As she was walking to school the next morning, Yosuke pulled up on his bike. “Yo!” He called out. He stopped so they could talk.
Yua smirked. “You’ve learned how to handle that thing, huh.”
“Well, you know, practice makes perfect,” Yosuke replied, chuckling. He grew more serious. “I take it you saw The Midnight Channel last night?” Yua nodded. “Could you make anything out?”
“Barely…” Yua answered. “All I saw was the silhouette of a girl in a kimono.”
“Figures,” Yosuke said. “I saw the same thing too.”
“However, Izanagi has told me no one is inside yet,” Yua informed him.
“Well that’s good,” Yosuke noted. “But maybe we should try and figure things out. I mean, we have this mysterious power, and it seems like whoever put Saki-senpai and that reporter in the TV does too. And if you ask me, I think we’re the only ones who can stop this from continuing. I mean, who’d believe us?”
“You believed me,” Yua pointed out.
“Well, not necessarily,” Yosuke admitted. “I just know what it’s like to be new in town. And, well, I know what can happen if people don’t like you. I just didn’t want you here with no one to rely on, you know?”
“I mean, I have my uncle,” Yua pointed out.
“Right, but like, someone our age,” Yosuke said. “As much as your uncle cares for you, I think it’s important to have friends and stuff.”
“Yeah…” Yua replied.
Yosuke pondered this response. “You know, you opened up a lot to me back there. You said a lot of things that I imagine weren’t easy to say. And I really believe that if we’re going to do this, I have to be just as open. That world preys on insecurity and darkness. So I need to try my best to keep myself steady, and I believe with you by my side I can do it.”
Yua chuckled. “To be honest, I was just following someone else’s advice. ‘In order to save others, you have to save yourself. And in order to save yourself, you have to admit you need saving.’”
Yosuke smirked. “They must be pretty smart.”
“Perhaps,” Yua said. “Now if only I could remember who they are…”
“More shenanigans?” Yosuke asked.
“Yeah,” Yua admitted. “It seems like my life is full of them.”
“Well, you know you can count on me to help,” Yosuke said. He reached out his hand. “Put ‘er there, partner!” Yua smiled and shook his hand.
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast established a new bond…
It brings thee closer to the truth…
Thou shalt be blessed by The Magician Arcana…
Magician-Yosuke Hanamura: Rank 1
“C’mon,” Yosuke said. “We should get to class. And after school, we can think about what to do next.” Yua nodded, and the two of them headed off.
As they arrived, they got themselves situated, when Chie burst in. She saw Yua and Yosuke and charged towards them. “Have either of you seen Yukiko?!”
“Yeah!” Chie explained. “DId you two watch The Midnight Channel?” They both nodded. “I think the person on it was Yukiko.”
“Yukiko?!” Yosuke exclaimed. “Are you sure?”
“Well…I can’t say for certain…” Chie admitted. “BUT the kimono she was wearing looked kind of like the kimono she wears when she works at the inn.”
“Hmmm,” Yua pondered. “Come to think of it, I saw her in that kimono yesterday after everything.”
“You did?!” Chie asked.
Yua nodded. “She was out on an errand, and we chatted for a little bit. And later, I saw her on the news. Apparently, her family’s inn was where that reporter Yamano was staying to lay low.”
“Perhaps this is all connected then,” Yosuke posited. “I mean, Saki-senpai found the body.”
“True,” Chie said. “But why would someone so obsessed with this reporter have this power?”
“I don’t even know why I have it to be fair,” Yua explained.
“True,” Chie said.
“Oh! But a bit of good news,” Yua continued. “According to the voice in my head, she’s not in the TV world yet.”
“Really?!” Chie wondered. “How can you be so sure?”
“Well, he told me last time when someone was in the TV,” Yua said. “And he has no reason to lie to me.”
“For what it’s worth, I believe her,” Yosuke said. Chie was still unsure. “OK, look, if Yukiko’s not here, we can stop by the inn after school to check on her, OK?”
Chie relented. “OK… I am worried. I don’t want her to disappear.”
“Alright, you savages!” Morooka called out. “Get in your seats NOW! Class is about to start!” Everyone got seated, calm, but on edge.
After school, Yua, Yosuke, and Chie dropped by the inn to check on Yukiko. “There sure are a lot of people here today,” Yua remarked.
“Yeah,” Yosuke said. “I can see why Yukiko might have needed to skip school.”
“Oh yeah,” Chie remembered. “This kind of thing happens, like, at least once a year. They get a big reservation, and it’s all hands on deck.”
“You could have told us that before,” Yosuke said.
“I mean, it’s not a secret,” Chie said. “Pretty much everyone in town knows about this.”
“Counterpoint: I only got here six months ago, and Yua JUST got here!”
“True…” Chie admitted.
Yua sighed. “Well, regardless, the point of us coming here is to make sure she’s OK. We can still do that.” The two of them nodded, and all three headed in the inn.
Surprisingly, Yukiko was behind the front desk. “Well that was easy,” Yosuke said.
Yukiko looked up at them. “Oh. Hello. Did you need a reservation for something? I have to warn you, I do have a lot going on, so now might not be the best time.”
“Nah,” Chie said. “We just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“I see,” Yukiko said. “Well, to be honest, I am burning my candle at both ends right now trying to keep things together.”
“Well, um,” Yosuke said, “I can tell you’re rather busy. So, tell you what, once things die down, why don’t the four of us share a meal at Junes? My treat.”
“You’d do that for me?” Yukiko said, surprised. She smiled. “Thanks.”
Yua glanced around. “Say, um, have you seen anyone suspicious in this crowd?”
“Um, not really,” Yukiko said. “But I carry some pepper spray just in case.”
“Good,” Yua said.
“Is something the matter?” Yukiko said.
“Well…” Yosuke said. “It’s just with the two murders recently, we just want to be sure you’re alright.”
“Yeah!” Chie said. “You’re coming to school less, you’re working at the inn more, plus this inn was where that Yamano lady was staying at.”
“Aww. Are you worried I’m going to get caught up in all this?” Yukiko said. “Like I said, I’ve got pepper spray. If some unknown creep tries anything, pachow! Right in the face.”
“No offense, but you’re not the best judge of that,” Chie said. “Remember earlier this week with that one weird kid?”
“Well that’s…” Yukiko said. “I mean, he ran away, right?”
“Yeah, but!”
“Don’t worry, Chie,” Yukiko said. “I can handle it. “Besides, most of the customers have been checked in at this point. The rest of my day is going to be spent taking inventory, accepting a delivery, and some room service with my mom. I’m going to be fine.”
Chie sighed. “Alright. I trust you Yukiko. But I’m going to come back tomorrow, OK?”
“Fine by me,” Yukiko said.
Yua nodded. “Thank you.” She, Yosuke, and Chie left the inn.
As they were walking, Yosuke asked “Are you sure she’s going to be safe?”
“I don’t know,” Chie said. “But I don’t think I need to be some knight in shining armor protecting her 24/7.”
“Yeah,” Yua said. “She has a lot on her plate already. I think us serving as protection detail would just be more of a hindrance than anything.”
“True,” Yosuke said. “But I think we should keep an eye on The Midnight Channel just to be safe.” The two girls nodded. The group continued on, heading home for the evening.
Once evening hit, the rain started pouring, and the police were investigating the area. Ryotaro was pondering what evidence he could. Adachi walked up to him. “Looks like we’ve found everything we’re gonna find. Pretty sure this rain is gonna wash away any small trace we may have missed.”
“Hmmm,” Ryotaro noted. “Do you think that’s part of this plan?”
“Who knows?” Adachi said.
Ryotaro sighed. “I hate to classify this as a murder so soon into the investigation, but there’s nothing else it could be. Grrr. It’s tough when we don’t have a lot to go off of.”
“Do you think this has something to do with the scandal involving Miss Yamano and Namatame?”
“No,” Ryotaro answered. “Namatame’s wife, Miruzu Hiiragi, was out of the country during the incident. Witness accounts and her phone records prove it. Besides, she’s the one who broke the story. Why would she do that if she was planning on murder?”
“I guess that’s a fair point,” Adachi said.
“Not only that, but Namatame has a solid alibi as well,” Ryotaro continued. “No matter how much we shake him down, he doesn’t know anything.”
“Heard he got fired too,” Adachi noted. “This whole situation must be really rough for him.”
“I’ll say,” Ryotaro said. “When I talked to him, he seemed really devoted to Yamano, but also felt bad about hurting his wife. I don’t think he would kill Yamano.”
“But where does that leave us?” Adachi asked.
“We still don’t have a cause of death,” Ryotaro moaned. “It’d be one thing if we could at least determine that. Plus the fact that there’s been two victims like this is shocking. And it’s not like they killed the Konishi girl to shut her up. She had told us long before she was killed.”
“Well, maybe she knew something about the body that she didn’t tell us,” Adachi offered. “I mean, seeing a body like that isn’t an everyday occurrence. She might have forgotten something in the panic.”
“I say Adachi,” Ryotaro replied, “that’s using your brain. Hmmm. But now there’s the matter of how the killer got to each of them. Presumably, the killer caught Yamano around the inn.”
“Ah, you saw that on the news as well?” Adachi asked.
Ryotaro was stunned. “It’s on the news already?!” He sighed. “Honestly, this is just making our job harder and harder.”
“Well, who knows?” Adachi said, trying to cheer Ryotaro up. “The smallest thing could crack this case wide open.”
“Thanks,” Ryotaro said. “Let’s just refocus and make sure we know what we’re dealing with. I believe that this is a serial homicide case, and if that’s true, I believe the killer is working alone. And whoever the killer is, they have to be in Inaba. It seems to be centered on the first victim, Mayumi Yamano, but any link to her directly is a dead end. Perhaps there’s another reason this is happening.”
“What else could it be?” Adachi asked.
“That…I’m still unsure on,” Ryotaro said. “However, it is good to think about.” He nodded. “We need to keep investigating. Right Adachi?”
“Yes sir!” Adachi replied. They continued to investigate for a bit, before returning to the station.
Yua got back to the Dojima residence. “Welcome back!” Nanako called out.
Yua smiled. “Thanks.” She noticed that Nanako was watching her trivia program and was really into it. She decided to leave her alone. After making herself a light dinner and eating it, she headed up to her room.
Once up there, she asked “Iazanagi?”
“Yes?” Izanagi replied.
“How do you know if someone is in the TV world or not?” Yua asked.
“I can just sort of sense it when I look into The Midnight Channel,” Izanagi explained. “It’s part of my connection to that world.”
“So that world is where you come from?” Yua asked.
“Is that an issue?” Izanagi wondered.
“I don’t know,” Yua said. “I just thought you were part of this world. You know, being a god and all.”
“I can see the confusion,” Izanagi said. “If it helps, think of that world as a realm of the gods and the machinations of humanity.”
“So, you’re not real?” Yua asked, confused.
“Well, it depends on your definition,” Izanagi explained. “What might not be real in the world you inhabit is real in the world over there. And as a god, I can walk between the two.”
“This has spiraled into complex theology,” Yua said, rubbing her head.
“You asked,” Izanagi snided.
“Fair enough,” Yua said. “Let’s just focus on the task at hand. I’m sure I can handle the true nature of everything once all of this gets sorted.”
“Ambitious,” Izanagi said.
The clock struck midnight. Yua and Izanagi turned their gaze to the TV. Almost instantly, Yukiko appeared on the screen. She was wearing a pink princess dress. She was smiling and had a microphone in her hands. “Good evening!” she started, her voice more bubbly than Yua had ever heard it. “Tonight, Princess Yukiko has a surprise for you! I’m going to find my own Knight in Shining Armor! Welcome to ‘Not a Hoax, Not a Dream, Princess Yukiko’s Hunt for Her Prince Charming!’ And might I mention that while this lovely dress is very demure, I do have on some lacy unmentionables to help score my stud! I’m off to catch a whole host of dreamboats who will make my dream come true! Here I goooooo~!” Yukiko then wandered off into a nearby castle.
The TV went back to normal. Yua and Izanagi were stunned. “OK,” Yua said. “I don’t have your power, but I do believe that Yukiko is in the TV world.”
P4G: Mirror Mirror (A FeMC Story/P4G Rework)
Chapter 4: Off-Kilter
Yua woke up for real, after having fallen back asleep after the weird dream she had. She was still confused about what happened, but even more determined to stop it. Well, if she knew how. She imagined that Izanagi, Igor, Margaret, and whatever other visions she was having would help, but she didn’t know where to start. Regardless of any supernatural phenomenon, she put on her uniform, and headed down stairs.
She saw that Nanako was preparing breakfast. Nanako saw her coming out of the hallway. “Good morning.” She sat down at the table.
Yua sat down in front of a plate as well. “Did you make this?”
“Yeah,” Nanako said. “I can make sunny-side up eggs and toast for breakfast. Dad can’t cook, so I go out and buy dinner as well.”
“I see…” Yua said. She noticed an opportunity. “Um, if you want, I can teach you how to cook more things.”
“Really?” Nanako said. Yua nodded. Nanak smiled. “I’d like that.”
Yua smiled back, and then began eating. She swallowed the portion of egg she was eating. “This is really good.”
“Thanks,” Nanako said. They finished eating breakfast. As Yua was readying herself to leave, Nanako jolted up. “Wait!” she said. She hurried over to her room. She came back holding a brown hairband. “Here. I want you to have it.”
Yua was confused, but accepted the gift. She took a minute to place it in her hair. The hair near the top of her head now looked more kempt, and a little more of her forehead was showing, but the further down the hair went, the more frayed edges you’d see. “How do I look?”
Nanako chuckled. “You look good.”
Yua smiled back. “Thanks.”
Nanako nodded. “Um, my school is on the way. Do you want to walk together?”
Yua nodded. “Of course.” The two of them headed out, each grabbing an umbrella.
Once they got to a floodplain crossing, Nanako instructed “You keep going that way. My school is in this direction.” Yua nodded in response. “See you tonight!” Nanako called out, as she carefully rushed through the rain. Yua smirked, and then started heading to school.
As she was making her way there, she noticed a boy around her age attempting to bike in the rain. “Attempting” being the operative word here. He crashed into a power pole, and looked like he was in pain. “Owwwwwww!” he cried out. Yua looked on. The boy noticed this. “Oh, uh, don’t mind me. …I’ll be fine.” Yua nodded, and continued on to school.
The boy was still trying to get over his pain. He then realized something. “...I haven’t seen her before…Well, I’ve only been here six months. And as small as this town is, there’s still a lot of people. Maybe I’ll see her around.” He tried moving a little before remembering he was hurt. “Oh. Right…” He sighed. “Today’s going to be a long day, huh.” He continued on, marching through the pain.
Yua arrived at the gates to Yasogami high. She looked at the school. It didn’t seem like anything special, but after everything that had happened, some semblance of normalcy was welcomed. She headed in, and went to the teacher’s room.
She was guided to her new homeroom teacher, a Mr. Kinisho Mooroka. Upon meeting him, Yua was surprised, and honestly impressed. She wasn’t sure how everything about him looked wrong, or why. Although he does still seem to be able to function, which to Yua was impressive in its own right.
Mr. Mooroka began speaking. “SO,” he belted. In that moment, Yua knew this man was also bitter to the core. “YOU’RE the new transfer student!”
“Ummmm, yes…” Yua replied.
“Well, just because you’re from the city, doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate any kind of superiority complex from you!” Mooroka went on. “Remember, I am your homeroom teacher! I AM in charge! You got that!”
“Yes…?” Yua replied.
“Hmph. Good,” Morooka said. “Now, let me just go over your paperwork, and then we can head to class.” He turned to look at Yua’s paperwork, giving Yua a moment to display her displeasure at meeting this man. “Alright then…” He turned back to Yua, who composed herself. “Let’s go meet the rest of your miscreant friends.” He got up and led Yua to her new classroom.
Upon entering, all eyes were on the two of them. Why wouldn’t they be? She was a new student from the city, and he was the teacher, and also looked like someone put a figure in the microwave just long enough to not melt it entirely. “Alright, shut yer traps! I’m Kinshiro Mooroka: your homeroom teacher for the year. Now LISTEN UP! While you are under MY jurisdiction, you’re going to need to follow some rules. First, just because it’s spring, doesn’t mean you can throw yourselves at each other like some love-sick baboons. When you’re in my class, you’ll be as pure as the driven snow!”
Yua looked confused. What the Hell? Clearly this guy hasn’t gotten laid. I mean, I haven’t either, but I’m in high school. He just feels sad on all fronts.
“Anyway…” Morooka continued, “I should introduce our new student. She’s from the big city, but don’t get it twisted. She’s not a whore like you’d expect of city girls.”
Yua was offended. “Excuse me?”
“That was a compliment,” Morooka insisted. “And by the way, I don’t want to see you using any of your city charms on the boys here!” Yua glared at him.
At this point, the boy who injured himself on the bike looked up, after laying down in pain. He noticed the teacher, nicknamed “King Moron” for obvious reasons, harassing the girl who passed him by earlier. He became more alert. He stood up. “Hey Sensei-ow…” he shouted, still feeling the injury.
