Sunday, 25 December, Daytime
Naoto woke slowly, her brain taking its time rebooting. She could tell it was morning from the light beating her eyelids, not to mention the vague chill on her face. The rest of her was comfortably warm and snug, though she was having trouble recalling why.
Then it hit her like a lightning bolt, and her eyes snapped open. She was in a very warm and snug position because she was in a futon normally meant for a single person, pressed quite firmly against its owner. That fact, and the sudden reminder that she wore loose pajamas nearly set her face on fire.
But for all her embarrassment, Naoto had no intention of bolting. After all, it wasn't like she minded sharing a bed with Souji, with all that entailed. Awkward at first, certainly, no less so for him, but far from unpleasant. In light of that, she saw no reason to get up quite yet.
Just as she was settling back down, her boyfriend stirred. "Morning, Naoto," he murmured, shifting enough for her to nestle against his flank. "Sleep well?"
Naoto kissed him on the cheek. "Very well, thank you," she assured him. "Better than I have in some time."
Souji chuckled sleepily. "Same here," he admitted. "Maybe we really are meant for each other."
"You sound like Teddie," Naoto said, smirking at his sudden aggrieved look. "Come now, I didn't say I disagreed. Only that your choice of words was perhaps a touch banal."
Souji rolled his eyes. "You, teasing. That's more bizarre than most of what we've seen in the TV world." He leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling. "I don't feel like getting up just now. It's Christmas, after all. Wait a bit longer, have breakfast, then meet the others at Junes?"
"That will do nicely," Naoto said, pressing a little closer. "Which reminds me, Rise-san let slip something interesting yesterday. It seems Yosuke-senpai and Chie-senpai are spending Christmas together."
One silver eyebrow lifted. "That so? Hope Yukiko isn't lonely; she and Chie have been close for a long time."
"From what Rise-san said, I believe they've made separate arrangements," Naoto said, thinking back. "I believe Yukiko-senpai was busy at the inn last night in any case."
"As long as they worked something out," Souji said, tucking an arm around her waist. "We can ask them about it later. Right now, I just want to savor this a little longer."
Naoto rested her head on his shoulder. "My thoughts exactly."
After a light breakfast, they joined their friends at the Junes food court. To the surprise of precisely no one, they were the last to arrive; Souji felt his face heating at Rise's knowing look. Admittedly the fact that he and Naoto were holding hands made it slightly more than blindingly obvious.
Yosuke, if he noticed, made no comment. "So the case is finally closed for reals, eh?"
"I think we can safely leave the rest to the police," Naoto agreed. "Adachi has confessed to his crimes, so Namatame's guilt should be reexamined as well."
Chie sighed, leaning against Yosuke just a bit. "So that's that."
"What about you, Teddie?" Rise said, looking at the human bear through slightly narrowed eyes. "Don't tell me you're going back over there?"
"Don't even think it," Kanji warned. "You know how worried we were last time?"
Teddie visibly gulped. "Don't worry, I won't disappear like that again!"
General laughter greeted that line. The case was over, Souji reflected contentedly, but that was really only the beginning. They had their entire lives ahead of them.
His cell phone chose that moment to beep. "It's me," his uncle said. "Good news, it looks like Nanako will finally be able to come home. She's awake and getting stronger."
"I'm glad to hear it," Souji said. "Best Christmas present I could have asked for."
"Yeah," Dojima agreed. "She's awake, and steadily getting stronger. From what the doctors said, she'll still need to come in for a checkup every so often, but she should be fine."
Souji smiled, though his uncle couldn't see it. "Great news," he said. "We'll be waiting for her." He clicked the phone off. "Nanako-chan is being released from the hospital."
"That's wonderful!" Yukiko said, clapping her hands.
Souji was only half listening. He was drawn by the incredibly bizarre sight of Teddie and Rise Kujikawa collapsing into each other's arms, openly sobbing. Privately, he wondered just how long it would take for Teddie to provoke a violent response.
Thirty seconds. SLAP. "Where are you touching!?"
Chie laughed. "One thing's for certain: It's party time! We have to throw a big Christmas party for Nanako-chan!"
"We'll need a cake, then," Yukiko said.
Alarm bells instantly rang in Souji's head. Or perhaps air raid sirens were a better comparison. Plus a fire alarm, police and ambulance sirens, and maybe an earthquake warning. He could tell where Yukiko was headed, and he didn't like it one bit.
Nor did Yosuke. "Please tell me you're not gonna. . . ."
"We're gonna make one," Rise said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I've already researched the ingredients," Yukiko added.
And why does that not fill me with confidence?
Yosuke half-rose, visibly alarmed. "Whoa whoa whoa, that's way too tall an order for you!"
"Off to the grocery department!" Chie said, ignoring him. "C'mon, Naoto-kun, you, too!"
Naoto blanched. "Me? I-I've never baked a cake before."
Yukiko smiled. "That's okay, neither have we!"
