"Has anyone seen Yosuke today?" Yukiko asked.
Chie sadly shook her head. "Didn't show up. He's taking Yu's death real hard."
"He's been absent a whole week…"
"But Yosuke will always fight shadows with us when we call him," Rise noted.
"If he keeps going like that," Kanji's deep voice rings empathetically. "He'll break. I'd know."
Chie looks at the empty seat. We'll get justice, Yosuke. I promise!
.
The funeral had been heart-wrenchingly melancholic. A coffin lowered six feet never to rise back up. Seeing Dojima, a grown man and hardened detective wailing is extra agonizing. And poor Nanako. God, she fared the worst.
.
Yosuke himself almost collapsed when he saw Yu lying there. So still, so blank and expressionless. Heartbreak is an understatement! Just days ago Yu was laughing, eating, and fighting side by side with Yosuke. Now…
Some metal hook might as well have cruelly torn Yosuke's heart out from his chest.
.
Friends' condolences were muffled as Yosuke biked home in a muted world. Is the killer taunting him from afar or is Yu's death affecting him? He feels numb and like he's walking on sand. If the others called or texted, Yosuke would only give short replies.
.
At night he plunges into inescapable nightmares. The killer's identity is always hidden and torments him with a sadistic smile.
It's always the same with various endings. Yosuke watches Saki die again and again, insulting him with contempt before being violently torn apart by shadows. He's powerless. No matter how hard he struggles to get to her in time, Saki can't be saved. Then Yu dies too. Each time is more horrific than the last.
.
His breath lodges in his throat as he chokes on a painful sob. Yosuke had held his lover in his arms as Yu's blood freely saturated his clothes, turning colder and colder every minute. Why did the world have to take away everything Yosuke cherished?! Is it some sick joke from the universe? Was it just meant to be? Is that what they get for just trying to find the truth? Did the killer just really hate them and found it to be a game?
.
In that shocking moment of Yu's abrupt death mid-battle, the killer's garbled voice taunted them. "The world is going to end…"
It pissed off Yosuke that he can't even see the guy with the special glasses. Why tell him this? Is it really inevitable to change the future? Yosuke's misery turns white-hot and he screams, lunging recklessly at the killer –and he too, meets a bloody fate.
.
"Ahh!" Startled, Yosuke wakes up clutching his chest. He looked down, afraid to see his organs falling out from a new wound. His breathing is hindered by trepidation. When he realizes that he's in his room and not fighting for his life he sinks back into a pile of blankets. His nose starts burning and his eyes sting with fresh tears. Crying is for wimps! Real men can do something about it! Yu would've done something…
.
Many a night he'd visit Yu and Yosuke would be warm in his lover's arms, hearing his steady and strong heartbeat. Those smiles and laughter that'd he'd only share with Yosuke –he wishes he could relive them every day. Those nights, Yosuke felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
.
You knew the danger and still searched for me? The killer's voice rings sharp like white noise. What? You thought friendship and courage was going to be enough? Like it'd give you invincibility or something?
.
Staring at the priceless trinket, Yosuke traces the neon-colored bracelet that he and Yu had made for each other. It's the only thing he has left of Yu besides memories.
Sitting up, Yosuke gathered renewed fiery resolve. Teddie's loud snoring can be heard from the other room. Grabbing a bag of supplies and his weapons, Yosuke looks out his bedroom window. He soundlessly opens it and feels refreshingly cool wind hit his face. Clumsily climbing out of it he lands on the roof and takes a deep breath.
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Teddie said that shadows are stronger at night. Going in alone will be tough but when it's clear here it'll be foggy there. I can do this. No. I have to do this. Yosuke takes in the far-reaching countryside landscape. The dark blue starry sky is mesmerizing. It's the same scenery he once thought was boring. He remembered how he and Yu had scaled all the way up a wooded hillside –how he felt the lasting electric existence of Yu's lips on his. When I was with Yu I never felt like I was stranded in a boring town destined for a boring life. The world became full of color. Now it's all washed-out and bland.
.
Yu wouldn't have a future anymore. And Nanako is lonelier than ever. Her late mother died, now Yu, and Dojima is throwing himself further into his work than before. The investigation team is left guessing again. They thought the killer was Mitsuo but he was just a cowardly copycat.
.
