Warnings: Slight violence. Suicidal implications. Lemon scenes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3 Portable or any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me

Chapter Five: True Desire

June 11, 2009
Classroom 2-F, Gekkoukan High School

"I wonder how Fuuka is doing." Yukari said after school that day, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. "It's been three days since then. The rumours about the ghost story had all but died down now. I mean, it's a good thing, but I'm still worried about her."

"About that, I heard from Sanada-sempai earlier that Fuuka is being released from the hospital." Yuuki added, waving the cellphone in her hand about. "I forgot to tell you, as I've just received the message awhile back."

"Really?" Yukari beamed. "That's good! We can talk to her tonight once we get back."

"Hey, why don't we go to the arcade today?" Junpei interrupted, cutting in the middle of the girls' conversation. "It's been awhile since we've went anyway, with all that recent stuff with the Shadows and the Dark Hour."

Yuuki had an apologetic look on her face at that, looking half sheepish. "Erm… I'm sorry, but—"

The door to their classroom opened just then, and all three juniors turned around just then only to see a very grumpy Aragaki Shinjiro stepping in, his school bag slung across his chest. Unlike his 'unofficial' first day of school however, he now had his beanie on his head.

The teachers didn't really say anything about it, as they don't really care what he wears to school as long as he put on the proper school uniform and came to class. Though from Yuuki's conversations with Hidetoshi, she knew that the prim and proper Disciplinary Committee member had a lot to say about it.

"Hariyama, are you ready?" Shinjiro grunted, glaring around the classroom, and the few students that are still left flinched and looked away quickly from the senior.

Apparently, Shinjiro's rather dubious reputation is rather well known around the school. Akihiko couldn't be any happier about his best friend returning to school and SEES. Shinjiro's school grades and attendance set aside, he now had a real live human shield against his unwanted fangirls, as just one glare from Shinjiro is enough to send them packing.

"H-Hai!" Yuuki squeaked before turning back towards Yukari and Junpei who both looked rather bewildered. "S-Sorry! I already have plans for today. I'll see you back at the dorm. Bye!"

And she then turned to leave the classroom with Shinjiro, the door closing shut behind them as they did so. A very long bewildered silence reigned upon the classroom after that. Junpei was the first one to break the silence.

"What are we, chopped liver?" Junpei muttered. "And when she said that she got 'plans', does Yuuki-tan means with Aragaki-sempai? We barely hang out with her after school as it is, with the number of clubs that she'd joined!"

"I wonder…" Yukari mused, staring at the closed door of the classroom where her best friend and the newest member of SEES have both disappeared. Shinjiro had proved himself to be a capable fighter, easily one of the best in the team, when Yuuki had taken him up to Tartarus with her the previous day, also taking Yukari and Akihiko with her. The brunette girl was amazed at Shinjiro's strength, as he almost seems fearless, and rather similar to Yuuki, he fought with his Persona as if they were of one single mind. "I wonder if Aragaki-sempai…likes Yuuki?"

So far, apart from Akihiko, Yukari had only ever seen Shinjiro taking the initiative to talk to Yuuki. And during the night when they have fought the two Shadows, she had seen the look on the senior's face when he was carrying Yuuki. He seems unusually concerned for her, for someone who barely knew Yuuki apart from their brief encounter in the hospital, and then in the back alley.

Junpei chuckled. "No way!" he said, picking up his bag. "Well, I'm going to go hit the arcade and play a few rounds before heading back to the dorm. See you later, Yuka-tan!"

Back Alley
Port Island Station

The few punks that loiter around the back alley of the Port Island Station looked up in interest with a feral look in their eyes as Yuuki and Shinjiro both entered, recognising the Gekkoukan High School uniforms that they were wearing. It only took a few moments before the majority of them recognised Shinjiro in his beanie, with the ever eternal scowl on his face, his hands stuffed into his pockets, before they quickly left.

