Continuance

by Vocarin

They say that there are no endings, but only new beginnings. Something finishes, something else starts. Souji Seta is no stranger to new beginnings, but now it's time to make his own.

33. Chapter 33

Hey there, dear reader. Here's another chapter for the best Persona 4 fic on the internet, courtesy of yours truly and Firion. Before we get started, I need to express my gratitude. It was great to see that so many people were stoked to see the story continue, so thank you to everyone whether you reviewed or not. And do take a minute to check out the TVTropes page for Continuance (I shit you not, that is a thing). The guys who put it together did a great job.

Cyklos: It is indeed back, yep, and there's even more to enjoy now. As to your points, if you liked Izumi before, I can only say that you won't hit a shortage of her. And the team coming to terms with their traumas was always in the cards since, let's face it, waving that stuff off makes for a very dull read. I don't do dull, as you'll no doubt see when you read this little gem. Thanks again, and enjoy!

Zelenal: It's unfortunate that you haven't read Change of Engagement yet – it's a masterpiece in my purely neutral and unbiased opinion – but if you are able to set aside a week, it's a good little read. It was a blast to write and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Yosuke and Rise, well, what can I say? It does indeed work quite well and it was a fun road to go down to get there. As for Kou, I see your point and it would be impossible for him to understand, fully or otherwise, what Chie went through. That's why I admire his decision, though, since he's willing to help out wherever he can despite how it must drive him crazy that there's something he's not privy to. He won't get stuck on the point and cause a bunch of drama because he's worked it out in his head, no matter how tough it is for him. As to your last question, no, there won't be any antics in the TV world here. Just people doing their best in the situation they find themselves in.

Myalko: Thanks for your comments, it's great to be back. Glad I could make your night a good one. On the topic of my return, though, I'd think it would be a bit more like this: /barWV7RWkq0.

SchattenSoldat08: Hey, thanks! I decided on the time skip because I figured it would be a good rehash/primer after such a long time away. Glad it worked out for people. As for the alternative pairings, that was also fun to write because I had to build it up to payoff on my own with very little to pull from ala other works. Came out pretty good, if I do say so myself, and I'm glad people like them. And where Yuuma is concerned, I won't say more than that I'm aiming to make the whole thing come together nicely. There is that little saying about what happens to boats due to an excess of gossip, after all. Thanks for the review and I hope you like the chapter!

Aspectofthesecond: Hey, thanks for reading; I'm flattered. Glad you're liking it and if Izumi is in your wheelhouse, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

Frosty Wolf: There's nothing wrong with re-reading a masterpiece, particularly when by then time you're finished, the next chapter is up. Glad you liked it, and thanks for reading.

LightSpecter141: Happy to be here! Enjoy!

Binbix: I certainly wouldn't want to spoil the surprise when it comes to the high point of the story, but I can say that I'll make sure it's worth the ride to get there. As for the others, it was a blast to write Ryoko getting hammered, though I doubt I can match Yukiko getting drunk on pure atmosphere, and Yosuke and Rise was a pleasure to bring to fruition. Glad you liked it!

And now, dear reader, enjoy!

Chapter 33

Shirogane Naoto sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Sighed for a few reasons. She had gotten back from a case the other night and was finally caught up on her work and ready to go to sleep. The job had gone swimmingly and she'd been well in her element, digging through clues and lies until she got to the truth, and her doggedness had earned her a commendation from the PD brass. But nothing new had come her way since. No calls, no emails, no indications that something big might be in the works, nothing. Which left her with nothing to do. She hated idleness, but couldn't push for more cases until she had more seniority to her name. Waiting, more waiting, and the kind of waiting that got her stuck in her own head, which got her spinning in circles, and thus waiting.

She sighed because her birthday was coming up and she still wasn't sure how big of a deal she wanted the others to make of it. She was a private person by nature and her time with the rest of the team hadn't really changed that; given a choice, she would rather read a book or contemplate her cases. She would be made the centre of attention only when she was dragged into it. Of course, Rise-san and Chie-senpai were well aware of that characteristic of hers so they would probably do just that, and the idea… wasn't too objectionable. Even if socializing didn't come naturally to her, she should consider that just an aspect of herself that she had to work on more. She could even consider it the expansion of her skill set in the event she had to go undercover, for instance. Training in the form of socializing.

And the sigh was also because she viewed herself in the shorts and shirt she slept in, looking a few degrees below the neck. Maybe her obsession with her ideal detective image had led to the schism in her psyche that produced her Shadow, and perhaps she hadn't always conformed to the standard mould of a woman. She'd liked the way she looked as a student, though! It made things easier, and being perceived as someone of unclear gender was an asset – it meant that her physique didn't need to be a factor in dealing with people. And, she told herself, it added to her mystique, another key element in her line of work. Every good detective had that quality!

Unfortunately, Naoto's genes and Mother Nature had different ideas about what her physical appearance would settle on, and Naoto still wasn't certain she liked being so… indisputably feminine. Her hips had become more defined, her legs were now long and lean per her regular swimming regimen, and her breasts were such that crude bindings and ignoring them were certainly no longer options – Heaven knew that the boys certainly didn't look the other way. Tatsumi-san had spoken firmly to her about proper bra fittings and the benefits of looking after that aspect of her anatomy, stating with a matronly wisdom that had Naoto blushing (though Naoto denied that even to herself. Honestly, it was just words about skin, so why were her cheeks still turning red?!) the hard realities that came with such development. Even Izumi-san had volunteered some advice that Naoto could barely believe came from such a professional person. "I have a son, you know," the woman had said with a smirk. "He didn't come from under a cabbage leaf. And you're on the police force, surrounded by men; surely you hear about this stuff all the time."

"It's… that's…" Naoto had been so flustered she didn't even recall how the topic had come up.

"Don't worry, we can take it as fast or as slow as you like. But don't take too long; just because you're dragging your feet doesn't mean someone else will, if you catch my drift. And if you want things to go in that direction, don't worry and don't tense up. It's perfectly natural."

"Can– that's– do you have to talk about this so simply!?"

"Ryo asked me to talk to Nanako about girl things, so I'm practicing the speech I'll need to give her. If you have any questions or ideas that will help prepare me for that day, I won't mind and I hope you don't either." The woman's expression made it clear that Naoto minding or not wouldn't change the course of conversation.

"Just… don't talk to Souji-senpai about this. I hold him in high regard, and…"

"I won't, dear. My lips are sealed. But I promise you that whatever you're going through he'll learn with Yukiko-san if he hasn't already, so…"

Izumi-san's smirk burned into Naoto's eyes even while she curled up and wanted to disappear. But mortification and direct discussion aside, Izumi-san had been a source of good advice. Naoto was better equipped to deal with the impact of her well-curved chassis than she would have been otherwise, but that didn't stop it from feeling unusual when she looked at it.

Surely the gods had a sense of humor. After all, who expected the girl who could pass for a boy to wind up like this?

And Izumi-san hadn't been wrong about Kanji noticing. Their dates had taken on a more intimate element that she couldn't ignore. He hadn't tried anything untoward – if anything, he'd been a perfect gentleman, and he glared at anyone who so much as insinuated anything inappropriate. They could talk about it, she knew, and they would, but she wasn't really sure how. Taking things to the next level was the natural progression of their relationship, after all. Maybe if she talked to Yukiko-senpai about this, maybe there'd be some advice there. Or maybe her own research would give her an answer…

Maybe, maybe, maybe. So many uncertainties. Why couldn't these things just have simple answers?

She grumbled in disgust and flopped onto her bed. She only flopped when she'd well and truly given up on something, otherwise it was too far beneath her dignity to even entertain the notion of. Furthermore, she smacked her pillow, usually undeserving of any form of pugilism, and crawled under the covers. She'd deal with this in the morning. Or maybe she wouldn't. Maybe the phone would ring and she'd be able to bury this stuff under her work until she was ready to deal with it, if indeed it was something she felt like dealing with.

