10/3
Yosuke brought Yui to the hill overlooking town, wanting to talk about his past feelings.
"You know, I used to hate this place. Seeing the town from up here reminded me how small Inaba was." Yosuke admitted.
"Really now?" Yui asked.
"Yeah. But looking at it now, it's a nice town."
"Hey, cheer up a bit. I miss your usual jackass self a bit." Yui joked.
"If only it were that easy." Yosuke said with a grin.
Yosuke turned to look at Yui.
"I want to tell Saki-senpai something. That I love this town. I realize that what's important isn't where you are. What's important is who's around you. Your friends, your family. All my life, I wanted to be 'special'. I thought that I needed to be special to someone to have meaning in life. But just being born and living your life, you're special to someone before you even realize it." Yosuke rambled.
"Like me? Is that what you're getting at?" Yui asked.
"Yeah, like you. You're special to me, Yui-san."
"Did you want to visit Saki's grave or something?"
"No...not yet. I don't have the heart to do it…"
"It's alright. The departed can wait as long as they need to."
Yui leaned against the fence, looking out over Inaba.
"Where's your house?" Yui asked.
"It's that one, the one with the weird roof." Yosuke pointed out.
"Ah yeah, I see it."
10/6
"Man, midterms are next week!" Yosuke complained to the others as they walked toward the school entrance.
"Don't remind me. I'm bummed out just thinking about it." Chie told Yosuke.
"Ah look! There's Naoto-kun! Naoto-chan? I still don't know how to refer to her. I'll ask her later." Yui said, spotting Naoto at the entrance.
"Ohayo." Naoto greeted the others.
"Ohayo. How are you feeling?" Yui asked.
"I'm alright. Thank you again for the other day." Naoto said thankfully.
"Look! It's the Detective Prince!" A male student said to his friend.
"Prince? Nah man, that's a she!" His friend told him.
"Eh?! That's a girl? Wow!"
"Ah, rumors spread fast, don't they?" Naoto stated.
"Ignore them. Just be how you want." Yui told Naoto.
"I want to discuss the case with you, if that's alright. After classes, of course." Naoto said.
"Yeah, we need to go over things." Yosuke said with a nod.
"Let's meet on the roof then." Yui said.
Yui and her friends gathered together on the school rooftop, eating their packaged lunches.
"So, you were at home when you were kidnapped?" Yukiko asked Naoto.
"It started when my doorbell rang. Just when I answered the door, no one was standing there. Before I could react, someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth with a cloth." Naoto explained.
"Ah, must have been chloroform. You see that all the time on police dramas." Yui said.
"Immediately after that, I was stuffed in a bag and carried on someone's shoulders. Judging by the physique and methodology, I hypothesize that my kidnapper was a man." Naoto explained further.
"I'm surprised you remember all of that!" Rise exclaimed.
"I was mentally prepared for this outcome." Naoto said.
"You were way too calm about it, if you ask me." Kanji stated.
"He never spoke or gave any verbal signals, so I imagine he must be acting alone. He slammed me into something, which I believe was him putting me into the TV. This took maybe a few minutes." Naoto claimed.
"So he threw you into the TV right after kidnapping you?" Chie asked.
"Now how could he have done that?" Yui thought aloud.
"I think it's safe to say that the culprit who attacked me is the same one who attacked all of you." Naoto stated.
"Then what about that guy that killed Morooka? Mitsuo, I think it was?" Yukiko asked.
"I believe he was a copycat killer. But how he came to learn about the TV world eludes me." Naoto explained.
"Yeah! That's been bothering me! If Mitsuo can enter the TV, then why didn't he just copy that guy and kill King Moron the same way? It makes no sense!" Chie exclaimed.
"I bet that the real killer has a better grasp of the TV world than Mitsuo. He never considered using his ability to enter and leave the TV world was a method of murder. Mitsuo's crime does confirm one thing: the killer is not retrieving the bodies and hanging them upside down. That's just what happens when a person is killed in the TV world." Naoto declared.
"So he's not trying to send some screwed up message, then?" Yosuke asked.
"I'd question Mitsuo for more information if I could…" Naoto said.
"I mean, if you were so calm about the whole situation, couldn't you have fought back against your kidnapper?" Yosuke asked.
"Yosuke…" Yui muttered.
"What?"
"To be perfectly honest...I was scared in that situation." Naoto confessed.
