Persona Redux
Disclaimer: I don't own any.
Chapter 1: Transfer Students With A 'Fool' Name
…Velvet room…
…It's foggy. This place that is filled with fog… A limousine is threading down the road that is shrouded in fog…
…Inside the limousine, an elegant looking lady is sitting with her eyes closed. Across her is a cute looking lady who shares similar traits: platinum blonde hair, pale skin and golden eyes. She seems to be younger than the elegant lady, both of them are sitting with their eyes closed.
"…"
"Hm," They then opened their eyes and turned to the guests of this room. "My, it seems we have…"
"Shh, Elizabeth."
…There's someone sitting at the middle… A long nosed old man…
"…" His eyes are closed and his chin is resting on his hands that are together. "…Welcome…" He opened his eyes. "To the Velvet room."
"…"
"…" There are two guests here: a bowl-shaped, gray haired young man and the other one is a blue haired young man.
"Ah, it seems we have guests… with intriguing destinies. *chuckle* My name is Igor… I am delighted to make your acquaintances. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room where only those who are bound by a "contract" may enter. It may be such a fate awaits you two in the near future. Now then… Why don't you introduce yourselves…?"
"… …Arisato Minato."
"Seta Souji. My name is Seta Souji."
"Hm, I see…"
"Shall I record their names on this tome, master…?" The cute lady asked.
"No, there is no need, Elizabeth. I shall remember them with no difficulty, fufufu. Well then, let us take a look at your future, shall we…?" Igor placed his palm on his velvet colored desk. "Do you believe in fortune telling?" He spread the cards all over the desk with just a wave of a hand. "Each reading is done at the same card, yet the results are always different. Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?" He flipped one card up. "Hm, the Tower in the Upright position represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is imminent. The card indicating the future beyond that is…" He flipped up another card. "The Moon. In the Upright position. This card represents… "hesitation"… and "mystery". Very interesting indeed." Igor turned to his two guests. "It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you."
""Us?""
They both asked.
Igor nodded. "Yes. In the coming days, you two will enter into a contract of some sort, after that, you will return here. The coming year may be a turning a point in your destinies. If the mystery goes unsolved, your futures may be forever lost. My duty-*chuckle* Our duty, if I may correct myself, is to ensure that does not happen." Igor dismissed the cards on the desk with a wave of a hand. "Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistants to you." Igor turned to both ladies to his right and left. "These are Elizabeth and Margaret. They are residents of this place, like myself."
"Pleased to meet you." The one known as Elizabeth said.
"My name is Margaret. I am here to accompany you in your journey." The one known as Margaret said.
"We should tend to the other details for another time. Until then… Farewell."
…Both Souji's and Minato's vision is engulfed by blinding light.
…
…Inside a train car…
"We're almost there."
"Hm, yeah." There are only two passengers here. Minato Arisato and Souji Seta. "Hm, it seems I have message." Souji checked his cell. There's a message "Meet us at the station at 4PM" on it. It's from his uncle, Ryotaro Dojima. "It's from uncle."
"Hm, what does it say?"
"We are to meet them at the station at 4PM."
"4 huh? Hm," Minato checked the time on his watch. "…That would be 40 minutes left then."
"Yeah. So, Arisato, what do you think of my family? We've been friends for ten years now, so…"
"Hm, it's fine. Only, I don't have my parents to watch over me since they're busy at work as usual."
"Haha, we share the same boat."
"…Hm,"
"Hm," Both individuals smiled at each other. Both of them are childhood friends and they are still together even as teenagers, almost to the point that they are considered brothers by some.
*Ding* *Dong* Din* Don*
"We will be arriving at the Yasogami terminal in a few minutes. Passengers bound for Inaba City and Yasoinaba station, please go to the other side of the platform." An announcement was made.
"That's our cue." Minato said grabbing his bag from the ceiling.
"Yeah, you're right." Souji did the same. "Let's go."
"Hm," Both of them exited the train along with some other passengers.
…Later…
…Both of them took another train. This one is bound for Yasoinaba station. "Hm, this is taking too long than expected."
"It's very far from the city, after all." Minato said.
"Hm, yeah."
"Hm," Both of them closed their eyes.
Suddenly, Igor, Elizabeth and Margaret appeared in Souji's mind.
