Chapter 10: A Much-Needed Break.
July 12th, 2009
"It's good to see you two again." Pharos's voice wakes the twins from their slumber. They glance over to see Pharos once more standing in their room. The green glow of the Dark Hour illuminated the room.
"Pharos…" Minato remarks, pushing himself up.
"Visiting us again?" Minako asks, rubbing her eyes.
"I am. How long has it been since last we met? Time passes so quickly." Pharos remarks, leaning on his feet. "So tell me, how is life as a Persona-user?" The twins blinked at him, surprised that he knew they could use a Persona, But since he was appearing to them during the Dark Hour, it kinda made sense he would know about them.
"It's okay… I guess…" Minako remarks.
"I would say the same, but something it missing." Minato adds, shaking his head. Pharos frowns at the two of them, shaking his head at the answers.
"I wonder what. I hope you find it soon. I remembered something else about the coming of the end. It all stems from something that took place many years ago. Ten years ago, if I remember correctly."
"You mean… the experiment Kirijo-senpai's grandfather did?" Minako asks with wide eyes.
"I could be. Oh… didn't your parents pass away around ten years ago as well?" The twins blink, glancing away from Pharos. "A Persona is like a mirror. Which means, a Persona-user can never escape their true self. But no matter what, I won't leave you. Because we're friends, right?"
"Yeah…" Minako replies as Minato nods at him. Seeing the Death card jump up to three stars. Causing them to blink in surprise at seeing it skip the second star. Right before Pharos once more vanishes from sight.
"Just who is he?" Minato asks out loud, making himself comfortable in bed. Minako lets out an unsure noise as she, too, gets comfortable again. He was certainly a mystery. And how did he know about their parents dying ten years ago? The same year when that experiment went wrong.
And it was at that thought that a chill ran down their spines. Did that experiment have a hand in killing their parents as collateral?
July 15th, 2009
"Things have been feeling tense at the Dorm, huh?" Akihiko remarks to Minako and Makoto outside the station. They had all learned a few days ago that Ikutsuki had booked them all for a trip to Yakushima after their Finals. Something that they all believed was needed by everyone. And yet, as Akihiko had mentioned, there was still some tension in the air.
"Yeah. It's not as bad as it was back on the 11th, but it's still there." Minako agrees, shaking her head. "I'm worried something is going to happen that will blow a fuse."
"As someone who experienced their own share of team pains, these are things that are bound to happen." Makoto supplies, brushing her hair. "The best thing you can do is just let it play out naturally. Trying to force it to end will only make it worse." Minako grimaces, shaking her head as Akihiko lets out a sigh. He could see she wanted to help, just like her brother, but it was clear she was having a harder time to let it pass by naturally than he was.
"How about we do some sparring to take our mind off things?" Akihiko suggests, grabbing the two's attention. "I've long since gotten my edge back since I've been able to focus on my training, but I think I can still improve."
"Shouldn't we find a gym if we are going to spar?" Makoto asks. "I doubt people would be happy about us fighting in the streets.
"Oh, I know." Akihiko replies. "But if you don't feel up to sparring, how about we grab something to eat?"
"I'd like something sweat in that case. I've had enough ramen for a lifetime." Minako admits, shaking her head.
"Sweet huh… I'm not really a big fan of those… It's like having a lump of sugar in my mouth." Akihiko comments, rubbing the back of his head. Before his eyes narrow in on a group of people. "Uh oh…"
"What?" Makoto asks before seeing a group of girls walking up to them. The same girls who tried to interrupt their lunch from before. "Oh…"
"Omigosh! I'm, like, so jazzed to run into you again, Sanada-senpai!" One of them greets while the other stares at Makoto and Minako.
"Say, why are you here with Ren and Junpei's girlfriends?" She accuses, pointing a finger at them. "Stop stealing all the single boys when you have boy toys of your own!"
"What's wrong with hanging out with friends?" Makoto asks calmly. "That's all I see Akihiko as anyway. A friend."
