05 April 2010
Yasogami High School
Morning

Midori stood outside the Teacher's Office, the sign of complete perfection. Her efforts yesterday to make sure everything was in order had paid off, and she had arrived at the school to finalize her paperwork and transfer very early.

So now she was waiting here to be called. All her books were in her bag, her new uniform was trim and proper, and so far everyone had been too busy meeting and greeting on the first day to notice her properly. Although her hair did get a few looks, given that a quick survey of the student population suggested that she was the only one with a vibrant colour on the grounds. Privately she had to admit to herself that it was only a casual check. She wasn't about to stand on the roof and yell out for anyone with fancy hair to join her.

"Yo! Komaki Midori-chan? You here?" A middle aged man with a pronounced jaw and crooked nose slammed open the door to the teacher's office.

"Present!" Midori bowed to her teacher. "I am Komaki!"

The man looked her up and down, something that seemed a little off to the blue-haired survivor. Then he stood straight and took a moment to fix his tie, almost like he wanted to impress... her. "I'm Kinshiro Morooka, your homeroom teacher. Come in."

A small ball of worry grew in Midori's stomach. He was a fan. He had to be. That was the only explanation. But she followed, quite certain that he would do nothing out of the ordinary in the presence of his coworkers. She hoped.

Unbidden, the image of him doing something inappropriate, then her breaking him came to mind, and just as fast, she threw them out. No violence. He wasn't a demon, or a Shadow, not had he proved himself to be someone she needed to fight. Instead, she followed him to his desk, noting where it was for when she had to come here in the future.

"Now, I know that Yasogami isn't the class of school you're used too, Midori-chan." He said as he sat down and pulled out her papers, checking them over. "But that is all the more reason for you to be on your best behaviour. The girls around here, they don't see much in their future, so all they do is listen to trashy music, and don't bother trying with their studies." He glanced up at her. "I expect more from you."

Midori was confused and refused to show it. Her assumption was wrong. But then, so was his apparently. As he talked about 'proper attitude', and 'personal decorum', she tried to puzzle him out, even as she agreed with him in all the right places.

And failed. He eventually stopped talking. "Head up to homeroom. I'll introduce you to the brats, then the Principal will have his commencement speech."

She bowed. "Thank you, Sensei."

Class 2-2

"And with everything else, we've got a new student. So listen up! Come in!" Kinshiro-sensei summoned her, and Midori knew it was show time. Just like she had practised at home, in her head and at Gekkoukan. Midori entered, and stood to the left of the teacher's podium. She instantly had the attention of everyone in the room, which was good. Now she just had to push it.

"My name is Midori Komaki," she said, bowing again in greeting. She spun to write her name on the chalkboard behind her. "I like sewing," - don't mention she's a minor 'Net idol - "a bit of camera work, and I don't like rude people who think they can tell others what to do." There was a collective intake of breath from her new class, enough that Midori was sure she had stepped on some sort of social landmine.

"Thank you, Midori-chan. The seat for you is over there." Morooka pointed at an empty seat second row from the hallway, and fourth from the front. "You heard her, no rudeness!"

As she went to her desk, she was mindful of the awed looks she got. Why was that, she wondered as she took her seat.

Beside her, a girl leaned over while their teacher was distracted. "I'm Saki," she said quietly. "How did you do that?"

"Do what?" Midori asked, honestly confused.

"Insult the King Moron like that, and have him take it?"

"What do you mean? And King Moron?" Midori whispered back while pretending to pay attention to the teacher's speech. It was a repetition of the one she had already heard from him in the lounge. That he repeated himself was of no concern to her. She was used to people needing practise, and sometimes things worked out better when you had an 'audience' to work with.

"His name! And he hates everyone!" Saki leaned back as Morooka spun around to catch any of his students not paying their fullest attention.

"KONORI! ATTENTION!" The teacher whipped a piece of chalk at the offending boy, though due to the angle it slammed into his desk before bouncing and shattering on the floor behind him. The poor boy, whose attention had drifted over in Midori's direction, was shocked into compliance. "Keep it in yer pants." Morooka finished with a warning, then went right back into his talk about manners and behaviour.

"See?" Saki and Midori leaned back toward each other as soon as it was safe. "He hates everyone!"

Midori shook her head. "He doesn't not-like me," she said carefully. "I mean, he's a bit repetitive, but... really?"

Saki nodded. "Yes! I'll explain later, at lunch. Until then, don't do anything to set him off!"

Room 2-2
Lunchtime

That was the question of the day. Which somehow bumped off her worst fears from the top of the heap of questions she was expecting to answer. How did she convince the King Moron to not hate her right off the bat?

And the worst part was, she had no clue. Everyone refused to believe her. While she was certainly happy to answer the usual run of questions – when was her birthday, was her hair really that colour, what subjects did she like, what clubs was she looking to join – that one caused no end of problems. People thought she was lying to them. Even the subtle questioning about the relation between her family and Junes was suborned by that.

