A Day in Their Shoes

Chie Satonaka x Yukiko Amagi; Part 1

May, Morning

Teddie's wave as the quartet exited the Shadow World only seemed more eerie as Chie clutched the frail Yukiko in her arms. It haunted her in the days that followed, each one becoming a further obsession with the shadow world. The questions she asked Yu and Yosuke were only given short responses. Either they didn't know, or even worse: they didn't want her to. Of course, her best friend had returned to her strength, her beauty floating towards her eyes like a dandelion splitting in the sky, the soft scarlet jacket reflected her soft headband, curling and crafting her image as more delicate. However, Inaba remained quiet, only further boosting her ire.

Why was nothing happening?

"I'm worried Yukiko…"

"Not this again."

"There hasn't been any murders since we freed you from the TV world."

"Haven't been Chie, not hasn't. You're never going to pass your English or Japansese exams at this rate."

"Shuddup."

"Have you at all considered that the murderer believes he tied up all loose ends?"

Unlikely. Chie had seen enough action movies to know that the villain always strikes again. Hadn't Yukiko ever seen Terminator- on second thought, probably not.

"That's impossible Yukiko."

"Just how did you come to that conclusion?"

"Simple. You were the damsel in distress. Now you aren't in distress. Which means that the murderer must be in distress. And he's not gonna be a damsel…"

"And you know this because you-"

"Saw it in a movie."

Yukiko's soft giggle only made Chie even more irate, but even she couldn't help but fall for her infectious smile. Her raven black hair flowed more elegantly than before she confronted her demons. Her exuberent confidence had increased; it was just showing its face for the very first time.

"What?!"

Chie's response only made her laugh more. Yukiko herself may have felt happy for the first time in what felt like an eternity. After all, how couldn't she? Yu and Yosuke had been particularly kind in...eating all of her food, but most of all was Chie herself. The way she made her smile was...intoxicating.

"You're just...so adorable."

"Yeah yeah, I'll show you how adorable I am."

Another soft punch simply caused more laughter, and eventually Chie caved and began laughing as well, echoing into the sky freely. The simple cycle of walking and laughing continued on and on; it wasn't long before their school was in their vision. Nevertheless, they still continued to chuckle together upon walking inside. It only caused Yosuke and Yu to stare even more.

"Uhhhh...what are you doing?"

Chie immediately halted, her attention somewhat swooning before realizing it was just a pair of morons. Within seconds, Yosuke would regret his intrusion. Or so Chie thought.

"We're...laughing at you."

Yosuke's eyebrow furrowed, sighing into his palms, half-chuckling at the meek attempt.

"...really? That's the best you could come up with?"

"Look Chie...now we're the ones laughing at you."

Chie couldn't help but laugh, as the young man opposite of her self-assuredly smiled at his own joke. Yu Narukami was a transfer student from the big city...and the source of infatuation for her over the course of the past few weeks. It was difficult to explain, but he seemed to have an exaggerated confidence that no man either girl had ever met had been able to give. He was the real prince...he rescued them both. Put simply, she liked him. Chie's heart only wanted to repay that debt more and more by the day.

"It's good to see you two in high spirits...personally, I still have some concern. We have a murderer on the loose after-"

"THANK YOU! See Yukiko? Told ya."

Though Yosuke's staring was certainly an annoyance, Yu's positive smile only reinforced her more. Even he seemed to find some of this funny.

"Ah shit...today's exam day isn't it?"

"You're just now figuring this out?"

"Oh crap! Come on Yuki! We need to go-"

"Go what? Study? The bell just rang."

"Ah, it's alright. You can all just cheat off of me and Yukiko."

Is it a bad thing that her heart fluttered at the prospect of cheating on him? Chie didn't know. There was one certainty however: she would take him up on his offer.

After-School

"Chie! Wait up!"

His tender voice caught her quickly, causing Yukiko to glance even faster. She knew the feelings that Chie had for him. No, Chie didn't tell her, but it was obvious enough to the point where even Yosuke had asked her if it was the case. Yu had rescued them both, and though Yukiko was eternally grateful, she could not explain the sudden burning in her chest as Yu approached...if only Chie knew.

To Chie however, his out of breath voice was the cutest thing she had heard in hours. His awkward smile as he looked up simply drew her in further as he mumbled an apology. He thought he had frightened her by yelling! No wonder he had Yosuke completely outclassed. Even his worst moments were his best.

"I was...just wondering if I could speak to you a moment...alone."

Oh. My. God. Alone! EEK! Yukiko simply nodded, bowing her head before exiting, that bumbling idiot Yosuke not far behind. Was this it?

"Listen...after everything we've done together...you know...with those thugs in the Shopping District...I was wondering if you wanted to go-"

IT WAS!

"YES! I mean...go on."

His shock was only countered by sudden acceptance as he chuckled.

"Tommorow...8pm. We'll train together."

"Train? I like the sound of that."

"Then I'll see you then...partner."

Her heart raced just as fast as her legs on her way to the inn. Frantically, she had called Yukiko six times! Why wasn't she responding?! She just had to tell her the good news!

"WHOOOOO!"

Garnering more stares just like the morning, Chie's cry into the air was only further met by a confident smile. Yu didn't just like her back! Soon he would be wrapped around her finger. The inn door flung open, Chie desperate to tell her best friend about her newfound romance. Yet, while the inn bustled, her own quarters were quiet upon approach. She wanted to shout her name, garner her attention and ask for advice as quickly as possible. Only Yukiko seemed to know how to blossom so well. Yet, upon closing her lips to sound it out, the silence was broken.

"Chie…"

It might as well have been a whisper, but it was heard nonetheless. Chie's head cocked around the door.

"Chie…"

It repeated itself. She sounded...pained, and before long, like a mother Chie protectively moved in closer, her fears pounding on her heart every picosecond.

"My...prince...Chie…"

Wait...what did she just say? As she cracked the door open lightly, realization brimmed Chie's faced alongside shock and awe. There lay Yukiko, eyes closed, gently caressing her bosom, her hand reaching within her waist once again moaning Chie's name affectionately. Each repeat pierced Chie's heart, sensationally creating anxious breath that could be mistaken for Yukiko's own as she began to mumble louder. It was only when Chie creaked the door that she opened her eyes, meeting Chie's own, and their expression became one.

To be continued...