'Let's see... I suspect he'd be the perfect start.' Yu glanced behind his back at Yosuke, who was doodling in his notebook as the math teacher droned on. 'But... how should I start? Sheesh, I didn't think about that.' Yu turned towards the teacher and began to write down what she was saying. ' There are like... fifteen guys in homeroom. I don't even know how to flirt without making an ass of myself.' Yu shrugged his shoulders and leaned his head to the side. 'It was a spur of the moment plan, thoughtless and pointless. I am canceling operation flirt with every guy in Morooka's class effective immediately.'
Upon class's end Yu felt a sudden pat on his shoulders. ″So, are you ready to get going?″ Yosuke grinned widely as he threw his backpack over his shoulder.
″Now hold it!″ Chie slammed her hands on her desk, claiming Yu's and Yosuke's attention. ″You and me still got a lot to talk about.″
″Oh come on Chie!″ Yosuke lowered his head. ″I'm sorry okay, I'm still looking for that DVD for you. I promise.″ Yosuke rested his head on Yu's and patted his chest. ″I'm in the middle of giving this fellow city dweller a proper greeting.″ Yosuke stood up straight and gave a smug grin. ″Honestly Chie, it sounds like you freaked this guy out yesterday.″
″It was the dead body that did that, you idiot!″ Chie quickly got out of her seat and grabbed at Yosuke.
Letting out a yell Yosuke quickly jumped away. ″Wow! Cool it Chie! We're still in class.″
Chie scrunched her face, her hands lowered to her sides. ″Fine...″ Face softening, she looked over at Yu. ″Sorry about yesterday anyway. You looked pretty freaked.″
Yu had been staring at Yukiko who was slumping in her seat. Looking at Chie he shrugged his shoulders. ″I'm all right... is Yukiko all right though?″
Hearing her name she turned to face Yu. Yukoko gave a weak grin and waved dismissively, ″Oh, its nothing. We're just having some trouble at the inn is all.″ Yukiko looked down at her bag and quickly picked it up. ″I should probably get going, come to think of it. I've got some work to do at the inn.″ Yukiko gave a quick bow and ran off.
″Y-Yukiko?″ Chie reached out to Yukiko as she ran by. Chie only got a slight hold of some fabric, before it slipped out of her hand. The door shut signaling the leaving of Yukiko. Quietly looking back at the two guys next to her Chie shrugged. ″So, mind if I tag along?″ looking over at Yu she smiled. ″So, where are you two headed anyway?″
″We're getting some steak...″ Yu looked over at Yosuke who face palmed. ″What?″
″Hmm...″ Chie glanced over at Yosuke and smirked. ″This gives me an idea. You take me out for steak till you find me a new Trial of the Dragons, and I'll let you live.″
Groaning Yosuke crossed his arms. ″Weren't you just telling me yesterday that steak wasn't gonna cut it?″
″Well, its not. What I'm saying is that you'll keep buying me steak till you find me a new Trial of the Dragon." Chie swung her book bag over her shoulder and made a shooting motion at Yosuke. "Till than, you'll be treating me... oh say once a week.″
″Fine! Whatever...″ Yosuke looked at Yu and shrugged his shoulders. ″Sorry, we'll have to be skipping on the town's specialty. I don't think I can afford feeding all three of us at the restaurant I had in mind.″
Chie's face darkened, ″Wait, what? Where else in town serves steak?″
Outside the three sat around a circular table, Yosuke came walking over with three plates balanced on his arms. "One for you Miss. One for you sir. And one for moi." Placed before Yu was a small hunk of flesh, next to it sat a soda cup; glancing over at Chie he saw an extremely scrunched up face and a fork held tightly in her hand. Looking back to his steak Yu picked up his fork and knife and began to cut into it. "Don't eat too fast guys." Yosuke took a bite from his meat and glared over at Chie.
"You call this steak?" Chie kept her face pointed down, her tone lower than Yu had ever heard it before.
'She... she's really freaking me out right now.' Yu began to fidget. Eyes on Yosuke he saw he was taking this all in strides.
