A/N: I am back with a new chapter! I haven't been uploading that much lately because of exams, and after I was done with it, I had both a writer block and art block because of how tired I was of exams. That's why this chapter took a while for me to finish it. However, I finally did it after taking a break!

Thanks for waiting and enjoy the chapter!

Also, if you read the previous chapter you will understand the meme pic that I made up there XD Which answer would you pick? LOL (Ken is so confused, someone help the kid)

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_____Next Day, 24th July_____

"Good morning! Please, wake up."

Feeling someone shaking him lightly, Makoto groaned while slowly opening his eyes.

"Aigis..?"

He looked up seeing Aigis beside his bed waking him up. He was tired because of last night. He couldn't get much rest since he has been thinking about Miki after.. seeing that state she was in last night.

"Mission accomplished," said Aigis.

Makoto blinked in confusion, "what are you doing here?" He asked sleepily.

"The paper on the wall says, "Do things five minutes early." Therefore, I woke you up five minutes in advance."

"Okay, then I am gonna sleep for five minutes." Makoto pulled the blanket closer and turned to the other side as he hid under the covers.

"That I cannot allow," Aigis continued to shake him lightly.

Suddenly, a knock on the door could be heard.

"Hey, are you awake? That girl disappeared and we can't find her anywhere. Think you can help us out? She might have gone out on her own, like she did in Yakushima..."

It was Yukari speaking outside the door.

"I am not a girl...I am Aigis, and I am here." Aigis responded after hearing her.

"Huh..?"

Aigis went to the door to open it. She saw Yukari looking shocked, "Aigis?! How did you-"

"He was asleep, so I unlocked the door."

"That's an unlawful entry! Didn't we tell you to stay in the command room!?"

"I propose to be on standby in this room from now on. Is this acceptable?" Aigis asked Makoto who was still laying under the covers.

"What!? N-no, it's not acceptable!" Yukari answered the question for him instead.

"If there's a problem, then I will address it promptly."

"Uh, the problem is it's against dorm regulations...Well, don't just sit there! Tell her!" Yukari frowned at Makoto seeing him not moving from his spot or saying anything about the situation.

"I don't care.." He answered sleepily. That was getting annoying, he just wanted to sleep, nothing else.

"Well, you should care! It's against the rules!" She yelled. "Tch... Alright, I will have a room prepared for you on the third floor. You can stay there. Oh, and don't leave the dorm by yourself, okay?" She told Aigis.

"I will do as commanded."

Yukari sighed, "I am tired...I have practice this morning, so I gotta go.." She said before leaving.

Aigis held her chin thoughtfully, "... everyone goes to a place called school in the morning. I comprehend." She nodded to herself before leaving too.

"....?" Makoto returned to the other side before pulling the blankets away. He sighed after they left. He decided to get up and be ready for today.

"....."

Hearing the yelling coming from the floors above, Ikutsuki smiled, "sounds like they are all getting along. That's great."

The chairman was sitting in the lounge with Mitsuru and Akihiko. They were seeing Ken Amada's background check.

"Nevermind that, Mr. Chairman. Is it true? That he..." Mitsuru was looking at the background check while holding it.

"Yes. It was the night of the 20th, when we were in Yakushima. Apparently, he was taken into custody for wandering about during the Dark Hour." He explained.

Akihiko looked down, "and to think, Shinji, of all people. What a coincidence..."

"How are you planning to deal with him?" Mitsuru asked Ikutsuki.

He hummed in thought, "hm, that's quite a dilemma. He may have the potential, but he's still in elementary school. In the end, we will have to respect his wishes on what he wants to do."

Meanwhile, Ken was in his room all alone. He was alone with his thoughts. He kept remembering Miki's words when she mentioned Tartarus and the Dark Hour in front of him. Since then, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

"The Dark Hour...A hidden period of time that ordinary people know nothing about. This is just too much to take in.." He mumbled to himself.

_____Two Years Ago_____

A siren could be heard as police cars were all parked around a destroyed house.

An eight-year-old returned home to see a woman bleeding on the ground.

".....!"

The little kid went all silent from shock. He couldn't believe what his eyes were showing him. No, this has to be a nightmare. This isn't real. The kid kept telling himself that. What he was seeing was unreal and hard to believe.

