A/N: I am making up for all the lost time. I could have, no, should have finished this years ago. But hey, better late than never? I only wish people like ElectricOutcast were still around. Loved their stuff and would have enjoyed seeing their thoughts. Hopefully they return too. But anyway, this is one filler chapter where someone made a suggestion or rather, implied I would do this. I didn't plan it initially, but now... it feels so fitting. And it was super fun to right.

Chapter 42

03/16

One more day after today... it would all be over. School was coming to its end and they were out of time. This was the end of the line for the team in their school life with their Leader. The one who helped them in so many ways. Sure, he won't leave their lives forever, but this time was never fully appreciated thanks to murder mystery. Yet it can be said because of the tragedies that they found each other. They all love each other, despite the bickering, despite the butting of heads… and he was the anchor of it all. Who would have guessed there would be students dreading school coming to an end. You don't expect that out of any student… well, except those who may be graduating. But none of them were. That's what made this pretty unusual. But if you knew these circumstances… anyone can understand why. To outsiders, they were just a varied group of victims of society's misconceptions and premature judgements. But they've grown beyond that. And it's thanks to both him and each other for supporting one another and believing that they can be great people despite the flaws that hurt them.

This love for her Senpai is why Rise requested to have a private lunch with Yukiko atop the school roof; the Spring-like sun was comforting. Perhaps due to their time in playing Detective made Rise think this way, but certain moments with Souji bothered her. Especially last week. She had to tell someone. At least she can tell Yukiko in case she saw this happen to her as a precaution. The idol was elaborating her of the recent incident while she helped Souji for early White day preparations.

"I see… to bring her up in that area is so strange." She then recalled what had happened between the two during Christmas. But… she couldn't tell Rise that. It was a private moment and well… this is Rise. This might sting. She had to think about this… "Didn't you say there was another incident?"

"Oh, yeah! During Christmas when I told him to meet up at Junes, he told me he had a bad dream…" Rise already had a feeling Yukiko was with him that morning. But by now, she was fine with this relationship. But of course it felt like an awkward subject all the same.

"Yes, Souji-kun told me about it. He elaborated it for me not too long ago." And so she would describe the dream as he was best able. A twisted nightmare of Nanako's kidnapping, the crash between Dojima and Namatame… and the worst ending that came from it.

Rise had a soft gasp escape her lips, hand covering her mouth. "That's so…" she felt a cool wind blow behind her.

"He told me he dreamed about it again during our walk back during White Day. I'm wondering if he blames himself for it."

"Senpai… I had no idea he still could be harmed by that. Nanako is safe and she's forgotten about it." She looked away, wondering if this truly was eating away at him. "Can we talk to him about it?"

"I want to, but I worry he may distance himself if we confront him. Especially since he's leaving soon."

"Hm… it feels like a bad thing to let him dwell on it." It was, but there was one thing they could do for him. And she just realized what it is. "Then let's be there for him no matter what. If he feels bad, I'll just cheer him up. That's what our group does best."

"Mhm. I'll be counting on you, Rise-chan."

"You too, Yukiko-senpai!" The rest of their lunch would pass and it was back to the classrooms for them!

03/17

At the Police station, Dojima was receiving a call from the clerk about something in regards to someone demanding to speak to him over the phone. The person was of importance so the clerk believed it had to be work related in regards to a case. Things were still busy because of Adachi and the fallout of this case, so he hoped he would be left alone… but this one was persistent, apparently.

With a sigh, he waited for the line to transfer over. He wants to get this over with. He actually might get home early tonight.

"Detective Dojima speaking."

"Ah, Ryotaro-san! It's been too long!"

"A-Amagi-san?" This was who forced her way through to his line?

"Aww, are we so unfamiliar these days you refer to me by my last name again? I'm hurt, Ryo-san." She shook her head, disappointed.

"That's not the main issue. I was told this was gonna be important, so tell me what's all the hubbub."

"Well, then I suppose I should get to my point, then." Just what was the Okami-san scheming…?