"And second, Junpei is not my boyfriend." Minako adds, folding her arms. "You lot just jump to the wrong conclusions without even asking. What's wrong with just wanting to be friends with my senpai?" Akihiko glances at the girls. Shaking his head in irritation as she stands up to walk away.
"We'll talk some other time." He tells them, heading for the Dorm as Makoto and Minako follow after him. Ignoring the glares from the girls.
"Seriously… why do they always jump to the wrong conclusion?" Minako asks, shaking her head.
"That's just how they are sometimes." Makoto tells her as they near the Dorms. "I wouldn't worry about it."
"If any of those girls try to start something, let me handle them." Akihiko tells Minako. "I know you can handle them yourself, but I'd rather you not get into trouble if we can help it."
"That's reassuring." Minako says jokingly, watching the fifth star appear on Akihiko's card. "Let's head home. We've got Finals to study up for."
"That would be wise. I'm sure Ryuji and Ann will try to skip out on studying like usual" Makoto remarks. "I'll have to ask Ren to help carol them in the Dorm so we can all study together."
"You take studying very seriously, don't you?" Akihiko asks folding his arms with a smile as Makoto chuckles.
"Wouldn't you want to know? I think the only other person who beats me in that regard is Ren. Although…" She glances at Minako with a smile. "It seems you and your brother are just as studious as him."
"What can we say? It helps us grow." She says with wink as the three let out subdued laughs. Once more, entering the Dorms.
This was going to be a tiring week. They could just tell.
July 17th, 2009
"Hey, Junpei. You doing alright?" Ryuji asks, grabbing his attention as he and Minako walk up to him.
"Oh, hey, guys. Sorry, just have a lot running through my mind right now." Junpei replies, shaking his head. "Just looking at school, seeing everyone having fun when they don't know what's going on… It just makes me feel that there is a wall between us and them."
"A wall, huh?" Ryuji asks, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah. I feel that. Just knowing things that they will never know makes you feel different, yeah?"
"I guess we can't help but feel envious of them." Minako admits. "Knowing they can go on with their lives without knowing what is going on behind the scenes. I don't think they would even know what to do if they were told." Junpei nodded at them, silently thinking until a voice called out to them.
"Hey, Junpei! You guys heading home already." They glance over to see Kenji, Minato's Magician, walking up to them with a big grin.
"Hey Kenji. We were about to go out for something to eat before heading home." Junpei replies, with Kenji nodding along as he takes his phone out. "Why are you getting your phone out?"
"It's nothing much, by my sister keeps bugging me for pictures from school, but all I have are guys. So I was hoping if you guys could be in a picture with me."
"I don't have a problem with that." Minako replies. "How about you guys?"
"I mean, sure, if it's only a picture." Ryuji admits as Junpei nods along. "But, speaking of pictures, do you know anything about the random picks going around of Minako in her gym clothes?"
"Huh? Pictures of her are going around like that?" Kenji asks, rubbing his head.
"Right… you're only into older women…" Junpei replies, rubbing between his eyes.
"Anyway, wouldn't the photography club be your first suspect?" Kenji asks. "Or would that be too obvious?"
"I think we glossed over them for the fact that it WOULD be too obvious…" Minako replies, rubbing between her eyes. Kenji nodded his head, accepting that as he waved them off for good luck as the trio made their way to the club.
"Okay, guys. I know how much we would want to beat them up, but let's try to stay calm about this." Ryuji suddenly chimes in. "And this is coming from someone who would resort to fists first in a situation like this."
"Thanks for the reminder." Junpei remarks, taking a moment to take a deep breath. "Mina, I hope you don't mind holding me back if I start to get mad, do you?"
"As long as you two do the same to me." Minako agrees as they approach the darkroom. As Minako opens it, they find the titular red light glowing from inside, illuminating the room just enough to develop photos while being bright enough to see. Ryuji had to admit this was his first time seeing something like this.
Darkrooms for photography had become extremely rare by their time, after all. As for those inside, only one person was around, the club president.
"Welcome to the photography club. All the other members are out now, but can I help you with anything?" Junpei glances at Mina, earning a head nod from her as he steps forward.
