Takaru

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Seto: Chapel of the Martyr | Wednesday

Seeing as they had enough time to dodge the incoming magic attacks, everyone managed to get through the barrage with scrapes at worst. As such, Akane's scowl was evidently not one of pain but rather annoyance due to the flying nature of the Shadow. Still, she wasn't entirely helpless - instead, Setanta, her persona, infused everyone in the group with strengthening magics. Kotori was thankful for the aid, even as she called out for a lightning strike by Kikuri-Hime - which, no small thanks to the improved power, managed to briefly jar the flying Shadow; just long enough for Katsuro to follow up with a yet stronger spell of the same element. This in turn gave Rui enough of an opening to easily blast it out of the sky with wind magic.

With a loud thud the Shadow came crashing down - but it was only momentarily stunned by this turn of events. Nearly immediately, its skeletal arms lashed out at the air around it whilst it recovered from the grounding. It was once more in range for melee attacks and would likely be an easy target - as long as they avoided getting struck in retaliation. As Kotori looked over the other three to make sure that they were yet unharmed, a brief hope spread in her that perhaps they might just be able to finish this quickly as Rui called for everyone to attack with all they had.

"Kikuri-Hime," Kotori called, the feeling the magical fortification that had been placed upon her thanks to Akane keenly as she fixed her eyes on the grounded Shadow. "Zionga" With no delay, thunder echoed through the chapel as a lightning bolt struck the Shadow - aiding in the assault and, hopefully, making just enough of a distraction for Rui and Akane to safely bypass the bone claws scything the air between them as they drew near. Kotori felt a small measure of guilt at being safe out of range for those attacks when the two had to brave it even as she kept a close watch on them, ready to cast a healing spell if necessary.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Seto: Chapel of the Martyr | Wednesday

As the shadow stirred from its post transformative lethargy, a voice called out to be careful - but though he raised his voice, the boy seemed to understand that as far as fighting this shadow, matters were out of his hands. Kotori was glad for that - she wouldn't have looked forward to trying to keep an eye on yet another possible target for the rearing shadow. Akane meanwhile merely let out a hollow laugh at the whole scene, not perturbed in the slightest - in fact, she even seemed to have look forward to it as she charged together with Rui, their personas forming behind them to aid in the attack.

With a scan still oustanding, Kotori kept a close eye on the two as the Shadow began to swing at them; sending deep red blades slicing through the air towards its attackers. However, her worries seemed unfounded at the two had enough experience to see such an attack coming, leaving Rui to go for a counter-attack whilst Akane was free to charge in under his cover. Katsuro meanwhile had an easy time striking the distracted Shadow with an enormous lightning bolt that roared down with a deafening thunderclap. To Kotori's relief, however, none of the attacks seemed to cause any unforeseen consequences - for the moment at least.

Just a moment later, Megumi announced that the scans had been completed - and immediately warned them of the Shadow's arms. It seemed that they were the key to its attacks; always preceding a strike of either physical or magical nature. Knowing what to look out for would hopefully mean that they'd be easily able to avoid any attacks - only for the shadow to give a condescending chuckle as if to taunt that very thought. The next moment, a loud crack echoed throughout the chapel as its leathery wings stretched and flapped, a gust of wind blowing across the area as it lifted itself airborne and thus out of reach for any would-be attackers at close range.

However, their troubles did not end there. Immediately after, the Shadow begun to swing its arms wildly - which caused a rain of magical projectiles to fall toward the group on the ground. Some left a fiery trail, others glowed with an unsettling light from within - but all exploded when the hit the chapel floor and gave everyone all the more reason to dogde the incoming attacks. Kotori, more used to being covered from attack by the front line - and ever thankful for it - suddenly found herself coming under direct attack as well and was only barely able to avoid being hit in the initial attack.

It was a rather stressful experience to have to divide her attention between the inbound magical attacks and the status of her fellow group members - but luckily, they seemed to have been more alert to the Shadow's moves and did not seem to be in immediate need of healing. As such, there was little else left for Kotori but to aid in the offense - whilst also hoping that perhaps they might be able to interrupt its magical barrage in doing so. "Kikuri-Hime," she called, keeping the shadow fixed in her sight behind her glasses to be ready for any magical projectiles being cast her way, "Zionga."

