CHAPTER 4: Silent revenge
06/09/09
Lunchtime. The computer room was deserted, safe for two students, a senior and a junior, arguing within. The senior voice could be easily heard from outside the room.
"Shinn!" he yelled as he slammed a hand on the closest desk, angrily. "Why did you take such an initiative without consulting with the rest of the team?!"
"Consulting?!" Shinn spat back, swaying his gaze. "There was no time to procrastinate! If we didn't act as we did, Fuuka would have been…!!"
"This is no reason to act in such an irresponsible way! You revealed our existence to SEES, despite we were clearly asked to not get mixed with their operations! You took the initiative and disobeyed orders…!"
Shinn faced Athrun with defying eyes. "It's always like this with you… the orders, always the orders!... Are you saying it's OK for you to leave a person in danger as long as you 'follow orders'?! Besides, you're nothing but a third wheel, you have no authority in this group, so stop acting as if you still were my commanding officer, cuz you're no longer that!"
Athrun couldn't take Shinn's insolence anymore; instead of talking back, he stepped closer and slapped him with his right hand. The younger one placed a hand on his aching cheek while biting his lower lip; his whole body was quivering in rage.
Before Shinn had the chance to counter, the computer room sliding door opened as Rei stepped inside. He looked pretty weary, as if he had a hard time falling asleep. "Can't you guys keep quiet? Boy, I have a headache…" he moaned.
"Ah, Kurohagane-Sensei! About time!" Athrun said, still angry as he approached his teacher and boss. "Listen, it's about the last operation…"
Rei quietly sat to his own desk and sighed. "I can't say anything about this operation, I still have to read Kumiko-Kun's report thoroughly … I only know something about what happened…"
"But Sensei!"
"…the bell is going to ring soon, Athrun…" Rei replied, making clear he wasn't in the mood to listen. Realizing that, Athrun moved to get out of the computer room, very annoyed. Shinn waited a while and then, with a sigh, did the same; before he got out of the room, Rei stopped him and said. "I only have something to tell you, Shinn: always take responsibility for your actions. Remember that."
"Kuro-Sensei! I…!!" Shinn was about to reply, but the teacher interrupted him.
"Whatever you did… all that matters is that the girl, Fuuka, is safe. In other words, the operation was a complete success, regardless." This statement caused Shinn's face to enlighten as a smile was brought back on his face. "Now go, kid. I don't want you to be late for the classes!"
Immediately, Shinn rushed outside, almost bumping into Kumiko, who was coming inside. Swiftly apologizing, he kept on running while the girl approached Rei's desk.
"You look terrible, Sensei…" she stated, crossing her arms.
"Let's just say that those were really tough days for me…"
Kumiko looked away while arching an eyebrow. "Oh, well that makes me feel a little better… and I thought you were going to let us do all the hard work while you were taking easy with some girl… And in all this mess we had to take care of one of THOSE shadows, which was clearly out of our schedule…"
Rei let out a hoarse, slightly embarrassed cackle. Now I wouldn't it was just ONE GIRL… heh… "You're so harsh, Kumiko-Kun…"
"Have you read the report I wrote yet?"
"Only partially… seems like you had a tough night… anyway, at least Fuuka is safe… I would have hated if something happened to such a cute girl…"
"Oh, it's too bad we don't have such a cutie in our team, huh? Because it looks like SEES will get her… tough luck, eh?" Kumiko's eyes rolled as she sighed.
"Man, Kumiko-Kun… you sure have a bad opinion of me!" Rei's head dropped as he graced her with a grim smile.
06/12/09
Shinn rushed inside his homeroom, fearing that the teacher, Ekoda, would have scolded him for being slightly late. He was quite surprised to see that the teacher desk was empty.
"Hey, Shinn!" one of his male classmates, Daisuke, greeted him. "Man, you got lucky! Ekoda won't be around for a while…"
"Well, I oughta be happy about it!" Shinn chuckled as he sat at his desk. "That old goat always nags me a lot… but… isn't that kinda unusual for someone like him?"
"Didn't you hear it?" A couple of girls approached his desk. Everything in her eyes could tell him they were enjoying gossiping, they had a peculiar, smart look. "Ekoda is in hot water!" One of them said.
"Huh? What happened?" He asked, tilting his head.
"Dunno" the other girl answered. "But it must be something serious… maybe sexual harassment!"
"Yeah, I can totally see it!" The first girl chuckled.
Suddenly, Shinn remembered what happened the morning of their operation to rescue Fuuka. He remembered about Mr. Ekoda not doing anything to help the girl so to protect his career and the school's well being. Then, he remembered Mitsuru's words: "I'll make sure such a despicable behaviour won't pass unpunished…". I'm ready to bet that she was serious when she said that… well, serves him right! He thought while smirking.
The classroom sliding door opened as Fuuka stepped inside the classroom, without saying a word to anyone, staring at the floor. Shinn looked in her direction with a slight smile while the two girls shared smart gazes.
"Hey, look!" one of the two girls by Shinn's desk said with a cackle as her friend tried to hush her. "It's the ghost girl!"
Immediately Shinn hopped on his feet, about to say something to the two nosy airheads, when Natsuki entered the room from the same door Fuuka came in. The tall brunette threw an angry look to the two girls who rushed to their desks, silent.
"Meh, don't mind them, OK, Fuuka?" she sighed, leaning an arm on the closest wall. "Anyway, I see you're a bit depressed lately… so… if you need someone to talk with, you can count on me anytime. After all, that's what friends are for."
Seeing that Natsuki was on Fuuka's side, Shinn sighed in relief and walked closer to them. At first he looked angry, so both girls looked at him, worried. But then, he faced both with a friendly smile. "I'm glad to see you're back. You were in the hospital for quite a while, I was worried…" He quietly said.
"Thank you… Shinn-Kun… Moriyama-San…" Fuuka's eyes started to water as she smiled to both Shinn and Natsuki. Despite the rumor everyone in the classroom believed in, she felt really happy to see she had two dear friends to rely on.
Natsuki placed her arms around Fuuka and Shinn's shoulders as she chuckled. "That won't do! It's too formal! Just call me Natsuki. As for him… you should call him 'Prince Charming'…!"
"P…prince… HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!!" Both of them jolted, embarrassed.
"I'm counting on you, sweetheart!" The tall girl nodded as she lifted her thumb to her male classmate before sitting at her desk.
Shinn blushed and placed a hand on his forehead. Counting on me… to do what, Natsuki?! You're getting the wrong idea! "Anyway, Fuuka… I'd rather not let you get involved with the shadows, but if that's your decision, I won't object… just… you can count on me if you need someone to cheer you up!"He then looked at Fuuka, who was smiling at him; a warm, gentle smile which would have melted everyone's heart. Aw, whatever… she's so cute!
