December 9th Friday
The atmosphere was warm at the Amagi Inn. Yu was surrounded by all the people he cared about. It had been a good day all around. Yosuke had put the party together in record time, pulling in most of the people the Investigation Team cared about and more than a few people from their time at Yasogami High School. Yu had already made his rounds, chatting with most of the guest but he wanted to let Yukiko shine as it was her birthday. Currently, he sat next to Ren as the teen talked to Mariko Kasumi. For not knowing more than half the people at the party, Ren quickly made fast friends with people. The true gift of the wild card. However, Mariko or rather Marie had seemed to take the greatest interest in him. Yu was waiting for the right moment to reveal who Marie was but for now, he'd just let Ren believe he was talking to the town weather reporter.
"… Living in the attic above a coffee shop? Doesn't seem all that comfortable." Marie shook her head.
"It's not that bad and it has its perks. Free coffee whenever I want." Ren explained.
Marie had changed so much since he first really met her in the velvet room all those years ago. Long gone was the naïve, introverted young girl he first met; now she was confident to the point she was openly sharing her poems with people. With the age of social media, she often shared them online much to the glee of her weather girl fans. No longer were they depressing but filled with hope and inspiration. The land in and around Inaba flourished due to her and it's prosperity only brought the already tight-knit town closer together.
Yu looked from Ren and Marie to notice Kou and Chie making their way towards him. Shifting, Yu got up from his seat to greet them. Chie had a serious look on her face as Yu caught her eyes shift to Rise on the other side of the room. Yu didn't need any of his detective skills to quickly deduce what was going on. Kou who had been dating Chie these past three years offered Yu a warm welcoming smile. He was another success from Yu's relationship advice after he left to study abroad; he learned that his place was truly in Inaba. With his family and Chie. Chie who always thought Kou had a thing for Yukiko was surprised when he suddenly asked her out but quickly warmed up to the idea of dating him.
"Yosuke is in the lobby," Chie said simply.
"Kanji looks like he might explode. Poor guy... Probably best to give him some of that Narukami wisdom." Kou informed, his eyes darting towards Naoto who was talking with Naoki Konishi.
"I'll see what I can do. See you guys in a bit." Yu nodded before looking towards Ren. "I'll be right back. Ren, do me a favor and try and see if you can keep Rise here in the room."
A confused look appeared on Ren's face. "Yeah sure."
Marie looked towards Rise. "Ummm… That shouldn't be too hard." Something about Marie's look didn't sit well with Yu after all Rise and Marie didn't always get along the best.
Yu didn't have time to ponder what scheme Marie might put into practice to keep Rise in the room. Kanji needed him and he wasn't about to keep him waiting too long. Excusing himself, Yu moved out of the room heading down the halls of the Amagi Inn to the lobby. The sound of heavy footfalls could be heard before Yu stepped into the lobby. Kanji was there pacing the length of the room as Yosuke leaned against the front check-in counter; Yukiko's dad sat behind the counter a twinkle of amusement flashing in eyes.
"Yu! I don't know 'bout this man…" Kanji's voice was shaky as he stopped his pacing to give Yu a frantic look. "I mean… She could say no…" There was a mounting dread in Kanji words, unwarranted but still there.
"Kanji, stop and breathe," Yu commanded in a firm voice before looking towards Yosuke. "How long has he been like this?"
Yosuke shifted the two garment bags he had been holding to look at the clock behind the counter. "About seven minutes."
Kanji started to breathe heavily, almost to the point of hyperventilating. Yu shook his head before he stepped up to Kanji and put his hands on his shoulder. A firm look into Kanji's eyes along with Yu starting to slowly but audibly breathe started to calm down the larger man. After a good minute or two Kanji seemed to have calmed down enough to be functional. Taking a step back, Yu turned his attention back to his partner.
"Everything ready?" Yu asked.
"Of course! That is if Kanji doesn't freak out anymore." Yosuke handed the garment bags to Yu.
"I'm workin' on it!" Kanji boomed. "This is sooo much fuckin' harder than I thought it'd be!"
"What's harder?" A new voice entered the conversation that caused Yu's blood to run cold.
Yu snapped his attention to Naoto as she stepped into the lobby. Goro shadowing just a few feet behind her. Naoto had this look on her face, which seemed to be a mixture of anger and suspicion. Damn it, he should have told Ren to worry about Naoto too, but in his haste to get Kanji to calm down it had slipped his mind. Cursing silently to himself he wondered if this is where their plan fell apart. Thinking fast Yu looked to Yosuke for help.
