10/5 Monday 29 days until Full Moon
...still have to go to school...I really...it's just a friend being sick in the hospital, right?
After school, Mitsuru approached Minako, Junpei, Yukari and Aigis. She told them to meet her in the lounge. “You know what it's regarding. I don't expect you to have collected your thoughts. In fact, I'm still at a loss myself. I'll see you then.”
“It's about Ken, huh.” Junpei said. He sighed. “This'll be a fun meeting.”
“Yeah...” Yukari replied. “Hey, Minako... let's go home together today.”
Meanwhile, Akihiko gained a new resolution when checking on Shinjiro at the hospital.
That evening, at the lounge...
“You all know the reason we are gathered here,” Mitsuru mentioned to the group. “We need to discuss how to deal with Amada. I've already consulted the chairman. Aigis, bring Amada here.”
“Understood.”
“It's my fault,” Fuuka said. “When Shinjiro-senpai told me he'd be late, I thought it was strange but said nothing. If only I'd listened to my intuition, like Minako-chan.”
“Don't blame yourself, Fuuka. If anything, I should have done something more. Maybe Shinjiro-senpai would still be here...”
“It's not your fault, Amano. If anyone should have realized it, it should have been me.”
“I knew this wasn't a game but I'd never thought it would have end up like this,” Junpei said.
“There's no point dwelling on the past.” Akihiko chided on the group. “Don't you remember what Shinji said? 'This is how it should be.' He was a hell of a guy. He even faced death head on. That's why from this day forward, I'll face things head on, too.”
“That's cool, man.” Junpei replied. The group took a look at Akihiko, who seemed stronger now.
Aigis ran up to the group. “Allow me to report! Amada-san is not in his room!”
“He's not!?” Yukari said in disbelief.
“There have been indications that the window has been pried open,” Aigis reported.
“Ken-kun!” Fuuka exclaimed, heading for the door.
“Wait, Fuuka! Do you know where he is?” Yukari asked.
“Well...no...but we can't just let him go off on his own, right!?”
“So where do you plan on looking?”
...I have an idea...
“I don't know, but we have to find him! He must feel so alone.”
Minako sighed. I don't know...maybe...he needs some time alone. I know I would.
“We gotta calm down first.”
“She's right, Fuuka,” Yukari said.
“But you of all people should understand!” Fuuka said to Yukari.
...Her? Shouldn't I?
“Fuuka...”
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...”
“Let Ken do what he wants,” Akihiko said. “Bringing him back won't change anything and we can't keep treating him like a kid. It's his choice. He's the one who's going to decide how he's going to live his life. The same goes for all of us.”
...yeah. I guess just bringing him back would be treating him as a child. He's right. Minako sighed softly.
“Hey Junpei.”
“Shinjiro-san was so cool. He said, 'This is how it should be.' Those were his words, even when he might have died...would you be able to say that?”
I...honestly don't know... Minako stayed silent.
“Sorry...I shouldn't have been talking like that.”
“Ken must decide what is best for him,” Mitsuru told Minako. “It is a difficult decision for such a young person to make, but I not worried. Ken has a strong will. I am confident he will make the right choice.”
I hope so too...
“I feel terrible,” Fuuka said to Minako. “I lost my temper and said all those things to Yukari-chan, but I'm really worried about Ken-kun...I know how it feels not to have a place to belong to.”
I do too. Which is why this is so hard...
“I am unable to assist you in this matter. I will stand by until further notice.”
Helpful as always, Aigis.
“So, Ken-kun doesn't have a place to stay, huh.” Yukari said to Minako. “We should have been more understanding. I wonder what he's doing now...”
...out somewhere...all alone...
The news reported on an attack on a Gekkoukan High Student. He rarely attended but was spotted often at the crime scene. The police were investigating the local youth as they believed it was a dispute.
Good luck with that. Minako thought darkly.
...I guess I should head to bed...tired and all.
10/6 Tuesday 26 days until Full Moon
Everything is closed...are we in exam mode already? I can't even bring myself to care...
Minako wandered off to the Velvet Room. She finally had a decent amount of money to fuse Black Frost
Black Frost – Fool A Jack Frost that wished for evil powers. This powerful demon is born when a cute Jack Frost remembers its nature as a demon.
Theo was impressed with the Persona, noting it's cuteness along with it's wickedness. She got Junpei's summer clothes for this.
Not gonna question.
She also accepted a request for some sushi and for a Segoku-helm.
Sushi...sushi. Oh the shrine has that Inari Sushi. Wonder if... Minako pondered this for ages until an old woman showed up. She noted Minako's sullen face and said she should have a meal to cheer her up...and gave her the sushi. “You have to be optimistic! Your generation is Japan's future! Well, good luck. Cheer up!”
...that was surprisingly uplifting.
And I know just where to get that helm. Minako headed to the school, back into the faculty office. And sure enough, Mr. Ono was there. He was delighted that she took an interest in his helm. He then rambled on and on about it for ages. He finished up his story saying he couldn't give up this helm but he could find another for her.
Thanks to the story, Minako felt slightly smarter...though she was more annoyed at the professor than anything else.
Might as well study at the library. Nothing else to do.
Theo called her when she got back to the dorm, telling her that Tartarus is open again.
Out in an alley, with Akihiko's encouragement, Ken gained a new resolve.
Almost everyone was in the lounge. “It's already been a day,” Yukari told the group. Mitsuru noted it too. Junpei asked where Akihiko was.