The police warned the little boy to stay back before taking the dead body. However, the kid kept crying, begging to stay beside his mother instead, but they took her away from him. He was alone. He had no one. He fell into a dark hole and he couldn't go back. Not after losing someone very precious to him.

______Present Time_____

The images of the incident two years ago played in his head. It made his eyes water.

"Was it like that for you that day too? Mom..." He mumbled painfully.

The blue-haired teenager walked out of his room all dressed up for school. He saw Miki walking downstairs in her normal clothes.

"....."

He still could see her face from last night in his head. It looked so pale and..dead. Completely different from her usual smiley face.

"Good morning..."

Hearing Makoto's voice, the pink-haired girl stopped walking then turned around to face him.

"... Good morning, Senpai."

"You aren't going to school?" He asked after seeing her not wearing the school uniform.

"No..I am going to skip today because I am not feeling well. Will you please tell Mitsuru-senpai that so she would understand?"

Makoto nodded, "okay. But..are you alright?"

Miki smiled lightly, "it's nothing serious. Just feeling too tired to go to school. Uhm Senpai, about yesterday.. can you please forget everything that happened?"

Makoto really wanted to ask why, but he decided to go with the flow, "don't worry about it.."

Miki smiled big, "thank you. Enjoy your day at school~" She said before walking away.

"....."

Makoto watched her leaving. He decided to just focus on his day at school.

When everyone left for school, there was only Miki and Ken at the dorms. Including Aigis, but she was commanded to stay in the command room. Ken was sitting alone at the lounge until he saw Miki walking downstairs.

"Takahashi-senpai? You didn't go to school?"

"No, I decided to skip today." She said then took a seat on the couch, and took the remote to turn the TV on.

Ken felt kinda awkward since the atmosphere in the dorms was quiet. Even when the TV was on. From seeing her expression, he thought Miki wanted to watch TV alone, so he decided to go to his room.

"Well, I am going to my room-"

"Ken, don't be shy and let's talk while watching TV together. Just because you are the youngest one here doesn't mean you should lock yourself up in your room the whole time." Miki patted on the couch beside her as she was gesturing to him to sit with her.

Ken blinked surprisingly then went to the couch and sat beside her while looking down.

"It's all confusing you.. The Dark Hour, Tartarus.. including the death of your mom.. It's all pressuring you right.." Miki looked at him.

Ken kept quiet for a moment then spoke, "I just don't know what to do..I feel lost. Even if I am here, I feel like I don't belong in this place at all.."

"That's not true. You are just not used to this place yet. You are still new, so that's fine. Ken, choosing to be alone is not an option.."

"...But, you are doing the same. I haven't seen you around your friends here lately."

Miki narrowed her eyebrows and clenched her fist. But then, she looked at Ken again and smiled, "That's.. because I haven't been feeling well lately, and I don't want to worry the others"

"But they are your friends. They can help you feel better."

Miki laughed, "you seem mature despite your age. I don't feel like I am talking to a kid at all."

Ken blushed from embarrassment, "o-of course I am mature! I am the most mature one among all my friends. They are all so.. childish, and they always fight for the stupidest stuff..." He sighed.

Miki kept laughing, "well~ tell me now, how do you feel after talking?"

Ken looked down again as he was thinking, "I do..feel a bit better.."

"See? You can't just stay in your room all day. Go out and have fun. You can talk to us too whenever you want, even if we are older than you. We are all ears."

Ken smiled lightly then looked back at her, "thank you, Takahashi-senpai."

She smiled back, "it's fine, you can just call me Miki."

"Oh, okay."

Ken is still in danger. I should protect him from the Shadows..

Miki thought to herself while holding her chin.

_______Time Skip________

Makoto was packing his stuff after he was done with all his classes. As he walked out of his classroom, he saw Katsu waving at him then walking up to him.

"Hey, how was Yakushima?"

"Oh, hey. It was fun," Makoto nodded.

"I see, I am glad you had fun. I heard that Yakushima is a good place for relaxation, and it's very beautiful there." Katsu smiled.

"Haven't you been to a beach before?" Makoto asked.

"Oh uh.. not really," Katsu laughed. "I.. actually had never been on a trip before. Anyway, wanna go hang out somewhere?" He asked.

"Sure."

The two left the school together, and went to Paulownia Mall as they decided to go to the arcade games.

They ended up playing a shooting game.