Another, albeit smaller, bolt of lightning crashed into the flying Shadow. This would grant the others an opening they could use for heavier attacks that in turn might just be able to force it back onto the ground - or at least, that's what Kotori hoped in between quick breaths as the by now almost familiar fatigue once more started to make itself known.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Seto: Chapel of the Martyr | Wednesday

Too late to stop the transformation, the group could do little more than watch as the shadows from every corner and crevice of the chapel seemed to darken before being drawn into the golden-eyed boy being charged by his other self - who was almost immediately flung back as the Shadow called out its nature. The darkness gathered around it, forming a pitch-black shell which, just moments later, was pierced by a red claw of sorts. Tearing its way out of the by now fading darkness surrounding it, the Shadow revealed itself in its transformed state - a red-skinned demon, clad in a rather odd-looking set of clothes. Horns sprouted in between its blond mane, claws formed where feet should be and from its back grew a set of leathery wings and boney arms ending in yet more wicked claws. A tail uncoiled itself out from beind the shadow, the pointed tip swishing through the air even as the Shadow's golden eyes locked onto the group.

Even having seen multiple such transformations up close before, Kotori still couldn't help but feel unsettled at this sight - to know that such a twisted creature seemed to lurk inside everyone served as a reminder that the same had been true of herself. But luckily, thanks to the efforts of her now fellow group members, she instead had Kikuri-Hime at her side - and together, they could help others in the same way. Rui, meanwhile, showed no such brief hesitations - instead, he was quick to order the group in between the shadow and its progenitor; leaving it little choice but to engage them if it wanted to get at its real target. As Rui and Akane took up the front line, much as usual, he gave out immediate orders - though knowing nothing of this Shadow's capabilities, there was little else to do but attempt the usual method of engagement.

Kotori gave a quick nod in agreement. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she kept her eyes on the Shadow even as Rui's Askr cast a spell upon the party. She could feel herself become lighter on her feet, every movement seemingly easier than just a moment ago - this would make both evading enemy attacks and landing one's own a little bit easier. Megumi was quick to respond to the request for a scan - likely having already begun even before Rui asked this of her - whilst Akane seemed only to pleased to have an opportunity to take down yet another large Shadow in order to rescue someone from their inner demons - literally. As Katsuro's persona, Giley Corey, was more adept at magical combat than up front fighting, he too took up position behind the other two in order to take the fight to the Shadow.

This left Kotori to find herself once more behind Rui and Akane as they would lead the attack. With so little yet known about this Shadow, she opted to stay put for the moment; prepared to cast a healing spell at a moment's notice rather than risk springing some unknown trap by going for a first strike and calling a lightning bolt down. As such, she closely watched any move the Shadow may make - whilst also being sure to keep an eye on the other three members of the group in case they needed healing.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Mirror World: Seto | Wednesday

With the presence of another person made known to them, though nothing beyond this mere fact, it was quickly decided that one team should head there immediately. Rui was quick to volunteer himself as that team's leader and soon after, Kotori found herself, together with both Akane and Katsuro, elected for this purpose. Knowing how well the former two worked together in battle, Kotori was glad to be by their side - and, even under the circumstances they found themselves in, she couldn't quite help but glance nervously over to Katsuro; not because she was worried whether how he'd hold up in his first exploration of the mirror world, but rather hoping that he wouldn't bring up the topic of the exam results again.

Either way though, given the rather odd circumstances that surrounded this newest location, it was equally quickly agreed upon that some further exploration should be done - for which Kaminari stepped forth, soon after assembling a group consisting of himself, Sato, Jun and Shizuka. The remaining few meanwhile would stay put, both to act as backup if needed and to make sure that the coast was clear for Megumi and Ayano to keep use their navigational skills undisturbed. With the plan thus formed, the groups split up and headed towards their respective destinations. As they did, Kotori quietly wished Kaminari's group to stay safe - particularly her fellow Agriculture Club member, given how the recent events in the club had made things a little awkward as of late.

Kotori Shirohane - Seto: Chapel of the Martyr | Wednesday

No matter how many times she came to the mirror world or ventured into a dungeon, Kotori was still as perplexed as ever at the sheer oddity of the place. The unnatural pale green illumination of the whole area seemed to serve only to cast a surreal light and deepen shadows because of it, leaving her to glance about in fear of any shadows using this to sneak up on the group - even if their navigator did not pick up any sign of hostility around them. In such a state, Kotori followed as Rui lead the group onwards - until they reached the location of whomever Megumi had sensed a while ago.

