-Man, I'm sleepy.
-And when You're not?
-Well, when we talk.
-Ugh!
-Hey, are You okay?
Ugh, another dream. But who does these voices belong to? It looks like I'm subconsciously trying to recall something from my past, but what? Kusanagi sat next to me.
-Are You okay?
-Yeah, it's nothing. just a bad dream. I'll walk a little, don't worry.-She noded, but I could feel her concern. I stood up, and decided to have a talk with Kanji, who was observing Naoto, who was looking on the scenery from the window.
-Hey.
-Yo.
-So umm… How big is Inaba?
-Well, it's pretty big city, but it doesn't feel overwhelming, How long were You absent from here?
-I left when I was five.
-I see...hmm.
-You're concerned about something.
-It's about Naoto. She would never do something so rash as to decide to kill someone right of the bat. Also, ms. Kirijo wasn't her usual self either. Something big is coming. I can feel it.
-Something big, huh?- I looked at the time. -We still have about three hours before we reach Inaba. Go get some rest.
-Thanks.
-Oh, by the way, is Nagi still angry at Yosuke?
-Don't know. Didn't talk about that with her.
-Well, tell her not to hold a grudge because of that. Yosuke is just that kind of man.
-Okay. Thanks.-Even though I said i get some rest, I decided to honestly talk to Naoto. I had to know what's going on. I sat next to her. She looked at me with gloomy eyes.
-What do You want?
-I want to... no, I have to know what is going on. Why You and Ms. Kirijo are so worked up? Why did You try to kill me? I want answers.
-I guess I really owe them to You. Very well. It all began three weeks ago...
...
...
-I see. So someone from Kirijo group stole some documents about... what was it?
-It's chronostasis. In theory, Persona affiliated with time should be able to stop its flow, but we do not know the consequences of this action. So we have to find this person as soon as possible. After I found out that You're not a human, I just...
-You wanted to release Your accumulated stress on me.
-Yeah... sorry about that.
-Now I at least understand why are You both so tensed up.
-Oh, and one more thing.
-Yeah?
-Please don't tell the rest about that. I don't want them to stress out because of that.
-Okay.
With that I returned to my seat. Kusanagi was reading a manga I bought her in Iwatodai, while Chie was sleeping.
-Are You okay now?-Kusanagi asked me.
-Yeah. We'll reach Inaba soon.
-zzz. Yosuke, get out of my room or I'll kick You. zzz.-Chie mumbled.
-Are they fighting even during sleep?-I was amused. I recalled our first meeting and a flying TV popped in my mind. I laughed. Nagi stopped reading.
-What's wrong?
-Nothing I just recalled something funny and painful. Anyway, do You like that?-I pointed at manga I bought her.
-Yeah. The story seems pretty deep, so it's not boring. Also the protagonists development is showed really good...-She began talking about it. She stopped three hours later.
-And that scene when love of his life... oh we're here already?
-Seems like it.-We got out of train and headed towards the exit from the station. Outside, we run into a commotion. A bunch of thugs were surrounding a girl.
-Come on boys, let's teach her some manners.
-Hmph. I leave for a short walk and a bunch of monkeys attacks me.
-You're dead!
After two minutes, all thugs were lying on ground, moaning in pain.
-Hmph. That's what You get for messing with me.-She started to walk away, but then she turned and began walking towards us.
-You.-She pointed at me.-You look strong. Fight me!
-Sorry, but no.-I turned back. She ignored me and launched a straight punch. I dodged by hair and grabbed her hand.
-I said, no.
-Hmm. Self taught. Influenced by Karate and Taekwondo. Wide variety of exclusive techniques... This makes me wanna fight You more!
-(hmm. Exclusive battle style. Most probably her family runs a dojo of some sort. She mostly relies on heavy punches and heavy guard. It's almost impossible to break her guard. However, after she lands a straight punch, she holds it for a split second. I can assume that she have some kind of "cooldown" after some attacks.) As I said, I refuse.
-Fight me, or...-she looked around. Her eyes landed on Nagi who was standing behind me. She then turned back towards thugs, and took something from one of them. Afterwards, she passed me, and grabbed my "sister". She pressed a knife she took from thugs to her throat.-Or I'll make her another mouth.
-It 's not martial artist-like to use hostage. Fine, I'll fight You a 30 second battle.
I knew that Omega could easily break free, but to be honest I felt that urge to fight once again. I know what happened before, and I regret it. But I simply cannot give up on martial arts. I'll quickly take her down before I enter trance.
-I'll be referee for 30 second battle. The winner is the last one standing. If You fall, it counts as a loss.-Naoto was standing between me and mysterious martial artist. I saw it just now but under her battle suit, she's got pretty big bust. I took my battle stance ready to use one of my counter techniques. She saw it too.
-Trying to one hit KO me? Won't work.- She took a battle stance with her fists on her waist, and left leg slightly further than the right leg. This way she unconsciously showed me that her dominant leg is left. But I still don't know her dominant hand. I have to be careful.
-Ready, Prepare...BEGIN!
As soon as Naoto raised her hands, mysterious girl charged towards me. She prepared her straight punch with left hand, while right hand was blocking the area of her neck. She assumed that my counter would hit there since it's one of the uncovered vital spots. But my attack was different from the very beginning.
-Sei!- She punched the air where my head was a second earlier. By doing so, She allowed me to close in.