Back at the school, the team was making their way to the Hill. Teddie would meet up with them there. They all would take the bus from the district together and Teddie was already by the stop. Finally, the whole gang's here for their last memory as a Team. The drive felt too short, their banter was all that echoed through its hull. As they disembarked, the view was worth a million yen to them! The town's position, the mix of white clouds and blue skies, the trees just letting leaves grow into their peak green… perfection. Naoto, with the help from Yosuke, would set up the camera and the tripod. Finding a perfect flat spot to keep it even was irksome, but the job was done. Next, they would leave it to the right hand man to figure out their ideal positions for the shot. Yosuke would stare into the preview as he ordered the girls around. "Okay, so from the right to left…" he observed their heights and started with the tallest. "Yukiko, be on my right side." She would step forth with meek steps. "Then, going left… Rise, Chie, Naoto, and… Teddie. Those are all the shorter people. Just so we don't accidentally cover your faces." Everyone would line up properly, to which Yosuke would give an "okay" hand gesture.

"Alright, us taller guys are next. So, Kanji, go right behind Yukiko and Rise more or less… then you can be dead center, Souji. And I'll be next to ya!" As the two got into position, Yosuke would offer a thumbs up.

"Great! Now, I'm gonna set the timer to ten seconds. So be ready when I say go!" He had to get into position quickly, but he was ready to go. "Everyone ready?" Each one of them would nod as they settled into position, relaxing their bodies with Rise putting hands on both her senpais around her.

Yosuke would press the button and hurry into position, the timer ticking down as everyone counted the seconds in their heads. And as they hit zero… snap!

The photo was taken properly on the first try! No blinking, weird movement, or anything like that. It looked great in the preview image.

"It looks good, guys. Naoto, you taking this back?"

"Yes. Right away. I made sure to call for my ride before we began. Does anyone need a way back home? I can ask Yakushiji-san to bring some back." Her two fellow first years would both volunteer. But the rest didn't wish to go.

"I'm gonna stick around for a bit here." Yosuke wanted to reflect by himself, but it seems Chie had other plans.

"I'll stick around here too, then."

"Me, three!' Teddie would butt in, causing the three to bicker.

"My home is close by. I promised to help tonight so I'll go right now." Yukiko would bow to everyone and leave, the others saying and waving to her as she didn't look back. Souji was the last to decide, and it seems this may be a good time to come home and see Nanako.

"I'll go with you all if you don't mind. I'll walk home from the Shopping District, however."

"Very well, Senpai." Naoto nodded, having pocketed the camera in her jacket and starting to fold up the tripod.

Minutes later, the esteemed "Phantom Thief" would arrive in a dark blue car to take everyone back. The ride was a bit too chatty for his liking, but he couldn't help but smile.

"Shirogane-sama will be so happy to see this photograph you've taken."

"Yes… I can't wait to see it printed on film."

"I have frames ready for your friends to all have them all in. The Master believed they would all want one for themselves."

"Oh, that's wonderful." She nodded, looking at the mirror to see them all chatting it up with Senpai. Rise wouldn't stop hounding Souji. Naoto couldn't help but giggle. And Kanji… seemed less on edge. He looked better when he was confident.

Everyone was dropped off as Naoto would be driven off by her attendant. They all waved the vehicle off as they too would part. Souji would arrive home minutes later. Seeing Nanako outside already with a change of clothes. Was she going to sleep at a friend's house? She was talking about that once school was over before…

"Oh, big bro!" She spotted him and ran over to give him a hug as strong as he did for her.

"Nanako… I'm home. What's going on?" As he asked that, the older Dojima would step outside of the house, Souji did not realize his repaired car was in the garage already.

"Oh, hey. Welcome back. You should get some clothes ready." What brought this on? A spontaneous family trip? No, this was too late. He had to return soon.

"What?"

"Yeah. We got somewhere to go. It's better if I show you." This was… interesting.

Meanwhile, at the Amagi Inn. Yukiko was dressed in her classic pink Kimono. Her mother was being more pushy however. They seemed to have booked an important guest. Some big shot from downtown was coming here with his family, but Kaede didn't give a name.

They had a string of bad customers. And as much as she wanted to call Souji for them like he suggested, setting them straight herself was the right thing to do as the future Okami-san of this ryokan.

