*Chapter 8: School Daze*
The group was all hanging out at The June's food court when an excited Chie ran up to the group with the biggest smile on her face, "I've got great news!" she was jumping in place.
"What is it?" Yu asked.
"I got into The Tokyo Police Academy!" she squealed. The group all congratulated her as she could barely contain herself.
"Wow, that on top of Yu getting accepted into that college last week, everything is all falling into place for you two," Yosuke said, "I guess it kinda all fell into place for all of us."
"What are you and Yukiko's plans?" Chie asked, "I know Yukiko said she was going to start working at the inn full time, but I don't know what you're up to."
"We've been talking about it, and I've also talked about it with my parents and I'm going to be working here a Junes, taking a full time job as an assistant manager," Yosuke explained, "And… Yukiko and I are going to get a place together, somewhere around here, a nice little apartment."
"Good for you two," Chie said, "Me and Yu are going to do the same…except I guess will be in Tokyo," Chie said as a wave of sadness washed over the four, "I guess we're not going to be seeing much of each other."
"We'll have the summers and winters!" Yu said to the group, "Plus, after all is said and done I wouldn't mind coming back here. What about you four, you're still a couple years out, but what's your plan?"
"Well, I think I'll head back to stardom after high school," Rise said, "Teddie expressed interest in joining me, and I... wouldn't mind that. He's got the acting and singing chops."
"I'll conquer the hearts of everyone in Japan," Teddie said as he kissed Rise on the cheek.
"What about Kanji and Naoto, what are your plans?" asked Yosuke.
"I have work," Naoto said sadly, "I… don't… I don't think it's going to work for us Kanji," she bluntly declared taking the entire group by surprise.
"Wait, what are you saying?" Kanji said as Naoto looked away from him.
"I can stay here for a little while longer, but we lead different lives… it's over Kanji, I'm sorry." She said with a lump in her throat, choking back tears as she got up and left the table, Kanji unable to say anything, his eyes welling up as he began to look down at the ground with sadness.
"Kanji, are you okay?" Rise asked.
"I'm fine," Kanji stammered out. He got really angry, taking his food and tossing it across the store in a fit of rage. He then ran off in the other direction away from the way Naoto left.
"What the hell just happened?" Yosuke asked.
"He got dumped," Yu said, "That's…that's tough man, I know they have their differences, but jeez, there's gotta be something those two can do to make it work." The six sat there quietly, trying to figure out what to do.
*The Next Day at School*
"Hey Kanji," Yu said in the hallway as he saw Kanji, "How are you doing?"
"Fine," Kanji said in a monotone voice, "Terrific." He was standing near the window starring into oblivion.
"You wanna go somewhere and talk after school?" Yu asked, "Just us four guys."
"No," Kanji sighed.
"Come on," said Yu trying to cheer Kanji up, "We'll leave you alone afterwards, I promise. You know we're not gonna stop bothering you until you talk to us…"
Kanji let out a huge sigh, "Fine, if it'll make you guys happy, I'll go." Yu walked away, leaving Kanji to sulk in solitude for the time being. Yu walked up to Yosuke who was talking with Yukiko.
"How's he doing?" Yosuke asked.
"He's a complete wreck," Yu said, "He looks like he's been up all night crying, he's just staring out the window completely silent."
"Poor guy," Yukiko said, "I would never do that to you, we'll be Yosukiko forever," she said as she put her hands on his shoulders.
"Yosukiko?" Yu laughed.
"It's our couple name," Yukiko said, "Don't you and Chie have one?"
"No," he said.
"Come on, it's fun! Teddie and Rise are Reddie and Naoto and Kanji are Kaoto! You two could be….Yie…Chiu…Cyu?" Yukiko pondered.
"Yuchie!" Yosuke said the two giggling with each other.
"You two are something else," Yu groaned as he walked away from the two.
*After school*
The four guys were sitting around the riverbank, tossing stones into it trying to make some small talk to make Kanji feel better.
"Hey man, it's gonna be alright," Yosuke said to Kanji who was still looking extremely pissed and sad at the same time, "There's other fish in the sea!"
"Come on man," Yu said as Kanji wouldn't even make eye contact with them, "We only want what's best for you!"
"I know!" he shouted, "You guys keep saying it, I know! Just go away!"
"Let it all out Kanji," Teddie said, "We don't care if you cry."
