In the back alley of Tatsumi port island , during the Dark Hour , the moon was just now beginning to fade . Last night was a full moon night , the night that SEES suffered its first casualty . Strangely enough , Strega was still not pleased with that victory , especially since Shinjiro was on a one way trip to death and was to meet his end sooner or later . They neither got the navigator of SEES nor dealt a lasting blow for the team . All they managed to do was shot down someone who was going down with or without their interference.
" we're going nowhere like this " Takaya sighed as he stared at the moon " who would've thought we'd have so much trouble felling SEES "
" it's because we lost Chidori , we must free her if we are to stand a chance against them again " Jin suggested
" and how do you propose we do that , when we don't even know where she is ? "
" oh , but we do " Jin grinned " I just found out her location today "
The members of SEES lived through the most difficult ordeal yet , and they had yet to recover from this shock . And yet , Junpei still felt responsible to visit Chidori like he always had been for the past weeks . He was wondering what kind of face he would show her , if he could even smile to her anymore with how heavy his heart was with grief of what happened to his team .
As he entered her room , he could see that she seemed pained and strained . He thought that she needed his support now more than ever , as much as he was undergoing his own stressful times . He approached her and sat by her bed , but she seemed to avoid his eyes .
" yo ... Chi... Chidori ... " Junpei said with a tired smile " sorry for not coming here lately , a lot has been going on , and then there were exams to pile up on me , so ... you see ... "
" why ... why did you come ... back ... ? " Chidori murmured
" well ... if I can , I will visit you every day " Junpei let a short laugh " but like I said , things been hectic out there ... "
" I see ... " Chidori remained silent for a second , before saying " what will you be doing in two years ? "
" two years ... I don't know " Junpei sighed , and remembered what happened to Shinjiro , he thought will I even live that long ?
" I see ... "
" by the way ... " Junpei held her hand , then he smiled " as I thought ... you stopped hurting yourself "
" what ... ? " her eyes darted toward Junpei's hand in shock and confusion
" that's good , I wouldn't want to see this beautiful hand hurt for ... "
" don't touch me ! " Chidori pulled her hand forcefully from Junpei , she held it closer to herself and began rubbing it , as if she burned it on something hot
" ack ! Sorry ! That was way too forward ... I ... I mean ... "
" I ... I don't understand ... " Chidori wept " it used to be fun ... when you came to visit ... but now ... it hurts ... to look at you ! "
" what ?! What ...did I ... ? I ... I mean ... I'm sorry ! " Junpei frantically apologized " Yukatan keeps calling me a stupid jerk ... and ... "
" I'm scared by myself ... and now when you're here ... I feel hurt ... " Chidori turned her tearful eyes away from Junpei " never come back , Junpei ! "
" I ... what ... ? "
" please , just leave ! Just pretend you've never met me before ! "
" I ... well ... that's just great " Junpei sighed " that's just what I needed . If you want me to leave , I'll leave ... "
Junpei left her room , and he felt so much like crying . Literally everything that could've gone wrong in these days had gone wrong , not just for him , but for the members of SEES as well . Now Chidori wouldn't want to even look at him , and even asked him to leave and never return . He had been receiving this kind of treatment from those around him for a long time , and yet somehow it seemed to hurt especially more when it came from Chidori , especially when she didn't even tell him what happened between them . Just then , he happened to pass by a certain person in the corridor , a person with red hair tied into a messy ponytail , and a pair of earphones in her ears . He turned around , and sure enough , it was Minako walking away .
" Minatan ? "
He called her , but she immediately started running . He thought something must've been really wrong with him , if even Minako was trying to run away from him . However , as he turned around a corridor to continue his chase , he found himself face to face with Minako .