06/19/09
Junpei was hanging to the outer railing on the highest floor of the Iwatodai strip mall, by the drink vending machine. He kept on rocking back and forth as if he was waiting for someone. "…where is Kona-Chan…?" He mumbled before letting out a noisy yawn.
Then, his attention was taken by a small voice calling him from beneath. He looked downward to see Konata and Kumiko, the latter was carrying a big paper bag, filled with many kind of doujinshi she made. "Don't mind me" she said. "I'm just here to sell these…" The two girls walked the staircase up and then, the three of them entered the Book On Bookstore. As Konata and Junpei walked together to the DVD section, Kumiko patiently waited by the front desk, which was deserted.
Little did any of them know that the small, long-haired girl and her junior friend were actually watched by a mysterious shadow, popping out of a shelf. Out of the shade, a young man appeared, his eyes sparkling with determination: the lad had wild black hair, making him similar to a 70s anime character and wore a red visor with Tenchou (Shop manager) written in white, a long work green jacket, blue jeans, black fingerless gloves and a long, flowing red scarf.
"The rumors were true…" he muttered as he clenched both his teeth and fists as his soul seemed like building a fire of passion. "I came to this island trusting the voices and I wasn't fooled by them… SHE's here!" he then jumped forward and wiped imaginary sweat off his chin. The fateful day has come, Legendary Girl A! I have you now! He then pointed a finger to a non-specific point. "Today, I'll manage to get you b-!"
He was unable to continue the phrase, for he felt someone tapping his shoulder and stood, frozen in that position as the person (As a matter of fact, Kumiko) kept on tapping. After pausing a while In that position, the young man immediately turned around to face her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he gestured her to wait as he ran off farther. After less than three seconds, he dashed back to her with a DVD box, rising a massive dust cloud as he braked a few inches away from the girl and then dramatically showing it to her. "Here it is!! The latest SRW OG – The Inspector DVD, deluxe edition!!"
Immediately Kumiko grabbed the DVD with shaking hands, frowning. The Earth Cradle finale… the slimebag's demise…then, determined "I take it!" as she pulled her money pouch out of her bag and both walked to the cash.
The girl in blue paid the DVD and carefully slipped it inside her school bag, back with the money pouch, her eyes literally sparkling. Then, her mind snapped as she shook her head, looking at the shop manager. "I'm not here to buy, but whatever… I already did… I'm here for the monthly self-made doujinshi delivery for the RK..." She said as she dropped the doujinshi on the desk with a sigh. "…although I doubt it will sell much… I mean, it's not H or Yaoi doujinshi…"
Suddenly, the shopkeeper jumped up on the desk as he clenched both fists in a dramatic way, quivering. "It doesn't matter how much it sells out… as long as there is AT LEAST ONE customer who's satisfied!!" he then pointed at the girl. "Do your readers like what you make?!"
"Um… y…yes…" Kumiko replied, embarrassed by the guy's attitude.
"That's all that matters!" he placed a hand on her shoulder and pointed to the horizon as an imaginary wind rocked his scarf back and forth. "Go! Go and publish your works with no shame!"
"I will!" She blurted out as she ran out of the shop, proud.
As soon as Kumiko was out, the guy dashed in the direction he saw Konata and Junpei walking. Now it's your turn, Legendary Girl A!! He then stopped on his track as he saw both nowhere, desperately looking around. Another keeper, a rough-looking man with curly hair jumped to him, his breath labored. "T…Tenchou… Legendary Girl A has left with her new friend…" he gasped, causing the "manager" to scream as he felt like the surrounding world exploded around him.
Meito "Anime Tenchou" Anizawa: The new shopkeeper for the Book On Bookstore. He's an energetic, hot-blooded youth who's incredibly passionate about his job. He'd do anything to please his customers and sometimes acts as a spiritual mentor to Kumiko, often boosting her self-confidence. He came in Iwatodai to go after Konata, AKA "Legendary Girl A" (Due to the insanely high prices she's willing to pay for anime/game merchandizing) and finally be able to get her buy something valuable at his bookstore.
06/20/09
Right after the class being over, Kenji was warned by Mitsuru about a meeting taking place in the dorm. As he walked out the school gates, the boy saw Tsukasa sitting on a bench. When he asked her who she was waiting, she replied no one in particular, and immediately invited her to walk him home, much of her happiness.
"Wait" Tsukasa said as they started walking. "I want to tell my big sister I will come later to the hotel." With that, she pulled out her cell phone and started looking for Kagami's number, but not remembering how to get into the recorded numbers list she kept on messing up, over and over, which made her ever more apprehensive.
Kenji chuckled as he approached her a little bit more, prompting her to blush. "Don't fret, it happens to me all the times as well!" he then tried to give her a hand, but he was even more at loss than her! It took them about an hour to get them call Kagami… but they eventually did it.
Once they arrived by the dorm, they spotted Yukari and Fuuka, who looked like busy with a small-sized white and grey dog with pointy ears and vivid scarlet eyes. When Fuuka asked it for its paw, the dog intelligently stuck it out.
"Aw, cute doggie!" Tsukasa clasped both hands together and approached the two girls, kneeling over the dog which, in response, started to sniff her while wagging its tail. "Oh, you're a smart little guy, aren't you? What's your name, boy?"
"His name is Koromaru." Fuuka answered. "I've often seen him by the shrine."
"The shrine? Oh, maybe you know Kumi-Chan, then, Koro-Chan?" Tsukasa smiled while stroking the dog's soft fur. Koromaru barked as a reply.
"Kumi-Chan?" Kenji asked, tilting his head. "Oh, you mean Kumiko-Senpai? Does she live by the shrine?"
"Yes, she does. Her grandparents tend the shrine… or so she told me." The short-haired senior replied.
They all then heard a voice from the direction Kenji and Tsukasa came from: "Koro!! Will you ever stop running around like that?!". Then they all saw Kumiko running to the group as Koromaru immediately rushed to her. Once they met, the girl knelt down, allowing the dog to leap on her, both front paws on her shoulders as he happily moved to lick her face, his tail wagging madly.
"Silly boy… why do you always make me worry like that?" the girl chuckled. Her face, usually quiet in a seemingly cold way, was enlightened by the most cheerful of smiles.
"You mean it's not the first time he runs off this way?" Tsukasa asked, standing up.
Kumiko's expression reverted to its normal look as she shook her head while gently pushing the dog back on the floor. "Koro… he's my grandfather's dog… or, rather, used to be… my grandfather was the priest at Naganaki Shrine and the two of them loved to walk here around this hour."
