Chapter 3

"Do what you will, but your world's erosion cannot be stopped."

Choking fog, darkness, ripping flesh...

"You played your part well..."

Suffocation, blindness, utterly useless...

"This is your cruel reality."

Friends being pulled into the void...

A thousand hands clawing...

"This is the voice of all of humanity."

First, Yu felt his head catch the nightstand on the way down before his back hit the hardwood; then, he felt the cold sweat and shakes that came with a night terror; next was the inability to distinguish the dream from the reality of him being safe in his bedroom; and lastly, the pain of the fall.

"Dammit," he muttered, reaching up and grabbing frantically for his phone.

He could barely keep a grip on the device once he managed to find it, and tried to focus his eyes on the time displayed. 2:55 AM. The light intensified the dull headache he was beginning to develop, courtesy of the table. He gripped the side of said table and tried to pull himself up, weakened by his current mental state. The dreams were generally vague and mostly images, but this one was more vivid than anything he'd experienced thus far. Ameno-Sagiri and Izanami were gone—he knew this—but unfortunately the memories were not.

He used the wall to keep his balance and walked towards the kitchen, his mind focusing on basic needs. The abstract could wait. After what seemed like the longest walk down a hallway of his life—and he'd navigated many in the TV—he arrived at the counter and opened cabinet after cabinet trying to remember where the glasses were located. After finding one, his hands continued to shake as he turned on the faucet and filled the cup, water missing at times and going down the sides. His right hand, now wet from his lack of steadiness, lifted to his lips and he practically downed the glass in one gulp. He set the cup back on the counter, ignoring his normal habit of immediately cleaning a dish, he stumbled to the dining table and took a seat. Still holding the phone in his dry hand, he rested his forehead on his right hand to keep his head elevated, unable to differentiate water from sweat.

He had never told the others about his nightmares, nor had they mentioned any of their own. Tonight he needed someone, he couldn't calm himself and he was worried that he was suffering from a chronic side effect of being in the TV for too long. He'd seen things and people that weren't there, heard noises that were so alien and out of place, and would sometimes feel something touch him that wasn't there. Rarely he'd wake up and the apartment would be completely unrecognizable; the shadows on the walls would be stretching out over him, and he'd be unable to catch his breath. Although it lasted a brief time, it would stick with him for days and his paranoia wouldn't diminish. Some fearless leader he was; but how could anyone see and accomplish what they had and walk away without a couple scars?

He opened his phone and selected the inbox, and after finding Yosuke's name, he hit reply to a random message.

u up

There was no proper sentence structure, and really he still wasn't even certain that he was no longer dreaming. It'd been two days since they'd last talked, and Yu needed to hear Yosuke telling him that this wasn't some hallucination and he was okay—that everything would be okay.

The phone rang a minute later.

"Yu, what's wrong?" Yosuke sounded panicked.

Yu was silent, not realizing at first that he would have to talk to help Yosuke understand the situation.

"Yu, what's going on? Answer me." He was trying to sound demanding while being quiet.

"Yosuke," Yu managed a word, trying to assimilate his thoughts into coherency.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Sorry... just..." He needed to pull himself together for just a moment. "It's going to sound ridiculous when I explain it... but I really need you right now."

Yosuke was quiet for a moment before answering, "Dude, of course you can talk to me, but you sound like shit. What the hell happened?"

Step one, ask about dreams.

"Do you ever have... nightmares? Not the typical kind, but now that we've stopped going into the TV... Do you ever remember things? As vividly as though it were happening again at that exact moment?" The shaking was starting to calm down.

Yosuke had clearly been woken up by the phone so Yu gave him a moment to try and think about his question.

"I dunno, I guess? Nothing that feels too real and nothing that messes me up like you are right now. Mostly just clips of the different battles, or when we defeated people's Shadows. What was the dream about?"

"Ameno-Sagiri and Izanami. It was about the end of their battles and what happened to us," Yus answered, his voice starting to tremble.

