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(no subject)

Who: Junpei and you!
Where: Pisces District, rail station
Summary: Junpei is no longer in Iwatodai. What do?
Style: I'm good with either.
Warnings: None at the moment.

Damn it, that's the last time I pull an all-night gaming marathon.

[Junpei sighs and stretches, kicking his feet out and throwing his arms up before relaxing back onto his seat. Yes, an all-nighter playing games is not the wisest thing to do. But...things had happened. Good things, but also sad ones. Distraction was all he could do to take his mind off of it.]

Ah well, beats lying in bed doing nothing.

[He rubs at his eyes and yawns, his vision clearing. He wasn't on his bed. In fact, it appeared he was sitting in a station. He finds his ball cap sitting beside him, and immediately pulls it on.]

Wh-what? Where am I? Dude, this ain't the dorm... Heck, I'm pretty sure this isn't Iwatodai either. How did I end up here? Where is here?

[He stands up, taking a few steps around to see if he can get a feel for where he is. Was that dream real?]

Aww man, good thing I have my wallet. Should have just enough yen to hop a train back home...and maybe some breakfast too. This is too weird.

[Junpei also has his Evoker, oddly enough. Why would he need it anymore, though?

Time to get a move on.]

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[It's easy to resent having to get up early when you haven't had to for months. Shinjiro can't say he especially likes having to get up and meander his way into wakefulness before nine—something he and Minato have in common, at least; though the latter would likely prefer noon. Still, Shinjiro has begrudgingly adjusted to the new routine like a cat might come to terms with to some unwelcome invader in its midst: with long, sullen disdain hidden beneath an unreadable stare.

Getting to Andromeda Highschool, thankfully, is easy enough. Head to the Libra Apartment Complex, take the teleporter (which is thankfully not as temperamental as it had been six months ago), and then head to the nearest Pisces station to continue the journey into Aquarius. It's simple enough Shinjiro could almost walk on autopilot, accompanied by his cheery vanguard who seems hellbent on proving that Shinjiro's stubbornness isn't very stubborn at all. It makes his mornings almost criminally sunny, and at times Shinjiro almost wishes she had inherited an ounce of her brother's narcoleptic tendencies. It might make her at least seem sympathetic. (Minato, meanwhile, is lagging somewhere behind them, adhering to the idea that mornings are meant to be taken slowly.)

Shinjiro approaches the Pisces Station without much in the way of conversation. He'd rather hear Minako ramble on about whatever comes to her than to have to verbally confirm that he's actually awake. He slows, however, as he reaches the station entrance, as his eyes catch a familiar ballcap through the crowd of faceless commuters. It earns the figure on the bench a surprised double-take as Shinjiro slows to a complete stop, letting his eyes confirm that he's not seeing some kind of similar-looking doppelgänger.

He's not.]

Hey.

[He catches Minako's arm then, jerking his head towards the bench Junpei is currently occupying. He's not sure if they should approach him—if he hasn't spotted them already—or step back and wait for Minato to arrive, because it's hard to say if Junpei will remember her, and with their track record, he might not.]

Edited 2013-04-13 02:36 (UTC)

[Minako can sleep to rival her brother when she wants to. It just so happens that mornings aren't when she wants to. Afternoons are (as well as sometimes the middle of class) when she's finally used up so much energy that she needs to recharge for forty minutes or so to keep running.

But for now she's perky enough to make up for Shinjiro's sluggishness. She relates a story of something she'd seen yesterday as they walk, not minding at all that he isn't interjecting much. She can fill the silence on her own.]

So then, the Jack Frost said - Huh?

[Minako stops short as Shinjiro tugs her arm, confused by the sudden stop. They can't slow for too long or they might miss the next train.] Senpai, why -

[Then she spots the ball cap as well.]

[Junpei briefly looks in Shinjiro and Minako's direction, waiting for the crowds to die down so he doesn't get shoved onto a train that'll take him even further away from home.

It's funny; he thinks he sees Minako among the crowds. But Minako has gone to a better place now. Minako's gone, Akihiko and Mitsuru have graduated, Shinjiro and Chidori are recovering and readjusting to life...so much has happened.]

Heh, that couple kinda looks like Minako-chan and Shinjiro-senpai--

[Holy crap.]

Man, I really am dreaming.

[He stands up, moving closer to them to confirm his doubts.]

[Well, it looks like Iori made the decision for them. Not much else for it, now that Junpei's spotted them. Shinjiro can't hear what Iori says above the crowd, but the recognition's clear enough. It's better to get this whole damn process over with, anyway. Get all the complicated skeleton shit out of the closet so people can adjust and move on. The timeline is the main concern: after that, things fall into place like they should. And what timeline Iori's from should be apparent soon enough.

So with a quick look Minako's way, Shinjiro starts to step forward to meet Junpei through the thinning crowd. Shinjiro had never been particularly close to his younger teammate—they weren't the same age, didn't share the same interests, (and, hell, he's pretty damn sure most of the time they weren't even on the same wavelength)—but Junpei was someone who was hard to forget in a number of ways.]