"Do you usually play video games, Yuki-san?" Katsu asked while holding the fake gun.

"Not usually... Sometimes I do. I don't come here everyday. Mostly, my friend drags me here with him." Makoto said as he was talking about Junpei. He looked at Katsu for a moment, seeing him shooting every target. "Looks like you've been playing this game pretty often."

Katsu smiled, "oh, I don't come here. I don't play video games either. I just happen to be good at this game." He said as his eyes were focused on the screen. "You see, you have to make sure to keep your eyes on the target. And keeping your hand steady, of course. It's easy and simple if you follow these steps. But if you don't then, game over."

".....?" Makoto looked at the screen seeing it was game over for him since Katsu had won.

Katsu placed the gun back to where it was after the game was over, "but after all, games are for fun. We are here to have fun, it doesn't matter to me who wins in the end."

".....You won, though. So, congrats."

"Haha, it's just good luck, that's all. You weren't bad! Come on, let's play another game." Katsu pointed at another game to play.

The time passed with the two playing a lot of games together. Sometimes Katsu won, and sometimes Makoto won. The two then walked out of the arcade as Katsu was smiling from having so much fun.

"You are good for someone who doesn't play games so often." Katsu said.

"That goes for you, too." Makoto replied.

"Why can't I get this!?? Ugh, so frustrating!!"

They heard a guy complaining.

"There's no way someone can get this doll..." A girl shook her head and sighed.

They saw a crowd outside the arcade as many people were gathered together around a crane claw machine.

"Eh, what's going on?" Katsu blinked in confusion. "Hm, looks like people are trying to get this special doll." He said as he watched a guy trying to catch a Jack Frost doll, but he had no luck.

"Why don't we try? You go first." Katsu told Makoto as they walked up to the machine and put some money inside it.

"You don't know, we might succeed." Katsu said as he let Makoto get in the front.

"Okay then, I will give it a try.."

The crowd stood around them watching. Katsu looked around him, noticing the people watching as he was confused.

Makoto began moving the joystick to align with the doll. He then pressed the button, and watched the crane go down and grab the doll.

Just when it was about to fall through the shoot, the crane dropped the doll.

"Oh.."

"Ouch, you were so close..Let me try." Katsu got in the front instead, and put money inside the machine before starting.

"Give it up you two. Many people tried, including us, and no one has won yet." A guy from the crowd said.

Katsu was bothered by the people who were watching, but he tried to ignore them and focus on the game instead. Once the crane grabbed the doll, he watched closely hoping he would get it, but he didn't. He saw the crane dropping the doll instead.

His eye twitched, and he clenched his fist angrily. It was frustrating indeed. "This is ridiculous..." He mumbled.

"Told you." The guy said as Katsu looked at the people behind him. He was annoyed by them. "Will you please let me concentrate here?" He sighed deeply then looked at Makoto seriously.

"I won't give up. Yuki-san, let's do it together."

"Together?" Makoto blinked.

Katsu put money in the machine again. He was running out of money because of that game. "I won't get out of here till I get this doll." He said. If Katsu wanted something so bad, nothing could stop him from having it.

He left pressing the button to Makoto so they could get the doll together, "are you ready, Yuki-san?"

Makoto nodded, "Ready."

After Katsu guided the crane to a nearby Jack Frost doll, Makoto pressed the button as they watched the crane picking it up.

The doll ended up falling through the shoot. They won!

Makoto got down and took the doll, "we did it." He smiled lightly.

Katsu was shocked that they won. He let go of the joystick then looked at Makoto smiling back, "congrats to you and I."

The audience were shocked too to see they won. No one had won that game before, and they were the only ones who did it. The crowd started to clap.

"Wow, they really did it!"

"How lucky!"

"Wooohoo! Congrats!"

Katsu laughed, "looks like we will become popular in the town for winning this game."

Suddenly, they heard a child down on her knees crying, "I...I tried so hard to get that doll." The little girl sobbed.

Katsu and Makoto looked at each other as they felt bad for the little girl. She was a child after all.

Makoto looked at the doll then at Katsu, "why don't we give it to her?"

Katsu nodded, "yeah, I was thinking the same thing. That's right we won, but we don't really need the doll. The girl needs it more than us."

The two walked up to the crying girl as Katsu smiled at her, "here, you can have the doll."