"Yosuke-senpai! Have you forgotten that she's a girl? Of course she was scared!" Rise scolded Yosuke.
"Oh yeah, sorry. I forget that just talking to her." Yosuke apologized.
"There's a thin line between bravery and recklessness. If I were kidnapped like the rest of you, I don't think I'd fare much better." Yui stated.
"This case is no longer someone else's problem. I want to know the truth behind all this. So please, let me join you!" Naoto asked.
"Of course you can. It's really helpful to have such a brilliant detective on our team!" Yui told Naoto.
"Arigato gozaimasu!" Naoto said with a nod.
"Ha ha ha, hey Kanji! You've been quiet for a while!" Yosuke teased Kanji.
"What?! I've got nothing to say!" Kanji said defensively, though the way his eyes kept flicking over to Naoto told the truth.
"I have a request to make regarding your bear friend, Teddie." Naoto said.
"What's that?" Yui asked.
"I wish to have him examined by a doctor. It might give us an idea as to who he is. While we're there, we may as well get examined ourselves. I want to ensure that the fog in the TV world and our Personas aren't having a negative effect on our bodies." Naoto explained.
"Oh, I see. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!"
10/7
Naoto brought everyone to the Inaba Municipal Hospital to have the doctors perform a physical examination. Teddie's exam results especially were a point of interest to everyone.
"It appears everyone's test results are normal." Naoto told everyone.
"What about Teddie?" Yui asked.
"They certainly found...something about him."
Naoto pulled out an X-ray of Teddie, showing it to the others.
"What's this?" Chie asked.
"It's all fuzzy!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"I even had them retake it several times, but as you can see, there are no bones, organs, or anything internal whatsoever." Naoto stated.
"Hey, are you allowed to have that?" Yui pointed out.
"I am borrowing it, of course. I will return it discreetly." Naoto replied.
"Tada! Look what I've got!" Teddie exclaimed, holding up a stack of papers.
"Eh? Is that…" Naoto said.
"It's everyone's physical exam results! I figured it wasn't fair if I was the only one who had to reveal everything about myself." Teddie announced.
"Hey Teddie, if you're gonna reveal anything, tell us the girls' sizes!" Yosuke said excitedly.
The girls all revolted at this remark.
"Hey, are you a fucking idiot?!" Chie shrieked.
"Well...I am a bit curious. Let me see…" Rise said as she took a peek.
"Hey! Rise-chan!" Yukiko exclaimed.
Rise glanced at the results, her face gaining a confused expression when she saw Naoto's results.
"Hm? Naoto, are these results accurate? Did they measure you incorrectly?" Rise asked aloud.
"Wait, what? How are we supposed to interpret that?" Yosuke asked.
"Shut the fuck up, pervert!" Chie shouted.
Yui, despite how irritated she was at Yosuke, held Chie back when she realized she was seriously considering doing something violent.
"Uh, anyway! The results are all normal aside from Teddie's, right? So no need to keep them!" Yui said diplomatically.
"Yes, indeed! I'm going to go shred these!" Naoto said, stealing the papers from Teddie's hands.
"Give it back!" Teddie whined as Naoto walked out of the room.
"Wait! Let me see it!" Yosuke pleaded, following close behind.
"No! Don't let him!" Chie shouted as she ran for them.
Rise and Yukiko went with her, nervous about their personal privacy. Yui and Kanji were now the only ones left in the room.
"You must be curious, aren't you Kanji-kun?" Yui asked.
"About what?" Kanji asked.
"You know...Naoto's bust size." Yui said with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey! I don't care about that!" Kanji stammered nervously.
"I'm kidding. But I've gotta say, I see the way you look at her. An androgynous girl like that must be a dream date for you."
"I mean...yeah, she's pretty amazing. Women are always fighting to be their own selves. It's incredible." Kanji confessed.
"I've read about the 'kawaii' movement. It's inspiring, and I think I take a lot of lessons from it." Yui stated.
"Watching Naoto face herself and strive to be her best...I've decided I want to do the same! Senpai! I'm gonna be myself!" Kanji declared.
"I appreciate your resolve, but keep it down. We're in a hospital." Yui gently reminded Kanji.
"Right, sorry…"
"I'm going to go catch up with the others. Make sure Chie-chan doesn't kill anyone." Yui joked.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea."
10/8
Yosuke called his friends to the school rooftop after class, much to their confusion.
