King was sitting hanging around of the benches. Despite the nice clear sky earlier, the weather did say it was going to rain from the evening onward. Weather doesn't play as the harsh pitter patter of the raindrops hitting the patio's roof made it clear that it wasn't about to lighten up anytime soon. His mind wasn't focus on the sudden change in weather as he absentmindedly stared out.

'Even though I said I would, I can't believe I'm actually preparing to kidnap Yukiko tomorrow! What was I thinking!' King palms himself before a flash of Yukinix appears in his mind. 'Right. I was thinking about that.' He sighs again now finding the ground more interesting. He glanced at his left hand, acknowledging a black glove; leather and sleek, the middle finger and thumb being fingerless and the oddest part was the gray cloud that was chained to wrist.

"Wait! I need a favor from you."

Izanami turned, blank face but could not hide the curiosity from her eyes as they stared from each other. His eyes shifted around before starting back at hers.

"Can you make it that I have access between both worlds at any time?" She slightly turned her head as he asked.

"A way between this world and the midnight channel?" she repeated more to herself. "It won't be much of an experiment if I begin to choose favorites." Izanami responded. King quickly closed his eyes and clapped his hands together.

"Please! I'm just a normal high school student over here. How am I suppose to do my job?" He peeked to see an unamused Izanami staring at him. Maybe some flattery? "Um- please oh mighty and beautiful goddess of the land?" He was graced with a shockwave grazing the left side of his ear leaving a comical looking frown on his face.

"Don't push it. Flattery will get you nowhere." Izanami coldly remarked. "This is last time. Every action from this point is by your own will." She brought her hands together in the form of a circle; a blue bright light filling the hole between her hands. King squinted against the light until the light ceased. When his pupils adjusted he noticed her holding a left black glove. She tossed it at him as he clumsily caught it.

King quickly put it on, inspecting the texture of the glove. Soft. Durable. Smooth. If it wasn't for the strange chain on the glove's wrist, he would've thought he was wearing nothing.

"That will allow you to go between both worlds. Although it's not the TV world."

"Huh but I though-"

"It'll be a place familiar to you. Look at it more as a pocket dimension for now." King nodded even though a bit disappointed as she continued. "As long as you have that on you'll be able to create a small cloud of fog, as big as a normal human adult."

She raised her right hand, her middle finger and thumb coming together before a snap is heard. A small cloud of fog appears next to her before she snaps again and it disappears. "Just simply snap with the glove in the direction you wish to aim the fog at. It won't go that far though, don't expe- why are you giving off such a face?" Izanami noticed the deadpan stare he was giving, not at her but at nothing. King quickly shook his head as he waved her off.

"Uh. No reason please continue." His nervous laughter did nothing as she raised her eyebrows in suspicioning.

"Make a cloud of fog." She commanded. He cringed as he shifted his eyes. Even more suspicious behavior. If she was right, this fool didn't know-

"I don't know how to snap."

She thought so. It baffled her. This was the one who ruined her plans? She sighed, questioning if it was ok to just let humanity get destroyed. A irritated smile appeared as she took his left hand and rearranged it into a snapping position. "Just watch me." She quickly raised her left hand and made a snapping sound. "Even you can at least do this right?" King stared back, sweat rolling down his chin noticing the tone of her voice. She looked and sounded just about done with all of this. No pressure though. Building the pressure between his two fingers, he released causing a small snapping sound; it was enough to create the fog though.

"Oh thank God." he breathed. He looked at the small cloud of fog and then Izanami. He almost wanted to laugh- that lopsided grin along with the small shine in her eyes; that's the most hopeful look in disappointment if he ever saw one. He failed to snap the second time but managed it the third time, closing off the fog. Note to self, must work on snapping.

"Well. At least you aren't fool beyond help." Izanami stated gaining a sheepish grin from King. "As I was saying-"

Each time you snap a small fog will form.

Snap again to make it disappear.

Consider it a pocket dimension that you can throw anything

Yes even people.

You yourself can enter the fog but be warned.

You will always end up back at the last place you entered.

Last, if you happen to end up in midnight channel the fog will send you back

To the last place you used it in the outside world.

King clenched his gloved hand as he rested his head on the table. The rain was getting a bit lighter but not enough that he was willing to run through.

At least I don't have to carry a TV around. The problem now is trying to find a way to get to her without getting caught. Walking up to her isn't an option, and I don't have a delivery job so that's out. I need to get her alone or at least find someway to cover the area so he can sneak up on her. Maybe I can catch her in the hot springs with all the stream. A tinge of pink reaches his cheeks before he shakes the thought off. Hopefully when she's working. I'm not that kind of cliché! He glanced noting that someone else was walking towards the patio holding a red umbrella. She was wearing a pink kimono with a green sash wrapped around her waist. It was Yukiko; first victim that gets kidnapped.

