6/18 Thursday 19 days until Full Moon
Hmm? Why is my cell phone ringing so early in the morning?
“Good morning. This is Theodore.” Theo said to Minako.
“Oh hello. A bit early for a call isn't it?”
“I have business with you, so please come to the Velvet Room at your earliest convenience. It's an important matter that concerns you.”
“Alright. After school, I'll head on over.”
At the school gates, Minako overheard gossip about the Kirijo group.
So they built this school. Wait...something seems off about that. I need to look over that research papers again I got from Tartarus. See if they have any clues.
As soon as the bell for the end of school rang, Minako headed straight out the door and to the mall. She noticed someone putting up something by the Police station but didn't make any note of it.
“Please forgive me for calling you like this. There's something I must bring to your attention.” Theo told Minako.
“Alright. What's up?”
“There seems to be someone inside Tartarus between floors 44 and 47.”
“...what?! How did they get in there?”
“It seems someone without the potential, who heard the voices of the Shadows. If left alone, they will become Lost in your world and may die. Please find them and return them.”
“So it's like Natsuki...alright then. I'll go as soon as I can.”
Minako doubled-checked the bulletin board. Apparently, Ayako Yoshimoto, a senior at Gekkoukan was last seen at the Mall last night. She hadn't returned home yet.
Now, should I give up spending time with friends for power or take a break today at the spa to try to ready myself for a rescue this evening? Decisions, decisions...
Either way, I think I should stop by this antique store and see about fusing myself a weapon.
Minako handed over Pyro Jack to the woman to fuse a Orginal Yanyue Dao with ice evasion properties. The owner informed Minako she could pick it up tomorrow.
Minako headed to the library to perform her duties as a committee member, Naga bringing her more closer to Saori.
It turned out the day was pretty slow. Minako and Saori worked on barcoding up the new books that were shipped in. Saori bumped into another student as she brought books in.
“C-can I borrow your notes? The teacher erases the blackboard too fast for me to copy them down.” The student asked.
“Oh, of course. I've been taking lots of notes for physics too. I'm not too good in that class by myself, so I need to pay attention.”
“Oh um...that's alright.”
“I see. Give me one second.” Saori handed over her notes to the girl and she ran off.
“Huh. She was very polite to you.” Minako told Saori as the girl ran off.
“Heh. You noticed? We don't know each other all that well but it feels good to have people rely on me. So...”
Oh boy. I really hope that doesn't get her into trouble.
“I've never gotten used to this school. You're a transfer student but you seem to have grown accustomed to this place really quickly. I see you sometimes in the hall, and you always look like you're having fun.”
Huh. I guess I never really thought about that. But I'm on good terms with my classmates and I'm usually around Junpei or Yukari.
“You should come talk to me.”
“Hm...I thought other people would think the wrong thing if we started getting along well.”
What? Come on. Someone has read too many stories. But then again, I don't think of her as a older student. Heck, I'm hardly able to talk to Mitsuru outside of Tartarus.
Minako and Saori continued their work for the day, with Minako spotting a second Hermit card.
“Welcome back. So, Amano, have you been monitoring your physical condition?”
“I sure have.”
Because I barely catch anything in class otherwise.
“I thought Mitsuru-senpai forced Fuuka into this...” And before Minako could speak a single word. “...but she seems to be doing her best. So I have to do my best too!”
...better.
I know there is someone in Tartarus but I've missed way too much studying for my liking. Need to review what I missed.
6/19 Friday 18 days until Full Moon
I really don't want to talk to Yukari yet. Might as well take a walk and get that Naginata.
“My friend said that the guy who disappeared from the town nearby...he might be a victim of that revenge website!”
“Revenge website!? What is that? Is it scary?”
Huh? I don't like the sound of that.
“Have you heard about this crazy rumor going on online? You can get revenge on someone just by signing up at a website.”
...for some reason, I'm getting reminded of Big Sis' stories. Not good.
“I came into the arcade the other day, and I saw this guy. He was tossing a ball up in the air and catching it. I wonder what that was about. It didn't look like any kind of toy or prize they offer here. Maybe I should ask about it next time I see him.”
