Chapter 3: The Adventure Begins 4/14-4/15

Mika's alarm goes off too soon and she groggily rolls out of the bed and into her clothes. She must look bad because as she sits down to breakfast, Nanako keeps looking at her like she's about to shatter. Mika smiles to reassure Nanako before getting up and grabbing her stuff to go to school. It's raining pretty hard, so she grabs her umbrella and helps Nanako into her rain coat and boots. On her way Mika is almost tackled by an umbrella-less Chie.

"Sorry to butt in under yours, but mine's broken. Hehe, failed Kung-Fu move kinda killed it."

"No worries. But mine's not really meant for two people, so you're gonna have to squish in here with me."

Both girls seem to be avoiding bringing up the Midnight Channel, so they walk the rest of the way in uncomfortable silence.

After class, Yukiko heads out quickly, saying something about it being crazy busy at the inn lately. Yosuke turns to Chie and Mika and opens his mouth to say something, but promptly shuts it again without saying anything at all. Chie is shifting uncomfortably between them, so Mika takes it upon herself to bring "it" up.

"So, did you guys see 'it' last night? Because, I did…"

"Uhuh…Was, was it a girl for you guys?" Yosuke asks quietly.

"Yeah! Which I think is kinda strange. I'm not into girls, well, not like that anyway…" Mika looks away awkwardly.

"Right? How could my soulmate be a girl? When I'm a girl!"

"What did she look like for you two?"

"She had wavy brown hair, at least that's how it looked to me. It was kind of… fuzzy." Chie squints as she tries to recall what the figured looked like.

"That's the same girl I saw! But, she looked familiar somehow…" Yosuke furrows his brows as he thinks.

"How could we have all seen the same person? Does that mean we all have the same soulmate?" Mika wonders aloud. "Also, did you guys hear a voice after the screen went black again?"

"A voice? No, I didn't hear anything. You hear anything Yosuke?"

"Nope."

"Well I heard a voice. Then I touched my TV and my hand went into the TV, then I started to get sucked into my TV! But before I could go all the way in, my shoulders got stuck and I was able to pull myself out. It was the craziest thing!"

"You're right, that is crazy. You sure you weren't just dreaming?" Chie looks at her, a little concerned.

"Well, no. I'm not positive…It just seemed so real…"

"That's pretty realistic though. Getting stuck 'cause your TV was too small for you to fit."

"Oh! Crazy dreams aside and speaking of TV's, my family needs a new one. You guys sell them at Junes, right?"

"Yeah, in the electronics department. We can head over if you want. You gonna join us, Mika?"

"Sure."

They all headed to the Junes, chatting idly as they walked. Once in the electronics department, Yosuke and Chie headed towards the TVs with Chie commenting on them about it "not being cheap" or "there's way too many zeros", her voice fading slightly, all the while Mika is standing in front of a large TV. She stands there staring at her reflection, thinking to herself. I know I wasn't dreaming. I just know it. For one my imagination isn't that good, and two, I didn't just dream up this lump on the back of my head…I wonder if it would work here…

She slowly reaches out her hand to touch the screen, her finger tips dip into the screen. I knew it! I'm not crazy! Maybe I should get closer… She moves forward allowing her arm to reach farther in. Chie looks over to ask her something and sees her up to her elbow inside a TV. A strangled squeak escapes Chie's open mouth. Confused, Yosuke looks over at what is making her act so strangely. What he sees defies logic and lacking the ability to process it, his bladder suddenly threatens to fail. Chie rushes over as she shouts at Mika.

"Wha-what is happening?"

"See! I told you I put my hand into the TV!"

"Oh crap! It's like something out of the Twilight Zone! And I don't think my bladder can handle it!"

"What do we do?" Chie begins hopping around.

"I don't know! I don't know!" Yosuke starts running around doing the pee-pee dance.

"Will you two calm down and ju-!" Chie and Yosuke collide and tumble onto Mika and into the TV.