"Hey, partner, it's alright, it's over, we defeated them," Yosuke's tone was soft and comforting as he replied, "There's nothing to be scared of anymore. We all made sure of that."

Yu closed his eyes tightly, feeling them start to burn. Why was he acting like a coward? He valued logic and tried to live by it, but why couldn't he use it here? Why was it so difficult to be strong with Yosuke?

"Yeah... Yeah, you're right. Like I said, it's ridiculous." He knew there was no hiding his feelings from Yosuke; he was going to be called out on it.

"Yu, what's really going on with you, no bull shit," Yosuke insisted, more sternly now.

There was another long pause before Yu finally responded, "I feel like my mind is... deteriorating. I'm beginning to hallucinate and it's terrifying me. Who do you talk to about what we've done? There's no degree out there that would make someone qualified to talk to any of us. We'll be dismissed as kids who are trying to draw attention to ourselves, or be labeled as clinically insane. Honestly, I am beginning to think I can safely be classified as the latter." He finally opened his eyes and stared vacantly at the table, feeling like he needed to gasp for air.

Yosuke waited for Yu's breathing to even out before speaking, "I had no idea you were going through this... Don't keep this stuff from me. You can't suffer through this alone, Yu. I don't know how to help, but I want to try. I mean, you're right, there isn't anyone out there who would even believe us outside the dozen or so people that know the truth. We have to rely on each other though, and I don't mind sharing this burden with you, dude. I know me saying this can't exactly take away the stuff you're dealing with, but anytime you start to feel like it's starting up, call me. I don't care what time it is, where I am, or where you're at. A few minutes on the phone could really help you, or at least you won't be alone." Yosuke's voice changed from a reassuring one to a more frustrated one, "Dammit, this is why it's hard to be separated. We had no time to see how this crap was going to impact us."

"I can't do this myself Yosuke; I've tried and clearly failed... I need you." Yu abstained from thinking about what was socially acceptable to say to his best friend, he didn't have the energy to filter his words tonight.

There was a noise of Yosuke fumbling with something in the background and now Yosuke was stammering somewhat, "H-hey it's cool, we can get through this stuff together!"

"I'm serious, Yosuke. I can't." Yu felt annoyed, but he knew he couldn't be upset with Yosuke for not being able to give him what he needed.

Yosuke calmed down and spoke humorlessly, "I know, I am too."

If Yu had been feeling normal, he'd have blushed at that comment and the way Yosuke's voice had deepened when he'd responded, but tonight it was enough to help him imagine their relationship wasn't just that of friendship. The lie helped him compose himself.

"Thanks, I know I can depend on you." Yu felt a small smile form.

"Of course, we're partners. Distance doesn't change anything." Yosuke had turned back into his usual self.

"No matter what, right? Nothing can change that?" Yu frowned now, knowing he couldn't keep silent about his feelings forever.

"No way. We've been through hell and back together! You've seen me at my worst, in a way that there was no way I could lie or hide. It's only right I help you deal with all your problems. I don't think you can scare me off." He meant the end as a joke to cheer Yu up, but Yu understood that Yosuke had no idea what the context was of Yu's original question.

"Thank you," Yu's voice hitched as he replied.

"Yeah, it's fine. Don't act so formal about it, we're best friends." Yosuke maintained his casual demeanor even though Yu knew he had to be terrified.

"I think we need to try and get a few hours of sleep before school. I'll text you in the morning." Yu straightened himself up and stretched, not wanting to keep Yosuke any longer out of guilt.

"I guess you're right. Well, try to get some rest, dude." Yosuke paused, "Safe dreams."

Yu couldn't hold back the smile. "You too."

They ended the call and Yu felt like he was mostly sane again. The dim apartment looked more familiar than before, and there was an urge to wash the glass he'd dirtied. That was justification enough for him.