"Ah!" Causing him to be surprised. "Ah."
"…? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. Just… remembering something."
"…Right." Minato knows how to respect someone's privacy as he himself doesn't want anyone to meddle on his own privacy.
…Just then, the train passed by under a bridge.
…
…
…Later, Yasoinaba station…
…The train finally arrived at its destination.
"Yasoinaba. Yasoinaba. Yasoinaba." The train announced its destination to the passengers, which are only both Minato and Souji.
Both of them stepped out of the train.
"Hm, we're here." Souji said.
"Yeah."
This is the town that is out in the middle of nowhere. It's the hometown of Souji's mother and where her younger brother, Souji's uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, lives with his only daughter, Nanako.
Both Souji and Minato stepped out of the station.
"Hm," Souji looked around.
"Now what?"
"I don't know… I mean, we're supposed to—"
"Hey, over here!" A voice called out to them.
""Hm?""
Both of them saw a middle-aged man waving towards them. There's a little girl beside him. It seems to be Souji's uncle and his daughter. Both of them approached them.
"Wow, you look more handsome than in your photos. And this is the friend your mother mentioned?" He's referring to Minato.
"Ah. He's a childhood friend of mine."
"Childhood friend, huh. And you've been together even now? Wow, you guys are quite… close. Well, anyway, welcome to Inaba. I'll be looking after you boys for a while."
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Seta Souji, and this is my friend, Arisato Minato." Souji and Dojima had a handshake.
"Huh, you might not remember, but we've met before. I changed your diapers before you know, haha."
"Haha, I… see." Souji sweat dropped at Dojima's remark.
"Huh, your diapers, huh." Minato cannot help but slightly laugh at Souji's embarrassed expression.
"Haha," And Souji could only give a slight laughter of embarrassment as well.
"This here is my daughter." Dojima gently pushed his daughter. "Come on, Nanako, introduce yourself to your cousin, and his friend."
"… …H-Hello." She said and then she quickly hid behind Dojima.
"Geez, that's it? You don't have to be shy you know."
Slap!
"Gua—Ow, haha." Dojima got slapped on the butt.
"…" Nanako moaned.
"Anyway, let's go, my car's right over there."
""Alright.""
Both Souji and Minato said. Just as they were about to leave…
"Hm? Hey, you dropped this." A passing young woman picked up Souji's handkerchief.
"Hm? Oh, thanks."
"Whatever… I just picked it up." She handed the handkerchief and then she quickly left.
"…" Minato just stood there as he watched. "Hey, come on, Dojima is waiting."
"Oh, right." Both of them went to Dojima's car.
…
…Later, at a gasoline station…
"Hi! Welcome to Moel!" An attendant greeted the four as Dojima parked his car.
"Can you go to the bathroom by yourself?" Dojima asked Nanako who needs to go to the bathroom.
"Uh huh." She nodded.
Everyone exited the car.
"Are you taking a trip?" The attendant asked Dojima.
"Nah, we just came to pick these boys up. They just moved here from the big city." He said pointing at Souji and Minato.
"The city huh…"
"Fill up my car while you're at it, regular's fine."
"Right away, sir! Oh, and it's at the back to your left!" The attendant shouted at Nanako who was running to find the bathroom. "You know which way is left? The side where you don't hold your chopstick in."
"I know. Geez," Nanako was slightly annoyed at the attendant's joke. She ran to the back.
"Good time as any for a smoke." Dojima left for somewhere where he can smoke.
Souji and Minato are feeling the fresh air around, the warmth of spring is certainly comforting at this time of year…
"Are you two in high school?" The attendant asked the two of them.
"Huh? Oh, yeah." Souji said.
"Does it surprise city guys like yourselves to see how little it is out here? There's so little to do, I'm sure you guys will get bored real fast. You'll either be hanging out with your friends or doing part-time jobs. Speaking of which, we're actually looking for part-time help right now." The attendant and Souji faced each other. "Give it some thought, why don't you? We don't mind if you're a student." He offered a handshake.
"Ah. I'll think about it." Souji accepted it.
Flash!
…Just then, Souji felt a stimulus—a sharp sensation that is running through him—as he let go of the attendant's hand…
"Oh, and you too. Why don't you give it some thought as well?"
"…Yeah." The attendant approached Minato this time.
"Hm," He also offered a handshake.
