Persona : The Shades Of Our Soul
Chapter 2
12/8/2012, Early Morning
Afer that weird dream with the Velvet residents, Yu was left without any clue about what's going to happen next. On his way to school, he always thought about what Margaret has told him, that his fate is like no other, his fate is more complicated than it's looked like. Well, after some deep thought, he still can't find out what's the true meaning of Margaret words. And when he come back to reality, he heard someone calling for him.
"Yu-senpaiiii! Good morning!", and it was Rise who called her. "Good morning, Rise.", was all Yu's respond to her. "What's up, Senpai? Do you have something in mind?", Rise asked, worried about his senpai who is making some confused face. "Well, nothing, really. I'm just thinking about my future, that's all. Well, are you worried?", Yu asked her back. "Well, of course, you dummy! I cared about you a lot since-", Rise said to Yu, but then she mumbled something, which Yu can heard. "Oh silly, how can I said it out loud in front of him!?", was all Rise's mumbling. "Since what, Rise?", Yu asked. "N-N-No, it's nothing, Senpai.", Rise replied. Rise's starting to blush, her face was red crimson, which is oblivious to Yu. And after some walk with silence between the two of them, Yu breaks the ice. "Well, Rise, what about you and me go to Aiya after school? I really wanted to grab some eat.", Yu asked her. "Really, Senpai? Just the two of us?", Rise asked with excitement. "Yeah, I only asked you, really. But, hey, I really wanted to ask you something.", Yu asked nervously. Rise was completely oblivious with his Senpai behavior, but she left it hanging. "So what is it Senpai?", Rise asked.
"Well, what do you feel about-"
"Yo, partner! And, hey Rise!", it was Yosuke who crushed into the party. But after Yosuke's greetings to the two of them, Yu's face turned into some kind of anger towards Yosuke, and Rise's face turned red again just in a few minutes. And after some awkward moments, "Emm, I'm going to run to the school, 'kay? My stomach's messed again. Well, see ya later, Senpais!", Rise said, running forward, leaving Yu and Yosuke.
"Yosuke, what was that all about? I'm still trying to make my move towards Rise, you know? And you ruined it at all!", was all Yu said. And with that, Yosuke was shocked with his partner. "Really, Yu!? Oh God, sorry for ruining your time with her. Really, I didn't mean it.", Yosuke said with apologetic face. "It's okay, man. Well, I'm going to Aiya after school, but I still have some basketball practice before that. And I don't know how could I tell Rise about that. I can't cancel my date with her, really.", Yu's confused now. 'Well, I don't think you can go to the basketball practice today, dude. It's going to rain this afternoon, so you can go to Aiya after school.", Yosuke said to Yu. And Yu was relieved with what Yosuke just said, so that means he and Rise could go for some eat after school.
12/8/2012, After School
Yasogami High School, 1st floor
Yu was waiting near the lockers. He waited for his crush, Rise Kujikawa, the idol. He's kind of nervous lately, simply this is not him. He still can deals with any girls, talk with any girls without any problem. But with Rise, everything gone wrong. It seems that Yu lost his confident self. He's nervous. And yes, after some thought about that, he can find the reason why he lost his confidence when he talked with Rise. Yeah, Yu's in love with her. And after some minutes waiting, Rise came down.
"Hey Senpai! So, are we really going to Aiya now?", Rise asked, excited. "Yeah, Rise. Let's go.", Yu replied. But when he turned his face to the school gate, Rise grabbed his hand and then looked directly into Yu's eyes. Yu was shocked to find out that Rise really grabbed his hand, not in a cute manner, and when he saw Rise's eyes, he knows for sure that she's in her serious mood. "What is it, Rise?", Yu asked, full with curiosity. "You know, Senpai. I'm sorry for what happened back in the morning. Really, I was kinda nervous.", Yu, in fact, is very surprised, but keep his cool look. "Why?", was all Yu can ask her. "Senpai, I wanted you to know that I like you. No, I'm in love with you, Senpai. For real, I can't look you in the eye after what happened last year, when you saved me from the TV world, and when we're together with the gang, I still can't look you in the eye. For real, I love you Senpai, and I'm not kidding. I really love you the way you are. I don't know what I should do now, God I'm so nervous!", Rise said it out loud, and when she tried to look at Yu, she found Yu, smiling. And when Yu's about to answer Rise, she said something again, which shocked Yu, "But sorry, Senpai. Maybe we can't go to Aiya today. I..just wanted to clear my head. I'm going home now. See you tomorrow, Senpai!", Rise started to leave Yu there, but Yu grabbed Rise's hand again. Rise's face turned red again, three times in a day, and then Yu said, "Let's go home together, Rise.". Rise nodded, and they went home together.
