Date May 17
You progressed through your day as normal and after school, met up with the group to wait for Kanji to meet up with the boy from before. Yosuke, who'd been keeping an eye on Kanji approached you as you waited.
"Has the target arrived at school?" Chie asked. It seemed Kanji didn't actually attend school, he just came at the end of the day.
"Yes, Ma'am! Visual ID confirmed! Target arrived in-zone near the end of his mess break, with mother-issued rations in hand. Current status: In the bathroom, fixing his hair." Yosuke said. "The target was acting nervous. I left my position before he had a chance to pick on me!" You rolled your eyes at his silly narration.
"I wonder what kind of plans they made... It didn't seem like he knew that boy very well." Yukiko mused.
"Well, I think there's something more subtle- Oh, he's here!" Chie said as the attention shifted to Kanji as he went to leave school and the boy approached him. They both showed up about the same time. Kanji's visitor came from outside the school, you noted.
"He must not be a student, then. He doesn't have a uniform on..." You whispered.
"I didn't keep you waiting, I hope." The young boy asked Kanji.
"No, I-I just got here too..." Kanji answered timidly. The young boy nodded, before progressing off the school grounds.
"Wh-What in the world was that...?" Yosuke asked.
"Oh, a-anyways! We gotta hurry after them, or we'll lose them!" Chie said.
"Okay... Then let's split up into two groups. One team will follow Kanji, and the other will stake out the shop." Yosuke said.
"R-Roger that! How should we split the teams?" Chie asked. The group turned to you to decide.
"Aw, come on, it was Yosuke-kun's idea..." You said, before thinking. After all that mission impossible crap from earlier you were not going with Chie or Yosuke.
"I'll go with Yukiko." You said.
"Sure... that's fine with me." Chie said. "Oh man, they're almost out of sight! C'mon, Yosuke!"
"So, I'm pairing up with Chie...? Eh, okay." Yosuke said with a shrug. "Alright! We'll need to pretend we're on a date to make it look natural!"
"Not in a million years! There'll be no need for that if we stay out of sight." Chie said with a huff. "Sheesh... Let's hurry up and go!" The two ran off after the two males.
"I wonder if those two will be alright..." You mused.
"Oh... U-Um, that leaves us in charge of staking out the textile shop." Yukiko said a bit timidly. "So... shall we?" You nodded to her with a smile, than progressed to the textile shop. Staking out textile shops is pretty boring it turns out. Nothing was happening and you spent most of the time standing around rather bored. Yukiko had run off to get drinks for the both of you, while you waited. After a few minutes, she appraoched you, handing you a lemon sda.
"Sorry about the wait... this one's yours." She said.
"Thanks," you said with a smile.
"Everything seems fine at the shop. I hope it stays that way... Do you think the culprit will come...?" Yukiko asked a bit timidly.
"There's a poosibility..." You mused.
"Then we need to keep our eyes open. It would be scary if the culprit did show up... But if they do, I'll do what I can to help you catch them. You all saved my life... I don't want to be the only one doing nothing. I mean... I'm sure there's something I can do..." Yukiko mused. "Oh, sorry. I went on and on without realizing... I-I guess I'm a little nervous. I've never chatted with anyone like this except Chie... Chie, of course, has no problem getting along with guys because of her personality... But I think she's had more fun hanging out with you and Yosuke lately... The same is true for me." She said. You smiled softly, glad she seemed happier.
"Thou art I… and I am thou…"
"Thou hast established a new bond…"
"It brings thee closer to the truth…"
"Thou shalt be blessed with creating personas of the Priestess Arcana…"
You smiled softly, you were happy you were finally able to get to know Yukiko a bit more.
"So, Yukiko, can I have your number?" You asked her. It seemed odd that you didn't have it after spending so much time with her.
"Oh, you're right. We'll need to contact each other if anything happens." Yukiko said. You exchanged cell numbers with Yukiko. There seems to be no change over at the shop. You spoke with Yukiko about many different things...
Yosuke's P.O.V:
I walked with Chie as we followed the boy and Kanji. We were mostly quiet as we walked,so we'd be able to hear them better, but we really couldn't make out much of anything... As the two continued walking, we hid behind a pole, her on the ground, me leaning against it peering over at them.
"Man, this is weird..." Chie said.
"Yeah... We definitely stand out." I mused.
"No, I mean THEM! I get this weird feeling about them..." Chie said.
"Weird? What about them's weird?" I asked, not really seeing anything weird, I mean, they were both really weird people, but it's not out of the ordinary to hang out with someone, right?
"Umm... I don't know how to put it... Maybe it's just my imagination... Hey, how do you think the others are doing?" She asked me.
"Beats me..." I mused.
"Hey, you didn't seem to mind not coming with [y/n], is there a reason for that?" Chie asked.
