A/N: So what changes hath been wrought by the Summer?

Thanks to Dualself, as always.

Oh, and stay after the "Credits"...

Finale
"How Yu Spent His Summer Vacation"
August 26, 2012

Yasoinaba Train Station

Yu got off the train and looked around. He now had longer hair bangs, sweeping over his head and was wearing a Powder Blue T-shirt Charles had given him as a gift before he returned to Inaba when he visited Yu earlier in the month and dark gray plaid pants. (Charles never understood plaid pants being a thing in Japan, especially after he tried to wear a pair to impress Yukiko.

She didn't speak to him for 2 days.

Because she was laughing so hard.

Really.)

At any rate, Yu took his look around Inaba, at least as far as the train station and surrounding area went, and thought it looked about the same as it did when he visited in May.

Boy, what weird shit that was…

At any rate, he started walking and heard a voice speaking.

"I have seen the light! I've learned the important lessons from the events last year!" Yu knew that voice that said those words.

As he looked, he saw Namatame Taro on a makeshift platform. Yu was glad he was looking good in terms of health after all these months.

"Unfortunately, this world is full of things meant to deceive people," Taro was saying. And then his brow furrowed. "The things you do in pursuit of justice may actually be a terrible mistake… One man is not enough to judge these things."

Uncle may dispute you on that… Yu chuckled to himself, but no, even his uncle knew how to rely upon others in the police force.

"It was a group of boys and girls who taught me that," Taro finished.

Yu felt a pang of regret, keeping the truth of Izzy from Taro after hearing that… But Yu had no doubt that even on her path of redemption, he would still try to tear her limb from limb. So keeping it from him, while it hurt Yu, was a necessity, in order to spare Izzy and Taro pain.

"In their spirit, I want to join hands with all of you to rethink this town's future! I want Inaba to be a town free from deceit and distractions that keep you from focusing on the things most important to you!"

Yu wondered why he was speaking like this. It was almost a political speech, albeit an unconventional one.

"Hey kid," a woman whispered, "Do you know who that is?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I do…" Yu said.

Not realizing he meant that as personally knowing him, she continued by saying, "He was arrested during those terrible murders last year, right? And now, he's running for mayor… That was a surprise!"

"Mayor…" Yu said. "I think he could do it…"

As if Yu hadn't spoken, the lady continued further. "He's so passionate, though. At first, no one wanted to go near him, but look at him now. I've been to a few of his speeches. I think he might be a pretty nice guy."

"If we can all work together on this, and not get so sidetracked by passing trends, this town will regain its former glory!"

Yu found it ironic that it was a "passing trend" that caused him to be involved past scandal subject. And yet, it was also fitting, as he had grown as a person because of it.

"So please, lend me your strength! Please…!" Taro beseeched the audience.

As Taro continued his speech, Yu noticed no one was here at the train station to welcome him. That was a little odd. He knew why Mina couldn't, but thought at least Charles, Yukiko, Chie, Yosuke, and Teddie would have come, if Ryotaro and Nanako couldn't…

Yu shrugged and figured maybe they had expected his train to be late as there had been a rash of that earlier in the month and then there were spotty incidents since then…

Yu then decided to walk home to his home away from home…

Dojima Residence

Yu cursed that he had left his spare key behind inside the house in May, but after all that happened…

Don't dwell on that. Mina's fine. There was a reasonable explanation why she couldn't accompany you though… Yu said, sighing inwardly.

He then tried ringing the doorbell after verifying the door was locked. There was no answer.

He waited for a moment and then tried again. He then tried knocking.

Still no answer.

Yu was confused. He wasn't worried, just confused. No one was home?

He didn't know what to make of it. Maybe Charles and Yukiko were, ahem, busy. Or maybe…

No, he knew that wasn't the case… He decided to call his uncle's cell, to at least verify the "I thought you'd be later" theory.

After he got under the tree by the side of the street, he called Ryotaro's cell.

"Moshi moshi…" came his uncle's professional voice. Must have answered without looking at his cell's caller id… Again…

"Uncle, it's Yu…" Yu said. "It's been a long time." Technically it was nearly 4 months, but why quibble.

Ryotaro made a noise of befuddled surprise. "Huh, so it's you?"

Yu felt relieved. His uncle must have been too busy at work again and didn't know what day it was. "I just got here…" he replied.

"Come to think of it, you said you'd come here today, huh?" Ryotaro said. "I totally forgot…"

"Eh…?" Yu said. It sounded like his uncle not only didn't know what day it was, but also that Yu's coming to Inaba was something he totally had not even begun to prepare for… As if it wouldn't be for a long time if at all.