You don't need to be so cheerful about it, Yukiko.
Sitting at the living room table with Yosuke, Kanji, Teddie, and Nanako, Souji felt a strange mixture of relief and unease. The relief was obvious, his uncle and cousin were in good health, and the true killer was at last behind bars. Where the unease came in was the idea of the girls baking a cake. Naoto had expressed unfamiliarity with the whole process, and he'd had a little too much experience with Chie, Yukiko, and Rise's cooking.
The new kotatsu helped, though. "It's so warm," Nanako cooed. "I was really looking forward to it."
Dojima laughed. "Yeah, you were talking about it all the time at the hospital." He sobered, looking at Souji. "Nanako's going back for a close checkup tomorrow, but the doctors say she should be fine at this rate."
"We could've bought it together if I'd gotten better sooner," Nanako said apologetically.
Souji shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Nanako-chan. We'll go together next time."
"Okay!"
Life, Souji reflected, was good. Not even the knowledge that he would have to leave Inaba could mar that feeling, at least not there, at that time.
There was, however, something that could. "Sorry for the wait!" Chie called.
Yosuke groaned. "Here it comes. The Christmas edition of Mystery Food X is about to be served."
"Bring it on," Kanji said. "Got my insurance card and everything."
For himself, Souji doubted health insurance would be enough against the girls' idea of cooking. He recalled Mystery Food X all too well, not to mention Rise's radioactive omelet. As they'd found with Nanako, there were some things that modern medicine simply couldn't cope with.
The cake looked normal, granted, but then so had Chie's omelet. Biggest cake he'd seen in some time; Nanako was practically rubbing her hands in anticipation. Kanji tried to take the first bite, but Nanako was too fast for him.
"No!" the delinquent all but screamed.
Bracing himself, Souji watched as his cousin chewed thoughtfully, then took another bite, her eyes lighting up. "This is really good!"
After a ringing endorsement like that, Souji had to try for himself. To his immense surprise, Nanako was right. He couldn't remember having a cake quite this good. Which, given the girls' history with cooking, was nothing short of miraculous.
Chie smiled triumphantly. "You know what they say about true talent not needing to show off? Turns out we have a knack for cooking after all."
It took a great deal of effort to stifle a laugh when Naoto chimed in, "Then again, this one was our third attempt."
The other girls shot her dirty looks, but made no reply. An instant later, it was forgotten. "That reminds me, I have something for you, Nana-chan!" Teddie said. He produced a doll that looked remarkably like his bear form.
Nanako practically squealed. "It looks just like you!"
"And it's made with 100% Teddie fur," Teddie said. "I'm all about using all-natural materials."
Dojima looked at him like he was crazy, then appeared to dismiss it. "I should thank you all," he said. "Adachi has confessed to the murders. He insists he was the one who hung the bodies, as well."
Which wasn't exactly true, but even after everything that had happened it was unlikely Dojima would believe it. Seeing his nephew put his arm in the TV evidently wasn't enough.
"There are still some things about his story that aren't entirely clear, but he'll most likely pay for his crimes," Dojima went on. "One strange case, but if everything you said about that 'other world' is true, it make sa certain amount of sense. Not that I really believe it." He shrugged. "Some things just can't be explained. Look at Nanako, back to her old self and healthy as ever." His eyes closed. "A long time ago, my senpai on the force told me, 'There's an underside to everything that you can't sere.' This case has made me think of a lot of things." He smiled wryly. "Heh, we were supposed to be the ones helping you."
"You did, Uncle Ryotaro," Souji said quietly. "If I hadn't come to Inaba, I'd still be all alone." He looked at each of his friends in turn, eyes lingering on Naoto. "This had been the best time of my life."
Dojima nodded in understanding. "There's not much time left until spring, but we'll make the most of it."
It was like a cloud had descended on the little gathering. Even though they'd always known it was coming, it was still a blow. A sense of loss, of emptiness, marring the otherwise festive atmosphere.
"It won't be the same without you," Naoto said quietly.
Souji forced a smile. "We still have three months yet. Let's not get too downbeat too soon, eh? And," he squeezed her hand, "it's not like I'm leaving forever. I'll be back if I have to cajole my parents into sending me."
"I doubt you'll get many complaints here," Dojima said with a laugh. "Everyone, Souji's right, there's no sense getting all depressed now. Eat up."
With the case solved and Souji's family returned to health, everything settled into a mostly comfortable routine. They continued to attend class as normal, or as normal as possible with the collection of personality disorders that made up the Yasogami faculty.
Yosuke and Chie made their relationship official just after the new year. Though theirs was still far from a calm dynamic, they complemented one another quite nicely, and while their fights tended to be loud, they were also brief. It appeared the Junes Boy had at last found a true connection to Inaba.
Teddie was being something of a nuisance at Junes, but the customers loved him anyway. He (unsurprisingly, given how close he and Nanako were) had a knack for dealing with kids, and was turning out to be a natural salesman. Somewhat to Yosuke's chagrin.
