Author's Notes: And it's the final day of their Yakushima trip. I actually enjoyed the small break in the game because it actually shows the team actually bonding. I mean, after Yakushima, things start falling to shit anyways...

~22 JULY 2009~

Minato sighed as once again, Junpei and Akihiko pulled him to the beach the moment he left his room. The boy carefully applied sunscreen as he yawned loudly. "Why am I here again?"

Junpei shook his head as he stared at the ocean. "Man, it's already the third day of our trip. It's too bad we have to go home tomorrow… I'd totally stay longer if I could. But, I can't complain… A lot of cool things happened while we were here."

Minato raised an eyebrow at the boy. "I guess you're right," he relented. "But I'd appreciate it more if you guys let me sleep a little longer," he said while stifling a yawn.

"Come on, dude. You had fun yesterday," Junpei laughed at his friend before taking off somewhere.

Akihiko shook his head. "How can he be so full of energy? We were all up so late last night…"

Junpei returned with Aigis in tow. The android looked at him with confusion. "Do we have a mission at the beach today?"

"Nah," Junpei smiled as the rest of the girls arrived. "It's nothing like that. We just came here to have some fun."

Fuuka nodded her head. "Do you understand what it means to 'have fun', Aigis?"

"Of course," Aigis nodded. "Recreation is the refreshment of one's mind and body."

"Exactly!" Junpei exclaimed. "Wow, you sure know a lot about us humans. Alright, let's take one last dip before we leave!" Junpei charged towards the water with the robot in tow.

Fuuka's eyes widened. "Uh, hold on, Junpei-kun… Is it okay for Aigis to go in the ocean?"

Yukari looked over towards the blonde girl. "Oh, I'm sure she's water-proof."

Hamuko giggled as she poked her brother's chest. "Are you going to swim today, nii-san?"

"I'm tired," the boy groaned. "Can't I just be left alone?" He sat up when he noticed Aigis returning to them.

Fuuka looked at her with concern. "What's wrong, Aigis?"

"It is best that we all engage in this activity together," she said. "An activity in which only one person derives enjoyment is not the optimal method to 'have fun'."

Yukari sighed. "Ugh, do we have to…?" She looked over to Junpei who was waving them to come over. She relented as she followed Aigis into the water.

Fuuka giggled. "We should join them," she said to Mitsuru.

"Okay," the redhead nodded with a smile.

Minato crossed his arms. "Nope, I'm not getting up. I refuse."

"Nii-san…" Hamuko smirked at him but noticed Ikutsuki approaching them. "Hello, Ikutsuki-san," she smiled.

The man smiled back at her. "Are you enjoying yourself? We've been quite busy during our time here, but it looks as if we can relax a bit today."

"Finally," Minato huffed as he reclined.

"Hey," Junpei called out to them. "Akihiko-san, c'mon! It's your turn!"

"My turn…?" Akihiko frowned. "What are they doing?"

Ikutsuki laughed. "I'm glad to see everyone is having so much fun. I've already told you what time the ship will be arriving tomorrow, yes? I'll most likely head over to the port early, so don't be late."

The senior nodded to him. "Okay, I'll let everyone know."

"We can get back down to business again once we're back at the dorm," Ikutsuki reassured the three as he left.

"Got it," Akihiko nodded.

Junpei was beginning to get impatient. "Hamuko! Akihiko-senpai! You too, Minato!"

"This again…?" Akihiko shook his head. "I guess we should go too."

"B-but…" Minato sighed as Hamuko pulled him up. "Fine…" He smirked as Aigis blasted Junpei with a high-powered water cannon.

"Aigis, wait!" the capped boy shouted. "That's not what 'water gun' means! Aaaack!"

Fuuka laughed. "Junpei-kun is down!"

Yukari jumped up. "Alright, here's our chance for an All-Out Attack!"

"Attack!" Hamuko charged.

"Get ready for some Mass Destruction!" Minato smirked, joining them.

