Disclaimer: Yay! EP is finally coming out for PSP XD Don't own other stuff.
A/N: Ouch...nearly a year without an update. Really sorry guys...No, this story isn't dead. Just been really busy this past year. But happy New Year, and I'll try harder to get my arse in gear and update more.
Saber-chan – I appreciate your saying so :-D I'm glad you are enjoying the story; my hope is to always update faster, but real world stuff takes that hope away, sadly. But thank you for your kind review.
Cat-Lazer – Yeah, I can see what you're saying about disconnect. I feel that way about it, too, sometimes. I guess the thing is just that there are so many characters and it's hard to pay homage to all of them without creating multiple POVs. That and switching between present day and past Persona 1. Haha, but I'll try to make transitions a little smoother. Glad you're enjoying it :-D
Skye – Haha, I'm really happy to hear that. And Tatsuya's suspicions only keep rising. I hope that the following chapters live up to your expectations :-D
LinariteLavanya – Thank you so much! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations :-D
Deathangel Acey – Hi, hi! I know it's been a while, but I hope you'll keep writing. From this point forward, you just might get your wish :-D
The Bard – Ah, I feel like I've let you down. I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates, but I do hope you'll continue to read. Especially since the answer to your questions will be answered at the end of this chapter. Thank you again for reading.
And onto the next chapter!
\/\/\/
Dance to the Waltz
Chapter Eleven
It's a Fine, Fine Day for a Reunion
\/\/\/
Out of their entire experience with Philemon, Nyarlathotep, and Guido, what had taken place at the hospital was what stuck with Hero the most. He didn't know why. Maybe it was because it had been when his Persona had first awoken. Maybe it was because Alfred had died. Maybe it was because Lunarvale went to hell after that.
Whatever it was, it was that day that haunted him the most.
He still remembered the excitement that fell upon everyone when they entered through the doors, the realization hitting them that they were going to visit Mary.
"There's still plenty of time before our own check up," Nate said. "Let's go see Mary first."
"Man, forget our check ups," Mark waved his hand in the rich boy's face. "Stop being so practical Nate. I'm fine, you're fine, let's just ignore what the teachers want and do what we want to do. Anyway, Mary is in room three-oh-two."
Hero and Yuki both stalled, not quite sure how to respond to Mark's accuracy.
"Now who's being practical?" Nate sneered.
For the moment, Yuki ignored the rich boy's rudeness. "Mark, how did you know what room Mary was in?"
At first, Mark's mouth opened wide, his eyes glittering like a child's who was about to tell his mommy or daddy about the paper flower they had made at school. He must've realized how stupid that sounded to him mentally, and how even more stupid it was going to sound that he had been stalking Mary for weeks.
His mouth clamped shut and he reached up to pull his cap over his eyes. "S-Shut up! My buddies told me, that's how. A-Anyway, aren't we wasting time standing here? Let's talk to the receptionist."
Nate burst out laughing, and Yuki scratched at the invisible goatee on her pointy chin.
"Mark knew Mary's number," she mumbled to no one in particular. "This deserves a bit of looking into..."
"There's nothing to look into, Yuki. Mark's obviously been making a recreational activity out of coming to see Mary," the Nanjo heir said in between bouts of laughter.
His laughter intensified once Mark asked the receptionist to see Mary. A smile crossed her face and she patted Mark's hand.
"I know you. You're Mary's friend. Welcome back, Mark."
The other man shrank back, grabbing both sides of his hat to pull down around his face again. The nurse leaned back and began to tick off her fingers.
"Come to think of it, you came last week...and the week before that...the week before that...and...yup, the week before that one, too." Her smile broke apart to reveal two sets of pearly teeth. "You've been coming here a lot."
"Uh huh," Nate was wiping away tears from his eyes and reached up to clean his glasses, the shadow of laughter on his face. "You're pretty nice, Mark. I never knew that."
"Oh, stop it, Nate," Yuki lightly backhanded the other man on his shoulder, but she was struggling not to giggle, too.
It was then.
Around then.
During the commotion of Mark and his obvious kid crush on Mary that Hero backtracked to the door, lost in thought, and spotted Alfred wedged between the vending machine and wall. How had he come in without Nate or the others noticing? And how had they not noticed Hero and the old butler whispering in the back?
"You found me...Please do not tell Sir Nate that I am here. I'm so worried about him. Please...And do not let him cancel his check-up. If something was terribly wrong and he did not know it..."
What Hero...would've given...to tell Nate.
He'd hate me if he ever knew. Alfred could've been saved.
"Don't worry, Alfred. Your secret is safe with me."
And no one knew when he walked back. No one suspected a thing.
Mark led them up to the third floor, less chatty than he had been upon arrival. Nate had finally calmed himself, and Yuki was staring all around the hallway. Hero remained in the back with nothing to say.
Mary was just finishing up with the doctor by the time the four entered through room three-oh-two. Her face brightened when she caught sight of Mark, who was waving a hand in order to catch her attention.
"Be sure to get some fresh air, Mary," the doctor told her, but it was evident that she was no longer paying attention. "It's an important part of rehabilitation, too."
The nurse next to the doctor nodded. "That's right, Mary. We'll go on a walk tomorrow."
Mark cleared his throat as loudly as he could to indicate his presence. The doctor glanced up and smiled.
"Oh, your friends have arrived. See? They care about you, too."
"We'll see you tomorrow," the nurse leaned forward to pat an oddly shaped bump in the blanket on top of the bed. Hero thought that it was probably Mary's foot.
The two turned to leave the room, and Mark waited until the door shut before he snorted and jumped to Mary's bedside. He immediately began scrutinizing the desk next to it, as though to make sure that everything was in order.
Mary, herself, was withered and nearly unresponsive. There were dark circles under her eyes and she reached out with a pale hand to touch Mark's hand. Hero had to pull his eyes away. Though she had already been in the hospital for over a year due to minor mental delusions, it got harder and harder to see her cooped up in bed like she was.
"Hero...and everybody..." her meek voice was barely understood by the navy haired youth until she turned her head to face them. "Thank you." Her hand squeezed tighter on Mark's, "Mark, especially, thank you."
Nate crossed his arms over his chest. "Why the special thanks to Mark?"
Dropping her hand and readjusting herself in the bed, Mary replied, "When Mark came to see me last time, I told him I'd like to see everybody...Isn't that right?"
"Yes it is," Yuki nodded. "T.J. said she'll come to visit you, too. She'll also bring your book back, then. 'Gate to Paradise,' I think it's called."
"Oh, she can keep it if she wants. I've read it so much that I've practically memorized it." Mary released a small giggle, to Hero's amazement. He was surprised she had the energy to laugh, much less communicate with them.
"Okay, I'll let her know if I see her before then." The other girl moved to sit on the edge of Mary's bed. "Well, how are you doing, Mary? We miss you at school."
"I miss being there, but I'm getting better. I'm seeing nice dreams now. I can't really remember what they're about, but I do remember about dreaming about a very kind man. He reminded me of my father."
