AN: This chapter is not being split. You're just going to have to deal with the whole 60+ pages of it. :P Have fun!

Chapter 17 Reloaded: The Will to Fight

As I look out the window I see the dresser I left Akinari's notebook in that…gives me strength. Turning to Ryoji, I shake my head. "I won't kill you Ryoji." I hear him sigh in his transformed form "I won't run away…" with that he changes back.

"…I understand. It's regrettable, but it's your life…you can do what you want with it. I will respect your decision."

"Thank you."

He sighs heavily. "Minako…" another sigh. "Let's go back to the lounge. I need to tell you guys how to confront Nyx." he walks towards the door but stops. "Oh…I should say my farewell to you, shouldn't I? This is the last time we'll be able to speak like this…thank you." He gives me a bright smile. "Goodbye…and…I'm sorry…I wish we could have had more time together…" He pauses for a while and looks me directly in the eyes. "…It was nice…while it lasted and I'm glad we met. I'm glad that…I met you as Ryoji Mochizuki and that we could share these last few moments together like this. Thank you…for everything." He takes off the bead ring that he was wearing and places it on my finger.

"Ryoji…"

"Could you…hold onto this? It's proof that I was "human," for however short a time…If you held onto it for me, I…I think I'll be able to stand it." I nod and place the ring on my finger. With that I felt a familiar warmth in my heart.

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond…

The innermost power of the Fortune Arcana hath been set free.

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Norn, the ultimate form of the Fortune Arcana…

"I love you…" he kisses me gently on the lips before opening the door. "We should go back. The others will be worried, I'm sure…"

"Yeah…" he walks towards the door.

"Ryoji?"

He turns to face me and I hug him fiercely. It's a while before I pull away but I give him a warm smile. "You'll…always be a part of me you know. Forever. So no matter what happens…you'll always have a small part of me with you too. Oh, I nearly forgot." I take out the scarf that I stitched with Bebe, the one made of the strange blue fabric. "Merry Belated Christmas Ryoji." I smile at his baffled expression. "It's from when you weren't here. I wanted to give this to you."

"Minako-chan…" I shake my head.

"You don't have to say anything Ryoji. I just wanted to thank you. For everything. And…for what it's worth. I'm sorry…that it had to end like this. I wish…" I shake my head. "We…we should go. They're probably worried."

"…" he looks sad but thoughtful as I start walking out of the room. Seconds later I hear his footsteps following me.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

The second we go back everyone pretty much bum rushes us. What the hell?

"Yo! What's up, Ryoji?" Junpei's awfully cheerful for some reason.

Ryoji sighs. "It's an unfortunate decision…but it is yours to make."

"That's right." Yukari adds. Her words make me feel better about the choice I made. It wouldn't have been right of me to force my opinion on everyone else.

"But you can't defeat Nyx…it's impossible." Ryoji looks pained as he speaks and I resist the urge to hug him.

"But we must still try." Mitsuru looks determined even though her voice is gentle.

"Personally, I don't care if it is impossible." Akihiko despite the fierceness of his words has a small smile on his face.

"…I understand." Ryoji sits beside me. "It's almost midnight, so I'll keep this brief. I'll tell you where to find Nyx. You'll find her…at the top of Tartarus. On the promised day, you must journey to the top of the tower." I can't help but notice how close his leg is to mine and how complete I feel right now, but…when he leaves again…that emptiness will return. I can't help but want him close to me for as long as possible.

"When's the promised day?" I ask.

"Exactly one month from tomorrow…January 31st, 2010. Nyx will descend to Tartarus…and the world will end."

"One month…"

"Tartarus is a gigantic rift in the darkness of the night sky…it's a beacon to guide Nyx. With the Appriser's coming, Nyx learns that the way has been prepared, and descends there…and thus, the demise will come…"

"So that's why it's called the Tower of Demise." Akihiko doesn't seem to bothered by the rest of Ryoji's words. "But what you're saying is, we can fight Nyx if we reach the top?"

"That's right…but remember, from today, you will fight against eternal despair. Like I've said so many times before, Nyx cannot be defeated. When you face her, you will finally understand this truth. And then, you will realize what it is you are trying to stand against."

"…We understand." Mitsuru sounds slightly irritated. Granted it is annoying constantly hearing "you can't win.." but if it's true… "There's no need to keep telling us. January 31st…we won't forget that date."

"Well, I'll be going on ahead of you, then. I want to leave you while I'm still in this form."

"Ryoji-kun…" Fuuka frowns in concern.

Junpei still hasn't said anything.

"Aeon…I'm sorry for what happened."

"…I will not forget that we were enemies…nor will I forget that you gave us your aid, as well as a choice. No matter what happens I will thank you for that."

Ryoji smiles somewhat at this.

"Aeon…" Yukari looks at him.

"Thank you. This will probably be the last time I'll see you all like this." his voice is breaking and I feel like my heart is…hurting. "But…I'll always be watching over you. …Well, goodbye." he takes a deep breath and stands. "Goodbye, Minako…my dearest…" Pharos…

"Goodbye…Ryoji."

He nods and heads for the door. "Best wishes in the coming year. That's what you say on New Year's Eve, right?" he chuckles. "See ya!" he shuts the door behind him. And with his disappearance I feel the hollowness again. I think…it's worse now…because I know what's missing…still I can't help but smile somewhat at least I was able to talk to him again, to be with him no matter how brief.

Junpei chuckles. "That Ryoji…"

"We have one month until January 31st…together, we'll reach the top." Everyone nods in agreement and I feel my inner strength increase.

Thou Art I…

And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond…

The innermost power of the Fool Arcana hast been set free

We bestow upon thee the power to create Susano-o, the ultimate form of the Fool Arcana

There's that warmth again…

Thou art I…

And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a new bond…

Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Judgement Arcana…

Eh? What? Ah whatever.

In one month…we'll have to face Nyx at the top of Tartarus…I'm not looking forward to going through Tartarus. But…that was our decision. And I will face that choice…head on. Without reservation.

1/1/10

Bedroom, Early Morning…

Someone's knocking again. Urgh. Can't I sleep in fucking peace?

"Helloooooo? Are you up?" she just opens the door. "Morning! Oh wait, I mean…Happy New Year!" Gah! "Hey, you wanna come to the shrine with us?"

"No! I want to sleep." with that I drag the covers back over my head.

"But Mitsuru-senpai prepared kimonos for us."

"Don't care!"

"Oh come on!" she wrenches my cover off. "It'll be fun!" She grabs my arm and drags me out of my room. "Besides we never get to dress up except on special occasions. We gotta get ready!"

…damn you Yukari! She forces me into this bright pink kimono Gah! Why? Who the fuck told Mitsuru I liked pink? Did they neglect to realize I threw away those pink comforters!

Naganaki Shrine…

It's fucking cold. I'd kick Yukari but this damn kimono makes that pretty much impossible. I look around though…huh. This shrine is awfully busy today.

"Have you decided what to wish for?"

"To get through the year." I sigh heavily. Why oh why couldn't I get a nice kimono like Mitsuru's wearing?

Mitsuru chuckles. "So did I. A common wish, but it holds a particularly important meaning this year…"

Yeah. We all made well wishes. "There's nothing to worry about. I have the utmost certainty that we can do this."

"…Yeah." Yukari adds.

"Oh, it's Junpei-kun and the others." Fuuka is wearing a green kimono. Hm? Oh yeah…the guys are coming.

"Happy New Year! Let's all do our very best this year!" Yukari beams at all of them. "But man, you guys are late." Probably because they were sleeping…you know like normal people Yukari? I yawn.

"Y-Yuka-tan…" Huh? Is Junpei blushing?

"Wh-What?" Yukari starts blushing at his stare.

"Happy New Year! …Hm? What's the matter, Iori?"

"Mitsuru-senpai…you look hot…I, um…heh…I mean…"

"S-Stop staring at me…" she starts blushing as well.

"Happy New Years, everyone. I've never worn a kimono before…Um, does my sash look okay?"

"Fuuka…you look…wow!"

"G-Geez…" and now Fuuka's blushing.

"That traditional clothing looks interesting…however it looks like it may be difficult to move in."

"It is." I feel like a walking target in this getup. It doesn't help that the color burns my eyes.

"I thought as much. It would be wise to take that off in a battle area."

"We'll be fine Aeon!" I laugh.

"B-But man, I gotta say…um…you look pretty cute yourself, Minako…" Junpei looks me over that blush still on his face.

"I look like a care bear." I deadpan

"Care bear?" Aeon looks baffled.

"An overly cute…tastes like diabetes stuffed animal." I gag.

"Minako! That looks perfectly fine!" Yukari huffs.

"It's a vomit shaped disaster! I told you I don't like pink damn it!"

Akihiko laughs. "Well…" Huh? Is he blushing.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, uh…I-It's nothing!" Huh? Whatever. I sigh tugging on one of the sleeves. Ick.

"Ah…I'm so glad I came…New Year's kicks ass! Yah!" …he really is like a dirty old man…

"Why are you acting so strange Junpei-kun?" Aeon looks at him baffled

"Man, we got to see some great stuff today. Right, Akihiko-senpai?"

"Uh…I-I guess so."

"Hey, aren't you guys cold?" Ken looks at us in wonderment. Yes. I am. Not that cold but still…

"A little, but I love this time of year…"

"Um, that's not what I meant…Junpei-san said that you guys aren't wearing anything underneath your kimonos." …at least I know whose brilliant idea it was to spy on us in the hot springs now. I just look at Junpei who backs in alarm.

"He said WHAT…?" Fuuka looks shocked.

"HUH?"

"Wow, you've really taken Ken-kun under your wing, huh?" Yukari stalks up to Junpei.

"Nononon, wait wa-"

Yukari stomps rather hard on his toes. "OUCH!"

I wince. That must have hurt. Yukari huffs and walks away and Junpei ends up denying he ever said that to Ken while Akihiko looks plain uncomfortable.

I make a few more wishes before heading back to the group.

"So, did you guys finish making your wishes?"

"Of course we did." Junpei has that vibrant smile as always on his face. "Oh, but I ain't tellin' what I wished for. I head your wish won't come true if you tell anyone!"

"…Isn't that what they say about prophetic dreams?" Fuuka looks at Junpei in curiosity.

"Eh, it's not like it takes a rocket scientist to figure out what Junpei wished for."

"Wh-What's up with that?" …by the way those two act you'd think they were siblings. "What you think it's gonna be something like, "I wish to meet a hot babe," huh? Well, shows what you know!" He smiles smugly. "What I really wished for is-"

"The same thing we all did, right?" Yukari smoothly interrupts. " "I wish to prevent the Demise!" Demise? I thought it was the Fall? I wish people would stop changing damn names.

"Huh? Yeah…hehe let's nip it in the bud."

"Uh-huh!" Fuuka nods in agreement.

"Besides, don't you go for younger girls, anyway?" Yukari grins at Junpei as she says this.

"What?" …and it must be true seeing as how red Junpei's become.

"Whoa, did I guess right? …Creepy."

"Let's just go." with that we all headed back to the dorm. On the way back my phone started ringing. I stopped and picked it up.

"Minako?" the others stopped.

"Hello? This is Theodore. I sense intense power deep within Tartarus. It seems a path that was blocked is now open…and one more thing; I regret to inform you that my sister has expressed a desire to test you…if you are interested, please enter the door that has appeared at the entrance of Tartarus. You can reach my sister from there." His sister?

"Minako! Hurry up!" Junpei calls. I hang up the phone before walking forward. "Jeez. Took your sweet time!"

"It was important."

"Huh? Who was it?"

"None of your business." with that I walk as much dignity as I can muster…even if I can barely walk in this accursed thing!

"Minako's speed and agility has severely decreased." Trust Aeon to point that out! "As has her stamina…must've been all that cake."

WHAT?

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" I yell at him and trip, thankfully Aeon was right behind me so he caught me. "I'm not fat!"

"Of course not. Minako-chan's simply pudgy." he grins at me.

"You're not funny Aeon! Not funny at all! Wait ah-!" Aeon then picks me up.

"What the hell? Put me down!"

"Minako-chan's slowing down the group."

Thankfully the door to the dorm is right there so I yank it open before running, as much as I can in this outfit, to change.

Jerks. All of them.

"Wait…Minako!" Damn Junpei…

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Fuuka, let's go to Tartarus." I want to meet this sister of Theodore's. Junpei opens his mouth to make a comment about my dress but I turn haughtily and walk back upstairs with as much dignity as I can muster.

Tartarus…

Hm? What's that door? Is this what Theo was talking about? Opening to door I see a vast number of doors littering the area. Sheesh. Hm? A woman?

Her hair is blonde and she has eyes the same golden yellow as Theo's…

"It was good of you to come. I am Margaret." Oh. So she's his sister? "I am the one who rules over power…will that description help you understand? I've heard a lot about you." …How creepy. "I thought it was time I saw you with my own eyes. This is the Vision Quest Hall. It's a world inside of you that I have prepared."

"A world inside of me?" What?

"I have prepared various contests for you here, each one in accordance with your memories." My memories? "Do you remember the giant Shadows you've fought so far? Here, you will be able to fight them again, just as you did the first time…" and I want to do this because?

"…what do you mean just as I did the first time?"

"…I just told you." she sighs. "These were made from your memories. I think you'll understand faster if you open the first door rather than stand here asking questions."

"Why…did you do this?"

"Think of it as my challenge to you. You have the freedom to choose whether or not you answer the "questions" posed here. Some are quite difficult…I won't think less of you for retreating. Now, open the doors of your own will. And after you find an answer to each question…" she trails off before shaking her head. "But that would be telling." Huh?

"Do I at least get something?"

"Of course. There are rewards behind those doors as well…if you prove worthy enough to claim them."

Oh good. This makes this marginally less idiotic. I walk over to the first door which seems to have the sign of the Priestess Arcana on it. There's a grumbling behind it…I try to open the door but it doesn't budge.

"What gives!"

"You must match the memory. You did not fight that battle alone. Did you?"

…no I didn't. I was with Junpei and Yukari…

I turn around and…wait…huh? They're here! The rest of SEES look a bit baffled to be standing here.

"So this is where you go when you go into zombie mode huh?" Junpei looks around in awe.

"Uh…not exactly. Junpei…Yukari." They both turn to me. "You mind coming with me? Just want to check something out." Both of them give me curious looks but they go to the door without question. …they trust me that much huh. It makes me glad I didn't betray their trust yesterday. "Here we go!" I open the door and-

"What the-! The monorail!" Yukari's so busy looking around she doesn't notice the Priestess Shadow smirking at her.

"Move!" I push her out of the way and take the blow. Fortunately it was a Bufudyne spell and Kartikeya has Null Ice.

I switch to Odin and use Mind Charge between using Thunder Reign and landing critical hits when it's shocked the battle is pretty easy. Afterwards Thanatos gives me a Ring Of Darkness which nullifies Dark attacks. …Ken could use this. That done I head for the Velvet Room…huh? I look at Theo's latest request. He wants me to fight and defeat The Reaper? …That strange creature? Frowning I pick up the request. What the hell. I might as well.

I fused Thanatos and Loki to create Siegfried of the Strength Arcana. It seems to be a man in light armor with a large shield on his back and sword in his hand. He's powered by my strength with Koromaru and is one of my ultimate Personas. I then fuse Laksmi, Yaksini and Seth to create Raphael again. That done I head back into the silver door with Margaret and go through the second door.

Hm…I equip the Storm Ring I received from Jatayu…I remember that damn thing using wind attacks last time.

Urgh. It's these two. I use Thunder Reign on the Emperor Arcana and hit the Empress normally afterwards. SHIT! These things are tough! The Empress uses some strange attack with black orbs that nearly kill me and the Emperor nearly hacked me to bits!

"Junpei! Use that defense boosting skill you have!"

He nods and does so without complain.

"Akihiko! Lower their attack!"

"Got it."

Damn these things!

"PERSONA!" I have to use Cadenza to heal everyone. Shit! The Empress charmed both Akihiko and Junpei! I throw a dis-charm at Akihiko…the last thing I need is him healing them! Afterwards I dis-charm Junpei who renews his defense boost spell. Akihiko is knocked unconscious and with a sigh I revive him. Urgh…now Junpei's unconscious thanks that black orb spell! And…urgh! How many revive beads do I have to waste damn it! I revive Junpei again before healing everyone with Cadenza. And that Emperor uses that slash attack and…yup Junpei's unconscious. I sigh heavily. Enough. I switch to Abaddon who nulls all physical so the only thing that'll hurt me will be magic but shit! Both of them are down? …Every time I revive them they fall again so I sigh. I'm on my own I suppose. I defend and wait for Fuuka to tell me there weaknesses. I use Last Judge but still…most of the fight is just defensive. When the Empress' weakness turns to Ice I use the King and I combination attack of King Frost and Black Frost to damage her but…ugh. This battle will be a lot easier when it's just Emperor. Hm? Empress is weak to electricity and Emperor to piercing…doesn't Odin have both those abilities? After a Thunder Reign and Vile Assault I manage to finish the Empress off. Good this won't be so damn hard now…urgh…I'm nearly exhausted. I switch back to Abaddon and defend.

"It's weak to fire!"

Alrighty then…but…oh shit. I fused Hell Biker…Fabulous. With a sigh I don't even bother defending I just sit there waiting for it to change again. Oh good. …Why does this thing keep using physical abilities when all I do is either null or reflect them?

"It's weak to electricity now!"

