Author's Note: Well… in the end I ended up writing another chapter of my supposed one-shot. Why I did escapes me, but I might as well post it. I'm not sure I it's that good or anything but if I have it might as well post.
...
This, to say the least, was awkward. And not like it was just simply awkward, it was like you were suffocating from the thick atmosphere. Souji found it incredibly hard to breathe, he had thought today was going to be a good day; now, not so much. Today meant a lot to him but he didn't feel as great as he did this morning. If anything, he wished he'd never have gotten out of bed at all.
You're probably going to ask; why is Souji feeling so bad right now?
Well it would be hard to explain, unless I went back into time. To be specific, about a week ago...
With a click of his phone he quickly stashed it away in his jacket pocket. He had absolutely no idea what the hell he had just done. It was just an innocent phone call, from his girlfriend no less. But to four teenage girls it was so much more, that one phone call had started something so much bigger no one could ever imagine. Souji looked up to see that all his friends were staring at him, even Yosuke whose face was drenched in blood and Kanji who a second ago fainted from blood loss. They all had different looks on their faces but that didn't help Souji feel any better; he felt really small and helpless at the moment.
"So? Who was it?"
Everyone turned to Yosuke, for the obvious reason. Then they deterred their attention to their leader for his answer. I'm pretty sure that they all knew the answer, but they wanted to hear from Souji anyway.
The pressure got to him and in the end he said some things that were quite unnecessary.
"W-Well, that was my girlfriend; Marie. Something came up and now she'll have to stay with me for the next while..."
The stares were still on him, and while he thought they couldn't get any scarier than they already could he swore he saw sparks flying.
Now I'm not going to say that the investigation team is stupid, but it took them a second to process the information; even Naoto genius detective took the time to take it all in.
Souji is letting his girlfriend stay with him...
His girlfriend is staying with Souji...
Souji and his girlfriend are staying in the same house...
Souji and his girlfriend are staying in the same room...
(Wait... What?)
Souji and his girlfriend are staying in the same bed...
...
Okay, slow down there. How the hell did you guys arrive from this to that? I mean, yeah most of the time you'd think that but c'mon how far can your imagination go? I even had to cut off some of that train of thought cause it is way too explicit to show to the readers who are expecting a T-rated story.
...
*A-hem!*
You get the point.
Well this was way too much to take in. So you know what? I'll just let you see what happened.
"S-S-Senpai! H-How could you! I-I-I... *WWAAHH!*"
Rise was bawling her eyes out, she couldn't take anymore. The information was just too much for the delicate idol's heart, knowing that the target of your affections already has someone can hurt you so deeply. Especially if it's a guy like Souji. With tears in her eyes she just ran as far as she could, she just couldn't be with Souji at the moment.
"WAAAAHH!"
"A-Ah! Rise! Where are you...?"
He was about to try and catch up to her, see what was wrong and all. Souji wasn't sure what got Rise all worked up like that, but it must've been pretty bad. But before he could something had slapped him right across the face, it had literally came out of nowhere and it came hard.
"Oh...? I don't know what came over me. I just had this incredible urgeto slap you..."
If a word was used to describe Yukiko right now it'd have to be terrifying. Her words were innocent yet the meaning behind them and the face she made did not match at all. The scarier part was that weird smile she had on; it was like she was trying so hard to hide something it came out as a demented smirk. Her hand was slightly trembling but only because it looked like she wanted to hit Souji again, and again, and again, and again...
Instead she took one big breath, and left.
"Humph!"
"W-wait Yukiko what's the matter?"
Souji was rubbing the cheek that was without a doubt going to bruise. It hurt a lot but that's to be expected from Yukiko, she is much stronger than most people would like to admit. But then again, Souji just didn't get what she was so mad about. He was going to catch up with her when Chie stood in his way.
Chie is usually the one to shout out her opinion regardless of the situation; she'd overreact to just about anything. The Chie in front of him looked completely passive; there was no reaction or expression whatsoever. Souji took that as a warning, there's something completely wrong with this.
"Uh-h Chie? Is something the matt...!"
*Wham!*
Critical Strike to the nads!
Weakness has been exposed!
In one swift moment with all her strength she let him have; HARD! I swear that it was the most excruciating thing I have ever seen, it's not even possible that a mortal man could survive such an attack. Even for Souji, it was just...
"Ah-h-h-Ah..."
Clutching something that was once there he collapsed to the ground. The pain was indescribable, and Souji looked like he was going to die...
Chie did not look like she regretted at all what she had done, in fact her impassive face made it all the more horrifying as she walked away from Souji who was without a doubt in immeasurable pain. Normally Yosuke's the one that gets this kind of treatment, and all he could do was try to help him recover; now he could sympathize.