"Hmm? Shimi-kun?" Yukiko called out.

"Oh hey Amagi-san. Um. Running errands I see?"

"Oh! Yes… they sent me to pick up a few things." Yukiko replied.

"Oh I see." King responded and with that the conversation ended. He could only mentally cringe at the awkward silence. He slightly shook his head. No. This is a good opportunity to make small talk with someone. "Um. How have you been? How's the Inn?"

"Um… the Inn's been doing fine." Yukiko answered. Which meant that it wasn't fine, but he wasn't close enough to her to call her out on that instead giving a sheepish smile as he scratched his cheek.

"O-oh I see!" Once again the conversation went as cold as the rain. King slowly looked away from Yukiko as his lips grew thin. It was a time like this that he had to remember that she was even more reserved before she got her persona.

I suppose that'll change soon though huh?

"Um. How have you been Shimi-kun?" King was a little shocked that she wanted to continue the conversation but shook it off.

"Oh I've been seen better days' but I've been fine." King kept stared out noticing the rain getting lighter. "Nami-san has made the definitely made the year interesting." He added.

"It sounds like she found a friend in you."

"Right. Friend." King deadpan. "How about Narukami-san? You been talking to him haven't you?" He already knew the answer but figured he might as well ask. Yukiko shook her head.

"I've been very busy lately but he seems like a nice guy." Their was a strange look in her eyes. Did she already find him attractive? A mischievous smirk graced his lips as he stood up.

"Is he your type?"

"H-huh?! I don't… I mean I don't know him enough." Yukiko felt her cheeks burning from the grin she was receiving. "Wait that doesn't mean he would if I knew him!" She tried to wave him off. King snickered scratching his cheek.

"S-sorry. I just felt like I could tease you. "He kept staring at the rain, a frown forming on his face. "This rain doesn't plan on letting up. Screw it I'm gunning it." He turned back to Yukiko. " Well it was nice talking to you, hope you get home safely."

"But won't you get sick?" Yukiko looked worriedly.

"I'm sure I'll be fine but thanks for worrying. See ya tomorrow." King dashed off through the rain, clothes instantly getting damp. He squinted as his damp hair covered his face. For a moment he thought he saw a white Umbrella but disregarded it, he needed to get home before he actually got sick.

"Jeez did the rain got even heavier." King yelled to no one particular. He moved the hair out of his eyes noticing his mom wasn't here yet. He took out his phone seeing a message notification from her.

Mom: I won't be home until later tonight. :(

Ah that explains it. The town was usually quite but there were days that she had to stay behind, sometimes even for the entire night.

King: Is everything alright? Do you have an umbrella at least?

She responded faster than expected.

Mom: Yes? Well it's confusing. I can't say anymore though.

It's probably about Saki then that makes sense. King noticed her sending another message.

Mom: If I said no, would you bring me food too? :)

King: Nope.

Mom: Rude! But I'll be fine, just lockup. Love you!

King: I will. Love you too.

He shut off his phone and looked around. The slow realization hitting him that he was alone.

'Might as well try this now.' He closed his eyes, trying to envision the same card he had call upon before. Stronger and stronger, the feeling rose until he felt the white card in his hand.

"Persona!" He crushed the card as a blue light enveloped revealing Zetsubo.

"Awesome! So it wasn't just stress and desperation that made me summon you!" King said with glee patting Zetsubo's armor in various places.

"I don't quite understand why the sudden excitement. Thou has summon me quite a few times already." Zetsubo spoke, unfazed by the boy's sudden hounding. King picked up his cape flapping it a few times.

"Because my friend." King paused. Zetsubo was technically him so was calling him friend the right word? He shrugged. "The few times I summoned you, it was because we were in danger so now I get to check out the details and I have to say. Nice!" he swore he felt Zetsubo blush. Yep they were one in the same for sure. He moved around to Zetsubo's front, raising his fingers like a camera. He really does have a cool persona even if he technically stole it. He put his left hand down while leaving two fingers up on his right.

"Also I was always curious if I could summon one in the real world." He crossed his arms as his face became serious. "This is good cause now I think I have a good idea how to kidnap Yukiko tomorrow night."

"Yes. Yes! I understand what you may be thinking!" Zetsubo nodded feeling himself return to King's soul

Yep! Now let's take a shower before I get sick and get everyone killed!

