Author's Notes: Okay, so I finished editing things and I end up losing my network connection... So gotta edit things again because the changes didn't save. Oh well...

~6 SEPTEMBER 2009~

Minato leaned back against the wall as he watched Mitsuru continue her futile interrogation. "I'll ask you once more…" the redhead shook her head. "Is Chidori your real name? What kind of organization is Strega? Are there others besides you three?" The hospitalized girl continued to ignore her, resulting in the senior sighing. "Yuki, I think you should take over."

The blue-haired boy nodded but paused when he heard someone running outside. He lifted his walking stick and used it to push open the sliding door. In the hallway, Minato shook his head as Yukari called out towards the junior running towards them. "Hey wait, Junpei! You're not supposed to be here, remember!?"

Junpei didn't care as he burst into the room. He carefully avoided bumping into Minato as he approached Chidori's side. "Chidori…!"

"Junpei!" Yukari scolded him as she finally caught up to the tall boy. She gave both Student Council members and Akihiko an apologetic frown. "Uh… Sorry. He wouldn't stop bugging me about this place…"

"How are you feeling?" Junpei gently asked the girl in bed. "Seems like you've calmed down," he said in relief.

"She certainly has," Mitsuru nodded. "In fact, she won't say a word. Maybe we should confiscate her sketchbook, too."

Junpei sharply turned to the senior. "Hey, come on… What good would that do!? That won't make her talk!"

"I'm not so sure about that," Mitsuru sternly looked at him. "She was quite upset when we took her Evoker. Speaking of which…" she lifted her red eyes towards Chidori once more. "Where did you get that?"

"Medea…" Chidori looked as if she were missing something important to her. "Give it back to me! I want her back!"

Akihiko shook his head from where he stood. "Hey, I told you not to bring that up, didn't I!?"

"Then," Mitsuru turned to the boxer in frustration, "what am I supposed to do!?" She sighed. "I'll have someone else try next time."

"Yukari," Akihiko looked to the brunette. "Call a nurse. We're done for today. I'll inform Ikutsuki-san of the difficulties we're having."

"Why…?" Chidori stared at the white bedsheets. "Why did you take it from me…? Medea…"

"C'mon, Junpei," Yukari pulled on the boy's arm. "Let's go."

"Chidori…" Junpei tugged down on his cap. "What happened to you…?"

Minato watched everyone else leave but since he was still injured from their previous battle, he slowly took his time to go after them. He used his walking stick to steady himself as he fully stood up before sternly frowning at Chidori. "He worries about you, you know," the boy told the hospitalized girl. "I wanted Junpei to stay away from you, but he doesn't take orders well, especially from me."

"So you're the leader," Chidori frowned as she stared at the blue-haired boy.

"That's right," Minato nodded as he finally made it to the door. "I was pretty pissed when Junpei didn't show up to last night's operation, but after I learned what happened, I can't really blame him. After all, he really cares about you. He even went so far as to lie about being in charge just to impress you."

"Are you angry with him for that?" Chidori asked.

"Not at all," the boy smirked as he tightened his hold around his walking stick. "He really is an idiot sometimes, but he's also very straightforward with his feelings. I'm not like that at all. If you had known I was the leader and captured me instead, I would have killed you on the spot without a second thought," he shrugged as he was exaggerating.

"You have a chance now," the girl pointed out. "You know I won't live long anyway."

Minato stared at the Reaper sitting by her side. "I'm not a Death bringer," the boy frowned.

"You're afraid," Chidori plainly stared at him, "of living."

"So are you," the boy looked towards her. "We're very alike. We're both unafraid of our own deaths, but living brings us pain." He wryly smiled. "Still, we have people who care about us so we continue to live anyways…"

"You don't know anything about me," the girl shook her head.

"Are you sure?" Minato tilted his head to the side. "I might not be as close to you as Junpei, but there are things only I can discover through the Reapers. It's only because of Junpei that I'm holding back, so be grateful to him." He took a step out of the room. "I'll be visiting again, but it's not as if anyone else will know of this discussion between us. As far as I'm concerned, this conversation never happened. I just thought you should know how Junpei was faring outside of visiting you though." He nodded in goodbye as he closed the door.

