Author's Note: Thank you for all of you who have read this far… This is the end of the story and… I hope the ending will be fulfilling for those who have waited so long. You guys… are the greatest.

Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 4 or any of its characters. They belong to Atlus…

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A P4 MC/Yukiko Fic
The Judgement

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I will believe in that smile of yours, in our bond
Never more, for even when we are apart, your heart will be with me

Shihoko Hirata – Never More

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The night wind caressed his face as he leaned to the rail of the balcony. The view of Yasoinaba at night from the fifth floor of the hospital really was beautiful… It was tranquil. He was thankful he managed to save the town from the catastrophe years ago. He wouldn't be able to be like this if he didn't. This night, however… would be the last night for him to be here. Tomorrow Yukiko could go home. After only two days, she was allowed to return to her Inn.

"Never thought a view from a hospital could be this beautiful, huh?"

Yousuke was beside him with two TaP Soda cans. Souji accepted one then grinned.

"TaP Soda? I thought you were traumatized."

"Damn, Man," Yousuke laughed. He messed his hair. "But… when I think of it… perhaps that hit was a good thing."

Souji chuckled. Yeah, it was.

"Congrats."

The brunette grinned. They both fell silent as the wind blew once again from the hill. It was a serene night. All of their best friends were here… Nothing could possibly go wrong…

"W-What the hell are you doing here?!"

Kanji's voice made both Yousuke and Souji rushed into the room again. They soon found the problem: Shoutarou was right by the doorway, holding a hat on his chest.

"Good evening, young ones," He greeted gently. He seemed to be expecting the unwelcoming atmosphere. Rise and Chie were on their feet. Kanji was already by his side, knuckles curled into fists. Naoto was the only one remained sitting, watching him with sharp dark eyes. Yukiko, who was on the bed, tightened her jaw. None of them greeted him back.

"What do you want?" Yousuke asked defensively. Souji walked closer to Yukiko, linking their hands together. Shoutarou smiled gently and said, "I want to have a small conversation with Amagi Yukiko-san. This is not an offer, like what I used to say, but a wish. If all of you want to, you may stay here and listen and give whatever comment to what I'm about to say in the name of my master."

Nobody could say anything. Finally Naoto titled her head to Yukiko and said, "Shall we, Amagi-senpai?"

At first, she was reluctant to say anything. But then she took a deep breath and said, "Please, Yoshita-san."

Shoutarou seemed relieved. He bowed.

"Thank you for your generosity, Dear," He smiled again. His smile was always fatherly somehow. "First of all, Master would like to say his deepest apology for…"

"Aw… BS!" Rise groaned. She sank back in chair. "It's ancient saying such kind of sorry!"

"Let's hear him first," Yukiko gave Rise a reassuring gesture. Her friends' presence around her was like a solid safety net that encased her gently. Everything was alright with them here, she just knew. "Continue please, Yoshita-san."

Shoutarou gave a genuine gratitude smile then continued.

"The first issue… is about the case."

"Which is inevitably crucial to be taken to the trial," Naoto's voice rose. Shoutarou nodded sadly and said, "That… is true, I must admit. However, my Master wishes for Amagi Yukiko's kindness not bring it to the trial, due to his status as the heir that inherits the Kuroda Group—which will affect numbers of other people under his command. That is, however, completely up to Amagi Yukiko's decision and my Master will abide to whatever decisions she makes."

Yukiko seemed surprised after the last statement. He completely… left it up to her? Didn't he just realize exactly what she was going to do? Chie groaned and said, "Come on, Yukiko, just say of course you will! He's not going to get away from this so easily!"

"Well… I…" Yukiko bit her lips. "I cannot… make the decision yet… It's too… sudden."

"He deserves a good punishment!" Rise snorted. "The police will take a veeeeery good care of him! Right, Naoto-kun?"

"Of course."

Yukiko seemed hesitant. Souji looked at her then shook her left hand gently. He smiled.

"Let's think about it slowly later."

She looked at Souji then nodded. Another relieved smile curved Shoutarou's lips and he bowed in gratitude.

"The second issue is about the marriage."

Everyone's aura quickly changed. Yousuke had a hand on Chie to prevent her from exploding.

"My Master wants to ask Amagi Yukiko-san about the continuation of this matter and said that every choice she makes will be accepted, whatever it is. However…"

He took a deep breath and looked into Yukiko directly, a pleading look in his old eyes.

"If Amagi Yukiko were to cancel the engagement, he wishes she would kindly meet him in person and say it to him herself in the company of Seta Souji."