"…" Minato feels suspicious about him… Like… something more… There's something more than the eye can see about this guy… "There's a stench about… in here."
"Hm? Oh, well yeah, my hands are glued to where gasoline is coming from after all, haha. Well, welcome to Inaba and let me answer any questions you have if you ever come to me."
"…Right." Minato accepted the handshake… …slowly.
… …
Flash!
…Just then, Minato also felt the same stimulus…
"Well then, I should get back to work. Good day, you two." The attendant returned to his work.
Flash!
"Hmgnh," Souji touched his forehead.
"Are you okay?" Nanako seems to have returned from the bathroom. "Did you get carsick?"
Minato approached Souji. "You okay?"
"Yeah… Just feeling… heavy." He said placing a hand on Dojima's car to support himself. 'What was that just now? Now that they mentioned it, I do feel… sick.'
…
…Later, at the Dojima Residence…
The four arrived at the home of the Dojimas. Dojima parked his car.
"Alright, we're here. Welcome to our home." Dojima said.
They exited the car.
"Huh, so this is your house." Minato said.
"Yeah, don't be shy. Even though you guys are new here, you can think of this as your own home."
"Hm,"
"Thank you." Souji said.
Dojima and Nanako went inside while both Souji and Minato gazed at the house.
"It's a nice house." Minato commented.
"Yeah, I guess so. We'll be staying here for a year."
"Hm, I can stay a year or two." Minato entered.
"You're right. I guess it's a lot more better… Oh, he went inside." Souji followed.
…Later, at the living room…
All four of them are seated at the table in the living room.
Each of them grabbed their respective can drinks. "Well then, let's have a toast."
At Dojima's suggestion, they all raised their drinks and then they begun drinking.
"Siip, ah, now that hits the spot. Siiip." Dojima put his drink down. "So my sister—Oh, sorry. Your parents, I mean, are busy as usual, huh? They're working overseas, was it? I know it's only for a year, but getting stuck here because of your parents… It's rough being a kid. And for you…" Dojima turned to Minato. "Your parents are busy too?"
"Yeah. Our parents work together. Though mine are working in a different country."
"Hm, I see. Well, it's just me and Nanako here, so having you boys around might be a good change. As long as you guys are here, you're part of the family, so make yourselves at home."
"Hm,"
"Thank you very much." Souji said with a polite nod while Minato simply gave his usual emotionless expression of acknowledgement.
"Haha, come on, no need to be modest. Look, you're making Nanako look all tense."
"…!" Nanako was caught off-guard at that remark, she continued eating with a more faster pace this time.
"Oh well, let's eat."
Riing, riing, riiing.
As Dojima was about to touch his dinner, his phone that is in his pocket sounded.
"Ugh, who could be calling at this hour?" He stood up and answered his phone. "Dojima speaking. Hm, hmhm. Is that so? … …Hmhm, I see. Alright, I'll be there." He hung up. "Sorry, I gotta go. Go ahead and have dinner without me. Nanako, you help them out, okay?"
"Okay…"
"And don't wait for me, I'll be late again tonight." Dojima stepped out of the house. "Nanako, it's raining out! What did you do with the laundry?"
"I already brought it in!"
"Alright, well, I'm off." The sound of Dojima's car starting up is heard outside, then the sound of it leaving echoed until it was away…
"Let's eat." Nanako suggested as she returned to her seating position.
"Hm,"
"Thanks for the food."
Both Souji and Minato did as she suggested while she turned on the TV.
"—City councilman secretary, Namatame Taro, is under fire for having an alleged relationship with television announcer, Yamano Mayumi. His wife, the enka singer, Hiragi Misuzu, revealed to this station that she will likely pursue damages. As a result, television channels have cancelled all the appearances of Yamano Mayumi on her scheduled television appearances—"
The news is on…
"This is boring." Nanako changed the channel.
"—At Junes, everyday is a great day. Come see for yourself, and get a taste of our latest product. Everyday's great at your Junes~!"
"Everyday's great at your Junes~!" Nanako seems to enjoy that song.
"…"
"Hm," Both Souji and Minato just watched her. "Do you… like that song?" Souji asked.
"Yeah!" She replied happily as she continued singing it over and over. "Aren't you going to eat?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah." He continued eating.
Minato did the same.
