Shadow Operatives HQ
04/18 Mon
Morning
When Naruko is about to knock on the door to Mitsuru's office, she can hear the sound of someone arguing from inside the room.
"I told you already, there is no way I would mistake him for someone else!"
That voice… Could it be Akihiko-san?
"Calm down, Akihiko… I do trust you, but we should investigate this further before informing Naruko."
"She will find out about this sooner or later! It's better to come clean now, otherwise she will think we're hiding things from here!"
"Mitsuru-san, I believe I can identify him properly if you would allow me to head to Inaba."
"No, I need you for our next mission. The theft of Ergo Research cargo is a very serious incident and I prefer to have the matter settled before it escalated further"
Him? Inaba? What are they talking about?
Unable to contain the curiosity, Naruko knocked on the door twice. The door was opened by Kikuno as she greeted her with a smile.
"Welcome, Uzumaki-san. We have been waiting for you."
When Naruko entered the room, she could notice Mitsuru, Akihiko and Aigis sitting together on a set of sofas similar to the ones they used to use back in the dorm. She can see Akihiko gritting his teeth while Mitsuru and Aigis maintain their calm demeanor, albeit with a slightly saddened expression.
"Everyone, it's been a while…" Naruko greeted her companions. "Kikuno-san had informed this morning about the urgent matter you need to discuss. Is it somehow connected to the reason why you were arguing just now?"
Mitsuru sighed before answering her question.
"Unfortunately, yes. We need to tell you something important, but first, why don't you two take a seat?"
Naruko nodded before sitting at an empty place next to Aigis, while Kikuno also sat next to her.
"First of all, I want you to know that we're not trying to hide anything from you. You, of all people, deserve to know. But please… Promise me you will listen to the whole story before deciding anything"
"… Alright, I promise"
"Thank you. Now, Akihiko, if you would…"
Akihiko nodded before speaking to Naruko.
"Three days ago, when I was working at the station, we got news of some strange murder cases in Inaba. No cause of death can be determined, and the two victims were found in a very gruesome state; hanged upside down on a telephone pole"
Naruko clenched her fist. The act of murder itself is atrocious enough, but she can't imagine someone committing it twice while also leaving the victims like that.
"Of course, just by hearing the detail is enough for any of us to suspect another case where the Shadow or a rogue Persona user is involved, so Detective Kurosawa and I volunteered to obtain any Intel while helping the local polices for a couple days. At first, everything was normal. But yesterday morning, something happened…"
Akihiko hesitated for a moment, but Mitsuru urged him to continue.
"A pair of teenagers, one of which is my superior's nephew, brought in a lost male they found to the station. According to what I heard, they have absolutely nothing on record about him. That fact alone is disturbing, but then I saw him…"
Naruko's eyes widened when Akihiko mentioned his name.
"It was Haruto… He's alive…"
For a few moments, there was nothing but silence in the room.
Then Naruko stood up.
"Senpai, if this is a joke, I think you have gone too far."
"This isn't a joke, Naruko!" Akihiko desperately tried to convince her. "I really saw him in Inaba! He's—"
"Already dead!" Naruko suddenly yelled "You saw it all that night! I—"
Before she could speak further, Naruko felt the sensation of someone embracing her from behind. It was Aigis.
"Naruko-san… I know this is hard, but please understand… Akihiko-san—No, we would never hurt your feelings…"
Despite what her body is made of, Aigis' hug is warm and comforting. It was brief, but enough to pacify the emotion within her friend. Naruko gritted her teeth, trying her best to maintain her composure.
"There is another issue…" said Akihiko. "I think Haruto has lost all his memories… He doesn't seem to remember me at all… And he has also lost his ability to talk."
"… Why didn't you bring him with you?" she asked.
"He can't." It was Kikuno who answered the question. "Due to his unique circumstance, Namikaze-san is currently under suspicion of the Inaba police department and is required to remain in the vicinity for the moment"
"But he would never—"
"We know…" Mitsuru assured her "Nevertheless, we need to send someone to Inaba for the matter. Unfortunately, we have our hands full with another incident. Yesterday—"
After briefing them about the theft of Ergo Research cargo, Mitsuru turned to Naruko.
"I won't force you to go to Inaba alone, but it will take some time until any of us can help you. Yukari and the other reserve members will be participating on our mission as well, so they can't go with you either. What do you want to do?"
Naruko is lamenting on what Mitsuru just said. It's not like she doesn't understand their situation, but she can't afford to wait any longer. Not when there is even a slim chance of reuniting with Haruto.
"I will go… I want to see him for myself."
Shiroku Store
04/18 Mon
After School
Yu was going to buy supplies for their trip to save Yukiko with his friends when he heard his phone ringing.
"Sorry, can I leave it to you guys for a moment?"
"No problem, Yosuke and I can handle " said Chie.
Yu then immediately leaves the store, before flipping his phone open and answering the call. It was from Akihiko Sanada, a police officer they met yesterday in the station.
"Sorry for the sudden call, I just need to tell you something for a bit. Were you busy right now?"
"No it's okay, go ahead."
"Ok, listen. One of my friends and colleagues is coming to Inaba. She left a while ago and should arrive there in a few hours. Can you guys meet with her later?"
"Alright, I'll tell the others as well."
"Thanks about that. By the way, how is your friend? Were you able to save her?"
"Unfortunately no, not yet…" Yu sighed, "We still have time to rescue her, but I'd like to do it as soon as possible, so we're going in again today."
Yesterday, after they got out of the police station, Akihiko had questioned Yu and Yosuke about Haruto. At first, they were hesitating whether to tell the officer the truth or not. Much to their surprise, Akihiko revealed to them he is also a Persona user. After that, they told him everything they know; about the murder case, the Midnight Channel and how they found Haruto including their kidnapped friend whom they assumed was being thrown inside the TV.
"I see… I already briefed my colleague about your situation. If you need help rescuing your friend, don't hesitate to ask her. She can help you fight the Shadow."
"About that… Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"Why do you want to help us so much even though we just met yesterday?"
For a few moments, there is nothing but silence on the phone.
"… I don't want to hide anything, but it is probably better if you personally ask my friend later."
Yu didn't feel any lie from him, so he decided to drop the issue.
"I understand, please forgive me for being inconsiderate."
"No, you deserve to know, and we should be thanking you instead for finding our friend," said Akihiko. "Sorry, I can't speak for long. My friend will call you when she arrives in Inaba, just keep your phone on until then. Thanks again, Narukami."
After saying goodbye, Yu closes his phone before keeping it inside his pocket. Yosuke and Chie have just finished shopping as he sees them walking out of the store with a bag full of supplies.
"Sorry for the wait, who was it on the phone just now?" Yosuke asked.
"It was Sanada-san."
"You mean the police officer you guys met yesterday?" Chie asked. "You never really told me about him. What did he say?"
"It can wait," Yu smiled. "Are you guys ready?"