The killer has to pay! I'll avenge you, Yu. No matter what. I'll find out who the real killer is! Every second wasted the easier it will be for the killer to attack again.
Yosuke glances back at the open window. "Sorry. I'm going alone this time." It'd be effortless going to Junes this late even at closing. He has keys and he could say he forgot to do some important task.
.
Entering Junes, he quickly goes over all the clues gathered. Everyone who was thrown in to the other world had faced their shadows and got their own dungeon. The killer must have been the first to discover the other side. The room with the announcer's photos! Is that the killer's room? Would there be any more clues?
.
Dense desperation and hopelessness seeped from the room. Yosuke felt uneasy whenever he was by this area in the upside-down copy of Inaba. Either the culprit was obsessed with the announcer or was someone who knew her and hated her guts. Yosuke climbs up the only chair and grips the noose. The red cloth came loose. It looks like a tie…
.
"Why'd you call us so early?" Chie yawned. She, Yukiko, Kanji, Teddie, and Rise arrived at Junes. "Did you find something?"
.
Yosuke guessed that the culprit had to be Yukiko. She'd be helping the investigation team, noting their every move while also operating from the shadows. It'd make sense. Maybe she was pushed too far because of the announcer's entitlement causing her mother to get sick. And people can be great liars. But if Yukiko is the killer wouldn't she of killed the investigation team already and come up with a believable story? So scratch that. Yukiko Amagi isn't the Inaba killer.
.
Extracting the red tie from his pocket Yosuke said, "It's gotta be Dojima, Adachi, or both."
"What?!" Everybody sputtered. "Dojima…Adachi?!"
"At first glance," Yukiko reasoned. "It does sound impossible. But it'd be easy for them. Dojima's Inaba's top detective –besides Naoto-kun. He and Adachi would have alibis, and Dojima particularly has a motive. His wife and Nanako."
.
Tense silence sapped the group's fervent energy.
Chie grumbled. "Maybe Dojima and Adachi are working together. The victims all seemed random at the beginning but when you think about it…it's obvious!"
"Are they vigilantes then?"
"Pretty shitty ones if you ask me," Kanji crossed his arms.
"Would anyone believe us if we manage to catch them?"
"Yeah," Yosuke sighed. "We're just a bunch of meddling kids. We even got a silly-looking mascot."
"Naoto-kun could help us."
"Still, why Yu? He's Dojima's own nephew!"
"Maybe…Dojima and Adachi found the powers by accident. Like we did. Dojima wouldn't kill his own nephew, even if Yu was trying to stop them. But Adachi might."
.
Naoto is recovering from being rescued. The investigation team is still stumped. And it's not like they can waltz right into the station and ask for info.
"You look terrible, man." Kanji eyed Yosuke worriedly. "Go home and get some rest."
"Yeah," Chie agreed. "We need to be at full strength if we're gonna catch the culprit."
But Yosuke didn't feel like resting. No. Far from it.
.
He paced back and forth restlessly in town. They've made good progress but it isn't enough! The killer isn't daunted that the investigation team keeps saving every victim from shadows. They need to find the killer –and fast!
.
Yosuke is heading to Junes when he passes by the Dojima house. The front door opens and Nanako appears carrying a laundry basket. He instantly notices how pale and sad she looks.
"Good morning!" She walked up to him with an injured smile. "Would you like to go inside? I can make us hot cocoa."
"Sure, Nanako."
.
Being the joyful kid she is Nanako added extra marshmallows and whip cream to the drinks. There are two more mugs, one of which is empty. Yosuke's smile fell.
"I leave one out for big bro. He always liked hot cocoa, especially when it rained."
His laugh is tinted with despair. "Yu did have a sweet tooth."
.
The piping hot beverage calmed Yosuke's initial anxiety. He half expected to see Yu walking down the stairs –but of course, it'd never happen.
The two talked amidst the drone of a newsman talking about the weather. It's probably going to rain…
.
"Nanako? I'm home."
"Dad?"
Dojima held a bag of groceries and a coat over his shoulder. He studied Yosuke with an intense inquisitive gaze. "Yu's friend. Thanks for watching over Nanako." He smiled and rose up the bag. "Good thing I bought extra."
"Oh, I was just passing by."
"It's alright. Stay and eat. It's boring with just the two of us here, right Nanako?"
.
When the news segment was over Nanako went to bed. Yosuke got up to leave when Dojima said, "You kids are always a step ahead of us."
