Chie - True Strength
Chie lifted her head at the new transfer student. Mr. Morooka had been as eloquent as ever introducing him, but now the man was speaking for himself to the class. He certainly looked like he wasn't the average student. Rather than the black or hazel hair color that most kids in Inaba had, his hair was a stark silver.
Wonder if he dyes it? she absentmindedly wondered.
Other than that, he was a pretty normal-looking guy. Tall, broad shoulders, shirt untucked, but a kind, friendly smile on his face.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Yu Narukami. I... uh... I hope we get along very well!" The silver-haired boy greeted, before bowing his head. Several students, including Chie, chuckled at his embarrassed entrance. It seemed like having everyone's eyes on him made the poor boy feel awkward and embarrassed.
Can't say I blame him. I'd probably feel embarrassed with everyone looking at me too.
Mr. Morooka had began going on one of his many rants in regards to the youth of Japan. The transfer student cringed at the barrage of insults, stepping away from the older man as he went on and on. Chie couldn't help but take pity on the poor boy. She lifted her hand up, catching the teacher's attention. "Excuse me? Is it okay if the transfer student sits here?"
"Huh? Yeah, sure. Ya hear that?! Your seat's over there. So hurry up and siddown already!"
"Yes, sir! Sorry, sir," the transfer student replied, quickly walking to the seat neighboring Chie.
As Morooka grumbled and spat venom at the class, Chie looked to the boy and leaned her head towards him. "He's the worst, huh? Rotten luck for you to get stuck in this class..."
"Is he always like this?" whispered the other boy.
"Yep," she sighed. "We're all just gonna have to tough it out for a year..."
"Yeah... Thanks for asking me over here, by the way. I really appreciate it."
Chie noticed the young man's eyes were a deep silver, like a katana from one of her action films. Weird, never seen silver eyes before... "No problem. I get how hard it can be to be the new kid in school," she muttered back, only for the two to freeze up as a voice yelled out to them.
"Hey! You two! Shut the hell up!"
"Sorry, Mr. Morooka!" Chie apologized, bowing her head.
"Sorry, sir," repeated Yu. The teacher grumbled under his breath, before returning to his rant. He went on and on as Chie and Yu glanced at one another. They exchanged small smiles as their teacher's rant fell on deaf ears.
He seems nice, thought Chie. Wonder if he'll want to hang out with Yukiko and I? She glanced at the raven-haired girl in front of her, who was propping her head up with her elbow. She didn't need to see her friend to know she was fighting to stay awake. She looks really exhausted... I hope we can still hang out today.
She felt a pang of frustration towards Yukiko's family. Lately, the young woman had been working at her family's inn, meaning they had little to no time together. It was almost impossible to even hang out over the weekend, or to study for exams together.
The tomboyish girl could feel a twisting in her gut at the idea of Yukiko abandoning Chie to help her family. She tried to brush the feeling away, but there was still a writhing in her stomach that ached and prodded at her mind. Her brow furrowed as she tried her best to ignore the irritating thought.
"Chie!" Yosuke ran forward, running to the girl as she laid on the ground. The ring above her head crumbled to dust as he stood over her fallen body. Namatame fell behind them, the Shadows melting off of his body, but Yosuke gave the kidnapper little thought. He held Chie's body in his arms. Her jacket was torn up, and her skin was covered in viscous scratches and burns. He held her in trembling hands as he tried to speak.
"No... No, please... Not her too..."
"She's okay, Yosuke. She's breathing," Yu comforted. "I-" He reached out towards the brunette's shoulder, only to have Yosuke shout at him.
"Don't! Just don't..." he pleaded. Chie's unconscious body laid in his arms as Yosuke began to sob. Yu nodded his head in understanding, before changing Personas quietly. A golden light enveloped Chie, healing her of her wounds. Without another word, Yu walked towards Namatame's fallen body.
While he walked towards the kidnapper, Naoto ran to Nanako's side. Chie had been right. Namatame had both of his ebony hands wrapped around Nanako. He had defended her from the attack, and as the hands melted and evaporated away, she laid on the ground, completely unharmed. Naoto approached the girl and checked her breathing, sighing in relief.
"She's alive. Just unconscious. We must- Narukami!"
