Author thingy : whew... i guess i kinda found my motivation...somehow... xD
To :
dayabr _ i'm...sorry... m(_ . _)m truly sorry, i know how it feels to be disappointed after such a high expectation... so, what do you think of this chapter? if it's still lacking, maybe because i'm warming up or something... hopefully... :D
Guest _ yes, thank you... :) i'm intending to use this free time before college starts to write as much as i can...
"Well, he's stuck with you, I guess."
-Last night- Inaba Municipal Hospital | Evening | Year 2012
All of Yu's comrades are now thinking the same 'what did I just hear?' and are dumbfounded staring towards Yu and the child.
"D-'daddy'?"Rise voices breaking the confusing silence. "What does he mean, Senpai?". Yu looks at Rise and then the others.
"He mistakes me as-"
"You had a kid, Yu-kun?"Chie asks with jaw opened wide.
"What!?"Rise turns her head to Chie and then back at Yu. "S-Senpai...?"
"No, that's not-"Yu tries to middle but is interrupted by some awkward statements from his friends. "Look, GUYS!"Yu raises his voice. Everyone silences and paying him their attention. "It's not like that, okay? He was hurt so I, I mean we, brought him here."
"When he first saw your friend he yelled 'daddy' all of a sudden and hugged him."the woman explains trying to set the atmosphere bearable. "Maybe he looks a lot like Yuki's father."
"Yuki? The child's name?"Rise asks. The woman nods.
"Yes, Yuki Narukami."she adds completing. And they once again, dumbfounded, even more. Oblivious to their silent reaction, the woman continues. "He might be separated from his parents. Does any of you know anyone named Narukami?".
"Y-you sure his name is Narukami?"Chie asks.
"Uh, yes. He said it himself.". They all turn to look at Yu. So many confused stare are directed at him. He then decides to answer them something.
"I know it's hard to believe. I still can't believe it, too."Yu says. "But, she's right. His name is Yuki...Narukami."he hesitates upon saying the word 'Narukami'. It kind of brings Yu mental weight.
"Maybe he's your relative or something?"Kanji adds. Yu shakes his head.
"No, I don't think so."then suddenly Yuki grabs Yu's clothes and looks up at him.
"Let me ask him."Rise moves forward to Yuki. "Hi, what's your name? I'm Rise."she says with a smile.
"I know, Aunt Rise."Yuki replies. "Daddy, why is Aunt Rise asking my name?". Rise can't help but feeling a bit annoyed being called 'Aunt'. "Don't we know each other already?"
"Who did you just say an aunt...?"she mumbles feeling upset.
"Aunt...? Heheheh!"Yosuke adds chuckling, followed by the others. After getting a glare from the accused, he calms himself down. "But still, he seems to know us well. I wonder why."
"But he only recognized you and Rise-chan."Chie applies. Everyone in the room seems to be thinking after Yosuke's statement.
"Maybe...he's from the future...?". All eyes on Chie. Another strange but probably the only condition that may make sense. "W-what? It can't be true! ...Right?". They all sweatdrop at the new idea. Both of finding it impossible and most likely to be the case.
"...The future?"the woman asks surprised. "That's not possible..."
"What the hell brings him here then?"Kanji says, trying to understand.
"But, the future, it's just...too much."Rise denies, with a bit hesitation. The five members of Investigation Team can't deny that it is maybe worth discussed further, considering what they had been through. But also agreeing that it cannot be done in the presence of ... 'non persona-user'.
"Ugh, we need Naoto."Yosuke puts his palm on his forehead.
"But, she can't be here right now."Chie says.
"I know."
"Naoto? You mean Naoto Shirogane, the detective?"the woman asks interested. "You're friends with her?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Wow..."the woman says in awe. "Oh, I'm actually her fan. Can you send her my regards? My name is Miya Kamada."