"No. No. I know there's at least one…!" King grunted as he searched through a pile of boxes that were stacked in his mom's room. "Found it!" he pulled out white Oni Japanese mask; vicious, it had the crimson disk on it's forehead. "Alright now I know there are some white gloves in here too."

Thou ever wonder what Nametame preparation was like? Zetsubo pondered.

That's kind off a random question. I guess so. King sighed as he kept digging through the boxes. He had it tough, he didn't have another person resigning inside him. He chuckled dryly moving a box and looking through another. Hey Zetsubo, I know we have to, but… can we really do this? He looked at his hands, trying to clench his shaking limbs. One mistake and it's all over. He finally found the gloves he was looking for. Upon closer inspection, they basically looked like Mickey Mouse gloves.

You know. Even though I didn't want to get involved, I knew I was lying to myself. I know I wanted to be involved with the Investigation Team and join them in their adventure. King groans twiddling his locks. Guess in a sense I still am.

Is it not still possible?

It'd honestly be weird hanging around people you kidnap. My conscious couldn't handle that. Well come on I need to practice summoning this fog.

He went back to his room, mask and gloves in hand. He threw them under the bed before sitting on it. He put on the black glove, giving a few clenches. Satisfied he held it out, trying to snap. He took a bit longer then he would've like but he managed a small snap. He scratched his head as he stared at the forming fog. Izanami said snapping again makes it's disappear. She also said he could enter it. He crossed his arms then shrugged.

Might as well check it out.

King landed face kissed the ground as the vortex came to an end. He made mental note to make the two stop meeting intimately. Lifting his face, he came face to face with himself, or rather a portrait of him.

"Wait. Is this?" King got up and looked down, seeing the familiar platform. He looked around expecting the same darkness from before, instead he was greeted with patches TV static in the air. The small hiss of static added to creep factor. 'Well that's different. I liked it better when I heard nothing. Still, this place being the pocket dimension? Someone has a strange sense of humor.' He shrugged again. Other then the patches of TV static, nothing else stood out.

Wait a moment. I see a another platform. King turn towards the 12o'clock part of his current platform to see it a good distance away. He could make out the color though; red with tints of pink. It also had a bright light covering the entire platform, bunch of what appeared to be tiny black spots falling around it.

I can't make out any more then that from here. Zetsubo go check it out. He said crushing the card. Zetsubo didn't get very far though, flying face first into an invisible wall as soon as he reached the end of the gray platform. King groaned from irritation as well as the damage he received. The classic "You can't skip the plot wall". That sucks.

With nothing else to check out, he went back through the fog, practicing his snapping for the rest of the night. His mom came home at some point but the small slam of the door told him she was heading straight to bed. It was almost midnight when he managed to decently snap consecutive times. He glanced at the TV as the clock hit midnight, a shadow showing up in front of static. The shadow was wearing a kimono and smiling. King sighed as the TV turned off. It's gonna be a long night tomorrow.

April 16th 2011

School flashed by in a quick of an eye, something King normally would be happy about. It felt like time was flipping him off. Why isn't it this fast when it needs to be?!

"What's wrong Shimi? You look stressed out." King turned to glare at Nami, who was giving a smug grin. Didn't she care about her experiment? He groaned getting up. He couldn't afford to get stressed out any more than he already was.

"Good luck!" she said earning another groan from him as he walked out. She admits stressing him out isn't the best choice she's made, but seeing him suffer as he did her made her feel something she hasn't felt in a while. Happiness. Just a tinge though compared to all the fake feelings she puts on in front of others.

King pinched his nose while staring at his locker. He couldn't figure out that girl. Did she want him to fail or not?! He closed his locker, only to notice a tuft of blue hair standing by.

"Woah!" King said jumping away before getting a better look. "N-Nakamura-san! Why are you standing there?" he stammered, mentally cursing himself for turning like this every time. It was like her stare pierced the depths of his soul but he didn't exactly ha- stop! He shook his head trying to beat down the heat in his cheeks as she tilted her head. It might've been his imagination again, but he swore her eyebrows twitched for a second. He scratched his cheek as he calmed himself. "W-what's up?"

"There's something I want to try." Aika said as she began walking away. "You forgot to call me Ai-chan by the way."

…

I can not read this girl…

King only shrugged as he followed after her. He couldn't either.

Despite the awkward start, the walk was oddly peaceful. While King originally felt that he should say something, it was as if they shared a mutual understanding. He welcomed it though, it's not like people always had to talk to have a good time. Maybe that's why she doesn't mind being around me. A smile formed, slightly glancing at the blue hair girl who seemed content despite her normal expression. Before he knew it, they made their way to the central district. She led him to the Aiya's diner.

