04/15 After School

The drive home that day was uneventful to say the least. My time at home was basically me on lockdown. I was under my guardians watch even though I spent most of my time in my room. That is until I got bored. I'm a free spirit and a rebel and I can't really lounge around in my room all day. I don't mind playing my games on my phone or listening to my music all day but the quiet was bringing up memories. I don't like to be locked away in a cell anyway. I leave that for other people the seem to have that sort of preference. I can almost imagine myself in a cell with the striped outfit on but banished that thought with a shake of my head.

I leaned up from my bed and pulled the headphones out from my ears and set my music player down on the table in my room next to my book bag. I grabbed my umbrella from the corner and walked over to my window. I pulled my window open and climbed out carefully so not to place too much pressure on my arm. Why couldn't Dia heal my arm fully like I first assumed? Then again I'm relieved that I didn't lose the arm so maybe I shouldn't complain too much.

I pulled my window down then slid out into roof and down to the stone wall outside my window. I jumped down from the wall into the street in front of the house into the rain with my umbrella under my arm within my sling. I really can't sit still right now. I'm suffering from like ADD or something because I keep shaking. I need to walk or so something right now.

I think literally defying death today has had an effect on me. Sort of like PTSD maybe and the doctor did say I might suffer from attacks from my trials. I close my eyes and I see it. The white lights of that doctor's office had me freaking out unintentionally. The sensation of being tore into pieces from within will never be washed clean from my mind. My own death and that nothingness that followed. I was never afraid of dying before and still not now that I know what it's all about. It's about what comes before that has me rattled. I'm not afraid of death but dying.

The reaper was frightening and scared the living hell out of me every step of the way. It's dark lifeless eye and large revolver that looked powerful enough to destroy a bomb bunker. Then the sound of those rattling chains on top of it that drew closer and closer from my hiding place that circled around me. It was as if it knew I was there. It knew I was afraid. It knew that if it caught me my death would be at hand, but I didn't by some stroke of luck. We got away and left that world but that darkness still haunts me. His darkness move as well was just as creepy as its face.

Facing the shadow version of death was scarring and once I can actually fight back I'm killing it. It's a shadow and shadows can die turning into an inky black mess. The same will be proved to that reaper but first I need to grow stronger. I'm not sure how but I have to.

"Just use us against your enemies," I heard a lucid and sweet voice in my ear. I didn't see an apparition like with Lilim but I know the voice of Pixie anywhere. I appreciate the little sprite and what she's done for me. She's been both supportive and nice to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked my persona before opening up my umbrella to shield myself and her from the rain. The pixie flew under my umbrella when I offered her room even though I'm pretty sure she can't get wet... I think.

"I'm of the Magician Arcana, do you understand what I mean?" I just remember some bull about Arcana from Margaret being The Judgment and Empress who happen to represent my father and mother well. I'm the fool ok top of this. The Magician is another one of these Arcana things I'm guessing and I have no knowledge on it like many others. It honestly sounds like something I'd hear in a bad RPG if you asked me. One of those about magic with fairies and elves and other weird things like in it.

"I'm a fairy though," Pixie interjected not really helping my point, if I had one to begin with. "You used my magic to heal you as well. You used Izanagi to fight utilizing his electrical skills…"

"Thank you Pixie," I cut her off rudely. When I noticed her expression turn downcast and sad I frowned and apologized to the sprite to make her feel better. She shook her head and smiled brightly at me meaning all is forgiven I'm guessing. I'm not liking the fact I have more than one being within me that has thoughts, feelings, and emotions and that I can actually interact with. I don't like the fact they, and I say they because so far I've interacted with two of them in unreal ways, can read my mind and respond to my actions accordingly.

Lilim helped me with that Yuuki girl and Nurse Uehana and pixie is trying to offer me guidance. Izanagi has been quiet since his manifestation and destroying Shadow Saki. I wonder now if I should try to talk to him but decided against it. He's the manifestation of my inner self, I think. I have multiple persona of different Arcana so that means I probably don't have an inner self. Izanagi is of the fool and the Wild card isn't an Arcana.