"Uhh, sure..."Yosuke scratches his neck. The woman, Miya's eyes are glistening. Suddenly Rise notices something about Yuki who is still clinging to Yu.
"Umm, Senpai..."she calls. When Yu turns to look at her, she points at Yuki via eye gesture. Yu looks down and find his eyes are closed, lips slightly apart, and a steady breathing coming out of him.
"Aww, he's asleep."Rise squees with a very low voice. Hearing that, everyone also tries not to let out any loud sound. "He's...kinda cute.". They all then hear the door slides open. The doctor who attends to Yuki walks inside and closes the door.
"I'm sorry for leaving you. How is he?"the doctor says, stepping closer to the side of the bed where Yuki, Yu, and Miya are at.
"He seems to be asleep."the woman informs as she steps aside to let the doctor gets between her and Yu. After a few touches and check-ups, the doctor puts down his stethoscope around his neck and puts his arms in the white coat's pockets.
"He seems fine. There's no need for him to stay here. He only needs some rest."he states. They know the doctor is telling them that Yuki is somehow alright, but the way he says that there's no need for Yuki to be there any longer, sounds to them that the doctor doesn't 'want' him to stay.
"There are still other ways of saying that!"Chie whispers to Yosuke, hoping the doctor doesn't hear her. But he actually did. He turns to Chie with a sharp stare, supported by the shape of his eyes.
"You're right. Still, I need to avoid having patient admitted in here, as many as possible. Glad this town is not so big, my service will be less needed, so that I won't have to be here for too long. I hope there are one of you who's a local can take medical studies and give your all to be useful for this hospital."
"What?"Chie, and maybe everyone thinks the same.
"This hospital still needs additonal specialist doctors. Frankly, I'm here only because the director asked me to handle a critical patient, which is under my specialty."the doctor says casually, as if it is natural. Everyone is at a condtion where they are at a loss of words. Unpredictable things are said by the doctor.
"Does that mean, you're choosing the hospital where you will work for to your liking?"Rise asks, a bit annoyed.
"Yeah, and shouldn't your...uhh, I don't know, loyalty or something is to 'patients', not hospitals?"Chie adds.
"Indeed. But, hey, I'm a human, too. I have personal issues as well."the doctor replies while walking towards the door.
"Still, as a doctor, personal issues should be put aside."Yu says. The doctor stops for a moment, turns to Yu, and sends off a small smile. "He may go home now."before getting out of the room.
"Wh-what's with that doctor!? He gives me a wrong impression!"Rise practically shouts when she no longer hear the steps around, before covering her mouth with her hand realizing there is a little kid sleeping in front of her.
"Hmh, my thoughts to them doctors are slightly bended from now on."Kanji mumbles, but can still be heard by the remaining person in the room. "In the wrong side."he adds. When the atmosphere is getting away slightly, Chie voices.
"So...what do we do now?"Chie asks to everyone.
"Well, he said he can go home now, but..."Yosuke gives a respond. Everyone put their attention to Yu, expecting a decision.
"He needs somewhere to stay."Miya says, looking at Yuki with kind eyes. "If you don't mind, I can have him at my house."
"Yeah, seems that's best."
"Oh, but..."she halts while picking up her handbag from the chair. "Wouldn't he be scared waking up in an unfamiliar place? I think he should go with you."she points at Yu. "Since he's calling you 'daddy'. And he might feel safer with you."
"Wait, Senpai, you haven't gone home yet?"Rise asks noticing her senpai's bag resting on the chair.
"Oh, yeah, not yet. I was on my home, when he showed up."Yu replies. He then tries to somehow shifts Yuki and his own position so that they both are comfortable.
"I'll manage for the administration. You guys can go ahead."Miya says.
"Thank you."Yu says.
"Oh, wait! Are you sure you're leaving him to his house?"Yosuke walks forward to the older woman.
"...For the time being. Until he's used to things, then maybe we could find his parents."
