Act 7

Yosukesaurus


They were back inside the strange movie. Though Yu had conceded that Ren was the better choice… he had to admit that it was strange for someone else to take the lead.

Yu pushed aside his sweaty bangs as he scanned for a glimpse of his best friend. He really hoped that Yosuke was okay. He couldn't help but feel worried, even though he was more than aware that Yosuke could take care of himself. He didn't want to find out that his best friend had been eaten by one of those FOE monsters.

Though he really wished it wasn't so… hot. Inaba wasn't the most temperate of places, but still. It didn't compare to a tropical jungle.

"Miyuki! What are you doing?!" Makoto suddenly demanded.

"Hooooot…" Miyuki moaned out. "Need shade."

Yu blinked at the ridiculous sight before his eyes. Miyuki had grabbed ahold of Ken's cape, lifting it above her and Kaito's heads so it could act as a canopy for the two of them. Though what surprised Yu even more was how Ken didn't even blink at her actions.

Yu had to bite his lip so he wouldn't start laughing. Miyuki was definitely… sassier than Nanako, but she was just as cute as his baby cousin.

…Wait, what was he saying? Nobody was as cute as Nanako.

Though Yu did have to admit that the two of them were not handling the heat well. Their faces were bright red, sweat beading their forehead. Not that he could blame them for that.

Honestly he was surprised that most of the Phantom Thieves hadn't passed out from heat exhaustion with most of them wearing black.

Ren rummaged around before producing a canned soda.

"Not the same as AC but… maybe a drink will help?" he suggested.

Both twins' eyes sparkled but Ken intercepted them grabbing it. He popped open the lid before handing it over to Kaito.

"Before you mangle the soda tab again," Ken said dryly. "And give Miyuki a turn, Kaito. You're supposed to be sharing it."

Miyuki pouted up at him. "That was a long time ago!"

Ken deadpanned, "That was two months ago."

"See! A long time!"

Kaito finished drinking before passing the can to Miyuki. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Dunno how you can stand it, Uncle Ken," the little boy said. "You're dressed in mostly black. Plus a cape! It's kinda like a blanket!"

Ken shrugged. "Can't say I'm thrilled to be in a tropical forest, but it's bearable. Though nothing can't beat having to train in the middle of the day in August."

Ryuji grimaced. "Yeah, I feel ya. That sucked a—"

He stopped short as Ken gave him a warning glare.

"A-A lot?" he offered.

"Are you really not hot?" Kanji scratched the top of his head.

"I dunno, the girls at school seem to think he's pretty hot," Ren joked.

Ken and Makoto both shot him unimpressed looks.

"What?" Ren shrugged. "It's true. Remember the Hawaii trip?"

Ken cringed. "Please don't remind me."

"Man, that Hawaii trip was a total bust," Ryuji lamented.

Ren smirked. "Speak for yourself," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, yeah, yuck it up," Ryuji huffed.

"You guys went to Hawaii?" Chie's jaw dropped. "What kind of fancy school do you guys go to?!"

"Seriously, all we did was go to Port Island," Kanji said with a nod. "Get lectured to death and then there was that freaky hotel in what's-it-called…"

"Shirakawa!" Rise chimed in.

"Shira…kawa…" Minako repeated. "Wait, isn't that—"

Ken just pressed a hand to his forehead. "Please don't say it, Minako-san."

"I don't get it…" Miyuki whispered.

Kaito shrugged, before suggesting, "Maybe it's like a haunted house…?"

…He wished it was a haunted house. He still remembered the chaos of Teddie discovering the water bed.

"But it's so interesting that your clothes change when you're in a Shadow nest."

Yukiko's expression was fascinated as she looked from all the Phantom Thieves.

"It makes me wish that we were the same!" she enthused. "Instead of our boring school uniforms! Tell me, is there some kind of trick?"

Ryuji shrugged. "It's just how it is."

"I did think it was just a… quirk of the Metaverse though," Ken admitted.

Haru giggled. "A quirk? That's an interesting way to put it, Ace."

Yusuke nodded. "Though I must confess that I can't fathom fighting Shadows in ordinary school uniforms."

"Yeah, wouldn't it tear?" Ryuji added.

"I want a codename!" Yukiko suddenly declared. "I love that you all have codenames!"

"Yukiko, really?!" Chie moaned out. "Come on, this is kinda ridiculous and we're wasting time!"

"We could use a break, though," Anne pointed out.

Yukiko then clapped her hands gleefully. "We can come up with ideas for everyone then! It'll be fun! What do you think I should be, Chie?"

"Hang on, you're seriously roping me into this?!" Chie yelped. "I'm no expert on this!"

"Why don't we consult some experts then?" Yu suggested before glancing to Ren.

"Leave it to us!" Ryuji said with a grin.

Then he paused, huffing before pointing at Ken.

"…Ace, stop giving me that look."

"What look?" Ken asked blandly.

"Are you still mad about my suggestion?!"

"Tux. Boy," Ken ground out. "No, I will not forget about it, Skull."

"Can't forget Shoulder Pads," Makoto sighed, shaking her head.

"Now, now…" Yusuke said. "I believe that you're being too harsh with him!"

Ryuji looked to him in surprise. "Thanks Fox—"

"After all, he did suggest Abura-age for me," Yusuke finished blithely.

"Abura-age… you wanted to be named after food?!" Chie yelped.

"Should've known there was a catch," Ryuji lamented, hanging his head.

"I think it's a good name!" Kaito chimed in. "Oracle calls Fox Inari already! And aburaage is used for inarizushi!"

Yusuke huffed. "Kindly refrain from repeating that, please. It's a ridiculous name."

"And Abura-age… isn't?" Rise questioned. "Sheesh, I love abura-age but that's just weird."

"Though I'm surprised that you're making fun of it, Chie-senpai."

Kanji scratched his head.

"I mean, I feel that you'd go by teriyaki or hell—Ribeye."

"H-Hey, that's not true, Kanji-kun!" Chie protested.

"Oooh, I've got it!" Anne suddenly snapped her fingers. "Yukiko's code name! It should be Blackfire!"

"…Blackfire?" Haru repeated.