As it turned out, the sight that greeted them was a church of all things. Though she didn't know what to expect, the location once more took Kotori by surprise. By now, she'd all but given up on trying to somehow map these places to their counterparts in the real Warakuma - mostly because the fractured geography of this realm just refused to make sense to her. However, they were not here to make sense of this place - at least not primarily - but instead to investigate this presence. Starting up the stairs, much like everyone else, Kotori's eyes passed over the carvings and etchings that adorned them. Not a particularly religious person herself, she did still recognise the occasional symbol - though that did little but reinforce the notion that, for whatever reason, this place seemed to be primarily christian in origin; if less the forgive and turn the other cheek sort but rather the eternal punishment kind, if the various depictions of torture were anything to go by.

After noticing those, Kotori tried to keep her eyes firmly on the stairs in front of her - even if the slight movement of her head betrayed her glances that would otherwise make for a rather blurry picture without the aid of her glasses. However, it was not long before they shot up to the door at the top of the stairs as a voice drew everyone's attention to the same place. It took her a moment to realise what she was listening to - and barely an instant for her cheeks to take on a tinge of red which she could only hope was being masked by the green light when a second, almost identical voice yelled about... certain preferences. Even as her fears of yet another shadow encounter rapidly rose, Kotori still felt the almost familiar unease at being an unwitting witness to someone's best kept secrets being revealed without their consent.

The group quickened their pace, hoping to interject before anything worse could happen - but just as they reached the top and Rui threw open the church doors, the fateful words were yelled out. Inside, they saw a uncomfortably familiar scene: two people stood apart from each other; twins in all things but their eyes - which were of an unnatural golden colour in the one facing them. The other, meanwhile, was charging at his counterpart with a weapon in hand - disregarding the sudden rush of shadows into his intended target that told them that they had truly arrived too late to prevent the shadow from gaining power through denial.

"Kikuri-Hime," Kotori was quick to call, knowing from experience that this was very likely not going to end without a fight. She wanted to give a warning not to attack the shadow - the danger thereof still fresh in her mind after what had happened when Jun had done the same - but the others were quicker in acting upon this; leaving her to instead cover them if the shadow decided to attack either them or its own progenitor. As such, Kotori was ready to cast a healing spell at a moment's notice as, with the help of the calming familiarity of her own persona, she pushed her worries to the back of her mind and instead focused her attention fully on what lay ahead.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Ferrero Mall: Yoshida Book Café | Monday, July 20 2015 - After School

Kotori cocked her head to a side when Rui concluded the discussion with the resolution to talk to Shizuka about the matter - but her worries that her previous thoughts about the other girl had somehow been so easy to read were quickly dissuaded when she realised that, unlike her, he was still talking about the topic at hand and thus was simply seeking more input on the matter. At least, that's what Kotori took from it, given that she knew little of her fellow Agriculture Club member's exact involvement with Star Drop Café. Kotori still glanced between the others at the table when silence fell upon them once more for a few seconds more to see if anyone would speak up - but when no one did, she let out an inaudible sigh before turning her gaze back on the book before her; even as she felt her guilty conscience creep up once more when she took a sip from the unbidden but not unwelcome glass of water. It didn't take long for this to vanish though when the book's story received her full attention.

Kotori Shirohane - Abandoned Warehouse | Wednesday, July 22 2015

Having spent most of the morning helping her mother around the family flower shop, Kotori had headed to her room to make some more headway on the summer homework. She'd already begun therewith after she'd returned home from her unexpected visit to Yoshida's and was feeling somewhat optimistic that it shouldn't take too much longer to get everything finished up and thus not have to worry about it for the rest of the break. Unfortunately, however, she hadn't even started when she almost jumped out of her seat at the sudden ring of her cellphone. Not a prolific user thereof, she was still surprised whenever she got a message - and given the usual contents thereof, she didn't look forward to seeing who it might be from.

Her fears were proven well founded when saw that it was once more a call to gather up at the warehouse - new developments needed discussing and another expedition into the mirror realm was very likely. Whilst it didn't mention any kidnappings, Kotori couldn't help but feel her worries and fears return anew as got ready to head down the by now worryingly familiar way to the warehouse.

