Chapter 9: So We're Starting At the End

Chie just walked down the hall in a daze, silently wishing she could talk to Yukiko about all of this craziness. Or, at least, a chance to talk to her before she had to head back to the inn. Of course it was the busy season, the cherry blossoms in full bloom at this point, so Yukiko would be leaving class early or even missing a few days here and there. The busy season, where so many people would be coming in and out of the inn, completely undetected. And so many delivery people too bringing in bulk shipments of food and supplies, as well as replacements of older furniture and electronics.

Including one man in a pea-soup green uniform, sent in to make a delivery of a new TV for one of the master suites...

"His name is Taro Namatame."

"What? The politician that just got fired? The one that was dating Yamano at the time?" Yosuke asked. His eyes widened already, as Chie's nervous fidgeting finally ceased, both going still and quiet the moment Souji nodded in response.

"He... Has the same power as I do. I don't know how... But I think he got them first. And the moment he found out, he's been trying to save people." Souji's face went severe at that, the small tone of disgust tainting his voice with every word said about Namatame.

"What, you mean the k-" Chie started, before she stopped at the realization. Oh. OH. He was purposefully... She winced, rubbing her arm as she pondered about that, "... How does he think that's saving anymore?"

"Maybe he's trying to take them out of the world, like he thinks killing them like that is better than letting them stay alive out here." Souji said. His eyes had shifted to a colder and more severe look. He glared down with a quiet rage that could peel the tiling by sheer force. Or it certainly felt like that, at the very least.

"Well... Why the TV though?" Yosuke asked. Perhaps he had been hoping to snap Souji out of that trance of rage, hoping to get an explanation or start up a conversation about a point that seemed important. All Souji did was shut his eyes with a soft sigh.

"No proof. He can keep doing it." Souji mumbled darkly, a near growl as he rubbed his eyes in frustration.

That was the scariest part about it too. No proof. That was the troubling part about the entire situation, where they wouldn't even be able to warn anyone about this. At least not in any normal way.

The police would be useless here, a thought that troubled Chie on a much deeper level than she would've expected. What could they even say to the cops about this? That there was an alternate dimension that could be reached by jumping TVs, that a former politician was shoving people into in some bizarre mercy-killing plot? They'd probably lock all three of them in a mental ward for that, and that's not even saying anything about Souji-kun's time... Thing.

Maybe if Saki-Senpai had remembered the attack, they might have been able to do something there. But as it stood...

"Nothing from before the fight?" Souji asked, voice twinging with a sense of incredulousness and frustration. Even if they already knew who the culprit was, not having any of the details of the first attack just made the problem harder. Not that it was that shocking, considering that in prior timeline where Namatame had done so well in drugging everyone...

But considering the short time, as well as how Saki-Senpai had been given a head injury instead of being drugged made him consider what exactly might have changed his pattern, or if it had been a change at all. After all, she didn't have a head injury in the last timeline, none that he knew of anyway. But perhaps the police had never reported it, a possible clue to keep hidden from reporters to catch the killer in his confession.

Or maybe it was because of her Shadow in the TV world? After all, she had fallen down at least one flight of stairs before they got to her. Her injuries could have simply been a result of that.

Either way, Chie shook her head. "According to what she said, everything from before she found us in the stairwell was really fuzzy. She remembered walking to school at least, but everything before then is just a blur." It didn't help that Saki-Senpai had been so... Nonchalant about it. She barely noticed the wound at all, and she seemed much more worried about the Shadows and just the horrible copy of the liquor store. It just struck Chie as strange, and confusing. How does someone not notice a bleeding gash on their head?

Yosuke sat in silence at the conversation's turn, for once stone still instead of fidgeting around or messing with his headphone cord. It didn't seem right, talking about Sa-... Konishi-Senpai- she hated him, he didn't have the right to go first-name basis with her- without her around.

"... If we knew when she..." Souji trailed off, glancing to Yosuke before he could complete his thought out loud.

