A/N: Sorry for the wait! With a test and term paper taking up most of my time for the past week or two I was a little burnt out on writing for a bit. Though GTAV didn't help that much either admittedly. Anyway I'll keep it brief this time, hope you all enjoy the chapter and please review with you like/dislikes/comment/critiques/flames/fan-girling /etc. It is all appreciated, and hopefully the next chapter will be up within the week!

The next day the Investigation Team came together, having agreed to meet at the Junes food court to discuss the case. They all sat around a table, and at the moment, an awkward silence was held between them all.

Taking the initiative as the de-facto leader, Yu broke the silence. "Okay, we all know why we're here." He looked over at Yukiko, then continued, "Yukiko-san, I know this you probably just want to forget what happened, but if you can tell us anything that might help…"

Yukiko paused, straining to remember something, anything that might be of use. Sighing she replied, "I'm sorry, I can't really remember anything from what I've already told you. I remember someone calling me, but I can't remember anything about who they might be."

"Don't sweat it Yukiko-san," Yosuke reassured. "Let's see, what do we got so far? All the victims have been in Inaba as far as we know. And…" Yosuke strained to come up with another connection.

"So far all the victims have been women," Yu noted, "But it's too early to say that the killer is targeting them specifically."

"Ugh, maybe the killer's some kind of perv," Chie said, shuddering at the thought.

Suddenly Yosuke was struck with a bolt of inspiration, "Wait, Yukiko-san, the announcer lady was staying at the inn right?" Yukiko nodded, prompting Yosuke to continue softly, "And… senpai found her body…"

"So you think they're all connected to the announcer in some way?" Yu asked.

"I'm not sure," Yosuke admitted, "But I think we might be getting somewhere."

"It's going to rain in a couple of days," Yukiko noted.

"Then I think our best bet is checking out the Midnight Channel when we can," Yosuke suggested. "So far all the victims have been appearing on before they get kidnapped, like some kind of advance notice or something."

"But why?" Yukiko asked, clearly baffled at the phenomenon.

"At this point, it doesn't really matter," Yu said firmly. "If we can use the Midnight Channel to predict who the next victim might be, we could stop this once and for all, maybe even prevent the next kidnapping." The rest of the group voiced their agreement. Yu then shifted his gaze toward Yukiko, "One last thing… Yukiko-san, you also have a persona now and I don't imagine this will get any easier… Will you lend us your strength?"

"Whoa, are you serious? No way!" Chie protested.

"Chie, it's okay… If I can use my power for good then why shouldn't I?" Seeing that Chie remained unconvinced, she continued, "Besides, we'll all be fighting together right?" Looking back at Yu she replied, "I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I'll do whatever I can."

"Don't worry Yukiko-san, we'll get you up to speed," Yosuke said. Getting a sly glint in his eyes he went on, "Hell, I could show you a thing or two on our own, there's not much partner and Chie can't handle."

"Don't even think about it," Chie growled. "I know what you're trying to pull and it's not gonna work! We're sticking together, and that's final!"

Yosuke pouted before conceding. "Alright, alright… on that note I think we should agree not to go in there alone, it's too dangerous, and we don't need any extra bodies hanging around." The rest of the group nodded in assent, all agreeing whole-heartedly with Yosuke for once. "Well I think that's all we can do for now, this Investigation Team meeting is now adjourned!" Yosuke exclaimed, brimming with enthusiasm.

"Do you even know what that means?" Chie asked, rolling her eyes at Yosuke's attempt at using an extended vocabulary. Yosuke made a face of mock offense, used to Chie taking stabs at his intelligence.

Oblivious to Chie's jab, Yukiko was beaming with excitement. "Investigation Team?" Giggling she went on, "Does that make this our secret hideout?"

"Man that sounds awesome!" Chie exclaimed, recalling some of her childhood fantasies of being trained by a hidden ninja clan.

"It does have a nice ring to it," Yosuke agreed. "Alright," He began matter-of-factly, "I declare this to be the Investigation Team's Secret Hideout!"

"We're in public, at a supermarket, and I'm pretty sure the people at that table over there are staring at us now," Yu remarked dryly, earning him glares from his friends. He raised his hands in resignation, unwilling to argue the point any further.

"Alright guys," Yosuke began, "We'll meet up again after watching the Midnight Channel again, hopefully then we'll be able to glean some more leads." The team nodded resolutely, then went their separate ways.

The next morning, Chie walked along the roads of Inaba in the brisk morning weather, navigating through the sleepy town's residential areas. She had called Yukiko earlier in the morning, asking if she wanted to get together to hang out. With the inn less busy than usual and her Golden Week weekend otherwise free, her friend had agreed, and suggested to invite Yu and possibly meet up with Yosuke when he was off the clock. With that, Chie had set out to go to Yu's house, which was surprisingly easy with Yu's uncle being a detective, and in asking some local housewives for directions, Chie found herself slowly backing away as they mused wistfully about Detective Dojima.

Finally arriving at Yu's house, Chie rang the doorbell without much thought. In hindsight, she could have called or texted him, but it hadn't occurred to her at the time. I wonder if he's up, Chie mused. We've all been staying up a bit later than normal, Chie thought grimly. With the killer still at large and the reoccurring appearance of the Midnight Channel, Chie was certain that they had all been kept up at night.

Before she could further ponder the matter, a slightly disheveled looking Yu answered the door. Recognition lighting his features he smiled, greeting her.

"Morning!" Chie said brightly. Getting straight to the point she continued, "Wanna come hang out today? Yukiko's coming along too."

Before Yu could answer a soft voice behind him asked, "Are you going somewhere?" Behind Yu a young girl appeared, Yu's cousin no doubt. "It's okay, I'll just watch TV and stay home." Despite her answer, she looked visibly disappointed.