The two were now up front at the door to greet the guests who would arrive any second. It seems Kaede received word they would arrive shortly.

Yukiko could see three silhouettes at the door. An adult male, a young daughter, and another male… could it be? No way…

The door would open and lo and behold… the Dojima family.

"Welcome!" Kaede would bow, but Yukiko was too flabbergasted to speak. As if she was hit by the silence status.

"M-Mother, what's going on!? Why are they here?" Yukiko would get interrupted from a charging little seven year old.

"Big sis!" Nanako was smothered into her Kimono.

"Nanako-chan-!?" The Okami-san had such mischief in her eyes as she saw her daughter get cut off from her chance to question her power play.

"Amagi-san… don't tell me you didn't tell her?" Dojima would sound a bit like he was interrogating the proprietor.

"Uncle… you didn't even tell me."

"Because she insisted I didn't say. To surprise you." He felt a bit of second hand embarrassment from how this was playing out.

"Oh come now, I told you to call me by my first name." She tried to sound so whiny, albeit with sarcasm. "There's nothing wrong with this. You solved the murder case, Ryotaro-san! And that means a lot to us, so this is but a small reward." She would clap her hands. "And besides, little Nanako-chan is happy to be here. Aren't you, little one?" She would turn to the small child still clinging on to her daughter.

"Mhm! I love my Big Sister!"

"So cute! You sure you want to deny our offer? You'd break the young girl's heart!" She would pet the girl on her head, turning to see Dojima furrow his brow and have his fingers on each temple, eyes covered.

A loud sigh would escape his lips. "Alright, you win." He figured it out. She has both his arm and her own daughter's twisted to her design. She's scary.

"And you, Souji-chan? Any objections?"

"No, Ma'am." He would rather one on one duel the Reaper than argue against her.

"Wonderful! Your room is ready! Oh, Kasai-chan!" She clapped her hands, and out popped the close maid.

"Oh, welcome, Dojima family! Dinner is about to begin, so please come with me! We shall take your belongings to your room." She would escort them all, the littlest one between the two men. Souji would give Yukiko a confused look. What did he walk into here? What was Kaede's scheme? "Come, come! We need to get you changed first!"

As they were eating, Yukiko would go to the room that would soon be occupied by the family. Their belongings were placed inside, but her pressing matter was with her mother.

"Mother… What's the meaning of this?" She could tell that her mother was trying to rile her up, but this is excessive.

"Oh? Why do you think that? Is it not wrong to credit the one who solved the incident that happened in our inn like this?" She still remembers when the police explained the story that Adachi told them. That she was taken from the Inn, killed, and her body laid atop in the ocean of mist for all to see when it would fade away… She still felt bothered by that revelation, but now… She felt it was a nice way to pay Dojima some respect for his efforts. And yes, she did want to see that embarrassed look from Yukiko. "And the Shirogane heir deserves credit too. I was going to extend an invitation to the family as well, but the one who answered my call said that the owner of the estate and his granddaughter had plans that could not be altered."

"Naoto-kun?" Oh, she realized it must be because of the photo they took recently.

"Yes, that's her! Now I recall… she was the one with you all in October."

"But… you don't have any ulterior motives?" She's caught on to the fact that Kaede has a bad habit of embarrassing her daughter in front of Souji. It's almost a running gag at this point.

"Nonsense! That embarrassment is all on you, dear. I'm just doing what a good mother should do, and that is supporting my dear daughter's desire to attain happiness."

Yukiko's eyes gave the same skeptical look; no, even more so now. "Right…"

"Do you not want this? It could be your last chance to be around him before he leaves." She sighed, thinking of her own husband's time leaving the town for a while.

"Mother…?"

"Your eyes remind me of my own, dear." And she didn't mean that physically; on a genetic level. That was obvious. "Come with me, dear. I believe it's time for us to talk." Her tone shifted. Her mischief was always there. She did enjoy seeing her daughter get flustered. It reminded her that she was growing up. Her regrets of having Yukiko devoid of emotion as a young girl. As unorthodox as this is… it was her own way of helping Yukiko be "normal". Well, at least her own way of that. Now that mischievous nature was pushed back. More pressing matters were at hand.

