At the rooftop of Iwatodai dorm, below the menacing green moon of the Dark Hour , Ken stood at the edge of the rooftop . His eyes gazed at the horizon , as an endless flood of memories overwhelmed him . The days he spent with his mother , days that he used to desperately hold onto ever since she had died , but now they hurt him when he recall them , as he wondered what she would think of him . He would remember the happy days he spent with Minako , the only person who brought back the happiness he had lost when his mother died , then between those memories emerged a jarring one in which Minako was crying , and Minato was calling her out for trying to deceive herself into thinking Ken wasn't the cause of all of this , claiming that she blamed Ken more than he did .
She brought to him the happiness he had lost , and in return he robbed her of her happiness .
" all I wanted was to avenge the death of my mother ... " Ken wept in the silence of the night " I found myself blaming everything that went wrong in my life on Shinjiro-san ... I looked at him as an evil murderous thug who deserved to be punished ... does ... does Minako-san look at me like that now ?! "
Ken clutches the fence of the rooftop , before pulling himself up and standing on top of it . However , as he stood on the edge of a free fall from the rooftop of the dorm , and the cold wind blew throw him , his legs began shaking , and he fell backward into the roof . His heart was beating at his throat from the panic , and he found himself gasping and wondering what he was trying to do ...
" I've taken the road of killing before you , and if you decide to kill me , you'll inevitably walk that road and become just like me . Remember that "
Shinjiro's words echoed in his mind at that moment . At the time he had thought he meant Ken would be a murderer like him , because he viewed him as nothing but a killer , but now he wondered if Shinjiro was always in an eternal inner conflict between the thought of continuing to live and just end everything .
Minako was back in the dorm , as there was no way her brother would allow her to stay in Tartarus without a Persona . As she entered the dorm , she was met with the desolated sight of the dorm lounge . A place that was brimming with life and joy not long ago . It was there that Shinjiro cooked for them , it was there that he spent his time together with her , and it was there where she promised him she would fight to end the Dark Hour for him . Unconsciously , she began sobbing in the deafening silence.
" you look the best when you're smiling like that ... so don't cry ... okay ? Promise me " those words echoed in Minako's mind , bringing her further down
" you're such a troll ... " she wept , as she collapsed on the floor of the dorm , with Shinjiro's leather bound pocket watch held close to her chest " back when you made me say that , I had no idea everything would go so horribly wrong ! I tried to keep this promise ... really ... I did ... but who would've thought keeping a smile could be so difficult ?!! I promised I would fight for you to end the Dark Hour , but now I can't even call a Persona anymore ... I promised you that I wouldn't cry , but I can't hold back the tears anymore ... even though you're fighting to stay alive and keeping your promise to me ... I broke every single promise I made for you ... I feel so weak ! "
" Minako ? "
" ahh !! " Minako was startled by Ken calling her , and she quickly wiped her eyes , she turned and saw Ken at the stairs , staring at her with a shocked expression " Ken ?! What're you doing here ?! Why are you still awake ?! "
" I couldn't sleep ... " Ken murmured " is it true ... about your Persona ... ? "
" I ... that's ... " Minako realized she couldn't lie her way out of that " yes ... it's true . Everything was perfectly fine , then all of sudden no Persona appears at all for me "
" I see ... " Ken was too depressed by that truth to even look at Minako .
" no " she decisively blurted " his death has nothing to do with my Personas , okay ? And I'm not saying that to make you feel better , my assistant in the velvet room said so " she then quickly changed the subject " anyway , the stove doesn't need electricity to work , so what do you say I fix us something to eat ? "
" no , I'm fine ... I'll just go to bed "
Just then , the lights were back on . The Dark Hour was over , and now the others would be here at any second . Ken hastened his pace to his room , as if he was trying to escape them . Before Minako could call out to him , the door of the lounge was opened , and in came the other members of SEES .