Back to Odin then.

"Thunder Reign!" That finishes it off I smirk smugly while panting in exhaustion. Urgh. I don't feel too good….I revive both Junpei and Akihiko and we leave Tartarus. Definitely training more in the tower before opening another door.

"Woah. Talk about intense."

"We got our assess handed to us is what happened." I mutter dryly. "I will never be ungrateful to you guys again." Fighting on my own had been damned dangerous. One misstep and I'd have been dead.

1/2/10

I yawn…urgh. I'm too tired to train today. I call Tatsuya and tell him so. He's rather good natured about it as usual. I wonder if before was just a fluke. Maybe I just projected my evil vibes onto him or something. I decide to walk to the theater to work.

Hm? What's with all these posters? Nyx? 'Believe and you will be saved?' What kind of bullshit is this? Nyx won't save anyone! …how the fuck do they even know about Nyx? I thought the only ones who knew about that was SEES and the Kirijo Group…Tch. So much for my good mood. I get 9000 yen for working.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Hey, let's go to Tartarus. We can't just sit around here and do nothing, you know."

"What about yesterdays' ass kicking? I'm the one who had to save both of your sorry asses." I grin at him.

"Well…" he recovers quickly. "We'll be fine!"

"We'll go tomorrow Junpei. I'm tired right now."

"Oh…okay then! Tomorrow!"

"Yeah. Tomorrow." I look over at Koromaru. "You wanna walk?" He barks an affirmative and I take him for a quick walk before going to bed.

1/3/10

I get up to leave to train when I open up my dresser and take out Akinari's notebook I run my hands slowly over the worn bindings and smile. Odd…but it gives me so much strength. I place it back before heading out.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…Hello!" Ken greets me when I walk in, before Junpei can even open his mouth I walk over to Fuuka.

"We're going to Tartarus tonight."

"YES!" He practically bounces at that. What on earth is he so happy about?

Tartarus…

I take my usual team with me up to the next block. It's…beautiful here. There's crystals everywhere and although it's a bit chilly it looks so nice compared to the rest of Tartarus.

"There is a powerful enemy on the 220th floor!" Fuuka cries. Oh I'm getting really sick of them. "…Oh, wait." Hm? She gasps. "It seems there aren't that many of them left!" YES! "Only around five more!" Yay! Some good fortune! "We're almost to the top. We can do this together!"

I feel the others with me nod in agreement, with that my inner strength increases. As soon as I turn a corner I see a golden chest with some beautiful boots inside. Oooh They're my size! Happily I put them on and…odd. I feel as though all my stats have increased.

Shit! These shadows are strong! The "Death Castle" that we're fighting nearly kills Ken with one blow. Aeon heals Ken thankfully before anything else happens.

"Akihiko!"

"I know!" He lowers its attack quickly.

"Fuuka!"

"It's weakness is wind!"

Wind? Shit. Suparna has only group wind spells…ah fuck it!

"SUPARNA!" I use Magarudyne it doesn't fall but…

"ALL OUTATTACK!" we manage to finish it off.

I shiver. That thing nearly killed Ken with one hit…one hit.

"Akihiko…Aeon. I need you to start debuffing and buffing immediately during battle. We can't afford any mistakes…if there had been more than one…"

"Understood." Aeon nods.

"Ken-?" I turn to him.

"I'm fine. I was just caught off guard is all." He stands. A little later when run into a group of Onnen Musha's powerful fighters in samurai like armor…and they're weak to fire of all things. Fucking fabulous. The one element I don't have. Fuckers. I switch to Odin and use Maziodyne which nearly kills them. I probably should have used Mind Charge first. Thankfully Akihiko finishes them off with Mazionaga but…damn. Why such a steep power increase? Alright that's it! I'm getting a fire capable Persona!

"Fuuka! I need an escape route!"

"Huh? You're giving up?" Aeon looks at me baffled.

"What-! I'm fine!"

"It's not that Ken…I just need to…uh…do something." As soon as we're back on the ground floor I head to the Velvet Room. Damn…today is just not my day. I can't afford a single fire Persona…and I'm not taking Junpei up there with me. He's a good fighter but…Aeon already has physical skills down pact. And Junpei's magic…well it sucks. Sorry but you'll be stuck with training with Mitsuru, Junpei.

I go back upstairs and stick with using Odin we get into a battle with a Green Sigil (some some sort of green robed mage like Shadow in a circling box like…paper thing. It's…just weird. GS guy apparently absorbs electricity so…luckily Ken hits it in the eye so it falls to the ground with a cry.

No sooner have we turned the corner than do we see a bunch of Death Dice luckily these do die to Maziodyne.

"Guys…we should stop."

"Minako?"

"But-!"

"It's not you Ken. I need to get more supplies. I underestimated these Shadows…severely." I had…I had gotten overconfident and damn. Besides as Mitsuru had said.

"A good leader knows when to stop."

Ken nods disgruntled.

"We'll come back tomorrow."

"Okay…"

With that we leave.

1/4/10

Hm? My phone's ringing…

"Hi, it's me." Mitsuru? "Do you have time to talk?"

"Uh…sure." I get out of bed and start looking for something to wear.

"Would you like to do something today?"

"Yeah."

"Then I shall be waiting outside." Huh. She sounds….excited. I hang up and quickly get dressed.

I meet her downstairs and the two of us head to Paulownia Mall.

Paulownia Mall, Game Panic…

"Whew…this place is so loud. I'm exhausted. But, I must admit that I was impressed with the motorcycle simulation game. It feels just like the real thing!" she chuckles. Huh. At least I know what riding a bike feels like then… "It's amazing how far technology has come." she looks a bit uncertain as she turns to me. "Hey Arisato, can I ask you something?" she looked a bit uncertain, yet there was this…longing in her eyes. Strange…

"Hm?"

"How much does a game like that cost?"

Eh? "You're gonna buy one?" Why would she want to buy it anyways? She has a bike already.

"I was considering it…why? Is it not something people buy?" Uh…no. "Hmm…It must be worth a fortune, then." …I doubt that's the case. "I doubt I'd be able to purchase one…" and I'm sure that's not true either…

"Uh…that's just not the case. But people don't usually buy that sort of thing unless they're opening up a arcade…then again maybe you could change an unused room into an arcade?" Granted they already had an arcade but…

Mitsuru contemplates that. "Perhaps…"

"It's something to think about at any rate." My stomach growls. "Uh…"

Mitsuru shoots me an amused look. "Let's go get something to eat."

"Great idea." with that the two of us head to Hagakure before heading back to the dorm. Mitsuru still doesn't seem comfortable with eating yet.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Oh, hey…have you noticed those weird symbols and posters all around town? They really creep me out. Nyx must be affecting everyone's mind. We should go to Tartarus…a month's gonna totally fly by, ya know." Yeah yeah Yukari.

"I'll be back. In a little bit. I need to get some supplies."

First I get some supplies from the station and then I go to the antique shop. There I look over a fused weapons, she shows me the results…and huh? Apparently Kartikeya makes a sword? That's…odd considering the Persona wields a spear like weapon.

"Uh…I'll fuse this one."

The woman…I still don't know her name nods. "It'll be done in 2 days." …Oh okay then.

I head to the Velvet Room and extract Uriel from the Compendium…and right before I leave the mall buy some revival beads from the Pharmacy.

Tartarus…

We travel to the 220th floor now that I have Uriel's Maragidyne ability the battles are pretty easy. Note to self: Do not enter Tartarus without a Persona proficient in all of the elements.

"There are three Shadows in the middle." Oh yay. A pack. Just what we needed. Ick. There those eyeball Shadows too.

These Shadows weren't so bad. They took a while to kill but thanks to Uriel's passive group defense spell we had a decent amount of time under its effects.

…And yet another pack waits for us on the 228th floor. Huh. It's three of those Amorous Snakes…or something similar to them. Hm…they're Carnal Snakes apparently….as usual Akihiko does his attack lowering, though thanks to Horus's passive skills there is no buffing necessary for Aeon so he simply attacks. I switch to Odin and use Mind Charge while Akihiko lowers they're attack. Hm? They've covered themselves in some sort of shield.

"FORSETI!"

"Aeon! Wait!" Ouch. With a cry Aeon falls to his feet. …well at least we know what was being repelled. Now. I sigh heavily and with alarm Ken quickly heals Aeon.

"I shouldn't have done that…" Aeon sighs as he stands.

"Ya think?" I snap at him. "ODIN!" Huh? That…that barely hurt them! "Hey Fuuka…can you sense anything about them?"

Shit! One of the snakes used Maragidyne and killed Aeon. And these bastards are stealing my SP! Aeon reboosts our attack and Ken ends up using a Soma.

I switch to Suparna and used Mabufudyne. FINALLY! Something they're not strong against!

"I'm sorry! I can't sense anything about them!"

I sigh. Great.

"CAESAR!" Akihiko re lowers their attack. Damn…I don't have that much SP left.

Shit shit. I need anything that restore everyone's SP. I reach in the bag and huh? A soma? I throw it on the ground and feel completely refreshed. Yes!

Akihiko lowers their accuracy, while Ken heals Aeon again and…huh? Did those things just undo Akihiko's spells?

One of the snakes then use Maragidyne again and…I cringe that blow nearly took out all of us.. Then another of the snakes decides to nullify our stat increase, and Akihiko relowers they're attack and they undo that. I can't help but chuckle this is pretty funny. Aeon then reboosts our attack While Ken heals us again.

I use Mabufudyne and yet again they take off our defense boost. …Alright this is getting annoying. Akihiko relowers their attack in irritation and then another snake undoes that. The third snake attacks Ken. And Aeon reboosts our defense. While Ken heals himself.

Another Mabufudyne and…finally! One of those damn snakes dies! Akihiko uses Ziodyne on the second one which dies with a scream and the remaining snake uses A group dark spell which instantly knocks out Aeon. …what the hell? He's a robot!

Ken revives him. I finish use another Mabufudyne even though there's only one Shadow. Sheesh what a waste of SP.

Shit! That damn thing stole my health! Aeon and Ken finish it off together.

"That was great! It was a tough one but I knew you'd pull through! Three guardians left…" More like 9... "We're almost there. …Keep it up!" with her words I felt my inner strength increase.

On the next floor she informs us that the enemy has gotten stronger. Oh goody.

"We're going back." I'm not doing this today.

"Huh? You sure?" Akihiko looks like he's still raring to go as does Aeon. Ken, though looks a little bushed.

"Yeah. I've had enough."

"Alright then." we head back to the transporter and leave Tartarus.

1/5/10

I work again today. Not that that's anything new. As soon as I enter the dorm again Koromaru happily walks up to me. I scratch him behind the ears. Before heading up to bed. I'll go to Tartarus tomorrow after I've gotten my new weapon.

1/6/10

I work again today. Before I come back I grab my weapon from the Antique Store thanking the owner as I leave.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Welcome back, Arisato. We should go to Tartarus tonight. Our goal now is to reach the top of Tartarus. We cannot falter…we have to do all that we can." I nod in agreement.

"Let's get going then."

Tartarus…

We manage to beat one of the remaining four Shadows. That done we head back to the dorm. Urgh. These things wear me out.

1/7/10

I go to the theater to work today.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Again I invited Ken out to eat. As soon as we leave the dorm he turns to me.

"Why don't you choose where we go tonight, Minako-san?" I really wish he wouldn't call me that… "Anywhere you want!" He smiles brightly at this. "I'll pay." Huh? He'll pay?

"Huh, Ken?" It's some boy…is that one of his friends?

"Huh…?" Ken turns and gasps when he sees the boy. "Oh, he's one of my classmates…" the boy is about Ken's height with black hair and eyes.

"What're you doing?" What's someone his age walking around at night alone for?

"Uh…nothing! I'm just about to go to dinner…"

The boy glances at me. "…This your sister?"

"Huh? …Oh, n-no!" …jeez Ken you didn't have to be so damn negative about it.

"Wh-What're you getting mad at me for?"

"Because…" Ken looks down. Hm? Because of what? "I'm not her younger brother!" Ken finishes angrily. …what is with all the rage? "Minako-san is…She's my…" he falls silent, obviously troubled.

"Aren't we friends Ken?"

"…That's so weird!" the kid shakes his head. …Okay I admit it is a little odd me being friends with someone his age but…

"Wh-What's so weird!" Ken shouts. I can't help but arch a brow what is with the attitude? Does he not like the kid or something?

"I mean, she's way older than you."

"Sh-Shut up! Don't be ridiculous! …Stupid!" …I try not to laugh but…I think this is one of the few times I've ever seen Ken act his age.

"Your face is stupid! Dumbass!" he turns to me. "Hag!" with that he runs off.

…he did not just call me a hag.

"Um…I'm sorry he said that stuff…I'm sorry…"

I shrug. "I didn't really care about that Ken. …Are you okay though?"

Ken is silent for a while as he looks on the ground. "I'm…fine. But…you and me…we're nowhere close to each other's ages. I know that already…that's a fact that can't be changed…" Hm? What- Oh. Oh. "So…why are you bothering with a kid like me, Minako-san? The guys at the dorm are older than me, and you have lots of friends, right…? Then…why me…?"

"You're one of my comrades Ken." I smile at him. "You're as much a friend to me as Junpei and Yukari are." I can't help laughing at that. "I'd say you were one of my close friends. We've been through a lot together after all and you've saved my life a couple of times too."

"Minako-san…you consider me a close friend..? Even though I'm just a kid…? I can't be there for you like everyone else…and you still…" he gives me a warm smile. "Thank you, Minako-san. You're…very kind after all. I really look up to you…" He…looks up to me? I guess in that case I should try to set a good example huh? "You're so kind and strong…I want to be more like you." with those words I feel my inner strength increase.

I laugh. "I think you're strong yourself Ken." he blushes a bit at that.

"Oh…I forgot that I had homework! I'm sorry…I'll just get something quick to eat and go up to my room today. …W-Well then!" he blushes even redder before running off. …I didn't even get a chance to offer to help. Sighing I head back to the dorm. I might as well go to sleep then. It's back to scouring Tartarus tomorrow.

1/8/09

Vacation's over, sadly so I head to school.

Gekkoukan High School, Front Gates…

"Hey, have you heard of this cult?"

"Hey, don't call it that if you don't know anything about it. The fall is coming; it's already decided." …how the fuck do they know about the fall? Who told them?

"Oh…well, if it's already decided, then it can't be helped." And that's why we're in the fucking situation we're in now. "By the way, about the homework for second period…" the bell rings and with a sigh I head to class.

After School, Homeroom…

Junpei approaches me after class. "Hey, you busy?" Hm? What could this be about? "Could you come with me for a sec?"

"…Why?"

"Look it's important…please?" Please? That's rare. I nod standing up.

"Sweet, thanks. It's a nice day out. Why don't we go up to the roof?"

Gekkoukan High School, Rooftop…

It's just the two of us up here.

"It's almost Coming of Age Day, ya know. I used to just think of it as a day off…but now, I wonder if I'm even gonna live long enough to celebrate it…" Junpei sighs as he says this looking towards the sea. I sit on the bench and can't help but wonder that myself. We have twenty three days…twenty three days before the end of the world…unless we find some way to stop it.

"I hope that we all will."

"Yeah…" I lay back on the bench and Junpei sits not to far from me. "It's been pretty weird around here lately…people have been passing out, others have gone missing…dude, it's crazy." Hm?

"Really? Someone passed out?"

He gives me a look. "You didn't notice?" I shake my head and he sighs. "Anyways, senpai said it's because there are too many Shadow victims and the memory revision can't keep up. …It's all gotta be because of this Nyx." he shakes his head then. Nyx…our supposedly undefeatable foe. "Oh, and have you heard about that doomsday cult?"

"I overheard some girls talking about it this morning."

"Yeah. They've been running around town telling everyone they see that the end of the world is coming…man, we need to do something, and quick." I quickly sit up and grin at him.

"No worries. We've never lost remember?"

"Yeah…" he turns thoughtful. "But, it's not just Nyx, ya know. Two members of Strega are still alive." as if I could forget. "They haven't done anything yet, but I know they've gotta be planning something. And we need to take care of them, too. Man…to think I'd end up trusting such a cutie with my life…" I give him a look at that but he just laughs. "I never would've imagined that happening last spring." Neither would I have. "But then again, I never thought it would come to this." He looks back towards the city again. "Ya know, I don't think it's completely hit me yet…It's just all so hard to believe…" true. The world is ending…and we're the only ones that can do anything about it.

"But, that doesn't mean we should just sit around and wait for it to happen. You're pretty cool, man. That thing was inside you for ten years, and you harnessed its power and made it your own…" "It's" huh? I can't help but frown somewhat. Ryoji's…not an it.

"Don't…call him that."

"Huh? Oh…" he looks chastised at that. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."

"It's…fine." I wrap my arms around myself and look down at the ground.

"I…miss him too." Junpei has a small smile on his face as he speaks. "He was one of my friends after all."

"Yeah…" Ryoji had this way of getting everyone to like him despite what they initially thought.

"I know I've run my mouth a lot since the day we met…and yeah, maybe I called you "cutie" a couple of times, and you mighta thought I was making fun of you…" Might have? "But I'm totally serious when I tell you I'd trust you with my life. I'm…glad to know you." I can sense the sincerity of his words and with it I feel my inner strength increase. "It's embarrassing to say it, but…that's really how I feel. We'll always be friends, right? I mean, even after this is all over?"

"Yeah. Always."