"Used to be? What's that supposed to mean?" Yukari asked, while crossing her arms.
The older dark-haired girl sighed. "…that my grandfather died… six months ago. They reported it was a car accident… he couldn't survive… but reality isn't that simple, you know." She talked in a cold tone, but her eyes betrayed a deep sadness and anger.
"You mean… the shadows?" Fuuka asked with shaky voice.
"Does it matter who did it?" She then shook her head once again and faced the others "Anyway, since then, Koro has been sitting patiently where the accident occurred and then he walks this road around this hour… just as if gramps were still alive."
"Wow! He sure is a loyal dog!" Yukari remarked as she stroked Koromaru.
"Yeah. I'm really proud of him." Kumiko nodded. Then, to Tsukasa. "You go on ahead to the hotel. I'll walk Koro home and then be there, OK?"
"OK. Later, Kumi-Chan." Tsukasa said as she bent down to the dog and patted his head. "Bye, Koro-Chan! Be a good boy, OK?"
The dog barked as to say "OK, I will!" and both he and his human friend walked home together.
Koromaru: An intelligent-looking dog who used to belong to the priest of Naganaki Shrine, Kumiko's grandfather. When his master died, he kept protecting the place the sad event occurred. He's an independent dog who often roams around on his own, causing Kumiko to get frustrated in looking for him.
06/22/09
The Dark Hour appeared as always, engulfing the whole city with its green aura, as blood and coffins were scattered around the city and silence ruled supreme. There were a few more transmogrified people in the Port Island Station back alley, probably some lousy, up to no good teens willing to smoke their weird stuff and drinking alcohols and frozen in that time-space gap.
Then, in a flash of light, one of the coffins disappeared as it reverted to its human form: an ordinary-looking teenager with a fashionable t-shirt. Confused, he looked around, startled by the spectral vision appearing in front of his eyes.
He then heard an emotionless voice, almost sounding like a hiss, wishing him a good evening. The voice caused the lad to feel a chill running up his spine. Immediately, he turned around and saw a group made of six people, four young men and two young women: the leading man looked like a very pale hippie with long, wavy silver hair, a beard and golden eyes, only wearing a pair of tattered jeans with a red scarf instead of a belt and donned snake-shaped tattoos on both arms; next to him there was a short-haired guy wearing sunglasses with orange lens and a cool-looking green and black-striped shirt, who also carried a silver case with him; the third man was Kurz, the cross-dressing blonde man Kagayaku met in their first operation, a few months earlier; the fourth man was a fat, thug-faced European guy, wearing a jacket over a square-patterned shirt and mustard-colored pants; the two girls were Stellar, the emotionally unstable girl Kagayaku met in the factory and a younger, long red-haired girl wearing a white, frilly dress with a cross plugged on her headband, making it look as if it was stuck through her head.
The pale young man pierced the scared teenager with his golden eyes. "Are you surprised? Truth to be told, we visit this world every night."
"W…what are you saying?!" the teenager spat. "Who are you?!"
Kurz shook a finger with a know-it-all smirk. "Ah, ah, ah. Someone here needs to learn some good manners, here."
"Who's talking…" the fat man muttered, with a strong German accent. Then, to the smart-looking guy with sunglasses. "Come on. Show it to him."
The guy with glasses took out a paper from his case and showed it to the teenager. "Read here. This is you, am I right?"
The teenager started shaking. "W…where did you get that?!"
"Someone's got a grudge against you and asked for a revenge." The guy with sunglasses coldly replied.
"Revenge?!" The teenager winced. "What kind of bullshit is that?! Who asked you to?!"
"What are you stupid?" Kurz asked with a smirk. "We wouldn't be pros if we did tell you, dumbass!"
"The rumors are true?!" The teenager started to walk back as the pale man drew a revolver and walked to him, followed by the guy with the sunglasses. "Wait! I haven't done everything wrong!!"
The pale man graced him with a malicious smile. "It is of no concern. Your notion of right and wrong is irrelevant. My client's wish is all that matters. After all, people only hear what they choose to hear and believe what they want to believe." he then pointed his gun at the teenager, who started to run off, screaming. The pale man looked even more pleased by that "Oh, what a fabulous squeal… such a raw emotion!" he said as he pulled the trigger.
A loud bang covered the silence of the Dark Hour, followed by the noise of a body hitting the floor.
"He's… alive." Stellar breathed as she swayed her gaze.
"Want me to get rid of the trash?" Kurz asked, crossing his arms.
The pale man shook his head. "Do not bother. Tomorrow it will just look like another random crime. Besides, we've held up our part of the bargain… let us go back… I'm feeling rather tired."
"What about the others like us?" the girl in white asked.
The fat man looked at her. "Well, according to our 'friend' around here, they're currently split in two groups, one dealing with the shadows and another one investigating… but both groups don't have any vital lead of sort. They're of no obstacle to us, so don't fret about it, OK?"
"Nevertheless" the smart-looking guy with sunglasses cupped his chin "this second group making investigations troubles me… they finding out the truth about the Dark Hour and the Tower of Demise will surely cause us trouble."
"We'll let Kurz handle them, just to be sure." the long haired man said as he looked at his cross-dressing companion. "You almost failed back at the factory. Be sure to not fail us this time."
Kurz smirked and nodded. Those helpless bitches finding out the truth might actually be convenient for me… but for now I'll obey orders… I don't want to blow it for such a trivial matter… nevertheless, such an one-tracked mind this world people have!
06/23/09
The Kagayaku girls decided to dine out after hearing Kumiko telling them about the great ramen they served at the Hagakure restaurant, in the Iwatodai Strip Mall. As they walked inside to sit down, they were talking about the lately rumored revenge request website many students were talking about.
"So, as I was saying." Miyuki explained. "This site is basically a place where the users write a person's name and… well, they basically hire someone to take care of the target."
"You mean they… hire them to kill someone?!" Kagami blurted. "That's horrible!"
"Plus it's 100 successful and completely anonymous." The girl with glasses continued.
"Well people do crazy things and all…" Kumiko sighed as she sat down. "But this just feels…wrong…"
"Come on, Kumi-Chan! It's just a rumor…" Konata chuckled as she rested her cheek on a hand. "Tough luck, I wouldn't mind using it!"
"Don't say that, even if it's a joke!" Kagami snapped. "It's MURDER we're talking about!"
A cute waiter with curly hair walked to the girls, asking for the order. They all ordered a special, except for Kagami who wanted to be careful with gaining weight and ordered a regular.