After he'd cleaned up his mess, he got back into bed and looked up at the ceiling. A few minutes later, he turned to glance at his desk, his dresser, his book shelf—everything that furnished his room. It was all foreign to him and it made him uneasy; not because of the lack of a TV, or how empty the room itself really was, but because this wasn't Inaba. This wasn't home. There was no Nanako to bid him good night, no take-out food to eat when Dojima actually came home, no more study sessions or secret meetings, no awkward or hilarious situations, no more parties or get-togethers, no friends...

The tears finally formed, but Yu surrendered this and closed his eyes.

And no you.

School was still a complete hell, but that was no surprise seeing as how the "Rise Incident" had happened only three days prior. However, Yu had hoped that the school would move on to something more interesting. His teachers stared him down daily and constantly called on him to answer a question in class, the principal had a meeting with him at the end of every day, he was assigned extra duties to keep him busy after school and his schoolmates bothered him relentlessly. He could no longer be invisible, and he was no longer the mysterious figure many of them were curious about.

He was a troublemaker for the school.

His mother had been contacted, which had enraged her and almost ended in him getting kicked out based on her words towards the principal. Apparently the school didn't want to have several of their students and faculty get interviewed by various gossip news networks, and that was exactly what had happened. Yu knew that it didn't reflect well on the school's reputation, but he didn't feel like he should be reprimanded for simply seeing his friend. It wasn't his fault that the media tried to exploit the school.

When the last bell finally sounded, he decided that he would try to avoid the teacher and principal today. The teen took advantage of his teacher having a meeting with another student and exited the opposite door that he normally did. He quickly went down the stairs and slipped out a side door versus the main entrance. Hopefully today he would be free of their meddling.

Thankfully, he made it home without incident and his mother had texted him earlier saying she wouldn't be home that night either. Two days he'd been free of her constant complaining and questioning. He opened the mailbox before entering the apartment and stared at an envelope with his name and turned it over to see no return address. It certainly wasn't from Naoto or Kanji. Nanako? No, Dojima would have made her put their address. His mind flashed back to the threatening letters he'd received while in Inaba.

...

Adachi?

No, that wasn't likely. He tucked it in his bag and unlocked the door, trying to figure out who might have sent it.

After changing into casual clothes and preparing himself some tea, he took the letter to his room. It felt like there was a small object in the envelope which made him wary, but he opened it as he did all other letters. Once he saw the handwriting his jaw dropped slightly; he knew only one person the barely legible scrawl could belong to.

Hey partner!

Feels weird writing a letter. I normally just text or whatever. I haven't done this since I was a kid. Anyway, Naoto and Kanji said something about you liking the things so I figured I'd give it a shot. What do you even write in these things? I remember when we were kids we'd write our parents a letter, but it was crap like what you did at school that day or what you wanted to be when you grew up. By the way, I did nothing at school today besides try to stay awake and I still want to be the King of Junes when I grow up. I'm tired of this Prince of Junes title, dammit. I deserve respect! That's a joke obviously. You know I'm hilarious. In all seriousness, I never want to see another Junes after I graduate. Do you ever get tired of my bitching? I wouldn't like me if I knew me, I'd get annoyed. I hope this letter is gonna make sense, cause I didn't sleep at all and so now I'm just running off hopes and dreams.

Since I have no idea what to write about I am gonna talk about all the random things I have been thinking about recently or stuff that's happened until I think of something interesting (Which probably won't happen).

I've been thinking about cutting my hair, dunno if I am gonna go through with it though. I don't know about dyeing my hair anymore either, one day I'll show you an old picture so you can see my natural color. It's crazy that your hair is just that color naturally. Your family has got some weird genes. Kanji is gonna stop dyeing his hair, which is gonna look weird if you ask me, and Chie is growing her hair out. When you come by during Golden Week you probably won't even notice. Kanji is wearing glasses now and trying to dress like a less intimidating person, I guess? Naoto even wore a skirt the other day which was insane (pretty sure Chie and Yukiko had something to do with it), but everyone kept covering my mouth every time I would try to talk. Seriously, I do not have a one track mind. I wish you were there to defend me since you're the only one that does. Random, but Chie and Kou are dating, I think anyway, cause they haven't made it official or anything, but everyone knows it. I don't think Kanji will ever work up the nerve to ask Naoto.