"I'm not going to sugar coat it. There are pictures of Minako here in her PE clothes going around the school. Do you know anything about it?" Junpei asks the president who blinks as he thinks back on what was going on here.
"No, I don't remember seeing anything like that. I know all the films here used by the club members are developed here. But, I don't remember seeing anything like that at all."
"So you don't think it's any of your members who did it?" Ryuji asks, folding his arms.
"I am sure. Everyone here loves the art of photography. If any of us discovered someone using it for such schemes, I would have them removed without question." The president replies. "If you want, I can look through everyone's digital cameras as well, just for extra measure. I'm sorry that this is all I know. It must be rough…"
"Like you wouldn't know…" Minako groans, shaking her head. "Thanks, though. We're still going to do our own look into this, but if you find anything, please let us know."
"I will." The president replies as the trio leave the darkroom and head back outside.
"And like that, we still haven't made any progress at all." Junpei groans, shaking his head.
"I'm still suspecting that club." Ryuji admits as they walk to the station. It can only be them."
"Guys, it's fine." Minako tells them, shaking her head. "Sooner or later, people will stop showing interest in those pictures and will move on to the next thing that gets them."
"C'mon, Mina, don't be so modest. It would suck if your social life got ruined because of this." Junpei tells her, earning her gaze as she shakes her head.
"What am I going to do with you two… sick Ann on Ryuji, but you are becoming a Wild Card Junpei." She snarks, earning a baulked look from Ryuji while Junpei lets out a genuine laugh. Just as the sixth star appears on his card.
"That's right! Can't keep me down!" Junpei gloats, slamming his hands together as Ryuji shakes his head.
"Using Ann against me? No fair, Mina." Ryuji remarks as the three chuckles at each other. But as they entered Paulownia Mall, they noticed Haru was sitting next to the fountain reading a book to a child. A child with floofy hair the same colour as hers.
"Is that Haru? Who is she with?" Junpei asks, grabbing their attention.
"Let's go see." Minako replies, walking up to them. Where they could overhear the two speaking.
"They sound so brave, fighting to help others." The young girl replies as Haru lets out a chuckle.
"Yes, Haru-chan. They are." Old Haru replies, stunning the trio as they now realise they were seeing Young Haru sitting with her older self. "Do you want to continue?"
"Yes, please." Young Haru agrees as Old Haru turns the page before noticing the others.
"Oh, Minako-chan, Junpei-kun, Denki-kun." She greets them, turning Young Haru's attention to them. "You haven't gone home yet?"
"We were checking something at school." Ryuji admits, not saying what. Minako looks at Young Haru, kneeling to her height, she gives her a kind smile.
"Hello, I'm Minako Arisato. Who are you?" Young Haru glances at her older self before looking back at Minako. Giving her a small curtsy in response.
"I'm Haru Okumura. Pleased to meet you." She steps back up, standing close to Old Haru. "Miss Tomatsu was keeping me company while my father dealt with some business. Aunt Mari would be with me as well, but she got called away."
"I just happened to be in the area at the time I found them." Haru comments, rubbing her head. "Mariko-san asked me if I could keep watch over her until she got back, and I was reading to her one of my favourite stories."
"Sounds like you lucked out here, Okumura-chan." Junpei tells her as she lets out a giggle. Just as the clacking of heels along the ground drew their attention.
"Apologise for disappearing like that, Haru-chan." Hyodo Mariko comments, walking up to Old and Young Haru before noticing the others. "Oh, hello, I take it you are friends of Tomatsu-chan?"
"We are." Minako replies. "We were on our way home when we saw her and decided to hang around." Hyodo nods at them before looking back at Old Haru. Not noticing the sadness in her eyes.
"Thank you for looking after Haru-chan for me. I do not know why I was called away so suddenly, but I am grateful you could look after her."
"It was no problem at all, Mariko-san." Old Haru replies. "I had fun talking to Haru-chan. She seems like a nice young lady."
"Oh, that she most certainly is." Mariko replies, glancing at her phone. "Oh dear, I fear we need to go, Haru-chan. Your father is just about wrapping up his business here." Young Haru seemed to look sad at that, a look that Old Haru picked up on as she glanced back at Mariko.
