"Ugh... restocking day again. Why don't they get someone else to do this? Geez, they know I'm slow..." Mumbled the brunette to himself as he restocked the steaks in the meat section in a bored, but apprehensive manner. He knew that this was going to get him some money for that motorcycle he'd wanted for so long, but that didn't change the fact that restocking was a nuisance to him. He was the son of the manager, why couldn't he get something else to do?
"...ahh..." Yosuke pondered about Souji for just a moment. He was usually a pretty free guy, unless he was hanging around with one of the girls in his harem. He slipped his cell out of his pocket and dialed Souji's number. He shifted on his feet for a moment before he heard Souji's quiet greeting. "Hey, Souji... hate to ask, but are you free for the time being? I... kiiiinda hate restocking and... well, yeah, you know. I only ask about every week..." He asked his friend with a desperate tone. Yosuke cocked his head to the side and sat the cellphone atop his shoulder, continuing to arrange the steaks in a time consuming manner.
"Hmmm..." Said a voice of thought from the other line. Yosuke groaned and shouted into the cell. "Pleaaaaase, man, I'm begging you! Without you this'll take... hours! I... can't... do this... aloooone..." He groaned again. Souji only let out a sigh and a slight chuckle. "Fine... fine, alright. Just don't lose it when I get there, alright? Be there in a minute." He said calmly and hung up. Yosuke was near euphoric, thanking his buddy from inside his thoughts. He slipped the phone back in his pocket and let out a small cheer so the other workers or shoppers wouldn't hear.
"Fiiiinally! Thanks, man... without you I'd be here until closing time." Yosuke exclaimed with relief, wiping sweat off of his forehead. He pat Souji on his back gratefully and handed him just a bit of money. "It'd be a little more, but I still need that motorcycle, so..." Yosuke said a bit pensively. Souji shrugged and smiled.
"I wasn't even expecting you to pay me. Keep it. I needed some time to kill anyway."
He said warmly and slipped the money back in his hand. Yosuke looked at Souji, at his hand, then back at Souji. Was this guy insane? It was no wonder now the girls loved him so dearly... but, that reminded him of that thing that he wanted to talk to Souji about for a while.
"...hey... don't take this in a wrong way or anything, but can you come up to the employee's roof with me? I want to tell you some things. The roof always feels like a pretty sacrosanct place to talk about things, so..." Yosuke nervously scratched the back of his head and after a few seconds shook it slightly. "Ah, forget it, you wouldn't-"
"'course."
Interrupted the silver-haired boy, nodding politely. The brunette raised an eyebrow in absolute confusion that he would actually say yes, but, then again, this was the guy who saved lives and made girl's hearts drop. What was he so surprised for?
Souji had already started walking to the door to the stairwell that led to the roof without Yosuke, and he watched him for a few seconds and caught up to him. They awkwardly walked silently for a while until they reached the roof. The roof had always had such a gorgeous view of Inaba, and he wasn't afraid to admit that. Often he'd come up here to think and listen to his music because it was so calm and allowed him to clear away his troubles.
Souji had sat on the edge of the roof and cupped his head in his hands, looking down at Inaba, too. Yosuke had known this guy long enough to be aware that Souji came here himself sometimes, whether it was with himself or with Yukiko. There were times where Him and Souji would bring Teddie and Kanji to talk and eat Topsicles.
Souji finally turned around to look at his friend with a curious expression. Yosuke, entangled in his thoughts, had caught this and looked at him, then laughed a bit. "O-oh, right, sorry. Every time I come up onto this roof, I just start thinking, y'know?" He said and sauntered over to his silver-haired friend. He sat on the edge, too, tossing his legs off the side. He leaned back with his arms as his eyes took in everything in the small town of Inaba.
Things remained silent for a while until Souji raised one leg and draped his arm over it. He looked at Yosuke patiently and smiled. "You wanted to talk, right? We're not telepathic, you know," He stated cordially. The brunette blinked for a while and then he laughed.
"Man, you can be such a dork sometimes..."
Yosuke said silently. Then he looked back at Souji and nodded.
"But, yeah, there were... well, let's get straight to it. I've already told this to you before, but I just need to tell you again. I've always thought you were pretty cool... I mean, you're pretty much famous around here! Girls follow you, and... hell, even some guys. But, what I really need to say- or, ask, I mean, is... why do you hang out with a loser like me? Doesn't that hurt your ego? Before long, people are gonna think you're uncool for being around me. You really want that to happen?"