"You are the one that hopped on the moocher wagon, might I remind you. I don't care if we agreed on me buying you steak every week till I get that damned DVD. You could have waited for a later date when I wasn't already buying for someone else." Yosuke took another bite of his meat and indignantly glared at Chie.
"Fine, I get your point... steak is steak. But did you really have to take me to your families' store? The other places in town haven't gotten much action since Junes got here." Chie waved her arms over to the giant Junes sign that hung nearby. A cute cat cut-out stood underneath with a word bubble that said, Every day is customer appreciation day!
"This isn't my families place!" Yosuke slammed his fists on the table making Yu flinch. "We just moved here to work at the damn place. Quit trying to make it sound like I'm running all the other stores out of business!"
Yu finished his bit of meat and began to take the plate away; his eyes warily cast upon the the two arguing teens. 'Maybe I should just head home...' As he put the plate on its designated place his shoulders became rigid. 'What should I tell them though?' Yu crossed his arms and looked intently at the ground. 'I could say that I have some chores to do at home, but... I really don't want to make something up.' Yu bit his lower lip and shook his head. 'I'm gonna have to stay here aren't I?'
"Hey there."
Yu let out a gasp and looked to his side to see a girl with wavy light brown hair. Blushing he cleared his throat and looked back down. "H...Hi..." Yu glanced over at his two acquaintances and saw Yosuke staring over at him with a blushed face.
"You look upset. Is something the matter?" Yu felt the girl place a hand gently on his shoulder. "You sick?"
"Hey Saki-Senpai." Yosuke walked over, smiling ear to ear. "You on break right now?"
"Oh, hey Hana-chan. Yeah, it just started." Saki removed her hand from Yu's shoulder and brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "Trying to boost the family business with some friends?"
"Madam! You wound me." Yosuke bowed to her lowly, to which Saki responded with a short laugh.
"Oh, yeah. This is the new transfer student. Sadly, his first year is with Mr. Morooka." Yosuke plopped a hand on Yu's shoulder and made a head motions towards the table that Chie was still eating at. Smirking Yosuke looked back to Saki. "Why not sit down with us for a while. I haven't gotten to see you much Senpai."
Saki didn't seem to pay attention to the last part Yosuke mentioned and looked over at Yu."Oh, so you're the new guy. Guess that explains why you look so down. Yeah, Morooka is a real asshole."
"Um... do you want to sit down?" Yu motioned his arms towards the table at which Chie was now watching them with a bemused grin.
"Oh!" Saki turned to Yosuke. "Sorry Hana-chan, I'm really zoning out today." Saki gave a weak laugh and held the right side of her head. "Yeah lets go sit." At the table Yu looked quietly at Saki who's face appeared strained, bags lay under her eyes. "So, how'd you meet Hana-chan?" Saki sounded light of breath as she began to rub one of her eyes.
"Oh, he careened into a light post." Yu picked up his soda and took a sip. "Quite painful from what I saw."
"Oh yeah. It hurt like hell." Yosuke gave a weak laugh. Turning over to Saki, he ran a hand through his hair. "Seriously though, Saki-senpai... you're not looking too good. Is something wrong? You know you can tell me anything."
Saki faced towards Yosuke, but her eyes seemed to look past him. " To tell the truth, I really just want to go home." Lowering her head Saki shut her eyes and sighed. "I really hate this..."
"Saki-Senpai?" Yosuke leaned over to her and placed a hand on her back.
Shrugging her shoulders, Saki turned her eyes up at Yosuke. "I... I don't know." lifting herself up Saki pulled her hair back and smiled "I'm just really tired... after work I'm gonna have an appointment, than after that I'm going to be helping out at home. Hopefully I can finally get some sleep."
"What's the appointment for Senpai?" Yosuke went back to his seat and rested his hands on his knuckles.
"It's nothing Hana-chan. Just a little personal issue."
"Aw come on Senpai, you can tell me anything."
Yu looked over at Chie who's bemusement had faded away. Glancing at Yu she smiled and leaned over to his ear. "If you didn't catch it, Yosuke's got a crush on Saki-Senpai. He's going to be ignoring us for a while til she leaves. Get comfortable." Chie leaned back into her seat and watched Saki and Yosuke talk.