…
It was so awkward, and Yu can't find the right words to tell to Rise. He liked her, no, he loved her, too. He really loved her, but he could not find the right words to say. He was very shocked when Rise said it out loud that Rise loved him. And Yu's not ready for that, yet. Rise, in fact, is silent for the whole time when they're together, and Yu completely lost. He can't find out anything that he should do to or tell her. Well, after they arrived at Rise's house, Yu gathered his courage. "Rise..", Rise turned her attention to Yu, "..i know now that you loved me, Rise. But really, I don't know what to say when you say you love me. I don't know what to say. I'm completely shocked, surprised, and happy. I love you too, Rise. I love you. I love you the way you are, too. Not because you're Risette, I love you because you're Rise. The Rise I know for a year, the Rise I love.". Rise's face burned crimson, and after that, she stelaed a kiss from Yu's lips, pressed her lips against his. Yu was shocked at first, but he returned the pleasure. He kissed her back, and this kiss was very passionate. Yu kissed Rise, and Rise kissed him back. They kissed under the pouring rain. They don't give a shit if it's raining, they just wanted to release their feelings for each other in their first kiss, and it's turned out that they are really pleasured with this kiss. And after they broke the kiss, Rise said "I love you, Senpai.", and so Yu replied, "I love you too, Kohai.". Rise's face turned red again, and then Rise said goodbye to her new boyfriend, since she's entering her house. And for that moment, Yu's happy. Really happy.
12/8/2012, Evening
Dojima Residence
Yu and Nanako sit together in the living room, and it's still raining. It seems that the rain won't stopped until the the day after tomorrow, according to the weather forecast. Yu watched the TV while he's still eating tonkatsu with Nanako, and after some talk, Yu returned his attention to the news in the TV. The TV shows the news about Yasogami's Basketball Team's victory in the national tournament, which Yu participated in.
When Nanako saw Yu's playing basketball recording, Nanako squealed. "Wowww, Big Bro! So you won the competition? You're so cool, Big Bro!", Yu only smiled to her, which she replies with a smile, too. And then, the TV reporter walked into the court after the game ended and talked to the team's captain. And it's his friend, Kou Ichijo.
"Good evening, Kou. Congratulations for your team victory. You played great out there, with you scored the second highest point in your team. So then, any opinions about the game?", the reporter asked. "Yeah, it's a good game in the final, and I can't forget this. What's important for me is my team's victory, not my individual achievements. I really wanted to say thanks to my teammates who always supported me as the captain and always played hard, no matter how hard is the game.", Kou replied, and Yu knows too well that Yu was the one who scored the highest point in the game, thanks to Kou's assists. And after that, the news ended.
Nanako was left with an awe. "Wow, Big Bro! You're very cool back then. I know you played basketball back then, bu I don't know that you're very cool when you played it, and above all that, you won, Big Bro! Congrats!", Nanako was very excited after she saw the news. "Yeah, Nanako, thanks a lot. But you know, I can't do so much if I don't have my friends in the team. It's teamwork!", Yu said, being modest. And after Yu said that, Dojima came in. "I'm home. Hello Nanako, Yu.", which Yu and Nanako replied in unison, "Welcome back!". This made Dojima smiled, and after he took a sit, he started to talk. "Yu, everyone in my office was talking about you. And because of your achievement, I was bombarded with 'Congrats, Dojima-san!' for an hour after the news aired last afternoon. And when I went to my car, one of my juniors said that he admired you a lot. Well, thanks, Yu.", Dojima said in sarcastic tone. And after that, all of them laughed together.
And after saying goodnights to Nanako and Dojima, Yu went to his room, urged to bed.