She had also answered that question truthfully, and in response to the local opinion, had made it clear that she was glad her daddy didn't work for that company. Some were impressed that she was a Manager's Daughter, though she didn't feel like that level of emphasis was correct.

And not once did anyone ask about Dolly. It was almost... frightening, though she supposed that she had just arrived, and as such, they had no idea to begin looking. Maybe in a week she'll get her first autograph request.

But in the meantime, she tried to eat lunch as she fielded questions, being more successful in one than the other.

Yasogami High School
Front Entryway
After School

"You see her?"

"The new girl? With the hair?"

"Yes! She actually insulted the Moron to his face, and he took it!"

"What? No way!"

"That's not possible!"

"She did!"

"How?"

"I don't know!"

"Maybe she's sleeping with him?"

"WITH THE MORON? EEEEEWWWWW!"

"Maybe she's got some blackmail on him?"

"That's more likely!"

"Yeah! She's got to have some incriminating pictures."

"I always knew he was a sleaze. Bet he thought he could get away with it with the new girl."

"Well, she sure showed him!"

Komaki Residence
After School

Midori kicked off her shoes, and just wanted to go to bed. The first day had been a tiring affair, and not because of the homework. Just so many people to charm! She needed her beauty rest. Thankfully daddy was out today at the office, and he had let her know ahead of time that he would be late coming home.

A glance at the calender showed no new days circled, which was always a good thing. As per family tradition, the main calender in the entryway had certain days marked. Blue circles were for Mamoru's business days, and business trips, where he wasn't expecting to be home. Green circles were days where he would be home and not working, mostly for father-daughter time.

So far, only two weeks were marked blue this month, with one day in green. That one was on Saturday, marking their effective first week in Inaba. They would go out together and walk all over, a family thing. Midori was really looking forward to that, but all she had to do was survive this week first.

As she was dumping her school bag on the living room table, sorting out the supplies she needed for homework from those she didn't, the phone rang. Surprised, Midori abandoned the table and jogged over. She had given her home number to Saki as she hadn't gotten local service for her cell yet, but no one else. Maybe this was a checkup call? Or it could be for daddy, but usually those calls went to his office.

"Moshi-mosh!" She shortened the last word as she often did, not recognizing the number on the call display.

"OH THANK GOODNESS!" Junpei's slightly strained voice came over the line. "Midori! You got to help me!"

Heart pounding at the plea, Midori shifted gears instantly. "Junpei! What's happening? Where's everyone else?"

"No! Not that kind of problem." Junpei took a deep breath. "It's just that you're closest to Chidori, and, well, things kinda got... weird at school today."

Midori wanted to slap her face. Then slap Junpei. "What happened?" At least she kept the exasperated sigh out of her voice.

"Well, things were going well. Came back to class, told my friends the story that Mitsuru cooked up regarding everything, stuff was going well, you know, all that. Then lunch time comes around. I'm sitting down to eat with the guys, well, that's when Chidori comes in. Oh did I tell you she's in another class? She's in another class. Anyways, she comes in and everyone just stops. I mean, she opens the door and steps in, and she instantly looks at me. No problems there, right? Well, she doesn't say anything. She just walks up to my desk, grabs an empty one and swings it around to face me. Then she starts eating. Doesn't say a thing! So here I am, trying to talk to my homies, and Chidori is right there. And she's looking at me!"

Midori seriously considered hopping on a train, going back to Tatsumi, finding Junpei and slapping some sense into him. Then decided better. She could get Aigis to do that for her! "Alright, Junpei? Calm down."

"I am calm!" He wasn't.

"IORI JUNPEI!" She barked, hoping the sudden seriousness would help him focus. "Chidori is your girlfriend. Why wouldn't she share lunch with you?"

"Dude! I mean, Midori! She's.. I mean..." She could just see him deflating. "You're the love expert. What do I do?"

"First, relax." Midori leaned up against the wall. "Stressing isn't going to help. Now, what did you tell the others about her?"

"Um, that I started seeing her last fall, that she got into a bad way, and that I had to go into Witness Protection for a while because of things." It was close enough to the official cover story that Midori accepted it. "But she doesn't have to, you know, at lunch!"

Midori held the phone away from her head as she hit her forehead against the wall. Stupid Stupei! "Junpei?"

"Yes? I heard a thump. Is everything alright? I need to come up there and beat someone up for you?" His worry was honest, which was good.

"What? No, just something slipping. New house and all that. Look, Junpei, let me lay this out nice and easy for you. You love Chidori. Chidori loves you. You gave her part of your soul to keep her alive, and that's not something that just... goes away. She wants to be with you." She sighed, trying to find the right words. This was so much easier when she could see people face to face. "Just smile, greet her, and enjoy her company. You don't have to leave anyone else behind for her, and she can't take you away from anyone. She shows up in your class at lunch? Include her! Invite Yuakri and Aigis as well. Boys on one side, girls on the other. It will work out."

