The Amagi Inn; considered the pride of Inaba has lately been filled with even more people since the death of Mayumi Yamano. While it dealt a blow to their reputation, it only served to bring more people in, those who were only more curious about the mysterious death. To King, this served as a nuisance. Despite hiding well in the bushes, there was just way to many people around for him to sneak by.

Perhaps it's better to just try to blend in with the crowd? King frowned at Zetsubo's suggestion. He didn't want to admit it but felt pretty badass getting in here with the getup. Through the mask, he could see the abundance of people in the garden; kids by the small pond looking at fish, adults in the patio drinking and laughing and watching some servers dance and attend to everyone's needs, Zetsubo had a point. Still.

If I can get passed this area we should be good. King shuffled to another deep bush leaving him a good few yards away from the garden. He came here once before out of curiosity. Except for the garden, which for some odd reason was a good distance away from the Inn itself, the backside was usually lax off people on most days. He popped his head out, taking another look at everyone's positions. The adults seemed content in staying at the patio watching the dancers. Good. Some kids were being scolded from an attendant for trying to catch fish, away from his position. Lucky! I should be-

"Hey! Hey! Pass the ball over here!" King shifted his eyes, catching a few more kids running by the bush he was hiding in, passing the ball back and forth at each other. They stopped just a few feet from the bush as they tossed the ball back and forth. King struggled not to facepalm until he noticed the ball being lobbed over one the kids head, heading straight for his bush.

Seriously?! He dove back into the bush; the ball landing inches away from his hand, as one of the kids ran over to go pick it up.

"Hey!" The kids turned to see a female attendant running at them. "I told you not to play with that around here!" she yelled as the kids took off, laughing about her being slow. After a few moments, King slowly popped his head out again.

This tension is going to kill me. King sighed glancing at the exit. Bush to tree, he made his way out of the garden. The walkway to the Inn was a long wooden bridge surrounded by more nature, which means. At least getting over there should be easy. He trudged on, crouching through the small bits of light that reached the trees. After some time, he made it to the back entrance. His brows furrowed. The hot springs is close from here. He sighed as he took off his mask and white gloves quickly throwing them into fog he made before dispersing it.

Finally decided to quit being stubborn? King could only roll his eyes despite Zetsubo being right. He couldn't afford to mess this up. He checked to make sure no one was around before moving out of the bushes and headed inside.

"I hope the room is too your liking. Please enjoy your stay." Yukiko said for the umpteenth time today to another patron while bowing. They bowed back as she slowly closed the door. She mentally sighed as she glided across the floor carrying bedding equipment. It's been non-stop since school started. The Inn was famous and always been one of the main attractions when people visited Inaba, but even during the summer, it's never been this packed.

She thought back to the day when Yamano showed up. Not only did she basically drag the media with her, she also was the reason her mother got sick due to her constant yelling. Yukiko would never say it, but she was glad that Yamano wasn't around, not that she wanted her dead mind you. She thought this would allow the Inn to catch a breather but all it did was make people curious. On top of that since her mother was sick, she had to manage the Inn now. Why me though? Couldn't anyone else do it? Even more the stupid news made it sound like she was going to be the next manager.

I can't even decide my own future.

"Yuki-chan!" Kasai called out snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Oh. Kasai-san. Is something wrong?" She asked. Kasai shook her head.

"There's a delivery that came that only you or your mother can sign." She shrugged before taking the equipment from her.

Yukiko nodded, heading off before turning to Kasai. "Did anyone do a cleaning maintenance to the hot springs yet?"

"We haven't gotten around to it yet. I had someone just put the sign up though."

"Alright I'll take care off it."

King managed to snag a basic blue Yukata as he slowly walked towards the Hot springs.

People will think something is up if thou keeps walking so stiffly.

I doubt that. They seem to be enjoying themselves too much. Also I can't help it! I feel as if my heart is going to jump outta my chest. King clutch his chest in efforts to calm down. It's ok. Just doing it so Inaba doesn't become barbeque chicken. It's fine. I can do this. He takes a breath as he turns the corner. The hot springs should be over here. He gasped as he saw that there was a sign up saying "Currently Cleaning, we apologize for the inconvenience." He took a peek inside and no one was inside. Not even the people supposedly cleaning it.

He didn't know if a god was just sparing him pity, but King felt relieved to see the that the hot springs were closed off. Guess I didn't really need to blend in after all! Just in case though. He closed off the door to the springs with a bamboo stick. Looking around the most area to make sure no one was hiding in here, he took a deep breath.

Persona! Zetsubo slowly appeared from the blindly light as he stared at the hot water.

Thou know the amount of luck we have is quite something right?

Listen Lina. After everything we went through so far, I'm not gonna complain about it! Now hurry up already!