The kid stopped crying then looked up at the boys, "b-but you two won..I will feel bad if I take it from you."

Makoto shook his head and smiled lightly as he pulled the doll close to her to give it to her, "we don't need it."

The little girl smiled big while blushing. Then, she hugged the doll, "thank you! Thank you so much!"

Katsu chuckled, "Well, the girl looked happy, so that's all that matters. Wanna go back?" He looked at Makoto as he nodded.

The two walked together and left Paulownia Mall before going back home.

After Makoto arrived at the dorms, Mitsuru asked him to talk to her in the lounge since it was going to be an important topic to talk about.

The two were sitting on the couch while Makoto was looking at Ken's background check.

"I would like you to act as his bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?"

"As long as he has the potential, he's highly vulnerable to Shadow attacks. I suggested that he come into this dorm with us, but he brushed me off. Not only that, but it seems that he's still walking about outside during the Dark Hour." Mitsuru said.

"Why would he do that?" Makoto asked.

"I don't know. But ever since he lost his mother, his only remaining direct relative, two years ago, he's been acting somewhat reckless." Mitsuru then looked at Makoto. "Since you come from a similar background, I thought you'd be able to reach out to him."

"I understand," Makoto responded.

Knowing what was happening with the kid, he couldn't say no.

..........

"...Hm?"

After the guy with the beanie got out of the ramen shop, he saw Akihiko standing not too far away while his arms were crossed as if he had been waiting for him to get out of the shop so he could talk to him.

"Hey."

The two stood together. The atmosphere between them was quiet at first until Akihiko spoke.

"About Amada, I want to thank you. Normally, that would have been our job."

"I just found him by accident, that's all." The guy with the beanie responded.

"I don't think it was an accident. Just as expected, you can't run away from your powers."

"Is that what this is about?"

Akihiko clenched his fist then looked at him while frowning, "think about it, Shinji. Don't let your power go to waste."

"My power ain't worth shit. I made up my mind long ago. I ain't going back."

"That again. You have to let go of the past. What's done is done. It's time you move on." Akihiko yelled at him.

"Dammit, I am tired of your nagging."

"I am sorry, but I won't take no for an answer."

The guy frowned back, "well the answer is still the same: I am not going back."

"We saw someone die right before our eyes...But, it's been two years since then..How long do you plan to beat yourself up over it? You are always at that spot behind the station, even though you don't hang out with the crowd there."

"It doesn't matter," the guy turned around and faced the ground. "It was my fault, and it can't be erased. What difference does it make if I come to terms with it? It won't change anything. This isn't the same as what happened to Miki."

"Shinji..."

"That's enough, already. I just want to forget it ever happened." He said painfully then walked away.

"....Tch." Akihiko looked down after watching him leave.

_______The Next Day______

Ken was sitting on one of the stairs that led to Naganaki Shrine. He was watching the Shiba Inu dog that was known as the most genius and loyal dog in town, Koromaru, eating the takoyaki that Ken bought for him.

He smiled sadly, "why are you still here, Koromaru? The priest isn't even here anymore." He patted Koromaru's head.

"It's tough, isn't it? Being left behind..."

He saw Koromaru suddenly turning around and barking after sensing someone's presence.

Ken saw Makoto standing not too far away from him, "Yuki-senpai?"

"...I would like to have a talk with you," Makoto said.

...........

"I get it. I will be staying in this dorm for the time being." Ken said as he was sitting on his own bed while Makoto was standing beside the window. Makoto was with him in his room. He had explained to him what Mitsuru was trying to let him understand.

"It's quiet, huh?" Makoto looked at him.

"Well, it's summer vacation right now. I am the only one who's still here in the dorm." Ken said then looked down. "Shadows, huh? I don't need a bodyguard. Sorry, it's a waste of time, isn't it?"

"I don't mind. Because if the enemy shows up, I can fight them."

Ken sighed. "..Do as you want, but I am fine, really."

Even if Ken didn't want someone to protect him, Makoto still decided to watch over him.

_____Time Skip____

It was the Dark Hour, and Makoto was in his room all prepared in case something happened to Ken. He was holding his evoker in his hand.

Hearing the sound of the door being closed outside in the hallway, he opened his door and saw Ken walking out of his room.

He decided to follow him. However, seeing Miki hiding behind a wall as she was watching over Ken to protect him from the Shadows, he blinked in confusion.

