Chapter 23: Who is Minako?

7/10/09-Friday

"Minako, care to jog with me tomorrow morning?"

"Of course Akihiko-senpai, I would love to!"

Her reply was enthusiastic, and the boy smiled at her in return. He gave her a final wave before retiring to his room upstairs. With that, her evening activities have concluded.

It was nighttime, aside from the two other boys watching tv on the sofa, there was also Fuuka and Yukari sitting by the lounge; as for Minako, she was already getting ready for bed after having prepared herself a warm glass of milk.

The girls who heard the conversation turned a quick glance to Minako and grinned.

Junpei ignored it with a yawn since it was a usual scene at the dorm by then. Those two have been going on jogs at least once a week. When did it start? No one really noticed- before anyone ever did, it had become a regular routine. Minato, on the other hand, seemed to be quite indifferent about it. This puzzled his friend, after all, the boy has been notorious for doing... questionable things when his sister and another boy was involved. Heck, it almost became a school-wide topic at one point.

"Hey, how come you're not complaining about Akihiko-senpai like you do with Shinjiro-senpai?" Junpei questioned in a hushed voice as he picked up the remote, turning the television off.

"Why? Do you want me to?" he replied somewhat jokingly with an incredibly flat tone, despite that, there was a hint of something frightening in his voice.

"Oh nononono! No way! I'm not gonna endure more of your rants!" Junpei waved his arms in protest. "I'm just saying," he added after calming down a bit, "that... y'know, aren't you being a bit unfair? I mean, I don't get you... I know Shinjiro-senpai is not the type of friend you'd want to introduce to your parents, but he's-" before he finished, Minato suddenly stood up and cut him off.

"It's not that. He's..." he answered again, but ended up trailing off.

"Huh? Then what?" Junpei cocked his head, looking quite curious, "I don't get you, man."

Almost as if he heard nothing, Minato had stood up, and headed up for his room, so his friend followed from behind.

"Hey! Don't leave me hangin'!"

The girls noticed what just happened, though they didn't really hear the contents of the conversation since the boys kept their voices down. In the end, they simply shrugged it off and returned to whatever they were doing.

It was a quiet, uneventful night.

Minako, who was at the kitchen back then, stretched her arms, grabbed her glass of milk, and then plopped herself on the unoccupied sofa at the lounge.

"Where's that remote...?." she mumbled under her breath while she searched for the television's controller.

She wondered how in the world could those two possibly lose that thing in a matter of seconds? It was literally on Junpei's hand just moments ago, and then it went poof. Maybe he'd make a good magician? One that's good at making things disappear, though making them reappear was another story. His room for one was a den of lost things.

She then stuck her hand in between the crevices of the sofa to check, and felt something paper-like not long after. Was it a bill? That would be lucky. Especially if Mitsuru was the one who dropped it, though she doubted that, since she knew very well that her senior was no slob.

Minako pulled her hand out only to find a somewhat worn out envelope. She eyed it, and while it may have looked a bit tattered, it wasn't that old. The girl recalled searching for a loose change in that same sofa around a week back, so the letter being there was definitely recent.

Her eyes widened when she saw the addressee at the back- 'Arisato Minako'.

It was hers...? What was it doing-?

With a gulp, she pulled the letter open.

Dear Minako,

I hope you're fine. I'm sure you are, you have your brother-in-shining-armor, right?

Sorry if that joke made you cringe, I'm just trying to lighten the mood! After all, you must still be pretty confused about suddenly meeting a 'long lost brother' aren't you? It'll pass, I'm sure. As I kept on repeating on my previous letters, I do hope you're getting along with him just as you did when you were children. I know he's quite something to deal with, but I did raise you for at least three or so years, and I know you're a tough young girl!

