A/N: Ack! It's been forever since I last updated, and I am sincerely sorry for the wait! Between some family stuff and moving in to college along with my first week of classes, things have been a little hectic as of late. Despite this, I'm happy to report that after experimenting with the amount of spare time I have after doing assignments and such, my next updates will probably not be this far apart. Back to the story, I wanted to go a little further in this chapter, but I felt like I reached a good stopping point, that's always a thing I have a bit of an issue with. Anyways I hope you all enjoy this one, and please, if you have any comments/criticisms/concerns please feel free to leave a review!
Throughout the next day, Chie was filled with a nervous energy. Although her plans with Yu weren't completely set in stone yet, she couldn't help but be a little excited, despite Yosuke teasing her to no end about it. As the lunch bell rang she decided to walk over to his desk. Yu sat motionless at his desk eyes glazed over and blank, obviously put in some trance-like state following the less than exhilarating content of the history lecture. How he managed to zone out like this and was still able to feed Yosuke and herself answers from time to time was a mystery to her. She couldn't really blame him though, she herself had taken the past class to catch up on some much needed sleep.
"Hey," Chie began, "You alive in there?" She waved her hand in front of his vacant eyes in an attempt to rouse him.
"Huh? Oh Chie…" Yu began slightly startled. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Sorry about that, Mrs. Sofue's history lectures put me almost straight to sleep."
"Ha, no kidding, I feel your pain there," Chie replied, laughing softly.
"I guess its lunch time now," Yu said. Appearing to remember something, he produced a bento box filled with sealed plastic containers from his bag. "I made some extra," Yu offered. "Meat stew," He added tantalizingly, seeming to know that there was no way she could refuse now.
"Well when you put it like that…" Chie said, her stomach growling at the thought, any previous inhibitions thrown to the wind.
"C'mon, lets head to the roof," Yu said, gesturing her to come with him. Exiting the classroom and entering the hallway, they made their way through the droves of students chatting idly, most complaining about their respective teacher and lecture or discussing the latest gossip. "So, how's Yukiko doing?" Yu asked offhandedly.
"She's doing well," Chie responded. "I saw her yesterday actually, trust me she is fully recovered," Chie went on, rolling her eyes as she recalled her friends prodding. "Only thing keeping her from coming back right away is her mom, she was a little freaked y'know?"
Yu nodded simply then continued, "We should get together sometime so we can discuss things. She might be able to remember something now, at least get us an idea of what we're dealing with. With any luck, we'll be one step closer."
"I'll let her know," Chie said, shielding her eyes for a moment as they climbed the last of the stairs and went outside onto the roof. The weather outside was perfect, the sun shining brightly amongst some sparse clouds, the brisk spring temperature complimenting it perfectly. Sitting down with Yu, she waited with baited breath as Yu handed her a warm container along with a pair of chopsticks. Opening the steaming stew, she inhaled deeply, taking in the exquisite aroma. Not hesitating for a moment longer, she picked out a piece of meat, shoving it into her mouth without hesitation. Her eyes widened as it hit her tongue: This is awesome!
Chie quickly vocalized her delight, "Wow this is great! Who knew you could cook?"
"It took some trial and error, believe me," Yu chuckled. "I picked up a couple of things cooking for myself at home, and trust me, it didn't always go well. The first time I made it, I set the stove on too hot and burnt it. The result was far less appealing from what you're getting now and definitely inedible." Yu smiled at the memory, and Chie couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of a younger Yu scrambling over a pot of burning soup.
Chie devoured the rest of the meal quickly, loudly slurping the broth from the container. "Man that was good!" Chie suddenly fidgeted nervously. Not only had she completely devoured the soup in the most unladylike way possible, but no one had ever cooked anything for her. At least with the exception of her parents, and although Yukiko had offered before, though one of employees at the inn was quick to dissuade her for some reason. The fact that Yu had taken the time to do this sent a strange, yet not wholly unpleasant feeling through her. "Umm… did you make this for me?"
"I thought you'd like it," Yu smiled. "Well, now we'll be ready for training after school."