"Pixie what is Lilim? What Arcana?"

"Devil," she said easily. That makes so much sense. I should make a journal or a book so I can have an accurate account for all persona I discover and their stats. I can place them in order as well by Arcana. Speaking of which I don't know the Arcana other than five. There must be more.

"There are, but I'm not sure how many or what they are. I'm sorry." Pixie said sadly.

"It's fine." I reassured the Pixie before patting her over the head with my slung arm's hand. "You've helped me so much already Pixie and I appreciate it." The pixie smiled with an energetic nod. I can find out as time goes by. I'm going to be here for a while and it's not like I'm on a time constraint. With monsters like the Reaper and the true selves of the people here I bet I could throw a man in, have him manifest itself, and then beat the crap out of it until I get stronger.

"No," Pixie cried at me. "You can't do that!"

"I was joking Pixie." I sighed before the hysterical Pixie as it flew in front of my face. It calmed down a bit from my words but I continued, "I'm not going to throw people around like that."

"Oh," Pixie sighed in relief. "Thank god."

I rolled my eyes. I swear, I must be losing it. I'm practically talking to myself right now, to a manifestation of myself, or maybe my inner thoughts.

I pushed this thought to the back of my mind to begin my walk this rainy afternoon. I'm tired of the stillness like I mentioned and need time to clear my head. What I don't need is some annoying sprite talking to me forcing me to respond and appear insane to anyone that may be watching. I may be alone for the most part right now but still this is insane. I thought back on what I know about pixies I learned from folklore books I've read and this one isn't what I expected. Pixie are supposed to be like tricksters. They cause trouble for people, steal cows only to return them later, move a rack from the ground to the roof of a straw house, or other mischievous deeds of the sort. This isn't the case from what I'm hearing. This pixie seems to care about my well-being for some reason. I suppose if I die it dies. That's probably it.

"Hey, look over there!" Pixie pointed towards something in the distance.

I drew my eyes expecting a dog or maybe a cat or something insignificant like that at the moment. To my surprise I spotted Yukiko of all people, out here alone by the river, and under the small gazebo. She's sitting with one of those old fashion umbrella to the right of her and dressed in a pink kimono of all things.

I blinked and found myself a bit to a standstill. I never cared much for kimono all that much but hers wasn't too bad. It was cute on her and contrast with her midnight black hair well.

"You should talk to her," Pixie whispered in my ear. In my mind I asked her why. "Because you spent your whole life alone and without friends. She seems to hold you to higher regard than most other boys. Like Chie said, you're the first she's ever shook hands with. Go and talk to her. Come on, make friends." The sprite egged me forward.

I don't want to know how this Pixie knows this about me seeing that I have yet to tell it anything, but I guess she's making good points here and there.

"Izanagi wants you to get a pretty girl as well and she's pretty." And Izanagi is the other me meaning that him and I are the same. If he desires something that means on the inside I desire it as well if you think about this logically. I do want a really pretty companion. Just like dad who found mom, I want a very pretty and smart girl to call my own. I'm not sure if its worth it though. The first couple of times I messed with girls on a level above friendship it always ended badly.

I looked down at the bracelet on my wrist and sighed. This is a reminder of my mistakes and promise that day two years ago.

"You need to let go. It wasn't your fault so cast it away..."

"Enough," I snapped at the pixie and made it back away from me. I noticed a sorrowful expression on her delicate face nearly ruining her amazing features. I took a breath and calmed myself down. "Sorry Pixie. I didn't to say that to you," I paused for a moment. "Or call you 'It' so can you forgive me?"

She responded by fading away from view leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"I guess that's a no." I really messed up. She was trying to help me and telling something I've known for a long time now. I know I should just let it go but… I just can't. I can't just forget and I can't forgive.

"Pixie, I'm sorry please talk to me," but no one came or answered my call. I'm sure she can hear me, but I hurt her feelings, as crazy as that sounds. How can a manifestation of thought in the form of a make believe fairy have feelings? I guess pretty easily.

