Chapter 11: Aigis

July 20th, 2009.

The evening had rolled around, with the team once more returning to the mansion. They had just finished having a generous tea and were now heading back with bellies full. At least, rest and relaxation were what they initially thought they were going to do. Instead, they all found themselves in a lavish lounge, sitting around a table on couches as Mitsuru's father glanced at all of them with his lone eye. Stern and unmoving, yet still having humanity behind it.

"From what I understand, Mitsuru has already told you the short version." Takeharu Kirijo starts, folding his arms. Seeing the group around him nod, he continues. "Well, it's true. We adults are to blame. If I could have atoned with my life, I would have done so already. But now, I have no choice but to rely on all of you. What my father wanted to create with those monsters' powers… it was a time manipulation device."

"Say WHAAAAT!?" Futaba shouts as she and the other Thieves go wide-eyed.

"That's what he wanted to do?" Mitsuru asks, her eyes wide. "I thought it would have resolved around eternal life…"

"That's what I thought as well." Takeharu admits. "Imagine if you could control the flow of time and eliminate unwanted events before they occur. With such a device, you could shape the future to your liking."

"That's crazy…" Junpei remarks, shaking his head.

"Unfortunately, under my father's direction, the research began to stray from its original goal. In his later years, he seemed to have only nihilism in his heart. In fact, his madness may have resulted from his struggle to break free from that."

"Nihilism?" Ryuji asks, rubbing the back of his head.

"A form of belief that one takes when they reject not only religious practices, but moral principles as well. With the person accepting that everything in the world is meaningless." Makoto tells him, brushing some hair behind her ear.

"Doesn't that sound like Apathy Syndrome?" Minato asks, leaning forward.

"Do you think he was the first case?" Minako asks, shaking her head.

"It's impossible to know now, but it's likely." Takeharu comments, leaning backwards. "It's only natural you want to know the truth. And it's my duty to tell you." He reaches for a controller next to him, aiming at a TV on the other end before pressing a button to play a video.

"What is this?" Akihiko asks.

"This is the only existing footage of the accident, recorded by a scientist who was at the scene." Takeharu replies with a sad frown.

"A video recording?" Mitsuru asks, hearing about this for the first time.

"I can only hope that this recording reaches someone with a conscience…" The voice begins, grabbing all eyes. But no more so than Yukari, whose eyes go wide as she recognises the voice from the video.

"That is…"

"My employer has become obsessed with a loathsome idea. This experiment should never have been conceived… I'm afraid the damage at this point will be staggering. At this point, it is all but inevitable. But… I didn't have a choice! If I didn't do this, the world would be destroyed! Whoever is watching this, please, I need you to listen to me very carefully. The Shadows that have been amassed here have been dispersed by the explosion. In order to end this, you have no choice but to eliminate them all!"

While his words sounded sincere and echoed in their minds, one person in the room couldn't help but narrow her eyes at the video. Something about it… felt off. Especially with how it seemed to be affected by static at suspicious points.

"I am the one responsible for this. I knew the risks, but I was blinded by the promise of success… And so, I chose to continue without objections. I am… responsible…" At that, the video became consumed with static as it cuts out abruptly. Leaving everyone gazing at a TV covered in static.

"Dad?" Yukari asks, standing up. Her eyes not leaving the TV as everyone turned to look at her.

"You mean that was…?" Fuuka asks gently. Yukari stays silent, her gaze falling to the floor as Takeharu folds his arms with a sigh.

"His name was Eiichiro Takeba. He was the head researcher at the time and a very talented man. But we are the ones responsible. We pushed him to continue the research. The Kirijo Group is responsible for his death."

"Even though it was your father who was pushing everything forward? Despite those speaking against him?" Haru asks, tilting her head.

"Yes. It doesn't matter whether it was my father or not. It doesn't change the fact that it was us that caused all of this in the first place. That is a sin that will never go away." Takeharu replies, closing his one eye.

