Next day I was still pretty tired, so I was fairly late leaving the dorm that morning. Junpei had already left sometime between the others leaving for their club activities, and me leaving. Guess Junpei was used to rushing out of the door.

Actually, it's not fair to blame them for me being late, or to blame me being tired. At breakfast, I noticed that I was the only one wearing actual school uniform.

Turns out we're allowed to play around with our uniform. Akihiko had that red tank-top, Junpei has his hat and blue shirt, Yukari has a pink cardigan, And Mitsuru… well, it worked as a school uniform, just not ours.

So why should I be left out?

So, yeah. The reason I was late was because I was picking out one of my various business ties to replace the ribbon we normally wore. I eventually settled for my old school tie; one with grey and red stripes.

The weight feels better than some flimsy ribbon.

I never thought of it before, but now that I'm wearing it outside of my old school uniform, it actually looks fairly badass.

This might very well be one of the better idea's have had lately.

"Hey, Minato-kun!" someone shouted. "Nice tie!"

Aaand now I'm getting compliments from guys off the street. Maybe this wasn't such a good - Oh, wait, I know him. What's his name from the other day, Junpei's friend.

"Remember me?" he asked. "Kenji Tomochika? We met on the first day."

Oh, yeah, him. Magician Arcana. "Yeah, I remember. 'Sup?"

"Man, I knew it." he laughed. "I heard from Junpei that you're pretty close with Yukari-san… what's up with that?" I didn't get to answer him, because he interrupted me as I drew breath. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm looking for someone with a bit more experience anyways." Dude, wouldn't stand a cat's chance in a small child's microwave with Yukari.

To be fair, I knew that Yukari wasn't someone with 'Experience'. In my book, there are two kinds of women with Experience; Older women, and Sluts. And by Older, I don't mean like Mitsuru.

So either this guy has weird tastes or he has no idea what he's talking about.

"Like her, man." Kenji explained, wolf-calling.

I followed his gaze to a woman that looked like a teacher. Dude, she must be twice our age… oh, that's what you meant.

I would have placed my money on 'no idea what he's talking about', but apparently I would have lost that bet.

My friend Kenji is a MILF Hunter.

"Anyways, come on." he laughed. "We have the morning assembly."

Ah, Crap. "Hey, Kenji, can you do me a favour?"

"Huh?" he asked. "Sure, what is it?"

I zoned out during the assembly. No way was I listening to all that in translator mode. I perked up when Mitsuru came onto the stage, saying "Arigatou." Yukari leaned forward, putting her head between mine and Junpei's. Translator on.

"So, she did get elected… Hardly surprising really, I mean she IS the most popular girl in the school."

Junpei nodded. "You can say that again." He smiled wistfully. "There's like some kind of aura around her!"

"What colour?" I asked.

"Red." Ah, Junpei was catching onto my madness. "Besides, her family owns the school, right?"

"Yeah," Yukari confirmed. "I try not to think about it."

I didn't even bother listening to Mitsuru's speech, but judging from the applause, I missed something good.

"Dang…" Junpei said afterwards, "That was freaking amazing. So," he turned to me, "You have any idea what she just said?"

"I wasn't listening." I shrugged.

"Dude!" both Junpei and Yukari were taken aback. "You're such a rebel…"

Well, yeah. I've been breaking into gangster's cars since I was ten. They broke my arm once, but so worth it.

I actually tracked down Mitsuru during lunch and asked her for a translation of her speech, saying I had difficulty translating what she said. Seemed a decent excuse, judging from Junpei and Yukari's reactions. Mitsuru showed mixed emotions- part disappointment in my difficulty (CoughLazinessCough) with Japanese, and part pleased at me coming to ask her for a translation.

I was actually disappointed. Maybe it was lost in translation, but basically what she was telling us was to take a look at ourselves, change our lives to fit the needs of the school, and make the most of our selves. She mentioned achieving our own goals as if it was an afterthought.

I gave the paraphrased version to Junpei later on, and he was just as unimpressed as I was. Just goes to show, the way you word something can really change what people hear.

Kenji grabbed me after class. He noted down what was covered in assembly for me, and in return, I was treating him to ramen. Apparently some of the sports clubs were accepting new members soon. I was torn between Running, Swimming, and KENDOKENDOKEN! Kendo.

Hey, if you write down lots of KENDO's one after the other without spaces, it looks like KENDOKEN!

I liked Street Fighter. I suck at it, but I like Street Fighter.

We were walking down the yard when we saw Akihiko surrounded by a Horde of Fangirls.

I thought that only happened on the internet.

"Man, I thought you only saw girls flock like that on TV…"

I turned around. Junpei. Oh, he is NOT getting a free meal.

Thankfully, he didn't notice Kenji. "Have you noticed how popular Akihiko-san is with the ladies?" Junpei asked.

It's kinda hard to miss it actually. The sight of the horde, the screeching, the heavy perfume, it's an assault on multiple senses.