"You sure you don't want to come back here? Talk to her?"

Midori bumped her head again. "No. Just relax. Don't panic, and trust yourself. Look, give me another call in a week, say, Sunday evening. Give me an update then, alright? I still have things I need to do here as well."

"Oh man! How is your new school anyways? Aigis is worried."

"You tell her that I'll call when I have time. Probably on Saturday. However, if anyone confesses to Aigis, I want you to call me right away. There's no way she'll be able to handle that on her own."

Junepi snorted. "What? Don't trust Yukari?"

"Where Aigis is concerned? No. And her own wounds are still fresh."

"Alright. Look, I've taken up enough of your time. Talk to you later."

"You too, Junpei."

He was about to hang up, when one last thought crossed his mind. "Oh, Midori?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks. For everything. Chidori told me how much you helped while I was... gone. I owe you. Seriously."

Midori switched to the most cheerful voice she could muster. "Then pray I never collect!"

07 April 2010
Yasogami High School, Office of the Principal
Lunchtime

"Ah, Morooka-sensei. Please come in!" The old Principal invited in the teacher. "Sorry to take you away from your work."

"You are never a burden," Morooka replied, knowing better than to say otherwise. The man may be old, but he wasn't senile. "How may I be of service?"

"How is your student?" The question was blunt and direct, there was no need to mince words.

"Good, good. Very proper. Making friends with Saki-chan. I think she's showing Komaki-kun around."

"Ah yes. Her parents own the liquor store in the shopping district, and her younger brother will be joining us next year." It did not surprise Morooka at all that the Principal knew the family of every student in the school. "A good choice. What else?"

"We've only had one test, but she scored top in the class. I think she's used to tougher exams, by her reaction." The teacher allowed the principal to make an observation, if he so choose, but nothing came of it, save for a stroked beard. "I'm not going to punish my other students just to give her a challenge though."

"Also, I heard she was looking into founding a sports club. She was in the tennis club at her previous school, and decided to make one when she found out we didn't have any."

"Understandable. I know that our equipment for that sport is sorely lacking. However, I'm certain I can free up funds for...all our sports clubs to receive new equipment. Let the students reap the benefits of our sponsor, even if they do not know why or how."

"Of course, Principal. If she asks, I'll gladly take on the role of adviser."

"As long as it doesn't interfere with your other duties, I see no reason so sign the paperwork when it crosses my desk." The Principal stroked his beard again. "Thank you for your time, and I continue to trust in your discretion."

After School

The rain pattered against the many umbrellas as the school emptied for the day. Beneath two of them, Midori and Saki walked, chatting quietly. "Ugh, more rain." The brunette complained, though her blue-haired friend only giggled in response. "What? Don't tell me you like it?"

Midori shrugged, sending raindrops off her covering. "It's rain. I'm only worried about mud and slipping." She looked around, then leaned in. "I just wish people would stop giving the evil eye."

"It's your hair." Saki offered. "It's not exactly... normal."

"It's natural!" Midori defended herself. "I've never used dye in my life!"

"People don't know that." Saki slumped her shoulders. "I'd be one of them too if you weren't sitting beside me in class."

Midori was alarmed. "I'm not hurting you by talking to you, am I?"

"No! You're not with Junes, so we don't hate you."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Midori thanked her luck, and maybe the grace of the King of Bel that she had avoided that particular pit. "I'll win them over," she confirmed to herself, "I'll just make friends. In fact, I already have one!" She smiled at Saki, who only looked away, embarrassed. "Hey, wanna come over to my place tonight? My dad is out, and I could really use the company."

"I'll have to check with my parents," Saki replied. "Work is picking up and they may need me." She sounded tired to Midori's ear.

"Then maybe I can come over!" Midori changed the offer around, keeping to the theme of not being alone. "If there's a problem with work, I can help!" She pumped one arm in the air. "Even if it means just cleaning up with a broom and mop and bucket."

Central Shopping District, Konishi Liqueur
Evening

"Me and my big mouth."

08 April 2010
Komaki Residence
After School

Midori stared, incredulous at the information being given to her. This couldn't be real. And yet, it was. Some quick research had shown her that yes, indeed, the local Internet connection was horrible. It would take hours for her latest Dolly video to upload! And livestreaming was right out!

Unable to do more, she could only turn her attention to her text books and the homework therein.

Heeee~~y!

It's DOLLY!

Soorrr-eee for being so late! Love and Justice for everyone!

But you see, I've moved to my new home, and it's a HOUSE! I live in a house now! Wow! It's so big and pretty! I'll have to show you all around sometime.