Morooka looked out at him. “What is it, Hanamura?”
“Ummm…” Hamamura replied. “Shouldn’t you be, you know, more concerned with us guys going crazy for her? I mean, she is a city girl after all. I bet she has all the…latest…fashion tips…or something…”
Morooka stared him down, while Hanamura looked on, sheepishly. “Pah,” Morooka scoffed. “You lot know what city girls look like. Whenever I’m not looking, you’ll just whip out your phones and go on your life-journals or your my-places. I bet you’ve seen a thousand pictures of city girls.” He paused. “But then again, this one is not just a picture. You boys will shift your nasty thoughts from images to the real thing. So don’t do that! Thank you Hanamura for pointing that out. Now, if you’d only work on your grades as much as your arguments you have with me.”
Hanamura nervously chuckled. “Eh heh. Thanks.” He sat back down.
Morooka turned back to Yua. “Well? Introduce yourself!”
Yua was shocked at how that seemed to have worked, even though it shouldn’t have. Then again, Morooka having a screw loose was the least of her problems. Or his his problems for that matter. She turned to the class. “Ahem. Yes. My name is Yua Narukami. It’s…nice to meet you all…”
“Alright, alright,” Morooka said. “Enough of the pleasantries. Let’s see.” He looked around. “Well, it seems like the only open spot is in front of Hanamura there. But I think it’ll work. He might not be as affected by your city wiles as the rest of the class. And you’ll be surrounded by girls otherwise.”
“Thanks?” Yua said, unsure of how to feel.
“Just sit down,” Morooka replied. Yua nodded, and headed to her seat.
“Hey,” Hanamura whispered. “I’m…sorry…”
“It’s fine,” she whispered back. “And…thanks… It helped in a weird way.”
“Eh heh,” Hanamura chuckled.
“Alright!” Morooka called out. “I’m gonna call role now, and I expect you all to answer diligently!” There was some murmuring among the students about how displeased they were with “King Moron”. Morooka continued on lecturing throughout the day.
Once the school day drew to a close, Morooka announced “Proper classes start tomorrow. So pay attention!”
The speaker sounded. “Attention: Will all teachers meet in the faculty room for an emergency meeting? All students, please remain in your classrooms until further notice.”
“Ya hear THAT?!” Morooka. “Stay put until you're told otherwise!” He left in a hurry, but still in a manner that felt like he was gloating about keeping the class in here.
Yua heard some boys gossiping by the window, talking about the peculiarity of this situation, as well as the story about the news reporter and city council member. A voice next to Yua said “Man, ‘King Moron’ likes to go on and on, huh.”
Yua turned over to see a girl wearing a green sweater over her uniform. “Yeah…” Yua agreed.
The girl smiled. “I’m Chie Satonaka. It looks like we’ll be sitting next to each other for the next year. I hope we can be friends.” She reached out her arm. Yua smiled, and reached back and shook it. Once they finished, Chie chuckled, and then said “Oh yeah. I should introduce you to Yukiko.” She turned to the girl in red in front of her. “Hey Yuki…” Chie and Yua noticed that there was a boy who had approached her suddenly.
The boy asked, “Say, um, is it true that that reporter, Mayumi Yamano, is staying at your family’s inn?”
The girl, Yukiko, replied, “I’m sorry. I’m not allowed to disclose that information.”
“Oh. Yeah. I guess that makes sense…” The boy replied. He walked off, dejected.
Chie sighed. “Man, how much longer are we gonna be in here?”
“There’s no telling,” Yukiko replied bluntly.
“I should have left before school was over,” Chie noted.
“Why didn't you?” Yukiko wondered.
“Oh, yeah,” Chie said. “I wanted to try and make friends with the new girl.” Chie gestured at Yua. Yua waved, nervously smiling. Yukiko waved back, smiling politely.
The speakers came on again. “Attention students: There’s been an incident in the school district. Police officers have been dispatched in the area. Please contact your parents or guardian and head home immediately. Do not disturb the officers on duty.”
There was some murmuring amongst the students in the room, wondering what happened. Yua meanwhile thought I suppose uncle Ryotaro isn’t coming home tonight. I hope Nanako will be OK.
Chie shrugged. “I wonder what’s going on.” She turned back to Yua. “Say, do you want us to show you around?”
Yua shrugged. “Um, sure, I guess.”
“He he,” Chie chuckled. “Alright, let’s go! You’re coming too, right Yuki? You don’t have to work tonight, do you?”
“I’m fine to go,” Yukiko said.
“Great!” Chie said. The three girls stood up.
The boy, Hanamura, walked up to Chie. “Um, hey Satonaka…” The three girls look over at him. “Th-thanks for letting me borrow this.” He was shakily holding a DVD. “It was really cool. The way they moved was just…wow. Um…” He held it out. “I’m sorry! It was an accident! Spare me until my next paycheck!” Chie took it. “Seeya!” He started rushing off.
“Hey!” Chie shouted. “What did you do to my DVD?!” She chased him, and then gave him a swift kick into his family jewels, stopping him in his tracks. She opened up the case. “What?! It’s completely cracked! My ‘Trial of the Dragon’!” She sobbed.
Hanamura smiled through the pain. “Are you…worried about me Yukiko?”
“He’s FINE!” Chie shouted. “Now let’s go!” Chie left in a huff. Yukiko followed.
Yua looked at Hanamura some more. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “Just…leave me be…” Yua nodded, and followed the two girls.
Once they got out to the gate, a boy from what appeared to be another school ambushed the three of them, and said. “You’re Yukiko, right? Yukiko Amagi? Do you want to go somewhere?”
Yukiko, with a combination of poise and ignorance, responded “I can’t right now. I’m hanging out with my friends.”
The boy quickly got agitated. “FINE!” he screamed, and bolted off.
Yua heard the voices of a group of boys who had gathered to witness this. One boy sighed. “Another one shot down, huh.”
“You can’t blame him,” another boy said. “The ‘Amagi Challenge’ is basically a right of passage among the boys in the area. No one’s even come remotely close.”
“Still…” the first boy said, “that boy really came out of the gate swingin’, huh.”
“Yeah, no foolin’,” the second boy replied. “He’s either brave or stupid.”
If I had to guess, both. Yua thought.
“I feel a little bad,” Yukiko said, with no awareness. “Maybe we should have invited him too.”
“What?! NO way!” Chie said. “He was trying to get you to go on a date!”
“Really?” Yukiko said. “I had no idea.”
“Geez Yukiko…” Chie said. “You need to be more aware.”
“Um, this seems common,” Yua remarked, “but that boy seemed…pretty odd.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Chie said. “He went from 0 to 100 like that!”
“Hmmm,” Yukiko mused.
Hanamura came out with his bike. “Stuck down another love-sick fool, huh. Yup. I remember when you did that to me.”
“I don’t recall that,” Yukiko stated.
“Oh?” Hanamura said. “Well then, would you like to go out sometime?”
“I’d...rather not,” Yukiko said.
Hanamura pouted. “That’s what I get for getting my hopes up.” He sprang up onto his bike. “Well, don’t give the new girl too much trouble.”
“Um,” Yua interjected, “are you alright to bike? I saw what happened this morning…and back in the classroom…”
He flashed a smile. “Worried about me? I’ll be just fine! Hya!” He rode off.
“He sure is an odd duck,” Yua remarked.
“Yeah, but he’s mostly harmless,” Chie said.
“He stuck up for you when Morooka was disparaging you,” Yukiko said.
“Yeah,” Yua said. “He doesn’t seem so bad. Especially compared to that boy who just popped out of nowhere just now.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” Chie said. “Well, no sense in waiting. Let’s head out!” The three girls nodded, and left the school grounds.
As they were walking around town, Yua took a deep breath. “It’s nice to feel that nice country air again.”
“You’ve been here before?” Yukiko asked.
“Huh?” Yua replied. “Oh, yeah. My uncle lives here. That’s who I’m staying with.”
“Wait, where are your parents?” Chie asked.
“They’re…busy,” Yua replied. “They have very demanding jobs, and right now it’s pulled them out of the country.”
“Oh,” Chie said. “So you’re here because of your parents’ job. I thought it was something more serious.”
“Yeah…” Yua said, averting her gaze.
“Well, if you’ve been here before, I’m sure you’ve done everything this town has to offer,” Chie said. “We really aren’t all that remarkable. It’s nice, but it can be pretty boring.”
“Eh,” Yua said. “I don’t mind it too much.”
“Oooo!” Chie said, excited. “If you’ve been here before, you probably stayed at Yukiko’s family inn.”
Both Yua and Yukiko were stunned. Yua looked at Yukiko. “Your family runs an inn?”
“Yeah,” Yukiko said. “It’s nothing special.”
“‘Nothing special’?” Chie said. “It’s been in all kinds of magazines and stuff. It’s probably the BIGGEST attraction to the town.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Yukiko said.
“Still, it’s amazing!” Chie said. “The Amagi Inn has been in your family for generations. And someday, Yuiko will take charge of it.”
“Right…” Yukiko said, looking a little annoyed.
Chie noticed that Yukiko withdrew herself a little. She turned to Yua and asked “Say, don’t you think Yukiko is cute?”
“Huh?” Yua replied.
“Wha?” Yukiko replied.
“Um, I guess so?” Yua answered.
“Eh?!” Yukiko responded.
Chie chuckled. “See? Yukiko is adored across the school, but she’s never had a boyfriend.”
“Wha? Chie!” Yukiko spat back. “It’s not true that I’m adored, or that I’ve never had a boyfriend.” Yukiko grew even more flustered. “I-I mean…I don’t NEED a boyfriend.”
“I’ll let you have your secret boyfriend,” Chie said, “but c’mon! A LOT of people confessed to you. Even three girls confessed to you.” Yua perked up a little upon hearing that. “I mean, I haven’t gotten any…”
“Well that’s…” Yukiko began. She quickly pulled out of what she was going to say. “Nevermind. Why are you even bringing this up, Chie?”
“I’m just trying to make small talk,” Chie said. “It’s not often someone from the city comes here on a permanent basis.”
“Isn’t Yosuke from the city?” Yukiko asked.
“Once every six months is still not ‘often’,” Chie shot back.
There’s another person from the city? Yua wondered.
The three girls heard some noise. “What’s going on?” Yukiko wondered.
“Let’s check it out!” Chie said. The three girls headed over.
They found a crowd surrounding an area quartered off by the police. They heard rumblings about how they couldn’t believe something like this had happened; about how a girl cut school and found it suddenly; about how it was just dangling up there. What’s going on? Yua thought.
On que, Ryotaro walked over. He immediately noticed Yua and the two other girls. He alked over with purpose. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
“We heard some commotion and wanted to see what was going on?” Chie said.
Ryotaro sighed. “I told the principal to cordon off the area.” He turned to Yua. “Just…get home as soon as you can. And tell Nanako I’ll be late tonight.”
Yua nodded. “Yes.”
“Wait, you know him?” Yukiko wondered.
“Yeah,” Yua said. “That’s my uncle.”
“Oh,” Yukiko said. She bowed. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”
“Huh?” Chie said, surprised. “Oh.” She bowed hastily. “Yeah. It’s a pleasure.”
Ryotaro was confused. “Are…these two your friends?” Yua nodded. Ryotaro smiled. “It’s nice to see you making friends so quickly. But really, you should get home. Things are...complicated right now.” Adachi burst through the other cops and the crowd to go throw up. “ADACHI!” Ryotaro shouted. “How long are you going to act like a greenhorn! Do you WANT to be sent away or something?” He sighed, and turned back to the girls. “Despite that display, we have everything under control. Got it?” The three girls nodded. “Good.” He went back to the investigation.
“Something really serious must have happened,” Yukiko said
“Yeah,” Chie said. “I think we should hang out some other time.” They turned to Yua. “You’re coming too, OK?” Yua nodded. “Well, seeya!” The two of them headed off. Yua decided to go home as well.
Upon entering, Nanko was sitting by the TV, waiting. “Welcome back!” she said.
“Hey,” Yua said. She sighed.
“What is it?” Nanako wondered.
“Well…” Yua said.
Before she could finish, the news announced “And now, a Special Bulletin Report: A murder has taken place in the small town of Inaba. The Inaba police are on the scene, but have not given too much information.”
“Dad!” Nanako called out. She pouted.
Yua frowned. “I ran into him on my way home. I was gonna tell you…”
“It’s OK…” Nanako said. “It’s his job.”
The news continued. “The victim is 27 year old Mayumi Yamano; the news reporter who has been in the news recently due to a scandal.”
“Hm?” Yua reacted. That’s a little odd.
“The body was found hanging on a large TV antenna on a local resident’s roof,” the news went on. “No cause of death has been listed so far.”
Both Yua and Nanako sighed. Nanako turned back to Yua. She looked at her intently. “Good. You’re still wearing that headband.”
“Um, yeah,” Yua said. “I think it’s really cute.”
Nanako giggled for a second, before growing serious. “Promise me you’ll always wear it.”
Yua wasn’t sure why Nanako was so adamant about this, but she did really like it. It’s both stylish and a nice gift from her cousin who she hadn’t seen in a while. She knelt down and stuck out her pinkie. “Alright. It’s a promise.”
Nanako was taken in with this gesture. She wrapped her pinkie around Yua’s. “Heh heh! Promise.”
The TV had switched over from the news to a Junes commercial. “Everyday’s great at your Junes!”
Nanako went back to the TV and sang along. “Everyday’s great at your Junes!” Yua smiled, and let Nanako be while she whipped up a supper for them. After they ate, they went to bed for the night.
“Hold still,” Nanako said. Chie did her best, but was still shaking nervously. Nanako removed the grasshopper. “There.”
Chie sighed, relieved. “I can’t stand bugs…”
“Really?” Nanako said. “But they’re adorable.”
“Eh?” Chie replied, confused. She snicked. “You’re just like Yukiko. She's not scared of bugs either.” She turned to Yua. “What about you?”
“Well…” Yua replied. “I’m not as adverse to them as you seem to be, but I wouldn’t like it if one just jumped onto me either.”
“Don’t worry Chie,” Nanako said. “A lot of people in my class don’t like bugs. It’s not just you.”
“Yeah,” Yua joined in. “Honestly, it’s a very feminine trait.” She winked.
Chie chuckled, and blushed. “Yes, well, um, with that out of the way, I think we should do some training.” She readied her stance. “You ready, Nanako?”
Nanako nodded. “Ready!” The three of them did some training for a bit.
Once they stopped, Chie said “You did pretty good for your first time Nanako!”
Nanako smiled. “Thanks.”
“I’m beat,” Yua said.
“You did well too,” Chie added.
“Thanks,” Yua replied.
“I’ll go get us some drinks,” Nanako said.
“Are you sure?” Yua wondered.
“The vending machine is right over there,” Nanako said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Yua nodded. “OK then. Be careful.” Nanako started heading over.
“And don’t be afraid to use some of those moves in case a stranger comes up to ya!” Chie called out. She sat down, and smiled. “Nanako sure is something, alright.”
“Yeah,” Yua said.
Chie sighed. “Do you think I should tell Nanako?”
“About…?” Yua replied.
“Yeah,” Chie replied.
“Hmmmm,” Yua pondered.
“I mean, we talked about this before,” Chie said. “About how I want people to get to know me first.”
“Right,” Yua said.
Chie sighed, frustrated. “But you told me it wouldn’t have been an issue if I had told you before…that whole thing with my shadow.”
“Right,” Yua replied once more.
“I just don’t know how Nanako would feel, you know?” Chie said.
“Well, like you said, she sure is something,” Yua said. “You also mentioned how she was like Yukiko, and she obviously accepts it. Besides, I wouldn’t be too surprised if she knew already. She is smart like that.”
“Really?” Chie wondered. Yua nodded. Chie was a little frustrated. “Maybe I should…”
“Hey,” Yua said. “You can go at your own pace. I know what I said, but if you really don’t want to, I won’t force it out of you.”
“Hmmm,” Chie responded, thinking.
Nanako came back with drinks for the three of them. “Here!”
Yua took her drink. “Thanks.” She started drinking.
Chie took her drink. “Thank you, Nanako!” She started drinking as well. Nanako took a drink from her drink. “Say, Nanako?” Chie asked. Nanako finished taking a sip, and looked over at Chie. “How would you feel if I were…unusual?”
“What do you mean?” Nanako asked.
“Would you still want to be friends?” Chie asked.
“Of course!” Nanako said. “You’re really nice.”
“Really?” Chie wondered.
Nanako nodded. “You spent your Golden Week with me to cheer me up. I think that’s nice.”
“Nanako…” Chie said. Tears started welling up in her eyes. She wiped them away. “Say, Nanako?”
“Hm?”
“Do you know what ‘transgender’ is?” Chie asked. Nanako shook her head. Chie sighed, a little relieved that she wasn’t already aware. “Well, in my case, when I was born, the doctors told me I was a boy, but I disagree with them.”
