2026-03-19: Rely On Me
- Log: Rely on Me
- Cast: Shinjiro Aragaki, Reiya Aomori, Aigis
- Where: Port Island Back Alleys -> Road to Tatsumi Memorial Hospital
- OOC Date: March 19, 2026
- IC Date: October 12, 2012
- Summary: After Jin's ambush, Shinjiro is recovered by Reiya and Aigis. They manage to convince him to go to the hospital, and on the way they discuss the attack, the members of Strega, and just how hard it is to rely on others. In the end, though, they can't do anything right now but try.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Earlier, Shinjiro got ambushed, knocked down, and kicked repeatedly, beaten viciously by none other than Strega's Jin Shirato. His first action once he had his bearings and Jin was gone was to grab his phone, though he hesitated.
He couldn't call Aki. He didn't need to see him like this. He couldn't call Mitsuru. She's done enough for him.
In the past, Shinjiro would have called no one, tried to get his bearings and walk again, let the injuries set.
...but that's just running away, isn't it? Even in the guilt spiral he's feeling, he exhales.
He taps a contact on the phone, and clicks. His voice, when they pick up, is rough, sounding injured and weak.
"...Aomori? ...I got attacked. Back alleys. Strega. He's gone, but... if you could..." He trails off.
"...don't come alone. Aigis?" he says, absently, as if suggesting someone to join him.
And then, he spends some time just trying to stand up.
When the two arrive, they'll find him sitting against the wall, still having not found the energy to get to his feet just yet. He must have dragged himself over, arm lazily wrapped around his stomach as is.
He doesn't make eye contact, barely looking up towards them.
Shinjiro needs a moment.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"I will be there as soon as possible."
That was Reiya's answer; there is a little concern in his voice, but it can be hard to tell. Urgency, certainly. So he went to get Aigis, explained what he knew of the situation, and...
Now they're here. He suggested that they approach from different directions, in case the assailant is still present, and from his direction, he approache in ilence--then--
"Aragaki-senpai," Reiya says, looking him over with a frown. "We should get you to the hospital. You said Strega is already gone?"
He doesn't hear or see them...
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis' initial guess as to what might have happened is, perhaps, less charitable than what the reality of the situation calls for. It is, after all, only a guess; she simply does not know enough to form a conclusion.
And there are more important things to worry about at the moment -- ensuring Shinjiro's safety takes top priority.
She responds to Reiya with a nod. "Understood."
Her own approach is a bit more visible than Reiya's, almost blatantly daring other members of Strega to go after her, too. It's not exactly easy to be stealthy as a heavy robot, no matter how she runs.
Thankfully, her sensors don't pick up any unusual activity along the way. "No hostiles detected," she announces as she arrives to meet them both.
The hospital sounds like a good idea. "Are you able to stand, or do you require assistance?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
As Reiya speaks to Shinjiro, finally does he respond. "...I'll be fine. Just need to get back to the dorm." He doesn't look fine, how his hands are bruised like that in defensive positions, how beaten his body and jacket look.
"...Jin Shirato, their tactician. He wanted revenge for a fight I had with Niko during a Joker Killer encounter. Apparently I injured her badly enough it pissed him off," he says hoarsely. There's an extra hint of guilt in that, but his whole demeanor is guilt.
Aigis gets a glance as she approaches. "No, I think he was trying to... leave a message." A pause.
"He threatened Amada if we were to hurt his people outside the Dark Hour. Said he knows his route from school." Shinjiro doesn't know if that's true. Even if it was, the fact he knows about Ken means he's not safe.
But the most important part is perhaps how Shinjiro says that aspect. The guilt, the fear, of Jin attacking Ken. It's palpable even as he tries to clamp it down.
"...thanks for showing up," he adds quietly, as if it was possible they wouldn't.
Taking a moment, he tries to stand, and partially gets there, but clearly is struggling.
"I..." He swallows, looking to Aigis. "I could use some help."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
It's a good combination; one to draw attention, the other to take advantage. ...But it turns out unnecessary.
Reiya frowns more sharply at Shinjiro's assessment. "I cannot force you to seek treatment, but I will insist that one of us heal you and supply first aid, when we return."
But Shinjiro explains. A message...
he narrows his eyes. "So his condition is that we confine our battles to the Dark Hour..." A shake of his head. "It's late for that."
"...We will not allow him to harm Ken, even if it limits our tactical options. Protecting him is high priority."
He pauses. "You're welcome. We wouldn't leave you."
"Aigis-san," Reiya says, "If you will assist senpai, I will ensure that the path remains clear."
He pauses. "...The police, too, would be suspicious of us, given your injuries. I must insist again that you should visit the hospital instead. A Kirijo hospital will not ask too many questions..."
