"Welcome back everybody"
'Ah, you finished catching up'
"Yes milord"
'I will get you to stop saying that one day. But never mind that. We finally get some action'
"We do?"
Yes. It's time to meet the Shadows
'Shh! Don't spoil it for them'
It's already in the title
'Anyway, time for the disclaimer. Persona belongs to Atlus, not the boss. He only owns the original ideas and characters. Now that that's done with, lets get the popcorn!'
"Of course!"
Chapter 6: Shadow Yosuke
Souji
Teddie led them to the place where the last person had entered. and much to their shock...
"What in the world!? This looks just like the shopping district", Yosuke said, looking around.
Sure. A shopping district with the sky replaced by swirls of red and black. Other than that and the aura of uncertainty and malice, it looked exactly like the shopping district.
"Some really weird places have appeared. It's getting so tangled, I don't know what to do", Teddie said.
Yosuke looked at the bear. "Uh...By the way, why are you standing so far away?".
Teddie was indeed standing very far away behind them. Yosuke narrowed his eyes.
"You better not be planning to high-tail it out of here if something does come up".
"What, of course not! I mean, I can't stand to close, you know, I'd get in your way", Teddie said nervously.
Both he and Yosuke grumbled under their breath. Yosuke looked around.
"Still, who ever built this really went all out on this. But of all the places in town to build, why this?".
"Uh, Yosuke? I'm not so sure anyone 'built' this place", Crystal said.
"Am I right?", she asked, turning to Teddie.
"How should I know? This place is reality for those inside".
While Yosuke grumbled about the bear being cryptic again, Crystal hung on those words.
"Wait, if this is the shopping district, then...Saki-Senpai's store!", Yosuke said, suddenly running off.
They followed him, and saw him standing in front of one of the stores.
"I knew it! This is the liquor store Senpai's parents run. Does that mean Senpai disappeared here?", Yosuke asked, stepping forward.
The door suddenly opened, revealing another swirly black and red portal.
"W-Wait!", Teddie cried out. Yosuke stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"T-They're here! Shadows. I had a feeling they were going to attack", Teddie said fearfully.
As soon as he said the first sentence, Crystal tensed up next to him, and he clutched his golf club. Why couldn't Yosuke have gotten him something else? They all whirled around as sounds emanated from the portal. Two blue masks, each with a mournful expression, popped out of the portal, landing on the floor. Black inky substance oozed out of the back of the mask, forming a body. The creatures floated in the air, transforming into another shape entirely. they were now shaped like an egg, with vivid black and magenta stripes, and a large human mouth. They made ravenous sounds, black tongues lolling out as they rushed towards them.
Crystal
She had equipped her gauntlets as soon as Teddie said 'They'. And now, seeing the whatever they were rushing towards Yosuke, she leapt into the air, intent on protecting him. Much to her shock, the things swerved out of her way, and her fist hit the ground hard. What...? Then she realized what they were after. Not Yosuke.
"Souji!", she cried out, whirling around.
Just in time to see the first thing be cut in two.
Souji
For a second, he was paralyzed with fear. then he clutched his head as a massive pain erupted in his mind.
"I Am Thou...Thou Art I. The Time Has Come. Open Thine Eyes And Call Out ForthWhat Is Within".
The pain turned into comfort as he opened his eyes slowly, energy buzzing within him, as if he had guzzled down a pack of energy drinks. He regarded the card in his hand, turning it around. The card burned brightly, and he was aware of nothing else. Not Yosuke and Teddie's shocked looks, Or Crystal's scream. Only one thing enveloped his mind.
Call upon me.
He smiled.
"Per...son...a!".
Calm turned into a storm of energy as euphoria rushed through his body, feeling like ice water flowing through his veins. He screamed, but not in pain. He looked at the thing in front of him. The Shadow. And he watched as it was cut in two. Before the it's buddy could mourn it's loss, it was zapped with a bolt of electricity, dissolving immediately. He looked at the place where the Shadows once were, a slight fatigue filling him.