He laughs. "I'm going to hold you to that, okay?" He shakes my hand. "Well let's head back to the dorm."

Gekkoukan High School, Front Gates…

"…I keep getting this feeling that everything's so peaceful at school. Everyone seems to be having fun, but they don't know what's going on…that doesn't make a difference or anything but…" he sighs obviously troubled. "With the cult and all I feel like there's this wall…between us and them I mean. …That's okay, because I don't really talk about serious stuff with them." he falls silent again. "Hey, wanna go eat something?" He smiles brightly as he turns to me.

"Hey, it's Junpei. You going home?" Hm? Oh it's Kenji.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you, Minako-san." he looks between Junpei and I. "Ohhhh! If that's how it is, you should've told me." he whistles and winks at Junpei.

…Huh?

"It's nothing like that." Junpei shakes his head in annoyance. "We live in the same dorm, so we- Hey, why are you getting your phone?"

"Minako-san, mind if we take a picture together?"

"Uh…why?"

"My sister keeps bugging me for pictures from school, but all I have are guys." What about Rio? "What'll she say if I don't show her at least one picture of me with a girl?" he shoots me a grin then.

"But still…" Junpei looks from me to him in exasperation. "…A picture? Wait…could it be you? Is it YOU?" Huh?

"Yup!" Kenji grins cheerfully before realizing what he just said. "Wait, what?"

"I-I'm gonna tell you this as a friend, got it?" Junpei scowls. "Peeping on girls is a crime!" …wait what?

"Who's peeping?" Kenji arches a brow. "I just asked Minako-san if it was okay!"

"Not just now! PE! Pictures! The ones going around!" And he's really blowing this out of proportion. If it was a picture of me half naked or something I could understand the rage but as it is the picture isn't even only me.

"Huh? What're you talking about? I don't know anything."

"…Oh, right. You're only into older women." …do I even want to know?

"That's right!" Kenji grins at this. "At least I'm proud of who I am!" And what Rio doesn't exist anymore? I shake my head with a sigh. Of all the people to fall in love with Rio…why him? "So, what's this about? Are there pictures of her going around?"

"Uh…"

"Wouldn't the photography club be your first bunch of suspects?"

"The photography club…! I totally forgot about them. Alright, we'll go check it out." …blowing this way out of proportion. "Thanks, Kenji."

"Make sure you smack 'em for me, too."

"Why…?"

Kenji just grins as he turns leaving the school.

"What was that about? Anyways we should head to the photography club."

"Eh…"

"Come on!"

…

Gekkoukan High, Photography Club…

The smell of whatever they use on the photos is strong.

Junpei walks up to some guy and asks him if they can talk.

"The other club members are out right now…what do you need to ask about?" It's the Photography Club President. He's a brown haired kid with glasses.

"Th-There's supposedly this photo going around. You know anything about it?" Jeez Junpei stop glaring at the guy! You don't even know if he did anything yet!

"Going around…? What photo is it?"

"It's just a photo of PE class."

"Huh? I don't know anything about that…" and we're back to square one. "I know all the film used by the club members gets developed here. But, I don't remember seeing anything like that. …Ohhhh, so you mean someone was being a Peeping Tom? That's why you're here…you sure you don't want to join the club…?"

"Uh…no." I can't take pictures to save my life. They're always out of focus and whatnot.

The president shrugs. "Oh, well, it's not me. Also, none of our members would do such a thing."

"Huh, but that's…" Junpei frowns.

"I know! People who love the art of photography would never stoop so low." The president grins at this. "I can tell you none of my people would have done it."

Junpei walks over to me and whispers over my shoulder. "…What do you think, Minako? Can you trust him?"

"Yeah. He has no reason to lie."

"Wow, thanks." I guess he heard us. "I'll ask all the club members, too. Just in case. I'll get everyone with a digital camera to show me their data, too. Sorry, but that's pretty much all I can do to help. I know it must be rough."

I give him a warm smile. "It'll be enough. Thank you." Hm…he's pretty nice. Junpei and I walk back to the gates.

"Hmm…you know, we haven't made any progress at all! I guess we'll just have to go about this in a more direct way…I'll try asking my guy friends again, too. Wait right here."

"Look it's not that big of a deal. Let's just go back to the dorm."

"You can't just let this kind of thing happen! Don't worry about it!"

"But…"

"…Does it bother you because it's like I'm the one spreading the news around?" …Not really. "It'd suck if your social life got ruined by something like this." If my social life was going to get ruined by rumors Junpei…it'd been ruined long ago. Still his concern makes me smile slightly and my inner strength increases.

"Yeah, yeah, I know you can take care of yourself Minako. Just…let me do this for you okay."

I sigh. "Fine. Just don't do anything stupid." Oh what the hell am I saying? Of course he's going to do something stupid. "I amend that. Don't do anything too stupid." he shoots me a grin.

"Don't worry I won't. Well…we might as well head back home."

Home?

Yeah…home.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Minako…do you mind coming with me?" Huh? Aeon? He looks serious so nodding I decided to accompany him.

Naganaki Shrine…

"I just…wanted to thank you."

Huh? Thank me?

"Thank me for what?"

"For letting me see how it feels to be "human". All of you really." Aeon turned away. "I…just wanted to say that." He looks at the offertory box with a small smile. "Before I thought humans coming here was an act of foolishness. Nothing more than a waste of time. But…now…" he turns to me again. "This is where we met Koromaru…and celebrated New Years together…" he has a small smile on his face. "There are happy memories here, and the time I spent with all of you here was never wasted." he chuckles a bit. "I'm sorry…I'm just rambling." he laughed at that as well. "Rambling…not very efficient is it?"

"Aeon?"

"Hm?" he turns to me.

"Are you…okay? You've been acting pretty strange lately."

Aeon frowns thoughtfully. "You're right. I've…been thinking lately. About what I am. About why I exist.." he looks away at that. "I'm still thinking about it but…I'm grateful." he looks towards the shrine again. "Koromaru's loyalty to his master was such that even after death he still went about their daily rituals. I want…to be able to do the same for you Minako. …No matter what happens. I want to be with you."

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a new bond…

Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Aeon Arcana

O-kay then…

"Aeon…"

"We're going to Tartarus are we not? We should get back…"

I nod and the two of us head back to the dorm.

We go to Tartarus and defeat the next large Shadow leaving 3 left and as we fight I feel my inner strength rapidly increasing as well as my physical strength. Though today my party consists of Akihiko, Yukari and Mitsuru.

Urgh. Again we fight until the end of the dark hour. This is exhausting.

1/9/10

After School I head to Paulownia Mall and fuse Mara with some Nihil Gloves to create Evil Gloves for Akihiko. They won't be done until the eleventh though. I head to talk to Mitsuru again today.

"I see. I need to do a little research…" on what? "And I was wondering if you'd like to come with me." her smile seems a little off. Is she tired? We were running around in Tartarus all last night so it wouldn't be a surprise…

"Sure."

Gekkoukan High School, Library…

Mitsuru has a rather unenergetic look on her face…is she that bored?

"We only have a short time to be together like this…" she speaks slowly while flipping through a page of some volume. What is that? Oh whatever. "Soon, we'll be looking back nostalgically on these times…"

"Are you okay?"

"…I'm just tired." she looks away from me as she speaks. "There's no need for you to worry." her voice is clipped as she speaks. Jeez. Sorry for being concerned. "Since my father passed away…I've been faced with many difficult problems. My inheritance…the future of the Kirijo and the expectations of everyone involved with both. Most likely I won't be able to attend college or begin a profession. I will have to find another path." she looks rather…small as she speaks.

I resist the urge to mention we all might not even live that long and instead grab one of the bigger books she left on the table. With a sigh I crack it open. Hm…guess I've grown stronger too. Last year I wouldn't have been able to pick that up with such ease.

"Say, Arisato…" Hm? I look up at Mitsuru who is looking at some romance book with an odd look on her face. "What are you thoughts on marriage?"

"To be with your true love." Well…that's how I always felt about it anyway.

She laughs. "You're so straightforward. "However, I'm a Kirijo. I cannot simply make a decision according to my emotions." Well that explains the Ice Queen shell. "An agreement between two parties such as marriage must be carefully considered. This is what I think: marriage is a social contract. You are not linked body and soul; you are linked to each other's social backgrounds as well…" I grimace. Urgh. I can understand the reasoning behind it but still, I couldn't do such a thing. "My parents' marriage was arranged for strategic reasons. But, as time passed, they slowly grew to love each other." …maybe they were the lucky ones. "I don't consider them unfortunate. Love comes in all different forms." That is true but…marrying someone you don't love? "Do you disagree?"

"You don't have a boyfriend?" I ask bluntly. What the hell. She's attractive enough. Then again…with that Ice Queen shield I doubt any guy could get really close.

"Y-You should know that I don't have one…" she starts blushing. "We're living under the same roof, aren't we?" But I'm not nosy. "…I'm not very good at romantic relationships. Besides, I don't have any spare time to devote to another." I guess I offended her. Sheesh.

With that we continue working in silence. I don't understand half of what I'm reading but Mitsuru doesn't seem to really mind. I look up at the clock and…we where here that long?

"I can't believe the library is closing and we're still here." Mitsuru sighs. "Talking in the library…I'm not setting a very good example as Student Council President." Please please don't ask why I haven't been to the meetings in so long. "…We should go." Oh good. Dodged a bullet there. I feel my inner strength increase as the two of us walk back to the dorm together.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…S'up dude? Only three more weeks 'til X-Day. But, it's weird…I was pissin' my pants all last month. But, since I decided that I was gonna fight, I'm not scared anymore. …Hey, let's go to Tartarus, man. We gotta do what we can do, right?"

I guess so. I yawn. I'm really tired but…

"Oh. Hey you don't look so good. Don't force yourself ya know? We can go tomorrow." I nod everyone else with the exception of Junpei, Aeon, and Koromaru look like they want to keel over. I head back to Paulownia Mall to sell off our scrap equipment.

After fusing a few more Persona I go to see Mutatsu

Paulownia Mall, Escapade…

"…Ohh, you're laaate…" he hiccups. Jeez. Talk about totally wasted. "Whasshup, kid?" he shoots me a grin. Urgh. He reeks of booze. "Don't you think ish.." another hiccup. "rude to maake shum'one wait? Didn't Dad tell you not to do that, ehhh?"

Dad?

"Dad?"

"Eh…? Dad?" another hiccup. "Did you just call me Dad?" Uh…no. Jeez. How much did he drink? "You always call me an ol' bashtard…but," another hiccup. "you're all nishe whenever ya need shum money…" Oh. He must think I'm his son. "I thought you go in an acshident or shumthin'…" he looks me over in concern before he hiccups again. "Don't make me worry like that." Oh. So much for Mr. "I'm better off alone." "What the hell were ya doin' thish late?" So he doesn't recognize that I'm not his son but he's aware of the time? I can't help but chuckle.

"Don't laugh at me boy!"

"Look. I was…" what's a good excuse? "I was a friend."

"A friend, huh?" he hics again. "It's a girl, isn't it?" Uh… "Hmph, like father, like son, I guess…" wait…he was a womanizer? I look Mutatsu over. Looking at him now you wouldn't think it…

Mutatsu blinks and shakes his head. I guess he's finally coming out of that drunken stupor.

"Uh…Hmm…? YOU…?" yup. Definitely sobering up now. "Damn…all this time, I thought you were…I guess my eyesight is getting bad, after all…" considering you didn't notice the difference in voice pitch I'd say your ears were going too. "I thought the pitch of your voice sounded a bit high…" Just a bit? He trying to say I sound like a man? Though…I guess I understand why he's so bitter now. With that my inner strength increases.

"…Spending all my time with clients, missing anniversaries and birthdays…I wonder if they felt the same way I did, as I waited for you earlier…"

"Who is this "they"?"

"My wife and son…It's been four years since they left…" Oh…OH. Now it all makes sense. "I used to stay out past midnight; and when I got home, my wife and I would get into a big argument…now when I go home, I don't know what to do with myself, so I just come here and drink every night." How…lonely.

"Why don't you go see them?" He obviously wants to.

"O-Of course not! They left me! Didn't ya hear a word I said!" He glares at me. …Why is everyone so damn bitchy lately? Does the fall come with a side effect of everyone bitch at Minako or something? "Besides…even if I go see 'em, what would I say to 'em…?" he looks down at that. "…She hasn't' called me or sent me a letter since then. She must've gotten over me. Who knows where they are…or if they even wanna see me…" I fall silent. "Aw, forget it. It's too much of a hassle anyway. Alright, kid, let's get outta here."

"Let's?"

"Yeah. I'm leaving too. I've drunk way to much tonight."

"Can you walk on your own?"

He glares at me and I raise my hands defensively. "Hey I was just asking!"

The two of us walk outside Paulownia Mall before parting ways. As soon as I get to the dorm I beeline for bed and climb in.

1/10/10

It's Sunday and once again I'm utterly exhausted. I sleep for the rest of the day. I wake up in the evening feeling great so I trudge downstairs.

"You were in your room all along?" Aeon looks concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Uh…was just a little tired. I'm fine now though. We're going to Tartarus."

Another night of training and we beat another of the stronger Shadows. Just two more. This time my party's Aeon, Ken and Junpei. The others are still tired. Again we train until the Dark Hour is over. Thor has produced a pair of Lightening Gloves which negate electricity attacks. I give them to Aeon.

1/11/10

Urgh. My whole body is sore. I turn around and go right back to sleep. I wake up sometime at night and go out to Paulownia Mall. I first head to the Paulownia Mall and sell off all the scrap equipment.

Officer Kurosawa looks down at the heap of weapons I lay on the counter and looks me over. "You don't look so good kid. Rest more."

I look up and nod quickly. …Though. I still have to go to Tartarus tomorrow.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Hello!" Ken greets me when I walk in. "Today is Coming of Age Day. I don't want my life to end before I become an adult."

I nod. "We'll…go to Tartarus tomorrow." I take a few steps forward when Aeon catches me.

"Are you sure that's the wisest thing to do? In your condition…" I shake my head. "I'm….fine Aeon." He frowns and picks me up.

"What the-! Put me down!"

"I wouldn't have to carry you if you took care of yourself."

Ugh. Even struggling like this is tiring me out. With a sigh I simply wrap my arms around his neck so I don't fall. "Fine. Just hurry up. This is mortifying enough as is." Aeon nods curtly and takes me upstairs. He places me in my bed gently and looks around.

"Aeon? You can go now."

Aeon shakes his head. "I'm going to stay here until you fall asleep."

Huh. Doesn't even bother to ask anymore does he? I'm still fully dressed but I'm so tired I don't care. I manage to kick of my shoes before turning on my side and falling asleep.

Right before I fall asleep though I hear a soft sigh. Hm? Aeon I try to open my eyes to see his expression but my eyelids are just to heavy…

1/12/10

Gekkoukan High School, Front Gate…

I spot the two girls from before gossiping in front of me.

"Lately, even the late-night comedy shows have been talking about the end of the world…It feels creepy." How utterly depressing. Don't people watch comedy shows to get away from news like that?

"Are you still talking about that? By the way…I wanted to show you this magazine that hit the stands today."

"Magazine…? Don't tell me it's about cults."

"Well, just read it for yourself. You'll see how true it really is."

With that the bell rings. Magazine though? Hm…

At lunch Mitsuru approaches me. "Well, since you're here. I'd like to ask you if you're free after school."

"Uh…I think so."

"…I see." …there's a pregnant pause. "Well, I'd like for you to come with me somewhere. That is, if you're available. …Just let me know." with that she walks off.

…way too awkward.

I end up sleeping in class though. I feel a lot better but…well I'm pretty sure my grades won't be thanking me.

After class Mitsuru and I end up going to the movie theater.

Port Island Station, movie theater…

The two of us ended up watching some movie about some guy's journey of self-discovery. …It wasn't as bad as it sounded though.

"Well, I never imagined the popcorn you eat while viewing a movie could taste so good." considering you ate most of mine it must've been. I try to squash the bitterness down. I had gotten it with extra butter and everything. "…Before I knew it, I'd eaten your half, too. I apologize…" she blushes a little.

"It's fine. I need to get some real food anyways." I wonder if I should cook tonight? …We're going to Tartarus so…maybe not.

She nods. "Watching movies on your own whim is so relaxing. …You can have "bored" written all over your face without having to consider the feelings of others." Not considering the feelings of others? What does she watch the movies with the producers or something?

"What's it usually like?"

"I am often invited to premieres." Oh. That figures. "Naturally, having to express your opinion to the director and actors comes with admission…" she has a dry smile on her face. "I don't think I would normally have this type of conversation…you are the type of girl who wouldn't feel uncomfortable watching a movie by herself, are you?" she smiles a bit at this. No. I wouldn't mind. But it's still nicer to go with someone else. "You may be more suited to ride a motorcycle than me…"

Motorcycle- Oh wait…I remember. At the beginning of the school year that's what she was using as our backup.

"You're giving up riding?"

"…That's not what I meant. But, I really don't have any time to ride it…I just imagine myself riding to some far-off destination without telling anyone…It's fun to think about." another dry smile.

"You mind if I ride with you someday?"

She chuckles again. "Of course. With you, anywhere would be fun. Thank you, I feel much better." She smiles serenely as she nods. And with that I feel my inner strength increase. "If you don't have any objections…I'd like to stay here with you for a little while longer."

"So let's see another movie. Hm? Oh there's a new horror movie out!"