"Whoa, whoa, time out!" Junpei struggled as the team bombarded him with water balloons. "I seriously can't take much more of this…! Gyaaah!"

Minato laughed until he noticed he was having a lot of fun. Can things really continue this way? He asked himself with a frown as the Fool Arcana flashed before his eyes.

~23 JULY 2009~

Junpei sighed as they finally returned to the dorm. "Man, I'm beat… It seemed to take forever to get back…"

"Yeah," Fuuka nodded. "It was a tiring trip. Please rest up so you're ready for the next operation."

"Yeah, yeah," Junpei frowned. "I don't have any plans for summer break, so I can fight Shadows all you want."

Yukari smirked at the capped boy. "Wow, you must really be bored."

"Sh-shut up, Yuka-tan."

"Whatever," the girl rolled her eyes. "We just have to defeat those last six, and it'll be all over. The Lost will get better, and everything will be back to normal, right? That's why we have to try our hardest." She looked over towards the blue-haired boy gently setting down his sleeping sister on the couch. "Isn't that right, Minato?"

"I suppose," their leader answered as he frowned to himself. That plan still didn't sit well with him but he kept his thoughts to himself as he looked out the window and at the night sky. "Hey, I'm going out," he absently stated as he started for the door.

Fuuka looked at him in surprise. "But we just got back!"

"There's something I need to check out," the boy responded. "Don't worry. I'll be back before the Dark Hour."

"What about Hamuko?" Junpei knit his eyebrows together. "You're just gonna leave her down here?"

"Just let her sleep," Minato shrugged. "I'll bring her upstairs myself one I get back. Later."

The three juniors looked to each other with concern, but didn't stop their leader. Whenever he was in his Hellhound mode, it was difficult to talk him out of something. And even if they did interfere, he'd only just snap at them. They would just have to trust him with his investigation.

Shinjiro frowned when the punks at the hangout began cheering. He put some distance between himself and the crowd before collapsing to a knee. "Ungh…" He gasped for air before sensing three people approaching him. Tch… Them again…

"You seem to be in great pain," a shirtless boy with long hair looked down at him.

"You guys…" Shinjiro picked himself back up.

"Oh shit, it's them…" A punk whispered as he noticed their presence.

"You mean those three?" a girl asked. "Wow, they're freaky!"

The boy shook his head at her. "Shut up! Let's go!"

A girl wearing a white dress stared at them as they all dispersed. The shirtless boy shook his head as he sighed. "Why do they always run and hide when I approach? They're like back alley rats."

"Beats me," Shinjiro answered.

"Jin…" The boy looked over to his friend with glasses beside him. "Give him the capsules."

Shinjiro reached for the pills. "Thanks. I'll pay you the same as—"

"Hold up," Jin said, pulling his hand back.

The pale shirtless young man held up a hand. "This time, information will suffice. Your acquaintances have been busy lately. I'm referring to their activities on nights when the moon is full. They've spent a great deal of time in the tower as well. Why did they take this burden upon themselves?"

Shinjiro remained silent. Shit… They're askin' about them now? Well, I ain't a rat…

"You do know, don't you?" The shirtless boy tilted his head to the side. "But, you don't wish to say? Is it because they are your friends?"

The image of a red-eyed girl's smiling face flashed through Shinjiro's head. "No! I've got nothing to do with them," he said a little more forcefully than he should have.

"Then, tell us," the pale boy said. "Wouldn't you agree these pills are more important than a bunch of strangers?"

"Tch," Shinjiro frowned. Sorry, Aki. "I don't know the details, but… Supposedly, if you destroy all those creatures… then the tower will disappear, and with it, the Dark Hour."

The boy's eyes widened. "You mean… they intend to eliminate the Dark Hour? Why would they do such a thing!? With the power they have…"

"What?" Shinjiro narrowed his eyes on the shirtless boy.

"They wish to destroy the Tower of Demise as well!?"

"Tower of Demise…?" Shinjiro never heard that one before. "Who wouldn't wanna take out that damn tower?"