Kanji, to almost everyone's shock, had stopped bleaching his hair. More, he was applying himself to his studies and making more of an effort to help out at the textile shop. The change, as Dojima noted, was almost unnerving, however welcome it was. Souji was just having trouble getting used to the black hair.
Rise intended to return to show biz in the spring, but for the time being was helping her grandmother at Marukyu. She was, unsurprisingly, a huge draw at the little tofu shop.
When not hanging around with Chie, Yukiko kept herself busy at the inn. She had completely reconciled herself to inheriting responsibility when the time came, saying she loved Inaba too much to leave. The Amagi Inn would be in good hands.
For himself, Souji spent as much time with Naoto as possible. Even though he knew their separation would be temporary (and Nanako was already calling Naoto "Big Sis"), he still wanted to make the most of what they had in Inaba. Whether it was a jaunt to Okina City, lunch on Yasogami's roof, or just sitting together at the Samegawa riverbank, her head on his shoulder, it was the happiest time of his life.
Eventually, though, it had to come to an end.
Monday, 20 March, Daytime
The day before his scheduled departure. Souji was wandering about, wanting to take in the sights one last time. He and Naoto planned to meet up at Aiya's, but there was still time. Besides, there was something else on his mind, something that had been bothering him off and on for the last three months.
It had started to rain when he found himself near Moel, the gas station they had visited the day he arrived. The same attendant was out in front, a nondescript woman in a red hat and red-trimmed white shirt. Souji had never learned her name, and for that matter had never seen her when it wasn't raining after that first day.
The woman noticed his approach. "Something up?"
"Just having a last look around," Souji said. "I'll be leaving town tomorrow."
"That's too bad," the attendant said. "You didn't really get to see much of Inaba without the murder case."
Souji shrugged. "I'll be back someday, hopefully soon."
His uncertainties had come into sharp focus, focused on this woman whose name he didn't know. Only ever seen in the rain, and as he looked at her something else floated to the front of his mind. They had shaken hands that first day, and he had felt something like a jolt of electricity.
"Did you know Adachi and Namatame?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
She shrugged. "I remember meeting them when they first came to Inaba. Welcomed them to town, shook their hands, same as with you." An eyebrow lifted. "Why, is something bothering you?"
"You could say that." Souji kept his voice and eyes steady. "When you shook my hand, I felt a jolt, almost like an electric shock. That night, I had a very strange dream, about chasing someone through the fog, a fog very like the kind that covered Inaba three months ago." He let his tone harden. "Just who—or what—are you?"
The attendant didn't reply at first. She simply stared at Souji, an oddly calculating look in her eyes. Just by that, he could tell he'd hit the mark; there was something very unusual about this woman, and it was deeply tied to his adventures in Inaba.
Finally, she laughed. "Amazing! I didn't think you would reach me. Well done! Let's drop the charade." Her eyes were merry in a disturbing way. "Tohru Adachi, Taro Namatame, and you, Souji Seta. It was I who awakened the power within you three, the ones who had potential. Still, I must admit I'm surprised."
"About what?" Souji asked tightly. "Just who are you?"
She tilted her head. "You must know by now. Isn't that why you came? Your friends, they were drawn to the spark I stirred within you. That is why they are here now with their awakened powers." She smiled. "Still, I never expected you'd get this far. You're really something." A light laugh. "Yeah, you're right. I gave your powers a little nudge, just like this." She waved her hand.
And Souji collapsed to one knee, a sudden wave of dizziness overtaking him. What . . . what the hell!?
"You're not the only one I welcomed with a handshake greeting," the faux attendant went on. "There were a few other outsiders like you. A handful of strangers were more than sufficient to stimulate a small place like this."
Souji really didn't like how that sounded. "What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded, struggling upright.
She turned. "The stimulus was stronger than I expected, strong enough to envelop this town in fog, and later lift it. More, you now stand before me as if your assigned part wasn't enough. What for?"
"'Assigned part'?" Souji growled. "I want to know the truth."
For some reason, the woman seemed annoyed. "What will grasping the truth gain you? Why such greed? I suppose it comes with being mortal."
"Enough with the word games," Souji bit out. "Who the hell are you?"
He took a reflexive step back as white fog slowly flowed around them. In the mist, the attendant changed. The gray-black hair and red eyes were the same, but suddenly she was floating a good three meters up, clad in a white robe. "I . . . am Izanami," she said. "Ameno-Sagiri, ruler of the fog, is merely an aspect of myself I birthed long ago. You awakened to a power I had not imagined. And now you face me with it. I can no longer ignore the situation as mere foolishness. This may be fate, decreed by the world." She smiled a little sadly. "Very well. This time I will pit my full strength against you." Her eyes hardened. "But in return, you must come prepared to follow through on your futile resistance. I'll be looking forward to it." With that, Izanami vanished.
