Saturday April 14th – Cloudy – Night

Yu couldn't believe his eyes. There was no way that standing right in front of him, in the middle of the city, what felt like a thousand kilometers from everyone he knew and missed...that there was any way this particular city boy should be standing in front of him.

Said misplaced city boy crossed his arms, flicking a stray hair out of his face. "Well, that's quite a welcome. Hi Yosuke, how have you been? What are you doing here? It feels like it's been forever since I've seen you; what have you been up to? Why don't you come in? Oh, thanks Yu, I really appreciate it." The brunet laughed. "Man, only a month back in the city, and you've already forgotten about me? I see how it is."

That snapped Yu back to the land of the able-to-talk-people. "I—no, I just—come in. How did you...when..." He stepped away from the door, incapable of picking a sentence to start with.

"Oh good, so you do still talk. Got me worried there." Yosuke stepped in, slipping out of his shoes and looking around. "Man, sweet place you have here. It's like you have a whole house to yourself." Yosuke glanced over his shoulder. "Um...I mean, that's what I'm guessing, from what it looks like outside. Is that where your parents live, next door? Kinda cool setup, honestly."

"Yosuke...how..." Yu shook his head, forcing his brain to slow down enough to talk. "How did you know where I lived?"

"Duh, I still talk to Nanako-chan and Dojima-san. They've got your address." Yosuke tilted his head, stretching his neck as he let his school bag fall to the floor. "Sorry I got here so late. The train schedule to get out here was kinda weird. I may...have missed a bit of school to get out here even this early." Yosuke gave Yu a wink, and Yu's brain spiraled out of control again. He's actually here. This is actually Yosuke. What...? "But don't worry. I told Chie I had something to take care of, and she's going to take notes for me. And if that doesn't work, I'll just ask Yukiko what I missed. It'll be fine."

"I...see." Eloquent to the end, was Yu Narukami. "Um..." He blinked a few times, and then the lingering smell of oil in the air brought him back to something like the person he expected himself to be. "You've been on the train all afternoon. Have you eaten? I just made ganmodoki. There's plenty for both of us."

"Dude, you cooked for two and you didn't even know I was coming? And something I can eat, even? That's pretty impressive, even for you. Hell, you could have cooked anything and I'd give it a shot. Never had something you made I didn't like. Serve 'em up! I'm starving."

Yu nodded, gesturing back to the table. "Here, sit down. Make yourself at home. I'm sorry I'm a little flustered. I just...I didn't expect..."

"Hey, it's cool, partner. I would have done the same if you'd suddenly shown up at Junes or something. It's so rare I see you this off your game, it's kinda nice to know something still surprises you." Yu could hear the grin on Yosuke's face, even as his back was turned as he got the ganmo onto plates. "So how's the big city treating you? Happy to be away from Inaba?"

"It's...different." He came back with two plates and a couple pairs of chopsticks. "I don't remember it being this loud."

Yosuke laughed. "Yeah, I guess after a year in Inaba, the roar of the city must be deafening. Still, even now, there's things I miss about a city this big. Okina's nice, but it's still kinda far away and it doesn't have everything." He shrugged, flipping one of the chopsticks into the air before settling down to the business of the ganmo. Yu couldn't help but see one of Yosuke's fighting daggers instead, in his mind's eye.

"So...what...I mean, it's good to see you. But...what are you doing here? I mean, it's not a short ride, or a cheap ticket," Yu finally managed to ask.

"Hm? Oh." Yosuke swallowed the bite he was working on and gave Yu a grin. "I just got bored, ya know? And I've been saving for a while now. The month between you leaving and school starting back up, I just kinda took on as many hours at the store as I could. Didn't have too much else to do, right? And I figured I'd be able to put some aside to come visit some day. Well, I guess my dad decided that I was 'taking initiative' or some crap, so I got a bonus just before the school year started. With that, I totally had enough to come out! I mean, it's just for a day and all, 'cause I need to get back to school on Monday. Man, it hardly seems worth it, ya know? But I guess that's the choice I made."

The light went off for Yu on that. "Wait, so you saved up all that money...so you could spend a few hours here in the city...with me? You're going to have to leave mid-afternoon tomorrow to get back to Inaba in time to rest for school on Monday."