"So, that means… my dad caused it all?" Yukari asks sadness in her voice. "The Dark Hour, Tartarus, the people who died… it was all his fault?" She clenches her hands at her side, feeling herself wanting to lash out around her. Yet, instead, she forces herself to run out of the room. A lone tear dropped down her face even as the others called out for her.

"Shouldn't someone go after her?" Fuuka asks, glancing between everyone and the door. Mitsuru glances around, her eyes falling on everyone before looking at the twins.

"Can I ask you two to go?" She asks them gently. "With how things are, I feel my presence would only infuriate her."

"Sure. We can go." Minako replies as she and Minato stand and head out of the room. But as they did so, Futaba glanced back at the screen, frowning to herself.

"Say… do you know who gave you that copy?" Futaba asks Takeharu, tapping a finger on her knee.

"It was Ikutsuki who discovered it." He replies, arms folded. "Why do you ask?" Futaba glances at him before looking back at the screen. Her eyes narrowed.

"No reason… just wondering if I can have a look at it is all."

Down at the beach, Minako and Minato had managed to catch up to Yukari as she stood there, gazing at the moon with heartbroken eyes.

"Yukari?" Minako asks gently, announcing their presence

"I believed in him for so long… this is too much." She turns around to face them, her eyes hurt as another lone tear runs down her face. "Do you guys remember what I told you back at the hospital when you woke up? How my dad died when I was little?"

"We do." Minato replies, nodding his head. "And, now we understand how…" Yukari nods, lowering her gaze to the ground.

"No one knew the truth. So there were all sorts of rumours going around. Because he was in charge of the team, people were really mean to both me and my mom. We even had to move a few times."

"It got that bad?" Minako asks, shaking her head. "Unbelievable…"

"Yeah." Yukari agrees. "But, all this time, I kept telling myself that it wasn't his fault. I loved him a lot, and I believed he would never do anything wrong. I received a letter back in the spring. It was from him, written ten years ago."

"That must have been before things got out of control." Minato comments.

"Yeah. It cracked me up, though. Because even though it said, 'To my family', it was more or less all about me. And that only made me believe in him more. When I found out I had a special power, I thought it was fate. Sure, I was scared, I couldn't even fire my Evoker until you guys came along. But I thought that if I helped the Kirijo Group, I might find out what really happened. That's why I agreed to fight with my Persona." Yukari's gaze falls to the ground, the smile on her face long gone. "But now, all I can see is that it was all for nothing."

"That's not true." Minako chimes in, walking close. "It's impossible to tell everything from one video."

"You're just trying to make me feel better…" Yukari deflects, shaking her head. "But still, thanks…" She looks up at the stars, watching them twinkle up above. "Reality sure is harsh, huh? I tried so hard to fight my fear, and this is what I got. And, you know… I think I was maybe jealous, too."

"Jealous?" Minato asks, tiling his head.

"About why Kirijo-senpai's father got to live after all of this? Don't get me wrong, seeing him with that injury showed just how close he was to joining my father… It does make me feel relieved that he did live. But still… that feeling of jealousy remained." She kicks the sand under her, shaking her head. "I'm a horrible person, aren't I?"

"I don't think you are." Minako replies. "Anyone would ask the same question. If we were in your shoes, we would ask the same thing… maybe we even are similar…"

"We lost our parents ten years ago as well." Minato replies. "We know what that feeling of loss is like. And it's not just us."

"Right… Makoto-san, Yusuke, Futaba, and Haru-san also lost their parents…" Yukari acknowledged. "And… didn't Sanada-senpai also tell us he lost his parents as well?"

"He did." Minako replies. "So that's why we are saying we know what you are feeling. You're not alone in this, Yukari."

"Why are you talking to me like you know me? You barely now anything!" Yukari suddenly shouts before stopping herself and looking away in guilt. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have shouted. I just… I can barely make sense of anything. I'm afraid… I just feel so lost right now…" Tears fall from her eyes as she looks at the twins. "Tell me… what do I do now?"