Mika's landing is cushioned by Yosuke's crumpled body, and soon Chie falls into Mika's lap with a squeal and a muffled groan from Yosuke can be heard. Chie slowly stands and helps Mika up while Yosuke groans on the floor for a few more moments before peeling himself off of it and slowly stands. All three look around at this strange place. What is this place? This fog…it's like I've seen it somewhere before…

"Where are we?" Chie asks is a shaky voice.

"I don't know. Hey, Yosuke, you alright?"

"No. Not really. I landed right on my wallet…You know, the two of you could stand to be little lighter, if you're gonna use me to cushion any more falls…" Mika purses her lips as Yosuke looks around, "So, does anyone else think that this place kinda looks like a TV studio?"

"Yeah, it kinda does…It's creepy. C'mon guys, let's get out of here." Chie's voice trembles slightly.

"Sure thing. Either of you see a way back up?" Mika didn't intend to sound sarcastic.

"Crap. No. Um, maybe we should look around for another way out." Yosuke says as he points out a pathway leading off into the dense fog.

"Guess there's nothing else we can do. Let's go, Chie." This place is really starting to freak me out. How are we supposed to get out of here? What is "here"? Hrm, I wanna go home…

The three move through the fog, wary of their strange surroundings. Soon they happen upon something that looks like an apartment building and walk into an open door. The scene inside is both terrifying and gruesome. A noose hangs ominously from the ceiling and the walls are covered by a single repeating poster, and splatters on the wall that look like blood.

"As if this place couldn't get any creepier." Mika takes it all in, and shudders.

"Looks like it's a dead end, so maybe we should just turn around and go." Chie's voice continues to waver.

Poor Chie. She looks really freaked out, but she's trying to keep it together. Yosuke looks like he still really needs to pee and I'm desperately trying to not burst into tears…And this fog really isn't helping, and I'm getting a headache.

"That's never a good set up…What is this place?" Yosuke is taking in the scene before them. A few moments of silence pass. "Gaaahhh! I can't take it anymore! I'm gonna piss my pants! The two of you turn around or something, I've gotta go!"

"Wa-wait! You can't just pee in front of girls!"

"Aaargh! But I can't hold it anymore!"

"Eeeewww! That's so gross! Tell him he can't do that, Mika!"

"Honestly I don't care at this point. How's him peeing in front of us going to make this situation any worse?" I could use something to distract me from that noose… Yosuke faces the wall and the girls hear his fly unzip...and nothing.

"…I can't go with you two standing right there…Forget it! Let's just head back" He zips back up and stalks out of the room.

They head back the way they came. As they approach their landing zone they see something in the fog. Yosuke freezes, and puts his arms out to stop the girls from going farther.

"Who's there?" comes from the mysterious figure. They hear footsteps as the shadow approaches and as it comes into view, Chie yells out,

"What is that thing?! Y-you wanna fight?!" Forced bravado sends Chie out in front of Yosuke and into a fighting stance.

"Aaahh! Don't yell at me!"

"It talks?" Incredulous, Mika steps forward. Is that a…bear?

"Yes, I talk. Now, answer me! Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"Well we really don't know what we are doing 'here'. We don't even know where or what 'here' is…" Mika begins to explain, using a soft voice so as not to aggravate…the bear thing.

"I don't know. Just 'here'. 'Here' doesn't really have a name."

"Look, we just fell in here and we just want to get out. How do we do that?" Yosuke interrupts, shouting a little.

"Wait! Are you the ones throwing people in here?!" The bear ignores Yosuke and speaks directly to Mika.

"No. Someone is throwing people in here? Why?"

"Why are you talking to it?! Just make it let us out so we can go home! Hey! You! Bear! Let us out, ya hear? I mean it!" Chie moves towards the bear threateningly. The bear quickly maneuvers so he's cowering behind Mika, clutching her skirt.