The Okami-san would enter the hall where people were eating, finding the Dojimas and Souji close by. She would sit beside them to make a request.

"Ryotaro-san, may I borrow your daughter? It's about to be the womens' hour for baths and I'd be honored if she can join my owsn daughter and I." She wasn't joking this time.

"Sure. Nanako, do you want to go?"

"Yeah!" She was quick to answer as she stood up even quicker.

"Lovely. I'll have her back to your room soon. Kasai-chan will escort you when you're ready." She would rise up. "Come along, Nanako-chan. Yukiko is waiting for us."

"Yay!" She was even more excited than when she first got here. She was quite the bundle of energy, as if making up for the time lost.

Minutes later, the three would be in the Hot Spring, a few other women in different parts also enjoying it, but the three were all to themselves.

"Isn't this wonderful, Nanako-chan?" Kaede would exhale. It never got old, enjoying the springs after a hard day's work.

"Mhm! It's amazing, Amagi-san!"

"You're such a polite girl. Your father must be so proud of you."

"Mhm, I love Dad alot! And he loves me too!" She was such a resolved spirit. 'Gods bless her heart,' the Okami-san thought.

"Big Sis!" She would push herself closer to Yukiko. "I love you too!" She was more affectionate than usual.

"N-Nanako-chan!" Yukiko blushed from the sudden admiration from the child.

"Aw, has my daughter been nice to you, Nanako-chan?" Now these details are absolutely things she wants to hear.

"Yeah! Big Sis always loves to play with me. All of Big Bro's friends are so nice." When she elaborated to the point when it was her darkest time in the hospital, even the Facade wearing Okami-san found it so inspiring. She's so strong. The girl shows so much sincerity and courage for one so small.

"Nanako-chan… you are always welcome here, my dear. You are practically family to Yukiko and I." The Okami-san would declare.

"Thank you, Amagi-san!" She would give a smile, ear to ear, but another girl's call got her turning. "Miwa-chan!?" Her friend was here too with her own mother! "Amag-san, Big Sis, can I go play with my friend?" She was already treating them like family figures. Like an Aunt and… a Big Sister.

"Of course. We'll be waiting for you." The girl would then swim over to see her friend from class. "That girl… she's so endearing. I'd almost want to adopt her into the family if not for the wrath of Ryo-chan." She laughed, her daughter looking puzzled.

"Mother… She's a strong girl. She makes some adults look childish."

"I can see that. She was raised well. Perhaps one day I'll share some stories with her about her mother."

"You knew her mother?"

"Of course. We weren't best friends or anything, but I had some interactions with her back in the day. When Inaba had an Archery club." Decades prior, the school had traditional sports, but the wave of the West shifted the popularity until western sports like Basketball took over.

"So you were teammates?"

"Mm, she treated it as a hobby, much like myself so we got along." She felt the corner of memories flood back to her. But now was not the time to reminisce.

"My dear… I see you in her." in reference to Nanako.

"You… do?"

"Mm. She's so compassionate. Despite the trauma that afflicted her in November, she might be even stronger. She's more honest than when I first saw her in October. Some would change drastically from something so horrifying… yet she marches on, unphased."

"Yes… Nanako-chan's so strong. I feel weak compared to her sometimes."

"Nonsense!" She scoffed at her daughter's downplay of her will. "You were gone for days, dear. Your father and I had worried ourselves to death about you… but you came back to us, and you've shown us such growth since then. I know you don't want to tell us what happened and I accept that… but you insisted things were well. And since then, you've grown so much. You stood up to those 'reporters', spoke your honest feelings to us time and time again, and that boy… you've helped him grow too." She knew her daughter wasn't the sole reason. All their other friends have definitely played a part. She could tell. "When I saw him in April, his eyes looked… hollow. As if with no drive, no desire…" Yukiko's spine would shiver, as she recalled someone else that had such hollow eyes. That boy Mitsuo Kubo who murdered her homeroom teacher, King Moron. Souji was not to that degree, but after seeing that boy, the madness of Namatame's hollow justice, and how isolation groomed Adachi's nihilism, she was seeing the big picture. How important it was that they all were together. "Now when I see those same eyes, I see a man with interest, integrity, and hope."

