Chapter 4

A perfect score. Wow, it'd been a lot of years since he'd last seen that. Yosuke couldn't believe how good his luck had been today; he'd actually managed to ace a test in one of his worse subjects, and now he was invited to Yu's at the end of Golden Week by Yu's mother. He headed for the stairs with his test paper in hand, and hoped that it would act as some excellent leverage for all the requests he was about to make. Yosuke started down the steps but stopped midway, hearing his father talking in a rather loud and aggravated voice.

"—in the storage room. It was unbelievable."

"Did you contact their parents?"

"Of course, but luckily it wasn't even necessary for me to terminate them. After the situation was explained to their parents, they immediately resigned. Teenagers these days... I don't understand why they can't control themselves."

Yosuke focused on putting the sentences together and rolled his eyes. It wasn't the first time his father had found two kids in various areas around Junes doing what, he supposed, came naturally.

"I couldn't imagine being the mother of either child."

They were acting a bit dramatic, even for them, because what did it matter? They were being dumb teenagers, and it seemed pretty open and shut to Yosuke. Then the voices became more hushed, but Yosuke could clearly hear the keywords:

Those boys.

Unnatural.

Disgusting.

His stomach flipped and he gripped the banister tightly.

"I am not looking forward to the paperwork tomorrow."

"Let me heat up dinner. I swear I heard Yosuke a moment ago. Yosuke!"

He couldn't stay here, in the middle of the stairs, but now his emotions were all over the place. His father had said those words, he couldn't argue that, but why was this upsetting him so much? Was it because he didn't think those two guys—whoever they were—deserved it? That wasn't the only reason, and suddenly his nerve to ask about Yu faltered. Why though? What was so weird about asking for his best friend to stay during break? To see if he could go to the city for a day? Just because his dad was upset about finding those two... guys, it didn't mean he'd think about Yu and him that way. It had to be that he didn't want to bother his father when he was in such a foul mood. His Persona must have been feeling agitated due to Yosuke's self doubt because Yosuke felt a faint mental tug he hadn't experienced in months. Takehaya Susano-o? Yosuke hand rested carefully against his chest as a calming wave washed over him. Relief that he wasn't alone during this moment. A stupid grin appeared on his face and he felt like laughing and crying at the same time. His Persona... He could feel him somewhere, and it wasn't something he thought he would experience ever again. For a moment he forgot about the conversation he'd just heard and paused to listen to Takehaya Susano-o's indiscernible chatter.

"Yosuke!"

Shit, he had to go down there. He'd have to investigate this later. He backed up quietly then started at the top of the stairs, going down them in his usual loud way.

"Sorry"—he pointed to his headphones—"you know."

His mother shook her head before answering, "You're going to lose your hearing. You really shouldn't have those things glued to you."

Yosuke rubbed the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah, I know." Nearly every day she said that, but they both knew nothing was going to change.

"What's that?" His father gestured towards the paper in Yosuke's other hand.

"This... Oh! Yeah, um, test result day"—he could see the unimpressed looks already forming—"and I kinda did awesome." He extended the test towards his father with less certainty than he thought he would have.

His mother walked behind her husband and they both studied the paper; her eyes grew huge as they scanned over it, but his father's face remained blank. Yosuke swallowed and waited for the accusations of cheating or worse, but he saw the side of his father's face twitch and then something Yosuke hadn't seen in a long, long time. He looked... proud.

"Well... this is..." For once his father was without words.

"Yosuke, this is wonderful... Isn't math your worst subject?" His mother raised an eyebrow.

"I, uh, guess? Anyway, so... Yeah." Normally he was defending himself, not accepting what appeared to be oddly worded praise.

"I'm impressed, son." Another thing Yosuke hadn't heard from his father in forever.

"...Thanks." Yosuke's face grew warm and he couldn't look at him anymore.

"If I had known this had happened I would have gotten something more fancy than take-out," his mother playfully joked and walked back to the oven.