" boo ! " she exclaimed " surprise ! "
" what're you doing ?! " Junpei was shocked to see her so suddenly in front of him that he fell on the ground
" I was just messing with you , silly ! "
" no ... I meant what're you doing here right ... " Junpei noticed Minako's eyes were somewhat red , so he decided to stop the question right then and there " you know what , I don't think I care ... I'll be going back to the dorm now "
" Junpei , wait " Minako called out to him as she ran after him to keep up with his pace
" hm ... yes ? What is it ? "
" how's Chidori ? " Minako asked a purposeful question
" Chi ... what ? Why would you ... ? "
" you came to visit her , right ? I was with Shin-chan for a while but I didn't see you " Minako giggled " guess we're pretty similar ... in a way ... "
" we're not similar " Junpei sighed
" well , I didn't say we're identical ... " Minako suddenly realized " don't tell me you two had a fight ? "
" well ... yes " Junpei decided to open up to Minako , then as he realized what she has been living through he sighed " not that it matters ... "
" it does matter ! " Minako firmly interrupted
" well ... okay ? "
" tell me what happened , I might be able to help . Lovers quarrels do happen , but there should mostly be a chance to amend to any mistakes if we calmly think of the situation "
" I don't know ... " Junpei sighed " Chidori seemed upset and tense today ... I tried to converse with her , but she suddenly said she doesn't want to see me anymore . I tried to ask what happened , but her reason was confusing . She said she would feel scared when I'm gone , but when I'm around she feels hurt "
" I see ... "
" maybe it's for the best if we don't ... "
" Junpei , you know ... I confessed my feelings to Shin-chan that I love him the night before he was shot , and at first I was rejected . I kept pushing for an answer , and that's when he told me about his illness . Had I just accepted the rejection , I would've blamed myself for the rest of my life . What I'm trying to say is , if you don't know exactly what went wrong , you wouldn't recover from it "
" I see ... " Junpei realized that Minako was helping him for the main reason that she didn't want what happened to her to repeat itself with him
" Now then ... How should I ... put this ... " Minako started " look , I mean this in the nicest way , but Chidori is not what I would call stable "
" what ?! "
" hear me out ! Just hear me out to the end ! " Minako defensively exclaimed , before slowly continuing " she doesn't understand herself as much as you do yourself , so she's probably feeling conflicted about something , but what would that be ?"
" well ... how are we meant to figure it out ? "
" well I think she gave us a vital clue " Minako smiled eagerly " she feels scared when you aren't around , but when you come she feels hurt . I think Chidori has never had that feeling before , and she doesn't now how to interpret it . When you come around , she feels happy and excited , because she loves you "
" she LOVES me ?!! "
" and that's the critical point ! Chidori doesn't understand love , so she's confused and scared by her feelings "
" okay , lemme talk to her again ! " Junpei rushed back to her room
" ack ! Wait ! " Minako stopped him " even though she loves you , she's still confused . Try to give her some time , okay ? Let her maelstrom of thoughts simmer down a little , and then maybe try again tomorrow , or the day after tomorrow for good measure"
" I ... I see ... thanks , Minatan " Junpei nodded , before he asked " by the way , how is Shinjiro-senpai ? "
" oh ... he's fine ! He's sleeping like a baby , you should've seen his face ! " Minako replied cheerfully " anyway , to make up for the stiff hospital visit , what do you say I treat you to a bowl of ramen ? "
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The twins retired to their room that night . The atmosphere between each of them as well as between SEES as a whole was still tense . Minako still refused to talk to Minato about many things , especially Ken , and Minato didn't seem to want to talk about it , either . Suddenly , the lights went off . The Dark Hour had began , so the twins decided to go to sleep . However , they suddenly received a call from Mitsuru telling them to regroup in the computer room , so they immediately pulled themselves together and hurried there .
In the room , Fuuka had summoned Lucia and seemed to be scanning the area . As she had apparently detected Persona users near Tartarus . That could only mean they were members of Strega , it hadn't even been that long since their attack that took down Shinjiro , and now they were on the move again . Suddenly , Fuuka clutched her head and winced in pain . Minato and Akihiko rushed to her side as she groaned within the sphere of her Persona .
" she's ... she's ... inside ... my head ... " Fuuka whispered
" she's inside ?! " Minato realized the severity of the situation , and he quickly turned to Mitsuru " Chidori is still in the hospital , right ?! "
" I believe she still is ... " Mitsuru hesitantly replied
" you BELIEVE ?! "
" so that's Chidori?! " Yukari turned to Junpei and asked earnestly " what happened ?! Do you know what happened , Junpei ?!"
