Pieces Fall
"Don't rescue anymore..."
"I feel the message itself is rather clear," commented Yu, diverting Naoto's attention. His arms were crossed and his face emulated the seriousness of the situation. He stood to the right of the detective as she scrutinized the letter under her cobalt eyes.
"Shit, ain't this kind of thing only supposed to happen in the movies?" wondered Kanji.
"Don't shadowy monsters and other worlds belong in movies too?" uttered Rise, seated beside the blonde boy. "Our lives are more like the movies than anything else."
"Guess you got a point..."
"Dude, did you show your uncle this?" Yosuke asked, across from Yu and Naoto, sitting on one of the vents Yasogami had on the rooftop.
Yu's features seemed to harden, wrinkling at the question. "Obviously not. I wouldn't have it now if I had shown it to him. I doubt I'd even be allowed to be here if I had shown it to him." The sharp, cutting tone of his words pushed the brunette away, making him flinch a bit as Yu's glare was aimed at him. "Let's try to focus on smarter questions at the moment, Yosuke."
Yosuke hadn't expected such a response from their usually calm leader. None of the members of the Investigation Team did. Yukiko, in particular, seemed hurt by their leader's sudden fury and offensive nature. "J-jeez, dude, sorry. I didn't mean anything. I was just asking."
Then maybe you shouldn't be asking such stupid questions, thought the silver-haired leader. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, releasing his anger in a breath of air, before opening his eyes and donning his mask for Yukiko, Yosuke, and Chie. "I apologize, Yosuke. I am merely distressed by the letter. The implications are concerning, I'm sure you realize."
"He's right," agreed Naoto, quick to try and dissuade the others from focusing on their leader, rather than the letter in her hand. "The fact is that this letter arrived at the Dojima residence, addressed directly to Narukami. This means the culprit knows in great detail who has been interfering with his crimes. He knew our leader, his home, even his name."
"Oh my God," whispered Rise, covering her mouth as a cold chill ran down the spines of the seven teenagers.
"Shit, he knows where you live? Dude, are... are you okay?" Kanji inquired, looking at Yu with an expression of concern, rather than with the animosity Yu had come to expect in recent months. Sadly, the concern was not fully realized as Yu's face wrinkled again, rage brimming in his silver eyes.
"I'm fine. I still have my sword hidden away at home. If our killer tried anything..." The undertone of Yu's words was obvious, and it sent another chill down the others' spines, a chill far too similar to the one the killer gave them. Yu didn't seem to notice the unspoken question hanging in the air. Instead, he continued to speak about the letter. "But how could he know about us? About me? Even my address."
"W-well, Teddie always mentioned how he could feel someone watching us when we're fighting Shadows. You guys don't think we ended up on the Midnight Channel too...?" Yosuke wondered.
"I doubt it," answered Chie, though her own confidence seemed waning. "I haven't heard any rumors around school about us specifically. I've even spoken to people who watch it, but they never mention what happened to us specifically. Only the people who vanished."
"Well, that's good," nodded the brown-haired boy. "Still, how the hell does that place work? I mean, where did it come from? How is it decided who gets put on TV...?"
"We should hold off on making wild assumptions about the world until we have more data," suggested Naoto, who had unintentionally became the unofficial second-in-command of the team. "We have too little information on the world behind the TVs to make any real educated guesses about its' rules. Instead, we should focus on what we do know, regarding the murderer and this letter. What's most important is that we mustn't panic. We must be rational, calm, and collected."
"Right... Yeah, I getcha." Yosuke nodded his head as he spoke. "Freaking out is exactly what the killer wants us to do. So we'll just try to play it safe, right?"
"Still, Senpai, you have got to be careful, okay?" pleaded Rise, looking at Yu.
The older nodded his head in response. "Same to all of you."
Naoto silently noticed the shared look the two had, resisting a slight twitch to her lip as she watched them. She adjusted herself slightly, quietly clearing her throat as she stood there, with nothing to truly add now...
"Right. Calm, cool, and collected. Business as usual, right, Naoto?" Chie inquired. The blue-haired sleuth nodded her head, and in response, the martial artist awkwardly smiled at her friends. "In that case, anyone mind if I change the subject?" There were no arguments from the band of friends, or supposed friends, as Yu would call them. "The Culture Festival's just around the corner."
Yu rolled his eyes as the others began to speak. His eyes fell upon the small, silent detective, his focus on the love of his life and not the rising tension in the air. Rise's eyes darted between Naoto, Yu, and Kanji, the last of whom found himself more fixated with Naoto than usual. Yukiko's ebony eyes were on the silver-haired leader, her eyes shimmering with a confused and shattered light. Finally, there was the Detective Prince herself. Her eyes were on the letter itself, blind and deaf to the drama that swirled around her...
Like every meeting, the group began to disperse and return to class, and like every recent meeting, Naoto and Yu were the last to leave. The two would usually stay behind, telling the others they had to discuss things about the case privately, but this time a third party stayed behind. Yukiko Amagi looked at her friends, not caring about the looks they gave her.