King could feel Zetsubo sigh as he took a deep breath. He spewed cold air just above the spring's water. Slowly but surely the mist became heavier and heavier; too the point that the whole room was starting to get engulfed with fog.

I'm so glad that all that random research about elements wasn't for nothing! When cool air passes over a warm body of water, they seem to condense itself rapidly, basically making a ground cloud. We just need a huge cloud enough to cover the entire inn!

Why is thou randomly explaining this? King tilted his head, contemplating.

…I'm not really sure myself. He shook his head as he put his sneaking clothes back on. Just focus on that! We don't know how long it'll take before the fog dissipates.

"Alright. Thank you very much." Yukiko bowed as the delivery man tipped his hat to her. Taking the package; a long wooden box containing a rug from Tatsumi Textile, she handed it over to a few attendants asking them to go set it up in the diner hall. She turned to the hallway leading to the hot springs. Getting closer, she picked up a few cleaning supplies and rolled up her sleeves entering the changing room. She stopped by the door leading to the springs when something looked off. She could see a bunch of stream coming out from the bottom of the door. She tilted her head, it was normal for stream to come out the door but this looked to thick for normal stream.

What is this? She wondered as she walked to open the door.

The fog in the room was so thick King could barely see anything. He was sure if not for the glove he probably would be met with just pure gray. This did not stop his heart from pounding. Zetsubo was just about done that the fog should at least disperse across the whole inn for at least a few minutes at best.

He clutched a hand over his chest while holding a handkerchief in the other. I can't believe I'm really doing this. I-I sound like a broken record but I'm really doing this! No! He shook his head, doing his best to steel his nerves. As soon as I open this door I have to find her as fast as possible. King's glove hand rested on the bamboo stick, trying to ignore the shaking in his hands. Alright. Here goes nothing!

No sooner that he removed the stick, the door opened. The fog instantly blasted out covering Yukiko's vision. To King though, just barely could he make out the girl in front of her. Only for a second, King admitted that the amount of luck he must have right now would make even Fortuna cry. Sadly it was quickly replaced by fear. He was sure she couldn't see him and even if she could, she shouldn't recognize him.

Move.

He tried to move his legs, his arms but he could only feel his body tremble, as if to fight against the actions he wanted- no needed to perform!

I need to move!

The utter shock and small fear in Yukiko's eyes didn't help. He really was about to kidnap her! About to make her family and friends worried.

No. I can't think of that! I need to do it!

A few screams enter King's ears, most likely the sudden abundance of fog coming out of nowhere, shocking most if not the whole Inn.

Damn it! Move! If you don't everything you actually care about will be gone again!

The screams threw Yukiko even more off guard as she was prepared to go and calm everyone down. Unbeknownst to her, A shadow leapt at her, wrapping his arms around her whole body and pressing something harshly against her face. Her first thought was to scream, but it only came as muffled yelling, not loud enough to beat the small screams going on right now. She tried to pry herself away but the figure was a lot stronger then she feared as well she could feel herself losing consciousness.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! He could only chant this more to himself, as he held onto her with everything he had. Only when her body slump hard against him did he removed the handkerchief. He could only stare at what he done in horror. Holy crap! I…I can't believe I did it!

Please get a hold of thou self! I know how thou feels but we have to get out of here now! King managed to calm himself just enough to give Yukiko a solemn look. No matter how much he hated this, getting caught now would've made this all for nothing.

…You're right. King snapped his fingers and quickly put Yukiko in the fog before snapping again. The fog won't last long outside. Let's hurry.

As he hoped, the fog provided great cover as he moved towards the rear entrance. To everyone else, they couldn't spot a thing and used their arms to try and gauge their direction. King quickly got outside, slightly surprised that the fog really made it this far, but he could see it disappearing faster. He wasted no time getting to the garden and pushing through the bushes. A good distance away he leaned against a tree as he stared at the fog surrounding the backside of the Inn. After a few minutes, the fog finally disappeared.

King took off his mask and white gloves, stuffing them inside his coat. King wordlessly walked home, trying to shake of the heavy feeling on his shoulders.

The walk home felt more sluggish then before. King felt like something was watching him every step of the way. Zetsubo presence calmed him but not by much. This is probably how Nametame felt. Even though in hindsight he really thought he was saving them. I know- King shook his head as he slowly opened his front door. His mom was still at work so at least he didn't have to worry about her questioning.

King made his way upstairs and closed the door. He sighed, once again snapping to bring back the fog. After pulling Yukiko out he laid her on his bed still luckily unconscious. King just stared, despite the situation the small light through the window seemed to make her look more radiant. She was unconscious but even through it, she almost looked peaceful. She really is a traditional Japanese beauty huh? King frowned at the pink dusting his cheeks. This was so wrong to think right now.

Thou know. Zetsubo coughed. This mean thou technically didn't fail the Amagi challenge. She couldn't say no. King's face redden as his frown increased.