Yu slid his sword from its' hilt and stood over Namatame. The kidnapper opened his to see Yu glaring down at him, looming like an executioner readying his blade. Namatame cried out in terror, before turning his head to Nanako and Naoto. He struggled to lift himself up, but his legs crumpled beneath his weight. He didn't give up. He dragged himself on the ground, reaching out to Nanako.
"I-I have to saver her. I must save her. I-" Yu stomped on Namatame's hand, grinding the older man's bones into the cold ground. "Ahh!"
Yu lifted his foot, only to kick Namatame's ribs, knocking the air out of him. He aimed his sword at the fallen villain and spoke in a low, cold whisper. "You're a sick fuck. A piece of shit!" He kicked him again, savoring the cry of pain. "I'm going to make you suffer, you bastard!" He raised his hands, aiming the blade at the trembling man's back, only to feel a hand catch his arm.
"Stop."
"You're defending him?! Even after all of this?!" Yu's silver eyes glared at Naoto, and he tore his arm from her grasp. "Mayumi, Saki, Dojima, Nanako, and now Chie?! How many people need to suffer before this bastard dies?!" he snarled. Despite that, he did not attempt to stab Namatame again. He stared at Naoto, allowing her a chance to speak.
"I know. I know, you're angry. You have every right to be, but we can't put the law in our hands. Maybe he does deserve to die, but it isn't our call to make," urged Naoto. "We need to get Nanako to a hospital, and Namatame to the proper authorities. He will face justice, Yu, but not like this."
"We can't lose sight of what's right. That's what you said," he spat. "Right now, the only 'right thing' I see is him suffering for what he's done." Yu's accusatory eyes drifted from the detective. They landed on the fallen body of Namatame, who was now sobbing, clutching his head as he cried.
"We're not the law. We can't be judge, jury, and executioner! You know that." Naoto stepped forward, and Yu stepped back. She stood between him and the sobbing Namatame. "Yu, please. This isn't right, and I know you can see that." Their eyes met once more and both could see the fiery resolve within one another. Both believed in their actions, and neither seemed ready to back down.
Yu's grip on the sword tightened, but he quietly holstered it away. He tore his eyes from her navy pools and released a scalding sigh. "Fine. Nanako probably wouldn't want me killing him anyways," he bitterly mused. "Kanji?"
"Yeah, I got him. Come on, ya sack of shit." Kanji walked towards the fallen criminal and forced him up. "Move." He shoved Namatame forward, showing no sympathy to the murderer. Kanji walked alongside Rise, who carried Nanako's slumbering body in her hands.
"Mayumi... Mayumi," wept Namatame.
Yu and Naoto remained where they stood for what felt like eternity. Her fingers gently brushed against his and he let out a trembling sigh as his fingers combed through his hair. "Narukami, I-" Her hand fell away from his as he spoke.
"I don't blame you, Naoto. I just... I need to make things right."
"I understand. I'm sorry..."
"Not your fault, beautiful." Yu smiled, but she could see clearly through the mask. It was bittersweet at best. He dropped the mask and his face wore a heavy frown as he looked at Chie, Yosuke and Yukiko. "Go with the others. I'm going to talk to Yosuke about Chie."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Very well..."
Naoto bid her friend goodbye, and after giving him a lingering stare, she walked after the others. Yu steeled himself, before lifting his feet. "How is she?" Chie slumbered quietly in Yosuke's arm. The brunette boy glared at Yu, biting his lip to hold back his seething rage.
"She's okay now," Yukiko answered, after a long silence. "Right now, I'm more worried about Yosuke-kun. Chie attacked him the most..." She glanced at the boy, who brushed off her concerns. He walked forward, only to stumble as his leg gave out under him. "Yosuke!"
"I'm fine!"
"Yosuke." Yu's voice was firm, but compassionate. "Let Yukiko heal you. I'll help bring Chie back."
"Thought you were done giving orders," Yosuke snapped.
"Yosuke..." Yukiko looked ready to defend Yu, but it wasn't needed.
The brunette tried to walk forward again, only to stumble once more. "You can barely walk," commented Yu. "You're going to get yourself hurt even worse, not to mention you might drop her. I understand you're mad at me. You have every right to be, but please, just let me help," Yu begged.
