupid? Kirijo may not sponsor those orphans, but you know a Kirijo."

Junpei snatched his hat back and readjusted it on his head. "Do you really think Mitsuru would be able to help?"

"Never know till you ask her," said Akihiko.

(-- --)

-July 27, 2007, Friday

Gekkoukan High School, Student Council Room

After School

"You want me to do what?" asked Mitsuru.

The Student Council Meeting was finished and most of the members had packed up and gone home. Though she didn't have to, Mitsuru was cleaning up the room.

"Is it possible you could help these orphans in any way?" asked Junpei.

"It depends on what you want me to do." Mitsuru picked up an eraser and erased several of the writing on the board. "Do you want me to use what power I have to sponsor those kids?"

"Nah, that might be too much." Junpei scratched the back of his head. "I was just thinking that you do something to get them what they need. Make life easier to get by."

Mitsuru sighed. "I'll see what I can do. I suspect that there will be some problems them living in that abandoned mansion."

"Considered as trespassing?" asked Shinjiro.

"Yes. But that mansion has been abandoned for over twenty years. I could try to get the deed to the house and turn it over to them. I could also do something to get some money to help fix up the mansion. Make it more suitable to live in. Maybe even buy them furniture and other necessities they need."

"Wait. You mean you have to borrow money?" asked Junpei.

"I may be an heiress, but that money still belongs to the Kirijo Corporation. It's my father's. He decides how to use the money. If any amount exceeds my allowance, I have to ask him for more," she explained. Mitsuru smiled softly. "I'll do what I can though."

Junpei took off his hat and gave her a deep bow. "Thanks so much, Mitsuru!" With the baseball cap back on his head, he ran out of the room.

"All for that girl, huh?" said Akihiko.

"He's in love," pointed out Mitsuru.

"He's getting soft," scoffed Shinjiro.

(-- --)

-July 29, 2007, Sunday

Port Island Station

Daytime

Junpei sat on the flowerbed, waiting for Chidori. Normally she was already there waiting for him but he arrived earlier than expected. He saw a fringe of white at the corner of his eye and looked up to see Chidori.

"It was you, wasn't it?" she asked breathlessly.

"Huh?"

"It was you. You asked Mitsuru Kirijo to help me and the other orphans."

He grinned. "I did. I wanted to help you somehow."

She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around Junpei's neck. "Thank you. Thank you so much…" She sat down next to him in her usual spot. "Miss Kirijo visited us last night. She gave us the deed to the house and told us that some workers were going to fix up the house today. She gave us furniture that her company had gotten rid of. Right now, she's going to try to get better paying jobs for the older kids, and send the younger ones to school."

"I'm amazed she managed to do all that in only a day."

"Yeah. I asked her how she knew about us, you know. She smiled and said that it was someone I knew very well. I immediately thought of you."

Junpei blushed. "Haha, yeah, well…" He stopped for a moment. How did Mitsuru know about him and Chidori though? He hadn't mentioned her to any of his friends before, and the three high schoolers only knew her as "a girl he knew."

Chidori squeezed his hand and smiled. "Thank you…"

"Anything for you, Chidori."

I am not dead! I haven't given up on this story! I promise!

I had a writer's block with this chapter, but after doing some thinking, I finally managed to get it done. This chapter focuses more on Junpei, and it has the first appearance of Chidori! Yay! The guy needs more love. I tried to base off their first meeting like in the game and in the manga. I also wanted to make Chidori more human like the way she was during the revival event in Fes. Also, I took out her self-harming tendencies. I had trouble with writing on how Chidori's life would be like in this dream world. Strega was made up of orphaned kids who were taken off of the streets and experimented on. I remember that somewhere in the Persona 3 fan book, it states that Strega would go through trash cans in order to find food or something like that. What I finally settled on is what is in this chapter.

Oh, and I'm aware of the release of P3P and the female heroine. I've already thought about it, and I know where she will make her appearance. I've seen people calling her "Minako," so in this story, she won't go by that name. After all, there is a Minako in this story already. Haha. Theodore ("the male Elizabeth") will also make an appearance, but his is a lot sooner than the female heroine. Much, much sooner. Well, you'll see.

I promise I'm not dead! I just have to get my brain working inbetween school and homework. Thanks for reading!