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[. . . out of all the things Minato could have said. . . that one surprises Akira the most. his features grow slack, brows vanishing beneath his hairline, as he gives his companion a curious look]

[. . .]

[slowly. . . thoughtfully. . .]

. . . huh.

I suppose she probably does get lonely.

[ The surprised expression doesn't slip past Minato. Was it truly such a strange thing to say? Though he won't comment directly on it, he'll nod in response to Akira's musings. ]

Yeah.

[ Even ghosts need enrichment!! But also, ]

...are they all like that?

[ Not that he doesn't anticipate the answer will be "yes," given the nature of the resort. ]

[[honestly? it's not that strange in hindsight. Akira disdain for the resort extended to far more than its heavy-handed attempts at encouraging physical intimacy. the staff, the long-standing guests, the ghosts that haunted its walls. . . in his mind, they could all burn to the ground alongside the building in which they lived. he never once gave thought to the feelings and emotions of any member of those groups]

[. . . at least. . . not until now. not until Minato mentions it, like consideration for the lewd, overly familiar and overly horny haunts of the hotel was the most natural thing in the world]

[. . .]

[it doesn't change how Akira feels. it doesn't change his ultimate goal. but. . . it does sober him a bit, his features softening. what would it be like to be nothing more than a restless spirit stuck in a sex resort. . .?]

That depends on what you mean by "like that." [he responds, tone quiet as the elevator doors slide open. there's no loud painting to greet them this time, and he slips inside with gaze distant, focused on a random spot in space while he collects his own thoughts] Lonely, or desperate to watch us "get it on?"

[ For what it's worth, others might argue that Akira has the right of it. Why empathize with those who contributed to everyone else's discomfort? A ghost trapped within a painting didn't seem to put much harm into the world though, other than being mildly irritating.

One might even call it a victim of the House too.

Minato shrugs as he steps into the elevator behind Akira. ]

Both, I guess.

[ It's not like he doesn't know how it feels, trapped in place for all of eternity. ]

[there can be two sides to every story! the world is painted in broad strokes of gray. having empathy for your enemy isn't a weakness. some might even call it a strength]

[Akira comes back to himself after a few moments of silence, a breathless laugh tumbling from his lips. the elevator shifts beneath them as it begins to climb its way up, up and up, to the top floor]

We'll start with desperate: yeah, they are always "like that."

[MUCH TO HIS CHAGRIN. . . he has managed to avoid the most uncomfortable of ghostly encounters in the resort, but the painting screaming wanting obscenities at him and Yusuke will always stand out in his mind]

I don't know why. [he has never thought about it until now] But maybe it's some kind of influence from the resort itself?

[ In all fairness to the portrait ghosts, wouldn't most people get desperate upon being trapped in place? But as for the more free-floating ghosts that could travel wherever they pleased, Akira's raised a good point. Perhaps they lacked autonomy and were beholden to the whims of the resort. ]

...maybe. Seems like everything here is geared around that.

[ If anything supernatural's afoot, its influence is likely strong enough to touch both the living and the dead.

Minato frowns. He's never met a ghost before until landing at the resort, but... he doesn't see why they wouldn't have needs requiring attendance. And it's not like it would be much trouble to satisfy them, so.

In any event, he'll keep that to himself. ]

[MINATO NO. . . . . . . . . . .]

[completely unaware that his companion's mind has drifted to ghost fuckery, Akira shrugs]

Yeah. And I suppose if the hotel's ghosts are affected by the resort's desires as much as we are. . .

[annnnd there, Akira trails off, though not without making a face. he does not want to follow that line of thought to its logical conclusion! because then he'd be empathizing too much]

Well, anyway. [moving on! AS FOR THE SECOND PART. . .] If we're talking "lonely," then I have to be honest: I've never thought about it before.

[he has given very little thought to the hotel haunts before this very moment]

[ Minato's ghost fuckery thoughts live to see another day --

In any event, Akira's response doesn't come as much of a surprise. Even Minato knows most people likely wouldn't consider the feelings of those they could not see, of those who walked entirely different planes or existences. ]

...if they can speak to each other, maybe that's enough for them.

[ It's a glimpse, perhaps, of Minato's affinity for the supernatural and non-mortal. ]

...most things seek out connections wherever they can find them. So I can't blame them.

[ He shakes his head. There's likely no point in dwelling too long on the resort's ghosts. ]

...that's what I think, anyways.

[. . .]

[Akira smiles, and although it's tine, it is genuine]

You're kind, Minato.

[to give thought and concern to entities that may or may not deserve it. and he is right about most things seeking out connections wherever they can find them. Akira can only speak for humans, but. . .]

[humans can't survive without formulating bonds with one another, right? or rather. . . those bonds are what make humanity so, so strong]

. . . just be careful, okay? Don't. . . let anything take advantage of that kindness.

[ding! they have reached the top floor!]

[ "Don't let anything take advantage of that kindness," says Akira, leaving Minato watching his companion out of the corner of his eye.

