A/N: I don't know if anyone has noticed, but if I reach a certain word or page count, I just become kinda.. disinterested in working on it further. That's actually what has stopped me so far from working on this, which up until just about four days ago or so (July 30th or so) I hadn't touched this, which yes it let me flesh out other parts of the story and where I want to go with the plot, but it means that I've left the next chapter I'm supposed to upload gather dust for what feels like months. But now I can say I'm finally satisfied with how this came out, and I'm finally uploading it.
I've been playing around with the idea of uploading chapters that focus solely on different social links, so when I find myself stuck on certain parts, I'll try to work on that idea.
With this, we close the first chapter of Yui's life. I will need a small amount of time for the next few chapters, however. Although I highly doubt it'll take as much time as this did. Since I'm going by canon chronological order, that means the events of the Arena games are next, right? Eh, whatever.
"Where.."
"Where am I..?" Those words echoed through the hollow area Yui Narukami found herself in.
Her body felt heavy and sluggish, almost like she was sinking deeper into water. Above her, she could see a dim light, slowly fading away. "Oh.. Oh yeah, now I remember.." Her eyes fluttered closed as tears began stinging them. "We.. lost.."
…
Yui's eyes fluttered open as she awoke to the sound of Nanako rapping her knuckles against her door. "Breakfast is ready!" The girl called out, before retreating back down to the living room.
A small veil of melancholy hung around her room as she went about getting ready. Those two words themselves echoed a pain deep within her heart. In just a few weeks, this wouldn't be her room anymore, it will only be a room, almost completely barren once she and her things vacate it. Hell, she thought, she would have to start packing things away soon if she wanted to have all of her belongings in boxes in time to be shipped back to Tokyo. The thought of home almost doubled the sadness weighing on her. Would things be different back home now that Alice was gone? Or was everyone around her simply acting on their own impulses, harassing and abusing her of their own volition? She had delved so deep into thought her body went on autopilot for her shower and bath, and then for breakfast once she was out, dried, and dressed.
The feeling that once back in Tokyo she wouldn't be wearing a Yasogami High school uniform left a pit in her stomach, making the food that Nanako prepared for her taste like acid. If she was being truthful to herself, she didn't want to go back to Tokyo and back to her old school, the name of which she couldn't even remember properly. Was it Shujin? Sacred Heart? Wasn't that an all girls school? A frustrated sigh left her lips as she retreated back up into the room she was staying in to fetch her light-gray winter coat and black scarf, wrapping the latter around her head so that her mouth was covered completely and stray strands of the material lightly tickled the tip of her nose. The walk to Yasogami's school gates was eerily quiet, almost like a funeral procession, not even Nanako had the heart to strike up a conversation with her cousin-turned-big sis.
She had finally reached the gates when one of her best friends here in Inaba, Chie Satonaka called out to her. "Oh, there you are! Morning, Yui!"
When she, eventually, turned to confront the girl who had yelled her name, she saw she was flanked by none other than Yukiko Amagi, another one of her best friends here in Inaba. "Gmm mmm."
She didn't know if it was tiredness, depression, or just sheer unwillingness to move the scarf from in front of her mouth that drove her actions, but in all honesty she didn't really care. She would rather either be back at Uncle Dojima's house, watching TV or reading a good book while drinking hot cocoa, or at her lover's home, the only thing hiding her indecency being several layers of blankets and comforters while they held each other tightly in their arms. Just the thought of the events of yesterday afternoon brought a blush to her face, which was quickly hidden. Was the prospect of her impending departure such an unappealing prospect that she would rather fantasize about something like that?
With a sigh she pulled down her scarf. "Good morning." She quickly replied before bringing the scarf back up to cover her mouth.
"Good morning." Yukiko chimes in, giving a curt little wave.
Smalltalk about the weather ensued, with Yukiko noting that the first official spring storm was spotted sometime today, which brought on a different feeling to the conversation. "Spring is.. just around the corner.."
"Mhm.." Yui sighed.
"Everything went by so fast.."
All three of them sighed in sadness, looking down at the lightly snow covered pathway. Just as they began to mope, Yui's right hand man, Yosuke Hanamura walked up to them stopping a few feet to the left of Chie. "Yo, what's up? You guys look like someone killed your pet."
"We were just.. talking about how spring's just around the corner. Then, Yui will.."
"Oh, that? Yeah I try not to think about that stuff all too much. But hey, there's still a couple weeks until then. Wait until the moment of to look glum, right?"
Yosuke's declaration caused Yui to blink a few times as she registered what was said. He was completely right, while the time she was to remain was short; there was still exactly that, time. "Yeah.." Yui started speaking after she had pulled down her scarf. "Yeah, you're right.. until then, let's have fun."
"That's the spirit! We're gonna pack your brain so full of good memories you'll be practically begging us to stop!" The boy laughed, smiling his signature smile.
…
Yui didn't know when, but she had hit the bottom of wherever she was falling. It had been what felt like hours since the light had faded from above her, and now she lay in complete darkness. "Someone.." She called out meekly. "Help me.. I'm so scared.." Saying she was scared was an understatement, in truth she was terrified. She had failed in her mission, she had failed her friends, and most importantly; she had failed Naoto.
…
In the days following Yosuke's declaration, the formerly busy leader of the group had most, if not all of her time eaten away. First was a return trip to the ski lodge, with the addition of an ecstatic Nanako. Then, a hot pot at the dojima residence, with the strict rules that only Yui was to handle the food preparation, for fear of another Mystery Food X ordeal, or god forbid, another Omelette debacle. Eventually, White Day came along, and with it more chocolates, this time from the guys of the group. It may have been obligation chocolate, but in truth none of the girls really cared. Kanji's tasted the best, though. Finally, the weeks of memory making ended with a group photo from one of the mountains overlooking town.
"Okay, is everyone ready?" Yosuke asked, setting up the camera in just the right position.
"We've been ready for the past five minutes just hurry it up already." Kanji droned, sighing.
"Well, excuse me if I don't know how to work a brand new model camera, Kanji. Okay. I'm setting the timer for five seconds."
With a press of a button and a quick dash to the open spot behind Yui, the preparations were complete. Now all they had to do was wait for the countdown to finish and the picture was to be taken. The seconds drifted away, until suddenly a small red light blinked into existence near the lens, followed quickly by the click of the camera lens.
Yui didn't have time to check to see if everyone was smiling or not, but in the end it wasn't all that important. "Alright!" Yosuke pumped his fist into the air. "I'll go get these developed, let's meet up at the Junes food court when they're ready." He went and grabbed the camera, before running off.
"Wait- Yosuke! How will we know when they're done?!"
"I'll call you! I'd suggest finding something to do in the meantime!"
…
Something tugged at Yui's shirt, causing her eyes to flutter open slightly, seeing nothing but complete darkness. "W-Who.."
"...up…"
"H-Huh..? Who's.. there..?"
"Get.. -p, Wild Card.."
Soon after, the voice faded, causing Yui to curl back up into the ball she was in. "I must be going insane.."
…
Everyone went their separate ways after Yosuke's sudden departure bar Yui and Naoto, who finally had more than a few moments together. They had migrated closer to the cliff, to get a better look at the town. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" The silverette asked, leaning onto the safety railing.
The sleuth laughed quietly, before taking her place beside her senpai. "'Tis indeed.."
"There isn't a sight like this in all of Tokyo, it felt almost alien when I came here all those months ago. But now, I've grown to completely love this view.."
"It feels almost nostalgic, doesn't it? Like we've seen this before, maybe in a past life?" Yui asked, with a small smile evident on her face.
"Maybe.." Naoto replied, seeking out Narukami's hand with her own. "Or, maybe we're just hardwired as humans to want a scene like this, a small town nestled into the forested hills. With mountains off in the distance?" She gave a slight, reassuring squeeze.
"Mmm.. It's a shame I'll have to leave this perfect town for the foreseeable future.. I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life here.."
"You speak as if you're leaving forever, Yui.. Here, look at me."
"Hm?"
Once she turned to face her girlfriend, her face was gently clasped by the other girl's hands. "Promise me that you'll come back, okay? Promise me.. You'll come back in a better shape than you'll leave as, okay?"
"R-Right.. I.. promise. When I come back.. I'll be someone you can be proud of.."
"Deal.." With the promise under effect, they both leaned close to each other, embracing in a long, warm hug.
…
Yui's head was pounding, every time she would try to move or call out for help now would send another sharp pain shooting through her body, before festering in her head. "S-Som.." She winced. "Nao….t-to.."
…
March Nineteenth; a monday, sunny, not too hot. Pollen hasn't really been a problem lately, the perfect day for early spring. Yui's room was filled with boxes, more than she could care to mention. Everything had been placed in said boxes except for her bare essentials and enough clothes that could last her for the last few days until her departure, which easily fit into her suitcase, the same one that had been collecting dust since her arrival. One of the first items to be placed in there was the group photo Yosuke had taken a few days ago, with her changes of clothes and other items being laid out for her final two days in Inaba. She sighed as she plopped down on the, now very empty, bed. "All of my things are packed. Now all that's left is to call the moving company, and.." A loud yawn echoed through the room. "Sleep.."
Thankfully, Dojima had time to spare to help Yui and the men transport the boxes from her room to the truck. Once things began to calm down, she could get a good look at the truck, before remembering back to Nanako's sudden kidnapping.
She played through the details in her head; being brought to the police station, seeing Nanako on the midnight channel, pleading with Adachi to be let out.. A quick shake of the head and a sigh later and the flashback was gone, along with the realization that it was now much later into the day, and that she had found a particular piece of the wall very interesting for that entire time..
With a yawn and a stretch, Yui woke up, before rising out of bed and shuffling along the floor, grabbing one of her spare changes of clothes, before stopping and turning towards the window, watching it carefully. She could just barely make out the cherry blossom petals flowing through the air, an all too beautiful sight for today.
After a shower, bath, and a small breakfast courtesy of Nanako, the three of them gathered around the kotatsu to watch the morning news. After the breaking stories that took up most of the first segment, Dojima spoke up, turning to the teen sitting off to his right. "All done packing?" Yui nodded, "Well, if you forgot anything I'll just mail it to you."
"Mhm, thank you Uncle Dojima."
Before Yui had the chance to speak further, the bell rang, causing Nanako to look over to her father, silently asking permission to go answer it. He looked confused, before realization dawned on him. "Go ahead," he spoke softly, "There's nothing to worry about anymore."
"Seeing her so cheerful like that... " He shook his head. "Nothing makes me happier."
"Mhm, she's really grown since I came here, she was so shy and reserved.. Give her a gray wig and she would have just been a smaller version of me." Yui giggled.
Dojima shared in the short lived laugh. "I already bought your train ticket for tomorrow, it leaves at nine in the morning from Yasoinaba."
She nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Uncle Dojima."
"You can leave Nanako here, so you go on and see your friends. This could be the last time you see each other."
…
"Un...cle.. Na-...Na...na...ko.."
…
Yui Narukami was a girl on a quest. She had made and mastered so many bonds over the course of her year in Inaba, and she was going to be damned if she wasn't going to say goodbye to every last one of them, and she knew just where to start.
Even though it was spring break, the school was at the very least open to students who needed and environment to study or if their club had meetings over break. Once Yui stepped inside, she saw the first person on her mental checklist, co-manager for the Basketball club, Ai Ebihara, holder of the Arcana of the Moon. "Ebihara-chan!" Yui called out to get her attention, before jogging to close the distance.
Ai, who was until just now leaning against the stairwell, smiled a rather genuine smile and walked to close the distance between the two of them. "Hey there, Narukami-chan. What's up, you get swamped with extra homework too? The girl in question shook her head.
"No, I just came to see if you wanted to hang out for a little while? Today is my last day, after all.."
"Oh! I totally forgot you were only a transfer for a year. Well, you wanna head to the roof for a bit? I promise it won't take too much of your time miss popular."
"Hey! I'm nowhere near popular." She pouted, before breaking into a smile. "But sure."
A quick climb up the stairs later and the two girls were up on the roof. They shared a little gossip they had heard around school along the way, and giggled about it like normal friends would. Once they reached the roof, however, the conversation became quiet. "Do you remember, how I wanted to jump, all those months ago?" Ai asked. "Thinking back.. It was pretty stupid for me to jump to that conclusion, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, definitely.." Ebihara glared at the girl for a second, before sharing a short laugh.
"But.. Thank you, for what you did. You stopped me, hell you almost pulled me from the other side of the fence yourself, and you listened. Thank you, you're the best, Narukami-chan." She sighed. "I'm glad I got to tell you that before you left."
"I'm sure anyone would have done the same if they were given the same circumstance, but.. I'm glad I was the one who was there for you, Ebihara-san."
The two shared a quick hug before Ai spoke up. "Alright, enough with the soap opera stuff! We should totally keep in touch while you're gone! We could even go on shopping sprees in Tokyo! There's this one shop that I've been dying to go to in Shibuya for the longest time.. Speaking of that, I've been thinking about the future, y'know? Not so much about college, or jobs, or even relationships. I want to become a nicer person, y'know? I'm tired of everybody assuming I'm some total bitch because of what I look like.. That doesn't sound weird.. does it?"
"No, of course not. I think that's perfect, then, when we go on that shopping trip, you can tell me all about it, m'kay?"
