Note: I do not plan to give the protagonist a name or an appearance. That is for the reader to decide. That's how I write all of my stories. I feel that makes it far easier for the reader envision the main character and make the character their own. Also, I'm so happy that I'm getting so much feedback on the story and I want to thank everyone for telling me how much you and enjoy it. I hope you keep reading!
Date May 16
You woke up early to go to school and quickly got ready. You were eager to talk to the group about Kanji today. Since the Midnight Channel was still blurry, you knew he hadn't been kidnapped yet. You were determined to save him. You left for school after eating breakfast with Nanako and smiled softly as you walked into homeroom. Chie and Yukiko were waiting for you at your desk as you and Yosuke walked in together.
"The guy that was on last night... it was THAT guy, right?" Chie asked. It seemed everyone knew exactly who she was talking about.
"Kanji Tatsumi, huh? He definitely didn't look like the social type." Yosuke mused.
"Now there's an understatement. Isn't he really scary? Did you see the news special the other day?" Chie asked timidly.
"Yeah, I saw it." Yosuke mused.
"You mean the special on biker gangs? I watched it too. He wasn't like that when he was younger, though…" Yukiko mused
"You know him, Yukiko?" Chie asked.
"Uh-huh, but we haven't talked to each other in a long time. His family runs a textile shop, and we've been a customer of theirs for many years. So I speak with Kanji-kun's mother from time to time. Oh, why don't we go there after school? We might be able to talk to him in person." Yukiko said.
"Sounds good. At the very least, we can ask if anything strange has come up lately. I wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley, but I'm pretty sure he won't fly off the handle in his family's store." Chie said.
"Alright, right after school, we'll go." Yosuke said confidently.
"Hey! If things get rough, we're counting on you Yosuke." Chie said.
"Huh? Me?!" Yosuke asked.
"Well yeah, I mean, you're the only guy here. You're supposed to protect us." Yukiko pointed out.
"Oh man, can't you just kick him like you do me, Chie?" Yosuke asked, obviously already scared about facing Kanji. You rolled your eyes at the group. You didn't really think Kanji was someone who'd attack someone randomly. You waited until school ended and the four of you headed to the Textile Shop to see Kanji. You raised a curious eyebrow upon entering, seeing an odd-looking male speaking with his mother.
"Hello," Yukiko greeted as she walked into the shop.
"Ah, Yuki-chan, it's so nice to see you." The woman said with a smile.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me ma'am." The young male said as he readied to leave.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't help more." The woman said.
"It's all right; you've given me plenty to think about. Thank you." The young boy said as he readied to leave. He stopped walking for a moment to look at you for a moment, his staring was a bit intimidating.
"Um... can I help you...?" You asked.
"No, good day." He said as he left the shop.
"What's up with him…? Weirdo." Yosuke mused. You nodded, that was definitely the oddest things that's ever happened to you.
"I 'unno. Never seen him before." Chie mused. It was odd, usually everyone knew everyone in this town, but you hadn't seen him either. Was he from out of town? But he seemed to know you...
"Yuki-chan, you're as lovely as always." The shop owner said to her. "Your features are starting to remind me of your mother when she was young. How can I help you today? Are you out shopping with your friends?"
"Oh, um… Well, actually…" Yukiko started. "Have you seen Kanji-kun?"
"Kanji-kun? Oh, yes, I sent him to run an errand for me," the woman said. While Yukiko was talking to the woman, Chie looked around the shop curiously.
"Hey this scarf... I've seen this somewhere before..." She mused gazing at the scarf that rested on the shelf.
"Hm? Huh, you're right. Where was that…?" Yosuke said and the three of you thought for a moment.
"Oh! It was that place! Inside the TV!" Chie said.
"That's right! That room with those faceless posters…" Yosuke said.
"Then… it's that announcer's…" You started.
"Are you acquaintances of Ms. Yamano?" Mrs. Tatsumi asked.
"Uh, well, kinda…" Yosuke answered. "Um… Did Ms. Yamano happen to have a scarf like this?"
"Yes, it was a special order she placed. She actually ordered a pair, but in the end, she said she only wanted the women's scarf. It left us with no choice but to sell this one separately." The woman answered. She didn't seem bothered by it though.
"Oh man… There IS a connection to the first case…! What are we gonna do…?" Chie asked.
"H-How should I know…?" Yosuke asked. Just then a delivery came, and Mrs. Tatsumi had to leave.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me." Mrs. Tatsumi said as she stood up.
"Oh, it's okay. We should get going." Chie said.
"I'll come again, Ma'am." Yukiko said with a smile.
"Is that so? Well, then please say hello to your mother for me." She said as she left to get the package.
