Chapter 3; The call

...24/07/2009 Friday, Night...

At the Iwatodai dormitory, Minato returns after a quick trip to the pharmacy.

As he enters, he sees Yukari sitting on the couch, enjoying a mochi.

"Welcome back." Yukari says with a smile.

"Mitsuru-senpai hasn't returned yet, so we probably won't be going to Tartarus today."

Minato takes off his headphones and replies, "What a coincidence, I was also thinking of skipping today. I need some rest."

As Minato settles on the couch, Junpei comes down the stairs with Akihiko.

"Oh, you're back, Minato." Junpei says excitedly. "Are we heading to Tartarus today?"

Minato shakes his head. "Nah, I'm not up for it today. Still feeling tired."

Fuuka comes out from the kitchen and joins the group.

"Kirijo-senpai just sent a message." she informs them. "She said she's on her way back to the dorm with Aigis. It looks like the President managed to speak with…"

Before she can finish, the dormitory door opens, and a group of men in suits enter, carrying boxes up the stairs.

Right behind them, Mitsuru and Aigis walk in.

With her commanding presence, Mitsuru remarks, "Well, it seems President Shuji managed to convince Mikoshi to join."

Akihiko, still surprised by the men carrying boxes, asks, "Mitsuru, who are these people?"

With a graceful movement, Mitsuru brushes her hair aside and replies, "They're workers from my family. They're just bringing Mikoshi's belongings up to his room."

At that moment, President Shuji enters the dorm, followed by Hiro.

"So, this is the dorm you mentioned…" Hiro begins, but his voice trails off as he sees Mitsuru, freezing in confusion.

He also recognizes Akihiko along with a few others he's seen in the school corridors but never really spoken to.

"Mitsuru? You're here?" Hiro asks, surprised.

Mitsuru, already expecting his reaction, answers calmly, "Mikoshi, I hope the President explained everything to you."

Before Hiro can respond, Junpei approaches with his usual enthusiasm. "Hey, man! Nice to meet you, I'm Junpei Iori."

Hiro nods in response, while the others watch in silence.

Akihiko, with his serious expression, crosses his arms. "I don't think I need to introduce myself, do I?"

Hiro nods, recognizing him, and narrows his eyes with a hint of challenge. "Not at all. Akihiko Sanada."

Yukari and Fuuka approach with gentle smiles.

Yukari, taking Hiro's hand, says, "Nice to meet you, Hiro. I'm Yukari Takeba, second-year."

Fuuka, shyly, gives a small bow. "A-And I'm Fuuka Yamagishi. It's a pleasure, Hiro-san."

Hiro runs a hand through his hair, trying to process everything as he meets the rest of the group. "What have I gotten myself into?" he thinks.

After a few minutes of conversation, the group heads up to the command room on the fourth floor.

Hiro, surprised by the large computer on the wall, looks around and comments, "Quite a setup you have here. Didn't expect the Iwatodai dorm to be a base for a secret squad."

Mitsuru, placing a case on the table, opens it and pulls out a rapier. "This dorm has been our operational base from the start. Additionally, resources are provided by the Kirijo Corporation. My family founded and manages all S.E.E.S resources."

Akihiko, taking a red armband from a drawer, tosses it to Hiro. "When it comes to combat materials, we have plenty. This armband is yours until our combat suits are ready."

Hiro examines the armband, noticing the "S.E.E.S." emblem embroidered on it.

He looks at Akihiko and asks, "Will my weapon arrive soon, and then we head to this place called Tartarus, right?"

At that moment, Aigis enters the room, carrying a scimitar, which she hands to Hiro. "Hiro-san, is this the scimitar you ordered?"

Hiro takes the weapon, unsheathes it slightly, and comments, "Yes, it arrived quickly. So, how exactly do I use a Persona?"

Minato, who had been silently observing everything from the couch, takes a pistol from a holster and tosses it towards Hiro, who catches it mid-air.

"This is the Evoker." Minato explains. "Without it, we can't summon our Personas. To use it, point it at your head and pull the trigger."

Hiro is taken aback by Minato's words. "Wait. Hold on. You're saying I need to point this gun at my head?"

Yukari, smiling playfully, adds, "Don't worry. I had the same reaction when they first told me."

President Shuji finishes sipping his tea and speaks in a reassuring tone. "Don't worry, it's not a real gun. It's simply a device developed by Kirijo Corporation scientists to help you summon the Persona, which lies deep within your mind."

Hiro looks at the Evoker, noticing the S.E.E.S. symbol engraved on its barrel, and comments, "I see. Since you all sound so certain, I'll believe it."

...24/07/2009 Friday; Almost midnight...

Around midnight, the group gathers in front of Gekkoukan High School's gates.

The air is still, filled with a tension that Hiro doesn't yet fully understand. He glances around, puzzled.

"Why are we here in front of the school at this hour? There's nothing…" Hiro begins to ask, but his words trail off as Mitsuru gently places a finger over his lips, making him blush slightly.

"It's almost time," Mitsuru says with an enigmatic smile. "Just wait and see."

Akihiko, checking the time on his phone, announces, "It's about to start."

As the clocks strike midnight, a distant bell tolls, its sound echoing through the air.

The sky above them begins to shift, turning into an ethereal, surreal green.

Hiro watches in awe as Gekkoukan High School before him fades, dissolving into darkness.

Where the school once stood, the ground starts to tremble.

A colossal tower begins to rise, the same imposing structure Hiro had seen once before.

The tower grows continuously, reaching toward the sky until its peak vanishes into the vastness.

The bell tolls once more, marking the beginning of the Dark Hour.

Mitsuru, her gaze steady on the tower, declares, "Welcome to Tartarus, Hiro."