Chapter 6

As they were about to enter the liquor store they heard voices say "I wish Junes would go under..."

"It's all because of that store..."

"W-What the...?" Yosuke asked quietly.

The voices continued saying "Oh, I hears that Konishi-san's daughter is working there."

"Oh my...How could she, with her family's business suffering like it is...?"

"I hears their sales have gone downhill because of Junes."

"S-Stop it..." Yosuke said.

"That poor father...to have his own daughter working for the enemy."

"What a troublesome child..."

"Hey...Hey, Ted! You said that this place is reality for those that are here, right?! So...does that mean this was Senpai's reality when she wandered in here...?" Yosuke asked.

"I...only know about what's over here." Ted said.

"Fine...Whatever's going on here...We'll find out ourselves!" Yosuke said.

They then entered the shop and again heard more voices or rather a man yell "Saki, how many times do I have to tell you!?

"I-Is this...Senpai's dad...?" Yosuke asked

"You know what the neighbors say about you, right!? Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're the eldest daughter of a family who's owned this store for generations! Is it the money? Or did you meet some guy there? Just tell me why you have to work THERE, of all place!"

"I...I can't believe this...She seemed like she had fun at work...She never said anything like this to me...You're telling me THIS was how Senpai really saw things!?" Yosuke asked.

They looked around only to find a table with odd photos. "These photos...Hey...Is this...?" Yosuke said picking up one of the photos.

Then he says "It's the photo we took the other day with the other part-timers at Junes...Wh-Why's it cut up like this...?"

The scrap of the photo shows Saki Konishi smiling with Yosuke standing next to her. Then they suddenly heard Saki's voice say "I...never had the chance to say it..."

"Is that...Senpai's voice!?" Yosuke asked surprised.

"I always wanted to tell Hana-chan..."

"Huh...? Me...?"

"...that he was a real pain in the ass. I was nice to him just because he was the store manger's son, that's all...But he takes it completely the wrong way and gets all enthusiastic...What a dip."

"P-Pain in the ass...?"

"Who cares about Junes, anyway? Because of that store, our business is ruined, my parents hate me, the neighbors talk behind my back...I wish everything would just disappear..."

"I-It's a lie...This can't be...Senpai's not like that...!" Yosuke yelled.

"It's *sniff* so sad...I feel so sorry for myself...Boo hoo..." Yosuke? said.

They turned in shock to see another Yosuke with yellow eyes and a dark presence. The other Yosuke says "Actually, I'm the one who thinks everything's a pain in the ass. Hahaha..."

"H-Huh? Two Yosukes...?" Ted asked confused and shocked.

They ran closer to it while Yosuke yelled "Who are you!? I wouldn't think that..."

"Hahaha...Yeah, right. How long are you going to keep deluding yourself? Screw the shopping district, and Junes too! You're sick of everything, especially living out in the sticks!" the other Yosuke said.

"What're you saying...? That's not true, I-" Yosuke tried to say.

"You put on a good show of being carefree and happy-go-lucky 'cause you're so terrified of being alone. The more the merrier, right? You've gotta be surrounded by people to block out the pain of isolation. And what's this about checking out this world for Saki-senpai's sake? Hah! I know the real reason you came snooping..." the other Yosuke said.

"S-Stop it!" Yosuke yelled.

"Hahaha! Why so panicked? I thought I was just spouting bullshit! Or maybe...I DO know everything you're thinking! Why's that...? Because I AM you!" You just came because you thought it sounded like a good time! What else is there to do out in this shithole? A world inside the TV-now that's exciting! You didn't have a single other reason for coming here, did you!?" the other Yosuke said.

"That's not true...Stop...Stop it..." Yosuke said panicking.

"You're just trying to act like a big shot...If all went well, hey, maybe you could even be a hero! And that Senpai you were so sweet on? Her death was the perfect excuse!"

"That's not true! What are you!? Who are you!?"

"*chuckle* I already told ya. I'm you...Your Shadow...There's nothing I don't know about you!"

"Screw that! I don't know you! You can't be me, you son of a bitch!"

The Shadow Yosuke just laughed and yelled "That's right! Say that again!"

"...Y-Your not me. Your nothing like me!" Yosuke yelled.

"Hm...that's right. I'm me now. I'm not you anymore see." the other Yosuke sad.

Then with a bright light it transformed into a monster. A frog like creature with a figure flapping about. Yosuke himself fainted during the transformation. It said "I am a shadow...The true self...I'll crush everything that bores me..."

Ellen stepped up and said "Teresa! Let's go."

She then summoned her Persona and Teresa appeared and said sword ready "I am Teresa, defender of the lost. Prepare to die, creature!"

Teresa then began to attack and the fight soon began. Attacks where swung back and forth and soon the monster tried to attack Ellen directly with a powerful wind attack but, Teresa grabbed her master and moved her out of the way. Then she jump back quickly to the fight. "Teresa is amazing..." Ellen thought in awe.

"What a frickin' pain in the ass...! Get outta my way!" the monster said.

"I will not let you take my master." Teresa said.

