Guiding Star

Written by Aiyumi

Disclaimer: Persona and all related characters are property of Atlus. Any trademarks that may be referenced in this fan fiction are properties of their respective owners. I am just a fan and do not have any relations to said people/companies.

Chapter 19: Plans and Miracles

Minako's shocked expression could only mean that she was having horrible memories of the day her parents died. Still in his Shadow form, Ryoji realized he was staring directly into her face, and once she snapped back to reality, he was pretty sure their gazes would meet and she would faint again just like when she was little.

"Now I remember..." Minako mumbled. "That day, my parents..."

"Now you realize what happened, don't you? The reason they died..." Ryoji hadn't expected his voice to waver like it did, but he went on anyway. "And this is not all." He forced the rest of the visions into the SEES members' minds.

The battle in the vision raged on, until Aigis' focus changed to the unconscious little girl near the debris.

"That is..." Akihiko uttered at the sight of the little girl.

"That's... ... me?" Minako's voice came out in a near whisper.

Aigis sealed him in the unconscious little Minako's body, and now the vision was really over. Everyone was speechless.

"Wait." Yukari interjected. "Aigis, you sealed him into Minako-chan's body, just like that? Without her knowing, with her unconscious?"

"I am sorry." Aigis sounded ashamed. "The only thing on my mind at the moment was to neutralize the target. I failed to consider her side and realize how traumatized she must have been..."

And now, Minako knew about the sealing, too. During his time as Pharos, he kept mentioning to Minako that he was trapped, though he had never told her where he had been trapped, that he had been actually inside her... he hoped she wouldn't figure this out, or she would be even more horrified.

"So, this was how... everything happened..." Mitsuru mumbled.

"Like it or not, this is the truth," Ryoji spoke. "She has unwittingly carried a dangerous Shadow for ten years, the same one who killed her parents, no less, and the one whose role is to bring the end of the world. Such a harsh fate to someone with such a pure heart. But now, Minako Arisato, you can put an end to all of this. If you defeat me, you will forget everything about Personas, Shadows, this twisted hour and all the dangers you were unfairly forced to face, along with everything you suffered because of this mess. You will return to a normal, peaceful life, and won't have to think about this messed-up predicament ever again."

"... Forget? But I don't want to forget anything!" Was Minako's response, much to Ryoji's surprise. Her eyes shot open, and Ryoji instinctively looked away so that their gazes wouldn't meet.

"Why not? Forgetting what caused you pain should be a good thing. It means you don't need to worry about any of it anymore."

"Yeah, sometimes we want to forget, to run away. But you know what? Sometimes it's actually great to remember and then find out that we got strong enough to come to terms with those issues, like now. When my parents died, I just wanted to run away and forget, and eventually forgot most of it. But now you showed me those visions and made me remember. Of course the feelings weren't good, but I'm still standing here, aren't I? If anything, I'm glad that now I can face those memories without breaking. Ryoji-kun, I never blamed anyone for what happened that night. If I were to blame you, then I'd have to blame Aigis too. But I don't want to resent either of you!"

"Minako-san..." Aigis sounded touched.

Ryoji was both touched by her words, and taken aback at how ineffective his plan was turning out. "You still insist on calling me by that name..."

"I do. And why are you looking away? Look at me." Minako took a few steps closer to him, and purposefully locked eyes with him. Thankfully, she didn't faint. She stood strong and determined.

"A-aren't you... scared?" The nagging question hesitantly escaped Ryoji's mouth.

"Of what?" Her question came out so naturally as though she were really clueless, and this puzzled Ryoji.

"O-of... me..." Ryoji's voice nearly failed to come out, and he wasn't even sure if Minako had heard him.

Once again, Minako recalled the incident at Club Escapade. While Pharos had been under the effect of that non-alcoholic drink, he had told her about his nightmare where she was little and fainted when she looked at him, and then Aigis appeared and attacked him. It could only be about that day ten years ago. And Pharos had been really bothered at the notion that Minako could be afraid of him, or could become afraid of him once they found out what he really was. Apparently, he was still worried about this.

Minako took another step closer, and Ryoji in Thanatos form warily took a step back, as though he were the one afraid of her.

"Uh-uh." Minako shook his head at his question about whether she was scared of him. "You're acting totally different from that vision of ten years ago you showed us. I can tell that you don't mean any harm right now. If you had wanted to attack us, you'd have done it a long time ago. Your appearance may be different, but I can tell that your heart is the same. I'm sure that inside you're the same kindhearted boy that we were tending to a few hours ago."

Ryoji seemed conflicted. "It... it doesn't matter!" He gave up on his cold facade and blurted out in panic. "The only thing that matters is that the Fall will happen because I'm here! You have to defeat me to stop that! ... Ugh!" Ryoji grunted in pain. He suddenly reverted to his human form, his hands went for his head, and he fell to the ground.

"Ryoji-kun!" Minako ran over to him in alarm.

The SEES members also hurried over to him.

"He is unconscious." Aigis informed. "The shock of his memories returning at once and the effects of the full moon that had made him sick might be still affecting him."

"This had happened the other time too." Yukari told Aigis, who had been incapacitated and hadn't seen when it happened the other time.

"Let's take him to the dorm." Mitsuru decided.

They took Ryoji to the dorm, to the same room where the SEES members had tended to him earlier. They watched him for a while, but he didn't wake up, even after the Dark Hour ended. They left the room one by one, until only Minako was there.

"Ryoji-kun." Minako spoke his name, but he didn't respond. "Okay, good night." She whispered to him before leaving.

When Ryoji awoke, he was back in his human form, inside a room in the Iwatodai dorm. He heaved a frustrated sigh. His plan had gone completely wrong. The SEES members didn't react the way he expected at all. First, they didn't seem to have taken his revelation about the end of the world seriously. Second, despite him having revealed the dark truth about himself and assumed his Shadow form right in front of their eyes, they kept addressing him by his made-up name and talking to him as though the fact that he was a destructive Shadow didn't even matter!

A knock sounded at the door. "Ryoji-kun, are you awake?" It was Fuuka.

"I am." He responded.

Fuuka opened the door with a relieved smile. "Thank goodness! Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Will you take the day to rest? It won't be good if you collapse again."

"There's no need. I'm feeling much better."

"If you say so. Hmm, then will you come to school? It's where we'll be, so we'll be near if you need something."

There they came again, treating him as though he were human...

As Ryoji thought on what to say to her, he caught himself staring at his hands. As strange as it was, he had to admit that he preferred his human form over his true form... and really wanted to go to school... otherwise he would have nothing to do the whole day. In the end, he sat up and nodded at her.

Fuuka's eyes lit up. "Great! Minako-chan and Yukari-chan are preparing breakfast. We'll be waiting for you at the lounge." She turned to leave, but turned back to talk to him again. "Oh, your school materials were on you when you came here to the dorm and passed out yesterday. Your things are there on the bedside table."

Ryoji glanced at the bedside table, and his things were indeed there. "Thanks. I'm coming."

Ryoji took a quick shower in hopes of feeling refreshed, but this unfortunately didn't help wash away his worries about the Fall.

"Morning, Ryoji-kun." Minako greeted him when he got to the lounge. "Fuuka-chan told me that you'll be attending school. Are you really feeling okay?"

"I'm fine."

Minako stared into his face. "You aren't just showing off, are you?"

Ryoji shook his head.

Fuuka, Aigis, Yukari and Junpei were also there.

"Yo, Ryoji!" Junpei greeted cheerfully. "Huh? Had you brought your gel?"

"No, but I found another way." Since he didn't have his gel, he had to cheat and use his human-body-emulating powers to get his hair the way he wanted it.

Minako raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you prefer your hair?"

"I don't know. I just got used to it this way."

"You don't need to always keep it like that, unless it's really the way you prefer." Minako flashed him a small smile. "That day when you had your hair down, you looked good too."

Junpei put a hand on Ryoji's back and whispered. "You caught that, right? Mina-tan prefers your hair down. Isn't it nice? Less maintenance work!"

Ryoji rolled his eyes at the nonsense discussion. They had way more pressing matters to worry about, like the end of the world. His hair should be the least of their concerns.

