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The eerie silence that engulfs the city is one of her least favorite things about the Dark Hour. After, of course, the whole turning people into zombies thing.
She's the last one to arrive, everyone else already waiting in front of the school's gate. Varying expressions of sadness and confusion paint their faces. Except Akihiko who looks more determined than ever. It seems what happened to Shinjiro has thankfully changed him for the better.
She glances at Kotone. She's leaning against the school's front gate and restlessly fidgeting with something in her uniform pocket.
Yukari walks over and leans next to her.
"Sorry for being late. I couldn't find my stupid sleeve." She laughs and tugs at her SEES armband.
Kotone's faraway look vanishes as she looks
at Yukari.
"No worries." A small smile appears on her face before she pushes off the gate and starts to head towards the entrance of Tartarus. Yukari sighs as she follows behind her.
-
It's silent once they enter Tartarus. Which isn't totally unusual. There's never full blown conversations going on. Just some muttering and whispered words as they wait for Kotone to choose the exploration team. Though you can always count on Junpei to be blabbering away about why he should be picked. He's silent this time though.
Yukari watches Kotone walk up to the upperclassmen. Junpei's big smile starts to falter as Akihiko and Misturu both nod in agreement. She wants to giggle but decides against it. The atmosphere is tense and she doesn't want to be the one who disturbs it.
Kotone starts to walk towards her direction and Yukari silently celebrates. She's not the biggest fan of fighting of course, but the look on Junpei's face when he doesn't get picked is something she'll never get tired of.
Kotone passes right by her and she can hear her talking to Aigis. Junpei snorts and Yukari feels a vein popping out of her head.
-
"Careful up there, guys! And remember, if you need ol' Junpei to come rescue you don't hesitate to call!"
The upperclassmen laugh and Kotone lazily salutes him.
"Noted. If help is necessary I will alert you, Junpei-san." Aigis nods and walks over to the teleporter.
The four step onto the teleporter and vanish. The blast of green light washes over the white walls before it eventually dies down.
"Man, I'm all for fighting shadows and saving the day, but I didn't think we'd be coming here so soon after our last battle!" Junpei sighs and leans back against the steps of the clock entrance.
"Right? I mean, don't we usually take a bigger break before we start exploring again?"
Yukari sits down next to Junpei and watches Ken play with Koromaru.
"...I don't know. It just feels like we're jumping the gun on this. I get that we can't stay stuck on it, but it's only been 3 days since what happened to Aragaki-senpai…" Yukari sighs.
Koromaru tilts his head as Ken abruptly stops playing with him.
"Everyone seems to be handling it differently. Like Sanada-san and our Leader. Maybe they just wanted to get out of the dorm." Ken suggests.
"Maybe you're right…" She groans and covers her head with her hands.
"Has our leader been acting strange to you all? She's been acting odd to me. I- It almost feels like she's mad at me…"
Yukari and Junpei glance at each other. She checks to see if Fuuka has heard Ken's words, but she seems to still be focused inside of Lucia.
"What! Of course not, dude! There's no way she's mad at you. Kotone's not that kind of girl. Believe me." Junpei shouts.
"He's right. Knowing her, she's probably mad at you for putting yourself in danger."
Ken drags his eyes away from the floor and looks up at them.
"Ken-kun, please don't think that any of us are mad at you. What happened was no one's fault but Strega's."
The group look surprisingly at Fuuka.
"I-I'm sorry for asking. I didn't mean to distract you, Fuuka-san."
She smiles and shakes her head.
"Hey. If Kotone's been acting weird to you it's not because she hates you, dude."
"Yeah. Don't worry. She's been acting weird to all of us too, Ken-kun. She's just not taking what happened to Aragaki-senpai too well."
Junpei's eyes light up with a mischievous glint.
"Heh, of course she isn't! She's heartbroken her boyfriend's hurt. C'mon, you know somethin' is going on between those two!"
"Pfttt, what are you talking about, Junpei? Aren't they just friends?"
Ken gives the two a confused look.
"Hah! Think what you want to think, Yuka-tan." A big smile grows on Junpei's face.
Yukari squints her eyes as she starts to think back on Kotone and Shinjiro's relationship as a squeak sounds out from Fuuka's direction.
"Woah, did you guys hear that?" Yukari questions as she tries to look behind Juno and Fuuka.
"Yeah, I did… You alright, Fuuka?"
Fuuka glances at the group before quickly looking away.
"Y-Yes! I'm alright!"
Her face is completely red and her eyes are wide.
"Huh, they're probably just going through a rough fight." Junpei shrugs.
Fuuka glances back towards them and makes eye contact with Yukari.
She quickly looks away and clears her throat.
Yukari squints her eyes.