Now, I see a lot of you are worried about me moving schools again, but don't worry! Dolly won't let that slow her down one bit!

So, first thing's first! A vote! Who wants to see my house first? Or my new School?

10 April 2010
Komaki Residence
Afternoon

In a fit of competency, the normally abnormal cooking of the elder Komaki had turned out acceptable. If only because there was no way to screw up heating premade store bought food and some tea in a picnic basket could go wrong. He did that while his daughter finished off her own preparations for their first proper family outing in their new hometown, and he was glad that work hadn't made a mess of those plans.

Violating a green day was cause for major punishment. And he knew that his beloved Midori could to horrible things when he failed to uphold his promises. He didn't raise her otherwise.

"Midori, you ready?" he called out as he finished putting the sandwitches on top of the soup in the basket.

"I am, daddy!" Midori hopped down the stairs, school uniform on. "Ready!"

"You know," he said as she looked around. Keys? Check. Phone? Check. Camera? Check. "You don't have to wear your uniform. It's not required like your last school to wear it at all times."

Midori looked down, as though she was unaware she hadn't changed from the half-day of school. "I know, but it's Saturday. And everyone else will still be in theirs!"

He didn't argue the point further. "Alright. So, let's get going then!"

Central Shopping District

At Midori's insistence, they had started at the north end of the street. When he asked, she simply pointed out a store at the top of the hill and smiled. "My friend, Saki-chan's parents own that store!"

Mamoru levelled a faint glare at his daughter. "You, Midori, are far to young to be drinking."

"I just want to say hello, daddy!" She pouted equally as false as her father's recrimination. "Maybe she'll come with us!"

Her father shrugged. "Couldn't hurt. And I can meet her parents as well."

Konishi Liqueur

"SAAA-KI!" Midori announced her presence over the sound of the bell above the door. Mamoru followed a moment later, careful not to damage the basket in his hand. "Are you in?"

An elderly man stood behind the counter. He winced slightly at Midori's cry, but quickly controlled himself. "Ah, Midori, was it? I'm sorry, she's out right now making some deliveries."

Midori pouted while her father stepped up to the counter. Bowing, he introduced himself. "Hello. I am Komaki Mamoru. Thank you for looking after my daughter earlier."

"It wasn't a problem. Konishi's the name." Saki's father didn't give his personal name to the stranger, even if he was related to his daughter's newest 'friend'. "She wasn't an embarrassment."

"That's good to hear. Midori and I are just taking a long walk through the shopping district today to get to know everyone," he smiled pleasantly, fully aware that he was fighting an uphill battle with every word. "She thought to come here first to introduce one of her friends to me." He looked around at the selection. "Local?"

"Of course. You want the imported stuff, you got to go somewhere else. We only sell quality goods here." To Mamoru, he heard that the proprietor equated 'local' with 'quality', and his business mind started to point out the pros and cons of that sort of opinion. "You buying?"

Mamrou shook his head in apology. "Not today. Although I may come back tomorrow to pick up a bottle or two for business trips."

Midori's head shot up from where she was poking around. "No drinking on the job daddy!"

"I didn't say that, beautiful." Mamoru rolled his eyes. "But having a good drink with business partners after successful negotiations is a time honoured tradition in all business. So, I will stock up here."

Konishi grunted, but didn't move to disabuse the man. "We're open from noon tomorrow."

"I will return." Mamoru bowed. "Thank you for your time."

Tatsumi Textiles

Midori was in heaven. Not the literal heaven. Perhaps Nirvana was a better word? Or Paradise? How she had missed this place on her previous walkthroughs was a mystery that would span the ages. She flitted from bolt to bolt examining every bit of cloth like it was made of pure gold, or something more valuable. Red hues and shades of blue all combined in her head for the most amazing outfits.

Her father could only sigh as he shared a small cup of tea with the mistress of the store. Like so many others, it was a family business, but the woman who ran this place did not hold him in any open hostility. "The tea is wonderful," he said politely. He turned his attention to Midori, who had violated the personal space of the son of the woman beside him. "Midori, behave."

"But he won't let me in the back, daddy!"

"And I'm tellin' yah! Ma says no one's allowed back there except family!"

"Kanji, I think we can let her go. You will be careful, won't you, Midori dear?"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Midori bowed, using as polite a term as she could get away with. She then looked up at the blonde man's eyes, pleading with him with their intensity to let her into that sanctum of greatness.

"Ma!" Kanji tried to object, but found that his pleas would fall on deaf ears. He saw that his mother was already winding her fingers around this girl, getting ready to test her skills with the needle and thread, much as she had trained him when he was younger. But the way she talked about the details of everything, he recognized as being right. She had confidence in her skills, which only drove him to private shame. Resigned, he led her into the back dry room where they kept the good stuff.