"Right!" They laughed for a while, before Ai took out her phone. "Oh my gosh! I totally forgot I had to head to Okina today. Well, I guess I'll see you later, text me when you get to Tokyo!" She explained, doing a little half jog away from Yui and down the stairwell.
…
"I-I...m... so...r...r-r...y" Yui didn't know who she was apologising to anymore, the dark, oppressive atmosphere and the pain robbed her of most all of her thoughts, so much so she didn't hardly remember how she got to this point. What was she doing? Was it all for naught?
She let out a shrill yelp as the pain assaulted her again, before finally fading from consciousness.
…
"Alright.." Narukami stood on one side of the Music Room door, listening to the, comparatively quiet, sounds of a singular trombone playing, stopping, and then playing the same notes again, there was no doubt about it, her bandmate and friend Ayane Matsunaga, the holder of the Sun Arcana was inside, playing and practicing her heart out.
She was waiting for a lull in her playing to make her entrance, as she thought it would be rude to interrupt such wonderful sounds. A quiet sigh was heard, and it was decided now was the time, as she slid open the door quietly open and stepped inside. Ayane, nose deep in her music sheets didn't notice until Yui was upon her, and she gasped happily. "Oh, hey Narukami-senpai!" Her eyes drifted from the form of the girl who had just entered to the room itself, before blushing out of embarrassment. "W-Wait just a moment, let me clean this place up, I-I was just finished practicing."
When Yui gave the go-ahead, Ayane became a flurry of motion, stacking sheets of music and placing them in her bag, out of seemingly nowhere Ayane pulled out her instrument case and put both it and her trombone away, the chairs and music stands were moved back to their correct spaces. Once all that was over, the smaller girl stood in front of her senpai in almost record time, leaving Yui impressed at how quickly she had gone about it. "The band met to practice for the opening ceremony, and left it to me to clean up after them.. But I thought it would be best if I didn't ask for your help, Narukami-senpai. I-I mean, you've helped me out so much that I thought I should give you a break, because you needed to pack- because you're leaving tomorrow.."
Yui frowned as Ayane's voice drifted off sadly. "Don't worry about that," She stepped closer and placed a hand reassuringly on her head, patting it gently. "We made a lot of great memories this year, didn't we? Don't look so sad now, save that for when I'm on the train platform, okay?" She mentally apologized to Yosuke, for blatantly stealing what he said all those days ago.
"R-Right!" She beamed happily. "If you don't have anywhere to be, do you mind chatting with me for a little while? I don't normally see you around school or town much anymore."
"Absolutely!"
And so Yui and Ayane began seemingly meaningless small talk, which lasted for a few minutes, about the weather, their favorite songs or musicians, their plans after high school. They even shared a few jokes between each other, before Ayane finally began to talk about serious topics. "Isn't it great that the fog is finally gone? I was so worried you'd leave with a bad impression because it was always foggy since you arrived here."
"I'm glad too, you have no idea how much I've wanted to see the town in it's beautiful splendor without the fog." A white little lie never hurt anybody, did it?
"Mhm! I'm happy that it's bright and sunny on your last day here! Fingers' crossed it won't be foggy tomorrow when you leave!" She laughed. "Just kidding!"
Yui laughed at that as well, and then things went quiet. Ayane seemed to be contemplating on continuing speaking or not, and when Yui was just about to carry on the conversation, she made the decision. "Um!"
"Hm?"
"Since we were talking about our futures- I've been thinking about studying music abroad. B-Because.. The more I study music, the more fascinated I get! And also, I've come to realize that music isn't about how hard you dedicate yourself to playing, it's how you express when you're playing, so then I started to try to put more expression when I played, but.."
"You found that you couldn't put feeling into it when you played, right?" Yui asked, much to Ayane's shock.
"H-How did?"
"It's because.." She sighed. "I was the same way, for a long time.. Not just about music, but also about school, work, friends.. Life.. But, eventually.. You find that spark, that lights that fire within you, y'know? For me, that spark was coming here, and meeting you, and everyone one else I've come to call friends in this town.." She smiled before speaking up again. "I'm glad that you're going to study abroad.. Promise me you'll find that spark, so when we finally meet again, you'll be not only a great musician, but also a changed woman, alright?"
"A-Alright! I promise! B-But, I'll be halfway around the world in two year's time, so I don't know how long it will be until we meet again.. It could be decades."
"Well then, when we do, I hope to see you all grown up, Matsunaga-chan."
"Y-Yeah.. Well.. I still have some things to do here before heading home, so go on, you're probably really busy today, right?"
"You could say that.. Well, see you tomorrow, Matsunaga-chan." With that, Yui turned away and headed for the door, thinking about where to go next.
…
She had passed Naoto in the halls walking around looking for Ai and Ayane, and she made a promise with the girl that she would say goodbye to her in a more private setting, and she took off towards Main Street, heading for the bus stop. Going over where to head first, she decided she would head to the Municipal Hospital to say goodbye to one of her more.. surprising friends. Sayoko Uehara, holder of the Devil Arcana. Sayoko was a nurse who had befriended Yui soon after her taking a part time job as a night-shift janitor, since she was one of the few staff she had a large interaction with.
Their first meeting was happenstance, Yui had just finished cleaning a recently vacated room when she had come out to find the woman in question and a doctor discussing a meeting. When the doctor walked away, just as Sayoko was about to do the same, she had noticed the younger girl standing off to the side, watching her. Now, if Rise had been a light tease, Sayoko was damn near sadistic. Sayoko had her pegged from the instant she laid eyes on her, which was only accentuated by how red Yui's face had become when all Sayoko had done was sauntered over to her, only adding a slight sway to her hips.
She greeted the receptionist and made her way deeper into the hospital, searching for Sayoko's usual station. In truth it had been a while since she had worked, having to take a long break from working most of her jobs after the incident with Nanako. If she remembered correctly, Sayoko worked in the Surgical ward. She passed two unfamiliar nurses, inadvertently overhearing their conversation. "Have you heard about Uehara-san?" Yui stopped in her tracks, instantly tuning into the conversation.
"No, what happened?" The other nurse replied.
"She joined a volunteer organization and went to Africa."
"What?!" Yui's thoughts echoed through the slim nurse's mouth. "Africa? I never thought she'd be the kind of person who would go there."
As their conversation continued, Yui began to slink backwards, a smile evident on her face. "Uehara-san.." She spoke quietly. "We may never meet again, but I'll never forget you.."
…
Next on her mental checklist was the holder of the Temperance Arcana, Eri Minami, a woman from out of town who had married a local and moved here to become a stepmother to her husband's son, Yuuta, who Yui had befriended during her stint as a daycare assistant early on in her stay in Inaba. Just like every one of the arcana that she had befriended and formed bonds with, however, it didn't come with it's own shortage of problems. Mainly Yuuta thinking Eri didn't think favorably of him, and Eri thinking Yuuta hated her. The whole ordeal was a little less than frustrating because of it. The silverette herself being harmed by the boy because of it, but soon after the incident everything sorted itself out, which caused the girl to overlook short term pain for long term fulfillment.
The bus came to a stop at the the top of one of the hills overlooking the town, the picnic area having been used as the day care before the fog began enveloping the town had been normally empty since the fog lifted, except for the rare occurrences of a family wanting to get out of the house and just a few days ago when the Investigation Team took their group photo overlooking the town.
Still, though, the girl was hoping on a miracle that the woman and her stepson would be there, of all places. Hell, if anything they were probably scared away from the town, let alone here because of the fog that had once blanketed the area. As she approached the area area that overlooked the town, she was a little less than shocked to hear childish giggling, and a familiar motherly voice.
Approaching with a smile on her face and her hands behind her back, she discovered the mother and son sitting at the gazebo near the cliff, alongside a freshly finished lunch. Yuuta was the first to hear the silverette coming closer, turning and waving when she was close enough. The girl gave a quick wave back, and came to a stop a couple feet away from the two.
"Miss Narukami," Eri smiled at the girl. "This must be fate, we only came here on a whim because the weather was so nice."
If Eri had more to say, Yuuta cut her off, proclaiming loudly. "Hey, Miss, let's play!" Causing Eri to sigh.
Yui sighed as well, supposing it would truly take time before the two of them would work out their kinks. "Yuuta, don't be selfish, I want to talk to Miss Narukami as well." There was a certain strain in her voice that only a mother could make, but if Yuuta heard it, he didn't care.
Being a tie-breaker was something that Yui, before or after coming here to Inaba, didn't like very much, and something that, contrary to her wishes, happens a lot. It's like she was some protagonist of some manga or something. With a sigh, she turned to the boy. "Okay, Yuuta, let's play."
…
The girl hummed in satisfaction as she took a swig from a can of drink acquired from one of the nearby vending machines. Oh how she loved the technology of refrigeration, how anything could be kept cool, awaiting consumption in any degree of heat, or after a game of tag, or hide and seek. Eri, who had been quiet for a short moment while the younger of the two caught her breath, finally spoke up. "I appreciate you playing with Yuuta, he hasn't been able to wear himself out in a while." She glanced over to the sleeping boy, on one of the benches surrounding the table the three were sitting at. "By the way.." she trailed off, leaning closer. "Did you hear about how the person behind the murders got arrested?" She spoke in a hushed whisper, one Yui herself was well acquainted with, and she nodded.
"I was afraid because everything about that case was so.. mysterious." another glance over to the boy to make sure he was still asleep, "And that awful, sickening fog didn't help either. When I heard about children getting sick I was so worried Yuuta might become unwell next, and then, when I heard the culprit was arrested, my first thought was that, at least he was safe from one thing, and then the fog lifted.." She sighed. "I collapsed onto my bed that night, feeling so thankful, that he was finally safe." A quick sip of her own drink and she smiled. "Now I understand that saying 'the parent's life revolves around the child."
Yui nodded, before speaking up again. "I was worried, too.. I have a little sister- well, cousin but oh well.. She got sick because of the fog, and had to be admitted to the hospital. It was scary beyond belief, going there every day, hoping that 'today's the day she'll get better, today's the day,' but everyday, like clockwork, it was the same thing. It even became touch and go for a while.. scary doesn't even begin to summarize it."
The conversation was left on that somber note for a short amount of time, before Eri reigned it in again, with small talk about her step son, and her hopes for him in the future. Admitting to the younger girl that she wanted him to become someone who was both a kind and generous person. She wanted her stepson to be someone others can rely on, someone who understands people's struggles.
"Thank you, please believe me when I say this, but you changed my entire life. Before you came along, I thought if I could just enjoy the moment, that I would be perfectly fine just killing time. But now I see things in a different light." Once again, she smiled. "Having Yuuta with me every day, laughing together over the small things.. I feel alive." Eri let out a quiet giggle. "I'm glad I'm a mother." With a smile, Yui had felt that the bond they had shared had been cemented in her heart.
"Well, I think I'm going to wake Yuuta up and head home. I promised him that we'd make Spaghetti and Meatballs tonight. Goodbye, Miss Narukami, I'm so glad I met you."
Reciprocating, Yui bid herself adieu and headed back for the bus stop, looking to go back into town.
…
"Who next.." Was the thought that played in the silverette's head during the short return trip to Inaba proper. There was always her closest friends, but she wanted to save them for last. After all, she wanted their goodbyes to be special.
Stepping off the bus at Main Street, ahead of platinum blonde hair caught her attention, as well as the attention of any others who were walking the streets today. Her beauty was a sight to be had, her ruby lips matching her pale skin beautifully, and her dark blue clothes hugged her body perfectly. Her ever steady golden eyes was the only thing betraying her nature as a Velvet Room assistant, and not a human. One might have thought thought that the girl had a crush on the otherworldly being, to which the girl would firmly deny it. She may be drop dead gorgeous, but Yui was happily taken!
"Margaret." Despite calling out to her easily enough, it was hidden by a questioning tone, as it was strange for her to be out of the velvet room and in the town.
"Oh.. You've come. I was waiting. I wanted to say goodbye before you left." Letting out a quiet sigh, Narukami realized that she could listen to her Velvet Room attendant talk for hours. But she still wasn't smitten! There was a large difference between finding a voice soothing and being smitten!
"I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long. It wasn't my intention."
"Nonsense, you are our guest. You may go about your business however you want, so long as you do." Fixing a stray lock of hair back behind her ear, she continued speaking. "I wanted to say goodbye, but parting words are not what I have for you." Smiling at Yui's confused face, she went on. "Remember? The heart is shaken more by a single action than a thousand words." She took a single step forward, her high heel clacking against the concrete. "Do you know what action will shake both our hearts?"
"U-Uhm-" Wow, she hadn't stuttered in a while. Clearing her throat, she spoke up. "A goodbye.. K-Kiss?" The chuckle that emanated from the velvet room attendant confirmed her suspicions, and only made Yui grow hot in the face. "W-Wait- We can't. You can't, I-I'm with someone you see." She tried to step backwards but her legs were locked in place.
"You may have progressed a human bond to that point, but our bond is very different indeed, just like how you and I are different, is it not?" There was something about that smirk that she put on that made the silverette shiver. "Now, close your eyes."
Once she had done as told, the woman moved closer, resting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder and leaning in, whispering. "Keep them closed, my dear guest. So that you don't witness my sinfulness.."
"A-Ah.. Yes ma'am.." If Yui had to suffer through a minute longer of this torture, she may just become a stuttering, blushing mess on the ground.
