Author's Note: Hi! Welcome to Chapter 2 of my story. I'd like to thank everyone who has followed and favorited(?) the story. The response has been tremendous and I'm so happy you all enjoy my story. Chapter 2 may feel sort of haphazard and I definitely feel that it's not my best writing. Chapters 1 & 2 I've written a while back, so after this chapter each new chapter will have been written recently, if that makes any sense. Chapters will be updated, hopefully, on Fridays or earlier. With that, please enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 2: Changing Seasons
In the final year of Junior High, Mitsuru had begun to change. With what only Takeharu could describe as, "Her transcendence into womanhood," I was put out of the loop on what she was going through. That year, Takeharu allowed us to move into Iwatodai Dormitory. He thought we were both mature enough to live independently, adding the fact that we're a lot closer to the school. Throughout our years at Gekkoukan Junior High, Mitsuru and I had been considered the most popular people in the school. With Mitsuru's beauty and my charismatic charm, it was no question that we were as popular as people thought.
In December, after the Finals, our school had planned a Christmas Dance for the entire student body. I'd decided that I'd rather just go with some friends. That is until a couple of annoyed girls approached me.
"Hey, Yuki-Kun," one of them said to me.
"Oh hey, what's up?" I replied.
"Well you're going to the dance, aren't you?" another asked.
"That's right." I answered.
"With Kirijo-Senpai?" the more annoyed one added.
"Wait, what? No I'm just gonna go with a couple of friends. Who told you that?" I asked.
"Kirijo-Senpai said that you two were gonna go on a date to the dance," the girl chimed in.
"Date!? I thought they were just going together!" another girl said, utterly confused.
"That's what a date is, numbskull! So you're not going on a date with Kirijo-Senpai, correct?" the annoyed one said.
"Well I haven't made any plans with her, so technically you're right. I'm not going on a date with her," I replied.
"Tch, figures. Thanks Yuki-Kun, see you around." the annoyed girl said, before walking off.
What were they talking about, why would Mitsuru lie like that, I thought to myself.
As the girls were walking off I heard the annoyed girl say," Leave it to that rich bitch to want to keep Yuki all for herself."
"Hey!" I called out to them, they turned around. "Don't you ever disrespect Mitsuru!"
"Huh, oh right. My bad," the girl said unapologetically.
I walked away, angered at the words said behind Mitsuru's back. Though I was still confused as to why she'd lie about that. I decided I'd confront her later today.
After we'd both eaten our dinner, we went to the lounge and hung out. Mitsuru had already changed into her pajamas and sat on the ground like a child would.
"Hey Makoto! What do you want to do? You wanna play a game, or watch TV, or maybe we could watch a movie. Ooh with tons of romanc-" Mitsuru stopped, her face flooding red with embarrassment.
I couldn't help but to laugh at her blunder.
"I-it's not funny," she said, pouting.
I joined her on the floor, sitting face to face with her, "Mitsuru, let's talk."
"O-ok. About what?" she asked.
"Well today, a couple of girls told me an interesting story." I said.
"Really, what was it?" she questioned, curiosity piqued.
"They'd told me that you had said we were going to the dance together, when you know I was planning on going with friends," I told her.
Mitsuru's face began to turn red,"Of course it's just story..."
"Mitsuru, I know you lied to them. Why?" I asked.
"I-i-it's nothing!" She yelled as she began to stand up.
I grabbed both of her hands and eased her back down, her face growing even redder than before.
"It's not nothing, just tell me," I said.
It was a solid ten seconds of utter silence. I saw her looking down and somewhat blushing, though I couldn't tell since her face was already quite red. Until I noticed we were still holding hands, I quickly yanked my hands away and tried to play it off.
"Uhh sorry," I said.
"O-oh it's fine, really." she replied back, looking disappointed.
"I'm gonna guess that you're not going to tell me anything, is that right?" I asked.
*Oh Makoto, I fear that you'll never understand my feelings. I did what I did because I... I... L-
Mitsuru's Point of View
Makoto and I have been best friends for the longest time. Before he showed up in my life, everyone would stay away from me. My personality wasn't the easiest to open up to, but I still deserved a friend, right? When he showed up in my life to stay, I was overjoyed. But as we grew up, my feelings began to change. I've started to notice him more often than usual. How handsome he's become over the years. How protective he is over me, shielding me from the realities of the real world. How he believes his 'competitiveness' over getting top of the class in exam scores, betters me into succeeding. He hasn't noticed my new feelings towards him, still oblivious as always.