Yosuke had asked in a hurried manner. He sighed and leaned up in a pose similar to Souji's, staring into the orange-hued sky ahead of them.
Souji stared into Yosuke's soul, piercing it with his gray eyes. His calm demeanor remained, but he was a bit upset. The boy hesitated and placed his hand in his right palm, still staring at him. "Hanamura, really? Just... well, I'll give you a straight-forward response since I assume that's what you want..." he cleared his throat and started, causing Yosuke to wince at what Souji's response might be. "I could really care less about what strangers think of me. They can say what they want but that won't change the fact that you and I are practically joined at the hip. If people really are that simple-minded to think I'm 'uncool' with hanging out with you, then I'd prefer it that they did so I won't have to bother with them." He said slowly, and then closed his eyes. "You can really ask some silly questions." Souji stated dully, but opened an eye that spoke for him, that he had hoped he gave the response his friend had desired.
Yosuke thought about what he said and let out a small laugh. "Dude..." He said quietly and then burst into louder laughter. He held his head and and leaned back, attempting not to fall off the roof. His sudden behavior made it irresistible for Souji to create a remark. He opened both eyes and let out a breath of contentment.
"Don't wake up the neighbors,"
Souji said, slightly sarcastic. Yosuke's laughter decreased slowly and he placed his hand on Souj's shoulder, giving him support to stand up. He crossed his arms as his brownish-tannish hair twisted in the soft wind. Souji gave him a curious gaze. Never had he reacted like this before.
"That's... exactly what I wanted to hear, that's why it's funny. You really know how to pick what you say, dont'cha?" Yosuke looked down at his friend and gave him a meaningful wink. "But, do you really think we're that close? Joined at the hip...? Heh, I never thought of it like that! I guess we do kinda act like brothers, huh..." He admitted, cocking his head to his side and pinched the tip of his ear. "You make me feel like a really cool guy, sometimes, just being around you, y'know? Saki-senpai'd be proud, I think." He looked up to the sky and smiled, obviously thinking about the girl he formerly loved.
It was quiet on the roof again for a few minutes, until Yosuke broke the silence. "Now that I got that out of the way..." He sat back down next to Souji who hadn't said anything in a while. "I have another question. So, you and Yukiko... well... does Yukiko ever talk about... Chie? W-well, wait, I mean... I know she does, but..." Yosuke hesitated and tapped his chin. Souji interpreted his question and closed his eyes once more, going into his thinking stance.
"You want to know if Chie talks about you, right?"
Souji said playfully, teasing Yosuke about the small crush he had on her. Everyone was actually pretty aware of it, except for Chie, who always had her doubts. Everyone else had figured to leave the two be about it, though, allowing them to figure it out themselves.
Yosuke bit his lip and rolled his eyes. "...tch... freaking psychic..." He mumbled, although he was actually glad Souji said it for him. "Anyway, yeah... I just want to know if I should keep trying to do things for her... because if she doesn't really like me that much, I'm sure it would annoy her after a while, with how PMSy she can get..." He was going to continue but Souji cut him off.
"I'm not so sure about it myself. Yukiko does say Chie talks about you, but it's usually when she's mad... such as that time you entered her in the Yasogami Pageant or when yesterday you stepped on her fingers..."
"Pleeeease don't remind me about what happened when I broke her DVD... that was... an experience." Yosuke cut in. The silver haired boy laughed but kept going on.
"That's not all, though. Yukiko says she actually worries about you sometimes, something like she was near tears when she saw how devastated you were over Saki's death and how she wishes you'd get over it so you can be happier. She likes it when you're being ridiculous, I think." Souji had explained in a jovial manner. He wanted Chie to like Yosuke, just so he could have that extra kick (probably literally) that was needed to make Yosuke as happy as he could be.
Yosuke's face seemed to freeze at his words. He looked down at Souji with his eyes wide in surprise and clenched his fits together, holding out his arms in front of him. "You serious? Dude... you don't even know how awesome that sounds, even though it doesn't mean much... she worries, huh...?" Yosuke trailed off with a wide smile plastered on his face, one that almost made Souji sick to his stomach but he was glad that he could help his friend.