Anne nodded. "Yeah! It's fitting since Yukiko's hair is so dark and her element is fire!"

Ren coughed. "Anne… isn't Blackfire that character from that American comic universe… BC? And wasn't she the villain older sister of Starfire?"

"She was so cool though!" Anne gushed, clasping her hands together.

"Seriously…?" Futaba grumbled. "Lame, Panther."

Anne stuck her tongue out at the younger girl. "You come up with something then!"

"Uhh…" Futaba bit her lip. "Phoenix…?"

"I like Blackfire better!" Yukiko announced.

"S-Seriously?"

"Hmm… who should be next, though?" Yukiko mused, tilting her head. "Ah! What about Naoto-kun's codename?"

"M-Me?" Naoto squeaked, her cheeks turning pink. "That's—"

"Killjoy!" Kaito exclaimed.

"E-EXCUSE ME?!" Naoto's eyes just about bugged out of her head.

Ken pressed a hand to his forehead. "Kaito…"

"No sense of filter…" Makoto lamented with a sigh.

"Well, he's a kid," Ryuji defended.

Kaito pouted. "I'm right here!"

"Chie-senpai though… hmm…" Rise mused.

"Gotta be Sirloin," Kanji snorted.

Yu couldn't help but chuckle at the chagrined expression on Chie's face.

"Y-You're one to talk!" she sputtered out. "You can be a real meathead, Kanji-kun!"

"S-Shut up!" Kanji shouted.

It was then Ren sidled up to Ken, whispering something to him. Ken rolled his eyes for a moment before whispering something back to him.

"What are you two whispering about?!" Kanji demanded, whipping his head towards the two boys.

Ren just smiled deviously, ignoring Ken's hissed out, "Joker!"

"Oh, I was just thinking that a good codename for you would be… Skull Part Two," he said innocently.

"Say what?!" yelped both bleached blonds.

"I mean… you guys have the punk look plus you use electricity," Ren said coyly.

"That's totally not fair, Joker!" Ryuji whined, stomping his foot. "If we're gonna play that game, Yu should be Joker Number Two then!"

"Yeah, and I'm so not like him!" Kanji complained.

"Whataya mean by that?!" Ryuji said hotly.

Makoto sighed. "I hope you understand what you've done, Joker."

Morgana shook his head. "He's more than aware."

"Now, now, no need to bicker like that," Akechi laughed.

He then gestured to Kaito and Miyuki, before quirking an eyebrow.

"You should set an example for the actual children here, hm?"

Kaito and Miyuki both huffed at him, not looking thrilled with what Akechi had said. Then Miyuki turned her nose up at him with a small "hmph!"

Akechi let out a strained laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. Ken looked at the two children, concerned. But then Yukiko spoke up.

"Oh! What about Yu-kun?"

"Yukiko!" Chie complained. "You're seriously complaining about this—"

"Kingpin," Ken said automatically.

"That was… fast," Chie said slowly. "Where did you even get that idea, Ace?"

Ken froze at Chie's question.

"Er… no reason," he said, suddenly looking nervous.

"Yu-san's Persona does have the look to him," Haru chimed in. "That's why you were thinking, right, Ace?"

"Mm-hm. That's it." Ken blushed a little. "I was just… embarrassed to say it."

"What about Teddie?" Teddie suddenly cried out. "Oooh, how about something like 'Pretty Boy'?! Or even 'Cutie Bear'? Oh, oh! There's even 'Everyone's Idol' or 'Beloved Lad'!"

"That's dumb," Kaito said bluntly. "You should be Ted."

"Whaaat?" Teddie protested. "That's hardly a code name!"

"Mona is similar," Miyuki chimed in.

"H-Hey, don't drag me into this!" Morgana yelped. "Ace, can you please rein them in?!"

Ken sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Do you think I have some magical control over them?"

"They do listen to ya more than everyone else," Ryuji snickered, elbowing Ken in the side.

"And besides, Everyone's Idol fits Rise-san!" Miyuki said cheerfully, apparently ignoring the last part of the conversation.

"Ohhh… Rise-chan, you stole my codename!" Teddie bemoaned, making Yu shake his head.

"Sorry?" Rise giggled out.

Makoto then coughed. "But this was a long enough break, I think."

Ken nodded. "Yeah. Joker, we should really get going."


While Naoto didn't think that she was intolerant of hot weather… she was honestly glad that Ren-san had decided that they needed to head back.

"Welcome back, everyone!" Rise chirped before she dashed to Yu-senpai, hugging his arm.

Yu-senpai just laughed. "Rise, we weren't even gone that long."

"I can still miss you, Senpai!" she chirped, making Yu-senpai chuckle.

"But anyways…" Futaba shook her head. "You made some great progress back there!"

"No Yosuke yet, though!" Teddie whined. "Ughh… you owe me a topsicle for worrying me, Yosuke!"

Chie-senpai scoffed. "You talk like you don't whine at Yosuke to buy you whatever crap you want."

"Uh, I don't think you can talk much 'bout that, Chie-senpai…" Kanji mumbled out.

"It's hoooot," Miyuki suddenly moaned out before flopping right there on the floor, drawing laughs from everyone.

Ken-san just shook his head before picking her up.

"You don't have to come with us if you don't want to," he gently chided. "I don't want you to get sick."

Miyuki rested her head against his shoulder. Naoto had to admit that Miyuki's face was considerably red. Given the little girl's fair complexion, it especially stood out. A few wisps of hair had also escaped her headband, perspiration making them stick to her forehead.

But she pouted at Ken-san's statement.

"Don't make me stay! What if we find…"

Then she paled, immediately clamming up.

"N-Never mind," she mumbled out.

"Miyuki-chan…" Haru-san sighed, her face filling with sympathy.

Naoto couldn't help but frown. She didn't like being kept out of the loop. The twins were honestly quite a mystery. She knew that they had known Ken from birth, but he was being particularly vague on how. She had kept it to herself, but the questions were starting to nag at her.

"Pardon me but I believe I have a solution."

Naoto flinched as Elizabeth-san suddenly appeared. She held one of those comically large paper fans, like you would see in those slapstick routines. Personally Naoto never had found them amusing…

"While it is not the same as your 'air conditioning', people in history relied on fans to keep themselves cool when heat bothered them to the point of passing out," she explained.