"What are you doing?"

Miki flinched after hearing Makoto's voice since she didn't expect someone would be there at that time.

"Wh-what are YOU doing here?" She asked back instead of answering.

"...I saw Ken leaving his room. It's dangerous to go outside now."

"Yeah, I agree.."

"We should follow him." He frowned and ran off first.

"W-wait for me, Makoto-senpai!" Miki said as she ran too with him.

Ken was walking outside on the street alone. Despite the coffins around him, and the tower that he could see on his side, he was unfazed since he got used to it.

However, hearing a dog barking, he stopped walking.

"That's not like Koromaru. He's usually so quiet."

A realization came to him as he widened his eyes, "why is his voice... It's the Dark Hour right now."

He started to run to where the voice was coming from.

After he arrived, he stopped running then gasped as he saw Koromaru getting thrown away by a huge Shadow. The scene was happening in front of the shrine.

"What..is this?" Ken stepped back while looking at the Shadow in fear.

He saw Koromaru getting back up to keep fighting the Shadow.

"Don't tell me...you are protecting- Ugh!"

Another Shadow appeared behind Ken and attacked him from the back. The Shadow was slimish it prevented Ken from moving as he struggled since he had no weapon to fight back.

"Orpheus!"

Ken saw the Shadow that was attacking him disappearing. He then turned his head around for a bit as he saw Makoto and Miki standing not too far away while he was on the ground.

"You guys..."

Koromaru growled and jumped on the Shadow as he bit its arm.

"A dog?" Makoto looked up and saw Koromaru.

"Maru-maru! No, it's too dangerous!" Miki yelled in fear while looking up as well.

The Shadow was too powerful and huge, it threw Koromaru again to let him go.

Makoto widened his eyes then tried to catch Koromaru in his arms since the Shadow threw the dog towards his direction. However, because the Shadow threw the dog so hard, Makoto fell onto the ground with Koromaru.

"Makoto-senpai! Maru-maru! Are you oka- Ah!" Miki yelped after the Shadow took her since she got distracted.

"Miki! Ugh.." Makoto tightened his grip on his evoker then pulled it up to his head.

"Perso- Ngh!"

Since Makoto wasn't quick enough to summon his Persona, the Shadow grabbed him too. The Shadow's strength was powerful; it grabbed Miki and Makoto tightly and it started to choke them.

"K-Ken..th-the evoker!" Miki tried to tell Ken to take the evoker that was beside him on the ground and pull the trigger.

"Huh..?" Ken looked down seeing Makoto's evoker that slipped from his hand when the Shadow grabbed him.

He grabbed it from the ground, and gulped before looking up at the Shadow nervously. His heart was beating so fast, and he was sweating from nervousness.

While looking at the Shadow, an image played in his head.

"Huh.."

He saw the same Shadow appearing behind his mother before her death.

"It can't be... He's the one.. He's the one who killed mom..." His breathing quickened and his hand that was holding the evoker started to shake after he realized what was the reason for his mother's death.

Makoto opened one eye and tried to say, "y-you can..do it.."

Seeing Makoto and Miki were in trouble too, Ken clenched his teeth then raised the evoker while screaming his lungs out.

"Ahhhh!"

He put the evoker against his head and pulled the trigger. The powerful energy that was coming from Ken made the Shadow step back.

That energy created a figure behind the kid, his Persona.

"Go, Nemesis!"

Nemesis used Hama skill on the Shadow as it killed it right after it.

"Did I get him? Or did it get me?" Ken panted heavily after seeing the Shadow disappearing.

When the Shadow was gone, Miki and Makoto were dropped down on the ground.

"Ugh.."

They both coughed from being choked. Ken ran up to them and looked at them worriedly, "are you okay?!"

Miki smiled weakly at Ken, "you..did it."

Makoto groaned while trying to stand up, "we almost died, but..we survived thanks to you. That dog, though.. He doesn't look okay." He saw Koromaru on the ground.

"....!"

The three went to the dog to check if he was still alive. Luckily, he was. But, he was injured.

Miki got down and held Koromaru in her arms. Seeing him in that state broke her, "please.. Please hang in there." She teared up and hugged the dog.

"When I got here, I saw him fighting that Shadow..He was doing his best to protect the shrine. You did great, Koromaru." Ken patted his head.