Yuuki laughed in amusement at seeing the punks ran out of there like a bat out of Hell. "No one will come near if you're here, Shinjiro-sempai," she said, smiling, and Shinjiro grunted, his lips twitching with amusement.

It is really by chance that Shinjiro found out where Yuuki goes every single day after school after her club activities, and even on days when she don't have club activities. She tends to go and feed a black and white kitten that tends to stay around the back alley of the Port Island Station. The moment that Shinjiro had found out, he had insisted on going with her, as he knew of the reputation of the back alley. Even during the daytime, that place is never safe.

"Miki?" Yuuki called out, kneeling down to the ground and taking out a can of the Premium Cat Food that she had bought. It only took a few moments before a soft 'mew' reaches the ears of the two high school students, and a small black and white kitten padded out slowly towards Yuuki from behind a crate in the corner.

The kitten mewed pitifully as he nosed Yuuki's outstretched hand, licking at her palm before eating the cat food that Yuuki had emptied onto a newspaper sheet spread out on the ground. The kitten purred as he ate it with all the gracefulness that all felines used when eating. Yuuki laughed at the kitten, and Shinjiro looked on with a smile.

He always did like animals, though this is the first time that he had actually seen Yuuki feeding this kitten. Back then, he had heard from Aigis on one occasion about Yuuki helping an old woman to find her lost cat, with the chestnut haired girl seeming to know just where said cat is.

"Shall we go?" Shinjiro asked, glancing at the sky only to see that it's nearly sunset. "Kirijo asked us all to head back to the dorms early tonight, as we'll be talking to Yamagishi."

Yuuki patted the purring kitten on the head before getting to her feet and nodding. "Okay."

XXXXXX

Command Room
Iwatodai Dorm

Everyone was seated in the command room of the dormitory where SEES tends to hold their strategy meetings and talks regarding the Dark Hour and the Shadows. Mitsuru had brought Fuuka back with her about ten minutes ago, and now, everyone was seated on the couches, looking at a pale and nervous looking Fuuka who definitely looks better than how she had looked like three days ago.

The three juniors were occupying a couch together, with Akihiko sitting on a single couch by himself, Shinjiro sitting on the armrest of the couch that the silver haired boxer was occupying, the eternal scowl planted on his face as usual, arms crossed over his chest. Mitsuru and Ikutsuki were both seated together on another couch, whilst Fuuka was occupying the last one, looking extremely nervous at having everyone stare at her like this, twisting the fabric of her shirt together in her hands – which Shinjiro knew was Fuuka's habit whenever she was nervous or terrified.

Ikutsuki cleared his throat. "Everyone, you did an excellent job uncovering the truth," he said. "I also wanted to let you know that the three girls have all regained consciousness."

Fuuka sighed in relief, one hand at her chest. "What a relief…"

"From what I understand, they each came to school around midnight and waited for the security guard to leave." Ikutsuki explained. "They were then attacked by Shadows near the gate, as the Dark Hour began. However, the facts became twisted because of rumours concerning a ghost story."

"I knew right from the beginning that it wasn't a ghost!" said Yukari defensively, sounding more like she's trying to convince herself rather than others. Yuuki snickered next to her, and the brunette girl turned to glare at her best friend.

"It's all my fault." Fuuka mumbled, looking down at her hands that were clenched into fists around the fabric of her shirt.

"Huh? Are you kidding? You were the victim!" said Yukari, an incredulous look on her face.

"But I made so many people worry…" Fuuka mumbled.

Yukari sighed. "Hey, don't think like that."

"We could have lost that fight if you weren't there." Mitsuru said reasonably. "You saved our lives. You should feel good about yourself. You have a special power that you can use to help others."

"That's right." Yuuki piped in, entering the conversation. "Well, I don't really remember what happened after I'd passed out, but if it weren't for you, I would probably have died." Yuuki then frowned slightly to herself as Fuuka gave a small shy smile at the chestnut haired girl. "Come to think of it, what did happen after I passed out?"

Junpei grinned slyly at Shinjiro who was glaring at him, Akihiko snickering next to his best friend. "Oh, we sure do remember what happened after that!" he grinned.