"Tch... Chie! Give me back my freakin' steak, you little thief!" Yelled Yosuke in the Junes food court the next day, reaching for his steak across the table, in which Chie stole with agility.
"Oh, come on! I didn't eat at aaaall yesterday! All I did was homework! Give me a break!"
She exclaimed pleadingly, slapping her hands on the table's surface. Yosuke winced and shifted backward in his chair. After a few seconds he leaned forward and frowned. "Give me. Back. The steak." Yosuke demanded, making a gesture with his hand. Chie looked at him and then at the steak. She huffed and tossed the steak at him, halfway landing on the plate and the other half on the table.
"Jerk... you don't even care if I starve to death..."
Chie pouted, crossing her arms and turning away.
He refused to admit it, but when Chie was in this state, she was kind of cute. Her dominant attitude had kept him at a distance sometimes, but when he got the control, he took in all the pleasure of the moment. He then looked at the steak again, with it's side half lopped onto the table. He frowned and slid it completely on the plate with his finger. "Man, eugh! I'm not eating a piece of steak that was on a Junes table... geez." Yosuke grabbed the knife to the right of his plate and cut off the piece. He leaned across the table and dropped it on Chie's empty plate. "There, now you can have food poisoning. Happy now?" He said in a cross manner, but he really wasn't that upset. Yosuke turned his head sideways and stabbed the steak with a fork. He laid his head in his palm, eating hurriedly.
Chie looked at him with a silly grin and giggled. "Haha, I knew you'd find an excuse to give me a piece anyway! You can't escape my love for steak! Hwa-taaaa!" She yelled enthusiastically and make a karate chop motion with the knife in her hand. Yosuke almost flipped from his chair as the knife came down.
"C-calm down, dammit! I know I waved swords around the food court but, come on... if anyone, you're more likely to commit murder."
He said, first upset but then he ended up grinning in a teasing manner. It was always humorous for him because Chie had always provided the best reactions. "H-hey, wait a moment! You're the one who said you don't consider anyone your friend, stupid!" She said, crossing her arms, and still chewing her steak. She then paused and tapped her chin with her finger. "...oooh, wait, that probably wasn't the best thing to say..." She said aloud, quietly. "Yosuke, I-"
"Don't bother apologizing... I know, already." Yosuke interrupted, but he was looking straight at his steak, poking at it with his fork now. Chie sighed and rubbed her arm.
After a while of dead silence that was only to be interfered with by the sound of them eating steak, Yosuke finally decided to ask the question that's been on his mind for a while. "Yo, Chie. Just wondering, what do you think about Souji?" Yosuke had asked quietly, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his uniform shirt. He had finished off his steak much more slowly than Chie had, who had already demolished hers minutes ago.
"Huh...? ...oh, Souji? He's a pretty nice guy, I guess... pretty smart, too, yeah." She said with a smile. Chie was a bit startled as it was a sudden question but she didn't ask why.
"Super helpful and... patient, too. Guess that's why he's our leader, right? Haha." She said and tapped her fingers on the table. Yosuke just nodded along with her words and crossed his arms. "Alright... anyway, uh, I've got stuff to do, so I'll see you later." He said and stood up from the chair. Chie looked up at him with confusion and raised an eyebrow.
"Stuff to do...? Oooh, well, can I come with you? I-I mean, only because I'm curious on what kinda 'stuff' you mean, yeah." She said, standing up as well and placing her hands on her hips. Yosuke squished his eyes together and pointed his head slightly diagonally, as if trying to think on if he should bring her along or not. He then looked at her again and shrugged his shoulders slightly. "...alright, fine, but you'd better not say anything about this to anyone, got it? Let's go." He went to the other side of the table hastily and grabbed Chie's wrist.
It had gotten darker and the wind more intense as they got to the cemetery, as if it had it's own weather forecast and sunlight hours. Yosuke was lucky to have his fur coat, although he had some sympathies for Chie, as she was stuck with him in shorts, her legs lined with goosebumps from the troublesome chill of the evening.
Yosuke was settled in front of Saki Konishi's grave, stared at her name that was engraved in the stone. He ran his hands over her name on impulse, as if doing this would allow him to see her once more. "Saki-senpai... you may of hated me but you still didn't have to die... why did it..." He said bitterly, trying to hold back tears. He didn't want to cry in front of a girl, much less than Chie. He also knew crying over Saki's death wouldn't get anything done, but... if he believed that, what was he doing here, he wondered? Mourning over her death didn't change a thing, either, but he couldn't help it.
