A/N: Tehehe thanks to everyone for their reviews so far. You have no idea how extremely amusing it is to find out that you all fear that this may turn out to be a yaoi story. Haha! I may be a fan girl but never would I be a yaoi fan girl :P
Nevertheless I've already decided on my most favorite pairing for this game and it is probably noticeable in this chapter.
Anonymous: No worries, I share your sentiments.
Milia: I'm not exactly sure if Inaba is the hometown of Souji's mother. Because at the beginning of the game all I remember is that Ryotaro mentioned that he had changed Souji's diapers before but that could imply a variety of things. However if it is mentioned more somewhere else then I am probably mistaken so I do apologize. The main reason that Souji's grandfather, Ichiro despises Inaba is because his rebellious son is living there. Oh! Thank you for the review because I think I can use this to create more of a character for Ichiro ^^
hidro-sama: Youtube is very fatal indeed. I keep using it to watch the social links that I never completed.
*** Please read the author's note at the bottom when you are finished with this chapter. It will be useful to you as readers.***
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, Atlus does. Any similarities to other works are coincidental. I do however own this fan fiction and all original characters and ideas.
--
Where It All Began
"What did you say?!"
"I thought I had said it clearly grandfather. But nevertheless just as you heard, I will be going back to Inaba this spring break."
"Are you trying to rebel against your parent's orders? I am quite sure they would voice their opposition in you returning to that hick town."
"Quite the contrary. I've already asked for their permission and they complied. Their exact words were 'Please dear, go anywhere you would like for this break. Hopefully it'll be some consolation that we were unable to come back in time'."
Argh! I will not be made a fool of by this child!
"Well since you plan on being so stubborn, I regret to inform you that you'll be having some lessons this break."
"I believe you're mistaken dear sir, but may I ask, do you remember this paper in my hand?"
A smug look formed on the young man's face as he held up a neat piece of paper with typed writing on it.
I, Kanda Ichiro promise
that one Seta Souji will be free from any duties
for the coming spring break. And he will be allowed
to do as he wishes for the entire break.
March 3, 2013
Kanda Ichiro
Souji had prepared in advance. When his grandfather had given him the break off he had been amazed. That shrewd old man had always filled his holidays with lessons in business non-stop. He was completely stunned by the generous act.
However just to be on the safe side he had pulled up a contract that was signed by his grandfather and notarized by the family's lawyer.
Ichiro had found the whole thing to be silly so he complied easily with the whole charade.
He did not find it so silly now.
Souji smirked as he saw his grandfather's veins practically popping out on his neck. He would not back down. Enough time had passed since he allowed himself to become a tool to be used. He had friends and family awaiting his return and all of his doubts and fears had washed away with the arrival of that package from Inaba.
Fool! No one plays games with Ichiro Kanda!
Blinded with anger by this impertinent child's actions Ichiro reached for the sheet grabbing it roughly from the hands that defied him. Growling slightly he decimated the thin piece of paper.
Hmph! That'll teach you to defy me!
He looked up with a smirk of his own only to meet the condescending eyes and light smile of his grandson.
"What is so funny my child?"
"Oh dear. Haha I can hardly hold back the tears."
Souji began bursting out in laughter as he bent over from the hilarity he found the situation to be. Ichiro only responded with a glare at the boy.
"Hahaha!!! O-o-oh haha, my stomach hurts!"
Leaning back up the young man wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes.
"Grandfather, thank you for teaching me so well this past year. But it seems you're losing your touch. Perhaps it is time for you to retire?"
These words angered him deeply. He had kept up a nice loving grandfather façade towards the boy for long enough.
"How dare you! I've been in this business before your mother was even born!"
"I realize that, but you seemed to have forgotten the first rule you ever taught me. Make copies of everything no matter how small it may seem."
Ichiro paled at these words. He had indeed told the boy this. He had drilled this lesson into the boy's head after all.
