A/N: Hello, it's been a while, but I'm back again. Since the time I wrote the first chapter a lot of cool stuff has happened in the world of Persona in general. Which honestly has been wild! Joker from P5 got announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. And is now currently out and he's a very interesting character to play that's for sure. Not to mention the original version of P5 is getting an upgraded port at some point entitled P5 Royal. Man, the Persona series is having some interesting stuff added to it and I can't wait! Anyway, excuse my ramblings, just had to get some thoughts out. Hehe, Enjoy the chapter!

Persona 4 is owned by Atlus and Sega. Any OC that appear are owned by me.

Chapter 2: Unspoken words

Teddie's P.O.V.

The air was thick, suffocating even. If anything, I only had myself to blame. God, I'm such an idiot! I cried mentally. "And… we're done," Nanako announced happily. Her bell-like voice snapping me outta my thoughts. It also wasn't long before the sweet smell of curry entered my nostrils, my mouth watering. I swallowed hard in a vain attempt to quell my hunger. I took off the spare apron that Nanako had let me and placed it back on a small rack they had in the corner of the kitchen. "W-Well… If you're done, I guess—" I started to say, but Nanako stopped me. "W-Wait, Teddie before you go can you help me set the table?" She asked as I watched as she inches her way over to the cabinet and began reaching for plates. "Sure, Nana-Chan. Here, I'll do it," I said as I began reaching for the plates as well.

Our fingers touched for only what felt like a fraction of a second and yet, it felt like a year had passed in one swift motion. Nanako was the first to retract her hand. "A-Ah, sorry," she commented. Her cheeks betraying her as her cheeks were a cute tented pink. "I-Its okay," I replied as I could feel the heat in my cheeks as well, so I wasn't really one to talk. She nodded, drawing her attention back to the curry pot that rested on the stove in an attempt to Ignore this moment of awkwardness, for both our sakes. I grabbed the plates and made my way over to the table. Once I placed the plates down, I immediately shuffled over to the entryway and began slipping on my shoes.

As I was about to grab my bag and flip it over my shoulder, I felt a soft tug on my right wrist. "Please, don't go Teddie." I glance back ever so slightly as I caught a glimpse of Nanako's usually bright and warm brown irises, wavering with a hint of sadness. It was clear that she really wanted me to stay. "N-Nana-Chan, I don't think—" as I was once again gonna advise against staying, the lock on the front door clicked as it slowly started to slide open. God, both of us couldn't have been in a more precarious position if we tried. Ryotaro Doujima was a medium sized man with stark brown hair, somewhat scruffy beard. Both his beard and hair showing the usual gray that came both the stress of being a detective and age.

"H-Hello, Sir," I greeted swallowing slowly. My eyes locked with his rough and judging brown irises. "Teddie," his greeting sounding hard and forced. It was clear that he really didn't want me here. "What are you—" he started to say, but I didn't give him the chance as I softly pulled my wrist out of Nanako's grip and pulled my bag closer to my body. "D-Don't worry Doujima-san, I was just—" I started to take a step forward only to be held in place once more by Nana-chan.

Nana-chan! I cried. Why was she so set on me staying? Not that I didn't want to. I'd stay with her forever if I had all the time in the world, but… you're already not human, don't make this harder on yourself then it already is. The harsh, yet true words of my head brought me back to reality once again. Only for my heart to scream an entirely different reality that I had no way of getting close to. I love her, I love her so much that even if I'm not human, I'll continue to love her no matter what! I was so locked in the ongoing war of my heart and mind, that I when I'd managed to slowly tune back into the present… "Dad, can Teddie stay for dinner?" Nanako pleaded, I felt her give my wrist a tiny squeeze.

Ryotaro only grumbled in response as I watched him pull his shoes off and walk past me. Pulling off his tie and jacket as he did so. "Dad!" Nanako exclaimed. This time Nanako let go of my wrist of her own accord as she walked in front of her father. Arms pressed firmly across her chest as she stared hard into her dad's eyes. "Nanako, he's got his own family, doesn't he? Why does he have to eat here?"

"If Big Bro was here you'd let him stay! What's the difference?" She huffed.

Ryotaro eyes immediately drew themselves to me. As I felt myself internally freeze. As he was now staring daggers. Damn you for turning my daughter against me! This is why I don't like you! was probably what he was thinking. "He… he," I rub the back of my neck sheepishly. My eyes slowly pulling from his as I could only stare down at the floor.

"Well? Why not dad?"