The conversation that occurred was Yosuke continually trying to figure out what Saki's appointment was. Yosuke was obviously just teasing, but Saki's smile became more strained as she and Yosuke continued on talking. "Hana-chan, seriously, drop it!" her sudden harsh inflection silenced Yosuke.
"Sorry, I guess I let that go on too long..." Yosuke slumped into his seat and rubbed the back of his head.
"No, no its okay. I'm just not in much of a mood for these little games right now Hana-chan." Getting out of her seat Saki pulled back her hair again, now frowning. "I'm gonna go somewhere else. I think I need some quiet... sorry guys." Saki began to walk away but stopped mid stride. Looking back she smiled at Yu. "Hana-chan doesn't have many friends. Please be good to him." Saki turned to Yosuke and gave him a weak smile. "You know... he can be real nosy, when he starts getting annoying you have to get right in his face and tell him to stop. Otherwise he won't stop. He doesn't seem to be able to read your body language."
"Senpai..." Yosuke face reddened and frowned.
"Huh?" Both Chie and Yu snapped out of whatever place there minds had wandered to and looked to Saki in surprise. Yu looked over at the red Yosuke and back to Saki. "Well... from what I've known of him he's been pretty nice. He's not bothered me yet."
Saki nodded and gave a soft laugh, "Well, just know he may at some point start annoying you." Sighing Saki pulled back her hair. "Sorry... I should really get going." Saki smiled at Yosuke and bowed. "I'm sorry Hana-chan."
After she had left Chie leaned onto the table and smirked. " You're quite a lady killer aren't you, Hana-chan?"
"Shut up Chie." Yosuke sunk into his seat, " Let's just talk about something else."
"Sure, I got an idea what we could talk about." Chie looked over at Yu and winked. "We're a small town, and like many small towns we got our share of urban legends."
"Like the spirit that lives at the shrine?" Yosuke's agitation suddenly disappeared.
'I guess nothing phases him for long.' Yu smiled and let the two discuss all the rumors that their town had obtained over the years. One urban legend said that in the Amagi inn a woman died and her ghost haunts the room she died in. Another talked about a boy who sold his soul to spirits and now lurks about the school seeking demonic artifacts.
"Here's a new one, and it might even be true." Chie looked between Yosuke and Yu and motioned them to come closer to her. She hunched down so that her face became covered in shadows. "So, there was this girl I overheard a few days ago. She was telling her friend that one rainy night she was staying up late playing on her computer when her TV, at midnight exactly suddenly, turned on."
"That it?" Yosuke dryly yawned and looked at his watch. "I think we're running the legend tap a little dry at this point."
Chie swiftly knocked Yosuke on the head. "Shut it, I'm not done you idiot." Chie went back to her old position and continued talking. "So, she went over to it and tried to turn it off. Nothing happened. While she was beginning to freak out a guy appeared on the TV. He looked cute and seemed to be looking right at her. After a few minutes of him being on the screen it turned off. She didn't know what to think of it so she stayed quiet. The next week she met the guy she saw on TV and the two fell in love instantly. Later he told her how he'd seen her on the TV one night too."
"That's new? Haruka was spouting that trash last semester." Yosuke shrugged and shook his head.
"No! I'm serious. I know this girl. I think her name's Rei."
"You think? Well that just adds authority to your opinion." Yosuke rolled his eyes at Yu and shook his head. "I bet she believes it too."
Chie's face reddened and she grabbed at his shirt collar. "I'm not making this up. I even saw her boyfriend!"
"That proves it how?"
"Its gonna rain tonight." Yu suddenly blurted. Yosuke and Chie both looked at the mostly silent Yu with surprise. "Um... well... maybe we could test this out. It probably won't work, but its a good way to put this argument to rest."
Yosuke and Chie looked to each other and nodded. "Fine, lets test it out." Chie raised her hand up and Yosuke shook it. After the test was agreed upon the three went there separate ways.
"See you tomorrow Yu!" Yosuke smiled as he rode off on his bicycle.