Jin frowned as his friend was becoming agitated. "Easy, Takaya…"

"Yes, yes," Takaya regained his composure.

Jin handed over the pills and the three soon left. Shinjiro pulled his beanie down over his eyes as his other hand tucked the pills into his pocket. "Hmph… I can't go back… Not after what happened." Still, the boy couldn't get rid of the dread building inside him for giving up that information. Looks like I owe Hamuko some answers after all…

"Heh," a boy scoffed from nearby. "Looks like my theory was right."

Shinjiro looked up as a blue-haired boy stepped out of the shadows. "You…" The older boy was impressed with how well the junior could hide his presence.

Minato watched the three rogue Persona-users recede. They have the same Reapers as Aragaki-san. He looked over towards Shinjiro. "Lemme see those pills," he said as he walked over to the older boy.

"Like hell I'm handing them over," Shinjiro spat out.

"They reek of Death," Minato coolly said, eyes narrowing. "I'll give them back. I just want to look at one."

"Death?" Shinjiro studied the boy.

"Come on, what's with that look?" the boy crossed his arms. "You know you're dying. I know you're dying. Now hand one over."

So he definitely knows… The tall boy tossed a pill to the boy. "So, how'd you figure it out? You special?"

"Something like that," Minato shrugged as he studied the capsule in his hand. He frowned as he heard faint laughter coming from the pill. Ikutsuki… He must be their supplier. "I've been seeing Reapers for most of my life. Everybody dies at some point, but it never gets easier when a new one shows up in these eyes of mine." Minato handed the pill back. "So who were those guys? They have the same Reaper you do."

"They're probably the ones you're looking for in that investigation of yours," Shinjiro shrugged.

"Hamuko told you," Minato frowned.

"You oughta keep your sister on a tighter leash," the former SEES member smirked. "She's been stirrin' up shit here with her casual visits."

"Well, I have to at least thank you for taking care of her," Minato politely bowed. "I'm grateful nothing bad has come to her, Aragaki-san."

"Yeah, yeah," Shinjiro rolled his eyes. "So why are you here? It can't just be cuz you wanna kiss my ass. You want some info too?"

"That's right," Minato gravely nodded. "Hamuko told me you used to be a part of SEES. That means you must have known Ikutsuki."

"The Chairman?" Shinjiro frowned. "Why you lookin' into him?"

"He has a Reaper on him too," the blue-haired boy replied. "But his is different. It's more of a jester and it's taunting me. Traces of his Reaper are also in those pills."

"Hang on," Shinjiro shook his head. "You sayin' he's the main supplier of these suppression pills?"

"Suppression?" Minato frowned. "So they suppress your Persona?"

Crap… I said too much, the older boy frowned.

The younger boy put his hand in his pockets. "I don't really care why you take them or why you quit, Aragaki-san. I just want some answers. If you have conditions for me, name them."

"You won't tell Aki about those pills or those Reapers you see."

"That's easy enough," Minato shrugged.

"You won't tell your sister either," Shinjiro tacked on.

"That's a bit harder," the blue-haired boy frowned. "But I guess it's doable. Is that all?"

"For now," the jacketed boy nodded. "So what do you wanna know?"

"Those three Persona-users, what kind of Personas do they have?"

"I dunno," Shinjiro shrugged. "I can't really tell. I've never seen 'em."

"One of them must have a cloaking power," Minato theorized. "Do they have Evokers?"

"If they do, they hide them pretty well. That Takaya guy's got a gun, but I'm sure you know what that's for." Shinjiro shook his head. "Actually, they probably do considering they're on the suppression pills too."

"The pills… They're only for suppressing a Persona? Can they do other things too?"

"If you use a lighter dose, it probably makes it easier to control a Persona. You saw those three. They looked pretty unstable to me," Shinjiro smirked.

"So you don't know anything about Ikutsuki?" Minato asked. "Or anything about the Kirijo Group?"

"No," the boy shook his head. "I know as much as Aki about the Kirijo Group and that ain't sayin' much. Is that all you got for me?"