"I'm busy right now, so I don't think I can pick you up. The house is locked up, so you won't be able to get in."

"Is that right?" Yu said. "But what about…?"

"Charles is busy with his school duties and so wasn't expecting you to be here today… I'm sorry, Yu, but I don't know what else to tell you…" Ryotaro said almost apologetically. "Hang out with your other friends or something, Later!" And then Ryotaro hung up.

Yu was a little hurt Ryotaro had forgotten. He understood Ryotaro was a cop, but he had hoped his uncle would have remembered that Yu WAS coming to Inaba.

Yu called Yosuke and all he got was repetitive ringing. Not even voice mail… "No answer…"

He decided to try one more person.

"Moshi Moshi…" Yu heard.

"Mina… I…"

The phone quickly hung up.

Yu sighed. He wished things had gone better with her in Tokyo…

He then decided he would go to Junes after texting Charles and getting an auto-reply saying to leave a voice message on his phone if it were important.

"He's taking his job of Vice seriously," Yu said.

He then started walking, wondering how his uncle could forget and how much he'd have to rub it in later…

As he walked to Junes, he cut through the shopping district and saw it was bustling. People were buying from Daidara's, Shiroku's, Marukyu Tofu… Heck, there were some school girls from cram school for Yasogami at Suzuka Daigaku and one of them even fed the Shrine Fox. Yu knew her kits were probably doing fine at the moment. He even heard there were some people making things to be sold at Junes. One old man said that the people couldn't "embarrass Junes!"

I wonder how Yosuke managed to help swing that… He talked about it in Late April, but still…

But still, it made him happy to not only see the Shopping District thrive, but also that people were out doing things…

Junes Food Court

Yu reached the food court and once he got to the circular "Special Headquarters" he sat down and smiled, breathing in the air of Junes and Inaba… Before becoming a little sad no one was there to greet him as well as the stuff with Mina…

Then he heard a noise to his left. From the planter of shrubs.

"Dumbass, don't push! You'll blow our cover!" A low yet harsh voice that sounded like Yosuke's said.

"Don't call me a dumbass! You're the one who's slow as mawl-asses!" In a louder voice that sounded like Teddie's.

"Keep your voice down!" Yosuke said.

Yu inwardly smiled. It all made sense… Even the part with his uncle…

Still, he decided to "play along"… "Yosuke?" he said with a straight face and a voice of curiosity.

"Come on, let's do this before we're caught!" Yosuke said.

"We're jumping out on a count of 1, 2, 3, 4!" Teddie said.

"You there?" Yu stood up and said the same time Yosuke said, "What do you mean 4? It should be 3!"

"You rawr-lly are a nitpicker," Teddie replied.

"Oh, shut up, Ted… Come on, let's go!" Yosuke said. "Three, two…"

Then both Teddie and Yosuke popped out from behind the planter. Yu decided to look deadpan because it was too funny to do it any other way. "Long time no see…" Yu said.

"Long time no see…" Yosuke said awkwardly.

"You surprised me…" Yu said.

"You don't have to patronize us, dude!" Yosuke said.

"You're right, I should have screamed," Yu said. "Yoooooooooooooo," he said, rather distantly and monotone.

"Dammit, Yu… You're messing with us!" Yosuke said.

Yu just gave an innocent look. "You guys have changed…" It was true, Yosuke had a shorter haircut and was wearing a pink and white striped shirt where the white stripes were thin and blue jeans. Teddie was wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt where both colors stripes were thicker than Yosuke's and he looked a little taller. Yu noticed both boys were wearing flip-flops.

"What are you guys doing?! This isn't anything like we planned!" Chie's voice said as everyone else, sans Minako and Charles was walking up to them.

"I knew we'd run into snags…" Naoto sighed.

"I'm sorry…" Yosuke and Teddie said.

"Ahhhhhh! Senpai! You're here, you're here! Did you miss me?" Rise said.

"I know he missed me…" another voice said, and then felt teeth pulling at his ear as female arms wrapped around his chest.

"Oh poo! Mina!" Rise whined.

"Mina…" Yu said. "I'm sorry that I wasn't…"

"Yu, I was taking the stress out on you. It's hard to raise a child, much less 2… I couldn't do it with just us in Tokyo anymore… I needed the others."

Yu nodded, relief washing over him. While the two of them didn't have an out and out fight, Minako HAD been stressed and his best efforts to calm, comfort, and aid her, in retrospect, wasn't enough She needed more than Yu and his parents for support, especially since Yu was at school and his parents weren't available. However, Yu had been a little hurt she made the decision herself and didn't consult him.

