AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm back! It's been a little while since I posted anything, but I'm back! Sorry guys, but with the holidays, I took a little hiatus coming up with ideas for stories and how to properly continue this one. To be honest, I've struggled with it. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and look forward to the next!


- 3 -

Tension Rising

02 / 15 WED

Lazily, I made my way home. Yosuke must have booked it, because I just couldn't keep up with him. I still can't believe he asked if I wanted to go on a date with him, though. I still can't believe he doesn't even have a clue what we should do together.

I wore myself out running around town, so it was time for a big dinner. Most girls would probably scoff at me, but eating is a big hobby of mine. Thankfully, my parents know how to cook well, and always make more than enough for my larger-than-average appetite! Time flew by and before I knew it, I was ready to sleep. After changing into something more comfortable, I threw myself onto my bed. Letting out a pleased sigh, I closed my eyes...

Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi

I groaned. Rolling over slowly, my hand reached out for my cell phone. Because of how tired I was, I accidentally knocked it over onto the floor at first. Now I had to get out of bed even more. Whatever this was it better be worth it!

1 new message

"Hey. Want 2 have our date 2morrow?"

I read the message a few times. It was from Yosuke. Did he finally come up with plan? I looked upward and thought of what I had going on tomorrow. Surprisingly, I actually had plans already.

"I have 2 do fam stuff tomorrow. Friday?"

Falling backward onto my bed, I waited for a response before I could finally fall asleep. I didn't have to wait long. I guess Yosuke was waiting for my reply too.

"Sure sounds good"

I smiled and my eyes drifted up to the ceiling. For the first time, I'm going on a date. I feel like a little girl, giddy at something silly. Yosuke is not at all who I expected to be going on a date with, but when has life made sense - especially lately? My smile turned slightly devious.

"Do u actually have a plan now?"

I was interested if he had thought of something, or if he was just going to improvise. It is still Yosuke, so I can get away with giving him crap for all the things he doesn't put much thought into.

"Yeah, i do. U will like it, i promise!"

My eyes read his message a few times. My message was a joke, but his seemed genuine. Yosuke's changed. A little. I was surprised by his response, but I became warmer and more snug in my bed after seeing it.

"Cool! Good night Yosuke"


02 / 17 FRI

Alarms must have been made by the devil himself. My eyes shoot open, then return to their barely open and tired state. Time for school.

My walk was uneventful. I was running a bit behind, so I walked by myself. Along the way, I remembered what was going on after school today: I have a date.

I stopped in place when I remembered that. It was still so odd to me. I grinned to myself, then kept on my way to school. Yesterday was such a busy day with my family, and I hadn't gotten nearly enough sleep. I felt cranky, but I didn't want to ask to postpone the date. I already agreed to it, so I shouldn't back out now. I stopped again. Taking a deep breath, I composed myself. I guess I'm just getting cold feet.

Finally, I made my way to classroom 2-2. I entered the door at the front of the class. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could tell I was one of the last students in the class today. My head was still pointed downward, looking at my feet sheepishly. I turned and walked towards my desk and dropped my bag on the ground nearby.

"Hello!" Two voices chimed in. I recognized them both and looked upward. My eyes looked right at Yosuke, who seemed to just be arriving himself. Both of us froze for a second. I wasn't sure why he was staring, but it really wasn't helping my nerves. Startling both of us out of this, the bell rang and everyone took their seats. Saved by the bell, I suppose. I didn't check, but I hoped Yukiko and Yu weren't staring at us the whole time. I sat down quickly, trying to hide my face. I didn't want everyone to notice my bright red cheeks...


"Hey, Chie," a voice sounded out. Before I knew it, school had ended. It felt excruciating, but it flew by at the same time. I was in a daze for the whole day. I couldn't stop thinking about whatever was going to happen afterwards. This voice snapped me out of that funk quickly. It came from Yukiko, who had turned around to look at me. "I work at the Inn tonight, do you want to come by? It's not going to be very busy tonight, so we can hang out."

I began to mutter something, then immediately tried to stop. I didn't quite cut it off in time, as a strange squeal-ish sound came out. I didn't bother to check if everyone was staring at me, they probably were, and tried to play it off. I rested my head against my hand.

