...ARGH. I am an idiot. Would someone kindly shoot me in the head, please?

Notice for update: I never realized that Ishihama is really far away from Okinawa, where the P3 gang wanted to go. And since Inaba is close to Port Island, they would want to go somewhere close to there. I was foolish and chose without thinking, so I have to change their destination. Please forgive me.

So I noticed that you noticed that there's an Author's Note at the top this time.

I also noticed that you may have noticed that this was updated in a relatively short period of time.

Social Link, GO! ...I mean reviews. Reviews GO, or, whatever.

Astrih Konnash: I was afraid that someone might think that the pacing of the story is too fast, but apparently this is not the case. Thanks! Teddie was only there just because he could be; he's not going to be an important part of the Social Link.

Casey W: Never actually watched FullMetal Alchemist, so I can't judge her deep voice. Plus, Blandy Andy was only joking around with her (the two seem to like to poke fun at one another, don't they?) If you want to word it like that, then go on ahead, but since Aeon is weird (should've done more research before I started, bad KJman *headdesk'd*), it's more like he's wondering what he should do with his life. ...Although those may be the same things. ^^;

anon: Thank you! I've seen this webpage before, but thanks for posting it anyways!

Jharoz: I can... sorta see that. It'd be funny, yes, but totally out of character for her.

To all of you who didn't review on time, shame on you. Or you were just too slow. Or didn't bother to review at all. Oh well.

Disclaimer: That guy who's point of view is the point of view in this story is mine. I, like, own him 'n junk. Persona 4 belongs to Atlus. And stuff.

~August 5th~

~Friday~

~Time Unknown~

"Hard working... Focused... Not quitting..."

'How long are you going to think about this?'

"...Not sure. Until I can figure out what I want to do."

'Why not have a career in video gaming? You seemed to love playing them.'

"I want to try and stay away from games as much as I can. All my life, I've been cooped up in my room, either playing something or simply on my computer. My friends and I hardly met outside - we'd always be chatting with each other over the Internet. I hardly got any sun, or fresh air, or whatever. I only went outside when I had to."

'And this relates to you trying to decide what to do with your life... how?'

"It's not really relating to it. I was just saying that I don't want it to be about games.'

'So then you still haven't figured it out yet?'

"Sadly, no."

'...What else were you interested in? Something that you enjoy that you can continue to work on...'

"Shouldn't you know that? I mean, the whole 'I am you' stuff?"

'That... is true. However, I believe this is something you should figure out for yourself.'

"Whaaaaat?"

'This is an important decision. Do you really want the answer coming from me? Or you, yourself?'

"B-But... What if I can't figure it out myself? What if I'm stuck in a rut forever?"

'I am sure something will come to you. Perhaps you could get Souji to help you, like he's been doing for a little while now.'

"Yeah, I suppose... You know, I think this is the first time the two of us have been in here together without Rise-chan suddenly popping in."

'Is that a good thing?'

"Hell no."

'...Perhaps you are right. I'm finding it hard to contain my sanity with just you here.'

"H-Hey! Watch it!"

~12:30PM~

For lunch today, Teddie and I had two cups of instant-ramen. It was nice and spicy for me, but Teddie wanted to have a regular cup - it didn't seem like he enjoyed spices much. Which is weird.

About halfway through the meal my cell rang.

"Hello?"

/Hey, Andrew-kun!/

"I'm sorry, he's not here right now. Please leave a message and I'll make sure he calls you back."

/Ohhh... Okay, then if you don't mind, tell him 'we're' finished, please./

"I'll be sure to do that. Have a good day, Ms. Kujikawa."

/Same to you. Good-bye./

I couldn't keep the laughter within me. Neither could Rise, but Teddie was just staring at me with a confused expression. "What're you laughing about?"

"N-Nothing Ted... Ahaha!"

/S-SO! Heehee- *ahem* W-What're you doing?/

"I'm enjoying a well-cooked meal of instant-ramen soup with Ted here. How about you?"

/Same, except I'm having an actual lunch instead of the instant-stuff./

"Oh I see."

/Hey, did you wanna come over after? It's raining, you know~?/

I glanced out the window at her mentioning of it, just to see how much it was raining. And it was coming down pretty hard. "It is, isn't it? And what did you say we can do on Friday?"

She giggled on the other end of the phone. /So you're coming over then?/

"You know it! I'll see you later."