He should assent, or at the very least reassure Akira he'll try his best to do so. Instead, Minato remains silent.

It's not possible for others to take advantage of him, he thinks, not if he conceded to their wishes willingly and with both eyes open. And it couldn't be kindness, not when the thoughts he'd shared simply reflected things that seemed so very obvious to him.

Perhaps Minato thought to respond, only to get interrupted by the sound of the elevator. It seems Akira will never know. But he'll lower his gaze away from Akira in a tacit acknowledgement of his words. ]

[. . . there is something about that silence that makes Akira uneasy]

[the elevator stops. the doors slide open. Akira doesn't move, instead turning his attention fully on his companion. his expression is unreadable, perfectly stony underneath the shield of his glasses. is he sizing Minato up? is he contemplating the meaning of that stillness?]

[. . .]

[it's impossible to say. Akira knows he has pushed far too much already. any further attempts might ruin the mood of their outing, and. . .]

[he doesn't want to do that]

. . . mmm.

[that's the only noise Akira makes before finally stepping out of the elevator, hand held out to keep the doors open as his cool expression melts into a smile]

Are you coming?

[ Perhaps Minato remains silent because he knows Akira's turned his sights on him. He hadn't known a pair of eyes could suddenly grow nails to pick and pry at his exoskeleton. And perhaps he knows Akira could seek out the vulnerable gaps between his plates. There's nothing stopping him from prying deeper and tearing at them.

But he doesn't. ...for what it's worth, maybe that means something.

Minato gaze lifts as he he's left alone in the elevator. That's right -- this conversation hadn't been the true goal of their journey. ]

Yeah. Sorry.

[ An apology that rolls a little too easily off his tongue.

He steps out, unintentional tension in his shoulders easing at the sight of Akira's smile. ...he can't help but wonder whether this is how Akira interacted with the people who'd helped him achieve his penultimate strength. ]

No need to apologize.

[Akira says with a shake of his head, but the words are gentle when spoken, hand dropping to his side once Minato is out of the elevator. he turns his keen gaze onto the vast expanse of garden ahead of them, chin lifted, bright and eager]

I don't actually know where the sakura trees are, so we might be wandering for a bit. But we can stop to eat once we find a nice bench.

[the "sun" is out today, framed by fluffy cotton "clouds" that drift lazily across a vast blanket of sky blue. it's a beautiful day for cherry blossom viewing]

[ Instead of the reflective sheen of white marble, this floor is lush and verdant, unlike anything he'd come across within the resort. Minato blinks, eyes wide as he takes in the sight of the garden. Even if they failed to come across even a single cherry blossom tree, it's already worth venturing out here just for this view alone. ]

It's okay. I don't really mind a more scenic route.

[ And that's the truth as opposed to merely capitulating to another's will. It won't be so bad if they need to wander around for a bit. It just means he's given the opportunity to see more of this thriving garden.

He tilts his head up, gazing at the faux sky above. It's... impressive how convincing of a sky it is.

Well, even false things can be enjoyed too. ]

[there are certainly worse places to get lost within, it's true. maybe they can even let themselves forget for just a millisecond that everything here is purposefully engineered to simulate the natural environment. that'll help it feel more real, right?]

[Akira watches as Minato's head tilts back, gaze flickering towards the fake sky. he chooses a cobbled stone path on their right, framed with large green ferns and flowering bushes, and begins strolling down it. his mind drifts towards the flower shop back in Shibuya, and the days he spent crafting beautiful bouquets for the customers who would visit]

[. . . idly, he wonders. . . what kind of flowers would Minato like? other than cherry blossoms, of course]

This is probably my favorite place in the entire resort. [he admits, tone quiet with some kind of perceived reverence for the silence of their surroundings] The only place that doesn't feel stupidly gaudy.

[ A more ostentatious arrangement of flowers would be in better line with the rest of the resort. But maybe the House decided, out of the goodness of its heart, to provide a place of reprieve from that uncomfortable extravagance.

Minato's attention returns to Akira as he trails after him, footsteps scuffing quietly against the cobblestone path. From time to time, his gaze breaks from Akira's back to take a glimpse of the green life lining the walkway. ]

How did you find this place?

[ It's not like they'd been given maps of the resort, and even if they had, it'd likely be so sprawling to the point of being overwhelming. The garden would probably blend in with the rest of the resort's locations. ]

[fortunately for Akira, he had some pretty good tour guides to help him out upon his arrival. he can't say he's familiar with the entire resort's layout, as large and maze-like as it can be. but he has a list of favorite haunts and knows where to go when he is in need of necessities. that is good enough!]

One of my teammates-- his name is Kitagawa Yusuke, if you ever meet him-- has been here for over a year now.

[the smile he wears is fond as he thinks back on his friend. but there's an edge of tension underlying it, too]

He told me about this place.

[ Over a year...?

If Ann hadn't noticed Yusuke missing, then it definitely sounds like time passes differently compared with their homes. ]

Oh. ...he's been here awhile then.

