Chapter 7

Sadly, I do not own Persona…

There are no foggy murders here, no Shadows, no social links, and no Personas. This is about the people. At least… as far as I know. Some of the personalities are different because of the fact that there are no social links… i.e. Nanako… other personalities are different because I feel like it.

Thoughts


Souji was a bit worn out after his little… event this past afternoon. Souji went shopping all over Okina City, but they did not buy a single thing. He then lied to Rise's manager, saying that he was going to marry the ex-idol after they graduated from high school. It was so god damn pointless in Souji's eyes. It was all for her though…

Heh… She promised to make out with me if I said to that guy that I was going to marry him. Imagine if Yosuke was in my position. He probably would have thrown his tongue in her mouth before she had a chance to open it.

That was why when he returned to his temporary home in Inaba… he was not so sure he wanted to do anything but go to sleep, even when his younger cousin greeted him fondly.

"Welcome back!" Nanako said.

"Hey…," Souji returned.

Souji sighed as he made his way to the fridge and pulled out a soda. Nanako told him as he turned around, "You look tired…"

No kidding…

"I am pretty tired," Souji said, "It was an eventful day."

"Did you see Rise-chan today?" Nanako asked.

Souji answered, "I did."

"I liked meeting her; she nice," Nanako said. She continued, "All of my friends were so jealous that I met her."

"So, you like her, right?" Souji asked and got a nod out of Nanako. He continued, "Are you disappointed… I mean are you disappointed that she's not singing or acting anymore?"

Nanako was thinking for a second, but she finally answered, "I do, but I'm happy to see her here. I'm happy to see her with you."

Souji did not know what to say. How would anyone know what to say to something like that? How would she react if she found out that he was not really going out with Rise; that it was all just a ploy to rebuild her life? "Thanks, Nanako-chan," Souji replied.

Nanako smiled, "I hope I can see her again soon."

Souji smiled, "I think she would like to come back, too."

That seemed to make Nanako extremely happy and Souji was able to slip away after a few more minutes up to his room and into bed. He was did not study, did not watch TV, and did not bother translating. His futon is the only thing that he enjoyed when he entered his room.

I hope there are not many more crazy days like this one. Rise might drive me insane.

Souji did not meet Rise on the way to school on the first day of this week. He passed quite a few students on the way to Yasogami while walking along the Samegawa Floodplains. The students did not seem as interested in Souji's relationship with Rise by this day.

Class, however, was as tense as ever. It was a matter of dealing with Yosuke, the boys who all knew he was going out with Rise, and Yukiko. He was not sure, but Yukiko might go and try and start a catfight with Rise somehow. Souji had heard from Chie that Yukiko had a hidden mean streak. He also knew that he could not interfere by trying and stopping Yukiko because if Rise saw him… his "girlfriend" could always misinterpret it and cut off both Yukiko's and his head.

Standing up after Hosoi drilled him about literature and the bells rang, Souji stretched his sore limbs. He was not sure what he was going to do today after class. Monday's were usually devoid of activities like basketball, but if he felt like returning to the drama club…

That Yumi girl will be there… maybe I shouldn't bother. I'm not even sure if Rise is around.

"Souji!" a sharp male voice that Souji immediately recognized called out to him.

Souji sighed. He knew that whatever Yosuke wanted was going to be confrontational. Souji turned slightly to see the boy with headphones around his neck looking impatient with his arms crossed. His slight smirk had been absent for days now, "What is it, Yosuke?"

"I want to talk to you about Risette," Yosuke said.

Souji responded, "I don't know anyone named Risette."

Souji turned around at that. He really did not know anyone named Risette. She was Rise Kujikawa, at least that was what she was now.

Before he could leave, Yosuke retorted, "Don't leave, Souji! You know what I'm talking about! You don't deserve your girlfriend!"

Souji tried to ignore him, tried to exit 2-2 with his bag over his shoulder, but before he could leave the classroom… he was bombarded by Kou Ichijo from 2-1.