'Mmm. Now that I look at it. This weapon is only marginally better than the one I have. I'll hold onto it but...I won't use it. Unless...yep. Oberon is weak to ice.
Minako met up with Yukari, Tam Lin making her more in-tune with the Lovers.
I was just here! Minako thought as the two headed to the mall. The two shopped around for awhile and just when Yukari offered Karaoke.
“Mommy! Where are you!?” They heard a child crying for his mother.
“Hey, what's wrong? Are you lost?” Yukari asked.
“M-mommy told me to wait here and...and she gave me money but...b-but she's not coming.” The child then began to bawl.
“Hey, don't cry.” Yukari comforted the child. He began to slow down his crying. “See you're okay. I'll stay here with you, alright?” She then looked at the police station. “Hey look! We can get help over there! C'mon, follow me. The policemen will know what to do. He'll find your mom so don't worry.”
The two explained the story to the police officer and they contacted the child's parents.
“What were they thinking, leaving that poor kid all alone!?” Yukari said to Minako after awhile. “It makes me so angry. But...I guess my Mom's no different.”
Oh yeah. Didn't she mention something like that at her hospital visit a long while back?
“You did say you weren't close.”
“Yeah, that's right. I told you before. Well if you'd asked me what kind of a parent she is, I'd say 'a terrible one.' She wasn't always like that though. After what happended with Dad, she totally changed. She's probably living with one of her boyfriends somewhere. Honestly, I'd rather not know.”
...all I can think is “ouch.”
“Hey, you know what'd be cool? Changing the subject! Um, look...you are the only one I told this to, so please don't tell anybody else about it!”
No problem. You know, it's kinda strange but I still kinda like that she's trusting me with this.
“Sorry, I'm not excatly in the mood for karaoke anymore. Let's go back. I'm going to make a stop at the convenience store so...I'll see you later.”
Minako headed back home by herself, a third Lovers card sliding into place.
“'sup dude? Sorry, I'm on my way to the store.”
...dang it!
Might as well get some sleep and rest up. Tomorrow we shall go to Tartarus!
“Hey, why are you crying?” A younger Minako asked a younger Yukari.
“Daddy's gone and Mom's left me all alone.”
“That's alright! I'm alone too! Except for my friend here.” A huge monster suddenly appeared behind Minako. “He looks after me and takes care of me. I'm certain he'll take care of you too!”
Yukari ran away in fear, screaming for someone to kill Minako and the monster.
Minako woke with a start. Oh dang it. Okay, breathe in, breathe out. It's all just a dream.
6/20 Saturday 17 days until Full Moon
Minako overheard more gossip on the Kirijo's, this time on Mitsuru. One teacher told a student that Mitsuru will likely go overseas to study in preparation for running the group. And then they wondered why she was living in a dorm then.
I can't vouch for the future, since SHADOWS but if only they knew.
Mitsuru informed the juniors that the Chairman was stopping by after school and that when they came back, to come to the meeting room.
Hmm. Interesting. So what's the meeting about this time? Another persona-user? Minako and Yukari headed right home.
As they approached the dorm they found Fuuka playing with a dog. She had just finished teaching him a handshake. Yukari praised him for the trick.
“Koro-chan, go say hi!” Fuuka commanded. “You can do that right?” The dog barked in the affirmative.
Aww. I always wanted a dog but we moved around so much that it wasn't feasible. Minako smiled as she petted the white dog and he nuzzled her back.
“His name's Koromaru. I've seen him sitting by the steps of the shrine.” Fuuka explained.
A housewife came by, amazed that the dog was still taking walks by himself. Yukari was puzzled and the woman explained that he belonged to the priest at the shrine and they took walks around there. But the priest died six months ago by getting hit by a car while walking his dog. Koromaru still waits by the accident site and still goes on walks though she explained.
Minako hugged Koromaru. Everyone. EVERYONE I KNOW, seems to have something horrible happen to them. Wait, all Rio has is unrequited love. And Hideotoshi is just unpopular.
“Aww, you're such a loyal dog! Good boy!” Yukari said to Koromaru.