Today during class, while waiting for Makoto to return from the restroom to have lunch together, a large group of girls began to form in the class room. By large, I mean LARGE.
I overheard the 'ringleader' declare, "Now that we've assembled, we should discuss who we're going to ask to the dance!"
The classroom had turned into a 'War Conference'. With each girl vying for their own desires.
Ha, I thought. Who cares about something as trivial as that?
Nobody was saying anything, probably too shy to share their feelings.
"I know you may be shy, but don't be afraid to let us know who you want to go with to the dance!" the ringleader shouted.
They're really taking this seriously, huh?
"Umm... well, I was thinking about asking Yuki-Kun to go with me..." a voice spoke up.
My heart stopped. Makoto wouldn't go out with someone like you!, I thought (which was completely out of character).
"H-hey! Wait a second! I was going to ask him!" another voice added.
I started squeezing the air, in anger. Or was it jealousy.
"No I'm going to ask him!" another girl said.
"But I want him!" yet another girl said.
Suddenly, the room erupted into a verbal chaos with all girls claiming the right to ask Makoto.
I don't know what came over me, but I suddenly stood up, garnering the attention of all the girls in the room.
"How can any of you ask him to the dance, when he's already asked me to go with him? Hmm?" I said coldly, triumphantly.
Small conversations began all around the room.
" What?! That's not fair!"
"Of course the rich girl always gets what she wants."
"She's just scared to lose him to someone more beautiful than her."
"She's a lying bitch, we all know that."
I didn't know how to react so I stood my ground, not giving an inch. Soon, a couple of girls left. More followed them, and eventually the room cleared out.
I gave a sigh of relief as I sat back down and awaited for Makoto to return.
Why was he taking so long? I wondered. Soon after, he returned. He seemed normal, but something in his eyes looked wrong. I couldn't tell what it was, but I did my best to avoid the subject of the dance for the rest of the day.
I'd have to ask him, eventually. I wouldn't want to look like a complete liar in front of everyone. And when we're together, holding each other in one another's arms, my head on his chest, his chin resting on my head, then maybe, just maybe he'll understand my feelings.
Makoto's Point of View
DING-DONG, the doorbell rang.
I looked at Mitsuru one more time, her head hung in disappointment.
"I guess I'll get it," I said, as I stood up and walked towards the door.
When I opened the door, a noble voice pulled me into an embrace.
"Yuki! Good to see you again!" it was Takeharu. Next to him was a large suitcase.
"DADDY!" Mitsuru yelled as she quickly got up, and jumped right into his arms.
"Mitsuru, baby. Haha, nice pajamas. How are you doing?" Takeharu said warmly.
As they embraced and exchanged small talk, I offered to take the suitcase for him. "Thank you, Yuki. If you'd please set it on the table over there." Takeharu said.
"No problem," as I moved the suitcase to the table in the lounge.
After they'd ended their embrace, Mitsuru and Takeharu joined me in the lounge.
"I know we haven't seen each other in a while, but there's a good reason..." Takeharu explained. "Now do you want the good news or the even better news?"
Mitsuru and I looked at each other, thinking we both had the same idea.
"The good news, first," I proclaimed.
"The even better news!" Mitsuru yelled in glee.
We both looked at each other, dead panned.
"Haha," Takeharu chuckled," I'll tell you the good news first."
Mitsuru and I leaned in with anticipation.
"First, the good news! Starting next year, you'll get a new dorm advisor. One who's well aware of the Dark Hour and will assist you in your efforts." Takeharu explained.
"Our efforts?" Mitsuru said.
" That's the better news. I'm sure you've noticed that large tower that appears during the Dark Hour." Takeharu added.
"Yes it seems to be in the area of Gekkoukan High," I said.
"That's because that is Gekkoukan High." Takeharu explained.
"So the high school turns into a giant menacing tower, during the Dark Hour?" Mitsuru asked.
"Precisely, which leads me to this,"Takeharu said, reaching towards the suitcase.
"That tower is what we call Tartarus. You could say it's a Shadow Nest. Shadows are what we call the creatures that appear during the Dark Hour. The best way to defeat these shadows is with your Persona..." Takeharu explained.
Mitsuru and I both looked surprised. "You mean you've finally-" I started.
"Yes, we've created a summoning- rather an evoking piece that will allow you to call forth your Persona." Takeharu finished.
When Takeharu opened the case, inside lie two pistols and a set of armbands. Mitsuru grabbed one of the armbands, while I went straight for the pistol.
"S.E.E.S? What's that?" Mitsuru asked.