"He-ey, there's a sentence long enough to be from the Yu Narukami I remember!" Yosuke grinned, but the smile faded to something softer after a moment. "I know, it's kinda crazy. I just...I know school's only been in session for what, a few days now? But it's not the same without you around. I guess it was kinda a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even if it's just a few hours, that's better than nothing to me. Right?"

That, Yu could answer on instinct. "Right. Absolutely." Finally—finally—he got himself to smile like a normal person. "I'm glad to see you, Yosuke. You're right, it already feels like it's been too long."

"Good to hear you say it, partner. Now eat your ganmo before it gets gross. It's really good, by the way. Thanks for the food. Still don't know why you had so much, though."

"Oh." Yu blinked. "I...was on the phone, and just figured it would be enough for lunch tomorrow as well. It's no big deal." Tomorrow's not a school day anyway. Where was my brain? ...Oh right. Inaba. "So. Tell me what it's like in that tiny town of yours, now that I'm not there."

"Hah." Yosuke set down his chopsticks, the ganmo already gone. "It's fun and exciting as ever. Everyone's either trying to get into a college or someone's skirt—or both, I guess. Oh, I meant to ask." Yosuke's expression turned a shade more serious. "I hear you and Chie decided not to try for long-distance?"

Yu's eyes dropped to his plate as he nodded. "It's for the best. We called it off before I left." As much as he'd enjoyed being with Chie, and had exceptionally fond memories of the past Christmas, they both knew it wasn't something that could last over that kind of distance—and wasn't likely to last long term regardless. In the end, their personalities were different enough that it wasn't working out as cleanly as they'd hoped. It had been sad, but inevitable.

"Man. I barely knew she'd confessed to you, honestly. But I guess that makes sense. You talked to her at all since you came back here?"

Yu shook his head. "No, I haven't had much of a chance. I've only spoken to a few people."

"Well, I guess as soon as school started back up, Ichijo—you know, from class 2-1? well, I guess it's 3-1 now; man that's weird—anyway, he came up and confessed to her! She accepted, which I mean I suppose is a little quick, and I didn't even know she liked him, but... Man, I don't even know what to think about it. Whatever makes her happy, I guess."

Yu's lips quirked into an amused smile. "Really. Good for Kou."

"Hm? Oh yeah, I guess you knew him, right? I forgot about that stint on the basketball team. Guess you knew he liked her, huh?"

Yu shrugged. "He'd mentioned it. I didn't think he'd actually act on it. I'm glad, though. I think they'll be a well-matched couple."

Yosuke stretched out. "Seems like everyone's got their own matches now. Chie's going out with Ichijo, I guess Ebihara and that soccer player friend of Ichijo's started seeing each other—"

Yu choked. "What? Daisuke and Ebi?"

"Yeah, I dunno man. I don't know either of them really well, but Chie said something about having to spend more time with Ebihara now, because of how well the two guys get along." The brunet spread his hands in an empty gesture. "Don't know details. Oh, but get this." Yosuke leaned forward, a glint in his eyes. "Yukiko confessed to someone."

That got Yu's attention. "Really? She really must be serious about staying with the inn then. Who? Did he accept?"

"Of course he accepted; you've gotta be stupid not to accept a confession from Yukiko Amagi. And get this—it's like the perfect match. She's going out with Saki-senpai's brother."

If Yu's eyes widened anymore, they'd fall out of his head. "Naoki? Really?" Thinking about it, Yosuke was right; it did seem a perfect match. They both had family ties to the area, and had needed to come to terms with wanting to stay around and help the family business. Neither of them were comfortable around large groups of people, but had a quiet sort of passion that was easy to miss. Plus, they both had a wicked sense of humor, once you got to know them. "Huh. I hadn't thought of it, but you're entirely right."

Yosuke's grin widened. "Right? Man, if Saki-senpai and I were going to be some kind of star-crossed lover story, Yukiko and Naoki is the total opposite. Seriously though, they seem really happy about it. It's both kinda cute and totally weird."

"Hmm." Yu smiled. "Anyone else? Seems like everyone paired off as soon as I left. What about Kanji?"

"Hah!" Yosuke cracked up. "Come on, be serious. You think either of them has made a move on the other? Kanji's going to wait until Naoto confesses, and Naoto is never going to get up the nerve to say anything to Kanji because that's the exact opposite of how she rolls. They're totally hopeless." He shook his head. "They are talking more often, though. It's sickeningly adorable, if I'm totally honest. It's so obvious that Kanji's got the hots for her, I kinda just wish one of them would say something. They'd both be happier without that over their heads."