“Huh?” Fuuka seemed startled for a bit.
“What's wrong?” Yukari asked.
“Oh...nothing...sorry.”
Hmm...
The girls then headed off into the dorm, saying goodbye to Koromaru.
“Arf!” he replied.
Ikutsuki greeted everyone. He gave the group a progress report on the Full Moon Shadows. He noted that Shadows are grouped into 12 catagories. He told the group that they have faced the Shadows classes 1 – 4 by their appearance.
Magician, slew by me. Priestess, train trouble and Empress and Emperor, kidnapping at school. Yep. Four shadows for the Major Aracana.
“Is that something we are supposed to be excited about?” Junpei asked.
“Oh I get it. There's 12 in all. Eight we haven't seen yet.” Fuuka said.
“That's exactly right Fuuka! You're quite sharp.”
“Oh uhahah, okay. So what are they after?”
Ikutsuki explained they didn't know this yet. They don't kill, just feed on their prey's minds but is there any intent behind it and to tell the group to ponder their role as a whole.
“This is interesting...” Akihiko said. “...but no matter what, we still have to beat the rest of them.”
“I agree. That's about all we can do at this point.” Mitsuru pointed out.
Don't I know it. If only there was a way we could find out these Shadow's motives. But of course, how can you find that out when they are trying to slash, stab and punch you?
“Eight more huh? Lucky us.” Yukari said scarcasticly.
“According to the data, each one has been stronger than the last, so we better start training harder.”
“I think that as long as we can get to the top of each block, we'll be fine,” Minako pointed out.
“She right and even if not, we'll manage. We've got plenty of time.” Akihiko said.
“What about Tartarus? Why does it even exist?” Yukari asked. Mitsuru was notably uneased at this statement and Yukari noticed it.
So, nothing much to go on. Eight more shadows are left though. Will we ever figure out their purpose?
“Tartarus is full of mysteries.” Yukari told Minako afterwards in the lounge. “Why did it appear? For how long as it been there? Do you think we'll ever know those answers?”
“I don't know...There is so much I don't know...”
“All we have to do is to defeat the remaining eight, right?” Junpei asked Minako.
“Sounds like it.”
“Then let's do it man!”
He is right. Eight left to go. That IS something.
“I've estimated the strength of the remaining Shadows.” Fuuka informed Minako. “It'll be tough to defeat them but not impossible. If you train consistently, we can win. So, keep up the hard work.”
Right. And I believe we are set at the moment.
“Don't worry about the Shadows getting stronger.” Akihiko told Minako. “We'll continue to progress up Tartarus. We have to do our best. If we do, we'll win. If we don't, we'll lose. Heh, it's as simple as that.”
Your one-mindedness is proving surprisingly comforting right now.
“Hey? Mitsuru?”
“...”
“Hello?”
“I'm thinking right now. If you're looking for someone to talk to, you've got the wrong person.”
“Oh hey! Ikutsuki? Do you have any glasses wipes?”
“Well I have something, of course, but you don't wear glasses. Aha!! Now I see clearly. Get it? Heh heh. It's not for your glasses. It's for a friend! Right? It's nice of you to 'look' after him. Well, by all means, take this. It looks dingy but it works very well, in fact. Your friend's glasses shall shine like the sun!”
Theo will enjoy this.
“Alright Fuuka? Is everyone up for Tartarus?”
“Yes they are.”
“Right. We are going tonight!”
Dark Hour
“So, why are we here?” Junpei asked.
“The news made a report on a Gekkoukan student being missing. Ayako Yoshimoto. A wild guess is that she is in Tartarus.”
“So we are on a rescue mission, like with Fuuka huh?” Akihiko asked.
“Correct. I'm not going to let someone stay in Tartarus when I know they are in there.”
“Very noble of you Amano.” Mitsuru prasied. “Keep us informed and we can coordinate a time when we can go in. But for now, we shall await your commands.”
Theo took a good glance at the wipe, noticing the build and how it was made for glasses but also noticing a stain informing him that it could be used to wipe other things. He gave her the wipe and a Amigo Poncho.
Minako set herself to fusing. First, Gurr and Unicorn for Neko Shogun...