Mitsuru blanches at that. Huh? You've gots to be kidding. She's scared of horror movies?

"Uh…is there really nothing else?" I'm tempted to say no and shove her into the theater but we'll be going to Tartarus tonight. The last thing I need is her jumping.

"Well…there's some new comedy. We might as well watch that."

"Alright then."

Damn it…I'm going to have to come back here later and watch the movie by myself…then again…the DVD should be out soon.

Afterwards we return to the dorm.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Hm? Junpei and Aeon are the only ones here?

"Oh, there you two are." he grins at Mitsuru and I. "We're all going to Hagakure, wanna come?"

"Sure."

"Wow, that was easy."

"You think I'm going to turn down free food? I assume you're paying."

Junpei sighs at that while Aeon looks smug. "Yeah I have to pay. Granted Akihiko's paying half so…" he shoots a good natured glare at Aeon. "The three of us had a little bet at Yakushima. I can't really go into details but in the end, Aeon's the one who won."

"You mean operation babe hunt?" I grin while I say this and Mitsuru just looks baffled.

"Babe hunt?"

"Let's just go!" with that Junpei grabs my arm and drags me to Hagakure.

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Hagakure Ramen…

Akihiko and Yukari are already here.

"Is the special okay for everyone?" Yukari asks as soon as we get settled.

"Sure. I don't care."

"Okay, five specials, please!"

"This is pretty cool. I don't think Junpei's ever treated everyone to ramen before."

"Yeah yeah." Junpei sighs. "Even if Aeon cheated."

"Not this again." Aeon shakes his head. "You never said that SEES members were excluded."

"It was implied!"

Aeon smirks. "And how pray tell was it "implied!"?" his mimic of Junpei's voice is practically perfect.

"It just was dude!"

"No. It wasn't."

"Oh good grief. Can we just eat already? I'll pay for the meal if it'll get you lot to shut up." I dig into the now delivered noodles.

"No, Minako. Junpei made a bet and needs to keep up his end of the bargain."

"Still. I don't see why I have to treat everyone." he grumbles. "Only Aeon and Akihiko actually counted…"

"You never implied that either." Aeon smirks.

"Oh shuddup." Junpei mutters.

Suddenly Aeon's grin disappears and he picks up some magazine. "…this…"

"Hm?" Junpei turns to him. "What is it?"

"This magazine…there's an article in this that…well maybe you should just read it."

"Which magazine?" Yukari turns to him.

"It's the one in my hands…I…here it is: "Emergence of a Messiah: The Charismatic One Speaks."."

"Let me see that." without another word Aeon hands the paper over to Akihiko.

"It must be about that doomsday cult. They're all over the Internet, too." Junpei shakes his head in exasperation.

Akihiko gasps as he reads it. "Hey, look at the photo in this! Check out the so-called "Messiah"…!"

Hm?

"Wh-what the?" Junpei leans over Akihiko's shoulder and his jaw drops. …now I'm curious. I walk over and look over Akihiko's other shoulder. What the- Takaya? "I-Is that Takaya?" Ew. I don't know why he's grinning with that with that greasy skin and yellow nasty teeth of his. Fucking creep.

"…I thought something was up. So, Strega's behind that cult…" Fantastic just what we needed. "Tch, I've lost my appetite." with a look of disgust Akihiko gives the magazine back to Aeon. I snatch it out of Aeon's hand and begin reading aloud.

"Listen to this… "Mankind is currently imprisoned by the sins of hate and anger. But soon, a savior will descend upon this world to break the chains that bind us, and lift us to new heights. This great being is Nyx. I have beheld her glory, and she has blessed me with power beyond belief." Since the hell when did we get our powers for Nyx? " "In Nyx there is no pain…no suffering…" I frown as I finish. Of course there is no pain or suffering. There's no joy or hope either we all just become a void.

"How the hell does he know about Nyx?" That's what I'm wondering. …There's no way Ryoji would have told them. …So were they eavesdropping or…did they know from the beginning? Neither option is particularly pleasant.

"Wait, he's saying that Nyx will save the world? That's not true!" Yukari's eye twitches. No shit Yukari. He's obviously lying to get attention.

"I don't think he really means what he's saying. This is all just a game to him." Akihiko places his chopsticks down with a disgusted sigh. Urgh. My appetite's vanished too.

"That son of a bitch…" Junpei snarls.

Hm…? There's more. I flip the page and continue reading. " "But, there are those who do not understand this truth, even though they have also been blessed by her." …wait…is he talking about us? And "blessed?" my fucking ass! "…"They have acquired the same power as I:" weren't the ones blabbering about how our powers were different? "…"yet they abuse it, using it for their own personal gain."…right. That's totally not what you're trying to do yourself Takaya. "It goes on: "These miscreants are the ones to blame for the recent tragedies that have been plaguing our streets."." …urgh. I throw the newspaper down in disgust. "I can't read that bull anymore." Aeon picks it up then.

"Wait, is he talking about us?" Junpei practically yells.

"Shh! Not so loud!" Yukari looks around to see if anyone is looking at us.

"Oh, sorry. Hey, what's up with them calling him the "charismatic one"? How'd he get so popular all of a sudden?"

"Well, Jin's pretty well-known on the internet…" Akihiko sighs. "He's probably pretty good at stirring up trouble." …great.

"Yeah, I bet he orchestrated Takaya's rise to fame…" Yukari adds. I guess he would have to because Takaya's looks certainly wouldn't have gotten very far. "Ugh, those two make me sick." Truer words have never been spoken.

Aeon flips the page. "Brothers and sisters, I shall go forth to make preparations for Nyx's arrival…But, do not fear those evildoers who desecrate their gifts. Nyx shall right their wrongs. May your hearts be filled with peace as you await your salvation. Blessed are those who take joy in the coming of Nyx. The revolution is here!" Seriously? What cheese.

" "Revolution"? People can't seriously be buying this crap, can they?" Ah. Junpei you read my mind.

Aeon continues. "Most people who have changed the course of history are often regarded as highly charismatic."…"…That's where the article ends. It seems that after the interview the two of them vanished again."

"Well, there's only one place they could've gone-Tartarus." So we could run into them while training? Great. AT least I can kick they're pathetic asses again! "They must've been planning this all along."

"It seems that Takaya's words have made the mood of the entire city change. Even though most won't admit it they all seem to be afraid." Well no shit. Very few people aren't afraid of death.

"Yeah…" Yukari looks troubled. "I mean, why else would people believe this nonsense Takaya's preaching?"

"I guess people just need something to believe in." Akihiko… still…believing death is salvation?

"Well, no wonder there's a sense of doom in the air…we're all gonna die." Junpei sighs as he says this.

"Though…why is that surprising?" Aeon gives Junpei a confused look. "The fact that everyone is going to die one day has nothing to do with Nyx. Death is a part of life. Surely all humans know this?"

"I guess…" again…Yukari doesn't seem to feel any better.

"To tell you the truth. I never even would've thought about my own death if none of this had happened…" Junpei looks thoughtful as he speaks. Though I had thought about my death briefly while meeting Akinari it didn't really hit me until Ryoji's choice. "But since we've made up our minds." He grins slightly. "why don't we just leave it at that? Our objective is Nyx. If Strega gets in our way, we'll just have to deal with them too." I'll take great pleasure in that.

"I agree." Akihiko nods. "We'll probably run into them at Tartarus anyways…" I just hope we're not exhausted when it happens. "However you look at it, we're the obstacle standing in their way."

"The promised day will soon be here…" Yukari looks troubled and I grin at her.

"Bring it on! We'll have no trouble." with that my appetite returns and I grab my chopsticks.

Akihiko laughs. "As fearless as ever."

"Alright, and if that's the case, then we're gonna need lots of energy! Now. Can I get two more Hagakure Bowls!" I wave the chef over. Junpei's jaw drops.

"You can't be serious!"

"I'm hungry." I say simply and down the bowl I have quickly.

"Actually. May I have one as well?" Aeon smiles cheerfully at the cook.

"What the? Oh come on! You don't even need to eat!"

Aeon frowns. "But I am…as they say ravenous?"

"Bullshit!"

The bowls are delivered then and Junpei scowls. "You better eat all of it…"

Aeon picks up his chopsticks and does a cocky half salute with them while Junpei shoots him a heated glare. We eat until close to the dark hour and head straight for Tartarus. We defeat the next boss and train until exhaustion before leaving. Well…at least the enemies are becoming easier to kill.

1/13/10

Urgh. I yawn and force myself to head to school. Aeon approaches me after class and asks if I'll walk back to the dorm with him.

"Before we go to the dorm…do you mind coming with me?"

"Oh. No problem." the only thing I'm going to do when I get to the dorm is sleep anyways.

Gekkoukan High School, Rooftop…

Aeon looks out towards the town with a contemplative expression on his face. "It's strange…"

"What's strange?"

"I find myself enjoying the view." He leans forward on the balcony looking towards the town with a strange smile on his face. "Before I wouldn't have cared about it beyond it's tactical value yet now…"

"You say that as if it's a bad thing." I lean forward on the railing and look over at the town. The sea is beautiful right now.

"I…suppose it isn't." He turns thoughtful for a moment. "Minako…do…"

"Hm?"

He looks troubled before shaking his head. "I…apologize. It was nothing of importance."

Nothing of importance?

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…Hi, how was your day?" Fuuka greets me when I walk in. "It's already the middle of January. Since today is the 13th, we only have 18 more days. Let's go to Tartarus tonight," Oh hell no. "Even though I might be overdoing it, I still want to do as much as I can right now…"

"Fuuka. Half of us are utterly exhausted. We'll go to Tartarus tomorrow." Not to mention I add snidely in my mind I don't see you getting your ass kicked every other day. As soon as I think it I feel guilty. She is doing everything she can…I shouldn't be so angry at her.

"Oh…I see." she looks away from me and I feel even more like a douche bag.

I sigh running a hand thorough my hair. "I'm…sorry for being short Fuuka. It's just…I'm really tired so I'm going to head straight to bed." she nods in understanding and I go upstairs.

1/14/10

Gekkoukan High School, Front Gate…

"I got a flyer at Paulownia Mall when I went last time. It's the same one that's plastered all over the city."

"The one with the NYX logo?"

"Oh, so that's how it's pronounced…I just like the logo's design. The stuff written here is kinda interesting, too. Maybe I should ask them about it next time…"

Listening to these two is damn depressing. Fortunately the bell rings so they hurry on to class.

Mitsuru approaches me at lunch again so I go to see her.

Gekkoukan High School, Near Faculty Room…

"I see. I need to do a little more research." I try not to groan. Again? "You wouldn't mind coming with me would you?"

"Uh…sure. Let's go." Hm? Oh my hairpin. I adjust it in my hair it feels cool to the touch, fixing it I head to the library with Mitsuru.

Gekkoukan High School, Library…

And yet more books. Why the hell are all of them so damn big?

Mitsuru is still looking through bookshelves.

"What are you researching?"

"…Hm? Oh, sorry. I was in a daze…" Wow. That's rare. She falls silent for a moment. "My mind was wandering. That's been happening quite often as of late. …It's a bad habit of mine. I should be more conscious of it." she's awfully depressed. I walk over to her and she looks forlornly down at the bookshelf. "Well, to be frank, the Group is in turmoil over the inheritance issue." Huh? I thought she was the only heir? "To be honest, I'm having difficulty understanding the expectations of the other members. But, I'm the daughter of the head of the Group. I'm expected to lead the company…even if that requires me to sacrifice something to do it." Sacrifice? What's she talking about?

"What do you mean?"

She looks away from me again. "A "fiancé" has been chosen for me." That…sucks. An arranged marriage? Not that I knock people who choose that willing but still…isn't Mitsuru a little young? "He's the new president of one of our affiliates, and he's much older than me." Ick. So it's an old guy too? And with Mitsuru's luck he'll either be ugly or a jerk. Or maybe both if her luck really sucks. "But, if I agree to the marriage, the future of the company will be secured. He's planning to announce the partnership and our engagement at the same time. Doing so will give the appearance that the company is stabilizing. It's the best solution for everyone involved." …and what you're not a part of this "everyone"?

"…this for real?"

She nods. "…It is all true. It's all…real." she looks so down at that. "It has been decided for a long time, but it's going to take place sooner than originally planned. Personally, I'm fine with it…" Yeah right. That's why you're looking like a lost puppy. "My parents chose the same path. So, I won't run from my destiny."

"You really should reconsider at least." Surely there's something else she can do.

She simply chuckles. "If I reconsider and decline the engagement, then what will I do? Leave everything behind and go on a journey of self discovery…?" she falls silent. "Wherever I run, the road will lead to regret." she gives me a small forced smile and I feel my inner strength increase.

"Arisato…. Why was I born a woman…?" Eh? I don't know. "I have put forth many times more effort than others so that no one could look down on me because of my sex…" well that explains her flipping at on Junpei when he complained about me being a girl… "And yet…what has that brought me? In the end, I cannot escape from the fact that I am a woman. Marriage to a near complete stranger, having my name and group stripped from me," wait she'll have to take his name and give him the group? …Would her father really have wanted this for her? As gruff as he seemed…he seemed to have a soft spot for Mitsuru…or maybe that was my own projections of how a father should me… "expected to conceive an heir…" she has the half the old guy's kids too? How much older than her is he? Looking at Mitsuru's sad expression that might not be the most tact thing to bring up. "Through marriage, the Kirijo Group will prosper…because I am a woman. Where in there, however, am "I" needed?" Mitsuru falls silent again as do I. …what can I say? I never had those responsibilities forced on me. …and other than Junpei's comments I never was treated as inferior because I was a female…not that I can recall anyone. "I apologize…It's not something I should be burdening you with…you too, work hard as our leader…"

"It's fine Mitsuru." She doesn't need to beat herself over that too.

"Thank you…but I was the one who chose you…I forced the position on you…so that you could prove to me that there is no difference between me or women…" But… "Excuse me…I am leaving now." with that she practically flees from the library. With a frown I headed back home.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…Hello!" Ken greets me when I walk in. "Can…you come with me?"

"Hm? Sure." Ken nods happily and leads me to Naganaki Shrine.

Naganaki Shrine…

"I love the air here. It's nice and cool in the morning, and in the afternoon the sun's bright and it smells like nature…but I especially like it at night. It's quite…it makes me feel like I can be true to my own feelings." he smiles peacefully at this. "I had some homework a while back. We were supposed to write an essay about our dreams for the future. I couldn't think of anything to write about, though…" he looks down obviously troubled. Seeing as the kid knows that we might not even have a future I don't blame him. "The teacher got angry and made me stay after class, but I still couldn't come up with anything. I really couldn't think of a single thing I dreamed of…but my teacher said that I had to turn it in right then, so I wrote that I wanted to be a soccer player. …Because that's what the guy next to me wrote." Ken… He climbs the jungle gym and sits on the highest bars. "Come up here, Minako-san." Huh? "The sky's a little closer up here…" Oh. Saying nothing I climb the bars and sit next to him.

"…I figured out why I couldn't say anything about what my dreams for the future are. It's probably because I've never thought about myself like that. I…didn't care about the future." How…sad. "But you made me realize that, you didn't treat me like a silly kid or take pity on me…you listened to what I had to say. I don't simply wish to become an adult anymore. It all depends…on how I become one."

"There's no rush Ken."

Ken nods. "Yes, I need to go at my own pace…right?" He gives me another small smile. "If you can stay by my side and watch over me, I'll be happy…" aw. Is he blushing?

"I can do that Ken. I'll watch over you as long as you need me too."

"Thank you…Minako-san…" I really wish he wouldn't call me that. "If you don't mind, can we visit the shrine before we head back? I want to pray for everyone's safety. …You're all important to me after all."

"Sure Ken." I jump down off the jungle gym and Ken climbs down. We pray at the shrine before heading back to the dorm. We head back to Tartarus and defeat the last Shadow and manage to reach the top. My bonds with the others have reached their maximum and I manage to unlock Messiah…now if only I knew how to create him.

1/15/10

Early in the morning my cell phone rings. …You've gots to be kidding. Now? NOW? I yawn in exhaustion. Urgh.

"Good morning. This is Theodore. There is a human-2 of them, I think-wandering around Tartarus. Please carry out a search and rescue. Goodbye, now." with that he hangs up. Bah.

Yukari approaches me at lunch offering for me to hang out with her. I agree and end up sleeping the rest of the day in class. I'll need my strength for our excursion throughout Tartarus.

Paulownia Mall Chagall Café…

Yukari and I order some coffee and sit down to drink.

"I wonder if this Pheromone Coffee has some kind of effect on people." It does. I should know. "I've been drinking it lately, and people have been saying that I've gotten cuter lately. I mean, "tell me more," right?" she laughs. She takes a sip before looking up at me with a small blush. Hm?

"Something wrong?"

She shakes her head. "I-I'm thinking about looking for a boyfriend." …seriously?

"Good luck with that." I say dryly. Then again maybe she'll have better luck than I did. Of the two boyfriends I had one's dead and the other…might prefer to be. I sigh inwardly.

"Hey, that's mean! Why'd you have to say it like that? I know that if I put my mind to it, I'll find one in no time!" …right Yukari. Did she just stick her tongue out at me? I do the same before realizing how childish we must look to the other customers.

We nibble on our food in silence for a while before I look up. "I was just kidding Yukari. I'm sure you can find someone." I feel a slightly bitter smile on my lips. "Just be sure to treasure the time you had with them is all."

