Monday, March 19th, 2010, Iwatodai Dorm
Today was a day Mitsuru met up everyone in S.E.E.S in the dorm. Thankfully, Ken was nearing the end of the semester, and both Akihiko and Mitsuru had passed their university entrance exams. So, they had a lot of time to investigate about the Abyss of Times and Velvet Room in their personal trips.
Akihiko, Aigis and Yukari sat on a sofa while waiting Mitsuru and the others. Akihiko couldn't currently figure out how to draw power from Persona Fusion from a tome. He had tried many times, but he always failed.
Yukari seemed to be blank about Persona Fusion, same as Akihiko…What did she really means "making everyone can swap their Persona? She thought.
The only clue they had was about the strange incidents that had occurred in Sumaru City ten years prior.
Two days earlier…
Mitsuru had already contacted everyone in S.E.E.S. about the Abyss of Time they had discovered. Despite knowing its purpose and cause, they still hadn't found a way to rescue her from that place.
But Mitsuru told them something, making everyone relighted their hope again.
She sent her agents to investigate reports of incidents in Sumaru City. They informed her that they had come across a rumor about weird rumors and some Persona users being there. They believed it was worth investigating or maybe knew something about the Velvet Room.
Mitsuru called up with Akihiko, asking him to join this trip as well.
"Sumaru? Are you sure your intelligence agency is correct?" Akihiko questioned.
"I have sent many agents in there. I heard Nanjo-san also used to be there too. I don't know why he went in that city." Mitsuru said.
Akihiko expressed his seriousness about Mitsuru's report. "What about the others? Did they agree into this?"
"Shinjiro and I will definitely join this investigation as well, Everyone in S.E.E.S seemed to agree with this, without doubt." Mitsuru confidently said.
"And…What about you, Akihiko? Will…you join us?" Mitsuru requested Akihiko with a low tone, feeling worried about Akihiko.
"I…I'm not sure." Akihiko miserably said, his uncertainty clearly expressed.
"Akihiko... Don't tell me you still believe that you're not worthy of her power?" Mitsuru asked, her concern deepening for Akihiko.
Akihiko rubbed his head in frustration and bit his lips. "Of course I'm frustrated! How can I help Minako if I'm still being useless? She gives me this power and entrusted in me. But I've failed so many times.."
Mitsuru fell silent for a while before speaking about something to make him calm down.
"Akihiko, I know it might be hard for you to be apart from her like this, but it's the only way we can do. At least, this trip might give you some relaxation, or perhaps even lead to finding more about the Velvet Room, don't you agree?" Mitsuru reasoned.
"Mitsuru... Sigh..." Akihiko loudly sighed in response.
He considered for a long time before answering his answer. "Fine! I'll go."
Mitsuru expressed her smile on her face. "Very well, I'll meet you up at the dorm as always."
They decided to went investigation about a rumor in Sumaru city on March 19th.
At Present…
"It seemed they aren't still coming yet." Aigis said.
"Argh! When will she come here? She ain't never been so late." Akihiko grumbled.
"Calm down! senpai. I know you want to help her. But we still have a time. Just wait here." Yukari reassured.
Yukari looked around, the others still seemed to be absent as well. She wondered…where're they going?, she thought.
Not long after, Junpei and Fuuka returned to the dorm. They seemed to be the first group to arrive.
"Junpei! Why are you so late? We have looking over for you!" Yukari expressed her grumpy face, feeling frustrated.
Yukari suddenly looked at his stuffs. She saw suitcase, a ton of snack and some clothes. She covered her mouth with thrilled.
"Oh wow, Junpei! what are these stuffs? It's just like you're being tourist or something. *giggle*" Yukari loudly giggled, feeling relaxed.
"Well…Yukari-chan. We never have been Sumaru before and we're not sure how long we'll stay there, I decided to buy a lot of stuffs with Junpei-kun… Isn't that fun?" Fuuka said cheerfully.
"Yeah yeah! Fuuka-chan is right, Yuka-tan. I heard there're beach and a lot of women over there too… Hehehe!..." Junpei chimed in creepy, small laugh, making Yukari feel a little uncomfortable.
Yukari gazed at Junpei aggressively "And I hope Chidori would not know about this, or should I tell her?"
"Of.. Of course! I'm kidding! I love only Chidori, only one… Hmph… Yuka-tan, you ain't got a sense of humor at all." Junpei playfully teased Yukari, hiding his own feeling of fear.
Yukari rubbed her head, feeling a little disappointed in Junpei. She seemed to be okay about Junpei for a little bit after knowing it was just a joke. Fuuka also felt bored by Junpei's joke.
"And besides, I invited her to join us as well," he said, blushing on his cheeks. However, it seemed like the others were shocked to hear that Chidori would be joining them as well.
"Wait! Did Mitsuru know about this?" Akihiko asked.
"Mitsuru-senpai said she doesn't mind about it all."
Junpei walked and looked through the windows, observing the sunlight peacefully.
"Chidori began to remember it all. This will be a long trip for both of us." Junpei said, reminiscing about their moment.
"Junpei-kun..." Fuuka said, her tone filled with delight.
Yukari cold only stared at Junpei with a happy smile on her face.
"I'm glad he finally found a happiness in his life."