"Mother…"

"I see myself in you, dear. You look at him the same way I looked at your father when I was young. But I wish to tell you something; but first, a question… Do you sincerely love him?"

"Yes, mother. I do."

"Good. Do you wish to spend time with him?" Her mother's tone grew serious, despite watching the girls away from them playing in the water.

"...I want to."

"But he's leaving soon, yes? I heard from Kasai-chan that this was around the time he would be gone… soon, real soon."

"Yes. On the 21st of March, he will go back home."

"Mm… are you fine with him going?"

"...I have to be." That answer said a lot more than the few words the Heiress spoke.

"I see… Yukiko, I must tell you something. Words I had to learn on my own; words my own mother didn't tell me." She turned to face her, looking straight into those dark eyes. "You must let go."

"Let go…? You don't mean…?"

"Of course not, dear." To force her daughter to break her own heart…? Unthinkable. "No, Yukiko… I want you to understand that in life, we must always be ready to let go. It's a hard thing. Always easier said than done… but when he leaves, you must be willing to let go. Or the hurt will never cease."

"I… don't want him to go, though." Yukiko splashed the water slightly from her hands falling into the watter too quickly, the ripples traveling down the rest of the spring.

"Yukiko, when your father left for the first time, I cried for days… but I realized something. Though he was gone to study, he studied for me, for the family, to win the approval of my parents… But despite all that, I knew he cared for me. The time we spent together was proof of that." She inched closer to her child. "It's okay to feel sad that he's going. But do you think that's truly the end? You can't let the past control you, dear."

Yukiko's eyes widened. She realized it now. The final piece was put into the puzzle.

"Mother…"

"Yes, dear?"

"I… I'll be fine then. I'll be ready for that day. I might cry, but… I will be fine." Kaede smiled, her daughter's resolve was back.

"That's my girl. If he's the man I think he is. He will always come back. He might scale Mt. Fuji itself just to see you too." She would laugh at her own remark. "Ohoho… I would love to see that."

Yukiko shook her head. "Then… the reason you brought them over was…?"

"I said my reasons already, dear. You shouldn't doubt your mother like that."

"Of course…" She smiled, totally seeing through her ruse… at least, so she told herself.

Nanako would come back over, the two seeing Miwa-chan exiting with her mother.

"Big Sis! …Are you okay?" She noticed Yukiko's eyes looking a little red. Kaede was impressed. She was so sharp.

"I'm fine, Nanako-chan. I'm better now that you are here."

"Aw, did you wanna play too?" Her spirit was so pure. The Okami-san saw a little bit of Chisato in her… That compassion was infectious, unmatched.

"Sure. I don't mind." There was some time after all.

As time would be close to expiring, the three would dry off and change, the two escorting Nanako to her room. Dojima and Souji were chatting at their table inside as they saw the Manager before their door.

"Excuse us." She would be on the floor, bowing before sliding the door open. Nanako would burst in immediately, her down and not in pigtails.

"Big Bro! Dad! It's your turn!"

"Ahaha… right. Are we going in, Souji?"

"Sure. I'm ready."

"Worry not, dear guest. Yukiko will be here with your daughter, so please enjoy yourselves." Dojima would nod, walking over to the Hot Springs.

"Thank you, Amagi-san."

"...And thank you, Souji-chan." …She forgot to tell him to call her Kaede. Why must these Dojima men be so stubborn?

The two would arrive, as it seems they were one of the first to enter. Only a couple of others got here before them.

"A quieter bath, eh? These used to be more packed back then." Not like he's complaining. The Patriarch would step inside with Souji following behind him, the opposite side of where Yukiko and Kaede were an hour ago.

"You've been here before, yeah?" He would ask his nephew, to which the Wild Card flinched at the question. The pelting from buckets still haunts him.

"Yeah. It was a unique experience."

"Right…"

"Uncle, do you know Amagi-san personally?" He recalled her words back in April, but he wanted his perspective.