“Hmmm,” Nanako replied, processing the information. “I disagree with them too.”
Chie chuckled and blushed. “Heh heh. Thanks.”
“But why did they think you were a boy?” Nanako asked.
Chie was stunned. “Well, um, I had, um, boy…stuff…”
“Huh…” Nanako said.
“BUT!” Chie interjected. “Yukiko’s mom got the doctors to get me a special treatment to make me more girly.”
“Did you become more afraid of bugs after taking that treatment?” Nanako wondered. Yua snickered.
“Eh heh,” Chie laughed nervously. “Not really…well…no. I never really liked them.”
“I see,” Nanako said.
Chie chuckled. “You really are something special, huh,” Chie said.
Nanako shrugged. “I don’t know if I am.”
“Aww,”” Chie said. “C’mere.” She pulled Nanako in for a hug. “You make me feel special, and that makes you special, OK?”
Nanako smiled. “OK!” Yua smiled as well.
Chie let go, and stood up. “Thanks for today.” She reached her hand out.
Yua stood up as well. “Of course.” She shook Chie’s hand. “You too.”
Chariot-Chie Satonaka: Rank 3
They let go of their hands. Chie stretched. “I should get going. My mom’s making dinner soon.”
Yua smiled and waved. “Take care.”
Chie waved back. She then knelt down, and patted Nanako on the head. “Take care, OK? I wanna train with you some more sometime.”
“Me too,” Nanako smiled.
Chie started tearing up again. She stood up, and headed off. “Bye!”
“Bye!” Yua and Nanako replied.
“I think we should get home too,” Yua said. “Do you wanna get some dinner on the way back? All that training made me hungry, and I don’t know if I’m up for cooking.”
Nanako nodded. “I’d like that.”
Yua nodded back. “Well then, let’s go.” She took Nanako’s hand, and the two of them picked up some dinner, and then headed home.
P4G: Mirror Mirror (A FeMC Story/P4G Rework)
Chapter 28: Stay Golden
The next morning, Yua got up, and got ready for the day. Once she was dressed, Izanagi appeared. “What do you want?” she asked.
“I just think it’s nice that you’re reaching out to others and helping them,” Izanagi said. “Like with your cousin.”
“Well, she needs help,” Yua said.
“But like your uncle said, so did you not that long ago,” Izanagi continued.
“Well…I mean…I got help…” Yua said. “It’s not that complicated.”
“Are you worried that others might walk a similar path without your intervention?” Izanagi asked.
“I…wouldn’t think so…” Yua replied. “I mean, I don’t know what any person is going through. But if it stops it, that’s a good thing, whether I know it had a chance of happening or not.”
"Aren’t we supposed to find the truth?” Izanagi inquired.
“I mean, yes and no,” Yua said. “I mean, I don’t want to have to force everyone open like a book, but if they need help, I’d like to help them, regardless of their circumstances.”
“I guess that’s fair,” Izanagi said. “But you will sometimes need to force things out in the open.”
“Well, my aim is to get things out in the open without forcing it,” Yua said. “And if it needs to be forced, so be it.”
“Very well,” Izanagi said.
“Is that all?” Yua asked.
“Yes,” Izanagi said. “Have a good day.” He disappeared.
Yua breathed a sigh of relief. “Hopefully that’s the heaviest thing I’ll do all day.” She went downstairs.
Nanako was up already, and watching TV. She turned to Yua. “Good morning.”
Yua smiled. “Good morning.”
The doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” Nanako asked.
“I’ll get it,” Yua said. She walked to the door. Nanako followed her over.
Once Yua opened the door, she saw Chie. “Hey!”
Yua smirked. “Hello yourself.”
“Yosuke called me last night,” Chie explained. “Said you wanted to head to Junes.”
Yua nodded. “Yeah.”
“You’re going to Junes?” Nanako asked.
Chie snickered. “You’re coming too!”
“Eh?” Nanako reacted.
Yua chuckled. “I told you we were going to do something together.”
Nanako looked excited. “Yay!” she cheered.
“Is there anything you need to do before we go?” Chie asked.
“Nope!” Nanako said. “Oh wait!” She went back in the house for a second. When she came back, she explained “I had to turn off the TV.”
“I see,” Chie said.
“Well then, shall we get going?” Yua asked. Nanako nodded, and the three of them headed out.
“Yukiko and Yosuke are meeting us there,” Chie told them.
Yua nodded. “Got it!” They continued on to Junes.
Once they got there, Yukiko was at the table. She greeted them with a “Hello.”
“Hi,” Yua replied.
“Yosuke’s getting us food,” Yukiko said. She looked at Nanako. “So, you’re Nanako?”
“Yeah,” Nananko said, taking a seat. Yua took a seat next to her.
“Well it’s nice to meet you,” Yukiko said. “I’m Yukiko.”
“Hello,” Nanako replied.
Yosuke came back with food and drinks. “Alright,” he said, setting it all down. “Oh, I see everyone’s here now.”
“Yup,” Yua said.
Yosuke smirked. “Well then,” he raised his drink, “a toast: to a wonderful Golden Week.”
The other teenagers joined in. Nanako was a little hesitant, but Yua assured her it would be OK. “To a wonderful Golden Week” she repeated. They clinked their glasses.
They started eating. “Not bad for a last minute gathering,” Yosuke remarked.
“Yeah, Yua told us what happened,” Chie said.
“Sorry Nanako,” Yukiko added.
“It’s fine,” Nanako said. “This happens all the time with dad and his job.”
Everyone felt a little down. Chie interjected with “Well…at least now you have a big sister to do things with!”
“Big…sis?” Nanako said, unsure how to comprehend that.
Yua got a little embarrassed. “Well, um, I dunno…I’m just doing what anyone would.”
“Don’t sell yourself short ‘big sis’,” Yosuke replied. “You called me to set all this up after your original plans fell through. Still, I don’t know why you’d want to come to Junes.”
“I LOVE Junes!” Nanako replied.
“It’s true,” Yua said. “Every time the commercial comes on, she sings along.”
“Every day’s great at your Junes!” Nanako sang.
Yukiko giggled. “You’re a really good singer, Nanako.”
“You think so?” Nanako said.
“Of course!” Yukiko answered.
“Heh heh! Thanks,” Nanako responded.
Yua chuckled. “Thanks for letting us do this, Yosuke.”
“Of course,” Yosuke said. “You seemed to have knocked this out of the park. But hey, that’s why you’re our leader.”
Nanako looked up at Yua. “Leader? For what?”
“Yosuke…” Chie angrily muttered under her breath.
Yua was a little panicked, but took a deep breath, and said “We have a club…at school…and I’m in charge…”
Nanako was a little surprised. “Wow!” she said, jubilant. “That’s amazing!” Everyone sighed, relieved.
“You know,” Chie said, “your big sis is a very good leader.”
“Yeah,” Yosuke said. “She always knows just what to do.”
“Wow!” Nanako replied. They continued eating.
“So,” Yosuke asked, “your dad’s busy, but what about your mom?”
Yua was stunned. “She’s not with us anymore,” Nanako answered. “She was in an accident.”
“Oh…” Yosuke replied. “Sorry…”
“Yosuke!” Chie scolded. “Didn’t you see the shrine when we dropped Yua off?”
“No?” Yosuke answered. “I was more concerned with Yua fainting.”
“Mmmm,” Chie grunted.
“Sorry to bring that up,” Yukiko interjected, trying to cool things down.
“It’s OK,” Nanako said. She turned to Yosuke. “You’re new here, right?”
“Uh, yeah…” Yosuke replied.
“So you wouldn’t have known…” Nanako said.
Yosuke sighed. “Still, I probably should have figured.”
“It’s alright,” Yua said. “I mean, yeah, it sucks, but, I mean, we’re here now, right? I mean, no one could replace your mom, but it’s nice not to be alone, right?”
Nanko looked at her, smiled, and said “Right.” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well then,” Yosuke said, “let’s continue!” They went on eating.
Once they finished, Nanako said “That was good!”
“You really think so?” Yosuke said.
Nanako nodded. “Did you make it?”
“Uh, no,” Yosuke replied. “But the store did.”
“I see…” Nanako said.
“Maybe we should cook for Nanako sometime!” Chie said.
“I just said I wasn’t a cook,” Yosuke bemoaned. “But…I feel like I’d be better at it than you anyway.”
“And what’s THAT supposed to mean?” Chie asked.
Yukiko started laughing. “I totally get that!”
“Not you too, Yukiko…” Chie groaned.
Yukiko laughed a little more. She stopped slightly, and said “Although, I bet ‘big sis’ is an amazing cook.”
“She is!” Nanako said, excitedly.
Yukiko chuckled. “Maybe you two could learn a thing or two from her.”
“Hey!” Chie snapped. “Don’t say that like you’re a professional chef either! I’ve had your cooking.”
“And I’ve had yours,” Yukiko joked.
“Mmmm,” Chie groaned. “All I’m saying is that we all have room to improve.”
“I know, I know,” Yukiko said.
Chie looked back at Yosuke. “You need to get good at cooking too!”
“Um, wait, wha?” Yosuke replied.
“I’m just saying, I don’t think girls would go for a guy who can’t cook,” Chie continued.
“Umh, OK?” Yosuke said. “Where did this come from?”
“It’s just general knowledge,” Chie said.
“Thanks…” Yosuke said.
Yua chuckled. “Are you having fun?” Nanako asked.
Yua was a little surprised. “Ummmm, yeah? But we’re doing this for you, so are you having fun?”
Nanako nodded. “Yeah.”
Yua smiled. “Well that’s all that matters.”
“Hmmmm,” Nanako said.
“Something the matter?” Yukiko asked.
“It’s nothing…” Nanako said. She looked at Yua.
They finished up. “Today sure was fun,” Chie noted.
“Yeah,” Yosuke agreed. He turned to Nanako. “Did you have fun?”
“Yeah,” Nanako said.
“We should hang out some more,” Yukiko said.
Nanako giggled. “I’d like that.”
“Me too,” Yua smiled. Nanako smiled back.
Yukiko stood back up. “I should get going. My mom wants some help around the inn for the evening.”
“Yeah!” Chie said. “I wanna go watch that movie I got from Okina.”
“I should get back to work as well,” Yosuke said. “But this was fun.”
Yua chuckled. She stood up. “Seeya later!”
“Bye!” the others said. Yua took Nanako’s hand, and they started walking back.
“So,” Yua wondered, “what do you want to do with everyone next time?” Nanako didn’t answer. “Hm? Nanako?”
“Huh?” Nanko said, looking up. “Oh, um…sorry… Something’s on my mind.”
“Wanna talk about it?” Yua asked.
“Not here,” Nanako said.
“OK…” Yua. “At home?” Nanako nodded. “OK.” They continued on. Once they got home and closed the door, Yua looked at Nanako, and said “OK, what did you want to talk about?”
Nanako hesitated for a second. “...I’m sorry.” Yua was confused. “I gave you that hairband for another reason…”
“What is it?” Yua asked.
Nanako paused. “It was my mom’s lucky hairband. I got it for her for her birthday. She wore it every day, except for when…”
“Oh,” Yua said, surprised.
“I overheard my dad and Adachi talking one morning,” Nanako explained. “He said you tried committing suicide.” Yua was even more surprised. “I didn’t know what that meant, so I looked it up.” Nanako started crying. “I…I don’t want you to die.” She kept on crying.
Yua was stunned. She took a deep breath, got on her knees, and gave Nanako a hug. “I’m sorry.” Tears started flowing from her eyes as well. “I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t think about what that would do to you, or your father, or anyone else. I was just…hurting so much. I thought it would stop the pain. But since coming here, the pain has stopped. I’m sorry.”
Nanko gave her a hug back. “It’s OK. I felt really sad when my mom died. I know how it feels to be in pain like that. But I’m glad you’re here now. I don’t want you to leave.”
“I won’t,” Yua assured her.
“Promise?” Nanako asked.
“Promise,” Yua agreed.
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast established a new bond…
It brings thee closer to the truth…
Thou shalt be blessed by The Justice Arcana…
Justice-Nanako Dojima: Rank 1
They continued hugging it out for a bit. Yua then put her hands on Nanako’s shoulders. “So, what do you wanna do now?”
“I just wanna watch some TV,” Nanako told her.
“Sounds great,” Yua said. They turned the TV on, and started watching.
On Sunday, Yua awoke to the sound of her phone going off. She flailed for it for a minute, and eventually picked it up. “Hello?” She answered.
“Hey!” an energetic Chie responded. “So, I was thinking, since Yukiko is up and at it again, we can take Marie-chan shopping!”
“Mmmmmm, OK,” Yua grunted. “Just…let me get ready.”
“OK!” Chie responded. “Yukiko and I will be waiting by the inn!”
“Sounds like a plan,” Yua said.
“Seeya!” Chie said.
“Seeya…” Yua muttered. She hung up. “Mmmmmm.” She crawled out of bed. “I guess I should get ready.”
A little while later, Yua met up with Marie at the Velvet Room. “Hey,” Yua greeted.
Marie was a little confused. “What’s up?”
“Chie wanted to take us shopping today,” Yua explained. “Plus you’ll get to meet Yukiko.”
“Hmph,” Marie huffed.
“I’m sure it’ll be fun,” Yua assured her.
“I don’t doubt you,” Marie said. “It’s just kind of a hassle.”
“It…might be,” Yua agreed, remembering how she woke up, “but it might be worth it.”
“Well, we’ll see…” Marie said.
“Great!” Yua said. “We’re meeting the two of them at Yukiko’s family’s inn. I’ll lead the way.” Yua led Marie to the Amagi Inn. “Here we are.”
“HEY!” Chie called out. Yua and Marie turned to look at her, noticing Yukiko standing beside her. Yua and Marie walked over to them. “Are you ready?!”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Marie said.
“Yes!” Chie cheered.
Yua gestured to Yukiko. “Marie, this is Yukiko.”
Yukiko chuckled. “It’s nice to meet you.” She reached her hand out.
Marie was slightly apprehensive, but shook Yukiko’s hand. “Nice to meet you too.”
Yua chuckled. “So, where are we going shopping?”
“Well, I was thinking we could go up to Okina to do some shopping,” Chie said. “They have a good selection!”
“What about Junes?” Marie asked.
“Well,” Chie responded, “while Junes has some good stuff, the things you’ll find in Okina are next level!”
“Plus, Okina is different,” Yua said. “If we want to jog your memory, we should try different places.” She turned back to Yukiko. “Oh, um, she’s got amnesia.”
Yukiko nodded. “I see.”
“She’s also helping us,” Yua continued. “You know, with our investigation.”
“Oh!” Yukiko said, surprised.
“Well, what are we waiting for?!” Chie said. “If we want Marie to return before dark, we should get a move-on now!”
“Why does she need to get back before dark?” Yukiko wondered.
“We’ll explain on the way,” Yua said. She turned back to Marie. “Ready?”
Marie nodded. “Alright.” The four of them headed off to the station, and then Okina, explaining Marie’s circumstances to Yukiko as best they could.
Once they got there, they took a look around. “Ah!” Chie said. “Nothing like a big city to get you energized, huh.”
“Well, I prefer smaller towns like Inaba,” Yua interjected, “but I suppose it’s nice to visit once in a while.”
“Oh, right,” Chie said. “Maybe I should have thought about that first.”
Yua chuckled. “It’s fine. I’m with you after all, right?”
Chie smiled, and nodded. “Right!”
“So, where are we going?” Marie said.
“Yeah, I don’t know the way either,” Yua said.
“Of course!” Chie said. “Follow me!” She led the way with determination.
Along the way, Yua yawned. Yukiko giggled. “Did Chie wake you up as well?”
“Yeah…” Yua sheepishly answered.
Yukiko chuckled some more. “Sorry about that. She gets really excited sometimes.”
“Yukiko…” Chie bemoaned. “Don’t talk about me like I’m some kind of puppy.”
Yukiko chuckled again. “Sorry. But I like how much of a go-getter you are.”
Chie slightly blushed. “Well, um, I’m only able to pursue such things because you’re always willing to go along.”
“I go along because I think it’s fun,” Yukiko continued. “Although part of it might be because it’s you, Chie.”
“Eh?!” Chie replied, blushing even more.
“Is…this the type of relationship you think Yua and I have?” Marie interjected.
“Eh?!” Chie said, caught off guard.
“Eh?!” Yukiko replied, with some amount of surprise as well.
“Last time we hung out with Chie,” Marie continued, “she said Yua and I have a similar relationship. Or something like that.”
“Is this true?" Yukiko asked.
“Well, um, I did say that, yes,” Chie said, nervously.
“Huh,” Yukiko replied.
“I don’t think she meant anything bad by it,” Marie continued.
Yukiko smiled. “You’re right. It’s just a little peculiar to hear it spoken out loud.”
“How come?” Yua wondered.
“Well, partly because we just went through a whole ordeal where we had to reexamine our friendship, and what it means,” Yukiko said.
“Oh, right,” Yua replied.
