U-uh. Hi, welcome to Chapter 3...? ;; /unsure of what to say

Um, this chapter is full of both important events and not-so-important events. The not-so-important ones are just kinda reflected on real life I guess, because not events that happen in your life are totally relevant to anything, right? Sorry if that annoys anyone, though. D:

Also, Mitsuaki and Sachi are just randomly made characters to fill up the classroom, but they'll probably be mentioned a few times throughout the story, specifically Mitsuaki.

Anyway, hate to blabber on and on. Enjoy~

Silence grew upon the group as they sat around the table, looking down at the cake uneasily. Chie was focusing on it without expression, blinking occasionally, then set her head down on the table. "Ooooohhh!" Came a muffled cry from Chie, snapping everyone back into reality. Nanako looked at everyone else, then slowly raised her fork to the cake, but was stopped by Kanji's rough hand grasping her wrist gently, urging her to wait.

"I... well, if... you don't mind me asking..." Began Naoto, peering at Yosuke and Souji suspiciously. "Who... made this, and who is it for, exactly? I assumed the cake would be for everybody, but..." She trailed off, and gazed at the cake with disappointment. Yosuke pulled it over and examined the delicate frosting, then began to slowly turn his head to Souji. Souji rose his hands defensively and pushed him away.

"Oh, come on, it's not that bad. I could of written much worse if I wanted to." He said, frowning a little. Yosuke pointed to the cake and stared at him with intensity.

"This isn't bad to you? Look at it!"

Chie x Yosuke

Lovers 'til the end of time~

(Happy Eighteenth!)

Yosuke pushed the cake back, crossing his arms and turning away. He assumed that Souji really was just kidding, and even if we wasn't, did he have to go so far? "I refuse to eat this."

"Yeah, me neither. I don't feel right eating it..." Yukiko stated, but saw from the corner of her eye a knife being raised. She turned her head and saw that it was Chie, cutting into the cake carefully. Her expression said nothing, but she cut into it as if it were her duty. She paused once she saw all eyes were on her and frowned.

"What? Come on, eat up! I know what it says leaves... more to be desired, but, it's just a stupid joke between those two," She said eying Souji and Yosuke. Souji rubbed the back of his head, feeling oddly full of guilt and glanced at Yosuke, who glanced back with eyes full of discontent, causing Souji to sulk and turn away. "Besides, if we don't eat it, that'd be selfish to all those other kids who don't get cakes on their birthday, right?" Chie continued, offering a smile. "So just ignore it and eat!" She said, dropping the piece onto her plate and looked at it. 'Oh, of course I get the piece that has Yosuke's name on it.' She thought sarcastically, scowling a little.

Kanji looked at Chie's piece, then at Chie herself, as she opened her mouth wide and closed her eyes to take a bite. "Um, senpai?" Kanji began, startling Chie a bit as she paused abruptly and opened one eye.

"Yeah?"

"Do you need such a big piece? You might gain a little weight with something that big..." He bluntly stated. Naoto looked at him scornfully and shook her head. Kanji caught this from the corner of his eye and looked downward. "Um, n-nevermind. Forget I ever said that..."

"Whaaat? I... you... uagh, nevermind! Just stop talking and eat!" Chie replied, biting off half the piece forcefully with an expression of annoyance. Her face then brightened, and she smiled. "Oh, heeey, this cake isn't half bad. Good job, Yosuke, I wasn't expecting that from you! Although, you shoulda added candles or something. Oooh, well." She said, taking another bite. Yosuke blinked in response, then blushed slightly and distantly looked at the cake.

"I honestly didn't expect that much from me, either. But, I guess it worked out in the end... slide it over, I want a piece now." He said, raising his fork as Yukiko pushed it over, only after taking her own slice. Yosuke cut into it immediately, but only took a small piece in the corner. Chie caught this and frowned.

"Huh, thas allya want?" She asked, cheek bulging from the large bite she took. Yosuke nodded, and slid the slice over to his plate.

"Yeah, it's your cake, after all." He said, taking a bite. He was surprised himself- Chie wasn't lying, it was pretty good. Not too sweet, but not too bland. That could have been Souji's frosting, though, he considered. "And would you stop eating with your mouth full? It's reaaally freakin' weird!" He added resentfully, then slid the cake over to Souji, who only shook his head and leaned over to Nanako, asking her how big a slice she would like.