As she browsed, she hummed to herself. Then she spoke while running a hand along some silk, getting a feel for the weave of the cloth. "You sew." It wasn't a question, just a simple statement of fact.

Kanji refused to answer, finding a small spider-web up in a corner that wasn't there last week. He added that too the list of things to do once the shop closed up for the day.

But the girl didn't take the hint. "You have to, working here."

"Ma does all the work." He replied, trying to avoid the question she was really asking. He knew he wasn't the smartest person in town, but he knew how to be defensive. "You done?"

Midori stood straight. "Look, I'm going to be coming here. A lot. And spending money on this stuff. I have no idea how your mother is getting her hands on this, but a shop like this in Tokyo would cost me easily three times as much." She spun on her heel to face him, and it was only with the force of presence that came from being huge did he stand his ground. "So, I can either talk to you, or to her."

"Then talk to Ma," Kanji replied, glad he could get that out of the way. "She runs the place. I'm just the muscle."

"No, you aren't." Midori didn't move, but she seemed to grow, just a little. "I saw your hands."

He hid them behind his back, a guilty move if there ever was one. "So what?"

"So, if I know what you know, I can know if I can ask you a question, or if I have to go talk to your mother directly."

He knew that she was digging. Her actions reminded him of one of those foxes on those shows. Just circling around, thinking they can catch their prey. It was like she already knew his secret and wanted him to admit it. Why couldn't she just stop? "Then talk to Ma. I'm sure she'd love having to chat with someone who wasn't one of the usual crowd."

"Oh, I'll be usual." Midori spun around again then kneeled to examine another type of cloth. This time, some wool that Kanji remembered was imported from... New Zealand. Yep, that's the stuff. "But I think it would be better talking to someone closer to my age."

Kanji wanted to slap his face. She though he was older! It was a common mistake for people new in town, which was pretty obvious. Someone with hair like that would be well known if she had grown up around Yasoinaba. Not like the new Shrine Maiden. Still, she was in the Yasogami uniform, and he would go there next year, so she pretty much was his age when compared to his Ma's usual clientèle.

And who knew? Maybe having someone in his future school who knew him might not be a bad idea? "I do a little bit of work," he finally admitted after many minutes of consideration and thought. "Nothing serious, you know? It ain't something that a guy should be serious about...?" His voice trailed off as he saw the grin on the girl's face.

He was doomed.

Central Shopping District

Mamoru stopped on the sidewalk, careful to not interrupt the flow of traffic. "Midori?"

"Yes, daddy?" She stopped and looked at him, honestly wondering why he had his serious face on.

"The next time you go into that shop, you are going to apologize to that young man."

"Wha..?" That, she was not expecting!

"I saw how you harassed him, and I did not raise you like that." He kept his eyes focused on the distant hills, and refused to meet his daughter's face. "I understand that you are looking for someone to 'talk shop' with, but how you treated young Kanji was inappropriate."

"Yes, daddy." Midori's voice fell.

Confident that she would take the lesson to heart, he rubbed her head affectionately. "Just don't do it again." He gestured down a little bit. "Shrine next?"

"I'd rather wait." Ever since Tokyo, he had noticed that his daughter had developed a slight aversion to holy places. Not the places themselves, but rather, it seemed, like to the spirits of the nation. It was extremely subtle, given how little he had seen of her in the past six months, but it was there. Nor was he about to pry.

"Alright. Let's see... Tofu place or the BBQ?"

Tatsuhime Shrine

The place was nearly empty, which Midori was thankful for. There was a sense about this place that she didn't like, like there was something watching her from the shadows. But still, Daddy had chosen to have their picnic here, and she couldn't deny him. The coolness of the greenery would do nice after the heat coming from the metal works as the Old Man there had talked with her daddy about stuff that she didn't care to listen in on.

Setting out the blanket, they ignored and were ignored by others in the shrine. It looked old and decrepit at first glance, but a closer look would show that someone had started to clean up the stones and do basic repairs.

Unconcerned about that, they ate and talked casually. Once the food was done, and the basket repacked, Mamoru announced his intention to pray at the shrine, and maybe make a donation. Midori bit back her first response, and simply nodded. "I'll wait by the entrance."

Her daddy accepted that with grace, leaving her with the basket while he went to the shrine directly.

As she waited for him to make his offerings, Midori felt and heard someone come up behind her. She stepped to one side, allowing the person to pass her by, when out of the corner of her eye, she saw the traditional robes of a Miko. Reflexively, she bowed. "Hello."

"M... Midori? You... you shouldn't be here. Why are you here?"

Looking up, the former Demon Tamer was shocked. "Amane-chan?"

The former Shomonkai High Priestess looked around in fear before grabbing Midori by the shoulders and pulling her out of sight of the street. "What are you doing here?" She demanded, just a little touch of fear in her voice.