"What?" Kaito asked.

Miyuki just made a face. "You're speaking gibberish."

"Miyuki…" Ken-san scolded.

"She just means that you can get sick if you're in the heat too much," Ryuji-san explained, squatting down so that she was level with Miyuki's face.

Chie nodded vigorously. "Yeah! That's why you gotta bring drinks with you! You gotta replenish the water you lose."

Miyuki bit her lip, chewing on it. Then she nodded.

"Thank you, Elizabeth-san!" she said cheerfully, before bowing her head.

"So she does have manners," Morgana mumbled as Miyuki took the fan.

Ken-san then set the little girl down.

"Morgana, that's not nice!" Yukiko-senpai scolded. "You should really do better than that, with how Miyuki-chan is so young!"

"I'm six now!" Miyuki huffed, her eyes flashing with indignation.

"Okay, Miss Grown Up," Ken-san said dryly, before crouching to her level. "If you take the fan, you're only going to be using it to fan yourself. No using it to hit people."

"Even when they're being really mean?" Miyuki pouted up at him, giving him a very similar puppy-dog pout that Rise-san often sported.

Naoto shook her head in response. Privately, she thought that it was almost impertinent for Miyuki to ask that, but judging for the barely stifled chuckles escaping some of the group, she probably was alone in that opinion.

Ken-san let out an exasperated sigh, even as a fond smile tugged at his lips.

"Even then, Miyuki," he said dryly.

"Yeah, you shouldn't really use it on your brother," Chie-senpai admonished. "I mean, I'm kinda jealous of you for that—I wish that I had a brother! Growing up as an only child kinda sucks."

Miyuki blinked at her.

"I wasn't thinking of using that on Kaito," she said in a no-nonsense voice.

"Ohh…" Chie-senpai blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry about that, Miyuki-chan."

In that moment, Miyuki shot an annoyed glance at Akechi-san. Naoto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. Hmm. That was a bit strange, in Naoto's opinion. She'll have to admit that Akechi-san almost sounded too polite, like it was almost like a front.

But Miyuki just smiled cheerfully at Chie-senpai.

"I mean, if you want a little bro, there's always Teddie!" Rise-san said with a giggle.

Teddie's eyes lit up. "Oooh, I get to live with Chie-chan after this?!"

"Hell no!" Chie-senpai yelped. "Don't even think about it, Teddie!"

"You always crush an innocent bear's little dreams!" Teddie wailed.

Naoto just sighed, before pressing a hand to her forehead. She was starting to feel a headache coming on. Sometimes she can't help but wonder how their group looked to outsiders. They were wonderful but they were certainly… eccentric.

"Sheesh, inside voice, Ted," Kanji grumbled.

Yukiko-senpai tilted her head. "Kanji-kun, I do not think that you can lecture Teddie on this."

He demanded, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"See, this is exactly my point," their senpai said, not looking fazed at all by Kanji's outburst.

Yu-senpai just chuckled, shaking his head.

"Lively as always," he commented.

"That's one way to put it, Senpai," Naoto sighed.

Rise-san just sidled up to Naoto, nudging her in the side.

"Aw, c'mon, Naoto-kun. You know you love us~!" the idol giggled.

Naoto just stared at her in exasperation.

"It's debatable right now," she stated.

Yu-senpai just shook his head before looking over the Phantom Thieves.

"It's quite all right," Makoto-san chuckled.

"It's not like our group is any better," Ken-san deadpanned with an eye-roll.

"How rude, Ken!" Futaba-san huffed, hands on her hips. "We can hear you!"

"It's not like he's lying though," Minako-san commented.

Ren-san laughed, apparently not offended at all. "Eh, I can't really deny it."

"Ren, you traitor!" Futaba-san cried, clenching her fists.

Anne-san just nudged Ren-san in the side, giving him an amused smile.

"You always gotta feed the fire, huh?" she asked.

"Please. Like you're much better with Ryuji," he retorted.

Anne-san didn't seem to have a retort, choosing instead to stick her tongue out at him.

"At least RenRen doesn't hit," Ryuji-san huffed.

She shot back, "You've sooo asked for it! You can't deny it, Ryuji!"

"Children, play nice," Ken-san deadpanned.

Makoto-san just sighed. "Honestly, you two…"

Minako-san then giggled. "I think that Kaito-kun and Miyuki-chan are more well behaved than you three right now."

A moment of silence. Naoto shuffled awkwardly, as Minako-san was suddenly met with incredulous stares.

"Minako-san, that is incredibly inaccurate," Ken-san said flatly.

"I must concur," Akechi-san seconded.

"I third this," Morgana grumbled out.

Both twins pouted at this.

Ken-san gave an exasperated sigh. "Don't give me that look. You know that you two can be very naughty when you want to be."

"Can't forget how we even met them in the first place," Yusuke-san said.

"It's not our fault that waiting around's boring!" Kaito protested.

Ken-san just rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh. That's what you always say."

"It's because it's true, Uncle Ken!"

"Sure, you two," Ken-san sighed, even as a fond smile curled at his lips.

Naoto raised an eyebrow at that. She couldn't help but feel curious at what they were talking about.

Makoto-san then touched his arm.

"Ah, Ken, shouldn't the twins be napping while we recharge?" she pointed out.

Ken-san nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

"But I'm not tired!" Miyuki whined.

"You should really rest, though," Akechi-san stated. "Heaven knows that you usually do whatever Ken-san tells you for the most part."

Miyuki's expression grew sour at that. "Don't tell me what to do," she bit out, glaring up at him.

Naoto's eyes widened at that. While sometimes she thought that the twins were too mischievous for their own good, she had never seen either of them be willful like this. Just what had happened? They were both cheerful children, but never... rude.

"Miyuki!" Ken-san suddenly rebuked, as he stared sternly down at the little girl. "Say sorry to Akechi-san."

"Sorry…" she grumbled out, but it was clear she didn't mean it at all.

Ken-san just sighed, but he didn't say anything more. Instead he chose to herd the two children towards the room where they took their naps.