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

Chie stomped her feet in agitation.

"What do you mean 'meet him in person'?!" she roared. "Don't you know what he had done to her?! Why doesn't he come here by himself?! That coward!!"

"Well… I…" Shoutarou's eyes turned sad. "I'm afraid that is not possible…"

"If he wants to confirm something as crucial as an engagement, it IS better for him to come in person," Naoto shook her head. "Especially if the one that causes the problems was himself."

"Yes, that is true but… I'm afraid that is not possible in his current condition," Shoutarou repeated himself. Before anyone could interrupt him again, he quickly continued. "My master is in no capacity of seeing, let alone walking to, anyone. That, I said, is in literal meanings."

Everyone blinked. Yukiko narrowed her eyes.

"Literal… meanings?"

Shoutarou nodded. He gave a weak smile.

"His injury is grave, Yukiko-san…" he said slowly. "My master now is forever blind."

XxX

The hospital hallway at night is dark and unwelcoming. Souji remembered perfectly how he used to hear something down the hallways in days of his part-time jobs but he refused to say to anyone, especially not in this kind of time. Yukiko was by his right side, walking silently in her patient robe as they followed Shoutarou to the place Satoshi was.

Despite Chie's disagreement, Yukiko decided to meet Satoshi—fulfilling his wish of meeting her in person for canceling the agreement. Naoto reassured her that whatever Satoshi said, they have the case in hand for her back up and she would build the case for her as a detective, providing full support that wouldn't leave Satoshi untouched. With such defense in mind, Chie unwillingly let Yukiko go. Anyway… Souji was with her. It was strange however, how Satoshi personally asked for Souji to be there too.

It was a VVIP room, distinctive among the other rooms since four bodyguards stood in front of the door. Shoutarou opened the door, and let the couple went in first.

The room was tidy… with a patient bed by the corner, which was shielded by a white curtain.

"They are here, Master. Amagi Yukiko and Seta Souji."

There seemed to be a slight movement from behind the curtain and Satoshi's cracked voice rose up.

"Ah… thank you, Shoutarou…" His voice was weak. Souji could feel how Yukiko went slightly closer to him. The trauma hadn't worn off after all… "Good evening, Yuki-san, Seta-san."

"What is it you want with us?" Souji had tried his best to keep his voice calm but he couldn't. The anger still managed to slip into his words. Satoshi chuckled slowly behind the curtain.

"Yes… I understand… very well… about your anger and I… I am deeply sorry… I am deeply sorry for what had happened…"

"… and you think sorry is enough, Kuroda-san?" Yukiko's voice trembled. Her left hand gripped Souji's right hand tighter. His presence gave her courage… enough to let her pain and anger flared again. "You honestly think… after what you did, sorry is enough to atone?"

There was no immediate answer. After a while, Satoshi talked again.

"I… have never once thought that sorry is enough, Yuki-san…" his voice was low… and there was a slight fear. "I know… I know exactly what I had done and I… I admit, it was very disgraceful of me… Offering any compensation for what I have done… will do nothing good either since… to disgrace you even further is not… something that I want to do, believe me… Hasn't Shoutarou told you… that I will accept anything that you decide… regarding what I have done?"

After the statement, low grunt was heard from behind the curtain. Shoutarou quickly moved to closer, shouting, "M-Master! D-Do not talk too much, Master!"

"I-It's okay…" Satoshi's voice trembled and heavy breath was heard. "… Have you… told them…?"

"Y-Yes, I have, M-Master!" Shoutarou answered quickly. "Please, Master, do not push yourself!"

"I have yet to make my decision," Yukiko voiced herself. Her eyes showed hesitance. There was something not quite right about Satoshi… and… she was calling Amaterasu… "I decided to make it once I met you. And I am sure you do know the answer for your second wish with me and Souji-kun being here."

A low, weak chuckle was heard.

"Yes…" his voice was… broken. It was a voice of a wounded man. "…Yes, of course… I know, Yuki-san… and I know… since I… snapped back from that madness… you will choose him over me… perhaps… for good…"

Satoshi laughed weakly from behind the curtain.

"Of course it is for good… fool me… Someone… who dared to hurt… a woman that he loves so much… must not have you…" His voice died down. "Shoutarou… please open the curtain."

Shoutarou's eyes widened in shock.

"B-But, Master!"