She was neither the first nor the last to arrive, though they didn't have to wait too long. Whilst some had to excuse themselves for various reasons, there were more than enough people present to field a full team or two - but that did little to lift Kotori's spirits when Kazuki and Megumi began to explain the situation. Ayano supported Megumi's findings that an unknown area had been located and that, according to Kaminari's investigations, they might finally be on track to finding this cult's leader. However, the fact that no one was in need of rescuing did at least serve to lighten Kotori's mood, if only a little.

Almost immediately thereafter, a squawk drew everyone's eyes to Zeke. The bird spread its wings and lifted off, wasting no time to push off into the mirror - not exactly an everyday sight when seeing the others passing through was still an uncanny experience. Still, Zeke had proven to be a great help before, so there was little reason to doubt that it was doing this without some purpose - agreement was quickly reached on this before the rest of the investigation team followed suit. As ever, Kotori held her breath in apprehension as she stepped through the mirror; only releasing it on the other side when the surreal feeling that always followed had passed.

Kotori Shirohane - Mirror World: Seto | Wednesday

Zeke lead the group onwards, always flying ahead before perching just within view and waiting for them to catch up. The bird seemed to know exactly where it wanted them to go and, for a lack of any other directions, they were quick to follow. The path they travelled on took them through the many streets of this mirror image of Warakuma; the buildings on either side always seeming just a little bit off as they skirted the verge of mundanely familiar and utterly bizarre - at least until they turned on corner and suddenly found that they'd just stepped off the concrete pavement and onto similarly ashen sand. An unearthly green glow washed over the entire scenery - but Kotori was hard-pressed to say if this came from the light in the sky - whether it was a moon or a sun, she couldn't tell - or the depths of the vast sea before them, flanked all around by tall mountains far off in the distance.

Yet what caught most everyone's attention was the only colour that broke the gloomy scenery in the form of an enormous torii that seemed to stand as a gate between the grey sands they stood upon and the green waters that lay beyond. The fact that Zeke had chosen it as his final perching place only served to further everyone's suspicions that what they were looking on was not just another minor quirk of this mirror realm; the strange ripple in reality - for what it was worth here - immediately bringing a portal into yet stranger worlds to mind.

The sight brought about much muttering among those gathered - but it wasn't until Megumi suddenly spoke up in surprise at sensing another presence that everyone could tear their eyes away from this most strange scenery. Even after delving into several dungeons and experiencing their blatant violation of common sense first hand, Kotori just could not get used to the oddities that made up the mirror world - but she did her best to try to quell the unending stream of questions that sprang forth at every sight that presented itself to her as she gave a slow nod to Kaminari's words.

But even if she agreed with the notion that they had to get to the bottom of this, Kotori could not help but feel a sense of unease at this newest turn of events and most blatant transgression against reality as they knew it to date.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Ferrero Mall: Yoshida Book Café | After School

Following Kotori's suggestion, Ryan was quick to answer Rui's question. Rather than find a new place, he seemed to think it easier to instead simply make the warehouse a little less uninviting - a suggestion which, given its state, wasn't exactly an unappealing one. On the other hand, Kotori wondered just how one might get the furniture into the warehouse without attracting any undue attention - but before she got to that, Ryan added that a café might instead serve as a meeting point just as well; leaving the warehouse to simply serve as their staging grounds.

Whilst Katsuro remained silent on the matter - unsurprising, given that he had likely yet to see said warehouse in the first place - Rui seemed to think the matter over before speaking up; mentioning that he could let Kaminari, who probably would know more on any legalities and the like, check the matter. As he reminded them that they had both ample space and the time to use it, Kotori briefly thought on what they might do to make the place a little friendlier - perhaps a touch of green might be nice, but given that they weren't exactly visiting the warehouse too often she was apprehensive to suggest that she bring some flowers to liven the place up if she couldn't also make sure that they'd be treated right.

Either way though, Rui went on to mull over the interim solution of relocation their meetings to a café initially - but though she quite liked the atmosphere, seeing as it reminded her of a library, she couldn't help but feel that that very quality would disqualify it as a suitable location. Given that they'd likely be wanting to discuss matters regarding the mirror realm, they'd undoubtedly be disturbing the other guests - and there was also the matter that they might not want to be overheard discussing abandoned buildings, kidnappings and strange other worlds.

But before Kotori could start thinking of another place, Rui already mentioned the cosplay café. "Eh? Star Drop Café?" Kotori remembered visiting the place, found not far outside the mall, about two weeks ago - though at the time, she hadn't paid much heed to it as she'd been far more preoccupied with seeking advice from Rui on what to do to somehow help with the yet-unresolved rift between Matthew and Shizuka, her two fellow Agriculture Members. Surprise made way for a more sombre expression over Kotori's face at that thought - even as she tried to put it aside for the moment, seeing as there was still the matter at hand.