Enough of the gossip, let's talk about 'the bear'. He comes by pretty often now, and is still the same mess he always was. He'll help out at Junes a few times a week, and will generally follow me home after that. When he actually stays over at my place, he constantly whines about missing you and uses your name when we play a game. Sorry if he's ruined your username. He says the TV world is clear and still beautiful, but it sucks that we can't visit it. Maybe if you were here we could, but the risk is too high without you. I miss using our Personas and battling, but obviously not the murders and stuff. Apparently I'm just drawn to a life of danger!

Speaking of battles, if you check the envelope, I sent you a flash drive. I remembered you'd always want to know what I was listening to when we went in the TV. Well now you can! I am not sure what you are expecting, but don't judge me when you actually hear it. I changed the lists all the time, so I just saved them the same way I did back in the day.

Well, I think I've run out of things to say, or at least I can't keep my eyes open, so I am gonna end it here. I'm looking forward to Golden Week and you should stay with me a few days while you're here! See ya partner!

-Yosuke

PS: I made eggs the other day the way you showed me and they actually tasted decent! I only regret that I didn't take a picture to prove it!

And that was it. That simple, little letter was probably most amazing thing Yu could have received. He sat down and read it over and over, studying Yosuke's words and how he'd actually written them. The ink was lighter where Yosuke had suggested Yu stay with him, but that was probably due to him thinking Yu would feel obligated. He'd stay with Yosuke all of Golden Week if he could. At least he wouldn't have to share at night, and he could probably convince Teddie to give them some space. Maybe he'd work up the courage to tell Yosuke the truth. Thinking about Yosuke romantically didn't embarrass Yu, but he couldn't imagine his best friend being very open to any displays of affection on the nearly impossible chance he did accept Yu. It was a nice thought— definitely farfetched, but nice.

What intrigued Yu the most was still in the envelope. He pulled the flash drive out and booted up his computer, turning the drive over in his hand. It was orange—of course—and had Yosuke's faded name written on it. Was he supposed to send this back? He'd ask later.

"What the..." Yu looked at the list of songs after the drive had loaded.

There were folders of soundtracks from American movies and songs that were mostly all in English. Yu plugged in his headphones and set all the songs to a single playlist, curious as to what he was about to experience. The teen opened his browser and searched the different soundtracks to find most of them belonged to cop or detective films.

He took a moment to grab his phone and opened a message to Yosuke, a mischievous smile creeping across his face.

Well, that explains why I'm your 'partner'. Did you imagine us sitting in a police vehicle, too?

He tried to imagine Yosuke's face when he read that message and laughed quietly. It was incredible though to listen to the lists he'd made for each area they'd fought in. Yu could actually tell which playlist fit which location without looking at the folder title, and Yosuke really seemed to have a knack for this. He opened the drawer to his right and lifted a dusty MP3 player out. He'd received it for some holiday two years ago and had never used it, but he didn't really have any time to find music before. When he was in Inaba, Yosuke was constantly having him listen to different types of music, and although Yu didn't really like the more fast paced music, he did find genres he preferred. As usual, his parents had gotten him the best model available, but he was sure even this was dated by now; however, the storage seemed to be more than enough for the literal hundreds of songs Yosuke had sent him, though. He heard Yosuke's notification tone.

omg you opened it and read it. geez. were you at least surprised?

Yu laughed again and replied.

I certainly was, and thank you. I didn't tell you because I didn't think it would be something you would be interested in. I'll have to write you back.

don't be all serious with your letters alright? i'm already intimidated enough when i text you.

