The new chapter has updated! And, sorry for a short chapter (just for this time)

I hope everyone enjoy it! (If, my grammar was still bad, I'm sorry)

"Hello" Normal speaking.

"Hello" Whisper or Cellphone talking.

[Hello] Cellphone message.

{Hello} Persona talking. (but often)

Chapter 7

The Next Victim

After School, 04/15/2011

Location: Samegawa Flood Plain

The group had left from Junes, after they were already solved Yosuke's problems in the TV World. Rin walked together with Yu in the Samegawa Flood Plain as he looked up to see the sky. The black haired young boy realized, it had been raining since this morning, or more correctly… every day. Rin stared back at the ground after he done looking at the cloudy skies.

"*sigh this rain again…" sighed Rin.

"Do you not like it?" Yu asked.

"Actually, no. It's just... this rain has made me uneasy for some reason…. And, about today as well" Rin spoke honestly on him "… I was confused about that and this. On the top of that… this power" the black haired boy stared at his right palm "Persona, huh…? I couldn't believe both of you and me were actually having this special power without all of us notices this. It's like, someone has granted us this power with no reason"

"You have a point…" Yu said and closed his eyes a few second "… But now, we've had a reason. To protect our friends and find the culprit" he answered.

Rin looked at those determination eyes from Yu's eyes. The black haired young boy couldn't help but smiling on him "Then, let's work together. Do you agree?" he suggested on him.

"I'm agree" Yu said.

"Speaking of which… do you have a number cellphone?" Rin asked.

"Sure" Yu said. Both of them took their cellphones and exchanged their numbers "I'll call you, if something will happen"

"Same here" Rin said as he put his cellphone inside of the pocket pants.

Yu looked at the girl in pink kimono was stood inside of the shelter "Is that, Yukiko?" he said after realized who it was.

"What?" Rin said and followed his direction to the shelter as well. In the end, that's really her, Yukiko Amagi "Crap!" the black haired young boy thought in worry.

"Oh… Yu-kun and, Rin-kun" Yukiko called them when she noticed their presences in this route.

"Hello, Yukiko" "H-Hey… Yukiko-Nee-sama" Yu and Rin greeted on her but, Rin's voice was already in afraid toned.

"Hm? What's wrong, Rin-kun?" Yukiko asked when she recognized Rin's voice was a bit shattered.

"N-No. It's nothing" Rin said as he quickly changed his tone to a usual tone.

(Samegawa Flood Plain's Shelter)

Yu and Rin decided to join with Yukiko inside of the shelter. Rin stood and leaned his back against the pillar and Yu sat next to Yukiko on the bench.

"Oh… Are you surprised to see me dressed this way?" Yukiko asked.

"Yeah. And, I think, that kimono is suits on you" Yu commented gently.

"I-I see… Thank you" Yukiko said and blushed slightly on her face.

"By the way, Yukiko-Nee-sama. Why were you doing in here?" Rin asked in curios.

"My parents sent me out on an errand, Rin-kun" Yukiko told him.

"Oh… I see" Rin said.

Yukiko looked at Yu but, this time is with a nervous expression "Um… Are you getting used to your new town and school?" the raven haired girl asked in shy.

Yu nodded her as, yes "I like it here"

"Really…?" Yukiko said and she relieved on Yu's answer for some reason "But… It must be difficult, moving to a place you know nothing about"

"I'm already used it. So, it should be fine" Yu said.

"I see… I've never been out of Inaba, so I wouldn't know what it's like to transfer to a new school…" Yukiko told him.

"Did they forget, I'm in here too…?" Rin thought and sighed "Oh well…"

"Oh! Are you getting along with Rin-kun and Chie? I mean, I always leave early, so… Umm…" Yukiko said in trail.

"Yeah. We're getting along" Yu said.

"I'm glad to hear that" Yukiko told him in relief. The black haired young boy in question could feeling a heat blushes from his face "Chie's very supportive, you know. It's always her who gives me the little extra push I need. As for Rin-kun, he's kind, reliable and strong person too. But sometimes, he can become a stubborn, troublemaker and, handful person"

Rin's eyes widened in shock "W-What's that mean!? I-I'm not like that, Yukiko-Nee-sama!" he complained in childish.

Yu couldn't help but, let out a soft chuckled from his mouth "Sorry, Rin-kun. I was just joking" Yukiko apologized on him "Back to Chie… We had homeroom together last year too, and I still remember how we'd cut class sometimes" But suddenly, she got up and held her umbrella "Oh… I should get going. I need to make tomorrow's arrangements with our head chef. Our inn can't function without me right now"

"Go back home, now?" Rin asked and Yukiko nodded on him.

"Um… I'll see you at school, then" Yukiko said before leaving from the shelter.

"See you tomorrow, Yu" Rin said and followed Yukiko from behind.

(At the route)

Rin and Yukiko were leaving Yu at the shelter "Did you enjoy your school, Rin-kun?" Suddenly, she questioned on him about that topic, again.