As she waited for their meals, Tsukasa looked around: the place had to be quite popular to be so chunk full with customers. She then spotted a familiar looking person with a long red coat, sitting by the front desk. She jumped up her seat. "Ah!! It's the nice guy!"
"Quiet, Tsukasa!" Kagami whispered as she pushed her sister back in a sitting position. "What did you see?"
"It's that nice guy who helped me during the last full moon… the one we also met at the hospital when we went and checked on Akihiko-Kun!"
Kumiko tilted her head up to watch. "Huh? Where?"
"There, by the front desk!" Tsukasa suddenly pointed a finger, almost causing the server to lose his balance as he placed dishes on the girls' table.
"Oh yeah… now I remember…" Kumiko mumbled, her eyes lost in her thoughts, fixed on his slim figure about to eat his ramen bowl. "That's right… he loved this place…"
Then they all saw another person sitting next to him: Akihiko.
"Figures…" Konata chuckled. "I tell you, there's something special between those two…"
"Shh! I can't hear what they're saying!" Kumiko and Kagami gestured with both hands to hush.
"How can you eat the same stuff over and over without getting tired of it?" Akihiko asked as he watched his friend eat.
After chewing a few noodles, Shinjiro paused a moment, without looking at Akihiko. "Shut up. You always eat that protein shit."
Meanwhile, the server arrived with Akihiko's special. After eating a bit of it, the silver-haired boy looked at his rough-looking friend. "We've found a few new members. Things have changed quite a lot since you left."
"So?"
"Think about it, Shinji. Don't waste your power."
"My power ain't worth shit. I made up my mind back then: I ain't going back."
"You should let the past go."
"Who's talking…" Shinjiro muttered as he stood up. "You're no different than me." He said as he left.
A few instants of silence followed as the five girls stood there, sticks in their hands as steam came out of their ramen bowls. A silence that was broken by Miyuki. "I did not know that Aragaki-San was a Persona-user as well… I thought he only was a rough, yet kind person… did you know, Fukuyama-San?"
Kumiko didn't answer: she simply kept on gazing at the place where Shinjiro was sitting a few minutes earlier, sadness in her eyes.
"Hello? Kumiko-San??" Kagami shook her classmate's shoulder, trying to bring her back to reality.
Konata's smile broadened, in a kitty-like way. "A-ha! NOW I see… he's your first love, isn't he??"
Kumiko started to blush. "Seriously, I have no idea of what you're talking about…"
"Oh, but your face tells me everything…your icy attitude changes every time he's around… come on, you can tell me! You liked him, huh?? HUUH??" The small girl asked as she kept on nudging Kumiko.
"Wh…no! We just used to be classmates…" The nice-looking girl said, turning almost purple, as she kept on eating ramen. "If he didn't quit the school two years ago, he'd prolly be your classmate as well…"
Konata smiled in a more playful way. "Oh, REALLY…"
"Yeah, really!" Her eyes softened. "…but… I sure was surprised… how much he changed since two years ago…"
Miyuki put her sticks down. "Quit the school? What for?"
"I… I don't know… but… he suddenly changed… he seemed like… devoid of all the will to live. Wonder if it's related to his potential…" then, feeling her teammates' unasked question, she said: "Yeah, I knew… I knew about him being a Persona-user… and he knew about me…"
Tsukasa sighed. "It's so romantic… it almost feels like fate intertwined your lives…"
Kumiko's head sank lower, almost touching the ramen bowl. "I told you, we weren't like that."
07/07/09
Shinn was sitting on his room's bed, thoughtful. Exploration in Tartarus was much more intense in the last three nights due to Rei's warnings about an operation taking place soon, causing Kumiko to intensify the training regimen even though they all already reached the highest check point possible; thus, he came back to the hotel as soon as the class was over. The boy sighed as his thoughts returned to the loss of his family, the loss of her sister. With a groan, he dropped himself on the mattress and lied there, staring at the ceiling. After a few seconds, he took out the pink cell phone and slowly examined it, turning it in his hand. He left out a hoarse cackle as he felt his eyes watering.
Then, his thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. Immediately he stood up in a sitting position. "Yes?"
Rei's voice came from outside. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Uh?... well if you have to." Shinn replied as he walked to the door and opened it. "What is it?"
"I have a favor to ask you, Shinn-Kun. I've heard you're good with the computer… especially when it comes to hacking."
Shinn's eyebrow arched. "…so?"
"Well" Rei started while giving him a ticket with a website on it. "I was hoping you could check this website and hack its protection, so we can pinpoint where it comes from. It must be done for the next operation."
Shinn nodded while looking at him with an arrogant stare. "…and why, may I ask, you want ME to do it? Your computer is way more powerful than mine."
"You're right. You'll use mine."
"That's not what I meant!" The boy slapped his forehead. "Can't YOU do it?!"
"…oh, I see. You don't think you're good enough for this…" the professor mumbled while cupping his chin and smirked.
"Oh yeah?! Well you'll see! I'll hack your dumb website before you get the time to say 'Commence the operation!'!!...um… by the way… when IS the next operation?"
"Tonight."
"Ah, Okay th… WHAT?!" Shinn couldn't help but wince when he heard that.
"Haven't you checked the calendar?" Rei asked as he walked through the doorway. "It's a full moon today, so we're going to have an operation tonight. You should know by now."
"That's not the point!" Shinn cried while waving his arms, frantically. "Couldn't you ask me to check that a couple of days ago?! It's evening now, I only have a few hours left!"
"…and I'm sure you'll handle it just fine." The professor said before closing the door and leaving. All Shinn could do is sink his head in disbelief and frustration as he slowly walked to his desk to start working on the computer.
--
At midnight o'clock, all of the Kagayaku members gathered together inside Rei's room. When they got there, they found Shinn as well, sitting by the big computer. Once they all sat down, Rei cleared his voice and gestured to the computer. "Thank to Shinn here, we were able to pinpoint the location our operation will take place to. Thanks for your hard work, Shinn-Kun."
Shinn's chair turned around so he could face everyone: his eyes were swelled and red, as if he stayed a good deal staring at a big screen or something. As an answer, he left out a weak moan.
Kumiko raised a hand. "What are we to do in this operation?"
Rei gestured Shinn to sit among his teammates as he took his place in front of the computer. "I assume you have heard of the revenge request internet website, haven't you? I mean, kids at school tend to talk about it…"
"Yeah, Miyuki told us about it…" Kagami nodded. "You mean it's not just a rumor?"
The professor shook his head. "I wish it was just a rumor… but yesterday, I accidentally saw this suspicious URL while checking a computer after the computer class was over and found it out."
Miyuki gasped. "You mean even people from our school used that website? How atrocious!"
