26 September 2010
Komaki Residence, Outside
Daytime

Amane and Dan met at the point where the sidewalk met the driveway up to Midori's home. They bowed to each other. "Thank you for your assistance," the priestess said.

"It is not a problem," the Quiz King replied. "Midori asked for my assistance with your studies, and explained the pertinent details in advance so that I knew what I was getting into."

"What details did she reveal?"

"She informed me that your conventional education was declined in favor of your religious teachings by your family, and you seek to qualify for at least a High School graduation." There was no recrimination in his voice for in a small town like Inaba, there was no shortage of people who had given up school to get a job. It was simply a fact of life, and an option available to people.

Amane was thankful that Midori knew exactly what to tell people to prevent them from asking awkward questions. Without her, she knew her life would be much harder. Their shared experiences meant she would be a buffer against the world she didn't know, another point in favor of never being able to repay Midori for her friendship.

Together they walked up to the front door, and Dan took the lead in pressing the doorbell.

"Coming!" they heard Midori yell from inside, then the patter of her feet running through the house to the front door.

"She forgot," Amane commented quietly.

"I think so," Dan replied just as quietly.

The door was wrenched open, revealing Midori with an apron over pants and a long-sleeved shirt, a headband keeping her hair out of her face. She looked at the two of them before smacking herself on the forehead. "I forgot, didn't I?"

"Yes," they replied in unison.

Midori dropped her head down. "Damn it," she muttered before pulling her chin up. "Come in! Don't stand out in the cold. I was just cleaning." She held the door open for them and then closed in once they were in. "Sorry, I just suspect I'm going to have some visitors today and I wanted to make the place look clean for them.

"You, or your father?" Dan asked as he set aside his shoes and hung up his jacket. "And if you're busy, we can go somewhere else?"

"No! No!" Midori hastily ripped off the apron and headband, rolling them up in her hands as she tried to organize her thoughts, failing badly. "I think I'm going to have visitors today. Me. Personally."

Amane raised one eyebrow. "Really? When did you find out about this?"

"Last night." Midori brought her two guests into the living room and bid them sit. "I mean, they're friends and all, but it's just so short notice."

Dan looked around. "Well, everything seems in order. Why don't you take a break and help with the studying?"

Amane agreed. "Share some tea with us," she suggested. "It cannot be that bad of an encounter if you are willing to let us stay here while they are coming."

Midori took a deep breath to steady herself. "Sorry. Sorry. I'm just stressed. Barely got any sleep last night." She went to the kitchen to start boiling some water. "And no, I'm not going to tell you what it's about."

"I wasn't going to ask," Dan said as he opened his text books. "Well, Amane-miko-san, where would you like to begin?"

"You can drop the 'miko'," Amane said. "I am not on the job, so to speak. You need not use that title. And I am studying for my literature tests."

"Ah, good." Dan shuffled the books in front of him until he found the right ones. "Oh, Midori?"

"Yes?" she replied from the kitchen.

"Is Saki coming over as well?"

"No, she can't." Midori explained. "Her dad needed her to help at work today."

"A pity," Amane said. "I enjoy her company."

Yasoinaba Municipal Airport

Fuuka and Aigis stepped away from the helicopter under the guidance of Mitsuru's aide. Once they were in the relative comfort of the local arrivals building, Fuuka looked around at the small room they were in. "So," she said as she patted down her jacket from the rainfall outside, "you remember where Midori lives?"

This technically wasn't an official mission for the Shadow Operatives, the two of them out here. Although it would have eventually been one if the politics weren't getting in the way.

"Of course," Aigis replied as she adjusted her school uniform. The lack of preparation time meant that she didn't have anything else to wear. "A car is waiting for us over there." She pointed out the front of the building. "We will return when we can," she then said to their pilot, who bowed in response.

She had her own duties to attend to.

Central Shopping District

The two girls took the taxi from the airport through town, both looking out the windows through the light rain as the town seemed to sleep on the Sunday. Their driver didn't voice any questions about the two of them going through town, though his eyes were another matter.