"Like that doctor?" Yuki jerked a thumb to the door that the doctor and the nurse had just exited from. "He seems to be a nice person."
Surprisingly enough, the smile disappeared from Mary's face and her gloomy eyes accentuated the circles around them.
"I don't like him," she confessed.
Defensive Mark came to the rescue, "Why? Did something happen? Should I fill out a complaint card?"
Nate snorted at Mark's awkward statement, but Mary kept as serious as she spoke.
"No, it was nothing like that. I just don't like doctors in general."
Mark relaxed and continued examining the bottles on her night stand. "Anyway...Umm..." He then jerked his head up and grinned. "Oh yeah, how's your mother? She works for Sebec, right?"
Mary recoiled back against the headrest of the best as far as she could and snatched her hand away from Mark's. Bringing her knees up to her chest, she hissed, "She is not my mother. Anyone who loves her job more than me is not my mother. She doesn't care about me."
No one said anything for quite some time, and Mary's head sunk down in between her knees, the blanket draped across her frail body. Mark stood up and took a step back so that he was rejoined with the group and his eyes hit the floor.
"Sorry I asked," he whispered.
Mary's head sprung back up upon his sad remark. Her eyes softened and she shook her head, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mark. I didn't mean to go off on you like that. I know you didn't mean anything by it."
"N-No," Mark reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Mary. I should've been more considerate of your—Mary? Mary?"
Hero watched the life fade from her eyes, and the sick girl doubled over without another word. Mark was immediately on top of her, pulling her back into a sitting position, and screaming.
"Mary? What's wrong, Mary? Are you okay? Mary!"
"I'm gonna call the doctor," Yuki rushed past Hero and flung the door open. Shouting out into the hall, it was only within moments that doctors had flooded the room, and pushed Hero and the others out into the bustling hallway.
Mark panicked, violently pacing and grabbing at his head. Yuki did her best to calm him, but he would hear none of it. Nate's arms were still crossed over his chest, but they were tight, and his knuckles had whitened. Hero's eyes drifted to the open door, and didn't leave, even after Mary had been strapped to a gurney and wheeled away.
\/\/\/
Hero jerked his attention back to the road, his hands still on the steering wheel. He hated thinking about that day, hated the nightmares, because he knew what came next. The big earthquake, the disappearing ICU room, the monsters...
"Alfred's death," he mumbled, silently grateful he was taking this two hour journey alone.
Down at the bottom of the hospital, back in the lobby, he remembered the heated argument between Mark, Nate, and him over rescuing one of the nurses. That's when Ellen...
His phone jittered in his pocket, startling him out of his thoughts.
Reaching over to push a button on his hands free portable car speaker, he called out, "Hello?"
A moment passed before a gruff voice came through the car speaker. Hero turned up the knob on the radio.
"Stonefield?" Baofu paused. "Sounds like you're in a subway. Where are you?"
"I'm driving out to a private airport to pick up a friend of mine. Why?"
"Because we have a little problem."
Wasn't life just full of those, lately?
Rolling his eyes, Hero dared to ask, "What's that?"
"Little Suou bailed early this morning while I wasn't watching. He won't answer the phone for me, either, unsurprisingly. I imagine he's gone to find Amano. Would you be able to call and talk some sense into him?"
Grinding his teeth together, the younger man shook his head. He was finding it harder to concentrate on the highway with all of these problems rocketing toward him.
"And then what? I'm not in Sumaru right now. I can't pick him up."
"I can do it, but first you've gotta calm him down and find out where he is."
"Man, what did you say to him, Baofu? The point wasn't to scare him off."
There was a short pause on the other end of the phone, and Hero wondered if he hung up.
Instead, Baofu retorted with, "Look, it's pretty damn hard to convince a teenager he didn't see something when clearly he did. And if there's one thing I know about Tatsuya, it's that he ain't stupid. So you gonna call him or keep complaining?"
"Don't get your cigarettes crunched up, Baofu, I'll call him, I'll call him." Hero reached into his pocket for his cell phone, not knowing the teenager's number right off hand.
"I'll be waiting to hear back from you."
"All right. Hey, before you go, there's gonna be a reunion of sorts tonight at Parabellum. Everyone's going to be there."
Baofu was silent for a moment.
"...And? Why the hell would I want to go to a reunion?"
"Well, Katsuya and Mark have become the guests of honor. Seeing as Maya and Tatsuya are going to be there together most likely, I figured it would be wise if you came."
"You told Amano that Suou is alive?"
"No, but I can't keep it a secret forever. Just like you said, Tatsuya is missing. He's probably looking for her as we speak."
Hero could hear the man groan from the other end.
"Yeah, sure, whatever. I'll be there. After all, Serizawa might be there, and I've got a bone to pick with her about snooping around my place. What time?"
"About eight."
"All right, I'll see you then."
There was a click, and a sigh from Hero, who tried to balance his concentration between the road and finding Tatsuya's phone number in his contacts list. He grunted, and positioned the phone in the palm of his hand to try to and dial easier.
The windy roads were making it more difficult for him to steer properly and he cursed how far away the private airport was. While Alana was usually performing in Paris, he had been lucky her last shoot was in Tokyo. She wasn't pleased about his last minute invitation to Sumaru's reunion party, but her demeanor was resilient upon the mentioning of Mark, who was alive after all.
"Besides," he had told her, "I think it's about time you came out here. I need your help after all."
This is...getting out of control...
It was a pleasant turnaround that Saeki had a private plane he could use to take Alana to Sumaru with, but that meant that the dear producer and agent would be coming along for the ride.
Hero hadn't seen either Alana or Saeki in a couple of months now, not since their disagreement about him moving to Sumaru.
He finally adjusted the phone in a way that he could dial Tatsuya's number and have it come through his speakers. The next stretch of highway was straight for the moment, just enough time for him to shove his phone back into his pocket as the ringer blared through the speaker.
\/\/\/
"In that case, something must be blocking my call."
But what could that be?
"No. It was him."
Him? Who's "him?"
"You're familiar with Nyarlathotep?"
Of course I am. It's because of him that...that I...
"I see. So you are a part of those Persona Users. I'm honored to have met you."
Because you're not Philemon, are you?
"No. Philemon and I are completely different."
I know you are. You put me through these ridiculous tests and expect me to know what they mean.
"These nightmares...you can't live without them."
Well, what do you expect when you just throw Maya at my feet? And not even just Maya, but Maya a few minutes past death where I can't even do anything about it!
"I understand that this may have been a bit too much."
No, you're a bit too much. Just...Just leave me alone. Coming here was a bad idea. I want to go home. Tatsuya...Maya...
"Hey, man, wake up," someone was pushing on his arm, and not very nicely about it. Eyes fluttered open, and an African man came into view. He appeared concerned, and his lips were slightly parted.
"S-Sorry," Katsuya adjusted his glasses and sat up in his seat. "Did I doze off already?"