"Huh? I don't know, I mean it's not like I have to be around her all the time, right?" I said, dammit, sometimes I hate when I tell Chie stuff!
"Really...? Just the other day you were mad that she hadn't spent any time with you and now you're saying you don't have to hang with her everyday...?" She pressed.
"It's not like she likes Kou or Daisuke or anything, so why should it matter?" I said.
"How would you know that...? Did you talk to her?"
"Huh!? Uh... I... wouldn't know... We don't really talk about that kinda stuff... Hahahaha" I fidgeted a bit, okay, so I'd been confiding in Chie since I'd started to develop feelings for [y/n], but I wasn't just gonna blurt out what she told me; especially when I told her I wouldn't.
"Now I'm even more suspicious! You know something, don't you?" She demanded. "Something happened and you didn't tell me?!"
"The hell are you two doing?!" Someone demanded, man I'd never been happier to see Kanji in my life. I'd hug the dude if he wasn't so damn scary!
"Oh, well, you see... We're... We're just two crazy lovebirds!" I blurted to avoid him assuming anything.
"Whaddya mean bird!?" Chie asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Play along, birdbrain!" I hissed quietly to her.
"Didn't I see you guys yesterday...?" Kanji demanded.
"A-Ahahahaha...! C-C'mon, it just so happened that we were walking behind you guys. Pure coincidence!" I insisted. "Hey! Our houses are just over that way, so we'll be going now..." I tried to tug Chie with me, but of course she has to act stupid, like she always does!
"Um, look, we weren't planning on getting in you guys' way, and there's nothing strange about it, either..." Chie said with a nervous chuckle.
"S-Strange...!?" Kanji said, suddenly alarmed.
"Why can't you keep your big mouth shut!?" I said irritably as he ran for our lives AGAIN, thanks to Chie!
"W-Wait, dammit!" Kanji yelled, yeah, like I was gonna do that! He chased us all the way to Samagawa yelling at us.
"This ain't what you think! Y-You got it all wrong!" Kanji yelled, but I was too scared to stop and ask him what he was talking about. "Hey! Are you listening, dammit?! It seriously ain't like that!"
Third Person P.O.V:
You stood with Yukiko at the textile shop, bored out of your minds. You saw no one at all... You hoped Chie and Yosuke were having some luck on their end.
"Oh, it's Chie," Yukiko mused. You followed her gaze to see Chie and Yosuke approaching you, out of breath.
"We regret to inform... that our mission failed." Chie said apologetically. You sweat dropped.
"Come on guys, you had one job..." You grumbled.
"There was nowhere to hide." Yosuke said with a pout.
"Well... let's wait here a little longer. Maybe Kanji-kun will come home." Yukiko suggested.
"Yeah..." You mused.
"Huh...? What're you guys doing here?" Kanji demanded. "You're those stupid lovebirds I just saw!" You raised an eyebrow.
"We are not a couple!" Chie said irritably.
"Why are you assholes followin' me around!?" Kanji asked. "Dammit, what the hell's going on!?" After a moment, he sighed. "I ain't sayin' this is you guys' fault... But... Dammit...!" He sighed again, clearly confused.
"Hey, uh... mind if we ask something? Has anything strange happened to you lately?" Yosuke asked.
"Strange...?" Kanji started. You suddenly felt a bit uneasy. "What's this "strange" stuff, huh!? Are you saying that I'm strange!?"
"Huh? N-No, I didn't mean-!" Yosuke said.
"You shitheads better get the hell out of my face, or I'm taking you down!" Kanji said, intimidating all of you.
"Wha-!? Wait, why!?" Yosuke asked, clearly confused at his behavior.
"I look like I'm joking!?" Kanji as he approached you.
You didn't need to have Yosuke pull you away, you ran away from Kanji as fast as your legs would carry you... Note to self: Never say the word strange in front of Kanji. You huffed as you finally stopped running for your life.
"Urgh... so much running..." Chie said out of breath.
"That was on hell of a hit to the head, Yosuke-kun, are you okay?" You asked with a snicker.
"Yeah, I saw that too, were you so scared you couldn't even tell there was a house sitting there?" Yukiko asked.
"Maybe he thought it would run away too?" Chie said and the three of you shared a laugh.
"Hey! That wasn't funny! He scared the hell outta me!" Yosuke said with a huff. "Well, nothing happened today, so I guess everything's okay... But it's already been a few days since he appeared on the Midnight Channel. If this is anything like Yukiko's case, it'll happen soon. Then we can't let our guard down... I think we should come back tomorrow to check up on him. Looks like we've got no choice..."
"Let's go home. I'm wiped... It looks like it might rain again tonight, so at least we can keep checking the Midnight Channel." You said. You sighed softly as you walked back toward your home. Chie and Yukiko split up to go to their homes and you walked alongside Yosuke who was rubbing his poor sore head.