/Yep! Love you!/

"Lo-" I quickly shut my trap and glanced to Ted. He was currently digging into his lunch, but I had this feeling that he was secretly listening to my conversation. "Uhh... Y-Yeah, bye..."

/...Is... Is everything okay?/

"Yeah, everything's fine. I'll tell you after, bye." I closed the phone before I could even hear a reply from her. Whew, that was a close one...

"What did Rise-chan say?" Teddie asked me.

"U-Um... She was just wondering if we could hang out later..."

"Oh! Can I come too?"

"..." Dammit Ted, didja hafta ask? "...Do... Do you mind staying home today...?"

Teddie immediately grumbled and hung his head back behind him. "I knew you would say that..."

"I'm sorry, Ted... Tomorrow, I'll spend the whole day with you, I promise."

Instead of the bear's head shooting up in surprise, like I thought it would, he just lazily rolled it to one side, so he was looking at me with one of his eyes. "You promise?"

"I do. If I wind up breaking that promise, then... I'll... Uh... I-I'll buy you anything you want!"

Now his head shot up. "Seriously! You mean it!"

"Yeah."

"ALRIIIIIGHT!" Teddie hopped up onto his feet and pranced around like a little boy.

"But that's only if I don't stay with you tomorrow. Got that?"

"R-Right! I completely understand!"

"Good. Then I'm going now." I got up and walked to the closet.

"H-Huh? Already?"

"Yep! Rise-chan told me to get there as soon as I can." Actually she didn't, but oh well.

"Mmm... Alright, but hurry back!"

"Hai, hai."

Rain rain, go away, and NEVER COME AGAIN. The water droplets heavily beat off the top of my umbrella as I walked swiftly to the shopping district. There were plenty of puddles to avoid, but apparently they'll be much bigger by the end of the day. It was a smart choice for me to come the time I did.

That creepy gas station attendant was there again, but he just simply waved to me instead of bringing up a conversation. When he's not talking, he looks downright normal, but I already labelled him as 'odd', so there's nothing I can do about it now.

"Heeey!" Rise called out to me as I walked up to her house. Despite it being early afternoon, she was still wearing her pyjamas as if she just got up: a pink tank top and white slack pants.

"Hey!" I said to her. The moment I got in the building I was greeted with a big hug and kiss.

"I was wondering when you'd get here," she said, not bothering to let go of me, even though I was a little damp from the rain. "You were taking too long."

"It took the normal amount of time to get here. And aren't you getting wet?"

She squeezed me tighter. "I don't care."

I only chuckled. "Of course you don't."

"Hey, what happened earlier? You hung up so quickly."

"Eh, sorry... Ted was right next to me so I couldn't say it."

"Well, say it now."

"I love you."

"Okay. Now say it like you mean it."

"Haha..." I squeezed her as hard as I could. "I love you so much."

"Guh! C-Crushing me...!"

"I know!"

Rise's grandmother was asleep upstairs (according to Rise the rain makes her tired), so the two of us chose to watch some TV for lack of anything better to do.

Annnnd we were also sitting on one of the chairs with a blanket covering us.

Annnnd the chair was too small for us to sit next to each other so she was on my lap.

"Hey," Rise spoke, turning her head back towards me. "I don't think you ever told me what your family's like."

"Huh, I didn't, did I?" I replied. "Well, let's see... They're kind..."

"Figured that."

"They're caring..."

"Basically the same thing."

"The love me..."

"Obviously."

"And they transform into superheroes and fight off demonic monkeys from the planet Uranus."

"Saw it comin- Wait, what?"

I grinned a toothy grin, but she just bopped me on the head. "Owie," I winced as her fist hit me.

"Seriously now. What kind of jobs do they work at?"

"My mom works with the Canadian government. What she does exactly is kind of private, though. Not even I know what she does..."

"Hmm... Then what about your dad?"

"He's a construction worker, though he doesn't work all the time. Usually in the summer and around then."

"And in the winter?"

"He gets laid off and doesn't work for, like, half the year. It's not really good financially..."

"...So, then... why did they let you come to Japan? I mean, I'm super glad you did, but... it just doesn't make much sense to me..."

"...You know, one day, I just said that I want to go to Japan, and they said, 'Oh, sure, why not?' ...And now that I think about it, that was just too easy."