"Yeah, man, and we haven't even taken off yet. Then you go and start having nightmares on me. Shouting something about 'Maya' and 'Philemon' and stuff. Dude, you can't be saying that kind of shit here, you're gonna expose us."
A bowling ball dropping inside of his chest, Katsuya quickly straightened his back and glanced around at all of the passengers around him on the airplane. They were staring at him, some more harshly than others. He quickly ducked back down into his seat.
"D-Did I really say all of that stuff?" the detective whispered.
Mark nodded. "We got a four hour plane flight into Tokyo, then an hour overlay, and we'll probably be settling into Sumaru around seven or so. Then it's an hour drive into the city. Chris said he'll come pick us up."
Katsuya's brow lifted in a quizzical manner. "Kido? Really?" He glanced down at the watch on his wrist. It was just a little after ten now, and with the clock adjustment, it was probably around noon in Sumaru.
"Yeah, Kido. I told you that before. Damn..." Mark relaxed back into his seat and laughed. "I'm surprised you know him, and Ellen, and Nate. Man, I hated that guy. You know him and I never got along, even in high school. Figures he'd still be the rich snob I always took him for. I tell ya, I—"
Somewhere in the middle of Mark's rant was when Katsuya's mind began to drift, and his eyes wandered over to the window. He never knew why he liked the window seat so much, it just made him calmer, he supposed.
Who's Maya's new boyfriend? Why didn't she tell me about him before I left Sumaru?
He felt his fingers curl around the armrest of the chair and mentally scolded himself.
What business is it of yours, Suou? Is it any different than if she had decided to date Tatsuya instead?
He paused, his breathing a little heavier now.
To be truthfully honest, I don't know which would destroy me more.
Whatever the case, he would be back in town that night. He both dreaded and welcomed it.
\/\/\/
Hero was gone before she had woken up, and left no notice of when he would be back. Her now dry, and stained, clothes were placed on the arm rest of the couch, and her bag next to it. Hero had been gracious enough to pack some of her clothes from her apartment, and she pulled out gray, stretchy pants, and a baggy white shirt with the words, "Rocker 99'" on it. They were the most casual thing she had worn in a while, but they would have to do. Maya felt that spending the day in Hero's house would prove to be too boring, and she was far too anxious to sit around and do nothing. There was the matter of Tatsuya and how he was doing, but Maya had no recollection of where she had last placed her cell phone. She was certain that Hero had a good idea, but hadn't memorized his number to be able to call him.
The landline was down in the front room next to the couch she had spent the night on, but, again, without having remembered the digits, she couldn't make any phone calls. That included Baofu's, as well. Silly as it seemed, now that she was without it, that little phone became pretty darn important after all.
And Ulala.
What was she going to do about that?
Staring at Hero's grandfather clock, she realized that it was a little after noon.
Ulala should be at GOLD Gym right about now if I know her schedule.
Without another thought to hold her back, Maya hastened her way to Narumi's bus station and waited. Route Twelve went to Yumezaki Ward and was due down the road in several minutes. She found herself fidgeting, and biting back the cuticles on her fingers.
What am I going to say to Ulala when I see her? She didn't even tell me what was wrong. Why would she up and move out all of a sudden like that?
Thoughts swirled around Maya's head, and she took notice of each one. Baofu was a big part of it, which surprised her that she was working with him instead of Ulala. Actually, it was surprising she was working with him at all. He had been the rift in their friendship for a long while, so she couldn't blame her redheaded friend for getting the wrong idea when she saw them together in Hero's car.
I forgot to text her back, too. That probably didn't help matters any.
And Hero. Of course he'd be a problem. He was kind, sweet, considerate, and funny—all of the things Baofu was not. And while Maya didn't consider him boyfriend material, (between Katsuya and Tatsuya, she was more than beside herself with relationship issues) Ulala wouldn't be able to look past it. In all the years Maya had known her, she never could.
That's why she called the Joker on me in the first place. Oh, Ulala...
Hero had helped her with her personal bad habits, taught her how to present her work better, and pulled her through Katsuya's death. Who could ask for a better friend?
Maya shook her head and put her face in her hand.
"This is getting out of control, Ulala. We need to figure this out."
A roaring engine jerked her out of her thoughts and she glanced up. She was all alone on the street corner, and a shadow crept over her as the transit bus slowed beside the curb. The screeching from the brakes caused Maya to protect her ears with her hands, and she closed her eyes to prevent the exhaust from getting in them. After a moment of waiting, the bus gave a loud sigh from the engine and all that could be heard was the hum from the running motor.
Maya climbed on board, paid the two dollars for fare, and took a seat furthest in the back. The travel would take close to forty-five minutes from one ward to the other, especially with having to stop along the way to pick up other passengers. She spent the duration of the time processing different conversation scenarios through her mind, what she would say, the possibilities of how they would play out, and change them if she thought it necessary.
Ulala, I'm sorry. I don't understand why you're upset but...No, that's no good. Ulala, I apologize for not replying to your text the other day. I wasn't ignoring you, it's just...No, I can't tell her what Baofu, Hero and I are up to. I promised.
Maya sighed and bent over, her bag tucked into her lap.
"What am I going to do?" she whispered.
Would this be the end of their friendship? After nearly a decade of knowing each other, would this be what finally severed ties?
The bus stopped for the umpteenth time, which came as no shock to Maya after a while. It was only until, "Yumezaki Ward, GOLD Gym," came over the loud speaker that the raven-haired woman finally raised her head. She grabbed up her bag and slowly made her way up front behind six other people. Once she was able to step off the bus, she slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and strode toward the large building.
She still wasn't sure what she was going to say to the other woman, and a lump had already formed at the base of her throat. It wasn't new for Ulala to make a scene in front of others, but she hoped that it wouldn't happen today. Maya was so preoccupied with what she was going to say to her friend, she failed to notice the shadows next to her until something snatched the side of her bag.
Maya quickly spun around, pulling her bag back to her chest.
"She's lively," the first man chortled.
The reporter hesitantly glanced up. The man who had tried to grab her bag stood as round as a tree trunk. His head was shaved, but glittered with water, or sweat. He had probably just come from the gym, given his large frame. He flexed his pecs for good measure. A second man stepped in from behind and flicked the bottom part of his nose with his thumb. He stood almost as tall as his companion, his hair tied back into a long ponytail.
"I don't think you'll be needing anything from in there," the second man gestured to the gym. "Only studs like us can attend GOLD."
Maya clung to her bag, waiting to see what would happen next.
The first man waddled up to her, casting a shadow over her tiny frame. She scrunched up her body, bringing her shoulders up to her ears.
Maya bit down on her lip.
What does he think he's doing? Should I use my Persona on him?
Before she could make any decision, the man had already swiped his arm across her body, knocking the bag from her hand. She yelped, and his fingers curled around her right upper arm.
"What are you doing?" Maya snarled, doing her best to fight back against his weight. She thrashed her arm, yanked back, and twisted within his grip.