"The diner?" King asked and she nodded. The bell rung as they entered. There were a few students sitting by the booths and a man behind the counter who was wiping down the table.

"Hey Aika! What are you doing here today? I gave you the day off." The man yelled before noticing King. "Oh King-san! Are you here for the usual today." He shook his head pointing at Aika.

"I'm here because of her Mr. Nakamura." The man was still wiping down the table as he stared at the two. After a few moments he nodded to himself.

"Oh! I see she finally managed too-" Before he could finish, Aika jabbed him in the ribs. King would be a bit more surprised but it wasn't the first time this has happened. The rare times the two were together her dad would always say something and get jabbed by her almost instantly. After the second time, King just expected it every time they were together. He chuckled through the pain as he went to take a customer's order, ignoring the blank look his daughter was giving.

No change in her face but I'm sure she's upset. I think. King deadpanned.

Aika gestured King to the seat at the front. "Give me a second." She said as she whipped out her red apron and white headscarf.

"Oh a new type of ramen?" King asked. She simply nodded as she began to work. King always felt amazed watching her cook. Even if her facial expression barely changed, he could feel her passion whenever she thought of a new dish. Before long she was done, his eyes going from excitement to pure horror. "Um. A-Ai-chan. What is that?" The dish looked normal, well the noodles. What made this dish "special" was the random assortment of octopus legs and some strange brown sauce.

"Peanut butter and octopus." Aika said as if nothing was wrong with it.

"I can see that. Uh- did you try this already?"

"You'll be the first." King groaned as he stared at the dish. He could swear one of the legs moved.

Why I gotta die though?!

Perhaps it's not so bad?

What part of this looks good though?! He gulped as he kept staring at the dish. He's glad that he became a lot less picky since being reborn, but there's a limit! Damn! Whatever I'll try it! He lifted up an octopus leg, some peanut butter attached to it and slowly brought it too his mouth. It seems a few people saw this as they clapped their hands together, praying for the boy.

"It was a joke."

Silence as King simply stared at Aika, her expression never changed but this time he knew there was a small twitch in her lips. He simply blinked at her as she took the bowl from him.

"It's really bad." It wasn't just her blank expression, it was the thought of her trying it and just keeping that expression.

His eyebrows twitched as he thought more about how expressionless she would be in any situation. King didn't realize he was laughing, way too much for such a bad joke.

"Y-y-you're so bad!" he face palms, shaking his head. Mr. Nakamura quietly chuckling as he served another customer their order.

Aika came back with an actual bowl; A BBQ pork bowl.

"It's really good!" King ate joyfully. "Your cooking is good as always Ai-chan." She stared at him for a second causing him to blush, she nodded as she headed towards the front door.

"I'll head home now." Aika told her father as he waved her off.

"Hey Ai-chan." She turned to see King starring at her. His eyes shifted before looking at her again. "I don't know if you could tell I felt down." He twiddles with his locks as he looks away again. "But thank you."

King wasn't looking but noticed the twitch in her lips. He shook his head after she walked out. He loves his daughter but he really wish she would try a little harder to open up. Well at least she seems to be trying with King-san. Guess he could leave it to him for now.

"King-san. Thank you." King blinked as the man went to wash the dishes. He tilted his head but shrugged as he continued to eat. He thanked for the food and left feeling refreshed both physically and mentally. He really needed to make it up to her someday.

Alright can't ruin the good mood. It'll be night soon.

The Amagi Inn has gone through tough times. Being passed down from generation to generation, the Inn has suffer many times and has almost been shut down. But the Amagi family were resilient, persevering over every obstacle that they had to get over. The most recent case is no different, the death of Mayumi Yamuno has dealt a blow to their reputation. Still their members held firm, continuing their job with diligence as people continued to check in. Whether it was to check out the pride of Inaba or curiosity over the reporter's death, the Amagi Inn wasn't closing anytime soon. There was a lot of people walking around, some checking into their rooms, some in the dining hall. Some, decided to check out the hot springs. For one individual, having this many people would be a pain, but in this case it's the perfect setup. Donning an Oni mask and wearing all black from his coat and pants, he shuffled through the shadow, abit clumsily but still getting by undetected.

He made his way into some bushes at the backside of the Inn, a few ponds surrounding a small red bridge that led to a patio.

Jeez I finally made it in. I swear I felt my heart stopped a few times. He stared at the back door. He felt himself shake but held it back. He was here now.

Tonight's the night. Come on there's no turning back…