There's no need to feel that way. I love texting you. :)

ughhhh don't talk like that. i dunno what to say haha.

Yu was happy they'd started texting every day, and his other friends had actually gotten into the habit as well now that school had reached a manageable pace. He continued to text Yosuke and listen to music for a while, but after a period of random conversation Yosuke changed the subject.

so anything happen today? i mean do you feel ok?

I do, and today was fine besides school, obviously. The dream seemed to be a pretty isolated incident, but I hope that it wasn't a precursor for something worse.

i dunno, but hopefully we can keep this in check for you. i'll let you know if the others complain about something, but i won't mention anything about you.

Thank you again, I hope it will subside eventually. Maybe this is just due to the fact that it's still fresh in my mind. I don't mean it's something like PTSD, but it impacted me significantly. I like to think I'm a pretty resilient person, so I'm favoring the idea that it had more to do with the fog and the different situations we encountered.

yeah, but you had some crazy stuff happen to you that we didn't.

Yu remembered the fight with Ameno-Sagiri and Izanami and what Yosuke had done for him.

I'd most certainly be dead without you, Yosuke.

huh?

You were the one who rescued me when Ameno-Sagiri was absorbing me (or whatever that was), and you sacrificed yourself for me on more than one occasion. When Izanami tried to kill me, you saved me and gave me strength to realize my full potential. I think about the hypothetical often... What would have happened if I had never met you? What if you hadn't crashed that day? What if I had walked right past you? What if you didn't sit behind me in class or if I was in a completely different class? What if I never came to Inaba?

dude this is getting heavy. i had to protect you, you're our leader and more importantly my best friend. i couldn't let you down. we would all be dead if you weren't around, and don't think about all that other stuff. what matters is you came to inaba and we all met and we're all friends now. we solved an impossible murder case! how many people get to say that?

You're right, it doesn't matter what could have been. One day I want to tell you about my life before Inaba; I've never really talked about my past.

i know and it's about time. i was always the one talking.

My story isn't very interesting.

don't care, wanna know.

Alright, during Golden Week we can talk, if I am permitted to go.

no no no we are not talking like that again.

Fair enough. I'm going to make dinner and finish up some homework. You should do the same.

alright, alright. text you later!

Sounds good, partner.

ass. :p

While Yu made dinner he thought back on what Yosuke had mentioned in his letter and what he already knew. Kanji trying to change, Chie actually dating someone, Rise was on her tour, Yukiko had accepted taking care of the inn, Naoto was becoming comfortable with herself and career and Teddie had an entire world to care for. It was nice to hear about his friends moving on with their lives. What was he doing though? Stagnating in this miserable city. He had so many opportunities here, but he wasn't interested in them. He wanted Inaba and the familiarity of it. At his age he knew that this wasn't reasonable and he should be much more focused on college and starting his life as an adult, but before Inaba, he had nothing to compare.

When he thought about before, he had standard acquaintances, but no real friends, and it wasn't like he had time to form any bonds considering how much they moved. When he'd gone to Inaba, he hadn't felt bothered or annoyed; it was just another move. He hadn't felt anything before his year there. School work, house work, and cooking comprised most of his time—a daily routine with little variation. Also, he had no hobbies to speak of and limited social skills, but after he'd met the others and different people in town, he'd finally started to shape his identity. Unfortunately for him, it happened when he was at a crucial point in his life. He felt a strong connection with his core group above all the others he'd met, but Yosuke had been the one to open him up. He truly was Yu's other half, and whatever Yu lacked, he made up for it. Yosuke spoke his mind—generally before thinking, but he let others know exactly where they stood. When Yu was reluctant about a choice or wanted to avoid confrontation, Yosuke would practically force him to act.