"I don't know why someone's doing that. I just know that they are. And if you guys aren't the ones doing it, then you should leave."

"That's what we are trying to do, but we don't know how to get back." Mika resumes a soft tone as she speaks to the bear.

"Oh let us out already!" Chie interrupts. The bears shakes again and looks at Mika.

"She's scaring me!"

"Chie, just leave him be. Don't worry, we won't yell at you anymore. Can you help us?"

"That's what I've been trying to do, but you wouldn't listen to me!"

"We are listening now."

"Well alright then" And with that he stomps his foot and a stack of TVs appear. He turns back to Mika with a smile starting to spread across his face. "By the way, my name is Teddie."

"I'm Mika. It's nice to meet you, Teddie."

"C'mon let's go! I really can't hold it in anymore!"

"Yeah, I just want to go home!"

"Ok guys, let's go. See ya around Teddie."

After getting back to Junes, Yosuke runs off immediately and Chie just sort of stares into the distance. Did that really just happen? I mean, we fell into a TV, right? God, Chie looks like hell. And I can't imagine how Yosuke kept himself from pissing his pants that whole time. I really just want to go home and lay down…

"Hey, Chie, you alright?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess so. I really don't feel well. I'm gonna go. I'll see you tomorrow, bye."

"Yeah, see ya," Mika watches Chie walk away before she starts to move her own feet.

After arriving home, Mika is greeted by Nanako and Dojima, both watching TV. TVs…I don't think I feel like watching after spending my afternoon in one. Instead she heads to the kitchen and makes herself a cup of tea before sitting at the dining table facing the living room.

"You ok?" Dojima seems to notice her haggard face.

"Yeah. Just still adjusting to the move."

"Oh, I see. By the way, have you heard anything about a girl named Saki Konishi?"

"Um, yeah. She works at Junes with Yosuke. But I think I heard some other people talking about how she was the one that found Ms. Yamano's body."

"Really? How did they know that? You know what? Never mind, it's a small town. I'm actually surprised it took this long for everyone to be talking about it…"

"Well, I'm gonna head to bed. Good night Nana-chan, Dojima,"

Mika's sleep is plagued by strange dreams and she wakes up just as tired as when she had gone to bed. Maybe I'll ditch afternoon classes and take a nap on the roof…I'm soooo sleepy. Mika heads to school in a daze, listening to the other students gossip all around her. Everyone is talking about the murder and the Midnight Channel. I guess there's nothing better to talk about in this small town…

Once at school a last minute assembly is called and the class files out of the room. Chie and Mika walk together, Yosuke shuffling behind them. Wow, Yosuke looks worse than I do. Was yesterday really that hard on him? Chie mentions Yukiko being late today, the inn is really hectic or something. The assembly tells everyone about the sudden death of Saki Konishi. Oh no! Is that why Yosuke looked so bad? She turns back to see he has a pained look on his face, but he doesn't really look shocked to hear about her death. Maybe I should offer to talk to him after class. He looks like he could use some comforting.

After classes end Yosuke calls Mika and Chie to the side.

"I watched the Midnight Channel again last night, and it was Saki…I saw her on the TV and she looked like she was writhing in pain, and then it just went black. And I knew…I knew that she was dead. That she died in that place…Who ever put her and Ms. Yamano in the TV, it killed them. They killed her by throwing her in there…That TV world and the murders are connected."

"Yosuke…" Mika's voice is quiet and pained, looking at his sad face.

"What do you think? Do you think that that's what happened to Saki-senpai?"

"I don't know. Maybe they are connected."

"That's crazy, Yosuke. You don't really believe that, do you, Mika?"

"I don't know…But maybe we can find out. Go and ask that bear?"

"Ok. Then meet up at Junes as soon as you can. I can't get back in there without your help, Mika. I'll wait by the TV for you guys." And with that Yosuke rushes out of the room.

"Is this really a good idea?"