"Huh?"

Mitsuru coughed to interrupt the rather…interesting conversation currently taking place among the juniors. "Yes, thank you, Iori," she said rather hastily. "As I was saying, Yamagishi, you have a special power."

Fuuka blinked slowly. "Special power…?" she echoed.

Shinjiro grunted. "You should have seen it, or rather, experienced it yourself on that night as well," he said, and Fuuka's eyes widened as she remembered what had happened that night. "I see that you've remembered."

"We call it 'Persona'." Mitsuru explained. "You could be a tremendous help to us. Will you lend us your strength?"

Fuuka tilted her head to one side in slight confusion. "Are you asking me to join you?" she asked.

"That's correct," said Mitsuru with a nod.

"I think that you'd made a good addition to the team too." Akihiko added. "That night proves it."

"Your skills will indeed be of great help to us." Yuuki added her input. "We got lucky that night. If both you and Aragaki-sempai hadn't been there, we would either be seriously injured or worse." Fuuka blushed at Yuuki's words.

"You know, we're not trying to pressure you or anything," said Yukari hastily. "So if you need some time to think about it—"

"I'll do it!" Fuuka blurted out, her eyes full of determination. "I'll help you!"

"H-Huh? That was fast…" Yukari muttered, taken aback. "Are you sure? If you join, you'll have to live here and everything…"

"That's fine. I'd rather live here than at home anyway…" Fuuka muttered, looking away from the others, seemingly quite uncomfortable with the topic.

Shinjiro sighed to himself at that. He had never thought much about this before, as when he'd just rejoined SEES back then, he was way too preoccupied with his own issues with Strega, Castor, the pills, as well as his own conflicting feelings surrounding both Yuuki and Ken at that time. But come to think of it, all the members of SEES didn't have very happy family backgrounds, or they have certain issues with their own family. That probably explains just why they're such a tightly knit group, and almost seems like a family, though Yuuki often has to drag Shinjiro to eat dinner together with them.

"We really appreciate this," said Mitsuru quickly, seeing Junpei about to open his mouth. "We'll have the school talk to your parents to resolve any issues."

Fuuka inclined her head towards Mitsuru. "Thank you," she said politely.

"Wait a moment. Aren't we dragging her into this a bit too fast?" Yukari protested.

"Um, it's okay, really." Fuuka said hesitantly. "I mean…it'll be nice to have two other girls in my grade around too." She muttered.

"Welcome aboard." Yuuki smiled at Fuuka.

"Thank you." Fuuka blushed.

"Now then… Those special Shadows showed up again." Ikutsuki coughed. "We still don't know where they're coming from. "But Akihiko is right about one thing. Their appearances seem to coincide with the full moon. We'll take that into consideration from now on."

Shinjiro frowned to himself as he eyed Ikutsuki carefully. It was so slight that he wouldn't have been able to notice it if he hadn't been watching the Chairman, but he could see the lips of the Chairman tilt slightly in a devious smirk for just a moment. He has to admit, that man is a master manipulator. No one at SEES had even suspected anything about him until it is too late.

Junpei chuckled. "So they're kinda like werewolves then, huh?" he joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Everyone ignored him.

"It's a big advantage for us to know when to expect them." Akihiko stated thoughtfully. "Now on the day of the fight, we'll be ready to get into the ring."

Shinjiro sighed in dismay. "Aki, that also means that those Shadows will be way stronger than those that we've been fighting," he pointed out. "We can't be too reckless, or it'll be a repeat of the other day."

Fuuka's Room
Iwatodai Dorm

"I wonder if it's like this for Yukari and the others when they were preparing for my arrival." Yuuki muttered as she dusted at the thick layers of dust coating the furniture in the room that they're currently preparing for Fuuka's arrival.

