Let me tell you a story of a boy who became a man.

No, it's not a story about a little boy who eventually grew up, nor is it about how a youngster became older and declared himself as a man...

No, I'm here to tell you a story of a boy who became a man... by dying to become the Messiah.

Minato Arisato, 17, was nothing more than an average highschool boy when he first became aware of his potential. Raised by his relatives, he met his first tragedy when he lost his parents in a car accident. His relatives, who were often busy and had little to no time for him, sent him off to boarding schools across the globe. Now, his path to glory would take him to Iwatodai City.

Not long after stepping foot in the city's cobbled streets, he had already awoken to his powers, powers to unlock, utilize and control his mind and soul to create beings called 'Personas' and unknowingly signing a contract with Death himself, which gave him unlimited access to all known Arcanas.

Blissfully unaware of his limited time, he forged social bonds, and even romantic ones, as he fell in love with Mitsuru Kirijo. And forged onward as he tried to conquer the Tower of Tartarus. With his destiny set, he fought Nyx, Mother of Shadows, and their prophets, Strega. He defeated them, with the help of his powers. The strain of the battle, though, took its toll on the young contract he signed promised him glory and salvation of the world. But that contract came with a price: His life.

Though, strange things happened three days after his death. In the first day, it rained on the hill where Minato was buried. When it stopped raining, the people found out that the hill was blossoming with flowers, many of which weren't native to Japan.

On the second day, there was complete darkness in the entire city. Scientists, meteorologists and astrologers were in confusion as nothing seemed wrong. The only illumination came from a single radiant light, which streamed down on Minato's gravestone for the entire day, as a dove came forth from the Heavens and laid out an laurel branch as the day ended.

On the third day, there was a great earthquake, which shook the foundations of the hill, rupturing it and shattering the tomb of Minato, who suddenly emerged from the salt and smoke, rubbed his eyes and walked out of his tomb.

It wasn't long before the tales of Minato's miraculous recovery swept the nation. A young man, who suddenly sprang back to life, for yet unknown reasons. Scientist and medical experts were at a loss at how, or why. Some religious experts claim that this is work of the Divine, or possibly, that the boy, Minato Arisato, himself is in fact a reincarnation of the Messiah.

But through all that fame, Minato never forgot the one girl he loved, Mitsuru Kirijo.

Minato was relieved at this revelation: No matter how big of a splash you make in this world, wether you're rich, strong, famous or a young man who came back to life, eventually, after some time, nobody will remember you.

That story is at least eight years old. So where is he now? Nobody knows. Some say he later died from his old wounds. Some said he went off and sailed into another country. Some believe that Minato lives amongst us, living a life he literally died for. A life he deserves.

Eight years later...

A blue haired man heaved the last box upstairs. Since the morning, he had been hauling boxes and furniture up the condominium he shared with his girlfriend.

Taking a seat by his couch, he took a sip of water and sighed.

"What's with that sharp exhale, Minato?" A cool voice asked.

He turned around to see his girlfriend, Mitsuru, writing a report on her laptop.

"Working again, Mitsuru?" Minato smirked.

"Hm? Oh, no. I'm just checking my e-mail." She mused.

"Well, how about we fix the house first? This place is like a maze. I can't go to the bathroom without taking a wrong turn going to the kitchen." Minato suggested.

"That sounds good." Mitsuru nodded, "I'll give my interior designer an email regarding the matter..."

Minato looked around. He was absolutely certain he did not want to fix the house after hauling the boxes 21 floors up, "Go ahead. I'm beat." He said, slumping over the couch.

Mitsuru grunted.

"What?"

She raised an eyebrow, "You're in my spot." She said dangerously.

Minato jerked upwards, "Sorry!"

A buzz came from the door. Minato groaned and navigated himself around the maze of boxes and clicked the intercom, "Yes?"

"Minato-san," the doorman greeted, "Mr. Iori wishes to come up."

"Send him in. Thanks." Minato said.

"Who was that?" Said Mitsuru.

"Junpei," Minato replied, "Probably wants to borrow another video game again..."

A few seconds later, the door swung open, "Hey guys, I-" Junpei said cheerfully, "Whoa! Hey, where are you guys?"

"We're in here." Minato replied, "Just listen to the sound of Mitsuru typing!"

"Hey..." Mitsuru complained.

After a few minutes, Junpei emerged from the boxes, "Well, that was unexpected."

"Hey Junpei. What brings you here?" Minato said, motioning him to sit down.

"Nothing really. Just came here with a housewarming gift." Junpei said, revealing a cactus with a ribbon around it.

"Another cactus?" Minato said, dumbfound.

"Yeah! You don't like it?" Junpei said.

"Couldn't you have gotten us a bonsai or something? Why a cactus?" Minato said exasperatedly, "You gave us, like, five cactuses-"

"Cacti." Mitsuru corrected.

"Cacti. You gave us five cacti the other day ago!" Minato cried.

"Too late." Junpei said, ignoring Minato's protests as he placed his cactus along with the others.

"Oh come on! We could start a cactus juice company at this rate..." Minato muttered.

"Actually, I wouldn't recommend it. Most cactus juice contain hallucinogens, and most would actually dehydrate you and cause you to become delirious, I don't think it would sell well..." Mitsuru interjected.

Junpei cleared his throat, "... Anyway, Yukari and the others suggested that we all should go and have a little get together."

"Well, that sounds like a good idea. Haven't had one of those since Junpei ran amok back at the Mandragora..." Minato said

"Hey, hey!" Junpei cried, "I only had a bit on juice and some lemon schnapps..."

