A/N- A little background before the story starts. This goes of of the Golden ending of Persona 4 Golden except for the epilogue because I just didn't feel like using it. Also, there probably won't be any Arena references since I haven't finished that game yet. Oh, and I'm trying to get used to using honorifics so I might mess them up some. Other than that I hope you enjoy the story.

Persona 4: Overseas Romance Chapter 1

Kanji POV

"Maybe a bit higher on those streamers Yukiko-sempai. Will you two stop fighting for two seconds and blow up some balloons?! And Ted, you better not be eating all the Topsicles in my kitchen, you'll ruin your appetite for the party." You know, it's nice that all my friends could take time out of their busy schedules to help me set up a party, but damn if we aren't still dysfunctional as all hell. What's the party of you may ask? Well, today is April 27th, and while most people don't know this around here it's Naoto's birthday. But for me today has a more important meaning. Today, no matter what, I'm gonna tell her how I feel. And even if she rejects me or doesn't feel the same it'll be okay since this will be the last hurdle for me not lying to myself and me not being me, or so I tell myself. But it's no use frowning over something that hasn't happened yet. The sound of the doorbell ringing snapped me out of my thoughts and I went to answer it.

"Oh hey Rise, is the food ready yet?" Yep, even Rise stopped over for a while to celebrate. And since her grandmother helped supply some of the food we decided it would be a good idea to hold it at her shop.

"Yep, sure is. But there's too much for me to carry on my own, do you mind coming with me to go get it?" She asked me.

"Sure, it's not like these guys could do anything worse without me here." I said as I put my shoes on and walked out the door.

"Is it really that bad?" Rise asked as she walked besides me.

"Well, Yukiko-sempai and Nanako-chan are doing their best but Yosuke and Chie won't stop bickering like an old married couple and Ted is, well Ted."

"And what about you?"

"I'm trying my best to be a good team leader, but I'm no-" I paused because I felt I was about to say something that sounded weird.

"Is something wrong Kanji?" Rise asked.

"It's nothing, just wondering how we didn't get into a bunch of grammatical confusion when Yu-sempai was around." And speak of the devil, guess who we saw standing in the middle of the shopping district looking at his cellphone? In one blink of an eye Rise ran towards him and jumped on his back. And as if he had eyes in the back of his head Yu caught her legs so she wouldn't fall.

"Guess who Sempai?!" Rise asked as she covered his eyes. You should have seen the smile on his face when she asked that.

"Hm, let's see. Long, delicate fingers, soft, smooth skin, and a voice that could put angels to shame. Must be Kanji." I heard him joke as I walked up.

"Almost Sempai, but I'm besides you." I told him so he actually knew I was there.

"Oh, then I change my guess to Rise, my beautiful girlfriend." He said still smiling.

"That's better." Rise said uncovering his eyes. "And thanks for catching me."

"No problem. It's a good thing Yosuke didn't answer his phone or I may have dropped you. By the way, where is everyone, because I haven't seen anyone, not even Nanako."

"They're all over at my house. We're setting up for a surprised party for Naoto since it's her birthday." I told him.

"I thought that was today, good thing I got a gift before I left." Man, he is always prepared for anything.

"So Sempai, why are you here anyway? You didn't call or write or anything." Rise asked, still getting a piggyback ride mind you.

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise. I have a week before I head off to college and I wanted to spend it with you guys."

"You're so thoughtful." Rise said moving he head so she could kiss him on the cheek.

"Thank you Rise. So, what are you two doing in the middle of the shopping district if you're supposed to be setting up Naoto's party?"

"We were heading to the tofu shop to get the food." I told him. "You think you could help us, we'd appreciate it."

"Sure thing." And with that the three of us headed to the tofu shop where Rise's grandmother greeted us.

"Ah Rise, I see you're here for the food for the party. Oh, and I see your handsome boyfriend is in town too. Well, it's all wrapped up in the refrigerator and ready to go. I hope you all have a fun time."

"Thank you grandma. We'll take it in a bit, I kinda have to go to the bathroom." Rise said to her. "Yu, can you let me down?" He lowered her down and she headed towards the back. And then he bluntly asked the question I knew was coming.

"So Kanji, you tell Naoto how you feel yet?" It's amazing how so few words could hit me so hard.

"No, not yet. I'm planning on doing it today though. So whatever you can do to get everyone except her out after the party would be appreciated."

"I'll see what I can do, and I'm proud of you."

"Thanks. So what have you been doing lately?"

"Getting ready for college. And man it can get tough, sometimes I wish I was just fighting Shadows all day long like the old days."

"Geez, that bad huh? Well things around here have been pretty normal. School is kinda boring without everyone there, but I can deal."

"Have you sold many dolls lately?"

"Tons, I even hired that Shu kid you tutored to make a website for me."

"Good for you two. Anything else?"

"Actually yeah, Naoto has been having me tag along sometimes when she's investigating things. Something about how I have outside the box thinking sometimes."

"That's interesting. Seems like you two are getting along fine."

"What does that mean?" I asked confused.

"Just a hunch I have, that's all." And right as he finished saying that Rise came back with some trays of food. The three of us split it up evenly and walked back to my place. surprisingly it actually looked good.

"Wow, Yukiko-sempai, this looks great." I said knowing she probably did most of the work.

"Thank you Kanji-kun, but Teddie and Nanako-chan helped out as well."

"Well good job to all of you guys." It was about then that Yu had finished taking his shoes off and came into the living room.

"Big bro! You're here!" Nanako-chan said excitedly.

"Sensei!" Ted said joining her. They both walked over to him and gave him a huge hug.

"Hey you two." He said a bit awkwardly as he tried not to drop his food tray.

"Oh Sensei, it's so horrible, Yosuke is always working now. And even when he's not I never see him because he says he's busy."

"I'm sure he has a good reason Teddie." He reassured him. And at hearing his name Yosuke came out and Chie was following him. They all gushed and we got the finishing touches set up. Now I just have to get Naoto here without tipping her off too much.