He turned his head to look at the figure next to him. It was humanoid, but most definitely not human. It stood nine feet tall, wearing a long black trench coat, and wielding a large, razor sharp nanigata. It's legs were blades, and it wore a white mask, long white ribbons hanging from it's sides.
"Izanagi", he said softly. Izanagi. One of the creators of Japan. And his Persona. Izanagi glanced at him, yellow eye's locked on his silver. He nodded, before disappearing.
"Wh-Wh...What the hell was that!?".
He turned to see Yosuke looking at him in shock.
"What was that!? Did you say 'Persona'? What-".
A flustered Yosuke was interrupted by Crystal, who pushed him out of the way, and stood in front of him.
"What was that?", she said, voice no-nonsense.
Even though she was shorter than her, she was sufficiently intimidating. Bright emerald eyes bored into his, mouth curled into a frown. One hand was on her hips. the other was pointing straight at him, inches from his face. He didn't fail to notice the metal gauntlets on her hands. She hadn't been wearing those before.
"Well?", she demanded.
Teddie interrupted.
"Calm down Crystal. You're troubling Sensei!".
The scowl on Crystal's face quickly turned into confusion. She looked at Teddie, who was in turn looking at him, eyes shining.
"Gosh almighty! You're amazing Sensei! I am one impressed bear! I can't believe you were hiding such an amazing power! No wonder the Shadows were afraid of you!". Teddie gasped.
"Are you the one who's able to bring people into this world.
"I suppose...", he said uncertainly.
"Wow! This is really something! Don't you think so guys?", Teddie asked, turning to Crystal and Yosuke. They were less than pleased.
"Dude, you call him Sensei, and you don't show us any respect!?", Yosuke said angrily.
"Sorry...", Teddie said, abashed and actually sounding sorry.
"W-Well, I suppose you did warn us, so I guess I got to give you credit for that". Yosuke turned to Crystal.
"And I saw how you jumped in to save me, so...thanks", he said with a grin and a wink.
For a minute, she just looked at him silently.
Then she punched him in the shoulder, a playful smile gracing her face.
"Don't mention it", she said, herself grinning and winking. Yosuke smiled, but he rubbed his shoulder immediately with a wince as soon as Crystal turned to him.
"Sorry about earlier", she said.
He shook his head.
"Don't worry".
"If we keep this up, we should be fine. Let's get back to the investigation", Yosuke said.
At that moment, they suddenly heard voices.
Crystal
As soon as they had entered the TV for the first time, she knew that her stay in Inaba would be just as weird as her usual life. So, Shadows and Personas. That wasn't too odd either. Voices out of thin air?
"I'm not the only one hearing voices, am I?, she asked.
"No, I hear them too", Souji said.
The mutterings became clearer.
"I wish Junes would go under", was the first thing she heard.
Other voices soon joined the first. All of them were either complaining about Junes...or vilifying Saki Konishi. She narrowed her eyes. However brief her meeting with Saki was, she hardly deserved this.
"H-Hey, Ted?", Yosuke said suddenly.
"You said this place was reality for those inside, right? So, does that mean this was Senpai's reality when she wandered in here?".
"I only know what's going on here. I don't know?", Teddie said uncertainly.
Yosuke looked down for a minute, clenching his fist, before looking up at them, determination in his eyes.
"Fine. Whatever's going on, we'll find out ourselves!", he proclaimed.
"Right"
"Got it".
They entered the portal and found themselves in what she supposed was an average liquor store. She didn't know what a liquor store was supposed to look like, but this was probably it. Bottles lined shelf upon endless shelf. She grabbed one, and looked at the liquid sloshing inside. Apparently it was fully stocked too. She made a face and put the bottle back. Then the voices began again.
"Saki, how many times do I have to tell you?!", a man's voice rang out.