She's not going to talk to me because I know I wouldn't if someone yelled at me for no reason. I remember that one girl I tried to approach on my first day and reacted to my honest question with snotty tone like a rich brat, and not like me, so I completely ignored her with no indication that I would interact with her again. Pixie is probably the same. She and I are truly one and the same in that regard it seems. That means I just have to be patient until she talks to me again, sadly. I appreciated her input nevertheless.

I looked up from the ground back up to the shelter from the rain. Yukiko was looking at me and I'm not sure for how long. She waved at me when I finally got my senses back and I waved back before making my way towards her.

"Are you okay?" She asked me precipitously with a small frown marring her lips. "Because you were standing there for a hot minute."

Unsure on how to answer that, I just pulled my umbrella closed with use of my bad arm's hand and sat it down by the table. I winced at the small bit of pain I can't believe I didn't noticed until someone touched it. I thought Dia would fully heal me, but I guess when you're impaled or stabbed wounds heal a little differently than a cuts or bruises.

I relaxed in my seat next to Yukiko and fixed the bracelet on my right wrist before getting comfortable.

"Is that important to you," she gestured to my memento with a quick glance.

"No," I said snappily and turned my head away from her. "It's not important to me but it is important, in a way." I pulled my sleeve to my jacket over my wrist to hide it way from view.

Before this thing has been out of sight and out of mind but then Saki had to grab me through my television and take this away from me forcing me to chase her down in the shadow world. It was annoying to say the least and I was half tempted to leave her there with her shadow self to die. I was tempted because this thing is more important than other people's lives to me. That's terrible to say but I'm an honest guy when I can be. I saved her regardless but I was hesitant despite what I said or did.

"Are you okay?" Yukiko questioned once more and I nodded my head.

I turned my head back to her and smiled. "I will be." Her eyes went to my arm in its sling and I just shook my head. "A battle wound. I'm sure you've heard the rumors about me, right?"

"I don't really listen to rumors much." That was good. I can appreciate that because rumors are just as annoying as losing this thing on my wrist. "And I'd rather hear it from you. I don't think you'd lie to me."

She was right about that. I don't have a reason to lie to her and I don't want one.

"What happen, if you don't mind my inquisitiveness." I didn't mind and to be honest I sort of wanted to talk to someone, and I felt that Yukiko would be too much of an airhead to listen copiously to what I was saying.

"You see," I began steadily. "I tried out the midnight channel thing to see if I would see my soul mate," I began and kept going and going. I told Yukiko of the other world. The shadow world behind the television. I told her of the fact that I lost something in the world and so entered the world after Yosuke and Chie lost sight of me. I told her of Saki and what we faced together for hours just to get away. I told her of the power of persona that Saki has along with what I have but left the fact I have more than one to myself. I her told of my limited time at school and finally, "I sneaked out of my house and wandered around to clear my head. That's been about the last day and a half for me so it's been eventful."

"Really eventful," Yukiko giggled a bit. "That was a fitting story."

I smiled. Of course she didn't believe me but she didn't really need to for me to get past this. I just needed to talk to her and I got that chance to do that. I feel much better now that I just let it all out. Pixie was right. I just needed to talk to get better.

"It's a pretty crazy story," I admitted. I just might tell it to Nanako later to see if she likes it. I can even tell her about any other time in the other world I will be spending, and I know that no one will take her seriously from the absolute absurdity of the story. Maybe I can tell her my story of the Samurai saving Fair Lady today over dinner.

"But at least you saved Saki-senpai." Yukiko added in.

That is something I guess. With all the medical help I've received on top of the drugs I was given to take with food and water I feel pretty good. I'm almost half tempted to return today to speak with the bear. It'd only take a couple minutes after all. I thought on this with my eyes floating towards Yukiko's kimono. She really is cute in it. I don't think pink fits her, especially hot pink, with sakura flower designs running along her left shoulder to her right sleeve.

"A-are you surprised to see me dressed this way Souji?" she stammered a bit.