"Huh! I can do what I want, especially since it's my birthday." Chie rebutted, then bit into her last piece already. She looked at the cake once again, and noticed that her name was still there. 'Guess I'll have to eat the rest myself...' She thought, feeling a little odd that she wanted Yosuke to eat her name. Blushing in embarrassment, she lifted her eyebrows slightly and looked at Yosuke under her bangs, but he wasn't paying attention. Chie sighed, and stretched her arms, then all of a sudden her grandparents snapped back into her head, reminding herself that she had to tell everyone about her departure. She sighed and cleared her voice.

"Nooow I remember. Guys, I have something I need to tell all of you." Chie said, her vice softening. Yosuke already predicted what she was going to say, but decided to be attentive regardless. Everyone slowly set down their forks, except for Nanako, who seemed to hear Chie but was still nibbling at her slice.

"Alright, well... uh... gee, it's hard to say to more than one person..." She began, smiling bitterly. And glancing at Yosuke as she finished.

"She's going to see her grandparents in Izumo for two months is what she wants to say." Yosuke continued for her with a disillusioned tone. He didn't want her to go, and from the looks of everyone's face as he finished, they didn't want her to go either.

"Why does it have to be for so long...?" Yukiko asked rhetorically with a concerned expression on her face as she stared at her lap. Teddie jumped, his fists clenched together, then lurched across the table.

"B-but that means I have to wait longer until we can go on our lovely dinner...!" He proclaimed, distressed and upset. "And I just don't wanna see you go, anyway..." His expression faded into a more solemn one. He then clung to Kanji, and alligator tears began to seep from Teddie's eyes. Kanji jerked back and pushed him off softly.

"Uh... anyway... that sucks. It's real fun havin' ya around. Won't feel the same without the whole group for a while..." Kanji said, tugging at a strand of his hair and not making eye-contact. He only bit into his slice with a chagrined frown. "Hey!" He called suddenly, now looking directly at Chie with piercing eyes. "You'd better call us if you need anything, alright?" Kanji added softly, smiling now. Chie, surprised and startled, nodded, then bleakly smiled back.

"Of course I will."

Chie and Yosuke waled side-by-side in the darkness after the party ended, generously carrying her bag full of gifts over his right shoulder. The walk had been silent and awkward, which had prompted Yosuke to want to walk faster, but had decided to stay beside her so he could see her and hear the crunching of the grass under her feet.

"Hey, did I tell you guys when I was leaving?" A voice suddenly asked. It took a moment for Yosuke to realize it was just Chie. Yosuke turned to her, but she was still looking forward at the ground, intently tracing out figures with her eyes.

"Now that I think about it... no, I don't think you ever did." Yosuke replied, then began to see her house come into view. He was still eager to just get her there and leave, despite the fact that they were actually conversing now.

"Yeaaah, I thought so. I'll have to call everyone else about it, too..." Chie mumbled under her breath, then continued, "Anyway, I should be gone in three days." She said in a tone that sounded as if everyone wanted her gone. Ignoring it, Yosuke nodded his head slightly.

"Right... sucks it has to be such short-notice, but, hey, three days is enough for all of us to... I dunno, go out and do something fun I guess. Hang around Junes?" He suggested, a smile crawling on his face. Chie turned then with a face of repulsion, and shook her head.

"Uhhh, no." She stuck her tongue out, expressing her disgust. "I wouldn't be able to go, anyway. I'll have to pack and everything each day after school, so, yeah..." Chie looked up and saw that lights were still on in her house and silhouettes were pacing around in various rooms. "Huh. Guess my parents are doing some stuff, too." She said silently to herself. Yosuke frowned, then handed Chie's gifts to her.

"Fine, have it your way. Better be one hell of a fun train ride, then!" He responded lightheartedly and rolled his eyes. Chie did the same, then stopped suddenly and turned.

"Well, anyway... think we're probably close enough. I can take care of myself from here. Thanks for..." She paused, flicking her thumb with her forefinger and biting her lip, searching for the exact words without sounding too forced. "Everything, I guess. You did a lot for me today. Really!" She exclaimed, bouncing on her feet and smiling. Yosuke couldn't help but smile back and nod, then pulled his headphones over his ears to prepare for the tedious walk home.

"Heheh, yeah. Better treasure it though, Chie-chan. Next year, I'm just gonna buy you a swimsuit." He replied, and whether he was serious or not, he didn't know himself- a year sounded like an eternity now.

