My eyes fluttered open.

I'm in a hospital. I'm freezing, so I'm probably mostly naked. It's overtly bright, hurting my eyes — that is most likely a side effect of me staying in dark rooms all the time.

And Yukari is standing next to my bed.

She gives me a look — a look that is voiceless, yet it can say a thousand words.

Worried. Sleepless. Tired.

I sit up and my body hurts. A burning, jabbing pain where the metal of my prosthetic and flesh of my thigh meet.

My stomach is in knots.

My head aches.

"You're awake!" Yukari says, sounding tired yet still happy. "Um, how do you feel?" She asks.

I shake my head. I lift the blanket to get up, which I did. I slowly got out of bed, a soft klink of my metal foot echoed.

The slight vertigo is a strange welcome, I still don't feel ok.

Well, I never had felt ok. Not like Kotone. Or hell, like Ryotaro.

"Where am I?" I ask.

"Oh, this is Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. It's just a short walk from the station." She stated.

"And?"

"The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with you. He said you were just exhausted." She explained.

I didn't know what that meant.

"And?" I press further.

"I'm sorry Kotone or I couldn't do anything..." She mumbled uncomfortable. "But, your power, wow, that was amazing."

I didn't know how to respond to that. I don't feel amazing.

And from what I remember, I didn't feel amazing last night either.

I remember vomiting (blood? I remember it was painful.), which is harsh — and it hurt. A lot.

It also reminded me of what happened during the accident. Which is horrible.

Hate that.

"Ugh..." I groan, grabbing my blue locks of hair. "What were those... things last night?"

"...You mean the Shadows? They're what we're fighting against." Yukari answered me. "And the power you used... well, we call it 'Persona'."

Persona, shadows, god — everything is so strange.

"We'll explain everything later. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before..." Yukari continued, awkwardly. "I, uh..."

"What?" I asked her. God, everyone in that dorm is so strange.

"I wanted to tell you that..." She gulped air, probably disturbed or something. "...I'm sorta like you."

I tilt my head in confusion. "What do you mean by that? You have some secret prosthetic on you?" I half joked, because having a prosthetic didn't really bother me. It was a way to live my life normally — or, as normally as someone who is severely depressed and traumatized could.

Yukari didn't laugh though, which is understandable. I was always seen as some broken bird — someone you just couldn't tease or make fun off.

Yukari probably saw me as the same. Some broken bird who needed to be protected.

"My dad died in an accident when I was little...
And my mom and I aren't exactly on good terms..." Yukari mumbled, her fingers interlacing.

Oh.

"...You're all alone too, right?" She said quietly. "To be honest, I already know about your past. But, it didn't seem fair, so I wanted you to know about mine..."

Oh. Oh, god. She was serious.

"It was back in '79... There was a big explosion in the area. Supposedly, my dad died in the blast, but nobody really knows what happened..." She gave a legitimately sad look.

Like a kicked puppy, or something.

"He was working in a lab run by the Kirijo Group." Yukari continued, her bangs covered her eyes — why though, I wondered. She was already telling me this, why hide how she was feeling?

But also, Kirijo group? Like Mitsuru's "Kirijo"? But like, that was a weird thought, though. It's a weird thought to think your upperclassmen was tied to an explosion that killed someone.

"So, I'm hoping that if I stick around long enough, I'll find out something." She admitted, balling her hands into taught fists. "That's why I'm going to Gekkoukan High, and why I was there when this happened to you." She also admitted, glancing back up at me.

She, she just wants to learn the truth. About her father. About everything.

"...Of course, I panicked and wasn't much help..." Yukari said, changing the topic back to last nights events. "It was my first time fighting them, too."

It Yukari's first time fighting those... things. But, would that mean Kotone was experienced in fighting them.

And if that was the case, for how long? Yes, I hated her, but, still. She was my little sister. The thought her fighting those things daily was horrifying.

"I'm sorry..." Yukari apologized. "You wouldn't have had to go through all this if I wasn't such a coward..."

"It's not your fault." I said softly. "I was terrified too. I mean, who wouldn't? They were terrifying. Plus, holding a gun to your head is no easy task."

"Thanks, but still..." Yukari shook her head. "And here I am telling you all this the minute you wake up."

"It's fine."

"While I was waiting, I thought to myself, 'I've been hiding so many things from him... As soon as he wakes up, I'll tell him the truth.'" Yukari admitted, smiling.

She seemed, different. I don't know. But it was like something changed in her.

"So, thanks for listening, Shiro. I've been wanting to share that story with someone for a long time."

"It's no issue, Yukari-san." I said to her and there and then — I felt weird. I've never felt kinship for someone else. It's... weird. But I don't what to say about it, but in the end, I kinda like it.