I'm a bit disappointed that I will not able to see how much you've grown now. Time flew by pretty fast, I wish I could have kept you for the whole ten years... but as you have known, I didn't have the means to raising a young girl at the time. I'm sorry you had to endure having to deal with our other idiotic relatives. They just couldn't see what a nice, obedient, wonderful child you are. I don't regret a single moment I have spent with you.

ps. If you're wondering why you're only receiving these letters now, it's because I made arrangements to have these sent only by April. I totally forgot to mention that before~

Love,
Auntie

Her eyes sparkled after finishing. It was from her aunt! She was her mother's sister, as well as the relative she stayed with the last, right before moving to Iwatodai. Unfortunately, she was bedridden for the past year and passed away about three months before she enrolled in Gekkoukan.

That was actually one of the reasons she decided to enroll there; since the relative who took her in recently passed away, she decided that living in a dorm would help her avoid that experience. She remembered it clearly- how her relatives argued about who will take the child no one wanted. They made it clear that she was a burden to whoever took her in... well, that was, except her aunt.

She shook her head. Reminiscing could be done later. Yes, she was happy to have received a letter from her deceased aunt; it was a nice surprise, though quite sad all the same. However, there was something more troubling- why was the letter there of all places...?

Not only that, but the letter mentioned about previous letters, -'As I kept on repeating on my previous letters'-, so there should be more, right?

Her hand went cold. It was so sudden- a crazy stroke of luck. What were the odds of her sticking her hand in there, only to find a random letter that was a apparently addressed to her? Then again, it was a habit of hers to stick her hand in between the sofa since that was where the remote usually ends up hiding.

"Minako-chan, are you okay?"

-Fuuka called out to her. The softspoken girl most likely noticed her distress.

"Um, hey Fuuka-chan, Yukari-chan, has there been any letter in the mail recently?" somehow, she just ended up going straight to the point.

"Huh? Umm... last I checked," it was Fuuka who replied, "there's were some for Akihiko-senpai, while the rest were just bills and... ads from that shady TV-shopping channel that Minato-san often orders from?"

"That's all? None for me?"

"I try to check the mail whenever we get home from school, but since I usually have club, I don't really get to check as early as I could." Yukari tilted her head, "why do you ask?".

Minako pursed her lips, "ah okay. No reason, it's... nothing. I guess."

"Were you expecting a mail?" Fuuka asked in a soft tone.

"No." she replied quietly, "None at all."

7/11/09-Saturday

The thought of the missing letters still weighed on her mind. Where had they gone to...? What was that letter doing there in the first place? It could have only meant that someone took them, right? But why?

Did it have anything to do with the Dark Hour? No, that couldn't be right... She was supposed to be 'normal'. No one knew that she had the potential. Then, it shouldn't be connected to the Dark Hour, Shadows, or Personas in any way. Maybe the letters just got lost along the way then? No one would take an interest on letters between a girl and her aunt... right?

Yeah. It must be just a misunderstanding. Maybe Junpei found the letter, forgot and dropped it in the sofa? Maybe she really was just overthinking things. But... there were supposed to be more letters, and yet none of them reached her.

Come to think of it, she wasn't even supposed to receive any letters. At least, she didn't receive any letter from her previous reality. What changed that she suddenly got one now...?

"Minako...? Are you alright?"

"H-huh...? Uwah...! S-senpai...!" she jumped back from surprise, "ahaha... I didn't notice that you were here already."

The senior tilted his head in concern, "are you feeling well? You don't really have to force yourself if you don't want to jog. I can go on alone anyway" he forced her a smile.

"No, it's not that! I like jogging with you!" she lowered her head, "I just umm... hey, do you check the mail often?".

"Huh? What's up with that?" he let out a chuckle, "I usually only find troublesome things in there... but yeah, it's mostly junk."

"O-oh."

Well, that meant even Akihiko didn't know about the letters. Though she was quite baffled that he called the mail junk, especially considering that most of them were for him. She could easily imagine those letters being nothing but mindless babbles from his admirers. At that point, she wasn't really sure if she felt sorry for them, or for her upperclassman.

"Well, should we head off?" Akihiko suddenly spoke up, "let's grab a bite at the beef bowl place after this. My treat."