Yukari looks down at her cup of pheromone coffee. "I've been thinking a bit. Finding someone to care for, and loving them with everything I've got…and even if I do lose that person someday, I want to be able to cherish that sadness, too. No, I really want to really cherish being with them to the point that I won't even have time to feel sad when they're gone…" I play with the napkin at the table as I listen to her. "I mean, no matter how sad I'll be, my memories of being with them will never disappear. It doesn't suddenly make the happiness I felt with them a lie…" I smile slightly at that.

"No it doesn't."

"Oh…yeah." she looks even more embarrassed now. "I swore that I'd never get married, but I'm surprised at how my mind's been changed so suddenly. I didn't think it was possible to change that much…I…like the new me." You scream it enough in battle so you better! Despite that thought however I feel a certain affection for her. "Th-Thanks. I think it's because of you…"

I sip the coffee as I feel my inner strength increase.

"I've been invited to a group date, so I wonder if I should go…I've always declined these offers before, so it feels kind of awkward to suddenly say yes now…Hmm…but what do you do on a group date…? …Oh, wanna come with me? I'll feel more reassured." A group date? Uh…no my black widow syndrome might kick in. "…Wait, never mind. Akihiko-senpai will definitely get mad at me."

"Huh?" What does Akihiko have to do with anything?

"Uh…." my eyes narrow as she looks rather alarmed. What the hell was that slip supposed to mean? "Hey we should get going."

"Wait a minute! Get back here!" Yukari throws her half on the table and runs. Damn it! She is not getting away with that! "GET BACK HERE!"

She's out the door and I scowl grabbing my wallet and taking out the money quickly. By the time I'm out the door she's vanished. "Just like the fucking wind." with a low mutter I head back to the dorm.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Not too surprisingly Fuuka informs me that Yukari's "busy". Yeah. Busy my ass. I look over at Akihiko who as usual is eating some beef bowl. What the hell kind of stunt was Yukari trying to pull?

"Hello." Aeon greets me when I run into the dorm. "We should go to Tartarus tonight. Ever since I was at the lab, I've been so confused…but, I'm not confused anymore. I want to fight…with you…with everyone."

"Aeon?"

"I want…to make sure that you're safe. I desire…to be with you. Even though…I'm not completely human." He smiles sadly at me as he says this. Oddly enough I feel stronger inside as a result.

"Alright then! We're going." we end up going to Tartarus but run into the Reaper. It takes a lot out of us but we somehow managed to win. Yay. I'm not as bone achingly exhausted as I usually am but…oh wait. Theo was giving a five million yen reward for the reaper's bloody button right? Whoot!

First person was on the 222nd floor. The second was on the 244th floor. At least when we leave I don't feel as exhausted as I normally do.

1/16/10

After school Aeon approaches me and asks if I'll walk back to the dorm with him.

"Sure. Let's go."

He nods a strangely contemplative expression on his face. "I find myself…feeling envious…of other humans…like Akihiko and Junpei."

"Hm?" I turn to him and he's looking at the ground. "Why?"

"Because…they have flesh." with this he looks at his own mechanical hand. "Their skin is warm and soft while mine…mine is cold and hard." he lets his arm fall back to his side. "No matter how much I feel like a human inside…my body will always be that of a machine…"

"Aeon…I reach forward and grab the hand he's right, it is cold and mechanical but… "I think you're fine the way you are Aeon. After all there's things only you can do right?"

Aeon's eyes lock onto my own and I feel as though he's searching for some sort of answer…but to what I don't understand. "Things…only I can do…" he mutters. "Yes…I have several things I can do that a human being would be unable to fulfill."

I smile at him. "See? Let's go." an odd conversation but I don't blame Aeon for questioning his own humanity…even if I no longer doubt it. He's a human inside if no where else.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Aeon gives me a small grateful smile before heading upstairs I suppose to his room.

"…Oh, hey. Um…did you know that Mitsuru-senpai and Akihiko-senpai went to take their entrance exams today?" Yukari looks over at Mitsuru obviously impressed. Hm? No I didn't know…though that explains why I didn't see them around today. "I can't believe they can concentrate with all that's going on."

"It's no big deal. I'm not going to give up." Akihiko is as usual eating a beef bowl.

"I suppose we are going against fate…" Mitsuru has a peaceful smile on her face. "But, I want to do as much as I can right now. …I don't want to give up on the future."

"By the way, if you're going to Tartarus tonight, I'll go with you. There are two more weeks until the last battle. I can't forget that because of an exam." he shoots me a grin.

"W-wow…that makes me wanna do my best too…" Yukari looks up at me.

"I guess…we can go again today." I'll regret this tomorrow morning but oh what the hell. "I'll be a little late though." Its not too late so I can probably go see Mutatsu.

Paulownia Mall, Club Escapade…

"Hey…" Mutatsu looks up at me as I enter. "Look…I'm sorry about, you know…" your drunkenness? Or the fact that you thought I was a man? I arch a brow, still standing. "…Let's just forget about it, alright?" I look at him blankly. Forget about it huh? He must really miss his family. …I wonder how that feels. I don't miss my aunt…and frankly I doubt she misses me. …But…I always feel like I'm forgetting something, someone important…back then…it wasn't just me and my aunt…but…my head starts to hurt so I shake it. Every time I think about that the pain starts. I should just leave it alone. …some things are better left forgotten and all that. "Anyway, I'm sober today…so just sit down and listen to what this old monk has to say." I take a seat next to him. "All I gotta do is look all serious and recite the sutras, and I can make easy money…at least, that's what I thought. So I begged to take over my parents' temple. But, every day is the anniversary of someone's death! I'm workin' 24/7, as if my temple was a convenience store…"

"Poor me know no leisure…" I sing song. He just grins.

"…That's only half true, kid. Sure, I've got no time for leisure, but I'm definitely not poor." he looks pleased at the fact. "It varies, of course, but an offering can sometimes be as much as a salary man's year-end bonus." seriously? Then again considering I currently have 3 million yen from climbing a tower of demise so… "…But, as you can see, I'm too busy." he sighs heavily. "I gotta push this old body of mine to the limit. Maybe I should think of somethin' else to do with my life. I can't keep this up for much longer…I've been drinkin' too much lately…makin' a fool of myself like I did the other day." he sighs at that.

"You should retire."

"Yeah, maybe you're right. A person should know when enough's enough." he forces a small smile. "…Oh, how about this…we never filled for divorce," we? "and since I own the temple, we could all live there. I think it's a pretty good idea. I could retire and enjoy life for once. Whaddya think?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, um…well…" he's embarrassed? "I'm thinking about asking them to come back…you know, my wife…and my son. First, I gotta find out where they are. I'll hire a detective. I don't care how much it costs. And when I see 'em, first thing I'm gonna do is tell 'em I'm sorry…from the bottom of my heart. I'm gonna be concentratin' on this, so…I probably won't be seein' ya anytime soon…plus, being with a rebel like you might get me put behind bars one day." he smirks at that. …Did he just call me jailbait? "So…g-good riddance!" Despite his words his tone is more fond than anything. I feel my inner strength increase as a result. "If I knew I was gonna end up this way, I never woulda become a monk…heh…oh well, I guess I'll go to a detective agency tomorrow…alright, let's get going, kid." '

I stand and Mutatsu and I leave the club together before going our separate ways.

With that I head to Tartarus.

Tartarus…

Huh?

"What's that door?" Junpei looks over at a giant door to the right.

So…everyone can see it then.

"I…don't know. Yamagishi?"

Fuuka summons Juno. "I can sense several immensely powerful Shadows behind that door…but…that's all I can see."

"Powerful Shadows huh? It'll be good training for Nyx." Trust Akihiko to bring that up.

"Do…you think it's safe though?" Yukari looks at the door in concern.

"…It is a part of Tartarus. So I should be able to use Juno's ability to bring you back here in case something bad should happen."

I frown and everyone looks at me. Oh great. "Uh…let's all go in. With the exception of Fuuka."

"All of us?"

"Better safe than sorry." I mutter. "Fuuka do you think you'll be able to get all of us out?"

She nods. "It shouldn't be a problem."

"Alrighty then. It's probably best if we decide on two teams. I'll be the leader on one team, and Mitsuru the other." Junpei looks a bit crestfallen at that but doesn't say anything.

Everyone seems to be feeling pretty good today so…

"Akihiko, Aeon, Ken. You guys come with me. Mitsuru you take Yukari, Junpei and Koromaru."

"Understood."

"Well…" I turn to face the door. "Here we go."

When we open the door it doesn't look like anything special. It appears to be a labyrinth like normal Tartarus is.

1/17/10

…It is way too early for someone to be knocking.

I get up and open the door and there's Yukari looking cheerful as ever. The urge to slam the door in her face comes up but I just look at her.

"Can we talk? Later, do you mind coming to my room?" Why is she blushing?

"Sure."

Nodding cheerfully she walks off.

…Okay then.

Dorm, Yukari's Room…

"Hehe, my room's cleaner than you thought, huh?" I look around it is pretty clean. She practically bounces where she's sitting. "Oh, right…if you see any CDs or DVDs you're interested in, feel free to borrow them. Hm…I don't think I've ever asked you this before. What kind of music do you like to listen to?" Huh? I could have sworn I told her this already. "Uh…I mainly listen to foreign music." well…it wasn't foreign when I was there but…

"Ooh, that's kinda cool. I don't have a lot of that here…can I borrow some from you?"

"Sure. Most of its in English though…"

"I don't care. I'll listen to anything with a good beat." I stretch out on the floor.

"Oh, so have you heard about all what happened with -" she goes on and on about some girl and guy I don't mean to but I end up tuning her out.

"Oh, yeah…I wanted to give you something…" that caught my attention. A gift? "This is for you…" I give her a dubious look. "No., it's not for the gift you gave me on Christmas but…I wanted you to have it." Is this…? A phone strap?

"You know what it is, right? It's the strap from my cell phone. I got it at the opening ceremony for the Moonlight Bridge. It's been my special keepsake for many years…ever since my dad bought it for me." Her dad got her this? "…I used to talk to the toy figurine attached to it when I was here in my room." eh…what? I guess it must show on my face because Yukari giggles. "You must think I'm nuts, huh? But, as time passed…I stopped talking to it. I figured out why…the reason why I talked to my "little friend"," great now she has me thinking about the godfather. "was because I wanted something to hang onto. I figured out…that I was just trying to run away into the happy memories I had. I started feeling bad about that. I felt like I was using it as a tool to act like a damsel in distress." she shoots me a small smile. "That's why I want you to hold on to it…at least until I stop running. …Until I can go proudly to see my mom and the two of us can reminisce about my dad."

Thou art I…

And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Lovers Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Cybele the ultimate form of the Lovers Arcana

And the warmth in my heart grows stronger…

"My dad…huh. …I wonder if I'll ever get married one day and become a mom myself."

"I doubt it." I add dryly.

"Hey! Come on, can't you find a better way to say that? Geez, I can't believe you said that." despite her words she's smiling and laughing. "Still, I think I'm gonna hold off on trying to score a boyfriend for a while. There isn't anybody who catches my attention. Besides, it's more fun hanging out with you! Girl talk's always more fun, too!" for you that is. "Come on, let's talk all night!" …Damn it. The rest of the afternoon is spent with Yukari telling me all the gossip in school and me half listening. She talks about mindless things but I can't help but relax, it's nice to not think about the looming threat of death over our heads once in a while.

"Oh…it's pretty late huh?" Yukari looks at her clock with a slight frown. "You should probably tell the others if we're not going to Tartarus tonight. I know Junpei won't go to sleep unless you say something."

A quick nod and I headed out the door.

"Minako."

Hm? I turned around and there's Aeon. He still looks a bit lost but at the same time he's looks like he's discovered something.

"Hey Aeon." In the silence in the hall my voice has a creepier quality. Aeon does nothing but stare at me for the longest time. "Is…something wrong?"

"…it is inevitable that one day…I shall be alone." What is he talking about? "And yet…I…" he falls silent giving me a pleading look. I want to help him…but how can I when I don't know what's wrong? "I…am sorry." he turns and runs off and I feel my inner strength increase.

…What is up with that?

After informing everyone that there was no Tartarus tonight I headed straight for bed.

1/18/10

Akihiko invited me to train with him again today so I went ahead.

"Damn…this isn't really a good place to have a serious conversation." Hm?

"You wanna go someplace else?"

He shakes his head. "I…wanted to give you this." Hm? It's a…rabbit doll? "Don't you think it looks like you?" …Uh…no. "What's with that face?" he chuckles. "It looks just like you…" I humph and sit the rabbit down. It is rather cute if I think about it.

"There was a time when…I thought I was just seeing Miki in you." that's not too surprising considering he treated me like his kid sister a good deal of the time. "But when I bought that…I knew then that wasn't the case. Passing by toy stores always made me think of Miki. But I still kept trying to forget her. I didn't want to face what happened…I kept telling myself I was doing everything I could…" he gives the doll a fond smile. "Then I saw that in the store, your face was the first thing that popped into my mind. And then I thought about Miki…I thought about her smiling." he turns to me. "If it hadn't been for you, I might never have gotten over it. I would've just pretended that I did. I wonder how things would've gone if you hadn't come here…you're the reason why we were able to become a united group." …really? "We've overcome so many things together…and I'm sure that there will be more things we'll be together for in the future. But, no matter what lies ahead, we'll be all right. We're friends, and we share our fates. I hope that we'll be able to work together…all of us." he laughs gently and I feel that familiar warmth in my heart.

Thou art I

And I am thou

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Star Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Helel the ultimate form of the Star Arcana.

"Tell me if you're ever going through a rough time, okay? You seem like the type who'll try to carry a heavy burden in silence…remember though. You've got me…and your friends. If you ever need our help, I'll be there. Speaking of which…you gonna eat those noodles?" He attempts to move closer to them when I swat his hand. "ow! …I was just kidding!"

"Yeah. Whatever Akihiko." I happily slurp my noodles and the two of us spend the rest of the night in companionable silence.

"Hey…Minako."

I look up for finishing my noodles and Akihiko looks contemplative.

"Hm?"

"Oh…it's nothing." he looks away with a slight blush. "We…should go. It'll be that time soon."

A quick nod and we left after paying for our meals.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Koromaru barks excitedly as we enter the dorm.

"He's saying that he wants to go to Tartarus tonight." Aeon smiles at this as he looks at Koromaru.

"Koro-chan…" Fuuka pets Koromaru behind the ears.

"You really are our ally…" Yukari pets him too.

At Tartarus we train in the weird door some more…and get our asses handed to us. The Shadows there are incredibly strong…but I feel my reflexes improving.

1/19/10

Mitsuru approaches me at lunch with a strange expression on her face. "Arisato…"

"Hm? Is something wrong Mitsuru?"

"No…it's…could you see me after school?"

"Sure." …she doesn't look too great.

The two of us go to Duck

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Duck Duck Burger…

"I think I've acquired a taste for fast food." Mitsuru looks up from her finished meal. I'm still eating some burgers. She looks around the store. "The world is much bigger than I thought. Rather…my world was much too small. From my point of view, your world is so brilliant…"

"Really? I never thought it was anything special. I was kind of jealous of you at first to be honest." Smart, good looking, rich. What's not to be jealous off? Mitsuru chuckles.

"I suppose the phrase "the grass is always greener on the other side" comes to play no? But…" she looks somewhat sad at this. "You have no reason to be jealous of me…" Hm? "If anyone is…" she trails off looking at her food.

"Mitsuru?" She looks really strange.

"When I'm with you, I discover so many new things about myself. Laughter, anxiety…It's quite an education. …If only it could go on forever." she sounds sad as she speaks. Is something wrong? "…Arisato." She looks up at me uncertainty in her eyes. "When you're with me…what do you think?" she blushes embarrassed over what she just asked.

"It's fun."

"I-I see…I'm glad to hear that." she looks glad she has a smile on her face. "These days spent with you will no doubt be treasured…I'll keep them near to my heart…" with her words I feel my inner strength increase.

What an…odd thing to say. "I'll treasure them as well…"

We finish our meal before heading back to the dorm.

"…The lost…" Mitsuru has a sad look on her face. "They have greatly increased…"

"No worries! They'll all disappear after we defeat Nyx."

"Arisato…" she gives me a small smile. "Yes. We shall prevail."

With that I headed straight for bed.

1/20/10

After school Junpei invites me to go to Hagakure with him. Well, free food is free food.

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Hagakure Ramen…

We eat in relative silence when Junpei leans back with a sigh rubbing his belly. Huh. He's full already? "If we keep eating ramen all the time, we might end up with some extra flab." I look down at my stomach. With all the running we're doing in Tartarus I doubt it. "You'd better start being careful, you know?" What. "You might be fine now, but you don't wanna be a tub in ten years, you know?"

"Shut it Stupei." I snarl. There's nothing wrong with a healthy appetite damn it! And I'm not fat!

"So hostile…" he smirks at this. "This isn't the first time you've thought of it, huh?" …damn him… "Still…man, you ever wonder what we'll be doing in ten years? …I don't really wanna think about it." he sighs. So why bring it up? Though…I have thought of my future a couple of times…nothing major though.

"Well you're screwed so don't worry about it too much." I shrug casually before returning to eating my noodles. …I'm not getting fat.

"Hey…No! C'mon! Are you just getting back at me for what I said earlier?" He laughs before falling completely silent. "Lately, when I do stuff like watch TV or read manga, I can't concentrate…" he fiddles with his chopsticks. "It's like…I dunno…I keep thinking, "Is this how I should be?"." he laughs again. "I wonder if there's anything only I can do…" he mutters.

