Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Minato's hands were restless inside his pockets as he walked down the second floor hallway. Students were whispering, talking about the election speeches that were given earlier that morning.

He saw Shinjiro exit the washroom and approached him. "Who are you going to vote for?"

Shinjiro glared at him but Minato did everything he could to not gulp in nervousness. "Votes are private. Even if it's a stupid hoax."

Minato nodded. "Fair enough. What did you think of the speeches?"

Shinjiro shrugged and looked away. "Mitsuru's the only one worth a damn."

Before Minato could say any more, Shinjiro walked off leaving him behind. Minato grew a wry smile and began walking in the opposite direction. That answered his first question.

Minato stopped in front of one of Yukari's campaign posters. Next to it was a noticeably bare wall. Minato touched a piece of tape that looked like it was ripped off some paper. Or a poster. A campaign poster.

Minato wondered why Yukari would go to such lengths to sabotage Mitsuru, if that theory was true. Yukari's speech was actually surprisingly well-done. But Mitsuru's was something else. On a whole other level. Minato himself barely understood it but he was able to pick out the important words to get the general idea.

"Hey dude!" Minato turned around to see a familiar capped teen. He's talked with him every now and then, went out for ramen twice with him and another guy. "So, checkin' out the popular Takeba, huh? If you want, I can help you smuggle one of the posters, eh? Eh?"

Junpei kept nudging him while Minato raised a brow. Could it be that the ones responsible for the disappearing posters were perverts? But then some would have to take Yukari's.

Minato brushed Junpei's hand off his shoulder. "No, just wondering about the disappearing posters."

"Oh really? I hear the Go-Home club's been taking them for their needs, heh."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"You kidding, man? Everyone's been talking about it."

Minato's brow furrowed. The Go-Home club are just students who don't bother sticking around after school because they aren't in any extracurricular activities. Meaning they couldn't have taken them without someone seeing them. Was someone intentionally spreading that rumour?

Minato eyed Junpei warily, who noticed and placed his hands in front of him. "No way man! I got my stash!"

Sighing, Minato decided to drop it. Kirijo had to have noticed by now, right? Was she doing anything about it?

"But this is sabotage!"

"Odagiri, please keep your voice down."

"The speeches you have prepared were perfect, and in any normal circumstance would have gotten rid of any doubt! I will not forgive such an act! I will find the culprit posthaste and make them confess! We will have a revote and…"

"Odagiri." Mitsuru's tone got Odagiri to stop pacing. "If the student body is still in doubt between myself and Takeba even after the speeches, then what will posters do? Takeba played her cards perfectly. I was the one who ended up short-handed."

Odagiri was silent for a moment before sighing. He then gave her a deep bow which was uncharacteristic for the young proud man. "I hope to work with you in the coming year."

Mitsuru let out a small smile. "I as well."

Leaving the school, Mitsuru let out a sigh as she placed a hand on her forehead. Her dream was so close, in her grasp. To become a leader, someone significant. Student Council President of a prestigious high school would have been the biggest stepping stone of them all.

"Mitsuru? You all right?" Mitsuru blinked as she saw the younger Sanada standing in front of her.

"I'm fine Sanada, just exhausted."

Sanada let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I bet. Um, if there's anything I can do, let me know! I'm on your side Mitsuru!"

Mitsuru nodded and walked off quickly, not waiting to see Sanada's expression to brushing her off. Perhaps that was a bit cold, but she just wanted to return to the dorm and retire for the rest of the day.

Because she knew. Mitsuru knew deep down it was over.

"Miki?" Miki jumped at the sudden voice. Snapped out of her stupor, she turned to face Minato who then rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. I meant Sanada."

Miki shook her head. "No, Miki's fine! You're my upperclassmen after all! So, uh, what's up?"

Minato looked in the direction she was facing. He seemed to be pondering something before looking back at her. "Are you all right? You seemed to be in deep thought."

Miki shook her head. "Just fine! Don't worry about me!"

Minato seemed to have decided to drop it and nodded. "Are you heading back to the dorm?"

Miki nodded and tilted her head. "Yep! You want to come with?"

"Sure."

"A bookstore?" Minato tilted his head as he looked up at the logo of the storm. It was plain and old-fashioned. BOOKWORMS it said.

"I guess they're still closed. I was hoping to buy a new book." Minato watched Miki approach the store window and peer inside. "Aww…no one's inside either."

"Don't think about breaking in and stealing."

Miki turned around and gave Minato a mock glare. "As if I'd do something like that! You sound like Shinji!"

Smiling slightly, Minato changed the direction of the conversation. "What book were you going to get?"

"This store usually sells old books. Even some classics that can be hard to find. Or even some old manga. I like browsing and then picking a random one."

"I didn't think you were the book type."

