A/N: Hey guys! Looks like it's becoming a bit of a habit for me to update on Sundays. I'm glad that at the very least that I can deliver some new stuff on a consistently regular basis, but that might change when college amps up. Anyways although this chapter is a good bit shorter than some of the other ones it has some (hopefully) interesting stuff for you guys to dive into. Yukiko is kind of a hard character to nail down with so many contrasting traits: fragility and strength, intelligence and naivety, yada yada. On a side note I'd like to thank Meia42 for the long and detailed review, hopefully you'll like this chapter, it has more of what you were asking for. On a random note I'll probably be changing the summary to better reflect the content, so if you guys would care to comment on that sometime please do! Anyways sorry for the long note if you're still reading this, please enjoy the chapter and if you have any comments or critiques please leave a review!
After Yukiko's rescue, the next days were business as usual. Chie would often visit Yukiko, who was staying at home for the time being while she recovered. She was on her way to the inn now, having rushed out as soon as school let out. She walked into the inn, greeted by Yukiko's mother.
"Ah, Chie-chan, good to see you as always," The woman smiled gently. She had quickly gotten accustomed to Chie's visits, notifying her that Yukiko was in her usual room. Thanking her, Chie quickly rushed toward the room.
Walking into the traditionally decorated room, she saw her friend sprawled out across her futon, looking bored. Her mother had practically forced her to stay home for the time being, both out of concern for her health as well as the motherly worry that had emerged from the fact that her daughter had likely been kidnapped in some way, most likely wanting to keep an eye her daughter for a while for assurance that she was truly safe.
Noticing Chie, Yukiko's face lit up with happiness. "Oh, Chie! I'm glad to see you! Although you don't have to worry so much, I'm getting better, really!"
Chie chuckled, "I know, I know… I just… after all this crazy stuff, how can I not?"
Yukiko nodded in understanding. "You know, I never got a chance to really thank you all…"
"Don't sweat it!" Chie insisted, her tone firm. "That's what friends are for right?"
"But Yu-kun barely even knows me," Yukiko pointed out. "And yet he risked his life to save me. That says a lot about the kind of person he is…"
"Yeah," Chie agreed, "He's a nice guy, no doubt about it!" She looked down at Yukiko, who was looking at her knowingly. "Don't start this again!" Chie groaned.
"Start what?" Yukiko said, the perfect image of feigned obliviousness.
Chie narrowed her eyes, "You know exactly what I'm talking about!"
"Okay, okay," Yukiko relenting, chuckling as she did. "You know, some first years came by to visit the hot spring and were talking about how they saw Yu-kun and Ai-chan together…"
"What!" Chie said in disbelief, "No way Yu would hang out with someone like that!"
"Yu-kun, you mean?" Yukiko said, practically grinning from ear to ear at this point.
Damn, Chie cursed mentally, berating herself for the small, yet important omission. "Yes, Yu-kun," Chie said levelly, particularly stressing the honorific. "Geez Yukiko, it's not like a little slip meant anything! Man, when did you start getting so nosy?"
"Alright, alright," Yukiko chuckled, appearing to let the matter drop, much to Chie's belief. As it would turn out, however, her hope was somewhat misplaced. "Still, you seem kind of upset about Ai-chan…"
Chie frowned. "Whatever, he can hang out with whoever he wants, s'not like we own him or anything. And… she's really pretty and all…" Chie trailed off, looking at the ground glumly.
"So are you Chie," Yukiko countered.
"Wh-what?" Chie stammered, surprised by Yukiko's random outburst. "W-well anyways…"
"I think it's time we talked a little bit about some of things we found out about ourselves when we entered the TV…" Yukiko began. Chie swallowed, although the conversation was long overdue, she had been dreading it ever since they had rescued Yukiko. Even so, Chie knew it was something they had to do; they owed it to each other as long time friends. "You said you were jealous of me… Why?" Yukiko asked.
"Well… you're smart, practically all the guys drool over you while I'm practically chopped liver…"
"Really?" Yukiko said, having obviously been oblivious of such attention.
"Well yeah… I guess, next to you I just don't feel like I have many redeeming qualities…""
"Chie…" Yukiko said softly. "That's not true. You're strong, outgoing, funny… Don't you remember how we became friends?"
"Yeah," Chie said, reminiscing. "I do remember…"
Yukiko smiled, "Don't sell yourself short Chie, there are plenty of redeeming qualities about you… With your support, I feel like one day… I'll be able to go and make something of myself, something more than just the heir to the Amagi Inn."
"Whatever you decide," Chie piped up, "I'm with you, all the way!" Her expression was resolute, she meant every word.
"I know," Yukiko said, smiling a little brighter. "You always have been…"
"That's right!" Chie said fiercely. "And don't you forget it!"