Because if she had…

"I guess long distance relationship is something I have to get used to…"

"I was never planning on breaking up… I… You weren't home and your parents…"

"It's okay, Mina…" Yu said, turning around and kissing her. All was forgiven because he loved her, he just had to expound on WHY he was forgiving her at an opportune time.

Everyone awwed, especially the Sykes.

"Uhh, we heard you were coming, so we planned a little surprise," Yosuke said after Minako and Yu had parted lips. "I mean, things got kind of nuts when you had visited in May. We thought instead of you coming to each of our houses, we'd spice things up this time…"

"Yeah. And we thought you'd miss us a little if you couldn't find any of us…" Chie said.

"It didn't go like we planned, but… it's been a while, Senpai!" Kanji said.

"Were you surprised?" Yukiko asked.

"My heart stopped…" Yu said, deadpan.

"Dammit, Bro!" Yosuke said. Teddie just looked frustrated.

Everyone else laughed.

"So, Senpai, how do I look? Am I a different person now?" Rise asked.

"Someone's different…" Yu said with a smile, looking pointedly at Kanji.

"Why the hell are you looking at me like that?!" Kanji said.

"Because you look like… Kanji Kent…" Yukiko said, laughing.

"I do not… Clark Kent wears a suit! Hell with this shit! Always bein' made fun of! I'll just change back…"

As it was, Kanji and Rise weren't the only ones who had changed. All of them had. In addition to Yosuke and Teddie's new look, Chie had slightly longer and more feminine hair, a gray summer jacket with a blue design on the inner lining, a yellow summer dress and black high capri pants. She also had a cord necklace on. Yukiko wore a white summer dress with a light blue cardigan with the top two buttons buttoned, her hair in a traditional outward bun in back and had purer color of silver sandals on. She still wore the same necklace she wore when she wore her previous summer outfit. The black top with pink trim on it and the white skirt. Kanji (whose change Yu actually appreciated, he just thought it had been jarring because it was so different) now had no earring. The dye job was gone. He was wearing a white button-down shirt over a yellow t-shirt that was buttoned up to the third button and black pants and shoes. Rise had her hair down with magenta sunglasses on her head and a white transparent halter top that was over a pink, blue, and orange tank top. She had tan pants and wedge high-heeled sandals. Naoto wore a blue top underneath a white sleeveless blouse with the collar up and black or dark blue capri slacks and open-toed clogs. What impressed Yu was that she was making no attempt to hide her feminine figure at all. In exchange for the beanie cap, she now had a "spent bullet" necklace. James had grown his hair out so it was now to his upper back, but it was his natural blonde instead of the dyed black form he had before. He was now wearing a green t-shirt, black jeans, white socks and black sneakers. Will looked different. He had his blonde hair short and had a goatee as well. He also looked a little more muscular, like he had been working out. (Trying to impress Marie?) He was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, black socks, and white sneakers and wore more stylish glasses. Chris was wearing a yellow sun dress with a blue denim jacket and black high-heeled sandals, with her hair neck length, neat, but in no particular style. Abby was wearing a gray sweater vest over a white dress blouse and a red skirt that went up a little high, but not too much, and black high-heeled thong sandals. Her hair was in a messy bob cut, which interested Yu. Teddye was still wearing her tea-cozy hat, but her hair now only went halfway down her back and was wearing a white shirt underneath a red open sleeveless vest, blue denim shorts and blue flip-flops. Amiko was dressed in a white shirt and black skirt and had white sandals on, her hair now was as long as it was when she first passed by Yu, Charles, Yukiko, and Chie all those months before. Without turning around, Yu knew Mina was wearing an orange shirt, blue denim shortalls, and orange flip-flops with her hair down.

Yukiko was still laughing, and Chie just growled for her to stop laughing.

"None of us want to be the guy who's always talking about how great things were back in the day. As long as we're all here, keeping an eye out for each other, we can change," Yosuke said.

"But I like talking about how great things were back in the day," came a pouty voice. "It's the highlight of my day…"

Yu just shook his head. "I'm afraid the Czech judge is giving you a 5.5 for that one…"

Yu turned to his right and saw Charles, looking a little more muscular than May, though not by much. He still had his glasses and eyepatch, which was an odd combination still, even at this late date, but he was wearing his summer outfit of red t-shirt and black denim shorts. He also had his hair a little longer, just like Yu's was.

Charles gave Yu a hug. "Missed Yu…"

"Missed you as well… Pun could have stayed home…"

"Yu missed it too…" Charles said.

"Yosuke's still a show off!" Teddie said. "Not me, though! I'm dif-fur-ent now! Why, I've powered up so much that I'm probably a grizzly bear!"

"Huh, sounds powerful. I'll stick you with the manual labor, then," Yosuke said.

