This is my version of Hamuko/Minako advancing through some of the ranks of the Star Social Link, featuring Akihiko Sanada! All set in first point of view of the female protagonist to add more thoughts and provide humorous points to the story.

I've only picked a few cutscenes that I found more lovey-dovey. I've avoided the beginning and where he tells her of his sister, because for those who've played the game, you wouldn't want to read it again. Also, you can just assume what happened during the other rankings, and you can predict exactly what date these chapters occur in. It's all up to you!

Anyway, no one wants to hear the author blab, so here you go - ENJOY!

Oh, and I've used the name Hamuko because I don't like making up new names and I've added Minato in the story for kicks.

Persona 3 Portable

Winning His Heart

Rumor Confirmed (Rank 4)

AkihikoxHamuko

It was funny how I got myself into these kinds of situations. Of course the new girl at Gekkoukan High would be at the receiving end of all the lame rumors. They weren't all lame though, some were quite interesting.

"I heard she got kicked out of her last high school in America because she seduced the principal."

"Really? I heard she seduced all her teachers, even the female ones!"

"I bet she needed the good grade and that was the only way to compensate for it. Why else would the principal give this girl such a high GPA?"

Seriously now? Me? A bisexual. Didn't know this school would be filled with gossip/drama queens. And unlike them, I don't need to "compensate" for good grades, which also makes me have a second thought: they're not using that word correctly. But, even if I do explain, the first thing they'll do is start another fucking rumor about me that would have no relevance whatsoever to my reality. Not that it mattered to me. And the principal giving me a high GPA? Puh-lease! Does the principal give the grades to the students here, cause for one adult to be teaching a whole student body with three different grade levels with different subjects is pretty incredible.

Let's come back to reality, shall we?

My grades were top because I actually study. What else do I have to do at night in a co-ed dorm? Have sex with Junpei?

OK. Erase that disgusting mental image from brain.

Image deleted.

And never to return again.

Oh right, there is that whole Tartarus thing. Yeah, fighting black beings who mutate into evil-doers? Yeah, I still need to adjust to that... But my lovely blue-haired cousin seems to be doing just dandy with it. Why do you think he's leader most of the time? I mean sure, after two months of battling with a Naginata, one finds out that it's a great way to relieve built-up stress due to unforeseen circumstances – like ignoring these insignificant rumors.

"Well, I heard that she slept with-"

"My cousin, Minato? Well, that wouldn't be a surprised, considering I've apparently slept with all the teachers at my last high school. You girls better watch out - I bite."

Giving them a big fat sneer to their surprised looks, I flipped my hair in the pathetic way that those girls would do just moments before looking down on another poor defenseless student.

I just couldn't help it. Being the new girl let yourself fit in with the crowd that you want. Too bad I migrate between groups.

The rumors only started because I began hanging out with their precious silver-haired boxer.

Yes, the silent and mysterious fighter in the school.

Tall and handsome? Check.

Passionate about getting stronger? Check.

Has a ton of fangirls? Check.

Makes girls worship the ground he walks on? Check.

Hamuko Arisato has a tiny bit of a crush on him? Marked X.

Hey, what can I say?

Well, this is my story, so it's pretty obvious what that answer is to that rhetorical question.

But I'm not like his stupid fangirls, nor am I those kinds of girls who hit boys when they like them.

If he finds the spark, he'll come after me like a normal guy should.

A fangirl would follow him, stalk him if you prefer, and wait till he finally confesses his undying love for them and runs off into the sunset while flowers are floating everywhere around them.

…

Yeah... that is SO not me.

But nothing's happened to cause such a spark, if you're wondering.

We've only hung out about … three times? Besides the Tartarus and Dorm hangouts, within school grounds, we keep our relationship to a bare minimum. Not that it's a set goal for us to avoid each other.

He has his boxing and I have my thing. On occasion, we would train together, but we're both content with our school lives now. If we want to hangout, we find each other.

Simple as that.

This one time, we were both heading to the Beef Bowl Shop, and BAM! These two feline model-wannabes appear out of nowhere in front of Akihiko. It was really quite obvious that they were trying to hangout with the boxer, but he didn't have a clue – not that I was going to protest. They practically threw themselves at his feet, but he brushed them off like nothing, not even knowing he had basically declined their 'offer' to be with them. I pretty much laughed in his face when he regretted it after we ate.

Ooo, speak of the devil.

"Isn't it the lovely Boxer of Gekkoukan High?" Akihiko Sanada smirked at my comment as he approached me in the second floor hallways. Lunch had just started. "What can I do for my oh so loveable senpai?"

Oh, teasing was part of this ordeal. Always loved to tease him. That was my way of throwing hints at him.

The third year student's smirk dropped into a hesitant frown, looking around at the girls staring and back to his female-companion in the battle against evil, "Err.. I have something to ask you."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm assuming you can't ask me now?"

"How about we walk back to the dorm together?"

I smirked under my breath, "Is this your way of asking me on a date, senpai? Because if I'm ever going to be asked out, I need to know date, place, time, location, and I'm also going to need your constant commitment to me."