Midori didn't understand as she looked into the other girl's eyes. "What do you mean? I moved here. With Daddy!" She waved with one hand at the shrine, where the man in question was making his prayers.

"Don't toy with me! I was told I would be hidden!"

Having enough of this one-sided conversation, Midori easily broke the purple-haired girl's grip. "What. Are. You. Talking. About?"

"I have to call them, let them know I've been found." Amane didn't pay any attention to Midori, who in turn was looking up and down at her.

With her hair down and tied back, and in the red and white of a more traditional priestess garb, rather than the Shomonkai Orange with the long sleeves, at a glance, she wouldn't have been able to guess that the person in front of her was the same as the one she met for a couple days back in Tokyo.

But Amane was muttering to herself, worry and fear evident in her actions. Midori reached out to her. "What's going on? Are they still after you?"

But she wasn't listening. Amane started backing up toward the entrance to the shrine when she was stopped by a sharp "YIP!" from the stone barrier. The sound was enough to get both girl's attention directed to the fox that sat on the wall, a bandanna tied around its neck.

Just seeing it, Midori recognized a spirit when she saw one. She lunched at Amane, and with one hand, pushed her away from the spirit, while her other hand dipped into her purse, past her COMP, and grabbed at Frosty's Card. If she had to get into a fight with a Demon, she had a good weapon. There was no time for doubt about how her Persona would or would not work in the real world.

"No!" Amane said, directing it past Midori at the Fox, who made no move to come closer. "She's here, and that means I have to leave!"

The fox tilted its head, Midori certain that it was somehow talking to Amane over her head. She would have none of that. "HEY!" She said loudly, hoping to get her father's attention at the same time. "Leave her alone!" Midori moved to interpose herself between the Fox and Amane. It would have to go through her first!

The fox yipped again, this time directed at Midori. And she was [i]certain[/i] it tried to tell her that this was a private conversation. Amane apparently got a different message. "But I was told..!" Her complain was stopped by another sound, this more of a bark. Midori spared a glance back at the shrine and saw her father still praying. What was he doing?

"Listen, Demon," she decided to go with the biggest threat she could. "If you don't stop, I'm going to summon the King of Bel, and you'll have to answer to him!"

The fox looked at Midori, and decided to call her bluff.

"YIP!"

"Prove it!" She gripped Frosty's card hard, before remembering she had a better weapon to start with. Her COMP. All she had to do was turn it on, and the Demon would go away.

The Fox sat down on the stone wall, and began to lick it's paw, completely ignoring Midori's threat as a non issue. Amane was still behind her, speaking. "But if she's here, how long before someone else?"

Glaring at her the Fox paused in its self-cleaning. She's not the first. She has a good heart. The Fox made a show of looking down at Midori's purse. And she has power.

Midori narrowed her eyes, and decided to ramp up her threats with a half-truth. "Yes. Black Frost. Know him? Big Demon? My friend? Comes when I call?"

The Fox almost seemed to roll its eyes.

Amane relaxed, just a little. Then tensed up again as she realized what Midori was threatening. "You mustn't!"

She spared a glance for the Priestess behind her. "Don't worry, I've got this under control."

The Fox seemed to sigh, though it barked at the same time. My priest does not need protection from me.

Midori had enough. She was ready for a fight. Anger building, she planned out her next actions, if only so she could get to the battle faster. Activate the Comp. Summon Frosty. Kill the fox. A simple plan, then she could deal with the fallout later.

"ENOUGH!" Amane hissed into her ear. "No one is fighting!" She remembered how easy it was for the girl in front of her to charge into battle, and didn't want things to get worse. "The Fox isn't a Demon! And if you start something, everything I've worked for is thrown away!"

Midori paused, one wary eye on the spirit. "What are you talking about?" she asked Amane. "What's going on?"

"Midori!" Mamoru called out from the shrine. "Is everything all right?"

She spared a look at her daddy, who was still standing beside the small shrine. Then back to the Fox, who had vanished. It's presence was gone. She had convinced it to go away. "Nothing daddy! Just a fox."

Amane turned to look at the man Midori called father. "Greetings," she said, bowing properly due to her position. "I am Amane-miko, and I care for this shrine. Your daughter," there was only a slight hesitation in the word, "was attempting to protect me from the shrine's fox." She glared at Midori sharing the thought that they were not done.

"That's my girl," Mamoru bowed. "She's the kind of person to jump in at the first sign of trouble."

Amane returned the polite gesture. "I understand. If you don't mind, I would like to borrow her for a few minutes then, so tell her some things that will prevent such... misunderstandings in the future."

Mamoru looked between the two. "Of course. I'll be in the bookstore, Midori." He waved, and left the shrine grounds.

The two turned on each other, politeness gone.

"Why are you here?"

"What is that thing?"

"You first!" Amane declared, calling upon her skills at leading a cult to force Midori to her will.