Miki looked at Makoto worriedly, "we need to bring him to the vet."

"But, it's the Dark Hour now..I think we should take him with us and treat his wounds there. I am sure Mitsuru-senpai can do something about this." Makoto said.

Miki nodded, then got up while holding Koromaru, "okay.."

Ken was thinking to himself. What happened was so crazy it was unbelievable, "that thing I used to fight the Shadow.. It's called.."

"Persona." Miki said with a smile.

"So, that's what it means to have the potential.."

"Yeah, you just had to awaken your power and you did it. You really are brave, Ken." Miki said.

Ken kept quiet and faced the ground as they walked back. He had so many thoughts in his mind.

..........

"A dog that can function during the Dark Hour? Is that even possible?" Junpei asked surprisingly.

The group was all gathered together in the lounge after hearing the news. Fuuka was wrapping bandages around Koromaru to treat his wounds.

"Are you alright, Amada-kun? Have you calmed down?" Yukari looked at Ken as she was sitting beside him on the couch.

"Yes..."

"Okay, we are all done! You did a good job too, Koro!" Fuuka got up after she was finished treating Koromaru's wounds.

"Oh, thank goodness it's nothing serious." Miki sighed in relief.

Koromaru barked while wagging his tail.

"Koromaru wishes to fight with us, it seems." Aigis said.

"Aigis, you can talk to dogs?" Makoto asked as he looked surprised.

"Yes," she responded.

Hearing the dog barking again, she translated, "I will return the favor. That's what he seems to be saying."

"Man, you are one loyal dog." Yukari smiled at him.

"But how can he fight?" Fuuka asked while stroking his fur.

"No, I think it's feasible. The fact that he was somehow able to interact with the Shadows shows that Koromaru has what it takes to be a Persona-user." Akihiko said.

"Can a dog really use a Persona??" Junpei asked.

"With proper training, he could become a better fighter than you, Junpei. Pretty interesting, huh?"

"Wha-"

Mitsuru sighed, "alright. I will inform the chairman about Koromaru, but his care and feeding is up to you, got that?"

"Sure, no problem. Rest assured, I will turn him into a fine canine warrior!" Akihiko answered.

Ken was looking down with his eyes closed the whole time. Then, he opened them and faced the others, "me...me too. Please let me fight too!"

"....?" They all looked at the kid after hearing his offer.

"You are all fighting those monsters, right? So let me help too, please!" He bowed his head as he begged for them to let him join.

"Why?" Makoto asked.

"It's kind of fuzzy, but I think I remembered something. Two years ago...those things were the ones that killed my mom!" He clenched his fists.

Akihiko looked away quietly after hearing him explaining his reason for fighting.

"So please! Let me fight with you all!" He bowed his head again.

Junpei grinned, "good for you! You are so young, and you already wanna avenge your mom? You are gonna make me cry! You don't have a problem, do you, Mitsuru-senpai? Let's give him a chance!"

"But..." Mitsuru looked at Ken worriedly. He was still too young to fight.

"....."

There was a moment of silence until Akihiko spoke, "okay, fine. But if you're going to fight then you are going to look out for yourself."

"I will!" Ken smiled widely.

"That's what I like to hear!" Akihiko smiled back. "Okay starting tomorrow, Amada and Koromaru will be boot camping with me."

"I will go too," Makoto said.

"Uhm, Miki-senpai and Yuki-senpai..thank you for what you did just now. And I look forward to working with you from now on." Ken said.

"Right on," Makoto nodded.

"Of course!" Miki gave him a thumbs up.

"....."

Miki looked at Makoto for a moment quietly then faced the ground.

_____Next Day, 26th July____

It was finally summer break for the gang. Since they didn't have school, every one of them were resting or busy doing their stuff.

"Hmm.."

Miki was humming to herself as she looked so deep in thought.

Summer school is going to begin soon and I still haven't joined any club yet..

"So Miki-chan, have you decided on a club you want to join?" Fuuka asked as they were sitting together in the lounge.

"Huh?" All Miki's thoughts stopped after she heard Fuuka's voice. She forgot she was with her. She sighed, "no.. I've tried.."

"Did something happen?" Fuuka raised her eyebrows after seeing her expression.

"I... Please Senpai help me!" Miki suddenly kneeled down beside her and whined.

Fuuka widened her eyes and looked down at her, "eh??"