Her wish came true, and she was immediately struck with the old warning from Grandpa: "Be careful what you wish for." Souji-senpai called in the morning and briefed her on the problems his father was causing, then Doujima-san called and gave her a set of names and businesses to look into along with instructions to meet at his house that night. The rest of the day had blurred by as she called people and compiled her notes, all thoughts of her hips and boobs a far distant second to what was at stake. That night she went to the Doujima residence, entering once she was called to come in and noticing that Kanji was already there, standing across the living room from Doujima-san and looking grim.

"Thanks for joining us," the detective said. "Have a seat. There's coffee made if you want any."

"None for now, thank you." Naoto nodded to Kanji and stood near him. She took in the piles of notes and file folders on the living room table. It was clear already that this wasn't going to be a basic case or inquiry, so she braced herself before she asked, "What's going on?"

Doujima-san grunted, anger carving hard creases into his face. "Where should I start?"

"This thing with Souji-senpai, there must be a reason why he hasn't gone to the police about it."

"He didn't tell you everything?"

"He said his father is manipulative, that things are happening out of some Machiavellian move to push Senpai back into line with what his parents want for him."

"Into what his father wants for him," Doujima-san corrected. "Izumi has nothing to do with this. She's more angry about this than I am, and that's saying something – you should have heard her on the phone."

"Senpai's old man has that kinda clout?" Kanji asked. It was clear there was still some discomfort between the two men, likely due more to their natural intractability than any lingering acrimony, but they were both set on working together to face the problem at hand. "He never talked about it before."

"No surprise. To make a long story short, yes, his father does have that kind of pull. That and a lot more. He's a corporate climber in Tokyo with connections to people in the Diet, both sitting and retired, and he uses that to his advantage no matter how petty something might be. If he wants it, he goes for it; same as Souji, but this time it's working against us. Seems like Yuuma's made some in-roads lately if he's throwing his weight around this much."

"I thought that sitting members of the Diet weren't supposed to have corporate connections," Naoto offered. "It's a conflict of interest for politicians to have close corporate connections."

Doujima-san snorted. "There's the regs, then there's reality. Everyone pretends the rules are ironclad but they also know how much leeway there is, and they all probably have backroom deals of their own so bringing this to their attention would get us nowhere." The detective straightened. "I'll get to the point. I need you two to be my hands on this stuff. Shirogane, those names I sent you are of people who are under threat of blackmail and coercion. I want you to dig into them and see if there's a way to counteract that either by eliminating the hold he has on them or by finding something else we can use to push back."

"That sounds like intimidation tactics," Naoto noted as an observation, no judgment in her voice.

"Sounds like a good start," Kanji put in.

"It's both. Izumi wants as much ammunition as she can to help Souji, and that means playing the corporate game by its own rules. If we get something good, then Yuuma should back off. I'll work the angle of law enforcement, but I have some problems of my own. That little toilet stain lined me up first," Doujima-san ground out, "probably knowing I'd be in Souji's corner."

Naoto cleared her throat. There were only a few times she'd seen Doujima-san this angry before, and she'd always preferred to be behind Kanji or next to the exit when it happened. "What does that mean exactly?"

"The brass came down on me and said that any investigation I start into Yuuma is suspended because of my relation to him by marriage. To curb any risk of lawsuit or bias, I'm off whatever case tied to him that might come up. That's standard procedure, but someone from the Office for Child Safety Services called about Nanako, wanted to know about how much time she spends on her own and whether I've been leaving her unattended, both presently and in the past." This last part was spoken through grit teeth.

Naoto blinked at the audacity of anyone crazy enough to do that, and Kanji whistled. "Man, that's gutsy. Going after a cop's kid before any investigation's started? Is that even legal?"

"I'm finding out who made the inquiry and where they got their information, but for now Nanako is spending a lot more time with the Amagis. Ryoko-san's been good enough to make me documents showing that she was always there for school projects and supervision as a friend of the family, that Yukiko was her surrogate guardian in case that's needed. If the government digs into this, then hard documentation will go a long way."

"Let me know if you need me or Ma to sign something similar," Kanji asserted. "I spent plenty of time with Nanako-chan when Senpai was here, so it wouldn't be a lie. We'll do it, no questions asked."

"I might need that, so thanks."

"He's pre-empting your involvement in this case," Naoto concluded. "Isn't he concerned about the ramifications of crossing you? Corporate connections or not, you're a police officer, and you're his brother-in-law too."

"You have to know the man," Doujima-san stated. "I hope you never have to, but this isn't out of character for him and I'm not about to hope he changes his mind."

"I assume Izumi-san knows about this as well," Naoto surmised. "How did she take it?"

"Almost as well as I did."

That said plenty.

"Either way," he gestured at the table in front of them, "this is where we're at. I need to deal with this case worker first and my superiors will be watching me for any sign that I'm ducking orders. They'll help me if things get serious, but he knows how to place his punches and get a lot done with light touches. He won't make the mistake of overextending, so I have to sit here and take it. But that's where you two come in. You can dig where I can't. I'll give you Izumi's number so you can talk to her directly, that way we're not putting a bullseye on our backs by meeting too often. I'll make noise on my own while you look into those leads."

"Not that I'm objecting," Naoto started, "but wouldn't us working apart make more sense? Play to our strengths? I know investigators and have contacts of my own."

"You both contributed to Adachi being put behind bars. Souji gives you his seal of approval so I will too, regardless of how you got it. But you don't want to run this alone, Shirogane. Corporate espionage isn't something you walk into on your own, and Yuuma's not someone you cross without consequence."

"You're saying he'll come after her?" Kanji growled.

"Almost definitely. Not directly, but someone will be there to 'address' anyone who pokes at those names. Scare tactics and assault, most likely, and involving people on the wrong side of the law. Light touches and big effects, like I said, and from people who won't have any connection to him. This is how the big guys play their games so don't let her out of your sight, no matter what."

"Gotcha."

That brought a private little smile to Naoto's face. Doujima-san probably meant that comment in a professional sentiment, but the glance Kanji gave her spoke quite easily that he would watch her regardless of any other instructions. His protectiveness warmed her and whatever her other concerns, this she didn't mind.

Together and working toward a common goal for the sake of their friends. Nice and familiar.

"Can we help at all with Nanako-chan?" Naoto asked.

"I don't think so, but if anything comes up, I'll let you know."

The conversation continued for an hour as they covered what angles they could. Naoto admired the detective's tenacity, but also the task before them. Their opponent was thorough and clever. Beating him would require some creativity.

She and Kanji left together, walking a block before speaking. "I'll take a leave from the precinct for a while," Naoto started. "Things seem quiet for now anyway."

"I'll let Ma know I need some time off," Kanji answered. "I'll pack if we need to hit the road."

"I could look after that on my own if you'd rather not. I know she's not in the best health."

"She's fine, and she'd kill me if I let you go off on your own. I'd kill me, too. Not up for discussion, not if some asshole comes after you."

Naoto stopped and looked at him, then gestured for him to come down to her level. She'd grown but so had he, and he was still well out of reach.

He did. "Hm?"

She leaned up and kissed him. "I missed you," she murmured. "Sorry I've been so busy."

He hugged her hard like she liked. "Missed you too. When this is done, let's take a break together. A week off, just us."

She nodded happily. He still had trouble putting his feelings into words and coming out clear. His "Make me a man, dammit!" line from their teens was still one of the more memorable things he'd ever said to her, but he was getting better. "Just us. No work, no phones. When this is done."

He squeezed her before letting her go, handsome with the hard lines of his jaw and how he smiled just for her. "Good motivation. Let's get started."

"Let's. The sooner, the better."

---

Izumi was accustomed to waiting. It came with the territory. Waiting for deals to process or for paperwork to be submitted, waiting to sweat out an opponent, to get some dirt on someone and grease the wheels, it was part of this game she loved and lived for.

However, there was waiting, and there was this. She'd been forced to wait for Yuuma to finish his meeting so she could speak to him, but it was his secretary who had stopped her when she came in. "Seta-san is very busy," it was said, "so you'll understand if I can't let you in right away."

That had been sensible at first. Izumi had days where she couldn't get in everyone she scheduled, let alone people she didn't. But she always had time for her spouse, so she could stand to wait for a little while.

