*Chapter 15: Returning to Inaba*
*Summer Break*
"Come on Yu," Chie sternly said as she pulled Yu along and entered the train. The two had a look of annoyance on their faces for each other, sitting down on the train.
"Thank god we're headed back to Inaba," Yu said, "I can't wait to see Nanako again." He looked at Chie who was ignoring him, immediately placing her headphones on and listening to music, "Wow, big surprise there, not listening to me, again," he remarked as the train began to take off.
"Huh," she looked over at him, "Did you say something?"
"Nope," he mocked her. She put her headphones back on the two ignoring each other, "Jerk."
"Now I know you said something!" Chie tore her headphones off again.
"I didn't say shit!" Yu scolded her.
"Fine!" she pouted and put them back in.
*Inaba*
"Big Bro!" Nanako ran up to Chie and Yu who had just gotten off the train. The two smiled, hugging Nanako who was so excited to see them again.
"Nanako! God I missed you. It's been so long," said Yu as he looked up at Dojima and hugged him, "How have you been?"
"The house hasn't been the same since you left, but Nanako and her friends make it lively again," Dojima said, "How's been living with Chie?"
"Good…good…it's been fun," Yu lied through his teeth, to be honest he and Chie had encountered their problems. The amount of fighting and arguing in their life had gone up exponentially and they didn't seem to get along as well as they used to, but he would never say that to her face. Chie was a fun girl to be around and Yu was enjoyable to hang around with too, but having each other around 24/7 became a chore for both of them. It always seemed that one argument lead to another, a dirty sock lying around or whatnot. Arguments led to more arguments and the two missed their privacy.
"Glad to hear it," Dojima said as Chie came up to Yu with Nanako.
"Should we go?" she smiled at Yu, the presence of Nanako and Dojima masking their anger for each other. The four went off, Chie texted Yosuke and Yukiko to meet them later that day after work.
*Later*
"Dude!" Yosuke ran up to Yu, giving him and Chie a big hug, "I missed you two so much!" Yosuke hadn't changed at all, still looking the same as he had a few months ago. Yukiko looked the same too, but her hair was now a little shorter than before, only slightly going part her shoulders. She came up and hugged them as well. The four reminisced with each other about all their adventures.
"So, you're back for the summer, and the wedding," Yosuke said, "I can't wait to hang out again with the gang, just like old times."
"Just like old times," Yu smiled at the thought, "How have you two been, haven't burned down that apartment yet?"
"It's been fun," Yosuke said looking at Yukiko, "It's a journey, but it has been fun. How has college been and the police academy for you?"
"A lot of work," Yu said, "I can't wait to go to bed tonight, I'm exhausted from all the work, and I know Chie is too."
"Yeah," she smiled, "I miss my bed to be honest, and my parents, and home cooked meals. Anything big happen while we were gone? I hope there haven't been any serial killers or gods making trouble around here."
"No, life goes on as usual here in Inaba," Yosuke said, "Junes is still here, and so is The Amagi Inn… Rise and Teddie still planning their wedding… Naoto is coming back later this week for the wedding, Kanji and her talk on the phone all the time like a pair of teenage girls." The four laughed and hung out for a little while longer, enjoying their company before heading off home.
*The next night, at The Dojima Household*
The seven all sat around the Dojima living room, watching television and talking with one another. Nanako and Dojima eventually arrived home, Nanako sitting down next to Yu as she ate a piece of fruit she had bought.
"Nanako, I have a question to ask you," Rise said, "Do you wanna be the flower girl at our wedding?"
"Flower girl?" Nanako said.
"You walk down the aisle and toss flowers," Teddie said, "It's beary fun."
"Yeah!" Nanako smiled, "Dad can I be the flower girl?"
"No problem," Dojima said, "I keep forgetting you two are getting married, already, you two are barely eighteen and still in high school."
"So, you two still are living together above the tofu shop?" Yu asked.
"Yep, Teddie doesn't take much room, so it works out really great! He helps out around the shop and the house and is so polite," Rise said, "Teddie is the best man any girl could live with."
"Well any guy would better than Yu," Chie mouthed off to the group, "He's such a slob you have no idea."
"I'm not a slob, you're a slob!" Yu barked out, Chie's attitude bring up some repressed feelings the two had for each other for some time now, "You leave your hair all over the apartment and the entire place smells of BO from your sweat!"
"You think that's bad, you should see the hair Yukiko leaves behind," Yosuke said as he showed the group how long they are with his hands, "It's so gross, and I gotta snake the drain every week to get all the hair out. She is honestly one of the grossest people I've ever met."
"I'm gross?!" Yukiko yelled, "You are a disgusting pig, you smell and snore and have the grossest habits I've ever seen! Clipping your toenails with your mouth, just use the toe nail clipper." the four all went off, the rest of the group and Dojima and the rest falling silent as they continued to argue about everything. Minutes upon minutes passed of nothing but arguing.
"Well maybe I'd make the bed if we had some sex!" Yu said, "It's been over a month, and nothing!"
"I haven't had sex in over two months Yu! Consider yourself lucky!" Yosuke said.
"Well maybe I'd be a little more romantically spontaneous if you tried a little more!" Yukiko yelled. The four continued to argue as Nanako started to cry.
