Author's Note:

So I decided to play as Minato after playing as Minako for approximately eight times. I got really far, didn't save, and then was killed with a Mamudoon skill. ; A; Since I have to redo two whole months, I'm just putting it off… Guh. But I got Assassin's Creed 2: Revelations, so I'll just busy myself with that instead~

Anyway - thank you to everyone who reviewed: Ryurier, Guest, blazblue-domo, Namine23, Katarin Kishika, Kazedama-Miko, Yosuke Hanamura. You guys are the best! :) This drabble is based on a request from our Guest, aka Minako in a costume and embarrassing poor Akihiko. Also - Mitsuru's request last chapter is based on your interpretation (whether it's jealousy or true concern).

Twenty-Five Hours
a Persona 3/Portable (© ATLUS) fanfiction

The Tenth Hour

Opening Song: "Her Morning Elegance" - Oren Lavie

Minako really loved clothes.

Her parents must have left her one hell of a fortune because when she wasn't at school or leading the others in Tartarus, she was out shopping. Mitsuru accompanied her sometimes, but she was completely lost without her personal stylist and usually just watched the brunette pick out clothes. Fuuka had a very meager allowance, which she liked to spend on cooking supplies (unfortunately for everyone else), so she always politely declined going with her. Aegis was a robot who didn't really need clothes, and the things she chose for herself were usually a terrible mismatch of function and patterns. Yukari, who Junpei swore had developed strong biceps because of all the bags she could carry, couldn't even keep up with Minako.

The male members of the party did a pretty good job of avoiding her when she wanted to go on one of her shopping sprees. Junpei was the least strategic and usually got roped into it through false premise, like going to the arcade an buying video games, though he eventually caught on. Ken finally began appreciating his age and size when it was easiest for him to just slip away. Shinjiro had always had a good sense of foreboding, so he'd usually slide into the corner until she was gone. Koromaru's senses worked well for him, and he ran through the door as quick as he could whenever he can.

And Akihiko? Well, Akihiko was just a victim of love.

"You're pathetic," Shinjiro grunted when his best friend told him what his plans for the day were. Junpei simply shook his head, while Ken looked at him with unmistakable pity in his eyes. Even Koromaru was trying to yip reassuringly as he rubbed his nose against his slacks. "Even Koro-chan thinks you're pathetic."

"Nah, he's just thanking me for being a real man." Akihiko's smile faltered ever-so-slightly when the white dog shook his head, then began pawing at his shoes. "C'mon guys, I'm taking one for the time," he sighed, defeated. "If not me, then it'd have to be one of you guys. Takeba's definitely lying about studying for finals, and I know for a fact Fuuka's out with her friend and Mitsuru's burying herself in books. Aegis offered to go with her, but you know what happened last time…"

Shinjiro snorted. "Don't try to turn yourself into a martyr. Just admit it - you're weak."

"It's not like it's a bad thing, Senpai," said Junpei, obviously just trying to make him feel better (and failing). "I mean… If I had to go shopping with anyone, it'd be Mina-tan." Lies, all lies. His eyes betrayed him the moment he opened his mouth. "Well, um… Good luck, Senpai." He cleared his throat just as Minako came skipping down the stairs, dressed in the white skirt and orange shirt she had bought just seven days ago.

"Ready to go?" she chirped, oblivious to the oppressive atmosphere in the lounge.

"Yeah, let's go," he murmured in reply, shooting warning glances at everyone else as he grabbed his jacket. "See you guys later." They offered weak goodbyes, save for Shinji, who merely snorted and rolled his eyes.

"What were you guys talking about?" Minako asked on the way to Paulownia Mall.

"Just what we've got planned for the weekend." Her fingers brushed against the palm of his open hand, before casually lacing through his. He tried to suppress his smile as Minako walked with an extra skip in her step. "So, what's the itinerary for today?"

"Weeell…" He instinctively winced and braced himself; she was using that tone again. "There's a new store that opened, and I wanted to have a look around… I hear they have stuff for guys, too, so you don't have to just sit around and watch this time!"

