If you decided to read this story despite my crappy summary, thank you. I decided to use Makoto Yuki even though I like Minato Arisato better. As of now, I don't know if he would appear much but I can say that he would play a major role here. And I don't know if there will be any pairings yet but I would definitely think about it.

Anyways, I'd like to know what you think so please review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Persona and any of the game's characters.

"I'm home," Ken said. There was no response. He dropped a bag full of chocolates on the table before flopping down the sofa. I guess they're still out, he thought. He stared at the ceiling, thinking of what he should do with all the gifts he received today. It's finally over, he thought then sighed.

Valentine's Day was something Ken dreaded ever since he entered middle school. It always took so much of his energy. This year was even worse because Valentine's Day landed on a Sunday. Girls ambushed him for three days straight. Ken spent three day in hell. He tried to remain inconspicuous, but the moment he left the dorm girls started attacking him with chocolates, gifts, and their heavily made-up face. From experience, Ken knew that running away was always out of the question because it required much more energy as humanly as possible. And also, it would also be suicide.

"Amada," Ken looked up to see his upperclassman staring at him with a smug smile. "Are you all right? Valentine's day must have been harsh for you again." Ken gave a weary smile before greeting his senior and saying he was fine.

"I never knew they would still attack me today," Ken said looking slightly horrified. "It's like there were three Valentine's Day this year."

His senior chuckled. "I'm surprised that you don't look like you've been run over by a pack of hungry wolves this year. Last year, your uniform was so ragged that you had to buy a new one." They laughed at the memory of it. Ken took the paper bag on the table and offered some chocolates to his senior. "I didn't know you have feelings for me Amada-kun," the older male joked. Ken punched him lightly on the shoulder, chuckling.

"Too bad you won't be here to help me with this next year, senpai." Ken randomly picked a box and ate its contents. This taste good, he thought.

"Yeah..." his senior paused for a moment before looking at him. "Now that I think about it, all of us are seniors here except you. Will you be okay?"

"Don't worry senpai, I have Koro-chan with me."

"If you say so" his senior said while fiddling the remote to turn the TV on. The box flashed the evening news. Koromaru, who was sleeping behind the sofa woke up then fell asleep again when he found out that there was no danger.

"-emory loss has suddenly spread like an epidemic. Breaking News! The four people who went missing last February the first mysteriously appeared at Gekkoukan High School earlier this da-"

"Strange," his senior said.

Ken grew silent, his eyes glued on the tv. Could it be... he thought. The vibration on his pocket startled him. He quickly fished out his phone and checked the name of the caller. I knew it. "Excuse me," he said before going to his room. He locked his door then answered the phone.

"Amada," a voice full of authority came from the other end of the line. "Come to Tatsumi Memorial Hospital tomorrow after school. There are some things we need to discuss."

"Understood, Mitsuru-san." The other line died.

Ken smiled at when he saw two familiar faces at the hospital's lobby. One of them was grinning, his face was overflowing with excitement. The other looked bored. "Hello Junpei-san, Yukari-san."

"Yo Ken," Junpei greeted the younger male. "You've grown taller, dude. So how was Valentine's day?"

Ken visibly shuddered. The previous events he's experienced were enough to traumatize a normal person. Fortunately, in a way, he has seen worse so it the effects weren't as drastic. "It was really... terrifying."

"Don't worry bro," Junpei said as he patted the boy's back. "Once you're my age things will be easier."

"Like there are any girls after you," Yukari snorted. "You look like you just used your head to clean the toilet."

"Hey!"

Ken watched the two with a smile. Just like before, he thought.

Not long after, Akihiko picked them up. He led them to one of the secret rooms in the hospital which was previously used for monitoring the Dark Hour. Ken looked around and noticed how similar it looked to the command room at Iwatodai dorm only it had more sofas and couches, and a coffee station―which he deduced worked during the Dark Hour. He also noted the people present.

Everyone there were consisted of the former members of SEES that were still alive, and Inaba's Investigation Team. This must be serious, Yukari thought.

"I'm sorry for calling you all on such short notice," Mitsuru started. "I know that you've all heard of this but let me repeat it for those who have yet to hear about it. At the beginning of the month, four people from different parts of the country went missing. They have no similarities whatsoever except for the time of their disappearance. Normally, we would not involve ourselves in such cases for it is not our group's specialty. But before the time of their disappearance, the shadow readings have increased from different parts of the country. From that, we believe that the shadows are involved to this incident."

Mitsuru nodded at Fuuka. The soft-spoken girl stood to continue where her senior had left. "We tried questioning the victims but they seem to have no memory of what happened. Also, one of them won't respond to anyone or anything. The doctors suspect that he may have Apathy Syndrome." The eyes of everyone, except Mitsuru and Teddy, widened.

"Excuse me," Fuuka turned to see Teddie raising his hand. "What is 'Apathy Syndrome'?"

"Apathy Syndrome," Akihiko voiced out, "is the result of having one's psyche eaten by Shadows. It's like having your soul taken away."

"Oh... I see." Teddie paled slightly. Sounds scary, he thought.

"That's why we have to take action," Mitsuru said urgently. "If the shadows are involved, we can't let this slip. Unfortunately, we still don't know how this happened or where all of this started. We are having difficulty in pinpointing the source because the readings are scattered everywhere. I'm afraid we might have to wait for another incident to gather more information.

"Still, I advise you to be alert and inquire either me or Yamagishi if you found anything that may be relevant." Everyone in the room nodded at her. "That would be all."

"To bad Mitsuru-senpai can't join us," Junpei said, looking down at his ramen. All of them went to Hagakure after the meeting. They invited Mitsuru but she declined. I have another appointment. I'm very sorry, was what she told them. "You think she's got a boyfriend?"

"I don't think so," Yukari said. The model chewed her food carefully.

"Man, ramen here taste great," Yosuke gleefully said. He slurped loudly.

"So how do you like studying here?" Akihiko asked the gang from Inaba.

"Isn't it a little too late to be asking that," Kanji said. His hair no longer bleached and his glasses being covered by the steam hi noodles. "I guess I'm fine. But I worry about my ma sometimes."

"I like it here," Yukiko said. "But I get a little homesick from time to time. At first, I never thought that they'll let me go here."

"Hey Teddie." The said person, who is not in his original body, looked up.

"Yes, Chie-chan," he said smiling.

"If you overeat again we're definitely leaving you here."

"How mean!" Teddie turned to Yu with tears in his eyes. "You won't let that happen, right Sensei"

Yu was silent for a moment before answering "I don't think I could carry you."

"NO!"

Yukiko laughed boisterously at the two's antics. "I-I haha can't eat."

Everyone happily ate their dinner.