"Nana—" I tried to say only to be silenced by two headstrong glares. "Got it, shutting up," I mumbled meekly. "Well, b-because…" he started to say only to cut himself off. "Because…" Ryotaro grumbles. At this point, I noticed Nanako smiling. "So, does that mean…" she looked at him eyes now sparkling. "Listen, kid," Ryotaro voice serious as his full attention was on me knowing he had lost to his one and only daughter. "Y-Yes, Sir?" I squeaked out. "Count yourself lucky, don't expect this to happen all the time, got it?" He looked at me, eyes hard as stone. "Oh, and you're gonna help clean up. Got any objections?"

"N-No, Sir. Thank you, Doujima-san," I replied, giving a short bow as I did so. Doujima-san let out a slight huff as I watched him walk over to the table and plop down, grab the TV remote and turn it on. I jumped slightly as I felt a hand grab mine and realized it was Nanako-chan. Smiling so brightly that I was at a loss for words. My heart beating so erratically in my chest I was somewhat scared that both Doujima-san and Nanako could hear it. "C'mon Ted, help me get dinner ready," she said as she laced our hands together and pulled me along. As we somewhat zoomed by, I swore I saw the scowl that already rested on Doujima-san's lips only deepen. Oh, boy… this was gonna be an awkward dinner…

Dinner was… a bit better than I expected. Though, Doujima-san made it his life's mission through the whole dinner to make sure Nanako and I were table lengths part. While I totally understood, Nanako-chan tired her best to get around what she considered to be her dad just being overprotective. Sadly, while she'd won one battle earlier, she was not the winner of this round.

"Teddie's my best friend, you're not being fair," she grumbled, though ultimately admitting defeat. "Yeah, I think I am. And it's because I know how close you guys are that I'm keeping you separate," he stated as he refused to bend and down another swig of alcohol from his glass. Nanako and I were given juice as a substitute as we were too young to drink. Well, at least I looked "too young" after living here for a while, I realized I aged a lot slower then a normal human. Like a lot.

"Thanks again, Doujima-San," I remarked as continued to chow down on Nanako's delicious curry. "Y-You're welcome, kid," he replied seemingly taken aback by my sudden gratitude. I wasn't really sure what I'd done, but from this point through the rest of the dinner, I happened to notice that Doujima-san didn't act as tense. Eventually, dinner came to a quiet, yet peaceful end. "Nanako, you didn't have to go this far just for me to—" I started to say as the two of us were washing down the dishes. "I know I didn't, but I wanted to. We don't really see each other anymore Ted… I hate it. I know life changes, but I miss hanging out with you, I really, really do," her voice dripping with sadness. "Nana-chan, I'm sorry." I placed a hand on hers. Dishes continued to soak under warm water forgotten as I held her hand. Even wet, her hand managed to retain its softness, setting my heart ablaze with ease.

I hadn't realized how much our separation from everything that had originally connected us had hurt her. I'm supposed to be her best friend. And yet, I didn't even notice something this simple. "I promise Nana-chan. I don't know how often I'll be able to, but we'll hang out more. So much you're gonna get sick of me. Starting with my birthday," I announced happily as I lift her chined and gave her the biggest smile I could muster.

Nanako's P.O.V.

I really want to kiss him. God, why did he have to smile at me like that? I couldn't help but question as I felt my heart beating a mile a minute as I was ultimately caught in the rays of his beautiful smile. I was pretty sure at this point had my father not been there I would've just gone in for the kiss. Though I'd probably only regret it later with me having ruined our friendship that I wouldn't trade for the world over. "Teddie, you really are the greatest friend someone like me could ask for," I said smiling back. I love you. I love you so much it hurts. "Hey, are you two done?" My dad's voice breaking me out of my thoughts. "We're almost done," I replied as sadly had to pull away from Teddie.

We finished in relative silence. My eyes occasionally drifting to Teddie who was thankfully too absorbed in the current task to notice. At points, my eyes seeming had a mind of their own as they'd travel to his lips. Only causing me to blush in response. "I think we're all done here." Teddie dried off his hands. "Y-Yeah," was my only reply. "Are you okay, Nana-chan? You don't look so good." Before I couldn't even get a proper word out, Teddie placed the back of his hand on my forehead. Only further dragging me into a world of incoherent and inaudible words. This was the kind of effect Teddie managed to have on me. And the agonizing part of it was he didn't even know! My body immediately moved backward as a way to get away from him. "Nanako-chan?"