Yu waved till Yosuke turned on a street corner, than he lowered his hand. 'Well, I guess now is as good a time to write up some more stuff for his entry than any.' Yu looked down to his hand bag and took out his burgundy journal. While walking down the side of the street Yu took out his key and unlocked the book. Flipping through the pages he stopped at a section that read as follows:
Chie Satonaka (classmate)
She has proven to be a highly aggressive young woman. She seems to be fine with me currently, but she seems to be highly possessive of her friend Yukiko. When I was looking at Yukiko for a long time period on 4/12 she seems to of misinterpreted what I was doing and went on a diatribe of how Yukiko has shot down every advance that has come her way. When interacting with these two woman be sure not to make any advances towards Yukiko, or anything that looks like an advance. Also she seems to hold grudges, be certain not to get on her bad side.
Yu flipped a few more pages till he came to an entry for Yosuke.
Yosuke Hanamura (classmate)
A very upbeat individual who doesn't let anything effect him for very long.
It ended there, but Yu took out a pen from his pocket and began to write down more information.
He seems to have a crush on a young woman by the name of Saki. I'm not sure if she reciprocates, though I suspect not. He seems to be unable to read the body language of other people, shown off when he was bothering an obviously tired Saki. He doesn't intentionally try to be a jerk to others. He just can be rather oblivious.
Yu let out an "Oof!" when he walked into a wall. Annoyed, he glared up at the offending object and with a swift kick struck it. Locking his journal he shoved it back into his handbag and walked back onto his path to home. Glancing about Yu made sure that there were no other person watching him.
By the side of the road that faced a large field Yu caught sight of a bleached blond teenager looking off into the fields. Flushing Yu looked down to his feet. 'Did he see that? Oh my God he did, didn't he? No Yu! Calm down.' grabbing his face Yu took a deep breath. 'He's not looking at you, he probably didn't see a thing.' Looking over at the blond Yu kept his eyes on him till he left his range of vision. When he couldn't see any other person around Yu went on to run home.
Opening the door Yu was met the sound of a beeping microwave. In the kitchen he saw Nanako pulling out some steaming bowls of noodles. Looking over at Yu she smiled and bowed her head. "Welcome home. Could you set up the table by the TV?" After the two had set up the evening supper they quietly waited at the table.
After twenty minutes had past and the food began to cool down. Yu bit his lower lip and looked over at the door. "Should we start eating?"
"No, dad said he'd be home in time for us to eat together." Nanako clenched her fists and looked down at her food. "If it gets cold we can heat it up again. I know he'll be here soon."
As if in response to her words the front door began to open. "Dad!" Nanako's face lit up and she ran over to the door. "Welcome home!" Nanako bounced on her feet as Dojima lumbered by her.
"Hey Nanako..." Rubbing his eyes Dojima sighed and plopped down onto the couch.
Nanako ran to the table and grabbed some of the food and a pair of utensils. "My teacher gave us some of her leftovers from yesterday, she said she'd like to know that we got to eat more than just the TV dinners." Running up to her father she gently placed the bowl into his hands and smiled up at him. "I hope you like it."
"Thanks Nanako, I'm sure it'll taste good." Dojima gave her a weak smile and took the utensils. "Hey, could you turn on the news? There's something I want to check on."
Nanako nodded and walked over to the remote. As soon as it was on, the TV showed a news anchor talking in length about the recent death in Inaba. Nanako climbed onto the couch next to Dojima and leaned herself onto his side. With a wry smile, Dojima looked down at her for a moment than looked back at the TV. His face began to harden when the anchor mentioned an interview with the student that found the body. "Damn it... I knew we should have kept a better eye on her."
Yu glanced worriedly at Dojima, than when he looked back to the TV his face paled. The face and voice from the screen was distorted, but he could tell exactly who it was. The wavy brown hair, and the basic shape were obviously Saki's.
"When you saw the body what went through your mind? Could you tell that she was dead, did you see her face?" an overly enthusiastic reporter shoved a mike into Saki's face only for her to back up nervously.
"Um... I don't know if I should be talking with you about... wait. She was killed?" the voice though distorted did not hide her confusion or her shock.