A brief moment later, the others, including Mitsuru returned to the dorm with a lot of stuff. Akihiko looked at them and making him shocked.
Food, clothes, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen—everything was packed into her large baggage. He looked the other luggage, nothing different as well.
Akihiko's eyes were filled with complete bewilderment and confusion.
"Eh?! Mitsuru…. Aren't we gonna supposed to investigate with more discreetly? This feels more like traveling for relaxation!" Akihiko exclaimed, feeling bizarre.
"Of course, we'll investigate the clue too, but we should also have some free time for ourselves. Don't you think it will be fun? *giggle*" Mitsuru said cheerfully, a smile playing on her lips.
"I hope this trip will help you calm down a little bit, Aki. I'm the one who suggested this trip with her." Shinjiro said.
"You two…" Akihiko trailed off, not knowing to express his feeling to them.
Both of them helped Akihiko regaining his confidence. No matter how much they tried to annoy him, they always remained his best friends.
Akihiko couldn't directly express his feelings, only smiled to them happily.ส่วนบนของฟอร์ม
Ken, Chidori and Koromaru approached near him.
"It's good to see you again, Sanada-san." Ken waved his left hand to Akihiko. He seemed to nod back to him as well.
*bark* *bark* Koromaru walked near Akihiko, waiting for his rub. Akihiko seemed happy to do so.
Chidori wore her while gothic lolita clothes and her black headband with white ribbon and fake daggers as usual.
"Junpei told me I will be invited into this trip too, Isn't it correct, Kirijo-san?" Chidori questioned to Mitsuru.
"Yes, Iori had already informed to me. You can join us." Mitsuru answered.
"I see. Thank you for inviting me, then."
Chidori sat on the sofa, watching the yellow flowers in the vase with genuine care.
"It feels strange to be here... with an enemy... Hehe... When I was dying from helping Junpei against Death, I thought I would be dead for sure. Watching life grow from inside of him... But it turned out I'm alive, with no memories... And now, they've come back to me, even if not all of them." Chidori described, feeling thrilling.
She stood up, slowly walked over to them, gazed at those flowers, and picking it up with nurturing care.
"Sigh….. It must be…. a miracle that Arisato-san has performed. I'm happy to be with you again, Junpei." She said, staring back to Junpei with a beautiful smile.
"Chidori…" Junpei stared at Chidori, feeling reassuring to see her alive and began to remember all.
"I hope she'll okay." Chidori spoke up with worry.
Ken interrupted her and walking near her.
"It would be all right, Chidori-san. Minako-san is stronger than us here. I'm sure she can find her way out." Ken smilingly said.
"*giggle* You may be right." Chidori said with a small giggle.
Mitsuru stood up and glanced around everyone in the dorm. "I think we have a little chitchat enough. We should proceed into our car already."
"Your car? Does it have enough space for more people to get in?" Fuuka said.
"You'll see it by yourself. Come on." Mitsuru bluntly said and inviting the others to get in the car.
Everyone in the dorm looked at each other and expressed their own uncertainty…they wondered what kind of car they would be getting into.
They picked up their own stuff and exited the dorm. As they stepped outside, they looked astonished at what lay in front of them... They saw a large RV in front of them. a white, modern vehicle unlike any they had ever seen before.
"Well… How about that, everyone? Do you like this car?" Mitsuru questioned.
"This car! Don't tell me we'll actually get into this car? That's friggin' awesome!" Junpei lively burst his feeling toward a new RV.
"Oh wow! It's totally new to me, Junpei... Are we actually going to ride this?" Chidori exclaimed, feeling surprised.
"It's huge, and those doors are expensive too! This is amazing, Mitsuru-senpai." Yukari praised the new RV.
Mitsuru began to describe about a new RV she had brought.
"This is a 2010 American Coach. Inside of this RV, there's a small living room, a small bathroom, a minimal kitchen, and a lot of other features that I can't explain all of that..." Mitsuru trailed off.
"Huh! So this is the first time you've bought an RV, and you didn't even check it before coming here..." Akihiko said curiously.
"I'm the one I chose this car, not her." Shinjiro said, gazing at Mitsuru.
Mitsuru blushed, her cheeks turning red before she shyly looked away.
"Ah... Anyways, we should put our bags in the storage compartments at the bottom of the RV. Aigis, please help everyone carry their bags."
"Yes, Mitsuru-san" Aigis bowed, volunteering herself.
The others put their luggage into the storage compartments until they were finished.ส่วนบนของฟอร์ม
"Should we go inside? I can't wait to see the inside of this RV." Fuuka said excitedly, eager to see what it was contained.
"Yeah me either, this is the first time we've been in an expensive car like this. I'm super excited!" Yukari exclaimed, more excited than everyone else present here.
"Look who's talking…" Junpei funnily teased Yukari.
"Stop your stupid teasing already, Chidori's watching you!" Yukari irritably shouted.
Junpei stared back at Chidori with a hint of stress, but Chidori shook her head, indicating that she didn't mind Junpei's joke at all. He was quite relieved.
But Akihiko remained silent, lost in thought about Minako for a while.
