A/N: Well, I did not expect to finish this chapter within a few hours of posting the sixth chapter. Oh well. This one focuses more on Social Links, but we'll be returning to the castle in the next chapter, so hold onto your horses, we'll be fighting with fire in the next chapter.

Thanks to those who followed and reviewed!

foxchick1 - Thank you for reviewing even if it's a short one, chapters should come fairly quick while I'm still having the drive to do them. I should be more inspired to write more since you and another reviewer have just... well, reviewed. I'll do my best in the following chapters.

Mr Giraffe (Guest)
- Yep, delinquent! Imagining Canon P4!MC with blonde hair is kinda weird, but the reason I paired him/her with Kanji is because... I kind of ended up liking it after playing a particular fangame for P4! I did his route in the fangame because I wanted to get it out of the way first, but I ended up falling for how good the writer of the fangame did his characterisation, so it stuck. It's not because of their delinquent-ness, but it just serves as a small conflict to Yui's growing (future) crush and love for him.
- As to why Yui became a delinquent, I think that should be obvious in how I had set up her backstory and her thoughts in the past chapters and this one. If not, oh well, it'll all come to light later. Then, as to why she stopped becoming a delinquent, you'll get some hints in this chapter and the last chapter, where she has a brief thought somewhere in said chapter. That should mean something, should it? /wink wink nudge nudge goddangitamithatbadathints
- Thanks for the compliment on the fight scenes. I really suck at them, so I try to base them on my actions and other videos on that battle while adding some other dialogue and actions that aren't entirely restricted to the turn system the game uses. Also, I feel the damn same with wanting to write everyone's reaction to learning that Yu is a girl and a former delinquent, though the girls (except Naoto cause I think the time they do find out, I plan it to be just a bit after she joins them) who crushed on him would be quite disappointed, especially Rise... heheheh.
- I think you mean how to address Narukami? You can just call MC as Yui and use 'she and her' pronouns, and there's no trouble in using Yu and 'he and him' pronouns if you want.

Anyway, sorry for the long answering scheme. On with the chapter!

Yui didn't exactly had a nice sleep after all those thoughts about her time as a delinquent, but she got enough so she wasn't too sleepy at school the next day. As she was about to exit her room though, her phone rang.

"Who would be calling at this hour…?" She took out her phone and answered the call in a lower voice. "Hello?"

She did not expect to hear Margaret's voice on the other end.

"Hello… I realize this is sudden, but… I'm Margaret. We met at the Velvet Room the other day. There is one important point I forgot to warn you about, so I thought it best to contact you immediately. Going to save your friends is a selfless and noble deed… by all means, we encourage and support you in regards to this matter. But to proceed to hastily in that quest will mean facing one battle after the next. Though you may be pressed for time, devoting yourself to battles will not quench your heart's yearnings. The bonds created through Social Links are another important means of strengthening the powers of your Persona… do not hasten heedlessly through your days, and remember the importance of moving at a sustainable pace. Please remember that. Well then, if you'll excuse me…"

The call ended just like that, leaving the girl in silence. In a way… Margaret was right. The battles in the TV world were becoming difficult the further they went, and if what was said was true, then her actions outside of the TV is just as important to becoming strong… she can't neglect it.

Maybe it's time they took a short break from traversing the foggy world inside the TV.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

While on the way to school, Yu overheard a small conversation by a pair of two students.

"The sports clubs are starting to accept applicants today! Which one should I join?"

"Weren't you asking the same thing last year? And the year before that?"

"Was I? Well, whatever. I shouldn't join a sports team. I need to focus on my entrance exams this year! I need to choose which shrine to wish for luck at with my mother so I can pass the exams. I don't want to go to the shrine near the shopping district, 'cuz it's all shady and creepy, you know…? Not only that, but I heard a rumour that there's something living in that shrine! I wonder if it's true…"

Hm. Sports clubs, huh... well, he hasn't played soccer in a long while since elementary school. He was kind of out of shape since last year as that was the year he focused entirely on his studies, trying to make up for the time he wasted acting against his parents as a delinquent in school.

