7/31 Friday 6 days until Full Moon
“C'mon, don't think about catching it with your stick! Pump those legs and get around it! We'll be laughingstocks tomorrow if we go to their school in this shape!”
What else do you expect from a team that abandoned you?
“Oh hey. Have you looked around lately? The Lost are everywhere. My friends get scared when they see them. People don't even feel safe walking around town. We have to do something about it.”
“Well, Full Moon Yukari. That's what we've got.”
“Oh, hello Ikutsuki.”
“I heard that there is a dog that can use a Persona. I've been researching the possibility for a long time, but I never thought that it was true. I mean, can you imagine? A dog using a Persona! A dog! I'm...”
“Pet-rified?”
“Oh! You read my mind! Hmm, I didn't know you were so funny.”
As I said, high pun tolerance.
“You all stay up so late,” Ken said to Minako. “I try to stay up as late as you guys, but I'm always the first one to fall asleep. What do you guys do when you're up so late?”
Oh goodness. Well, I guess I can't give something vague, he wouldn't like that. So...
“A few of us study.”
“Wow. High school must be really hard.”
It's summer. I don't want to study during summer. Let's see...there's this horror game at the arcade I can try out.
Geez, that was slightly nerve-wracking. But it wasn't that bad. Made me nervous, but not that bad.
8/1 Saturday 5 days until Full Moon
Hmm, I better review where we are going to. Inaba huh? Wow, that's way out in the country! I've lived in cities so...this'll be fun!
Minako took deep breaths, enjoying the country air. It's so nice here! And green. Green is good. The group was lead to the local high school, which was rather small but kinda charming. A joint practice was going to be held for today and tomorrow.
“What a rustic school,” Ms. Kanou said. “There's no convenience stores nearby and no clubs either. I want you all on your best behavior, okay?”
I'm certain there are clubs. Small scale but clubs.
The two groups of students greeted each other and the teams headed to the back for the courts. Rio lead the groups in the practice, making sure they actually did practice. The Inaba students weren't too thrilled about Rio making them do work and some of the Gekkoukan students were grumbling about it not being a paradise with a hot springs.
“Afterwards, let's do a couple sets of muscle training and then a match,” Rio ordered.
“How about, the losing side cleans up afterwards?” A familiar voice suggested.
“Whoa, Yuko!? What're you doing here?” Rio asked.
“I've got my reasons. Anyways, wouldn't you guys take the challenge more seriously if there was something at stake?”
“Well...”
Considering our team...
“...that is true,” Minako replied.
“It's not like you guys usually care about winning anyways, so why not?”
“Are you saying that's how our team is?” Rio asked. “Well, maybe you're right. Alright, then not only will the losing school have to clean up, let's add 10 wind sprints to the bet!”
That certainly got both sides energized. While Minako and Rio performed excellently, it wasn't enough to save Gekkoukan from losing the matches.
“Whewwww. We're finally finished cleaning up,” Yuko sighed in relief.
“Okay, time for the sprints then!” Rio cheerfully said to the group.
“Me too?” Yuko asked.
“Of course. This was your idea.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
After the fellowship, the group headed out front to wait for someone from the local inn to take them there. “Did you hear they have a natural hot springs there?” Rio asked Minako. “Wanna wash each other's backs later?”
“Oh sure! Sounds like fun.”
“This is so fun! Last year's fellowship wasn't too far from our school. This place is so laid back. I love it. The shopping district seems pretty lively, though. What a peaceful town. It'd be nice to live here.”
Why was my first thought when she said it was peaceful was 'Shame if something were to happen to it?'
At that moment, a young girl came up to the group, in her school uniform. “Are you the club members from Gekkoukan High School? The Amagi Inn sent me to get you.”
“Huh? Oh, th-thank you very much,” Rio said, surprised. “Um, you don't work there, do you?”
“No, I'm just helping out. I'm Yukiko Amagi, the daughter of the hostess at the Amagi Inn.”