Teddie sweatdropped as he knew he walked into that comeback. Everyone else laughed.

They then talked a few moments, catching up Yu on some things they didn't feel was appropriate for an email or a call. Amiko said she was going by Tohru again and then showed him video of Atsuko walking. James said he still switched off between Jamie and James now and again, mainly to make sure that if he needed to change strategically in a fight, he could keep both genders in shape. Abby and Teddye said the wedding was still planning apace, but they wanted to explore options on whether to settle down in Japan or England before they made a decision about the wedding day. ("Meanwhile, they keep rehearsing the wedding night," Chris quipped, which surprised Yu a little.)

Then Yu's cell rang and Yu answered it. "Moshi moshi?"

"Oh, hi… it's me," Ryotaro's voice replied. "Did the surprise go well?"

"Until Chuck showed up, it's been downhill from there…" Yu quipped. Everyone else laughed except Charles who made a show of being shot to the heart.

Ryotaro laughed. "Well, your friends asked for my help, so that's why I didn't answer the door or act like I wasn't at home when you came by a little while ago. I'm a pro when it comes to seeing through a lie, generally and Adachi notwithstanding, but when I'm the one who has to put on an act, I don't last 5 seconds."

"I think you did well, Uncle… And besides, police are taught to bluff…"

Ryotaro just chuckled and then said, "Anyway, bring your friends back here. I've got a good meal waiting."

Charles mouthed, "That I paid for…"

"All right, Uncle… see you soon…" Ryotaro didn't mention Nanako so far, but she must have been okay and just with a friend or something, thinking Yu would be late. "Uncle says soup's on…"

"Oh, really?! Let's eat!" Kanji said.

"Hey! Kanji! This is to celebrate Senpai coming back!"

"Shut up! I know!" Kanji growled.

"They've become more of a bickering couple than Yosuke and Chie," Charles said ruefully.

"Hey!" Yosuke, Chie, Kanji, and Rise said.

Yu tried not to chuckle and said, "Mina and I will be along, we just needed to talk for a moment,"

"Don't take too long, Partner…" Yosuke said.

"We'll be a couple of minutes…" Minako said.

Everyone else went to walk to the Dojima Residence except for Charles and Yukiko, who were taking "other transportation" as Charles called it. Though Charles had to repress a yawn.

"Chuck's fine, he's just been busy getting things for next month in shape at school. Uori's not giving him or herself much rest this week," Minako said.

"I know, he told me as such. Mina, are you okay?"

She sat on his lap after taking her feet out of her flip-flops. "I am, now that the colic's passed."

"Mina, I tried. Every minute I could spare, I tri-" Yu felt a finger to his lips.

"Shush. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lay that guilt at your feet. I was tired and cranky from the colic episodes and being alone most of the time. Your parents… I owe them so much beyond a mere thanks and being patient… But things were gonna explode in Tokyo… You're in a tough school year at a tough school, your parents are managing the separate sites so they're not at home as much and you were exhausting yourself studying… I just had to remove me and my progeny from the situation in Tokyo and back out here where it's calmer…"

"You have a place, don't you?"

"My old room at the Inn was available again and I snapped it up as quickly as I could. I needed to… for both my children…"

Yu nodded. Hamuko and Makoto needed a lot of attention. "But, Yukiko's mom is subbing for you?"

"I almost cancelled. Even though the girls are doing fine now, I still thought I needed to be with them, but Mariko-sama knew I had to see you today."

"Mina… I promise you, any help I can give, even if it's long distance after I go back…"

"Shh… Just being here for the most of this month is good enough…" she said, kissing him.

He eagerly returned the kiss, something they hadn't shared much since the girls were born.

"Mina, I wasn't upset that you decided to come out here… Mom, Dad, and I were on the cusp of suggesting it as a group offer to you after Aneko and her husband's move to Okinawa took out the idea of you going to Kyoto to be with them. I was just unhappy you left without waiting for us to get home that day."

Minako wryly looked at him. "Yu. I love you and you parents and your sister and your brother-in-law. You guys did SO MUCH for me those last two months of pregnancy and first 3 post-partum months… But you guys were all a microcosm of nice in a town that wasn't trying to. I saw the looks people in the apartment building or Narukami Concern when we visited the on a Sunday or at the store, or even the Doctor's office. They saw me and unlike here or the Twin Cities, to them I was the ex-pornstar slut who had the kids of a murderer. I heard the whispers. And I couldn't bear it… I couldn't… And I know you guys were getting it too. I'm sorry that I left on you guys…but I wanted to make another sacrifice, and leave and ease the pressure on you…"

Yu nodded. She was right. Minako wasn't the only one receiving judgement in Tokyo, Yu and his family did as well. Not at School, Thank God, but everywhere anyone who was over 23 was at, they got the judgment. That was why Yu's parents understood why Mina precipitated. And dammit, Yu did too. But it was only a few more hours if she waited.