"OK, Yosuke. We're all here now. What's this about?" Yui asked Yosuke.
At that moment, Yosuke clasped his hands together and got on his knees, putting on a display of desperation.
"Guys, please! I need your help! Can you keep your weekend schedules open?" Yosuke pleaded.
Everyone stared in surprise at Yosuke, realizing how serious he was being.
"This weekend? Does this have something to do with the event at the Inaba Police Station that was canceled?" Naoto asked.
"What are you talking about?" Chie asked Naoto.
"The idol, Kanami Mashita, was scheduled to be the honorary Chief this Sunday." Naoto explained.
"What's the big deal about that event being canceled, Yosuke-senpai?" Kanji asked Yosuke.
"There was going to be a big sale at Junes to take advantage of the event. But now that's been canned." Teddie explained.
"The police took forever deciding to cancel the event. My dad is in big trouble now. And after he put so much work into setting it all up…" Yosuke said sadly.
"I heard the police were unable to prepare for the event because of my disappearance. I'm sorry, this must have been my fault." Naoto said apologetically.
"No, it's not your fault. But yeah, I think that's what happened." Yosuke said.
"So what do you need our help for?" Yui asked.
"Rise-chan, can you do an event at Junes?" Yosuke asked Rise.
"You want me to substitute for Kanami? That might be tricky…" Rise stated.
"So you can't do it? You have to understand, my dad might get fired if this whole thing falls apart. And if that happens, I might have to transfer schools again. I...I can't accept that…" Yosuke explained further, his voice growing despondent.
"You're...you're serious. You can't just leave us! Not after all we've been through. Not when we're still going through the case!" Yui exclaimed.
Rise continued to think things over until she came to a possible solution.
"I have an idea. The things I can do are restricted, I don't want to get in trouble with the agency. No autographs, nothing I can't do as a high school student. Just singing and handshakes. And I'll only do it if the rest of you join me on stage." Rise stated.
"What?! You want us to perform? I'm not an idol! None of us are!" Chie exclaimed.
"It would be a big problem for me if people tried to recruit me." Yukiko stated.
"I already have an exclusive contract with Junes." Teddie stated.
"If you're singing, what are the rest of us going to do?" Kanji asked Rise.
"I'll need a band. I can't use prerecorded tracks." Rise explained.
"Hold on! We're gonna be a band? There's no way we can pull off something like that!" Yosuke exclaimed.
"Well...I do have some experience playing the keyboard. My grandfather suggested that I take piano lessons when I was younger." Naoto stated.
"Oh, well I have a guitar. But I've never really played it. Oh wait, sorry. It's a bass." Yosuke said.
"I should have some kind of instrument at home. For dinner parties." Yukiko stated.
"'Some kind of instrument'? I don't like the sound of that…" Kanji muttered.
"I...unfortunately don't have nearly as much experience playing music as I do with other forms of art. I did learn a little bit of the guitar, so I'm willing to go for it!" Yui stated.
"Then it's decided. I'll go look for a song that requires a band arrangement. The rest of you can get instruments and find a place to practice." Rise said.
"Ah, the music room! Let's ask if we can borrow it!" Chie said.
"Yes! Thank you all so much for helping!" Yosuke said gratefully.
Yui suddenly had an idea pop into her head.
"Everyone! Wait for me in the music room! I know someone who can help us!" Yui stated.
"You do? Who is it?" Yosuke asked.
Yui sprinted towards the shopping district and ushered into the Velvet Room.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Margaret said.
"Yes, hi Margaret! No time right now!" Yui responded in a hurry.
"Oh? What troubles you?" Margaret asked.
"Hey, it's you. What are you so worked up about?" Marie asked Yui.
"Marie-chan! I need your help. Well, Yosuke needs your help." Yui told Marie.
"Hm? That boy that bought me fusuteki?" Marie asked.
"Yes, him! He needs our help to perform in a band for an event at Junes. If we don't do it, his family will have to move away!" Yui explained.
"Move away? You mean he'll be gone?" Marie asked, suddenly concerned.
"Yes! He won't be able to stay in Inaba anymore! Marie-chan, I know you're a poet. Do you know how to do anything with music?"
"Music...I could try. I'll do it...for my...friend? That boy is my friend, right?" Marie asked with uncertainty.
"He sees you as a friend, yes! You'll help him, right?"