"She's a pretty one, Seiji," the man casually glanced back at his friend who remained on the sidelines. "Wanna take her behind the storage building?"
The word, "Artemis," was on the edge of Maya's tongue, but the first man who had apprehended her, had already bent down and tossed her across one shoulder.
"Let me go!" Maya beat her tiny fists against his back, and kicked her legs into the air. "I'm warning you..."
She felt his body reverberate from his chuckles, and he spun around in circles several times.
"Look at that, Seiji. She's giving me orders. Ain't that adorable?"
"About as adorable as this..."
Maya turned her head just in time to witness a brown case connect with the side of her assailant's face. He tumbled to the ground, taking Maya along with him. She braced herself for the fall, which was as unpleasant as she expected, and the bodybuilder's shoulder dug into her pelvis. Maya ignored the pain the best she could for the moment and glanced up.
The brown case smashed into Seiji's stomach, and the other bodybuilder staggered backward. Stepping into Maya's peripheral view was a tall boy dressed all in blue—a uniform she hadn't seen in quite some time.
"Yo, bro, you wanna go around picking on women like that? Hell, if I let you go, it would end up being Miyabi next, so you see what I'm getting at, right? I'm afraid I'm gonna have ta trounce ya."
Eikichi Mishina flipped his hands around, interlocked his fingers, and a resounding crack filled the air. He reached down and picked up a large, brown guitar case.
The same one from the "Other Side."
Swinging the case by the neck like a baseball bat, Eikichi caught Seiji in the back of the neck. The bodybuilder tumbled to the ground before the scrawny teen. If Maya hadn't already known Eikichi to be a Persona User, the situation would've been more baffling. David and Goliath had nothing on the Gas Chamber lead singer and the crumpled tree trunk of a man on the ground.
The teen pivoted and shifted his attention to the dazed man crushing Maya.
"Your turn, pal."
The man must've regained his senses, because he was reacting with jerking movements. He was able to pull himself away just as Eikichi pulled the guitar case back behind his head and brought it down to the ground as though it were an axe. The ground reverberated from the massive crash, and the man lay sprawled out, unmoving.
Eikichi chuckled and swung the guitar case by its neck over his shoulder. Turning to Maya, he extended a hand.
"Yo, you all right?"
Maybe it was the sudden commotion, or maybe it was seeing her old friend, but Maya couldn't find the strength to speak, nor move. She sat there, gaping, and barely noticed the still stinging pain in her side from where the bodybuilder had crushed her. The teenager's smile faded, and he waved a hand in her face.
"Is that a no?" he leaned down. "Uh..."
"Maya!"
Someone else broke her trance, and it caused Eikichi to break his gaze from her and turn to the newcomers. The scowl on his face made Maya recoil, and she barely leaned forward to see two black forms running toward them. One was a brown head, while the other had a blonde bob bouncing back and forth.
For the second time in two minutes, the same clenching feeling returned to Maya's chest.
Tatsuya...and he's with Lisa.
Her eyesight began to blur and she lowered her head.
No, no, please don't start crying here. I can't let Tatsuya think something is wrong. But, to have us all here again...together...
"Maya, are you all right?" Tatsuya was at her side, checking her over, and shaking her shoulders. "What happened?"
The older woman heard a small gasp escape from Lisa, and she wondered if she hadn't seen the two unconscious bodybuilders.
"Oh...I didn't realize that you and Suou knew each other," Eikichi sounded disappointed, but Maya's attention was still on the ground, so she wasn't quite sure. She was attempting to banish the wall of tears threatening to spill over from her eyes.
"What did you do to her?" Lisa stomped her little feet, and shuffled them to face Eikichi.
Knowing that she had to intervene, Maya quickly wiped a sleeve across her eyes and struggled to stand, despite Tatsuya leaning on her. The boy adjusted his weight to help her to her feet.
"No, it's not like that," the reporter gestured to the assailants on the ground. "Eikichi was trying to help me."
A small pause passed between them.
"You know him?" Tatsuya blinked.
"You know my name?" Eikichi chimed nearly in unison to Tatsuya's voice.
Crap, she bit down on her lips. I forgot that Tatsuya and Eikichi didn't initially get along on the "Other Side." Now what am I gonna do? I wasn't supposed to know Eikichi...
"I...uh..." Maya closed her eyes. "I've heard your band..."
She hoped he wouldn't pry on petty details. "Eikichi" wasn't the stage name he went by in Gas Chamber; it was "Michele."
But narcissism blinded facts and saved Maya. She opened her eyes and a rather large grin was spread from cheek to cheek. He flushed a little and looked away.
"I can't believe a hot babe like you would know my humble band. I mean, we are just starting, but we've already got a fan club going. I'm sure—"
"Save it," Tatsuya spat, never quite removing himself from Maya's shoulders. "You were probably the one that got her into this mess in the first place."
"Stop it, Tatsuya," the older woman turned on him. Even though they didn't know each other, she hated to see old friends fight. If only they knew how much their friendship had meant to one another long ago...
Her icy words startled the teen, and his hands slowly fell away from her shoulders. Maya caught a hint of sadness in Lisa's eyes.
"But...Maya..." Tatsuya couldn't finish.
The reporter stepped away from them, feeling herself shaking a bit.
I must not be over the shock of seeing these two again. I wonder if it's a sign...
"He...He was only trying to help." She drew in a breath and then exhaled. "These men on the ground attacked me and he came to my aide. Please understand, it was nothing more than that."
"Ouch," Eikichi winced. "Man, when you put it like that..."
His joking prompted a giggle from Maya and it was then that she realized just how much she missed these guys.
Still...
They could never remember...
Ever...
"Anyway, I'll take your safety as thanks enough," the Kasugayama student grinned, but then flashed a glare at the two Seven students. "I'm off to band practice." Waving back at Maya, he added, "Maybe we'll see each other again."
He took off in one direction, his guitar case still strung out across his back. It tapped against his hip as he walked, and the reporter sighed.
"I...I guess I should be getting going, too," Lisa said, though she wouldn't meet either of their eyes. "See you later...Tat-chan."
"Lisa, wait—"
That was Maya's voice. She shouldn't have said anything.
She wasn't supposed to know Lisa, either.
But Lisa had already dashed away, passing Eikichi along the way, and was across the street in a matter of moments.
The reporter lowered the hand she had used to reach out the girl—she hadn't even realized she had done so—and withdrew herself emotionally.
This is...so hard.
Tatsuya was watching after the blonde girl, too, but he was able to compose himself quicker than Maya. Turning to the older woman, he asked, "Are you all right?"
"Yes," she said with a sigh.
"What were you doing out here? I've been trying to call you all morning. What happened last night? Who was that guy?"
Maya jolted and stared at Tatsuya. She hadn't planned for him to bombard her with so many questions right up front, but Maya had also forgotten that he wasn't aware of his Persona, and so would have no clue as to what had happened the night before.