“But also, it is odd to hear Chie comparing me to, well, anyone,” Yukiko said.
“Hey!” Chie interjected. “I compared the two of them to US! Not just you.”
“Oh,” Yukiko responded.
“I just think they share a similar chemistry,” Chie said. “Plus, it could be helpful to jostling Marie’s memories, you know?”
“I see,” Yukiko replied.
“Speaking of,” Yua said, “has this trip awakened anything so far?”
“Mmmmm,” Marie pondered. “A little.”
“Oh?” Chie wondered.
“This place feels…somewhat familiar,” Marie said. “But nothing specific is coming to mind.”
“Well, that still sounds like a decent start,” Yukiko said. “Maybe once we hit the clothes store more memories will come in.”
“Speaking of,” Chie said. “We’re here!” They looked up at the entrance to the store.
“Huh,” Yua said. “This place looks cool.”
“Trust me!” Chie said. “Once we get inside, you’re gonna LOVE it! Let’s go!” They went inside.
Yua looked around. “Wow.”
Yukiko chuckled. “I’m sure we’ll find something you’ll like.” She looked over at Marie. “You too.”
“OK,” Marie replied. The group began looking around.
As they were looking, Chie called out “Hey, check this out!” She was holding up a green shirt. “This is TOTALLY me, right?”
Yukiko nodded. “And I think I found something for me as well.” She held up a red skirt.
Marie chuckled. “You like wearing green and red, huh.”
“Eh?” They both said. They looked at each other.
“Huh,” Yukiko said. “Well, now that you mention it…”
“I…guess we do wear a lot of green and red,” Chie finished. “Hmmm. Well, what about this?” She picked up a yellow tanktop. “Oh, and it could pair well with THIS!” She picked up a blue skirt. “This is different!”
“Well, um,” Yukiko replied, “don’t yellow and blue make green?”
“Huh. I guess that’s true,” Chie said.
Yukiko looked through some more clothes. “THIS isn’t red!” She pulled out a multi-colored dress that didn’t look good.
“Um, you know,” Yua said, “there ARE worse things than wearing red all the time.”
“Why does this store have something so gaudy?” Marie asked.
“Mmmm,” Yukiko pouted, putting the dress back.
“I’m sorry,” Marie said. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just striking is all.”
“Huh?” Chie replied.
“And to be fair,” Yua chimed in, “green and red are complimentary colors. They bring out the best in each other. So in a way, it’s very reminiscent of your relationship.”
Chie and Yukiko blushed slightly. “Oh, uh, thanks,” Chie replied.
“You’re too kind,” Yukiko said. “Shall we keep looking?” They looked around some more.
Yua found some dresses she liked. “Hey,” she called. Everyone else looked over. “What color suits me better: White or yellow?”
“Hmmmm,” Chie said. “I like yellow.”
“Really?” Yukiko said. “I was thinking white.”
“Eh?” Chie replied.
Yua looked at Marie. “You’re the tiebreaker.”
“Hmmmm,” Marie pondered. “I…think…white suits you better.”
“Ugh!” Chie cried.
“Yes,” Yukiko celebrated.
“White it is,” Yua said. She grabbed the white dress for purchase.
Yukiko looked over. “Oh yeah,” she said, “I was thinking of getting a new hairband. Do you want one as well, Yua?”
“Pass,” Yua said. “Nanako gave this hairband to me, so I want to keep it.”
“Who’s Nanako?” Marie asked, intently curious.
“Oh right,” Yua said. “She’s my cousin.”
“Right,” Yukiko said. “You’re living with your uncle.” Yua nodded. “Very well.”
“I see,” Marie said.
“Have you seen anything you like, Marie?” Chie asked.
“Hmmm,” Marie replied, looking around.
“What about this?” Yukiko said, pulling out a blue-long sleeved shirt. “You can wear your white shirt over it.”
“Hmmm. Pass,” Marie said.
“Huh?” Yukiko said. “I thought you’d like blue.”
“Well, I don’t dislike it,” Marie said. “But I’m not particularly fond of any color.”
“Oh,” Yukiko said.
“Besides, I think it clashes with my style a little,” Marie said. She glanced over, and her eyes widened. She walked over, and picked up an olive green hoodie.
Yua walked over to her. “You like this?”
“Eh?” Marie said. “Well, um, I…I think so. It fits my style, and, um, I…like the color.”
“I thought you said you weren’t fond of any color in particular,” Yukiko said, joining alongside Chie.
“Well!” Marie snapped. “I also don’t have memories!”
“Oh. Right. Sorry,” Yukiko said.
Marie sighed. “It’s…it’s fine.” She looked at the hoodie. “Something about this color…feels comforting.”
“Hey,” Chie pouted, “how come you didn’t say that about anything I wear?”
“Well, it is a different shade of green,” Yukiko said.
“I guess that’s true,” Chie admitted.
“Well, if you want it, we can get it,” Yua said.
Marie looked at her and nodded. “Yeah.”
“Alright then!” Yua said. They looked around a little more, before leaving the store.
A little after leaving, Chie remarked “That was fun!”
Yua nodded. “We got some cute clothes, and we may have jogged Marie’s memory somewhat.”
“Yeah,” Marie replied. “‘Somewhat’.”
Yukiko chuckled. “It’s better than nothing.”
“I guess that’s true,” Marie said. “But it’s still frustrating, you know?”
“I get it,” Yua said. “I’m still trying to figure out my own issues.”
“Do you think they’re connected?” Yukiko wondered.
Yua and Marie were confused. “What makes you say that?” Yua asked.
“Well, you both have memory issues,” Yukiko explained. “And both have ties to that other world, right? Maybe there’s a connection.
“Pfft,” Marie huffed. “That seems weirdly coincidental.”
“Even if it were true,” Yua said, trying to bring the tension down, “we’d still have no idea where to look.”
“I guess that’s true,” Yukiko said. “I just thought it might be possible since Chie said you two seem rather close.”
“Well,” Yua said. “It’s not the most ludicrous idea.”
“If it was true, you’d think hanging around Yua would bring more memories to life,” Marie countered.
“Oh. That’s…” Yukiko pondered.
Marie sighed. “I know you’re trying to help, but…”
Yukiko smiled. “I get it. Being trapped in a situation outside of your control is frustrating.” Marie grumbled some more. She may have been trying to say “thanks”, but no one could quite hear what she said.
Chie got excited once more. “Oo! There’s a movie I really want! I wanna see if I can get it before it sells out!”
Yukiko chuckled. “If it’s a Kung Fu movie, I doubt it will.” Chie and Yukiko headed over to the DVD store.
Yua started to follow, but noticed Marie hanging behind. “Hey,” she said, turning around, and approaching her. “Are you alright?”
Marie was still a little frustrated. “Do…we really have what they have?” Yua was confused. “I mean, we JUST became friends. I don’t think we have what they have.”
Yua chuckled. “Well, who cares if we do or not?”
“Eh?” Marie replied, stunned.
“We’re friends, and that’s all that matters,” Yua continued. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d like for you to regain your memories, but this, now, it’s important too. And I wouldn’t spend it pondering how good of friends we are. So long as we’re friends, that’s all there is to it, OK?”
Marie smiled slightly. “Thanks.”
Yua chuckled. “Of course.”
Aeon-Marie: Rank 3
“HEY!” Chie called out. They turned towards her. “You coming?!”
Yua smirked. “Yeah!” She turned to Marie. “Shall we?” Marie smirked, nodded, and the two of them headed to catch up with Chie and Yukiko.
As they were making haste, they passed by some other people. One of them, a girl about their age, paused slightly, and looked at them. After thinking for a moment, she remarked to herself “...couldn’t be.” She then went back to what she was doing.
On Sunday, Yua was walking around town. She wanted to clear her head a little. She and her team rescued Yukiko, and now they were waiting for her to recuperate. She’d hope maybe they’d get something out of this. However, something in her told her it wasn’t going to be that easy.
As she was walking, she saw Marie standing outside next to the door to The Velvet Room. She approached. “Hey,” she called out. Marie looked over at her. “Fancy meeting you like this.”
“Tch,” Marie said. “I just wanted to get out of there for a bit. Margaret was lecturing me again.”
“Well…” Yua said, “if it’s not too much trouble, would you like to hang out for a bit?”
Marie shrugged. “Sure, I guess. I’ve been hearing people mentioning Junes as they pass by. I wanna see what that place is like.”
Yua nodded. “I can take you there.”
“Well then, what are you waiting for?” Marie said. “Let’s go!”
“OK, OK,” Yua said. “Follow me.” Yua led the way, and Marie followed.
As they entered, they explored the store a little. Marie was intrigued by the quantity of items for sale, especially all gathered in one place. They ended up in the TV section. “This place has everything,” Marie noted. “At least, everything from how I understand it.”
Yua chuckled. “Yeah, Junes certainly has a lot.”
Marie turned to Yua. “Do you know what that time sale thing was about? Why did it make everyone go after the ‘sallah dressing’?”
“Ummm,” Yua said. “It’s kind of how things work around here. Like, for a limited time, the dressing will be sold cheaper.”
“Why would they do that?” Marie asked.
“So that they can sell more?” Yua replied.
“Oh,” Marie said. “Hmmm. What a clever trick.”
“I don’t know if it's a trick…” Yua muttered.
“Woah!” a voice yelped. Yua turned over to see Chie walking over. “What are the odds of meeting you here?” Chie noticed Marie. “Who’s she? I haven’t seen her before.”
“This is Marie,” Yua introduced.
“Oh,” Chie said. She reached her hand out. “My name is Chie. Nice to meet you.”
Marie was a little confused. She looked at Yua. Yua nodded gently. Marie carefully went over to shake Chie’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” They broke it off.
Chie giggled. “You know, you’re pretty cute.”
“Eh?” Marie replied, shocked. “Well, uh, so are you.”
“Really?” Chie replied. “Eh heh, thanks.”
“So, what brings you here?” Yua asked.
“Oh, right,” Chie said. “I was kind of hoping they’d have a sale on TVs to try and convince my parents to get a new one. But it doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“I mean, if they were, I imagine more people might come here,” Yua said, “which might disrupt our mission.”
“Wai-huh?!” Chie said. “You’re…you’re going to tell Marie about that?!”
“Well, she knows already,” Yua said. “In fact, she’s part of a team that’s helping me from the other side.”
“Huh,” Chie remarked. “So, she’s from the other side?”
“Well…” Marie said.
“We’re not sure,” Yua said. “She’s got amnesia.”
“Oh. I see,” Chie said.
“We’re going about town to see if things jog her memory,” Yua said.
“Do you think she’d know Junes?” Chie said. “It’s a fairly recent feature of the town.”
“Oh. Right,” Yua said.
“I wanted to come here,” Marie said. “I heard people talking about it.”
Chie nodded. “I get it. I mean, if I didn’t know where to look for something, I might be tempted to see where the people go. Do you want to talk about this more over food?”
Marie nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Great!” Chie said. “Let’s head over to the food court!” Chie led the way, as Yua and Marie walked over to get some food. Once they got their food, they started eating. “So,” Chie interjected, “how are things going so far?”
“Well, we’re just getting started,” Marie said. “I’m getting small tickles here and there, but nothing substantial.”
“Hmmm,” Yua pouted. “I get it. I feel the same way about our mission.”
“Well it’s still progress, right?” Chie said, attempting to lighten the mood. “I mean, yeah, I know it sucks that you’re not at your goal yet, but every little bit counts.”
Yua chuckled. “I imagine you know from experience.”
“Eh heh,” Chie chuckled nervously.
Marie went deep into thought. “Well…I know I enjoy moments like this. It feels like I’ve had moments like this before.” She sighed. “But I can’t access them for some reason.”
Chie chuckled again. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
“I don’t think she got her memories stolen like I did,” Yua said. “She just got attacked.”
“Wait, what?!” Chie reacted, confused.
Yua nodded. “She said she was attacked by a monster with a beautiful face.”
“I don’t remember much else,” Marie explained.
“Well, where’d you get your outfit?” Chie asked. “It looks really good on you. You’ve got that pop-punk chic vibe goin’.”
“Well, um,” Marie said, “I got this hat from Margaret. She said I needed it to represent the room. But, as for the rest of my clothes,” she shrugged, “I guess I always had them. Well, at least since I can remember. We’ve had to make some adjustments, but…yeah.”
“Oh…” Chie said. “Well, um, if you want to change your wardrobe a little bit, maybe we can go shopping sometime. Oo oo! Maybe once Yukiko fully recovers, we can all go shopping!”
“That sounds like a nice idea,” Yua said. She turned to Marie. “Are you alright with that?”
Marie nodded. “I think so. I mean, it might help me a little more on figuring out my memories as well.”
“Yeah!” Chie said. “And we can get you some cute accessories as well!”
“Accessories…” Marie reacted. “Now that you mention it,” she started digging through her bag. “I have this.” She pulled out a bamboo comb. “It’s the only other thing I have from before. Most of what’s in my bag was provided by Margaret, but this was always in there.”
Yua and Chie looked at it. “Oooo!” Chie reacted.
“It looks nice,” Yua said.
Marie nodded. “But why do I have it? Why was it so important to me that I held onto it?”
“Well, what do you feel when holding it?” Yua asked. “You haven’t shown this to me before.”
“Yeah,” Marie admitted. “I guess because it feels a little…bittersweet.” She looked at it. “Like, it feels like it’s mostly happy, but there’s also a big…negative feeling attached to it as well. Ugh. It’s hard. It…I normally want to remember things, but there’s a part of me when looking at this that doesn’t want to remember.”
“Yikes!” Chie said. “Sorry for bringing it up.”
Marie put the comb away. “No, it’s alright. I know I’m going to have to remember it someday. But when I do, I can count on you guys to be there for me, right?”
Yua nodded. “Of course.”
Marie smiled. “Thanks.”
Aeon-Marie: Rank 2
Chie looked confused. Marie took notice. “Is something wrong, Chie?”
“Hmmmm,” Chie replied. “Well…You two just met, right? Like, you just came into town Yua, and then all of this started unraveling, right?”
“Yeah?” Yua replied. “Why do you ask?”
“Well,” Chie replied, puzzled. “It’s just…the smile Marie gave off just now…It kind of reminded me of when Yukiko smiles at me.”
Yua was confused. “Smiles tend to look alike?”
“No no,” Chie objected. “Well, I mean, I guess to an extent… But this felt different. This felt like a smile between close friends. Like, you knew each other at some point.”
Marie looked at Yua. “Do you think that could be true?”
“I…don’t know,” Yua said. “Apparently, the truth is harder to grasp on than I had anticipated. But I think we’ll grab hold of it sooner or later.”
“Yeah!” Chie said. “We’re making strides left and right!”
Marie chuckled. “Well, it’s getting late. We should finish up. I have to go back to the room before sundown; lest the monster finds me in the dark.”
“Wait, monsters are roaming the dark now?!” Chie said, slightly worried.
“Well…” Yua reacted. “I imagine Marie gives off a specific energy that the monster might be able to track easier.”
“Oh yeah,” Chie said. “She’s connected to the other side. So, I guess that makes sense. But wait! If we spend too much time on that other side, will the monster be able to find us?”
“Hmmm,” Yua replied, intrigued. “I’d like to test that hypothesis.”
“Eep!” Chie shrieked. “No no no! We only go in when we need to, got it?!”
“But if this monster was responsible for Marie’s condition, maybe we can capture it to help her,” Yua pointed out.
“Ehhhhhhhh!” Chie groaned.
Marie chuckled. “It’s OK, you don’t have to do that for me. Besides, you’ve got enough problems to deal with.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true,” Yua said.
Chie sighed, relieved. “I’m glad we don’t have to face down a monster.”
Yua was confused. “We did it in Yukiko’s Castle.”
“Yeah, but we had powers!” Chie said. “I can’t summon my persona in the real world!”
“Oh yeah,” Yua siad. “I guess that’s true.”
“You JUST realized that?!” Chie yelled.
Marie chuckled. “Well, whatever happens, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s just finish eating these steaks.”
Chie grew determined. “Yeah!” The three of them continued eating. Once they were finished, Chie headed home, and Yua led Marie back to The Velvet Room before heading back to the Dojima residence herself.
P4G: Mirror Mirror (A FeMC Story/P4G Rework)
Chapter 19: A Barely Finished Puzzle
Once they had left the castle, Madrid appeared in front of them. They were shocked. “Hm,” Madrid scoffed. “It appears you have rejected my gifts.”
Yukiko stepped forward. “I wouldn’t call what you were offering a gift, but yes.”
Madrid pouted. “Be that as it may, I really wish you would reconsider.”
“And if we don’t?” Yua wondered.
“Well…” Madrid admitted, “there’s nothing I can really do.”
“Hold on,” Yosuke protested. “Didn’t Apple, or whoever, threaten to cut our eyes out?!”
“Her name is Able,” Madrid clarified, “and yes. But that was before our meeting with the mistress.”
“Who is this ‘mistress’?” Chie wondered.