"Stop fighting! Stop fighting! Stop!" Nanako cried out, but her pleas were lost as the four only got louder and angrier at one another. The rest of group had no clue what to do, but sit there silently as their friends all argued over one another. The argument was stopped abruptly as Dojima whistled with his fingers so loud that Nanako covered her ears with her hands.
"That's enough!" Dojima scolded them as they all quieted down, "You four sit there, quietly. Nanako, let's go to bed. You three should leave," he said as he pointed to Kanji, Rise, and Teddie. The three got up, shuffling out of the house as Nanako continued to cry as Dojima put her to bed. The four sat there, still pissed off at one another. Dojima came back out, sitting down next to them as they all continued not to talk to one another. "You guys wanna say anything?"
"Nope," Chie bluntly said.
"I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, what you guys are going through is…normal…ish," Dojima said, "Back when me and my wife started living together, we fought all the time, but you gotta learn to communicate effectively or else it's not going to end well. I can tell you all care about each other, but arguing like this is not going to get you anywhere, especially in front of your friends and Nanako." Dojima felt awkward playing the role of a marital councilor, but he hated watching them fight and how much it upset Nanako.
"I don't see why it's my fault," Yosuke said, "Yukiko has had it out for me ever since I ate that chocolate she had saved from work a few months ago."
"You think it's about chocolate, you idiot?" Yukiko shot back, "You are… argh. You are so annoying sometimes; I just wanna smash your head in with a frying pan."
"Nobody is smashing anybody's head in," Dojima said, "Listen, this is awkward, but you guys are clearly having…intimate…problems."
"Come on; don't talk about that," Yu said, "That's weird."
"Well…okay…what is the biggest issue you have right now?" Dojima struggled to find the right words to say.
"I hate our apartment," Yukiko said, "First off, the people above us have a baby that never shuts up and it keeps us up all night, then we have to shower together because the hot water runs out after ten minutes, so I barely get any time to wash my hair!"
"Speaking of your hair, you spend an hour in that bathroom getting it ready!" Yosuke said, "I've got to get ready too! You can't maybe speed it up a little more? You wash your body and hair and get out, it's not rocket science!"
"Chie spends all day on her hair," Yu said, "I don't understand how it takes you girls so long, all we do is wash and dry it with a towel, if even, because Chie here likes to use them all."
"Okay, so let's talk about you two," Chie said, "You're loud, obnoxious, and you have horrible habits! You mess with all our stuff and take up all the room!"
"Yeah, and you ate my chocolate!" Yukiko said.
"One time!" Yosuke defended.
"That was my special chocolate Yosuke, my treat, so don't eat my freaking chocolate!" Yukiko yelled.
"Enough!" Dojima said again silencing the four, "You guys need to learn to get along with each other, living with another person is hard, and privacy goes out the window, and the only way you'll ever get through it is accept your flaws and try your best to improve yourself and each other."
"All I want is a quiet evening alone!" Yosuke said, "I'm exhausted! I work all day, and come home to a messy apartment where it's either too hot or cold and there's no food and no toilet paper, because somebody used it all up! Right Yu?"
"The toilet paper budget is insane for us," Yu said, "It's like you eat it as a snack or something."
"We don't eat it idiot," Chie said as her stomach let out a huge growl, "I'm starving, I just wanna eat steak, I haven't had it in forever since we have no budget either than instant noodles or canned tuna, it's disgusting." Chie stuck her tongue out.
"I've eaten nothing but expired fruit cups for breakfast and dinner with Yosuke for the past month," Yukiko said, "He brought a huge box home from Junes that his dad let him have because they went past the sell date."
"Free food is free food," Yosuke said, "We can't afford all the extravagant things we use to do in high school, there's bills for electricity and water and rent and internet and television and the list goes on and on!"
"Yukiko's a manager though; shouldn't she get a manager's salary?" Chie asked.
"Well… TECHNICALLY I have to wait a few years for that to happen, so right now I'm a manager in name only, Yosuke is an assistant manager which has a slightly better pay, but we basically are two entry-level paid employees right now with adult responsibilities."
"I miss being a kid," Yu said, "Being an adult sucks."
"Yeah," Yukiko agreed. The four sat next to each other in silence understanding their mutual plight in their changing lives. Dojima reached into his pocket, giving Yu some money.
"You're still kids, don't forget your parents, and me of course, are still here for you guys," Dojima smiled, "Go have some beef bowls on me, things will work themselves out for the most part, trust me; in a few years you'll make more money and be able to afford things again Always a light at the end of the tunnel." Dojima got up to head off to bed as the four sat there.
"Wanna crash at our place?" Yosuke asked as he and Yukiko got up.
"Sure, what the hell, can the couch fit me and Chie?" Yu asked as they left the house.
"Probably," Yukiko said. The four walked for a little longer before arriving at the apartment complex, they walked up to Yosuke and Yukiko's room, Yu looking around at the beautiful night time sky. You couldn't see the stars in Tokyo, the lights of the city were too bright.
"Home sweet home," Yosuke said as he flicked the light on, the light flickering for a few seconds until it maintained a steady light source. Inside, the place was looking alright, they had moved a couch and a small television in, a few clothes scattered around the place along with a bunch of papers and magazines.
"It's kinda a mess, me and Yukiko haven't had much chance to relax," Yosuke explained, "Ever since we both started working full time, we come home exhausted and just kinda fall into a routine of watching some television and eating dinner and going to bed."
