While Koromaru was lazily stretching out in front of the TV , he suddenly sense danger lurking toward him . As he turned around , he was horrified to see a dog-headed human approach him . He froze in place , unable to process what he was seeing . The situation grew more bizarre when the creature before barked in a feminine voice . Then that creature clutched its head and actually detached it from its body !
Behind the face was Minako's cheerful face , who playfully laughed " arf ! Arf ! "
" Koromaru-san does not like to be startled , Minako-san " Aigis , who was nearby , commented
" really ? I thought you liked this mask , Koro-chan . Well , since you don't , I'm not gonna use it anymore , okay ? "
Koromaru slowly approached Minako and seemed to have calmed down . " I know you're a courageous dog , Koro-chan . You fought that shadow all by yourself to defend your master's grave , you're the bravest dog I've ever seen ! "
" when Koromaru-san was a puppy , he was always weak and sick . His owner gave him the name Koromaru as a wish for him to grow stronger , as the first two Kanji letters of the name mean Tiger and Wolf "
" wow ! And you did it ! You actually fulfilled your master's vision in you and became a strong and brave dog ! He must be so proud of you ! " Minako exclaimed , and Koromaru responded by happily yelping.
Then Minako's attention was averted to Minato who descended the lounge . She immediately rushed to his side and told him pretty much everything that Aigis had told her about Koromaru .
" why're you so excited about that dog , anyway ? " Minato asked " I get that you think he's cute and all but don't you think you're obsessing a little too much ? "
" it's really something to hear that from someone like you " Minako pouted " especially when you go every weekend at night into that cat ca—! "
" okay ... " Minato muffled her mouth , as his face grew red " you made your point ... I came to tell you that we're meeting in the computer room to discuss how we're tackling the upcoming block of Tartarus "
" oh yeah ... Theodore did call me this morning , so does that mean we'll "
" we'll discuss it upstairs . That goes for you , too , Aigis "
" understood " Aigis stood up and followed them .
Minato was told by Mitsuru that she had something to tell the team about after they finish discussing the upcoming block of Tartarus . In the computer room , the members of SEES and the chairman sat . During their discussion , Minato suggested that they train in the third block for one more time just to be safe . The chairman found this a good opportunity to suggest the inclusion of Ken once again , but Minato proceeded to ignore him and continue talking about his plan .
" actually ... " Minako said with an awkward look on her face " can I stay behind tonight ? "
" not that I mind , but why ? "
" well ... I slipped in the bathroom and twisted my ankle ... "
" are you for real ? " Minato glared at her , to which she laughed embarrassedly
" I believe Ken would make up for ... " the chairman started
" Ken , a kid in elementary school , is gonna make up for a veteran member of our team who can use multiple Personas and has led many of our battles ... smooth " Minato interrupted , with suspecting eyes he glared at the chairman " you know ... you're way too determined to shove in as many Persona users as possible in this mess "
" well , of course . My priority is to end the Dark Hour and ... "
" and I told you we have the situation under control and that nothing a kid could do would change anything . Lemme ask you a question , this whole recruiting business ... is it really for the sole reason of ending the Dark Hour , or are we all just experiments to you ?! "
" I'm sorry ? " the chairman wasn't anticipating this question
" Minato-san ?! What're you saying ?! " Fuuka was shocked to hear Minato make such a bold accusation to the chairman , just as everyone else was
" I'm saying we've been finding documents of Persona users who fought and met their end in Tartarus , with the last one mentioning a crucial detail about them being supervised by crazed scientists ... as far as I know , that's not Mitsuru's grandfather , since he died as Tartarus was formed "
" so you're accusing the chairman of being the same scientist , and he's using us just as he did with the users before us ?! " Akihiko stood up and yelled at Minato , but Minato didn't respond
" that's a bold accusation to the person who's been looking out for you all this time ... "
" Arisato ... I meant to say ... " Mitsuru started , but Minato was too focused on the chairman that he didn't notice her
" don't try to guilt trip me , I couldn't care less of what you do to us if your intentions were flawed "