"Mmm...yes, I will! I don't want him to go away." Marie stated.
"Perfect! Arigato, Marie-chan!" Yui thanked Marie, grabbing her hand and shaking it before escorting her out of the Velvet Room.
"It seems to me you have a challenge ahead of you. We wish you luck." Margaret said with a smile.
Everyone gathered in the music room, collecting any instruments they could find that wasn't already in use. The disarray on the table was discouraging.
"I just grabbed anything that wasn't being used by the symphonic band." Chie stated.
"Is...is that a gong?" Kanji asked Yukiko.
"Yes…" Yukiko said quietly.
"And what's it doing here?" Yosuke asked.
"I thought Chie might want to play it. It sounds a bit like the instruments used in martial arts films." Yukiko explained.
"I'm not sure that's going to be useful here…" Chie said.
"Here Yosuke, try these." Teddie said to Yosuke.
Teddie handed Yosuke a pair of brightly colored maracas.
"What is this? We need main instruments! Not backup instruments!" Yosuke exclaimed.
"Don't any of you know how to play?" Marie asked.
"Not really! And that's the problem, Marie-chan! Can you help us?" Yosuke asked Marie.
"Let me see here...this is a bass. This chord goes like this, and this one goes like this…" Yui muttered as she played around with her bass guitar.
"Hey, Yui! How much do you know?" Yosuke asked.
"Not as much as I'd like, but probably more than you. I really need this refresher." Yui stated.
"Wow! I'm glad you've got some experience under your belt, at least!"
"Marie-chan, what about you?" Yui asked Marie.
Marie answered her question by picking up an electric guitar and examining it. After a few moments, as if compelled by instinct, she began to play a melody, one that sounded like a song from the soul. This surprised every single person in the room, including Marie herself.
"Awesome!" Kanji whispered.
"She can play! That's incredible!" Yosuke said happily.
"Marie-chan! I'm amazed! Have you done this before?" Rise asked Marie.
Marie wasn't able to respond, her mouth sealed in a way that prevented any coherent words from forming.
"That's OK, Marie-chan! Just keep at it! That leaves Kanji-kun, Chie-senpai, and Yukiko-senpai. Kanji-kun, why don't you take the drums? Chie-senpai can take...the trumpet. And Yukiko-senpai can take the...sax?" Rise said.
"OK then. Hope these are easy…" Chie mumbled.
Everyone got set up, standing in their assigned positions, with Kanji, Teddie, Naoto and Marie in the back, Yosuke, Chie, Yukiko and Yui in the middle, and Rise in the very front.
"Hey, don't we look like a band, at least?" Yosuke asked.
"It's not bad! Let's do our best!" Rise said.
Chie and Yukiko were blowing through their mouthpieces, but to no avail.
"I can't get a sound out of it!" Yukiko stated.
"Is this thing broken? Am I even doing this right?" Chie asked aloud.
"That's how it is for everyone when they start out. Don't worry." Rise explained.
"I just realized I don't know how to read sheet music…" Chie said sadly.
"I think I can read." Marie stated.
"Is that so? Can you play this?" Yui asked Marie, showing her a piece of sheet music.
Marie attempted to play the piece, but was unable to play the notes coherently.
"Huh? What happened?" Yui asked.
"I don't know! I've never played this song." Marie replied.
"Play that song from before." Yui instructed Marie.
Marie did as she was told, playing the previous song perfectly.
"Weird...so you only know how to play this one song?" Yui asked.
"I don't understand it either." Marie confessed.
"I'm doomed. I guess I have to transfer schools after all…" Yosuke said in a defeated tone.
"That's not going to happen, Yosuke! Here, I know how to read sheet music! Let me give everyone a crash course, real quick!" Yui stated.
Yui quickly explained the basics of reading music notes to everyone, and once that was done, everyone started practicing until it got dark. They agreed that they would have to meet again tomorrow.
"Band practice?" Adachi asked Dojima at the dinner table.
"Narukami called me to tell me she'd be late because of that. Said that she and her friends were going to do a concert at Junes." Dojima explained.
"Concert?! I want to go see onee-chan perform!" Nanako said excitedly.
"Adachi. You wanna come along, too?" Dojima asked Adachi.
"Ehh...I think I'll pass." Adachi replied.
"Are you sure? You were hanging out with Narukami so much before. Why are you reluctant now?" Dojima asked with a smirk.