…Later, at a room that is provided for Souji...
…Souji has just unpacked all of his stuff. The boxes around have been emptied and have been placed in accordance to where Souji feels like they should be. He's lying at the futon that has been prepared.
"I'll be staying here for a year huh. …I wonder if things will be okay…" He started to close his eyes as he said that… and he fell asleep.
…
…
…
…?...
…Souji is kneeling on the ground… The place is covered with thick fog… "…" Souji looked at the path ahead… "This place is…"
Riiing, riiiingg…
"Do you seek the truth…?"
"…" Souji heard an echoing voice…
"…If so, try and catch it."
"…" Souji stood up. For some reason, he's wielding a katana on his hand.
"Everyone see what they want to see, and the fog only becomes thicker."
A silhouette that is shrouded by the fog appeared before Souji…
"…You… ..Aaarrrggghh-!"
Slaash-!
Souji attacked it, but it didn't do much damage.
"Will we meet again…? In a place other than this…?"
"Aaarrrrggghhh-!" Souji charged for another attack.
*Bewildering Fog*
Red mists gathered at the silhouette…
-Shhhhhaaaaaarrrrrgggghhh…!
The fog became much more thicker… Making visibility around to be… ..impossible.
"Ahhhrrrggghh-!"
*Miss!*
Souji hit only the air as he swung the katana…
"If it's "truth" you seek, then your search will be even harder…"
"You… who are… you? Gr, arrrrgggghh-!"
*Miss!* Swiiing-!
"Guh!" Souji lost his balance as he swung his katana and he fell on the ground.
"…I shall see you soon, seeker of truth…"
"Agh… Ah…" …Souji feels his consciousness fading… … …
…
…
…
…The next day, at Souji's room…
"Ah." Souji woke up sweaty. "Ah. Ahh..." He rose his body up. "Ugh, was that… a dream?" He said touching his forehead.
Knock, knock.
A knock on the door. "Breakfast's ready." Nanako's voice is heard from the other side of the door.
"Hm, I guess I should go downstairs." He decided to head downstairs and eat breakfast. School will start today.
…At the kitchen…
Minato and Nanako are preparing breakfast on the table.
"Hm? Oh, good morning." Nanako, who is bringing a plate to the table, greeted Souji.
"Morning. Oh, Arisato, you cooking?"
"Yeah. I woke up early than you and Nanako-chan. Dojima-san left for work." Minato said cooking fried rice.
"Left?"
"Yeah, he said he has to investigate stuff."
"Hmhm," Nanako nodded. "My dad's a detective."
"…!" Souji was surprised at that.
"I was surprised, too. Anyway, breakfast is ready." Minato said bringing a plate of fried rice on the table.
"Your friend is very reliable, he cooked the rice before I woke up." Nanako said.
"Yeah…" 'You've always been a good cook, Arisato.' Souji remembered how Minato used to cook for him when they were living at the city… "Thanks for the food." Souji sat at the table. So did Minato and Nanako.
"Okay, let's eat."
""Sure.""
Both Souji and Minato said as they begun eating.
"You two are going to school today, right?" Nanako asked.
"Dojima-san told me the way, I'll take us there." Minato said.
"Okay." Souji said.
"Hm, be careful on your way." Nanako said.
They continued eating breakfast.
…
…Later, at the Samegawa Riverside…
It's raining. A lot of students are heading at the same direction. Souji and Minato are both wielding umbrellas as they head for school.
"We're going to head straight in this path, after that, we should be at Yasogami High."
"Huh, you're reliable as always."
"Huh, don't you remember? I'm used to living by myself since my parents are always out."
"Right…" Souji remembered that Minato is living alone at the apartment he's living at back at the city since his parents are also busy with their work and they don't have time to take care of him. "Anyway, this will be our first day in school."
"Yeah."
...
…Near the school gate…
As Souji and Minato head for the gate…
"Hm?"
A cycling student with a raincoat passed by Souji.
"Whoa, coming through! Excuse me!"
"…He's the first one I saw to be different from us." Souji commented as that cycling student is the first one he saw to be riding a bike among the other students around.
"You're right." Minato agreed.
"Ah, made it. Alright, where should park this thing…?" The cycling student took his bike inside the school grounds.
"Huh, must be a friendly type."
"What makes you say that?" Souji asked.