I shook my head in a vain attempt to cool down my nerves and thoughts that felt like they were on fire. "I-I'm fine Ted, uh, don't you have start heading home? Hanamura-san will be w-worried," I remarked as I focused my attention somewhat on the sink as I turned the water off and wiped my hands. "Yeah… you're right." Thankfully not bother to question my somewhat odd behavior. I watched as he quickly shuffled past my dad as not to block his TV time, uttering an "excuse me" as he did so, which earned a grunt by my dad. It took a minute or two for me to follow as my nerves and thoughts weren't spinning around like wildfire.

"'Scuse me, Dad," I said doing the same thing Teddie had done moments ago. He let out a grunt in response. In the couple seconds or so it took me to reach the door, Teddie was all ready to go. Shoes on and bag resting comfortably on his shoulder. "I'll walk you out," I walked toward the shoe rack and began to slip on some sandals. I glanced at Teddie it was clear he wanted to comment, but he probably eventually thought better of it and decided to just let it happen. "I'll be back in a minute dad," I called.

"Okay."

With that, Teddie and I headed out into the chill night air. The front door behind me closing with a hearty 'click'.

"You're gonna be okay getting home?" I questioned, but Teddie wasn't even bothering to look in my general direction, instead, his usual bright blue eyes were entranced with the sky. So much, so that I couldn't help but look up as well. "It's so beautiful!" The words leaving my mouth without so much of a falter. "Yeah, they are," commented Teddie in response. "It's funny, you live in the small town of Inaba for so long you kinda forget the simple things y'know."

"Yeah…" it was just the two of us. The sky, a dark brilliant blue littered with mesmerizing and bright stars. A quiet and serene moment like made me miss Teddie's presence in my life all the more. "Teddie, you promise, right?" I found myself saying aloud as I pulled my attention from the sky to him and only him. He seemingly noticed this and looked at me as well. "Of course, Nana-chan. You beat me in saying it, but I've missed hanging out with you, too. And hanging out with you today only further proved that. Besides, Yu-sensei wasn't one to go back on his word and neither am I." At that moment, I couldn't help but feel my heart swell. I knew he really meant it.

"Hey, Ted, to start why don't we hang out at June's after you get off?" I suggested. I noticed as Teddie's rather cute facial features scrunched together as he seemed to be mulling it over in contemplation. Eventually, he smiled, "Sure, I'd like that. I'm gonna get going I'll see you tomorrow!" He said as I watched him start walking away. "Night, Teddie! Sweet Dreams!" I called. For a second, I noticed that he stopped as though stunned by my words before he continued walking. I chuckled. He really didn't know how cute he was at times. "All the more reason why I fell in love with you." Once Teddie was practically out of sight, I glanced somewhat back up at the beautiful stars that blanketed the sky in their heavenly glow before walking inside.

Once I'd locked the door for the night and slipped off my shoes I wasn't at all surprised to see my dad sleeping away on the couch. The TV a medium volume. The Alcohol my dad had been downing during dinner was all gone. "Dad." A small smile rested on my lips. It seemed even with time, something never changed. I immediately made my way to the linen closet and grabbed a blanket. I carried it over to where my sleeping father laid and covered him. "Sweet Dreams, Daddy." I pressed my lips to his temple before I turned the TV off and grabbed the empty bottle, took it to the kitchen and tossed it in the trash.

Before I realized it. A hearty yawn escaped my lips. I guess it is around that time. As I walked past the TV I found myself stopping in my tracks as I was greeted with the eerie sound of TV static. "W-What the hell?" I immediately reached for the remote, finger frantically pushing the power button. Nothing seemingly happened as the static continued on the TV undisturbed. I sighed, I was starting to get irritated. I really wanted to head to bed. Our TV wasn't that old, was it? I began tapping the sides of the TV. I glanced back behind me every now and then to make sure my dad wasn't woken by the noise. Thankfully for me, my dad must've had it extremely rough today because he was out cold.

Again, no result. Just what the heck was—Gah! The pain was blinding as my head felt as though it were gonna split in two. My ears were also ringing like no tomorrow. God, how I wanted to scream. Only to instead find myself biting my lip so hard that I could taste copper. I collapsed to my knees as feverishly held my head as though that would rid me of this ongoing pain.

Thou art I, I art thou…

Even through the pain, these words made themselves known as if they were trying to be my salvation. These weren't the first time I heard them either. Today in Junes and now. But why…? Why was this happening here and now? And to me? Questions without answers. Or so I thought. The pain was now slowly ebbing away, sleep and tiredness easily taking hold, not that I minded. Besides, it was a Sunday, I could be forgiven this once for sleeping on the floor, yeah?