Everyone decided to enter the RV. Inside, they found everything to be fancy and luxurious: a modern kitchen, washing machine, several sofas, a bathroom, and multiple bedrooms. It seemed like everything they could want was right here. Not to mention, it had a security camera on the exterior of the vehicle. Everything was truly comfortable.
"Oh wow! I never thought I'll sit on this luxury RV! Everything is truly fancy!" Yukari extremely shocked.
"We've already visited Kirijo-senpai's villas at Yakushima, but I admit this is beyond anything we've seen…." Fuuka said, standing stiffly, bewildered.
Shinjiro began to explain every detail about American Coach's RV.
"Where we're sitting now is the living room. You can use these sofas for sleeping if you want. The bathroom is located to the left of this RV. I've already stocked the small fridge with plenty of soft drinks, bottled water, and wines there, so feel free to pick out whatever you like. About foods, it's in the large fridge over there."
"Thank you, Aragaki-san." Ken bowed to Shinjiro.
"No problem." Shinjiro remained cool but slipped out of his smile.
"Anyways, who's our driver?" Chidori asked.
"It's Saikawa-san, her full name is Kikuno Saikawa. She's Mitsuru-san's personal maid and childhood friend. She'll be our driver for the entire trip," Aigis said.
"That's awesome! I'm glad we don't need to ride it by ourselves, I ain't have my own license." Junpei funnily said.
"Me either." Yukari said.
"Wrf! Wrf!" Koromaru seem to hungry, staring at Shinjiro.
"You're hungry, Koro-chan? I'll make a food for you." Shinjiro said, rubbed Koromaru's forehead.
While everyone else seemed excited about the new RV, Akihiko couldn't enjoy it like the others. His mind was filled with nervousness and stress, consumed by his thoughts of helping Minako.
Mitsuru noticed and gently patted his shoulder in a reassuring gesture.ส่วนบนของฟอร์ม
"It'll be all right, Akihiko. We'll get this through together."
"Mitsuru…Um…You're right. I shouldn't be serious by now." Akihiko heard Mitsuru's word, beginning to calm down.
"I have already contacted with Nanjo-san earlier. We'll meet him at Parabellum." Mitsuru said.
"I guess it's the only thing we can do…" Akihiko said.
Suddenly, someone's voice shouted from the speaker.
"Everyone, we'll begin our travel to Sumaru city, please take your seat and fasten your seat belt."
It's Kikuno's voice, she announced like a flight attendant.
Everyone heard Kikuno's announcement and began to sit on sofa and fasten their belt.
"Hehe… Everyone seemed to have taken their own seat, we should too. They're still one left over there." Mitsuru said, pointing her finger towards a vacant seat.
"I'll sit with Shinjiro. Are you sure you want to sit alone?"
"I'm always like this as usual, don't worry." Akihiko answered.
"Okay."
Both of them slowly sat their own seat and fasten a belt.
"Everyone, is everything okay?" Kikuno loudly questioned.
"Yeah! loud and clear! Everyone's in their seats right now." Akihiko responded.
"Very well. Then I'll start the engine now, Be ready."
*Vroom! * The engine began to start, car wheels slowly moving. Their trip to Sumaru City began.
Wednesday, March 31st ,2010, Abyss of Times
Minako and the others returned tiredly from the Desert of Doors. They gathered in the dorm to begin planning their next move.
They found three doors leading to potential clues, but nothing came to mind. The two memories they had seen through the doors didn't make sense to them. One depicted Ken's past, which was painful, but this time it was entirely normal.
But the only thing certain to them was that all of these pasts they had seen must be connected to them at some point.
Everyone in the dorm sat on the sofa, the room consumed by silence.
Minako quietly looked around the dorm. They seemed confused about witnessing their past again. She quickly stood up and began searching a desk nearby.
Aigis seriously gazed Minako with curiosity.
"Minako-san, what are you doing? You've been looking around for a while. Do you need something?"
"It's nothing. I just want to find a desk to perform the Persona Fusion ritual." Minako calmly relied.
Minako walked and finally found a desk she sought.
"Here I go..." She took her tome, put out her left hand in front of her, and began to cast a spell within her mind.
*Flap-flap! * All blue butterflies rushed out from her tome, and some blue dust from butterflies attached to the surface of the table, creating a blue magic circle like in the Velvet Room.
The room now was emitted with blue aura and butterflies, flying about magic circle. Everyone in the room instantly flinched and was shocked.
"Huh!...Eh…" Yukari remained silent, her expression showing signs of panic.
"What the hell just happened? That desk became more glowing blue light. And what the hella with that sign!" Junpei anxiously said, feeling panic.
"Don't worry, she just turned the desk into a temporary Persona Fusion spot." Metis calmly said.
Everyone seemed calm down and understood, except Akihiko, quietly began to suspect Metis again regarding her knowledge of Persona Fusion. He kept his doubted in his mind.
Mitsuru noticed something around the magic circle. It resembled the dust they used in Shadow experiments.
"Hey… These dusts, don't you think they're familiar to us?" Mitsuru questioned.
"Huh? Whaddaya mean?" Akihiko asked back.
The others stared at the dusts intently, seeing them as Mitsuru had described.
"Now you mention it, I feel like I have seen them before. But where?" Fuuka ruminated.
The others tried to think about the reason they felt familiar with these dusts but couldn't figure it out. Even Metis couldn't help them.