Souji nearly fell over. Was it really the goddess Izanami? Much as he would have liked to, he couldn't deny the possibility, not after everything he'd experienced over the past year. But if it was Izanami, why toy with humanity in such a way? Why give power not just to Souji, but to a remorseless murderer? What was she trying to prove with her little game?
"Souji-kun!' Naoto materialized at his side. "What happened!?"
"Who was that, anyway!?" Chie added, skidding to a stop. "Did she just disappear!?"
Taking a deep breath, Souji related what had happened between him and the "gas station attendant" who had turned out to be so much more. Shock was visible on more than one face, but not disbelief, exactly. Like him, they were long inured to the bizarre.
"So this so-called Izanami is the conductor, and she's waiting for us in the other world?" Yosuke said. He set his teeth. "Then we have to beat her, or it'll just happen again."
"My thoughts exactly," Souji said. "Give the others a call; we're ending this for good this time."
In less than fifteen minutes, the eight of them were gathered in the Junes food court one last time. Looking at his friends, Souji saw no sign of fear or hesitation. After everything they had accomplished thus far, they were confident in their abilities. They knew they could bring an end to the madness.
"All right!" Chie said. "Today we beat Izanami and put an end to this once and for all!"
Naoto nodded. "Agreed. However, since most of us were spread out, we should go over what happened. We cannot afford to take chances."
Leaning forward, Souji again explained what had happened at the gas station. Occasionally one or another would interject with a question, but mostly they sat silent, waiting. Teddie, he noticed, appeared the least surprised. Doubtless the bear was still feeling something off about the other world.
"I don't know what else we can do," Souji said when he'd finished. "We go in now, and bring the case to a final conclusion."
Chie pumped a fist. "Woo-hoo! Let's do this!"
Reaching Izanami was, unsurprisingly, no easy task. Shadows ambushed them left and right, more powerful than any they had yet faced. Doubtless it was part of Izanami's final test, a test Souji for one did not appreciate being subjected to. He'd had more than enough of being a pawn in some game.
Their final destination had the vague look of a supernatural arena, fitting in a twisted sort of way. Waiting for them at the center was Izanami.
"Congratulations on making it this far," she said, inclining her head in acknowledgment.
"Save your compliments," Souji bit out. "We didn't do it for your approval."
Naoto stepped up beside him. "You granted certain individuals the power to enter the TV, and created the Midnight Channel," she said icily. "Then you started a rumor about the Midnight Channel to raise its public awareness. Is that correct?"
Izanami smiled. "All save one point," she said. "This 'Midnight Channel' you speak of, it is indeed a device to draw hearts into this world. But it was always your individual wills that would determine what appeared on it. Humans ache to expose their suppressed sides, while the prying eyes around them are curious to see them laid bare. They want to show, and they want to see; I granted a 'window' that would cater to both. Nothing more."
Which explained what they saw on the Midnight Channel the night they'd almost killed Namatame.
"Everyone wished to know more about the people who became famous through the media," Naoto murmured. "And the Midnight Channel was there to grant their wishes. Once the person they wanted to see entered the realm formed of human thought, they would appear even more clearly. So that's it."
Rise hissed through clenched teeth. "Are you saying you just gave that spark to Senpai and the others, then sat back to watch things unfold? That we're to blame for everything going wrong!?"
With a faint shake of the head, Izanami said, "Everything was for your sake, to create the world mankind so wanted. Man struggles to understand one another; you can truly know but a handful of people in your lifetime. But humans disregard this fact, and try to know more people than is possible. Only by comparing yourselves to others can you define yourselves, thus your ever-present anxiety. That anxiety causes you to see only what you wish to see, believe only what you wish to believe. As I said, your desire is for a world enshrouded in fog!"
"Don't talk as if you know us," Souji snapped, half-drawing his sword. "Sure, a lot of people think that way, but not even close to everyone! We've come this far, overcome so much hardship, so that we can live our lives as we choose, not be reduced to mindless Shadows! You don't understand humanity at all, 'Izanami'." The heirloom blade came out, gleaming in the ethereal light. His friends likewise readied their weapons. "It ends here."
Izanami's smile was amused. "So be it." As Souji had more than half expected, fog billowed out in waves, briefly obscuring the "goddess's" form. The shape that was revealed was still female in form, but very clearly not human. "Knowledge of the truth is not everything," Izanami said. "Yet drunk with truth, you exceeded your role and became too involved. Now, learn for yourselves whose wrath you have brought down."
Souji's lip curled. "'Exceeded our role'? 'Too involved'? Get over yourself. Your little game took three innocent lives, and brought suffering to hundreds more. I don't care if you're a goddess or not, after something like that you have no right to judge us!" He crushed a card in his fist, more violently than usual. "Come, Izanagi!"