" oh ! Welcome back , everyone ! " she exclaimed
" Minako ... " everyone could see from her red eyes that she was crying " what did your assistant say ? "
" well , he said my problem is that something had changed within me causing my Personas to be locked off . Oh , before you ask , he confirmed that it wasn't Shin-chan , so I was right after all . Now can we all stop—? "
" and did he tell you how to solve this problem ? " Minato was having none of it
" we're still ... trying to figure that out ... " As tears began filling Minako's eyes again , she hastily tried to wipe them away
" can you stop pretending like it's no big deal ? You'll just drive yourself crazy ! " Minato yelled at her " you clearly can't do this on your own , so be upfront with us so we could help you "
" what Minato is saying is true , you don't have to pressure yourself like that " Akihiko nodded " it's okay to cry , it's not like we're expecting you to walk from such a shock unaffected "
" you've been a great source of strength for the team , Minako " Yukari nodded " but it's okay to for us to lend you strength , too , don't you think ? "
" I ... that's ... well ... " Minako stuttered , then she felt Koromaru at her feet , and saw him staring at her
" even a dog could tell you're having some serious inner conflict ! " Minato said firmly " be honest with ... "
However , before Minato could finish his sentence , Minako hugged him and started crying on his shoulder . Her appearance was saddening as she continued to try to keep her face hidden as she cried emotionally . Minato hugged her back , and the team comforted her , until her crying pace slowed before stopping . She pulled herself away from her brother's embrace and wiped her eyes timidly , before smiling back to everyone .
" nothing like a good cry to let out the pressured steam ! I can't believe how much I needed that " Minako laughed at herself " thanks everyone "
" we're still weeks away from the last full moon battle , so let's take it slowly " Minato decided " first , we're gonna give you a week of break from Tartarus , so you'd try to think of what caused the change in you that made you lose your Persona , then we'll go back in Tartarus and have you try again , okay ? In the meantime , we'll try to help you live your life as normal as possible , by spending more time with you and make your days as colorful with activities as possible . Surely when you get moving in your life , you'll realize the difference , as opposed to just sitting in one place and thinking it over "
" right ! " Minako nodded with satisfaction
" don't worry ! We've got your back " Akihiko said reassuringly
" and even if you don't regain your power , me and my Persona ... ouch ! " Junpei started , before getting slapped by Yukari
" she definitely will get her power back " Fuuka said encouragingly " I've been watching over her for a long time , so I know she can do it "
" you've been a great help for the team , Arisato , so don't think we'll just leave you behind " Mitsuru said
" that's right " Yukari nodded eagerly " you helped me gain the necessary courage to call Io , so I'll see to it that you can use your Personas again ! "
" everyone ... thank you ... " Minako was so touched by the emotional support her team gave to her that she began crying again " thank you so much ... "
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The next day , Minako was quickly rushing out from the station to Paulownia mall , there , she found a frustrated Yukari waiting for her . Minako hastily apologized , saying that she wanted Ken to join them as there was a sale on Featherman toys in the mall , but he declined her offer .
" I'm worried about him " Minako said " do you think my brother went a little too far with him ? "
" he was definitely stern with him , but I don't think he was wrong in anything he said . I think you know your brother better than anyone , and I'm sure you know deep down that he has nothing against Ken in person "
" well ... yeah ... " Minako sighed
" what's with the sigh ?! We're here to cheer you up , and I know just the thing ! " Yukari declared " Junpei always told me how much you loved music , so we're going to the karaoke hall "
" Karaoke ? Why's that ? "
" well , first of all , because you love music , and then because singing takes courage "
" I see ... "
The two girls entered the hall . Yukari decided to choose some songs for Minako , relying on what Minato had told her of Minako's favorite songs . She started with a calm song called ' Time ' , and then slightly upped the beat with ' you affection ' and so on until she concluded with ' pull the trigger ' . At first , Minako was somewhat uninterested , but as she heard the music she quickly got into the activity and started singing , and she looked like she was having the time of her life . The sun had set given way to a cold night as the two girls left the mall to the station .