"I've joined so many clubs, but I didn't get accepted in any of them! First, I joined the Cooking Club, but I almost burned down the kitchen so they kicked me out."

"Eh?"

"Then, I tried Yukari-senpai's club, but they banned me because I accidentally hurt someone."

"Ehh?!"

"Next, I decided to join the Fashion Club, but then I remembered that I don't know anything about fashion, so I changed my mind! Aaaah!" She placed her head on Fuuka's lap and sobbed.

Fuuka smiled nervously and stroked her head to calm her down, "o-oh, there there. I am sure you will find the perfect club for you... Just think about the things you are good at first."

Miki sniffed and lifted her head to look at her, "things I am good at?" She asked as Fuuka nodded.

"Hmm..well, I am good at fighting Shadows..So..oh!" A realization came to her as she smiled. "I get it! I will join Aki-senpai's club!"

Fuuka gasped, "you are into boxing? But you are so small and cute."

Miki nodded smilingly, "yes, I do! Wanna see?" She got up and looked around for something she could punch. "Is there something I can break?"

"Um, there are some bricks outside you can try." Fuuka said.

"Great! Come with me." Miki told her to follow her outside.

Is she really going to do it..?

Fuuka thought to herself then followed her outside.

Once they were outside, Miki looked around her as she was looking for the bricks, "where?"

"Right there." Fuuka pointed at some bricks on the ground.

As Miki saw the bricks, she walked close to them, "okay, I will try to break this brick in half with my hand." She took one of the bricks and placed it down close to her.

She kneeled down and lifted her hand in the air, "hiiya!" She hit the brick with her fist so hard that she broke it in half.

Fuuka shivered a bit seeing Miki's strength, "goodness..have you taken karate or something? That was amazing!"

Miki stood up and chuckled, "nope, but I like karate. I wanna take it someday in the future. You think I will be good?"

Fuuka nodded, "yes, you are indeed quite strong. Sanada-senpai will be very impressed when he gets home and sees the bricks. Iori-san may be scared, though." She chuckled.

Miki blushed and smiled excitedly, "y-you really think Aki-senpai will be impressed? I hope so." She then laughed too with her when she mentioned Junpei. "Well, let's get back inside. I am waiting for Aki-senpai to come and see this!" She cheerfully walked back inside the dorms.

Fuuka sighed smilingly then went back inside after her.

And then, after a while of waiting..

"Aki-senpai have you seen the bricks??"

Akihiko blinked in confusion seeing Miki rushing to him after he walked inside the dorms, "uh, I did see a broken brick outside the dorms."

"That was me, I did that!" She smirked confidently while pointing at herself.

"Why..?"

"Because I want to show you that I am strong enough to join your club. Why do you look confused? You should be impressed instead!"

"Join my.. club??" Akihiko widened his eyes surprisingly. "Uh..I am not sure about that, I mean..the club is full of guys and-"

"What, are you saying girls can't do boxing?" Miki placed her hands on her hips and pouted.

"N-no! What I mean is..the club isn't for you. What if you got in real trouble, I don't want that."

"Oh come on Senpai, it's not like I am gonna pick a fight with everyone at school. This is my own decision, I want to join. Besides, I want to become stronger for self-defence, pleasee~ I tried to join the other clubs, and it didn't work. Your club is my only chance!" She gave him the puppy eyes while begging him to let her join.

Akihiko looked at her quietly for a moment then sighed as he was thinking about it. "...If that's what you want then.. fine. But before joining, I gotta test your strength first."

Miki widened her eyes, "eh, that broken brick wasn't enough to prove to you that I am strong enough to join boxing??"

"No. So, on the first day of summer school, be ready."

"Yes, Captain!" She said then giggled to herself while covering her mouth. "I like calling Aki-senpai Captain." She mumbled smilingly.

Suddenly the sound of the door being opened could be heard as they all turned around and saw Makoto walking inside before closing the door behind him.

"Oh welcome, Yuki." Akihiko said. "Right, I suppose Mitsuru already texted you to meet up on the 4th floor for something important."

Makoto nodded, "Yes." He replied then saw Miki approaching him while smiling happily.

"Senpai, I finally joined a club! Congratulate me." She smiled proudly.

"Oh, congrats. Which club?"

"The Boxing Club!"

