[ Aw, that's sort of cute, seeing Minato try to act all modest about it-- and unlike Akechi, he does sound rather genuine about it, too. ]

That is a nice way of thinking, but there is such a thing as aptitude, you do realize? There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your own talents.

[ ... although maybe he should. Pay more attention to what he's doing instead of trying to deflect Akechi's praise, maybe?? ]

A-ah, Arisato-kun, your hand..!

[ He will do this to him, they are not done with this talk yet, young mister!! But they can save it for later because Minato is... doing a thing that he really shouldn't be doing, come on, boy, don't suck on a bloody finger... ]

Tiny prick or not, this needle is old and somewhat rusty, so it has likely been contaminated. At the very least, we should have it properly cleaned up and bandaged...!

[ This might be hard to do without a healing spell, though. Do they even have any soap left...? ]

[ We don't have any tetanus shots available, Minato, he is concerned!! But: ]

Wait, a... healing spell?

[ Okay, no obviously Akechi isn't a stranger to the concept of healing spells, but... Minato? Could it be...? ]

Arisato-kun, are you also someone with special skills...?

[ Har, indeed. ]

A Persona...?

[ But rather than this big reveal, it's the little bit that follows that actually catches his attention: "like a few other people here." Even assuming Minato knows about Akira and Yusuke, that's only two others, but... does that mean there are even more?

Well. He's going to habe to investigate this later, but for now: ]

What exactly do you mean?

[ Better make sure he's not lying about it, before deciding on his next course of action. ]

[ Well, yes, of course he knows that, but Minato isn't aware of the fact so he's going through unnecessary information. His choice of words does give him a little more credibility (really, mask metaphors? very appropriate.) but Akechi still needs more solid evidence before even considering taking the next step. ]

So you call upon your soul, and it manifests into a physical power, correct? [ Maybe he sounds a little too knowledgeable, but at the same time, it doesn't sound like a far-fetched conclusion to make, based on what Minato has revealed. ] That sounds... fascinating, really.

[ A pause, and he brings a hand to his chin, eyes averted in what seems to be a rather bashful act. ] I understand this may be very forward of me, but... would you mind showing me how that works? Detectives have a terrible habit of being too curious, haha...

[ It's Akechi's turn to narrow his eyes, head tilted slightly sideways in confusion. What could possibly be so alarming about masks? Sure, there was a good amount of bleeding upon the first awakening, but once that was over--

Wait. Could it be that there were different summoning methods...? ]

If that will make you at ease, I could. [ He can compromise on that, at least. ] But, I assure you I can handle it. As a detective, I have seen plenty of alarming incidents, in my line of work.

[ Well. Maybe not only as a detective. ]

[ Oh, well. Akechi is still going to be curious but, assuming this is really true,he'll have plenty of chances to witness Minato's very special Persona summon. ]

Very well. [ A nod. ] If that is all it takes, it is a simple enough request.

[ And just like that, he spins on his heels and turns his back on Minato. He won't even cheat and peek, promise! ]

[ The sound of shattering glass does make him that bit more curious, but he honors his word and waits until Minato gives him the okay to look.

Once he does turn around, there's some genuine surprise in his features-- not so much at the fact that Minato was saying the truth, but more so, at the Persona hovering above him. It's not one he remembers having seen before-- and he had seen, and fused, a fair number of them. ]

So this is your Persona... [ He comes a little closer, inspects the figure with some mild interest. He wonders what it's called. ] That is truly impressive.

[ He turns back to face Minato, and then: ] You really were saying the truth, weren't you?

[ There's more to his smile than just his usual pleasantries, a hint of secrecy that's eager to come out in the open-- so much, that it maybe slips through his choice of words. After all, how could an Ordinary Boy tell that truly was a Persona? ]

[ His smile widens. ] I always knew you had a sharp sense of attention to details, Arisato-kun.

[ Without another word, he takes a hand to his face, and suddenly everything will probably make more sense to Minato. The mask materializes first, long and red like blood, and in a flash, his entire outfit shifts to something more reminiscing of royalty, all white with details in red and gold. ]

Come forth, Robin Hood! [ Next, it's time for his Persona to make an appearance, all large and bulky and proud, hovering above his figure. ]

You were correct: I do know more about Personas than I had previously made you believe. And the reason for that is... because I have the same powers as you.

[ Hah. ]

[ Sure, Minato, pulling off a mask and changing outfits is a lot more dramatic than shooting yourself in the head, absolutely. ]

Thank you. [ The usual polite smile is back into place, but maybe it's just a tad bit smug this time, just a little. ] An outlaw, but a hero of justice, in his own right... If I'm supposed to be a rebel, then I'm glad this is the kind of Persona that best represents me.

[ Well. It's not a lie-- there is still a part of him that is like Robin Hood. But the strongest influence, the real him... that is definitely Loki. ]

Ah, but you never told me what your Persona is called, Arisato-kun.

[ So little, indeed. Still, Akechi smiles at that-- it means his disguise is working, like it should. ]

I'm glad you think so.

[ But, Minato's Persona is also very... interesting. ]

Still, Orpheus, huh...? [ Hmm. ] The one whose sorrow moved everything living or not in this earth, in hopes to bring his beloved Eurydice back from the dead... I have to wonder, how that would suit you.

[ Hmm... If that's not the part that Minato is supposed to represent, the options that are left are... indeed very obscure. Bordering on dark, perhaps. Not very much like the Minato he's come to know so far.

Well. He supposes everyone keeps secrets, after all. ]

Well, from my experience with other Persona users, there is always a connection. If you can't figure it out now, I'm sure it will come to you, at some point. Until then, it will just be one more fun mystery to solve.

[ Fun... sure........ ]