Minato stared down the alleyway. "Can I try one of those pills?"

"Huh?" Shinjiro looked at the boy in surprise. "Are you crazy? You just said you could sense Death coming off of 'em."

"Just a question," the boy sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I want to see if the Reapers would disappear if I take one."

"Tch, no way, kid," Shinjiro shook his head. "It ain't your time to go. 'Sides, don't you have a sister you need to look out for?"

"So if I take those pills, I really would die," Minato mused.

"You think I'm wearin' this coat for fun? It's the middle of summer and I need this to keep warm," the older boy scolded him. "You don't wanna jack up your body with this shit, kid."

"I suppose," the younger boy sighed. "But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"You're not afraid of Death?" Minato asked in mild surprise.

"Like you said before, everybody dies at some point," Shinjiro frowned sadly.

"I suppose," Minato frowned back. "I guess that's all then. Thank you for your cooperation, Aragaki-san."

"Remember to not tell Aki and Hamuko," Shinjiro reminded him.

"I won't," the blue-haired boy nodded his head. "I'll let Hamuko know you said hi though. She's not going to leave me alone unless I tell her that much."

"Well, can't have you completely lie to her," Shinjiro smirked. "Tell her I said hi and to stop dropping by. Her visits give me a headache."

Minato smirked back at him. "Will do." The younger boy quickly turned to leave, but after a few steps, he paused and looked back at the rough teen. "Oh... uh... Actually, I need to ask you one more thing..."

"What's that?" Shinjiro sighed in annoyance.

The younger boy sheepishly scratched his head. "How do I get back to the dorm from here? I... might be a little bit lost," he admitted.

"You've got to be kidding me..." the brunet groaned as he wondered just how exactly Minato gained the title of Hellhound.

~24 JULY 2009~

"Good morning! Please wake up."

Minato groaned as a voice that wasn't his sister's was urgently waking him. He sat up and opened his eyes only to let out a yelp. "Aigis!?"

"Mission accomplished," the robotic girl beamed at him.

"Why are you here?" Minato asked.

"My highest prioirity is to be by your side."

That's just great… "Mission accomplished?" the boy continued to question the robot's motives.

She pointed at the sticky note he posted on his bulletin. "The paper on the wall says, 'Do things five minutes early'. Therefore, I woke you up five minutes prior to the triggering of your alarm clock."

"I don't have an alarm clock!" Minato cried. He paused when he heard someone knocking on his door.

"Hey, are you awake?" Yukari called out to him. "That girl disappeared, and we can't find her anywhere. Think you can help us out? She might've gone out on her own, like she did in Yakushima…"

"I am not a girl…" Aigis said, tilting her head to the side in confusion. "I am Aigis, and I am here."

"Huh…?" Yukari noticed the door open and Aigis was indeed there. "Aigis!? How did you—"

"He was asleep and the door was unlocked so I came in," Aigis answered.

Minato's face fell. "W-what!?"

"Hey! What's everyone doing in nii-san's room?" Hamuko came in with a smile but paused when she noticed her brother's livid face glaring at Aigis. "Oh… She broke into your room too?"

"That's unlawful entry!" Yukari scolded the robot. "Didn't we tell you to stay in the command room at night!?"

"I propose to be on standby in this room from now on. Is this acceptable?"

"What!?" Yukari shook her head. "N-no, it's not acceptable!"

"If there is a problem," Aigis said, "then I will address it promptly."

"Uh, the problem is it's against dorm regulations…" Yukari turned towards Minato. "Well, don't just sit there! Tell her!"

It was too early for the boy to be dealing with this. He sighed and glared at Aigis. "You can't stay here."

"See?" Yukari sighed in relief. "He agrees."

"I will do as told," Aigis nodded.

"You can stay in my room, Aigis," Hamuko offered. "It's fine with me."

"Huh?" Yukari looked at her friend oddly. "You're okay with that…? Well, I guess your room'll be Aigis's room too from now on."

"I will proceed to retrieve my equipment," the robot considered. "Is it all right to place the spare ammunition on the floor?"

