CHAPTER 4: Heartbeat, Heartbreak

Yukiko arrived back in Inaba, after spending a night at Yuuko's. She was feeling a little flushed after that deal. She felt that she wasn't able to sleep well because of it, even after she played with Maru & Moro before leaving. She tried her best to remember everything she had with Souji—from the time she met him to the day they became a couple, even when he helped her decide whether she should stay in Inaba or not—before she completely forgets them all. This might be that last chance she'll be like this.

"Yukiko!" Chie waved at her from the podium.

"Chie?" she looked at her palely when she got outside the train.

"Are you okay? You must be tired, your face looks awful!" she said and tried to make her laugh.

"I'm fine..." she said, and then thought, "Once I see him, he'll wake up. But...I won't be able to tell him that I paid my love for him..."

"What? L-Let's just go back and let you rest."

"Can we first visit him...?"

oOo

Inaba Municipial Hospital

"Mmm...huh?" Souji opened his eyes.

"Senpai...!" Rise cried over him.

"What a miracle!" Yosuke said, "He woke up just as Yukiko-san came in! Aw man, Partner! You don't know how damned worried we are...!"

"Hey, stop crying like a baby over Senpai!" Rise kept pushing him aside as Yosuke whined and pushing Rise as well. "I'm not!" Yosuke denied, "I'm crying tears of joy!"

"You're back already?" asked Kanji.

"Yes, I'm done with what I had to do," replied a pale Yukiko.

"You don't look too well," Naoto said.

"Yukiko," said Souji weakly, "I'm glad you're here."

"Yes, thank goodness you're alright."

"Are you okay? You sound sick," Souji held her hand weakly.

"Not at all, I went back here to see you," she gently let go, "But now if you'll excuse me, I have to go." She then left the room with no expression at all. Though her words were sincere and her eyes in tears, Souji felt that something was missing.

xXx

"What happened to her?" Teddie stared.

"I dunno," said Chie, "Actually, while I was talking to her on her phone, while she was on the train, she sounded empty. I mean, every time I told her that you're getting better, she sounded like she has no concern for you at all. She even looks pale when I fetched her from the station."

"Maybe that little trip of hers did something to her," Yosuke wondered.

"I thought you two were going steady?" Rise looked at him.

"We are, but I don't understand why she's acting like that," replied a weak Souji.

"Senpai," Naoto interrupted, "it is best that you should rest and save your questions for later. We will find out about Yukiko-san's strange behavior."

"Yeah, Senpai!" Rise jumped, "Just stay there and let us do the investigation!"

"We're not spying on Yukiko-senpai, Rise..." Kanji said.

"I know, I know! Geez, Kanji-kun, I was just lightening things up!"

"Whatever."

"Chie, would you mind asking her 'bout this?" said Yosuke, "You are her closest best friend after all."

"I'll go ask her right now, and I bet she went straight home,"

oOo

Amagi Inn

"I'm sorry, Chie-chan," said one of the staff members, "Yuki-chan hasn't come back yet."

"WHAT? Did...Did she call you to tell where she is or something?"

"No, and I don't know where she could be right now. We're very worried about her… All we know is that…"

"Is that so? ...Thank you. I'll try to bring her back safely."

"Thank you, Chie-chan. Yuki-chan is fortunate to have you as a close friend."

xXx

"She's not here at Junes either," said Yosuke via cell phone.

"*sigh* Where she could be?" Chie replied, she was also pacing back and forth while tightly holding her hair.

"Kanji, Naoto-chan, and I will keep on looking too. Rise-chan and Teddie's keeping an eye on him right now."

"Thanks, Yosuke-kun, call me again when you find her," she said and then hung up.

xXx

By the flood plains, Yukiko sat alone, remembering the day she and Souji were under it during the rain one time. It was when she wore her kimono for the interview, and he was on his way home. This very moment holds remaining sweet memories, and she has only until then before she completely loses it.

"It still doesn't make me feel anything...," she murmured.

"*sigh* Yukiko, where are you?" Chie thought. Rain started to pour and was blocking Chie's vision, "Aw, darn! I don't have my umbrella! Now how am I supposed to look for her now...?" Then she gave up and started running home. "Sorry, Yukiko, I failed to look for you..."

"...Rain, just like this one. I remember the first time we spoke together alone under this place. It was the time that reporter was murdered, the news was all about her," she sighed, "Still, I don't feel a thing... Face it, Yukiko... Love's gone, and it won't ever come back again."

She then stood up and walked back home, not minding the rainfall. Back at the hospital, Rise had to go home and left the two alone in the room.

xXx

"Bye, Senpai, see you tomorrow."

"Take care, Rise."

"Bye-bye, Rise-chan!"

"Teddie, what do you think why Yukiko's acting weird?"