" wow , Minako ! " Yukari exclaimed " I had no idea you sing so well ! If I didn't know any better , I'd say it was you who sang those songs in concerts ! "
" really ? You should hear Minato sing then , some say he's even better than Lotus Juice himself ! " Minako started excitedly , but she then whispered timidly " don't tell him I said that , though . He hates when people say that ! "
" don't worry , I won't " Yukari was satisfied to see Minako happy for once " it's getting late , let's go back to the dorm for now "
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It was raining outside , and the twins couldn't make it back to the dorm before it started pouring . Thinking smart this time , they decided to take a shelter in Hagakura ramen shop . The two sat in there and ordered a bowl each, before silence governed them .
" so ... how was your day ? " Minato hesitantly asked
" hm ? Well ... could be better ... could be worse ... "
" more ... details ? "
" well ... I met with Yuko and Rio and explained what happened to them , who was Shin-chan to me and all that ... Yuko made a huge fuss about it , but I'm glad Rio was there to keep the situation under control "
" I see ... "
" I have a question ... " Minako said as she stared at the rain outside " Minato ... do you think ... we're ... cursed ... ? "
" seriously " Minato sighed " we've had this conversation before "
" well then why does this keep happening to us ? Don't you find it strange ? People that we care about get ... "
" first of all , things are different this year . No one is dead yet , and even Shinjiro senpai is still alive , get those doubtful ideas outta your head ! "
" you're right ... " Minako sighed " it's just ... a week had already passed since our short Tartarus exploration "
" you sound depressed , you wouldn't know what would happen unless you try . The result will become apparent when we explore Tartarus tonight"
" and if I couldn't call my Persona ? "
" we'll repeat the same process for another week ... "
" I see ... " Minako stared at her bowl of ramen , before starting " what if ... "
" you will regain your power , Minako . Be patient "
" you don't know what you're talking about " Minako sighed , and she looked about ready to cry " I can't focus on anything , I feel scared to try anything so much I haven't participated in a single club or committee ever since he was shot ! At first , I tried forcing myself to enjoy them , but it was like swallowing a cactus burger ! I'm slowly ' crawling back into my shell ' as you would've put it . Am I reverting to my old self ?! How did I change to be who I was when I arrived here ?! "
" eat up , it's getting soggy "
" right ... "
" we still have plenty of time , so don't stress yourself about it " Minato replied to her question " and let's say you're reverting to your old self , the situation is different now . Back then we only had each other , so I had to worry about you more than now . Today , even with everything that happened , you're no longer alone . There are people who draw their strength from you , and would like to give you strength to face this ordeal as well. They won't let you crawl back into your shell , you just have to trust them "
" you're right ... I'm not alone anymore ... "
" anyway , about Tartarus ... "
" can we go tomorrow ? " Minako exclaimed " I ... I'm not sure I'm ready ... Then again , maybe we don't have ... "
" don't bother with how much time is left , we have all the time in the world " Minato interrupted her firmly " if you don't feel like going to Tartarus tonight , we won't go "
" right ... thanks ... "
As thou finished their ramen , the rain gradually stopped outside , and so the two of them made their way back to the dorm .
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You're still reading this ? So you didn't find the beginning of this part offensive ? Thank God !
Again , I have no ill meaning in portraying this part of Ken , but I think the conclusion of this will give him more character development and be more fitting with this fanfiction after Minato's furious accusation .
Anyway , Minako's story is still not over yet , so stick around to see how it turns out and remember to comment your opinion on Shinjiro's life . And while you're at it , feel free to comment any hashtag you like .
#BehaveShinji
#CaveShinji
Just don't comment #GraveShinji by accident , or I might take it as you wanting Shinjiro to die ! Okay , I need to stop before I turn into the chairman ... In all seriousness , I hope you enjoyed this part , and stay safe