Later that night, Dojima was able to get off work early, allowing the trio to enjoy their night together.
"I got you a gift from Junes." Dojima says warmly while passing a bag to Nanako.
"Thank you!" Nanako says excitedly while opening the box, finding a shirt with the picture of a platypus on it.
"Haha! The picture looks funny!" Nanako comments cheerfully.
"So my humor is below that of a picture of a platypus…" Francis says with defeat.
Nanako looks over with concern. "Oniichan is funny too!" She says with a huge smile.
"I think you need some context for that one." Francis says with humor.
"Con-what?" Nanako asks with confusion.
"Hm… how do I explain context?" Francis ponders.
Dojima chuckles. "Oh, by the way, I got something for you too. I know you are not exactly a child, but I just thought why not."
Francis opens the gift Dojima bought him, finding a pair of black colored swimming trunks in the box. He then thanks Dojima politely.
"Oniichan, can we ask about Marie-oneesan?" Nanako asks Francis kindly.
"Sure."
Receiving approval from Francis, Nanako turns to Dojima.
"Daddy, I want a friend to come and sleep over, is that okay?" She asks with cheer.
Dojima looks at Nanako with wide eyes. He then asks awkwardly. "Who is this friend?"
"She's Oniichan's friend too. She's really cute." Nanako goes on.
"Hooo, really?" Dojima smiles at Francis gently.
"It's not what you are probably thinking." Francis replies awkwardly.
"Um, Oniichan already has someone special!" Nanako says happily.
Francis blushes as Dojima grins wryly.
"Should Nanako have not said that?" Nanako looks at Francis guiltily.
"It's fine." Francis sighs. "Her name is Satonaka Chie."
"Satonaka. Satonaka." Dojima seems to be trying to figure out what that is. "A friend of Amagi? We tried to ask her for info when Amagi was missing, but we could not find her."
Francis says awkwardly before taking a drink. "She was sad. I comforted her."
"She's the one… Oh." Dojima seems to realize something. He then grins wryly again.
"What?" Francis asks nervously while grinning awkwardly.
"Anyways, about Marie. If you think she is trustworthy, I don't mind her sleeping over. I don't think we have an area comfortable enough for a girl, however." Dojima says kindly.
"Really? Yay!" Nanako cheers.
"Thanks. I will tell her when I get the chance." Francis says kindly.
That night, Dojima and Francis have small talk after Nanako goes to bed. They did not talk about anything big, merely Dojima asking Francis awkwardly about his daily life.
"It was a good talk." Francis says kindly and playfully to Dojima, who replies with a weak grin, before they both go to their room.
The next day, Francis encounters Yukiko and Chie on the way to school. The two walk together, smiling and chatting despite tired eyes.
"Francis. "Francis-san." The girls greet Francis. Chie looks at Francis with worry while Yukiko gives him a tired look.
"Chie, and Yukiko." Francis greets Yukiko awkwardly.
"Let's talk on the way." Yukiko says calmly.
"Chie and I talked it out." Yukiko explains calmly on the way, looking ahead as she does. She then looks at Francis and asks with composure. "Francis-san, do you think I would be a burden if I continue to fight alongside you?"
"I don't think so. But are you okay with that?" Francis asks with concern.
"Both of you are dear to me, and I wish to protect you both with all I have." Yukiko keeps going.
"All right. Thank you, Yukiko." Francis thanks Yukiko, who nods to him while smiling.
During lunch, Francis brings Yosuke to the roof.
"What's up?" Yosuke asks kindly.
"Actually I been thinking of joining some of the school clubs." Francis explains nervously.
"That's nice. Go for it." Yosuke replies kindly.
Hearing Yosuke's reply, Francis looks into the distance. As he does, Yosuke remains silent. After a while, Francis voices his doubts to Yosuke with sternness.
"We vowed to catch the culprit, and we would probably need more power if we are to achieve that. Can I really afford these distractions?"
Hearing this, Yosuke responds kindly. "Hei now. You are a student first and Persona user second. You only get one chance at highschool, don't let the case interfere with that."