Chie was just watching him with a worried expression on her face. She wanted to say something, but... what, exactly? What could she say? She was never very good at cheering people up, let alone Yosuke. She shifted her weight on each leg at a time and sighed. "Geez..." Chie mumbled quietly and then finally made up her mind. She sat down right by Yosuke and looked at her grave, too.
Yosuke seemed to be caught off guard as he made a very unusual inhaling sound. He looked looked at her with wide eyes but then he closed them after a few seconds. "Oh... sorry. I forgot you were here for a second there, heheh..." He said under his breath dryly. He stared at the base of Saki's tombstone and attempted to prevent any tears from flowing out of his eyes. Chie let out a sigh and placed her hand on the back of her head.
"...Yosuke, how can you be so upset over someone who had always hated you anyway? I mean, you have people around you who really care about you, like... like... Souji, and me, and Yukiko..." Chie began, wanting to list the whole group's name before Yosuke cut her off. "Dammit, Chie, shut up! Do you think I would have really loved her if I began to hate her because she hated me? Do you realize what you're even saying? " He screamed in anguish as he stood up and took a few steps away from her.
Chie was shocked that he yelled at her like that... she understood, though, that he was only doing this because of how much pain he felt. Chie stood up as well and looked around nervously, then connected her eyes with Yosuke's. "F-fine, idiot! I was just trying to help, but apparently you're too obsessed over her to care! I knew I shouldn't of... ugh. I'm going home. Don't talk to me tomorrow, either." she said as she jumped off the ground and began to sprint back home. Yosuke watched as Chie's silhouette quickly disappeared into the surroundings. She didn't look back.
He rubbed his head and looked at Saki's grave again. "...she's right, but that doesn't change the fact that you didn't deserve this..." He sat down in front of her grave again and remained silent afterward until the darkest blue hue blanketed Inaba.
"Souji, have you seen Chie around anywhere? I can't find her and I want to apologize for... something I said to her yesterday. She won't pick up her cell either..." Asked a seemingly calm Yosuke. While he displayed this facade outside, he was distressed inside. He checked everywhere she could possibly be, and even every nook and cranny in Junes to find her. Where could she have disappeared off to, and why?
Souji looked into Yosuke's eyes and patted his shoulder. "I can tell you're worried... first, calm down. Second, are you sure you checked everywhere? Her house, Amagi Inn, the Shrine, the station...?" He listed slowly. Yosuke nodded and tapped his foot,.
"Yes, all of them, everywhere! She just... disappeared! Souji, help me find her, please? If not for me, for Yukiko at least? I know she's concerned, too..." Yosuke requested in a hurry, looking to his left and then to his right, as if she would just appear right there. Souji nodded once and thought of a possible place she could be. "...I think I know... come with me, will you?"
Yosuke soon found himself standing in front of the Junes TV minutes later. He just looked at Souji with a both worried and annoyed expression. "I freakin' swear, if I find her in there..." He growled under his breath. Souji just gave him a smile to cool him down and put his hand at his hip like he always did.
"You go in there yourself. If she really is in there, I don't want to ruin anything." He said with what seemed to be... a wink or something? Yosuke couldn't really tell, but he did calm down. "Shut up, don't talk like that..." He said with his own grin. "Anyway..." He started, sticking one arm into the TV. "I'll go see. Stay here until I'm back, alright?" He asked, while Souji nodded. Yosuke then stuck his whole body inside and fell into the other world.
After a year now of going inside the TV, he had learned how to land perfectly once he saw the world come into view. He landed on the ground with unusual grace. He had landed feet first, and after feeling the impact on his feet, he stood up and looked around, wanting to begin his search immediately. Yosuke cupped his hands to the side of his mouth and began to call for her. "Chie? Chiiiieeee, hellooooo?" He yelled as loud as he could, hoping for a response of some sort. He waited for a few seconds. Nothing. Yosuke let out a sort of frustrated growl and began to sprint through the fields of the inside world.