Yosuke was quiet as he stood on shaking legs. He glanced down at Chie, before sighing. He reluctantly laid Chie onto the ground and stood up. Yukiko healed the young man and his body relaxed, strength returning to his legs. Yu glanced at Yukiko and he whispered to her, too low for Yosuke to hear.
"Yukiko, I-"
"I know you wouldn't have done it if you weren't sure it was the only one," the raven-haired girl replied. "I understand. I'm just worried about Chie and Yosuke," she muttered.
"It's okay to be pissed at me. Lord knows I am," he mumbled. A hand gently laid on his shoulder as she gave a weak, forlorn smile to the silver-haired man.
"I'm mad, just not at you. Just... life, I suppose. I wish none of this had happened," she confessed. Her eyes glanced towards a sharp cry of pain, and she gasped as she saw Yosuke struggle to walk forward.
"The spell just heal anything that's broken, but you're still going to be sore! Come here, let me help you!" Yukiko helped the boy move, letting him lean on her as Yu was left with the unconscious Chie.
The silver-haired boy quietly lifted martial artist up. Yosuke and Yukkiko walked after the group as Yu took the rear, walking with Chie in his arms, bridal style.
"Chie?" No response. "I'm sorry about all of this," he muttered. "I gave up being the group's leader to avoid this shit. People getting hurt because of my own stupidity..." He walked behind the others, listening to the silence that entrapped the group. There was no excited congratulations or cheers of triumph. Just a foreboding silence polluting the air. "You're probably realizing by now that I'm not the same guy you met back during the first day of school. The truth is, I'm not really a good person..."
"I know..."
"Wait, what?!" Yu came to a stop and he looked at Chie with wide, surprised eyes. The brunette was awake, head lifted up and hazel eyes staring at him. Her eyes were crestfallen, barely open as he carried her. "You're awake? Wait, what do you mean you know? How do you-?"
"Yukiko told me. After we all stayed at the Amagi Inn together."
"W-wait. You knew since then?! Why haven't you brought it up with me at all?!" he questioned.
The girl lacked a proper answer as her eyes kept themselves averted from his. "I was waiting for you to tell me," she shrugged quietly.
"What... what exactly did Yukiko say to you?"
"She said you were a... A uh..." Chie struggled to recount the words as Yu stood there, effortlessly holding the smaller girl. With a heavy sigh, Chie began to speak up once more. "She called you lying, cheating scumbag... That you were a manipulative womanizer, and that you loved Naoto and not her." Yu cringed at the list of facts. He didn't deny any of them though. Her fallen eyes finally lifted themselves up to look at him. She looked tired. Exhausted, actually. "She said you were trying to change though."
"I am..." Well, shit. There goes that conversation topic. Where do I go from here...?
"I get it."
"Huh?"
"I get why you lied and stuff." Chie shrugged once more as she sighed. "You don't need to try and explain it to me. I get it. So you don't gotta apologize to me or anything, okay?" It was obvious that she didn't want to dive deeper into the matter, but Yu could clearly see there was more to her than simple acceptance. Her mind was being plagued, and he was determined to do something about it.
"What do you mean you get it?"
"What?"
"What do you mean? How do you 'get' why I lied?" He took care not to sound too aggressive, but he was firm in the way he spoke.
"It doesn't matter," she muttered, turning her hazel eyes away from him again.
"I beg to differ. Chie, whatever is wrong, I want to help. And that's the truth." The girl remained silent. One of her arms rested on her stomach as the other dangled limply to the side. Speaking to her would have been like making demands to a stone wall, so Yu racked his brain for a different plan of attack. Think, stupid...
His mind recalled his and Chie's shared history, but unfortunately the memories were hard to decipher for the young man. How much of his earlier life did he spend simply using his friends' insecurities against them? How little of his time did he use to actually get to know them? Chie Satonaka was simply another tool to use and discard when he first met her. Her pain and fears were perfect in controlling her, and she no idea how easily he was manipulating her...
He felt a familiar pang of guilt. Tools. That's all he ever saw anyone. It felt so long ago, but he knew it had been less than a year. He had easily wrapped his tendrils around his so-called friends, poisoned them with his venom, and they looked up to him like some kind of saving grace...