"Ah ha ha ha! Oh, alright! I can make time!" Adachi chuckled.
10/9
"OK, here we go again. Ichi, ni, san, yon!" Rise chimed.
Everyone began playing their respective instruments, clumsily, with no sense of harmony. Even Yui, who hummed the lyrics of Rise's song to herself, couldn't maintain her composure very well. The melody was interrupted by a loud thunk, stopping everyone in their tracks.
"That wasn't me! I swear!" Chie exclaimed.
"A hip and young audience yearns for surprise in music!" Teddie stated, essentially admitting that he was the cause.
"Teddie! Focus!" Yosuke shouted in frustration.
"Why don't we take a break? We've been at this since morning." Naoto suggested.
"Alright then. My fingers are getting stiff…" Yosuke muttered.
Everyone put down their instruments and sat together, feeling down on their luck. Everyone put down their instruments...except for Marie, who continued to practice her part.
"Marie-chan, let's take a break." Yui urged Marie.
"I can't. That would be a waste of time. I have to get this right. I have to make more memories for myself…" Marie muttered, ignoring Yui's instruction.
Suddenly, Marie flinched in pain, lifting her hand from the guitar to see that she had cut her fingertips on the strings.
"Marie-chan!" Yui exclaimed.
"It's OK. It doesn't hurt." Marie lied.
"What are you talking about? No way that doesn't hurt!" Kanji exclaimed.
"Marie-chan, don't push yourself. We need you in the best condition for this." Yui told Marie.
"Here. Let me help you." Rise said.
Rise pulled out a pocket purse and reached inside to get disinfectant and bandages to cover Marie's cuts.
"The best thing a pro can do is to be in peak condition when they're onstage. And no matter what, if you can't make it to the stage, you've failed." Rise said as she nursed Marie's wounds.
"I'm starting to think this is impossible. How can we possibly learn how to play music this quickly?" Yosuke said.
"We just don't have enough time…" Chie muttered.
"Don't give up now! It's not over yet!" Yui told everyone.
"*sigh* You're right. If we give up now, all our effort will be for nothing." Yosuke admitted.
"The real fight doesn't start until your back is up against a wall!" Kanji stated.
"Yeah! This isn't just about Yosuke now. I'll be angry at myself if I quit now!" Chie said confidently.
"Don't worry, Yosuke-senpai. I agreed to do this. So I won't back out!" Rise stated.
Rise finished treating Marie, giving her a smile. Marie looked at Rise in awe at her kindness.
"No matter how much you practice, you have to make sure you can still go up there and be your best. OK Marie-chan?" Rise said.
"Yes. Thank you...Rise-chan." Marie thanked Rise, a smile slowly forming.
"Will you be alright, Marie-chan?" Yukiko asked Marie.
"Yes. I can do this." Marie said confidently.
"Then shall we resume practice?" Naoto asked.
"Yeah! Let's go!" Yosuke said with determination.
Yukiko blew into the mouthpiece of her saxophone one more time, finally managing to produce a sound.
"Oh! I did it! It does work!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"Yes! Good job, Yukiko-chan! We can do this, everyone!" Yui cheered.
"OK everybody! Let's do it, with me singing this time. Ready? Ichi, ni, san, yon!" Rise said.
When they started playing, to their surprise, they played very well, and in sync with each other, following Rise's lyrics for their flow. Yui got so caught up in the harmony, she accidentally started singing aloud.
"Muna sawagi mushi shite mo kokoro ga Feel Blue!" Yui sang.
Yui caught herself singing and covered her mouth in embarrassment, which caused everyone else to stop playing, making her feel worse.
"Oh, sumimasen. I didn't mean to sing out loud…" Yui apologized.
"Senpai! You have a great voice!" Rise praised Yui.
"Yui-chan! I didn't know you could sing!" Chie said in admiration.
"Since when? Why didn't you tell me?" Marie asked.
"Oh it's...it's nothing special." Yui said humbly, her face growing pink.
"Can you be my backup singer, senpai? Please? You'll sound great up there!" Rise asked.
"I...I couldn't. I've never sang in front of anyone before…" Yui said shyly.
"I'll sing with you if you do it! OK, Yui-chan?" Chie stated.
"Count me in! I want to help you be your best!" Yukiko concurred.
"I'll sing too. Now you have to! I won't let your talent go to waste!" Marie insisted, but her smile assured Yui that she had her support.