Hearing his words, Francis stares at Yosuke with wide eyes.
"What?" Yosuke asks awkwardly.
"No. Just, I always thought of you as more of a joker." Francis chuckles.
"I could say the same of you. Though I am better at it."
The duo chuckles and they both look to the distance.
"Say, are you in any clubs?" Francis asks Yosuke curiously.
"There weren't any that caught my interest. Decided to spend my time working at Junes instead. Plus, I get paid there." Yosuke explains. He then asks. "Which one caught your interest?"
"I have always been interested in acting. Need to get more info though." Francis replies. He then grumbles. "Heard from Chie I need to ask Morookin for more info."
"You are obviously on his list." Yosuke jests.
The bell soon rings and the two go back to class.
After school, Chie brings Francis and Yosuke to the field after Yukiko leaves.
"I think something's weird with Yukiko." Chie explains nervously.
"How so?" Francis questions her with concern.
"When we were at lunch, she was kinda stiff. Like cold, uncaring." Chie keeps going. She then looks down sadly. "It kinda scares me."
"Let's go talk to her."
With Francis' words, the group nod their heads. Chie then calls Yukiko, asking for her to meet up. To Francis' surprise, Yukiko chooses to not meet up with Chie.
"Lemme try."
Hearing Francis talk, Chie asks for Yukiko's permission before handing the phone to him.
"I am sorry, but I am working today. Maybe we can talk tomorrow?"
Yukiko says happily on the phone. Seeing no other choice, Francis agrees.
After hanging up, Francis invites Chie to come to the faculty room with him.
"You want me to go with you to the faculty room?" Chie asks with surprise after being asked by Francis.
"Ya. I just thought we could spend more time together." Francis says kindly.
"Guess that's true." Chie blushes, smiling as she does. "You know how suspicious this will look, right?"
"Are they wrong?" Francis asks kindly.
"Guess not." Chie says while smiling. "I got my own plans after this, so I am afraid I can only accompany you for a while. I mean, I would follow you if you wanna go into the TV but otherwise I got stuff to do."
"Maybe I should go into the TV later." Francis jests, leading Chie to pout.
"I do wanna go with you, but I have my own stuff, you know. Don't go into the TV just because you wanna spend time with me." Chie complains. Hearing her words, Francis shows her sad eyes.
"Uh, I do wanna spend more time with you, just… you know." Chie says guiltily.
"I am just pulling your leg." Francis jests. He then speaks with an understanding tone. "I understand that you have stuff you wanna do too."
Before going, Francis makes plans to hang out with Yosuke after school. Before he leaves, Francis decides to meet up with Marie first, to which Yosuke agrees.
At the faculty office, Morookin glares at Francis and Chie. He then goes off into a lecture about clubs, school life, and how highschoolers are indecent.
"I don't always chase after girls." Francis comments sarcastically.
"You really enjoy talking back to me, don't you, Yamada?" Morookin scolds.
"Well, you do go off, so…." Francis keeps going with humor. Meanwhile, he feels Chie tug at his jacket. He then apologizes to Morookin. "Sorry, just messing around."
"Now, now, Morooka-sensei." Mr Kondo, the English and PE teacher butts in. He speaks kindly to Morookin. "You know how the Western kids are. They just speak their mind."
"This ain't one of your Western countries where they don't teach the kids discipline." Morookin grumbles.
"I know. I am sorry." Francis apologizes politely.
After learning about the clubs and their meeting days, which does not include today, Francis and Chie exit the office.
"Why did you taunt him?" Chie asks worryingly.
"I just don't think he can get away with talking like that." Francis says calmly.
"I know you have faced worse, but he is something else completely." Chie goes on with worry.
She then blushes and looks away. As she does, she speaks bashfully. "If you get expelled or change class, I don't get to spend as much time with you."
Francis blushes as well. "Sorry, I will be careful."
After parting with Chie, Francis makes his way to the Velvet Room.