"I'm glad to see you're getting more serious about your studies—it's your last year after all. Have you thought about what you're going to be doing?" His father nodded towards the seat opposite of him and Yosuke sat down.

"I'm not sure yet, I've been too busy trying to keep up now." Yosuke adjusted his headphones nervously. Why was everyone asking him that? Well, anyone who mattered.

"We'll help you if you have questions, but for now I think you're working too many hours for your last year. There's going to be a lot to do, and I can't have your grades slip because of Junes. Things seemed to have become significantly more stable now that community has opened up to the idea."

Yu's prediction had been correct, as usual.

"I still need money, and I'll let you know if it gets too bad."

"Fair enough, but don't you have a break coming up?" His father was checking the calendar on his phone.

"Yeah, and about that, do you remember Yu Narukami?" Yosuke's stomach was practically imploding.

"Narukami... the one with the weird hair?" his mother called from the kitchen.

His father's face twisted angrily. "That delinquent? What about him?"

Yosuke cocked his head. "Delinquent?"

"That motorcycle gang leader, or whatever he was."

"No, no that's Kanji Tatsumi, I'm talking about Detective Dojima's nephew, Yu Narukami."Yosuke could defend Kanji later.

"Oh, the boy you hung out with a while ago. He helped out sometimes, didn't he? Didn't he go back to the city though?" His father's memory seemed to be returning, but it was no surprise that they struggled to remember Yosuke's best friend. His parents were just like that.

"That's him, and I was wondering if he could stay with us during Golden Week?" His father's mood had improved Yosuke's confidence in the past few minutes.

His father contemplated for a bit before answering, "I don't see why that would be a problem. He'll have to sleep on the couch in your room. I am not letting any more visitors stay in my study," he insisted, and started to grumble at the end. It was a reference back to Ted and the one night he'd stayed in the study. Several things had been broken and Yosuke's father had a harsh response; as he'd put it, Teddie could stay in 'Yosuke's closet or the yard'.

However, Yosuke hadn't thought about that aspect of Yu's stay, but what did it really matter? It was the couch in his room, it wasn't like they were sleeping the same bed. Also, why would he have even thought that in the first place?

"I don't think he'll care. Also, one more thing, his mom invited me to visit for a day at the end of Golden Week... Do you think that's okay?" Yosuke's voice grew smaller and smaller as he tried to appear his version of normal.

His father raised an eyebrow now. "You know that you'll have to help out some during break, and if your friend will help then it shouldn't be a problem."

Geez, the grade must have really put his father in a good mood for him to have agreed to two things in a matter of minutes.

"Of course, that won't be an issue." Yosuke nodded and started to pull his phone out to text the confirmation but stopped.

"Oh, um, Dad"—he was going to regret asking, but for some stupid reason he wanted to know—"what happened at work? You seemed annoyed when I came down..."

"Annoyed is putting it lightly," he scoffed, "Two boys were caught... together... in one of the bigger storage areas. I wasn't terribly pleased when it was brought to me."

The familiar sarcasm made Yosuke feel sick. "I see, well what did they have to say?"

"Does it matter? I contacted their parents and dealt with it. Those two boys have no respect for the position they put their families in, or how the will community treat their parents if someone found out. So many kids are completely self-serving nowadays, but those two... "He didn't finish, but his face was full of disgust.

"Right, sorry." Yosuke knew his parents didn't approve of that kind of thing, but seeing the look on his father's face bothered him in a way he didn't understand yet.

"Finally done, sorry about that boys." His mother handed Yosuke his food, but he felt too nauseous now.

"I'm gonna eat in my room if that's cool. I've got some homework," he said, knowing that would save him.

"Sure, just remember to bring the plate back down," his mother instructed as Yosuke started back for the hallway.

He had to force the food down after he'd finally relaxed somewhat. His father had really reacted strongly to what had happened earlier at work. If Yosuke had heard this last year he might have thought his father was being harsh, but that would have been the end of it.