Naoto couldn't help but feel curious, even as everyone broke off into smaller groups. The twins really seemed to dislike Akechi-san for whatever reason. And Naoto couldn't help but get a nagging feeling about Ken-san. She couldn't put it to words, however.

Naoto couldn't help but wonder about him, however.

He seemed to have… an uncanny knowledge of them. He had tried to brush Yu-senpai's 'codename' off as pure dumb luck but… there was something suspicious about him. Could he have knowledge of them?

But the question was… how? They knew that the Phantom Thieves came from 2016, five years in the future. Something just… didn't add up.

And Naoto never liked leaving a mystery unsolved.

"Naoto, is something the matter?" Yu-senpai suddenly asked.

Naoto flinched before turning to face her leader. She realized that both Rise-san and Yu-senpai had stuck around to check up on her. Naoto smiled softly.

"Oh, Yu-senpai…"

Naoto turned to face him, before shaking her head.

"No, I suppose it's not much."

"It's still something, then, Naoto-kun?" Rise-san asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Being nosy, Rise?" Yu-senpai teased lightly.

Rise-san stuck her tongue out at him, before winking at him. "Please, Senpai! We allll know how much you like to help people!"

"Touché," he chuckled out.

"I was just thinking about the twins… I suppose," Naoto said.

She wasn't sure how they would react to the other thought bouncing in her head.

Yu-senpai's expression lit up. "They're quite cute, aren't they? Not as cute as Nanako, but pretty close!"

"Guess you miss Nanako-chan, huh?" Rise-san asked.

Yu-senpai sighed. "A little. I hope she's okay…"

"She'll be fine, Senpai!" Rise-san said with her usual cheer. "Just be sure to give her a nice big hug when we get back!"

Then she latched onto his arm, squeezing it.

"Just like this!"

Yu-senpai smiled down at her, his expression softening. Naoto just smiled. She was glad that her friends were doing well, after that nightmarish incident when Rise-san had been poisoned.

"Though is there something else bothering you?" Yu-senpai asked.

Naoto just smiled to herself. Typical Yu-senpai. He was awfully shrewd.

"Well… it's that they just don't seem to like Akechi-san all that much," she stated. "I will admit that he can be… flamboyant at times, but I feel their issue is a bit more… personal?"

Yu-senpai chuckled. "They do seem rather unimpressed with him."

"I have to wonder why though," Rise-san noted. "I mean, it's kinda impressive, y'know? He's gotta be as good as Naoto-kun if he's her 'successor'."

Naoto sighed. "I prefer if the media would stop calling me that, though."

"You could always ask Ken if he has an idea?" Yu-senpai suggested, albeit jokingly. "He is their 'uncle' after all."

"Yeah, because your uncle knows everything about what you're up to, right?" Rise-san teased, nudging him in the side.

"Dojima-san is completely different!" Yu-senpai protested.

"It's not a bad idea, though," Naoto said, stroking her chin. "I think I might just do that."

For some reason, Rise-san frowned at that, suddenly studying Naoto closely.

"Are you that curious, Naoto-kun? It's just… not something that usually catches your attention."

"W-What are you implying?" she couldn't help but stammer out.

Rise-san just winked.

"It's just that you may be a genius when it comes to books and other detective work, but you're not as well versed with social matters."

Naoto felt her cheeks warm up in embarrassment. Socializing was still quite a weakness for Naoto. It was one of the things Rise-san without a doubt had a leg up on Naoto.

"I-I'm not that bad!"

"So you admit that you are bad?" Rise-san asked, flashing Naoto a cheeky grin.

"R-Rise-san!" Naoto sputtered out, feeling her face grow even hotter.

She then awkwardly cleared her throat, before taking a deep breath to try and calm herself. It was just Rise-san's usual teasing.

Yu-senpai just chuckled. "Come on, Rise, that's enough. Haven't you had enough fun?"

"Mm… not really. Unless…" She began to bat her eyes at Yu-senpai. "You have a suggestion on what would be more fun?"

"Maybe later," Yu-senpai dismissed, making Rise pout.

But then he looked at Naoto seriously.

"But Naoto… that's not all, is it?"

Naoto sucked in a breath. Sometimes… it was almost eerie how perceptive Yu-senpai was.

"Well…" Naoto bit her lip. "Yu-senpai, I was wondering… have you even ever thought about the Phantom Thieves being from the future? They came from the year of 2016… they could—"

"Tell us who the culprit is," Yu-senpai finished for her.

Yu-senpai had his poker face on. As much as Naoto admired him for being such a cool and collected leader, she sometimes wished Yu-senpai was easier to read. Naoto knew that she was far from stupid… but she couldn't help but feel unsettled with how well Yu-senpai hid his emotions.

Though in honesty... she was a little jealous of him for that.

"You're seriously thinking that, Naoto-kun?!" Rise-san looked dismayed at that. "But we… swore to find the culprit. After they targeted almost all of us, personally…"

Naoto pursed her lips. "I know, Rise-san. Normally I'd balk but… what if more innocents get dragged into this? I… I don't know if I could forgive myself if another person got dragged into this mess."

Yu-senpai solemnly said, "Naoto, I get it."

"Senpai?" Rise-san gave their upperclassman a dismayed look.

"But… I have to disagree," Yu-senpai said firmly. "I understand your concerns. We've come so far, Naoto. We can't give up. I understand that you want to protect more people from becoming a victim, but… we've saved not just you. We saved Rise, Kanji, Yukiko… and we'll keep saving any victims of the culprit!"

His voice grew impassioned as he continued talking. There was a fire burning in his silver eyes. And despite herself, Naoto found herself smiling.

"We swore to Teddie that we would find the person behind this. And I intend to fulfill this promise. We don't need to be told who it is. We will find them ourselves."

Naoto swallowed hard. "You… You're right, Senpai."

Rise-san giggled, beaming up at Yu-senpai.

"Aw, that's Senpai for you!" she exclaimed.

She then reached up and kissed his cheek, which just made Yu-senpai chuckle.

"Haha, I try." Yu smiled. "And besides that, I feel that they may not be keen on sharing. Ken-san… he's—well, I can't quite word it but… it almost feels like he's kinda jumpy about saying anything to us."