"I won't," Yukiko promised. "Thank you Chie…"
"You too…" Chie said, her voice softer now. The two friends sat in a amicable silence, no further words were needed.
After her talk with Yukiko, Chie decided stop by Junes for a snack. Whew, that was a little heavy, I worked up a bit of an appetite on that one, Chie mused, heading straight to the food court.
Upon her arrival, a familiar voice greeted her, "Yo, Chie, what's up!"
Chie turned to see Yosuke, as cheerful as usual, clad in his Junes apron. "Oh yeah that reminds me," Yosuke said, digging into her apron pouch, pulling out brand new copy of Trial of the Dragon, the special edition no less. "Picked this up for nine hundred yen. If I had known it was only that much I wouldn't have bought you that food the other day!" Yosuke grinned smugly, "No more free loading!"
"Ugh fine, just get me the usual then," Chie said, rolling her eyes.
"That'd be six hundred and twenty yen." Yosuke said holding out his palm, clearly enjoying himself.
Chie grudgingly forked over the money, and Yosuke walked off to place the order, whistling happily on his way to the grill. Chie took a seat, and moments later, Yosuke joined her, passing her a lemon soda and a food tray with grilled steak. Chie quickly starting sipping her beverage, sighing in content at her favorite fizzy drink. Chie leaned back in her chair. After her talk with Yukiko, she felt like she had lifted a burden off of her shoulders, feeling better than ever.
"Hey," Yosuke began, "Did you hear the rumor that Yu's been hanging around the hot new soccer manager? Man, that dude must be able to work some serious magic if he can get that!"
"Huh, so it's true then…" Chie said absently.
"Wait, you mean you already knew?" Yosuke said. Usually he caught wind of all of the town rumors first, either by gossiping part-timers or housewives.
"Yeah," Chie replied. "I visited Yukiko today; she told me."
"Oh yeah, students do go there from time to time," Yosuke said, understanding coming to his features.
"Still can't believe he would hang out with her," Chie muttered bitterly.
"Why not?" Yosuke asked, obviously shocked. As usual, he failed to notice anything about the situation other than the fact that an attractive girl was involved. Suddenly a sly grin came to Yosuke's features. "Oh," He drawled, long and dramatic. "I get it! Man, Yu sure is a ladies man!"
"What are you going on about?" Chie replied, irritated at Yosuke's mischievous antics.
Completely ignoring her, Yosuke went on, "Don't worry, I'll help you out! Hmm… partner said he had a soccer game tomorrow… Hey! I bet if you went, he'd really appreciate it! Then you could let that manager chick know who's-"
"Yosuke," Chie cut in, desperately trying to stop Yosuke while she still had the chance. Once he started concocting one of his harebrained schemes it was difficult to stop him. "It's not like that!" Chie said, hoping to clear the air.
"Aww, it's alright Chie, you don't have to beat around the bush or anything, Yu's…" Yosuke stopped mid-sentence when Chie sent him a glare that would make even the bravest souls stop and think for a moment. "Heh…" Yosuke swallowed nervously. "Got it, it's not like that." Pausing for a moment to let Chie's anger diffused, Yosuke bit the bullet and prodded further. "So… um… if it isn't like that then…" He trailed off, hoping she'd fill in the rest.
"From what Yukiko told me she can be a bit of a bitch," Chie explained. "I just am worried that she's pushing him around or something."
Yosuke's devious grinned reappeared. "Right," He said, in a matter that indicated that he didn't fully accept that explanation. "It's not at all because you're jealous or…" Chie glared at him again. "Right not like that, forget I said anything… Well uh, I gotta get back to work so see you later," Yosuke said hastily, quickly running off to avoid furthering Chie's fury.
"Typical Yosuke," Chie scoffed, "Always getting the wrong idea." Chie quickly squashed the line of thought that Yosuke's idea might not be as crazy as it sounded, deciding instead to turn her attention to her now cold meal.
How Yosuke had managed to drag her here she would never know. Despite all of her protests, Yosuke had somehow managed to get her to come to the soccer game the next day. She rationalized it as going out to support a friend. After all, it was the least she could do after all Yu had done for them in just his short time at Inaba so far. Although she had initially been apprehensive at the beginning of the game, she quickly found herself cheering for the team. Chie hated losing in any form, and with the school team being an extension of herself, she didn't want them to lose either.