"Hey, isn't Fuuka acting a little weird? It almost feels like she's hiding something..." Yukari whispers to Junpei.
"Huh? Fuuka always acts a little weirder than most. It's probably just all in your head."
She glares at him.
"Look. I know you're not good with girls, but as a girl, I know that she's hiding something."
Junpei frowns.
"Didn't know you could read minds Yuka-tan. What's she thinking about right now?" He leans forward dramatically and widens his eyes.
Her glare worsens and Junpei shrinks in on himself.
He sullenly nods his head for her to continue talking.
"It has to be about Aragaki-senpai and Kotone! When we started talking about them that's when she started to act weird. Fuuka's really observant, if they were together she would've noticed!" She whisper-yells.
Junpei looks between Fuuka and Yukari.
He sighs and adjusts his hat.
"What do you think, Fuuka? You think our leader bagged Aragaki-san?"
Fuuka turns so fast that the others hear her neck crack.
"Ow… I mean- What?! Um, I'm not sure… They did hang out in the evenings sometimes, but that's all I know!"
She gives them a strained smile before turning away.
Junpei glances at Yukari and nods.
"...Y'know what. I think you're right this time, Yuka-tan."
Yukari smiles trimpuntantly.
-
"The enemy's gone. Great job, guys."
Akihiko raises an eyebrow at Mitsuru.
"Yeah, we did a great job didn't we , Mitsuru?"
She lets out a sigh and takes a glance at Kotone and Aigis leading the way ahead of them.
"...Perhaps she just wants to finish the fights quickly. We encounter many shadows and sometimes the fights do lag on."
Mitsuru and Akihiko slow their pace down, putting more space between them and Kotone.
"Is that really what you think?"
Mitsuru frowns and turns away from Akihiko.
"Well, she's being reckless. That's what I think."
Mitsuru nods slowly.
"...Yes, you're right. She is. We may need to-"
"Enemies spotted!" Aigis yells out.
The upperclassmen glance at each other.
"But we have to have faith in her." Mitsuru says.
Akihiko nods.
-
"Be cautious, there are four enemies!"
Four Flowing Sands menacingly rotate their discs at them.
Akihiko has most of the Shadow's weakness burnt into the back of his mind.
Like these. He knows they're weak to all physical types.
He looks around the team.
With four of them, everyone can get a hit in with their weapons and save some health.
"Ubelluris!"
Kotone's Persona manifests behind her.
It rises from its hunched position and unhinges its jaws.
The Flowing Sands are all quickly knocked to the ground.
"Good choice, the enemy is down!"
Akihiko gives Mitsuru a look.
She looks away with a slight frown.
"Let us commence with an All-Out Attack." Aigia shouts.
"No Shadows detected. The battle's over."
The group take some time to gather themselves before continuing on.
Akihiko and Mitsuru fall back in line together, far behind the other two
"I don't know, Akihiko… Yes, we might have been able to save ourselves some extra health by attacking individually, but…"
In front of them, Kotone's heavy breathing starts to pierce through the loud noise of their footsteps.
Mitsuru looks away from Akihiko and closes some of the distance between her and Kotone.
"Shiomi, you should replenish your health. I have the healing capabilities to assist you if need be."
Kotone turns around after rifling through her pockets.
"Save your stamina." She shakes her head and gulps down a bottle of medicine.
She turns back around before going into a small coughing fit. Her hand tightens around the now empty bottle and she aggressively shoves it into her pocket.
Mitsuru begrudgingly slows back down and falls into line next to Akihiko.
" 'Save your stamina'? Mitsuru, were almost all out of our healing items because she refuses to let any of us heal her." He hisses underneath his breath.
She sighs.
"...You're right. Yamagishi said that there was a guardian two floors away. We'll go back to the entrance and figure something out there."
Akihiko nods.
He just hopes she doesn't do anything stupid before then.
-
Ken looks on at Junpei and Yukari whispering to each other.
Koromaru tilts his head at the two.
Do they really not know?
Did they not see their flustered faces and rushed words?
It happened in front of all of them on the dorms first floor!
Ken glances at Fuuka before quickly looking away.
Well, it seems someone noticed.
Maybe he should ask her. Just to confirm of course!
But does this really even concern him?
It doesn't. At all. But there's something in him that's still curious…
Ken sighs.
He looks back to Fuuka and frowns.
How would he ask…?
From what he's seen, Fuuka is being pretty tight-lipped about it.
And how would he go up and ask her without stirring up Yukari and Junpei?
He looks down at Koromaru and rubs his back.
"...What should I do, Koromaru?"
Koromaru blinks and tilts his head.
He looks at Fuuka and back to Ken.
He grunts and starts to sniff the air.
"What is it, Koromaru?" Ken kneels down with a worried look on his face.