Chie's lips pressed together and she sighed. "Ohhh, dear..." She mumbled, already imagining it- a skimpy suit that didn't do much coverage in relation to how much she wanted. She shook her head furiously, shaking the thought out of her head, then began to turn. "I don't believe you, but, whatever. Get home safe, 'kay?" Chie waved, then hurriedly walked towards her house. Yosuke waved back, although she was already turned, then turned himself. He walked away as fast as she did, both carrying a different thought in their head:

'I should have done more.'

'You'll be happier without me around.'

In the next early morning, a piercing noise flew about Yosuke's room, snapping him awake almost as soon as the noise had come. Dazedly, Yosuke peered around his room, yawned, then frowned. "...'hell? It's still dark..." He mumbled incoherently, squinting and peering at the clock across his room atop an empty bookshelf. The numbers flashed, causing Yosuke's eyes to pulse irritably. He raised his hand over his eyes and peered through his fingers. "No wonder... it's only four thirty-two..." He lowered his hand, twisted off his covers, and groggily groped his way to the clock. He punched the top with his closed palm and sighed.

"Satisfaction guaranteed my ass... people still buy from Tanaka...?" Yosuke jerked out the clock's cord and tossed it to the side. Deciding to set his cellphone's alarm instead, he started back to his nightstand and sat at the edge of his sofa, sliding his cell off and flicking it open with his thumb. He shielded his eyes again, and could barely read the messages that appeared on the screen.

'thanks... buying me my movie again!'

'decided to watch before I went to sleep'

'if im late tomorrow, I'm probably watching it... again!'

'that's all, later! See ya tomorrow!'

They had all been obviously Chie's. The messages had compelled him to smile, and ironically a new message came up right as he was done.

'Hanamura. . .'

It started, an immediate giveaway it had been from Souji, as he had usually always cordially addressed Yosuke by his last name, unless he was upset or it just slipped.

Yosuke lowered his hand, and blinked in surprise at how quickly the next messages appeared. Sō's a master at everything, Yosuke always told himself.

'I need to talk about something with you tomo- today.'

'It'll be about... several things. Knowing me...'

'You can guess they're both good and bad'

'Sorry for texting so early in the morning, but I didn't want to forget.'

'See you at school, then.'

Eloquent as always, but Yosuke could feel a trickle of sweat sliding down his right temple, recalling the last time Souji had sent a text like this- he had said the good news was the bad news once Yosuke confronted him in person, and Souji had showed him a flier that stated the bookstore that sold under-the-futon-goods was closing.

'The bad news is, you'll be miserable when you hear the news. The good news- for me at least- is that you'll be miserable when you hear the news! . . .what? Sorry, but your reactions are absolute gold.'

Yosuke recalled the moment fondly, grinning solemnly a little, then set his alarm and placed the cellphone back. He slid back onto the sofa, and drifted back to sleep, full of curious thoughts and assumptions.

Yosuke yawned in fatigue during later in the morning as he pushed open the school's door weakly, wanting so much to turn back and curl back into his covers. The rhythmic jingle of his keys and noisy schoolmates had already filled his ears, though, creating a ringing in his ears that had kept him slugging along to class.

"Yo, Hannahmura!" Called a voice from behind him. Yosuke turned only slightly, and sighed under his breath.

"Oh. Mitsuaki-kun. What is it?" Yosuke asked simply, straightening his back to appear more professional. Mitsuaki Aoki had been the only person Yosuke had unfortunately known before moving to Inaba- it came as a surprise and a joy to Mitsuaki, and a surprise with an extra feeling of dread to Yosuke. Yosuke had been the tool of many dangerous experiments Mitsuaki would conjure, as well as the unfortunate soul who had to endure the latter's awful nicknames and teasing. And worst of all, he ended up as an employee of Junes only a few months ago. 'He's a spawn of Satan, I'm pretty sure of it...'

"Well... a few day's ago, I was workin'... you know, restockin' and stuff... then I walk over to another shelf, then I slip and dooown I go! Right on my ass! I'll even prove it to you-" He began to turn and lift his shirt, but Yosuke shook his head furiously and gestured to lower it back.

"N-no, no, no, that... that won't be necessary! I believe you completely, don't worry! But, uh-"

"Y'know, Pan-tan, I totally coulda sued you guys for that if I broke somethin'. Geez, maybe you guys should... I dunno... buy some wet floor signs? After all, you do have enough money..." Mitsuaki rubbed his forefinger and thumb together, grinning.'...Bread-tan? Seriously...?' Yosuke thought, frowning and pinching between his eyebrows.