Rise-san nodded. "Ooh, yeah, I did notice that about him. It's not like he's shy, though. You've seen him with his friends."

Naoto nodded as well. "I'm glad you noticed. I did notice there was something about him…"

"Oooh, are you into pretty boys now, Naoto-kun?" Rise-san giggled before giving her a quick wink.

"W-What?!" Naoto gaped at her. "R-Rise-san, don't be ridiculous! Besides that, he's involved with Makoto-san, isn't he?"

"You didn't answer my question~"

Naoto tugged at the brim of her cap, hoping to hide the bright red flush on her cheeks.

"T-That's not it! I'm not romantically inclined towards… that type."

Rise-san beamed at that, for some reason. Naoto couldn't help but feel baffled. She knew that Rise-san could be the clingy type, but she had never shown jealousy towards any of the other girls.

"Oh, good. A certain someone would be disappointed if that was your type," she said brightly.

Naoto managed to sputter out, "R-Rise-san! I'm just not interested in romantic entanglements right now!"

A devious glint glittered in her eyes.

"'Right now', huh?" she asked teasingly.

"R-Rise-san…!"


"I'm not tired, Uncle Ken!" Miyuki insisted with a pout. "I'm not a baby."

Ken just sighed to himself.

"I wish Yukari-san was here…" he lamented to himself.

"Kaito's sleeping, Miyuki," he explained.

Sometimes he marveled at how Yukari-san was able to get them to listen to her without even trying. Admittedly, the twins were listening to him more than the others. He really had to give his friends props for handling them relatively well.

Miyuki protested, "Well, he's younger than me!"

"By five minutes," Ken countered calmly.

"Still counts," she maintained.

Ken just laughed, shaking his head. "If you say so, Miyuki."

"It's true!" she insisted.

Ken gave her a stern look. "But even so, you need your rest. Using your… powers always tires you out."

Miyuki let out a dramatic sigh. "But why?"

"Oh no, we're not playing that game," Ken said flatly.

"But Uncle Keeeeeen…" she whined.

Ken sighed. "Okay, what do you want? A bedtime story? A song?"

Miyuki's eyes began to sparkle. "Oooh, a song? How about the song Auntie Makoto was humming while you were sleeping in her lap?!"

A strangled sound reached Ken's ears. It took a moment for Ken to realize that he had made that. Ken found his face growing as hot as a furnace. Miyuki was just so casual about it too.

"I er… don't know that?" Ken got out.

"Aww, that sucks." Miyuki then suddenly yawned; at least she was getting tired out now. "But Uncle Ken? Do you think Yu-san and everyone else misses Yosuke-san? Lots?"

"He's their good friend. Of course they do," Ken said automatically.

He knew that Yosuke-san was especially important to Yu-san. They were best friends after all, and well—partners. Ken didn't doubt that he was worried sick about Yosuke-san, even though he was trying his best to conceal it.

Miyuki found her lap suddenly fascinating as she fisted her skirt.

"W-Would it be bad if I kinda-maybe-sorta miss Mommy in a similar way?"

Oh.

Ken reached out, scooping her up and settling her in his lap.

He couldn't blame the little girl for this. He knew that Yukari-san had made this choice as her schedule would become incredibly hectic. But…

It was asking a lot of a child to rationalize it. Especially since Yukari-san was Miyuki's only parent.

"Miyuki…" Ken sighed before he began to stroke her hair.

Miyuki just sniffled before curling into his embrace.

"I-I know that she's working hard so she can be with me and Kaito full time but… it's not the same," she whimpered out. "I still want her…"

A little sob suddenly escaped her.

"D-Do you miss your mommy still, Uncle Ken?"

Ken just closed his eyes.

"I do, Miyuki," he said softly.

Sometimes he felt his mother's absence like an old ache. He was incredibly grateful about his friends, but he couldn't help but wish sometimes that Mom was still alive.

"I wish I could've met her," Miyuki mumbled out. "She sounds so nice."

Ken-san smiled sadly. "Me too.

Ken then reached into his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief. He gently wiped at Miyuki's eyes. Miyuki sniffled a couple times but otherwise was quiet.

Ken wished he knew what to say to comfort her… But then his mind suddenly swerved to Minako-san. There was… something off about her. But even so, she was extraordinarily similar to the girl Ken had known when he had first joined SEES. Maybe he needed to remind Miyuki that Yukari-san was here… somewhere.

"But you know that Minako-san mentioned everyone is here—somewhere," he said tentatively. "You'll see Yukari-san soon, I promise."

"Will she be the same though?" Miyuki questioned.

She then straightened up, before biting her lip.

"Auntie Mina… she's not the same. It almost… seems like something's too heavy on her shoulders… Like she has to carry your schoolbag for too long. She's smiling… but her eyes are so sad. I dunno if Mommy will be the same either then…"

Ken's eyes widened at that. He knew that Miyuki was a bright girl, almost precocious in her intelligence, but this was shrewd, even for Miyuki. Sometimes he wondered if it was genetic—that it ran in the Arisato family. Minako-san was rather perceptive as well, almost supernatural in the way that she was able to sense the right thing to say in order to cheer people up.

For several moments, he was speechless. But when he opened his mouth, to try and reassure her, Miyuki shook her head.

"You noticed it, didn't you, Uncle Ken?" she demanded. "Auntie Mina isn't the same! If that's true, then Mommy and everyone—they might not be the same. A-And Mommy wouldn't know Kaito and me…"

She broke off into sobs at that.

"Miyuki, it'll be okay," Ken-san soothed, rubbing circles into her back.

"B-But what if—what if… it's like what Akechi-san said? People don't usually like bastards… wouldn't that apply to the same. And if she doesn't know me and Kaito…"

Ken-san sighed. "That's not true, Miyuki. Yukari-san has always been a kind person. I don't know what it'll be like seeing everyone… but you don't have to worry. She would never hate you."

Yukari-san could be… short-tempered at times, but she had always adored children. He still remembered how kind she was to him when they had first met. She also had a tendency to hover over Ken, when he first joined SEES too. Back then, it had annoyed him but he understood now that she had only been just worried.

"Really?" Miyuki said in a small voice.

"Really," he confirmed.