Minako glanced at them for a while, then shook her head, feeling bored when they didn't seem to know about it.
She picked up some dust with her right hand and slowly walked over, showing the dust to them.
"These are Plume of Dusk. A matter that came from Nyx's body… Of course I'm referring to myself too. Are you sure you never see this, Mitsuru?" Minako coldly said.
Mitsuru began to realize something but not came to her mind yet… She felt she forgot something was certainly important. She stood up and checking some documents she found. It's a report to Ikutsuki, a traitor of S.E.E.S.
This is the scientific report for you, Mister Ikutsuki. We have collected all the Plumes of dust as you ordered and have begun our experiments. It seemed our Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, can be activated as you predicted. These dusts contain an immense power to manipulate space time and allowed Our weapons have a psychic and gained Persona at the same time. This is marvelous. If we can manipulate the nature itself, we can bend those power at our will. If anything, new, I'll report to you immediately.
Mitsuru finally remembered the forgotten accident: she had suddenly fallen asleep from sleeping pills in her food and was knocked out without realizing it.
She realized that the reason her vehicles and Evoker could be used during the Dark Hour was because they were powered by the Plumes of Dusk. Aigis also had it inside her body, allowing her to activate her Persona like a normal person and gained her human personality.
Minako's expression lit up, relieved to see Mitsuru beginning to understand everything.
"Don't tell me all of this-"
Minako nodded "That's right. All of these dusts were used during the production experiments. That's why you're able to use weapons and the Evoker during the Dark Hour in the first place."
She gazed at Aigis seriously "And all Anti-Shadow Suppression We-…I mean an android like Aigis also contain Plume of dusk inside of them as well. So, they can act like human and activate their own Persona as command."
Everyone in the dorm fell into completely silence. They knew the truth about their Evoker… They didn't want to recall painful memories about Shadows experiment, especially Yukari who was hit by incident the most.
"If you don't mind, Aigis, could you come here to check your condition?" Minako asked.
"Yes I'm here." Aigis said, walked near a chair, waiting for Persona Fusion.
Minako and Agis isolated themselves to do their own fusion while everyone looked each other with nervously looks.
"She really knew about this, isn't she?" Yukari said.
"What do you mean, Yukari?" Mitsuru questioned.
"It's not that I suspect her because she's Nyx or something... But I think she has her own reasons for being on this side. Don't you guys think the same? Especially when she said she was warped here." Yukari noted.
Their expression darkened but remained cool.
Akihiko defended Minako from Yukari's words.
"If we hadn't received help from her, we would probably have died here without a chance to survive. Especially when I knew she's my girlfriend in her worlds, I'm even more eager to help her." Akihiko insisted.
"Me too. Minako-san could have killed us easier than Metis, but she hasn't done anything to harm us. She even seems to know a lot about us very well. I trust her." Ken supported Akihiko's thought.
Koromaru seemed loyalty to Minako as well.
Yukari could only let out a deep sigh, knowing his intention behind helping Minako.
"Dude... If she's Nyx... do you guys think how old she is?" Junpei asked, being sassy.
Fuuka expressed frustration and bit her lips upon hearing Junpei's question.
"Hey! You'll really ask her that question, Junpei-kun? That's totally rude for a girl!"
"Fuuka-chan! I…I just curious about that. You know…during prehistoric-"
Junpei was being interrupted by someone's voice from afar.
"…. It was eons ago. With normal times, probably more than billion years old or something. I can't remember that much. Satisfied yet?" Minako's voice held a tinge of sarcasm.
"Ow! You actually hear it from there, Mina-tan?" Junpei asked.
"Of course I must hear you, Junpei. You spoke too loudly. And you just created a new nickname for me? Well, thanks." Minako grumbled.
"Yes…ma'am. Sorry." Junpei panicked.
Minako and Aigis continued performing their Persona Fusion, while the room filled with silence and darkened. Everyone watched them with worry, observing the tarot cards piercing through Aigis's head every time.
They finished their own business and sat with the others.
"I'm sorry to worry you all." Aigis said.
"Is that…Persona Fusion processes?" Mitsuru curiously questioned.
Minako couldn't express her feelings, she quietly nodded to Mitsuru. She knew that Aigis wouldn't stop being hurt like this if their journey didn't end. Every was consumed by silence once again.
Aigis grabbed Minako's right hand and held for a second. "It's all right, Minako-san. I can endure my pain to find a reason we've been trapped here. I'll continued this journey until the end."
"Aigis/Sister…" Minako and Metis sadly said at the same time.
"So, what're we gonna do?" Ken asked.
"We'll proceed to the fourth door. After that, we should have a long sleep for the rest of next investigation." Agis suggested.
"We didn't get any sleep during that attack incident. I too, want to sleep to full recovery." Mitsuru said.
"Yeah, I feel sleepy for a while…*Yawn…*" Yukari yawned.
Everyone in the dorm began sleepy from investigating the Desert of Doors without getting a full rest.
"Then, we should enter the fourth door and end it quickly." Fuuka said.
Everyone nodded and proceeded to the Desert of Times immediately.
Abyss of Times, Antenora
They entered the fourth door. These structure and floors were still the same, expect this time, it was just like ancient ruin.