"Definitely!" Chie replied, voice brimming with unbridled enthusiasm. She suddenly became a little more apprehensive as she continued, "But… uh, thanks…"
"Don't mention it," Yu said nonchalantly. "That's what friends are for right?"
Chie laughed in response, "Well, I don't think any of my friends have made me lunch before."
"First time for everything," Yu offered.
"Yeah, I guess so," Chie chuckled.
Suddenly the warning bell rang throughout the school, signaling that classes would resume shortly.
"Well, better get going," Chie said, "Meet me here after school if you're still free okay?"
"I'll be there," Yu agreed, gathering his things hastily. Getting up he gestured toward the door that led back downstairs. "Ready for the next one?"
Chie groaned in response, "Don't remind me."
Shortly after the final bell rang, Yu proved to be a man of his word, meeting Chie on the roof as asked. Chie was now enthusiastically leading him to the Samegawa River Bank, barely able to restrain her excitement. School might not be my thing, Chie thought, but if there's one thing I can do, its train! With Yu around I won't have any excuse to slack off! Wouldn't want to get out of practice with all this crazy crap going on. Chie had chosen their training location carefully, learning that adequate space was necessary following an incident where she had gotten a little overzealous trying to train at home, much to the chagrin of her parents.
Sharing her experience Chie began, "I would've just trained at home… but I kinda might've kicked a hole in the shoji." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, expecting Yu to laugh or poke fun at her like Yosuke probably would've.
Yu only smiled however, saying, "I'd say they're lucky that there was only a hole seeing what you did to those shadows. Definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that."
"Heh… was that a compliment?" Chie asked.
"Yep," Yu replied, grinning, "It's a compliment."
They both chuckled, making their way down the steps that lead to the bank. Chie quickly attempted to ignore the strange feeling in her stomach, writing it off to her appetite acting up. Taking a moment to limber up. Stretching her arms above her head, she looked at Yu expectantly. "Alright, let's do this!"
Yu nodded, taking off his school jacket and setting it carefully aside before beginning to stretch himself.
"Alright," Chie began enthusiastically, "Let's start with some frog leaps!" Yu paled in reaction, doing his best not to visibly flinch before nodding hesitantly.
A couple of hours later Chie declared, "I think that's enough to for the day. Good warm up for next time right Yu-kun?"
"Yeah…" Yu replied, breathing heavily from exertion, "Definitely…"
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow!" Chie said, waving at Yu as she began to make her way back home.
Doing his best to stand up straight and wave, Yu managed a weak smile. When she was out of earshot he muttered, "I'm so screwed for soccer practice tomorrow…"
On her way to school the next day, she was greeted by Yosuke. "Soooo…" He drawled, "How'd your date with partner go?"
"Shut up! Geez someone might here you!" Chie hissed.
"Someone's awfully defensive…" Yosuke continued teasingly.
"We were just training you idiot!"
"Oh, 'training' huh?" Yosuke began, clearly on the beginning of a roll. "Is that what they're calling it these days? Get in some 'full-contact sparring?'"
"You're such a pervert Yosuke!" Chie shouted.
Yosuke shrugged, used to the accusation. "Well if we're calling like we see it…"
Chie rolled her eyes, quickening her pace in an attempt to end the conversation.
Suddenly a familiar voice greeted her, "Chie!"
Chie raised her eyes, finding Yukiko by the school gates. "Yukiko! I didn't know you'd be back today!"
"To be honest, neither did I," Yukiko chuckled.
Yosuke joined them and quickly addressed Yukiko, "Good to have you back Yukiko-san!" Grinning slyly he continued, "Hey did you hear about-"
"Stuff it Yosuke!" Chie hissed angrily. Last thing I need is some more 'girl talk.' Although Chie did enjoy talking to Yukiko, she certainly did not like where their most recent conversations had been gravitating towards.
"Hear about what?" Yukiko asked, already intrigued.
Chie glared daggers at Yosuke. "You won't say anything if you know what's good for you!"
Before Yosuke could respond Yukiko spoke up, "Oh look, Yu-kun is here!"