"How should I know, Sensei?"

"Ohh... Sorry, I shouldn't be too carried away..."

"Ooh! Teddie just remembered! Before Yuki-chan left for Tokyo, she said that she needed to do something there and it's very important to her."

"What? Say that again?"

"Ooh! Teddie just remem—"

"...Not that part... After that part, Teddie."

"Yuki-chan left for Tokyo. She said that—"

"Wait, stop right there! Yukiko went to Tokyo? When? Why?"

"Yesterday, then she came right back today. But we don't know why, sorry."

"Why would she… Thanks, I guess we'll know soon."

oOo

Next Day, Junes

"One strawberry ice-cream for table—oh hey, Yukiko-san!" Yosuke greeted, "I didn't recognize you right away. How's your trip from Tokyo? You never told us how it went, you just scurried outside without saying a proper goodbye."

"Sorry, it's just that a lot's been on my mind. The trip was fine, Yosuke-kun."

"Hey, why the long face? Still upset about something? Chie and the others were worried sick 'cause they hadn't found you. We thought something might have happened, but at least you're here safe and sound. Here's your order, by the way. Don't worry, it's on me. It'll help you cheer up."

"Thank you," she took the order with a pale smile. "Yeah, and I got home yesterday drenched in the rain from the flood plains."

"So that's where you were!" Chie ran to them, "Idiot! You had me SO worried!" Chie hits the table with her hands, and then suddenly drinking Yukiko's juice... "Whoops, sorry, I kinda got carried away with the furious outbreak, haha...haa..."

"I'm sorry, Chie... A lot's been on my mind since the other day."

"Erm, I guess it's time for me to leave, huh?" Yosuke walked slowly away.

"Yes, Yosuke, I'm glad you understand. Goodbye," Chie looked at him with upset eyes. "We'll be going now, and thanks for lighten her up."

"Okaaay... Um, you're welcome." He left them alone and resumed to his job. Yukiko was still depressed and Chie could only look at her with upset eyes. They soon started to go to the flood plains, and stayed there.

"Yukiko, it'll make you feel a little better if you tell me."

"No, Chie, you wouldn't understand; you might not believe me."

"I won't know until you tell me."

"It's really unbelievable."

"Yukiko!"

"Okay! I gave up my love for Souji for a wish-granting woman named Yuuko-san in a very strange house in Tokyo!"

"Gave up? Wish-granting woman? Strange house in Tokyo? What…?"

"See? I knew you'd react like that!"

"...Um, Yukiko, are you sure 'bout this?" she held her hand tightly.

"You wouldn't believe it even if I tell you!"

"Tell me about it slowly. You're just upset, now speak calmly, and tell me while being calm and relaxed, okay?"

"I went to Tokyo to see a woman named Yuuko-san."

"And? So what made you go there in the first place?"

"...Well, a long-nosed man in a very strange dream told me to in order to save Souji's life. I fell asleep beside him one time, and I saw them in a weird velvet blue limousine."

"Okay, so now it's a long-nosed man...? Wait, did you just say limousine?"

"After that, I did go to see her. When I got there, it was as if the house was pulling me inside. Then a guy and two girls led me to her room."

"Then what did she tell you?"

"She said she can grant my wish and then…" she stopped and fell to her knees.

"Y-Yukiko!"

"…My wish was too great and I had to give something important as payment…!" she sobbed.

"W-Well? What was it?"

"Love, Chie… It's love for him that I had to give…"

"Love…for Souji-kun…? What...?" Yukiko nodded. "Aw, Yukiko, if that was bothering you, you could've said so! If you hadn't told me until now, you'd still be upset. You could've asked me to come with you; I might have helped a little."

"Chie… *hic*"

Chie held Yukiko close and embraced her, "W-Well, at least you told me. Now, how are we gonna get your love back? It's too impossible."

oOo

Just then, Fox came with an ema in his mouth.

"Fox?" Chie said, "What are you doing here? Hey, what's that in your mouth? An ema for Yukiko?"

"For me? Um, thank you," she took the ema.

"Looks like it's still unwritten. Are you giving it to her for a wish?" Fox nodded to answer Chie's question. "How nice of you, Fox! Now you can put your wish!" Chie smiled.

"I don't think it's that simple, but I'll try." She wrote her wish and returned it to Fox. Fox took the ema and nuzzled his nose against Yukiko's leg, then ran back to the shrine. "How could Fox know about it?" Yukiko wiped her tears.

"Beats me, I guess he sensed it or something. Are you feeling any better now?"

"Yes, thanks a lot, Chie," Yukiko tried to smile. Her eyes were still red from crying.

"Come, I'll get you home, then we'll discuss more about this tomorrow."

CHAPTER 4 END