He decided to leave them be. "I'll go on ahead."

Fuuka startled. "Huh? But what about breakfast!?"

"I don't want anything. I'll just leave you guys to have breakfast at peace."

"We won't be at ease if you leave in your current state." Aigis argued. "Please, stay here."

Ryoji was unsure how to argue back. His first impulse was to insist, though he was tempted to stay.

Minako placed a bowl with rice in front of him and put his indecision to an end.

Ryoji looked at them sternly. "Aren't you forgetting something important? The Fall, the end of the world... I'm sorry to say this, but none of that craziness from last night was a dream."

"Huh? What are you talking about? I think you're the one dreaming..." Junpei said.

"... Huh?" Ryoji's mouth hung slightly open for a moment. He considered the possibility of having dreamed about their confrontation, but he still had his memories and Shadow powers, so that possibility was out. Or maybe, what was happening now was actually the dream...

Junpei laughed. "I'm kidding! Of course we remember. But how are we supposed to think about that stuff without even having breakfast?"

Ryoji sighed at Junpei's stupid logic.

"We've talked among ourselves about it," Minako said. "Mitsuru-senpai asked us to assemble after school to put up a plan, and she wants you to also be here."

"A plan? It won't work. You're taking the issue too lightly! It's not as simple as you think!"

"Ryoji-kun." Aigis cut him off. "I had previously asked you to think about some important points. From your actions so far, it seems that you haven't reflected about them at all..."

"There is nothing to reflect about nor to discuss. Whatever you're planning, it won't work."

"Hey, what side are you on, anyway?!" Junpei raised his voice.

Minako heaved a tired sigh. "Ryoji-kun. Come to discuss the plan with us, please. We won't be satisfied until we have all possibilities laid out, and we need you here to be sure we get all the facts straight."

"Fine." He would do as they wanted, if only to confirm to them that they didn't know what they were dealing with. He didn't want them to suffer because of the harsh truth, but they were stubborn and left him no choice.

"Okay." Minako was satisfied with his response. She changed the subject. "Our senpai and Amada-kun left early, and it's only us here. How about all of us head to school together?"

... ... ... ... ...

After breakfast, they boarded the train to school together. At the sight of the beautiful sea from inside the anehazuru, Ryoji felt like crying once more, at the thought that soon all life and beauty in the world would be gone. During the whole ride, the SEES members stood supportively near him, and he felt sad for them, too.

In class, he stared with sorrow at the lake picture on his notebook's cover. Now he remembered it was actually Minako who had given it to him during his time as Pharos. It was one of the prizes she had gotten from one of the summer festival's games. He looked away from the notebook, and felt sad for all those students and teachers making plans for a future that they wouldn't have.

During lunch break, a very excited Kenji approached him. "Hey, Mochizuki! Yesterday I went on a date with Emiri! She took me to the movies and-" Kenji went on and on about what had happened to him that day. In his excitement, he failed to notice Ryoji's current mood. "So, what about you and Arisato? Any progress?"

Ryoji's only response was a heavy sigh.

"Hey man, what's wrong?" Kenji finally noticed that something was off. "Mochizuki, your mood's really dark today. Totally the opposite from usual."

"... Yesterday, some messed-up stuff happened." Ryoji hesitantly revealed without going into detail. "To me, it was like... a wake-up call, you know? I had been trying to forget my problems and act carefree most of the time, but I realized I can't run away from my responsibilities."

"Whoa. Sounds serious." Kenji let go of his own excitement for a bit. "... Wait, does it have anything to do with Arisato? Now that I think about it, she's been spacing out in class a lot today..."

At the thought of all the suffering his existence had caused to Minako, Ryoji's heart tightened and pain filled his gaze. When he realized, he was talking about it. "She got in big trouble because of me. I made her suffer... yet, unlike before when she was so distant, now that she has concrete reasons to stay away from me, she's actually being supportive. I don't get it..."

"Hey, isn't this a good thing, though? This is your chance!" Kenji spoke encouragingly. "If you make things right, maybe you two can get closer! I'll be cheering you on. Good luck!"

... ... ... ... ...

As agreed, Ryoji went to the Iwatodai dorm after classes. When he arrived, Koromaru barked excitedly.

Ryoji smiled sadly at the dog. "Even you treat me as though I were human?"

Ken heard Koromaru's barks and came to see what was happening. "Oh, hello, Ryoji-san! Come in! The others aren't back from school yet, but Koromaru and I can keep you company."

"Thanks." Ryoji got inside and sat on the couch.

Ken sat next to him while Koromaru sat on the ground at Ryoji's feet. Ryoji was still puzzled at how even those two kept treating him like a normal person.

"Aren't you the least bit scared of me?"

"You mean, because you're a Shadow?" Rather than scared, the boy stared at him curiously. "No. Actually, I think that's really cool!"

"... Huh?" Ryoji gaped.

"You don't like that you're a Shadow? We don't see any problem with it. Shadows are usually bad, but you're so nice..."

"My original purpose is bad, though, and I'll have to fulfill it."

"You don't want to do it, right? Then, just don't!"

Ryoji's gaze fell in resignation. "It's as I've already said. What I want doesn't matter. My presence alone will cause it to happen, and I'll be forced to do it. It's beyond my control."

Koromaru whimpered and stared sadly at Ryoji.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. It can't be helped. It's fate. This is how it is, and no one can do anything about it."

"Minako-san'd be disappointed to hear this from you." The mention of Minako brought a painful expression to Ryoji's face, and Ken noticed it. "You like her a lot, don't you?"

Ryoji found himself nodding. "She's the most important person ever to me."

Ken chuckled. "Oh yeah, she's been raising you this whole time. You feel she's like family, then? Or maybe a childhood friend?"

Ryoji let out a small amused laugh. "This is a very light way to put it. She hadn't noticed me for most of this time, though. She feels more like the neighbor next door who I had always wanted to talk to, but that didn't even acknowledge me. She has always been so close, but so far away at the same time..."

"This is sad. But she always speaks of you. I'm sure you're very important to her, too."

Ryoji was surprised to hear that. From the way Minako had been so distant towards him, he hadn't imagined he would be part of her frequent subjects. "She speaks about me?"

"Yeah, she's always worrying about you."

"Worrying about me? Why?"

"Um, she said she disliked when you kept hitting on girls at school."

Ryoji let out a bitter chuckle. "I know about that. She specifically told me to stop, and I stopped. Now that I remember everything and know what I'm doing, I see why she disliked it. Tell her that she doesn't need to worry about that anymore."

And Ryoji had no reason to search wildly like that anymore, because his search was over. To think that what he was looking for had been so close the whole time. His purpose, and the love of his life. Why had he even left in the first place? Ryoji felt he was such an idiot...

"Just tell her yourself. You should talk more to her, and tell what you feel..."

He probably should, before the inevitable happened and the end came...

It was time. The turning point of their second chance. No matter what, they had to convince Ryoji to help them stop the Fall.

Rather than going to the 4th floor, they decided to discuss their plan at the lounge. Everyone was at the table, with Minako sitting right across from Ryoji.

"I hereby declare the start of our strategy meeting." Mitsuru took the floor. "The past generation's Kirijo group had performed atrocious experiments whose true goals were a mystery. With the recent happenings as well as Ikutsuki's betrayal, we have learned what their true goal was. Summon Nyx and trigger the Fall. Ryoji, we would like you to explain us some details. First of all, what is Nyx, exactly?"

"Nyx is the maternal being, the mother of all Shadows. The one who bestowed death to the world, and in turn made life as we know it."

"What do you mean?" Yukari asked.

"There aren't words in the human vocabulary to accurately describe Nyx, but I'll try to explain. Basically, Nyx is a colossal being that crashed into Earth at the beginning of times, while life was still in the most primitive state. Her body remained in hibernation on the Moon to recover from the collision, while most of her soul fragmented during the crash, detached from her and stayed on Earth. These fragments fully incorporated into the lifeforms from Earth, and evolved into the souls we have now."

