Thank you for those who are reading this. Please do tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it even if it is a criticism.
Sunday came. The dorm was surprisingly empty, except for Ken and Koromaru who were both resting at the lounge. Ken expected that his seniors would be there because they seemed so ecstatic when they found out about the new students. I guess their busy, he thought.
He took out something from his pocket and stared at it for a while before putting it back inside. Ken sighed. He leaned on the headrest and closed his eyes. "I wonder what will happen, Koro-chan."
The former residents of Iwatodai dorm and Ken stared at the screen, specifically at the images of the two boys. They were utterly speechless.
"This girl," Mitsuru started, "is Minako Arisato. The one in the middle is Shinjiro Aragaki. And the last one is Ryoji Mochizuki."
"What kind of a sick joke is this!?" Junpei said, clearly baffled at what he' seeing. "Why do they look like Ryoji and Shinjiro-senpai? And their names! What are they, clones!?"
"Please calm down, Junpei-kun," Fuuka said when she recovered from her shock.
"If this is some kind of a joke," Yukari said grimly. " I don't like it one bit. But knowing Mitsuru-senpai, she wouldn't do something like that."
"Thank you, Takeba." She turned to the Inaba group. "I know that you must be confused of what's happening. Let me explain." The image of Minako disappeared while the remaining two adjusted to the center of the screen. "Seven years ago, our friend and comrade, Shinjiro Aragaki, was murdered by a group of persona-users called Strega." Ken cringed at this. Fuuka placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to relax. He smiled and thanked her.
"Ryoji Mochizuki, on the other hand, transferred to Gekkoukan High as a second year, a few months after Aragaki's death. He revealed to us his identity as the harbinger of the fall, the Appriser of Nyx. But since he was sealed inside of Makoto Yuki we were given a choice and because of that the fall was prevented."
By sacrificing his life, Yu thought. He recalled Margaret telling him once about this during his visit to the Velvet room.
"Lastly," the two picture were replaced with the girl's image. That girl looks familiar, Ken thought. "Minako Arisato. Unlike the two, we've never met her before. She is the biggest mystery of the three of them.
"We did some research on her and found out that a girl with the same name died ten years ago. We also found out that a girl with the same name transferred to Gekkoukan High as a second-year on April 2009. She was in class 2-F. And, she died on the same day and the same diagnosis as Yuki."
"That can't be," Junpei said. "Makoto was the only transfer student that time. If she was there we would've known."
"I don't remember a memorial service for her either," Fuuka said calmly.
"It gets stranger," Mitsuru continued. "The former chairman, Shuji Ikutsuki, has some files about her. Some say that she was a member and the field leader of SEES. Her accomplishments in SEES were almost like a photocopy of Yuki's."
"What does this mean?" Ken asked, looking at Mitsuru anxiously. Everything they heard was too strange. Everything can't be a mere coincidence now. Especially now with their knowledge of this girl.
"I don't know. Amada, I need you to observe them use the command room if you must. I'll be sending someone to prepare all of the equipment." She then turned to Aigis, Labrys and Teddie. "We believe that these three might have a connection with the incident. I'd like to ask your help." The three nodded.
"Thank you. The three of you will be transferring to Gekkoukan High School on April as third-years."
"Do you think I can go Gekkou High as a part-time boxing club's coach?" Akihiko said, surprising everyone. He hasn't said a word since he saw his best friend's doppelganger.
"I'd like to help too, Mitsuru-senpai," Fuuka volunteered.
"I'll see what I can do," Mitsuru said. "But for now, please remain alert."
"Excuse me." Everyone turned to Rise. "Teddie and I tried going to the TV world here and it actually worked. Also, we found something there while we were going around." Rise took something from her pocket and placed it on the table. A wallet. "The only thing we found out about its owner is his or her scent."
"I already told you Rise-chan, I'm sure it's a girl." Teddie sounded so sure. "No boy would smell that unbearably sweet."
"Gross Ted," Yosuke said. "I never knew you'd be sniffing on people." Teddie glared at him.
Mitsuru and Rise continued to discuss how the TV world was. "Nothing strange is happening there so far," is what Rise said.
The others talked about the mysterious girl and the two clones with her. From time to time comments about the girl's appearance would be said. Akihiko, did not join the conversation because he was too deep in thought. Ken, at his own as well, stared at the wallet on the table then he turned to the girl's picture, still flashed on the screen.
"Mitsuru-san." Everyone stopped at what they were doing and turned to the boy. "I think I might know the owner of this wallet."
Minako Arisato was the girl he saw when he ate at Wakatsu. He was sure of it. Auburn hair and crimson eyes. If that was her then other two must have been the doppelgangers, Ken thought. He was about to drift to sleep when Koromaru suddenly barked.
"I think he likes you, Shinji," a female voice said.
"You're dream of having a dog has finally come true," a male voice said happily. "I'm so proud of you Shinji."
"Shut up, you morons," a gruff voice said.
Ken turned his head to look at them. He already expected this, already prepared himself mentally and emotionally, but he can't help but to be shocked now that two familiar faces are right in front of him. One of them beside a girl. And the other was kneeling on the floor being licked by Koromaru. Ken stared at them until his eyes met crimson ones.
"This is Iwatodai Dorm, right?" she asked nervously.
Ken stood up and concealed his shock with a smile. "Yes it is. Welcome, my name is Ken Amada. I'm on the same year as you guys. Kirijo-san already informed me of your names."
The girl beamed at her. "Nice to meet you, Ken-kun." For a moment Ken was stunned but quickly recovered and gave her his own smile. When they were about to shake hands the boy beside Minako butted in and took Ken's hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Ken-kun." It was Ryoji. He shook Ken's hand eagerly. "Shinjiro-kun, decided to bless us with his heavenly cooking. I'm sure you'll l-"
"I never said I'll cook anything." Shinjiro stood. He dusted of his pants before looking at Ken. "Ken, right? Sorry for the trouble." He said the last part while glaring at his two companions. "Nice to meet you."
Ken smiled. I guess this year will be interesting.