Iori. [He stares at him for a few seconds, looking him over as the distance is closed and rendered obsolete. He's the same as Shinjiro remembers him. Shinjiro's not sure what to say, except to follow some trite script.] Guess you finally decided to show up, huh?

[Were Mitsuru, Aki, and Fuuka still here, they'd just about have the whole set—just like what Aki had said back in September.]

[Even from a distance, he's unmistakeable. It's been half a year since she's seen Junpei, and she suddenly realizes how much she missed his stupid hat and stupid jokes. Yukari, too, and Aigis, Fuuka, Ken... all the members of the group that should be here together, but aren't. For just a moment, Minako is homesick.

It's a bit of an epiphany. She hasn't had a home to miss in so long.

But the moment passes and practicality returns. Shinjiro is moving to meet him, and so she matches his steps, moving with her usual energetic bounce to keep up with his longer strides.]

Junpei-kun! It's good to see you!

[Her cheery smile and wave don't betray that she's a little afraid to hear his response.]

Ah, no way. It really is you guys.

[If this is a dream, why are his eyes stinging? It's almost as if she never left, and nothing happened. Shinjiro looks good as new too...well, as good as new as Shinjiro can be. He's still wearing a serious face and maintaining a quiet demeanor.]

I-I'm so glad to see you! Pinch me! No, wait, don't pinch me. I don't wanna lose you again. [Or in Shinjiro's case, almost lose again.]

[Perhaps "as good as he had been." And a little better minus his coat, which he misses. He finds its absence detrimental.

But hearing Iori talk is confirmation enough, and answers the most pressing of his questions. He's from their timeline, or close to it. And, well, good riddance. It's about time she's had someone from their side besides him and Koromaru show up. Shinjiro can't be everyone for her, and he's never tried. Not that he's ever begrudged Minato, but sometimes it's nice to see the scales even out a little more, even if Junpei's arrival confirms a few things that were never really a question, just by what he says and how he's reacting. It's just hard to hear because his future back home is something Shinjiro's never experienced for himself. They're memories he's currently glad he doesn't have.

He quiets, steps back a few paces, and nods once.] Yeah. [But he doesn't bother to say much else. If Junpei remembers her (as he damn well should) then there's little reason for him to spearhead the conversation. Let her have him.]

[It's a good and bad reaction all at once. He really remembers her... But, the emotions she can see him trying to hold back are her fault as well.

Minako leans in and pinches his cheek just hard enough for him to know it's real. Her smile doesn't waver.]

It's all right. I'm really here, see?

Damn it.

[Junpei coughs, trying hard not to blubber like baby or anything embarrassing like that. Then again, he'd already admitted to doing it before, and Akihiko-senpai knew...]

I don't know how it's possible, but after what happened to Chidori... [Maybe Minako had a similar ability, thanks to all of those personas in her head?] I'm so happy! You're back, and you're okay! And Shinjiro-senpai, you look so much better. I really hope this isn't my brain pulling my leg...or something like that.

[Well, that's one look he's familiar with. He's seen it on Aki plenty of times. Not that Aki's been particularly good at holding back crying for very long once he's gotten into being upset. But he ignores it.]

This ain't home, is why.

[It's why he's "better" (guess he did wake up then) and why Minako's still alive. It's as simple enough of an answer as he can manage without making things immediately complicated. At least he and Aki and the rest of them had been told what was going on when they first arrived, not dumped ass-first into Hinoto-Ri.]

Edited 2013-04-14 05:25 (UTC)

[She nods, backing up his statement.] It's real, but really confusing. We can explain everything, but maybe not in the middle of the station...

[It's partly a reflex to ignore the emotions that Junpei's arrival is causing, but she's already thinking of how to handle this. If they wait here too long, Minato will arrive, and although she wants to introduce him there's some things that should be said first. And it's probably kinder to him to explain to Junpei before they first meet.

One thing's certain now though: Shinjiro will be happy. She doubts they'll be making it to school this morning.]

Edited 2013-04-14 05:48 (UTC)

I gotcha. This place is really starting to pick up. Can't blame'em though, they got jobs to go to.

[But there are also people in school uniforms. School didn't start for another couple of weeks...]

Never thought I'd say this again, but lead the way, Minako-chan!

Edited 2013-04-14 07:14 (UTC)

[He can't say he has any hard feelings about it.]

I guess we could head back to the Dorm. [Though they might run into Minato if they head back that way. But at the very least he agrees that they shouldn't stay here. It'll only get more congested and this is hardly the place for talking.] There's also a café that's not too far from here.

I'm up for the cafe! [Was.... that even actually in question here?] I didn't really get to eat breakfast this morning anyway.

[While they're deciding, she calls up her COMP as discreetly as possible, which means using the watch part. She quickly writes a text to Minato. 'Junpei-kun's here & knows me. Senpai and I will explain things. We'll miss class today... Meet you this afternoon?'

Hopefully this will be enough to head him off.]