"What?" That was news to Minako. Ryoji hadn't gotten into these details in the other timeline. "The fragments of Nyx's soul became part of everyone's souls? Then, you're saying that all of us has a bit of Nyx inside us?"

"Exactly. These are everyone's Shadow selves. Or in your cases, Personas."

Everyone gaped at the new information.

"Our Personas... our own Shadows that we got under control..." Fuuka muttered.

"That's right." Ryoji nodded. "Nyx's goal is to become whole again. Although her body is able to recover with time, she can't get her soul's fragments back unless the living beings let go of them. But the fragments became such an integral part of all living beings that, if they let go of the fragments, they will either enter a vegetative state, or not survive at all."

"This... this sounds like Apathy Syndrome..." Yukari noted. "But why do Shadows attack people and cause Apathy Syndrome?"

"Because they are attracted to people's fragments of Nyx's soul. They want to absorb those fragments and return to Nyx."

"I see," Akihiko said. "Where do you come into all this, though?"

Ryoji sounded hurt as he spoke. "I am the Appriser, the harbinger of death. My awakening means that all living beings yearn for the end, that they want to give up on everything and forfeit their fragments of Nyx's soul. Nyx will eventually notice my presence and awaken, and she will descend to Earth to take her soul's fragments back. This is what the Fall is all about. Without the fragments, all living beings will join the Lost."

"Whoa. It makes a lot of sense! But we can't let this happen no matter what!" Junpei 4.0 spoke with determination.

"It's impossible. Nothing can be done about it." Ryoji insisted. "Uh, I have to make a confession." He looked downwards in shame, and his voice wavered. "Yesterday, I... lied to you guys about one thing. Even if you had defeated me, it wouldn't have prevented the Fall. I can't be totally defeated, and would reform again after a few months. The Fall would've been delayed until then, but would still happen. You guys wouldn't realize it, though, because your memories of this mess about the Dark Hour would disappear."

"Why did you lie?!" Minako released the question that had been bottled up for a while. Ryoji hadn't only lied to them last night. The day he talked to Minako as Pharos for the last time, he had specifically told her to defeat the thirteenth Arcana Shadow once it appeared, and that this would prevent the end from coming. But why did he do this? Ryoji hadn't lied to them in the other timeline. Was this a consequence of the changes in Minako's interactions with Pharos? At least, Minako was glad that they had the knowledge from the previous timeline, otherwise they really might have just taken Pharos/Ryoji's word for it and "defeated" him.

"I'm sorry." Ryoji avoided eye contact with Minako. At that moment, he looked like a child that had just been scolded for bad behavior. "I don't want you guys to suffer. The Fall is unavoidable anyway, and there are only two options. If you go ahead aware of what is to come, you'll be oppressed by fear of the unavoidable end every day. But if you forget the Dark Hour and all this messed-up stuff you were forced to go through because of it, you can continue living happily, and the end will be peaceful. Between these two options, I believe it's better to forget. I feel horrible about having lied, but it was all I could do to protect you guys' happiness. During the time I didn't remember any of this, I was happy. I want you guys to live the rest of your lives happily, too."

Minako felt a pang in her chest. Ryoji's intentions were good, but... "You basically stripped us of our choices..."

"I'm sorry..." He apologized again. "But there isn't even much of a choice, actually. The Fall is what the majority wish. This is the reason it will happen!"

"Hey, dude, haven't you been observing people all this time?" Junpei spoke. "To you, does it look like most people want the end? To me, it surely doesn't!"

"Do you really think you awakened because the majority of people wish for the Fall?" Mitsuru added sternly.

"I do. My awakening should only happen when the majority want the Fall. It's the only possible reason. So, maybe, deep down..."

"Think carefully about it. Where did you awaken?" Mitsuru pressed.

"In... a laboratory..." Ryoji recalled the screams of dying people. "Yes... many people were terrorized and killed. This created a lot of negative emotions and formed Shadows, used to terrorize more people during the Dark Hour, which in turn elicited even more despair and thoughts about dying and created even more Shadows... all those Shadows merged, and... this was how I was born..."

Mitsuru's gaze flared in anger. "The Kirijo Group from the past went as far as to kill many innocent people to..." She swept a lock of her hair and tried to regain her composure. "Anyway, this is the point I'm trying to arrive at. Ryoji, your awakening was not the majority's wish, but the desire of a small-sized group of deranged people, like my grandfather and Ikutsuki, and did not happen naturally as it was supposed to. They collected Shadows, terrorized and killed many innocent people to induce the negative emotions to create more Shadows and force you to awaken. In other words, your awakening was a mistake."

"... A-a mistake? No... this can't be..." Ryoji gaped in shock. After a pause, he heaved a sigh. "I admit it. From what I've seen for myself, it doesn't look like most people are yearning for the end, but since this was the meaning for my awakening, I thought..." His expression filled with pain. "But if it's a mistake, then this is all wrong. I shouldn't have awakened. The Fall shouldn't happen... but it will, and nothing can be done about it. A huge miracle would need to happen to stop it!"

"We have a huge miracle, though." Mitsuru stated firmly. "It is you. Your current state."

Ryoji stared blankly in confusion.

"It may have been a mistake, but your awakening came with more unforeseen developments," Aigis said. "Ten years ago, you didn't even talk. All you did was roar and trash about. But look at you now..."

"I-I don't understand what you're trying to get at..." Ryoji stuttered.

"What we are saying is that you're much more than a presence that Nyx will react to." Aigis answered. "You're sentient, and can reason and interact with others. Perhaps this can bring other possibilities as well."

"Ryoji-kun." Minako spoke. "Don't you have a say in this? Can't you tell Nyx that it's too early for her to awaken? That it's a mistake..."

Ryoji thought for a moment. "I don't know... once she awakens, she'll transfer her remaining conscience to me and I'll be forced to act as her avatar. She's really powerful. I'm not sure whether I even stand a chance to do anything before she overwhelms me!"

"But you're very powerful too, aren't you?!" Yukari was desperate. "There must be something you can do! If not, what's the point of having so much power, anyway?!"

"Ryoji-san, please!" Ken added his plea.

And so did Koromaru. "Arf arf!"

"You have a direct connection to Nyx and all." Akihiko spoke. "If there's someone with more concrete chances of stopping the Fall, it should be you."

Ryoji said nothing. In fact, he looked scared. But again, it was such a huge undertaking. They were literally placing the weight of the whole world on his shoulders, and Minako felt bad for it. She wished he didn't need to bear such a burden. He loved the world so much, and she believed he deserved to continue living there along with everyone else.

When Minako was about to address him and try to voice her thoughts, Mitsuru's cellphone rang.

"Hello? Yes, it's me. Yes." After a pause, Mitsuru startled. "... What? Regained consciousness?! ... Yes, we will be there shortly. Thank you." She ended the call with her eyes threatening to tear up. "Oh my god..."

"What happened, Mitsuru-senpai?" Junpei asked.

"A miracle. Honestly, I have no other way to describe it... Iori, you won't believe this. No, in fact, it's best that you do. This call was from the hospital, to say that... Chidori Yoshino is alive."

It took a few seconds for the great news to sink in, and Junpei jumped on his seat. "... Whaaaat?! Ch-Chidori?! A-alive! But how? We had checked, and her heart wasn't beating and..."

"I don't know how. All I know is that I got a call from the hospital a few days later, and the doctor told me that her body had transmogrified."

"Transmogrified? Then, she lost access to her Persona and a coffin encased her?" Minako theorized.

"It seems so. I hadn't mentioned this to anyone because it might be a false alarm, but now the doctor has just called to say that she has regained consciousness."

"Chidori is alive... and awake..." Junpei still had a hard time believing it.

"The only problem is that she doesn't seem to remember much of anything."

"It doesn't matter. I want to see her!"

Mitsuru smiled. "Of course. Let's go right away."

"Chidori-san...?" Understanding crossed Ryoji's gaze. "Do you mean...! Junpei-kun's precious person?"

"Yeah!" Junpei stormed out of his seat and placed a hand on Ryoji's back. "Ryoji, you have to come with us!"

"... Me?"

"Yeah, you supported me so much while I had been mourning. You felt all the sadness. Now you gotta feel the happiness too!"

