Chap.6- Back to school

June 20, 2010 = Gekkoukan High = Morning

JUNPEI IORI

As I was walking towards the school entrance, Kenji approached me.

"Hey Junpei, did you hear the rumors about the new student?" He asked me, as I nodded, he continued. "I hear the guy's a senior. Weird for someone to be transferring this late…"

As expected of the rumor grapevine here in Gekkoukan High, it didn't take long for rumors to fly about the "new" student. Hahaha if they only knew…

"Yeah, I know." I said trying to hide a smile.

I walked with Kenji, talking about random things until we reached the second floor of Gekkoukan, then we went our separate ways to our respective classrooms.

As I stepped inside classroom 3-A, I could see the rumors about the "new" student had already spread.

"All right, quiet down! Let's start today's lesson shall we?" Ms. Toriumi yelled. "You can talk about the transfer student later."

Some students groaned while some sighed in relief, thankful to be free of the endless rumors.

"Come to think of it… He isn't here yet is he?" Ms. Toriumi asked. "Late on his first day…"'

True. Why isn't Minato here yet?

June 20, 2010 = Gekkoukan High = Morning

MINATO ARISATO

Drat. Late on my first day… Why didn't I wake up earlier?

I ran up the stairs to the second floor, to the door of classroom 3-A, then I took deep breaths and knocked.

"Ms. Toriumi. Sorry I'm late." I said as I panted.

"Minato?" Ms. Toriumi asked "W-what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? I sent my application, didn't I?" I said.

"Wait. You're the transfer student?" A male classmate asked.

"Well… I guess so." I replied.

"But we heard you went overseas!" Another classmate asked.

"I'm sorry. I was so busy I didn't have time to read your application beforehand… Uh, welcome to 3-A." Ms. Toriumi said.

Again? And isn't that the same excuse she used last time?…Oh well.

I could hear murmurs and feel the eyes of the entire class on me as I sat beside Junpei, behind Yukari.

"Quiet now! You can ask Minato all the questions you want. Later!" Ms. Toriumi yelled.

Lunchtime

It took a while before I had a chance to actually eat lunch. People kept asking me questions like "Why did you come back?", "Was it too hard overseas?", "Did you come back to take Akihiko-san's title?"…etc.

Junpei and I sneaked off as soon as we could.

"Phew, thanks man. I owe you one." I told Junpei

"No prob! You know it's my duty to keep you out of trouble!" He said

"Keep? Aren't you the one who actually gets me in these messes?" I said as I laughed

"Ouch! C'mon dude!" Junpei pouted "You owe me a Hagakure Ramen special for that!"

I laughed as I nodded. Then, both of us turned to look at the voice that called us. It turned out to be Fuuka, Aigis and Yukari.

"Are you guys planning anything this afternoon?" Yukari asked

Something evil sparkled in Junpei's eyes as he said "Perfect timing! Minato here said that he was planning to treat all of us to Hagakure later!"

What?

"Oh I get it! It's like a welcome back party right Minato-kun?" said Fuuka

Oh geez…

"Uh, sure."

Hagakure = After School

We invited Ken and Ryoji as well. Koromaru had to stay behind, but, we promised to bring him something when we go back. The waiter took our orders as we talked among ourselves.

"You're going to pay for all of this Minato-san?" Ken asked me

"Well… we can always leave Junpei behind if I don't have enough money." I said

"Hey! I resent that!"

We talked about random things as we ate the hot ramen.

This sure beats being stuck in The Seal.

"Hey did you hear about that cult thing?" A female seated at the adjacent table said

I don't mean to eavesdrop but…this is important.

"Yeah. What's up with that?" Her companion said

"I hear that they attacked that building in Yokohama."

"Man, what is this world coming to?"

Attacking a building? Hey, wait a second; didn't Akihiko-senpai say that the cult has connections? If I remember correctly… they had connections in various countries around the world. Why would they attack a building?

"Hey, earth to Minato! If you won't eat your food at least give it to me." Ryoji said with a smile on his face

"As if!" I said "Hey, it's getting kind of late… let's stop by Beef Bowl to get Koro-chan something before we return to the dorm."

Late Evening

I stared at the roof of my room as I thought about the rumors.

I shouldn't be worrying about this… Besides, it's not like I can do anything about it… Man, this sucks. Maybe I should visit the Velvet Room on Sunday.

Then I felt a presence in my room. Ryoji sat by the foot of my bed, just like Pharos did.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Ryoji had a serious look on his face; I'm not used to seeing him like this.