I wondered why Naoto hadn't mentioned Kanji at all. I wonder if she'd talk to me about it. "I agree." Yu stretched, finished with his own food, and took the plates back to the kitchen. I can deal with those later. "What about you?"

"Huh? What about me?"

"Have you found a girl you'd like to confess to you?" Somewhere, deep inside, Yu wasn't sure he was ready for his best friend to have a girlfriend. Somehow, the rest of this friends having significant others was fine, but... There was something about the bond he'd forged with Yosuke that he wasn't sure wouldn't be changed by the addition of someone else. Not that he thought that Yosuke would forget about him, but... He couldn't describe it.

...at least, not without sounding like a petulant child.

"Nah." And with one word, a huge weight lifted from Yu's chest. "I haven't really given it a huge thought since...well, since Saki-senpai, I guess. I've just been thinking about the case so much, and then I was working at Junes all the time, and now I guess it's just back into school. I may hate it, but I need to pay a little more attention in school now if I want to go to any kind of decent uni. Ugh. I should just stay in Inaba and help manage Junes, like Dad's been talking about." A beat, and then he laughed. "Man. Did you ever think I'd say that?"

"It does seem unlike you." Yu had to smile. It was true, the Yosuke he'd met when he first came to Inaba never would have said that. But it was easier to see how much everyone had changed from the outside. I wonder if they can see anything like that in me. ...Have I really changed at all? "So tell me, Yosuke. You said school has only been in session for a few days. Even for you, that seems like a shorter tolerance than normal."

"What? Come on, dude! Do you even need to ask? It's school!" Yosuke groaned. "At least it's not like last year, with King Moron and Kashiwagi. My homeroom teacher is approaching some kind of normal this time."

Yu let Yosuke detail his classes, letting the words fill his brain and block out all the tension from his own school. For the first time since he'd left Inaba, Yu felt like he could relax. If he didn't pay close attention, he could imagine they were sitting in his room at Dojima's house, with the faint noise of Nanako's game show playing downstairs...the soft sound of the coffeemaker as his uncle made drinks for everyone...the dog that always seemed to be barking outside at night, and Yosuke talking about classes. It felt right. It felt normal.

"Hello? Earth to Yu, you awake in there?"

Yu blinked rapid fire, focusing back in on Yosuke. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Man, I know school's boring, but you're the one who asked. Did you even hear my question?"

Yu's gaze dropped. "No, I'm sorry. I..." He sighed, raising his gaze again to look out the window. "I got wrapped up in thinking that it..." He trailed off, scratching his head.

Yosuke's eyebrows furrowed. "Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right? You're my best friend, partner." He leaned in, elbows on the table. "What's up?"

Yu hesitated, but then glanced back to his friend. "It felt normal, for the first time since I left Inaba. With you here, talking about school..." He shook his head. "Nothing's felt right since I returned. It's strange. I knew my classmates here for a year before I left, and I knew you all for a year, but everyone here... It's like I never existed. I was never close to anyone anyway, but..."

"Hey." Yosuke swatted at him. "For one, you and me and all our friends back at Yasogami went through a hell of a lot more in that year than you did your year here. Right?" Yu managed a faint smile and a nod. "And two...thanks, man." Yosuke grinned. "I know it's weird, but it's really good to hear you say that."

"Say...which part, exactly?" Yu's head tilted.

"That this feels normal." He gestured between the two of them. "I'm not gonna lie, there was a part of me that was really afraid that after you went back here...you wouldn't look back." Before Yu could protest, Yosuke put a hand up. "I know, I know. I didn't mean that you'd forget about us, I just..." He crossed his arms. "I know how I felt, when I moved to Inaba. I wanted to get back to a city more than anything. I never really thought you felt that same way, especially by the time you left, but...I guess you're just pretty hard to read still, partner." The brunet gave him an honest smile. "I'm never quite sure with you."

Yu managed a smile back, though it felt like his heart was breaking. They can't read me... I can't say I'm surprised. Of all of them, I'm the one who never had his Shadow truly revealed. How could they ever think...? "Did the others...?" He couldn't finish the sentence.

"What, think the same? I never asked, but I think we all kinda wondered. I'm not exactly proud to say I doubted you, but..." Yosuke scratched his head. "Well, you've pretty much seen all the parts of me I'm not proud of; what's one more?" Yosuke laughed, and Yu's smile widened to match. "Anyway, back to the question I asked that you didn't hear. I was wondering when you were going to be able to get back for a visit. I know it's kinda soon, but there's no chance you'll snag some time during Golden Week...is there?"