Ten minutes had been a while. Twenty was putting her teeth on edge while others were permitted entry without notice of her, or sometimes she was noticed and either sneered at or appraised for a night out, ignoring the ring on her finger. But she'd been here more than half an hour. Thirty. Five. Minutes! She couldn't stand being made to wait like she was some entry-level floozy, stuck listening to the secretary's discussions as she answered the phone with far more importance than she warranted.

Izumi went up to the desk and spoke in the sweet tone she reserved for idiots and those she was about to ruin financially. "Seta Yuuma. Call him for me."

The secretary looked down her nose at Izumi, perched on her chair set to the highest elevation and already on a step up so everyone had to look up at her in the first place. "As I already told you, ma'am, he said he has appointments and that anyone who comes in can wait."

"I'm not anyone. I'm his wife. Call him."

The secretary looked her up and down, evidently unimpressed.

Izumi smiled a smile akin to a bouquet of dripping-blood carnations and razor blades, an expression that seemed almost benevolent in its promise of a light dip into a vat of acid. Only those who didn't know her or lacked survival instincts would have mistaken it for benevolence while everyone else would have been looking for something to take cover behind. "I'm sorry, I feel like we've gotten off on the wrong foot. I assume you've worked here a while?"

"Four years. Enough to get to know important people."

"Is Saejima Atsushi one of them?"

The secretary looked surprised and blushed a little before setting her face in a blank mask. If one were generous, she could be interpreted as good, but 'good'didn't cut it in the big leagues. "He is."

"Directly above you, I assume?" Izumi, by contrast, let her expression drift into something naturally pleasant as to soften the double entendre.

"He's my superior, yes."

"You spend late nights with him making sure he has everything for the next day, I'm sure. Very dedicated of you. I know he's a smooth talker and makes a lot of promises, so don't let him lead you astray – his wife wouldn't like it."

That caught the girl's attention. "Wife? Saejima-san isn't married. "

"He didn't tell you? That's unfortunate. Everyone else knows and doesn't talk about the subject, so it makes sense that you wouldn't have heard about it through, shall we say, clandestine channels. You see, he is married and has been for six years. He and his wife even have a son together. What's interesting," Izumi swept on, "is how Saejima's situation came about. He married a woman he knew at work, someone you might have heard of in passing – she's quite... distinct, you might say. The thing is, she felt that taking on his name might cool off her career. She has a portfolio of her own contacts and quite a few accomplishments to her name and she didn't want to lose that, so she still goes by her maiden name. I heard Saejima tried to change her mind, but that discussion… well, you might say it's precisely why they've never talked about it since. Quite a trooper, that woman, no matter who she's talking to or what the situation might be."

"Perhaps I have heard of her, then. What's her name?"

"Ah, pardon me for missing that part. Maybe you've met Hisakawa Chiyoko before?"

The secretary had gone deathly pale by the time the last syllable crossed Izumi's lips. Chiyoko-san was a name one categorized with terms like "biblical plague," "mass extinction," and "thermonuclear warhead." She was notorious for being direct in her dealings and browbeating whoever she had to in order to make her projects happen. She'd gone through four partners in the seven years Izumi had known of her – known of, because Izumi had only encountered her twice – and even the most ambitious entry-level assistants and ladder-climbers either transferred or quit when faced with the prospect of dealing with her. Chiyoko-san had a frame to fit her temper and was handled like a sledgehammer when the scalpel wouldn't do. There were even rumours that favors were traded and deals were made to alert other departments of her involvement the moment anyone knew anything, giving people time to store their valuables and find something solid to hide behind.

"Or perhaps you haven't heard of her," Izumi continued helpfully. "It's very possible if you're not in her department or don't imbibe in gossip. That's a wise idea, you know, so if you don't you've made a good decision. Anyway, Chiyoko-san's rather intense when she has her eye on something. Aggressive, some call her, and rather determined. And she quite despises any slander about her husband, like if one were to insinuate that he was having an affair. She doesn't take well to that sort of talk, and anyone who says it is brought under, shall we say, intense scrutiny. I don't know that anyone's actually done that, of course, and it's not my place to judge someone's behaviour if they did, but there have been some convenient absences around the same time that certain rumors began circulating." Izumi smiled. "Pure coincidence, I'm sure. Or so I'd hope – Chiyoko-san has a truly vicious temper."

"Y-you don't say…"

"Some people in business, it's surprising how much of themselves they put into the job. They take things very seriously. The best way around them, if you're ever in that situation, is far, far around them. I hope you're never in that situation; you're quite diligent, as I've said, and it would be a shame to lose you because of some unforeseen circumstance."

"Th-thank you, ma'am. If you don't mind, something's just come up and I'll be needed elsewhere for a few minutes."

"Of course, of course, appointments are important to keep. But if you could let Yuuma know I'm here–"

The secretary slammed a button and the doors next to her opened.

They hadn't opened completely before she was gone, looking green and heading for the ladies restroom.

"Idiot," Izumi muttered, letting herself through the doors like she belonged there. Given how the executives in this wing gave her the appropriate space, she really did.

In short order she was at Yuuma's door, partway open as he spoke on the phone at that desk that was situated in just such a way to make him seem larger and more impressive than he really was. The layout of that entire corner of the office, in fact, had been arranged to convey that image through illusions of depth that even she, who knew the trick to it, fell prey to before she shook it off. There was no meeting to speak of, and she hadn't passed anyone who looked like they had business with him. Her eyes narrowed as several things clicked into place.

Either he noticed the silent swing of his door or he felt her stare on him, because without turning he said, "Good work. I'll talk to you later, something's come up on my end," before hanging up. He turned and saw her, smiling with apparent sincerity. "There you are."

"Yes, here I am. It took a bit of doing, you might say. Your secretary didn't seem to know who I was or that she should let me through and not waste my time."

Yuuma grimaced. "She knows people and talked her way into the job. She's barely suited for it but someone wanted her here, I suspect to keep an eye on certain interested parties. A disposable asset at best, if I were in charge. I hope she didn't give you too much trouble."

"I mentioned a few names and let her know what a mistake it would be to get involved with anyone tied to Chiyoko-san."

He chuckled. "Let that slip, did she?"

"It wasn't hard to see. A pretty standard move, if we're being honest. But the next time you want her brought down a peg, do it yourself. I don't have so much free time that I can waste it on someone like her, and I'm not your bulldog. Don't lie to her and expect me to bring her into line for you, or for whoever else stands to benefit."

His eyes narrowed, taking on that calculating mien of someone who knew how to get through almost every situation because by the time he acted, he'd already considered every outcome. "That wasn't why I did it. Not entirely."

"Not entirely means there's still some truth to it. What, was she digging too close for you? Asking questions? Or did someone ask you for a favor? Whatever you wanted, call someone else for it – nobody uses me."

He put on a conciliatory smile, one of a spouse who wanted to appear properly humbled and repentant. "Of course. Force of habit, you understand. I must say, though, if you brought Hisakawa into the conversation, then you did handle it very well."

"Of course I did; it wasn't even a challenge. But spare me the flattery. I'm here to talk to you about Souji and what you're doing to him."

Yuuma looked a mite more serious, but still smiled. "He's asked you to talk to me on his behalf?"

"No. He doesn't know I'm here and I doubt he'd take it well if he did. I'm here because I want you to stop these stupid games you're playing."

"I don't know what you mean. I have plenty to do with my time as it is, and I wouldn't be in a position to do anything even if–"

"Don't lie to me," she warned quietly, some of her anger bleeding into her words. "Ryo's being investigated over how he's been caring for Nanako. The government is calling his parenting into question. Souji's experiencing problems at his job, the sorts of things we would see in our line of work as though one of us orchestrated a little test for him. There are other little hiccups happening at too convenient a time for it to be a coincidence."

"You think I'm involved?"

"Yes, because it's what you went through. This is how your parents operated. You were tested like this, you think you came out of it stronger and better, and now you're doing the same thing to Souji despite him being on a different course in life than you and me. Maybe you see it as a benefit to your career, maybe you really do care about how he turns out and you want him to follow in your footsteps. Your reasons are irrelevant. Drop the act and stop pulling strings with him."

