A/N: Mira is an OC. She didn't appear anywhere in the game. Don't worry about her too much, though. She won't appear in any other chapters.
***: So, now that you got that off your chest, let's get on with the fic.
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 22: Agony to Bliss
Happiness. That's what all of them felt the moment they all realized it may be possible to bring back a lost friend. That is, until it hit them that they are still quite far from their destination. Fuuka had still to call Minato's Persona, as all of them, save Metis, have. This puts Fuuka on the spot, and when she failed, she ran off to the lounge, rejecting the helping hand they extended to her. She then mindlessly ran off to the Abyss of Time and, by the time the others found her, she was beneath a Shadow. The fight itself is draining not only because Fuuka would not scan the enemy, but, also because Fuuka is still absorbed in self-pity. In the middle of the battle, they were mysteriously transported to Gekkoukan from the past, outside a classroom…
Fuuka: … *slowly peeks inside the classroom door* …!!! *gasps*
Mitsuru: *walks towards Fuuka* What's wrong, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: This place…it's…
Akihiko: *looks inside the classroom* What with it?
Junpei: *looks at Fuuka* You…know this place, Fuuka?
Fuuka: *lowers her head* I think…I do…
Yukari: Hmm… *looks inside the classroom*
The empty classroom that they saw suddenly began to fill with students, and the scenario now focuses on the seats in the middle of the classroom…
Young teal-haired girl: … *taking out her bento*
Brunette girl with high socks: *waves at the teal-haired girl* Hey, there. What was your name again?
Young teal-haired girl: *looks at the brunette girl* Yamagishi… Fuuka Yamagishi.
Others (except Fuuka): …!!!
Yukari: Wait… Did she just say Fuuka?!
Junpei: *points at the other Fuuka* That's…Fuuka?!
Akihiko: So then, this is…
Fuuka: *looks at her past self and the brunette girl* Them…
Past Fuuka: What do you need?
Brunette girl with high socks: Oh, nothing… Hey, want to be friends with us?
Past Fuuka: Who are you?
Brunette girl with high socks: *points to herself* Me? *smiles* I'm Mira.
Past Fuuka: *smiles* Nice...to meet you, Mira.
Mira: Yeah, yeah. So, do you want to be friends or not?
Past Fuuka: Well…*nods* All right…
Mira: Oh. So, you want to be friends? Then, go buy us some bread.
Past Fuuka: Okay, but, I need money to buy, and-
Mira: *shrugs* Of course, you'll pay. *looks at the past Fuuka* That's how friends should be, right?
Past Fuuka: Huh? But..I-
Mira: *is irritated* Look, you said you want to be friends with us, right? *points at the classroom's door* So…GO! Just go!
Past Fuuka: O-Okay…
Mira: Hmph. *smiles* Good, now go.
Past Fuuka: *walks out of the classroom*
The others have now confirmed that what they're seeing is indeed Fuuka's past. They can feel themselves fill with irritation and anger as Mira laughs there, along with the other girls she's with…
Mitsuru: *lowers her head* Yamagishi was…
Junpei: *tries to talk with Mira* Hey, you! That's rude! How can you say that?!
Yukari: *narrows her eyes at Mira and crosses her arms* I really can't stand girls like that!
Akihiko: *grits his teeth* …
Ken: *looks at Fuuka* Senpai…
Aigis: *looks at Fuuka* …
Suddenly, the scenario changes again, and this time, they're in a library, they saw the past Fuuka in one of the rows of bookshelves; they figured she must've been looking for a certain book…
Fuuka: A library?
Past Fuuka: "I'm glad I have a friend like Mira"… *looks to her right* Ah! Mi- *she notices Mira with another student* "Who's that?"
Mira: So, that's the story.
Girl with Mira: *giggles* I see. Lucky you, this Fuukie girl always treats you to everything.
Mira: *giggles* Yeah! Seriously, she's such an idiot. She actually thinks that I want to be friends with her.
Past Fuuka: …!!!
Mira: She's just my wallet AND my servant.
Girl with Mira: *laughs* Sooo true~.
Mitsuru: That's just too much!
Akihiko: Ugh! Bitches!
Junpei: The hell are they talking about!
Yukari: *stands next to Fuuka* Fuuka…
Aigis: S-She…
Ken: Senpai…
They all felt at that moment that they could handle no more of that "crap", as Ken would say, and so, they all felt relieved, minus Fuuka, when the scenario before them faded and they were returned to the Abyss of Time. That is, until they saw that their previous opponent is standing before them…
Akihiko: *staggers back* The heck! That thing's still alive?!