~8 SEPTEMBER 2009~

Mitsuru watched Fuuka expectantly. "So, Yamagishi… Do you sense anything?" Fuuka shook her head and frowned since no matter what she tried, she couldn't sense a thing about Chidori, despite the hospitalized girl being right in front of her. Chidori remained silent as she simply stared at the junior trying to scan her. Getting impatient, Mitsuru frowned at the girl she was trying to get to talk. "By refusing to speak, you're only hurting yourself. We aren't keeping you here because we hate you; we just want to avoid unnecessary confrontation."

Minato tilted his head to the side as he heard running again. "Senpai, he's here." He opened the door with his walking stick and let Junpei in.

"How's Chidori?" the capped boy asked, out of breath. Mitsuru shook her head at him and he straightened up. "Can I just talk to her?"

"Iori…" Mitsuru frowned at him. "It seems like you're letting your emotions get the best of you. Is everything okay?"

"Well…" Junpei avoided her gaze. "Not exactly… I know she attacked me, but… I can't stop thinking about her!" He turned towards Minato. "I know you were warning me about this, but—"

"Junpei, I get it," the blue-haired boy cut him off and shifted his gaze towards Mitsuru. "Senpai, I say we let him. I'll take responsibility for whatever happens." His eyes flickered to Chidori's Reaper as the deathly omen stared at his capped friend. Again… It's just watching him… It wants something from him.

"Minato…" Junpei's eyes widened at his friend, surprised he would do this for him.

Mitsuru studied Minato's calm face. "Alright," she relented.

"Thank you very much!" Junpei took off his cap and bowed.

"Junpei-kun…" Fuuka gave him a worried frown but she got up from her seat. She took her place beside Minato and watched as Junpei sat in the empty chair.

"You okay?" Junpei gently asked Chidori. "I'm glad they let you keep your sketchbook… You really like to draw, huh…?"

"It doesn't matter," Chidori shook her head.

Fuuka looked at the girl in surprise. "She spoke…"

Chidori looked away from the capped boy. "No one else but me can understand my pictures…"

Junpei looked down at the bed sheets and immediately grabbed her hand when the white bandages began seeping in blood. "Chidori…!? Y-your arm!"

"Tch…" Akihiko scowled. "Again!?" He turned towards the juniors standing by the wall. "Fuuka, get a doctor!"

"R-right away!" Fuuka quickly rushed out.

Junpei shook his head. "Why are you bleeding!?"

"She does it to herself," Akihiko frowned and let out a sigh. "I thought I had removed all the sharp objects in here."

"She did this to herself…!?" Junpei gave the girl a look full of surprise and worry.

"Apparently," Mitsuru said, crossing her arms, "we can't leave her unattended for even one moment. But fortunately, she heals at an astounding rate…"

"Let go of me!" Chidori pulled her arm back from Junpei.

Junpei frowned at the girl. "Then, at the station… you did that to yourself!?"

"I never asked for your help," she snapped at him. "You were the one who misunderstood."

"Well, I want you to stop," Junpei sternly told her. "You can't be doing that…" His expression softened. "It's not right… And I won't let you…"

Mitsuru took a glance towards the hall and noticed Fuuka returning. "The doctor will be here soon. You and Yamagishi should go now," she told the capped boy.

"Yeah," Junpei sighed as he got up. Chidori watched him as he left, but the boy didn't seem to notice. He brushed past Minato and muttered to his friend. "Thanks, man." Minato nodded to him and closed the door once the doctor was in the room.

Mitsuru prepared herself for another interrogation and stepped to the patient's side. "So, you seem to have found your voice."

Minato watched as Chidori became mute once more. He didn't even pay attention to the senior as she continued her line of questions. Chidori stared back at him and the blue-haired boy sighed. So… That's what you want? "Senpai, I think that's enough for today. She'll only open up to Junpei and pushing her too far would only bring us problems later on."

