Chapter 3: Innocence is Bliss

4/8/09-Wednesday

"I'm back~!" The auburn-haired girl cheerfully called out to everyone as she opened the door. The ever-so familiar lounge greeted her, along with some familiar faces.

Yukari, the girl with light brown hair was comfortably seated on one of the couches which surrounded the table. Right across her was a man with wavy chestnut-brown hair which reaches past his shoulders. He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater underneath his yellowish brown peacoat which matches his equally colored pants.

While the girl inspected the room, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her before she had the chance to react.

"I'm glad you're safe... I was worried" he said in a low voice.

"Minato-kun... I was just out for a moment... geez..." the boy let go of her and took his place on one of the sofas. Minako shifted her gaze at the stranger. She had a strange feeling on her stomach the moment she laid her eyes on him.

'Do I know him...? He feels familiar but... I'm pretty sure this is the first I've seen such guy..." she furrowed her brows. 'Then again... I've been having memory lapses lately...' she shrugged and took a seat beside her twin.

"So... you're the other one. We were waiting for you" the stranger smiled.

"Hehe... Sorry... I spaced out. I'm Minako Arisato by the way" the girl bowed her head in apology for making them wait. Come to think of it, where had she been to anyway? The next thing she just knew, she was standing in this dark alley, having no recollection of why she had been there. Again, another case of her 'memory lapses'.

"Good Evening to both of you. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki' … Hard to say, isn't it? Even I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes..." he chuckled turning toward the twins.

Minato was expressionless as always, it was difficult to say what he's thinking about.

'Chairman of the Board...? I'd better behave then...' Minako, on the other hand just smiled, though she's still bothered by the strange feeling she's been getting from the man.

"I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment" the man continued.

"No problem! This place is quite comfortable for me" Minako answered energetically, raising her hand.

"As long as I'm with her, it's okay" the boy added with his usual expressionless face.

"Hahaha. I'm glad about that. Is there anything you'd like to ask?" the chairman chuckled before turning to the newcomers.

"Why did you come here?" Minako asked feeling rather nervous. It was the chairman after all, and his mere presence felt heavy. Though, for some reason, it felt like that wasn't the only reason for her feeling of uneasiness.

"To welcome you, of course. Speaking of which... Where's Mitsuru, Yukari?" he turned to the girl across him.

"She's upstairs" the girl answered politely.

"As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello... Do you have another question?" Ikutsuki nodded to himself before turning back to the twins.

"I saw something odd..." This time, it was the blue haired boy who spoke. Yukari's expression froze upon hearing his words, Minako just stared at him with a puzzled look.

"You saw something strange? ...Like what? You were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it. It's bad for your complexion, you know" the chairman replied calmly. Minato nodded weakly in response, still maintaining his composure. For a moment there, Minako thought his brow twitched a little.

"Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now if you'll excuse me... You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm'! ...Please forgive the bad pun" Ikutsuki chuckled at his own words to which Yukari sighed.

"Thank you, I will! Since I hadn't have a proper sleep since arriving..." Minako answered standing up, trying to ignore his last lines.

"You'll get used to his lame jokes" Yukari rolled her eyes, feeling quite embarrassed of the man's actions. Minato nodded and donned his headphones before quietly heading straight to his room.

The young lady watched the monitors in the strange room with deep concentration. Behind her was a girl with pale brown hair. It was like something from the movies, especially spy movies where the spy had to infiltrate a base. In this case, she was in the room where the baddies watch the spy get blown up, only to always miraculously survive. The monitors displayed different parts of the dorm, most specifically, the room of the twins.

"Working hard? So, how're they doing?" the adult said as he approached the red haired girl.

"They went to bed a little while ago. They're asleep now" She closed her eyes for a moment and switched her attention from one screen to the next.

On one screen was a sleeping blue-haired boy. His room was pretty identical to his sister's, although his bed cover was blue instead of pink. The other screen was Minako's room, she was also sleeping soundly on her bed.

"Mr. Chairman, do you think they're...?" She turned to the man with a worried look. He moved closer and watched the monitors showing the two rooms.

"Well, let's wait and see for now... The Dark Hour is approaching" he answered with his arms were crossed across his chest.

tick... tick... tick...

04/08/09-Wednesday, Dark Hour

Suddenly, everything stopped as if all life ceased to exist. The puddles of blood, the pale moon and most of all, the strange coffins have all revealed themselves yet again. The time of the dark-green night had come one more time, just like how it had always have for the past ten years.

