Persona 3 : Two Souls

Part 41 - New Year

January 1st, the first day of 2010. That morning Takuya had decided to wake up a little later than normal, the only other person downstairs was Akihiko who was sitting at the dining table with a protein shake in hand.

"Yo." Takuya said as he took a seat at the table "Enjoying 2010?"

"Eh, it's only just started." Akihiko replied with a chuckle.

"That's true." Takuya responded with a smirk "Think we'll get Spider-Man 4 soon?"

"Like the American films?" Akihiko asked a tad startled.

"Yeah, they're not half-bad." Takuya answered with a chuckle "Miyuki's a fan of those kinds of movies, y'know."

"And there's already three of them?" Akihiko commented "That's insane."

"Morning senpai!" Ken said as he came downstairs, the two boys turned to look at the child. "Morning, Ken-kun." Takuya greeted "You sleep well?"

"Yep." Ken answered "Happy New Year, you two."

"Happy New Year to you as well, Ken." Akihiko said with a smile.

"Let's make this the best year ever." Ken exclaimed, both Takuya and Akihiko smiled in response as they were determined to make this year one worth remembering.

"Sup guys." Junpei spoke up as he came downstairs "I shouldn't have stayed up watching that stupid movie, I overslept."

"Good morning to you too, buddy." Takuya replied with a chuckle.

"Are any of you planning on going to the shrine today?" Ken asked.

"Not me, I don't believe in superstitions." Akihiko answered.

"Me either..." Junpei added.

"Oh, that's too bad." Ken said "Miyuki-san and the others are already there, they were all even wearing kimonos."

Junpei lit up at the word "kimono", his interest had been peaked by that new piece of information. "Kimonos, huh?" he said with a sly look in his eyes, he began to leave saying "I'm just gonna go to the store, be right back." but was stopped in his tracks by Akihiko telling him to "Wait just a minute."

"Yes?" Junpei asked nervously.

"You're going to the shrine, aren't you?" Akihiko asked.

"Me? N-No! I-I'm just going...for a walk! Yeah! I'm going for a walk!" Junpei stuttered out nervously, Akihiko smirked as did Takuya.

"Mind if I tag along, I'm bored." Takuya said knowingly as he got out of his seat.

"I'm with him, could be nice to greet the new year myself." Akihiko added on.

"Can I come too?" Ken asked.

"Oh, of course you can." Takuya answered "Junpei won't mind." he shot the scruffy teen a menacing smirk.

The boys left the dorm building and Junpei accepted that he had been caught by leading them to the shrine, stalls and booths had been set up for what appeared to be a New Year festival of sorts. Upon arriving, the boys were almost immediately approached by the girls who were all dressed in differently colored kimonos.

"Happy New Year, you guys!" Miyuki cheered in her orange-colored kimono, Takuya smiled seeing his sister so happy. "Happy New Year to you too, Miyu." he replied with a light chuckle.

"Where have you guys been? We almost left." Yukari spoke up.

"Y-Yuka-tan?" Junpei stuttered out, he was completely flabbergasted at the sight of the girls all dressed up like this.