"He's right," Akihiko nodded. "Come on, Mitsuru."

The redhead reluctantly followed the boxer out. The doctor had a few words for her though so the three privately held their own discussion out in the hall. Minato remained in the room as he stood straight. He moved slowly, purposefully using his health as an excuse to stay behind. "So you have something to say to me?"

"That girl before stared at you the same way Junpei stares at me," Chidori noted.

"Fuuka worries about me the same way Junpei worries about you," Minato simply responded. "I don't like to make her worry though, so I do my best to behave."

"Why?"

"Because I care about her too," the boy seriously stated. "Last time, I told you that we were alike. There are many ways in which we differ though. The biggest difference I see is that I'm willing to bind myself to others. This creates a fear within me though… I might not be afraid to die, but I won't needlessly throw my life away. I need to be alive to ensure they live too."

"You're a fool," Chidori stated.

"I'm the Fool," Minato corrected her. "That is my Arcana. You are the Hanged Man. The choices we have ahead of us also differ." The boy cast his blue eyes towards the Reaper behind her. "I'm sure you know what I mean… Your Reaper…"

"I don't need you to tell me," the girl coolly snapped at him. "I've seen my Death already," Chidori lowered her gaze.

Minato frowned as he didn't quite know how to interpret her words. He decided to play it safe and take it literally, but it wasn't as if he knew what she had specifically seen. "I won't push you on this then," the boy said with a nod.

"I no longer wish to speak with you," Chidori said, looking at him. "You're very unsettling… Not like Junpei…"

"That's fine," Minato shrugged. "Soon, I don't think I'll need to visit anymore. Until then, you'll have to put up with my presence."

~10 SEPTEMBER 2009~

Minato paused and opened the door. "He's here again," he told the two seniors. The blue-haired boy noticed his friend carrying something tucked under his arm. Huh? What's that for?

Junpei smiled as he came in. "Yo, Chidorita!"

"Don't call me that," Chidori frowned at him.

"C'mon, cheer up…" He handed her the sketchpad he had. "I brought you a new sketchbook. I thought your old one might be getting full."

"That wasn't necessary, Junpei," the redhead plainly said to him.

Junpei took a seat and began to lightly chuckle. "You said my name…" His expression softened as he continued to stare at her. "I was worried I'd never hear that again."

Minato smiled as he watched but he soon sensed a Reaper approaching them from the hall. He straightened up and greeted the tall brunet as he entered. "Shinjiro-san."

Shinjiro nodded his head to the leader before turning towards Mitsuru and Akihiko. "Any luck?" he asked.

"She finally started talking," Mitsuru informed him. "But nothing useful yet."

"Well," Akihiko crossed his arms, "that's a start. So…" he glanced at his old friend. "Why are YOU here?"

Shinjiro didn't get a chance to explain as Chidori began choking. She put a hand on her throat and groaned. "Ugh…!"

Junpei got up. "Chidori!? Wh-what's wrong!?"

"Ugh… Agh…" Chidori struggled to fight back. A Persona flickered over her and everybody watched in surprise.

"A Persona!" Mitsuru cried out.

"Tch!" Shinjiro quickly moved towards Chidori, pushing Junpei aside. He reached into his pocket and shoved something into the girl's mouth.

As quickly as Medea appeared, the Persona receded back into the hospitalized girl. Chidori began to calm down as her breathing became regular again.

"Chidori!" Junpei grabbed her hand out of worry.

"Relax…" Shinjiro told him. "It happens. They're not like us. They can't fully control their Personas. That's why they need to take suppressants… to keep their Personas from killing them…" And others… he thought as he stared at a rather pale Minato.

"Suppressants…?" Mitsuru frowned. "You know about Strega?" She looked over towards Minato and noticed the junior staring blankly at the ground.

Akihiko looked at the brunet in surprise. "Shinji…?"

Shinjiro ignored their stares. "You'd be surprised what you can learn on the streets. I'll give the doc the right pills." He turned towards the door. "The rest is up to you."

