Tartarus hadn’t even come into Vincent’s mind today, too focused on trying to keep his grades up, his friends close, his enemies on watch, his sleeping habits good, and various other things in check was not helping his mind in the slightest; at least they were close enough to barrier to make it not needed entirely. “You make a point; even if you don’t believe it, it’s worth a shot…” The persona user nodded in response, taking a seat on the bench next to his upperclassman.
“A puppy? Nah, I haven’t seen it around…at least that means it’s doing a good job at hiding, huh?” Vincent gave a small chuckle, still in high spirits from his recent sleep deprivation. “I’ll have to ask Koro about it next time I take him on a walk.” With a smile, the bluenette took the bowl and thanked his Akihiko. It’d be a while since he ate anything, so the food was much appreciated; especially with the Kendo training he’d done that afternoon.
“Studies…heh, could be going a lot better, but compared to Junpei I’m studying like Steven Hawking.” Another chuckle fell from his lips, beginning to shovel the rice and beef into his mouth as though it were a bottomless pit. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to studying like a normal person, but I guess that could be said about everyone in SEES; with the Tartarus visits, shadow fights, STREGA intrusions, and civilian rescues…we’re probably doing more work than the police are.”
“But, I guess that’s expected for the lives we lead now.”
If it weren’t for Mitsuru’s insistence of studying and that one incident that taught him that strategy and tactics from brains is just as important as the brawn needed to execute a strategy and tactics, Akihiko would probably overdoing his training as of now. Instead, he’s here at the shrine asking for some wisdom even if it will never come. It doesn’t hurt to be religious, though moderation in that is vital as well. The boxer cleared the seat to make way for the blue-haired boy and told the other:
❝ Even if we do believe, no one can help us if we don’t put effort into it first. ❞
Akihiko nods upon Tanaka’s remark on the dog. He never seen the puppy without Koromaru’s aid, and since the boxer had laid the beef bowl on a hard to see spot. It’s probably because it’s scared like most of the dogs wandering about in the streets.
❝ I think he’ll show you the next time you do take him to a walk. Now that I think of it, that puppy is relatively clean... ❞
Koromaru is a smart dog. Maybe it’ll lead to something. A clean puppy wandering about in the streets, probably the puppy is parted from their owners. Akihiko should have handed the puppy over to the police for help in the first place, but he was too tired that day. If walking the dog isn’t a form of exercise, Akihiko would have been in bed that time.
❝ Junpei? He never studies! He pretends to. Like that time in his room? He was glancing at the table but underneath was him blindly playing a game console until I barged into his room to check up on him. ❞
Akihiko seems angry by the other’s actions, though it seem to resemble more over a brother fussing over a younger kid brother. Akihiko calmed down almost instantly as he resumed eating away before continuing. An eager smile appeared on his face.
❝ It’s like living a double life, isn’t it. It may be hard to balance those two sometimes, but if you do it right, it feels rewarding. ❞
❝ Though, I don’t really agree with you on the police remark. Officer Kurosawa provide us the weapons, remember? If it weren’t for him, we would still be using our most basic equipment that aren’t exactly effective on stronger Shadows. ❞
At some point of his life, when Akihiko do crave for an ordinary life and Shadows cease to exist, working in the police force sounds like a good idea. Or maybe the JSDF? Japan’s Self Defense Force might accept Akihiko in…