"I ain't gonna cry, I'm just…just," Kanji got up picking up a big rock and throwing in very far into the river, causing a huge splash. "I'm so stupid!"
"No you're not," Yu comforted him as he put his hands over his head and started to kick up dirt.
"I'm so stupid! She said that she loved me and I said I loved her and I was stupid enough to believe it," Kanji said, "Stupid! I just wanna punch someone right in the face!"
"Then punch me," Yu said getting up and walking straight up to Kanji, "Let it all out man, punch me right in the face."
"I'm not going to do that," Kanji said.
Yu let out a fake laugh, "You're a big baby, no wonder Naoto left you." That completely pissed Kanji off and he whipped around punching Yu in the face so hard he flew half way across the riverbank, falling flat on his face.
"Holy crap, are you okay Yu?" Yosuke said as he and Teddie ran over to help him get up, his forehead was gushing blood.
"Feel better?" Yu managed to mutter out to Kanji who was still pissed.
"I," Kanji screamed followed by a huge sigh of relief, "Yeah…I feel a lot better. Sorry man."
"No, I'm sorry, that was pretty uncalled for to be honest, but I knew you needed to get that out of your system," Yu said as he went over to the water and started cleaning his face up. The four all walked back towards The Textile shop, Yu still bleeding slightly.
"So, what's the plan?" Yosuke asked Kanji, "You going to talk to Naoto or anything?"
"I don't know man," Kanji said, "I just don't know anymore."
"I tell you what, here's what we can do," Yu told them, "We can try to talk to her or something for you."
"No, just give me time to think," Kanji said, "You guys wanna hang out at my place for a little while? I could use the company." The three agreed and went upstairs to hang out with Kanji.
*Back at school*
"You are hands down the biggest asshole I have ever met!" Rise said as the three girls approached Naoto who was hanging out behind the school.
"What?" Naoto said surprised by their tone.
"You wanna explain to us what the hell happened yesterday?" Rise was furious as Naoto, Yukiko and Chie both giving her a look of death.
"I ended it with Kanji, it wasn't working," Naoto explained, "I'm sorry, I never meant for everyone to get upset."
"What did you expect?" Chie said, "Kanji looks like he's going to die. You really hurt him you…you…"
"IDIOT!" Yukiko yelled, "You stupid killjoy smartass detective idiot! You think you're so smart, but you're a MORON! Kanji doesn't deserve that kind of treatment and you don't even deserve to be our friend!" That hurt Naoto really badly and she started to cry.
"I'm sorry!" she started sobbing and fell to her knees. The other three felt bad for their words and bent down to pick her up.
"Hey, we're sorry, that was too far," Yukiko said holding her as she continued to cry, "Let's go to Junes and get some ice cream or something. Does that sound good?"
"Y-yeah," Naoto said wiping her eyes.
*Junes*
The four sat around at the food court, Naoto slowly licking the ice cream cone they had bought her, still somewhat crying to herself.
"Feeling better?" Chie asked.
"Yeah," Naoto softly said.
"Sorry about what we all said back there," Yukiko said, "We were out of line."
"It's okay," Naoto whimpered taking another lick from her ice cream cone.
"Why did you really break up with him?" Rise asked, "I know you said it can't work between you two, but I'm sure you two can find a way, right?"
"Back before Yu came back for another year, I was so scared about him leaving and I hated thinking about it, but then I knew no matter what happened our love would always be with each other," said Chie.
"It's different, you two are making it work, but Kanji just wants to stick around here! He has no desire to leave or go anyehere." Naoto said, "We're not going to hanging out together like this forever, in a few months everyone is going to be gone, it's over!" Naoto started to cry again, "I should've just left long ago; it was stupid for someone like me to fall in love with you guys and Kanji."
"Love isn't stupid," Yukiko said, "It's wonderful and you should go get him!"
"Yeah!" Rise smiled as the three cheered Naoto up.
"I wanna travel! I want to see the world and try new cuisines and see all the wonders of the world and explore," Naoto opened herself up to them, "I know it's childish of me to want that, but it's something I used to do as a little kid. I'd pretend to be a famous detective exploring the world and solving mysterys."
"Talk to Kanji, you guys can take a few vacations together," Yukiko said, "I highly doubt he'll stop loving you because you wanna leave Inaba occasionally, we all feel that way."
"You guys really think it could work between us?" Naoto asked. The three nodded and Naoto stopped crying and put a smile on, "Thanks… oh god now I need to go get him back! What do I do?"Naoto started to panic, "I feel like an idiot."