Akihiko frowned as he looked between Chidori and his childhood friend before taking off after the tall boy. "Shinji, wait! Hey!"

Junpei ignored everything else as he worriedly stared at the hospitalized girl. "Chidori?"

Chidori finally calmed down from Medea's attack. "I… I…" She gave Junpei a questioning expression as she noticed his fearful gaze. "Junpei?"

"Th-thank God…" the capped boy sighed in relief. "I thought you might be…"

"Why do you look so scared?" Chidori studied his face. "Death is nothing to be afraid of…"

"What are you saying…?" Junpei frowned at her.

"Dying just means you don't wake up anymore…" Chidori said to reassure him. "That's all."

"Wh-what!?" The capped boy shook his head and glared at the girl. "You don't really mean that, do you? I-I don't want you to die, Chidori!"

"Junpei…" Chidori studied the concern on his face.

"Just because you're not afraid doesn't mean no one else is…" Junpei closed his eyes as he felt stinging tears begin to form. "Did you ever think about how I might feel!?"

The girl lightly laughed in response. "You're so weird, Junpei…"

"Ha…" the capped boy looked up at her smiling face. "Look who's talkin'…"

Smiling to himself, Minato decided this was a good time for him to leave. He leaned against his walking stick and quietly called towards Mitsuru. "Senpai, let's leave them be."

"Yes," the senior nodded as she helped him out. "Besides, I would like a word with you in private."

"Of course," the boy nodded, already expecting it. He took a seat at a bench in the middle of an empty hallway and set his walking stick down. "What is it that you wanted to discuss, Senpai?"

"Much of Strega is unknown, but I am beginning to suspect you are withholding information from SEES, Yuki," Mitsuru looked down at him.

"I don't know what you mean," the boy simply responded.

"You're lying," her red eyes flashed.

"Burden of proof lies in the accuser, Senpai," Minato told her as he sat back against the wall. "Unless you reveal your hand, I'm not obligated to reveal mine."

Mitsuru frowned at how difficult he was being. Of course, I expect no less from him. "All of SEES met Strega two full moons ago, yet during that encounter, Takaya and Jin were already familiar with you. This leads me to believe you had already encountered them. They even offered you a position among their ranks."

"But I denied them," Minato pointed out. "I am the leader of SEES, after all."

"I am the leader of SEES," Mitsuru sternly corrected him. "You are my field adjutant."

"It makes no difference what I'm called really," the junior shrugged, "so long as I'm in charge of the fights. With the results I've produced, you have no reason to doubt my loyalties, Senpai."

"I never doubted your loyalties. Between your blatant disregard for your own wellbeing and overprotective—nearly borderline obsessive—tendencies, I am certain of your position within both SEES and Strega." Mitsuru crossed her arms. "I do, however, question your methodology."

Minato frowned at this. "Am I overstepping my boundaries?"

"From where I stand, yes," the senior sternly glared at him.

"And your reasoning?" The boy's blue eyes flashed in challenge.

"Yuki," Mitsuru cooled the edge in her voice when she realized it wouldn't work well to have him so defensive. "You returned something to Strega that night. A small bottle. Given what I just learned today, I can only assume they had given you suppressants for your Persona too. I fail to see why they would offer you such a thing when your Persona abilities surpass that of the team's."

The blue-eyed boy's gaze faltered. "Senpai…" He couldn't come up with a counter for that.

"Does it have to do with your awakening to the Dark Hour?" Mitsuru tried to pry.

"Sort of," Minato frowned as she wasn't quite wrong. "Senpai… Can I ask you something? If I'm overstepping my boundaries, I apologize, but I need to know something." He looked up to see the redhead nod to him. "The Dark Hour… You've lived through it since your childhood, correct?"

Mitsuru hesitated before giving him an answer. "Y-yes."