Mitsuru: Let's finish this! *takes out her rapier and swiftly attacks the Shadow*
Aigis: *looks around* "Where's Metis? I haven't seen her since we arrived here…"
Yukari: *turns to Aigis* Aigis! Look out!
Aigis: *sees the Shadow is about to attack her* …!!! *barely dodges the Shadow's attack*
Fuuka: *stands still* "I…I never had any friends… Why is that? I… If only I was stronger, *tears start falling from Fuuka's eyes* smarter… braver… Why?! Why?! Why?!"
Strange voice: "That's not true."
Fuuka: …!!! *turns around and sees Minato behind her*
Minato: "You know that's not true."
Fuuka: "Minato-kun?!"
Minato: "You look ugly when you're crying."
Fuuka: "…I'm hopeless…" *sniff*
Minato: *smiles* "Don't cry." *washes away the tears from her eye with his finger*
Fuuka: "But…I-"
Minato: "It's not how you think it is, Fuuka-san."
Fuuka: *averts her gaze* "That's not true... No one needs me…"
Minato: "A part of me lies within you… Always waiting until you finally realize it's there, and grasp it with your gentle soul. *holds Fuuka's hands with both of his*
Fuuka: *quickly looks at Minato* "…!!! Minato-kun?!"
Minato: "Is it so bad to be different?"
Fuuka: *lowers her head* "…But, I…I…I can't do anything for any of you."
Minato: "You can, Fuuka-san. I need you…"
Fuuka: *looks up to Minato* …!!!
Minato: "I need your help."
Fuuka: "My help?"
Minato: "To bring back part of me and make it whole. I want you to know…that…" *let's go of her hands*
Fuuka: "What? What are you talking about?"
Minato: "Call me."
Fuuka: "…???"
Minato: "See me not as you see me now…but, as another personification of me… The real me… My inner self… My Persona…"
Fuuka: *nods* "I…I understand."
Minato: *smiles* "Thank you."
Fuuka: "I know."
Minato: *whispers to Fuuka* "Always remember… Everyone's here with you… And, even if you lose all of your friends…I'll be your friend. I promise."
Fuuka: *tears fall from Fuuka's eyes* "Thank you… Minato-kun…"
Minato: "Just Minato. I don't mind."
Fuuka: *smiles* "Then, call me Fuuka."
Minato: "No more tears, okay?"
Fuuka: *nods*
Fuuka's smile remains even as Minato fades before her. Her consciousness returns to the Abyss of Time, and she sees her friends struggling against a Shadow…
Junpei: *dodges the Shadow's attack* Stupid Shadow! Surt's attacks ain't workin!
Yukari: *fires off an arrow, then looks at Mitsuru* How's Fuuka?
Mitsuru: *slashes at the Shadow but had to jump back to dodge it's counterattack* She still won't respond!
Fuuka: I'm sorry, everyone… *wipes away her tears with her hand*
Yukari: *looks at Fuuka* Fuuka?
Fuuka: I won't look down anymore! *raises her head* I'll fight for everyone! I know we can win!
Akihiko: *smirks* You got that right!
Junpei: We were only waiting for you! *summons his Persona* Susano-o! Vorpal Blade!
Mitsuru: Let's go, Yamagishi! *summons her Persona* Helel! Morning Star!
Fuuka: *nods* Yes! I'll scan the enemy!
Akihiko: We're counting on you! *assaults the Shadow with a flurry of hits*
Ken: *looks at Fuuka* We know you can do it, senpai! *pierces the Shadow*
Fuuka: I see it. I see its weakness.
Mitsuru: *evades the Shadow's attack* Please tell us, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: Its weakness is wind.
Yukari: Metis can handle that. *turns around to face Metis* Huh? Where's Metis?
Aigis: *shoots the Shadow* "Metis…"
Mitsuru: Where's Metis? *looks around*
Akihiko: Does this Shadow have any other weaknesses?
Fuuka: *shakes her head* Nothing else.
Junpei: Oh, shit! *looks at them* Is there no one else with Garu skills here?
Fuuka: Wait.
Mitsuru: What's wrong, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: *steps forward* I can handle this.
Others: …???
The others were dumbfounded. Sure, Fuuka has always helped them, but never as an active fighter. She lets go of her evoker, she then straightens herself, lowers her head and closes her eyes, her hands clasped. Now surrounded by blue light and scattered mirror shards, she looks up, opens her eyes and calls out her Persona…
Fuuka: Come! Norn!