12/8/2012, Late Night
After he entered his room, Yu grabbed his phone and called his new girlfriend, Rise. He wondered whether Rise is still up or not. And when he pressed call and waited for some seconds, he heard her cute voice.
"Good evening, Senpaiii! I missed you a lot, y'know. I know it's just a few hour after our first kiss, but really, I missed you so much.", was all Rise said to Yu. "Yeah Rise, I missed you too. I wanted to know if you're still awake or not. I wanted to talk you, since we're dating now.", Yu said to Rise. "So, we're officially dating now? Yeeey! It's like a dream come true, Senpai!". Yu can see her face blushing right now when she asked this. And then Yu answered, "Yeah Rise, we're officially dating, and I can't wait to tell the others. Really, I don't want to hide our relationship from anyone. I wanted everyone to know.". When Yu said this, Rise was shocked. "Really, Senpai? I kinda not ready if everyone knows about us..", but Yu's mind's made up. "No worries. I'm with you, Kohai. And yeah, wanna go to Aiya tomorrow?", Yu asked, changing the topic. Yu's words made Rise happier and happier, and then Rise answered, "Yeah, Senpai. Let's go to Aiya tomorrow. And yeah, it's almost midnight. So I'm going to bed or eles I'll be late tomorrow. Good night Senpai. I love you!", Rise shouted from the phone, which make Yu laughed and replied Rise, "Yeah, and I'm kinda sleepy, too. Goodnight, Rise. I love you too.", and after that, he ended the call. But when Yu was about to hit his futon, the clock stroke midnight.
12/8/2012, Midnight
When Yu saw the clock has stroke midnight, he saw the TV in his room started to glow murky green. And when it striked his mind, he knows it for sure. The Midnight Channel aired again. Yu set his eyes on the TV, and saw a silhouette of a young man with a rather untidy hair. The hair of the silhouette is blue, and has a rather short body. Yu can't think about who is that person in the Midnight Channel, and after he realized it, the Midnight Channel has ended. And when he grabbed his phone, trying to contact Yosuke, Yosuke's already called him, and Yu answered the call.
"Yu! You saw it, don't you!? The Midnight Channel! But, how..", Yosuke asked Yu, startled. Yu knows for sure Yosuke is very shocked to find out that the Midnight Channel is back, and then Yu asked Yosuke to calm down. And after Yosuke calmed down, Yu explained the situation. "Yeah, you're right. The Midnight Channel is back. But I don't know for sure why it has returned, and I don't know who has returned it. So, maybe we should gather everyone at our special HQ.". Yu himself is really shocked after what happened, but he tried to stay calm. And then Yosuke answered him, "Yeah, Yu. I'll contact the others. But let's rest for tonight. See ya, Yu.", and then Yosuke hung up. Yu can't get the single clue why the Midnight Channel has returned, and so he decided to go to bed.
12/8/2012, After Midnight
?
Yu find himself in a foggy area. He can't see clearly what's ahead of him. And after he thought about where he is now, he heard a voice, calling for him.
"Do you seek the truth?", the voice echoed in the foggy area. And after Yu heard that voice, he knew that he's now in Yomotsu Hirasaka, the place where he fought Izanami, last year. And then he ran through the fog until he found the end of the area. There's a portal at the end of the road of the area, and so Yu stepped into it. And after some moments, he found himself in a whole new area, mostly covered in red color. The area shape is circle, and Yu spotted someone in the center of the area, so he walked to the centre and was shocked to find out who it is. It's his old nemeses, the one he fought so hard, the one tempted him to stay in the illusion of being with his friend forever last year.
"Izanami.", was all Yu said. And then, Izanami smiled to him. "It's been a while, my husband.".
"What do you mean by that? I'm not your husband for God's-", and then Yu realized it. It wasn't him. It's his Persona, Izanagi. And after the greetings, Yu asked , "What do you want from me, Izanami? You know, the fog has lifted in both worlds, the TV world and mine. So then why can I meet you here, in my dream?". Izanami just looked to the ground, and after that, Izanami spoke. "It's my desire to talk to you, Yu. I know this is so sudden, but I need your help."