However, he had really to nip her treatment of Akechi in the bud. As amusing as it was to watch the twins being unimpressed by Akechi, Ken couldn't help but feel a little bad at the same time.

"Though speaking of that… do you still hold a grudge against Akechi-san for what he said to Kaito?"

Miyuki made a frustrated sound. "He made Kaito cry! He doesn't cry… much! But Akechi-san did and 'cause of that he's a… a…"

Miyuki seemed to be struggling to find the right word.

"A pancakebutt!" she declared.

"I… see…"

Ken had to press his lips together, so that he wouldn't start laughing. Though, Miyuki sounding so earnest about it was making it very, very difficult.

She puffed out her cheeks, before insisting, "He is! He's flat-minded! Pancakes are flat!"

"Do you mean short-minded?"

"Same thing!"

Ken-san bit his cheek, so he wouldn't start laughing. He knew Miyuki well enough that she'd take offense if he laughed at this.

"Can you at least try to be nice to him?" he implored. "He apologized for what he did. And you do… give him a lot of grief."

"Ryuji-san isn't nice to him!"

Agh… Darn Ryuji for holding a grudge towards Akechi like this. This wasn't helping matters.

"Ryuji and Akechi-san have an—er, personality clash. B-But that doesn't mean that you should mimic Ryuji. You wanna say that you have more manners than him, right?"

"I suppose…"

Another yawn from Miyuki.

"I guess it wouldn't be a bad thing if I was a little nicer to him…"

Miyuki then snuggled closer to him.

"But Uncle Ken… you'll stay here, right?"

Ken smiled. "If that's what you want."


"Look at all of the dinos!"

Ken-san had to reach out, to restrain Kaito before the little boy could run toward the herd of dinosaurs.

"Kaito…" he began, a scolding tone to his voice.

Chie couldn't help but be curious if Ken-san needed some Bylenol. He was started to sound a little stressed.

Kaito pouted in response, making Haru-san and Anne-san giggle.

"Sorry, Uncle Ken," he said sheepishly.

"Though I have to wonder what was that presence Rise-chan sensed before," Chie couldn't help but comment.

She would seriously have to smack Yosuke for this. The search was stretching way longer than any of them had expected.

It was a small herd, though. Only six.

"Hmm…"

"Noir?" Ren-san asked, raising an eyebrow at the curly haired girl.

"These dinosaurs… don't they look like the ones we saw in the trailer? Before we even entered the movie?"

Anne-san gasped. "You're right!"

"That's a good eye, Noir," Makoto-san complimented.

"So… do we need to follow them?" Minako-san asked tentatively. "I'm a bit confused on what we have to do…"

"The trailer talked about a dissenting member of the group, if I recall correctly…" Yusuke-san mused.

"We need to change the ending, like we did with Kamoshidaman," Akechi-san stated.

"But how?!" Ryuji-san demanded.

But then his face scrunched up.

"Ugh, this is making my head hurt! I'm thinking too much!"

"Not that's hard, Skull," Morgana said with a smirk.

"Enough, children," Ken-san said dryly, rolling his eyes. "I have my hands full with the twins, I don't need to babysit you two already."

"You talk like you don't already, Ace," Futaba quipped.

"Like you don't get babysat by Ace too," Ren laughed.

"Wow, you're really like Uncle Shinji, Uncle Ken!" Miyuki exclaimed.

Ken-san's expression soured at that. "I'm not that bad."

Minako-san giggled. "Aw, that's cute though! Shinjiro-senpai does look out for everyone… even though he can be a total grump."

"See he's just like you, Ace!" Ren-san said with a cheeky smile.

"Ahem!" Naoto coughed. "Are you all done?"

Rise giggled as well. "Aw, let them have their fun, Naoto-kun! Futaba-chan and I are enjoying the show, I'll have you know!"

"We have popcorn too," Futaba chimed in.

Ken-san gave Futaba a withering stare, but she just grinned at him in response. Wow. Chie felt a little impressed. That was one annoyed stare, but Futaba seemed pretty immune.

"So we're suddenly a source of entertainment now…?" Akechi-san questioned.

"Glad to know that you've got it, Crow!" Futaba exclaimed.

"But we gotta keep an eye on 'em at least," Kanji interjected. "Though which one do you think is the one that sticks out? The one the herd was against?"

"Kanji-kun, shh!" Yukiko hushed him. "We really must be quiet especially if one of them comes this way!"

"Like that one!" Miyuki cried out, pointing at one of them.

"Wait a second…" Yu said slowly.

"Fresh grass is the best!" the dinosaur suddenly exclaimed, before dipping his head to happily munch on the grass.

Chie stared with wide eyes.

That dinosaur had…

"YOSUKE?!" Chie couldn't help but screech out.

"Oh my god!" Rise squeaked out; her apparition showed her two hands covering her mouth in shock. "What happened to Yosuke-senpai?!"

"That's your missing companion?!" Makoto-san gasped out.

"It must be, Queen," Ken-san said, though his voice turned… kinda flat.

Chie frowned at that, feeling a little confused at that. Ken-san's body language suddenly grew... stiff, for whatever reason.

Chie shook her head, pushing it out of her head. She was just imagining it.

"That can't be your missing buddy though!" Ryuji protested. "He's got a human body, right?!"

"Of course he does!" Chie shouted. "We'd mention if Yosuke had a dinosaur body! He's all human!"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down guys!" Ren-san admonished them. "There's gotta be an explanation."

"We didn't see a dinosaur that looked like Yosuke-san in that preview, though," Ken-san said.

Anne-san suddenly snapped her fingers. "Wait, didn't Nagi-san say something about Kamoshidaman though? Maybe it's the same!"

"But why Yosuke-senpai?!" Kanji demanded, before letting out a frustrated growl. "Dammit, this doesn't make any freakin' sense!"

"Yosuke noooo! Have you turned into a dinosaur during our time apart?!" Teddie wailed, as he fell to his knees.

"It's not Yosuke-kun, Teddie!" Yukiko insisted.

But Teddie ignored her.

"But no matter… I promise it won't get in the way of our friendship, I bear it!"

