Hero: Again, this isn't my A-game, but thankfully, we're gone with this accursed arc.(Almost) The end is abrupt because I want to start with the Amagi Inn right away. So with that warning, let's get started! A short Ch. 21 of "Our Year Together" is up now!

Chapter 21

The guys were watching the actual pageant and were perturbed by the sights of Hell's Conductor & the Scooter Smasher; but to their relief, the Investigation Team ladies were up next.

"Finally, sweet revenge!" Yosuke said in delight.

"What revenge? You got us inta this shit in the first place!" Kanji replied in irritation.

"It's fine Kanji. We've already done our jobs. And Yosuke already paid some of the price. All should be well for now." Souji shrugged.

"But come on, it's not-" Yosuke tried to retort, but was cut off by the MC.

"But that's not all for the Culture Festival Main Event! There's still much to come in this year's Miss Yasogami Pageant! Now, for our next contestant, Ms. Chie Satonaka of the second-year, Class 2!" The MC announced as Chie walked up towards the stage timidly and hesitantly.

"H-Hi, I'm Chie Satonaka." Chie forced out before trying to seize a chance to back down.

"Tell us a little bit about yourself!"

"U-Um, I'm kind of shy and reserved... And my favorite food is... pudding!"

After a few crowd members were caught swooning over her, Yosuke only sighed. "That liar… it's steak."

"Man, Chie-Senpai knows how to manipulate a crowd." Kanji shrugged, with his expression looking like he wanted to screw around with Yosuke, but the MC had thanked Chie and told her step back to make ready for the next contestant.

"Up next, another contestant from class 2, Ms. Yukiko Amagi!" The man said with a fiery tone, and entered Yukiko right on cue, she timidly approached center stage. Seeing Souji there calmed her nerves enough to talk a bit more calmly than she originally would have.

"H-Hello, my name is Yukiko Amagi." Yukiko formally greeted, with an expected hesitation in her tone. She contemplated for a moment as to what to describe about herself, with realizing what might be worth noting. "Um, my family runs the Amagi Inn. If you're ever in the area, please feel free to drop by. Our hot springs are open year-round to the public."

"Alright. That'll do nicely." The MC waved his hand as he gave the cue to the end of her introduction. "Next up, a very familiar face-from the first year, Class 2, Ms. Rise Kujikawa!"

Rise walked on stage with an all-too familiar grace that fans and herself knew all too well. Taking center stage in an instant was part of her job criteria, and she was able to meet just that. "Hi-hi! My name's Rise Kujikawa!" She made a very optimistic tone, and the waves of greeting towards the roaring crowd made her aura that more appealing. "I haven't been in town for very long, but I'm 100% thrilled to be here! I'm so sorry that I'm not working as an idol right now, but Risette's gonna do her best, so I hope you all cheer for me!"

The crowd had then bursted with enthusiasm and the two girls before Rise were giving off looks a dull irked expression. "The real Risette, ladies and gentlemen, in the flesh! Thank you very much!" Even the MC acted like an over-obsessive fan over her presence. After a moment, he spoke more calmly for once. "Next up is the mysterious transfer student; from the the first year, Class 1, Ms. Naoto Shirogane!"

"Hey Kanji…" Yosuke whispered with a light tap on Kanji's rough shoulder. "Here she comes…!"

"Shhh… Pipe down!" Kanji hushed him as he focused his glare on that side of the stage. She walked in with an awkward posture, but regardless, she made it to center stage, the crowd was giving off an interesting vibe to describe at first glance.

"...I-I'm Naoto… Shirogane…" Naoto practically pushed the words out of her mouth. Her tone was clearly flustered where even a regular person can piece together that much, but it didn't make the crowd bothered one bit. "It's… hard to believe that I'm up on a stage… like this…" The audience remained silent, with faces adoring her tone, which is to group's surprise… except for Kanji, he liked it no matter how it could have turned out. "This is beyond my wildest imaginings… I really don't know what to say…" She then moved the mic away from her mouth and looked at the MC. "C-Can I step back now?" With a nod from him and her stepping away, the crowd exploded(Kanji included) with enjoyment of Naoto's appearance. The woman also seemed to enjoy her; much more than you would think.

"And with that, all six uniquely beautiful contestants are on stage!" The young ladies gave off a sigh of relief, thinking their hell was over, but their despair was just beginning. "Now, let's have our judge, Mr. Teddie, ask them some questions!"

And with that, the girls' expressions dropped. Teddie walked in, with mic in hand; clearing his throat, he spoke, "I am Teddie, the honorary judge for this pageant. Please keep in mind that if you anger me, you'll be in a disadvantage." With a smile on his face and reverse on the others, Teddie moved to Chie first for his the opening kill. "Well Ms. Chie, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Wha-!?" Chie was speechless. Was today out to get her and her relationship with Yosuke? "T-Teddie, you..!" But obviously, Teddie didn't mean any harm by it. It was still not known whether he knew if she actually was in a relationship or not, but he moved on to the next person.

"Ms. Yukiko, have you ever smooched anyone before?"

"Huh…? S-Stop it…!" Yukiko's face was red as her dress yet again. Even Teddie, dense as he is, had to know the answer to this.