"Hey, I got in Gekkoukan High, didn't I?"

And so did Junpei. Minato thought back to when Junpei didn't even know about mud huts. Maybe Junpei was a science student? Although that was really hard to believe.

"My favourite books are those where the protagonist starts small and rise up. Sacrifice a lot to make it to the top. They didn't let anything stop them from achieving their goal."

Poor to rich. One story came to mind immediately. "So I guess you like stories like the legend of the Straw Millionaire?"

Miki nodded her head slightly before tilting it. "Yeah! Though that one involved more luck… but he did get what he wanted in the end. Well, luck is a part of life after all!"

"Luck, huh?"

"Huh? Are you one of those people who don't believe in luck?"

Minato shook his head. "No, luck by definition exists. And coincidences also exist. And perhaps there's a set fate for each person. But can a coincidence be caused by luck yet be on the same path as fate?"

Miki blinked before smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, I don't get it. But, uh, yes?"

Minato chuckled. "Sorry. That didn't even make sense so its fine. We should get going."

Miki nodded and skipped ahead. "It's late enough that when we get back dinner will be ready! Woo!"

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Shinjiro groaned when Minato approached him again. He gave the boy one of his nastiest glares but the transfer student took it in stride, much to his annoyance. "I'm not the guy you want to bounce dumb theories off of."

Minato shrugged and leaned back against the wall next to him. "Actually, you are."

Who the hell was this kid? Did he think they were friends or some shit?

"Anyways, is there a chance there could be rigging in this election?"

Shinjiro raised a brow, his previous annoyance mostly replaced with curiosity. Mostly. "Rigged huh. Interesting way of thinking about this. But I doubt it. Odagiri, guy who gave Mitsuru's speech, is in the Student Council. He's probably overseeing the whole counting thing."

"That's good," Minato nodded to himself, making Shinjiro raise a brow.

"You seem to care way more than a transfer student should."

"Yeah, I know. I prefer a fair fight though."

"A fair fight, huh." Minato pushed himself off the wall and left, leaving Shinjiro alone in the hallway again. "This sure as hell ain't a fair fight."

"Oh, Shinjiro." Shinjiro groaned aloud when the next junior approached him. Takeba approached him and handed him a small card. "Here, in case you haven't voted yet." As quickly as she came she left. The girl wasn't dumb. She knew he voted for Mitsuru. But part of her speech was being open to everyone, including the suspicious ones. Like him.

Scoffing, Shinjiro began walking down the hall to the stairs to leave. "A fair fight…rigged…"

Could he have rigged this whole thing for Mitsuru?

No, it was far too late.

Shinjiro glared at anything that moved for the rest of the day.

Minato opened the door and was met by a refreshing spring breeze. Closing the door behind him, Minato emerged on the roof where he saw the familiar red-head. Not the red-head he was looking for, but she definitely piqued his interest.

He almost smiled in amusement when she sent him a glare once again. "Sorry for disturbing you."

"If you're sorry then leave."

He walked past her once again in silence, not bothering to take a glimpse of her sketch. Gripping the fence once again, he let the wind blow his hair back, revealing his usually hidden eye. "Mind if I ask you something? Who did you vote for?"

"…"

Minato turned to face the girl who was focusing on her sketch. "Did you vote?"

"No."

"Why not?" She flipped a page in her sketchbook.

"Because I don't care."

"…Fair enough," Minato wanted to laugh because in a way he also didn't care. Kirijo or Yukari, either one would suffice. But at the same time, the way it was being handled was unfortunate. Minato decided to head back. As he opened the door, he paused. "What's your name?"

"…"

"…Fair enough." Minato closed the door behind him. He smoothed his hair with his hand before walking down the stairs. As he expected, everyone was gone. Even Shinjiro wasn't at his usual place waiting for Miki.

He stepped inside the dorm and saw everyone sitting at the dining table. It was an unusual sight for Minato. He had never once saw all of SEES eating dinner together. Yukari was never around when Shinjiro cooked and Kirijo would arrive too late.

Minato stepped forward, only to hesitate. It seemed everyone at the table were staring down at their food to notice he entered the dorm. He mulled the suggestion of going to Tartarus in his head before deciding it would probably be best not to. He could feel Shinjiro's animosity from the door, Miki and Yukari's nervousness was evident and Akihiko and Mitsuru were neutral.

What a strange club they were. How were they going to fight for their lives living like this?

Minato stepped forward. "Let's go to Tartarus."

"No weaknesses detected," Mitsuru called over the transciever. "However, do not use physical skills! They are inneffective!"

"…Well shit," Shinjiro said as he stepped back while Akihiko and Yukari stepped forward and the transfer student stayed rooted to his spot. "Use whatever elemental attacks you got!"