With a satisfied hum, Margaret delicately slid her hand from the younger's shoulder, to her chin, lifting her head for better access of her prize. Running her thumb along the silverette's gently colored lips, she felt out the soft contours before she was to finally take her spoils. With each glide, Yui's blush became brighter and she fidgeted more. Finally, just before it became unbearable for her guest, she dove in like a bird of prey, snatching it's choice in game before just as quickly flying away. Contact with her target lasted a measly two seconds, but she made sure it felt much longer for her guest.
"Are you going to ask as to why I stole a kiss, my dear guest?" Narukami nodded, still somewhat stunned. "Silly girl," Margaret's voice was less of a quiet hum and more of a sensual purr. "It is you who is the thief." Leaning in like she was going to steal another kiss, the seductress stopped just short of her prize. Again, her thumb had perched itself near the Wild Card's lips. "Will I ever see you again, I wonder.."
With a final hum, the woman had decided. She would not follow the path of her sister, who had became so obsessed with her own guest, that after his death she forever left her home in search of a way to free him from his fate. A slight pang of sadness echoed in her heart at the memory, Elizabeth may have been foolish and naive as to try and fight both fate and her their Master's orders, but they were still siblings, and Margaret couldn't stand to hate her if her choice was to leave. Stepping away, she allowed her hand to linger on Yui's soft flesh for just a while longer, before she finally turned and made her way back to the door to the Velvet Room. "Well then.. Farewell, Wild Card." Not waiting for a returned goodbye, the Velvet Room attendant pushed the door open, and stepped through it, disappearing from sight.
…
After the holder of Yui's Empress Arcana had said her goodbye, the teen's erratic heartbeat finally calmed down, but it would take many more minutes for the rest of her body to do the same. On her way over to procure a can of TaP from the vending machine in front of the local General Store, she had run into another one of her close friends. Shu Nakajima, a younger student that she had met due to her taking on a job as a part time tutor. His held Arcana was that of the Tower. "Sensei!" The sound of surprise was almost foreign to the boy's voice, yet the silverette knew who it was before she even turned, cash still in hand for her sought after drink.
"Oh, Nakajima-kun! Good day." She unconsciously jingled the coinage in her hand. "Do you mind if I get something to drink before we chat? It's rather hot today.."
"Hm? Okay, but it hasn't been all that hot today, Narukami-sensei."
"It can be if you've been running all over town," This, however was a lie. She had been stationary for a long while trying to calm down after Margaret's, not all that unwanted, stolen kiss. "I've been really busy today."
"Alright, I'll wait here." As the boy's former tutor went to retrieve her refreshment, he reserved himself to cleaning his glasses.
…
"Nakajima-kun, catch." Tossing an extra can of drink to the boy, she announced her return, and let out a quiet sound of surprise when, almost not even looking, the younger boy caught the projectile.
"Thanks, Narukami-sensei. Now, what's got you so busy?"
"I'm going around, saying my goodbyes to everyone." The sound of air escaping from a freshly opened can formed a segway between two different tones of the conversation, from the nonchalant to the shocked.
"Goodbye? What do you mean?" Shu wasn't very expressive with his face, something Yui had found out while he was under her tutelage. Instead, he would make slight vocal cues when he was feeling different emotions.
"Mhm, I'm leaving tomorrow. I thought you knew?" Yui's underclassman was silent for a few minutes, allowing her to take a couple swigs of her TaP.
"No, no I haven't heard anything about it.. Tomorrow, huh? That's really sudden.. That's- that's a problem. I have a baseball game tomorrow, but I want to see you off.. Oh man.. Oh man, oh man, oh man." Panic began to show on the boy's face. The feeling must be eating him up for it to actually show.
"No, no, no, no, no. Nakajima-kun it's alright. You don't have to worry about not coming to see me off. The thought is what counts. Don't beat yourself up because you have a game tomorrow."
"R-Really?" He waited for confirmation before continuing. "Then.. can I tell you something I've always wanted to say?"
"Of course, Nakajima-kun, never be afraid to speak your mind." Somewhere in her head, a voice was complaining that she should practice what she preached.
"Alright then.. I made a friend, he's in the store right now buying ice cream. He's the transfer I told you about before, remember? He's really funny, and he's nice. When I got suspended for cheating, he's the only one who stood up for me. And, thanks to him, I have other friends now, too. He's teaching me about comics and video games, and in return I help him study. Sometimes, he even comes over and we do our homework together." Shu was quiet for a little while, and he stared down at the, still unopened, can of TaP. Finally, he spoke up. "I never thought that.. 'fun' was something you could have every day. Instead of being afraid and running away.. I should have just faced everything head on. Narukami-Sensei.. Thank you so much. U-uh.. Your tutoring was great, I really learned a lot!"
"You're really giving me too much credit, you know.. You're a really smart kid, all you needed was a little push in the right direction." Stopping to take one final swig of her drink, she sighed. "I'm glad you were finally able to make friends, Nakajima-kun, and I'm happy to hear that you and the rest of your class is getting along. Just promise me, you won't ever lose sight of who you are, okay? And, that you'll hit a homerun for me, as payment for not being able to see me off tomorrow, M'kay?"
Smiling like he was the happiest kid on earth, he nodded. "Of course! I promise, I won't ever stray from who I am.. And you have my word, I'll hit a homerun so far it'll reach your train." They both shared a short laugh, and once they calmed down, Shu noticed something off about the girl's appearance. "Narukami-sensei?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"When.. When did you start wearing red lipstick?"
"Red lipstick?" Yui cocked her head slightly. "I'm not wearing any re-" She froze as it dawned on her. As images of the prior ordeal, that she imagined, flooded her head, her face became alight once again.
"Sensei?"
Yui was searching for a solution in her mind. She couldn't possibly lie to the boy, but yet sometimes the truth was better kept unsaid. "Well, you see.." She had an excuse that just might work. "I.. bought a new shade the last time I went into town, and I wasn't sure how it would look, so.. I didn't put much on, yeah." A believable liar she was not.
"Oh is that so?" The boy smiled. "It looks good on you, Sensei. It makes you look mature." The door to the General Store slid open and a dark brown haired boy around the same age and height as Shu stepped out into the street, bag of candy in hand. "Well, looks like I gotta go. Goodbye, Sensei!" Shu called out as he and the boy walked away, with the silverette waving back in kind.
…
After finally making sure that the remnants of what had transpired earlier was wiped off onto a napkin and promptly thrown away, she began to make her way back to the intersection that housed the local bus stop, when a cheery voice called out Yui's name from one of the storefronts. Turning towards the sound, she found her culprit. Rise stood in the open doorway of Marukyu, fighting with her apron to get the cloth off of her so she could get to her target, and once she was finally free, she all but ran towards her upperclassman, jumping and hugging her as she got close.
This didn't surprise the victim of the sudden attack, however. Rise had always been more.. Hands on when it came to friendship. After doing a little half circle due to the momentum of the collision, Yui set the girl down, letting her break away from the embrace. "I don't see you around here much anymore, what brings you around, Yui-senpai?"
"I've been going around saying my goodbyes to everyone, seeing as I'm.. leaving tomorrow." The fact of the matter still stung slightly, Yui didn't want to leave now of all times, just when she was beginning to enjoy life. But her year in Inaba was over.
"Goodbyes, huh? Well.. You better not give me anything like that! I don't plan on this being the last time we ever meet. Remember how I'm going back into showbiz?" The silverette nodded. "Well, today I went for voice training in Okina. Pretty soon, Risette will re-debut herself with a brand new album! I'm writing all the songs myself- or.. Well trying to. I did get a D in composition.." Rise let out a defeated chuckle.
"Thinking back, a lot of stuff has happened during my break hasn't it? I've become friends with everyone and they've all been so kind to me, even though out of all of us I'm probably the second most out of place person in our little ragtag little band of brothers, after none other than you yourself, miss natural silver hair." If it weren't for the smile that adorned the soon-to-be-again idol's face Yui would have been offended. "I think- no. I know I want to express my deepest feelings out to everyone who will listen, and not written by some schmuck that gets paid big bucks to write out lines that have been sung a thousand different ways with a thousand different words. But.." The first year's cheery attitude wavered for a second. "I can't deny that I'm a bit scared, you know? Before I was just some carbon copy idol. My fans have never seen the real me, what if they don't like it? Will they all jump ship to some other newer, prettier idol who sings what they want to hear?" After a bit of silence, Rise peps back up. "But I get it. If I let that fear control me. If I give in, then all we did would be for nothing, right? SO that's why I'm working my hardest, to make the best comeback I can, for my fans, and most importantly for my friends.. So you better be wishing me luck from the front row of every show you can attend, you hear me Yui-Senpai?"
"As long as you don't rope me into getting up on stage with you again.. I'm perfectly fine being a Risette fan, but I still don't think I deserve the same stage as you. Rise.. Knock 'em dead."
"Will do, Leader!" Saluting with a quiet giggle, she broke that for a quick farewell hug before making her way back across the street. "I gotta get back helping with the shop, you go have fun!"
…
After some thought, Yui scrapped her original destination and instead headed the opposite way down Main Street, towards the Shrine where Fox-san lived. On the way there she came across her fourth supernatural friend standing awkwardly between a billboard holding an old poster of Namatame's former wife, the Enka singer who leaked that he was having an affair, and a telephone pole. Marie was holding a meat skewer on one hand while gripping the strap of her bag, a small scowl on her face. She all but devoured the rest of the food she had when she saw the Wild Card coming, haphazardly throwing the wooden stick onto the ground, and once the human was close enough, the goddess spoke. "You're leaving, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I came to-"
"I can't believe it, leaving me behind already.. Stupidliarjerkfa-" Marie stopped mid rant, images assaulting her of what happened the first time she let loose on the girl, after one too many times reading her totally-not-poems. How she tried her best to fight back the water building up behind her eyelids, how, when the dam finally broke she almost literally popped out of existence in the Velvet Room, and how the girl would seem to flinch away from Marie every time both of them were in the velvet room at the same time, and how more of her not-poems would be left on the ground, and Yui making a very conscious effort to be as far away from the paper as possible.
Eventually the behaviour ceased as the two spent more and more time together, due to Margaret's request. Once she was done reliving those memories, Marie spoke up again. "You saved me, even though I didn't want to be, and now you're doing this?" Her glare dropped, and she spoke again quietly. "..I'll be lonely."
"Don't worry, I'm certain we'll meet again."
"Yeah, of course. I wouldn't let go of the one who changed my fate so easily. I'd just keep this year on repeat if this would be the last time we would meet."
Yui could feel the awkwardness of how real that statement was, and could only offer up a "Please don't," before continuing. "So, what are you going to do now that you're free?"
Marie thought on this for a few moments, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "I'm gonna explore this town, I'm going to find out as much as I can and when you come back, I'll be the one showing you around, since you're gonna be going for a while I'm gonna act as your own personal tour guide."
A few moments pass in silence, with Marie becoming more flustered as time went on. She said something about that sounding better in her head, and began to push the other girl away. "Go on, go say goodbye to everyone else."
…
With the ordeal of saying farewell to Marie out of the way, she was finally free to pass through the large Torii that marked where the shrine began, and whereas her steps outside the shrine were hurried and careless, as soon as she passed under that sizable vermillion gate, she began walking slowly, an unconscious response to the fact that this was a sacred place, and it held importance to Yui. Each of her footfalls paid homage to the hallowed ground. The noisy chatter in her head had silenced as well, not that it had been loud in the first place, but the sentiment was needed.
The light glinting off of the golden offering still hurt to look at on sunny days, the wind still rustled the leaves in the trees behind her, and the old priest still busied himself doing all the things that he couldn't do during the winter, yet something was off. Checking her phone showed that it had been four or so minutes since she had arrived at the shrine, yet where was Fox-san? Usually he would come out as soon as he was called, yet even after multiple calls he was nowhere to be seen. Yui had just finished a walk around the main building when an elderly man walking down the path called out to her.
After making the girl stop, he didn't speak again until he was almost right up on her. "My, what's a young lady doing in an old shrine?"
"Just stopping by, I guess." Moving a lock of hair from in front of her ear, her eyes moved from that eyesore of an offering box to the person she was talking to.
…
Somewhere in her mind, something thought the sight was pitiful, the man was hunched over so far that he had to rely on a thick cane to stay upright, and he wore thick glasses that hid hazy eyes, yet she still saw how the man was smiling behind those spectacles. "I'm afraid there isn't much to see anymore, not that long ago people from most of the local towns used to come to this shrine to pray. But in the last few years it started getting less and less visitors." The old man's hand gripped the handle of his walking support as tight as he could. Who was he, a former priest here at the shrine?
"Also," His eyes were no longer smiling. "I heard that the town was planning on tearing down this place because some delinquents stole from the offertory box, and that some fox had started sheltering here, if memory serves right the council was going to haul it off to an animal shelter."
"Wh-?!" The elderly man took an emotional 180 and smiled again.
"There are too many rumors these days, you shouldn't trust what hear housewives and students gossiping about. Remember that one about that fog that rolled in not long ago?" Oh, did she ever. "And that other one.. What was it called again? Midnight.. Something. Radio?" The man sighed. "Ah well, my grandson and his friends were all into that." He was quiet for a few seconds, and began mumbling. "Funny, I think I remember something like that happening when I was younger, too.. I wonder who starts these rumors?"