Wait... Wait! That's it!
"Your Shadow..."
"What?" Chie looked right at him, a shimmer of fear and panic in her eyes that told Yu he was right.
"Your Shadow talked about you and Yukiko." His mind picked at the memories, playing through his head like a film. He stared at her, knowingly, as he recounted the details as he brought Chie's past emotions to the surface. "You were jealous of Yukiko. So when you heard Yukiko thinking she was worthless, you were actually happy to-"
"Shut up!" She kicked and struggled in his grip, fighting to escape him. "Just shut up!"
"Chie, stop!" he demanded, glaring at her. He casually dodged a clumsy swing, not even missing a beat as he spoke. "You admitted to your Shadow you were the same. That what she said was true. Why is it still hard for you to admit?"
"Because nothing's changed!" She pushed him away, but her hand had little strength behind it. "Stop it! I don't want to talk about this...!"
"Tough," he replied. "You've been hurting, Chie. Even before Namatame kidnapped Nanako. I can see it in yours eyes," he stated. "You've been in pain. Well, it's time for you to finally pour your heart out. What do you mean nothing's changed?"
Chie once more struggled to escape, but Yu's grip was like iron. Even if he did let go, she'd just be falling onto the floor. Yu doubted she had the strength to run away from this conversation. She just stared off into the distance, hands tightened into shaking fists. Her will to fight was spent, and eventually, she spoke up.
"I hated my Shadow. I knew everything she said was true, but I hated it. I... I really was manipulating Yukiko," she confessed. Yu nodded his head, showing he was listening but refusing to interrupt the girl. "I used her to make myself feel better. Even when she was hurting, part of me was happy, because I... I got to be useful. I got to be the boss, I guess. I was happy to hear she was jealous of me..."
She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Yu spoke, gently freeing her from the fog of her listless mind. "And you accepted your Shadow, Chi-"
"And where has that gotten me?!" Her response was violent, loud. Yu lifted his head and glanced at the path ahead. None of their friends seemed to hear the young woman. They were too far ahead. Chie didn't seem to mind or care about her own volume as she let out quiet groan.
"I'm not like everyone else... I'm not as strong as Kanji, I can't heal anyone like Yukiko or Teddie, I can't sense stuff, or deduce things... Even Yosuke's a better leader than me," she muttered. "It used to be that the only good thing I had going for me was being Yukiko's best friend. Now, it's like I don't even have that."
She scoffed, and Yu's eyes noticed a small shimmer beside her hazel eyes. Tears were pooling, but she rubbed them away with the torn, burnt ends of her sleeves. "What good am I? I can't do anything right!"
"Chie, that's not true. You're a member of this team for a reason."
"And what reason is that?! I wasn't even strong enough to stop Namatame from controlling me! You all nearly died! Nanako almost died! Because I wasn't strong enough!" she snarled.
Yu placed the girl onto the ground and he sat beside her, staring at her with watchful eyes. Neither tried to stop their friends as they faded away in the amber-colored fog. Chie hugged her legs to her chest and buried her face between her knees to hide the tears. He said nothing as he waited for her to continue.
"Everyone's changing around me," she uttered, her voice racked with broken sobs and tears. "The whole world is changing, and I can't measure up. I'm not smart enough or strong enough. I'm a weak, pathetic loser. I don't deserve to be on this team..."
"Bullshit," he replied. His jaw clenched as his brow wrinkled. She didn't lift her head up when he spoke, but he knew she was listening. "Chie, you're one of the strongest human beings I've ever know."
"You don't have to lie to me. Yukiko said all the compliments you ever gave us were just you messing with us," she grumbled, but Yu continued on.
"They were. Old Yu was an asshole, I'm not denying that. He did say stuff just to get people to like him. I did that," he admitted. "But right here, right now, I am telling you, that you are amazingly strong. You put your life on the line for Nanako. Why?"
"..."
"You were ready to die for Nanako to live. Why...?"
"Namatame had to be stopped," she uttered, shrugging. "I was the one thing keeping us from beating him so I just thought..."
"You were about to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of someone who wasn't even related to you. Weren't you scared?" Yu inquired.
