I DO NOT OWN PERSONA!

Warning: FeMC for Persona 4!

A bit to note this chapter isn't very long, but I hope you enjoy!

I apologize in advance for all possible missed grammar mistakes and spelling. Please enjoy~!

"Tad-ah! One steak, Junes styled, for you!"

"Ah! It looks good!" Nanako exclaimed as Yosuke set down the rest of the steaks in front of them. Yui smiled at her cousin before looking at Yosuke, "Thanks." Her friend only gave him a wide grin as he shrugged, "No prob!"

"You're seriously slow," Chie huffed after he placed the last plate in front of her making Yosuke lose his grin and scoffed as she snatched the offered napkin with the utensils wrapped inside from his apron pocket. The brunette's annoyance disappeared as she smiled to the youngest member of their group at the table and offered the bundle to her, "Here Nanako-chan, eat up!"

"Ah, I will thank you!" Nanako eagerly took the fork and knife as Yukiko smiled, "Just be sure to chew good and hard since this isn't quality steak," she informed her earning a gasp from Yosuke at her words.

"Hey seriously?! How could you say that right in front of me?! That's cold!" the boy protested as Yui giggled. "Nanako-chan let me cut it for you," she offered as her cousin nodded in agreement, "Thank you."

"Your welcome," the silver haired girl replied as she carefully took the girl's knife and fork into her hands. She stuck the ends of the fork right into the steam meat and slowly slide the knife back and forth until it was cute into perfect small squares.

Yui had been a bit nervous taking Nanako to meet her friends and her friends meeting her younger cousin. Thankfully Nanako had actually gotten along easily with Yukiko and Yosuke just as she did with Chie. Yukiko smiled and complimented at how adorable Nanako was earning a polite yet flustered 'thank you' from Nanako. When Nanako had learned that Yosuke was the son of the people who looked after Junes, her smile widen and she beamed up at Yosuke with so much admiration that caused him panic. Yui could only giggle behind her hand as he insisted on bringing them food despite still being on the clock at work.

"Thanks again by the way Yosuke-kun," Yui quickly told her friend as she handed Nanako her fork back, "You really didn't have to do this."

The boy huffed, still bitter about Yukiko's remark, before yanking his apron off to sit in the remaining chair at the table. "Yeah, yeah ugh...No problem I said." Yui raised an eyebrow as he narrowed his eyes at her, "Taking a break. No shame in that."

She only shrugged at his words before cutting into her own steak as Yosuke sighed, "But seriously, why did you bring Nanako-chan to a place like this on Golden Week? It has to be the most boring out of all the things in town..."

Chie swallowed loudly as she rolled her eyes, "Where else is there to go?" she pointed out as she shoved another bite of steak, "There's no where to go at a time like this."

"Chew Chie, chew," Yukiko scolded her friend as she smiled at Nanako who was attempted to eat just as poised as her. Again Yosuke sighed before staring at Nanako, "Still, don't you feel sorry bringing her here?"

"...You actually got a point there," Yukiko agreed only to cause Yosuke to cringe, "Well don't go rubbing in the salt into my wound why don't ya?!" Turning to Yui he lightly hit the table, "What about you Yui-chan, are you okay with this?"

"Hm?" Yui blinked at his question before looking to Nanako who had a smile on her face as she continued to eat, "No actually. Nanako-chan actually does-"

"Ah!" Her cousin's head snapped up as the store's jingle came out from the speakers, "Everyday's great at your Junes~," she sang right as the woman's voice came up. Gripping her fork and knife tightly she bounced a bit in her seat, "I love Junes!" Yui laughed at her cousin's cute display as Yosuke's mouth dropped open and he eagerly leaned forward onto the table towards the direction of Nanako, "And I love Nanako-chan~!"

This time it was Yui's turn to scoff at his statement and shook her head, "Easy there Yosuke-kun..." Beside her Chie giggled as her cousin continued speaking.