They kept fighting and Ellen soon realized something and yelled out "Teresa, you have a special attack! Use it and finish it off!"

Teresa ready the attack and soon had a lighting sword and with that she slashed the monster, making it vulnerable. Then she made the final blow. The monster then change back to it's pervious form. Ellen went back to Yosuke who was waking up. He soon said "I...I..."

"Yosuke, are you okay!?" Teddie asked.

"Y-Yeah...What...happened...?" Yosuke asked.

They turned to see the Shadow just standing there, silent. "You...You're...not me..." Yosuke said.

"That thing came from you, Yosuke...You have to admit it...or it'll go berserk again..." Teddie said.

Ellen placed her hand on Yosuke's shoulder and said "Yosuke...you have to be brave."

"Brave...Dammit...It hurts to face yourself..." Yosuke said.

"I know and it's ok..." Ellen said giving him a smile.

He walked over to his Shadow saying "I knew it wasn't lying...But I was so ashamed that I didn't want to admit it...You're me...and I'm you. When you get down to it, all of this is me."

The Shadow nodded and transformed into Jiraiya, a disco ninja looking frog. "This is my Persona..." Yosuke said.

Then he bent down and said "When we heard Senpai's voice...I wonder if that was something Senpai had been keeping deep down inside...Haha..."He was a real pain in the ass," huh? What a way to find out...Geez, this is so embarrassing..."

Ellen walked closer and offered her hand. Yosuke looked up and said "If you weren't here, I don't know what woulda happened...Thanks, Ellen."

He took her hand and got up. Then Yosuke asked "Hey, Teddie...Could Senpai have been attacked by her other self here? Like how it just happened to me?"

"I think so. The Shadows here were originally born from humans. Sometimes the fog clears. Then they all go berserk...And you saw what happens next. A strong-willed Shadow draws others to it. And the big mass of Shadows kills the host." Teddie said.

"So that's why people die when it gets foggy in our world..." Yosuke said looking exhausted.

"Yosuke's pretty worn out...This world isn't made for humans It's not comfortable for you here. I don't hear any more voices. I think we're done with this place. Let's go back." Teddie said.

Ellen nodded and soon they all went back to entrance. Yosuke said "Hey, Teddie. You said that this place is reality for people who enter, right? So that shopping district, and the weird room we saw before...Did they exist because the ones who died entered this world, and it became their reality. I guess what I'm trying to ask it...Did those places form because of the people who entered this world?"

"I don't know. It's never happened before...But that's probably where they were when the Shadows attacked them." Teddie said.

"So this world's environment is killing them..." Ellen said.

"The fog does lift here sometimes. The Shadows get really violent then. I always get so scared. I have to hide when it happens...I sensed people here twice before. But both of them disappeared after the fog lifted..." Teddie said.

"So let's get this straight...Senpai and the Yamano lady were thrown in here, and since they couldn't get out, they wandered around...After a while, that Shadow thing came out of them. The fog cleared, it went berserk, and it ended killing them...Does that sound right? So if I'd been here until the fog cleared, I woulda been in much deeper trouble?" Yosuke said.

"It looks that way..." Ellen said.

"Yeah, I think so too. You were lucky. Sensei and me were here with you..." Teddie said.

"Dammit...! Senpai and that announcer...They were stuck here all alone...No one could save them..." Yosuke said.

"Yosuke...They disappeared when the fog lifted. But they were safe before that. No Shadows attacked them. They attacked us, though...Maybe they're keeping a close eye on us. They might see people who investigate this place as enemies...It'll be dangerous, but we might be able to fight them! We might save people!" Teddie said.

"Are you saying, if anyone else gets thrown in here, we can save them before they disappear!? Like how guys just saved me!?" Yosuke asked.

"That seems to be the case." Ellen said.

However she thought to herself "No shit, Yosuke..."

"Anyways...We need to catch the one who's throwing people in here and make him stop. Yeah...I'm finally starting to understand what's going on." Yosuke said.

"U-Um...Can I ask something too...? If Shadows are born from humans, what was Teddie born from?" Teddie asked.

"...I'm not sure." Ellen said.

"You don't even know where you came from!? How should we know?" Yosuke said.

"I know some things. Mostly about this world...But I don't know anything about myself. To be honest, I never thought about it until now..." Teddie said.

"Are you serious...? No wonder we couldn't get a straight answer out of you..." Yosuke said.

"Will you guys...come back here...?" Teddie asked.

"We made a promise, didn't we?" Ellen asked.

"You'll...keep your word?" Teddie asked

"Well, you're the one who said you weren't letting us out unless we do." Yosuke said.

"Oh! Th-That's right! Okay, I'll let you out. But there's one thing. I'll be waiting for you guys here. You need to come in from the same place every time, so we can meet up otherwise you'll be doooomed." Teddie said.

Ellen nodded and said "I get it."

"Well, pretty much...Alright, can you show us the way out?" Yosuke asked.

"Roger that! One exit comin' right up! But ummm Sensei?" Teddie said.

"What?" Ellen asked.