"I have an idea," Chie said with a smile on her face.
*Later that evening*
The four guys were hanging out in Kanji's room, hanging out and watching some television. Kanji had cheered up for the most part, trying to keep his mind of Naoto. Then, a small tapping noise came from Kanji's window; the four looked over to see some rocks being thrown against his window. Kanji got up to see what was happening.
"Guys, its Naoto!" Kanji said, she was standing out in the street surrounded by candles placed in the shape of a heart, trying to get Kanji's attention.
"Open the window," Yu said holding the other two guys back to make it seem like Kanji was alone in his room. Kanji opened the window, Naoto taking out a piece of paper and a small little book.
"Kanji!" Naoto said as she began to read the piece of paper, "I never meant to break your heart! I wanna tell you the reason I was distant, I was afraid you were gonna break my heart! And I got scared, but I'm not scared anymore! I love you! I need you!" She opened the book to her marked page and began to read.
"Love! It makes me feel good! Like warming myself up on a hot and sunny car hood! I want the rest of my days with you, eating food… with you," Naoto but the book away unable to read the rest of the poem, "Good god that's awful," Naoto whispered over her shoulder, "Why the hell would you make me read that?"
"Uh… I love you too," Kanji said, "You didn't have to write a poem…seriously you really didn't."
"Screw this, it's not working guys," Naoto said to the other three girls who were hiding off to the side, "He's not going to take me back."
"No, it's working fine!" Chie said, "You got him on the hook!"
"Who are you talking to?" asked Kanji, "Is that Chie?"
"No…It's the fox!" Naoto said. Kanji gave her a queer look and Naoto sighed, "Fine; Chie, Rise, and Yukiko set me up to this; I'm not good at this stuff, just... I'm sorry okay! Can you find it to forgive me and get me back together?"
"KANJI ACCEPTS!" Teddie screamed as he ran to the window, "He loves you beary beary much!"
"Why is Teddie with you?" Naoto asked blushing, "Are all the guys in there with you?"
"Just, yeah, let's all come down, this is getting really awkward," Kanji said shutting the window. The eight met up outside as the girls started extinguishing the candles and putting them into a bag Yukiko had brought.
"Are you two getting back together?" Yu asked as Kanji and Naoto went up to each other.
"Yeah," they both said they exchanged a brief kiss.
"I'm going to give you guys an A+ on effort, but the execution was a little off," Yosuke said, "That poem was just awful."
"Yeah," Yu laughed, "I'm sorry Naoto, but poetry just isn't for you."
"Well," Chie said grabbing the book from Naoto, "It came from your diary." Chie said showing the book to the group as Yu's face went completely red.
"You took my diary from home!?" Yu yelled.
"You keep a diary?" Yosuke laughed, "Who are you, Nanako?"
"It's full of gems like that," Chie laughed, "Seriously, just god awful poems and horrible drawings, just awful. It's like a 12 year old girl wrote it, he wrote that poem while we were hanging out in Tokyo." Yu chased after Chie trying to grab the book from her as she ran away, the rest of the group laughing their butts off. The guys quickly grabbing Yu as Chie opened the book up and turned through the pages.
"Dear Diary," she said as Yu was being held down.
"Wait, he actually starts it off with dear diary?" Yosuke laughed.
"Chie, please, for the love of god do not read my diary to them," Yu cried out practically on the verge of tears and Chie continued.
"It's been over a year since I wrote to you, but my year abroad in Inaba was amazing! I actually made friends, real friends who like me and want to hang around with me."
"This is actually pretty sad," Naoto said as she looked over at Yu, "Now I agree with Yu, we should stop."
"I met all these cute girls, including a girl named Chie, and I think she might be the one!" Chie proudly declared.
"Oh my god, he sounds like a teenage girl," Naoto giggled, "Disregard my previous comment and keep going!"
"Chie if you love me you'll stop this right now!" Yu was trying to wrestle free from his friends death grip.
"She's funny and is cute and huggable and I love to spend time with her and go places with her and I love her with all my heart, I love all my friends! We did stuff like go to the beach and go skiing; it's been an amazing year!" Chie said.
"This isn't that bad," Kanji said, "I'm a little touched to be honest." Chie flipped the pages, showing them the awful drawings Yu made of them.