Minako suddenly perked up. She nodded with enthusiasm, "free food is always good~! Let's go!"

"Alright! Race you there then!" the senior pumped his fist.

With that, she started off the jog. She buried the thoughts that bothered her at the back of her mind... for now.

The thought of free breakfast after a morning jog really kept her in a good mood for the rest of the trip. She chatted happily with her senior, talked about school, friends and clubs. Back from the reality she knew, he also talked to her about Shadows and battling, but since he wasn't aware of her nightly activities this time, nor her potential, all they talked about were normal, everyday things.

That was one of the perks she got to experience in her current reality. She never realized before, but enjoying life normally was something she had long forgotten. Despite putting up a face that she was fine and happy, it was all a facade back then. Because she was always moving from one place to another, from one relative to another, she never really had the time to create true bonds. She always made sure back then to make her friendships shallow- that it wouldn't hurt her even if they part ways. The pain of losing someone, just as how she lost her parents, was something she didn't want to experience again. That was how she felt back then... well, that was until after she transferred to Gekkoukan.

At first she tried to keep up that sort of facade, but fighting in Tartarus every night, risking their lives and putting their lives in her hands... well, she wasn't able to distance herself from them. Detaching her emotions from them soon became impossible, and she ended up letting it be. Before she realized it, they became precious to her.

If it wasn't for The Dark Hour, she wouldn't have made true friends, but at the same time, it was also that same thing that took them away from her.

Thinking back about such things was strange. Her original reality, her current reality; come to think of it, she somehow just accepted everything as is after a while. Saying it out loud that she knew of two realities was bizarre... or, maybe she was wrong all along? Maybe it wasn't two realities, but time travel? Maybe she simply traveled back in time? If so, how? Why?

No, that's not right, there was a reason she took out that possibility right off the bat and assumed that her current reality was a separate entity from the one she knew.

Her reason?

Her brother.

It was because of Minato that she didn't assume time travel, but thinking back... it could be possible after all?

Does it even matter if it was time travel or parallel realities though? But then, if it's a parallel universe, then what of her original reality now? Now that she was there, not as a Seal, then what happened to everyone in her original world? They couldn't be...

... 'Keep it together... why are you questioning all of these now...?'

"Food that you don't have to pay for is reaaaally good~!" Minako exclaimed blissfully as she shoveled some into her mouth.

The senior simply chuckled from seeing her expression, "heh. Glad you like it, but I won't lose!"

She continued shoving food in her mouth, though it became quite evident that Akihiko had some ulterior motive with treating her... he had that game face on, as if they were in a contest...? Did he just put her up in an eating contest without knowing? Either way, she didn't want to lose either!

She eyed him while keeping up her own pace. He really was fast, to the point that he barely chewed. Minako worried that he might choke, not to mention, won't that be bad for digestion? If Shinjiro was around, both of them would be in for some scolding.

The thought alone was kind of scary, at the same time amusing. It was funny how she constantly reminded herself of how Shinjiro really was like; that he's kind, caring and a big worrywart, despite his appearance and how he lets on.

Huh. Ever since she received that letter, she kept reminiscing about her other reality. About her fights in Tartarus with SEES, about her relatives, and about her life back then compared to the now.

Even back then while they jogged, her mind kept wandering off. She didn't even remember a word Akihiko told her on the way.

"Wow, you sure could eat" Akihiko stared at her bowl wide-eyed, "looks like Junpei wasn't kidding, huh..."

"Huh? Oh. Yeah" before she realized, her bowl was already empty. She took a peek at his own, and it looked like he was finished eating as well. Whoever won didn't register to her though, since her mind was off somewhere again.

"Oh yeah, could you wait here for a sec?" the senior stood up from his seat, "I just have to freshen up a bit. I'll be back, ok?"

Minako nodded absent-mindedly as she watched him go off on his own. She let out a long sigh, a bit exasperated at how her mind was preoccupied that whole morning.

"Heeeey~ long time no see Arisato~!"