Neko Shogun – Star A prophetic Taoist god, originally known as Mao Shogun. Due to a linguistic error inloving the Chinese word for cat, his name was changed to Neko Shogun.
...and Naga, Tam Lin and Zouchouten for Naricissus.
Narcissus – Lovers A young man of Greek myth. He rejected the nymph Echo, who faded to a whisper out of despair. Cursed by Nemesis, he fell in love with his own reflection and wasted away.
Floor 45
“There's someone on this floor. Find them, please!” Fuuka told the group.
“Okay everyone, spread out!”
Mitsuru found the stairs but Fuuka reminded the group that someone was still missing. “We are staying!” Minako said.
“Very well, I'll resume my investigation.”
Junpei found an item, and the access point. “Staying here!” Minako said.
“Gotcha, I'll keep looking around.”
After a quick excursion with a Sky Balance, which everyone was close enough to participate in, the search continued. Junpei found another item and got cought by a Shadow. Meanwhile, Minako and Mitsuru fought off a Beatle. While Mitsuru ran off elsewhere, Minako hopped in on Junpei's fight and they swiftly took down the Phantom Masters.
“Is that...a person?! We must save them!” Mitsuru shouted out as she found Ayako. She got hit by a attacked by a Shadow and Junpei and Minako came into the fight. The Phantom Masters did get atttacks in, including knocking Minako off of her feat, but they were swiftly subdued.
“Is that the person who went missing? Quick let's get to the enterence!” Fuuka teleported the group back in.
“Alright. We should go home now.” Minako said to the group.
“Thank you. Thank you all- is that Akihiko-senpai?” The girl said.
6/21 Sunday 16 days until Full Moon
Minako stretched out on her bed. Nothing like saving a person's life to get a boost to the mood. Her cell phone rang. Bebe wanted to hang out for the day.
“Of course my Frenchy friend!”
The two went to the manga cafe, Book-on. Bebe was still noticeably depressed though.
“I always used to call my aunt on ze weekend and 'olidays. If she was still alive, I would call 'er today.”
There's not much I can do...doesn't seem right to even give a hug of support.
“I zink zat I miss my 'ome.”
“Um, is there any news about the funeral?”
“Oh! You are thinking about my aunt! You are so kind, Minako-sama. I 'ave a bad feeling zat I will not be able to come back if I go. Zat is why...I can't go back.”
Well, I hope everyone thinks he's busy studying or something like that...
'...he would probably enjoy this Ganesha Bank.
And indeed, he was overjoyed with the very Japanese gift.
On the next Phoenix Featherman Ranger R! Episode 18: Death of a Condor! Get your hankies ready, kids!
Why are you broadcasting that!? You should keep it vague, not outright tell who's going to die!
“Mitsuru-senpai and Akihiko-senpai aren't here today, so we can't go to Tartarus.” Fuuka informed Minako.
“Alright then. Hey, what's going on here?” Minako asked the congregated juniors.
“We were talking about Koromaru.” Yukari said. “We told Junpei about him and he says he's seen him around.”
“Really, a white dog. It kinda sounds familiar.” Junpei said. “But he really is a one of a kind dog.”
“What kind of dog do you think would be good for Mitsuru-senpai?” Fuuka spoke up.
“Hmm...I can't really see her with a dog.” Yukari said.
“She'd probably have a doberman and she'd feed it filet mignon.” Junpei smiled.
“Junpei-kun, I think you've been reading too much manga.” Fuuka remarked while Minako snickered.
“Ah, I wish I was a dog, so I could get girls' attention.” Junpei said.
“Don't you think Akihiko-senpai would look good with a dog?” Fuuka asked. “Not an unusal one, just an ordinary playful dog.”
“Yeah, that's true.” Yukari said. “I could see them running on the beach together.”
“Maybe a Golden Retriever or something.” Minako noted. “Anyway, I'm off to studying.”
Right after I check this recording.
6/14/2009 16:17:49
Wait, Junpei was with me for the day! When the heck did he get into this mess?!
6/22 Monday 15 days until Full Moon
Yukari met Minako at the front gate with a glum expression.
