Sorry for the long wait (if anyone was actually waiting... ^^")

I've been really busy and lazy and... yeah =_="

err... seeing that it's been so long since the last update... let's have a re-cap? Feel free to skip this if you still remember the events last chapter (and kudos to you for remembering XD)

Summary:

Mitsuru invited the twins to help out in the student council.

Everything had been going well... or so they would think, if not for Minato getting involved in quite a number of rumors which caused some friction between him and disciplinary committee member, Hidetoshi.

One of which was his 'threatening' of some male students (which was because they lay their eyes on Minako... at least that's how Hidetoshi understood it); the other being the cigarette butt incident where a teacher wanted his name on the list of suspects.

With Minako's guidance, and the twin's efforts of trying to seek out the culprit, they obtained Hidetoshi's trust. With that, he refused to follow the teacher's whim, and instead, placed his faith on his new found friends.

Meanwhile, the shy treasurer of the student council somehow formed an unlikely bond with Minato.

-Minato has just recently joined SEES (4/18/09) after getting discharged from the hospital (4/10/09-4/18/09) after the Magician's full moon (4/9/09).

-Joined clubs.

-Minato was hospitalized (5/10/09-5/17/09) after the Priestess full moon (5/9/09).

-Exams (5/18/09-5/23/09).

-Again, Minato is hospitalized (6/08/09-6/10/09) for the Hierophant incident (6/08/09).

-Depressed Minato (6/06/09-6/11/09).

Chapter 19: Emperor's Stand

6/15/09-Monday

"That sophomore did it. She took the money fee she collected from the students... to think she looked so innocent."

-That's how the rumors went.

... and somehow, it greatly annoyed him.

Minato couldn't help but notice the students who were staring at the lone girl who was standing by the exit.

Her eyes were on the floor, as if trying to ignore all the whispering around her.

The boy grit his teeth and rolled his eyes. He made sure that Chihiro wouldn't see him before passing close to the chatting students, shooting them an intimidating glare. Immediately, they scurried off without the sophomore noticing.

The poker-faced teen sighed as he walked over her side, "hey" he called out.

"O-oh... S-senpai... y-you came..." the bespectacled girl spoke shyly, averting her gaze from him.

"What's the matter? You look like the world's about to end" he joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

It didn't seem to have helped however, since she was still awkwardly fidgeting with her fingers with a gloomy look on her face.

She lifted up her head and looked around, finally noticing that all the gossiping students suddenly disappeared. Chihiro blinked, puzzled as to where they suddenly went. In the end, she shrugged and turned to her companion.

"Um... s-sorry to bother you again like this..." she said softly.

"Don't apologize, I'm doing this cause I want to" he replied, trying to pick every word carefully.

The girl didn't react the way he expected. In fact, she still seemed to be quite uneasy, even with him by her side.

"It'll pass. Rumors come and go, so just ignore them" he smiled, giving her a pat on the head. "Now, shall we go?" before they left, he gave the empty hallways a final glance.

'... I do hope this would pass soon...' Minato sighed in his mind.

6/16/09-Tuesday

Hagakure was having a lazy day, though people were expected to pour in an hour later or so; right after the club activities of students and when the shifts of office workers have finished. Right now, only two students were sitting in. Both of them were wearing the familiar Gekkoukan High uniform, though the male who also sported a baseball cap had his suit unbuttoned beneath his purple collared shirt. On the other hand, the girl had hers tidily, free of wrinkles and creases. Her hair was also neatly tied to the back which gives her the image of a good student.

"Thanks for the food!" she exclaimed, as the chef slid the bowls of steaming ramen on their tables. The girl drooled, readying her chopsticks.

"Nah, don't mention it, just dig in!" he smiled awkwardly, "... glad you're in high spirits now..."

"Hm? Why wouldn't I be?" she replied tilting her head, with a strand full of noodles hanging from her mouth.

"Uh, wait... so you haven't heard?" the boy answered hesitantly before letting out a sigh. "Guess I shouldn't have brought it up..."