"...You can say it." Yosuke mumbled. "... This is important. I really... Don't want to talk about it, but if it means we can find out why the killer tried to kill Konishi-Senpai, then we really can't just sugar-coat what happened." He ran his hands through his hair, gripping the back of his scalp in frustration. "If we knew if she had the head injury from before or after she got in the TV, then we'd have a better picture of what happened."

"Maybe it was from her Shadow?" Chie offered up. Both boys looked at her, causing her to cough awkwardly. Ah man, she never was good at the 'smart role', she probably said something dumb again... She continued, even with a small stutter as she spoke, "W-Well, she must have a Shadow too, I mean she knew what Yosuke's was the moment she saw it, and she was too scared to go back upstairs. Maybe she had been attacked by her Shadow too, but got away before it turned into the nightmare mode?"

"It would make sense." Souji said, trying to ignore Yosuke's wince. She had a dungeon for her Shadow by the time they arrived... And she was clearly aware of what Yosuke's golden-eyed doppelganger was, the moment it arrived.

"She had one too then..." Yosuke mumbled to himself shamefully. Why did she... Right, she didn't have a reason to tell him of all people the truth of the situation. He wished he had more to drink at this point, or something else he could do with his mouth besides running his gums uselessly.

Class was over for the day, thankfully. There was mild talk in the halls as she walked by- mostly talks about Mayumi Yamano's death, 'that's so creepy how she was hung on a telephone pole'. Not really surprising, even if it was terrible to admit. Very little happened in Inaba, generally. The last big "scandal" was when the Amagi Inn stopped using Marukyu's tofu and instead switched to a larger producer from Okina, for goodness sake.

At the bottom of the stairwell, a familiar figure stood by the school lockers. Oh... Oh good, she was here. Chie smiled as she ran down, waving her arm to catch Yukiko's attention, "Hey! I missed you during lunch!" As she approached, she noticed Yukiko had switched outfits, going from her school uniform and candy-red cardigan to the pink kimono she normally kept for business at the inn.

Yukiko looked up in surprise before a warm smile ran across her lips, a look of relief washed over her. "I had to go back to the inn for the latter part of the day... With all of the chaos, Mother needed assistance with taking care of orders and deliveries. I only had the chance now to come back to retrieve my things."

Deliveries. A cold chill rushed down Chie's spine at that. Deliveries, like that one former politician in a pea-soup green uniform, the one who had already killed a woman and attempted to go for another. She tried her best to keep casual, didn't want to scare Yukiko after the talk with the boys, after all.

"I healed her up entirely before she went home." Yosuke said, groaning with frustration. Even if Konishi-Senpai hated him he didn't want her to be in pain like that. "I wouldn't let her go home as badly injured as she was without it! Especially with the head wound from god-knows-when."

Normally the idea of healing someone, especially an innocent young woman covered in wounds like Saki, would be something to celebrate. And as good as that was, the fact she was taken care of and was able to walk home with just Chie's assistance to make sure she was safe, there was an unintended complication as a result.

There was no proof that Saki had been attacked and left for dead, or even beaten, as far as the police would see. There was no injuries, no damage to her whatsoever. There had been blood slicked on her clothes, her own from the head injury... But the wound had been healed shut, the blood replenished with the flick of a card and the chanting of dia. As good as it was to heal up her injuries; it left them without a means to go against Namatame.

At least, not yet.

"Maybe we could still claim he had kidnapped her anyway?" Chie wondered out loud, " I mean, she never showed up for school, yesterday." Souji shook his head at that, taking a drink of the tea with a deepened frown.

"She was only away for a period of twelve hours, fourteen at most." Souji said, "And Namatame would be working those hours publicly. If she claimed he had taken her away and stashed her somewhere, there's no way of proving on her end what she's saying is true. Not to mention a lot of the cops around her might end up claiming she's trying to make an excuse to skip class, since with no injuries and no memory of even when she saw Namatame today..."