"It is kinda red," You said with a chuckle.
"It hurt like hell," he said. "Man, even his house is deadly..." You laughed at him and he pouted.
"Well, you can come in if you want, I'll give you some ice." You said. Yosuke happily agreed and the both of you walked into your home. It had started to get dark, Nanako greeted you two happily. She was excited to see you had a friend over. Dojima was sitting on the couch reading the paper, until he heard the voice of a male. He gazed at the two of you for a moment as you got him some ice for his head. Yosuke sat down in the kitchen and thanked you as you rested the small ice pack onto his forehead.
"What happened?" Nanako asked. "Are you okay?"
"What'd he do, break your umbrella again?" Dojima asked jokingly.
"He ran right into a house!" You said. "It was so funn- I mean, awful." Yosuke pouted.
"It hurt!" He whined.
"Why would you run into a house...?" Nanako asked. "I mean... It's not like it was just put there, right?" You and Dojima burst into a fit of laughter and Yosuke sulked.
"Though, it is unusual for someone to run into a house, were you just not looking where you were going?" Dojima asked, before all detective mode again. Yosuke seemed a bit nervous.
"Something like that..." He said. You just rolled your eyes, that was gonna make him more suspicious! Luckily, Dojima got a phone call and had to leave. He slipped his shoes on and headed off to the police station.
"So, Nanako-chan," you started. "Want to go to Junes to pick up dinner?" Nanako seemed excited.
"Are you gonna cook tonight?" She asked, she was eager to have another homecooked meal.
"I sure am!" You said and she happily got up to put her shoes on.
"Um.. are you gonna come too, Yosuke?" She asked him.
"Huh? Me?" He asked.
"Yeah! You should eat dinner with us too!" She said. "Right, big sis?"
"Huh? I get to eat your awesome food too?!" He asked Well, as long as it's okay with you partner?" You nodded,
"sure, I don't mind." You said. The three of you made your way to Junes and went to purchase dinner. The second you walked inside of Junes, workers flooded poor Yosuke and asked him to help them with something.
"I'll meet you at the elevators." Yosuke said irritably. You nodded as you and Nanako walked off to go find something to make.
"What do you want for dinner tonight?" You asked her.
"Um... sweet and sour pork!" She said excitedly. You smiled and nodded. The two of you split up to get all of the ingredience. You went to look at the meat curiously to decide which one you wanted to use. You paused spotting the young male from before standing next to the boxed lunches reaching up to grab a specific one he couldn't reach. You walked over and grabbed it for him, you weren't much taller than him, but tall enough that you could reach it.
"Hm? Oh, thank you." He said taking the boxed lunch for you.
"No problem, um, I'm [y/n]," you said. "It's nice to meet you."
"I already know who you are. You're Detective Ryotaro Dojima's niece, yes?" He said. "You attend Yasogami High School with Yosuke Hanamura, Chie Satonaka and Yukiko Amagi, the one who'd recently been kidnapped."
"How do you know all of that...?" You asked a bit taken aback by him. He hadn't even told you who he was! And to your knowledge you hadn't ever seen him in your life!
"You also seemed to be interested in one Kanji Tatsumi..." He continued, ignoring your question. "Why all of the sudden I wonder."
"Why are you interested in Kanji-kun?" You asked. "He obviously didn't know you apart from the last few days." The young man seemed almost interested in your retaliation.
"I, like most, have an interest in getting to know others I suppose." He said, though that didn't seem likely. "That, of course, being the reason why I know so much about you."
"Getting to know others...?" You questioned. "In order to get to know someone, you'd have to talk to them. If not, than everything you hear is either heresay or background information." The young man seemed to take in what you said.
"I see," he mused. "Though my efforts to associate myself with Kanji had not gone as well as expected."
"What do you mean...?" You asked curiously. "Did something unusual happen when you spoke to Kanji-kun?"
"You're asking if anything seemed strange when I spoke to Kanji-kun, yes...?" The boy started. "Hmm. yes, there was something out of the ordinary. It was something I felt when I was with him... So I told him outright that he seemed to be an odd person. After I said that, his expression changed all of a sudden... I was quite surprised. On that basis, I believe his actions were somewhat forced and unnatural, throughout the time I was with him. He may have some sort of complex... Though I have no proof of this." The boy explained.
"I see..." You mused. "The same thing seemed to happen when Yosuke-kun mentioned him being strange..."
"Is that so?" The boy questioned. "How did he react exactly?"
"Hm? Well, he seemed to get all defensive and threatened to beat us up." You said. "It was kinda intimidating, but now that you mention it, it did seem kinda forced, because he helped me out a few weeks ago here in Junes and he wasn't acting violent, plus Yukiko said he wasn't always like that..." The boy nodded taking in all you'd said.