"Nothing really, just wanted to say Goodbye." He said

"Goodbye?" I sat up so I leaned against the wall. "Why, are you going somewhere?"

Ryoji stood up by the window and looked outside. "I can't stay here forever, Minato." Then, he looked at me. "There are things I have to do."

"Like what?" I asked.

Silence filled the room.

"Ryoji?"

"Take care of yourself and the others too. I'll always be watching, my friend." Ryoji said

Then Ryoji disappeared as the lights gave way to the eerie glow of the Dark Hour.

June 24, 2010 = Paulownia Mall = Morning

YUKARI TAKEBA

I decided to go by Paulownia Mall today because I wanted to buy some clothes. After I drank some tea at Chagall Café, I walked outside to absorb the heat of the sun.

"Yukari!" I heard a voice call me.

"Oh, Minato, what's up?" I asked

"Nothing much, what're you doing here?" He asked

"I'm planning to buy some clothes later. I'm just walking around for now." I answered. "And you?"

"As I said, nothing much, I was just killing time in the arcade. Hey, you mind if I join you? It's quite too early to go back to the dorm." Minato said

"Suit yourself. I can always use someone to carry my bags home." As I saw the look on his face, I laughed. "Hahaha, C'mon!"

Afternoon

Minato and I spent our whole afternoon shopping for clothes. Actually, I just dragged Minato all over the mall until I found clothes that were on a good sale.

"Yukari… I think you've bought enough clothes for one year already." Minato said while holding the numerous bags full of clothes.

Oops, I think I may have overdone it. The poor guy can't possibly carry any more…

"Er… you're right. Sorry for making you hold this many…" I said as I took some of the bags he was holding.

"No, it's alright. I can manage." He said, refusing to give me the bags.

Why can't he just tell me how he really feels?

"Are you sure? We still haven't checked out the stores on the 3rd floor. There may be some good bargains there." I said, watching his reaction. As I expected, he winced at the thought of carrying more.

"I was just kidding, Minato. Next time though, please tell me when I'm overdoing it… and don't do things just to make other people happy, think of yourself too." I said, taking some of the bags he was holding, this time he didn't stop me.

"Uh, okay?" Minato said.

"C'mon. Let's get some coffee. My treat." I said with a smile.

Chagall Café

We entered the café and found a table. I ordered hot chocolate for me and coffee for Minato. We talked about random things for a while, after a moment of silence, Minato's expression changed.

Minato asked me. "Yukari, when I came back to the dorm, you and the others told me that a building in Yokohama has been attacked, right?" At my nod, he continued. "Well, last June 20, I overheard people talking about the cult. Is it possible that the two events are related?"

"I don't know. Akihiko-senpai did say that there are rumors that the cult had connections. Why?" I replied.

"It's just… infuriating that we don't know anything about this." He said, spitting out the word, infuriating.

"Don't worry; I'm sure everything will work out. You know those creatures we told you about? You know, the ones that appear during the Dark Hour, maybe those shadows-"

"They are not shadows." Minato interjected.

"Really? What makes you so sure?" I asked.

"I…I don't know. I just… know that those things are not shadows. Besides, shadows can't talk can they?" He asked.

"I think they can. I mean, our personas can talk at times, like when you first summoned Orpheus, it's a long story, but personas are the same as shadows." I said and Minato raised his eyebrows.

"Really? If you say so." He said. "But, I'm not exactly normal, and neither are my personas."

He didn't even say 'what?'… I wonder if I just told him something he already knew. It's like he raised his eyebrows surprised that I knew, rather than being surprised at the fact.

"I guess, you're definitely not normal, you know that? I couldn't believe it when I first found out that our personas and our enemies are the same. And here you are shrugging your shoulders at me…" I said shaking my head and Minato just laughed and flashed a smile at me. The both of us nearly jumped when Minato's cellphone vibrated. He looked at it and frowned.

"Drat. I'm sorry Yukari, but I have some things I have to take care of." He stood up and was about to leave but he stopped when he saw the shopping bags.

"Oh no, it's alright. I'll just take a taxi to the dorm. Or I'll just call someone up to help me with the bags, so don't worry about it." I said

"But…"

"Not this again, Minato Arisato. I told you…"

"I know, I know. Don't do things just to make other people happy. But…"

"But, nothing."

Minato sighed and started to pick up some of the bags.

"What are you doing?" I asked

"If you help me and pick up some of the bags we can make it to the dorm faster than us staying here quarrelling." He said

I glared at him then laughed and obliged. "You're really something you know that?"

