Third P3 Club Book, story time! This time, ee're focusing on Minato/Makoto. Enjoy!
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"Cool and taciturn."
"Brazen and emotionless."
"I don't know what you're thinking."
Ever since I became aware of things, I felt like I have been evaluated that way by others. It has been half a year since I transferred to Gekkoukan High School, but that assessment of me has not changed, and I think it is accurate. On the outside, at least.
Although this is merely my own assessment, I am by no means emotionless or cold-hearted. I enjoy talking nonsense with Junpei in the classroom - mainly about the types of women he likes. If a friend is hurt during a fight with a shadow, I naturally feel angry.
If Mitsuru finds out about the disastrous results of the short test and looks at me with a look of "it can't be helped," I feel a little sad, but when I go with Tomochika for some delicious Nabeshima ramen, I feel the utmost happiness.
I feel joy, anger, sadness and happiness just like everyone else. However, it seems like I just can't show it. Is it because of my hairstyle, which completely covers half of my face when I looks down? Or is it that the death of my parents 10 years ago is causing a communication disorder that I don't even realize I have?
If I were to criticize myself, it might be that I have a somewhat passive attitude toward things. When someone else is entrusted with making a decision for me, there are three options that come to my mind.
Yes.
No.
Whatever.
Of these three options, I tend to choose the lowest option, the one that gives up my decision. This may be a way of life I unconsciously acquired as I grew up, having lost my parents at an early age. Of course, in situations where such escape is not allowed, I have the ability to firmly judge whether something is right or wrong. However, in less important situations, such as when Yukari asked me what I was going to do after school, when Sanada asked me if he looked good in his summer swimsuit, or when Fuuka asked me how I was spending my days off, I gave answers that could be interpreted as either positive or negative. Just the day before yesterday, when I was asked for my opinion of Aragaki's homemade authentic Indian curry, I nodded my head so loudly that it almost made a buzzing noise, praising it, but this was purely because the curry was undeniably delicious. It had nothing to do with the fact that Aragaki's eyes were like, "I'll kill you if you say it's bad." No, not at all.
Anyway, in most situations, I'm able to get through with this iridescent reaction without any problems. I don't feel any particular inconvenience. Those close to me are already aware of my reaction.
Once they get used to it, they will ask you questions like, "So, do you want to hang out together?", giving you an easy answer with two choices, or they will automatically accept it and say, "Oh, that's fine."
So I thought that was fine.
("Is that so?")
That night when Aigis had made the effort to visit my room, I'd missed the crucial part of her question, probably because of my carelessness. Thinking back on it now, I probably should have just asked her to say it again. However, it was already past 1 AM when we'd returned from Tartarus, and my mind was filled with the usual thoughts of what to do about the English test I was due to study the next day. On top of that, I was feeling sleepy from fatigue, so the usual words slipped out of my mouth. "......XXXXX"
No, to be precise, I think I said it. To be honest, I don't remember what I said. What I remember, though, is the indescribable look on Aigis' face when she heard those words. "......!?"
Is this confusion? Disappointment? Sadness? Did I say something wrong?
However, just as I was about to ask again, Aigis suddenly lowered her gaze and said, "... Understood."
No matter how you listen to it, Aigis left behind a word that could hardly be described as a reassurance, “Understood,” and then she slammed the door shut.
My voice, which was usually low-key, seemed to have become even lower in tone. But I still didn't feel anxious. If there was a problem, I could just check it out tomorrow. Up until now, doing things that way had been fine. That was fine. So I changed my mood and went to bed as usual.
But that was not going to be good.
During the break right after the third period, while Junpei and I were having our usual silly chat, it was Yukari who spoke to me. No, she didn't seem calm enough to start a conversation. She leaned over me, one hand on the desk as if to put all her weight on it, and her posture and expression conveyed an extraordinary sense of tension. In short, Yukari appeared to be extremely angry.
"What's wrong, Yukari-chan? You seem pretty grumpy."
Junpei was about to say something when Yukari suddenly turned to him and fell silent at the look she gave him. A cold sweat broke out on Junpei's face. She had a look that said, "If you butt in, I'll kill you." In the background, I thought I saw the word "glaring" written in handwriting.
Then, her gaze slowly returned to me. I've said it many times before, but no matter how cool or calm I appear on the surface, I have emotions and get upset just like everyone else. I'm sure no one around me would understand, but right now, I felt the greatest fear of my life. Strangely, I felt a familiarity with this sensation. Was this from ten years ago? Moonlight Bridge? Such words came to my mind, and just as I was about to remember something I shouldn't remember, the threat that was unreasonably approaching me, Yukari's beautiful lips spoke the next words.