The twins glanced at each other, letting Yukari's question bounce in their minds as they turned back to her. "Yukari, there is only one thing that we can think of at the moment." Minako tells her, walking forward and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Stay and fight with us. And bring this tragedy to an end."

Yukari blinks at her in surprise, glancing over to Minato, who nods at her in agreement. The two of them finally managed to put a smile back on her face. "You two really are something else… Sorry for acting like this, but I'll be alright now."

"Will you be okay around Kirijo-senpai?" Minato asks.

"Now that I've had time to think, I should be." Yukari replies. "Taking my anger out on her… it wouldn't be fair. It was her grandfather that caused all this, not her or her dad. Shifting my anger on them wouldn't be fair at all. Thanks for listening to me, you guys. I do feel better about getting that off my chest…"

"As Ren and the others say, keeping things bottled up will never work out." Minako replies with a smile. Yukari laughed at Minako, even though her eyes were still red from crying, before she, surprisingly, hugged Minako out of nowhere. While Minako was initially taken aback by the hug, she soon returned it as Minato stood to the side in silence. Until his ears picked out someone approaching them.

Turning around, he quickly went over to the source, finding Junpei heading towards them and raised a finger to his lips. Silencing Junpei before he could say anything. While Junpei wanted to ask why, a quick glancing over Minato's shoulder told him everything as he quickly got the message from him and turned around.

He knew better than to intrude on a moment like that.

July 21st, 2009.

Day two of their vacation and everyone was scattered all over the island. Some were down at the beach, others were taking a stroll through the woods while others were relaxing back at the mansion. Among those walking through the woods, Minako and Minato were out on a stroll with Ren. Taking in the sights as they let the information from last night reside in their minds.

"Talk about a crazy revelation last night, huh?" Minako comments, stretching her arms. "Feels like more tension has built up in the group because of it…"

"At least Yukari isn't lashing out at Kirijo-senpai. But she still looks uncomfortable being around her. Same with Kirijo-senpai." Minato comments, shaking his head. "Did something like this ever happen to you, Ren?"

"Well, we never really kept secrets from each other. We were all rather open about that." Ren replies, shaking his head. "Expect with Morgana. When we got more members joining, he started to feel more and more useless to us. It got so bad that he left in anger to try to prove himself to us. It was the wake-up call we needed at the time, and it led to Haru joining us. Still, I felt it was my fault for not doing anything to stop Ryuji and Morgana fighting."

"I wonder if we should step in and try to smooth things over…" Minako thinks out loud. It was then that Minato's phone started to ring. "Hm? Who's calling you, bro?"

"Yukari." He replies neutrally. "I wonder what's up." He opens his phone, bringing it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Oh good, you answered! Listen, we have a problem!" Yukari's voice comes through with urgency in her voice. "Are the others with you?"

"Only Minako and Ren."

"For real? No one else is with you? Never mind! Listen, Ikutsuki just got in contact with me, Kirijo-senpai, Fuuka, and Makoto-san. There is an anti-Shadow weapon running around the island!"

"And anti-Shadow weapon?" Minato asks, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes! We're trying to find the others so we can start looking for it! If you find it, contact us!"

"Try the beach. That's where Junpei said they were going." Minato tells her quickly before ending the call and looking at Ren and Minako. "We have a problem."

"I heard." Minako replies, shaking her head. "Yukari was shouting through the phone."

"An anti-Shadow weapon?" Ren asks, shaking his head. "What kind of weapon are they talking about? A tank?"

"If it was a tank, we would have heard it." Minako replies, shaking her head. Until all three of them felt something looking at them. "Who's there?" Minako shouts, spinning around. For a moment, she thought she saw a blue dress fluttering past a tree as it ran deeper into the woods. "Did you guys see that?"