"If you don't mind, Mariko-san. But, can I give Haru-chan a few parting words?" Mariko blinks at Old Haru for a moment before nodding her head at her as Old Haru knees to Young Haru's height. "Haru-chan, the world you live in is vast and full of wonders. But, there will come times when you will find it all to be too much. When those times come, never be afraid to stop and think for yourself. Even if those above you have plans for you, always remember what it is that you want to do. And to always stand back up, no matter what stands in your way. Okay?"
Young Haru blinked in surprise, and even Mariko was surprised by Old Haru's words. But the small smile on Young Haru's lips was all she needed to know that her words made it through.
"Okay." Young Haru replies as Old Haru gives her one final smile. Before watching as Young Haru and Mariko left the Mall to go wherever her father was currently. Even as she let out a sad sigh, watching the two leave.
"Mari-san… how did I ever forget about you?" Haru asks out loud, a lone tear slipping down her face while Minako, Ryuji, and Junpei all stand in silence. Before they all make their way back to the Dorm.
One more day of Finals was ahead of them before they could relax.
July 19th, 2009
"I am glad the Finals are over." Minako remarks as she, Makoto and Akihiko enter Wild-duck Burger. "Feels like a lot of stress is now off my mind."
"Wish the same could be said at the Dorm…" Makoto comments as they look for a seat. "Things still feel tense between Mitsuru and Yukari. And Junpei seems to have his own tension as well."
"So long as we give them space, I'm sure things will work out fine." Akihiko suggests as the trio sit at the table. "That reminds me, the other day Mitsuru…" Before he could say anything, a small child at a table next to them started screaming. Shouting that he wanted a milkshake as his mother started to argue back at him. The argument was so loud that it started to make Minako's ears hurt. But a glance at Akihiko and Makoto showed that neither of them was bothered by the noise next to them.
"I'm going to go get something else…" Minako comments, getting up from the table.
"Take your time." Makoto tells her calmly, taking out a book to read while Akihiko closes his eyes. Nodding at them both, Minako takes the opportunity to leave Wild-duck and clear out her head as she goes and buys a coffee to drink. It wasn't a large one, just a small cup, but it was enough to help her calm down before returning to the Burger joint.
Where she found the family were leaving their table and heading out, even as the child continued to scream at his parents. The echoes got quieter as Minako let out a sigh.
"That was loud…" Minako replies, rubbing her eyes.
"Well, he was still a child. And that is how they usually react when things aren't what they want." Makoto replies calmly.
"Still, he was a bundle of energy." Akihiko comments with a smile. "I wonder, though… do you think I'm strange?"
"Strange how?" Minako asks as Makoto raises an eyebrow at him. "I mean, sure, you can be an odd guy sometimes, but you seem perfectly normal to us."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Akihiko retorts, shaking his head. "It's just, sometimes people tell me that I'm a weird guy, or that I act kind of strange. And I sure do feel like I get dragged into fights that I would rather not take part in."
"Didn't you and my brother almost get into one a few nights ago?" Minako asks. "And that it was stopped by some police officers?"
"Yeah, that did happen." Akihiko comments, rubbing the back of his head. "These days, I try not to let it get the better of me, but… back in the day, people used to say that because I didn't have parents."
"You're an orphan…?" Makoto asks with wide eyes. Akihiko nods at her with tired eyes.
"Yep. The only other person who knows about that is Mitsuru. That's why… I wanted to show that they were wrong." Akihiko takes a moment to look outside, seeing the people passing by as they make their journeys. "Not that is matters any more. That all happened back when I was a kid, anyway. The orphanage wasn't that bad either."
"So… it was just you?" Minako asks, tilting her head.
"Not just me. I had a sister who grew up with me." Akihiko reveals before the smile he was wearing slowly faded away. "But… she's not around any more…"
"You're like a lot of us…" Makoto comments, pushing some hair back. "I'm starting to wonder if losing your parents is a prerequisite for being a Persona user."