Hamuko nervously chuckled. "W-what?"

"Ammo!?" Yukari shook her head. "N-no, no way!"

"But I must be by her side too…" Aigis stated.

"Oh well…" Yukari sighed. "I'll have a room prepared for you on the third floor, so you can stay nearby. Oh, and don't leave the dorm by yourself, okay?"

"I will do as commanded," Aigis nodded.

The archer sighed. "I'm tired… I have practice this morning, so I gotta go…" She shrugged as she left.

Aigis remained in Minato's room, nodding as she understood something. "Everyone goes to a place called school in the morning. I comprehend."

"Yeah…" Minato frowned. "I need to change, so please get out."

Hamuko chuckled as she grabbed the robot's hand. "Let's give nii-san some space, Aigis."

Hamuko frowned at her brother. "I don't think Aigis means any harm. She can't lie at all."

"How do we know that's she's programmed to completely tell the truth?" Minato frowned as he sipped his coffee.

"We can ask her," the girl suggested.

"And how would we do that?" The blue-haired boy shook his head. "No… I need to keep my guard up until I'm certain she's safe. Even then, I can't just casually speak with her."

"I think she's just confused," Hamuko crossed her arms. "I don't know why but she gives me the same vibe as Pharos. She's looking out for us." The red-eyed girl brightened as she came up with a question that would clear things up for them. "When Aigis is around, do you hear laughing or see the joking Reaper?"

The boy frowned. "No… I don't."

"Then Ai-chan is fine!" Hamuko smirked.

"Ai-chan...?" The older brother frowned to himself before conceding to his sister. "O-okay, you might have a point, but I expect you to keep her under control then," Minato knit his eyebrows together. "This investigation really is getting to me…" He stared at his cup with a sad expression. "Besides you, I don't know who to rely on or trust anymore."

Hamuko sadly stared at her brother and shook her head. "Speaking of your investigation, Junpei told me you went out last night. Did you see Shinjiro-san?"

"Yeah," the boy nodded. "He told me a few things. Apparently, there's three renegade Persona-users. He's seen them in the back alley, so I suggest you avoid that place, Hamuko. Aragaki-san thinks they've been watching us."

"O-okay…" the girl seemed down that she'd no longer be able to visit the tall boy.

"H-hey," Minato looked at her worriedly. "What's wrong?"

"I might like Shinjiro-san," Hamuko admitted. "I worry about him a lot. Is he eating well? Is he getting enough sleep? Things I usually ask you about, but it's different when I apply it to him. I get scared because I don't know the answers to those questions."

"Hamuko…" The blue-eyed boy lowered his gaze and frowned as he thought of the boy's imminent death. "I-I don't think you should be getting involved with him. It wouldn't be good for you."

"B-but… I want to help him, nii-san. He looks so sad every time I see him. He hides it but it's still there. I don't want him to be alone."

"But what if that's his choice?" Minato questioned her.

"Nobody wants to be alone, nii-san. You should know that better than anyone," she quietly said.

The boy paused for a moment. "Y-you're right… I'm sorry. I forget sometimes you don't like to be alone…" They remained silent as Minato quickly downed his coffee. "Let's not talk about this anymore, Hamuko." He tried to come up with another topic. "Oh, I got all of my film developed on campus today. We actually got some nice shots during our trip. There's one I'm particularly happy about and I can't wait to show Fuuka."

"Is it of her, nii-san?" Hamuko smiled as she knew her brother set the conversation up specifically so she could tease him.

"H-hey," her brother smirked back. "It was a perfect shot. I couldn't help but take it."

"It must be perfect if you're this happy about it," Hamuko pointed out with a laugh.

Minato chuckled but he noticed the pain still hidden behind her red eyes. He let out a heavy sigh. "Hey, Hamuko?"

"Yeah, nii-san?" The girl looked at her brother, noticing he was being serious.

"I'm probably going to visit Aragaki-san again. When I do, I'll give him your number, okay? If it means that much to you, I'll tell him to give you a call."