“The hostess's daughter. So does that make you a junior hostess? Cool!” Yuko said. “Oh, are you in high school?”
“No, I'm still in middle school.”
“You're in middle school and you're already helping with the family business? Man, talk about responsible. So are you going to inherit the business?”
“That...I don't know yet.”
She seems uneased at that. Well, can't blame her. There's not too many who would be thrilled about inheriting a job from their parents. I should... Minako sighed. ...all in the past now.
“Hey, don't stick your nose in other people's business!” Rio said sternly to Yuko.
“Yes, ma'am. Sorry. People are always telling me I'm nosy.”
“Oh that's alright,” Yukiko responded. “It's fun chatting with people from outside of town.”
A woman called out for Yukiko, asking for her car keys. Yukiko scrambled for a bit, but then pulled out the keys from her pocket. She apologized, saying she must have thought they were the house keys. The woman said it was fine and that she would head out for groceries. Yukiko offered to help but the woman declined, saying Yukiko didn't need to be sent on those errands and that they were too heavy for her. She also mentioned someone named Chie needing help with homework. She then told the group that she was a waitress at then inn and hoped they would enjoy their stay before heading off.
Whether she takes the job or not, I think Yukiko does care for her friends, wait uh not the right word uh...fellow family of employees at the in.
“I'm sorry for the wait. Let's go. It's this way to the inn.”
Minako whistled at the impressiveness of the room.
“So huge. So luxurious,” Yuko gasped in amazement. “Is it really okay for people like us to stay here? Won't we get a scolding?”
“Heh. From who?” Minako replied as she stretched out on a futon.
“Huh? Umm...the government?”
“What are you talking about?” Rio asked. “And hey, this isn't your room, Yuko.”
“Yeah about that! You gotta hear this! There was some mistake, and I got stuck in the same room as Kaz!”
“Kaz...you mean Kazushi? Wait, he's here too? Huh? Wasn't Kazushi supposed to take part in the tournament?”
“I was supposed to stay behind, to sort of look after him. He's injured, so we're trying a hot-springs cure! I'm gonna get the most out of this trip by clearing up my skin, too!”
“Huh. Wait. Did you say you were in the same room? Kazushi...is a guy right?”
“He's a big ol' girl on the inside, but on the outside, yeah, he's a guy. Ms. Kanou's assigned the rooms, right? What the hell was she thinking?”
“Knowing her, it was probably on purpose,” Minako noted.
“Ugh, I can just see her raving about summer romances and all that crap! Kaz is just a big kid to me.”
“By the way, Kazushi's injured? Is he okay?” Rio asked.
“No it's pretty bad. That's why we're relying on the hot-springs cure. Ugh, and that idiot didn't say anything for the longest time. Thanks to that, it's gotten even worse! He's such a dumbass. Why do I have to look after him!?”
“...Sounds like you two are perfect for each other.”
Ah, now you're pairing others Rio? Minako giggled to herself.
“What!? You gotta be jok- wait, what time is it? Oops, it's time for Kaz's medication. Well, see you later!”
“She can say whatever she wants, but she's taking pretty good care of him.”
“Yep. She's very much a mothering sort. I could tell that on the first day here.”
Minako and Rio headed out for the baths, relaxing and enjoying the night. Afterwards, the two and Yuko met up in their room. After chatting for awhile on various subjects, Yuko spoke up.
“Hey, isn't there something more appropriate to talk about at times like these?”
“What, like boyfriends?” Minako asked.
“Yep, exactly! Well...I'd be confessing my love if there was anyone I really liked. I prefer a thin guy, but he'd have to be athletic, and there's no one at school who fits that description.”
A chill ran down my spine for some reason or another. Odd.
“What about Kazushi?” Rio asked.
“No way.” Yuko paused for a moment then. “Uhh, but I do have this feeling...this is just an if, okay? IF Kaz and me don't end up finding someone for a long time...I get this feeling I might end up getting married to him. Ack, what should I do!?”
“What kind of premonition is that?”