"Mitsuaki-kun? We do have wet floor signs... thirteen of them, actually..." Yosuke replied, shaking his head slightly. Mitsuaki fixed an expression of false surprise on his face, then smiled.

"Oh, really? Well, I wasn't the one who made the mess, so that doesn't really mean anything, now does it? Whoever was takin' care of the janitorial stuff shoulda been there..." He shrugged arrogantly, then shook his head mockingly. "Gee, maybe I really should-"

"You weren't the one who made the mess?" Interrupted a voice from behind Yosuke, who jerked his head quickly, startled. It was, of course, Souji, who had his head tilted and one hand on his waist. "And drinking out of a water bottle, having it fall from your hand, trying to find the cap, and slipping... isn't your mess?" Souji questioned as if he really didn't know. Mitsuaki raised an eyebrow and slipped his hands in his pockets.

"Oh... uh, mornin', Souji-senpai. Hey, wow, you saw that? Well, uh... I just forgot, I got this situation confused with another one! Oops. It's cause I'm still so sleepy... y'know how that is, right?" Mitsuaki replied, obviously distressed and entirely awake. Souji raised his head and looked at Mitsuaki with no expression at all.

"No, I can't say I know how that is, being tired when I'm not... by the way, your sister was looking for you. Something about paper..." Souji trailed off, and Mitsuaki's face straightened and he sighed.

"Paper? 'hell does she need to talk to me about paper...? Oh, well, uh, thanks! Later Pan-tan!" Mitsuaki called as he ran past the two. Yosuke turned completely to Souji and scowled.

"Paper...?" Yosuke said, and Souji shook his head with a satisfied grin.

"I just made that up, actually. Anyway, morning. Have a good rest?" He asked with a smiled, and started down the hall, Yosuke following.

"Ah, a typical tactic of you, Souji!" Yosuke beamed with a proud wink and a nudge to Souji's shoulder. "And, no, not really... my crappy alarm went off at four, and with all the excitement yesterday..." He continued with a sigh. Souji laughed and patted his brunette friend's shoulder.

"What, you mean that clock you said you bought from Tanaka a few weeks ago? I told you it was a bad idea!" Souji exclaimed with amusement, looking at Yosuke with a wide and jovial smile.

"W-well...!" Yosuke started, then suddenly the text message from four hours ago. "Oh, right. You wanted to talk about something, right?" He asked, noticing Souji's eyes harden and received a dry glance from him.

"Yes, good to see you remembered. After school, though, since class is about to start." He replied, proceeding past the door to their class, and sat in his seat. Yosuke cocked his head curiously, and the bell rang above him, causing Yosuke to jump and hastily take a seat.

"Okay, guys, quiet, quiet! I know I told you all I had something fun planned for today, but there's no need to be so noisy!" Yelled the temporary replacement teacher, Ms. Miura, slapping her palm against a pedestal. After it grew quiet, she sighed with relief and tapped her forehead with her fingers. "Kids... anyway, I know you guys have all been anticipating what I had planned, so, without further ado... for today and tomorrow, you guys'll be working in pairs to take care of a fake baby!" She exclaimed, large groans, distressed cries, and glances between crushes immediately occurring. Yosuke himself glanced at Chie, who was staring ahead of her, and Souji had his eyes focused on Yukiko in anticipation.

Ms. Miura laughed heartily and fixed an expression of deviousness on her face. "Hey, I never said it would be fun for you guys. Although it'd be nice if some of you find it fun, anyway." She, slapping a paper against her right palm and closed her eyes. "Unfortunately for most of you, I won't be letting you pick who you'll be with. Soooo, let's see here..." She held her closed palm to her neck and cleared her throat. "Alright... Nakano and Okada..." She read off first. Neither of the two seemed to be satisfied or dissatisfied, only looking at each other and smiling faintly.

"Aoki and Outani..." She read off next, Mitsuaki nearly falling back in his chair.

"Dear... God, no! M-Ms. Miura, m-me and Hanako are best friends, it just, uh... it wouldn't be right! Give me someone else, please!" He begged, frantically looking back and forth to Ms. Miura and Hanako. Hanako snorted and frowned.