"If I had the time or the inclination to do that, keep in mind that I would only do it if I was sure it would benefit him. You say I was tested when I was younger. You're right; I came out of it stronger because I went through those trials. What's wrong with my parents wanting me to be more adaptable, more prepared for what the world threw at me? We both benefited from those lessons, if you recall. And if Souji happens to learn to adapt and overcome, if he sees that there are people in the world that he needs to be ready to deal with, then that's valuable information that he will use in his life. I see nothing wrong with that, and what's your concern? You can't protect him from everything, you know."

"He's fully capable of looking after himself," she asserted. "I know that already. My problem is when someone puts their thumb on the scale and pretends it's in the service of a greater cause."

"Let's suppose I am involved. What of it? No laws are being broken and I can hardly be accused of indifference if I want my son to better himself in his life. Keep in mind that I would never put someone through something if I didn't think they could succeed, and nobody learns anything if they aren't pushed a little. Nothing changes without influences that are outside of the norm. Take you, for instance. Can I assume that you'll help Souji if he asks for it? If so, that means you and he will be able to break the ice and talk like you wouldn't have been able to if these problems hadn't come up. He has a new, larger problem to handle and you can be there to help him. That was what you wanted, isn't it?"

"I don't need your help with that," she told him coldly. "I was, and am, doing just fine on that front, and if you think I needed a jolt or that things weren't going anywhere, then you can keep in mind that it would only be your business if you opted to get involved yourself. If you had, you'd have seen I was making progress without any interference. Don't justify your actions by pretending you had my best interest in mind, or that playing the villain gets a pass if you pretend it's for a higher purpose. That was a convenient consequence, nothing more."

Yuuma's eyes iced over to the temperature of liquid nitrogen, his own version of the smile she'd given the secretary before. "My wife whom I love dearly wants to reconnect with our son after years apart from him and you think I don't care? You think I wouldn't do what I could to help if I saw the opportunity to do so, that I would only act out of selfishness toward you two? Be careful with your own words, dear – you aren't as right as you think."

They were both staring at the other now, exactly the right distance to be construed as opponents and with the tone they both knew as naturally as breathing. "You're interfering with Ryo," she stated, "and you're interfering with Souji. You can pull strings with clients and business deals and pass it off as playing the game, but you are not to do that with my family. Whatever you have planned, stop it right now or I will get involved."

"And what might that entail?"

She said nothing.

"I see. It's unfortunate that you are determined to see the negative in this, but I have nothing to say because I have done nothing wrong. If I act, it is never against my family, and I resent any implication that I would seek their misfortune in the end. It's unfortunate your brother has been contacted by the government – raising a child alone cannot be easy – but I hope, of course, that he has friends he can contact, those who will assist him when he needs it. If he happens to reaffirm to himself what is important in his life, then that's for Nanako's benefit as well."

It had been a long time since Izumi wanted to hit someone this much.

"And as for Souji," Yuuma continued, "life throws problems at all of us. It's a mark of character to overcome them with skill and grace. If he's having problems, I look forward to seeing how he handles them. Tell him he can always speak to me if he needs help. The same goes for you."

She nodded curtly, a shallow gesture easily interpreted as dismissive or insulting. "Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. I'll see myself out." She turned and left, eyes afire and stride confident and sure. She'd come out of bigger fights in worse shape before and never let it show; she'd be damned if she tipped her hand now.

It didn't take long for her to put a plan into action. She found a place to stay for a reasonable rate, close enough to work that would work, and moved her clothes and immediate files to it. A temporary measure, she told herself, and if she was going to pick sides, then she didn't need any distractions. As to what she would do after this, well, that would be for after. Next, she called some of her coworkers and put a few feelers out. If her husband was willing to put Ryo in his crosshairs, then she shouldn't expect special exemption. When she was situated and in the right headspace, she called Souji.

The first call rang to voicemail. He picked up on the second. "I was busy and had it on vibrate," he said as an explanation. "Things have been a little hectic."

"Are you okay?"

"Aside from the obvious, yes. I've got things handled as well as I can expect, but I'm considering taking a leave of absence from work and school until I can figure this out. That should give him less ammunition to come at me with, or so I hope."

"That might not be a bad idea."

"Uncle Doujima thought so too. What about you? What do you need?"

"I need to know everything that your father can use against you," she said simply. "Anything he has used, might use, hasn't used yet, whatever you can think of. If I'm going to help you, I need to know what to expect."

He snorted. "Really? I wasn't born yesterday. What're the odds you let something slip or pass it on when it's convenient?"

That was precisely the wrong thing to say and the wrong tone to take with her. "Souji, knock it off. I already had this discussion with Ryo. Would it be easier for you if I talked to him about this and had him work as your secretary?" she asked sharply. "You can explain to him, in detail and with copious description, why he's manning a switchboard for you, the person we're both trying to help, instead of looking after Nanako and doing his job or dealing with everything else he has going on right now."

Souji's silence spoke volumes.

"You have your reservations about me," Izumi continued. "Maybe they're warranted, maybe they aren't, but I'm telling you that I'm not your enemy. You might have a grudge against me and your father, but if you think for a second that some college student with an entry-level job in the business sector can outsmart him in the field where he lives, breathes and thrives, you're very much mistaken. If you want a shot of getting through this with your lifestyle the way it is now, you will need my help and I'm offering it for free. Now drop the attitude."

Her son tried to talk a few times before the words came out. "Sorry. You're right, that just came out. There's still a lot that… I didn't expect to be doing this, that's all."

"Life works like that. The biggest, most important things almost never ask our permission to happen before they do."

"Tell me about it."

"You'll have to tell me about it sometime, actually. We'll sit down and talk when we have a chance. Now, what do you have and what's been going on since you spoke to Ryo?"

Souji gave her the details, thorough and precise like she'd hoped. "It feels," he concluded, "like he's covering for something else. I don't have any proof yet, and all he's doing is pulling strings like he wants me to jump, but I get the feeling that there's something past the puppetry that he wants to hide."

"That's usually the case," Izumi noted. "Everyone has secrets they don't want noticed. Sometimes what you're seeing is the actual skeleton in the closet, sometimes it's just a mirage you're meant to go after. I'll chase that angle with Ryo, I know what to look for."

"There's something else. Yukiko's talked about how some of their customers have been acting strange. She's had problems in the past with publicity so she knows what to look for there, but this is a lot like what I'm dealing with right now."

Izumi swore under her breath. "I wanted to keep the Amagis out of this. It seems he's done some digging of his own."

"You didn't tell him about them? I'm not accusing you, I mean, but I thought you'd say something."

"If I did, it was only in passing. I like Ryoko-san and I'd always hoped this war between you and him would stay on simmer. That was too much to hope for, it seems, and now he's dragging them into this. Have you talked to Yukiko-san? Does she know what's going on?"

"Yeah, about half an hour ago."

"Good. Keep her posted, see what you can find out, but keep making inquiries of your own. That's what he expects and it will give me and Ryo room to move and do what we can."

"You're pretty serious about this."

"Is that an observation? Or are you suggesting something?"

Souji cleared his throat. "No, I mean, it's different, that's all. I don't think I've seen you this fired up about anything before."

"Sure you have. I've been working at changing things in my life since I saw you in Kyoto. That's just been much quieter than you're seeing now."

"I hadn't thought of that. It didn't really come up." He let out a breath. "That's something else we can talk about, I guess. When this is done."

That brought a smile to Izumi's face. "One thing at a time, and baby steps first. But we'll aim for that. I'll get to work and pass on anything I find out. You'll answer your phone if I need to talk to you?"

"Yeah, I will. Actually, I just had a thought: if you know how he's going to do this, and I assume you've seen him operate before, then is there anything you can do directly to stop him?"

"I would have if I could. Your father's very well connected, even more than just six months ago, and I told you that I've hit the ceiling where I am. He also knows that I'll be helping you so he'll be setting up roadblocks for me, try to keep me hemmed in."

"He's going after you, too?"