"Souji!" Kou greeted him, drowning out Yosuke, "Guess what!"

Have I been rescued… or is this only the next angle of my hell?

"Yes?" Souji asked, trying to talk to only Kou.

"The gym is open today," Kou explained, "We can go to basketball if you want."

Basketball… it's a lot better than dealing with Yosuke.

"Sounds good, Kou," Souji smiled.

Souji left Yosuke behind with Kou, and he was more than happy to. He never thought an outlet away from the craziness would be basketball; it was something that he used to be so bored with.

When they started a pick-up game between six members, only six people showed up, Souji was a bit more excited and upbeat than usual. His shots would not miss and his passes were spot-on.

"Souji! I'm open!" Kou yelled.

"One second," Souji bounce-passed the ball behind his back and allowed Kou to put in the winning lay-up.

After a high-five, Souji felt his adrenaline wear off. He started to breathe heavily and wanted to sit down, but it would have been a bad idea. He was not staggering, but he was not walking very quickly.

"Hey Souji, you alright?" Kou asked, holding the ball in his arm.

"Just tired…," Souji answered, "I'm fine."

"Daisuke and I are going to Aiya's afterwards, are you coming?" Kou bounced the ball idly.

He was not exactly of what he should do, but it was getting pretty late and he had to make a decision pretty soon.

Should I try getting a hold of Rise and seeing if she wants to talk to me? If she had come to me earlier I would have tried already. I should probably just go to Aiya's.

A young man in a light blue track suit walked up behind the pair. He must have known what Souji was thinking because he said, "Invite your girlfriend, man."

"Daisuke, bro…," Kou said, "You know Rise-chan can't eat at Aiya's. It's like eating lard."

I don't think she cares at this point.

"We don't gain any weight from eating there," Daisuke retorted, "Rise-chan won't either."

"That's because the three of us are always exercising at club," Kou explained.

I know how to deal with this.

"If I can get a hold of her, I'll ask," Souji said.

"Really?" Daisuke actually looked a bit excited, "Okay then."

Daisuke walked away and Kou looked back at Souji, "I didn't know Daisuke was that excited about Rise-chan."

Souji just shrugged, "I'm going to see if I can find her. I'll meet you two at Aiya's, regardless of the outcome."

Should I check Marukyu's for her?

Souji ended up heading towards the Southern Shopping District after changing out of his sweaty basketball clothes. He left only a little later after Kou, but his detour towards the tofu shop would force him to arrive after the members of the soccer and basketball club.

When Souji entered Marukyu, the only one inside was Rise's grandmother. He was left wondering where his 'girlfriend' was.

"Excuse me; have you seen Rise-chan?" Souji tried to get Rise's grandmother's attention.

The wizened old lady shook her head, "I'm sorry, she has not shown up today."

"Oh… thanks," Souji said slowly.

Before Souji could go look for Rise somewhere else, and he was thinking about giving up; Rise's grandmother stopped him by saying, "Are you that Souji-kun that Rise-chan talks about all the time?"

She talks about me? Why?

"Uhh… I guess so," Souji shrugged.

"She thinks so highly of you," she explained. Rise's grandmother was about to say more when…

"Souji-kun!" Souji was crushed from behind by a pair of slender arms.

"Rise-chan… you're home from school," the owner of the tofu shop smiled.

"What are you doing here, Souji-kun!" Rise asked. She added, "Sorry, I'm late, grandma!"

"It is okay, Rise-chan," Rise's grandmother said.

"So, Souji-kun," Rise had still not removed her arms from around Souji, "Why are you here?"

"My friends wanted to know if you wanted to go to Aiya's with me, but one of them didn't think you would be able to," Souji choked out. He was suffocating out of the strain from Rise's arms.

"I can eat at Aiya's! I'm not an idol anymore!" Rise exclaimed, taking her arms away from Souji.

"I never said you couldn't," Souji answered.