"You trashed the lobby and threatened to burn the place down! You got arrested that night, for crying out loud!" Minato cried, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

"Speculations and allegations," Junpei said as he got up and went to the door, "Anyway... Think about it. Give me a call, okay?" He said and walked out.

"What has gotten into that man?" Mitsuru breathed, "He seems excited for some reason."

"It must be something he ate." Minato decided.

Minato and Mitsuru then talked for a while before going out to arrange their things. Suddenly, their intercom sounded again.

Irritated, Minato headed to the intercom system, "What does Junpei want this time?!"

He clicked the intercom as it buzzed, "Yes?"

"Minato-san, there's a young woman waiting for you down at the lobby. She claims to be your cousin. Shall I send her in?"

"Young woman...?" Mitsuru's voice thundered dangerously, "Minato..."

"It's not like that!" Minato cried, "Uh, send her up."

"Very good, sir." The doorman said.

Minato began to think. Cousin? The only cousin he could recall (or actually cares/remembers him) was his cousin Minako, who lived far away with his Uncle and Aunt, his father's brother. He had been separated from her for nearly 10 years, but often would communicate from time to time, but it's unlikely she would be at his door, especially since they moved their home.

Buzz!

The bell sounded. He walked up to it and opened the door. It was a young, red haired woman, with moon pale skin, shockingly red irises, and flaming red hair kept under a beanie. Her earphones were red as well. She carried a large backpack, as if she was travelling.

Minato took some time to recognize her once-familiar face.

"Cousin Minato?" The woman spoke first, "It's me, Minako."

Minato just stared at her in amazement.

"Damn, that doorman must've given me the wrong floor..." She said, turning away, "Sorry, dude. Wrong room..."

Immediately, Minato noticed the young lady's accent and dialect. He could recognize that voice anywhere.

"No, wait!" Minato cried, "It's me! Cousin!"

His cousin head turned back in surprise, "Cousin?"

Minato ran and embraced her, "Minako! It's been years!"

"Hey, don't try to cop a feel!" Minako cried and returned the embrace with equal strength, "By the way, it's 10 years, you moron."

"How are you? Man, I forgot how pale you were. I thought you were a ghost or something."

She chuckled, "And your stomach's so big, I thought a pregnant lady opened the door for me."

"What are you saying?" Minato said in disbelief.

"Um, you're fat?" She said, wincing sarcastically.

"Noooo!" Minato laughed, "Oh, uh, how are Auntie and Uncle? Did they finally kick you out for still being a bum at your age?"

Minako's face darkened as she looked at the ground, "They... They died in a plane crash last week."

Minato suddenly stopped joking around, "Minako, I... I'm so sorry. I know that even if they weren't that very nice to you, they loved you still-"

Minako waved him off, "Save it."

Nodding, Minato didn't pry, "So, where are you staying?"

Minako shrugged, "No idea. My parent's weren't really all that rich, and I don't want to live back at Kansai anymore. Too much bad memories. So I sold the house."

"You... sold it? But why?" Minato said in surprise, "I bet your parent's are rolling in their graves for what you did."

Minako smirked, "So I could finally do something my parents always wanted me to do: buy my own place. But houses are expensive these days... You quite literally have to wait for someone to die in order to get an affordable house to open up."

"Indeed. Like looking for real estate in Tokyo." Mitsuru added, suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

"Ah, Mitsuru!" Minato cried, "This is my cousin, Minako Arisato. Minako, this is my girlfriend, Mitsuru Kirijo, CEO of the Kirijo Group."

"Ah!" Mitsuru said with glee, holding our her hand, "Yes, you are Minako-san, of course. Again, I'm Mitsuru Kirijo, I've heard much about you-"

Minako dropped her bag and bear-hugged Mitsuru, who struggled for air.

"Hahaha! First thing you have to know about my cousin: she's a hugger." Minato laughed, "Her parents never hugged her."

"Hahahaha! Sorry! it's just that Minato hasn't had a girlfriend since he pooped his pants in the fifth grade."

"What?!" Minato cried in protest.

Minako released her, "Well, I probably heard much more from you. Your company DID create my laptop, so I'm thankful that you made it very durable."

"Anyway, what's your present situation?" Minato inquired.

Minako shrugged, "I dunno. I'm probably gonna crash at my friend's place tonight."

"You sure? Where does your friend live?" Minato asked.

"She's in Tokyo. Assuming she would let me stay over. If not, it's gonna be another night at the park." Minako said nonchalantly.

"The park?!" Mitsuru and Minato cried in unison.

Minako held her arms up in defense, "Now, I know what you're thinking! The Park is actually a good place to sleep, if you don't mind squirrels crawling up your jacket..."

"You have got to be kidding." Minato sighed, "Look, how about you stay with Mitsuru and me until you get back on your feet."

"Really?" Minako raised an eyebrow, "Would it be okay with you, Mitsuru-san?"

She shrugged, "Of course. Why would you ask that? A Kirijo never turns down guests."

"Oh, well..." Minako said shyly, "You know... Couples like you probably do it all the time, am I right, am I right?" She said, winking, "Wouldn't want a peeping tom like me listening and watching, eh?"

Minato groaned deeply.

"Do... what?" Mitsuru said, still in confusion.

"You know, having se-" Minako began before Minato silenced her with a hand.

"Alright, that's enough from you." Minato laughed, "Come inside. It's a little messy, but I know you're used to clutter and chaos..."

"Hey, that's mean!" Minako cried, and entered the maze of what would be her new home... for now.

And so, marked the day Minako lived with her cousin and his girlfriend.

A/N: Finally got my writing back together. Please review if you liked the story, or if you think I should improve on this part or another.

See you next episode!

-C