The three nodded and each simultaneously summoned their Personas. Except Minato summoned a different one from Orpheus. It was a red magatama. From the three apppeared lightning, wind, and fire respectively, each hitting the strange-looking Shadow. It was mechanical looking with several legs it alternated on with two large spikes jutting out from its shoulders.

Its upper body began spinning and soon it was heading towards the Persona users. Each of them jumped away, spreading out in the unfortunately narrow hallway.

"Tch, if only we were in a more spacious area," Akihiko muttered, readjusting his gloves before placing his evoker to his head. "Polydeuces!"

"Like a boxing ring?" Minato suggested, following suit, summoning another Persona. "Apsaras!" Lightning and ice shards crashed into the Shadow. It's upper body started spinning again, charging through the attack.

"Io!" Yukari's Persona attempted to stop it in its tracks with wind but the bursts of wind were not enough.

"Get out of its way!" Shinjiro shouted, before firing his own evoker. Castor charged and attempted to stop the Shadow only to be slammed into a wall and disappeared.

"Ara Mitama!" Akihiko blinked as a green light enveloped him. Suddenly he was hopping from one foot to the other and his muscles grew tenser. Akihiko turned to Minato who moved his head in the direction of the Shadow. Akihiko nodded and made a mad dash.

The Shadow tilted its body and the spike hit the ground, sparks filling the air. Akihiko slid under the arc created by the spike and the Shadow's body. He reached behind it and fired his Persona before the Shadow could reach Minato.

The Shadow paused as it was struck by lightning and turned around. Suddenly it was hit by shards of ice and it turned around again to face Minato who had Apsaras in front of him. The Shadow seemed to realize it was in a bad position and its body glowed red, its mechanical legs' muscles growing.

Before anyone knew it it was charging at Akihiko once again, who tried to stop it with an electric attack like before. Unlike before, the Shadow brushed off the attack with the sparks fusing with its body making it glow a dim yellow.

Realizing he needed to retreat, Akihiko began to run back, still under the buff Minato granted him earlier. Minato followed it swiftly, having casted Sukukaja on himself as well, and stayed close to the wall.

"Akihiko!" Minato shouted, hoping the fleeing boxer could hear him. "Can you make it crash into a wall!"

Akihiko heard him, but didn't respond. Instead he grinned and charged towards a dead end. He could hear the scrapes of metal along the wall because of the spikes. The wall was ahead of him and he ran straight towards it, running up the wall two steps before pushing his legs and leapt backwards. He landed on the Shadows head but quickly jumped off. He didn't see it, but the loud crash made it clear that it worked. He turned around and could hear the footsteps of his teammates approach him. "I've been waiting for this!"

Akihiko led the charge into the downed Shadow and began pummeling it with a barrage of punches. Shinjiro continued to smash its face in with his hammer while Minato delivered a flurry of slashes. Before they knew it, the Shadow was no more, replaced by ichor staining the floor and the wall that didn't even have a dent in it despite being the Shadow's crashing ground.

"That actually worked," Yukari said, eyes wide in surprise before summoning Io to heal them.

Shinjiro was not so amazed. He was already frustrated at how useless he was, and seeing the extremely reckless move Akihiko pulled off only made it worse. "Let's head back down."

Akihiko and Minato were panting from the amount of spells they used, but gave each other a smirk.

When they reached the ground floor, Mitsuru approached Akihiko with a glare. "Are you insane, Akihiko? Your injury from the other night! What were you thinking!"

Akihiko furrowed his brow and crossed his chest. "I was thinking about my life! It was either that, or die."

"Akihiko, consider yourself officially removed from any SEES expeditions until you have received one-hundred percent confirmation from the hospital that your injuries are no longer something to worry about."

"Mitsuru, I'm fine. The spell Minato used helped a lot and Yukari healed me-"

"You probably reopened the wound... Shinjiro, your thoughts?"

"It was pretty stupid. And you," Shinjiro glared at the transfer student was was still standing by the access point. "You actually thought that that was a good idea!?"

Minato opened his mouth but immediately closed it. It worked, but the ends didn't exactly justify the means. But they couldn't afford to be picky, now could they? "What else was there to do? The Shadow powered itself up and using its own strength to our advantage was the best course of action."

"No, the best course of action was a sound retreat," Shinjiro stood in front of Minato, glowering down at him. Minato, to his credit, didn't even flinch. "We needed a variety of magic skills to use. We should have retreated and brought Mitsuru with us and left Aki down here. He would have been a hindrance without your Personas."

"Does how we kill the shadow actually matter?"

"Of course it does." The two turned towards Mitsuru. "It sets a precedent for us. We learn what works, what doesn't. How to approach things, similar to military tactics. Why else do you think we have only four explore the tower at a time, even though we now have five active members. And while Akihiko could have died if he didn't perform that maneouver, he also could have ended up dead if he failed."