It may have been his imagination, but he could have sworn the resulting lightning bolt was the most intense he had ever summoned. On the other hand, he likely wasn't imagining things; a second, equally intense bolt crashed down, followed by a veritable storm of ice and fire, both propelled by Yosuke's wind abilities. And they still weren't finished; a blaze of light erupted from Naoto's position.
Izanami merely chuckled. "Do you intend to defeat me with such feeble strength?"
Even knowing it was coming didn't soften the blow. Souji found himself knocked flying by Izanami's counterattack, a spell of the same kind Naoto had just used, only more powerful. He rolled to his feet, gasping for breath, and waited while Yukiko and Teddie a soothing double wave of healing power.
Then he was back on the offensive, taking a flying leap with his sword and cycling through his Personas almost at random, blasts of fire, ice, lightning, and more exotic energies hammering the so-called goddess. It was already clear this was going to be a slugging match, a contest to see who would wear out first.
And I'll be damned if we go down now!
Everything began to blur. Bursts of energy, cries of pain and triumph, the increasing strain on his mind and limbs, all of it melded together in Souji's consciousness. Time itself ceased to have any meaning; all that mattered was bringing down this so-called "goddess" who had brought pain to so many lives, including his own.
"Do you still not understand?" Izanami said after what seemed like hours. "It is impossible to defeat me."
"Oh, yeah?" Kanji shot back. "Sure looks like we're doing a good job of it!"
Souji sidestepped to avoid a fireball, jumped, and brought his sword down hard, only for it to glance off. "What the!?"
"You understand nothing, I see," Izanami said scornfully. "Ignorant mortals!"
Closing his eyes, Souji fought for some kind of inspiration. There had to be a way, Izanami couldn't possibly be invincible, whatever she said. As with everything else they'd gone through, there had to be something he was missing.
Unbidden, something Igor had said the last time he visited the Velvet Room came to mind. "That is a crystal of power which you have nurtured through your journey. An orb that repels fabrications of all sorts, dispels lies, and shines upon the truth."
Margaret had chimed in. "Truth is a thing which only appears to those who have observed, considered, and made a choice. At the end of the path you chose is lies the truth. Believe in it, and continue without faltering."
So, I'm supposed to use "it"? With no other choice remaining, Souji drew a small object from his pocket. Igor, he recalled, had referred to it as the "Orb of Sight." He held it up, and marveled as pure light shone out.
Izanami recoiled, shuddering in what looked almost like pain while an all too familiar black mist poured out. "Well then," she said, her voice grotesquely distorted, "allow me to show you my full splendor."
"Splendor," Souji thought, was more than a little ironic. Izanami's true form, if such it was, was sickly and skeletal, and even less human than before. He briefly felt his gorge rise at the sight; that such vileness dared to claim divinity made him sick. Taking her down would be that much more satisfying.
"I'll teach you the truth of your minuscule existences."
Like hell you will!
The best response to that, Souji decided, was the same spell Izanami had used on them mere minutes before. The intense burst of pure light energy temporarily blinded them, but despite the "goddess's" denials he could tell she'd felt it. It gave him hope, and that hope gave him the strength to continue.
He stepped back to get his bearings, just in time to avoid the veritable hurricane Yosuke summoned. The Junes Boy's face was tight with determination, but for some reason the wind wasn't striking Izanami directly. That reason became clear an instant later, as Chie jumped into the swirling vortex and used it to propel herself upward, driving her foot into their foes hideously decayed face.
An opening! Feeling a bolt of inspiration, Souji again summoned Izanagi, but instead of a direct lightning strike, he channeled the electricity down his blade. A quick sidestep, and he was in range, slicing diagonally across Izanami's arm. He couldn't help smirking at her reaction, clear anger that a mortal dared strike her so.
The fireball that exploded in his face was rather painful confirmation. Luckily he felt the soothing wave of Yukiko's healing power an instant later, but it still hurt like hell. The only time he could recall being burned that badly was an accident at a restaurant job he'd held two years before.
Again his perceptions began to blur. Cries of anger and pain, and occasionally triumph, Izanami's unsettling voice, explosions, shards of ice, gusts of wind, bolts of lightning, all blended together in a cacophony of madness. Gradually, Souji felt his strength wane, and cursed himself. There was no way to tell if they were even winning; Izanami's energy seemed inexhaustible.
"Goodbye," the "goddess" said, still with that unnerving serenity. "Accept the reality of your death, the Thousand Curses."
Souji tensed, and suddenly found himself flat on his back. To his horror, Yosuke took the brunt of the attack, drawn inexorably into a black nothingness and vanishing.
Then it happened again.
And again. Souji watched helplessly as Chie, Yukiko, Kanji, and Teddie were all pulled into the abyss by shadowy hands, each in his place. Grief warred with blind rage and hatred, hatred for the so-called "goddess" who toyed with their lives and had the gall to judge them when they refused to play along.
Then Naoto came, and all Souji could do was scream in helpless agony as the one person who truly understood him was torn away, disappearing in that unholy abyss. He struggled with all his might just to rise, his sword somehow still clutched in one hand.