"She is a heavy sleeper, isn't she Master?"

"Yes, quite. And to think it's been a couple of years since he came to us as well and now it's her turn. We are forever busy, aren't we?"

"And that makes it half the fun. Humans will never not be interesting."

Voices, or what I believed to be voices in my sleepy state. "Hmm…" I grumbled. My body slowly coming to as I could feel my eyes fluttering open. Blue, so much that I couldn't help but shut my eyes on reflex. I slowly opened them once more. What I didn't expect, however, was… "Junes?" I said as my brain was racked with question after question. It was literally June's, just a lot bluer. I even seemed to be sitting at the same table we always used to sit at back then.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room, young one."

The sudden deep voice alarming me as I looked across from to see a rather old looking man with bug-like eyes and sharp elongated noise. He was practically bald atop his head. Only for his graying hair to start in the middle of his head and stop down at his shoulder. The creepiest feature that this old man possessed, however, was that his lips were fixed in a permanent smile, which only sent a chill down my spine.

"Velvet Room? Who exactly are you?"

"My name is Igor… I am delighted to make your acquaintance. And you, young one, are someone with an intriguing destiny."

"Me? Why me? I-Igor, correct?" He nodded. "Y-you called this the Velvet Room, but what is that exactly? From where I'm sitting I just see Junes." Igor let out a low chuckle, "This place exist between dream and reality, mind and matter… it is a room that only those who are bound by "contract" may enter… it may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future. Now then… why don't you introduce yourself to us?"

"W-Wait, us?"

I wasn't sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. But I swore that the lady that now resided in the seat besides Igor wasn't there originally. Even so, I tried not to let her sudden appearance startle me too much. Though, now that I looked at her, her beauty was otherworldly. Her bright blond hair that cascaded down her back, contrasted perfectly with her blue dress and headband. Her lips were a perfect pink, her yellow eyes were something I'd definitely never seen before.

Our eyes caught each other, she nodded in greeting as a smile rested on her lips. I nodded back. "My name is Nanako Doujima."

"Ah, Nanako. Cousin to Yu Narukami."

My eyes widened somewhat at the mention of Yu. "You know, Big Bro?" Igor gave a curt nod. "Yes, he was our first contract. You, now being our second."

"A contract? But what for?"

"All who summon us don't initially know why, but I know just like Yu before you, you'll come to understand. For now…" I watched with wide eyes as Igor waved his hand over the table and a deck of cards appeared between us. "W-What the—" he snapped his fingers, the cards began lining themselves in rows leaving no card out. "Hm… I see. Now, let's take a look into your future, shall we?"

"Igor, what are you planning to—"

"Do you believe in fortune telling?"

"Not really, but I don't mind giving it a shot."

Igor's prefixed smile only widened more, "interesting… Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different…" a soft chuckled left his lips, "Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?"

"…." He eyed me expectantly, but I didn't really know what to say so I didn't. He continues on, flipping a card face up in doing so. "Hm… The Lovers in the upright position represents love, harmony, and values alignment. Something I suggest you hold dear in whatever trials await you."

My eyes intently focused on Igor's slender gloved fingers as he flipped another card over. "Death… also in the upright position no less. Death represents, "change" and "transition" Nanako Dojima, you truly are a bag of mysteries."

"T-Thank you?" Was all I found I could respond with.

Igor's blond assistant, or what I assumed to be his assistant letting out the tiniest chuckle at my response. Igor waved his hand once more, the card vanishing. He's folding his hands together, resting them comfortably in front of his mouth, with a sliver of his hellish smile being visible. "In the coming days, you will enter a contract of some sort, after which you will return here. The coming year is a turning point in your destiny… if the mystery goes unsolved, your futures be forever lost. My duty is to provide assistance to our guests to ensure that doesn't happen."

"Destiny? But Igor I'm not—" I tried to explain to the older man, but he wouldn't hear of it. Instead, he changed the topic of my growing insecurity entirely. "Ah, I have neglected to introduce my assistant to you," he said as he eyed the lady next to him before focusing on me. "This is Margaret. She is a resident of this place, like myself."

"My name is Margaret. I am here to accompany you on your journey," she interjected, bowing her head slightly. "Wait, Does that mean you're going to be—" but my question was immediately written off. "We shall attend to the details another time. Until then, farewell…"

"Fare—" yet, the words never fell from my lips as the world around me like paint to water blended together in a mess of hazy blues and I seeming lost consciousness once more.