They were not hesitated to explore all around the first floor.
"After this door, it'll be the same… Probably it's their pattern." Minako speculated in her mind.
Fuuka began scanning all floors with Minako but this time, they detected something. It's the black figure they have faced countless times.
"It seemed this time it has 25 floors we must go below. About bosses…It's more than the past round." Minako said.
"More than that, we…we found the black figure!" Fuuka shouted.
The others panicked and wondering about the black figure's motive… They saw it for many times but didn't fight them by itself. Instead, it kept sending those Shadows to attack them.
Metis calmly noticed their expression. "I think we don't need to think about that for a while. We come here to see that reason, isn't it?"
Minako glanced around, noticing that most of them were silent without reason. Even Yukari and Junpei tried to avoid eye contact with her.
Aigis casually walked near her. "It's all right, Minako-san. They might be a little too tired. Just keep doing our things as usual."
"A-..Um.." Minako uncertainly relied. She couldn't stop looking at them with worry.
They fought minor Shadows along their way, empowered by Persona Fusion. Aigis could just only summon Black Frost with additional skill sets, eliminating all Shadows thanks to Minako.
Everyone was impressed by Aigis's increased strength with Minako's assistance, but Yukari seemed not to trust her immediately since she knew about Minako's true nature.
On the 8th floor, Minako found herself alone with Mitsuru while searching the area. They both had questions they wanted to ask each other.
Their face expressed anxiety, with a hint of shyness evident in their blushing cheeks.
"Um…Minako?"
It's Mitsuru who asked first.
"Oh! Mitsuru? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Minako asked Mitsuru's feeling.
"No, it's nothing. It's just…" Mitsuru shyly said.
Minako raised her eyebrows about Mitsuru's reaction. Mitsuru-senpai she knew never acting weird like this before if that incident was actually not awkward.
"You know what? It's still strange to me when I don't say that honorific word. I…I'm not used to it that much… I think I should return to my own usual." Minako calmly said.
"Hehe..." Mitsuru nervously laughed before meeting Minako's eyes quietly.
"Minako… What do you think about Akihiko? I already seen him as a comrade, as my best friend but you're his girlfriend, I want to hear your opinion…Err.. I mean… Hm… Augh! It's too embarrassed to say it straight!" Mitsuru asked, feeling extremely blushed.
"Oh! You mean my thought about Akihiko, right? So that's why you're being shy…Hm…How should I say?" Minako ponded over her thought about Akihiko in her first impression.
"At first, I thought he's cool, strong, passionate, never surrender to unnecessary thought like having a girlfriend or activity he's not interested, but…"
Minako uncertainly spoke up further, turning her expression darkened.
"He was quite suffering from his loss…his sister, Miki…You knew that, right?"
Mitsuru could only sadly bend her head down toward Akihiko's loss. When she watched his past in the Abyss of Times, she relieved that he accepted her proposal. If not, he wouldn't have his own motivation to live on and standing with the others or worse… Drowning in his guilt for the rest of his life….. like Shinjiro.
"True. He tried to be strong so he can protect everyone. I can see that from his view." Mitsuru nodded.
"But seriously, I always get a headache from him when he acts childish about something he doesn't know. About a woman… I'm speechless. Hehe.." Minako teased.
Like A Dream Come True
They both suddenly laughed loudly together.
"Hahaha! Minako, you had no idea he always gives me a trouble. I have been executed him and Shinjiro many times for their hot-head and stupidity. Like peeping in the hot spring." Mitsuru chuckled loudly, though Minako felt a happy smile spread across her face.
"Minako?" Mitsuru asked.
"Oh! Sorry. I just think about peeping." Minako causally said.
Minako wanted to inquire more about Kyoto's trip from Mitsuru. Maybe they faced the same accident.
"What happened during that Kyoto's trip, really?"
"So, you got a trip to Kyoto too, huh? Then, you maybe already knew that incident." Mitsuru said.
"Tell your own story first." Minako asked Minako to speak first.
"If that's your request…Here we go."
Mitsuru glanced around their places before knowing no one, especially Akihiko and Junpei around. She decided to talk about Kyoto's hot springs incident.
"Well... We went to the hot spring, according to the hotel's schedule. That time was reserved for the girls. But while we were soaking in the hot springs, we heard a sound, like something falling into the water. Moreover, Yukari heard a human voice too!"
Minako quietly listened to Mitsuru's story while her sweat slowly came out, noticing her increasingly frustrated expression as she spoke.
"We followed that sound and split up to investigate, and we... FOUND THEM BEHIND THE ROCK! I unleashed an ice spell that I'm rather proud of. I froze them and left them like that." Mitsuru angrily said, biting her lips in frustration.
Minako remained calm, suspecting that it was Junpei, Akihiko, and Ryoji for sure. She thought that Minato might have been involved in the incident with reluctance. She felt pity to them.
"So, he's actually confessing the truth then." Minako interrupted.
"Wait... you just let them escape? Just why? They're purely irresponsible, especially towards us as women, you know!" Mitsuru shocked, exclaimed irritated.
Minako defended Akihiko's action. "He's my boyfriend! I know he wouldn't do this to me if it was actually an accident. He just confessed to me later after we came back from Kyoto, so I didn't tell anyone about that."