"DAMN YOU, IZANAMI!" he screamed, readying himself for one last, futile charge.
"It's unfortunate our battle had to end like this," Izanami said quietly.
The world went white.
Is this . . . the end? His consciousness was fading, as if in a waking dream. Have we come so far . . . only to fall at the end?
A voice drifted to his ears, as if from a great distance. "What's the matter, Souji? Isn't it too early to give up?" Mature, and masculine. "You taught me what a family truly is. I had my hands full just with Nanako when you arrived." A chuckle. "I wasn't sure what to do. Then again, I can keep getting back up with you two around. No matter how much it hurts, I'll just grit my teeth and get up as many times as I have to. A father can be pretty stupid that way, huh?"
Uncle Ryotaro?
"Don't go, Souji. Everything inside me changed when I met you. I'm glad we met; I wouldn't have made it this far without you. You can't let it end this way, right? You can keep going, right, partner?"
Yosuke. . . .
A shakier voice came next. "Souji, I'm scared. Please, don't go! I'm just a coward, a stubborn, two-faced coward. But you understood me, so I . . . I can be as strong as I need to be."
You're no coward, Chie.
"Souji, let us worry about you for once. You don't have to shoulder this burden all by yourself. We're right there with you, a couple of morons wanting to prop you up. You can stand, right?"
Kou . . . Daisuke. . . .
"Sensei, I'll . . . I'll protect you. You gave me my life; you're important to me. I'm not alone anymore, and neither are you, Sensei. I'm sure we can do things no one could do alone."
You've come a long way, Teddie.
"Hey . . . Big Bro. Are you going to leave me behind?" The innocent question cut him to the heart. "Please don't go; I'll be a good girl."
Nanako-chan. . . .
More voices, people he'd befriended in his year in Inaba. Urging him, sometimes begging him not to give up. Reminding him of what they'd accomplished, that he was stronger than Izanami realized. That he was no longer alone, would never again be alone.
"Souji-kun." One last voice, quiet but firm, close to his heart. "I was all alone when I came to Inaba. You were the first real friend I ever had. You . . . taught me what it means to love someone." A pause, and a shuddering breath. "This isn't over, Souji-kun. Pleas, don't give up. I . . . I'll always be by your side."
Naoto. With an effort of will, Souji pushed himself to his hands and knees, and then stood. You're right. This isn't over yet!
"Izanami!" he shouted, picking up his katana. "I'm—no, we're not done with you!"
An instant later, he was again facing the twisted visage of Izanami-no-Okami. Looking at him as if he was some kind of persistent insect, she again struck out with the "Thousand Curses," but this time, it had no effect. Souji merely stood resolute, gazing at her.
"Impossible," she said. "Can the will of so few surpass that of all mankind!?" Again she lashed out, a storm of lightning that rattled Souji to the bone, but he kept his feet. A second blast of lightning, with the same result. "How can your powers rival mine!?" Again and again the lightning; Souji staggered, but refused to fall. "Why? Why don't you understand? It's impossible for humans to grasp the truth with their own hands. . . ."
Slowly, deliberately, Souji pulled off his glasses and tossed them aside. "You're the one who doesn't understand, Izanami. The will of humanity you speak of, that's nothing more than apathy. If we put our minds to it, even a few of us can change the world. Come, Izanagi-no-Okami!" His first Persona, now reborn, appeared above and behind him. "Now, Izanami, this is the end, the Thousand Truths!" He stretched out his right hand. "To strip away the fog of deception once and for all!"
It was everything he could have hoped for, and more. Burst after burst of pure, blinding light struck Izanami, each drawing a cry of shock and pain. In the midst of it, Souji was suddenly aware that he wasn't standing alone; his friends were on their feet, exhausted but alive. That was all it took; he knew they had won at last.
When at last the light faded, Izanami was still there, but sagging in defeat. "How . . . how is this possible? How could I be defeated? How could I be the one to disappear? Instead of the endless struggle, wouldn't it be better to wrap oneself in lies and live in blissful ignorance? Isn't that true peace for humans?"
Kanji's lip curled in a disgusted snarl. "How many times do we have to tell you, freak!?" he snapped. "To hell with that!"
"Kanji's right, stop assuming you know us!" Chie put in.
Souji nodded. "That would be the coward's way out. We're not taking that road."
For some reason, Izanami chuckled. "Very well, try to live your way. Power enough to erase my existence. . . . You have already exceeded what I thought humanity to be capable of. You have lifted the fog in this world, as well as the fog in your own. Whether that will lead to happiness or not . . . rests on your shoulders. Children of man . . . well done!"
Souji wasn't sure what he felt as he watched Izanami vanish. Exhaustion, certainly. Lingering anger at what she had done, leading to three deaths and the suffering of countless others. On that basis alone, he supposed, they were better off without her.
