Chapter 12: Something Different

"I'll do it," Akihiko said, shrugging as if it were nothing.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the Evoker from the table and stood up. Then, he moved toward the spacious part of the room.

"Sanada-kun, are you sure?" the chairman asked, raising an eyebrow. "Let's not accidentally redecorate the ceiling, shall we?"

"It'll be fine," Akihiko assured him, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk before turning back to me.

Standing tall, he raised the Evoker and pressed the barrel firmly beneath his chin, tilting his head slightly as he took a steadying breath.

"Watch closely," he said. "This… is a Persona. Come forth, Polydeuces!"

He pulled the trigger.

The sound that followed wasn't a gunshot but the sharp, eerie shattering of glass. A wave of force rippled outward, rustling papers and tugging lightly at the edges of my shirt. Above Akihiko, the air seemed to fracture like a broken mirror, the shards swirling together into a vibrant glow. Slowly, a humanoid figure emerged—towering, with long blonde hair, a muscular frame, and an enormous, nail-like weapon where its right arm should have been.

I couldn't help but stand from my seat, my legs moving on their own as I approached the scene. This wasn't like the game. This wasn't a beautifully animated cutscene or an artistic depiction in a book. This was real. The sheer presence of Polydeuces was intimidating in a way I hadn't expected.

"Well?" The chairman's voice cut through the awe. "Quite the sight, isn't it? A real nailed it moment." He chuckled at his own pun, thoroughly pleased with himself.

The room went dead silent. All three of us turned toward him, wearing expressions that could only be described as seriously?

The chairman cleared his throat, pretending he hadn't noticed. "Ahem. As you can see, every Persona is unique. What you're looking at is Sanada-kun's. Kirijo-kun has a different one, and you'll have your own if you awaken yours."

"Yeah, about that…" I said. "I probably can't awaken one."

The chairman frowned, his curiosity piqued. "And what makes you say that? Kirijo-kun's father confirmed you have the potential. Don't tell me you're lacking confidence already."

"Chairman," Mitsuru interjected, her tone firm. "My father did say Ginba-san has potential. But he also mentioned that… he's different from the rest of us."

"How different could it be?" the chairman asked, chuckling softly as he shrugged. "A few tests will give us answers, I'm sure."

"Yeah, I'll pass on that," I said flatly. "Chairman, what exactly did Kirijo-san tell you about what happened to me a few nights ago?"

"She mentioned something unusual," he replied, leaning forward slightly. "Though from your reaction, I'm guessing it was more than that. Are you saying you've already had an awakening? Because just now, you claimed you can't summon a Persona."

"That's right. I don't have a Persona," I said, locking eyes with him. "But I have… something else."

The temperature in the room seemed to shift as a familiar heat coursed through my body. I glanced down as glowing, intricate tattoos spread across my skin, illuminating the dim room. The others froze, their expressions ranging from stunned to wary.

"What is this…?" Akihiko murmured, his Persona shifting slightly, as if preparing to defend its summoner.

I sighed as black sludge began to swirl around me, enveloping me completely. It felt both unnatural and entirely second nature at the same time. Moments later, I stood taller, clad in the familiar form of the Archetype: the Seeker. My elongated silhouette towered just above Polydeuces, though I'd unconsciously scaled myself down to fit the room.

"This," I said, my voice deeper, distorted with a metallic edge, "is what I have."

"Fascinating." The chairman rose from his seat, his eyes alight with a mix of wonder. "So you don't summon a Persona… you become one. Or rather, you're enveloped by it. It's as though your Persona merges with you entirely."

Akihiko didn't lower his guard, his gaze flicking between me and his Persona. Mitsuru, however, remained calm, though her expression betrayed traces of unease.

Seeing their reactions, I sighed and let the transformation fade. The glowing tattoos dimmed, and the black sludge receded into nothingness, leaving me as my usual self again. The room fell silent, awkward even, as Akihiko hadn't dismissed his Persona yet.

Not wanting to dwell on the tension, I decided to redirect the conversation. "So… now what?" I asked, feigning ignorance. "Do we patrol the city or…?"

"We were going to ask if you'd be willing to join us," Mitsuru said matter-of-factly. "But given your… 'enthusiasm,' I suppose that question is unnecessary."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "It's not enthusiasm, Kirijo-san. Let's just say it's not like I have much of a choice, do I?"

"Oh, but you do, Ginba-kun," the chairman interjected smoothly, his ever-present smile returning. "We're not in the business of forcing anyone."

I turned to him, narrowing my eyes slightly before glancing at Mitsuru. "Chairman, you must already know why I'm here in the first place, right?"

He caught my meaning, his expression brightening as if he'd just solved a puzzle. "Ah, I see. Well, personally, I'd never dream of forcing your hand. But…" He smiled faintly and snapped his fingers. "Sometimes fate isn't so accommodating."

He walked past me, patting my shoulder lightly as he went. "Then, Ginba-kun, let's work hard together. Thank you for your willingness. Truly, thank you."

"'Thank you,' huh?" I muttered under my breath, watching him head for the door. Oh, chairman, I really don't know how to deal with you…

"Well then, everyone," he said, stopping briefly at the doorway. "I'll take my leave. Have a good night, and don't stay up too late!"

And with that, he was gone, leaving just the three of us in the room.

Akihiko finally dismissed his Persona, the towering Polydeuces dissolving into shards of light before vanishing entirely. He turned toward Mitsuru and me, his expression eager.

"Now that we've got a new addition, don't you think it's time to schedule an exploration?"

"Not yet, Akihiko," Mitsuru replied firmly. "Ginba-san doesn't even have a weapon to use."

"Oh, right." Akihiko crossed his arms, frowning slightly. "Good point."

"Speaking of that," Mitsuru said, turning to me, "Ginba-san, what weapon would you prefer?"

"A weapon?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean for fighting Shadows?"

"Precisely." She nodded. "According to the file we received, you were in a rifle shooting club. Would you like to use a rifle as your weapon?"

A rifle, huh? It'd be wildly illegal for a regular person to get their hands on one here, but then again, this is the Kirijo Group we're talking about. If anyone could bypass red tape, it'd be them.

"Sure," I said with a shrug. "I trust your team can get me something reliable, Kirijo-san."

"I'll make the arrangements with the lab," she said, her tone businesslike. "In the meantime, continue attending school as usual. Even with these responsibilities, your academics cannot be neglected."

"I know, Kirijo-san," I replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Well, I think I'll head out for my usual run," Akihiko said, stretching his arms over his head. "So, uh, don't lock the bathroom yet."