Koromaru walks towards Fuuka, still sniffing the air.
Ken decides to stay back as he watches him.
Koromaru reaches Fuuka and barks at Ken.
Ken's eyes light up. Good boy, Koromaru!
"What are you looking for, Koromaru?" He says it loud enough for the other two to hear.
Yukari and Junpei glance at him but quickly go back to whispering to each other.
Ken walks over and pats Koromaru's head.
"Hm? Is everything alright, Ken-kun?"
Ken freezes.
"Uh, it's nothing. Koromaru was just sniffing around here so I came to check up on him!"
"Oh, ok. Hopefully he's not sensing any Shadows. His nose is one of a kind!" She laughs.
Ken laughs along with her, a strained smile stretching his face.
Koromaru growls at him as he tries to take a step back.
"What's wrong, Koro-chan?" Fuuka asks.
Ken looks at Koromaru with a strained expression.
Koromaru lies down and starts to lick his paw.
Ken sighs. He's not going to be able to get out of this…
"Um, I actually had something I wanted to ask you…"
Fuuka's eyes widen.
"What is it? If it's about our Leader just remember that-"
"It's not. Well, it is, but not what you think."
Fuuka gives him a confused look.
"I- I wanted to ask about her and Aragaki-san…"
Her face reddens.
"Uh, about our Leader and Aragaki-senpai? I- I don't know anything about them! Like I said earlier-"
Ken tightens his fists.
"You saw them talking to each other the day before the full moon, didn't you?"
Fuuka's nods tentatively.
"And… And you saw them go into his room, right?"
Fuuka frowns and looks down at her hands.
She looks up from her hands and stares into Ken's eyes.
His eyes are painted with smears of determination and hurt.
She quickly checks to see if Yukari and Junpei are paying attention to them.
"I- I was using Juno to just make sure everything was safe, and to check up on everyone… I saw that our Leader was missing from her room and I got scared. When I checked on everyone else, I saw her with Aragaki-senpai in his room..."
She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath.
"...It's horrible what happened to Aragaki-senpai, and I thought our Leader wasn't taking it well because she was just sad that one of our Senpai's were hurt, but now I know that…"
Ken nods.
"I'm sorry for pushing you about it. I just- It's why I think she's mad at me…"
Fuuka looks at him with a frown.
Ken can feel the impending lecture.
"I know that she isn't." He says quickly.
"I think… I think I'm still just mad at myself and there's something in the back of my head telling me these things."
A sad smile grows on Fuuka's face.
"Don't listen to it. Just listen to us and we can make it out of this together."
Fuuka's eyes widen and she quickly looks away from Ken.
"An attack! There are three of them!"
Koromaru whines and gets up as Ken takes a couple steps back.
He smiles and nods his head. Fuuka's right. They all have his back, he just needs to trust them.
He hopes he didn't distract her too much.
-
"An attack! There are three of them!"
Everyone quickly picks themselves up off the floor after the Shadow's surprise attack.
A Liberating Idol waves her hand and a cold chill penetrates everyone except Kotone and Mitsuru.
Akihiko goes down hard with a shout.
Kotone's eyes flit around and she tightens her grip on her spear.
The Liberating Idol waves her hand once more, a purple aura clouds everyone but nothing happens.
Kotone lets out a sigh of relief and braces for the next attack by the partner Death Seeker.
The Death Seeker exposes itself and opens its mouth wide.
The markings of a Mudo skill cover the floor as Kotone tries to remember if they have any spare Homunculus left.
The markings dissipate as everyone is left unaffected and another sigh of relief escapes Kotone.
Just one more move by the Shadows and then the SEES team will be able to attack. She'll finish this fight herself. She won't let the others get even more hurt.
The second Liberating Idol waves her hand and a purple aura surrounds everyone again.
The auras disappear around the others, thankfully with no effects.
Kotone gasps as her body gives out under her.
When she looks back up the Shadows seem five times as big as they were before.
She looks around and sees that the others are in varying states of hurt and anguish.
Aigis is kneeling on the floor with heavy damage to her body. Mitsuru is doubled over clutching her side and her body is ridden in blood. Akihiko is lying on the floor in the same state as the others, but not moving at all.
Kotone starts to hyperventilate as her clothes start to feel too clean and untouched compared to the others.
How did they get so hurt in such little time?! If she doesn't do something the Shadows are going to kill every single one of them!
Mitsuru slowly rises and unholsters her Evoker.
Kotome hears her yell something towards her but she can't understand her over her deafening heart beat.
"Stop! Just guard!"
Mitsuru gives her a confused look, blood dripping down her face.
"Guard! Don't attack!"
Mitsuru reluctantly holsters her Evoker and brings out her Rapier to guard.