" very well , I won't press on the matter of Ken joining ... "
" I didn't ask you to stop , I asked you what you really want ?! "
" I want the best for SEES , I know about the Dark Hour more than you do ... "
" you're lying ! "
" Arisato , the truth is ... "
" so you think I'm lying to you ... do you have a proof ? "
" you ... ! " Minato clenched his fist with frustration
" Arisato , please listen " Mitsuru firmly said " I meant to inform the team after we discuss our situation in Tartarus , but I suppose it's a good time to reveal it now . My father has contacted me about an hour ago in regards to those scientists who secretly conducted research in the Dark Hour , their bodies were found dead in front of the school gate five years ago "
" what ?! " Minato was shocked , and his eyes darted from the chairman to Mitsuru " but there was no news coverage about it at the time ! "
" at the time , my father was suffering from an illness , so he wasn't directly involved in the case . His assistants chose to hide the fact so as to avoid another scandal until he recovers for fear that stress could impair his health even more . After our discussion , my father made attempts to reach out to their families , but apparently they had no families . As they all shared the nihilism view of my grandfather so they valued little what was in life "
" then the only enemies we need to worry about are the shadows and Strega ... what a relief ... " Yukari sighed
" yeah ... sorry for accusing you like that , Mr. Chairman " Minato sighed
" that's alright ... honesty was our promise when we became a team , remember ? If you have any questions , don't hesitate to ask me about them "
" but I still don't want Ken in our team "
When the SEES exited the computer room , the twins noticed Ken hastily descending the stairs . Apparently he was secretly listening to them , which made Minato irritated . As Minako saw this , she turned to the chairman and whispered " actually , Mr. Chairman , can I ask for a favor ? "
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Ken had all of his senses focused on the TV , on which a horror movie was shown . His muscles were tense , and they seem to shake and jolt as he anticipated a jumpscare . Then ...
" Boo ! " Came a sudden voice from behind him .
" Uaaaaahhhh !!!! " Ken screamed and nearly fell off the couch
" hiya , Ken ! What're you ... watching ... "
" it's a horror movie " Ken mumbled while readjust his seat
" yeah ... I can see that you picked ... that movie ... " Minako stared at the screen with questioning eyes " why , though ? This is such a lackluster movie , the scares are cheap and predictable , and in the end everything turns out to be a dream ! "
" don't spoil it !!! "
" oh ... heh ... sorry ... it slipped . I know you must've paid good money to rent this , my bad ... " Minako awkwardly apologized
" well ... it turned out to be a terrible movie so it doesn't matter " Ken sighed , mostly feeling ashamed that a cheesy movie was scaring him
" well , if this was a good movie I would've been more careful , but I don't think that's a good excuse ... hold on , I'll make it up for you ... ouch ! " Minako stood on her twisted ankle , and the pain zapped through her leg .
" hey ! Are you okay ?! "
" yeah , I'm fine "
Minako smiled through the numbing pain before making her way to the kitchen . Ken followed along , pretending to make coffee as he looked at what she was doing . She pulled a sweet potato out of the fridge , and was going to present it to him , but she stopped as she saw him holding the hot sauce in his hand .
" and what're you doing with that ?! "
" uh ... I'm making coffee ? "
" I'll be taking that " Minako firmly took the sauce from Ken " and please don't tell me you've been trying to drink hot sauce coffee ever since ... "
" w—well ... "
" Minato ... I swear ... ! " Minako grumbled to herself as she shoved the thing in the fridge
" I've only decided to recently ... "
" oh ! Thank God ! " Minako exhaled " Minato was just messing with you back then , he drinks his coffee black . I didn't think you'll take it seriously ! "
" Minako ... I have a question ... " Ken said , barely above a whisper , as he took the sweet potato in hand " what does your brother have against me ? I tried to ask him , but he doesn't even look in my direction ! "
" have a bite of that potato , and we'll talk " Minako offered
" sure , thanks ... "
Ken took a bite , and was immediately hooked by the taste that he finished the whole potato eagerly . Minako was glad to see him happy with her cooking , but Ken grew embarrassed as he saw her looking at him . She realized he was going to open the subject with her again .