"Maybe? You got any better ones?"

"No, but, we can't just let him go back in there!"

"Hrm. Maybe you're right. Let's go and see if we can talk some sense into him, it's not like he can go in alone." At least I don't think he can get in there on his own. I don't even know why I can get in there…

At the Junes electrics department Yosuke is standing impatiently in front of the large TV. He has a rope coiled around his shoulder and a golf club clutched in one hand. The girls spot him and walk over to him.

"Took you guys long enough to get here! C'mon, let's go."

"Wait, Yosuke! Are you sure this is such a good idea? Chie and I were talking about it and, what if that bear isn't there this time? How are we gonna get out?"

"With this!" He holds out the rope. "And I brought this in case I need to protect us in there."

"A rope, and a golf club?" Mika raises an eyebrow as she looks at his "survival" equipment.

"Yeah. I'll tie the rope around me. That way if anything happens, we can climb back out. Chie can stay up here to make sure the rope doesn't fall in with us. We'll be fine."

"This doesn't seem like a good idea still. How can you ask her to take you back into that place?"

"Because…She's the only one who can get in there, so I can't do it alone. I'm sorry to have to ask you, but I can't just let this go, ok?"

"Ok…I'll help you. But if we don't find anything quickly, I want to come right back out, ok?"

"Ok, that's fine. C'mon, let's get going."

Their landing went a little better this time around, Mika didn't land on Yosuke and he didn't bruise his butt on his wallet. They looked around and heard steps approach them. Please be Teddie. Please be Teddie. Mika chants in her head.

"What are you guys doing back here? It's dangerous!" Oh thank God!

"Hi Teddie, sorry, but we came here to find something out."

"Ok. But if I wasn't here, how were you guys going to get back out?"

"That's what this is for!" Yosuke proudly holds up the rope, just as the end falls into a heap beside him. "What?! How did that happen?"

"Great plan, Yosuke. Looks like we will need your help again, Teddie. But first we needed to ask, was there another person thrown in here?"

"Yea, but they're not here anymore."

"What happened to them?" Yosuke rushes to Mika's side as he asks the question.

"I don't really know. All I know is the fog lifted and then she was gone. When the fog lifts here, the shadows become angry and dangerous. And when the fog is gone here it gets foggy in your world."

"I guess both bodies were found after it got really foggy. Do you remember Mika?"

"Not really, but it was really foggy last night…And you said something about 'shadows'? What are those?"

"I don't know, but they live here like I do. I think they come from humans. But this is why you guys can't stay here! You need to leave right away."

"Wait, do you know where Saki-senpai was in this place? We need to find out what happened to her."

"Is that the person who was thrown in? Yes, I know where they were. I'll take you there, but if there's shadows there, you guys have to protect yourselves."

"We can do that, right Yosuke?"

"Why can't you help, bear?"

"I'm not built for fighting."

"That's ridiculous," Yosuke goes up to Teddie and pushes him lightly, sending Teddie flying over onto his back. "What is this?" Yosuke is getting frustrated, so he reaches over and grabs Teddie's head only to have it pop off, "WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Teddie!"

"Hey, give that back!" Teddie snatches his head and puts it back on. "I told you! I'm not built for fighting!"

"Yeah, I can see that… I guess I can keep you both safe while we look around for clues."

"Ok then, but before we go, you're gonna need these." Teddie presents them each with a pair of glasses; a snazzy 50's pair in lavender for Mika and a pair of thick rimmed orange ones for Yosuke.

"What are these for?" Yosuke asks as he holds up his pair.

"Put them on. They'll help you see in the fog."

"Wow! These are amazing Teddie! Did you make them for us?"

"Well, yeah. Just in case you guys came back." He smiles at them before starting to walk away.

After a short while they find themselves in a nightmarish version of the shopping district. Disembodied voices surround them as they approach the Konishi liquor store, some truly hurtful things being said about Saki by the disembodied voices. Yosuke's face contorts as he listens to them all.