"Girls, I...thank you! That means a lot to me." Yui said emotionally.
Yui looked forward and readied herself.
"OK, I'll do it!" Yui said.
"Wonderful! Alright senpais, give it your all! Ichi, ni, san, yon!" Rise stated.
Yui and her friends continued to practice until dark. By that point, they knew with full confidence that they were ready for tomorrow's performance.
10/10
Today was the day of the band performance, and everyone was gathered backstage, preparing to go up. To say tensions were high was an understatement. Yosuke got back to everyone after taking a peek at the crowd.
"Shit! The crowd's a lot bigger than I expected!" Yosuke said nervously.
"You're just making me more nervous!" Chie told Yosuke.
"Are our costumes OK? They're not really costumes, they're just our winter uniforms." Kanji asked.
"It's not like we have real costumes. We're gonna be switching to winter uniforms soon anyway." Yosuke stated.
"Where's Rise-chan? She's awfully late…" Yukiko said worriedly.
"Dammit! What the hell is she doing? And after giving us so much confidence yesterday!" Kanji said in frustration.
"My heart is beating like a typhoon…" Yui muttered.
"Yeah, same here." Yosuke said.
Yui's phone began ringing, which immediately concerned her as she wasn't expecting any calls. When she looked to see that it was Rise calling, Yui's heart skipped a beat.
"It's Rise! Something's wrong…" Yui told everyone.
Everyone became incredibly anxious as Yui answered her phone.
"Hello? Rise-chan?" Yui said.
"Senpai! I'm in trouble!" Rise said in distress.
"Rise-chan?! What's going on?" Yui asked.
"There's a crowd gathered in front of my house! Someone started a rumor that I was doing a comeback concert. I can't leave!" Rise explained.
"Those people all want to see the concert, right? Why don't you invite them over?" Chie asked Rise over the phone.
"We can't do that! We already handed out all the tickets for the concert this morning! If they find out they can't attend the concert…" Naoto pointed out.
"Those lunatics will start a riot. And if that happens, there goes all our plans!" Kanji stated grimly.
"Fuck! This is the worst case scenario!" Yosuke panicked.
"What do we do?" Marie asked, visibly worried.
Yui thought long and hard about what to do about this crisis until she formed a plan in her head.
"I have an idea. But it's going to take a few miracles." Yui stated.
"What do you mean?" Chie asked.
"Chie-chan, come with me." Yui told Chie.
Yui pulled Chie off to the side, leaving the others in suspense.
"Chie-chan, I'm going to make a couple calls. And I'm going to need your help with this too." Yui said.
"Yui-chan, whatever you're planning, it had better work!" Chie said desperately.
"That's why I need you. Because I know you can make it work!" Yui told Chie.
Yui dialed a number on her phone and called a friend.
"Hello? Great! I need your help! It's for Rise-chan! Can you do this?" Yui said over the phone.
After Yui got confirmation, she went back to Chie.
"OK Chie-chan, here's the plan…"
Yui explained her plan to Chie, which filled Chie with both fear and anticipation.
"And remember Chie-chan! You need to run! The team is counting on you. I'M counting on you!" Yui said firmly.
"OK! I can do it!" Chie said bravely.
"I love you, Chie-chan!"
"I love you too, Yui-chan!"
Yui gave Chie a kiss for good luck, and Chie bolted away.
"Risette! We know you're in there! Come out already!" A fan shouted from outside Rise's home.
The crowd was becoming increasingly agitated, which only served to make Chie more nervous. But she took a deep breath and steeled her nerves.
"Come on, Chie! This is for Rise-chan! And for Yui-chan, the girl of your dreams!" Chie whispered to herself.
Chie walked up to the crowd, drawing their attention.
"Hey! Everyone! Risette's over there!" Chie shouted.
The crowd turned to look where Chie was pointing and saw Rise, in an idol costume, running away. They all gave chase, nearly running over Chie as she pulled away from them.
"Phew! That leaves the rest to you!"
Chie proceeded to run back to Junes, hoping she would be able to make it back in time.
"Dad, hurry! We're going to miss them!" Nanako urged Dojima.
"Dojima-san! You know I still have work to do, right?" Adachi whined as Dojima pulled him by the collar.
"Yui gave you a ticket. I suggest you take this opportunity." Dojima insisted.
The three of them watched from a distance as the audience became impatient.
