CHAPTER 2: Price

"I can't believe that my feet led me here..." she thought.

"Welcome!" twin girls welcomed her; it was Maru and Moro. "Please come inside!" they said, "You are Master's guest!"

"Master?" she looked at them curiously.

"Welcome," a black-haired boy with glasses greeted her by the butterfly-printed sliding door, it was Watanuki smiling, "Yuuko-san is expecting you, please come in."

"Y-Yuuko-san...?" she soon followed him towards the door.

Watanuki opened the door to let her inside. There sitting on the couch, Yuuko plays with Mokona using a tennis racket; she played with him as if Mokona was a tennis ball, more like a paddle ball rather. Watanuki was looking intently at Yukiko; he thought that Yukiko must be what Yuuko has been telling him—about a young beautiful girl who would come for help.

"What a pretty girl," Watanuki blushed and thought, "But Himawari-chan's super cute too! Hmm, she must be in high school like me. I wonder why she came here. Yuuko-san knew she would, I'm sure of it, she told me!" Then his expression changed a bit, "Why do I suddenly feel weird...? It's as if something darted past me just now..."

"Welcome," Yuuko stood up to face her, "You've had a long trip, haven't you? Watanuki, kindly get a chair for our guest. Now, what is your wish?"

"Are you...that person the long-nosed man told me about...?" Yukiko asked as she sat on a chair Watanuki offered.

"I see. He must be kind enough to refer me to you. He may or may not tell you of my true purpose, but I know that you have been advised about one important thing."

"Yes, he has."

"Well, then... What is your wish?"

"I wish... I wish that I could do something to save my love, Souji, from Death... He's been in a coma after our last battle against Izanami, the mythical goddess. Souji is our leader and without him, we have no chance against her. Um, I know it's a bit impossible to believe but, we and the rest of our friends can summon beings called Persona."

"Manifestations of your soul, correct?" Yuuko gave her a mysterious smile, "You wish to save someone from seeing Death? If your wish was to revive him, that I cannot do, it is against the cycle of life to do such thing. It may be considered a grave sin as well."

"Then what about my wish?"

"I can consider; he is still alive after all. But I'm sure that man you mentioned has already warned you of your payment for this wish, yes?"

"No, but he told me that I have to be well-prepared."

"The price for your wish must be of equal weight, meaning you have to give something important as payment. You need compensation for everything in life. You can't give too much nor can you take too much."

"Yuuko-san's got it memorized…" Watanuki had his usual expression on.

"Are you just gonna mock me or start serving some tea and snacks? It's rude for our guest, Watanuki."

"H-How did you…? Are you part-psychic...?"

"O-Oh, I won't be taking long! I will leave as soon as my wish is granted," Yukiko said, "Hmm, something of equal weight...," she thought deeply.

"Would you like to know the price?"

"Geez, I can't understand Yuuko-san at all..." Watanuki thought again.

"I heard you back there!" Yuuko pointed towards the back door with her.

"STOP READING MY THOUGHTS!" he shouted at her.

"I wasn't, your facial expression tells all," she gave him her usual look. "Now go fetch us something to drink," she waved her hand.

"Yes, please," Yukiko finally made her decision. "Tell me what I need to do."

"Alright, your payment is that you have to surrender your feeling of love for this person." Yukiko gasps and her eyes are wide open. "If you don't want to, then it's for you to decide. His life rests in your hands since you took the responsibility for it. If you take back the action, he'll surely die. He doesn't have much time too, his moments now are reserved as you make your decision."

"His life is on my... Give up my love...for Souji...?"

CHAPTER 2 END