(Persona)

Teddie's P.O.V.

The warm night air whipped at my face, my feet scuffing against the asphalt as I continued walking. I hope Mr. Hanamura didn't wait up for me. I still remember when I moved in with Yosuke and his dad, I was nervous as hell, I mean I was practically a stranger in his dad's eyes and yet when everything was said and done with Yosuke making up some long and somewhat bizarre story that Mr. Hanamura managed to take as fact. I find myself being treated like family.

I see the all too familiar red mailbox. I know I'm reaching a crossword and I immediately make a right turn and heading down toward another row of houses. Eventually, I come across the Hanamura nameplate as I reach into my bag for the keys. I walk up to the gate, unlatched the lock and walked inside, the gate closing behind me. I walk up to the door, place the key into the keyhole, twist it, grab the doorknob, twist that and slowly push the door open. The door giving and unceremonious squeak as it does so. I curse under my breath. I step inside, closing the door softly as I did so. I really didn't need to wake up Mr. Hanamura. I'm sure he had a tough day as is.

"Yeah, but I haven't actually—" my super sensitive ears, picking up on Mr. Hanamura's voice rather easily. It was clear he was talking with someone, but who? I guess he wasn't sleeping or originally like I thought.

"I know, I know." He sounded exasperated. "I've been busy with work and it just kinda… where is he? Oh, he's with—" I heard him chuckle, "Yeah, it's pretty obvious how smitten he is… I've popped my head out of the office every now and then and I when he's not working it's pretty much… Yeah, I think he will just give it time. He is young after all."

Yosuke? What did he want? I wondered. Around the time he and Chie moved to Tokyo, Chie was busy with studying to be a cop, while Yosuke… last I talked, or more like texted to be honest. He said he had found a trade school and was doing stuff with that, but that had been months back. So, this call was quite out of the blue if I did say so myself. I slowly pulled off my shoes and put them in the shoe rack. "I-I'm home!" I called, letting my presence be known as I had been here already for 5-10 mins tops.

"Ah, Welcome back," I heard Mr. Hanamura reply. "How's Nanako-chan and Mr. Doujima?"

"They're fine," I say as I shuffle my way to the kitchen. I pop my head in and see Mr. Hanamura holding his hand to the bottom of the receiver letting me know that Yosuke's still on the line. "You wouldn't believe who decide to give us a call outta the—" he started to say excitedly, but I already beat him to the punch, "Is it Yosuke?" He nodded, somewhat shocked. "How'd you know?"

I gave a trademark wink, "Call it a hunch." He chuckled, "I guess I can't get anything past you, huh."

"Nope!" I said playfully popping the 'p'.

"Would you like to talk to him for a bit? I've got a couple of things to attend to upstairs," he said as he holds out the phone toward me. "Yeah, okay." I take the phone from him and let him get up and walk out of the kitchen and sit down in his spot at the table. "Dad? Where'd you—"

"Hey, Yosuke!" I reply excitedly.

"Oh, Heya Ted. It's been awhile, huh?"

"Uh, huh. I have a cellphone you can call me y'know!" I reprimanded. "I know, I know. I already got chewed out by dad about not calling enough, I don't need it from you too."

"Hey, you only have yourself to blame."

"Yeah, well, Chie and I have been busy."

"Busy, huh? Am I gonna be an uncle?" I teased. I could practically imagine Yosuke's reddened face. "W-what? H-hell no!" He practically yelled in my ear causing me to reflexively pull the phone away from my ear as not to go deaf. "Ah, c'mon, dude you don't have to lie to me, I'm not gonna tell your dad if you don't want me to."

"Stop, Ted, I'm serious," Yosuke whined. I chuckled. I'd give him a break I had my fun. "Okay, okay, I'm done. Seriously though, Yosuke. How've you two been. I miss—" I sighed. I didn't want to air my selfish thoughts of abandonment and loneliness. "It's been good, Chie's been studying her ass off lately as her workload's been crazy. So I've been trying to help her the best I can when I'm not doing my own batch of schoolwork and my job."

"Hmm… sounds rough, but at least you and Chie-chan are hanging in there."

"Yeah… we are. So how ya been holdin' up at Junes?"

"It's been good. Some days are better than others, but that's what you get when you work in retail, right?" I gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, pretty much," Yosuke replied. "Say, Ted?"