Fuuka actually found the place relaxing in its own quaint countryside manner. "Midori must be going crazy," she commented as they turned left at the bottom of the hill.

"What do you mean?"

"She's lived all her life in big cities, even Tatsumi met that criteria in a way. A small town like this must be a big shock to the system."

"I believe she has adapted well."

"Perhaps," Fuuka didn't agree. "But I can't help but worry. She always puts on a good face..."

"What is the reasoning behind your supposition?" Aigis asked, concerned for her friend in Midori warring with trusting her co-worker and friend in Fuuka.

"Intuition, I think. It's something that I just get this feeling of from the way you and Junpei and Chidori talk about her, and from my occasional conversation with her. I may just be imagining things."

"I believe you are."

The taxi rolled up a small hill and turned right. "Almost there, girls." Their driver announced before pulling up in front of a newly built house. "Here we are."

"Thank you," Fuuka said as she paid their fare in cash before getting a receipt. She joined Aigis under the umbrella that the robot held against the light rain as the Taxi pulled away.

"Should we not have asked him to wait for us?" Aigis queried.

Fuuka shook her head. "No. Who knows how long we're going to be? And waiting would mean the fare keeps going."

Aigis did the math in her head, and agreed with the economics of Fuuka's decision. "I sense there are multiple people in her house," she looked at the building, panning her head back and forth. "All three in the living room at the front of the building."

"That's not good," Fuuka said. "It would be better if we could talk to her in private.

"Agreed," Aigis spoke. "Though we are not expected, and did not arrange a proper meeting."

The two walked up to the front door, pausing before ringing the doorbell. "Perhaps it's her father and one of his friends?" Fuuka said, "If that's the case, getting some privacy with her will be easy."

"No," Aigis said, looking through the wall. "My sensors indicate that they are closer to her age."

Fuuka frowned. "We will handle things as they come then." She reached up and knocked on the door, sharply rapping the wood rather than using the electronic bell.

"Coming!" the familiar voice of Midori came from inside the home.

Front Hall

Midori knew who it was the moment the knock happened. Getting up from the table, she ignored the looks from her guests as she put on her best game face.

At the door itself, she took a breath to steady her worried nerves. She wasn't really in trouble. It was just Nanako. It wasn't like it was anyone serious like Amane or her Daddy, right? There was no way that Mitsuru would yell at her for that!

She opened the door, and bowed low. "Hello, Kirijo-san."

"Uh, she's not here." Midori looked up and saw Aigis and Fuuka standing there under an umbrella. In a flash, her demeanour changed from sullen to happy.

"Fuu-cha! Aigis!" She jumped forward to embrace them both. "I was so worried that she would come." She wrapped an arm around each of their necks, and drew them into a hug.

The two visitors shared a glance, recognizing the correct choice that Mitsuru had made.

"Come in! Come in!" She invited them into her home. "I have a study group going on."

Once Fuuka and Aigis were inside, and they had hung up their jackets, they entered the living room to find a boy and a girl about Midori's age sitting at the table. "Hello," the boy said. "I am called Dan." Aigis instantly zoomed in on him, evaluating Midori's 'not boyfriend' for anything untoward. Finding nothing except an ordinary human, she caught up as the other introduced herself.

"My name is Amane," the violet haired girl said as she shifted around to make more room at the table. "And you are?"

To Aigis' senses, this Amane was a prime Persona-user candidate. Even more so than Midori, who was busy getting more cups and another kettle for tea running. "Thank you. I am Aigis. This is Fuuka." She introduced the both of them, making informing Fuuka and Mitsuru of Amane's existence a high priority.

As though sensing Aigis' own probes, Amane focused her attention on her. "Ah, yes. She has mentioned you. What brings you out to Yasoinaba?"

"We needed to talk to Midori about something, and it couldn't be done over the phone." Fuuka said, ignorant of the byplay between the robot and the priestess. "So we came in person."