"Dammit, Chie... where could you have run off to? This world's so freakin' huge, how am I supposed to find you?" He said, still running as far as his legs could take him. His breaths began to quicken and he knew it'd be a bad idea to pass out here. Yosuke began to slow down, although he wanted to keep searching for Chie. He dropped to the ground and sprawled out on the ground, looking up. "On your birthday? Geez..." Yosuke mumbled, slapping his forehead with his hand. Thinking of her birthday, however, made him feel like a jerk. He didn't even think about it at all until he had got up this morning and watched the news, spying the day's date in the corner of his eyes.
Yosuke was almost drifting into sleep when he heard footsteps. He turned his head sharply and smiled on impulse. "Chie?" He said excitedly, but instead he caught himself looking into bright blue eyes. "Wha-! Teddie...!" Yosuke said and jumped back in surprise. He hadn't seen him in a while, but, now? It was ironic, but it also annoyed him that it wasn't who he was looking for.
"Yosuke...? I haven't seen you in a beary long time! H-how've you been?" Teddie had yelled, albeit too excitedly for Yosuke's taste. "Still with the bear puns..." Yosuke said with a sigh, pinching his eyebrows together. He tried to manage a smile anyway, simply because he knew Teddie would be upset if he didn't.
"Heheehee! ...but, wait a moment! Chie-chan...? Are you... finally realizing how beautiful I am, Yosuke...?" Teddie asked in a drawled out but charming manner. Yosuke just peered at him with a disgusted look in his face before he snapped out of it. "N-no, you stupid bear! ...alright, Ted, look, I'm trying to find Chie but I kinda can't find her.. Souji figured she might've escaped in here or something, so..." Yosuke explained calmly.
Teddie gasped femininely and looked around him. "Sensei? Ooh, ooh, where? I wanna talk to Sensei!" He said in an over-jovial manner, then looked at Yosuke with expectation. Yosuke was beginning to lose his patience as he clenched his fist, but then released it with a sigh.
"He's not with me right now... tch, what I'm asking is can you sense her somewhere?" Yosuke yelled, then going over to him and bowed, putting his hands together. "Pleaaase! I'll treat you to ramen anytime you come over into Inaba. Please." He requested, turning absolutely desperate. Teddie didn't give his offer one other thought before he let out a cheer and swung side to side with his legs. "Woohoo! Of course! I would of done it anyway, but not that you say it, you have to do it now! ...Promise?" Teddie asked, fixing a gaze of confirmation to Yosuke. Yosuke sighed and smiled out of relief.
"Alright, fine, I promise. Thanks, Ted."
"Yuuup, Chie-chan's close now... I can smell it!" Said Teddie between breaths, running with Yosuke at his side. They ran for a few minutes longer when Yosuke spotted a familiar green jacket, and then a whole figure which was curled up in a ball. She was staring into the water that was just one downward angle from her.
"C-Chie! Heeeeeeeey!" Yelled Yosuke, relieved again that he had finally found her. He waved his hand and ran faster, and then slower as her body came into full view. He jogged for a while until he got right to Chie. Yosuke bent down, placing one hand on his kneecap and the other on his chest, trying to circulate his breathing. "C-Chie... do you... do you know what you've done?" He asked agitatedly. Chie slowly looked up at him with an enigmatic expression and the back at her feet. Yosuke expected some sort of sincere response, but instead he spoke instead. "I had to promise Teddie... ramen... to find you! Ramen! And you know how much this thing eats!" He said as an excuse. He truly wanted to say he was worried, but now wasn't the time for that.
Chie didn't say anything at all. This was unusual for the girl who was usually upbeat and pounding him into submission. He looked at her worriedly until he sat down with her. They sat in silence for a while until he remembered the presence behind him. Yosuke turned his head slightly. "Ted... do you mind?" He asked calmly, but slightly impatiently. Teddie blinked and then nodded.
"O-oh, right. I'll be waiting for my ramen at Junes soon, Yosuke!" Teddie said and then bolted off in the other direction. Yosuke watched as he disappeared and more silence washed over the two.
"Chie... come on, you know you can't be quiet forever." Yosuke said quietly, looking into the water in the distance. The sparkles in the waves gave a radiant feel that he couldn't help but make a mental note of. He had then looked at Chie and then at the water, and grinned mischievously. "Not gonna listen to me, huh?" Yosuke said, then getting up on his feet and walked behind her. "Guess I should go and leave you here then, on your birthday, with Yukiko worrying." He began to whistle and then he gave a hard shove on Chie's back. He watched her tumble into the water, limbs flailing crazily. Yosuke burst out in laughter as she resurfaced, staring at him furiously.