"He will if he hasn't yet. He's very determined and he knows how to make things happen. He'll play to win and he knows I will too. That's irrelevant, though. I've chosen my sides and what matters now is finding whatever we can use against him before he does too much damage."

"I've got some places to start, but can you make any suggestions? Give me some insight? I'll know what to look for if I see it if he tries any tricks."

"If I have time, I'll pass on what I can. But it's easier for me to pick out his plans when I see them, much more than trying to explain them, so whatever you see, whether you understand it or not, let me know. I'll be able to look into it for you." She allowed herself a smile. "It's probably best that you're dealing with him and not me, now that I think about it."

"Why's that?"

"Because I do things differently. He wants to test you, but he also wants you to know he's doing it. He has to operate in a certain way to pull that off and that bottlenecks him, making his moves a bit more obvious and easier to track. I'm different. If I'd wanted to make your life a mess, you would never have seen me coming."

There was a pause on the line before he chuckled. "That scared me for a second there. I'm glad you're on my side."

"So am I. I'll email you some contacts and ideas. Keep in touch and call me if you find something."

"I will."

Their tones were much more cordial this time, and Izumi smiled when he took an extra second before disconnecting.

---

The dorm Yukiko and Chie lived in wasn't particularly quiet or serene. Contrary to the image of Kyoto U in the brochures, contrary to the prestige the institution had and the reputation it enjoyed among its peers, its faculty and administrators were people like any other people. It's students were students like any other students, albeit from rich families and backgrounds or from the top-scoring scholarship applicants in the country, and in the end one could only expect so much decorum and class from a place where young adults congregated without very much supervision or interference.

This often meant, Yukiko had learned in her time here, that students stuck to diets that were anything but healthy, sometimes to the point of contracting scurvy through vitamin C deficiency courtesy of their love of fast food. It meant clashing egos and inflated personal views built on childish assertions that were invariably cast to the wind once their exam marks came in. And it meant dealing with the perceptions of others on her relationship status, thanks in no small part to rumormongers and big mouths going off about how she must be available just because Souji was at another school. There had been several attempts, some remarkably insistent and others denser than a steel plate, toward her hand in a relationship, or even just for a night out to "work out the kinks, if you know what I mean." She'd become quite adept at dismissing those people, regardless of what their sentiments were toward her after, and ignoring those overtures helped her focus on the people who did matter, on the few genuine friends she'd made rather than those who flitted past her and were nowhere to be seen when a real problem arose.

A real problem much like the one her family and Souji were facing, for example. Yukiko didn't like thinking poorly of people, but the fact that the friends she had in her classes or in the dorm were nowhere to be found now that she had a real issue to work out while Mei and Natsuki had simply asked, "How can we help and where do you want us to start?" without any mention of compensation or inconvenience was how she knew who her friends really were.

That also helped her come to a decision after just one talk with Chie: they were going to Fujisawa to help Souji through this. They both wanted to be with the group again given the problem Souji faced, and they weren't content to sit back and let things pass them by without doing something. That meant making plans and going there, and it also meant getting whatever information they could find to be prepared for this.

"Mei did some research," Natsuki pointed out. "I think she found something."

"I was getting there. No need to interrupt them."

"Why were you dragging your feet? It sounded like you dug up something important."

The girls looked at her. The slender woman looked aside and muttered, "It's not great news. I don't want to be a downer on things, figured you had enough to deal with already."

Yukiko replied, "It's fine. I can handle problems without someone handling me with kid gloves. It's a lot better if I know things than hide from them and have them blow up in my face."

Mei nodded. "I shouldn't be surprised. Okay, here it goes. I snooped around on Souji-kun's family and his name in certain corporate circles, looked into some names and places and talked to a few people who know more about this stuff than I do. His dad's a big deal. Like, a seriously big deal, has been for years but it really became apparent in the last year or so. I'm sure you've guessed as much by now, but he's also not someone you want to screw with. Other people have tried to take him down or jump past him, some have even tried to set him up and sink him, but he's either connected or clever or both because nothing's stuck on him that I could find. He keeps moving forward and those other people either transfer somewhere else or wind up with their own dirty laundry aired out right when it's least convenient for them."

"No one has a perfect defense," Chie noted. "Not in martial arts and not in business. If you can only climb the ladder in business by making deals and keeping secrets, then there has to be something we can find, something he's overlooked."

"I hope you're right because otherwise you'd have a better chance outrunning the bullet train."

"Nice and subtle, Mei," Natsuki grumbled. "Way to perk everyone up."

"It's fine," Yukiko replied. "Did you learn anything else?"

"Not anything specific, but something occurred to me the more I read up on him: I thought it was strange that he isn't a bigger deal. I mean he is a big deal, but once I got reading I thought he'd be even bigger, even more prominent or like he'd have a name that's more well known. He has some important people as connections and friends, but they outshine him when you look at the full picture. That's strange for a career ladder climber, you'd think he would want to be the biggest dog in the pen. Most guys like that can't stand it when someone else has a brighter stage than they do."

"Is there a chance it's deliberate?" Chie noted. "Is there an advantage he has by staying smaller and quieter that wouldn't be there if he just climbed the ladder and became the major name that he should be?"

"Well, there's the obvious reason of caution or fear. The higher the pedestal, the higher the fall, right? His profile doesn't support that, though – most people in that line of work are in it to go all the way. It doesn't seem likely that he's found the place he wanted to get to and stopped once he got there, either, and I couldn't find any major setbacks that would keep him where he is or would even warn him off and make him cautious. He's done too well to be demoted easily or passed over. That's all I can give you, actually. I've tried speculating, but I can't get into the head of someone that high up on the food chain. Sorry I can't do more for you."

Yukiko nodded. "That's more than I would have figured out on my own. Thanks, Mei. I'll tell Souji as soon as I see him and we'll go from there."

"I just wish I could do more, that's all. Reading up on this guy, it made me appreciate what you're up against. You're going to need help wherever you can get it, so I hope you aren't going to get picky or something."

"Izumi-san has already offered to help him. She knows that work environment, she knows the job, so we'll have her in our corner."

"I read about her, too. She's got a lot going for her. I hope it's enough."

"It'll have to be. We've gone through some tough times with our friends before. We'll manage it now, no matter what comes up."

"Good luck, then. We'll get out of your way. You have our numbers if you have any questions, and I'll keep digging on this end. Maybe I'll find something."

"I appreciate it. Thanks again, both of you."

The rest of the day was spent on speaking to university administrators and making plans. Yukiko knew that she was looking at a rough semester if this went on for too long, that she'd risk disrupting her scholarships and courses. But she also had her priorities. No matter what she could do to help Souji, no matter what arena this was being fought in, she knew she had to be there to help. She and Chie both. They were too tied up with the others to let this slide or pretend that normal life took precedence.

She had finished submitting her paperwork and was packing in her room when her mom got back to her.

"When I spoke to Izumi-san about this," Ryoko began, "I thought we might have this discussion, you and I. I wanted this problem to be something that just affected us, that we could keep you out of it, but it seems like you're set on getting involved. Maybe that's my fault for thinking you'd consider sitting this out. I should have known you'd run to help Souji-kun if he needed you."

"You'd do the same thing for Daddy or me, wouldn't you?"

"Of course I would, but it doesn't stop me from hoping that you wouldn't get dragged into these problems. You do have a life of your own, and it's not like we can't fight our own battles."

"Your battles are mine, Mom. They always have been. Speaking of that, how is everything? Don't sugar coat it for me, please be honest."

"Honestly? It's not as bad as you might think. It's not great, either, and your dad and I have talked about some alternatives in case this goes on for too long, some small ideas to keep us solvent and make sure everyone gets paid, but we're not destitute overnight, either."

"It can't go one for too long like this though, can it?"

"Nothing can, so that's not a novel concept. Izumi-san said that the one doing this likes his light touches, that he has as little directly to do with his plans and sits back to let them develop. That's what this feels like, a small touch made into something bigger. That's not a good situation – you did want me to be honest with you – but it's also just a situation started by a light touch. We can handle it."

Yukiko breathed out. "I'll talk to Souji. We'll see if we can fix this as soon as possible."