"Was someone watching us?" Minato asks, narrowing his eyes. He glances at Ren, who has narrowed his eyes as they suddenly glow blue. Looking at the ground before nodding his head.

"Looks like I can follow their footsteps. Whoever they are, I can follow them." Ren replies, standing up. "Makes me glad I can use this ability outside."

"Still envious how YOU got that Third Eye while we don't." Minako comments, shaking her head as the two follow Ren down the dirt path. Jumping over fallen trees, the trio move deeper into the island until they arrive at a wooden sign next to a tree. A natural landmark, judging by the ropes around it.

"Are they here?" Minato asks as he and Minako walk towards the sign. Ren nods, glancing around the area until footsteps echo behind the sign. Revealing a girl around the twin's height, wearing a light blue dress.

"Is she the one who was watching us?" Minako asks, tilting her head. The girl looks at them both, walking up to them with almost stiff movements. Smiling at them both.

"I was correct. I have found you. I have been searching for you both." She comments, walking up to both of them. "My highest priority is to be by your sides." She then reaches out and hugs them both. Startling them just as everyone else comes running to the scene. And were understandably confused at the sight.

"Um… what's going on?" Ann asks, glancing at Ren, who shrugs his shoulders. Yukari and Fuuka glance at the girl holding the twins, feeling a strange sense fall over them as they walk up to them.

"Who is this…?" Yukari asks Minako.

"And… why is she hugging you?" Fuuka asks Minato. The twins glance at them before looking at each other and then at the girl hugging them, without a single way of even knowing what to even say in this situation.

"We have more pressing matters at hand." Mitsuru comments, shaking her head. "I need everyone to head back to the mansion and gear up. We have a serious situation at hand."

"Ah, that won't be necessary. We've found what we are looking for." Ikutsuki suddenly chimes in, grabbing everyone's attention. Something that the Thieves couldn't help but feel suspicious of. Why was he here, and why didn't he tell anyone he was here? Least of all, Futaba, who's gaze was even more narrow than the others.

"What do you mean, 'we've found what we are looking for'?" Makoto asks, folding her arms. Ikutsuki doesn't reply. Instead, his gaze falls on the girl hugging Minako and Minato.

"You really had me worried. Honestly, you can't just leave the lab on your own, Aigis." Almost on command, the girl lets go of Minako and Minato. Taking a few steps back as she looks at Ikutsuki in an almost robotic like fashion.

"Understood." She replies, almost on command. Making everyone else even more confused about the situation. Just who is she?

"Sorry for the trouble. Everything is under control now." Ikutsuki tells the team. Evening had fallen once again, and they were back in the mansion, but the earlier incident from before was still on their minds.

"Who was that person?" Yukari asks, getting to the heart of the matter.

"I suppose you deserve a proper introduction. Aigis, join us over here." Ikutsuki calls out. Behind him, a figure approached, but it wasn't a human. To the group's collective shock, it was a walking android with a girl's head. She looked exactly like the girl they saw before.

"The hell?" Ryuji asks, blinking his eyes.

"This is Aigis. As you can see, she is a machine with the form and face of a human girl." Ikutsuki introduces. Aigis bows to the team, greeting them with politeness.

"I am Aigis. My objective is to eliminate Shadows. I have been assigned to the Phantom S.E.E.S. Effective immediately."

"No way… it's like she's really alive." Yukari comments, blinking in shock.

"She's not just an A.I.… it's like she's a super A.I.!" Futaba remarks, shaking her head. "Are there any more of her?"

"Well, ten years ago, a plan was enacted to create anti-Shadow weapons. A contingency in the event a Shadow became unmanageable. Aigis was the last one to be made. And she's the only one that still remains to this day."

"The only one? You mean to say that all the others are destroyed?" Yusuke asks, stroking his chin.

"That is correct." Ikutsuki replies, nodding his head. Mitsuru looks at Aigis, taking in her form as she hums to herself. A thought ran through her mind.