Hero had also warned her that the teen's Persona was on the brink of reawakening, which was a terrible sign, and one that the reporter wasn't ready to confront if the moment presented itself.
"I..." she shook her head. "I don't know who he was, really. I don't remember much of anything. I was knocked out before seeing much."
It was true.
...It was mostly true.
"Are you all right?" she asked, although her eyes were unable to meet his.
Maya heard him shuffle his feet, and then sigh.
"I guess. I was just...hoping you had some answers for me. I haven't seen Hero, and Baofu sure didn't."
The reporter frowned.
No. He wouldn't. He never does.
"I've been trying to get a hold of you all morning," he continued. "I wanted to surprise you, and Hero, too."
Curiosity replaced bitterness, and she found herself able to stare at Tatsuya this time.
Surprise? That was a rarity. The Tatsuya she knew was of so little words, and so little emotion.
"What is it?"
And the Tatsuya she knew never smiled. But this one did.
"Katsuya..." he drew the name out nice and slow. "He's alive."
Maya staggered back, and her hands flew to her mouth. A lump caught in her throat, and, this time, she didn't bother to dam up the explosion of tears that welled up in her eyes.
\/\/\/
Ellen wasn't quite as talkative after Tatsuya stormed out of Peace Diner, and Ulala watched her carefully stir a fry in the plastic cup of ketchup they both were sharing.
"You okay?" the redhead asked after quite sometime. "You haven't been the same since Tatsuya walked out of here."
The model finally showed some sign of life, even if it was only in the pitiful form of a sigh.
"I know he doesn't like me," she whispered.
"Who?" Ulala blinked. "Tatsuya?"
Ellen nodded. "He met me on mine and Katsuya's first date. It was the way he looked at me when I walked into their apartment that I knew that. It wasn't like the Tatsuya from the 'Other Side,' who fought together with us against Guido, and Tatsuzou...It was entirely different."
"Wait, what?" Ulala couldn't help herself from slapping her palms against the top of the table. It shook and fries spilled out of the bag. "Your...date? You and Big Suou were dating?"
"Ha, ha," Ellen laughed, dryly. "Hardly. He never saw me that way. But I guess we should stop talking about this now. It doesn't exactly matter now that Katsuya is no longer with us."
The boxer cringed, not quite sure where to take the conversation next. She wanted to know more about Ellen and Katsuya, but the blunt way she ended it by bringing up the detective's death was enough to silence Ulala.
That was a little uncalled for.
"So, what's our next plan for the IC Case?" the model eventually pulled her swimming fry from the ketchup and placed it into her mouth. "You told us last night that it's something that has been going on for quite a while now."
"Ah, yes." Startled by the abrupt subject change, the boxer leaned down to unzip her duffel bag. The folder was sitting nicely on top. "Here it is..." she snatched it and put it on top of the table.
"Can I read it?" Ellen asked, wiping her dainty fingers on a napkin.
"Of course."
Thumbing through the first few pages, the model stopped on one page in particular—a note made about Kazuya Ogasawara. Ulala waited a few minutes, distracting herself with some more fries from the bag, and decorating them with the red sauce in the plastic cup. She loved ketchup.
But, at the moment, she didn't feel much up to eating.
Even her earlier workout had been less than motivated, and she almost skipped it altogether. If it wasn't for Ellen's constant pushing with the IC Case, Ulala would've probably stayed in Mina's guest bed all day. Of course, then Mina would want to know who the two strangers in her apartment were. And it was a tiny place. The woman would notice almost immediately that something was amiss.
There was all of Maya, Baofu, and now Hero. What were they planning? Why had they excluded her—especially Maya, of all people? It was just...so unlike her. But here Ulala was, best friendless, and just as confused. Hero, she didn't really know him. Bao, ah, he was an asshole anyway. But Maya? No, not Ma-ya. Never.
And now Katsuya...her poor friend...But what struck the boxer the mostwas Ellen's confession to having once liked the man. Not that Ulala could be that surprised. Ellen was gorgeous, and Katsuya had been a hunk himself. If Katsuya hadn't been so awkward, and if Ulala hadn't already wanted Maya to settle down with him first, Ellen and the detective would've been more than a beautiful couple.
"This..." the model's brow furrowed together. "This doesn't make..." she turned the page, "...any sense..."
"Yeah," Ulala nodded. "Almost ninety murders, according to Bao's notes. I read that they were originally thought to have been a part of the Joker spree killings, but it couldn't be possible since the killings spanned all across Asia and Europe. It's also been going on for the past four years, which is way longer than the Joker killings." She ended on a smile. Ellen wasn't looking at her.
"You don't have Baofu's actual notes?" she asked after a moment, but her nose was still in the folder.
"Um..." Ulala looked away. "I didn't want him to know that I had been snooping. I just memorized key points and went searching in old library articles. But I remembered Kazuya's name. That's why I wrote it down along with that other stuff you're seeing there."
"Shoot...I'd actually like to see what he has written..." Ellen fell quiet after a moment.
Ulala didn't want her new partner in crime to feel discouraged. Afraid that she would decide to disband from the investigation, the boxer smiled and said, "Well, we can find better notes. I mean, we're not entirely helpless. It's not like Bao knows anything more than the rest of us. That's why it's referred to as an unbreakable case."
The model didn't smile, and she didn't speak.
The redhead grimaced.
A jitter from Ellen's purse disturbed the silence, and she set the folder down to reach into it. Withdrawing a white phone with beads attached from a string at the top, the younger woman hit a button and placed the device to her ear.
"This is Kirishima." Ulala watched her intensely, trying to peg who it might be on the other end. "What? ...No..." The girl's voice raised, "No!"
"What?" the boxer leaned forward.
Ellen used a hand to cover her eyes, and she sniffled.
"...Is it...really true?" she asked, meekly.
Ulala wished she knew what was going on.
Then a smile cracked at Ellen's face, and she dropped her hand, although some tears had appeared after. The boxer was amazed with her waterproof mascara and the fact that it hadn't streaked. But why was the girl crying? She was smiling, though.
Ulala was confused.
"Oh...we'll be there," Ellen sniffled, then dabbed at her eyes with the tip of her thumb. "I can't wait to see them again."
The boxer hated to wait in suspense, and whoever could make Ellen cry that easily had to be someone important.
"...Katsuya..." the model murmured.
\/\/\/
"What were you thinking going out by yourselves?" Hero shook Maya by the shoulders, honestly infuriated. His attention turned to Tatsuya, "And you..."
The teen shrugged. "You didn't really expect me to stay at that creeper's house, did you? And what the hell are you two doing associating yourselves with him?"
Maya smiled. Hero rolled his eyes.
"Just...sit down," he gestured to the couch in the middle of his living room. "I don't feel like arguing."
Maya positioned herself in front of a chair across from the couch, to which Hero gave her a disapproving stare. That was his favorite chair, she guessed.
She ignored his frown and asked, "Where were you this afternoon? When I woke, you were gone."