"This time," he thought dismally, despite the grin he wore for her. "Yeah, alright… Sure. Why not?"

The store looked mostly harmless when they walked inside, giving Akihiko a small sense of hope. "I'm gonna have a quick look around, okay? Let me know if you see anything you like!" Her hand slipped out of his, but warmth still tingled at his fingertips. He watched as she retreated around a corner into another section before deciding that standing around would do him no good. Shopping have never been one of his pastimes - let alone shopping for clothing - but what could it hurt now that he was here? With a sigh, he walked over to a rack of t-shirts and idly began sorting through the red ones.

Ten minutes later, with one red v-neck shirt (not completely unalike the one he was currently wearing - what was wrong with a classic?) in hand, he began his search for the SEES leader. "Minako?" he called, poking his head around corners and other customers. His feet eventually carried him to the dressing rooms, which appeared to be empty. "Minako, are you in here?"

"Just a second!" she replied, from the very last stall in the back. "C'mon, c'mon, I want you to see something!" He positioned himself in front of the door, leaned against another stall as he waited. "Did you find anything you liked?"

He glanced down at the one article of clothing hanging from his arm. "Uh, yeah, I guess."

There was a pause, followed by some shuffling. "Another red shirt, huh?" A blush of embarrassment spread across his cheeks. Was he really that predictable? "Well, you look really good in red, so I guess it doesn't really matter." His flush only enhanced. "Hmmm, I wonder how you… Okay! I think I'm done. Alright, are you ready?"

Akihiko had been expecting one her cute, yet modest skirts. He'd been expecting a brightly colored blouse or a floral pattern dress. He'd been expecting summer clothes likes shorts and t-shirts and flip-flops - not a maid outfit. The dress and the apron and the knee-highs and - it even came with a head piece. Words escaped him completely; all he could do was hold his hand to face and pray that it hadn't turned completely red.

"Sooo? What do you think?" She was teasing him. He could practically hear the grin in her voice. "C'mon Aki," she pleaded (forcing his heart to plummet into the depths of darkness), "at least look at me before you reign down judgement."

"It's a very…" He swallowed thickly, peered at her through a small crack between his fingers. "It's kind of a…" She definitely looked good in it, and the sultry look on her face didn't hurt either. "It's kind of a provocative outfit, isn't it?"

Her eyebrows shot up in amusement. "Provocative? How so?"

Oh God, was she actually going to make him say it? He shook his head, still unable to look her in the eyes. "C'mon, I… If you wore that around other guys, they'd…" He ran his tongue over his lips, trying to control himself and regain his senses; out of the corner of his eye, he saw her rocking back and forth in her mary janes. "Y-you really shouldn't wear that in public, I… I mean, I like it, it… it looks good on you, but… Come on, Minako, please?"

"I don't know what you mean," she continued, giggling behind a hand.

This girl…! "You're doing this on purpose," he mumbled, tugging at the neckline of his shirt.

"Doing what, Aki?" That pleading tone, that stupid stupid (really provocative) outfit, her doe-like eyes -

Was this the kind of thing normal guys liked? Was this how guys were supposed to feel when they saw girls in maid outfits? It this how Junpei felt every time he mentioned it? That sort of thing had never interested Akihiko before, but Minako… This girl was going to be the death of him. "Y-you should get it," he mumbled, jumbling his words together in embarrassment. "I-I mean, not to wear around the dorm or anything, but…"

"Ohh, so you want me to wear it just for you?" How could she say things like that so casually, out in the open like that? "I was thinking of wearing it as a Halloween costume, or maybe in Tartarus or something." He actually raised his eyes off the ground to shoot her an incredulous look, drawing a laugh from her. "Well, if it would make you that upset…" She stepped forward, carefully wrapped her hands around his neck, dragged them down until her fingers wrapped around the v-neck. "… Just for you," he swore she whispered as she pulled him back into the stall and drew his mouth against hers.

Closing Song: "Fairytale" - Alexander Rybak

The maid costume will probably be making another appearance in a later chapter. XD I do really love the interactions in Tartarus when she's wearing these things/the others are wearing their things.

arrivederci, amore mio,
der kapitan