Pause. He considers that guilt over Niko, but isn't sure yet what to say.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
For once, Aigis decides to suggest a course of action rather than follow one. "I must insist that you get proper medical treatment, Aragaki-senpai."
Jin Shirato. She files the name away for some future recall.
In shock and confusion, Aigis widens her eyes and responds, "... But they hurt us outside the Dark Hour." Unfortunately, while lack of internal logical consistency may prevent her from taking some course of action, not everyone works the same way.
If Niko's injury is what led to this, then they should take care to avoid harming each other that badly. That's one reason (among others) she prefers to aim for an opponent's Persona instead of their physical body.
She looks at her own hands in contemplation. Given what she is, she doubts that Strega cares enough to take notice and see this the same way, too.
At the mention of Ken's name, she turns her head to Reiya, then turns back to Shinjiro to nod in agreement. "Exactly as Aomori-san says." By this point. Aigis knows exactly how significant Ken's safety is to Shinjiro.
After Shinjiro thanks them, Aigis gives him a polite bow as if she were in service to him. In her mind, there was never any doubt. "Of course."
More firmly this time, now that Reiya's asserted the same thing, Aigis emphatically provides a one-word addition: "Hospital."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro grimaces as they insist he get treatment at the hospital. "I can't do anything if they admit me," he says, somewhat nervous about the prospect.
But then the two both voice the hypocrisy. "...yeah. I can't let Amada get hurt because of me, but..." He trails off. "Shit. He threatened the 'girls', too. There's nothing he won't stoop to. We might need to be more paranoid."
He wheezes a bit as he tries to get up again, still struggling. "...I-" he starts as Aigis and Reiya are insistent. "...alright," he acquiesces, closing his eyes shut briefly.
If Aigis will help him, he'll be able to rise.
"...you're really reliable, you know," he says to Reiya, not entirely sure where he's going with it. "...sorry for the hassle."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Because Shinjiro relents, Reiya doesn't have to point out that he can't do much in his current condition, either. But he does look to Aigis. "They did," he says. "It's hypocritical. The sort of thing I would expect from them. ...We can't trust his word, but we have little choice but to abide for now."
If he were fully-trained... No. SEES wouldn't like that option, even if it weren't too dangerous.
Reiya doesn't understand what Aigis is contemplating, but he does understand Shinjiro's reluctance. And still, "The 'girls'," he repeats. "I see."
"I will consider countermeasures, and bring my recommendations to the Arisatos and Kirijo-senpai," Reiya assures Shinjiro. "For now, let's focus on getting you to..." Reliable.
"I do my best. Let's go. If the police interfere, I will tell them we are on the way to the hospital with you."
But he' rather avoid them. Reiya scouts ahead a few steps, and then nods, to go to the road. "I appreciate your insistence," he says to Aigis. "He may not have agreed to only me."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Shinjiro's acquiescence has earned him a grateful nod from Aigis. "Thank you."
Aigis repeats after Reiya, "For now." She quietly wonders if that's good enough.
She has determined that there is one act that Strega could take which would garner a similar response from her: going after one or both of the Arisato siblings. 'The girls' includes Minako.
Aigis absolutely helps Shinjiro up and offers her shoulders for him to support his weight on as they walk. (Or at least she figures he'd prefer this to being princess-carried.)
Despite her smaller stature, Shinjiro might find she's sturdy and won't easily be put off-balance by just leaning on her.
Her winter school uniform mitigates the sensation, but she's cold to the touch. Synthetic polymers and metal don't exactly carry the same physical warmth as people do.
Reiya's thanks take her by surprise. "I had not even considered that. I was only doing what I thought was best. You are welcome, all the same."
She looks to Shinjiro with concern and asks, "Please let me know if you need me to adjust anything so that you are comfortable as we proceed."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro supports his weight against Aigis, now that he's finally breached the hurdle and able to move. "We can't... trust them at all. He acted like what I did was worse than Strega killing people," Shinjiro says. "He's warped."
And even then, Shinjiro still feels bad that this happened. Guilty that he is the catalyst for danger each time.
As Mitsuru is mentioned, though, Shinjiro knows Mitsuru has a plan. He's not going to share that, but he wonders just how bad it'll go if they do go forth with it.
"Okay," he does say about the police, before turning to Aigis. "I'm fine," he says, but it's likely he'd bear with the pain in order to not burden her. This is enough to ask for.
Before they get far, though, he exhales. "It's hard. Relying on others like this, I mean," he muses. "...I almost didn't call, but... I couldn't run away."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
For now. That's the key word. But Shinjiro mentions his view on it. "...Of course. To his view, only the people close to him matter. But even then, it seems that they don't care what cost their 'world' has to ordinary people."
A plan... Well, a plan is a plan. Probably better than the one that occured to him, anyway.