Naoto just stood above Souji's curled up body with a look of disgust and distain. Being a detective you learn how to control your expressions for the more obvious reasons. But the look on her face suggested that she had lost all sense of reasoning. Even the tone of her voice mirrored her internal anger.
"I... I... I expected so much more from you Senpai. But now? Now I think that you're nothing but an indecent, inconsiderate, lousy, psychotic, egotistic, idiotic, perverted, moronic, immature, scum of the earth, inhuman, animalistic, but most of all you're just a complete IDIOT!"
Naoto was never one to say such offensive things, nor one to raise her voice. But when she did it felt like Inaba had frozen over, the sheer power from her words could probably make the bravest of men cower in fear. And from that it was although from her words it had caused physical and emotional pain to Souji, her words seemed to have stabbed him and while in reality that doesn't happen Naoto made it possible.
"I... Don't like to resort to violence but..."
*WHAM!*
Critical strike to the nads!
Your weakness has been exposed again!
If it wasn't bad enough she had deliberately kicked him again while he was down. Naoto had somewhat regretted that as she cringed when Souji let out a low painful moan, but in spite of that she left without another word.
Kanji was shocked, he could not get what the hell just happened out of his mind. At least he did do the right thing and not get himself involved with whatever was going on. He went over to pick up his Senpai knowing the he was almost dead and couldn't do anything.
"Senpai? You alright? I don't kno' what happened and all but man did that look like it hurt!"
"Uhhhh..."
"Oh! Umm...! Guess I better getcha' some help... Yo, Yosuke-senpai, Teddie give me a hand why dontcha?"
He turned his head to where he was supposed to see them come to help. Instead he sees Yosuke in a complete state of depression not willing to move one step and Teddie was nowhere to be seen; probably got really scared and booked it when he got the chance.
"Well... Looks like they won't be much help..."
Kanji proceeded to bring Seta Souji home since he couldn't do it himself at the moment. Oh and that night Souji had the worst nightmare of his life, he felt as though he was being chased by Chie, Naoto, Yukiko, and Rise; but instead of the usual happiness and glee he usually felt from them they all felt like they wanted to kill him. Let's end the dream there; it gets extremely graphic.
Ever since then things haven't been the same between the Investigation Team. Yosuke had gotten over the fact that he was currently single (The means to get over that are completely up to you...), Kanji didn't really change since it was confusing him too, and Teddie... Well he's Teddie. The girls however, that's a completely different story. During the course of the entire week the girls would bluntly ignore the guys in just any way possible. When Souji would try to speak with them they'd always come up with one reason or another to avoid him even if they tried to make something up, it was getting ridiculous (especially when one of the excuses was that they wanted to go buy "girl things" all at the same time...). Souji was obviously displeased, his best friends have been avoiding him and he doesn't get why. He's been trying everything to at least get everyone together; inviting everyone to go eat, visit town to shop, tutoring, hanging out, anything. Everything has failed.
On the flip side, all the girls have found it constantly impossible to avoid Souji, and that it's been a miracle that they've done it for a whole week. Souji has been trying to get everyone together, and while they really want to go at the same time they're still mad about the fact that Souji has a girlfriend. It's not like they could get over it that easily, it hit them pretty hard. Besides, even though they're acting like that I'm pretty sure that they are just beyond jealous that someone already took Souji. If they ever found her I'm pretty sure it'd get ugly.
But I digress, let's continue.
Souji had decided enough was enough. He's going to get everyone together and find out why they've been avoiding him. This was not going to continue long, Souji has tried everything but one thing; making boxed lunches. This plan has never failed him ever since he came to Inaba. Every time he made one of his delicious lunches no matter who he had invited they'd come; even if they had other plans cause they know how good it is, Souji has had no plans of becoming a chef but with some sort of strange luck and knowledge he has the ability to be top class.
(Huh... I wonder how...)
Today's Friday and by tomorrow he will have reunited the investigation team from whatever was keeping them apart.
...
(Does he really not get why? I mean come on! It's his fault... Whatever...)
Somehow he was able to make enough boxed lunches for the entire team in one night. It had taken a lot of his time but his will and preservation allowed him to accomplish his task. When lunch rolled around his plan had already been set in motion. On the rooftop on their usual seats, was the investigation team all with a large and hefty bento box easily twice the size of a regular bento on their laps. Honestly, he may have over done it with the food but no one was complaining. Although he was able to gather everyone together, the atmosphere was still reminiscent on what had happened last week.