"I-Is this Senpai's Dad?", Yosuke asked.
"Shouldn't you know that?".
The voice continued to yell.
"You know what the neighbors say about you, right? Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're the eldest daughter of a family that's owned this store for generations! Is it for the money? Or did you meet some guy there? Just tell me why you have to work there of all places!".
"I-I can't believe this...She seemed like she had fun at work, she never said anything about stuff like this...", Yosuke said in a dejected voice.
"Are you telling me this is how she really saw things!?", he said, voice suddenly rising.
Before she could say anything, he ran over to a table. Scattered upon the table was a picture cut into pieces. And a crushed movie ticket. Yosuke looked at the picture in disbelief. She walked up to him slowly, not sure what to say. Comforting wasn't her thing.
"Yosuke?", Souji asked softly.
"I never got the chance to say it...".
She startled as Saki's voice suddenly rang out.
"I always wanted to tell Hana-chan...".
Tell him what? Was this a declaration of-
"That he was a real pain in the ass"
...Or it could be the exact opposite.
"I was only nice to him because he was the store manager's son, that's all. But he takes it completely the wrong way and gets all enthusiastic. What a dip".
She glanced at Yosuke. He was completely crushed.
"P-Pain in the ass?".
She clenched her fists. Comfort, she wasn't good at. Beating things into a pulp? She could do that. She looked around to see if the voice had an origin. She listened to the rest of Saki's triad against Junes with one ear.
"It's a l-lie, it can't be...Senpai's not like that!", Yosuke said angrily.
"It's so sad. I feel so sorry for myself. Boo-hoo".
She whipped around on hearing Yosuke's voice. Except not Yosuke. Yosuke grinned at them, leaning on a barrel. Cruel glowing yellow eyes looked at them in amusement, as a blue aura enveloped the other Yosuke. Other than that, he looked exactly like Yosuke. His mannerisms though...His mannerisms were a twisted mirror of Yosuke's. The Other Yosuke's grin grew to scary levels when they saw him.
"Actually, I'm the one who thinks everything's a pain in the ass", he said, laughing.
At this moment, Teddie walked in on the scene, and was appropriately surprised.
"Huh? Two Yosukes?".
No one answered him, and before she could tell him it was a bad idea, Yosuke ran up to his double.
"Who are you?! I wouldn't think that!".
The Other Yosuke grinned, walking towards Yosuke (This was starting to get confusing).
"Yeah right. How long are you going to delude yourself? Screw the shopping district and Junes. In fact, screw everything! You're sick of everything, especially living out here in the sticks!", the Other Yosuke said.
"What are you saying? That's not-"
"True? But it is. You put on a good show of being carefree and happy-go-lucky 'cause you're so terrified of being alone. The more the merrier, right? You've got to be surrounded by people to block out the pain of isolation. And nobody could care less. Chie only hangs out with you for your wallet, and Yukiko won't even give you the time of day. And this whole thing about checking out this world for Saki-Senpai's sake? Hah! I know the real reason. Do you want to hear it?".
Yosuke shook his head, backing up with wide eyes. The Other Yosuke's grin became sadistic.
"The real reason you came here snooping-"
"S-Stop it!"
"Hahahaha! What, why so panicked? I thought I was just spouting bullshit? Or maybe...maybe I do know everything in that useless head of yours. Why? Because I am you!".
Other Yosuke glanced in their direction.
"Now, watch as the only two who didn't know you before hand leave in disgust like everyone else, Prince of Junes! He only came here because it sounded like a good time! A world inside a TV, now that's exciting. You came here because there's nothing else to do in this shithole! You didn't have any other reason to come here, did you? Did you?", Other Yosuke said each word slowly, with pleasure.
"That's not true...stop...stop it!", Yosuke said without much force.
The Other Yosuke just sneered.
"Hah, see how pathetic you are? Am I right-".