Hearing his words, Minako eyed him suspiciously, though she didn't stop gulping her food.

Junpei, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable. He made a deep sigh before finally talking. "Oh man, I feel kinda bad to be the one saying this... but..."

The male paused and rummaged through his bag. After a short moment, he pulled out a picture and handed it to the girl. "That's been going around since late of April..."

The girl scrunched up her brows and took it, giving the item a long stare... "Ah! This is about the picture of me -and my classmates- in gym clothes circulating around isn't it?"

"So you do know about it..." Junpei pouted. "Err... does that mean it doesn't bother you?"

"Course not." she replied casually and tucked in the picture in her own pocket.

"Um... Mi-chan, that's mine..." Junpei smiled awkwardly while he watched the girl stash it away.

"... Don't tell me you were planning to keep this?" Minako replied coldly. "Y'know, I'm doing you a favor here. If Nii-chan finds out you have something like this... I don't know what he'd do..."

Hearing that, his expression darkened, realizing that her brother must never hear of it. He was about to turn back to his bowl as well when he suddenly paused to look around. "Speaking of which, where's that crazy sister-fetish brother of yours?"

Minako shrugged, though for a moment, she almost choked hearing what Junpei called her twin. "Eh, he's with Chihiro-san again. I guess he finally found interest in other people other than me... and please don't call him that-"

This time, it was Junpei who almost choked. "What?! Minato? That Minato? He actually got one before I did?!"

"Got what?" the girl blinked.

"A girl, of course! A girlfriend!"

Minako simply rolled her eyes as she laid down her chopsticks. "You're thinking it wrong! Gee, I see why Yukari keeps calling you Stupei..."

A perverted smile suddenly crept up his face, ignoring the teasing. He placed his fist in front of him as if pretending to hold a mic, Junpei began to speak, "Oho~ ladies and gentlemen, look like the tables have turned! The sister is finally the one who's jealous of her bro- OW!"

Before he finished, she smacked him in the head. "I'm not jealous! Besides, more than anything, I'm just worried about Chihiro-san myself... y'know... those rumors... about the stolen money..."

"Huh? Oh, that. Right..." he nodded. Indeed, he knew about that, after all, it was the hottest topic in school. "Both of you should take it easy, no one takes rumors seriously."

"Mm... yeah. You're right... but still..." the girl sighed, locking her sight on the almost empty bowl of ramen.

"Haa... If you're really worried, then just do what you think is right." her companion added casually.

Suddenly, Minako lifted her head while a smile began to creep up her face.

"You're right!" she exclaimed, standing up from her seat with her fist pumped to the air. '"Alright then, it's settled!"

Her reaction took Junpei by surprise. He almost fell from his chair, "whoa- what...?"

"I'll do my best to help Chihiro-san and Nii-chan of course!" Minako grinned. "So, I'll be keeping an eye out on them!"

"Ahaha... well, good luck on that..." he replied as sweat dropped on his forehead.

Looks like he started something troublesome...

6/29/09-Monday

"I'm glad you're here but..." the blue-haired boy paused, setting down the book he was holding. Minato leaned forward and whispered close to her ear, "why'd you bring him along?"

The other male's eye twitched a bit, "I heard that, Minato-kun" he groaned. "If you don't want me here, then I'd gladly take my leave" he continued, looking as if he was ready to go.

"That's not what I meant. It's just that..." the blue-haired boy paused and glanced toward the brunette by his side.

The auburn-haired girl on the opposite direction of the table tilted her head. She then gave a quick glance to the bespectacled female, who had her eyes on the floor the whole time. "Oh, right! Chihiro-san's shy around boys isn't she?" Minako exclaimed.

Her sudden outburst had all the people staring at her. It was only a second later that the librarian assistant came up and shushed the girl, which made her shrink down on her chair. "S-sorry..." she smiled sheepishly at the woman, who then returned to her own desk.

The red-eyed female then gave out a sigh before turning back to her friends. "I just figured I'd bring him cause he looks kinda bored" she told them.