Souji turned towards Rise… and saw that she was smiling, "Let's go, Souji-kun!" She grabbed hold of his hand and tugged him away from Marukyu's. "Bye, Grandma!"

"Goodbye, Rise-chan!" the grandmother responded as she waved her granddaughter away.

I guess that answer's that, but I'm being dragged away!

Souji ended up in walking in a fast pace towards the Northern Shopping District holding Rise's hand. She had stopped dragging him; she must have decided there was no need to after pulling him away from Marukyu's. They passed not only Shiroku, but multiple run-down stores because of Junes's influence on Inaba's economy.

Rise seemed to notice that Souji's neck was sore because she asked, "Are you okay, Souji-kun? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Souji shook his head, "I'm okay; I can still talk."

"Souji-kun…," Rise smiled.

"How are you feeling today? Better?" Souji asked, nearly at the entrance of Aiya's.

Rise stopped, forcing Souji to stop as well. She looked straight at Souji, "I feel a lot better today. I wouldn't if you were not there yesterday."

Souji couldn't think of anything to say, at least anything smart to say. Rise seemed to realize that, just smiled at him and continued onward towards Aiya's with Souji's fingers interlocked with hers.

This faux-relationship is getting weird.

Souji found Kou and Daisuke waiting for them outside of Aiya's. He was a bit unsure of what their reactions would be of meeting Rise. Would they use this opportunity to tease him, try and get information out of Rise, or in fact, accidently blow his cover?

"Souji!" Kou called out, "I see you found her!"

"You doubted me?" Souji responded.

Rise cut in, "You guys were second-guessing each other on whether you could find me?"

Souji turned to his 'girlfriend', "Of course not."

"Rise-chan!" the other person besides Kou had run up to Rise and Souji, "I'm so happy to finally meet you!"

Souji decided to introduce the basketball-playing fool, "This is my friend, Daisuke Nagase."

Rise waved with the hand that was not linked with Souji, "Hello, Daisuke-senpai."

Daisuke looked happy that Rise acknowledged his presence, but Souji just shook his head regarding the whole matter.

"So… are we going to eat?" Kou asked.

"Alright! Let's go!" Rise squeezed Souji's hand rather hard.

The four entered Aiya's and oddly enough, ordered the same thing. When their noodles with beef and vegetables arrived, Souji was starving. He was not the only one that must have been very hungry because the other three were already attacking their own dishes.

Kou looked up. He must have noticed something interesting as he asked Rise, "No one has come up and asked you for an autograph or anything like that. Do you think that is weird?"

Rise answered, "You didn't notice? I'm not wearing makeup today."

"Really?" Daisuke looked up at Rise, shocked, "I couldn't tell. You must always look that pretty."

Rise smiled at Daisuke, "Why thank you, Daisuke-senpai."

I couldn't tell either. I'm probably just used to seeing her everyday.

"So… would you mind if I never came back to being Risette?" Rise suddenly asked Kou and Daisuke.

"Huh?" Kou looked confused.

"What!" Daisuke looked shocked, "You're going to quit being an idol for good!"

I knew they would react like this. Was it too soon to ask them? Probably too soon…

"It's just a question," Rise said innocently.

"You probably shouldn't say things like that," Kou said, "My sister would be crushed to hear you quit permanently."

"It's scary enough to know there's nothing new coming on with you in it for the time being," Daisuke shook his head, "Now… maybe forever?"

"Don't be stupid, Daisuke," Souji told him, but his statement was meant for both of them in actuality, "It was only a hypothetical question."

Kou sighed, "Yeah… you're right. I don't know what Rise-chan should do."

"Me either," Rise shook her head, but she gave a small smile.

The four continued their meal without a lot of speech. Rise thought about speaking to the person on the left of her; the man who was her 'boyfriend', but she decided against it. Souji also had thoughts of speaking to Rise about his ideas about future plans, but he would not want to discuss it in front of Kou and Daisuke.

"That was good," Daisuke finished his bowl, "I'm thinking about seconds. How about you guys?" He looked and motioned at the other three, but his focus was mainly at the two boys who were in-between them.