Naoto was the first to speak, quietly voicing the elephant in the room. "Ah... Amagi-san, Narukami and I have facts about the case we'd like to discuss in private, if you do not mind..."
"I don't see why I can't stay. I can help go over details too!" It was a weak argument, and they all knew it. Naoto was a genius detective, and Yu was her cunning assistant/partner, far smarter than even his supposed friends knew. As smart as Yukiko was, she simply lacked the same detective instinct the two shared. This did nothing to dissuade her though.
"Yukiko-san," Yu began, his voice waving with a tone the innkeeper had never heard from him before, cutting at her with sharpness and candor. Even the honorific he spoke seemed second thought, a formality more than anything else. His normally kind and calm eyes held a sharpness that she never knew before. "Please. Naoto and I have matters to discuss." Without another word, Yu reached his hand forward, capturing Naoto's in his grasp and pulling her along towards the exit.
"Wha-?! Narukami! St-AH!" Naoto was dragged along behind the older boy, and both heard the older girl attempt to follow them only for the door to slam in front of the raven-haired girl. Neither detective nor liar heard the quiet, depressed sigh that fell from between Yukiko's lips.
"Even I recognized that as being rather rude, Narukami," huffed Naoto, fixing her school uniform when her hand was finally released. Her hand was still rather warm from the older boy's touch. She ignored that and analyzed her friend, picking up on certain signs she came to understand from observing him. "You are genuinely upset."
"A tad, yeah. Just not in the mood to deal with these idiots," lamented Yu as the two walked down the hall. There were a few students still finishing lunch, and a few
Naoto's eyes sharpened at his words as she kept her pace with him, walking by his side. "Those 'idiots' are our allies in this case. They deserve respect."
"You haven't been having to deal with them as long as I have, babe. They may be on our side, but they're idiots. You're easily the smartest person on this team."
Naoto considered asking him if he genuinely saw her as his intellectual superior, but she decided against it. Instead, she chose to focus on another question on her mind. "Narukami, may I ask you to clarify something?"
"Hm? Sure, shoot."
Naoto placed a finger to her chin as she thought of how best to word the inquiry. "What do you intend on doing with the killer when we finally meet him face to face?"
Yu didn't hesitate to answer the simple question. Not even for a moment. "I'm going to kill him, obviously." Naoto came to a stop, stunned silent by the frank confession. The silver-haired raised an equally silver brow at her, before he let out a slow sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he spoke. "Oh no, babe, please, do not tell me you thought that too... Do you honestly think we can get this guy arrested? Like Yosuke and the others think?"
"Narukami, think about what you saying! You're talking about killing someone!" The two glared at one another, but their argument was cut short when Naoto and Yu realized the odd stares on them from the other students. They were quick to turn and scurry away, avoiding the scrutinizing stares. As they quickly walked down the hall, they continued their discussion. "You cannot seriously be telling me you plan on... on..."
"Killing the killer? Of course I am. Naoto, this dude has murdered two people and we both know the law won't do shit about him. How are they suppose to arrest him when his murder weapon is an another dimension?!" Yu asked, accenting what he said by moving his hands in the air. Despite this, Naoto was unwavering in her own beliefs.
"We will find a way. I do not know how, but we will. Narukami, think about what you are saying. You plan on executing someone!" she growled.
"I have thought about it. I've known since Yukiko was kidnapped that the only way this case was closing was by me ramming a sword through the killer's stomach." The older boy sighed, before continuing. "I'm not saying we have to gather around and hang him. I'll do it. I'll kill him, and I'll even lie to others and tell them it was an accident. I'll fake being traumatized if that's what it takes."
"Narukami... This is a man's life," repeated the detective.
"Yeah, and it's everyone else's lives against his. We either let a murderer walk, or we stop him as soon as we find him, no bullshit, no second chances."
"You're... resolute in this matter," Naoto whispered. "Narukami, I cannot support this sort of decision. I believe in the justice system, and the law."
"And I believe in getting the job done. I'd have thought you would be in agreement there." The two glared at one another, a tension growing between the two as the seconds ticked by. Yu was the first to crack, and he sighed, shaking his head once more. "Sorry. Guess this really isn't the time for us to be arguing. We can talk it out more about this when we have cooler heads."
"That... that may be best," she agreed, exhaling and releasing her own anger and frustration. "I apologize for raising my voice, Narukami, but I'm concerned about this strategy of yours."
"Okay, did I not just say we could talk about it later?" Yu wondered, his tone bordering between annoyance and laughter.
"I simply wished to voice my concern. Perhaps, logically you have a point, but morally? Could you really bring yourself to kill another man?"
"I appreciate the concern, my little azure, but I'm going to have to be. I know murder isn't exactly easy on the mind. That's why I volunteered myself for the role." Yu's gaze fell upon a nearby window as he nodded his head, reaffirming his will and drive. The boys and girls outside were completely ignorant of the turmoil and chaos swirling around them... "I'm going to kill him."