"I, uh, can't!" I snapped. Jeez, Chie. All I have to do is come up with an excuse, but my mind was a total blank. I mumbled gibberish to myself as I tried to find something, anything, to say to my best friend. Everything going on between Yosuke and I was so out of nowhere that they would have a field day knowing this. I couldn't blow our cover, especially since I asked Yosuke to keep quiet about the whole thing. "I, uh, have to..." I trailed off again. Yosuke must think I'm an idiot right now, and who could blame him? How in the world was I going to explain this to Yukiko? I heard a sigh to my side that came from Yu of all people. I didn't know what that was for, but tried to remain focused on my complete stupidity for now...

"Oh, that's right! You were going to train today, weren't you?" Yukiko said, eyes open wide. My eyes darted to meet hers. The expression on my face must have been complete desperation. I obviously needed help out of this, but it looks like Yukiko would do the work for me. "Sorry, I always forget."

"Y-yeah!" I replied quickly, unable to hide my stutter. "I have to t-train!" I nervously repeated, saying my words faster and faster. "Sorry, Yukiko!" I tried to laugh in a casual way, but I'm sure Yukiko noticed it was very unnatural.

"What about you two? Are you busy also?" Yukiko asked Yu and Yosuke. I relaxed a bit, as I thought Yu would speak up first and Yosuke would jump in to cover his butt. I tensed when I saw Yu turn to face Yosuke with an amused expression. He was enjoying watching us squirm! He totally noticed me - how could he not? - and now is waiting to see if Yosuke will fidget too! Does he know what is going on...?

Yosuke was blankly staring past Yukiko. "Uh..." He started. I can't believe neither of us thought up an excuse as to where we could be today. "I have to work at Junes tonight!" He suddenly shouted. Nice one, Yosuke. If Yukiko and Yu weren't super suspicious already, they definitely are now. I looked at Yukiko and, shockingly, she seemed to buy it. I guess she always was a bit gullible. She turned to Yu.

"I promised Nanako I'd help with her homework tonight," He answered, while shaking his head. I always thought it was sweet seeing Yu and Nanako together. They are so close are caring, and it happened in such a short time period. "What about Kanji or Rise?" Yu asked. He must have seen Yukiko look a bit down after all three of us claimed we were busy. It was nice of him to try to help her out regardless. I couldn't help but feel kind of bad though for lying to my best friend though...

"That's a good idea!" Yukiko said, sounding excited. "Kanji-kun likes cooking and Rise-kun would make a good host!" Yukiko smiled big and stood up. Was Yukiko planning on putting those two to work at the Inn? Was she planning on having us work?

There was a silence now. Yukiko grabbed her things and headed towards the door. She looked back again at the three of us still seated. She tilted her head and looked confused. I didn't dare turn to check, but Yosuke must have been like me: completely still. He was dead silent like me at least. We both looked like we were up to something. Should I say something to Yukiko? Would Yosuke? Oh no, not this pressure again...

"Some other time!" Yu said, letting out a little laugh. Yukiko shrugged, nodded, then left. I sighed as she turned the corner, feeling a bit more relaxed. Yu covered for us both. It sounded like there was an echo when I sighed though...

Yu stood up and got ready to leave. Everyone else had gone by this point except us, so once Yu is gone, Yosuke and I are in the clear. Instead of heading for the door, however, he turned back to us and smiled.

"Shouldn't the two of you get going?" He asked. I let out a gasp at the same time as Yosuke. Our heads snapped to look at Yu, who stood confident as always. At the same time, Yosuke and I faced each other quickly. My mouth was open slightly in disbelief: Yosuke must have told Yu! Right as I fugured that, Yosuke looked back at Yu. There was another pause. I was still stunned. I told Yosuke not to tell anyone, and he goes and tells our leader! Could I trust him with any secret? "Don't you usually like to train right after school?" Yu questioned. My head rose fast. He must have recalled the times he trained alongside me.

"T-that's right!" I said, getting to my feet as fast as I could. In doing so I knocked over my backpack. I picked it up quickly. I was beginning to rethink all of what's been going on lately, and I wasn't sure what to do now. I would just take any excuse to get far away from here now... "I gotta go!" I shouted as I ran out of the room and down the hall.

I needed some time to think. I needed to be alone.

Where should I go? I couldn't go to my usual spot, that would be too obvious. Where could I go that would be quiet and empty...?