"I uh…" Kanji drawled frozen like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car.
"They are working with me on a surprise for Yukiko." Yosuke smoothly lied.
"A surprise?" Naoto pinned Yosuke with a stare. "What kind of surprise?"
Yosuke pointed to the garment bags in Yu's hands. "You remember that cross-dressing competition we did in high school?"
Something seemed to click for Naoto. "You guys are going to crossdress again?"
"Yeah!" Kanji agreed quickly going with the lie.
"For a skit, we have been planning for the party. You know Yukiko's sense of humor, she won't stop laughing and that's what I'm aiming for." Yosuke folded his arms across his chest. "For her, I'm willing to look like an idiot, I made these two promise to help me. Ted is too good at the crossdressing thing so he was out. Kanji was helping me with the outfits last night." Yosuke sighed before he rubbed the back of his head.
That was the truth at least. Kanji had been working with Teddie and Yosuke last night, but it had been simply to avoid Naoto and help with the party.
Yu watched Naoto's defenses lower instantly before she looked at Yu. "And you knew this all along…"
"We kind of wanted it to be a surprise for everyone." Yu shrugged.
Naoto let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, Kanji you had me worried something was wrong."
"Naah… Just ya know helpin' out Yosuke." Kanji answered not as smoothly as Yosuke.
"Alright, I'll head back then and let you guys get ready." With that Naoto turned and disappeared down the hallway.
Several minutes passed before Kanji let out a long sigh as he dragged his hand across his face. "This sucks man, I hate lyin' to Naoto."
"I don't like lying to her either but come on, let's get this..." Yu was about to finish before Goro stepped back into the lobby.
Akechi wore a scathing look that he turned on the three men in the room. It was clear that Naoto wasn't the only one Yu had to worry about. Goro-Kun was both Naoto's equal in intellect but he was also fiercely protective of the woman that had saved him. While Naoto had accepted Yosuke's explanation, something must have seemed off to the younger detective. There was no hiding anything from Goro-Kun now, the only hope for them was to flip him onto their side.
"What are you three hiding from Nee-san?" His voice held a dangerous edge to it, which reaffirmed to Yu how committed the boy was to Naoto. Then again he came from a world of lies and because of that he was no doubt jumping to the worst possible outcome.
Yu sighed. "Kanji, show him the ring."
"Huh? Oh…" Kanji fumbled the pockets of his leather jacket before pulling out a small old wooden box and opening it.
Akechi glanced towards the ring before some of that hardened look on his face started to melt away. "A ring?" Goro asked tentatively.
Yu reached into his pocket and pulled out his box. "We are going to propose to Rise and Naoto."
Akechi's guard further dropped as he had no doubt pieced everything together. He solemnly nodded before he looked at Kanji. "Don't do this to Nee-san again Kanji." There was still some sharpness to his words as he turned to leave.
"I-I umm don't plan too!" Kanji shouted at Goro's retreating back.
"Remind me not to get on that kid's bad side." Yosuke shivered.
"He just wants to protect the people he cares about but he only knows how to do so aggressively," Yu explained before he looked at Kanji. "We should get out of here before anyone else grows suspicious of us."
"Agreed! Come on let's get to the back employee room so you two can change." Yosuke turned and started to head off back down the hall.
Yu followed behind as they were ushered into a small room tucked away at the back of the Amagi Inn. The room was empty as all the employees were either helping with the party or attending to the guests at the inn. Yu hung up the garment bags on a hook and opened them. A finely tailored white suit greeted him, freshly pressed and looking ready to wear. Yu had experience with this level of clothing, he enjoyed looking every bit a polished gentleman when he took Rise out in Tokyo. Kanji, however, was a much different story. Kanji preferred comfort in his clothing selection, not that he couldn't look nice but if he could get away wearing an old washed out pair of jeans and a tank top, he'd rock that look. Luckily he also had an eye for design which was his saving grace.
Yu shifted the garment bags around and open the second one. A fine black suit greeted Yu gaze, just like the other suit it was freshly pressed. Yosuke had seen to having the Inn press both suits that morning as they had experience in that kind of thing. Kanji's black suit had originally been his dad's and was made of some fancy fabric. It hadn't fit Kanji initially but after some minor alteration, he had done the night before the suit promised to fit him like a fine glove. Working at a textile shop all his life gave him some advantaging in the tailoring department. Yu handed the garment bag to his friend and nodded.
Kanji was no longer allowed to turn back. It was do or die time.