Kotone forces herself back up and clutches her spear with trembling hands.
Fuuka's voice is muffled as Kotone faintly registers that she's saying something.
She drops her spear and yanks her Evoker out of its holster.
She presses her Evoker to her head tight enough to leave a mark, and fires it.
"Parvati!"
She lowers her Evoker as ice encapsulates the Shadows. One goes down and the other two dodge.
She cries out in frustration and presses her Evoker to her head again.
"I summon you!"
Parvati manifests behind her and the second Liberating Idol goes down.
All that's left is the Death Seeker.
She falls down as she feels the last portions of her strength giving out.
She has to save her friends. She can't fail now. She won't let them die.
"Persona!"
Dominion opens their arms behind Kotone as Hama markings cover the floor.
Cards appear and float up into the air.
It misses the Liberating Idols but the Death Seeker disappears and the markings on the floor along with it.
Aigis asks something but her voice is muffled.
Kotone nods her head anyway. With the other two Shadows knocked, Aigis is most likely asking to do an All-Out Attack.
She tiredly runs at the two Shadows with the rest of the team.
The Shadows slowly dissipate into the air as Kotone starts to calm down.
She grabs her head tightly as her legs give out underneath her.
"Kotone-san!" Aigis yells out from somewhere behind her
She feels Aigis grabs her just before she fully hits the floor.
"Dammit! I knew this wasn't a good idea!" It sounds like Akihiko.
"Yamagishi, are you sure that she was afflicted with fear?"
Kotone prys her hands off of her head and looks up at the upperclassmen.
They both have worried expressions, with Akihiko's mixed in with anger.
"I- Yes, I'm sure! I know that Shadow's skills. It has no other status afflictions besides fear!"
"That doesn't matter right now. Let's just get her out of here."
Akihiko kneels down next to Kotone and starts to rifle through her pockets.
"I promise I'll never do this again." He says, with a light blush on his face.
He takes out a Trafuri Gem and crushes it on the floor.
-
"We're not going to find anything out sitting here talking about it… We need to go up and ask her." Yukari sighs.
"You're right… You should totally go ask, Yuka-tan!"
Yukari stutters as the exploration team spawns in the middle of the room.
Aigis is holding a limp Kotone in her arms. Akihiko and Mitsuru by her side.
"Woah! What happened?"
"Is she okay?!" Yukari scrambles up off of the steps.
"She's fine, just tired. She's exhausted all of her stamina."
Misturu walks over to Fuuka and starts quietly talking to her.
Junpei comes up from behind Yukari and stares at Kotone's worn out face.
"Let's go back for now. We can't do much with her in this state."
Akihiko's lips are in a tight line and he's staring off into space.
Yukari glances at Junpei and he shrugs.
-
"Shh! You're going to wake her up!"
Kotone slowly opens her eyes.
The other second-years are packed into her room, with Aigis sitting right next to her head.
They tense up and fall silent as she sits up and stretches.
"Having a party in here?"
Everyone lets out a breath.
"She's joking around. That's a good sign at least." Yukari smiles.
"Man, you really like knocking out don't you!"
Yukari elbows Junpei and his laugh turns into a harsh cough.
Fuuka walks up to Kotone's bed and holds her outstretched hand.
"...Are you alright, Kotone-chan?"
She smiles a hollow smile and nods her head.
Fuuka frowns but accepts it and lets go of her hand.
"You immediately fell asleep when you arrived home from school. Your vitals have improved from yesterday."
Kotone nods at Aigis.
"Alright! Let's give her some room!" Yukari pushes Junpei out as he protests.
Fuuka stares at Kotone before following Yukari and Junpei.
"...I should go as well. I will be back later to further monitor your vitals."
Aigis leaves the room and Kotone lies back down.
If what happened at school is indicative of anything, the others definitely aren't going to leave her alone about what happened yesterday.
Yukari and Junpei were walking on egg shells around her and the upperclassmen would always try to stop her to talk whenever they passed each other in the halls. She just said she had to really use the bathroom whenever they tried. They probably think she has a urine problem now…
Maybe she can just put her headphones on every time they try to talk to her…
She hears scratching at her door and sighs.
When she opens her door Koromaru is patiently sitting and looking up at her.
They stare at each other for what feels like forever before Koromaru walks in and jumps on her bed.
"Hey. I didn't give you permission to do that."
Koromaru's ears droop and he whines.
Kotone winces.
"I'm sorry. I was just kidding, boy."
His ears perk back up and he barks at her.
Kotone smiles and closes her door before walking back to her bed.
She lies back down and Koromaru curls up next to her.
Has she been like this to everyone?
She stares up at the ceiling and absentmindedly pets Koromaru.