"Am not" Hidetoshi grumpily retorted.

In response, Minako simply chuckled, her brother shrugged while Chihiro watched them looking rather amused at their antics.

The four of them were at the library for a group study. It was originally just Minato and Chihiro at first, however on their way, the duo conveniently bumped into Minako who was at that time, with Hidetoshi. For some reason, she decided to invite herself in what was supposed to be a study date, even dragging the discipline officer with her... and well... the rest is history.

They were sitting on opposite sides of a long, rectangular table. Minako placed herself beside Hidetoshi, while on the other side was Minato and Chihiro. Strangely enough, the male twin didn't raise any complaints regarding the set up.

Chihiro seemed to have trouble with mathematics, and while Hidetoshi tried not to show, he was struggling in English. All the while, the group actually had an ordinary group study session. Though, there was an evidently awkward atmosphere around them.

The twins' attention were on Hidetoshi's homework when Chihiro suddenly spoke up.

"The missing fee money... no one's found it yet..." she said almost unconsciously.

The bespectacled girl looked up, only to notice that all eyes of her companions were suddenly on her. "A-ah... d-did I say that out loud?" her face reddened. She cast her gaze down and stood up from her seat, "e-excuse me... I... I need to check out some books..."

Everyone watched her as she left. There was a short moment of quiet before someone made another sound.

"... She's innocent" he said, with undarting silver-blue eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, you don't have to say it. I know there's no way she would!" his sister added as she fiddled with the page of the book she was holding.

Hidetoshi remained silent for a while before he finally opened his mouth. "If you guys believe she didn't, then I'm sure she wouldn't do it" he sighed, "... and if she didn't, then I'm sure it will turn up eventually."

The two turned to him and smiled. Minako even gave him a friendly smack on his back, which somewhat irritated him (though inwardly, he smiled).

While the twins enjoyed themselves teasing the discipline officer, a pair of students casually took a seat neighboring them.

One was squinty-eyed, with brown hair tied in pigtails, while the other had braided black hair. At first, they were simply chatting about random subjects such as the hospitalization of the P.E. teacher before the exams and the ghost stories which was the talk of the school until recently. Nothing harmless really, though their voices were a bit loud and disturbing. Soon, the two began gossiping about the current biggest issue in school- the missing money fee.

This immediately captured the attention of the trio.

"There's no one else who could have done it. It can only be that treasurer girl from the Student Council!" the first one said, "I heard they were poor, so it totally makes sense!"

"Yeah, what a lucky bitch. I don't understand how a poor girl like her got into this school... kinda disgusting" the black-haired one added lazily.

In an instant, the twins shot them a glare. In fact, the red-eyed female looked as if she was about ready to jump in and strangle the gossipers judging by how her face had contorted. However, a hand suddenly signaled her to stop. Instead, it was the discipline officer who took the stand, making the siblings blink in surprise.

With arms crossed over his chest, the boy walked over to the pair.

"Just as expected from a bunch of mannerless apes. All you know is to find fault in others just to cover up your own insecurities" he said with a annoyingly smug look on his face. "I'm worried on how you'll thrive in the society someday when you cannot anymore protect yourself by downgrading others."

"What...? W-what's your problem?" the squinty-eyed girl retorted.

"Hmph. You are, you mindless buffoons" he smirked. "I will not tolerate any insults or accusations given to the Student Council and its members. As an organization, our trust must be absolute" Hidetoshi gave out a sigh and pointed his finger at the girls, "... and also, your skirt lengths are too short. It's against the school rules, so please report to the discipline office later."

Hearing his harsh insults, the one with braided hair shot up from her respective seat. She even slammed her hands on the table,"what?! H-how dare you! You're nothing but a-"

Before the girl could finish, a female voice suddenly called out her attention, "excuse me. This is the library, please mind your manners..." the librarian assistant reprimanded from her desk.

The pair blushed from embarrassment, only giving the disciplinarian a final glare. They left the group quietly without another word.