"Is this what Saki-senpai heard?"

"Yes. This place is reality to whoever is here."

"That's so sad. Were her last moments really spent being tortured by these voices?" Mika asks softly.

As they approach the store front, something starts to feel off, Teddie becomes agitated.

"Shadows! They're coming!"

"I got this!" Yosuke stands ready in front of Mika and Teddie.

The shadows lurch towards them and Yosuke rushes ahead, brandishing his golf club. But he is quickly knocked to one side, the club getting thrown out of reach as he lands hard on one side. One of the shadows continues to move at Mika and Teddie. Mika looks around frantically for something, anything to protect her and Teddie with.

'I am thou...Thou art I…' Mika's head throbs and her vision blurs momentarily. But as her vision comes back into focus she feels something bubbling with in her, power... A smile begins to spread across her face, a blue glow emanating from within her.

"Per…so...na!" A gust of wind spreads out from her as a large translucent figure appears before her. Acting on instinct she screams out and the figure dashes in front of her, slashing with its great sword and vanquishes the shadow. She then looks to her right, to where Yosuke lies helpless before another shadow. No words escape her lips, only a thought and the figure casts a lightning spell, taking out the other shadow. Seeing that Yosuke is out of danger, Mika closes her eyes and wobbles on her feet, the large figure fading away. Yosuke sees her about to faint, he dashes as quickly as he can, catching her just before she hits the floor.

"You're ok?" She weakly asks Yosuke.

"I'm fine. Are you ok? And what was that thing just now?" Worry seeps into his voice, adrenaline making him shake as he holds her.

"I don't know…It just felt like something I needed to do. Like something within me could help. And it did. I'm ok Yosuke. You don't have to hold me so tightly," She smiles at him as she places a hand on his shoulder.

"Oh, right! Sorry!" He lets her go and then helps her back to her feet.

"That was pretty incredible, huh?"

"Yeah, you were pretty amazing just now," Yosuke is still holding onto Mika's arms as he looks down on her upturned face, a small blush spreading across her cheeks. Slowly their bodies begin moving closer together…

"Sensei!" Teddie bursts in-between them, bringing them both back to reality. "That was amazing Sensei! I didn't know you had those powers!"

"Neither did I, really."

"Hey, what's with suddenly calling her 'Sensei'? What about me?"

"Because she just beat those shadows while you just sat there! That's why!"

"Ok you two. Let's calm down and see what we can find out."

They make their way into the store to look around, but it's not long before they hear voices again. But this time its Saki's voice that they hear. She's talking about Yosuke, and he perks up at her saying his name, his cheeks reddening a little. But what she says quickly turns cruel. Yosuke's face pales as he hears her "true" feelings about him, and it hurts.

"That's…That can't be what she really thought…she wasn't like that…"

"Yosuke…" Mika begins to reach out to him as they hear another voice over Saki's.

"Oh boo hoo! Poor little me!" Someone with Yosuke's face comes out from the shadowy corner. "Give me a break! Like I care what that country slut thought of me."

"What?" Yosuke looks up at his own face glaring back at him. "Who are you?"

"What are you talkin' about? I'm you. What? You blind as well as stupid?"

"No you're not!"

"Yosuke, what's going on?"

"Be careful guys…that's a shadow…"

"I said I'm you didn't I? So you're deaf as well as blind and stupid. Who else could I be? I know everything there is to know about you."

"No! You can't be me! I'm me!"

"Oh, but I am you. And don't look at me like that. I know why it is that you really came here. But you're to chicken-shit to admit it. You didn't want to know what happened to your 'precious' Saki-senpai. "

"Stop It!"

"You wanted to feel important. This new world inside the TV. Now that's exciting! Being stuck out here in the sticks is so boring! You just wanted to pretend that you're special, but you're not 'cause she's the one that got you in in the first place. Hehehe."