"But I didn't-"

"The ends don't justify the means, Akihiko!" Mitsuru snapped before turning to the younger Sanada. "Sanada, please talk some sense into Akihiko."

Miki looked between Mitsuru and Akihiko. "But he…Brother can do anything, so I'm not exactly afraid. And this was far from the most reckless thing he's ever done. But at the same time…"

Mitsuru sighed. "Miki…"

"I agree with them." They all turned towards the previously silent leader. "Akihiko managed to kill the Shadow without sustaining too much injuries, right? I don't think it's a good idea to dwell on this for too long."

Mitsuru narrowed her eyes. "Akihiko nearly died again. Not just him this time, but you, Shinjiro, and Arisato. All because of his and Arisato's actions. If they refuse to reflect on their current actions and actually obey orders-"

"What orders? Last I recall, Shinjiro was standing around doing nothing."

"There wasn't anything I could do!" Shinjiro growled, taking a step forward while Yukari took a step back.

"You said we should have retreated, but I don't remember you giving that order at all. If our field leader is unrespondent then we have to take things into our own hands."

"I may be the field leader, but you're the more experienced one here and the operational leader of SEES! You can give orders too!"

Yukari shuffled and looked down. "…I can't."

"Exactly. Don't go saying shit you can't understand. 'Sides, you didn't do shit either."

Yukari gave Shinjiro her own fierce glare that even made him step back involuntarily. "If you can't handle being the field leader, all you had to do was say so!"

Mitsuru quickly stepped in between Shinjiro and Yukari. "Takeba, being field leader is difficult enough. Don't forget you need us."

Yukari's eyes narrowed before muttering, "So that's how you want to play things?" She shook her head before meeting Mitsuru's glare with her own. "And I'll have no choice but to confiscate your evokers."

Before, Shinjiro would have said he'd be fine with his hammer. But after the Shadow they just fought that made any physical contact useless, he could only grit his teeth.

However Mitsuru gave Yukari a smirk. "Precisely. Shadows are dangerous. We cannot be careless. Which is exactly what Akihiko and Arisato did. I am only concerned for their safety. Is that such a bad thing?"

"If it ends up interfering with how we fight, and more importantly, win, then yes it is, Mitsuru." Mitsuru turned to Akihiko in shock, who in return had a grimace on his face as he faced the ground.

Three seconds and he was looking back up at Mitsuru with determination. "We have to get roughed up to win. For us, getting roughed up is just a bit more extreme."

"A bit?" Shinjiro scoffed and shook his head. "Don't be such a dumbass. If it can be avoided, then we should do everything we can to avoid it. We have to conserve ourselves when access points become few and far between."

Seeing Akihiko, Yukari, and Minato silent, Shinjiro huffed before turning around and leaving the tower. Mitsuru followed him swiftly and Miki followed nervously. Akihiko decided to leave next, not before turning to Minato. "You're not half-bad."

Minato snorted in amusement and Akihiko left, leaving the two juniors alone. "…I really talked a big game, huh?"

Minato raised a brow. "Well, you weren't exactly in the wrong so I don't blame you. But I can't say your reputation is favourable among them."

Yukari let out a hefty sigh. "Hey, don't tell them I told you this, but what do you think about becoming the new field leader?"

Minato blinked in surprise, not expecting that at all. "Why me?"

Yukari turned to the entrance where everyone left. "I've been raised to notice every little detail, y'know? Heck, a lieutenant from the Japanese Self-Defense Force gave me some tips on the field. And habits to look out for. Shinjiro wasn't doing anything because he couldn't do anything to help. He froze."

"Shinjiro…froze?"

Yukari nodded. "He froze up when he failed to stop the Shadow from going after you and Akihiko. He's afraid of death is my guess. It would be his fault after all."

Minato put a hand to his chin. "I see."

"Well, that's what I think. Maybe he froze for another reason. But anyways, we can't have the field leader freezing up like that. It could end a lot worse than that night."

"I agree."

"So?"

"I'll…think about it."

Yukari just nodded and gave him a smile. "Thanks. Well, let's go then."

Minato was about to nod but stopped himself. "Go on ahead without me. We have a few minutes. Want to get used to my Persona ability."

Yukari frowned, not okay with that it seemed. "Alone? I can stay with you until you're done."

Minato shook his head. "Nah, it's just…meditation. It'd be boring for you. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Yukari sighed and walked over to the stairs leading to the entrance to Tartarus. She sat herself down on the first step. "Sorry, I'm not taking any risks."

Minato nodded and walked over to the glowing, blue door in the corner.

But not before looking back at Yukari who was fiddling with her choker. He sighed. "So much for cutting the tension."