God, if Shinji saw her sulking around like this he'd probably lecture her until she died.
Especially if he saw what she was doing in Tartarus.
She sighs and turns on her side to curl into Koromaru.
They've been exploring it fine with her usual strategies. There was no logical reason to change their fighting style now.
She's always been scared of the others getting hurt. It hurts her seeing them take hit after hit. Especially whenever one of them takes a fatal hit for her. She hates it. It feels like she's failing them.
So nothing in that regard has technically changed, but now it just feels worse .
When they went to Tartarus yesterday she couldn't help making them protect themselves whenever they encountered a Shadow with one of their weaknesses.
There was something in the back of her head telling her what could happen if the Shadows got the advantage. Showing her every scenario where her teammates fall limply to the ground, unresponsive.
She closes her eyes and fists her bedsheets in other hand.
Someone knocks on her door and she flinches.
"Kotone-chan, um, would you want to help me cook something?"
Kotone sighs.
She knew it.
"Sure."
"Really? Thank you! I'll be downstairs preparing."
Fuuka's footsteps get further and Kotone forces herself to relax her tense body.
She just wants to go back to bed…
-
Would it be better to leave everything inside, or should she take all of it out?
Fuuka stands in front of the kitchen's fridge and gnaws at her bottom lip.
If she takes everything out she'll be able to more efficiently organize the recipe in her head…
But if she does take everything out she risks mixing up the ingredients…
She glances back at the kitchen counter.
What if she takes everything out and divides it on the counter with some tape!
She closes the fridge door with a proud smile and quickly turns towards the kitchen's entrance.
She collides with Kotone who's standing at the door, and falls into her arms.
"You're in a rush."
Fuuka looks up from her bent position in Kotone's arms.
"I'm so sorry, Kotone-chan! I wasn't looking where I was going. I really needed to go get some tape to-"
"Tape?"
Fuuka stands back up and quickly smooths down her school uniform.
"Yes. So I can lay out all of the ingredients and organize them so I don't mix them up."
Kotone scratches the back of her head and takes a look at the counter.
"...I have a better idea."
Fuuka's eyes widen and she quickly nods her head.
-
"Good thing I let you handle this, Kotone-chan. I think if we had done my idea this would've taken us a lot longer. I'm sure I would've taken a long time trying to figure out how exactly to group everything…" She frowns and starts playing with the uniform fabric covering her elbow.
Kotone smiles and shakes her head.
Kotone's happiness is so infectious that Fuuka can't help but smile back.
It's one of the reasons Fuuka loves her as their leader. Whenever the situation turns sour Kotone is always there to lift everyone's spirits and bring them back into focus.
…Except for yesterday.
Fuuka had immediately noticed Kotone's shift in behavior after the last full moon. She's pretty sure everyone noticed with just how different she was acting.
A solemn look has replaced her usually cheery expression. Her words which always felt like they could physically touch you and uplift you in even the worst times now feel like dull knives simply prodding at you.
Fuuka didn't want to make a big deal out of it. What happened to Shinjiro had only occurred only a day or two beforehand, and Kotone needed more time than that to work through it. Especially if her and Shinjiro truly did have a special relationship.
But what happened yesterday was something that can't be healed by only time.
"You okay?"
Kotone waves her hand in front of Fuuka's face with a confused expression.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I was just daydreaming. What were you saying?"
A small smile appears on Kotone's face and she playfully waves her off.
"I was asking about the way I organized everything."
Fuuka quickly scans the counter again.
Kotone had laid everything out and grouped the ingredients in order of when they'd be used.
"It's fine. Thank you again, Kotone-chan."
Kotone nods and takes a step back to let Fuuka take the lead.
Fuuka's eyes widen.
That's right! She's the one who invited Kotone!
"Okay. First it says to boil the water and then cook our onions and garlic. It says that for the other ingredients as well… Wait, was I supposed to have everything already cut?" Fuuka frowns and she can feel herself already admitting defeat.
"Hey. We still have time to prepare them. Let's both cut to make it faster." Kotone bumps her shoulder lightheartedly.
"You're right. No need for me to give up just yet." She smiles
Kotone nods and starts to make space on the counter for two cutting boards.
"I'll take the onions. I don't want to see you crying all over the food."
Fuuka frowns. Kotone had said that with a joking tone, but she sensed something else mixed in with it. Something more serious.
Maybe she's just overthinking it like she does when she gets overwhelmed by a new recipe…
"Okay. I'll take the mushrooms and the garlic then."
The sounds of their knives cutting into the wood boards starts to calm Fuuka's wired brain.
She's sure now that Kotone was just joking. She has always had a sparky side to her.
Sniffling sounds out from next to her and steals her away from her focus. She loses her rhythm and stops cutting.
