III - The High Empress / Character Profile: Erin Suzuki

Third-year student at Yasogami High, and an aspiring actress. Though seemingly clumsy, and distracted, she's actually pretty thoughtful, and was apart of the Investigation Team last year. She fights with her knives in an almost acrobatic way, and her Persona, Freya is able to heal, and freeze her opponents.

Scene 1: Junes

My name is Erin Suzuki, but people close to me simply call me Rin, for short. I'm a third-year at Yasogami High. A-And I know what you're thinking, "Wow, a senior! You must have your whole life planned out already!"

Well, actually... I don't. I have no idea what I want to be when I'm older, or if I even want to go to a university after I graduate... If I graduate, I should say. I'm pretty mediocre when it comes to academics, and have no trace of athelticism whatsoever. The only thing I'm really good at is acting, or baking, but even then, I don't see myself doing either as a career.

I felt like everything was easier a year ago... Oh! Maybe I should backtrack a little...? A year ago I had joined an Investigation Team, and together we solved a murder mystery! I know, pretty exciting, huh...?

I had gotten especially close to three people on the team.

First, there was Yosuke Hanamura. He's my best friend, and the first friend I made when I moved to Inaba. He's really cheerful, but sometimes he says things that are, well... Kinda mean. Oh! But not on purpose or anything! I guess he just doesn't think before he talks, like I do...

Then there's Naoto Shirogane. We're a pretty mismatched pair when we're together; in fact, we're complete opposites. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also one of the smartest people I know. I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I still don't understand half the words she uses when she's talking to me...

Finally, I befriended a foreigner named Michiyo Nakashima. She's really shy, but we share a lot of common interests. Even though she was the last member to join our team, we became fast friends.

To be honest, I hadn't talked to any of them in awhile... Naoto in particular (I work with Yosuke, so he doesn't really count). The last I heard was that she picked up another case, and was going to be busy during Golden Week. She sounded really disappointed on the phone too... That was a few days ago, I think. I haven't talked to her since; If she was doing some big case, I didn't want to bother her.

I haven't had much time to myself, actually. All I do after I get off from work, or school is pass out on my bed, and repeat. It doesn't help that the holidays are coming up... It's the busiest time for Junes. But I had plans for this upcoming week, and nothing, and I mean nothing could bring me down! Yu Narukami's coming down to spend his holidays in Inaba, and me and the rest of the team are going to throw him a little get-together.

Oh! Right-um... you could say he was the leader of our team last year. In fact, I had affectionally called him Leader-kun when we were together, to the point where he told me that just Yu would be fine...

I really look up to him, and so does everyone else I think. Not only is he handsome, but he's also calm, and mature for his age... Something I could never be.

As I continue mopping the floors, I catch a bit of the conversation between two middle-aged women.

▶ "Did you hear?"

▶ "Yeah, that the Midnight Channel was back on?"

The Midnight Channel...? I almost drop my mop at the name, but quickly scramble, and pick it up, less they heard me and left. That was one thing I didn't want to remember...

Last year, there was a rumor that if you looked into a switched-off TV at midnight, while it was raining, your soulmate would appear. But everyone on the Investigation Team knew that wasn't the case... It actually showed the next potential murder victim.

But, why would it be back on? Didn't it end when we convicted Tohru-san...? Before I could think, I had already pulled out my phone, and begun going down my phone contacts. I wanted to call Naoto-kun first... I wasn't as deductive as she was, and had a feeling if anyone could figure this out, it'd be her.

I waited approximately 15 seconds before she picked up.

▶ "Ah, Rin-san, I didn't expect to hear from you soon. Not that I'm complaining."

I tried to keep my voice even. I didn't want her to worry after all.

▶ "U-Uh, hey Naoto-kun! ... I'm not bothering you, or anything, am I?"

▶ "No, it's quite alright."

I could hear a faint smile in her voice. She sounded a little tired too.

▶ "Is something bothering you?"

And of course she could tell... She was one of my best friends after all. There was no beating around the bush with her.

▶ "It's just..."

I chew on my bottom lip thoughtfully. Suddenly, this hadn't felt like such a good idea... I was wondering if I could get away with lying to her, but she'd probably notice. 'sides, I'm not really the best liar to begin with. With a sigh, I told her the real reason I called.

▶ "I-I heard that the Midnight Channel was back."