“Heh heh,” Madrid chuckled. “You don’t need to know just yet. But she is our leader, as you can presume. And she wants us to only fight back when necessary. She wants you all to accept our gifts willingly.”
“And if we refuse?” Yukiko wondered.
“Refuse all you want,” Madrid retorted. “Sooner or later, you’ll find out that the truth is not worth preserving. However you choose to lie to yourself is up to you. I came here because I thought I appealed to you.”
Yukiko frowned. “Well…you did…but with everyone else here, I’m learning to embrace the truth. So thank you for…whatever this is, but I’ve outgrown it.”
“Hm,” Madrid smirked. “Hopefully you’ll hear me out sooner or later. I’ll be here if you need me.” She disappeared.
“Yukiko…” Chie remarked.
Yukiko sighed. “It’s alright.”
“Did…you meet with her before?” Yosuke asked. “It seems like you did.”
Yukiko nodded. “She…came to me when I first got here, but…”
“It’s OK,” Yua said. “We can save it for when you’re well rested.”
Yukiko nodded. “Thanks.” They continued on to the exit. Once they exited the TV world, Yukiko asked “Where are we?”
“We’re in Junes,” Chie answered, looking around. “Phew. It looks like nobody’s here.”
“Is that a concern?” Yukiko asked.
“Sort of, but not really,” Yosuke answered.
“I see,” Yukiko said.
Yua turned to Chie. “Can you get her home?”
Chie nodded. “Yeah.”
Yua nodded back. “Then I suggest that we go our separate ways for now. Let’s meet back tomorrow to debrief, and then we’ll figure it out from there.”
“Got it!” Chie said. She turned to Yukiko. “Are you ready to go home?”
Yukiko smiled. “You know, for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say yes.” The two of them headed out.
Yosuke stretched. “Boy, that took it out of me.”
“Me too,” Yua admitted.
“Still, I’m glad we were able to rescue Yukiko,” Yosuke added.
Yua smiled. “Me too.”
“Still, there’s a lot we need to consider,” Yosuke said.
“Which is why I asked us to meet tomorrow,” Yua told him. “Weren’t you paying attention?”
“Oh right,” Yosuke said. “Ugh. I’m more out of it than I had thought.”
“That…is also why I put it off until tomorrow,” Yua said. “I need some sleep.”
Yosuke nodded. “Well then, goodnight.”
“Goodnight Yosuke,” Yua said. The two of them headed home.
As Yua arrived, Nanako greeted her. “Welcome back.”
Yua mustered a smirk. “Thanks.”
“You look tired,” Nanako said. “Would you like me to make you some tea?”
Yua sat down across from Nanako. “I’ll be alright.” She looked around. “I take it your father isn’t home?”
Nanako shook her head. “He called earlier, saying something came up.”
“Well, at least he called,” Yua noted.
“Yeah…” Nanko said. “He also said he was bringing dinner home.”
“Well that’s nice, I suppose,” Yua replied.
Nanko nodded. “I wonder if something good happened.” The door opened. “Oh, that must be him now!” She looked over at the door. “Welcome hooooooooooooooome…”
Ryotaro was standing there, dinner in hand, alongside Adachi. “Oh good. You’re both home,” Ryotaro said. “I got us some dinner.”
“Yay…” Nanako said.
Ryotaro glanced at Adachi. “I invited Adachi over to celebrate. I hope that’s alright…”
Yua grew curious. “Celebrate what?”
“Oh yeah,” Adachi said. “We found your friend Yukiko just now. I was just going to go down to the bar and drink, but your father invited me over for dinner instead.”
“I see…” Yua responded.
“Although…” Adachi continued. “I AM glad that Miss Amagi is safe, but there’s no evidence to suggest where she’s been this whole time. Almost as if she disappeared completely. And she disappeared in the middle of a busy event too. Something’s afoot.” Ryotaro elbowed him. “Ow!”
“We’ll figure that all out later!” he told him. “For now, we’re just going to celebrate that we’re not taking a third body to the morgue.”
“Yes sir!” Adachi said, still slightly in pain. He sat down at the table.
Ryotaro set the dinner down, and then took a seat himself. “Alright! Let’s dig in!”
Nanko grabbed some of the food. “Thanks dad!”
Ryotaro smiled back. “Of course.” They proceeded to eat dinner. Afterwards, Adachi decided to sleep on the couch instead of going home for the night. Ryotaro and Nanako went to their rooms, and Yua did the same.
Once in her room, she called out “Izanagi!”
“Yes?” Izanagi said, appearing before her.
“I just have a few questions,” Yua explained.
“By all means,” Izanagi replied.
Yua nodded. “First, let’s talk about the outer circumstances. Whoever is putting people into the TV world has the same power that we do, right?”
“That would track,” Izanagi said.
“Well…” Yua countered. “You manifest for me, right?” Izanagi nodded. “So, theoretically, could you do it on your own, or do you need someone to do it for you?”
“I beg your pardon?” Izanagi said.
“Like, could Madrid, or one of the other pieces of me, do it on their own?” Yua clarified. “Could they come into this world, and then sneak off with someone?”
“Ah,” Izanagi said. “The answer to that is no. Beings that originated from the other world are intangible here, if they can manifest at all. They could, perhaps, do some minor things here and there, but nothing like kidnapping a person.”
“Hmmm,” Yua said. “So there IS someone on this side putting people in. But then who would they give that power to? Who would I, or at least a part of me, trust?”
“Well,” Izanagi interjected, “it might not be them. They mentioned working for a mistress. Perhaps it's her who gave the others their abilities.”
“So, that was going to be my next point,” Yua said. “Do you have an inkling as to who this ‘mistress’ might be?”
“Hmmmm,” Izanagi thought. “I might.”
“Who?” Yua asked.
Izanagi looked at her, intently. “Well, as you know, my destiny is linked with yours, which is how I can manifest for you.” Yua nodded. “I don’t have any solid proof, but if we are linked, then perhaps this mistress is my wife, Izanami. You are familiar with the story, aren’t you?”
Yua nodded once more. “I believe that she was trapped in Hell, and you went to go rescue her. As you were taking her back, you looked back at her, and she recoiled because she was ugly due to her time in Hell. She attacked, and then you locked the gates to Hell. She then threatened to take 1000 of your subjects every day unless you unlocked the gate you put up. And then you said that for every 1,000 subjects she kills, you’ll make 1,500 new ones.”
“A little unvarnished,” Izanagi said. “But accurate.”
“So, she has someone on this side working for her?” Yua wondered.
“Probably,” Izanagi explained. “But there’s something else. If she’s controlling pieces of you, she must have gotten to you somehow at some point.”
“When?” Yua wondered.
“I don’t know,” Izanagi said. “But I suspect that she might have taken that from you as well.” Yua sighed. “I know you don’t like not having answers, but I’m not pleased with this either.”
“No, I get it,” Yua said. “This is just something I have to deal with. I’ve dealt with plenty of things before.”
“Yes, but this time, remember you’re not alone,” Izanagi said. “Even though I’m just ostensibly a voice in your head, I’m here for you. So is Yosuke, Chie, Ryotaro, Nanako, and everyone else.”
Yua nodded. “Thanks. I’ve felt alone for some time now, so it’s nice to know I’m not.” Izanagi nodded back.
Fool-Izanagi: Rank 2
Yua smirked. “Thanks again.”
“No problem,” Izanagi replied.
Yua yawned. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Izanagi responded. He faded away, as Yua got ready for bed.
The next day, Yua, Yosuke, and Chie met up at Junes to go over everything. Yosuke turned to Chie and asked “How’s Yukiko doing? She wasn’t at school.”
“Well, she was in there for a while,” Chie remarked. “She’s taking some time to rest. Not to mention the police talking to her about her disappearance.”
“Right,” Yosuke said. “I just hope she has enough common sense not to say anything about that other world.”
“I'm sure she understands,” Chie replied. “Also, I did tell her not to, so we should be fine.”
“Did she say anything to you?” Yua asked.
Chie looked nervous. “I asked, but…she wasn’t feeling up to it.”
“I see,” Yua said. “Well, we should talk to her when she’s ready.”
“Of course,” Chie said.
“With that being said,” Yosuke continued, “let’s talk about the matter at hand.” He turned toward Yua. “So, those women with missing features…are you?”
“Well, in a sense, yeah,” Yua said.
“But why are they asking us to follow them?” Chie wondered.
“Especially into a world of lies?” Yosuke added.
“I don’t know,” Yua said. “And I suspect that if I did, we wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place. Well, I don’t suspect, I know…”
“I see…” Yosuke said.
“Hold on,” Chie said. “My shadow was only one person. Madrid is part of a group, right?”
Yua nodded. “I talked to Izanagi last night. Madrid and the others are all pieces of me, and are working for a ‘mistress’.”
“Right. She mentioned as such,” Yosuke said.
“So, our current working theory is that this mistress somehow contacted me, and stole pieces of me to act as agents on her behalf,” Yua explained.
“Wait!” Chie blurted. “Does that mean that they could be kidnapping people?”
“I thought that too,” Yua said, “but no. Izanagi says that beings that originate on that side don’t have that kind of power.”
“Drat!” Chie cursed.
“So, does that mean that whoever this mistress is gave someone else the same power you have?”
“Again, that’s our theory,” Yua said. “But finding out who is a whole other ballgame.”
“Hmmmm,” Chie pondered. “Yeah. Cause it has to be someone in town, right? I mean, I know this isn’t a big city, but investigating everyone who lives here is still a tall order.”
“And doing so discreetly is also a challenge in itself,” Yosuke added. “I don’t want to get taken down to the station again.
“Plus, we still have school to worry about,” Yua added. “I don’t think we could get away with just ditching class.”
“Yeah,” Chie said. “If we were caught, we’d get a talking to from King Moron. Which,” she shuddered, “is almost worse than fighting those weird shadow things.”
“Yeah,” Yosuke said. “And that goes double, what with midterms coming up.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Chie said.
“I’m not looking forward to it either,” Yosuke said. They soured a little. “So, good old fashioned detective work is out of the window. How else should we figure this out?”
“Well, we could start from the initial case,” Yua said. “The affair between Namatame and Yamano.”
“Yeah!” Chie said. “I mean, Saki-senpai found her body, and she was staying at Yuiko’s family’s inn. Maybe there is a connection!”
“I’m not so sure,” Yosuke said. “I agree it’s logical, but there’s something that bugs me about it.”
“What?” Yua inquired.
Yosuke looked up at Yua. “Well, if you are at the center of this, why does Yamano matter? Why do ANY of the victims matter? If this mistress wants you, why does it matter who ends up on the other side?”
“Hmmm,” Yua pondered. “I guess that’s a fair point.”
“But where does that leave us?” Chie asked. “Another dead end?”
“Not necessarily,” Yosuke answered. “We just have to figure out how the mistress got a hold of pieces of Yua in the first place.”
“Good luck with that,” Yua said. “She probably stole the memory of when we met.”
“Well…” Yosuke responded. “Maybe we just need to jog your memory a bit.”
“And worst case scenario,” Chie said, “we just have to get stronger to fight those pieces of you.”
“I suppose,” Yua admitted. “Maybe we could get some more information from Yukiko. See if we can’t connect a few more dots that way. Maybe we can get a good leg up on when this happens next time.”
“Sounds like that’s all we can do for now,” Yosuke relented. “But I think we have a good base for what we need to do.”
“I’ll say,” Chie added. She sighed. “Honestly, this feels like we asked more questions than we answered.”
“Yeah,” Yosuke admitted. “But I suspect that anything involving an alternate reality isn’t solved overnight.”
“I guess that’s true,” Chie said.
“Oh yeah,” Yosuke said. He took some flyers out.
“What’s this?” Yua asked.
“These are flyers for part-time jobs,” Yosuke replied. “I thought if either of you were interested…”
“Aren’t we already pressed for time?” Chie asked.
“I thought so,” Yosuke said, “but we managed to rescue Yukiko while managing our time.”
“True…” Chie admitted.
“I just brought them in case anyone was interested. Yua and I talked about how working here at Junes might be a bit much for her, but there are some nice positions here.”
Yua shrugged. “I’ll take a look. No harm in that, right?” She grabbed some of the pamphlets. She took a quick glance. “I think this is as far as we’re getting for today.”
“Well, it’s a good start,” Yosuke said. “I think I have a better understanding of things, but it’s still all up in the air.”
“Well, we saved Yukiko,” Chie said. “And that’s good.”
Yua nodded. “Yeah. Despite still being in the dark, we are closer to figuring this out on multiple ends. Plus, it gives us assurance for when this happens next time.”
“Oh yeah,” Yosuke said. “We should still be on the lookout for that.”
Chie nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on The Midnight Channel.”
“I think we all ought to do that,” Yua said. “Maybe we should figure out the origins of it as well. I mean, it’s connected to everything, so it has to play a part, right?”
“Hmmmm,” Yosuke thought. “I guess it makes sense. But how do we go about figuring that out?
“Maybe the library has something on it?” CHie said.
“Maybe…”
“Well, maybe one of us should check it out,” Yua said.
“I can do it!” Chie offered.
“Are you sure?” Yosuke said.
“I know what I’m doing!” Chie snapped.
“Just making sure,” Yosuke said. “We can’t be too careful here now, can we?”
“Mmmm,” Chie groaned. “I guess. I do want you to have more faith in me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Yosuke said.
Chie nodded. “Apology accepted.”
“Well, I suppose that’s it for today, “Yua said. “I should get going soon. I offered to make dinner tonight.”
“Oh,” Yosuke said. “Seeya!”
“Bye!” Chie said.
Yua smiled, and nodded. “Bye!” She got up, and left. She went back to the Dojima residence to make dinner. Since Yukiko was now no longer missing, Ryotaro was able to join her and Nanako for dinner. It was a nice dinner, although somewhat less lively with the lack of Adachi. But it was touching, since it was more of a pure family moment.
A little while later, Yua was in her room looking over the pamphlets Yosuke gave her. There were some good opportunities. As she was looking things over, a thought crossed her mind. My bonds are my strength, right? She took out her phone, and made a call.
“Hello?”
“Um, hi,” Yua replied. “Miss Fujioka?”
“Yua?” Aimi replied.
“Yeah…” Yua replied.
“Well, it’s nice to hear from you,” Aimi continued. “So, how’s Inaba so far?”
“It’s going pretty well,” Yua said. “A bit hectic at times, and not entirely what I expected, but I think it’s been a good experience so far.”
“Well that’s good to hear,” Aimi said.
Yua paused for a moment. “Listen…I never really got a chance to say it, but…thanks…for finding me up there…”
“Oh?” Aimi said.
“I…wasn’t in a good place,” Yua said. “I…felt so alone…I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t. I just wanted the pain to end. But after moving here, making new friends, and just getting a chance to relax a little, I feel like the pain did end. And it’s because of you that it could. So thank you…”
There wasn’t an answer for a little bit. Aimi then sniffed. “Sorry,” she said, crying. “I…I just don’t know what to say…”
“I’m sorry for worrying you like that,” Yua said.
“Oh, don’t be,” Aimi replied. “God knows you’ve been through enough as is. I'm just glad I made it in time.”
“Yeah…” Yua said.
“You know…” Aimi said. “I was sort of looking forward to getting to know you this year. But this is for the best.”
“Well, um, I could always give you a call, you know,” Yua said. “I probably should have called earlier, but I was getting settled in.”
“I get it,” Aimi said.
Yua nodded. “I feel like I should keep you updated on how I’m doing. I feel like it’s the least I could do.”
“I appreciate the sentiment,” Aimi said, “but you really don’t need to worry about me too much.”
“Hm,” Yua chuckled. “I kind of feel like doing it more for myself. Keeping everything bottled in was how I ended up on the roof in the first place.”
“Well then, by all means,” Aimi replied.
Yua smiled. “Thanks.”
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast established a new bond…
It brings thee closer to the truth…
Thou shalt be blessed by The Councilor Arcana…
Councilor-Aimi Fujioka: Rank 1
Yua yawned. “I should get some sleep.”
Aimi chuckled. “Well, good night, Yua-chan.”
“Goodnight Miss Fujioka.” Yua hung up, and went to bed.
As Yua, Yosuke, and Chie gathered at their desks the next morning, Yua looked at them both and said “Alright. Today’s the day!”
“Yes!” Chie cheered. “We’re coming, Yukiko! Don’t you worry!”
“Um, before we jump in, we should make sure we’re fully prepared,” Yosuke said.
Yua nodded. “I’ll make a few quick stops, and then straight to Junes.”
Chie turned to Yosuke. “And you’re sure no one’ll stop by the electronics department. I don’t wanna pop out with someone around.”
“Like I said, that place is a ghost town,” Yosuke said. “We’ll be fine.”
“I sure hope you’re right,” Chie replied.
Yua sighed. “Remember, the most important thing is getting Yukiko. We’ll figure everything else out once we get there.”
Chie nodded. “Right.”
Yosuke nodded. “For sure.”
Yua smirked. “Good. See you after school then.” Chie and Yosuke smiled. The school day started.