"It's starting to feel like that…" Minako admits, shaking her head. Seeing the sixth star appear on Akihiko's card as she stretches her arms. "But that's enough doom and gloom. We've got a trip tomorrow!"
"Ain't that the truth." Akihiko comments with a grin. "Something tells me this is just what we need to de-stress."
July 20th, 2009
The ocean spread as far as the eye could see, melding with the sky in perfect harmony as white clouds gently floated above them. In the midst of the vast sea of blue, a single white cruse liner powered through the calm waters. Seagulls flew high above as it steamed towards its destination. A destination that already had some people exited.
"Whoa, looks like we're finally comin' up on the island! Hell yeah!" Junpei shouts with excitement, looking over the railing at the approaching island. "YA-KU-SHI-MA!"
"Geez, you sound like a little kid." Yukari remarks as she, Fuuka, Ann, Ryuji, and Futaba join him on the deck.
"Can't blame him. We've been on this ship for a while now." Ann remarks, leaning on the railing. "I'm dying to set foot on solid ground again."
"He's just having fun." Akihiko comments as he, Makoto, and Ren exit onto the deck as well. "Personally, I'm ready for some training."
"Is that all you're thinking about?" Minako asks as she and Minato join them on the deck. "Well, I shouldn't be surprised."
"I wonder what flora and fauna live there?" Fuuka asks.
"Probably something exotic. That's how these islands work, after all." Futaba replies, just as Haru, Yusuke, and Mitsuru join them on the deck. Yet Mitsuru wasn't looking at anyone. Or rather, avoiding looking at the island as they approached it. Something that Yukari caught onto but didn't question about.
Eventually, the ship came to dock at the island, with Mitsuru leading the team towards a giant manor located nearby. Filled with tropical plants and beautifully crafted paintings on while marble walls. It was clear no expense was spared in developing this place.
"Wow… I feel out of place…" Ryuji remarks, glancing around.
"It's like we're in an episode of 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Fabulous'…" Junpei remarks.
"They still air that show?" Ren asks. "That had died out by our time."
"Something I am grateful for…" Haru admits as Yusuke admires the paintings around them.
"Such stunning work… I feel new inspiration filling my veins…"
"Same old Yusuke…" Morgana comments from inside Ren's bag just as two maids approach the team. Bowing towards Mitsuru and surprising a few of the team. They didn't expect her to have maids. Well… other than Haru.
"Welcome back, Milady." They greet her before standing back to full height.
"We won't be staying for long. But I'll be relying on you during our stay." Mitsuru tells the maids. The maids nod at her before looking at the others and bowing to them as well.
"You must be her associates from school, correct? Welcome to the Kirijo vacation home. Please, follow me." The maids turned around, motioning everyone to follow them, but a few felt off-put by what they were called.
"Associates…?" Yukari asks, tilting her head. A few of the others shrugged at her in response until they all came to a stop when an imposing man in a suit approached them with the most eye-catching thing about him being the eyepatch over his right eye.
"Who is that?" Makoto asks quietly to Akihiko, motioning her to be quiet.
"It's good to see you." Mitsuru greets the man, who nods back at her.
"I heard the news. There isn't much here, but make yourselves comfortable." He tells them before walking around them like a man on a mission. Not even giving Mitsuru a passing glance as he walked on. Mitsuru glances at the floor with a slight pain in her eyes, something that Haru caught onto as the maid took them to their rooms.
"So… that was Mitsuru's father?" Minako asks her brother, who nods his head at her.
"It looked like it. He had an intense aura." Minato replies, shaking his head. "Not sure how he can stand the heat in a suit, though…"
"These will be our rooms during our stay here." Mitsuru calls out, motioning to two hallways on either end. With enough rooms to house all of them comfortably. "We won't be here for long, but I hope you make yourselves at home."
"Sweet! This is gonna rock!" Junpei shouts with a grin, rolling his arm.
"How about we head to the beach? It's just right out there." Ann suggests with a smile.
"Even though we just got here?" Yukari asks. "It's gonna take time for us to change and stuff."
"Then I suppose we can all make our way down at our own pace." Yusuke comments with a smile. "No need for us to rush."