"You were talking about taking a leave of absence from your classes, that you wanted to go be with him and help him on the front lines. You're still set on that?"

"Yes. That's where I belong. I know what you're going to say. I know it isn't a sensible decision. My scholarships and you and Daddy paying for me to be here doesn't include taking off when I feel like it, not when you're all having these problems come up."

There was a pause before Ryoko replied, faintly amused. "Is that what you think I'm going to say?"

"It's a valid point, isn't it?"

"It absolutely is. Keeping your head in your studies and making connections is the prime reason to go to school, after all. This is a chance for you to learn as much as you can and bring it back here to use for your own benefit, to see how you can develop your understanding of the business and have that to rely on when you're in our position and things get tough. Dropping all that for your boyfriend reflects poorly on you, makes you seem immature and flighty and uncommitted. But," Ryoko continued, "I also know you wouldn't do this without good reason. You never cut class or gave me reason to doubt your judgment before. You still haven't, not for a second, so if this is what you're set on doing, then you should do it without any doubts."

Yukiko thought her mother might say that. But hearing it, knowing she was in her corner to this extent, let Yukiko breathe out a tension she didn't realize she was carrying. "Thanks, Mom."

"There is the matter of what other people will think, of course. Reputation is everything in business and people will judge you on what they've heard far faster that what they see for themselves. Even something as small as this can cost you opportunities down the road. When you encounter that, what will your answer be?"

"That I'm supporting the man who will be my husband, and that anyone who doesn't like that can go to hell."

Ryoko laughed. "That's my girl. That's the most important lesson of all. You don't need my permission to do what you feel is important. I trust your judgment. I think I've always been able to trust it ever since Souji-kun came into your life."

"I'm just…"

"What's wrong?"

"I hope this changes when I get there, but I'm not sure how I can help him. Not specifically or clearly, anyway. This is his fight. There's only so much I can do when I'm there, and when he and Izumi-san talk business at that level it's kind of over my head."

"Mine too, to be honest, and I've been doing this a lot longer than you have. But no one's expecting you to walk in and solve his problems. If his problems were that easy to fix, he could do it all himself and we wouldn't even have to talk about it. But even if you can't help him directly, you can still be there for him, and that will be worth a lot. First off, you're the only person who can do that since I'm sure he won't let anyone else into his life like he has with you. He'd certainly better not have, anyway. But also, remember, that's what we do, what our business is: providing shelter and a place where people can get away from their problems for a while. Whatever else you might or might not be able to do while you're there, that's something you can do better than anyone else. You can do it for him and for the others, and remember that people pay us and come back to us because we do it as well as we do. Don't forget that."

"I hadn't thought of it quite like that," Yukiko admitted. Hospitality was the family business, sure, but she'd never spoken to her parents about this aspect of it, how what they did was a necessity rather than just something they did because they didn't want to find other work.

"It took me a while to figure it out myself, but it kept me going through the tough times. Well, that and your father, and you of course."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Anytime, sweetie. Now, get back to packing and go see Souji-kun. I'll keep in touch if anything changes. Give him our regards and remember that we're all here with you."

"And we'll get through this," Yukiko concluded. "We'll find a way. You, me, Souji, Izumi-san, everyone."

"That we will. I love you. Take care."

"I love you too, and I will." Yukiko got back to her packing and double checked everything. When she looked over she caught sight of her reflection on the TV screen and stopped.

So many memories and thoughts from the place that lay on just the other side. That place had so much allure during a crisis like this. All she had to do was reach out and see if her powers were still there, see if she could bring some literal firepower to this fight, and she wouldn't feel helpless or uncertain anymore. She could stand next to Souji and help him solve these problems once and for all, use her Persona to get the future they'd all fought so hard for.

But she knew better. To rely on power like that would pave the way for abuse and she would become so reliant on her abilities she'd never be able to act outside of them. She'd seen too many examples of that power used poorly to ever want to go back to it again. The woman looking back at her didn't need that kind of power, even in the chance that it could help in this kind of battle. She lost enough sleep remembering the injuries she tended to, the damage she tried so hard to repair and so often fell short of fixing completely. It was never the fighting that scared her most when fighting the Shadows, but the aftercare and the mending. Until those days she never would have considered that it was the healer who had the bloodiest hands of the group, but that was the ironclad trade-off if she ever wanted that power back. So she ignored the pull. That part of her life was over and she learned the lesson that the TV world had to offer: that she was strong on her own, here and now, without relying on her Persona. She was able to reach out for the future she wanted and take it without needing supernatural assistance, and there was nothing stopping her from doing so and going further, from being happy and truly living the life she and the others had worked so hard to protect. Nothing, when the occasional personal trial arose, but her doubts and uncertainties.

That had been Mom's point, after all. She always knew this lay within her daughter and so she had no problem being direct and encouraging her to go off on her own. No matter the challenges or the changes, Yukiko had it in herself to meet them and get what she wanted.

Yukiko smiled and looked away, shouldered her bags and went to see if Chie was ready. They both had somewhere to be and she didn't want to wait any longer.

---

It wasn't in Souji's nature to play up to his city boy stereotypes. Inaba serving as stage and setting to a murder mystery and home to a deity told any presuppositions of the boring boonies, "take it somewhere else," and the time he'd spent there had given him an appreciation for the pace of life there and the readily available silence. Being born and raised around constant traffic and the frenetic speed of Tokyo business, having the chance to catch his breath was a welcome introduction to his life, and he still partook in the habit of centering himself in isolation when he needed it.

Yet there was something about the Fujisawa nightlife that was more appealing than Tokyo or Kofu. Maybe it was the distance from the heart of things, or maybe Souji had just grown up enough to appreciate the serenity of the sequence of changing traffic lights and the steady hum of cars on the road, but whenever he needed a minute to himself, the condo's balcony was a ready option. It was free, close by, and he didn't have to fight anyone for the pleasure given how his friends had their own interests, none of which included watching the weather or amateur skydiving.

Just like now. He leaned against the balcony and let the wind break around him and take his mind elsewhere, let the thrum of life on the streets below pulse along his veins, and with the distance from the distractions of modernity, he set everything in its place in his mind's eye. There was the matter of his job and his schooling, both of which he would have to take a short hiatus from. Interestingly, this little episode with his father wasn't timed around any exams in his courses or big moves at his job. Souji had thought initially that any nudges or provocations would come up when it was least convenient for him to try and sweat him out, but now he wondered if the timing was chosen intentionally. From a standpoint of tactics or chess, it seemed like an invitation to move at his own pace and treat the problem with as much or as little care as he wanted. This way he could wonder and doubt himself, trip up without any clear prompting, and become paranoid about when the next problem would come up and from where, likely giving him the chance to hang himself with his own presuppositions and fears.

Luckily enough, Minoru-san had been understanding when Souji went to ask for the time off. "If this is something you need to work through, then I understand. You'll be welcome back here as soon as you're ready." The businessman looked at Souji cannily. "But I want a promise from you in return."

"I would need to know what the promise is first."

"If you need help with this, don't get careless and don't be too proud to ask for help. There is no shallow end to the pond we're swimming in, and bad things happen to people who think they can make do on their own."

"That's a deal I can make. Actually, I have some help from a side I wasn't expecting. Lots of experience and it's not someone I can ignore, so I have that angle covered."

Minoru-san looked at him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Whoever it is, make sure you pay attention. I wouldn't want to lose you to a corporate misstep."

"You won't, or that's my hope."

"Good. Take care, then, and come back soon."

That had been that.

After that had been the regular talks with Doujima, the increasing pressure from the investigation he was under. Kanji had called to assure Souji that everything that could be done in Inaba to have Doujima's back was happening, and in pretty short order at that. Souji hadn't realized that his uncle was so popular, particularly since people loved to say how much they would help and then duck out the minute that help was actually required. Then again, this could also be thanks to Nanako. The girl didn't know how to make enemies and no one could want her to be taken away.

All this and more to deal with. So many details, so much that needed his attention, and never, it seemed, enough time to handle everything the way he wanted.

It was a while into his musings before the door slid open. "There you are," Yosuke noted, coming over to join him. "Solving the mysteries of the universe?"