"Oh..." he took a seat on the couch across from Maya. Tatsuya sat next to him. "I was at the airport."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Picking up a 'friend?'"
He wasn't sharing her jocular mood. "Yes, I was. And when I returned, you were nowhere to be found. Luckily, you two didn't show up long after we had. Where were you?"
"I was escaping from that megalomaniac, Baofu," Tatsuya cut in. "I couldn't get a hold of either of you all morning."
Hero pointed at him, "I called your phone on my way to the airport. Baofu told me you scurried off."
Tatsuya paused for a moment and then fished out his phone. Flipping the lid open, he nodded and chewed on one side of his lip.
"Oh...so you did. My phone was on vibrate."
Hero rolled his eyes. "That doesn't exactly help matters now, does it?"
The teen looked to Maya, "He called after I found you at GOLD Gym. I haven't checked my phone since then."
"Ah..." Maya folded her arms and leaned back in the chair.
Something was wrong with Hero, although she couldn't quite describe what it was. Normally he was cheerful and kind, but today he was apprehensive and curt.
Then she inwardly smiled.
I know what will make him happy...
"Hero," her inward grin managed to materialize onto her face. "I have some good news." She waited until she had his attention, and then announced, "Katsuya...He's alive."
He struggled to provide a weak smile.
Maya's own smile faded.
"Yeah, I...I caught wind of that right before you guys came in. I was gonna tell you, and—"
"Hero, are you agitating everyone again?"
A fourth voice that went unfamiliar to Maya broke through the conversation, and a tall blonde woman took long strides into the room until she was standing in the space that divided Maya and Hero from each other. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and mascara and lipstick accented the features on her face. A black skirt and halter top hugged her body, and even the red designer jacket did nothing to hide her curves. She placed her hands on her hips and delivered a glare to Hero. Maya was sure she had never seen this woman before, but the strong sense inside of her told the reporter that she was a Persona User.
"Alana..." the navy haired youth shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever are you talking about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about." She accompanied her words with a wagging finger. "How come you're not happier that Mark and their friend are alive? You've been acting weird all day."
"It's not that I'm not happy they're all right. It's just—"
The blonde cut him off and whirled around to Maya and extended a hand. "I'm Alana Yuka. A pleasure to meet you."
"Ah..." Maya absentmindedly took the girl's hand and pumped it several times. "A pleasure."
"I went to Lunarvale with Hero," Alana explained. "I'm flying in for the reunion."
"Reunion?" the raven haired woman furrowed her brows and looked to Hero for answers.
"I haven't had the opportunity to explain," he answered her stare. "Nate told me first that they had called to check in and Alana flew in to meet them. It's tonight at Parabellum. It'd be great if you all could come."
But he said that he just found out they were alive. How could he have known after the fact when Alana had arrived for their reunion?
"But, I don't understand. If—" Maya's mouth opened to protest, but a stern look from Hero warned her that this next question might be better to ask at a different time.
She made note of it for later.
"My brother is going to be there?" Tatsuya smiled. "I'd like to go, if that's all right."
"Of course," Alana agreed.
Hero tossed her a stare.
Maya bit down on her lip.
I can tell something is bothering him. He is very uptight, and it's not like him. And why would he lie about why Alana is really here? Is it for Tatsuya? Or is she his girlfriend that he's never mentioned? If that's the case, how long has he known that Katsuya was alive? Did he hide it from me?
Her eyes fell to the floor.
I will be asking him about all of this later.
A gong sprung her from her thoughts, and her eyes shot up to the grandfather clock across the room.
It had struck seven.
My, is it that late already? I didn't realize it took so long getting back here. Tatsuya and I must've been talking for quite some time...
Indeed...it had taken a while for Maya to recover from the shock of learning that Katsuya was alive and well. She wanted to express her complete happiness, yet, on the other hand, not so much. She wanted to appear normal to Tatsuya, and not provoke any thoughts from the young man. After all, she was closer to Katsuya than he knew, having both saved the world together. That was a big deal.
She remembered pacing back and forth, the palms of her hands glued to the sides of her head, ruffling her black hair, and exhaling and inhaling exaggeratedly. Maya had so many questions for the detective, but reserved a bit of anger as well. She wasn't quite sure why she was angry, but she was certain a reason would come to her.
He didn't tell us he volunteered to go to Lunarvale. There, that's an excuse.
Maybe not a very good one, but she would work to make sure it became a relevant problem.
Either way, he was alive.
Tatsuya had been trying to hide his excitement over the issue, but there was also the dilemma of what had occurred the night before. Maya still wasn't sure how she would get out of trying to explain it. Frankly, she didn't want to.
How could she explain what she didn't know herself? Of course, it all related to being a Persona User, but that was nothing that he knew of either, nor would he ever know were it up to her. In a way, he seemed much happier not knowing, regardless of the fact that it would be the end of civilization if he did discover the "Other Side."
But...Tatsuya seemed to...smile more, Maya couldn't explain it. Just in the time that she and Tatsuya were together with Hero...The navy haired boy seemed to know how to make them both smile. Maybe that was why she didn't want to walk back right away to Hero's place. The distance from Yumezaki to Narumi was long, but one she enjoyed sharing with the teen.
Eventually, as they talked on the subjects from Tatsuya, to school, and to his hobbies, a glow overcame him that only Maya saw herself seeing. And she felt special for being given that chance.
The chance to be near him, to talk to him without anyone else around, and for being able to understand him—all sides of him, from "This Side," to the "Other Side."
"I should get going." Hero removed himself from the couch and looked to Alana, "The party starts at eight. Saeki said he was gonna stay in the hotel for tonight, though. Can you head there with Maya and Tatsuya?"
She folded her arms grumpily. "Leaving me behind?"
Hero chuckled, although it had been as dry as his attitude for the past half hour.
"I want you to get to know them. They're great friends of mine. Besides, Nate asked if I would come early. I'll give you the scoop on it later."
"We're not that terrible," Maya joked, trying to make the other woman feel more comfortable.
Alana shared her smile. "Ha, ha, I know that. Any friends of Hero's have to be amazing. It's the only people he'll tolerate."
He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Except for me, right? They're going to be mad I haven't kept in touch."
"Oh, of course they will," she slapped his shoulder playfully. "But you deserve it, and they still love you."
Hero tried to smile, but it didn't work as well. "Okay, I'm heading out. Maya, do you guys mind taking the bus to Parabellum?"
"Could be worse." She placed her hands in her lap. "See you there in an hour."
\/\/\/
Nate Nanjo waited outside of Parabellum for what seemed like hours. He had come extra early, and not to oversee the employees setting up for the reunion inside of their bar, although they were doing quite a fantastical job on their own. The rich boy was nervous, and had been so all day. Nate was pleased that his friends were alive and couldn't wait to see them again, especially Mark, whom he hadn't seen in many years...
...but that didn't attribute to all of his anxiety.