Akihiko blushed considerably, and it made me laugh, "I dread the day that I ask you out then."

"After school it is then! Let the day of dread commence."

Akihiko and I were getting off the train when I finally couldn't take the silence between us.

What in heavens am I talking about?

Oh yes of course, the famous Gekkoukan Boxer is the talkative type – at least about fitness and exercising, right?

Well, he hasn't spoken a word ever since I picked him up after school. It was completely reporter news. I especially wanted to like bomb him with questions when he began to fidget with the watch in his hand.

He constantly avoided my eye.

When I started a conversation, he'd make a noise and look away.

First of all, you do not ignore me.

Second of all, when I have a crush on someone, I will make them notice me.

With Akihiko, I thought I was doing pretty good up until now since I've received the honor of actually training with him. But no, this day has to be the day of doubt.

Ugh, boys.

Our co-ed dorm was within sight when the deafening silence was gnawing on my insides. Though I really had nothing to say or ask. I mean, honestly, he's a boy. If I ask him to tell me what's the matter, all he gonna say is, "Nothing."

So what do I say?

The most obvious feeling I want to project.

"Akihiko-senpai, I'm bored."

There, plain and simple. It's out in the open.

If he cared, he'll do something about that.

"Huh...?"

At least he responded.

His eyes turned to me before they got wide as he realized how long he must've not been talking. "Oh, sorry..."

Aww! He was so cute when he looked apologetic. I just wanted to pinch his cheeks.

Hehe.

Don't look at me that way. You know you darn fangirls want to drool and squeal and all those other things to express how gushy you all are.

"Look," he started, averting his gaze from mine once again as we sat down on the dorm steps, "if yo don't want to tell me, then you don't have to."

What the fudge?

What is he talking about?

Akihiko sighed hesitantly, "It's just..."

The suspense was seriously killing me. All I could do was stare at him, waiting for him to continue.

Did he finally realize my undying love for his well-being and he's come to finally crush my hopes and dreams of wanting to go steady with him throughout my high school years, being together for many years to come, and marry on a beach with the promise of everlasting love?

Oh wait; like I said – I'm not a crazed fangirl.

He finally looked up to me, wanting to see my expression I assume, "Is it true you're going out with Junpei?"

I wanted to, like, burst out laughing at that moment. But I held it in. It came out in like spurts of giggles, and he stared at me with a perplexed expression. I would be too if the guy I asked to confirm a rumor about a potential lover suddenly started laughing in my place.

"Wha-what's so funny?"

"Y-you brought me out here," giggle, "to ask me about a r-rumor?" I couldn't hold it in no more, the giggles turned into laughter.

Akihiko's cheeks turned red with embarrassment and I felt bad, but it was just too damn funny that he would be asking me such a thing. It was so ironic to me – I would think the elder wouldn't think twice about such a rumor. Especially when it was something between me and Junpei.

JUNPEI OF ALL PEOPLE!

No offense, the boy is hilarious. But... he is so not my type - more like a best friend kind of guy.

My laughter died down after a few moments, and I turned back to the embarrassed boy with an amused grin, "He's just a friend, senpai."

"I see..." He replied, his cheeks returning to their normal color as he looked down to his hands. He was quiet for a moment before speaking again, with a slightly less enthusiastic tone, "Sorry. It was just a rumor I heard."

"Don't get the wrong idea, senpai."

Wait, why'd I say that?

"I-I see. Well anyway, I'm sorry," he apologized again. He was so cute when I teased him, with those cute annoyed or embarrassed expressions.

Oh well, can't change what I said.

Akihiko hung his head in shame, and I could tell cause he always held his head like that when he was down, "It's bad enough that I listened to a rumor, but then I confronted you about it... It was incredibly rude of me." For a second, I thought he was going to go all EMO on me. But like the Akihiko I knew, he smiled up at me and said, "If I hear anyone say that again, I'll tell them it's not true."

I laughed – how chivalrous of him. "Please do. The next time I hear someone say that, I'll teach them a thing or two about spreading rumors."

Now it was Akihiko's turn to laugh, "Well, maybe it's best to avoid giving rumors any credibility by trying to deny them."

"Aww, that's no fun, senpai," I replied, leaning against the boy. He never minded when I did it before.

I felt him rumble with chuckling again before he looked at his watch, purposely this time, "Want to get something to eat? I'll pay."

I pinched his cheeks teasingly, "Aw, what a gentleman." His cheeks turned red, but before he said anything, I completely jumped at the notion of, "Something spicy!"

"Yeah, that might be nice for a change," he agreed, nodding approvingly as he too stood up.

I noticed something different about my senpai at that moment. He looked more free, free of a burden. More happier and carefree, too. I grinned up at him gleefully as he looked down at me with that handsome smile of his.

He faced back toward the train station, looking back at me in amusement, "Shall we?"

Taking off for the station, I called out behind me with a challenging smirk, "Race ya!"

"No fair!" He laughed, chasing after me.

Just another hangout day with my favorite senpai.