"She would look like she was lying," Yosuke's frowned deepened at that. It was bullshit... And worse, it was completely logical. They had no proof of what happened, none that the cops could see anyway. And even taking them to the TV World... Well, that just sounded like a way of getting himself and Teddie dissected.

"... There's only one way I can think of stopping Namatame." Souji's voice was quiet, almost cracked as he said that last part. "We... need to catch him in the act."

Chie rocked a bit on her heels for a moment, biting her lip as she debated how to exactly broach this conversation. Last year, she had made the same offer but Yukiko insisted she remained in school- "You can take notes for me instead. It really would be a lot more helpful to keep up my academics, and I know you're very good at writing everything down."- instead of helping at the inn.

But this wasn't a case of feeling bored and lonely while Yukiko was wrapped up in the inn work, this time. This was a life and death situation, an unbelievable, almost magical crime! And it was only her that could keep Yukiko safe from Namatame, and stop him from hurting any other innocent woman or kid as well!

"Is everything okay?" Yukiko asked. Chie snapped out of her thoughts, as she realized her dear friend had been staring at her with a worried expression. How long had she been in her own thoughts? Man, this wasn't how this was supposed to go... Yukiko noticed her tension, and gave her a disarming smile, even with the exhausted tone to her face, "Are you worried about me not being around for a while? It's not as bad as last year. We have more staff, so it won't be a full week like last year, just a few days."

"Well..." This was the best place to try to make her argument. Come on, Chie, gotta keep Yukiko safe, gotta stop the killer from attacking. You can do this. You're good at this sort of heroics; it's what you're good for after all. Chie straightened up, "Even so, I want to help out." Before Yukiko opened her mouth, Chie continued, "I mean, a classmate offered to take notes for both of us if I ended up going to help you. I already thought about that."

"A classmate?" Yukiko's voice sounded a little stern at that, "... It's not Yosuke-kun, is it?"

"What? No. Heck no, his grades are worse than mine." Chie blinked in surprise at that, not sure if she was insinuating anything on top of it. "No, Souji was offering that instead. Apparently, he was at the top of his class back at in the city."

Yukiko blinked incredulously at that. For a moment, she almost forgot about Seta-kun, only remembering him from the first day when she and Chie had shown him around town. He seemed very polite, yes but... She really didn't know what to make of the idea, not even a classmate she had been with in the past in the middle school or last year, but a complete newcomer being responsible for her keeping up in her grades.

There were few things Yukiko took as seriously as her studying, after all, and the idea of leaving it to a complete stranger left her shaking her head. "Chie, I'd really feel a lot more comfortable if it was y-"

It was at that point Chie had grabbed the wrists of her kimono, gripping her hands tightly. "Please." She said, harsh in tone, voice harder and more desperate than Yukiko had ever heard Chie's voice before. "Please, let me help you at the inn." She sounded so scared, overreacting over something as normal as Yukiko having to work. For a moment, Yukiko debated pulling her hands free from Chie's grasp. "I promise, I won't get in the way, I don't even expect to be paid, just please, let me come and help you out. Just until this weekend, after the rains ease up."

For a moment, Yukiko stood there, not sure how to respond. Chie wasn't supposed to act like this. Not freak out over something mundane like it was the end of the world. Chie was Sensible and Strong. So... Why would she be panicking over something as normal as Yukiko having to work for a few days at the inn?

"The next victim... Is... Yukiko Amagi." Souji winced, barely spitting the words out of his mouth. He looked away shamefully, trying his best not to look Chie in the face.

"No." She needed no time, as she shook her head at that. "No. Absolutely not, we're not going to just wait until the killer comes after her." A growing seed of fear took root in her stomach, sharp and brittle, leaving her stomach feeling hard. "There's got to be another way, I mean, can't we try to get Saki to come forward to the police?"