"It must have been a long train ride," Dan commented as he moved some books around. "Are you staying for supper, or something?"

Fuuka shook her head. She and Aigis had agreed on the way up that she would handle the diplomacy and talking with strangers unless Aigis felt comfortable with that. She was still a little unfamiliar with social niceties in certain circumstances, and trusted Fuuka to guide her through. And yet, the human reflected, she would trust Midori even more. It would be awkward if Aigis was caught between the two of them today. "Hopefully not. We still have school tomorrow."

Amane nodded in understanding. "You are welcome to sit and join us."

The two visitors took up the offer as Midori came out from the Kitchen with more drinks on a tray. "Here you go," she put down cups in front of Aigis and Fuuka and poured them a drink. Taking her won seat at the slightly crowded table, she took a sip from her own cup, ignoring the feelings in the air for her own feelings of relaxation that she wasn't in that much trouble.

"What are you studying?" Fuuka asked of Amane and Dan, an attempt at socializing before getting Midroi alone.

"Just literature," Amane said, careful to keep Aigis in sight at all times. It may have been rude, but she wasn't about to take any chances with the strange feeling she got from the white-haired girl. "So, how do you know Midori?"

"We were dorm-mates," Midori interjected. "Although it was a co-ed dorm, all the girls had one floor to themselves, while all the boys got another one."

"She also got me into the tennis club," Aigis said. "We went to the same tournament over the summer."

"Ah, then you are the one who won it," Dan said, now placing the name. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Aigis said, bowing slightly in the process. "I look forward to future competitions. How did you come by being Midori's friend?"

"We are both on the Student Council," Dan explained. "Although it would be more accurate to say that we are the Council." He shrugged. "So we've been working together a lot."

"Oh, that's nice." Fuuka said, glancing at Aigis to make sure she wasn't acting untoward him. She wasn't, instead focusing on Amane. "And you?"

"We're old friends," Amane said. "We met when she lived in Tokyo. I maintain the local shrine at the Shopping District."

Aigis tilted her head slightly, carefully phrasing her next question. "Ah. It was my understanding that her move out of the city was fairly quick. I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you."

"No, not really." Amane thought for a moment that Aigis was referring in an oblique way to the events that week in Tokyo. "We were mostly just casual acquaintances. Once we found out that we were both here in Yasoinaba, our relationship improved with time."

Midori set down her empty cup. "Can I leave the two of you alone for a few minutes? I think they" she indicated Fuuka and Aigis "really want to talk to me given it's a six hour trip back."

"We have alternate transportation arranged," Aigis said. "There isn't that much of a time issue." She looked at Dan curiously, "Is your work on the council difficult?"

"Not as much as one might think." Dan shrugged. "It's not like larger schools where there is lots that needs supervision. In fact, the Culture Festival these past couple days was the most work we'll need to do this semester."

"How was it?" Fuuka asked, honestly curious. "I mean, I know Midori was making a costume for her class."

"We did a haunted house," Midori elaborated. "I don't remember what Dan's did."

"I wasn't involved as I got a pass from my class to focus on the larger organizational necessities." Dan said as he read over a written piece from Amane. "This is good." he handed it back to her. "Although from what I heard, Midori was personally responsible for the success of her class' event. She was just that intimidating."

"Downright demonic was the descriptions I heard last night at the shrine," Amane added, thinking that those she overheard were speaking in hyperbole.

She didn't miss the instant glance between the two out-of-towners. "She's done that before, hasn't she?"

"She has a certain skill..." Fuuka tried to explain in a way that wouldn't reveal anything wrong. "I mean..."

"It's nothing!" Midori tried to shut down that line of conversation for the same reasons as Fuuka. "I mean, it's not like I can't act or anything."

"That is true," Aigis confirmed. "Can you show me where the washroom is?" She stood up, and Midori found herself trapped by the necessity of politeness to show her guest there.

"This way," she said, standing up herself. "Come on."

She led Midori to the washroom, and once they were out of earshot of the rest, Aigis spoke quietly. "There are multiple points we must discuss."