It took one look between Souji and Rise to know that they were done here. There was no way they were going to have another bite. Rise decided to have the last word, "Thank you Kou-senpai, Daisuke-senpai, for inviting us here."

Kou hit Daisuke over the head, "Geez… you just had to ask Rise-chan if she wanted to have more food! She ate a bowl of noodles with us, isn't that enough?"

Souji nodded and paid the bill for both Rise and himself. Of course, it was the right thing to do. When Rise and Souji stood up, Rise grabbed hold of his hand again so they could walk out of Aiya's together. Souji guessed he was going to take Rise back to Marukyu now, back for the day.

As they headed back toward the Southern Shopping District, Souji said, "I hope that wasn't too uncomfortable for you."

"It was fun," Rise smiled at Souji, "It was nice meeting your friends."

Souji sighed, "This sounds more and more like a real relationship by every day, Rise-chan."

Rise stopped, "Souji-kun… I want to make this look like a real relationship. I want everyone believe that we are together. Okay?"

"Okay…," Souji nodded.

It is just getting… I don't know why she's doing half of this stuff anymore.

As Rise started walking with Souji, she asked, "Do you think it was okay… asking your friends if it was okay… about quitting and all?"

"I don't know," Souji had no idea himself, "They seemed surprised by the question."

"Yeah… probably I had just met them," Rise nodded. She suddenly squeezed Souji's hand, "They don't me as well as you do."

"Probably not," Souji agreed.

"Do you agree with your friend, Daisuke-senpai?" Rise questioned.

"About what?" Souji responded.

"That I'm still pretty without my makeup on?" Rise answered.

Put me on the spot, why don't you? This is not supposed to be about my opinions.

When Souji did not answer right away, Rise's smile disappeared. She had figured out that the question was unfair. Her hand tightened around Souji's fingers again. "I'm sorry, Souji-kun."

"It's alright," Souji said, "I think you're cute."

Rise's usual small smile gave way to a mischievous one. "You think I'm cute, huh?" Rise said to Souji, "I see how it is."

"I don't know how to respond to that," Souji shook his head.

They had arrived back at Marukyu's and the two of them had stopped in front of the tofu shop. Souji had let go of Rise's hand and had closed his eyes for the moment. He could feel a slight headache coming on. It was probably the last five days all rushing on top of him at the same time.

"Souji-kun," Rise's sly smile had not yet disappeared, "If I decide to quit being a model and actress; it will all be thanks to you. I think I'm finally finding myself because of you… a much happier self that is free to choose to do what she wants."

"Rise-chan," Souji said, "I'm just glad I can help."

This is why I decided to help you.

"Souji!" a voice rang out, "I want to talk to you! I want to talk to you about Risette!"

Souji didn't need to turn towards the Shiroku Store to figure out who was speaking to him. He could recognize that confrontational voice anywhere. It was the same voice that confronted him earlier about Rise and he could see her too.

"Souji! I see Risette, and I want to talk to both of you!" Yosuke exclaimed.

Shit… Not now…

Souji was about to do something about it. He didn't really want to bring Rise into this argument, but if he had to…

Just go into Marukyu's…

Souji's eyes were still closed in frustration when he felt a female's lips against his own. The shock made Souji open his gray-ish eyes and connect with Rise's dark brown eyes. Her right arm was placed on his left shoulder and Souji's left arm instinctively went to her side. It was a little under seven seconds before their lips disconnected, but it felt like an hour to Souji. Rise turned away and left Souji in shock and awe as she turned to go to the tofu shop.

Well… no one will second-guess our faux-relationship now. It will probably shut up Yosuke, too. But, damn… give a little warning next time.

Souji had to admit the kiss was pretty good.


The chapter is done! Originally, when I planned this chapter, the last scene was not in it. As you can see, it was a spur of the moment thing. I hope you enjoyed my writing. Auf Wiedersehen.