"Y'know, I'm glad he's on our side..." the auburn-haired girl whispered to her brother.

He nodded in response. The boy then rubbed his chin and turned to his twin. "By any chance... don't tell me you brought him here on purpose...?"

The girl pursed her lips. "... I don't know what you're talking about..." she replied, looking away from him.

Finally, Hidetoshi returned to his seat, looking quite irritated. He gave out a sigh before picking up his book again. "I can't believe people like those were actually admitted in this school..." the boy said, as he shook his head. "I'll talk to the President one of these days to raise the standards..." he added.

"U-um.. t-thanks..."

They turned around. It was Chihiro. She seemed as though she was on the verge of crying.

"Just forget about them." Minato gave her a gentle smile.

"Yeah, let's just go grab a bite~ Hidetoshi here will treat us!" Minako added cheerfully.

"... Hey I never-" he paused before sighing in defeat. "... fine."

"... Don't tell me that's the REAL reason you brought him?."

Minako simply laughed off her twin's follow-up, when she sneaked up close to him and whispered something by his ear. "Onii-chan, I wanna help Chihiro... can you explain exactly what's going on later when we get back home?"

7/01/09-Wednesday

"Hey, she's the one right? I can't believe she still hasn't admitted to it..."

"Shh! She might hear you...!"

*bang*

At that, the gossipers flinched. They turned toward him, wide-eyed as he slammed his hand on the desk. Everyone stared blankly, making a stop to whatever they were doing. Even the glasses-wearing girl couldn't help but look.

He was really mad.

"Tch. Don't tell me you simpletons believe those rumors as well?!" he groaned, looking very irritated.

No one replied. They just stared at him blankly.

'As an organization, our trust must be absolute'- the very words he spoke of the other day were ringing inside his mind.

Hidetoshi simply couldn't stomach it anymore. He felt betrayed; after all, they were the Student Council- the voice of the students. How could they believe such gossips? And to think that they were accusing a fellow member to boot...! It was very disappointing how they easily got swayed by such things...

"Um... Hidetoshi-kun... i-it's alright... really..." the girl was the first to speak. Her voice was soft and barely audible like usual.

Hearing those words, the boy turned to her, which made the girl flinch. Without warning, he took the girl by the hand, making her blush.

"Come on Chihiro, we'll settle this once and for all! Direct me to that teacher!" he ordered as he pulled her out of the Student Council meeting room.

Those who were left behind could only watch the scene unfold, unsure of what just happened...

However, he never really imagined that it was the same faculty he created an enmity with.

"Ah, so Hidetoshi, you're back. What brings you here?" he asked.

His eye twitched, though he tried hard to not make any unnecessary movements.

"Sensei, Chihiro here told me everything. She said she had already turned over the money fee to you" Hidetoshi stated as calmly as he could with arms crossed, "I suggest you clear up this mess as early as now so that we can avoid further problems."

"Y-yes... just as he said... I was sure I gave you the money fee..." her voice grew softer at each word.

However, the person they were questioning only rolled his eyes. "Hmph. How bold of you to accuse your sensei" the adult replied, "I don't remember receiving any of this 'money fee' you are speaking of."

The brunette froze and retreated back. It took all her courage to summon herself to speak that way... to a teacher no less.

On the other hand, her companion almost snapped. "Sensei, are you trying to imply that Chihiro here is lying?" he stated, still trying keep his calm. Though, a vein had already popped out of his forehead, "if you don't admit now, I will make sure this matter reaches the President!"

"Accusing, then threatening? I didn't remember you being this rash, Hidetoshi" the man chuckled. He stood up from his seat, showing a very intimidating stature to the boy. "You know what? I think you're also involved in this" the man told him casually.

At that, the discipline officer flinched, "are you listening to yourself? I'm not even involved in any of the Student Council's monetary affairs!"

"Y-yeah...! Hidetoshi-kun will never do something like that...!" surprisingly, even the brunette spoke up. "I-I don't see how he could be involved here...!"