Who starts these rumors? Thinking about it, it couldn't have been Adachi, could it? From what Yui could tell, he was acting off those rumors, not making them. "Strange.." Her mouth began echoing her thoughts. "Maybe? No, it couldn't be.." Furrowing her brow, her carefree eyes became serious. Who indeed? Who started the rumor? Who started the rumor..?
Just when she thought she was onto something, the man burst into laughter, bringing the younger girl back to the present. After a single quizzical look, the man stopped, and apologized. "Sorry, sorry.. For a few moments there you looked like my wife. She was always thinking.. About this thing or another thing. She would always have her nose in a book, and she was always trying to figure out any mystery she came across." Again, he smiled, this time he smiled with those unclear eyes too. "I'm sure if she were still with us you two would be fast friends."
After that statement he excused himself and left, yet Yui still stood there, looking back at the shrine. "Fox-san.." One last feeble call, and when nothing replied, she sighed, reserving herself to the knowledge that the fox had been take.
One step, two steps. A shiver runs down the teenager's spine, someone was watching her. That serious look was on her face again as her gaze darted left and right, yet as she looked around the feeling wouldn't subside. If it wasn't to her left, or to her right, then maybe? Spinning in place she, she locked eyes with that offering box again, and then her eyes snapped upwards, and that familiar howl echoed through the air.
Elation buzzed through her body as the animal lept from atop the shrine to land in front of Yui. "Fox-san!" As the scarred fox turned around, three more, almost identical, smaller foxes, landed around the larger one. "Kits?" Once the family had gathered, Fox-san howled once again, this time joined in by three smaller howls, then the animal did something out of the ordinary. Fox-san drew closer, brushed up against her leg, and hopped up, brushing against her hand. It took a couple tries for the girl to take the hint, but when she finally did, she crouched down, and began petting the animal. "You must know this means goodbye too, huh?" A quiet yip came from the fox's maw, causing Yui to smile. "Thank you, Fox-san.. For all the help you gave me and my friends in our adventure." The animal's sharp eyes locked with the human's. "And I'm glad I was able to help breathe new life into your home, I'm sure what we did will keep this shrine running for a long while." A howl, and then Fox-san backed away, until it was back beside it's children. Standing back up, she gave one final goodbye. "I hope we can meet again, Fox-san, farewell."
…
Looking down at the hand she had rubbed Fox-san with, she quietly hoped that the animal's smell wouldn't linger as she left the shrine. As she stepped through that large Torii, to her right, a mop of bleach blonde hair caught her eye. Since she only knew of one person with hair like that, she immediately made her way toward the sight.
The boy seemed to be lost in thought, however, and didn't react to her presence until she cleared her throat. "W-Whoa, when did you get here?!"
"Relax, you big lug." Yui giggled for a few seconds. "I just left the shrine and saw you standing around, so I thought I'd come and say hey. Besides, you know.. I am-"
A set of footsteps came closer and stopped, and the owner soke up. "Oh, Narukami-chan. I heard that you were moving away soon."
"Oh, hello Tatsumi-san." kanji's mother had apparently been on errands. "Yes, I'm actually leaving tomorrow, I just came by to say goodbye to your son."
"Well, that might explain why Kanji has been so depressed lately."
"W-Wh?! I ain't been depressed ya old bat!"
Without warning, in less than a blink of an eye, Kanji's mother's face went from a polite, albeit, neutral smile, to a glare that shook all around her. "Don't talk to your mother like that!" Before reverting back to her previous demeanor. "Anyways, have you heard about the handicrafts class he's teaching?"
"Handicrafts?" Yui looked from one Tatsumi to the other. "No, I hadn't heard." Nodding her head up and down, she smiled. "That sounds great."
"Isn't it? Well, these things aren't gonna put themselves away, so I'll be heading inside." Kanji's mother went up, and slid open the door before stopping. "Oh, Narukami-chan? Thank you for being such an amazing role model for my son."
…
"I guess moms can be scary too, huh?" The silver-haired girl laughed quietly. "So, handicrafts class, huh?"
"Yeah," There was a hint of embarrassment in Kanji's voice. "You see, people just loved the shit outta the ones we were selling, and people kept asking how to make 'em. Instead of just showing everyone individually, I thought 'well why don't I start up classes' you know?"
All was silent for a while, with the boy shooting glances to his friend. "What, expecting me to laugh? I think it's a great idea. Why would I laugh at that? You want to do this, right?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, if they want to learn and I can teach 'em.. But, it still bugs me."
"Come on, don't doubt yourself. You're gonna be a great teacher, I just know it." Swinging her arm, Yui gave Kanji a few reassuring pats on the shoulder. "Don't go and mess this up, you hear?"
"Yeah, I hear you. But still.. Thanks, my ma' was right. You're why I can do stuff like this."
"What's with all these people thanking me?" She sighed loudly. "But still, funny how a murder case brought us all together. Well, I should get going."
"See ya, Senpai! Oh wait, do me a favor?"
"Hm?"
"Don't turn back around when you go. You got that?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be seeing you, Kanji."
…
"Okay, that's him down.. Now where?"
Just down the street, the sight of a truck being unloaded caught Yui's attention. It must have been that time of the month for the local stores to get restocked with whatever they sold, and today it looked like it was the local liquor store's turn today. Instead of a man, a boy came out near at the end and finalized things with the driver, and soon he was left alone. A few moments later, sun shining off a gray head of hair caught his eye, and he looked over. "Oh, Narukami-senpai. What are you doing here?" He had seen a fair share of gray heads before, but hers was easy to pinpoint, everyone else's just didn't hold the.. Color that hers did. "You're moving soon, right? Don't you have more important things to do?"
Naoki Konishi was Yui's underclassman, shocker, and the younger brother of Adachi's second victim. "I came to talk to you, I can't do that?" She had befriended him after a number of chance encounters had shed light on how he disliked being treated because of his sister's death. "I mean, if you don't want to say goodbye, I can always walk away."
"No, no it isn't like that. I just thought you had better things to do. And besides, I have to help Dad, so.." The girl refused to move, causing Naoki to sigh. "Whatever, weirdo.."
"So, how's school? You re-enroll yet?" She had turned her body so that she was parallel with the boy, to keep the sun out of her face.
"Yeah, I'm going back next year. I told them straight, to not treat me special because of what happened.. I mean, My classes would have been hell if they went like this year."
"That sounds like a big step in the right direction. I'm glad to see you're finally taking a stand for yourself."
"Big words coming from you, I heard how you were at the beginning of the year, Miss Statue."
Sucking in air through her teeth, Yui cringed. "Is that what they called me..? Sheesh, that stings.. Not to know, but to hear. Wow.." The two shared a quick laugh, before calming down. "So, I saw you unloading crates.."
"Mhm, I'm helping out a lot more now. I have a scooter license and after we're done unloading I'm gonna head out and make deliveries. Since the people stopped coming out of pity, we have to step up ourselves." He smiled, still too rare of a sight. "Oh, you know what our top selling product?" Looking over, he saw Yui shake her head. "Eau de toilette, but we use sake instead of ethanol."
"You.. can't be serious."
"One hundred percent. To be honest, it was my idea."
"I don't think that's something to be proud about, but.. I guess if it sells, it sells." Once again, Yui felt like sighing. "Putting that aside, actually- throwing that aside. I'm glad to see that you're finally back on your feet, Naoki."
"Yep, I'm finally moving forward again. Well, I should get to work before Dad rails on me for taking too long, See ya."
"Mhm, see ya, take care."
Yui began walking away, planning on catching the bus again and seeing where that took her, but before she could get far, someone called out to her. "Narukami-senpai!"
Turning, she's impacted by something, a blur of platinum blonde hair. Arms wrapped around her weakly, before tightening. It seemed that even though he had said goodbye, Naoki wasn't done yet. She was going to ask why he had done something so suddenly, but before she could, she shirt began to get damp, and the sounds of feeble crying could be heard. Instead of asking what she wanted to, she merely smiled, and reciprocated the embrace. "So the dams finally break, huh?"
"S-Shut up.."
Yui's hand lay on the back of her underclassmen head, stroking through his hair gently. "I'm not poking fun at you." Silence, except for the pitiful sounds of crying. "I'm actually glad that you're finally doing it.. I could always tell you wanted to, but you could never do it."
"What d-do you mean?"
"I was the same way for a while. Back home in Tokyo. The time up until I moved here were some of the times that I felt closest to, but there was something different between then and now.. I had no one to hold me, like I am to you, so while I wanted to, I never did.."
"I just-"
"Miss her? Hate how she had to die like that?" A nod of the head. "I know she feels the same, I may have met her only briefly, but even at that point in my life I knew she was an amazing person, Naoki. She took the daily slandering and abuse to make more money for the family, even though she didn't need to. The world is lesser without her. Say.. Can you promise me something?"
"Hm?"
"When you meet your sister again, no matter what age you may be.. Tell her about your life, even the bland and boring parts. Tell her, not so she should regret dying so young but, tell her so that she may be happy that you lived your life in her place.."
"I will.." Silence. "Thank you, Narukami-senpai.."
"You're welcome, Konishi-kun.."
Eventually, the two parted, with two damp spots where Naoki's, now reddened, eyes were. Before she left for good, Yui spoke one final time. "It is alright to grieve for those who pass that are close to you, but everyone has their own pace. That does not make you weak, nor does it mean that you should let those around you act differently. You may cry, but eventually you will laugh, and smile, because you remember who they were before. So please, carry that kindness that your sister had for all of your days."
…
Once again, Yui stepped off the bus and listened to it roll away, staring at the grand building before her. Amagi in was large, incredibly so. To be completely honest, it looked large just to be large, hell it had the land and the space. It was completely unlike the hotels back in Tokyo, which often were tall because their lot was only so big. Finally moving after a minute or so, Yui went for the front door.
A familiar face, clad in a stunning kimono, walked up to her. Like a finely tuned machine, she spoke. "Welcome to-" Until realizing who the guest was. "Oh, Yui. That's right, tomorrow's the day that you're leaving, right?"
"Mhm, I came to see you before I left.. You always did look good in a kimono.."
"Hm?"
"Hm? Oh- sorry. That must sound weird, coming from me. I'm just a bit exhausted from running around town a bit." The laugh Narukami made couldn't have sounded more awkward.
"No worries, I kinda get that a lot.. If you mind, I don't think anyone'll get too mad if I take a quick break so we can sit down and chat?"
"I wouldn't mind, do you think we could also get some tea? I've been craving it since we came here last.."
"Certainly, go wait in the lounge and I'll be right back."
Some minutes later, Yukiko had returned with a tray containing a pot and two sets of cups and saucers. Sitting down beside her friend, she spoke. "I told the kitchen that some guests requested tea, what they don't know won't hurt them."
"You are a goddamn life saver." Taking one set for herself, she set about pouring the liquid into her own cup, and then doing the same for her friend. "So tomorrow's finally the day.."
"Mhm, it certainly is.." The two of them looked downtrodden, although they knew that this day was coming. "You aren't making this easy, I never did like goodbyes.."
As a side note, Yui responded. "You get used to them."
"Oh shut up." A giggle. "I keep telling myself that I'm just gonna go on with today like it was a normal day, and when I wake up tomorrow we're all gonna still be together and get into whatever we get into. But I think, deep down I know that the last time I'll see you is when you get on that train."
"I'll be back."
"Can't I just have one sad monologue?" The two burst out into laughter.
Suddenly, Yukiko broke herself from her fit, and spoke in her serious tone. "I've decided I'm leaving with you tomorrow."
Jumping to attention at those words, Yui slammed her knee into the table. "You wh- Ow!"
While Yui sat holding her hurt leg, Yukiko started up her laughing fit again like nothing had happened. "Ah ha ha! You shoulda seen the look on your face!"
"N-Not.. Ow.. Not funny, Yukiko.." Still, she laughed. "Alright, maybe it was a bit funny."
…
Once the two had calmed down and stopped hurting, they relaxed and continued to drink they tea between them. "You know.. After staying to become manager, I realized that before, I was just scared, of how it would affect my life, of how others would see me, and if I could have met with the responsibilities that came with the position." Again she looked melancholic. "I was just a student, I was trained for stuff like math science japanese and history, I don't know the first thing about managing an inn.. But, now that I've decided I'm going to stay and take up the job, I have to make an honest attempt at it."
"Good for you, I'm glad to hear it."
"And I have you to thank for it. I'm going to face my fears and problems down head on, while holding the pride you've given me close."
"And, if you ever need help just know I'm a single call away, and so is everyone else."
…
Again, she was on the bus, traveling from the Amagi Inn, where just a few short moments ago she had wrapped up her little break. ABout halfway through the ride, her stomach started growling, making her regret not eating while she was there. Once off, her feet carried her back down Main Street where she had just been thirty minutes ago, before stopping in front of Aiya's.
From the inside, two familiar voices echoed, pushing Yui to go inside. Once the door was opened, one of the two boys called out to her. "Hey, Narukami-san! We were just talking about you, come over and sit down."
Without speaking, she moved to the empty seat beside Daisuke, the person who had called out to her. When she sat, she looked to the main behind the counter. "One tonkotsu, please."
Kou spoke up, causing Yui to look his way. "We started talking about all that weird stuff that happened, and wondered if it was really over. And we were.."
"Making each other feel better because you're leaving tomorrow." Daisuke chimed in.
