"...Well, Adachi. This is it, the trip you've been waiting for."

Uncle Dojima forces a grin, and Adachi does the same. The latter's excitement, however, was genuine. I sigh and exchange looks with Yosuke.

My uncle shifts his attention to me.

"Are you sure you'll be okay, kid? I'm leaving you in charge while I'm gone."

I respond with a nod. I'm not really what you'd call the talkative type, you see. And although people may say I'm very expressive, it doesn't quite show on my face. This is actually a good thing, especially for situations where I have to lie...such as now. I mean, I really don't have anything to be in charge of.

First of all, there's nothing to keep my eyes on except the house itself. Ever since Nanako passed on...Well, there's obviously been something missing.

Second...I don't intend to stay in the house at all. For a good reason, too.

"S-sir, I think we should get on the train..."

"Okay, calm down, Adachi."

Uncle tosses his cigarette in a nearby trash bin and picks up his suitcase.

"...Take care."

He looks concerned, then he turns around and walks to the train. Adachi follows after him.

Yosuke turns his back on them when they're out of sight.

"...Junes, then?"

I nod once more.

"Let's go, partner."

We're at the Junes food court for the first time since...you know when.

Everyone still wears frowns on their faces, and no one minds the fact that I'm not. Eyes turn to Rise, who was the reason why we all gathered here in the first place.

"Are you completely sure...?" Chie asks, uncertain whether the first year student's explanation over the phone would suffice.

By the looks of everyone, it didn't.

"Of course I'm sure. I saw that monument the last time I went there...the only other place I've seen with that sign was New York!"

Rise is frustrated. Her fellow first-year students decide to back her up. At least, Naoto does. Kanji's "What if the next victim is an American?" idea seemed quite impossible.

"Well, I trust Kujikawa-san." The detective says, brushing her bangs to the side with her hand. "...Even if all of the other people were residents of Inaba, the chances of the next victim coming from a different area of Japan is much more possible than...Tatsumi-san's statement."

Kanji frowns. Having Naoto disagree with him so much must have been a bullet through the heart.

"But...Ikebukuro? Really?"

Chie isn't convinced. Yosuke attempts to calm her down a bit, to no avail. Yukiko feels sorry for him and decides to speak up.

"What if...Namatame wasn't the killer...? Don't you think it's ironic that another murder was committed the same way as previous victims, and that the suspect is in Ikebukuro...?"

"But no one saw her on the Midnight Channel."

"...No one even bothered to check the Midnight Channel until the murder!" Yukiko exclaims, looking straight at Chie. She covers her mouth shortly after and apologizes for her sudden outburst.

"...That idea is...not too far-fetched." Naoto says, still pondering on the situation a bit.

"I say only a few of us go." Kanji mutters. Rise nods.

"Yeah. I'd totally go with senpai~" Rise says, clinging to my arm. I choose not to respond as usual.

Everyone glares at her. This wasn't exactly the best time to be joking around. She pouts.

"Fine." she mutters "But I guess you'll still be needing me. I have all these contacts in Ikebukuro."

"Why don't all of the senpais go? I mean, they know a lot more about the murders than us."

Naoto gives Kanji another stern look for his statement, and Rise laughs.

"...Saying that because it doesn't make sense to you anymore, Kanji-kun?~"

Naoto sighs. "His idea actually sounds good." She mutters just loud enough for everyone to hear. Yukiko frowns.

"Oh but I...have to stay at the inn."

"We understand, Yukiko."

"So it's just you, me, and Chie, partner." Yosuke says , glancing at me."Just like when we first ventured into the TV world, huh?"

Chie stands up and slams the table.

"Alright, so...Yosuke and I will ask for permission from our parents. We'll head for Ikebukuro ASAP. "

"Okay. Assuming we do get permission to go to Ikebukuro, Chie...Where will we stay?"

"We'll...well...that's..."

"I'm one step ahead of you guys!" Rise exclaims, grinning. "You're lucky. I mean, not everyone gets to stay at Hanejima Yuhei's place."

"H-HANEJIMA YUHEI?"

All of the other girls, Naoto included, are standing in shock, mouths agape. Everyone else in the food court is staring at us.