Thus, SEES dragged a bewildered Ryoji to the hospital with them.

"Chidori! Oh my god!" Junpei began crying at the sight of her.

"... Who are they?" Chidori asked cluelessly.

"This is your friend that was helping you while you were here in the hospital." The doctor indicated Junpei, then the other SEES members. "And these are his friends. Everyone was really worried about you."

She stared curiously at the whole group but said nothing.

"He came to visit you often, and sometimes left flowers." The doctor told her, but she still didn't show any hints of remembering anything. The doctor turned to Junpei sadly. "I'm sorry. It must hurt to be forgotten like this. You cared about her so much..."

"It's fine..." Junpei replied in tears. "She has had enough of creepy hours and suppressants and dark stuff. What matters is that she's alive. Now she can start over!"

The doctor seemed relieved. "I'm glad that you said this. Speaking of the flowers, I believed that those were what actually saved her."

"What do you mean?" Junpei asked.

"She kept touching the flowers that you gave her, and every time she did, they would become more lively. When we thought... her eyes wouldn't open anymore..." The doctor used lighter words, being considerate because Chidori herself was present. "We placed the flowers near her. Then, that night, her body transmogrified, much to our bewilderment. And now she is alive and well, and more healthy than she had ever been during her whole stay here. This is really a miracle!"

"Then... then, if I hadn't given her the flowers..." Junpei uttered his conclusion, still in tears.

Chidori only stared without saying a word.

The doctor turned to her again. "His name is Junpei."

"... Jun-pei." She uttered slowly.

The boy in question couldn't be happier. "Yeah, that's right! I'm so glad to hear you say my name again!"

"It has a nice ring to it," she said, then her gaze darted among everyone present, and she seemed frustrated. "You all look so worried, moved... but I don't feel anything. I don't remember. The visits, the flowers, anything..."

"It's okay." Junpei spoke between sniffles. "I'll come to visit again, and give you new flowers. I'll help you create new memories so that you can make beautiful drawings! ... Uh, you used to like drawing. Do you remember?"

She thought for a bit. "Hmm, not really, but it sounds like something I'd like to do."

"Um, you used to draw the things you saw. Your drawings were usually sad and dark, but now the sadness phase's over! So, it's time to start over! Once you leave the hospital, I'll show you a lot of nice stuff so that you can draw!"

"Okay. It's a promise."

"Of course!" Junpei nodded excitedly.

Still bewildered, Ryoji accompanied the crying SEES members out of the hospital.

Junpei couldn't contain himself. "Chidori is alive! Because I didn't freak out and didn't stop visiting her when she got angry at me and told me to stop... I had thought giving her flowers was such a small act... to think those simple flowers'd be what saved her! Mina-tan, we did it! I want to, but I still can't believe this... I hope it isn't a dream!"

Minako smiled, also with tears of joy. "It's true. You did it, Junpei 4.0! I'm so happy for you!"

"Junpei-kun, I don't even know what to say..." Ryoji began. "Your precious person escaped death. She escaped fate... in a very unorthodox way. I hadn't thought something like this was possible... it's really a miracle. Does this mean that fate can really be changed?"

"I think so!" Junpei smirked, then took a deep breath and became serious. "When I first met Chidori, her drawings were so dark. She kept hurting herself, then using her healing powers, only to hurt herself again and continue suffering on purpose. I could tell she was one of the people wishing for the end. As I came to visit her at the hospital, I noticed that she had stopped hurting herself. Chidori slowly changed from wanting to die to wanting to live. Then, she sacrificed her life to protect mine... and died. Or not. Now she's back to life. And you saw it! Now I have a promise to keep!" Junpei stopped walking, placed a hand on Ryoji's shoulder again, held his cap with his free hand so that it wouldn't fall and bowed his head. "Ryoji, I beg you! You have to do something! You have to help us stop the Fall, or I can't keep my promise to Chidori and she won't have time to start over! Ryoji, please!"

"Junpei-kun..." Ryoji was touched. He wished he could do something, but had had no confidence that he could do anything at all. That is, until now. This latest event proved to him that fate could be changed, and a shard of hope began growing in his heart. If fate could be changed, and if miracles could really happen, then maybe... maybe he could actually do something if he tried, after all, though he still didn't know what. "I-I'll think about it." He finally responded.

"R-really!?" Junpei exclaimed.

Ryoji nodded hesitantly. "I still have no idea what to do, but I'll see if I can figure something out. I want to think calmly, alone."

"Thanks, Ryoji-kun!" Minako voiced the whole group's gratitude that displayed in their faces.

"I'll be going."

"... Now?" Fuuka gasped.

"Yeah. Once I decide what to do, we'll talk again. Bye." Ryoji walked away, and once he was out of everyone's sight, he vanished.

Minako returned to the dorm with the others, disappointed that Ryoji had left so abruptly.

"How come you guys decide to be out right on the day I decide to drop by?!" Said the other proof that fate could be changed who had decided to show up!

"Shinji!" Akihiko exclaimed in surprise.

"Sorry, it was important." Fuuka apologized.

""Shinji, you could've at least sent a message to say you'd drop by... but you seem to be in a good mood!"

Shinjiro shrugged. "It's cuz I managed to make this. And when I realized it, I was on the way here." Shinjiro showed a full plastic bag. He entered the dorm, pulled a big container from the bag and set it on the table. "It's an imitation of Inaba's steak croquettes. Not sure how close to the real thing it is, but I really like the result!"

Everyone had a croquette.

"It's delicious!" Yukari was the one who voiced her opinion first.

"I tasted Inaba's croquettes during the school trip there." Minako told him. "This isn't exactly like it, but is pretty close! It brings back memories from the trip."

Shinjiro seemed satisfied. "That's a good enough result for me, for now. I guess I can't improve it unless I go to Inaba and taste the real thing myself."

"We could all go there together on vacation or something." Yukari suggested. "Maybe next year..."

This made Minako remember she had promised in an impulse to Pharos to take him there next year... even if they managed to avert the Fall, this wouldn't be possible because Ryoji would likely enter hibernation until the Fall was truly needed, the same way it happened in the other timeline. She wished Ryoji were there at the dorm to at least do the next best thing and taste the imitation croquettes. Too bad he had left so abruptly...

For the rest of his day, Ryoji kept reflecting on what he could do to convince Nyx to give up on the Fall. He went to his part-time job at night, and kept observing the customers attentively. Not even the ones who looked depressed seemed to be wishing for the end. Ryoji specifically chose those ones' orders to tend to, and made sure to treat those customers with special attention and care. His spontaneous and friendly service even managed to place a smile on those dejected people's faces. To Ryoji, this was very gratifying, and also strengthened the thought that he had to do something about the Fall and protect all those people.

The following day, he still went to school. In class, he was able to hear his classmates murmuring about how gloomy his mood had been these last few days.

On lunch break, Ryoji went to the rooftop. He was overlooking the city down below when a familiar voice got his attention.

"Here you are!"

He turned around. "Mi-Minako... chan?" His surprise almost made him forget the honorific, and he added it more like an afterthought.

"Just Minako is fine."

"Huh?" He blinked.

"You may drop the honorific already. Unless you prefer using it..."

"O-okay..." As cute as the "chan" honorific was, he actually preferred to address her without any honorific. It was the way he had done it during his time as Pharos. Those interactions brought him so many fond memories, and he wished his bond with Minako could become like what it was before. But could it? He was a completely different individual now. The memories about his purpose had made him change so much. He had a better understanding of things, and the pure naivety from his time as Pharos was gone. Not to mention he hadn't told her it was him...

"What's wrong?" She caught the hesitation in his blue eyes.

Ryoji decided to ask the question that had been nagging at him for a while. "Um, aren't you bothered by... you know, the way Aigis sealed me and... how, for so many years, you've been... carrying a dangerous Shadow unknowingly and..."

"I admit, it was quite the shock at first. But on further thought, I think it was a good thing that Aigis sealed you, or we probably couldn't be talking like this right now. Actually, you could've killed all my friends and me before we could even meet! The Fall could have already happened, too... so much could've happened differently. So much could have been worse..."