"Shut up! Just Shut Up!"

"Yosuke! Stop you're gonna make it go berserk! Stop him Sensei!"

"Yosuke, wait. We ca-"

"Hehehe! What's the matter? Don't want to look bad in front of the new girl right? Got to look cool for the other city kid. Don't want her to laugh at you the way they used to back at your old school. You don't want her to know just how much you liked Saki-senpai or Yukiko."

"No! Please! Stop!"

"How you stare at the back of her in class and fantasize about her soft skin. Or who's name you mutter as yo-"

"I said shut up! You can't be me! I'm ME! You're not me! "

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! That's right! I'm not you! I am me!"

The shadow Yosuke continues to laugh maniacally as it is swallowed by other shadows. It grows in size before bursting open to reveal a new form. It sways side to side briefly before lunging at Yosuke. Mika moves before she realizes it, reaching out towards him.

"IZANAGI!" The persona appears above her and cleaves downward at the shadow, shielding her and Yosuke. "Teddie! Get him out of here!"

"No! Wait! You can't do this alone!"

"I have to…" She grimaces as she turns to face the shadow, clutching desperately at the golf club she snatches from Yosuke. "You need to get away with Teddie."

"Come on Yosuke! Sensei can do it! I'll provide her some back up." He half drags Yosuke back by the entrance and then turns his attention to the shadow, focusing on it. "Sensei! It's weak to Zio skills! C'mon! You can do it Sensei!"

Mika circles to the right, drawing the shadow's attention, giving the boys a chance to get back. Izanagi moves with his summoner, brimming with anticipation. The shadow moves towards Izanagi, Mika dashes behind it and whacks it with the golf club. With its attention focused on her, Izanagi casts Zio and then stabs at the shadow. Mika has to dive for cover as the two large bodies struggle on the floor. She stands and turns to see Izanagi has the shadow pinned down under his foot. A dangerous gleam flashes in her eyes and a devious smile spreads across her lips as she thinks Do it. Izanagi casts Zio again as he brings down the point of his sword into the writhing shadow.

Izanagi fades away as Mika sinks to her knees. The shadow has been reduced to its original Yosuke like self; it lies still looking over at Mika. Yosuke rushes in to her side.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm ok. Just a little tired. But Yosuke, you need to-"

"I know. I need to face 'myself'" Yosuke turns to look down on his shadow self, reaching out a hand to help him up. "I'm sorry. You are…me and… I am you. I just didn't want to admit that that was how I feel about…everything. Everything you said, it's true, and I just couldn't face that truth."

"Yeah, I know."

And with that quiet confirmation the shadow glows and transforms yet again. But this time it reaches out to Yosuke as Yosuke and he reaches back out towards it. His shadow transforms into Jiraiya, Yosuke's new found persona. After accepting the truth about himself Yosuke collapses and Mika rushes to his side.

"Hey, are you ok?" She smiles wide at him.

"I think so. But, that was so embarrassing. I really wish you didn't hear all of that just now…"

"Everyone has things they think but never share. It's just how we are. But that doesn't mean it's how we act or feel all the time. Who doesn't have something they'd rather no one else know about them?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Let's get going. I'm really not feeling well after all that. I see why you seemed to be out of it after calling…Izanagi? But how come you didn't have a shadow?"

"Because Sensei is special!"

"Oh, look who decides to join us now that the big scary shadow is gone, tch"

"Hey guys, let's just get out of here. I could really use a long hot bath at this point."

Teddie escorts them back to the entrance. But before he lets them out he turns to Mika, determination shining in his eyes.

"Sensei, I want to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it Teddie?"

"Can you help me make my home safe again? Make this bad person stop throwing people in here?"

"Sure. We want to stop this guy as well. It's so scary thinking someone is using your home to kill people."

"And I want to find out who did this to Saki-senpai. They need to pay for their crimes. And I don't think the police will be able to do this. Even if we told them about this place, they'd never believe us."