"Let them see, Shoutarou…" Satoshi's voice regained its strength. "… Let them see the body of a man… that had learned his lesson…"

Shoutarou didn't move from his place for a few seconds but finally walked closer to the curtain. He unwillingly slid the curtain open… and revealed the man lying on the patient bed.

Yukiko gasped. Satoshi lied almost motionless on the bed. His whole head was covered in bandages, only some strands of his brown hair were able to be seen. Blotches of red—whether they were blood or medicine—covered some part of the white fabric. His mouth and nose were left without bandages but they were… damaged, burnt. His skin was red and peeling… a sign that it had been exposed to an intense heat. His left part of his upper body was almost completely immobile. The fire of Amaterasu… It had damaged him more than what Yukiko thought she could do…

"S-Satoshi-kun…"

A smile curved up his lips when he heard her.

"I longed… for your voice… to say it…" he said it slowly. Every movement of his lips seemed painful. "You know… Yuki-san… I… I had never… ever… loved a woman… like how I loved you… That one thing… is true…"

Souji threw an arm around Yukiko, pressing her to his side as a tears dripped from her eyes. She trembled, for reasons that even she was confused of.

"I… I was… stupid…" Satoshi sighed. "I was… so… stupid. Why did I do what I did?... What have I done…? Why didn't I compete with that man like a gentleman would do?... Those were things… that keep on circling my mind after I woke up… I didn't expect you to forgive me… simply by mere… apologies… That much, I know… But… but you know… Yuki… I… I truly… wish… that you will never forgive me…"

The couple looked at Satoshi in bewilderment. Not... wanting to be forgiven?

"W-What…"

"… if you… don't forgive me… I… I will…" he took a deep breath. "I will feel… like… I have… atoned for my sins… since your hate is something that I cannot bear… Although of course, I can never erase… but… that is the least that I can do to atone…"

He let out a sound that sounded like a cry but without any eyes to see and communicate… there was no tear. Being unable to cry… it was even more heartbreaking. He really was broken—physically and mentally as well. He had been torn apart and he knew exactly why it happened.

"… I have nothing left, Yuki… I have no eyes anymore… no more face… but… what I cannot bear is the fact that I have no you…" he raised his right arm, slowly. "I… I want to see you… once more… just once more… But I cannot…"

Yukiko's tears now streamed down her face. She knew she was not supposed to feel this way because of what he had done but… but she couldn't help it. Despite all of her refusal… Satoshi was a good man and a good friend. He was a good listener and he genuinely loved her—although it was unrequited and expressed in a wrong way. For a moment in the past… she actually thought of him more than a guest. He was, and always, a good friend... This man… this broken man… couldn't hurt her anymore… but… now he couldn't feel and see anything else either… His world had been completely blocked from all the light… and… that was…

"I'm sorry…" Yukiko whispered in her tears. "I'm so sorry… Satoshi-kun… I…"

"Why… you're too good, Yuki…" Satoshi chuckled. His voice softened. "Don't cry… don't cry… over someone who had… hurt you like me… I don't deserve any of your tears, Yuki…"

"B-But… but I…" She tried to dry her tears, to no avail. "B-But I had…"

"In fact… I am thankful…" A smile suddenly curved up Satoshi's lips. A deep, tranquil breath escaped him. "For a short moment… right before the explosion… I… I thought I saw… something…"

Yukiko and Souji both looked at him… and none of them could understand… why he was so serene. Satoshi's smile was genuine and warm. He looked… satisfied…

"I don't know what that was… but I remembered… It was… like… wings… Pure, white wings… But at the same time… it was like petals of a flower… a flower so beautiful…" He sighed in contentment. "I… I thought I saw… you. You, Yuki-san… The real you… and I don't regret."

He stopped for a while… then continued.

"This fire… that blinded me… was from you…" he said, smiling gently. "And I am glad… it is the real you that is the last for me to see. I refuse to acknowledge otherwise."

Yukiko couldn't contain her sobs anymore. She didn't mean… She didn't mean to hurt him this much… She really didn't mean to make him suffer... Souji hugged her tightly this time as she whispered her apology. She cried for a good friend... and he understood. There was nothing wrong between them... The situation was just not right. Both Souji and Satoshi loved her--both think of her as the only woman they loved... and Souji just didn't feel like blaming Satoshi anymore... They were in the same boat from the very beginning... As if hearing the sound of his mind, Satoshi smiled.

"And you… Seta Souji…"

Souji glanced at the man. He already rested his hand once more, but the smile remained.