Kotone turns to her. Her eyes are full of tears and are bright red.
"Sorry. I thought maybe keeping my eyes half closed would've worked…" She shuts her eyes and looks up at the ceiling.
"I can take over. It's a lot of onion, so we can take turns cutting it. Here, you can-"
"No. I've got it. Thank you." Kotone quickly adds in the last part.
She rubs her eyes with her sleeve and forces them open.
Fuuka gnaws at her bottom lip as she watches Kotone attempt to continue cutting the onions while rapidly blinking.
"Are you sure? Really, I can just-"
"It's fine! I've got it, Fuuka."
Fuuka frowns and she stares at Kotone out of the corner of her eye.
She gasps as Kotone finally relents and closes her eyes right as her knife hovers over her fingers.
"Stop!" Fuuka tightly grabs Kotone's arm.
Kotone's eyes rip open and she opens her mouth to say something before wincing in pain and closing her eyes again.
"I think we need to take a break." Fuuka's voice is shakey.
Kotone tightly grips her knife, and more tears start to fall from her shut eyes.
Fuuka loosens her grip and slowly runs her hand down Kotone's arm to grab the knife from her.
She tries to gently take it from her, but Kotone's tight grip makes it nearly impossible.
"No. I'm fine. I just… I just need a little time to get it together."
Fuuka grabs Kotone's hand and slowly rubs it.
"It's okay, Kotone-chan. We won't take too long. Let's just go sit down."
"It's not okay . If I can't handle a damn onion, how am I supposed to-" She shuts her mouth so quickly Fuuka hears her teeth clack against each other.
This isn't about onions anymore.
Was it ever about onions?
If it isn't, then what is it about?
She thinks back to what happened last night in Tartarus.
Kotone had been taking down every shadow by herself and was making the others guard whenever it was their turn.
She only, reluctantly, let them attack when their respective weaknesses weren't under the threat of being targeted.
Her unusual behavior in Tartarus and towards the rest of the team have to be connected.
Fuuka shakes her head.
She can mull over this later. Right now she has to deal with Kotone.
"Everyone else is on the second floor or in their rooms. Let's go sit down."
No one will see you, she wants to say.
They stand there for what seems like eternity until Fuuka feels Kotone's hand relax.
She gently prys the knife from her and places it on the counter.
Kotone tightens her hand into a fist, nails digging into her palm.
Fuuka quickly grabs it again and Kotone grips her just as tight as she was the knife.
Kotone shakes her head, eyes still shut and tears still spilling down her face.
"What is it?"
"...Let go."
Fuuka gapes.
"Wh-What?"
Kotone loosens her grip on Fuuka's hand.
"...Let go of my hand. I'm hurting you." Her voice is shakey.
Fuuka knows that Kotone loves and cares for her and the rest of SEES. She knows that she'd do anything for them, that she'd take on any burden and pain for them. Fuuka also knows that Kotone doesn't like sharing those pains and burdens. She keeps them inside of her and away from the others. Even with the weight of the world upon her shoulders she would still take more if it meant she could save the others from carrying it.
Fuuka nods to herself. She knows what to do.
Fuuka tightens her grip on Kotone's hand and drags her out of the kitchen.
"What are you-" Kotone's eyes rip open.
She runs up the stairs and Kotone frantically wipes her tears away as they reach the second floor.
"Dinner done already?" Junpei questions as Fuuka quickly continues up the stairs.
"Woah. What's up with them?"
Yukari squints.
"Hey, Junpei. Did it look like Kotone was crying?"
Junpei's eyes widen.
"Did she? I was too busy trying to hear Fuuka's response about dinner."
Yukari sighs.
-
Fuuka doubles over panting. She can do what she came here to do after she catches her breath.
"Ow! Fuuka, my hand…"
She releases Kotone's hand from the awkward position she's forced it into. Fuuka had forgotten to let go of it when she bent over to catch her breath…
"Sorry! I forgot I was still holding it…"
Kotone looks out at the brightly lit city and massages her arm.
"We really got up here fast!" Fuuka says in between breaths. She really needs to exercise some more.
"What are we doing up here?"
There's pain and anger and sadness all radiating from her gaze. Right. That's enough of a break for her.
Fuuka straightens herself and looks out at the city. The cold air is a welcome contrast on her warm skin. With the shining light of the moon beaming down on her and the cool breeze she can almost forget about everything that's happened. Though the moon doesn't seem to be having the same effect on everyone . She eyes Kotone and takes a deep breath.
“Kotone, we all know how hard it's been, after… after what happened to Aragaki-senpai…” She gulps nervously.
“But, I want you to know that we’re here for you. All of us.”