"Of course I was! I was terrified, but Nanako was in danger! I had to do something..."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, and gave her the chance to pull away. She didn't. "The smartest, wisest person I know once told me this. That true strength comes from acting despite fear, not from a lack of it." He smiled as the memories of those words kindled his spirit. They rippled through his soul like a pebble through water. "Do you see what I mean?"
"I... I guess I was brave, but all I did was yell at you guys."
"You said something even I was scared to say. It's like you said, 'heroes of justice make the tough calls.' That's what you did today," he assured. She lifted her head up to look at him, and she saw the earnest, subtle smile on his lips. His eyes held no lie, nor any kind of deceit as he stared at her through his glasses. "I don't know who you are, or who you're meant to be. I don't know what your place in the grand scheme of the world is, Chie, but I know this. The Investigation Team is lucky to have you."
He forced himself off and brushed some imaginary dust off of his legs. "And if you want to become stronger, I'll help you." She watched him hold his hand out to her, his smile never leaving his lips. "However I can. It might be a bit much to call us friends, and that's okay. I don't want you seeing me as a leader either. I'm not the key to your future or your true potential. I'm just here to help."
She took his hand and he helped her onto her feet. When she stumbled forward, he caught her. He chuckled as she blushed, pushing herself to arm's length with the silverette. "All I want is to help you be happy with yourself. Okay?"
She wiped her eyes with her the ruined sleeves of her jacket again. "Do you really mean that?"
"I promise."
They stood there, neither saying anything as gentle winds blew against them. Yu had his hands on her shoulders as she faced the ground, staring at their feet. She quietly released her pent up frustrations and stress, the sense of lonliness and abandonment she had harbored within her, the looming fear that eroded at her will. She wept in front of the young man, wiping her face of tears until she was finally able to breathe and see properly. Her head gently bumped against his chest as she broke the silence.
"Yu...?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." She rested her head against his chest for a moment, arms left hanging by her side.
"Anytime." He patted the smaller girl on the back, before pulling away. "Come on. Let's go catch up with the others..."
The group returned to their world and Naoto notified the proper authorities. Though their bodies and minds were exhausted, they carried themselves to the hospital to await news on Nanako's condition. The others waited in another room as Naoto and Yu entered Dojima's room together. They found the older man laying on his bed in a hospital gown, quietly slumbering. Even in his sleep, his brow seemed furrowed with worry and tension.
"Uncle...?"
"Dojima-san?"
Yu felt sick looking at his uncle. The poor man looked so exhausted. He looked like he had been through hell, and the silver-haired youth was shocked to even see his uncle open his eyes.
"Y-Yu...? Shirogane...?" His voice was like gravel. Dry as a desert, and as painful to hear as it was to use, Yu imagined. "N-Nanako...?"
"Alive," Yu answered. He told his uncle the hospital room number, before smiling. "She's safe, Uncle..."
There was a light that came back in Dojima's eyes. It comforted the two, but it didn't last long. She struggled to lift himself up, but a firm hand from his nephew stopped him. "And Namatame...?"
"Apprehended," Naoto said. "You can focus on getting rest, Dojima-san."
"I can't... I can't rest," he groaned. "I-I need to see Nanako." He tried once more to get up, but Yu's hand was like a rope tying him to the bed. Try as he might, in his current state, he couldn't escape.
"No, you aren't," sighed Yu. "You're staying here. You only get to leave if a doctor or nurse says so."
"Damn it. Who the hell are you telling your uncle what to do...?" Dojima groaned. There was a bitter laugh in his voice, but it was almost impossible to hear through the strain and fatigue. "T-thank you..." His eyes fell shut as Yu and Naoto watched over him.
"Think if I let my hand off of him, he'll jump out of bed and run off to see Nanako?" joked Yu, a small smile tugging on the corner of his lips.
"Somehow, I doubt that," responded Naoto with her own not-so-hidden smile. "Come on. The others are probably waiting for us."
"Right."
The two exited the room together and walked side by side back to their friends. They found them in the hall, the group split in half and staring at one another from different sides. The others greeted them with varying levels of energy, with some asking how Dojima was. They answered with weak, forced smiles. Despite their recent victory, the air hung with a foreboding dread.