"Yeah?"

"You like working at Junes, right? Like you're not bored?"

"Hmm? As I said, it has its days, but… wait, your dad's not firing me, right?"

"W-wha—No!" Yosuke replied seemingly taken aback by my sudden leap in logic. "Dude, no, I-it's nothing like that, I promise. It's just my dad and I have been talking and we think it'll be best for you if…" in that moment, it felt as if I could only hear my heartbeat, Yosuke's words were nonexistent. I swallowed hard, "I-if what?" My voice sounding horse in my ears. "Well… if you went to school."

"S-School?" At the same moment, my sudden build up anxiety vanished without a trace into one of bewilderment. "You… can't be serious? Me, school?"

"I am. Dad and I… well, if anything I decided that regardless of what you are, You deserve a life outside of Junes, and without… well, y'know with the murders and fight game shenanigans no longer a thing…"

I sighed, I got what Yosuke was saying. This was a step I could take that could help me forge my own path. I didn't need to be bound by this small town or… anything. "I mean, I don't know… can—can I think about it?"

"Yeah, sure, Ted."

"If you want to let my dad know. And we'll set you up. And of you don't, well… nothing's gonna change. Again, neither dad or I am trying to pressure you, we just both thought it was something you'd like as a change of pace, okay?"

"…..Yeah, okay. Thanks, Yosuke."

"Anytime. Ted, I'm sorry I haven't been calling often. I'm serious."

"No, no. I get it. City life is different than down here in the boonies. Just, don't be a stranger, okay? I miss you guys, I—really, really do," I could feel my heartache slightly as I swallowed hard. I hadn't meant for my emotions to slip like this, but… just talking to Yosuke like this made me realized how hard that could be. "And we miss you too. Listen,

Chie just came in and we're about to eat dinner. So, talk to you later?"

"Yeah. Later."

The line went dead. I sighed as I placed it back on the receiver. At the same time, the stairs squeaked relentlessly as I could hear Mr. Hanamura making his way back down. He walked back into the kitchen. "How was your talk with Yosuke?" He questioned. He had glasses resting softly on the bridge of his nose. "He, uh, told me about the whole school thing."

Mr. Hanamura didn't say anything, pretty much letting me have the floor. "I-I'm gonna think about it, i-if that's fine with you,"I said. I wasn't sure why I was so hesitant, it wasn't like I'd been to school before, I'd helped out with the culture festival more times than I could count. But that wasn't really the same, was it? I mean I didn't attend classes, the only ones I really knew were Yu-sensei and the others and they were adults now. I mean I know I totally wouldn't be alone as Nanako-chan would be there, but what if I didn't end up in the same class?

Loneliness; it terrified me more than anything. It was a constant before I met Yu-sensei and the others. And to have to go back into that state when dealing with a new place, I-I… I felt as if I was going to be sick. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Hanamura, I-I'm just gonna head to bed." I slowly shuffled past him. I just really needed time to myself.

"Ted?" His voice soft as I turned around just slightly to face him. "I know it's probably still weird even after these couple of years, but I don't mind if you call me dad, or if that's too weird, Ryunosuke is fine."

"Yeah, um—" I really wasn't in the mood to worry about formality. "I—Night, Mr. Hanamura." The words were so ingrained into me, that even when told I could call him something different I just didn't. I would be lying if said I didn't mentally flinch at the look of sadness yet understanding that showed on his face. "Night, Ted. See you in the afternoon if I don't catch you in the morning."

I nodded as I walked past and headed up the stairs to my bedroom.

(Persona)

The night sky shines brightly as any stragglers of the night finally decided to retreat into the safety of their homes. For one particular individual, that up until this point has been doing their best in keeping themselves hidden in plain sight. A newspaper curled so ever tightly in their hand, that it's a blessing that the old faded ink of the article doesn't imprint itself on their palm. They'd been practically following them all day. Yet, thankfully for them, either was none wiser. Carrying on like two dumb little love birds, it made them sick just having to watch them all day. Even so, they bared with it.

They'd been waiting for untold years. After the pain and humiliation that was caused at their hands, they weren't going—no, they refused to let this moment slip by them. And as much their instincts were telling them to act on their vengeance, their mind knew otherwise. And so, they watched the house in front of them with bated breath as they watched the lights one by one trickle out and the house was bathed in darkness.

They stand there for a couple of minutes more. Eventually, they head in the opposite direction of the house that managed to have them so transfixed.

The constant thought of their goal driving them ever forward.