Listening to his friends cheering, he didn't at first notice a distortion in the air. When he caught on to what he was happening, he found himself in the familiar confines of the Velvet Room, Igor and Margaret looking at him with obvious approval.
"Marvelous," Igor said with a chuckle. "You have driven back a godly being and brought about a new world." He smiled. "This will be the last time we summon you here."
"Soon, the fog will lift and our destination will be visible," Margaret said. "We will be arriving shortly."
Igor leaned forward. "The journey was a fruitful one, worthy of marking a turning point in your destiny. Many a time along the way did the fog of lies prevent you from moving forth."
Souji winced, recalling the time they nearly murdered an innocent man. "You could say that."
"Yet in every instance, you overcame the temptation of easy exits and false terminals," Igor pointed out. "In forging bonds with those precious to you, you moved closer to the truth, one step at a time. And my heart danced with delight to see you succeed. I am most honored to have borne witness to such a wondrous journey."
After a line like that, Souji could only bow his head. "I couldn't have done it without your help," he said. "Thank you."
Igor smiled. "You are most welcome, young Souji."
There was a brief bump. "Our destination is close at hand now," Margaret said.
"This is the true end of your journey," Igor said, nodding. "Our contract has been fulfilled. My duties here now end as well. You were truly a remarkable guest." With those words, the Velvet Room wavered and vanished.
Souji spent the few moments in limbo trying to figure out just how to explain things to the others. When his vision returned, he saw it didn't matter; they were all staring about in wonder. It was easy to see why; in place of the endless fog, they were standing in a grass-filled valley, a small stream trickling nearby.
"Is this . . . is this the true form of that other world?" Yukiko breathed.
Teddie bent to sniff at a flower; Souji almost laughed at the incongruous sight. "I think so," he said softly. "This . . . this is what my world is supposed to look like."
"Don't go thinking of leaving ours, Ted," Yosuke said with a wry smile. "This is a nice place, but you belong with us."
Teddie blanched. "D-Don't worry, I won't."
Laughing, Souji wrapped an arm around Naoto's waist. "There's a lot about this place that we don't understand, but right now I don't think it matters. What matters is it's truly over, and we won. I know it sounds cliché, but we have our whole lives ahead of us now."
"You said it, partner," Yosuke agreed, subtly taking Chie's hand in his own. "I just wish . . . you didn't have to leave so soon."
Souji felt a pang, but kept it off his face. "I'll be back, guys," he said. "You can count on it."
Looking at the Detective Princess happily pressing into his side, Souji knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that whatever else happened, Inaba would forever be home.
Tuesday, 21 March, Daytime
The sad moment of truth. Souji's bags were packed, his room cleared up (though he'd left a couple of plastic models as a reminder), all that remained was to board the train. Though he wanted to delay this moment as long as possible, in the end it was to no avail.
To his surprise, though, more than just his uncle, cousin, and the Investigation Team had gathered at the station. Kou Ichijou and Daisuke Nagase from the sports clubs, Saki Konishi's brother Naoki, Yumi Ozawa from Drama Club, all his friends from school had turned out to see him off.
"Well, I guess this is it," Yosuke said, smiling sadly. "See you around, huh, partner?"
Souji shook his head. "Don't be like that, especially you, Rise," he added, for the idol was visibly holding back tears. "This is just goodbye for now; I'll be back first chance I get."
"That's what we want to hear," Daisuke said. "Seriously," he nudged Kou, "you singlehandedly revived the basketball club; be a shame if you just cut and run."
"Souji's not the type to cut and run," Kou countered, smirking.
Yumi took a step forward. "I wanted to thank you," she said, "for being there when my father. . . ." She seemed unable to continue.
Souji nodded, understanding all too well, and looked at Naoki. "How are you holding up?"
"Better than I thought I would," the other said quietly. "I miss Saki, but I'm coping. I'd probably have lost it without you."
"I think you're giving me too much credit, but I'm glad I could help," Souji said. He turned to his uncle. "You guys going to be okay?"
Dojima smiled. "It hurts seeing you leave after this past year, but we'll manage. Not like we'll never see you again."
"Yeah." Souji stooped and drew Nanako into a quick hug. "See you soon, Nanako-chan," he said. "I should be back for Golden Week, at least."
Nanako sniffled, but nodded. "I'll be okay, Big Bro," she said. "See you soon."
"You have everything?" Dojima asked when his nephew turned back.
Souji thought for a moment, then nodded. "I think so. Clothes, phone, sword, couple of books, that should be everything."
Satisfied, Dojima clapped his shoulder. "If it turns out you forgot anything, I'll mail it to your next place."
"That won't be necessary."
Souji froze. There was no way, just no way, he could have heard that voice. It was a voice he hadn't heard in person in a year, and even phone calls had been few and far between. Hearing it now, in Inaba of all places, made absolutely no sense. It simply wasn't possible.