Yu sat at the table with his meal and made his decision. During Golden Week he would have to tell Yosuke about how he felt; he couldn't keep this from Yosuke, unrequited or not. He'd talk to his mother once she arrived home tomorrow and force her hand, somehow. He needed to clear his head and stop this turmoil he felt, and the only way he knew was to tell Yosuke. Yosuke would reject him and then Yu could focus on college and the rest of his life. He was certain they would maintain their friendship, but hopefully his confession wouldn't strain their relationship. With a bit of luck, Yu's courage and determination would remain during the coming weeks, but he didn't think rehearsing and imagining different situations would help him in this time. Perhaps he'd contact Naoto soon and ask her for an opinion on the matter. However, for now, he had homework and life wasn't going to suspend itself for him.

The night before and the school day had passed relatively peacefully, and Yu escaped in the same fashion he'd done the previous day. His mother would be home that night and they were going to have the final conversation. His studies were more than fine, and there was no plan they'd mentioned to Yu, so she would be out of excuses.

Surprisingly, when Yu got home she was there, looking exhausted and moody. He didn't like the idea of bringing up the subject when she clearly needed rest, but time was running out and he couldn't put this off any longer.

"Welcome home. Our boss went home early, so I ran away as soon as I could," she greeted him and laughed tiredly.

"I would do the same." Yu was still gathering his wits, because as calm as he appeared during an altercation, he still had to mentally prepare. His response was to shut down and feel nothing, but then he came off as cold and distant; he wanted to appear empathetic, but he just hadn't mastered that quite yet.

"You look like you've had quite the day. What's on your mind?" She patted the seat next to her in typical fashion.

There was only one problem with his new method; by allowing emotions to affect him, he also experienced more of the side effects from the TV. It hadn't happened over night, but as the weeks passed it grew to be more and more noticeable. His stomach turned as he saw the TV across from them flicker on and off, but he knew that it hadn't really happened. He saw a yellow tint to the room, but he knew nothing was there. He had to get himself under control.

"I wanted to discuss Golden Week," he started, and she shifted uncomfortably. "My studies are fine, and my friends are really excited at the prospect of seeing me again. Nanako is definitely expecting me."

His mother's expression changed to an unreadable one. "Yu, I am still not sure about it."

"I need to prepare and I'm out of time." He needed to be assertive, but remain polite.

"I am aware. However, right now it's looking like you're staying here. Why do you need to go back so soon?" She now sounded aggravated.

He knew he couldn't let his frustration show. This was going to be a war he'd need to win with strategy. "They are my friends and family, and I don't live with them the way I do with you and Father. I will rarely see them besides during breaks, and this is our last year before college. I want to experience as much as I can before I have to focus completely on my studies and other responsibilities."

"What if your father and I—who are your most immediate family—wanted to go somewhere with you since it's your last year?" she almost snapped at him.

"We have never taken a vacation together," Yu countered. He wasn't going to let her use guilt.

"Maybe this is the last year we will get to break the tradition." It became more and more clear she was bothered by Inaba.

"But you have nothing planned, and I see no reason why I can't go for Golden Week." Yu needed her to explain her with facts, and so far she'd given him practically nothing.

"Yu, I don't need a reason."

There it was.

His face changed from expressionless to offended. "Mother, why are you acting this way? I know care about me, but you have never taken this much of an interest in me before, so why now?" He'd known she was different when he'd returned from Inaba, and this was affirmation.

"You are my child and I will treat you as such. You are being inconsiderate towards my wishes and your father's wishes," she replied in a tone of someone who was out of excuses and was relying on authority.

"Why are you dodging my questions?" Yu wasn't going to let this go; he'd let her rule too many things about his life.

During the conversation, the room was beginning to look foggier and the lights were beginning to dim. To his horror a new symptom presented itself, and he felt his fingers tingle and a cold chill go through him.

"What is so special about Inaba? Do you favor the people there more than your own parents? Is Dojima your new father? You were there a year Yu, and what did they provide more for you than your parents? Friendships come and go, but your father and I will always be here."