Minako spoke up further to Akihiko's confession.
"When I checked the time schedule, it matched exactly with what Aki told me… The truth is…Well.. it would've been nice if I go into the hot springs with him…alone." Minako said, flushing over her cheek.
Mitsuru shook her head, observing Minako's careless defense of Akihiko and her own desires. But Minako noticed her ill expression and suddenly defended herself.
"Hey! That's not what I love him. Don't elude yourself with such an ill thought!" Minako angrily shouted, looking down upon Mitsuru, making her quietly stopped her action with fear.
Minako deeply sighed and continued her speaking.
"About Akihiko... He's purely kind and gentle to everyone. He cares for everyone like they're his brothers and sisters. He's a reliable Persona user and as strong as he looks. He holds his burden without telling everyone." Minako noted.
"I agree." Mitsuru said.
"But in every other aspect... He acts like a child! You heard what I said in the dorm, right?" Minako said, her tone bored.
Mitsuru tried to snicker, but she completely loudly laughed all of it.
"*chuckle* I can't deny that part either. He always lacks a confidence when facing a woman, always blurting out weird sentences that make them feel super awkward." Mitsuru chuckled, holding her stomach.
"And you know what? When he asked me why he was acting weird, being awkward around me, I'm the one who told him he was falling in love with me. Oh my god! He didn't even acknowledge his own feelings inside, how the hell could I say about that! It's too awkward and embarrassing. He felt his feeling too late!" Minako huffed, covering her face with embarrassment.
Mitsuru felt pity toward Minako.
"That's why I was still hesitant to date with him or something like that. I tried to find way to like him some way, but I could only see him as a friend. He's too idiot to make a love." Mitsuru grumbled.
They both lay their heads down with disappointed faces, glancing towards Akihiko before realizing they had wasted time just chatting and Akihiko was not there. They quickly rushed to catch up with their teammates without hesitation.
On the 10th floor, Aigis and the others had already defeated all the Shadow bosses before Mitsuru and Minako arrived, leaving them curious about their absence.
"Where are both of you going? We already defeated those Shadows!" Fuuka asked with worry.
"Um…Well.." Minako couldn't put herself, feeling uncomfortable. She remained silent.
"Anything to say?" Akihiko seriously asked.
"Sorry, we just chatted quite a bit too long..." Mitsuru said, a hint of shyness in her tone.
The others were being surprised by Mitsuru's shyness.
"Oh my god! Kirijo-senpai is being shy. That's totally rare. Could I-" Junpei teased.
"Would I mind if I will execute you first, Iori?" Mitsuru hollowly said toward Junpei.
"No no no! Please…Don't!" Junpei panicked, preparing to dodge her attack.
"O-Oh man! You make her mad again, Stupei!" Yukari teased.
Everyone loudly chuckled at Junpei's stupidity. Minako seemed surprised to see them defeat all those Shadows quite easily.
"Thanks to you, Minako-san. Now I am strong enough to protect everyone." Aigis said, bowing to Minako.
"No, it's because of your effort to help everyone, that you've come this far, Aigis. It's your own strength." Minako praised Aigis sincerely.
"Thank you, Minako-san." Aigis thanked.
"My sister's ability is so impressive. She can take them all on by herself." Metis said.
"Aigis-san is getting used to her awakening power." Ken said with a hidden smile.
*bark* *bark* Koromaru barked, seemed to agree with Ken.
"Tck!"
Yukari seemed unwilling to be pleased about Aigis at all. Minako noticed her jealousy through her looks and eyebrows.
"Anyways, we should hurry to the final floor. The last boss of this floor is waiting for us on the 20th floor," Fuuka reported.
"Then, everyone, quicken your pace and rush to the last floor immediately!" Mitsuru ordered.
Everyone nodded and rushed with their fastest speed as fast as possible.
At 20th floor, Shadow bosses was waiting for them. Fuuka could sense the black figure but it ran away as usual.
Fuuka instantly scanned them without a delay.
"3 enemies! They have separated weakness! Shadow Books is weak to fire. Shadow Tiara is weak to ice and Shadow Idol is weak to electricity. They have none evade passive skill. You can all-in into them." Fuuka reported.
Mitsuru began commanding and assigning roles to everyone.
"Iori, Ken and Koromaru, focus on the Shadow Book."
"Roger!" Junpei responded.
"I'll act as healer then" Ken said.
"Ruff!" Koromaru barked, understanding his role, and walking near Junpei.
"Metis, Aigis, and I will focus on the Shadow Tiara," Mitsuru said firmly.
"Yes!" Metis and Aigis replied in unison.
"And the rest, dealing with the Shadow Idol!" Mitsuru lastly ordered.
"Um…" Minako nodded.
"Leave it to me!" Yukari responded confidently.
"I'll deal with that weakness." Akihiko said assertively.
They all took their positions, spreading out for the attack.
Junpei and Koromaru searched for a weak spot to attack, but none had left themselves wide open.
"Then, I'll distract it first. You two, waiting for casting fire spell." Ken volunteered.
"Okay!" Junpei relied.
"Wrf!" Koromaru barked, nodded.
