CHAPTER 5: Your Affection

Chie took Yukiko home, then she called Yosuke about what she heard, "…And that's what happened, Yosuke-kun."

"I see. It must be tough for Yukiko-san…"

"Gather everyone except her and Souji-kun at Junes tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"Yukiko really needs to be alone right now. Even she looks calmer now, her gestures tell all. And as for Souji-kun, he'll only get upset. Plus, he's still weak, isn't he? We can't have him worry too much."

"I understand, Chie. See you tomorrow."

oOo

Next Day: Junes Food court

"That's illogical, Chie-senpai," Naoto said.

"I know, but she wasn't making this all up. She wouldn't lie like that nor even try lying."

"I wish we could do something for Yuki-chan," Teddie sipped his milkshake.

"With Senpai still at the hospital, he'll only get worse once he finds out she traded her love for saving his life."

"That's a romantic thing, but this is too literal!" Rise exclaimed, "I wouldn't mind Senpai risking his life for me, but this is too much for me to handle!"

"Sheesh, since when did you claim Senpai as your own…?" Kanji's eyebrow rose.

"Pshaw, I'm only kidding! I won't take him from Yukiko-senpai. But seriously, is there such a person? And paying something important like that for a wish… It's getting me curious all of a sudden."

"If Souji-kun won't get better before he leaves, Dojima-san, Nanako-chan, and his parents will get worried."

"But despite that," Yosuke said, "I'm glad Dojima-san believed that we have Personas and had been saving everyone from the fog."

"Yes," Naoto nodded, "and he wholeheartedly accepted it—even Senpai's unfortunate incident..."

"Ugh, let's probably stop talking like this…" Chie stood up and stretched her arms, "Do you know when Souji's going to be out, Naoto-chan?"

"Um, if I'm not mistaken, he should be out by now..."

"Ooh… This'll be a problem for us…" Chie sat down again.

"We have to retrieve Yukiko-senpai's love back!" Rise stood up. "For Senpai!"

"But how? We don't even have a clue on—" Naoto suddenly gasped.

"I heard everything…"

xXx

Standing weakly behind was Souji in his casual clothes. He looks pale and seems to be half-awake. His hair was messy, and then he began to walk slowly towards them.

"S-Souji-kun…?" Chie stood up again, spilling her juice on the table. "Are you feeling any better? How did…you know we were here…?" she managed to catch Souji before he could collapse.

"This is the only place we always go whenever something's going on I tried calling Yosuke, but he won't answer. And I feel fine just a while ago," he tried to say the last sentence as a joke. "But I suddenly felt weird after hearing this conversation… Where's Yukiko, and what's this about, Chie-san?"

Chie just stood speechless. They were all silent, and Souji looked at them blankly.

"We… Um, well…"

"Isn't it bad for you to be out like this?" said Yosuke, "After all, you just came out."

"I'm fine as long as I say so."

oOo

Samegawa Riverbank

While the rest tries to keep Souji from knowing about Yukiko's deal, Yukiko is alone, thinking more about what has happened.

…Why can't I forget about this? I've been having this feeling since…

"…However, once you two have seen each other, you will no longer feel any love for him anymore. Harsh it may seem, but that was the only price..."

…Yes, since that moment, I've been empty…

Junes Food court

"Souji-kun, we didn't really mean to keep this from you…"

"Yeah, Senpai, we were just worried that we hid it."

"Hope you won't get upset at us, Senpai."

"Tell me honestly: what really happened to Yukiko?"

Chie explained everything, but Souji's expression seems to be more distressed than before. He quietly kneeled down after and seemed to be crying. "…So that's why. Why did you do it, Yukiko? You're putting your own happiness away to save me?"

"Partner? Are you okay? Do you want me to take you home? They must be worried about you right now."

"Yosuke, Chie-san, everyone… Do any of you know where she is right now?"

"…Sorry, Senpai," Naoto pulled down her hat a little.

"I've been calling her on where she might be, but her phone's off. I'm getting so worried that I might hit someone!"

"Whoa there! You almost hit me!" Yosuke dodged Chie's kick.