Yu felt an anger in him that he'd never felt before. It wasn't a rage you'd feel towards anyone but a parent; it was a sense of rejection and misunderstanding that you only get from a guardian figure. He'd never disrespected his mother, but at this moment she was a woman who was a stranger in an apartment that he'd spent more time in than she had.

The battle of remaining calm was instantly lost, and all the pent up fury burst from within him. The anger released also caused the apartment's fog to grow a little thicker, and his hands and feet went numb.

"What do you know about Inaba? You never once asked me a single question about what I experienced there, and took almost zero interest in actually reaching out to me. You and father have provided all my needs, but a child needs a parent. I want you to be a part of my life, but understand that I am no longer a small child. My needs and wants have changed.

"As for my friends, those bonds will never break, and we went through more together than most people do in a lifetime. It hurts that you trust me so little to think I'd pick friends who were so shallow, or that I'd be such a poor judge of character. Those people helped shape me into a more caring and well-rounded individual.

"I respect you and love you both a great deal, but if you want to do something for me, please let me see my friends. Just because I want to split my time between here and Inaba does not mean that I want to dismiss the two of you. I want to share time with all of those I love." Yu felt the fury subsiding as he talked, and looked at his mother who was crying silently. The apartment was slowly starting to transform to its original state. "I'm sorry that I'm just now conveying how I feel... I know that you've been trying to approach me and learn about me, but I also don't know how to approach you. Even if this is my last year before college, I do want to form a better relationship with you. Please try to understand I don't mean to be disrespectful, this is just who I am as your son."

She didn't respond for quite some time and merely cried, but Yu knew that the tears were genuine and not a tactic being used against him. Strangely, seeing her tears was clearing the hallucinations.

She was still softly crying when she finally responded, "I'm sorry Yu. That was very childish of me and unfair to you. I just felt so guilty when I had to send you away, and when you came back... you looked so sad to be returning home to us. I understand this isn't home for you, but it still hurts to face that." She smiled sadly before continuing, "I want you to be happy because I know we didn't provide that for you during your life. We could buy you everything you wanted, but you can't buy real emotional ties to people."

"I don't resent you, and I am sorry if I came off as harsh. This is very important to me, and I want to help you understand me. I'm still your child, and I never forgot that." Yu rested a hand on his mother's shoulder, and was pleased the feeling had returned to it.

"No, you were right. My biggest regret is not having been more of a motherly figure for you. When you came back, I wanted to try and be more of a mom to you, but it was too late and you're all grown up now. You take care of me." She looked up at him with a trembling smile. "You can go to Inaba for Golden Week, and any other break you'd like. I'm sorry."

"Thank you, but I feel you were and are an excellent mother." He returned her weak smile and stood up. "I'm going to make dinner. Want me to choose?"

She laughed loudly and nodded, seeming pleased that Yu finished the conversation the way he did. "That sounds great."

Yu also nodded and started to make his way through the kitchen, his body feeling completely normal again.

"And Yu?"

"Hmm?" he responded without looking.

"I hope that you will be able to tell him how you feel. Yosuke seems sweet."

There was a rather severe noise as all the dishes and utensils Yu had been balancing fell to the floor.

He turned sharply and stared at her in disbelief. "Wh-what!?" It was the loudest Yu had been in a long time.

She laughed and leaned over to look at him. "We may not be as close as I would like, but I am still your mother. I do know some things."

Yu couldn't believe how nonchalant she was being about this; all his life she'd pestered him about a girlfriend and a grandchild, but now she was acknowledging his interest in a boy? He was left completely speechless.

"Please, the way you'd smile every time you talked to him or got a text? You are completely smitten. However, when you do come back I expect to meet him." Her voice changed to that of a joking yet motherly tone, "And don't do anything too reckless; you're still young. I need to see a picture—oh, is he cute!? I'll bet he is—only the best for my son." She was back to her usual self.

"Uh, um..." What could Yu say to this?

"Don't worry about your father, he'll need some time to adjust to the idea, but he's more understanding than you would believe. Seriously, you must have a picture of this boy. Show me!" She got up and started approaching him, grinning as she did so.