"H-Hey!" Kou fumed for a second. "Man, we were just saying how it'd be cool to see you one last time, and in you walk. What you got some supersonic hearing or something?"
"Nah, I just got hungry at the right time, if anything my stomach is psychic." The three laughed a bit, before Kou spoke, causing the other two to look over at him.
"Well since your stomach led you to us, lemme tell you something I've decided on." Yui cocked her head to the side. "Once I graduate, I'm going to college overseas."
"What? Overseas?"
"Yep! I mean, it'll be a blast, and plus once I join 'the society' it'll look good on my resume." Almost like a side note, he continued. "And it'll look good for the Ichijou family."
"Come on," Daisuke, however, saw right through the facade. "It's not for your family."
"Yeah, you got me there, it is for me. But, I wanna help them out, not because they adopted me or because I'm their first son, I just want to support them. I don't have to be the head to do that."
"That sounds like you've got it all planned out, huh?"
"Oh yeah, Narukami-san. All except one part though. How Daisuke's gonna deal with being a loner while I'm gone."
"Oh can it. No matter where we all are, friends are still friends."
Kou was silent, and so was Yui, but not for the same reasons. She was eating through her bowl of ramen like her life depended on it, and Kou was stunned. "What?" Daisuke began to get flustered.
"Those were some pretty touching words, man. To be honest I was unsure how to even start this conversation, and in you come saying stuff like that like you were kicking a ball."
"If you were anyone else I'd be offended.. Hey, Mana- I mean, Narukami sa-" Looking over, Daisuke discovered that Yui had downed all of her food, and was in the process of drinking all the broth in a matter of minutes. Once she was done, she set the bowl down with a "clunk" and sighed, before turning to face Kou.
"Hm?"
"I will always be amazed at how fast you can eat when you put your mind to it.. Anyways, how about we get more?"
"Sure, I could go for another bowl."
While Daisuke placed the order, Kou leaned over the counter, calling out to Yui. "Narukami-san. Whenever you're in town, drop by and say hi sometime? This is your hometown now too, you know."
"Oh, I'll be sure to. Who knows? I might even come back permanently, we could even be neighbors."
…
One filled stomach later, Yui had left Aiya's and walked back through Inaba, going nowhere in particular. Her stomach made her too content to care. And like all things that flow through towns that sit on or near rivers, she found herself at the river bank, on the road that she took every day to and from school. The Samegawa was a tame giant, if the river would ever flood, it would rage like wild boars, but while it was unflooded it meandered along like a pig, content to lounge in the sun. Down a set of stairs, beside a fishing pier, stood an old woman that looked like she was on her way to a funeral, gazing out over the water. Death had come to watch the water yet again.
Walking up to her friend, Yui called out her name. "Kuroda-san."
Hisano Kuroda turned and smiled. "Narukami-chan?" She laughed to herself a bit. "My, it seems that we really are connected by fate. Shall we talk like old times?"
"Of course, that's why I came to see you."
"Oh, you know how to make an old lady like me so happy, shall we sit?"
After Yui had helped Hisano down, and sat herself, the older of the two spoke. "I just came from visiting my husband's grave, and then came to the river, just like old times. Next thing I know, you show up and want to listen to an old bat like me."
"Fate sure is funny like that, isn't it Kuroda-san?" A short pause. "I haven't seen you around town as much lately, where have you been?"
"Oh, I'm living with one of my children and their children now. They're all so kind.." She went quiet, before speaking back up. "I realized I never told you about them, all I did was talk about my husband.."
"Well, I'm here now, why don't you tell me about them?"
A short, quiet chuckle. "I'm the one to blame for that, I distance myself from my family too much for a while, thinking I was going to have to depend on them, and I would interfere with their lives.. So I wanted them to forget about me. But.. They welcomed me, and now we live happily together. They take care of me, and I take care of my grandson, so it's a give and take." She laughed, not like before, her face contorted and her mouth opened wide when she did. When she fell silent, she spoke again. "I had always assumed that there wasn't a place where I belong in this world, but it was here all along.. With my children, my family.. I regret not talking with them before."
"I'm glad you finally talked to them, Kuroda-san.. They must have been saddened by your husband's death as well, but what about you? Are you still sad?"
Hisano gave that smile that only a sweet grandmother could give. "It's more like there are times when I get sad. I'm happy now, and sad sometime later. I can't help but think that he wanted to feel this happiness too." She began to get that look on her face again, causing Yui to worry, but then she did an emotional one-eighty. "So I've decided that the best I can do is to live a long and happy life. So when I see my husband again, I can tell him about it and we can spend the rest of eternity happily together. Instead of feeling sad.. I just feel a bit lonely."
"We all feel that way after a loss, Kuroda-san. There is nothing wrong with that."
"Yes, yes I know that.. And I'm going to have to tell him about what happened in town, too.. Those murders, how the police caught the murderer, and about you."
"M-Me?"
"Yes, of course. You've been a dear friend to me, Narukami-chan." She looked from the younger girl back to the river. "I realized that precious things remain precious, living or dead.. And You have to cherish everything precious to you, for you to become precious to someone else."
"I'm glad you did, after all you're precious to your children and grandchildren, and you've become a precious friend to me, Kuroda-san."
Another quiet chuckle, and they sat in silence for a while, watching the river. "I'm sorry you had to listen to my long-winded monologue, Narukami-chan. You must still have things to do." Hisano stared at the young girl for a few moments, before smiling. "You look like you've grown, you're looking more like the lady you're meant to be. I'm sure if you were around when I was younger I'd have to fight to keep my husband's eyes off of you."
"K-Kuroda-san.." Yui had to fight back a blush, a mix of a flattered and an embarrassed blush, but a blush nonetheless.
She merely chuckled and waved her hand. "Go on then, Narukami-chan. We'll meet again."
"Goodbye, Kuroda-san. I'm sure we will."
…
Yui sighed, she had kept her waiting long enough, now she needed to say her goodbye to Naoto. Inside the school building she walked, and she spotted her lover's trademark hat in the crowd. "Senpai, I take it you're done running around town?"
"Almost, I still need to head to Junes to get some things for the trip.. But other than that, I'm all yours. Shall we walk?"
"Lead the way." SHirogane followed that path that her upperclassman carved through the crowds, and up the stairs. "Have you said goodbye to your teachers?"
"No.. Should I have done so? I mean.. I get the feeling that they didn't much like me. Especially Kashiwagi.. Do you think she's still bitter because she lost the pageant?"
"I think that it's a normal thing to do, after all you are leaving tomorrow."
"Nah, I'll just leave it be, they don't need to get all sentimental and stuff."
"If you say so.."
One thing Yui is certain to miss is the incredible view from atop the school roof. Of course she had seen it earlier today but it was still something that takes her breath away, even if the circumference-spanning safety fence was beginning to crumble to dust in some places. The fields, the mountains, the hills. The roads and the river, she could almost see it all. She would swear to herself that if the hill the school sat on ws just a bit higher, she could see where she lived. "It's so peaceful.." Just to think that not even three months ago the entire town was gripped with fear, and later fog.
"You sound a little disappointed, detective." A light shove against the arm was the only reply the second year got, until her underclassman sighed.
"That's not it, what did you say on Tatsumi Island? 'You're putting words in my mouth and I'd like for you to stop? It's just, I feel like without a case or you here, I've become listless."
"I thought you said-"
"I know what I said, sorry I phrased that wrong. I'm just.. Lonely, I guess. I mean-" Another sigh, slightly more frustrated. "I'm just being childish, don't mind me.. I'm not going to make a fuss now that you're leaving, or anything, nor am I going to beg you to stay. I know that we've agreed to find each other again after you graduate, but.. But."
"You're scared?"
A quiet "Yes" could be heard.
"Scared of what exactly? Silence. "I won't be able to help you if I don't know what you're scared of, Naoto. Now.." Her hand sought out her lover's. "Tell me what you're scared of.. Please?"
"I'm scared of.. That, uh.. I'm scared that too many things will change, I guess.. I can't really put it into words, sorry."
"That's fine, it's perfectly fine for you to be scared of change, to either me or you. To be perfectly honest, I am too.. I still remember the ski trip like it was yesterday, and how the nightmare was- I don't think I'll ever completely forget.. But, I know that no matter how much we change, only two things will remain constant. One, that it shall be for the better, and two, that no matter what.." She gave a gentle squeeze to Naoto's hand, and she responded in kind. "No matter what, we will fall in love all over again."
Judging by the rising temperature of the younger girl's hand, she had a blush that was of epic proportions. "S-Since when did you have such a way with words.. Jeez.."
Yui only giggled. "Oh, I've always had it, I guess. So, now that that's sorted out, are you going back to your Grandfather's estate once you're finished with your business here in Inaba?"
"No, I think I'd like to stay here in Inaba.. Of course, Grampa would have the last say in the matter, but I think he would understand how I feel about staying here. Of course, I don't intend on turning in my gun, so if I'm ever needed elsewhere, I'll just leave for a while, and then come back."
"You go Detective Princ-Ow!" When she spoke, her hand was held in a vice-like grip. "Ow-ow-ow okay I get it I won't do it again."
"Good.. Inaba is my hometown now, so I plan on staying here, and treasure all our time spent together, solving the case and otherwise." She stepped closer to her senpai. "The Midnight channel, Personas, and Ameno-sagiri. Something had to have brought them into this world, and I want to find out what.. But, doing it alone is going to be a lonely ordeal, with you gone.."
"I'll be back, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"Shush.. And, Yui? Please, while you're in Tokyo, never forget the time you spent in this city, and.. Never forget me."
"I'll remember it all.. Even the parts that make me want to either cry or die of embarrassment. Like when I mistook your grandfather's assistant for an attacker, I don't think that moment will ever leave my memory.."
"If it's any consolation, he admired you for putting yourself in harm's way to protect someone else."
The two shared a quick laugh, and went back to admiring the scenery. "I know I don't have to ask, but, you'll be at the station, right?"
"Of course, what the hell kind of question is that?" Ah, that annoyed look on Naoto's face still left Yui lovestruck. "Yes, I will. I cleared my schedule tomorrow just so I can be there. So, for a while this'll be our last chance to talk, unless we plan out any meetings in the future."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, I'd love to show you- wait no you've probably been to Tokyo before.. Uh, well, I doubt there's be much you haven't already seen, but I'd still love to see them with you, and.. Well, besides.. I'd like to introduce you to Mom and Dad sometime."
"Now, there is something I'd like to do. I've wondered what kind of people your parents are face to face."
"Mhm, I'm sure they'd love to meet you. Now, I should get going to Junes, I'll talk to you tomorrow? Or maybe call you sometime toni-" She had begun to walk away, but her hand was held firmly in place.
"Senpai, if you'll allow me.." She was beginning to get pulled in the wrong direction, back towards where she had just been. "I'd like to be greedy, just this once." Because of the awkward way she was being pulled, Yui turned to face her underclassman, and when she did, she felt hands on her face.
"O-Oh, well.. All you have to do is ask, you know?" Narukami commented, before lowering her guard completely, letting Naoto do as she wished.
Which she did, yet for now all she wished was to hold Yui close and embrace each other again, before sharing a long, chaste kiss. Once she was satisfied, she pulled away, saying "Much better. You go on, I'll be fine now."
…
Yui had bid farewell to the love of her life, and begun the trek to Junes, looking to stock up on anything she could run out of on the trip home, or otherwise just get snacks for the long train ride. She had found the location fairly easily, it is a massive store near the center of town, and the giant red "Junes" sign gave it away completely. On the ground floor she picked up a basket and began to comb through famillair aisles. Essential products? Check, and she was just getting to the Food Court when two people called out to her. Turning to the voices, she saw a cute-yet-creepy bear costume and her right hand man. They beckoned her over to the table they were sitting at.
"So, you going around saying your goodbyes, huh?"
"Yep! Just about finished, actually, aside from Uncle Dojima and Nanako, you two are all that's left."
"Well what'd you think? You finally got to see Inaba how it normally is, what with how sleepy and peaceful everything is. I have no doubt that now that the fog is gone and Adachi's been caught, a lot of people will start leaving their doors unlocked."
"You know what, Yosuke? I actually liked it. You were right all those months ago. I finally saw that 'something' you were talking about."
"Ha, the town has claimed another one." Yosuke laughed. "In all seriousness, though, I think it's weird how all this started when you came here, you know?"
"Oh, don't even start with that."
"I'm not, I'm not. I'm just making a conversation."
"I was remembering back when Sensei and you first began going into the other world, Yosuke. I'm feeling so nostalgic!"
"Yeah, we were actually just talking about that before you came. And then after that it was just one twist after another. It almost makes me dread going back to the way things were before, with all the excitement gone and all. Not to mention you won't be around."
"If that's your way of hitting on me I might just have to hit you, Yosuke."
"Oh can it, I was not. I was just saying how we've been through a lot together, your persona awakening, and then mine. Saving Chie and Yukiko, and everyone else, and not to mention Alice. Hell, we even got into it once, I still can't believe how hard of a punch you can pack."
"You two what?!" If it had been much earlier in the year, the recoil from finding that out would have sent Teddie flat on his back. "Yosuke!"
"What? Sometimes best friends have to fight in order to be best friends."
"Why didn't you tell me, Sensei?! Come on, let's fight!" Teddie growled. "One on one, mano e mano!"