…No harm in joining one. He'll have to make up for his smaller size and shorter-than-the-average-boy height with agility.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

After school ended, Yu headed to the Faculty Office to see what sports clubs were accepting people. Much to his shoddy luck though, it just happened to be Mr. Morooka inside the office. Swallowing down his sudden nervousness, he went ahead to ask his homeroom teacher about it.

Mr. Morooka fixed him a judging look. "Eh? You want to join a club? Ohhh, no! I know what you're really after! You're just trawling for girls, aren't you!? Admit it! Listen up! A club is supposed to be…"

From that point on, Yu just stared blankly at his teacher as he ended up getting lectured for a while. Damn it. It took him a moment to snap out of it when Mr. Morooka finally finished his lecture.

"…So, still want to join a club?"

The silver-haired boy blinked a few times. "Y-yes. What sports clubs are available, sir?"

Again, his teacher took it wrongly. "Trying to break a youthful sweat, are you!?"

Yu just tried to endured through it.

Eventually, Mr. Morooka did answer his question. "…You can join either the soccer club or the basketball club. After leaving the faculty office, make a left, and go through the exit to get to where the sports clubs meet! By the way, club days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday! Sports clubs don't meet on rainy days! Got it!?"

"Yes, sir. Excuse me, sir." With the info he needed attained, Yu quickly left the room. He would rather do anything than to talk with his homeroom teacher for even one more second. But learning that there was a soccer club available, he had already made up his mind about it.

He'll be joining the soccer club for this year.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

The physical exercise teacher introduced him to the students of the soccer club after their training for the day finished. "…Alright guys, listen up, You have a new teammate! You all know Yu Narukami, right? He's from the city, so I'm sure he's got some moves he's just waiting to show off! I'd say this season is in the bag! I'm even thinking about making him captain!"

Yu tried to ignore it, but his ears could hear the whispers coming from the club members.

"The city, huh?" "I bet he played for some big team back home…" "Tch, look at him. City slicker…" "Probably thinks he's better than us…" "Yeah, we're just a bunch of hicks to him…"

The silver-haired boy quietly took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Those whispers sounded awfully familiar to the ones he got back in junior high, though the context was only different.

"Here, why don't you say something to the team?" The teacher suggested to him. Yu looked at the other club members and decided that he'll try to play it cool with them. "It is nice to meet you all."

The members only replied with a nonchalant sound. They didn't seem very friendly…

Well, he'll show them one day. He did go through such rigorous training to inherit a nationwide - and somewhat an internationally famous company at a young age, became a delinquent in junior high to the point of gaining the nickname 'Kingpin' back in his time, and was fairly great with his grades when he focused back on them. He'll prove himself!

"Alright, let's start with a few laps!" The teacher announced before glancing at the silver-haired boy. "Yu, why don't you just watch for today? Practices are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but we don't practice in the rain. We take the week before exams off too, so make sure you use that time to study hard, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Yu nodded in understanding, and so the teacher then went off to monitor over the other club members. The other players dispersed about the field, though he noticed that some did show an interest in him but didn't bother.

Except for one guy.

"…Hey man. Don't let 'em get to you. Just play hard and have fun," A brunet who appeared quite to be a tough person told him. "I'm Daisuke Nagase. Second year, same as you. Nice to meet you."

"Oh, hello. Nice to meet you too, Daisuke," Yu greeted him in response. As he did, he noticed someone else coming over, dressed in a white shirt, blue sports pants and white sneakers. "Yo Daisuke, you waiting for a special invitation? Let's go!" The boy soon noticed Yu, though. "Oh, hey, you're the transfer student, right? Joined the soccer team, huh? Good, 'cause they need all the help they can get. Pretty weak team, know what I'm saying?"

Daisuke frowned at what the guy said. "Shut up! Your team is just as lame!" He glanced at Yu. "This big mouth here is Kou. He's the same grade as us, but he's on the basketball team."

Well, they seemed like decent guys. At least.

"Kou Ichijo. I'm the basketball team's up-and-coming MVP," Kou introduced himself, acting a little conceited. Daisuke just rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Man, get your head outta the clouds."

"Hey, and that's not all! I'm pretty smart too, so if you need any help on your tests, I'm your man." Kou grinned before looking at Yu. "How 'bout it, transfer student? You a smart guy?"