"That bear needs to be disappeared." Souji spoke with a very annoyed tone. The guys only spared a glance at him and turned back right away. The glare he gave off was surprisingly fearsome. Just like his girlfriend's.

Continuing on with his rampage on center stage, he moved towards Naoto. "Ms. Naoto, where are you ticklish?"

Hoping that she misheard that, she gave off a confused, yet embarrassed look. "I-I beg your pardon?"

"Can I stay at your house next time, Rise-chan?" Teddie was just getting more and more off subject at this point.

"...What kind of a question is that?" Rise shrugged at it. She was used to awkward questions at this point given her status.

"W-Wait till you hear this!" The MC cut in, hoping to end the awkward, verge of harassment level questions. "I've got a surprise announcement for you all. Wait till you hear this! For the first time ever, this year's pageant will hold a swimsuit competition!" Decibel counts for the usual high school audience were exceeded at that moment. The men were simply ecstatic at this news. As expected Yosuke and slightly Kanji were appealed to this. "And it's all thanks to Mr. Teddie here!" For a moment, it felt like Teddie was King of the Real World now; Souji was just offset by the fact this part got passed. "We'll now take a short break while our ladies go back and change in just a few moments!"

After what felt like an eternity of patience lost, the girls had finally come back and were ready to walk past stage again according the host. One by one, each person started to simply take the stage, hold for a moment, then make way for the next.

Chie walked in next, she twiddled her fingers, giving out a timid and slightly forced giggle and saying a simple hello.

Yosuke gave off a teasing swoon as the crowd died down a little… which Chie clearly heard. Despite this, she'd risk not say anything, less she ruined what dignity she felt she had left.

"You sound like a dirty old man… Chie-senpai is pretty cute though." Kanji shrugged.

"That's my girlfriend you're complimenting, y'know?" Yosuke said, hoping for a comeback, though unaware of the damages he just made.

Yukiko went next, but even more timid than Chie, though that wasn't expected. "I-I'm sorry." She struggled to even apologize into the mic.

"No, not at all. It's an honor." Souji declared as he politely bowed and gave his respects.

"Yeah, that coming from her boyfriend." Yosuke snarkily remarked.

"Would you like to be disappeared to, "partner"? Souji lightly smiled upon giving off his threat, putting Yosuke back in his place. At the number four spot of the team.

Moving onwards, Rise walked in next. Of course, her presenting herself in a swimsuit to her was no big deal at all.

"Yoohoo, heeere's Risette!" Risette re-introduced herself, with that perky stride the men knew and love.

"Whoa, this isn't fair. Idols always have that… aura that other girls don't have."

"Smooth Yosuke-senpai. You better hope Chie didn't hear that." Kanji warned.

"Nope, he's dead. Chie heard, and well, we may as well prepare Yosuke's funeral already." Souji clapped his hands together, as if actually excited for his friend's suffering. "What do you think of Rise, Kanji?"

"Well… we kinda already saw her like this back on the other side, but… she still looks good I suppose. Kinda cute I guess." Kanji explained after rubbing the back of his head.

With that, Rise had already stepped back, but Naoto never appeared. The MC called out for her a couple of times and went backstage to see what was wrong. When he stepped back, he had a sour look on his face and spoke to the crowd, "Bad news everyone, it looks like Naoto won't be coming out for this portion." Sighs of disappointment, shock, and sadness were heard throughout the crowd. But in the end, the show must go on.

"Oh well, I had a feeling that'd happen. Too bad Kanji." Yosuke playfully shrugged giving a smack on Kanji's back.

"Huh? Oh, um… well, yeah…" Kanji felt the need to admit since there was no point in denying it, but he gave Naoto a bit of praise considering how courageous it was for her to do it.

"Yeah, you're right. But then again, they all are." Yosuke snickered a bit. "Well, it's about time we voted… who are you voting for?"

"Yukiko of course." Souji responded with a hint of serious snark.

"Yeah, well I think you know who I'm gonna be choosing too!" Yosuke replied as he checked by Chie's name. And Kanji sent a vote in for Naoto.

After about 10 minutes, the votes were tallied and the note containing the winner was given. "Thank you for waiting, everyone. The results are in!" He had opened the letter and gave it a thorough read. "Looking at the way the vote went… You guys out there in the audience had a hard time choosing your favorite. Lots of different opinions with each of our contestants having their own enthusiastic supporters! On the other hand, you girls out there were all thinking the same thing! And so we have a clear winner!" A drum roll then followed. "Grand prize goes to…. Ms. Naoto Shirogane!" A round of applause poured in from most of the girls and the guys followed in suit. "Her androgynous charms seem to have won most of the girls' hearts! We'd like to present Ms. Naoto with her award right now, but… it appears she has stepped outside."

Hero: Well, this was put up at around the time I was expecting. Now that we're almost done with this arc, soon I'll be able to get passed the Amagi Inn and then we got some (un)original filler time! Oh and there's something I'd like to announce. While it's not official stuff, I'd like to say I'm considering another P4 fic with the cast in days of old. Either Medieval or Fuedal times. I'm not sure though, but anyway, review this lame excuse of a short chapter and I promise, next time things WILL be worth your time! You got promise on that for sure!