So you'd think this was where the chapter began but that in fact does not happen yet my dear reader, be patient and all your questions shall be answered.
The dark aura was coming from the girls which was not surprising in the slightest, but that didn't make it any less intimidating. For the most part this lunch that was supposed to be filled with chatter and laughter was completely and utterly silent. Souji was all most choking from the silence, he needed to do something fast or all his hard work would have gone to waste.
"So... Uh... Guys how's everyone doing?"
"Fine."
"Not bad."
"Great."
"Pretty good."
...
Short, straight, and totally not what he was looking for. Normally he's not the one to start the conversation but keep it going and alive. Souji felt defeated. If there is some sort of divine being, please help this poor soul. This time Yosuke decided to try his hand.
"H-H-Hey guys! You know we haven't been training enough recently, so how about we head on over to the "Other Side"?"
"Don't really feel like it."
"Too busy to do that eight now."
"I'm not in the mood."
"I believe that it's not such a great idea."
Well he did do better than Souji...
But jeez, it's a nice sunny day but the temperature around these guys as they eat their food is turning colder and colder. Is that snow I see in the corner? Yosuke did nothing but hung his head in defeat. Teddie wasn't around since it's school time right now which leaves Kanji being the only one to be able to salvage a conversation.
"Ummmm... Do any of ya have plans for tommorrow?"
"My parents want me to help out around the house."
"The Inn has a large regular group coming tommorrow."
"Grandma needs help with the shop."
"There's a case in which requires my attention."
Oh dear, things are getting really bad...
Kanji just turns his head towards Yosuke and Souji in hopes of something that might happen. Yosuke seemed skeptical to answer but it was so quiet he needed something even the sound of his own voice.
"Well, tommorrow I guess I'll have to help out around the store."
"Maa might need me..."
Nothing...
Worst conversation ever...
Will nothing interesting happen? Will our heroes and readers be subjugated to a filler chapter that has no significance to the story?
"That reminds me I have to pick her up tommorrow..."
...
Oh? Is that a story plot set in motion I see?
"... What?"
That caught everyone off guard and immediately all eyes were on the silver-haired boy. Souji seemed to ignore the stares of confusion as he was currently deep in thought.
"Let's see tommorrow morning is when she'll arrive so we'd get back home before noon to get her all settled in. Then we'll have a meal and then I'll show her around town..."
What was this man talking about? Who's she? Yosuke, being the only one to take the initiative decided to ask.
"Who are you talking about partner? More importantly what are you talking about?"
"Huh? Didn't I tell you already? My girlfriend is coming to live with me here. I thought I told you this last week?"
...
There was nothing but the wind passing by, no one dared moved as a creepy and sickening aura was creeping up to them. Yosuke, Kanji, and Souji started to shiver with goosebumbs and a strange sense of fear started to well up in them. The girls were not happy, not in the slightest. This time their anger was not going to be directed at the object of their affections. The murderous intent was painstakingly glaring as the girls filled with anger left the rooftop without another word.
"D-D-Dude...? What the hell was that?"
"I-I-I don kno' but that was damn scary..."
"What's gotten into them?"
"Souji... You don't get why?"
"No do you?"
"Well kind of but..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"So uh wanna come meet her tommorrow?"
"Yeah... Yeah I do..."
"Don't really hav' anythin' better to do..."
And that my friends, is pretty much what set the gears in motion...
This, to say the least, was awkward. And not like it was just simply awkward, it was like you were suffocating from the thick atmosphere. Souji found it incredibly hard to breathe, he had thought today was going to be a good day; now, not so much. Today meant a lot to him but he didn't feel as great as he did this morning. If anything, he wished he'd never have gotten out of bed at all.
You're probably going to ask; why is Souji feeling so bad right now?
Well it would be hard to explain, but since we just went through the flashback it will be so much easier.
Well the guys came with Souji to the train station waiting to pick up a certain person, what they didn't expect were the girls that were also at the station. Of course their plan was obvious but that didn't stop one partial idiot to poke his head in, in this case it's dense Souji.
"Why are you guys here? I thought all of you were busy?"
"Parents ran out of jobs to give..."
"The guests "Mysteriously" cancelled their trip..."
"Wasn't busy at the shop..."
"The case I was handling was easily solved without my assistance..."
Obvious excuses aside, they were here and they would stop at nothing until they see this so-called girlfriend.
And so Souji, Kanji, and Yosuke were sandwiched in-between girls out for blood waiting for a train that seemed like it would take forever to arrive. And that is no fun no matter how you look at it.
Let's just pray that they come out of this predicament alive...
To Be Continued…? (Maybe, Maybe Not?)