"Teddie.. If I could flatten you with a touch back then, what do you think I could do now? Besides, I don't wanna get hurt before I leave and all."
The bear did a complete 180 emotionally, frowning at those words. "I guess you really are leaving, huh?" The girl nodded. "I'm glad I met you guys, you all changed my life. Sensei, Yosuke, Nana-chan, all of you. You all gave me life."
"Nah, we didn't go that far, in order for one to change he himself must will it. Remember when you, uh, grew your body? No one helped you with that, it was all you."
"I guess you're right, Sensei." Suddenly, teddie bowed deeply to both Yui and Yosuke. "Sensei, Yosuke, thank you so much, I love you two."
"Aww, that's really sweet!"
"I think love is kind of a strong word.."
"See, Yosuke? Sensei reciprocated my love. Of course if you need more convincing I could always take my suit off."
"I'd rather you not. Besides, I think Yui loves everything. A long shot of what she was when I first met her."
"Oh hush, and you aren't any different? You were always so depressed, and you were prone to injuries to you-"
"Okay okay I get it we've all changed. I think you should go on and see Nanako, after you pay for the stuff in your basket."
Food and essentials were acquired, and Yui headed home, back to the Dojima residence, where she had left early this morning, and where she will leave again for a time around the same time tomorrow. Once she had gotten on the road that was now so familiar she could walk it blindfolded without stepping on either a crack or in a hole, she saw her uncle and niece outside, heading down where she was coming up. Eventually, they met and Dojima spoke. "Hey, Yui, how are the goodbyes coming along? Did you see all your friends?"
"Yep, I think I got them all. Unless you want to help me track down the stray cat that was around here."
Uncle Dojima simply laughed at that. "Did they cry?"
"Hm, not many. Only one did, I think. But then again it wasn't because I was leaving."
"Here, we were gonna head to the river for a bit, why don't you join us?"
…
Dojima and Nanako sat under the gazebo closest to the river, and Yui stood on the bottom step. Once they were all situation, Yui's uncle spoke up. "Here, let me see your face." Reaching out, he gently took hold of Yui's head, and examined the part of the body he wanted to see. Once he was satisfied, he nodded. "You're looking a lot more mature now, it's only been a year, but I still can't believe how fast kids grow up."
"I can't be that mature, I mean I still like the same stuff."
Nanako opened her mouth, but refrained from speaking, instead resigning herself to kicking her legs.
"Nanako?" Dojima, worried, placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Do you remember what we promised?"
She nodded her head, and finally spoke. "Take care of yourself, Big Sis. Don't get sick."
"You too, Nanako, I want you to grow up into a fine person."
"Mhm.." Again, Nanako looked down at her feet, and kept swinging them.
"Aw, don't look so sad. We're still family, and it doesn't matter how far we're apart, because nothing will change that. We can visit him when I get vacations, and he's always welcome back into our home, right?"
"Yeah.." For the second time, Nanako looked over at Yui. "You'll remember me.. Right, Big Sis?"
"Of course I will, I promise, I'll never forget you, or Uncle Dojima."
"It's a promise.." Soon, the facade that Nanako held broke, and her face contorted from a look of concentration to one of sadness, and she brought up her arms to cover her eyes, which at that point had water building up under her eyelids. Nanako cried for a short while, causing both Dojima and Yui to panic, with Yui hurriedly going up the stairs to sit beside the girl, to hold and comfort her.
"Aw, come on Nanako, don't cry.." Her father groaned quietly.
"I-I'm not- I'm not crying."
Eventually, Yui's gentle caressing and soft voice stopped Nanako's tears, and Dojima spoke up again. "I guess all kids end up getting pushed around by their parents, especially you. But.. Could you do me a favor? Don't hate my sister and her husband for doing this, or doing what they did before. I don't know how much you believe it, now or back then, but they've really been doing this so that you won't live the way they did in that city."
"I don't blame them any more.. Am I still mad as hell? Oh yes. But.. They wouldn't be my parents if I didn't get mad or annoyed at them sometimes."
That comment caused her uncle to chuckle, and he nodded. "Well, either way.. All things considered, I really enjoyed the time you spent being a part of my family. As far as I'm concerned, you're Nanako's big sister, and my daughter."
"What, you want me to call you 'dad' from now on? What about 'father'? 'Papa'? Or are you more of a 'daddy' person?"
"Alright smartass." Yui and Dojima shared a good laugh at that. Once they settled down, they noticed Nanako had sat back up. Motioning toward his daughter, he said. "Give her a call, whenever you have time. Also, if you ever want to come and visit I'll leave your room like it is now."
"I'll be sure to do that, I should have a lot of spare time for Nanako."
Out of the blue, the little girl spoke up. "I wanna marry Big Sis when I grow up."
Collectively, Yui and Dojima tried speaking, only to be racked with coughing. Once he caught his breath, Dojima laughed like he hadn't before, but Yui was still catching herself. "You already have admirers, huh Yui? Already working on that 'cool beauty' side of yourself? Sure, if she is free, you can. But." Something about Dojima's eyes betrayed the feeling that only the father of a daughter would know. "That won't be for a long time, right Yui?"
"Yes, y-yes of course, uh.. I.. should get going, I need to finish up some final things around town."
…
Somehow Yui found herself back at Junes, even though she had already finished up all she should have needed to do here, but yet something still called her here. She rode the elevator to the, now almost completely empty food court, and looked around. She was standing in front of the table that had become their impromptu home base in the investigation, looking from side to side. Of course, she saw nothing, it was just the same old food court. But yet still, something felt off.
She sat down at the table, her back towards the lines of displays and grills, and sighed. Maybe she was just imagining things, maybe she really had gotten used to the intrigue of a murder case and had caught the detective bug from Naoto, looking for a mystery in everything. Yes she had gotten a taste of sleepy, peaceful Inaba but.. Did she like it? Was she really so deep in the murder case that it because part of her reason for existing? These questions plagued her as she heard footsteps behind her, in a large number. All familiar. First, Yosuke and Teddie without his bear suit, then Chie and Yukiko, followed by Kanji, Rise, and Naoto all in that order. They all voiced their surprise at everyone being here, and saying hello to Yui, who they had seen only a few hours before. A single idea was tossed around, buy food and make Yosuke pay for it, to which everyone agreed.
In order to seat everyone, they moved from the table they were at to the pair of long, wooden tables covered up that served as base in the event that it was raining. There, now that they were all together, everyone began to reminisce, stories were thrown around of their escapades, from the funny and outrageous, to the downright embarrassing. Once everyone had finally calmed down from a story told at Naoto's expense, Teddie spoke. "I really had fun in this world."
Yosuke finished off his drink and scoffed. "Dude, your whole existence is about fun." Tossing the disposable cup, it landed right in the hole of the trash can. "Well, I can't say what happened was all fun and games, but I can say without a doubt I've never felt so fulfilled."
"It seems that it's been forever since we started on this case, but now that you look at it it wasn't that long." Chie wore a sad smile as she spoke. "We won't ever gather here again like this, nor will we tear our hair out trying to solve the mysteries.."
"Even if we wanted to talk about this to someone, no one would believe the things we've been through." She hummed quietly. "Now that I think about it, I head about the midnight channel from Chie, that's when everything started with me."
"I heard about it from her, too, where did you learn about it?"
"I.. guess it was just a rumor that a lot of the girls were trying out."
Kanji huffed. "I wonder who started it.."
Chie looked over and waved her hand dismissively. "Who knows? Maybe someone just randomly came across it."
"The midnight channel.. Once you think about it, it was the cause of everything. Sure the fog disappeared when we took down Adachi, but there are still dozens of things that don't remain clear." Yosuke shrugged. "And it's still foggy over there too."
"Someone might use it for bad things again.."
"Didn't that monster, Ameno-whatever say that it granted us power?"
"I bestowed power onto those who could brave the hollow forest.' In other words he gave the power to enter the TVs to those who had awakened to their Persona ability. So that he may use us as pawns to enact his scheme."
"That reminds me.. Hey Yui?"
"Hm?"
"Didn't your hand slip into the TV before anything happened to you? Does that make you an exception? What about Adachi and Namatame? They could go inside TVs before this stuff about Personas, right?"
"Yeah, I'm trying to remember, but.. I can't seem to, it's been so long.."
Rise chimed in for the first time in a while. "Does that mean Senpai and the others could do it for some other reason?"
"You gotta try and remember, Senpai."
Yui inhaled and exhaled, before lowering her head in thought. The only exception. Funny, it seemed that fate was still dogging her after her life had come out for the better. She was different than her friends, the only ones she was similar to in that regard was Adachi and Namatame. But what did they have in common? What tied Yui and the two men into the same cloth? Suddenly, her gaze shot back up. "Wait!" Yui stood up and fished through her skirt pocket, until she found what she was looking for, an envelope addressed directly to her.
"A letter? This isn't another warning, is it?"
"Yosuke shut up.. It's from- Adachi."
"From jail?!"
Yui tore open the top flap and took the letter from inside, where she unfolded it and began to read aloud. "I'm sure you're surprised to get this letter out of the blue. I'm writing this because there's something I need to tell you. Ever since I made it out alive, there are some things I understand now." She stopped for a breath, before continuing. "It's true that my game's over."
"What he thought he would have-"
Yui brought her foot down heavily on top of Yosuke's foot. "As you all insisted at the time, I'll abide by the rules of this world. But as long as I'm in stir here, I can't clean up after myself, so I hope this will give you something to think about, in regards with this case. There's still this feeling I can't shake, about how this all started. The midnight channel. I remember now, that when I first came to town, someone told me about it when I first came to town, before the rumors began flying around the station." Yui again took a breath. "I became even more intrigued when I read Namatame's reports. But, I can't remember who it was that told me. Since Namatame and I both gained our power after coming to Inaba, I have a feeling that has something to do with it. I don't know if any of this will be useful or not, but I hope it can help somehow."
"Well how the hell is that supposed to help us?"
"Kanji shush, there's still more." Clearing her throat, she continued. "When I'm here, I think of Dojima-san, Nanako-chan and you a lot. Though my time with you didn't seem like much fun before, it's strange.. Despite it all, I'm grateful to you. Thank you." Underneath those words, like an after though more words were written. "But let me just say this, you're a dumbass." Yui sighed, before still continuing on. "You take the path you choose, and I'll think about what that means to me, too. I doubt I'll ever see you again, but stay healthy. Goodbye." And the letter ends there.
Yui gave a deep sigh as she folded up the letter, putting it back in the envelope, and stuffing it back into her pocket. "Who did we learn about the midnight channel from indeed, you bastard.."
"If he was gonna say that he didn't know who told him why would he even send a letter at all?" Chie kicked her feet a bit, letting her shoes scrape against the concrete below her.
"I kinda know the feeling.." Everyone's attention turned to Yosuke, who shrunk down at the advent of so much attention. "I mean- I dunno how to say this, but.. It's like something connecting all these things, something beyond what we can see." He went on. "That world, the midnight channel, the ability to enter TVs, alone they seem like seperate things, you know? Like- first, there were the rumors, and then the murders, followed by us investigating the case. If they were all isolated, would the fit together so perfectly like this?" At first, nobody spoke. "It's like there's a conductor somewhere, pulling the strings."
"So you think that the person who told Adachi about the Midnight Channel is the conductor?"
Everyone, shocked, looked at Chie, who was trying not to look too happy with herself, talking about how she struck gold again. While that was going on, Yui began bouncing her leg, and holding her head in her hands with her elbows on the table. Naoto spoke up. "Is there anything like that that you can think of, Senpai?"
"I'm trying.." She sighed. "The power to enter TVs, where it all began.. I.. I heard about the Midnight Channel a few days after arriving in Inaba from Chie, after Mayumi Yamano died.. But Adachi and Namatame heard about it after immediately coming to town.. I remember something happening on the day I arrived, but I still can't make it out.. But- I do know something happened. It's like a scratching in my head."
"Last year," Naoto spoke. "We were involved in a murder case, which we succeeded in solving. But the monster we defeated last said that we 'played our parts well.' Perhaps this means Adachi and Namatame were 'players' as well." She brought her hand up to her chin, and furrowed her brow. She was now in full Detective Prince mode. "Could it be that, from the beginning, that the serial murder case was merely a portion of a much larger scheme? And none of the people directly involved with the case ever directly expected it.."
"Could this scheme.. Be the whole thing about filling both worlds with the fog and turning mankind into shadows? So.." Yosuke began to look angry. "Someone was behind the scenes, watching us, the culprits, and maybe even that monster? And he manipulated Adachi and Namatame from the very beginning so everything would come together perfectly..?!"
"I think we should head into town and see if we can find something.. ALthough, Senpai you might be the only one able to notice it." Naoto began to rise. "Please contact the rest of us if you find anything."
Once everyone else had left, Yui was still sitting. She needed to know why she couldn't remember. She finally rose from her seat and began to wander around the town, lost in thought. Where this all started, where this all started. Those words kept ringing in her head. When she next noticed where she was sitting on mainstreet, standing beside the map of the area. Casually, she glanced over, looking at the terrain. She began to look away when she snapped her attention back onto it.