Yu turned his attention back to his garment bag and got ready. His outfit consisted of a white suit with a white waistcoat. Under that was a black dress shirt and Yellow tie to give the outfit just the right amount of pop. Something about this particular color of yellow just reminded him of his friends. He couldn't explain the connection to the color he felt but he couldn't deny it either, hence the yellow tie. As he straightened out the suit, his eyes shifted to Kanji. Kanji was just finishing getting into his clothes. His suit was a bit more straight-forward than Yu's. A black jacket with matching black pants. Underneath was a stiff button-down shirt. Instead of a tie, he wore an ascot of rich bright blue fabric with a slight textile pattern to it. Finally, a whitish silver lapel pin hung on his right side just an inch or two from the ascot. The pin was of a small white bell.
That pin meant a lot to both Naoto and Kanji. It had been a gift from Naoto's grandfather to him the year after they started dating and before the old man had moved away from Inaba to go someplace far warmer. Kanji had told him the story; that the old man had given it to him for a birthday gift saying he wore it when Naoto's dad and mom got married and that he hoped one day it would be present at Naoto's wedding. There were very few of the pins made since the small bell was the symbol of Naoto's family, but his particular one was special. The old detective was a wise man and seemed to understand even before Kanji started to pull his act together that he'd be the one that married his granddaughter because to wear one meant you were part of the Shirogane family.
"Well? How do I look, because yer lookin' great." Kanji asked as he buttoned up his dress coat.
"Kanji you clean up remarkably well, Naoto will love it. Nice touch with the pin." Yu smirked.
"Yeah, I kinda had to include it. Felt wrong without it." Kanji rubbed the back of his head as he spoke.
"Probably would be," Yu added before he fiddled with his simple golden cufflinks. "Ready? Don't forget your ring." Yu reached for his coat; pulling out the ring and transferred it to his dress pants.
"No, but Imma man up and do it anyway." Kanji firmly nodded as he also retrieved the ring from his street clothes.
"Good," Yu turned his attention to the door and stepped out.
Kanji shadowed him as Yu stepped out into the hall of the Amagi Inn once again. Yosuke who had both been their lookout and was going to be their introduction into the party gave an affirming nod to his two bros. "Lookin' good. Now let's get you both back in the party, come on."
Yu led the way back down the hall to find Yukiko, Chie, and Teddie standing just outside of the party doors. As soon as they approached, Chie gave both Yu and Kanji a thumbs up as she held a small camcorder in her hands. Teddie seemed to swoon over them another camcorder in his hands. Yukiko a bit more reserved offered them a warm smile before looking towards Yosuke. Yosuke rolled his shoulder and nodded to the two girls and suddenly they opened both doors to the hall and strode with a confident stride to their step. Yu gave Kanji one last encouraging pat in the back before he strode in after his other friends. Yu heard Kanji audibly gulp before he fell in line with him. As if the entrance that his friends made hadn't been grandiose enough, the fact that Yu and Kanji walked in sporting full tuxedos now had everyone's attention. Without doing anything the whole room's attention was fixed upon the five as they all walked up to the middle of the room. Yukiko climbed aboard a table in the center of the room with Yosuke's help.
"Attention everyone, it has come to my attention that Kanji and Yu wish to make an announcement. If everyone would please be silent while they make their announcement that would be wonderful." Yukiko's sweet voice proclaimed to an already dead silent room.
That was Yu's cue. He quickly scouted the room finding Rise standing not far away, next to Kanami Mashita and Futaba. Yu turned and headed off in her direction just as Kanji seemed to move to head towards Naoto. Chie went with Kanji as Teddie trailed behind Yu. Reaching into his pocket Yu pulled out the small wooden box. Yu's eyes met Rise's eyes, as a sudden look of surprise flashed across them. Rise had some prior warning to his proposal and the fact she was still surprised was refreshing. Or maybe she was just acting surprised, he had told her to do that after all. Yu stepped up to her and got down in the familiar pose.
Deep breath in then out.
Yu looked up at Rise. "Rise Kujikawa, we've known each other for a long time and I know despite all the chaos going on around us. I'd still like to ask you if you'd like to marry me." Yu proclaimed.
A warm laugh echoed from Rise's lips. "About time, but yes!" There was a mist of tears in her eyes, as Yu got to his feet and slipped the new ring on her finger.