I know. But that neighbor… Mrs. Battleaxe… Minako thought via their Bond. The Bond that had still been active despite distance but Minako had closed down.

(Narasoto), Yu corrected kindly.

What she said about my babies and you… Yu… It was so terrible I had to resist slugging her…

"I know, Mina… And Mom tore into her for you…"

Minako chuckled at that sadly, wishing she had seen *that*. "Let's go… I got the SUV waiting…" she said, putting her feet back in her flip-flops.

"What about your motorcycle?"

"It's still in the Twin Cities…" Minako said. "But I do wanna see if my SUV can go faster than Chuck's bike."

Yu paused. "He has a motorcycle?"

"Why do you think he and Yukiko left? She likes the breeze up her skirt, especially without…"

"Thank you, I get the picture…" Yu said. Then he sighed and said in perfect imitation of Charles's Mother Elizabeth Yamata, "Bloody horny teenagers."

Minako laughed and then took Yu's hand in his and then they made their way to her nice red SUV and made their way to the Dojima house.

Dojima Residence

"Mmmmm! *munch* *munch* *gulp* So goooood!" Chie said.

Kanji panicked at what he was seeing. Not the way Chie was eating, but rather… "Chie-senpai, that's your second one! We get one each, remember?!"

Ryotaro sweatdropped. Charles had not only bought the food but an extra extra-wide square coffee table for occasions such as this where everyone would be over. While Ryotaro was on the couch, it was, starting clockwise from Yu from his usual spot at 3 o'clock from Ryotaro's orientation, Minako, Rise, Tohru, Will, Chie, Charles with Yukiko sitting seiza on his lap, Kanji, Naoto, Jamie, (Apparently her metabolism burned more and faster than James's. In addition, she was wearing a red camisole top with a light blue overshirt tied at her waist, black shorts, but was barefoot because she wore red athletic sandals that were by the other shoes) Chris, Teddye, Teddie, Abby, and Yosuke.)

"You guys sure eat a lot… I thought I might have ordered too much, but look at you, plowing through it already…"

"Sorry, Ryo…" Abby said. "I've not eaten much today…"

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that, Dojima-san. And thanks," Yosuke said. Then he said, "Isn't Nanako-chan here? I'd hate to eat her share too…"

"I wouldn't worry about that…" Ryotaro said, chuckling. "It's been set aside but…"

"I'm home!" Nanako's voice said from the front door. Then they heard a shuffle of her sandals and "Big Bro Yu!" She then ran barefoot in a white summer dress with pink and purple polka dots in groups. Her brown hair had grown to her lower back. Yu didn't register much at first because Nanako leaped into a kneeling position, hugging him.

"Long time no see," Yu said, putting his hand in her hair in a brotherly manner. "How've you been?"

"Good!" she said.

"She's been counting the days till you got here," Ryotaro said. "But she's had lessons all day today."

"You know what? I'm taking piano lessons now. Listen to me play!"

"Sure! Of course I will!" Yu said.

"She's growing and learning every day, and not just piano. It's an amazing thing to see. Just watching her gives me strength. It's slow, but I'm moving on, bit by bit."

Yu knew he meant the deaths of Chisato and Elizabeth, and hard to move on from those.

"Actually… I came across some information about an old hit-and-run incident." He paused. "In case there's no one aware, the victim was Dojima Chisato… my wife."

"I think everyone knows and understands, Uncle," Yu said.

Ryotaro looked and saw everyone nod once.

"Heh, that's a relief. But I've been troubled for a while now because I've been chasing dead ends and false leads for so long… but I think I'm finally getting close to the truth."

Yu didn't say anything, but he saw Charles fidget a little and understood. Apparently Ryotaro had asked him to come up with another profile, this time one properly for Aunt Chisato's case.

"Just when I thought I'd keep my personal feelings separate from my job… Ha ha… It's strange. Though it's thanks to you boys that I was able to draw that line in the first place. Thank you."

Both boys nodded.

"What else has gone on here since May, Uncle?" Yu said.

"Charles finally can take off his eyepatch…" Ryotaro said.

"Sorry, it's just getting used to the light…" Charles said as he took the eyepatch off.

"What?" Yu said. And then he saw...

"It's not glass either." Charles said. "I got an eye transplant."

"One of the first recipients!" Yukiko said excitedly.

"Courtesy of Suru…" Minako said. "There were other in line before him, but she insisted."