June 24, 2010 = Naganaki Shrine = Evening

MINATO ARISATO

I went to the shrine immediately after I escorted Yukari to the dorm. I was surprised when I saw the unnaturally long line of numbers that appeared on my cellphone earlier. It could only mean one thing…

"You're late."

Margaret. Still as snobbish as ever…

"Sorry. Thanks for going all the way out here Margaret. I just wanted to ask, do you know anything about these weird happenings?" I asked.

"All I know is that there are strange beings at work. I can sense some things that are out of the ordinary."

"Like what?" I asked

"I-I'm not sure. These strange beings are adept at hiding their movements." She said looking down.

(Sigh)… so even Margaret doesn't have any idea of what the heck is happening. I know the Velvet Room residents tend to tell guests that we have to figure it out ourselves but… That isn't the case now.

"I see." I said dejectedly. "Anyway, I went to the Velvet Room this morning. But Igor said you weren't around."

"I was attending to another guest. With Elizabeth missing…" She shook her head and sat down on the swing. "Why do you ask?" Margaret slyly smiled at me. "Did you miss me?"

"Eh?"

"Haha. So innocent… I cannot stay here for much longer Minato. I have only one more thing to tell you." She stood up and looked at me in the eye. "Events are happening fast. Be careful."

Then Margaret walked off and left me alone in the Naganaki Shrine.

June 29, 2010 = Gekkoukan High = Lunchtime

"Minato-senpai!"

I turned around in my seat to look at who called me. It was Ami Nahamura, the current treasurer of the Student Council.

"What is it Ami-san?" I asked

"Sorry to disturb you senpai, but the student council president asked for you." She said

"What for?"

"Er… she didn't say."

What now?

I stood up and went to the Student Council Room.

Student Council Room

I entered still wondering what the president wanted with me. I was surprised to see Yukari in the room, talking to a girl with long brown hair.

It's probably Archery Club business. Maybe I shouldn't have barged in like that.

The girl with the brown hair had her back to the door so it was Yukari who noticed me first.

"I don't think there will be any problems" she was saying, "He seems fine enough to-Oh!" Breaking off, she quickly stood up. "Minato. We were just talking about you."

The girl turned around so I could see her face. It turned out to be… Chihiro Fushimi.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Student Council President huh?"

Chihiro smiled. "Sorry I had to call you while you were eating your lunch Minato-san. But taking care of this matter was a task I had put off for far too long."

"What matter?" I asked

Chihiro sat down on a nearby chair. "Have you heard about the rumors that our Vice President is sick?"

"Yeah."

"Well, those rumors are not true." Chihiro said

"So… you want them stopped?" I asked

"Yes. But those rumors are not true because… he had to move to another school due to unfortunate circumstances." She said. "I know, you have only come back to this school and… what I am going to ask of you is selfish."

Tired of standing on my feet, I sat on the table. "Go on. Ask away."

Seeing Chihiro's hesitation, Yukari spoke up. "Chihiro wants you to replace the Vice President."

And at that moment, I said something smart like, "What?"

"I-I mean, I can't do that, the election's already over!" I said

"That can be arranged, we certainly can't not have a Vice President. We could have another election just for the position of Vice President, and finally put these rumors at rest. That is, if you agree." Chihiro replied.

"If so, then why do you need my approval? You can go along with this election without telling me." I said

"Yes. I just thought that, maybe you were interested. And I wanted you to know in advance. You were a member of the Student Council last year…" Chihiro said. "Don't worry, I'll tell the student body about the election later."

"Okay. I guess I'll think about it." I said.

The bell signaling the end of lunch break rang. Yukari and I stood up and made our way to our classroom, when I heard someone calling our names. It was Rio Iwasaki and Kenji.

"Hey, dude. I looked all over for ya. So, are you free this afternoon?" Kenji asked me.

"I guess so, you planning anything?" I asked

"Planning anything? Hey, you guys better include me!" said the approaching Junpei.

Yukari said goodbye to Rio. "You know, you guys better hurry if you don't want Ekoda to catch you." Then she walked off.

"Hagakure Ramen?" I asked.

"Nah, too common. Something else." Kenji said.

Refusing Hagakure Ramen? That's a first for Kenji.

"Wild-duck Burger?" I asked.

"Nah, too childish. Something else." Junpei said.

Is anything even too childish for Junpei?

"Look, there's nothing to fear, the great Junpei will think of something!" Junpei said with confidence.

Nothing's scarier.

"Yeah. Let's just leave it in Junpei's hands, Minato." Kenji said.