"Is that supposed to be Rise?" Yukiko laughed, "She looks like a squirrel!" The group all laughed as Yu got up and managed to snap the book away from Chie.
"I've had enough embarrassment for one lifetime," Yu said as his friends continued to laugh at them.
*The next day at school*
"Alright class, as you all know the school festival is coming up, yet again," the male student of the two students standing at the front of the class addressing the third-year class.
"And once again, we get to decide on what we want to hold as a class in this room," the female student explained, "Due to last year's total failure of the group café date, we won't be doing that again." The class all shot a look at Yosuke.
"Don't blame me, it's all your fault for not showing up," Yosuke said followed by a loud chuckle from the back.
"We'll collect the ideas after lunch and vote on them," the male student said. The class was dismissed to lunch and Yukiko, Yosuke, Chie, and Yu all went to the roof to hang out.
"You guys have any ideas?" Chie asked the group, "Yosuke, you've probably got something planned, right?"
"Nope," Yosuke said, "I don't feel like having to decorate and do all that crap I did last year, plus I'm already on their bad side from the café last year, so I'm steering clear. Besides I already got a date." He grabbed Yukiko by the waist pulling her in tight.
"What do you guys think they'll do?" asked Yu.
"Probably something stupid like a movie room or relaxation center," Yukiko said, "It's always something dumb like that."
The four hung out for the rest of lunch until they returned to their class, several students submitting ideas in the box at the front. The two student leaders came back up front and opened the box.
"Yosuke," the male student said with a look of disappointment on his face, "Sexual massage parlor is not appropriate, and don't sign your name on the sheet you idiot."
"What?" he screamed, "I didn't even submit that, someone's screwing with me!" He heard another chuckle from the back. "I know it was you man, knock it off!" he yelled back at him.
"Next, we have…" the male student let out another sigh, "We're not doing the group date café." He continued to pour through the suggestions, "Group café date…group café date… group café date… school strip club!?"
The female leader slammed her fists down on the table, "Do you guys think this is a joke?" The class all started giggling as he continued to read off the suggestions as the female student leader continued to lecture them.
"This one just says, 'I want Narukami's steak skewer behind the bleachers tonight!'" Yu smiled as he shot a look at Chie who rolled her eyes; a few giggles coming from the back of the room again. "Okay, since it's clear none of you want to take this seriously, congratulations, we're doing the group café again!" Yosuke let out a loud groan realizing he had to do all that pointless work again.
Class ended and the four walked out of the school. "Oh hey, me and Yukiko are going to look at apartments, care to join us?" Yosuke said to Chie and Yu.
"That seems kinda personal," Chie said, "I don't know if we should be joining you two."
"Its fine," Yukiko giggled, "Beside I'm sure you two are going to look at apartments soon."
"Actually, we already have a place lined up," Yu said, "It's brand new, our parents are going to be helping us pay for it while we're off at school, of course we're still gonna need some part time jobs, but it'll be fun."
"Well unfortunately some of us have to pay for it up front with our own money," Yosuke said, "We've been crunching the numbers trying to figure out how it's all going to work. Come on, we gotta keep to the schedule, the land lords aren't going to be happy if we're late." The four walked off heading towards the apartment complexes they wanted to visit.
*Later*
"Holy crap, I've completely underestimated the cost of apartments," Yosuke groaned, "This is our last resort." The four approached a relatively old and rundown apartment complex, the place eerily familiar to them.
"What is it about this place," Yu said, "This place feels…odd."
"Yeah, I don't like it," Yukiko said.
"Let's just go in and take a look," Yosuke said as they entered inside, meeting up with the manager at the desk.
"Oh, you are those two students looking for an place to live next year," the manager said, "I have two places coming up, one pretty cheap compared to the other, so if you're looking to save money."
"Why is it so cheap," Yu said looking at the prices of the respective apartments, "That's practically a steal, it's doesn't lack plumbing or heat I hope."
The manager sighed, "Legally, I have to tell you it's been hard selling that apartment because it used to belong to that serial killer who killed those people last year." The four's faces turned completely pale, realizing where they were.
"I…I wanna look at the other apartment," Yukiko said. The four lead them up to the other apartment, opening it up for them to see.
"It's so… small," Chie said walking around the place, there was a small living room area where a couch and TV could go, a small kitchen area, a small bedroom, and a really small bathroom.
"This is where we're gonna have to live," Yosuke said, "I'm sorry Yukiko, but we're on a budget and unless you wanna go live in that other creepy place or on the street, this is home."