"Yeah. We went to school together. Your Mother was a third year when I was a first year. Amagi-san was no life of the party, but she wasn't like this. She seems more… outspoken these days." She was more pushy than before. Today was proof of it. "She practically forced me to come here. If I didn't, she planned to tell my bosses to have them do it. Ha, that would have been a story to remember." Being forced to take a break. That's unusual, indeed.

"I see. She's always been like this since I met her. Especially when she learned I was dating Yukiko."

"I wonder if there's a connection with that." The Detective almost put his metaphorical hat on. "Eh, I'm off the clock. We can worry about that later." He chuckled, the sound of the door behind them opening. Looks like more guys are coming.

The men would sigh, feeling stress melt away as someone recognized Souji upon entering the water.

"Souji-san?"

"Huh? Yoshida-san, it's surprising to see you here." It was Masato! The Chef being at the Inn wasn't surprising, but being in the hot springs was.

"Who's this?" Dojima would ask as the cook would move closer to them.

"Oh, I'm Masato Yoshida. I'm a new chef at the Inn. My shift is over, so I came here before I would depart for home."

"Ryotaro Dojima, Inaba PD. I'm Souji's uncle."

"Ohhh, you must be the VIP Kaede-san spoke of."

"Is that so?" Perhaps this was Dojima's chance to get some details.

"She told us a big shot of the Inaba PD was coming with his family, so we needed to bring our best. I didn't think that would include Souji-san."

"Small world, it seems. But I'm no Big shot. I'm just a normal Detective."

"My apologies, Dojima-san. Kaede-san insisted otherwise."

"It's alright, don't worry. You know, you're pretty young for a cook. You in college?"

"Part time, yes. This helps me test skills I learn as I eventually take them to a culinary school later down the road."

"Smart and responsible. I can respect that. But you seem a bit too young for that." His hat was on now, seeming suspicious of the cook.

"Uncle, lay off him. He's a good person." Souji would step in, not letting that Detective's intuition get in the way of this good time.

"Sorry about that. It's a nagging habit."

"Oh, no offense taken, sir." Masato tried to shrug it off, but his body language was subtle enough to get any Detective's attention.

"Is this a special occasion? You taking a break now that school is finished, Souji-san? Yasogami will be back in your life before you know it." He doesn't know, it seems.

"Oh, about that…" Souji would explain that he will be leaving in a few days.

"What? That's unfortunate. Just when it seemed I got a good arcade buddy…"

"Yeah, I forgot to mention that. Sorry."

"Oh, it's fine. I mean, I'm from the city too, so I have an idea of what moving is like. But I hope your other friends will be able to hang out too."

"Go ahead and ask them. I'm certain they're game for some arcade action." …Was that a pun?

"I'll have to ask Yukiko-san for that then. I never did ask for their numbers or anything." He seemed to look away.

The two would chat while Dojima relaxed as best he could. Minutes would pass and he would tell his Nephew. "Hey, you ready to head out?" Souji nodded, then turned over to his newer friend.

"If I come back, maybe we can hang out again."

"That would be fine with me." Masato would have his hand come out from the water to reach out and offer a handshake to Souji. "I'm hoping we can be better friends at that point."

"Yeah." He would grip his hand firmly. "I'm looking forward to it, Masato-san." He nodded, letting go shortly and leaving the Hot Spring.

As the Uncle and Nephew were changing, Souji would ask, "Uncle… Did you see something wrong with him?"

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to come across as rude. I can tell when someone's holding back information, so… ah, never mind. Everyone's got stuff they don't need to share." He tried to let that feeling go.

"I see. Well, shall we get going?"

"Actually, I was going to talk to Amagi-san; I'm wondering where Akio-san is, so go on ahead. Might catch up with him if he's not off doing KG business." Souji would nod and depart once he was ready.

Minutes later, he would arrive at his door, then he saw her. She was tucking Nanako in, the fireball now out of energy. Yukiko was smiling, but it stayed on when she saw him.

She was so beautiful.

"You look like a mother already."

"If anyone else said that… they'd be burned." She said with a sheepish tone, but the intent was clearly violent.

With a playful smirk, he would step forth, and she would rise. The two would embrace then and there. As it finished, Yukiko pulled him to the other side of the room, as it had a spot for them to gaze out at the moon. Its light was mesmerizing.