As she thought about it, it did seem like a suitable choice - given the at times a little odd choices in cosplays that the café hosted, or so they might appear to someone who only caught glances thereof in passing, the investigation team's choice of topics would perhaps not seem too far out of place. Furthermore, she couldn't deny the convenience for herself, seeing as it lay both on her way home from school and wasn't too far from either - and reaching the warehouse from there would only take a few minutes as well.

All told, it seemed like a solid chocie - as long as she told herself to ignore the fact that she'd undoubtedly feel embarrassed at entering the café again. Preferring quieter places, she wasn't exactly the prime clientele thereof - but between knowing that she'd not have visit alone and that only the staff was doing the cosplaying, she resolved to bear with it. "Uhm... that, ah, might work...?" she said, quickly glancing between the others at the table even as her voice trailed off towards the end.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Ferrero Mall: Yoshida Book Café | After School

Sat at the table and her eyes firmly focused on the book in her hands, Kotori only noticed in passing that Ryan addressed Rui in a hushed tone or that, moments later, Katsuro returned with a book of his own. Had she looked up, she might have noticed that Ryan was glancing in the other boy's direction as he posed his question or that Katsuro wore a slightly confused expression on his face after being spoken to by another fellow student - but such details were lost on her; her attention entirely given to reading - to the point of not even noticing that her own face betrayed her thoughts occasionally as she did so, giving rise to brief bouts of worry or wonder as her eyes darted over the pages. Judging by the rapidity of the changes in expression, it looked like she'd just gotten to a point where the story was getting particularly interesting.

Katsuro's trailing voice found little heed when he didn't follow it up with anything else in particular, leaving the table in silence - at least until Rui returned with drinks for everyone. "Ah, thank you," Kotori said absent-mindedly, almost mumbling the words when the fact that she hadn't actually asked for anything escaped her mind - at least until, a few seconds after the fact, the movement of her eyes stopped mid-sentence for a brief moment. She blinked in brief confusion before glancing up at the glass before her: "Eh?" she went, needing a moment to realise that despite having thought she'd managed to avoid bothering him with an order, Rui had still gotten her a glass as well. Immediately, her guilty conscience resurfaced - and stronger than before, considering that she'd previously thought she'd successfully gotten around being a bother.

Rather than make things more embarrassing than they already were, Kotori quickly held up the book in her hands; partly covering her face as she did and trying to find where she'd just left off a moment ago. However, just as she was about to continue reading, Rui spoke up once more. Kotori's eyes glanced up from the pages and at the boy as he mentioned the meeting place - and that the warehouse they were using until now wasn't exactly the most inviting choice in locations. It was hard to refute that - though in Kotori's mind, she first thought he meant another place to both store both the collection of armaments and the large mirror that served as their entrance to the mirror realm. As such, she had a hard time coming up with a place that would be be more convenient - though after a few moments of imagining a dozen students excusing themselves to the restrooms of a restaurant to slip into the mirrors there, she realised that Rui probably meant something more along the lines of a meeting place to discuss their findings.

Luckily though, she'd managed to avoid embarrassing herself with such misconceptions by simply staying silent as she thought on it, unconsciously adjusting her glasses that had begun to slip while she'd been looking down at her book. She waited for a few moments to see if anyone else broke the silence following Rui's question before she spoke up. "Uhm... a ca-café? Of sorts...? Or..." Kotori's voice trailed off as she glanced between the others; hoping that they might have a more concrete or suitable location in mind.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Ferrero Mall: Yoshida Book Café | After School

Glancing between the others, Ryan was the first to speak up in answering Rui's question; declaring his tastes in books to lie in science fiction and manga before heading off to just those sections. Katsuro, meanwhile, seemed a little more embarrassed as he pointed over toward a similar set of book shelves as Ryan and then walking over. Rui, on the other hand, sounded curious about their respective choices, though evidently not enough to delve for further details. Kotori was quick to avoid his eyes when he looked between those that had answered him - only to almost jump when Ryan suddenly spoke up about enjoying a good mystery novel as well; though evidently not quite enough to not correct his initial enthused exclamation to a slightly more impartial one.