"An anti-Shadow weapon… does that mean she has a Persona?"

"Correct. I am capable of wielding the Persona called Palladion." Aigis replies, shocking the group.

"What!? A robot that can use a Persona!? How is that possible!?" Morgana shouts from a nearby couch, shaking his head. And grabbing Aigis's attention.

"That is, unfortunately, classified." She says in response, shocking him.

"You can understand me!?" He says, completely flabbergasted. "But, HOW!?"

"I think she broke Morgana…" Ann comments, tilting her head at the non-cat, becoming a spluttering mess. "Anyway, why was Aigis not helping until now?"

"She suffered major damage in combat in her first year out. And she's been kept in the lab ever since." Ikutsuki replies smoothly. "But, I'm still not sure why she suddenly reactivated herself this morning… In any case, I hope you can all get along."

The group stands in silence, unable to process how they now have an android with them that not only could use a Persona but could understand Morgana right off the bat without even hearing him in the Dark Hour! It was crazy to even think about it!

"An anti-Shadow weapon that possesses a will of her own…" Fuuka quietly comments before her face suddenly lights up in joy. "This is amazing!"

"I know!" Futaba suddenly shouts, throwing an arm around her. "This is, like, THE sci-fi tech! And it's real!"

"Uh, if you don't mind me asking…" Yukari suddenly interjects. "When we first saw you earlier, you were hugging both Minako and Minato. Why was that? Did you know them?"

"Yes. It is very important for me to be by their side." Aigis comments before her gaze shifts to Ren. "And his as well."

"What?" Ren asks, blinking as Makoto presses herself closer to him. "Is this because we are Wild Cards or something?"

"I hope so…" Minato replies, shaking his head while Minako chuckles nervously. Neither of them saw the looks they were getting from Yukari and Fuuka. Even if they didn't realise they were even giving looks in the first place.

"Hm… Maybe her facial recognition system is malfunctioning." Ikutsuki comments, shaking his head. "Or maybe she's still half asleep. Very interesting."

"How can he find this interesting…?" Junpei quietly asks Akihiko, who shrugs at him. This was certainly not what they expected.

"Anyhow, I forgot to mention. Did you know there are a wide range of recreational facilities you can use here? There's a tennis court, a pool table, and even a karaoke machine! Does anyone want to hear me sing?"

"No." The Thieves reply in a deadpan voice, causing Ikutsuki to face fault and manage to earn some chuckles out of the S.E.E.S team. And spare them from whatever Ikutsuki planned to sing to them. At least, so they thought.

July 22nd, 2009.

Day three of the trip and the excitement from before had now quieted down. Considering how they were going home tomorrow, it was understandable that the excitement was starting to wear off. Soon, it would be back to school, rummaging around broke-back Tartarus, as Junpei liked to call it, and facing the next Shadow on the full moon.

"Day three of our trip, huh? Time flies by way too fast." Ryuji remarks as the boys gather at the beach.

"It's too bad we have to go home tomorrow. I would totally stay here longer if I could." Junpei admits, rolling his arm. "But I can't complain too much here. We went through a hell of a lot here!"

"Yeah, like hearing you and the Chairman singing…" Akihiko deadpans.

"It certainly was an experience…" Yusuke comments, shaking his head.

"I barely got any sleep last night because of that…" Morgana groans from under a sunshade. Curling himself more into a ball. It was then that the girls joined up with them, alongside Aigis, who was looking around with curiosity.

"Do we have a mission at the beach today?" She asks in simple terms.

"Nah. Just hanging out and blowing off steam." Ann tells her, stretching her arms.

"Ah. I am informed of the concept. Recreation is sustenance for one's mental wellbeing." Aigis replies in a manner of fact tone.

"Then let's take one last dip in the waves before we leave." Haru comments with a smile. "It'll be a long time until we can relax like this again."