"A little. It's raining and all so I'm a bit shocked you decided to come out with a kimono on instead of changing. Speaking of which, why are you out here anyway?" I questioned the Amagi heir.

"Oh… My parents sent me out on an errand." I looked around for something that could prove to me that she's out and about on an errand but found nothing. It's hard not to see that like me she decided to run away from her home just to clear her head as well. I smiled at her and she looked down guilty. "A-are you getting used to here?"

"Changing the subject won't help," I put out with a sly smile on my lips. I heard a sinister snicker at the edge of my hearing. "Why are you running away from home right now?"

"I-I'm not running." I just smiled and nodded. I believed her. I believed her so much that I'm sure that the chance that she's lying right now is the chance I'll get home without wet shoes today. Yukiko took note of my look and let out a soft breath. "I'm… I felt a bit suffocated," she admitted to me. "My parents they, they want so much from me and they don't really think about what I want. I just… needed some time away."

"I can understand that. My mom, dad, and stepdad put a fair amount of pressure on my shoulders every week about my commitments in the future as well as their expectations. With our group growing they tell me that once they step down I have to pick up where they left off. That being why I study the way I do on my off time." I've been neglecting my studying lately but once I'm comfortable I'll start again. I think I might skip a grade as well. I'm a bit tired of high school in the three years I've been doing it. "It's never easy and you feel trapped."

"How do you deal with it?"

I shrugged. "I just keep living my life how I want it. While one day I may have to take the reins that's a long time from now and until then I will live my life how I want it. Its not like our parents can make us take control of their establishment at the age we're at. We're going to think differently ten years from now than we do now as well so I wouldn't worry."

I looked back to her. "If you're concerned I can call my mother to talk to yours."

"Nononono," Yukiko bawled frantically. "You don't have to do that Souji-kun but I… I appreciate it," she smiled. "Thank you for talking to me. It helped. I wish I could be like you, mature and looking forward like you do. You sort of remind me of Chie." Yukiko wore a sad smile. "She's so lively and chases after what she wants."

Sounds like someone is jealous.

"Well, I best get going." Yukiko stood up to her feet. "I'll see you at school Souji-kun." I nodded and Yukiko bowed to me before leaving me alone with her umbrella open. I watched as the ghostly girl left and disappeared from my sight.

"Nice girl," a demon snickered in my ear. "A bit too green for me though." I agreed but she's a girl from a well off family so not used to the struggle of life outside her town like I am. We are from different walks of life and I don't regret the hard times. They shaped me into who I am and I'm thankful for this.

I climbed up to my feet and opened my umbrella too and walked back to the direction of the Central Shopping District to get something to eat and then get myself back home. Seeing that I haven't been called yet my uncle doesn't know that I've left and probably thinks I'm sleeping. I made a dummy made of towels and my bags under my sheets to make it appears as if I'm asleep. That man is suspicious of me for one reason or another and I doubt that is the last of him I'll have to deal with his looks. But right now that doesn't matter.

I'm hungry after so little sleep. I'm sick as well so burning more energy than I normally would. Coupled with getting five hours instead of a full six to eight hours has me dragging my feet. I feel under the weather as well as if the effects of that place still haven't pass through me as easily as they did Saki. I guess she was left better off than I was.

The thought on what food should have then my eyes wandered to a small shop. They have a special today so might as try it.

I pulled my umbrella shut and opened the door. "Hai, welcome to Aiya's," I young woman said to me as I walked into the building. It's clean and the food smells good. "Might you be interested in our Mega beef challenge?" The young woman asked me taciturnly.

"Yes I am in fact." I sat down at the front counter with the grill opposite of it. The young woman nodded and called to the man at the grill for a big time special. "Do you know how the special works?"

"No ma'am, can you tell me?" The answer caused her to blink at most to me and here I thought I was the stoic one of the school. "It's simple, the meal is 3000 yen if you can't finish it but if you can the meal is on the house."

"You will regret telling me that."