"With what evidence?" Yosuke asked, looking up from his hands. He had barely been able to focus in the conversation, after his realization of what the healing had done. "Even if she's willing to talk about it, we're not going to be able to prove Namatame did anything."

"W-Well, we need to try harder then." Chie stamped a foot at that, trying to draw their attention. Stupid boys, stupid idiotic crazy boys, with a horribly bad plan like this. What the hell were they going to try to do with a plan like this? "We can't just leave her as bait for the kil-"

"We're not leaving her as bait." Souji interrupted. Chie silenced, calming down as she looked to the grey-haired boy, a look of rationality gracing his features. He shut his eyes, as he explained, "What we're going to do is we have someone watch over her, and catch Namatame in the act. If we can catch him in the act of kidnapping, then we can stop him before he gets a chance to throw her in the TV. Not only that but with catching him in middle of kidnapping her, we have him red-handed in the middle of a crime, and will go to jail."

No proof. No physical evidence of what he had done, beyond the babblings of an insane man and a tiny and dear child who had passed away... And they could not even stop him from committing it again.

No. That was incorrect. They had stopped him from ever committing a crime again, and in the most shameful way possible.

... They could do this. They had to do this. Stop the crimes early. Catch him in the act, with proof of what he had done. There would be no hospital bed for Nanako, or for anyone else. They saved Saki-Senpai, and they would prevent the horrors from hitting Yukiko-san, or Kanji, Rise and Naoto for that matter.

"But... How are we going to stop him?" Chie asked. The hard pit of rage and fear in her stomach was aching less, her hands were unclenching- Chie hadn't even realized she had clenched her fists until she started to feel the pain of her fingernails digging into her palms- and she didn't feel like kicking both of the boys in the face now. But she still felt on edge.

Souji stood up, and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're the one who can do it."

"What- Huh, are you serious-" She nearly jumped back in shock, "Souji-kun, are you kidding me?"

"You're one of the best fighters I know," The grey-haired boy said, smiling gently as he spoke. "You're strong and brave, and I know you'd give your life to protect Yukiko-san... Plus, you'd have the best chance to shadow her. She'd be willing to let you work with her at the inn, and you'd be able to keep watch easier."

"Chie." Yukiko said softly. She really had no idea what had Chie so scared. And quite frankly, seeing her so worried was making Yukiko more uneasy as well, as best as she was doing to hide it. Her mother's breakdown over the news reporters swarming in the inn for interviews regarding what happened to Miss Yamano was taking a toll... But she didn't complain. She couldn't be so selfish to complain or hide away, especially with her mother confined to her bed for the past half-day.

So far, all she had to worry about was orders and delivery work, but at this rate, she'd be dealing with much more managerial tasks for the Inn... As to be expected, with her role in life. But so early as well.

Still, she tilted Chie's face to look up to her. Had Chie been crying? Her eyes were lined with redness, her cheeks and nose ruddy. This wasn't like her to overreact so much... "Is it really that important to you?" Yukiko asked. Hopefully her tone was as sweet as she hoped, instead of incredulous and confused. Was she scared about the murder, perhaps? "You know, there are a lot of maids and guards and staff at the Inn... I'm perfectly safe there."

"I know..." Chie said, despite the first comment in her head being no, you're not. In fact, you're the opposite of safe there. Please, don't go home alone. "But... I'd feel safer if I could be around. It's kind of scary that something like this happened here, you know?"

"You're... Very serious about this, aren't you?" Yukiko asked. She looked over Chie, trying to hide her own growing apprehension. The idea of Chie being so frightened... There had to be a reason, even if she wouldn't say why.

They needed staff badly. As much as Yukiko claimed otherwise, there was a massive swarm of customers this year. So many reporters, investigators and even thrill-seekers, seeking out news about the mysterious killing of Inaba first-hand. With such a swarm, and a dearth of maids and servers, Yukiko could see the toll on all of the staff. Not to mention her mother's breakdown.