"Huh? Yeah…" Rin simply replied on her "Why?" he asked back.

Yukiko shook her head "No. It's nothing. I'm just relieved, you aren't alone"

"Oh…." Rin responded and wanted to change the topic "By the way, Yukiko-Nee-sama. Did you hear the news about Saki Konishi?"

Yukiko nodded at him "Yes… I had heard about her from the Inn" she said in sorrow about Saki Konishi's death.

"From the Inn? Wait, is that mean…" Rin said in realize.

"I was absent" Yukiko said.

"Lucky…" Rin murmured under his breath in relief.

"Hm?" Yukiko responded.

"O-Oh! It's nothing…" Rin quickly answered it "B-By the way… I'll help you now. So, let's go" the black haired young boy said and increased his speed. Yukiko hurried following him from behind.

Evening

(Yu's Side)

Location: Dojima Residence, at the living room.

In the living room, Yu sat together with his younger cousin Nanako Dojima on the floor while they were watched the television.

"Dad's late…" Nanako said.

The program has changed all of sudden to the news.

"Our next story is an update in our ongoing report on the bizarre murders occurring in Inaba" Announcer started to speak about today's accident "At around 7:00 A.M., local high school student Saki Konishi was found dead in Inaba's residential area. Since the body was positioned similarly to the last victim, and since Ms. Konishi was the one who discovered that body…" the announcer kept telling to a viewers about the accident "Police are proceeding under the assumption that this may be a serial murder case. Police are proceeding under the assumption that this may be a serial murder case related to the death of Mayumi Yamano. The coroner's report has established Ms. Konishi's time of death at around 1:00 A.M. last night. The body went unnoticed until this morning as a result of the heavy fog blanketing the area"

"Another incident…" Nanako said in worry "Dad won't be coming home tonight"

"I'll be here with you" Yu said gentle on her.

"… I'll be okay" Nanako replied "Can you help me do some stuff around the house?" she requested.

"Sure" Yu said.

"… Amagi Inn, located upstream of Samegawa River, is the town's oldest historical landmark" Narrator said, showing the picture of the Amagi Inn "Vacationers are known to travel surprising distances in order to visit its open-air, radium-rich hot springs"

And now, they are focusing the news on Reporter "After the incident with Ms. Yamano, the manager has stepped aside, leaving her daughter Yukiko to fill her shoes" Then, the camera has focused on Yukiko with her pink kimono from before "In other words, she's a manager who's still in high school"

"Rin must be angry about this…" Yu thought

{I agree…}

"Hm?" Yu responded when he heard the voice has answered his thought but, not so clearly to hearing a voice.

Nanako looked at him "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, no… It's nothing…" Yu replied and looked back at TV.

"Now that has a nice ring to it… Let's see if we can interview her" the reporter said and decided to interview Yukiko "Excuse me!" he called her.

"Hm…? Um… Are you speaking to me?" Yukiko asked.

"We've heard that you're the new manager. Is it true you're still in high school?" Reporter asked.

"Oh, well, I'm only filling in temporarily…" Yukiko said.

"Someday, though… That aside, wow! You're looking gorgeous in that kimono. You must have had a lot of male visitors" Reporter commented.

"Huh? No, um…" Yukiko felt uneasy at the reporter's comments.

"… This is boring" Nanako commented then, get up from her spot "Oh, I need to do the dishes…" she said.

Yu decided to help out with the housework.

(Rin's Side)

Location: The Amagi Inn, at Rin's room.

In Rin's room, Rin sat behind the desk as he kept watching at the news. He looked angry when that reporter had questioned at Yukiko like, a pervert. But, he quickly forgot about it.

"…. I don't know, that station has took a picture the Amagi Inn. But, when…? Yesterday?" Rin questioned to himself. He remembered, he had went to Junes and accidentally jumped into the TV World along with, Yu, Yosuke and, Chie. He sighed and, lying his body to the floor "I'm feeling so tired…"

{Then… go to… a sleep}

"Huh? Who's that?" Rin asked when he heard a weird voice, but, not very clear. He looked around but no one is here "Maybe… This is just my imagination…"

Suddenly, the black haired boy heard his cellphone has rang. Rin took the cellphone on next to him and then, checking "From Yu…" Rin said as he pressed the button to read the message.

Yu's message said [Let's watch the Midnight Channel. Just in case]

Rin replied [Okay…] then, pressing the button again to send it.

Midnight

Rin decided to stay up until the midnight. Since, he was already told Yu, he'd be watching the Midnight Channel to see what happen next.

Rin looked at the watch and said "Almost the time…" then, starting to focus on the TV's screen.

Not a long ago, the screen is turned on and showed a person in the Midnight Channel but, not focus. Although, that screen wasn't focus and couldn't tell who it was but that person is a girl, for sure. Rin observed to that person is wearing a kimono. Rin got feeling this person is possibility Yukiko but still, not sure about this.