"Huh? Souji-kun, where are you goi—" Souji suddenly ran off and left Junes. His face is still pale since he just recovered. He panted and was heading for the flood plains.

oOo

Back at the Dojima Residence, Nanako sits impatiently in front of the turned-off TV. "Big bro…"

"Don't worry, Nanako, he'll be back. Geez, that kid really is a handful…" Dojima sighed, "Ever since he got out, he hasn't come home yet. I shouldn't have let him on his own."

"…Daddy, Big bro looks so sad."

"Huh? How come, Nanako? I mean, I can also see it clearly on his face but...I just can't understand that boy sometimes. Geez, how did Sis grow that child up?"

"He looks so sad, but I don't know why. And he keeps looking for Big Sister Yukiko, and he said he had a dream that she'll leave him. I'm worried about him."

Dojima carried his little daughter up and caressed her head, "He'll be fine, it's not good for a little girl like you to worry like that. C'mon, I'll treat you something nice. How does a sundae at Junes sound?"

oOo

Junes

"Here's your Junes special, Nanako-chan!" Teddie handed her her sundae. "Teddie added extra sprinkles just for you!"

"Ooh, it's so big!" she squealed. "Thank you!"

"Careful, don't get yourself sick, alright?" Dojima laughed.

"I will!" she exclaimed, "Hey, Teddie, want to help me eat?"

"Are you sure, Nanako-chan? Sure, let's eat it together!"

"Hey, you can't eat on your shift!" Yosuke hits Teddie's head with a tray, but not too hard of course.

"Hanamura-kun, you know my nephew well; do you know what's been going on with him?"

"I can't have Dojima-san think we're getting crazier..." he thought."E-Er... Well, we are close pals, but he hasn't said anything strange lately. I'd like to know about it as well."

"Souji's one mysterious kid, but he always manages to make friends like you guys. Since he always moves with his parents, he hasn't made enough memories with his friends until he got here and met all of you. I'm grateful for that, thank you for being with him," Dojima bowed.

"U-Uh, please, there's no need to be so formal, Dojima-san. We're grateful as well to meet him!" Yosuke also bowed.

"AAAGGGHHH! B-B-Brain freeze...!" Teddie ran around the table.

"Teddie! I told you to not eat! Sorry, he's just like that."

"I don't mind, and I'm glad Nanako's happy. If anything comes up, let me know. I can't have him go back to his mom like that, or she'll get furious at me!" he chuckled.

oOo

Aiya Restaurant

"Mm?" Chie bit off her noodle, "Naoto-chan?"

"Oh, nice to see you here, Senpai."

"What are you doing here?"

"I just came to eat. A lot's been going on in my mind, and I just want to ease myself a little. Excuse me, one order of ramen please."

"Yes, it won't take long!" said the chef.

"Is it about..."

"...Yes, it is. Since Yukiko-senpai arrived in that state, Souji-senpai is at his loss. I can't help but think of something to fix this. This is worthy enough to be called a mystery."

"But you don't of this as just a mystery, hm?" Naoto nodded in response. "I think the same way too. Yukiko's my best friend, if I can't do anything to help her, why call myself that? I didn't think someone like the person she met is real. Actually, I still think it's too imaginative."

"My thoughts exactly," Naoto said, then ate the ramen she received. "I suddenly had the idea to visit that person."

"Mm... *slurp* But how in the world are we gonna get there? If we ask Yukiko, I bet she won't try to help us. Hey, Naoto-chan, are you interested in doing a little sleuthing?"

"Huh? Sleuthing? What are we going to investigate?"

"If we can get a hold on the stuff she could have brought in her trip, we might find a map or something that can help us! I'm sure she has something like that with her!"

"I understand, but how are we going to do it? She must've arranged her bag by the time she got home."

"Hmm... Ooh, I know! I'll try going in to her room and look for it!"

"Um, exactly how, Senpai?"

"She's probably at home spacing out right now. If I can at least enter her room, even while she's in there, and that she's really spaced out, I can get her bag without her knowing!"

"Good luck with that, and I'll try to research about that place."

CHAPTER 5 END