His phone buzzed and he jumped at the vibration practically shaking his desk.

Hey, how did it go?

Ugh, he'd have to tell Yu the—what should have been be great—news eventually.

awesome but dad seemed pissed so i figured i'd wait to ask about the break.

Makes sense.

Or he would chicken out and not say a word to Yu about it; which seemed par for the course recently.

but dude i felt takehaya susano-o earlier! it was crazy!

However, he could tell him this great news.

Oh wow, that's great! Any reason in particular?

Dammit, that wasn't an answer he was prepared to give yet.

not sure. plus i didn't get what he was saying anyway.

Well, I'm sure he'll make himself clear if he wants you to understand something.

Yosuke could almost hear Yu's actual voice of reassurance through the text.

right i'm still in disbelief. it's been months... do you still hear yours?

It's like a white noise all the time, but they are definitely there. They react differently to different situations or people I am around, but they don't try to really communicate with me anymore. I might feel what would be equivalent to an emotion from them.

damn that's kinda heavy. it makes sense though since you have like hundreds or something in your head. i dunno how you keep up with them all.

Yosuke had to ask though.

but i'm curious, how do they react to me?

Yu didn't respond for several minutes, which seemed unusual.

That's a more complicated area.

What the hell did that mean? What could be complicated about that?

i've got time.

Alright, I suppose it's easiest to start this way... Do you remember why I have so many?

Yosuke remembered the day he had finally bothered Yu enough to where he confessed why he had so many. He was fairly certain the others didn't feel comfortable questioning their leader about his unique ability, but Yosuke needed to know to help him come to terms with them being equals or not.

yeah, something about a wild card thing and zero and infinite stuff... or something.

Right, well I rely on different bonds to strengthen my Personas. On my own I am not capable of attaining great strength, but when my bonds with people grow I am capable of fusing more powerful Personas. I really have no idea why, but it was simply something I accepted. Izanagi isn't very strong on his own, and in the final battle with Izanami, he transformed because of all the bonds I shared with you guys. Does that make sense so far?

Yosuke reread the text a few times, and although he felt like it was pretty simple, it was hard to imagine. Takehaya Susano-O grew more powerful as Yosuke did.

yup. continue.

There are several different Arcana that exist, your Arcana for example is the Magician if you recall, and based on those, I fuse different kinds of Personas. Yukiko, Kanji, Teddie, Naoto, Chie, and Rise all had their own Arcana they represented; however, our team as a whole also represented an Arcana.

Yosuke had kind of remembered about the Arcana thing, but even when they'd be face-to-face it hadn't made a whole lot of sense. In fact, he was pretty sure Yu only explained it because he'd slipped up and said something about Yosuke being 'the Magician', and Yosuke bugged the crap out of him until he came clean. This was different though. Was Yu actually dodging something? As interesting as Yu's explanation was, it hardly answered Yosuke's question.

sooooo did that give me my answer or am i missing something?

Sorry, I'm not very good at explaining this. Essentially it has to do with the Arcana you represent, and that would mean that a Persona from the Magician Arcana would react more favorably towards you, I suppose.

any in particular?

Mada, of course.

He remembered when Yu had used Mada in a battle once, and it was customary for everyone to ask about each new Persona. Yu had uncharacteristically turned bright red when he explained that particular Persona. Yosuke could remember his own level of discomfort, but he also felt a little proud.

oh yea, i guess that makes sense. what does it feel like exactly?

This was starting to sound weird, but Yosuke was too curious and had too much momentum going in this conversation. Yu delayed yet again, but Yosuke couldn't blame the guy. How could you word something like that? It wasn't like any of them had a frame of reference when they'd gained their Personas, and now he was asking Yu to formulate some matchless feeling.

Sorry, can't think of a way to explain it.

