Hero: This one is shorter, but we're getting back into it at least. I have some important announcements in regards to this fic and its future. They will be all revealed at the end. Also, upon reading some of my older stuff, dear god, I cringe so hard. I almost want to redo the whole thing. There might be some minor tweaks to older stuff over time, but we'll see. My views on this game have evolved over the past 5 years. And the series by Hiding in Private is very spot on, you all should give it a glance. Anyway, here is Chapter 32 of "Our Year Together". Enjoy the short, but sweet content!

Chapter 32

12/03

It was long past midnight. The team had dispersed, relieved that Nanako lives once again, unnerved that Namatame isn't likely the killer they made him out to be, but also determined to find the truth, no matter what; but they also had no clue about Teddie's whereabouts. But those are questions for tomorrow. The Silver City Boy was now home, Alone; Yukiko was not with him per his request. Souji lay up in his futon, the sound of only the clock ticking the seconds away. His masks were all removed and now it is here he realized the danger of his actions. He was consoled by his beloved, but even so, the thoughts lingered. He was festering in his isolation. He wondered if they truly did make the right call… back in Namatame's room. But it was then that he recalled everyone's words and his doubts faded.

…He realized then that his phone has been off since entering the hospital. Pulling it away from its charger, he turned it on, waiting for that screen to change from its lone white color to the sound of the startup jingle. The only other sound that broke the solitude. And then…. The phone would buzz and ring constantly, his inbox had gotten quite a few notifications…

|Hey, I heard some stuff about what's been going on. I know this is tough for you, but you'd better take care of yourself, too. Your cousin's going to be worried about you instead when she gets better, right? Stupid!

"Ai…" Souji muttered as the next message appeared.

|Hey, it's Kou. I heard what happened to your little cousin. Is there anything I can do to help? Let me know! You know I'm there for you, okay? We're best friends, dude! ….Right?

"Kou…"

|Daisuke here. I just heard about Nanako-chan. How's she doing? If there's anything I can do to help you guyz please tell me ASAP! You've got the guts, man! You gotta be brave, man!

"Daisuke…!"

|It's Naoki. I was worried about you, so I'm sending this email. I hear you're going through a lot. You okay? Don't push yourself too hard. I'm here to talk. I might not be that reliable, but I'm here for you. See you later.

"Naoki…!"

|It's Ayane. I heard someone from your family was in the hospital… I'm sorry, I don't know what to write…. You're not alone, okay? When you're going through tough times, please remember that I'll be by your side if you ask. I'll call you again. Bye.

"Ayane… You're right." All his friends from school. The friends he met in this town. Souji remembers now; that he has friends who are here to help encourage him as he would for them. The case is still mired in an impenetrable fog, but he must continue forward to find the truth hidden within. "I have all of them…" The question his beloved asked last month of what he still has left… They never rang truer than now. "I have everyone. All my friends… I'm such a fool." Even in this vulnerable moment, he recalled the most basic truth. The tears in his eyes would settle. The clear care from his friends shook him. True friendship is so exceedingly rare, but when it is found, it is one of the most valuable things in one's life. This is an undeniable truth. With the support of his friends and his team, the love of his family here… he would rest. There was much more work to be done.

12/04

The dark drape of nightfall had settled in, but the Fog made that fact more obvious. Souji had finished his meal he made for him and his girlfriend, who had returned to him after his night of solitude. The future Innkeeper was looking at the models he made as well as the ones he got from the Crane game in Okina station. They looked like Personas he used before… perhaps this is what Teddie meant when the things they see in the TV World are based on things in people's hearts.

"Yukiko." He would interject on her inspecting of the newly placed figures. While she's been to his room before, she never focused on that shelf for a while… not since Fall anyway. "You alright? You've been staring at them for so long." He asked as he was finishing up some of the notes he had written down in regards to tomorrow.

"Oh, nothing. I was just impressed by how good these look…" her eyes were fixated in the white and round shaped one. Jack Frost. It reminded her of what the group was discussing the day before. About what to get for Nanako when she gets out. And this was one that he had suggested to which Kanji agreed. It really was cute. "This was the one you wanted to get a plush doll of, right?" She already knew the answer, but wanted to ask anyway.

"Yes. Jack Frost…. I think she would like it. It's very popular with children and even adults." He would reminisce. He used it a few times while in the Bathhouse trying to rescue Kanji. And of course, Black Frost, its counterpart, was a bigger help when facing Mitsuo's shadow. "I still want to get her one."

"When things calm down… I want us all to give it to her. I think… She'll be glad to know we all support her. That we all love her." She felt her heart sink. Seeing her fight to stay alive before they left the Hospital, after hearing Namatame and what he had to say, it made her feel pain, yet also full of resolve. That they can and will do whatever it takes to bring the killer, the true killer, to justice. To bring Nanako and all the ones affected by their actions peace and closure.

"Yeah. We all love her. And we'll make sure she feels that after this is over." No more blaming themselves anymore. "But I wanted to ask you something about today. About Namatame."

"Hm?"