"Hey you, what happened with Aigis?"
"???"
What on earth was this all about?
Of course, I had a hunch. My conversation with Aigis last night was threatening to cause some kind of problem. But why was Yukari angry about it? And what about Aigis herself? It was then that I realized I hadn't seen Aigis since this morning. It was truly heartless, and I could only assume that she hadn't been there since the first period. However, my thoughts were cut short by Yukari's next words.
"Depending on the answer..."
Perhaps because I didn't answer immediately, Yukari's anger gauge seemed to be about three bars full. And it erupted in words.
"Your annoying bangs! I'm going to shave them all off and write the word 'meat' on your forehead!"
To repeat, no matter how calm or collected I appear on the surface, I have feelings just like everyone else, and there are situations I would rather avoid than risk my life for. That was the situation right now. I had no choice but to confess everything that happened last night to Yukari. Did anyone around me notice the greasy sweat on my forehead...?
"...I see."
Yukari said this while standing with her arms crossed, and then let out a big sigh. It was her reaction immediately after I recounted the events of the night before. I'd been daydreaming and missed Aigis' question, and yet had replied with something along the lines of "It doesn't matter," and that I'd meant no ill will in that response, it was just a conditioned reflex, and I'd even talked about part of the process that led to the formation of my own personality from the memory of 10 years ago to the present. Honestly, it felt like it'd been a long time since I'd talked this much. It was more than the amount of words I'd uttered in a month (including the summoning call for Personas during battle).
"I didn't know you... you were able to talk so much..."
Junpei, who had been listening to the whole thing from the side, said something rude and honest. It may seem annoying, but even if I appear quiet on the surface, it is possible for me to talk like a normal person.
I looked at Yukari's face with trepidation, and fortunately the anger had disappeared. Instead, I saw an expression of astonishment, or perhaps pity? And with that expression, Yukari began to denounce.
"...Insensitive."
Lol.
"...no common sense."
Lolol.
"...You have no understanding of women's hearts and are easily swept away by the situation. You are indecisive, shallow, and inconsiderate, and you can't tell the difference between what is right and wrong to say. It's just like you!"
Lolololololol!
I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, but on the surface- (omitted) -she hits hard- (omitted) -it hurts.
"Stop it, Yukari! This guy likes to have his hair like this!"
No, I like my hairstyle. Yukari ignored Junpei's stupid comment that didn't even help his point. Yukari began speaking seriously. "Okay. Now, I'm going to tell you all the horrible things you said to Aigis..."
The gist of it was this: in the second semester, Aigis, who had become a classmate, was worried about the eating habits of the person she had sworn to be by his side, and finally came to Yukari yesterday to ask for advice.
"...It appears that this person only eats bread purchased from the school store. In addition, he repeatedly eats fast food and ramen on his way home from school. From a nutritional standpoint, this is likely to pose a high risk of harm to his health."
"Hmm? Well, he likes it, so isn't that okay?"
"No! A healthy mind resides in a healthy body! Japanese people have the right to live a healthy and happy life!"
It seemed like she was extremely angry.
“Ah, yeah, yeah, I get it. Calm down a bit, Aigis. …Okay, then, how about this?”
And then Yukari suggested:
"What about lunch boxes? I make them sometimes too. It's easy to manage your nutrition, and if you do it well, it's economical too. Well, when I have morning practice I skip them though."
"Packed lunch...I see, this is what they call C-rations, isn't it?"
"No, I don't think it's a common term."
"Is that so? More importantly... how about some bento?... I can certainly say that this is the perfect strategy for the situation!"
"Oh, you're interested, Aigis. All right, I'll help you then!"
…And so, after that conversation, Yukari taught her as much cooking technique as she could, and finally, Aigis went to check on the menu I wanted.
Last night. I mean.
"Aigis was worried about your health and wanted to cook you a meal with love, but you said you didn't care!"
"H-how terrible..."
Even Junpei, who was usually a carefree person, agreed with Yukari's denunciation. It's true... I couldn't help it if she said that. Even I now realized that I said some terrible things. Even if it was due to an oversight or misunderstanding.
At that moment, I suddenly noticed people staring at me. They were cold, piercing gazes from all around me. I raised my head and saw my classmates, who had been standing at a distance with their ears turned up to the level of a microphone or a wiretap, staring at me and muttering to each other.
"...So that's the kind of person he is..."
"Aigis, I feel so sorry for you."
"Damn it, my Aigis!"
"He's really cold..."