"I've got a few worked out, but I'll leave the rest for you."

"Not a chance, man. You can keep them. I've got plenty on my plate already with everything and…"

Souji knew from his friend's smile where his mind had gone. "Rise's looking good these days. Lots of spring to her step."

"Yeah, and she knows it. She called earlier, said she'll help out however she can but she's got some gigs coming up soon, so…"

"She texted me the same. Her job's a big deal for her, and I wouldn't want her to miss out on that for this. Though it's a shame you couldn't be there with her. For moral support and inspiration and all."

Yosuke shrugged. "My place is here. We both know that, and she'd chew me out if I ditched you when you needed me. She did make sure I knew that she'll help, though. She dropped a few names in the biz, said to call them if we need them."

A comfortable silence fell between them as they both enjoyed the lights and life of the city night. "The girls will be here tomorrow," Souji noted finally. "I hope you don't mind."

"Kind of late for me to raise any objections, isn't it?" Yosuke leaned against the rail next to him. "Means sharing a roof with Chie and stopping her from trying to cook anything, and bathroom access is going to be an issue, but it's fine. She and Yukiko-san are part of the team, and with something this big, it's where we all belong. It would be too strange for the group to be in pieces."

"Does that mean you're going to ask Teddie to come here?" Souji asked dryly. "I'm sure he'd love to bunk with you again."

Yosuke shuddered. "Don't even joke about that. Inaba's still recovering from him. I'd hate to see what kind of trouble he could get into over here."

"He's pitching in with Nanako, making a big production about being her babysitter even if that's not what we're calling it. Doing what he can, same as Naoto and Kanji. Everyone's doing what they can."

Yosuke looked over knowingly. "Come on, let's hear it. What's really bothering you? I'm sure the usual stuff is on your mind, like your old man and the strings he's pulling. But is that it?"

"He's plenty. You know I almost told Yukiko to stay in Kyoto? Maybe this is the difference being on the defensive makes, but I have no idea which move is the right one. If she's here, will he use that against her? Against me? Will he find some angle I hadn't thought of? If she decided to stay there, would he do the same? And so I've got her here with me. What then? Will that solve problems or compound them? I have no idea which move is the right one, and once I've made it, all I can do is scramble around and deal with the consequences." He let a breath out. "I hate feeling like this. It's like navigating a minefield with a cane going backward. Even the murder investigation wasn't this bad."

"That's the difference a Persona makes," Yosuke noted. "Not like we can fix things in the TV world and expect it to carry over here, is it? We can't just corner the problem and punch it until it breaks, either, not unless we want a criminal record. I think we took that for granted before."

"In a big way. The situation, the people. Especially the people…"

"I know that look. What's really getting at you?"

"You're being nosy tonight, aren't you?"

"I'm your right-hand man. It's my job to dig and pick at things, and that means you sometimes."

It was a while before Souji answered. "Having my mother involved in all this is… it's different. Not what I expected. Pretty sure it's not even what I wanted. But she made a good point: this isn't something I can handle on my own, even with you guys behind me. This is the real world and the rules are different here, so I have to take whatever help I can get. Relying on her, counting on her as my best option going forward, that's pretty new and I'm not sure I like it."

"You never talked about your family before. Your old man, I can understand why you wouldn't want to bring him up in discussion, but your mom's pretty cool so far. She's helping and she seems sincere about it."

"I think she is, but that's the problem. Part of me, a big part of me, still doesn't trust her. She's turned over a new leaf, sure, but that's recent. There's a lot of years that aren't going to just go away because my situation's changed. What does that say about her, that she changed only because she got smacked down at work? Is that sincerity or is it being opportunistic? And what does it say about me that I have to rely on her? Shouldn't I be able to face my own battles and not count on someone else to save the day for me? Would she have been there, or would she even care, if things had gone differently?" Souji grumbled out a raw, harsh laugh. "I thought it was easy. All that stuff I went through growing up, I figured I had it all worked out. I thought it was all done and over with, put in a nice little box that I could lock up and throw in front of a train. I had my life, my parents weren't a part of it, case closed, have a nice day. Now it's complicated and I have no idea where it's going to go from here."

"You've gotta take what you have against whatever you're facing," Yosuke noted. "We did the same thing with Kanji, and even Rise was a long bet at the time."

"I know, but then I start worrying about what'll happen after this. Will she still be around after this? Will she be on my side next time? Will my father find another avenue to come at me from? What does this all look like for Yukiko, does she deserve to put up with this?"

"She'd do it for you. Walking through fire might not be a big deal to her anymore, so I know she'd walk through water and sharks for you, whether you think you deserve it or not. Even I can see that."

"Yeah, but…" Souji shook his head. "I'm going in circles. Things made sense once and I had everything figured out. Now those things have changed and I'm stuck wondering if I really had any idea at all, or if I was just telling myself I did. Makes me seem like a pretty stuck up little punk if my perception of things was this delicate, doesn't it?"

Yosuke chuckled, but his expression of thoughtfulness and reflection made him seem older. "Makes you human. I won't lie, it's nice to see that you're flawed and messy just like the rest of us, but that doesn't change anything where I stand. You had reasons, good ones from the sounds of it, to think what you did back then. If the situation's changed, then that just means you have to adapt. Same as we did."

"Doesn't make it easy. I think you said it best, you know? It sucks to have to face yourself."

"You're doing fine. Any one of us would be doing a lot worse with the same material. Hell, even Naoto wasn't as steady as she pretended, and if you put up with all of us crashing as hard as we did, then we'll understand when you hit a bump in the road." Yosuke smiled then, that familiar grin that was as much a staple of the team's morale as Kanji's bravado and Yukiko's giggle fits. "Besides, I'm still here. If you get out of line or sink too far, I'll kick the crap out of you until you stop. I won last time we did that, remember?"

Souji scoffed. "I recall that fight going very differently. You might want to think twice if that's what you took away from it."

"Oh ho, are you saying I'm lying? Those're fighting words, you know."

"Rise would never let me hear the end of it if I laid you out, so I'll let you off the hook this time." Souji smiled, the tension between his shoulders eased. "Thanks, though. I needed that."

"No problem, that's what I'm here for. Oh, and there is one other thing," Yosuke added after glancing into the condo to make sure they were alone. "You didn't have to face a Shadow so this might not be something you're used to, but don't act like you have to do this all at once, this stuff with your mom and all that. I screwed up over and over and it took me forever, or that's what it felt like, before I made any progress."

"Your memory really is out of whack. I remember you doing pretty well, all things considered."

"Sure, but that's the kicker: all things considered. It never felt like I was changing fast enough or doing it right, never felt like I was making real progress until I got so fed up with it that I stopped thinking about whether I was changing and just did what came naturally to me. Just as high of a chance that I would backslide or screw up doing that, right? Luckily I didn't, and when I thought about it later, that's when I made the most progress. You're a perfectionist, and what's worse is you're the guy we all ran to for help back then. You didn't let yourself get dragged down, but now that it's your turn, I'm telling you to not let it hold you back. It's going to suck, probably worse than just about anything else you've gone through. Well, okay, maybe not that bad, but you know what I mean. It'll feel like it's all for nothing, probably more than once or twice, but sticking it out and doing the small stuff is what makes the big differences. I just want you to know that before you sink yourself on trying to solve all your problems at once, that's all."

"That sounds like something Yukiko would tell me," Souji noted. "I'm sure she will, actually, right from when she gets here."

"She's got a good head on her shoulders. And she's stubborn to boot, so you'd better listen." Yosuke smirked just then and seemed far away. "Actually since we're talking about your parents, it's only fair that I talk about mine for a bit, just so you don't feel like the only dysfunctional one in the room."

"You don't have to if it's a touchy subject. I don't need the moral support that badly."

"It's not just for you. Feels like it's for me, too, like how you're dealing with things reminded me of something."

"What's that?"

"I had a rough time with my dad when I was younger. Before we moved to Inaba, there was a lot of friction between us. Looking back on it, the big problem was the house we were living in. Mom thought it was too much, Dad said he deserved it because it showed his position since he'd just gotten promoted, and I had to listen to the arguments until I could recite them in my sleep."