That being said, Yu always found a way to explain something. He was acting strangely today, but Yosuke didn't push it. If Yu was feeling awkward this might make his recent...ish issues act up and Yosuke wasn't going to be responsible for that.

it's all good just curious. text you later though. i am gonna go get ready to crash! it was fun to hear you explain all that stuff even if some of it went over my head.

I actually enjoy talking about it, it helps me to understand it better when I'm forced to think of explanations. I'll look forward to the text.

awesome, then i'll force you again sometime!

The moment Yosuke hit send he smacked his palm to his forehead. Did he really just send that?

whoa whoa you know what i mean!

Of course. Talk to you soon.

Yosuke shut his phone and tilted back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He'd have to tell Yu soon otherwise he'd make plans to stay with Dojima. He couldn't dismiss this weird uneasiness though, but now that his Persona was making himself known it gave Yosuke some more confidence.

"Alright, better at least keep part of my word," he mumbled before leaving for the kitchen to avoid the wrath of his mother.

After Yosuke finished prepping for bed he sat back down at his desk for a few minutes. The bath had not relaxed him in the slightest. He saw the familiar light on his phone and he flipped it open.

hey! lets get some food tomorrow after school!

Chie.

sure sure whatever. whos coming?

He honestly didn't feel like going anywhere with anyone, but at least it could occupy his day off from work.

the regular group minus rise and him.

Yosuke felt a pang of loneliness knowing who "him" referred to.

right sounds good. see you in the morning.

:p i wont even make you pay!

i wouldn't have anyway idiot.

It seemed harsh but this was just their playful banter at this point. Yosuke rolled his eyes, such a loving friendship.

"Ugh, more math." Yosuke looked at the smaller stack of homework and almost ignored it. "Might as well keep this good grade thing going."

He really had to stop talking to himself.

School was the same, but at least it was easier to keep up in class. For once he was called on and he knew the answer, and now no one could say Yu had given it to him.

"Yosuke hurry up, geez!" Chie's loud voice carried down the hall as they all met at the lockers.

Yosuke trudged towards them and lazily opened his only to spot an envelope decorated with hearts and pink stickers. He slammed the locker shut and looked at the floor. There was no way. He had to have opened the wrong one. Of course, thanks to his trademark subtly, he drew the attention of the group.

"Hey, what the heck is wrong with you... Oh my gosh! Let me look in there!" Chie realized all too quickly and started to muscle her way between him and the locker.

Yosuke tried to maneuver and grab the letter, but it was too late.

"Boy with the headphones, huh? Wow, Yosuke this is an actual confession!" She spun and had her back to the group, who were all huddled around her looking at the now open note.

"Chie, give that back, dammit!" Yosuke's face was hot and he knew he was causing a scene.

"Hey Senpai way to go!" Kanji gave Yosuke a thumbs up. Yosuke felt like answering him with a punch.

"I've watched you since last year and I have waited to finally tell you my true feelings, aw this is too cute!" Chie was actually reciting the whole thing in the middle of the entryway.

"Cut it out! That wasn't addressed to you Chie." Yosuke tried to yank it from her hands, but she kept evading him.

"Ooo, it says she wants to meet you on the roof after school to hear your answer. You have until next Friday to respond. Dang Yosuke, I can't believe someone is actually naïve enough to have an interest in you!" Chie started to laugh and handed him the letter.

"I wonder how long it'll take before she realizes what you're really like," Kanji joked, now laughing as well.

"A five minute conversation I'd wager," Chie responded, which resulted in Yukiko joining the laughter with one of her fits.

"Shut up! Dammit, you guys have got to stop acting like this." Yosuke rubbed his temples trying to process everything.

"It's wrong to keep a lady in suspense, Senpai." Naoto nodded towards him.

Even Naoto was taking their side? Yosuke felt his blood starting to boil. He did not need this right now.

"Screw this, go eat. I'm going home." Yosuke changed shoes finally and slung his bag over his shoulder, ignoring his friends' protests as he stormed out of the school.