"...?" He looked surprised. "Boxi-"

"You forgot that I am gonna test your strength first..." Akihiko facepalmed and sighed while shaking his head.

..........

After everyone's day was over, they all gathered together in the Command Room like Mitsuru told them to do. She didn't tell the reason why.

"Does this mean we have a new mission?" Aigis asked while entering the room with her teammates.

"I dunno. But, the alarm isn't ringin'..." Junpei scratched the back of his head.

"Huh!?" Yukari stood in her place looking surprised.

"Koro-chan??" Fuuka said.

They all approached the dog. Mitsuru was with him as she was standing close to him.

"Woof!" Koromaru barked, seeing everyone standing by his side.

"Are you okay? Where'd you get this collar?" Fuuka asked after seeing a strange-looking collar around his neck. It didn't look like a normal collar for dogs.

"That collar is designed to help control his Persona. In other words, it's an Evoker for dogs." Mitsuru explained.

"Such a thing exists!? That's awesome!" Miki was impressed.

"So, he can really go into battle with us." Ken smiled big as he kneeled down and petted Koromaru.

"It was a surprise for me as well. But according to the tests, it's quite possible. In fact, it was the Chairman's suggestion...We will be looking after him here in the dorm." Mitsuru said.

"Woof!!" Koromaru barked again while wagging his tail. It was a sign that he was happy.

"Haha, he looks so happy." Miki was so happy for him. She kneeled down beside him as well and patted his head.

"Hey, make yourself at home. The more the merrier, right? Who cares if you are a dog?" Junpei grinned. "Alright, I will take him for a walk. It is summer break after all!"

"Yes, it is. Enjoy your vacation while you can; summer classes start next week. I will see to it that you graduate." Mitsuru smiled lightly.

"Ugh, right..I am still forgetting about it.." Junpei sighed as he clearly didn't look happy about it.

"You have summer school? Oh.." Ken gave the high schoolers a look of pity.

Miki blinked in confusion, "we are gonna go to school in summer? But I thought we will be having a long break this whole season."

"We will be taking intensive courses. I've applied for all of us, that means including you, Miki." Mitsuru said. "I know how difficult it's been balancing school and our late night excursions. You haven't had much time to study, I apologize for that. That's why the Chairman agrees this is a good idea."

She smiled, "it's okay, I will go there to have fun, anyway."

"Taking courses doesn't mean having fun, Miki.." Junpei said, then groaned as he kept complaining. He was looking forward to having a good break this summer, but Mitsuru broke that dream. "Ugh, this sucks.."

Yukari chuckled, "hey, with your grades, you should be thanking her."

He frowned at Yukari, "yeah, right." He said then looked at Makoto, "this is just not fair, don't ya think?"

Makoto shrugged, "who cares?"

"Guys guys, it's only for a few weeks, so let's make the most of it.." Fuuka smiled nervously trying to cheer Junpei up.

_____Time Skip, 1st August _____

The guy with the beanie was standing in the dark back alley alone and quietly as usual. He saw the people who were hanging out there taking their leave again after the four strange-looking people were approaching him.

"Good evening," the boss said as the smart-looking guy took out a small bottle and gave it to the delinquent-looking guy. He took it and immediately put it inside his pocket.

"I see they've again added a new ally to their ranks....Well, I suppose it's more of a pet than an ally." The pale young man said.

"Makes no difference to me." He replied.

"It seems that what you told us before about their intentions was true. How lamentable..Now, we have no choice but to intervene."

"....??"

"It is up to each individual how he will use the strength granted him..But, to erase the Dark Hour would be denying the very power they possess. We cannot tolerate that."

"Do whatever you want.." The guy wearing the coat stood up and was going to walk away, but the smart-looking guy stopped him.

"Hold it. What are you going to do? We know they asked you to come back."

He glared, "you are startin' to piss me off." He said coldly.

"They are going down, you hear me? And if you are on their side, then you are going down too."

"Like I said before..it doesn't concern me."

The boss smirked while looking at him, "did you know, they are sending such a child to the battlefield."

"....."

He froze in his place for a moment then looked at the group surprisingly. He looked kinda nervous too as cold sweats rolled down his face.

"Not like it has nothing to do with you, right?"

"Tch..."

"Now, if you will excuse us."

He watched them leave. He stood there completely looking worried for some reason.

"Was it..his decision to join..?" He clenched his fist.