Despite the dramatic vow, Chie noticed Ren-san snickering to himself. Chie groaned to herself. Ugh. He had that sense of humor.

"Uhh… I dunno, he looks kinda happy here, Ted," Kanji commented.

"He is munching on grass pretty happily," Yu commented. "Perhaps I'll get him a head of cabbage next time…"

"Lettuce is better than cabbage, actually," Ren-san joked.

"Seriously, Joker?!" Morgana yelped.

"They're both gross," Kaito said with the disgust of a child who hated vegetables—Chie would know, she had been one of them.

"Ahhh, forget it! The Yosuke I know wouldn't become a vegetarian! He definitely loves meat!" Chie exclaimed.

"Isn't that you, Chie?" Yukiko asked in confusion.

"It applies to Yosuke too!"

"We're really getting nowhere," Naoto sighed.

"You're telling me," Ken-san grumbled.

"But I have to concur with Joker, however," Yusuke-san stated. "Cabbage just doesn't evoke the same grasslike imagery as lettuce does… And while delicious, if you buy a whole head of cabbage when it's on sale, it's difficult to finish before it spoils."

"Oh, Fox, if you ever need it, you could always ask me for lettuce! My greenhouse has plenty!" Haru-san said cheerfully.

"Umm... should that really be discussed right now?" Makoto-san asked.

"But I feel Adachi-san has the same issue…" Yu mused, stroking his chin.

"A-Anyhow!" Naoto interjected, holding up a hand. She then began to stroke her chin, her expression growing thoughtful. "Back to the matter at hand… Given the similarities to Yosuke-senpai, it would be foolish to conclude that they are not correlated at all."

"If only we could speak to the dinosaur…" Akechi-san sighed.

"Oh, if only Aigis was here!" Minako-san sighed. "She can talk to dogs, you know. I betcha dinos would be easy for her too!"

"Well, we do have Mona…" Ryuji-san said with a sly smile.

"H-Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Morgana demanded.

"Hey, hey, enough bickering!" Anne-san scolded.

"But we could understand him before," Haru-san pointed out. "I'm sure he'll be able to understand us then."

"I'll give it a shot then," Ren-san announced.

But before he could make a move, there was a loud crash paired with heavy footsteps. The dinosaur herd looked up in panic.

"Predators!" one shouted. "Run for it!"

The herd sped out of there, but the Yosuke-dino looked up in panic. He started to run too, only to trip over his own feet.

…Okay, yeah the similarities to Yosuke were starting to get creepy. A pit settled in Chie's stomach as she stared at the dino.

"Yosuke, what the heck happened to you?" she thought to herself as a sense of dread swept through her.

"That was a total Yosuke-senpai move," Rise commented, as if she read Chie's mind.

"H-Hey, look at the other dinos!" Miyuki cried out.

"They're just leaving him?!" Kaito's hands balled into fists as he scowled at the retreating dinosaurs.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Ren barked out. "We'll defend him then since his so-called companions won't!"

"Roger that, Joker!" they chorused.


With their numbers, it was too easy to beat the incoming enemies. Ren couldn't help but feel relieved. The dinosaur had been understandably confused but at least he listened. But Ren couldn't help but feel baffled… why did this dinosaur look like this Yosuke guy?

"I-I've been saved… Thank you so much, all of you!"

The dinosaur then bowed his head in thanks.

"There's nothing to thank," Haru said firmly, giving him a kind smile.

"That was a close one. Are you hurt anywhere else besides your leg?" Yu asked in concern.

"Nope—all good and my leg's fine now, partner!" he replied, but for some reason it made Yu smile.

"Ah, he called Yu-kun partner!" Yukiko exclaimed.

Wait, was he missing something?

"Is he Yosuke then?" Chie questioned.

"Well, his silly face and vibe definitely scream 'Yosuke'…" Teddie mused. "But on the other paw, something about him just seems off…"

"W-Why are you all staring at me? Is there something on my face?" the dinosaur asked, looking a bit nervous at the staring. "Y'know, I've never actually seen anyone like you all before! Are you all some new type of small dinosaurs?"

He then pointed at the twins.

"I mean, you even have a pair of babies with you!"

"We're not babies!" Kaito exclaimed, sounding outraged at that. "We're six!"

In response, Ken just sighed. Ren couldn't help but snicker. At least even Ken had problems with reining them in.

"Of course we ain't dinosaurs!" Ryuji snapped.

"Yes… we're humans," Makoto stated.

The dinosaur's eyes just about popped out of his head.

"HUMAN!? Like the ones that made us, then up and disappeared?"

"That's most likely the scenario within this movie… but I supposed you wouldn't understand that. In any case, we're different from your human creators," Akechi stated.

Ren fought the urge to roll his eyes. Ugh. He sounded so pompous right now.

"We're here looking for our friend… Have you seen him anywhere? His face… um… looks exactly like yours," Yukiko said, trailing off for a moment.

Though Ren couldn't blame her. Just how would you explain this.

"Exactly like mine?" He shook his head, his eyes filled with incredulity. "But I'm not human—I'm a dinosaur!"

Kanji scratched the back of his head. "Look, we don't really get it either, but you two have the same face. So, have you seen 'im around?"

"Nope, I sure haven't… I think."

Ren couldn't help but scowl as he noticed the herd of herbivores slink back like the cowards they were.

"Hey, everyone—it's safe now," said the sulky looking herbivore—who appeared to be the leader.

"Really? Are they all gone?" asked another.

The last herbivore wrung their hands… paws? Okay, this was seriously weird.

"I think so… At least, it seems safe now…"

"Oh, everyone's back!" The Yosuke-dinosaur's face lit up. "I'll try asking them about your missing human friend."

"You still think of them as your friends?!" Anne demanded, her eyes burning with anger. "They just ran off and ditched you! They're nothing but fair weather friends!"

"Panther's right! Aren't you at all upset with them?" Morgana asked with a frown.

He shrugged. "Not really—I mean, it's kinda my fault for falling behind… If everyone else can survive, there's nothing else I can do. But since they've all come back, I'd feel more comfortable sticking with them, anyway."

"That's...!" Makoto gasped, but she grew silent as Ken rested a hand on her arm.

Ken didn't look happy though, given how his lips were all but a thin line right now.