"In that case, I'll see you guys down there!" Junpei remarks, heading to his room to change as everyone shakes their heads.
"Ahhh… got my sandals on, givin' my feet a chance to breathe." Junpei sighs as he, Minato and Akihiko walk along the beach. Morgana trots by their side before he leaps onto a sunbed with a parasol over it.
"I'm surprised they still allowed me to even come." Morgana admits, curling on the bed. "Well, I suppose this isn't Hawaii."
"You guys went to Hawaii?" Akihiko asks Morgana, who shakes his head at them.
"Everyone else did. I couldn't due to laws. And Futaba had to stay behind as well since she wasn't even at Shujin."
"Well, at least you can enjoy this trip." Minato remarks until footsteps from behind drew their attention.
"Get a load of the beach! It's like we're back in Hawaii!" Ryuji remarks with a grin as she and the other Thieves arrive at the beach. Each one was wearing the same swimwear they had back when they went to Hawaii, while Haru was wearing a white one-piece.
"The only thing missing is the flowers. Like the one I put in your hair." Ann replies with a grin, remembering how Ryuji tried to resist getting a flower in his hair like she did to Ren.
"I feel as though I am being overstimulated by inspiration. I fear I may faint." Yusuke remarks, sitting under a parasol. How he could walk around with a hoodie on in this heat, they would never know.
"It doesn't look like there are any markers out there that can be used for swimming." Futaba remarks, glancing at Ren. "Looks like you'll have to stay near the beach."
"I wasn't planning to go that far out anyway." Ren replies, folding his arms. "Still, it feels nice just walking along the beach anyway. Makes all that stress and fatigue just melt away."
"I think we're only just now realised how much stress we've all been under." Makoto replies, brushing a hand through her hair. "It helps that we don't have to wear our disguises around here as well. Wearing blue-eyed contacts all the time starts to wear you down."
"I feel like I could fall asleep." Haru replies, sitting on the sun bed and fixing her hat.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Yukari's voice echoes from the trees as she and the others soon join them.
"Looking at that really makes you want to take a dip, huh?" Minako admits, stretching her arms.
"It doesn't look like the umbrellas are chained down." Fuuka points out, glancing at the umbrellas over the chairs. "We might be able to move them if we need to."
"That is by design." Mitsuru replies, brushing her hair back. Unaware that Akihiko was looking at her with a faint blush until Ryuji nudged him in the side.
"Someone has a crush…" He says teasingly to him.
"W-What? No, I don't." Akihiko denies. "I'm going for a swim." He heads for the sea, taking his t-shirt off before diving in. Not knowing that, Mitsuru got a glance at him before he dived in, earning a small blush on her own cheeks before she shook it away. While everyone conversed, Junpei threw an arm around Minato as they separated from the group, with a smile on his face that sent a chill down Minato's spine.
"So, Minato… which of the girls is your type?" He asks quietly, causing Minato's eyes to wide.
"W-What?" He asks, completely taken aback by the question.
"I'm talking about Yukari and Fuuka." He clarifies. "Which of them catches your eye?" Minato blinks at him, not sure how to even respond. Talking about them like this behind their back felt very wrong to him. I mean, just even thinking about something like THAT brought his mind back to when the Lovers tried, too…
He shook his head off that, batting away the images. Yet when he cast a glance over to them, he found himself looking at Fuuka more than the others. It was strange, and he could not even figure out why he was being drawn to Fuuka. But, he supposed he had found his answer.
"Fuuka…" He says quietly, surprising Junpei.
"Really? That's surprising." He replies before slapping him on the shoulder. "But, hey, I ain't judging." While Minato nodded in thanks, for a moment he felt eyes land on him before quickly moving away. And it wasn't just him, as Minako also felt eyes land on her as well. A brief look at the trees behind them showed no one was there, but the gaze was still felt. Even Ren felt it land on him at some point, but it did not last as Makoto was standing next to him.
But at this moment in time, it did not matter. All that mattered to them was enjoying the sun and letting the stress of the past month just melt away. They could worry about other things when they are back at the Dorm.