The Meet of Minds [Genji Kano]

It was a chilly winter morning when the one known as Reiguu Ejji came to the Nokawia Bay. He was dressed in his best winter clothes - a long black coat and kneehigh boots keeping him warm, with a red scarf wrapped around his neck and a pair of gloves on his hands. All the clothes were highly expensive and custom made just for him by his personal tailor. They were of the highest quality, and Ejji barely felt any cold, except for the wind on his face.

He walked up to the railing in the section where the boats were used for trips around the Bay and towards the Hills, which separated Nokawia and Nadashiki. During the winter this place was barely visited, seeing as regular seamen had no business here, other than the few crews tending to their ships nearby. This was exactly why Ejji had chosen this place, for it was open enough and yet without people here to overhear things they were not supposed to. His limousine had parked nearby and left once Ejji got out, since the driver had been given a set time when he was supposed to return - after a phonecall.

Now all Ejji needed was wait for Genji Kano - a friend of his to arrive. He had given him the coordinates to this location, knowing that there was a cafe nearby, in case they wished for food during their talk. Ejji looked behind his back, while supporting himself with his hands on the long railing, his gaze falling upon an empty bench in just a few feet.

He had picked a perfect location. As expected. Ejji took ou his phone, to check the time. He was a few minutes early. Good.

Ejji received Genji's grreting with a simple, silent nod. He knew that Genji would not misunderstand his reaction and proceeded to look ahead, out into the sea. It was actually comforting to know that Ejji had a person close to him who would be able to relate with his silent demeanor and simplistic gestures, someone to understand his hbit of not speaking unless he needed or wanted to say something.
The snow-haired young man had no problem listening, however, to those he deemed important enough to listen to. It's not that he did not listen, per se, but that he remembered what was said.

Ejji nodded again after listening to his friend. That was one of the reasons why he wanted them to meet, but not the only one. "Yes. The Persona business i something we ultimately need to talk about, but there are other things we also need to talk about." Ejji looked left and right, watching the immediate area for anyone's presence, but found the place empty. The only people were on the other side of the road, near the buildings, and they wouldn't be able to hear anything at all. Ejji continued once he was sure it was safe. "I also wish to tell you about my Shadow, which I had faced just days before yours. But later about that... for now I just want to know a bit more about you. As a friend."

Ejji showed a smirk, feeling comfortable enough with the gesture. "I just realized that I don't know much about you, aside from your name, grades, class workplace and convictions. And there are things I would like you to know about me, if we are to face this together." the Reiguu heir looked at Genji. "As for thanks - they are not necessary... but welcome."

Ejji knew that he wanted to share a bit with Genji. And he would let the young man choose, who would be the one to start. He was comfortable enough to begin, unless his friend would say otherwise.

"True. I did save you from yourself, in a way." Ejji nodded, a somewhat sad expression on his face. "Just like how Naito helped me face my own Shadow. I did not expect him to, though."

The Reiguu breathed deep, remembering the event that would now haunt him for years. Even though he had accepted his darkest parts and insecuruties, and would now strive for better, instead of pushing himself down... he would still have the awakening of his Persona imprinted in his dreams, and nightmares. How could a person really ever forget that? To face a terrifying beast that possessed such power over you... it was unforgetable.
Ejji had little trouble speaking of it now, but he still had to supress a shiver. He would tell Genji a bit, even if not everything.

"Remember when we talked about pressure, growing up in a household like mine?" Ejji asked, turning his head to look at Genji. "... you were right. Being born into a family like that gives me a lot of responsibilities. I was always to be judged, on how 'fit' I was for taking over the reigns of our house when I grew up. The time is still yet to come, but I always felt the same thing when confronted with my feelings on the matter." Ejji paused again before continuing. "I was afraid. Always. I hated it when people saw me as weak, so I decided not to give them the chance to do so. This... Facade of calmness and stability is what I forced on myself, what I taught myself to do so no one would doubt me. So everyone would only see me as perfect. Stong, collected, courageous."

The white-haired young man thought back to his early childhood, but decided not to dwell on it. "My Shadow represented that. It said I was a coward and a weakling - that I hid behind the mask, so that others wouldn't treat me anything less than superiour. He called me pathetic. And his words were true."

Ejji stood up straight, no longer leaning on the railing and turned around, leaning back on it, his hands in his pockets. "But... I found the strength to admit these things I thought of myself. And now I have a hope for a better future. Without being plagued by such things."

There were a few things he wanted to ask Genji too. He wanted to know him a bit better, but for now he would remain silent, waiting for Genji to speak his mind first. Would he pity Ejji, or perhaps encourage him? Turn away? Somehow Ejji was sure that his new friend would not leave, just as he ensured that he would not judge him for his tale.