It'd been a few hours since Yosuke had gotten home, and although he was still upset he was more confused than angry. He'd never noticed a girl paying attention to him or watching him from afar, and he definitely didn't remember talking to a girl from his school at work. What year was she in? What did she look like? What was her name? How could he give an answer to her when he didn't have a clue who she was? Why was he even entertaining this? He wasn't going to fall in love with her with one look, and he would have to tell her thanks, but no.

"Agh, this sucks." He grabbed and reread the note for the hundredth time before crumpling it and throwing it across his room.

He rolled on his side and adjusted the covers of his futon before checking his phone. Yu had texted him a few times, but he'd ignored the ones that were sent after school.

How was your day?

Did you have to work tonight?

There's no way you're doing homework.

Yosuke closed his eyes and smacked his phone against his forehead while cursing to himself. He left it against his head while thinking of what excuse to make, but felt it vibrate again.

agdufw? What is that?

The self-inflicted abuse had sent a random message.

sorry about that. it was just a crappy day.

Tell me about it.

He really didn't feel like telling Yu about the letter right now, but then if he didn't, Chie would.

some girl left a confession letter in my locker today. it was weird as hell. then chie grabbed it and proceeded to read the whole damn thing to everyone.

Yu didn't respond for several minutes.

What did it say?

she asked me to give her an answer by the end of next week. not counting today that's a maximum of six days to decide my feelings for a girl i've never met. high school girls make no sense i swear.

What are you going to do?

obviously tell her i don't feel the same way. i don't wanna break the girl's heart and i'm flattered but no.

Makes sense. I guess you'll do it this Monday after school then?

yea it's better to get this crap over with so the others will move on.

Yosuke paused and thought for a moment.

have you ever gotten a letter?

Yes, a few I guess. I've simply thanked them and apologized.

of course you have. :p

What answer was he expecting? No? Girls were practically tripping over one another when Yu was in Inaba, and city girls were definitely more forward, or so Yosuke assumed.

Not sure what that means, but I'm glad you're letting her know the truth soon. Have you found out about Golden Week yet? If I can't that's fine, I'll just ask my Uncle.

Yosuke couldn't avoid this any longer, and what did it seriously matter?

yea dad said it was cool for you to stay the whole break and he said it was fine to go to your place. we just gotta help out a little bit at junes. hope youre cool with the couch in my room tho cause dad doesn't want anyone in his study again.

Couch sounds great, and I figured about Junes. I'll tell my mother when she comes home tomorrow. Have you told the others?

Did he have to?

nah i am leaving that to you dude. i won't steal your thunder.

It went on like this for a while, and it was nice to forget about the was getting better at communicating with Yu via text, and it wasn't easy before to keep a conversation going with him through messages. It ended all too soon though.

Going to finish some homework now... I suggest you do the same. :)

Ugh, and there was the damn smiley.

sounds terrible, have fun. imma listen to music instead.

And that was it, and now he was alone again and left to his own thoughts. His own jumbled thoughts. Yosuke decided to slip on his headphones and drown out the indecisiveness that was starting to surface. It was just easier this way.

He'd eventually fallen asleep that night listening to music and woke up to a dead battery. However, he still had a few hours to charge it before he went off to Junes and committed another Sunday to his own personal hell. Yu had texted him around 7 AM with the lyrics of that crappy shopping channel song.

i hate that show. that guy looks like a total creep.

Yosuke looked through the cabinets to find some easy instant meal he could throw together. It wasn't so much about health with Yosuke, just whatever would fill him up with the best taste possible, with the least amount of effort. He was not looking forward to the endless stocking he was going to have to do because he knew that would leave him room to think. He was exhausted from thinking.