Naoto was quiet, staring at the older boy with concerned eyes. She raised a hand, hesitating on what to do, before she placed her hand firmly onto his shoulder. He looked at her, surprised by the physical contact. "We'll find a better way. I... I know we will."
"Maybe." Yu nodded his head, the question left hanging in the air, unanswered.
When they finally separated from one another to return to their individual class, both liar and detective were left wondering what the future of this case would bring...
The days that followed were busy ones for the boys and girls of the Investigation Team. Yu found himself working to repair or cure his ailing Social Links, with Naoto being his only real confidant. The young boy tried to speak to Rise about the matter, but the young girl was strangely busy over the following days. He ignored it, admitting to himself that Naoto was better company than the idol, but still wondering where his first friend ran off to without him.
The days passed without a single kidnapping, or murder, or even an inkling of strangeness. Yu went through the motions, the only moments that really mattered to him were the ones that involved repairing the Social Links of those not in the Investigation Team and his time with Naoto. As much as the silver-haired boy hated to admit it, he was scared of confronting those he had lied to the most.
He thought of all the times he risked their lives for himself, how easy he found it to put their lives in danger to make his life easier. He remembered how easily he manipulated them into thinking he was their friend, when in reality, he was holding them up as shields to die for him. The lies he gave to Nanako, Yumi, and the others were poultry compared to that chaos...
So he just kept playing his part around his 'closest' friends, trying his best not to let them see the beast inside, but it was getting harder and harder with every passing day. Naoto had cracked his masks, and nothing was able to put the pieces back together again. He wasn't even sure he wanted to wear them again if he could...
So the week went by. It was decided his class was going to be doing a 'Group Date Cafe,' which he voted for, despite having no idea what that actually was. Regardless, it seemed like a fun idea, and Yukiko and Yosuke got more of the blame for it than he did. He carried on, until he came to school to find a strange sight in the hall.
A mass gathering of students stood in front of a board, chattering to each other as they crowded around whatever message the board had. He leaned closer, listening to them talk, trying to pick one words and phrases from the group. It didn't take long for Yu to hear the familiar names of Chie, Yukiko and Rise, but when he heard the word 'pageant' and 'Naoto' come up, every alert in his head was blaring.
That led him to where he was now. He stood on the roof of the school, watching Chie chew Yosuke out for his crimes. He was quiet, not even making a sound as he tried to look stoic and serious. His eyes glanced at Naoto every few moments, and he could feel the heat rise to his face as he imagined what this beauty pageant could bring.
Naoto in a bikini? Naoto in a maid uniform?! Naoto in lingere!? He bit hit lip, forcing himself to look as calm as he could, but the thought of Naoto on a stage, showing her body off for him... Okay, so it wasn't exactly like that, but it was how it played in his head. He quickly tore his gaze from the blue-haired sleuth, trying to shake off the perverted fantasies. He glanced around the rooftop, finding Yukiko staring at him with concerned eyes.
Yu tried to allow his action speak for him as he struggled to appear as the stoic leader once more. Should I look disappointed in Yosuke? Maybe upset? Or should I try to pacify the two so they don't kill each other? Shit, this used to be so easy...
"Let's all try to calm down," Yu pleaded, holding up his hands. He was at least able to get Chie to back off for a moment, allowing Yosuke the chance to defend himself.
"Oh come on, I didn't know Kashiwagi wouldn't let you sign out! How was I supposed to know that?!"
"So it was you!"
"Oh crap! I mean, c-come on! It's just for fun! Everyone knows how popular Yukiko is! And on top of that, we have an idol and a Detective Prince! What's the point of a beauty pageant if all of these beauties aren't going to take part?!" Both Kanji and Yu's eyes fell on the blushing detective, before meeting one another. Yu tried to offer a smile to the taller boy, who just furrowed his brow and looked away.
Right. Kanji hates me. Silly me for forgetting that.
"So, wait... Where do I fit in?" There was a moment of awkward silence, before Chie's temper flared even hotter than before. "I don't want to be your comedy relief!"
Either Yosuke has a crush on Chie and doesn't want to admit, or he's just stupid. Both seem pretty possible. Yu had to fight the urge to roll his eyes, before an expecting pair of eyes fell upon him. Yosuke was looking at him, and that led to the others to stare at him too.
"Hey, you're totally stoked about it, aren't you, bro?!"
Oh, God damn it, Yosuke, Yu swore. His eyes fell upon Naoto's cobalt eyes, which shyly shirked away when their gazes met. He then looked towards the others and spoke, staring at each of them, and yet none of them at all. "If none of the girls want to participate, I see no reason for why we should force them. We can discuss things with Miss Kashiwagi and explain to her that this was all a simple misunder-"
"I want to do it."
"Huh?" Yu blinked as Yukiko spoke up, her cheeks featuring a scarlet tint as she spoke.
"I-I want to be in the pageant," she repeated.