"Man, take a look at that... I didn't use to talk to him much, but now I've got a good excuse." Junpei grinned. "I know he's the captain of the boxing team, but... Who woulda thought he'd be such a chick magnet!"

Normally, I'd agree, except for a captain of a boxing team, Akihiko was fairly skinny. His muscles were compact, but strong. Plus the unusual hair colour and the aloof attitude, and bam! Instant Final Fantasy Lead, AKA Fangirl Bait.

Akihiko saw us and waved. "Hey, Junpei-kun! Minato-kun!" he shouted. "You free this afternoon?"

Kenji noticed he wasn't invited. "You owe me a bowl of ramen tomorrow." He said, walking off. "Later!"

He left before the fangirls arrived. Akihiko waded through them. "I want the two of you to meet me at the police station at Paulownia mall." He told us. "You know where it is right? I'll see you there."

Junpei almost fainted. "Wait, we're not hanging out with your friends?" he asked with disappointment.

"Who, these girls?" Akihiko shook his head, sticking his thumb over his shoulder. "I don't even know their names." Yep, just like member of the band. "They talk so much they give me a headache…" Standard Shoujo love interest.

"Aww… Akihiko Senpai!"

"Why can't you be more friendly?"

Akihiko walked off. "Whatever…"

Wow, I'm surprised he hasn't been ripped limb from limb and built into shrines yet. He's approximately one horse, one cape, and one castle away from being a giddy schoolgirls dreamboat. I do hope I don't end up like that.

"Man… How can he not know their names?" Junpei asked.

He didn't seem to understand the rule: your desire for women is inversely proportional to your ability to get them.

"Dude… is Akihiko-senpai blind?" he asked. "Or just plain dumb? Those chicks were all over him!"

Or not interested, ever consider that?

"Man… I'm so jealous…" he whined. And that's why you'll never get a girlfriend in high school. Sucks to be you.

"Whelp," Junpei added, perking up, "He said Paulownia Mall right? Let's go."

Junpei practically ran to the mall, but he kept stopping to let me catch up. No way was I running when I was listening to music.

"Dude, take the headphones out and come on!"

I never felt like… so miserable

"Hurry up man! He's waiting!"

I never felt like thinking this would last forever

"Minato Kun" Junpei told me, pulling out a headphone. "AKIHIKO-SENPAI IS WAITING!"

"And?" I asked. "He'll still be waiting when we get there." Baby stay with me

Junpei looked at me like I was insane. You gotta tell me your love came all over me

I'm loving this album, though I am being a dick to Junpei.

We got to the police station fairly quickly, although it seemed slower because of Junpei's whining. I hit the pause button on my MP3 as we entered (Just like every cowboy, sings a sad, sad-) and Akihiko turned to us.

"Perfect timing." Akihiko said. See Junpei? We got here at the perfect time. "This is Officer Kurosawa. He helps keep our squad equipped." Hey, nice to meet you. "And this-" He handed a wad of cash each to me and Junpei.

5,000 yen, sweet! That's like, what, 30 quid?

Wait, £30? That's barely $50 American dollars. Actually, that's a lot when you consider Junpei got the same as me.

Plus, free cash is free cash, so I pocketed it without complaining.

"You can't fight empty handed." Akihiko told us. "Officer Kurosawa here has connections… But these things still cost money."

"Of course they do." The policeman told us. "Nothing in this world comes without a price."

"I realise that." Akihiko replied, turning for the door. "Well, I'll see you guys later."

Not yet you don't. "Wait, Akihiko!" I called after him.

"Yeah Minato-kun?" he asked.

So, he's cool with me not calling him Senpai. That's good. "Just thought, shouldn't we all have each other's phone numbers?" I asked him. "In case we need something?"

There was that awkward silence you get when someone points out the blind stinking obvious. Me, Akihiko and Junpei exchanged numbers and emails, and Akihiko gave us Mitsuru's number.

So, apparently, in Japan, there's no text messaging. Instead you have a phone number for your phone calls, and you send emails to each other like you would texts. Junpei showed me how to synch my phone up with my email, and we added each other's addresses to our phones.

I made a note to get Yukari's number later.

"I've been informed about you two." Officer Kurosawa told us as Akihiko left." My job is to maintain peace in this city, regardless of the circumstances." I began typing an email with the phone in my pocket; an amazingly useful skill, I recommend learning it. "I'm just an ordinary police officer, but it doesn't take a genius to know something strange is going on here. I'm only doing what I think is right."

What's up with this guy's weapons? I hit send, as Junpei began looking at his swords. I hung back until I got a reply:

strngr + hv abltsy tht nly prsna usr cn c / use. armr 2.

I sighed at Akihiko's response. Was it so hard to spell right when emailing? I did it without even looking! But hey, mad skillz.

Maybe this guy has a fire sword or something.