"Yu and I are the same way," Chie said, "Except sometimes we don't even eat dinner, there's nothing in our fridge but a couple of eggs and an empty jar of pickles right now," she laughed. The four all sat down on the couch, Yosuke going over to the sink and pouring the group some glasses of water.
"Sorry, I'd offer you a soda, but we haven't had any since last month," Yosuke said. The four talked for a little while about life and how things were going.
"Is this what being an adult is like?" Yu sighed, "Remember all the whacky stuff we did a few months ago, now I feel like I'm becoming my dad, just sitting her making small talk with some friends about our boring lives. It sucks! Let's do something wild tonight!"
"Yeah!" Chie agreed, "Come on!"
"We got work tomorrow," Yosuke said, "Maybe Friday evening, but right now I'm tucking into bed." Yosuke got up with Yukiko, the two heading into the bedroom as Chie and Yu laid down on the couch.
"I got a pillow and a blanket for you two," Yosuke came out dressed in nothing but his boxers. He handed them to the two as Yosuke went back and hopped into bed with Yukiko. Chie and Yu laid in the dark, eventually drifting off to sleep.
*The next morning*
The four all awoke to the sound of an alarm, Yosuke and Yukiko climbing out of bed and heading into the bathroom. Yu and Chie both got up, sitting on the couch as they heard the shower turn on.
"Hey, you guys are going to have to shower back at your places because the hot water runs out really quickly here," Yosuke shouted out of the shower as he and Yukiko showered together. Yu turned the television on, the two watching some news while Yukiko and Yosuke continued to get ready for work. Yosuke walked out of the bedroom, dressed in his Junes uniform as Yukiko continued to do her hair. Yosuke made himself a pot of coffee as he went over to Yukiko who was still messing around with her hair.
"See you tonight, love you," they shared a brief kiss as Yosuke headed out the door, Yukiko following in suit a few minutes later in her work kimono. Yu and Chie left along with her, locking up as they all headed back home.
*Later that night at Aiya's*
"Oh my god I missed steak," Chie groaned euphorically as they all ate their own beef bowls. They were shoving them down at light speed, the group enjoying the best meal they have had in months.
"Man, this hits the spot," Yosuke said as he looked over at Yukiko who smiled, "Hey…I'm sorry about all the things I said a few days ago, I was kinda an ass."
"No, I'm sorry," Yukiko shot back, "I know you mean well. Maybe I just had too high of standards for us."
"Well, living with someone isn't everything it's cracked up to be," Yu admitted, "I was hoping for non-stop sex, but that didn't happen."
"I was hoping for my own personal servant to be honest," Chie admitted, "We both were wrong…" The four all made up over their delicious meal, paying and heading outside and walking back towards the apartment.
"You got any plans for the night?" Yu asked.
"Well, I figured it's been far past due for some…private time," Yukiko smiled.
"I agree," Chie said as she grabbed Yu's arm. The two guys smiled as Chie dragged Yu back to her house and Yukiko dragged Yosuke back to the apartment. The four had a wonderful night together and never felt happier living together, at least with a belly full of hot food.
*The Next Week*
"Where is she?" Kanji was looking at his phone, "She said she'd be here in ten minutes… and that was fifteen minutes ago!" Kanji was looking at his phone, "I'm gonna text her! Should I text her? I should text her!"
"Cool your jets man," Yosuke held back Kanji, "Look; her train is right there in the distance."
"What if it's not her train? What if she took the wrong train or there was an accident or…" Kanji droned on.
"It's her train Kanji, just relax," Yu said as the train approached, Kanji was hopping around in place as the train finally drew into the station.
"Naoto…Naoto!" Kanji yelled as Naoto got off the train. She had much longer hair, and was wearing a beautiful blue sun dress with sun glasses on her head. Kanji's bullet necklace dangled on around her neck as she smiled. She ran up to Kanji, tossing her suitcase down as the two embraced. "Look at your hair! You look so beautiful."
"Oh I missed you so much Kanji!" Naoto laughed, "What do you guys think of my hair. I did my best to grow it out for the wedding."
"You look so hot!" Rise said as the girls went up to feel it.
"It's so silky," Chie said, "I wish my hair was this silky." The group all rejoiced as they were back together again. They walked away together, talking about all of Naoto's adventures across Japan and they're own adventures. They went into the food court of Junes, sitting around in their usual spot again.
"Feels just like old times," Yosuke laughed, "God do I miss it, the eight of us against an unknown serial killer, fighting countless enemies in the name of truth and justice."
"That it does," Naoto smiled as she took a swig of her mineral water. She was holding hands with Kanji, the two not taking a second separated from each other.
"I don't miss that," Chie laughed, "I'm glad we don't have to deal with anymore shadows or monsters or demons or gods or fog or any of that…" she droned on, "Only thing we have to deal with is how to spend this summer and the wedding in a couple of weeks."
"Speaking of weddings…" Yosuke smiled, "Teddie gets to have a bachelor party."
"No way," Yukiko said, "You perverts are not having a bachelor party."
"Aren't you throwing Rise a bachelorette party?" Yu asked Yukiko.
"No," Yukiko said, "I mean, we're not really old enough to drink yet, so most places that would be even remotely interesting are off limits… not that we want to."
"Then we'll throw a big party for all of us," Teddie declared, "We'll get balloons and have a cake and soda."