Fuuka fidgets with the button of her uniform. Did Kotone hear her? The only sign she has is her clenched fist, but Fuuka isn't sure if that's aimed towards her or just towards the world.
“That's the problem, Fuuka.”
Fuuka’s eyes grow wide.
“What- What do you mean?”
Kotone quickly turns, facing Fuuka with fire in her eyes.
“You're all right there next to me, and somehow I still can't-” She stops herself, her teeth clacking.
She takes a big breath, and relaxes her body.
“Aren't I supposed to be the Wild Card, Fuuka? Aren't I supposed to be the strongest of us, blessed with extraordinary powers?” She spits out.
Fuuka wants to stop and ask about the ‘Wild Card’, but she decides against it. She's finally making some progress with Kotone, and she needs to tread carefully.
“Kotone… You- You do have abilities greater then our own,”
Then why couldn't I save him? It hangs in the air, unsaid, but so heavy that both girls can feel it.
“-but that doesn't mean you have to take on the burden of the Dark Hour all by yourself.”
Kotone only looks away, her anger and pain etched onto her face.
Fuuka never was the kind of person to have deep talks with. The deepest talks she'd ever had with ‘someone’ was when she talked to a worker at the electronics store. At least, until she joined S.E.ES.
She thinks back to her first time meeting them, to her first time fighting alongside them. She remembers how brave Kotone looked, how cool and composed she was.
The person in front of her, glaring at the moon and full of pain and hate, looks nothing like the one shining in her memories. But Fuuka knows better. She knows Kotone. She can see the mask Kotone puts on when she's in battle, when any one of them gets hurt.
Fuuka inches towards Kotone, carefully not to scare her.
She reaches out and gently grasps Kotone's clenched fist. Kotone flinches but doesn't fight against it.
“Leader, do you remember when you guys first met me?”
Kotone doesn't respond, but Fuuka sees something in her eyes light up.
“When you all found me huddled in a corner, trying to hide from the Shadows?” She lets out a light laugh.
“Well, I do. I remember how relieved I felt when I saw you all. And then how scared I was when we left and saw Natsuki-Chan and the others being attacked.”
Fuuka takes a deep breath. She looks out at the cityscape for what feels like the hundredth time that night, and smiles.
“I awakened to my Persona that night, Lucia. I was finally able to protect those I loved.”
She squeezes Kotone's hand and closes her eyes.
“I also remember helping you and the others fight off the Shadows. I remember feeling so… so alive and free. Like I was finally seeing the world for what it was, not for what I was tricking myself into thinking it was.”
She feels Kotone's hand relaxing in her own and her smile grows bigger.
“You helped me figure that out, Leader. Without… Without you and the others I would've been lost in myself, and still stuck in Tartarus.”
Kotone squeezes her hand and Fuuka's eyes fly open.
“It was you too, Fuuka.”
Fuuka tilts her head in question, and Kotone laughs, it's sad and small but Fuuka can tell that it's real .
“You were the one who opened yourself up. You came to terms with yourself, we only gave you the push you needed.”
Kotone wipes away the tears falling from her eyes.
“I'm sorry, Fuuka.”
Fuuka pulls her into an embrace, both holding on as if they're lives depended on it.
“Please don't think that any of this is your fault, Leader.” It's muffled from her face being smashed into Kotone's uniform, but Fuuka is sure Kotone heard her.
She feels Kotone nod into her shoulder and relief fills her.
“We're a team. I just… forgot that. Thank you, Fuuka.”
Fuuka rubs her back. Even now, after Kotone has let her guard down, Fuuka can still feel pieces of her mask shining through.
“Do you miss him?”
Kotone freezes.
Fuuka curses herself in her head. Maybe that wasn't the best approach, but she didn't know know how else to talk about it!
“I miss his teaching. My lunches were getting better and better with him watching- well, supervising me.”
Fuuka closes her eyes again and takes a deep breath.
“I miss how calm he was. Whenever I'd start panicking he'd calm me down with just a few words.”
She feels Kotone smile against her and mentally celebrates.
There's a long silence before either of them speak again.
“I do. I really do.” Kotone whispers
She hugs Fuuka harder.
“I miss his cold and mysterious demeanor. He was such a softie behind it.” She lets out a laugh.
“He was so… so loving and caring .”
Kotone's tears wet Fuuka's uniform, but she doesn't seem to mind.
“Y’know, the night of the full moon we-”
“Um, I-I know already!”
Kotone pulls away from her and gapes.
“What?! Ho-How?! I made sure that we were quie-”
“I used Juno to check on everybody because I was worried about the full moon and I saw you in Aragaki-senpai's room!” She quickly gets out.
Kotone stares at her before breaking into a laughing fit.
Fuuka sighs, but she lets Kotone's infectious laugh goad some of her own out.