After he'd finished making his food, he sat at the table and turned on the TV to have some kind of background noise. Monday was going to suck for him, and possibly the rest of the week until the following Monday. At least then Yu would be here, and maybe he could even get to Inaba on Sunday. Yosuke fiddled with his old ring absent-mindedly while he looked towards the TV, absorbing nothing. If Yu was coming to stay with him, and no one could stay in the study, at least he could keep Ted out of their hair at night.

He switched to staring at his hand and pulled the ring off, turning it over and over in his palm. He smiled remembering the start of last year. When they'd all offered Yu their belongings—whether they'd have been worth anything or not—to sell at the start of the TV business, Yu had refused. Somehow, he'd always kept them equipped with the best gear, and when Yosuke tried to donate what money he could, Yu had always declined. The guy worked several part time jobs, was at the top of their class and defeated a goddess while Yosuke struggled with barely passing and working at Junes, but at least he could say he fought alongside Yu. Some days they would literally lean on each other to get home, and it helped Yosuke feel like Yu needed him; although Yosuke was pretty sure he was the one that depended on Yu far more.

Buzz.

hey dork im sorry about yesterday. i know youll let her down easy tho.

He really did not want to talk to Chie right now, and he certainly didn't want to think about this girl.

it's whatever. i'll talk to her monday.

He finally got around to eating his food and decided to spend the next couple hours doing homework.

If he could concentrate.

He could not. It would be okay though because now he was at work and could focus on more depressing things.

Like how he was going to possibly crush this girl's soul.

It seemed arrogant on his part, but he felt like she was going to be a dramatic person. Her letter certainly looked the part.

"Hanamura, break time."

Yosuke looked at the clock, and even though it had seemed like minutes, it had been three hours already. He dug his phone out of his pocket and checked his messages. Yu had sent him a message right before he'd clocked in.

Sorry, I was cooking and didn't hear the phone earlier. I imagine you're at work now, but I hope you have fun. :) Every day is great at your Junes!

Yosuke could hear the jingle in his head (the music still blaring over the speakers), but at least he heard Nanako singing it now instead of that infuriatingly fake woman.

hey i'm on break. can you talk or are you busy?

Seconds later the phone rang.

"I guess that answers that question." Yosuke chuckled as he leaned against the wall of a random back hallway.

"I shouldn't have finished all my homework yesterday." He heard Yu yawn and could imagine him stretching out.

"Don't remind me." Yosuke grimaced and shook his head.

"Ah, that answers my next question then." Yu sounded amused as he continued, "On break?"

"Yeah, it's been a crazy day. Dad's been too busy to stalk me so that's a plus, I suppose." Yosuke balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder while instinctively looking around at the mention of his father.

"I was thinking about discreetly changing my ring on your phone to Nanako singing the June's song, but I didn't want you to go all axe murderer on me. Or kunai murderer... Maybe that's more accurate?" Yu seemed to be in one of his chattier moods to Yosuke's delight.

Yosuke laughed though and slid down the wall to the floor. "Very accurate. Not that I have used those things in a while. Dude, my muscles would weep if we tried to do what we used to." He felt sad saying those words; almost like it was years and not months ago.

"I think it'd come back to all of us rather quickly. Maybe we'll pop into the TV during break. Surely we can still do that."

Yosuke could see the smile on Yu's face and his own mood lifted even more. Takehaya Susano-O sounded like he was almost chirping with glee in Yosuke's mind.

"That would be awesome. We still haven't sold that TV by the way."

"And you never will."

Yosuke thought that sounded like Yu knew something he didn't, but he just laughed it off.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to be the crazy high school kids who jump into a TV again. Looking forward to it. You coming Sunday or Monday?"

"Sunday more than likely if that's fine with you. My mother has to work that day so I'll be able to escape without her intervention."

"That sounds awesome!" Yosuke checked his voice before adding, "I mean, you know, for us all to be back together again."

"I'm sure it'll be a busy week." Yu's tone had changed to a more subdued one.

Yosuke wished that he could keep talking to Yu but he had to get back to work. "I'll text you once I'm off, and thanks for occupying my break, partner."