"W-what?! Yukiko, you don't have to to say yes! Whatever Yosuke might have told you, a beauty pageant isn't just-" But Chie was cut off by her best friend, who spoke as adamantly as her embarrassed and flustered nature could allow.
"I-I know! I'm not doing it for Yosuke-kun! I'm doing it for me!"
"Really? Whoo!" cheered Yosuke, grinning as Yukiko's best friend was left dumbstruck.
"I... What?"
"Chie, please, will you go on stage with me too? I... I don't want to do this alone," pleaded the raven-haired girl. When Chie stared into those ebony eyes, her defenses fell. All she could do was reluctantly nod and sigh.
"O-okay, Yukiko. I'm in too."
"Really?! Thank you, Chie!" Yukiko beamed, hugging her friend tightly.
Huh. What's that all about? The question went on unanswered as Rise was the next to speak up.
"Ah, why not? Guess I'm in too," grinned the copper-haired beauty.
"B-be that as it may, I'd rather not participate in such an event," argued Naoto. "I apologize, Yosuke-senpai, but I must insist that I will not be joining in this venture."
"I-I think you should join the pageant!" It seemed that today was full of surprises. Yu watched as Kanji stepped forward, staring right at Naoto. To the silver-eyed leader's disgust and jealousy, Naoto blushed under Kanji's piercing, if shaky, stare. "I think you should join the pageant!" He repeated it, but it didn't change how utterly amazing it was that Kanji Tatsumi was doing this.
"Dude," Yosuke gasped, watching with wide eyes along with the rest of their group. Yu was the only one to notice that Rise stared at Kanji with a different gleam in her eye, but before he could ponder it, the blonde spoke again.
"Y-you're smart, and cool, and confident, and... and attractive! I think you should join the pageant!" His voice was getting higher and higher with every word, louder with every compliment. Naoto was left quiet and awestruck, just like most the Investigation Team.
"Whoa. When did Kanji get the balls?" muttered Yosuke.
"Good for him," Chie smiled, proudly.
"Awww," Yukiko cooed.
"I... Uh... Urm... P-perhaps I will then," mumbled Naoto.
The only ones not to stare were Rise, who had a small smile on her lips, and Yu, who was too focused on his thoughts to say anything.
WHAT THE FUCK!?
It took far too long for Yu's liking for him to finally speak to Naoto about the events that took place at lunch. As soon as class ended, he stormed out, nearly pushing aside Yukiko as he ran out of the classroom to pursue the young detective. He came to a skidding halt in front of her classroom. He fixed his hair, before dusting off his outfit. With a deep inhale, Yu prepared to open the door, only for it to slide open from the other side.
"Kanji?" A rush of emotion slammed into the liar as he tried to speak. Rage. Anger. Jealousy. Angry, jealous rage. His face turned harsh and scornful, but then Kanji's expression changed as well. Yu expected anger. He could have dealt with anger, but instead, Kanji's features turned softer, more gentle than they usually were.
"Um... Hey, Senpai." Sympathetic. That was what the expression looked like. Kanji was sympathetic towards his romantic rival. He was pitying Yu.
Yu felt his stomach lurch at the expression, not just because he realized the awful, irony he and Kanji had made, but because the pity just made his anger immature and pointless.
"Kanji," muttered Yu as he stepped out of the way for the other boy to exit his class. Behind Kanji was a familiar face. "Rise?"
"O-oh! Hey, Senpai! Um... You okay?" she inquired, and it was obvious from her behavior that she was hiding something. .
Yu's right brow vanished under his hair as he replied. "Yeah. I'm okay. You?" He didn't bother with any masks. Like Naoto, and even Kanji, she knew the real him. He didn't bother with any act of politeness, and spoke frankly and casually instead.
"Me? Oh, yeah! I'm okay." Judging by the shifty look in her eye, it was obvious she was not. Yu considered demanding the truth from her, but thought better of it. He kept his mouth silent as she bid her farewell. "I'll see you later, Senpai. I promised my grandmother I'd be home right after school..."
"Right." She passed by him, her every step heavy with guilt and fear. That left the boys alone with one another, staring at each other in the doorway. As she walked away, Kanji glanced at Rise, and Yu wondered if he turned around, would Rise be looking back at Kanji? It didn't matter, because Kanji's attention was back on the older student, his face still solemn and still.
"I'll see you later, Senpai. Sorry..."
Sorry? Once again, Yu considered stopping someone and demanding answers, or even just telling Kanji to stay away from Naoto, but he bit hit lip, sealing it. He tried to play nice, tried not be like his old self, but just thinking about Kanji complimenting Naoto made him want to lie and cheat and grind the competition to dust.
Once Kanji was out of the way, Yu stepped inside and found his target. There was Naoto, standing beside her desk, faced towards the window in silent contemplation. It's been a long day. One problem at a time, he decided, before Yu walked towards the girl, plastering a smile onto his face.