"You're missing out on the point of the bachelor party," Yosuke said to Teddie who was confused, "It's one last night of debauchery, you go to strip clubs and drink and gamble in on big crazy night, the women do it too man, it's awesome."
"We're not old enough for that unfortunately," Yu said.
"Ohhh, What a shame!" Chie mocked them.
"Do you score at a bachelor party?" Teddie asked.
"Well, no, but it's suppose to be… you know," Yu tried to explain it, "You're single again and surrounded by beautiful women."
"But I'm getting bearried to Rise," Teddie seemed confused, "I can't be single again."
"I have an idea, why not have a little get together at The Amagi Inn together," Kanji said, "You know, just a little party that'll count as both the bachelor and bachelorette party."
*Later that night*
"Mmm," Naoto muttered out as Kanji and her burst through the door, "Kanji," she broke the kiss quickly, "I…missed…you," she tried to say in between Kanji's vigorous barrage of kisses.
"I missed you too!" Kanji tossed her onto the bed and jumped on top of her, "Now take your clothes off!" Kanji quickly pulled her sundress off as fast as possible, Naoto letting out a laugh as Kanji's kisses tickled all over her body. Pretty soon they both were naked rolling around in the bliss of love.
"Ahhh… I am spent… I love you," Naoto breathed heavily into Kanji's face as the two held each other in Kanji's bed. Kanji was breathing heavily too as he laid a kiss on Naoto's lips. Naoto threw back her hair from Kanji's face, still adjusting to how long her hair was.
"I love you too," he said breaking the kiss from his lips, "meh," he pulled a long hair from his mouth.
"Sorry," Naoto giggled.
"No it's fine, at least it's your hair," Kanji said, "It's still pretty gross though."
"Yeah, it is gross," she smiled as she rolled over to check her phone, "It's getting late Kanji, I should go."
"Please don't," Kanji said as Naoto rolled out of bed and walked across the room to get her panties.
"I still have work left to do," Naoto started to get dressed; "I have a ton of paperwork to finish, not to mention a few emails."
"Can't it wait till tomorrow?" Kanji asked as Naoto put her sundress back on, "Stay here with me for tonight."
"… I want to," Naoto walked back over to Kanji and kissed him gently, "But I can't." Naoto walked to the door to leave.
"Please don't," Kanji said, "I miss you."
"I know," Naoto opened the door, "Goodnight Kanji." She closed the door gently as Kanji fell back on his pillow, letting out a huge sigh. He quickly leaned over to pull out a small photo strip he had in his nightstand. It was of him and Naoto from the day before she left. They decided to go to Okina City together. Naoto enjoyed going to the bookstores there and Kanji went to the arts and crafts shops. At the end of their day the stumbled across a photo booth on their way back.
"We should get photo," Kanji said, "You know, as a memory."
"Okay," Naoto inserted some yen into the machine, "It says here we get four photos." Kanji and Naoto stepped into the booth, a small screen looking back at them to see their faces, "So… what do we do?"
"We,uh, take our photographs," Kanji looked at the screen.
"I know, but what should we do," Naoto says, "Do we smile?"
"We can take one smiling," Kanji pressed a button on the screen, "Say cheese!"
"Cheese!" Naoto and Kanji both smiled as a flash took appeared and took their picture, "What next?"
"I don't know," he looked over at Naoto, "How about we look angry!"
"Angry?" Naoto said.
"Yeah," Kanji frowned towards the camera and pressed the button.
"Okay," Naoto smiled, and then quickly turned it into a frown with Kanji. The light flashed again and they both laughed afterwards.
"Now let's make a funny face," Kanji crossed his eyes and stuck his lower jaw out.
"Kanji!" Naoto broke out laughing, "Stop it!" Kanji pressed the button as Naoto tried to stop laughing at Kanji's face, but couldn't. The flash came yet again as Kanji's face returned to normal along with Naoto.
"Alright, now you choose what's next for the final picture," Kanji said, "Whatever you want…" Naoto pressed the button then began to kiss Kanji through the flash.
"How is that?" Naoto smiled.
"Ahhh," Kanji blushed, "Fantastic." Naoto and Kanji left the booth together, grabbing the photo strip from the slot that it was printed out of.
"Look at you!" Naoto laughed at Kanji's silly face again, "That face Kanji!"
"If I knew you liked it so much I would've done it earlier," Kanji said as he looked the photo strip himself, "At least you get to look at this funny face for the next few months." He curled her hands around the photos.
"Kanji?" Naoto looked up at him.
"Take it with you, so you don't miss me," Kanji said.
"No, Kanji, you take it," she pulled her hands away and left the strip in his hands.
"Take it Naoto!" Kanji was getting annoyed.
"No!" Naoto argued back.
"Man you're so stubborn!" Kanji said.
"I get it from my boyfriend!" Naoto smiled.
"… Good one," Kanji chuckled, "But seriously though, take it."
"…No," Naoto said definitively, "You're gonna miss me a lot more than I will miss you… that came out wrong," Naoto said, "What I meant to say is that I love you and I will miss you, but I know you love me more and will miss me more, not that there's much difference. Our levels of love are pretty similar and they both are up there and…" Naoto rambled on.
"Naoto," Kanji calmed her down, "I'll take it… but I want to give you something so you won't miss me as much."
"Deal," Naoto kissed him again.
Kanji sat in bed looking at the photo strip still. It was still like new, Kanji taking care with it whenever he could. Naoto looked so happy in the photos with him, even in the angry photo, and Kanji was happy too. He had the best girl in the world and she loved him, he was truly lucky.