Yu thought about that. Charles managed to get some catharsis from his resentment with Mitsuru in May, but to actually accept…

Yukiko must have convinced him it was best for him. Not for her as she would have loved Charles without any eyes, but it probably was best for him to get that transplant.

"I'm just irritated that it wasn't blue-gray, but rather green…" Charles said.

Yu looked at the eye and saw it was green in color.

"I think it's neat!" Nanako said.

"Well, I guess if Nanako likes it, you should keep it, Chuck…" Yu said.

"Thank Yu," Charles replied.

"I ran into Tosaka's father a couple weeks ago…" Ryotaro said. "He tried to apologize to me for what happened with Nanako, but I figured Tohru apologized enough for the both of them, so I suggested he try to make up for it some other way. He says he wants to run for mayor. I wonder how serious he is about that…"

"Very… He was making a speech at the train station," Yu said.

"So he has made a lot of speeches," Yukiko said.

"Oh yeah… Charles and I went to see Adachi."

"What's happened with him?" Yosuke asked.

"Were you the one to interrogate him?" Chie said.

After giving Charles a look, indicating Charles should have at least told them before this, Charles mouthed, "You didn't want them to know at the time…", Ryotaro replied, "No, I wasn't part of that. I couldn't be. We were too close. But he was indicted. It was probably just circumstantial evidence that got him, but he said a lot of things only the real killer could know."

"I think that was convincing enough," Charles said.

"After the trial date was set for him, that's when we went to see him because that's when I'd be able to," Ryotaro said.

"I see," Naoto said.

"They say he's a model prisoner." Ryotaro chuckled. "The bastard said he gets better treatment behind bars than he did when he was with me."

Charles knew Adachi wasn't telling the truth. At least not completely. Charles knew back in May that the interrogators were getting a little rough with Adachi. Not that he'd tell Yu that. The only reason it stopped was because Charles, without revealing how he knew, complained to Ms. Chang.

"Maybe next time I'll bring him a cheap cabbage," Ryotaro said.

"Did he say anything to you, Chuck?" Yu said.

Charles shrugged. "I think he preferred I was far away from him as possible. He didn't swear, probably because he thought Ryo was gonna go to his side and smack him upside the head and then make him get coffee..."

"I could do that to you, Charles…" Ryotaro said.

"The eye's still tentatively attached, Ryo…" Charles said. Everyone but Teddie laughed. Teddie was just confused. "Anyway, he was a little politer, but after 20 minutes of trying to be his friend and failing, I left it to the two partners…"

"At least you tried, Chuck…" Yu said.

"And then, we get to Nanako and her piano lessons," Ryotaro said. "I didn't think she'd ask to start piano lessons. Like mother, like daughter, I guess." Then he realized that Tohru and a few of the others may not have known. "Chisato was a piano teacher… but Nanako's pretty good herself…"

"I would have thought you'd have Chuck teach her, Uncle…" Yu said, knowing that Charles knew piano.

"I did at first. By the end of the week, Nanako surpassed me, and is nipping at Naoto's heels."

"I saw your performance, Big Sis Naoto… You're quite good… Big Bro Charles said we could have a piano duel…"

Ryotaro laughed and then said seriously, "That was why I got her a teacher who could teach her to be good and competitive without acting competitive…"

"Arigato, Nanako-chan…" Naoto said. "Your Mother taught me a lot, so I'd like to hear you sometime as well…"

"I have to admit, though, at first, I didn't even want to hear the word 'piano,' but now that she wants to learn, I've gotta get over it."

"I think you've done a good job, Ryo…" Charles said.

"Oh, I need to show you guys Hamuko and Makoto. I've been busy taking care of them I forgot to show them off," Minako said. "At least their latest photos."

Minako took out her phone and showed them the girls in seifuku clothes. Makoto had auburn hair and black eyes. Hamuko had black hair and red eyes.

"Have you shown these to Adachi yet? The one with your color hair kind of looks like him…" Ryotaro said.

Minako paused for a second. Technically, he had been there when they were born. Not that she could tell Ryotaro that. "He's seen them…" she said.

"Oh… I suppose he didn't want to be bothered…" Ryotaro said.

He loves them very much and misses them terribly, she thought. Aloud, she said, "That's a fair assessment."

"Dad, it's almost time…" Nanako said.

"Oi! So it is…" Will agreed. Yu was puzzled.

"I still think we should have told him…" Charles whispered to Yukiko.

"She and Will asked us not to…" Yukiko whispered back.

Why were they whispering instead of using their bond?

…

Unless they WANTED to give him a heads up about something with Marie. But what could it be?