"Uhhhh, no we're not. In your dreams, maybe!" Hanako replied with a repulsive smile. Mitsuaki pulled at his hair and rocked back and forth, screaming through his teeth.

"More like in my nightmares...!" He replied, Ms. Miura grinning at him with amusement, and eyed her paper again.

"Maeda and Kokawa, Ine and Kiyomizu, Arisato and Ishii, Hanamura and Amagi..."

Souji smacked his elbow on his desk and held his head in his palm, turning away from Yukiko. Yosuke sighed in disappointment and looked toward Chie, who was grinning and sticking her tongue out at Yukiko. Yukiko seemed disappointed, but raised no objections.

"Saito and Yokoyama, Seta and Inoue..."

Souji sluggishly began to look around him, and frowned.

"Um... who...?" He asked, and noticed a bored-looking girl looking in his direction. "Oh, yes, Sachi-chan. I was never good with names..." Souji mumbled, then turned to Yosuke with an obvious look of envy. Yosuke penitently smiled back and waved. Souji waved back without an expression and turned his head.

"...and then there's Ichijo and Satonaka. And no, don't any of you even dare come to me after class and beg to switch. Ain't happening. Just try to have fun with it." Ms. Miura stated with an intent tone and stretched.

"Hashajawha-?" Cried Kou's voice from the back of the room. He slowly turned his head to Chie, but immediately turned away when he saw she was looking back at her.

"Aww, poor Kou... he got me instead of Yukiko." Chie said sadly, but seemed to be almost amused. Kou slid in his seat and stared at the floor.

"That's not..." He started in a mumble, and was interrupted by Ms. Miura.

"Alright, got a shipment of babies, right here! Males, come up and get one!" She declared, brandishing a box from under her pedestal and slammed it on the floor. "See that, you guys? That's what you don't do with a baby! Even though it's incredibly fun with plastic ones..." She trailed off as some came up to retrieve the plastic dolls. Yosuke, Kou, and Souji met up at the box and all three stared at each other.

"Lucky bastard." They all said simultaneously, grabbing a dpll and walking back to their partner. Yosuke examined his and jerked his head back in surprise.

"Whoa, I actually got a pretty cute one! Hey Yukiko, what do you think?" He asked and held out the baby. Yukiko didn't respond, though, and instead was looking in Souji's direction.

"What do I think? I wish I would have got-" Yukiko's expression was bitter, and she suddenly turned her head to Yosuke, expression brightening as she eyed the doll. "Oh! You mean the baby..." She replied, then smiled a bit, taking the doll from him. "Oh, you're right, it is pretty cute! What should we name him...? Personally, I like the name Junichi. What do you think?"

Yosuke rubbed the back of his head and shrugged. "I dunno, I never thought of names for a baby... Junichi works, though." Yosuke observed the others around him, watching what others were going to name their baby, or what their baby looked like. Yosuke seemed to luckily have picked the nicest one, and proudly took the doll back from Yukiko, cradling Junichi in his arms.

"Seta... why such an ugly baby?"

"Uh? Well, I did pick randomly from a box..."

"That's not the point. Go up there and get a cuter one."

"What? No, I'm not going to trade babies. Does it really matter how attractive it is or not...?"

"To me, yes."

"...some mother you'll be." Souji sighed, and turned upon noticing Yosuke looking in their direction. Souji subtly jerked his head in Sachi's direction and mouthed, 'Help me'. Yosuke laughed a bit and walked over to the pair.

"Hey, Sachi-chan." Yosuke eyes their baby as he came over. She wasn't lying, though- it really was ugly, with the exception of the small green eyes that had shone like little gems. "You know, it could be worse. You could have had Kou and Chie's... thing over there." He stepped out of the way and held one arm out towards the two. Souji himself turned, and his back straightened in surprise, then relaxed.

"...is that thing really supposed to look like a baby...?" Souji muttered, then looked towards his own doll. "Er, looking at it now, this th- baby is absolutely gorgeous. Am I wrong, Sachi?" Souji asked, laughing nervously and offering a facetious smile. Sachi looked at the baby, holding it upward to the ceiling and fixing her eyes upon it.

"Eh, I guess it doesn't look that bad if you really look at it. Really look at it..." She said, mumbling and pushing it in Souji's arms. "You name it or something." She then kicked back in her seat and stared out the window.