"Is it okay for Aigis to even go into the water?" Fuuka asks nervously, watching as Aigis, Junpei, Ann, and Ryuji rush to the sea.

"I'm sure she's fine." Yukari comments. No sooner does she say that Aigis runs back up to them, not even covered in water. "Oh, done already?"

"It is best that everyone partake in this activity together. Deriving enjoyment alone is not the optimal method for 'having fun'."

"Whoa… bringing out the big guns, huh?" Futaba asks in a joking voice.

"You've got some strong feelings on pretty weird things, don't you?" Yukari asks, shaking her head. "But, what the heck, I'll join too."

"I think we all should." Ren comments, looking at the sea. "Be a waste if we all passed on it."

"That means you too, Morgana." Makoto calls out to the snoozing cat.

"No, thanks… don't like seawater…" Morgana replies, snoozing away as the team shakes their heads at him.

"Oh well. You'll miss out!" Minako calls back as the group heads to the sea to join Ryuji, Ann, and Junpei. Just as Ikutsuki arrives on the beach. Watching them all enjoy themselves in the sea. However, an interesting development happened as the team played in the water.

"Aigis! That's not what water gun means!" Ann shouts as she, Ryuji, and Junpei are peppered by water from Aigis. Who was firing the water from her fingers?

"Huh. So she uses bullets to attack? From her fingers as well?" Futaba asks, glancing at Akihiko and Mitsuru. "Now I know why you are able to get us the ammo we need for our guns."

"In truth, I never even knew of Aigis's existence until now." Mitsuru replies, watching Aigis continue to pepper the three with water. "I wonder why I was never told…" Eventually, the storm of water proved too great for the three of them, as they all fell to the ground as though they were struck by their weaknesses.

"They are down!" Fuuka says with a cheer.

"We have an opening for an All-Out Attack!" Futaba shouts with a grin, with the trio on the floor looking up in shock.

"Huh?"

"Wha?"

"You're joking, right?" The three ask, looking up at Ren, Minako and Minato with pleading eyes. Yet, instead, all they saw was the glint of rebellion in their eyes.

"Sorry guys…" Minako says, rolling her arm.

"But you know the rules…" Minato adds, folding his arms.

"When there is an opening…" Ren adds, falling into his stance as everyone around them falls into their own stances, with Ryuji, Ann, and Junpei looking at them all with weak grins.

"All-Out Attack!" Ren, Minako, and Minato shout as everyone rushes in at the three. Of course, it wasn't a serious All-Out Attack, only done so out of fun as they all soon found themselves laughing at each other at the ridiculousness of it all. And feeling the tension around them melt away as they all take in the atmosphere around them.

And in the twin's eyes, they could see the fifth star added to the Fool's card and the fourth added to the Universe card. Along with the bonds they share with everyone getting stronger at the moment, the threat of the Dark Hour seemed as far away as possible.

Even if they were returning to the action tomorrow.

September 15th, 2017.

"And that's how I joined the team." Aigis finishes, looking around the café.

"Man… that sounds heavy…" Ryuji remarks, rubbing the back of his head. Ann glances at Yukari, sympathy filling her veins. But it seemed Yukari noticed as she shook her head at Ann.

"It's okay. I'm past that. And besides, what we were shown was not the full video."

"Not the full video?" Makoto asks. "You mean, there were parts missing?" Yukari nods, frowning as she folds her arms in annoyance.

"Parts missing, and more. But I didn't learn about that until later." Yukari confirms, just as the door to Leblanc opens once more. With a happy bark echoing from the door as Koromaru rushes into the bar. Jumping up at each of the Thieves and giving them a lick in greeting as Ken and Shinjiro enter after him.

"Someone is happy to see all of you." Shinjiro remarks, watching Koromaru rush around before going back to Ken.

"And we're delighted to see him as well." Haru admits, watching as Sophia pats Koromaru on the head. "How have the two of you been?"

