10/05/2009

Morning. Gekkoukan High School Main Hall.

Last night, a member of SEES, Shinjiro Aragaki was mudered by the hand of the leader of Strega, Takaya. Of course the official report said that he was murdered by some delinquent at the Port Island Station. Now, at the Gekkoukan High School Main Hall was held the ceremony to remember his memory. However most of the student didn't not even know who Shinjiro Aragaki is since he has not attanded his class for a long time and did not join any club aside from SEES. Furthermore, Akihiko Sanada, Shinji's best friend seems didn't not attend to the ceremony. So the ceremony naturally lost its meaning. Akihiko seems to skip school as well that day. No one seems to saw him aside from dormitory that morning.

Mitsuru Kirijo, the Student Council President of Gekkoukan High School seems to be really worried about Akihiko's mental state and whereabouts, but she can't afford to let her sentiment get her away from her duty so she decided to wait until school hour is over to look for her best friend.

After School. Gekkoukan High School Main Hall.

Mitsuru decided that she will start her search for her best friend in the Gekkoukan High School Main Hall. As soon as she arrived, she was relieved to see Akihiko seeing and mourning at the picture of Shinji. She reluctantly and slowly walking to Akihiko's side while she was hearing he talk to him.

"Yo... I had the usual for luch. Ramen tastes a lot better when you're cutting class. Make sure you invite me next time," Akihiko try to sounds cheerful.

"Say something, will ya? Why are you always like that? You're so stubborn. Put yourself in my shoes for a change..."

"You think it's the other way around, huh? I guess you're right..."

"I was too obsessed with power..."

"Ever since I lost Miki, that's all I've cared about... I thought that if I was strong enough, I could protect anyone... But I was wrong, and now you're gone too..."

"I'm such an idiot..."

And then Akihiko can't hold the tears he was holding this entire time.

"No, you're not," Mitsuru suddenly appear beside Akihiko.

"In battle, there's always a chance of dying. You should knew that well enough. This is what he decided and you did all you could," said Mitsuru to try to comfort her best friend.

Akihiko shocked to see Mitsuru there for a moment. He then hold both of her shoulder while starting to yell at her.

"No, I'm not! I was so focused on training and fighting that I didn't notice anything else! It didn't matter how tough I was! Look what happened!"

Tears cannot stop flowing from Akihiko's eyes.

"For a muscle-head like you, you seems to be thinking too much. Crying wouldn't change anything," said Mitsuru coldly.

"You still have me, you still have Amada and the others. Fight for me, fight for them. The Akihiko I know would be so stubborn and keep on training to be able to protect something that he still has instead of mourning the past," Mitsuru added.

After hearing what Mitsuru said, his eyes finally opened. Akihiko then immediately hugged her tightly and whisper, "Thanks, Mitsuru."

Mitsuru seems to be so shocked that she blushed. She then smile while hugging him back.

After letting go of Mitsuru, he wipe his tears and turn his head to face the picture of Shinji with Mitsuru at his side.

"Alright Shinji. You watch from there with Miki. I now know I can't carry guilt forever. I'm getting tired of it."

The resolution in Akihiko's heart has awakened a new Persona. Polydeuces has given rise to Caesar!

Akihiko then turn around and said, "Come on, Mitsuru. We still have things to do, right?"

"Yeah," said Mitsuru with a smile on her face.

They then walk out of the Gekkoukan High School Main Hall together, side by side.