Certain things rendered themselves peculiar, and circled mostly around one of his best friends—Hero.
How had the man come to know Maya and Tatsuya? Did this mean he knew of what had happened four months ago? Did he know not to speak of certain things to Tatsuya? And not just that but, why had he come back at all? After being in seclusion all of this time?
Four years and he now found it appropriate to come back? Why?
"Hey..."
Nate jolted back and glanced up from his spot against the brick wall. He hadn't even heard the footsteps coming, yet here the man was, as though his thoughts had summoned him here. Hero swept a hand across his bangs, pulling them back, and he offered a smile up to the other.
"I parked in the back," Hero announced. "Why did you want me to come early?"
The rich man swallowed and concentrated. Normally, he had no problem formulating words. In fact, back in high school, he had won first prize in a heated debate against a rival school. He still had the plaque somewhere at home, too. But this wasn't high school, and it wasn't a debate on the economic relations between Japan and the rest of the world. This was one of his best friends, and Nate knew he had to choose his questions carefully.
"I need to know..." he began slowly, "...why did you come back?"
Hero stared at him, taken aback at first—Nate could see it in his eyes. But, as he always was able to, the navy haired youth regained himself and pushed out a smile.
"For the reunion, of course."
"No. Before that."
Hero didn't answer immediately. He glanced up and down the street, and then turned to peer into the window of Parabellum. The bartender, hostess, and several employees were hard at work preparing the party. They had cleared all of the other patrons out over an hour ago.
Then he turned back.
"Why do you want to know?"
Nate's brows lifted. Did he really just ask that? After all of this time, wouldn't any of their old friends want to know?
"Because you've been missing for four years. No one has had any real contact with you. And then you come to Sumaru of all places. You meet with Ms. Amano, and Tatsuya, just months after the enormous crisis which befell our world. And then all of this happens with Mark and Detective Suou. It just seems too perfect to be coincidental."
Hero's back straightened and he crossed his arms.
Then he smiled.
"Good observation. I guess I underestimated that about you. The truth is, Nate, that yes, there is something going on. I can't tell you here out in the open, but it's the reason why I came here. Maya and Tatsuya aren't the only ones I've come into contact with. I'm sure you know Baofu. You'd have to what with what happened four months ago. They told me all about it."
Nate flinched and his eyes hit the pavement.
Baofu too? Well, at least he's not denying that something is up. I wonder what it could be...
"Oh..." The Nanjo heir glanced up at Hero, whose gaze was down the street. "I see Baofu's car coming, speaking of which. We'll pick this conversation up later."
"Already?" Nate glanced at his watch, agitated. This was precisely why he had asked the other man to come early—to avoid any interruptions. Alas, at least there was the promise of next time.
\/\/\/
Maya, Tatsuya, and Alana arrived earlier than Hero had asked, but she was excited to see Katsuya and the others again that she could barely contain herself. She bounded off the bus before everyone else, and hustled down the street, despite her companions' calls to slow down. The raven haired woman could see Parabellum in the distance, accompanied by a group of people. A smile inattentively crossed her lips, and she broke into a sprint to greet everyone outside.
"Hi!" she waved her arms in the air, garnering their attention.
Tatsuya and Alana's shouts were lost in the distance she had put between them.
Tammy was the first person Maya recognized, wearing a long, black dress and holding hands with a man that the reporter had never met. His bowl-cut hairstyle and thick rimmed glasses accented his round face, and the gray suit he was sporting. Tammy turned upon Maya's yelling and waved back.
They embraced and laughed.
"Maya, it's so good to see you," Tammy patted her on the back and Maya pulled away gently.
"You look so beautiful," she giggled before gesturing to her own get up from earlier—stretchy pants and a white, "Rocker 99'" shirt. "I look like I just got back from the gym."
"Who cares?" Tammy waved a hand at her. "It still is just wonderful to see you. It's been a while, hasn't it? You guys haven't had to come around since all of that disaster was put to rest."
"True," Maya laughed. "True."
"Oh," Tammy stepped aside and pulled the man she was with next to her. "This is my boyfriend, Tadashi Satomi."
"But Tad is just fine," he yanked himself from her grasp. "Stop making me sound like an ambassador, Tammy."
"I'm not," her eyes narrowed. "I just wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine."
"Well, I can introduce myself without being tugged along like a dog on a leash."
Maya took a step back. "It's...very nice to meet you," but she was edging away to the next set of people.
The couple hadn't seemed to notice her departure; they were far too engaged in their oncoming argument. The reporter turned and saw Hero and Baofu. Tatsuya and Alana had caught up by this time, and Alana had received the vast amount of attention from the group. Hero was laughing and saying something to Baofu, but Maya couldn't hear what it was over the shouting.
"Alana!" Nate, who had been standing next to Hero, charged forward and stood in front of the girl. "I wasn't aware you were coming. You never returned my call."
"I can't believe it," Brad had swarmed around her, too. "I haven't seen you in years. You were such a brat back then."
"Thanks, Brad," her eyes transformed into narrow slits.
"Well, you can't blame us for saying so," Tammy, who had, at some point, removed herself from the argument with Tad to greet Alana. "What are you up to now? Nate says you've taken up acting."
"Acting?" Tad cut in. "No way, not the Alana we know..."
"Stop picking on me," she pouted, her cheeks puffing out and budding red. "I only just got here and I see I'm not going to have a very fun time."
"Chunky's inside," Yuki, who had joined in (Maya hadn't seen her upon first arriving, surprisingly enough), was trying hard to keep a straight face. "I'm sure he'd like to see you. Shall I go and get him?"
"I can see him myself," Alana stamped a foot.
"That's right," Brad pulled on an imaginary goatee. "He fancied you a lot back then, didn't he? He'll be happy to see you."
"Why isn't Hero getting attention like this?" she shot an angry finger in his direction. Hero held his hands up in defense. "He's been out of touch even longer than I have."
"You missed it," Yuki chuckled. "I put him in a headlock."
Hero nodded. "She did. The back of my neck still hurts. Brad joined in and gave me a nasty head rub with his knuckles."
"Serves you right," Yuki glared at him. "You've ignored us long enough. We had to punish you somehow. It'll be worse when Mary and Ellen see you. They probably won't forgive you."
Hero flinched, but quickly replaced it with a trembling smile.
"No...they probably won't."
"How did you find out about the reunion anyway?" Tammy cut in.
"Oh...Alana...Nate...around." The navy haired youth finished with a nervous laugh. "You know."
The Nanjo heir adjusted his glasses. "No, we don't know, really. Word has it that you've become acquainted with other friends before coming to pay respect to your old ones."
"I think I liked it better when Alana was getting harassed instead of me."
"Hey!" the blonde stamped her foot again. "In a minute, I'll be going home."
"Don't be like that," Yuki reached over and pulled her into a tight hug. "We've missed both of you. It hasn't been the same since the old gang moved on. That's part of the reason we're doing this reunion."