What! Chie thought, shocked. No kid should be staying inside during Golden Week!

"Hey, why don't you come with us?" Chie offered.

"What do you say Nanako?" Yu said, addressing his cousin.

Nanako looked genuinely surprised. "I can come?"

"Of course you can!" Chie said reassuringly, in her usual cordial manner.

"Then it's settled," Yu said. Suddenly remembering he was still in his morning clothes, he quickly excused himself, returning momentarily. With everyone ready to go, they left the Dojima residence with haste.

Upon arriving at the Junes food court they met up with Yosuke, who was currently on break with Yukiko arriving shortly after. He was visibly surprised that they had brought Nanako along with them, to a supermarket, on Golden Week, and was quick to voice his concern.

"Man why would you guys bring Nanako-chan here on a day like this!"

Nanako however was quick to contradict him, enthusiastically blurting out, "I love Junes!"

Yosuke nearly flinched in surprise, having been used to the store being demonized and himself being regarded as a pariah of sorts in the small town. "Nanako-chan…"

"See?" Chie reassured. "It wasn't that bad of an idea. Besides, there's not much else to do around here anyway."

"So Nanako-chan," Yukiko piped up. "Did you have any other plans for Golden Week?"

Nanako looked slightly downcast at the question. "Well… we were going to have a boxed lunch picnic… but dad's been busy lately." At this last remark, a grim silence descended on the group, all of them all too aware as to why this was the case.

"Wow Nanako-chan! You can make boxed lunches all by yourself?" Chie asked, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Nanako blushed a little at the flattery, but was quick to set the record straight. "Actually, he was going to make them," Nanako replied, gesturing towards Yu.

"Now that you mention it I'm not surprised," Chie replied, remembering the meal that Yu had prepared the other day. "Must be nice having a big bro who can cook, huh?"

"Wow partner, never pegged you for the cooking type, though I guess it's not too surprising, you're pretty good with your hands," Yosuke said, making a not so subtle to Yu's skillful use of his sword in their excursions to the shadow world.

Meanwhile, Nanako seemed to be pondering what Chie had said earlier, "Big… bro…" she said softly.

Yukiko expressed her admiration at Yu's ability, lamenting her own lack of success.

"Hey," Chie piped up, an idea forming in her mind. "Why don't we all make something for Nanako-chan?"

"I don't know," Yosuke began doubtfully. "I haven't really cooked anything outside of instant noodles," He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Chie's competitive spirit quickly manifested, and she continued, "It could be a contest, and Nanako-chan could be the judge!" Quick to make an attempt to take Yosuke down a peg she continued, "Though I don't know if you should be trying, seeing as how you haven't ever made any real food."

"Funny," Yosuke replied, "I get this feeling like I'd win against you anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I dunno, maybe that you suck at cooking?"

"I'll show you!" Chie fumed, never one to turn down a challenge.

"Meh, either way partner would probably end of winning anyway," Yosuke shrugged, apparently indifferent to the results of the contest. "Who knows, maybe we'll make something as good as your mom's cooking Nanako-chan!"

Upon hearing Yosuke's final words, Nanako's expression darkened slightly, and Yu's expression made it all too clear that they had crossed a line of sorts. "Mom's not here anymore," She said softly.

Yosuke blanched visibly, then attempted to stutter out an apology.

"Yosuke!" Chie whispered harshly, elbowing him in the ribs.

"It's okay," Nanako said, "She's been gone for a while now, and I still have dad and now," Her gaze shifted to Yu, "I have big bro too…"

Despite happiness that had replaced the gloom on Nanako's face, Chie felt the need to dispel the remaining awkwardness. "C'mon Nanako-chan let's go grab a soda!"

Nanako looked surprised, apparently unused to such treatment. Her expression brightening a bit, she asked, "Can we… get lemon soda?"

"Sure thing!" Chie replied enthusiastically, rising out of her seat.

"Why don't we grab a bite too?" Yosuke offered, obviously still feeling a little guilty for bringing up Nanako's mother. "My treat, Nanako-chan!" Shifting his glance to Chie he went on, "No freeloading," with Chie responding by rolling her eyes.

"Do they have takoyaki?" Nanako asked, curiosity tinging her features.

"Yep! It's pretty good too!" Yosuke said proudly.

"I don't know Nanako-chan, Yosuke might be just saying that, he does work here after all," Chie teased.

"Hey!" Yosuke shouted indignantly, offended by the mere proposition that he would lead his closest friend's little cousin astray. "Seriously Nanako-chan, don't listen to her, its good I promise!"

"Okay!" Nanako replied, smiling sweetly. Suddenly concern raced across her features, "I should ask big bro if he wants some too!"

Chie and Yosuke watched as the young girl made her way back to the table, both still coming to terms with Nanako's decidedly not very childlike behavior. Chie rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "Man, she makes me feel like I'm the little kid!"

"No kidding," Yosuke agreed. With a serious expression adorning his features he looked at Chie. "I say whenever we can, we should spend some time with her all together. Maybe some good memories will make think less of the bad ones…"

"Yeah…" Chie said, doing her best to regain her usual cheerful expression upon seeing Nanako, who was apparently delighted to share that she was going to share some takoyaki with her 'big bro.' "Hey Nanako-chan," Chie began, "We should come out and play some other time too!"

"You… would all play with me?" Nanako asked, astonished.

"Definitely!" Yosuke answered without hesitation.

"Now let's grab some food!" Chie exclaimed, eager to get back to their original purpose of setting out.

"Man Chie, is food all you think about?"

Chie was about to protest when she noticed Nanako poorly attempt to suppress a giggle, and just this once, she let Yosuke's taunting slide.