Yu shook the disorientation out of his head. After they passed through the portal, their minds were ambushed by a voice of a girl, a voice that Yu was sure is "Reiko's". He looked around and saw that his friends were just as confused as him. They gathered closer to each other and surveyed the interior of the tower. The Tartarus-like, first floor foyer was now a plain white. The portal that was their only way out was now gone. Not knowing what to do Yu and his friends stood still.
"Did you guys hear that?" he heard Junpei ask. "Man, that kid sounds too young to be that anti-social."
"That's Reiko-chan's voice," Fuuka said. "But she sounds so... different."
"Makoto is the only one who sees me as human." Colors suddenly erupted, painting the room in the image of Naganaki Shrine during twilight. At the top of the jungle gym were two masked children - one red, one pink - sitting side by side. Their legs swung in tandem as they hum the theme of the Featherman R.
"Minako-chan, we should go home now," the boy with red mask told his friend. He slid his mask up to his head and smiled at his friend. At that instant, the persona-users knew that the boy was Makoto Yuki. The warm smile plastered on his face made them wonder if this was really the poker-faced leader of SEES.
"Okay," the girl with a pink mask said. There was nearly no emotion in her voice, but the boy somehow knew what the girl was feeling.
"Come on, don't be sad. We'll still see each other tomorrow, and the day after that, and also on the day after the day after that! And besides," he jumped off to the ground and looked up to the girl, "I'm just a window away if you need me."
The girl said nothing and stopped her legs from swinging. She let out an audible breath before lifting her mask to reveal her blank face. She gazed down at her friend's blue pools, and said indifferently "Mako-chan, do you think my parents love me?"
"What kind of a silly question is that? Of course they love you!"
"Then why did they never say 'I love you' to me?"
Makoto tilted his head in confusion. He thought deeply about what she said. "I'm sure they said it to you at least once. When you were a baby maybe?"
"I guess you're right," the girl said, wanting to drop the subject. It did not show on her countenance, but she regretted blurting out about her parents. She didn't want to drag her innocent friend into her "petty" matters.
"Let's go now," the boy said, offering his hand. He waited for his friend to get down the jungle gym and beamed wider when he felt her holding his own tiny hand. They slowly walked out of the Shrine and climbed down the stairs. "If it makes you feel better then I'll say this. I love you because you are the bestest friend in the world."
And for the first time, the girl showed emotion. She chuckled and said, " 'Bestest' isn't a word dummy. And we both know that our other friends are only imagi- imagri-"
"Imaginary."
"Yeah that."
"It doesn't matter. We're still the greatest and bestest-"
"Best."
"-friends!"
The girl sighed, before slipping on her mask again. "Silly Mako-chan."
"Dummy Mina-mina." Hearing that, the girl elbowed the boy, making him laugh. The girl sighed again before giggling with her only friend.
The scene stopped at the two, laughing hand in hand as they walk back home. The sunset that lighted the two children gave out a strong feeling of nostalgia that the persona-users could feel it invading their hearts.
Aigis tried to approach the frozen children, but before she could, the two and the shrine faded into white. "Could this be the past?"
"I suppose so," said Naoto vacantly. What has just transpired shocked her that she could barely think straight.
Yu turned to Junpei. "I feel like the description you gave us about Makoto Yuki and Minako Arisato got all mixed up. I mean, I thought Yuki-san was the cool, silent one. While Minako was the warm and bubbly one."
"Don't ask me dude. I can't even believe that old Makoto could be that... sweet and cheesy."
"Kids change," Shinjiro said sagely. "Anyway, forget about that," he lifted his index finger, "look."
The room morphed again into another scene of establishments and houses lined on both of their sides. The sky was gotten slightly darker and the wind, which the group didn't notice before, was chillier. Young Minako and Makoto stood a few meters away from them, in front of a gate, still holding hands.
"I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" the boy told his friend. He patiently waited for his friend to respond. When she didn't, he removed her mask and leaned down to peer at her face. "Minako-chan?"
The auburn-haired girl avoided his gaze. She felt her friend giving her a prodding tug, making her nod. "Okay." Her friend let go and ran off to the house beside hers. The blue-haired boy gave her one last wave before disappearing inside his house. Minako stood there for a while before turning to enter her own house. The group of persona-users decided to follow her.
"I'm home," the girl said almost hopefully, after she removed her shoes and slipped on her slippers. But the only answer she got was the knife hitting the chopping board rhythmically. She followed the sound and saw her mother preparing for dinner. "Do you need help, mommy?"
The woman turned and said, "It's alright dear, just go to your room. I'll call you when dinner is ready." She held her daughter's eyes for a while before returning to her task. Since she has nothing to do, the child decided to just leave, but instead of going to her room, she hid at a corner by the stairs. It was was barely visible at first glance that Teddie thought the girl did another vanishing trick.
"It doesn't look like she has any problems with her mom," Chie said when the girl left.
After she said that, another change occurred. The time on the wall clock advanced two hours. Minako was still sitting in that corner with the same empty look she had before. In the kitchen, her mother sat across a weary man.