She swam to the edge and attempted to crawl up the mini hill in front of her, until she felt a rough and awkward tug of her hand, and she was yanked up above it. Yosuke was attempting not to grin, but it was hard for him not to burst out into more fits of laughter. "Man, how'd you fall in? The wind push you?" He asked rhetorically and then slapped his leg and burst out laughing again. He had stopped laughing once he noticed that Chie didn't make another response, and was still staring at him. "O-okay, geez, I'm sorry! Stop looking at me like that..." He said, backing away slowly form her, but Chie came closer. "Chie-" Was all he could say before he felt an impact on his left jawbone. He cringed to the ground, holding his cheek, and rubbed it gently.
"Dumbass! Can't you see I don't want to talk to you? Leave me alone already!" She screamed as she watched him roll in pain. She removed her jacket and threw it on the grass next to Yosuke. She wrapped her arms around herself and made an attempt to warm up. Yosuke finally managed to regain himself as he stood up, facing her.
"I'm still not leaving." He said profoundly. He removed his favorite coat and raised it in front of Chie's face, looking away. There was no reaction until she slapped his hand away and the jacket fell to the ground. 'Tch, I don't need your pity! Go somewhere else why don't you, huh?" She yelled again, burying her face in her hands as she slowly bent to the ground. She began to mumble things he couldn't make out.
Yosuke simply picked up his jacket and tossed it on her shoulders. "Use it or you'll freeze to death. I can just wash it when I get home." He said and bent next to her. He looked out into the water again, now undisturbed. He could hear sobs that she was trying to conceal but failed. He sighed and scratched the back of his head. He wasn't at all good at these things, and now he understood how Chie said she felt sometimes (information he gathered form Souji). "I came here to apologize... oh, and to wish you a happy birthday." Yosuke explained easily. That sounded as if it had came out well enough, but he wasn't sure. "Yukiko's worried about you." He added on, attempting to convince her.
Her sobs slowed after time passes and she wiped her tears with the sleeve of Yosuke's coat. She didn't respond to anything else, but she looked at the coat instead. "What the heck you have for this anyway... it's still warm outside..." She said in a slurred manner, and the tossed it into Yosuke's lap. "Anyway, who cares about my birthday... I'm useless to everyone, aren't I?" Chie had a hopeless smile on her face, and she finally glanced at Yosuke. He toyed around with the cord of his headphones and thought about what he should say.
After a while of thinking, he finally gave up and let the words pour form his heart rather than his mind. "Listen, Chie, I was just pissed off yesterday... I wasn't mad at you, I was just mad at... everything. Maybe what you said is right, maybe I do hate everything- almost- but that doesn't change that fact I still love Saki-senpai even if it isn't the same for her. I didn't cry because you were there, y'know? I can't let you see me acting like an even bigger loser than what I am now. Not to mention I wasted maybe 2 hours of my life looking everywhere for you." He was bobbing his head to the music playing in his headphones now, the music controlling him and allowing the words spill out for him. He then turned the music down and smiled the best smile he gave her that whole year. "Feel useless now?" Yosuke asked in a tone he'd never used before, which even caught him off guard.
Chie just stared at him now and tried to think of a response. "Eh, ummm..." Was all she managed to say. She was hardly mad anymore, but thinking about this new side of Yosuke she'd never seen before. He was again bobbing his head and humming to his music, which made Chie smile genuinely. Yosuke didn't notice as he closed his eyes, but he had a feeling he did a pretty good job.
Yosuke then felt a very strong pull on his arm and was tugged by force into the air, his coat nearly falling to the ground until he caught the hood. "Whoa! Wait a moment, where-?" He was being dragged by Chie, who was already upbeat again. She turned her head slightly and she pulled her arm into his as she started to run faster. "We're goin' back into Inaba! I wanna see my presents already! Woohoo!" She yelled and did a leap into the air, which had made Yosuke nearly ram into her.
"Wa-whoa, calm down! Geez, you're acting like an eight year old!" Yosuke yelled, but he was laughing as he was pulled by Chie, clinging onto his headphones for dear life. He couldn't of asked for a better outcome.