"As I was saying, I asked Shinn to hack the website, so to see where this revenge request service comes from, since he's good at this kind of stuff."
"HAH!" Shinn immediately hopped up his seat and raised a fist. "Such a job is nothing to a genius like myself!" he said right before his legs started wobbling and he collapsed back on his seat as he felt dizzy.
"Just a moment." Kumiko placed a hand before the professor. "What does it have to do with us? It's not our job to chase a bunch of murderers."
"Normally not." Rei explained. "But some particulars about the murders themselves are fishy."
"Particulars?" She asked.
"First thing first, the murders occurred in areas where you can usually see lots of people… yet, it appears that no one noticed anything suspicious… one moment the person is alive, and the next one he's dead with no one noticing… and no clue of sort!"
Kumiko grunted as she frowned. "…it's clear enough, we're dealing with professional assassins."
A few seconds of silence followed after, as the whole team mused about the gravity of the matter without the website. Then, Athrun came to the following assumption: "Unseen… yet out in the open…wait… what if the murderers could take advantage of a situation they couldn't be seen in?"
Tsukasa's head tilted. "What do you mean?"
"Let's assume that those people could move within the Dark Hour… they could easily commit a murder, since transmogrified people wouldn't be able to see them."
"Of course, we're assuming that our 'avengers' are Persona-users or something like that." Kumiko mused with a grimace.
"In any case," Miyuki added. "it looks clear enough that those are people who know well how to adapt themselves to the Dark Hour… maybe even too well."
Rei nodded. "Exactly. And that's the precise reason I want you to investigate the matter!" With that, he started typing something on the computer and the map appeared on the screen once again. "Now, according to what Shinn found out, the revenge request service comes from… here." He said as a portion of the map zoomed in: it was a small internet café located in Port Island, a bit southeast from Gekkoukan High School.
The professor then glanced at Miyuki, intimating her to summon Personomicon and check the status of things. Miyuki winced as she was brought back after spacing out and hopped on her feet, focused and silently summoned her book-shaped Persona which loyally appeared in front of her. After a few instants, her eyes reopened. "Hmm… there's a big shadow in the Iwatodai area… one of the buildings on Shirakawa Boulevard to be precise… and… I sense six Persona-users in the same area… SEES… but it appears there's no one in the internet café we have to check… it appears we're lucky."
"Come to think" Athrun mused. "I think some… friends of mine… told me about how those people affected by Apathy Syndrome were lately found in pairs in the Shirakawa Boulevard… so they advised me against bringing them there."
Rei scratched the rear of his head and frowned. "Sheesh… why am I not surprised of you wanting to go there?"
"Um…" Tsukasa nervously switched her gaze between Athrun and Rei. "What is this Shirakawa Boulevard place?" she asked, causing both to let out a naughty chuckle.
Konata approached her and patted her shoulder. "Let me explain. Shirakawa Boulevard is a renowned love hotel… people go there and have some dirty fun… you know what I'm getting at, right?"
Tsukasa tilted her head, confused. "Um, no…"
"That matter is irrelevant." Kumiko said as she readied her chakrams. "Let's focus on the task we got in our hands. To the internet café!"
"Roger!" Everyone replied as they rushed outside the hotel.
--
"Aren't you done with that door yet?" Shinn asked as he tapped his feet, looking at Kagami and Tsukasa trying to open the internet café. They've been trying to open it since almost ten minutes and it wasn't going to budge at all.
"I should have seen it coming." Athrun sighed, passing a hand through his dark hair. "Makes sense the place is closed…"
Konata approached the two sisters, asking if she could try and open the door. As the two stood back, the small girl grabbed the door knob and turned it as she pushed the door, vigorously. Instantly the door opened, causing the two twins to let out an embarrassed cackle.
Shinn scratched his cheek, perplexed. "Why didn't they lock the place? Aren't they afraid of thieves?"
"It only makes things easier to us. Let's go!" Konata proclaimed with a satisfied smile as she walked inside the internet café, the rest of the group in her tow.
Silence reigned supreme in the café, as the bloodlike liquid dripped by the wall clock and the desk, staining the floor here and there. All of the computers were off, as to be expected.
Shinn shook his head. "I don't see how we're going to find any clue here. I mean, if there is any valuable info, it will prolly be within a computer… but it's the Dark Hour!"
"Come to think" Kagami thought aloud. "How can Kuro-Sensei's computer operate within the Dark Hour?"
Kumiko approached a locked door by the farthest wall of the room. "Just like Mitsuru's bike, Rei-Sensei's computer is made with a special technology, allowing it to work within the Dark Hour… if these 'avengers' can operate within the hidden hour themselves, they're bound to have similar technology somewhere… but I doubt it's in this room."
A loud noise caused everyone in the room to face the direction he came from, fearing it could be an enemy or a shadow; all they saw was a hand-clenching Tsukasa, a fallen drawer at her feet, a series of papers and other junk scattered all over the floor.
"Tsukasa! SHHH!!" Kagami whispered nervously.
"I… I'm sorry!" Tsukasa cried.
"Huh? Hey, what's that stuff?" Athrun asked, approaching the drawer. It was a series of white paper sheets, the ones you use to print, but no important record of sorts. Then, under a few papers, he found a shimmering key-shaped object.
Before Athrun could check what it was, Konata swiftly grabbed it from his hands and lifted it over her head while imitating a fanfare. "You did it, Tsukasa! We can use this to open the door!" she giggled as she approached the door Kumiko was standing next to and skilfully passed it through the lock and opened it. "There! I opened it!" she squealed with a jump.
Immediately, the six teenagers walked down the staircase beyond the door, but were soon greeted by a bunch of shadows blocking their way. Immediately, they took their weapons and asked Miyuki to analyze their weaknesses as they used physical attacks on them. Their blows were enough to intimidate the creatures and weakened them. The shadows knew they would have been killed, but decided to put up some fight: some of them countered with physical moves, others with elemental skills. As Tsukasa took care of the healing asset, the rest of them pulled out their Evokers and used their Personas' skills in order to wipe the shadows away once and for all.
"Well, they weren't THAT though…" Konata puffed as she stretched the arm she wielded her sword with.
After a few staircases, the group reached an underground room. Despite its small size, it donned quite an impressive computer which could easily match Rei's and, just like the professor's, it was operating during the Dark Hour!
"A-ha! Bingo!" Konata said as she showed the victory sign.
"Don't you think it's all too easy?" Athrun asked as he put his gun away. "I mean, we haven't met any hostility except for those shadows… one would think those guy wouldn't want someone else to get their classified info if they're pros and all…"
Athrun is right… Kumiko thought. It's almost as if they WANTED us to get here… are they trying to lure us into a trap… or they purposely want us to unveil the truth? Nevertheless, there's no use in turning back… and if it IS a trap, we'll just have to smash it!