She interrupted Other Yosuke the only way she knew how. By trying to pulverize him. Next to her, Souji brandished his golf club menacingly, looking at Other Yosuke calmly. Other Yosuke just dodged her, moving far to swiftly for someone who had their hands in their pockets.
"Oh? Did I strike a nerve, girly? I'm only telling the truth. He only came here because if all went well, hey, maybe he could be a hero! And that Senpai he was so sweet on was the perfect excuse".
That last line got Yosuke's attention.
"That's not true!", Yosuke yelled angrily.
"Who are you!? What are you!".
Yosuke yelled, pushing them out of the way and glaring at his doppelganger, inches from his face. Other Yosuke merely chuckled easily, eyes locked onto Yosuke's.
"I already told ya. I'm you, you're Shadow! There's nothing I don't know about you".
That was the last straw for Yosuke.
"Screw that, I don't know you! You're not me, you bastard!", Yosuke screamed at his Shadow.
Shadow Yosuke gave a chilling chuckle, before giving a full out, evil laugh.
"Say it again, I dare ya!"
"You're not me. You're nothing like me!".
Shadow Yosuke gave a soft chuckle, pushing the hair out of his eyes.
"That's right. I'm not you. I'm me now! I'm not you anymore, see?".
The hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she lunged at Yosuke, pushing him out of the way as blue aura blazed red. She heard a throaty laugh, before being launched into the wall.
Souji
He looked at what was once Shadow Yosuke in shock. What stood in front of him was no more a human by any standard. What stood in front of him was a monster. It could only be described as a centaur with a frog instead of a horse. The figure was black, with a red scarf and yellow gloves large enough to crush a man. It was attached to a frog, which had a V-shaped grin full of pointy teeth. Yosuke looked up at his Shadow in shock, trembling on the floor. The Shadow stomped towards them.
"I am a Shadow, the True Self. I'll crush everything that bores me. Starting with you!".
It said, before leaping up high in the air and crashing into the floor in front of them. A strong wind blasted them backwards, and his back arced in pain as he hit the ground.
Call upon me, quick. You shall not survive against our weakness.
He blinked away tears as Izanagi's card hovered in front of him. He watched as the Shadow stomped towards an unconscious Yosuke, cackling madly. He narrowed his eyes, and crushed the card. "
Izanagi!".
Izanagi appeared in front of him, rushing at Shadow Yosuke. He ran beside his Persona. Just as Shadow Yosuke was about to crush Yosuke, Izanagi blocked him.
"Pick on someone your own size!", he said, picking what he thought was a sufficiently cool line.
"Someone my own size, eh? I'll start with you then!", Shadow Yosuke said, jumping into the air again.
He braced himself for the attack, only for Izanagi to blast it with a Zio. The Shadow fell to the ground with a yell of pain, crumpling on the floor. Immediately, Izanagi launched a flurry of slashes at the Shadow. After taking some punishment, Shadow Yosuke abruptly blocked the nanigata with it's hands.
"Pain in the ass!", he roared, launching another blast of wind.
Izanagi flew backwards, and he fell flat on his back, his breath knocked out of his lungs. Immediately, Shadow Yosuke crushed Izanagi's midsection. He gasped for breath that didn't come as his chest was crushed by immense strength. Spots flickered as his vision went dark. All the sudden, breath flew into his lungs. He gulped down air as he looked up to see what happened. What he saw was a short girl brutally beating up Shadow Yosuke with only her fists and a bottle.
Crystal
Crashing into a wall was never wanted on a good day. Crashing into a wall stocked with alcohol? Way more annoying. She winced as the entire shelf crashed down on her, soaking her with liquor. And unfortunately giving her a good gulp of it.
She spat out the vile liquid as her throat burned. She started to cough, pushing off the shelf and glaring at Shadow Yosuke. Her anger became tenfold when she saw the Shadow squeezing the life out of Souji's Persona thing. She glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw a broken bottle.