"Everyone argues, so was this worse than that?"

"It seemed like it at the time. Maybe that's just how a kid feels when it feels like their family's on the rocks, but I couldn't let it go. Dad would set time aside for me and I'd cut out and say I was with my friends or working at school. I wanted to turn the screws on him, you know? And Mom was always worried about money, asking where it came from and whether we were really as stable as Dad said we were. That part turned out to be nothing, just some guys at work talking big about stuff that went nowhere, but I did some pretty good damage before it was all over." Yosuke grimaced. "Spoiled little puke. If I ever saw myself from back then, I'd whip his ass."

Souji raised an eyebrow. This was a new side to his friend. "I've been to your place and there's never been any fighting. Not even any tension. Your parents are so together it's kind of sickening to be around them sometimes."

"Yeah, you and me both. Thing is, when we moved to Inaba, we lost that house. Can't take it with you, right? The fights stopped, where we moved was more in line with what Mom wanted, and Dad was okay with it too so things went back to normal. But you know what? I never apologized for acting out, never thought it was wrong. Things changed, I changed with them, and life went on. I never thought about it until you talked about your mom."

"Where are you going with this?"

"You said you didn't know how to handle her, that all that baggage was slowing you down. If you're worried about not knowing how to deal with it, maybe you don't need to. My dad forgave me and we went back to normal without talking about it. I'm not even sure if he knew how angry I was or why, maybe he just figured it was part of me being a kid. But we're close now and we didn't need to hash things out. Maybe that's how it is in your case, how you can just deal with things as they are and let the past go."

"Take the high road, huh? Jettison the dead weight and keep going forward, no second thoughts? I don't know if I can do that. It's not a bad idea, but it worked for you in your circumstances. I don't know if it will work with mine. There are a lot of years that I haven't forgotten, and those years made me who I am, you know? The good and the bad. I'm not sure if I can just shrug it off or cherry pick the good days and ditch the bad ones."

"Might put you in a spot of dealing with all those bad days at the expense of the good ones."

"I know that part, believe me. If I could put all this stuff in the trash and head back to Inaba with Yukiko, I'd do it in a heartbeat, and after all this it feels like we deserve a happy ending. But that takes me back to where I am now."

Yosuke chuckled. "Then don't dwell on it. If you're thinking about it, that's all I wanted. If Yukiko-san's coming, she doesn't need you to be stuck in your head the whole time – odds are you'll be busy enough as it is. But think about it. I'd hate for you to give up on the present because you're stuck in the past."

"That's good advice, and I'll keep it in mind. Thanks."

"Hey, anytime, partner."

They walked into their home again, but in step and walking closer to each other than before. When Souji considered what out of everything had been bothering him the most before, he found he couldn't remember. It didn't matter, he knew. Not when he was beside someone he could share the load with.

---

Naoto wasn't one to admit when someone else had a better plan than hers. She could and often did regularly admit when someone had a good plan, an effective one, and one that had a lot of merit to it, but one that was better than what she had… that was difficult.

This was one of those times, however. She freely admitted that Doujima-san's idea to pair her with Kanji for maximum effect on gathering information was an inspired one, even better than she initially thought.

The effect was quite considerable for such an old trick. As the Americans might call it, it was the standard good cop, bad cop combination. Kanji was direct in asking for information and making an impression while Naoto was becoming even better at embodying the voice of reason and conciliatory inquiries. Her reputation was beginning to precede her to such an extent that sometimes Kanji pushing hard wasn't necessary, and much to her appreciation and relief, he was quite adept at reading when such pressure was needed and when it wasn't, sometimes content to just stand there looking more intimidating than a young man of 19 had any right to. Whatever reservations she might have had or concerns she might harbor regarding his stability in such work were soundly put to rest. He knew what he was doing and he was good at it. "I'm just followin' your lead," he admitted when she pointed it out to him. "You're an easy act to follow once you know what to look for."

Naoto didn't mind such praise, clumsy as it was. Not only was he paying attention and helping her, but he was paying that level of attention to her. She knew that intellectually, sure, but a girl never minded the reminder.

On the topic of work, however, their investigation had brought them to the Okina City business of one Fukui Akimitsu. A supplier of goods and sundries, the man was several spots down from the top of Doujima-san's list of names. Within a few minutes of beginning her meeting with the man, she could sense the trail just waiting for her to pick it up and knew there was a payoff waiting for her.

"You were asked," she noted after they'd been invited in, "about the activities of an Inaba resident, yes? One you deliver to?"

"Y-yes, that's right. It's not a crime to speak about one's neighbors, is it? I was perfectly professional about it, I assure you."

"You seem a little perturbed, Fukui-san. Is everything all right?"

"Yes, well, um… does he need to be here?"

Fukui-san was indicating Kanji who stood at the back of the room, arms crossed and looking like six feet of solid yakuza in his black leather jacket and button-up shirt.

"He does," Naoto replied as she sipped at the tea Fukui-san had offered. "He's here for my security. A woman in this line of work can't be too careful."

Kanji said nothing, but his stare did the talking for him.

"I… I see. And that line of work is investigations, is it? Asking after wrongdoings, looking for criminals, that sort of thing?"

"You have me wrong, Fukui-san. I'm just here inquiring after some odd behavior. If there's a valid reason for it then I don't have any reason to pursue my questions further. However, we have observed some peculiar transactions of late regarding some of your customers. We want to make sure everything is above board, if you take my meaning."

"R-right, of course. I don't have anything to hide, Madam Detective."

"I'm glad to hear that; it will make this much smoother and easier for both of us. Now, your transactions are with certain businesses in Inaba, correct? Certain prominent members of the community?"

"That's correct. We've done business with them for years. Not much changes there, after all, so their needs and the people generally stay the same."

"One of those prominent businesses has experienced some changes in their business and clientele, Fukui-san. We don't think it's a coincidence, but rather a form of corporate espionage and slander. I have reason to believe it's from a new outside source, from someone with intentions that are not, shall we say, particularly altruistic."

"An outsider, you say? I've done business with a few lately, but many of us have, and it's never been anything but cordial."

"People often conceal ill intent in benign motives, Fukui-san. Were these transactions particularly noteworthy? Anything strange or unusual in the contents or the person making the inquiries?"

"Not unusual, no. Unless unusual counts as some new faces to the business that don't know all the names and places in the area. People like to make in-roads, you see, so I try to be helpful and make connections. We're good neighbors around here and I'm glad to help if someone needs it. Nothing wrong with fresh business, is there?"

"Did this fresh business ask about the local police department or the Amagi Inn?"

"What? N-no, nothing like that, what would they care about the police? If I thought they were needing to bribe someone or smuggle their wares, I wouldn't do business with them. That's illegal and I wouldn't get involved with it."

"But you did talk about some names," Kanji concluded. "Some names they might not have had if they went somewhere else."

"Yes, of course. I thought they could help in the community."

Naoto continued, "Those names, those families, are having problems from that outsider, Fukui-san. I need to know who you talked to them about and where they are located."

"Did I… oh dear, did I say something I shouldn't have? Now those kids are having problems? If so, please accept my sincerest apologies; I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Which family, Fukui-san?"

"Honestly, I didn't mean anything bad. I was happy about the family and their little girl, and–"

Kanji's fists audibly tightened. Naoto cleared her throat. "Fukui-san, I'll pass on your apologies, but I need those names. Doujima-san and Amagi-san are perfectly happy to let this go if we can get to the bottom of this. No one's going to blame you for anything."

"If… if you're sure. I didn't think anyone could pose them any problems, they aren't those sort of people, and… wait, Amagi? I deliver to them, but that wasn't the name I was talking about. Neither was Doujima-san either. He's a solid police officer and I would never say otherwise. He's done a great job with that little girl of his."

"Wait, then who are you talking about? An outsider asked questions about a prominent family, but it wasn't Doujima-san or the Amagis?"

"No. I meant Ichijou. They had a little girl a few years ago and they also have their son who plays basketball. That's who your people were asking questions about."