DISCLAIMER: I do not own Persona 4 or anything related to it.

PROLOGUE

Song: "The Real Folk Blues" by Seatbelts ft. Mai Yamane

It's raining pretty hard today.

I'm the only person on the train, which was both lonely and calming. As I looked out the windows, observing how gray gradually turned into green within the wet mist, the train rocked back and forth. I felt myself releasing the tension I've been holding in all this time.

Inaba, huh…

I can hear my Mom screaming at me, even now.

"Is that it? After all I've done for you? After paying for anything and everything just to get you through university, after asking a lot of people and disgracing myself just to get you that job that you haven't even had for 2 years… You're just going to leave? To go to some hick town and… teach?!"

"Mom, please listen to me..!"

"No, YOU listen to ME! You have an amazing job right now! You're meeting with international people left and right! This is a dream come true for you! Don't just waste it, unlike everything else!"

"...not mine."

"What?"

"...It's not mine! That dream IS NOT MINE!"

*SLAP*

I involuntarily touch my left cheek and scratch it.

"Her hands have always been strong… Guess that's one thing we have in common."

I sigh quietly and look out the window once more, settling back in to the rhythm of the rocking train and the rain pattering outside.

"… Please."

I say to no one in particular.

It's raining cats and dogs today.

I look up, shielding my eyes from the raindrops, getting my face wet in the process.

Did Nanako bring her umbrella today...?

I'm sure she did. She's always careful.

Shrugging, I grab my jacket firmly and run towards my car. No choice, I forgot to bring a damned umbrella. The weather report mentioned only slight clouds for this supposed sunny afternoon.

Weather forecast, my ass.

I take my car keys from my pocket, open the door, and get in. Dammit, I don't even have a towel to dry myself with.

"Maybe I can pass by the house first...", I mutter as I use my jacket to wipe my face and arms.

I'm only going on the usual patrol today. I can drop by the house and get a change of clothes. Recently, there's been nothing unusual going on, just like the good old days. Before that time with Yu and those friends of his... And Adachi.

... And Chisato.

Tch.

Starting the engine, I check the surroundings for any other cars, and seeing none around, I put the gear in full throttle.

"... I'm all alone."

I heave a sigh, and drive into the rain.