"What happened with Tanaka-san?" the woman asked anxiously.
"He didn't mind that Minako called him a 'greedy thief,' but he seems to have backed down on the deal." The man sighed and placed a hand on his forehead. "Without him, I won't get my promotion. What am I going to do Akari?"
"Don't worry, dear, I'm sure someone will come eventually."
"Have you talked with that child."
The woman, who they know now as Akari, nodded. "I don't know what's wrong with her, Seiji. I told her many times not to call people like that, but then she uses my word against me saying lying was wrong. Did you know just yesterday she called Hazuki a 'cheating wife.' It's a good thing she didn't hear what that girl said."
"Sometimes I regret asking for a smart child," the man, Seiji, said. "I just wish she could just be like her friend, if not, something close to a normal child. Is that too much to ask?"
"Don't say that honey..." Akari stood and embraced her husband. "Minako's still young. She can still change."
"I hope so. No matter how much I love her, I just can't accept the way she acts."
When the girl deemed that their conversation has ended, she got up and finally went to her room. She took a box under her bed and lifted the lid. The girl pulled out cup phones with stars and moon stickers. She ambled her way towards her window and opened it.
On the other side, in the neighboring house, was Makoto. The boy was at his study table, doodling happily. He suddenly had the urge to go to his window, causing him to leave his drawing unfinished. Makoto slid his window open just at the same time Minako did.
The stared a each other with eyes wide before giggling. Minako threw one of the cup to him, when he placed the cup on his ear she began to speak.
"Mako-chan, if I turn into a different person, will we still be friends? Over."
The blue-haired boy raised a brow at his friend. "Of course we would. Even if you turn into a very bad person, we will still be friends. Over."
"I see..." The girl let out a small smile. "Thank you. Over."
"You're welcome. Over."
A voice from downstairs called the girl. "Minako! Dinner's ready!"
"I have to go now, see you Makoto. Over."
"Bye, Minako-chan." The boy threw the cup back at the girl and waved at her.
"Senpai," Fuuka called as they watched the girl climbed off of her bed and head out. "I feel something strange coming from Rei - I mean Minako-chan."
The girl passed them silently and went for the stairs. They wondered how the girl will face her parents after hearing what they just said about her. They wondered how her parents would treat her once she sits with them at the dining table. But then, they will never know because the girl fell down the stairs.
"Minako!" Ryoji ran to her, but she vanished along with the room before he could.
They were now in the hospital. The girl sat on her bed as she gazed at the window. She still has the neutral look on her face, yet something about it was different. Her crimson pools were no longer devoid from emotion.
"Sweetheart," Akari entered the room. "How are you feeling?"
Minako turned to her mother and beamed widely. "I'm okay."
The woman smiled and hugged her daughter. "I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so very glad. Mommy's sorry okay. Mommy is sorry that she just called Minako and didn't pick her up from her room."
"It's okay mommy. I'm here." Not long after that, Minako's father came to visit. They talked and laughed, just like a perfect family.
The persona-users felt even more confused with what was happening for young Minako underwent another personality change. The scene changed again and again, presenting auburn-haired girl and the blue-haired boy playing, crying, and going to kindergarten and first grade. In all scenes they were all together. They were together during the funeral of the husband of Hazuki Aoki - their mothers' friend - and her eventual marriage to a wealthy businessman. They were also together watching TV when the news about a Tanaka's growing riches. In some, Fuuka and Rise would feel some power coming from the girl, but nothing seems to happen.
"Bye Minako-chan," Makoto said through the car's open window.
The girl, who was wearing her friends red mask, waved with less enthusiasm as her friend. "See you later, Mako-chan."
"I thought they were neighbors," Yosuke said.
"They are," Naoto voiced. "I've read both of their files. If this is really the day of their class choir recital, then that means that this is the day where they lost their parents."
Ryoji and Aigis stiffen. They looked at each other before turning elsewhere. The two knew very well what the blue-haired detective meant, to say that they were cared to see what happens next was an understatement.
"December 22, 1999, on Moonlight Bridge, several civilians lost their live. There were only five survivors from that incident; two of them were the children we've been following this whole time."
They now stand on Moonlight Bridge. The full moon, which floated eerily above them, gave a soft yellow-green glow; it gave them a clear view of the wreckage of cars scattered everywhere. In the middle stood two figures. One on the right side of the group was a huge and dark, with a powerful and menacing aura surrounding it. In its hand is a long, huge sword that gleamed dangerously in the moonlight. Across it, on their left, was a blonde female figure who looked ready to attack at any moment. Upon closer inspection, the group realized that it was Aigis. They deduced that the other must have been Ryoji.
Behind the group, they heard some pounding followed by heavy breathing. When they turned, they saw Minako in her red uniform crawling from the turned-over car. The girl's eyes widened in fear. She gave a quick glance around before running off to the other car, that was now on its side. "MAKOTO! MAKOTO DO YOU HEAR ME?" A groan answered her. Hearing this, the girl climbed the vehicle and opened the door. The girl stretched her arms in, "Makoto grab my hand!"