The brunet sighed. "Stop calling him that. The team's already giving him enough crap as it is…"

"Ahhh, I can hear it now. 'Us country folk ain't gonna get shown up by now big shot city boy!'. Gotta love those guys."

"It's not funny, man…"

"Well, as long as he's got some skills, they'll back off sooner or later. You played much soccer before, Yu?"

"It's been a while, but I did play plenty back then. I think I can get the rust off of my skills if I play enough." Yu gave them a small grin. Soccer used to be one of the ways he could sweat off the stress and frustration he had in his life, until delinquency took him over.

"Then this'll be easy, right?" Kou grinned back. Yu shrugged. "Maybe. I'll keep my head out of the clouds, though." His response got some laughs from the two, and the silver-haired boy felt a bit free with them both.

He found himself becoming friends with the two as they had accepted him regardless of the rest of the team's hostility… he soon felt a faint bond forming between the three of them, the same voice whispering in his head, this time of the Strength Arcana.

Daisuke looked at the others, realising how behind he was. "Dammit, now I'm behind on my laps." He looked over at Yu who was having the time off since it was his first time. "Yu, wait up for me so we can walk home together."

"Sure. I'll wait around." Yu nodded. Kou decided to change out of his sports clothes in the meantime. "Alright, I'll go get changed. See you in a few." He walked off, leaving Yu to wait around for Daisuke to finish his laps.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

They did make up on that promise, walking each other home while chatting about some stuff. Yu was the last of them to walk home, being the only one left after Daisuke and Kou went back to their respective neighbourhoods.

As he walked down the streets leading up to his uncle's house, he was met with the sight of a familiar looking black car. He stopped in his steps, blinking a few times. What was this doing here? Inaba is way too far for a car as sleek as it to come from the city…

Much to the silver-haired boy's chagrin though, a man dressed in a suit and tie with a matching sleek hairstyle and black sunglasses came out of the car upon noticing him. "Yu, please come here."

"…What has my grandfather sent for me now?" Yu asked in frustration, refusing to take another step closer. "I heard his words. He thought that I was a shameful child for what I've done in junior high school, and I've done everything I can to undo it! Why has he called you here?!"

"You know I can't answer that, Yu. Just come here, he has sent some things for you to study."

"Damn it…" Yu muttered under his breath as he gritted his teeth. Still, he didn't have the courage to refuse what his grandfather would order him to do. "…Fine." He let out an annoyed sigh and approached his grandfather's secretary, staring with a frown at the man where his eyes should be behind the sunglasses.

"Don't be like that, Yu… your grandfather is doing what he can to help you."

"By making me feel bad? I doubt it."

"Yu."

The boy then lowered his head, refusing to look up at the secretary. This man was one of the only few he did dare to raise his voice at… but this man was also possibly the only one he dared to speak his thoughts to. "…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you…" he apologized quietly, his tense shoulders sagging down in defeat.

And… this man was the only one he ever thought of as a real father.

His grandfather's secretary could only sigh. "I know you're stressed at having to move here and there because of your parents, and pressure from your grandfather to make up for your mistakes… but I'm still there for you. Just give me a call when you need me, Yu."

Yu solemnly nodded. He wouldn't though. He has to be strong through all this. "What… what did my grandfather send?"

"A few books on business management and the types of clothes, and a book about modern and traditional clothes and fabrics. He wants you to read them and remember it, for he will be asking you to buy some fabrics from someone in this town a month or two later."

"…I will."

"Okay then." The secretary took the bag of books out of the car, which looked fairly heavy although it was just a number of books. "Here you go…" He gave it to the boy, who almost stumbled at the weight. "Careful, Yu."

"J-just caught off guard, that's all. I guess that you'll have to go now…?"

"Sadly, yes… got a lot of work to do back at headquarters. Inaba is pretty far from Tokyo."

"Be careful on your way there, then."

The man smiled at him. "No worries. I'm not your grandfather's secretary if I wasn't." He then entered the car and soon drove off, leaving Yu with his school bag and a bag of books. The silver-haired boy just sighed and silently walked towards his uncle's house.

He'll have to start reading one of them, then. But he couldn't abandon his studies either… for now, he'll have to settle with reading one, just to start off.

Luckily, he's a fast reader. He'll probably start off with the business management books.