"That thing is dangerous!" Midori ignored that, and challenged Amane directly.

A moments inspiration led to Amane making a breakthrough. "Your story first, it will be shorter. Then mine."

Finding the deal acceptable, Midori gave all the details that were needed. "After August, I was moved to Tatsumi Port Island to attend Gekkoukan High as my other school had closed for a while. My daddy got a promotion that meant he had to move to Yasoinaba, and I joined him here last week, after the school year had finished. Done!"

Amane knew there was more to her story than that. There had to be. It was not a coincidence that she was here, and the Fox was being cagey again. But Midori had upheld her end of the deal, however thinly, so it was her turn. "I'm in Protective Services," she said quietly. "To hide me from my father's remaining followers. I was sent here to keep a low profile, and was given the responsibility of looking after the shrine by the fox."

Midori's eyes narrowed. "We need to talk later."

"Yes, we do."

"I'll come back this evening? Say, after 9?"

"That will do."

The two went their separate ways, knowing there would be another confrontation.

Tokyo, Classified SDF Facility
Afternoon

Lt. Izuna put down the phone, groaned, the picked it up again. A moment later, the dialling was done, and she was connected to her superior. "Captain Fushimi, we may have a problem."

The Captain's voice was harsh given the nature of their job. "Explain."

"The Rabbit may be compromised. I'm headed over there now to investigate."

Fushimi knew better than to double-guess his subordinate. "Report back when you have more information."

"Of course, sir."

Tatsuhime Shrine
Evening

Midori was on edge. She had made her apologies to her daddy, then stepped out. In a protected pocket was her COMP, already active. In another was Frosty's card. She didn't want to over play her ability just yet, so she kept the Persona in reserve, hoping that it would help. She also had her trusty weapon hidden under the loop of her skirt.

It was dark outside, only one side of the street had the overhead lights on. Standing in the middle of one of the spotlights, she glared at the dark and near-imposing gate that led into the temple grounds.

She couldn't shake the feeling she was walking into a trap. She should have called Abel. She really should have, but she had to handle this herself. Thinking back, Amane and her didn't really get the chance to talk on that last day, though she was completely proud of her and Black Frost's work to save her from Jezebel and the burning tree.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she used that as justification for her actions. She had saved the Shomonkai Priestess before, and she knew she could do it again. Another pat down to assure her that in the past few moments nothing had disappeared, then she checked her watch.

Time.

With a spring in her step, Midori crossed the road and entered the sanctified grounds. Even in the darkness, it was easy to see where Amane was. The purple-haired woman stood in front of the shrine in more casual clothes, the Fox curled up on top of the donation box. As she crossed the threshold, the fox perked its ears in her direction, then settled into ignoring her.

"Komaki Midori," Amane greeted her formally. "I cannot say that this is still pleasant. Had I my way, I would have left already."

"As long as you get away from the Demon, I'm alright with that," Midori commented, keeping her gaze firmly on the Fox. "So, want to explain how this all happened before I beat it up?" She drew her club, one bought from the metalworker down the street earlier in the day. Her real weapon was in Mitsuru's hands, but there was no way she was going to ask her about that yet – or at all about the existence of Demons.

"You are not going to attack the Fox," Amane shot back without looking at either party. "But if you must know..."

"I do," Midori affirmed.

"Very well then." The priestess sighed, collecting her thoughts. "In September, I had been placed in protective custody with the SDF. The people in charge had decided that I was not culpable for my actions, and needed to be protected. Though I suspect some of them sought to manipulate me for their purposes. By January, it was decided that I needed to be moved to a secret location for further protection. Yasoinaba was chosen, and I moved here."

She smiled, the memories bringing some measure of mirth to her life. "As I adapted to this new town, I came to this old shrine. It was mostly abandoned and run down so I too it upon my self to clean it up." She turned to Midori. "My father wasn't so mad that he made my training as fake as his cult. I am a qualified priest. The locals found out about my actions, and there was some discussion over whether or not I should take the post officially."

The Fox yawned, bored with the story. It already knew all the details. "The conversation was halted when the Fox here came into the meeting, and sat down on the table of the Shopping District Business Association and just... well, the Fox glared at everyone, and no one objected any further."

"Nice," Midori agreed. "So, now do I get to beat up the Demon?"

Amane shook her head. "The Fox is not a Demon."

"Yes!" Midori thought the statement so obviously true that it didn't need a qualifier. "Step to one side and we can get this started. We fight, I win, you're free, maybe we get some ice cream. Except I think that place is closed for the night."

"The Fox is a land spirit, Midori. Not a demon."

"And angels are demons with a different name," Midori shot back. "They're all the same."

"Except," Amane tried to explain, "that Angels and Demons come from outside the realm of Earth. Spirits like the Fox were born here, and are native to this world."