"What you hold in your hands now and that lay scattered on the ground is simply one of the many copies of this contract."
"You–"
"I only came out of respect for you to inform you of my decision. Nothing more, nothing less."
Souji turned now and left his grandfather's study. As he continued his walk out of the mansion he kept a smile on his lips the entire time.
Giving one last glance towards the window of the study he saw the silhouette of his grandfather moving about while the sounds of glass breaking was heard even outside of the enormous building.
He heard the footsteps of servants running to the location of the noise. All the while he smiled.
I'm no longer listening to your unfair demands grandfather. I am my own person now.
Even now he continued playing with the chain bracelet wrapped around his wrist. During the entire encounter with his grandfather he had grasped the accessory and drawn his strength from it.
Hmm, Nanako-chan should consider selling these things.
He laughed once more as he grabbed a black helmet streaked with red lines from the handlebars of a very nice ebony motorcycle.
Securing it on his head, Souji climbed on his motorcycle and left the oppressive mansion behind with a roar from his bike.
As he left he could have sworn that he had heard the words "DAMN HIM!" flowing towards him by way of the cool spring wind.
--
Hmm I wonder how they'll react when I just show up at their doorstep. Haha Dojima-san will probably get angry and yell at me for not telling him ahead of time.
Souji chuckled at this thought. At the moment he was on a train heading to the Yasoinaba station.
It's already been a year since I last climbed on this train. What did it feel like then?
-x-
He had already said his good-byes to his parents as he climbed onto the train that would lead him to Inaba.
Since Akemi and Tooru Seta were headed overseas for business for at least a year, he would be staying with some relatives.
He had already been briefed by his father that Ryotaro Dojima was the younger brother of his mother. Curious as to why their family names had not matched from before his parent's married, Souji had asked his father.
"Well Souji. Your grandfather didn't exactly approve of your uncle running off to fulfill some 'foolhardy' dream as Ichiro would say. And when Ichiro had threatened to disown him, all that he said was 'Fine! I don't need your stupid name anyways' and then he left. Ever since then, Ryotaro has gone by the name of Dojima which is your grandmother's maiden name."
Souji was amazed when he had heard this.
I can't believe someone actually had the courage to stand up to the old man.
He was nervous to be meeting someone like that and he had learned that he also had a younger cousin as well.
How do I act around a child???
School will be the same as always but… can I really make friends out here. It's practically the countryside. Will the students here have the same interests as in the city?
But at least one thing is good in this entire situation.
No one here will know who I am. There is nothing that connects me with the Kandas' that is publicized. Even in the other schools people only knew who I was through that stupid old man having a company car picking me up.
I'm free here! It may only be for a year, but I have to make the best of it, because it'll be back to the cage after this.
Though I'm rather surprised he let me come.
Hmph, probably only to let my 'rebellious streak' as he calls it run its course.
Hah! He'll regret letting me out! If he thinks I will listen like a good boy when I return…
The train rattled on as Souji continued his thoughts, but soon he fell into a sleep that would begin the events that would change him forever.
-x-
"There'll be no dream this time at least."
Chuckling quietly, he let the summons of sleep overtake him as he subconsciously fingered a silver bangle wrapped around his wrist.
As he slumbered he dreamt of her.
--
"We have arrived at the Yasoinaba station. Last call for the Yasoinaba station" the conductor's voice resounded through the speakers.
Lulling himself from the wonderful dream he'd been having, Souji grabbed his bags as he headed towards the exit of the train.
Stepping onto the platform he looked around.
It's the same as ever.
He strolled leisurely through the shopping district as he glanced around at the familiar shops.
Whoa. Is it just me or does it look like Daidara has gotten larger over the year? Haha must be too many people watching kung-fu movies.
Stopping in front of Shiroku he fiddled around with the capsule machine.
Man does it really only work when it rains?
He smiled as he decided to pivot around and stop by the Marukyu tofu shop. Looking around inside, he noticed that Rise wasn't working today.