"What? ..hm, well, I've always liked. . ." Was all Yosuke could hear before recalling Mitsuaki's wonderfully unfortunate luck and decided to check up on him and Hanako. He walked behind Mitsuaki, still cradling Junichi, and peered over his shoulder. It was surprisingly average, considering the mother.

"...er, wow. I'm surprised I managed to pick one that's even somewhat average looking. Y'know, with you being the mother and all..." Mitsuaki said as he watched Hanako hold the 'baby' in her arms. "Please don't strangle it." He added with a worried expression. Hanako snorted and squeezed doll more.

"Of course it looks good! It has all of my traits after all. It'd be ugly if it had any of yours." She said with a smile. Mitsuaki groaned and held his head in his hands.

"If by all you mean almost none..." He mumbled as he turned and separated his fingers, making out the figure of Yosuke between them, and completely removed his hands to observe Junichi. Mitsuaki surprisingly smiled and bowed awkwardly. "Wow, Hannahmura, I'm surprised! You got a pretty hot baby there." He said, patting the doll on the head. Yosuke eyed Mitsuaki with a disgusted expression at his description. Was it even possible for a baby to be that kind of attractive?

Mitsuaki remained unresponsive for a while, until he crossed his arms and frowned. "Hot in baby standards." He corrected, but Yosuke continued to look at him with the same expression. Mitsuaki threw his arms up in the air and sighed. "Fiiine, cute, cute, I meant cute. Geez." He said finally, Yosuke looking at him with a smile now.

"Thaaat's better. Anyway, I just came by to see how you and your wife are doing. Treat her well, man." Yosuke replied with a playful wink and started back to Yukiko, who was watching Sachi carefully, although Sachi had still only been looking out the window and responding to Souji's occasional questions. Yosuke almost felt hurt, but he couldn't blame her- he wanted to be with Chie as much as she wanted to be with Souji, but without an excuse, what could they do about it?

The lunch bell sound throughout the entire school, silence through the halls for only a brief moment, then a sudden explosion of excited noise as people pushed past the doors to locate friends and/or eat outside.

Yosuke walked out with Souji, holding Junichi in his arms as they started toward the roof. "So, what'd you bring for us today, Souji?" Yosuke asked, nudging his elbow and smiling. "Pleaaaase, no onigiri today... I've had that so many times now, if I even look at it I might barf..." He held his stomach and lurched over exaggeratedly, Souji laughing in response.

"No, and I'm glad I didn't if that's the case! Just some yakitori I made before going to sleep. Hopefully it's not dry like last time..." Souji replied with a sigh, upset at his own failure. Yosuke shrugged, not excited nor upset. Yosuke had only usually been exceptionally excited when Souji announced he was bringing domburimono, although unfortunately as Souji didn't bring it very often.

"Yakitori, huh? I hear Naoto can fix up some pret-ty good yakitori! Pretty surprising, considering the other girls can only make... rat poison and death." Yosuke said, fondly recalling the tastes of their previous dishes in his mouth, namely Mystery Food X. Whatever had really been the ingredients for that, Yosuke would never inquire out of fear he'd never be able to taste those ingredients the same way again. "Speaaaking of the girls, where are they? They're usually always with us when we're going to the roof..." He looked around his for their two bright sweaters, but to no avail. Souji shrugged, and looked down the hall.

"I would help you look for them, but I have to get the yakitori. I forgot I had put it in my locker … see you at the roof when I get back." Souji jogged away from Yosuke in the opposite direction, and disappeared behind crowds of people. Yosuke sighed, but smiled at his friend's forgetfulness. He put his hand at his chin and and thought, then had a feeling of stupidity sweep over him.

"...the bell just rang, so, obviously, they're still in class. It doesn't get any simpler than that..." Yosuke mumbled under his breath, then turned and walked back to the doorway, peeking his head in. Of course, they were there in the back of the room, Chie sitting on the top of her desk, and Yukiko looking straight into her eyes with a serious expression. "Hey, you know the bell-" He started, Chie and Yukiko immediately jerking their head toward him in alarm.

"Yeah, yeah, we know. Me and Yukiko just have to talk about something for a sec. We'll be at the roof in a few minutes, as usual." Chie said, smiling and nodded slightly. Yukiko smiled a little too, but appeared to be uncomfortable. Her gaze was on the floor rather than at Yosuke, which gave Yosuke a feeling of suspicion and an urging to ask about their discussion, but he only shrugged.