Rui, seemingly intrigued by all this mystery talk, seemed to decide that that was going to be his choice today as he picked up a manga before gesturing towards one of the empty tables and designating it as a meet-up place once everyone had made their choices in turn. Kotori gave a quick nod in agreement as everyone had split up already in search of an interesting book or already heading over to get started on one. Thus left to her devices, she turned her bespectacled gaze to the book shelves before her - the mystery section thankfully being quite close, even if the romance novels received a brief look - and looked over the various titles on display. She made a quick mental list as she went over them, ticking off one after another for a multitude of reasons - she'd already read that one, didn't like the sound of that title or had found that author's writing style not to her particular liking - as she unconsciously brought a finger to her lips, gently tapping against them in thought.

After selecting a few titles for a closer inspection and finally settling on one which she recognised neither title nor author of but which promised to be intriguing if a quick inspection was anything to go by. Before heading back to the table, Kotori quickly checked her phone - both to ensure that it was muted so as to not disturb anyone in the admittedly rather unlikely event of anyone trying to contact her and to see that her mother had replied with a simple OK to her previous message about being home a little later that she'd sent on the way to the café. With all pending matters thusly settled, she glanced about the café to see where the others were - and noticing that there were several other students from Warakuma High School about, though none of whom she recognised for more than their uniform.

Still, there was a small trace of a smile on Kotori's face as she looked down at the book in her hands - the prospect of a good story usually had that effect. Taking a seat at the table where Rui had already found himself a space, Kotori wasted no time and quickly turned the first few pages to get to the beginning of the story. She only noticed the others presences in passing if and when they took a seat as well - or spoke up, as she only realised after a few belated seconds. "Huh?" she went when she realised that Rui had asked a question and having to take a moment to piece together she words she'd heard back into a full sentence in her mind.

"Oh, I-" Kotori started - but then remembered that the last time someone had asked her a similar question, they'd gone ahead and gotten something for her despite her protests and subsequent guilty conscience. As such, she was wary of abusing any such kindness or inconveniencing someone else and thus gave a quick shake of her head mid-sentence: "Ah, I-I mean, I'm fine for the moment. I'll... uhm, get something later." Even though Kotori's tone wasn't exactly the most convincing, she nonetheless felt a small yet still inordinate sense of pride at having managed to avoid any awkwardness so successfully for the second time today - though it didn't last very long before her mind's focus was entirely engrossed in the book before her.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Ferrero Mall: Yoshida Book Café | After School

With everyone in agreement, the small group's destination was decided - and Kotori couldn't help but feel a little excited at the prospect of visiting the book café without having to show up alone and undoubtedly draw some curious attention. Furthermore, the larger the group, the more likely it was that the others would focus on each other - in fact, given that she wasn't exactly the best candidate for holding a conversation more than a few words in length, she remained quiet for most of the way to the mall; only really answering if anyone directed a question at her but otherwise listening to whatever the others might be saying. Given that most everyone had come to school to see the results as soon as they were posted and thus were now free to do what they willed on their first day of summer break, there was quite a large number of other students out and about - often in groups as well, heading to wherever had caught their fancy.

Arriving at the mall, it was quite clear that they weren't the only students here too - most everywhere Kotori looked, she could see at least one or two fellow uniform-clad people. As she looked about, she noticed that there was an undeniable aggregation of high schoolers - mostly from Warakuma High School, though she did spot a few Shoujin Private High uniform here and there - in and around the clothing shops of which there were quite a few in the mall; likely looking for some more summery clothes now that they'd be getting enough opportunities to wear them. Seeing that, Kotori made a mental note for herself - whilst she wasn't in dire need of anything in particular, the summer season starting in full most likely meant that anything that hadn't sold well in spring would likely be on sale and a decent bargain.

As the small group arrived at Yoshida's, Kotori could that it too was popular among her peers - but the sight of the full shelves toward the back of the café did bring a small smile to her face for a brief while. Stepping over the threshold and entering the establishment proper, she gave a small bow in greeting toward the staff at the counter before glancing about the patrons already present. Most of them were sat at the tables and engrossed in the book of their choice, though some had come in pairs or more and were chatting with one another - though it was an unusual mix of atmospheres between a quiet library or bookstore and a lively café, it wasn't an unpleasant one, Kotori thought.