"It's alright Aigis!" Midori tried to pressure her friend into dropping the problems before they blew up in her face. "I've got everything under control!"

"Under control as defined by you using Frosty in the Haunted House?" Aigis asked sharply, disappointed in her friend using her power for such frivolous pursuits. "Under control as defined by a child sneaking up on you?"

"What do you want from me?" Midori hissed, letting a bit of the anger she directed at Mitsuru be directed at her proxy. Aigis was still her friend, but she needed to know that there were still limits!

Aigis was completely nonplussed by the vehemence in Midori's voice. "You promised," she said calmly, "that you would take care in using Frosty."

"Yes, and when I screwed up, I fixed it!"

"You did," Aigis affirmed. "But we are still here because the mistake was made."

Midori was reduced to a low growl at the subtle accusation that she felt Aigis was making. "Look," she said after a moment. "I get it. Mitsuru wants to know everything that's going on. She's a freaking control freak like that! But that doesn't mean that she gets to send you and Fuuka down here to give me hard looks and to question my every decision. She does that by merely existing!"

Aigis understood then what was going on, a flash of purely human insight that allowed her to see past the veils that Midori erected around herself to hide from herself and into her soul. And there was only one thing she could do to in that moment of clarity.

She hugged her friend. "I understand. I will make sure Mitsuru-san... stays off your case." She pulled back a little. "Did I say that right? Use the right idiom?"

Midori was stunned by the sudden hug. She didn't know why, but it felt like some small weight had been taken off her. "I think so. Yes. So, um, is Fuuka going to want to talk to me?"

"I doubt it," Aigis said with a very humane feeling of connection to her friend, something that was paradoxically right and unfamiliar. "But would you mind if we said hello to Nanako-chan? Just to let her know that we know she knows about your... story and to emphasize that she needs to be quiet about it?"

Midori froze for a moment. "Um... maybe? Do you really have to?"

Aigis put one finger to her chin in thought. "Well, I've never been a Magical Girl before, so it would be interesting to meet a fan. I've heard you have plenty of experience with such things."

For a moment, nothing happened, then Midori's facade broke with a giggle, then a laugh. "As long as you promise not to be mean to her, I think we can say hello." She waved off her own seriousness. "Thanks. I needed that. Things have been so stressful lately... I don't think I've been myself in a while."

As Midori turned her back on Aigis to lead her back to the living room, she missed Aigis freeze for a moment, then sharply look at her in bafflement. "As thou connect and reach out to thy fellows to build a sense of community with humanity, so too shall thy reward being power and strength to defend them when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Arcana Moon?" She repeated what she had heard under her breath.

"You say something Aigis?"

"No," she replied. "I was just thinking about something."

Municipal Airport
Evening

Fuuka and Aigis climbed into the helicopter and strapped themselves in while their pilot made the last minute preparations for take off. After adjusting her headset, Fuuka spoke to Aigis. "Cute kid, the way she looked at the two of us, though..."

"Yes," Aigis agreed. "I am still not sure how I should have reacted to that."

"You did well enough," Fuuka said with a smile. "So, what was that you wanted to say to me that you couldn't in the car?"

"Three things," Aigis began to enumerate them. "First, you are correct in your conclusion that Midori is under a great deal of stress. It just isn't the result of the move, but in terms of her commitments and other social factors."

"She told you that when you two went to the washroom?"

"Not in those words. I could sense it in her, and I offered what support I could."

"That's wonderful Aigis! What else?"

"Second, I believe I have forged what Minato called a 'Social Link' with Midori as a result of the previous."

"Um, what? You mean that whole 'draw power from ones connections' thing?"

"That is correct," the robot ignored the intense look from Fuuka. "It is a minor thing at this point, but has great potential."

"Mitsuru will want to know that," Fuuka said. "She wants all the information she can about the Wild Card, and this is one of the things that we don't have any information about."