They were all saying what they wanted, but right now, there was no room for them to argue. It was really annoying, but (omitted) they were just (omitted) crying (omitted). Unconsciously, I bit my lower lip hard. What I felt in my heart was not anger at the accusation, but a feeling of apology towards Aigis. So I accepted the attacks from those around me in silence.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Well, it was him who did this to Aigis-chan..."
Eventually, even students who were unaware of the situation began to join in the irresponsible and unashamed accusations.
"What?! Seriously?"
"Wh-what? What's going on?"
"So that's why it's so awful."
"That is a pity."
Blah, blah, blah.
A familiar, cool voice, followed by a commotion, caused the surrounding noise to stop abruptly. I looked up to see what was going on, and was so shocked that my heart almost jumped out of my chest. Then, a feeling of relief I had never experienced before spread through my heart. Of course, neither emotion showed on my face.
"You are someone important to me, but I cannot condone words or actions that hurt someone. Therefore, I demand that you apologize as soon as possible."
Of course, without any hesitation, I turned to the girl in front of me, Aigis, bowed deeply and apologized. Aigis, who was the one receiving the apology, tilted her head in confusion.
"Am I the one who was hurt?"
Later, during the lunch break after the fourth period class, we left our curious classmates behind and came to a place where we could have a leisurely chat - the rooftop. In front of me was, of course, Aigis, the main person involved. Next to me was Yukari, who knew the situation, and Junpei, who was not really involved but was still a friend, all listening to the conversation with serious looks on their faces. We explained to Aigis what had happened so far, and timidly asked if I had hurt her with my careless words and actions last night, and received a reply.
"These are completely unfounded worries. To be frank, I think they are completely pointless concerns. Thank you for your efforts."
(Boom!)
To be honest, Aigis' words had probably hit me 100 times harder than the condemnation I'd heard from my classmates earlier.
"B-but!"
Yukari asked Aigis in a panic, perhaps because of the harsh words she had spoken earlier.
"Then why were you so late today? I hadn't seen you since this morning."
"Of course, I was making lunch."
"You're kidding! Have you used the dorm kitchen?"
"Yes. However, there were limitations to what the dormitory facilities and materials could provide... You said anything was fine, right? You requested that naan should be used. However, the real thing should be baked in a special oven called a tandoor oven."
"Huh? Ah... well... I feel like we're not talking properly right now."
"And so..."
As she said this, Aigis pulled out a large basket from behind her and opened the lid.
"I have brought you the naan and authentic Indian curry you requested!"
A satisfied smile appeared on her face, as if she had gotten her revenge.
Normally, if you want to eat naan, you say "naan is good," not "naan is fine," and there were many other things I wanted to say, but for now, the freshly baked naan was delicious, as it was my first time eating it. The clear autumn sky and the open rooftop lunch setting added a nice spice to the meal. She had made extra, so Junpei and Yukari were all smiles as they alternated between munching on the naan and curry. By the way, it seemed that the authentic curry was given to her by Aragaki-senpai, who had given her some of the curry that had been prepared the day before yesterday.
I suddenly looked to my side and saw Aigis peering at me with a worried look on her face. When our eyes met, she asked me timidly.
"How does it taste?"
I would tell her without hesitation, blending my honest feelings with just a little bit of remorse.
"It's so delicious."
Junpei and Yukari looked surprised when they saw me like that. How rude. I have emotions like everyone else. Of course, when something makes me happy, I laugh like everyone else.
is anyone interested in helping me mod this account?
other mod is no longer very active on tumblr + I am sadly an Adult With Responsibilities now, so I keep forgetting this exists... but Pegokita is still my favorite ship of all time, and I'd love to make this blog thrive.
would anyone be interested in mod applications? please let me know!
I felt the sudden compulsion to draw Joker and then immediately the rest of the entries had other characters sneak in whoops
They're my Persona Protags and I'll ship them because it's funny if I want!
This was for:
"Kiss on the Hand"
Also used different refs for these than the other entries, tried out diff colors for Yuki. Akira's are from the last piece I had him in
I mostly like having these two together because of Dancing, they bring me joy
Also pose was from some CSP models, I didn't feel like adjusting it for the height, so ignore that Joker would be way taller if he stood up, whoops! Maybe they're on some steps
is anyone interested in helping me mod this account?
other mod is no longer very active on tumblr + I am sadly an Adult With Responsibilities now, so I keep forgetting this exists... but Pegokita is still my favorite ship of all time, and I'd love to make this blog thrive.
would anyone be interested in mod applications? please let me know!
stormborns
izzy806
romaincrisis
origamiaround
turnnoffyourmind
snowghoul
dededos