"Damn reporter, where'd they get that ass anyway." Dojima groaned and shook his head. "Turn it off, I saw what I needed to see."
Yu bent over and turned the TV off. Looking over at Dojima and Nanako Yu saw his uncle rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Dojima-San?"
"It can't be helped. At least she didn't say anything." Dojima directed his eyes towards his bowl and began to eat it hardily. Anymore discussion on the subject was dropped.
It was around Eleven fifty-seven and Yu was still up. Sitting on his couch he was reading some of his history book as the rain heavily hit his room's window. Glancing over at his digital clock Yu watched as it flashed to Eleven fifty-eight. Shutting his book Yu sighed and walked over to the TV, glaring intently at it. 'You know... I don't actually have to do this. I could just make something up.' Looking back at the window behind him Yu grimaced. 'Why am I doing this?' Yu looked down to his hands and clenched them. 'It's not like its going to really show us our one true love or anything like that...'
Glancing back at the clock he saw it was Eleven fifty-nine. Looking back at the TV he began to roll his neck and shoulders. 'Almost time...' suddenly the TV began to crackle and the lights in his room began to dim. Yu felt his face flush as an image began to come alive on the screen. Before him he saw the shadow of a girl running about, her muffled cries ushering forth from the TV. "Is this... happening?" reaching towards the screen Yu stopped when the TV let out a screech and the image changed. Orange and red lights flashed on the screen and the sound of a crowd roaring with excitement. Lowering his hand Yu tilted his head.
"Welcome one and all! It's time for us to get the show on the road!" The lights stopped and the sight of a strangely lit shopping district showed up. Standing in front of an alcohol shop was Saki dressed in a black top that stopped right above her bellybutton, which had a lip shaped pink gem. Her legs were covered with red bell bottom pants, and her high heels were a mixture of both red and black. Smirking she poked at her cheek and stuck out her tongue.
Yu's mouth dropped.
"Welcome to Saki Konishi's, The Dirt on You!" She made a strange hand gesture and twirled about, and suddenly a logo popped up on the screen showing off Saki's show title. "I bet you all can't wait to hear the juicy bits of info I've been holding back." Licking her lips Saki flipped her hair and let out a short laugh. "Stay tuned, you won't want to miss this." Again she twirled about and ran off into the alcohol store that was behind her.
The screen darkened and the lights went back to normal. "What the hell was that?!" Yu screamed. Quickly he covered his mouth and looked over at his door. When no one came barging in, he looked back to his TV. "Saki-Senpai?" placing a hand on the TV he felt a charge shoot through him. Falling to his knees he grabbed his head with his other hand.
'I am thou, thou art I... reach forth and begin your task.' the voice echoed in Yu's head and vibrated through the rest of his body.
Shivering he looked up to the TV. "My task?" The screen around Yu's hand began to ripple, and his hand began to sink into it like it was water. "Reach forth..." Standing up Yu felt his body growing hot, and his world began to spin. "This... can't be happening..." Suddenly Yu felt something grab at his hand. "Argh!" Yu was then yanked towards the TV. Peering about Yu found himself surrounded by rippling lights which disoriented him. Shaking his head Yu tried to pull himself out of the TV, he still had one arm out of it which he was using to keep himself from going all the way in.
Looking forward he saw a wavering shadow before him, which was grabbing his hand. Letting out a yell, which became distorted as it traveled with the lights, Yu pulled harder and felt he was breaking from the shadow's grip. 'Let go. Your journey begins now. You must go forth to seek the desires for truth!' Yu paused. The voice, it was the one from his dream... or not dream. Yu looked back and saw a watery looking version of his body on the other side of the TV. 'It is your choice. What you choose will define the fate of the one that waits for you.'
"Saki?" Yu voice again seemed to swim around him as the TV world rippled around him. There came another hard yank and Yu looked over to see the shadow was pulling harder on him.
'Yes.'
Yu took one last look back at his body from the other side of the TV. He than loosened the grip that was keeping him stationed. Shutting his eyes Yu folded his arm to his side and let himself get dragged the rest of the way into the TV. The light than suddenly collapsed around him and all that he could see for a moment was a strange blue face glaring at him.