After school, the three of them headed out. “Chie and I will go on ahead. You gather the supplies, and we’ll meet you at Junes.”
Yua nodded. “Seeya soon.” They parted ways, as Yosuke and Chie headed for Junes, while Yua headed to the shopping district. As she was gathering supplies, Izanagi appeared to her. Yua looked over at him. “What do you want?”
“I just want to keep you company.”
“I’ll be fine,” Yua said.
“You can be honest with me,” Izanagi said.
Yua sighed. “OK I am worried about doing this rescue mission.”
“Who wouldn’t be?” Izanagi replied.
“But we have to do it,” Yua continued.
“Do you have any other trepidations?” Izanagi wondered.
Yua pouted. “All of this seems to be happening really fast. I sort of feel bad that Yosuke and Chie got dragged into this.”
“Hm hm,” Izanagi chuckled. “They didn’t get dragged into it. They chose to help you. They chose to be your friend.”
“But if they knew it would be like this…” Yua continued.
“I doubt you knew it would be like this,” Izanagi said. “Just relax, OK? No matter what happened before, we’re all in this together now.”
Yua smiled. “Thanks. I guess I’m just not used to having people around me.”
“Well things are different now,” Izanagi said. “You’re forging friendship left, right, and center.”
“Yeah,” Yua replied. They kept shopping.
Meanwhile at Junes, Yosuke and Chie were waiting for Yua. Yosuke turned to Chie. “So, um, what made you decide to be a girl?” Chie looked at him, dumbfounded. “Well, er, I, I mean, I just want to try and understand you better, you know?”
Chie sighed. “It’s not a decision,” she explained. “It’s a feeling. A feeling I had to chase down.”
“I see,” Yosuke said.
“But it’s not simple,” Chie explained. “At least, it wasn’t for me. I mean, I’ve always…felt different, but it took Yukiko to fully coax it out of me.”
“Oh?” Yosuke wondered. “Is that why you’re so close?”
“No!” Chie said. “Well, I mean, kind of. But it’s not just that, you know? I mean, we’re not just friends with Yua because we’re trying to solve all of this.”
“Huh. I think I get it,” Yosuke said. “So, um, why didn’t you tell us?”
Chie was confused. “I was scared! I didn’t know how you’d react. A lot of people don’t like me, but grit their teeth because Yukiko’s parents pressure them to. And while it’s nice to not feel their vitriol directly, I can still sense their displeasure. I didn’t want you two to project that energy as well.”
“Hmmmm,” Yosuke pondered. “Well, I might have…”
“Eh?” Chie said, surprised.
“But after what happened when I faced my shadow,” Yosuke continued, “I realized I have to work on myself too. I’ve been feeling way too detached from everything since moving here. I didn’t care about anyone except myself. But I’m working on trying to extend an olive branch.”
Chie glanced at him. “Well, you could use a few pointers, but you’re doing good so far.”
Yosuke smiled. “Thanks.”
Yua arrived. “Alright, I’m here!” Chie and Yosuke nodded. “Ready?”
“Of course!” Yosuke said.
“I’ve been ready for a long time!” Chie said.
Yua smiled. “Well then, let’s go!” The three of them headed into the TV world.
Upon arrival, Teddie was there to greet them. “Hello there!”
Yua nodded. “Hi Teddie.”
“I take it you’re here to save Yukiko?” Teddie asked.
“You bet!” Chie said.
Teddie nodded. “Well then, I’ll be there to assist.” He saluted. “Teddie, reporting for duty!”
“Let’s hope your skills have improved,” Yosuke remarked.
“Hey!” Teddie chided. “My assistance is BEAR-y good!” he stomped. “So don’t go making fun of it!”
Yosuke sighed. “Hey,” Yua said. Yosuke looked over. “He’s part of the team too.”
Yosuke nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“That’s more like it!” Teddie said.
Yua turned to Teddie. “You be nice to him too, OK?”
“Of course, Sensei!” Teddie replied.
Yua nodded. “Well then, let’s head off.”
“Right this way then!” Teddie said. He guided them to Yukiko’s Castle. “Here we are.”
They looked up at it. “Hm,” Chie remarked. “It’s hard to believe this came from Yukiko.”
“Believe what you may,” the figure wearing headphones. “This is her sanctuary.”
“It’s only masquerading as a sanctuary!” Yosuke shot back. “It’s nothing but torturous!”
“Silly boy,” the figure said. “One person’s pain is another person’s pleasure.”
“If it means submitting to you, it’s just pain!” Yua spat back.
The figure laughed. “You sure have a lot of spunk in you, considering you’re empty!”
“I’m not ‘empty’!” Yua shot back. “If I was, I wouldn’t have the fight in me to oppose you!”
“Oooh, clever,” the figure responded. She summoned her bell. “She’s still up there. Waiting for her prince to rescue her. Perhaps that could be one of you.”
“Oh, we’ll rescue her alright!” Chie said. “Rescue her from YOU!”
The figure chuckled. “You’re all quite a lively bunch. But alas, as the princess’s consort, I have considerable sway. I’ll make sure she can escape. In fact, I already have the route drawn up. But she’s hesitant to go. Still, I’m sure we can convince her before the frenzy.”
“You better try convincing her before we get up there!” Teddie shot back.
The figure laughed aloud. “By all means, try. But getting to the top will be difficult at best. And then you’ll have to deal with the princess herself. And let me tell you, she can be a bit capricious.”
“Yukiko’s NOT capricious!” Chie argued.
The figure shrugged. “Well, don’t let me stop you. There are plenty of shadows to do that for you anyway.” She started turning around.
“Hold it!” Yua shouted. The figure turned back. “Who are you?!”
The figure smiled. “Are you asking because you don’t know? Or do you just want confirmation?”
“The latter,” Yua admitted with no hesitation.
“Heh heh. Very well,” the figure said. “Your suspicion is correct. I am a missing piece of you.”
Yosuke, Chie, and Teddie were surprised. Yua nodded. “Thought so.”
Yosuke readied his weapons. “Well, if she’s a piece of you, let’s take her for our own!” He started to rush in.
Teddie stopped him. “Hold it!” Teddie yelled. “She’s WAY too powerful for us!”
“Your friend is right,” the figure said. “I suggest that if you want to save the princess, you should conserve your energy.”
“Grrr!” Yosuke howled.
“Well don’t you worry!” Chie said. “After everything you’re putting Yukiko through, we’re coming back for you!”
“Heh heh. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Hmmmm,” Yua pondered. “By the way…do you have a name of your own? Or am I going to have to call you all ‘Yua’?”
“I suppose that’s fair,” the figure replied. “You may call me Madrid.”
“That’s a weird name…” Chie said.
“On its own, perhaps,” Madrid replied. “But I am just a piece. If we were all together, you could probably figure it out. And since I’m feeling generous, the one you met with their eyes torn out is Able, and the one whose mouth is sewn shut is named Ursula.”
“Why are you telling us this?” Yosuke wondered.
“Because once you go into the castle, you’re not coming out,” Madrid said.
“And you think I’m cocksure,” Yua remarked.
“Well, I am you,” Madrid said.
“Touche,” Teddie said.
“Well, regardless,” Yua said, “if you’re not willing to fight us, step aside, and let us have our fight.”
Madrid nodded. “Very well. Don’t be afraid to chime in if things get too much for you. I am willing to let you escape with me and the princess.”
“Sorry,” Yua said. “But your offer has fallen on deaf ears.” Madrid chuckled before disappearing. The others looked at Yua, unsure of how to proceed, “Let’s go.” Yua instructed. She started walking in. The others followed her.
As they were walking through the first floor, Teddie glanced over and asked “Um, Sensei?”
“Hm?” Yua wondered.
“Are…you alright?” Teddie inquired.
“Hm,” Yua huffed. “I’ll be fine.”
“Um…she did say she was a part of you…” Chie chimed in.
“I know,” Yua told her.
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Yosuke wondered.
“I mean, it does,” Yua said. “You know it does. But it is what it is. I mean, just look around. We’re in an alternate universe inside of the TV. Honestly, outside of you guys, it’s the most sense anything has made in a while for me. Knowing that there is a reason for what has been happening to me for…years it seems like, feels so freeing. Because I know what it is, and I know how to deal with it.”
“Sooooo, how do we deal with it?” Teddie asked.
“I mean,” Yua continued, “I assume as we continue down this road, we’ll figure it out sooner or later. But trust me, getting this far is a testament itself.”
“No, I get it,” Chie said. “I get it…”
Yosuke nodded. “I’m not sure I fully understand, but I believe you.”
Yua nodded. “Thanks. For now, let’s focus on saving Yukiko.”
They all nodded. “Speaking of…” Chie noted. “Have you seen this castle?”
They all looked around. “Oh yeah,” Yosuke noted. “How did I not notice all this before?”
“Probably because we were frantically chasing Chie,” Yua said.
“Mmmm,” Chie pouted.
“It’s OK Chie,” Teddie said. “I understand why you did it.”
“Yeah, that may have been too harsh,” Yua said. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine,” Chie said. “But something seems off about this castle, you know?”
They took another look around. “It looks like a regular European Castle to me.”
“See, that’s what bugs me,” Chie said. “The Amagi Inn is very Japanese in terms of its design, service, all that stuff.”
“What do you suppose it means?” Teddie asked.
Chie thought about it. “I’m not sure…”
“I think we’ll figure it out as we go,” Yua said. “The sooner we get to Yukiko, the sooner we can figure this out.”
Chie nodded. “Right.” They kept venturing through the first floor. They found the stairs once again, and then headed up.
They looked at the door on the second floor. “This is where we encountered Chie’s shadow last time,” Yosuke said.
“And I sense something there this time too…” Teddie said.
“Maybe it’s your Shadow,” Yosuke joked.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Teddie said. “You think I wouldn’t know my own Shadow?”
“Well, I don’t think there’s a secret passage,” Yua said. “So we just have to open the door, and leave luck to Heaven. Are you ready?” The team nodded. Yua nodded back. She opened the door.
On the other side, there was a figure in an elegant dress. She turned around. Yua recognized her as the Yukiko she saw on The Midnight Channel. “Yukiko?!” Chie wondered.
Midnight Channel Yukiko chuckled. “Yes, it is I! Yukiko Amagi! And I’m searching for my Prince Charming!”
This caught Chie off guard. “You’re not Yukiko…” she rationalized.
“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” laughed Midnight Channel Yukiko. “But I am Yukiko…and Yukiko is me!”
Chie got frustrated. “So, YOU’RE the part of Yukiko she hates!” She readied a fighting stance, alerting the others. “Well then, bring it on!”
Shadow Yukiko chuckled. “Silly Chie. If you want to get close with me, you have to prove yourself first.”
This confused everyone. “What do you mean?” Yosuke asked.
“He he,” Shadow Yukiko giggled. “Why, it’s the whole point of this show.” She used both her hands to blow a kiss, with a title appearing above her reading “Princess Yukiko’s Hunt For Her Prince Charming!”
An unseen crowd cheers. “Where’s that coming from?” Yosuke asked.
“It’s the shadows!” Teddie said. “They’re getting riled up!”
Shadow Yukiko giggled some more. “If you think you three have what it takes to be my Prince Charming, well, you’re going to have to prove yourself!”
Everyone seemed confused. “Um, two of us are girls,” Yua pointed out. “You know that, right?”
“Hm hm,” Shadow Yukiko chuckled. “Silly Yua. ‘Prince Charming’ is merely a title. I don’t care about silly little things like gender. Anyone can be my Prince Charming, they just need to meet the requirements.”
Everyone was confused once more. “What…are these requirements?” Yosuke asked.
“Tch. I don’t want to ruin the surprise,” Shadow Yukiko said. “Duh!”
“Oh…of course…” Yosuke replied.
Teddie stepped forward. “Um, could I also be your Prince Charming?”
Shadow Yukiko took one look at Teddie and said “No.”
“WAHHHHHHHHH!” Teddie reacted.
Shadow Yukiko giggled. “Well, if you aren’t interested in being my Prince Charming, I guess I’ll have to keep looking. But if you want to rescue me, feel free to continue.” She turned around, and headed up the stairs.
Chie groaned. “Yukiko…”
Yosuke turned to Teddie. “You know what that was all about?”
“Hmmmmm,” Teddie pondered. “I think this castle is a manifestation of Yukiko’s desires. Or at least, this part of her.”
“So like the Shopping District we saw?” Yosuke asked.
Teddie nodded. “Correct.”
“Hang on,” Chie said. “You saw the Shopping District?”
“Right, you weren’t there for it,” Yosuke said. “When we went in to investigate Saki-senpai’s death, we found a place that looked like her parents’ liquor store.”
“But then why does Yukiko have this castle?” Chie wondered. “I mean, if it’s a manifestation of what one desires, why is it this, and not the Inn?”
“Well…” Yua responded. “I can’t say for certain, but I have a guess.”
Chie nodded. “Go on.”
“Well…hmmmm,” Yua continued. “If what Teddie says is true, this place is a representation of what the Shadow wants.”
“So, you think the Yukiko we saw wants something like this?” Yosuke wondered.
Yua nodded. “I think so.”
“But that doesn’t make sense!” Chie said.
“I mean,” Yua reacted, “I’m just spitballing. We might need to ask Yukiko herself once we find her.”
“Yeah,” Yosuke said. “And besides, I don’t think Yukiko wants exactly this. I think if her Shadow made this, it’s not fully her, you know?”
“Hmmmm, I guess…” Chie said, still unsure.
“Well, the only way out is through,” Yua reminded them. “If we want to save Yukiko, we should continue one. Even if that means somehow proving ourselves as Prince Charming.”
Yosuke turned to Teddie. “You must be pretty stoked. I mean, Yukiko’s Shadow mentioned needing to pass some requirements. I don’t imagine it’ll be a walk in the park. So since she doesn’t see you as a potential ‘Prince Charming’, you get to sit back.”
Teddie sighed. “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
“Huh?” Yosuke wondered.
“Nevermind,” Teddie said. “Let’s just go.”
“Right!” Chie said. “We’ve gotta save Yukiko!” She started on ahead, while everyone else caught up. Teddie was the last to catch up, as he stayed back to sigh in self-pity for a moment longer.
Once they got near the top of the stairs, Teddie shouted “Hold up!”
Everyone stopped. “What is it?” Yua wondered.
“I sense something from this next floor,” Teddie explained. “Perhaps it’s a challenge of sorts.”
“What do you mean?” Chie asked.
“I sense a really strong presence on the next floor. Not any really big shadows, but something. It’s more like the floor itself is a kind of shadow…”
“Hmmm,” Yosuke grunted. “Well, do you think we can handle it?”
“It doesn’t seem to be too treacherous,” Teddie said. “But it seems more like it tackles mental acuity.”
“Great…” Yosuke said.
“Can’t wait…” Chie added
“I’m sure we can figure it out,” Yua said. “I don’t think Yukiko would throw us school problems.”
“Mmmmm,” Yosuke said. “But Shadow Yukiko?”
“Actually, Yua has a point,” Chie said. “Yukiko is normally good at school. If her Shadow is the part of her she doesn’t want people to see, then school wouldn’t be involved.”
“I see…” Yosuke pondered.
Yua nodded. “Well then, let’s go.” They all nodded, and finished climbing the stairs.
Once they got to the top, they saw a stained-glass portrait of a sad Yukiko, with a heart-shaped piece missing around her chest. “Well that’s…foreboding…” Yosuke remarked.
“Hm hm hm hm!” Shadow Yukiko’s voice rang out. “On the other side of this masterpiece is the stairs to the next floor. But as you can see, it’s missing a very important piece.”
“So where do we find it?” Yua asked.
“Hm hm,” Shadow Yukiko chuckled some more. A set of three rooms appeared to the left of the portrait, labeled “Chie”, “Yosuke”, and “Yua”. “You shall find them in the adjoining rooms. But make sure you find the right piece. Otherwise I can’t be held responsible for what might happen.”
“Ummmm,” Yosuke wondered. “Do all of us need to do this, or just one of us?”
“All of you,” Shadow Yukiko answered.
“Figures…” Yosuke said.
“What about Teddie?” Yua asked.
Shadow Yukiko sighed. “If he’s that important to you, I suppose one of you can bring him along.”
Yua nodded. “Thanks.”
“Well then, let’s get this show on the road!” Chie said. She walked into her room.
“Now aren’t you glad you’re not involved?” Yosuke remarked, heading over to his room.
“Mmmmm,” Teddie groaned. “I’d like to be considered at least…”
“Whatever,” Yosuke said. He walked into his room.
Yua walked over to her room. She couldn’t see inside of it, no matter how hard she tried. She sighed. “Well, here goes nothing…” She crossed the threshold. Once inside, the world around her changed. She was in a pitch black voice, standing on a column of blue light, and right in front of her was a stained-glass portrait of herself, with a missing heart-shaped piece in her hand.