"Well, alright, then. Souji made yakitori today, so you better get up there before Hanako smells it!" Yosuke joked, and peeked his head back out, but remained on the wall. He couldn't help himself- he was still curious, and Yukiko had only made the curiosity worse.

Yosuke put his ear to the wall and shut out all other sounds, concentrating on their voices.

"...well, anyway... I know it's strange... but, I was hoping that it would be me and Souji. Sachi just made him do all the work..." Yukiko said as if she was pouting, and she likely was, since Chie let out a short, stifled laugh.

"Well, I can't blame you... I didn't want to be with Kou. I mean, he's not a bad guy, it's just..." She sighed, and silence hung over them for a while.

"Chie... you like Yosuke, right?" Yukiko asked suddenly, and Yosuke's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. 'Where had that even come from?' Yosuke asked himself, becoming even more intent on listening now.

"W-wha-?"

"W-well, to be honest, when you get down to it, it's pretty obvious..." Yukiko added, with slight amusement in her voice. 'No, it isn't!' Yosuke retorted in his mind. Silence again.

"...no. No, I don't like Yosuke. A-actually, I..." Chie finally replied sullenly. Yosuke ceased listening, all the voices and noise in the hall obscuring the rest of their conversation. '...what...? So it's not just Saki-senpai... it's Chie, too?' Yosuke thought, covering his mouth and staring at his shoes, gripping Junichi tighter. All he wanted to do now was scream, scream so loud the world could hear him. Why had feelings always been fake? Why had his luck always seemed to rise, only to plummet? Was Souji only pretending along with the rest? Yosuke wanted answers, but he knew that there would be none. He shut his eyes tight, and stiffly started toward the roof, not paying any mind to anyone or anything. He was alone now.

Obscured laughter and barely-audible discussions flew in and out of Yosuke's ears as he walked through the halls after school to his locker. He twisted the dial and yanked it open, the locker door banging on the one next to it. He steadily balanced Junichi in one arm and dragged books out of his locker with his other, then slammed the door shut with his head. He was still upset and remained quiet during the lunch period, to the surprise and curiosity of the others. Souji had been the only one who even attempted to cheer him up and make him talk, patting Yosuke on the back and offering most of his lunch.

"I don't know what's the matter with you, but I guess you'll be able to tell me soon." Said Souji as he approached Yosuke from behind. Yosuke turned quickly and walked past Souji without a greeting.

"Yeah, I guess so. Where do you want to talk?" Yosuke asked bitterly. He wasn't mad at Souji- and now even felt bad for questioning his trust earlier- but he certainly wasn't in a good mood, either. All these lies, all these questions Yosuke desired answers to- they angered him more than anything now.

Souji seemed startled by Yosuke's attitude, as he stood and stared in Yosuke's direction for a moment, then finally joined him at his side. "The Samegawa River Bank should work. Is that okay?" Souji asked, looking at him with a tinge of worry. No response. Souji bit his lip waiting for an answer. "...will you please just tell me what's wrong, Yosuke?" He finally yelled out of frustration. Souji's voice was filled with an unfamiliar weakness in it that startled Yosuke and caused him to be overcome with a feeling of regret for ignoring what seemed to be the only person he could trust. 'He said my name... he really is upset, then. ...dammit! Upsetting people left and right... Good going, Yosuke.' Yosuke scolded himself, and glanced at Souji apologetically.

"...I'll tell you when we get to the river. Sorry, man..." Yosuke replied, his pace slowing. He stared at his feet without emotion. He didn't even know how he felt now- was it anger, sadness, regret? More questions to go unanswered.

The current of the river was crystal clear and without a spot of trash clinging onto the edges of the grass as it merged with the water. The flowing of the water was both noisy and peaceful to Yosuke as he closed his eyes and listened, forgetting the purpose of why he was even here, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Yosuke's eyes flicked upon and he turned to Souji drowsily.

"Once again, you forget why were even here... last I recall, I was supposed to be the forgetful one." Souji said with a soft smile. Yosuke sighed and smiled back, leaning forward and peering into the water.

"Well..." Yosuke replied, humored and feeling slightly better. He looked up at Souji who was looking away now, eyes looking past the river and expression enigmatic. Yosuke leaned his head to the side, watching Souji's face for any twist in emotion, but Souji only turned back, expression now the same as it usually was.

"Uh...? What-" Yosuke started, but was interrupted by Souji.