The teacher shrugged, "it's easy really. Everyone knows how tight-knit you are lately, after all, you're both in the Student Council..." he shifted his attention to his fingernails before lazily continuing his words, "I also heard about a certain incident at the library a couple of days ago. If I don't know any better, I'd say you're interested in that girl. Now, wouldn't that make sense?"

For a moment, his cheeks burned red. Actually, both of them.

"T-that is such a weak conjecture! No one in the right mind would buy something like that...!" the younger man angrily retorted, though there was a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "... besides, we're just friends..." he mumbled softly that no one heard.

By his side, the girl simply lowered her head, making it impossible to identify her expression.

"Really now? Your faces says so otherwise" the man chuckled, "but, petty teenage infatuations aside... Might I remind you," he paused and turned to Hidetoshi, "that you have your old man in jail, no?"

Upon hearing those words, his blood boiled. He's not the type of person who'd snap and go for a physical assault, but that was the last straw. Hidetoshi readied himself to jump on the man.

...but at the spur of the moment, he was pulled back.

Luckily, his female companion managed to hold him down. "Hidetoshi-kun... c-calm down..." she said weakly.

However, her attention immediately shifted to the teacher who turned to her with a wry smile on his face. She flinched after hearing the next thing that came out of his mouth.

As he stared at her, the man mockingly continued to speak, "... and you're the girl from the rumors, right? I heard you were financially unstable" he made a pause and looked up, "you know what? Let's throw in those twins too."

"W-what?! What are you saying? That's just ridiculous! Minato-kun and Minako-san absolutely have nothing to do with this!" the young man blurted out.

For once, her face scrunched up in anger, "just as Hidetoshi-kun said, leave them out of this...! This doesn't concern them!"

"Heh, I beg to differ. As I've said: you share the similarity of being in the Student Council" the male wagged his finger at them, looking rather proud of himself. "Plus, that Arisato boy has a lot of fishy doings. Most likely, he did it for that twin of his. See? The story fits quite well!"

At that, the Hidetoshi fumed. He wanted to punch the man, but he knew he couldn't. In the end, he simply growled and tightened his fist as if trying to hold himself back. "No doubt..." he hissed, "you're the one behind this aren't you?!"

The girl turned to her companion with a look of surprise, then to the teacher who had a smirk planted on his face.

"S-sensei...? Is that true...?" was all Chihiro could bring herself to say. She glared at the man with wet eyes, though, it was nowhere near intimidating.

"Me? Do you have evidence to support that?" the burly man replied. "You've turned stupid after all. you have no evidence against me, whereas, your backgrounds are quite questionable." The man then stood up from his chair with his bag under his arms, "now, if you may excuse me, I have a meeting to catch."

"You-!" He cursed under his breath and bit his lip.

But that teacher was right. He had no evidence.

In the end, Hidetoshi clicked his tongue; all he could do was glare at the man with resentment as he watched him walk out of the room.

Maybe... it really was foolish to challenge a teacher...?

.

.

.

"Sensei."

He was a few steps away from the faculty room when a voice suddenly called out to him.

The man felt a cold chill and flinched. He turned around and let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the two students- the Arisato twins.

The girl was leaning on the wall, by her side, was her twin.

The man cleared his throat and straightened up his face. "What is it? I'm in a hurry."

"Can we see you in our classroom this Friday? We... have something important to talk about" the female spoke with an eerily sweet smile plastered on her face.

"... Alright" the man replied with hesitation.

Somehow, he felt like they wouldn't take a 'no' for an answer.

He suspiciously eyed the two, though their expressions were pretty hard to read. With a snort, the man turned his back on them and left, leaving the them behind.

Hidetoshi is such a bro =w=

...

.

.

.

... And no, they're not gonna kill him... or throw him in Tartarus... or videotape him doing something outrageous... or scare him out of his wits...

All I could say is, they'll deliver justice, I guess? XD

I'll try to get the Justice-Emperor arc finale out by this week... hopefully...

-I do not own Persona or any of its characters-