"C'mon Ken-Ken," Teddie coaxed. "Tell us the truth. Is that all you did? Look, Ai-chan, Mochi and Gakky are getting mad."
Shinjiro sighed in exasperation, "I told you to stop calling me that." He gazed at the front door where Labrys and Minako disappeared to. "Anyway, what are they talkin' about? They've been out there for a while now."
"They must be talking about their amazingly cute Teddie," the bear said, prancing in his costume. "They must have been devastated because I ended up kissing Ryocchi."
The said boy shuddered and unconsciously wiped his cheek. "Please don't remind me. And stop calling me with weird names!" He turned to Ken, "So what did you get Labrys?"
The brunet shrugged, "I don't know what to give her, but I know she'll take anything you give her." The male suddenly chuckled, remembering the first time they celebrated Labrys' birthday.
"I offer you my love and whole being, Labby!"
In the end the bear admitted that Yosuke didn't give him money, that it was the reason why he wasn't able to buy a present. But then Teddie told the albino android that he was just as great as any gift, so giving himself was, according to him, "better than buying any gift." Labrys, not knowing what to do with him, just made him help her with all her minor errands.
"And how are you so sure?" Shinjiro asked.
Ken opened his mouth to answer, but Aigis beat him to it. "Because sister took Teddie even though she has no use for him."
"Ah~" Teddie brought out a handkerchief out of nowhere and wiped his tears. "That was so mean Ai-chan!"
"You look tired," Labrys said, scrutinizing Minako. "What were you and Ken-kun doing anyway?" The auburn-haired girl flinched, making Labrys' curiosity to grow stronger. But she decided to drop the subject since they have more important matters to discuss. "Nevermind. Anyway, I have somethin' to tell you. For the time being, this is between you and me, alright?"
Minako nodded slowly. Her gut told her that this conversation would most likely be about Fuuka's disappearance. To ensure that her clandestine trips will not be exposed, she pressed her brain for what she would have to say. Things might not go so good for her if more people learned about her excursions. First, she wasn't ready to be bombarded with questions when she was still getting answers herself. And second, there were some things she needed to sort out before she goes all out with what she needed to say.
"Fuuka-san's been missing for days now," Labrys began. "Mitsuru-san and Naoto-kun told me that they've searched for her everywhere - this world, the TV World, and the tower. But in all those places, they never found her. They already had Rise-chan scan all three, but not a single trace of her was found."
Minako bit her lip. "We were hoping you can tell us somethin' that might help us to find her," the female droid said.
The brunette took a deep breath. She glanced away, "I don't really know... I think we should just wait for a full moon."
"Why?"
"During a full moon there's always a change in the tower, right? We might have a greater chance finding her then... I think."
"But how'll that happen?" Labrys asked. Minako could've sworn there was a slight cynicism in her friend's voice. Afraid that she might slip up, the wild card just shrugged. The albino sighed, "Guess I have no good news for Mitsuru-san."
"Are you scared, Reiko-chan?" Fuuka asked the masked-girl. The two were sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. When the teal-haired woman realized that there was no way out of the place, she decided to stop their wandering. In a big open area, they sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. The younger hummed, while the older thought of what she should do.
"Nope," the girl answered mellowly. "I'm sure someone will save us, like they do on Featherman R!"
The woman giggled at the girl's animated response. After that, the child resumed to her humming. She bumped her shoes to match the beat of the song. "How about your parents, don't you miss them?" At that, the soft melody stopped. Fuuka suddenly grew worried that she asked something that she shouldn't have. She was about to apologize to the girl, but before she could, the Reiko spoke.
"...I want to see them again." The girl's tone was almost despondent. "I want them to... to hug me and say that everything would be okay."
"Reiko-chan..." Fuuka slowly brought the girl's head to her chest. With her other hand, she soothingly rubbed the girl's back. The child clutched to Fuuka's sleeve as she trembled from stifling a sob.
"Don't worry, we'll get out of here soon."
~3 days before the Full Moon~
"What did she say, Labrys?" Naoto inquired. It was the day after Labrys found out about Fuuka's disappearance. The mechanical maiden was worried about her lost friend. It pained her because she didn't know what she could do to save her.