Something only he can do?

"Your brown-nosing abilities?" Its harsh I know, but still. He said I was gonna be a tub damn it.

"Whoa, that's pretty harsh." he looks down for a second before another grin shows up. "I'd rather say that I'm good at knowing my audience." …right.

"…When I think about Chidori…I keep thinking that I can't waste a day of my life. But, I don't know what to do…I know I have to keep looking forward, but…I guess I'm filled with anxiety." he falls silent for a while before turning to me. "Do you have anything like that? Like, do you ever think about what you can do…?"

"Sometimes."

"I see. I mean…you don't seem like that at all." and what's that supposed to mean? "I guess that's another thing that's amazing about you…" that's enough to pop my anger bubble. I feel my inner strength increase.

"I see…you're not so bad yourself Junpei." I shoot him a grin and he blushes slightly before quickly downing more noodles.

"Oh, um...what were we talking about?" I give him an incredulous look. He laughs awkwardly rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "I guess talking about serious stuff once in a while isn't so bad." No. It's not.

"So…what games have you played lately Junpei." he launches into a list of all the games he's been playing lately.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"S'up dude! Hey man, let's go to Tartarus tonight! Only eleven days left! We gotta do this!" Yeah…eleven more days…

"Alright let's get going."

In Tartarus we once again entered that strange door and fought those powerful Shadow…I feel my abilities increasing at a far greater rate than normal.

1/21/10

I start packing my bags and get read to leave when Junpei practically jumps in front of me. Fortunately I didn't jump but…what the hell!

"Are you on your way home?" Uh…yeah. "Do you have some time? I need someone to help me study…" I stare at him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. Junpei? Study? Yeah right! "I'm serious! I need your help!" hm? He's embarrassed…he's serious? I stop laughing.

"Yeah. I'll help."

"Really? Good let's go to the library."

Gekkoukan High School, Library…

"Man, I'm sorry. I just can't figure this homework out by myself…" he sighs as he looks over math textbooks.

"No problem. Go ahead and ask me something." it's the least I could do after all.

"Awesome! Seriously, I don't even know what I don't know anymore." Oh…damn that's bad. He rubs his temples. "I've been avoiding math ever since I started going here. All this "vector" and "trigonometric ration" stuff sounds like magic to me…" he looks worn out. "Alright, I'm gonna do this today! I'm gonna overcome my fear of math!" he shouts causing several students to outright stare at us.

"Junpei-"

"Just watch me get through this! …and help me out once in a while!" I chuckle as Junpei practically dives at his homework papers on his desk. "So the circle inside triangle ABC where AB equals AC is…"

As he looks over the papers and mumbles occasionally I'm a little surprised that he's actually taking this seriously.

With that the two of us get to work. Thanks to all my time studying I can actually help him out.

"If that's the case, then…the answer is…40! …Huh? Am I done?" I nod. "Whoohoo! I did it! I got through all of it!"

"Shhh!" a librarian glares at him.

"Oh, s-sorry…" Junpei falls silent before laughing.

"Nicely done."

"Whoa, I could get used to hearing that…" Junpei grins. "Hey, thanks. You were a really big help." he looks really cheerful. "I was…thinking about really trying hard for once. I always thought that stuff like math would never help me in the future. But, I noticed that it might be important, even if you never use it. It's like…how do I put it…what matters is how you put your time to use." he laughs. "I don't think I can start lecturing you on how to live your life or anything…I mean, there's nothing wrong with just doing what feels good in the moment…but in the end, it doesn't satisfy me, and it bothers me even more." I'm starting to feel that way myself to be honest. "Yeah…I guess I've just got anxiety or something." He closes the book. "But I think I figured it out recently. I haven't found anything yet, but I get the feeling that I will, someday. …As long as I'm with you and everyone else. I guess…f-friends are important, after all…"

I arch a brow. "Who are you and what have you done with Junpei?"

"J-Just let me be this way for once!" He gives me a warm smile and he's somewhat embarrassed. "You're always doing your best, all the time. It made me want to act like that. I mean, you study, you're in clubs…aren't you in the student council, too?" Yeah. "…I think that's amazing…" …is he praising me? He's been doing that a bit lately hasn't he? Still I feel a bit stronger inside as a result. "So…hm?" He's looking over my shoulder with a frown. "Hey, that guy over there…is he a friend of yours?" Oh…please don't be Hidetoshi over to lecture us for Junpei's big mouth- I turn but. "…Huh? He hid." no one's there. "He was looking your way. Looked like he was hiding something…a camera?" He jumps up at that.

"I'm coming with you." I start up.

"What no! It's dangerous!"

I arch a brow and Junpei sighs. "he got away…uhh…well, I've seen his face, so it's okay. You just leave him to me." what the hell am I some damsel in distress?

"Look. I can settle this myself."

"Uh, you shouldn't…" what the hell is that supposed to mean? "It might give him the wrong idea if you go to him yourself…anyway, let's go home."

"You tryin' to distract me?"

"…We'll go to Duck."

I look at him for a few more moments before sighing in resignation. "Fine. Let's go eat."

"Though…try not to go home by yourself from now on-" He sighs at my thunderous expression. "Just for a little while."

"Whatever. Let's just go." We eat in an awkward silence.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Everyone's in the hall again. "Alright. Let's get going." a quick chorus of nods and we're off.

1/22/10

I walked down to near the clubrooms and there was Akihiko.

"Yo!" I can't help but jump the last few stairs and land in front of him. Today is a great day. I finally came from Tartarus without feeling completely exhausted.

He smiles. "Hey Minako."

"We can go training today right?" Akihiko chuckles at that.

"Sure."

With that the two of us head to the shrine.

Naganaki Shrine…

"Hey…Minako."

Akihiko and I have just finished sparring. I sigh in exhaustion, today was really tiring for some reason…or maybe it's because Akihiko and I have gotten so much stronger lately.

I end up sinking n Akinari's bench and yawning as I look up at the sky.

"Hm? Akihiko?" I turn to him. He's still standing but is giving me that strange look again.

"…" He doesn't say anything. "…I…can't explain this feeling."

"Feeling?"

He sighs heavily. "I…" he trails off again and I frown. What is he talking about…? "Minako…"

"Hm?"

"…" another bout of silence. "…Have you…ever felt that you wanted someone around and yet…at the same time…" A light biting on his lower lip. "…the same time…" he takes a deep breath. "…I…"

"Akihiko?"

"I feel…strange now." He sighs. "I tried to…ignore it…but the strange feeling just gets stronger every day."

"Strange feeling?"

"I feel…as though…" he clenches and unclenches his fist a look of sheer anger and frustration on his face. …I hope he's not angry at me. "I feel angry…and confused…and…and…" he trails off again.

"…Did…did I do something wrong?" Did I?

Akihiko shakes his head. "No…I'm just…confused is all." He looks away from me.

"Akihiko?"

He doesn't say anything for a long moment and the silence is oppressive. I open my mouth to apologize, or say something, anything to break this accursed silence.

"I feel anxious, and frustrated." He speaks slowly as he looks across the shrine. "I want to have you all to myself sometimes. It's selfish…I know, but I can't help wanting it…" He takes another deep breath. "My heartbeat races and my palms get sweaty…It wasn't like this before…" he then turns to me. "I'm sorry, I…" another heavy sigh and he runs his hand through his hair. "Let's…just get going."

"What?"

He stands up quickly. "They'll be missing us soon." He must be joking. You don't unload something like that and then head for the hills.

"…Akihiko…" He shakes his head.

"No…just…let's just go. Please."

I open my mouth to demand an explanation but…

"Do you really believe you have to right to ask me such a thing?"

I fall silent. It wasn't Akihiko…was that Tatsuya? …It sounded like him. But why would I remember Tatsuya saying that of all things? Why now?

"Minako? It's getting late."

"Uh…I have to go somewhere." I'll meet up with Mutatsu maybe his troubles will get my mind of Akihiko for a bit.

"Okay then…" he frowns slightly. "I'll see you at the dorm then." One last pained look and he leaves.

This sucks.

Sighing I head for Paulownia Mall. The club will be open soon.

Paulownia Mall, Club Escapade…

As usual there are several people on the floor dancing and laughing. Mutatsu is sitting above the dance floor as usual but…hm? I don't see any drinks. That's something new. I walk up to him and he looks up at me with a half-grin. "There ya are kid. Siddown."

I take my usual spot next to him and he looks me over with a scrutinizing look.

"…Maybe this is divine guidance. …The detective called me and said he found my wife and son…he said they're runnin' a small restaurant. I guess it's pretty popular. My son's married, and his wife's pregnant…that makes me feel old." You just figuring this out now? " I decided I'd leave after I saw you. So…I'll be goin' tonight. …I won't be back until they've forgiven me. I'll get down on my knees if I halfta." He looks determined as he speaks though I can sense his uncertainty. I hope his family does take him back. "And if my son wants to sock me in the face, well, that's fine too. I-I've been think' about what I'm gonna say to my wife…even though I'm not so good with words…I'm gonna say, "I wanna recite the sutras with you by my side, for the rest of my life."." Geez. And I thought Akihiko was full of cheese. "…Well? How's that sound?"

"Uh…"

"You don't know nothing'! She's gonna burst into tears when she hears that!" he gives me a bright smile. Right. I'm move of a mind that she'll burst into laughter. "Even though I'm a monk, I'm still attached to my family…I guess I'm a "worldly" monk, eh? But, I finally faced the fact that I was drinkin' to hide my true feelings. I feel so free now." I can't help but smile and he scoffs at it. "…Tch, it's all your fault, kid. Lecturing you night after night…made me think about when I used to be a father. Maybe Buddha sent you to help me…I gotta admit, I believe in fate. If I hadn't met you, I'd never have seen my family ever again. I owe ya, kid…" with his thanks I feel a warm feeling in my heart.

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond…

The innermost power of the Tower Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the power to create Chi You, the ultimate form of the Tower Arcana…

"Here, take this…it's a goodbye gift." hm? It's a reserve tag… "…When you mix Cointreau with white rum, lemon juice, and ice…you get a cocktail called "XYZ." Movies and manga often use the initials "XYZ" to symbolize the end of something. But, I think of XYZ as the best. …Plus, it tastes so good goin' down. I'll be prayin' that your future is XYZ…so long, kid." with that he walked away with his head held high. I look down at the tag and can't help the small smile on my face.

"The end indeed."

Placing the tag in my pocket I stand and head back home.

1/23/10

"Hey…can you come with me?" Junpei approached me after class huh? Is that a bruise on his face? Frowning slightly I followed him.

Naganaki Shrine…

Now that I look closer it's right under his eye…did someone try to punch him in the face?

"Uh…did you notice?" Junpei sighs as he gingerly touches the bruise. "Don't stare at it so much. …It's just a punch."

"Who did it?" Who ever it was I'll kick their ass. No one gets to hit Junpei but me.

"Um, w-well, who cares!" he blushes. "Don't bother asking, okay? It's really lame! I don't wanna say it!" he scratches his head while I sigh. Fine. I'll let Junpei keep his pride. "Well, in any case…I don't think there's going to be any more photos of you going around."

"You got them back for me?" I smile slightly.

"Hey, don't mention it!" I can't help but laugh. His blushing is cute. "I think…this is my first time."

"First time? Getting punched?" Really? With the way Junpei acts?

Junpei laughs shaking his head. "Nah, I've been punched way too many times before." I figured as much. Junpei turns more thoughtful. "I thought that if I laughed my way out of everything, I'd never be in trouble. …That's why I try to avoid having to be serious whenever I can…you know those times when everyone sits around and talks seriously? I really don't like those, so I'll goof around…" That explains…a lot actually. Our conversation at Hagakure for one…

"I thought I could breeze my way through things, and try to be fun. It's so much easier than having to do stuff like understanding other people." I think…I can understand where he's coming from with a slight sigh Junpei looks over at the shrine with a pained expression.

"But after meeting you…and the others, I've changed a little. …Not everything about everyone's cool, right? Everybody has parts of them that are cool or lame…" that's the truth. We all have our flaws so to speak. "But, they're all doing what's best for themselves. After seeing you all like that…I think I got scared. There's no way you can understand each other unless you say what you think. Staying quiet and trying to act cool won't tell anybody anything." He sits down and I sit beside him. Have I been doing that all along? Trying to act aloof and untouchable? …No…not all along. But…I never should have done it in the first place. …I have plenty of people to support me…SEES, Theo and Tatsuya.

"Seeing someone way smaller than me put everything they have into something…it made me ashamed of myself. I've never tried my hardest in anything. I don't take anything seriously. That's why I never gain anything…and why I'm never happy. …I realized that I'm not living my life at all." never happy? At all?

"….Junpei…" I look up at him and resist the urge to hug him.

He laughs at my sad expression. "What's with that face? I can be serious sometimes, too, right? When I got back those pictures of you…it crossed my mind. In the end, I just wanted you to trust in me. Like, if someone like you could trust me, then I might be worth something…" he sighs while shaking his head. …I do trust you Junpei, I trust you with my life.

".…But trying to get you to rely on me to solve this is just wrong. You're…an important friend of mine, after all." he gives an embarrassed laugh. "Hey let's just stay here a little longer. Don't you sometimes just get the urge to swing once in a while? …I used to ride swings a lot when I was a kid. I'd get close to the sky and think that I could go somewhere else…somewhere that isn't here…that's what I'd think about when I was on a swing. …Let's ride on one together some time. You know how to get two people on one swing right? One stands, the other sits!"

"Alright."

As we sit in the park I feel my inner strength increase. It's nice here.

"Hey…Junpei."

"Hm?"

"You know…when you were speaking about trust?"

"Yeah?"

"I trust you with my life too."

Junpei looks stunned for a moment before giving me a vibrant smile…and sometimes that's all you need.

The two of us head back to the door practically arm in arm.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…Where have you two been?" Akihiko gives Junpei and I an odd look. "It's one week until the 31st, huh…I think you already know this, but…once you go into Tartarus on the 31st you won't be able to leave until the battle is over. If we lose, there won't be a tomorrow…and we won't get a chance at a rematch. You should spend this next week getting prepared for the fight." Yay.

"Understood." I wonder…if I should cook for SEES? I mean…the end of the world is going to be soon so… "With that in mind let's go to Tartarus."

1/24/10

Mitsuru calls me asking if I want to go to the movies again with her.

"Sure." with that we headed out.

Port Island Station, Movie Theater…

We saw this movie about a group of friends. And yet another journey of self-discovery. Mitsuru awfully likes those types of movies…though this one was pretty good too.

"I've been wanting to see that movie for a long time. It was very entertaining. Even though it was a typical road trip movie, the way the characters expressed their emotions was great. The main character sacrificed everything just to go on a journey with his friends." she falls silent. "And then, in the final scene, he decided to return to his normal life…I wonder if he was happy with that decision…" I thought so. "Hey, Arisato…have you ever thought about going to a place like that…somewhere far away, where no one knows who you are?" being completely unknown? …a feeling of complete and utter dread falls over me. …Being…invisible? …Insignificant…? No. I…would never want such a thing.

"No.

"I'm not surprised…you're a very strong person after all. Don't misunderstand me; I don't yearn to leave everything behind…It's just that, sometimes, it's easy to become bound by the things that are important to you. The future of the company…all my responsibilities…I wish I didn't have so much to worry about." Yeah…that does sound rough. "Sometimes I feel shackled by my family name…however…" she smiles self depreciatingly at this. "I know that kind of thinking is not permitted. Tch, I've become so undisciplined," she sighs in frustration "constantly complaining…" she laughs dryly. "I must bore you with all my griping." Not really. Though I do wonder why you don't just do something about it. "Some "senpai" I am. I've been doing nothing but leaning on you…" she smiles then. With her admittance I feel my inner strength increase. "I made my decision…and yet al I do is complain. Complain and run away from my choice. I talk about responsibility, but in the end…I haven't the courage of my convictions…" she looks at the ground at that. "Was I really this weak…? Just a woman waiting for someone to support her…?" she laughs. "I really do find new facets of myself when I'm with you…I am…a fool."

"Don't blame yourself so much Mitsuru."

"You're right. Stating this won't help anything…" she forces a smile. "…Minako." Wait what? "Would you…run away with me?" she looks me directly in the eyes. …Did she just-

"There you are-!" Huh? "Mitsuru!" Sounds like a man? Yeah…must've been he runs up to us. He's well dressed but…ew. He's not attractive at all. "I've been looking for you. I didn't expect to find you here. We're leaving. Let's go." What? Who the hell does this man think he is?

Mitsuru looks as confused as I feel. "Wait a minute. I didn't make any plans with you for today…" wait…don't tell me this jackass is the fiancé?

"Well, my business meeting for this evening was cancelled. I'm a very busy man. You're just going to have to adjust your schedule to mine." He even has an arrogant snobby voice! Urgh! Creep!

"I can't…I've already made plans." And what the fuck Mitsuru? When did you turn into this sniveling coward? You should have curb stomped him by now!

"Well, you can break them." He waves his hand dismissively. "I don't think you have anything more important to do than spend time with me."

Mitsuru falls completely silent. …You've gots to be kidding me.