"Intuition, I guess." Minato walked towards the gate.
Souji did the same.
…Yasogami High, school gate…
"We're here." Souji and Minato stood at the school gate, gazing at the premises of the school grounds. "Yasogami High, huh. Let's go to that building." Souji took the lead and Minato followed.
…
…Later, at Class 2-2…
"Morning!" "Good morning!" "Morning!"
"Morning!" "Hey."
Students are greeting each other and some are chatting merrily while some are just sitting at their respective seats.
"Hey, did you heard? I heard we got two transfer students from the city in this class!"
"Huh? Really?" Students are talking near the windows…
Some students overheard them…
"A transfer student from the city… Just like you, huh, Hanamura?" Chie Satonaka, a kung fu loving teenager, asked the guy behind her.
"Hm, yeah. Come to think of it, it's been a while huh? Inaba doesn't get too many outsiders like me. Oh well, the more merrier." Yosuke Hanamura, an upbeat and friendly teenager, said.
…tap, tap, tap. "Hello? Aren't you forgetting someone else who came from the city?" Yukari Takeba, a cheerful and popular girl, approached the two.
"Who—Oh, hey, it's Takeba! Looks we're all in the same class after all. Huh, funny, kinda like fate, huh?"
"Fate? Hm, I don't think so." Yukari turned to her friend, Chie. "Hey, Chie, long time no see!"
"Ha, yeah. It's great to see you again, Takeba. We got two transfer students from what I heard… Hm, I hope we can get along well with them."
"Huh, you always hang around people who are from somewhere else, huh? Well, just don't bother them too much, Satonaka, they're probably not yet familiar with the place yet." Yosuke said.
"What-? Bother them? Dude, what gave you the idea that I might bother them?"
"Because—"
Sliide-!
Just then, the door opened—
"Oh, looks like our teacher is here. Better keep our mouths shut now. Takeba, go sit down."
"I know." Yukari, as well the others, returned to her seat.
The teacher, along with Souji and Minato, entered the classroom.
"Alright class, please quiet down now." The teacher went to the teacher's desk and put her bag down there. "I'm Toriumi Isako, your homeroom teacher from today onwards. I would like to personally greet you all on behalf of this school and I see a lot of familiar faces here." She gazed at the students she's familiar with. "Hanamura Yosuke, Satonaka Chie, Takeba Yukari… and of course, the famous, Amagi Yukiko."
Some of the students expressed delight in seeing their teacher from last year…
"Yo, teacher, you're our homeroom teacher again for this year?" Yosuke asked.
"That's right. I see you haven't changed, Hanamura. That's good to see. Oh, and Satonaka,"
"Y-Yes?"
"How fares your days have been? Don't forget to exercise your brain as well when you're training to become a martial artist."
Some students laughed at that joke.
"Argh, I see you haven't changed either, teach." Chie said a little embarrassed.
"Haha, and that's good to see." Yukari commented.
"Now then, for those of you who don't know me yet, I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach composition. I'll be introducing to you all some of the famous literature novels that were written by different authors around the world. Literature is something you can say to be your portal to another person's life. You will learn all sort of lessons at the same time and, you can get to understand what it is like to be on someone else's position as you get along with the flow. Now then," Ms. Toriumi turned to both Souji and Minato who are standing in front of her. "to begin with, I will have to introduce these two transfer students from the city. As you know, Hanamura and Takeba are also from the city. That makes this seemingly like a magical hat trick now, isn't it? Now then, introducing them… Oh, forgive me, you may introduce yourselves, gentlemen." She gave the two the permission to introduce themselves.
"I'm Seta Souji. Nice to meet you all." Souji bowed politely to the class.
"Arisato Minato. Pleasure." While Minato just said his name with a very short greeting.
"These two are not yet very familiar with their new environment. I advise you all to show them the right way and please, try not to treat them as if they are outsiders just because they hail from a different environment. This class has the honor of having them as this makes this class as the official class that has more than one student from the city."
Some talking occurred at that remark of Ms. Toriumi.
"Hey, yeah, come to think of it, that's right." Yosuke said.
"Ha, yeah, aren't we lucky or what?" Chie said.
"Haha, kinda." Yukari said.