"We could always just… live with our parents," Yukiko said.
"I guess…" Yosuke sighed, "I really don't though and I'm tired of sneaking around to spend time alone time with you. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I want a place we both can call home."
"Home," Yukiko said as she went over to the fridge and opened it, "We can make this work, right?"
"Together," Yosuke said as the two kissed. Yu and Chie we're in the bedroom looking around.
"This place is a mess," Yu said, "I really hope our place isn't like this."
"You said it was new, so probably not," Chie said.
"Well let's hope so," Yu laughed, "Hard to believe only a few more months left and they'll have moved in here and we'll be gone."
"Time is just flying right by," Chie nervously laughed, the two pondering what the future had in store for them.
*Later that night*
Yosuke and Yukiko lay next to each other in bed, both of the heavily gasping from their recent activities. They were in Yukiko's parent's bed, mostly due to the size and that Yukiko's parents are not home. Yukiko rolled over, putting her hand on Yosuke's chest.
"I love you," she purred into his ear as Yosuke continued to catch his breath.
"I love you too," he laughed as he pulled Yukiko in closer to him, "And I love your parents for going out to dinner that was so far away," he said, stroking her hair with his hand. The two laid there in silence for a long time as they just listened to each other breathe. Yosuke opened his eyes, looking over at the nearby dresser.
"Your dad smokes?" he reached over and picked up the pack of cigarettes on the nightstand.
"Yeah," Yukiko said.
"…You wanna try?" Yosuke asked.
"But, we're underage and my dad will get mad if we smoke those!" Yukiko gasped.
"It's one pack, he can buy another one," Yosuke opened it up; "We can try one and if we don't like it we'll simply stop. You can't say you're not a little curious as to what it's like?"
"A little… okay, just one!" Yukiko said. He reached inside and pulled out two small cigarettes handing one to Yukiko. Yosuke reached over for the lighter on the nightstand as well and started it up.
"So we just put the cigarettes in our mouth like this," Yosuke said as he put it in his mouth, Yukiko doing the same, "Then I guess we just put the flame here… and inhale." The two put their cigarettes together and lit them at the same time with the lighter, both inhaling.
"AGH!" Yukiko coughed, "This is awful!"
"Yeah!" Yosuke coughed too, "It's like eating dirt!" The two continued to cough as they tried to smoke their respective cigarettes.
"You know, ignoring the horrible taste, you get used to the smoke pretty quick," Yosuke said as he took another inhale, "You just gotta do it a lot I guess." The two finished off the cigarettes, disposing of the buds in the trash as they continued to lie in bed.
"When's your dad coming home?" Yosuke asked.
"A little while, we got some time," Yukiko pondered, "Can we have another cigarette?"
"Absolutely!" Yosuke quickly grabbed the pack and gave her one and took one for himself, "Man, this ain't half bad!"
"I agree," Yukiko smiled, "Take the pack, we can hide it from my dad and we can smoke it later. I'm sure he'll just think he misplaced it or something." The two chatted for a little while longer, enjoying the company of smoke.
*The next night*
"Hey!" Yosuke ran over to Yukiko, "Did you get more?" The two were walking home from school on their way to Yu's house to hang out.
"No! My dad hasn't left them in the open!" Yukiko panicked.
"Shit! I really want one!" Yosuke groaned, "We went through that pack like it was nothing yesterday!"
"Who knew smoking was so fun?" Yukiko said as she grabbed Yosuke's hand and firmly grasped it in hers, "We should get more though, like now!" The two continued to walk on their way to Yu's house, meeting up with everyone in the living room per usual. Nanako was watching television with them.
"I'm home!" Dojima said, "What are you all doing here?"
"Just chilling out," Yu said, "Spending time with Nanako."
"EGGS!" Kanji yelled out at the television.
"Kanji, the question was about books," Naoto told him.
"Damn it I misheard them," Kanji stomped his foot into the ground.
"Swear!" Nanako pointed to the jar.
"Shit!" Kanji yelled out again as he covered his mouth, "I mean… dang it."
"Watch your language Kanji, I mean goddamn it!" Chie laughed as Nanako turned her head to her, "Sorry!"
"Enough with the swearing!" Dojima said.
"I can swear too!" Teddie leaped up, "Fuck shit damn dick coc…"
"TEDDIE!" Yu yelled, "Enough! Holy shit dude."