"It really is connected to the first case after all…" Yosuke mused. "But it's just a scarf. Would the killer target someone just because of that…? Dammit, what's going on…? C'mon, let's talk outside." The four of you left the shop and walked outside. You paused spotting the strange boy you saw before with another male.
"Huh? that's Kanji-kun!" Yukiko said.
"Wha-quick hide!" Yosuke said tugging the three of you into a corner, not even slightly out of sight.
"You're not fooling anyone, you know." Chie said.
"Shhh! I can't hear what they're saying!" Yosuke said. You eavesdropped on Kanji's conversation with the boy…
"T-Tomorrow's fine with me…" Kanji said. "Huh? S-School? 'Course I'm going to school…"
"Then I'll meet you at the gates after school tomorrow." The male said, before walking away.
"D-Did he was he was interested…?" Kanji questioned himself. "He's a guy… and I'm a guy… But… he's interested in me…?" At that point Kanji noticed you. You supposed you weren't exactly hiding so much, not a surprise.
"Huh? What the hell are you pricks looking at?!" He asked, quite rudely. He seemed to scare the hell out of everyone, but you tried to speak to him.
"Kanji-kun, I-" You started, but Yosuke grabbed your arm and tugged you off as the four of you ran for your lives. When you finally stopped, you were out of breath and a little irritated.
"What the hell guys! He was right there!" You said with a huff.
"Sorry! That scared the hell outta me! He's even worse in person than on TV." Chie said.
"The one on TV last night was definitely Kanji-kun…" Yukiko mused.
"Yeah… And I just realized something." Yosuke started. "Remember the common points we were talking about? His mom fits the pattern. She's a woman, and she knew Ms. Yamano. But it was her son who appeared on TV… So what does that mean?"
"Patterns or no, it's clearly people who've been appearing on the Midnight Channel who have disappeared." You said. "Kanji-kun is definitely the target."
"Yeah, that's what it seemed like, based on the TV image… But his mother fits the pattern more than he does." Yosuke mused.
"Oh… Maybe it's similar to my case. If you think about it, my mother fit the victim profile more than I did. She was the one who dealt directly with Ms. Yamano… but I was the one who was targeted." Yukiko pointed out.
"Does that mean it'll be the kid again, instead of the mother?" Chie asked thoughtfully. "But if that's true, then the killer's motive makes no sense at all. It'd have nothing to do with silencing witnesses or revenge or anything." The four of you sighed, clearly confused.
"Do you think we're on the wrong track? Maybe even the first case has nothing to do with grudges or revenge...?" Yosuke said. "Or is there some kinda secret in the textile shop itself…? Argh! I'm totally lost!"
"But we can't ignore this." Yukiko pointed out.
"Hmmm… Why don't we just go ahead and ask Kanji himself? We could at least see if anything odd's happened lately. He scares the wits out of me, but…" Chie said.
"Hey, wasn't Kanji making plans with that weird kid a moment ago?" Yosuke asked.
"Yeah, something about meeting up at school." You said.
"I heard he's been skipping school ever since the new year started… Doesn't that see a little suspicious?" Yosuke said.
"Yeah, something did seem weird." Chie said. "Yeah, it's suspicious all right. There's something funny going on here… I can sense it."
""Sense"? You sound like Teddie… Still, we might find some clues. Alright… Let's try staking out both Kanji and his family's store. We definitely don't want the killer getting ahead of us." Yosuke said. The three of you nodded in agreement.
"That being said, Yukiko, can I have your cell number~?" Yosuke asked bluntly.
"Hey… Was this your plan all along?" Chie asked pointing an accusing finger at him.
"Uh, no? I got everybody's number except for hers." He said defensively. "And the Y section of my address book needs some filling out."
"Yosuke you're like the least smooth person ever, just to point it out." You said.
"While we're on the subject, could you stop calling me at night just to tell dirty jokes?" Chie asked. "You really sound like a pervert."
"Ew, you really do that?" You asked.
"H-Hey! I'm trying to have a conversation with Yukiko here!" Yosuke said.
"Oh, that reminds me… I need to buy tofu on my way home." Yukiko said, having completely ignored him.
"Whoa… She didn't hear a word I said…" Yosuke said with a pout.
"Okay then, the stakeout is set for tomorrow." Chie said, changing the subject. "Hmm… Stakeouts… Tailing people… Whoo, I'm getting goosebumps!" You sweat dropped, but you were eager to be able to get ahead of the killer and help Kanji. After splitting up with the group, you left for your home. When you arrived, you sat down to eat with Nanako, Dojima hadn't arrived home yet. Once you finished eating, you showered and went to bed early. You wanted to be well rested for the stakeout tomorrow.