“He said to leave Ken-kun alone, but I don't know. Maybe we should look for him,” Fuuka said.
“What's your opinion?” Mitsuru asked Minako.
Minako sighed. “I'm really not sure...”
“I can't wait any longer! I'm going right now to-” But before Fuuka could finish...
...Ken entered the dorm.
He's back! Oh thank goodness.
Koromaru barked happily at him as the team clustered around him. Fuuka told him that she was worried about him.
“Amada, are you able to fight?” Mitsuru asked.
“Yes. I-I won't run off again.” Ken said, almost nerviously.
“You sure?” Junpei asked.
“Yes.” Ken said more firmly.
“It's alright. We can trust him,” Fuuka said.
“Geez, don't make us worry like that okay?” Yukari said. Mitsuru said she'd talk to the Chairman and asked Ken to get some rest.
Minako sighed happily. I'm so relieved. I don't think I would have held out for another day without looking for him.
“He's much stronger than I am, dude.” Junpei said to Minako. “I'd be so depressed...probably for like three days...or maybe a week...but one day? Geez, he's nuts!”
Minako chuckled. Yeah, there is a certain strength to him.
“I have confirmed the metamorphosis of two Personas, most likely the result of Shinjiro-san's temporary leave. There may be more matamorphoses to come, so I will remain in observation mode.”
Yeah, I did notice that too. I guess I should be pleased that Ken's on my team.
“At the risk of sounding conceited, I was right. He has the soul of a warrior. I admire his fortitude,” Mitsuru noted.
Yeah. Minako chuckled. A noble samurai within a child's body! Oh god Mr. Ono has gotten to me.
“I'm really sorry about what happened...” Ken said to Minako. “You could've said no, but you let me come back...I'll make it up to you guys. Shinjiro-san too...”
Resist...urge...to hug!
“Let's not go to Tartarus today,” Fuuka said to Minako. “We can go tomorrow, and invite Ken-kun too.”
Ehhhh, none until after exams.
“I'm glad Ken-kun came back,” Yukari said to Minako. “To be honest, I was really worried...I mean, what if something terrible had happen to him?”
“Yeah... It's just so sad... all that he's been through. He's just a little kid,” Fukka added.
Well, I don't think so. With all that's happened, in some ways, he's not just a kid. A kid in some ways but not in others. He is an teammate, one of us.
To the cafe! After a visit to the club.
“A light dims...the Shadow grows darker...but the dimmed light will live on in a strong, new light...You have reached a turning point...The light has begun to challenge the shadow...Your time is coming...soon...”
Ominous. But hey, one more Shadow left. Can't be too surprised.
“Oh, hey there.” Minako sat next to the drinking man.
“Hm...what's up? Ah... Yeah, I remember you from before. You're...in high school, right? I remember back then. Makes me a little jealous of you. So, are you seeing anyone?”
“No.”
“Too bad. Well, I'm sure you'll find someone. You're still young. Things were so much simpler at that age... Once you get to be as old as me, love loses some of its luster. Romance gets harder to enjoy. So enjoy it while you still can... Haha, this isn't any of my business, is it? But seriously, I envy you. I'm an adult now. I can't be as carefree as I used to. I've got a girlfriend, and we're stuck with each other, but I'm screwed if things keep going the way they are.” The man sighed. “I'm not the marrying kind. You give up so much of your freedom once you become an adult... Heh.”
I guess he should talk it out...but...it's hard to get moving I guess. Hmm...he feels trapped...wish I could help...
Minako worked part time at the cafe, fending off more drunk guys.
Dark Hour
“Hello.”
“Mmm. Hi Pharos.”
“It's cold tonight. Can you believe it's already autumn? It'll be winter before you know it. You seem tired.”
Aren't I always tired?
“Did something happen?”
“Well...a good friend was shot and he's in the hospital. It's...it's a big change.”
“Is that so? In this world, people die every day. Until recently, this was the same to me as the blowing of the wind but now, I see things differently. For the first time, I have a friend.”
You are still creepy though.
“Lately, I've become more certain of something. You know the end I've spoken of? Some people refer to it as 'the Fall,' but regardless, it's drawing near. Don't you sense it?”
“Uh...”
“We are kindred spirits, you and I, so why is it that only I can remember?”
''Huh? Wait...something-”
“This is a heartrending matter. Is my existence something you are unable to accept?”
Uhhhh...k-kinda?
“Forgive me if I said anything peculiar today. ...Perhaps it is the changing of seasons. Of course, our friendship remains steadfast. Well...I should bid you farewell for now. Good night. I'll always be by your side.”
Yeaaaah creepy. Minako rolled over and spotted two Death cards before falling back to sleep.
Minako Level: 44
Academics: Intelligent
Charm: Angelic
Courage: Badass
Personae
Quetzalcoatl – Sun – Level 44
Ganga – Priestess – Level 38
Seiryuu – Temper – Level 39
Thoth – Hiero. - Level 46
Dominion – Justice – Level 45
Black Frost – Fool – Level 37
Social Links:
Fool Rank 5
Magician MAXED
Priestess Rank 7
Emperor Rank 6
Hiero. MAXED
Lovers Rank 5
Chariot Rank 7
Justice Rank 6
Hermit MAXED
Strength Rank 4
Hanged Rank 7
Death Rank 8
Temper. Rank 6
Star Rank 6
Moon MAXED
Sun Rank 2
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