"We were suppose to go on a real trip somewhere today and have a picnic though," she informed the group. This perked up Yukiko's interest as she spoke up next, "Do you know how to cook Nanako-chan?"

"Nuh uh," her cousin shook her head before turning her head towards Yui causing all her friends to look in her direction just as she popped another piece of steak into her mouth. Her face began to turn a light pink at their stares as she nervously swallowed, "...Yes?" Chie could only grin as she rested her elbow on the table, Oh ho, so you're the family cook huh? Actually...Yeah, you did make me that lunch last time. Pretty impressive, 'big sis!'"

At the corner of her eye Yui could see Nanako tilt her head at Chie's words, "...Big...Sis?"

The grip on her fork loosened a bit and she scrambled to catch it in time, grasping it in both hands to her chest as her face turned even redder at the sudden praise from Chie and hearing Nanao's whisper. Her ears were starting to get hotter just as her friends laughed. Yosuke leaned back in his chair and let out a whistle, "Cooking is a pretty good skill to have. You already got Chie beat then!"

"Hold on a sec, what the heck does that mean?!" Chie yelled as she pointed her fork towards him, "I-I'll have you know I'm a pretty good cook too, you know...What makes you think I can't cook huh?!"

"Really?" Yukiko and Yui asked earning a nervous smile from Chie who laughed quietly as she looked toward Yosuke for his answer.

The boy tapped his chin lightly with his finger, "Lemme think about-No." Chie let out a cry before falling back into her chair, "Well then, I challenge you to a cook-off and we'll see for ourselves!"

"My, my doth the lady protest too much? And hey, I never said I could cook," Yosuke protested before smirking, "But ya know what, you're on!" Yui quickly placed a hand to her mouth to muffle her giggles as she glanced over to Yukiko who was also trying to silence herself from laughing. The other girl's hands were on her stomach and her lips were trembling as she nodded slightly to Yui.

This was entertaining.

"I guess that means we oughta make Nanako-chan our judge right?" Yosuke proposed causing Nanako to look up at the two in confusion, "Judge?"

"They're going to do a cook-off," Yui told her as Yosuke continued, "We might even whip up something better than your mom's cooking!" All the laughter in Yui left as her eyes widen at his statement.

She never did tell them about her deceased aunt and glanced towards Nanako as she poked at the last of her steak with her fork before looking up at all of them. "I don't have a mom. She died in an accident."

Instantly her friends' lost their smiles.

Chie immediately reached over and hit Yosuke on the shoulder, "Yosuke!" she hissed as the boy stuttered, "R-Really? I...Uh sorry. I didn't know..." Yui sighed a bit as Chie again reached over and smacked Yosuke on the shoulder, "Guys..."

"No I'm okay!" Nanako quickly spoke up causing them all to freeze again, "I don't have a mom, but I still have Dad and...And I..." The young girl turned her head towards Yui, her face a light pink as she offered the older girl a smile, "And now I have a big sister too."

The hold on her knife and fork instantly loosened at her cousin's words. Both fell right onto her plate with a loud clink as she could feel all the heat return back to her cheeks and ears.

"And I'm having lots of fun today!" the little girl continued, "I got to visit Junes and I'm having a great time with everyone!" Chie and Yukiko immediately were leaning over the table towards Nanako, Chie grabbing hold of Nanako's hands as Yukiko rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Nanako-chan, we'll play with you whenever you want okay?" Chie insisted as Yukiko nodded in agreement, "Yes, let's hang out more often okay?"

Nanako's eyes widen as a smile formed onto her lips, "Really? Thank you very much!"

"Hey, c'mon Nanako-chan," Yosuke stood up and held out a hand for her to take, "Let's go get you a soda. You must be thirsty from all that eating huh?" Nanako nodded and slid off her seat, pushing the chair in, before hurrying over to Yosuke. Her small hand rested on his open palm before wrapping her fingers around his own, a smile on her face as they left the table.