"Hamuko and I have too," he told her. "To be honest," he lowered his gaze again, "I really hate the Dark Hour. It doesn't really bother Hamuko, but me…? I can't sleep well at night knowing the Shadows are about. They give me nightmares," he partially lied. "If I lower my guard, I might lose my sister too. On top of that, I'm responsible for our battles." He clenched his fists. "Senpai… you're the same way, right? If anything happens to us, you intend to take responsibility even if I'm the one giving everyone orders in battle."

I should have never given him the burden of leadership, Mitsuru frowned to herself. "You've become quite the dependable leader. I'm sorry to have given you that role, Yuki."

The boy shook his head. "You had no choice at the time and I accepted." Minato took in a deep breath. "The weight may be unbearable at times, but I won't give up my position, Senpai," the boy said with determination.

"And the Persona suppressants…?"

"I'm not taking them," Minato looked up, a serious expression on his face. "As much as I hate living through the Dark Hour, I'm not so foolish as to risk the side effects. Besides," he frowned to himself, "I need my Personas to protect everyone and defeat the Shadows."

For some reason, Mitsuru was relieved to hear this. "Good," she nodded to him. "I'm glad you realize the importance of your choice."

"There's still something else on your mind, isn't there?" Minato blinked at her. "You're still curious about my investigation."

"It doesn't seem like I'll be able to get more out of you," the redhead frowned.

The junior shrugged. "There is one thing I can share. You're concerned about a possible agent within the Kirijo Group. It's only logical," the boy said, pointing a finger into the air. "Strega has Evokers. The Kirijo Group builds Evokers. Strega takes Persona suppression pills. I don't know this for certain, but I'm pretty sure that the Kirijo Group would be the most likely supplier of such medication."

"No, your reasoning is sound," Mitsuru said, impressed by his deductions as usual. "Aside from studying the Shadows, there were scientists working under my grandfather's orders to research Personas as well. Their results built up the foundation for the Shadow Suppression Weapons."

"I see..." Minato nodded as he recalled Aigis's Persona. He knit his eyebrows together as that made him all the more suspicious over the man directing SEES. "But about that agent, Senpai," he lowered his head as he contemplated whether to tell her about Ikutsuki. "I suspect only one person, but I'm afraid I'm in no position to share with you who," he finally revealed with a frown. "I have no evidence or motive. I only have conjecture and that isn't enough. Please understand…"

The senior studied the boy's face and sensed his honesty. Still she wondered why he had taken on such a burden on his own. "Is it alright for you to explain why you are looking into the Dark Hour separately from the team?"

Minato wryly smiled. "You've read through my files. A lot of what is in my medical evaluation is inaccurate."

"School-age schizophrenia, clinical depression, insomnia, self-injury…" Mitsuru frowned as she remembered the long list of disorders various experts have diagnosed for the junior.

The blue-haired boy nodded. "I… didn't understand it when I was younger. The Dark Hour terrified me. Hamuko was afraid too, but I was always there to reassure her that she wasn't alone. Using me as her strength, she adapted faster than I did. She could easily sleep through the night knowing I was watching over her."

"And you?" the redhead sadly stared at his pained face.

"I couldn't do the same," the older brother shamefully admitted. "I am the eldest son of Takuto Shirogane and Kyoko Yuki." His body began to shake. "As such, I made it my sole responsibility to protect my family."

"Shirogane…?" Mitsuru's eyes widened as she recalled meeting a detective of that name a long time ago. Wasn't he the man investigating Grandfather? Her red eyes wandered over Minato's facial features. Yuki is his son… Could he really be the same boy from back then? "Before you lost your parents, did you live in this area?"

"It was a temporary situation as my parents were investigators," Minato frowned. "Um… I don't feel quite comfortable talking about that with you, Senpai."

"Because your parents were looking into my grandfather," Mitsuru nodded in understanding.

"Oh… So you know…"

"I only just realized this when you mentioned your father was Detective Shirogane," the redhead told him. "In fact, you and I have met before."

"Did we?" Minato knit his eyebrows together. "Sorry, but I don't recall such a memory."

"No, you shouldn't be able to," Mitsuru smirked. "You had recently become aware of the Dark Hour after all."