"But, doesn't that mean they're just new here…? It must be lonely if you are somewhere where you are not familiar yet…" Yukiko Amagi, the most popular girl in Inaba, said.
"Huh? What makes you say that, Yukiko?"
"Yeah, they don't lonely to me." Yosuke said.
"That's not the point, you know. I understand where you're coming at, Amagi. But hey, why don't we show them around?" Yukari suggested.
"Huh? You mean us?" Chie asked. Yukari nodded.
"Whoa, that's quite a suggestion, Takeba. I wonder if you have an ulterior motive for suggesting that." Yosuke said wondering about Yukari's intent.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? I'm just offering them a chance to get to know the school better and all, and I'm kinda wondering what it is like for city folks like us to be in a place where we are considered to be different."
"…? Huh? That's it? You just want to relate some stuff with them?"
"Alright class, I know you're all excited, but that doesn't mean we can skip the orientation. Now then, as for your seats… Hm, ah, those two seats are empty, please, occupy them." Ms. Toriumi said to both Souji and Minato.
""Sure.""
Both of them went to the seats that are empty. Minato sits in front of Souji and beside Yukari. Souji sits beside Chie.
"Hey there, nice to meet you. Wow, you two are popular in this class, did you know that you guys aren't the only ones from the city here?" Chie said in a whispering tone to Souji.
"Yo, nice to meet you, transfer student. Oh, Seta… Souji, right?" Yosuke greeted Souji from behind.
"Ah."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Hanamura Yosuke. Wow, so you're from the city huh? I'm from another city, too, by the way. Our entire family moved here a year ago."
"I see."
Souji has a lively conversation with both Chie and Yosuke.
"Hm," Minato was watching the whole time and he seems to be satisfied as he turned in front.
"Shh, hey there," Yukari called out to him in a whispering tone. "Nice to meet you, I'm Takeba Yukari. Wow, so you're from the city like us."
"…? Like you?"
"Yeah, me, Hanamura—Oh, Hanamura is that idiot over there." She pointed at Yosuke who is still talking with Souji. "We're from the city. And looks like you and your… uh…"
"He's my childhood friend."
"Oh, I see. Well, welcome to Yasogami High. Oh, if you want, I'll show you around later, okay?" She winked at Minato before turning her attention in front.
"Alright class, let's begin. I don't have much to say here since most of you are already familiar with the school rules, but I will recite each of them as necessary. Now then, first things first…"
…Class has begun and the school days of Souji and Minato has begun as well…
""Will I be able to fit in here…?""
Both of them thought that.
…
…Later, after school…
"That's it for today class. We will begin our normal lessons as of tomorrow. I advise you all to listen well or else you guys will have to owe me a slice of cake, as well as a written report about what we took up if I found out that you're not listening." With that said, Ms. Toriumi ended the class and was about to step out—
Everyone else started talking to one another—
*Ding* *Ding* Dong*
An announcement is being made…
"Attention all teachers. Please come to the faculty office for a brief staff meeting. All students are to remain in their classrooms until further notice. That is all."
*Ding* *Ding* Dong*
"Huh? A brief staff meeting? Hm, right at the end of school period…? What could this be all about…? Hm, what could this be all about? Hm, oh well, I suppose I should attend," Ms. Toriumi turned to the class. "Well, you heard the announcement. Don't go wandering around until we say so, and don't make any ruckus either. Now then, I bid you all farewell."
Ms. Toriumi left the classroom.
"What? We're going to have to wait here? Ah, dammit, and here I was, thinking I could go to Junes early so that I may finally have the salary I need to buy a motorcycle." Yosuke groaned his fate in being stuck in class.
…tap, tap, tap. Chie approached him. "Man, this is lame. I should have snuck out before the announcement came."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
…tap, tap, tap. "But you'll just be standing at the hallway if you do that, the announcement was right after the school session, so I think they will not allow anyone to leave campus. If you are caught at the hallways, then you'll just be asked to stay there for a while. " Yukiko approached the two.
"Ah, hey, that's right… Oh man, so I guess I'm lucky I'm still here?"
"That may be so, Amagi, but, I prefer to be somewhere where—Huh?"
"Hm? What's up, Hanamura?"
"Did you hear… sirens?"
""…? Sirens?""
Both Chie and Yukiko asked.
…There are indeed sirens coming from outside.
Some students went to the windows to see.