The girls watched with smiles as their male friend lead Nanako away before looking at each other. "She's a strong girl," Yukiko finally spoke up as she rested her elbows on the table as they kept watching Yosuke and Nanako. Yui glanced over to Chie who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. She makes me feel like I'm the little kid here," the short haired girl laughs a bit before looking over towards Yui, "You got a pretty mature little 'sis' there big 'sis.'"

"And I'm proud of her," Yui replied earning a wider smile from Chie who gasped, "You know what...That's it! I'm gonna go get something for Nanako-chan!"

"That's a great idea Chie!" Yukiko quickly stood up, "Let's do that today. We can get something for Nanako-chan, each of us."

Yui smiled as she watched the two girls push their chairs in and began to chatter over what to get her little cousin, "Ah Yui-chan, are you alright with this?" Yukiko asked when they noticed she had remained seated, "We don't have to go get something today if you think it'll bother her..."

"Not at all," Yui shook her head, "I think...I think she's happy to have met you all today. How about this I distract her while you and Chie-chan go get your gifts for Nanako-chan and later you get her attention while I get mine for her. Seem fair?"

She hadn't brought anything with her when she first came to Inaba.

It seemed fitting now to do so.

Her friends nodded before quickly slipping out of the food court just as Nanako had appeared. She took a moment to stare after the two older girls before turning her attention back to Yui.

"Do you want something too, Big Sis?"

Those words made Yui freeze, her eyes began to slowly become unfocused as she stared at Nanako as blue began to fog up her vision. In the distance Izanagi's voice echoed. The ease of the bond establishing had slowly become natural as she listened.

THOU ART I

AND I AM THOU

THOU HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW BOND

OF THE JUSTICE ARCANA

Yui slowly got up from her chair, allowing her vision to readjust as she tucked her chair back at the table. Blinking away the last of the blue that had clouded her eye sight she slowly extended for Nanako to take.

Before her younger cousin was hesitate to take her hand, but this time Nanako immediately grasped her tiny fingers around her longer ones. Her bright brown eyes looked up at her as she swung their arms a bit, "Wanna share some takoyaki?"

"I would love that," Yui smiled down at her as they began to walk away. The deep feeling in her chest from last night had disappeared as she stole glances at Nanako's smile and listened to her humming the Junes' jingle.

Perhaps...Nanako would be lucky enough to not be as lonely as before. Yui gently squeezed their hands before earning a light squeeze in return from Nanako who giggled.

Yes...Her cousin wouldn't be alone.

After parting ways with Yosuke and reuniting with Chie and Yukiko in the shopping section of the department store, Yui could now slip away and buy Nanako's gift. She had seen the small plastic bag in Yukiko's hand as she held it behind her back as Nanako had ran up to them both and greeted them. The raven haired girl gave her a wink just as Chie leaned forward and asked if Nanako wanted to come help her get a present for a younger cousin of hers whose birthday was coming up. Nanako agreed to help and was reassured by Yui, who made an excuse to get more groceries for them, that they would meet up outside.

Chie took Nanako's hand and lead her away as Yukiko quickly also took her cousin's other hand, both of them swinging their arms back and forth as they walked away. Yui wished she could stay a bit longer to take a quick picture, but time was not to be wasted for this mission.

Now she stood in front of a small display of hair accessories, studying each hair tie and clip carefully. She spotted a pair of bright pink elastic hair ties that also included a bright pink bunny hair clip. Yui smiled and immediately took it off the stand and made her way towards the cashiers only to stop short as she caught sight of something on a high shelf.

It was a metallic colored thermos shining under the store lights among other thermos and mugs. Nothing all too unusual except there was a design of a golden dragon carefully placed on the sleek surface. The detail of the dragon was incredible for something as simple as a thermos and immediately Yui felt the dragon could slip off the metal and fly away as she stared.

For a moment her mind went to her uncle and the familiar clench in her chest returned.