Guess she's out.
"Oh, young man did you need something?"
"Ah, no I was just seeing if Rise was in."
"She's out with some friends at Junes. Would you like me to take a message?"
"No thank you ma'am. I'll check again some other time."
It'll be better if I surprise her later.
Smiling he bid the older woman good-bye as he continued his walk through the shopping district.
Souji continued on, occasionally making stops by familiar places. He enjoyed the scent drifting from Aiya and the Souzai Daigaku stand.
Spotting the shrine he decided to stop by for a quick prayer.
It looks nice.
He was satisfied that his efforts had not been wasted. The shrine was in good condition now and the atmosphere of the place seemed tranquil instead of depressing.
The people whose requests he had fulfilled had spread the word about the shrine and others began visiting the place more often.
Before leaving he deposited a donation in the offering box and headed towards the exit of the shrine.
As he left he noticed a small fox cub milling about the area.
I wonder if that's…
Shaking his head he decided not to waste anymore time and continued on his journey towards the Dojima residence. On the way he passed by Tatsumi Textiles and the Konishi liquor shop. He reminisced a bit as he thought back to the time he and the others were spying on Kanji and the talks he had with Naoki.
When he noticed that the sun had started setting he hurried along out of the shopping district and practically ran through the Samegawa Flood Plain.
Finally he had arrived at the front of the Dojima residence. Heading towards the door he raised his hand to the doorbell.
--
"Oh Rise-chan, you're finally home."
"Yeah, sorry I'm late grandma. But it's been awhile since everyone was together again so we spent a lot of time together at Junes."
"Hmm that reminds me."
"Yes?"
"Earlier, a young man stopped by looking for you."
"Oh jeez. Was it another fan?"
"No, I don't think so. There was a certain air to him. And he called you 'Rise' not 'Risette'. He left as soon as he found out you weren't here though."
"…Do you remember what he looked like?"
"Sorry my dear, old age seems to be catching up to me. I haven't the faintest idea about what he looked like. Just…well he seemed very familiar."
"I see, well I'm going to my room now grandma."
"Okay dear."
Was it him? Haha, I have to stop kidding myself. It's been almost a year since he was last here. And with his family so against his return, why would he show up now?
Rise what are you thinking?
Maybe, it might be time to move on. Takahashi-kun did ask to go out with me tomorrow and Senpai won't be coming back anytime soon. But wouldn't it be nice if when I start my debut in Tokyo, he'll be there to see me?
Ugg what am I thinking. Every time I'm alone all I can think of is him.
Just what have you done to me Senpai?
--
-Ding-
"Nanako! Will you get the door please?"
"Yeah."
The young girl left her room and headed towards the door.
As she opened it she gasped.
"Nanako? What is it?"
Standing up from his position on the couch, Ryotaro headed towards the door immediately.
"It's you!"
--
After doing another edit of this chapter I came up with even more ideas. This story is turning out to be much longer than I predicted at first. It may even be longer than how I planned my P3 fic to be. The ideas keep on rushing to me and this part of the story has already turned into its own arc. I dub it… "Return" well not so fancy, but arc names do not need to be anything special.
"Return" focuses on meeting everyone after a year has passed since the end of everything.
"Past and Memories" will pertain to the back story of Souji that I've developed. It'll be about dealing with his grandfather and his troubles with his family. Souji's personality for this fan fiction will probably develop more in this arc.
"Future" is what the summary of my story described. The whole "years later thing". It somehow got pushed back as I came up with deeper reasons for Souji's transfer. There will be in-depth details of all of the main characters lives and maybe the social links too if more things get uploaded onto Youtube for the research required.
I hope you will all stick with me for the entirety of this story. My apologies if I do not update often. My own holidays are ending soon and I still have yet to do the homework I was assigned.
Please review or I'll be forced to prolong the time between updates due to the lack of motivation to write due to the lack of support for the story ;)
Until next time!