Nanako turned on the TV and there was Eye news with two newscasters with a banner sign above their heads saying, "What's the weather for this week?"

"And now, the weather…" the male anchor said.

"It looks like we'll have this pleasant sunny weather for the rest of the day, but what about tomorrow and beyond?" the female anchor said. "What do you have for us, Kasumi-san?"

Song – Never More – Persona 4

"Thank you, thank you," Kasumi-san said. "I'm Kasumi Mariko."

"Yay, it's Marie-chan! I adore, Marie-chan!" Nanako said.

It WAS Marie on screen. She was wearing a black with a few gray pinstripes dress blouse or very light jacket over a white dress blouse. Her black garment had the collar up, which made Yu inwardly wince. She also had a black skirt and glasses on.

Charles Yamata

She looked awesome, but why was she doing this?

Amagi Yukiko

And given the fact that Yosuke was facepalming and Rise was groaning, (Plus Will was looking like it was Christmas), they had to have known about this.

Narukami Yu

"She showed up in town after you left and said she felt to make a 'pretty good human' was to get a job…" Yosuke said.

"She and Will told us about this, but asked to keep it a secret…" Yukiko said.

Hanamura Yosuke

"Not that I wanted it to be that way, myself, but well, Will insisted," Charles said.

"She's a favorite of Nanako's lately," Ryotaro said. "Nanako never misses a report."

Satonaka Chie

Yu noticed that this must be the regional Eye News outfit as he would have heard it on the national level. Plus, he saw she was on the hill overlooking town. There was a large bulletin board and a calendar on it.

Tatsumi Kanji

"Um, until yesterday, we had nothing but rain," Marie said. There was a large square showing a large walking raindrop with an umbrella and a bag holding an umbrella while walking in galoshes. The rest of the calendar for that week showed the sunny forecast for the current day, the next day rain in the day and cloudy in the evening, cloudy in the day and rainy in the evening the following day and then rain all day 3 days from this day.

Arisato Minako

Marie then took a block of laminated paper out and put it over the next three days to make it look like the current day's forecast. "So I've decided to make it sunny starting today."

"Kasumi-san…" the female anchor said.

Kujikawa Rise

Marie ignored her. "Well, after all that rain, we probably won't have to worry about water shortages this summer."

"Um, well…" The anchor said.

James Bond Sykes

"And besides, since he's here now, rain's just out of the question," Marie said. "So I'm gonna keep it sunny for a while."

Yu looked a little stunned.

Shirogane Naoto

"But if it gets too hot, I will make it rain," Marie said. "Just give me a heads up, though, and I'll make it rain."

Yu awkwardly smiled.

William Oliver Sykes

"For him, yes… Want him to have a happy visit…" Marie muttered.

"Marie-chan decides what the weather's gonna be like tomorrow, right?" Nanako said. "When Marie-chan says it's gonna be sunny, it's always sunny!"

Tosaka Amiko/Namatame Tohru

"I wonder if that's good or bad…" Yosuke said.

"Oh, and since he's here… I wanted him to see my personal message…" She cleared her throat into her hand and looked right at the camera. "I'm doing quite well, Yu. Thank you."

Teddie

Yu smiled. He figured since she hadn't seen him for some time, she'd want to pass something directly to him once she had a chance to.

"And what else do you say?" the female anchor asked, obviously prompting for her signoff message if she had one.

Teddye

"Oh… yes…" Marie said. "Will… I love you…"

"WHA-?!" Rise said.

Christopher Steen Sykes/Christine Sykes

"Was that…?!" Chie said.

"…a confession of love?!" Yosuke said.

Abigail Sykes

"On Live TV?!" James said.

Dojima Ryotaro

Yu was gobsmacked. He figured if he and Marie had somehow become a couple in this reality, as they had in one of his previous trips and she was the weather girl, he probably would be more shocked.

Dojima Nanako

Yukiko was blushing and covering her mouth. Something like this on live TV startled even her.

Elizabeth Yamata

Ryotaro laughed and said, "She'll probably get a lot of complaints… Young people today…"

"I'll complain to every complainer, Ryo-san…" Will said.

Daniel Waldo

"All right, please just sign of with your usual…" The male anchor said, sounding flustered.

Danielle Yamata/Caitlin Reilly

"Oh, okay…" Then she spun her index fingers around and then pointed to her cheeks, "I hope you all have a gooood day tomorrow!"

Shiba Takeuchi

"Have a goooood day!" Nanako said, imitating Marie.

Irina Kobayashi

"Have a gooood day!" Will said as well.

Siobhan Murphy

"I hear that phrase is really popular," Kanji said.

Special appearance by Dylan Blake

"When you hear it, you mysteriously start to feel cheerful, it seems," Naoto said.