"No problem, partner."

"Ass." Yosuke still laughed as he hung up the phone and went back to work, his mind filled with Yu and what he was going to have to plan for the following week.

7 days to go.

6 days to go.

Usually Yosuke counted down until he got off, but Sunday he worked over instead of heading home at his scheduled time. There had been no sense in going home to an empty house and disquieting thoughts. He'd mostly focused his day around organizing what they were going to do when Yu arrived and how he could get away with seeing Yu without the others. Purely because he wanted to see his best friend and get two words in before Rise or Chie began their taunting. Nothing else.

However, he could no longer avoid this love letter situation, especially now that the final bell had sounded. He walked up to the roof slowly, trying to figure out how to phrase the rejection without coming off as too much of a dick. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in having a girlfriend, it was just because he didn't even know the girl. Yeah. Sound logic.

He placed a hand on the handle to turn it, but stopped short when he felt his pocket vibrate.

Yosuke, call me before you go home. I need you to pick up the paperwork on those two boys on your way. I didn't have time to fill it out yesterday and I forgot about it today. I need to turn it in tomorrow morning, so don't forget.

His dad was notorious for this, but this time Yosuke couldn't focus on teasing him. He was reminded of the awkward conversation he'd overhead that day. Unnatural. Disgusting. Those words shook him and he felt sick again, but he couldn't just stand at the door forever. His insides were twisting into knots as he pushed it open and stepped outside. Better to get one problem out of the way before focusing on another.

Once his eyes adjusted to the sun, he could see a small figure at the end of the roof facing away from him. She slowly turned, obviously hearing the creak of the old door, and smiled sweetly towards him. Yosuke knew he should have felt... something.

But he just didn't.

There was no excitement, fear, embarrassment or even mild shyness. He just felt moody and bothered, something he'd never imagined experiencing with a girl who'd confessed to him. After he finished walking up to her, he could make out her features much better. She was what someone would consider conventionally attractive, and most boys would probably be stumbling over their words just trying to talk to her. Yosuke assumed this anyway, because all he took in was how short she was compared to him.

"Sorry about the note. My friends made it and put it in your locker." She smiled sweetly at him.

"Ah, I see." Maybe this would be easier than he thought.

"It's mostly true though. I've been interested in talking to you since last year." Her pale face was very red now.

"Oh."

Or not.

She still didn't break eye contact as she spoke, "I'm not saying it's love, or even a real crush, but maybe you'd like to go out some time? I'm Ume Hayashi."

Yosuke knew he should said say, 'sorry not interested, but thanks', because that was what Takehaya Susano-O was practically yelling in his mind (words very discernible now). However, all Yosuke could think of was his father growing suspicious that he still hadn't found a girlfriend or that he wasn't even talking about girls. He didn't want to be labeled as... that by his own father. Not because he was or anything, but because it would be an awkward argument.

Coward.

Yosuke jerked his head to the side, swearing for a moment he'd heard a voice behind him.

He slowly turned back to Ume. "Er... I'm Yosuke Hanamura... and please just call me Yosuke." What was he doing?

"Oh, ok. Pleased to finally be making your acquaintance, Yosuke-Senpai." Her face lit up and she clapped her hands together. "So, would you like to? Go out sometime, I mean..."

"Um..." If Takehaya Susano-O had been dormant for the past few months, he was certainly active now, and he was very clearly against this. "Sure."

Yosuke felt a force like someone knocking the wind out of him, but he kept talking, "I mean, it couldn't hurt... Right?" The inflection in his voice made it seem like he was asking her if it was okay to lie to himself like this. She, of course, didn't notice.

"Right! Wow, well I guess I'll give you my number and we can go out soon!" She pulled her phone out, giggling as she did so.

Yosuke gave her his number and she sent him a text so he could save her number later. He decided that he would hang around and chat with her a little longer before facing the group and hearing all their crap. He didn't bother to check his phone when she sent it knowing there was no rush; as a result, he failed to notice the other dozen messages he'd received.