“The night before last...the 12 shadows...Tartarus. Isn't there just too much we don't understand?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“It's starting to get to me.”
Mrs. Terauchi explained about the “devilfish” status that octopus has in Europe.
Dang it. Stop talking about food. You are making me hungry.
“Now here's a question for...Junpei. Of manta rays, squid, and jellyfish, which is these is NOT known as a 'devilfish?'”
“I didn't even know octopi were devilfish! How am I supposed to know this!?” He whispered to Minako.
“Alright. It's jellyfish.”
Mrs. Terauchi told Junpei he was correct and made a joke about it being a desert. Junpei thanked Minako for the assist.
“Hey Fuuka! You ready to cook!”
“Oh! Of course!” Fuuka replied. Minako smiled, as the Unicorn brought her closer to the Priestess.
With the two at the Home-Ec room, Fuuka brought out a recipe on Chocolate truffles.
Okay. This is simple enough. Sugar, milk chocolate, liq-
“Um, one teaspoon of liquer. That doesn't seem like enough. Dissolve 200 grams of milk chocolate into hot water...am I supposed to put hot water in it or it into the hot water?”
This sounds deadly! But...must resist urge to take over.
“Do you need any help?”
“Oh no, it's okay. I should be able to do this. Thanks, though.”
...this isn't going to end well for her.
After awhile...
Alright! These truffles look good! Should make these a gift at some point.
“Yes, I'm done! This is much more fun when there's two people here. Thanks, Minako-chan!”
Well, if she's having a ball, who am I to stop her!
“How does this look? It's a little odd-shaped.”
It's one huge glop of chocolate! Isn't this supposed to be many small pieces?
“This...is big.”
“They say bigger is better so...”
It smells sour. What did she-
“I thought that a teaspoon of liqueur wasn't enough so I put a whole cup in. Look see?''
“Um...that's vinegar.”
“Huh? Oh, you're right. It is rice vinegar. I didn't notice at all...I'm hopeless aren't I? I just wanted to help everyone, even outside of battle. So I thought they might like having some homemade food or sweets when they are tired but...I want to try harder so that I can get better at this. Plus, now that you're helping me out, I want to succeed even more. I'll try harder next time!”
“That's right! Let's think positive! And check the labels.”
The two cleaned up and went back, Minako spotting a second Priestess card falling into place.
“'sup dude? Remember how Mitsuru-senpai was saying the equipment in the command room was busted? Well it's still on the fritz so I checked it out but I dunno dude. I don't wanna just press buttons at random, y'know? Soooooo, it's all up to you buddy!”
''Speaking of which, you spent all day with me on the 14 th right?”
“Yeah?”
So it's also recording dates wrong! I guess. I mean, the clothes were winter after all.
“Hey when normal people Transmogrify during the Dark Hour, why do they turn into coffins? Are they pretending to be dead? I heard that works if a bear is about to attack you...actually, I just made that up.”
“I found some interesting information the other day.” Fuuka reported to Minako. “Apparently, there was an unexplained explosion near our school ten years ago. At the same time, a large number of students refused to go to school. The news reports stated that the incidents were somehow related. Isn't that fascinating?”
...I think Sis mentioned that a few times and that was what brought her to Tastumi Port Island for awhile. I don't recall much though.
Why does this mention of a dead body perk my ears up so? Is it because it's a student and I've been hearing lots of rumors of the revenge website?
Might as well study. Oh god, don't think too deep about the Octopus or else I'm going to go hungry again.
Academics: Average
Charm: Unique
Courage: Tough
Personae
Narcissus - Level 22
Oberon - Level 18
Berith - Level 13
Slime - Level 12
Neko Shogun - Level 19
Inugami - Level 10
Unicorn - Level 11
Valkyrie - Level 11
Archangel - Level 10
Pyro Jack - Level 14
Social Links:
Fool Rank 3
Magician Rank 9
Priestess Rank 2
Emperor Rank 4
Hiero. Rank 9
Lovers Rank 3
Chariot Rank 5
Hermit Rank 2
Hanged Rank 3
Death Rank 1
Temper. Rank 4
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