The blue-eyed boy blinked. "Memory loss and disorientation…"

"It seems you understand," the senior said as she continued. "I have some knowledge of the accident on Moonlight Bridge. You and your sister were immediately brought here to be treated for your injuries. During your stay, my father had been notified of two young children displaying the Potential. Curious, I asked to come along…"

Minato brought a hand to his head as it began to hurt. Through the pain, an image of a red-eyed girl wearing her red hair in curls on the sides of her head appeared. The girl frowned as she spoke to him. "Are you okay? Is this your first time experiencing the Dark Hour?"

The boy's blue eyes widened as he remembered his response from back then. "Is this what Hell is like?" he absently asked aloud.

Mitsuru stared at him with wide eyes. "Pardon?"

Minato frowned as the memory quickly faded. Damn… I almost had it. "Sorry… That was what I asked you before, wasn't it?" He lowered his hand. "I had been kicked out of my sister's hospital room for being a nuisance to the doctors and you came up to me back then."

"So you are indeed Minato Shirogane," Mitsuru crossed her arms with a smirk. "I should have realized this sooner." She frowned as she considered something. "The two of you were recorded into the Kirijo Group's database, but a simple name change made you untraceable… Your files must have been tampered with… How did this go unnoticed for so long?"

"Senpai?" Minato stared at her.

Mitsuru pensively bit her thumb. This goes farther than I imagined. It seems Grandfather's influence is still present today. I must notify Father, but what do I do about Yuki? She stared at the blue-haired boy. He won't idly let this investigation go, but because of his involvement with the Dark Hour and Shadows… Her eyes wandered to the walking stick he set aside.

"Senpai," Minato noticed what she was staring at. "If you intend to impede my investigation, you know what I'll do…"

That's right… His complete disregard for his own safety works against me here. I am responsible for him. But his investigation… Her eyes widened at a thought. Of course, that's what I should do. In this way, we both benefit. She straightened up and strictly stared him down. "Up until now, I have overlooked your personal investigation, but I cannot allow you to continue as you have been."

The boy tensed up. "You're really going to…!?"

The redhead shook her head as she continued. "The Kirijo Group seems to still have many secrets hidden. I will notify my father directly about your circumstances. What happens next, I will let you know."

The blue-eyed junior struggled to stand. "Senpai, you can't be serious about…!" He paused when the girl glanced back at him with a strange glow in her red eyes.

"I fully understand your intentions now," she said. "There is no reason for me to hinder such potential, but I trust you already know the stipulations I am placing on this deal?"

The boy's hand tightened around his walking stick as he gave her a determined nod. "Of course!"

"Your parents would be very proud of you, Minato." Mitsuru smirked at the blue flames in his eyes. "The case they have left you regarding my family… I expect results." She continued down the hall, leaving the junior behind.

"Of course!" he called out after her, anticipation bubbling inside him. "Thank you very much, Mitsuru-senpai!" A breakthrough!? Yes! He would have jumped into the air if he could, but his walking stick slipped under the pressure he was putting on it. He quickly caught himself but the happiness inside him didn't fade.

"Hey, wait!" Akihiko called out as he ran. "Shinji!" Shinjiro paused and turned around. "What the hell's going on…?" the boxer asked him as he caught his breath. "Why did you have those pills!? I've heard about those… They're taken to suppress a Persona when the user can't control it. But, the side-effects…" He frowned as he asked a question he already knew the answer to. "You're not taking them, are you?" Shinjiro didn't answer so Akihiko grabbed him by his jacket. "Answer me!"

"I don't owe you anything," the brunet responded, not looking at the white-haired senior.

"Tch," Akihiko glared at him as he let him go. "The same as always…"

"Save it," Shinjiro took a step back. "I've heard it all before. You think I'm wasting my power… but you're just too thick-headed. I'm tired of your damn preaching."