Edited 2013-04-14 23:43 (UTC)

[ For better or worse, the ping of a new message sounds clearly from just a short distance away, where Minato is slouching his way over. In fact, the ping sound right as he is smiling a little, both at the sight of a familiar ball cap and because he is right behind and a little to the side of Minako, just starting to poke her in the side. ]

Junpei--

[ Well, whatever he was going to say never gets said, because the ping also distracts him and he glances down at his watch. He doesn't stop his poke, though. ]

Edited 2013-04-14 23:56 (UTC)

[Normally he might not have gotten a huge reaction, but the poke combined with the current situation, the comp chime and the voice directly behind her ear makes Minako jump at least a foot. She then whirls to face the blue-haired jerk.]

Minato, don't sneak up on people! [And somewhat reflexively, she pokes him right back.]

[Shinjiro, meanwhile, has the dignity not to look surprised at Minato's not-so-sudden appearance. (Because, honestly, when does Minato appear anywhere suddenly; he merely lurks around, occasionally going unnoticed thanks to crowd cover and inattention.) A single eyebrow does rise perhaps a quarter of an inch when Minako jumps halfway out of her skin, and were Junpei not just feet away from them, he might have the situation funny. He's seen very little ruffle Minako even in the most precarious of situations, and it makes him feel a little bit better about himself and everything he's had to suffer through over the past seven months.

Well, it is a little bit funny still. Fractionally. It manages to penetrate the deep recesses of his mind where his sense of humor does indeed exist, though rationality is quickly writing the situation off as something juvenile and silly. But none of those emotions have a chance to leak through his stubborn facade. He has someone to act for, after all. He hasn't seen Junpei in seven months, and Shinjiro will be damned if he lets his possibly sickly constitution back home stick longer than it takes him to forcibly make it go away.

He'll let Minako take care of her brother, anyway. See him off so they can talk properly, or whatever she wants to do. He's not going to interfere with that, just nod in Minato's direction. He's going to do the dutiful "boyfriend" thing and not say a word.

None at all.]

Edited 2013-04-15 00:30 (UTC)

[Meanwhile, Junpei enjoys a laugh. This guy's got stealth! He looks pretty laid back as well, which is good in Junpei's book.]

Hey man, what's up?

[He extends a hand to Minato.] Junpei Iori. You're a friend of Minako-chan's?

[ There's a slight hesitation in Minato's actions - a microscopic pause that most people wouldn't catch, though Minako and maybe Shinjiro might. And then he takes Junpei's hand, shaking it once. ]

... something like that. I'm her brother. Minato.

[ And he smiles a little. If there's something a bit sad and resigned in his eyes, hopefully Junpei will pay it no mind. It hurts, after all, to have someone you care about not recognize you, but... Minato is determined not to make a big deal about it. After all, he knows it must have been the same for Minako and Akihiko or MItsuru. It's just... this hurts a bit more than not being recognized by Shinjiro or Koromaru because, well... it's Junpei. They were bros, once! ... usually. ]

I didn't know you had a brother! What else are you keeping secret?

[Junpei gently and playfully elbows Minako. While he does notice Minato is not as chipper as his sister, he considers it some form of shyness. Or maybe he's just quiet. Either way, so far, he's a pretty cool guy. He can see a few similarities right off the bat.]

Nice to meet you Minato. You coming with us for breakfast?

[Leave it to Junpei to not even question it. That's a good thing - but she's still going to have to tell the full story eventually.]

It's not really secret... [It just. Never came up before. And for good reason, but.] But that's part of what I wanted to explain.

[She glances at Minato, noting the expression. There are still things she needs to warn Junpei about, but she can't just send her brother away now that he's here. She'll just have to risk it.] Do you want to come along? I think school's a lost cause today.

Edited 2013-04-15 01:29 (UTC)

[ He had been going to ask about school, but she preempted him. And so he blinks and looks sidelong at Minako and then at Shinjiro, searching for whether this is just a polite inclusion or whether really they want to just talk to Junpei on their own. But well... her expression is giving away nothing, and Shinjiro is being unhelpful, so he shoves his hands in his pockets. ]

Sure.... should we send a message to our teacher, though?

[The idea of sending a message to their homeroom teacher explaining their whereabouts hadn't crossed Shinjiro's mind. He evaluates Minato's answer without much in the way of expression, and answers Minato's question with a casual shrug of his shoulder first before speaking.]

If you want.

[He doesn't see the point of it—they're adults and don't need to explain their whereabouts to anyone—but he's never been a die-hard academic hellbent on making a fantastic first impression. And having Minato along should be fine, as long as the conversation is monitored. It makes things a little bit more complicated, but nothing they can't deal with, so long as they have at least a few seconds' warning, so one of them can steer the conversation in a less awkward direction.]

I can do that. [She'd been planning to anyway, but now she can include Minato on the list of absentees. Hopefully, their teacher won't care. They are Visitors, after all. But she doesn't want a reputation as a poorly motivated student.]

But we should get going - the platform's getting really crowded.

Wait, you guys are all going to school here?

[They're in some weird new place to save the world, and they're attending classes? That sounds kind of bogus to Junpei...then again, even though he's putting more effort into his schoolwork, it just doesn't make sense.]