Maya smiled and went to go stand in between Baofu and Hero. She glanced back to see an out of place Tatsuya, and motioned him over. He silently obeyed.
"Where's Katsuya?" she asked Hero.
"I guess Chris is picking them up at the airport. They should be here any minute. We're also still waiting on Ellen and Mary to show up."
"They'll be happy to see you," she giggled and Hero rolled his eyes.
"That's me, Mr. Popular." He turned to Tatsuya, "How are you? We didn't get a chance to talk much back at my place. Sorry about that."
"I'm excited to see my brother again," the teen gave an ever slight grin. "It seems like you're in a better mood, too."
"And you, too," Baofu cut in. "You shouldn't have bailed out of my place, Tatsuya. We're only trying to help."
Tatsuya seemed to recoil at the scolding, and his smile transitioned into a stony glare.
Maya put her arms around his shoulders, but kept her attention on Baofu.
"Let's not argue about that right now. Tonight is about Tatsuya and Katsuya reuniting, and just having lots of fun."
"Want to go inside then?" Hero created the buzz that drifted to each of their friends.
There was some talk of food and alcohol (though Tatsuya couldn't have any booze), and everyone moved inside of the bar, where tables were put out for the group. Chunky was inside, just as Yuki had said, and had already helped himself to delectable treats put out by the bartender and the other employees, courtesy of the Nanjo family. At first, Alana tried to keep her distance from the heavyset man, but it wasn't long before he had spotted her and left his treats behind to greet her. He appeared overbearing, although that could've just been Maya's biased opinion. She had already heard from Hero about his obsessive behavior in high school, but she had no idea that it had been directed at Alana until now.
She couldn't help but laugh, even though the blonde actress appeared rather put off by it.
Yuki sidled up to Maya, and the two hugged and shared some brief words.
"Don't let Mizuno get to you," Yuki placed a hand on Maya's arm. "Fujii and I will cover for you, too."
"Thanks, Yuuki," the reporter tried to put on her best smile. She had forgotten that she had a report due soon on Masakatsu Nakamura. It was nearing the point where Maya believed that this article would cost her her job if not done correctly. Mizuno was getting out of control with this Nakamura mystery man.
"Have you found out anything more about him, Maya?"
The other woman sighed and shook her head. "And it's about that time where the Chief will be expecting news. After that last report I turned in, if I don't have answers, I'll be fired for sure. I was talking with Fujii and we both believe that this is a way for her to get rid of me. She's wanted to for a long, long time."
"Excuse me ladies, I couldn't help but overhearing you talking..." A head full of blue hair pushed its way in between the girls and Hero looked to Maya. "You're still doing that report on Nakamura, right? I remember you talking about it when we cleaned your room that day."
"You got Maya to clean her room?" Yuki gawked. "I never thought that would be possible."
"He's been letting me drive his car, too," she smiled. "And been helping me with my articles."
"Dear Gods," the photographer dropped her face into the palm of her hands. "The world is ending."
"Actually," Hero ignored her and continued talking with Maya, "I can help you write that report."
"Thanks, Hero, but fabricating the article could land me in an even worse position than fired."
"No, no," he shook his head. "I mean really help you with the article."
"You?" Yuki crossed her arms. "What, do you know Nakamura?"
Hero merely smiled.
"He's lying," Yuki pointed an accusing finger at him. "He doesn't know Nakamura. I'd know that phony smile anywhere."
Looking back to the reporter, Hero added, "When we go back to my place tonight, we'll talk."
"Your place?" the photographer cut in again, eyes wide. "Maya? You didn't tell me you were dating Stonefield."
Maya put her hands up to protest. "I—"
"She didn't tell me, either."
The reporter whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice, and there stood Ulala, accompanied by Mary and Ellen on each side of her. Ulala's arms were crossed, and her eyes beheld a dangerous glint that Maya only saw her with either in the the gym or with a boyfriend. Ellen's disposition was matching, although her glare was reserved for Hero. Mary stayed a little ways back, her eyes downcast and unable to meet anyone's stare.
Maya trembled, and held out her hands to receive her best friend, but Ulala kept herself unavailable.
"Ulala..." the name left the reporter's lips in a quiet whisper, nowhere close to the tone or volume that Maya had imagined in her head.
"But aren't you fooling around with Baofu, too?" the redhead spat. "And Tatsuya? I think Katsuya is the only one you didn't deem worthy enough of your attention."
The room had silenced at the commotion, but Tatsuya and Baofu were at Maya's side in a few short strides.
"Watch yourself, Serizawa," Baofu leaned in. "I don't think you're in any position to throw stones. You did pretty well for yourself, sneaking into my place and snooping around. You left a whole mess of bread crumbs behind."
The boxer took in a breath, but didn't let his words faze her. Instead, she latched on like a bulldog.
"Shut up, Baofu. You're as worthless as the people you associate yourself with. And I only did what a normal person would do. Thanks to your lack of organization, I now have access to all your little secrets. You want to talk about casting stones?"
"Please, don't fight," Maya pushed herself in between the two. "We can work this out. Please, let's—"
"Get out of the way," Ulala snarled and shoved Maya to the side.
Hero caught Maya's falling form, and Tatsuya jumped in front of her, protectively. Baofu retained his intimidating stance, but it appeared as though Ulala wasn't going to back down. Ellen remained silent, but her glare deepened at the sight of Hero holding Maya. Mary looked as though she was about to cry.
"What's going on, a fight?" Brad and Tad joined the circle at one end, while the rest gathered at the other.
Yuki curled her fingers into fists.
"What's going on here? Ellen? Mary?"
Unable to hold it in any longer, Mary began to cry. Ellen finally broke her stolid gaze, but it wasn't to answer Yuki's question.
"I guess it is true," Ellen told Hero in a whisper. "You and...Miss Amano..."
His brows furrowed together. "W-What?"
"I just wished that we didn't have to find out this way," the model shook her head. "I mean...you've been gone all this time and...and I was so excited to see you..."
"Break it up, right now."
A sharp voice silenced the commotion, and the group whirled around to see Chris, clean cut and nicely dressed, standing there, looking just as angry as Ulala and Ellen were. To his left was a dark complected man dressed as though he was about to attend a rap concert, and to Chris' right...
Maya held her breath.
Katsuya didn't say a word—not anything. He merely gaze down at her fallen form, which was currently suspended in Hero's arms. She imagined that the way things looked were probably bad from his standpoint, but she didn't imagine him turning to walk away without a word and sadness in his eyes, evident even through his rose tinted glasses.
But that's exactly what he did.
Maya couldn't find the will to call after him, and it mattered even less when the bell resounded from the door, signaling his departure.
\/\/\/
Katsuya and Mark are back :-D
Sorry about the end if it seems weird. I tried to keep Ulala and Ellen in character the best I could. More will be explained in the next chapter WHICH (I pray) WON'T take another year to update. Please review nicely (Flames, as always, will be used to warm my hands in this crazy, cold weather.)
ML