"When he said you were the first person he put into the TV… how did it make you feel? Do you hate him?"

She had to really think about that for a moment. Not the first question, but the latter; did she truly hate him? Souji looked patient, his eyes clear on her being able take her time. His understanding was displayed clear as day. Her eyes looked down and away before moving up in the same direction before she compiled her answer.

"If I said I wasn't scared, I would be lying. After hearing what he had to say, I can't bring myself to despise him either. But I don't like what he did all the same."

"I understand. I want to be honest…. When he pointed his finger at you, I saw your hands tense up. I wanted to hold them, and step between you and him." He admitted his moment of being defensive; possessive, even. He recently put himself between a knife for Naoto, but that was a fake and it only upset her. Perhaps this is a new habit from the great people he's gotten close to. But with his beloved… it felt more out of a fear to see her scared or hurt. Or worse. "Were you scared?"

"I… I was."

"...I was too."

"Y-You were?" A shocked Yukiko replied quickly, a rare admittance by Souji of his deeper feelings.

"For you, yes. I can't imagine how any of you felt when he captured you." Of course he stopped holding anything against Namatame, as it's clear he was misled by the Midnight channel and the Bizarre circumstances. The logic should have cleared the issue, but… he felt unnerved from the idea of Yukiko being in that position again.

"I'm… so glad you worry about me. For all of us; but please, believe we won't be hurt like that again. We all have each other now." She tried to ease the anxiety in his heart, but to make it clear they've all grown. Herself especially. After all, she wants to protect him too. He isn't the only one who has grown over the year.

"Alright. Then, let's make a promise to each other." He held her hands together, hands clasping around them. "If we ever get separated while we seek the truth… promise me you'll find me. The idea of losing you to this…" he didn't want to finish the thought. Yes, they all should be prepared for death. That world is dangerous, and god knows how lethal the true killer might be. He didn't want to say that. Not in front of her. "...it's unbearable." No pun intended. "Find me as I try to find you."

"Mm, I will." She nodded, his warm hands being very comforting. "No matter what happens… I want to be there for you too." Her tone had a soft determination. But it was unshakable, undeniable.

"Thank you."

"Souji-kun, I also have a request for you too." She looked straight into his eyes, as if peering through into his soul. "No more hiding feelings between us. Trust me; please."

"Yukiko…" She was sharp. She saw right through him. The words he held back, it looks like she put them all together herself. He should have known better. "Sorry. I guess I'm trying to shoulder it all myself." He's the leader. He can't show these feelings around his peers. The thought of them losing faith in solving this case or worse, in him, it put him between Mt. Fuji and a hard place. At least, that's what he told himself.

"It's okay. I'm here for you. We all are. But don't be afraid." He can't lose anymore. He has gained much in his time here. Things, and experiences he never expected to acquire… and he doesn't want to lose them. The fact Nanako almost left them nearly broke them both. He can't fathom the idea of having to let anyone else go. Yukiko especially. This assurance and confidence from her however… it eased his nerves. Her calm passion settled the disquiet in his heart. He was so lucky, no, blessed for meeting this woman the way he did.

"...Hey, Yukiko?" He remembered words from Hisano… to let people know you care for them. You never know if that is your last time to say it.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I know." She would giggle, her smile warming his spirit. He was ready for what tomorrow may bring.

Hero: Okay, so first and foremost, the sequel fic I'm still not sure if I'm going to do. Arena Ultimax had an idea I wanted to go with before it got announced and released. From both an OC(via their fighting style) and the major God in question, Kagatsuchi. If I do decide to do it, I'd have to scrap Ultimax at the very least. OG Arena can still work, but yeah. Next is the status of a certain pairing. Before, I had Kanji lined up with someone, but if you look at what I mentioned at the top note, HiP's video series really put something in perspective. Naoto shows NO interest in Kanji's advances, but if you yourself make those same advances, she takes note. Chalk it up to everyone wanting a piece of Yu Narukami/Souji Seta I guess. So, I decided... Kanji will get with no one. This isn't so I can make him lonely, or I want him with a guy or something like that, I just don't feel comfortable pairing him with anyone at this point in their lives. Perhaps if I do my sequel fic, we shall see. I know some were looking forward to it, but yeah. Also Chie and Yosuke's relationship has a lot of problems as well. Don't worry, they're fine here, but I do think that those problems need to be addressed at some point at least. Probably in the future. Izanami's fight will be in this fic for sure now. I was contemplating it before, but now I am certain. I have the ideas written down and I've fleshed them out well enough so far. You'll see. Your only hint is that something in recent chapters will be at play by then. My outline also is over halfway complete. We're looking at least 45+ chapters total(That's counting the ones already released by the way). 40 are down outlined in Chronological order with no changes possible while the others are still(mostly) up in the air. And this is including the Summer Vacation chapter. If there are any other announcements, I'll post them at this part of the chapters as well. If some of these changes disappoint you, I apologize. But I hope you stick around all the same. Anyway, December is coming and going, so look forward to Chapter 33! Take care, stay safe, and stay Golden.