We beat Namatame. We saved Nanako! Then why do I still feel like everything's falling apart...? Yu cursed within his own skull, trying to keep a cool facade for his friends. Less a mask, more an act of courage, at least that's how he explained it to himself. He sat down with Naoto on a bench and his eyes traveled across the narrow room.
Yosuke and Yukiko were by Chie's side. They were constantly expressing concern over the young woman, but she brushed off their questions and told them she was unharmed. Yu glanced at her tattered and ripped jacket, and mentally considered buying her a new one, but he pushed the thought aside for another day. He caught Chie's eye on him and he smiled at her, and she returned the gesture.
Good. Hopefully that means she and I are okay...
Kanji and Rise once more sought comfort in the other's presence. Yu watched the two sit on a bench together, not speaking, but not needing to. Kanji's jacket was draped over the girl's shoulders, leaving him in his tank top. She rested her head on his shoulder as he stared at the ground, foot bouncing against the tiled floor. He was worried, terrified, but Rise's presence gave him some relief.
Yu felt a strange pride at the sight, happy for first, true friend. He knew Kanji would treat her right, and he knew the two were good for one another. Way to go, Rise...
He turned his eyes to Teddie. The young boy was trying to sit still, trying not to run his mouth. This whole thing must have been such a sharp swerve to the life he was hoping to find in this world. Yu pitied the poor boy, and in the back of his mind, made a note to speak to him once Nanako's condition improved. He was the only one in the group who didn't know about the real Yu Narukami. Yu watched the boy stand up, pace around, before sitting back down and nervously biting at his nails. This had been his third cycle, and Yu knew it wouldn't be long before he did it again.
Got to talk to him...
Finally, there was him and Naoto. The Detective Prince had placed her hat on her lap and was quietly fidgeting with it. Her delicate fingers poked and prodded and squeezed at the fabric as Yu sat beside her, quietly glancing between his teammates. Her eyes were on the navy-colored hat, oblivious to him. There was a noticeable amount of space between their bodies, but Yu didn't find himself minding.
He lifted a hand and gently poked Naoto's shoulder. She turned her head to look at him and he gave a comforting smile to the young woman. After a moment of hesitation, she returned the smile and nodded her head in appreciation. He could see the nervousness in her eyes. Maybe they were a reflection of his own true feelings. They were both scared, but they had each other, at least.
I love you. Oh, how he wished he could say those words aloud...
Naoto returned to prodding at her hat as Yu stared at the hospital's walls. Namatame was just a few floors above them, laying in his bed, reveling in his Pyrrhic victory. It made Yu sick, but he tried to calm himself down. Nanako wouldn't want you so desperate to hurt someone. Even him... His thoughts traveled, and he saw Nanako, laying in a bed, wires strapped to her body. The thought did little to comfort him and he cursed his wandering mind.
"It's going to be okay," Naoto whispered, glancing at the young man. He looked at her, surprised, before nodding his head.
She knew what I was thinking... Heh. I hope you're right, beautiful.
The group turned their heads as a door was slid open and a nurse stepped out. "E-excuse me? Does Nanako-chan have any family?"
"I'm her brot... Cousin. I'm her cousin," Yu answered, standing up. He felt a warmth pollute his face as he approached the woman.
"Please, follow me. The rest of your friends can wait outside her room, but you should come see Nanako..."
"What about Dojima-san? He's her dad, shouldn't he be there?"
"Dojima-san is being called now. Please, sir, hurry," pleaded the nurse.
"Go on, Yu," assured Chie. "We'll be right behind you." She gave an earnest, comforting smile to the young man and he nodded in turn. He followed after the nurse, praying his own fears wouldn't come true.
Yu Narukami was soon by Nanako's side.
If Dojima was bad, Nanako was somehow worse. His stomach writhed and twisted inside of him as he stared at her. Her skin looked so pale, nothing like the vibrant glow that she usually had. Her skin seemed to hang off of her bones. Her hair was wiry, almost looking brittle as it laid on the bed, cushioning her back on the sterile, white sheets. Yu ignored the soft beeping of a nearby machine as he placed a hand on hers. He tried to ignore the cold pinch of her icy hands...
"Nanako? Can you hear me?"