"You're confident." I nodded and waited for my order in silence. The restaurant was in essence a family one in looks as well as the homey vibe I'm getting from it. As I waited I surveyed the place and decided it is a good enough place to rest in on me off time. If the mega beef thing is every day I get a free meal but then I will run this place under for sure with my 'monstrous appetite' that my mom liked to comment on. I'm a guy stuck in his youthful years so I get hungry all the time among other things as well.

"Here you go sir enjoy."

My jaw dropped at the shear amount of meat that was on top of on so little if any rice. I snapped my chopsticks in half and threw them away and reached into my pocket. A spoon appeared in my hands ready for use complements of the house and I dug in.

By god there was so much meat and no matter how much I ate it seemed that the meat would never end. I could see the trick behind this. You need to have the proper knowledge over your body to time yourself and know your limits, you also need to have the guts to face this challenge without getting discouraged for your mental fortitude also effects your physical limits, and you need as well the drive to press forward even if things seem to be bleak. Good thing I was more of an empty black hole than anything else because who cares about those things if you are a staving man like me. In a couple minutes I was full and nowhere close to done. I let my head fall and groaned as my stomach felt moments from exploding. I rose my hand, "I give."

"You did well enough. Hope it was worth it," the stoic girl said and boy was it. I gave a thumbs up before letting it lazily fall back down. I'm just about done for the day. I'm one some good pills so I don't feel any pain. Speaking of which, I reached into my pocket and pulled out of Ziploc bag with five pills in it. One for headaches, two for pain, one for inflammation, and the last for indigestion from the first four. I left the pill to help me sleep at home where it belongs until night time though. I drank enough water to down the pills and sat down in my seat on my phone until the pills kicked in.

I left Aiya's with a waved back outside to more rain but I'm in a decent mood right now and this little rain won't ruin it.

I decided to call it a day and return home but sadly I didn't make it too far before I was approached by a man in street clothes and a camera around his neck. The guy screamed ace reporter to me and even had the inviting smile to match.

"Rainy day huh," the man greeted me smoothly but unlucky for him I know this game. I thought the police decided to keep all of this in the down low. And keep my part in it anonymous. Maybe some one dropped the ball.

"You're Yu Narukami right?"

"I might be. Who are you?"

The man put out his hand and I shook it with my left. Funny thing is that he put out his right hand. "Daisuke. Daisuke Honda."

"Like the car," I added in before taking my hand from his. "Since you know me by name you want something from me then."

"Just a statement on your daring rescue of Saki Konishi."

I out my hand out with my palm facing up. "Information isn't cheap so pay me or leave." That smile of his waned a bit. His charisma isn't going to help him here. I may have been born at night but it wasn't last night.

"Okay, how about this. Tell me your story and I'll split my take…"

"I want at least 50,000 yen." The man's eyes bulged out of his skull. "I don't have a guarantee you'll make anything big so I want some decent change to spend now not later. Makes sense."

"I…I don't really…"

"If this is a problem then I can wait until you come up with the money or find a different source of info. As you can see I'm a bit injured and tired from hours of interrogation so your questions are unnecessary."

"Uh, okay."

I bowed my head a bit and walked around the man to my house which happened to be right around the corner which it was but I stopped when I noticed my uncle's car still parked in the driveway. I can't return home until he leaves to continue the investigation cause I can't really climb up the same way I came down. Not with my arm the way it is. I sort of wish the stats of my persona would affect me here like it did in the other world. I was able to jump higher, hit harder, and pain wasn't as noticeable there as it is here. If I had Pixie to assist me I could probably vault up the fence and Assassin's Creed my way to my window but sadly this won't be the case. They can assist me with talking to people and make for interesting conversation but with how things are now I can't really see physical feats of awesomeness to happen unless I work for it.

With this in mind I turned back the way I came and walked away to another place in the rain. I can't go home and I can't go the school since its out and the gates are closed. The black smith whose name I still haven't gotten is closed today and I've already eaten. I guess I can… go to the world behind the television while I have the chance to talk to Teddy. First I need to make a stop.

A/N: A shorter chapter but with a longer one to come.