Ejji had to hold back a bitter laugh at his friend's words. It was not that he did not belive in what the other teenager was saying, but the words themselves were so corny that they made him want to laugh. He would stifle the emotion, though, since he did not want to insult Genji with such casual dismissal, or perhaps mocking, when one spoke truthfully from the heart. That or Genji simply wanted Ejji to feel better about this whole situation.

Whatever the case, it was no use to dwell on such things. Ejji nodded his head in the general direction of his home, beginning to speak gain. "You already know that I live in luxury - with cooks, maids, cars, grand real estates... but I have little knowledge as for your accomodations and overall status." Ejji gave a piercing look to Genji, not like his previous ones. "Your Shadow spoke of home and friends, and the guilt you carried... or still carry." Ejji's eyes then softened back, now simply gazing at Genji's face. "I am sorry if the matter is too personal, but for me family matters are very important. My relations with my own parents are good, even though one of them is always away on business. I am simply curios about your situation, unless I am prying where I should not."

Ejji wondered if the thrid year was comfortable enough to share this information. In truth, Ejji himself would not share such information just yet, and would not think less of Genji, if the young man refused to answer. Ejji decided to go to safer topics.

"On the other hand... I would like to know a bit more about your likes and dislikes, I guess." Ejji rubbed his fingers together in his pockets. "Mine are pretty simple. I like sword arts, reading, meditation. My favourite color is blue... if you hadn't guessed yet. You already know what I think of people, in general, but I should clarify that I dislike fools, bullies and overly-cheerful idiots who do nothing but be an annoyance to others. Also I have no love for those who seek slefish profit in any situation... and backstab their comrades. Such people deserve nothing..." Ejji kept a frown from appearing on his face, speaking in a voice that was used for reading a list of groceries. He still didn't like to show emotions about little things like this. "I respect those who know what they are doing, those who don't talk just because they feel like sharing useless information. I respect those who help others in need. I guess this is it for the moment." Ejji nodded, unsure what more to say. "If you have any questions - ask. I shall answer to the best of my abilities."

"I see."

It was perhaps the only way he could respond to what he heard about Genji's relationship with his parents. He did not really know what exactly was the cause of the unhapiness in that family, but he guessed it was none of his business anyway. It seemed that Genji somehow transferred the guilt onto himself and it all went downhill from there. At least now - when he faced his Shadow and obtained his Persona he would be able to feel better and grow stronger as a person. Ejji knew that he was already feeling the effect of his struggle. The first step on the way to improvement was admitting one's own faults and accepting them, after all.

Ejji was also pleased to know more mundane things Genji had interest in. However he could not understand how it brought so much relief to someone from helping others. No - he would help those in need close to him as well, but if people wanted to make fools out of themselves he would not lift a finger to stop them... maybe only point out their faults.

"The disciplinary Committee... I just don't see any such activities helping my mood. It would rather be simply troublesome. But I respect your effort." Ejji sighed. "I have only just now gained free time for myself, starting from the middle of First Year... and I plan to spend that time with results. Besides - I will not do mundane tasks for anyone. My position demands otherwise."

Ejji nodded to himself. He admitted now that he had fears about being unfit for the Reiguu line, but that still did not mean he would ridicule himself by being a babysitter for other students or some such. He barely even helped others at his Clubs. And even then he did it only with the desire to aid, and not due to requests or orders, if such would ever be given to him.

"Indeed" Ejji agreed. "This Persona business is an eye-opener."

The young man still had to admit that the whole chain of events they had experienced was bizzare and seemed more like a dream, but he had no doubt in his heart that everything was true. He liked that due to all this he managed to save a friend's life and gain an awesome power. he only thing left now was to get to the bottom of things and make sure to punish all those responsible for the dissappearances and murders, undoubtably.

Ejji also noticed that they had come to a curious point in their conversation. The boy was sure that he had said all he had wanted to say to Genji today, and wasn't sure if they could talk about anything else. Perhaps they could do something else?

"If you are hungry - we can go to the nearest cafe for sustenance. If not..." Ejji paused, unsure how to proceed. "... I am willing to listen to any ideas you might have."

This was a bit awkward, was it not?

Well, that was a little awkward. Genji brushed it off, though. He knew that Ejji didn't really do stuff like that, he must have never done that before. Everyday is a new experience, it seems that it holds true for the two of them.

Genji wanted to talk about Personas more with Ejji, but he was curious as to whether anyone would hear or not. A cafe is a rather easy place to eavesdrop on conversations. But then again, maybe this was just something that others could brush off as a silly game that they play. Japan was the place where hearing about saving the world is not that uncommon, so he decided to go for it. He said to Ejji,

"Yeah, we can talk a little more in the cafe, I'm sure no one would eavesdrop or even care about our conversations, we should be fine. I'm ready wen you are." Genji didn't like sitting out here in the cold, it was starting to eat away at his warm clothes, so the faster they got in, the better.