P3: Twisted Melodies

Minato yawned as he walked to school. That trip to Tartarus had finally had its effect catch up with him and he was now totally knackered. He'd have to catch up on sleep during Ekoda's class.

Just then, he was approached by a brown-haired student. "Hey, you're Minato, right?"

"And you are?"

The student grinned. "Man, I knew it!" He started to keep pace with him. "I heard from Junpei that you're pretty close with Yukari-san." He made a mental note to strangle Junpei later. "What's up with that? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm looking for someone with more experience anyway…" He glanced around for a while before sighing in defeat. "By the way, I'm Kenji Tomochika. There's a morning assembly, so we better hurry."

Change of plans, he would catch up on sleep there.

~ Memento Mori ~

"Dude! Minato, wake up!"

Minato groaned and slapped whoever that was away.

"Mitsuru-senpai's gonna have her speech!"

He sighed in defeat and sat up properly.

"Sheesh, man…"

Minato glared at Junpei who laughed nervously.

"Let it go, Minato." Yukari chided.

"Thank you." The trio heard so they directed their attention towards the podium. Mitsuru stood there, the perfect role model.

"So, she did get elected…" Yukari said in a tone. "Well, I guess she IS the most popular girl in school."

What was the deal between those two anyway?

"You can say that again!" Junpei agreed. "There's like some kinda aura around her… Besides, this school's owned by the Kirijo Group, right?"

"Yeah, I try not to think about it."

Seriously woman, what is your deal?

Minato shook his head and leaned back against his chair.

"As I begin my term as Student Council President, I'd like to share with you my vision for this coming year. It is my firm belief that each of us must accept the responsibility of bettering our school." She looked everyone in the crowd over. "However, change cannot occur without sustained effort and an unprecedented level of commitment. That is why we must restructure our daily lives to accomplish this lofty goal. I'd like each of you to dig deeply into your well of motivation, and re-evaluate your convictions…" She paused. "To imagine a bold new future without losing sight of the realities around you. That is the key. I am certain that many of you have your own visions of the future…" Another pause, there was a slightest hint of a smile in her voice. "For us to reap the full benefits of our education, your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are essential. Thank you."

The entire auditorium erupted with applause as Mitsuru stepped back.

"Dang…" Junpei started with awe. "That was freaking amazing." The applause started to die down. He turned to Minato who was still seated. "So, do you have any idea about what she just said?"

Minato stood up. "I wasn't listening."

Junpei looked at him in exasperation. "Dude… You're such a rebel."

~ Memento Mori ~

After lunch, Ms. Toriumi walked in the room. "All right," She started as she slammed her textbook on the podium. "Today, we'll be going over the Meiji-era literature."

Minato slammed his head on his desk and started to doze off.

~ Memento Mori ~

Classes have ended and he was approached by Kenji. "Hey man, we have to give Ms. Toriumi cake along with the homework she gives out next time."

"Why?"

"Because we slept in her class." Kenji sighed.

Minato nodded. He gathered his things and left. Outside the room, he ran into Junpei, so they decided to return to the dorm together.

"Look, it's Akihiko-senpai!" they heard a girl squeal after they left the school building. And soon, the said senior was surrounded by a flock of screaming girls.

"Have you noticed how popular Akihiko-san is with the ladies?" Junpei asked Minato.

No, Junpei. He certainly did not notice those screaming girls surrounding him. Sheesh.

"Man, take a look at that…" Junpei sounded slightly jealous. "I didn't use to talk to him much, but now I've got a good excuse. I know he's the captain of the boxing team, but who woulda thought he'd be such a chick magnet?! I mean, come on! You don't even see girls flock like that on TV!" Make that really jealous. "I wonder where they're going…"

Akihiko took notice of them then and approached the duo. Minato groaned internally. He did not want to get a headache or lose his ears.

"Senpai!" One girl squeed.

Kill him now.

"Wait for us!"

No more…

"Hey, are you guys free this afternoon?" Akihiko asked Minato and Junpei.

"Hell yeah!" Junpei replied enthusiastically. "Whatcha got in mind?"

"I want the two of you to meet me in Paulownia Mall. You know where it is, right? I'll be at the Police Station. See ya there."

"Th-the Police Station?!" Junpei seemed rather disappointed. "You mean… we're not hangin' out with your friends?!"

Why are you so desperate?

"Who, these girls?" Akihiko gestured at the girls behind him with his thumb, not even bothering to look. "I don't even know their names. They talk so much they give me a headache." He couldn't agree more. "Anyway, I'm gonna head out. Don't keep me waiting." He started jogging away at a faster-than-normal pace, losing the girls almost immediately.