"When's the show going to start?!" A member called out.
"How long do we have to wait?!" Another member complained.
Yui had attempted to call both Chie and Rise, to no avail.
"No good. I can't get a hold of either of them." Yui stated.
"We can't keep them waiting much longer!" Kanji said.
"What shall we do without Kujikawa?" Naoto asked.
"I don't know. I was hoping Rise would be here by now...I didn't plan this far ahead…" Yui muttered.
"Yui-chan!"
Yui and the others turned to see Chie running toward them. Yui reached out as Chie fell into her arms, breathless and rushing with adrenaline.
"I...I did it! Rise will be here any minute now!" Chie said in between breaths.
"I knew you could do it, Chie-chan!" Yui said with a bright smile.
"She'll definitely come here, right?" Marie asked.
"Yes, she will." Yui replied.
Marie picked up her guitar, slinging it over her head.
"Then I will do what I have to until she does!" Marie said with determination.
"Marie-chan...thank you." Yui said gratefully.
"Are you going to be alright, Chie-chan? Can you breathe?" Yukiko asked Chie.
Chie took a few more steady breaths until her breathing went back to normal.
"OK! I'm ready now!" Chie said confidently.
Once everyone was onstage, the crowd began to cheer, filling everyone with both tension and confidence.
"Remember, just like we rehearsed! No improv! That means you, Teddie!" Yosuke reminded.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Chie cheered.
Yui breathed deep as the lights came on, focusing on her two instruments: her bass and her voice.
"Here we go…" Yui whispered.
"Are you ready?!" Marie asked the crowd in English.
The crowd cheers in response, prompting everyone to start playing Rise's song, "True Story".
"Mata kyou mo mune no oku tozashita Heart Beat"
(Once again, today I locked my heartbeat deep within my chest)
"Mite hoshii misetakunai dou dou meguri"
(I keep spinning indecisively between wanting you to see and me not wanting to show it)
"Muchuu dake ja wakaranainda"
(Just being crazy about something, they won't get it)
"Say Hello (Hello!)"
"Sen no uso zenbu ketobashite"
(and send countless lies flying with a kick!)
Shout Friends honki no kotoba dake
(Shout friends and the truth!)
Hibike sekai no kanata made
(Resound till you reach the other side of the world!)
Ring Bells shiranai kane no ne ga
(Ring bells! When the ringing of the bells you don't know of)
Kimi no DOA tataitara True Story
(knocks on your door, then you'll know it's a true story!)
At this moment, Rise came running onto the stage, wearing her winter uniform.
"Hello everyone!" Rise cheered.
The crowd went wild for Rise, amping everyone up further.
"Hey, Marie-chan. Thank you so much for taking over for me. You really are a pro!" Rise whispered to Marie with a wink.
"Ah, you're welcome. Let's keep going!" Marie said with a smile and a blush.
"Are you ready?" Rise asked the crowd in English.
The crowd cheered again, prompting everyone to proceed to the next verse.
The Risette fans had cornered who they thought was Rise, asking her for handshakes. They were in for a shock, as "Risette" turned to them and removed her wig. In truth, it was Kou, posing as Rise by wearing her idol outfit.
"Surprise, losers!" Kou taunted them.
Daisuke came running from behind cover with a fire extinguisher in hand, pointing it at the bewildered crowd.
"Take this!" Daisuke shouted, spraying the crowd members with foam.
The people in the front were completely soaked in foam, while the rest of the crowd fled in fear. After scaring them off, Kou and Daisuke gave each other a high five.
"That takes care of them! Great job, Kou!" Daisuke said.
"*laugh* We did it! Hope it was enough for Chie and Rise to make it to the concert." Kou said.
"Oh yeah, dude! That was all us!"
"OK...I'm gonna change out of this thing now…"
"Why? You look great!"
"Shut up...*chuckle*"
Mune sawagi mushi shite mo kokoro ga Feel Blue
(Even if you ignore that restlessness in your chest, your heart will feel blue)
Kekkyoku wa te ni tsukanai asa ga kichau
(In the end, morning ends up coming with your head still up in the clouds)
Omou dake ja todokanainda
(With just your thoughts, you won't reach them)
Change Yourself
Kami-sama ni makeseterannai
(because you can't just leave it to almighty God!)