"Hmm..." Rise tilted her head back so it could rest on my shoulder. "Something seems fishy about that. What kind of parents with financial problems would let their fifteen-year-old son move to another continent by himself...?"

"Parents who... trust said son a lot? And that don't mind the extra burden of sending him money?"

"Mmmmaybe. Who knows, though? Next time they call you should ask them."

"Yeah, I think I will."

"By the way, how much money did they send you again? 40,000 yen or something?"

"Yeah, somewhere around there. Still haven't spent it all."

"Well that's good. Maybe we can use it to go somewhere."

"Like where?"

"I don't know, a trip maybe. Like to the beach."

"Which beach?"

"Zeai."

"How far away is that?"

"Not far, maybe an hour or two to the east of here. We could get Teddie and the others to come with us to, if you want."

"I don't care. Although I'd rather it just be us, I wouldn't mind having them around. I haven't exactly had a decent conversation with Kanji or Chie-senpai since we had to go to the hospital..."

"Well, this might be a good way to get some bonding done. I also haven't seen most of our senpai since then."

"So when's a good time to go then?"

"How about Sunday? It's supposed to be clear on that day."

"...You knew about today, and now Sunday it's supposed to be clear... How do you know so much about the weather?"

"I like to watch it just to make sure we can spend the day together."

"Really now."

"Yeah! ...Well, no. I just watch it because my grandma watches it all the time. I just happen to catch the upcoming weather and remember it."

"Aha, I see. So then Sunday's a sunny day?"

"Yep. We could call the others and see if they'd like to go."

"Sure thing! When should we tell them?"

*RIIIING RIIIING*

"Now would be a good time," Rise said with a giggle. She took out her cell phone. "Heh, it's Chie-senpai."

"Oh, tell her I said hi!" I laughed.

"No way." She flipped open the phone. "Hi senpai!" Her grin suddenly fell. "When did what happen? ...Me and Andrew-kun getting together? What're you talking-" Her eyes shot open. "It was on the news? ...Right now?" She turned to me. "Turn it on, quick!"

"Uh, okay." I flipped through the channels and came to the news. The announcer and commentator were talking about something, but I wasn't focused on that. What I was focused on was the picture next to their heads. It was of Rise and I holding hands, walking down a street. We were looking at each other and not at the camera, which was probably how it got such a good angle. "W-When...?" Man, I should've realized this would happen. I'm dating a celebrity, for Heaven's sake!

I heard Chie shout something incomprehensible on Rise's phone, and the twin tailed girl said, "Y-Yeah, he's here now... Speaker phone? O-Okay..." She pressed a button on her phone and Chie's voice filled the room.

/When the hell were you two going to tell us?/

"S-Senpai, shush!" I hissed into the phone. "Rise's grandma is-"

A hand shot over my mouth. "Don't tell her!" Rise whispered to me.

/What? Why should I be quiet? This is big news, even if you didn't tell me!/

"Senpai..." I sighed. And then my phone went off. I checked the caller ID. "Yosuke-senpai...? ...Hello?"

/WHEN THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN!/

"Uh, Tuesday."

/Oh. That's not that long. Hey, what was it like kissing her?/

"W-What? Why would you want to know that!"

"What?" Rise asked me. Chie was still yelling things in the background, but Rise quickly shut her up by closing her phone.

"He... wants to know what it was like kissing you."

"He does?" Rise was perplexed at this question, but smirked and pressed the speaker phone button on my phone. "It's the best thing that could've ever happened to him! No one else's lips will ever make him feel the way mine do! You should feel jealous of him now that you know that!"

Insert me blushing here.

/WHA-!/

And Rise slammed my phone shut, flipped it open again and turned it off. She did the same thing with hers and threw them both onto the other chair. "Now they won't be bothering us."

"Bothering us? We're just talking though."

I took note of the playful grin on her face. "There won't be any talking for a little while, sorry. And by a little while, I mean a long while."

"Huh...? Oh! A-Ah, no, I don't mind no talking at all."

She shifted herself around so that she was over/on top of me. "Good." Her hands caressed my cheeks as I put my own around her waist. Our faces inched closer together, but JUST as our lips were about to meet, a voice called out.

"OIIII!"

"What the-" Rise quickly pulled away from me and stared at the living room door. "Was that Kanji?"

"I... I think it was." The girl got off of me and walked over to the tofu-shop-part of the house. I got up and followed her. We were right - it was Kanji.