"The same thing you did, wait for a full moon." She heard the detective sigh from the other side. "Are you and Akihiko-san still looking for her here?"
"Yes. Like Mitsuru-san, we refuses to stop." Naoto chuckled, "He said he won't go back to looking for cats until he finds her."
"I though Akihiko-san was supposed to be after criminals, not cats." The two couldn't help but to smile as they imagined the silver-haired man running after a feline.
"LABBY-CHAN! DINNER IS READY!"
"You better go now. I'll try to convince the two of them to calm down. I might tell Yu-senpai and the others about Fuuka-san. You should do the same for the rest, at the dorm, too."
"Do you think it'll be fine with Mitsuru-san?"
"Mitsuru-san did not tell anyone of what happened because she didn't want to bother them and their normal life. She didn't tell you sooner because she didn't want to add the load on your shoulders. All the burden suddenly caught up to her; she's in a haze now causing her to make indiscretions. Though respect Mitsuru-san and her decisions, I think it's about time that I step in to counter her choice. If not all of us can know, then at least some of us should.
"Besides, we are supposed to go to the tower with Fuuka-san for the operation. We can't just lie to them and tell them she couldn't come"
"Ya have a point there."
"LABBY!" Teddie called again with slight impatience.
"Alright! ...I'll see you soon, Naoto-kun."
"Do you smell her Teddie?" Minako asked, petting the bears head. After dinner, Labrys told them about what happened to Fuuka. Hearing this, they immediately set out to do their own investigation in the TV world. "C'mon, else Koro-chan will beat you."
"I told you she's not here! Right, Koro-chan?" The dog barked in agreement. "See."
"Let's try the tower," Shinjiro said. He veered towards the school, the others following close behind him. The group walked briskly in silence. Teddie and Koromaru were occasionally sniffing for Fuuka. Meanwhile the sisters, Ryoji and Shinjiro remained vigilant, making sure that they won't miss any clue about Fuuka or that they wouldn't get ambushed by any shadows. Further back the group, Ken and Minako tried to have a conversation inconspicuously.
"Shouldn't we tell them?" Ken whispered to her, he looked everywhere but her to avoid being noticed by the others. "They need to know, Minako-san."
"I don't think I can," the girl softly replied. Her lips curved to a frown as her word reverberate in her head. "I'm scared of what might happen."
"There's nothing to be scared about." The girl only bit her lips in response. "You can tell me anything, you know? I promise it'll just be between you and me."
The girl stopped in her track. Ken looked back when he realized that the wild card wasn't beside him anymore. She was a good meter behind him, her eyes glaring at the ground with loathe. The intensity of the emotion in her eyes surprised the male. He didn't even know that his friend was even capable to make such an expression until now. I must've said something wrong, he thought. "Minako-san?"
The crimson-eyed girl shook her head before looking up to him, a smile on her face. "We're falling behind," she thought out loud, gazing at the group who were a good distance away from them. The two wondered if their friends knew about the gradually growing gap between them. "We better catch up before Teddie starts thinking some really weird things." The girl ran off to their group and made it a point to avoid being alone with the student council president.
"She's not here," Teddie said. He hugged Labrys' arm and looked up to her, "Can we go now Labby-chan? I'm really tired."
"No." Labrys freed herself from the bear and moved away from him. "We have to check the other floors too. Come on."
"I thought you said, Rise-san's already confirmed that Fuuka isn't here," said Ryoji. He took a quick glanced at the wild card before turning back to Labrys. "You said they've been here many times. If they didn't find anything, I doubt we can find something too."
"I'm sure they didn't have Koromaru here and Teddie to sniff Fuuka-san for us."
"Well, if so... Then we should let Minako-chan go back, or at least stay on the first floor." Minako scowled at him. "We can't always carry you around when you don't feel well."
Aigis raised her hand. "I would carry her if necessary," she volunteered.
"You can't protect yourself if you're carrying her," Ryoji pointed.
"But it is not safe to be alone here," Aigis retorted. "Shadows might come in from the outside again?"
"Then I will stay with her."
"You can't stay back Aigis." The blonde turned to her sister, aghast. She gaze at her sister with prodding eyes, but Labrys only returned her stare with a blank look. When the blonde refused to move an inch, the older of the two sighed. "You know how useless these guys are at lifting things."