"Really?" the girl's smile returned.

"Y-yeah," Minato nodded. "J-just don't be sad if it doesn't work out, okay?" The older twin coughed as he shook his head at the girl. "Aragaki-san seems pretty difficult. What's so attractive about a guy with his personality?"

"You're one to talk," Hamuko pulled on his cheek. "You're the same way sometimes. I'm surprised you're so sweet towards Fuuka-chan but so prickly to everyone else." She stopped teasing him as she gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, nii-san. You're the best."

Minato sighed but his expression remained soft. "Anything I can, sis. I don't like it when you don't smile. Things just don't feel right."

Shinjiro-san thinks the same thing, Hamuko smiled to herself. He really is just like nii-san… She finished her drink and waited for her brother to pay.

Minato checked the time and looked at her expectantly. "Hey, you still have time? I want to stop by Escapade before we go."

"Another fortune reading?" Hamuko guessed.

"Yeah," her brother nodded. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"Sure," the younger twin shrugged. She followed him to the closed club but was surprised when the bouncer opened the door for them without a word. "You must come here a lot."

"Like I told you before, Mama has connections." He smiled at the fortune teller and gave her a polite bow. "I'm back. I brought my sister with me this time, so I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Mama smiled at the two. "It seems you both carry the same fate. Both of you are bearers of light and shadow. It's just represented more strongly within you."

"Light and Shadow?" Hamuko repeated. Just what sort of fortunes are we dealing with here?

Minato took a seat and motioned for his sister to continue. "So what's my fortune today?"

"You have two fortunes today also," the lady smiled. "Would you like to know them?"

Hamuko nodded her head, curious. "Yes, please."

The red-eyed girl watched as the crystal ball on the table began to glow. The woman began speaking and the brunette made out the shape of multiple Evokers. "Guns scattered in the billowing Shadow… Arms reach in to grasp them…" The various members of SEES flashed through the orb, aiming their Evokers at themselves. "Their muzzles pointed at different shadows; their triggers pulled on different occasions…" Hamuko saw the image of three middle school students pointing Evokers at themselves before one faded away. The remaining two grew taller and six more people joined them. The image split in half as three faint figures stood in the group's shadow, while one figure stood at the border between both groups. "Where do you point your gun? What will occur as a result of its firing?" Everyone faded except for two figures Hamuko made out to be her and her brother. "Can you collect all of the guns that have been scattered…?" The image suddenly faded.

"Wow…" Hamuko was amazed. The fortune wasn't specific and was very vague, but she felt as though she learned a lot from those visions.

"And our other fortune?" Minato asked.

Mama nodded as she looked back into her ball. "Very well… I see a girl…" Minato frowned as Aigis appeared standing at the border of darkness and light. "She stands between light and dark, life and simulacrum… She falters… As if not knowing on which side she belongs…" Minato saw Ikutsuki on one side of the border while he himself was on the other side. "Hm..? She is trying to tell you something…" Aigis reached out towards Minato. "Can you hear her words…?"

Minato's vision flashed as the memory of his parents' death returned to him. What!? Aigis… knows something about that? He rested his hand on his head.

"You seem troubled," the fortune teller looked at Minato with concern.

"A memory…" the boy frowned. "Something I must have forgotten."

"Something the both of us forgotten," Hamuko crossed her arms.

"The key lies in the shadows," the lady nodded to them. "Farewell, then… May your future be bright…"

The twins left Escapade and Hamuko looked to her brother with worry. "These fortunes… They're very good, but they're extremely vague."

"They're good to keep in mind," Minato nodded. "The thing about fortune telling is knowing when to listen and when to make your own decisions. But now I know one thing for certain. You were right about Aigis."

"You're going to pull her into the light?" Hamuko smirked.

"How do you know I'm not the one in the shadows?" the older boy smirked back.

"We'll just have to see then," Hamuko shrugged.