Ryoji remembered the talk they had had once, during his time as Pharos, when Minako had expressed her belief that fate could be changed. When he had asked whether she believed her parents had died that day because it was their fate, and her answer was that she thought it could have happened in many different ways. Only one of them could have survived, or none of them, or not even her.

"Yeah... does this mean that you have changed my fate? No, perhaps the whole world's fate..."

"Whoa. The whole world's fate? That sounds too big... no, I didn't do anything, though. I just happened to be there at the time."

"It is too big. And I think it's really unfair that you ended up forced to bear such a big responsibility." Ryoji lamented. "You have nothing to do with the world's greatest problems, or those scientists' experiments, or anything related to this mess. You're just a normal person and deserve a normal and peaceful life."

"Scary and dangerous things aside, all of this is so amazing. I agree with Mitsuru-senpai. Your current self is a huge miracle, and I'm happy to have had the privilege of witnessing it. I'm glad that we became friends." Minako stared at him with admiration.

"... M-me too. Speaking of miracles, to be honest, our friendship is like a miracle to me."

"I think so too. I feel bad for not having noticed you earlier, though..."

Ryoji was touched. "W-we had no way to communicate. There's nothing that either you or I could have done... no, actually, I think it wouldn't have been good if you had noticed me earlier. I was very far from being 'human' in the beginning. I could have scared you, traumatized you... even more."

"Uum, that's true..."

Ryoji half-closed his eyes in embarrassment. "Even now... I mean, until a few days earlier, when I didn't remember everything and didn't quite know what I was doing... I embarrassed you and caused you a lot of trouble, didn't I? I'm sorry. Rest assured that you don't need to worry about that kind of thing anymore."

Minako unexpectedly laughed. "Sure, it was very embarrassing... but I can see how you've come a long way. Even though Shadows are born from negative emotions, you're so kind, considerate and responsible. In the end, the very dangerous Shadow became such a great person, and... I feel proud."

Ryoji gaped, transfixed by the glint in Minako's eyes, and taken aback by her kind words.

"Ryoji-kun. I have faith in you, and believe you can do something to convince Nyx not to cause the Fall. But I also feel sad that you have to bear such a huge responsibility. I can tell that you really like this world. I wish you could just continue living here alongside us... I think you deserve a normal and peaceful life too."

A grateful smile formed on Ryoji's face. "Minako, thank you. I wish it could be like that too." And I wish I could live by your side, he added as a thought. "But on further thought, the fact that I love this world is the more the reason for me to do my best to save it, right?"

"You have a point." Minako also smiled. "If there's anything we can do to make your task easier, we'll do it. Just tell us."

"You guys shouldn't need to do anything else. This situation is not your responsibility."

"We've come this far, and would rather see this through to the end." Minako spoke with determination. "And we're in this together. It'd be unfair to have you do all the heavy work alone."

Ryoji chuckled. "Thanks for the support. I don't have anything in mind that you guys could do. I still don't know what to do to convince Nyx, or even to get her attention before she can fully transfer her consciousness to me and take over. But first of all, I think I need more arguments to convince her... oh, yes, about this. I have an important announcement. Could you inform the others?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"I'll be away for a few days."

"You're... leaving?" Minako deflated.

Ryoji nodded firmly. "I want to see how other people from other parts of the world are living, and make sure they really aren't wishing for the Fall. This should make for more solid arguments to convince Nyx, once I can get her to listen."

"I understand. And I get how important this is. Too bad, though. I was hoping you could spend more time with us..."

It was both surprising and painful to see how disappointed Minako was.

Ryoji flashed a comforting smile. "I'll try to be back a few days before the year ends."

"Okay. Until then, we'll try to think up a few ways to help you with the big task."

The chimes rang.

"Lunch break is over," Ryoji said. "I'll go to class. See you again."

On his way back from the rooftop, Ryoji felt relieved that Minako had no hard feelings towards him. Unexpectedly, the harsh truth about his Shadow origins and purpose hadn't made her dislike him. Instead, it had led her respect for him to increase. She had been as kind to him as ever, and he realized that their bond was solid. In fact, almost the way it was while he was Pharos... Ryoji wondered whether she had fond memories of those times too. Maybe she would accept the truth just fine if he told her. He probably should sort this out next time they met.

That interaction at the rooftop brought Minako's Fortune Social Link to level 8. Minako was disappointed that Ryoji would be away again, just like in the other timeline. His reason for leaving was different - and noble -, but his leave was disappointing nonetheless. At least he had said he would be back before the end of the year. Minako hoped he would have some time to have fun with the others and her. It would be his last chance for that, after all.

That week ended, and another one passed. Minako kept wondering how Ryoji was doing, worrying in a similar way she had worried after Pharos had left and no one had been sure whether he would reappear in another form or not. Her reason for worrying this time was the plan to stop the Fall. Had Ryoji managed any progress? And was he getting the results he had hoped for in his "travels?"

On some days, SEES had gone to Tartarus to climb some floors and secure the elevator floor shortcuts closer to the top. On the days they didn't, sometimes Minako ended up staying awake past midnight, especially when she was studying for exams.

Dark Hour came, and the special lamp was on while she studied. There were moments Minako half expected Pharos to come visit her, or maybe Ryoji... but it didn't happen. She ended up having to study alone, which was pretty boring. It was ironic how Pharos had helped her study for exams while he had been trapped, and now that Ryoji had even enrolled in school, he had more important things to do and couldn't be there to help her study...

... ... ... ... ...

Exams passed. It was December 21st. Minako's class was heading to lunch break.

"Today is the day the exam results will be posted." Yukari reminded them. "Minako-chan, how do you think you did?"

"I think I did okay. What about you, Junpei?"

"I hope the result's alright. At least there's one question I'm sure I got right. We've been mentioning spring mornings so much that I almost answered that instead of winter mornings! I realized it in time, though."

Minako and Yukari laughed. "It's an improvement compared to the other time! Remember, when we agreed on the spring mornings thing, I had told you to make sure to remember the answer to this question and get it right."

Junpei also laughed. "Yeah, it was close!"

They left the classroom and went to check the posted results. Minako was looking for her name on the list, from top to bottom, when she saw a name she hadn't expected to see: Ryoji Mochizuki.

"Ryoji... kun?" Minako had had no idea that he had even taken the tests. He had even scored higher than her!

She saw some of his classmates, who were equally surprised.

"Wow. Mochizuki scored pretty high!" One of his male classmates commented.

"Yeah. From the way he kept playing around, I didn't think he was so serious about studies!" Another male student replied.

"His mood had been really gloomy those last days he was here, though." The first one reminded. "Something serious must've happened, with the way he left so suddenly and all..."

Curious, Minako approached them and asked if Ryoji had come for exams.

"I think it was almost two weeks ago." The first classmate told her. "He asked the teachers to let him do the exams early because he'd have to leave and wouldn't be here on the actual exam days."

"We haven't seen him ever since." The second classmate added.

"He isn't here today, then?"

"No." The second classmate answered, and crushed Minako's hopes that were starting to form. Ryoji wasn't back yet.

Minako thanked them for the information and left.

Ryoji had wandered into various places in a non-physical form and watched many people. Sometimes, he would materialize and talk to some people to hear what their points of view. By the end of his "trip," he was relieved. The results of his research were mostly what he had expected. Even though there were those who were suffering too much and wishing for the end, this wasn't the case for the majority. Even among those who were suffering, many still insisted on carrying on and hoping for a better future, and this greatly touched Ryoji.

Around one week of December remained when Ryoji finally arrived back at Iwatodai. The city looked more colorful and lively than he had last remembered it, and this improved his mood. He was navigating in a non-physical form and thinking where to materialize when he noticed Kenji crying inside the Hagakure ramen shop. Ryoji materialized somewhere out of people's sights and headed to Hagakure.

"Kenji-kun!"

Kenji's head shot up in surprise. "M-Mochizuki...!"

"Sorry that I couldn't be around for a while. I had to take care of something important. What happened to you?"