"Did something happened? Aren't those sirens pretty close by?"
"Hm, ah, I can't see a damn thing. Frickin fog…"
"Hm, oh well. Oh, by the way, I hear the reporters have been looking for that announcer."
"Huh? Oh, you mean Yamano Mayumi? What about her?"
"After the news yesterday, I'm not surprised, but I heard she was…"
…One student whispered to another one. After hearing him out, that student went to approach Yukiko.
"Um, U-Umagi-san, did Yamano-san went to stay at your inn as of last night?"
"Huh? I-I'm not allowed to tell that. I can't tell you."
"Y-Yeah, I guess so. Sorry, I guess this is for the sake of your inn's reputation. Sorry." The student left.
"What? Really? Did that announcer really stayed at your family's inn, Amagi-san?" Yukari, who overheard, asked.
"I… I'm sorry… I can't disclose the names of our customers…"
"I-I see. I'm sorry. But hey, if that's the case…"
"Yeah, if that Yamano lady was really at your family's inn, the media might be all over there." Yosuke said.
"What? Why?" Chie asked.
"Hello? After the news last night, I won't be surprised that a bunch of gawkers or reporters might be trying to climb up a ten meters wall just to get an interview with that Yamano lady. She is pretty much the most popular subject in today's media attention. Though I have to admit, I'm kinda sick of it."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Don't those reporters think that they're being very rude about pursuing that Yamado lady just for an interview? I mean, after what she's been through—"
*Ding* *Ding* Dong*
…Before Yukari could finish what she was about to say, an announcement was being made…
"Attention all students. There has been an incident inside the school district, police officers are currently investigating this incident. Please try to remain calm and contact your parents or your guardians and quickly leave the school grounds. Do not disturb the police officers, head directly home. That is all."
*Ding* *Ding* Dong*
"Incident?"
"What? Something actually happened?"
"Come on, let's go take a look!"
…Some students excitedly left the classroom.
"Whoa, I guess… We can go now?" Yosuke said feeling a little awkward about the others' reaction to the announcement earlier.
"They're excited over an incident? Don't they have anything better to do?" Yukari seems annoyed at those students who excitedly left the classroom.
"Yeah, if something really hap—Oh, hey, Yukiko?"
Yukiko is about to leave the classroom.
"Sorry, I gotta go. I have an errand for the inn that I have to do and I was supposed to do it after school."
"Oh, I… see. Then... Oh, I guess we should just go to Junes for another time."
"I'm sorry, Chie…"
"Oh no, come on, your family's errand is more important, right? Go, go!"
"Haha, thanks, Chie. Well, see you tomorrow." Yukiko left.
"Wow, she must be getting busy." Yukari said.
"Yeah, you're right. You think she's already practicing to take over the family business someday?" Yosuke asked.
"Well, I'm not sure myself, but recently, I heard that the people in the Amagi inn are getting a tight schedule lately." Chie said.
"A tight schedule?" Yukari asked.
"Yeah, it was like something happened there. I hope it's nothing serious, but even the police went there…"
Both Yosuke and Yukari were surprised at that.
"Wh-What?" Yosuke asked.
"The police? Then… Did that Yamano lady…" Yukari said thinking that the story of Yamano Mayumi staying at the Amagi inn may be indeed true.
"I-I don't know. I went to ask one of the maids there, but they said that it's for my sake that they shouldn't disclose anything about their customers." Chie said.
"Wow… Then I guess… It has nothing to do with us? Oh, look at the time, sorry, but I gotta run. I'll be late for my shift." Yosuke left the classroom running.
"His shift-? Oh right, I heard he's been promoted to afternoon shift." Yukari said.
"You mean his part-time job at Junes, right?" Chie asked.
"Uh huh. He's been busy though, I heard he just took up Konishi-senpai's work shift lately. And I guess… He just ran off to get there."
…tap, tap, tap. Souji and Minato approached the two girls.
"Excuse me, we're going through." Souji said.
"Oh hey, it's the transfer students. You're going home? Oh, why don't you go home with us?" Chie suggested to the two of them. "Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Satonaka Chie, pleased to meet you."
"Seta Souji."
"Arisato Minato. Pleasure." Both of them introduced themselves.
"Haha, okay. So, should we get going? We'll go home together, right, Takeba?"