"You are lucky… to have a stunning woman… who has such beautiful heart… that she even cried for someone that had hurt her… And I think… I now understand… why… she loves you so… You are… a right man for her…"

His smile turned to smirk.

"Take care of her, Seta Souji… I will not forgive you, even in grave… if you ever let her cry again, like what I had done to her."

Souji didn't answer directly. After a while, he let out a sigh… and said with a smile.

"It's a promise between men."

Satoshi laughed.

"Yes…" he said. "A promise between men."

XxX

The next morning, Kuroda Satoshi was transferred to a hospital in the big city. Shoutarou left a note for Yukiko which said that her mother's hospital fee would be paid by Kuroda Group until she fully recovered. There was also an addition in the shape of the erase of Amagi Inn's debts to the group, completely removing all burdens off Yukiko's back.

None of their friends could understand when Yukiko decided not to report Satoshi's case to the police. At first Chie seemed upset, but then she said that as long as Yukiko's fine, everything was fine with her. The inn was running as usual, if not getting better. The staffs were all released from the tension, happy since their beloved Yuki-chan was happy. She was calm and content, surrounded by those she loved… and Inaba returned to a peaceful, boring place once more…

Thus, that marks the time when Souji must get back to the city.

The university would begin soon and he must return as soon as possible so as not to be left behind in all his studies. He did spend more time than what he had previously planned. He didn't regret any of those days though.

Only Yousuke, Yukiko, Rise, and Naoto who came to the station—Rise and Naoto also departed along with him. Chie had work by the police station—Ryoutarou really work her to her limit, and Kanji must attend to the textile shop. They were kind of sad for not being able to come. Nonetheless, every one of them knew he would be back there. Just like always.

"Aw, Man… it sucks that you always have to return when it's the best time of all," Yousuke patted his shoulder. "You know, we can always go to the mountain and have a picnic there with everyone."

"Next time," Souji said firmly. He suddenly stifled a laughter. "And let me cook. It's better to leave it to me than to the girls."

"Aaaaaaaww!! Senpai!!!" Rise pouted. Naoto only looked away with a slight tint of red. Yukiko groaned and said, "I HAVE trained, you know."

All of them laughed. Recurring memories were something that never failed to unite them. It was irreplaceable… no matter where they were. It really was… a year for eternity.

The sound of train stopping was heard from the platform, stopping them in the middle of the conversation. Yousuke sighed then grinned.

"Well. This is it, eh?"

Souji looked at the train, gray eyes wavered with something. He let out a soft sigh.

"I guess."

"We're going in first, Senpai!" Rise literally bounced to the train. She gave a thumb up. "I'll reserve a seat for you!!! Let's go, Naoto-kun!"

"Aa."

Then she disappeared, along with Naoto.

The gray haired man turned to look at Yukiko. Her right hand was still bandaged—it would be a while before the stitches could be removed. Although the bruises and gashes still hadn't completely gone, her eyes had regained their former light. They were bright and beautiful—the hollow place in her heart had been mended… She was safe now. In more ways than one.

"Don't forget to phone," She said softly. "Good work over there too, alright?"

Souji nodded. A whistle was heard from the train. He glanced at Rise and Naoto who had get on the train then looked at Yukiko again.

"Stay safe."

She laughed.

"I will."

She stopped for a while then lifted her face to look at him in the eyes. Her dark eyes... He just couldn't look away from those eyes that looked at him so lovingly. She was, indeed, a woman that managed to conquer him.

"You know that I'll be waiting for you."

Unlike usual, she didn't try to hide her blush. A beautiful flush of red spread on her face … and she smiled at him with longing that could melt his heart to nothing. Her voice softened.

"I'll always wait for the day when you'll take me."

That said it. There was no need for further goodbye, they didn't need it. With just a touch, a hug and a kiss, everything had been said.

There would definitely be a day when he would go back there, and wouldn't leave anymore. The day when he would take her, swear on her behalf, and live together with her and everyone else in the place where everything began. Where the eternity of those memories lives on.

And when he thought of it… it was just another ride back home.

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The End

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Author's Note: Thank you for all of you who had read this from the very beginning. I genuinely love Persona 4. Really, I do. :D And I hope all of you are too. I really want to make more... but I guess this is all I can muster before exam. There won't be anymore fics from me until all the stress have passed. Anyway... although rushed, this fic is perhaps... a real imagery of how I see Souji/Yukiko. I'm sorry for all Teddie fans... I haven't feel Teddie good enough yet so I don't insert him here. I wish I could write all of them though... someday.

Once again... Thank you very much!