"SWEAR!" Nanako was yelling at Yu now.
"See now you're fucking swearing!" Rise joined in on the fun.
"Yeah Yu, watch your language man, there's a fucking child around!" Yosuke mocked him.
"Hey Yosuke," Yu turned to him, "Since I already am putting about 5000 yen in the jar, go fuck yourself."
"WOAH!" Yukiko laughed, "Don't say that to Yosuke."
"Bullshit, he started it!" Yu was angry now and threw a crumpled up piece of paper at Yukiko.
"Kiss my fucking ass Yu," Yukiko laughed.
"ALRIGHT!" Dojima yelled, "ENOUGH, NO MORE FOUL LANGUAGE, EVERYONE JUST SHUT THE HELL UP."
"Swear!" the entire group said in unison as Dojima went over at ripped the jar off the fridge and slammed it down in front of them.
"Everyone put 2000 yen in, now!" Dojima scolded.
"I didn't even swear!" Naoto defended herself.
"Well since you are putting money in you get to now," Kanji said.
"Really?" Naoto asked.
"No!" Dojima said.
"Fuck that fucking shit I wanna swear!" Naoto said out loud as the entire group began laughing. Everyone pulled out their money and put it into the jar.
"What's the money even going to be used for anyways?" Yosuke asked.
"Rainy Day fund," Dojima said, "And if you guys keep this kind of activities up it'll be full by the end of the week." Dojima smiled as he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a packet of smokes. Yukiko and Yosuke's eyes both immediately turned towards the pack as Dojima began striking the bottom. He grabbed one and set it down on the counter, heading out to the backyard to smoke himself.
"Yosuke," Yukiko whispered as she nudged him off the couch. Yosuke casually got up, strolling over to the sink pretending to wash his hands.
"Hey, uh, is that a blimp?" Yosuke said as he pointed out of the window. Everyone turned and looked as Yosuke quickly swiped the pack and put them in his own pocket, "Never mind, just a cloud. It's getting kinda late Yukiko, maybe we should go home."
"Your right," she said as she got off the couch.
"It's barely 4:00!" Chie said.
"I got homework and you know, studies, and stuff," Yosuke said as the two headed quickly for the door, "See you later, don't wait up!" The two closed the door, proceeding to rush away from the house.
"What's there problem?" Dojima asked as he came in.
"Who knows, those two are an odd couple," Kanji said. Dojima walked over to the counter, looking at the blank spot. He looked over at the group who was still watching television together. Dojima went over and grabbed the remote shutting it off as he stood in front of the television.
"Alright, hand them over!" he said as he extended his hand out.
"Hand what over?" Yu asked.
"Don't play dumb, you kids stole my cigarettes," Dojima said.
"No we didn't," Rise said.
"I left them right on the counter and now they are gone," Dojima said, "Explain that to me."
"Yosuke stole them," Teddie smiled, "He distracted everyone and took them and he left with Yukiko just now!"
"Yosuke stole them?" Chie asked, "How do you know."
"Bearipheral vision, nothing gets past this bear," Teddie laughed.
"Yosuke doesn't smoke," Yu said, "The kid has never shown an interest or signs of that."
"Well that doesn't matter, he's underage and shouldn't have them, Nanako stay here" Dojima grabbed his coat and headed out the door, the group following him. Meanwhile in an alley a couple blocks away, Yosuke and Yukiko had lit up and were embracing their cigarettes.
"Oh dear god this is amazing!" Yosuke smiled.
"I know, it's even better when you have to work for it!" Yukiko laughed, "After this we'll have to be more careful, we can't keep stealing entire packs."
"Right, we'll grab two or four at a time every once and a while and enjoy them, like a spontaneous treat," Yosuke explained.
"What the hell are you two doing?" Dojima yelled as he came around the corner, the two smokers stunned as Yosuke dropped the pack on the ground. The rest of the group coming around as well making the shocking discovery.
"Yukiko!" Chie gasped at her as she ran over and grabbed the cigarette out of their mouth, "And you Yosuke! Shame on both of you!" Chie quickly grabbed the other cigarette out of Yosuke's mouth and stomped them into the dirt along with the pack near Yosuke.
"Damn it those were mine!" Dojima scolded, "When did you two start smoking."
"Yesterday, we tried some of Yukiko's dad's and we like it!" Yosuke said as Yukiko looked over at him, "Just sayin!"