He almost says 'humans', but thinks better of it in public; instead he says, "Many of us are prideful, or believe that we can handle things better ourselves, without involving others."
"...No offense intended, senpai. I do it, too. It's hard to rely on others. But I think it is braver to remember that we are part of a whole, to do our duty to them regardless of our feelings."
"This way," he suggests, "I see an officer on the left."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
If they can't trust them at all ... "Then we should consider the possibility they may attack even if we strictly adhere their terms."
This is a thought which has, unfortunately, only occurred to her just now.
Talk of how Strega values those within their ranks more highly than outsiders does cause her to compare their apparent behavior to her own unequal value assignments. Those -- aren't the same thing, are they? Strega's is driven by sentiment, hers is driven by objective fact.
Or so she believes -- for now.
When Shinjiro expresses that it's hard, Aigis falters in her own steps and shudders slightly. Reiya's response doesn't help matters. She redoubles her efforts and continues. "It certainly is."
There's comfort in knowing it isn't just her, but ... who else is like her? Definitionally speaking, she's supposed to be the one providing the help.
Officer on the left. "Acknowledged," Aigis replies as she follows Reiya's direction, "and thank you for the heads-up."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"They don't," Shinjiro agrees with Reiya.
"They might," he agrees with Aigis.
He lets out a bitter 'heh' as Reiya mentions pride and thinking they can handle things better. That's not what he believes. He just thinks things will go less bad for other people if they're not around him. Even if there is some extent of pride to that, it's mainly guilt.
Shinjiro can feel Aigis falter and shudder as she supports him, frowning all the while. "Hey, you okay?" he asks briefly, but is willing to let it pass. The cop on the left mention gets Shinjiro to nod to Reiya, as he thinks of how to answer him.
"...I'm not very brave. Just... trying to do my best, even if I have to push through my own damn cowardice. ...but I agree with the sentiment."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"True," Reiya agrees with Aigis. "I was thinking on that myself. ...We definitely need to find a countermeasures."
Shinjiro's laugh... well, at least he can laugh. There is that. He notices Aigis falter, too. Hmm.
he doesn't know what the problem would be, though...
"You are welcome," Reiya says first of the officer, who Reiya pointedly avoids, going around a phone booth to break line of sight for a moment.
"Hmmm," Reiya answers. "Is that how you see it...?" He agrees with the sentiment. "A man who risks himself for others either values others highly, or..." he works it out in his head, and then frowns. "...Either way," he says, "Your 'best' is good to us. You have dedicated yourself to saving others. Do not discount that."
"...Can you tell me anything else about Jin Shirato?"
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
"I am not certain that it is pride so much as ..."
The word she's looking for doesn't come immediately. There's something about her which forms a perceived distinction between herself and others. Others lack it and go looking for it or life foists it onto them like an ill-fitting suit. She was born with it, designed with it in mind.
Her tongue settles on: "Purpose."
Aigis nods after Shinjiro checks on her. "I briefly was not, but I am now. I am willing to explain later." She needs to physically support him in the present moment. She will admit to her own, but prioritize them appropriately.
Reiya trails off after stating one possibility behind what may cause one to risk their own well-being to protect others, leaving the other unsaid.
... she said she would explain later.
Reiya's words of encouragement to Shinjiro also somewhat ease her own concerns. "Perhaps I am being too harsh on myself, as well."
He asks about Jin. Aigis adds, "Is there anyone else you can tell us about?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro sighs as Reiya tells him not to discount his 'best', but he's glad Aigis is going to be okay. "Alright," he says about explaining later, before tilting his head lazily towards Reiya. He can see that Reiya may have figured out the other answer of that question, or what he believes it is - one who values themselves lowly. "I'll try to rein in the self-deprecation," he half-jokes, best he can to keep up the mood.
But they ask about Jin and Strega. "...Shirato's their tactician, their planner. He's the guy who set off the bomb at the dorm. Green jacket, glasses, short hair. Total jerk, very full of himself, I think. We never liked each other."
THen, he turns towards Aigis. "Besides him and the Joker Killer, there's their leader, Takaya Sakaki, the blonde hippie who doesn't wear a shirt. Carries a gun. Total freak. Then there's Chidori Yoshino, this... lolita chick who is their jammer. Also Niko Kirisaki, blunt force trauma nihilist, and some guy named Okaga. Don't know anything about him except that he was at the dorm, Umie Akabane told me about him."
A grimace. "That's all I know."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
No, it's not pride. It's something the opposite of pride. But Reiya does notice the sigh... and the half-joke gets a, "Thank you, senpai."
Aigis was troubled... but is fine now. Hmm. "That would seem likely," Reiya agrees with Aigis. "I'll accept the explanation later, instead of asking now."
But Shinjiro has DATA for them. Their tacctician and planner... Hmm. "Noted." A high threat indeed, this Jin.