Her fingers twitched against his hand and her voice groaned, reverberating against the oxygen mask strapped to her face. "Big bro?" she whimpered. Her eyes strained to open and Yu's other hand gently stroked her face, brushing against her eyelid. Her eyes opened, but they had no spark or light in them. They were dull, almost empty as she struggled to see him. "Where's... big bro?"
Her body trembled, and Yu tried to plaster a smile on his face. It ached against his face, and he was sure she could see through the transparent mask. "Hey, Nanako. It's okay. I'm here. I'm right here."
"Is... is she still mad at you?" Her voice was so quiet. Fragile, like a snowflake against battering winds.
"Huh? O-oh." Yu shook his head. "No, the girl forgave me. Everything's okay now. Once you're out of here, I can introduce you to her!" His fingers unconsciously squeezed her hand tighter. "She's amazing. You'll love her. She's smart, beautiful, brave... Like you," he whispered.
"I... I have a big sister?" Nanako's lips slowly curled into a quivering smile as her eyes fell shut. "I'm glad..." He smiled with her as her voice shrunk and became harder to hear. There was strain in her tone as she struggled to speak. "I-I knew you'd save me, big bro. You can do anything..."
"I..." Yu's hand was shaking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm it. He opened his eyes and he saw Nanako. She was so pale. She looked sick. She looked like she was... "Your dad's going to be here soon. We'll be together soon. The three of us." She can't. She won't! "And then you can get to know the real me." It was barely a whisper, yet somehow she heard it.
"Real... you?"
"Y-yeah. Heh. I'm kind of a troublemaker," he admitted. "But I want you to know that I care about you. You're my little sister, after all..."
"Yay," she cheered, trying to muster up the strain to smile wider. "You're still my big bro. No matter what, you saved m-me," she groaned. She was shaking and her closed eyes trembled in pain as her jaw tightened. "Ah!" She cried out as her body trembled, pain coursing through her like blood.
"Nanako?! Nanako, please, keep your eyes open. Your dad will be here soon, and then-" The machine's beeping was going faster. The nurse was trying to pull him back, but he stood his ground, calling out to the child. "Nanako! Please, open your eyes! W-we've just barely gotten to know each other! It's going to be snowing soon and-and we'll celebrate Christmas together and play in the show and-"
It was getting faster.
"I'm... I'm scared," she whimpered. "Where's daddy?" she cried, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to breathe. "Big bro? H-h..."
"Nanako! Please, please, I'm right here! I'm sorry! I-"
There was no loud bang. There was no wail, or scream. Only silence.
Yu had never seen someone die before. He had never saw someone close their eyes and never open them again. He never thought he'd see Nanako's body turn still as her voice failed to reach him. He didn't know what to expect after seeing someone die for the first time. All he could feel was a deep, agonizing ache as he found it hard to breathe.
The words of the nurses and doctors, as they pushed him back, fell on deaf ears. The door sliding open and Dojima's cries were nonexistent. The loud drone of the monitor was white noise as Yu was caught in a river. He was pushed out of the hospital room, standing on shaking legs.
The others didn't need to say anything as the quiet revelation dawned on them. They cried and wept, they screamed and raged, and they all fell to despair as Dojima called out his daughters name.
Nanako Dojima was gone. They had failed to save her.
Naoto didn't know what to do. She didn't know where to go. She just followed the motions. Her legs moved, but she still comprehend what had happened. Nanako, an innocent child, laid dead. Naoto had failed not only her parents' legacy or her best friend, she had failed a little girl who trusted her. Naoto Shirogane failed herself.
The others ran after Dojima. She followed. Narukami was... He was silent. His silver eyes turned a dull grey as he watched his uncle being dragged by doctors and guards. She watched a respectable detective reduce himself to rage and fury as he screamed for Namatame's blood.
This isn't right. This isn't right. It kept echoing inside her mind. Like a mantra or some sort of spell. Like it would awaken her from this nightmare. But this was no dream. It was reality. It was reality crashing upon their hopes and beliefs and robbing the world of an innocent soul.
Things only got worse when Adachi spoke.
"Dojima-san," he mourned. He sounded a mix of terrified and pitying. He had seen his mentor and friend turn into a savage for a moment, and it had left him shaking. "Damn it, this is awful... First Namatame walks, now this... Damn that bastard!" He slammed his fist against the walls as the group stared at him with, disbelieving eyes.
