A light buzz echoed through the room. The buzz coming from the phone of a certain fool.

"Huh."

He picked it up, and a farmiliar voice filled his ears.

"Hey, Yu, you free?"

"Yeah, good to hear you Yosuke."

His best friend and right hand man who was a large asset in solving the case. He lost a lot last year, in fact he was probably the most hurt. He was the only one who had a personal connection to one of the murdered.

It's December, an early sunday, and Yu was just lazing around. It wasn't long before college would start. It's been quite some time since their last case was opened and the Investigation Team was reformed. Labrys.

"Good to hear you too partner!" Yu could practically hear the grin on his face. "Hey, I just wanted to talk about the case. That guy said he was after us, but nothings happened in so long."

"Think Mitsuru-san's team has handled it?"

"Eh I don't think so. Don't you think they'd at least let us know we have nothing to worry about?"

"Yeah." Mitsuru had no intention of letting the investigation team get involved, but there was no way they'd stay out of this one. It was their friend involved, not just them. How could they let this one sit?

"Stupid question, but… do you think that guy could be Adachi?"

"..." Tohru Adachi. The culprit behind the killings. Just for fun. He was a mentally screwed up man, but still, Yu could not help but form a bond with him.

"I don't think so. He said he didn't have a persona, so he couldn't enter the TV."

"Right. My bad." Adachi was the most likely candidate considering who they knew, he couldn't blame him for wondering.

"Agh, I wish we could figure this out. And it's just so irritating, the culprit is probably planning something big with how long he's been quiet!"

"We haven't had a lot of time to speculate either. Senior year is a killer. Naoto has been busy with other cases, and Rise is busy preparing for her shows."

"Really the only ones who're free are Kanji and Teddie and… yeah."

"How cruel!"

Yu heard a shrill voice in the background, and smiled.

"For your information, I've been delibearating too!"

"And what have you come up with?" Yosuke asked.

"Topsicles are overpriced Yosuke! It's a crime to your consumers!"

Yu swore he heard a smack, most likely Yosuke's face combined with his palm. Teddie, in his own way, is always trying to calm his friends down. He's always trying to make them laugh or smile when they're frustrated, and Yu appreciated that about him.

"Thank you for your input Teddie." Yu chuckled.

"Any time Sensei!"

"Don't encourage him!" Yosuke yelled. "Agh, I gotta go. Good luck Yu!"

"Same to you Yosuke."

The two were going to be taking entrance exams soon, hopefully they'd get into the same school. Yosuke was more intelligent than he believes, so Yu had faith in him. As much as Yu would love to speculate more, he should get back to studying.

"Dad! It's almost time!"

"Haha, I know Nanako, his friends are going to be surprised."

About a week later, the Dojima's are planning for someone.

"Is he here yet!?"

"Be patient. He'll be here before you know it."

The two heard a knock on the door.

"Big bro!"

Nanako ran to the door and opened it faster than one would expect a young girl to be able to. Behind it was the afermentioned fool, staying in Inaba for christmas. She hugged him tightly, blushing. Yu hugged her back and patted her head.

"It's great to see you too Nanako."

He stood up and shook his uncle's hand. "You're looking well."

"Same to you Yu. I swear you get more mature looking every time i see you."

"Thank you." He smiled.

"Big bro! I did what you said! I made sure Rise-chan and Naoto were free!"

"Good." He patted her head again. "We can both hang out with them tomorrow."

"Really!?"

"Sure. You're okay with that right uncle?"

"Yeah. Go out and have fun. You'll be starting college soon."

Yu decided to head to bed for the night, tired from a long train ride. Tomorrow, he'd see his friends again. He didn't see them that long ago, but still, it was somewhat surreal to be with them again. Not to say he didn't love to be with his parents, but he loved the Investigation Team as well.

...As he fell to sleep, he was greeted by a familiar atmosphere. Surrounded by blue, his nostagia was through the roof. He was happy, but scared. Nothing happens in this room without reason. Does this mean he had another job to do?

"It seems you just cannot stay out of trouble."

He smiled wryly.

"I suppose that's part of what make you such an interesting guest. Perhaps I am biased, but your destiny is the most interesting of any guest I've seen."

"Thank you?"

She smiled. "You will require our assistance again soon. A new ordeal will open to you. Or perhaps it's a continuation of a previous one? I cannot tell at this time. But I know you will soar brilliantly. I have immense faith in you. The waking realm will call for you soon. I will see you again."

Yu awoke to Nanako calling him. It seems he had overslept.

"Oh no. Maybe it's good I didn't tell anyone." He got up and got ready, taking a shower and putting on his familiar mid winter clothes he wore during the case.