"OK, guys! Leave this baby to me!" Shinn smirked as he sat in front of the computer. "I'll make this canary sing in no time!"
Immediately he started typing savagely on the keyboard, breaking several passwords in a heartbeat, until he reached a pop up box requiring a tag to input. Kagami suggested to try and input Dark Hour, but nothing appeared. Athrun then suggested to input Tartarus; when Shinn did it, the computer asked for the "Kirijo" search criteria.
"Kirijo?" Miyuki asked telepathically via Personomicon. "Such as the Kirijo Group? I know it has a great influence over the area but… what can be the connection between that and the avengers?"
Shinn's smile broadened. "Well, we're about to find it out, I guess…"
With that, he inputted "Kirijo", but all he caused with the computer was a pop up box saying "Access denied: corrupt data". Shinn stood there, frozen for a few seconds; he then said no, over and over, gradually raising his voice and then started to pummel the computer in a savage rage; it took the group's combined effort to stop him!
"Hey, what's that?" Kagami asked, seeing that something appeared on the screen.
"Data about the Kirijo Group and Gekkoukan High School… it's all info about ten years ago!" Kumiko mused as she checked the monitor. "Why should this organization have info about THAT?"
"Who cares!" Konata blurted. "Hurry up, Shinn! Read, click, do something!"
Immediately, Shinn resumed to work on the computer, but most of the links' access was restricted for some reason or another. Shinn then decided to save those data and bring them back to the hotel for further investigation.
A male voice shouted from upstairs. "Who's there?!"
"Dangit! They're back already?!" Kagami cried
"Looks like we'll have to get out of here the hard way…" Kumiko muttered as she readied her bladed rings. "Shinn, you stay here and continue saving those data!"
As Shinn kept on working on the computer, the rest of the group dashed upstairs. Immediately, they ran into Kurz, the cross-dresser.
"Figures… I should have seen it coming…" Kumiko mumbled, placing a hand on her forehead.
"You never give up, do you? This is the second time you're in my way, bitches!" he said with a grimace. "Look, I don't wanna mess with you, but I can't have those idiots to suspect my intentions… so I'll make it plain and simple, so even dim-witted wenches like you can get the drift. Surrender quietly and MAYBE I'll let you go."
Kagami started to feel goosebumps and quivered. "Ugh! Saying these things with FMP Kurz's face… why must he resemble to him that much?!" She grunted, causing him to shoot with his scope gun. Seemingly, he purposely missed.
"Hey, nice aim, hotshot!" Konata smirked. "If you're always like that, we have nothing to fear from ya!"
"…just for you to know" Kurz said, pushing his blond hair backwards. "if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have never gotten this far… I've left hints everywhere in the café!"
"Really? How nice of you." Kumiko shrugged. "I guess you'll let us go quietly, then?"
Kurz readied his shotgun once again. "You haven't been listening, ecchi girl… I have to keep up my reputation, so I can't allow you to go."
"So why letting us get the info in the first place?" Athrun asked.
"I have a good reason for that." The blond cross-dresser puffed. "That idiot Takaya thinks he and his measures are perfect and that no one can stop him… how one like him can be our leader will always be beyond me… so I decided to teach him a lesson by letting you breach our security program and get info from us."
Kumiko chuckled and shook her head. "…what kind of proof will we provide to your leader if we're dead? Your logic just won't do…"
Kurz didn't reply immediately. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came from it. He just stayed there, pointing his finger at Kumiko. He then changed his facial expression and drew a gun from under his skirt and cried: "Enough! Enough!! I'll kill you all, bitches!!" Then, he pointed the gun to his own head and smirked.
"Look out!" Miyuki screamed. "That man is a Persona-user!"
"Too late!!" Kurz shouted as he pulled the Evoker's trigger and some sort of teddy bear wearing Char Aznable's helmet appeared above his head.
The Kagayaku kids didn't flinch; they just stood there, doubtful, staring at that cute and defenseless-looking Persona, while Athrun just cleared his throat.
"Err… what kind of Persona is that?" Kagami asked, arching an eyebrow.
Kurz just smirked. "Ever heard of the Red Comet? Well this is the PED Comet!"
The five of them glanced one another and then faced Kurz. "…OK…?" they all said.
"Well you'll change opinion once you'll see its power!!" He proclaimed as the bear-shaped Persona started to focus his energy. Soon after, he released a strong gust of fire on the five Kagayaku members.
"Everyone!!" Miyuki cried via Personomicon.
As soon as the flamed disappeared, they noticed that it actually made no real damage to them, it just singed their clothes a little.
Kurz jumped back as his so-called Ped Comet disappeared. "I…impossible! My Maragi skill is ineffective?!"
"HA! I knew you were all talk." Konata chuckled as she wiped off her chin and readied herself to the counteroffensive.
Kagami halted her with her arm. "No… I'll take care of him.!"
The girl with pigtails stepped forward, causing Kurz to slide backward. Then, she took her Evoker and proceeded with summoning Bonta-Kun, which assaulted the blondie with his machinegun and grenades. He then leaped on the cross-dresser and started stomping with one of his feet. After less then half minute of stomping, Kagami's animal-shaped Persona disappeared in the thin air, leaving Kurz on the ground, badly beaten.
"Aaaah! I feel much better now!" Kagami said as she stretched.
"Well done, sis!" Tsukasa merrily approached his older twin sister.
"Yep, good job, Kagamin!" Konata raised a thumb to her friend. "…just, leave us a piece of action next time!"
Then, a movement caught the corner of their eyes as they saw Kurz slowly getting up on his feet, his whole body quivering because of the pain and the great effort. "I'm… I'm not done yet… I won't die so easily…" he panted.
Kumiko puffed. "Well… talk about someone who's as tough as a cockroach."
"You bitches are forcing me to use a strategy I didn't want to…" he said. Then he moved into a battle stance and prepared to charge. Just when Kagayaku was bracing itself to his assault, Kurz turned his back and started running off. "Sorry, I can't afford to be killed here by you! I still have too many things I want to enjoy! I'll let you go THIS TIME!" He screamed from afar, leaving the whole bunch speechless.
A few instants later, Shinn rushed upstairs with a few CD-roms. "Sorry, a few data were hard to record, I had to find other ways to save them… you OK? Where's the guy?!"
Konata placed both hands between her head and sighed. "I dunno what that was about but we took care of it."
"Well, we got a good chunk of info anyway… so there's no use in staying here any longer." Kagami said.