"You're right. Uncle Dojima would probably get mad at me for making something like this up and tell me to stay out of it. We will help you Teddie. It's a promise."

"Oh, thank you Sensei! Also, before I forget, you guys need to make sure to always come through the same TV, they're connected to specific places in my world. If you guys go through a different TV, it might take you somewhere where I wouldn't be able to get you and then you'd be DOOMED!"

"Ok, we'll be sure to come through the TV at Junes every time. Thanks Teddie."

"And now you guys should get going, you look awful."

Mika and Yosuke step through the stack of TVs and back into the brightly lit Junes electronics department. I guess the TVs here really are connected to a specific place. Gotta make sure we do as Teddie said, and always come back through this TV. Chie is sobbing on the floor when she suddenly sees Mika and Yosuke's shoes in front of her and she looks up at the two of them.

"Where were you?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! Your stupid rope didn't work Yosuke! *Throws the rope at him* And how could you stay there for so long?! I can't believe you two!" Chie yells just before running off.

"Chie wait! Don't run away! I can explain!" But she's already gone. "I guess we did kinda of leave her in the dark here. She must have been really scared when your rope thing didn't work."

"Yeah. We should apologize to her later, but right now, I just want to go home."

"Me too."

Walking home, Mika is thinking about everything that has just happened. That place is so scary. Poor Yosuke. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my deepest darkest thoughts laid bare in front of someone like that…I feel really bad hearing how he thought about Saki and Yukiko. Not that I blame him for liking those two…Saki is pretty…oh, well she was pretty, and Yukiko seems really nice…

"Oh, hi!" A voice pulls Mika from her thoughts, she looks up to see Yukiko sitting in a gazeebo by the river. "Didn't think I'd see you wandering around here." She smiles at Mika.

"Hi Yukiko." Mika walks over to sit by her, "What are you doing out here in the rain?"

"Oh, I'm just running some errands for the inn. It's been really busy lately."

"It must be. We hardly see you at school."

"Yeah…So what are you doing out here?"

"I'm just on my way home from Junes. I was hanging out with Chie and Yosuke."

"Oh, I see," She looks away, hiding the disappointment on her face, "Well, I should get going. I need to finish these errands before it gets too late. See you later."

"Bye, Yukiko." Wonder if she's just tired from working so much, she doesn't look good.

Mika gets home and flops down next to Nanako in front of the TV and watches the news with her. There's an interview on, and it's about the Amagi Inn, Yukiko's face comes onto the screen. Oh, maybe that's why she looked so out of it, she's filling in as the manager and having to deal with all this scandal nonsense about Ms. Yamano. Poor Yukiko. Maybe Chie and I can stop by the inn and see if we can help her out in some way…Oh, I also need to apologize to Chie, today has been some kind of crazy…

"This is boring. I'm gonna change the channel."

"Yeah, sure. Put on whatever you want," Mika looks out the window to see it's still raining. Maybe I should watch the midnight Channel, see if there's anything that comes on. "Hey, Nana-chan, I'm gonna take a bath and then head to my room. You gonna be ok?"

"Mhm. I'll be fine. I can take a bath after you."

"Ok, I'll leave the water in the tub for you then. Don't stay up too late watching TV, ok?"

"I won't. G'night,"

Midnight approaches, Mika turns to her darkened screen. It flashes to life, there's a figure there, but it's very burry. Grrr, why is it so blurry? I think it's a woman in a kimono, but I can't really see anything else... So, if there's someone on the screen, does that mean someone has already been thrown in? What would happen if I reached in while they're on the screen? She reaches out, but as her hand sinks into the screen, the image vanishes. Of course it doesn't work. That would just be too easy. Oh well, I should talk to Yosuke about it tomorrow.

-The limo and the Nose again. Something is special about her "powers", something about the need to make strong connections to people around her. Fades to grey-