Yosuke froze and didn't turn around.
"Are you sure you don't know anything about the Inaba murders?"
.
After what seemed like forever, Yosuke finally gave a wary glare at Dojima. "How do I know that I can trust you? For all I know, you could be the killer."
Dojima is genuinely shocked –and hurt. But his smile dropped into a firm frown and he nodded. The man's eyes dulled, looking like he's been up long hours with hardly any sleep. Like his entire soul was being worn down by the ongoing case. "You should be skeptical. Even I'm second-guessing everyone I talk to in Inaba. Do…" his eyes become glossy with a hint of tears. "Do you know who killed Yu?"
.
Hasty shock paints Yosuke's face. "Are…are you-"
"I'm sick of losing people I care about." Clear agony is in his gravelly voice. The detective has quit drinking; know that he was quickly nosediving into a path he didn't want to go down. He's already missing out on his daughter's life and he lost his wife, and now Yu. He too, felt powerless to change fate. "If you happen to find the killer," Dojima turned his head and his gaze hardened. "I'll look the other way." He added nonchalantly, "It looks like it's going to rain. Borrow my umbrella and go home. Okay?"
.
The door shuts with a solid clunk. Yosuke treks down a good distance before running to Junes. Chie said they should wait until Naoto has recovered but screw that! It's now or never! Because it's raining the shadows will be stronger and wild but Yosuke doesn't care. He'll avenge Yu.
.
He tumbles through the TV and lands painfully at the same place.
"Yosuke! I knew you'd be here!"
"Teddie? Guys?"
"Why so surprised? Like we'd leave you to fight an army of shadows alone!" Kanji helped him up. "Let's go kick the killer's ass!"
.
The shadows are scarily stronger. They attack with mighty tenacity. And the dungeons are ever-changing by the killer's powers. Disarming traps and dismembering shadows the investigation team slowly makes their way up floor after floor. Ahead is a stairway and they go up only to face the killer.
.
Dense fog shrouds the floor and ceiling. Ground and sky merge, creating a confusing landscape. A human figure, floating in the air, stands with a persona, one that looks almost identical to Yu's.
Yosuke draws his weapons and summons Jiraiya. "Coward! Show your face!" He thinks it's Adachi but he doesn't want to guess without knowing for sure. "It's time to pay! You put my friends in danger and took Yu away from me!"
.
The malicious being only smiled. "My powers are limitless here. None of you will be able to save Inaba. You're just doing this because you're bored –like me. The only reason you continue this game is because you saved some people. You're not real heroes."
"Shut up! It's more than that! You're the one playing a game! But I'll show you what it's like to live a painful reality!" Yosuke attacked and his friends gave him capable backup.
.
Hours of fighting and their magic, supplies, and health waned. Yosuke's vision began to blur. He wiped blood from his jaw. How much can the enemy endure?! If they run away the killer will only be emboldened. He'd fail Yu.
The culprit's persona summoned a powerful spell –it'd be a death blow.
Yosuke shuts his eyes. His mind is screaming for him to act, to dodge, to do something. But he felt at peace. At least I'd be with Yu again…
.
Somebody screamed. The killer got blindsided by a bone-breaking punch from Dojima! The detective takes a hit squarely to his ribs but bravely gets back up to pummel his enemy. Cursing, the killer fled, disappearing into the fog.
.
"Dojima?!"
He smiled somberly. "I couldn't just sit around and let you kids do everything. I figured out how you were tracking down the killer and saving people but I never imagined that it'd be this…" he hunched over and wheezed.
"It's the fog. You aren't used to it." Yukiko, Chie, and Kanji ran over to help him.
.
Yosuke's eyes shine with gratefulness.
The detective nodded. "Let's get out of here,"
"Yeah, before your shadow shows up."
"My…shadow?" The man shook his head. "Anyway. When the rain clears I have something to discuss with you all. A…job if you will. I want you to be head of a new team."
"What? Is he for real?!" Kanji asked.
"If I provide you with some information, I want you to deal with irredeemable criminals and throw them in here. That way, nobody like the Inaba killer can use these powers for hurting good people again."
As everyone left the dungeon and regrouped back at the stack of TVs, Yosuke considered Dojima's offer. To him, it sounded like an ideal job. There's no better job than being a vigilante. This way, they could do some good in a world wrought with evil.