Yukari smiles again, and it looks nice on her. "...Alright, I'm gonna get going. I'll let the others know you woke up." She said, standing up straight and walking towards to the door.

"...Oh, and, uh..." She mumbles. "You don't have to be formal around me or anything. Us second-years gotta stick up for each other, after all!" She explained, trying to sound chipper.

"B-Bye."

I laid back down. It felt, weird, talking to someone like that.

I don't know if that'll happen again. Or if I'll do that — well, for someone who doesn't know already.

But I liked it. It felt... nice, knowing someone went through the same.

And then I fell asleep.

4/19/93 -> 4/20/93

I felt better in the morning, in my uniform, and out of the hospital.

Immediately I'm greeted by Junpei.

"Yo! Long time no see, Shiro." He greeted. "What's up? Did ya have an upset stomach or something?"

I shrug. "Something like that."

"Anyways, I got something to tell ya." Junpei smiles.

Huh? "What is it?" I ask, my interest was piqued.

"Actually..." Junpei broke into a big grin. "Oh, wait! I'm not supposed to say anything! Sorry, little dude."

"Little dude?" I repeat. I was a bit peeved, because yeah, I was short — but it was because my growth plates were broken in the accident.

If that hellish accident didn't happen — I'd be much taller. I'm like, 5'5 now, but if I didn't get in that car accident — I'd be at least 6'2.

Yukari ran up to us.

Nice!

"Sheesh, someone's full of energy today..." She groaned. "I could hear you from all the way over there."

Junpei smiles at the fellow second year. "Hey, it's Yuka-tan." He placed a finger under his chin. "You two live in the same dorm, yet came separately today? Is it..." He chuckles.

"Is it because you'll cause too many rumors again, hm?"

"What? I just left a little late!" Yukari blushed. "Anyways, I need to talk to him. Bye-bye, Junpei." She then grabbed my arm and pulled me along to school.

"Whaaaat..." Junpei said in visible confusion.

Poor Junpei. He seems cool.

Yukari smiles in concern at me. "You feeling better?"

"Yeah." I respond.

"...Shiro." I perk my head up at her. "Um, sorry to hit you with this first thing in the morning..."

"That's ok."

"...But Ikutsuki-san wants to talk to you today.
Come to the 4th floor of the dorm after school, okay? Don't forget."

I nod my head. This is probably that explanation I was going to get.

Early morning -> Evening

I enter the fourth floor meeting room, to be greeted by Mitsuru, Kotone, Yukari and Ikutsuki. Also some senior — with gray hair, red vest and black slacks. He seems fairly fit.

Ikutsuki smiles at me. "Ah, there you are. I'm glad that you're okay. I wasn't sure what I'd do if anything had happened to you. The reason I asked you here is because I needed to talk to you." He explained. "Please, have a seat. Oh, but, before that."

He directed his hand towards the senior. "I believe I mentioned him earlier, but this is Akihiko Sanada." Ikutsuki introduced.

Akihiko smiles and waves. "How ya doin'?"

He seems nice.

Ikutsuki smiled as I sat next to Yukari.

And then he sighed. "Okay, let me start off by asking you this..."

"Would you believe me if I said that a day consists of more than 24 hours?" Ikutsuki asked, completely serious.

"...Excuse me?" I respond, dumbfounded.

He wasn't serious.

"Do you remember the night you came here?
You had to notice the signs..." Mitsuru continued.

The signs? What the hell were these guys on?

"The streetlights went out... nothing was working... there were coffins everywhere.
Didn't it feel like you were in a different time...?" She described, which is what I did go through when I arrived here.

"Now that you mention," I paused. What the hell was I saying? "You're right."

"That's the Dark Hour—a time period hidden between one day and the next." The redhead answered me, with a calm and smooth tone.

I stared at her in utter, pure and honest confusion. "Hidden?" I repeated.

"I guess it's more like something people aren't aware of." Ikutsuki said calmly, looking at me.

The dark hour... was that really true? It couldn't.

"But, the Dark Hour does exist." My sister said softly. "It occurs each night at midnight — every midnight. It's going happen tonight, tomorrow night and every night to come."

There was weird sense of melancholy from her voice, so brittle and off key.

Akihiko glanced at me, obviously noticing my visible confusion. "Normal people don't realize it, since they're all sleeping inside their coffins."

Ikutsuki gave a glance at the whole group. "...But that's not what makes the Dark Hour so interesting."

"You saw those creatures. We call them 'Shadows.'" Akihiko explained, looking at me. "They only appear during the Dark Hour, and attack anyone not in a coffin."

Monsters at night?

"It's our job to defeat them." Akihiko said with confidence. A confidence a definitely couldn't get a grip on. "...Sounds exciting, huh?" He then ended with a happy smile.