The moment Akihiko disappeared from her sight, two girls suddenly walked up in front of her. The one who spoke was tan-skinned with heavy make up. Her black hair was tied up in a bun. The other was fair-skinned, just a bit taller than her companion. She was also wearing heavy make up, with her blonde hair tied up in a side ponytail.

"We know you've been hanging out with Sanada-senpai yeah~?" the ponytail girl was the one who spoke, "you two aren't going out yeah? So care to introduce us? We're friends, aren't we~?"

Minako blinked. The way she spoke had that irritating tone to it, but more than that...

"Um... have we met?" all she could muster was give them a sheepish smile. She was pretty sure they weren't her classmates. Maybe they were from a different class? Was she that popular? She'd be kidding if she said 'no'. After what she and Minato pulled back there with the cigarette butt incident, and the missing fee incident... well, both of their names became well known throughout Gekkoukan. They even gained the inappropriate (in her opinion) nickname 'Teacher-killers'.

The black-haired girl's face scrunched up, "hey look, I know we didn't get along back in middle school, but there's no need to write us off like that!"

"What? Just cause you're popular now then you can diss us?" the other girl also looked a bit pissed, "we know your dirt y'know. You should be the one begging us!"

Middle school...? Sure she tried her best not to get too close to anyone back then, but even then, she should be able to at least remember someone as... memorable(?) as them.

"Like I said, umm... I don't know you guys...?" suddenly, she sounded unsure herself, though she started to feel uneasy, "what are you even talking about anyway?". The way they said it, it was almost as if she had a dark past... one that involved shouting heroic chants about fighting evil, an uncontrollable power in her right eye and a dangerous being of darkness sealed within her.

... Okay, the last part turned out real, but she was sure she didn't go through that phase.

"You really don't remember?" ponytail didn't look convinced, "It was so creepy. You kept insisting that everyone turned into... what was that again? Dead? And everything is covered in blood or something."

"You even went to the doctor or something. A psychologist from what I heard" the other girl said as a matter-of-factly, "it was even the talk of the school. After that, you transferred out!"

Minako was left speechless from what she had just heard. Psychologist? 'Covered in blood'? That sure sounded like the Dark Hour but... everything she heard definitely did not happen to her. She never visited a psychologist as far as she had remembered, nor did she ever talk about the Dark Hour before setting foot in Gekkoukan.

After her parents died, she was taken in by her uncle, her mother's brother. Her aunt wanted to take her in back then, but her uncle was more financially capable. After that, she was passed around from one relative to another, and treated like a baggage by each one. The last she stayed with was her aunt... and then she became a member of SEES, fought in the Dark Hour before finally sacrificing her...

Was that it though? Were all that real?

"Hey? What wrong with you? You're starting to look like how you did back then ahaha~"

"She must be scared about us revealing her secret, yeah~?"

She didn't really hear what they were saying. Her mind was going blank- was everything she knew a lie? No, that can't be right, she's been using those memories to guide her actions. The Lovers was there at the love hotel- that was on point. While things didn't happen as she remembered it, The Priestess also hi-jacked the monorail, and The Magician attacked on the same night, the same place she remembered. They were real. They can only be real.

... Right?

"Hey, Minako I'm back-" Akihiko called out to her, though the smile on his face was immediately replaced by worry the moment he saw her face, "...are you okay?"

She lifted her head, but before she managed to reply, the two girls surrounded the boy.

"Akihiko-senpai! Glad to see you here! This must be fate, yeah~?"

"Oh my gosh, what a coincidence to see you here!"

Akihiko blinked, "um, can you get out of the way, please? I can't get to my table."

The two girls' faces went red and immediately exited the place. They were definitely embarrassed by his comment...

The senior scratched his nape, with an oblivious look on his face, "huh. What's wrong with those two?"

"Senpai, that was harsh..." she chuckled lightly. Somehow, that lifted her mood, even by a bit. She felt mean for feeling that way though, but the feeling's good all the same.

"Were they friends of yours?"