*The next night at The Amagi Inn*
"This is fun," Teddie smiled as he took a big bite of pretzels. The eight were all hanging out at The Amagi Inn once again and had a few snacks and soda in front of them. Yukiko's parents were at the inn at the moment and the eight didn't want to do anything that would make them mad.
"Yeah, totally fun," Yosuke sighed as he looked around the room with a very bored expression on his face.
"So…" Kanji coughed as he pulled out a huge red bottle of liquor, "I have this."
"Kanji!" Naoto said, "We can't drink that here."
"I had to pay a guy so much money for this it isn't even funny," Kanji said as he handed the bottle to Yu, "Just read the bottle and tell me you don't want this."
"Holy crap this is strong," Yu said as he read the bottle, "… Sea turtle blood? This drink has sea turtle blood?"
"It's the world's strongest drink," Kanji said, "People black out after one glass of this stuff."
"So, let me get this straight, you want us to drink a glass of alcohol that will make us all black out in the middle of a public inn with Yukiko's parents," Yosuke said, "Let's do it."
"What?" Yukiko gasped, "NO!" Kanji popped the lid and began to pour a glass followed by everyone in the room coughing.
"Why does it stink? Is that the blood?" Naoto pulled her shirt over her mouth and nose, "I can't drink that."
"Just one drink and that's it, I'm sure we'll be fine!" Kanji said as he began passing everyone a glass. They all slowly took the cups up to their mouths.
"Three… two… one!" Yu counted them down as they all downed the drink instantly followed by everyone gagging and coughing extremely hard.
"THAT'S DISGUSTING I'M GONNA VOMIT!" Chie yelled out.
"I'm okay," Yu caught his breathe, "There's a bad aftertaste but it's smooth." Those were the last words he remembered before completely blacking out for the remainder of the night.
*The Next Day*
Yu opened his eyes, the lights as bright as possible. He felt like he was staring directly to the sun as he looked around. He didn't know where he was or if was even still alive, he could be dead for all he knew, he certainly felt like death was inside him. He was in a large bed in someone's bedroom. He realized he was in a bed at the inn at that moment, and he was completely naked for some reason.
"Oh god," he muttered to himself as he rolled over. He noticed short brown hair lying on the pillow next to him. Clearly, it was Chie's and he must have snuck off together some point last night. Yu felt relieved to know that he was okay along with Chie as he quickly snuggled up next to Chie.
"Good morning beautiful," he began kissing her neck.
"Morning Yukiko," a familiar voice said as his eyes widened. Yosuke rolled over and kissed Yu on the lips with his eyes still closed. Yosuke opened his eyes, screaming as he realized he was kissing Yu.
"DUDE!" Yosuke said as he backed up looking down at his own naked body between the covers, "YOU? AND I?" Yosuke looked around.
"Huh?" Chie popped her head up from behind Yosuke, "Youske! Yu! Yukiko!" Yukiko popped up from behind Chie, both of them not wearing any clothes either.
"Where are we? Why are you two naked? Why are we naked?" Yukiko began to panic.
"Did the four of us… no!" Chie said, "No! No! NO!"
"I can't remember," Yu said, "I don't remember anything!"
"We couldn't have! Right?" Yosuke said, "I mean, we probably just… shitshitshit." Yosuke began to shake as the thought about what could've happened last night entered all their minds.
"Put your clothes on!" Chie said as she put her head in the pillow, "This is bad."
"Let's look at the facts," Yu explained, "Other than the fact we all are naked and in the same bed doesn't mean we did anything. Yosuke, you don't… feel different."
"Define different," Yosuke yelled, "Because I'm feeling very violated right now!"
"Like… you're not in pain in a particular part of your body that I might have caused because I'm not," Yu suggested it to him, "You know… near the… bottom."
"NO!" Yosuke screamed, "Yu, if you are suggesting what I think you're suggesting there is no way in hell I would ever allow you to put THAT in THERE!"
"Oh my god," Chie quickly threw her shirt on, "Let's leave before anyone figured out this happened… and we will NEVER talk about this EVER!"
"No problem," Yosuke threw the door open and walked out. Outside the room was the living room area that they were all hanging out in the previous night. Teddie was making pancakes at the oven as Rise was reading the paper with Naoto, who at the moment was having her hair braided by Kanji.
"Morning you four," Kanji cracked up, "How are you… feeling?"
"Like crap," Yu said, "My head hurts from that alcohol."
"Well…" Naoto smiled, "Actually…"
"What?" Yosuke looked at the four who were all laughing.
"That wasn't real alcohol!" Rise laughed, "We just lied because we wanted to see what you four drunk would be like."
"You WHAT?" Chie was steamed, "YOU LIED TO US!"
"We were all in on the joke," Teddie laughed, "And it was beary embearrassing.
"Why… what did we do?" Yosuke said as he was sweating bullets with everyone else.
"First, we should tell you after the four of you passed out we decided to undress you all and put you in the same bed," Kanji told them, "You don't have to worry about keeping that a secret because none of you did anything."
"You undressed us?"Yukiko blushed.
"No, Rise and Naoto undressed you two, I just undressed the guys," Kanji took a sip of coffee.
"Okay, nice prank," Yosuke sighed, "I hate you all so much."