Inaba was a large town, but it was isolated. The main lifeline for tourists who aren't on the train is the highway system that, while it's not that far away, the closest towns are. Inaba sat quite literally in the center of nowhere, surrounded by mountains on almost all sides, and the closest towns had to be at the least forty-five miles away, and at most a hundred miles. If you were travelling by car and not train, then you'd have to go by highway, with nary a rest stop between this town and the next, meaning- A shiver ran down Yui's spine. Finally she remembered, on her first day in Inaba. She arrived by train and met Uncle Dojima and Nanako, and the drove back home. The car must have been running out of gas, so he turned into the gas station and- "That's it!" Yui yelled loud enough to spook any nearby animal, and broke out into a full sprint, pulling her phone out.
She typed out a group message with three words. "Gas station now."
Before she could send it, the door to the velvet room caught her eye from down the street, and she made for that instead. Swinging the door open, she found herself inside, with Marie, Margaret, and Igor. When Yui was seated, Igor spoke. "Welcome to the Velvet Room, ho may I help you?"
"Igor, I need-"
"Ah-ah-ah, not so fast my dear guest. I wish to congratulate you, you have solved the mystery and deflected the disaster that so nearly fell upon you. Do you still require our assistance with other matters?"
"Yes, I- I think I know who the mastermind behind this string of events are, and I need your help."
"A mastermind, you say? Very intriguing.. Let us take a look, for you to be sensing something so profound, it must be there." The man waved his hands, and suddenly, shards of what looked like glass filled the area, bouncing off of everything, the two attendants and Igor, Yui, the floor ceiling and seats, and even the glasses of champagne laying about. Margaret and Marie gasped, with the poet commenting on how many there are. "These are shards of power, my dear guest. They allow one to see through the truth of things without being swayed by hollow rumors." Grabbing one, Igor hummed. "Very well, I shall play my part as assistant."
With a wave of his hand, the shards began to coalesce into a single object, an orb. "This is your crystal of power, my esteemed guest, one that you have nurtured through your journey. Think of it as a magic ball that kills all lies, and shows only the truth." The orb floated into Yui's hands, and disappeared, but while it was gone Yui felt its power within herself.
Yui thanked Igor and began to leave, but Marie stopped her. She told her about her past, how she was a goddess born of mankind's will. Eventually, mankind's will changed, and so she split, one part became what she saw before her, while the other became the creator of the fog. Then, she begged Yui to defeat the puppet master, before bidding Yui farewell once again.
…
Yui stood in front of the gas station, looking for the person who she believed to be the puppetmaster. He was here, he was always here when he wanted to be seen. And now he had to know that the jig is almost up, so where was he? The rain was beginning to get worse. "Looking for me?" From behind her, that voice came, causing Yui to turn around, surprised but not scared.
"You always had a habit of showing up when it rains.."
"What can I say?" The attended shrugged. "I like watching it, it's soothing."
"You did something to Namatame and Adachi, didn't you?"
"Hm? What are you talking about? That murder suspect and that detective? Yeah, I greeted them. So what? They wanted me to fill up their cars, so I filled them up. That's sorta my job."
"You can act like you don't know anything all you want, but I know you're behind what happened in this town."
"Oh? You can't go throwing around accusations like that, young lady. Are you alright? You need me to call a doctor?"
"Drop the act. I know you did the same thing to me that you did to them."
"Yeah, I greeted you like I greeted them. I said 'welcome to Inaba' and shook their hand. That's it.."
"Two men and one high school aged girl move to Inaba. All three of them meet the gas station attendant and strike up a conversation. All three of them shake their hand, and soon after, find out that they can enter TVs. The only things that they have in common are moving here and meeting you. You're caught."
The gas station attendant was silent for a while. Before chuckling. "You're quick, huh? It would have taken others hours to figure it out, yet you figure it out in half that time. Yes, it is I who awoken the powers in you, Namatame, and Adachi. But I must say.." For the first time, the attendant made their eyes visible, even to someone shorter than themself. "You really are troublesome.." The look in those eyes suggested one of killing intent. "Not only did you defeat the two Sagiri I had put inside Adachi and Namatame, you saved that stunted dwarf of a life."
"You have no right, talking about Marie like that."
Again, they chuckled, adopting a sickening smile this time. "It's such a foolish thing. Her life is worthless, her only use is to get rid of that fog. Hm?" This time, the person in front of Yui started laughing. "I didn't expect she'd be carrying that around."
"What does it matter?"
"That bamboo comb is a curse, to think she would keep it around for so long.. Talk about foolishness."
"Who the hell are you, to talk down a life like it was nothing?"
"You've come to me, certain of your assumptions that I'm behind what's been going on in this town, and you don't even know who I am..?" The person sighed. "I commended your intelligence before, maybe I was too hasty.. You always were one of the ones who fumbled around longer than usual. Your friends were drawn to that spark I lit in you, it allowed them to awaken to their powers, and it even let you rid yourself of that cancerous spirit. If anything, you should be thanking me." They nonchalantly shrugged their shoulders. "If it weren't for me you'd be either dead or insane. I changed your destiny on a whim, nothing more."
"Bullshit."
"Is it now? I took pity on a girl when I had all my chess pieces set out perfectly and you call bullshit?"
"I didn't need you, I could have awoken to my powers all on my own."
"I'm not so sure about that.." The attendant stepped forward, and held out their hand. "A gentle push is all you needed. You weren't ever going to truly help those you did if I didn't."
Suddenly, a harsh bout of dizziness attacked Yui, bringing her to her knees. It felt like her entire body was spinning, and it almost made her sick. A hum came from the attended was heard as they walked away. "The stimulant I used must have been too much, because the entire town became blanketed with fog, only to later be lift what it had brought down.. No matter. Are you so greedy to want more? Was your role not satisfactory?"
"My role isn't complete, not until I stop you."
Suddenly, a heavy blanket of fog bellowed through the area, consuming everything. The attendant spoke up, as what Yui assumed to be the person's silhouette began to rise up into the air. "It looks like you have her, doesn't it..? Well, let me just say this. Ameno-Sagiri is just an aspect, born of you long ago."
"W-What?"
"To think of all those that you could have awoken too, it would have been her.. "So, tell me! How was killing your own aspects, Izanami!"
A massive spike of pain shot through Yui's body, causing her to scream out in surprise. Something inside her made her angrier, even though she didn't know exactly why this rage was permeating through her body. "Y-You..?!"
"Ah, so she finally comes out to greet me.." Slowly, her eyes became used to the fog, and she began to make out features of the person's body. "Long time no see.. My dear wife!"
"Izanagi!" Yui, or more precisely Izanami, tried to stand. "For what you've done you shall suffer a thousand deaths!"
"That old line again? You sound like.. What do they say? A broken record? Yeah I think that's it. Didn't you say that when I left you in Yomi?"
Yui tried to stand, only to fall back down onto her knees. "After all this time, I finally have you..!"
"Oh, do you?" Izanagi's voice carried a sickeningly smug aura with it. "You don't seem like you can stand, let alone get to me, shall we try?" Yui again attempted to stand, but she was pushed back down by an unseen force. "Come on come on, you won't even lay a finger on me if you're eating dirt the whole time.
"It's all your fault! Get your filthy hands off of me you bastard!" She began to thrash around at whatever was holding her.
"Hands?" The man held up his hands. "What do you mean? I'm not even touching you. Ah, could it be that you're so angry that you can't get up?"
"I know you're the one holding me, so let fucking go!"
This went on for a while, until Izanagi yawned. "I grow tired of this." The force that was holding Yui down disappeared, and she instantly shot up. "I shall be in the other world. Come, so I can kill you again."
In a flash of light, the man disappeared, leaving Yui alone. Finally, her anger began to subside, and she fell limply to her behind. But, rage thousands of years old does not die off easily. There, on the ground and being pelted by rain, Yui, or again more precisely Izanami, let out a long, bellowing scream.
…
"Yui!" Chie was coming up the road, along with Yosuke and Yukiko. Finally, Narukami got up from her uncomfortable position, and dusted herself off. "We got your text are you okay?! When we were coming up the road we heard you scream!"
"Who was that person that was floating..?" Yukiko asked.
"H-he.." Yui had screamed her throat raw, so she was going hoarse. "I can't believe it, but he's behind all of this.. The midnight channel, the murders.."
"Who? Who is 'he'?"
Yui's eyes began to sting, and she reached up to rub the irritants away. "I-" A lump began to form in her throat. Was this because of her, or because of Izanami? "Iza.. na- gi.."
"Izanagi? You're saying he's the conductor?"
Yui nodded. "He's waiting for us, inside the TV.."
"If we defeat him, then the case is closed for good.."
"The others aren't that far away, I'll give them a call and tell them to go to Junes."
…
Yui somehow dragged herself from the gas station, all the way to Junes without even noticing how soaked she was. From head to toe, nothing remained touched by the rain. She crawled through the lobby and up the elevator. Until finally, she arrived at the place she was at not that long ago, laughing and eating with her friends. They were all already there, sitting in a strained silence. "I take it we've found out who's behind this?" Kanji spoke up, and Yui nodded.
"Yui says it's some creep named Izanagi."
"Izanagi? Who the hell is that?"
SIlence fell over the group for a few seconds, and Naoto interjected. "Legends state that Izanagi created the first lands by stirring the seas with a spear, and letting water drop from the blade. He was also-"
"The brother and husband of Izanami.."
There was a collective gasp. "I guess if it's true that in we are our personas.. Than that makes me his wife too, huh?" Suddenly, she spoke again. "No, I'm not you. We may be one in the same body, but my existence in of itself is separate from your own."
"It's strange.. I remember reading that Izanagi was a kind god, why would he do this?"
"You didn't truly know him.. He was a bastard through and through.. He was a man who cared only for his greed and power. All the stories that were passed down about him were started by him. About our wedding, about how he created the first lands, and about how I died.."
"Would someone really do something like that..?"
"Yes, but even this.. Even this is too far for him, something must have changed him. But, I guess I never really knew him. That's what I thought when he killed me.."
"He killed you..?!"
"We are gods, do you really think that birthing a fire god would kill me? No.. He murdered me, before my child was even born.. And then trapped me in hell while weaving this sad story about how I had died in childbirth..!" Izanami slammed her fist on the table. "I have hated him for thousands of years, always swearing my revenge.. And now that I'm here.." Slowly, she put her face in her hands. "He's still the same, after so long.."
"I understand if it's hard on you, Izanami.."
"I'm not sad, I'm just.."
"Disappointed?"
"No, pissed the fuck off. I'm covering my face because I'm afraid if I don't keep myself composed I'll lash out at one of you, or all of you."
…
They had gone inside the TV, and were waiting for Rise to finish a scan of the area. "We have to defeat him.. We can't fail."
Rise called out. "I'm sensing an incredible amount of power..! A whole new area has appeared!"
"There's no doubt.. That's Izanagi.. Well, this is where it ends.."
"The final chapter.."
"You all.." Yui- er.. Izanami looked over all her friends. "I'm glad to have come here, to help her.. Before I didn't care about humanity, I saw how they would revere him and wished death upon mankind.. But now, my eyes have been opened. I see now that I was lacking what she was. I was lacking in friendship, and that made me bitter.. But you all, and your personas, have shown me that I was wrong in wanting to destroy humanity, instead I shall watch as it flourishes on, ever improving.. Now, let us go and finish this.. Let us kill Izanagi."
…
"...y… ...ey… Hey, wake up already." A voice was calling out to Yui, bringing her back from the brink of death itself.
"W-Who..?"
"Oh my fucking- it really is you." That voice sounded familiar..
Yui's eyes fluttered open, coming face to face.. with herself. "W-Who put this-" The reflection's lips weren't moving.. "W-Wait.."
"I.. can't believe it.."
"No.. no, no, no.." She began to panic, and tried, and failed, to get up, resorting to sliding along the ground. "No, no, no.. Please, no.."
"Wh- Hey! Wait!" The other Yui grabbed ahold of her ankle, causing the pitch frequency of her pleading to increase.
"No! Get away!" She tried kicking her away. "Please! You were gone! Dead! Why are you here?!"
"Stop thrashing, goddamnit! Do you want to bleed out?!"
Bleed out? She wasn't.. She was suddenly made aware of a sharp pain in her abdomen, and she clutched her arms around it, doubling over. Once the wave subsided, she brought her hand into view, and a dark red liquid had begun to soak into her uniform's sleeve, as well as drip from her palm and fingers. A shaky, raspy gasp escaped her lips as she stared at it. "See?" Other Yui sighed. "At this rate you'll bleed out if you don't stem it. And you've come too far to end up dying now. Pull up your shirt, let me see the wound." She hesitated. "What are you? A little school girl? Do you remember who was with you all those years? I've seen everything you could possibly have to offer, I've read every book, Girls' Love manga you have. So just toughen up already."
Finally, with a blush, Yui relented, pulling up the hem of her shirt, rolling up the bloodsoaked fabric to reveal a rather large gash bisecting her abdomen, starting from just under her right breast and ending just shy of her navel. "He really got you good.." Other Yui commented, before removing her own shirt, tearing strip after strip from the fabric. "Take it off, the shirt. I'm going to need something to soak up all this blood. I'm not going to be able to bind the wound correctly if I can't see it."
She did as she was told, carefully lifting the article of clothing up over her head, and handing it quietly to the girl in front of her. Now that they were both shirtless, Yui could finally take note of just how.. delicate she looked. Her chest, while there, was only just noticeable enough to be considered breasts. Her arms and legs were like twigs, always looking just slim enough to be easily broken with just enough force. A flash of pain coursed through her body, causing an involuntary yelp. Yui's doppelganger hummed quietly. "He even broke your ribs.. I wouldn't be surprised if it pierced your lung, or your stomach.."