"Maybe, I shall call him…" Rin thought and took his cellphone but he stopped pressing the green button "No. This is still a hunch and uncertain true, too. Maybe, I will tell everyone about this tomorrow morning" he tossed his cellphone to the desk "Okay. Time for me to sleep"

Rin prepared his futon and then going to sleep.

(Normal POV)

Location: Velvet Room.

Yu and Rin opened their eyes and looked around them. Realizing, they were inside of the luxury room, again. And just like before, they are meeting again with Igor and his assistant Margaret.

"This is…" Yu murmured

"Welcome" Igor greetings on them "Do not be alarmed. You are fast asleep in the real world…and so we meet again"

"What is this place anyway?" Rin asked.

"This is a space that only those who have, in one way or another, entered into a contract may enter…" Margaret explained "In your daily life, you subconsciously heard the call to awaken, and you chose to follow the destiny of your inner voice… thereby enacting your glorious awakening to your power"

"Hold on to this…" Igor said and gave those two guests the Velvet key.

"A key?" Rin asked.

"From this night forth, you two are our guests in this Velvet Room" Igor said "Your destiny will require you to hone your power, and for that, you will inevitably require our help. There is but one price for this assistance…You must abide by your contract and assume responsibility for all decisions you may make"

"I understand" Yu said. Rin nodded on him as, understand.

"Very well" Igor said "The Persona you have acquired. It is a side of you that shows itself when you face the world around you. Perhaps you can think of it as… a façade of determination you wear to face various difficulties in life. Your Persona ability, however, is that of the wild card… Compared to that of others, it is very special. It is like the number zero… empty, yet holding infinite potential within itself"

"Special…?" Yu asked.

"The Persona ability is the power to control one's own heart… And the heart is strengthened through bonds" Igor said "As you form bonds by becoming involved with others, your own Social Links will gradually develop. The power of these Social Links is what will determine your Persona's abilities"

"What is that mean by, control one's own heart?" Rin asked.

"Social Links are necessary for more than strengthening your Persona" Margaret said "At times, they will help light the way to the truth you are searching for"

"Where will you awakened power of the wild card take you…?" Igor said "I look forward to traveling the road of your destiny together… *chuckle"

"Until we meet again…"

(Yu's POV)

Earlier Morning, 04/16/2011.

Location: Dojima's Residence, Yu's room.

Yu opened his eyelids and looked at the alarm "… Morning, already?" he got up from his futon and started to tidy his room before to himself.

{Hah… You're finally}

Yu heard a voice has spoken to him, again. But, this time Yu heard 'the voice' was very clear than yesterday "Who is that?"

{I see… So you can hear me very clear, now} the voice told him {And, you should probably know 'who am I', right?}

Yu stopped questioning on it and realized something very familiar with it. Yu remembered this voice, a same voice, after he had able to summoned his Persona in the TV World before Rin and Yosuke. In other words, this voice is…. "Izanagi?"

{Yes, I'm Izanagi. Your Persona…} Izanagi said in relief {I'm relieved, you are able to hearing my voice from now on…}

"Me too but… Is that okay, Izanagi? I mean, will everyone hear your voice too?" Yu questioned on his persona, just in case.

{You don't need to worry, Yu. Only Persona-Users are able to hearing my voice} Izanagi explained.

Yu sighed as he changed his clothes to his school uniforms "I see…"

{Where are you going, Yu?} Izanagi asked in curiosity voice

"Go to the school" Yu replied

{School…? Hmm… Interesting} Izanagi commented in impressive tone.

Suddenly, the door has knocked by someone at outside "The breakfast is ready!" Nanako announced on him.

"Yes, I will be there soon!" Yu replied after, he had finished to buttoning his white shirt.

"Okay then…" Nanako said and left from the door.

{Is that Nanako-chan?} Izanagi asked.

"Yes… Wait, how do you know?" Yu directly asked in suspicious

{*chuckle. I just know} Izanagi softly chuckled on him {By the way. You should hurry go to the school}

"Yeah…" Yu said as he wore his black uniform.

(Rin's POV)

{Hellooo-! Wake up, Rin! This is already morning!} Rin woke up after that voice has been yelling on him from his head. The black haired boy sat and rubbed his eyes in confuse.

"What the… Who is that?" Rin questioned

{What do you mean by 'who', huh? Of course, I am you} the voice said in annoyance

Rin realized in shock and said "Ho-Musubi, huh?"

{Yup, that's me} Ho-Musubi said {And, don't worry! Only you and other Persona-users can hear my voice}

Rin sighed "I'm not asking. But, if that's true then… good"

Suddenly, someone has knocked his door at outside "Are you awake, Rin-kun?" Yukiko asked from outside of his room.

"What's it, Yukiko-Nee-sama?" Rin asked back.

"Please come to the living room. My father wanted to speak with you" Yukiko told him.

"Why this is all of sudden?" Rin thought before replying on her "Okay then. I will be there soon"

"Okay…" Yukiko said and left from her spot.

{I hope. Your uncle won't kick you from the Inn} Ho-Musubi teased on him

"That wouldn't happen" Rin said and started to change his clothes.

I hope everyone enjoy it!

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