Yu Narukami is finally nearing his stop. The young man with medium length silver hair and a slender but muscular body stands to gather his bags that are resting in a compartment overhead. He smiles to himself as the train comes to a stop and steps off to the smell of fresh air. Although he has lived many places, no city could ever compare to Inaba. It is a small, rural town, but that is the great appeal of it. There is not all too much to do, but the people here are extremely friendly. Involving oneself in the community becomes an active part of a person's day. Of course, when he was last in the town, he had no shortage of interesting activities to partake in.
Being able to walk through the open streets again fills Yu's heart with joy. It is almost too nostalgic, as he feels as though he hasn't been absent from the area for a year, though he actually has been. After returning home to the city, Yu had soon realized that it wasn't where he belonged; he belonged in Inaba, with his Uncle Dojima, his cousin Nanako, and his beloved friends. Upon the coming of his first extended school break, Yu's parents explained to him that he would not be able to visit the small town, as they had already made plans to go on a "family vacation." However, in truth, the trip was no more than another one of his parents' business inquiries that just happened to be in the nice area of Miami, Florida. The cool and collected young man was not able to enjoy himself as he had wished he could. His parents left him to himself, and he knew that his friends were beyond disappointed that he had not been able to visit them. As soon as Yu had arrived back to his home in the city, he gave his uncle a call, explaining to him that for his senior year, he would like to come live in Inaba again. Of course, Dojima was more than happy to oblige to Yu's request. Yu was an important part of the family, and his absence was saddening, to say the least. So, here he was, back in the quaint town that had been the place where his whole life was turned around for the better. He had purposely neglected to tell his friends about his return, as he was hoping to surprise them.
Yu arrived at the Dojima residence around mid-afternoon, and he was greeted by an overjoyed Nanako and a very content Dojima.
"Big Bro! I'm so so so happy that you're back! I've missed you so much! Now we can play together again, just like we used to!" the innocent little girl beams with happiness as she speaks, a noticeable sparkle in her eyes.
"Of course we can. I'll play with you as much as you want," Yu replies, an appreciative smile plastered onto his face.
"It's great to have you back, son," Dojima starts, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Nanako and I have definitely strengthened our relationship, but without you around, things just weren't the same. You're an important part of this household. I've left your room just as it was. The only time I have messed with anything up there is when I went to dust things off. Why don't you go place your belongings upstairs and come tell Nanako and me about how you've been?"
The young man quickly nods and makes his way up to his room. Looking around, he affirms that everything is just as it had been when he had last been there. He places his possessions on the ground and turns to his TV. I guess I can use you for normal activities this time around, Yu thinks to himself, a sad but relieved grin making its way onto his face before he walks back downstairs.
After Yu tells Dojima and Nanako all of the unexciting details about his year back with his parents, he asks his uncle for a favor.
"Could you call Yosuke and tell him to gather everyone at the food court at Junes in about thirty minutes? Tell him it's important, but that you will have to explain the tidbits to him when they all get there."
"Ah, I see. So I'm guessing that you are going to surprise them by showing up there and greeting them? Sounds like quite the plan. I'd be happy to do this for you. Let me know how it goes when you get back home later, alright?" Dojima winks. He picks up his phone and calls Yosuke as Yu hurriedly goes upstairs and finishes unpacking.
Yu arrives at Junes and hides among the crowd as he searches for his friends. He doesn't have to exert much effort, as they are seated just where they always used to meet up. He smiles wider than he has in an extremely long time. Just seeing all of the people who he holds most dear to his heart excites him beyond what anything else could. He quickly notes how different a few of them appear and decides to take a second to take it all in and recollect himself.
The ecstatic ex-hero first scans over his best bud, Yosuke Hanamura. He really hasn't changed much at all, other than the fact that his hair is cut a bit shorter. He probably thinks that it makes him look more mature, Yu chuckles to himself. He also notes that Yosuke is no longer wearing a jacket, but instead is wearing a plain red and white striped shirt.
Next to Yosuke is Teddie, who is looking as charming as ever. He still has that young and innocent appearance to his face, although everyone in the group knows better than to fall for it. The "bear" doesn't have his costume on, but wears a very casual—especially for his taste—blue and white striped shirt. I bet his look was inspired by Yosuke. I can imagine him hollering at Teddie for "copping his style." Another chuckle.
Next to Teddie sits Rise Kujikawa, who definitely appears more mature. She has replaced her usual pigtails with a beautiful, more natural look, letting her wavy hair fall freely. Her wardrobe has also taken on a more mature appearance, as her shirt allows for more cleavage, but also covers and fits her well. Last Yu had heard, Rise had gotten involved in acting and singing again, but on a lesser scale than she had been in before so that she could be home more often.