-Hikari-ryu, Yukikaze!(snowstorm)-I landed a palm heel strike on her torso, what caused her to stagger. I took the opportunity to swipe her leg, grab her by neck, and pummel her to the ground. The match took only five seconds.
-The match is over. Winner: Ankoku Hikari.
I stood up, and looked at the mysterious girl who challenged me. She was lying unconscious on the ground. The area around her was cracked. I used a little too much strength. As I was leaving, she moved.
-*cough* One more... *cough* come on!
-The match is already over. I see no need to continue.
-then just answer me, why. Why did You give up on martial arts?
Her question surprised me. I wasn't expecting that. I took a long, deep breath.
-It was seven years ago. I was a member of one of the Taekwondo clubs in the area. There was supposed to be some kind of freelancing tournament in the near future.
-Freelancing?-Nagi asked.
-It's a mixed tournament. You can fight whatever style, even street brawl. Anyway, I was one of the favourites for the tournament, because of my specific battle style. I passed through eliminations in no time. The same for semi-finals. Most opponents I fought were weak. But the one I met during finals... he could easily keep up with me. We exchanged flurry of blows one after another. And that's when I entered trance.
-You did what?-the girl was confused.
-My consciousness faded, and I don't remember what happened. The next thing I recall is a woman's scream, and a sensation of blood on my hands. My opponent was lying there, with crushed chest and blood flowing out from the wound on his head. I don't know how, but I lost myself for that moment. After that, I left the club and moved on to the next city. But I still dream of that moment, when "me" almost murdered someone. And there You have it. The reason why I gave up on martial arts.
The girl was left speechless. I turned back, took my bag from Nagi and left the station. I just wanted to be alone.
I watched Ankoku leaving the station. I wanted to go after him but Naoto, who was listening to the conversation grabbed my arm.
-Leave him. We can do nothing for him right now.
-But...
-He confessed to us his greatest secret. He needs to be alone.
I stopped struggling.
-I know, but I don't want him to be alone.
-He'll come back. Anyway, Do You have a place to stay?
-ummm… no.-I said. Ms. Kirijo was supposed to arrive next week to supervise me and Ankoku, so till then I was homeless.
-You can stay at my house.-Rise said.-I have too much space anyway.
-Thank You.
Thus we reached Rise's room. It was really big. I left my bags and headed out towards the exit.
-Where are You going?
-I have to… I have to think about some things. Be right back.
In the end I returned late at night. Rise was watching some late cartoon.
-That certainly wasn't "right back".
-Sorry, I had to clear my mind.
-Hey, did You hear? The tree near the outskirts of the city, was completely destroyed by unknown person.
-What?
-They say it looked like someone were punching it, till they made a hole through it. I wonder who did this?
I already knew who. I felt so powerless. I can't do anything even though he is my "owner". With resignation as my lullaby, i fell asleep(artificial humans need sleep too.). I woke up around dawn.
-*Yawn* Good morning.-I looked at Rise, but she was still asleep.
-*Munya*... oh Yu...Yu...Yu…
I really don't want to know what she's dreaming about.
-Good morning-I heard a voice from the balcony. I got up and walked towards Ankoku, who was standing on the pole in the center of the balcony.
-Isn't it too hard?
-A little.
*Awkward silence*
-Umm...
-Hey…
-Oh, You're first.
-No, no. By all means, You're first.
*More awkward silence*
-That tree in the news…
-Yeah, I did it. I had to relieve all those feelings, but I didn't think it could fall from one hit.
-Wait, what?
-Anyway, it looks like we have to get used to each other right, Sis?
-Wawawawa… Why so suddenly?
-Haha. You actually look kinda cute when You're surprised. Isn't it older brother's job to tease his sister?- he smiled.
-N-no, but considering our circumstances…
-What circumstances?
-Do You remember when Ms. Kirijo explained to You how I get "attached" to new "owner"?
-Yeah, she said something about "Person you will have to want to protect"
-You know that it's You, right?
-Well, sure. but why are You asking me this?
-Do You remember what she said about non-scientifical way of putting this bond into words?
-Wait… You meant that "love interest" part? I don't really mind.
-So as You see, I could get wrong idea… Wait, WHAT?
-I mean, it's Your life. If You would really fall for me, then no problem. I already like You anyway.
-Wawawawawawa…
-Besides, You never had a chance to live Your life to the fullest, right? Then I'll help You make up for it!-He reached his hand to me. My "heart" was pounding really fast, and I felt that I'm blushing. I reached my hand to his. He grabbed it and picked me up.
-Kya!
-Haha. that was cute too.
-Meany!
-But it really is fun. Waiting for new adventures. Stop looking back and keep looking forward to what the future holds. This is the best part of life.
-Are You still reminiscing about that fight?
-Yeah, but I just have to learn how to control myself. I can't give up. I'm gonna win this battle!.
-"With my back to the City of Light,
My Path is a field without end,
I have no Roads, I have no Guides,
I journey into the Darkness,
I go forward…
...With all my Might!"
-And what's this?
-It's from the manga You bought me to read in train. I thought that it could cheer You up.
-What a nice little sister.-He pat my head.
-Well, Bro, someone has to think about You.
-Thank You, Nagi. It really did cheer me up.
And thus I spent morning in his arms. Btw. He was still standing on that pole.