Chapter 12: New Allies

[May 12th, 2010]

(WK POV)

The strangers were surprisingly calm as I told them about my past as a thief. In fact, they seemed almost accepting of it. The boy, whose name I found out was Ken, acted like he'd just met a celebrity, while the hooded woman looked at me with curiosity and wonder as I told her about my adventures.

"Incredible," she remarked after I finished the story of my 'death', and the abilities I gained from it. "To think that a persona is that versatile."

"Yeah," Ken added. "You're really something, aren't you?"

"I don't know about that," I replied honestly. "It doesn't seem all that special to me. Anyway, now it's your turn. What is this big threat I have to face down?"

"We are unsure of that at this time," the hooded woman said. "All we know is that defeating it will have a steep cost. One that may impact Sanada and Takeba in a very serious way. You must remain on guard."

"Impact them? Will it be impossible to come back from? Or do you know?"

"I'm afraid not."

"So just another thing I'll have to figure out when it comes up," I muttered to myself. "Oh well, not the first time…"

(AS POV)

(Kirijo Residence, Iwatodai)

I was on my way to visit Mitsuru. Just another nice day with the woman I love. Unfortunately, I had no idea it'd turn out the way it did. If I did, maybe things would have ended differently.

It started out quite well. I made my way into her living room, where she was waiting with that beautiful smile I fell in love with on her face. "Thank you for coming, Aki."

I sat down next to her. "Of course. You're working on some pet names, huh?"

Her cheeks turned bright pink. Apparently, she didn't even realize what she called me. "W-well, I have something to tell you. Something that might be… difficult for you to hear."

All humour had left the room now. "Hm? What is it?"

"We've been together for quite a while now, and I hope our relationship can continue, but..." she trailed off.

"But… what?" I asked, concern starting to set in.

She opened her mouth to respond, but right before she could say something, she began to vomit orange liquid as her eyes glazed over. The vile substance poured from her mouth for the better part of a minute before it finally stopped, and she began to hyperventilate and stare at me. Orange tears dripped from her eyes as she could only let out a distorted whimper before suddenly lunging at me with her eyes snapping back into focus, her pupils now glowing.

Mitsuru, or whatever had taken control of her, soon found itself getting tired as I dodged her feral attacks. Something was wrong with her, and it took all of my energy to avoid the scratches and bites the monster was sending my way.

Eventually, she gave up on her initial strategy and walked over to the display where she'd stored the Biter. The sizzling blade was much deadlier than anything she tried earlier, and I didn't feel like learning what getting hit by it would feel like. As she chased me around the house, knocking over furniture and cutting through walls to get to me, I found my stamina rapidly depleting. If I didn't get out of here, things would go downhill fast, but I couldn't just let this thing get loose.

She quickly cornered me by the door. I could try to run, but then she could just use her motorcycle and catch up no problem.

That's it. Her motorcycle. Kidd had given her access to a special new bike, hadn't he? It was a long shot, but maybe there was something in that thing that could help me to at least neutralize the current threat.

I just had to make it through Mitsuru. I waited patiently for her to attempt a slash with her sword, and slipped under her arm before making a break for the garage.

Inside, I found my target. I barred the door and began searching the bike's controls for something, anything, that would help me escape. As the possessed girl began to force her way in, I finally found a button simply labeled 'IN CASE OF EMERGENCY'. Well, this was an emergency, so why the hell not?!

The moment Mitsuru finally broke through, I slammed my fist down on the button and hit the dirt, covering my ears instinctively. A loud, high-pitched screech sounded out from the machine's radio, causing the creature to grab her head in pain and fall to her knees, before finally being knocked unconscious by the noise. Seeing her on the floor like that made me glad I covered my ears.

Unfortunately, the victory was short-lived. Someone came up behind me and struck the back of my head. The only thing I saw before passing out was a pair of yellow eyes staring intently into my own.

(YT POV)

(Espresso's Garage)

[Evening]

Espresso's garage was… rustic, to say the least. Connected directly to the main workshop was a kitchen, living room, and stairs leading up to the bedrooms, and the transition between the hardwood floors of the living spaces and the concrete of the workshop was immediate.

"So what do you think?" He asked from beside me. "It ain't much, but it's home."

All I could do was nod in astonishment. "It's… definitely something…"

"That it is. But like I said, it's home."

He lives here alone? It's a big enough place for a small family. Sure, maybe one day he'll find someone, but…

"You wish to be that 'someone', don't you?" My persona, Isis, said in my mind. "I don't blame you, but think carefully about this. Sure, Arisato-san broke up with you, but he may come back to try to apologize."

"So what?" I retorted. "After that incident in the back alley, I could tell his feelings for me had faded. Something happened during his time in the seal, and it drove a permanent wedge between us. And to be honest, Espresso is a really cute guy."

"Yes, but what about Yamagishi-san?" She asked. "She also appears to have developed some feelings for him. And besides, something's… off about him. I'm not sure what, but Espresso seems to be hiding something important from us. More than just his scar."

"Give it time," I answered. "If he's hiding something, it'll come out eventually."