Yukari had gone to get some cleaning supplies from the nearby hardware store, as they're clean out, seeing as how SEES rarely cooks anyway, mostly preferring to eat out, or just having some instant noodles. Mitsuru and Akihiko have both decided to walk Fuuka back, as it is getting late, and Junpei had bolted the moment that he had heard the words 'clean', thus leaving only Yuuki and Shinjiro the only ones cleaning the room.

"Well, most of the rooms have been mostly left untouched, as this dorm is mostly used for the residences for the members of SEES." Shinjiro answered, dusting the bookshelf in the room, knowing quite well that Fuuka will most probably add her own touch to her room, just like every single one of them. This is probably the only advantage at living in this dorm, as unlike other dorms, the members living in the SEES's dorms get to have their own rooms.

"Ouch!"

Shinjiro turned around instantly at the loud pained yelp that Yuuki had given out, somehow managing to hit herself in the head with the duster that she had in her hand. "What's wrong?" he asked, walking over to the chestnut haired girl who was rubbing her forehead.

"I-It's nothing. I just hit myself in the head, that's all." Yuuki stuttered, feeling quite uncomfortable all of a sudden at having Shinjiro standing so close to her.

"Let me see that!" Shinjiro ordered, removing Yuuki's hand away from her forehead, and pushing away the hair covering her forehead only to see a bruise beneath. He raised an eyebrow. This sure doesn't look recent… "Have you injured yourself lately?" He asked, puzzled.

Yuuki blushed. "I…got hit by a tennis ball in the head when training with Rio the other day," she muttered, looking very embarrassed.

Shinjiro shook his head, trying hard not to laugh. "You're supposed to hit the ball, not get hit by it," he said sarcastically, rubbing the bruise gently, and blowing on it. "Once we're done cleaning, come with me. You need some ice on that swelling."

"R-Right." Yuuki mumbled, looking away from Shinjiro uncomfortably.

Shinjiro nearly smiled at this. He is falling for Yuuki all over again.

XXXXXX

June 20, 2009
Iwatodai Dorm

"Koro-chan, give me your paw!"

"Woof!" A rather familiar silver Shiba-Inu barked happily and placed his paw onto Fuuka's outstretched hand.

"Oooh, he did it!" Yukari crooned. "What a smart dog!"

Mitsuru had dropped by their classroom earlier that day to ask them to return to the dorm early, and both Yukari and Yuuki have done so, though Shinjiro had joined them as well, puzzling Yukari some. Come to think of it, both Shinjiro and Yuuki have been spending a lot of time together of late, even when they're at the dorm. Junpei had been cracking all kinds of jokes about them that are enough to make Fuuka blush red enough to match a tomato.

Koromaru spotted Shinjiro just then, and with a happy bark, he bounded over to Shinjiro happily, pressing against the senior's leg and barking happily, licking Shinjiro's hand. The brunette patted the dog. "Hello, Koromaru," he said. "Long time no see."

"He seems to like you a lot, sempai." Yuuki noticed.

"His name's Koromaru." Fuuka told them. "I've seen him sitting by the steps of the shrine."

"Oh… This dog still goes on walks all by himself?" A woman who seemed to be in her late thirties walked past them just then, staring at Shinjiro weirdly who seemed to be getting worshipped by Koromaru for some reason. And then again, who could blame her? Shinjiro doesn't exactly look like the gentlest person in the world.

Yukari cocked her head to one side in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"He used to belong to the priest at the Naganaki Shrine." The woman explained. "Every afternoon, the two of them went this way for a walk."

"That explains it…" Fuuka mused.

"Well, until the priest passed away."

Fuuka blinked. "He passed away…?" she echoed.

It was the woman's turn to stare. "Oh, you haven't heard the story? It was about six months ago. The priest was hit by a car while walking his dog. He didn't survive. Ever since then, that dog sits patiently by the site of the accident. And he goes for a walk everyday, just like when his owner was still alive." She glanced at her watch and gasped. "Oh shoot! I have to get going! My son will be back soon!" The woman then scurried off.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Koromaru seems full of energy as he bounded around Shinjiro, almost as if trying to get the senior to play with him.