"..." she didn't manage to make a reply to that. They definitely weren't, and she definitely did not know them... but...

"Oh yeah, I already paid, so let's get going."

"... Okay."

She stood up and followed the senior outside. Just then, he stopped on his tracks and faced her.

"Is something bothering you...? Your mind's been wandering since this morning." he looked awkward as he asked the question, though the worry from his voice was quite clear.

"Huh. Oh, so you noticed? Ahaha... ha..." her eyes fell on the ground. It wasn't like she could talk to him openly about it.

"Of course I would" he casually took her hand into his, "if anything's bothering you, feel free to tell me. Remember, I'll always be on your side, no matter what!"

The warmth of his hands reminded her of the times he comforted her. Those moments she knew- were definitely real.

"I..." she shook her head, "it's nothing! I just remembered some things and ended up doubting myself, I guess ahaha..."

"Is that so? I don't really get it, but I guess it's not something you wanna talk about, huh?"

Bullseye. Since when did he become so perceptive? She pursed her lips.

"Well I'm not gonna force you to talk, but in my opinion, if you're having doubts, there's no use thinking about it right? You gotta act on it cause thinking and worrying about it won't solve anything!"

"..." Minako blinked, "Senpai..."

Akihiko gave her a warm smile and a good pat at the back, "if it's you, I know you can do it."

"Yeah... yeah, I guess you're right. Worrying won't solve anything! Wow, you're a genius, thanks!" she gave him a teasing nudge.

"Uhm, yeah. Glad I could help...?" he looked a bit flustered from her reaction, though he seemed quite pleased that he had somehow helped her.

He was right. Worrying and thinking about it wouldn't do her good. Instead, she should act and try to learn what was going on. She felt her resolve tempered once more. Why was she back? Where did the letter come from? Where were the other letters? And most importantly...

'Who is Minako?'

*Ahem*...

Wow, I haven't updated in two years? Really? Aha... ha... Sorry ORZ. I believe I already mentioned the reason for the delay in the previous chapters- deleted files and all that. Heck, this one was already finished before- just got completely deleted... that and some other reasons.

I'm surprised people still read this though? I'm curious how people even still manage to find this even without the updates... Oh and looks like this somehow hit 100 reviews 8D

That said, it's 2018, so I figured this would make a nice New Year's gift? So yes, have a chapter, and with that, as I've mentioned before, we will be entering one of the longest (I think?) arcs of this fic. FINALLY. HAHAHA.

...

Okay, I have some good news and some... *sigh* bad news.

Good news is... next chapter will be out next year!

...Jk. No, the real good news is- until chapter 26, we'll be having a weekly release! Yup, I'll be releasing chapters every Monday, until chapter 26. Counting this one, that's four chapters in one year! Kind of record-breaking for my pathetic releases for the past two? three? years ^^"

For the bad news- it ends there. Er- no, not the fic, the regular releases, I mean. I've barely written anything beyond that is why so... idk when I could release the next one, but heeeey, I promise chapter 27 will come.

On the side note- to those who offered to be a Beta-reader, are your offers still up? I'm kind of iffy to PM when I haven't updated in two years T_T

So yes, I still need a Beta-reader. Don't worry, you don't have to be super good with grammar or something, I just need spelling checks and maybe second opinions about the chapter, also maybe if I got the characterization?

Now, let's talk Persona 5... have you finished yours already? I'm on my second playthrough cause I didn't max a lot of confidants. Hey, you gotta just enjoy the first playthrough, right? I'm on the third palace right now, I think. I haven't continued yet cause I've been playing Pokemon Ultra Moon, and I also still got a whole lot of backlogged games... They haven't released any new info on PQ2, but I'm super hyped for that. I really loved PQ, so I'm looking forward for PQ2~

Lemo- It feels awesome if you put it that way XD Makes me want to do a P5 crossover =w=

Axoire- Aaaww thanks ;v;

AND THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO REVIEWED. SERIOUSLY, THANKS!