[Summary: Yosuke reflects on Souji's 'sweetheart.']

[Author's notes: One of the dialogue options you can introduce Margaret with on 2/12 is "she's my sweetheart" so that's what this is about.]

Day 19 - TV World

Margaret came from the TV World. So did Marie-chan, apparently, but Margaret was more of a concern to Yosuke.

"She's my sweetheart."

The words echoed in Yosuke's head. Souji had to have been joking, right? But no, Yosuke remembered clearly the way his lips were turned up in a curl of a smile, and how his eyes had sparkled. When he joked, his delivery was always deadpan, so this meant—

Yosuke supposed he couldn't fault Souji's taste. Margaret was gorgeous. Those full, cherry-red lips and long, sexy legs. Light wavy hair that looked soft to the touch. That aura of elegance about her... Yosuke knew he'd never have a chance with her in a million years.

That event had been a week ago, but Yosuke still kept thinking about it. Heck, he was thinking of it now, while he shared lunch with Souji on the school roof. Souji had invited him, like he often did, to share a home-cooked meal.

"No good?" Souji asked, noticing how Yosuke only picked at the California rolls.

"S-sorry," Yosuke apologized. "I guess I'm not that hun—hey!"

Souji had stolen one of the rolls from him and popped it in his mouth.

"No," Souji said after swallowing, "they're good." He tilted his head at Yosuke. "What's the problem?"

Yosuke made a face while he tried to come up with something to say. He'd been meaning to talk to Souji about this, but he didn't know where to start.

He finally settled on, "It must be hard, huh? Having to go to the TV World whenever you want to see her."

Souji blinked at him.

"I didn't know you were into older women," Yosuke went on. "I guess there's that maturity you can't get with high school girls. You won't have to worry about having to listen to her gossip about the latest on 'who kissed who' or anything like that."

Souji worked his mouth like he was going to say something, then frowned and closed it.

"But I wonder what you two even have in common. She's not even from this world. Unless that's the draw? That She wants to learn more about this world through you? That sounds kind of one-sided to me."

Souji's eyes narrowed.

"Though I guess there's a lot to like about you," Yosuke said. He gestured with his chopsticks at the food. "I mean, you're a good cook. You're also nice to a fault, but you're not a pushover either. I remember when you stood up to those girls at Junes for me... Anyone would like you, normal or not."

"Thanks...?" Souji managed, but he was still frowning. "I'm not dating Marie, though."

"I'm not talking about Marie! I'm talking about that beauty in blue."

"Margaret? I'm not dating her either."

"Wh—but you called her your sweetheart!"

"That's... because she is a sweetheart," Souji said. "She helps me a lot with managing my Personas. Without her, I wouldn't be able to create new, stronger selves."

"Okay," Yosuke said, "but the way you said it! And the way you smiled at her!"

"I was happy she'd fulfilled her promise to me to find Marie."

It was Yosuke's turn to open and close his mouth. He put his hand to his brow. "I really am an idiot, aren't? I jumped to conclusions."

"You sounded... kind of jealous," Souji said.

"N-no, I wasn't jealous." Yosuke shook his head. "It's just... I was wondering why you couldn't date someone normal."

"Like you?"

"Yeah!"

Yosuke stared at him for a second before covering his mouth with his hands. It was too late, though, he'd said it.

Souji was grinning now, a full grin with his teeth showing. It was something Yosuke had never seen before. "You could've just said it," he said. "That you like me."

"I don't!"

"Oh?" Souji said.

He picked up a roll, kissed it, and shoved it into Yosuke's mouth. Yosuke spluttered, rice flying out of his mouth.

"...Maybe I do," Yosuke mumbled after he swallowed the rest of the roll.

Smiling, Souji held up another roll and pushed it towards Yosuke's mouth. Yosuke opened his mouth, but Souji stopped it there, raising an eyebrow at him and nodding. Realizing what he wanted, Yosuke blushed hard, and then kissed the side of the roll. Souji took it and ate it.

Yosuke felt lightheaded, like he was burning up. Then he tossed his chopsticks aside, grabbed Souji by the shoulders and kissed him hard.

Why stop at an indirect kiss?