"Y-you see... I had thought things had been going well with Emiri. But then she said that she'd be transferred to a school in Kyushu... after that, she started avoiding me and ignoring my calls and..." Kenji sniffled. "She was on the street here a while ago... with a man. I think they didn't see me, but I heard them talking to each other. She'll leave for Kyushu today. And... they'll get married!" Kenji was desperate. "She'll get married, man! This means she didn't love me from the start... she was just playing around with me..."

Ryoji looked at Kenji solemnly. "That wasn't nice..."

"It's not Emiri's fault, though. I'm the one to blame. I'm such an idiot! I should've seen it coming... but now I don't know what to do! Mochizuki, what should I do?"

"Find someone who really likes you. I mean, not because of looks or because you're younger or older or anything like that. Someone who likes you for who you are."

"That's so idealistic! It'd be really hard to happen! Aaaaah... what should I do!?" Kenji continued crying, totally defeated.

But Ryoji had known better. Now he remembered the comments he had heard while he had been sealed, during Minako's tennis club practice. Indeed, there was someone who liked Kenji.

"I'll call for help. Kenji-kun, stay put, okay?"

"Huh? Wh-what're you talking about? Mochizuki!"

Ryoji stormed out of Hagakure and vanished.

He navigated in a non-physical form, and located Rio Iwasaki grumbling to herself at the sight of couples walking on the street.

She heaved a sigh. "Looks like I'll have to spend Christmas Eve alone again..."

Ryoji materialized out of her sight and then approached her. "Oh, I hadn't realized it was Christmas Eve already... this explains all the decorations and lively mood around..."

"Huh?" She turned to face him fully. "You're... that student who transferred last month..."

"Yeah, the name's Ryoji Mochizuki. But this doesn't matter much. What matters is, you're Kenji-kun's friend, right? Kenji-kun needs help!"

"Help?"

"He had believed he had been in a relationship with Ms. Kanou." Ryoji's mention of this name put a slight frown on the girl's face. "But he's just found out that she had been toying with him, and that she'll get married to another guy. Kenji-kun is utterly shocked right now..."

"Serves him right." Rio tried to disguise her concern. "That idiot... this is what he gets for going after much older women! Hopefully he'll learn the lesson."

"He's crying desperately inside Hagakure right now." Ryoji continued arguing. "He needs a close friend by his side. If you don't keep him company, he'll spend Christmas Eve sad and alone..."

Rio finally allowed her worry to show. She seemed lost between worried and wary, but followed Ryoji to the ramen shop. Kenji was still there. His tears seemed to have stopped, but he still looked defeated, and it was apparent that he had cried.

"Kenji!" Rio darted towards the table he was seated at.

"R-Rio...? Why?" He spotted Ryoji. "... Mochizuki?"

"I told her you're in need of moral support. You two are close friends, right?"

Rio sat beside Kenji. "Yeah, I've known this idiot since my childhood."

Ryoji smirked slightly. "Then, I assume you know how to handle him better than anyone. I'll leave Kenji-kun to you. Good luck."

"Mochizuki!" Kenji called out as Ryoji turned to leave. "Um, thanks for the support, too."

"That's what friends are for! May you two have a merry Christmas!"

"Oh, I had forgotten! Today is Christmas Eve, isn't it?!" Kenji exclaimed, and showed that Ryoji wasn't the only one.

"Yeah." Rio responded. "I was getting bored seeing everyone else having fun, and thinking I'd have to spend Christmas Eve alone. At least, it looks like I won't... unless you want to go home and shut yourself off in your room..."

"Err, I don't think I'm in the mood for much, but shutting myself off in my room'd be a waste, right? We only have this Christmas mood once a year, so..."

Ryoji left Hagakure, glad for both of them. What about his own Christmas Eve, though? Like Kenji had just said, they only had that overall mood once a year, and this would probably be Ryoji's last opportunity to experience it. He wished he could spend it with his most precious person... Minako had many people who could have invited her already, but Ryoji decided to give it a shot.

He took his cellphone and called her. "Hello, Minako. It's me, Ryoji."

"Ryoji-kun! Are you back?"

"I am. I've arrived at Iwatodai just a while ago, and hadn't even realized it's Christmas Eve! Um, may I ask you a favor?"

"What is it?"

Ryoji spoke nervously. "Minako... I know you had told me not to ask you out... but, um, may we go out, just this once? This is my first Christmas Eve that I get to spend in this world, and will probably be my last... please?"

"... Sure!" Her reply came quicker and more cheerful than he had expected.

"Really? You really mean it?"

"Yeah, I was wondering when you'd be back, and if you'd have time for some fun..."

"Great!" Ryoji couldn't contain his excitement. "Thanks, Minako. I feel as though I were the happiest Shadow in the world!"

Minako laughed. "Not 'as though.' You probably are. So, where do we meet up?"

Akihiko was at the dorm. It was Christmas Eve, and he still didn't know how to spend it. He had thought of just training in his room, but everyone else seemed to have plans, and maybe he should try to join in the fun too. But what should he do? Yukari, Fuuka and Aigis had been planning to make a cake together. Ken would stay at the dorm with the three girls and Koromaru. Junpei also had plans. Minako wasn't home yet, and he hadn't heard what her plans were.

But the current enigma to Akihiko was in regard to Mitsuru's plans. One day, he accidentally heard Mitsuru asking Yukari for dating tips. This could only mean that Mitsuru needed to go on a date! Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Her position of heiress of the Kirijo Group would require her to get married, to maintain her status. It was only natural, and none of his business.

Or so Akihiko kept telling himself. He kept wondering who Mitsuru's mysterious date was, whether the person in question liked her or would be with her just for status, and whether marriage just for status could actually make Mitsuru happy. Akihiko had been near Mitsuru since the start of SEES, and had been the one helping her with important decisions. He got used to working alongside her so much that he had been taking her presence for granted, but now that he thought about it, once this Dark Hour thing ended, SEES disbanded, Mitsuru got married and they parted ways, it would feel so... strange at best.

Akihiko was wandering the dorm aimlessly, and ran into the Kirijo heiress in question when he got to the lounge.

"Oh, Akihiko. You're here." Mitsuru greeted him from her position on the couch. "Any plans for Christmas?"

"Nothing yet. Maybe I'll just stay here at the dorm and have cake with the girls. You?"

"I was considering going out, walking around the decorated city, things like that... and maybe be back here in time for the cake. I'm still not sure, though. It depends on whether my date will agree or not."

Akihiko's eye twitched. "Your... date?"

"Yes." Mitsuru stood up and became face to face with him. She fiddled with her hair nervously. "So, Akihiko Sanada, would you spend Christmas Eve with me?"

Her question stunned Akihiko like a punch to his jaw, and it dropped for a few seconds. "... M-me?"

"Yes. This is the reason I asked if you had any plans. Since you said you don't, I gave my suggestion. Perhaps my plans were too boring for you?"

"... N-no, it's f-fine with me. I have nothing to do anyway... I j-just didn't think you'd invite me..."

Mitsuru let out a small chuckle. "Good. You agreed. Then, let's go."

Minako returned to the dorm, put on her casual winter clothes, and left for Port Island Station. Ryoji was already there when she arrived, and to her surprise, he had his hair down.

"Ryoji-kun!" Minako greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Ryoji's face also lit up, just like Pharos when he got excited. "Hi, Minako! How have you been?"

"A bit worried about the Fall stuff, but aside from that, I'm fine. What about you? Was your research worth it?"

"Yeah, I'm satisfied. Now I can say with more confidence that the Fall isn't the majority's wish."

"This is great. We've also devised a plan that we think can help you. But let's talk about problems later, okay? Let's cool off a bit first."

Ryoji agreed, and they started walking. Ryoji took the lead, and Minako smiled recalling the day she had shown Pharos around the city. Now it was the other way around.

They looked for a restaurant to have dinner, but everywhere was packed.

Ryoji looked at Minako with a sheepish expression. "I'm sorry. I should've made a reservation or something in advance, shouldn't I?"

"Normally, yeah. The usual places become packed on Christmas Eve! But I know you didn't have time."

"The usual places? Hmm. What about the non-usual places, then? Somewhere we've never been to. Maybe a smaller restaurant..."