"Hey!" All the males, except for Koromaru, either glared or pouted at the the crimson-eyed mechanical android.
"I was thinking we could split up to finish faster. Each group would have either me and you, and either Teddie or Koromaru."
"I'll stay with her," Ken offered, giving Aigis a reassuring grin. "You guys should go now."
"Alright." The albino turned to the crimson-eyed girl, who was scratching her palms. "We'll call if we need help, okay?"
The girl nodded. Labrys beamed. She called out everyone's attention and carefully discussed the plan, a plan which Minako was too distracted to comprehend. She wished that someone would take Ken's place. She hoped that her friends would just give up before they find something out - something that might expose for the liar that she is. But when she realized what she was thinking, she ended up biting her lips so hard that it bled. What am I thinking? We're doing this for Fuuka... even though it's futile.
"Let's go." Labrys headed to the transporter to with Koromaru and Ryoji. Meanwhile, Aigis and Teddie went to the tower entrance, at the end of the stairs.
"See you two later," Shinjiro saluted to them before disappearing with the rest.
Silence enveloped the two persona users. Minako tried to ignore the burning look Ken gave her, but failed. She slowly turned, eyes anywhere but him. "Why were you avoiding me?"
"I wasn't avoiding you," she answered almost immediately.
The boy's brows furrowed. "You think I didn't notice?" He clenched his fist tightly. "I know you were avoiding me. Why?" No answer. "Was it something I said? Or is it that you don't trust me?" Minako flinched at the last part, causing the brown-haired boy to gasp. "You really don't trust me! Why?! Is it because I'm a kid?! Is that it?!"
"Ken-No! That's not it. Ken-" The male fell to his knees and clutched his head in pain. "Ken."
"Nnngh..." Ken felt his body falling face first to the floor. But before his face could meet the cold, hard ground, two hands supported him from both his shoulders. He tried his best to peer at the person in front of him, but he couldn't for the agony was too much for him to handle. He grabbed Minako's arm when he felt his head throb. "Ahh..."
"It'll be over soon," the wild card said. She placed her fingers on each on his temple. Channeling the power inside her, she emitted a warm sensation through her fingertips. She felt her friend's grip loosen until finally, her arm was free. "Are you okay now?"
"Mm..."
"I'm sorry. I was too scared to come here by myself..." I can feel the tears, threatening to fall as I stand there in the alley. The memories of what happened were still fresh in my mind. I can still see the traces of blood that spilled from Shinjiro-san not long ago. My heart twisted every time I think about it. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, his face would flash in my mind.
A hand on my shoulder made me look up, but only barely. I always knew the two of them were great friends. Sometimes I think it was more than that. But then, I remembered all those times we spent together, those nights at Wakatsu. That was just the way she is, kind and friendly to almost everyone. It didn't matter if I was a kid or if I was an orphan; even if I wasn't, I'm sure she'd still be like this to me - to everyone. I suddenly had the urge to apologize to her again, but the words never really came out; they've been stuck in my throat the moment I saw her cry.
"I'm with you," she said comfortingly.
"Yes... Thank you very much." I smiled to stifle a sob. "It's... hard to live, isn't it? Living... is painful... Minako-san..."
"Huh?" He found himself lying on the floor, his head on a folded jacket as his makeshift pillow.
"Turn to the left, and you'll find the stairs there... Alright." The persona disappeared, leaving Minako at the spot where it was at before. She sighed before turning to Ken. "Oh," she ran to him and kneeled, "Are you okay now?"
"What happened?"
"I don't really know," she said, helping him up. "You went all ballistic, then you suddenly fell to your knees, groaning in pain." Minako began scrutinizing him for any injuries that mysteriously appeared. It was a wonder that she failed to notice the boy staring at her. "Maybe the tower's getting to you too. Anyway, at least you're okay now..."
"...Sorry." The wild card gave a low chuckle before flicking his forehead lightly. "Hey!"
"It's okay. I'm used to it, I think." She moved to sit beside the boy, her school blazer, on her lap.
"Ken, listen. I trust you. I really do. It's just that... I'm just scared is all."