"Why are you.."
"Helping you?" The girl nodded shakily. "No particular reason that would seem understandable.. I guess.. I guess you could say I've grown fond of you, ever since we split into two. I've been watching you, from here." She waved her hand around. "I've seen how you've been steadily overcoming your fears and insecurities. Once I had stopped being so obsessed with making your life miserable, after I was sent here.. I was able to reevaluate myself. I used to only think about my next victim, and how I would get them.. But what else was a girl to do, without anymore victims? What does the Idol do when her shows no longer sell? When her voice gives out and is told to quit? ...Here, sit up so I can wrap this cloth around you."
"This might hurt, so just.. bite your lip, I guess.."
…
It truly was excruciating, dealing with the ever increasing pain as Other Yui applied strip after strip of fabric to the wound, tight enough to try and stem the bleeding. She had passed out a couple of times, only to be resuscitated by the only other person around here. After a while, a large part of her abdomen had been covered and wrapped by makeshift gauze , which was slowly being dyed red with blood. Once everything had been said and done, Yui was lying on her back, applying pressure to the wound, whilst keeping a wary eye on the girl sitting a few feet away. Would it be so wrong to be defensive after what the person who was nursing you back to health did just mere months ago? After a few minutes of silence, the doppelganger spoke up. "For what it's worth.. I'm glad, that you were able to break away from me. You really are something special."
"Hmm.." Yui's eyes felt heavy, but she tried to will herself awake.
"Are you tired?" She nodded, causing her doppelganger to scoot closer. "You can't sleep, just yet.. There's still just one thing left you need to do, isn't there?" She waved her hand, and figures began to form in the fog of the area.
Soon, the figures began to become recognizable, they were all of her social links that she had formed. Margaret, the Empress spoke first. "What are you doing? Get up, you are not allowed to fall here. The true nature of bonds.. What they give you.. Listen.." She faded away
Dojima, the Hierophant, spoke next. "What's the matter? It's too early to give up, you know.." He smiled. "You taught me what family truly is.. I had my hands full just with Nanako when you came to stay. I wasn't sure what to do." He chuckled dryly. "But then again, I can get back up as many times as I need to with you two with me.. However painful it gets, I'll just grit my teeth.." He began to fade slowly away. "I'll get up as many times as I have to for the two of you.. A father can be pretty stupid that way, huh?"
Yosuke's apparition spoke up next. Yui couldn't really see his face properly, but she could hear the pleading in his voice. "Don't go, partner! Everything.. Everything inside me changed after I met you, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have without you, Yui.. I'm- glad I met you.." He stepped closer. "You can't let it end this way, right? You can keep going.. right?"
Chie was next. "You can't leave yet!" She pleaded, tears that Yui couldn't see evident in her voice. "What happened to coming back to us? Without you, Yui, I would have never seen who I really am, I would have never been able to be able to say just how proud of myself I am!"
"Can you hear me?" Yukiko asked quietly. "Don't close your eyes yet.. I'll give you the last of our strength, Yui-san you're our last hope.. Please get back up.."
"Yo, Senpai.." Kanji's turn was up. "How much longer are you gonna lie there? You.. You're not the kinda gal to fall down and not get back up.. The girl I see lying down with the life beaten outta her ain't the person I look up to.. So get back up, let me protect you one more time.."
"Thank you.. Senpai.. I'm so glad I came to this town. When I think back to all the fun times we spent together, the concert, the ski trip.." Rise let out a dry giggle. "Please, Yui-Senpai.. Get back up one more time.. We'll be your strength.."
"Senpai.." Yui went rigid, that voice could only be...
The remaining apparitions dispersed, showing an incredibly distraught Naoto, who began walking forward now that the path that had formed through the small sea of ghostly people. Where the rest of the figures only came so close, Naoto's apparition finally came to a stop several steps away from her, almost lifeless form. "If.. If you stay down, I'll never.. ever forgive you.." Her voice was shaky, and damp lines were evident on her cheeks. ''You gave me a reason to stay as I am.. You've shown me how fun life can be when you aren't worried about the next case, or whoever the murderer is.. Without you in my life, it will-" A choked sob stopped her words, and she fell to her knees. "G-Get up- for me if not anyone else.. Get up!"
Just as she was going to reach out for the visage of her lover, it faded away, causing a pang of sadness in her heart. Suddenly a warm feeling of fuzziness invades her weak palm, it seems it was Fox-san's turn. It gave a quiet, sad yip as it nuzzled against her hand, as it trying to will her into getting up.
Yui wasn't sure if she had gone into shock, but the following faces and words mixed together into a sea of static, as she lay there, hand outstretched to where Naoto was only a few moments ago. A strange, choked sound escaped her lips as tears began budding anew in her eyes. "Please get up.." Marie pleaded as she faded away, the last one to do so. "Just once more.."
Just then, a sharp thump reverberated through her head, causing her to yelp out of surprise. "I.." Blue flames lifted her from her back, before letting her slide down, before landing on her feet. Her eyes were wide, her irises shifting from their dull, almost lifeless color to brimming with life. "Am.." The tie holding her ponytail together burned away, letting the strands of hair fall away, until her hair was splayed around her back. In front of her, her main persona, Izanami appeared, the visage of the deity smiled down upon her, before bursting into shards just like the cards that were used to summon her, before reforming into her new body, a beautiful goddess wielding a large spear, similar to that of her foe's, with eight jewels studded down the shaft. "Reborn!" Boomed a voice not quite Yui's as the orb she had received from Igor and Margaret began illuminating the area.
As light began to flood the area, Yui took one last look down to her doppelganger, before reaching a hand out to her. "No, no.. This is where I belong. I deserve to be here after what I've put you through.. Go on, end this fight."
Retracting her hand, she gave a smile. "Thank you, for everything.. Without you, I don't think I could have gotten as close with everyone as I could have.. Farewell.. Alice."
As Yui finished speaking, the familiar tugging sensation returned as she was pulled up from the pits of the afterlife, back to the realm of the living, returning with a short sword in one hand, and a large knife in the other, much to the surprise of the deity opposite of her. "Tsk," He readied another spear and flung it towards her, aiming for her heart.
Only for it to be deflected by her Izanami, who had been summoned just in time. "I think you'll find it won't be so easy to kill me again, Izanagi.." She smiled as she pointed towards the colossal being with the sword. "Time for some payback, don't you think?"
"I'm not through yet!" He bellowed, sending attack after attack towards her. They all hit their marks, scratches and cuts began to appear all over her body, the strips of cloth that had been used to stop her bleeding from the large wound in her abdomen began to fall away as it was shredded into pieces. Still, she stood, seemingly unphased by the flurry of wounds she was receiving. "How?! How can your powers rival mine?!" More volleys of attacks were sent towards the girl, and yet she still stood her ground.
"Do you forget who I am?!" Izanami yelled, as she readied her spear for a charge. "Your story ends here, Izanagi!" With a battle cry, her persona lunged forward, dodging spear after spear thrown by her target, before finally closing the distance and impaling him through the center of the chest.
…
At the point of contact, an immense flash of light consumed all, expelling everything within a short radius out of the area. Within that instant, within the ball of light, the world changed. Gone was the fog and the dismal setpieces, and in their place was a tranquil countryside, bathed in sunlight.
At the dead center of the ball, two human-like figures stood. A man and a woman, Izanagi and Izanami. "So.. this is how it is?"
The woman spoke up, letting the spear that she had wielded dissipate. Once she pulled it from Izanagi's chest, he fell to his knees. "I'm afraid you were destined to lose from the start, Izanagi."
The man gave a weak laugh. "I know, I know.. But to think that it would have been such a weak girl that would have stopped me.."
"Yui is far stronger than you know, maybe if you actually cared for humans you'd have realized their worth."
"I wasn't talking about her.. I was talking about you, my dear wife.." Slowly, he looked up at her. "You've become so strong.."
"I may have been weak when you killed me, but make no mistake I did not become strong for you."
"You must stop stating the obvious.. I know who you became strong for, and why you did what you did.."
Izanami hummed. "So, tell me Izanagi, why did you do this? Why did you do what you did, to me and to these humans?"
"Back when.. We were alive, I had our destinies divined. And what the diviner told me was truly horrifying.. You would birth a being of fire, and it's flames would expand to destroyed everything.. And I.. I would kill him." Izanagi's breathing became ragged. "So, I chose to defy the diviner.. To make sure you didn't die in flames I did what I did.. But, humans wouldn't understand, they only saw it as a man killing a woman, so.. I spun a lie. I told them that you had birthed a fire deity, and it killed you.. By making the populace believe that, I guess when we finally transcended from living beings into what we were meant to be, that became ingrained into our legends.."
"You.. killed me to protect me?"
"Yes, I would never harm yo-" Blood spilled from his mouth. "I may have been a terrible person in life, but I never let you get hurt.." Izanami was silent. Through hazy eyes, her husband smiled. "You're so beautiful.. So beautiful.."
"You still haven't explained why you did this."
"Something is coming.. Something no human can face alone.. Our time has passed, and it knows. It knows that something is here that it can use.. This started as a way to train humans with special potentials, but I guess along the way I became distorted by the fog.." He had begun to sway. "I am truly sorry for what I have done, to you and that girl.."
A minute passes. Izanami finally, quietly replies. "I forgive you.."
Finally, Izanagi fell backwards, and begun to choke on his blood. This went on for a short time, before he finally stopped making sounds altogether. Izanami turned from the body as it began to dissipate, and offered her final farewells to the man she had onced loved. "Return to where you belong, Izanagi.. Wait for me.."
…
"Hah...Hah.." Yui dropped her weapons, took two steps backwards, and collapsed, her hair, dirty and matted with sweat and blood, providing a much needed cushion against the cold, hard floor. "We.." Her eyes drifted closed. "We did it.."
…
How long had she been out, again? She couldn't tell, but what she could tell was that there was a wave of warmness that would wash over her a few times, before stopping and then starting again a minute or two later. Her body ached, she felt weak, and her eyes refused to open. If anything was being yelled or said the ringing in her ears drowned it out. Eventually, however, her hearing returned. "Yui!" A voice called out to her. "Yui, come on! Get up!" Another voice chimed in. "Don't you die on me, Senpai!" Another voice yet still, this one more tearful than the rest. "P-Please!" and a much more quiet, "Don't leave me.."
Slowly, she opened her eyes, staring blankly up into the sky from her position on the ground. Around her stood all of her friends, all wearing varying expressions of relief that her eyes finally had opened. "I-I.."
"You must be exhausted.. can you stand?" Yui shook her head.
"I can't.. feel much.."
On cue, she was lifted up by her arms, her head hanging down as she struggled to lift it. A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "I-I'm.. so weak right now, huh..?"
"Hush up now, Senpai. I don't wanna hear any self loathing come out of you right now." Kanji said as she was set down upon his back, wrapping her arms around her legs. "You're the gal of the hour, so what if you're a little weak right now?"
"Mmm.." Her eyes drifted shut, and she began snoring quietly into that boy carrying her's shoulder.
…
A rhythmic beeping stirred her awake, and she's met with the off-white color of a hospital room's ceiling when she finally opens her eyes again. The room is vaguely familiar, being one of the many rooms she had cleaned during her working stint at the hospital. Drifting down, she noticed wires of all forms snaking from puncture points in her arms, which impeded most of her movement. "Oh.." Looking towards the door, she saw a rather amusing sight, Naoto wrapped up in a blanket, sleeping soundly in a hospital chair, her head propped up by a small throw pillow. A quiet "Aww.." escaped her lips as she watched her lover's slumber. The sight itself caused a pang of sadness in her heart, knowing that soon she won't be able to see sights like this in a day's time.
"M-Mmn.." Naoto squirmed slightly, turning over to face the side of the room Yui was in, before opening her eyes. "Hey there.."
"Morning.."
"On the contrary, it is not morning, it is.." She pulled her phone out into view. "Three Thirty.. Six."
"Close enough.." Yui laid back down into her hospital bed. "...How bad was it?"
"You lost three and a half pints of blood, as well as two broken ribs and light trauma to your right lung and stomach.. Not bad enough to keep you here longer, but not benign enough to release you for the night. Your wound, from when he struck you down scarred a bit, we did everything we could have, as well as the staff here." The sleuth explained, wrapping herself tighter into the warm cloth.
"Hmm.. Well, I guess if anything I'll never forget the battle, right?" She chuckled, placing a hand over the wound, tracing the scar tissue with her fingertips. "One last memory before leaving.."
"Mhm.."
"I'm.. Sorry, I guess is the word I'm looking for, right?" She sighed. "If only I were quicker, or stronger, I could have defeated him before he took you all away from me.."
"Hey now.." Naoto sleepily stood from her rather comfortable position, before walking over and grasping Yui's inquisitive hand. "You remember what Kanji-kun said, right? You're that 'gal' of the hour, you shouldn't have time for self loathing.. So just smile, okay?" She leaned closer until she was just mere inches away from her face. "Smile and be happy.."
"Mmm.." Yui brushed her lips against her lovers', before leaning into the kiss.
Finally, she pulled back, and smiled that small, dopey smile. "I love you, Naoto.."
"And I love you, with all my heart.."
The End