She was abruptly brought out of her reverie when Rui spoke up, addressing none of the three present in particular as he asked them their book preferences. "Huh? Oh, mystery a-ah, uhm, m-mostly..." Kotori said, with what almost might have passed for enthusiasm if it weren't for the usual quietness of her voice - at least until she seemed to stumble over her own words and trailed off. Whilst it was true that she did enjoy the excitement that mystery novels promised, she was also quiet partial to romance novels - but after a quick glance about, she realised that that probably wasn't going to be very interesting for the three boys and thus made her best attempt at not bringing it up even though she'd almost let it slip; silently congratulating herself on her quick thinking at avoiding any embarassment or awkwardness.

Though she did glance between the others, a slight curiosity as to their tastes in books not completely deniable, Kotori's gaze was almost inexorably drawn to the book shelves; her bespectacled eyes passing over the helpful signs that signified which genre any given section corresponded to. As it turned out, she was in luck when she found both sections she was looking for - but though her curiosity as to the selection of mystery novels was most definitely piqued, she hesitated to head over immediately for want of rudely dismissing the others' answers as to their taste in books.

Persona - The True Self

Kotori Shirohane - Warakuma High School | After School

Just as Kotori began hoping that perhaps Katsuro might take her up on the idea that Rui would know better how to teach him how to learn, yet another familiar voice spoke up, calling her by name. "Eh?" was Kotori's immediate response, and not for the first time today. Having been rather more focused on the school floor - which, she incidentally discovered, actually had a regularly repeating, if subtle, pattern to it - Kotori hadn't noticed Ryan approaching and was somewhat taken aback at both his unexpected appearance and question; mostly missing the slight uncertainty in his voice due to her own. "Huh? M-me? Ah, uhm... I-I'm fine, A-Alon-san..." she quietly said in response to Ryan's questions - even if neither her awkward tone of voice didn't exactly lend that statement very much credence.

Still, she was quite thankful for the fact that with more people around, there'd be focus on her - however, this seemed to have quite the opposite effect on Katsuro whose confidence from just a few moments ago vanished into nothingness as he stumbled over his words. He seemed rather distracted as he half-heartedly agreed with Ryan - only to apologise for his previous curiosity. "Ah, n-no, no, it's not, uhm, a bother... Kotori quickly said, shaking her head for emphasis - and feeling her guilty conscience creep back up for having seemingly caused his now apparent discomfort by denying his request so harshly. Concern coloured her features when he momentarily winced as he absent-mindedly drew his fingers over the side of his face covered by his hair - but even as he recovered immediately, Kotori did feel a measure of sympathy for the scarred boy who didn't have the luxury of being able to easily hide his scars.

"Eh?" Another apology caught Kotori by surprise - enough to not even notice Katsuro getting her name not quite right - though she quickly recovered and shook her head. "Ah, no, i-it's fine," she said, even if one would have to be both blind and deaf to not notice that that statement was a bit of a stretch. As he then proceeded to ask some questions - such as where they, if they were friends, happened to go after school. Kotori, however, was rather more busy staring at the ground, a red tinge undeniable on her face - though it was embarrassing to admit, even to herself in her own thoughts, being thought of as friends did have a nice kind of sound to it for the rather hesitant girl.

Luckily though, her embarrassment passed quickly enough for no one to notice, she hoped, before Rui took to answering Katsuro's questions - and in turn reminding her that, besides coming to school to check her results, she did not have any plans yet. When Rui then mentioned the Yoshida book café, Kotori's curiosity was quickly piqued - she'd walked past it a several times already, but never actually gone inside; never quite feeling comfortable with going there alone - after all, a café sounded like a rather trendy place which she had no illusions of being a word anyone would use to describe her. She still remembered her last visit to one when Leiko had practically dragged her to the her friend, Saya's, family business and how she'd felt a little out of place.

Still, the fact that Yoshida's was also a library of sorts did have a certain undeniable appeal to the bookish Kotori. "Ah, I heard that too," she quickly agreed when Rui mentioned their selection of books - only to fumble over her words when she realised that she might have interjected someone else. "Uhm, th-that sounds n-nice. I-I mean... i-if a-anyone else wants to... uhm..." her voice grew quieter before finally trailing off while her hands were once more preoccupied with her skirt - though Rui had put it forth as a suggestion, it might sound a little presumptuous of her to think that anyone else might be interested in going; leaving Kotori to hope that she didn't step on anyone's toes - and to adjust her glasses that were starting to slip downwards from how much she was averting her eyes throughout the whole conversation in her embarrassment..