He listens each of the others. "I've met Okaga," Reiya says. "I think."
"He's... dirty."
A nod then. "Thank you. This is useful intelligence... But I think i should try to gather more."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis frowns as she considers the names and associations. She's seen Takaya for sure. Jin set off the bomb, so he must have been outside. Niko and Chidori are girls. The Joker Killer had something to do with the artist and the painting she had seen in Tartarus.
None of their descriptions fit the one she's most familiar with. That just leaves ... "Does this Okaga often wear hoodies and have a scraggly goatee? I have encountered him twice now."
And his general vibe is 'dirty.' Reiya may have answered her question for her. "And once for Aomori-san."
"I will leave that to you. Please, direct me however you require."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro's never actually met Okaga. "If that fits someone in Strega, then it must be him," he says. "But... yeah."
A pause. "...I'll help however I can once you dig up the intel. They're not gonna stop until we're out of their way. And we can never be out of their way."
Even if the fact he says that means they're all in danger. ...but that's what they have to do, right? They have this damned power, they have to use it to make sure no one else ever has to suffer like them.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"I see..." So that's their number. Reiya is concerned. They're pvoen that they're no pushovers even without Personas; if Jin was able to do this to Shinjiro in an 'ordinary' space... Not to mention Takaya's gun.
"We can't," he agrees. "As I recall... Niko-san wants to ensure we do not end the Dark Hour."
"We are at an impasse. They are our enemies, so long as they defend it."
A nod then. "I will try to observe in silence, and if possible without overmuch danger, speak to this... Jin."
"Then I will have more information, and we can decide what to do further."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
It's the best guess they have for now. "Understood, then. Okaga strikes me as impulsive, if that helps in your assessment, Aomori-san."
"Ergo, they will not ever stop." Unless, "... will they stop if we are successful in ending the Dark Hour? Their cause would be lost then, right?"
While Aigis has this power, she hasn't yet suffered in quite the same way. Despite that, she shares Shinjiro's silent sentiment on the topic.
Reiya expresses some intention to speak with Jin. Aigis turns her head and asks concernedly, "Should you go alone to do so, or would you like backup?"
Even she has enough tact to not openly point out that, one-on-one, Jin got the better of Shinjiro. What Aigis doesn't know is /how/ -- Jin fought dirty, and Reiya may be better able to anticipate such tactics.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"She's bought into the Joker Killer's deranged philosophy, I think," Shinjiro tells Reiya. "I dunno." He knows she's a bit of a blind spot, since he feels a strange kinship, and he's trying his hardest to not let his bleed into his business.
"...good luck. I'll stay out of that, but I'll do what I can otherwise." He's already foreseeing himself returning to battle as soon as possible. Though Aigis's question... "I think they'd have to. They wouldn't be able to use their power as freely. But to think it'll go that easy is..." He trails off.
He's going to quiet down a bit until they reach the hospital, clearly exhausted. But he'll take a moment to say...
"Thank you again. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't showed up."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"If we push them so far that they no longer have a cause to 'lose'... Then they may become desparate. They will be more dangerous, not less, when we erase the Dark Hour."
That's his assessment, anyway. As to Shinjiro, he nods, and then, "Thank you."
"To scout, I can go alone. When I let him see me, it would be wise to have backup... To be honest, it would probably be wiser to have you nearby regardless. They have unknown abilities; I cannot guarantee that my stealth power will be sufficient."
He doesn't sound happy about that, though. "Though i have been training..." With Fuuka!
But when they reach the hospital, soon... That'll be that.
For now though, "You're welcome. ...Please continue to rely on me, senpai."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis bows her head at the notion that may only worsen Strega's endeavors. They'd lose their powers, but be further driven by spite and desperation. "I see ..."
She already told Shinjiro he's welcome earlier, but -- "Of course. You would do the same for either of us."
Scout alone, but have backup when he intends to be seen. "That stands to reason. I will wait on your instruction."
'Please continue to rely on me.' She looks at Shinjiro and says, "That goes for me as well -- provided, in turn, you also rely on others, Aomori-san."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"...mm." Shinjiro says about more dangerous. It's a good assessment, admittedly.
But they both talk about relying on others. Shinjiro exhales once, before letting loose a small, melancholic smile.
"...I'll try too."
Once he gets to the hospital, he'll split off from them with a nod once the hospital staff see him off. Hopefully, Reiya and Aigis can handle telling the others... and making sure that Ken is safe, at least for now.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Shinjiro will try... and Aigis will wait. "Thank you," he says.
Then Reiya pauses, and looks thoughtfully at Aigis. "...Yes," he says. "I will."
"...None of us can do everything ourselves."
He waves to Shinjiro as the staff see him off, and then, "I suppose we should go home..."