"It stands for the Special Extracurricular Execution Squad. When you enter Gekkoukan High, you'll form a club that looks ordinary during the day, but you'll hunt shadows during the Dark Hour. Your new dorm advisor will authorize the creation of the club, and you'll be set from there on," Takeharu answered.
"So this'll summon my Persona? Whg are they shaped like guns?" I asked.
"Those are Evokers. You put it to your head, pull the trigger, and BOOM your Persona is summoned." Takeharu said.
"You want me to shoot myself in the head?!" I exclaimed.
"Haha, its not a real gun. Think of it as a good luck charm." Takeharu joked.
"I guess I'll trust you," I said uneasily.
"Good, you'll have your chance to test them tonight." Takeharu said.
"Eeehhhh?!" Mitsuru and I exclaimed together.
"Now get out of those pajamas', Mitsuru. You don't want fight shadows in those," Takeharu joked.
Mitsuru and I looked at each other uneasily, as we both walked up the stairs together.
When the Dark Hour arrived Takeharu explained our mission. "Tonight you two will enter and clear the first floor of Tartarus. I've gone through the liberty of providing you two weapons to defend yourselves. A short sword for Yuki and a rapier for Mitsuru. Furthermore, I'll provide support from here, in the control room."
Takeharu had the control room set up over the summer. According to him, the computer can detect any shadow in the entire city.
"So you want us to walk all the way over there?" I asked.
"Of course not. Here, Mitsuru, catch." Takeharu said.
He threw her a pair of keys.
"It's for a specially designed motorcycle that can operate in the Dark Hour." Takeharu explained.
"B-but I can't drive! I don't even have a license yet." Mitsuru said.
"It's the Dark Hour, laws don't apply here." Takeharu said smugly.
We exited the building with Takeharu, where we saw the motorcycle in question.
Mitsuru climbed atop the motorcycle and looked back at me.
"You gonna get on?" she asked.
Of course not! Don't you know how embarrassing it is for a guy to ride passenger to a girl on a motorcycle! Is what I wanted to say, but instead I replied," Yeah, of course."
I got on the back and wrapped my arm around Mitsuru. I could feel her heart beating against my forearm.
Is it beating faster? Way faster!?
"Hey! Watch your hands, Yuki!" Takeharu yelled as we sped off to Tartarus.
This is bad, I thought. Mitsuru had been badly hit and I was hardly hanging on. I had yet to summon my Persona, as I was uncomfortable with the thought of it. Mitsuru is extremely powerful, freezing the shadows left and right. However, this particular shadow seems to be resistant to ice, leaving Mitsuru nearly powerless. When she went to strike it with her rapier, it countered her attack and struck her hard.
"Yuki," Takeharu's calls to me in a earpiece transceiver, " M-Mitsuru is hardly standing. You must use your Persona!"
I knew what I had to do. I quickly pulled the Evoker from it's holster, spinning it on the way up. I held it to my head, and I suddenly began speaking, involuntarily," Per-so-na!"
Click! I felt my head jerk to the left and suddenly my Persona appeared before me. It was a light blue, metalloid, man-shaped figure wearing a red scarf and a lyre on it's back. It was an amazing spectacle, seeing this- my Persona. But the most amazing thing would soon happen. Suddenly something began to tear my Persona up from the inside and what came out was either the best thing I've ever seen or the most terrifying. Out emerged, a black robed Entity with what looked to be some sort of skull and eight coffins floating over it's back. The Entity propelled forward and began to slice the shadow into pieces. When, it was satisfied it violently jerked it's head down and took a bite of the shadow, until the shadow disappeared into nothing. The Entity then let out a high-pitched screech and decomposed back into my original Persona.
The Persona turned to me and began to speak, " Thou art I... And I am thou... From the sea of thy soul I cometh... I am Orpheus, master of strings..."
"T-t-thank y-you..." I mumbled out, as I began to fade into darkness.
The last thing I saw was Orpheus nod at me and disappear, while Mitsuru kept yelling," Makoto! Makoto! Makoto Yuki don't you dare leave me!"
And with that I passed out.
I was rushed too the hospital and was in a short coma for ten days. In that sleep, I visited the Velvet Room again.
From what I was told, Mitsuru stayed by my side the entire time I was in the hospital. She'd been crying until there were no longer any tears to fall.
I guess we couldn't go to the dance together anyways...
Author's Note: I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Please feel free to review, any constructive criticism is welcome. If there's anything you want changed/added go ahead and PM me.
Special thanks to:
Kirijo Senpai- You're awesome!
afutureillusion- You're awesome as well!
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter and be on the lookout for the next one.