"That's not a nice thing to say," Rise smiled, "We all know you love Yu…"
"Yu…kiko?" Yosuke asked.
"No, Yu," Naoto said, "You four were very anxious to confess your love for one another last night. You four broke down in each other's arms about how good of friends you are and how much you love each other… it was very touching… until, you told us about a certain… event."
"Events?" Yu asked.
"A certain event that took place in a shed at the school during the culture festival," Everyone smiled as Yukiko, Chie, Yosuke, and Yu's eyes got as wide as they possibly could.
"AHHHHH!" Yosuke screamed, "NO! Guys, it's not true!"
"HAHAHAHA," Kanji broke down in complete laughter, "You may say I'm the guy who likes dudes! But I never kissed any dudes like you two!"
"Teddie kissed you during The King's Game!" Yu said.
"I didn't want to," Kanji blushed, "You two kissed out of mutual agreement! Dude… you two are gay!"
"NO!" Yosuke yelled, "I'm not gay guys! THAT AIN'T ME! I'm just comfortable with my sexuality! I'm attracted to Yukiko and other women."
"Other… women," Yukiko frowned.
"NOT that I would act on those feelings!" Yosuke quickly defended himself; "I only have eyes for you my love!" he let out a quick nervous chuckle.
"And Yu… and Chie," Naoto said as she began to imitate a drunk Yosuke from last night, "Chie, I love you so much that you would be my only other choice for a girlfriend! Yu, I want you to know how much you mean to me! I love you like a brother and a boyfriend!" she began blubbering like a baby as they continued to laugh at Yosuke.
"…I hate my life," Yosuke fell to the ground.
"It's okay," Teddie came up to pet Yosuke like a cat, "Have some bearcakes!" Teddie dumped a bunch of pancakes on Yosuke's back as he let out a soft moan from the hotness hitting his back.
"… If you're not going to eat them I am," Chie sat down by Yosuke and began to eat the pancakes off his back, "What is that? Cinnamon?"
"Shame," Yosuke said.
*Another week later*
It was the afternoon of the rehearsal dinner for Teddie and Rise's wedding. The group, along with Rise's parents and relatives all had to attend. Yu was the best man for Teddie and Yosuke and Kanji as groom's mates. Rise decided to make Chie her maid of honor along with Naoto and Yukiko as bride's mates. Teddie and Rise decided to have a cook out near the park, a perfect opportunity for some relaxation and fun. Unfortunately, Teddie had no family so they had to make a rumor up how he was an orphan who didn't know his deceased parents.
"Hard to believe those two are getting married tomorrow," Yosuke said to Yu, "I feel nervous man, and I'm not even the one getting married."
"I'd hate to see you at your own wedding," Yu laughed, "Do… you plan on marrying Yukiko."
"Yeah," Yosuke whispered, "Of course, maybe in a couple years after we get some affairs in order, but I'm planning on it."
"Same here," Yu said, "Hard to believe that two years ago we never would've imagined marrying these girls, we were just happy to get them into bikinis for us."
"We've come so far dude," Yosuke smiled, "Some of use more than others, but who's counting?" The two smiled as Yukiko and Chie approached them.
"What are you two conspiring about," Yukiko asked.
"Nothing," Yosuke grinned as he went over grabbed Yukiko's hand, giving her a twirl around, much to her amusement.
"I've always meant to ask something," Yu interrupted the two, "How exactly did you guys meet Yosuke?"
"Pretty much the same way we met you," Chie said, "He was introduced as the new transfer student and people slowly got to know him, we've kind hung out since."
"You think you'd ever be dating him," Yu looked at Yukiko.
"At first, no, but now I don't see how I could've missed out on him," she smiled. The four talked for a little while longer, enjoying the cookout when they were approached by Rise.
"Thanks for being here today," Rise said to them.
"Well, we are part of the wedding," Yosuke said, "but we wouldn't miss it for the world." Rise hugged each of them, heading back of to chat with her relatives; the group had a wonderful time before heading home to rest for the big day.
*The Next Day*
"This is nice," Yu looked around at the wedding decorations. Rise and Teddie were getting married outdoors along with the rest of the reception. They had a nice white steeple set up and a bunch of white chairs. There were roses and a piano and people were beginning to take their seats. Yu was dressed in his suit, the same suit in fact he wore that first date everyone went on together back last year.
"It is pretty nice," Yosuke walked over with Kanji, "We should probably go check on Teddie." The three walked over to the indoors area nearby where Teddie sat furiously writing something down on on a sheet of paper.
"Whatcha writing Ted?" Kanji asked.
"My vows…" he was struggling, "I… can't… do it!"
"What?" Yu asked.
"Everything I write is Unbearable!" Teddie cried out, "Look!" he handed them a sheet of papers with all sorts of lines and scribbles on it, nothing even close to what could be described as a word or letter.
"Teddie, this is just a bunch of nonsense!" Yosuke said, "I can't read this."
"…" Teddie teared up.
"Hey," Yu sat down next to him as Teddie put his head on his lap, "It's okay." Yu began to rub his head softly, "You're getting married. Just speak from the heart and I'm sure whatever you write she will love." He began to tickle Teddie's neck as Teddie began to let out a hardy laugh as Yu continued to tickle him.
"STOP!" he laughed, "Or I'll tickle you too!"