" how should I know ?! "
" so those are ... all the members of SEES " Fuuka glared at them , as a new Persona towered over her Persona " how disgusting ! "
" she's speaking through Yamagishi ! "
" if you think we Strega are going to let you end the Dark Hour , you're mistaken ! Come to Tartarus , and we shall settle this once and for all ! "
" Chidori ! " Junpei pushed Minato and Akihiko aside and clutched the sphere as he talked eagerly to Chidori who had taken over Fuuka's mind " you don't want to do this ! This isn't right ! "
" Junpei ?! " Fuuka's disgusted expression changed to that of shocked and scared
" please , come back to us , I don't know what you've been struggling with , but I want to understand you ! I want to help you , Chidori ! So please stop pushing me away ! "
" n—no ... I don't ... I don't need ... " Fuuka suddenly clutched her head and screamed , just as Lucia pushed Media away and screamed with her user " GET OUT OF MY HEAD !!! "
Lucia disappeared , and Fuuka collapsed on the ground . Minato was quick to catch her , and as he felt her forehead he realized her temperature was rising , so he helped her to a nearby sofa and had her lying there . This short and strained conversation with Chidori revealed one critical truth to Junpei , that there is still a chance for her to listen to him . Without a word , he ran out of the room , followed by Minako who was hot on his heel before anyone could stop them .
" if ... if that Persona user ... was Chidori ... " Fuuka heaved " then this could be a trap ... she probably concealed the presence of her partners ... "
" I see ... " Minato nodded " Aigis , you were the only one Chidori couldn't sense , so you're gonna go from a different way to ambush her , understand ? "
" understood " Aigis nodded " Chidori-san has limited combat capabilities , so if I confiscate her evoker , she would not be able to fight "
" right ... the rest of us will hurry there " Mitsuru nodded
" actually , senpai " Minato stopped her " I don't think Chidori will fall for the same attack twice , so we need a different plan "
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Minako and Junpei arrived at Tartarus , and there was only Chidori standing there . She seemed to be crying , and was staring at her evoker . Minako was ready to restrain her , but Junpei stopped her in place , asking that he would try to converse with her alone . Minako was hesitant , but she decided to go with it and give Junpei a chance since she could understand what he was feeling at the time , so as reluctant as she was , she decided to give Chidori the benefit of the doubt .
" oh ... you came ... " Chidori wiped her eyes , before shooting a glare at Junpei as he approached her " the self proclaimed 'leader' of SEES "
" look , Chidori ... I am an idiot , even I'm aware of that , but I know that this fighting is pointless ! You do , too , don't you ?! " Junpei exclaimed , and as Chidori didn't respond , he continued to approach her and talk " listen ... I'm sorry that you've been hurting so much , and I can't say I understand everything , but I want to understand ... I want to help you , Chidori ... so please ... "
" oh no you don't ! "
Suddenly , Minako stepped forward and blocked Chidori's dagger with her naginata . She glared furiously at Chidori as they both locked blades , who was shocked and confused . Junpei could hardly believe his eyes , Chidori was one second from cutting him down .
" you can't lie to yourself , Chidori ! " Minako yelled at her " you were so into what Junpei was saying you didn't even realize I was around , as easy as that was for you ! You must accept this plain truth that ... ! "
" no ! Shut up ! I don't believe you ! "
" YOU LOVE HIM !!! STOP LYING TO YOURSELF !!! " Minako screamed at her
" Chidori ... "
" no ... that's not true ! " Chidori tried to strike Minako down " I don't believe you ! I don't need anyone ! The only one I need is Media ! "
" enough ! " Minako lunged the back of the naginata into her , pushing her and causing her to back down and wince in pain " if I have to , I'll just beat some sense into you ! "
" nuisance ... " Chidori murmured as she pulled her evoker and aimed into her mouth , before pulling the trigger . Her Persona effortlessly shoved Minako aside , who screamed from the pain of the strong push and struggled to stand up
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So ... uh ... you will probably notice this or not ... I don't know ... I'm gonna mention it , anyway .
This confrontation isn't supposed to happen now , at least not in the timeline of the game . It's supposed to happen like ... a month and a half later , but I'm not going to to go with that . I need something from Junpei in the upcoming parts , so I'm having this confrontation now as opposed to later . The reason will be cleared up in future updates so stay tuned for it .
If you enjoyed this part, feel free to vote for it , and remember to comment your opinion about Shinjiro's fate , and I'll see you in the next part . Stay safe .