Junpei was utterly perplexed. "How can he not know their names?! I mean, seriously! Just look at them!"

Minato shook his head.

The capped boy grumbled. "Whatever… Let's go."

And so, Minato turned on his player and put on his headphones, tuning out Junpei's whining.

~ Memento Mori ~

When they got there, they found Akihiko talking to a man who seemed rather familiar to Minato.

"Thank you, sir." They caught Akihiko say as they got in. "Oh, these guys are the ones I was talking about earlier."

He looked both of them over, but his gaze lingered on Minato longer.

Akihiko turned to them. "This is Officer Kurosawa, He helps keeps our squad well-equipped." Minato raised an eyebrow that. "And, this is from Ikutsuki-san…" He handed them 5,000 yen each.

"R-really?! Sweet!" Junpei took the money excitedly, Minato simply shrugged.

Akihiko nodded. "You can't fight something empty-handed, so find something you like." He glanced at Kurosawa. "Officer Kurosawa has connections… But, these things still cost money."

Kurosawa nodded. "Of course they do. Nothing in life is free."

"I realize that. Well, I'll see you later. Thanks Again." With that, Akihiko left.

Kurosawa turned to them again. "I've been informed about you two. My job is to maintain peace in this city, regardless of the circumstances. I'm just an ordinary police officer, but it doesn't take a genius to something strange is going on here. I'm only doing what I think is right. Come with me."

He took them to a room out back. There was a line of equipment on the shelves. Minato headed for a sword which was, naturally, in a better state than the piece of trash handed to him before. He took that one and paid for it. Junpei, on the other hand, didn't take anything.

Minato shrugged and placed the sword in his school bag.

Junpei grumbled as they exited the station. "Psh, only 5,000 yen… I'm gonna take off, since I'm in a bad mood now. Later."

Yeah, right. You're just pissed 'cuz Akihiko's not interested in the female population, therefore killing your chances of hanging out with one of his fangirls.

Wait… did that mean Akihiko was gay…?

Minato made a mental note to be careful around him.

~ Memento Mori ~

"Welcome back." Mitsuru greeted when he got back to the dorm. He logged in real quick. Before turning his attention to her. "I'd like to speak to you regarding our exploration of Tartarus."

Minato sat down on the couch across her. "Go on."

Mitsuru nodded. "Akihiko is still on the mend, so for now, I'd like you to continue leading the deal." He thought so. "You never know when a powerful enemy, like the one we faced the other day, may appear. It's best to be prepared, or else you may find yourself in a difficult situation." Minato nodded. "So, whenever you'd like to go to Tartarus, just let me know, and I'll gather everyone there." Mitsuru paused for a second. "Also, since I'm sure there are other things you will need to take care of, you may go out at night if you need to, just be careful. That's it. Keep up the good work."

Minato nodded. "Okay."

He stood up and took his bag back to his room before heading down and logged out. "I'm heading out for dinner." He told them before getting out.

Minato sat at the station waiting for the monorail to arrive when he saw someone pass by. The silhouette seemed like the Chairman to him, but he couldn't be sure. Besides, what would he be doing out at this time of night anyway?

The train soon arrived and Minato got on. While he was there, he closed his eyes and focused on the music that was blasting in his ears.

After he got off, he could've sworn that he saw the very same silhouette go into the alley behind the station. Minato chose to shrug it off and went for the mall.

~ Memento Mori ~

Minato sat on the bench, leaning against its backrest, after having eaten. He had spotted some stores that were hiring part-time workers, so he would have to contact them later, since he would obviously need money.

The boy stood up and decided to walk around a bit. There was something in the back alley that had caught his attention: A velvet blue door that looked exactly like the one that directed him to the Velvet Room.

Minato dug out the Velvet Key in his pocket, it was getting hotter and was glowing. He decided to stick it in the key hole.

Igor grinned. "Ah, there you are. Welcome to the Velvet Room."

Minato nodded as he took his seat in front of Igor, but not before glancing at Elizabeth who was still standing dutifully at her master's side.

"Well… I suppose it's time for me to explain what I really do here." Minato thought it was only right to do so. "It is my job to create new Personas." What? "But in order to do so, you must sacrifice some of your current Personas so that I may fuse them together… In other words, I shall merge them into a single Persona. Furthermore, if you've established a Social Link, you may be able to create an even stronger Persona." Igor's grin widened. "So, as you accumulate cards, please bring them to me."

Minato didn't know why, but he was really beginning to feel like he was in a video game of some sort.

He stood up. "Thanks, I suppose. I'll be going now."

"'Till we meet again…" Igor bid farewell with a grin.

Elizabeth opened the door for him and he found himself back at the mall.

Minato decided to go back to the dorm for now.