Others: …!!!
Yukari: Fuuka summoned…one of "his" Personas…
Fuuka: Panta Rhei!
As wind is its weakness, the Shadow is eliminated in an instant with Fuuka's attack…
Yukari: That…
Fuuka: I'm sorry! *bows down*
Yukari: *beams with happiness* That's amazing, Fuuka!
Fuuka: …!
Junpei: *grins* That's like, TOTALLY COOL!
Mitsuru: *smiles* We always knew you could do it, Yamagishi.
Akihiko: *pats Fuuka's back* That's good for you.
Ken: *beams with happiness* That was amazing, senpai!
Koromaru: *wags his tail* Arf! Arf!
Fuuka: Everyone… *falls down to her knees*
Junpei: Uh…F-Fuuka?
Yukari: *kneels beside Fuuka* Hey, you okay?
Akihiko: Are you exhausted?
Fuuka: *smiles* I'm happy.
Mitsuru: *smiles* It's okay, Yamagishi. We'll be here.
Fuuka: *nods* I know… Thank you…
Yukari: Let's go back for now…
Fuuka: *nods*
They head back to dorm and gather in the lounge to discuss about the recent event…
Junpei: How come we got to see Fuuka's past?
Mitsuru: That's right. There was no door, and…
Fuuka: Actually…I saw him, too.
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* When?
Fuuka: *looks at Mitsuru* During the battle with the Shadow.
Yukari: *looks at Fuuka* Really? How's he doing?
Fuuka: *looks at Yukari* He looks really lonely there… I'm actually worried…
Yukari: *lowers her head a bit* …Really?
Mitsuru: So, what else did he say?
Fuuka: *looks at Mitsuru* Oh, uh…well…I… *blushes*
Yukari: What?
Aigis: *looks at Fuuka* Fuuka-san… Your temperature is rising.
Fuuka: *looks at Aigis* Huh? D-Don't worry… I'm-I'm okay, really.
Yukari: *stares at Fuuka* Fuuka…
Fuuka: *looks at Yukari* Huh? What's wrong?
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari*…Takeba?
Akihiko: So, what happened? Did he say anything about…umm…I dunno…anything.
Fuuka: No… Nothing important, really… He just consoled me, that's all.
Yukari: *narrows her eyes and is still staring at Fuuka* Consoled…huh…
Fuuka: Yeah, and, about what he said…well…can it be just between him and me?
Yukari: …!!!
Mitsuru: I suppose. If it's personal, then, that's fine with us.
Akihiko: *nods* Yeah. There are some things that you don't want to say to others.
Junpei: *nods* I can understand that much.
Aigis: *looks uneasy and keeps looking around* …
Ken: *smiles* That's okay, senpai.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Fuuka: *looks at them* Thank you everyone, I-
Yukari: *stands up* Wait, Fuuka.
Others: …???
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* T-Takeba? W-What's wrong?
Akihiko: Uhh…Yukari?
Fuuka: *turns to Yukari* What's wrong, Yukari-chan?
Yukari: Tell me the truth, Fuuka.
Fuuka: About what?
Yukari: *glares at Fuuka* Did he…hold your hands or not?!
Fuuka:*blushes* …!!! Huh? Well…
Akihiko: *facepalms* "This again…"
Mitsuru: *looks at them* What's going on?
Yukari: *gives Fuuka a death glare* Answer me, Fuuka!
Fuuka: Well… *averts her gaze* Minato did…
Yukari: WHAT?!
Mitsuru: *looks nervously at Yukari* Calm down, Takeba.
Akihiko: *looks at Ken*…What now?
Ken: *sweatdrops, then, looks at Akihiko* Well… We can't stop senpai now.
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Akihiko: *sighs* I guess you have a point there.
Aigis: *still looking around* …
Yukari: *talks to thin air* Hey, you! That's too much now! Who else are you flirting with, huh?! Even Fuuka calls you "Minato" now! ANSWER ME! You- You- TRAITOR! YOU SCUM! WOMANIZER!
Mitsuru: Wait, Takeba, please!
Fuuka: Umm… *looks at Aigis* Huh? What's wrong, Aigis?
Aigis: *stands up* Everyone…
The ruckus stops and…
Aigis: Where's Metis?
Others: …!!!
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
A/N: All right, I just wanna clear it here and now: This is a MinatoxYukari fic, that's all.
***: And since that's all, see you guys at the next chapter!