Initially things looked promising for the team. Yu turned out to be a surprise MVP, managing to score a goal only minutes into the game. Together with the other star player, Daisuke Nagase, they made a formidable force. The rest of the team was another story however. Although they were playing hard, they simply couldn't keep up with the other team's players, and Yu and Daisuke's efforts were slowly being overwhelmed. Suddenly she noticed the two look at each other and nod. Suddenly, Daisuke went toward the opposing team member currently in possession of the ball, managing to steal it with some deft foot work. Running over the midfield line, he then expertly shot the ball to Yu, who had obviously been prepared for this chain of events. Lining himself up, Yu shot the ball with keen precision the ball hitting home in the opposing teams net, past the outstretched arms of the goalie.
"Yeah, way to go Yu-kun!" Chie cheered, earning a smile and thumbs up from Yu. Despite the valiant effort, the team lost as the other team made more goals than Yasogami could match. Coming off the field, Yu approached a bored looking Ai, who passed him a water bottle carelessly. Getting down from the bleachers, Chie approached Yu.
"Hey, great job out there!" Chie said, deciding to focus on the positives of the game rather than the loss.
Yu shrugged, "We could have done better."
"Well it's only the first game right? There's always next time, right?"
Yu smiled, "Yeah I guess so." Grabbing a towel to wipe off the sweat from his forehead, Yu continued, "Well, the teams going to head to Aiya after we clean up a bit, so I'll catch you later ok?"
"Yeah sure," Chie replied, "Hey… I was thinking, we should probably make sure we're ready in case… you know," Chie trailed off, hoping he would catch her meaning.
Yu nodded, understanding exactly what she was talking about: more incidents concerning the midnight channel and the mysterious murders. "Did you have something in mind?" Yu asked.
"Well, sometimes after school I'll head over to the river bank to train? Practice my moves y'know?" Chie said, her tone growing slightly more excited as she finished explaining. Training was one of Chie's favorite things to do, it allowed her to take her mind off of things, namely her lack of aptitude in the academics department, and blow off some steam, getting stronger all the while. "So I was thinking that maybe you could join me sometime? I think it'd be fun, we could practice all sorts of techniques and exercises. Oooh, and maybe we could spar sometimes too!"
"Just go easy on the kicks," Yu chuckled, having witnessed their devastating power both in the real world and the shadow one.
"You mean you will?" Chie said, a little surprised. After pleading constantly but always being refused by even Yukiko, Chie had assumed that she would always have to train on her own. "Awesome!" Chie shouted, pumping her fist. Fearing that she had gotten a little carried away she flushed, apprehensively rubbing the back of her head. "So… uh… whenever you feel like it, just meet me on the roof after school and we'll get started."
"Sounds good," Yu replied, gathering his things off the field bench.
"Well, see you around!" Chie said, waving him off.
As Yu left, Chie felt a presence approach from behind her. "Is that your idea of asking someone on a date?" A cold voice taunted.
Turning around, Chie saw Ai who was sneering at her in contempt. "Yu-kun and I are just friends," Chie said firmly, for what felt like the hundredth time that week.
"Of course," Ai said darkly, "After all why would Yu-kun date someone like you anyway?"
"What's your problem? I heard you were bossing him around, you better not be pushing him around or anything!" Chie snapped, growing irritated with Ai's standoffish behavior.
"Oh don't tell me you like him?" Ai asked, laughing scornfully. "You're better off giving up now!"
"I've just about had it with you!" Chie said, practically steaming at the ears at this point. Chie suddenly took a deep breath to try to regain her composure. No point in wasting my breath on her, Chie reasoned starting to gain a semblance of calm. "You know what? I don't need to listen to this," Chie said firmly, leaving Ai in shock. Making her way to the school gate, running into Yosuke.
"Damn," He offered, clearly at a loss for a word. He did an impression of an angry cat, hissing comically.
"Tell me about it," Chie replied, rolling her eyes.
"Well on the bright side," Yosuke said, the usual mischievous glint returning to his eyes, "Sounds like someone's got some plans for tomorrow…"
"For the last time-" Chie began indignantly.
Yosuke raised his hands defensively, "I know, I know. Still, taking down Ai-chan a peg, while getting Inaba's most eligible bachelor to hang out with you… Not bad!"
"What are you going on about now?" Chie groaned.
"You mean you haven't heard? Partner's been causing quite a stir among our local ladies. Have you seen his shoe locker lately? Hell, there practically an avalanche every week. Most of 'em are first years but I swear there was even some third years too!"
Yosuke sighed. "Yu's really got the magic or something?"
"Hey what's up with you? You seem down all of a sudden," Chie noticed.
Yosuke instantly perked up again with a smile, although this one seemed far less genuine than normal. "Aww, it's nothin'," He assured, doing his best to sound cheerful. Glancing at his phone he checked the time. "Well I'm running a little for my shift so I'll see you later!" Yosuke said, hurrying off to his bike.
Huh, Chie mused, that was kind of weird. Shrugging it off she decided to head home, where a brand new pack of instant noodles was just waiting to be devoured.