~B*O*N*U*S~S*C*E*N*E~

Hamuko carefully examined her violin bow before lifting the instrument up. As soon as she began playing, the other members of the team relaxed throughout the lounge. The red-eyed girl closed her eyes as she continued to practice.

From the couch, Mitsuru smiled as she continued reading her novel. Beside her, Akihiko had fallen asleep while reading the newspaper. Junpei turned the TV volume down as he flipped through the channels to find something interesting to watch. Aigis stood near them as she focused on Hamuko's playing.

In the kitchen, Yukari ate her dinner as she listened. She watched as the two photographers across from her were busy studying their negatives. Minato softly began to hum along to Hamuko's violin. Fuuka lightly giggled at him as she listened to him. The boy's face turned red as he stopped. He looked back towards Hamuko and watched as she finished the song.

His twin smirked towards him. "So?"

"Pretty good," the boy shrugged. "Your tempo needs work though. The count sped up in the middle without you realizing. You also panicked a bit towards the end, thinking you missed a repeat, didn't you?"

"A good ear as always, nii-san," Hamuko nodded as she made a few marks on her music sheet.

Yukari looked to the boy in surprise. "You can actually tell all that?"

Fuuka agreed with the brunette. "But she sounded amazing."

Mitsuru smiled at the violinist. "No, Yuki is correct. That piece should be much slower. It was a beautiful performance nonetheless, Arisato."

"Thank you, Senpai," Hamuko slightly bowed before noticing Aigis curiously staring at her violin. "Would you like to try, Ai-chan?"

"Would that be okay?" Aigis asked her.

"Sure!" Hamuko dragged the robot towards her music stand and showed her how to hold the violin. "Just gently drag the bow across the strings like this!" Hamuko guided the blonde's hand and produced a note.

Aigis nodded in understanding. "I see. The vibrations of the strings travel through—"

Junpei chuckled, interrupting her before she could start on a long-winded explanation of how the violin works. "Come on, Ai-chan! Try playing something."

The blonde nodded and began playing on her own, resulting in Minato flinching from the terrible screech. Akihiko bolted up as the noise startled him awake. "What's going on?" He looked around in confusion before noticing the android holding Hamuko's violin. "Oh… Uh… That was a nice try, Aigis," he coughed.

Aigis looked at the instrument in confusion. "I believe I do not have the skill necessary to perform as Hamuko-san did."

"That's alright," Hamuko smiled. "I'll just have to teach you."

The juniors at the dinner table looked to each other with varying degrees of uncertainty plastered over their faces. In the end, Yukari nervously chuckled as she tried to encourage the robot to do her best.. "I'm sure you'll get it, Aigis."

Akihiko chuckled. "This'll be interesting to watch," he nodded.

Junpei tugged his cap down. "Um… Whatever you say, Akihiko-san."

"Let's start the lesson then," Hamuko nodded.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Minato sighed.

Fuuka giggled at the boy. "I'm sure things will be fine."

For the rest of the evening, Minato winced as the noise was painful to sit through. The rest of SEES endured it with him though. Hamuko gave them all an apologetic frown, but continued with the lesson. By the end of the night, Minato was banging his head on the dining table, hoping to knock himself out.

Final Notes: I left Minato's extracurriculars defaulted in the story because the story just made more sense that way. Fuuka's love of technology just doesn't translate well into the Music or Art club. Personally, I love and hate photography... I took a class in high school once and found it fun, but I'm just no good at taking pictures. Okay, maybe it was only because manual focus on a camera is a hassle for someone with glasses... I loved developing negatives and pictures though. I was pretty good at it, but it doesn't matter if my shots weren't focused to begin with... I am more of a music person though so whenever I play, I tend to join Music Club. When it comes to bands though, I tend to guess what type of instrument would suit a person and I was right when Minato turned out to be a violinist. Here though, Hamuko seems more of the violinist than Minato. I guess that just leaves Art for Naoto? Well... I'm pretty sure the three are capable of any form of fine art anyways. Sukuna-Hikona plays the violin in Dancing All Night too and it's very fitting for her.