She grabbed the neck and ran towards the Shadow, punching it in the back of the head. She followed up with a flurry of punches and uppercuts. Shadow Yosuke let go of the Persona, and turned to glare at her. And she wasted no time smashing the jagged edges of the bottle into its chest. It's scream was surprisingly cathartic. She plunged the bottle deeper, black ichor spilling out, before punching the Shadow in the face.
"You little bitc-!".
She cut it off with another flurry of punches. Shadow Yosuke roared in pain, before brushing her off. She hit the ground lightly, before running behind him and trying to attack him again. He saw this coming though, and caught her in midair, crushing her. She struggled as the breath was crushed out of her lungs.
"How long will you survive this?", Shadow Yosuke said with malicious glee, increasing his grip.
She growled before screaming as she felt her bones being crushed. Her vision started to go dark. She started to blindly grab for the earth around her. All she had to do was call on it, and she could tear this thing apart. But...
Her decision was made for her as Shadow Yosuke suddenly let go of her, screaming in pain. She fell to the ground and quickly got up one her feet, working out kinks. The Persona slashed at Shadow Yosuke again, a bolt of lightning hitting it. Souji ran up to her.
"You okay?".
She glanced at him, an eyebrow raised.
"Are you okay?".
Souji looked like he had trampled by a herd of pigs (What? She'd seen that happen before). His hair was completely ruffled, his jacket completely shredded where the wind hit him. He shook his head.
"I'm fine".
They looked up when Shadow Yosuke screamed again. The Persona had launched another bolt of lightning, leaving Shadow Yosuke crumpled on the ground. She glanced at Souji.
"So. Time to beat it up?".
Souji nodded, twirling his golf club around.
"Yes. Let's".
She smirked and ran towards the fallen Shadow, Souji close behind her. Shadow Yosuke started to get up, only for her to send him back down to the ground with a hammer arm to the head. Souji followed with a barrage of blows to the head with his golf club, until it was completely dented. They jumped away as Shadow Yosuke got up slowly, clutching it's head.
"Pain in the ass...", he said, voice slurred.
"Oi, I think it's on the ropes", she said.
"Got it. Izanagi, let's do this!".
The Persona, Izanagi, pointed it's nanigata at Shadow Yosuke, and zapped it one final time. Shadow Yosuke screamed and convulsed, and red aura turned blue as Shadow Yosuke fell.
"We got him", Souji said with a sigh, Izanagi disappearing behind him.
She nodded. Both of them turned around as Yosuke, the real one, groaned, waking up. Teddie, who had pulled Yosuke to safety, hovered over him anxiously.
"Yosuke, are you okay?".
They ran up to him.
"Hey, you okay?", she asked, kneeling next to him.
"I'm fine", he said slowly, taking Souji's hand and pulling himself up, only to freeze on seeing something. She looked behind her and saw Shadow Yosuke in his non-monstrous form, looking at the ground in a mixture of anger and melancholy. Yosuke's mouth curled in anger on seeing his double.
"You're...You're not me!", he said angrily, yelling at his Shadow.
"That thing came from you Yosuke. You have to accept it of it'll go bear-serk again", Teddie said softly.
Yosuke shook his head, looking reluctant.
"But, that's not-"
"Yosuke. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone's the same inside", Souji spoke up, looking at Yosuke in the eye.
Yosuke looked at him in surprise.
"Was that supposed to be comforting?", he asked dubiously.
Souji scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Well, yeah".
She snorted. "Comforting or not, it's true Yosuke", she said.
Yosuke looked at her, before walking towards his Shadow.
"Damn it. It hurts to face yourself", he mumbled, catching his Shadow's attention.
"I knew you weren't lying, but I was so ashamed I didn't want to admit it. You're me... And I'm you. When you get down to it, all of this is me".