"Hmmm... He's still sleeping, but as for her..." he paused, rubbing his chin. "The Dark Hour occurs everyday at 12 midnight; you could say it's the 'hidden' hour. During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs" the man frowned and stared at the two monitors again.

The rooms were same as it was a moment ago - if you don't count the blood splatters on the floor and walls that is. Minako's room was even more bizarre, for the girl was nowhere to be seen. On top of the bed sat a suspicious, large, black coffin.

"Minako-chan's 'normal' for what it seems to be... but... then... he must be..." Yukari watched the monitors with a frown, before turning to Ikutsuki.

"As you can see, he's retained his human form, while his sister Transmogrified. He's asleep, but he's definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. Only question that remains is whether or not he has the potential. Although he must... If he didn't they would've preyed on him by now" the chairman spoke calmly as he eyed the monitors. He scratched his chin as if he was thinking of something intently.

"Scary..." Yukari muttered, watching the screens.

"In any case, we should continue to monitor him in a few more days" the man spoke again.

"Yes, sir. What about the girl?" Mitsuru asked with a solemn look, her eyes firmly attached to the man's face.

"I guess it will be pointless watching her. It will be safe to cease our observation on the girl" He pushed a button, closing the girl's screen.

"I feel kinda bad though, spying on them like this... But what will happen to her then?" Yukari glanced at the man waiting for his answer.

"I'd have to make arrangements for her to move. Until then, she stays..."

4/9/09-Thursday

"Good morning Minato-kun~!" The girl cheerfully greeted as she ran down the stairs. The boy looked quite groggy, but smiled at her appearance. He was seated at the dining table eating toast with a cup of warm chocolate to his side. He raised his hand and pointed on the chair next to him. There was already a plate of toast similar to his, sitting up front of it. Minako followed him and began to to gulp on her meal. She stared at the boy who was now blowing on his warm cup of choco.

"... Did something happen to you? You look... different..." the girl took a bite off the bread and turned to the boy. She knew he was the same as ever, physically speaking, but at the same time, he felt... off...

"I had a dream. Not the usual, but of an elevator... A blue one..." he answered weakly, setting down the cup. Minako chuckled at his answer. He was a strange boy indeed. Somehow, that was the kind of answer she expected to hear from him.

After finishing their breakfast, the two went off to school together. Minako felt strange though. It was as if something was lifted off her heart, and yet, she feels incomplete without it. The girl would glance to the boy from time to time. He didn't mind though, in fact, he was smiling on the inside.

"Hey... You know, it feels like I've known you for a long time" Minako suddenly blurted out without thinking. After realizing what she had just done, her face turned rosy pink.

"So do you accept me now?" he asked, trying to ignore her embarrassment to keep her at ease.

"Um... I guess I have no choice! Cause... you're... the closest family I have left..." Her voice faded at each word, especially the last one which was barely audible. Minato grinned at her answer. He placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled in approval.

"Don't worry. I won't let us get sepa-"

"Yo... Man, I'm so sleepy today. In times like these, it's best to sleep during class!" a familiar voice spoke from behind before he could finish his words. Minato glared at the cap-wearing teen yet again. This time, it was definitely a glare of annoyance.

"Hey! No sleeping in class. Got it?" Minako pouted at the boy.

"Whaat? Why do you have to be all serious?" he turned to Minato and froze from his icy glare.

"... Did I do something wrong again?" he asked in frightened tone. Minako laughed it off and pat his back in an attempt to comfort him. The blue-haired boy moved closer to Junpei and whispered in a threatening voice.

"Don't get too close to her. You're lucky this time you made her laugh, if not..." He crunched his knuckles and went ahead of them, leaving the poor boy in cold sweat.

"Don't mind him~ He's like that, but I know he's nice. You'll be best friends in no time. I'll tell him to go easy on you, don't worry!" Minako assured him with a warm smile.

"..." Junpei slouched unsure of what he's supposed to feel.

Classes went on smoothly. Junpei and Minato slept through it the whole time. It was quite a sight to see.

'I'd better lecture Minato-kun to stay awake... but...' She snickered and took a quick glance at the two. 'They're more alike than they think...' The girl then turned her crimson eyes back to the board as she listened to Mr. Ekoda's ramblings. For some reason, no one was giving the sleepy-heads any attention. They must have known that it's pointless to reprimand those two.

Even though Minako seemed as if she was concentrating on the lesson, her head was into something else. The strange feeling won't leave her chest. Something was missing... It was a strange sensation of loss and peace. She was laughing and having fun, but... What was that feeling? Something's wrong. She squeezed her hand into a fist and took out a piece of paper from her pocket with her free hand. It was well kept despite being crumpled up.