"Only a few days, hm?"

"Yeah. I might not have much time to do anything. I need to start packing by tomorrow night at least. There's much I have to do and put away."

"I see." She had her arm around him. She… found it hard to let go. "Then I suppose this is the last time we can enjoy our company like this… for now."

"For now? …Yeah." He didn't want her to let go. He wanted to keep her here all night, consequences be damned. Repercussions were a minor inconvenience to him! He wanted her to be by his side. He wanted the present to stay this way. The past is becoming more precious to him.

He doesn't want to leave Inaba.

She would let go of his arm, kissing him on the cheek. She heard the sound of faint footsteps approaching. "I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

The door would slide open. Souji didn't even turn around.

"She's asleep? That's good." Dojima can tell his daughter was content. He just realized he cut a precious moment too short. He should apologize for that later. He hoped to give his nephew more time. Looking back at Nanako, It's pretty difficult getting her to burn herself out like this. But Souji's friends had a habit of giving her the best days she's ever had when any of them showed up.

"I should get going, then. Good night." She would give Souji a farewell and then bow to Dojima. She exited the room, closed the door and never looked back.

"Hm. You enjoy the moonlight with her?"

"...Yes."

"Glad you could get some time with her." He walked to his seat by the table. "Say… remember that thing I gave you during Summer?"

Oh no… "That was a joke, right?"

"Yeah. I didn't expect you to actually use it." He was referencing the condom he snuck in his wallet before the summer festival. "You didn't actually use it, right?"

"Yeah, I… threw it away. It wasn't that funny. I didn't want Yukiko to get the wrong idea. Her parents would have killed me if they saw that."

"Right, right." He still laughed to himself a bit, choosing to believe his nephew. If only he knew…

"What will you do now?" He asked his nephew, the Fool had wanted to search Yukiko out so badly, but… it wasn't the right thing to do.

"I think I'll sleep soon. We have to leave early, after all."

"Yeah… that's for the best." Good thing he chose to skip the booze.

Souji was surprised that she let go so easily. And it wasn't from haste, as her movements were calm. But in his heart, where the ice had melted, something else was pressing against it. And he couldn't tell what it was.

He needs to calm himself. He'll be leaving soon. The day of departure was approaching… and there wasn't a thing any person could do about it.

A/N: Hoo boy, yeah I forget who, but someone in the review section a long time ago said they were looking forward to this. And I shrugged it off, thinking I would never do it. But now, it felt right to do it. And it felt great to write. I did have a Hanachie scene planned, but that is better saved for another time. I got plans for them in the sequel. And of course, the fate of Kanji will be answered in the sequel as well. You'll have your answers soon enough as his fate and partner is already locked and will not change. Next chapter is gonna be super short, because 44 is a big one. I don't know how many words it will be, but I am expecting it to be like this one.

Today's musical reference was a last minute change. My original ideas had me wanting to give everyone a moment to reflect on Souji's departure and thus, it was going to be Smells like Teen Spirit, but now... I think we have to use a different title. So I went with Change (In the House of Flies) Though Flies was changed to Amagi for obvious reasons.

This also marks the end of Masato in this fic. I hope you like him so far. Because he will matter in the sequel story. I'm afraid he'll come across as some bad or forced OC like I've seen some other people do, so I felt it was proper to introduce him here in this fic so he feels less forced later. I also have avoided talking about his description as I'm still trying to finalize his design. I may need to pay an artist for it, actually. We'll see. Anyway, lemme know how you feel about him. And as of this chapter, I made my decision on the Summer Vacation. I'll let you know near the end just so I can get my feelings on the matter settled.

It's really starting to hit me that this fic is coming to an end. This was my first story, and the one I might actually finish. To be honest, I lost drive for my FEA fic, cuz it doesn't feel like people are reading it. I wonder if Archive has become the dominant fanfic site these days. Maybe I'll upload it there too? Probably not, because I'd have to upload this fic and oh god, I'm still cringing from my early chapters.

Alright, so next time we got a short chapter on March 20th! And then afterwards... the big one. Look forward to it!