"Come on man, you shouldn't smoke," Kanji said, "Shit's unhealthy for you. You two are going to get sick or something… Naoto, you're smart, explain it."
"Cigarettes contain benzopyrene, a chemical that leads to lung cancer," Naoto said, "Scientists know that when benzopyrene enters the body, it changes to benzopyrene diolepoxide and attaches to the receptors on the P53 gene, the gene which causes lung cancer. The BPDE attaches to the P53 gene in three specific locations and causes pre-cancerous changes to the lung tissue, specifically…" Naoto droned on.
"I didn't ask for a freakin science lecture!" Yosuke said, "Speak the common tongue!"
Naoto sighed, "Fine! You will get cancer and die if you continue to smoke, which is a very painful and drawn out death. Better?"
"Yeah," Kanji said as he patted her on the back, "You're a wonderful woman."
"Uh… thank you?" Naoto was somewhat creeped out by Kanji.
"Think of Nanako guys, you really want to be that kind of role model for her?" Yu went over to them, "Don't you wanna be around and play with her and go out to places with her. You can't smoke in Junes, so imagine having to constantly leave the table to do this."
"…" Dojima was feeling guilty now as the group continued to lay on Yukiko and Yosuke.
"It's my body," Yosuke said, "I can smoke if I want!"
"I'll tell your mom," Chie said.
"You wouldn't!" Yosuke growled at her.
"You better believe it!" Chie yelled back, "And same goes for you Yukiko!"
"Alright! No more cigarettes!" Yosuke gave in, "Damn it… can we at least have one more!"
"No!" Chie said.
"I'm quitting too," Dojima said as the entire group looked at him, "You guys are right, I'm not setting a good role model for Nanako and I shouldn't do it around her anymore."
"The three of you can detox together!" Rise said, "You can be partners in this."
"No offense, but it'd be a little weird hanging out with Yu's uncle," Yosuke rubbed his hair.
"None taken," Dojima chuckled, "…"
"…" Yosuke grunted back.
*A couple days later*
"How goes the quitting?" Yu ran up with Chie to Yosuke and Yukiko's sides.
"Fine!" Yukiko angrily grunted at the two, "Just leave us alone!"
"You still mad at us for making you quit?" Chie asked.
"What do you think?" Yosuke mocked her, "I'm so angry right now! Every little thing annoys the shit out of me right now! I just wanna have a smoke!"
"Let's check on Dojima later tonight, I figure the three of us could have a chat and see how it's going." Yu told them.
"At this point I'm risking just letting you tell my parents so I can smoke again," Yosuke said, "Seriously dude, you have no idea how bad I want one right now. I'd go as far as telling the school about our hot springs adventures just to have one puff."
"No!" Chie said, "We made a mutual agreement that what happened that night at The Amagi Inn stays with us and us only… and Yu's mom."
"And probably his dad," Yukiko said as Yu looked at her with anger in his eyes, "What? She probably communicates stuff like that to her husband."
"Let's not think about that. Right now, let's head over to Yu's place and relax together, I wanna make sure you two aren't smoking." The four continued on their way.
*A couple hours later*
"Dad's home!" Nanako smiled as her father slammed the door open, "Hi dad."
"Hmmm," Dojima grunted loudly as he stormed into the house and threw his coat on the table. He sat down on the couch, the four kids all sitting and watching television together. Dojima quickly reached over and turned it off, much to Nanako's displeasure.
"Dad I wanna watch television!" Nanako said.
"Damn it can't a man just get two minutes of absolute silence around here!" he practically yelled at Nanako.
"Don't mind him Nanako, he's trying to stop smoking, "I take it's not going well."
"Of course not, I've smoked everyday for the past decade or so, it's not easy going cold turkey like this," Dojima whined.
"I've only smoked a few times and this is pretty bad," Yosuke said, "I feel sick right now." He looked over as Dojima reached into his pocket and began chewing on some nicotine gum he bought, "Can…uh… me and Yukiko get some of that."
"No," Dojima said, "Against the law to give this to minors."
"Come on!" Yukiko slammed her fists on the table, "Gimme gimme!"
"No!" Dojima said, "Get your own."
"Wow, it's like dealing with three children," Yu laughed, "Just hang in there, I'm sure it'll all be over soon."
"FOR FUCKS SAKE MAKE IT STOP!" Yosuke howled out.
"SWEAR!" Nanako said as the group all groaned in pain.