"We've been good. Mainly focusing on my studies." Ken replies, sitting at the bar next to Aigis as Shinjiro continues to stand. "How far along are you?"

"We just finished up our trip to Yakushima." Mitsuru confirms, brushing some hair away.

"Alright. So still early on before we joined." Shinjiro comments, rolling his arm. "Well, now that we're here, time to tell the full story."

"What do you mean by that, Shinjiro?" Yusuke asks, earning a sigh from him as she shakes his head.

"Let's just say my situation was complicated for a while…"

July 23rd, 2009.

"Argh… why now… Castor?" Shinjiro groans, a hand on his chest as he feels a spike of pain radiating out through him. It had started to happen more often than not. The pain of his Persona not synchronising with him. But this was happening much quicker than before. Was there something Castor knew that he didn't? He was so distracted by the pain he didn't realise he was being approached.

"You seem to be in quite the pain." A voice echoes before him as the pale man with the revolver approaches him alongside his two compatriots.

"You again…" Shinjiro remarks, glaring at them with one eye open. The pale man looks at him before turning to the boy on his right.

"Jin. Give him the capsules." The boy says nothing, tossing something at Shinjiro who catches it in one hand, nodding at them in thanks. "Before you give us payment, we want to change it."

"That's right. Today, we want payment in the form of information." The pale man confirms, causing Shinjiro to pause. "Your acquaintances have been busy lately. And I'm referring to their activities on nights when the moon is full, of course. They've spent a great deal of time in the tower as well. I wonder, why did they take this burden upon themselves?"

Shinjiro stays quiet, placing his hands into his pockets as he looks at the three before him. He knew what they were after, but whether he should tell them or not, he did not know.

"You do not know? Or you do know, but you don't wish to say." The pale man remarks with a grin. "Is it because you are one of them?"

"I'm not! I've got nothing to do with them any more!" Shinjiro denies it, stomping a foot forward.

"Then tell us. I'm sure you'll agree these pills are more important than a group you have nothing to do with." The pal man asks, narrowing his eyes at him. Shinjiro growls under his breath, knowing he is in an impossible situation. Well, the least he could do would be to tell them as little as he could.

"I don't know the details, but, supposedly, destroying all those creatures will put an end to the Dark Hour and that weird-ass looking tower. That's all I know, all right?" It's not like you'd believe the Time Travel anyway. Not that I have any intention of telling you that.

"You mean… they completely intend to destroy the Dark Hour?" The pal man asks, his eyes going wide. "Why would they do such a thing!? To give up such power… to destroy the Tower of Demise!?"

'Tower of Demise'? The fuck are they talking about? Shinjiro mentally questions, leaning back on his impromptu seat.

"Takaya…" The boy, Jin, tells the pal man, who nods at him before looking back at Shinjiro.

"Just one more question. Kaze Fukuyama, Yūgō Satō, Denki Miyano, Hotaru Mizuki, Gijutsu Yuki, Kōri Sugita, and Kokoro Tomatsu. What do you know about them?"

Oh shit. Shinjiro blinks in surprise, hearing the cover names of the Time Travellers. Were they on their hit list as well? "Who are they?"

"They are Persona users, just like us. And yet, they do not use Evoker." Takaya replies. "In fact, they use guns like us as well. It certainly was a surprise when Jin and I tried to claim the lives of Kaze and Yūgō. Never imagined I would find myself in a stand-off."

"So spit up. What do you know about them?" Jin asks with narrow eyes, earning Shinjiro's gaze.

"I don't know who you are talking about. You need an Evoker to summon a Persona, no matter what." Shinjiro tells them, shrugging their shoulders. Jin seemed to growl at him as Takaya just lets out a sigh.

"I suppose we were being too hopeful you would know. Very well." Takaya tells him as the trio soon take their leave. Leaving Shinjiro alone as he glanced down at the floor.

"I can't go back… I promised I would never use this power again. Not after what happened last time…"