"…Don't look so sullen. You know this benefits you as well, don't you?" He smiles smugly at that. "I thought you understood our arrangement." …her company. That's the only thing that keeps me from cursing him out since Mitsuru seems to have been whipped. "Now, you are to be my wife, and you are to be obedient." My eye twitches. This bitch needs to be shut down! I look at Mitsuru who's looking away from both of us. GAH! The man sighs heavily. "Why must you and your family always be so difficult? Well, at least your father is no longer alive. I am relieved at that." …

…

…

Mitsuru looks shocked but…what the hell? Am I really gonna have to punch this bastard in the face? How the hell could he say that! "I imagine you feel the same." …there's no way Mitsuru's putting up with this. Just no way.

"How…how could you say that!" What's with that punk bitch yell? You should've slapped him by now! Or did that Ice Queen routine that scares the shit out of everyone! She's literally shaking in anger.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I turn to the creep. "How dare you say that about her father?"

"Minako…" Mitsuru looks at me.

"Who are you? I think you'd best be quiet…listen, Mitsuru." She goes right back to being quiet and I sigh heavily. So much for that momentary spine. "Corporate management is not child's play. No matter how smart you are, you're still going to need my knowledge and experience. And, the Kirijo Group still needs the cooperation of my company, does it not?" Ugh. I stop myself from yelling again. …Still…does Mitsuru really need this sniveling coward for this?

"…Yes…" OH COME ON! Where the hell is the Mitsuru I know? Who the fuck is this?

"Good girl, Mitsuru. I knew you would listen to reason. …Now, let's go. I've made reservations for us at a luxurious restaurant!" he acts like he's doing her a favor.

Mitsuru practically whispers. "Very well…" she turns to me. "I wish you hadn't seen that. Well, thank you. I had a lot of fun today. And…I'm sorry…"

"MITSURU!" my eye twitches.

"Please excuse me." I grab her wrist.

"You can't be serious!"

"Stop, Arisato." Oh we're back to last name basis now? She gently wrenches her wrist from my hand. "I know how you feel…I…" she looks so sad…

"Let's go, Mitsuru." …I'm running out of patience with this snake. "…By the way, who are you? I've never seen you in fashionable society, so I assume you're a commoner. Maybe you do attend the same school, but don't you see the ocean of difference between you and Mitsuru?" So? She doesn't care and neither do I…and why is it any of his business? "That goes for you too, Mitsuru. Choose your acquaintances carefully. After all, they will become mine as well. If your friends aren't suited to high society, I'm the one who'll suffer. Bad company ruins good morals, as they say. Don't worry, I've picked out other friends for you. Refined ones." Is he saying he'll replace me with some fake bobby doll fake friends? "I advise you never come near Mitsuru again, little missy."

"Yeah right. Like I'd listen to you?"

He looks me over scornfully. "Do you not grasp the trouble you're causing for Mitsuru? Are you simple? Hmmm…" …is he leering at me? "You do have a pretty face. It might allow you to sneak your way into high society." What? Is he calling me some kind of gold digger? "Hold on…so that's your scheme? How exciting it must be to use your sex as a weapon." my lip curls in disgust. "Men, however, require talent. I have the Group to look after. A little girl's burdens are nothing next to mine…" …I wish I could send Nyx after specific people. This guy would be fucking number two. Jackass. Number one of course is reserved for Takaya.

"That's enough…" Hm? Mitsuru? Why is she shaking?

"Mitsuru…?"

"I said that's enough!" she shouts angrily. Glaring at her fiancé …where the hell was this rage before?

"Why are you getting so angry?" Cause you hit her berserk button idiot.

"If you insult her, you insult me!" she's still trembling in anger.

"M-Mitsuru?" the man looks a little stunned that she finally! stood up to him. "Have you forgotten…? If you cross me, then…"

"You spoke of "responsibilities" didn't you? You were right to do so. Indeed, there's no comparison! She stands on her own feet and fights fate with her own strength. Her outlook on life has redeemed and comforted me innumerable times. She is dear to me…take back your insults!" Her tone is commanding and reminds me of the first time she lectured Junpei.

"What?" the man shakes his head. "…Fine, fine. I suppose you can associate with her from time to time."

"What a feeble apology!" Mitsuru snarls. "People are not things, they are not pawns and they are definitely not your servants! A man who fails to understand that cannot possibly develop the Group! After all, a company is made of its people! The Kirijo Group will not prosper under you! From today forth, you and I are strangers! Our group shall recover. There is no need to plead for help from a shabby cretin like you." the way she snarl cretin as if he's scum on the ground makes me inwardly cheer. "And if you try to do anything malicious, I will use the power of Group to destroy you. …Get out of here, you snob! I don't want to see your face ever again!" Her eyes narrow in rage and the guy eyes widen as he finally realizes he's incurred her wrath.

"…Ahhh…mommy! Mommy!" the little punk bitch runs off. There's my Mitsuru.

"A company is made of its people…my father told me that many times." she pauses her tone thoughtful. "Family, companies, society…people are the basis of everything. I think I now fully grasp the meaning behind his words…" she chuckles. "Let's go home."

And we did, I went straight to bed afterwards and dreamed of Minako curb stomping her stupid fiancé again. Hehehe.

1/25/10

Gekkoukan High School's faculty office…

After school I had to meet Ms. Toriumi for some academic counseling.

"Let's begin, shall we? I don't have much to say, though. In he end, it's your decision. Alright, first question…are you planning on going to college after you graduate, or entering the workforce?"

"I…haven't decided yet…"

"Well, you still have another year until your graduate…It's okay if you still haven't decided. Just don't put off for too long. Now, it's important to keep in mind that this decision is yours, and yours alone. If someone else makes it for you, you'll regret it later. And then you'll have to live with the consequences, whatever they may be. But, to be honest, I'm quite confident in you. You've really matured over this last year." …even my teachers are saying that now. "I'm sure you're aware of it as well. …What do you think has helped to bring about this change the most?"

"…I'd say…losing those close to me."

"…I see. Well, whatever the reason, you should be proud of the young woman you've become." she gives me a small encouraging smile at this. "That's all for now. I hope you have a successful senior year. Let's see, uh…who's next? Ah, Aeon-san. Would you mind letting him know?"

"Sure."

"Thank you."

I ended up searching nearly everywhere for him eventually in a fit of agitation I went up to the roof.

Gekkoukan High School, rooftop…

Aeon's sitting on one of the benches looking lonesome.

"I was looking all over for you!"

"Hm?" He looks up at me. "Oh. I'm sorry." he turns back to the view a contemplative look on his face. With a sigh I walk over to him. "When I finally calmed down after New Year's I had realized something. When I fought Ryoji…I got really scared when my consciousness began to fade. But, that wasn't all…I was also confused and humiliated when I saw that I couldn't beat him. But, I couldn't defeat him, ten years ago either, yet…I didn't feel that way then." He looks down. "Perhaps…that too is a result of me being more human…? I suppose…I have changed."

"It's a good thing Aeon."

He looks at me then. "I've been thinking over about this change lately…in the past if I didn't understand something I would just ask someone to explain it to me. But since I've decided to "Live" no one's been able to answer the questions I have been facing. However, there is one thing I've come to understand. The reason why I wanted to be close to you was so I could monitor "Death"…but…"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Even though "Death" has vanished, I…I still want to be by you. I still want to protect you…I'm still not sure what it means to "live" yet. But, I want to learn how. And I think…that as long as I'm with you…the answer won't be far away. So…I beg of you…take me with you. I may not be strong enough to protect you…but I'll fight to the end! Minako…"

"It was hard sometimes," A cold smile. "To realize where she ended and I began…" A dry laugh. "Or at least it was…until she was ripped from me." A sharp cord. "That's when I realized…that we had always been one." Another sharp laugh. "…To so foolishly think I was protecting her…when the whole time…she was protecting me."

Aeon…I smirk at him.

"You idiot. You're always the first by my side. Aren't you?"

"Minako…" he takes my hand in his and…huh? It feels warm? Why is it warm? It…feels almost human…

I quickly wrench my hand out of his grip somewhat disturbed. …There's no way. That was just my imagination. "Uh…you need to go see Ms. Toriumi." with that he leaves and frowning I head down to the cooking club.

Gekkoukan High School, Home Economics Room…

"I'm going to cook on my own today. It'll be really delicious, so look forward to it! What are you going to make today, Minako-chan?" I make some Banana Cupcakes. Yum…they're pretty good. "Are you done, Minako-chan? I just finished up now, too." she giggles. "I got done pretty fast. Look, look." Hm? There's rows of rice balls on a plate. It looks pretty good. "This one has pickled plum, this one's salmon, and this one's seaweed…try whichever one you like." I picked up one and happily ate it. It's yummy.

"This is good."

Fuuka giggles in response. "Right? There are 22 conditions that must be met for making a good rice ball. I've met all those conditions, so there's no possible way that it wouldn't be delicious." Fuuka looked proud of her skills.

"I don't think I was making enough of an effort before. No, that's not it. I just wasn't putting in enough effort in the correct way. I just thought about trying harder. That wasn't right. Thinking about how you can fix your mistakes is how to really put forth a better effort…If you can't do something that others can, then that's the effort you need to reach their level…It seems so obvious now, but I didn't understand it at all…All I did was envy your skills. I'll never again think that my goals are doomed from the start. Thanks, Minako-chan." she gives me a relieved laugh. And with her smile I feel my inner strength increase. I'm too busy stuffing my face to do anything other than listen. Though yum! This is sooo good.

"oh, I have more on this plate too." With that I grabbed the second plate and eagerly continued eating. Yay! This is really good too. "This one's tuna, that one's natto, and this one's mentaiko. And on top of that…I even have a supreme one where I mixed in all the ingredients! Eat up!" With that I continue smacking. We don't say much but there's a peace and the two of us head back to the dorm together.

Fuuka looks around at The Lost in concern but doesn't say anything.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Koromaru happily runs up to me and I pet him.

"Today might be our last Monday…If we don't win, there won't be another." Fuuka bites her lip in concern. Its strange…how just stepping into the dorm makes everything seem so…real.

"We'll be fine." Aeon has a cocky grin on his face.

"Aeon?"

"We'll win. After all…we have Minako with us."

"Aeon…" I look up at him.

"Plus. We can't afford not too. I want to live…with all of you."

"Right Aeon." Yukari nods. "We have to win…"

With that we headed to Tartarus…more training behind that door but…even though the Shadows are extremely powerful…I feel… a lot stronger myself.

1/26/10

Junpei approaches me after class and asked me to come with him again. He's awfully serious.

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Hagakure Ramen…

"So, um…ugh, I'm no good at this…where do I start?"

"Going to confess your love?" I can't help but tease him.

"Wha-N-No!" Sheesh. Talk about a rejection… "Uhh, well…I had something serious to talk about. I…want you to have this. I never had much I was that attached to, but I always held onto this for some reason." He hands me a Pig Key Holder. "I used to keep my house keys on that. …Thing is, I never wanted to go home. So when it turned out I was gonna get to live at the dorm, you wouldn't believe how happy I was. I thought after that…I could turn my back on it all." Yeah…I know how you feel Junpei. I couldn't wait to leave my aunt's house. …But…why…? I frown. I can't…remember…? Ow! What is that pain? Why…? As soon as I focus on the pain instead of my aunt it vanishes. …The pain is related to my aunt? But…why? Before I can dwell on it Junpei continues.

"So I kept this keychain and house keys stashed away, since I figured I'd never have to use 'em again." …Junpei… "But after a while…I didn't like the way I was trying to avoid stuff. I knew the problem wasn't gonna go away just 'cause I wouldn't look at it…and I was lame for ever thinking so…that's why I dug these out. I plan to go see my dad, too." …Maybe…I should go see my aunt. If only to see what is with this weird pain. "Then again, I'm still kinda chicken…if you hold onto those for me, it'll be like you've got my back for it…that way, I'd have the guts to see him." his hands are trembling slightly. …I guess it took a lot for him to tell me this. "Hey, listen…you can talk to me too, if anything's bothering you, all right? And I'm not saying so because I wanna be the guy people turn to. It's just, you don't have to do everything yourself." he looks me in the eye and I can feel his sincerity. "You and the rest of the gang were there for me, and I'm here for you the same way. Don't forget that…okay?" with Junpei's declaration I feel my inner strength increase and a familiar warmth in my heart.

"I won't Junpei…"

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Magician Arcana hast been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Surt, the ultimate form of the Magician Arcana

"You know, I'm glad I got this power. And it's not because it makes me kinda like a superhero or anything. It always bugged me, that weakness I knew was there inside…but I feel like I can change." he gives me a warm smile. "And I think that if it wasn't for you and the rest, I wouldn't have that feeling, even with this power. Or worse, I mighta done the wrong things with it…so…thanks." He chuckles. I think…if I wasn't leader I might have done the same. "Geez, listen to me, goin' on like that! C'mon, let's eat! You want some more green onion barbecued pork?"

"Sure." the two of us eat chatting the rest of the time mostly about video games before heading back to the dorm.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Oh, hey. Only five days until the promised day. Well, we're going there to break that "promise." …Hey, do you wanna go to Tartarus tonight?" Yukari shoots me a small smile. "…I want to be ready."

"Alright. Let's go."

"Wait…Minako-san…before we go can you come with me?" Ken walks up to me with a uncertain look on his face.

"Sure Ken." with that the two of walk back to the alley. It's a bit strange how many memories I have of this place.

Tatsumi Port Island, Back Alley…

"No matter how many times I came here, it still scared me. I'd remember things like what my mom would tell me…I think I was scared to remember those things. I couldn't handle that I'd never hear them again…" Ken looks over into the distance with a small smile. "Minako-san…I've always pushed myself to be more than I am, because I wanted to hurry and become an adult. I never cared about myself or my own feelings…But, it's a little different now. I want to take care of the things I have right now…that's how I think I'm with you…" he gives me a small smile. "It slowly dawned on me…this may be what Shinjiro-san was trying to tell me…I-I want to give you this. …Please, accept it." He drops a small silver key in my hand. …Is this a house key? "That's the key to my house. I m-mean, my house is long gone. But I've been holding onto that key all this time."

"Ken…I can't-"

Ken shakes his head. "no, I really want you to have it." he nods seriously closing my fingers around the key. "I…I've started thinking about what it means to be "left behind…" I still think that my mother must've had regrets." he looks down at the ground. "She…she died, and left a kid behind, after all. But I had a lot of good memories about that house. My mother left them for me…that key…" he looks up at me again with a small smile. "Is filled with those memories. I wanted to give it to you, because you remind me of those times." His voice while hesitant is sincere. Happy memories…I…I can relate. "I…rewrote my essay about my dreams for the future. I said that I want to be able…to protect the people closest to me. I want to be able to use my powers the right way. It's not just my Persona abilities…I need to find out what I can personally do for the people I hold dear. …And I wish that those people will always be able to be happy. I'm…happy right now. Thank you…This is all because of everyone, but you most of all." He nods at this. …Strange…but he looks older now and I feel a familiar warmth in my heart.

Thou art I

And I am thou

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Justice Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Melchizedek, the ultimate form of the Justice Arcana

"Minako-san, I want to help you and everyone else out more. I know I'm still unreliable, but I'm sure that there must be something that I can do too. So please, rely on me more."

"I will Ken." I give him a warm smile. "I rely on you already. Or have you forgotten how often you've saved me in Tartarus?"

"Minako-san…"

"Come on. Let's head back. We've got some Shadow ass to kick."

With that we head back to the dorm and from their to Tartarus.

1/27/10

I head to Student Council. Odd but I feel like talking to Hidetoshi today.

Gekkoukan High School, Student Council Room…

Huh? No one's here?

Hidetoshi turns to face me. "I- Minako-kun?"

"Uh…hi. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately, I've been busy."

"Its fine. The President said as much."

Oh. Nice save Mitsuru. "No one's here today?"

Hidetoshi nods. "Yes. We decided to have today off."

"So it's just you?"

"Well…I was about to leave myself."

"Oh." Well…I choose the wrong day.

"Would you like to come with me?"

"Where are you going?"

Hidetoshi finishes packing before he turns to me. "I'm going to see if I can gather any information about that cult."

Cult? He's looking into Strega?

"Why…?"

Hidetoshi looks at me sharply. "It took that cult a matter of weeks to convert nearly the whole town. And yet…no one's seen them other than that photo of their "leader". It's suspicious. I want to know who they are, and why they are doing this."

"…" Should I tell him? "Hidetoshi-kun…that cult…"

"Hm? Do you know something Minako-kun?"

Damn…how do I say this…? "The cult…"

Hidetoshi frowns at me probably wondering why I can't just go on and tell him. "Are you in trouble?"

Eh? Trouble? "No…no. I'm not in any trouble-"

"Because…that magazine with the interview. I remember it mentioning a group of people with the same powers as the cult leaders except they were against them. I was unsure of whether or not that was true…"

Oh shit. Hidetoshi must've read my expression because his eyes widen. "Minako-kun? Are you…?"

"I'm not anything Hidetoshi." …I really could have lied better than that damn it!

He gives me a "I don't believe you, and you know I don't believe you." look. "…Just…be careful."

"I will."

"…Well…I'm going to go get a bite to eat then. Do you want to come?"

"Sure." We had a meal at Hagakure before going our separate ways. …I hope he doesn't do anything stupid regarding the cult…well…Hidetoshi's many things…but stupid isn't one of them. I shouldn't be too worried.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"…Where have you been? Four more days…I'm up for going to Tartarus whenever you want. We've come so far…nothing's more important than this."

I nod four more days…we have four more days…

I might as well walk Koromaru he runs around barking excitedly. I guess he's not too worried about Nyx.