"Feeling better?" Yu asked
"BEARY!" Teddie lept up, "I know what I need to do! Let's go get bearried!" The four guys hurried out to the front of the the marriage steeple. Yu was the best man for Teddie and Rise's wedding, with Naoto as her maid of honor. The girls had made an agreement a little while ago that at Yukiko's wedding, Chie would be the maid of honor and vice versa and at Naoto's wedding Rise would be the maid of honor. That way no one was left out. The men really didn't care who was the best man at their wedding, but they all wanted it to be Yu, but Yu was unsure who his should be when that day came.
"There they are," Yosuke said as they saw the car containing the four girls pull up. The wedding march began to play as Rise, along with her father stepped out of the car along with the rest of the girls and began their walked down the aisle. Nanako followed at the end as she was throwing flowers all over the place. The girls were all wearing light blue dresses, except for Rise who wore an elegant pure white dress. The wedding ceremony went on as usual, the officiator saying the usual words and words… and words.
"Do you Rise take Ted to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he asked.
"I do!" she smiled.
"and do you Ted take Rise to be your lawfully wedded wife?" he turned to Teddie.
"I do!" he shouted.
"The by the power vested in me I pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride," he said as Teddie almost tackled Rise with his kiss. The crowd all clapping as they rushed down the aisle together.
"Wow… I can't believe their married!" Chie smiled as they stood together watching Rise and Teddie rush off, "I'm so happy for them."
"Hard to believe," Yu said, "Now let's go party!" the group all hurried off to the reception.
*The Wedding Reception*
The wedding reception went off without a hitch. They were served delicious food and delicious cake, which Rise and Teddie both smashed in each other's faces. Nanako was having a wonderful time; she got to dance with her big bro for a couple of songs. Rise had a band full of some of her star friends performing, sounding just as good as they did on television.
Yu looked over from the table he was sitting at, seeing his dad slightly swaying with a glass of champagne and heading towards him. He sat down next to his son, drinking some more before saying, "You having a good time?"
"Yeah," Yu said, "It's been a long day, but it's worth it."
"Damn right," his father said, "Weddings are fun, free food and alcohol and then you get laid!" Yosuke and Kanji started to laugh softly as Yu put his head down. "It's true; I'm going to wreck your mom tonight six ways to Sunday!"
"That is so wrong!" Yu shouted as his friends all laughed, "Don't tell me about shit like that!"
"Kid, you're dating a brides mate, you're not going to even be able to walk tomorrow!" Kanji and Yosuke kept laughing to themselves as Yu's dad explained it to him, hitting him on the back a couple of times, "You two, you're dating the other brides mates?"
"Yeah," Yosuke said, "I'm dating Yukiko, the one with the black hair over there and Kanji here is dating Naoto, the one with the blue hair."
"Nice job locking those girls up," he reached over and hi-fived the two kids, "Those are some hot freaking chicks!"
"Well you're wife is still pretty hot," Yosuke said.
"For the last time, stop saying my mom is hot Yosuke," Yu said.
"You've got a hot mom, accept it!" Yosuke said.
"She is hot," Yu's dad said as he turned and saw Dojima standing alone watching Nanako dance with the girls, he motioned Dojima over to his side.
"What is it?" Dojima asked.
"You've been a good brother-in-law and guardian for my kid, so to pay you back we're gonna help you get laid at this wedding."
"Oh my god dad," Yu groaned as he put his head back down.
"That's uh," Dojima started blushing.
"No exceptions," Yu's dad began scanning the crowd, "Bingo, single lady right over there, a little older, but not that bad looking…"
"That's my mom!" Kanji said looking over in horror.
"She's single right?" Yu's dad asked, "Hasn't had a man in her life for some time. I bet she just aches for a special touch only a real man can provide for her late at night."
"NO!" Kanji slammed his fists down on the table, "YOU TOUCH MY MOM I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Fine…" he continued scanning the crowd, "uhhhhhh…. Her!" There was a lone woman in her mid-thirties standing alone near a table. "Go talk to her."
"I'm not that comfortable with dating," Dojima said as he continued to make up excuses.
"Listen, I know how hard it is getting over someone, and I don't blame you, but isn't this what your wife would've wanted, for you to be happy," Yu's dad said, "Just go talk to her! If these kids can score those girls, who are way out of their league on every measure, than you can go talk to a lady for a few minutes."
"Fine, I'll do it," Dojima took a deep breath as he walked over to talk to the lady.
"Listen, I know this is weird, but right now I'm gonna help you get Chie's attention, she'll be all over you for the rest of the wedding and you'll get lucky tonight," Yu's dad shot over to Yu.
"Dad!" Yu shouted, "That is enough, you're drunk and this is really weird, help Yosuke for all I care."
"Yosuke, you want that Yukiko all over you right now?" Yu's dad asked.
"Sure," Yosuke smiled.
"Here's what you gotta do, okay?" Yu's dad explained, "First, see Nanako over there? Go and ask her to dance together, and just do a short little slow dance, everyone will go nuts over it and Yukiko is gonna come over and cut in and she's gonna spout of something and whatever it is you just agree to it and trust me, she'll be so turned on she's not gonna wanna let go of you and then she'll give you the ride of your life." Yosuke got up, walking over to Nanako.
"Hey Yosuke," Nanako said.
"You wanna dance," Yosuke said, "It'll be fun, just the two of us."
"Uh, can I dance with big bro?" Nanako asked.