Kanami gave a sudden squeal of excitement. It was the same pitch Yukiko had when he had announced his plans the other day over the phone. What was with girls doing that? Rise locked eyes with him before she stepped up to him. There were no further words that needed to be exchanged before their lips met. Yu wrapped his arms around Rise and pulled her close to him. The kiss wasn't one you'd ever normally give someone in public but in the spirit of the proposal, Yu didn't mind showing the world how much he absolutely loved Rise. They pulled away just as a new voice sounded across the event hall.
"Of course I'll marry you! Why wouldn't I!?" Came Naoto's voice.
Yu wished he could have seen his partner's face the exact moment Naoto's mind realized exactly what was happening. Luckily Chie had his back and was recording everything as Teddie was recording things on his end. As both announcements reached their respective conclusion everyone suddenly turned their attention to the newly engaged couples. Congratulations were heard from all around as people offered their blessings. Rise looped her arms around his arm and snuggled close to his side in an affectionate gesture. Teddie bounced around them getting everything on the camera he held.
"So does that mean I can call you Big Sis now Rise-san?" Nanako's voice rose above all the congratulatory remarks.
Rise pulled herself away from Yu to face the preteen. "You always could have Nanako."
"Naah, didn't seem right until now, Big Sis. "Nanako smiled before she looked towards Yu.
Rise took a step away from Yu as everyone else seemed to back off. Yu spread his arms out before Nanako closed the distance between them and embraced him in a warm hug. Yu returned her hug, pulling her off her feet for a second or two before setting her down. The two shared a moment making the previous ones all the more special. Slowly they broke the hug as Nanako stepped back, a wide smile on her face.
"You owe me a niece or nephew before I graduate high school. Do you understand?" Nanako's tone was firm. Clearly, she wasn't just joking around.
Yu smirked turning his attention to Rise, knowing full well she'd make for a great mother. "I'm up for that if you are."
A small flush of pink-tinted Rise's cheek at the idea of that. "Maybe… We'll see."
Another round of congratulations echoed around them as Rise and Yu made their way to the center of the room. Waiting for them in the center was Yukiko and Yosuke, both of them had wide smiles on their faces, clearly pleased by the events that had just taken place. This was how their group functioned, they faced everything together whether it was a proposal or someone's birthday. Yu was truly lucky to have so many people he could depend on and this proposal had been made so much easier with everyone's help.
"Thank you," Yu smirked.
"Eh, I didn't do anything you wouldn't have done for all of us." Yosuke shrugged as if it was truly no big deal.
"Don't say it like that." Kanji's voice boomed.
From their left Kanji and Naoto appeared. Yu looked towards his partner. It would appear Naoto's face still held a shadow of the flustered look she had no doubt sported when Kanji proposed. She was recovering but Naoto wasn't the type of person that got that surprised all too often so it took a bit for the shock to wear off. Still, despite the slowly fading shock, a pleasant smile played across lips as she held onto Kanji. Naoto was happy, happier than he had ever seen her. Kanji, for the most part, had a goofy grin playing across his face, he looked as if he was just ready to melt. He had done it and now was reaping the benefits.
"It was really nothing to help you guys," Yukiko explained.
"How long have you guys been planning this?" Naoto inquired.
"Would you believe in two days?" Yu asked.
"Seriously?" There was a shock in Rise's voice that indicated she was even surprised by that news.
Yosuke threw his arm around Yu's neck and dragged him down to his level. "Could you believe they wanted to do it tomorrow?! We forced 'em to do it today."
Yu felt an excitement surge through him as he quickly countered Yosuke grab. With the shift, he pinned Yosuke's arm behind him. "You're still too slow."
"And you're in a white tux. I'm sure Rise would kill me if I damaged that perfect face of yours at the moment." Yosuke countered.
"Save it, both of you, for the TV realm." Naoto sternly advised.
"I'm so gonna kick your ass later partner," Yosuke smirked as Yu let go of his arm.
"You can try," Yu responded dryly.
"Eh. Kanji are you crying?" Chie suddenly asked looking up from the camera.
"Is everything alright Kanji?" There was a bit of panic in Teddie's voice.
Kanji indeed had some tears in his eyes. "I ain't cryin'!" Kanji sobbed. "Real men don't cry, these are manly tears because I'm just so freakin' happy right now!"
"Ahh, you big lug…" Suddenly Yosuke sniffled. "Don't do that, you'll make me cry."
"It's okay Yosuke, let it out. I won't judge you." Yu answered.
"Shut up, I'll deal with you later!" Yosuke remarked with a bit of anger bristling under his words.
"Please do, there will be no need to be gentle," Yu stated dryly.