“Thank you, Fuuka.” Kotone says, still giggling.
Fuuka nods and lets out a giggle of her own.
“Really. I mean it. Thank you. Even when I thought I was done with- with all of this you gave me the little push I needed.”
Fuuka smiles. She's given back to Kotone what she once gave her, the courage to face one's self.
–
“Junpei, are you sure there wasn't anything wrong with them?”
Junpei drops his manga on his lap. “Yeah, Yuka-Tan, they looked fine. Stop worrying so much they're probably just talking it out or something.“
Yukari sighs. Junpei's answer hasn't changed the past 3 times she asked him, why is she even asking agian?
She eyes Mitsuru’s door. She and Ahkihiko had gone in there together an hour or so ago and they hadn't come out.
Junpei had joked that Akihiko had finally asked her out, but Yukari knew from the look on their faces it was something more serious.
Fuuka and Kotone have been up there for a while too…
She nods to herself and gets up from the dorm's couch.
“Where ya going, Yuka-Tan?” Jenpei questions, not looking away from his manga.
“To ask our Senpai's something.”
He drops his manga again and turns around in his chair, trying to peek behind Yukari's shoulder.
“Yes? Is something the matter?” Mitsuru responds to the hard knocks at her door.
“Senpai, can we talk please?”
Yukari takes a step back as an annoyed looking Akihiko opens the door.
“What is it, Takeba?”
Yukari gulps nervously.
“It's about our leader.”
Akihiko gives Mitsuru a look and a frown appears on her face.
Akihiko nods for her to continue and Yukari's palms start to get sweaty.
“A little while ago Fuuka and Kotone ran up to the roof and- and they haven't come down yet.”
Mitsuru walks towards the doorway and places a hand on Akihiko's shoulder.
“With everything that's happened, I think we should go check on-”
The sound of footsteps coming from the stairs snatches everyone's attention.
“I knew it! I knew you two were a thing!”
Mitsuru and Akihiko glance at each other confusedly before Mitsuru gasps and shoves him out of her room.
He grunts and catches himself right before he falls into Yukari.
Akihiko mumbles about giving him a warning next time as Kotone and Fuuka giggle.
Akihiko's frown dissipates at her laughter and a small smile creeps onto his face.
Kotone wipes a tear from her eye and clears her throat.
“Uh. Sorry everyone for acting like a- well like an idiot back in Tartarus.” She meets everyone's eyes, voice stable and strong.
The room is silent except for Fuuka's small giggles. Kotone raises her eyebrows and gives her a light push.
“No need to apologize, Shiomi. We all have gone through a traumatic time these last few days.” Mitsuru smiles at her, her professional tone a little less pronounced this time.
Akhiko nods in agreement. “It happens to the best of us. Our ability to bounce back from times like this is what defines us.”
Kotone nods and plops down on the sofa next to Junpei.
“Okay. That's enough emotional talk for me today.” She leans back and takes a peek at Junpei's manga.
“Hey, you said we were gonna read that volume together!”
Junpei scrambles to hide the manga behind his back. “Wha-What are you talking about?! Of course we are! I was just… just looking at the cover while I waited for you!” He lets out a forced laugh.
Fuuka laughs and heads down to the kitchen to clean up while the pair argues.
–
“So you talked to her?”
Mushrooms fly into the air as Fuuka yelps.
“You couldn't have warned her, Akhiko?”
He glares at Mitsuru.
“Oh, really? You're telling me about giving warnings?”
Mitsuru glances away, her lips closed tightly.
Fuuka picks off a slice of mushroom from her hair and clears her throat.
“Ahem. I apologize about that, Yamagishi. Akihiko and I wanted to thank you for talking to our leader.”
Fuuka lays her knife down and wipes her hands with a small towel.
“Of course, Senpai. We've all become better people thanks to her, so I wanted to return the favor.” She smiles.
Akihiko stiffly nods.
“Thank you, again, Yamagishi. Mitsuru and I were… were struggling on what to do. Guess it was just as simple as talking to her.” He lets out a small laugh.
Mitsuru closes her eyes and smiles.
“You returned the favor, did you Yamagishi? Maybe the rest of us can do the same.”
Fuuka raises her eyebrows. If they do what she did, she doesn't think Kotone can take another one of those long emotional talks…
Akihiko's eyes light up.
“Hey! Why don't we take her to the beef bowl place? We can talk it out there.”
Mitsuru places a hand on her chin in thought.
“C’est magnifique! Great idea, Akihiko! Let's gather everyone and tell them!”
The two upperclassmen hurry out of the small kitchen, leaving a tired Fuuka behind them.
Fuuka leans against the kitchen counter and laughs. Hopefully Kotone will be too distracted by the beef bowls to notice the 3rd years…