Shadow Yosuke looked at him in surprise, before chuckling and giving a genuine smile. A sudden wind blew through the room. Unlike the wind from before, it was gentle and smelled fresh. The wind enveloped Shadow Yosuke, blocking him from sight, before dispersing. In shadow Yosuke's place stood something that could only be described as a hybrid between a disco dancer, a frog, and a ninja. The Persona, because she assumed that's what it was, gave Yosuke a thumbs up, before turning into a card and disappearing.
"This is my Persona...Jiraiya", Yosuke said softly, smiling. He turned back to face them, only to stumble forward. She ran up to catch him.
"Easy there"
"When we heard Senpai's voice...I wonder if that was something Senpai had been keeping deep inside of her. He was a real pain in the ass, huh?", he said with a chuckle, "What a way to find out. Geez, this is embarrassing".
Yosuke brushed her off, standing up.
"If you guys weren't here, I don't know what would have happened. Thanks".
She shook her head.
"Don't mention it", she said, smiling.
"You're our friend", Souji said simply.
Yosuke smiled back, before turning to Teddie.
"Hey, Ted? Could Senpai have been attacked by her other self here?"
"I think so. The Shadows here were originally born from humans. When the fog clears, that's when the Shadows go bear-serk. And you saw what happens next. A really strong Shadow draws others towards it, and the mass of Shadows kill it's host".
"So that's why people die when the fog appears in our world", Souji said grimly.
Yosuke nodded, before stumbling again. Souji caught him, supporting the worn out boy.
"This world isn't made for humans. It's not comfortable for you here. I think we should get back", Teddie said.
No one objected, and they started to make for the entrance, Souji supporting Yosuke.
He was very tired. Bone tired. The fight with Shadow Yosuke had completely drained him. And if he was this tired, he couldn't imagine how Yosuke felt like. Though he had a pretty good idea, considering the fact that Yosuke could barley stand without leaning on him. Yosuke was silent. Very silent. Something that Crystal also noticed, since she was looking at him oddly.
"Hey, Yosuke? You okay?"
"Huh. Oh, yeah...", Yosuke said quietly.
Crystal looked at him for a moment, before punching him in the shoulder. He stumbled as he tried to keep both him and Yosuke from falling to the ground. At least Yosuke was awake now.
"Oww! What did you do that for!?", he cried out.
"You're moping. Stop".
"I'm not-"
"Yes you are! So stop. Just because your Shadow was like that doesn't mean that you're actually like that. Your more than it. So stop moping!".
Yosuke blinked in surprise, before shaking his head.
"I guess I am moping, huh?", Yosuke said with a small smile, shaking his head.
"Yes, you are. Feeling better?", she asked.
"Yeah". Crystal grinned.
"You still smell like sake".
The grin disappeared immediately.
"Please don't remind me".
"Hey, Ted? Can I ask you something?", Yosuke asked when they got back to the studio.
"Yeah?"
"You said that this place was reality for those who are inside right? So the shopping district, and the weird room, were those places created when Senpai and the announcer came in here?"
"I don't know. This has never happened before. But those places where the were when their Shadows attacked them."
"Okay, so let me get this straight. Senpai and the announcer, they got thrown in here, right? So, unable to get out, they wander around. Then, their Shadows come out of them and kill them, right?"
"Well, kinda. Their Shadows wouldn't have attacked them until the fog lifted. Shadows usually ignore normal people, I dunno why they attacked you guys. Maybe because you were investigating, but until the fog lifted, they would have been safe. But when the fog lifts, the Shadows get really violent. I'm so scared when that happens, I can't help but hide!"
"So, if I had been stuck here until the fog lifted..."
"You're really lucky Sensei, me, and Crystal were here Yosuke".
Instead of being glad, Yosuke kicked at the ground angrily.
"Dammit. Senpai and the announcer were here all alone. No one could save them!", he said angrily.
He remained silent while Crystal frowned.
"We have to find who ever is throwing people in here, and stop them!", Yosuke said with conviction.
He nodded and Crystal pounded her fist in her open palm.