The words rolled over Midori like a wave. "Huh?"

"The Fox is as natural as you or I," Amane said. "It is as real as the wind, the trees, the stores behind you, as real as emotion and ideas. It is not from somewhere else, nor is it an invader."

That confused the Magical Girl of Love and Justice. "But..! It's a demon!"

"And you've had your COMP active the entire time, have you not?"

Midori nodded, not trusting the Fox to reveal where she kept it. "Of course."

"And the Fox is still here."

"Yes?"

"So, therefore, it is not a Demon under the command of Bel."

"It could be an Angel in disguise!"

The Fox snapped it's head around, indignant at the nature of the accusation. "As you can see," Amane said, "it is not something to be hostile toward."

Midori ran this information over in her head. Demons? From Hell. Check. Angels? From Heaven. Check. Fox? From Earth? Uhhhh...

"So do I get to beat it up or not?" Midori asked, her determination wavering. More than anything else, it was the acceptance she saw in Amane's eyes. She saw that she believed that the Fox wasn't something out to manipulate or use Amane, much like Jezebel or to a lesser extent, Remiel had. She could interact with it as something approaching an equal.

"No."

Midori was defeated. "But... what do I tell people?"

"Nothing," Amane said carefully. "The townspeople know of the Fox, and they know that it has... hired me to be the shrine maiden here. And outsiders only see a wild animal that lives on the grounds, not a spirit."

"So, they're alright with it being here?" Midori put away her weapon, trusting in her friend. "The Fox?"

"Of course," Amane relaxed just a little. "It's been here for generations. Sensei?"

"Well, I think we can trust Midori to be quiet," Mari said as she stepped out of the shadows, her physicians coat trailing behind her, not quite in the dirt. "Won't we, Midori-chan?"

"Mari-sensei!" Midori faced her and bowed deeply. "I didn't see you there!"

"Don't worry, I was hiding." The Doctor looked over at Amane. "Well? We good?"

"We're good," the Priestess agreed.

"Wait!" Midori stood up straight. "What are you doing here?"

"Officially?" Mari replied, "I'm here as part of a national program to put doctors into rural hospitals in order to stave off the drain of skill to cities." She shrugged. "It's actually quite fun. What are you doing here?"

"My daddy moved here with his job – which is totally not with Junes," she immediately clarified. "Did you know about her?" Midori pointed at Amane, who huffed.

"Of course. We share an apartment on the south end of town."

And then Midori's brain gave up. "Fine!" She said, throwing up her hands. "Demons can be friends too! I know that, but this just completely took me by surprise!"

Mari smiled gently at the girl who helped her out during that week. "It was surprising to us too, and believe me, we talked to Abel about it, and he approved."

"He did?" Midori wasn't surprised someone else talked to the King. She didn't have a monopoly on his time after all.

"Of course. Now, why don't we all get out of the darkness and get something to eat? My treat." The doctor offered a gesture of peace, which Midori considered.

"I have to call some friends from my previous school tonight," she admitted. "Maybe next week?"

"Sure."

Central Shopping District

Morooka paced the street in the evening, on the look out for improper behaviour from his students. Thankfully, there were none to be found. But as he reached the turn to the top of the hill, he saw three people emerge from the Shrine. Spinning around he readied his best lectures when they fell away from his tongue. His prized student was walking with the miko, as well as one of the doctors from the hospital. They appeared to be chatting politely, nothing out of the ordinary.

So he let them go, content that his prize was doing her best to be an upstanding member of the community by getting to know the important people.

Komaki Household

"Aigis!" Midori talked into the phone as she pulled off her jacket. "I'm sorry I'm late in calling you!"

"You are forgiven," her blond friend replied from Tatsumi Port Island. "How are you settling in?"

"Ihaveahouseohmygoodnessohmygoodnessohmygoodness!Ithasafrontdoorandstairsandmultiplebedroomsanditssohuge!" She gasped to catch her breath after her eager declaration.

"I am aware," Aigis replied. "I voted in your poll. I think you should show off your home first."

"That seems to be the most popular option," Midori agreed, putting aside thoughts of Dolly for now. "How are things on your end? Rio not being mean is she?"

"No, the Captain is not being harsh in her treatment of me." Aigis considered what she could talk about given that she was not allowed to speak of Junpei and Chidori at the moment. They had made it clear that they were to talk to Midori directly. "Mitsuru would like to know when you are planning on resuming your experiments in keeping Black Frost active in the real world?"

Midori groaned on the inside. "When I want to. I'm still adjusting, and don't want to deal with that right now."

"She will be displeased."

"Well, if she's upset, she can come down here and complain to me directly!" Midori said with a bit more anger than she intended. "Sorry, Aigis. I didn't mean to be angry with you."

"Forgiven."

"So, what to talk about next? How's the dorm?"

"Being demolished as we speak."