"Oh, I see…" Haru bit her lip.

Ren's blood began to boil. He couldn't help but think of his so-called friends back at his hometown. They had dropped him like a hot potato the moment he got arrested. Ren's hand clenched into a fist before he had even realized it.

He knew that he had found friends far better, but... it still pissed him off.

Then he suddenly felt a gentle hand on his clenched fist. He glanced to see that it was Anne, giving him a worried look. Ren slowly drew a deep breath. He couldn't let his bitterness about the past affect him so much... He had to cool it.

Fortunately, he was distracted by Yu-san speaking.

"I can't believe that he still wants to be with them after what they did…" Yu-san sighed.

"Thanks for helping and worrying about me, though. Well, I'll go ask them now!"

The dinosaur seemed oblivious to their disappointment.

Chie sighed. "A Yosuke-lookalike dinosaur, huh… I guess he wasn't the real deal."

Chie just hung her head in disappointment.

Yukiko shook her head. "This is getting confusing… He doesn't seem to be Yosuke-kun, so why don't we name his species?"

"Name the species? Oh, you mean like some whatever-saurus kind of name?" Chie asked.

Yu stroked his chin. "Hm, you've a point, Yukiko. If we gave him a name then it won't be so confusing for us."

Teddie bounced up and down, waving his paw as his eyes practically glowed with excitement.

"Ooh! Let me, Sensei! I think 'Junesaurus' sounds quite majestic!"

"That's a ridiculous name, Teddie," Yukiko said bluntly.

"Aww…"

Ren couldn't help but smile. It kinda reminded him of when they had to come up with a codename for new members.

"Whenever I think about Yosuke-kun, 'the Prince of Disappointment' comes to mind, so… Disappointmentsaurus?" Yukiko suggested.

"Ouch." Ryuji winced.

"Yukiko-san is… rather blunt, wouldn't you say?" Yusuke asked with a wince.

"Yukiko-san also might be able to hear you," Ken said dryly, his voice noticeably lower than Ryuji and Yusuke's.

They just gave him sheepish smiles in response.

Miyuki pouted. "That's wayyy too long, Yukiko-san! How about "Partnersaurus"?"

Yu shook his head. "He may be my partner, but that doesn't apply to everyone."

Chie's eyes lit up. "Oh I know! Why don't we simplify it and just call him "Yosukesaurus"?"

"Ooh, Yosukesaurus!" Teddie nodded. "We get to name a newly-discovered species!"

Anne mused, "Yosukesaurus, huh? I guess it sounds better than the three previous names."

Akechi stroked his chin. "Actually, I don't believe he's part of a new species—shouldn't he only be considered a special case in this movie?"

"It is true that his body is the same as the other herbivores," Minako commented.

"Oh, do you mean like what happened with Kamoshidaman, Crow?" Haru asked.

"Huh? What're you guys talkin' about?" Kanji asked.

Makoto began to explain. "This phenomenon occurred in the previous movie as well… For some reason, a character in it had been replaced with a person that look like someone we know."

"So, the dinosaur with Yosuke-senpai's face didn't originally look like this…" Naoto commented.

"I assume the dinosaur changed because you entered the film," Ken stated.

"Wait... doesn't that mean this would apply in a movie with my friends?" Minako-san gasped.

Yusuke nodded. "I would assume so. We'll do our best to rescue them, after we change this movie, Minako-san. Do not fret."

Minako-san hung her head. "I'm sorry."

"Oh don't apologize!" Haru chimed in. "I know you're just worried sick about your friends."

Minako-san smiled half-heartedly. "Thanks, Noir."

Yu cleared his throat. "That would explain on how and why the dinosaur had his face."

Yosukesaurus suddenly darted over to them.

"Heeeey! I asked everyone else and I got a firsthand account of someone who fit your description!"

"Is that so?" Naoto asked.

"That's great news!" Rise said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, that idiot's worried us enough!" Chie exclaimed.

Then Yosukesaurus's face fell.

"But… He was super quick. They lost sight of him right after they spotted him. According to one of them, he didn't seem to be injured, or anything like that."

"I see… I'm glad to hear it either way Well, sounds like he's safe," Yu-san sighed.

"Yeah, I'm glad that he wasn't clumsy and tripped into a pit and broke his neck," Yukiko stated, serene as always.

Ren couldn't help but stare. Uh… that was kinda morbid.

"Thanks for asking, Yosukesaurus!" Chie said cheerfully.

"Huh? Yosukesaurus?" he echoed.

"That's the name that they think up and decided to call you. What do you think?" Yu-san asked.

"I like it. It sounds cool! Nobody's ever called me by a name before!" Yosukesaurus said, looking ridiculously happy.

Naoto frowned. "Well, we still need to find your namesake…"

"Then, why don't all of you come with us?" Yosukesaurus offered. "We're looking for paradise."

"Paradise? What do you mean by that?" Minako asked.

He explained, "Apparently, there's a place far from here with no carnivores that's supposed to be a paradise for us! Looks like the human you're looking for went in the same direction that we're heading too."

"A place of peace and repose, with no carnivores… That was mentioned in the movie's trailer if I recall correctly," Akechi mused, resting his hand on his chin once more.

"Hmm… If we follow them, we may eventually be able to change the movie's ending," Ken said thoughtfully.

"If that's okay, we'd love to come with you," Yu told Yosukesaurus.

"Really? Well, glad to have you and your friends coming with us, partner!" Yosukesaurus beamed at them all.

"Even though I know he's just a Yosuke copy, he's so similar to the guy that it's kinda freakin' me out!" Chie said, wide-eyed.

Ren shook his head.

A dino-version of this Yosuke guy. He really wasn't expecting that if he was being honest. Kamoshidaman was a lot less weirder than this, in Ren's opinion.

"You'll have to get to used to it," Morgana stated. "But come on, we can't stay behind."


Yes, I know it's been quite some time. But I hit some major writer's block. I think it's because of the varying tones between this fic and the main fic. Plus there's how I've been quite stumped on how to handle the Junessic Park arc.

But! I've finally updated! I will be still prioritizing the main fic, but I will be working on this on the side. I hope this chapter was worth the wait!