1/28/10

After school Mitsuru invites me to the roof with her.

Gekkoukan High School rooftop…

The two of us sit on top of the water tower.

"You don't need to worry; no one will come. My first abuse of power." Mitsuru chuckles. "…You can see miles from here. Sometimes I come here to take a look…at the places we're defending…" she gives me a sad look. "I'm so sorry about what happened the other day. It must have upset you."

"You were pretty awesome."

Mitsuru chuckles again. "I see…I must say," she blushes "it's a bit embarrassing to hear you say that." she sounds happy though. "Thinking back, those words I said to that man stay with me…I must have been seeing people only in terms of interest, according to whether or not they could benefit me. To tell you the truth, it was initially the same with you." I could say the same. The only reason I stuck around was for the power ups at first.

"You conveniently arrived and met my criteria to be the leader. The others in SEES, too, were pawns for my purpose." she laughs. "Yukari realized that and snapped at me for it…But I never even tried to understand where she was coming from…even though that was exactly it." She looks back towards the view. "…You opened our eyes and brought us all back together. Nothing is harder than facing every single person straight in the eye…no one could have served better than you as our leader. My judgment was correct." a small chuckle, "I have quite the eye for people, no?" with that I feel my inner strength increase. "I didn't realize I was doing it, but last time, I addressed you differently…as Minako." she blushes brightly when she says my name.

…I had forgotten about that…but yeah she did call my name. "It's a bit embarrassing, so I'll address you as that only when we're together. Minako…you're outwardly adorable." I resist the urge to grumble. Why does everyone think I'm cute. Never just pretty but always cute. Never sexy, or beautiful, no I'm just "cute" GAH! "And yet, you have it in you to be stronger, more courageous, and more charismatic than a man…" those words make me pause. "In the end…It was I who was most hung up on the concept of femininity. "Because I am a woman" "Despite being a woman…" It was just a way to excuse myself for failing. Watching you," she turns to me "I realize…I had been a coward. From now on, I will no longer allow my sex or my family name to shackle me. I am me. I have things only I can do. And I will accomplish them…I will never ask you to run away with me ever again. Instead, Minako…stay by my side. Fight alongside me…live alongside me. …Understand?"

"Understand." Mitsuru smiles at that, obviously pleased.

"I'm glad you do." she looks over at the sea again. "We should get back. It is getting late."

"Alright." I hop down and the two of us head back home.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

I approach Fuuka.

"Minako-chan?"

"Can…I talk to you in private for a second?"

"In private?" I don't miss the curious glances I'm getting from the others but I try my best to ignore them.

I nod. "Let's go…to the command room."

Dorm, Command Room…

Fuuka turns to face me. "Um…Fuuka. Would you mind helping me cook for SEES? I want to make everyone a big dinner on Saturday and I need some help."

"Sure, Minako-chan." She smiles brightly. "I think it's a great idea!"

"Alright…but it's our secret okay?"

She nods quickly. I go ahead and head to bed.

1/29/10

After School…

After class Aeon approaches me.

"Minako…could you come to my room for a moment?"

Huh? Go to his room?

"Huh?"

"I…want to show you something."

"Uh…okay…?" I feel a bit stumped but I go ahead and follow him. What could be in his room that he needs to show me?

Aeon's Room…

There are shell casings and machinery everywhere.

"Don't mind the shell casings…I…haven't cleaned up lately. They're only blanks." I look over at the room and Aeon turns to me. "…Are you surprised?"

"A little…" it's a lot cleaner than I thought it would be. Turns out Aeon dusts.

"I see…honestly…I was a bit nervous about what you would say. There is nothing distinctly…human about my room. There are no posters, no means of entertainment. No pictures of loved ones either. It is…merely cold and empty…" He looks around the room with a small frown. "Originally I felt that this room was perfect. It was functional and served its purpose…but now…" he looks a bit ashamed at his room. "Though…I still wanted to show it to you. To show…that like this room my outside…was functional. Empty and cold…I am after all a machine. That…used to make me sad. …But I have learned something." He turns to me with a strange smile on his face. "There's something only I can say, because I am unable to die."

"What is it?"

"I…will never leave you. No matter how or when your life comes to an end…at that moment, I will be beside you. You will always remain in my heart."

How morbid. Yet…

"O-oh…yes…umm…will you accept this?" He places something cool in my hands. Huh? Is this some sort of screw? Why'd he give me that?

"It is…one of the parts that had to be replaced after I collapsed at the Moonlight Bridge. I asked Mitsuru-san to have it sent here. I have…changed, since then. I'm not afraid, and I won't give up. I'll get back on my feet as many times as it takes. I'll fight by your side and protect you…this is the proof…I wanted you to hold onto it. It's…a part of me. If to live means to spend time with people you've forged relationships with…then…I want my relationship with you to be the strongest of all. My connection to you is my reason for living. The thing that's most precious to me…is to be by your side." Aeon gives me a sincere smile then. And a familiar warmth comes over my heart.

Thou art I

And I am thou

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Aeon Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Metatron the ultimate form of the Aeon Arcana.

"Minako…I, actually…" Hm? What's he embarrassed about?

"At the base of my neck, behind the knot of the ribbon….My "inner self" is located there. I mean…it's the source of my artificial intelligence that makes me who I am. My emotional engine…the "Papillion Heart." It's extremely delicate, so I am forbidden to expose it outside of the laboratory's clean room. I…want you to touch it."

"What? But…Aeon-"

"If exposed to your skin oils and cells, your genetic information will most likely be burnt into it. Even so…I want you to do this. I want to leave indelible proof in this body of the understanding that you and I have reached. Not as a memory that can be erased, but as something permanent…something irrevocable." He looks dead in my eyes as he says this.

"Alright."

"Thank you…" he gives me a bright smile. "Come closer." I shift closer to him and lays down on the ground.

"Oh, umm…since you'll be coming into direct contact with my heart, I…I apologize in advance if I say something odd, or make unusual noises…" Huh? "As a precaution, I will cut off access to my arms and legs." he gives me a small smile. …Okay…? He looks a bit embarrassed as he admits this. "Well then, umm…will you…untie my ribbon?" …That sounded dirty. …Or maybe I'm a pervert. I untie the ribbon and there's some strange heart like throbbing object. "Go ahead, Minako." I frown.

"This won't hurt you?"

"I'll be fine. Please…" he voice is pleading so with a sigh I gently touch it. There's a brief spark and I yank my hand away. There's a black mark on it now. …Did he just moan? …I'm just going to shove that thought into the back of my mind and never examine it again. Ever. His whole body jerked upward too…was he shocked?

"Aeon…? Are you okay?"

I look over and Aeon has a warm smile on his face. "Thank you…Minako. Now…no matter what happens…you'll always be a part of me." I guess he turned himself back on because he leans up.

"Uh…" totally not what I asked.

"Are we going to Tartarus tonight?"

I shake my head. "Nah. We need to conserve our energy. I'm going to walk Koromaru though if you want to come." Aeon just stands. "Well that answers that question."

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

Huh…everyone's here already. Koromaru runs up to me excitedly his tail wagging.

"You wanna walk?"

A affirmative bark.

"…Hey can I go?" Junpei sits up. "I could use the exercise."

"I'll come too." Yukari stands up.

"The more the merrier Yuka-tan!"

"…I'll come along too." Ken stands

"Huh? Well…" Fuuka looks uncertain.

"We should all go." Aeon looks around the dorm. "We're not going to Tartarus tonight so the fresh air might do us some good."

Naganaki Shrine…

Junpei's hanging on the jungle gym, Fuuka's sitting quietly on the benches with Aeon, I hear Junpei's loud laughter as he before he falls on his ass, leading to Aeon laughing.

"That's not funny!"

"Perhaps Junpei should learn how to balance himself before attempting that again?" Aeon smirks.

"…That wasn't funny at all dude."

"It wasn't?" Aeon frowns.

"No."

"…" Aeon falls silent for a moment before sticking out his tongue.

"Hey!"

Like a bunch of five year olds I swear.

"Huh? Clothes shopping…with me?" Yukari turns to Mitsuru in shock. Clothes shopping?

"Ssh! Not so loud." Mitsuru blushes looking around I look away hastily.

"Ooh, that sounds great. Let's go together next time, Mitsuru-senpai."

Junpei has managed to drag Fuuka over to the jungle gym now. "Go right, Fuuka. Run around to the right.

"O-Okay…Huh?"

"That's left…! Oh, I meant my right." …nice save. "Um…why don't you just climb the jungle gym?"

Fuuka gives him a dubious look but goes ahead and does it. …She's braver than I am.

"What? I'm not going to go down the slide head-first. My clothes'll get all dirty…" Ken looks at the slide with a frown.

"…When I was your age, we used to have competitions to see who could slide down in the funnest way." Leave it to Akihiko to come up with that.

"Like how…?" No sooner than Ken says that then Akihiko starts taking off his vest. "N-No, Akihiko-an, please don't take your shirt off..!"

Alrighty then.

"Paw." Aeon offers his hand to Koromaru who barks. "So… "Paw" is the command given to ask the dog to put his paw out, then? So the book was correct…"

Another affirmative bark.

"I see…"

I can't help but look up at the moon. Two more days…in two more days we'll fight the battle of our lives. I hear laughter and squeals behind me, I guess they're all trying to make the most of their days. And yet…what is this feeling? I feel…apprehensive…

"Nyx cannot be defeated."

…Cannot be defeated…

…

…

…

I shouldn't dwell on it. "Minako-chan?" Fuuka walks up to me. "So…tomorrow night right?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow." Fuuka smiles warmly at me before nodding.

"It'll be great!"

1/30/10

After school I head to talk to Mitsuru.

"Arisato…do you mind coming to my room?" Her room? "I want to speak with you in private. And there's something I want to give you…" at the mention of a gift my hand drifts up to their hairpin she got me. She notices my direction and smiles. "A different gift." She looks happy about it.

"Sure. Let's go."

Dorm, Arisato's Room…

…This looks more like a second lounge than a bedroom…I got a good view of it on the camera but…

"I know what you want to say." Mitsuru looks about her room with a deep blush on her cheeks. "Our maid staff helped me move here…so that's why it looks like this. It's as if there's a second lounge here, isn't it?" she smiles at that.

We spend most of the time talking, well I spend most of the time talking, mostly about video games, movies I want to see, among other things, Mitsuru tells me a bit about herself too. I run back to my room to get my favorite collection of horror movies.

A few hours later…

"…Oh, I almost forgot." Forgot what? "I want you to have this. " Mitsuru gives me a set of keys. What are these for? "It's the key to my motocycle…I'm not going to run from the future anymore." So…she's giving it to me? SWEET! "I don't have to think of my motocycle as a means to escape from my feelings." she looks relieved at that. "Though I regret that I won't be riding it as often anymore…let's ride together, Minako." Minako? Again with the random usage of my first name! "…But, you'll have to sit on the back until you get your license. When we're done fighting, I'll teach you how to operate it…I can't wait until then." she looks happy at the prospect of teaching me.

Well…learning how to ride a motocycle will be pretty cool.

"Sweet! I can't wait to learn!"

"Please be careful." she gives me another warm smile. "I am Mitsuru Kirijo. I hold my head high when I give that name. Thank you, Minako. You have given me pride." she nods at that and I feel a familiar warmth in my heart.

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond…

The innermost power of the Empress Arcana hath been set free.

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Alilat, the ultimate form of the Empress Arcana…

Mitsuru frowns then looking at the DVD in my hands. "Well…Back on the subject…do we have to watch that DVD?" she sighs. "Besides, why a horror movie…?" I shove it at her. I am not arguing about this. She and Yukari need to get over their ghost fears. "F-Fine, fine. You don't have to push the package in my face… "Final Destination." I-I'm not afraid of what I can't see. But on film…the direction and tecniques used are another story." she takes a deep breath and nods. "W-Well, let's watch." She holds her head high in a brief show of courage. "W-Would you mind…if I held your hand?" …Baby.

"Fine." I start to DVD and the second something scary comes on screen Mitsuru's hand clenches around my own. I can even feel her erratic heartbeat… after the movie is over though I quickly head downstairs and see Fuuka setting everything up. Everyone else is still in the lounge but no one gives us a second glance.

"Okay Fuuka. We're going to make dinner and-" Hm? I see her notebook opened up to see a cake. "You wanted to make that Fuuka?"

"Well…I…"

"We can make dinner for them and the cake for us."

Fuuka nods a small smile on her face and we get started.

"Flour…Um, you use a sifter for this, right? To use the sifter…" she reads from her notes and doubles checks each step. "60 grams of sugar…" I open my mouth but before I can correct her. "Oh, this is salt…" huh. She caught it herself for a change. After that she starts double checking the ingredients to make sure they're correct. I suppose this is her method…well…whatever works for her. I sniff the air. Mmmh. That smells good. As she makes the cake, I cook the rest of the meal, it's nothing fancy but home cooked food is home cooked right?

"Hey! Junpei!" Junpei walks over.

"What's that smell?"

"It's dinner." I wait for him to make a smart ass comment but it never comes. "You mind getting the others?" With that Junpei manages to gather everyone together.

Dorm, 1st floor lounge…

"Huh. Didn't know you could cook Minako. With as tomboyish- OW!" I stomp on his foot hard and smirk when he whimpers in pain.

"You were saying Junpei?"

Junpei draws his foot closer to himself mumbling about Yuka-tan and I being way to violent or some such.

Aeon smirks at Junpei before shoving some rice into his mouth. After swallowing he looks at Junpei's now cleaned plate. "It seems Junpei is a bit of a pig. He might want to watch that budge gathering around his midsection."

"WHAT!"

"I said you're getting fat." …Just when you think Aeon is finally learning subtly.

"I'm not fat you damn robot!"

"No. But you now have 2% more body fat then you did prior to this meal-"

"No I don't-!"

The two of them continue their argument and I tune them out. "Hey Koromaru! I made you something special." I quickly give Koromaru the food I made for him and he gives me a grateful bark before devouring his food.

The meal is peaceful, and we spend most of the time joking around with each other and trying to keep our minds off the final battle.

Two hours later…

Fuuka takes the cake out of the fridge. "Wow, it came out so nice! It's so fluffy!" And you did most of the work Fuuka. "Umm, now to decorate it…Whipped cream and fruits are put between the layers. That reminds me, I bought a chocolate plate, too. Can you write something on it, Minako-chan?" Write something?

"Like what?"

"Umm, hmm…how about "Congratulations" or "You Did Your Best"…?" Lame. "Wait, that's what I want to hear." she blushes and laughs.

I go ahead and write. "SUCCESS!" in large letters. Fuuka giggles at it.

"This really is a success…thanks, Minako-chan." She looks around the room. "Should we eat this upstairs? If you don't mind, come to my room."

Dorm, Fuuka's Room…

"Here's your drink. It would've been nice if we had some candles too. Well then, let's eat." she takes a bite and giggles. "This is delicious. I bet it tastes just as good as the ones they sell in stores."

"It's better." I mutter in between swallows. Fuuka blushes again.

"Th-Thanks Minako-chan."

True the cake is a bit too hard, and the whipped cream is slightly watery…but Fuuka tried her best…and hell. The damn thing's edible considering Fuuka made it…

"…I'll never forget the flavor of this cake I made with you, Minako-chan. …Thank you." I nod still eating the cake. "That's right…um, there's another reason why I had you come to my room…I want you to have this." Hm? Are these headphones? "Since you're always listening to music," I haven't listened to music a lot lately. Mostly they're just on for show. "I thought you might like these. Remember how I told you that I was pretty good with mechanical devices?" Yeah I remember. "I wanted to thank you with something that I'm good at!"

"Is this for-?"

She shakes her head. "No it's not because I wanted to repay you. It's because I just wanted to give that to you. I wanted you to enjoy them…you're a precious friend of mine after all."

Well…I might as well try them out. The quality-

Voices of the wind and beads of light I let flow to you

I won't forget your gentle smile sadness hidden in your eyes

Even if wishing is painful, you gave me courage to stand up

So I'll go; we'll meet again when you awake in your dream

I hold faraway memories to my heart and sing

…This song…sounds…familiar…but…this is the first time I've heard it…why is it on my MP3 player? Though…the quality…is amazing.

"Fuuka…these are incredible."

At my compliment Fuuka blushes. "I-It's nothing really. Just a hobby of mine…Feel free to use them if you'd like."

"Of course Fuuka!" with that I feel a familiar warmth in my heart.

Thou art I…

And I am thou…

Thou hast established a genuine bond…

The innermost power of the Priestess Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Scathach, the ultimate form of the Priestess Arcana…

"…Oh, sorry. It's really late isn't it." I look at the clock and sheesh. It's nearly 2 in the morning. "Time flies by when you're having fun…Then again, we live in the same dorm and go to the same school, so I can see you any time…thank you for today." She gives me a small smile. "Oh about cooking club…you don't have to come so often…I'm getting better. I know that you're busy and I'd feel bad if I took up all your time…though it would be nice if I could have you all to myself." she giggles lightly. …Here and Akihiko. Maybe I should just make a bunch of clones of myself and start handing them out.

"Alright…goodnight Fuuka."

"Goodnight, Minako-chan."

With that I head straight to bed. …Tomorrow…is the final battle.

End Chapter 17: Reloaded

AN: Bunch of babies I swear. Most of you guys pouting about the ending. Happy now?

To those who didn't complain: Rock on!