Just Find hontou wa kikoeteta
(Just find! The truth is that I could hear)
Kimi no setsunai koe zutto
(your lonely voice the whole time)
Shake Hands te wo tsunagu yuuki de
(Shake hands! With the courage to hold hands,)
Hoshi ga ima seiza ni naru yo
(the stars will now become constellations!)
Shout Friends honki no kotoba dake
(Shout friends! Resound out only true words)
Hibike sekai no kanata made
(so they reach the other side of the planet)
Dream Bells futari no kane no ne ga
(Dream bells! The ringing of our bells)
Asu no DOA hiraiteku True Story
(is opening the door to tomorrow- it's a true story!)
After the song concluded, the crowd cheered uproariously, filling everyone with relief and joy that they had successfully pulled off the concert. Marie in particular was wide-eyed with wonder as she watched the audience applaud. All the while, Dojima and Adachi stood smiling while Nanako cheered for "onee-chan".
"Encore! Encore! Encore!" The audience cheered.
"We did it everyone!" Yui said triumphantly.
"Rawr! I'm gonna surf the crowd!" Teddie exclaimed.
"Hell yeah! Let's do it!" Yosuke agreed.
"I'll show you how it's done!" Kanji shouted.
The boys jumped off the stage at the same time, but to their dismay, the crowd members did not catch them, instead moving out of the way in a panic. Yosuke, Kanji and Teddie all flopped face first into the ground, causing their friends and the audience to flinch. Teddie rolled away in defeat, leaving Yosuke and Kanji in distress.
"Are you OK?" Yui called out to them.
"Agh...we're fine...I think…" Yosuke groaned in pain.
"I didn't know it was possible to stand on your face…" Kanji mumbled.
"Well...what do we do now? We only know one song." Chie asked.
"Oh yeah, I didn't think of that…" Rise said.
"I know what we should do." Yui said.
"What is it?" Chie asked.
Yui took Chie's hand before speaking again.
"Exit stage right!" Yui said with a smile.
Yui and Chie giggled as they ran off to the right of the stage, leaving Yukiko, Rise, Naoto and Marie on the stage.
"Hey! Where are you two going?" Rise called out.
"Spending their youth." Marie said with a grin.
After the concert was over, the team ordered a round of soft drinks at the Junes food court and held a toast, and they even invited Kou and Daisuke as thanks for their help.
"Kanpai!" Everyone cheered.
"Thank you so much everyone! Thanks to the concert, the sale was a success!" Yosuke said happily.
"Honestly, I think we should all thank Kou and Daisuke. They truly saved the day." Yui said.
"I mean, sure, but why did you have me dress up as Rise-chan?" Kou asked.
"Well, it was mostly sheer convenience that you had a very similar frame to Rise's. Also, it really showed those crazy Rise fans, didn't it?" Yui explained.
"We can't say it enough, Kou. Even though no one else will know what you did, you saved both Yosuke and Rise-chan! Thank you so much!" Chie told Kou.
"Heh. It was nothing, really. Though if any of my other classmates saw me like that, I'd die of embarrassment. It already happened with Daisuke, that's bad enough." Kou said.
"We're heroes, Kou. That's what's important." Daisuke said.
Marie happily sipped her drink as Rise chatted with her, thanking her for her contribution to the concert. It seemed Marie had never been more comfortable around other people.
"You were amazing up there as a vocalist, Marie-chan! Did you have fun?" Rise asked Marie.
"I guess. But...I don't really remember much about it. Even though we just did it." Marie stated.
"Memories are like that. When you're in the moment, you don't think about it much until after it happens. That's how it becomes a memory, after all." Rise said.
"Let's keep doing things like this." Marie said.
"We'd love to!" Rise agreed.
Marie smiled as her heart flooded with warmth, and she hummed a made-up melody. Yui and Chie laughed it up as they told their version of today's events, and they started to nuzzle together without realizing it. Kou saw this display, which initially confused him, but he quickly understood.
"What a wild day it's been…" Kou told Daisuke.
"It was pretty fun. I won't forget this." Daisuke stated.
Author's Note(5-30-23): This was a really fun chapter to write, and it's the first time I used the Golden Animation as reference. You can expect Marie to be a bit more involved with the other characters from here on as well, as I think this point in the story is great to include some extra characterization. I don't know if I'll consult the Golden Animation for future chapters, but the concert scene from that anime was so fun that I simply had to write about it. And yes, Kou dressing up as Rise was very funny and totally worth including.