Yukari laughed. "Aragaki-sempai, Koro-chan seems to like you," she giggled.

Shinjiro grunted, pulling his beanie down over his eyes to hide his blush. "I guess."

"Isn't the Chairman coming today?" Fuuka asked suddenly. "We should go get ready."

"Yeah," said Yukari with a sigh. "See you later, Koro-chan. Come on, Yuuki."

"Yeah." Yuuki nodded as she followed the two girls into the dorm.

Shinjiro then knelt down to Koromaru's eye level and patted his head. The dog barked excitedly. "We'll see each other again," he whispered. "I'm rather looking forward to the day when you join us."

Koromaru looked at Shinjiro with confusion. "Arf?"

XXXXXX

July 07, 2009
Dark Hour, Command Room

Shinjiro grunted as he entered the command room only to see everyone in SEES present. Fuuka had summoned her Persona Lucia, and is currently scanning the area with her ability. It was another full moon that night after all, and everyone has been practically treading on eggshells as the days neared the full moon night, especially as The Lost have been appearing more frequently of late. Though unlike the previous times, this time, they have been appearing in pairs.

And this is one Shadow that Shinjiro wasn't too clear about, as he had been rather preoccupied with Strega and their strange 'activities' the last time around, and whenever he had tried to ask Akihiko when he had rejoined SEES the last time, his best friend seems unusually tightlipped about this matter. And it might have been Shinjiro's imagination, but he could have sworn that he saw his best friend blushing whenever he had asked, and he wondered what had happened with that Shadow.

"How is it?" Shinjiro asked, stepping next to Akihiko.

"Yamagishi is still scanning." Akihiko told him.

"I found it!" Fuuka announced suddenly. "I sense a strong presence!"

"Hey, we were right!" Junpei said, surprised.

"Or so it would seem." Ikutsuki nodded.

"It's located in Iwatodai…" said Fuuka, concentrating hard in order to pinpoint the exact location of the Shadow that they've been searching for. "…inside a building on Shirakawa Boulevard."

Shinjiro twitched visibly at the mention of that place that he kept hearing about when he was still living out on the streets. Those girls that were far from virgins and revealing far too much skin for his liking kept talking about 'Shirakawa Boulevard' this, and 'Shirakawa Boulevard' that. He knew what that place is, and judging by the faint blush on Akihiko's cheeks, he knew as well.

"Hmm, Shirakawa Boulevard…" Ikutsuki mused thoughtfully, one finger tapping at his chin. "They've been finding The Lost in pairs lately. Now I understand why."

"In pairs…" Mitsuru mused before realisation dawned on her, and she made a disgusted face. "Oh, I get it."

Fuuka dismissed Lucia just then, and turned towards the rest of SEES in slight confusion, as the looks on their faces confused her. It ranged from disgust (Mitsuru and Yukari), embarrassment (Akihiko), neutral, though with a faint blush on their cheeks (Shinjiro and Yuuki), to a perverted look (Junpei).

"Ano… What's on Shirakawa Boulevard?" Fuuka asked curiously. "I'm not too familiar with that area."

An awkward silence fell among the SEES members. Akihiko was blushing so red that it looks as if he was about to die from embarrassment. Yukari was the first one to break the uneasy silence, a faint blush on her cheeks.

"I've heard about it, but…" Yukari trailed off, sweat dropping.

"That's where all those hotels are." Junpei supplied the information helpfully; information that no one in the room seemed willing to supply Fuuka with, a perverted grin on his face. "That explains a lot! You've heard about 'em, right, Fuuka? Where people go to…ya know…?"

Fuuka blushed, finally getting what Junpei had meant. "Oh…"

Shinjiro sighed. "And just how do you know so much about them? You been there before, Iori?" he questioned sarcastically.

Junpei paled at seeing the glare shot at him by Yukari. "Uh…no?"

Yukari glared at Junpei before sighing. "Ugh, you have the dirtiest mind."