Except it was. A tall, solidly-built man with hair the same color as Souji's had stepped through the gate. By his side was a stately woman with brown hair and a kind face, looking about with keen interest. Both were dressed casually, to Souji's distant shock.
"Aoi," Dojima said, eyes wide. "Hironobu. What brings you to Inaba?"
Aoi Seta gave her brother a quick hug. "House hunting," she said, crouching to embrace her niece. "Hello, Nanako-chan."
"Hi, Aunt Aoi," the girl said, smiling a bit nervously.
Dojima shook his head, looking as stunned as Souji felt. "House hunting? Not that I'm not happy to see you, but this is kinda out of nowhere."
"That's putting it mildly," Souji said, finally getting his voice to work. "Where'd this come from?"
His father smiled. "After your glowing descriptions of Inaba, your mother and I decided we needed a break from corporate insanity, and Inaba sounded like just the right place, now that the murder case is resolved." His eyes flickered over the Investigation Team. "And at this point, I think it would be best if you finish high school at Yasogami."
For the life of him, Souji couldn't think of a reply. Part of him was convinced he was dreaming, that there was no way he'd be able to stay in Inaba. It had never occurred to him that his parents would actually consider moving to such a sleepy little town. As far back as he could remember, business had been almost their life's blood. Them actually needing a break sounded unnatural.
Then the spell was broken by his friends practically smothering him. Yosuke laughing and pounding his back, Rise crying as she clutched at him, Yukiko's warm laughter, all of it blending into a delightful medley. More than anything else, this was the perfect end to his adventure.
"And this must be Naoto," Aoi said. The Detective Princess had stood back, doubtless preferring to celebrate with Souji alone. "It's a pleasure to meet the girl who finally captured Souji's heart."
Naoto instantly turned as red as Yukiko's sweater. "I, ah, I'm honored," she stammered, looking at Souji imploringly.
He took the hint. "Mom, Naoto's still getting used to that kind of thing," he said in a low voice. "We're not talking Reika Sakamoto here."
To her credit, Aoi immediately backed off. "Of course. I apologize, Naoto-kun. I was simply overjoyed that Souji had finally found someone. It was getting a bit worrisome."
"I understand, Seta-san," Naoto said. "And if I'm being honest," she kept her voice low, "he did the same for me."
The little gathering dissolved into happy chatter. Souji took the opportunity to take Naoto's arm and lead her a short distance away. "Want to go out later?" he asked. "When things settle down a little; Mom can go on like that for hours."
She smiled in obvious relief and kissed him on the cheek. "An excellent idea."
Evening
It took longer than either would have liked, getting the Seta family's new home into some semblance of order, but in the end Souji was able to slip away. He first stopped by Junes for what he needed, then made his way to the hill to wait for Naoto.
"I hope you weren't waiting too long!" Naoto came to a halt by his table, looking slightly out of breath.
"Only a few minutes," Souji said, looking at his watch with a smile. Distance: 1.3 meters.
She sat opposite him. "It's a relief to get away. No offense, Souji-kun, but your mother can be . . . intense."
"None taken," Souji said ruefully. "It's probably how she's able to handle the corporate rat race so well, but yeah, it can get tiring pretty quick." He trailed off, looking out at the town in the slowly gathering darkness. "My first night home," he said, half to himself.
There was a rustling of cloth as Naoto stood, then came over and sat beside him. "For me as well," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "Inaba is truly a beautiful place. I'm glad we can experience it together."
Souji nodded, and for a while they sat in companionable silence. The cool evening air was soothing after the events of the previous day. He still found it hard to believe they had actually defeated Izanami, that she was the real cause of the insanity that had afflicted the sleepy town.
No matter. He had his future to think about now, a future of his own choosing. A future he intended to share with the girl snuggled up to him at that moment, his love and his partner. Japan's criminal element, he thought whimsically, was in for a rough time in the next few years.
"So," Naoto said, "first term begins next month. Hopefully," her mouth quirked, "it won't start with a murder."
Souji chuckled. "If it does, we'll be all over it, Detective Shirogane. You and me, we make an unstoppable team."
"Your flattery is excessive, but I appreciate the sentiment," Naoto said.
"I sure hope so." Souji half-turned and gently cupped a hand on her cheek. "I love you, Naoto."
She blushed brightly, but offered no resistance. "I love you, too. Forever." Their lips met.
Distance: .3 meters.
Author's note: Whew! After four and a half years, we're finally at the end. Can't say I'm completely satisfied, especially with the Izanami fight, but I like to think it all fit together at least.
A small word about this story's origins, I'd been toying with the idea for a while, the final push coming when I saw one Kanji/Naoto fic too many. I've never been able to understand why that pairing is so popular, inasmuch as it's fundamentally out of character for Naoto. Ultimately, it came down to if I wanted it done, I had to do it myself.
Anyway, ranting aside, I hope it was a satisfying conclusion for those of you still reading. Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers. ~D.S.