"Oh...alright.". Miya slide open the door, and gesture to everyone to get ready. Rise gets off of the bed and pats her clothes. Yu, while can't think of any other way to carry Yuki, he simply picks him up and holds him on his left arm, carefully not to wake him up, and then towards his chair to picks up his big bag. Rise doesn't leave her senpai's movement.
"Senpai, let me carry him. You can hang your bag on your shoulder."Rise says walking closer to Yu.
"Really? Alright.". They exchange hold of Yuki in a very careful way until he is safely in Rise's arms. They all then leave the room and headed outside the hospital after thanking Miya for taking care of the payment.
While walking through the quiet night street of Inaba to Yu's house, they liven up the atmosphere by talking over small topic.
"He's so cute!"Rise whispers, looking at Yuki's sleeping face.
"Hm? Oh, he is?"Chie, walking beside Rise tilts her head to see Yuki's face that's resting on Rise's left shoulder. "You're right. He is cute. Reminds me of Yukiko."
"Yukiko senpai?"
"Yeah, well, you know, back then we often had a sleepover at the inn.".
"Kanji, don't you think he's cute, too?"Rise asks Kanji who's walking behind them.
"Huh? Why do you ask me?"he responds.
"Because you like cute stuffs?"
" Tha-that only goes for plushies!"he practically shouts in embarrasment. The girls giggle. Kanji grunts for being laughed at. Curious, he then looks carefully at Yuki who is quite facing him, his stomach to be precise. Yuki's lips suddenly closes and opens slightly again, which to Kanji is a big factor to think of him as...cute. "W-well, I...guess he's...cute enough..."Kanji stutters while blushing.
"Aww!"both Rise and Chie. In front of them Yosuke and Yu walking side by side.
"Whew, partner. What a way to start your day here."Yosuke says. "You always bring something."
"Sorry about that."Yu replies with a chuckle.
"Nah, maybe we need that something to keep us occupied, though. In a city where almost nothing going on..."
"But, I still feel glad to be here, with nothing going on, or with things going on."
"Hahah! Yeah, I feel the same, too. If you guys are around, I don't mind whatever circumstance I put myself into.". Yu agrees with a genuine smile. Rare smile, only with those he trusts and feel comfortable.
"So, you got yourself a kid, huh? You know you always got us, right?"
"...Yeah. To be honest, I don't know what I should do...about him."
"For now..."Yosuke holds Yu's shoulder. "Well, he's stuck with you, I guess."he continues which is supposed to be a joke.
"And you, too."Yu replies with a serious face. Yosuke catches his face. It's like saying 'I'm the daddy, and you're the mommy'. Yosuke pulls his hand from Yu's shoulder and starts to feel a bit awkward.
"Uhhh...what do you mean...?"he asks, laughing to ease the awkwardness. Then, Yu holds a laugh. "Oh you! Dammit!". They both laugh, causing the others on the back looks at them and smile a little.
City Street | Evening | Year 2024
A blue car which has Rise and Kazuya inside it just passed an electronic store that's closed a few minutes ago.
The store's curtain are spread downward, lights out, and a woman who seems to be the storekeeper is locking the door from outside. Just as she puts the keys inside her bag, she feels something wet drops on her shoulder. After peeking at her shoulder, she looks up and few more drops falling down.
"Oh, dang! It's raining."she quickly roams her hand inside her bag looking for an umbrella she thought she is bringing. After a few seconds, she realizes the umbrella was left on the bed when she was hurrying. "...Great."she hizzes at herself, decides to use her own bag as a temporary protection to the head and makes her way to stop a taxi. The store is now officially left behind. With the curtain preventing people to see beyond, the store doesn't have many people even leer at it. Zooming to the narrow space between the curtain, there's a prick of light coming on and off very quickly. Then it comes on for a few seconds long, with a heavyly echoed voice of chuckling. "Hmhmhm. ...Perfect.". And the light's off.
Author thingy : *sings More Than Words by Westlife*