Chie had dragged herself and Yosuke to the Amagi Inn first on impulse, sliding open the door, knowing Yukiko would be there to greet guests, as she always was. Yukiko's expression lightened as she saw Chie and she jogged over to her. "Chie, there you are! Yosuke and Souji and I were sooo worried about you!" Cried out Yukiko as she embraced her best friend, feeling the moisture of her clothes transfer onto herself. She didn't mind, but she was curious as to why she was so wet. "You're soaking wet, though... what did you do...?" She asked, removing Chie from her arms as she gave a glance to Yosuke, already suspecting he had something to do with it. Yosuke raised up his hands defensively and Yukiko looked back at Chie, letting him go.
"Hm...? Ohhh, right! I just, uh... went out for a little swim since it's my birthday and August is coming soon and all, hahaha." Chie stated, semi-believably, but no one was buying it. "What, in your clothes? You could of just asked Yosuke for a swimsuit..." Yukiko responded, but then stopped herself. Chie's eyes widened and she shook her head.
"Oh, ohhhhoho, nnnno! Not after what happened at that awful camp-out I won't!" She said, the memory coming back to her as if it was only a few days ago. Everyone shared laughs, remembering the moment as well.
"Ah, anyway... should we go to my house for Chie's birthday again? I'm sure Nanako should have something for her... and she'd want some cake, too." Souji cut in, smiling. Asking was unnecessary as they went to his house for every party, but he wanted to be sure anyway. Chie nodded enthusiastically and pumped her fists in the air.
"Duh! I'm sure you guys hid the presents there, too, didn't you? Oh, someone call up Naoto-chan and Kanji-kun so we can get this show on the road already!" She had already forgotten all about what she said and what happened yesterday and was now completely consumed in her birthday party. She did give Yosuke a wink though, as a sort of thanks for bringing her back to the excitement. Yosuke just nodded back with his arms crossed as Souji punched numbers into his phone.
After just a couple of minutes of talking, Souji put his cell back into his pocket and nodded. "They said they'll be there tonight in a few hours, so let's go home for a bit and get ready for the occasion, alright?" Souji said as the rest of the group agreed and parted their ways. Yosuke went with Souji to the Junes food court to talk. They walked for a bit together silently, until Souji cracked the air with a sudden remark. "I see everything went well with Chie." The silver-haired had said, digging his hands in his pockets cooly, leaning back ever so slightly. Yosuke at first wanted to mimic him, but he knew that'd lead only to failure.
"Yeah... I can't believe I actually did it, though. I feel juuust a bit cooler now." Yosuke responded with his arms crossed behind his head, sighing in relief again. He then turned to Souji and gave another friendly wink, thankful that his friend was here for him. Souji nodded and then stopped suddenly, still looking forward.
"...you said you didn't get Chie a present, right?" He asked, then fiddling around in his pocket, looking for something. Yosuke blinked and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... I hardly have enough money except for..." He scowled. "...I guess that motorcycle won't matter that much." Yosuke said, smiling now. "Well, we can talk later. I better look for Chie's gift... you coming with me or not?" He asked, hoping he would just because he didn't really have a clue what Chie liked except for kung-fu movies, martial arts, and beating him down.
"I would, but... I'd better head home to make the cake before it gets too late. Just trust your judgment and you'll do fine." Souji replied, putting his hand in the air as a goodbye. Yosuke was disheartened, but he would try to do what he said- trust his judgment? He was skeptical on it that would work, but Souji was normally always right. Yosuke watched as his friend walked away in the other direction, leaving him to either make the right choice himself or ruin everything.
Yosuke roamed in the DVD section of Junes, bobbing to his music and humming quietly as he flipped some cases backward, reading the summaries and putting them back. 'Trust my judgment, huh? I think I'm sucking pretty badly...' He thought, pinching his eyebrows together in frustration. It had already felt like he'd been here for years, flipping cases over and flipping them back. Truthfully, he felt as if he was judging the summary on his own tasted and not hers, but he didn't know what types she liked. She never bothered to tell him and he never bothered to ask.
He was almost ready to give up, even though there were still many more DVDs he had left to check. He knew he should of checked the restock list before he bought anything, but Yosuke never figured he'd have to. He tiredly flipped over more cases when he saw a familiar small figure skip past him. He turned his head quickly and spotted Nanako, carrying a Junes bag in her hand. Just looking at how happy she was made him smile, especially for the fact that she was so happy in his store.