"Alright, if we find a place... I say let's give the smaller guys a chance!"

They entered an area they had never visited before and found a smaller restaurant. It had a lot of customers. Minako and Ryoji went in to see if they could find an empty table, and they did. However, the last empty table was taken right before their eyes!

As they were about to leave with disappointment on their faces, a male worker approached them. "Hey, you two are looking for a place to have dinner, aren't you? The most famous places are packed, and customers are pouring into here. We aren't used to this kind of demand, and could use some help. I know this is sudden, but I have a suggestion. We can make a deal. If you two agree to help us serve the customers for a bit, then we can pay you, and also provide your dinner for free. What do you say?"

It was evident that they would have a hard time to find another place, and Minako could tell that Ryoji was eager to help. So, she agreed.

"Thank you! Oh, what a relief... follow me." The worker beckoned them to the back to a spacious kitchen with scattered cooks working. "Good news. We've got some help!"

"Hmm?" The cook in charge of the Yakisoba turned around and. "... You!?"

"... Aragaki-senpai!" Minako hadn't expected to run into Shinjiro there, out of all places.

"I work part-time here. So, they dragged you here to lend a hand in exchange for dinner, huh?"

Minako laughed awkwardly. "Something like that..."

"You already know each other? Good." The worker nodded in approval. "Sorry, but could you two handle some orders? There are a few customers waiting."

... ... ... ... ...

Minako and Ryoji helped with some orders, until things began to settle down and they could finally talk among themselves.

"I don't think I've seen you before." As he mixed yakisoba ingredients, Shinjiro spoke to Ryoji.

"I'm Ryoji Mochizuki. Nice to meet you! You're Shinjiro Aragaki-san, right? I know that you had been in the Iwatodai Dorm for a while. The people from that dorm are really nice."

Minako looked around. All the other cooks were just minding their own business. "Aragaki-senpai, I forgot to ask this the other day. Is everything alright with your Persona? It didn't... go out of control again, did it?"

"Thankfully, it's never gone crazy again. I didn't need to take those suppressants ever since, too. It's as though it had never gone out of control in the first place. So hard to believe..."

"You came to terms with yourself and your past, didn't you?" Ryoji chimed in. "This should be enough to tame your Persona."

Shinjiro looked flabbergasted at Ryoji. "You know about Personas?"

"Probably better than any of us at the dorm." Minako answered for Ryoji.

"If someone isn't emotionally ready to control their Persona, then the Persona will misbehave if forcefully pulled out. If your Persona were still misbehaving, I'd offer to suppress it for you."

"You can do that?" Shinjiro asked.

"Yeah. I could send the Persona back to the recesses of your mind so that it doesn't come out. But there's a catch. You'd lose the 'potential' and wouldn't be conscious during the Dark Hour anymore, just like everyone else who can't use a Persona. This is how it's supposed to be until the user becomes emotionally ready to control a Persona properly."

Shinjiro shrugged. "Nah. I'm fine as I am. The Persona isn't gettin' in my way anymore, so whatever." He turned to Minako. "What a crazy ally you guys managed to get, though, huh?"

"You still haven't seen a thing. He's actually a Shadow." Minako revealed.

"A Shadow!?" Shinjiro almost dropped his wooden spoon. "No... You're kiddin', right?"

"It's true." Ryoji confirmed.

After a moment of contemplation, Shinjiro heaved a sigh. "First a robot girl, then a dog, and now a Shadow... I really can't keep up with you guys."

"I think it's pretty cool..." Minako smirked playfully. "Really don't want to come back?"

Shinjiro shook his head. "All that stuff really isn't for me."

"Now I was kidding." Minako giggled. "It's okay. Don't worry about us, Aragaki-senpai. We'll do our best on our end. So, just do your best on your cooking! We'll be cheering you on!"

Ryoji added, "You seem to have found your reason to keep going, and seem to be doing very well now. Do what you can to contribute to the environment around you, in your own way. This is what matters."

A few more orders later, Ryoji and Minako finally got to have their own plate of yakisoba.

"Oh yeah. Were exam results already posted?" Ryoji sparked conversation.

"They were. And you scored pretty high! Not perfect, but higher than most people. Many students were surprised! Myself included. I hadn't even known you had taken the exams. Did you even have time to study?"

"I didn't, but most things were still fresh in my memory."

"Ah... I'm envious of your Shadow memory. It was so hard for me. One of your classmates told me that you had taken the exams in advance, too."

"I was curious to know how I'd fare, but since I wouldn't be here in the exam week, I asked to take them in advance."

Minako laughed. "While everyone dreads the exams, you go as far as to take them in advance... go figure!"

"I had more important things to do, but like this Christmas Eve, those exams were my first and also my last... I couldn't let the opportunity pass."

"Fair enough."

Ryoji changed the subject. "How is Junpei-kun doing?"

"Junpei's been so happy! Guess what? Chidori-san is out of the hospital. Mitsuru-senpai managed to find some relatives that live nearby, and Chidori-san is living there. Junpei always goes to pay her a visit, and today he said he'd spend Christmas Eve with her!"

"This is great. I'm happy for him! What a better way to spend Christmas Eve with the person he loves?" Ryoji's gaze lowered. "Minako, I'm sorry. All the restaurants were packed, and we had to work for our dinner... this wasn't the way I had meant you to spend the night of Christmas Eve. I wish I could've made it so that you could just relax, have fun, and not worry about anything."

Minako smiled assuringly. "It was tiring, but it was fun. And Aragaki-senpai's cooking is as good as ever."

What they had gone through wasn't the only problem, though. The restaurant's mood was too normal, too boring. To Ryoji, this was a really special occasion, and he was in the company of his most special person. He wished the mood were more romantic, like a candle-lit dinner, with calm piano music playing in the background. But again, he knew Minako wasn't much into that kind of thing, so the current place's atmosphere probably wasn't a problem for her. In the end, he only agreed with her comment about the food.

After dinner, they gazed at the Christmas decorations from Paulownia Mall, with a very tall Christmas tree and blinking lights that formed various shapes. Ryoji could only imagine how much work had gone into putting all those elaborate decorations together.

"It got quite late." Ryoji commented on their way back. "I'll walk you to the dorm."

A cold breeze caused Minako to shiver. It looked like her winter casual clothes weren't enough. Of course Ryoji didn't let the romantic opportunity pass and put his scarf on her.

"R-Ryoji-kun, but-"

"You need it more than me. I'm fine."

"I'm fine too." Minako replied.

"I don't want you to catch a cold."

"Well, me neither, but I'm fine."

How frustrating. It didn't seem like his romantic gestures and words would work on her at all.

"Minako, you're as stubborn as ever."

"You too."

All Ryoji could do was laugh. And then, Minako laughed with him.

... ... ... ... ...

When they entered the dorm, Ryoji heard the girls chatting and laughing inside.

"Hey, look who's here!" Minako announced cheerfully.

"Ryoji-kun!" Fuuka exclaimed and hurried over to greet him.

Yukari, Aigis, Ken and Koromaru also ran to welcome him.

"Ryoji-san, you're back!" Ken said.

"We've made a cake. Would you two like some?" Yukari offered.

Ryoji and Minako agreed, and soon they were having a slice of cake.

"We were wondering when you'd come back." Fuuka commented.

"Oh, um... I should probably say this now. Actually, I'll be around only for a few more days."

"You'll leave again..." Minako muttered sadly.

"Sorry. I have no choice. I can feel it. Nyx has already reacted to my presence. I can only stay here until... oh yes, New Year's Eve. On midnight, right after the Dark Hour of December 31st to January 1st, I'll dissolve into the darkness and become intangible. After this, all that's left to me is to... face Nyx. Exactly one month later, during the Dark Hour of January 31st to February 1st, Nyx will descend."

"That's too bad..." Fuuka lamented.

Everyone looked sad, but Minako even more so.

"Ryoji-kun, can't you stay the night?" Minako unexpectedly asked. "I want to talk to you some more, and it'll become even more late..."

"Feel free to use the room from last time," Aigis said.

"Hmm, okay."

... ... ... ... ...