"Why're you hear?" Rise asked him in an agitated voice.

"So the news program was right!" Kanji declared, slamming a fist into his palm.

"Well, I'd say it was pretty obvious..." I mumbled, but they both ignored me.

"So, that all you came to check on?" Rise asked him, tapping her foot slightly. "'Cause we were in the middle of something."

"What?" Kanji actually bothered to look her over - YOU SHITHEAD - and his eyes widened when he saw her pyjamas. "In the middle of something... D-Don't tell me-!"

"Wha-!" Now Rise's eyes opened. "Nooooo, no no no no no! Not that! We were just kissing, nothing more!"

"N-Not by the looks of what you're wearing!"

"NO! JUST SHUT UP!" And then she ran up to him and kicked him in the stomach, which actually made him go flying out of the shop and flat on his back on the wet street. Just to make sure he stayed out, she jumped up and grabbed a hold on the shutter and pulled it down, effectively sealing us away from the outside. She huffed a bit before turning to me with a big smile. "So, I guess keeping it a secret is pointless now."

"Y-Yeah..." In all honesty, I was a little caught off-guard of Kanji's mentioning of... that. But I tried to push all of those thoughts back into my mind. "Hey, um, if no one was watching the store, why was it still opened?"

"Oh, there's a little alarm that's set to go if anyone goes past the front counter."

"That's still kinda dangerous though..."

"I'm not worried, though. The police department's just down the street, anyways."

"True... So, um, now what?"

"We... go back in and watch some more TV?"

"Or... we could... y-you know, continue..."

"I like that idea better."

~2:00PM~

Rise's grandmother was actually woken by the loud yelling and the slamming of the front door, so our make-out session had to come to abrupt stop when she came down the stairs. Rise also instructed me to sit on the floor instead of the chair. I minded, yes, but I had little choice in the matter.

With my girlfriend's grandma not that far away from us, there was a tad bit of uncomfortable silence in the air.

"Andrew-kun," the old woman behind me started. "Where did you say you were from?"

"Canada," I answered as politely as possible. "My parents allowed me to come out here on my own for a couple of years. Just to see what it's like."

"My, that's nice of them. Letting your child go out and see the world... Though I suppose I'll have to allow that when you want to go back home."

"Hmm?" Rise turned her attention to her grandma. "What do you mean?"

"You're going to want to go with him, right dear? To meet his parents."

"O-Oh!" Had she not considered that yet? "Right... I had completely forgotten about that..."

"Though, I don't think there'll be a time soon that I'll go back home for a visit..." I told the two. "Maybe at Christmas, but not around now."

"Aww, I really wanted to see where you're from, though," Rise moaned behind me.

"It's not that great, really. Inaba's way better than Toronto, in my opinion. I mean, there's no skyscrapers, not as much traffic, there's actually peace and quiet at night... It makes me wish I was born and raised here."

"I enjoy it here, too, but I also want to see more of the world. I've been all around Japan, so next on my list is North America!"

"I'm willing to bet that not a lot of people will know Rise Kujikawa up there, so don't expect to be waited on hand and foot."

She seemed a little surprised by this, but continued and said, "It's not like I'm being served now. I do things on my own." She paused. "Oh, by the way, you mind getting me a drink of water? I'm really thirsty..."

I sighed with a smile. "Yes, your highness."

It wasn't long after that that Rise went upstairs to her room to actually get dressed for the day. When she came down (in a red long-sleeved shirt, a beige skirt and black stockings), she suggested that we actually go out somewhere and do something instead of being stuck inside all day long. I reminded her that the rain was still pouring outside, and that there weren't a lot of places we could go. She then got an idea:

The TV World.

...But I didn't have my glasses with me, and that would mean going back to the inn and getting them while disturbing Teddie.

But Rise already had a plan. She said not to worry about it, so I grabbed my umbrella and the both of us walked back towards the inn. Of course, she had an umbrella, too, but she left it at her house; the redhead insisted that we share one.

When we got to the inn, Rise took her phone back out and called someone. "Senpai, do you mind coming down to the lobby? There's something I need to ask of you." She paused, then sighed suddenly, "Yes, that news report was true. But never mind that, come downstairs, please!"

It wasn't long after that that Yukiko appeared from the elevator door. She wasn't wearing the kimono she had on the other day; instead she had a black shirt and white skirt on. Today must be here day off or something.