However it disappeared the longer she stared up at the thermos. While he did break his promise...

Setting the hair ties down onto a lower shelf Yui began to stand on the tips of her toes to grab the thermos. Despite being tall she could barely grasp the thermos and let out a grunt as she tried to grab it. Her left arm ached as she kept her right hand on one of the lower shelves to give her at least a small inch of a boost upward. Her toes bounced as she could feel her finger tips almost touching the cool metal. Just as she felt the pads of her fingers rest on the thermos the touch had only given a slight push to make the thermos slide even further back on the high shelf.

"Darn..."

She quickly went back onto the flats of her feet before trying again. She froze mid reach as she felt someone come up behind her and reach up on the shelf. Whoever it was had a much taller height and had a much better chance of getting the thermos than her.

The stranger pulled the thermos into her waiting hand before stepping back from her.

Smiling she settled back on her feet when her hand grasped the thermos. Her smile dropped as soon as she turned around to thank the stranger, she had come face to face to the familiar face of the student who she had returned the rabbit accessory to yesterday. He also stared at her, his lips pulled downward into a disapproving frown and his nose scrunched up slightly as they stood in silence.

Yui inhaled a bit before nodding to him, a smile forming as she spoke up, "Thank you."

This caught him by surprise and he cleared his throat quickly as he backed away even further from her, "It...It ain't no big deal," he quickly spoke as he began to look down at the ground. Her eyes traveled downward until she caught sight of the bright pink yarn gripped tightly in his fingers.

"...Are you going to knit something?" she spoke as she took the hair ties from where she had placed them earlier, "Is it for another rabbit?"

"T-The hell? Oh this?" The boy scoffed as he held up the yarn, "Nah it's for my Ma...Sent me out to get it." Now it was her turn to frown as she stared at the yarn and back to him. His eyes continued to look downward as he waited for her to speak again. "...Are you sure it's for her and not-"

"Look you better not tell anyone about it! And for the last time yes it's not for me!"

The yell startles them both, her for his sudden change in tone and him for forgetting they were in a public place. The other quickly glanced around before returning back to his glaring at her.

"Listen here," he quickly continued with a finger jabbed into her face, "Whatever you saw or were thinking, it ain't true. I wouldn't make anything like that."

Reaching out Yui gently used her hand to push his finger away from her face before crossing her arms, "I don't even know you," she pointed out as she looked up at him, "And also...What's wrong with that rabbit? It was cute."

Her words cause him to flinch and drop his arm as he stuttered a few more words before huffing. "Shit...Whatever. J-Just don't get any funny ideas got it?!"

"Promise," she replied back as he seemed to nod. Showing one of his hands into his pockets he quickly walked away from her, his shoulders slouching forward as she watched. He only gave her one last look just as he turned the corner to go into the next aisle leaving her alone. "What on earth is his problem?" she wondered as she continued to stare down the way he had disappeared to.

Surely he didn't think she thought the rabbit was disgusting! Whoever had done it-if not done by him-was very talented and she found no reason to say anything ill of him or the rabbit he had in his possession. Yui could only frown as she thought over what had happened.

There must have been more to why he went out of his way to speak to her and shout at her not to tell anyone of the rabbit. Her being the new girl at school did not help her case as she tried to figure out who the boy was. He wasn't from her class obviously so she would have to ask the others and a few other classmates about this angsty schoolmate of hers...

The vibration of her phone snapped her back to reality and she quickly took it out of her pant's pocket to read the text.

-NANAKO-CHAN LOOKING FOR YOU. HURRY! Oh by the way this is Chie! MEET US SOON!-

"Ah right!" She quickly grabbed her two items before rushing towards the registers, she would have to look into this mysterious boy later.

A shorter chapter in order to move us a bit along~ That's right, we're about to get into Kanji's involvement in the case!

I really hope you all don't mind this quick chapter, until then! Thank you for reading!