"Yeah we do".
"Well, the next time someone's thrown in here, you could save them", Teddie suggested.
They all looked at him in surprise.
"What do you mean?", he asked.
"Well, if someone gets thrown in here, they should be safe until the fog lifts so..."
"We could save them before that happens!", Yosuke finished the sentence.
They all smiled. Finally, a plan of action.
"Can I...ask you guys a question?", he said timidly.
"Sure", Crystal said.
"Well, if Shadows were born from humans, then what was Teddie born from?". Crystal frowned.
"I...Don't think I have the answer for that"
"How should we know?", Yosuke asked.
"Don't you know?", he asked.
"I know a lot of stuff about this world, but almost nothing about myself".
"Really? No wonder we couldn't get anything straight out of you", Yosuke said. There was a moment of silence, before Teddie spoke up again.
"Will you guys come back?", he asked hesitantly.
"Of course. We have a job to do", he said.
"You guys will keep your word?", Teddie asked, surprised.
"Of course. After all, you said you wouldn't let us out unless you promised", Yosuke said jokingly.
"O-Oh right. I'll let you guys out now", Teddie said, making the TV's appear again.
"Now, one more thing before guys go. You have to enter from the same place"
"You mean the TV in Junes?", he asked. Teddie nodded.
"You could come in from a different place. But then you might enter an area where I can't get to you. And then you'd be doooooomed", Teddie said, with an extra long 'ooooo'.
"Got it?".
They nodded.
"Okay, so we should check and make sure there aren't any customers or employee's outside...", Yosuke said.
Teddie had other plans. "Okay then, now go on!", he said, and before they could do anything, he pushed them through the TVs.
They landed on the floor of Junes, right infront of the TV. And Super-Worry mode Chie.
"Y-You guys came back!", Chie said, wiping her eyes.
Her eyes were red, and tears ran down her face.
"Huh? Chie? Whoa, what's with that face?", Yosuke asked.
Chie went from Super-Worry mode to Super-Enraged mode. She got up, and for a second he braced himself for a kick. Instead, she threw the rope at them, and in their tired state, they both fell to the floor.
"The nerve of you guys! You are such morons! I can't believe this! You guys suck!", Chie yelled at the top of her lungs.
He thanked their luck that nobody seemed to be around. Chie started sniffling.
"The rope got cut...I had no idea what to do! I was worried sick-I mean scared stiff damn it! I hate you guys!", she screamed, before briskly running off.
Crystal helped Yosuke and him get up.
"I think that might have sort have been our fault", Yosuke said with a wince.
"Rest assured, it completely was", Florence said, looking at them with piercing eyes.
"She was worried out of her mind", he chided them.
They all remained silent, Crystal looking down.
"You should apologize to her tomorrow". Florence's gaze softened.
"Are you guys oka-".
He suddenly stopped and took a sniff, before looking at Crystal questioningly.
"Got knocked into a wall of alcohol", she muttered sullenly.
"You guys can come to my house to freshen up", Yosuke offered,
"I'm completely wiped out. I'm just going to soak in the shower before going to sleep. I think...I'm going to sleep well tonight", he said with a smile.
Florence shook his head. "I'll take her back home"
"You sure? People are going to notice she smells like sake".
Florence just smiled before putting an arm over his sister's shoulder.
"We'll be fine".
The two walked away, Crystal tossing them a wave, before turning a corned into an aisle. He felt a sudden chill, before shaking his head and turning to Yosuke.
"I think I'll take you up on your offer".
After freshening up at Yosuke's house, and making sure Yosuke fell asleep on the bed instead of drowning in the shower, he left the Hanamura abode and left for home. It had started to drizzle again, which made him thank the forethought of bringing his umbrella. He walked along the river bank road, before seeing someone. It was Yukiko in a pink kimono, taking shelter under a tree, looking at the parasol and then the rain worriedly. He walked up so her. "Need a hand?"