"Yosuke, what happened earlier? Before you came to the roof? You didn't say a word, no matter how hard anyone tried to force you to speak... it was unusual," Souji said, eyes diverting away from Yosuke in thought. "We were a bit worried, especially me. It's not lunch without you spouting off like a hose." Souji pressed his lips together, sincerity in his words and eyes. Yosuke hesitated and rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah, I could tell... but, I..." Yosuke closed his eyes tightly, recalling Yukiko and Chie's conversation word for word. "I was looking for the two, and they were still in class..."

"They?"

"Chie and Yukiko... I asked them to come to the roof, but apparently they were talking about something pretty important, because Yukiko wasn't even looking at me..." Yosuke sighed and stopped, Souji now eying him with concern and waiting patiently.

"...yes, go on. I'm listening to everything you say."

"...sorry. Well, I... decided to eavesdrop just a little, and they were talking about me. Yukiko asked Chie if she liked me and... she said no. Twice, actually..." Yosuke's voice began to quiver and he began to shake, until Souji gripped Yosuke's arm tightly and stared at him.

"Pull it together, you. Maybe she just meant-"

"No, Souji! You weren't there! Her voice, how she phrased it... everything... she was going to say she hated me. I know it. I'm sure of it. It's just like Saki, all over again!" Yosuke exclaimed with agony, shutting his eyes again. "Except... except one is..."

"Hanamura, I understand. Alright? You don't need to go on. But, you can't be sure... she didn't actually say she hated you, right? So, she could of just been surprised. Why would Yukiko ask a question like that out in the open?" Souji replied, offering a smile and patting his friend's back. Yosuke sighed and shook his head, but relaxed more, and slowly began to lean back.

"I don't know... I don't understand much of anything now..." Yosuke stretched and leaned forward again, watching the current as it rolled past the rocks and out of view. "I guess you could be right, but, even so..." He said, dipping his finger into the water and swirling it around. Silence lingered for a while after until Souji felt Yosuke was feeling better.

"...this... well, it leads me to another question. You don't mind, do you?" Souji asked, crossing his arms and frowning, looking into the current as Yosuke did.

"No, not really. Go ahead, shoot."

"...alright, well... Hanamura, answer me seriously. Do you love Chie?" Souji didn't turn to him or move at all, intent on getting a straight answer. Yosuke stopped twirling his finger in the water and turned slightly to Souji.

"H-huh? Of course I do. You'd know more than anyone!" Yosuke exclaimed with confusion and searched Souji's face for any sign of humor, but Souji's question was filled with all the seriousness in the world, it appeared.

"Then, do you love Saki?" Souji asked after some time, only now glancing with a saccade at Yosuke, but not turning his head.

"...yes? Everyone knows that one..."

"Then, you don't love Chie?"

"What? I just told you, I do!" Yosuke replied, taken aback by Souji's odd behavior.

"Then you don't love Saki. Is that right?"

"N- tch, Souji, what are you even talking about?" Yosuke frowned and only now Souji turned.

"Hanamura, it's impossible to have romantic interests at two people that you apparently feel so seriously for. One 'love' has to either be a cover to avoid acknowledging you really love the other, or that love is only just so you can say you love someone although you actually do not, or it's just a little crush and you think it's love. You have to pick one or the other, there is no option to pick both," Souji said, now staring into Yosuke's eyes over the rim of his glasses, causing a look that was intimidating. Yosuke analyzed Souji's words, but didn't understand. It didn't feel impossible, or fake, not for either of the girls. Although now Yosuke did think; what was love, exactly? Were these feelings it, or what his subconscious believed was love?

"I... I honestly don't know. Who do you want me to choose?"

"Choose? I don't want you to choose anyone, I want you to confirm!" Souji said, voice rising and eyes growing rougher as he spoke. Yosuke flinched, startled by Souji's tone of voice and sighed. He stared back into the current and his mind traveled back to Chie's words. He closed his eyes thoughtfully and looked up at Souji.

"Saki. Saki-senpai is the one I love." Yosuke responded. Souji's eyes softened and gave a slight nod, carrying an expression that Yosuke couldn't tell if it was satisfaction or disapproval. Souji turned back to the river, that now seemed to become more violent than calm. Yosuke sat still now, unsure himself of whether the answer he gave was true or not. He leaned back and closed his eyes, mind filled with thoughts and sounds as he drifted into dreams of what could be and what could have been.