"Haha, yeah, I guess I got nothing better to do." Yukari turned to Minato. "Hey there, looks like we're going home together."
"So it would seems." Minato said.
"Oh right, you sit next to each other, right, Takeba?" Chie asked.
"Uh huh. And you sit next to him, right? Oh, sorry, where are my manners? I'm Takeba Yukari, nice to meet you." Yukari greeted Souji.
"Ah, likewise."
"Alright then, let's go. Time to go, here we go~!" Chie excitedly left the classroom while performing some kung fu kicks.
"Haha, she's always like that. She loves martial arts and stuff." Yukari said.
""I can see that."" Both of them said.
"Haha, come on, we shouldn't keep her waiting."
The two followed Yukari out of the classroom.
…
…Later, at the path to the shopping district…
"Oh, I see. So you two moved here due to your parents' work." Chie said. The four, Souji, Chie, Minato and Yukari, are walking down the road that leads to the shopping district.
"Haha, so that's why you two moved here. And you two have been buddies since childhood?" Yukari asked.
"Ah, Arisato is a very close friend of mine. He sometimes helps me around my home back at the city." Souji said.
"Wow, so… do you live alone, Arisato-kun?"
"Quite. My parents are always busy and I have to tend at our apartment." Minato said.
"I see… Hm, then how do you find Inaba then?"
"Though there's really nothing here. Look around, it's not like something you can see in the city. That's what makes it nice, but there is nothing much we can show to people from outside. Though, there is something from Mt. Yasogami...I think our dyed clothes or pottery or something is kinda famous. Oh wait, and there's the Amagi Inn! Yukiko's family runs it. It's the pride of Inaba!" Chie boasted.
"An inn?" Minato asked.
"Yeah, it's—Wait, what's that?"
"Hm? What's going on over there?" Yukari asked.
Up ahead, there are some people who have gathered. Barricades have been set up to prevent anyone, besides the police, from entering.
The four went there to take a look.
"So that high schooler went home early, and when she came down this street…" Housewives are whispering to one another.
"Wow, who could have imagined THAT hanging from an antenna?"
"I wanted to see it, too."
"Oh, you got here too late. The police and fire department took it down just a moment ago."
"Well, I think it's terrifying. I can't believe a dead body showed up around here."
"""…!"""
The four were greatly surprised and shocked when they heard the part about a dead body.
"W-Wait, what? Did she said… that a dead body…" Chie said feeling nervous.
"…showed up around here?" Yukari finished what she meant to ask while feeling a sense of dread.
"…Is this… what that announcement was all about?" Minato asked.
"Could be. Hm, this is near the school district. But didn't they mentioned that we should go—or rather, they didn't told us not to go here." Souji said.
"Yeah… But… If they said that there WAS a dead body here, everyone in school might panic." Yukari said.
"Hm?" Just then, Dojima approached the four. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
"We're just passing by." Souji said.
"Huh… I should have figured. That damn principal… We told him not to let them through here…" Dojima said scratching his head in irritation.
"You know this guy?" Chie asked.
"Oh, I'm detective Dojima Ryotaro, his guardian. Uhh, well, how should I say this… I hope you get along well with him. But you kids ought to stop wandering around and head straight home."
Dojima was about to return to the scene of the incident—
"Make way! Make way!" But then a young detective came running through the crowd and passed through Dojima. "Ngh… Uuuuuurrrrggghhh…"
…He vomited near the river embankment.
"Adachi! How long are you gonna keep acting like a rookie!? You want to be sent back to the central office!?" Dojima yelled angrily at the young detective.
"Agh, s-sorry… Ugh…" The young detective composed himself.
"Sigh, go wash your face. We're gonna go around and gather information."
"Yes, sir!" Dojima went back to his job with the young detective running to catch up.
"…Um, I think… we should do as he said." Chie said.
"Yeah… I guess we should just go to Junes for another time." Yukari said.
"Hm,"
"Alright." Souji said while Minato simply kept his usual emotionless expression.
"Alright, starting tomorrow, neighbors, let's do our best!" Chie said cheerfully.
"Well, I guess this is where we part ways. See you guys at school tomorrow!" Yukari said. She and Chie left.
"Let's go home." Minato said.
"I agree." Souji said. Both of them went away from the crime scene.
End of Chapter 1