Out of anger and desperation to get to the brunet, Akihiko punched his best friend. "Don't you get it?" he frowned to himself. "You know the reason…" He clenched his fists. "10 years ago. My sister. The fire. I wasn't strong enough to save her. They held me back, while she…" Shinjiro looked away as he knew very well what had happened. "That's why I try so hard… We promised, remember?" Akihiko gave the tall boy a stern glare. "To become strong enough to do what we think is right… So, why the drugs? Why didn't you come talk to me…?"

"I'm back in the fight now…" Shinjiro responded. "So let it go."

Akihiko knew a losing battle when he saw one so let out a heavy sigh. "And the side effects?"

"There's something I need to take care of," the brunet said, turning his back on the boxer. "It's something only I can do."

"Like what?" the senior asked.

"Listen, don't worry about me," Shinjiro shook his head. "Just do what you think is right."

Hamuko hung up her phone. So a new area opened up in Tartarus. Good… I think I came up with a way to fix nii-san… She suddenly looked towards the front door as the lock turned.

Minato hobbled into the lounge and smiled at her. "Hey."

"Nii-san, Theo called. We're going to Tartarus tonight, okay?"

"Me included?" the boy asked.

The red-eyed girl nodded. "I came up with a treatment for you."

"That's good," Minato simply nodded in response.

"You're not going to ask about it?" Hamuko was surprised.

He shook his head. "If you think it'll work, I'll trust you with it. Besides, I have my investigation to focus on."

"You learned something?"

"I'm almost ready for my counter," Minato smirked. "I just need time to sort through everything." He paused as he went over what he learned that afternoon. "Hey, Hamuko… How's your memory of what happened after the accident?"

"As good as yours," the girl shook her head. "Why?"

"Do you remember meeting Mitsuru-senpai in the hospital back then?"

"She was there?" Hamuko's red eyes widened.

Minato nodded and frowned. "Senpai thinks we forgot because that was when we awakened to the Dark Hour."

"That sounds about right, but…" the brunette shook her head. "Nii-san, when we fought the Hermit Shadow, I remembered something. Each time we fight the Shadows, I'm remembering more and more."

Minato frowned. "Lately, I've been noticing that too." A strange sense of guilt began to build within him. "Hamuko… what was the reason for us being on the bridge that night?"

"I don't remember," the girl shook her head.

"Hmm…" The blue-eyed boy shook his head when he realized it was getting late into the evening. "I guess I should leave it alone for now." Something really is sealing our memories… But what? And why?

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

Minato laughed maniacally as his mobility returned. He tossed aside his walking stick and pointed his Evoker to his head. "I'm back!" he said with a smirk as he summoned Apsaras to freeze the Shadows before them.

Hamuko shook her head as she caught her breath. "Nii-san! These Shadows aren't worth our time!" She watched the boy disappear around a corner.

"Is it just me or is he a bit too excitable tonight?" Yukari frowned.

"Minato-kun found the stairs! Do you want to continue, Hamuko-chan?"

"No! We're looking for a return point," the co-leader shook her head.

"On it then!" Minato impatiently called into his headset. He darted down a random corridor and spotted the teleport pad. "Found—!" He paused as his body slowed down. "Oh no…" Cadenza's effects are wearing off…

"Hamuko-chan! Minato-kun collapsed!" Fuuka worriedly told her.

"Nii-san! You idiot!" Hamuko scolded the boy as she tapped his limp form with her naginata. Not wanting to leave her brother just laying there, she looked to Shinjiro expectantly.

The brunet groaned as he threw the blue-haired junior over his shoulder. "Let's go…"

Minato blankly stared at the ground as he limply hung over the taller boy. "I can walk on my own, you know…" the boy frowned.

"You're just gonna slow us down," Shinjiro growled.

"Well, this is embarrassing…" the junior sighed to himself. He let out a yelp as Shinjiro dropped him to the ground at the start of a new battle.

Final Notes: I still don't quite understand how the Dark Hour works when it comes to injuries and stuff. I mean, it would be fantastic to just magic everything away with Mediarahan... I guess the Personas work to protect them from most heavy injuries but fatal wounds can kill them? It's pretty weird... But I'll complain more about that later.