"It seems you talked quite a bit about Kanji-kun. Is there a reason for this?" He asked.
"Reason?" You started, trying to quickly think of an excuse. "Well, we'd seen him on the news the other day, everyone was talking about him really. I was just curious as to who he was." The boy nodded, though he didn't seem fully convinced in your response.
"What about you?" You asked him. "Why would you make so much effort to look into me?"
"Hm, interesting question." He said. "You seem to be someone who many people have taken an interest in. Are you surprised that I would make so much effort to get to know more about you?"
"You don't exactly seem to be the type of person who'd simply get to know someone because everyone else wants to." You said. "Besides, that wouldn't explain your interest in Kanji-kun, since most people seem to avoid him."
"Hm..." The male started. "I rather admire your deductions..." He genuinely seemed impressed.
"Why? Are you surprised a woman has knowledge enough to think the way a common detective would?" you asked. The boy blinked rapidly at your words, before chuckling.
"Perhaps you might just be onto something..." He said. "Well, then, if you'll excuse me." The boy took his leave just as Nanako rejoined you with the ingredience she'd went to pick up. You watched him walk off, before you smiled to her.
"Thanks for helping, Nanako-chan," you said with a smile.
"You're welcome!" She said, she seemed happy to be able to help. The two of you finished your shopping, than checked out. Yosuke was hiding by the elevators for you and when he saw you, he rushed the two of you out of Junes and back toward your home. When you arrived home, you began cooking the sweet and sour pork. Nanako opted to help, while Yosuke peered over your should intently watching you. You regularly had to swat at him, so he wouldn't eat everything before you finished it. Once dinner was ready, the three of you sat down to eat together.
"Damn, this is so good!" Yosuke said. Nanako nodded.
"Big sis is the best cook ever!" She said and you chuckled.
"I wouldn't say that..." you said.
"Come on, Partner, you can taste it too can't you? You should definitely look into being a chef in the future." Yosuke said. Nanako nodded in agreement and you just chuckled. After dinner, Yosuke went up to your room and you took a shower, tucking Nanako into bed, before you went upstairs to watch the Midnight Channel. You paused as your phone rang.
"Oh, hello? It's Yukiko. I-I'm sorry to call so late. Um, Kanji-kun seems to be missing! I had some calls to make for the inn, so I called the textile shop as well. When I spoke to Kanji-kun's mother... She told me that he left the house and hasn't returned since. She did say that this happens all the time, but... what do you think?" Yukiko spoke through the phone. Kanji was missing! Worry split through you, were you too late to help him?!
"This sounds bad..." You mused.
"I think so, too. He could be... It's going to rain again tonight. Maybe the Midnight Channel will come on. Then we'll know for sure if something happened to Kanji-kun or not. I'll make sure to check out the TV at midnight... Talk to you later." She said. You hung up with Yukiko and gazed at Yosuke
"What should we do?" Yosuke asked. "Dammit!"
"Calm down, let's relax and see what happens on the Midnight Channel." You said. He nodded. As midnight came, Yosuke went downstairs to watch, since you had to be alone when you saw it. You gazed at the screen, eyes widening as something appeared on the screen and it was completely clear! It looked like... a bathhouse? Someone that looked like Kanji appeared, he seemed to only be wearing a bath towel around his waist. You had to admit, he was rather well built.
"Hel-LO dear viewers... it's time for "Bad, Bad Bathhouse"!" "Kanji" spoke. "Tonight, I'll introduce a superb site for those searching for sublime love that surpasses the separation of the sexes! I'm your host, Kanji Tatsumi, serving you this scandalously special sneak-in report! Goodness gracious, just imagine the things that might happen to me there! Ooooh! Well then, let's get this show on the road! Tootaloo!" That was unmistakably Kanji... but... homosexual, really? Plus this whole thing was kinda... much. Yosuke came running up the steps and burst into your room.
"H-h-h-hey! W-what the-I mean!?" Yosuke started.
"Shh, calm down! Nanako-chan is sleeping." You scolded. "But that was definitely Kanji-kun."
"Huh? O-Oh yeah, you're right! What in the world was that...? But... Dammit, it's just what we were afraid of... If only we'd held our ground and stayed there a little longer..." Yosuke said with a sigh. "In any case, that place that was behind him... What do you think it is? A "superb site for those searching for sublime love"? I just don't get it!"
"Well... I think maybe Kanji-kun is looking for someone-er more like some man- to love him." You mused. Yosuke cringed not wanting to think about that at ALL.
"A-Anyways... We'd better hurry and come up with a plan tomorrow!" He said. "I'll see you tomorrow." You walked him out, before going up to your room to get some sleep.