▶ "...The Midnight Channel?"

She sounded skeptical... Of course, I would be too.

▶ "Are you sure?"

▶ "W-Well, I overheard some women talking about it, but I'm not entirely sure... In fact, isn't it going to rain tonight?"

▶ "I believe so... I have no way of checking, however, since I'm not in Inaba at the moment..."

I frown. Crap, why'd I even call her...? Naoto-kun probably had enough on her plate without me throwing more stress on her... I run my hand through my hair, and try laughing to lighten the mood.

▶ "I-I see... Hey listen, I have to get back to work now, but... Call me later?"

I didn't tag "please" at the end of it, even though I really wanted to.

▶ "Yes... Until then."

We exchanged brief goodbyes, and then I hung up the phone. It looked like I had to figure this out on my own... Then my thumb scrolled down to the 'N' section of my phonebook, and then things became a little clearer...


Scene 2: Erin's Room

I had called Michiyo-chan when I got home, and 10 minutes later we were both in my room, munching quietly on a bag of chips I had brought up.

My room's pretty... Plain, for a seventeen year-old girl. Next to the door, there's a twin bed against the wall, and diagonal to that is my desk. There's a window beside that, a small, 12-inch TV, and the walls are painted an off-white color. I didn't have much back in the city; I'm not really materialistic. It's simple, but it's enough for me.

I look at the clock: 11:55... There was still some time before midnight... God, I really hoped nothing would appear.

She must've sensed my unease, and smiled at me reassuringly. It took some effort, but I managed to smile back.

▶ "Only 5 minutes to midnight... Do you think something will show...?"

She stared at the ground, frowning. I forgot, this would be her first time seeing the Midnight Channel with her own eyes.

▶ "I-I'm not sure... I got a bad feeling it will..."

I shook my head, and gave her a hard look. We couldn't just think the worse! I-I mean... The Midnight Channel's been off for a few months now... I was sure nothing would show... At least, part of me did.

▶ "D-Don't say that! We just gotta stay positive!"

I smiled, and winked at her, and she returned it with a hopeless look. I always told myself to be strong, and stay positive... Giving up was not in my nature, and I wasn't about to give up now. I watched Chiyo-chan twirl a strand of dark brown hair, and sigh.

▶ "S-Sorry... I guess I still haven't stopped looking at the negative things, huh?"

▶ "Hey..."

Audible static cuts me off, and when the clock strikes 12, much to our horror, the TV flickered to life. We both gasped in unison, and stared intently at the screen. What aired looked sorta like a... Fighting promo? I'm not a newbie to videogames, so I'm pretty sure I can recognize one when I see one. But what really threw me off was that the contenders... Were all members of the Investigation Team! Except Ted-kun... It looked like he might've been the host... And Rise-chan was no where to be seen.

When the promo ended, we were both speechless; the only sound in the room was from the rain outside. Finally, I decided to speak.

▶ "... G-Graceless?! I mean, I'm a little clumsy, but..."

I guess I stood up too quickly, because I had tripped, and stumbled over the bowl of chips. Great Erin, live up to your tagline! She scratched her cheek, and laughed lightly. She probably placed it there on purpose.

▶ "Uh... I guess it suits us somehow though."

I sighed in defeat. Alright, maybe I wasn't the most graceful person I know... But I had some grace I thought... I dusted off my shirt, and sat on the edge of my bed. Chiyo-chan sat next to me, and the springs creaked from the added weight. She was right, but... Questions were swimming in my head, and I wanted answers.

▶ "Oh man... But w-what should we do? Should we call someone...?"

I looked to her for my answers, but I knew she was in the dark like I was. She looked thoughtful for a minute, before she shrugged her shoulders. I really wished Yu-kun was here... He'd know what to do. I wasn't one for calling the shots.

▶ "M-Maybe we shouldn't worry everyone... I don't want to worry Yu... He just got back after all..."

▶ "But we need to do something, right?! I-I mean..."

The brodcast seemed harmless enough... rude taglines aside... But it still didn't explain why the Midnight Channel was back. I swallowed the growing lump in my throat, and came to a conclusion. There was only one option, after all...

▶ "... Tomorrow... Let's go inside the TV!"


A/N: Yeah, I know you're supposed to be alone when watching the Midnight Channel, but... Shhh, don't question me!