With Ake Uori

"Will's been very cheerful…" Tohru said.

And Agatha

"A little too cheerful," Chris snickered.

"Ta-da!" Teddie said, holding a certain box in his hands. "What do you think this is?"

A justcharles production

"The time capsule?" Naoto said.

"Golden…" Chie said.

Based on Persona 4, Persona 4 Golden, Persona 3, Persona 5, Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4: The Animation, Persona 4: The Golden Animation

"You dug it up already?" Naoto said.

James Bond Sykes, William Sykes, Christopher/Christine Sykes, Abigail Sykes, Daniel Bull Sykes, Shawn Sykes, and Elizabeth Sykes are all owned by TheDestendGem

"Without asking me?" Ryotaro sighed.

Dylan Blake, Gregory Blake, Stephen Halsey, Travis, Eddie, and Zack, and Sergei Antonov are owned by Golden-Black Dragon and are used either with permission… Whether before or after. XD.

"Yeah! I figured if we're gonna open it, why not now?" Teddie said.

"No, wait, isn't it too soon?" Yosuke said. "Normally you're supposed to open these up decades later!"

Tosaka Amiko/Namatame Tohru are both owned by justcharles and by Ignis76.

"It hasn't even been 6 months yet." Naoto said.

"Way too soon," Abby said.

Akido Kenzaki and Akido "Ritsu" Rizumu are both owned by Lyrissa Artemick and are used with permission.

"I think you should re-beary it, Ted…" Teddye said.

"Jeez…" Teddie said. "C'mon! Let's not sweat the small stuff- Let's just open it!" Teddie began opening it.

Shiba Takeuchi, Agatha, and Tano Gisei are owned by RosyMiranto18

"There's no way I'm gonna let you!" Yosuke said.

He got up and tried to grab it and as the two very briefly fought over it, it flew open and out of Teddie's hand and over to Chie, who caught it quickly.

Any Character not originally from the Persona Series, Shin Megami Tensei Series, or Catherine, owned by Sega/Atlus or from "Saekano" owned by Fumiaki Maruto, Kadokawa, Inc., and Fuji TV were created by justcharles.

"Nice catch, Chie!" Yukiko said in English.

Yu looked at Charles, who shrugged. "She's using a little more English."

Justcharles would like to thank those who have read this work from the beginning to the end and those who reviewed it as well…

"Come on! What are you doing?" Rise said.

Yosuke just tuned back to Teddie and glared daggers at the bear.

"I had my money on Yosuke…" Ryotaro said. Then he said, "Nanako, wasn't there something you wanted to say when your Big Bro came home?"

"Y-Yes…" Nanako said, a little nervous. She then pulled Yosuke's shirt so he could lean over as she whispered something.

He then nodded and then whispered to Teddie and then the both of them whispered to everyone else. Yu just looked confused. He was even more confused when everyone murmured assent to the plan.

Everyone else looked at Yu now, smiling. Nanako then cleared her throat. "Okay… Three. Two…" Then they paused. "Welcome home!" everyone said except for one person who said, "Good to see you, Senpai!" Then everyone looked surprised.

"Kanji! You were supposed to say 'Welcome home!'" Rise said.

"Why can't we ever be in sync?!" Chie said.

"I might as well have said "Mono- D'OH!" Charles said.

"Kanji, you really are…" Teddie said.

"He meant well," Tohru said.

"But still…" James said.

"Aye…" Will said.

"We tried, that was the important thing…" Abby said.

"Indeed…" Chris said.

"Better luck next time…" Teddye said.

"It was good enough…" Minako said.

"Well, it's not anything new, is it?" Naoto said.

"Man, you really haven't changed at all!" Yosuke said.

"I just got stage fright, Senpai! Jeez!"

"Guys!" Yu said.

Everyone stopped and looked at him.

He closed his eyes and smiled wider. "I'm home!"

Everybody laughed and cheered at that.

"All right! Then let's keep eating and talking!" Yosuke said.

"Right!" Yu said.

As everyone talked and ate, Chie had put the time capsule to the side, some of the wishes had fallen to the floor as it had flown in the air and some of them were still in there. She assured Ryotaro she would clean them up when they were done.

Ryotaro looked inside to sneak a peek at the wishes made and there were two wishes in there that caught his eye.

Charles's was I wish I could see Devon again someday…

But as touching as that was, the next one was especially touching.

Yu's: I wish all of us could stay together forever

Charles Yamata will return…

A/N: The Replacement Eye is Plot-related for the future. Also, before work on Arena/Ultimax starts, I will be going through the earlier chapters and make corrections, so even though this fic is "done" it's not "Complete".