"Come, Kala-Nemi!" Ken summoned his Persona, casting Ziodyne to distract toward to him. It slowly walked into him nearly. It left a weak spot!
"Persona/ Woof!" They both summoned their Personas, firing Agidyne into Shadow Book. It knocked down and ready to be attacked.
"Come Koromaru!" Junpei said.
"Wrf!" Koromaru barked firmly.
Koromaru sliced the book with his knife while Junpei slashed through its stomach. It slowly to be disappeared.
"Ugh…ugh.." Junpei insanely tired, same as Koromaru.
"It looks like…. easier than before." Ken said.
At the other side, Shadow Tiara was being freezing by spamming from Mitsuru's ice spell and being crushed by Psychic, Metis's Persona and Aigis finished her jobs by Black Frost, casting another Bufudyne to it, smashing them into the wall with Titan's sword. While Akihiko's side, they had already finished their task faster than the others, thanks to immense power form Minako for stomping with wind spell without mercy. Both of them was still impressed about Minako's power.
They quickly passing through Shadows and finally reached to the final floors swiftly.
The others were extremely tired, including Metis, except for Minako, who couldn't feel any pain or fatigue at all. Minako began to sense that she had already lost her awareness of pain within her body, feeling scared she might lose some part of humanity.
The others saw Minako standing up as if she were enduring through it all, and began to worry about her, especially Akihiko and Aigis, who were the most concerned for her.
"Minako-san!" Aigis shouted but Minako didn't rely back to her.
"Minako.. Hey! Minako! Say something!" Akihiko begged her to speak.
Minako slowly turned her head to Akihiko but with a hollow expression, feeling pressure on her face.
"I... I try to hold it up! But I began to... lose something inside of me... Sorry to worry all of you. Please don't concern yourselves with me. Minako said with darker tone, trying to regain her human personality back. She touched her face with deeply sigh, her eyes openly widened.
*howl* Koromaru sadly howled, sitting near her. But she didn't notice about him.
Mitsuru turned her head towards Yukari with worrisome. "Yukari, what happened to Minako?"
"I…I don't know.. She just looked at those Shadows and after that, she slaughtered them all without mercy. Her eyes…..Augh! Hey eyes even more hollow." Yukari panicked.
"Don't tell me she…" Junpei ponder over and tried to not overthink.
Metis suddenly noticed Minako abnormal traits and decided to tell everyone leaving Minako alone.
"Everyone before we'll enter that door. I need to confirm something about Minako-san."
"Metis…" Aigis said.
"I don't think…. Minako cannot avoid the inevitable fate by herself." Metis sadly lower her head.
"Metis-san, just what happened to her, really!" Ken shouted.
"Sigh!..." Metis deeply sighed loudly more than usual.
"Wait a sec! Is this real lethal problem? I mean she still…" Yukari convinced herself that Minako would be okay.
But Metis's expression even more serious and not joking.
"Her power began returning to her through the Arcana she received, but... the more she seeks answers and more power, the more she even loses her own self." Mitsuru noted.
"What the hell do you mean?" Akihiko questioned, a tear sliding down his cheek. Wishing that it's not true in his mind.
Metis gazed at Akihiko clearly before speaking up.
"If she decides to continue to regain a full power, there's highly chance she… she will completely lose her humanity emotion!" Metis shouted.
Everyone was extremely shocked. If they didn't stop her, she would be returning truly mindless entity as she had spoken of before. She would become like the previous Aigis. Aigis's mind drowned with stress and panic.
"There's no way to prevent that?" Mitsuru asked for helping.
"Only she can get through her own self… No one can help her except a person she loves the most."
Everyone looked at Akihiko without hesitation.
"Akihiko, stay with her. Don't leave her from your side." Mitsuru firmly commanded.
"I promised to her that I'll find a way to let her meet her lover again. I won't back down.." Akihiko nodded, rushing held Minako's shoulder.
"Aki..hiko?" Minako said, her confusion evident in her voice.
"You'll be safe, Minako. Don't lose yourself, okay! You have a loved one waiting for you." Akihiko reassured her.
Minako remained silent, merely nodding to him, even though she fully knew he would never have been her boyfriend, as she already had her real lover in her world.
Aigis waited everything to be calm down and walking to open the door. The same incident occurred to them.
Junpei's Past, Unknown
Junpei was sitting on the stroll alone without everyone. He felt bored everything in his life. No hope, No fun in him.
"*sigh* Stupid old man... How low do you have to be to get drunk on cooking wine...?" He grumbled.
He tried to forget his alcoholic father. To him, he was nothing but a loser who lost their life in society.
For a while, he saw a white dog walked passing him.
"But I guess it's just as pathetic to rush out like this every day... *sigh* Maaan... What am I gonna do...? I got nowhere to go... Yo... 'sup, pooch? Here to join my "Nowhere To Go" after-school club?"
"Wrf! Wrf!" a white dog barked, relying to Junpei.
"Heheh... Sorry, pooch, I don't have any food for ya. Y'know... Haven't I seen you around here before...?"
Some of his classmates met him and tried to invite him for drinking.
"Hey, it's Junpei." Former classmate said
"Huh...? Oh, hey guys." He relied him back.
"Why the long face? Are you that sad that we're in different Homerooms now?"