" Minato is only worried about you " Minako said with a friendly smile " actually , when I look at you , your attitude is the spitting image of his when he was your age . It almost makes me miss the old Minato ... "
" but if I have so much in common with him , why is he so much against me in anything "
" because you're just a kid ... oh ! " Minako let that slip , and she desperately tried to salvage it " I mean ... that's what he thinks ... "
" you think the same thing , too ... " Ken looked depressed
" no ... I ... " Minako stuttered , but then an idea beamed in her head that it was finally time to set her plan in motion " actually , yes ... I do , but I'm not as hardheaded as my brother , and I'll give you a chance to change my mind . If you're a man , prove it "
" I'll prove it ! " Ken looked at her firmly
" now that's a man's face , we're off to a good start ! " Minako clapped her hand in satisfaction " so , what do men do ? "
" men ... uh ... well , they are responsible , they drink coffee , they aren't easily scared , they ... uh ... "
" you don't know ? " Minako said with a smile
" I ... men do a lot of things , okay ?! " Ken nervously exclaimed
" well , a true man rushes when someone is in trouble . Specifically , a cute helpless girl lost in a dark corridor with monsters stalking her , a man will come to her rescue . You think you can do that ? "
" I ... I do ... " Ken thought " but are we gonna find a cute girl ... ? "
" that hurt , you know ... " Minako showed a sad expression " am I really not that appealing at all ? "
" ack ! No ! That's not what I meant ! " Ken blushed and nervously tried to correct himself " I mean ... you can defend yourself , the chairman ... "
" I'm kidding , silly ! " Minako laughed , before taking out her evoker " without an evoker , I can't summon my Persona "
" what ? " Ken looked at her with shock
" I'll give you my evoker , and you're gonna use it to save me . I'm not gonna lie to you , there's a lot of pressure here . I mean , you're gonna protect me from the shadows in there , or I will have nothing to fend for myself with and will be the easiest prey they could dream of . In other words , my life is in your hands " she looked firmly and seriously in Ken's hesitant eyes
" your life ... in my hand ?! " Ken was shocked to hear that
" yup ... Minato won't know of my presence , not until it's probably too late . If you fail to save me , the shadows will definitely kill me . If the pressure is too much , we can back away now "
" it ... it's not ! " Ken stood fiercely " I'll save you from anything and everything ! Not even a monstrous fiend wielding two guns can stop me !! "
" ahaha ... it won't go that far , though ... hopefully ... ouch ! " Minako laughed nervously , as she whispered that last word . However , as she tried to stand up she hurt her ankle again
" Minako ! "
" heh ... this helpless damsel only has you to rely on , so don't fail her , okay ?"
Minako meant to say that , as she wanted Ken to feel the responsibility as much as possible ... the Dark Hour really is not a game , it really is not a place for children .
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Not gonna lie here , the upcoming parts are ones I've been wanting to , and planning to , write , ever since I started this fanfiction . Boy am I excited to finally start writing them !
First , how do you like the confrontation with the chairman ? Was it done right ? Am I on point here ? I hope so ...
Then there's Ken ... boy , do I have so much for this kid in store . The next part alone is packed with events for him . After all , Minako's life is in his hands . Is he going to be able to protect her ? Or am I actually going to pin the death of a wild card and the waifu of many Persona fans on a little kid ? Oh , you think I can't do it ?! I can , and I will ... maybe ... MUHAHAHAHAH !!!
If you enjoyed this part , feel free to vote , and look forward to the upcoming parts because things are heating up ! Remember to inform me about who you want Minato to be shipped with , and I will see you in the next part . Stay safe .
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The debate is closed , read the part about the results to find out who won