"I've been a really good bear, soooooooo...can you pet my head again, please!?" Teddie asked.

"...Oh, alright." Ellen said.

Then she petted his head for a second and soon her and Yosuke were back in their world where Chie was waiting for them, sitting on her knees. She looked at them in shock and said looking like she was about ready to cry "Y-You guys came baaaaack...!"

"Huh? Chie? Whoa, what's with that face?" Yosuke asked.

"Ok, that's it. Yosuke I know you have a brain somewhere, please use it." Ellen said thinking that was a stupid question.

Chie throws the rope at Yosuke and yelled "The nerve of you guys! You are such morons! I can't believe this! You guys suck!"

"Correction, he's the moron who thought all this up." Ellen said pointing at Yosuke.

"Hey, don't pin this on me!" Yosuke yelled.

"I'm not pinning this on you. I'm just stating the facts. Going to the TV was your idea, yes?" Ellen asked.

Yosuke hangs his head in defeat and says "Man, you're brutal..."

"The rope got cut off...I had no idea what to do...I was so worried...I mean scared stiff, dammit! I hate you both!" Chie said.

Chie then ran off and Yosuke said "I...I think that mighta kinda sorta been our fault. Maybe we did go a little too far..."

"YOU went too far. I just went so you wouldn't get yourself killed." Ellen said folding her arms.

"...Yeah." Yosuke said.

"...But I do have to apologize to her anyways for my actions. They were just as unforgiving." Ellen said.

"We should apologize to her tomorrow." Yosuke said.

Ellen nodded and Yosuke said "I'm completely wiped out...I'm gonna go home, soak in the shower for a while, and get some sleep. I think...I'm gonna sleep well tonight."

"Yeah. Me too..." Ellen said feeling sluggish now.

"Hehe...Well, see you in the morning!" Yosuke said.

Then they went home. As Ellen walked back she and Yukiko saw each other at the floodplains. Yukiko was wearing a kimono. Ellen joined her for a bit as Yukiko said "Oh...Are you surprised to see me dressed this way? My parents sent me out on an errand...Um...Are you getting used to your new town and school?"

"As well as any other place." Ellen said.

"Huh, have you moved around a lot?"

Ellen nodded and Yukiko said "I see...It must be difficult, moving to a place you know nothing about."

"Not really. This is the story of my life."

"I've never been out of Inaba, so I wouldn't know what it's like to transfer to a new school...Oh! Are you getting along with Chie? I mean, I always leave early, so...umm..."

"She's fine. Not the most annoying person I've met."

"I'm glad to hear that. Chie's very supportive, you know. It's always her who gives me the little extra push I need. We had homeroom together last year too, and I still remember how we'd cut class sometimes. Oh...I should get going. I need to make tomorrow's arrangements with our head chief. Our inn can't function without me right now. Um...I'll see you at school, then."

Yukiko was about to leave when Ellen said "Yukiko..."

She turned and asked "Yes?"

"...Don't over do yourself, ok? It's not healthy."

Yukiko looked surprised and then nodded smiling then they went home. Later that night, it was Ellen and Nanako alone again. "Dad's late..." Nanako said sounding disappointment.

The news came on saying "Out next story is an update in our ongoing report on the bizarre murders occurring in Inaba. At around 7:00 A.M., local high school student Saki Konishi was found dead in Inaba's residential area. Since the body was positioned similarly to the last victim, and since Ms. Konishi was the one who discovered that body...Police are proceeding under the assumption that this may be a serial murder case related to the death of Mayumi Yamano. The coroner's report has established Ms. Konishi's time of death at around 1:00 A.M. last night. The body went unnoticed until this morning as a result of the heavy fog blanketing the area."

"Another incident...Dad won't be coming home tonight." Nanako said.

"I'll be here with you." Ellen said trying to make her feel better.

"...I'll be okay. Can you help me do some stuff around the house?"

"Of course. Let's get started."

Where about to do chores when they heard a narrator said "...Amagi Inn, located upstream of Samegawa River, is the town's oldest historical landmark. Vacationers are known to travel surprising distances in order to visit its open-air, radium-rich hot springs."

Then a reporter said "After the incident with Ms. Yamano, the manger has stepped aside, leaving her daughter Yukiko to fill her shoes."

Yukiko is then shown on the screen then the reporter said "In other words, she's a manger who's still in high school. Now that has a nice ring to it...Let's see if we can interview her. Excuse me!"

"Hm...? Um...Are you speaking to me?" Yukiko asked.

"We've heard that you're the new manger. Is it true you're still in high school?" the reporter asked.

"Oh, well, I'm only filling in temporarily..." Yukiko said.

"Someday, though...That aside, wow! You're looking gorgeous in that kimono. You must have had a lot of male visitors."

"Huh? No, um..."

The reporter keeps rambling on and on. "...This is boring." Nanako said.

"...Yeah, let's do those choirs, K?" Ellen said.

"Yeah."

They both did the housework and soon went to bed, but before Ellen did she check on the Midnight Channel. It was a silhouette of someone in a kimono. Ellen then said to herself "It's Yukiko..."