The next day…

Yu yawned a little on his way to school, having read one of the books his grandfather sent him till late at night. Most of what was written in it were things he learned in his training, so he was able to skip at least some of the front topics until he came across one that he hadn't learned much about yet and had to read that part in detail.

He pretty much lost track of time in the process.

While he kept on walking, Yosuke ran up to him. "Yo, Yu."

"Oh… hi." Yu tiredly smiled at him in greeting. Yosuke then remembered what he was about to talk to his friend about. "Oh, hey, I came up with an idea I've been meaning to ask you about. We're able to enter TVs now… have you ever tried sticking your hand into a TV when something's on? Like, have you ever touched a TV when the Midnight Channel was on?"

"Tried it. Failed it. Don't even try it unless your TV is small," Yu answered bluntly with a straight face. "Though, you can't just go to where the person on the screen is through that way."

Yosuke blinked a few times until he realised what it meant. "You tried it out already!? Oho, now that's our leader! But, I see… so you can't just go to the same place that's on the screen. So my plan to jump right to where Yukiko-san is while she's on the screen wouldn't work, then… I thought it might work if there was a direct connection between what's on the TV and where you end up… but then again, it makes sense that it doesn't work that way. Different TVs are connected to different places, but everybody can watch the Midnight Channel. That's kind of a contradiction, isn't it?"

"You can think of it that way, but there must be a reason why anyway."

"I guess… so there's no other way but through that castle, no matter how dangerous it might be… still, I'm sure Yukiko-san is in a lot more pain than we are! We can't complain about stuff like this!"

"Mhm…" Yu was kind of out of it after that, though he was awake enough to keep a conversation going and walk to school at the same time.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

A particular lesson in the afternoon got Yosuke in a tight spot.

The teacher was a strange one, having a hand puppet of himself in his right hand. "Alright, alriiiight. Settle down, now. Class is now underway. My name is Mr. Hosoi, and in this class you'll be learning about contemporary writing. Let's all have fun. I know this is off-topic, but what's the point of applying for colleges outside Inaba? Why even bother? Nothing good ever comes out of competing with city-folk. The country side is all you need. Mmmhmm. Well, let's practice our spelling. Which of the following words is spelled correctly?" He looked around, trying to find someone to ask… and his eyes fell on Yosuke. "You! Hana-chan! You're just the kind of guy who relies on his PC's spell check!"

"Huh!? Well, he got that right, but…" Yosuke glanced at Yu discreetly, looking troubled. "…Yu! Help me out here?"

Yu just chuckled quietly. "Millennium, with a double 'l' and 'n'." His English was fairly good because of his training, and he did know a little bit more of French and Spanish. All because of his training that his grandfather gave him, of course.

Yosuke then gave the answer, to which the teacher nodded. "Ooh, good job, Hana-chan! The word 'millennium' is very commonly misspelled. As you know, the word 'millennium' comes from the Latin word 'mille', meaning 'thousand', and 'annum', meaning 'year'. Remember when 1999 became the year 2000? Lots of words came out of that shift, like millennium baby, or millennium bug."

The brunet looked back at his friend, smiling. "Phew… you're a life saver, Yu. Thanks."

"You should brush up on your studies a little if you don't want to end up like this again," Yu commented, quietly laughing. "Aw, dude. Not cool…!" The brunet still smiled anyway, grinning at his friend's comment about his knowledge. "Say, wanna hang out with me later? We can take a break from the TV world for now."

"Sure, I don't mind."

"It's a plan, then!"

The two of them then focused back on the lesson before the teacher called out of them for not listening.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

That evening, Yosuke led Yu to the shopping district, where they ate at the Souzai Daigaku. The famous steak croquettes here are kind of tough, though…

"Sticking chunks of steak in croquettes… man, this really is the country, huh? Well, it is good… though it's tough," Yosuke commented about it. "Chie called this stuff 'tender and juicy'… what kinda teeth does she have…?"

"Probably bear teeth," Yu replied jokingly. The brunet laughed at that. "Well, she does have a huge appetite for meat."

As they ate, they overheard a conversation from two women from the shopping district as the pair walked by. They noticed Yosuke and began to gossip.

"He's from Junes… Yasogami High School, right?"