“I mean, he's completely useless without me. There's no way he'll even remember where he keeps his underwear. Imagine him getting old all alone and eating nasty convenience store food every day! It's just so sad!”
“So marry him.” Minako said.
“Nooooo! I gotta fight it!” Minako and Rio laughed happily. “So what about you, Minako-san? You've got someone you like, right?”
“Well...not yet.”
“So you're in the same boat as us. Does that mean the guys at our school just don't meet our standards?”
“You two seem like you're having fun. I really don't get that sort of thing,” Rio said.
“Ugh, I don't want to think anymore about a future with Kaz. How about we tell some ghost stories?”
Excellent! I know some good ones from Big Sis!
“Hmm, that's fine with me, but I don't scare easily,” Rio replied. “I do know a lot of stories, though.”
“Let's hear 'em. Although the way you say that is already giving me goosebumps. O-one sec!” Yuko ran out...and brought Kazushi into the room.
“Hey, this is a girl's room. I'm not allowed to be here!” Kaz exclaimed.
“It's okay. Just stay here, all right? Okay, Rio. Do your worst.”
“Is he your good luck charm?” Rio asked.
“N-no! I just...wanted him here.”
Minako giggled. “A future with Kaz, eh?”
“No no, I never said that! You're supposed to tell scary stories with four people! That's the rules! C'mon, hurry up and let's go in order!”
“Alright, I'll go first,” Rio replied. “This story's about the tunnel we passed through today...”
Ooooh. I like thi-
Suddenly, the room turned pitch black! Yuko climbed on Kaz in shock. But just as soon as it appeared, it ended. Yuko called the front desk to ask about the blackout but...there was no black out.
“What're we going to do!? That was a real supernatural phenomenon.”
“Lights turn on and off though.” Kaz pointed out.
“Are you an idiot!? The fact that they went out without anyone touching them means! Uhhhh, let's just stop talking about it! I'm pretending that it never happened!”
...wait...there's a remote at my feet. Um...I guess I accidentally turned it off. Hmm...guess there's no reason to tell them this.
8/2 Sunday 4 days until Full Moon
Ah, the fellowship is over. Well, that was fun! All that training may have been a pain and...holy geez it's four days until Full Moon, but, it's been fun! Now the summer is clear for whatever I want to do!
Rio politely thanked the Inaba students for having them over and they wished the group luck for the trip back.
“Guess we should go back too. Hey, you okay?” Kaz asked Yuko.
“Yeah...I just didn't get any sleep. I saw...people's faces in the walls.”
“You're just exaggerating. Want me to give you a piggyback ride if you're not feeling well?”
“You moron! Your leg's hurt! What're you talking about!? I'd rather give you a piggyback ride!”
Kaz laughed. “See? You're exaggerating again.”
“Please come again,” Yukiko said to the group.
“Oh, thanks for taking the time to come see us off,” Yuko thanked.
“She said she saw people's faces showing up in the inn's walls,” Kaz told the girl, much to Yuko's displeasure.
“Oh, you saw them too? There's always a few at old inns, so there's no need to worry.”
Do I see her grinning there?
“C'mon, let's go home,” Rio said to the group.
“Well then, I must part here. Please have a safe trip back,” Yukiko headed off.
“Don't tell me...she's not a ghost herself, is she!?” Yuko asked. “I mean, she was real cute. Maybe she was one!”
“Really cute girls are ghosts? That's all the proof I need to know you're human,” Kaz remarked.
“What!? Say that again to my face!”
“Hey, stop trying to step on my foot! Oh, that reminds me. I got a call about the tournament a moment ago. They told me that Niimura at San High was a no-show. Not only that, they couldn't find him at his house either.”
“D-does that mean he's missing!? Did he run away from home? Maybe he was freaked out about the tournament?” Yuko realized something. “Or wait...is it because of that Apathy Syndrome thing?”
!!
“No idea. Hopefully he shows up soon. He was a great guy.”
“Yeah...a-anyways, let's go home! C'mon let's do our clap and put this to bed!”
“Why're you the one leading the clap?”