"Colder than last year."

When he came downstairs, he was greeted by Nanako.

"Dad's left for work already, I made you breakfast!"

He thanked her and sat down, beginning to eat.

"I didn't think you could get any better, but looks like you proved me wrong."

Nanako blushed and smiled, when she did that he couldn't help but smile too. he prayed she wouldn't get involved with this case. Once he finished, the two walked around town.

"Let's go to Junes!"

That'd be the best place to go to see Yosuke and Teddie at least. It'd make Nanako happy too, so he'd be killing two birds with one stone. As he entered, he heard the theme that Yosuke grew to hate. Teddie didn't help that feeling considering he sung it constantly. Yu thought it was amusing, but then again Yosuke always said he was a pretty easy going guy. They took the elevator to their kotatsus. It was crowded today for the holidays. He had a feeling he'd find Yosuke here.

"Come one come all!"

And he was right.

"Junes is having a sale on Kotatsus! Each one is filled with love!" Yosuke cringed at the line, and Yu couldn't stifle his laughter, and Yosuke turned around seeming a bit annoyed. That emotion quickly turned to shock.

"Y-Yu!?"

"Nice to see you partner." He nodded.

"Hi Big Bro Yosuke!"

"When did you- wha?"

"I wanted to surprise you guys. I mean before long we won't be able to see each other a lot."

"Yeah but still, man it's just… amazing to see you."

"When are you getting off."

"I've just got a bit to go. I'll call up the others, and tell them to meet in the food court. You just wait there."

"Got you." He nodded and walked off with Nanako.

"SSSEENNNNSSSEEIIIIII!" Teddie bear hugs Yu and knocked him on his back.

"It's nice to see you too Teddie. I feel like we've done this before." He laughed.

"We should do this more!"

"Please don't, you'll break his back at this point." Yosuke pulled Teddie up, and he sat in a nearby chair. Yu stood up and sat next to where Yosuke was standing.

"Dude, everyone's gonna freak out. Calling it now, Chie's gonna practically cry."

Chie Satonaka. She's strong, but pretty emotional. Yu kinda doubted she do that though. At least in public. Chie… from spending time with her, they slowly grew closer and closer until they just ended up together… he didn't want anyone to know, but eventually they all found out. And hey were incredibly supportive. He was glad it didn't screw with the relationship of the team. Everyone was as tight as always, he wouldn't want it any other way.

"Alright Yosuke, what's the big idea, I was stu...dy...ing…"

"Happy Birthday Chie-chan!"

"Wha- dude her birthday was months ago. And why are you talking like you planned this out?"

Chie walked closer and closer to Yu, it was like she didn't believe what was in front of her.

"Yu-kun… but…"

He stood up and hugged her.

"I'm so happy to see you Chie."

She smiled and hugged him back. "I'm… I'm so glad to see you too."

Soon the entire team gathered, and everyone talked about what's been going on the last few months. He was happy to hear everyone has retained their second tier personas, after working so hard to reclaim them after the Labrys' incident. All of them were working on accepting themselves, so they can work back to third tier.

"It's really amazing to see you again Senpai." Naoto smiled. "It's always nice when you come to visit."

"I missed you so so much!" Rise beamed.

"This is our last hurrah!" Teddie jumped. "Before the evils of education claim our heroes! Lets party!"

"That would be fun. Maybe we could use Teddie as a volleyball."

"Y-yuki-chan! Could you really enjoy yourself knowing you're messing up my fluffy fur!"

"Yes."

"Wah! I wouldn't mind the lovely ladies touching my fur, but not like that!"

Everyone laughed, some things never change.

"Uh Yukiko-senpai. You don't play Volleyball in winter. That's more of a summer thing."

"When Kanji's correcting you, you know something's wrong!" Yosuke teased.

"You're all so weird." Marie said between laughs. "Hey, Yu. We're gonna make this time of your's awesome, so you better be prepared."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Let's make this awesome!" Chie pumped her fist in the air. "Yosuke, let's start with some food! Prepare your wallet!"

"You have money too!"

"That doesn't mean I want to spend it. That's your job!"

"Agh, I'm not made of money!"

"But I'm made of kindness! And Fur!"

"And that's relevant, how?"

It's obviously going to be a fun day. Yu felt relieved, knowing that whatever would come, they could take it.

…

Welcome to the Genuine bonds redux! I'm not a fan of the original story, and I've gotten a stronger grasp on character and persona lore, so I wanted to redo the story. new story elements will be introduced, some will be removed, and some will remain. Hopefully everyone will enjoy this version more! I considered waiting until circumstances were different, but I couldn't go on with the other story. I hope no one's disappointed!