"His classmate… Sato-san…? Went out of business…"

"This shopping district could disappear, and yet…"

Yosuke sighed. "Sorry about that. You know me, I'm infamous around here."

"It must be tough…" Yu had an idea how hard it could be, being the son of the man who handled the store that was probably running every other store in Inaba out of business. Yosuke just shrugged. "Nahhh, it's not really. It's mainly my parents; I'm not personally involved. Anyways, there's nothing I can do about it."

He then looked at Yu, merely smiling. "I don't think there's anyone in Inaba who doesn't know me, at school or around town… not that I mind, but… it sucks that I always gotta mind my manners."

The silver-haired boy smiled back, feeling like he understood his friend a bit more. Suddenly, he felt something deep within him evolve… and realised that his bond with Yosuke had grown stronger, alongside the Magician Social Link. It was a bit different than establishing a new bond, but he did feel something.

Yosuke remained unaware of it, continuing to eat his steak croquette. "Still, this croquette is damn good, huh? I'm gonna have another. You want one too, right?"

"Uh, well…" Yu was already feeling full with his, but he can't let his friend down… so he just rolled with it.

…Admittedly, it felt nice to just enjoy life itself. Yu wondered when was the last time he ever did enjoy going out with friends…

On Thursday, it was a rainy day.

Yu had spent last night reading the same book from Tuesday night, having read up to about half of it. It'll take him some more days to finish the rest of it, but it should of be no problem to him.

As he kept walking, Yosuke ran up to him again like yesterday. "Yo, Yu. I hear that it's gonna be sunny for a while, starting this afternoon. Looks like we're not gonna have to worry about the fog for now. The fog always sets in around the morning after it's rained for a few days."

"We'll be okay for a while?" Yu asked, making sure he understood that correctly. The brunet nodded in response, smiling in determination. "Yeah. Let's keep our cool, make sure we're ready, and rescue Yukiko-san, no matter what!"

The silver-haired boy nodded, smiling back the same way. He planned to go into the TV world soon – they'll save Yukiko, no matter what.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

Since the rain cleared up, the soccer club had practice for the day. Yu decided to join it, changing into the soccer outfit that had been given to him the day he joined it officially.

After practice finished, one of the players spoke up to him. "Hey, Narukami. Tear down the goals and clean up before you leave, alright?"

Yu would've spoken back had he been ruder – considering his past as a delinquent, he could, but he decided to let it pass. "Got it."

"Haha, later!" Then all the others left, leaving the silver-haired boy to clean up on his own. Sighing, he was about to do just that when he noticed Daisuke approaching him. "…? What were those guys saying to you?" he asked him.

"I have to tear down the goals and clean up, apparently."

"What? Everyone's supposed to take turns… you don't have to do that, man. Let's just go home."

Kou arrived a moment after that. "Hey guys… hm, did the soccer team finish early today?" When he noticed the look on Daisuke's face, he had a feeling that something was off. "…What's wrong?"

Yu just repeated what he had told Daisuke a few moments earlier. Kou shook his head, frowning. "Let me guess, they told you it was your job? Tch… how predictable. But yeah, you should probably do it anyway."

"How come? They got no right to dump it all on him…" Daisuke protested.

"Don't do it because they told you to, do it because you 'want to help'. That'll throw 'em off guard. Here, I'll help out too. It'll go faster." Kou then ran off to start helping Yu clean up, and the other two quickly followed.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

Cleaning up the field was much harder work than Yu had expected, so he was glad that both Daisuke and Kou stayed around to help him.

"Whew, I'm beat…" Kou murmured, wiping his brow of sweat. "That's because you got into polishing those balls, man. You gotta pace yourself," Daisuke told him, not as tired as the raven-haired boy.

"Nah, it's not my style to half-ass things."

"Still, it went pretty fast with three people."

"Thanks for the help, you guys," Yu told them with a smile. He was really glad for their help. "No problem." Daisuke looked happy at the thanks. "Hey, you wanna grab some ramen on the way home?" Kou asked them both.

The smallest boy of the three couldn't stop smiling, sensing both Kou and Daisuke's consideration towards him… which made him felt his bond with them grow stronger as the Strength Social Link did.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

They headed to Aiya in the central shopping district to have that ramen, to which Yu had noticed something about a rainy day special on the doors. He decided to check it out later and went to ate ramen with Kou and Daisuke.