"W-what did you say? What do you mean Namatame walks?!" Yosuke questioned.
"H-huh? W-well, there's not enough evidence! I-I mean, how are the charges supposed to stick when he has an airtight alibi for Mayumi's death? I-Ahhh!" Kanji grabbed Adachi by the collar and pulled him close, the younger man's brow shaking as he glared at the detective.
"What the hell are you talking about?! So he gets out scot-free?! This bastard murders three people and you're just letting him go!?"
"I-it's not my fault! I'm just as mad as you are, but what are we supposed to do?! I-Ah!" Kanji threw the young cop aside and Adachi fell to the ground with a pathetic whimper. "I-I'm sorry!"
"And you call yourself a cop?! You piece of shit! Nanako is dead because of him!" Kanji couldn't hide the tears that were pooling in his eyes. Rise dashed forward and wrapped her arms around his, pulling him back. He was sobbing by the time she reached him. "Damn it! N-Nanako...!"
"It's okay. I-it's not your fault," Rise consoled, her own eyes shimmering with tears.
"S-she's right!" Adachi agreed, lifting himself up. "It's Namatame's... I... I'm sorry that he gets to walk. I really do wish there was something we could have done," he sighed. He walked forward and the group split open like a parting sea as he approached Yu Narukami. The silver-haired boy was like a statue as Adachi placed his hand on Yu's shoulder. "I'm sorry about your cousin, Yu..." With silence and a heavy heart, the young detective left the group to stare at the unguarded door.
Naoto felt her mouth turn dry and arid as she watched Namatame's door. A fire burned inside of her body as she tried to ration how it had all gone wrong. Her parents and grandfather had always taught her to believe in the system. That a good detective could arrest any perp. That no evil could escape the arm of justice. Yet beyond that door, there was living proof that evil could get away with murder.
That the law could fail.
Or maybe the fault was with her. That she was just a failure of a detective. Her own ineptitude and pride, her failure as a detective. She was responsible for Nanako's death. The girl was dead, because of her...
Namatame robbed this world of a kind and innocent soul, a child, and Naoto once more felt like she had been accomplished...
"Yu?" Yukiko called out to him, but he did not answer.
The group watched him walk away from them and he placed a hand on the doorknob. He twisted it open and he stepped inside as the others followed him.
Taro Namatame was standing by the window of the large and empty room. The window was open as he stared out of it, trembling. Kanji shouted in anger, but Yu moved faster than he could speak. Narukami grabbed Namatame's collar and slammed him into the wall. The older man cried out in pain as he pleaded for mercy. Instead, the group watched as Yu coiled his fingers around Namatame's neck.
"P-please! D-Ack!"
The others watched in stunned, abject horror as Yu proceeded to choke the life out of Namatame. The silver-haired young man whispered something in a low growl, but everyone heard it.
Yu's voice sent a chill down Naoto's spine. His voice echoed in the small room as the six gaped at him and Namatame. Yosuke and Kanji were the first to close their mouths. They moved to Yu's side and glared at Namatame like executioners preparing their axes. Rise and Yukiko watched, before stepping forward. Words struggled to break through their sealed lips as their terrified eyes watched. Naoto felt Chie's eyes on her as the detective stepped forward. Yu repeated himself as his grip on Namatame's neck grew tighter.
"Die."
This isn't right, Naoto thought to herself again. This isn't right. It isn't right that he lives after what he's done... Narukami was right.
Naoto wasn't going to stop Yu.
This time, justice would prevail and Taro Namatame would pay for his crimes.
He has to die.
END
Time for that thing everyone's been waiting for. Namatame's death! Or not-death, I guess?
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Not a super lot to say, I feel. I enjoyed writing it, though it wasn't easy. In all honesty, Chie's one of the characters in Persona I'm not super into. I don't hate her! She's good. She's just not one of my favorites. Still, I enjoyed drawing comparisons between her and Yu.
Hopefully the sad/dark scenes came off as reasonably dark and sad. I don't want to ruin the game's big moments with my own ineptitude. Anyways, really hope you enjoyed it! Remember to review, please, if you can! I can only get better by people telling me how I messed up, or what I'm doing right.
Stay tuned for the next chapter, What's Right.
Bye!