Shift focus to Minako

(Chapter originally by faith on writing.com)

While Yukari was busy showing Junpei secrets she had long vowed he would never get to see, Minako was busy with problems of her own. There was a burning question on her mind far more important than public nudity. At least that was what she kept telling herself as she ran down the hallways of her school, past shocked teacher and snickering classmates, horribly aware that she was showing them an unobstructed view of her bouncing breasts and ass cheeks. By the time she reached the rest room her face was burning hot as she felt the stares of so many on her body. Quickly she slipped into the bathroom, locking the door behind her and quickly checking the stalls to ensure no one was inside.

Breathing heavy, heart pounding and face blushing hot, Minako took a moment to catch her breath before slowly turning away from the stalls. At the other end of the room was a sink and a mirror just above it. Minako stared at her reflection, slowly walking forward. A narcissistic twinge stole over her as she stared at herself. Black shoes and white thigh high socks, ribbon tied about her neck. All the familiar touches of a school uniform, missing only the pieces most necessary for modesty. Minako looked at her cute blush and longing eyes, her large breasts capped with erect pink nipples, and her shaven bare sex plainly visible under the bright lights of the stall. This was the cute girl that her classmates had been staring at just a few minutes ago. This was the naked body that had roamed up and down the city, that so many strangers had seen and photographed in too many obscene situations to count. This was the hot, nubile form that had coaxed the sensible, level headed Mitsuru to strip out of her clothes in a public place and beg to be tasted in a filthy alley full of leering men. This was what her squad of humiliated girls could not get enough of despite all the ordeals they were suffering. This was the tool Temptation was using to take over the world.

Minako stared at herself, her hands hugging her small belly. She had lost count of how many times she had been pleasured today. And yet there was something about being so utterly helpless yet so completely enthralling to everyone around her. The desire to play with herself, to feel that intensely wonderful yet embarrassing rush of pleasure...it never seemed satisfied. The more people who saw her only seemed to make the feeling worse. And it was back now, seeing herself the way so many other people had seen her, bared and ashamed and horny.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Not now. There were more important things to do.

"Pharos." She whispered. "I know your there. You came out last night. I know you don't need a dark hour to manifest. Your strong enough now. Just like Ryoji was."

Nothing happened.

"I'm not crazy. What I'm remembering happened. It feels too real." Minako explained. "I need answers."

Still nothing responded.

"Okay. Maybe you need some help..." She whispered.

She withdrew an Evoker from her bag. She shivered as she pushed the fake gun between her bare breasts, aiming the chamber directly at her heart. So many times she had done this. Yet somehow the act carried a grim weight each time. She supposed it had to. If it ceased to feel, on some fundamental level, as if you were taking your own life the gun would probably fail to call the Persona.

She closed her eyes and held her breath. But as she was about to press the trigger, she felt a cold hand touch her arm.

"No need for that." Pharos said, smiling in his unsettling way. He had appeared on her shoulders, Minako giving up a defacto piggy back ride. As she stared up into his eyes and he down into hers, she vaguely wondered why he weighted so little.

"Hey." Minako said, a little nonplussed by the surreal scene.

"You called?"

"Umm....right. Umm...why are you here?" Minako asked.

"....because you called me here." Pharos said in his usual deadpan.

"No. Not HERE. Why are you still...here! Inside my head." Minako said.

"Where else would I be?"

"Out in the world. Apprising for Nyx. Preparing for the Fall." Minako said grimly.

"Ah." Pharos nodded, disappearing off her back and reappearing on one of the stall walls. "That's simple. There was no need."

"No need? No need? What does that mean?" Minako asked.

Pharos shrugged. "It means that several months ago, I and Nyx became aware that humanity no longer yearned for ****."

Minako blinked. "But...that's wrong. That's all wrong! You became Ryoji! There was a **** cult! I...I'm not supposed to be naked!"

"Interesting. I'm afraid I have no memory of that." Pharos said, staring at her with his round eyes and neutral expression.

Minako stared at him, glanced down at herself, and belatedly used her hands to cover herself.

"I...thought the Fall was inevitable." Minako said at last.

"Hmmm. Interesting point. It would require something drastic to change humanity's yearnings that way in such a short amount of time. I suppose it would technically be possible to destroy the manifestations of humanity's desire for **** before it could rouse Nyx. Or somehow seal her in slumber. But to subvert humanity's desires altogether? That would take an entity as strong as Nyx herself."

"You mean Temptation." Minako whispered.

"No, actually. Temptation is strong, but not as powerful as my mistress. Or even myself, as the Appriser." Pharos said.

"So...what does that mean?" Minako asked.

"If I had to guess, it means that Temptation itself is much like my role. A servant acting by the will of a stronger entity." Pharos said.