While they were eating, they chatted a little.

"Hey, I saw that first-year at your practice today, Daisuke. She was watching you the entire time, man. I even heard her say, 'Wow, he kicked the ball so hard!'. I mean, duh… that's kinda the point of the game…" Kou commented, looking at the brunet.

Daisuke was silent for a few seconds. "…I didn't notice."

"Really? What a waste."

"Enough of that crap. Yu, wanna stay after practice to work on your game a little more? Let's show those guys what you can do," Daisuke then suggested to Yu. "Oh, I guess that'll help me get better. Sure." The silver-haired boy nodded in agreement to the idea. He hasn't forgotten his promise to himself… he'll prove himself to the others.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. If you can run circles around them, they'll have to accept you, right?" Kou agreed to the idea too. "Exactly. Then it's decided. You're helping too, Kou," Daisuke suddenly declared at that.

"What? Since when do I have anything to do with the soccer team…?"

Their conversation after that became a discussion about practice…

Friday was a fairly clear day, so Yu went to school and almost expected that no one was greeting him as he couldn't see Yosuke anywhere on the way there.

He was proven wrong as he was greeted by the brunet at the school gates. "Hey, Yu. It rained yesterday, but it didn't feel like there was gonna be any fog, did it? Looks like the weather's gonna be nice for a while, so a little rain's not gonna hurt anything. But… were you able to sleep last night?"

Yu scratched his head. "Not at all." It was making him more tired, but it helped him to quickly read up on the business management book, now on the brink of finishing it. Yosuke laughed a little. "Haha, you too? That makes me feel better. Anyway, let's take everything one step at a time, Leader!"

The silver-haired boy nodded, his smile a little hesitant at the title. 'Leader'… he had to remind himself that he must not let his past delinquency get to him, nor let it change his actions towards others. There were much more pressing matters than his own self problems.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

That afternoon, Yu decided to hang out some more with Yosuke. The brunet decided that they should go to Okina City by train, which was a small while away from Inaba and quite a different sight to the rural town of Inaba.

It was mostly true, as Yu recognized some traits of Okina City being similar to the city of Tokyo, though the former was more to an urban city than a modern one.

Yosuke looked around with a smile. "Mmmm… it's been a while since I breathed this kinda air! Y'know, I'm just a poor little city boy drawn to that urban scent." He became quiet for a moment as he thought back to what he just said. Looking at Yu, he asked him, "Wait a minute… am I starting to sound like Teddie?"

Yu smiled teasingly. "Hmm… well, you're looking hairier than usual."

Yosuke laughed. "Now that you mention it, the foam in my facial soap this morning had…! H-hey, you're making me scare myself!" He smiled back at his friend after he finished laughing. "Well, that aside, what should we—" He was interrupted by his phone ringing. "Oh, a text message."

The brunet took out his phone and checked the message he just received. He sighed. "More spam…" He just put his phone back into his pocket, a bit frustrated. "Looks like someone got my address. I get a lot of spam."

"Why not change your address then?" Yu asked him. It was the simplest solution to it.

"…Hmmm, well…" Yosuke looked troubled as he looked at the silver-haired boy. "I haven't changed addresses since before we moved to Inaba. I mean, I might get a text from someone… it's hard to call, y'know? If I called people just to tell them my number changed, they'd get annoyed, and some of them might not wanna text me at all…"

Yu thought of that as somewhat stupid. His grandfather's secretary always did hated it when clients changed numbers without telling or did not text what details they wanted on their clothes until the very last minute. It just complicated things even further.

Yosuke brought him out of his thoughts. "Oh but hey, don't look at me like I don't have any friends!" he quickly told him, but fell silent for a moment. He looked down at the pavement, crossing his arms. "Though to tell you the truth, I don't remember what we all used to talk about. Can't really call 'em friends… Inaba suits me just fine. Plus… I got something I need to do there." He glanced back at Yu, smiling again. "I'm counting on ya, partner!"

Smiling back, Yu could definitely sense the enthusiasm coming from the brunet as he understood him a bit more… which led to his bond growing ever deeper alongside the Magician Social Link.