"Hang on!" He stepped back. "How—"

"Enough, I'm fine with it! Stop over thinking and just show me a picture!" She crossed her arms and continued to smile.

Yu's face was on fire, but he knew that his mother wouldn't have said something like that if she didn't mean it. He resigned to this fact and grabbed for his phone, searching through his gallery to find a photo of Yosuke. He picked a favorite and turned his phone, unable to look at her.

"Oh my gosh, he's a little cutie! Yu, good pick. Interesting hair though, and he seems a little scrawny, but that's not a bad thing. Slim is good." She laughed and nodded approvingly.

"He doesn't know and I am certain he doesn't feel the same way." Although Yu wanted his mother's supportive words, he knew they were going to hurt because they'd be a reminder that Yosuke would never 'be his'.

Her expression was a solemn one. "Yu... Are you going to tell him during break?"

"Yes. For better or worse."

"Well, you two seem very close, and he seems to talk to you quite frequently... More than the average best friend. Just saying, there might be more of a chance than you think."

"Perhaps." But his faith in that was limited.

His phone interrupted their conversation.

Yu hesitantly answered it, recognizing the ring. "Hello?"

"Dude, I got perfect score on something! Can you actually believe that? My parents are gonna probably faint from disbelief!"

The sound of his partner's cheerful voice caused his heart to swell. "Yosuke that's great. I told you that studying a little every day would help. Are you going to start listening to me about other things now?" Yu was still facing his mother, eyeing her carefully.

His mother looked at his son with a proud smile, relying on her life experience to tell her that things would turn out far better than he anticipated. She was sad watching her son growing up, but seeing the man he was becoming made her feel reassured. The job she'd done might not have been the best, but he'd certainly turned out to be the model child. He'd leave one day and go on to be a successful person—possibly with Yosuke, possibly not, but she now felt confident he wouldn't forget about her.

"Are you going to tell him?" she interrupted.

Yu had a horrified look and shook his head at her.

"I mean about Golden Week, silly." She laughed in response.

Yu nodded, still suspicious. "Oh, and my mother said I can visit during break." He tried to appear calm as he continued, "Am I still staying with you?"

She raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Hell yeah! That sounds awesome!" She could hear Yosuke from three feet away.

She decided that it was time to be meddlesome as any mother should be—she'd not had nearly enough chances. She grabbed the phone from Yu and walked towards the living room again, but she could feel him trying to carefully take the phone back.

"Yosuke? This is Yu's mother!"

Yu had never felt this kind of terror in his entire life. "Mother. Please." She could not ruin this.

"Oh! Ms. Narukami, h-hello." Yosuke was clearly taken aback.

"So, Yu is going to stay with you? You should come up here before the end of Golden Week! I'd love to meet you! You could stay here obviously; I wouldn't ship you back the same day." She giggled and looked at her son with a playful expression.

"W-well if my father allows it, that would be great! Th-thank you!"

"That settles it! I look forward to meeting you." With that she handed the phone back to Yu and settled down on the sectional.

"S-sorry," Yu fumbled with an apology and continued to partially glare at his mother.

"It's fine, just freaked me out a little. Never met or talked to your parents before. That'd be awesome if my dad agreed, and he just might if I keep making these grades." Yosuke sounded jokingly arrogant and laughed at the end.

"I guess I'll get to see you very soon then." Yu was trying not to explode with excitement.

"Finally, right? Parents are home, let's see how they handle to news!"

They said their farewells and Yu returned to glaring at his mother.

"That was diabolical." He said half-jokingly.

"And he sounds adorable." His mom had turned on the TV, "Just promise me you'll do one thing." She looked at him again, her face deadly serious.

"What?" He felt slightly worried.

She formed a twisted, evil smile.

"Use protection."

Author's note: Obviously, that last part was a joke in an attempt to cause her son to panic. :p