"Hey there, my cerulean beauty." Yu had to resist the urge to frown when he saw Naoto barely notice his pet name for her. "What's on your mind?"
"Huh? Oh. Narukami. May I help you?" The dark-haired girl swiveled her head to face the older, taller boy, her face a mix of emotions. Yu paused, noticing how lost and confused her cobalt eyes seemed to be. It was almost like she was a hundred miles away, and he left sending her postcards.
"I just came to make sure you were okay. Come on, let's walk for a bit, okay?"
"So..." Yu chewed the inside of his mouth as he tried to think of what to say. He and Naoto were walking out of the school, a common occurence after class. This time though, rather than the two's growing friendship and kinship being palpable in the air, the two were locked in awkward, quiet fog of tension. The silverette sighed, before continuing. "What did Kanji want to talk to you about?"
Naoto's pace quickened, and she avoided her friend's stare as best she could. Despite that, she seemed to flinch under his iron stare. "What makes you think Kanji-kun spoke to me?" The detective was not a bad liar, after all, she fooled most people into believing she was a boy, but Yu had been lying since he could talk. He saw right through her.
"Call it a gut feeling," replied Yu. He made no attempt to hide that he saw through her. This time, Yu sought the truth while Naoto tried to hide from it.
"I do not wish to talk about it, Narukami. Not yet. I'm... mulling over details," the detective sighed.
The possibility of demanding a real answer came to Yu's mind. He might have, had it been anyone else, but the blue-haired sleuth was always a special case with him. He could only sigh, shaking his head , before stopping. He slowly nodded in acceptance, before responding, "Alright. Fine. I won't ask. Just... know that I'm here for you."
She slowed down enough for him to walk beside her. He saw a small, thankful smile on her lips, and he couldn't help but return it. Whenever I see that smile, things just feel right. I can't put my finger on it, but just seeing her happy, even if I'm not... This must be love. "So can I ask you a different question instead?"
"As long as it does not pertain to what Kanji-kun and I spoke about today, please, go ahead."
"You don't really want to do this pageant thing, do you?"
"Well, no." Naoto sighed again, before putting a hand to her chin in contemplation. "But the others have already made their choice, and I would feel rather guilty to reject the idea after... Well-"
"What Kanji said to you?"
Naoto's cheeks turned a hue of crimson and Yu simply nodded his head. He was almost glad she didn't vocally agree with the guess. "B-besides, I spoke to Yosuke-senpai for clarification. He explained to me that it is only a question and answer session. There will be no posing or dress-up, which I did find rather... comforting."
"Still, I assume it can't be comfortable, going on a stage and letting everyone see you?" Naoto tipped her hat, muttering something under her breath, but he didn't need to hear her to understand the answer. "Hm. Well, I'll see what I can do. I'll try to make the whole thing a bit easier on you." She looked at him, a dark brow raised in silent inquiry. "Just trust me. I'll think of something."
"Whatever you do, I hope it isn't too ridicluious. You do have a habit of acting rather dramatic, Narukami."
"Dramatic? Me? Psha, my dear, dear sapphire, I am not dramatic. I'm fun." The female sleuth heard his pet name for her loud and clear, and she looked away with red, hot cheeks as Yu practically beamed.
"This is crossdressing! CROSS. DRESSING!"
Yosuke shrieked like a banshee as the others watched he and Chie fall into another one of their arguments. Only this time, this particular argument was about the fates of himself, Kanji Tatsumi, and their leader, Yu Narukami.
"I keep telling you, we didn't sign you up for anything!" roared the martial artist. Her rage quickly changed into a smug grin as she followed by saying, "But I wish I did. Guess someone else thought you deserved some punishment for signing us all up!"
"Oh, come on! You really expect me to believe you didn't sign us up?! Just admit, Chie, you signed us all up!" he accused.
"I keep telling you, I didn't! Stop calling me a liar, Yosuke!"
"Yosuke's right! This shit ain't cool, Chie-senpai!" Kanji added, his voice cracking for a moment. "I-I mean, it's a matter of pride, damn it! This ain't okay! We ain't doing it, ya hear me?!"
"Chie's telling the truth!" Yukiko argued, rushing to break the two apart before the students below wondered what all that racket coming from the rooftop was about. "Neither of us signed you three up!"
"Well, if it wasn't you..." Yosuke's accusatory stare fell upon Rise, who held up her hands as quickly as she could, shaking her head.
"Huh?! Me?! No way, Senpai! I'd never sign you guys up for this!"
"Could... Naoto, did you do this?!"
"What?! I did not! I have no idea how this happened, I assure you."
"It doesn't matter." Yu's voice resembled that of a king, booming, yet soft, powerful, yet gentle. He commanded the attention of all of his allies, and they gave it, willingly. "We've been signed up. We can't back down, we all know Kashiwagi wouldn't let us. She'd probably bring our grades down as far as she could, yours included, Kanji. That leaves only one option open to us."
"Don't tell me..."
"Y-you got to be kidding me! There's no way, damn it!"