[ Well, Minato supposed he can only hope time passes just as slowly back home. Leaving the Seal unattended doesn't bode very well. Or, perhaps, it was the Seal itself that had whisked him here?

Minato's quiet for an unusually long while he considers this, but the silence is probably easily attributed to him mulling over how long they might be trapped here. ]

Mm. That's good, you have your teammates here.

[ ...but now that he's thinking about it -- Minato wrinkles his nose. It's a catch-22. Akira probably wishes his friends didn't have to suffer through this place. ]

Or at least, it's... good, that those of you here have each other.

[yeah, it sure does! ask Akira about that and how some of his Phantom Thieves don't remember their amazing summer roadtrip :(]

. . . yeah.

[for a moment, Akira's gaze grows distant, the smile fading slightly as he thinks back to Yusuke's haggard looks and jumpy paranoia. it is a catch-22. as happy as he is to be able to see his friends again, to be here to take care of them and shower them in the affection they deserve. . . it's hard to see how the resort has worn Yusuke down]

[has made him unhappy, feeding into his paranoia and his fear of true, honest desire]

[. . .]

I'm happy to be here for now now. [he eventually replies, head canted to the side] He is one of the reasons I wanted to stay.

[and not just be a temporary resort wild card who was sent home at the end of his "trial period."]

[ It's always a little easier to weather trials and tribulations with friends at your side.

...Akira really is the sort who takes good care of those he seems his own, isn't he? ]

That's good then. If you're okay with it for now.

[ As for himself -- perhaps he'd return to where he belonged in due time. Otherwise, it's not as if Minato had much to return to. It's not like Red, who'd mentioned she had people waiting for her.

Yu and Kotone... they had others here as well, didn't they? Good. It's good that they had old friends to rely upon. Maybe it was the same for them, wanting to stay to support their old friends. ]

[mmm. . . Akira makes a face, nose wrinkled]

I don't know if I'm "okay" with it.

[he isn't okay with any of them being here. he has such strong feelings about the things the resort does to them all. the lack of control that they all experience while trapped within these walls. but. . .]

. . . but there's only so much I can do. So. . . I choose to focus to do what I can.

[to grasp at those bits of agency whenever he can. to make himself available for those he cares about to lean upon when things get dicey. it may not seem like much, but. . . it's enough. it has to be]

Is there anyone from your team here, Minato?

[he knows Mitsuru was on SEES, thanks to Kotone. but he doesn't know if she is from Kotone or Minato's universe]

[ It's a familiar line of strategy. Focus on what's in front of you. Make decisions on the things within one's control. One might even argue it's an essential lesson all leaders must learn. ]

...yeah. That's all you probably can do.

[ "You," and not "we," in this instance.

And as for Akira's question -- it takes a bit of thought. Technically, there was another teammate here, but that version of Kirijo-senpai is one who didn't recognize him. If that's the case...

Minato shakes his head. ]

No. It's just me.

[ Perhaps he should offer some context? ]

I was part of SEES with Kirijo-senpai, but she didn't recognize me. She must be part of Kotone's team.

[ And there'd been Ryoji, too, but it seems he'd returned to where he belonged.

...was he on the rooftop of Tartarus now, facing SEES with all his might? Could he fight freely now and without any trepidation or fear, knowing that humanity would ultimately prove triumphant?

It's a good thing then that he'd kept his own fate concealed from his old friend. ]

[it's the biggest lesson Akira had taken away from his Journey. so many things during his adventures had been beyond him. but slowly chipping away at the things within his reach had led him to fighting against a god or three to preserve humanity's right to freedom.]

[one step at a time, right. . .?]

[his features fall a bit at Minato's answer]

Ah. . .

[he can't. . . even imagine how that must feel. the ache that would pierce his heart if one of his Phantom Thieves didn't recognize him]

. . . I see. [a pause] You can still be her friend too, right?

[even if that relationship would have to be built from scratch]

Hm?

[ Minato watches as Akira's expression falls a bit. It's true; it had been a little strange going unrecognized by an old teammate, but that wasn't anyone's fault. This was simply another "version" of Kirijo-senpai.

Perhaps he'd prefer that others had familiar company over himself, too. ]

...maybe someday, yeah.

[ And because he'd seen Akira's features fall, Minato raises a hand to rest it over a heart that's miraculously started beating anew. ]

She's still here though. ...they all are.

[ It's as he'd told Ann. Even here, on his own, he wasn't necessarily alone. Not when he still had all of his memories of everyone he'd once held dear. ]

[god. that's so sentimental. and yet. . . it speaks to him. it is as he said when all four of them were together, isn't it? they all understand the importance of bonds. . . and how vital they are not only to the strength of their Personas, but also to the strength of their heart]

[besides. . . even if Minato's teammates existed only in his heart, didn't he still have--]

And we're here for you, too.

[Akira himself, and Kotone, and Yu. none of them would let Minato navigate the complexities of this resort alone. not now that they were all together]

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