Suddenly, an assortment of glass puzzle pieces encircled her. They looked like they could fit in the heart, but not all of them. As she was trying to figure this out, some writing appeared in front of her in light. It read “What can you do to fix the Princess’ heart?” Yua was stunned. “Huh. Well then…I suppose I should get looking.” She started looking over the pieces.
Yosuke faced a similar sight. “Hooo boy…” he lamented. “How am I supposed to know what I can give Yukiko? But it seems like I have to if I want to save her. Let’s see if there’s anything that makes sense here.”
Chie also faced a similar scenario. “Hmph,” she huffed. “The real question is what wouldn’t I do? I mean, even just some of this wouldn’t be enough. Hmmmmm. But this is supposed to be a challenge. So what can I give her the most?” She started looking through the pieces.
As she was parsing through the pieces, she suddenly remembered a conversation they had once upon a time. She was modeling her new school uniform now that she was going to be Chie in public. “What do you think, Yukiko?”
“Well…from how our parents were talking about it, it seems like it won’t be too easy,” Yukiko answered. “You know I have your back, but…”
Chie grasped Yukiko’s face. “Look at me. This is what I want. And sure, it may be scary, but since starting this, I can’t live any other way. I even wanted to run away to make it happen. Well...I didn’t want to run away, but I didn’t not want to be Chie more. So I’ll face down whatever in order to be me!”
Yukiko chuckled. “I’m sorry. I was just worried.”
“Eh, no worries!” Chie said. “That’s just who you are.”
“Maybe,” Yukiko said. “But sometimes, I wish I had an ounce of your courage.”
Back in the present, Chie was still looking at these mysterious pieces. She grew confused. “Where did that come from?” Chie wondered. “I guess Yosuke and I were talking about it earlier.” She smirked. “Still, it gave me an answer, and I’m gonna stick with it.” She began looking for pieces that added up to courage, or at least a synonym. “THERE!” She assembles a glass heart with the word “Courage” written inside. Once placed in the stained-glass Chie’s hand, it turned gold, and was given to Chie. She smiled, turned around, and left.
Once she was back in the hall, she saw Teddie. “Oh. Hey Teddie.”
“What’s in there?” Teddie asked.
“Am I the first one out?” Chie wondered in response.
“Um…yeah,” Teddie replied.
“Huh. Well, I guess that makes sense in some way,” Chie remarked.
“Well?!” Teddie insisted. “What WAS in there?!”
“Oh, right!” Chie replied. She began to explain.
Meanwhile, Yosuke was looking through the pieces, unsure of how to make sense of this. “GAH!” he belted. “How am I supposed to know what could fix Yukiko’s heart?! I mean, I’m trying to save HER, but… Gah! I’d think that would come after. But I guess if I want to rescue her, I’d also want to fix her heart. But what would I do to save her?
I’d…treat Chie to dinner for a year? I’d…get kicked in the crotch by every girl in school? Mmmm. Man, I’d give up Junes if it meant rescuing her.” Just then, he noticed a piece of a heart “King”. He looked closer, and found the pieces that spelled out “My Kingdom”. He assembled it, placed it in the hand of the stained-glass Yosuke, and it turned gold, before Yosuke was given it back. “Well…that’s something. Can’t complain though.” He turned around and left.
As he entered back into the hall, he saw Teddie and Chie. “Welcome back Yosuke!” Teddie said.
“Oh? Is it just Yua left?” Yosuke wondered.
Chie nodded. “Seems like it!”
“Figures,” Yosuke said. “She knows Yukiko the least of us three.”
“I’m sure she can do it!” Teddie insisted. “You gotta believe in her!”
Yosuke nodded. “Fair point.” They waited with bated breath to see if Yua would come out.
Yua was pondering the pieces surrounding her. “Hmmmmmm,” Yua wondered.
“Problem?” Izanagi asked.
Yua glared at him. “I doubt you could figure it out.”
“Well, you don’t know until you try,” Izanagi insisted.
Yua sighed. “I just don’t know Yukiko well enough to know what I could answer with.”
“Well then,” Izanagi said. “Let’s start with what you do know.”
Yua thought about it. “She’s…a bit reserved. She seems a little oblivious at times, but remains confident. She works at her family’s inn.”
“If I recall, her working is what’s standing in the way of you two getting closer,” Izanagi noted. “Perhaps she could use a break. It seems chaotic at the inn.”
A thought occurred to Yua. “Or maybe it’s the other way around! Chie mentioned that this recent conference is something that happens once a year. Maybe her helping at the hotel is regimented to such a degree that maybe I can invite a little chaos into it, you know?” She started looking for pieces. Soon enough, she had enough to make “Cause Chaos”.
“Go figure,” Izanagi said.
“Well, I wouldn’t have gotten here without your help,” Yua remarked. “So thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Izanagi said. Yua placed the heart in the hand of the stained-glass Yua. It turned to gold, and then it was returned to Yua. She left as Izanagi faded away once more.
As she arrived, everyone else was there to greet her. “Welcome back,” Yosuke said.
“I knew you could do it, Sensei!” Teddie yelled. “Yosuke thought you couldn’t!”
“Wha? Hey!” Yosuke objected. “I didn’t say that!”
Yua chuckled. “Well, it…wasn’t easy.”
“Well, you got through it!” Chie cheered. “Now we can keep going!”
Yua nodded. “Right.”
“Let’s just hope this works,” Yosuke said. They presented their hearts to the stained-glass Yukiko. They suddenly started floating on their own. They then merged together to form a gold heart that fit in the empty space. The stained-glass Yukiko became happy, and the portrait slid over, revealing a set of stairs. “That was something,” Yosuke remarked. He turned to Teddie. “Any more floors like that?”
Teddie focused intently. “I can sense some, but nothing exact.”
“Well, it’s a start,” Yua said. “Besides, it sounds like the next floor isn’t that, so that’s something.”
“Back to fighting, eh?” Chie challenged.
Yua nodded. “Let’s head on up.” The group walked up to the next floor. It was another regular floor, complete with shadows and all. Still, it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle.
As found the stairs, Teddie said “Hold on!” Everyone looked at him. “I sense that the next floor is another challenge floor.”
“What else are we willing to give her?” Yosuke asked.
“Um, Yosuke,” Yua said, “I’m not sure they’re going to repeat challenges.”
“Well, whatever it is, we’ll be ready for it!” Chie said, determined. Yua nodded, and they headed up.
Once they got to the 5th floor, they noticed a giant set of doors. Above them was a sign that read “Colosseum: Fight For The Princess’s Heart!” “So, it looks like more fighting,” Yosuke said.
They heard some commotion. “They sound really tough,” Chie said.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared now,” Yosuke chided.
“It’s not that!” Chie said. “I mean, if we want to get to Yukiko, we should conserve as much energy as possible. We shouldn’t waste it on something if we don’t need to.”
“Hm,” Yosuke relented. “I guess that’s fair.”
Shadow Yukiko started speaking from the void. “Attention: Today’s Tournament will start shortly. Contenders are battling for what they’re always battling for: The Key to My Heart! Which, conveniently, is also the key to the next floor.”
“Hmm,” Yua grunted. “I think this just became necessary.”
Yosuke sighed. “Good things never last, do they?” They entered the colosseum.
As they got to the desk, Yua said “Excuse me?” A shadow wearing a squire’s uniform looked at them. “We’d like to sign up for the tournament.”
“Of course!” the shadow said. “Individually, or as a team?”
They looked at each other, a little flabbergasted. “Ummmm…team,” Yua said.
“Heh heh,” the shadow laughed. “Suit yourselves.” They added the team to a tournament bracket. “We’ll tell you when you’re needed.” Yua nodded, and they went to sit down.
As they were waiting, the sounds of battle were more intense. Yosuke gulped. “Hey!” Chie said. “We got this!”
“Mmm. Yeah,” Yosuke agreed. “It’s just…a little nerve-racking.”
“Hey!” the shadow squire called out. “You’re up!”
Yua stood up. “Thanks.” She started walking, and the group followed suit.
As they entered the arena, they saw a crowd of shadows in the stands, and above, in a private box, was Shadow Yukiko. The crowd cheered. “Alright ladies and gentlemen!” Shadow Yukiko called out. “It’s time for the last match in the first bracket! Are you ready?!” The crowd erupted. “Hm hm. Good.”
A group of shadows appeared before Yua, Yosuke, and Chie. “What the?!”
“Annnnnnnnnd…BEGIN!” Shadow Yukiko said.
Yua and Chie charged in. Yosuke was still panicked, but caught up with them. “Hang on!” It was intensive, but the three of them stood their ground!
Shadow Yukiko giggled. “Well well! It looks like we may have promising new champions!”
“Hmph!” Chie huffed. “You bet!”
“Oh?” Shadow Yukiko remarked. “Someone’s confident! But after that performance, I get it. But let’s see if you can make it through the next two rounds to win!”
“We will!” Chie challenged.
“I’m just glad there’s only two more rounds,” Yosuke said.
“I doubt it’ll be easier,” Yua pointed out. She headed back to the waiting area. Yosuke again stood still for a moment before following. Chie stuck around to stare down Shadow Yukiko some more, but left, and caught up with the rest of her team.
“Man, I can’t WAIT to get Yukiko out of here!” Chie exclaimed. “That other Yukiko is so…”
“Remember,” Teddie pointed out, “she’s also Yukiko. At least, a part of her.”
“I know…” Chie admitted. “But…something about her drives me up a wall.”
“If you feel like that, imagine how Yukiko might feel about her,” Yosuke mentioned.
“Mmm, yeah,” Yua admitted. “I don’t know if we can get to Yukiko without her being a problem.”
“Well then, we can rely on what Madrid said,” Chie replied.
The others were confused. “You…want to escape?” Yosuke said.
“Not that!” Chie replied. “When we first came here. She said something about if I were to join her, Yukiko would join too. While I think Yukiko wouldn’t just blindly follow me, she would listen. So if things go belly up, I could help soothe the tension.”
“I see what you mean,” Teddie said. “You’d be the best candidate to convince her to accept herself.”
“Exactly!” Chie said.
“Alright!” the shadow squire called. “You’re up for the semifinals!” They all nodded and walked out.
Once again, Shadow Yukiko helmed the announcements. “Alright everyone! It’s time for the second round of the semifinals!” The crowd cheered. “These three contenders amazed us last time, but can their hot streak continue?! Or is this a case of beginner’s luck!”
Yua readied her sword. “Let’s find out!”
“OOOOOOOOOOOO!” Shadow Yukiko said, excited. “How DARING! Let’s see if you can put your money where your mouth is!” A smaller, but more robust, group of shadows appeared.
Yua charged in. “YAH!” Chie and Yosuke followed suit. It was a more difficult fight, as these shadows were trickier, as well as stronger, but in the end they were no match for Yua, Yosuke, and Chie.
“Well well, it looks like our final round is set!” Shadow Yukiko. “Let’s give our incorrigible challengers a break before fighting The Champion!” The crowd cheered some more, as the fighters went back to rest a bit.
“One more round, and then we can continue on our way,” Yosuke said.
“But it sounds like you’ll be facing a heavy hitter,” Teddie said. “I don’t think Yukiko would call someone a ‘Champion’ for no reason.”
Yua nodded. “Teddie’s right. We have to keep our guard up.”
“Hmph,” Chie huffed. “I’m interested to see who Yukiko calls a ‘Champion’. I’m sure I can take them out with one kick!” She kicked the air for emphasis.
“Sounds like you’re a little jealous,” Yosuke said.
“I’M NOT JEALOUS!” Chie snapped back.
“Um…” the shadow squire interjected. “You’re on!”
Yua nodded. “Thanks.” They entered the arena once more.
The crowd erupted once again. “They must really love us,” Yosuke pondered.
“Of course!” Shadow Yukiko said. “It’s been a while since they saw a team as feisty as you three! Hopefully, it won’t be all for naught!”
“Well let’s hope not!” Yosuke countered.
“Oooooo! Strong AND clever!” Shadow Yukiko remarked. “Is there anything you CAN’T do?!”
“Yeah!” Yosuke said. “I can’t STAND YOU!”
Hmph!” Shadow Yukiko huffed. “How rude! Let’s see if The Campion can wipe that big smirk off your face!”
Suddenly, a large knight on a floating horse, both wearing armor, appeared before them. “Me and my big mouth!” Yosuke lamented.
“So YOU’RE The Champion!” Chie shouted. “BRING IT ON!” Chie charged in, while Yua and Yosuke followed suit. This fight was brutal, and had all three of them on the ropes at various points. However, through grit and determination, they managed to take down The Champion. Once they were defeated, Chie let out a guttural roar.
The crowd was stunned, as was Shadow Yukiko. Still, she composed herself. “Hm. Well, it looks like you won!” She took out a key from her cleavage. “Here!” She threw it to them. Yua caught it. It was a blue crystal key with a red heart at the end of the handle. Shadow Yukiko winked.“Now, GIVE IT UP FOR OUR NEW CHAMPIONS!” The crowd let out thunderous applause. The team decided to soak it in, but in doing so, lost track of Shadow Yukiko, who had disappeared.
“Drat!” Yosuke said. “I thought we could get her now!”
“We’re not even after that Yukiko,” Yua said. “We need to find the real Yukiko.” She held up the key. “And this just got us one step closer.”
“Yeah, but still…” Yosuke lamented. “...That was a lot…”
“Even so, we need to keep going!” Chie insisted. “For Yukiko.”
“Right,” Yosuke said. “Just…let me catch my breath for a second.” They slowly walked out of the area, and then out of the colosseum as a whole.
Around the corner, they found a door with a heart emblazoned on it, and a gold chain wrapped around it, connected by a lock. “Well, we know what the key’s for,” Yua said. She took the key, placed it in the lock, turned it, and then the door completely disappeared, leading to a set of stairs. “Well…that’s something…”
Yosuke turned to Teddie. “Hey!” Teddie looked at him. “Do you know how many more floors we’ve got?”
“Hmmmmmm,” Teddie said, trying to focus on what was coming. He looked struck by something. “I think we’re getting close. I can sense that the next floor is a regular floor, then another challenge floor, and then on the floor about that I can sense another person like you!”
“Yukiko!” Chie exclaimed.
Teddie nodded. “But I’m also sensing her Shadow there too. And while I can’t sense Madrid, I have a suspicion she’s not far behind.”
“Mmmmm,” Chie groaned.
“Don’t worry,” Yua said. “We got passed that Champion. I’m sure we can get through this too.”
Chie smirked, and nodded. “Yeah.”
Yua nodded back. “Let’s continue on up.” They walked up the stairs and continued their journey. They walked and fought their way through the 6th floor, eventually finding the stairs to the 7th.
“Hold it!” Teddie said. “The next floor is a challenge floor!”
“Um, we know,” Yosuke said. “You told us as such.”
“Yeah!” Teddie rebutted. “But this feels different.”
“What do you mean?” Chie asked.
“I…feel like there’s a bigger power to this one,” Teddie explained.
“What kind of power?” Yua wondered.
“I’m not sure…” Teddie said. “But it is more powerful than what we’ve seen before.”
“Oh great,” Yosuke lamented. “We BARELY got past that Champion. I don’t know if I can take someone even stronger.”
“No, the shadows aren’t more powerful,” Teddie said. “The floor itself wields more power. It’s going to inconvenience us until we figure it out.”
“Well, I’m sure we can do it,” Yua replied. “After all, this appears to be the last thing before we get to Yukiko.” They all nodded. Yua took a deep breath, and walked up. The others followed her.
At the top of the stairs was another staircase. “Huh?!” Teddie reacted. “That seems a little too easy, right guys?” He turned, and realized it was just him. “Uhhh guys?!” He looked down the stairs to see if they fell behind. “If this is a joke, it’s not funny!” He looked around more. “Ooooo, this is just un-BEAR-able!”
Yua found herself in a grand dining hall. Facing her was a giant portrait of Yukiko looking at her intently. Yua looked back and found no stairs to retreat to. “Well, this is ominous.” She approached the portrait. Below it was an inscription. “What Does The Princess See In You?” “Well, that explains the eyes,” Yua remarked. “I wonder if the answer is hidden here, or if I have to answer it myself. Either way, I’ll look around. I mean, I doubt I was brought here for no reason.” She began looking around the room.
Meanwhile, Yosuke was brought to a ballroom, again with the same portrait and inscription. “What?!” Yosuke said, reading the inscription. “What do you mean?! Yukiko rejected me! TWICE!” He sighed. “Well, there’s no point in wallowing in self-pity. There’s got to be a clue in here somewhere.” He started looking around.
Chie found herself in an elegant bedroom, again, the same portrait with the same inscription bearing down on her. “Huh?!” She looked around. “Why is it just me?! I mean, I guess it makes sense. If Yukiko sees different things in the three of us. But then why ask us? Unless…the answer is somewhere in here. But why am I in the bedroom? Is that significant, or is that just flavor? GAH! I can’t think about that too much. For now, let’s see what I can find.” She began looking around the room.