"I..." I barely mumbled out before Mitsuru snapped her head towards the senior.

"Akihiko! Why are you always like that?
You just got hurt the other day!" She said in a weird emotional fusion of angry, concerned and worried.

"Now, now. He does his work well. But, long story short..." Ikutsuki smiled and then paused, directing had to each member in the room that wasn't named Shiro Dojima. "We're the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad."

Kotone perked her head up, which was strange for the moment, as she was so oddly quiet. "Or SEES for short!" She chirped out.

"Ah, yes, thank you Kotone." The chairmen said somewhat dismissively. "On paper, we're classified as a school club. But in reality, this group is dedicated to defeating the Shadows."

He pointed at Mitsuru. "Mitsuru is the leader." He then pointed at himself. "I'm the club advisor."

Mitsuru have a faint smile. "A Shadow feeds on the mind of its prey; the victim becomes a living corpse." She paused, as if giving me time to take in all the information. "They're responsible for most of the incidents on the news, if not all of them."

"That... cognitions thing...?" I mumbled uncomfortable. "But, how do we fight them?" I asked them, a little louder and a bit firmer.

Ikutsuki gave a smirk as if knowing I'd ask that. "Although rare, there are those who can function during the Dark Hour. Some may even awaken to a power that enables them to fight the Shadows." He then pushed his glasses up, glancing at Mitsuru who was placing a sliver briefcase on the mahogany coffee table.

"That's 'Persona' — the power you used the other night. The Shadows can only be defeated by Persona-users." He explained. "Which means, it's all up to you guys."

I gulped on air. "I see."

Ikutsuki gave a pleasant look. "I'm glad you're quick to understand."

Mitsuru opens the case on the table, very neatly.

A glanced in it, sweat forming on my temples, I knew what would be in there.

A silver gun.

Eerily similar to the one I used nights ago.

There was also a bright red arm band — with the letters S.E.E.S sewn into it.

"What he's trying to say is, we want you to join us." Mitsuru explained. "We've prepared an Evoker for you. We'd like you to lend us your strength."

I glance over at my sister.

Her hair was messy and in disarray, thick black bags under her eyes — she was most certainly worn out.

I hated her.

But, despite that hatred, an emotion swelled in my chest. She's been fighting those things for nights now.

She's been fighting. For what, I didn't know. And I probably wouldn't.

Maybe it was for our parents? Or for Ryotaro?

Or, god forbid, me?

I guess a residual chemicals of that "overly protective brotherly love" I had for her took over my brain functioning of a moment.

I glance at her, and I glance at the evoked.

"I'll do it."

Yukari sighed sigh of relief. "I was afraid you'd say no..." She then broke into a smile. "Welcome aboard! Thank you so much. I'm really glad."

Ikutsuki gave a hum. "Oh, I almost forgot, your room assignment..." He smiled. "Why don't you just stay here, in your current room? I don't know what the holdup is, but I guess it worked out in the end." The chairmen gave a nice hearty chuckle.

"Holdup? But, wasn't that— oh, never mind..." Yukari groaned, a shade of red on her face.

Well. That's that. I joined SEES to fight the Shadows.

I decided to go to my room, briefcase in had, before I could nod off on the couch.

Evening -> Dark Hour

I woke up during the fabled 25 hour of the day.

Sat, hunched over at the foot of my bed was the little boy in black stripped pajamas.

"Hi, how are you?" The little boy said politely.

I was a bit startled by the gremlin. "H-How did you get in here?" I said in a confused stutter.

"I'm always with you..." The little boy said ominously and with a child-like chuckle. "Soon, the end will come!"

Wow. That was an oxymoron of a statement.

"I remembered that, so I that I could tell you." The little boy added.

I groaned. "Thanks for the consideration..."

"Ahaha! I wasn't expecting you to thank me." The little boy said with a smile. "But you're welcome. That's what I'm supposed to say, right?"

I nod.

"I dunno really know what this 'end' is about, either." The boy admitted. "Oh, looks like you've awakened to your power..."

"You mean... Persona...?" I asked the boy awkwardly.

"No, not that. But gosh, an unusual power it is. A power of many forms, yet is bound by none..."

"What do you mean by that?" I ask in confusion.

"I dunno." The little boy answer. I guess that what I guess for asking someone who was probably six years old. "But I do know that it may prove to be your salvation, depending on where you end up."

I was dumbfounded by the pure insanity of it all.

"Do you remember when we first met? I expect you to honor your commitment. I'll be watching you, even if you forget about me..."

I had a flash of thoughts, I don't even want to think about a six year old stalking me while I'll do school work — or god forbid, adjust my prosthetic.

"Okay now, I have to go. See you later!" The little boy said while waving, waking off into an inky darkness and disappearing.

The boy disappeared... wow, what did I get myself into?