Standing next to Rise is Chie Satonaka, who is flailing around and hollering at Yosuke. She has changed a lot more than the last three physically, but it seems she is still the same old strong-willed girl. Her hair is still just as short as it had been the last time Yu had seen her, but it is a bit messier, giving it a teased look. She is wearing a tight yellow top with a light-material jacket over it, which is quite the improvement from her previous wardrobe. It seems like she is more comfortable with her body, although it never seemed to bother her before. I guess that she finally realized that she could be strong and look feminine at the same time. She looks great, Yu smiles.
Trying to calm Chie down is Yukiko Amagi. She has her hair up, which is a nice change from when she had her hair down, although both styles look nice on her. She still appears very mature and together but seems to have taken on a more neutral look. Red is no longer the center-point of her style, as she is wearing a dull pink dress with a washed out blue shawl over it. Only Yukiko could wear something so mature at our age and still have that sweet, young look to her.
Sitting, arms crossed, next to Yukiko is what seems to be… Kanji Tatsumi?! His appearance is completely different than it had been the last time Yu had seen him. He dyed his hair black (or, it may have been his natural hair color before he dyed it, so he could have just let it grow back out) and had gotten prescription glasses. He pulls them off pretty nicely, and they go with his new outfit of a yellow shirt with a formal white button up over it and some black, well-fitting jeans. No way. Kanji looks like a whole new person! It really looks like he's gotten himself together and is done with the whole tough guy act. As happy as I am for him, I'll definitely have to poke a bit of fun at him later, Yu grins.
Smiling next to Kanji is... Wait, who is that? Yu ponders to himself. Could that really be Naoto? Naoto Shirogane has changed just as much as Kanji, though Yu imagines that it had taken more for her than it had for Kanji to change her appearance. She is no longer wearing a hat, and has allowed her hair to grow out slightly. She has on a blue shirt under a snug white button-up. Her outfit shows off her figure, and it is a very nice one, to say the least. I'm so glad that she is finally comfortable being a woman. I'm sure it was a long road, but I knew she was strong enough to overcome her insecurities.
Satisfied with his new knowledge of his friends, Yu takes in a large breath and quietly makes his way over to the table.
"Yosuke! Quit telling people that I don't want to go on another date with you because I felt like 'I couldn't handle how you are succchhhhhh a lady's man'! I won't go on another date with you because you promised me steak but instead brought me here to Junes! You already know that! You're such a cheapskate!" Chie is now in Yosuke's face, ready and willing to deliver a blow to his midsection.
"H-hey! A man has pride that he's gotta protect! I've told you I'm sorry hundreds of times already! I couldn't afford to get you steak because Teddie over here put some things on MY tab!" Yosuke retaliates and shoots a death glare toward the charming but rambunctious young man.
"I have to have nice things, Yosuke! You can't deny them to me!" Teddie whines. He surely has worked on his puppy-dog eyes while Yu has been gone.
"You stupid bear! You have a job for a reason! Maybe instead of taking other people's money, you should—"
"Aw, c'mon Yosuke. Teddie obviously needs more money than he's being paid to be able to keep himself looking fresh for the ladies," Yu cuts in, a friendly smirk gracing his lips.
"Sensei!" Teddie shouts before locking Yu in an embrace. Rise follows right behind, but instead shouting, "Senpai!"
Kanji blinks a few times and adjusts his glasses. "No way, Senpai! Is that really you?!"
"In the flesh."
"Whoa, dude! What an awesome surprise! We had no idea you were coming back for the break!" Yosuke exclaims, a noticeably high pitch in his voice due to his excitement.
"I'm not back for the break," Yu replies as he finally breaks free from Rise and Teddie's death-lock.
"Oh, really?" Yukiko questions while turning towards Yu. "Then how long are you here for?"
"Well, I'm not sure how long I'll be here in all, but I know that I will be here for at least the next year as I go to Yasogami High to finish out school."
A surprised but thrilled gasp can be heard from every member of the group.
"Well, this definitely calls for some sort of celebration, does it not?" Naoto inquires in a low voice, red rising in her cheeks.
"You're right!" Chie responds happily. "Hey, Yukiko. Do you think you could reserve that new room at your inn for a night?"
"Hm? Oh, let me think." The dark-haired girl pauses for a moment, lost in thought. "Well, the next reservation we have for the room is next week, so yes, I should be able to reserve the room for tomorrow night. You don't know yet, Yu, but my family recently had another floor built onto the inn, and it is all one room! It has many amenities, and it has been a huge hit with our customers. I think you'll love it."
Yosuke's eyes light up like a child's eyes the first time he or she walks into a candy shop. "Oh boy, oh boy! I can't wait! Sharing a room with the girls and relaxing and having fun… It'll be my wildest dreams coming true!"
"You better not try anything, Yosuke Senpai, or Chie will take care of you!" Rise giggles.
"I am a respectable young man who has but been falsely accused of being a pervert, my dear," Yu's best friend put his hand to his chest, as if making an oath.
"Yeah, whatever dude. No one believes you, but I guess it's settled! We'll all go stay at the inn tomorrow night, so that we can throw Yu a little welcome back party!" Kanji states.
"Thanks, guys." Yu looks around at all of his friends. "It's really great to be back."