"Right." Kumiko nodded. "Let's go back to the hotel before that guy's companions come here." She then felt someone's eyes looking at them and looked around, shaking her head when she realized it was no one and walked alongside with her comrades back to Kotobuki hotel.
Little did Kagayaku know that someone was actually observing them; it was two people observing from a rooftop: one was Shinjiro, the other was a young man in black with short brown hair.
"Looks like things went smoother than expected to them…" the youth in black mused. "Oh well, Athrun is with them, so I guess there was no point in worrying about them…"
Shinjiro examined the guy's face… he looked incredibly worried, despite his words. "Incoherent as always. What you thinkin'?"
"'They' will surely not allow tonight's fiasco to be overlooked… and that will result in a conflict between Persona-users factions… I can't help but thinking… this can't end well…"
Shinjiro puffed. "Here you go with your pacifist shit again… if you're THAT worried about them, why dontcha just run to your friends and help'em?"
The boy shook his head. "I… I can't… not until I'm 100 certain-"
"I don't care about your reasons, Kira…"
The youth in black, Kira, quietly shook his head. "I'm just trying to avoid further casualties… if this continues, not just the Lost, but Persona-users as well will die… if it's not stopped…"
"…I know what you're tryin' to say… you want me to go back in SEES and help my friends to stop 'them', right? First Aki, now you…" Shinjiro muttered swaying his gaze to Kira.
"But Shinjiro…"
"I told you… I have nothing to do with this… You can't fight without a good reason."
"But there IS a reason to fight…"
"What? That hollow crap about peace and justice? Don't make me laugh…"
"You can't talk yourself out of it! Forget about 'them' and-"
Shinjiro started to walk away. Then, he stopped on his tracks, without looking at the mild-looking one.
"Anyway, Kira… about that thing I asked you…"
Kira lowered his head. "…I told you. I won't use that… not on someone in your conditions!"
The punk smiled bitterly. "…I figured you would have said that… just think about it, 'kay?" he said before walking away, letting Kira deep in his thoughts.
Kira Yamato: A mild-mannered teenager and probable Persona-user who seems like knowing Athrun. He's looking for the truth about the Dark Hour on his own and ran into Shinjiro during his quest for the truth. He's quiet, thoughtful and easy to depress and highly dislikes destructive conflicts. Shinjiro hinted he has a special power, but what kind?
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW!!
Konata: Next, on PERUSURI…
Junpei: Meh. Who cares about the next episode?
Konata: Hey, aren't we in a bad mood?
Junpei: So what? Just leave me alone- OUCH!! She kicked me!!
Konata: Stop moping around, silly boy! Summer's coming!
Junpei: Summer, huh?! Tch, summer… Summer? hey, you're right, Kona-Chan!
Kumiko: Ah… summer… the sunshine, the beach, the vacations…
Athrun: The babes…
Junpei: You said that, bro!
Yukari: Tch… boys…
Konata: Boys will be boys, Takebaka.
Yukari: Who are ya calling Takebaka?!
Shinn: Talking about babes… who's the blondie over there?
Kenji: Who? The weird yet cute one with the metallic headset?
Shinn: Well, she's a cutie herself, but I meant another one…
Mitsuru: Meanwhile, both teams are getting closer and closer to the truth…
Akihiko: Which one will reach the goal first? The match has begun.
Kagami: … it isn't a match, but whatever…
Kumiko: Talking about matches, I'll have to work hard for the meets.
Kenji: We'll do fine, Kumiko-Senpai!
Kumiko: But what is the mysterious group of Persona-users known as Strega?
Fuuka: And what is their purpose?
Miyuki: This and more in the next, exciting episode of Shin Megami Tensei: PERUSURI.
Kenji: "Golden summer"!
Tsukasa: You really… really, really, really, really, really, really don't want to miss it!
Konata: Don't forget to read and review! See you next time!
BLUE VELVET: The PeruSuri trivia channel: Ep.4
Elizabeth: Hello and welcome back to Blue Velvet. I am your host, Elizabeth, and this next to me is…
Elizabeth gestures to the seat next to her, where Akihiko is sitting
Elizabeth: …um… what are YOU doing here?
Akihiko: What? I've been called in the studio by you! You are to interview me!
Elizabeth: That's Maxwell's seat though.
Akihiko: And? He's not here…
Elizabeth: You have a point… OK, stay there… too bad for Maxwell but, whatever… so, as my guest just said, today's episode of Blue Velvet will be about interviewing the cast of this fan fiction. Today, we'll interview a character from each one of the series involved in the project: Persona 3, LuckyStar and Gundam SEED Destiny. So, let's start our interviews here in the studio with Akihiko Sanada, who's acknowledged as one of the top favourite characters by the P3 fandom… especially girls.
Akihiko: Hi, everyone!
The whole room trembles as a strong squeal is heard
Elizabeth: What's happening?
Akihiko: Ouch… sorry about that… my fangirls… their squeals are really powerful… one day they almost deafened me!
Elizabeth: It must be tough…
Akihiko: It IS.
Elizabeth: So tell me… what do you think of your own popularity?
Akihiko: I'll tell you… there's just one thing I'm mostly complaining about… and that thing is the ridiculously high amount of Shounen Ai and Yaoi material about me and Shinji. I mean, come on…
Elizabeth: So you're going to dispel the rumors about your relationship with your childhood friend, right?
Akihiko: Precisely.
Elizabeth: So tell me… what about your romantic life? You planning to get yourself a nice girlfriend?
Akihiko: You see, there's only one thing I'm mostly focused on as I am now… I'm talking about sports! In Akihiko Sanada's vocabulary there's no room for words like "love" and "girlfriends"!
Elizabeth: …you aren't exactly dispelling those voices…
Akihiko: I know, and I'm sorry about that, but… well… it's true.
Elizabeth: Changing subject: what is your opinion about being in PeruSuri?
Akihiko: It feels rather good. Having a new group of Persona-users adds fuel to the fire. I love having rivals, it motivates me! Especially Fukuyama, she's pretty tough for a girl… she's a bit like Mitsuru, if you know what I mean… you don't want to get those two mad, believe me… and, talking about Kumiko... hopefully the fic will develop in a way she's not end up heartbroken… I'd say more but it would come as a spoiler. People should just play the game or keep on reading the fic to know. As for me… I hope I get a nice ending myself!
Elizabeth: Any last note before we conclude our interview?
Akihiko: Well, there was this scene in the game, where I pounded a table out of anger… I did it so hard I ended up with hurting my hand, so, in the end, the scream I left out was of pain… still, the developers must have liked that scream… they decided to use it. When I rewatched the scene, I couldn't help but chuckling, while everyone around me were weeping… now that's embarrassing!