"Don't worry, Yosuke, I'll make sure you look extra pretty in a skirt," chuckled Chie as Yosuke's face turned a chilling pale tone.
"Don't worry, Kanji-kun, I'll make sure you'll look extra pretty," Yukiko promised, patting the younger boy's back.
As the two boys mourned their debut, Naoto's eyes darted towards the leader of their band of misfits. Yu was smiling, but it was not the soft, easy smile of a compassionate, wise leader. It was a smug, Narukami smirk.
"You signed everyone up, didn't you?" It was the first thing Naoto said to Yu when the two had a moment alone.
"Yep." He didn't even both to lie to her. His stoic mask shattered in a moment as his smile turned into a wolfish grin. It grew and grew more toothy, before he began to laugh. He was chortling loudly, now free to bask in his victory and mischief. Yu had no doubt been hiding his glee for hours, and now it was his chance to just enjoy it. Naoto tried to glare at him, but he was laughing so much, she almost felt like she was the one acting silly...
"How? Why?! You do understand you'll be on a stage, wearing women's clothing also, don't you?"
"Hey, it'd be bad if I wasn't up there. Too suspicious. Sometimes, to make a lie believable, you have to take a bullet," he laughed, sitting on the rooftop's vent. "Oh man, the look on their faces! Yosuke's so upset, and Kanji's... weirdly okay with it! Ha!"
"You are incorrigible... Why on earth did you even pull off a prank such as this? For your own amusement?"
"Not just for my amusement. I did it for you. Er, to help you, I mean..."
That was not an answer Naoto expected from her elder. The silverette's laughter was finally dying down to the point where it was merely a smug smirk on his lips, and that familiar gleam in his eye. He was arrogant, but his confidence seemed more good-natured to the detective, rather than the superiority complex it had previously came off as. She would have gave the behavior more thought, had Yu's answer not left her so stunned.
"You felt uncomfortable being in a beauty pageant. Well, misery loves company. Now, I'll be appearing right before you, wearing a dress and answering questions for all to see and hear. Thought it might make it a little easier for you, my cerulean bestie," snickered the liar. Naoto's eyes widened and she stared at him with those wide, disbelieving pupils.
"You... You did this for me?"
"That's what friends do, right? Make sacrifices for the other?" Yu winked at her, and she quickly glanced away.
"T-thank you, Narukami."
"Always a pleasure, Naoto."
The two stayed their, alone on rooftop, a familiar silence filling the void between them. Yu smiled at her, genuinely and honestly, but while she returned the gesture for a moment, her smile soon began to fade away. She tore her eyes from his and looked towards the edge of the rooftop, gazing through the fence. The silver-haired boy raised a brow, but did not force an answer out of her. He merely approached her, standing by her side. He lifted a hand to stroke her shoulder, but it fell limp by his side before he could reach her.
"Kanji Tatsumi, er... Kanji-kun asked me to accompany him tomorrow, during the Culture Festival."
And in a moment, Yu's entire world was shattered. Like a sledgehammer swung into a glass castle, it exploded with a crash; bits and pieces fell towards the ground, each bit reflecting the damage and destruction around them. All Yu could do was stare as Naoto continued.
"I understand that, from a certain point of view, this outing may appear more intimate than I intend. I do not know what exactly I will say to him, but I have decided that I will accompany him. Being with you, Narukami, had helped me come to a personal revelation. I want to form my own bonds with others."
"Oh."
It was all he could say, and he hated it. He wanted to say something, anything. Insult Kanji. Insult her. Insult himself, but nothing came out. He was somewhere he had never been before. "I helped you realize that...?"
"Yes. Our time together before your... personal revelation, as well as our time together afterwards, has made me curious." Naoto took her hat off, and Yu was given a rare sight of her hair, flowing and free. She ruffled her hair, scratching her scalp for a moment as she pondered her next words. "I wish to become closer to Kanji-kun, and to create a bond with him."
'I don't wanna be alone!' Her shadow's words rang in his skull as he stood there, staring at her. He tried to speak again, only for his words to come as mixed stutters. "S-so... You? And Kanji?" He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe, after all he had done, someone else just came in and swept Naoto off of her feet! Was this what it was like to be everyone else...?
"N-no!" A wave of relief washed over Yu, as minor as it was to his heartache. "I mean, I-I do not plan on pursuing any romantic endeavor. You understand, don't you? A romantic engagement would just be a detriment to our case! I-I have no intentions of pursuing anything of the sort with Kanji, or-or anyone!" Perhaps if Yu's mind was more open, more aware of Naoto's emotional state, he would have realized that she was speaking more to herself than him. But his mind was left drowning in a storm.
"Right. Of course... I-I understand. I mean, I wouldn't pursue anyone until the case is closed either. Wouldn't be right."
"Such things are simply... distractions," sighed the detective.
"Right. Distractions." Then silence, and all Yu could hear was his heart, trapped in his throat, beating like a clock, ticking down. "So you and Kanji...?" he repeated it to himself, still disbelieving of it all.