Looking at his watch, Yosuke then realised what time it was. "Well, with that in mind, should we head back? It'd suck if something happened back there while we were over here!"

"You could say that…" The smaller boy shrugged, still smiling.

"Alright, let's head home! Wait…" Yosuke thought of something. "Let's get everyone a souvenir, then go home!"

"W-wait, do we even have enough money?"

"Who cares, let's just get what we can!"

"Huh? Yosuke, hold on!" Yu quickly ran after the brunet who ran up the escalators leading up to the insides of Okina Station. They needed to return to Inaba in a hurry before night fell…

Saturday was the same deal as Friday, being clear but somewhat cloudy too.

This time, Yu wasn't greeted by anyone on his way to school, but he did overhear something from the other students.

"I heard they've put up ads for part-time jobs on the town bulletin board! I wonder if there's anything there I can make some easy cash with."

"Hmm… I don't think you have the diligence to handle a job that takes a lot of time."

"That's so mean! Maybe I don't… but, I bet I'll be more diligent if I get a job! I bet you wouldn't do too well with a job where you have to work with others because you lack understanding, huh?"

Part-time jobs, eh?

Yu wondered about it for a moment. Sure, he's busy with his own 'job' as future heir for his grandfather's company… but maybe getting some work experience wouldn't hurt. Besides, it's better than lazing around at home all day. He did just finish one of the books his grandfather gave… and he's left with about five more to go.

…He'll go check it out someday.

~*~*~*~*~*~…~*~*~*~*~*~

Yu joined soccer practice for the day, training on his skills. After practice finished, one of the other players spoke up to him. "Hey Narukami, you're on cleanup duty today too, alright?" They didn't even wait for a respond as they left him to clean up alone again

Daisuke ran up to him, agitated at the actions of the other players. "Again?!" He sighed, but soon smiled at the chance to do some extra training. "Before we do any cleaning, thought, let's work on your dribbling!" Right as he said that, Kou ran up to them. "Yo. You guys haven't even started? Oh well… want me to toss balls at you or something?"

The brunet shook his head. "This isn't tennis, dude. Go stand over there and play some defence."

"Defence? No problem! You should see me on a basketball court." Kou grinned at that. Yu looked at them both, grateful that they were helping him practice with their free time. As he could sense their consideration towards him again, he felt his bond with them deepen once more, alongside the Strength Social Link.

They were about to start when two female students approached them, with one of them beginning to speak nervously to Daisuke. "Uh, um, hey, D-Daisuke-kun! Practice is over, right? D-Do you wanna, um…?"

The brunet looked at her with disinterest. "Does it look like I'm done practicing? Seeya."

"Huh? Oh, uh… would you mind if I waited for you? Am I in the way?"

"Yes… you are. We need to concentrate." Daisuke glanced at Yu. "C'mon, Yu, let's get started." He walked off, not bothering to look at the girl who seemed hurt at his words. Kou tried to soften the blow. "H-hey, don't mind him. He's got soccer on the brain, y'know?"

The girl ran off anyway, leaving her friend to follow her slowly.

Kou sensed that something was off. "What's his problem…?" He looked up at the sky for a few seconds at the question but soon turned to face the silver-haired boy. "Well? Are we gonna get started?"

"Y-yeah, let's start." Yu could feel that something was off too. But he had to focus on his training with Daisuke for now… after training for over an hour, they finally cleaned the field up and went home.

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Yui got into her futon quietly, tired at her training but thrilled at the adrenaline of it anyway. It was a good alternative to the adrenaline she got in battle… which somewhat curbed her rising addiction to it lately. She's trying to quell it, but it's hard.

Whenever she thought of going that way, her thoughts could only go back to the day where everything was red in her vision. Where her thoughts finally went to the one person that had ever cared for her, whether she was a girl or not… and that person was no longer here.

It stopped her.

It gave her a sense of guilt back. But her body still remembers the thrill.

She didn't know whether she actually hated it now.

Yui stared at the ceiling in silence, her hands twitching at the thought of the battles and training she had in the days before. It was like an incurable addiction, running to her thoughts whenever she wasn't doing anything that required it. It was why she did everything with all of her focus and seriousness – to stop thinking about this… rush of adrenaline.

…She decided that tomorrow, they'll be saving Yukiko once and for all.