As Yua was searching the dining hall, she wasn’t finding anything that stuck out to her. “Hmmmm,” she pondered. She looked back up at the portrait. “Hang on…” She approached the portrait again. She glanced up at it, and noticed where Yukiko’s eyes were looking. She looked out and found that they were pointed at the cloche at the center of the table. She walked over, and took off the cloche. Inside was a cooked turkey. “Hmmmm. I don’t…think Yukiko sees me as a turkey. But maybe there’s more to it. Perhaps I…have to eat the turkey? That seems outrageous. But I can’t think of anything better to do, so…” she grabbed a leg, “bon appetit.” She began eating.
As she was eating, Yukiko appeared across from her. She giggled. “You sure seem to enjoy that turkey.”
Yua was surprised. “Yukiko! Is that…really you?”
Yukiko shook her head. “I’m another part of this illusion.”
“I see…” Yua replied. She kept eating.
Yukiko smiled. “Still, I admire your tenacity.”
“Come again?” Yua wondered.
“Well, it’s just…” Yukiko continued. “You moved here kind of suddenly, right?” Yua nodded. “It sounds like your life was a little hectic before.”
“And it’s not now?” Yua retorted.
Yukiko chuckled. “Fair point. But you told me that coming here was a breath of fresh air. So I don’t imagine what happened before was a walk in the park.”
Yua swallowed some turkey. “Yeah, you could say that…”
Yukiko looked at her intently. “But it seems like you came out the other side alright. I think that’s the thing that intrigues me the most. There are times I want to give it all up, but I’m scared of the unknown. But if I had someone like you with me, I know I could make it.”
“So,” Yua said, “that’s what you see in me.” She continued eating.
Yukiko smiled. “Mm hm. You’re honestly quite remarkable. I know I haven’t hung out with you in earnest, but you leave a lasting impression. At least on me. I hope that once this is all said and done, we can get even closer.” Yukiko faded.
Yua was surprised at the sudden disappearance of this illusory Yukiko. She looked down and was even more surprised to see that she had eaten the entire turkey. “Huh. I guess exploring this place really takes it out of you.” Suddenly, Yua heard the sound of a door opening. She looked over at the other end of the room to find an exit that wasn’t there prior. “Well, I guess that’s my cue.” She got up, and walked out.
Yosuke was looking around the ballroom. “Hmmm. Nothing. What am I missing?” He looked up at the portrait of Yukiko. “Maybe I need to get in the middle to line up her eyes with mine?” He went out to the dancefloor, inching backwards to line himself up with the portrait. Suddenly, as he backed into the center of the dancefloor, a spotlight shone upon him. Yosuke was stunned. “Ummmmmmm…”
“Excuse me,” Yukiko said. Yosuke turned around to see the version of Yukiko he recognized. “May I have this dance?”
“Yukiko?!” Yosuke wondered. “Thank goodness you’re here! We’ve gotta find a way out!”
Yukiko shook her head. “Alas, I am not the Yukiko you’re looking for. I am a mirage made to test you.”
“Oh…” Yosuke said, deflated, but also a little concerned.
“So, I will ask again,” Yukiko replied. “May I have this dance?” She offered her hand.
Yosuke shrugged. “I guess so…” He took her hand, and the two started to dance.
Yukiko chuckled. “You’re surprisingly good at this.”
Yosuke chuckled. “Well, when you attend some of your dad’s high end parties, you pick up a thing or two.”
“I see,” Yukiko said.
“So, um, do you really see something in me?” Yosuke asked.
“Of course,” Yukiko replied. “You have the strength of a good leader.”
“I…do?” Yosuke asked.
Yukiko nodded. “But you’re also humble enough to recognize when you should follow.”
“Huh,” Yosuke responded.
“You’re tenacious, but not so headstrong that you think you’re better than others,” Yukiko continued. “You’re so kind and genuine. You help others like it’s the right thing to do.”
“I see…” Yosuke said. “I guess that’s fair. Even though I’m not 100% sure I see myself that way.”
Yukiko giggled. “Well, I’m sure you’ll see it in due time.”
Yosuke smiled. “So, um, why did you reject me then? If you felt that way.”
Yukiko frowned. “I’m not brave like you. I was afraid to take a chance on…well, anybody. Not just you.”
“I see,” Yosuke said. “Well, I’m sure you’ll get there too.”
Yukiko giggled. “Thank you. And thank you for this dance.” Yukiko faded away.
Yosuke was flabbergasted. “Huh.” Suddenly, the door opened behind him. He turned to face it. “Well, I guess I should get out of here.” He walked out the door.
Chie was looking around the bedroom, but wasn’t finding anything. “GAH!” She screamed. “This makes NO sense!” She looked up at Yukiko’s portrait. “What do you want me to do?!” She waited. “Mmmm. I guess you’re not answering because you’re a portrait.” Something came to Chie. “Or…ARE you answering?” She noticed that the eyes were looking directly at the bed. She sighed. “Maybe I do need a nap. That Colosseum took a lot out of me.” Chie walked over and got under the covers.
Once she was situated, she heard Yukiko say “Hello!”
Chie looked over and saw Yukiko in the bed next to her. “Gah!” She paused for a moment. “Oh, sorry. I thought you were Shadow Yukiko for a moment.”
Yukiko shook her head. “But I’m still not real.”
Chie nodded. “I know. Well, I had a feeling.”
Yukiko chuckled. “Still, it’s been a little while since we did this.”
“Did what?” Chie said. Yukiko gestured to the bed. “Oh. Yeah. Well, you’ve become very busy. We haven’t had a lot of time for sleepovers.”
“Yeah…” Yukiko lamented. “I miss it.”
“I miss it too,” Chie said. “I know it might be hard to convince your parents, but I want to do it again. And after all of this, I’m gonna talk her ear off until we can.” Yukiko giggled. “What’s so funny.”
“It’s just,” Yukiko answered, “this is very Chie.”
“Huh?” Chie wondered.
“Well, you’re just so…” Yukiko continued, “determined. When you want something, you fight for it tooth and nail.”
Chie pouted. “You do that too, Yukiko.”
Yukiko shook her head. “Not in the same way you do. You are so multifaceted, but every facet works together to make an incredible person. I wish I had even half your determination.”
Chie clasped Yukiko’s hand. “You do. I know you do. And I’m going to prove it once we get out of here.”
Yukiko smiled. “See, this is what I mean. But if you want me, you’re going to have to fight a little longer. But I know you can do it.” Yukiko faded from the bed.
“YUKIKO!” Chie called out. “Mmmm. I knew she was fake…but it felt so real.” Suddenly, the door opened up. Chie sighed. “Well, I should do as Yukiko says. After all, if I want to prove her right, I have to save her.” She got out of the bed, and walked out of the door.
Yua, Yosuke, and Chie walked out of their doors at the same time. Yua’s door was on the left from the stairs they came up, Yosuke’s door was on the right, and Chie’s door was right next to the stairs going up. Teddie looked at all of them, confused. “Where were you?!” he demanded. “I was so scared…”
Yua shrugged. “It seems like the floor split us up into three rooms.” She looked over at Yosuke and Chie. “Did your rooms have portraits of Yukiko as well?”
They both nodded. “And,” Yosuke continued, “I assume we also saw visions of Yukiko.”
“You got that right,” Chie said.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” Yosuke said. “But it was comforting. In a way, it felt refreshing.”
“Weirdly, I feel the same,” Yua said. “I had to eat a whole turkey.”
“Wait, you got food?!” Yosuke said. “Was I the only one who had to dance?!”
“Sounds like it,” Chie said.
“Well what did you do?!” Yosuke asked.
“I just sat in bed with Yukiko,” Chie answered.
“WHAT?!” Yosuke said.
“Alright, enough,” Yua said. She turned back to Teddie. “You said that she’s up on the next floor, right?”
Teddie nodded. “Correct.”
Yua nodded back. “Well, it sounds like this was our last test before the grande finale. Are you ready?!” Yosuke and Chie nodded, determined. “Good. Then let’s head up.” Yua started walking up the stairs. Yosuke, Chie, and Teddie followed suit.
Once they got upstairs, they were presented with a large door. Yua tested it a little and notified the others that it was unlocked. Yua nodded, and Yosuke, Chie, and Teddie nodded back. Yua then threw the door open, and the four of them charged into the room.
The room itself was a throne room, with Shadow Yukiko sitting on the throne. Meanwhile, the real Yukiko, who was in her kimono for working at the inn, was at the foot of the stairs leading up to the throne. “YUKIKO!” Chie called out.
Yukiko looked back. “...Chie?”
Yosuke looked up at Shadow Yukiko. “Let her go!”
Shadow Yukiko. “Silly Yosuke. You know I can’t do that.”
“Grrrr,” Yosuke hissed.
Shadow Yukiko smirked. “But I’m glad you’re all here.” She looked at Yukiko. “Look at that. Three Princes to take us away…and a stuffed toy.”
“Hey!” Teddie objected. “Who are you calling a ‘toy’?!”
“Hm,” Shadow Yukiko smirked. “Sounds like putting a label on you hurt. But don’t worry. They won’t have to for long. All you gotta do is hear the bell ring.”
“Mmmmmmm,” Yua groaned.
Shadow Yukiko chuckled. “I’ve been trying to get this one to listen to me,” she said, gesturing towards Yukiko, “but alas, she seems dead set on not listening to reason.”
“What reason?” Yukiko countered. “You’re not making sense.”
“Hm. Am I not?” Shadow Yukiko said. “I told you, it’s going to clear up soon. And when it does, us shadows here frenzy. And then you will be no more. However, if you escape with us, like you’ve always wanted, you can live. You can be FREE! Again, we have three princes to accompany us.”
“Bullshit!” Chie said. “We’re going to take Yukiko home!”
“Chie…” Yukiko said.
“Hm,” Shadow Yukiko replied. “I like how noble your intentions are. And you passed the tests this castle provided to prove that you are indeed pure of heart, and strong of will; qualities that I look for in a Prince. But a Prince should listen to the Princess. And this Princess wants to leave it all behind.”
“Huh?” Yua asked. “I don’t understand…”
“Well, whatever she’s saying, we’re getting out of here,” Chie said. “Right Yukiko?”
Yukiko stood up. “R-right…”
“Tch tch tch,” Shadow Yukiko condescended. If you want to go back to your town, I’m afraid I can’t let that happen. I don’t want to go back. Or should I say ‘we’ don’t want to go back.”
“Well WE aren’t here to listen to you,” Yosuke said.
“But don’t you want to know why the caged bird sings?” Shadow Yukiko replied. “Hm. ‘Future manager of a historic inn.’ ‘You must be so proud.’ ‘You’re the lifeblood of this town.’ ‘You’re going to make us proud one day.’ Do you know how HARD it is to bear those chains?! Do you know what it’s like to have everyone place their expectations on you without even knowing anything about you?! Do you know what it’s like to have everything in your life decided for from the cradle to the grave?!”
Yukiko was stunned. Everyone else was trying to leave, but Yukiko was frozen stiff. “Yukiko?” Chie wondered.
Yua grew determined. “Don’t let what she says get to you. She doesn’t have your best interests at heart.”
“Au contraire, mon chéri,” Shadow Yukiko stated. “I think I’M the only person who’s thinking about Yukiko’s interests at all. I mean, we didn’t ask for this life. We didn’t choose to be born here. We are just the product of a cruel joke from the gods. We are but a puppet on a string that can’t do anything on their own.”
“That…” Yukiko meekly objected, “that’s not true…”
“That’s why we need a Prince,” Shadow Yukiko continued. “We can’t escape on our own. If we could, we would have done it a long time ago. We would have left that wretched inn behind and never looked back!”
“Stop it!” Yukiko commanded. “I don’t know who you think this ‘we’ is, but I am proud of my family’s inn!”
“Awwww,” Shadow Yukiko replied. “You’re only saying that because everyone tells you it’s something to be proud of. Deep down though, I know you despise it as much as I do. After all…I AM YOU!”
“No!” Yukiko protested.
Yosuke grew alarmed. “Wait, no no no no no n-”
“You’re not me!” Yukiko went on.
Shadow Yukiko’s power grew immense. “Hm. This is so interesting. Maybe I should have tried it sooner. Ah HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!” She seemed to vanish.
Everyone looked around to see if they could find her. Suddenly, the chandelier crashed down from the ceiling, separating Yukiko from the team. Atop the chandelier was a birdcage, and inside was a red bird with Yukiko’s face and hair. “Well now, my Princes. You’ve made it this far. Let’s see if you can make it through the fires of my disdain!”
“Yua smirked. “It’s not a question of if, just a matter of when.”
“Hm hm hm hm hm hm hm!” Shadow Yukiko chuckled. She spread her wings. “I AM THE SHADOW! THE TRUE SELF!”
Chie made the first move. “TOMOE!” She hit Shadow Yukiko with a Bufu, causing her to faint. “LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” The team rushed in for an all-out attack.
After the attack, Shadow Yukiko recouped. “Well then, how about THIS?!” She erected a White Wall. “Now your icy blasts won’t do as much.”
“Grrr,” Chie fumed. “What do we do?!”
Yua raised her sword. “We do what we’ve been doing: overwhelming them with sheer determination.”
“Yeah!” Yosuke said. “We almost have Yukiko back. We aren't going to give up now!”
Chie smiled, and nodded. “Right. Let’s give it all we got!” They continued fighting Shadow Yukiko, taking advantage when her protective wall was down.
During one such occasion, they noticed Shadow Yukiko was on the ropes. Yua smirked. “Alright Team! One final push, and this victory should be ours!” Yosuke and Chie nodded. All three of them unleashed a full barrage.
“AUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” screeched Shadow Yukiko, knowing she’s been defeated.
Once Shadow Yukiko was down for the count, Yua, Yosuke, and Chie rushed for the throne Yukiko was on. “Yukiko!” Chie called aout. Yukiko stood up. “Are…are you alright?”
“I…I mean…” Yukiko said, a little concerned. “That thing…”
“That thing is you,” Yosuke insisted. “Whether you like it or not. I know because I had to face the same thing.”
“Me too!” Chie insisted. “I…I’m sorry!” She started crying. “I was so focused on my own issues I didn’t notice you were also in pain. Or rather, I slightly enjoyed it. I wanted you to lean on me more, but I was always the one leaning on you. I was jealous. But now I hate not having you around! I hope you can forgive me!”
“Chie…” Yukiko replied. “I…was caught up in my own troubles as well. I thought you could be everything I couldn’t be. I thought I could contain you, but I know I can’t. So I’m sorry too.”
Yukiko looked over to see the reformed Shadow Yukiko wearing her Princess dress. She walked over to her. “I owe you an apology too. I…do feel like that. I thought I could just go along with it, but I see now that I was just hurting myself and everyone else around me. Will you ever forgive me?”
Shadow Yukiko nodded. She began floating and changing form once again. However, this time, she transformed into what looked like the Pink Featherman with a set of pink feathers on a ribbon attached to her wrists encircling her. She transformed into a card, which Yukiko grabbed, and then absorbed. “This is…my persona. Konohana Sakuya.”
Yukiko started to collapse. Chie intercepted her. “Gotcha!”
Yukiko smiled. “Thanks.”
Chie smiled back. “Anytime.”
Teddie walked over. “So, do you know who kidnapped you?”
Yukiko seemed confused. “Who are you?”
“Oh. My apologies,” Teddie said. “I’m Teddie. So, do you know who kidnapped you?”
“Mmmm,” Yukiko lamented. “I’m sorry. It’s all kind of a blur. I remember hearing my name. I followed. Ugh…”
Yosuke sighed. “Of course.”
“Well, we know that this isn’t incidental anymore,” Yua said. “We know someone had to put her in, right?”
“I thought that was obvious,” Yosuke said.
“Well, if I had the ability to wander in here, maybe she could have as well,” Yua pointed out.
“True,” Yosuke said.
“But whoever’s doing it has to be doing it from your side,” Teddie informed them. “I only sensed her coming in. Same with the other two.”
“Hmmmm,” Yua pondered. “That is troubling.”
“Hang on,” Yosuke said. “You said you couldn’t fit into your TV at home, right? So whoever’s doing this must have a big TV that they can access. I don’t know how many people in this small town have something like that.”
“Well…” Yukiko interjected, “as amusing as this is, I am this close to passing out.”
“Oh right,” Yosuke said. “Sorry. We should head out.”
“Agreed,” Yua said. “We can fill you in once you’re rested up.”
“I can fill her in,” Chie said. “I mean, someone’s gotta give her her homework and stuff.”
Yukiko giggled. “Thanks Chie.” The four of them started leaving.
“Hang on!” Teddie said. “You’re going to leave me here alone?!”
“What do you mean?” Yosuke asked. “You live here, right?”
“Well yeah…” Teddie said.
“Besides, don’t the shadows frenzy when it clears up here?” Yua asked.
“Yeah, why don’t you get targeted by their frenzy?” Yosuke wondered.
Teddie pouted. “They just ignore me…”
Yukiko smiled. She walked over and patted Teddie on the head. “Teddie, was it?” Teddie nodded. “Well then, I’ll be sure to come back to see you. So be a good bear while we’re gone, OK?”