"What is it?" Yukiko asked when she approached us.

"We need you to distract Ted for a few minutes," Rise told her.

Yukiko's eyebrow rose. "Um... Why?"

"I need to grab my glasses and I don't want Teddie to know," I replied sheepishly. "If I go back in there then he'll force himself with us."

"Your... glasses?" Yukiko asked before realizing. "You're going to the other side, aren't you?"

"Not that far in, though!" Rise reassured. "We'll stay at the entrance and won't wander off in there!"

"But what if a Shadow-"

"My scythe's still there, remember? I'll slash the snot out of any Shadows that may come towards us!"

Yukiko was still reluctant, but gave in nonetheless. "Alright, alright... What do I need to do?"

"You just need to get Ted away from the room for a little while," I told her. "Tell him... ah... you need some help in the kitchen or something."

"But... I don't need help in the kitchen."

"Oookaaay... Um, then how about getting him in the hot springs?"

"Umm... Well... I guess that could work... Though it's almost three, and the men's turns end every odd hour."

"We'll just have to hurry, then," Rise nodded. "Alright, thank you, senpai! We'll repay you, I promise!" She bowed to Yukiko, which meant I had to, as well. "Okay, let's go!"

On the floor with my room on it, Rise and I hid behind a rather large plant not too far away from the door. Without too much straining, I was able to hear Teddie on the room's phone with Yukiko.

"What's up, Yuki-chan? ...Huh? T-The hot springs! You mean with you? ...Oh. Well, I guess I could go. I don't really have much else to do. Oh, by the way, did you hear about Andy and Rise-chan?"

"Gahh, everyone does know about that now," I mumbled under my breath.

"Quiet!" Rise hushed.

"Huh? Oh, right, I'm going!" I heard the phone being hung up and, after a few minutes, the bear opened the door and ran towards the elevator. The moment the door closed behind him Rise and I quickly went to my room.

"So, did you want to stay out here?" I asked her as I fumbled with my key.

"N-No. Why would you ask that?"

"O-Oh, I just thought that it's still a bit too early."

"It's not. I've actually been waiting for you to invite me in."

"...Ooh... Sorry."

"No no, it's alright. At least I'll be able to see it now."

"True, I guess." I finally got the door opened and stepped in. "Alright, welcome to my room. No time for a tour, though, we've gotta get moving."

"Uh, okay." While I quickly tried to find the glasses, Rise chose to look around a bit. "S-So, umm..." She's totally not prepared for this. "I am now in the room of Andrew Ricketts... It seems quite clean for a boy his age, and-"

"What, so now you're a reporter?" I asked jokingly, not looking up from the pile of clothes in the corner.

"I-I was just talking to myself, is all!"

"Then if you have time to do that, help me look, would you?"

"U-Um, right!" After deeming the glasses to not be in the pile of clothes, I stood and swiftly stepped over to the drawers beneath the TV stand. As I was looking through them, Rise piped up again. "S-So, um, where do you keep them?"

"...Keep what?"

"You know. The 'goods'."

...Oh, THAT. "I don't have any."

"You don't? Really?"

"Yeah. Never bothered with it." Well, I'd look stuff up, but I wouldn't keep any of it.

"I see..." I heard her chuckle from wherever in my room she was. "Good. I'll bring my photo album next time I come here."

"Album? Of when you were a kid or something?"

"No, stupid, the one with those swimsuits! They're really cute!"

"...Ohhhh. Wait, wouldn't it be better for you to bring the actual suits instead...?"

She giggled again. "If you really want me to, I can."

The glasses weren't in the TV stand, so I went over to the coat rack and checked the pockets. "That'd be nice," I said with my own laugh. "But we'll have to get Teddie out of here again... Dammit, why'd I say he could stay here with me?"

"I don't know, it was your decisi- ...Wait a minute, you lied, you liar!"

"What?" I turned my head to her. "What did I lie about?"

She held up... one of those magazines. "You totally do have a stash here!"

"Wh-Wh-What the hell! Th-That's not mine! Where'd you get that from, anyways!"

"Under your bed! See?" She stood up from the futon and pointed to the pillows. "And they're right beneath your head every time you sleep!"

"I swear they're not mine! And-" Oh wait a minute. "And that's not even my futon!"

"...Huh?"