No such luck, but he did have a decent shortsword called the Gladius. Looking at it, apparently it had an advantage over Empress Shadow's. I wonder what would happen if I were to challenge Mitsuru with this…

"Dude, check it out!" Junpei was swinging a new sword around. "The Kishido Blade! If I cut someone with it, they get angry!"

…

Just...

Man. That's Junpei all over.

Even when he's saying something accurate, he sounds like an idiot.

Okay, so the sword has an ability that may make the enemy go Berserk. (The capital B is because apparently they actually turn red and steam), but the way you just worded it… sigh.

I turned back to Kurosawa. "You accept part exchange?" he nodded, so I whipped my shortsword out from beneath my jacket.

"That'll be 3000 Yen, including the sword."

"What, for this sword? It's worth more than 400 Yen!" Personally, I reckon it's worth 1000 to him. "1500 and the sword for the Gladius."

"3000 and your sword for the Gladius." Kurosawa repeated.

"1750" I raised.

"2500" He lowered

"2000" I offered.

"Done."

… Wow, I that went better than I thought. I swapped the swords, and bought a Camo Shirt while I was at it.

Well, that spent all the money Akihiko gave me. Junpei, however, sold his fake katana and pocketed the rest of the money. On the way out, he was complaining how he wasn't given enough money, when something caught my eye.

"Hey, Junpei, I'll see you later."

"Huh? You doing something?"

"Yeah…" there was a blue light coming from the alleyway. "British things."

"What, drink cups of tea, stuff like that?"

"Sure, why not. Cheerio." It was vital he bought my excuse as I headed down the alleyway.

There, like I thought, was a blue door just like the one from before. Grabbing the velvet key, I stepped inside.

"Ah, there you are." Igor welcomed.

I took my seat opposite him. "Afternoon Igor. Elizabeth."

"Hello again" Elizabeth said with a slight smile. "Welcome back to the Velvet Room."

"Well…" Igor began, "I suppose it's time for me to explain what I really do here."

About bloody time.

Igor's smile grew at my impatience. As one people-reader to another, he's good. "Don't worry." he chuckled. "This shall be worth the wait. It is my job to create new Personae."

"…Sweet…"

"Indeed," Igor replied, "But in order to do so, I must fuse your Persona cards together. In other words..."

"You will take multiple Personae from me and fuse them into one new one." I deducted.

Igor grinned. "Precisely."

I frowned. "Now why the hell would I do that?" I asked.

Igor smirked. "When a new Persona is created, it tends to be a higher level than the ones that were fused."

That shut me up. Igor continued, saying; "However, the Personae that are used as fusion material are lost forever." He waved a hand nonchalantly. "Since the process requires multiple Personae, you will be left with fewer than you had before..."

Igor smiled as I thought about this. "Which powers will you forsake in order to obtain new ones? It is up to you to decide…"

Igor continued; "Furthermore, depending on the Arcana, you may be able to create a stronger Persona if you have established a corresponding Social Link."

"Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to make a Persona of the Fool Arcana…" I said, quoting the spooky voices in my head.

"Precisely." Igor answered. "If you were to fuse a Persona of the Fool Arcana, it would grow in strength because of your bond with your teammates." I sat up and paid attention. "Persona is the power of your soul, which thrives on the bonds you have with others. Thus, it is only natural that Social Links affect the strength of your Personae." I nodded. "If you have established a Social Link of the same Arcana as the Persona you wish to create..." Igor's smile turned wicked."...then that Persona will receive power from the Social Link and level up." I like that kind of wicked smile.

"The amount of power it will receive depends on the level of the Social Link." Igor elaborated. "In some cases, your Persona may even surpass your own level." Igor chuckled. I'm not sure about this new kind of wicked. "Do you understand now how important Social Links are to Persona-users such as yourself?"

Basically, I'm going to legitimately use the power of friendship to smite eldritch monsters, with is pretty sweet all things considered.

"What about the others?" I asked. "They can only hold one Persona-"

"Thus, my services would be useless to them." Igor interrupted. "However, their bonds to others still affect their own Persona in other ways."

I nodded. "So do fused Persona only have increased strength?" I asked.

Igor grinned. "Not at all." he said. "A Persona created through fusion may inherit the skills possessed by its precursors. In other words…"

"It's possible to give a Persona skills that it could never learn on its own…" I realised with a smirk.

"Indeed." Igor seemed to like how quick I was catching on. "The mechanism of skill inheritance is not completely understood... but there are three key points I'd like to share with you."

I nodded, and Igor explained. "First, the skills to be inherited change every time you select a Persona for fusion.
"Second, the chance of a skill being inherited depends on what the expected Persona is…" Igor paused. "...I can give you more details on this some other time.
"Lastly, the more skills the original Personae possess, the more skills the resulting Persona will inherit... Please remember this."

"Thanks." I looked within myself. I had enough room for three more Personae. "I can get more Persona to fuse with be doing battles with the Shadows, right?" I asked.

"That is correct." he confirmed.

I smiled. "I'll see you later." I told him.

This is gonna be fun.