The male exhaled softly. He finally recalled what happened before he passed out. When the girl began avoiding him, something inside him stirred. He felt like he was a child again, when the people lied to him. They told him they believed in him, but when they learned what he has to say about her death, they immediately broke their promise. They say it was due to trauma, that his mind created it just to cope with her death. Their sympathy only made him feel worse; it reminded him that he wasn't able to do something for his mother. That's why it frustrated him that his friend stayed away from him.; he felt that she didn't trust him or believe in him. But he didn't know why he lost control.
"I'm not just hiding things, you know? I've been lying to everyone from the very start... Sometimes, I don't even know how I can face you guys. I'm so ashamed of myself, you know?" Ken breathed in deeply. He opened his mouth and closed it, not knowing what to say. The boy blinked in disbelief. "I'm sorry, Ken."
"..." Ken propped his arms on his knees and buried his head in them. He felt do disoriented and confused of everything. He snuck a peek at the the crimson-eyed girl and saw her biting her lips again. He could see new wounds crack open. "Stop that," he said, elbowing her lightly. "You might chew your lip off."
"Oh." She licked her lips clean from blood. Somehow, the scene calmed the brunet boy down. He was finally able to think clearly again. Finding his voice he turned to the girl with determination to know the truth. I need to know.
"Now you listen to me... I know that compared to the others, I'm still just a kid. But trust me when I tell you that I won't tell anyone."
"You'll hate me if I tell you."
"Try me."
They stared at each other, heart beating erratically for what might happen next.
"Congratulations Minako, Makoto-kun!" Minako's mother, Akari, exclaimed. She ruffled the boy's hair and hugged her daughter. "I'm so proud of both you!"
The boy's mother, Chiyomi, gave the boy his mask, "I told you that you don't need your 'good luck charm.' "
Makoto nodded. "It's because Minako-chan was with me. We held hands during the whole song."
"You hurt my hand, you know?" the girl whined. She raised her right hand, which was full of red marks. "Mako-chan was this nervous."
"I'm sorry."
Chiyomi examined the girl's hand. "Don't worry, it'll be fine soon."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Akari, I'll check up on the two. Do you mind if keeping an eye on Mako?"
"Alright." A few minutes later, a woman, who the two friends found out was a classmate of their mothers, approached Akari. The two old friends soon got lost in their conversation.
"Makoto," the girl whispered.
"Is it your dream again?" The girl nodded. "I told you it won't happen."
"But I'm scared... I had that nightmare again."
The boy tilted his head, thinking how to help his friend. "I know!" He tied his mask on the girl, careful not to get her hair caught. "My wish came true when I was wearing my mask. Maybe yours will come true too."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"But my Feather Argus mask doesn't grant wishes... What makes yours special?"
The blue-haired boy grinned. "I don't know. Just trust me, silly."
"You're the silly one," the auburn-haired girl said flatly. But her eyes soften, and soon she found herself smiling. "Thank you, Makoto."
Their fathers came. They bid each other farewell, and hoped to see each other soon.
I think Ken has mood swings, now. What have I done? orz
Guys, please tell me if you think something's wrong (inconsistencies, too OOC, Mary Sue, Marty Stu, etc.) It would really help. :)
Megami Tensei Emperatriz: Akihiko helped. Mitsuru asked helped from cops. Junpei and Yukari, they're somewhere out there. They're only reserved members of the Shadow Operatives (based on what I remember) so they can't always be there. Mitsuru let them handle the full moon operation because she believes they can do it... And other stuff she needs to take care of. (^^;)
SenpaiNoticedMeXD: Thanks. I honestly didn't know why I did that. I just wanted to imagine what Ryoji would be like with friends (when he is not hitting on girls). But I think I turned him to a Yukari. orz I'm not sure anymore what I' saying. ( =ω=)
Asahar4: Thank you, that was really informative. I kinda got the feeling that he was after playing P3P (I told myself Minato was raped - DENIAL). Haha, I saw Yukari turn all yandere on youtube, kinda got irritated to her. But who could blame her after what happened. I think if the FeMC does have the Answer part it would be much less the same. Maybe more painful because she was closer to SEES compared to Minato (since most of his interactions were on the female members). Or maybe I'm just biased since she didn't get her version of the Answer.