S-seriously Zetsubo? That messed up. King sighed. Taking a look at the time, it was just past nine. Well it wasn't like I have any reason to wait. With small hesitance he lifted Yukiko up, bringing her to the TV. King stopped before shaking his head. This shouldn't change anything. As long as she ends up in the TV tonight, nothing else should change. The TV screen began to ripple as he slowly pushed her in. Once the TV completely engulfed her, he watched as the rippling end.

Guess that's that then. King laid in bed, blankly staring at the ceiling. The high from his actions were slowly dwindling. Maybe he was tired of panicking. Maybe it was the fact that he had the utmost faith in the trio(and bear) to rescue her as they done many times before in his world. Maybe he was just glad that no one had a chance to notice him.

But he didn't feel bad. Not nearly as much as he felt he could. It bothered him. At the same time it didn't. As long as no one dies and Inaba doesn't get destroyed.

Then what I did was fine.

He felt like it was wrong thinking like that but he couldn't find any reason to deny that either. He covered his face with his hands, rubbing it in frustration. No point in thinking about it anymore, the deed was already done.

"King-chan! I bought home some tofu!" Ginchiyo called out snapping King out of his thoughts. It seemed his stomach responded faster then his mind as he quickly got up and headed downstairs.

Well at least food always makes everything better.

The two spent a small amount of time talking about their day. Or rather it was his mom complaining about the harassing media.

"If anything, they're dedicated but you would think they would understand the victim's situation." King said as his mother quickly nodded in agreement. At least Saki won't show up again on TV again if they reach her. His brows furrowed at the thought. Last he saw her, they were getting surrounded by shadows. "Hey mom? Is Senpai really ok?"

"Well" She hesitated. Considering the dark marks on her legs, she was fine otherwise but it still bothered her. Still, no reason to worry her son so she smiled. "Yep she's doing fine, she'll be leaving tomorrow. Do you know her?" He shook his head, twiddling with his locks, a small smile gracing him.

"Not really. I'm just really glad she's ok." She stared at the tiny glow she saw her son emitting. She couldn't stop the mischievous grin that appeared.

"Oh? What's with that look huh?" She said poking his chest. "Did you get over that Nakamura girl already?"

"No! Wait- I was just worried ok?!" King frowned earning a giggle from her. He rolled his eyes as he continued to eat, hiding the small smile.

After they finished dinner, his mom headed off to her room leaving King to his own thoughts again. It's almost midnight. He noticed as he turned towards the TV in the living room. He yawned as he rubbed his eyes. At least there's no school tomorrow. Perhaps I'll finish First Phantasy XIII.

Is it any good?

Well despite what the "fans" say, I always thought the combat was pretty great. It's definitely better than- The sudden static of the TV showed up as a feminine shadow showed up with white noise behind it. The shadow made it clearly look like Yukiko compared to before but wait. Where's the pink dress? Where's the crappy sign? Where's the uncomfortable(but good) shot of Yukiko's chest?! As quickly as the TV turned on, it quickly shut off. King sat dumbfounded, this wasn't supposed to happen!

Did we… did we push her in wrong? Zetsubo pondered causing King to deadpan.

How do we push her in right? We should go and try to push her in another TV. King weakly suggested. If the only way for this show to work was to rely on the TV Nametame used, he might actually lose it. Heading back upstairs he found his black glove, only to notice that the gray cloud was glowing a bit pink. He stared at the cloud as a frown formed on his face. I think the glove is trying to tell me something.

King landed better then he did last time, landing on his butt this time so that's good progress. He was back in his Yasogami uniform as he looked around. Zetsubo questioned it but King simply said "tradition" and left it at that. He saw the same the pink platform a good distance away. This time however, the pathway was lit with small flames connecting the two platforms together. As I thought, I didn't want to think about it but I had this feeling Yukiko was related to that platform. I don't understand why though.

Only one thing we can do. King scratched his head, sighing for the umpteenth time. He made his way over, the black pellets becoming more apparent as he got closer. The pellets felt cold.

Snow? He grabbed the few that fell, accepting the coldness that attacked his hands. He kept going, landing on the platform. The snow fell even heavier in the center. King looked down seeing a red inner circle with a pink ring surrounding it. Yukiko in her kimono, creepily just how she looked before being thrown in the TV. The center of the platform held a pink colored fog.

When he came out the fog, he found himself staring at Amagi Inn. He quickly backed away, the recent memories of today coming back. He quickly noticed that the Inn was nothing like what it was before. First of all the Inn's wall were covered with patches of static. In fact, the floor as well as the sky was covered in patches of static. Even without that the biggest difference was the fact that there was a giant cage surrounding the Inn. King's lips went thin as he slowly looked around. He didn't know what to think but one thing he knew for sure was.

Well I definitely need to talk to Izanami tomorrow.