"He's not feeling the best right now," Yosuke said, "Too much soda."
"Oh…okay!" Nanako smiled and Yosuke took her hand and the two went onto the dance floor and began dancing. They went on for a little while before the girls took notice.
"Oh my god, look at Yosuke!" Chie squealed, "That's adorable." Naoto and Yukiko all began watching him as he and Nanako had a lot of fun. Every girl around was starring at Yosuke as he dance with Nanako.
"Holy shit, everyone is starring at Yosuke," Yu said as the girls were all gossiping about Yosuke.
"Mind if I take this dance Nanako?" Yukiko said as she walked over to Yosuke, almost shoving Nanako away and grabbing Yosuke and dragging him into another dance.
"I love weddings," Yukiko said, "Aren't weddings fantastic?"
"Yes," Yosuke agreed as he looked back at the table.
"Do you think our wedding would be like this?" Yukiko asked, "We are getting married… right?"
"Uh," Yosuke coughed, "Yeah… don't make me propose right here at a wedding, that's really unclassy."
"So you're going to propose?" Yukiko smiled.
"Aren't proposals supposed to be secret?" asked Yosuke, "Besides, now I'm not so sure, maybe I need some motivation," he moved his hand down to her bottom.
"I guess you'll have to wait and see…" she purred as she began to kiss his neck, he looked back at the guys again, smiling ear to ear as Yu's dad gave him a huge thumbs up.
"It's time for the bouquet toss!" Rise yelled as a bunch of girls began to hurry together in a group.
"Move aside ladies!" Chie strutted up to the group, "I'm going to win this one! Nobody jumps higher than Chie Satonaka, even in a dress."
Rise turned around giving a couple of practice tosses before launching the bouquet across the air as it headed towards the group of girls. Chie leapt up it the air as the bouquet headed right for her hands. Just as it was about to land perfectly in her palm, Naoto used Chie to launch herself up higher than Chie and grabbed the Bouquet before anyone else.
"I…I got it!" she smiled, "YES!" she quickly ran over to Kanji and tackled him and began to kiss him.
"Damn, Chie looks bummed," Yosuke said as Chie stood in shock that she lost.
"She'll be okay," Yu said.
"Good for Naoto and Kanji," Rise laughed as she walked up to Chie and Yukiko, "Those two are really…" Just then Teddie dove under Rise's wedding dress as she let out a sharp yelp, "Teddie!"
"I got it!" Teddie quickly shot out of Rise's dress with her garter in his mouth, "GARTER TOSS!" Teddie shot it out of his hands and high into the air.
"What the hell is Teddie doing?" Yu looked over as Rise's garter landed right on his nose, hanging on the bridge.
"YES! I WON!" Chie smiled and ran over to Yu and began kissing him.
"Isn't the tradition that the person who catches the garter and the person who catches the bouquet hook up?" Yukiko watched them.
"Don't ruin it for them," Rise smiled. The wedding continued on for the rest of the night until a car pulled up for Teddie and Rise and the two were sent off on their romantic honeymoon.
"See you guys back at school!" Kanji said as they waved goodbye. Yu walked over to Chie who was watching Nanako at the time.
"Should we get going?" Yu asked.
"I told my parents I wash crashing with you tonight," Chie said, "I know your parents are staying with Dojima, so I hope I'm not a burden."
"Not at all," he looked over as Dojima slugged over to him with a slightly flushed face, clearly a little drunk.
"Hey…uh, can you watch Nanako tonight?" Dojima walked up to Yu and handed him the keys to the house.
"You too drunk to watch your own daughter?" Yu asked.
"I'm… not coming home tonight," Dojima said almost blushing, as if Yu could tell.
"You dog!" Yu smiled, "What should I tell Nanako?"
"Make something up!" Dojima ran off towards the woman he had been talking to earlier. Yu walked over to Chie and Nanako.
"Have fun!" Yu yelled, "Be safe!"
"What was that?" Nanako asked.
"You're dad has… work," Yu said, "Me and Chie are going home with you."
"Dad has work?" Nanako said, "I thought he took today off."
"Last minute stuff, needless to say he's going to be up all night," Yu said, "A lot of leg work for him… let's go home."
"Did you have fun at the wedding?" Chie asked as she held Nanako's hand.
"Yeah!" Nanako said, "I got lots of cake and food and got to dance with big bro!"
"I got to dance with big bro too!" Chie said, "He's a good dancer isn't he?"
"Put out all those candles before you start moving them like that!" one of the employees in charge of taking apart the wedding decorations yelled at his subordinates. They had a table lifted above their heads with all the lit candles on them.
"Relax," one of the guys said, "It's not like…" and just as he said that he trip, causing the table and all the candles to come crashing down on Naoto who happened to be passing by. Almost immediately her hair went up in flames.
"AHHHHH MY HAIR!" she screamed as she ran into the street with her head on fire.
"QUICK GET A TOWEL!" Kanji yelled has threw Naoto to the ground and tore his shirt off began trying to douse the fire out with it. A bunch of others came and began throwing whatever they could to help Naoto.
"NAOTO!" Yu ran over, "Is she okay?!"
"Huh!" Naoto looked up, her hair scorched short again, but completely unharmed otherwise, "MY HAIR! I WORK SO LONG ON IT! NO!"
"Dude," Yosuke said as he caught up to the three with Yukiko, "Best wedding ever."
"You can say that again," Yu smiled.