He should have been excited and rushing to tell everyone he knew, but all he could do was think of excuses to tell everyone instead. How was he going to tell Yu? He felt like he'd deceived his best friend, but that was insane. He could split his time, and Golden Week would be dedicated solely to his partner. Yosuke decided to go ahead and deal with the uncomfortable conversation. After stopping by Junes, he put the paperwork in his bag as quickly as he could to avoid the nagging curiosity to read the confidential report. Usually he was nosey, but decided to be respectful this time. He pulled his phone out on his way back and his eyes grew wide as he looked at his notifications.

5 missed calls. 16 messages. With the exception of one message, they were all from Yu.

Yosuke frantically scrolled through the message thread picking up on random messages.

Feeling weird, I'm going home.

Hey, are you still at school?

Yosuke, please pick up.

Then he felt a terror he hadn't experienced in months.

pls answer

theyre everywhere

Message after message asking for Yosuke to call or describing what Yu was seeing. Yu's hallucinations had apparently started again and Yosuke had been on the roof with a girl he didn't even know instead of answering the phone for the best friend he'd just made a promise to.

He ran home calling Yu, getting voicemail, hanging up, and calling back again. He repeated this as he opened the door and threw his bag towards the dining table where his father would be. His parents were probably getting food, but Yosuke didn't have time to wonder about where they were.

How could he do this to Yu? He'd told him to call when he started to feel all this crap and Yosuke couldn't answer the first damn phone call about it. He was fucking pathetic. Yu would have answered. Yu wouldn't have let Yosuke down.

"Dammit, pick up!" After getting voicemail for what seemed like the hundredth time Yosuke threw his phone on the futon.

He ruffled his hair violently and sat down on his bed trying to formulate some semblance of a plan. Dojima might be able to get in contact with Yu's mom or dad. Yosuke grabbed his phone and dialed Nanako only to be met with their answering machine.

"Dammit!" He didn't have any idea what to do and he felt like the most worthless piece of shit.

Maybe he could buy a train ticket and just go to where Yu lived? That would take way too long. Should he call the emergency line and report Yu? They wouldn't do anything though, and what could he say? The truth would be unbelievable and if Yu was just ignoring him out of anger it would cause Yu and his family a lot of trouble. Yosuke wasn't the best liar when he was talking to an authority figure anyway, and having to talk to someone about why a police officer should be sent out would be a difficult lie.

Useless.

Yosuke looked around his room, certain he heard the same voice from before. What the hell was going on today? Was he hearing the same voices Yu was? No, there wasn't time to make this about him. He'd fucked up and he had to fix this. Somehow.

He alternated between dialing Yu and Dojima several times, wishing he'd saved the detective's cell number instead. After half an hour or so, Nanako finally answered the house phone.

"Hello, Doji—"

"Nanako-chan, it's Yosuke. I need to speak with your dad, it's an emergency." He didn't want to alarm Nanako, but he needed to press the urgency of the call.

"Oh, o-okay, one sec. Dad!" He could tell he'd frightened her and he'd have to apologize later.

"This is Doj—"

"Sorry to call so late. It's Yosuke and I think Yu's in trouble."

"Hanamura? What's going on?"

"He's been, uh... sick, and he hasn't answered for me in a while. I'm worried he's passed out and hurt himself or something. Anyway, can you call his mother? ...Please," Yosuke's voice cracked as he relayed what little he knew, and he only now felt his wet cheeks.

"Um, well I'll give her a call." Dojima sounded unsure.

"Please, please do that. Let me know if you hear anything."

They both hung up and Yosuke hugged his knees to his chin, hiding his face between them. It wasn't sobbing or anything, but just the silent crying of knowing and not knowing the damage his betrayal had inflicted.

"Please be okay. Please answer me... Please don't hate me."