"Alright..." After a few moments of struggling the boy got out. "What's happening? Where's mommy and daddy?" Makoto asked. When he realized the battle happening not far from them, he gawked. "Is this what you saw in your dream?"
"We don't have time for that! We have to run now!" She grabbed his hand and ran as far away as they can from the fight.
"The enemy is too powerful. Must find an alternative solution."
"Wasn't that Ai-chan's voice?" pointed Teddie.
"Minako-chan, what's wrong? Why aren't you moving?" The boy took his friend's position and pulled her away from the scene. But the girl remained rooted there no matter how much strength he used. "Minako-chan?"
The girl released the boy's hand and moved closer towards the dispute. Her eyes were lifeless, as if the her soul left her body. Yet Fuuka and Rise could feel something inside the girl was struggling, that wanted to get her friend to safety. But the girl wasn't in control, something was taking over her. She lifted her hand and stretched out to Aigis in battle. When Aigis stopped moving, her small hand flickered with light. Then a spark came out of her fingertips and shoot towards blonde's head.
"Minako!" the boy called out as he sprinted towards his friend. He grabbed and shook her shoulders. As he did the life in her eyes returned.
"Huh?"
"Come one! We have t-"
"Vessel spotted." With a palm-sized orb in her hand, the android trudged towards the children. She showed no sympathy in their dread or the trauma that she caused them. All that she thought about has her mission, her purpose. And right now, it was to make sure that Death would not be able to roam around free.
The blonde now towered the two. As she did so, the children felt all of the strength in their legs vanish. They couldn't run nor could they look away from the machine in front of them.
"How could I let this happen?" said hopelessly by the thoughts of the young girl.
Aigis raised her the ball on them in a way that look like she was taking aim. "Proceeding with sealing the enemy." Her arm transformed into a mini cannon and fired the orb towards the children.
Unable to take it anymore, the persona-users dashed towards Aigis to stop her, but they just slipped through her as if she wasn't really there - like she was just a hologram. Some of them were able to collect themselves and ran to the children, but the same thing happened.
"Fire."
"I have to protect Minako!" The boy quickly shielded the girl and took the shoot. At first, there was no pain. But then he felt his head throb so painfully, like something was about to burst out of his head.
"Makoto!"
Everything was blank again. The children were still there, but they were no longer in their uniform. They were now clad in black and lying hand in hand on the floor. Their eyes were close and their breathing was slow.
"My parents and Makoto's died. I wasn't able to protect them... I wasn't able to stop that dream. Because of that, Makoto was no longer the same. He turned into what I used to be, quiet and distant. But even if he's like that, I will still continue to be his friend. Even though he doesn't talk to me anymore, even when he doesn't remember who I am, we will still continue to be friends. After all, he did the same when I changed. And also... he's all that I have now.
"Then again, I know it won't be long until someone takes him or me away. We can never be a window away from each other forever... Just like me, mommy and daddy...
"At first, I thought that I wouldn't mind if they were gone. But then they gave me love, just like Makoto did. Along the way, I realized that they were just scared of what will happen to me if I continued to name people based on what they wished for. They were afraid that those people will hurt me. I wish I could thank them for that and everything, but it's too late now. They won't be here to listen to me apologize. They won't be here to hold me once Makoto goes to a place far away. They will forever be in that better place people talk about.
"When I told Makoto that our parents wouldn't want to see us sad, he looked at me. For the first time after 'that,' he looked at me. But he still didn't say anything. For a few days it was me, going to his house, talking to him and making sure that he eats. Until one day, I entered his home and he was already gone... Just like what happened to them, I wasn't able to thank him, apologize to him, and even say 'see you soon.' "
The girl opened her eyes, at the same time, the boy disappeared. She pushed herself up to stand. Then she looked up to the group of persona-users.
"Do you regret all your unsaid words?"
She was gone again. Leaving a glowing door on where she lied with her best friend.
"We're back," Yu said, glancing at the TV World, Gekkoukan rooftop. He turned to Rise and Fuuka. "Can you?"
"We're on it, senpai." The two summoned their persona.
While the two were doing their thing, Yu checked to see how his friends were doing. They were all dazed, but otherwise fine.
"Minako-chan is at the outside the TV World, on the school rooftop," said Fuuka. That brought the group out of their stupor.
They hurriedly got to their feet and raced out to the girl.
"Minako, wake up." No response. The blue-haired wild card sighed and sat on the floor, beside the bench where the girl slumbered. "You shouldn't sleep here you know?" He tried to poke her, but his finger slipped through.
"I'm tired of just watching. I'm so tired..."
I've been planning this chapter for a long time. And I must say, it came out horribly. It's all over the place.
Anyway, please tell me what you guys think. : )
Asahar4: I sometimes do that too XD It takes me a while to know that I'm reading the wrong chapter. Sometimes I never even notice. I didn't noticed at first that it sounded like yandere-ish. Crap, what did I do?