"Still dumb as rocks, huh? Wait, isn't it way past your dorm curfew? What're you guys doing out so late?"
"Oh, we snuck out. When you get to be a junior, you learn thesecret exit. Hey, we're going to Escapade, wanna come with? We're helping this guy drown his sorrows over a girl."
"That's not true!" It looks like he was former classmate's friend.
"Heheh, don't let it get to you. That's what you get for going after someone like Yukari Takeba. Although I never expected her to hook up with the new transfer student... I guess she goes for that kinda dark side of his."
"Dark? He seemed like a regular dude to me..."
"No, I'm serious. That transfer kid? Rumor has it both his parents died when he was little. Someone got a peek at his file when Toriumi left it lying around."
They seemed gossiping about Minato as a bad reputation.
"Man, you're so gullible... That stuff only happens in soap operas."
"Hey, I said it was a rumor. C'mon, let's get going! You snooze, no booze!"
"Booze...? Oh, uh... I think I'm gonna pass." Junpei refused.
"Huh? What's the matter? C'mon, why don'tcha live a little—"
"I said I'm gonna pass! I just... ain't in the mood."
"Well, man, looks like I'm the only one you got to console you."
"I keep telling you, nothing happened!"
They yelled each other before leaving Junpei behind.
"Heh... They offered to hand out, and I turned 'em down... Things Never go the way I want 'em to."
*whimper* a white dog returned to him again.
"Man... Is my life really as bad as it seems now...? I wish there was like... something I could do to change the world... Like some awesome skill that no one else has."
*whimper*
"Haha, don't gimme that. I'm sure someday... we can make some real friends that'll listen to us." Junpei spoke with a white dog like a friend.
"Arf!"
And everything was blacked out.
The doors disappeared again, a Tower card appeared to them. Everyone was looking at Junpei, except Minako didn't seem to care about Junpei at all. She just picked it and remained silent from behind, making Akihiko even more worry.
"Heh... All the scenes in my past, and you guys had to see that one..." Junpei laughed in sarcasm but felt pain inside.
"Junpei…" Yukari sadly said.
"Arf!" Koromaru barked happily.
"Dude, I know! I was surprised to see you, too! So, you were the dog from that day!" He delightfully smiled.
"Arf!" Koromaru seemed happy to see him that memories as well.
"Makes it seem kinda like... destiny." His eyes filled with happiness.
"Arf!" Koromaru walked around him, like a child.
"Looking back, that was the day Sanada-san found me. The only place I could go from there was the convenience store, and that's where I was when the Dark Hour hit..." Junpei said, looking at Akihiko.
"Oh right. Thinking back. Your expression was worse than Shadows. Hehe.." Akihiko giggled, while staying near Minako.
"W-Well, what was I supposed to do!? That was the scariest damn moment of my life, man!" Junpei exclaimed, feeling relaxed.
*chuckle* Fuuka chuckled.
"But y'know, I had other stuff to deal with, like my old man... So staying at the dorm, and fighting Shadows, and all that stuff looked pretty good." Junpei admitted his own desire to live in the past.
Metis speculated all pasts they have witnessed for a while.
"I see... Unlike me and my sister, other people usually have reasons to "awaken"... I comprehend."
"I had my reasons as well. However, in my case, it happened in reverse. I had the power first and gained a reason later. Now that I mention it, you're—"
Aigis tried to spoke up but being interrupted by Metis's childish word.
"Hmm... I think I'm starting to get it. There is a reason we see what we see inside the doors. Doors that have delivered on that reason disappear, and those with roles still to play remain..." Metis assumed her theory.
"A reason...? What kind of reason?" Aigis questioned.
"I can't say for sure... but if we keep moving forward, I think we'll start seeing it. Let's do our best, Sister." Metis suggested to Aigis, being hidden something from Agis.
"Y-You're right..." Aigis listened her suggestion, even still doubting about her intention.
Minako began to regain consciousness and glanced around for a moment.
"Minako-san!" Aigis shouted.
"Oh right! We nearly forgot she's here too." Yukari grumbled to herself.
"Augh…." Minako exclaimed, feeling a slight headache.
"Are you all right?" Akihiko asked, his voice tinged with worry, as he held her shoulder.
"It's…. okay for now…" Minako said, her words slightly slurred as dizziness enveloped her.
"You should get a rest, Minako. You couldn't continue to investigate with that poor condition." Mitsuru worryingly begged Minako for resting.
"…" Minako remained silent.
"And why will we stand here now? Bring her back to the dorm now!" Junpei strongly said.
Everyone nodded and allowed Akihiko to carry Minako on his back. They exited the door unaware of what lay behind it… As the door began to close, the black figure reappeared behind them, its sinister smile sending shivers down their spines.
New Arcana Power Unlocked: XVI The Tower
Curse of Demise: Spend 200 MP, inflicts " Decay" on all enemies for 7 turns. The curse can only be cleansed by Amrita Shower or Salvation after 5 turns.
Note: This skill can be used on all bosses and enemies.
*Decay: Reducing their maximum HP by 10% each turn.
All healing skill will be doubled cost during being inflicted from Decay debuff.
All instant skill will be guaranteed hit except all bosses and enemy who have block, null and reflected light/dark elements or passive.