Aigis nodded. "And thirdly, Midori's friend Amane was present for the Tokyo Event. Her name was mentioned to Akihiko in January as having the Persona 'Remiel'. According to my scans, she still has the potential, and it may be possible to re-awaken her power." She lied, recalling what Abel told her. But if Midori got a Persona from her ordeal, why not others?

Fukka stopped in shock. "You mean someone else in the same power class as Midori?"

"More so," Aigis said. "Her potential appears more than Midori's."

Komaki Residence
Evening

With the phone sitting on the edge of the counter, Midori carefully manoeuvred around it while preparing supper for herself, Amane, Mari and Daddy. Dan had gone home already, and she had called over to make sure that Nanako and Uncle Ryotaro were having supper at their place instead.

So of course Junpei had to call while she was busy preparing food for their weekly chat. Putting it on speaker, she worked at multi-tasking. "I hope Fuuka and Aigis got back alright," she said in a lull in their conversation.

"What are you talking about?" Junpei sounded suprised. "They left town? Why? And how did you find out before we did?"

"They came up here," she said. "and they needed to talk to me about a few things on Mitsuru's behalf." Both sides of the conversation knew that Midori's end could be overheard, so they had to dance around topics Persona-related. "When you see Aigis, ask her about the Magical Girl show I concocted."

"You did what?" Mamoru said from the living room. "Do I have to call one of your aunts to see if they are willing to read it over."

"It was an idea, Daddy!" Midori objected as she started to toss the salad. "It was an idea that got out of hand, and the visit by my friends had nothing to do with that."

Mamoru debated asking her why, but decided against it. Not only did they have guests over, but he trusted her enough to know that if she really needed help, she would ask for it.

"Aunts?" Mari asked as she flipped through the paper she brought with her. "Your side of the family?"

"Nope," Mamoru said. "They're what she was raised to call her mother's co-workers. After she died, they helped out quite a bit." He still made sure they got chocolate every year and cards for all the hard work they put themselves through for him when he couldn't do anything. "They're a circle of authors who write for certain types of shows."

Amane connected the dots first. "That explains where she gets her favourite televisions shows from."

While that happened at the table, Midori freed up a hand to use the handset directly. "Look," she said while keeping an eye on the stuff in front of her. "I made a mistake, and they came by to make sure that it ended there. Nothing serious about it. Ask Aigis."

Junpei didn't sound totally convinced. "What did you do?"

"You shouldn't pry, Junpei." Chidori objected. "She has learned her lesson, whatever it is. We do not need to pry."

"You may not want to," Junpei countered. "But now I'm interested!"

Sensing that her side of this conversation was over – it wasn't like they really needed her advice any more, Midori said her farewells, then turned off the phone. Checking the timer on the curry, she announced "Seven more minutes!"

Kirijo Group HQ, Shadow Hunters

"We can't touch her," Mitsuru announced after reviewing Aigis' report.

"Why not?" the robot asked.

"Because she, like Midori, was a participant in the Tokyo Lockdown. Even if she was still capable of summoning a Persona – something we have no evidence of given that it has been over a year and Midori only did thanks to the Dark Hour and the Hermit – she is under watch by the SDF. And there are still issues to be sorted out between them and Public Security regarding what we can and cannot do." Mitsuru leaned back in her chair, wishing something could be done about her headache.

Aigis didn't understand politics of that sort, and her previous requests for an explanation had met with even more questions. "Is there anything else?"

"No," Mitsuru said, dismissing her agent. "Thank you for your effort."

As she left, Aigis reflected that it was certainly a good idea to not to inform her superior what she suspected was part of the root cause of Midori's current issues – that she was trying to mimic or channel Mitsuru, and the two different mentalities were still at war externally. Besides, she still had another option to work with to help her friend become a better person.

27 September 2010
Gekkoukan High School, Student Council Room
After School

Chihiro waited in silence after Aigis finished her request. The ever-mysterious Tokyo transfer student from last year was still a pile of questions that refused to be answered. But the ever present memory that this girl was under the protection of President Kirijo kept everyone at eye-range, rather than trying to get to know her more personally. Only those whom she had approved of even tried.