"N-Nanako-chan!" He called out, taking a few steps ahead to catch up to her when she turned around. "Oh... hello, Yosuke-san!" She said, looking up at him with a wide grin. Yosuke bent down and patted her on the head. "Hey... what'cha here for by yourself? Where's Souji?" He asked, peering into her bag, which was full of ingredients from what he could see. Nanako placed both hands on the bad handle and situated it in front of her.
"Big bro needed some ingredients for a cake, so I went here to get some for him... he say's it's for Chie-san's birthday." She explained, looking at Yosuke with her big eyes. Yosuke couldn't help but laugh a bit because she was so cute. "Well, since you're here... could you help me look for a present, Nanako-chan? I've been looking for a while and I can't really find anything. Please?" He asked her with a genuine plea. Nanako always helped if you asked, without a complaint or sigh.
She nodded and jumped a little. "Of course! What kind of things does she like?" She asked eagerly. She seemed to enjoy shopping a lot, Yosuke noted in his mind.
"Kung-fu movies... there's a whole bunch over here but none of them look interesting, so..." He said, while Nanako was already grabbing at something from the rack. "How about this one? It looks cool!" She exclaimed, holding it up to him with one hand. Yosuke grabbed it and looked at it.
"What is... hey!" He said, looking over the name again. Trial of the Dragon. "Nanako-chan, this is perfect! Thanks! I bet Chie told you, huh?" Yosuke teased, then looked up and down the case for the price sticker. He found it on the back right corner and nearly flipped seeing the price. "W-what the hell? Twenty dollars for something so old...?" Yosuke groaned, but he wasn't going to change his mind on buying it, only because he knew Chie would want it and Nanako would be disappointed if he didn't.
Nanako looked up at him worriedly, covering half of her face with the Junes bag. Yosuke looked at her and smiled. "Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you. This is perfect, really." He said calmly, placing his hand on her head. "Hey, are you done? I'll pay for you if you want me to." Yosuke took the bag away from her hands and dropped the DVD in, not actually giving her a choice. Nanako covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh, really? Thank you... big bro number two!" She said with a giggle. Yosuke nearly jumped upon hearing the title he gave her. Was he really that important to her now? Just earning a nickname felt special to him now.
Yosuke grabbed Nanako's hand and smiled. "No problem. Let's go to the check-out and I'll take you home, okay?" He offered as he walked with her to the check-out, imagining Chie's reaction to the new DVD he owed her a year and four months ago. He knew she hadn't ever bought a new copy yet as she brought it up nearly every week, so he knew this would allow her to stop worrying, and maybe even appreciate him more.
"Big bro, we're home!" yelled Nanako as she flew through the door with the Junes bag, taking off her shoes and running to the living room. She saw everyone minus Chie and Rise in the room, wrapping gifts as if it was Christmas. It was a tradition for them only so they could withhold the surprise.
Nanako walked over the kitchen and put the bag on top of the counter. "I got fruit and some more sugar..." She laid things out on the counter side-by-side, looking up at Souji with expectation as he stirred the milk and eggs together. Souji patted her on the head and smiled.
"Thanks as always, Nanako. Did you get a present for Chie while you were out?" He asked, looking at Yosuke a bit with a hopeful expression. "Yeah! We got her a movie... can we wrap it, big bro?" She asked, clasping her hands together. Souji laughed and ruffled her hair with a nod. "Of course. Need me to help you?" He asked, untying his apron and walking past Yosuke, dropping it in his hand.
Yosuke already knew what he was trying to say... him make the cake? He might of been good at making things like cookies and meals with rice, but he had never tried anything as complex like a cake. What if it turned out awful? Wouldn't it ruin Chie's birthday? A lot of thoughts flowed through his mind, but he tied the apron around his neck and waist anyway. He walked over to the counter nervously, staring into the creamy mixture. He sighed and grabbed the sugar next to him, opening the bag slightly and letting the sweet white pieces fall in.
Yosuke stirred slowly, and impatiently. He looked over his shoulder to see everyone talking and joyfully wrapping the presents they got for her. Out of any of the presents, he hoped that his was so great it overshadowed the rest. And maybe an extra bonus of a hug, too.