"You were looking under Teddie's bed." No reaction at first. She looked down onto the futon and, after about a second of staring, gasped and quickly hopped off of the futon in surprise. "Goddamn, I did not know that bear had those kind of magazines! Where the hell did he get them?"

"I-I'm, uh... I'm sorry!" Rise folder her hands in front of her and bowed before me. "I didn't realize that wasn't your bed!"

"H-Hey, there's no need to apologize! You didn't know!" Before she could say anything else, I turned back to the coats. "We gotta find those glasses, though, so don't worry about it."

"U-Um... Alright."

After another minute of searching, we finally found the glasses in the bathroom cupboards. Why the hell they were there, I don't know. At three o'clock, Teddie dejectedly returned to the room, but we were already out of it by then. Rise and I thanked Yukiko again and made our way to Junes.

"That time didn't count."

"Hm?" I glanced down to the redhead beside me. "What didn't count?"

"Me going into your room. It didn't count."

Confusion, GO. "Why?"

"I wasn't in there long enough. Next time will count."

"Uh, if you say so."

~3:30PM~

Since it was raining out there weren't many people who bothered to come out to the department store, so Rise and I calmly made our way to the TVs. The inside of it was the same as always: foggy, yellow, and creepy beyond belief.

After stepping in there and putting on the glasses, I attempted to spark my hand again. It took a little effort, but the electricity flowed through my veins eventually. "It's been a little while since I've done this."

Rise came in right behind me, and said, "Hey, don't go showing off like that! I'm not as good as you are!"

"Well, you're just gonna hafta catch up!" I replied with a snicker.

She scoffed at my remark and fully came through the TVs, but she must've lost her balance somewhere along the way because she wound up running into my back. "Wh-Whoa whoa whoawhoawhoa!" Her arms wrapped around my gut as she planted her face into my spine.

And this also proved a theory that, every time I charge up my arm, electricity runs throughout my whole body.

Rise's also weak against Zio skills, by the way.

*BZZZZZZZZZT*

A shriek, and she fell to the floor.

"AHH! RISE-CHAN!" I quickly dropped to my knees and scooped her up. "H-Hey! Are you okay!"

"Y...Yeah..." Rise said, twitching ever so slightly. "T-Though that was p-probably my fault... I r-ran into you... Drat, I sh-should've known b-better..."

"N-No, that was just an acci-"

"O-On purpose."

"O... Oh..."

"M-Mind helping me up...?" she asked, seemingly extending a hand to me.

"S-Sure thing." I was about to take it in my hand and actually pull her up, but before I could grasp it it went around my neck. Her other hand went around the other side of my neck. "Um-"

"A-And by helping m-me up, I mean c-carrying me."

"...How you can kid and smile like that after being electrified is something I can't comprehend." She grinned even wider as I placed my arms around her back and underneath her knees and hefted her up. HOLY SHRINE MAIDENS AND ORDINARY WITCHES MY HAND IS SO CLOSE TO HER... UM, HER, UH... Y-YEAH. She held onto my neck tightly as I did so she wouldn't fall out of my grip. "S-So, um, uh... Now what?"

"Sit down at the railings. L-Like last time."

"Uhh, okay." I carefully and slowly walked over to the edge of the platform so I wouldn't lose my balance, and when I got to one of those... tall... metal... things, I slid my back down it and landed onto the floor. "Ow!" I had fallen too fast, which caused my rump to slam into the floor. Rise didn't seem to hear me, as her head was looking around the area. "H-Hey, what's up?"

She looked back at me, surprised at my voice, but returned to taking in the view. "It's... not as romantic as I thought it would be."

"Well, obviously it's not. This is, like, a demonic world. Or something."

"Yeah, I guess you're right..." The small volts that had been running through her seem to have vanished. "Oh well!" she suddenly declared. "As long as no one can interrupt us, I'm fine with wherever we can go!"

"Hey, hey, don't say that. Just you watch, someone's just gonna pop up here now."

"Ahh, you're just being paranoid. C'mon, who'd want to come in here now? We're done with the case, so no one will want to come back in here."

"We just did."

"...That doesn't mean anything."

"Suuure it doesn't." I decided to change the subject, "So how're you feeling now?"

"A lot better. I recovered quicker than I thought I would've."

"It's probably like the whole fast-healing thing."

"Either that, or you somehow absorbed the electricity from my body. You can, like, do that, right?"

"...Oh, that's right, I forgot I could... Then that could explain that."

