6 Coffee Break/Heart Break

[AN]

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"Metis is not a toaster...? HERESY!"

-By some random Ergo scientist under the former Kirijyou Group

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We were in a coffee shop. A very, expensive coffee shop. A coffee saloon, to be precise. Or a coffee palace, depending on your sense of value. It sure looked like one, after all.

A Kirijyou-sponsored branch of Cafe De La Paix from Paris, on Iwatodai International Luxury Hotel's top floor.

If you thought the name sounded posh, then congratulations, it is posher than a stuck-up 13th-century nobleman from medieval England. Even the teacup had intricate silver patterns on its glass.

The waiter brought me a silver dish with a round lid, which he opened to reveal a tiny hand-sized teapot that held my serving of coffee.

"Your drink, sir."

I nodded my thanks to the waiter who bowed and swiftly left. I lifted the teacup to my lips as Metis suddenly leaned forward on her seat towards me. She grinned at my lifted eyebrow.

"This is a 15-year brew of Panama Geisha mix, worth about eight hundred dollars per cup. I ordered this just for you."

I slowly put down the coffee cup with both hands and rubbed my temples. Now, that's just ridiculous.

Metis was grinning like a puppy that was waiting for her owner to pet her.

"Do not worry, the paycheck is on Kirijyou Industries."

That's exactly why I'm concerned, this...this...Aegis-branded junk! And...did she say it was a 15-year brew!? Wine, I understand, but coffee...?

I glanced at Metis, trying to convey my inner turmoil through my gaze.

Metis smiled sweetly. God, she was innocent. Pure as snow.

"Please. If you don't drink it, it'll be a terrible waste."

"..."

Making up my mind, I slowly took a tiny sip.

My taste buds orgasmed. That was the best expression I could come up with. I never knew my tongue was capable of creaming so hard, but it did. And yeah, by cream, I meant my saliva.

I tried to take another sip only to find that my cup was empty.

...Where did my coffee go?

"I am happy you liked it. Would you like another serving?"

"Yes."

I blinked. Oh my, my mouth moved on its own. Well, this coffee is divine. Can't be helped.

Hmm...why do I feel like I'm forgetting something...? Ah. I didn't even ask her name.

Should I pretend...no...her being an android is too obvious. Ok, let's ask about the elephant in the room.

"What are you?"

Contrary to my expectations, Metis answered without a hitch.

"I am Aegis' twin model. The latest Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, Metis."

...Twin, huh?

...Twin?

Wait. Come again? So I was right? This is an alternate universe with different backstories...? Of course, she can be lying or incorrect, but still...

I pinched my leg to keep my calm and focus. Yes, the question right now is this: Why is she telling me in the first place? Isn't that supposed to be confidential?

Ok...let's see how much she is willing to disclose.

"...What is a shadow?"

"It is something that is hypothesized to be a kind of cognitohazard related to humanity's subconscious mind that influences our fabric of reality. "

I blinked blankly at Metis. Hell, I could barely comprehend this, and I have some basic Persona knowledge.

Metis looked at me expectantly. It suddenly clicked in my mind. She wants to elaborate and she's waiting for my question. As evidence, she's barely containing her anticipation. I could practically see her invisible tail wagging left and right.

Huh, that's...surprisingly adorable. Guess I have no choice but to comply.

"Can you explain in more non-technical terms?"

Metis lightened up.

"My apologies! Ahem, in other words...Shadows are the darker parts of the psyche everyone has... Suppressed human thoughts given physical form. When people are unable to face their darker selves, they break loose, free from all control. But sometimes, humans with special awareness can tame their Shadows... Those are Persona-users."

I lifted an eyebrow.

"...Persona?"

Metis nodded. Her expression turned more serious.

"Yes. Minato-san...how much do you remember about the night that you were transported to the hospital?"

Oh. So she knew. Makes sense.

"...Is this about the hour after midnight...and the monsters?"

Metis nodded again and bit her lip. Indecision. Regret. Hesitation. All traits that were not ideal for a humanoid war machine.

She was...far more human than I'd thought. At least far more human than Aegis was at the beginning. I scratched my neck and sighed.

"You don't have to tiptoe around this topic."

Metis' head shot up. Her eyes shone with gratitude. Damn, she's acting like I'm Aegis AKA the person she treasures the most. In a way, I might be right. This is an alternate universe.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"...There was a black blob that mutated into a monster...and something awakened within me. The thing...defeated it. I guess that was my Persona, and the monster was the Shadow."

"You are correct. I...I..."

Metis opened her mouth and closed it. She fidgeted. She seemed to be looking for words. The way she was fumbling with her thoughts made me clench my fists.

The reason why I have Orpheus Picaro...the reason why Thanatos Picaro of all personas burst through Orpheus...the reason why I have Persona 3 Main Character's memories while my name is Yuki Mishima...and the reason why I have a name I shouldn't have...Minato...

I hid a wince that threatened to break through my facade as a sharp pain laced through my thoughts. A memory I shouldn't have awakened.

The origin of all these irregularities...I had a good guess what caused them. I looked Metis straight in the eye.

"It's alright if you can't say it. I will wait."

"Minato-san...thank you. I...will tell you once the time is right. I'm sorry..."

Metis looked down. Her voice wavered.

...Damn it.

I reached over and put my hand over her metallic one. She was warm. The engine heat within her, I guess.

"Metis. Let's start over."

She looked bewildered at my abrupt suggestion. The corners of my lips tilted upwards.

"My name is...Yuki Mishima. I was once called Minato. May I have your name?"

"I...my name is Metis."

I smiled at her.

"Would you be my friend, Metis?"

Her eyes widened with joy and something equally light. She clutched my hand with both of hers and held it to her chest.

"Yes! Minato-san!"

Something slammed onto the table next to us. A girl that I haven't noticed till now.

I was so engrossed in this change of events that I failed to notice the girl who came into the cafe just now. A girl I knew well. Someone who shouldn't be here.

"...Akechi?"

Gorou Akechi stood with her fist pressed against the hardwood that made up the table. Her face was faced toward the ground, but anyone could tell from her erratic breathing, sweat-drenched hair, tightly clenched fists, and rigid shoulders that she came in a hurry...and that she was furious.

I swallowed. I need to say something, fast.

"Akechi, this isn't what it looks like."

FUCK. ME.

Akechi's eyes pierced mine. The highlight was gone from her pupils, and her crimson eyes were now a murky dark red.

Frankly, she was terrifying.

"I ran through all this way...I was so worried...I've heard that some psycho ripped off the doors from the hospital...and SURPRISE!"

She pointed at Metis.

"You are on a secret date with a new girl."

I opened my mouth to explain, but Akechi cut across before I could utter a single word.

"No. I'm done. And you know what?"

She breathed in deeply-

"FUCK YOU ASSHOLE!"

Akechi turned and ran out. The cafe's glass door nearly shattered as she barged through.

A deathly silence descended on the cafe. I could feel everyone's eyes on my back, and I knew what they said.

I slapped a hand across my face and stifled a sigh. Things get more complicated because it obviously wasn't fucking complicated enough. Story of my life.

Metis stood up and put a hand on my back as if to comfort me. She took a fork by the handle and smiled.

"Shall we exterminate her?", she asked sweetly. The fork crumpled like a plastic straw in her hand.

All emotions drained out of my face.

"Down, girl.", I said in perfect monotone.

My facial muscles are going to go full necrosis at this rate, and I'm not even kidding.

With one last sigh, I stood up and set out to find my troublesome friend.