Elizabeth: OK, I think that's enough. Thanks for your time. See you again in Persona 3 – FES!
Akihiko: Yeah. See ya! (Leaves)
Elizabeth: Now, from the Kotobuki Hotel, two Kagayaku members, who represent Lucky Star and Gundam SEED Destiny. Maxwell?
Maxwell: (In the screen) Thanks, Eliz. I'm here in the Kotobuki Hotel to interview Miyuki Takara and Shinn Asuka from Kagayaku.
Shinn/Miyuki: Hello!
Maxwell: A little info about the two of them: Shinn is the only Coordinator in the SEED universe the authoress doesn't dislike… as for Miyuki… well, the authoress decided to interview her first in the Lucky Star cast to make Duran the Warrior happy. (Winks)
Shinn: So that's why we're the first Kagayaku members to be interviewed…
Miyuki: That is a lot of responsibility!
Maxwell: You know… there are plenty of people in the authoress' world that don't seem to especially dig the two of you… what do you think about it?
Miyuki: Um, I don't understand why, honest! I mean, I always try and help everyone, I seldom get angry…!
Shinn: …I must be frank, I'm not surprised at all. I guess that's part of being what I am in my original series… but hey, at least I can be quite fiery when in battle, not like a pair of Coords I know… let's make no names…
Miyuki: Well, at least the authoress and Duran-San don't dislike us, that's something. (Smiles)
Maxwell: And let me tell you, Miyuki, I think you're quite an enchanting lady. I wouldn't mind working alongside you in the Blue Velvet show… Eliz is so bossy and- (Gets Armageddon-ed by Elizabeth's Pixie, leaving a smoky crater in front of the two Kagayaku-ers)
Shinn: Whoa!! What a blast!!
Miyuki: Um… Maxwell-San? Are you alright?
Maxwell: (Smoldering) I…I'm OK… it takes me more than that to bump the Demon Artist off! But for my sanity, I think I'll change subject… so tell me, how does it feel as far as your new life Persona-users is concerned?
Miyuki: I'd lie if I tell you that it doesn't scare me at times… but knowing that my simple power can be of use to my friends when in danger is a great joy to me. I hope my power can prove itself even more useful in the upcoming battles! There's only one thing I especially feel uneasy about: Zala-San's advances!... but every time he approaches me, he gets mysteriously booted to the head… how weird…
Shinn: I'm not exactly happy of the whole situation…for now, I just want to hurry up and be done with this battle, so I can finally go back home and take care of my business… but… on the other hand, it's been a while since I lived such an ordinary civilian life and I don't mind that… To tell the truth, I'm a bit confused!
Maxwell: You'll have more time to ponder a decision as the fic goes on. Aside that, how do you feel working with the P3 cast?
Shinn: I don't know them well enough, but they don't look like bad people… although that Kenji guy looks kinda clueless to me… I doubt they can accomplish much with such a klutz as their leader!... sometimes I worry about them, especially Fuuka… she doesn't seem suited for such a battle.
Miyuki: Really? I think that Shugo-San is quite an interesting person. His face tells me he's very creative.
Shinn: …What a relief… he looks like a numbskull to me…
Miyuki: Now, now, Asuka-San…
Shinn: It's true, though!
Miyuki: Me? Well I love all the new people I met in the Gekkoukan High School. Even Moriyama-San, who showed she's not as bad as we all thought and became Yamagishi-San's dear friend… I look forward to meet the rest of the cast!
Maxwell: You and love: how is your love life going since attending your new school?
Miyuki: (Blushes) HUH?! I…I…Isn't that a bit intimate as a question??
Shinn: Don't worry, no one will ask you that kind of thing… he just wants to know if there's someone in the school you like and such.
Miyuki: Aah, now I see… I totally misunderstood… sorry!
Maxwell: Everything is forgiven to such a cute little lady! (Looks around, hoping no one is going to hit him with a flying boot or worse… then sighs in relief)
Miyuki: Let's see… I can't say I get much attention from the guys… at least, not as much as, say, Kirijo-San or Takeba-San… but there has been this person from my same grade… he never approached me THAT way, but… he's very sweet… well you'll know more by reading the fiction. (Slight blush)
Shinn: Well there have been people questioning about me liking Fuuka… now, it's not like I like-like her… I mean, I like her, but not in that special way!... I want to protect her like a big brother protects a little sister, that's all!… if you want romance with me… aw, I won't spoil anything! Just read the darn thing or watch GSD!
Maxwell: …you have no idea of how things will turn out in the fic, right?
Shinn: Shut up! It's logical I don't know, this isn't my series to start with! I can only hope this will turn out better than in GSD (Not that it would be that hard, mind you…), but I'm not that optimistic… (Grabs Maxwell's shoulders) I…I will stay on the stage, right? They won't center the story on another SEED-er in the middle of the fic, right?
Maxwell: I…I don't know… we'll have to wait and see what the authoress has in mind… but since she ISN'T a Kira fan, who knows…
Shinn: NOT a Kira fan, huh? Well I'm at an advantage point then… there's still hope!
Maxwell: Definitely… she said that she totally admires your battle insight, which goes beyond the "God-mode and Beam-spam" strategy Kira always applies… you only need to be a little less bratty…
Shinn: (Frantically waves both arms and legs) It's not true! I am not bratty! I am not!! WAAAAAAAAH!!
Miyuki: Now, now… let's go back to our rooms, Asuka-San… Do you mind, Maxwell-San?
Maxwell: Like Allelujah from Gundam 00 would say: donmai. Thank for your time, you two. And Shinn, good luck with Super Robot Wars Z! (To the camera) It's all from Kotobuki Hotel.
Elizabeth: Thank you, Maxwell. Well, our time has once again ran out. I look forward to see all of you here again in the next Blue Vel- (Notices a silver-haired man with dark clothes and jolts).
Silver-haired man: Later days!
Elizabeth: ……………..er… and you are?
Silver-haired man: Akihiko Sanada… you know, the one from the Persona: Trinity Soul anime?
Elizabeth: …we didn't call for YOU… besides, the episode is over…
Akihiko: Just doing my job. I'm a well-paid cameo, you know! I'm paid to break into other people's houses and use them as I prefer. (Drinks something and spits it out) Hey! This thing is undrinkable! (Gets elbowed by Maxwell and flies outside the room)
Maxwell: Akihiko Sanada, GET OFFA MY SEAT!!
Elizabeth: Nice!... um, how did you get here so fast?
Maxwell: Plot device, Eliz. Plot device.