"I'm sure that's it."

"You're only sure that's it because you thought of it."

"Yeah, so? That a problem?"

"I didn't say it was."

"I know you weren't." She sat up from my arms, swirled around and came face to face with me. "Last time we were here, I never go to do what I wanted to, right?"

"Kiss me?"

"Yeah."

"But you've already done that."

"So you're saying you don't want me to?"

"I didn't say that."

"You made it sound like you said that."

"Well I didn't mean it."

"Are you sure? For all I know you may not like my kisses."

"Do you want me to prove you wrong or something?"

Her arms went around my neck and she leaned in very close to me.

"Yes. I do."

I smirked and my own arms went around her back.

"As you wish."

~August 6th~

~Saturday~

~11:00AM~

"The beach?"

I had told Teddie about mine and Rise's plans to gather everyone up and go to Zeai Beach. I was instructed to tell the four boys, and my girlfriend had the much easier job of telling the only two other girls on the team.

"Yeah. I've yet to ask everyone else, but hopefully they all say yes!"

"S-So, what're we gonna do there?"

"Mm... Swimming, maybe play some volleyball or something. We'll only be there for a day, so there's no need to rent any hotel rooms or anything... So, will you go with us?"

"Of course I will!" The bear seemed overenthusiastic. "When did you say we were going again?"

"Tomorrow."

"T-Tomorrow?" Teddie shot up from the table and quickly looked around. "I-I need to start packing, now!"

"It's still only early, and we're only going for a day, like I said. You're not gonna need much."

"Yes I will!" Teddie put his arms on my shoulders and shook me rather hard. "Don't you realize what this means! We'll be seeing the girls in swimsuits! Do you know how long I've waited for this! Besides Rise-chan, of course."

"Dude, calm down." I put a hand to his face and pushed him away. "What does the girls in swimsuits have anything to do with how much stuff you're bringing?"

"Alright, let's see..." Teddie seemed to have begun to ignore me. "I need a camera, a bottle of sun screen so I can rub it on them, beach balls, water guns... Oh, and I guess I'll actually need a pair of swimming trunks..."

"Wha- Of course you will!" I stood up from my spot at the table. "You're not going there without anything to wear!"

"But I don't have a pair."

"...Oh crap. Alright, alright, here's what we do. I'll call Kanji and my senpai, and after that we go to Junes and get you a pair of trunks."

"Okay! Hurry up and call them!"

"Gotcha! Wait, I don't take orders from you." Sticking my tongue at the bear, I retrieved my cell phone and speed dialed Kanji.

After a few rings: /'lo?/

"Ah, hey, Kanji!"

/Oh? Andrew, 'sup?/

"Uh... First, I want to apologize for what Rise-chan did yesterday. It looked painful."

/Y-Yeah, it hurt a bit... Luckily I didn't catch a cold from the rain, so I'm all good./

"Good, 'cause we were going to go out to the beach tomorrow. I already got Ted to come with us, and now I'm asking you."

/The... The beach!/

"Yeah, you know. Sand. Sun. Girls in bikinis."

/Y-Yeah I know what beaches are! I'll come with ya!/

"Good! I'm not sure how much it'll cost to go there, so bring as much money as you can!"

/Got it! Tomorrow, right?/

"Yep, meet us at the train station at... Ah, I don't know, nine AM?"

/Sure, sure thing! Later!/

"See ya then!" I hung my phone up and turned to Ted. "Kanji's comin' with us!"

"Okay, now call Yuki-chan!"

"Nope, sorry. Rise-chan said she'd do that."

"What!"

"Alright, next is... Souji-senpai." Speed-dial, GO.

...

...

/Hello?/

"Hey, senpai!"

/Ah, Andrew. How are you?/

"Good, good. Anyways, Rise-chan and I decided to take a trip to the beach tomorrow, so we were wondering if everyone would want to come with us."

/The beach, huh...? Well I don't have anything planned for tomorrow.../

"Then would you like to come with us?"

/Hmm... I wouldn't mind, but Nanako-chan will wind up by herself all day then.../

"Then we'll take her with us! The more the merrier, right?"

/Huh... Yeah, that's true. Alright, we'll go to the beach! When should we meet up?/

"Tomorrow morning at nine, at the train station, if you don't mind."