"Please, do not say it like that," she pleaded.
"Like what?"
"Like he and I are... entangled."
He wished her words could comfort him. He wished he could take the words as a sign that he wasn't going to lose this battle of the heart. He really, really wished he could, but all that came from his lips was a venomous reply. "Aren't you? I mean, you're hanging out with him, not me."
"N-Narukami?" Naoto opened her mouth to argue her point, but she stopped when she saw his face. He was smiling, ear to ear. It only took a moment for her to realize the smile was as fake as the one he gave Yosuke-senpai and the others. In fact, it might have been the exact smile, cut out and reused against her. Part of her felt a sense of betrayal; after all, wasn't she the one he was meant to be honest with...?
"Sorry. That came out meaner than I meant. Anything else?" he inquired, his voice straining to sound carefree and even. "If not, I should really get going." He didn't bother explaining why. They both knew that she wouldn't have bought any lie he gave.
"Narukami, did... Did I do something wrong?" she inquired. Damn it, what is it? I don't understand, why is he upset? Did he have plans for us during the Culture Festival? Surely there will be time another night to spend time together. Why is this affecting him so detrimentally?!
"Of course not, babe. I'm just being stupid," he laughed, and neither commented on how fake it sounded. That smile never moved, it didn't even budge as he began to walk towards the exit. "I'll see you later, okay, Naoto? Have fun with your date."
"It's not a-" But the door was closed before she could even finish her sentence.
Yu walked down the halls of the school, aimlessly. His face was twitching, shaking, and his every step felt heavier than the last. He was trying to comprehend what was going on, both around him and within him. He had never been on this side before. He had never felt like his heart had been ripped out and torn to shreds. And the funniest part was that she didn't even mean it. Naoto didn't know about his feelings for her, nor did she know about Kanji's feelings for her.
She had accidentally broken his heart, and it hurt like a gaping wound in his chest. How much did it hurt others when he purposely hurt them? The answer made his skin crawl, and he tried to sort the chaotic wasteland of his mind, if only so he couldn't think about how awful a person he had truly been...
Naoto and Kanji. Kanji. Asked her out. Can't believe it. Holy shit. Before I did. I was so stupid. Didn't have the balls to ask her out. Turn into a chicken shit coward everytime she's around. Stupid. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid stupid stupid!
Haven't lost her yet. But what if I do? Then I do. Let her be happy, with whoever it is. You said you just wanted her happy. But I want to be happy too. Then you'll find another way to be happy. Be happy for her. But damn it, I wanted her! Kanji doesn't even know a thing about her! How much she struggles! How much she hurts! I should be with her!
Damn it!
I'm so stupid.
And so emotional. Shit, pull yourself together.
Be happy for Naoto, she's supposed to be your friend.
'If you really love someone, let them go.'
Whoever said that was an idiot.
Where did Kanji even get the balls to ask her out?!
Let them go, my ass. Fight for them. Win them over. That's what I should have done. Instead I tip toe around like a pansy-ass.
But I didn't want to force it. For once, in my life, I wanted to feel what it was like to naturally love someone, and have them love the real me. No one's ever loved the real me.
God damn it, you sound like such an idiot! No one loves anyone, that's what my parents taught me! I should have known better! No one loves anyone!
But I love her...
Wait... Where did he get it?
Yu stopped in his tracks. His mind raced, images sliding before his mind's eye. Rise's smiles. She was glancing around. Where had she been recently? Last time I saw her, she was by Kanji's side. Acting weird. Concerned for me. Why would she be so concerned?! She...
It actually came as almost a blessing. It gave his mind something to focus on. Something to think about. The ocean of heartbreak and melancholy, the confusion of what to do, the turmoil of his broken heart... It all turned to ash from the flames of rage that were fanned in his heart. They fueled him, drove him forward, as he raced towards Rise's classroom.
He nearly ripped the door aside as he slammed it open, finding the copper-haired idol sitting at her desk, eating her lunch. The few students that were sitting in the classroom stared at their senior, his chest huffing, his eyes unfocused. Yu looked at Rise and motioned her over with a shaky hand. In an instant, she knew why he was there and why he was so disheveled.
She stood up from her desk, her own body suddenly very heavy. She walked towards him, and the other students watched as the door slammed shut behind her. Rise's eyes couldn't meet her senpai's as he spoke a single question to her.
"You knew, didn't you?"
"Yes," she uttered.
"How much-?" He shook his head, the twitching only getting worse as his rage blinded him for a moment. "How long?"
"A few weeks...?"
Weeks?! She knew for weeks and she didn't tell me!? "W-why?"
"I just wanted to help him."
"Help? You... you helped him?" He laughed. He couldn't help it, even as he felt his heart being ground into even tinier bits. "You helped Kanji ask Naoto out." Neither knew if it was a question or a statement, as if Yu couldn't fathom the idea. "You... you helped him. Yeah. What was it you said? That I should do my best to be me? And let the pieces fall where they will? I didn't know that meant have you catch them and decide where they fell."