"Nonsense, they're no different from ordinary hotels." Ikutsuki cut in rather cheerfully. "The rooms are just a bit fancier, that's all."

"Aw man, that's it?" Junpei seemed almost disappointed.

"I don't know about this." Yukari sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't go."

Junpei laughed. "You're just like a little kid, Yuka-tan."

Yukari flushed. "Wh-Whatever! Fine. Let's go. But this time, I want a piece of the action!" She glared at Junpei. "So who's gonna take the lead?"

"Hariyama." Mitsuru stated, turning towards Yuuki who seemed rather amused at Yukari and Junpei's banter. "I don't see any reason to change leaders now. And Yamagishi, I want you to handle support during the operation."

"I'll do my best!" Fuuka chirped, pleased to be depended upon.

Shinjiro grunted, heaving his axe and resting it against his shoulder. "Alright. Let's do this," he grunted.

XXXXXX

Hotel Champs de Fleurs
Shirakawa Boulevard

"That's it?" Akihiko asked, almost disappointed as the Shadow was wiped out by a combination of attacks by the members of SEES.

"Well, isn't it better if we didn't have too much problems?" Yukari asked.

Fuuka spoke through Lucia once more. "Good job," she said. "You succeeded once again. I'll be waiting outside for you."

"Well, let's go back," said Yuuki, turning towards the door and tugging on it. It wouldn't budge. "Huh?" She raised a brow, tugging at the door once more. "Is it locked?"

"Let me try that, Yuuki," said Shinjiro absently, not realising that he had addressed Yuuki by her first name without a suffix in front of both his underclassmen (including Fuuka who could hear and see everything), as well as Mitsuru AND Akihiko – both seniors who have a brow raised at the sudden closeness. Yuuki scooted over obediently, and Shinjiro tugged at the door with a frown. "It's budged shut. Something seems to be holding it shut." He informed the others.

Fuuka sounded a tad bit panicked just then. "I still sense a Shadow in that room! It's not the same one that you've defeated! But… Where is it hiding?" She wondered.

"You know, something has been bothering me about this mirror for some time now," said Yukari with a frown, standing in front of the mirror in the room. "Is it just me, or is there something strange about it?" Yuuki walked over to the mirror as well and examined it with a frown before she smashed it with her naginata. "What the—?"

A sudden bright white light surrounded the entire room just then.

"What the…?" Shinjiro muttered in surprise, covering his eyes to block out the blinding light. His mind started to feel sluggish, with his eyelids threatening to droop. 'No… Can't sleep…' He fought to stay awake, but was failing miserably. Just vaguely, he could hear the sounds of the other SEES members dropping as well, and he soon joined them in Slumber Land.

Room 101
Hotel Champs de Fleurs

The hot water ran off Shinjiro's bare back as he turned off the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. For a moment, he frowned, feeling as if he was forgetting something very important. Something kept nudging him in the back of his mind, but a very small voice whispered that it isn't important right now.

Shinjiro then shrugged before stepping out of the bathroom, the hot steam from the shower steaming out as he did so. His mind is starting to fog up again, but Shinjiro ignored it. His focus is on the girl sitting on the cushy bed in the room, seemingly waiting for him, her eyes unfocused.

Half of the buttons on her blouse were left unbuttoned, revealing the white lacy bra that she wore underneath, with the black skirt that she is wearing pulled down slightly, revealing skin. The girl's eyes were unfocused and dazed as she turned towards Shinjiro.

"Shinjiro…-sempai?" she called out.

Shinjiro crossed the room in a few steps before pushing the chestnut haired girl onto the bed, arching over her as he did so, both hands by the side of her head. He slid one hand up her bare thigh, and she squeaked in surprise as he did so, causing Shinjiro's lips to curl in amusement.

"You're ready, aren't you?" he asked her, lust in his eyes as he eyed the girl beneath him. "I don't want to lose you again…" His words slurred.

Don't want to lose her again…

Don't want to lose her…

…again…?

What is he doing again?