Which meant that for Aigis to come to Chihiro for something meant that she was going outside of her comfort zone, and the conservatively dressed girl was not one to do something like that without serious prodding.

"I won't ask how you came by your information, or your conclusions," the Vice-President said between the two of them. "But if you're sure of this...?"

"I am," Aigis said firmly. "You are Midori's friend, and you are in a position to help her more than I can."

How could she refuse that? "Very well. I will advise Midori on her responsibilities more often. But understand that I can not do that all the time. I have my own responsibilities to work through. And you yourself are a third-year student." Chihiro adjusted her glasses as she waited for Aigis to respond.

"Thank you," Aigis bowed. "I am in your debt."

Yasogami High School, Teacher's Office

Morooka flipped through the well-written plan for next year. "The two of you want to move the festival back a month next year." It wasn't a question. Even though the Council had voted unanimously in favour of the change, it still needed faculty approval. And Morooka was the Principal's chosen representative in that regard, which meant that they still needed his approval. "So, was it your idea, Riddle-kun?" He used the nickname without shame, and The Quiz King let it slide. "Or was it hers?"

"It was something that came out of mutual conversation regarding this year's event." He had chosen his words well in advance to allow Morooka to put as much credit onto his prized student as he wanted.

"That's good," Morooka said after reading the same thing over and over again. "The Principal has a plan for a thing next year for the first and second-years that would work better if this was moved." He let the papers fall to the desk. "I don't think there will be any issues involved with the move back to October."

Dan was now curious. "What event, Morooka-sensei?"

But the stern teacher waved him off. "Don't you worry about that just yet. That's something for the teachers to discuss first."

Recognizing that he would get no further there, Dan bowed. "Is there anything else?"

"Nah. Good work out there." Morooka said, watching Dan carefully. "You just watch yerself around Midori, you hear me?"

Dan nodded. "Of course. Improper behaviour will not be tolerated."

That brought a thin smile to the teacher's face. "I'm glad to see you understand. Now git going!"

Dojima Residence, Backyard
Evening

The two elder men sat outside, sharing hot coffee between them.

"So, feeling better about things?"

Ryotaro didn't respond right away. "Sure," he said quietly, "I finally took her to the grave yesterday."

Mamoru put a hand on his shoulder in support. "How did she handle it?"

The detective's shoulders slumped. "It was harder for me than it was for her." He paused to wipe some moisture from his eyes. "I think she knew what was going on when we went out, and she tried to be the big girl."

"I understand," Mamoru said, reminding himself to reward his daughter appropriately for being a role model for Nanako. "How long were you up there?"

"A couple hours," Ryotaro replied. "I spent a lot of time talking to her. Telling her about Nanako, and how the two of you have helped me out so much."

"We'll both still be here for you." Mamoru noted that his coffee was running low, but didn't move from his seat.

"I know. Thank you again. And though she'll never say it, or never fully understand why, thanks to Midori as well." Ryotaro found his drink in the same condition and stayed sitting as well. "I'm still going to look for the person who killed her."

"I would expect nothing less. But please don't let your pursuit of the past blind you to her future."

"I won't."

The two men looked up at the clouds. "Oh hell," Ryotaro said as he noticed something. "It's starting to snow."

Mamoru laughed, earning a harsh glare from his friend. "Sorry! Sorry! It's just that in her shows, and dramas, snowfall is supposed to represent innocence or a fresh start. So having it come down now, well," he suppressed a chortle as Ryotaro groaned.

"We do not live is a stupid drama," he said. "Get your head out of the TV."

"Alright! Alright! I suppose we should head inside then. I doubt this will last, but it will be a good idea to make sure the house heating is set up."

"I hear you." Ryotaro stood up, stretching his back in the process. "Oh, just so you know, Adachi, my new partner will be coming over for supper next week. I want Nanako to meet him, but would you be willing to take her overnight if needed?"

"Still not good around strangers, is she?"

"Nope."