After leading Yukiko to a nearby gazebo, they both sat down. Yukiko was silent, seemingly nervous.
"Are you surprised to see me like this?", she asked after a while. He shook his head, before tilting it.
"My parents sent me out on an errand".
And she needed to wear a kimono for it?
"So...are you getting used to your new town and school?"
"Kind of. I think I like it here".
Indeed, Inaba was somehow different places he had been.
"Oh, really? But it most be difficult, moving to a place you know nothing about. I've never been out of Inaba, so I wouldn't know what it's like to transfer to a new school".
They fell into silence again.
"Are you getting along with Chie? I mean, I always leave early, so...umm".
She seemed to be getting increasingly nervous.
"Well, I'm kinda getting along with her". At least until half an hour ago.
"I'm glad to hear that", she said with a smile.
"Chie's very supportive you know. It's always her that gives me that little extra push. We had homeroom last year too, and I still remember how we'd cut classes sometimes".
Yukiko smiled at the memory, before looking at the now ended rain.
"I should get going. I need to make tomorrow's arrangements with out head chef".
Yukiko gat up and waved goodbye, before walking away. He got up after some time, and headed back home.
It was only Nanako and him at dinner tonight. The news report was about the case. Specifically the murder of Saki Konishi.
"Dad won't be coming home tonight", Nanako said softly.
He frowned.
"I'll be here with you", he said, trying to cheer her up.
"I'll be fine. Can you help me with around the house?"
"Of course".
Just then, the case changed into an interview about the Amagi Inn. With Yukiko as the poor soul at the end of the far to enthusiastic interviewers questions. Yukiko was wearing the same kimono he had seen her with.
"That aside, wow! You're looking gorgeous in that kimono. You must have a lot of male visitors!".
At this point, he was contemplating reaching into the TV and punching the interviewer, before realizing it wasn't a live interview. Darn. The more the interviewer kept rambling, the more Yukiko got confused.
"This is boring", Nanako said.
"I agree".
She turned off the TV and got up.
"I need to go do the dishes" "I'll help"
Crystal
She dried her hair as she stepped out of the warm bath. Damn vile liquid. How humans standed it, she never knew. After putting on her clothes, she went into the main room and commenced eating the simple dinner of rice with Florence. After regaling him with the tale of the TV, she finished off her dinner.
"Quite a tale", her brother said.
She just hummed.
"What's wrong?".
She looked at her brother in surprise.
"What?"
"Something's bothering you? What?".
She looked at the wall for a while.
"The fight today would've been a piece of cake if I just used my powers, but Souji and Yosuke were there...So how do we explain it?"
"Explain what?"
"Our powers, our natures, everything! We have to use our powers eventually, and they'll ask. So what do we do?"
"Hmm"
"I guess I'm just afraid that they'll be weirded out or something..."
"I wouldn't worry about that".
She looked at him in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Chie was worried about all three of you. I think that while they might be weirded out, they'll still stand with us. And considering what happened today...Weird could soon become the norm".
She tilted her head, mulling over his words.
"I guess...", she said, still doubtfully.
Souji
` It was 11:55, and raining. Hence, he wasn't asleep. He stood in front of the TV, waiting to see if something to appear. It did. The TV suddenly flickered to life, and a blurry image appeared. It looked like a woman...wearing a kimono? He looked closely, before suddenly getting an idea. He reached into the TV, but the image disappeared immediately. He sighed. That didn't work. Well, the only thong left to do was to meet up with the others tomorrow. Feeling incredibly sleepy, he went to bed, hopping for a goodnights rest.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room".
"That was a rather intense fight"
'Was it really?'
"Well...Perhaps not. But the Shadow..."
Reflections of Humanities darkest corners.
'Yup'
"So, what are the Shadows-"
'Hey, look. We're in the ending'
"So we are Sir"
Let's just stop right now and let the audience leave. And your question about Shadow's will be answered in due course.