/Sure thing! I'll see you tomorrow./

"Okay, bye! And bring as much money as you can!" I once again closed my phone. "So Souji-senpai's coming with us, too!"

"Now all that's left is Yosuke, right?" Teddie asked me, apparently done his 'packing.' He had a small shopping bag with a towel, sun block, a sun visor, and sandals.

Where the hell did he get those last three things...? "What happened to the beach ball and camera?" I asked him, mostly jokingly but with a tad bit of curiosity.

"Ah, there's none of that here."

"Of course there's none of that here." I continued to ignore him as I called Yosuke's cell phone.

...

...

/Hey, Andy! Where are you?/

"I'm, uh, at the inn?"

/Well why aren't you here? I called, like, an hour ago to tell you and Ted to come into work!/

"Y-You did?" I glanced to Teddie. "Did Yosuke-senpai call earlier when I was asleep?"

"Uhh... OH! That's right, he did! I forgot all about it!"

/Oi! Why the hell do you sound so proud about it!/

"Senpai, we'll come to work, but first answer a question for us."

He sighed on the other end. /What is it?/

"Did you want to go to the beach tomorrow?"

/The beach? ...Is everyone going?/

"I know all of the dudes, plus Nanako-chan, are going. Rise-chan said she'll ask the girls."

/Well, let's hope they go! Sure, I'll come along!/

"Alright! That's everyone! We're meeting at the train station tomorrow morning at nine sharp! Don't be late! And bring some money, too!"

/Gotcha! I'll see you there!/

"Later! Oh, and, yeah, we're coming now!" I closed the phone before he could say anything else. "Okay, Ted, we're going to work now, and after we're finished that, we'll look for a pair of swimming shorts for you."

"Yipeeeee! I can't wait! Let's go now!" The blondie dashed towards the room's door.

"Alright, hold your horses, or bears, or whatever!" I got up and went to retrieve my jacket, but when I placed my hands in the pockets I felt something. "Huh?" I took out a small slip of paper, and an idea formed in my head. "Waaaaait a second."

"Hmm? What?" Teddie glanced behind his shoulder.

"I'm not done calling everyone yet."

"You're not? Who else is there to call?"

"Hang on, now." I punched the numbers in and allowed the dial tone to flood my eardrums.

...

...

/Hello? Naoto Shirogane speaking./

"Heey, Naoto-san! It's, uh, Andrew."

/Oh? Andrew-san... Have you remembered something regarding the case?/

"A-Ah, no, not exactly... I was just wondering, um... If you wanted to go to the beach with me and my friends."

The detective was silent for a few seconds. /The... the beach?/

"Yeah."

/I-I apologize, but... I... I-I don't know how to swim./

"Hu- You don't? Well... that doesn't really matter, does it? You could just lie in the sun or something. And plus, we're not going to be swimming the entire time..."

/B-But, are you sure you want me to come with you?/

"Yeah I'm sure. I mean, you saved me twice before from a beating and... well, death, pretty much. I felt like I should thank you in some way."

/And inviting me to the beach is your way of saying 'thank you'?/

"Well, yeah, and, um... It's just, you also seemed... kinda lonely at times. And whenever you pop up you're alone, so I thought you may want to hang out with my friends and me."

Naoto was pondering the idea, but after a few moments, /When would we meet?/

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, at the train station."

/...I... I suppose a little break wouldn't hurt.../

"So, you'll come with us?"

/...If that is what you want, then yes./

"Sweet!" I pumped a fist into the air. "We'll see you at the train station tomorrow then! And we'll all be paying a fraction of the train ride, so bring some money!"

/Ah... A-Alright./

"Ja ne!" I closed the phone for the forth time and turned to my bear. "Alright, that's five people on my end coming with us!"

"Seriously? Wow, you're a good negotiator!"

"Ahh, not really. It's just that a lot of guys like to go to the beach for the sole reason of seeing the skin of females."

"I can understand that," Teddie said as he nodded with an... experienced look in his face?

"Oh, I meant to ask you something."

"What?"

"Where the hell did you get that magazine?"

"M-Magazine?"

Short chapter! But it's long at the same time (I mean, the document says it's eighteen pages long O.o;) Not to worry, though. I'm in the process of gathering ideas for the next chapter already.

And in case you were wondering about the exact location of the beach... Yes, it's an actual place, and since Inaba isn't given a definite location in Japan, I'm just randomly putting it on the map.

Later, gaters!