"Senpai, I-"
"I get it. I deserve some punishment for being an asshole. I get that, I do, but... but you, what was going through your head when you helped him? Did you ever, even for a second, think about how I'd react?" Yu tore his fingers through his silver locks, letting out a huff of hot air. "Shit, listen to me. Sound like such a freakin' idiot."
"I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to help him." Rise had only seen the older boy like this one other time. When she first saw the 'real him.' She tried to speak through the fog of his mind, tried to reach him. "Senpai, you wanted Kanji to try! That's what you told me!"
"Yeah, but... but I never thought he'd actually win." It wasn't a rage-filled roar. It wasn't heartbroken bellow. It was just the sigh of a man on the verge of defeat.
"He didn't win anything!" she argued. "He just asked her out!"
"And she said yes!" Yu growled and closed his eyes, trying to suppress his outbursts. "I know that. I know, but no matter how many times I tell myself that, it just... It doesn't change how I feel, and I know how stupid and whiny that sounds, and it just makes me angrier at myself," he groaned, rubbing the temples of his head.
"I just wanted everyone to be happy..."
"Well, nice try. Two out of three ain't bad." His words struck her, and he wished he wasn't so angry. He squeezed his eyes tight, pleading to himself to find some clarity.
"Senpai... I-I'm so sorry." It was all she could think to say. She reached her hand forward to him, but her fingers never touched him. Yu's hand shot forward, wrapping around her wrist and squeezing it. Her eyes widened as his silver eyes glared at her.
"Don't." He almost sounded like he was begging her. His eyes softened and his breathing slowly began to stabilize. "I'm not..." He couldn't say he wasn't angry. That was a lie. He was furious. "It'll be okay. I'll be okay. I just... I need to be alone. I need to do some thinking." Yu released her hand and he nodded his head, affirming his own beliefs. "I'll see you later, Rise."
Yu didn't say anything else. He turned around and walked away, leaving Rise alone with her guilt and frustration.
That night, Yu returned home to find his cousin, Nanako, ready to greet him. She smiled at him with such joyful eyes.
"Welcome home, Big Bro!"
Her smile was full of glee, and she raced to greet him and tell him about his day, only to find him looking like her father after a bad day. His hair was a mess, scalp red from how much he clawed at it. His eyes were tired, with a glassy sheen over them, leaving them dull and weak. His every movement was like walking through mud. Yu looked ready to collapse at any moment.
"Big Bro! A-are you okay?"
He didn't respond. He just walked past her, leaving her alone. It was just like before he came to live with them. Nanako was alone as Yu stumbled into his room, kicking the door shut behind him.
He didn't turn the lights on. He sat in the dark, taking comfort in it as his mind ticked on. He didn't know how to feel. His heartache had gone numb after a while. He wasn't angry, though he feared a return of his rage if he saw Rise, Naoto, or Kanji. Despite all of it, he wasn't empty. He remembered quite clearly what it felt like to be empty, and this wasn't it.
Maybe I really am changing, he wondered. It didn't matter, at least, he didn't care about it right now. Yu simply did his best to let time go by, and as much as he hated the idea, he was going to stick with Rise's advice. Despite the whirlwind of confusion and emotion inside of him, he promised himself.
He was going to be himself, and let the pieces fall where they will.
END
If you hadn't noticed, the 'Pieces fall where they will' line is a theme of the story. Sometimes, you just gotta be yourself and see where things go. I digress.
Here it is. The longest chapter of the story thus far, hopefully, a well written one, as I felt the last chapter was weaker than my average. The chapter wasn't easy, as I wanted to portray a lot of emotion without coming too melodramatic or stupid. Hopefully, I succeeded. Please, leave your thoughts and critiques in a review. I love reading them, and it is a good motivator.
Now, for some final thoughts.
There is an interesting bit of character development here. In the past, Yu used to lie or just shut down when faced with heartbreak. Now, he's at least coherent, and able to talk and figure things out. I also wanted him being almost accepting of the events to be a sign of development. He is well on his way to being a better person, but at the same time, I wanted him to have some struggle with it.
Being better isn't an easy path, but he is trying. I've made readers in the past hate Yu, I hope I can get readers to now feel bad for him and root for him. We'll see.
The idea of Delinquent Yu signing him and the other guys for the crossdressing pageant was an idea I came up with fairly early on. I feel it's a good sign of development for him, with him willing to humiliate himself and joke around to help his closest friend and crush. Hope to hear your thoughts on it.
Also, the Culture Festival will be a multi-chapter mini-arc inside Arc 2. Prepare for drama, pageants, and Yukiko's character chapter! And after that... Heh. You know what...
Take care, have fun, love you, guys, and be safe!
Fun Facts About Leafy - I've had an account on Fanfiction before. My stories were filled with bad jokes, Mary Sues, and poor story telling. I made a new account to start fresh.