'The god herself needed my help? What's actually happening, anyway?', Yu thought to himself. But then, he answered, "What would you like me to do?". And then Izanami explained the situation. "I know for sure that Midnight Channel has aired again in your world, am I correct?", Yu nodded to her, and then she continued, "I know it's been a while after all the events between us, but I need your help. The fog in your world an in the TV world has returned again, and I don't know who did it for now. It's out of my power to do this, since you have defeated me last year. As the guardian of both worlds, I want you to protect both, and to solve the mystery on your own.". After Izanami's explanation, Yu found himself silent, thinking about the words Izanami just said to him. And then, he asked, "You know, Izanami, I was so shocked when I found out the Midnight Channel is back, and I can only thought of two entity that has bring the fog back to both worlds and bring back the Midnight Channel, whether it's you or Ameno-sagiri, or it's an another being.", Yu told her his logical thinking. And Izanami fell silent. Yu doesn't know what's Izanami thinking, and yet, he still can't trust her for being the innocent one. "If you don't trust me, then why you still wanted to know my thoughts about this mystery?". This question shocked Yu, and then he replied to Izanami, "Really, Izanami, I can't trust you at first. But now, after hearing and thinking about what you said, I think I can trust you, and so, I'm willing to help.". Izanami smiled at this comment, and then she continued her knowledge about the mystery.
"I thought that the culprit behind this mystery is the one that you has fought back then, but beyond that, I can't think about anything else.". And so it stroke Yu again. He knows for sure who is the culprit, so then he asked her again. "Is it Hi-no-Kagutsuchi? But I've defeated it along with Adachi several months ago.", and when Yu asked Izanami this, she instantly answered, "I think it's him, since he is my son. My only son, and he has grudge on you.".
"Really? Has grudge on me? But why?", Yu asked, confused. But when he's demanding for some light, Izanami kept him in the dark. "That's your job to know the answer. And for your information, he has gained more power and he controlled the fog, more powerful than Ameno-sagiri, and more powerful than me, of course. I've tried to stop him, but he used his power. It's unimaginable, Yu, but his power is insane for a goddess like me. I can't stop him. So it's your job, Yu. I can't do anything but just to rely on you.". And with her ask for help, Yu agreed to help Izanami to stop Hi-no-Kagutsuchi. And so, after Yu agreed, Yu asked her again. "Do you know where he is now?", and then Izanami went silent again. "So you want to keep me in the dark, then. Fine, I'll find the answer myself."
And after Yu's statement, Izanami smiled. "And so, I send you back to reality. Thanks for coming and hearing me, Yu. I really appreciate it.". With her power, she blew Yu with a gust of wind and Yu went flying. And after some flying, Yu's back to reality, and find out that it's already morning. He prepared for school then, and gather all of his friends after school.
13/8/2012, Early Morning
South Shopping District, Marukyu Tofu
Yu waited outside the shop for his girlfriend to show up. And after some minutes waiting, Rise comes out and hugged Yu tightly, like she haven't met him for 10 years.
"Yuuuuuu-senpaiii! Good morning! Let's make our day the best! So, what's your plan for today?", Rise asked him with full of excitement, and then tugged on Yu's arm. Yu replied it after Rise asked him, "Well, after school, I wanted all of us to gather at our special HQ. There's something that we need to discuss about, Rise. Don't you watch the Midnight Channel last night?", Yu asked her, but when he asked her, Rise's face showed that she doesn't know anything about Midnight Channel's airing, so he explained it to her, since she went to bed after that late night call with Yu. And after some explanation, Rise said, "It's weird, Senpai. I don't know how the Midnight Channel came back, but really, I wanted to talk about this right now. Let's just ditch the class, Senpai. We can't let this one hanging and not make some action about it.", Rise's logic is what Yu admired from her, and yet, Yu loved it. "Well, we need to attend school first, and after that we can disccuss this with the others after school at Junes. But you know, Rise, I really wanted to tell you about-"
"SENPAIIII! YU-SENPAIII!", Kanji screamed from behind the two. And then Yu calmed him down. "What's up, Kanji!? You scared me to death, really. Can't you just tell me slowly and calmly?", Yu complained to his junior.
"It's about Kou-senpai. I heard from Naoki who just heard the news from Daisuke-senpai. Kou went missing."