One more maid would be a great help. And Chie was bright, much brighter than she gave herself credit for. And if Seta-kun was as studious as Chie claimed...

"I'll have to ask mother." Yukiko said. Chie's frame eased slightly, the tension along her arms and spine releasing. "I'm not saying yes, don't get me wrong. But I will talk to her, and if she agrees, then you can assist us for a few days."

"That's... Great." Chie smiled. "That's really great. I'll do my best too, don't you worry." She could do this. Souji-kun was right. Yukiko's mother would surely agree- she knew her mother trusted her after years of being friends with Yukiko- and with that, Chie would be able to protect her.

That was her role, and she welcomed it. Chie wasn't as pretty or as smart as Yukiko. But Chie was strong and quick. She'd never be a proper girl, but she could accept the role of the protector just as well.

That was the best she could do.

It wasn't that bad of an idea to walk home together, Yosuke thought as the pair walked along the Samegawa flood plan. If nothing else, they could watch each other's backs, as well as keep on the lookout for Namatame. Even if he wouldn't do anything to them, considering what Souji knew about his habit of chasing people who appeared on the Midnight Channel only, it would still be good to watch out for each other.

... Yosuke bit his lip for now. There were still questions about what happened... How Souji knew it was Namatame, and what happened to make him hate the man so much, and why he came back. Or even HOW he came back. People aren't supposed to be able to do that, just leap back in time like it's nothing. And yet here Souji was.

It worried Yosuke how quickly he was coming to trust Souji, especially with something as big and as nonsensical as the time-travel story. But Souji had already shown him so much impossible things, and had gone and done the one thing he would never be able to repay him for.

Saki was safe and alive. And it was thanks to Souji.

Souji mumbled, barely audible as the two walked along. Yosuke tilted his head, turning down the light sounds of music from his headphones as he looked over to the grey-haired boy. "What's up?"

"I'm... Sorry..." Souji said. The burning in the pit of his stomach was starting again, and his lips and mouth just felt too sticky and dry to speak, to finally explain but... They were his friends. They deserved to know the truth, or as much as he could wrench out from that burning shame and sorrow, "I know this isn't helping, being so cold over that man but... I think of it, and even just the thought would just make everything lock up, and every time I would try anything, not even just speaking, all I can think is 'I can't', I mean, how useless of me," Souji's eyes narrowed, his mouth running a mile a minute as he found his voice going louder, more desperate and frantic with each word.

A hand went to Souji's shoulder, soft and warm and snapping him out of that spiral of self loathing.

"Take it easy." Yosuke said, snapping Souji's self-hate spiral in half. Souji looked up, actually looking Yosuke in the eye for the first time since last night before they had left the TV at all. Souji wanted to shrink away in shame- what shame? They were still innocent. He was innocent again. Yet here, he...

Yosuke's hand gripped Souji's shoulder tighter, as he kept speaking, "Look, I don't blame you for not wanting to talk about it... You're really sure this guy is the killer, and clearly, he's done some really nasty shit." He didn't break eye contact, as he continued, "It's been hard for you... If what you say is true-"

"It is." Souji interrupted, not even a delay in his speech. Yosuke silenced for a moment, pressing his lips in a thin line.

"-Well, you've had a really rough time, you know?" Yosuke continued again. "You don't need to tell us everything right now, okay. Just... Take your time."

Souji looked him over silently, face still and emotionless. Take his time... In a way, just hearing it felt a little relieving, a small piece of guilt fading away at that. They didn't expect all of the answers, just the ones they needed. Solve the case first, catch Namatame. Once that was over and done with, and Nanako and all of his friends were safe, then he could gain the courage to tell the truth about the last timeline.

He would tell everyone the truth. Not just Yosuke but... Everyone who deserved to know. All of his friends... Because they deserved to know.

It still gave Souji a burning feeling in his throat to think about it, shame and despair welling up back in his throat.