I was thinking of alternatives when,

"Why are you out in the halls? Didn't the bell ring FIVE MINUTES AGO?" A chastising voice that could only be Ekoda's said.

I calmly looked around for possible exits; nothing could make you look guiltier than a frantic expression… which perfectly described my companions.

"There!" I said sprinting over to the men's room. Kenji and Junpei following closely.

"Whew. Close call." Kenji said.

The three of us waited until we were sure that the danger had passed and then we made our way to our respective classrooms.

After School

"C'mon man! Hurry up, and let's get going." Junpei said, leaving me behind. I couldn't resist rolling my eyes.

The two of us met up with Kenji and made our way to the place Junpei thought of after we changed our clothes.

Port Island Station

"What on earth are we supposed to do here? You guys want to watch a movie?" I asked skeptically.

Junpei sat on the bench in front of the florist. "Hehehe. Oh I'm sure you'd have no difficulty in doing what we came here to do."

I don't like the sound of that.

"I don't want to waste any time, so I'll be blunt. We're here to pick up girls and you're going to help us." Kenji said acting serious.

I sighed and stood up. "Tch. I should've known. Forget it; I'm not going to waste my time-"

"C'mon man! Have a heart!" Kenji interrupted. "You promised you'd help me right?"

Is he doing the 'puppy dog eyes' trick?

"C'mon man, please." Junpei said

I must be out of my mind… "Fine. But what makes you think that I know what to do?"

Kenji and Junpei looked at each other. "Are you blind? Nearly every girl in the school has a crush on you. You're like… the next Akihiko-senpai."

"Junpei… You and I both know that Akihiko-senpai has no idea what to do when he's with girls." I said

"Seriously?" Kenji raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, but… Oh c'mon man! Just help us already, do your best!" Junpei said.

"Okay, okay. But you want me to help you, right? Am I supposed to point you to girls or something?" I asked.

"No, just try to hit on 'em and we'll watch you. Sort of like 'watch and learn'."

I sighed inwardly and looked for a girl. I spotted one looking at the flowers at the florist's shop.

Oh well… here goes nothing.

"Hey there. Looking for any flowers in particular?" I asked the redhead.

"Um yes. Do you have any gerberas and carnations?" She asked me.

Gerberas… you mean like the one Yukari likes? Wait. Why is she asking me that?

"Um no, I-I don't work here." I said with a smile.

"Oh, sorry! I just thought… you looked like a high school student and I thought that you were working here for a part time job." The redhead stammered.

Quite a lot of assumptions, and she only looked at me once… Get a grip Minato; you're not supposed to interrogate a person you're hitting on.

"No, it's kind of my fault really. I did ask you a question that made it seem like I was working here." I said bashfully.

She laughed and extended her hand. "I'm Miyuki Aramaki."

I smiled and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Minato Arisato."

"Hahaha, it seems we both have rhyming names." She said. I let go of her hand but she still held mine. She probably noticed me looking at our hands and she pushed mine away.

Miyuki blushed and said "Sorry. I'm making one mistake after another."

I laughed and shrugged my shoulders. "No worries."

"Oh that's right. I was supposed to buy flowers, recommend any?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "I don't really know much about flowers."

"Honest huh? Most guys won't say the words 'I don't know', they just pretend they know everything…" She said.

Kenji and Junpei should hear this.

I looked at my cellphone to look at the time. "Oh, it's getting kind of late. I gotta go, see you around Miyuki-san."

"Yeah. See you around Minato-kun."

I was looking around for Junpei and Kenji when Kenji called me over.

"Sooo you don't know what to do huh? Dude, you were great, she told you her name without you asking her! Yeah. I'll try to do that next time…" Kenji told me.

"Do what?" Junpei asked. "You did great man, but I didn't really get it."

"Don't worry you'll do fine." I smiled. "Just do what you did with Chidori."

"You mean I should look for girls in the hospital?" Junpei said, and we all laughed.

"Uh, wait. Who's Chidori?" Kenji asked.

Author's Note: I enjoyed writing the last part. Listening to the OP of the animation of Persona 4 (sky's the limit) must have something to do about it. Two OC's have been introduced in this chapter, Miyuki Aramaki and Ami Nahamura. Next chapter, we'll have another version of the 'Babe Hunt', but this time it's Kenji's turn. Another 'sort of' OC will be introduced next chap. It's sort of because it was implied in the last part of the game, if you max out the Magician S-link.

P.S: Please review. I need those to help me in writing the story, any sort of criticism will do. Just review. Thanks for reading.

- Personaddict07