Kujikawa Rise joined after awakening her Persona. It was a tough fight - no matter how many cycles Yukiko had gone through, she still thought the fight with Shadow Rise was the toughest.

Anyway, the fight ended without much scratches, and Teddie awakened his Persona, too.

Namatame really did a good job on this. And the next victim was King Moron, although he wasn't killed by Adachi, but Kubo Mitsuo, a high school boy. He would surrender himself to the police and everyone would assume he was the culprit of all the crimes so far.

She decided to leave him be. Unlike Adachi, there's no way she could break into the police station and throw the boy into the TV. She had thought of some plan for this, but at the end, leaving him sounded to be the best option.

No matter what the boy did, they would prove that he wasn't the true culprit in the help of Naoto.

Indeed, this matter shocked the team for a while, and some of them thought everything had ended. For now, she wouldn't bother it, as she enjoyed the Summer Festival with the others.

"I'm sorry, Yukiko! Am I late?" Chie panted for air as she made her way to Yukiko. It was difficult to wear a yukata, especially to Chie. Anyway, the result was fascinating. She looked cuter than the way she was.

"No, not at all." Yukiko chuckled. "You're cute in this yukata."

"R-Really?" Chie's face reddened, mouth spread into a big grin.

When they reached the meeting point, they saw the boys were already there waiting for them. Rise came in a short while. When her gaze met with Yu, the boy unintentionally averted his gaze, but then quickly greeted her.

"...You look good on yukata."

"...Thank you, Yu-kun." Although it wasn't the first time she heard this, it still made her heart paced up.

They enjoyed the festival and played a lot. It was a day she didn't need to think about the Midnight Channel and everything. She could just be herself. Although it was merely a night, she felt her body was a lot lighter than anytime she had been.

They met Doujima and Nanako at the top of the mountain, waiting for the firework show. It was bustling there as they took a place to enjoy the view. Dojima and Nanako came in a while later before the fireworks started. All of them were excited to see the scene.

"Yukiko." Yu called and handed her something. "This is for you."

Widening her eyes as she looked at the present, she let a small gasp.

"A...folding fan?" The folding fan was painted with snow and sakura with pink color as background. "This is...beautiful."

"I thought it suits you a lot. I thought of you when I first saw it."

"...Thank you. I really like it." This was the first time Yu actually gave her any present. It was also the first in all the cycles she had gone through. She didn't know whether this present could bring to the next cycle, she would treasure it forever.

Seeing her smile, Yu smiled back sheepishly. It was indeed, a beautiful smile he had ever seen.

"Big brother, look!" Nanako pointed to the sky as the fireworks show started. The first firework painted the sky into various colours, and the next continued.

"Wow…" It wasn't the first she saw this summer firework, but this was the most special moment with Yu beside her.

"Yukiko, can I...hold your hand?" Timidly, he asked, face reddened.

Slightly taken aback by his request, she blushed heavily. Hesitating for a while, she took his hand at the end.

Feeling his grasp, she felt the heat almost burn her face. The warmth from his hand felt extremely hot but comfortable. Surely, this was the most special Summer Festival she had.

They went to Tatsumi Port Island for the school trip. It was quite disappointing that they weren't there to have fun, but to study.

It didn't matter to Yukiko, anyway. She smiled when seeing Chie fall asleep in the middle of the class. It was boring in the first cycle, but now, she enjoyed it. It was the normal time she couldn't beg for.

At night before going back to Yasoinaba, they went to the pub at Rise's suggestion. Carefully, she avoided the drinks so she would keep sober all the time. She didn't want to accidentally reveal the crimes she's been hiding, in any case. Still, she suggested the King's Game to lighten the mood.

When the game started, she left the shop and went out to catch some fresh air. The heavier feelings in her heart would ruin the mood, and she didn't want to see Yu and the other girls got close to each other because of the game.

It was just that, she didn't expect Yu would come out from the shop to look for her.

"...Yu-kun?"

"You're here. I have been looking for you." Staring at her, he sat down beside her. "Everyone is worried about you."

They did? Was her face showing too much of her emotion? Unconsciously, she touched her face.

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"Are you really okay?"

"Y-Yeah...I'm fine. I'm sorry…"

"You don't have to apologize. We are here for you, that's what friends are for." Patting her head, Yu tried to convince her. She had been stubborn from the beginning, and none of them knew the trouble that was disturbing her all along.