“Welcome back.”
“Glad to be back.”
“Yo, how'd the training camp go?” Junpei asked Minako. “Were there any cute girls at their school?”
“Yeah.”
“Seriously!? Man, I should've gone with you.”
“Is that all you ever think about?” Yukari remarked. “I mean, the moon's almost full. You shouldn't be joking around like that.”
“Yeah, next Thursday, the 6 th. Make sure you're ready.” Akihiko said.
Already am! Well, double check on gear but...
“Hm? Are you worried about how Koromaru is doing?” Mitsuru asked Minako.
“Yes, very.”
“I understand how you feel, but Koromaru has a professional veterinarian tending to him, so he'll be fine. You should be focusing your attention on the full moon that is coming up.”
“C'mon, we can't let Koromaru beat us!” Junpei told Minako. “Let's go to Tartarus, man.”
“Nah, we're good.”
“Junpei's afraid of Koromaru making him look bad,” Akihiko said to Minako. “Well he does have a point there. I don't know how comfortable I am with a dog getting all the credit either. Alright, make sure you get me when you go to Tartarus.”
Minako sighed. Well, we haven't had a rescue mission yet so...there's that as well.
“Do you remember that Shadow from the other day? You know, the one Koro-chan defeated?” Yukari asked Minako. “Well, for some reason it reason it reminded me of something Mitsuru-senpai was telling me about. Normal Shadows don't appear outside of Tartarus, but there are irregular ones that do. Only our senpai have seen them.”
Hmm. Odd that.
Minako headed over to Ken. “Hey! What's up?”
“Huh? Oh, I'm drinking coffee. How do you drink your coffee, Minako-san?”
“Milk and sugar. Dilute that taste as much as I can try to.”
“Hm, that's not that bad either, but I prefer mine black.”
Is this the maturity thing acting in you?
“On the next episode of Phoenix Ranger Featherman R! Episode 24: The Giant Robot March! Icarus! Garuda! Combine! And now the news. More Apathy Syndrome victims succumbed to heatstroke today...”
I'll head out to the arcade today but first, letter from Maya.
Dear, Minako
A robot!? Seriously a robot!? That is so cool! Well, I guess that answers your question on if I recognize her. I didn't know of her. I just...kinda felt led to you. That's going to eat at you too, huh? Remember, think positive about this! A robot on your team! That's all kinds of cool, a robot using a Persona.
As for your friend, you should still keep a supportive hand. Losing a parent and then losing faith in one is a big deal and you should be there for her.
Aha! You broke your habit. I always did tell you you could do great in school if you actually put your mind into it. Congrats! I wish I had some money to spare that I could send you but it's a bit tight over here. Once again, it's hard to convince the news folks to give up an old model in exchange for a new one. Layoffs are already in progress. But don't worry about me! I'm still writing plenty of articles for the team to be pleased with and people really do like them.
A child? I presume all your years of hanging around me made you perceptive about things around you. Defiantly keep an eye on him. And be kind and nice and helpful.
I presume when you want to talk about Featherman, you were refering to the Apathy Syndrome thing and not the epic battles. Ah, Minako, Minako. Enjoy Featherman for what it is! Big explosions and the power of teamwork! Especially the teamwork part. Remember that you are not alone in this.
Keep thinking positive~
Maya
Minako Level: 27
Academics: Above Average
Charm: Queen Bee
Courage: Fearless
Personae
Pale Rider – Death – Level 26
Empusa – Fortune – Level 23
Vetala – Devil – Level 24
Neko Shogun – Star – Level 19
Ares – Chariot – Level 19
Titan – Strength – Level 23
Principality – Justice – Level 16
Narcissus – Lovers – Level 20
Social Links:
Fool Rank 5
Magician MAXED
Priestess Rank 6
Emperor Rank 5
Hiero. Rank 9
Lovers Rank 4
Chariot Rank 6
Hermit Rank 3
Hanged Rank 4
Death Rank 3
Temper. Rank 6
Star Rank 3
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