His mind is starting to clear up, and Shinjiro's eyes nearly bulged out of it's sockets when he suddenly found himself leaning over a heavily blushing Yuuki, with both of them just one step away from being naked.

"U-Um, sempai?" Yuuki muttered weakly. "Do you think you could…?" Her eyes trailed down his half naked body before she blushed heavily and averted her eyes away quickly. "P-Put your clothes on!"

"U-Uh… C-Clothes… R-Right…" Shinjiro blushed red before disappearing back into the bathroom. "I-I'll be just a minute."

Fuuka's voice echoed throughout the room just then as Shinjiro was pulling on his clothes. "Oh, I can finally reach you!" She sounded relieved. "Can you two hear me?"

Yuuki's voice sounded nervous and embarrassed from outside as she answered. "Y-Yeah, I can hear you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't contact you sooner." Fuuka apologized. "The Shadow was interfering with your thoughts, and you all got separated. The enemy is still in the same room. Please regroup there. Aragaki-sempai, can you hear me?"

"Y-Yeah, I heard you!" Shinjiro grunted as he stepped out of the bathroom only to see a still embarrassed Yuuki who is thankfully, now fully dressed.

Fuuka sounded confused as she spoke again. "Um… Did something happen?"

"Nothing!" Both Shinjiro and Yuuki snapped together, sounding highly defensive as they did so. Shinjiro would rather die than have anyone find out what had just transpired in the room the past few minutes. He was mortified to realise that he had nearly lost control back with Yuuki. She must be pretty freaked out by having him nearly force himself on her.

Shinjiro felt a tug on his sleeve just then, and he looked down only to see Yuuki looking up at him timidly, still with a blush staining her cheeks. "S-Should we go? Fuuka said that the others are on the second floor."

"Y-Yeah…" Shinjiro muttered before he tagged along after the chestnut haired girl who is walking faster than necessary.

Akihiko, Mitsuru, Junpei and Yukari were all waiting for them at the entrance to the stairway on the second floor as both Shinjiro and Yuuki appeared. Akihiko looked very relieved when he saw them, and ran up to them.

"Are you both alright?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah." Shinjiro grunted.

"Um, we're fine." Yuuki muttered. "By the way, just out of curiosity, what happened to you guys?" She asked, her voice losing the quaver.

"Nothing!" Mitsuru instantly denied, a blush covering her cheeks.

"Nothing happened, okay?" Yukari snapped, over defensive, glaring at Junpei who whimpered beneath her venomous glare. "Come on, let's get this over with!"

After breaking the mirrors that didn't show any reflections, SEES returned back to the room where they've battled the Shadow earlier, only to find it in there, seemingly waiting for them. Shinjiro felt his blood boil as he eyed the Shadow, recalling what had just transpired earlier… Sure, he still loves Yuuki and wanted her, but not in that way, and definitely not against her will!

"How dare you pull shit like that with us?" Shinjiro growled, readying his axe, and he felt Castor rumble in his mind, responding to his mood. "I hope that you're ready to die!"

"I hadn't been this pissed off for a long time now." Yukari muttered darkly. "Get ready to meet your maker!"

Entrance
Hotel Champs de Fleurs

"I'm glad that you're all safe." Fuuka sighed in relief.

"Thanks for your help. The enemy was sly, but you did well." Mitsuru praised Fuuka who blushed.

"I did what I could."

"Alright, let's call it a night," said Akihiko. "Let's all head back and rest."

"Seconded!" Yukari pumped a fist in the air.

Yuuki sighed tiredly. "I've never been so happy to hear the word 'rest' before in my life," she muttered.

Shinjiro turned his eyes towards the top of some random building across Shirakawa Boulevard, staring at it for a long time before a shout from Junpei caught his attention. "Aragaki-sempai, we're leaving. Are you coming?"

"Yeah." Shinjiro grunted before pulling his beanie down and following the juniors. 'Strega… So they're going to start moving again. I still have to pay that Takaya back for what he'd done. This time, it won't end like how it did the last time.'