The smile faded, and Yu sighed. "I don't know. I want to, and I have the money for the ticket. I just..." He glanced at the door.

Yosuke's eyes followed. "What, your parents? Why would they have a problem with it?"

"They want me focused on my future." He couldn't help the bitterness in his voice. "Looking at colleges, studying for placement exams, thinking of a future job."

"And...you have to do that over Golden Week?" Yosuke's eyebrows raised.

"I don't think it's about Golden Week." Yu let his gaze match his friend's, knowing that for all his lack of focus in school, Yosuke wasn't stupid.

Sure enough, Yosuke's face twisted in a grimace. "Oh, come on, man. You're serious? And you're just supposed to pretend you didn't live somewhere else for a year? Didn't make friends? Just totally abandon everything?"

"My father was born and raised in Tokyo. Small towns are places for..." Yu winced, but finished the sentence, despite his better judgment. "...unimportant people to live."

"Unim-portant...!" Yosuke sputtered.

Yu held up a hand. "That's what he thinks. And my mother..." He shook his head. "My mother loves her brother, and is grateful that I had somewhere to live last year. But Inaba isn't a 'real' place to her. It's just that tiny town where her brother decided to waste his life. It's not a place for someone with a future." Yu couldn't keep looking at Yosuke. "It was a nice experience, but now it's time to look for something real."

"You've got to be kidding." Yosuke's complaint met silence, and he stood up. "Come on, man! There's no way you can just let them do that to you! So what, they're just going to keep you locked up here the whole school year?" When Yu still didn't answer, Yosuke groaned. "Yu..."

"Trust me, I'm not happy about it, and I'm not giving up," he finally murmured. "They don't...they won't understand. They won't listen." Yu stood as well, moving to sit on the couch. "Would you believe, they never asked me about my year?"

The brunet was agape. "You're kidding! Not once?"

Yu shook his head. "They picked me up at the station, told me they were so thrilled to finally have me back in the city, and they just couldn't wait to tell me all about their year abroad. As if there was nothing at all that could have happened in Inaba to be worth mentioning."

"Well, I mean that's probably true of a normal year, but...to not even ask? I don't get your parents, man."

"Neither do I." He stared across at the blank television. Hey, have you guys heard that rumor about watching a TV on a rainy day? A voice calling to him, the screen rippling like a pool of water disrupted by a stone...

"Hey." Yu's head lifted at the sound of Yosuke's voice. "Have you ever...?" He nodded to the TV. "I mean, who even knows where you'd end up from all the way out here, but..."

Yu shook his head. "It doesn't work. I can't go through. It was probably just the TVs in Inaba." He tilted his head. "Can you all still go through?"

Yosuke shrugged. "We could for a while, but I guess it wore off or something. Ted can still come through and go back, but that's probably because he's from over there. There's really nothing to do over there anymore anyway. It's really pretty, but that's about it. If I just want nice scenery, I can go up to the overlook hill." Yosuke sat down on the floor near the couch. "That sucks about your parents though, man. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Unless you can come up with a compelling reason for two business-minded people to agree to let their only son go off to a tiny town you see no worth in, then I'm not sure this is a fight you can help me win." Yu hated the weight of futility that pressed down on him every time he thought about this. He hated feeling trapped.

He hated how alone he was here.

Yosuke snapped his fingers. "What if I say my dad's offering you a management position at Junes? I bet he would too! He was always really impressed when you came to help me out."

Yu gave Yosuke a grateful smile. "Somehow, I don't think Junes is exactly what my parents are thinking of."

"Come on, it's worth a shot, isn't it? I can even say that's why I'm here!" Yu wasn't convinced, but his partner was too fired up to hear argument. "It'll be perfect. Hey, when are they going to be back anyway? It's like being back at Dojima-san's."

"You aren't the first to make that connection..." Yu murmured.

Just as he finished, he heard the door to his parents' house open and close. "Yu-kun? You awake? We're home!" his mother called.

Yosuke was already on his feet, eyes desperate. "Come on, partner. Let me at least try."

Yu sighed. "All right. It can't do any harm."

And hey, if my parents meet a friend of mine from Inaba, they have to at least acknowledge that the last year happened, right...?