There was a long sigh that came from his best friend but it was drowned out by the laughter of the rest of the investigation team. The upbeat mood never really left the party as it continued on for about another hour. Slowly people headed out until it was just those who would be joining them in the TV realm. Yu scanned the group as everyone was putting on their coats. It was going to be quite a few today. Probably the biggest run to date, but it was kind of planned that way. While the party was wrapping up Kanji and Yu changed back to their normal clothes and met the group out in the lobby. The group consisted of the entirety of the investigation team, the Phantom Thieves here in town, Marie, Nanako, Kanami, Kou, and the fox.
The group moved through Inaba no doubt attracting a bit of attention. After all, there were two idols among them, a cat, and a fox. Rise had been the one to convince Kanami to join them. Even if they were rivals on the stage it didn't mean they weren't great friends off the stage. Kanami had dropped everything to come to the party for the chance to meet up with Yu and his friends. Nanako was a regular with them by now. She had almost died in that world but it didn't stop her spirit of adventure and she had begged them to take her with. Persona or not, Nanako eventually got her wish and because of how peaceful it was over there Yu didn't have to worry about her. Kou was the other odd addition, this was going to be his first jump into the world. Chie had apparently been planning to bring him there herself but this opportunity was too good. So it wouldn't be just the Thieves' first time.
Yosuke lived about a half a block away from Junes in a small house his parents used to own. The elder Hanamura's had left the house to their son after Yosuke's dad got another promotion to regional president of the company. They had moved to be closer to Junes headquarters as Yosuke took over as manager for the Inaba branch. The job of being a manager, however, came with a lot of responsibly and long hours. A normal day for Yosuke started at 4 in the morning and sometimes didn't end until after 8 pm. Luckily because he was so close to home, he could take a break there. Teddie who was the official store mascot took up the responsibility of taking care of the house when Yosuke worked long hours. Something Nanako had taught him how to do.
As they reached the house, Yosuke pulled out his garage door opener and opened the garage. Inside of the heated garage was Yosuke's Goldwing motorcycle propped up on a motorcycle jack as if he was doing something to it during winter. There were a few tools around the bike. Yosuke and Naoto both worked on their vehicles together and it was one of the pillars of their particular friendship. Yu knew enough to do an oil change and change a tire, but he had seen both of them covered in muck and arm deep in Naoto's Datsun before. Besides the bike and the tools, a few boxes rested in the garage but the thing everyone was here for was the large flat-screen TV in the back. It was a 90-inch screen and looked in perfect shape, Yu knew better. The TV had some sort of flaw within its display that caused it to flicker violently whenever it was plugged in. It was garbage but Yosuke had picked it up from being thrown out from Junes and gave it a new purpose.
"So who is going in…" Yosuke started before Marie walked forward and entered. "Well, that solves that question." Yosuke sighed.
"Freaky…" Kou commented as it was his first time seeing the process.
"But you'll be fine! Come on!" Chie explained before she and her boyfriend quickly disappeared into the screen.
"Come on Futaba, let's go together! You too Kanami" Rise took Futaba's hand.
"Okay… I can do this!" Futaba muttered as she clung to Rise.
"Right behind you Rise!" Kanami called.
Soon all three disappeared.
"You're with me and Kanji Goro-Kun," Naoto instructed.
"If you say so Nee-chan," Akechi remarked.
Then the next three disappeared.
"Bear bomb!" Teddie shouted before he dove into the TV and was gone.
"Yip!" The fox called as it jumped in.
"Hey wait!" Morgana followed a half a second later.
Yosuke closed the garage door before he looked at Yukiko. "My lady, would you do me the honors of accompanying me to the other world?" Yosuke added a slight chivalrous bow as he extended his hand to her.
"Of course!" Yukiko warmly smiled as she took her boyfriend's hand.
Then it was just Yu, Ren, and Nanako.
"Ready Nanako? Ren, I guess you're with me." Yu looked towards the two of them.
Ren smirked before he got down into a crouch. The next instant Ren sprinted at the TV and disappeared within it in a fashionable flourish.
"He is such a showoff." Yu sighed.
"He's also cute," Nanako remarked.
"… What?!" Yu boomed in surprise.
Nanako quickly disappeared into the TV before Yu could say anything more. Yu grumbling to himself about a young girl reaching a certain age. After a second of standing alone, Yu too headed into the TV.
I've been sick for the past few weeks, on and off again with a cold. I'm seriously behind but I don't know if I can catch up. This fic is about 2/3 complete and I don't know if I'll have it all out before royal comes out. Would anyone mind if we let it linger a little while past?