"I know...but…" Shaking her head, she still refused to tell the truth. There's no way she would tell him. "You will know it one day...until then, I can't tell you anything." She could see him lowering his head in disappointment. "I-I'm sorry…"

She had been apologizing a lot lately. For a moment, Yu felt bad for pushing her so hard.

"...I should be the one to apologize, Yukiko. If you don't want to tell me, then just let it be." He let out a bitter smile. He stared at her gloomy face, suddenly he pulled her closer and took her into his arms.

"Y-Yu-kun!?"

He sighed, gritting his teeth. Damn, he couldn't control himself anymore. Why did she have to make such a gloomy face that made his heart ache?

She seemed to be in serious trouble, yet he couldn't help her. He could only see her struggling all by herself. How could he not feel grieved over it?

He had realized his feelings for her for quite some time...the only problem was how much he could control himself. The more he realized his feelings, the more her existence was occupying his heart. She was important to him now, more than anyone, any girls.

"...Yukiko, there's something I need to tell you." Breaking the hug, he stared straight at her. "I -"

Out of the blue, she had a bad feeling. Instantly, she covered his mouth to stop him from speaking.

"No, please don't say it!"

Yu was taken aback, immediately stopped from saying anything. He could see the fear from her face, and her hands were obviously shaking.

"...Are you okay, Yukiko?"

"...I'm sorry, but please don't say it." She begged, fearing that his words would break her defense one and for all. Although Yu didn't say it, but she knew what's in his mind, and that's the reason she was scared. "It...doesn't have to be me. There are many girls who like you."

"But you are the only one I want!" He said it out loud. Part of him was furious at how much the girl wanted to push him away. "I know you have the same feelings as I do."

"I-I..."

Indeed, she was happy that the boy was having the same feelings as her, but at the same time, it was too, a terrible nightmare to her. She was the culprit behind the crimes. She was the one planning everything, even Nanako-chan's kidnap in the later future. How could he love her, but not other girls?

The realization only added a wave of grieve and bitter into her heart as her tears rolled down to her cheek. She couldn't imagine how Yu would feel if he knew she was the one behind everything. She couldn't do this to him. It was too cruel.

She was, too, couldn't bear if Yu hated her in the future. He would hate her, of course, because everything she did was heartless.

"Yukiko."

"I-I don't." Sobbing, she said, loud and firm. "It is your imagination. I like you, as a friend."

Biting his bottom lip, he tightened the grasp on her shoulder.

"...You're lying."

"No, I'm confirmed." This time, she looked straight into his eyes, no more escaping. "I like you, but only as a friend."

Seeing his stunned face, her heart almost broke apart. What she did was cruel to him, but it was nothing compared to the TV World matter. He would only feel sad for this time, and no more.

Yu loosened his grasp on her shoulder, clearly distressed. Looking away, he hid his face in the darkness where Yukiko was unable to see through his expression.

"...Please forget what I say. I'm sorry." Pretending to be fine, he stood up and walked back to the pub. He didn't spare her a glance until his figure disappeared into the pub.

She bit her bottom lip, clenching her fist tightly. Closing her eyes, she let the tears roll down without bothering it.

The next day, they went to Hagakure to fill their stomachs before heading home. Yukiko avoided Yu as much as she could, trying to pretend fine.

She didn't dare to look at the boy since she hurt him so badly yesterday. Chie noticed her unusualness, asking.

"Hey Yukiko, something happened between you and Narukami? He looked sad when he went back to the pub yesterday."

"N-No...nothing happens." She paused for a while, knowing it wasn't enough to convince Chie. "M-Maybe...I did say something terrible..."

"There's nothing happening between us, Chie."

Yu's voice suddenly cut in, startling the two. Both turned their attention to the leader.

"Are you listening?" Chie pouted. "You're scaring us."

"Sorry, but there's nothing happening between me and Yukiko." He looked at her. "Right?"

"Y-Yes.." She quickly nodded, a bit stammering.

Chie raised her brows, eyeing them suspiciously, but said nothing at the end. Shrugging, she joined Yosuke and the others.

"S-Sorry, Yu-kun..."

"It's alright." A light sigh escaping out of his mouth. "I have been thinking yesterday...maybe I was too forceful to you. This is my feeling, and I shouldn't force you to accept it. I hope you don't mind it."

Staring at his calm demeanor, Yukiko couldn't help but feel agony. She knew he was sad, yet he chose to endure the feelings. For a moment, she wanted to hug him, telling him everything. However, she stopped herself at the very last moment.

She...truly was the worst.