After the cake, Ryoji went to the room he had stayed last time, and Minako came with him so that they could talk. Nostalgia hit him as they sat on the edge of the bed, just like during his time as Pharos, except now it was the room he was staying at and Minako was the visitor.

"I'm relieved at my research's results," Ryoji said. "There were some emotionally scarred people who wish for the end, but the Fall is certainly not the majority's wish. There were also sick people, and others who were suffering greatly and leaving their countries to escape from either war or poverty, and not even them seemed to want the Fall. Even these people carried hope for better lives in their hearts. This is what I want Nyx to know."

Minako smiled. "It's a great conclusion. Speaking of this, remember that I had said we have a plan? Thanks to some shenanigans at the Velvet Room, the place where I get help with my Personas, we found out about something interesting. The Fall will only happen if Nyx comes in contact with Erebus, a monster born from mankind's darkest emotions. So, the plan is, we'll go and defeat Erebus. This should delay the Fall until Erebus reforms again, right?"

Ryoji gaped. "Erebus... I see! I hadn't thought of that! Getting Erebus out of the way should give me more time to convince Nyx. Also, she may notice that something is off if she can't find Erebus, then maybe she'll stop and listen. In theory, this sounds great! Erebus is really strong, though. I'm not sure if you and your friends can really win. If I could, I'd try to help you defeat it before Nyx's arrival, but unfortunately, Erebus only comes out when it senses that Nyx has come."

"You had said that'll be on the Dark Hour of January 31st to February 1st, right? On this day, we'll go after Erebus, then. Ryoji-kun, we'll be counting on you. You can count on us too. We're in this together."

Ryoji nodded. They remained silent for a while, and then midnight struck, and lights went out.

"It's Dark Hour..." Ryoji stated the obvious.

"Yeah..."

Silence.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Minako asked.

"Huh?"

"What day is today?"

Ryoji was confused. "... You mean... Christmas?"

"No. Aside from Christmas, there's one other thing."

"What thing?"

Minako sighed in exasperation. "Ah well. Then, I guess I'll be the one saying it this time..." She stood up and positioned herself face to face with him. "In exactly one week, the moon will be full. And after this... you'll have to face the biggest ordeal ever. Be careful, okay?"

Ryoji felt a sudden warmth in his chest, and his eyes watered. "You... you still remember that?"

"Of course I remember! Those warnings were becoming like a tradition already, and i eagerly waited for them every month!"

"I-is that so?" Ryoji was surprised to hear that. Since Minako had always paid attention to the calendar, he had thought those warnings were useless. He only kept warning her just to make sure, and because he could use it as an excuse to visit her.

"Yeah! As much as I had been checking the calendar, a reminder is always nice, and it was always nice to see you too."

A wave of emotion struck Ryoji. "Wait... you... knew it was me?"

"Yeah, I knew."

"Since when?"

"A-actually... I've always known."

Ryoji was stunned. For some time, he had tried to hide that he was Pharos because he dreaded she would be horrified if she were to find out that Pharos was the thirteenth Arcana Shadow, the one meant to bring the Fall. But Minako had known all along? "... How?"

"We have a strong bond. And how wouldn't I recognize grown-up Pharos-kun?" She ruffled his hair, that he had left down just like he used to keep as Pharos. "I was sad when you left the first time. Then, you appeared at school. I could tell it was you, but you didn't remember anything, not even me and our friendship... I was disappointed. But on the other hand, I was relieved that I could see you again, that in the end, you're you and some things never change, that Pharos-kun wasn't completely gone..."

So, this was the reason why she had seemed so disappointed at him while he didn't remember things.

"I'm sorry," Ryoji said in a strained voice. "I had panicked. I wasn't ready to deal with the weight of my purpose, and I just wanted to forget everything so that I could enjoy some fun moments again. I didn't want to forget you, but I feared that seeing you would make me remember my predicament sooner. Either way, I kept being drawn to you, wanting to talk to you and become closer... I'm sorry if I hurt you... and for having lied about ending the Dark Hour..."

"That was dangerous. I'm glad we didn't take your word for it, though. I forgive you. It's all okay now." She stroked his hair comfortingly. "I have to admit this, though. The Dark Hours have been so lonely without you. I missed you. Your visits, our talks, the way you helped me to study, your warnings... and I'm sure I'll miss you again once you leave for good."

"Maybe this is the reason I kept wanting to get closer to you... even without my memories, deep down I missed you, and all those great times..."

They shared a moment of silence, until Minako spoke up. "Ryoji-kun, I have something to give you. Or rather, return. You left it with me when you left the first time."

"Huh?" He didn't remember having left anything with her.

"Here." A card appeared on Minako's hand, and she gave it to him.

Ryoji accepted the card. "This is..." He stared at the picture of Thanatos, which was his Shadow form.

"Your own Persona! Looks like it grew inside me since you couldn't develop it on your own."

The card disappeared inside him, and Ryoji felt a new possibility growing within himself. Now, instead of transforming into his Shadow form, he could use his Shadow form as a Persona!

"My Persona... my very own Persona..." This felt like yet another miracle. Even though he had regained many abilities from the Arcana Shadows' fusion, wielding a Persona wasn't one of them. But now, thanks to Minako, he could finally use one! He felt so happy! "Minako, thank you!" He stood up and tackled Minako into a hug, not unlike the first time he had hugged her as Pharos, when she had given him a new set of clothes as a present. Except that this time, he had tears in his eyes.

Minako returned the hug, and when she spoke next, she sounded deeply moved as well. "Remember? There was a time when you couldn't cry. And at first, it was hard to touch you because of how cold your temperature was. And when you got excited, you'd grin rather creepily... but now you're so 'human.' Way more 'human' than many humans out there..."

"I have changed a lot. And it's all thanks to you, Minako. You gave me my humanity. And now, the ability to use a Persona. Yet, you had said that some things about me never change. This got me curious. What didn't change? I was sure I had changed completely..."

"The way you react sometimes... your excitement to see new things, your spontaneity, your eagerness to do acts of kindness... no matter if you have your memories or not, I guess this is just the way you are."

Ryoji hadn't even noticed those things Minako had pointed out. Maybe those characteristics were so ingrained in his personality that he had just taken them for granted. Then, she was probably right.

"Oh yeah." Minako suddenly changed the subject. "It's already midnight. So, merry Christmas."

"Oh, there was that! Merry Christmas to you too." Ryoji chuckled through his tears of joy. "You know? I was a bit disappointed that our Christmas Eve outing hadn't gone the way I had imagined. But then, we got to spend time together like this, talk like at those good times, and you even gave me a new possibility, the ability to use my Shadow form as a Persona. This night was the best gift I could have wanted. This Christmas was my first, my last, and my best one. I'll always remember it."

"I'll remember it too." Minako tightened her hold on Ryoji. "Thanks for inviting me, and for being here. What will happen to you after New Year is anyone's guess, but I'll remember this Christmas, and will always remember you."

The Fortune Social Link ranked up to level 9, and they remained there just enjoying the warmth of each other's embrace. Minako wasn't sure if she would meet Ryoji again after New Year, but at least at that moment, they had an extra 25th hour in the day they could spend together.

A/n: first of all, I have to say that the "Nyx crashing into Earth" is actually a thing. According to the Megami Tensei Wiki, the information is on the Persona 3 Club Book which explains obscure things about Persona 3's setting.

Second: Chidori! She revives in January In the game, and I was disappointed that she seems to be practically forgotten after the revival event. I'd have liked to see her interacting more with Junpei after her revival.

Third: Shinji! He was lacking "screen time" in this fic after he was saved. To make up for it (sort of), he gets "screen time" twice in this chapter :P .

Lastly... phew, what a long chapter! Actually, I had had this idea for Ryoji's Christmas Eve night for a long time (the problem was how to develop the previous chapter to arrive here :P ). And my "dream" was to publish it in time for actual Christmas! I'm happy that this year I finally managed it! (at the time of writing, it's December 24th, 2018, just in time for Christmas! :D ) So, to my readers, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Speaking of New Year (and the "promised day" :P ), next chapter will probably be the last one. See you in 2019!