"Hey guys," Yu said, a little surprised to see all of his friends gathered at the school gate.
"You look a little tired Yu-kun," Yukiko noted.
"Just a little sore from yesterday," Yu replied, rolling his neck along his back.
Yosuke let out a snicker and was rewarded with a sharp elbow from Chie.
"Did I miss something?" Yukiko asked, still ignorant of the situation at the moment.
"Nope!" Chie interjected quickly, hurriedly attempting to change the subject. "Umm… Yu-kun said that we should all meet up to talk about the case after school sometime!"
"Good thinking partner," Yosuke agreed. "If we're lucky, we might even be able to stop the killer before he can hurt anyone else!"
Before they could reach an agreement another student approached the group. "Hey Narukami, you going to practice after school?"
Yu stiffened a bit but nodded, "I'll be there."
"Alright! Gotta get ready for the next game right?"
"Umm… yeah," Yu replied, not quite returning the enthusiasm. "I'll see you at practice Daisuke."
The other student nodded before going to his own class. Yu looked at the others apologetically, "Sorry guys I'm tied up for today."
"No sweat partner," Yosuke replied easily. "Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do right? We'll just meet up tomorrow alright?"
"Sounds good," Yu agreed as they all began head to their own class.
After school, Chie opted to walk with Yukiko back to the bus station. It was a familiar routine that had only just recently been interrupted with the emergence of the case. Mercifully, Yukiko had yet to ask just what exactly Yosuke had been meaning to tell her. Chie mentally sighed in relief that her ever curious friend hadn't ventured further on the topic. However, Yukiko was quick to dash all hopes that she was out of the woods.
"Yosuke-kun seemed really excited this morning about something… Is there some event going on at school that I missed?"
"Erm… yeah, something like that," Chie said lamely.
"Oh…" Yukiko said softly, sounding disappointed. "It's okay you don't have to tell me."
Chie sighed at Yukiko's crestfallen appearance. Yukiko knew that this was her biggest Achilles' heel, her only weakness, other than an opportunity for steak of course.
"Geez, quit moping like that," Chie said exasperatedly, and Yukiko's expression immediately brightened, much to Chie's lack of surprise. Sighing loudly, Chie resigned herself to explain, thankful at least that Yosuke hadn't been able to give any 'embellishment' to what had actually happened. "I just trained yesterday with Yu-kun." Bracing for what was sure to be a barrage of questions, Chie was surprised to discover Yukiko's lack of reaction.
"That explains why Yu-kun was so tired this morning," Yukiko said, the puzzle pieces in her mind fitting together. She appeared deep in thought for a moment then added, "But that doesn't explain why Yosuke was so excited though…"
"Well, you know Yosuke, always taking things and blowing them way out of proportion." Chie scowled.
"That's true," Yukiko noted. "But then, why were you so quick to try and change the subject?"
"Because Yosuke would've made a huge deal out of it and given you the wrong idea," Chie explained desperately, hoping to end this conversation as quickly as possible.
"If it isn't a big deal, why are you being so defensive about it?" Yukiko asked innocently.
"Because- argh!" Chie cut herself off mid explanation, growing tired of this line of questioning. "We are done talking about this! Geez, when did you get all observant and stuff?" Chie muttered darkly.
Yukiko only giggled in response to Chie's lack of mirth, which only served to further foul Chie's mood. Thankfully, she did let the matter drop, much to Chie's relief. Suddenly turning her gaze to the sky, she turned to Chie. "Have you seen the weather reports? It's going to rain soon…"
"Oh man, that means Aiya is going to have their rainy day special!" Chie said, envisioning the moment when she finally conquered the legendary Mega Beef Bowl.
"Chie…" Yukiko said solemnly. "You saw me on the Midnight Channel before I was…" She trailed off, not wanting to remember the incident. "What if someone else-"
"I know, Yukiko," Chie said firmly, her previous levity nowhere to be seen. "That's why we gotta stop him… we're the only ones who can." Noticing her friends gloom she tried to be optimistic, "Hey for all we know it's all over now, right?"
Yukiko only nodded slightly, walking silently alongside Chie for the rest of their walk.