Go to Paulownia mall at midnight.

Don't tell anyone.

It bore her signature at the bottom and a date on top. Other than the feeling of incompleteness, there was this. She couldn't remember ever writing it, but at the same time, she was sure she was the one who wrote it. Minako knew her hand writing very well, even other people could easily distinguish her writing. The girl sighed and stashed the paper away.

'I should've expected this... I don't remember Minato-kun. Mr. Chairman was familiar and yet I don't know him... and this... I guess I DO have some serious memory issues... Oh, well... I'd better go... It might jog my memory'

"Let's go" Minato called her out in a monotonous voice. Minako shook her head and got herself ready to take off in an opposite direction.

"I... I'll be coming home late tonight, so don't wait for me" She smiled weakly, picking up her bag. The boy frowned again, feeling worried for her, but knowing Minako, she wouldn't stop until she gets what she wanted. He sighed and approached her, patting her head.

"Just be careful ok? Don't talk to strangers. Run when something happens. Call me when you're in trouble, I'll be there in a flash" he said, placing his hands on her shoulders, keeping eye contact.

"I will!" The auburn-haired girl nodded and ran off at the chance she got.

"The things I do for her..." The boy muttered to himself, picking his own bag and went on his way.

"Wow~ This place is lively!" Minako smiled excitedly staring at every building. There was an arcade, a karaoke bar, a mall, a music store and many more places teenagers like her would normally spend their free time at.

"Hey! Mi-chan! Where's your bro?" Minako turned around to see the her ever-so familiar cap wearing friend wave at her. She waved back and ran toward his direction.

"He went ahead. I have... Um... Plans! Yeah, that's it " she answered hesitantly.

"Oh. Then you're alone?"

The girl nodded innocently. After noticing Junpei smile, she backed off a little as if she saw a wild hyena.

"Wha... Hey... I'm not planning anything...! Geez... what has your brother been teaching ya? Say what, I'll treat you to some meal. That good?" he sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"Really? Yay! Well then, let's go! I won't tell Minato-kun, promise~" She answered enthusiastically.

Junpei almost cried for his wallet after Minako finished eating four bowls of ramen. She tried cheering him up by offering to go to the arcades. There, they played games, from fighting games to shooting games. Minako always defeated him in the end though, which made him feel a little bad, at the same time, pumped up.

The girl was also able to win a bunch of prizes. Lots of them. From key chains to stuffed toys. She even got herself the pretty mask from seemingly out of nowhere. The manager almost cried after the girl almost swiped up everything in the toy crane. It was a fun day. The girl felt like she didn't want to end that moment. Not just yet. It was already 8:30pm when they parted ways.

The capped teen offered to escort her home, but since she couldn't really say that she had to stay up until midnight, Minako had to assure him she'll be fine. Of course, she coupled it with a "What if Minato-kun sees you... I don't know what he'll do...". Those words shook him off her. Junpei was reluctant, but seeing as she really won't go, he left her, turning back once, seeing her bright smile.

11:59pm...

tick... tick... tick...

4/9/09-Thursday, Dark Hour

"AAAAAGH!" She shrieked. The girl held her head with both of her hands as she fell down on her knees. A sudden pain entered her head as the mucous colored moon touched her with its light. There were coffins everywhere and even pools of blood which came out of nowhere. It was the Dark Hour. After a moment, the pain ceased. Minako slowly stood up. She clenched her fist tightly and lifted her head, eyes filled with determination.

"Alright, it's time..."

So... here's another chapter~

The whole mind wipe thing was like the one where you choose to kill Ryoji...

Just think of it working that way :D

Anyway, still editing the others, but I'll be uploading them in the next few weeks (or days) :)

Don't expect too much change in the main P3P plot. It'll be mostly the same (at least for me that is)...

12 Arcana Shadows, climb tower, Nyx, blah, blah, blah, that kind of thing... But no, I won't be ripping out game scripts for the most part. Sure I'll still be using them, but... okay, it's hard to explain... but things won't be the same (especially chapter 5 onwards)...

Let's say... this is all about the subplot.

The subplot is the mainplot and the mainplot is the subplot because everybody already knows about the mainplot. THERE. ;P

Again, don't be afraid to make comments, suggestions, or (hopefully not) violent reactions, especially if you find spelling or grammar mistakes~

I'll be sure to fix those in a jiff ;)

=Persona 3 and any SMT series does not belong to me.=